Player spotlight: Gentry Arnette

PERRY, Ga. — Soccer is a competitive game at heart. The rule of not using your hands in a physical game intensifies the environment and causes players to come up with truly imaginative and brutal ways of playing. Gentry Arnette is one player that thrives under the competitive nature of the game.

Arnette is a senior at Perry High School, and plays center attacking mid for the Panthers’ soccer team. With nine years of experience in the sport under his belt, he plays his position well and understands the flow of the game. One thing that Arnette understands extremely well, however, is the competition.

“I really enjoy the competitive aspect of the game,” Arnette said. “It’s very smooth but very physical and competitive with your opponents.”

The competitive aspect he speaks of has kept the game interesting for him for the nine years he has played, all starting with the sibling rivalry at home:

“My Dad was big into soccer, he got us [siblings] all into it,” Arnette recalls. “Me and my brother have a rivalry that keeps me motivated in the game, always trying to one-up him.”

Rivalry and contest is what keeps Arnette playing, whether it be brotherly rivalry at home or the clash for position under the stadium lights.

What makes Arnette stand out on the Panthers’ team is his accomplishments and ability in the game. Arnette has accomplished a lot in his career: he’s a two-time first team all-region winner, he’s received best all-around awards and coaches’ awards, finals ranking of the State Cup, and multiple scholarships. He dedicates all of this to his knowledge of the game and his ability to read it.

“I have a good read on the game,” he said. “I can feel the flow of the game and am good at controlling it.”

Furthermore, Arnette says that his teammates also contribute to his accomplishments.

“Soccer is like a family, where everyone is friends on the team,” he explained. “In order to prevent bad organizing and bad plays it’s sort of essential that everyone are friends, if not then you will butt heads.”

Arnette harnesses the competitive side of soccer and excels at it. He’s accomplished a lot in the few years he has played and enjoys it. He plans to keep playing and to keep enjoying the game as long as he can.

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