Heiderscheid hopes for a big year with Edwardsville

The traditional 25th anniversary gift is silver.

Coach Mark Heiderscheid would also be happy with state-issued IHSA equipment as he enters his 25th year.^th season as coach of the Edwardsville Tigers.

Before taking over as head coach at Edwardsville in 2000, Heiderscheid was an assistant coach for the Tigers for nine seasons and the Civic Memorial Eagles for four seasons. He also coached elementary schools for several seasons.

“Football is my life,” said Heiderscheid.

In 24 seasons with the Tigers, Heiderscheid has amassed 375 wins and two state championships. His teams have won 14 regional championships, 10 sectional championships and made eight state tournament appearances, resulting in six state trophies.

However, it is not success that keeps Heiderscheid coming back.

“There aren’t many coaches who last 10 years in football and most sports. We’ve been fortunate to have coaches like that in Edwardsville,” Heiderscheid said. “Although we’ve had some success, I don’t think that’s the reason. For me, the kids always come first.”

It’s a talented group of Tigers for Season No. 25.

Edwardsville returns a strong core from last year’s team that finished 13-7-1, including 7-3 in the Southwestern Conference, finishing second behind champion Collinsville. The Tigers lost 1-0 to the Kahoks in the Class 3A Edwardsville Regional Championship Game.

“This is a really fantastic group to help. I’ve seen these kids for quite some time, since they were in middle school. It’s such a great character group of sophomores, third-years and fourth-years,” Heiderscheid said. “It’s a very large graduating class. We have an equally fantastic group of third-years. There are also a handful of sophomores who are such great kids.”

Overall, Heiderscheid has one of the strongest teams he has ever had in Edwardsville.

Heiderscheid also has three players he trusts in the goalkeeper position: seniors Collin Schlechte and Brayden Fairburn and junior Jayden Bettorf. Schlechte was used the most last season.

“We are really well positioned with our goalkeepers. We have a really outstanding squad,” said Heiderscheid.

In front of the goalies are defensemen Gavin Lieberman and Ben Leardi, both long-time starters. They will help offset the loss of Jonas Mahler, an All-SWC and All-Sectional player.

Other back row players to keep an eye on include sophomore Kaveen Shrestha, senior Jack Marty, senior Wyatt Brooman, third-year sophomore Nick Dawson, third-year sophomore Nolan Forinash, third-year sophomore Sam Wallace and third-year sophomore Jack Wooten.

“We have so many options at the back. I don’t know how we’re going to start. I know Lieberman and Leardi will be there, but we have a great rotation of players who I think can do it,” said Heiderscheid.

The midfield will undergo a small restructuring after the loss of All-SWC players Liam McLean and Blye Brinkman.

The Tigers bring back several players who played a lot of minutes there, including senior Owen Lunsford, senior Parker McMillian and senior Owen Mahler.

“They have tremendous experience at the college level. They are fantastic midfielders. They move the ball so well, know their stuff and have a great work ethic. They do everything on both sides of the ball,” Heiderscheid said.

Other options include sophomore Jackson Lifritz, sophomore Josh Lanzante and third-year sophomore Zane Maxwell.

At the top of the lineup, EHS must replace all-state forward Evan Moore, who led the team with 14 goals last season, the most by a Tiger since Cooper Nolan (21 goals) and Brennan Weller (18 goals) in 2019. Also gone is Colin McGinnis, who was second on the team with nine goals. He was All-SWC and All-Sectional.

However, experienced players are also back, including Majd Hamad, Soren Selberg and Henry Vivian, who is the team’s most successful returning goalscorer with four goals.

“They are all fast. They love to run at the players. I can’t see any difference between them this year,” said Heiderscheid.

Other players to watch include senior Declan Hoeferlin, senior Lincoln Alwart, senior Caden Bernaix and junior Jack Kirgen.

Edwardsville opens the 2024 Metro Cup season with two games, including against Mascoutah on August 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Civic Memorial on August 28 at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be played at Southwestern Illinois College West Stadium.

After an away doubleheader against Normal West and Althoff on August 31, EHS will play its first home game and SWC opener on September 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the District 7 Sports Complex against Collinsville.