Philly looks for second chance at state title

Sports

Discussion

February 2, 2013

Philly looks for second chance at state title

Tony Tsoukalas The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sat Feb 02, 2013, 06:00 AM CST

MERIDIAN — Count Philadelphia boys soccer coach Adam Huddleston among the few people unsurprised by the Tornados championship run this season.

    Despite losing five seniors from last year's Class 1A/2/A/3A runner up team, Huddleston had a feeling this year's group would be just as strong.

    “Being a realist, I'm not dumb, I knew losing five seniors was going to be tough,” Huddleston said. “But the goal has always been to be district champions and get in the playoffs to survive and advance. So far, we weren't district champions, but we got into the playoffs and we are just taking it one game at a time.”

    That approach has led the Tornados all the way to a rematch of last year's state finals against Sacred Heart, where Philly lost 3-1 to the Crusaders. This year Huddleston and the Tornados are hoping a second-straight trip to state will provide the team with the experience it needs to bring a championship back to Philadelphia.

    “The first year, it's more of a process you have to go through than anything else,” Huddleston said. “You are always wondering what is going to happen or when something is going to happen. It's easier the second year, you are going to show up, and you are going to play.”

    Just as they were last season, the Tornados will play the role of underdog when they take on Sacred Heart at 11:30 from Clinton High School.

    Philly will look to play aggressive in the rematch, creating as many opportunities as possible while trying to maintain possession and keep the ball away from its side. The key, Huddleston said, will be to keep the ball away from his net and away from the dangerous Sacred Heart attackers

    “I don't have any choice but to be aggressive,” Huddleston said “That is one thing we will definitely do. We just need to kick the ball away from our side.”

    While Huddleston expects his team to come out loose, playing with nothing to lose, the team is aware of what is at stake and is determined not to come home empty-handed.

    “Sacred Heart is pretty good,” Huddleston said. “They are really good, but in soccer you never know what will happen.

    “ We serve a great and mighty God, and you never know which way the ball is going to bounce. So far we have had a couple of good hops our way, and you never know what will happen. Maybe, maybe, we can win a state championship.”

Text Only

Sports

Saints' Rob Ryan Ready for defensive challenges
May 24, 2013
Sanchez flirts with no-hitter in win
May 24, 2013
East Central names Mays offensive coordinator
Mickey Mays was recently named offensive coordinator at East Central Community College in Decatur, announced head football coach Ken Karcher.
Mays is a former assistant to Coach Karcher, having served on his Liberty University staff as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator.

May 24, 2013
(PHOTOS) Newton County Class 4A State Championship Slideshow from games one and two of the MHSAA Class 4A State Championship.
May 24, 2013
Not done yet
After being shutout less than 24 hours earlier, the Newton County Cougars used a 10-inning affair to force a Game 3 in the Class 4A championship series, topping Lewisburg, 2-1, in Game 2 at Trustmark Park.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Hollins focused on Spurs, not his contract
Lionel Hollins has been more successful than any Grizzlies coach and will be a free agent after June 30.
He has the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals for the first time and has won more games with this team than any other coach.

May 23, 2013
Slive focused on future after big changes
Mike Slive sprawls in a comfy arm chair, propping his feet on a coffee table between one massive tome on Winston Churchill and an even thicker "Encyclopedia of Southern Culture."
He's relaxed and feeling awfully good about the state of the Southeastern Conference.
It's a rare moment of calm for the SEC's cerebral commissioner, but he can afford it since his "A pile" of things to do has gotten considerably slimmer over the past two years.

May 23, 2013
’Bama bounces Ole Miss from SEC Tourney
For the second day in a row, the Rebels went into extra-innings but were unable to emerge with the victory as No. 21 Ole Miss (37-22) fell to Alabama (34-25) 7-5 in 10 innings at the SEC Tournament on Thursday.
With the loss, the Rebels were eliminated from the SEC Tournament and will now await NCAA Tournament selection announcements at 11 a.m. on Monday. The selection of the NCAA Tournament field will be televised by ESPNU.
Tanner Bailey (4-2) suffered the loss for the Rebels, allowing two runs on one hit with two walks in 2.1 innings of work.

May 23, 2013
Roy shows big-league talent in win
Every youth leaguer dreams of being a Major League Baseball player. In Tuesday's Cardinals-Mets game, 8-year-old Trace Roy swung the bat and flashed some leather that looked like a glimpse into the future.

May 23, 2013 2 Photos
Cougars fall in Game 1
A sixth inning rally by Lewisburg handed the Newton County Cougars their first lost of the postseason, 2-0, in Game 1 of the Class 4A baseball championship at Trustmark Park.

May 23, 2013 2 Photos
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Philly looks for second chance at state title

Site Map

Contact Us