By Archer D’Angelo

The BKI soccer team is making history by being the FIRST UNDEFEATED Sports Team in BKI history! I went to soccer practice on Tuesday, October 24th and was able to talk to a few players. I asked their coach, Mr. Laidley, about why this season went so well and he said “The team is a lot more together and we are all contributing as much as we can.” Now if you want to learn more about how our soccer team got to this point, keep reading below!

What Do You Like Best About The Team This Year?

• Brandon, 7th, Right Back/Midfield “I like how everything has come full circle. I think the team is more well-rounded, and we have a bit more passion.”
• Lucas, 6th, Left Back “We play really good together. We have a lot of chemistry.”
• Dayo, 6th Grade, Left Wing/Center Back “I like the passing. We are a good team together so we share the ball. We also have good moves when shooting goals.”
• Mariatu, 7th, Defense “I like the nice community, and Mr. Laidley is the best coach.”
• Judah, 8th, Center Mid “I love this coach. The coach is really good.”
• Beau, 6th, Striker “Coach Laidley is up to a lot and he lets you do a lot. He’s a great coach, and I think everyone should play soccer, especially with your friends.”
• Dash, 8th Right/Left Wing “I also like that we are winning a lot this year.” (Dash said this as Judah picked him up for a piggyback ride.)

Why Did The Team Do So Well This Season?

• Dash, 8th, Right/Left Wing “The other teams are less organized and most of our team has played together for 2 or more years.”
• Brandon, 7th, Right Back/Midfield “Every single one of the players has great qualities, and our goalkeeper, Oliver, is doing really good.”
• Dayo, 6th Grade, Left Wing/Center Back “I think the communication and chemistry between the team is good.”

What Was The Best Moment Of The Season?

• Dayo, 6th Grade, Left Wing/Center Back “When we all played in the rain and the other team didn’t show up. We were scrimmaging with each other, but it was a good moment because we were all having fun and screaming and playing.”
• Beau, 6th, Striker “I think probably scoring my first goal. Also everyone is just fair and fun and nobody is mean to each other, and it’s just a great spot to have fun.”

How Does The League Work?

• Dash, 8th, Right/Left Wing “Every team makes the playoffs with the best playing the worst and then going in from that in a bracket. Also all the other teams are charter schools.”

Who Are The Team Leaders?

• Mr. Laidley, Teacher, Coach “8th graders are leaders, like Eli C. and Russell especially. Russell has led our entire defense. Oliver is a good goalie. CJ has been on the team since 6th grade and has held the team down, but we have a good group of people this year, I think in general everyone leads in some way.”

How Will Illness Affect Wednesday’s Game?

• Dash, 8th, Right/Left Wing “A few of our starters are sick right now, so that will definitely affect the team. We are gonna be missing people, so some people will have to play longer. That would make them more tired and it will make us a weaker team, but I still think we can win.”

How Do You Think The Team Will Do In The Playoffs?

• Dylan, 6th, Striker “Well, I don’t want to jinx it but I think we will do good!”
• Dash, 8th, Right/Left Wing “I think we are gonna do really well cause currently we are the best team and we are playing the worst team on Wednesday.”
• Brandon, 7th, Right Back/Midfield “I wanna have high hopes, because this is the first time we have ever gone undefeated.”
• Beau, 6th, Striker “Well, we’ve already beat every team we played, so I THINK,  I hope, we can win. I’m pretty sure we will do well in the playoffs.”

What Would You Like The Student Body To Do During The Playoffs To Support The Team?

• Lucas, 6th, Left Back “It would be pretty cool if you all went to playoff games!”

Before we finish, I have an exclusive piece of info. Mr. Laidley said, “If we make it to the City Championship, I’d try and make it a school trip,” which is incredibly exciting for anyone who likes trips. I hope that that can happen if we make it to that point.

If you are reading this before the game 0n Wednesday, October 25, the playoffs are yet to begin, and let’s hope that BKI can pull through and win their way to the finals! As Brandon said, “We gotta take this team to the championship, we gotta win it, we gotta take this championship, we gotta dominate!”

Archer D’Angelo

7th Grader with experience at the Ps32 Journal as Editor. He often writes about BKI News, History, and Games. He focuses on the BKI News & Global News Categories. He also is good at Canva and other Design programs used by the Terrapin Times. He is a Big Fan of History as well as Video and Board Games related to History.