Season Preview: Boys Soccer
The Indians seek to defend the region crown they've held for three years in a row
In the five full seasons that Jeremy Stille has spearheaded the Indians soccer team, Tallulah Falls has gone 68-15-1. That represents a stellar .809 win percentage since 2021. The climb to last year's State Final 4 appearance - the first in soccer history - started with an 8-win campaign in 2021. Ten wins awaited the Indians the next season, as both years included the first and second playoff run in program history.
Then came the incredible 16-1 mark in 2023, as the Indians won their first-ever region title and made the Sweet 16 while holding a #1 state ranking. 2024 was nearly identical, as the team accomplished the same with a 15-2 tally. Last year, a heavy senior class led TFS to a 19-2 mark, a third straight region championship, and the state semifinals appearance, complete with another top ranking in the regular season.
Now, Tallulah Falls will look entirely different this time around. Despite graduating more than a dozen seniors from last year's historic team, the Indians will continue to play with high expectations. A handful of returning players that contributed statistically last season includes Kale Borchers, Petar Gromiko, Tyson Hall, and Versean Turnquest.
Borchers, a junior, has 37 career goals to his resume, along with 16 assists. He scored 28 times last season, which was second on the team. Hall has tallied six goals and five assists heading into his junior season, while Turnquest, a senior, has seven goals in total. Gromiko had two gaols last year.
Stille feels that this year's team has no shortage of desire to play up to the standards.
"We are highly-motivated and eager to compete," says Stille. "We have solid leadership with core returning program players. We aim to be competitive and defend the region title and make a run at the state playoffs while growing the youth and new guys into the team."
The Indians open the season in a February 6 scrimmage at home against Rabun County. The official opener comes February 13 in the Creek Cup Invitational against Northview.