Senior-laden Wildcats thankful for season


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

MARION — Boys soccer is traditionally a fall sports in Illinois. It is a spring sport this season due to the pandemic.

Monday marked the first official day of practice. It’s been 16 months since the Marion Wildcats saw their season end on their home turf in the regional semifinals. They return seven starters and have 11 seniors. With only one junior, the rest of the roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores.

Having a senior laden roster, it’s a group that certainly appreciates the opportunity to play–something six weeks ago was anything but guaranteed.

“Whenever I first heard the possibility that we might have sports, I was in tears,” said Marion senior Dresden Bell. “This group of seniors, about eight or nine of us, we have played together growing up. I’m just happy I get one last chance to step on this field.”

“Those seniors have played together since they were probably four or five years old,” said Marion head coach Rob Underwood. “(They) have played rec soccer together, played club soccer together. That’s a good group of guys.”

Playing in the spring won’t be the only thing new this season. Pandemic rules require the players to play in masks.

“Wearing masks adds a different aspect to it,” Bell said. “You’re gonna have to practice with it, so you just have to get in the right mind set.”

“It’s something I think they’ll overcome. It will just become second nature to them,” Underwood said.

The Wildcats will open their season at home next Tuesday against Murphysboro.