By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(October 8, 2023 7:33 AM ET) It has been eight seasons since Jackson Christian High School could call itself conference champions in boys’ soccer.
Last week the Royals defeated Lenawee Christian on the road 5-2 earning a share of the Independent Soccer League.
It could be a harbinger of things to come.
Armed with a lot of young talent, the Royals expect all but one of their players back in 2024.
But 2023 has a lot of potential to get a special season for the Royals.
Junior Jonathan Locke leads the team with 25 goals heading into action Friday. That is up from 14 goals scored a year ago.
“We have a midfielder who distributes the ball well and I have been rewarded for that,” Locke said.
Midfielder Drew Barney – a freshman – just broke the school record for assists in a season with 27.
Locke – known as J.D. to his teammates – says the unselfish play the Royals exhibit on the field is the same thing his father taught him about how to play the sport.
My dad (David) taught me soccer is not about you … it is about the team,” Locke said. “I am not the only one who can score on the team.
“I am always passing it around trying to get us in a better spot to score.”
The Royals have been on a scoring and winning terror in its last nine games. Jackson Christian is 8-0-1 in its last nine matches averaging more than six goals per game.
Locke has been attending JCHS since eighth grade and playing soccer since he could walk. Inspired by his father, Locke and his brother, Nate, were trained by their father in the Denver area at an early age. Once they were old enough they played club soccer before moving to Michigan.
Both Nate and Jonathan played for Hillsdale Soccer Club.
Attending Jackson Christian has been a good fit for Locke. He enjoys the closeness of the school – studying in a grade with 13 students.
“Jackson Christian has a really good Christ-centered education where you can garner better friendships,” Locke said. “I have a close relationship with all of the students in my grade.”
He maintains a 3.9 grade point average and would like to play soccer in college.
Locke also plays golf, but his main sport is soccer.
“Sports teaches you how to be competitive while still being friends with players on the other team,” Locke said. “At the end of the day, they are people too.”
Source: https://jtv.tv/jackson-christian-locks-into-local-soccer-talent/
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