News Photo by Steve Jakubcin The Alpena High School 2024 boys’ soccer team poses together on Monday. The team is preparing for a season of growth and determination. From left to right, in the back row, are coach Kevin Skiba, Keller Skiba, Remy Coffey, Jack Supiran, Reed Leeck, Jace Kadrich, Jared Johnson, and coach Gregg Supiran. In the front row are Garrett Soltysiak, Lucas Thomson, Kaleb Werth, Drake Wheelock, Mason Hinkley, Owen Kaiser, and Mason Burns.

ALPENA — As the boys’ varsity soccer season kicks off, Coach Gregg Supiran has high expectations for his team. With a strong emphasis on fitness, individual improvement, and team cohesion, the players are ready to make the most of their preparation.

“Our focus this season is on serious commitment — both in terms of fitness and personal development,” Supiran said. “The players have come into the season ready, and now that we’re in the thick of it, our goal is to capitalize on that preparation. We aim to win our conference games, but most importantly, we want to play our best, give our best, and be our best every single day.”

Key to this season’s success will be the leadership and performance of several seniors. Players like Drake Wheelock, Jared Johnson, Kaleb Werth, Garrett Soltysiak, Keller Skiba, and Jack Supiran are expected to play important roles. Additionally, Joe LaCross and Owen Kaiser are poised to make significant contributions.

“Our seniors will be essential to our success,” Coach Supiran noted. “Kaleb, Keller, and Jack, in particular, have demonstrated strong leadership skills. They communicate well, understand the game, and have the ability to direct play on the field.”

During preseason training, the team has worked hard on all aspects of their game, with a particular focus on defending and communication. These areas have been emphasized to ensure that the team is well-rounded and prepared for the challenges ahead.

One of the biggest hurdles this season will be the lack of depth in the roster. Coach Supiran acknowledges this challenge but remains confident in the team’s ability to overcome it through quality training and high levels of fitness.

“We knew in the spring that we would need to be at peak fitness, so the commitment during the off-season was crucial,” he said. “Many of the boys took this seriously, and they’ve come into the season match-fit and ready to compete. Our practices are designed to push the players both technically and tactically, preparing them to handle tough, hard-fought games with minimal injuries.”

As the season unfolds, the team’s dedication and hard work will be put to the test. But with a strong foundation and committed leaders, they are ready to rise to the challenge.