By Brian Hoffman
The new guy in town is a familiar face when it comes to the William Byrd boys’ soccer team, as Russell Dishman takes over the reigns of the Byrd program.
Dishman replaces Matthew Guilliams, who took a college job, as Byrd’s boys’ coach. Soccer enthusiasts know Russell, as he’s been involved in many facets of soccer in the valley for years, and Terrier fans will remember Dishman when he coached the girls’ team at Byrd.
“ I have been very pleased with the performance of the collective group and I think everyone is settling in and working well to complement each other,” said Dishman. “Hopefully this means that if and when a person may be called on they can step in and there should not be a drop off. We have certain combinations of players that bring different looks when they are together on the field so hopefully that can keep the other team off balance.”
Byrd scrimmaged Liberty last Saturday at home.
“ I was very pleased and proud of the guys as they played well and put everything we had worked on into action,” said Dishman. “They seemed to have bought into what I am trying to do and I have every bit of confidence in them that they can do well.
“I think we will be very competitive. It boils down to how we will handle adversity and the challenges that come before us. We cannot get complacent, and as long as we all continue to work towards the same goals and sacrifice, I think we can be a solid group this year.”
Update: Due to the rapidly changing landscape regarding COVID-19 and in an effort to
support VHSL member schools and school divisions the VHSL Crisis Management Committee met and
decided the spring sports season be delayed for two weeks with the first play date now scheduled for
March 30 announced VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun. The original spring sports first
play date was scheduled for Monday, March 16. Dr. James Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia provided clarification to school superintendents that during the two weeks that Virginia’s public schools are closed all school-sponsored activities, including athletics and practices, are not allowed.
