Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Wildcats restock, reload for district title defense
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@acnpapers.com
Regardless of turnover in personnel or the status of the district, the Plano Senior boys soccer team at least has consistency on its side.
Look no further than seven consecutive playoff appearances as evidence, with last year's run ending in the Region I Finals for the Wildcats. Now, reloading for another crack at the District 8-5A crown, it's having that prior experience in hand that head coach Bob Weir anticipates paying dividends.
"I think it's a real positive thing," he said of last's year's playoff run. "It's got them excited that they know that if they play well and have opportunities to make the playoffs and play near the same level as they did last year, they can have that same opportunity."
Losing the likes of junior Brandon Aubrey, senior Zachary Bennett and senior Erick Reyes to academy programs hasn't made matters any easier, yet Plano soldiers on with replacing the offense provided by Aubrey and alum Patrick O'Day key in the early going.
"We've had two scrimmages so far and we haven't really had much offense," Weir said, "but I think [Ramon Gallegos and Tony Santibanez] will contribute a lot to our scoring this year. They're both seniors and captains, and have done a good job for us so far."
Gallegos will helm Plano's front line, while Santibanez anchors the midfield alongside senior Mitchell Day, a converted second-team all-district defender last season.
Day's presence on defense will be valuable as that area was gutted perhaps more than any other due to graduation. Losing three of four starting defenders, Plano will look to the likes of seniors Reid McDuff, Justin Wicker, Brandon Wodka and Brent Wise for key contributions in the back.
"We lost quite a bit on defense," Weir said, "but Reid McDuff still played quite a bit last year and so much so that I'd consider him a starter."
Bennett's departure leaves a void between the pipes, one to be filled by senior Kyle Johnson, who played sparingly during his junior year.
The team will have a pair of tournaments among two weeks worth of non-district competition to iron out any remaining kinks before district play takes form. Fortunately for Weir, the team's identity won't stray far from that of last year's regional finals squad either, with depth also key this season.
"We had lots of speed last year, although we weren't that much of a physical team up front," Weir said. "Our top scorer, Patrick O'Day, was about 5-foot-7 and 140 (pounds). Hopefully it'll be closer to the same this year, being quick in the middle and being able to distribute to the outside, plus moving the ball up front."
The Wildcats, fresh off a weekend stint in the Coppell Kickoff Classic, will next compete in the Garland Tournament, which commences Thursday.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
