Bulldogs look sharp at two-a-days

Anything less than another run at a Class A state title will be considered a disappointment for this year's Bulldogs soccer club. With the school's tradition of winning on the pitch — two state titles and one runner-up in the past four seasons — expectations are always high.

"For our program, every year, that's our goal," Whitefish coach O'Brien Byrd said about getting to the title game. "I don't see how Whitefish High School soccer cannot make that their goal. I think we have the guys that can do it, too."

He describes this year's team as an "interesting mix of experience and youth."

The team will be led by returning seniors Jack Steele, Taylor Thompson, Cody Ling and Jon Reimer, along with senior Adam Koziol, who missed last year with a back injury.

"Our strengths lie in those returning seniors," Byrd said. "Last year, we didn't get to see Jack at 100 percent because of a knee strain. He's looking super fit and very sharp."

Byrd said Thompson will likely be the backbone of the midfield, and that Reimer has stepped up his game, as a senior should.

"It's funny to see this senior switch get flipped," Byrd said. "You look around and realize that you're the guy now. For some seniors, it takes time. But these guys all realized that."

The team came into two-a-day practices exceptionally fit, which Byrd noted as another positive.

"But that being said, there's a lot of new faces," he said. "We've got a lot to work on still. We have good talent, skill and youthful energy. We just have to harness all of that."

The 'Dogs biggest challenge is in the defensive unit. The entire backfield graduated, including standout sweeper Matt Danczyk, leaving a lot of questions about who will step up as strong defenders.

"We're starting to try to figure out who will be where," Byrd said.

The coach says they'll play a different brand of defense this year and change their formation depending on the personnel.

A battle for the starting keeper position between Thomas Clark and Chance Ling is brewing, and Byrd says he has a tough decision as to who will start the season opener against Stevensville.

"It's a good problem to have," Byrd said.

Clark, a sophomore, started a few games for the varsity team last season, while Ling was a goalie on the JV squad.

"They're both tremendous keepers," Byrd said.

The 'Dogs are taking a long-term perspective going into the season, eyeing the ultimate prize of a state title, as opposed to dwelling on each match.

"I can't take it one game at a time," Byrd said. "I've got to keep the long-term in mind. We have to think as a team, 'Where do we want to be in the end,' not necessarily making sure we beat Stevensville. It's all about building as the season progresses. We're looking where we want to be and how we'll get there. Short-term results don't mean anything."

Despite that, Byrd notes there are games on the calendar that are likely being circled by the seniors with a big red pen.

The Bulldogs will be amped up for a showdown with defending champions Billings Central on Sept. 3. Central beat Whitefish in the title game last season, but Byrd points out that most of that Billings team graduated, so there will be a lot of new faces on the pitch. Instead, he has his eye on conference-foe Polson.

"Polson could sneak under the radar," Byrd said. "They tied us and beat us last year and didn't lose many seniors."

The Bulldogs first home game is Aug. 28 when they host Sandpoint, Idaho, at 10 a.m.