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The Adjustment Bureau: Marcus with new look in 2012
BY Justin Thomas, jthomas@acnpapers.com
For the Marcus boys soccer team, appearances in the playoffs are customary.
Deep runs aren't too uncommon either.
But if the Marauders' playoff-rich tradition is to continue, the team is going to have to adjust on the fly.
"We have a brand new team," said John Gall, Marcus coach. "It's basically our junior varsity team from last year on varsity now. We have two or three sophomores who are seeing significant time and that hasn't happened here in a while. But the seniors on the team understand the system and what is expected of them."
The Marauders have also made their way with a few players injured, including last weekend when they took second at the Marcus Cup with a finals loss to Flower Mound.
"We've learned some important things so far," Gall said. "We got a good look at several different teams and several different styles, and we got to look at ourselves as a group and determine what mistakes we need to overcome."
One of the improvements Marcus must make is getting used to varsity play.
"We need to get more comfortable," Gall said. "Those lights at night for the varsity game can sometimes be too bright for an inexperienced team. Fortunately for me, they're very talented kids that work hard."
Back with varsity experience is Victor Villareal and goalie Collin Hall.
"We're very light on experience, but that's one of the big reasons I enjoy coaching," Gall said.
Stepping into the fold to lead Marcus is former JV captain and center-mid Alex Totilo.
"He's been tremendous so far," Gall said.
Haiden Stiles has also been productive at midfield, while Marcus is efforting to "fill the gaps" and find consistency across the rest of the middle. Collin Cullum leads the attack up front and is coming off a solid JV campaign last season, while Villareal has already scored three goals. Gall is also excited about the play of defenders Tyler Mouton and Dalton Nusz.
"Tyler has already stepped up and scored a couple of goals from the back," he said. "And Dalton is a strong, physical back that works hard."
Hall will primarily handle the keeper duties.
"He's technically a sound player," Gall said. "And he's growing into the role and doing a good job."
The Marauders allowed four goals in nine non-district matches, including three in the loss against Flower Mound.
"That was kind of a shock to the system," Gall said. "But we had been doing well, and it won't make us change our approach."
Offensively, however, Marcus still has strides to take.
"We've scored 14 goals in nine matches," Gall said. "So I wouldn't say we've been an offensive powerhouse. But we've also caught a lot of posts and missed by a yard here or a yard there. Sooner or later they'll start going in."
Despite the holes to fill, and "there are plenty of them," according to Gall, the Marauders are still confident they'll be playing after the District 8-5A season is over.
"We're not going to just leave the seniors out on a limb and say this is a rebuilding year," Gall said. "We've had to throw some guys in there, but they'll be better for it and are truly developing within the system."
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