Clarke Central High School striker Thaddeus Pruitt, a sophomore, dribbles down the line against a North Springs High School player in the April 13 match at Billy Henderson Stadium. According to CCHS midfielder Davis Gabriel, a senior, the Gladiators were able to turn more chances into goals during this game than previous. “I would really just say it was the shooting. We’ve always had the chances, it’s just whether we can put them in the back of the net,” Gabriel said. Photo by Aza Khan
The CCHS boys varsity soccer team won against North Springs High School in a playoff game on April 13, making their record 16-3.
On April 13, the Clarke Central High School boys varsity soccer team took on the North Springs High School Spartans in the first round of the Region AAAAA playoffs, winning 6-0 and bringing their record to 16-3.
The Gladiators started the game strong 25 minutes into the first half with CCHS striker Thaddeus Pruitt, a sophomore, throwing the ball in to CCHS center back Ehtaloe Htoo, a junior, who flicked it to CCHS striker Clayton Dufur, a junior, allowing him to score a goal from close range.
“It was a great validation to the boys to see us actually take something that we work on at training, (and) see it implemented in the game to a high success. As a coach, I’m very pleased to see them execute what we’ve been working on (during) our practice to a high level in a playoff game.” boys varsity soccer head coach Chris Aiken said.
The Gladiators carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime, and scored an early second-half goal when midfielder Ulisses Silis, a junior, floated in a cross that midfielder Davis Gabriel, a senior, headed into the goal. According to Gabriel, the Gladiator’s momentum increased after that second goal.
“Before (this game), we lost to Archer (High School), (Athens Academy) and Johnson (High School). It sucks, but we realized that we’re not that undefeated team, we’re not that good. We still have stuff we need to work on and (losing games) just made us focus on our flaws,” Gabriel said.
“Before (this game), we lost to Archer (High School), (Athens Academy) and Johnson (High School). It sucks, but we realized that we’re not that undefeated team, we’re not that good. We still have stuff we need to work on and (losing games) just made us focus on our flaws.”
— Davis Gabriel,
boys varsity soccer midfielder
Seven minutes later, Pruitt tapped in a cross from Gabriel, making the score 3-0 for the Gladiators.
“Clayton, Thad, all the (offensive players), we’ve always been talking about (how) we need to do (crossing) better. We’re just focusing on that and it’s finally starting to come through,” Gabriel said.
After the third goal, Gabriel scored his second goal of the night to put the Gladiators 4-0 up. Then Pruitt assisted Gabriel’s hat trick to make the score 5-0.
“I mean, it’s really just (about) the mentality. We knew last year we won 1-0, and we had just as many chances (as) we had in this game, and we knew that we had to score. The pressure made us show up,” Gabriel said.
“It’s really just (about) the mentality. We knew last year we won 1-0, and we had just as many chances (as) we had in this game, and we knew that we had to score. The pressure made us show up.”
— Davis Gabriel,
boys varsity soccer midfielder
In the last 15 minutes, Htoo assisted Gabriel’s fourth goal to round out the scoring and ended the game. According to Aiken, the game showed how practice can pay off.
“I thought offensively and defensively we looked very sharp for both sides of the field. Obviously, getting a shutout in a playoff game was pretty important, but getting an outpouring of six goals is even more important. I thought the offense executed very well tonight, finished a lot of their chances and I think we left some chances on the table,” Aiken said.
While the win was a positive step for the Gladiators, Aiken believes the team has more to work on before they’ll be ready to play at McIntosh High School on April 19.
“(I am) looking forward to hopefully get another playoff win to keep the season alive. Especially for the seniors, they’ve worked really hard the past four years and so I’d love them to have the opportunity to get another week together with the team,” Aiken said.
