Several girls and boys players from the Apalachee and Winder-Barrow soccer teams were selected to the GHSA All-Region 8-AAAAAA team recently.
On the girls side, Apalachee goalkeeper Emily Brooks, forward Keiry Bonilla and defender Macky Clark as well as Winder-Barrow forward/midfielder Sophia Kay were all first-team selections.
Winder-Barrow keeper Ashley Everett, defender Autry Cooper and forward/midfielder Alexis Thao as well as Apalachee midfielder Taylor Salvaggio were second-team selections.
Winder-Barrow midfielder James Faur and Apalachee forward/midfielder Nestor Perla made the boys first team, while goalkeeper Ronal Galindo and midfielder/defender Benoit Dastous from Apalachee and defender Reyes Rodriguez, forward/midfielder Parks Jordan and forward Seth McKee made second team.
Dacula swept through the top honors as midfielder Becky Contreras and defender Payton Rawson were selects as the girls and boys players of the year. Meanwhile, Dacula’s Mark Garen was named girls coach of the year and the Falcon duo of Christian Santos and Daniel Starovasnik won boys coaches of the year.
AHS Sports
Track and Field: 12 from AHS, 8 from WBHS qualify for state
The Apalachee and Winder-Barrow track and field teams will be well-represented in Carrollton next week as 12 athletes from Apalachee and eight from Winder-Barrow qualified for the Class AAAAAA state meet after finishing in the top eight in their events in the AAAAAA “A” sectionals at Grovetown High School on Saturday.
The Apalachee girls’ 4x100-meter relay team of Samira Barnett, Sierra Barnett, Tahlia Ferguson and Joanna Gross had the fastest qualifying time in the A sectionals, running the race in 48.33 seconds and shaving half a second off their region championship run the previous week.
The Lady Wildcats’ 4x100 time at sectionals was still slower than six teams in the “B” sectionals at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta, but they are within 1.5 seconds of the top time by M.L. King — meaning they will enter the state meet within striking distance of placing.
The 4x400-meter relay team of Sierra Barnett, Ferguson, Destiny Gibbs and Gross finished second at sectionals with a 4:03.23, but will likely need to bump that time down under four minutes in order to place.
“The 4x100 team is getting better and we’re working for the opportunity to get to the podium on the final day,” Apalachee head coach David Seawright said. “The 4x4 team is going to have to get a little faster. We’re going to try to get a good week in this week, have a good hard week of practice, use a couple days to recover and get ready to go. We’ve got the extra week (between sectionals and state), and as coaches, we have to keep the athletes focused and continue to push and motivate them.”
Three of the Lady Wildcats’ 4x100 runners also qualified individually in other events. Ferguson took fourth in the 400-meter run (59.62 seconds), Gross was fourth in the 300-meter hurdles (48.73), and Sierra Barnett finished sixth in the long jump (17 feet, 9.5 inches).
See more in the May 2 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
The Apalachee girls’ 4x100-meter relay team of Samira Barnett, Sierra Barnett, Tahlia Ferguson and Joanna Gross had the fastest qualifying time in the A sectionals, running the race in 48.33 seconds and shaving half a second off their region championship run the previous week.
The Lady Wildcats’ 4x100 time at sectionals was still slower than six teams in the “B” sectionals at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta, but they are within 1.5 seconds of the top time by M.L. King — meaning they will enter the state meet within striking distance of placing.
The 4x400-meter relay team of Sierra Barnett, Ferguson, Destiny Gibbs and Gross finished second at sectionals with a 4:03.23, but will likely need to bump that time down under four minutes in order to place.
“The 4x100 team is getting better and we’re working for the opportunity to get to the podium on the final day,” Apalachee head coach David Seawright said. “The 4x4 team is going to have to get a little faster. We’re going to try to get a good week in this week, have a good hard week of practice, use a couple days to recover and get ready to go. We’ve got the extra week (between sectionals and state), and as coaches, we have to keep the athletes focused and continue to push and motivate them.”
Three of the Lady Wildcats’ 4x100 runners also qualified individually in other events. Ferguson took fourth in the 400-meter run (59.62 seconds), Gross was fourth in the 300-meter hurdles (48.73), and Sierra Barnett finished sixth in the long jump (17 feet, 9.5 inches).
See more in the May 2 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
Football: Wildcats enter spring practice with ‘clean slate’
Things are pretty wide open for Tony Lotti as he begins his first season as Apalachee’s head football coach.
That includes players and playing time as the Wildcats work their way through spring practice, which began Friday and culminates with a home scrimmage against East Jackson next Wednesday, May 9, at 6 p.m.
“Everybody has kind of a clean slate right now and I’m drawing my opinions based on what I see from guys and my conversations with them,” said Lotti who has 85 players dressed out currently — a sharp increase over the 50 or so last season’s team finished with. “There are a few key guys returning but also a lot who didn’t play before that I think can help us. We’re still getting to know each other. But I’m very encouraged by the numbers and the work ethic and attitude the kids are showing.
“I’m really enjoying being around them and they’ve been very attentive and coachable.”
Lotti, who spent the past six seasons at West Hall, went 35-31 and turned the Spartans into a playoff team that reached the postseason five straight years, is seeking to turn around an Apalachee program that has only four wins and a tie over the last five years and hasn’t reached the playoffs since a 12-1 campaign in 2009.
See more in the May 2 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
That includes players and playing time as the Wildcats work their way through spring practice, which began Friday and culminates with a home scrimmage against East Jackson next Wednesday, May 9, at 6 p.m.
“Everybody has kind of a clean slate right now and I’m drawing my opinions based on what I see from guys and my conversations with them,” said Lotti who has 85 players dressed out currently — a sharp increase over the 50 or so last season’s team finished with. “There are a few key guys returning but also a lot who didn’t play before that I think can help us. We’re still getting to know each other. But I’m very encouraged by the numbers and the work ethic and attitude the kids are showing.
“I’m really enjoying being around them and they’ve been very attentive and coachable.”
Lotti, who spent the past six seasons at West Hall, went 35-31 and turned the Spartans into a playoff team that reached the postseason five straight years, is seeking to turn around an Apalachee program that has only four wins and a tie over the last five years and hasn’t reached the playoffs since a 12-1 campaign in 2009.
See more in the May 2 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
Soccer: Lady Wildcats fall in overtime in first round
The Apalachee girls soccer team’s great season came to a crushing end Tuesday night.
The Lady Wildcats, the No. 2 seed from GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA, hosted Dunwoody in the first round of state playoffs, but they needed more than home-field advantage to overcome the No. 3 seed from Region 7. They lost 2-1 in overtime after allowing a goal just 50 seconds into the second overtime period.
Apalachee (11-5-1), which entered the match ranked No. 8 in AAAAAA, struggled with possession for most of the match. Dunwoody clogged all passing lanes and always seemed to get the favorable bounce. Despite that, the Lady Wildcats only trailed 1-0 with five minutes left in the game. The only goal they allowed was from a corner kick midway through the first half.
With five minutes left in regulation, Skylar Gordon had the ball inside the box with the keeper away from the goal. Taylor Salvaggio ran to the top of the box and yelled for the ball. Gordon made the pass and Salvaggio drilled the shot into an almost empty net for the equalizer.
That goal re-energized the Lady Wildcats, who controlled the ball and had a few chances to score the game-winner.
But regulation ended with the match tied 1-1 instead. The Lady Wildcats continued to maintain possession for the first overtime period, but they still couldn’t score. Dunwoody began the second overtime with the ball, and less than minute into the period, the visiting Wildcats (9-7-2) scored on a bouncer that Emily Brooks couldn’t stop.
It was the first time in program history the Lady Wildcats had hosted a playoff match.
Dunwoody advances to the second round to face Creekview next week.
The Lady Wildcats, the No. 2 seed from GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA, hosted Dunwoody in the first round of state playoffs, but they needed more than home-field advantage to overcome the No. 3 seed from Region 7. They lost 2-1 in overtime after allowing a goal just 50 seconds into the second overtime period.
Apalachee (11-5-1), which entered the match ranked No. 8 in AAAAAA, struggled with possession for most of the match. Dunwoody clogged all passing lanes and always seemed to get the favorable bounce. Despite that, the Lady Wildcats only trailed 1-0 with five minutes left in the game. The only goal they allowed was from a corner kick midway through the first half.
With five minutes left in regulation, Skylar Gordon had the ball inside the box with the keeper away from the goal. Taylor Salvaggio ran to the top of the box and yelled for the ball. Gordon made the pass and Salvaggio drilled the shot into an almost empty net for the equalizer.
That goal re-energized the Lady Wildcats, who controlled the ball and had a few chances to score the game-winner.
But regulation ended with the match tied 1-1 instead. The Lady Wildcats continued to maintain possession for the first overtime period, but they still couldn’t score. Dunwoody began the second overtime with the ball, and less than minute into the period, the visiting Wildcats (9-7-2) scored on a bouncer that Emily Brooks couldn’t stop.
It was the first time in program history the Lady Wildcats had hosted a playoff match.
Dunwoody advances to the second round to face Creekview next week.
Baseball: Wildcats drop season finale to Gainesville, finish year 15-13
The best season in program history for the Apalachee High School baseball team ended in tough fashion Friday as the Wildcats couldn’t hold an early six-run lead and lost 9-8 at Gainesville in the rubber game of a GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA series.
The Wildcats (15-13, 4-11 region) scored a run in the first on a Parker Miller RBI single and then got five more in the second on the strength of a two-run single by AJ Forbing and RBI double by Hunter Linhart to go up 6-0.
After Gainesville (20-8, 11-4) got back in it with five runs in the third, the Wildcats added a pair in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Miller and another double by Linhart. But the Red Elephants got one in the fourth, two in the sixth and won the game in the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Banks Griffith to get the win.
Linhart led the Wildcats at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three doubles and a pair of RBIs, while Forbing had two hits.
Gainesville is the No. 2 seed from Region 8 and will host Cambridge in the first round of the state playoffs beginning Thursday.
While they missed the playoffs, the Wildcats showed vast improvement under second-year coach Allan Bailey, winning a school-record 15 games and improving dramatically on a 4-22 finish from a year ago.
Linhart, a senior first baseman, was a solid cog in the middle of the lineup, hitting .434 with four homers and driving in 26 runs.
Fellow senior DJ Smith hit .386 with a homer and 17 RBIs while playing all 28 games at short.
The Wildcats also got solid performances from starting pitchers sophomore Hunter Parks (1-2, 3.44 ERA, 28 Ks in 40 2/3 innings), junior Alex Cook (2-1, 3.82 ERA, 60 Ks in 44 IP) and senior reliever Dawson Matherly (5-2, 2.20 ERA, 21 Ks in 28 2/3 IP).
The Wildcats (15-13, 4-11 region) scored a run in the first on a Parker Miller RBI single and then got five more in the second on the strength of a two-run single by AJ Forbing and RBI double by Hunter Linhart to go up 6-0.
After Gainesville (20-8, 11-4) got back in it with five runs in the third, the Wildcats added a pair in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Miller and another double by Linhart. But the Red Elephants got one in the fourth, two in the sixth and won the game in the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Banks Griffith to get the win.
Linhart led the Wildcats at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three doubles and a pair of RBIs, while Forbing had two hits.
Gainesville is the No. 2 seed from Region 8 and will host Cambridge in the first round of the state playoffs beginning Thursday.
While they missed the playoffs, the Wildcats showed vast improvement under second-year coach Allan Bailey, winning a school-record 15 games and improving dramatically on a 4-22 finish from a year ago.
Linhart, a senior first baseman, was a solid cog in the middle of the lineup, hitting .434 with four homers and driving in 26 runs.
Fellow senior DJ Smith hit .386 with a homer and 17 RBIs while playing all 28 games at short.
The Wildcats also got solid performances from starting pitchers sophomore Hunter Parks (1-2, 3.44 ERA, 28 Ks in 40 2/3 innings), junior Alex Cook (2-1, 3.82 ERA, 60 Ks in 44 IP) and senior reliever Dawson Matherly (5-2, 2.20 ERA, 21 Ks in 28 2/3 IP).
Track and Field: AHS girls win region title
The Apalachee girls track and field team made history Thursday, capturing the GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA championship, the first team track and field title in school history, on the third and final day of the region meet at R. Harold Harrison Stadium.
Apalachee finished with 171 points, well ahead of second-place Lanier (134). Winder-Barrow finished fifth with 85 points. On the boys side, Winder-Barrow finished fourth and Apalachee finished fifth.
The Apalachee girls got individual titles from Sierra Barnett in the long jump, the 4x100-meter relay team of Samira Barnett, Sierra Barnett, Tahlia Ferguson and Joanna Gross, the 4x400-meter relay team of Sierra Barnett, Ferguson, Destiny Gibbs and Gross, and Molly Silva in the 1,600-meter run.
Apalachee's Malik Wiggins won the boys high jump while Tucker Keadle won the boys pole vault.
For Winder-Barrow, Logan Cash won the boys discus, Breanna McNamara won the girls pole vault, Jaidon Turner won the boys long jump and Djangmah Narhmartey won the boys 800-meter run.
Both schools had several other top-four finishes that qualified for the Class AAAAAA sectionals, which will be held April 28 at Grovetown High School. Region 8 athletes will be competing against athletes from regions 1, 2 and 3.
The top eight in each event will advance to the state meet May 10-12 in Carrollton.
See more coverage in the April 25 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
Apalachee finished with 171 points, well ahead of second-place Lanier (134). Winder-Barrow finished fifth with 85 points. On the boys side, Winder-Barrow finished fourth and Apalachee finished fifth.
The Apalachee girls got individual titles from Sierra Barnett in the long jump, the 4x100-meter relay team of Samira Barnett, Sierra Barnett, Tahlia Ferguson and Joanna Gross, the 4x400-meter relay team of Sierra Barnett, Ferguson, Destiny Gibbs and Gross, and Molly Silva in the 1,600-meter run.
Apalachee's Malik Wiggins won the boys high jump while Tucker Keadle won the boys pole vault.
For Winder-Barrow, Logan Cash won the boys discus, Breanna McNamara won the girls pole vault, Jaidon Turner won the boys long jump and Djangmah Narhmartey won the boys 800-meter run.
Both schools had several other top-four finishes that qualified for the Class AAAAAA sectionals, which will be held April 28 at Grovetown High School. Region 8 athletes will be competing against athletes from regions 1, 2 and 3.
The top eight in each event will advance to the state meet May 10-12 in Carrollton.
See more coverage in the April 25 edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
Baseball: AHS beats Gainesville, helps WBHS out
The Apalachee High School baseball team fell short of its goal for making the state playoffs for the first time in school history, but the program’s quick transformation into a winning team under second-year coach Allan Bailey has been remarkable.
The Wildcats clinched a winning season Tuesday, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh to rally past Gainesville, 3-2, in the first of a three-game GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA series to wrap up the 2018 campaign.
“Just give credit to our kids for battling hard,” said Bailey, whose team improved to 15-11 overall and 4-9 in region play after a 4-22 finish a year ago, and which beat county rival Winder-Barrow last Wednesday, 5-4 in eight innings.
“We’re in a tough region but we’re fighting and see the progress we’re making, but we’re still hungry for more,” Bailey said. “It’s just a great group of kids who know they each have a role to play. It took an army to get it done (Tuesday) but there are no selfish bodies on this team.
“It’s huge for us to get wins over Gainesville and Winder because it puts our program on the map and earns us respect.”
Down 2-1 in the seventh Tuesday, the Wildcats got a one-out single from DJ Smith, who then moved to second and third on passed balls and scored on Alex Cook’s RBI single.
Later in the inning with two outs, pinch-hitter Nate Hodnett battled back from an 0-2 count and ripped a single to left that plated courtesy runner Chris Miller with the eventual winning run.
Cook pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh to nail down the save for starter Hunter Parks, who allowed the two runs on seven hits, while walking just one and striking out five.
“He was a real bulldog on the mound for us tonight,” Bailey said of Parks.
In addition to picking up the save, Cook led Apalachee at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance and a pair of runs driven in.
Apalachee’s victory also helped its crosstown rival Winder-Barrow as it moved the Bulldoggs back into a tie for first place in the region with the Red Elephants with two games to play. Winder-Barrow holds the tie-breaker over Gainesville, having won two out of three during the season.
The sixth-ranked Bulldoggs (16-10, 9-4) fell 2-0 at Lanier on Monday. The lone runs came on a two-run single by Jake Ludwig off Brady House in the bottom of the third. That was enough support for Longhorn starter Zach Murray, who went the distance and surrendered just five hits while walking one and fanning seven. House gave up just four hits and struck out a pair while throwing six innings for the Bulldoggs.
Winder-Barrow had a chance to rally in the top of the seventh when Trevor Maddox hit a one-out double, but a line drive by House was snagged by second baseman Sergio Vargas, who flipped to shortstop Jadyn Jackson to double off Maddox and end the game.
As long as the Bulldoggs finish at least tied with Gainesville in the final standings, they will win their second straight region title. The Bulldoggs were scheduled to host Lanier in the second game of the series at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday and will then be back on the road Friday at 5:55 p.m. They can clinch the title Wednesday with a win and another Apalachee win. Just one win over the Longhorns will at least allow the Bulldoggs to host the first round of the state playoffs, which begin April 26. Winder-Barrow wraps up its regular season Saturday with a non-region game at Heritage-Conyers at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats will be looking to play spoiler over the final two games Wednesday and Friday.
“That’s our goal,” Bailey said. “We’re going to give them our best shot, and win or lose, we’re going to play the game the right way and hold our heads high.”
The Wildcats clinched a winning season Tuesday, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh to rally past Gainesville, 3-2, in the first of a three-game GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA series to wrap up the 2018 campaign.
“Just give credit to our kids for battling hard,” said Bailey, whose team improved to 15-11 overall and 4-9 in region play after a 4-22 finish a year ago, and which beat county rival Winder-Barrow last Wednesday, 5-4 in eight innings.
“We’re in a tough region but we’re fighting and see the progress we’re making, but we’re still hungry for more,” Bailey said. “It’s just a great group of kids who know they each have a role to play. It took an army to get it done (Tuesday) but there are no selfish bodies on this team.
“It’s huge for us to get wins over Gainesville and Winder because it puts our program on the map and earns us respect.”
Down 2-1 in the seventh Tuesday, the Wildcats got a one-out single from DJ Smith, who then moved to second and third on passed balls and scored on Alex Cook’s RBI single.
Later in the inning with two outs, pinch-hitter Nate Hodnett battled back from an 0-2 count and ripped a single to left that plated courtesy runner Chris Miller with the eventual winning run.
Cook pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh to nail down the save for starter Hunter Parks, who allowed the two runs on seven hits, while walking just one and striking out five.
“He was a real bulldog on the mound for us tonight,” Bailey said of Parks.
In addition to picking up the save, Cook led Apalachee at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance and a pair of runs driven in.
Apalachee’s victory also helped its crosstown rival Winder-Barrow as it moved the Bulldoggs back into a tie for first place in the region with the Red Elephants with two games to play. Winder-Barrow holds the tie-breaker over Gainesville, having won two out of three during the season.
The sixth-ranked Bulldoggs (16-10, 9-4) fell 2-0 at Lanier on Monday. The lone runs came on a two-run single by Jake Ludwig off Brady House in the bottom of the third. That was enough support for Longhorn starter Zach Murray, who went the distance and surrendered just five hits while walking one and fanning seven. House gave up just four hits and struck out a pair while throwing six innings for the Bulldoggs.
Winder-Barrow had a chance to rally in the top of the seventh when Trevor Maddox hit a one-out double, but a line drive by House was snagged by second baseman Sergio Vargas, who flipped to shortstop Jadyn Jackson to double off Maddox and end the game.
As long as the Bulldoggs finish at least tied with Gainesville in the final standings, they will win their second straight region title. The Bulldoggs were scheduled to host Lanier in the second game of the series at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday and will then be back on the road Friday at 5:55 p.m. They can clinch the title Wednesday with a win and another Apalachee win. Just one win over the Longhorns will at least allow the Bulldoggs to host the first round of the state playoffs, which begin April 26. Winder-Barrow wraps up its regular season Saturday with a non-region game at Heritage-Conyers at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats will be looking to play spoiler over the final two games Wednesday and Friday.
“That’s our goal,” Bailey said. “We’re going to give them our best shot, and win or lose, we’re going to play the game the right way and hold our heads high.”
Soccer: Lady Wildcats beat Winder-Barrow, lock up No. 2 playoff seed
The Apalachee girls soccer team will host a state playoff match for the first time in program history.
The Lady Wildcats locked up the No. 2 seed in GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA Friday with a 1-0 road win at county rival Winder-Barrow on Friday.
Apalachee (11-3-1, 7-3 region) got its lone score on an own goal by Winder-Barrow with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. The Lady Wildcats had several more shots on goal, but some just missed and others were denied by Lady Bulldogg goalkeeper Payton Babb.
Apalachee will host the No. 3 seed from Region 7 in the first round on April 24. First, the Lady Wildcats will get a stiff non-region test Tuesday when they host undefeated Flowery Branch in their regular-season finale.
The Lady Bulldoggs (4-12, 1-9) will wrap up their season Friday when they host North Oconee in a non-region contest.
See more in next week's edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
The Lady Wildcats locked up the No. 2 seed in GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA Friday with a 1-0 road win at county rival Winder-Barrow on Friday.
Apalachee (11-3-1, 7-3 region) got its lone score on an own goal by Winder-Barrow with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. The Lady Wildcats had several more shots on goal, but some just missed and others were denied by Lady Bulldogg goalkeeper Payton Babb.
Apalachee will host the No. 3 seed from Region 7 in the first round on April 24. First, the Lady Wildcats will get a stiff non-region test Tuesday when they host undefeated Flowery Branch in their regular-season finale.
The Lady Bulldoggs (4-12, 1-9) will wrap up their season Friday when they host North Oconee in a non-region contest.
See more in next week's edition of the Barrow News-Journal.
Baseball: Apalachee knocks off Winder-Barrow in eight innings
For just the fifth time in 28 tries, the Apalachee baseball team beat crosstown rival Winder-Barrow on Wednesday, scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn a much-needed 5-4 victory in the second game of a three-game GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA series.
The win gives the Wildcats a single-season school record 14.
After Winder-Barrow grabbed a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth on an RBI double by Blake Friend, the Wildcats came roaring back. DJ Smith led off with a walk against Hunter Marsh and Dawson Matherly followed with a double that plated Smith to tie the game. Alex Cook advanced pinch runner Joey Salvaggio to third on a ground out. Then, Alecsi Lopez hit a ground ball to second base and Salvaggio beat Trevor Maddox's throw home to give the Wildcats the win.
Apalachee (14-10, 3-8 region) moved into a fifth-place tie with Habersham Central and within one game of fourth-place Dacula for the final state playoff spot. The Bulldoggs (15-9, 8-3) are now in a first-place tie with Gainesville but hold the tie-breaker over the Red Elephants.
The series between the Wildcats and Bulldoggs wraps up at 5:55 p.m. Friday at Winder-Barrow.
The win gives the Wildcats a single-season school record 14.
After Winder-Barrow grabbed a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth on an RBI double by Blake Friend, the Wildcats came roaring back. DJ Smith led off with a walk against Hunter Marsh and Dawson Matherly followed with a double that plated Smith to tie the game. Alex Cook advanced pinch runner Joey Salvaggio to third on a ground out. Then, Alecsi Lopez hit a ground ball to second base and Salvaggio beat Trevor Maddox's throw home to give the Wildcats the win.
Apalachee (14-10, 3-8 region) moved into a fifth-place tie with Habersham Central and within one game of fourth-place Dacula for the final state playoff spot. The Bulldoggs (15-9, 8-3) are now in a first-place tie with Gainesville but hold the tie-breaker over the Red Elephants.
The series between the Wildcats and Bulldoggs wraps up at 5:55 p.m. Friday at Winder-Barrow.
Soccer: AHS teams knock off Madison County
The Apalachee girls’ soccer team may have overlooked their opponent Tuesday night with rival Winder-Barrow coming up. But they narrowly squeaked out the non-region victory over Madison County with a goal in the 79th minute by Ashley Oldroyd to win 3-2.
The Lady Wildcats controlled the ball for most of the match, but they couldn’t find the net until the 50th minute. By then they had already allowed the Lady Red Raiders to score one goal right after halftime. The equalizer was a straight-ahead, inside shot by Alayna Stephens.
The match wasn’t tied for long, however. Just six minutes later, Scrappy Hale lofted the ball over the keeper and under the cross bar to give Apalachee a 2-1 lead. Madison County didn’t go away, though, and found a tying goal at the 65th minute off a corner kick.
The match remained tied and for a while leaned in Madison County’s favor. But Apalachee cranked up its attack in the final five minutes and eventually found Oldroyd in the box for an open shot with just seconds remaining.
Apalachee (10-3-1, 6-3 GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA) will play its region finale Friday at Winder-Barrow at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Wildcats can clinch the No. 2 seed for the state playoffs with a win or a Lanier loss to Gainesville.
AHS boys dominate 4-0
In the boys’ match, Madison County jumped on Apalachee in the opening 15 minutes, but the Wildcats withstood the attack without allowing a goal and responded with a 65-minute onslaught that produced four goals and a shutout victory.
The closest Madison County came to scoring was on a corner kick early in the match. One of their strikers headed the ball towards the goal but it ricocheted off the cross bar and away from the goal. The Wildcats took over from there and finally broke through with a goal by Jorge Bazan in the 25th minute. Chris Godinez added another goal in the 31st minute when he caught the keeper too far away from the goal.
The Wildcats added likely the easiest goal in school history at the 39th minute when the ball bounced towards Madison County’s goal with no Apalachee players around. One of the Red Raider defenders headed the ball back to his keeper who didn’t expect a header and let the ball go by him for an own goal. That gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead, which they extended to 4-0 at the 64th minute.
The Wildcats, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, are now 6-9 and will visit Winder-Barrow at 7:30 p.m. Friday before wrapping up their season Monday at home against Flowery Branch.
The Lady Wildcats controlled the ball for most of the match, but they couldn’t find the net until the 50th minute. By then they had already allowed the Lady Red Raiders to score one goal right after halftime. The equalizer was a straight-ahead, inside shot by Alayna Stephens.
The match wasn’t tied for long, however. Just six minutes later, Scrappy Hale lofted the ball over the keeper and under the cross bar to give Apalachee a 2-1 lead. Madison County didn’t go away, though, and found a tying goal at the 65th minute off a corner kick.
The match remained tied and for a while leaned in Madison County’s favor. But Apalachee cranked up its attack in the final five minutes and eventually found Oldroyd in the box for an open shot with just seconds remaining.
Apalachee (10-3-1, 6-3 GHSA Region 8-AAAAAA) will play its region finale Friday at Winder-Barrow at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Wildcats can clinch the No. 2 seed for the state playoffs with a win or a Lanier loss to Gainesville.
AHS boys dominate 4-0
In the boys’ match, Madison County jumped on Apalachee in the opening 15 minutes, but the Wildcats withstood the attack without allowing a goal and responded with a 65-minute onslaught that produced four goals and a shutout victory.
The closest Madison County came to scoring was on a corner kick early in the match. One of their strikers headed the ball towards the goal but it ricocheted off the cross bar and away from the goal. The Wildcats took over from there and finally broke through with a goal by Jorge Bazan in the 25th minute. Chris Godinez added another goal in the 31st minute when he caught the keeper too far away from the goal.
The Wildcats added likely the easiest goal in school history at the 39th minute when the ball bounced towards Madison County’s goal with no Apalachee players around. One of the Red Raider defenders headed the ball back to his keeper who didn’t expect a header and let the ball go by him for an own goal. That gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead, which they extended to 4-0 at the 64th minute.
The Wildcats, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, are now 6-9 and will visit Winder-Barrow at 7:30 p.m. Friday before wrapping up their season Monday at home against Flowery Branch.
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