Coming off a 15-3 regular season, the expectations are high for the Bradford boys soccer team as they enter the District 9 playoffs.
The top-seeded Owls will play No. 4 seed Clearfield today at Brockway (approximately 7 p.m.) after the girls squad takes on Punxsutawney at 5 p.m.
And while it certainly looks like the Owls are the favorite on paper, coach Wes Lohrman and his group have a sole focus.
“I told the guys tonight (Monday) that we’re 0-0 and if you start off 0-1, you’re done,” Lohrman said. “Every team is a test and an obstacle. We can’t take anyone lightly.”
The Owls played in the ultra-competitive District 10 Region 4, which should help prepare them, as should a group of junior and seniors that have been a part of back-to-back District 9 Class AA championship teams.
Their last tune-up came at Monday’s practice and afterwards, Lohrman felt his group appeared focused and ready.
“We worked pretty hard. I even got my cleats out and played with them as well,” he said.
He also stressed to his squad how special this time of year is.
“For the seniors, it’s their last time in the district playoffs and I want them to make the most of it,” he said.
Offensively, junior Ben Jordan has had a season for the ages, scoring 43 goals and setting both the individual and all-time goal records at Bradford High.
Defensively, the Owls have recorded nine shutouts and given up 24 goals through 18 games, with 14 of those coming in just three games, which happened to be the three times they weren’t in the victory column against Meadville, Saegertown and Warren.
It’s a team that has relied on its experienced and talented senior class (Brandon Hart, Sawyer Packard, John Obermeyer, Cody Hennard, Travis Gleason, Jon Palmer, Curtis Rodgers, Josh Hile), sprinkled in with key contributions from underclassmen.
It’s a mix that has led Bradford to its 15 wins, a group that is excited to be in the position they are in.
“This is a fun time of year,” Lohrman said. “There’s an air of excitement. It underlines with the focus that we have. We know we have a job to do and it’s not going to be given to us. That’s what makes it so much fun.”
Should the Owls win today, they will face the winner of the St. Mary-Brookville game, which will be played on Wednesday, for the District 9 title.
“Every team that’s entered feels like they have a legitimate chance to win,” Lohrman said. “We need to continue to do the things that have made us successful this year.”
