New soccer coach inspires Musketeers to envision CIF win
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com
After going 11 years withouwinning a CIF title, Moorpark High School has hired a new boys’ soccer coach who knows alabout winning one.

Michael Tapia

In 1995, Juan Barron was a player on the Musketeers team that won CIF. Now he’s hoping his experience can help lead MHS to a title in a very competitive Marmonte League. Barron has spent the last 10 years serving as an assistant coach on the varsity team and head coach for the JV team. “I showed them the ring I gofrom going to CIF in 1995,” Barron said. “I think the kids really need to experience going to a CIF final game. I remembewhat it meant for me.”

Many players are now more determined than ever to get a ring of their own. “After seeing the ring we aljust wanted one too,” said senioand four-year starter Adrian Llamas. “My only goal this year is to make the playoffs. I’ve been here four years and I haven’t been to them yet.

“This year the team is more committed and focused in practice. We are more motivated because of our new coach and more energetic.”

One of the reasons the Musketeers may be more energetic in practice is because Barron, who considers himself a players’ coach, will often get out on the field and compete with team members.

Adrian Llamas

“Sometimes if we’re one man short, I will put my boots on and play with them,” Barron said. “Then I realize I’m not 18 anymore and can’t play quite like I used to.”

The coach said one of his main goals is to make sure not to take the fun out of the game for his players. Barron said a couple of players have taken that to heart.

“We have two players, Weston Reitz and Justin Gomez, that have helped bring back some fun to this team,” Barron said. “They are basically like the class clowns on this team. At the same time, they also know when to turn it on and to turn it off. There are times when we want to be serious in our practices and when that happens they will dial it down.”

When the team does get serious, the Musketeers key players show they have what it takes to challenge for league title. Those players include cocaptains Llamas and junior Michael Tapia.

“Llamas is basically the heart and soul of this team,” Barron said. “His talent is unbelievable. He and Tapia both play on one of the premier club teams in the area.

“Right now Tapia is a little banged up. He dislocated one of his fingers on his right hand. He taped it up and there is basically no usage in that finger, but thankfully you don’t have to use your hands in this sport.”

Barron also gave praise to forward Fernando Ramirez and goalkeeper Kurt Johnston.

“Fernando has played defense for us his whole career, but this year I wanted to use his talent more on the offensive side of the ball so I moved him to forward. So far it’s working, as he can make people look silly when he has the ball.

“In goal we have a three-year starter in Kurt Johnston, and he’s been phenomenal. When our defense has brain farts, he’s always there to help us out.”

Co-captain Tapia also likes what he’s seen early on from the Musketeers, who tied Royal 0-0 in their only league game to date.

“I think we’ve been playing very well as a team,” Tapia said. “We need to talk more on defense and work a little more on finishing (scoring goals), but other than that we’ve been playing pretty good together.” While the team is starting to

gel, Barron is just happy to be along for the ride in his first year in the head coaching position.

“I love it,” Barron said. “There’s a good bunch of kids here and I like working with them. I try to teach them that soccer isn’t the only thing in life but it can teach you a lot about it. I would like to see many of these kids to go college. I look around and I see a lot of Division 1 talent on this team.”

The Musketeers’ next game is Jan. 5 at Thousand Oaks.