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It is a summer of progress for the Troup soccer program under first-year head coach Mike Townson. The Tigers are hard at work this summer, preparing for the 2026 season through practices and a series of 7v7 games at Callaway High School.

“We are heading in the right direction, and I think there are going to be a lot of fun times ahead for Troup soccer,” Townson proclaimed.

On the girls’ side, the Tigers are playing with a sort of confidence that has been lacking in the team for the last several years. The Troup girls soccer team went winless in 2025 and last tasted victory in a 5-1 win against Riverdale in March of 2024. 

“It is just 7v7s, but it is important for the girls to get a win under their belt and get some confidence,” Townson said. “Even though we didn’t get a lot of results at the (Callaway 7v7) tournament the other weekend, we competed and were in every match we played except one against Smiths Station.”

In the past, the girls have struggled to even field a team some weeks at the Callaway 7v7 soccer matches. That has not been a problem so far this season as the Tigers look to have their highest participation in years.

“Our numbers are growing. They’re competing. You know, the only thing we’re working on this summer with girls is just controlling our attitude and effort, and how much energy we can display, and they are just getting used to my voice, and I get used to them,” Townson said. “I think it is going to keep growing as we head towards the season.

“I was talking to some coaches the other day and they told me that they couldn’t remember Troup scoring, even in the 7v7s, and now they are scoring goals in every game,” he added.

Townson is already unearthing girls who will play a big role for the team in 2026 and beyond. One of those girls — Makayla Reed — has been more than up to the task, elevating the team and scoring the majority of their goals so far this summer. Reed played in just a handful of games at the tail end of the 2025 season (her freshman year).

“Kayla has been scoring most of the goals for us, and she is a really talented player, but I’m excited about some of the other girls we have, too,” Townson said. “We have some young girls coming up from Long Cane that have been playing really well.”

The Troup boys are even further along in their progress. The Tigers have been one of the surprises so far at the Callaway 7v7 matches.

“We can have a bright future in this upcoming year. So, I think they bought it, and I think that is going to be big come next spring,” Townson said.

The Troup boys soccer team compiled a record of just 6-10 in what was a topsy-turvy year for the Tigers, in which they missed the playoffs. Townson was brought in to right the ship and elevate the program to new heights. 

“I’ve been really surprised at the level of skill that this team has, and I really don’t know how they couldn’t win more than six games last season,” Townson said. 

At the annual Callaway 7v7 tournament on June 20-21, the Troup boys put on a show. The Tigers scored 40 goals and went 5-1, including a win over rival LaGrange.

“We played some really good soccer and made it all the way to the championship game,” Townson said. “We had a few matches that were really intense and competitive.”

The work is just starting for the Tigers, who are on a dead week for July 4th. Troup will be right back at it at the Callaway High weekly 7v7 soccer matches next Tuesday.