Members of Fairbanks’ boys varsity soccer team are from left, front row, Wyatt Rausch, Max Morse, Caleb Wenger, Eli Thrush, Daniel Montgomery, Diego Shaw and Dylan Tobe; second row, Nate Vollrath, Sam Keller, Cade Feller, Joey Ziegler, Gage Wilson, Jeremy Ziegler, Paul Tossey and Pierce Powell; back row, head coach Matt Humphrey, Brendan Baker, Owen Herbst, Cade Ziegler, Greg Dean, Weston Lorenz, Bryce Bosworth, Gabe McMilan, Josh Underhill and assistant coach Nick Bowsher.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The 2018 season was not typical for the Fairbanks High School boys soccer team.
The Panthers finished .500 with a record of 9-9-1.
They placed fourth in the Ohio Heritage Conference and ended the season with a 3-0 loss to Johnstown-Monroe in the Division III district semifinals.
Veteran head coach Matt Humphrey is counting on a veteran squad to wipe away those uncustomary memories.
“Our biggest strength this year will be our experience,” he said. “We have 11 returning letter winners and a handful more guys who played some varsity games last year.
“Over the last two years, we’ve played some larger, high-quality schools and have benefited from those experiences,” said the coach. “Our defensive unit will remain intact and several guys are competing at a high level to earn a starting spot in that defensive unit.”
Returning lettermen include defenders Nate Vollrath, Owen Herbst, Sam Keller and Brendan Baker; keeper Weston Lorenz; midfielders Diego Shaw, Caden Fuller and Jeremy Ziegler; and forwards Gage Wilson, Dylan Tobe and Cade Ziegler.
Newcomers to the program include midfielders Joey Ziegler and Pierce Powell, defenders Gabe McMillan and Paul Tossey and keeper Greg Dean.
While the team has depth and a stellar defense, Humphrey is concerned about one thing.
“It’s scoring,” he said. “We have not had a double-digit goal scorer the last two seasons.
“We need to be able to score goals,” said the coach.
Humphrey said there are several teams that are expected to be very strong in the OHC.
“It’s going to be tough again this year,” he said. “Greenon was a relatively young team last year and won the conference. West Liberty-Salem has some incredible talent returning this year.
“You also have Greeneview and Springfield Catholic Central with coaches who have won state titles,” said Humphrey. “Those two teams will be prepared for every game.”
Humphrey has high goals for his squad this fall.
“We want to win the OHC and a district championship,” he said. “It has been two years since we last won the league and it’s been the same amount of time since we had a chance to win a district championship.
“This group of boys is ready for success in many areas,” said Humphrey. “However, an unquestioned leader on the field will be the difference between a good season and a great season.”