WALES — Jamiel Kidd didn’t get what he wanted — or did he?

After starting for Deering High School for two seasons, Kidd learned during the summer of 2010 that he would be attending Oak Hill. Kidd had never even heard of the school.

“I didn’t want to come here at first,” said Kidd.” I wanted to stay at Deering where I knew everyone else.”

Job opportunities and a family move forced the issue last year and Kidd found himself playing soccer at Oak Hill. It proved to be a pretty beneficial change. He became the Raiders top scorer and earned all-state honors, leading the Raiders to a 7-6-1 record and a playoff berth.

“It was a little bit different, but at the same time, you’ve got to keep your standards up and play as a team everywhere you go,” Kidd said.

Kidd impressed and became one of the KVAC’s top players last fall. He scored 18 goals, making him one of the talents to watch this fall.

First-year coach Chris Albert knew little about Kidd or the rest of the squad when he took over the program last month.

“I heard from (former coach) Chad Drouin and the athletic director that he’s one of the best players in the conference,” said Albert, who had been an assistant at Lewiston in recent years. “I was pretty excited about that. It’s always good to have a really skilled and knowledgeable player on your team, especially if you’re rebuilding and pretty young and inexperienced.”

Albert could see the talent Kidd possessed early on, but it wasn’t until the scrimmages that he saw the asset he had in the midfield.

“During practice, it’s hard to tell because you can’t really gauge it,” Albert said. “But when we were in the round robin in Lewiston, I got a chance to see him. A guy that can run that fast and keep the ball on his foot the entire time is pretty special. I was pretty impressed with the way he played.”

Kidd is looking forward to this season and is aiming to top his goal totals from last year. He’s worked hard in the offseason to polish his game for his senior year.

“I’ve improved,” he said. “I play travel soccer. I play year round. So I think my skills have improved. I feel like I’ve got better ball control because I worked on foot skills most of the time.”

With those skills, athleticism and quickness, Kidd is a tough player to defend. He’s the type of player the Raiders will utilize in the midfield and up front to spark the offense.

“We’re going to have to be creative and figure out ways to free him up,” said Albert. “If he doesn’t have at least one person on him I’d be shocked.”

Kidd won’t be a secret to the rest of the KVAC this year. It wouldn’t be surprising if many teams try to double-team him.  Kidd smiles at the thought of it.

“I’m ready for any challenge,” he says.

The Raiders will try to make it difficult for teams to defend Kidd.  Senior Caleb Meservy and junior Dalton Burns are returning forwards who can help work with Kidd to move the ball and keep the defenders chasing.

“I’ve got some ideas on that already,” Albert said. “We’ll get creative and free him up and move him around a little to make it difficult for the other teams to cover him.”

That may suit Kidd just fine. He’s looking forward to working better with his teammates and taking his game up a notch. He’s also hoping all that can help produce another playoff berth for the Raiders, who lost in the Western B quarterfinals last year.

“I want to step it up a little bit and play at a higher level and be a better team player,” Kidd said.

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