MEADVILLE – Brendan Beach knows with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. The Franklin County High School senior was honored last week with an invitation to play in the MHSAA All-Star Soccer Game.

     The contest takes place in February in Clinton. Before that happens, Beach and his teammates are focused on one thing and that’s winning district and staying perfect.

     Franklin County currently stands 12-0 and 2-0 inside the region. The Bulldogs play host to rival Loyd Star tonight in Bude.

     “We’ve got a good team, with a good coach, and good goals,” said Beach.

     Directed by first-year head coach Jeff Long, the Bulldogs are off to their best start in school history. FCHS has collected nine shutouts this season and Beach has been a big part of that.

     “Brendan plays sweeper for us and is our defensive captain,” said Long. “He’s one of our leaders on and off the field. He works hard.”

     With scholarship offers already from Hinds and Co-Lin Community Colleges, Beach also is attracting heavy interest from UAB, Mobile College, William Carey, and Belhaven.

     He plays center-back for the Bulldogs, a position that is basically the base of the defense. Still he’s found a way to score two goals this season on offense.

     “He’s a very talented and strong kid,” added Long. “He’s got the ability to play a lot of places on the field.”

     An avid soccer fan, Beach’s favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo.

     “I want to be just like him,” said Beach. “I plan on taking soccer to the highest level I can and maybe one day, play pro.”

     Right now, the leader of the best-kept secret soccer team in the state is playing out of his mind and that’s earning him and the Bulldogs a lot of praise.