OAKWOOD, Ga. — In the first-ever Hall/Whitfield County Showcase, the East Hall boys held on for a thrilling 2-1 win over Northwest Whitfield on Friday night at The Dungeon at Johnson High School.
The host Johnson boys, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, dropped a tight 2-1 decision to Class 5A No. 1-ranked Dalton in the nightcap at The Dungeon.
In the opening match, the Class 4A fourth-ranked Vikings (4-1) opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a Jairo Aldaco goal off an assist from Ainor Romero Turcios. East Hall pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 20th minute as Jonathan Torres converted a PK after Wilder Velasquez was taken down in the box.
Northwest Whitfield scored in the 33rd minute to cut the lead to 2-1 late in the first half. It was a defensive slugfest the rest of the match.
East Hall had chances to add to its lead in the second half but was unable to find the net.
For Johnson, things started well as the Knights got a goal from Junior Castillo on an assist from Jordy Acosta with 12:14 left in the first half. The match would go to the half with the Knights hanging onto their slim lead.
Dalton wasted little time coming out of the break. The Catamounts scored in the 41st minute on a counterattack and then took the lead again in the 59th minute.
The Knights had several chances to tie the match but could not get the equalizer.
The Vikings next will jump back into Region 8-4A action traveling to Madison County on Tuesday.
Johnson (3-1-1) will play host to Seckinger on Tuesday in Region 8-4A action.
