I cant help but feel that he only reason that these schools are dominate is because that they recurite som much. During my days at club soccer with some of the kids, I know parents that would move their home in order for their kids to be on certain teams.

idk but because of this i will always pull for the underdog.

My point was they have been great more than a "couple of years"... never tried to compare them to Irmo. Making it to every 4A championship since 2003, except one, is worthy of respect.

I just watched two great soccer teams play. My son's team lost. I'm not happy about that. I'm proud of the season they had. I'm very happy about the quality of SC soccer. I'm unhappy that some people have to behave like punks on this forum. NW is a great team and they play hard, clean, attractive soccer. Some of their supporters on this forum do those boys a disservice by disrespecting their opponents in a way that I doubt very much the NW players would appreciate. That's all I have to say - now on to Regionals!

THEY WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP YOU TART!!!

Wouldn't it be more beneficial for a team to play tougher teams during the regular season so they can be more prepared for playoffs??? You are basically going against your point making you look dumb.

And they can't help their region. They had a pretty could non-region schedule this year, wouldn't you say?

Henry, You and Bassett really should watch your misuse of the King's language.

Your UK urban talk on the board rivals some of the domestic and foreign 4-letter words we have heard on the field during the heat of battle.

Rabble rabble rabble...

There are 2 things that need to be said about this game:
1) Enzo is a Magician
2) It was total domination from start to finish

about the AAA game, i dont know if anyone said this but slugga, 13 for riverside, i thought he played really well and AAAA, that garbonzo kid for northwestern is gonna be good

Okay if you knew what you were talking about it would be nice. What more do you want?? Lake Murray Challenge, Lexington, Spring Valley, Dorman. That was their whole non-region schedule. Those are pretty solid teams, right???

And what do you want them to do??? Sit their starters and/or not play to their potential??? They always play with class and play hard. Their largest win this season was 11-0. That doesn't seem too "classless".

You keep digging a deeper hole for yourself!!!

Ive seen a couple post saying how good SV's keeper was and how he was very good in the goal today but if NW had so many opportunities then how did he only have 3 saves? I cant believe that NW had 18 shots and the SV keeper only had 3 saves. CLARIFICATION ANYBODY!!!!!

too many NW groupies...

but anyways,
the AAA game was a great game to watch. I feel as though that PK was questionable but it could have gone either way. Riverside looked to be a tad bit better i thought.

the AAAA game wasnt as good. NW did what they did last year (ton of shots but no goal) but they put one in this time and won.

THERES ONLY ONE NORTHWESTERN....
THERES ONLY ONE NORTHWESTERN....
WE'RE WALKIN ALONG....
SINGIN A SONG....
WALKIN IN A TROJAN WONDERLAND!

THERES ONLY ONE NORTHWESTERN....
THERES ONLY ONE NORTHWESTERN....
WE'RE WALKIN ALONG....
SINGIN A SONG....
WALKIN IN A TROJAN WONDERLAND!

Too many Northwestern haters as well Nemco. Sorry you couldn't beat them when you were in high school.

HappyDaddy, bitter just a tad aren't we?

I would also like to say what a great game goalkeeper Wil Frierson had. I don't know where the three saves came from but he had some amazing saves last night and I definately saw more than three. Congratulations to Spring Valley on a great season.

Thanks for the spirited posts, folks. Coach P said it correctly: keepers make plays all the time -- often great ones which may eventually prevent goals being scored -- but for a shot to be 'saved', it must have been destined for the goal had the keeper not been there. There were a number of back saves as well (none cleared off the line in dramatic fashion, but neatly cleared nonetheless). For instance, Thomas Wollersheium had a number of chances but put the ball way over the frame -- that is not counted as a 'shot' in NCAA or in high school. Many coaches or team statisticians tally every effort that a player may have 'intended' to be a shot.

In addition, I was the only one other than the official timer (officials Barry Kemp and Bob DeMailley) in the press box. I was doing public address, helping work the scoreboard, keeping the statistics, and posting updates. So I won't deny the possibility of having missed something. I have had some 18 years of experience, however, at both the high school level (including annually manning the venue at Airport HS for the Palmetto Cup) and the NCAA with the University of South Carolina. So I am comfortable in what I post

Keep up the passion you folks have for football (soccer) -- it is great for the sport in this state!

Cheers - Dave

Great Job Dave!

Congratulations to all the team that made the show.

What a great AAA play-off. After the 1st round, there were only three games decided by more than one point, and one of those was by only 2. I wonder how many of these were over-times or went into PKs?
Just goes to show how great soccer is in South Carolina!!!!!!

It was weird being at the game without a camera, but times like these are for the pros.

So now the quetion is, what do I do now???????

And as Dave says
Keep up the passion!

See you next year, because I still have a dog in the fight.

As has been said many years before, BE should not be allowed to play in 2A Championship. They are private, have always been private and should play for SCISA Championship, just as CN and Pinewood Prep and others have to do. Because private schools can recruit players, I do not think it is a fair playing field. It should not be allowed by SCHSL.

Just for the record, private schools may choose to participate in the High School league. Hammond did that a few years ago, but rejoined SCISA shortly thereafter. It is simply a matter of abiding by the guidelines maintained by the SCHSL ...

Exactly like i said...the red sox...hey basset...u are a sore winner

Okay this is getting out of control. I was in no means rooting for Northwestern but there is no denying that they controlled the majority of the game. Spring Valley played well also but the ball was in their defensive third the majority of the time. Both teams had some great opportunities. I wish Spring Valley would have come out with the W but they didn't. Great job to both teams.

hey steven gerrard get over it, northwestern absolutely destroyed the number 1 team in the nation. it was beautiful to watch. just because you can't handle that doesn't mean you need to start lashing out on all the northwestern fans. is bassett a sore winner?.......at least he's a winner.

sG said it best.

THERE'S ONLY ONE NORTHWESTERN

Number 17 for N.W. new name is Waffle House he was always open .I know everyone was watching Enzo ,but this player did a great job.Missed a few shots ,but scored when needed .He was always in the right spot for the pass.I think now that I will finish my plate of crow! Go Valley.

Nice piece on the 3A boys final at MidlandsPreps.com .

Another nice clip of the 4A boys final at MidlandsPreps.com .

win or lose there would be "only one Northwestern"

Thanks to the following coaches who worked the State Championships for the S.C. High School Soccer Coaches Association.

All proceeds from Program sales and the Concession Stand benefit the senior soccer players selected to the Clash of the Carolinas or North-South Soccer Classic.

If your coach/school is not listed, how about asking him/her what they were doing this weekend as I am sure that if their teams were competing in the State Finals they would have found time to coach their teams.

Andy Bean, Lugoff-Elgin (SAT)
Hank Betcher, Columbia
Matt Brophy, Byrnes (FRI)
Dave Easley, Brookland-Cayce
Will Eudy, Cardinal Newman
Kevin Heise, Brookland-Cayce
Kyle Heise, Brookland-Cayce
Chris Hooker, Brookland-Cayce (SAT)
Lauren Hudgens, Brookland-Cayce
Marcus Hunter, Brookland-Cayce
David Kleinfelder, Dreher
Josef Lorenz, Dorman (FRI)
David Poole, Stratford (FRI)
Drew McNeely, West Ashley (FRI)
Wayne Quinlan, Dutch Fork (FRI)
David Schroer, Brookland-Cayce
Dick Smith, T.L. Hanna
Katie Smith, Brookland-Cayce
Linda Smith, T.L. Hanna
Dave Snyder, Bishop England (SAT)

Again, thanks for those that found time in their schedules to contribute to the SCHSSCA.

My take on the SCHSL State Championships May 16-17 at Eugene E. Stone, III Stadium on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

POSITIVES
***Great weather! Could not ask for better May soccer weather for the state finals. To heck with anyone that wants to move the sport back to the Winter!
***I thought that the crowds from Woodruff girls (I guess they left one policeman back to watch the whole town); Mauldin girls (the cone-bearing fans and the Mavericks busing in the football players was a great touch); the 1A boys match was as well-attended as ever; the Chapin boys fans were tremendous; and the Northwestern/Spring Valley 4A championship game was everything that a high school soccer game should be -- emotional fans, superb play and effort -- the Northwestern fans (especially the recent Alumni) deserve certain mention for creating the best chants, songs, and support in all of prep soccer. Truly, a magical atmosphere, that they create!
***Thanks again to the SCHSSCA Coaches that see it as part of their professional duty to support our SCHSL State Championship games and the fact that this weekend serves as a major fundraiser for our all-star games.
***Thanks to USC for their upkeep of the pitch for the weekend. After Friday's matches, the groundscrew was busy at work on Friday AM getting the field cut and divots replaced. Top notch! Also, great to have a soccer specific scoreboard on hand as well! Really adds to the soccer atmosphere!
***Kudos to USC Asst. Men's Coach Bert Molinary for his assistance in facilitating the event, particularly with fellow college and prep coaches.
***Thanks to Kelly Lewis, Matt, Shawn Burke, and the rest of the USC athletic staff that made it possible for the SCHSL State Championships to be played at Stone Stadium.
***Perhaps the biggest positive of all is Public Address Announcer David Easley who performed yeoman's work in the press box for 5.5 of the 7 matches. This is a tough job and his professional presence is truly felt. His work at USC baseball, softball, men's and women's soccer games, as well as the Palmetto Cup shines through! Thanks Dave!!!

NEGATIVES
***The drunk kid from Spring Valley that was carrying the Irish flag that was dismissed not once, but twice from Stone Stadium after two incidents only to return and start a row with a Northwestern fan right in front of me, only to have him escorted out of the stadium for a third time. His poor judgement resulted in him spending a night in the Richland County Detention Center per USC P.D. Sorry that this happened, but he simply pushed the limits.
***The lack of coaches that showed up to support the SCHSL State Championships in the way of canteen workers, gate workers, etc. It continually amazes me how coaches can walk by the concession stand and see folks "slaving" and not offer to assist. On top of that, WE all would be coaching our teams if playing in the finals, so what's with not showing up to assist in staging the championships. I've heard all the excuses, but the proof is in the pudding -- you simply have to pull your weight!
***Ticket-takers -- this is handled solely by the SCHSL, but I realize that the process is way too slow. This is something that we will address for the future with the SCHSL.

If you have any other "pat on the backs" or "shake your fingers" let us know!

SEVERAL OTHER OBSERVATIONS:

The pitch at Stone Stadium was second-to-none this weekend. Great playing surface and superb setting for the State Finals. What a great scoreboard. The soccer-specific tally sheet situated at the southeast side of Stone Stadium is absolutely great! A statistician's dream!

The 3A Girls officiating crew was challenged to say the least. No doubt that the better team won, but the "call back" on Austin Fagan's goal was detrimental to Riverside. As for the other matches, I thought it was pretty well officiated. The 3A Referee for the boys was a bit theatrical for me, but he did a solid job -- however he talked way too much to the players for my liking (referee, don't coach).

Great job by the Woodruff, Mauldin, and Chapin fans -- lots of you "in the house" and all very spirited. However, the Northwestern crowd was as zany and "soccer frenzied" as I can remember. Great soccer atmosphere with some outstanding soccer songs:

"I'm forever blowing bubbles."
"You are my Enzo."
"Walking in a Trojan wonderland."

Top-notch stuff!

A tip-of-the-hat to Coach Dick Smith and his wife, Linda, on the enormous presence they have in high school soccer and the unselfishness they exude in performing their duties -- "all for the kids' sake". Truly genuine people who have the best interest of our young people at heart. Thanks!

If I may suggest an additional canteen line. Of course, but coaches would have to be there to work it!

On a side note, for all you people who list who can coach and what not, what else do they do for the game???

From the looks of it, if your kid or player is playing in an all-star game this year you had better thank the HEISE'S and staff for getting the funding from the canteen lines at Stone Stadium.

IF YOU COACH AND YOUR TEAM WAS NOT PLAYING AND YOU DID NOT HELP OUT THIS WEEKEND:

SHAME ON YOU!!

I didn't play for Northwestern actually. And if I did, at least I could say I played for a winning program.

The LARGEST POSITIVE of the weekend was the fact that Brookland-Cayce Assistant Coach Ashley Hartin returned from his second tour of Iraq. Thanks to Ashley and his cohorts that have served our country in the utmost fashion!

Thanks for your service to our country coach Hartin, it means a GREAT deal to most of us in the soccer community.

Ashley, all of the above are appropriate -- without question we are thrilled to have you back in this great land. But what is so much more impressive on this front is that you land and arrive in town at 4:30 AM and yet you found time to show up at Stone Stadium and work for the SCHSSCA at noon. That is unbelievable! Not only am I proud of your service to our nation, I am more proud to be your friend! Cheers, Ashley!

Very good to see that Heise, always nice to see someone come home safely from war and enjoy some good soccer and relaxation. Also i cant wait til next years finals, the crowds were great as well as the play.

Time to bring out the NAWGS for Ashley!!!!! Glad ya made it home safely!!!

Is there going to be a PLC this year?

Post deleted by Kevin Heise

That will just about cover the flybys>

PS and Hartin, Glad to have you home. Lookin forward to the summer travels my man.

Was Dale JR there or was he too busy upping his post count with mindless babble?

I have a complaint to register. The concession stand had no Gatorade or food during the 4A championship Saturday night. That sucks for us to come from out of town and not be able to bring food in and then not be able to buy some when we're inside the stadium.

Thanks guys! All I can say is, that after being over there for so long and dealing with some of the mess I had to, it was no doubt a pleasure to sling a few dogs on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the good old USofA. To work along side some of the best coaches and greatest individual's I have had the pleasure of knowing, well there are no words. I thank you guys for allowing me to step up, it really helped put the past 15 months behind.
For all of you that didn't show up, somebody already said it "shame on you". There really is no reason not to be there. We all coach becuase we love the game, we love the satisfaction of watching these young players develope and grow. No matter how far our teams may get, there are other young players still playing to be the best, kudo's to all that made it there, and we as teachers of the game should be there to show them our support. Remember coaches it is not for us, its for them. You can't even call it a sacrifice on such a beautiful day such as Saturday. We all want some time off at the end of the season, but we made a commitment and well, then you have Sunday.

I apologize for being long winded, but, there really is no excuse for those that did not show. Perhaps they will never see the big picture, I'm glad I do, life is so wonderful when work is so enjoying. Thanks again guys for welcoming me back!

Also, I would like to thank the players and coaches that made it there to play this weekend. Congrats, without all of you coming home could have been a little boring. I saw some great talent and play out there. Thanks!

HOMEBOY HARTIN BE BACK UP IN THIS BIA BIA. TIME TO LOOK AT SOME BAWGS AND NAWGS OVER A FEW PITCHERS WITH A STRAW IN THEM!!!

A Great weekend at Stone...Congratulations to all Participants!

Question, were the state championship games RECORDED? is there any way to purchase one?

Well Bam Bam.....You should call the Papa John's franchise and ask them why the h*ll they are so slow. It may also be a good idea before you come to a game like that to eat. You are in the capital of the state with plenty eating establishments unless you like eating cold pizza. I think all the people that came to the 4A game can afford it. Also if you had a problem with it you can get your a** out their and give up your Friday and Saturday to not get paid to go get some more food because the few people that were there working couldn't leave because they had to run the place. And a lot of you people need to get over yourselves thinking that your bigger than you really are!!!!! I see why kids act the way they do because of the examples they have.

Tugjobber those are some pretty bold statements...I'm sure they were real easy to say in front of your computer desk...

I made the trip down with my son on Saturday. Congrats to all the teams and the USC venue is outstanding!

Class A
Pretty even match. Asian player for CCES is good. #14 played pretty well. AMHS is a big team, very tall. Both squads have good keepers. Tough way to decide a match on PKs.

Class AA
Mismatch. Not even close. I didn't know what to expect from EHS, but is the Upper State that weak in AA? I saw EHS play Lexington at the Palmetto Cup and that was a rout. So was this one. Looks like BE can chalk up the next 3-4 years for titles if this is the best to come out of the upstate.

Class AAA
This was the one I wanted to see since Eastside was edged by Riverside. Two even teams, Chapin and RHS. Good keepers on both sides. I thought Aaron Peter was excellent for RHS and that Matt Sluga was probably the best player on the field. Not much attack by either side, but that's a compliment for both teams' midfields. Andrew Kocis played pretty strong as well. Where was Joey Demare? I didn't know he was on the field until he got carded in overtime. #5 for CHS impressed me as did #18. Again, PKs are a tough way to decide the outcome, but Chapin was working on borrowed time (OT vs. NMB and PKs vs. BC). Amazing what RHS has done in high school soccer!

Class AAAA
Thought this would be another OT type contest. But, Northwestern was all over Spring Valley for 80 minutes. Really can't believe the scoreline was just 2-0. Physical match but not dirty at all. #17 for NHS is impressive and Enzo might be the best player I've ever seen (definitely is for his age). I liked #3 and #7 as well for NHS. SVHS is huge physically and after playing them at Palmetto Cup thought they were the best team in the state, but I tip my hat to NHS.

Great day. Ate lots of hot dogs and starburst and drank plenty of Gatorade and water. Went down for pizza at halftime of AAAA game, but line was way too long. Otherwise a "super Saturday".

Always Right,
First of all, EMERALD was the best 2A public school in the state, and yes that was perhaps Emeralds worst game all year they played due to a double overtime game that week against Walhalla, but its not fair every year that Emerald who is a public school in 2A,has to play a private school every year who controls their enrollment and brings kids from all over the world in to play. Also, don't dis-regard a young team made up mostly sophmores for Emerald that was disappointed as well in the way they played to say they are weak.
Bishop England should be placed in 4A or in private school format. Last year Emerald was a senior team and took Bishop England to penalty kicks, so don't tear a team down because of one game. In fact , I saw the spring Valley / North western game and northwestern dominated that game as much as bishop england did aganist emerald but Spring valley didn't have a good game as well, but you don't say they are weak, they just didn't have their A game on saturday. Things happen, they all had to play well all year in order to get to Championship game.

Post deleted by Kevin Heise

Post deleted by Kevin Heise

And I thought soccer season was over..
B.E. will always dominate AA until they are moved to AAA or AAAA..where they belong OR erase all the lines and let players pick and choose

BC Coach? No. Friends with some of them? Sure. I saw how they slaved all weekend for free though and I sympathize with their efforts.