BOYS' PREP SOCCER: Green Wave quickly filling large voids (08/17)

By GREG CREWS gcrews@thenewsenterprise.com BRANDENBURG — On paper, things look rough for the Meade County High School boys’ soccer team. From last year’s 8-8-4 team, the Green Wave lost six seniors including three first-team All-Area midfielders in Greg Barnes, Chris Parker and Rob Williams. Even seventh-year Meade County coach Matt Pollock was somewhat expecting tough times this season. That’s why this offseason was such a pleasant surprise. “The transition has gone pretty well. Overall it has gone a lot better than I thought it would,” Pollock said. “Most of our replacements are in our midfield and luckily we have some offensively rounded players. So, so far it’s been going really well. In our practices and our scrimmages, they have been finishing the ball really well. I have quite a bit of confidence in them.” One of the players to step in and fill the void in Meade County’s midfield is junior Logan Raley, who was named second-team All-Area last season as a fullback. “Logan ended up filling an inner midfield spot for us and he has done just an awesome job,” Pollock said. “He has really surprised me with his skills at center-mid. … He has worked a lot on his ball handling and he has gotten confidence with the ball.” The Green Wave’s only other returning All-Area member is senior Jordan Wise, an honorable mention at outside fullback. Joining him in the backfield is junior sweeper Chad Medley, senior middle fullback Ryan Fackler and junior outside fullback Gabe Buttram. Junior Charlie Backstrom could also see time at fullback. “One of our strong points is definitely our defense. They are very athletic,” Pollock said. “Probably our biggest strength … is just how these guys come together. This is one of the most unified teams that I have ever been around. And if we can play as a unit we are in for a successful season.” At goalkeeper, junior Jordan Compton will replace last year’s tandem of Barnes and Eric Johnson. “Jordan didn’t play varsity last season, but he has put in a lot of extra time, done a couple of camps,” Pollock said. “He has really good instincts and that’s a good start for a goalie. He’s still working on the tactical side and he’s trying to get a feel for his role as a leader of the defense.” Taking over at midfield alongside Raley will be senior center midfielder Kerry Rupe, senior right wing Mike West and senior left wing Jonah Cundiff, a lefty who recorded six assists last season. Junior Matt Buckman may also see time at center midfield. Junior Zack Brown, who came up big in Meade County’s win over North Hardin in the district tournament quarterfinals last season, is back at striker. Joining him will be senior Ryan Miller, while junior Quintin Franke may also see action. Junior Chris Plummer, Pollock said, will likely see time in several positions. “Zack Brown has continued to improve in the offseason and he is doing a good job of scoring,” Pollock said. Last season ended for the Green Wave when they fell to Elizabethtown by one goal in the 10th District Tournament semifinals and fell just short of reaching the region tournament after earning bids in 2004 and ’06. Pollock knows it will be hard to match the success of last season, but he believes this squad has the potential. “We always try to build on what we had last year. We always want to do a little better than the previous year,” he said. “These guys are capable of doing that, it’s just a matter of how they come together.” Greg Crews can be reached at 505-1754