Anderson County kicks soccer rebuilding phase
The 2025 high school boys soccer season is underway, and Anderson County appears to be in rebuilding mode.
“We lost a lot of kids to graduation, and then we lost some others who decided they didn’t want to play,” Mavericks coach Chris Curtin said. “I would say that we’re rebuilding.”
Anderson County reached the Region 2-AA Tournament in 2024, and the youth movement in the ACHS program hasn’t dampened Curtin’s expectations for the season, which kicked off Tuesday night as the Mavericks hosted Knoxville Halls. Results from the season opener against the Red Devils were not available at press time. The Mavericks will return to action Thursday night as they host Knoxville Central.
“I would like to go back to the region, and that means we’ll have to finish first or second in the district,” Curtin said. “My expectations are what they usually are.
“I look for us to get progressively better as the season goes on.”
Curtin highlighted ball possession and scoring as potential strengths for the Mavericks this season.
“I don’t think we’ll be a very physical team, but I think our strength will be in our passing and, hopefully, finishing,” he said. “I expect our passing to be pretty strong. I’m also looking for our freshmen and young guys to step up and play well.”
Key returners for Anderson County include Gavin Higgs, a senior defender and team captain; Kyden Torres, a senior defender; Andrew Wilson, a junior midfielder; and Bryce Wade, a sophomore defender.
Top newcomers include Jimmy Rivera, a freshman midfielder, and Ian Morris, a freshman forward.
Sophomore Sean DeGurse is expected to start as goalkeeper.
After preseason workouts, Curtin identified lack of experience and size as the team’s main concerns.
