At the beginning of 2000, middle school soccer reached its apex following successful teams that rank with the first four teams beginning in '85 and the first middle school teams beginning in '92 through '94......and '95 through '99. This team was comprised of later varsity players who made district and region honors and combined with other year players to make successful high school teams.

The 2000 season culminated with a 13 - 1 record (best record other than the undefeated record of '93 and the previous record the year before of 12 - 1- 1). Our only loss was at Hidden Valley's large soccer field when the strong and talented Terriers lost a close 1 - 0 game. Needless to say, when Hidden Valley came to Byrd for our return home match, the strong young Terriers handily won.

Important to notice is the following paragraph. Only three years before the middle school soccer transformation in '92, Byrd soccer had three years that were subpar years record-wise....including one close losing year. Important to note is the record of the following next team after the 2000 team had reached the ultimate competitive winning middle school team. This year, 2001, proved to be the weakest team (at least record-wise) that I had ever coached in any sport...anywhere. The record of this 2001 team (after the
2000 winning team) was 3 - 10 - 1.

A coach dad and good friend helped me coach; a key player went down near the end of the season with a knee injury...two or three players eventually moved out of state near the end of season or did not have a desire to pursue soccer ...many different rotations were tried in desperation...there seemed to be several personality conflicts...soccer skills may have needed refining....and most key players were younger players.

The following year turned out 9-4 and the young Terriers were a year older...wiser...and more experienced, and Byrd Middle School soccer never looked back. The father/coach friend and I had his year-older son to coach along with some new skilled players. As a coach dad...I experienced a rough time in 2001, but I learned patience and the understanding that I may not be as astonishing a coach as I may have once thought...!!