Upholding the standard: Jackson boys soccer
MASSILLON, Ohio — At Jackson High School, it’s about more than just getting a chance to play. No matter the athletic endeavor, the Bears are in it to win it! The boys’ soccer program is no exception to that standard. The team jumped out of the gate, winning four of its first five contests, including two Federal League wins, to go 4-1 and 2-0 overall. It’s safe to say Coach Mike Biros knows talent and success when he sees it. This is his 24th season as head coach and 31st at the school.
“We have upperclassmen on this team and a lot of experience,” said the coach whose group’s only loss came against Hudson while defeating Green and Perry within the league and non-league foes Medina and University School. Three seniors lead the program, including captains Braden Morrison and Louis Cook, the team’s leading scorer. Senior midfielder Grant Blake rounds out the Bears’ triumvirate that gives league and non-league foes alike headaches on the field.
“We play good, quality opponents, and to win the league this year, we will need to be more efficient in our goal scoring, and we need to cash in on our opportunities at a higher rate,” Biros said. Like any other Jackson program, the school takes no shortcuts when it comes to presenting a top-notch operation. It has a brand new field turf to play on this year, keeping in step with other programs presenting premier playing facilities.
“It’s the first year we’re playing on this turf,” Biros noted. “But the kids do a lot of off-season training on new turfs, and we have a field that’s as high quality as what anyone else has.” Another common thread of Jackson’s athletic success in nearly all of its sports is youngsters becoming involved in their chosen sport at such an early age. “Most of our players started as 5-year-olds in the Jackson Select program. With our youth soccer, when kids arrive at the high school level, they are very experienced,” the coach added. “It’s an opportunity for all to get involved.”
Biros is assisted at the varsity level by Bryan Zilla, a Bears’ alum. Sam Roubic coaches the jayvee squad. Zilla has been on board for seven years and Roubic for six. They, along with Biros, keep a steady hand on boys’ soccer and work collectively to keep the high school program competitive annually. North Canton Hoover came into the season as the defending league kingpin. The Bears are hoping to change that narrative this fall.
Biros, a 1990 Stow High School graduate, said as many as ten of his former players are now playing collegiate soccer. The most recent include Isiah Allen, who is a freshman starting at Lake Erie College, Cody Duckworth at Baldwin Wallace, Mount Union’s A.J. Jaber, and Ben Burgess. That sends a clear message to the current players at Jackson that scholarships for the sport can be earned to help further their academic and athletic careers. But like any other sport, you have to start early. At Jackson, they do. After all, what were you doing at age 5?
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.
