Head Coach Jordan Bryant is utilizing a roster defined by a significant senior class and a large group of incoming freshmen to build a competitive foundation for the Jackson County high school girls’ soccer team.
Bryant said the current roster features a balanced distribution of age groups that have spent the summer months training together. Bryant said the team is supported by a 12-member freshman class that provides the program with substantial depth across the board.
“I think it helps because of just the leadership for sure,” Bryant said. “It changes the outlook on the team when you have that leadership and knowing what to do, the knowledge and everything, that helps out tremendously.”
Bryant said the team’s leadership is primarily driven by two specific seniors who have distinguished themselves during summer workouts. Bryant said Brooklyn Robertson and Danesha Highland have used their influence to foster a positive environment for the rest of the players.
“There’s two that really have been standing out this summer, and that’s been Brooklyn Robertson and Danesha Highland, as far with their leadership ability and everything and the influence they have on the team,” Bryant said. “It’s real positive and that’s helped out.”
Bryant said the program is looking to improve upon last year’s performance by leveraging the experience gained from facing difficult district opponents. Bryant said the team was younger during the previous season and should now be better prepared to compete.
“I always have told the girls, you know, it helps when you play good teams, I mean, and just it makes you stronger, makes you better in the long run,” Bryant said. “And I think that’s really going to help out tremendously this upcoming season.”
Bryant said the team must maintain a consistent work ethic and ensure players are positioned correctly on the field to contend for a district title. Bryant said the physical development of the players will be a key factor in matching up with the top teams in the area.
“I think just working hard, keep grinding like we’ve been doing and just getting the players in the right place that they need to be and everything and just making sure that they go out and they they play their best night in and night out in the district games especially, so,” Bryant said.
Bryant said several underclassmen are expected to contribute alongside the veteran leaders, including sophomore McKenna Roland and freshmen Carrigan Stafford and Reese Wooden. Bryant said Robertson also represents the program through her involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and various community service projects.
“Brooklyn Robertson has been doing a lot in the classroom,” Bryant said. “She she’s a great student there. And then and she does a lot out in the community and does a lot of things involving with FCA and things like that and does a lot of community service stuff, so yeah.”
