Davis looks to help West Alabama in first soccer season

Jacob Davis played a big part in establishing the Enterprise soccer team as a force to be reckoned with during his Wildcat career, and he will play a critical role in establishing West Alabama’s soccer program.

The forward, who scored 14 goals and added eight assists for Enterprise this season, fulfilled a dream by agreeing to play for the Tigers.

“It’s an honor to sign with a college team,” Davis said. “It’s been one of my dreams to play college ball, and I’m finally realizing it so it’s pretty good.”

That dream began overseas, where Davis began playing the sport he loves.

“I was born into a military family so we moved around a lot. I lived in Germany and Korea. I started playing soccer in Germany when I was five years old,” he said. “(I’ve) been playing ever since. That was one of the first sports I’ve ever played. I really enjoyed it. It was a privilege to play overseas.”

He found himself in Enterprise where he enjoyed a successful high school career that included back-to-back trips to the Class 6A state Final Four. The Wildcats advanced to the championship game in 2011 and the semifinals this season.

“It’s awesome that I could have my friends there with me, too, that we all played together for so long. Our work paid off,” Davis said. “We worked together, and it was just awesome to see that we went all the way (to the Final Four). Even though we lost, it was still fun.”

Davis played a big part in the Wildcats’ success on the pitch, especially on offense.

“Jacob was a real asset to the team in the forward position this season. He has great speed with and without the ball, and he used this speed and his skill with the ball to win (one-on-one) duels in the attacking third and to punish the opposition with his relentless pursuit of a goal for the team,” EHS coach Ed Howard said. “He played as an unselfish player, combining with others in the attack, chalking up at least eight important assists and working hard off the ball to help an attack successfully develop.”

The skills which helped him contribute at Enterprise are the same ones Howard expects to benefit West Alabama.

“Jacob is the kind of player that can play in a number of positions on the field and who will work as hard as he can to help out the team.  He has a very positive attitude and truly loves to play the game,” he said. “He always looks for ways to improve himself as a player and to contribute to his team.  Of course all the things mentioned above will be things that he can bring to the program, and no doubt the UWA coach will find Jacob as a real asset in whatever way he needs and chooses to use him.”

For Davis, the opportunity to play for the Tigers in their first season is an honor.

“It feels really great. It’s making history,” Davis said. “I’ll be one of the first people to ever play for the University of West Alabama. It’s a privilege to do that.”