Thursday March 28th, 2024 3:41PM

Soccer: JHS, GHS boys set for annual showdown

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

GAINESVILLE — There are no playoff implications. No region titles on the line. Really, nothing of any major importance.

(Wait for it...)

Oh, you thought we were serious about that last one?

(Watch this week's AccessSports Weekly webcast here.)

When the Johnson boys soccer team steps off the bus Thursday night at City Park Stadium, the Knights will try and recapture a “title” they had taken from them in 2018 when they meet arch-rival Gainesville in both teams’ season-finale. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Gainesville took a tough 3-2 victory at Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium in 2018 to snap a three-game losing streak to the Knights. 

In 2019, both teams teams come in hot. Johnson (14-2) claimed the Region 8-5A title last week, is the defending Class 5A state champion, and is ranked fourth in Class 5A. The Knights have won eight straight and 9 of their last 10 and have allowed just 8 goals in that span.

Gainesville (14-2) captured the Region 8-6A title last week and is ranked No. 3 in Class 6A. The Red Elephants have won four straight, three straight by shutout, and 7 of their last 8 overall. They have allowed just 7 goals in that span.

And while true, there are no official region titles on the line, bragging rights in Hall County, and the mythical ‘County Championship’ is on the line. To some, that may be more important.

“It is nice to have two region champs from the same county/city battling it out for the 'county' title,” Gainesville coach Eli Viviant said. “This year we are also both undefeated in county play so it brings something else to the table.

“I see the Johnson game as a family game. It is like beating your older brother. It has a particular feel to it but at the same time I want them to do well after this game. I don't put it above a state title, but just under it.”

The teams traditionally have played their annual scrum midseason. This year, however, scheduling conflicts and playoff preparation provided the two powerhouses the opportunity to close out the season with a sonic boom.

“(Playoff preparation) definitely comes into play for sure but I think it was one of the few open dates both of us had left as we were scheduling,” Johnson coach Brian Shirley said. “It's a big game for sure and (bragging rights) means a lot to both squads.”

The teams are an even 3-3-1 over their last seven meetings, both scoring 12 goals. Every contest in that span has been decided by one goal, except for a 1-1 draw in 2013 at City Park, and five have needed extra time.

The odd anomaly is that the road team is 5-1-1 in that span. The only home victory in that span came in 2016 when Johnson won 3-2 at Billy Ellis Memorial.

Also in that seven-game span, the two squads combined four times to score three goals or fewer, including two that were slim 1-0 affairs. Neither team has scored more than four (a 4-3 Johnson win in 2015) in a match.

With the defensive-minded nature of both the current squads, the first strike may be all that is needed.

Gainesville is yielding just 0.87 goals a game (14 total) with seven shutouts and has surrendered one or less in 12 of its 16 matches. Johnson is allowing just 0.81 goals a game (13 total) with six shutouts and has surrendered one or less in 13 of its 16 matches.

Both squads also feature outstanding goaltending. Gainesville has Eduardo Bautista while the Knights have Georgia State-signee Cooper Bowen, who would have won the 2018 finals MVP award if the GHSA had such a thing.

The Knights may offer a little more firepower on offense having netted 64 goals on the season (4.0 gpg) while Gainesville has collected 45 goals (2.81 gpg) in 2019. The Knights’ attack features Cristian Maldonado, Junior Arellano, Edgar Lopez, and Cole Bowen. Gainesville will counter with Pedro Santos, Jorge Vasquez, Armando Hernandez, Aram Lara, and Jose Aguilera.

With both coaches and squads more than familiar with one another, scouting reports may not be necessary.

“I think it comes down to which team handles the momentum swings of the game the best,” Shirley said. “It's always a wide open game and there are highs and lows with each team. Having the ability to manage that and work through the lows will be very important.

“Both teams have solid defenses, the set piece game could be something to look for.”

Viviant practically mirrored Shirley.

“I don't think the difference will be much. Johnson is better than us in some areas and I feel we are better in others,” Viviant said. “None of the last seven games were decided by more than a goal. I don't expect anything different this year.”

The fans that are expected to pack City Park Stadium surely will be hoping they get more of the same.

  • Associated Categories: Sports, High School Sports
  • Associated Tags: High school soccer, Johnson boys soccer, Gainesville boys soccer
© Copyright 2024 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.