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State Gazette Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year: Dyersburg Trojan Marcus Harrell
Monday, July 15, 2024
Dyersburg Trojan Marcus Harrell
JASON PEEVYHOUSE
After wrapping up his senior season with the Trojans coming just one win shy of reaching the TSSAA Class AA State Tournament for the first time since 2021, Dyersburg senior Marcus Harrell was the team’s defensive standout and has been named the State Gazette Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024 season.
This marks the second straight season Harrell earned this honor.
“Marcus is one of those cerebral players,” Dyersburg Head Coach Musa Manneh explained. “He really plays within himself quite a bit.
“This year he was able to take it up a notch in leading by example.”
Manneh pointed out Harrell is a very smart defender despite not being blessed with speed.
“But he makes up for it with his understanding of the game, reading the game, and making decisions off of that,” the Trojan head coach said. “By the way, he has one of the hardest shots I’ve seen a high school player have.
“It’s amazing. He can score from 40 yards out with the goalkeeper looking and he will, basically, pound the ball under the goalkeeper. He’s been fun to watch this season as well.”
Manneh also praised Harrell’s ability to see the field.
“I was not joking when I said Marcus is not quick,” Manneh said. “And, to play defense, if you watch us play, we basically push up high.
“There’s a lot of space in behind us. The teams are really trying to exploit this space. They’re kicking into that space and having their forwards run.”
Manneh was quick to point out in these instances, Harrell was never found wanting.
“He was reading the game,” Dyersburg’s head coach added. “When that kick is happening, he’s dropping in time to put himself into position to win that ball.
“He’s done that time and time again. Really, there are world-class defenders over the ages that weren’t the quickest. And, they played the game just like Marcus played the game because they are very good readers of the game.”
Harrell also excelled at decision making, according to Manneh.
“You can play the game that way,” Manneh explained. “The fast players can play with their speed. Marcus plays with his head.
“And, oh my goodness, he was effective.”
Harrell’s leadership came in handy for the Trojans during the 2024 season.
“You’re not going to get the shouting and the words out of him, no,” Manneh explained. “He was one your quiet leaders.
“He leads by example. If you want something done, Marcus is one of the first people I will send the instructions to. He will not question it. He’s just going to go to work. He is a leader by example – I cannot emphasize that enough.”
Manneh pointed out this helped the younger players on the team.
“If you don’t have the pace, then you have to play the position very honest,” Manneh said. “That means you really can’t cheat.
“You’re reading the game and you’re doing the things that we teach a defender to do and he does them well.”
With his high school career over following a season which also saw him win the District 13AA Defensive Most Valuable Player, Harrell leaves a legacy behind him with the Trojans.
“Marcus is always going to be a coach’s player,” Manneh said. “You want something done, you’re going to go to the picture of discipline.
“He almost never gets into trouble. You talk to him, he’s always going to give you ‘yes sir’. So, that legacy will be a legacy of discipline, respect, and, clearly, a love of the game. You don’t improve if you don’t love the game.”