Football and men’s soccer are the two fall sports at Greenbrier East that draw the biggest crowds. Everyone loves to come out for these games. But what is it like to play for our school?

Mens Soccer

From winning the state championship in 2022 to losing in sectionals last year, our men’s soccer team has a complicated history, but their positive record overall shouldn’t go unrecognized. Three varsity players, Dylan DePriest-Thompson (#12), Parker Hill (#14), and Andrew Holt (#5), all agree they can see themselves on the state championship field again this year despite a current record of 12-4-1. DePriest-Thompson, a senior, scored a goal in the September 19th home game against East’s archrival, but the Spartans came up short, losing 3-1. 

“Woodrow played hard, but I felt like we could’ve played better,” DePriest-Thompson said. “After Woodrow kept scoring, I felt like myself and the team could have pushed ourselves harder but didn’t.” 

Hill and Holt noted that soccer is a sport that requires a lot of stamina, and that running is the hardest thing. 

Losing Adam Seams, who during his senior year led the team to a state championship, was a hard pill to swallow and could be the reason why last year’s season didn’t go as well as it could have. Hill noted that having a leader like Seams this year may have prevented the Spartans from losing the three games they have, but also said that a positive difference from last year is the bonding on the team. Hill said the extra year of having everyone play together helps a lot. Holt added that his favorite thing about soccer is the bonds and forever friendships that he makes through the sport. 

Football

Despite tremendous growth from last year to this and the presence of some truly talented players, there is no hiding that East’s football team hasn’t had the best year so far either. 

Even so, junior Logan Vanfosson (#24) said a big difference from last year is the team’s age: last year’s sophomores are now juniors, and as the young men grow older, physical strength increases. Mental strength, however, is something to work on. 

Junior Nate Suttle (#3) said that while losing is never easy for anyone, it is even harder when fellow students don’t understand that football is a very challenging sport and wins don’t come easily. Senior Richard (Bo) Bowyer (59#) said that he only feels supported by his fellow students if the team wins a game, yet having peer support is a crucial part of building mental strength. 

As of now the football team is 2-5, but hungry for a win. East’s record isn’t a reflection of the team and their capabilities, said Suttle. There is still a lot of time to push for success in the 2024 season. 

Vanfossen is excited to look ahead to next year. He believes that because most of the starters will be seniors fighting harder than ever before to make it to the playoffs, 2025 will be a comeback year. Still there are four games in front of the team right now. Their outcomes are hard to predict, so don’t give up on the Spartans! 

Remember that players shouldn’t be judged on how many wins or losses they have. “I’d like to see you do better!” DePriest-Thompson said.

Coming back to school after a loss is a thing every player hates, so don’t make it harder on them. They need you to keep showing your support.