SOCCER|Hard work pays off for Chappell

It could be the shoes, electric-blue Puma cleats.

It could be a raft of natural skills rendered in experienced muscle memory thanks to many matches of youth and varsity soccer.

But more likely, it’s the combination of work ethic, talent and desire that made Warren Central’s Eric Chappell the Vicksburg Post Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year for 2009.

To view the All-County team, click here

Who could argue with the sophomore attacker’s credentials? Chappell scored 16 goals, best in Warren County and added five assists in his second varsity season.

The key, said Warren Central coach Greg Head, was Chappell’s relentless work ethic. Be it a practice, a non-division match in November or a tough division match in January, Head knew what kind of effort he’d get from his star.

Full speed ahead, 110 percent. Every cliché for above and beyond the call of duty applies in this case. Even when he was hurt, Chappell gave his all.

“He’s kind of like the Energizer Bunny,” Head said. “He just keeps going and going. He doesn’t quit. It takes a lot for him to say ‘Coach, I need to come out.’ I’ve had plenty of great players come through, but none with the great work ethic that Eric has. And that’s what makes him so special.”

In addition to desire, what made Chappell a goal-scoring machine was his speed and ability to break down defenders one-on-one, one-on-two or even one-on-three.

The Cincinnati, Ohio native arrived in Warren County two years ago when his father, who works for the Army Corps of Engineers  was transferred. Quickly, the youngster found his favorite sport was much different than what he was used to in the Buckeye State.

“The styles down here are a lot different,” Chappell said. “Down here, you have to depend on just a few guys.”

Teams quickly keyed on Chappell, sometimes running two and three defenders at him every time he got the ball. Head tried shifting a couple of players up to the forward spots and bringing Chappell back out to the midfield, where he could sneak up on unaware defenders.

“Their back forward would get complacent with those two players up there and we’d sneak Eric in there and we’d get an attack,” Head said. “That’s how we scored against Clinton. They weren’t expecting someone with that much speed to burst out of there when we had a breakaway.”

As for Chappell’s future, he wants to return to his birthplace, Utah, and hopefully play soccer for Brigham Young.

But for now, he will continue to wow Warren County fans with his adept footwork and panache. And if you ask Head, the best is yet to come.

“I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as Eric does,” Head said. “He’s only going to get better.”

*

Contact Steve Wilson at swilson@vicksburgpost.com