Adamson boys win first district title since '95
Perhaps no one understands the significance of the Adamson boys winning the District 12-4A championship more than coach Mario Moreno. Adamson's 5-0 victory against Seagoville on Friday secured the team's first district title since 1995. Moreno was a sophomore on that Adamson team.
"I told the guys that it was going to be very special if we could win on Friday," said Moreno, 29, who is in his first season as head coach at his alma mater.
Adamson finished the regular season Monday with a 10-0 victory against Madison. On Feb. 27, Adamson avenged its lone district loss by defeating South Oak Cliff, 2-1. Since losing to South Oak Cliff, 4-2, on Feb. 2, Adamson has won eight straight and has five shutouts.
The next challenge for Adamson (12-3-1, 11-1 district) is remaining sharp. Adamson earned a first-round playoff bye, and the earliest it can play its area playoff game is March 26.
Arlington Martin girls surging in district play
Arlington Martin's girls team took over sole possession of first place in District 8-5A with a 4-0 victory against Duncanville on Tuesday. It was a big victory against a team that was unbeaten in 19 games. Martin and Duncanville played to a scoreless tie when they met Feb 9.
Martin played a challenging nondistrict schedule. Martin lost to Plano East and Grapevine and tied Plano West, which was the nation's top-ranked team at the time. Martin entered district play 2-2-3 and had scored 16 goals and allowed 12. In district, Martin is 10-0-1 and has outscored its opponents, 52-2.
"We are just starting to put some things together," coach Ruth Knight said. "We've got some depth, and the kids are responding well. We're scoring a lot of goals, and we are starting to move the ball a lot better."
Martin's depth has come in handy because center midfielder Lindsey Johnson, a district MVP last season, is just coming back from an ankle injury. Forward Taylor Knaack, a Notre Dame signee, has eight goals and leads the team with 10 assists.
Frisco Centennial boys thrive on versatility
Chances are, if you are on Frisco Centennial's boys team, then you probably play more than one position. Coach Jason Aune carries only 15 players, so there is no room for specialists.
The small roster hasn't hurt. Centennial leads District 14-4A with a 9-1-1 record (it's 13-2-2 overall). That's no small feat in a district that has solid programs such as Highland Park, Richardson Pearce and Frisco. Centennial is 4-1-1 against those teams.
"When you are dealing with cards and injuries, any time you can be flexible with players, especially skilled players, that's a big help," Aune said. "That's what's paying off right now."
Sophomore Grant Van De Casteele is a good example of Centennial's multi-position player. A natural center midfielder, Van De Casteele has played right- and left-side outside midfielder and several defensive positions. Centennial has good depth at central midfielder, so his versatility has come in handy.