When the weather switches from fall to winter, Washington School’s Bogan Brewer, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, moves from linebacker on the football team to goalie for the soccer team.
While the sports are different, Brewer plays both positions with many of the same principals.
“Playing goalie is like being a linebacker,” Brewer said. “You are commanding the defense, and you have to play pretty much the whole field. Basically, you cannot let anything get by you in the goal the same way you can’t let anything get by you up the middle in football.”
This winter Brewer has not let many balls get through him for the soccer team. Brewer has recorded five shutouts for the Generals this season and his fine play is a key reason why Washington has a 12-1 record. Brewer’s latest shutout came in a 7-0 home victory over rival and district opponent Bayou Academy last Thursday. Washington defeated Bayou Again again, 2-1 on the road Monday.
Washington coach Jeffrey Giachelli said he has been impressed with the improvement Brewer has shown in the goal this season. Brewer said his coach is a big reason he has gotten so much better.
“He has really helped,” Brewer said. “I think also when you are around the game, you learn the tricks to the position more. It is a game of angles, and position has a lot to do in it.”
Brewer is one of a number of seniors on this year’s team.
He along with Eli Fratesi, John Bentley Suares, Will Giachelli, Caleb Janous and Eric Pham are trying to win the school’s first state championship in boys soccer since 2016.
Brewer played for the championship team in the eighth grade.
“During my eighth grade year, I remember Will Giachelli ripping an insane shot at the goal. Everybody was freaked out because he was the only eighth grader that got to play,” Brewer said. “We all started with a ring in the eighth grade, and we want to end with a ring.”
Brewer and his teammates are also hoping to win the title for their teammate, Thomas Barr. Barr, a fellow senior, injured his leg during the football season and has not been able to play soccer this year.
Although Brewer said he really enjoys the game of soccer, he will continue his athletic career in football. On Wednesday, Brewer is expected to sign a scholarship to play football at Belhaven University.
