SUMRALL – Just last season, Sumrall reached the third round of the playoffs, marking the program's deepest postseason run.
With more depth this season, which was on display in the Bobcats' 5-0 win over Forrest County AHS on Tuesday night, the Bobcats are hopeful of exceeding last year's success.
In a testament to their depth, the victory featured five different players scoring a goal.
“That’s what we have been doing this whole year, and it’s been great,” Sumrall coach Jared Lee said. “Of course, we want multiple guys scoring because you can’t single in on one person and stop them. Even the guys who are subbing in this year, especially at the attacking positions, there is some age there. It’s juniors and seniors, and for so long, we’ve been young.”
Sumrall (12-4-3, 4-0) didn’t get on the board until the 19th minute, with Mac Davis knocking in the first score. Later in the 27th minute, Will Cronin took advantage of a 30-yard throw-in and tapped in the second goal of the night. Henry Hamner then scored in the 26th minute to build a 3-0 by halftime.
Grady Glenn scored three minutes into the second half, which was followed by Wyatt Davis capping off the night with the final goal in the 41st minute. Forrest County AHS drops to 3-8-2 overall and 1-3 in region action.
Jones was Sumrall’s leading scorer last season, and the extra attacker has helped him and the offensive attack immensely.
“We were able to move to two strikers instead of one just because we have multiple subs there,” Lee said. “We didn’t have that last year. It takes the pressure off Wyatt Jones a little bit. He’s still doing his thing, scoring, putting in goals, and providing assists. It takes pressure off of him, and teams just can’t concentrate on him.”
Looking ahead, Avilla believes that if his team can stay consistent and maintain composure within the game that his team can exceed last season’s mark.
“The main thing that we have to clean up for us is keeping things simple,” Lee said. “We do a good job of involving each other and moving the ball around. We just need to be more consistent with it. I think that’s our main thing is finding that consistency.
But also, I really think it’s going to be about keeping our heads. We kind of lost our heads a little bit. I think the occasion really got to us a little bit. We were really amped and excited, so we talked about it a lot in the offseason. At the end of the day, we’re all going to make mistakes in the game. That’s fine, and carry on. If we play well and manage games well as far as our emotions, I think we will be in a good spot.”
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