34th Annual VHSCA All-Star Games -- By Michael Petre (Daily Staff Writer)
HAMPTON — For Charles Metz, the memories linger.
After the Stonewall Jackson senior midfielder led his soccer team to a 5-0 win against 2004 state runner-up Clarke County on April 7, Metz and his fellow Generals had every right to believe they were Group A state title contenders.
But that dream faded. Stonewall Jackson lost in regional play, and Clarke County went on to capture the title with a 1-0 win against defending champion George Mason. Having ended his time at Stonewall Jackson, Metz has one more shot at his Clarke County counterparts in the Virginia State High School Coaches Association Boys Soccer All-Star Game at 8 p.m. today at Christopher Newport University.
Metz will represent the West team, while Clarke County midfielder Tom Elliston will play for the East, which is guided by Eagle coach Betsy Munson. There may not be school spirit this time around, but Metz said bragging rights would still be on the line.
"I'd like to beat them again," Metz said Tuesday afternoon. "It's just one guy and a coach, but it's one of those things like, 'Hey, yeah, we'll beat you again.'"
There is no animosity between the players, Metz said, as their meetings in the past two high school seasons and in travel soccer have created a mutual respect between the two.
"We play the same position, so we're kind of around each other," said Metz, who will attend Potomac State Junior College next season. "At first, we didn't really want to talk to each other, and then we kind of became friends. We've had a pretty good time together so far, I think."
Elliston's Clarke County career ended when the final whistle sounded against George Mason, but his experience officially wraps up tonight. Playing with and against players primarily from Groups AA and AAA, Elliston suggested Tuesday that he feels a little out of place this week.
"Part of me doesn't think I belong here," he said. "It's a little bit of a shock, but I think it's something I can do. Playing with these guys will be a lot of fun, but it will be a learning experience, too."
Elliston, who will attend Roanoke College in the fall, also gets a chance to play under Munson one final time. Elliston said Munson's participation makes the event even more memorable.
"For both of us to be able to have one last time and not have to really worry about winning or losing, it's a good feeling," he said.
Munson, the Group A Coach of the Year, said she attends the coaching clinics that surround the game each year and is pleased to view it from the sideline this time around.
"It's just a great honor for me," Munson said. "It's obviously one of my personal goals, but it's even better for Tom to be playing. That's the big thing, getting the players out here."
As for how she plans to coach the contest, Munson said she is relying on Clover Hill High School coach Mike Anderson, who is helping to coach the East for the second time. Munson said she wants her team to play possession soccer and perform simply — concepts that helped push Clarke County to the state title.
"These guys can play; we're not going to reinvent them at this point," Munson said. "We're just going to put them out there where they can best succeed."
A defense-oriented player in an offensive-minded competition, Elliston said he might have to play more conservatively than normal.
"All of these guys are going on to bigger and better things," he said. "There will be a lot of offense, but it will be a good experience."
Even if Metz gets a little retribution.
R Contact Michael Petre at mpetre@nvdaily.com
Marginalia
34th annual VHSCA All-Star Games
Area participants: L.A. Anderson (Football/Handley), Brittany Clem (Volleyball/Stonewall Jackson), Tom Elliston (Boys soccer/Clarke County), Charles Metz (Boys soccer/Stonewall Jackson), Betsy Munson (Boys soccer coach/Clarke County).
Today's events: Volleyball, 4 p.m. at Christopher Newport University; Girls soccer, 6 p.m. at Christopher Newport; Boys soccer, 8 p.m. at Christopher Newport.
Thursday's events: Softball, 2 p.m. at Briarfield Park, Hampton; Baseball, 7:30 p.m. at Nansemond River High School, Suffolk.
Friday's event: Football, 7:30 p.m. at Darling Stadium, Hampton.
Tickets: $7 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. Only available at event sites.
