Andy Johnson, Mentally and Tactically Prepared to Win
Coach Kevin Denson knows Beach District soccer. In his more than two decades as head coach of the Kempsville Chiefs varsity boys’ soccer team, Denson has amassed nearly 300 wins. During his tenure, Kempsville has earned a state title four times and been ranked number one nationally on two occasions.
Will 2006 be one of those banner seasons? If so, it will take quite some effort on the part of the Chiefs. That is not to say they do not have the experience; most of these young men play club soccer in the off season. Instead, this is one of the youngest teams that Denson has fielded in several years. Last year, twelve senior soccer players graduated. With only four seniors and seven juniors on the 2006 roster, that leaves plenty of space for sophomores on the playing field. “I have at least four or five sophomores who will see lots of playing time this year,” explains Denson. “And for all but two of them, it will be their first time on varsity.”
If these relatively younger players can follow the lead of their forebears, they should do well enough in Virginia Beach this season. Look for the Chiefs to be good defensively this year. Although last year was somewhat of an exception, Kempsville has traditionally been a team that manages to rack up numerous shutouts throughout the season.
Even though defense is a key part of the Chiefs’ success, Denson knows that offense is an equally critical element of handling opponents. “We incorporate finishing in every practice. I’m kind of fanatical about it. That’s how I like to start and end practices,” he explains.
Scoring points is something the Chiefs must do in 2006 if they will make it back to the regional tournament. Although they were Eastern Region champions from 2000 to 2003, they have not seen regional play in two years. “We’re definitely looking forward to playing Cox and First Colonial this season,” explains Denson. “Those are the two teams that went to the regional tournament last year. One of our goals is to get back to the regional tournament.”
One of the standouts who will help lead the Chiefs to a possible return to regional play is junior Andy Johnson, and not just because he is co-captain of Kempsville’s squad. Johnson demonstrates his command of soccer in his quickness of play, a must at center midfield. He is aware of that he must be mentally and tactically prepared to win every game.
Along with a strong determination to win every game, Johnson brings to his position an affinity for its ambidexterity. “I really enjoy playing in the midfield because it offers opportunities to play both offense and defense,” he says. In addition to playing with Kempsville’s varsity team, Johnson also plays for Virginia Rush in the off-season, an opportunity which affords him more playing time – and experience – in his preferred position. Last season, his performance was enough to earn him “Most Improved Player” on Kempsville’s soccer team.
Johnson agrees with Denson in terms of matches to which the Chiefs are looking forward, but he goes a little farther. “Even though Cox and First Colonial are always big,” he explains, “we have to win all of the home games too.” Johnson is confident that the Chiefs will make headway in this challenging district. “We have been working hard in the off season. Once we are comfortable seeing where everyone works out, we’ll do well this season.”
The relative youth of this year’s squad is something that may have an effect early in the season, but Johnson believes that it will eventually yield long-term positive results. “As a younger team, we can work on experience. Really, what we need the most is playing time,” he says. Johnson is sure that once these players gain competitive experience on the field, the seasons to come will find the Chiefs a more seasoned, and therefore better, team.
Another factor that will aid the Chiefs in their quest to make it back to regional competition, according to Johnson, is the man that is leading them. “Coach Denson is definitely a big influence on me as well as many of the other players. He has a very strong work ethic which rubs off on us.”
That work ethic and the talents of the Chiefs themselves should help them regain their status as one of the Eastern Region’s foremost competitors in 2006.
