BENTONVILLE -- Josh Howard was an almost unanimous selection by his Bentonville boys soccer teammates when they voted for their co-captains before the season started.
The junior midfielder has embraced that role and considers it an honor to be one of the Tigers' leaders.
At A Glance
Josh Howard
SCHOOL: Bentonville
CLASS: Junior
POSITION: Midfielder
HEIGHT: 5-8
NOTABLE: Was almost a unanimous choice as one of the Tigers’ two co-captains this season. … Has been a starter since his third match as a freshman, when he scored a goal during the NWA Showcase. … Scored one goal and assisted another in a must-win match against Fayetteville that moved Bentonville into the Class 7A State Tournament last spring.
"Oh my gosh, I love it," he said. "I'm really proud that my teammates trust me to help lead the team, and it helps me have more confidence.
"I knew before the season started that I would have to step up and be one of those leaders, so it was great to see my teammates feel the same way about me."
Bentonville coach Mike Devaney certainly had no qualms about the selection. He had considered Howard as "one of those quiet leaders" in the past, especially last year when the Tigers were such a young team.
Now that Howard has been thrust into true team leadership, Devaney believes the role has made a good player even better.
"One of the first things that comes to mind about Josh is -- skillful," Devaney said. "He's probably one of the most technically proficient players that we have. But the thing, I think, that has set Josh apart this year is leadership.
"He's always been one of those kids that led quietly by example. This year, he's matured into that role and been much more vocal, and the other players look at Josh as one of those players they can look up to as far as doing things the right way and going about his business. He has the respect of his teammates, and they're willing to listen to him."
The skills part of soccer is something Howard has been able to provide almost from the moment he joined the team as a freshman two years ago. He was thrust into the starting lineup in only his third match and scored a goal during the NWA Showcase, and the only time he hasn't been a starter since that match was because of an injury.
He has provided some clutch moments when they were needed. He scored a goal an added an assist in a must-win match against Fayetteville and helped Bentonville advance into the Class 7A State Tournament, where the Tigers reached the semifinals.
"You saw glimpses of it as a ninth-grader, but he sort of deferred to those older players," Devaney said. "He didn't start in his first two matches, and I know he was disappointed.
"He scored from outside the penalty box, and you almost got a glimpse right away that this kid can play. Now he oozes with confidence, and the maturity he has shown for the past couple of years has been fabulous."
Those moments still continue this spring. He wasn't credited with a goal in Bentonville's 1-0 win Tuesday at Rogers High, but he did get the assist as his header deflected off a Mounties defender to Wyatt D'Spain, who was at the right moment for the score.
However, he is quick to defer a lot of the credit to his teammates, most of whom he has been teammates with for a long time with club soccer.
"Eric Johnson, the other co-captain, and I have been playing together since we were 10 in club soccer, and we were the co-captains back then," Howard said. "Our chemistry has been phenomenal, and to be able to play with these guys has been amazing. It's made it so much easier to gel."
Sports on 04/20/2014