Driven by a shared vision and reinforced by a revamped coaching staff, the high school men’s varsity soccer team is having a breakout season—dominating the SEC White Division with high aspirations for the postseason. With huge wins over rivals like Dexter, Jacob Hillis (‘27) and captain Zachary Levine (‘27) credit the team’s success to a shift from individual skill to a united team under the new leadership of head coach Giorgi Nozadze.

“I feel like we are definitely holding each other to high standards. We have eight, maybe nine wins now, and one loss, so I think we're performing great,” Hillis said.

The team has an impressive record of 10-1-0 so far, and when compared to last year's record of 8-7-3, there has clearly been some major improvement. Holding each other to a high standard has been a key factor in the team's success, especially when achieving the team's goals.

“Some of the goals we set were to win the SEC, and then make it as far as we could in districts, regionals or states,” Levine said.

Coming from a poor season the year before, some of these goals may have seemed unrealistic. However, the team has proved themselves game after game, climbing higher and higher, leaving nothing out of reach.

“I would say we're probably as good as we were last year individually, but the coaching staff this year is significantly different from it has been in previous years, and I think that's what has pushed us over the edge,” Levine said.

With previous head coach David Thoms stepping down, there were some big shoes to be filled at the beginning of the preseason. Nevertheless, Nozadze took charge and has been credited as a major contributor to the team's newfound success.

“He goes home and puts in the effort for us,” Hillis said. “I feel like we're just reaping the rewards of what [Nozadze] has done outside of school and outside of our team, and I feel like that's been really helpful to all of us, and I can speak for the whole team on that.”