By Chris Parker
Cassville soccer returns seven starters and 13 lettermen from last season’s nine-win team.
“We are ready to compete,” Cassville head coach Curtis Ray said. “We have a good blend of all grade levels entering this season. The players have something to prove after not reaching their own expectations last season. We lost six games by one goal or in penalty kick shootouts, even though we dominated in almost every category during those games except the obvious. My assistant coach Hpa Thao is great at player development and tactics. Those tools will help us find even better opportunities this season. Our goalkeeper coach, Jake Forste, has done a great job preparing our keepers, which will keep us in games to the very end.”
Seniors Noah Driskill and Mason Rillstone will be forwards.
“Noah Driskill and Mason Rillstone will be a great duo up top,” Ray said. “They both bring a different style of play, but both are physical and fast.”
David Rehbach and Hugh Thao are a pair of seniors who will be key in the midfield.
Zeb Blankenship (senior) and Ian Quick (junior) will be anchors at defender.
“Zeb Blankenship and Ian Quick are a great duo that control the backline with speed and physical play,” Ray said. “Zeb reads the trajectory of the shot about as good as any defender we will play against. Ian is a great communicator, helping to shape the defensive unit.”
It will be a new look in goal. Last year’s backup in sophomore Kingston Nichols is still working back from an injury. Senior Carson Cash and junior Wyatt Hollingsworth are in the mix for time in goal.
“Those three have been nothing but incredible for each other,” Ray said. “Competing, encouraging, and pushing each other. Whoever ends up being in the box is going to be fun to watch.”
Cassville will be led by a quartet of captains.
“Hugh Thao, David Rehbach, Zeb Blankenship, and Preston Driskill are the team captains,” Ray said. “They all bring different aspects to the table that define our program and help to power us forward. Hugh is the least talkative, but his play speaks volumes. He can play anywhere on the field and is well respected among his peers. David is a skilled player with good knowledge of the game. He has become more vocalist and is therefore helping to coach other players, passing that knowledge along to them. Zeb brings a relentless energy to the team, passing that energy on to others will be a key from him. Preston is a hard worker. He can play and has skill, but his work ethic is the motivation we need as a team to continue through difficult situations. Diego Ibarra, senior, may not wear a captain’s band, but he is definitely seen as a leader on our team. He is vocal, skilled, creative, and finishes well around the box.”
Ray sees a couple of area’s as strengths for his team.
“No. 1, they all want the ball. That may sound selfish, but no one shies away from the ball under pressure. They all want to be a part of the game,” Ray said. “No. 2, we love to compete. We compete every day in practice at a different level than they have in the past. We respect everyone, but fear no one.”
Cassville opens the season Aug. 27-29 at the Webb City Kickoff Classic.
“This team is looking to turn heads,” Ray said. “We have been on the bubble for the last few years and are looking for the kind of season that pushes through that wall for ourselves and future Wildcat squads. There is a community effort to bring that level of play up, and when a community and/or group is committed to something, that kind of force is difficult to stop.”
