Soccer season picked back up last week as tryouts were held after school. The girls tried out Monday through Wednesday, and the boys tried out Monday through Friday. Seventeen girls were chosen for varsity and 20 girls for JV. Fourteen boys were chosen for varsity and 20 boys for JV. The Dogs scrimmaged Mount Pleasant Thursday night at home to kick off the season.

The Lady Dogs’ season begins on December 19 with a scrimmage against Pine Tree at home.

“We are working hard. We are changing the style of play from last year. We are doing lots of team building to make us become one,” head coach Todd BonDurant said.

Tryouts consisted of a combination of drills, running, and agilities. After a tough week, both teams were chosen by the coaches.

“Coach BonDurant and I were very pleased at the turnout we had this week. There was a ton of competition which made it tough to make our final rosters for the upcoming season,” assistant coach Jason Bragg said.

The girls team is under new leadership. Todd BonDurant is the new head coach, and he’s excited for what the season has in store.

“Our goals for this season are to win the district title back and win state,” BonDurant said.

Both the girls’ and boys’ teams are making steady progress to prepare for the season.

“I have been very happy with our work ethic so far. Players seem hungry to get after it,” head  boys coach Tom Wait said.

Coaches also have high expectations on the type of players on the team.

“The boys need to be leaders on the field and accept coaching and be willing to give one hundred percent desire, effort, and proper attitude no matter what the score is,” Coach Wait said.

Returning players also have high hopes for their seasons.

“We want to play more as a team because last year we weren’t as successful as we wanted to be because we weren’t as connected,” junior Emma Taylor said.

The players are already working hard to be the best teams they can be. The teams practice during their athletic period and every day after school.

“My goal is to commit to upholding the winning tradition of this program,”  Bragg said.

Goals are set high for the year and the teams are hoping to improve not only physically but as a team as well.

“Communication and chemistry and high levels of play are what we are working to achieve this season. It takes more than a ball to hold a team together through a season,” Wait said.

Team members are determined to go farther this year.

“We for sure want to beat Spring Hill this year. We lost to them last year and were second place in district, so we really want to beat them this year,” junior Cristina Rosas said.

The Lady Dogs’ first official game is on January 3 against Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches. The Dogs’ first official game is on January 24 against Hallsville at home.

The boys will participate in several tournaments before this to prepare for the season. Go support the soccer teams during their season.