Eleanor Roosevelt's Boys' Soccer Readies for 2009 Season

The heated rivalry between Eleanor Roosevelt High and Bowie High is known throughout both schools, and last fall the latest chapter was added. Bowie's boys' varsity soccer team defeated ERHS, 3-2, in the 4A South regional final in 2008, ending the Raiders' season. From there, the Bulldogs coasted to an undefeated 18-0 season and won the 4A state championship.

The Raiders are focusing on making sure that does not happen in 2009.

For Roosevelt's seniors, anything less than a regional championship this season would be a failure. Senior Harif Balogun says he is "looking forward to building on last year's finish and going out in style" in his final season. He believes the solid core from last year’s team is returning and that they have already showcased their talent in a "fantastic showing" for the club's summer league.

Both Balogun and fellow senior Adam Quigley have been very active all year with their respective club teams.

"I believe I improve the most throughout the club season," Quigley said.

He added that he believes that those players who do not play outside of high school "do not improve as much as others who do play club soccer." Quigley, in addition to playing for his club team, won a gold medal at the Maccabi Games this summer in San Francisco, CA. He will be pulling double-duty for ERHS sports this fall, kicking for the varsity football team while also keeping his post on the soccer team.

Many players on Roosevelt's team have stayed active throughout the off-season, staying loose as they star for their club teams. Balogun said that is very important for soccer players because they can easily lose their edge by not keeping up physically.

"It's so easy to get rusty and lose mental sharpness when you're inactive," he said.

But he believes that because so many players have stayed in shape in the off-season the Raiders have an advantage over almost every team in Prince George's County.

The Raiders kick off their season Sept. 4 at Bladensburg. They struggled against the Mustangs last season, getting shut out, 2-0, on the road. The Raiders travel to Bladensburg again this season, but this time with confidence and a lot more swagger. Eleanor Roosevelt's home-opener is set for Sept. 15 against Laurel. The Raiders defeated the Spartans, 3-1, in 2008.

One game that is circled on every player's schedule is the Oct. 6 match against Bowie. The Bulldogs will visit the Raiders for the first time in a few years, and Roosevelt's seniors could not be more confident. Balogun, Quigley and fellow seniors Robbie Stewart, Jeff Hopper and captain Chris Bonnell are undefeated at home in their previous three years at Roosevelt.

This match represents more than a rivalry. The story lines and implications of Bowie vs. Roosevelt raise this game to a level above any other game in the state. It is a showcase game between two schools that believe they are the best in the county.