After graduating 14 seniors last year, the Boys’ varsity soccer team will rely on persistent leadership and young talent this season. 

Last year’s defeat in the third round of playoffs versus Mountain Brook left the boys eager for a fresh start toward becoming State Champions.   

After losing 14 seniors, though, this will be a tall order.

While senior Drew Vinson’s return to goal will provide security for the boys’ team, the new roster will take some time to gel. 

“These changes are something we are going to have to cope with in those first few weeks of practice as we get used to the new squad,” head coach Julian Kersh said.

Junior center-midfielder Charlie Herring notes that practices vary almost daily, from technical work to a more tactical standpoint. 

During practices, the players are put in many game-like scenarios to see how they function with each other and respond to different positions.  “When you graduate 14 seniors, you’re not sure what your starting 11 will look like,” Kersh said. 

As Homewood said goodbye to the seniors, they said hello to a new area. This year’s area teams consisting of Parker, Jackson-Olin, and Minor.

Taking on a new area with a brand new team, Junior center-midfielder Charlie Herring says, “Good team chemistry is an important part of being successful.” Team chemistry depends on one valuable asset: leadership.

Senior goalie Drew Vinson speaks about the leadership shown throughout his past play, but specifically reaches back to his time on the 2021 State Champion team. “Everyone was very encouraging towards each other, and that attitude helped a lot,” Vinson said.

It will take stern leadership to advance with the defending State Champions, Mountain Brook, returning all of their talent.

Homewood has an objectively solid program with six State Championships in total. Two of which Kersh played on, which makes his instruction advantageous for the Patriots.

“It may be a challenge, but we always have an eye in the State Championship,” Kersh said.

Even though receiving the title of State Champions is the main aspiration, Kersh says, “taking the season one game at a time is key. ” 

The boys will open their season by taking on McAdory at the Lakeshore Shootout Tournament on February third.