(Graphic/ Kayda Hammock)
The jump from assistant coach to head coach of the Oglethorpe County boys soccer team has been an adjustment for Josh Austin.
“It was more just about the pure soccer last year, and this year, there’s the administrative stuff,” he said. “It’s kind of been a change for me, but we’ve handled it well.”
Austin, who has also coached OCHS girls wrestling, said he’s looking forward to “growth” after returning three key players from last season with a 7-7 record.
“We are having to play a whole lot more freshmen than we wanted to, and we’re having to put people in positions that they probably haven’t played before,” Austin said.
Two of those returners are senior center forward Miguel Rios and Jonathan Escalante.
“We’re going to lean on them a lot for leadership and to teach the soccer IQ (players ability to understand the game) because that’s probably where we need to grow the most,” Austin said.
Escalante, a senior and a four-year starter, said “transitioning to a new coach isn’t easy, but he has great thoughts.”
The senior center back said his biggest accomplishment as a Patriot was winning the most improved player award his sophomore year.
“That really boosted my confidence to become a better player, and knowing that people recognize that really inspired or helped me,” he said.
The Patriots lost to Winder-Barrow in a scrimmage to warm up for the season.
“Our seniors grew up a lot from the Winder-Barrow game,” Austin said. “It was a reality check.”
Austin said communication was a problem during the game, so OCHS is focused on “communicating and letting each other know where we are and where we plan to be.”
“We've picked up a lot of on-field presence about where to be and where we should be and where people expect us to be,” he said.
Results
Marin Sampson scored two goals to lead the OCHS girls soccer team to a 6-0 victory over Washington-Wilkes on Feb. 21.
Genesis Palma, Harper Palmer, Ludes Hernandez and Emily Forschler scored one goal each for the Patriots. Ava Nimmons, Hernandez, Lannah Scarborough and Khloe Eidson had assists.
For the boys soccer team, Miguel Rios and Clint Graham scored four goals each to lead the Patriots past Jefferson County 8-1 on Tuesday.
On Feb. 21, Rios scored three goals to spark a 7-1 win over Washington-Wilkes. Graham scored two goals, and Victor Madrid and James Beach added one goal each.