Poised for a Run

You can't spell legend at Columbia High School without starting with Gene Chyzowych.

He enters his 48^th year as CHS boys soccer head coach this season as the all-time winningest coach in state history, and the second all-time the nation.

But even as he knocks on the door of the half-century club of coaching, Chyzowych says he has not lost his zeal and love for coaching.

"I feel like I'm only 28. I'm out here because the passion and love of teaching in school as well as coaching soccer," he said. "As long as I can help them to become technically better inclined in activities that they like, and as long as I help them to become good American citizens, and they accept my instructions and teaching, I will continue doing that."

This season, Chyzowych is very optimistic about the Cougar squad he has, and said that he expects them to be contenders for multiple titles, especially losing just a handful of contributing seniors last year.

In what was supposed to be a down season, the Cougar boys went 12-8-1, reaching the semi-finals of both the Essex County Tournament and the North II Group 4 State Sectional Championships. They were an overtime goal away from a trip to the final.

"I was very happy at the end of the season. We were a little unlucky. With a little bit of luck we could've been in the finals and possibly win the championship," Chyzowych said. "But luck is part of the game."

It also can't be overlooked that they competed in one of the most difficult divisions in the state. All but one of the squads in the Super Essex Conference American Division qualified for the state playoffs last fall. Two of the teams (Millburn and Seton Hall Prep), were co-county champs and won sectional championships. If you asked Chyzowych, he would tell you that the division was and still is one of the best in the nation.

"Any team on that level can beat the other team on a good day. Because of that, it's an extremely powerful league," he said. "The are seven or eight teams that league must be considered the best in the nation. …These teams are good enough to compete against anybody in the nation and do well."

The key losses from last season include Dylan French, who led the team in goals, and keeper Jackson Klein. The graduations of Connor Ewald and Billy Smith were also significant blows to the Cougar lineup.

But Sam Skoller has stepped in as the likely replacement for Klein, and Chyzowych claims he may be just as good. Other key players include Myrvens Noel, Jack Podhoretz and Kai Greene.

Seniors Jeremy Witherspoon and Luke Horowitz will spearhead the attack as the two forwards in the 4-4-2 scheme. Witherspoon showed great ability and potential to be a top scoring threat, and according to Chyzowych, the senior has taken the next step.

"He's going to be considered one of the best center-forwards in the state. The most powerful center-forward," he said of Witherspoon. "He is very deceptive, he has an excellent shot, both an accuracy shot as well as a power shot. …He has moved to the next level."

While he didn't want to jinx anything, or make his players overconfident, Chyzowych was not shy about how good he thinks his team is this season.

"The attitude of this team is superb. They want to do it," he said. "They have the willpower and ambition to display themselves and display their abilities on someone. So to that extent, I think that our records are going to be much better than last year's, even though we were very happy with last year's record."

The biggest obstacle for this group will likely be staying afloat in the tenuous American Division. There are no breaks when they have to play SHP, Montclair, Millburn and West Orange twice per season. The out of conference schedule is not so easy either. They begin the season on Monday with a home match against the defending North I Group 1 sectional champ, Wallington.

They also have match-ups with St. Peter's Prep, Irvington and West Essex - all playoff teams. The local boys may be loaded up with senior talent, but an unforgiving schedule will make this season a tough trek, but could help prepare them for a playoff run.