GAINESVILLE — It’s a rivalry that has become nearly unmatched in Northeast Georgia over the past decade.
North Hall-White County football? Nope. East Hall-Gainesville boys basketball? Nope. Battle of Oakwood? Nope.
Try the Gainesville-Johnson boys soccer rivalry, which has become as heated, and even, as any big rivalry currently going. Since 2013, the series is tied at 3-3-2 with the last 12 meetings, going back to 2009, all decided by one goal or in penalty kicks.
Friday night at City Park Stadium, the latest edition will kick off at 7:30 p.m. as both teams are coming off season-opening shutout wins on Tuesday.
The Jan. 25 start to the season is the earliest the Georgia High School Association has ever kicked off the soccer campaign. The Red Elephants, despite a 2-0 win over East Hall on Tuesday, have been hampered by their usual practice field not being available due to construction at the school.
“The GHSA decided once schedules were made to change the dates for soccer and our regions had already set up (schedules) and so the only option for us was to play (this game) early,” Gainesville coach Eli Viviant said. “Add to this that we don't have a field to train yet and it has rendered the situation more difficult. However, I hope that we will be ready to answer what Johnson has ready for us. They have a well-coached, talented squad but I think that we will still be ready to give them a good game.”
Gainesville won 2-1 in 2021 at The Dungeon and is 2-0-1 over the last three matchups in the series since a three-match win streak for the Knights from 2015-17. The two teams did not play in 2020 after the second half of the season was canceled due to COVID.
The last few matchups have been late-season affairs to help prepare for playoff runs. This year, both teams will be looking to jump-start their 2022 seasons.
“Playing in such a big stage against a quality opponent early will definitely help get us prepared for the rest of the season,” Johnson coach Frank Zamora said. “Being tested early will help us identify our strengths and weaknesses.”
Both teams have been known for their offensive flair and ability to control the tempo. It should be no different this time around.
The Knights (1-0) opened their season on Tuesday as well, rolling to an impressive 6-0 win over Habersham Central. Five different players scored -- Ramon Aguilar, Alexis Ascencio, Jeffrey Castillo, and Daniel Trujillo all had one goal and Jorge Sandoval added a brace. Keepers Arturo Mata and Kristian Hernandez combined on the shutout.
“It’s early and we’re still trying to work some things out,” Zamora said. “We have a good core of returners on both sides who are great contributors. Jorge and Ramon in the attack, Angel Sagrero, Christian Robles are a big part of midfield, and a solid back four led by Landon Avalos.”
In Gainesville’s win over East Hall, it was tied 0-0 at halftime before the Red Elephants (1-0) found the net twice in the second half. Austin Contreras and Gabriel Ixcoy Calel scored while the Gainesville defense, led by Marcos Morenos, Daniel Solis, Ozmar Marceleno and Christofer Ortiz, stymied a young but talented Vikings offense throughout. Josthin Arellano got the win in goal.
“We are trying to control the tempo of the game, relying on possession, and this starts from the back,” Viviant said. “We incorporated a lot of new players and I am sure that we will find the right mix offensively soon to create more chances each game. I am not sure that we will be a one or two man team. I think that we have a good group of players that can perform as a team.”
But no matter the makeup of the rosters, both coaches have come to expect a battle down to the final horn whenever they meet.
“It’s always a close match. We are expecting a hard fought battle just like it always is when we play Gainesville,” Zamora said.
“I believe that this will be my 10th Johnson-Gainesville match and the match is always a one-goal game, or PKs, and I hope that will be the case (on Friday),” Viviant said.
