Crusaders use experience, speed to topple Tornadoes

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Philadelphia keeper Keaton Lang makes the leaping save over the top of Sacred Heart's Jon Moreno Friday during the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A state championship in Clinton on Friday. Paula Merritt
Philadelphia's Gray Moorehead blocks a Sacred Heart player as he tries to get in position on the ball during the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A state championship in Clinton on Friday. Paula Merritt
Sacred Heart's Tyler Flathau makes a play on the ball as Philadelphia's Lee Smith tries to defend during the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A state championship in Clinton on Friday. Paula Merritt
Philadelphia's Caleb Gamblin tries to cut off Sacred Heart's Steven McClain during the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A state championship in Clinton on Friday. Paula Merritt

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February 4, 2012

By David Landrum / Sports Writer The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sat Feb 04, 2012, 06:00 AM CST

CLINTON —     Philadelphia and Sacred Heart both entered Friday's Class 1A/2A/3A soccer state championship game looking for their first state crown.

   The Crusaders, though, had finished as runners-up the previous two seasons, and used that experience and their speed to their advantage as they scored three first half goals in route to a 3-1 win.

   Tornadoes coach Adam Huddleston said bad feelings left over from football spilled over into the soccer season so much that the team used it as momentum.

   "We went straight from football into soccer and we didn't like the taste in our mouth when we got put out of the state football playoffs," said Huddleston. "So we diceded to take a turn at it and make a run at it in soccer. The kids bought into it and they worked their tails off and we showed the state that we can play with the best in the state of Mississippi."

   Sacred Heart got the scoring stared at the 15:20 mark in the first half when Jacob Billingsley scored past diving Philadelphia keeper Keaton Lang. The Crusaders weren't done. At the 21:34 mark, Raul Contreras got the second goal when he got past the Tornado defense and shot the ball past Lang. The third goal came at the 37:30 mark in the first half when Zach Johnson kicked a rebound shot into the net for the 3-0 halftime advantage.

   "It's been a hell of a ride my man," said Sacred Heart coach Joe Falla Jr. "We left here with a bad taste in our mouth last year and we used our motto 'Fight, Focus, Finish' and this is the result right here — state champions."

   Huddleston said his team dug themselves a deep hole and couldn't get themselves out.

   "Sacred Heart is a great team," Huddleston said. "Their kids put shots on our goal at opportune times and beat our keeper to the net."

   Philadelphia got on the scoreboard at the 49-minute mark of the second half. Philadelphia's Latimer Smith kicked the ball toward the goal. Sacred Heart's keeper misplayed the ball and the ball sailed into the net. The own goal cut the lead to 3-1.

   "We played a cross toward the net," Huddleston said. "We had Gray (Moorehead) in the middle on the run. Their kid was trying to keep Gray from getting the ball. He tried to clear the ball from us but kicked it into our goal instead."

   Both teams had chances to increase and cut into the lead, however, keepers Lang and Ty Hughes for Sacred Heart withstood assault after assault. Lang, the senior playing in his final game, was a stalwart as he withstood point blank shots and kept the Tornadoes in the game with mis spectacular saves.

   "Keaton has been our heart all year long," Huddleston said. "He proved it again tonight. He came to the sideline at halftime and said 'No more' and he didn't let them score again."

   Sacred Heart improves to 13-3-2 on the year while Philadelphia drops to 8-4 on the year. Huddleston said his team is losing alot but should be a team that should be reckoned with next year.

   "If we're not, it's not because we aren't trying," Huddleston said.

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Crusaders use experience, speed to topple Tornadoes

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