Dothan High Wolves expecting sizzling soccer seasons
DOTHAN, Ala. — The coaches of the Dothan High Wolves boys and girls soccer teams are excited about the 2022 season.
The girls team is coached by Dothan native Haley Williams. She attended Northview High School and played basketball, volleyball and soccer. She went on to earn a degree in education with a concentration in math. She started her coaching career at Northview High School and was named the soccer head coach after the high schools consolidated. Williams teaches pre-calculus, calculus, and Algebra II.
The girls team is in 7A, Area 3 along with Enterprise and Prattville. Williams said they have a young team with only three seniors, and she added that 7A is very competitive. But they have already defeated Enterprise, so they are showing a great deal of promise for the remainder of the season.
Williams said, “I intentionally schedule as many tough teams as I can because it helps our team get ready for playoffs.” Williams said that the team did not make playoffs last season and it was heartbreaking. She is optimistic about the team’s chances this year. She said, “the reason I do this is 100% the girls. I love teaching, but coaching is a great outlet and I love sharing my passion for soccer with the team.”
Another Dothan native, Joe Nelson, coaches the boys team. Nelson is a 2007 graduate of Dothan High where he enjoyed playing soccer and tennis. He has been teaching U.S. History in the DCS System for 9 years and has been coaching the soccer team for 7 years. “The sky is the limit” are the words that were immediately said by Nelson when asked about the 2022 boys team. He said they had 80 boys try out and only half made either the junior varsity or varsity teams. The varsity team has seven seniors, but Nelson said there are more starters out of the sophomore and junior classes. He says the team is really young so he isn’t just excited about this season, but the seasons to follow.
Nelson believes the team will be successful in part because most of the players play travel soccer together. He said, “they know each other well and they have great chemistry together.” Like the girls team they are in 7A, area 3 with Enterprise and Prattville, but the boys area also includes Jeff Davis. Nelson said the top 2 teams will make it to the playoffs. Nelson, like Williams, invests a lot of time and energy into his team on and off the field. He said, “I preach, win with class and lose with class. It’s not just about what’s on the field, but what they are doing in the classroom.
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