Highlands boys soccer wants to snap long playoff drought

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 10:48 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

The last time the Highlands boys soccer team reached the postseason, Britney Spears was the princess of pop music, “The Incredibles” hit movie theaters and former football coach Sam Albert coached his first game on the Rams’ sideline. If 2004 seems like a long time ago, it’s because it was.

After 13 years in which the program existed on life support with low roster numbers and slumped into one of the WPIAL’s perennial doormats, Highlands boys soccer coach Brad Walker believes 2018 will be the year of redemption.

“We’re due,” Walker said. “I expect this team to be a playoff contender this year. I really expect a solid year, and this is the first year that I feel like I have a varsity-ready team. In the past, it felt like I was coaching kids that weren’t old enough yet or physical enough yet.”

To say that expectations are high for this year’s team would be an understatement. Stop by a Highlands practice, and everyone on the field is beaming with confidence and enthusiasm. For those upperclassmen who have been in the program a while, thoughts of payback are never far off.

“We’re looking to take out the top teams that were in the top of the section last year,” junior defender Ethan Gillette said. “We’re coming for first place this year.”

Gillette’s words might sound like warning shots, but they’re not. Highlands was one of the most improved teams in Section 1-AAA, if not in all of Class AAA. The Golden Rams closed the season with a 4-3-1 record.

“Last year was the first year where we had no bad instances at all,” Walker said. “And this year, there’s a brand new attitude. Everybody’s hungry. Everybody knows that we can win.”

Highlands closed the talent gap considerably last season when the Rams knocked off one of the sport’s blue bloods, Hampton, 1-0 . The Talbots entered the postseason as No. 9 seed, and the Rams finished one win short of a playoff spot.

“That was the first time they ever beat Hampton in program history,” Walker said.

Highlands is looking to start stacking up big wins like the one over Hampton. Walker returns nine starters from last year’s team. Couple the Rams’ experience with the fact most of Walker’s players hit their growth spurts during the offseason, and Highlands can play just about any style of soccer.

“We’re finally ready that we can bang with the teams that bang and play with the teams that have skill,” Walker said.

The Rams’ most dangerous weapon is sophomore midfielder Gabe Norris. Norris, who is a member of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Pathway to the Pros program, led Highlands last season in goals (12) and assists (13). Walker expects his young phenom to continue to blossom.

“I think Gabe Norris is going to have a (heckuva) year,” Walker said with a smile.

Juniors Dan Signorella and Shane Stefanik, along with sophomore Ethan Bernat, will join Norris in the middle. Up front, senior Kolbe Palermo and sophomore Tomas White will be the attack for a team that found the net 30 times last season.

“We really didn’t score too much, but we didn’t really give up that many goals,” Walker said.

Even with all the talent up front and in the middle, the strength this season will on the back line. Walker returns all four starters.

In addition to Gillette, seniors Gerald Butler and Aidan McIntire and junior Eliot English return to a line that let through 37 goals last season.

Junior keeper Gabe Anthony sprouted to 6-foot-3 since last year, making him a larger presence between the poles. Walker expects Anthony to have a career season and be one of the top keepers in Class 3A.

“I think now that we have the size, speed, strength and skill, we also have that chip (on our shoulders),” Walker said. “You need that chip, and my defense has that chip.”

Highlands opens with nonconference games against tourney host Ambridge and Obama Academy before traveling to North Hills on Sept. 4 to open section action.

“I feel like I’m coaching young men,” Walker said. “It took me two years to change the culture.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Highlands