Wynne Yellowjacket soccer overcomes tornado setback to forge unforgettable legacy

Last year’s Wynne Yellowjacket soccer season was definitely one those involved will never forget.

Wynne soccer coach Bryan Mattox said the tornado struck in the middle of the season, destroying both the team’s playing field as well as its equipment.

“It was hard for us to really find anywhere to practice,” Mattox said. “We would meet teams for our home games at Searcy. Searcy let us use their fields. It was a shorter drive than driving all the way to Little Rock.

“A lot of the schools in the area got us soccer balls, and some things to use for practice,” he added. “It was just one of those things. They made the best out of the situation.”

Mattox said beating the odds is nothing new for this squad that has set records during its time at Wynne.

“Both teams were part of the teams that were the first ones in school history to go to the state tournament,” he said. “They had some school records in terms of fewest goals given up in a season, most wins in a season. It’s just been a really decorated senior class in terms of our boys and our girls.”

Mattox added another challenge for the senior-heavy squads is planning for the future.

“It’s nice when you have seniors that take the younger classmen in and teach them things and work with them. That’s what we have,” he said. “It’s really been a fun culture to be a part of. Our kids help each other out. They work with each other. It’s just really strong senior leadership; about as strong as I’ve seen in my coaching career to be honest with you.”

Mattox said both the Yellowjackets and Lady Yellowjackets play in a conference filled with state tournament contenders.

“They only take four teams for our conference to the state tournament,” he said. “I would say six [teams in our conference] in both boys and girls have a chance in the state tournament to make a deep run. Literally, six of the best teams in the state are in our conference and only four go to state. That’s the big challenge.

“We play in such a good conference with teams like Robinson… Brookland is really good… Harding Academy, their girls at one point were nationally ranked last season. It is a really good conference.

We look forward to it. We more than held our own in it last year. We feel like we can build off that this year.”

The Jackets and Lady Jackets begin their 2024 soccer season today at Lonoke. Games start at 5 p.m.

Wynne will travel to Little Rock Mills on Friday. The home opener is Monday, March 4, against Brookland.

Here is this year’s Wynne soccer schedule: