Playing for a state title is nothing new for the Johnson boys soccer team. They have won Georgia High School Association state titles two years in a row (Class 5A in 2022, 4A in 2023) and will try to defend their 4A title on Wednesday against Westminster at Duluth High School. is.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be a rematch of the 2023 championship match, which the Knights won 4-2 at McCann High School. This will be the fourth straight state finals for the Knights.
Johnson coach Frank Zamora said the only similarity between the two teams is the names on the front of the uniforms. However, the majority of the current Knights roster was used primarily in backup roles the past two seasons. It is hoped that this tradition will be continued this time as well.
“Both teams have a lot of graduates, and neither team is the same as last year,” he said after the Knights narrowly defeated Northwest Whitfield, 1-0, in last week's semifinals. “Westminster is a great program with talented players every year. It will be another great battle for both teams.”
Despite currently on a 14-game winning streak in the postseason, the 2024 Knights have been slow starters in every round. But they continued to dominate in the second half.
If there is an issue, it's finishing near the net in the offensive zone.
“The players responded well to the changes we were talking about and adapted well in the second half,” Zamora said. “The key is to take advantage of the opportunity early. It's more clinical in the final third.”
Class 4A Boys State Championship
johnson vs westminster
Record: Knights (18-1-1, region 8-4A). Wildcats (16-4-2, Region 6-4A)
Last week's semifinals: Johnson defeated Northwest Whitfield, 1-0.Westminster defeated Holy Innocents 2-1.
Date and time: Wednesday, May 8th
Location: Duluth High School, Duluth
Time: 7:30pm
Stats: Both teams are playoff powerhouses. Johnson is a Class 4A defenseman who has won three titles since 2018 and played in two others. …Westminster has won six titles since 2011, but none since 2019. …Johnson outscored his opponents 77-19 and 9-3 in the playoffs. … The Knights won three games and one goal in the 2024 playoffs. … Westminster outscored its opponents 80-20, 10-1 in the playoffs.
