By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The Munford Cougars improved on their record start with a win over district and area rival the Brighton Cardinals. But what made the 3-0 win over the Cardinals at the Brighton Soccer Field special was an offensive achievement and another defensive gem. While Cougar senior Tyler Futrell was scoring all three goals, the Munford defense limited the Brighton attack protecting its goalie Erik Furseth recording an eighth shutout in nine games. “Just a lot of the midfield helped coming back and cutting it off,” Munford senior Alex Cherry said was the key. “We worked the possession from the back. We played as a team and not individually. That is vital for our defense.” Joining Cherry on the defensive line were Troy Moyer and sophomores Brady Tiner and Robert Savage. The trio received midfield help from players like Cedrick Williams, Jesper Kemp and Jaylen Hill. The Munford defense working as a cohesive unit helped the team improve to 9-0 overall. Cherry said having eight of those wins be scoreless is an achievement to the work and guidance Head Coach Kyle Selby and Bobby Picchi have put in. “It’s a great feeling and it’s great for our team,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the future.” In the present the Cougars enjoyed a special night from Futrell. Working on the striker line throughout the night Futrell said he was in the right place at the right time. “I can’t put it all on myself,” he said. “I had some great ball coming through, two from Jesper and another one. You have to create the assist. I just made my runs and was in the right place, right there to make the goals. “It’s great to have the hat trick during this great season,” Futrell continued. “And especially to get it against a big rival like this. This shows everyone around we’re not justing beating people by 2-1.” The first score of the night came 7 minutes when Kemp located Futrell and he deposited the ball into the back of the net. The Cardinals put a few shots on goal but the score was 1-0 at the break. About six minutes into the second half, Futrell scored on a throw-in from Kemp near the Brighton goal. Taking the ball out of the air, Futrell kicked in his second point of the night. About 11 minutes later Futrell used his head to complete the hat trick. From a corner kick, Futrell gave the ball a headbutt to get the ball across the goalie line. Unbeaten in District 13-3A and beating quality opponents, Futrell said shutouts, hat tricks, college signings and an unblemished record won’t get the Cougars complacent.
“The word is relentless,” he concluded. “Hunger and being relentless are our keys. We’re on a mission to be better. We never settle. We always go 100 percent.”
