By By Thomas Burton / special to The Star
Oct. 21, 2002
The rain kept its end of the bargain and so did the Rush Autumn Soccer Classic as play wound down Sunday at the Jaycee Soccer Complex.
Despite a slight drizzle, the weather didn't interrupt what turned to be an exciting final day of the annual youth soccer event held in Meridian.
Host Meridian had at least two age division champions in the two-day event.
The Under-10 boys was decided by one goal as the Florence Untouchables were touched up by Meridian Nosco 2-1. The Untouchables shutout the Laurel Slimtimers 2-0 earlier in the day, as Meridian blanked the NE Jackson Gold Strike 4-0.
The winner of the Under-12 boys bracket was determined Saturday with the Meridian Patriots leading in total points to place first. Central Jackson Collins placed in second.
At press time no final score was available for the Under-16 boys match between the Brandon Revolution and Meridian Owen.
In another division whose final results were not available, the Clinton Kamakazie led the Under-14 girls bracket by scoring the most points with 10. They defeated the Meridian Crush 4-0 and the SW Jackson Breeze 2-1 earlier in the day. Laurel Sanders had a chance to pass Clinton with six points. They were to face the Meridian Crush in the Sunday afternoon finale. Earlier, they posted a win over the NW Rankin Red Hots 1-0.
Southwest Jackson Smoke beat Mid-State Corscadden of Tuscaloosa, AL 2-0 in the Under-14 boys final.
Two teams familiar with each other faced off in the Under-12 girls final. Laurel's Blue Thunder silenced the Blast, also of Laurel, in a 2-1 shootout.
Laurel's Under-10 team the Sharks bit every opponent they came in
contact with, posting shutout wins. Laurel cooled the Florence Red Hotshots 3-0 for the first place crown.
And finally in the Under-8 boys division Florence was present again. This time with the Taz accumulating the most points with 11 overall. The Taz scored two on the Laurel Vipers and picked up three points against the Meridian Boxers. Newton County's Blue Rage placed second with a total of 8 points. Newton picked up close wins against the Boxers 3-2 and finished out the day 2-1 over the Meridian Pumas.