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Bulldogs' strength lies with five seniors
SIKESTON -- On or off the field, there's a good chance the Sikeston soccer team will be seen in close proximity of each other.
Led by five seniors, the Bulldogs consider themselves more like family rather than high school classmates playing a game.
"They're my brothers," Sikeston goalkeeper Michael Gipson said about his squad. "We do almost everything together. We'll go out on the weekends and when we're not practicing. I wouldn't want to spend any other time with anyone else besides my brothers."
Its that type of camaraderie that has pushed the Bulldogs to unseen heights as far as wins and losses and expectations heading into the Class 2 state playoffs.
"Kids playing together for a long time, is what makes teams great," Sikeston soccer coach Doyle Noe said. "If you put kids on a team that work really well together, a lot of times they're going to beat other teams that might have a little more talent."
Sikeston's core strength lies within its group of seniors -- Gipson, Hunter Williams, Blake Angle, Josh Bill and Quentin Hyde.
Fifth grade was as far back as Angle could remember that they have been together. The number of games they have actually played together couldn't be remembered, however.
"We all get along and we've grown up together," Angle said. "We all get along together and I think that's a big part of our success, which is our chemistry."
Like a family, the Bulldogs aren't afraid to say what's on their mind or give constructive criticism when a teammate slips up. They are just as quick, however, to give praise as well.
"If someone's not doing their job the we can tell them," said Bill. "Not to hut their feelings or anything but, we just let them know so they can do better the next time."
"If somebody does mess up, then you can tell them something possibly better they could have done," added Williams. "They don't get mad. They take it as you trying to help them and they understand you're not being mean. You're just helping them out."
It's only natural to learn everyone's habits, moves and personalities when you spend so much time together. Being the tight-knit group of teammates that they are, they reap the benefits of their relationships on the field as well.
"They hang out quite a bit," Noe said. "They're just a good bunch of kids. They do a lot of stuff off the field and that helps. Just getting to know each other and their personalities just translates on the field a little more. They've played together for a very long time. It's fun to kind of watch them grow and as they get older they change, but them actually playing together has always been there. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses and what to do for each other as far as putting the ball in a good position for them to succeed."
"Soccer is just one of those sports where you learn where people are moving and what kind of runs they're going to make and what they're going to be able to do with the ball," Bill said. "We just know how each other plays and that's extremely important."
One of their highlights off the field when just hanging out are ultimate battles of playing the FIFA soccer video game.
Bill was quick to point out that he was in fact the best at the game with a simple raise of his hand.
"He is pretty good," Gipson said with a smile. "(Assistant) coach Dement has challenged Bill and he's about the only one that has came close to beating him. He's a stronghold."
Although he may not garner many tactics he can use on the field when playing his game, Bill has been one of the more constant figures on the Bulldogs' team with 11 goals and a second-team leading 19 assists.
"The key word for him would be consistency," Noe said about Bill. "He's very skilled and probably has the best touch of anyone on our team. You know what you're going to get out of Josh. He possess the ball well and he's got great moves with the ball.
"He's not as flashy as some of the other guys but he plays a big part for us and has been a contributor to our success this year."
Gipson has been more like a wall rather than a keeper this year for the Bulldogs. He's had 11 shutouts this season which is a new school record.
"There's a lot of good keepers around," Noe said, "but there's not many 6-4 kids that are as athletic as he is. He's very quick and has great hands. His biggest strength is out of the air, on corners and free kicks out of the air. Virtually, he just shuts that down and takes that away from teams. He just goes up and gets the ball. He's come a long way since his freshman year to the point right now where I'd put him up against anybody."
If any spot needed to be filled, Angle would probably be the guy to do it.
He's played the most positions for the Bulldogs and has succeeded in virtually all of them.
"He's been a transitional player for us this year," Noe said about Angle. "He's a real hard worker and keeps the kids motivated. He does whatever is asked of him and having a kid like that is definitely a big positive."
With their strength lying in experience, the Bulldogs know that their road is just now beginning. Although they accomplished one of their lifelong feats on Wednesday by winning the Class 2, District 1 crown, they now they want more from their last season as Bulldogs.
"After we won that night we all celebrated and was real happy," said Angle. "But, that only lasted that night. The next day, we knew we weren't satisfied and we wanted more. Our goal is to get in the final four and place high. We don't want it to end this soon."