Brandon is strong in the back as the Eagles seek to duplicate their state title success from last season.
By JEREMY RASMUSSEN
Published November 18, 2003
BRANDON - As Class 2A state soccer champion Brandon begins its title defense tonight against Hillsborough, coach Allen Ware is wondering how far his defense can take him this season.
Of the Eagles' six returning starters, four are on defense: David Zettel, whose header was the winner in the state final, sweeper Kirk LaBush and marking backs Jermaine Walters and Mike Davis.
Graduated are all-county players Jason Poole and Michael Guess. Starting goalie Gilchrist Callahan moved to Georgia.
High-scoring Derek Goforth is academically ineligible this semester but could return in January. And Ryan Tenecyck, because of blurred vision, has not been medically cleared to play. He also could return in January. "If defense wins championships, then hopefully we'll be okay," Ware said. "We'll definitely be relying on our defense, at least until January, when we'll get more help. Until then, the new guys will get some experience."
Without Goforth, the Eagles will count heavily on junior Andy Skiffington, who gives them some size at striker.
"(Skiffington) could be huge up front, literally," Ware said. "He's grown big. He's like 6 feet and 175, and he works hard. He'll score some goals."
After several years of trying to get past Jesuit, the Eagles (23-1-1) finally succeeded last season. In fact, it marked the first time in 18 years the Tigers failed to make the state playoffs.
Now, however, realignment has moved the two to separate districts.
But Brandon's move from Class 2A to 5A doesn't make things easier as it has the likes of Plant to contend with.
The Panthers were unbeaten through 17 games last season until they fell to eventual 3A state champion Seminole 2-1 in the region final.
This season, they return several young players, including Jeff Obie and Alistair Campbell.
Obie is a big, strong striker. Although he has played soccer for several years, Panthers coach Kelvin Jones said he is just starting to learn the nuances of the game.
Campbell, who played cricket and rugby in Jamaica, has been playing soccer for only two years. Again, however, Jones said he is picking up the game quickly. Plant's biggest impact player could be Joey Paleveda, a forward whose tremendous speed and crossing ability will make him a threat to score or assist.
"Brandon has learned to win, so I expect them to be very good," Jones said. "Everything's going to be new, but I think we'll compete and, hopefully, surprise some people."
