SUMRALL – There’s no question that Sumrall has a strong chance to defend its state championship crown.
Behind a hat trick performance from Addies Siders, the Lady Bobcats made quick work of Forrest County AHS with an 8-0 win that invoked the mercy rule on Tuesday night.
Sumrall put together its 13th straight win and, entering the matchup, had already clinched the region title, which is the program’s eighth in the last 10 years.
However, the first 10 minutes of the game by no means suggested that Sumrall scored all eight goals within a 30-minute span. The Lady Bobcats had several opportunities to score but had a somewhat frustrating slow start.
“We kind of started off rocky,” said Addie Siders, who is signed with Southern Miss. “It just kind of takes us a minute to settle into the game, get comfortable and get used to playing. Tonight, we really tried to move the ball through the 18. We tried to get as close to the goal as we could. I think after the first couple of minutes we started clicking. Then we got into our groove and played our game the way we know how to play.”
Sumrall (15-3, 4-0) did, in fact, settle in, with Siders scoring the first goal in the 10th minute. In the 14th minute, Presley Kirkland was followed by Siders two minutes later. Addie Siders’ younger sister, Caroline, then scored back-to-back goals. Caroline’s second goal was a header from a corner kick by Addie.
In the final six minutes of the half, Addie Siders scored her final goal, with Ashton Stringfellow capping off the first half with a 6-0 lead.
Trinity Strokes and Taylor Sinclair then scored goals in the second half to close out the game in the second half. Forrest County AHS now drops to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in region play.
What’s been even impressive for Sumrall is that the Lady Bobcats have replicated last year’s dominance without last year’s leading scorer Rylee Kirkland, who tore her ACL before the season.
“For all the girls, Rylee is such a huge part of this team on the field and off the field,” Sumrall coach Todd Siders said. “It took us a while to adjust she’s been great on the sidelines.
“On the soccer field, it’s been a huge adjustment. You take away our leading scorer from last year, and she had double-digit assists. I think the first few games, I wish we could go back and play again. It took us time to figure out what the pieces would be like without her because that’s a significant piece that’s out. We’ve figured out what the puzzle looks like now, and we are playing a lot better.”
But Rylee Kirkland’s absence has created a rallying cry for the team.
“It was really hard,” Addie Siders said. “Rylee is such a big piece of our team. You can’t replace Rylee, and there is no replacement. When we found out about it, everyone got together, and we kind of rallied around her and, supported her and let her know that we were here for her.
“I think we all, as a team, decided at the beginning of the year that we were going to play this year for Rylee. She would want us to be sad. She would want us to enjoy it. She would want us to win. That’s been our whole motto all year to do it for her.”
Even more impressive, Sumrall has five players who scored at least 10 goals. Yet the focus on enjoying the season has alleviated any pressure to repeat as state champions.
“I wouldn’t say there is pressure,” Addie Siders said. “Honestly, we are more relaxed knowing we did it last year. We’ve been through it, and we know what to expect. From here on out, we are just trying to play our game, have fun, and enjoy every moment. I think that’s when we really play our best is when we are having fun and enjoying each other. We know what it takes now. We are going to do whatever we need to do to get there. I’m just excited for this last stretch of the season and hopefully bring it home.”
Sumrall will host Columbia on Thursday, while FCAHS will host Purvis at the same. Both games will start at 5 p.m.
Follow @PineBeltSPORTS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
