A third of the way through the 2025 season, the Galesburg boys soccer team stands at 1-4-2, but head coach Philip Redington is optimistic that a tough schedule will prepare his young team for the postseason.

“There’s just kind of a flow to the season in terms of scheduling where you know you’re going to have a really, really tough game at least once a week, and then some tougher games kind of scattered throughout the season, outside of conference,” Redington said. “So, there’s a good flow to the schedule. And it’s really just building confidence as we work through some of the growing pains of having a young program.”

Veteran coach leans on senior captains
The coach, now in his 14th year, has seen some top athletes move through the program. He mentioned Sam Satisky, who holds most of the team’s scoring records, along with Ryan Tapper and Travis Henry from recent years.

“We knew we were going to replace some key components,” Redington said. “At the same time, I knew we would be young, and so we’ve made the schedule a little bit tougher, and as a result, the scores are competitive and kind of where I thought we would be.

“It’s a young team trying to figure out how to do things, but at the same time remaining highly competitive in a very tough schedule. So, I’m very pleased with the progress thus far.”

The 2025 roster includes seniors Jason Roach, Chace Parcel, Jackson Warren, Anthony Makwala, Levi Shroder, Bryan Rodriguez, Obed Mbaia and Praise Nwagbo.

Juniors on the team are Cordae Sanchez, Jeremie Kumseo and Parker Holland; sophomores are Max Joyner, Sublime Lekuya, Leonardo Makanda, Franklin Hilligoss, Misrael Flore and Parker Stecher; and freshmen are Jordan Courter, Ian Rivera and Alexandre Kamesa.

“Our midfield is three seniors; two of them are three-year starters within the program,” Redington said. “They have been kind of a rock through the middle of the field — Chace Parcel, Jackson Warren and Anthony Makwala — all three are captains as well. They have given a tremendous showing throughout the first seven games.

“And then Obed Mbaia in the back line is a senior starting, and he’s got two juniors and a sophomore starting with him in the back line,” Redington added. “So that kind of effort, having senior leadership step in and provide guidance to these guys has been huge.”

Underclassmen gain experience in lineup
In a recent game, Redington said, the Streaks started three sophomores and two freshmen.

“We’re replacing some serious firepower over the last few years. It’s not been without its growing pains, but we’re really starting to see them build some confidence together and try to make each other successful throughout the course of the game. I’ve seen a lot of good movement and passing happening.”

Western Big Six offers no easy nights
Redington calls the Western Big Six a powerhouse for soccer with perennial powers such as Quincy, Moline and East Moline, as well as strong teams like Rock Island and Sterling.

“We’re really trying to build a good foundation in the first third of the season to where, you know, there’s not games every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, like there is in the last two-thirds of the season,” he said. “We’re building a foundation where we can get a game in, see how they did, and see what they need to improve on, review the film, and then work through some training sessions of making that movement just a little bit cleaner, a little bit more rhythm to our play.”

Confidence grows despite record
Despite being on the downside in the win-loss columns, Redington said he has been pleased with what he has seen so far.

“I love the kids’ intensity and passion,” he said. “So far, it’s probably allowed us to be a little bit quicker in development and practices, just with how hard they’re willing to push each other in practice and hold each other accountable. It’s something that’s allowed us to be very aggressive in the team’s growth this year.”