SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer 2008 Boys' State Championships from Stone Stadium

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!!