GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - As the Green Bay men's soccer team opens regular season play against DePaul, perhaps one of JC Banks' (Milwaukee, Wis.) most memorable moments of his senior season has already happened, in exhibition play.

Green Bay kicked off its 2010 season hosting MSOE in an exhibition game, the team in which JC's legendary father, Jimmy Banks is the head coach and his brother Dee is an assistant. For the first time in his soccer career, JC competed not for but against his dad.

"It felt weird playing against my dad because he always coached me as a kid, but it was good to finally beat my brother because he always beat me when we were growing up," said Banks.

Jimmy agreed it was exciting to coach against his son, but more importantly to see first-hand how much JC has grown as a player.

"I know he's a good player so it was good to see how much he has matured not only as a player, but as a leader," said Jimmy.

It's safe to say that JC's leadership and soccer skills stem from his father, who was a two-time All-American, and before playing professionally, played on the 1990 U.S. World Cup team.

"I've seen tapes of my dad playing and Aldo Santaga (who coached against Jimmy) told me I play like him, so to hear that kind of statement from someone like Aldo makes me feel good," said Banks.

The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year certainly has every reason to feel good entering this season. JC was named Preseason Second Team All-American by College Soccer News. And while recognition is always good, JC's dad has always taught him to stay grounded no matter what the accolade.

"My dad always tells me not to worry about awards and just focus on the next game," JC said. "He tells  me not to get comfortable if I want to play at the next level."

Jimmy certainly feels his son has the talent to play at the next level if he stays fit, healthy, and has a little bit of luck and confidence on his side.

"I text him a lot before games to try and give him confidence," said Jimmy, who describes himself as a coach of confidence. "I always tell him, 'they can't hold you, nobody on the field can hold you.'"

 "He'll call me after a game and tell me what he's going through and I'll give him advice but he sometimes thinks I played in the old days and it goes in one ear and out the other," said Jimmy laughing.

As both Jimmy and JC focus on their own separate seasons and agree to sometimes disagree, they'll always agree on their favorite memory as a father and son, coach and player.

"When JC was in diapers I would introduce his name, 'Jimmyyyyyy Baaaaanks' and he would come running through the house in diapers," recalled Jimmy when asked what he was thinking when JC was introduced in the season opener.

JC laughs when he talks about his diaper days and his dad's introductions but says he cherishes his advice the most.

"He always tells me to play every game like it's my last because you never know what's going to happen."