Jamborees kick off the new season

The high school fall soccer season kicks off this Saturday with the traditional jamborees at Floyd Central and Providence.

And what a memorable season it promises to be. Can Floyd Central girls’ varsity make it five sectional titles in a row before the new two class structure is introduced in 2011?

Can Providence stop the run and regain a crown last won in 2005? Or maybe New Albany will spoil the party for both, and lift its first IHSAA sectional championship?
Floyd Central coach Lewie Stevens believes the Pioneers, coached by Dave Smith, are the team to beat this fall.

“They are skilled at every position and one year stronger and wiser,” he said.

Stevens also believes New Albany, led by Julie Deuser, will be a formidable opponent this year.

“They lost (Kaitlin) Robinett but they are still fast, skilled and very well coached,” he said. “They won’t rely on one player as much and could possibly be more dangerous and well balanced than last year.”

The Highlanders, narrowly beaten in last year’s regional championship encounter by Columbus North, are themselves working very hard in a bid for more honors, revealed Stevens.

“This group is very enjoyable because they have a good work ethic but also enjoy having a good laugh,” he said. “Despite last year’s experience we are still a pretty young team.”

Over on the boys’ side, New Albany comes into the fall as defending regional champion, a title earned after a fantastic post-season under the guidance of coach Ben Vigar.

Returning as the team’s head coach will be his father, Dutch, who has been involved with Bulldogs soccer for the past 21 years.

“It feels great to be coaching again, he said. “I am extremely proud and happy for my son Ben and the success he experienced at the end of last season. I wish he were on the coaching staff this year, but he has decided to take a break since he and his wife Jenna recently had a beautiful daughter named Molly.”

The post-season rivalry between Jeffersonville and Providence will also come to an end after this fall due to the two class system. Both teams are under the stewardship of new coaches in the shape of Carson Webb and Brandon Rogers respectively.

Christian Academy of Indiana, meanwhile, may be without standouts Andrew Rosenberg and Drew Mattingly, but coach Will Lorigan still expects his Warriors to be a handful for the traditional powerhouses once again come post-season.
You will be able to catch a glimpse of the area’s top teams and players at both of Saturday’s jamborees.

First into action will be the participants at Providence, which will include the boys and girls of the hosts, North Harrison, Corydon and Madison.

Action kicks off at 3.30 p.m. and admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students and free for children 10 and under. The alumni game will follow.

The Floyd Central jamboree starts at 6 p.m. and will feature boys’ and girls teams from the hosts, Jeffersonville, and New Albany.

Games are 20 minutes in length with just one half.

Foursome to play in national league

Javanon’s 1994 team, which features southern Indiana foursome Jordan Vejar, Nick Blackwell, Matt Kelecy, and Daniel Wilburn, has just been accepted into the US Youth Soccer National League, which kicks off in November.

The team recently won the Midwest Regional League’s Premier Red Division at U16 level, and will now compete in one of the two U17 eight team leagues.
It is the first time any team from Kentucky has played in the league – which caters for the nation’s top boys’ and girls’ teams in the U15, U16 and U17 age categories -- since its inception in 2007.

Coach Jason Bell said that being accepted into the national league is an exceptional accomplishment for the boys as well as the club, and is a direct result of the hard work and sacrifice by the team.

“As the first team from Kentucky to be accepted into the league, we have a chance to show the nation that our area is producing high-level talent and play,” said Bell. “Playing games against the best teams in the country in their age group will not only be an exciting opportunity, but very important for the college recruitment of these boys.”



He added that Blackwell (New Albany), Vejar (Jeffersonville), Matt Kelecy (Floyd Central), and Daniel Wilburn (Providence) have all played a crucial role in the team's success.

“Nick, Jordan, and Matt anchored a defense that was exceptional all season, while Daniel Wilburn provided much needed energy and enthusiasm to our attack,” said Bell.
Also pivotal to the success of the team, he added, is former coach Derek Willis, who is now the head coach at Georgetown College in Kentucky.

The seven game season will begin with games from November 18-21 in Wilson, North Carolina, with the second round of games taking place from February 19-21 in Florida. The final play date will combine boys and girls in late March with the location and specific dates to be announced.

Above: Jordan Vejar, Nick Blackwell, Daniel Wilburn and Matt Kelecy.