Reuben Proffitt and Jackson DiCicco don’t sound like underclassmen.
Instead, the Heritage Academy freshman defender and sophomore left back give you the sense they are much older as they talk about the 2016-17 Heritage Academy boys soccer team.
With only three seniors on the squad, coach Joe Asadi has had to rely on a youth movement that has pushed numerous underclassmen into starting positions. That might help explain why Proffitt, DiCicco, and others sound poised beyond their years.
What’s even more important is the youthful Patriots are playing like they’re much older, too.
At 5:30 p.m. today, Heritage Academy will put its youth to the test when it takes on Class AAA, District 2 rival Starkville Academy (10-5-1) in the semifinals of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Division III Championship at the Starkville Sportsplex.
The winner of today’s match will advance to the title game, which will be played at a time and date to be announced.
Last season, Heritage Academy beat Starkville Academy 1-0 to advance to the state title match for the first time in program history. Central Hinds Academy beat Heritage Academy 4-0 to take the championship.
While the 2015-16 team had only 12 players, youth is sticking point with this year’s squad, but Proffitt said it hasn’t been an issue for the Patriots.
“We just work well together and we have a good team bond,” said Proffitt, who is in his second year playing soccer. “We have very good chemistry scrimmaging every day and practicing together.”
The team chemistry has helped Heritage Academy overcome the loss of standout Lex Rogers. With Rogers, Heritage Academy defeated Starkville Academy 2-1 in double overtime earlier this month. Starkville Academy won the rematch on Feb. 14. Unfortunately, Rogers is out with an injury, so the Patriots will have to adjust without one of their better players. But Proffitt said Heritage Academy has regrouped and is confident for the next step after a 4-1 victory against Indianola Academy on Monday.
“Based on our previous games with them I think we actually have a chance to stay with them tomorrow,” Proffitt said. “I think we can make it. I think we can do it.”
DiCicco, whose nickname is “Chico,” agrees. He said the small size of the team has helped everyone get to know each other really well.
“We just kind of naturally fit well together and play well together,” said DiCicco, who said he earned his nickname after coaches through the years started to use it. DiCicco said he and Proffitt have played youth soccer together with Columbus United, the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority’s Division II competitive soccer club.
As well as the players have meshed their skills, DiCicco said he has imagined what the team will be like in a few years when everyone is older and stronger. But he said he doesn’t want to get caught up in the future because there is business to be addressed in the present.
“It gives you something to look forward to because if we are making it this far and we have so many young players, it makes people wonder what we’re going to do two, three years down the road,” DiCicco said. “It is not really surprising we have done as well as we have done. If you look at Heritage’s past performances, we always have done fairly well with the help of coach Asadi and everybody giving it all they got.”
Asadi admitted he wasn’t sure what this season’s team could accomplish. The injury to Rogers forced him to make some changes, but one thing he didn’t change is his approach to training.
“If I can make it fun, they’re going to be successful,” said Asadi, who also has coached the girls soccer team at the school.
That approach has worked well for Asadi and the Patriots, especially when you have players like Andrew Montalto, a freshman who is in his first year playing soccer.
“It is a lot of fun,” said Montalto, a midfielder. “We have a lot of experienced people that have helped me out. I have learned everything. I didn’t know very much when I decided I wanted to play.”
Freshman Noel Fisher, who scored a goal against Starkville Academy in the team’s win, is another player who is learning as he goes. He said the success gives the Patriots “a sample” of what they need to do compete with the best teams in the state. In only his second year playing the sport, Fisher said the Patriots have done so well because they have had fun, which has made playing the sport even easier. He credits Asadi for setting the right tone in training to bring the best out of the players.
“He is serious, but he is also a good jokester,” Fisher said. “He can have fun when he needs to, and I think that just rubs off on us. When we want to have fun, we can have fun, but when it is time to be serious, we can be serious.”
At 5:30 p.m. today, Fisher said the Patriots will be ready to be serious and focused. If they do that, all of the Patriots have confidence they will be able to earn an opportunity to play for a state title.
“I like our chances. I really do,” DiCicco said. “We played them well at their place. The last time we played them we barely lost 2-1. We’re going to come out ready to play and ready to win. I like our chances.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.