Jackets seek to build on boys soccer program

After finishing their past season with only a few wins, the Jackets started their season earlier than usual in order to beat last year’s record.

Last season, the Rockmart boys soccer team only won four games, but finished as sixth in the 7-AA region.

“We came out extra early to prepare,” new head coach Chandler Gray said. “We started running in October to build our distance so that when the season hit, we’d be in better condition. We had good participation with it, I was very happy.”.

Gray said that the team has shown improvement already with inner-team scrimmage games, which he believes is ultimately a result of the early season work. For this season, Gray’s goal for the team is to improve upon last year’s record.

“The goal right now is to double the number of wins we had last year, which was three,” Gray said.

Gray added that the girls team has always been good, but the boys haven’t had a strong program yet.

“Right now we are just building,” he said.

The Jackets will only lose two players due to graduation this year and Gray said the bulk of the team members are underclassmen. “They have great potential,” he said.

Gray names Senior James Harcort to be the star player, or one to watch this season. Also, with several starting positions opening up this year, some of the younger players will get their chance in the spotlight after practicing for a few years.

“Nathan Bonito has been waiting in the wings as goalkeeper because we had a senior goalkeeper who was a four-year starter,” Gray said. “Nathan is now a junior and it looks like he is ready to step up,” Gray added.

The first game play event for Rockmart was last week at Cedartown for a scrimmage, but their first official game of the season will be played at home against Coosa on Tuesday afternoon, February 5 after press time. Later this week on Friday, the team will be traveling to Harrison County.

The Coosa game also serves as Rockmart’s first 7-AA region game. Last season, Coosa finished as fifth in the 7-AA region, right above Rockmart.

“The top of our region is brutal,” Gray said, referring to the 7-AA teams ranked about Rockmart, specifically Model and Pepperell.

/ Lorene Parker The Rockmart boys soccer program shows their solidarity with one another by wearing the same shirts for each practice no matter what. The team started the tradition thanks to donations from local businesses, and keeps players from having to worry about getting regular clothes dirty, along with acting as a team building exercise.