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Deandre Woods celebrates after making a goal during the Challenger Team Soccer Match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Nathan Gonzaga, 8, pushes Mercedes Costley to the shade during a break at the Challenger Team Soccer Match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Laquanda Cooks runs after the ball Thursday during the Challenger Team Soccer Match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Deandre Woods stands in the goalie box and dances to the music from the Vidalia High School marching band Thursday during the Challenger Team Soccer Match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School soccer camp members along with Vidalia High School Marching band stand with the Challenger team following a soccer match Thursday at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Vidalia High School Marching band came out to support and play for the Challenger Team during their soccer match Thursday at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Mercedes Costley, defends her team from the goal area Thursday during the Challenger Team soccer match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Deandre Woods highfives coach Jim Allgood Thursday during the Challenger Team soccer match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Coach Herbert Steadman shakes hands with Ezekiel Conner Thursday during the Challenger Team's soccer match at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

By TIM GUERCIO

THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

NATCHEZ — Head soccer coach Jimmy Allgood at Adams County Christian School has been coordinating his ACCS soccer camp for over 10 years and has always included the local area special Olympic athletes as well as other organizations.

“This year we had Special Olympics, Brandi’s Hope and Challenger come out to play a game of soccer,” Allgood said. “After the game we went swimming and then we ate pizza.”

Tommie Jones, director Special Olympics director in Natchez, said any sport the athletes can get out and play is good for them and the Challenger League program gives them that opportunity.

“Any time they can get outdoors is good,” Jones said. “In January we do bowling. Then after that we do basketball, then we have the summer games in Biloxi every year. They go to the soccer camp in the summer and have the fall games and play softball and flag football.”

Shaquille Williams, who won the gold medal this year in tennis at the summer games at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, participated in the soccer camp on Thursday.

“I go every year because I like soccer and I like coach Jim Bob,” Williams said.

Some ACCS soccer players show up to help out and to also learn from some of the instruction.

Nolan Owens will be a junior in the fall and this year will be his fourth year on the high school team.

“This is my second year to go to camp,” Owens said. “I came out to get better overall and be with members of my team and to build some early chemistry with the team.”

Owens sister Breeana will be on the girl’s high school soccer team in only her second year and is in the eighth grade.

“I came out last year to try soccer for the first time, and I liked it,” Breeana said, “and then I joined the team.”

Breeana will be joined by camper and sophomore Madi Cooley on the team this year.

“This is my first year at the camp,” We start team practice Monday.”

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