High school championships at stake Saturday for Eagles, Royals, and Vikings

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

          In Macon, it's No. 1 against No. 2 in girls soccer.

          In Rome, there's an undefeated local team and two defending champs going for tennis titles.

          And the state track meet will had team titles to individual championships on its final day.

          Welcome to championship Saturday.

          Bleckley County's girls and boys tennis teams open finals defense of their titles, the girls getting going at 10 a.m.

          The Royals take on Berrien at 10 a.m.

          Berrien is the Region 1 champ, and beat Vidalia 3-0, Dodge County 5-0, Armuchee 3-0 and Jeff Davis 3-1 to reach the finals.

          Bleckley County dispatched Westside-Augusta 3-0, Fitzgerald 3-0, Rockmart 3-0, and Screven County 3-0.

          Bleckley County's boys face Benedictine, which topped Fitzgerald 5-0, Harlem, 5-0, Banks County 5-0, and Rockmart 4-1.

          The Royals handled Davidson Arts 3-0, Berrien 3-1, Model 3-1, and Elbert County 3-1.

          Stratford's boys bring a burly resume into the afternoon finale in the Class A boys private matchup against Paideia.

          The Eagles are 23-0, having rolled through the area tournament with 3-0 wins over Calvary Day, Mount de Sales, and FPD.

          Little changed in the state tournament, Stratford winning 5-0, 5-0, and 3-0 against Riverside Military, Weber, and Athens Academy.

          Mark Barrow and Samuel Barrow are undefeated in singles, and Daniel Cohen is 18-1. Thomas Brewer, Will Fackler and Greg Sutton are perfect in doubles play.

          A year ago, Stratford topped Mt. Paran for the title after rolling past Weber, Walker, and Atlanta International.

          Taylor County's girls battle Trion in the Class A girls.

          Taylor County has beaten Lanier County, Drew Charter, and Irwin County, all by 3-0, to reach the final.

          FPD's girls also take a perfect record into a finale, the Class A girls soccer championship at Mercer.

          The No. 2 Vikings are 22-0 while No. 1 Athens Academy is 21-1.

          FPD hasn't given up a goal in five matches, and surrendered goals only four times. The Vikings have won by five goals or more 14 times.

          Athens Academy's lone loss was 1-0 to Jefferson back on Feb. 23.  The Spartans haven't been as dominant, with 14 shutouts and 10 quite close wins.