Clarke Central High School girls varsity midfielder Evin Carvell, a senior, challenges for the ball during the Classic City Championship against Cedar Shoals High School on Feb. 10. The Gladiators have secured their spot in the state playoffs as they approach their final Region 8-AAAAA game against Winder-Barrow High School on Teacher Appreciation Night on March 29. “Our goal for Teacher Appreciation Night is to win the game, and to play a great game. We want to make sure it is an enjoyable night for the players, teachers, and families in attendance,” head girls varsity soccer coach Jacob Baxley said. “Being the last game before spring break, we definitely want to end on a high note so that we go into the break with good spirits as we get prepared for a playoff run.” Photo by Izzy Duncan
The CCHS girls varsity soccer team will compete against Winder-Barrow High School on March 29 for their last Region 8-AAAAA game on Teacher Appreciation Night.
The Clarke Central High School girls varsity soccer team will play their last home game against Winder-Barrow High School on March 29 at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to being the Gladiators’ last Region 8-AAAAA game, players for both the girls and boys teams will recognize a teacher during Teacher Appreciation Night.
“Teacher Appreciation Night is a very special night for both students and athletes. Teachers have one of the toughest jobs and don’t often receive proper recognition or appreciation so being able to help provide that is always special,” head girls varsity soccer coach Jacob Baxley said. “As a teacher, being chosen by a student is an honor and speaks to the impact you’ve had on that student’s life. As a student, it provides a chance to honor that teacher’s hard work and to help build their relationship with that teacher.”
For girls varsity winger Katherine Queen, a senior, Teacher Appreciation Night is not just an opportunity to build connections between students and teachers, but the community, as well.
“For Teacher Appreciation Night, I think it also brings in the whole school as a community and gets support for the team,” Queen said. “The girls team doesn’t always receive that much support from people at the school, so I think it’s nice to get more people to come to the games, and also for teachers to feel a connection to athletics.”
Aside from celebrating teachers, Queen is looking forward to the team’s decision to try new tactics during the game.
“We’re starting a new formation. We’re playing with three in the back, which will be exciting, and also a good way to practice before playoffs,” Queen said. “It might be a bit of an adjustment, but I think it’ll be overall beneficial for the team.”
Clarke Central High School girls varsity winger Katherine Queen, a senior, is honored with her family at Senior Night at Billy Henderson Stadium on March 14. Queen and other soccer players nominated teachers to recognize at tonight’s Teacher Night, which she hopes will connect the team with school community. ” “For Teacher Appreciation Night, I think it also brings in the whole school as a community and gets support for the team,” Queen said. “The girls team doesn’t always receive that much support from people at the school, so I think it’s nice to get more people to come to the games, and also for teachers to feel a connection to athletics.” Photo by Izzy Duncan
Regardless of the outcome in the upcoming game, with a current 3-2 region record, the Gladiators will move forward to the state playoffs. However, tonight’s game will impact the team’s playoff seeding.
“(Each game) we’re going out there to try to win, but (also) to really continue growing together as a team and keep improving,” Baxley said. “We’ve been on a good run recently and been playing very well, so we just want to keep building on that and to keep improving and playing connected and together.”
“For Teacher Appreciation Night, I think it also brings in the whole school as a community and gets support for the team. The girls team doesn’t always receive that much support from people at the school, so I think it’s nice to get more people to come to the games, and also for teachers to feel a connection to athletics.”
— Katherine Queen,
girls varsity winger
While this is Queen’s last region game, she is excited that it won’t be the end of her high school soccer career.
“(It’s) definitely quite sad,” Queen said. “It’s been a very quick four years and it feels like I just started the team my freshman year, so it’ll definitely be sad, but it’s also good to look forward to having playoffs and I’m glad this isn’t our final game.”
The CCHS girls varsity soccer team will compete against Winder-Barrow High School on March 29 for their last Region 8-AAAAA game on Teacher Appreciation Night.
