OAKWOOD, Ga. — No. 3 Cedar Shoals faces No. 1 Johnson with a chance to show it's ready to not only challenge for the Region 8-4A title, but also the state championship. Went into Tuesday's showdown.
Instead, the Jaguars left the dungeon as the Knights' 60th consecutive region victim after a 6-1 victory.
With the win, Johnson (8-1-1, 7-0 region, 8-4 region) becomes the only remaining undefeated team in the region, and both Jaguars (8-3-1, 7-7 region) (Loss) at least 2 games ahead. Region 8-4A), which completed the -3 regional schedule, and Cherokee Bluff (8-4-1, 5-2 Region 8-4A).
The Knights wasted little time jumping on the Jaguars. Just 10 minutes into the game, Edgar Vazquez converted a cross from Junior Castillo to take a 1-0 lead.
Midway through the first half, Yander Castillo scored in the box off an assist from Josue Mendoza, and with 30 seconds left Vazquez scored again for a 3-0 lead.
“Another solid performance from our players. It looks like we're at the right time here as we head into the end of the season,” Johnson's coach, Frank Zamora, said. I'm definitely proud and satisfied with this. Let's turn the page now and focus on Cherokee Bluff. ”
Cedar Shoals cut the deficit to 3-1 midway through the second half, but Johnson stopped the upset. The Knights scored three points in the final 15 minutes on shots from outside the box by Santiago Villarea, Jody Acosta and again on a goal by Castillo.
Nothing has been decided yet for the Knights, but they have three big regional games remaining, all on the road. They begin their final road trip Thursday against the Bears, who beat No. 8 Chestatee 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday.
“This is another big regional game for us on Thursday,” Zamora said.
