Flucos place teams in 3C Region play
By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco boys soccer team played its final regular season game on May 16, hosting the Black Knights from Charlottesville. After the game, Fluco Coach Earl Gibson explained that the game did not have major implications for either team. The Flucos were assured a spot in the Region 3C playoffs, and the Black Knights were assured a number one seed in those playoffs. Possibly the folks who assign officials were not that interested in the game. There was a referee and no linemen. A single referee can hardly be expected to handle a high school soccer game. Both teams were fighting for the ball, but few penalties were called and the players were left to decide who was entitled to the throw in when the ball went out of bounds.
Nevertheless, both teams played hard and looked to score at any opportunity. For the Flucos, junior Sampson Blakey and senior Kareem Ragland were speedy and elusive in mid-field and had several strong runs. Senior Zack Fontenot played a strong game defensively. Unfortunately, the Flucos were not at the same level as the very strong Black Knights squad. Charlottesville scored its first goal after eight minutes of play. For the next fifteen minutes, the teams competed evenly, but as the first half wound down the Black Knights took control. They scored with 16:55 remaining, with 11:55 remaining and with 8:10 left in the half to put the game away. The Black Knights scored twice more in the middle of the second half, for a final score of 6-0. The boys soccer team had a balanced roster this year, with seven seniors, seven juniors and four sophomores. They play in the very competitive Jefferson District.
The boys soccer team is not alone in continuing its season into the Region 3C playoffs. Most of the Fluco teams that are extending their season are playing on the road. The boys and the girls lacrosse teams played on May 24 at Monticello High. The girls soccer team was at home on May 25 taking on Liberty Bedford. On the same day, the boys soccer team played at Liberty Bedford.
On May 26, the Fluco track and field team will be competing at Waynesboro High School. On May 27 the Fluco baseball team will play at an as yet to be determined site. The softball team will play at Turner Ashby High School, also on May 27. If either of the soccer teams win in the first round, they will play again on May 27.
