Looking outside, it doesn’t exactly look like prototypical “soccer” weather, and for most of us, we’d wait until warmer days come around.

That is not the case for the West Central Valley boys soccer team who is more than anxious to get the season underway. The Wildcats are already on the move to avenge a down season from last year going 2-12 while being outscored 16-47. That all starts with the 21 returning players from last seasons roster including last year’s leading scorer in Nick Doud. Adding to the excitement, not only does head coach Chad Pote receive a full compliment of returning offense, but lock down defense from goal keeper Ethan Pote as well. Pote was one of the bigger highlights for the Wildcats last season as the saves machine swatted away 173 goal seeking shots which not only placed him 10th in class 1A, but ranked the now junior 16th in the entire state of Iowa.

It’s safe to say that the excitement has been building up so much that the Wildcats are braving all types of elements from strong winds to cold temperatures, just to get outside and play. Coach Pote spoke with Raccoon Valley Radio on the eagerness of his team saying the players are requesting outside practice which he says is ok because it helps them build stamina for the season ahead.

“I’ve got kids that keep asking when I put indoor practices together they want to go outdoors so we move them outdoors so it’s pretty much their choice of where we practice. They’re building a lot of stamina right now, we’ve been out in the wind and the cold. That’s helping them get used to it because they know we’ve played in the snow before and we’ve played when it’s scorching heat out. That’s helping build their stamina for the season,” explained coach Pote.

The first time the Wildcats will see competitive action to begin their 2017 schedule will be on March 31st when they head to Huxley to take on Ballard Bombers, beginning at 5:30 pm