By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

There may not be a player on the field that the Fayette County High School boys soccer team values more than keeper J.B. Wood.

Known for his skill at stopping penalty kicks, Wood is also the only player on this year's squad who has played varsity all four years. Wood's experience and leadership made him one of the top soccer recruits in the state, and he ended the speculation last Thursday by signing to play for Georgia State University in the fall.

Wood started playing soccer 14 years ago. He has played for AFC Lightning 82 Gold, the Region III ODP team and the Georgia State ODP team. He has attended several soccer camps and specialized goalkeeping schools, has trained an Under 10 Lightning team, and has refereed for three years. Wood was named the Best Goalkeeper several times, including at the Indoor National Championships in 1996.

Wood has been named to the All-County team by the Fayette Daily News the past three years and last year he made the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's all-state team. The Tigers have advanced to the state playoffs the past three years and are in contention for the regional championship every year. Although this season, so far, hasn't been as wonderful as the team expected, the Tigers are still a powerhouse in the region and a dangerous team for anybody to face.

Wood chose Georgia State University because he likes the coach, Bret Teach, and because several friends from club teams he has played with are also planning to attend the university. He is leaning toward majoring in a science, either chemistry or physics

Wood is eager to learn new things and meet new people, but he is also eager to take the field for the Panthers and help them win.

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