Trent Reid is The Pele of the Panhandle
Martinsburg's Ball Boy, to All-state, and then to goal-scoring superstar would be one of the many ways to describe Trent Reid's soccer career. Far from any run of the mill soccer player, Reid has elevated himself and his team to a whole new level since getting the start halfway through his freshman season. Now the senior captain for the two time defending state quarter-finalists, Reid has two more goals to reach. His dream is to win a state title and to join the very prestigious group of players having scored one hundred or more career goals.
If one would run their finger down a list of Reid's accomplishments and awards, not one would seem to jump off the page. This may be because they are all exceptional achievements for an athlete at the mere age of seventeen. Not only has Reid led the Bulldogs to a 37-7-4 combined record over the last two seasons, but he has led them to two straight state quarterfinals and also set a single season record of thirty-six goals last year.
In his exceptional three-year career, Reid has been named part of the All-Region II team, first team All-West Virginia, and as a junior he was also given the "Journal" player of the year award.
Reid got his first taste of Martinsburg soccer in middle school when he served as the team's ball boy. As a youngster watching games intently, he idolized the players on the field. He dreamed one day he could be on that same field as a player himself.
"I always thought the team was so great," said Reid. "When I got to put on that jersey and step on the field with some of the players I watched in past years, it was an incredible feeling."
This season, the legacy continues as Reid's younger brother serves as one of the team's ball boys. Could he be the next star in Martinsburg soccer? Reid would like to think so. "He's coming along nicely," said Reid.
This season, the Martinsburg squad and Reid himself hit a slight bump in the road when a quad injury forced him to sit out just two games into the season. Reid scored an astonishing seven goals in those games setting the Bulldogs in the right direction. However, since his injury they have fallen to 5-4-1. Expected to return at the beginning of October, Reid will have only ten games barring playoffs, to score eighteen goals in order to reach the hundred-goal club. This is a task that Reid is looking forward to attempting, however, he expresses that his number one goal upon returning healthy is to help the team get back on track and hopefully lead them back to the state tournament.
Don't be fooled by Reid's outrageous amount of career goals. That is not all he does. In fact, as a three-year letterman thus far, Reid has accumulated an impressive mark of thirty-six assists.
While he's not dominating other high school teams in West Virginia or playing with his club team, the Maryland Junior Terps, he can be found focusing on school, maintaining a 4.2 GPA. With stats and a GPA such as this, reaching his post high school goal of playing college soccer should be a fairly stress free accomplishment. Reid has already received several serious looks from top schools such as West Virginia University and Bucknell University.
After college, Reid expresses his desire and interest to play professional soccer for the English Premier League or La Liga. This is the top Spanish Soccer league that hosts some of the top clubs in the world such as Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona. Barcelona is the same team that one of Reid's idol has played for since 2003; Ronaldinho.
"I have always really admired Ronaldinho, even before he became world renown," said Reid. "Whenever he is on the field he is always smiling and having fun. If he didn't, he wouldn't play well. Having fun is a huge part of playing well."
Upon Reid's return, he expresses his own desire to improve himself as a player even further in hopes of helping his team return to the playoffs.
"I want to focus on my foot skills and speed when I return," said Reid. "I also would like to work on my skills in a one-on-one situation."
Reid is confident in his team for the remaining games of the season. He also expresses the improvements they have made since last season.Their communication skills on the field and the smart choices they all make such as switching the ball continues to improve.
If all goes well for Reid and the Bulldogs this season, they could be contending for a long awaited state title. Reid himself could secure him self a place in school history as the greatest player to ever wear a Bulldog uniform.
