HODGDON, Maine — Hodgdon has turned to one of its own to guide the boys soccer team this fall.
Jason Little, a Hodgdon alum and JMG teacher at Hodgdon High School, takes over the Hawk soccer program from Rob Smith, who led the team for the past two seasons.
Little played soccer at Hodgdon from the seventh grade through to graduation and also played in college. He has coached numerous youth sports teams in the Hodgdon area for the past several years.
“This will be my first opportunity for coaching at the varsity level and I’m looking forward to the opportunity of following in the path of coaches I had as a player while I was in high school,” Little said. “I am most looking forward to seeing the players grow throughout the year, in competitive nature, skill level, and work ethic, while hopefully having a season of good memories that will stick with them throughout their life.”
The Hawks finished 10-4 last season, which earned the team the No. 7 seed in the Class D North playoffs. Hodgdon lost a heart-breaking 2-1 decision to No. 10 Easton in the preliminary round.
A number of key players were lost from that Hawk squad due to graduation this past spring. Among those lost to graduation were Daden Palmer, Jordyn Merritt, Noah Nash, Dillan Buzzell, and Kyle Tidd.
“They were key losses, but they left the current team with a desire to grow and desire to win,” coach Little said.
Members of the 2017 Hawk boys soccer team include seniors Dylan Oliver, Wyatt Foster, Bobby Ramsey, Nick Sherman, Dalton Wilde; juniors, Josh Palmer, Dylan Jurson; sophomores, Josh Foster, Seth Tapley, Lucas Ramsey, Dameon Sanders, Hunter Tapley, Michael Sanders and Ross Lowery; and freshmen Codie Barton, Colton Folsom and Jeremiah Goff.
“Our team has a positive outlook on this season,” coach Little said. “The players worked very hard during the summer and were getting together on their own to run as a team outside of scheduled practices/scrimmages.”
He added the group has set a number of team goals for the year, including qualifying for the playoffs and hopefully hosting a postseason game.
“We have a high number of leaders on the team,” Little said. “I like the balance our team has with upperclass leaders who have made it to the playoffs already and some first and second year players who will make major contributions to our team.”
Some of the team’s strengths are its speed and athleticism. “The team is full of natural athletes who stay active on the field and have an incredible work ethic,” he said.
The Hawks also have some flexibility with the lineup as a number of players can contribute on either offense or defense.
“My hope is that we have the chance to move our underclassmen into pressure situations to help develop their confidence and skills for future years,” he said. “The team has been working on passing and moving the ball up the field quickly.”
Hodgdon is schedule to open its season Monday, Aug. 28, at Washburn with a 4 p.m. match.
