FT. JENNINGS – Entering his 14th year as the head of the boys soccer program at Fort Jennings Gregg Luthman is expecting big things from his troops.
“All returning lettermen are top prospects this year because it will take their great efforts and experience to build and meld together the underclassmen and freshmen into a team that puts their best out on the line every day and in every minute of the game” says Luthman on this years crop of players.
Last season the Musketeers finished with a record of 4-11-1 and eclipsed their mark from the previous two seasons of 0-17 and 3-12-2 respectively.
Though the program started the season 0-5-1 they were able to put together a streak during the middle of the season that saw them post a 4-4 mark before ending on a three game skid and a postseason loss to Allen East in the opening round.
Back to lead the Musketeers are returning letter winners Ryan Edinger, Gavin Gilbert, Jon Grote, Brayden Calvelage, Chase Neidert, Trent Siefker, Carsen Siebeneck, Mason German, and Bryce Gasser.
Jon Grote headlines the returners as he was named Honorable Mention in both the Putnam County League and the Northwest District honors in 2020.
Asked about the overall outlook for his team this season Luthman says “The players have come with an attitude of one befitting any Musketeer. They will outhustle, outthink, be the most intense, play quicker and harder, be the best at defending collectively, and out focus their opponent to their best ability every moment on the pitch”.
“It will be a tough brutal grind to the end as usual with Continental, Kalida, Miller City, and Ottoville geared up as always to be unrelenting opponents. The first to achieve one of the top 2 spots is in their hearts” remarked the Musketeer boss on the topic of what the Putnam County League race will look like this season.
Fort Jennings opens the season on Tuesday, August 24th at 7:00 P.M. as they travel to Memorial Field in Spencerville to battle the Bearcats in a non-league contest.