The DeKalb Middle School Soccer team, including four DeKalb West School players, finished its first season ever with a 2-11-1 record. While a couple of wins might seem like a poor season, Coach Justin Nokes is proud.
"We got better every game, so I have no complaints," Nokes said.  "Our biggest strength is heart. Although we don't have that much experience playing middle school soccer, we never gave up. We also hustled no matter what the score!"
Seventh-graders Abbey Parchman, Tesa Hall, and Sarah Starnes, and sixth-grader Taylor Foutch, all from Bulldog territory, performed well.
"All four girls from DeKalb West bring something different to the table," Nokes said. "Taylor Foutch is very aggressive. She is like the energizer bunny and never stops going. Abbey Parchman has turned into an excellent defender, and has a very good clear out. Tesa Hall is one of the faster players on the field at any given time. She battled injuries this season, but she will be a force to be reckoned with next year. Sarah Starnes is the goal scorer. She always seems to be in the right place at the right time. She ended the year as our top goal scorer."
The middle school team took on formidable foes like the two top-conference teams, Cumberland County and Algood Middle, both of whom brought a wealth of experience into the games. "A lot of these girls have been playing soccer with each other since elementary school," Nokes said.
"Our biggest strength is heart," Nokes said.  "Our biggest weakness would have to be clearing out. We try to kick the ball far down the field, but just aren't there yet but we will get there."