2009 State Champs

I have good reason to say I thought I would not see this occur, at least in soccer. Born and raised in Texas, a football state, I never saw a soccer ball until we moved to Fairhope in 1996. And with a cousin who had 13 successful years in the NFL, it seemed only genetic that something like this might occur in football. When we moved to Fairhope, we had Benjamin involved in all the typical sports. We threw in soccer just to keep him busy. The only sport he stayed with was soccer. Being a slow learner, I’ve realized in the last few years that soccer is more than putting the ball in the net. Yes that must be done in order to win the match but, I have learned from watching you that it is about winning the ball on headers (thank God for the last two by Kevin and Chad), going to space without the ball, putting together a string of precision passes, etc. Watching this group of kids over the last few years has made me appreciate soccer more than the other sports. I even caught myself last fall changing the channels from a football game to a soccer match. You guys have changed me from a football fan to a futbol fan. Thank you for that and for this great season.

-Congratulations guys! It was an awesome season!! I’ll miss seeing the seniors play next year and good luck in all your future endeavors. It’s great to be a Fairhope Pirate! --- Kristie Andres

-Congratulations to Coach Stroud, All the Players, Parents & Everyone involved who helped make this team a success! You all had a magnificent season with a superb finish. Well done! --- The Tabor's

-Congratulations! We have been watching some of you play soccer since the time when orange wedges and juice boxes were as important as the game itself. It has been a great pleasure to see you develop as players and as young men and you have made us very, very proud. --- The Allen Family

-Here’s to a great season! I wish I could have seen the final game. --- Nigel Dingwall

-CONGRATULATIONS, MEN!!
These young men (as Dennis said, not boys,) have demonstrated class all season and what it means to be a Fairhope Pirate. By their play, they have now earned the respect of teams throughout the state. For all of next season, they will be introduced as the "Reigning State Champion, Fairhope Pirates!" --- Bryan Seibt, father of a Lady Pirate!

-How could you possibly win a state title? You're not from north Alabama. Oh, I know. It's a AHSAA conspiracy to keep northern Alabama teams from winning state titles. Well, it worked! All Hail Fairhope! The path to the Final Four now runs through a lovely little city in southern Alabama with a fair hope of success. --- "Jack Smith"

-Congrats to the Fairhope Boys Soccer team and Coaches....My son, a Bayside and Blast Player, has played with and against these boys for years...We are so proud that you went all the way...YOU ROCK.... --- Garrett and Audrey Hilton

-Congratulations Guys!!!!!!! We at Fairhope Middle School are very, very proud of you!!!!!! What an awesome accomplishment!!!!!!! --- Katie Perry, Fairhope Middle School Girls Soccer Coach

-Congratulations! You guys make all of us very, very proud. --- Steve Morisani, Fairhope High School Varsity Girls Head Coach

-The Daphne Trojans are proud of you! You had a great year and deserve all the praise. I know it had to be a surreal day for them and what a lasting memory for everyone who attended the game. Congrats to the new STATE CHAMPIONS from their neighbors. --- Rick Andrew, Daphne High School Varsity Boys Head Coach

-So many of these young men (they are no longer “boys”) have provided me much laughter, joy and entertainment over the years traveling the southeast to play soccer. Thanks for this greatest moment. You set your goal at the beginning of the year and you remained focus on that goal. You believed in yourself and you supported one another to win. You knew you would find a way. The veterans on this team set a standard and made it clear this was a TEAM first and foremost. Every player on the Pirate roster is a part of this championship and every player contributed something special on the field. Yes, you are truly a championship TEAM. You have enormous talent and leadership. You established the guidelines on what it takes to reach the pinnacle. This is the first state championship, but it will not be the last. --- Dennis Sherrin

-Congratulations on a FANTASTIC win!!!!!! You not only won the championship, but you “silenced” the powerhouses in the northern part of the state who have said that we can’t compete at their level of play. You’ve gained the respect of the entire state! Well done! --- The Dorgans

-Congrats guys! That January running finally paid off. Keep up the good work and watch out for John Carroll! --- David Allen (#22) FHS '08 State Semi Finalist Team

-To the 2009 Fairhope Boys Soccer Team,

Congratulations on a great season and an even greater finish in Huntsville. I have continued to follow the team since I last coached the boys team in 2005 and this team is clearly something special. Coach Stroud and Coach Keyser you have done a great job. You have accomplished something that our special team in 2004 could not do. We made it to the finals, but could only come in second. This team is second to none. You will remember this season and State Championship for the rest of your life. --- Eddie Strachan, Fairhope Boys Varsity Coach 2004 & 2005

-All in all just wanted to congratulate the team, AWESOME JOB GUYS! Coach, your professional approach in training the team like true athletes, via nutrition, weight training as well as tactics is greatly appreciated. We feel our son is in his best form ever and has learned what it takes to be a true champ. Thank you and keep up the great work. GO PIRATES!!!!!! --- Mark and Bonnie Ferencak on behalf of #19 Isaac ( NACHO) Landa

-Congratulations to the fine group of young men, coaches and parents that represented our community. We are extremely proud you brought a State Title to Fairhope High School. What a great way for the Seniors to finish their year!! We hope to be watching this happen again in the years ahead!! --- Paul & Kathy Davis

-YOU GUYS ROCK!!!! CONGRATULATIONS--YOU DESERVE IT. THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. YOU HAVE DONE US PROUD!!!!!! GO PIRATES!! --- JOHN BESHEL

-Way to go Boys! Thanks for showing the state what a great team we have here in Fairhope! --- The Richardson Family

-Congratulations Guys! You have worked so hard to achieve your goal of the state championship and we are so proud of you! You're a great team and we've enjoyed watching you play together. You ARE the best! ---- The Castos

-Congrats, my fellow Pirates! I wish I could have been there to see the game. It has been 6 years since Fairhope was in the finals (I was there!). It is awesome to see the boys leave with a win. Best of luck to the seniors with college and to the rest of the team, it’s time to reload and get ready for another run next year. See ya’ll soon! --- Dan Keyser, (#9) FHS ’04 State Runner Up Team

-Congratulations to Fairhope as they were 1 goal better than us in the end. They won it on the field and that's all that matters. I hope that both teams can reach that point again as it was a great experience. (from AL.com soccer forum) ---- Joe Webb, Mountain Brook Boys Varsity Head Coach

-I am not a Fairhope soccer mom, but a Baldwin County Soccer Mom in this case. My child graduated in 2007 from another Baldwin County High School, and now my youngest will play where the other one left off. I am so glad that one of Baldwin County Schools won the 6A State Championship. Now the rest of the state will know that Soccer is very alive in the Lower South of Alabama!!!! CONGRATS FAIRHOPE PIRATES for bringing the trophy HOME where it belongs!!!!! ---- Soccer Mom 1994-Present time and then some!!

-We are so proud of our Fairhope Pirates. You are a CLASS ACT!! --- Roy Haywood

-Congrats! Coach Paul Stroud (right) & Coach Bob Keyser (left) and all of the Pirate Soccer Players & Program and the Fairhope Community!! It was a great day for Fairhope. ---- Josh Warren

- It was tough here in Fairhope that Saturday. 1 p.m. was the kickoff. I had my wife calling all we knew to get some news of the Game. AL.com and Piratesoccer.com was visited often in anticipation of good news. And, the chills hit when hearing the word of a brilliant effort producing a State Championship for our beloved Fairhope. My wife was at the Grocery Store, when she heard, and immediately called me. There was quite the “buzz” around town created by you guys. I even told the Convenience Store clerk.

Nothing comes without trial. I remember losses at the State Finals, and playoffs in years prior. Never did your team lose the determination, and perseverance to achieve the glory. And this momentous victory serves as a founding legacy to be fulfilled by today’s youthful Fairhopians. I see the quality in our Fairhope Soccer League. Many of you were products of this system. And the 2008-9 Pirate Championship team will forever serve as examples for these 9,10, 11 and 12 year old players. We now will witness our youth pretending to be on the Fairhope Pirate Varsity team, furnishing the defense, assists, and goals that win the State Championship game in years to come.

The emotional high of this season, one weekend of Finals, may end. The Trophy will be a centerpiece in remembrance of this great time. And each of you deserve the highest accolades. But, I am most proud for your effort in producing a foundation for future generations. I know I am telling my kid, “don’t you want to be a State Champion like those on the 2008-9 Fairhope Pirate Team! ---- Desmond Joiner, Fairhope

- Congrats to Fairhope! I’m proud for Baldwin soccer & hope it is a signal for more championships to come. ---Don Prosch, Daphne

- Congratulations to The Fairhope Pirates Soccer Team for winning The State Championship. Also to Coach Paul Stroud and Asst Coach Bob Keyser. Unfortunately I was not able to be in Huntsville for the Semi and Final, but I was hoping you could do the business. It has been a pleasure watching you play this year, I know you have put in a lot of hard work and dedication. This is your reward. Well done lads, enjoy. --- Dave Maidstone

- A wonderful husband and father of 5 brought a very fine Fairhope team to Huntsville yesterday. Tonight the Pirates ride home having gotten the job done. After a long season are we proud? To quote a previous post... YES WE ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!! PS I love you! (from AL.com soccer forum) ---- 1stnlastpost

- FOR A WHILE . DEEP, DEEP BENCH, OUTSTANDING JV TEAM, OUTSTANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM. THEY HAVE SOME PLAYERS. WATCHEM ! ! ! !

- Fairhope has the most complete team. Of course, sometimes having a good team is not enough. The cards have to fall just right for a team to win a state championship but I thought that Fairhope was a very strong team from the beginning of the season to the end. They are big fast and athletic with a good keeper. We all know that there will be those that will make excuses for why their team did not win it all but only one team in 6A boys will be taking home the championship trophy and that is Fairhope. Congratulations to Coaches Stroud and Keyser, the players and the entire city of Fairhope. You set a goal and achieved it. You deserve your championship. (from AL.com soccer forum) ----- futbolfan77