The Plant City High girls soccer team started its season 2-0, with a pair of 8-0 wins, picking up where it left off last season. Leading the charge is junior captain Drew Knotts, who scored five goals and recorded an assist over the course of those games.
You all are off to a hot start. What’s the key to success right now?
(Because) it’s a new kind of team, with a lot of new players, the key is to all work together. It’s a total team effort to win a game.
You’ve scored five goals in two games. Are you doing anything differently than you did last year?
I’m more focused this year. I realized I want to play soccer in college, so I’m determined to be a better player and a better leader with the team.
Where do you want to go to college?
I’m thinking of the SEC schools. I’m not sure which one I want to go to yet, but I know I want to play in the South.
I’m sure you want to get further than you did last season, and you have a younger team this year. Is there anything different about this group of girls than the others you’ve played with in the last few years?
We can all be more focused this year. We’ve all been focused over the years, but we’ve learned to block out drama, not take it to the soccer field, focus on being a team and getting better throughout the season. That’s going to take us further.
What other sports are you doing?
I’m doing cheer, and travel soccer with the West Florida Flames, and playing high school soccer.
How’s the pageant circuit going? Are you still involved?
I am, I’m taking a break right now. Next year, I’m going to be doing Strawberry Queen. I was going to do Calendar Girl, but I had a soccer tournament and I couldn’t go. Then, I ended up getting a concussion and couldn’t play soccer, so I could have done it, but I’m going to wait until my senior year.
What’s your favorite subject?
I would say TV. It’s not part of the regular subjects, but I really like being on camera and communicating to everyone.
Is that what you want to pursue in college?
Yes. I really like public communications, and I think that sports broadcasting would be really cool.
Do you have any personal goals this year?
“Student-athlete” is something I take very seriously and, as I go from sport to sport, it’s very important for me to try and keep up my grades so I can have a chance of getting into a college.
What would you say is the one thing you most want to improve, whether on the soccer field, classroom or another thing you do?
I try to be as nice as I can to everyone, because I would want them to do that for me. I’m trying to be more encouraging to a bunch of people.
If you could meet anyone you’ve always looked up to, who would it be?
Probably Tim Tebow, because he is a leader on and off the field, and his values are great.
You get $1 billion in the bank. What’s the first thing you buy?
I would go to Haiti. I go on mission trips over the summer and help the kids there, help build schools, stuff like that.
What is your favorite sports team?
Florida Gators. My dad played at Florida as a strong safety, and I want to carry that on and be a college athlete.
How are your grades?
I’m not sure of my GPA, but I have A’s and B’s.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
Alex Morgan, along with Tim Tebow. She’s a soccer player, a great athlete and a really good role model.
Let’s say someone younger than you asks for advice on how to be a good soccer player. What would you tell them?
Just to keep working at all their skills, doing drills, running and staying in shape. If they need anything, come talk to us and I’ll work with them. I was at that point, too, and I always wanted to get better. You always have room for improvement.