Published: August 20, 2008 10:57 pm            

Henderson brings lofty goals to ’Cats

Ashland soccer looks to new season

ASHLAND — Ashland Blazer’s new boys soccer coach has big plans for the program.

Denny Henderson, 33, was hired this summer after Brock Walter resigned and accepted an assistant principal position.

Henderson, a North Carolina native with several years of soccer coaching experience, is already working with Verity Middle School to build a cohesive system.

“We are beginning a soccer curriculum that will start in the seventh grade, so that when players come into high school they will have the tools to compete with the Lexingtons and other people,’’ Henderson said. “It’s about developing a true soccer program.’’

Ashland opened the season with a 2-1 home loss to Montgomery County on Tuesday night.

“I was very proud of the boys,’’ Henderson said. “Montgomery County is ranked in the Top 25 in the state. They scored on a penalty kick and a free kick. We are nowhere near where we will be at district time, but we have come a tremendous amount to be in a game with a team ranked that high in the state.’’

Ashland’s team numbers are up this season. Along with an 18-player varsity squad, the Tomcats are fielding a junior varsity team with 14 members.

“We have a growing program, which is exciting,’’ Henderson said. “This is a great group of boys. From reports, this group had a 3.9 grade point average from last year.’’

On the field, Ashland struggled to an uncharacteristic 6-12-1 record in 2007. But the return of several experienced players and addition of new faces has Henderson optimistic about a turnaround.

“We have a very solid team, but success is a two-year process in soccer,’’ he said.

Henderson said his goal next season for the Tomcats is a state championship.

“That’s not to sound arrogant, but I’m confident if we do what is in our power, we will be there,’’ he said.

Henderson said he guided a couple of club soccer teams to state championships in North Carolina. He also coached at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“We finished third (of 12 teams) in one of the toughest conferences in the state both years,’’ Henderson said.

He moved to Hurricane, W.Va., about five years ago and coached a club team in West Virginia.

Ashland athletic director Mark Swift said he is excited about Henderson guiding Tomcat soccer.

“He has really created some excitement in the program,’’ Swift said. “Denny has a lot of experience as a player and coach and we look forward to him continuing the pride the program has built over the years under the direction of Frank Sloan, Jay Freeman and Brock Walter.’’

Sloan built Ashland soccer into a consistent winner and guided the Tomcats to a Final Four appearance in 2004.

In recent years, Ashland added an on-campus soccer complex. Thanks to a couple of player fund-raising projects this year and booster efforts, several locker-room upgrades have been made.

Ashland’s next game is Tuesday at Russell.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

        

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