Matt Vines
STONEWALL – The North DeSoto boys soccer team is entering arguably the most crucial stretch of its season.
The Griffins (4-7-1) are just inside the playoff picture at No. 31 in the power rankings with Division II-District I play just around the corner, and the next three matches could set the tone for the rest of the season.
North DeSoto is in the midst of a six-match winless streak (0-5-1) and will try to turn around its fortunes in the new year beginning with Airline (4-7) on Thursday.
The Griffins will start their district slate Saturday against a winless Parkway squad (0-11-1) before heading to Northwood (6-3) on Tuesday.
“These next three games are extremely important,” said first-year NDHS soccer coach Logan Morrison. “We will see if we can get over the hump and start winning those close games.”
Slow starts have hampered North DeSoto this season, particularly in the six-match winless streak.
Three of those losses have been by two goals or less, including a 4-3 defeat against a Natchitoches Central squad that NDHS tied on Dec. 5 to start the six-game streak without a victory.
“We definitely had some games over those last few that we feel we should’ve won,” Morrison said. “We’ve had a couple of mistakes and a few slow starts, and we dug ourselves into holes we couldn’t get out of.
“Better starts have been a big emphasis for us moving forward.”
The Griffins experienced a quick start to their season, beginning with a 4-2 record that included wins against Grace Christian, South Beauregard, Union Parish and North Caddo.
Despite its recent struggles against tougher competition, North DeSoto is still on pace to surpass its six-win total from this past season and make a return trip to the Division II playoffs.
That playoff appearance this past season was its first in four years.
North DeSoto features a roster with a whopping 13 seniors, but the Griffins don’t have as much of an experience advantage as one might expect.
Morrison, with the help of a pair of experienced assistant coaches, installed a new system in their first seasons which is built upon possession and playing from the back line.
It’s been an adjustment for the senior-laden roster, which also incorporates underclassmen who play large roles.
“We do have a lot of experience, but it’s a new system than what they’ve always run, so that experience isn’t necessarily as beneficial as it may seem,” Morrison said. “But there’s a good mix of seniors and underclassmen that see the field a lot.
“Overall, I think it’s gone pretty well. We’re optimistic about how the system is coming along.”
Senior captains Camden Falls and Christian Roberson lead the experienced squad, even if a new system is being installed in their final high school season.
What can’t be taken away is the hundreds of minutes these Griffins have played of high school soccer, including a taste of the postseason.
That experience could be the difference in North DeSoto winning close matches down the stretch to make a return trip to the playoffs.