FREEPORT

While dodging raindrops, new Freeport High School boys soccer coach Bob Strong was walking around the field while getting his point across to his 50-plus players on the turf.

As the 2018 high school fall sports season gets underway, there is a lot of excitement in Freeport with new coaches and the first fall on the new Joan Benoit Samuelson Track and Field.

After several coaching stops over the years, this is Strong’s first high school coaching job.

“I always knew I wanted to coach, thought it might be basketball, but here I am,” said the first-year coach. “I coached a Freeport travel team for six or seven years and coached with Seacoast United for a number of years.”

Strong has plenty of soccer experience as a player. After a stellar high school career at Georges Valley High School in Thomaston, he went on to play at the University of Maine at Orono, serving as a captain for a couple of seasons.

After only two days of practices, Strong and his coaching staff are seeing great numbers coming out for the team.

“We’ve had around 55 kids come out, with 25 of them being freshman,” said Strong, who lives in Freeport. “I’ve known a lot of these players through the years while coaching for Freeport United. This team has a lot of experienced upperclassmen returning which is a great situation for this team. We have a lot of players that have played at the varsity level and have that experience.”

The 2017 team, the last under former coach Joe Heathco, finished 8-6, playing an always difficult Western Maine Conference schedule and winning a prelim game against Oak Hill (7-0) before falling to Yarmouth in the Class B South quarterfinals, 3-0. The 2018 schedule is very similar.

“We’re seeing all of the top teams twice,” Strong said. “That gives us an opportunity to gain points and experience and hopefully prepare us for the postseason.”

Despite the misty conditions on Tuesday morning, which were rather pleasant for the athletes at practice, Strong is jumping right into things with double sessions this week (7-8:30 a.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.). He and his coaching staff are active during practice, explaining the skill set being used and technique. Not only time on the field is important, but Strong also wants to make sure he communicates openly with his players.

“We’re going to talk to the boys, let them know what their perceived roles are going to be,” said Strong. “One thing we stress with these guys is that we’re not three teams, we’re one team with different playing opportunities. There will be a lot of players swinging back and forth between the teams, making sure they buy in to our philosophy and strategies. It’s all about being one.”

The new field at the high school only adds excitement to the upcoming season for Strong. Last year, Freeport played at Hunter Roads Fields while construction of the new field turf was completed

“This is exciting, all the changes with the fields and school, all of the programs are feeling the excitement,” said the head coach. “To have those lights turned on for the first time (for a soccer game) will be special.”

Expectations will be set high by Strong, believing his team can put it all together.

“I think we can compete this year, but it’s preparation and getting it done on days like this,” he adds.

For now, it’s all about getting prepared for the upcoming season.

Freeport begins the season on Aug. 30 on the road against Gray-New Gloucester before opening the home campaign with a 6 p.m. contest against Greely on Sept. 5.