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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School’s soccer programs will have no room to ease into the post-spring break schedule with two massive area matches on the docket next week on April 1 and 4. After both varsity teams dropped their first two area matches, both on the road, it is paramount the teams get a result from these matches to keep their postseason hopes alive. The winners and runners-up from each area move on to the sub-state playoffs.

The varsity boys dropped their March 18 area match at Calera High School 4-0 after holding the score to a 0-0 draw at halftime. The Tigers were also leading at halftime, 2-1, against Benjamin Russell High School before going on to fall 5-2. While both matches ended in defeat, the play in both first halves leads CCHS to believe they have something for both area foes in their upcoming reverse fixtures.

“After the first two matches against Ben Russell and Calera, I feel like we can play with these guys. We have the talent to play with pretty much anybody, but we need to get over that hump, and it has definitely been an experience trying to find the right buttons to push for these guys,” Brandon Gurganus, CCHS varsity boys head coach, said. “I feel like I am saying the same thing every week — We buy in for a half and do everything right, and then it is almost like we revert back to old habits because they are comfortable … In the second half, and it cost us.”

Gurganus has always lived up to the philosophy of giving his players true breaks when there are breaks in the schedule, and that is how he approached this spring break. The team has struggled with injuries and is very heavy-legged at this point in the season, such as Mateo Hinojosa being sidelined the last three weeks with an ankle injury. Gurganus hopes the rest period will help the squad bounce back into form before the crucial upcoming area matches.

“When you go through two emotional losses it is good to get away from it for a while,” Gurganus said. “Hopefully, we can come back on Monday, have a great practice and have fresh legs to be ready to go (for Benjamin Russell on Tuesday).”

The varsity girls team is coming off a 4-2 loss to Stanhope Elmore High School on March 20 that saw Mary Thornhill and Jimena Melchor bag goals, and Charleigh Hicks provided the assists to both of them. Both varsity teams host Benjamin Russell on April 1 and Calera on April 4.

The junior varsity boys team picked up a 2-2 draw against Stanhope Elmore on March 20 with goals from freshmen Julio Galvan and Rex Totten, Totten’s on a penalty kick equalizer with less than 10 minutes to play.