STC’s Michael Henry scurries after the ball late in the second half during a recent middle school soccer game.

South Tama County is no stranger to large soccer teams at the high school level. In recent years, immense interest grew in beginning a middle school soccer team. As a result, a team was started three years ago, gaining more popularity and participation year after year.

Both MS teams are comprised of seventh and eighth grade student athletes. The split between the two has been fairly close, noted Middle School Girls Soccer Coach Sam Peska.

The girls soccer team garners the most athletes by far. Last year, the team was filled with around 40 players, but the 2023 season has seen that number rise to the low 50s. The boys soccer team has settled around 25 participants.

Middle School Assistant Principal and Activities Director Scott Bolen said the number of participants in activities is around 100, which is roughly 50% of the seventh and eighth grade student body.

“The interest is there. It’s within our community and our culture,” Bolen said, adding that four other WaMac Conference middle schools have picked up soccer teams.

New STC High School Girls Soccer Head Coach Morgan McFate had positive opinions about the increase in players.

“I think the amount of participation in middle school teams is amazing! That’s a great age to start growing the students’ love of the game and get them involved in The Beautiful Game. I hope a majority stick with it and help to progress the program throughout the next years and on,” McFate said. “In fact, we already see a change in the level of play and how much ‘soccer’ we have to teach at the beginning of the season!”

The future looks bright for STC Soccer!