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Show EMI.: Fswo&itle Ion Soccer Realm? By DAVE WIGHAM BOUNTIFUL - It's been a few years since the Braves won the state soccer title but this season the Bountiful club just might climb back into the number one spot again. LAST YEAR after finishing second in region play, the Braves peaked in the state tournament. After a rocky start they found themselves in the finals against Highland. For the Braves to win the crown they would have to beat the Rams twice, a fete no one gave them much hope of doing. do-ing. Bountiful did win that first game but were narrowly defeated in the second contest to finish the year with a second place trophy. BOUNTIFUL Coach Paul Mitchell has the nucleus of last year's club back again this season and the Braves would have to be considered the number one club in the state at this time. Heading the list of returnees retur-nees are two all-State players and a third that was honorable honora-ble mention all-State. Ray Parkhurst, a senior forward is a returning center forward who always seems to be in the right place to put the ball in the goal. Ray is an all-State performer from a year ago. . ANOTHER Parkhurst, junior Danny, is a returning all-State performer from his halfback position. Danny is the link between the defense and the offense but he isn't afraid to go up and take his share of shots either. Senior . goalie Steve Benedict earned honorable mention all-State status last season and is considered one of the best in the state this year. Already this season he has recorded three shutouts. Backup keeper for the Braves is senior Kevin Butts who could be playing for a lot of teams but is the substitute for Benedict. SENIORS Randy Linnell and John Covey hold down a couple of fullback spots on the club. John is in his first year of varsity play while Randy has been a mainstay for three years. Mike Lindquist and Neiville Allen split the playing play-ing time at the other fullback position. In high school soccer the halfbacks are the backbone of a good club and the Braves have three of the best. Besides Danny Parkhurst, the Braves look to senior Brad Steed and junior Grant Bel-nap Bel-nap to hold down the opposition. opposi-tion. Brad has been playing for three seasons while Bel-nap Bel-nap played a lot last year as a sophomore. FORWARDS are supposed to score goals and the trio of Braves on the forward line are extremely good at this. Parkhurst established himself him-self last season as a top goal getter and now he has senior Steve Riley and junior Elton Loy to help him. Dave Rickers and Eddy Fowles are the top subs for Coach Mitchell, while Matt Eiting will see action when he returns from an injury. IN PRE-SEASON the Braves downed Cottonwood, Brighton and West while drawing with Jordan. Now in league play the Braves have an unblemished record having hav-ing beaten Davis, Woods Cross, Judge and Viewmont. Bountiful is considered the odds on favorites to win the region title and then make a strong run at the state title. |