BY MARK MORING, Eastern Shore Post —
To Chase Baxa, simply saying the name “Galax” can get him riled up. There’s a reason for that.
In 2022, Baxa’s first year as the boys soccer coach at Northampton High School, the Yellow Jackets lost 2-0 to Galax in the Class 1 state championship game.
A year later, the Yellow Jackets got some measure of revenge, beating Galax 4-1 in the semifinals before going on to win the state title.
But last spring, the Maroon Tide turned the tables again, beating Northampton 2-1 in overtime in the semis and going on to win it all.
The 2025 soccer season got underway last week, and the Jackets were off to a solid 2-0 start before a pair of late-week games that ended past our deadline. (See game stories on page 23.)
The old cliché of “one game at a time” certainly applies for Northampton, but for Baxa, thoughts of Galax are not far behind.
“Galax has definitely become a curse word for me since losing in the state finals in 2022 and then in the semifinals last year,” says Baxa. “Last year’s loss hurt a lot. To lose to a team we had beaten the year prior made us question our abilities for a little bit. It took a little time this year for us to settle in, but I feel we are there again.”
For senior midfielder Thomas Dix, a three-time first-team all-state selection, it’s a different story. Asked how many times the name “Galax” has crossed his mind since last spring, Dix gives a quick answer.
“None,” he says. “We aren’t focused on Galax. We are only focused on our next game. Last season didn’t end up like we wanted, but the team has moved on, and we’re ready for this year.”
Dix, a co-captain along with fellow senior Jose Palacio, has been playing soccer since he was four years old. The game is a big part of his Cape Charles family’s life — along with his parents, Thom and Charlene Dix, and younger brother Hank.
Dix is a straight-A student headed to Mount St. Mary’s, a private Catholic university in Emmitsburg, Md. He hopes to be part of a turnaround for the Mountaineers, a Division I team that only won three games last year.
Baxa knows the Mountaineers have landed a gem.
“Thomas is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen,” he says. “He’s a great student and even better soccer player. No one ever has anything bad to say about him. He’s a special young man.”
But for now, of course, Dix is focused on getting Northampton back to the state playoffs, hoping to cap off his senior year with a championship trophy.
“We know how it feels to have a disappointing result,” Dix says, referring to last spring. “But in the preseason, we were practicing from 6 to 7 a.m. to get in shape. That shows our commitment.”
Offseason team bonding included barbecues, team dinners, and a big paintball outing. “We truly do feel like a family on and off the field,” says Baxa.
It’s a family with a singular focus.
“Every player on our team is aiming for another state title,” says Dix. “We’re strong, with tons of talent and passion. We are fully focused, which allows us to build a dangerous team.”
Baxa agrees.
“We are aiming for a state title and nothing less,” he says. “I think we’re stronger than in previous years. We are confident we can play and win against any team. But we also have to watch out for overconfidence; that will get us into trouble.
“Nobody told me that once you’ve won one trophy (the 2023 state title), all you want to do is win another. We had a giant disappointment last year and a feeling that we didn’t do enough to win a title. But we have learned our lesson and are ready for anyone.”
Even the Team Who Shall Not Be Named? Yes, even them, says Baxa.
“They’re a great team,” he says. “And I’m excited to see them again.”
