Clear Creek Middle School soccer has regained its reign over the Mountain League.
The Bobcats captured their third league title in four seasons when they defeated Lumpkin County on penalty kicks April 9, 4-3. The win capped Clear Creek’s 7-1 season where the Cats outscored opponents, 28-5.
CCMS head coach Thomas Glanton called the championship game “epic” and “not for the faint hearted,” which included plenty of goal-scoring opportunities and saves for both Lumpkin and Clear Creek.
“The ball struck the goal post on many occasions, and the goalkeepers’ saves were spectacular,” he said. “Both teams gave everything they had, both physically and mentally during regular play, as well as overtime. The level of play was incredible and the final was a true soccer final by any account. The emotion level was high among players and spectators. At the end, you could see tears among winners and runners-up.”
egulation ended tied, 1-1. Both goals were scored in the first half, and Willian Ramirez put CCMS on the board 12 minutes into the game. Clear Creek continued to create chances in the second half, but was unable to pull ahead.
The match went to a pair of five-minute overtime periods. With two minutes left in the second overtime, it appeared Ramirez cemented the title with a goal, but CCMS was called for offside.
A penalty shootout followed, and the teams traded shots.
LCMS was up first, and CCMS goalkeeper Henry Bautista was there for the save. CCMS missed as well, and Lumpkin cashed in its second shot. Ronald Cuz then scored for the Cats. LCMS netted its third shot as well, and Ramirez did the same for CCMS.
Even at 2-2, the Indians’ fourth shot was true, and David Lopez made sure the Cats kept pace. LCMS missed its fifth shot, and with the title on the line, Gabriel Reynoso cemented the Bobcats’ championship.
Ahead of the title victory, Clear Creek defeated Union County in the semifinals, 2-0. CCMS secured five wins during the regular season over Union (2-0), Fannin County (10-0), White County (4-1), Pickens (6-0) and Lumpkin County (2-1). Their lone loss came against Dawson County, 2-1.
Glanton discussed the season, noting, “Even from the tryouts, we could tell we had a talented group of athletes, most with an advanced knowledge of the game. This was thanks to the middle school program support and the labor of coach Aaron Evans in previous years.
“This season, our coaching team concentrated on perfecting the technique, understanding of tactics, strategy, conditioning and overall school performance of the players. The players’ disposition and morale was always at its best resulting in a great season, playoffs and championship.”
The title is the Cats’ third in four seasons. Last year Clear Creek fell in the semifinals after winning the league championship in ’21 and ’22. Over that span, the Bobcats have posted a 27-5-3 record.