New direction set for Cannon soccer
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 3:02 pm DAVID HUNTER Cannon County boys' soccer team is under new leadership in 2015 with head coach Zachary McAllister. The Lions hope to compete in a very tough district against some of the top teams in state, including powerhouses Central Magnet and Merrol Hyde. "We got a bunch of guys coming back," Lions sophomore goalkeeper Josh Walkup said. "We are hoping for a really good season." "We got a bunch of guys coming back," Lions sophomore goalkeeper Josh Walkup said. "We are hoping for a really good season." "I want to be able to finish over .500, and we want to have a good defense," senior Jake Burdick said. "Hopefully, we can step it up." As for the new head coach, he has brought a lot of knowledge of the sport to the players, especially those who do not have a lot of experience. Especially, he wants the Lions to improve on is their passing and finishing. As an assistant last season, McAllister believed CCHS missed too many opportunities to score in matches and it affected their final record. The players have liked what he has brought to the pitch so far during the preseason. "It is going good, because he really likes to study the game," Burdick said. "He is teaching us some key skills of the game, and it is helping us out." The 2015 team has a mix of youth and experience, which McAllister hopes they could come together against some tough competition both in and out of the district. The Lions will be led by 10 seniors, including basketball stars, the McReynolds brothers, Marshall and Garrett along with Sissom, defender Case Isenhart, Burdick and Murfreesboro Siegel transfer Spencer Haley. However, the Lions will have a new goalkeeper in Walkup, but he feels he is ready for the challenge of the position. "It is going great, and I have been worked in," Walkup said. "I am prepared to hold up the position, and help out as much as possible." The team knows it will need several factors to play out in order for it to compete in the district this season, especially against tough competition.
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