As boy’s soccer continues, injuries begin to occur throughout the ongoing season. Many players are injured with ankle and foot-related injuries, mostly midfielders, and forwards. Players remain positive and support one another, together they stay strong throughout the issues.

Despite these factors, the boys continue to win their games and stand with a 7-2 record. They have their captains and head coach, John Plankers. Plankers has coached for 6 years and has been head varsity coach for 5 years.

“My favorite part of coaching the team is watching them grow together as one, work to improve every day, and hopefully become the best versions of themselves as people and teammates,” said Plankers.

As players grow together, they grow bonds that make them and the team stronger. Teams win and lose together, they grow together, but most important of all they endure everything together. Plankers explains how the team is affected by the injuries that have occurred throughout the season.

“This affects the team by making sure that everyone is locked in, steps up, and does not put their head down and make excuses but rather works to improve and make sure they have all of their teammates’ backs. We have lost some starters due to injuries for a couple of games so far this year,” said Plankers.

The boys continue to play on and keep their heads up, even with the reoccurring injuries. On September 20, Junior Matthew Como got injured during the Varsity game against Liberty North.

“A guy was going for a shot and I stuck my foot out and it clipped the end of my foot and my ankle wasn’t locked. So it got twisted real badly and tore some ligaments,” said Como.

The boys’ team went on to win the home game against Liberty North 2-1. Though the injury keeps Como from playing for a couple of weeks, a reappearance is possible.

“I am going to the school trainer and also doing stretches at home and going to physical therapy, I’m really hoping I’m going to make a reappearance. The season is short so I’m going to tough it out next week,” said Como.

As Como recovers, his team recovers from the news of the injury. Luckily, he’ll be back soon. Many players react differently to occurrences that may affect gameplay and bonds. Plankers describes how the team reacted.

“The players have reacted positively. They are obviously sad about the injury, they want their teammate to improve his health but know that we must continue to grow and work to improve. They are motivated, stepped up as a team, and our captains and veteran players, as well as younger players, have stepped up,” said Plankers.

With the positivity from the team, they are able to support Como on and off of the field. His loved ones and teammates are there to support him through his recovery. Jacob Adams, a Senior on the Varsity team, recounts how his injury compelled him to work harder.

“The injury definitely compelled me to work harder just to make sure, that I personally and everyone else to make sure we are ready to step up since we are missing a valuable player,” said Adams.

Adams and the rest of the team work hard for their teammate, and how you practice is how you play. Adams describes how the atmosphere of practices has changed throughout Como’s recovery process.

“It definitely changed because we are going through training without one of our brothers. But we know that we still have to put in the work and continue to work hard,” said Adams.

Practicing without your teammate makes a difference on the field. Though they’re there supporting you while recovering, they aren’t able to connect with you like they would on the field. Adams illustrates how things have changed without Como on the field.

“It definitely changed the connection on the field since Matt is such a big part of our system and how our midfield works,” said Adams.

While Como is recovering, his teammates are there supporting him throughout the process. Though he isn’t able to encourage his teammates on the field, he can do it off the field too.

“Just being focused on the bench and giving teammates advice as I see it on the bench and what they can fix,” said Como.

Advising from the sidelines has its perks, Como is able to help them see the field and what they can try doing against a certain rival. Though you can’t change the past, you can learn from it. Como describes his experience when he got injured.
“I really wish I just locked my ankle up or somebody else push on that guy because that wasn’t my step,” said Como.

Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. People face many of them every day, but no matter the severity the Panthers are able to push forward. Como and the rest of the Varsity teamed played through the problems and kept their heads high. Como pushed through his recovery, and returned to the field on October 3, playing in the game against the Lees Summit North Broncos where they won 2-1.