Playing its second home match in as many days on wet turf at the James A. Cawood field, the Harlan County boys soccer team staged an offensive clinic Tuesday night in a lopsided 8-0 win over Knox Central.
Following a 3-0 win over Barbourville on Monday night at JACES that failed to impress HC coach Tommy Key, the Black Bears scored early and often against Knox Central, invoking the mercy rule less than seven minutes into the second half.
“We came out (Monday) and laid an egg, and they wanted to right the ship today,” Key said. “Going into district play, we need to be firing on all cylinders.”
That was certainly the case Tuesday, as senior Bradley Brock and sophomore Luther Gross each scored three times, while senior Ray Splawn added a pair of tallies.
Although Brock and Splawn have supplied a 1-2 scoring punch as veterans this season, Gross now ranks second on the team in goals (12); two behind Brock and one ahead of Splawn.
Having a solid third scoring threat should benefit the Black Bears heading into district play next week.
“Luther’s had it in him all year, it’s just getting it out of him that’s the key,” Key said . “He likes to dribble a little bit too much, but when you can dribble as good as he can, I understand it.”
Brock opened the scoring during the 16th minute, Splawn followed less than three minutes with his first marker, and the rout was on.
Less than two minutes after Splawn’s goal, Brock eluded two Knox Central defenders and found the back of the net for the a second time. Gross then scored two goals during a span of just over three minutes to make it, 5-0.
Brock’s third tally of the first half came during the 32nd minute, and came just 35 seconds before Black Bears senior goalkeeper Travis Burkhart recorded his first, and only, save of the game.
Key was quick to credit junior Trevor Farley and freshman Austin Tye, both of whom have willingly shifted to midfield positions to help set up and direct the offense.
“Trevor Farley and Austin Tye can step up and be strikers any time, and score just as much as the others are doing,” Key said, “but they’re so selfless and they know they want to win and they know that’s the best spot for them right now. We’re on a streak of shutouts because of that; they’re not selfish, at all.”
Splawn’s second goal came just over two minutes into the second half, and just over five minutes later Gross ended the match and completed his hat trick.
Gross, Splawn and senior Keaton Simpson scored for the Black Bears in their victory over Barbourville.
Next up for the 7-3 Black Bears is a pivotal match tonight against district rival, Middlesboro at JACES.
Set to start at 6 p.m., the outcome of the game will have a significant impact on seeding for next week’s district tournament, which will be hosted by three-time defending champion, Harlan County.
Middlesboro defeated the Black Bears, 2-1, earlier this season and Key expects another close game.
“Middlesboro is a great team, they’ve got a great coach and it’s going to be a tough battle for us,” Key said. “We’ll kind of know where we stand after (that game).”
With their team on a current four-game winning streak that includes three shutouts, Brock and Splawn are confident the Black Bears are ready for the challenge by the Yellow Jackets.
“I really feel like we have the pieces to win the game, and I feel like we’re a stronger team than we were earlier in the season,” Brock said. “It’s really about being locked in on the game and being laser-focused on what we need to do.
“If we go out and do that, I’m sure we can take care of business.”
Splawn agreed, and mentioned that the Black Bears are a different team than the one that dropped the close decision to the Yellow Jackets in their second game of the season.
“We played them very early in the season and we were trying new formations that we really weren’t used to, yet,” Splawn said.
“Now that it’s later in the season, everybody knows their positions, and what we all need to do out there and I believe it will be a game-changer.”