Jackson Soccer Needs New Faces To Step Up

New faces for Jackson County’s Girl Soccer team in 2024, but the same goal of wining a district title.

After an 8-0 loss to Cannon County to end their 2023 campaign, the team lost 80 percent of that season’s scoring with the departure of the senior class. Bryant said he has spent this off season working with his underclassman that will take on larger roles this season.

“Trying to get them to where they’re not really comparing themselves with the older ones, but just working together,” Bryant said. “And get them to the point that they can be confident. ‘Hey, you can do this and I have confidence in you that you can.’ But that’s really been the biggest thing.”

Bryant said his job is made easier with the help from senior leaders Reagan Howell and Lily Holloway. Bryant coached both at Jackson County Middle School and said they’re both skilled as offensive players and instructors.

“You can just tell they have that experience,” Bryant said. “They’ve been real good leaders this summer with the younger ones – they’re both offensive players. Showing them, the younger girls, where they need to be, their positioning and all of that. So, they’ve been really good and they’re a great joy to coach.”

And while the offense will have senior leaders to rely on, the team will count on freshman goalie Bella Souza in just her second year playing soccer to man the goalkeeper position.

“I told her, at that position, you’ve got to have short term memory,” Bryant said. “You know, there’s times things are going to happen. A goal may get past you, but you got to realize that it’s not just all on you. You got ten teammates in front of you too. The ball has to get through to them, to get to you.”