The ADM boys soccer team has reached the midway point of its first week of full practices following a week of voluntary practices over spring break. One theme for the Tigers in the early going is figuring out how to replace the scoring of the graduated Jacob Hutzell, a first-team All-State selection whose 17 goals represented 40 percent of the team’s scoring last season.

One player Tigers head coach Bill Shields is counting on to help fill that void in senior Johnny Reel, whose six goals and 15 points both ranked third on the team last year.

Reel boasts superb speed and burst, which certainly work to his favor. And his play on the football field and basketball court show that he’s an enthusiastic, high-energy athlete.

But on the other hand, Shields said Reel must also need to learn how to harness that high motor to avoid playing out of control.

“Sometimes it’s difficult for him to remember that he can’t just rely on his speed,” Shields said. “We worked with him a long time on it, and we’ll obviously have to work with him a little differently this time. And yeah, he doesn’t lack enthusiasm; it’s harnessing that enthusiasm and making use of that’s speed that’s our issue.”

Shields added that Reel has in the past played on the outside, but they may move him to the middle this season depending on how the roster shakes out.

The ADM boys continue to prep for their first exhibition match of the season, a scrimmage against Norwalk next Tuesday, March 31.