DARKE COUNTY – The Franklin Monroe soccer program had a lot of success this season, in large part as a result of players stepping up in new roles.

Both of this week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week came up big for the Jets, taking on new responsibilities and coming up big in key situations.

This week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week are Franklin Monroe boys soccer player Marcus Horner and Franklin Monroe girls soccer player Allison Snider.

After playing a supportive role last year as a freshman, Horner has become one of the Jets’ top leaders this year. He was voted a team captain this season by his teammates even though he’s only a sophomore.

“It was real natural for him to step in and take over,” Franklin Monroe boys soccer coach Danny Diceanu said. “I think he stepped in perfectly and took the reigns.”

With the loss of Jaden Horner, Marcus’ brother, and Zach Diceanu to graduation, Horner stepped up and became more of a scorer this season. He’s second on the team with 13 goals and third with nine assists.

“He hit the ground running,” coach Diceanu said. “There was no hesitation whatsoever.”

In a tournament game against Tri-Village he had one goal and one assist. He then had two goals in a tournament game against Preble Shawnee and one goal and two assists in a tournament game against Bethel.

“He just played very strong,” Diceanu said about Horner’s performance against Bethel. “It was probably one of his best games of the year.”

While Horner doesn’t say much, he does a great job of leading by example, Diceanu said.

“He’s been massive all year,” the coach said. “He’s been a very strong leader. Excellent control of the ball. That’s how we play. He kind of dictates our pace. He’s kind of like a field general. He’s just a natural leader.”

Snider also had to step into a new role this season. She joined the Lady Jets soccer team as a senior after not playing the sport at all in high school but got the team’s attention with her play on the basketball team.

“We just knew that she was a good athlete and a good size kid with pretty good hands,” Franklin Monroe girls soccer coach Scott Howell said.

Snider has a strong character, and it helped her fit with the team immediately, Howell said.

“Allison’s attitude and personality just made her a perfect fit for our team,” he said. “She really brought the team together.”

Snider made 101 saves this year and consistently improved throughout the season, Howell said.

“I believe as her confidence built, she just knew she could do it, and the girls in front of her felt her comfortable with her,” he said.

In a tournament game against Newton, Snider held the Indians scoreless through 110 minutes, forcing a shootout. She made three stops in the penalty kicks to help the Lady Jets advance to the next round of postseason play.

“Wow. I think she handled it with tremendous poise,” Howell said. “She came up big. For a goalie to be able to stop one, is amazing, let alone getting three saves in a five-person shootout. Couldn’t have been done any better.”

She had 13 saves against Newton and then had 13 in a 2-1 tournament win against Anna.

“She had some huge saves at Anna,” Howell said. “She came in and helped this team tremendously.”