Page 22 - Summer 2021

Even the team’s close losses had a favorable effect on the players. Whalen said practices were more enjoyable because the losses were by closer margins.
The highlight of the season came in Prince Avenue’s standard set of rivalry games against Athens Academy.
The schools traditionally play each other twice each season. Because it is one of the most well established soccer programs in the area, Athens Academy normally wins those games. This year, however, the Wolverines swept the Spartans.
“Not only did we get one win against ACAD but we got two,” Palmer said. “No other Prince team at the school has beat ACAD in soccer—not varsity boys, girls or middle school girls. That was special to be able to sweep them.”
The whole season and those two wins specifically electrified the team and the community. There was a buzz around the team for the first time.
“I certainly saw the attitudes changing,” Palmer said. “It changed from expecting to get blown out to expecting to maybe lose with a closer margin to expecting to win.”
What remains to be seen is whether the team can continue its success long-term. This year’s eighth grade class, including Patton, Tolbert and Whalen, will move up to the high school ranks next
year. They are all leaving the program better than they found it, and they had ideas about how the Wolverines can keep up the standard they set.
Patton said the players who will be back need to find a handful of good leaders within the team.
“I think the sixth and seventh graders can really step up,” Whalen said. “I know they have the mentality to do it. The two defenders I played with the most were seventh graders, and they were motivated and had the mentality of winning. I think they will be able to step up and continue our success.”
Palmer is not certain whether he will be back as coach of the Wolverines.
Regardless, he implored those expected back on the roster to work on their skills as they prepare for the 2022 season. He also encouraged them to play on recreation or travel teams.
The future of Prince Avenue middle school boys soccer might be uncertain, but Palmer said there is an opportunity for the Wolverines to prove that their success in 2021 was not just a fluke.
“Even if I’m not coaching next year,” Palmer said, “tradition doesn’t graduate.”
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PAgE 20 | OcONEE ThE MAgAzINE | SUMMER 2021