The Columbus Blue Devil girls soccer team waits in anticipation on the eve of the Class AAA championship game. The Blue Devils wait ready to massage away the irritation of not having won a state title in the program’s history. They look to join the boys program that has already won a state title in its history. Headman Rusty Oliver is in his fifteenth year and is proud of where the program has come since the start of his Blue Devil tenure. Oliver waits as well, to break the trend of no silver cups in the trophy case for the girl’s team.
“It would mean a lot to me personally,” Oliver said. “I would also give credit to every single player that I have ever had that has stuck it out for four years with me. For our seniors that are leaving this year, I would really love to see us win it for them this year.”
The Blue Devils will lock cleats against the Allatoona Buccaneers. The Blue Devils traveled to Allatoona March 17 and dispatched of the Buccaneers 3-2. The Blue Devils finished the regular season with an 18-4 overall record and a perfect region record. During this playoff run, the Blue Devils have held Heritage-Catoosa and Eastside scoreless. Overall, the Blue Devils have outscored opponents in the playoffs 19-2
The Buccaneers, hold a 19-2 overall record and have pitched three consecutive shutouts over West Laurens, Woodward, and Gainesville on the road to the State Championship.
The Buccaneers have dropped scoring bombshells on opponents, blasting them in the playoffs by a total score of 23-2.
Oliver acknowledged the potent Buccaneer attack, stating that a ferocious defense will be the key if his team wishes to bring home its first state title.
“We are going to have to play defense for every minute of the game tomorrow,” Oliver said. “ We know they have the ability to score; they have great individual goal scorers. Allatoona is loaded, they can hit us from anywhere on the field. I know they have kids that can finish up front, midfielders that can finish from long distance. I think it is going to be a tight match and one of the most exciting matches tomorrow.”
Oliver hinted at a slight feeling of optimism surging through his team in anticipation of the school’s first state final. The Blue Devils are hungry but prepared for Allatoona’s biggest punches.
“We have a cautious excitement tonight,” Oliver said. “We know we can do it, but we definitely are not going in overconfident. We are one of the last two teams surviving, so evidently we are doing something right.”
Loading ...
