The Trigg County Wildcats struggled through an injury-plagued 2017 season, dropping their final nine matches on the way to a 6-15 overall record. The Wildcats saw their 5th District championship streak snapped at seven seasons, falling to Lyon County 4-3 before ending the season with a 10-0 loss to Henderson in the first round of the 2nd Region tournament. They conceded 68 goals and only managed 37, the program’s lowest-scoring output since netting 28 in 2005. The 68 goals allowed is the highest since giving up 72 in 2011, and the Wildcats finished with their first losing record since 2007.
The Wildcats graduated four seniors, including 2nd team All-Region selection Carter Boyd. Boyd was one of two players to go down with season-ending injuries, and the Wildcats finished the season with only four available upperclassmen. Will Jolly is back for his sophomore season after leading the team in goals with 15, as is second-leading scorer junior Elijah Gaines (9). Junior Cristian Llarena returns after leading the team with 4 assists.
Defensive leader Daniel Martin is the lone senior suiting up for the Wildcats to start the season, with center back Derek Frazier sidelined with a knee injury. Junior goalkeeper Matthew Smith is back between the posts after recording a couple of shutouts and allowing 3.2 goals per game last season. A large freshman class joins to bolster the Wildcats’ depth, with Daniel Jimenez and Keller Nichols in the running for starting spots. Junior Clayton Setliff returns to the team after a couple of seasons away and should help in the Wildcats’ attack.
Trigg County will kick off the regular season when they host the Fort Campbell Falcons on August 13. The Falcons topped the Wildcats 2-1 in the first game for both teams last season.
