And the winners are...

(Published in The Evening News & The Tribune, October 2, 2007)

When I was playing for the likes of Ballymun Skylarks and Tolka Rovers in the schoolboy leagues of Dublin, my pre-match meals - eaten hurriedly on the way to meet up with team mates - usually consisted of a packet of pickled onion flavored Monster Munch and fizzy jellies.

I never really put much thought into how food consumption would affect my performance. I had more important issues on my mind; like how I was going to dribble round seven or eight players before chipping the ball delicately over a flailing keeper and what kind of pitch celebration that deserved.

Nowadays, of course, sports science is at a whole new level and players will probably be paying a bit more attention to what they eat as they ready themselves for some important games ahead this week. On its way to a regional title last year, for example, Providence prepared by having a spaghetti meal cooked by coach Adam Giovenco. I would imagine after hearing this news, most schools in the area will be sending spies scurrying around to coach Gio's abode this week in search of said recipe.

No matter how you prepare for the big games over the coming days, our best wishes go out to all. And for a bit of fun, we're going to take our dusty but mystical crystal ball down from the attic, wipe away the cobwebs and take a peek at how the games might pan out. Yes, I know, I'm setting myself up for a horrid fall because it won't turn out this way at all, of course, but I feel it's a good way to shed some light on who may be this year's Monster Munches as teams prepare for sectional and regional play.

Floyd Central sectional

Match 1: Floyd Central v Salem (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
This is Salem's first taste of sectional fare and what a baptism of fire it is. The boys from Washington County have been enjoying the school's inaugural soccer season and hopefully the Lions' program will roar on as the years pass by. Verdict: Floyd Central.

Match 2: North Harrison v New Albany (Saturday, 10 a.m.)
It would take an effort of monumental proportions for North Harrison to upset the applecart here. These met at the same stage last year, when New Albany ran out 6-0 winners. The biggest concern for the Bulldogs this time will be to balance the two factors of winning the game with reasonable comfort, while not over exerting key players ahead of the evening final. Verdict: New Albany.

Match 3: Floyd Central v Corydon (Saturday, 12 noon)
Last year, The Highlanders faced the same opponents at the same stage and made the final with a hard fought 2-0 victory. On the evidence of this year's results, it should be honors to Floyd Central but they need to avoid being complacent. Verdict: Floyd Central.

Championship: Floyd Central v New Albany (Saturday 7 p.m.)
Both teams couldn't be separated in regular season after a 2-2 tie and this rematch promises to be just as tight. The Bulldogs will be looking to Nathan Driggers and Stephan Kossis, who both scored against Floyd in their earlier meeting, to pull them through this. While FC's defense will need to keep a very close eye on Driggers especially, it will be hoping the likes of Cameron Fitzgerald - one of only three seniors on the FC roster - Jordan Adams and Chase Holland step up to the plate to cause some damage at the opposite end. And it is in this position where New Albany have been dealt a blow as regular goalkeeper Zachariah Litzelswope is still recovering from a hand injury and is not likely to be fit for this, opening the way for Danny Hartman and Nathan Blair to gain some big game playing time. It's a recent batch of results, including New Albany's 2-0 victory over Jeffersonville and Floyd's 4-2 defeat at the hands of the same opposition, that point to the logical conclusion that this could be the Bulldogs' night. But, then again, when did logic ever come into it? Verdict: New Albany.

Jeffersonville sectional

Match 1: Charlestown v Providence (Thursday, 6 p.m.)
Charlestown gets 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. “I think the gap is closing but still exists," he said. Verdict: Providence.

Match 2 – Rock Creek Academy v Christian Academy of Indiana (Saturday, 10 a.m.)
The luck of the draw has certainly favored this pair, one of which will play in a Championship game. CAI played in the Floyd Central sectional last year and went out at the first hurdle to North Harrison. This time, encouraged by recent results like its 4-1 win over Charlestown last week, it looks set to overcome Rock Creek and take its place in a championship decider. Verdict: Christian Academy.

Match 3 – Jeffersonville v Providence (Saturday 12 noon)
There's been much talk in the state about the issue of seeding teams and the disadvantages of sides having to play two games on the same day. Both issues come into play with this possible match up and the irony is that this might actually turn out to be a better game between the section's two best teams at high noon than if it had have played out in the evening. Jeffersonville coach Ryan Bixler definitely shares that view, as he said last week that both teams would have been tired from the morning game. Now, if you had have asked me some weeks ago who I thought was going to win this tie, I would have plumped for Jeffersonville, as they impressed me more early season. However, they looked simply flat against New Albany recently before then bouncing back with a 1-0 win against the Pioneers and a 4-2 victory against Floyd Central and it's hard to know which team will come out this week. Providence, on the other hand, have just welcomed back midfielder Ben Hughes from injury, while defender-turned-forward Keenan Sparks also returns to the fray. I've a feeling the latter's battle against the Jeff defense and keeper Seth Quinn could be where this game is lost or won - or if, indeed, it goes all the way. Overtime and penalty kicks anyone? Verdict: Providence.

Championship: Christian Academy v Providence (Saturday, 7.30 p.m.)
There is the belief that the winner of Match 3 just needs to shine its collective boots from the morning's exertions and make it to the field on time later in the evening to secure a sectional championship, lift the hardware and pose happily for pictures. However, having seen CAI play recently, it will take a bit more than that methinks. Coach Dan Johnson’s charges have improved from last year, and with the likes of striker Josh Loveland and midfielder Caleb Dorman in form, their opponents - dare I say, possibly exhausted opponents - won’t have it all their own way. Funnily enough, the Warriors and the Pioneers play tonight in what is the last regular season game for both camps. A dress-rehearsal, perhaps? Verdict: Providence.