County players earn all-section nods

Dustin White

Soccer players from Effingham High School and Teutopolis High School have received recognition for their contributions to solid seasons at each school.

Tyler Semple and Dylan Huey of Effingham along with Michael Brummer and Russell Higgs of T-town have been named all-sectional players in voting results recently released by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA).

Additionally, Teutopolis' Jeremy Niebrugge garnered an honorable mention acknowledgment.

Across the three classes of high school soccer in Illinois, there were a total of 16 sectional tournaments.

Players in each of these sectional complexes were nominated by their coaches and voted upon by other member coaches for either all-state, all-sectional or honorable mention recognition.

An all-sectional nod earns each player the right to attend a banquet and participate in an all-star soccer game in the near future.

All five Effingham County players mentioned are seniors.

EHS played a defensive-minded, ball-control game and had great success with it this season, tying a school record for victories with a final 12-7-2 mark and allowing just a half-goal per match over its last 10 regular-season contests.

Semple and Huey, both fullbacks playing defensive positions for the Flaming Hearts, represent exactly what Coach Kurt Roberts wanted out of this year's team.

"We focus on our defense and build from there, and these guys get it," said Roberts. "They understand how to build an attack from the fullbacks rather than just pushing the ball up and clearing the ball to nobody."

Neither player went out for soccer until last year, but both were instant varsity starters and quickly mastered the finer points of fundamentally-sound soccer.

"They're just all-around great kids, on and off the field," said Roberts. "They eat, breathe and live soccer. The other thing I think makes them successful is that they are highly-respected by their teammates — not just because they play well, but because they treat their teammates with respect and understand what it means to be part of a team.

"Neither one is a flashy or showy player, but they were the backbone of a strong team. That's incredibly important."

While scoring goals hasn't been an prevalent part of either Effingham player's career, Brummer has made quite a name for himself as a goal scorer for the Wooden Shoes.

"Michael has shattered every record at THS over his career," said T-town coach Josh Cottrill of his star forward and two-time all-sectional pick. "He more than doubled the school scoring record in 2008, finding the net 54 times."

Of course, putting the ball in the net is not where Brummer's value to the team came to an end.

"This year, Michael adapted himself to the fact that defenses keyed on him," continued Cottrill. "While he still scored 30 goals, he also assisted on 20 others.

"He is an extremely talented soccer player who possesses not only skill but a strong knowledge of the game as well."

Higgs may not have garnered quite the same publicity as Brummer with just five career goals, but he was a three-year starter for Cottrill and helped the Shoes play a stifling defense that was every bit as important to their three regional titles over that stretch.

"Russell is quick and does a great job of covering others out of a center back position," said Cottrill. "Although he played defense for our team, he is actually a talented offensive player as well and could push up into an attack.

"He has an excellent work ethic and is a fun kid to have around."

Another three-year starter, Niebrugge scored 11 goals with six assists this year, finishing his career with 35 scores and seven helpers.

"Niebrugge stepped into our center mid position this season, after starting the two previous years as an outside midfielder," said Cottrill. "He did a good job of controlling the midfield for us and distributing the ball.

"Jeremy is not only an athletic player but also an extremely intelligent one."

It's also important to point out what these T-town seniors accomplished, turning a so-so program into an area powerhouse by the time they graduated.

The Shoes have gone 64-27-7 over the past four seasons, with many of those losses coming during this year's seniors' freshman campaign.

T-town won last year's Charleston Red & Gold Invitational and won a sectional final in 2007, advancing to the Class 1A state tournament in Naperville.

That was actually one of two Elite Eight appearances for this group of Shoes, since last year's sectional finalist was also one of eight teams left standing under the revamped class system.

Dustin White can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 123 or dustin.white@effinghamdailynews.com.

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