By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
When the Plant City High School boys soccer team holds its second annual Alumni Night Friday, there will be a large contingent present from Palm Beach Atlantic University, in West Palm Beach.
That’s where two recent Plant City graduates — Cameron Roberts and A.J. Black — currently play. It’s also a program that has much deeper ties to the city.
Two of Cameron’s brothers, Cheyne and Caleb, played there. Cheyne currently serves as an assistant coach for PBA, a path his older brothers, Caleb and Clay, also followed.
Caleb returned to Plant City High this year as a teacher and head coach of the girls soccer team.
Cameron, the youngest of the four brothers, was a standout senior for PCHS last year. It was the first season for current Raiders head coach Chris Black, A.J.’s father.
A.J. was also a notable standout senior for the Raiders in 2010-11, the year before his father took over the program. He is now a sophomore for the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish, a Division II program that competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association.
A.J., a longtime friend of the Roberts family, said having Cheyne there as an assistant coach made the transition easier.
“Coming down here, I didn’t know anyone except him,” A.J. said. “Knowing him and knowing that he played at Plant City and here (Palm Beach Atlantic), it definitely made it easier.”
In addition to the deep family connections, having A.J., with whom he played soccer since he was 10, was a big reason Cameron chose to play his college ball at PBA.
“When A.J. got recruited, it became one of my top choices,” Cameron said. “I was able to continue to play with A.J. and play for my brother, and the school has a great location right on the beach, so it was a perfect fit.”
Playing time was also a large reason for Cameron’s selection.
“I didn’t want to go and sit on the bench somewhere, so getting to come in and play immediately was big,” he said.
A.J. and Cameron both played a large part in Palm Beach Atlantic’s best season to date, as the Sailfish went 16-4-2 and took fourth place in the NCCAA national tournament. In the semifinals of the tournament against Fresno Pacific, Cameron and A.J. both picked up goals. It was Cameron’s second goal of the tournament. Both he and A.J. finished with six goals apiece for the season.
Cameron was one of three players on last year’s Plant City Raiders team to play at the next level, with Brennan Smith going to Rollins College and Trent Lott playing for University of Tampa.
“There’s a lot of talent in Plant City when it comes to soccer,” Cameron said.
On the first-ever PCHS soccer Alumni Night last year, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the program, Cameron had a big night, tying the school’s scoring record.
“It was pretty exciting seeing friends I haven’t seen in a while,” he said about Alumni Night. “Being the 30th anniversary, a lot of people came in town for it, so it was a special night.”
Both Cameron and A.J. plan to attend this year.
“Alumni Night is a great way to get everyone together and get a chance to see some of the older guys,” A.J. said. “It’s just a great way to be a part of the Plant City soccer tradition.”
A.J.’s dad, PCHS head coach Chris Black, said he hopes Alumni Night will continue to be a success and build exposure for the players and the program.
“The whole idea came about as a way to create excitement for soccer here in Plant City,” said Black, who played on the inaugural PCHS team.
Plant City will play Strawberry Crest at 8 p.m. Friday for Alumni Night, preceded by the girls game at 6 p.m., as they celebrate Senior Night.
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
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