Kyle Jones couldn’t bring himself to leave.
Not with this senior class, a group that ushered him into the world of prep soccer three years ago at Kentlake High. Not after all they’ve been through together. And, especially not after the team fell short of its ultimate goal last year.
So despite commuting on a daily basis from his home in Olympia and the fact that his wife will give birth to the couple’s first baby any day now, Jones chose to stick around the Kentlake High soccer pitch for one more year.
Just to see what might happen with a group that has essentially become family.
“These kids are what brought me back,” said Jones, who guided the Falcons to the program’s lone playoff berth in his first year in 2008. “This is my fourth year. I got my break in coaching four years ago. We’ve put in a lot of tough work during these last three years. To go through all of that and to not come back for the freshmen who started with me I think would have been a little hypocritical to what I am trying to teach them.”
So Jones, who announced at the start of last year that he would not be back, has returned. He’ll put up with the commute and, of course, the chaotic schedule that comes with starting a family.
But he’ll do so with a smile.
Because there’s nowhere else Jones would rather be. And for good reason.
This year’s edition of the Falcons has talent. Plenty of it. That’s not to say the Falcons lacked on the pitch in previous years. But this spring will be the culmination of everything Jones has strived to create with the program.
“We have a good group of kids and you can see some of the things now that are starting to click,” said Jones, who enters the season with a 19-21-10 overall record. “They just need to keep playing soccer, to stick to the fundamentals. Our overall goal is to win. I want to leave knowing that there’s good soccer being played at Kentlake.”
After an 0-1-1 start to the season, those fundamentals began showing through for the Falcons during a 3-2 win over Kent-Meridian March 22. The win included goals from Ryan Utz, the team’s lone freshman, sharpshooter Greg Gordon and Daniel Landram. A good chunk of this year’s success will hinge on those three. Though a freshman, Utz is playing like a veteran, Jones said. Gordon, the team’s most dynamic offensive player, netted four goals in the team’s first five games. Meanwhile, Landram, who took last season off to concentrate on basketball, has given the Falcons an additional boost.
“Having Daniel Landram back, that’s nice. He’s a basketball player, there’s no question about it. But he’s one of those rare types of athletes,” Jones said. “He’s fast, he’s strong, his shots are on target. He’s a game changer.”
Kentlake should be just as tough on defense, especially with the return of senior goalkeeper Brandon Shipley and junior defender Kyle Koon.
“The defense has been really solid,” Jones said, pointing out that Chase Maletich, Mitchell Habryle, Andrew Miccile and Gunner Terrio have added to the defensive presence. “And I’ve been really happy with Shipley. He has a great mind for the game and is able to direct so much.”
Regardless of what happens, however, this is it for Jones.
And by season’s end, he fully plans on leading the Falcons to one more playoff berth.
Strides already have been made.
“Our consistency is a lot better. Last year, there were too many kids who were just kind of scared out there. They need to have a little bit of a swagger when they’re out there,” he said. “I expect to win when I show up. This year, the attitude has been difference. The overall feel is difference. The kids are motivated.”
FALCONS: AT A GLANCE
• COACH: Kyle Jones, fourth year.
• LAST YEAR: 4-9-3 in SPSL North play, tied for seventh.
• TOP RETURNERS: Kyle Koon, jr., defense; Greg Gordon, jr., midfielder; Brandon Shipley, sr., goalkeeper
• TOP NEWCOMERS: Novi Mixich, sr., forward; Gunner Terrio, so., defender; Matthew Butler, jr.
• OUTLOOK: The Falcons weren’t off by much last year and are poised to make a playoff push this spring. With Daniel Landram back on the team after a one-year hiatus, things are looking good. Gordon brings strong offensive potential, evidenced by his four goals in the first five games, and Shipley is a veteran in the net. With five playoff berths at stake, the Falcons should move on, though the North can be unpredictable on the pitch.
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