TYLER — Although Jacksonville head boy’s soccer coach, Randy Hammontree, only has to bid adieu to six graduating seniors this spring — a far cry from the dozen final-year players that received their sheepskin last year, saying farewell, nevertheless is one of the most difficult parts of the coaching profession according to Hammontree, who is in his second season at the helm of the Tribe soccer program.
“It has been a real pleasure to work with this particular group of seniors,” he said late last week. “To me one of the most difficult parts of coaching is graduation time. Although I am very happy for the kids, I get selfish because I will miss them a lot.”
When the Indians trot out onto the home pitch — also known as the Tomato Bowl — tonight at 7 p.m. (against Nacogdoches) it will be the final match for senior captains, Michael Green, Jeff Landrum and Elias Silva.
Green, in his first year of varsity competition improved his game so much over the summer by playing indoor soccer that he is a starter on defense for the Tribe this year.
Landrum, in his second season as a team captain, is also a defenseman and will be missed not only for his on-the-field skills, but his leadership traits as well says Hammontree.
“I appointed Jeff a captain last year because of his on field leadership and his undying effort to succeed,” Hammontree said. “He has been a great defender for our team and I anticipate Jeff becoming a great teacher and coach (in the future).”
Silva moved over to center midfielder this year and has handled the new position well and has become a key figure in the Indians’ offensive attack.
Other JHS seniors include, Rolando Alvarez, Daniel Posada and Kevin Quiroz.
Alvarez has also successfully mastered a new role on this season’s Indian squad, playing right-outside midfielder.
“Rolando has been instrumental in winning the midfield battles and launching a successful attack from the right side,” Hammontree commented.
Posada, in his first year as starting goalkeeper at the varsity level, continues to amaze Indian fans with his skills in goal.
“Daniel stepped up from the junior varsity team last year to varsity this year and he has been doing a fantastic job, allowing only two goals in district, thus far, (and) has racked up five district shutouts,” Hammontree said.
Quiroz, also in his first year with the varsity Indians, worked hard over the summer to sharpen his skill set and then continued to better himself by running cross country in the fall as a means of staying in optimal physical condition in preparation for the soccer season.
Following tonight’s match, the Tribe (12-7-1, 7-0-1 in District 35-4A) will close out the regular season at Diboll (7 p.m.) on Friday evening before opening the state playoffs early next week against an opponent and at a location and time to be determined.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Jeff Landrum right, pictured working the ball around a defender, is one of six Jacksonville Indian soccer players that will be playing in the Tomato Bowl for the final time tonight when the Indians host Nacogdoches at 7 p.m. Other seniors suiting up for the Blue and White include, Kevin Quiroz, Michael Green, Elias Silva, Rolando Alvarez and Daniel Posada. Progress photo by Wolf Whitaker/www.wolfphotos.net
Discussion
Six Indians to play final soccer match in Tomato Bowl tonight
- Local Sports
-
-
17-3A All-District softball team filled with familiar names
Local softball fans will find plenty of well-known names on this year's 17-3A All-District softball team, as players from Rusk and Bullard High School comprised a large portion of the prestigious squad.
-
Lady 'Cat soccer adds height in the net by adding Marshall goalkeeper, Emerson
The Lon Morris College Lady Bearcat soccer team addressed one of its greatest needs when it signed Stephanie Emerson of Marshall (Texas) High School to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) last week.
-
Men’s Junior college hoops: Lon Morris College’s Jurkovic signs letter with Florida International
Florida International University (FIU) has swooped down and hooked yet another player that played his final year of junior college basketball in Jacksonville this past season.
-
Top-ranked Robinson wins regional series over Panthers
After upsetting top-ranked Waco Robinson 1-0 in the first game of a best-of-three series on Friday night, the Bullard Panthers needed just one win on Saturday to advance into the Class 3A, Region III semi-final round.
-
Troup's historic playoff run ends with loss to Linden-Kildare
For six innings Troup held a precarious 1-0 lead over Linden-Kildare on Saturday afternoon at Lady Maverick Field in Marshall in what was a must-win game for Troup.
-
Years of hard work pay dividends for Bullard's Holcomb
A student-athletic trainer's days are long and arduous, with little day-to-day reward, aside from an occasional 'atta girl.
-
Bullard shocks top-ranked Robinson 1-0 in Game 1
The Bullard High School baseball team followed down a trail that the Panther football squad forged out late last year in pulling off a major upset of a team from Waco Robinson High.
-
Linden-Kildare trips up Troup in regional semi-final opener
One big inning was enough to enable Linden-Kildare to defeat Troup 5-0 in Game 1 of a best-of-three Class 2A Region III semi-final series, that took place in front of a crowd estimated to number 700 at Marshall's Lady Maverick Field on Friday afternoon.
-
Guard's Langemeier to play football at Wheaton College
After four years of reaping numerous awards in a four-sport career at The Brook Hill School, Austin Langemeier put the icing on his laureled-high school stint Thursday, inking to play football at Wheaton College.
-
Rusk’s Arthur loses Bellator 69 MMA bout
Rusk’s Booker Arthur lost in a unanimous decision to Shanon Slack of Orange County, Calif. on Friday night in lake Charles, La.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
17-3A All-District softball team filled with familiar names
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
