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Jackson County High’s head soccer coach Jordan Bryant said the team is still grinding and striving for last minute improvements as they prepare for the post-season.
After starting their 2024 campaign with three straight losses, the Blue Devils corrected course going 5-5-2 in their last 12 games. Heading into the district tournament, Bryant said the Blue Devils will be facing their best competition yet.
“Of course, the teams we’ll be playing, they can score a lot of goals,” Bryant said. “I think we just got to get where defensively we’re more sound. And then also on the offensive side, we’ve just got to finish.”
Bryant said this year’s roster is younger than most they have faced this year, but the Blue Devils have performed beyond their experience. He said that the steadiness and maturity they have shown and grown this season will be a difference maker come playoff time.
“Their heart and determination, that’s been a big thing to see,” Bryant said. “And just there all around mentality going into games. they don’t really get down and they don’t really get up. They really stay in the middle and play hard.”
Bryant said a majority of his starting rotation are sophomores that are just in their third season or organized soccer. He said while there have been bumps in the road, he has seen his team improve with each passing game and practice.
“It’s been tremendous growth for them,” Bryant said. “Just going from the time they started playing a lot of them, those younger ones, it’s their first or second year playing. And it’s almost like they’ve hit the accelerator on the growth this year. So, that’s been good.”
The Blue Devils will take on Cannon County to open up the district tournament. Jackson County has struggled against the Lions, dropping both match-ups by a combined score of 9-0.
