Photo by Patty Leon~
Story by Patty Leon Staff Writer
Coastal Courier
Liberty County High School’s Robbie Bacon signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play soccer at the University of South Carolina–Salkehatchie.
Bacon was one of the Panthers’ leading scorers with more than 15 goals in his final year as a Panther, LCHS coach Bryant Durham said.
Bacon will join the Indians at their Allendale, S.C., campus under third-year coach William Glass.
“Coach Glass expressed an interest in (Bacon) and he came and saw him play in a couple of games,” Durham said. “He is interested in his speed and his ball-handling abilities. He said he was interested in placing him around the field in different positions to see where he fits in the best for his program. He is as enthusiastic about having Robbie as I am enthusiastic about Robbie going there.”
Bacon’s father said it was a great opportunity and something his son has strived for since he started playing soccer at the tender age of 4.
“He tried real hard to get it and his work ethics are real good,” the senior Bacon said.
“Coach Glass is a good coach and I think he can take me to the next level,” Robbie Bacon said.
Bacon said he will study mechanical engineering. He said he would like to make his mark on the Indians’ squad as a striker or forward.
“It feels good, really good,” he said about the opportunity to play in college.
Bacon said he is drawn to soccer because of its intensity and fast pace.
“This is great. And it’s scary,” said his mother, Linda Bacon. “We visited the campus once and he got to play with the college students and it was great. He really liked it.”
Durham said he will have a difficult task next season trying to fill the void left by Bacon.
“We will have to fill it and we will have to find a way to do it,” Durham said. “Nobody ever takes the place of somebody else. Each person is unique in their own ability and we will have to find something else to do as far as having a go-to guy. But we will be looking forward to seeing how well he will do at the next level.”
