WARSAW – The Warsaw boys soccer program is used to winning championships.

Brad O’Cock wants to do all he can this season to see that the Tigers return to those winning ways.

Warsaw had won six straight sectional and regional championships until seeing that impressive run snapped a year ago with a sectional semifinal loss to Plymouth.

O’Cock, one of seven seniors, is set to lead the charge this fall for coach Frank Courtois’ squad.

“Losing in the sectional last year was disappointing and for me it’s about us getting back to the sectional title,” said O’Cock. “Our returning players are definitely motivated.”

O’Cock says that the Tigers will have to put in the work to have a good year on the pitch this fall.

“We can be good this year,” stated O’Cock. “It’s going to require a lot of work. The thing is that we are going to have to want it and we are going to have to work this year to win.”

“I just want to dictate the pace of the game and control everything in the midfield for us. I’m used to playing attacking more, but I’m excited about this year and about this team.”

Courtois, who has been coaching in the program for over a decade, is the man running the show now for the Tigers. He replaces Scott Bauer, who resigned following the 2014 season after taking a leave of absence late in the regular season. Bauer guided the Tigers to a Class 2-A state runner-up finish in 2012 and his team was also a state finalist in 2010.

It will be a challenge this season for Courtois as Warsaw lost a strong group from an 8-5-5 team, including keeper Peyton Long and offensive standouts Sam Allbritten and Tito Cuellar.

“We’re going to be competitive, but we’re not there yet,” said Courtois, who was the JV coach last year and then served as interim head coach for the final three regular season games and the sectional. “The guys have responded well. My goal is building character through competition. We’re going to win by practicing and training.”

The Tigers do have seven seniors on the roster, but also a lot of new and inexperienced players. Key performers include the senior trio of Brady Yeiter, Lucas Cone and Brandon Reinholt.

“We have a bunch of young guys in our sophomore class,” noted Courtois. “We’re going to be a team that brings everything to the table.”

Warsaw opens the season by hosting Argos Aug. 18.

Wawasee Warriors

Key Returners: Kyle Weideman, Carlos Camargo, Carter Jones, Lucas Garza, Brock O’Haver

Key Losses: Korey Knafel

Key Newcomers: Caleb Glon, Ian Lambright

Coach Sharp’s Comments: Our focus is really just continuing to build on what we’ve done the past few seasons. We want to keep getting more victories under our belt. We lost a few close games last year so we want to make our guys meaner and scrappier and get them in shape so we win those games and don’t take as many losses or ties. I feel like this senior class this year really wants it. They’re tired of being close, tired of almost there and tired of losing in the postseason. I think they’re ready to win sectionals and do something about it this year.”

Lakeland Christian Academy Cougars

Key Returners: Colby Stevens, Melissa Goss

Key Losses: Nathan Gross, Weston Clemens, Drew Nieveen, Kyle Shuler, Emily McCoomb

Key Newcomers: Cross Williams, Theran McKeever

Coach Sell’s Comments: “We are a very young team in need of growing as a team in personal skill and grit. I’m enthusiastic about what will come of this young team. They have the opportunity to come together and push each other.”

Whitko Wildcats

Key Returners: N/A

Key Losses: Jacob Helton, Daniel Kirkham, Miguel Macias, Keegan Hicks, Will Peters, Sam Lepley, Johannes Bingham, Thomas Wyman

Key Newcomers: N/A

Coach Felver’s Comments: “We are focusing on a positive outlook throughout the season as it is a year we are trying to rebuild and gain players. We are looking forward to our season starting.”