Following the success of the soccer program, which recently won its third Blue Ridge Athletic Conference (BRAC) championship in October, Macon Middle School (MMS) football and volleyball did the same. Both programs also went undefeated within the BRAC.
Volleyball
Brooke Southard, who teaches health and physical education at MMS, is in her third season as volleyball coach. Prior to that, she assisted then-coach Missy McConnell. This season, Southard’s girls went undefeated in the BRAC, 11-0. Their overall record was 15-1, with the lone loss to non-conference Cherokee in the second match of the season.
The coach believes success comes down to preparation. “Summer workouts are usually every other day in June, daily in July, with a scrimmage the first weekend in August, and tryouts the second week,” she relayed.
Southard added that in many cases, middle school volleyball is the girls’ first ever competitive level sport. She also echoed a common position from local coaches that parent and school administration support and participation make a huge impact.
“I can’t speak highly enough about my parents, administration, and athletic director,” Southard expressed. “My athletic director works endlessly for MMS athletics and answers all my questions. My administrators, Mr. [Mark] Sutton and Mrs. [Christy] Barnett, have been a great support during my years of coaching at MMS. I can always find them watching and cheering on the girls.”
Regarding keeping kids grounded with repeated success, the coach advises them regularly.
“Winning doesn’t come easy and we emphasize that to the girls a lot. Many times, this season, teams wanted nothing more than to beat us. When those teams did win even a set within a match they eventually lost, it was a victory to them. If we were forced to play a third set, my girls fought more than ever and came out victorious.”
Hurricane Helene disrupted their season forcing an extension of three weeks to the end of October. To show support and concern for teams to the northeast, the MMS girls spent a practice period packing food, which was distributed to affected areas.
“We wanted to let them know we had been thinking and praying for their recovery,” said Southard.
Asked for her favorite moment in play this year, Southard pointed to a semi-final game versus Rugby Middle School in Hendersonville.
“We breezed through the first set but the second set, Rugby stayed ahead of us throughout and we were at game point, down 22-24. [Assistant Coach Amy Tippett] and I decided to call a time out. Then we were able to come back and win, 26-24. That helped us to advance to the championship game at Brevard. It was like everything we had worked on got us through those critical moments, and the celebration was amazing!”
Southard focuses on team effort and individual focus.
“We had seven players who will be at the high school level next season and I feel our preparation at the middle school level will help them succeed next year. We emphasize: Be the best person on the court and in the classroom; be the first to practice and the first to stand up when a coach needs something; be respectful to your peers and teachers; chase your dreams; and, live a life that is pleasing to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Football
Coach Nathan Raby just completed his ninth season coaching football. He originally was an MMS position coach, but then took a defensive coordinator role on the Franklin High School junior varsity team before being named head coach. He accepted the MMS head coach position in 2021.
Raby has guided the team to three consecutive undefeated seasons, a 21-0 record.
Asked how the team achieved such heights, he responded, “Success is contagious, just as losing is. The kids have bought into wanting to do better, be better, and win over the last few years. The kids’ attitude and work ethic, along with the expectations they choose to place on themselves, are what drives their success.”
Raby operates structured practices and preparation for opponents. He believes doing so helps keep players focused on the task ahead.
“They know what to expect and how we are going to execute Monday through Wednesday to set ourselves up for success on game day.”
Regarding hurricane impact, Raby remembered, “There was a ton of devastation for families in our conference [because of Hurricane Helene] … there was talk we might end up canceling the rest of the season, which was hard for the kids to digest. Thankfully, we were able to finish and the kids had some closure to their football year.”
Reflecting on his favorite moment in the season, Raby pointed to a double overtime win at home against Bethel.
“We went into the game a little beat up and injured. It was cool to watch how this team responded to being in that position of adversity and then gutted out a really tough win against a very good Bethel squad. Our leaders on the team stepped up and made big plays going down the stretch in that game.”
Looking forward, the coach professed that this year’s team had an incredible group of linemen who really led by their work ethic and toughness. He also hopes departing eighth graders take their earned success and build upon it.
As for the returning players, he said, “I told them they just had an awesome seat to watch what it takes to be successful.”