Max Kidd tends to be a thoughtful sort.
So Boone Grove’s goalkeeper has been coming to terms with the end of his high school career.
But Kidd also has been enjoying the journey and has been doing everything in his power to extend it for as long as possible.
The Wolves (12-3-1, 7-1), whose excellent regular season included sharing the Northwest Indiana Soccer Conference title with Bishop Noll and Griffith, begin play Wednesday in the Class A Boone Grove Sectional against Covenant Christian. Ranked No. 9 in the state coaches poll, they debut in the three-class format with lofty expectations.
“Sitting at home, you get emotional thinking about the reality,” Kidd said. “But you just have to focus and we’re all hungry for wins.
“We know it’s not going to be easy by any means. But if we keep our heads and play our game, stuff is going to fall into place and we have a lot to look forward to, a big postseason ahead. The guys are ready.”
Kidd has been a catalyst for the Wolves, who uncharacteristically struggled last season with a young team. But save for a then-senior who suffered a broken ankle early in the season, they returned intact, including the three-year starter Kidd. He also is a two-time team captain.
“I’ve been able to see the field way better and I’ve been able to communicate with my defense way better,” Kidd said. “Mentally, I’ve been able to pay attention for 80 minutes and analyze the game more. I’ve been able to go off at halftime and tell the coaches what I saw, this is what we need to fix, and most of the time they agree.”
Boone Grove coach Brian Sherwin agreed Kidd has elevated his play this season to an even higher level.
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“It’s amazing having him in the back, the amount of control he gives to our team,” Sherwin said. “He sees things and is telling guys immediately what they need to do. He has great vision from the back and guys listen to him. His leadership has been amazing the past three years, really.
“He knows it’s his senior year and he has in his head what this team should be and where it should wind up. He’s really taken that on and picked up the rest of the team.”
Kidd praised the program’s culture under Sherwin, in his 19th season.
“I’ve had four years playing on a team with wonderful teammates as mentors and amazing coaches,” Kidd said. “Those guys taught me how to be a leader. So especially being a senior, it’s your responsibility to spill your experience out to the younger guys. Your role is being a team player, teaching the younger guys and getting everyone ready.”
Kidd comes from a baseball family, with three older brothers who played and his father a former Wolves assistant coach. He was a catcher growing up before stopping to concentrate on soccer, training year-round.
With numerous friends on the baseball team, Kidd actually tried out last spring and started at first base. But he wasn’t sure if he was going to play again.
“I love soccer, and being a keeper, it’s not one of those things you can just hop up and do,” Kidd said. “Quality keeping takes dedication and I’ve been fortunate to have some great trainers.”
Boone Grove has won five sectional championships, including one in the single-class format. The Wolves most recently won a title in 2015 before losing in penalty kicks in a regional semifinal to eventual state champion Mishawaka Marian.
Kidd wasn’t looking too far ahead, attempting to savor the process and expressing respect for every opponent. But the Wolves have certain goals they’d like to achieve.
“We really want a regional title to get Sherwin his first one,” Kidd said. “He’s been at it way too long to not have that title.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff
Top 10
Last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Morton (2)
2. Munster (1)
3. Lake Central (3)
4. Crown Point (4)
5. Chesterton (5)
6. Valparaiso (6)
7. Bishop Noll (7)
8. Griffith (8)
9. Boone Grove (9)
10. Portage (10)
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Player of the Week: Sam Klumpe scored the lone goal Saturday in Valparaiso’s win against Munster.