ELITE EIGHT: JC soccer moves up to No. 2; USJ still top
There were few rain days through the fall sports season, and that led to few matches in the final week of the season.
The few matches that were played last week had little effect on the Elite Eight rankings, except for one.
The No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the rankings played, and one clearly showed it was ready for a postseason push.
Jackson Christian scored six goals on Lexington for the easy win, and that moves the Lady Eagles up to No. 2 this week.
Next week’s poll will come after district tournament play, so many area teams will have had their season ended.
Here is the new Girls’ Soccer Elite Eight:
1USJ (D2-A) (13-3) – The Lady Bruins had the week off, but they have one more match remaining before kicking off the Division II-A West region tournament with a home match in the quarterfinals. Results: Did not play. Last week: No. 1.
2Jackson Christian (15 A-AA) (11-5) – The Lady Eagles have not given up a goal against Class A-AA competition during the regular season. Jackson Christian hosts North Side on Monday to open the District 15 A-AA tournament. Results: Beat Lexington 6-0; Beat Fayette Academy 6-0. Last week: No. 3.
3Lexington (14 A-AA) (10-3-2) – The Lady Tigers ended the regular season with a loss, but they have to get over that quickly with the District 14-AA tournament beginning on Monday. Lexington hosts Gibson County. Results: Lost to Jackson Christian 6-0. Last week: No. 2.
4TCA (15 A-AA) (9-1-2) – The Lady Lions didn’t play this past week, but they will quickly get back to action with three possible matches this coming week, if they keep winning. TCA opens the District 15 A-AA tournament on Monday with Adamsville. Results: Did not play. Last week: No. 4.
5Peabody (14 A-AA) (14-1-1) – The Lady Tide ended the season with a win over McKenzie. Games don’t get easier for Peabody as the Lady Tide host an improved Fayette-Ware team on Monday in the 14 A-AA quarterfinals. Results: Beat McKenzie. Last week: No. 5.
6Westview (13 A-AA) (11-3-1) – The Lady Chargers shut out South Side in the regular season finale, and they get a bye in the opening round of the District 13 A-AA tournament. But on Tuesday, Westview will host the McKenzie-Obion County winner in the semifinal. Results: Beat South Side 2-0. Last week: No. 6.
7Chester County (14 A-AA) (6-4-2) – The Eaglettes picked up a big win to end the regular season and prepare for tournament play. Chester County opens the 14 A-AA tournament on Monday against South Fulton. Results: Beat South Gibson 5-0. Last week: No. 7.
8McNairy Central (14 A-AA) (10-2) – The Lady Bobcats closed out the season with no non-district losses. They will still have to travel to open the District 14 A-AA tournament with a trip to South Side on Monday. Results: Beat Crockett County 3-2. Last week: No. 8.
Teams eligible for the Dirty Dozen rankings are those who represent schools from The Jackson Sun’s 13-county circulation area: Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, McNairy and Hardin.
Michael Odom, 425-9754
