Sectional draw sets up possible FC-NA final

Published in The Evening News and The Tribune, September 25, 2007)

The draws for the boys’ and girls’ 14th annual IHSAA Soccer State Tournament series were made Monday — throwing up the prospect of some mouth-watering ties.


The boys’ sectionals 55 and 56 kick off at Jeffersonville and Floyd Central, respectively, on Thursday, Oct. 4, with the finals on Saturday, Oct. 6. The competitive girls’ sectional will be hosted by Jeffersonville and will commence Monday, Oct. 8, with the final taking place on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Either Christian Academy of Indiana or Rock Creek Christian will get a chance to play in the boys’ championship decider at Jeffersonville, as they both square off in the first semifinal.

That means that Charlestown, Providence and Jeffersonville will have to battle it out for the other final spot.

Charlestown get a chance to cause a major upset when it takes on reigning sectional and regional champion Providence in Round 1. Pirates coach Rick Stephens said it’s a game they are very much looking forward to.

“We played Jeff well in regular season, but did not face Providence varsity in the regular season,” he said. “I think the gap (between us) is closing but still exists. Jeffersonville has 1,900 students to access, while Providence is a private school and that always matters.”

The winner will play Jeffersonville in the semifinal and Red Devils coach Ryan Bixler said the great thing about this year’s tournament is that it’s anyone’s game.

“That rings true in our sectional this year especially,” he said. “I don’t think that any one team stands out as a clear favorite or underdog. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Providence following their accomplishments last year. We have seen both Charlestown and Providence this year already, so we know we will have our hands full in our first game no matter who comes out of Game 1.”

Is he disappointed there will be no Jeff/Providence final?

“No. If that scenario would have played out, it would probably have been a disappointing final as both teams would be tired from the morning game,” Bixler said.

The Floyd Central Sectional looks like it will have another championship game between the hosts and New Albany. The Highlanders, however, will first have to negotiate their way past Salem and then possibly Corydon, while New Albany will have just one opponent in North Harrison in the semifinal.

Bulldogs coach Dutch Vigar said: “I am looking forward to playing North Harrison and plan on being in the championship game on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, the girls’ sectional at Jeffersonville will once again be very competitive as it features all the area’s heavyweights. Holders Floyd Central will play North Harrison in Round 1, and the winner will face either New Albany or Jeffersonville in the semifinal. The second semi will see Providence, beaten on penalty kicks by Floyd Central last year, play Corydon Central.

Pioneers coach Dave Smith said his team is “very pleased” with the draw, although Providence greatly respects Corydon’s program and remember what a battle it was against the Panthers last year when progressing with a narrow 1-0 victory in Round 1.

“The overall level of play in our area has been elevated so much in the past five to seven years that every team has skilled players and athleticism,” said Smith. “It should be an entertaining sectional for the community, so please come out and cheer on your teams.”



IHSAA State Tournament Series 2007:

Boys - Sectional 55 at Jeffersonville (Oct. 4 & 6). Match 1 – Charlestown vs. Providence. Match 2 – Rock Creek Academy vs. Christian Academy of Indiana. Match 3 – Jeffersonville vs. Winner of Match 1. Championship – Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3. Sectional 56 at Floyd Central (Oct. 4 & 6) Match 1 – Floyd Central vs. Salem. Match 2 – North Harrison vs. New Albany. Match 3 – Corydon Central vs. Winner of Match 1. Championship – Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3. Regional (At Floyd Central, Oct. 10 & 13) Match 1 – Winner at Floyd Central vs. Winner at Seymour. Match 2 – Winner at Jeffersonville vs. Winner at Madison. Championship – Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2.

Girls - Sectional 28 at Jeffersonville (Oct. 8, 9, 11 & 13). Match 1 – Jeffersonville vs. New Albany. Match 2 – Floyd Central vs. North Harrison. Match 3 – Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2. Match 4 – Corydon Central vs. Providence. Championship – Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4. Regional championship (At Columbus North, October 17) Jeffersonville winner vs. Columbus North Winner.