Harrison Central boys soccer eyes breakthrough season under veteran coach Gramling

The Harrison Central Huskies boys soccer team is preparing for what they hope will be a milestone season under head coach Derek Gramling, who begins his 10th year at the helm. The Huskies opened Aug. 15 on the road against Steubenville Catholic Central.

This year’s roster features 24 players, including 17 juniors and seniors. Seven underclassmen round out the team. The Huskies will be without several key graduates — Kayden Dunkle, Austin Fulton, Brady Elliott, Cole Saiter, Caleb Miller and Ocean Rogers.

Gramling said he is leaning on his experienced upperclassmen while also adjusting strategy to improve against the area’s toughest competition.

“Our schedule this year is pretty tough. We have maybe one ‘easy’ game,” Gramling said. “These kids get better facing tough teams. We are going to try to keep possession of the ball more, play with a little more control and, instead of kicking the ball out of bounds on defense, try to play it back to the goalie so he can find the path and get the ball further up the field.”

Gramling said the Huskies are targeting programs that have traditionally been tough opponents, including Beaver Local, Steubenville Big Red and Tusky Valley. “We feel like we have a good group of kids this year that understand the game pretty well,” he said. “With a few tactical changes and some slightly altered goals for some kids we are hoping to have a good season.”

Among the team’s goals are winning its first-ever OVAC playoff game and advancing to multiple East District playoff wins in the same season — another first for the program.

Harrison Central finished last year with a 7-8-2 record. Gramling is assisted this season by Brian Thaxton.