BELCHERTOWN – Jack Holt flashed a wide grin as his right hand entwined with his father’s. His left hand held flowers for his mother Suzanne as part of the Belchertown boys soccer team’s senior night facilities.
His father, Northampton coach CJ Holt, wore a knowing grin during their grip. He shed his Blue Devils pullover for the photo opportunity.
That was the last time they saw each other as father and son before Tuesday’s game kicked off. Once the opening whistle blew, they became an opposing coach spotlighting likely dives from a star forward and a goalscorer trying to unlock a defense.
“It was strange. It was fun. I just don’t look at the faces. I just look at the jerseys,” CJ Holt said. “It was lot of boys that are at my house a lot and grew up with my kids, so it was weird.”
As odd as it was, it was by design. CJ Holt and Belchertown coach Zach Siano scheduled the non-league matchup for Belchertown’s final regular-season home game to ensure he could be there. They didn’t want to risk an off night being filled with a weather make up or a league contest pulling them apart.
They took time at home to talk about what was coming before heading to the field. Jack Holt mostly picked his dad’s brain about the Blue Devils’ defensive strategy. CJ kept his scheme close to his blue and gold vest.
“I was just telling him that we got a plan and we’ve been working on it, and we had some back and forth. But ultimately, it was a lot of fun,” CJ Holt said. “I had some banter from the boys during the game, but I was really focused on us getting a result and playing well. I think once the game starts and the whistle blows I kind of get in coach mode.”
Jack Holt earned plenty of chances to score against his dad’s team. CJ had never coached against his son before in his two years at Northampton, and facing Belchertown in anything more than a scrimmage during his near-decade at the Hopkins Academy helm was out of the question.
So Tuesday was the Super Bowl, Game 7, National Championship of their head-to-head series.
In any other game watching his son, CJ Holt inches up out of his seat when Jack breaks past the defense with a lane to goal. That same scenario increased his stress when one of Western Massachusetts’ top goal scorers was staring down his keeper, Koa Klose.
“Then my keeper made a great save and I’m cheering for my keeper, so it was definitely a little backwards,” CJ Holt said.
Jack Holt didn’t find the net despite 80 minutes of trying and his fair share of chances. The plan worked.
“It’s gonna be a lot easier to live in my house for the rest of the soccer season him not having scored on us, and I’ve got Koa Klose to thank for that because he stopped him a few times,” CJ Holt said.
Jack Holt did assist Kaden Houle’s second-half goal, and the Orioles won 2-0. He can keep that title forever.
“As long as we win the game, it doesn’t really matter,” Jack Holt said. “End of the day, three points is all we can ask for.”
Their postgame handshake featured blanker stares. Jack Holt played the full 80 minutes and was in a sweaty daze. CJ Holt was processing a loss. He touched Jack’s arm gently after they slapped low fives before they separated to their respective huddles for debriefs.
Now soccer can return to its rightful place of uniting the Holt household after 80 minutes of division. The Holts talk about soccer all the time and watch it together often. Jack is the oldest of four children.
“It’s something we can bond over easily,” Jack Holt said.
CJ Holt encouraged his kids to try all different sports. Jack still gravitated toward what he was around often with his family watching and coaching soccer.
“It was definitely under his influence,” Jack Holt said, smiling.
He’s tempering that influence as Jack Holt searches for the right college fit. CJ Holt is still giving some pointers but understands his son will land in the best spot for him.
“I’m just supporting him and trusting that he’s in good hands with whatever coach he has and that he’s getting exposed to competitive soccer,” CJ Holt said.
Can’t blame a father for wanting the best for his son. That is, unless he’s on the other sideline.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.