Offseason Focus
This offseason, Parkland Men's Soccer has been strongly emphasizing strength training. For first-year head coach Alexa Altizer, getting her team in the weight room and building foundational muscle has been an exciting opportunity. "A big thing we’re working on besides strength is improving balance," said Altizer. “When teenagers hit growth spurts, they lose any balance they once had—so we're working hard to get that back!”
Notable Additions & Departures
Parkland saw a major coaching transition this past year, with Coach Altizer stepping in after the previous coach’s three-year tenure. Assistant Coach Gavin Hayes remained on staff last season, helping ensure a smoother transition. Looking ahead, the coaching team is expanding: Coach Altizer’s husband, Tyler Allen, will join as an assistant, and Carlo Malatesta will take the lead with the JV squad. “I’m excited to have extra support—last year Gavin and I covered both JV and Varsity, so this will be a big help.”
Players to Watch
Several players are standing out this offseason. Cristian Parral, Brian Valencia, and Yoltzin Lopez are thriving in club soccer and bringing valuable experience back to the high school team. Meanwhile, Issac Pena and Alejandro Avelar have shown unmatched dedication in the weight room, attending every single session. These four are expected to be cornerstones of the team this coming season.
Weight Lifting & Fitness
Coach Altizer gave a special shoutout to freshman Jose Ortiz, who’s made impressive gains in strength, balance, and agility by locking in on form and muscle control. Jose’s progress has stood out. He’s proof that intentional training pays off.”
Coaching Perspective
With her husband joining the staff, soccer strategy has become a regular topic at home. The coaching team is implementing new team policies to boost focus and cohesion: no phones during water breaks, a continued emphasis on the “no practice, no play” rule, and a switch to the Remind app to keep both players and parents in the communication loop.
Fan Engagement & Community Impact
Parkland is partnering with Griffith Baptist Church to host a kids’ summer soccer camp at Deaton-Thompson Stadium. The event aims to build community involvement and attract potential sponsors while promoting the program to local families.
Biggest Challenges Ahead
After graduating 13 seniors, including six starters, Parkland has some big shoes to fill. Key positions like center back, left back, center midfield, winger, and especially striker are now open. “Mario Barclay was our #1 guy up top—he had that natural striker mentality. That kind of instinct isn’t easy to teach, so we’re looking for someone willing to do whatever it takes to put the ball in the net.”
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