Cheney boys soccer squad makes repeat run at state

Some seasons start with high expectations, while others are built on only high hopes.

Coming off a fourth-place finish in the 3A state tournament last year, the Cheney boys soccer team definitely had high expectations.

However, with just one senior returning from that squad, there may have been only high hopes about matching that performance.

The Blackhawks have had other ideas.

“You could feel the sense of wanting to build a team,” said Cheney head coach Steve Davis. “Not all seasons start that way.

“Sometimes you have a lot of separate groups trying to make things happen, or people are selfish wanting certain things. This group is unselfish, and you could see it immediately.

“You can tell by the way we score goals. Everyone scores goals, and are happy to share the ball with someone else.

“That’s a real pleasure to coach.”

The Blackhawks are once again making a run toward the state tournament, finishing as the top 3A team in the Greater Spokane League this season. In spite of having 11 of their 20 players freshmen and sophomores, the youngsters have been integral parts of Cheney’s success.

“Actually, it wasn’t really surprising,” said the Blackhawks’ lone senior, co-captain Jeff Davis. “A lot of the guys play together in club, and we’re a pretty close-knit group.

“We don’t have any problems with each other. We don’t argue a lot, and that’s a big difference than it was before.

“We just want to play soccer, and that’s pretty much what it is.”

“Overall, we’ve had a lot of improvement with the players coming back from last year,” said Cheney’s other co-captain, junior Devin Merrill. “The freshmen have been outstanding for us.

“There are a couple of juniors who played on my club team – three or four of us. The freshman class especially, there are five or six that have played together a lot.

“That really helps it, and playing at a high level outside of high school makes our team better also. We’re a pretty tight-knit group off the field.

“We seem to know what each other is thinking most of the time, so it really translates to our performance on the field.”

“They’re a young team, but they’re really willing to work together and learn from each other,” Davis said. “They also have a real passion for the game and are unselfish.

“That combination of things, plus a general intelligence. They have an average 3.44 grade-point average. Their willingness to work and get better at the game they love I think is what makes a difference.”

As the Blackhawks go into the postseason, Davis will see the youngest of his three sons, Jeff, make his final appearances in a Blackhawk uniform.

“It’s been a pleasure working with him,” coach Davis said. “Of the three sons, he has a little bit more of my temperament, I would say.

“He’s intense and competitive, and he’s the type of guy you can’t talk to about a game immediately after or for quite a while afterwards. He’s very competitive.”

“I’ve enjoyed every one,” said coach Davis. “Sometimes it’s tough to be the son of a coach because sometimes I expect more out of them.

“It’s tough for them to understand, but it’s been a thrill. Every dad doesn’t get that opportunity, and I hope I’ve given each of them a good experience.”

Separating the father-son from the coach-player may have been the toughest part of their relationship.

“If there’s an issue, a lot of times I think it’s better to separate the father-son role and have an assistant coach talk to him on something we’d like to have done,” coach Davis said. “We’re both so intense, sometimes it’s hard to talk.”

“It’s been interesting… . I can talk to him a little bit easier,” said Jeff Davis. “His communication is pretty easy, and we can talk about the game.

“I can help him out by letting him know what the problems are, if there are any switches or changes – just give him my basic opinion on things as someone that’s playing on the team.

“I don’t mind it that much. I like him as a coach.”

Before the final goodbyes though, the Davis combination is hoping to bring the state title back to Cheney.

“We basically have to just take it one game at a time,” said Jeff Davis. “We need to come to games prepared and keep that intensity up from the first minute to the last.

“If we keep that up, we’ll definitely be in the running.”

“Our individual goal is this team wants to get better every game,” said Steve Davis. “That is what has built the success we have had this year.

“When we don’t do well at something, they’re willing to learn and work at it and get better. Small steps, I think, are what this team is going to do.”