- November 23, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Scott Crooke. Photo by Ka'Deem Wynn.
Scott Crooke. Photo by Ka'Deem Wynn.
Scott Crooke. Photo by Ka'Deem Wynn.
Scott Crooke is the new captain of the ship.
Crooke, a physical education teacher at Indian Trails Middle School in his 11th year of teaching (six in Flagler County), replaced former head coach Pawel Slusarz as the Matanzas High School girls soccer team's interim head coach after Slusarz was removed from his position shortly after Christmas break. Prior to his appointment, he spent the last three years as part of the Matanzas coaching staff and over five years coaching middle school students at Indian Trails before that.
"The term coaching is synonymous with teaching, and I am extremely passionate about teaching," Crooke said. "My objective as a coach at this level is to make sure the experience the players have is a lasting positive experience."
Crooke has known many of these girls since they were in middle school, so he has been able to continue to foster and build relationships with them while keeping them focused.
"These girls continue to give great effort, and, when faced with adversity, they have not backed down," he said. "I have no doubt that we can finish strongly."
The team is currently 6-9-2 on the season and currently ranked second in Class 5A-District 3, behind Englewood High School. The team has the opportunity to host a district game this year. Crooke said that hosting districts would be a lasting memory for the players.
The team has a few games left in the regular season, but it has allowed Crooke to take a step back and look at the team he's been tasked with leading to the end, saying that he couldn’t be more pleased with the team as a whole.
"We have some really great personalities and I strongly feel we all share a like minded goal to play for something greater than ourselves," he said. "I am proud to be a part of the Matanzas soccer program and look forward to continuing to help build a strong team."
