SPORTS

ELITE 8: Top teams faced tough competition

Michael Odom
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Jackson Christian goalkeeper Trace Haggard considers the matches against Spanish Fort (Ala.) and Trenton Peabody as his best matches.

One of the hardest things to figure out when rankings teams in any sports is what to do when teams step out of West Tennessee to play tougher competition.

It happens in almost every sport like when Liberty football used to play Brentwood Academy or when a boys basketball team like Haywood plays the likes of Lausanne, Memphis Central and White Station.

This week we have that struggle in boys soccer.

After playing Madison to open the season, Lexington went and played in the Smoky Mountain Cup against teams better than anything that West Tennessee has to offer.

Jackson Christian took a trip into Alabama to play a pair of games against Daphne (last year’s 6A state runner-up) and Bayside Academy (last year’s 3A state champion).

So I take this stand, playing those teams for a weekend won’t drop a team from the rankings.

So here is the new boys soccer Elite Eight:

1. Lexington (14 A-AA) (1-2) – After opening the season with a win, the Tigers went to East Tennessee and played some tough competition. Results: Beat Madison; Lost to Father Ryan and Christ Church Episcopal (SC). Last week: No. 1.

2. Jackson Christian (15 A-AA) (0-1-1) – The Eagles took a road trip to Alabama over spring break to play two teams that played in a state championship game last year. Results: Tied Daphne (Ala); Lost to Bayside Academy (Ala). Last week: No. 3.

3. USJ (Division II-A) (2-0) – The Bruins were one of the first team in West Tennessee to pick up two wins on the season as they are 2-0. USJ has this week off before playing district competition up next. Results: Beat Haywood, St. Augustine. Last week: No. 4.

4. Madison (15 A-AA) (0-1) – The Mustangs opened the season with a loss, but it came against one of the best teams in West Tennessee. They will try to regroup this week with Liberty and Covington on the schedule. Results: Lost to Lexington. Last week: No. 2.

5. Sacred Heart (Division II-A) (0-0) – The Knights season doesn’t start until this coming Thursday. But they open the season with a district opponent as Fayette Academy comes to Jackson. Last week: Did not play. Last week: No. 5.

6. North Side (15 A-AA) (0-0) – The Indians didn’t have a match scheduled for the first week of the season. They open the season on Tuesday at home against Riverside before hosting Liberty on Thursday. Results: Did not play. Last week: No. 6.

7. South Gibson (13 A-AA) (1-0) – The Hornets won their first game of the season by one goal over Peabody. They get into district play this week with Milan and Crockett County on the schedule. Results: Beat Trenton Peabody. Last week: No. 8.

8. Chester County (14 A-AA) (0-0-1) – The Eagles opened the season with a tie against Scotts Hill. The lone game on the schedule this week is a road trip to South Side on Tuesday. Results: Tied Scotts Hill. Last week: No. 7.

Teams eligible for the Elite Eight 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. 

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.