Clarke Central High School boys junior varsity soccer player Basil Mattox, a freshman, holds the Region 8-AAAAA JV Championship trophy after the Gladiators’ 4-0 win against Jefferson High School in the final on March 25. CCHS midfielder Aaron Perez, a junior, starred in their win, bagging a hat trick. “It was amazing, it feels great. This was the first JV championship and we literally destroyed Jefferson 4-0,” Perez said. “This is history, this is the first time we’ve done this.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The CCHS boys junior varsity soccer team captured the first-ever Region 8-AAAAA JV Championship by beating Jefferson High School 4-0 in the final on March 25.
The Clarke Central High School junior varsity soccer team has made history.
After beating Heritage High School on penalties in the semifinal on March 22, the Gladiators took home the inaugural Region 8-AAAAA JV Championship by beating Jefferson High School 4-0 in the final on March 25, bringing a tangible reward to another strong season for the team that saw them go undefeated.
“(This win) is a great culmination of all their hard work, particularly that game against Heritage leading up to this (when we) basically (beat) a full varsity team,” CCHS head boys JV soccer coach Alec Zimmerman said.
The Gladiators controlled the game from the start, with a goal inside 15 minutes from forward Henry Payne, a Clarke Middle School eighth-grader, setting them on their way. Not long after, CCHS midfielder Aaron Perez, a junior, struck to send the Gladiators into halftime with a two goal cushion.
“I scored (my) first one and I was happy,” Perez said. “It was with my right (foot) and (JHS players) kept saying ‘He only has a left foot, he only has a left foot,’ and then I scored with my right (foot).”
Clarke Central High School boys junior varsity forward Wilkes Field, a junior, shoots at the Jefferson High School goalie during the Gladiators 4-0 win over the Dragons in the Region 8-AAAAA JV Championship on March 25. The Gladiators jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead before securing the win with two further goals in the second half, a determined effort that CCHS head boys JV soccer coach Alec Zimmerman credited to the team’s pregame excitement. “(This game) has definitely motivated our players all throughout the season, kind of like how (on) varsity people ask ‘When’s our next region game?’ That was happening every week at practice,” Zimmerman said. “They were so excited for it, and so to come here, win the game (and) be champions, it’s an awesome feeling.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
That wasn’t the end of the goals for Perez, who scored twice more in the second half to seal his hat trick and cement the win for the Gladiators in what’s likely to be his final appearance in a JV uniform.
“It’s a great way to end it. 4-0, three goals, last game? That’s good,” Perez said.
The Gladiators may play again this season in a rescheduled Classic City Championship against Cedar Shoals High School, but if they don’t, Zimmerman is glad to go out on a high.
“(This game) has definitely motivated our players all throughout the season, kind of like how (on) varsity people ask ‘When’s our next region game?’ That was happening every week at practice,” Zimmerman said. “They were so excited for it, and so to come here, win the game (and) be champions, it’s an awesome feeling.”
Clarke Central High School head boys junior varsity soccer coach Alec Zimmerman stands on the sideline in the midst of the Gladiators 4-0 win over Jefferson High School in the Region 8-AAAAA JV Championship on March 25. Zimmerman may not return to the team next year, but he is happy with the season he’s had. “I think whoever comes in will have an excellent platform for next season,” Zimmerman said. “There are gonna be a lot of seniors around, so hopefully we’ll still have some guys on this team who can continue this legacy.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
