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Farr, Wilson difference-makers for Prep

Tuesday, October, 30 By Bill Kipouras
Staff writer

Andy Farr, by far, has been Mr. Production Plus, jumping from a two-goal season as a junior to 16 this fall and leading the Catholic Conference in scoring.

The defending state champion St. John's Prep soccer team has had a great season at 8-3-7 with only three returning regulars, and the backbone on the backside wasn't even on the team last year.

That's senior goalkeeper Doug Wilson of Danvers, who obviously doesn't discourage easily. The 17-year-older was cut from the Eagles' squad last fall and had never performed in a varsity game until Game 2 of this season, but took full command of the position, posting six shutouts and withstanding the pressure of a carryover 37-game unbeaten streak.

Wilson didn't even option for club soccer in his idle season. He played pickup games at Plains Park and in Beverly.

These two seniors were part of the good fortune that smiled on the 2007 Eagles, offsetting in some respects the tough loss of talented midfielder Hunter Clark of Boxford, who underwent ACL surgery from a spring club injury. He sat out nine Prep games and tore up the same knee versus Haverhill in his first game back.

"Hunter was going to be the guy who runs the team ... a huge loss," Prep coach Dave Crowell said.

Farr, from Nahant, hardly played a year ago, notching two goals versus Beverly and an assist on the final goal in the 4-1 state title triumph over Algonquin Regional.

"It's hard to score if you're not on the field," Crowell joked. "But I can't say I'm surprised that Andy has had this kind of year. His time was limited in '06. He was stuck behind Tim Prior (Bowdoin) and Jeff Dell'Orfano (St. Anselm). Andy was probably the fourth forward on our depth chart," the coach said.

Farr improved day to day, game by game.

"I knew he had potential. I figured he'd be our go-to guy as a senior. He has speed, size, and is hard to knock off the ball. He was one guy I figured would step up. Andy is just a solid player. He passes the ball well and isn't afraid to take kids on. He can score on a rebound, turnaround or a breakaway. He's just a goal scorer."

Farr, who has a 3.72 GPA, is also the Prep's guy on corner kicks.

"It's pretty amazing to lead the conference. Guys around me like Sean Bishop and Evan Ersing deserve credit for my success. I never dreamed of 17 goals," he said. "I wasn't sure where I'd play. After I found out I was a forward I was hoping to score some goals," the six-footer said. College? "I'm not sure where soccer will take me," Farr said.

Wilson, the unsung hero of the Eagles, filled the void in the net, which was Crowell's biggest concern. He's had a lot of experience in getting cut at the Prep. Attempts to make the baseball varsity and hockey teams also met with rejection.

"Certainly I was discouraged about getting cut in soccer. I had played soccer for so long. It certainly wasn't the end, however. I knew the job would be wide open this year," Wilson said. "It would be my responsibility to prepare to win the position. But it definitely was a setback. I was confused. Going to the Prep you have to learn more than high school sports. There are tons of kids who are out to win all the spots.

"But I think it made me more determined. I beat out six candidates," Wilson said.

Consistency in the tryouts paved the way for Wilson, Crowell said.

It wasn't difficult for Wilson to accept the cut. He had three senior goalies ahead of him as a junior, all-stater Chris Harvey, James Sullivan and Eric Marks. Harvey was one of the key components in the state title run.

"Doug had one of his better games in our (recent) loss to Acton-Boxboro," Crowell said. "He was much more aggressive in taking command of the box. He's not a big, imposing kid, but he can punt. He can goal kick very well. That's one of his strengths. His distribution and shot-blocking ability have really improved."

The Prep has had an interesting season, in Crowell's eyes. Drawing a preliminary round game won't be a problem.

"Surely I think we have the potential (to do it)," he said. "We've had some spotty games, but despite losing to Acton-Boxboro, that was the best we've played in a long time."