Adams County Christian School might have to build its girls soccer team from the ground up this season, but that’s not going to diminish its high spirit, coach Jim Bob Allgood said.

The Lady Rebels lost more than half of last year’s team to graduation, giving them the chance to start from scratch.

“We are a very young bunch,” Allgood said. “But, they are a bunch of eighth and ninth graders that are going to play with all their heart.

“I’m really looking for some good things as we continue to grow. It’s going to be a growing process.”

Allgood got the first look at how his team filled with youth shaped up against others this past Saturday during a tournament at Brookhaven Academy. He said with just 11 players, the Lady Rebels impressed him.

“They really held their own against some older teams,” Allgood said. “I’m excited because the core nucleus of this group who played got to see action. I saw on Saturday that we can really play hard.”

Going forward throughout the season, Allgood said the toughness is something the Lady Rebels should greatly benefit from.

“We are going to have to learn to play more aggressive because we are going to have to play those teams with 11th and 12th graders,” he said.

Additionally, help from the team’s only senior Danyel Weir — a striker and midfielder — will be crucial, Allgood said.

She is going to have to step up and be that team leader that brings these girls together,” he said. “She was a leader last year in her first year of soccer. I’m looking for bigger things out of her simply because she has a better knowledge of the game and her skills have gotten better.”

Allgood also said he’s not opposed to moving players around for the beginning of the season, just to make sure every one fits into place.

The Lady Rebels cap out just less than 20 players, and Allgood said most everyone will see the field during games.

“Any one of them could be in at any time,” he said. “Most games all 18 of them will play because there is such youth.

“They are understanding the game more and more every day.”

Allgood will lead his team during its first game of the season at 4 p.m. today at home against Parklane Academy.