We interviewed the three biggest fall sports (softball, football, boys soccer) coaches at the high school for their opinions on their seasons so far. Here is what they have to say.
First let’s start with America’s favorite sport, football. Coach Heflin is the high school football coach. Heflin, a 2004 Rolla High School graduate, was the former Washington head football coach. In 2022 he came back to Rolla to be our football coach. He is a big believer in weight training, team speed, and discipline. So let’s hear what he has to say about this up and coming season.
Coach Heflin (Football)
How are you doing today?
Doing good.
How do you expect this season to go?
I expect us to be much improved from last season. We had a pretty good off-season and brought back a lot of starters from last season. We have a new schedule with seven new opponents that we have either never played or haven’t played in a long time. It will be a new challenge for our players, but I think they are up for the challenge.
What do you think your strong suit is this year?
Currently our defense is our strongest suit. Our players are doing a good job of doing their job. They are playing the way they are coached to and play as a team very well.
Who do you want to beat the most this year?
With the new schedule we don’t have a rival anymore. Our focus right now is just on the next opponent and being the best we can be for the district.
Who do you think will be the hardest team you play this year?
Mountain Home is a Class six team in Arkansas. They are currently ranked in the top five in Arkansas.
In your opinion, what is the most important position on the field?
I don’t know if I can pick one, but I’d say the offensive line is extremely important on every football team. They have to be a tight knit group that plays together every play. They don’t get much credit either, but their success is key to winning football games.
What do you think is your best play?
Last season it was inside veer. Right now we are still working on getting our offense going. Week two it was Counter, Week three it was Zone Dive.
In your opinion, what is the hardest thing to do in football?
The hardest thing about football is the process. It is hard work every day, in season and in the off-season. We push the players to give their best everyday at practice or in the weight room so they can be their best on game day.
In your opinion, what is the most annoying penalty in the game?
Any penalty that brings back a big play.
What is the main thing you want to see out of your up and coming freshmen?
A willingness to work to get better, focus on the day and getting better in the weight room, the practice field, and the classroom. We need guys that are focused on doing what is best for the team.
Next we have Europe’s favorite sport soccer with Coach Matt Calvert. Coach Calvert was an All-State soccer player for RHS. Coach Calvert was an assistant coach for Coach Mike Howard and Coach Mike Armstrong. He became head coach in 2023. Coach Calvert continues to teach early childhood special education at Wyman Elementary. So let’s hear what he has to say about the upcoming season:
Coach Calvert (Boys Soccer)
How are you doing?
We are doing well. We are currently 5-5 on the season and we have one of our hardest seasons yet with some tough competition.
How do you expect the season to go?
I have high expectations for this season. We have a strong team and a hard schedule but I believe the players can rise to the challenge.
What do you think your strong suit is this year?
I think our possession is our strong suit this season.
Who do you want to beat the most this year?
I want to beat Waynesville and Capital City.
In your opinion, what is the most important position on the field?
I think it’s impossible to pick a most important position. Every position has a job to do and if any position isn’t doing their job it affects the team.
What is your best formation?
I think the boys have looked the best in a 3-5-2 formation with 3 defenders, 5 midfield players, and 2 forwards.
In your opinion, what is the hardest thing to do in soccer?
I think the hardest thing to do in soccer is to score goals. There’s a reason so many games end 0-0 in professional soccer.
In your opinion, what is the most annoying penalty in the game?
I don’t like retaliation or time wasting penalties because they’re completely avoidable.
What is the main thing you want to see out of your up and coming freshman?
I believe that hard work, and a good attitude is what makes a Bulldog. As far as skills, I would like to see incoming freshmen working on their first touch.
Now finally lets finish with something a bit closer to home for me, softball. Coach Hohe(my dad) is the head coach for the high school team. He is the head softball and baseball coach at RHS. In 2021, Coach Hohe led the Lady Bulldogs to finish second in the Class 4 state tournament. From there they have had their ups and downs, but this year they are doing pretty well (with a record of 9-8 with their latest win being a walk off hit by Ellie Meyerott, at press time).
Coach Hohe (Softball)
How are you doing? Currently we are 5-6 with a 3-game tournament coming up this Friday (9/20/24) and Saturday (9/21/24).
How do you expect the season to go? We are hopeful to stay around .500 throughout the season and be playing our best softball at the end of the year. We only have 2 seniors, so we are a very young team and are definitely going through some growing pains.
What do you think your strong suit is this year? I think our team unity and our hard work are our best two attributes. We have some really good offensive players and some great pitching as well.
Who do you think will be the hardest team you will play? My guess is the toughest team on our schedule is Helias (we lost 9-0) or Parkway West.
Who do you want to beat the most this year? EVERYONE
In your opinion, what is the most important position on the field? In softball (as in baseball) the two most important positions are #1 the pitcher & #2 the hitter. Everyone forgets hitting is a position. The best hitters play. Pitcher is #1 because if you can’t get outs you can’t win.
What do you want to see out of your players this season? Daily improvement and hard work. One of the most important skills in life is hard work.
What is the worst thing that can happen during a game? Players give up or quit on their teammates and themselves.
How different is bunting in baseball then bunting in softball? Bunting is a totally different deal in softball. It is much more common, much more explosive, and much more integral. With 60 foot bases and a heavier ball, if you can bunt successfully you can be an absolute weapon.
What is the main thing you want to see out of your up and coming freshman? Hard work and effort. I want to see them fail and how they handle failure and how they bounce back from poor performance.
