Station Camp too much as CHS focuses on Franklin

GALLATIN, Tenn. Clarksville High not only knew what was at stake Thursday night but it knew exactly what it was getting into.

The Wildcats had a chance at a Region 5-AAA championship courtesy of some impressive play during the postseason that saw CHS capture the District 10 title last week.

But Clarksville also understood to win that region title, it would have to shock the state's No. 2-ranked soccer team in Station Camp, on its home turf, while avenging a 5-1 loss earlier in the season to the Bison.

As fun as this run has been for the Wildcats, even they knew that would be a tall order. And in the end, Station Camp proved why it was, out-maneuvering Clarksville for a 3-1 victory Thursday to claim the region title.

But what Clarksville coach Jeff Jordan took away from that loss is exactly what made the game close to begin with.

"Heart," Jordan said. "Station Camp is much better than us. They are extremely talented. They are a one-touch team. They can pass, great ball control, great touches and they finish. Rossview (High) has more talent than we do and Station Camp beat them 7-0. We just knew that we had to play with heart. I thought we did that (Thursday)."

Now Clarksville will travel to face Franklin, hoping that maybe the dreaded cliche of a "moral victory" from Thursday's region loss will apply in the Class AAA sectional at 7 p.m. Saturday.

"It's not always about winning," Jordan said. "I mean that's why we show up. We want to get to the final eight. But at the end of the day, if you know you left everything you had out on the field, then the result doesn't really matter."

But the ultimate goal is still within reach.

Like Station Camp, Clarksville has already faced Franklin during the regular season. The game ended in a 0-0 tie and Jordan feels Franklin is just as talented as Station Camp, a team that had a 2-0 lead in the first half Thursday until Elijah Urquhart's header cut that lead in half before intermission.

"Station Camp never pulled its starters in this game," Jordan said. "That says something because I'm sure it's been a while since they're starters played to the end. They were tired. They got a deflection goal early in the second half but they were tired. That's because our kids never quit. That's the energy we have to bring Saturday. That same mentality and that same energy."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.