Chris Rash knows what it’s like to play high-level soccer.
Rash was a two-time All-American at Hinds Community College, and he coached Pearl, his alma mater, to an MHSAA championship. The U.S. Soccer Federation-certified coach has spent 10 years as director of coaching for Pearl Youth Soccer League and is currently a staff coach in the Olympic Development Program for the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association.
So when Rash, who is taking over the Hinds program after the recent retirement of Doug Williams, who coached him at Hinds, makes a high school player a recruiting target, it’s safe to assume that player has a chance to be a special one.
Rash got not one but two Starkville Academy soccer players on Friday when Isaac Lepard and Andrew Pollan signed letters of intent to play for the Eagles.
Rash said the great thing about Pollan is his versatility.
“He can contribute as a defender, midfielder, or forward, and that isn’t something you can say about many players these days,” Rash said.
“We started watching Andrew as a junior as he showed a lot of potential. He is a great talent that will have an immediate impact in our squad.”
Rash said Lepard is a defender with the ball skills of a forward.
“He is a physical defender that will dominate balls in the air for our team,” Rash said. “Isaac has played as an attacker in the past, which has equipped him to be confident with the ball at his feet.
“He is a great teammate, and we are excited to have him join our group.”
Starkville Academy coach John Morgan was delighted to see two of his players heading off to play at the same college.
“They’re great kids, on and off the field,” Morgan said. “Their drive is what will make them so successful at the next level. I’m really proud of them.”
Hinds is coming off of a 7-7-1 season that ended with a 2-1 loss to Pearl River in the MACCC tournament. But the Eagles opened 0-5, and their turnaround helped land nine Hinds players on the all-conference North Division team.
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