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What a week or even season it has been on the soccer field for high schools inside Rutherford County.
In men’s soccer, Thomas Jefferson (8-0-1, 2-0) is now ranked #1 among the 1A state classification following among eurosport’s latest poll. They just played Community School of Davidson on the road Wednesday and will host them Oct. 21st which will likely decided the conference winner.
Perhaps the biggest news on the soccer field has to do with Chase. The Trojans (9-2-1, 9-0) just beat powerhouse Shelby for the first time in the programs history, 3-2 this past week. Six years ago, when Chase fielded its first soccer program, not many could have expected this. At one time, Shelby had beaten Chase by ten goals in a game. Shelby was ranked #9 this past week and I am sure the Trojans will finally get break into the poll for the first time in school history.
When I talked to Chase boys soccer coach Greg Deshommes, you could tell that there is something special about this team he has accrued this season. Defensively, they have allowed just five goals overall in the last 10 games and have impressively scored two or more in all of those game, but one.
Over at R-S Central (7-3-0, 6-3), first year Hilltopper soccer coach Ruffin Tanner is doing a great job. This year, it looks to be the first time since 2009 that R-S Central will find 10 wins in a season and possibly have 12-14 before the playoffs hit.
On the football field this past week, it was Chase fending off Draughn 13-7 at home. No doubt, it had been an emotional week, even a touching moment before the game as Chase released balloons in memory of former Trojan player and grad Dache Gossett. Nonetheless, Chase coach Daniel Bailey thought that might fuel his kids, but instead they were flat for most of the first half.
Although Chase led 10-7 at half, it was Malik Young’s fumble recovery and run for 73 yards and a touchdown that showed some life in the Trojans. In the second half, Jordan O’Rourke, Bryston Hill and Stephan Phillips stepped up for the Trojans defense in order to prevail.
“I know we had a very difficult week here at school, but how we played tonight was unacceptable,” Bailey said. We have to grow up fast and play as a team because we are very fortunate to get the win tonight.” Chase (3-2, 1-2) will visit Crest (4-1, 2-0) this weekend.
East Rutherford (2-3, 2-0) at Burns (5-0, 3-0) is the game of the week. The two schools have generated a rivalry of sorts throughout the years, but the Bulldogs are the clear favorite to win the SMAC title. Burns will still have Crest and Shelby after this game with the Cavaliers. I feel like this one could be a shootout for a little while and if the East defense wants to prove that they are better than at the beginning of the year, this is the perfect time to display it.
Thomas Jefferson (4-1) easily dispatched of Rabun Gap last week in a 35-13 win on homecoming night.
This Friday is the first game for the Gryphons in the Southern Piedmont 1A as they will visit Highland Tech. A first SPC win looks prominent as the Rams have scored just 19 overall points in five games this season.
R-S Central (1-4, 0-3) is off this weekend, but they certainly put a scare into Crest while the Chargers visited Rutherfordton last week. Central led 17-14 in the second half before Crest awoke and scored 19 unanswered in a 33-17 decision. The Hilltoppers Jaylen Hollis was outstanding in throwing the football during the first half, but the Charger defense clamped down and shut off the upset bid.
Finally, I spoke to Carlos Watkins last Friday at Chase High. Watkins, who survived a car crash that killed his cousin, Dache Gossett, was in good spirits as he watched the Trojans from the Allen Stadium track during pre-game warm ups. Although hobbling just a bit, Watkins bruised up his right side and doesn’t have all the feeling back in his left leg yet, but it’s clear that he would like things to get back to some normalcy after a tough week. The Clemson defensive lineman is hoping to be out for only one more week or if not two at most before returning to the field of play for the Tigers.
