DesotoExplorer.com

In this day of specialization, Neah Howard is the exception. She doesnt do it all, but she does more than her share at DeSoto High.

She is an honor student, student council president for the DeSoto High freshman class, cheerleader and the only girl in the boys soccer program.

As hectic as that might sound, try to picture the scenario that will play out for the freshman on most game nights this fall: She will compete in the junior varsity game and then quickly change and cheer during the varsity contest.

Mill Valley keeper Doogin Brown is one of the leagues best.

It makes for a tight schedule, but Howard isnt complaining.

Howard is forced to compete on the boys team because there is not enough student interest for a girls team. In the past, other girls have played for the Wildcats, but Howard finds herself as the lone female this year.

It's fun being the only girl, she said. I love going out and just playing soccer with the guys. It's kind of intimidating at times, though. But, it's pretty much the same. Most of the time the guys are real sweet.

If her mother had it her way, Neah would be concentrating her efforts on cheerleading. The two have waged a friendly battle between the two activities since Neah was in the fifth grade.

My mom made me go to cheerleading camps and I absolutely did not like cheerleading back then, she said. So, I started soccer instead.

Little did she realize just a few years later, shed be doing both. Nor could she ever fathom that both cheerleading and soccer would become priorities in her life. Soccer is a game that has become special to her.

Now, I practice all the time when I don't have anything else to do, she said. I go to the soccer field and practice after practice. I kick the ball around a lot on my own also.

Mill Valley

The Jaguars continue to impress Arlan Vomhof with the way they have handled the transition to a new school, a new program and a new coach.

So far I have been really impressed with how they have adjusted to change, Vomhof said. They have been very successful,

Vomhof may be new to Mill Valley, but he is hardly new to coaching. He guided two programs at Topeka-Seaman and has four regional championships to show for it.

Just as important, he earned instant credibility with his players because he knows the rigors of being on the pitch in the heat of battle.

I have played soccer since third grade and now I play in a men's league, Vomhof said.

Its made for a positive experience thus far X one that should help the Jaguars compete in the Kaw Valley League this year.

I think we will be very competitive with our league games. Only two of our games this season are non-league, Vomhof said.