By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
July 19, 2002
Three gold-medal winning soccer teams from Meridian took home the top prize at the Clash of Champions Soccer Tournament in Huntsville, Ala., on July 13-14.
The three teams: the Meridian Pioneer Rush, the Meridian Crunch and the Meridian Ballers won gold medals at the State Games of Mississippi back on June 15 and 16 in Meridian. By winning the State Games, the three teams along with the Meridian Under-12 boys, qualified for the Clash of Champions.
The Clash of Champions brought together the gold and silver medal winning teams from sports festivals in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and North Carolina. Meridian's 12-and-under boys team was unable to make the trip due to prior commitments.
For Meridian youth soccer coach Bobby Sherrill who also coached with Randy Owen the Pioneer Rush, the performances at the Clash of Champions, provided another sign of the strength of the Meridian soccer program.
Pioneer Rush win 14-under Clash
The Pioneer Rush team from Meridian began its Clash of Champions play by beating OBX (Outer Banks of Cape Hatteras, N.C.), 6-0.
The Meridian defense was led by Matthew Castleberry, John Donald, Jared Donald and Chris Jennings. Keeper Justin Kitchens combined with the defense to post the shutout.
Getting the goals were Philip Sullivan, Cameron Sherrill, Matt Owen, Chris Jennings, Michael Pogue and Sam Wilson.
The semifinal game saw Meridian battle back from a 1-0 deficit against Roanoke Rapid, N.C. Following Roanoak's goal, the Meridian defense stiffened. Cameron Sherrill scored to tie the game.
Michael Pogue then booted through the next two goals to close out the 3-1 win.
Roanoke Rapid came back through the consolation bracket to meet Meridian in the championship game. The Meridian defense again proved to be tough as Kitchens and his defense posted another shutout. Kitchens was credited with six saves.
Meridian went up a 1-0 in the first half on a goal by Matt Owen. Michael Pogue one in the second to make it 2-0. The defense of Alex Lisi, Roger Walker, Matthew Thomas, Micah Hodges and Josh Remy helped control the remainder of the game on defense.
Meridian Crunch crunches foes
The Meridian Crunch, the 16-and-under team gold medal winners, rolled past four teams from three states to win the Clash of Champions.
Meridian outscored its opponents 19-0.
The Crunch whipped Hartselle, Ala., 7-0 in the opener. They then beat Scottsboro, Ala., 4-0 and Birmingham 6-0 to reach the final. In the title game, Meridian downed Tampa, Fla., 2-0.
Meridian Ballers meet Pearl again
The Ballers, Meridian's 19-and-under team, defeated Pearl for the gold medal at the State Games of Mississippi. The same two teams met for the championship at the Clash of Champions in Huntsville.
Meridian took home title with a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Pearl United. The Ballers had previously beaten the United and the Tennessee Valley Sting of Alabama to reach the finals.
The Ballers team is coached by Forest Hime and assisted by Kerin Remy.
The team consists of Chris McWilliams, Josh Murphy, Josh Foster, Tyler Skelton, Austin Holmes, Heath Rush, Michael Swancey, Matthew Moore, Will Mosley, Blake Remy, Zach Moore, John Hime, Cody Abrams, Jay Barry and Andrew Culpepper.