They Didn't Take a Day Off: Watertown Cyclones Unleash Their Summer Secret on Day One

WATERTOWN, NY — While many were soaking up the final, lazy days of summer, one local team was already plotting its path to victory. On Monday, as the curtain officially rose on the high school fall sports season, the Watertown Cyclones varsity boys' soccer team didn't just show up to practice—they arrived with a powerful statement.

At the Alex Duffy Fairgrounds, the air wasn't filled with the groans of getting back into shape, but with the crisp, confident sounds of a team already in mid-season form. What's their secret? It turns out the Cyclones' biggest advantage was forged under the summer sun, long before the first official whistle blew.

A Head Start on the Competition

Head Coach Todd Heckman could barely contain his enthusiasm as he watched his players dominate the field from the very first drill.

“It’s my favorite time of the year," an energized Heckman stated. "All the kids are excited to be here. They looked great for the first session... They worked really hard in the summertime and we’re just glad to be here.”

That summer work is the core of their early-season dominance. While rivals might be shaking off the rust, the Cyclones are already a well-oiled machine, thanks to their commitment to an off-season soccer league. This shared experience has not only kept them in peak physical condition but has also strengthened their chemistry.

Players Primed and Ready

The players themselves feel the difference. They aren't just starting their season; they're continuing a journey that never really stopped.

“We’ve been doing some summer soccer over the summer,” confirmed player Michael Lumbis. “So everyone’s in condition to get out here and have fun.”

That sentiment of camaraderie and readiness was echoed across the field. Under perfect blue skies, the team's morale was visibly soaring.

“I mean, we couldn’t ask for a better day out here today,” said teammate Mason Andiorio. “This is what we look forward to all summer. We play summer soccer together, so practice is what we work for.”

As Coach Heckman prepared his squad for a full 11-on-11 scrimmage—a task usually reserved for later in the preseason—one thing was clear: the fall sports season may have just begun, but the Watertown Cyclones have been ready for this moment all along. They haven't just started a season; they've launched a campaign.