Spring sports round-up: EJCHS boys win Friday track meet

Friday, April 13

Track: East Jackson boys win Oglethorpe meet

WITH 111 points, East Jackson edged Putnam County Friday at the Patriot games at Oglethorpe County.

The Eagles got first-place finishes from Cale Pirtle (2,000 meters, 5:54), Ronnie Slizowski (pole vault, 11-0) and Lance Haley (shot put, 46-0.75). East Jackson also won the distance medley relay with a time of 12:14.31.

East Jackson beat second-place Putnam County (101 points) by 10 points. There five boys teams in the event.

The girls finished last out of five schools. The Lady Eagles got first-place finishes from Kristen Whitlock (1,200-meter run, 4:21) and Lauren Sanders (60-meter hurdles).

Some of East Jackson boys’ team members competed in the Jefferson Relays Saturday but no Eagles picked up wins.

Soccer: EJCHS girls win season finale

THE EAST Jackson girls won their season finale Friday, beating East Hall 7-0 to clinch a winning season at 7-6-1.

The Lady Eagles were locked out of the Region 8-AA playoffs after finishing fifth in the subregion on tiebreakers.

Soccer: EJCHS boys fall in regular season finale

THE EAST JACKSON boys (7-7, 4-2) fell 4-1 Friday to no. 6 East Hall in a final tune-up before the Region 8-AA tournament. The Vikings are the no. 1 team in the North subregion.

“This was our first game back from spring break and it was definitely a good mental preparation to get our mind back in the game for playoffs,” coach Chris Cooley said.

East Jackson conceded a goal after 10 minutes off a low cross. The Eagles then allowed two more goals from shots just outside the 18, making the score 3-0.

“The real issue however was that we gave them far too much unpressured possession in the middle and defensive thirds of the field,” Cooley said.

Cooley said that his team played forward more and had more counter-play in the second half. East Jackson scored early in the second half from a throw-in that was initially saved off the line by East Hall, then shot back in for a goal by Ernesto Alarcon.

“It was a better half for us,” Cooley said. “We looked as though we were waking up and hopefully that form will carry into Tuesday's home game against Union County. We have almost our full squad back, with only one injury, so I'm looking forward to playoffs.”

East Jackson faces Union County Tuesday at home in the region playoffs for a chance to go to state. The winner clinches a spot in the Class AA tournament and also moves on to the region semifinals, while the loser’s season is over.

“We're preparing for some quality games, and for East Jackson this is the strongest position we've ever been in at this point in the season,” Cooley said.

Wednesday, April 11

Golf: Eagle golfers down Madison County

THE EAST JACKSON boys’ golf team picked up a nine-stroke victory Wednesday at Double Oaks Golf Club, winning 197-206 over Madison County.

Nathan Crumley led the Eagles with a 45. Dylan Anderson shot a 49.