By ROB TATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

One of the first things someone might learn in grade school is that it's always important and respectful to get along with your peers.

For the Poplar Bluff boy's soccer team in 2007, it just didn't work out that way. It was a season of tough losses, teammates not getting along and it resulted in a lopsided record of 5-19-1 which included a 10-loss stretch in the middle of the season.

But now things are looking up for the Mules under the tutelage of new head coach Derek Reasons. Poplar Bluff is reenergized and refocused at the task at hand.

"I think we are more of a team (this year)," senior forward Josh Thompson said. "Team unity is a big deal and our guys are working hard."

Thompson feels that Reasons has had a positive impact so far during the Mules' preaseason practices as the new head coach. Reasons replaced Poplar Bluff's all-time winingest coach, Mark Papp.

"He's got a different philosophy, and I think it's gonna pay off in the long run," Thompson said. "Last year we had kids fighting with each other and this year there is no cliques, we are all friends."

If you're out and about in town this fall, you might catch the seven seniors of this year's team hanging out at the movies or grabbing a team dinner after practice.

"We're all best friends," Thompson said. "We hang out with each other all the time."

It may not be something that spans across the entire sports world, but usually success comes from a team and this year's Poplar Bluff squad is shaping up to be one that is ready to play.

"It's nice to have a good group of players that bond well," Reasons said. "They gel very good on and off the field and whenever they bond off the field, they can certainly bring that on the field."

Thompson is expected to be one of the top-scorers on the Mules this season. So far in his career, Thompson has started every game on varsity for Poplar Bluff since his freshman campaign.

Thompson was the second leading-scorer last season after netting four goals and adding three assists in last year's disappointing season. Teammate Nate Legrand, a returning sophomore, had five goals and two assists last season.

Even though he is new to the school and the area, Reasons knows what happened within the Poplar Bluff soccer program last season and has already wiped the slate clean.

"A lot of them didn't get along last season, so we are bringing in a lot team unity," Reasons said. "That's one thing we are really focused on is trying play and win as a team and not point the finger."

Seniors Thompson, Dallas Berry, Alton Brookreson, Alex Burfield, Sean Lawrence, Dominique James and Myles Sloan round out the core, which is looking to not only right the ship, but also bring home a trophy as their trademark to the season.

"I want that district championship," Thompson said. "It's been since 2000 -- that's our number one goal. We do have a tough schedule, but we'll do it."

So far Reasons doesn't have any real thoughts on why that goal couldn't be achieved.

"It's all on them on how far they want to take it and how far they want to go," Reasons said. "They definitely have the talent, we have the seven seniors and I'm expecting big things out them -- a lot bigger things out them than last season. Hopefully this program will have a 360-degree turnaround."

Another thing to watch for coming out of the preseason is the Mules' goalkeeper situation. Reasons has quite the competition between three juniors right now with Billy Powell, Jay Raulston and Drew Ernest all vying for time in net. Reasons has seen a strong competition among the three and will have a tough choice to make.

"Right now, it could be day-to-day as far as who the goalie is," Reasons said. "We are expecting one of them step up and take the lead on who's going to take the starting position."

Rather they are up by two goals or down by one, Reasons said that one thing you can expect from this year's Mules team is their relentlessness on the field.

"This team especially, they don't stop working," Reasons said. "There's not one kid that would give up. We're a physical and technical team with skill."

Poplar Bluff kicks off the season with a tournament Sept. 4-6 at Notre Dame.