Braun: 'It's a journey'

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

At 10-1-1, Flagler Palm Coast’s boys soccer program is returning to the days of old; the days when it was a perennial playoff powerhouse.

While the talent has continued to show up on the field, it’s the coaching staff that has changed and developed a program that will contend for district championships year after year.

Noah Braun is in his third year at FPC, and he’s created a product — a program — that he hopes will continue to grow talented soccer players.

The message he always tells his players: It’s about the journey.

“I have always stressed that each game is a step in their journey,” Braun said. “Actually, it’s our journey. Every game is a new page for them to write on. They can decide what type of a legacy they will leave.”

So far, so good, as the Bulldogs clinched the No. 1 seed for January’s district tournament after knocking off Spruce Creek earlier this week, 2-1, in an epic battle of two District 2-5A heavyweights. FPC will have home field advantage throughout the district tournament.

FPC lost seven seniors from last year’s team, but Braun said the key is finding players who continue to improve. A lot of that has to do with the veterans on the team taking initiative to help the inexperienced players. Turrel Mathews, the team’s starting right back, comes to mind as an example.

“It’s so much fun to see his teammates helping him learn and giving him feedback to help him succeed,” Braun said.

This year, Braun has held early morning practices. Every other week, the team arrives at FPC’s gym at 6 a.m. to play futsal (indoor soccer). Nobody complains; all players show up.

“It is these moments of sacrifice and dedication that help them come together as a team,” Braun said.

But for the FPC coach, sometimes it’s not about the W or the L. It’s about getting a diploma and going on to college. It’s about things much larger than soccer.

He hopes to translate that message to his players as they learn real life lessons.

There is a lot on the line when the season resumes in 2013. The district tourney is on the horizon, Braun knows that.

“The only thing I have done with this program is to allow the players to be responsible, give them opportunities to excel, and be their biggest support,” he said. “Yet at the same time, I have been very honest with players and kept them accountable for their decisions.”

He also has these Bulldogs hungry for a championship.