“If she hasn’t been our leading goal scorer the last three years, she’s been right up there,” Spears said. “She’s a team leader and a quality player. She works hard in practice and in games, and she’s always willing to step up when things need to be done, and she’s always willing to push everyone […]
“If she hasn’t been our leading goal scorer the last three years, she’s been right up there,” Spears said. “She’s a team leader and a quality player. She works hard in practice and in games, and she’s always willing to step up when things need to be done, and she’s always willing to push everyone on the team to do more.”
“It’ll teach me responsibility,” Spears said of living two hours away from Clarkdale. “I can’t forget anything, because when I do (at Clarkdale), my dad can run it up to the school. Now, he’s not a phone call away.”
Spears said she’s grateful for the work Rodgers and other coaches have put in to help her become a soccer player good enough to play at the next level.
Clarkdale girls soccer coach Brandon Rodgers said Pearl River would be gaining both a valuable player and teammate in Spears.
Rodgers said he was grateful to see yet another Clarkdale soccer player go on to play beyond high school. Earlier in November, Reggi Pech and Kellye Phillips signed with Jones County Junior College and Hinds Community College, respectively.
“Our family is really close, and we’re all about spending a lot of time together,” Spears said. “I’m not worried about them coming to watch me — they’ll come.”
Though her parents will have a bit of a longer drive to her soccer games next season, Spears said she doesn’t expect it to keep them away.
“She’s a really pacy forward, and she’s strong on the ball,” Rodgers said. “She has a good shooting foot, and she doesn’t back down from a challenge.”
Spears is the daughter of Bobbie and Scott Spears.
“For one, they win, but it’s not only that — the girls are like a family,” Spears said. “I got to meet them on a visit. They’re not just about living and breathing soccer, but it’s about making friendships and being able to grow up.”
“They’ve all taught me something,” Spears said. “I haven’t done it alone; other people have contributed, whether it was my travel coach or my high school coaches.”
Thursday afternoon, Spears signed with Pearl River to continue her soccer career in the Clarkdale High School library. The chance to both keep playing soccer and experience a home away from home has Spears excited to get to the Poplarville campus next fall.
“It’s always nice to see players you coach and work with advance their careers,” Rodgers said. “It means a lot to see them pursue their dreams and move on to the next level.”
Pearl River Community College had everything Clarkdale senior forward Skylar Spears was looking for in a soccer program.
As a forward, Rodgers said Spears has an eye for the goal and plenty of speed.
