All soccer, all the time

Flathead's Jelisa Guy never tires of playing the game

There is no such thing as an off-season for the energetic and engaging Jelisa Guy.

It's always 24/7 and 365 regarding soccer.

What started out as a youth activity for the talented Flathead High School junior forward has blossomed into a year-round activity.

"Soccer is my life," she said before Wednesday's practice at Kidsport.

"I love soccer."

And if she couldn't play?

"I think my life would consist of eating," she laughed.

"I wouldn't know what to do without it."

But the 5-foot-4 dynamo can play the game. And she plays it very well.

"Good speed, good ball control and she has a very good shot," said her high school coach, Flathead's Scott Warnell, of what sets her apart from other players.

"She has a lot of energy."

Guy participates in high school soccer in the fall, indoor soccer in the winter, club soccer in the spring and women's soccer in the summer.

She enjoys all four because each one offers her a different twist on the game.

"The different (ages of) people you play with," said Guy of what she likes the most about high school soccer.

"The boys are our biggest supporters of our team."

Her favorite, however, is club soccer. It offers a higher competitive level, competition with all the state teams, plus out-of-state trips for matches.

And …

"Because my mom is the coach," she added.

"I get to spend a lot of time with her."

Indoor action fills a void between her two favorite seasons and the summer session allows her to stay active by playing with a wide variety of people having varying skill levels.

Guy never tires of soccer or fears burn-out. She says she's having too much fun for any of that to occur.

"I like it (soccer) because it's really technical," she said.

"It makes you think a lot. You need great energy and you have to be in great shape."

This marks her third season as a member of the FHS varsity. She's been a full-time starter for two of them.

Her freshman and sophomore years she played the outside halfback position before moving to her current spot.

"'Cause I like to run," she said of what she enjoys the most about being a forward.

"I like to sprint. I'm pretty fast."

But Warnell said there were other reasons behind the move.

"I felt we needed a little extra boost up there and she's given it to us," he said. "She is a good offensive threat."

It turned out to be a brilliant coaching maneuver as Guy leads the Bravettes in scoring with 13 goals. She is also tied for the team assist lead with Annie Braseth. Both have five.

"She's unselfish," said Warnell.

"She doesn't hesitate to give up the ball to someone who is in better position than she is."

Guy is one of three captains on the squad, sharing those duties with Marcy White, senior defender, and Kelsey Timothy, senior keeper.

"I've been a captain in my club team four or five years and I'm a captain this year," said Guy.

"I like being a leader. Being able to help out the team."

Warnell said she's handled those duties extremely very well.

"Good, positive attitude," he said.

"Always making sure everyone is upbeat, excited about playing. She's done a good job of when things get tough, calming the team down and getting them focused."

At the same time, Guy says she has been inspired by the spirit and determination of a teammate and friend - junior Mikenna Maroney.

"She blew out a knee in select soccer last year," said Guy.

"She loves the game so much. As much as I do."

Guy said Maroney decided to serve as the team manager this year while she's recovering from her injury. Maroney runs daily while the Bravettes practice and hopes to play again in 2005.

"She cried when she ran (for the first time after the injury)," said Guy.

"She was so happy she was able to run again. It made me realize I had to work even harder."

The Bravettes finished third in Western AA divisional play and will now host Missoula Sentinel on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in a playoff match.

If Flathead wins, the Bravettes advance to state Oct. 28-30 in Kalispell.

If Flathead loses, it is finished for the season.

"We have a great team," said Guy.

"If we all have our hearts in it, we can do it (advance to state)."

When Guy was a freshman, the Bravettes finished second at state, losing out to Helena High.

Last year, Guy and the Bravettes wound up fourth.

With Kalispell hosting state this year, it would be a shame if Guy and the Bravettes were denied a chance to play for a state title on their home field.

"Yep," she responded.

"If we get enough fans here, it will help us play for them also."