WEST BRIDGEWATER — The vehicles raced loudly alongside Route 24 via the muggy air. However, the West Bridgewater High School soccer workforce barely observed as they practiced.
For stars like senior quarterback James Harris, this marketing campaign presents a possibility to proceed a profitable custom the Wildcats have established.
“This is by far the most excited I have been for a season, and it’s not even close,” mentioned Harris. “My friends that I’ve built over these past four years? We’re here. We were working all summer. Some of these guys have been working their butts off. It really pays off, and it shows here.”
Harris might be trying to construct upon a yr through which he completed with 22 touchdowns and averaged 11 yards per carry. Schools like Springfield College and the University of New England have been eying his companies, however the captain is concentrated on making historical past at his hometown college.
“I intend to do better,” Harris mentioned. “Always try to do better, I know I can be better, and I know I can be better for the team as well. Looking to prioritize my teammates, maybe open the field a lot. We can run on the field, we can pass. I think everyone on the field has skill, and we can really improve on that, do better than we did last year.”
Since taking on for longtime veteran coach Bill Panos just a few years again, Justin Kogler has stored West Bridgewater a perennial title contender, if not improved issues. This run even featured a visit to the Div. 8 Super Bowl in 2019.
During his tenure, Kogler has seen just a few unbelievable gamers go via his program. However, Harris stands proud, primarily as a twin menace. He has all the time been a menace to run. Now? Expect an improved dynamic.
“He’s explosive,” Kogler mentioned. “He’s a big play threat, he’s improved his throwing a lot in the offseason last year. He wasn’t a great thrower, but now this year, I think we’re going to be able to add a lot more passing into his game. I think that’s hopefully going to make our offense better.”
Kogler is hopeful to enhance on what was seen by his employees as a good, however nonetheless considerably underwhelming 2022 marketing campaign. The Wildcats went 6-2 in the course of the common season in Div. 7, then fell to Wahconah within the opening spherical of the playoffs (a 35-15 defeat).
“We’ve got a lot of good skilled position players coming back,” mentioned Kogler. “Kids are very enthusiastic about the year. Like I said, they’ve been excited. They’ve been looking forward to the season, as well as I. Felt like last year we probably could have done a little bit better than we did. So, we’re pretty motivated to do better this year.”
West Bridgewater will play as an impartial for another season earlier than coming into the South Coast Conference subsequent fall.
That doesn’t imply the Wildcats might be tasked with a cupcake schedule. West Bridgewater opens the yr with video games towards South Shore League standouts Norwell, East Bridgewater and Rockland. Then, the varsity will face a sequence of former Mayflower Athletic Conference rivals.
Harris is approaching the brand new problem with a way of confidence.
“I love the competition,” Harris mentioned. “Norwell, last year, was definitely our best game. It was definitely the most fun game of my life. I intend to also go out there, hopefully win those games, and start off with a good three wins. They will be good, hard fought wins, and they will make the team stronger and better.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com