Niceville's Nelson named Coach of the Year

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com

Wes Nelson entered his eighth season as the Niceville boys soccer coach minus eight players, including five starters, from last year's District 1-5A Championship squad that reached the regional semifinals, and yet his intentions remained unchanged.

"We have an expectation of winning at Niceville," Nelson said. "It's just something we've been doing year after year. No matter who I lose or who's coming back, we want to win games, we want to win our district and represent the panhandle well in state if we can.

"It's just something that, year after year, I've had the privilege of being a part of."

The 2009 season was no exception, as Niceville posted a 24-2-3 record, claimed a fifth-straight district title and reached the state semifinals before falling to Freedom 1-0 in Tampa. For his role in the Eagles' season, Nelson has been named the All Sports Association/Daily News Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

"It all starts with a good group of seniors," Nelson said. "I think any team needs to have that senior leadership and even though we lost some players, some really strong leaders were coming back in Reed (White) and Jake (Pratt)."

Niceville dominated its district once again in 2009, mixing a salty defense, potent offense and an athletic play from front to back to storm to a perfect 14-0 district record in the regular season before eventually winning the title. It was in the district tournament finals that Nelson, with his team trailing Choctawhatchee 1-0, realized his team's greatest strength was its inner drive.

In a season filled with crowning achievements, Nelson called the Eagles' 4-2 come-from-behind win perhaps its defining moment.

"We had a good season all the way through but I go back to that district final against Choctaw," Nelson said. "We were down in a position we weren't in much this season and the way the team responded, they weren't going to let their heads get down in adversity and they got the job done."

"Looking back on it," Nelson added. "Obviously we were disappointed we didn't go further and win state, but it was a very good season. There's definitely nothing to hang my head about and the players have nothing to hang their heads about, either."