David Crockett’s historic postseason run continues to add new pages to the boys’ soccer program history book.
The Pioneers’ most recent milestone was reaching the program’s first-ever spot in a region championship game after defeating Grainger, 4-0, in the Region 1-AA semifinals at home in the wet weather on Tuesday.
The win will also send David Crockett to a Class AA sectional game.
“This has taken a lot of work,” David Crockett coach Chris Kudera said. “After starting the season 1-8, we have preached all season that success is a journey, it is not a destination. We are still on this journey. I do think we have more to offer than what we showed tonight, though.”
David Crockett (9-8-2) will play Greeneville in the Region 1-AA championship on Thursday at Greeneville High School at 6:30 p.m.
The winner between the two will host a Class AA section, while the loser will have to travel to play for a chance at the 2024 Class AA state tournament.
“We have to get ready,” Kadura said, knowing Greeneville will be a true test for his team. “We have had our eyes on Greeneville. I think Greeneville can be in the same boat as us. They can have some lows and have some high moments. Hopefully, we catch them in a low.”
Greenville defeated Elizabethton 2-0 in the Region 1-AA matchup that set up Thursday’s contest.
Deigo Silva made sure his team secured a spot in the championship game, too, as he finished the day with a hat trick. Silva scored goals in the 27th, 41st and 61st minutes.
Caleb Eaves scored the other goal with an assist from Silva in the 44th minute, which may have put the early dagger in Grainger’s chances at coming back.
Coming out of the half, David Crockett struck right away with the back-to-back goals from Silva and Eaves.
“We talked about that at halftime — about playing lackadaisical in the first half,” Kudera said. “We talked about emphasis, pressure and intensity. I think it showed there in the first three minutes being able to score those goals and be able to stretch the lead. We felt like we could coast from there.”
Pressure was applied directly and quickly to Grainger in the second half, much like it was in the first half.
David Crockett started the game right away with an eagerness to attack the goal — that it did. The Pioneers attempted 10 shots and kept control for most of the time before Silva’s first goal.
Although many shots were taken, Grainger’s goalkeeper, Johnny Venegas, did his best to hold his ground as he finished with seven saves on the day.
However, David Crockett’s pressure was too much for Grainger to handle, especially after the gut-punching goals to begin the second half and draw enough separation for the Pioneers.
Now, Kudera’s squad will have a chance to add even more pages to the history book.
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