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Highschool soccer groups open observe with optimism amid COVID considerations, excessive warmth | Sports activities

July 30, 2021

Regardless of the team or the level they play at, expectations are highest on the first day of training.

By the end of the day on July 30th, all of the area’s public and private high school soccer teams had their first day of preseason practice on the book. Local SCISA programs started on Thursday, while the SCHSL schools opened camp on Friday morning.

The renewed threat of COVID-19 and the sweltering heat didn’t dampen the excitement and optimism of the players and coaches as they prepare for the start of the season, which for some teams is only three weeks away.

West Ashley was one of the best-improved teams in the Lowcountry a year ago and ended the season shortened by COVID-19 with a 5-2 record. Head coach Donnie Kiefer is starting his second season in his remodeling of the program. He has a lot of experience in reconstruction. Before taking the job at West Ashley, Kiefer won two state titles with Class A Green Sea Floyds, a program that had gained very little over the years.

Josh Simmons takes the team on a water break on the first day of soccer training at West Ashley High School July 30th. Grace Beahm Alford / Staff

After last season’s success, Kiefer is raising the bar for the Wildcats himself.

“My goal is to win a national championship every year,” said Kiefer on Friday. “I will not apologize for having the highest goals. If we set a goal of 7-3, then we’re saying we can’t win three games. I don’t operate like that. Our children go into every game with the expectation of winning. The expectations of this program are higher than ever. “

West Ashley should be one of the better teams in the area this fall. Two all-lowcountry selections from last year have returned, running back Jahleel Porter and linebacker Caleb Edwards. Kiefer’s first offseason program as head coach was hampered by the pandemic, but he said his team made up for lost time.

“Our players’ buy-in was enormous,” said Kiefer. “We had a great offseason in the weight room. We are much faster and much stronger. The players have shown their enthusiasm for the performance at a higher level. “

Oceanside Collegiate was 6-1 preparing for a second-round playoff duel with Camden when the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. Second year head coach Joe Call brings back a wealth of talent and experience from this team.

West Ashley High School soccer coach Donnie Kiefer gathers his team before the start of the first day of training at West Ashley High School on July 30th. Grace Beahm Alford / Staff

“We have a lot of guys who played a lot of football, but our urge was to get better every day,” said Call, who joined Oceanside after five years as the head coach at Summerville. “From the outside, there are many expectations of this team. For ourselves, we have to choose each day to be great in every rep. Our expectations of our program are higher than anything else. “

Landshark’s senior linebacker Carson Arnold says the end of last season is the only motivation for 2021.

“We definitely have a chip on our shoulder,” said Arnold. “We know that we have a great chance to fight for the national championship. In my opinion, that is the only goal. “

Junior running back Vaughn Blue agrees.

“I can’t wait for the season to start and try to prove ourselves,” said Blue. “We had the feeling that we should have won the national championship last year.”

Remarks

For the 2021 All-Star Game Shrine Bowl and the All-Star Game Touchstone Energy North-South, both played in December, several area coaches were selected to join the coaching staff.

Berkeley head coach Jerry Brown will serve as the head coach for the South Carolina team at the Shrine Bowl. Hanahan head coach Art Craig will be the head coach of the South Allstars in the North-South game. Cane Bay head coach Russell Zehr and Berkeley assistant Will Lampkin will assist the southern staff.

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Lebron Anderson on the scrimmage line during the first day of training at West Ashley High School in Charleston on Friday, July 30, 2021. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Soccer coach Donnie Kiefer gathers his team before the start of the first day of training at West Ashley High School on Friday, July 30, 2021 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Quarterback Jahleel Porter (center) trains on the first day of soccer training at West Ashley High School in Charleston on Friday, July 30, 2021. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Dravian Blake on day one of soccer practice at West Ashley High School Friday July 30, 2021 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Lebron Anderson and Caleb Edwards are performing exercises on the first day of soccer training at West Ashley High School July 30th. Grace Beahm Alford / Staff

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Josh Simmons is having a water break with the team on the first day of soccer training at West Ashley High School on Friday July 30, 2021 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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on the first day of soccer training at West Ashley High School Friday July 30, 2021 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Quarterback Jahleel Porter trains on the first day of football training at West Ashley High School on Friday, July 30, 2021 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Colby Nicholson snaps the ball as he exercises on the first day of soccer training at West Ashley High School in Charleston on Friday, July 30, 2021. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Inside Receivers Coach Richard Gibson wears cartoon socks on the first day of soccer practice at West Ashley High School on Friday July 30, 2021 in Charleston. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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Linebackers trainer Nathan Boyd cools off with a drink of water on Friday, July 30, 2021 in Charleston, on the first day of soccer practice at West Ashley High School. Grace Beahm Alford / staff

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West Ashley High School football coach Donnie Kiefer gathers his team before the start of the first day of training at West Ashley High School on July 30th. Grace Beahm Alford / Staff