CONCORD – For the storied De La Salle soccer program, the autumn 2021 season was historic as a lot because it was painful. The Harmony college’s 30-year unbeaten streak in opposition to regional opponents resulted in a stunning September loss at St. Francis. A few months later, the group’s run of 13 consecutive appearances in a state championship sport got here to a halt after a shocking loss at dwelling to Folsom.
The offseason wasn’t straightforward, both.
For the primary time for the reason that pandemic modified everybody’s lives in March 2020, De La Salle received again to its roots. The conditioning grind started in earnest in January and continued by the spring, summer season and now fall camp, which started Monday throughout the North Coast Part.
“The entire thing of the De La Salle offseason is fairly tough,” mentioned four-star tight finish Cooper Flanagan, a Notre Dame commit. “However having the group and youngsters round you, endure with you, I feel the entire level is to create a bond that you may’t actually get with out going by as a lot ache and struggling as we did collectively.”
There have been enjoyable actions added to the combination. However make no mistake. The hours of pushing themselves within the weight room are one thing the Spartans hope will make a distinction on sport nights this fall.
Coach Justin Alumbaugh, starting his tenth season main this system, described the summer season as “glorious.” He added, “We began I feel it was Jan. 8. We received to do the issues that we really feel are actually important to our program and who we're. We labored the children exhausting and so they responded nicely.
“We wished them to take extra possession of themselves and their group. Nothing’s excellent. However they’ve been doing job of that. We have now some good senior management. We have been in a position to do group bonding, management. Took them to the A’s sport. Went bowling. Bought some extremely motivated coaches, a few new ones. It felt good to be, quote, again to regular.”
The brand new faces on the teaching employees are definitely not new to De La Salle soccer. Former Spartans standouts Maurice Jones-Drew and Terron Ward have rejoined this system, with Jones-Drew assigned to the particular groups and Ward the operating backs.
After a legendary De La Salle profession twenty years in the past, Jones-Drew starred at operating again for UCLA and with the Jacksonville Jaguars, incomes first-team All-Professional honors in 2010 and 2011. Ward was a productive ball provider at Oregon State from 2011-2014 after his De La Salle taking part in days.
“They know the system, they know this system,” Alumbaugh mentioned. “They know what we wish and so they know find out how to do it. It’s nice.”
The schedule shapes up as a revenge tour. St. Francis visits De La Salle on Sept. 9. Two weeks later, the Spartans play host to Folsom.
Earlier than these video games, Serra visits De La Salle on Sept. 2, a matchup that can be televised by ESPNU. The San Mateo powerhouse was picked final fall over De La Salle to characterize Northern California within the Open Division state title sport in opposition to Mater Dei-Santa Ana, a choice that led to De La Salle taking part in and shedding to Folsom in a regional championship sport.
The Spartans completed 10-3 final fall.
“We will’t wait to play Folsom, St. Francis, Serra, all of them,” mentioned three-star offensive lineman Derek Thompson, a Harvard commit and captain.
Was getting an opportunity to play these opponents an offseason motivational theme?
“You'd be appropriate on that,” Alumbaugh mentioned. “We lose on our subject (to a regional opponent) for the primary time since just like the Nineteen Eighties. That ought to imply one thing. If it doesn’t imply one thing to you, then, man, you actually don’t belong at De La Salle.
“These are high-quality opponents. They’re well-coached. They’ve received nice athletes, and we need to problem our children. We wished to offer them a chance to see what they might do and hopefully rectify what was for our requirements not what we have been searching for.”
Seniors Thompson and Cooper Powers will anchor the road. Charles Greer returns at operating again and the versatile Journey McKoy will line up at receiver and within the defensive secondary. They’re seniors, too. Chase Tofaeono, one other senior, stays an imposing presence on the defensive position, and junior Carson Su’esu’e and sophomore Toa Faavae will compete to switch final yr’s quarterback, Luke Dermon.
“We’re undoubtedly going to have line this yr,” Flanagan mentioned. “However I feel this group goes to be a super-close and tight group. … I'm simply excited to be a frontrunner. I'm excited to have a full yr, the place the group will get to spend the entire summer season and hopefully the entire season collectively.”
Coming within the subsequent two weeks
The Bay Space Information Group’s highschool soccer preview bundle has began to roll out. If in case you have not already, please subscribe.