Despite the cold, our AMHS Men’s Soccer Team has started season preparations with the after-school open-season sessions. Several days each week on the SOA Recess fields, head coach Jason Hamil and Assistant Coach Cooper Newman supervise small-sided games which reconnect them with members of the team and familiarize them with new players. The games see random groupings of upper and lower classmen on teams of 5 to 7 face opponents.
Additional Days
After the fun of last week’s preseason days, there was an executive decision made to add more days to the week. This is after finding out that while we were practicing on the SOA fields Monday and Wednesday, the girls were practicing Tuesday and Thursday at a different field, so this allowed the coaches to have preseason the entire week. Even though Coach Hamil sent out an email about the schedule change, on Tuesday, not an originally planned day, we had a low turnout. We hope this article will lead to more turnout in people coming to all the preseason days, and also to the people still playing club to turn out on their days off.
Players yet to come to preseason
Blake Yarbrough: This troublesome junior has yet to terrorize opponents at preseason with his dribbling. A centerpiece in much of the drama and ruckus, his presence is sorely missed at the moment.
Cesa Ramirez: Akin to Blake, this phenomenon has yet to bless us with his humor and skills. We miss you Cesa- I Love You – Ian Williams
James Benetti – James Benetti, a past captain who has yet to show his defending capabilities on the field at preseason is spending yet another preseason not showing up. We are hopeful he will get his physical in before next week as when asked when he will come to preseason he always says “Bro I still need my physical but I’ll be there next week, trust me”
Keon Hutchins: Keon is a beloved member of the team thanks to his serenity and kindness. A vital member of the defense, unfortunately, was injured for much of last year and relegated to team photography, but we’re excited to have him back.
Jack Gutting is a fan favorite and the only junior who was invited to the preseason senior soccer sleepover. Jace is another fan favorite. While he is still stuck on duty with his club, we all miss him and hope he will be okay
Jaidon Kevin Montiero Dailey – A player yet to get let off his leash, Kevin Montiero is still stuck as a star player playing basketball until the season ends. He is one of the better players even though he has had injuries in his time playing.
Vadym Smith – Brady Smith half cousin from Ukraine, and another SOA junior that the entire team has missed. He has a very commanding presence and can really play in any position on the defensive and offensive, as he has been very offensive to players we have played against in the past and got the most cards last year.
Sam Abney – A Junior known for his outfits, Sam Abney, coincidentally nicknamed Sabney and most seniors’ favorite funny player.
Dave Jacobs – One of the junior’s favorite freshmen, Dave “Goated” Jacobs is best friends with many of the players in the sophomore and junior classes. As of right now, we have yet to meet him but for the senior class.
Freshman Prospects
The first freshman who lit up the fields with his skills was Jack Hamm. Dubbed “Hammy,” Jack hails from 18601 NW 8th Ct in Miami, Florida where he would jugg and learn the street life. Fortunately, he turned his energy towards soccer and moved to Regatta Drive on James Island where he started playing for James Island Youth Soccer Club. Hammy said his inspiration to continue to strive to be better is Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River and the ensuing Battle of Trenton, a battle that the young hustler has tattooed on his forearm. Jack plays as an attacker, usually an attacking mid or a winger. His close control of the ball and passing make up for his small frame, allowing him to have an impact on the game. Last year on JV he recorded several key goals and assists, promoting him to the varsity squad for playoffs. His charming demeanor and small frame made him a treasured member of the team. Together with Sean Bacon, Hammy formed the Meat Duo (Bacon and Hamm), a powerful force on the field last season.
Ian: “Please can you please pretty please give me a quote a or two”
Hammy: “You may get shot down, just bring crash pads though” and “How do you expect to build to high ground if you don’t farm mats first”
Next is Vaughn Hickerson, hailing from Summerville, Vaughn transferred into 8th grade at SOA last year to pursue his vocal training as he sings. The brainiac takes advanced math classes and boasts about the professional Fifa team that he plays for. Vaughn plays in midfield, controlling the tempo and stringing the team together. Vaughn can often be seen around school wearing a soccer jersey from his vast collection of shirts, with some standouts being his Nigeria shirt and his maroon Norwich jersey.
Injuries
There have been multiple injuries, the biggest coming from Reece Early, Tough Colin, Bennett, Mateus, Derek (which we are not sure if it is spelled Derrek, Derik, Deryck, Derrick or Derick), and James Benetti who just hasn’t been at practice yet. Star Aiden Ruggerio has also been nursing an injury that we remain hopeful about, however, this happened before the season so we cannot talk much about it. Reece claims he heard something pop when he landed on his foot and was taken off when he had to be carried to the sideline and the trainer had to pick him up on her buggy. Friendship and freshman duo tough Colin and Bennett both had to come off due to prior injuries they mentioned were hurting again. Tough Colin was the second-ever 8th grader to play for the Academic Magnet soccer team, only second to current sophomore Lance A. Samoa.
