With spring break just around the corner, and the playoffs looming, half-a-dozen matches scheduled for Thursday will serve as one final tune-up for area teams.
However, one could decide a region title and another will decide second place in another region.
Habersham Central can clinch the Region 8-5A title with a win over Jackson County at Raider Stadium. The Raiders (9-2, 5-0 Region 8-5A) have won seven straight, including three 1-goal victories in region play. The Panthers (11-4, 3-1 Region 8-5A) are still in the running for a region title if they can beat the Raiders on Thursday, knock off Alcovy in their region finale on Apr. 17, and get a Clarke Central (11-1, 4-1 Region 8-5A) loss to Alcovy on Friday.
In Region 8-3A, Cherokee Bluff (9-5, 3-1 Region 8-3A) has won six straight after getting a complete roster following the girls basketball teams state title run. That has them locked in a tie for second place with Oconee County (10-5, 3-1 Region 8-3A). The two teams will face off at Yonah Field with the winner clinching second place. The key in this one will be the Oconee County, defense which has allowed just 3 goals over its last five matches, against the Bluff offense, which has scored 52 goals during its win streak (8.6 goals/game).
(See below for the full schedule of Thursday's games.)
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, April 3
(Matches begin at 5:30 p.m. with girls unless otherwise noted)
Jackson County at Habersham Central*
Jefferson at Buford
Gainesville at Milton*
Lumpkin County at Commerce
Oconee County at Cherokee Bluff*
West Hall at Seckinger
(* -- denotes region contest)
