By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Tyler Futrell passes the ball just before a slide tackle attempt by a Dyer County player. Jesper Kemp uses his chest to get the ball under his control. Alex Cherry gains control of the ball with his foot.
The Munford Cougars have taken a focused approach to each game this season. Head Coach Kyle Selby and Assistant Coach Bobby Picchi have challenged their players to focus on possessing the ball. With a goal of 75 percent possession rate and regaining control of the ball within 6 seconds, the Cougars have started 5-0. On March 31, Munford looked to improve to 6-0 welcoming District 13-3A foe the Dyer County Choctaws to Munford Stadium. Using their usual formula of possession and aggressive play in the goalie box, Munford dominated Dyer County for a 4-0 win. “We’re 6-0 and only have allowed one goal,” Selby noted. “We possess the ball and we play well out of the back. We don’t get frizzled. That comes with 10 seniors, and they’re not scared or worried. That’s not a bad team over there. They’re playing some good guys and you’re out shooting them.” Munford took more than 20 shots on goal, meanwhile Cougar keeper Erik Furseth only saw four Choctaws’ attempts. Furseth, a Memphis signee, made a leaping save on one attempt to keep Dyer County scoreless. Munford was deadlocked 0-0 when that save was made by Furseth. Moments later the Cougars jumped ahead 1-0 when Jesper Kemp blasted a shot into the back of the net from 25 yards out. The tally became 2-0 when senior Jaylen Hill dribbled the ball through the Choctaw defense and located teammate Tyler Futrell. The senior did the rest of the work and got a shot past the Dyer County goalie to put Munford up 2-0 at halftime. Late in the second half the Cougars went ahead 3-0 when another senior Cedrick Williams used some creative moves to score his goal. The cherry was put on top for Munford when senior Alex Cherry blasted a goal from deep to make the final 4-0. “Good opportunities and the boys are playing well,” Selby said. “They’re doing some things we’ve asked them. We’re seeing some things out of them. You’re 6-0 but I feel we haven’t seen their best soccer yet. We’re starting to see glimpses of it.
“It’s a district game and these guys played with some intention,” he concluded. “You’re in a district game, they played well. It’s another step. That is a good team. They’re doing some smart things.”
