One number stands out for Millis Boys Soccer this fall, and it has nothing to do with the standings: 56.

That is how many players are in the program this year, "which I think is probably a record for Millis Boys soccer," said Head Coach Reg Wilcox. "That's fantastic."

The number matters because of where the program has been. This fall is Millis' first year back at the varsity level since 2023, and its first fielding middle school, JV and varsity teams since 2021.

Wilcox is a physical therapist by day, in his ninth year on the Millis staff and third as head coach. Both of his children played for the school. "I like being a mentor to young men," he said. "It's a way for me to contribute back to my community."

As for the season, the goals have been clear since day one. "It's our goal to make the playoffs," Wilcox said, and to keep strong numbers so Millis can "continue competing at the varsity level for years to come."

Much of the program's upward trajectory seems to have come from the set of principles Wilcox has set for the program: academics come first, health, being a good teammate, and communicating well.

"Those are key principles in life, even when our soccer careers are over," he said.

With those principles in mind, Wilcox has approached this season with a unique mindset. "My coaching style is to learn from every opportunity," Wilcox said, whether it comes in a win or against a team that was much better. He asks his players for feedback in practice, the team has held film sessions, and players share their team and individual goals "so that we can support each other."

Much of the credit for the return to varsity, Wilcox said, goes to the seniors. Four of his nine seniors played varsity as freshmen and stayed through two years at the JV level.

"They [the seniors] were not discouraged when we had to rebuild," he said. "They've stuck to the program and the process. They're the big reason why we're back. They could have easily stepped away, because we weren't at varsity, and found another sport, but they're passionate about soccer. They'll be the class that I look back on and say, 'They helped me rebuild the program.'"

The leadership brought by these seniors has also gone beyond the field. The most notable initiative came on Oct. 24 when the team helped the Fire Department by painting fire hydrants.

"I've seen a number of my players really grow up over the last four years and become leaders on and off the field, and contribute in ways I wouldn't have predicted," Wilcox said.

Reflecting on what the team has accomplished so far, Wilcox said the biggest lesson for him has been adjusting his own expectations. In the first JV season, the team had to play eighth graders just to field a roster. Last year's JV team lost only one game.

"We all knew that taking the step to varsity this year was going to be a big jump," he said. "I think it's been a bigger jump for some of the guys than they had thought, but we've had to adapt and be a little more disciplined and take it one game at a time and one learning opportunity at a time."

Wilcox is also intentional about the program's future. The week before preseason, Millis ran a clinic for youth players, with close to 20 of his players volunteering and close to 50 youth players taking part.

"You're watching the current Millis soccer players, but you guys are the future Millis soccer players," he tells them. In a small school, he said, "I often say I have more uniform kits than I do players. So, it's always a matter of trying to keep people playing soccer as long as they possibly want to play."

That is also why he keeps coaching. "I've stayed in touch with players that I coached five, six, seven years ago," Wilcox said. "They're now out of college and still reach out to me for guidance or advice. I do this because I want to stay connected and be a mentor to young men."

After a few key injuries early in the season, Wilcox said players are starting to come back, and he is hopeful they will make Millis "a stronger unit" for the second half of the season.