HHS with new coach, no freshman
By RANDY GONZALES
For the first time in recent years, the Hays High School boys' soccer team won't have a freshman on the varsity roster to start the season.
But for the first time since the program started, the Indians will have a rookie coach.
Zach Michaelis, an assistant the past two years, takes over as head coach Monday when the Indians open the season in the McPherson Invitational. He takes over for his father, Chris Michaelis, who was 85-97-7 since the boys' program's inception in 1997. Chris Michaelis remains as the school's head coach of the girls' soccer team.
"I think they're adjusting to the different coaching style," Zach Michaelis said of his players.
Being an assistant has helped the transition.
"I know what they're capable of doing," Michaelis said.
After preseason practice, Michaelis envisions a strong team that can improve on last year's 8-10 record. HHS returns 17 letter winners.
"I think we're going to be pretty deep this season," Michaelis said. "First year (in recent seasons) we don't have a freshman on the varsity."
Among the goals Michaelis listed was a good showing at the McPherson tourney. Hays High opens with Andover Central Monday at 1 p.m. HHS won the inaugural McPherson tournament in 2005 and finished third the past two years. This is the third time the Indians will face Andover Central in the first round; HHS won the two previous meetings, both in overtime.
"We want to make the championship game of the McPherson tournament," Michaelis said. "It's going to be another tough one."
Other team goals include finishing over .500 in the Western Athletic Conference, win at least 10 games overall and get past the regional championship game in postseason.
Michaelis will start out with a 4-4-2 but would like to try three strikers at some point in the season.
"Start out more conservative," he said. "I would like to try a three-forward set."
Starting at forward will be seniors Thayne Griffin and Colin Miller, with sophomore Devin Schmidt also in the mix.
"I'm expecting big things out of Thayne Griffin," Michaelis said.
One of the center midfielders will be sophomore Trey Herman.
"He's going to be a big one there," Michaelis said.
Griffin and Schmidt also could see time as center mids.
Schmidt also is in the mix at outside mid, along with junior Adam Adams, senior Tyson Koerner and sophomore Jordan Burgess.
On the back line, senior Mark Schneweis will be the sweeper, with sophomore Chandler Schmidt or senior Edgar Vallejo at stopper. Chandler Schmidt also could be an outside back.
Penciled in to start at left back is sophomore Trey Lynd, with another sophomore, Caden Junk, at right back.
Senior Levi Unruh can fill in at any position, Michaelis said.
There was a goalkeeper battle in preseason camp between junior Jared Wasinger and sophomore Jesus Lopez.
"Big question, who do we have in goal," Michaelis said. "Jared Wasinger played some JV goalie."
When asked who was more likely to be in goal starting out, Michaelis said he would "probably go with Jared Wasinger right now."
Michaelis said his transition from being an assistant to a head coach has been as expected, with one big exception.
"The biggest surprise -- my dad and I were joking -- is there is a lot more paperwork as a head coach," Michaelis said.