Joe Falla Sr. is one of the nicest, most charismatic guys you will ever meet. But when it comes to competing for and winning state championships, he does not mess around. Sacred Heart’s trophy case indicates that.
His Lady Crusaders have won four state titles in the last five years. Whatever you can think of, his girls have been there and done that. Still, Falla treats every new season like that of a kid in a candy store.
“Cannot wait for my first game,” Falla said while smiling from ear-to-ear. “It’s exciting being here, because that’s what I like to do. And it’s exciting for my girls, because it’s like we left off from last year. This is my second week of practice. Seems like they didn’t miss a step.”
As Falla indicated, the team began official practice early last week and will play their first game the first week of November. They will do so without familiar faces like Mary Margaret Parker and Anna Brice Taylor. Both contributed heavily to the dynasty and are now suiting up for Jones County Junior College.
Parker led the team in goals last season with 22, including three in the state title game versus South Pontotoc. That kind of production doesn’t just grow on trees. Well, maybe it does for Sacred Heart.
“Gracie Falla, Blair Viator, Jessica Hyde, Lauren Jones. I’ve got some guns in there,” Falla said. “I’ve got enough guns for that position. Nobody will ever know what I’m going to put in there.”
It’s a youth movement, really. Falla starts them young, and they grow to be top-tier talents like Parker or Taylor. Just think of it this way: Olivia Ware scored the game-winning goal in the 2015-2016 state championship game. She was a 7th grader at the time. And behind Parker, Gracie Falla finished second on the team in goals scored last season with 12. Also a 7th grader.
The program’s mindset stays the same, regardless of grade or age. That all starts with their coach.
“I feel like nobody’s better than I am. I know they’ve got coaches here, there and everywhere. As far as I’m concerned, I am the best coach.”
“There’s nobody better than you are. You’ve got to build that attitude in you. I want them to feel confidence every time they touch a ball. Almost like a baseball player. Send me the ball, I’ll go get it.”
Falla’s Lady Crusaders will open the 2017-2018 season Nov. 6 against South Jones.
“There’s no reason why we can’t do it again.”
