High school soccer teams across the state are preparing for a slew of games next week.
The winter storm, which provided electricity and water to much of the state, also forced teams to postpone that week’s missed games for next week, forcing most teams to play four games in six days.
The Dutch football teams will play in Galena Park on Monday, Crosby on Tuesday, Memorial on Wednesday and Port Neches-Groves on Friday. The boys’ team will play at home in all games except Wednesday’s game against Memorial.
The coaches are still confident that the University Interscholastic League (UIL) will allow them to catch up on the games in separate weeks. The UIL rules mandate that schools that are forced to postpone a game due to bad weather must make up for it the next available day.
“We’re just going to roll like we’re doing what we have to,” said Keith Barrow, the Dutch boys’ head coach. “Since this is a nationwide issue, it would make sense for them to make some changes. It’s not that just one or two teams have to put a game together. However, that’s above my salary. We’re just going to plan it like it’s another bad weather situation. We’re all in the same boat. “
Barrow, whose team sits first in the district with an overall record of 10-5-2 and a district record of 4-0-1, said teams likely need to monitor their starters’ minutes to ensure players are fresh and fresh are healthy as they near the second half of the district plan.
While players are not unfamiliar with playing so many games in a short amount of time, teams usually play in tournaments before the district game begins. Tournaments allow teams to experiment with lineups and strategies. Barrow said it wasn’t an ideal state for coaches and players to focus on winning district games.
“You try early on to include everyone and have the chance to prove yourself,” he said. “At the beginning of the season, winning is not the focus. It’s a little different now. Injuries are a key concern. I told the guys that we have to stay healthy and rely on everyone. “
PNG’s girls’ team leads the district with a 13-2-1 overall record and a 5-0 record in the district game. Head coach Aimee Bates said her team are in a slightly better position than most of the others as they only have one game to make up because they were scheduled to meet again next Tuesday.
Bates said the cut schedule was not ideal.
“It’s not great for the kids to play,” she said. “You worry about injuries. Coaches cannot prepare for their team to play the way they normally do. It’s what every school has to do. I’ve hit a few counties in Austin and Houston and they’re all in the same boat. It’s not like the TPC blast or the hurricanes where that area is all that matters. “
The Dutch girls’ team is 9-4 overall and ranks third with a 3-2 record in the district. PNG’s boys’ team ranks fourth in the district with a 2-2-1 record and an overall record of 14-2-2.
Memorial boys ‘team haven’t won a game, but the girls’ team ranks fifth with a district record of 2-3.
Barrow said he expected a close race for first place.
“If you tie, you might drop two or three points,” he said. “We are happy to continue to be in control of our own destiny.”
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