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First Comet soccer team to host matches at CCHS field

Press photo by John Burbridge Charles City Comet soccer players battle for ball control during a Thursday evening scrimmage that will help determine who makes varsity.
Press photo by John Burbridge
Charles City Comet soccer players battle for ball control during a Thursday evening scrimmage that will help determine who makes varsity.
By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — It took the Chicago Cubs 85 years before they played their first home night game.

In that aspect, the new Charles City Comets soccer team is further ahead of schedule than originally planned.

“We didn’t know we were going to play home games at the (CCHS) football field until Tuesday when the school approved of it,” said Brad McKenzie, who is the head coach of the inaugural Comet program, which had been set to play its home games at the College Grounds.

“They took in consideration the condition of the field, so they decided to move us to the high school,” McKenzie said. “Our kids are excited about it.”

Had Charles City hosted junior varsity followed by varsity matches at a field with no lights, it would have required the JV match to start at 4:30 p.m. or sooner with the hope that the sunlight — which would increase throughout the season — could hold through the varsity match.

Now the Comets can start their home games later.

“It’s going to change our schedule a little, but not much,” McKenzie said. “The home dates are mostly going to be the same. It’s just at a different place and time.”

McKenzie advised some of the less-experienced players during Thursday’s practice that playing at night — especially in the early spring — can be a rather bone-chilling experience if not properly attired.

And on the subject of attire, the end of Thursday’s practice was a special one as the team handed out the first-ever Comet soccer jerseys.

For many of the 40-plus team members, even the ones who earned varsity letters in cross-country and track, it was the first time they got a numbered uniform with their school’s name on it.

Thursday’s practice also served in determining who will eventually make varsity and junior varsity.

“The turnout has been great … more than we expected,” said McKenzie, whose team just started officially practicing this week — the Comets held “voluntary” practices the week before during spring break, and many players have been scrimmaging and working on their skills during open-gym sessions held at the old Charles City Middle School during the late fall and winter.

“We have a lot of players with skills … players who are good athletes,” McKenzie said. “Today, we threw some players out randomly during our scrimmage, having some play out of position to see how well they do in various combinations.”

The Comets will be tested out of the gate next Thursday (March 29), when they travel to Mason City to play the well-seasoned Mohawks.

“We’re a new team playing against a school with a lot of players with four-year varsity experience,” McKenzie said. “It’s going to be interesting.”

The Comets have five players with experience playing for Mason City in seasons’ past — Nate Baltes, Luke Delap, Brahiam Rios, Derek Milligan and McKenzie’s daughter, Mariah.

“We’re going to spread those five across the field,” McKenzie said. “We’re going to move Derek back to defense, have Luke, Brahiam and Mariah more in the middle, and have Nate at forward.”

One thing for sure, the Comets won’t be in want of keepers … or at least those willing to get in goal.

“We have six guys who want to play goalie,” McKenzie said. “That’s a good number to choose from, and there’s good competition between them for the starting varsity spot.”

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