THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605300177
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 46 lines
After Tuesday's Group AAA state boys soccer quarterfinal 2-1 overtime loss to Fairfax, Kellam principal Al Williams approached his players to console them.
He told them things they already knew in their hearts, but it was undoubtedly nice to hear them from the man who runs their school.
Kellam's dream season of firsts had abruptly come to a close.
Since boys soccer was started in 1976, no other Kellam team had won a district title. No team had won a region title. No team had ever participated in the state tournament.
This year's edition had done it all.
So the Knights - as Williams told them - had every reason to hold their heads high.
But it was hard.
It had been too good a season to end this way. When the Knights weren't expected to win, they did. They took the Beach title with an exciting victory over Kempsville - only the second time in history that Kellam had beaten the Chiefs.
The Knights beat Cox for the first time and then beat the Chiefs again for the Eastern Region title - another first.
But what makes the season even more special is that the Knights were successful despite a shortage of talent and some questionable behavior.
While there are some top-notch players, the Knights aren't the most talented team in the Beach District. But they make up for it with great speed and determination.
And somehow, they overcame a tendency to jeopardize team unity with vicious arguments amongst themselves on the playing field. Sometimes the players even showed a lack of respect for coach Don Hart.
The team's behavior was no secret to anybody in Beach soccer.
But most often, these instances came during the heat of battle when games were on the line.
If nothing else, the Knights are extremely intense.
And through all the ups and down, they always managed to put problems aside and come together for a common cause.
Yes, the Kellam boys soccer team has plenty to be proud of this season.
So they should do as Williams said and hold their heads high. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
Peter Anderson of the Kellam Knights goes for the ball. by CNB