Whitcomb Boys Soccer Lowdown
By Laurie-Jean B. Gauthier

Coach Michael Crane assumes the coaching duties of the Whitcomb Hornets boys’ soccer team full time after stepping in and finishing out the end of the 2006 season when former Hornet Aaron Isham resigned due to personal issues late last year.

In his first full year as coach Crane has some experience with returnees, speed in the front and big kicks for clearing from the fullbacks. What he lacks is a true goalie as well as solidity in his player positions so he is currently moving the boys around as he attempts to fill the slots.

Crane also finds that his roster is smaller than he would like (15) but large enough to cover any unforeseen problems like ineligibility and injuries. And at this stage of the season he is just hoping to move up in the standings to at least a sixth place finish, up one slot from last year.

With the loss to graduation of Cody Griffin, Joe Kill, Scott Killian, Nate Tipton and Brian Ward, Crane lost the "meat and potatoes" of his squad as Killian was the starting goalie for the last three years and Ward was the team’s top scorer last year. Griffin anchored the back field, while both Kill and Tipton added to the scoring regime.

Five seniors suit up for the Hornets in 2007: Evan Abbott, Ryan Litchfield, Kyle Ketner, Tyler Killian and Ryan Rogler. Juniors are Chris Kerr-Ayer and Adam Sennett. Sophomores Peter Burgos and Joel Wright return, and new to the team are freshmen, Brandon Kendall, Dan Noel, Matt Prucha, Sam Taylor and Charles Watters. Also playing in his first season is eighth–grader Zack Watters. Freshman Mariah Stearns returns as team manager.

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