“It’s already out there in soccer circles, and that’s a good thing,” says Smith.

In the school’s inaugural season, both the Hough boys and girls teams reached the 4A state final four, albeit in different ways. The Hough girls were co-champions of the I-Meck Conference, and their run to a 22-4-1 record and the state semifinals was gradual and more expected. The Husky boys, however, were a wild card postseason selection and had a sub-.500 record (8-12-1) before reeling off four playoff wins.

So as the season opens Tuesday at Cox Mill, the Hough boys, now with 14 seniors, are ready to show that last year’s late run by the team with no seniors wasn’t a fluke.

“We’ve got to be the one to change that perception,” says Smith. “Nobody’s going to do that for us.”

The Huskies return two all-region players in seniors Nathaniel Goodwin and Santiago Patino. Patino led the team with 13 goals and was second in assists with eight. Goodwin, while only at 100 percent for 10 games last year, scored 10 goals and had a team-high 14 assists.

“They’re both looking really good,” says Smith. “They have raised their play from last year.”

While Smith would have been excited just to return last year’s team intact, the Huskies have also added to their roster, most notably with former North Meck High keeper Jaron Bradley, who joined Patino and Goodwin on the all-region team.

“We’re obviously excited to have him,” says Smith, who is pleased to have Bradley and Collin Black, Hough’s keeper last year, competing for time in goal.

And Hough also has added freshman Tanner Roberts, the son of North Meck girls’ coach Neil Roberts.

“He’s a good kid, a good player and has a good head on his shoulders, so we’re excited to have him,” says Smith.