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CONWAY -- This was the year.
William and John Tait not only planned to lead the Joe T. Robinson boys soccer team its first-ever state championship game -- they wanted to lift the program's first trophy.
That happened, though not as they had imagined, Friday when Robinson defeated Morrilton 4-1 in the Class 4A state championship game at Estes Stadium. John, a senior, lifted the championship trophy; William, a sophomore, was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
But the tape around the younger Tait's wrist, and that of all his teammates other than his brother, told another story.
John tore his left ACL seven minutes into Robinson's first state tournament game on May 15, ending his high school athletic career. It was his first tear in that knee after tearing the same ligament in his right knee each of the past two seasons.
"I wish he could play with us, but we had to do it for him," William said. "It's just really special. If we didn't want to play for ourselves, didn't put that effort in, we do it for him, because he will never really step on the field again and play soccer."
On the field, the Senators (18-3) took the lead in the seventh minute. The Devil Dogs (16-4-2) equalized in the 21st minute on senior Andrew Howard's strike just outside the 6-yard box.
Robinson ramped up its pressure in the second half and came away with two goals in six minutes thanks to William Tait and freshman Jessy Estrada in the 58th and 64th minutes, respectively.
"I couldn't have dreamed of a better ending," John said. "I was grateful. My brother's the MVP, it's all on him, too. He did a great job.
"He's a fantastic player. I can't wait to see his future. I mean, he's going to be a lot better than I was."
Freshman Seth Stevens made it 4-1 in the 77th minute after a scramble in front of Morrilton's goal.
"To do it with them, it's so special," Fourth-year assistant coach Trent Eskola said. "I don't know if I've ever felt so close to a group before. They do everything that we ask of them, and then they heighten it. They hold such a high standard for everybody, and they keep us coaches to that standard, and it just makes everything flow."
When it was time for the postgame trophy celebration, "Give it to 10" could be heard from a Robinson assistant, referring to John Tait's jersey number. While he couldn't play Friday, his coaches and teammates could not understate the impact he had on the program.
"John is ... he's a special kid," Eskola said. "Third straight year he's torn his ACL, and it almost feels like his role is more seen when he's not on the field. That is a testament to the kid, that he is more than just the player. He wants the best for everybody out there. He has a way with just bringing a group together, and it shows when he's not on the field more than it does when he's on the field."
John Tait added, "I feel honored that I was able to make that much of an impact on other classmates and teammates. I'm just grateful for that."