South hopes to rebound
by DAVE BENNETT Intern

The Williamsville South boys soccer team is working hard to put last season behind them.

Like many teams in the area, their season was greatly affected by the October snowstorm. They only played 10 games, including their season ending loss to Grand Island in the Section VI Class A prequarterfinals.

Despite last year's disappointing season, the Billies remain undeterred.

"Last year we finished 2-4-4," said South coach Pete Sugg. "We didn't have a great year but those who played for me last year don't put too much stock in what happened."

This season, the Billies will be led by a core of young but experienced players.

"I have a young team," said Sugg. "There's a chance I might only start two seniors."

The team's youth is particularly on display on defense, which Suggs feels is their strong point.

Leading the group is sophomore goalie Steve Crawford. Crawford played JV last season but looks to be a bright spot for the team due to his work in the offseason.

"He plays on a very good summer team and I can tell he's been trained well," said Sugg. "He's young but I feel confident he'll do a good job this year."

Junior sweeper RJ Grampp will be called upon to support Crawford in his first full season on varsity. Grampp played most of last season on JV but was called up to varsity for the sectional game against Grand Island and excelled.

Also helping to keep the ball away from Crawford will be juniors Chris Toone and Brian Van ee, who both started last season as sophomores.

Headlining the offense is sophomore forward Zach Schwartz who started last season as a freshman and is South's first ever sophomore captain.

The Billies will also look for production and leadership from senior captain Trevor Lawler, who will see time at both midfield and forward.

Senior captain Sam Alt will also give the team more firepower in the midfield.

Offensively, South will also have to rely on new players from JV to produce on varsity.

"I need some guys who've done well scoring on JV to step up and get some scoring production," said Sugg. "If we get that, we'll be all right."

In order to get the most out of their potential on offense, the Billies will focus on teamwork and passing.

"Last year we had a bunch of individual efforts (who were) trying to dribble the ball way too much," said Lawler. "I think this year we're going to be a better passing team."

This unselfish offensive approach coupled with a solid defense has the team optimistic about accomplishing their goal of competing for a division title.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the teamwork we're going to have," said Schwartz. "I think we're going to score a lot of goals. Our defense will be solid as well. I think we're going to win a lot of games."

South hosted Iroquois on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.
South 2007 Schedule
9-10 East ...................................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-12 at Frontier........................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-14 at Depew ............................................. 4:30 p.m.
9-18 Maryvale .............................................. 4:30 p.m.
9-20 at Cheektowaga ................................. 4:30 p.m.
9-22 Pioneer ................................................... 10 a.m.
9-24 at Starpoint ......................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-26 Amherst ............................................... 4:30 p.m.
10-2 Depew.................................................. 4:30 p.m.
10-4 at Maryvale ......................................... 4:30 p.m.
10-6 Cheektowaga ......................................... 10 a.m.
10-10 at Pioneer.......................................... 4:30 p.m.
10-12 Starpoint............................................ 4:30 p.m.
10-16 at Amherst ............................................. 7 p.m.
10-18 at North ............................................. 4:30 p.m.