The CB South boys’ soccer team is devoting its final week of the season raise funds for Red Card Cancer. The following article is sponsored by the CB South Boys’ Soccer Booster Club.
By Mary Jane Souder
Prior to undertaking his team’s most recent community service project, Red Card Cancer, Central Bucks South boys’ soccer coach Don Brady asked his players a simple question.
“Our coach asked us how many people on the team actually knew somebody that had cancer, and mostly the whole team raised its hand,” senior co-captain Danny Remick said. “Everybody has a connection to cancer – even if it’s not you, somebody you know. Helping out families in need feels good.”
Red Card Cancer is a national organization that started with Bloomsburg University men’s soccer coach Paul Payne, who is the former president of the NSCAA. Although the team has been involved in numerous service projects over the past five years, this is the first that is connected with soccer.
The players have been selling wristbands and accepting donations, and their parents also have been actively involved. The project will culminate with Wednesday’s game at home against neighboring Central Bucks West. There will be a donation table, a bake sale as well as a table with information to raise awareness about the different types of cancers.
“The fact that it’s not just about soccer and to do something as a team that’s probably more meaningful than the game itself is important and to try to bring the program together along with the community,” Brady said.
Wednesday’s game against the Bucks will be played in the stadium at 7 p.m.
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Don Brady knew this was going to be a season of transition for the Titans. After all, his team had graduated nine seniors from last year’s squad.
“Everyone asked me this year what it was going to be like,” the Titans’ coach said. “Talk about ripping your heart out – we lost our goalkeeper, central defender, central midfielder and our top goal scorer along with several others.”
The Titans’ coach didn’t have to look far to figure out who would lead the squad. Senior co-captains Danny Remick and Colin McGonigal caught the eye of their coaches during standout seasons with the junior varsity as freshmen. Both were called up to travel with the varsity to an opening round PIAA Class AAA state playoff game at Hershey. It represented the first trip to the state playoffs for the Titans.
As sophomores, both were on a varsity squad that captured the SOL Continental Conference title.
“It was awesome,” Remick said. “It was the first time the soccer team won the conference, and it really showed we’re a good team and we’re a good program.
“It was great coming out on top that year. It was a great experience.”
McGonigal has been a starter for three years and Remick, two years.
“They rarely come off the field,” Brady said. “They have really strong technical skills and a lot of experience as club players and the physicality.
“Most of the young players don’t bring a physicality to the game, which is something I think you need to have because in the Suburban One it’s a very physical game at that level.”
Remick and McGonigal are the undisputed leaders of this year’s young squad.
“It’s been a learning process for them because for three years, they have had great leadership on the field, and they’re trying to learn how to do that with such a young group that they really didn’t have much connection with as players because they were always looking up to the next level player,” Brady said. “Now they’re there – how do they fit in?
“But I think they’ve done a nice job in terms of on the field leadership. The kids look to them – hey, what’s the next step? What do we expect here?”
Remick and McGonigal knew it would be a completely different team this year.
“We lost a lot of great players from last year and the year before,” Remick said. “So we’re really just trying to get these kids into the varsity mindset and helping them prepare for the next couple years because I know it will be a good team.
“It’s really just a building year, but it’s still fun. We still have a good time and still win games. After the games, we talk and the next day we have a practice – the activities and the sessions we have, we try to have some fun and prepare for the next game. It’s really just building for the next game.”
This year’s squad includes five seniors – McGonigal, Remick, Dan Gerard, John Miller and Matt Tarasiewicz.
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