As the regular season comes to a close and attention shifts toward postseason soccer, debate continues across the Harlan County Middle School Soccer League about who truly deserved the No. 1 seed.
Both the Wallins Purple Devils and the Evarts Wildcats finished the season with identical 9-1 records. Their two head-to-head matchups ended with an even goal differential, leaving the final tiebreaker to total goals scored across the season. Wallins finished with just two more goals than Evarts, earning the Purple Devils the No. 1 seed entering tournament play.
And Wallins has certainly proven they belong near the top all season long.
The Purple Devils have established themselves as perhaps the most physical and athletic team in the middle school league this year. After winning the championship last season and graduating much of their starting lineup, many questioned what this year’s team would look like. Instead of rebuilding quietly, Wallins reloaded.
They retained a strong core of returning players while also bringing in additional athletes from throughout the school to strengthen the roster.
According to Head Coach Candace Long, the biggest factor behind their success has been simple:
“They put in the work.”
Long practices, extra conditioning, and after-dark skill work all paid off for the Purple Devils as they powered their way to 57 goals scored, the highest total in the league.
While their explosive striker play often grabs headlines, Wallins’ success comes from being one of the most balanced teams in the league. Their defense consistently shut down opposing attacks throughout the season, with the most goals they allowed in any match being just three, and that came in their lone loss to Evarts.
Players like Roxy Anglin frequently helped transition the ball from defense into offensive opportunities, while midfield play from athletes like Reid Daniels and the field presence of Travis Smith allowed Wallins to control possession for large stretches of matches.
Coach Long says the commitment from the entire roster, along with strong family support, has made the season especially rewarding.
“The whole team puts forth 100% effort, and the supportive parents make coaching this team enjoyable.”
On the opposite side of the bracket sits the No. 2 seed Evarts Wildcats, separated from the top seed by only two goals across the entire season.
Evarts may arguably be the most technically sound and organized team in the league. While some teams rely heavily on physicality, the Wildcats built success through spacing, passing, positioning, and execution.
That does not mean Evarts lacks athleticism. Their combination of experience and athletic ability allowed them to dominate possession for much of the season and consistently create offensive opportunities.
Coach Heather Hensley says leadership from experienced players became a major factor in their success.
“Our experienced forwards and midfield have helped lead the way all season, creating opportunities and setting the tone every match,” she said,
What truly separates Evarts, however, is its chemistry and support for one another. Few players embody that more than Willow Monhollen, whose constant encouragement and hustle became symbolic of the Wildcats’ team-first mentality.
Defensively, Logan Price anchored a back line that consistently limited scoring chances. Much like Wallins, the most goals Evarts allowed in a single game was three, and that came in their lone loss to Wallins.
At midfield, players like Zoie Smith helped keep possession on the offensive side of the field for much of the season, allowing Evarts to dictate tempo and pressure opponents relentlessly.
Behind the top two seeds sits a highly competitive middle section of the bracket.
The No. 3 seed Cumberland Redskins enters the tournament as one of the fastest and most aggressive attacking teams in the field. Cumberland relied heavily on quick offensive pushes, strong midfield transitions, and physical play throughout the season. Their ability to create momentum swings quickly makes them a dangerous postseason matchup for anyone.
The No. 4 seed Black Mountain Tigers became one of the league’s most improved teams over the course of the season. Early inconsistencies gave way to much stronger defensive organization and explosive offensive stretches late in the year. The Tigers proved repeatedly they could battle with top teams when their midfield play controlled possession.
The No. 5 seed James A. Cawood Trojans played some of the most physical soccer in the league this season. The Trojans showed toughness and resilience throughout the year while generating offensive opportunities through aggressive attacks and pressure on the ball. When their offense found rhythm, they proved capable of competing with anyone.
The No. 6 seed Rosspoint Wildcats may have fielded one of the younger squads in the league, but their growth throughout the season was impossible to ignore. Defensive play improved dramatically as the season progressed, and their understanding of positioning and spacing continued developing week after week.
Tournament play officially begins on May 12, with academic recognition taking place before each contest to celebrate the outstanding achievements of these student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.
The opening round begins at 5:45 p.m., when the No. 4 seed Black Mountain Tigers face the No. 5 seed James A. Cawood Trojans in what could become one of the most physical matchups of the postseason.
At 7:45 p.m., the No. 3 seed Cumberland Redskins will take on the No. 6 seed Rosspoint Wildcats, as Cumberland looks to use its aggressive offensive style against a Rosspoint squad that continued improving throughout the season.
The winners will advance to the Semi-Finals on May 14.
The winner of Black Mountain and James A. Cawood will advance to face No. 1 seed Wallins at 7:45 p.m. in a highly anticipated semifinal matchup.
Meanwhile, the winner between Cumberland and Rosspoint will move on to face No. 2 seed Evarts at 5:45 p.m.
Now, the regular season is complete. Records no longer matter.
The focus shifts fully to tournament soccer, where one strong performance can change the story of an entire season.
