By Chris Parker
Fair Grove advanced to the Class 1 state tournament for the second time in program history in 2021. The Eagles came away with the fourth place trophy.
There will be a different look to the team this year after graduating five seniors and returning four total starters.
One of those returning starters is first-team all-district goalkeeper Elijah Merillat.
His return will be key for Fair Grove’s success this year.
“The return of our keeper will be one of our biggest strengths,” Miller said. “Our district has not had a consistent feeder program, but our incoming freshman have been playing together for a couple of years, which gives us a large number of potential players to work with that we have not seen in years past.
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“Our keeper and captain from last year Elijah Merillat will be our returning captain,” Fair Grove head coach Krista Miller said. “He has a great work ethic, he is determined and keeps his teammates focused and motivated on and off the field.”
In front of Merillat will be a host of juniors. Garrett Mullis is slated to play defender in his junior season. The midfield will feature the junior trio of Brandon Kandlbinder, Bradley Blecher and Reid Beckner.
The rest of the lineup is still to be determined.
“We are going to be a young team and a small team this year,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, our size and experience will be our biggest weakness.”
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Fair Grove will travel to Willard for a jamboree on Aug. 22 before opening the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against College Heights.
“We are in a building season this year,” Miller said. “We have a lot of potential and we need to stay focused, strong and determined to create a season that we can build on.”
