FINNEYTOWN -- Jesse Cobbs doesn’t quite know how to put the feeling into words.
But when the Finneytown senior soccer player is in front of the hometown fans, it’s a special time.
“When I score a goal at home, you hear the crowd roar,” said the standout striker. “It’s incredible.”
The Finneytown faithful have plenty to cheer this season. That’s because Cobbs has 18 goals and four assists in seven games for the Wildcats (4-0-3).
Cobbs, who moved to the striker position from being a midfielder as a junior, scored five goals in a 7-4 win over Deer Park Sept. 6.
“He’s just an outstanding player,” Finneytown coach Rob Burlew said.
The school record for most goals in a season is 29, according to athletic director Mike Stevens. So Cobbs is certainly in reach for that mark early this season.
"He's always looking to get better," Stevens said.
Cobbs, whose older brothers Kyle (2011 graduate) and Luke (2014 graduate) both starred at the school, is also a 3.8 grade-point average student and a vocal senior captain. Kyle and Luke played at Cincinnati State and college is in the future for Jesse.
He is taking three Advanced Placement courses and some day wants to be an engineer. His vocal leadership as a captain is a trait that has helped his team be successful.
Cobbs had a team-leading 14 goals as a junior. He’s considering his college options and is leaning toward staying local with a Division I program.
Burlew said he'd put money on Cobbs against the best two defenders in the city -- he’s that good.
“Sometimes when he is getting the goals you just watch sit back and watch,” Burlew said.
Cobbs, 17, said he will do anything to help his Wildcats, who won three consecutive games to open the season and tied perennial power Madeira Aug. 30.
Finneytown next plays host to Reading Tuesday before a game at Indian Hill Sept. 20. Cobbs said Finneytown will be ready.
“As a senior captain, you want to push your team and give them energy,” Cobbs said. “…We’re not worried about the big schools.”
