By Michael Kinney
Norman High’s Emmanuel Mbong’s final season with the Tigers ended sooner than he expected as NHS, after a superb regular season, went out in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Randall Robison also witnessed his season end earlier than he hoped as his Westmoore squad he coached was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Neither was happy heading into the summer with the taste of losing still in their mouths.
However, Robison’s coaching duties and Mbong’s onfield wizardry have not come to an end just yet. The longtime Jaguar coach has been selected by the Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association to head the Class 6A Boys West squad in the 2006 All-State soccer game. And he has Mbong on his side.
“I said from the moment I was selected, I wanted the game to be right then because I was looking forward to it,” Robison said.
The teams were chosen last month. The games will go tonight through Saturday at the Tulsa Union Soccer Complex. Class 4A plays tonight, while Class 5A takes the field Friday. Robison and the rest of the Class 6A All-Staters will conclude the games Saturday.
Each night, the girls will play at 6 and the boys at 8.
Robison’s selection as All-State coach is the first of his career.
“The coaches vote on it when we select the players,” Robison said. “They make the nominations. I see it as an honor. We have some great coaches in high school. I definitely consider it an honor.”
Joining Mbong on the West squad will be NHS teammates David Potts and Adam Taylor. Norman North also claimed three selections in Tyler Brady, Tyler Earley and John Paul Hanger. Westmoore’s Ryan Frampton and John Basgall were also chosen.
Mbong is happy to play one more game with his mates.
“We had a good season,” Mbong said. “We thought we could win state. When we lost our first game in the playoffs, it was heartbreaking. Now I get to play with Potts and Taylor one more time.”
Out of 20 players on the West bench, eight come from the Norman and Moore school districts.
“The southside of (metro) Oklahoma City has a very strong presence on the team,” Robison said. “Talent wise and in numbers. Sometimes I think we get overlooked behind Edmond and that area.
“A significant number of the All-State team is on the Norman Celtic ’88 team, which has strung together a number of championships. It speaks volumes for the quality of play.”
Mbong is a member of the Celtic squad that just finished up winning another title this summer, but it was still when Mbong heard he had been selected.
His older brother and sister earned all-state status in track and field. In a different sport, he has now attained the same status.
“I was ecstatic,” said the 18-year old. “I never thought I would have the opportunity. Making it fills out my parents’ expectations.”
The West squad will have its hands full with the East. Players from Enid, Jenks, Tulsa and Edmond make up the majority of the team.
Robison has two goals for his squad. He wants it to win, but also wants his players to have fun.
“I’ve kind of jokingly said I need to just stay out of their way,” Robison said. “The biggest thing for me is to assemble these boys and get them in a mode of competition. We have met and discussed that this is supposed to be fun and a reward. But everyone there, including me, is competitive at heart.”
For Mbong it’s one more proving ground before he heads off to St. Lawrence University in New York.
“I hope to get a goal or two to prove I am that good,” Mbong said. “I want to have the best game of my life.”
Michael Kinney366-3535community@normantranscript.com
