By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In 2021, the Logan-Rogersville Wildcats advanced to the Class 2 quarterfinals for the first time in program history after winning their first district championship. But they were left wanting more.
“You can plan and make predictions, but at the end of the day, the kids just have to play,” said Logan-Rogersville coach Brett Wubbena, who enters his 15th year with the Wildcats. “In my mind, we beat the best team that we faced last season and had a couple other games that I wish we could have a do-over.
“Mindset is huge. Going into this year, I’m hoping that our players will feel that they have unfinished business. We lost some good players but have some coming in that I hope can fill in those holes.”
A few of those holes are big ones, as the Wildcats lose their season and career goal leader and their season and career assist leader after finishing 19-5 overall and 4-2 in the Big 8 Conference.
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• Sage Ballard, forward – Scored 48 goals with 11 assists last year; team’s season and career goal leader. Earned Class 2 All-State first-team, all-region, all-district and All-Big 8 Conference honors.
• Rylen Ballard, midfielder – Scored 18 goals with 27 assists, team’s season and career assist leader. Earned all-state second-team, all-region, all-district and all-conference honors.
• Silas Roderick, Dima Vedernikov and Isaac Eichenberger (all-district) also will be missed. “These boys all added to a great team atmosphere,” Wubbena said.
Back to lead the Wildcats this season is a mix of juniors and seniors and one sophomore.
• Stewart McDonald, junior midfielder – Scored 14 goals with 11 assists. Earned all-conference, all-district and all-region honors. “An outstanding team player; can play anywhere you need,” Wubbena said.
• Brady Goodson, junior goalkeeper – 10 shutouts. District Keeper of the Year and all-conference honoree. “Fantastic goalie that could also play anywhere on the field. In my mind, he will be at the top of the GKs in the area.”
• Caleb Vogt, junior midfielder – All-conference and all-district selection. “Strong, fast and incredible drive to win.”
• Calvin Jones, senior center back – All-conference and all-district pick. “Super strong defender and leader.”
• Tyler Stewart, senior midfielder – All-district. “Great mid-defender.”
• Zach Higdon, senior center back – All-conference and all-district honoree. “Diamond in the rough. Athletic as anyone and a great defender.”
• Conner Stewart, sophomore midfielder – Scored 5 goals with 8 assists. “Pure soccer player; reads the field incredibly well.”
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While Wubbena says that scoring goals will be a challenge after losing the program’s career leader, he thinks the midfield will be his team’s strength.
“I was looking at who the players are, and it seems they all can play in the midfield,” Wubbena said. “I also think that we are more aggressive and intense as a team than what we have been in the past, which should make for some entertaining soccer.”
Logan-Rogersville will participate in a jamboree at Greenwood (Cooper 1) with New Covenant Academy and Marshfield on Aug. 19 before opening the regular season at home against Hillcrest on Sept. 1.
“The boys’ program could end up above .500 in its history, as we are currently 161-168,” Wubbena said. “I would also like to think that we will be competitive this year and have a chance to win our district.”
