The second half had started not too long ago before the postgame handshakes.

Missouri Military Academy beat Class 2 District 4 Fulton 8-0 by mercy rule on Thursday at home with about 32 minutes left in the game. The night began with a moment of silence for the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and ended with the Colonels (3-1) singing their alma mater song in front of the stands.

Emilio Perez had scored a career-high four goals two nights prior in a 15-0 home victory over Eugene and did one better with five goals against Fulton. Fernando Puebla finished with three goals and three assists, Eric Shellabarger had one assist and Emiliano De La Garza had one assist. 

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“This year (as a senior), I feel like it’s my responsibility to perform every game and help the team get the win,” Perez said. “If I don’t show up, I feel it is complicated. Even though Puebla is really good, he needs some help.”

Head coach Rodrigo Padilla, who is an MMA soccer alumnus and was an assistant last year, said the Colonels have the state championship game in their minds after playing for the Class 1 state title last season. Padilla said they are playing like a championship team after a 7-1 loss to Class 3 Warrenton to start the season. 

Moving up to Class 2 hasn’t fazed MMA so far, Padilla said, and the proof is there. Before beating Fulton (3-1), the Colonels defeated another district foe, Moberly, 5-3 at home.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge,” Padilla said. “As a coach, you always think of the best for your players. We have the talent and are trying to work faster and be more physical. Coach (Elliot) Goodwin did a great job with the boys last year and left a good foundation.”

Perez scored four of his goals in the first half, and MMA owned a 5-0 halftime lead. Puebla assisted on the first two goals and scored once in the half to stress the Fulton defense.

“We changed the formation,” Perez said. “I used to be a midfielder. What I like is Puebla is really good at having the ball so he can send me a straight pass. I just have to run and score the goal. It is really easy for us in the sense of ‘if I have the ball, he runs, and if he has the ball, I run.’”

Padilla said he decided to change the formation since he took over as head coach as MMA is “testing the waters” in Class 2. He said he is adding his own twist while respecting what Goodwin built and honoring the spirit of being a MMA cadet.

“I lived it when I was a cadet here,” Padilla said. “I played for this team. Coaching it is definitely an honor and I definitely want to make sure I build a program until the point I step down.”

Padilla said there has been a focus on defense as well under his leadership. MMA had a great defense that allowed a nine-year low 1.4 goals per game and this year’s unit allowed three combined goals in the three games after the season opener. Fulton only mustered six shots a fair distance away from the net.

MMA did lose some cadets from that defense but returned an all-state defender Shellabarger. Padilla said two additions — Lian Haddad and Leonardo Morales — along with Emiliano Martinez have filled out MMA’s back line with Shellabarger and Enrique Briseno.

“Those three cadets work in their free time,” Padilla said. “They come out to the field, they practice their positions and they talk to each other. I’ve got a back line, and the communication is great between them.”

Perez said his younger brother, Eugenio, in his home country of Mexico is his motivation to give 100% in soccer. That bond means a lot to him and so do the bonds with his teammates.

“I feel really confident when my teammates have the ball,” Perez said. “I have the confidence knowing the pass they’re going to give me is going to hit me so I can score the goal. I can trust them every time.”