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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School’s varsity boys soccer team remained unbeaten so far in the 2025 season after winning four of their five matches between Feb. 14-20.

The Tigers won the Copper Division of the Lakeshore Shootout in Birmingham on Feb. 14-15 by winning all three matches. CCHS took down Brookwood 2-1 to start their tournament with seniors Brandon Alcala and Cristian Zurita bagging goals and goalkeeper Mateo Hinojosa making three saves to get the win. The squad followed that up with a 4-0 win over Holy Spirit Catholic School with all four goals coming in the first half. Zurita netted a brace, and Angel Gonzalez and Roger Hernandez each added a goal. The two wins set up CCHS with a chance to win their division against Holy Family Catholic School, and they did not let the opportunity go to waste, winning 10-0. The Tigers got tremendous boosts from junior varsity players in the match with Julio Galvan and Jelsin Arias each scoring two goals.

The CCHS soccer program opened their home account on Feb. 18 hosting Marbury High School, and the varsity girls team got a goal from Charleigh Hicks but fell 4-1. The varsity boys had their opportunities to take the win against Marbury, but settled for a 1-1 draw after surrendering a penalty kick. Hernandez bagged the goal for the Tigers off an assist from midfielder Weston Corley.

“We feel like we let one get away against Marbury,” Brandon Gurganus, CCHS varsity boys head coach, said. “Obviously, giving up the PK was significant, but missing on 20 plus shots cost us the win.”

On Feb. 20, the varsity girls were poised to collect their first points of the season holding Elmore County High School on the road to a 2-2 draw late. However, in the dying embers of the match, Elmore County found a winner on a breakaway to take it 3-2. Julianna Romero grabbed a brace with both goals for the Tigers.

The varsity boys had a fast-paced and high-scoring first half against Elmore County with the score sitting at 4-2 by halftime. Alcala, Gonzalez and Hernandez stayed in form with goals, and Corley and Jesus Centeno each added a goal themselves. Corley also earned a hat trick of assists en route to the 5-2 victory in frigid conditions.

“We played really well as a group in really tough weather conditions,” Gurganus said. “Other than a 10-minute lapse of effort and judgement midway through the first half, I was really proud of the guys.”

Gurganus added that he has been thrilled with the seniors leading the team, but also with younger players stepping up, like Corley in midfield who began the season on the JV squad and is now playing a key role in the varsity midfield.

The schedule ramps up for CCHS next week as they host Helena High School on Feb. 25 and travel to Montevallo High School on Feb. 27. The varsity girls kick off against Helena at 5:30 p.m., and at 5 p.m. against Montevallo with the varsity boys to follow after at both.