Decatur beats Locust Grove in scrimmage

DECATUR — With all the pieces falling into place, the Decatur varsity boys’ soccer team took to the field at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur for a scrimmage match against the Locust Grove (Okla.) Pirates on March 1. By the time the dust settled 50 minutes later, the Bulldogs emerged triumphant, defeating the Pirates by 11.

This was the first match for head soccer coach Sheldon McKinzie, who took over the program from interim coach James Garner in September 2017. McKinzie was joined by Ashley Riggles, his new assistant coach.

Several veteran players, such as seniors Sebastian Perez and Alexis Gramajo, and juniors Rigo Rubi and Meliton Hurtado, who were members of the 2015 state playoff team, returned this season for the Decatur Bulldogs. They were joined by a host of new faces like Roger Hernandez, Carlos Perez, Jose Rubi and Abel Gomez, all freshmen eager to play soccer.

From the time the clock started ticking, the young Bulldog team quickly established its dominance, taking control of the contest and making several assaults on the goal. By the end of the first half, the Bulldogs had built a seven-point lead. The few times Locust Grove managed to drive toward the Decatur net during that half, goalkeeper Roger Hernandez made several saves, foiling any Pirate scoring attempts.

Decatur continued to control the match in the second half, adding four more points before time ran out. The Decatur Bulldogs took their first victory of the season, 11-0, over the Locust Grove Pirates.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Decatur goalie Roger Hernandez intercepts a ball, foiling a Pirate scoring attempt, during the first half of the Decatur-Locust Grove varsity boys’ soccer match at Bulldog Stadium on March 1. The Bulldogs won the match 11-0.