Gray sees improvement coming

Senior Jesse Brown (21) and sophomore Jordan Karleskint (9) fight for the ball during Fort Scott High School's soccer scrimmage Thursday evening at Ellis Park. Karleskint scored a goal for the Red team but the White won by an unofficial score of 7-3.
(Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum)

Meanwhile, on the new scoreboard donated by the Fort Scott Rotary Club, the Red team defeated the White by a scored of 6-4. Although there were a couple of people who thought it was 7-3.

But it's a scrimmage. A good one according to Tiger head coach David Gray, who is beginning his third season with the program.

The first thing of note is the field. Because it's not so rough and bumpy anymore, the Tigers have had an easier time making passes.

"New grass with a sprinkler system and it's coming along really nice," Gray said. "It showed in our passing. We're passing a lot better than we ever have before."

Prior to the completion of the sodding project, the Tigers had to practice at Second Street Park.

Gray hasn't finalized a starting lineup yet although most of the White team players appeared to be the ones who will start in varsity games.

The White team led 3-0 at the half as junior Chris McAllister scored the first two goals and sophomore Josh Buller added the third.

Sophomore Jordan Karleskint scored the first goal of the second half as his half-pitch lob somehow went over the goalkeeper and into the net to get the Red side on the board.

Buller added three more goals in the second half for the White team and sophomore Max McAllister added the final tally. freshman Wyatt Hulbert and sophomore Chris Herman scored a goal each for the Red.

Some Red and White players switched sides at the half. Gray said there were some players that he thinks he will use together and he wanted them to get used to each other on the field.

"Things are starting to come together," Gray said. "Individually, Josh and Chris were the leading scorers, which I pretty much expect to happen. There's some new guys who looked pretty good too. Freshmen and some upper-class guys who haven't been out before. We're making progress."

Twenty-five players are on the roster, including five seniors, seven juniors and nine sophomores.

"Jordan and, I noticed, Herman played well," Gray said. "(Junior) Ryan Rost played well. And a new guy, (senior) Brandon King, he's never played before and I was impressed with the things he showed me.

"(Seniors) Luis Martinez and Jesse Brown were their regular, steady selves. Overall, it was a pretty good scrimmage. Now I just have to figure out where everybody's going to play."

The goalkeepers for the scrimmage were senior Kenny Withers and sophomore Grant Wells.

Matt Chaplin is the Tigers' other senior. Other juniors include Kai Simmons-Mims, who is out for the first time, Kholton Dwyer, Laila Al-Shawish, Griffin Hulbert and Max Scharenberg.

Sophomores on the team, in addition to those already listed, are Kurtis West, Allen Pearson, Aaron Cowlishaw and Jerry Smith. Other freshmen are David Goff, Katrina Yakel and Andy Cowlishaw.

As Gray looked ahead to the season -- which begins Tuesday with a home match against Louisburg -- he sees four tough games to start the season but a chance after that to be competitive.

The second game of the season is at Independence, which won the Class 4-3-2-1A State championship last season, becoming the first southeast Kansas program to do so. Then comes a home match with Pittsburg and a road match at Neosho, Mo., which, if it were in Kansas, would be a Class 6A school.

The Tigers could still do well in those first four games. But even if they struggle there, Gray sees a chance for Fort Scott to do well enough that perhaps it could get a chance to host a first-round State playoff match, something the program has never done.

"I think we've improved enough to where we should be competitive with Pittsburg, Coffeyville and Columbus," Gray said. "We only won three games last year (3-13), but I expect to win a few more this year.

"I'm impressed with this group of kids. There's some talent and they're working hard. I think before very long, it's going to come together."

The way to winning will start on the defensive end, according to Gray. Stop teams from scoring, then make sure the defenders can get the ball up front to the scorers.

"Our goal is to improve our defense," Gray said. "Don't allow more than one goal a game. That's what Indy did to get to the State championship. If they don't score, you'll win. It all starts at the defensive end. We have people who can put it in the goal if we get them the opportunities.

"I'm optimistic this year."

Bold -- Southeast Kansas League match (varsity).

Varsity game begins at 4:30 p.m. with JV to follow afterwards unless noted. The JV may play first on fields which have lights.

The Coffeyville Tournament is varsity only.

Tuesday...............................LOUISBURG

Sept. 9......................at Independence

Sept. 11.............................PITTSBURG

Sept. 16...........................at Neosho, Mo.

Sept. 18.............................COLUMBUS

Sept. 22.............................SPRING HILL

Sept. 23............................at Pittsburg

Sept. 25......................INDEPENDENCE

Sept. 27..........................at Paola, 1 p.m.

Sept. 30..........................COFFEYVILLE

Oct. 4.....at Coffeyville Tournament, 8 a.m.

Oct. 6....................................RIVERTON

Oct. 9...............................at Columbus

Oct. 16............................at Coffeyville

Oct. 21..................................at Riverton