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Trial by fire: North boys soccer embraces challenges
BY Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
McKinney North boys soccer head coach Tommy Sills was well aware a 1-6 record was possible in this early going.
It's what his team does with the experiences they have gained he cares about most.
"I think we're doing real well, we just don't have a great record right now," Sills said. "We've played some extremely hard teams, some top-ranked teams in the state. That's pretty much my philosophy. We want to play the toughest schedule we can get before district and it seems to pay off for us in district."
"We keep emphasizing the importance of working hard and that it's going to pay off for us," he said. "Even in the losses, the kids continue to see their improvement. Now if you aren't seeing your improvement, that's a different story."
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs three of the last four years, which serves as a testament to the program's consistently difficult non-district schedule.
"It can be hard for kids their age to see where they're at," Sill said, "but when you play top quality teams and you play with them and have a chance to beat them, that goes a long way. The kids are seeing their improvements."
North has no shortage of depth as the Bulldogs have 16 seniors on a squad of 27 players.
"What it does is build team unity," Sills said. "These kids care about each other. I have a lot of players that can play a lot of different positions. There is no selfishness on this team."
Given their roster size and senior depth, the Bulldogs are led by four team captains. Among them are junior Gunnar Livingston and senior Johnson Jones.
"[Livingston and Jones] bring immense leadership," Sills said. "Two quality kids; they exemplify what I want in my players. They're great examples for their friends."
The Bulldogs' other captains are seniors Justin Adler and Morgan Dizney.
"[Adler and Dizney] are two very good players that complement each other very well," Sills said. "They can interchange at forward or midfield. They're very persistent at doing things right."
Another player who will be integral to North's success in 2013 is senior goalkeeper Bryce Clark.
"Bryce is very athletic," Sills said. "He has a very strong leg; he can punt it about 60 yards. He has good skills. He's good at designating the defense and does a great job for us. You have to rely on your goalie quite a bit and he gives it up for his team."
Believing that they'll be stronger for it, Sills designed North's non-district schedule for ultimately one purpose: to capture the program's first district championship since 2001.
That quest begins in earnest Feb. 12 when the Bulldogs host Denison at 7:15 p.m.
"I really believe my kids can win district," Sills said. "That how I justify our tough schedule. I tell the kids it's going to pay off for us when we walk away as district champions."
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