Soccer season kicks off

Published 9:43 am Friday, March 11, 2011

Franklin High School soccer team members, from left in front, include Victoria Barrett, Grace Cummins, Hannah Kreider, Tony Bland, Ashlea Hough, Katie Conner, Daryl West and Zach Hopkins; and in back, assistant Josh Pearce, Madison Busby, Lauren Sheehy, Deshaun Artis, Cassie Barnes, Chad Benton, Dillon Trotter, Emmanuel Ricks, Nathan Jones, Angel Padilla, Xavier Freeman, head coach Brandon Ivey and assistant Steve Ivey. Not pictured are assistant Leo Padilla, Brianna Karmilovich, Tabbitha Bruck and Andrianna Leonard. - SUBMITTED

FRANKLIN—The Franklin High soccer team’s new head coach is counting on a whole new game.

Brandon Ivey, who is also an assistant varsity Bronco football coach under Darren Parker, said he hopes to improve on last year’s 0-12 season for the Tri-Rivers District team.

He expects returning seniors Cassie Barnes and Victoria Barrett, junior Tony Bland and freshman Angel Padilla to lead the way.

“I’m looking for those four to bring the team together,” Ivey said Thursday.

The Broncos will open their season at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, against Greensville and host Brunswick for their home opener at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Armory Field.

“We’re a young team, and we want people to come out and support us,” Ivey said. “A lot of them have good skills.”

The Broncos started practicing on Feb. 21 and will play nine out of their 13 games at home.

Ivey, 28, has assisted with the high school football program for two years.

He played soccer for five years at Franklin High School under coaches Mike Carter and Danny Dillon and one year at Liberty University in Lynchburg.

This is Ivey’s first soccer coaching position.