Fabulous frosh
KARNS CITY — Spenser Myers heard the naysayers.
At first, he could see why.
The freshman on the Karns City boys soccer team was one of the reasons why the pundits figured the Gremlins, fresh off a 16-3 season and an appearance in the District 9 Class A title game, would take a large step back in 2013.
Karns City was going to rely quite a bit on young players like Myers.
Could they deliver.
The short answer was: Yes.
Myers scored 21 goals and added 16 assists and played solid defense from his center-midfield position, leading the Gremlins back to the District 9 title game where they lost again to Brockway.
His play earned him the Butler Eagle Boys Soccer Player of the Year award.
Also considered were Brandon Vargo of Knoch and Colton Smith of Seneca Valley.
“It's just an honor,” Myers said of winning the award. Myers is the first freshman to be tabbed as boys player of the year by the Eagle. “There are so many great athletes around the county playing this game. I couldn't have done it without my teammates.”
Many of those teammates were young and inexperienced just like Myers, who started the season at forward, but was quickly moved back to his more natural position at center-mid.
“He led us in a lot of ways,” said Karns City boys soccer coach Jim Grenninger. “At midfield, he helped control things. He has such a great knowledge of the game.”
Myers doesn't play like a freshman, in part because he was played Cup soccer, mainly with Northern Steel, for six years.
“It helps me be a better all-around player,” Myers said of his Cup experience. “When I first started, I didn't know too much about the game, but my Cup coaches taught me a lot. They taught me how to see the whole field.”
Myers had a knack of scoring the crucial goals this season.
He scored the lone goal in a playoff win over DuBois Central Catholic and found the net in other key situations during a season that saw the Gremlins go 13-3 despite their youth.
“At first, I kind of saw what everyone was saying,” Myers said of the inexperience. “But we started connecting and we wanted to prove everyone wrong. I was so blessed to have teammates like that.”
Most of the team will be intact for next season, which has Myers even more excited about the future.
“Next year, we're going to get another shot (at the district title). I really believe that,” he said. “I think next year is going to be our year.”
Friday — Volleyball Player of the Year, Honor Roll
Sunday — Butler Eagle Football Sweet 16, Eagle Scoring Tophy winner
