The Smith County Owls launched District play last week. They won back to back fixtures against York and Jackson County. After losing eight talented Seniors from last season, finding new chemistry was a major goal to start the season.
The Owls hosted Livingston Academy for the Home/Season opener and won the Varsity match 2-0. Jarrain Smith and Captain Tanner Pierson scored for the Owls while Senior goalkeeper Jonathan Santiago kept a clean sheet. The JV also won 1-0 at this meeting. The goal coming from Terence Davis and Goalkeeper James Bunn keeping a clean sheet as well.
The team traveled to Gatlinburg for the Smoky Mountain Cup. The conditions were tough this season and the team did not bring a trophy home. However, It was definitely a beneficial trip. Playing higher levels always reveals the weak points and this is necessary to be able to correct and get stronger. Spending the tournament together will go a long way in building bonds and creating the family environment.
Off the heals of the Cup trip, Smith County hosted Friendship Christian who looked like a new squad this year. The Owls were rough for wear after the rigors of the trip and down a couple of vital leaders due to injury, they still managed to hold Friendship to a 0-0 tie. The defense stepped up for their Captain Bolt Ortiz who was missing from the back line and they helped the keepers hold on to those clean sheets. None of the SC players found their way to scoring, but it definitely was not for a lack of effort.
The Owls were supposed to play in a tournament at White County but the storms made the fields unplayable and White County had to cancel all games.
On Thursday April 4, 2023 the Owls by traveled to York. A couple of Seniors were missing due to illness but the team did not disappoint them. Smith County came home with a 6-0 win. Every player had their chance on the pitch. The scoring was led by off by Senior Christian Santiago and assisted by Lolo Ortiz. The second goal came as the Owls were attacking the York box and the Dragons made an error that led to an Own Goal. Senior Rylan Bates scored next with an assist from Gavin Huddleston. The last goal before the half was from Orman Vanegas with assist by Christian Santiago. The Second half saw another goal by Orman with assist this time by Lolo Ortiz. The second half was also a great opportunity for the JV to get in some playing time and to find their feet. The last goal of the game was scored by Haygen Miracle and assisted by Lolo Ortiz. Both of the Owls Keepers, Jonathan Santiago and James Bunn, looked solid in goal and they came home with no goals against.
Thursday April 6, 2023 Smith County hosted Jackson County for the another District match. The varsity and the JV both had games. The Varsity saw the return of Senior Tanner Pierson after a bout of illness and he wasted no time in making up for it. The Skipper made his mark on the game by scoring on a penalty kick and then adding four more goals throughout the game with assists by Gavin Huddleston for at least two and Orman Vanegas for at least one. Orman would score the second goal of the game with an assist to Christian Santiago. Christian scored the fifth goal of the game being assisted by Tanner Pierson. Senior Gavin Huddleston would score his first and the team’s 8th of the game by way of a penalty kick.
The defense led by Bolt Ortiz had a good showing, helping the goalkeeper Jonathan Santiago add another clean sheet. There were quite a few JV players who were subbed in during the course of the game giving them a chance to build strength of skill and decision making. This is vital to build the depth of the team and will be an asset as they progress through the season. The JV played next, ending in a scoreless tie. However, you could see the hunger to improve, to score, and improved communication.
This team keeps putting in the work and are hungry. hey could make the 20th anniversary of the team a record breaker. They feed off of the fan support so the Owl Faithful needs to be the 12th man this season in a big way. Next up is April 11, SC travels to Watertown for another District matchup. Followed by York visiting the SC pitch on the 13th. Both of these are District games and the pitch needs to be packed to cheer on our student athletes and our county. Gates open at 5 PM and the Kick off is at 6 PM. (article and photos submitted by Vivian Schaffers)
