Draughn soccer ready for playoffs

In only its second year of existence, the Draughn High boys soccer team is having its most successful season.
The Wildcats, with a 12-1-1 conference record, won their first conference championship in the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic Conference.
"It was a total team effort. We didn't have to motivate the guys because everyone already had their eyes on the championship," Draughn senior captain Ansel Clayton said. "Some games we won simply because we wanted it more than the other team."
When Draughn started the conference season, the Wildcats had a 2-6-1 overall record. When conference started, it was put out of their mind going on a 12-game winning streak. The winning streak started, along with the season turn around, on Sept. 7 with a 4-0 non-conference win at South Caldwell High.
"Even when it got to where we didn't even want to play, everyone kept the work up, and the second win over South Caldwell is where we really came together and turned things around," Draughn's other senior captain Kaleb Pittman said. "It wasn't so much of individual leadership, as it was a whole team coming together and getting through those tough losses."
The Wildcats conference championship team is the first boys soccer team to win a conference championship,in Burke County since the 2003 Freedom High boys team with a 10-2-0 conference record.
"It is a tremendous accomplishment for a second-year school. Of course, they are reaping some benefits from the program coach Martin had at East Burke, before he and many of the players went to Draughn when it opened," Freedom head coach David Fletcher said. "Most people do not understand just how hard it is to win a conference championship in any sport, at any level. We've been fortunate enough to win quite a few here at Freedom and we know that you have to be good, healthy and lucky."
Fletcher also commented that "Draughn was a good 2A team this year and they were fortunate enough not to be hurt by injuries. It is good for their program, and always good for Burke County, whenever one of our schools wins a championship. I congratulate coach Martin and his players."
The Wildcats now start their journey to the playoffs, looking for another possible banner raise.
"I think that in the beginning, even us seniors, were convinced that we were going to be in for a long season. But being that it is our senior year, I believe that we just decided that losing was not an option anymore," Draughn's third senior captain Chase Hogg said. "The team really seemed to build a bond throughout the course of the season, and I think that was also a major factor in all our success. Hopefully, we can continue this success in the playoffs and raise another banner."
Draughn's other senior captain is goalkeeper/midfielder Yeng Yang.
Martin felt the plan for success started after a first round loss in last year's state playoffs.
"You don't win conference championships unless guys commit to doing so in the off season," Martin said. "After last year's playoff loss to Smoky Mountain, I named captains for the next year in the locker room.
"They decided they wanted to win a championship and were willing to do the things to make that happen."
Martin gives credit to Clayton, Yang, Hogg, Billy Lor, Caleb Smith, Tommy Yang and Jacob Crisp for this season's success. Martin commented that "every player had a role in our success."
With the successful season, ultimately resulting in the team's first conference championship, Martin isn't ready for this season to be over yet.
"We are not ready for this season to end. We are not ready to celebrate anything yet. We play West Stokes on Wednesday and, in our mind, they will be the best team on our schedule," Martin said. "I tell the guys two things before every game, play harder and smarter than the other team. If we can continue to do those two things, we have a chance in every game."
Draughn High opens the first round of the state 2A West soccer playoffs hosting West Stokes at 7 p.m. today
Freedom and Patton High are also in the 3A state playoffs.
Freedom is on the road at Ashbrook High today.
Patton hosts Fred T. Foard High at 6:30 p.m. today at the Catawba River Soccer Complex.