AWT SOCCER: Sacred Heart's Bryant exceeded expectations

A goal was set by Sacred Heart coach Christopher Harrington for sophomore Sidney Bryant to get 10 goals this season — a fair number for an underclassman on a team playing against some of the best in West Tennessee.

Bryant hit that goal late in the regular season and continued to add onto it. He scored 17 goals and added eight assists to be named as The Jackson Sun's 2015 Boys' Soccer Offensive Player of the Year.

"I was looking to get over 10 goals this season," Bryant said. "Coach [Harrington] set the goal, and I just wanted to achieve it."

Sacred Heart has been a boys' soccer program in the middle of the pack for success in West Tennessee, and not much was expected out of the Knights this season.

The team had other plans. Sacred Heart finished second in the district, and with a win over Harding Academy, the Knights made program history by making the region semifinals for the first time.

Sacred Heart continued from there by finishing third in the Division II-A West region tournament and beating Webb School of Bell Buckle to reach the state semifinals.

"We definitely played with more heart this season," Bryant said. "We had players step up all season, and some of them had never played before. We wanted it more than anyone."

Bryant was one of the players who had soccer experience in the past, and as he found his role on the team, his play improved.

"I felt like I got better as the season went on," he said. "I think we all came together and became one. My team helped me progress throughout the season."

Just like his coach, Bryant points to the Jackson Christian game as the turning point in the season.

But the biggest moment of his season came in the sub-state game against Webb School of Bell Buckle, when his lone goal midway through the first half sent the Knights to the state tournament.

"Going in, I didn't feel like it was going to be me scoring the game-winner," he said. "The ball just happened to be there at my feet, and I had to put it away."

Bryant, like any good soccer player, isn't ready to rest on this season. He wants to get better.

"This season makes me want to work harder," he said. "I want to set higher goals for myself for next season.

"As a team, I feel like we could make another run at the state tournament. We only started one or two seniors most of the season, and we had a strong bench."

Michael Odom, 425-9754