On freshly mowed, sun-drenched fields of summer, the soccer teams of next season are honed.

Vicksburg and Warren Central wrapped up its summer schedules with a 7-on-7 scrimmage on Thursday at Warren Central’s upper practice field.

The two teams played three 25-minute periods and substitutions were more liberal than a Greenpeace rally.

The style of soccer in 7-on-7 is chaotic and high-scoring, as a smaller field compresses the two teams and puts a premimum on proper ball movement and aggression.

“The condensed area creates more movement,” WC coach Trey Banks said. “You get a lot more shots on goal and a lot more short, triangular passes. It forces you to do a better job creating space. It helps with counterattacking as well.”

Both teams are in a state of transition. Vicksburg lost goalkeeper Robin Cooper and Maya Thomas to graduation, taking away veteran leadership and talent.

Despite that, Vicksburg coach Kori Babb feels her program is on the rise. A record 62 girls showed up for Babb’s tryouts.

“Our new football coach (Tavares Johnson) said about how once you establish something and get the word out, that kids will want to be a part of it,” Babb said. “When we had 62 at tryouts, it was overwhelming. It proves that what I’m trying to do here is working and that the girls are doing a great job of recruiting their friends. We’re improving every year and that’s all I can ask for.”

The Missy Gators played St. Aloysius and Warren Central twice and played nine games in a recent tournament in Pearl.

With so many new players and so much experimentation with different players in new positions, Babb has been pleased with her team’s effort so far.

“Our experienced varsity has done a good job of competing, but our junior varsity and new players have a lot to learn,” Babb said. “It’s a good experience for them to play together and for our team to bond.”

As for Warren Central, the Lady Vikes have an urgent need to replace most of their scoring from last year. Departed seniors Taylor Hanes, Lindsey Barfield and Lindsey Burris accounted for 31 goals and 20 assists. For those keeping track at home, that’s nearly 50 percent of the Lady Vikes’ 63 goals scored last season.

To help boost the offense, Banks has moved Katie Humphries from the goalbox to offense.

“We’ve got to fill that hole left by Lindsey Barfield,” Banks said. “But Katie’s got field experience and as a former goalie, she sees the whole field.”

Replacing her in goal will be McKenzie Paige, who has Banks’ complete confidence.

“She’s a really hard worker and she’s finally getting an opportunity to show what she has,” Banks said. “We’ve played with a lot of split teams that are balanced, not top-heavy with our best, so she’s expected a lot of shots. She’s gone up against Brandon, Northwest Rankin and Ridgeland, but she’s not giving up and that’s what makes her better.”

Banks is pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm from his team, which has played four scrimmages in town and played in two tournaments which combined for another six games.

“We’ve had a really successful summer,” Banks said. “It’s not about results, but getting our newer players some experience and building unity for when division play starts.”