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Why We Love the HCS Boys Soccer Team

By D Hollis   Sun, Nov 06, 2011

You can tell it is early November in the Greater Hamilton Metroplex because the HCS boys soccer team is playing for -- and for the last four years in a row, winning -- a Section III Class D championship.

They did it again Saturday, beating Cincinatus 1-0.

There is no small amount of hometown pride in this accomplishment, but there is more. You have to love how they play and who these players are. And, how they are coached.

On the first day of practice in August, Coach Brian Latella laid out his expectations of his players. Latella said he expected hard work and dedication to the success of the team, and he expected the same in the classroom. In huddles before games and the start of second halves, Latella explains why the Emerald Knights will win if they simply do what they have practiced and planned. And, he inspires them.

Latella also listens. At halftime he meets with his four captains and they discuss what is working and what isn't. He asks what they think; what they see on the field; what they think needs to be done; how their teammates are doing.

And, Latella has a roster that makes his job easier, and probably a joy. They are:

Goalie John Kerber: Good at the start and he seemed to improve with every game, finding new and interesting ways to turn opponent goals into stops. Sure hands.

1. Robbie Keever: Deceptive; plays way bigger than he is. Fearless when going after the ball.

2. Drew Thompson: The Knights' leading scorer, team leader and favorite target of all oponents. Watch just his feet and you get the best picture of just how good he is. Watch his face and you see how intense he is ... and how much he loves the game.

3. Sam Hale: Stoic. Strong. Smart. Always finding a way to start a play on offense or interrupt the flow of the other team. The Knights' Mr. Consistent.  

7. Ben Knecht: Saw his outstanding freshman year as a starter interrupted by a broken leg at Old Forge. Bright future for the Knights.

9. Sam Owens: Always seems to be where the ball is. Able to control the tempo of the game with his play in the middle up top. Fast. Effective. Offensive threat always.

10. Branden Thomas: A quiet rock on defense. Quick. Tough. Yields nothing. Chases down everything.

14. Devin Askew: After playing most of the season on the offense and being a scoring threat, Askew moved back to defense and added even more strength to an already potent squad. And, he did it with a smile; "It's for the greater good," he says.

15. Chris Jackowski: Watched most of last year's practices and games from the sidelines following knee surgery, and now loving -- and going flat out -- every minute on the field. Excellent match to Thomas.

16. Charlie Jerome: Flat out, full throttle all the time.

17. Sam Riley: Hamilton's cop on the beat in front of the net. He is to the "D" what Thompson is the the "O".

18. Alan Schult: Smart senior playing his first year of soccer like he was raised on the game. Fast and aways to the ball.

19. Noah Fry: Built like he came from Cossitt Concrete, but fast and aggressive. Able to break up plays and/or score.

20. Charlie Campbell-Decock: Disciplined. Intelligent with the ability to change up the tempo of a game off the bench.

21. Barney Prince: Off the bench and always ready to contribute.

Win or lose against Old Forge this week in the sub-regional (?), an outstanding team has posted an outstanding season.

As it so often is this time of year, "It's a great day to be a Knight."

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