By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The New Covenant Academy boys soccer program has had the same coach for 17 years.
To say that familiarity runs deep and is a staple in the program’s history would be a vast understatement.
Eric Crain enters his 18th season at the helm, and with seven returning starters, five returning seniors and 16 lettermen back in the fold in ’24, the preseason chips are aligning nicely for the Warriors, who went 13-12 one year ago, falling just shy of a Class 2 District 5 title.
“The base crew, it is going to be the same,” said Crain, who also serves as the school’s athletic director. “My midfield, my forwards, it is going to be a little bit of a change. Some seniors last year contributed a lot with the style we play, the control, moving the ball left and right.”
With the losses of Amare Horn (3 goals, 1 assist) and Gavin Berry (3 assists), the Warriors are slightly tweaking the attack this season.
“We are going to be missing them, but I think we have some freshmen who got some playing time last year [Jett Belk, Oliver Ward, Austin Berry], they will be taking over some more responsibilities,” said Crain.
Belk tallied 7 goals and 4 assists and is a returning starter.
“He will be taking more responsibility at the center-mid,” said Crain.
Berry is a returning starter.
Ward had 1 goal and 1 assist.
“They are young, but with the experience they have, I think they will be fine,” added Crain. “Dalton [Anderson] returns after leading us in scoring. [He] did a tremendous job. I see some great things coming from him this year.”
Anderson tallied 36 goals and 10 assists last year to lead the team.
Another player to watch is senior defender Trey Farquhar, who lettered and started last year.
Said Crain: “He will be doing a lot of the controlling of the backfield with some new, inexperienced players back there. We will see how it works out.”
Forward Cooper Bartlotti returns for his senior campaign after lettering last fall.
“He got a lot of experience in the backfield for us last year,” added Crain. “He came off the bench and will probably be starting this year.”
After spending the previous three seasons in the box, Jack O’Dell now will hold down the center-mid position.
Max Rhodes, a junior newcomer to the program, looks to solidify his role in the box.
“I think he will do a tremendous job in the box. He will need to do some things to catch up,” said Crain.
Rhodes plays basketball and golf for the Warriors, and just joined the team this summer.
The preseason jamboree is scheduled for Aug. 18 at Logan-Rogersville, and will feature the Wildcats, Greenwood and Marshfield.
The Warriors open the season at West Plains on Aug. 30 and the home opener is Sept. 5 against Lighthouse Senior High, followed by Willard one day later.
The Warrior Classic is slated for Sept. 9-14.
