Blue Ridge Early College celebrated Senior Night after shutting Cherokee out at home with a final of 7-0 on March 5.
It was an emotional victory as the Bobcats are saying goodbye to 7 seniors this year. BREC Coach Nick Pressler said it’s always difficult losing this many seniors.
Pictured at the top of the article from left are BREC Seniors Devin Bryson, Carsen Williams, Kaleb Fugate, Korbin Walters, Jacob Pressler, Collin Bryson, and Alexis Hervert.
“I am proud of this group for not giving up,” said Pressler. “The underclassmen will have to take over and help out rebuilding. Hopefully, this will start in the off-season.”
Pressler added that it was a tough year with the pandemics impact on sports schedules.
“I think this year having basketball and soccer going at the same time hurt us being such a small school and having most of my team playing both,” he said. “We didn’t get a full team practice until 3 weeks into the season.”
This was the second time BREC played against Cherokee that week. The Bobcats defeated them on the road with a final 7-1 on March 3. Cherokee only had 9 players that days and Pressler fielded 9 as well for fairness.
“The game at Cherokee allowed the boys that don’t get that much playing time to play and get some great work in on practicing better touches,” he said. “They only had 9, so I elected to play with nine. Their kids deserve that. What good does it do to play 11 vs 9? I have been on the other side of the equation and it’s no fun.”
BREC loses 7 seniors this year. Front row from left are Junior Diaz, Eric Puskarich, Kaleb Fugate, Gustavo Garcia, Carsen Williams, Levi Walters, Alexis Hervert. Second Row from left are Coach Nick Pressler, Jacob Pressler, CJ Jennings, Devin Bryson, Collin Bryson, Derrick Bryson, Mike Martinez, Korbin Walters, and Coach Brittany Elkins.
Seniors
Collin Bryson
BREC Collin Bryson brings the ball coast to coast playing on the road against CHerokee.
Favorite Memory: The trash talk in practice but also the fun we had as a team in games and practices with each other.
Collin Bryson senior poster.
Future Plans: Diesel Mechanics and owning my own diesel shop.
Advice for underclassmen: Never take sports for granted, even if you think you won’t like them. You never know until you try. And, always do stuff the best you can and never give up.
Collin Bryson and family on Senior Night.
Devin Bryson
BREC Devin Bryson stops a line-drive pass away against Cherokee.
Favorite Memory: The bus rides home after a win.
Devin Bryson senior poster.
Future Plans: Engineering Program at NC State.
Advice for underclassmen: You only get one chance, might as well make it worth your time.
Devin Bryson and family on Senior Night.
Kaleb Fugate
BREC Kaleb Fugate gets the ball out of the hot zone against Cherokee on Senior Night at home.
Favorite Memory: Talking so much trash to my teammates at practice.
Kaleb Fugate senior poster.
Future Plans: Take over the family business.
Advice for underclassmen: Play every game like it’s your last. Take leadership and don’t take any crap from other teams.
Kaleb Fugate and family on Senior Night.
Alexis Hervert
BREC Alexis Hervert works for position to control a Cherokee goal kick at home on Senior Night.
Favorite Memory: Playing with skillful players and getting to know them along the way.
Alexis Hervert senior poster.
Future Plans: Attend 13th year
Advice for underclassmen: Have fun, and if you have a bad game, never think of it as a loss but instead a chance to improve.
Alexis Hervert and family on Senior Night.
Jacob Pressler
Jacob Pressler puts one in the back of the net against Cherokee on the road.
Favorite Memory: All of the bus rides back from away games, and beating Highlands twice my sophomore year.
Jacob Pressler senior poster.
Future Plans: I plan to attend college and get my degree in fire science/fire service leadership. After college I plan to become a full time firefighter and start my life.
Advice for underclassmen: Always work hard, come to practice and ready to play 100%, and to listen to what coach says! But mainly never give up and never take the years you have left for granted, it goes by faster than you think. I’m going to miss you guys.
Jacob Pressler and family on Senior Night.
Korbin Walters
BREC Korbin Walters drills a corner kick against Cherokee on the road.
Favorite Memory: Gas station trips and bus rides to State! And kicking the game winning PK against Highlands.
Korbin Walters senior poster.
Future Plans: Attend Western Carolina University in the fall.
Advice for underclassmen: Do not take this for granted, it goes by a lot faster than you expect.
Korbin Walters and family on Senior Night.
Carsen Williams
BREC Carsen Williams makes his way down the field against Cherokee at home on Senior Night.
Favorite Memory: Diving headfirst into the creek my very first day of practice.
Carsen Williams senior poster.
Future Plans: Attend Appalachian State in the fall and get a degree in Communications: Electronic Media Broadcasting.
Advice for underclassmen: Leave everything you have on the field every game. Pretty soon you’ll have to buy a ticket just to sit in the stands.
Carsen Williams and family on Senior Night.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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Senior Night
BREC vs Cherokee away
