Summit boys soccer has always been a part of Simon Kidder’s life.

His father, Ron Kidder, was the junior varsity coach when the Bend school opened in 2001, and he has been the varsity coach since 2006.

“Simon was born in 2002, so he’s been around it since he was a youngster,” Ron Kidder says. “He’s definitely seen a lot of practices and he’s definitely seen the ups and downs. It’s definitely something we’ve had in common for years. He’s always been around Summit soccer, whether playing or spectating. We love soccer together.”

The father-son duo is the core of the No. 2 Summit boys team that will host No. 3 David Douglas of Portland Tuesday in a Class 6A state semifinal match. The winner will advance to the state championship Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium against Jesuit or Forest Grove.

Simon Kidder was recently named the Mountain Valley Conference player of the year, and Ron was named conference coach of the year.

“Coach of the year is icing on the cake,” Ron Kidder says. “I think I’ve been doing this a long time, and usually with team success, the coach gets recognized. For me, the team success is primary and all that other stuff is secondary. As his dad, it’s great to see (Simon) recognized. Definitely that means a lot more to me. The last two years have been really, really fun coaching him.”

Simon, a junior midfielder, says his father does not treat him or coach him any differently from other players on the team — most of the time.

“I feel like sometimes he can be a little harder on me, but I think that’s because he expects more,” Simon says. “But most of the time it’s the same.

“Soccer is just something that keeps us together, and something we can connect about.”

Ron Kidder says that he and his son have the same solid relationship on and off the field.

“This whole dad/coaching thing, there’s never really been a problem where I’ve had to take too much from one hat versus the other,” Ron says. “And that’s credit to Simon.”

Ron says he did not coach Simon and his classmates as they were coming up through the youth soccer ranks in Bend. He had a feeling he would be coaching them once they were in high school, and he did not want the talented group of players to get weary of the same coach year after year.

“I took a backseat and watched him as more of a supportive dad,” Ron says. “I know a coach’s voice can grow tired after a while. I didn’t want that to happen with these guys. It’s a talented group with a bunch of special players.”

Simon finished with five goals and seven assists in the regular season, and Ron estimates that he has been involved in about 50 percent of the Storm’s goals this season. But he adds that Simon was likely recognized as player of the year for both his offensive and defensive play. Summit (16-1-0) has allowed just six goals this season.

“We are a big believer in team defense, and I think that starts at the midfielder position,” Ron says. “(Simon) has done an outstanding job at defense this year.”

Ron Kidder — who led Summit to a Class 5A state championship in 2013 — says he believes the Storm have four players who were worthy of MVC player of the year honors, including Simon, junior midfielder/forward and leading goal scorer Kamdon Simmons, senior defender Emory Steele and junior goalkeeper Khael Engelman. Simmons, Steele and Engelman were all selected for first-team all-MVC honors in addition to Kidder.

“All those guys had great seasons,” Ron Kidder says.

Summit has 11 consecutive victories and is coming off a thrilling 1-0 quarterfinal win over South Eugene in which Kyle Capdevila scored with two minutes left in the second overtime.

“I like our chances (of winning a state title),” Ron Kidder says. “I think we have as good a chance as anybody. We’ve faced some quality teams this season. The boys’ confidence is growing.”

Simon agrees with his father and coach. Summit moved from Class 5A to 6A starting this fall as part of the Oregon School Activities Association’s latest statewide reclassification, and Simon claims that one reason the Storm have found success in moving to 6A is the team’s exceptional unity and chemistry.

“Something special about this team is we’re all so close,” Simon says. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way about any team. It’s like a whole band of brothers, basically. That’s led to our success on the field. When we first knew we were moving to 6A, we were kind of bummed because we knew it would be so much harder.

“But it’s been a lot of fun and really rewarding to prove that we can compete at the highest level in the state.”

—Reporter: 541-383-0318,

mmorical@bendbulletin.com