There may

not be a player on the field that the Fayette County High

School boys soccer team values more than keeper J.B.

Wood.

Known for

his skill at stopping penalty kicks, Wood is also the

only player on this year's squad who has played varsity

all four years. Wood's experience and leadership made him

one of the top soccer recruits in the state, and he ended

the speculation last Thursday by signing to play for

Georgia State University in the fall.

Wood

started playing soccer 14 years ago. He has played for

AFC Lightning 82 Gold, the Region III ODP team and the

Georgia State ODP team. He has attended several soccer

camps and specialized goalkeeping schools, has trained an

Under 10 Lightning team, and has refereed for three

years. Wood was named the Best Goalkeeper several times,

including at the Indoor National Championships in 1996.

Wood has

been named to the All-County team by the Fayette Daily

News the past three years and last year he made the

Atlanta Journal-Constitution's all-state team. The Tigers

have advanced to the state playoffs the past three years

and are in contention for the regional championship every

year. Although this season, so far, hasn't been as

wonderful as the team expected, the Tigers are still a

powerhouse in the region and a dangerous team for anybody

to face.

Wood chose

Georgia State University because he likes the coach, Bret

Teach, and because several friends from club teams he has

played with are also planning to attend the university.

He is leaning toward majoring in a science, either

chemistry or physics

Wood is

eager to learn new things and meet new people, but he is

also eager to take the field for the Panthers and help

them win.