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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School’s varsity soccer teams opened their area schedules against Calera High School on Feb. 22 among their games during last week’s action.

The varsity boys played Stanhope Elmore High School to a 2-2 draw on Feb. 20 prior to their area opener, their first of the season. Stanhope pounced early with two quick goals in the first 15 minutes of the match, and CCHS goalkeeper Mateo Hinojosa made several stellar saves to keep the count at only two.

The Tigers took some time to settle into the game, but controlled possession throughout the second half, and the goals followed soon after. Gentry Elmore and Jared Zurita each found the back of the net in the last 12 minutes to salvage the draw.

The CCHS junior varsity boys team played to a scoreless draw against Stanhope Elmore prior to the varsity boy’s game. The JV team also finished runner up in the Shelby County JV Tournament on Feb. 23-24. Weston Corley, Avibau Mendez and Rex Totten all made contributions during the tournament run.

Against Calera, the varsity boys had another slow start that put them in a 4-0 hole within the first 30 minutes. However, Tomas Bores Soler converted a free kick from 25 yards out to get the Tigers on the board before halftime at 4-1.

“We are still fighting the same demons we have been fighting for a few years here at CCHS,” varsity boys head coach Brandon Gurganus said. “Our lack of on-field communication, and our lack of confidence against teams who have traditionally been better than us, are currently what is holding us back. We have got to figure out how to stop allowing the name on the front of the opponent’s jersey to beat us before we ever get off the bus.”

Soler earned a brace with his second goal shortly after the second half started to make it 4-2 to keep the Tigers’ hopes alive. However, an own goal and a red card later in the half unraveled CCHS, and Calera posted two more goals to win 6-2 and hand the Tigers their first loss of the season. The team currently sits at 7-1-1.

The varsity girls showed organization and fight in the first half against Calera, but a barrage of goals in the second half dropped CCHS 6-0, and to 3-4 overall this season.

This week, both varsity teams hit the road to face Marbury High School on Feb. 27, then host Prattville Christian on Feb. 29. Both nights of games begin with the varsity girls kicking off at 5:30 p.m. The JV boys play against PCA on Feb. 29 before the varsity girls.