Hawks buoyed by potential

Frontiersman

HOUSTON — When is a 1-9 record cause for celebration and optimism? When you’re the Houston boys’ soccer team.

The on-again, off-again program that struggles to field enough players for a complete team some seasons not only returned to the pitch this year, they’re coming back with the memory of a historic victory still fresh in their minds. The Hawks finished 2010 with a 7-4 win over Skyview. The win salvaged a season that was 0-9 to that point and did something coach Colton Conner had been hoping for — ushered Houston into the ranks of fielding a competitive team. It was also the program’s first varsity win ever.

“We competed in a lot of games last year,” Conner said. “We lost to Nikiski 1-3 and we lost to Seward by a point, and we competed with Palmer pretty well. Getting that win, it was like the kids just won a state championship. They knew that Houston soccer, mentally, was over that hump. Kids weren’t coming to practices before, but last year we really got some guys committed. We ended the season on a win, which was huge for us. Now the expectations this year are leaps and bounds higher.”

That commitment is carrying over into 2011, the coach said. The boys’ team “is head and shoulders” above where it was at the start of last season. That the Hawks have the numbers to field a team for the second straight year is also a bonus.

“It’s been tough getting numbers for guys and girls,” he said, adding there weren’t enough players to field a girls team this year.

But that didn’t stop Svannah Ritter. The senior defenseman is committed to soccer, even if it means playing on the boys’ team against other boys.

The emotional leader on the field is junior Josh Bowman, who plays center, midfield and striker, Conner said. He was the team’s top scorer as a sophomore and doesn’t let his teammates quit even if the Hawks are on the wrong end of a blowout.

“He brings energy,” Conner said. “The kid is an Energizer Bunny. He plays goal-to-goal, he’s the field general.

Also returning is senior captain Brandon Dukes, a defenseman. If Bowman’s the team’s Energizer Bunny, Dukes is its battalion commander, the coach said.

“He’s our captain and is a big leader and hustle player,” he said. “He just understands the game really well.”

Additions like Ritter and senior Zach Wise make Houston more versatile and talented than before, Conner said. Wise is a hockey player who never played soccer until this year. But he’s a natural athlete with tons of potential.

“He’s never played before, which is amazing considering how he plays,” he said. “He just understands the game naturally and he can shoot the ball as well as anybody out there. He’s extremely fast, so we put him at striker most of the time. He’s going to put some goals in for us this year. He’s an athlete.”

Houston got its first taste of varsity action on Thursday, an 11-1 loss to Valley rival Colony. Although the score was lopsided, Conner said he was pleased with the effort. The team was active, never gave up and played some good defense, he said.

Against one of the more established teams in the Valley, the opening game was a good indicator that Houston can improve and be competitive, the coach said.

“I have high expectations this year,” he said. “You can’t think about wins and losses, just about getting better. If you can continue to do that, wins will come.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

HOUSTON HAWKS

Boys head coach: Colton Connor

Boys 2010 finish: 1-9

Boys key returners: Josh Bowman, junior, center/striker; Zach Wise, senior; Joshua Bowman, junior, midfield/striker; Savannah Ritter, senior, defense.

Boys key losses: Josh Anderson, striker; Anthony Adkins, center/defense.