The Taft Excessive Faculty soccer program has all the time been a brotherhood

CINCINNATI — The Taft Excessive Faculty soccer staff represents dwelling for senior linebacker Ronald Cutts.

“It is all the time a brotherhood,” Cutts mentioned Wednesday afternoon. “It is love down right here.”

That brotherhood on the faculty, throughout the road at Stargel Stadium and in the neighborhood has been strengthened since Tyler Williams was named the Senators head coach in February 2021.

Taft (9-3) was a Division V regional semifinalist last season and the Senators are hungry to earn a chance in Canton in December.

“We obtained a chip on our shoulder; a giant chip on our shoulder as a result of we felt like we should always’ve gained state,” Cutts mentioned. “That is our finish objective. However we’re going to take one sport at a time to get to that state objective.”

Taft, which opens the season at Roger Bacon Aug. 18, has moved as much as Division IV this season, in accordance with the Ohio Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation divisional breakdown.

There’s numerous anticipation for the Senators, who’ve a number of gamers with scholarship affords together with 2024 defensive finish Elias Rudolph, who’s rated Ohio’s No. 6 participant total in his class by 247 Sports.

“Final yr was extra of a studying curve for us,” mentioned Williams, the previous Colerain star who was named the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Convention Crimson Division Coach of the Yr. “Now our guys are operating the same offense, related protection – guys are choosing it up quick and enjoying quick. They’re positively pushing one another this offseason.”

The bond among the many gamers and coaches has been strengthened this preseason versus the summer season of 2021 when gamers weren’t on the identical web page after they have been fatigued.

Taft athletic director Romell Salone mentioned the staff has made an effort to carry every participant accountable this offseason.

Williams and the assistant coaches have seen much less preseason dissension from a yr in the past and extra openness to teaching.

“With taking on this program these youngsters actually wanted to see that any person actually cared and never simply soccer sensible,” Williams mentioned. “It is larger than soccer. After observe I’ll keep an hour or two after with my youngsters simply to speak to them about what is going on on of their life. I’ll examine with their dad and mom to see how issues are going at their dwelling.”

Taft’s competitiveness was on show throughout a exercise Wednesday afternoon at Stargel Stadium. Salone mentioned there’s quite a lot of vitality and confidence in regards to the gamers.

The faculty recruiting highlight continues to develop.

But, the Senators have additionally stored the popularity in perspective.

“With out placing within the work, expertise is nothing,” Cutts mentioned. “You all the time have to higher your craft.”

Williams mentioned the gamers perceive that the scholarship affords are a bonus for the work they’ve put in throughout the yr.

The Taft soccer program goes past wins and losses. It is in regards to the student-athletes turning into higher younger males, Williams mentioned. The staff emphasizes that all through the summer season.

Throughout the July four weekend, the Taft gamers and coaches had a barbecue with water balloons to create a enjoyable environment as a staff.

Coaches have created group chats to examine in with the gamers about meals, garments, transportation or in the event that they merely wish to have a dialog about life.

Cutts mentioned he and his teammates know the way a lot the coaches care about this system and the college. It is a part of the rationale why Taft is poised for an additional very profitable season within the hopes of repeating the boys basketball staff’s state championship journey.

“It is all the time been a brotherhood,” Cutts mentioned. “I have been enjoying with these guys since I used to be 4, 5, six years previous. It is all the time good to play with the identical folks. That is the place I grew up. I performed for the Little Senators soccer staff once I was youthful so it is all the time been part of me.”

SIGN UP: Subscribe to our high school sports newsletter