Clinton High School Soccer Prepares For Two Big Playoff Games
By Charlie Rook
Clinton High School boys and girls soccer both sit at a record of 13-5-3 as the post season approaches. The teams have both capped off incredible regular seasons, which finds the men ranked at number 10 in the state, and the women at number 5. The seasons have seen numerous impressive victories, and very tight losses, earning both sides a home playoff game on February 10th.
On the ladies side, the team started the year on a 5 game unbeaten streak, until a 1-0 loss to Montverde Academy, a team based in Florida that are currently the top ranked private school in the country. The ladies would use that momentum to spring board to an 8-2 district record, with both losses coming to an impressive Oxford High team. For the Lady Arrows this season, it’s been Kayla Jones getting the job done. The senior striker has found the back of the net 13 times, averaging just under one goal per match. In the past two weeks, this Lady Arrow team has played the third ranked Brandon High School, and number one ranked Northwest Rankin High School. The ladies were defeated in both games by a score of 2-1, however have faced the states best in back to back weeks and held their own. The games get no easier however as the team enters a first round match up with the number 7 ranked Lewisburg High School. It’s shaping up to be a fun one with both teams playing very similarly against common opponents, but Lewisburg highlights that category with a victory against Oxford and Brandon this season.
On the men’s side it’s a similar story. The team sits number 10 in the state rankings, and are preparing for a home playoff game against the number 11 ranked Tupelo High School. The men had a quick start to the season, going undefeated through the first 8 games, before losing 3 out of the next 5. After a small rough patch, the men have jumped back into winning ways, as they enter the playoffs on a 3 game win streak. The team has been led this season by the play of two seniors, Timothy Graham who leads the team with 10 goals, as well as Juan Paredes who has 8 goals and 10 assists to speak of. The battle between Tupelo and Clinton should be another fun one with both teams playing well to end the season. The Arrows will have the home field advantage, and will face the winner of Lewisburg and Oxford should they advance.
