Kahok boys soccer season begins this week
By Mark Jurgena
Collinsville High School boys soccer coach Rob Lugge, now in his ninth season, and his charges look to get back on the winning side of the ledger more often this season than last.
Not that last year was a bad season. The Kahoks finished 9-10-1 overall and third in the SWC with a 6-4 record. However, it was the only time in Lugge’s tenure as the head coach that Collinsville produced a record under .500.
Also, the previous four seasons had produced SWC championships.
But he is unconcerned about the past, choosing instead to be focused on this year’s squad.
“Practice has gone well,” Lugge said. “We have a very solid nucleus. We bring back eight starters from last year’s team, including six seniors, a junior and a sophomore.
“We have a solid group of experienced players at the top, but we’re going to have to spend some time getting some of the younger players used to playing varsity soccer.”
Lugge looks to those veterans to teach the younger players about the aggressive nature of Kahok soccer.
“For us, we kind of stick to the same style all the time,” he began. “It’s an attacking style of soccer. I’m not much of a sit back and wait kind of person. We are going to do our best to attack defensively, cause a little havoc, get turnovers and get it to our offensive end.”
So far as the SWC goes, Lugge sees many of the same schools near the top of the list with a relative newcomer in Belleville West, last year’s SWC champ, added on.
“The conference is always stacked,” said Lugge. “Belleville West brings back three quality players and probably their best player in Braden Missey. He’s a force to be reckoned with up top. He’s 6’3”, he’s a track star, and he’s probably going to lead our league in goals.
“O’Fallon might have the most talent overall, they will be a very quality team and Edwardsville is always Edwardsville. They and O’Fallon have the most talent.”
Once again, the Kahoks’ schedule is loaded with great competition.
They begin the season with Columbia, Triad, Chatham (Glenwood), Edwardsville, O’Fallon, Alton and St. Louis (CBC).
Collinsville began its season on Monday against Columbia; however, results were unavailable at press time. They have their first home match on Thursday against Triad.
Columbia was fourth in Class 1A a season ago, while Edwardsville was fourth in Class 3A.
