The Legendary 7th Grade Soccer Team—And the Party I Never Threw
The seventh-grade boys’ soccer team was anything but ordinary.
It was a wild mix of players—an unexpected blend that, somehow, just clicked. For reasons I still can’t quite explain, I found myself coaching these junior high boys in a sport I loved, despite having no prior coaching experience.
What made this team truly remarkable wasn’t just our record, though it’s worth noting we went undefeated the entire season. Even more incredible? We scored 67 goals and only had one goal scored against us.
Now, I’ll admit, maybe I was a bit too intense. After one game—where we won 4-1—I actually made the guys run because we let in that one goal. Yes, even on the road. Maybe I was a little crazy, but it wasn’t just about winning. It was about setting a standard, and this team rose to that high standard every time.
Now, was that because I was some kind of soccer mastermind with a playbook full of brilliant strategy? Not even close. I’m not exactly your classic “Xs and Os” kind of coach. But what I could do—and did with all my heart—was motivate.
I’m sure I was quite the sight during halftime talks: full of energy, passion, and probably a bit over-the-top, urging a bunch of 12- and 13-year-olds to believe they could take on Manchester United if they wanted to.
But something special happened that season. We didn’t just have a good team—we had a great one. The chemistry, the heart, the collective effort—it all came together in the best possible way. And I give all the credit to those players.
There is one thing I regret, though. I promised them a party at the end of the season. And… I never actually delivered. To this day, when I run into those guys—now grown men with families of their own—we still laugh and ask, “When’s that party happening, Coach?”
It’s been nearly 45 years, and some of them are likely about to become grandparents. And yet, that memory still makes me smile.
When you look back on your life, there are moments that stand out—those rare times when everything just clicks. That soccer season was one of those moments for me—a perfect picture of what can happen when everyone comes together with heart, purpose, and unity.
An unforgettable season with a seventh-grade boys’ soccer team that defied the odds and went undefeated. This heartfelt story captures the passion of a first-time coach and the rare magic that happens when a group of young players comes together with heart. Sharing humor, reflection, and a long-overdue promise, Jerry celebrates the timeless impact of team chemistry and the moments that stay with us for life.