The Gilmer High soccer program is amidst its most successful run in school history.
It comes as no surprise that Bobcats are continuing to play beyond the high school ranks, and the latest to do so is Camden Lyles.
Lyles is a 2023 GHS honor graduate and the third Bobcat in as many seasons who will play in college. Lyles made his destination official when he signed on with Milligan University (Tenn.) in the spring.
Milligan had been on Lyles’ radar for some time, and he knew exactly what he wanted out of a university.
“I was looking at Milligan back during my sophomore year,” he said. “At that point, I was more looking at the academic side of things, and they stood out in that area. Then I looked at their record, and they have won so many championships, and I started to put my name out there a little more.
“As an aspiring athlete, I want to go to a school that is going to be successful. Along with the academics, it’s a NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) school that has more than just liberal arts majors. On top of all that, it’s a Christian university, and that was my main focus going in. I want to give God the glory in everything I’ve done.”
Lyles was playing in the rec league back when youth soccer was still growing in the county. He played with the local club team outside of the school season, but started to set his sights on new horizons after receiving advice from a pair of former GHS teammates.
“Around my junior year, I talked to John Nix, one of the first to get a college soccer scholarship, and to Julien Withrow, who signed last year. They both had a big influence on my development,” Lyles said.
“My main goal was to play high-level soccer at a fast pace and have that exposure to college coaches. They inspired me to go try out for the Cherokee Impact. I made that team and got to play in the Georgia Premier League (GPL). Compared to rec league, it’s 10 times the difference in the level of intensity and that kind of stuff.”
He continued to put time in at practice and worked his way onto the field. Lyles was able to sharpen his skills against some of the top players in Georgia, and as his on-field ability and knowledge continued to expand, so did his playing opportunities.
“In my senior year, I got to try out for another team, and that was in the National Premier League,” Lyles said. “It was in the southeast region, and that was an even bigger step from GPL. It was more intense, which once again opened my eyes to collegiate soccer. That’s when I was able to narrow down my decision.”
Traveling south allowed Lyles to face bigger, faster and stronger competition on top-tier fields. Space was tighter, ball pressure was more constant and bothersome, and passing lanes did not stay open long.
“You’re surrounded by people who are all there for the same reason,” Lyles said. “They’re aspiring to be collegiate soccer players or there because they have a love and passion for it. Everyone knows what their job is. They play their positions well, but when asked to play a different position, they immediately jump in and fill that role.
“I play up top in the midfield, and there were many times I had to play a defensive role. They expect people to be able to adapt.”
His time on the club circuit served him well, and GHS soccer made its state playoff debut while Lyles was an eighth grader at Clear Creek Middle. His freshman season ended shortly after it began because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lyles received more varsity minutes as a sophomore. Gilmer was able to complete the season and returned to state and finished 5-5-1 for the year.
He rarely came off the field during his junior and senior campaigns, and GHS had its best season to date in 2022. That Gilmer team achieved a program best 10 wins and finished with their best-ever record of 10-5-1. They were 5-2 versus region opponents and finished third in the region, which are tops in GHS history.
GHS went through a coaching change ahead of Lyles’ senior year. Simon Phipps retired from coaching and was replaced by assistant Taylor Johnstone. Even though GHS endured heavy losses to graduation and fielded plenty of underclassmen, the Cats returned to the playoffs.
The Bobcats fell in the first round to defending state champion Oconee County, 2-0. The defeat evened Gilmer’s record at 7-7. Lyles was recognized by region coaches for his play and landed on the all-region first team. He totaled three assists and scored four goals from his midfield position.
“Johnstone has done way more than we could have asked,” Lyles said. “He’s elevated the program to where it needs to be, and I know he’ll continue to do that. The way I was able to captain the boys this past year, I wanted to help them realize it’s not just about showing up. You have to put in the work and play like it’s your last game.”
Lyles expressed gratitude to former coaches, players, parents Joey and Laura, as well as members of his church for supporting him over the years.
“There’s a lot of people who have been by my side through a lot of it,” he said. “Coaches Phipps and Johnstone, my Impact coach Luis Beltran, and a few other guys down there have helped me push to that next level I needed.”
Johnstone shared his thoughts on Lyles, noting, “Camden is a great player, but his work ethic and self-discipline are what will continue to separate him from average at the next level. He never stops working on his skill set and his soccer IQ. Milligan is gaining a great student athlete with phenomenal off-the-field habits and integrity.”
Lyles will have an opportunity to make the varsity lineup as a freshman at Milligan. He said they also have a developmental team so he should see time on the field regardless.
Lyles received the Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame scholarship in recent weeks for his exemplary academic and extra-curricular resume. While he is not set on a major, he is interested in studying business.
“I was able to kind of conquer the high school step. I captained the team and made first team all-region,” Lyles said. “I’m almost ready to be humbled again and work my way up from the bottom. I’m also ready for the friendships and brotherhood. I’ve talked to a lot of the freshmen, and we all have the same mindset that we want to get better as players and develop as Christians.”
Milligan competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, and the season begins next month.