When the final three whistles were blown at the AAA state championship Oct. 26, many of the fans in attendance were left in shock.
Bearden fell to Houston 4-2 on penalties after the contest remained 1-1 after extra time.
For most teams, a state final appearance would be something to marvel at, but in recent years, it has become routine at Bearden High School. This culture of success comes from a senior class which accomplished feats unprecedented in the program’s history.
“Statistically speaking, I think [they are] the most successful senior class we’ve ever had,” Coach Ryan Radcliffe said. “Making it four years in a row to the state championship game, [finishing with a career record of] 89 wins, two losses, and two ties, winning three [state] championships.
“I think all of those speak for themselves. This class, even though they didn’t win it in their final year, will definitely go down as, for the boys and girls, the most successful senior class that’s ever played at Bearden.”
Senior goalkeeper Drew Tolley, who started this year after moving to Knoxville from Johnson City, thinks that the seniors were the driving force behind the high standards within the team, especially during training.
“Each player, if they needed to practice after, all the seniors would be there,” Tolley said. “During practice, our captains were really good at keeping everybody motivated.”
The underclassmen of the team recognize this as well.
“They taught me how to be a leader for the other classes,” freshman center back Cadence Nesbit said. “Even though I’m younger, I can still set an example, and they [helped me do so].”
Although this senior class may look back on this season’s ending with regret because of the standards they set for themselves, they should not feel that this season was a disappointment.
“Coming up a little bit short is not something to be disappointed about at all,” Coach Radcliffe said. “This could be one of the best runs in four years that any team in Tennessee has been able to put together, across all divisions.”
As the Lady Bulldogs look forward to next season, the expectations set by the seniors will remain.
“[I was] hearing it on the bus ride back [from state],” Coach Radcliffe said. “I think [the underclassmen] mindset is already ‘How can we create a new legacy, create a new mark, and start another streak of state championships?’”
Regardless if one looks upon this season statistically or through the culture they have imparted upon the Bearden soccer program, one thing remains abundantly clear: these Lady Bulldogs achieved extraordinary accomplishments and will undoubtedly be looking forward to adding a sixth star to the badge next fall.