Sevier County Blanks Tennessee High 4-0 in Region Semifinal

The Sevier County Smoky Bears took another commanding step toward the TSSAA State Tournament on Tuesday night, dominating Tennessee High 4-0 in the Region 1 Semifinals to keep their postseason run alive.

The Smoky Bears (16-2-2) broke the scoring open early against Tennessee High (12-7-1) as senior captain Freddy Castro found the top right corner of the goal at the 11 minute mark, following a rebound to give Sevier County the quick 1-0 lead.

"It's big, any time you can score, obviously you want to score first, but if you can just get one 10 minutes in, it just kind of sets the tone for the rest of the game." said Coach Tim Bohanan on the opening goal.

Darwin Garcia continued his excellent play and recent goal streak, weaving his way through the Vikings defenders before hammering a shot into the back of the net for another Sevier County goal in the 22nd minute of the game.

"He's doing exceptionally well, it took him a little bit to get going. When you have a such a great game (referring to Garcia's 4- goal game against Jefferson Co) you think every game is going to be like that and it's not and you've got to work for it. I felt like as the game went on he just continued to work and work, and that work rate paid off for him." Bohanan lamented on Garcia's current play.

The Smoky Bears headed into the halftime break up 2-0 following Castro & Garcia's goal with an advantage in every statistical category including shots on goal with an 6-2 advantage.

Sevier County opened the second half quickly as once again, Castro would drive one home at the 42:55 mark of the game, just under three minutes into the second half kick.

"We knew what the scoreboard was but the mentality had to be 0-0. We had the lead, but that's a dangerous lead and we had to take that momentum back." Freddy took that challenge and did that, being able to get that goal to put us up was big and just kept the momentum on our side."

Castro would grab his hat trick just over halfway through the second half on a ball that was beautifully placed upfield, allowing him to chase it down and score the goal in the lower right corner, beating the Vikings keeper for his third goal of the game in the 62nd minute.

Coach Bohanan was able to once again sub in many of his younger players for the remaining minutes of the match, giving them some much deserved and needed playing time.

"Every time they can get experience and get opportunities to play, they practice hard, they practice with us everyday but nothing replicates game reps and it's only going to help us down the road." Bohanan quoted on his younger players getting game time.

Sevier County finished the game with 11 shots on goal, Tennessee High ended with 6 but each of those were turned away by keeper Kensley Solano, delivering another great performance in goal for the Smoky Bears.

Sevier County will next host Science Hill in the Region 1 Championship on Thursday evening at the Sevier County Soccer Complex with kickoff being set for 6:30

"Excellent team, year in, year out. One of the top teams, if not the top teams in the tri-cities area."

"We played them last year and got them in this semi-final game last year but now their coming loaded for bear." They've had this one circled and they're ready to get after us."

"We have to be ready to bring that same intensity and be ready as well. I think it's going to be a great challenge for our kids."

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