Before each practice, a few members of the Emporia High boys soccer team unfurl a banner and tie it to the back of one of the nets they use.
Written on the banner in heavy, black ink is one word: STATE.
The concept is not hard to follow. With every shot at the goal, the players are aiming not just for the banner, but what it represents.
The Spartans are shooting for State.
“We want to go to State this year,” senior midfielder Adrian Trujillo said. “We expect to be really good this year ... and I think we can do it.”
With 14 returning players — 13 of which are seniors and nine of which are starters — off last year’s varsity squad that finished just 3-12-2, the Spartans are counting on improved leadership and experience to help them to a breakout season in 2007.
“This year should make up for last year,” senior goalkeeper Spencer Anderson said. “I’m really excited. It looks like we could have a really good team this year with all the guys coming back.”
For coach Steve Pearson’s bunch, success this season hinges on his players improving in one very crucial aspect of the game: actually getting the ball in the back of the net.
Last season, the Spartans took 239 shots on goal, the second-most total on record in EHS history. But of all those shots, a mere 31 went into the net.
“We have not had shooters for a couple of years,” Pearson said. “We’ve had people that could kick it toward the goal, but you really couldn’t call them shooters because it either went to the keeper or it missed.”
But that could change this year thanks to not only a more experienced squad, but also to a few new additions.
Carlos Antonio, who sat out last year after playing two years ago, has caught the attention of his coach and his teammates with his ability to score from the forward position.
“He had like four goals in one scrimmage,” Trujillo said. “He is the one that’s stood out the most at forward.”
The Spartans also welcome new EHS student Louis Guzman, who Pearson said had been looking strong in practice.
“Hopefully those two will create some offense for us this year,” Pearson said.
Pearson also pointed to Trujillo as a returning player that had shown marked improvement over last season, saying Trujillo — last year’s leading scorer with nine goals — had improved his game in all aspects.
“He is looking super,” the coach said. “Everything that he wasn’t doing good last year, he’s doing excellent this year — hustle, passes, receiving, shots — and he was pretty good last year. This year, he’s just looking much, much better.”
One player who has seen the Spartans’ improvement firsthand is goalkeeper Spencer Anderson.
From his position in front of the net, Anderson has had the perfect vantage point to witness his teammates’ offensive capabilities.
“When they take shots at me, a lot of them seem like they’ve improved on their power since last year,” he said. “That’s good.”
To go with an offense that is expected to be more powerful will be a defensive line that could become one of the Centennial League’s best.
Back is scrappy senior Brandon Heavener and powerful junior Juan Carlos Rangel, two players with the capabilities of shutting down opposing teams’ attacks. They will be joined by senior varsity newcomer Joey Sanchez, who has impressed in practice.
The Spartans are hoping it all adds up to a State berth this fall, and the players are confident the lessons learned last year will translate into results this season.
“I think this is the year,” Trujillo said. “Last year was hard. No one likes to lose, and we lost a lot. We lost close games, ones where we weren’t experienced enough to win close games. Hopefully that changes this year.”