The Harlan County boys soccer team will compete Wednesday for its fifth consecutive 50th District championship, and the Black Bears will face a familiar foe in the title match at Knox Central High School.
On the heels of its 8-0 shutout of Knox Central Monday, Harlan County will face rival Middlesboro in the championship match for a second straight year. Middlesboro shut out Barbourville, 8-0, Monday to secure its spot in the 8 p.m. title tilt.
The two teams split their regular season games, with Middlesboro winning a 4-2 decision at home early in the season and the Black Bears earning a 6-1 victory two weeks ago at the James A. Cawood Elementary School field.
Despite missing injured starters Braylee Kazy (broken leg) and Austin Tye (hamstring), Harlan County (8-4) shut out Knox Central for a third time this season.
Junior Luther Gross scored three goals and added an assist, while senior Trevor Farley scored two goals and assisted on two others. Sophomore Haydin Palmer, along with freshmen Mason Howard and Bryson Robbins also scored for the Black Bears, while sophomore goalkeeper Christion Smith was credited with one save.
“I’m proud of the team and how they are stepping up with the injuries we have had,” Harlan County coach Tommy Key said. “We are gonna need a complete team effort with no mistakes to beat Middlesboro.”
Tye, a sophomore and the Black Bears’ second leading scorer during the regular season, is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against Middlesboro.
“We let him warm up a little (Monday) just to get some movement in, but he’s good and clear to go all out (Wednesday),” Harlan County assistant coach Tracey Tye said.
The absence of Kazy from the Black Bears’ back line was overcome by another solid defensive effort by Harlan County, and Tracey Tye added the team dedicated the win over Knox Central to the talented junior. Kazy sustained the injury in a loss last week at Letcher Central.
“We came into the game a man down and our hearts elsewhere,” she said. “Kazy is a big help on that back line. We went in and played it for him.”
In the Monday nightcap, Middlesboro (6-6) had six players who scored at least one goal, with sophomore Bryson Heck and senior Aiden Larew each notching a pair of tallies. Senior Brent Thompson, juniors Noah Wakin and Ivan Marino Santa Teresa, along with freshman Brooklyn Huff also scored goals for the Yellow Jackets.
Middlesboro freshman goalkeeper Elijah Caldwell was credited with one save and his second shutout in his first varsity season.