It’s a new year for San Tan Foothills and a new season for boy’s soccer. This year, San Tan Foothills is starting the year fresh with new members to the team and a new coach.There is a total of 23 players on the soccer team this year and they are advised and ran by Mr. Carrell, a math teacher here on campus. This is Mr. Carrell's first year coaching soccer, but he has been the softball coach for the past two years. Carrell admits that coaching soccer is a challenge, especially since it can be difficult to get everyone to utilize their skills and work as a cohesive unit, but he also thinks that it is very fun and he enjoys being outside with the boys. He likes having the opportunity to connect with students outside of the classroom and he is happy to finally get the chance to join the soccer scene and work in that environment.

          In an interview Mr. Carrell, he told the journalism team, “I am hoping for a winning season. With us being a newly branded HS with a larger group of incoming freshmen, it is going to be a growing year for sure. We will play every game with 100% effort and see where this takes us.” He also hopes to teach the boys great values and he believes that the boys should take away the knowledge that, “Soccer is all about community. One man cannot win every game or even any game by themselves. It takes a team to play their position and to play it well. We are a team with a unified goal and common desire. Life is more than being an individual. It’s about finding the best way you can to contribute to the society as a whole.”  As a way to improve his team and guide his boys, Carrell says he has assigned 3 captains to work with the boys on the field. He says that having a captain teaching what they specialize in gives him more time to analyze the team as a whole. He says this will help teach the students leadership skills and focusing on specific strategies.

          Carrell believes that soccer is a very common sport and that it does a good job of uniting a team. Soccer is a team effort and it takes participation from everyone to work. Everyone has a part to play if the team wants to succeed. His team has a really great drive and they listen well when running through drills, but communication is something they can certainly improve on according to their coach. He says they need to communicate more to improve the team environment. Mr. Carrell encourages people to join soccer because, “Even if soccer isn’t for you, you may be surprised at some hidden talent you may have and even if you do not join soccer specifically, I always encourage students to become student athletes. The increased oxygen to the brain, the perseverance through trials, can only make you a better student and a better individual. High school only lasts 4 years and it’s too short to be scared of trying new experiences. Get active. You will not regret it.”

          If you are interested in joining soccer one recommendation is that you’ll get in shape and get a good handling on everything. For further information on joining soccer in the future, email Jcarrell@fusdaz.org.