By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Willard Tigers enter year two under head coach Jamie Waddell with the goal of returning to the district championship game.
The Tigers, who last won a district title in 2019, finished the 2021 season with an 11-15-1 overall record and 1-7 in the Central Ozark Conference. They defeated Grandview 2-1 in the first round of the Class 3 District 6 tournament before falling to Neosho in the semifinals.
“We as a coaching staff didn’t base our success on just our overall record,” said Waddell. “It was a new season, with three new coaches. We thought the boys responded well to a new style.”
Willard featured a young lineup last season and faces one key loss to graduation – forward Jessee Owens, who is now playing at Evangel University. Owens earned first-team all-district and second-team all-conference honors in 2021.
“Jessee’s knowledge and speed of the game will be missed,” Waddell said. “He always found a way to be a part of each play around the goal.”
The Tigers return two key seniors in forward Caleb Kuchta and goalkeeper Chris Massey.
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Kuchta broke Willard’s single-season scoring record (39) with 43 goals (and has a chance to break the career mark, as well), while adding eight assists last season. He also earned first-team all-conference, all-district (Co-Offensive MVP), all-region and honorable mention all-state honors.
Massey recorded eight shutouts in 2021 on his way to being a second-team all-district selection.
“(Kuchta) has amazing speed and a tremendous touch on the ball,” Waddell said. “Chris has unbelievable reaction and ability to see the play develop. He was a huge part of keeping us in some games last season.”
That experience will be a strength for the Tigers this season, as well as the team’s desire to be successful, Waddell said.
“We return most of our starters from last year’s young team,” Waddell said. “With a full season of varsity under our belts, we expect to compete every night. The kids have done a great job of pushing themselves to make this a successful season.”
Willard has a number of newcomers looking to make an impact this season in Barrett Jarvis, Daniel Proctor, Caleb Thompson and Josh Hemingway.
• Barrett Jarvis, freshman midfielder/forward – “Jarvis has a good first touch and will provide some support for our midfielders,” Waddell said.
• Daniel Proctor, freshman midfielder/forward – “Proctor has very good ball control and speed and should help provide some relief for our players up top.”
• Caleb Thompson, junior defender – Was an all-district honorable mention selection. “Even though Caleb was a starter last season, he will be asked to play in the back this year. His aggression and length will make it difficult on the opposing scorers.”
• Josh Hemingway, sophomore defender – “Josh was asked to fill in last season at times and provided us with a much-needed aggressive style of soccer.”
Waddell said the staff has enjoyed working with this group of players that has worked hard in the offseason on the field and in the weight room.
“The kids have done a great job of pushing themselves to make this a successful season,” Waddell said. “We return most of our starters from last year’s young team. With a full season of varsity under our belts, we expect to compete every night.
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“Our biggest challenge this season is our strength of schedule. We have one of the toughest conferences and districts. We will have to come out every night and play our best.”
Willard will be hosting a jamboree on Aug. 22 that includes Hillcrest, Fair Grove and Laquey, before opening the season against Greenwood in the Lebanon Tournament on Aug. 26.
“Our expectation is to get to the district championship,” Waddell said. “It will be very difficult because of so many good teams in our district. The kids have worked very hard this offseason and not getting to that game would be heartbreaking.
“We play a very tough schedule; the COC is a very difficult conference. We will have to play our best in all our games this season.”
