Briarwood Christian and Athens captured the 2013 Alabama Class 5A boys and girls state championships, respectively.
The Lions, with 13 seniors, won their fourth boys state title with a 3-0 victory over Saint Paul’s behind a pair of goals from Grant Janich.
Saint Paul’s lost in the state finals for the third straight year, but coach Chad Harrelson felt good about how his team finished.
“Nobody counted on us to be here,” he said, of his team that included only four seniors and no returning starters from 2012.
Briarwood senior Kyle Kimel was named the game’s MVP. He scored the other Lions’ goal and assisted on Janich’s goal.
“As many seniors as we have this year, it makes it that much more special said Briarwood head coach Mark Wallace.
Briarwood finished the season 20-5-3, while St. Paul’s was 17-8-3.
First State Title For Athens
The Athens Golden Eagles practiced corner kicks in their final practice session and it paid off in the championship game.
Sophomore Ashley Ward got on the end of a Kate Morgan corner kick in the first half and headed it in for the game’s only goal.
For the past seven seasons Athens came to Huntsville, but went away without a championship. Last year they lost in the title game.
It’s been a long road,” said Athens head coach J.B. Hutchison. “The foundation was set from those before us.”
The Golden Eagles (16-7-3) reached the final this year with a 1-0 overtime victory over #2 Briarwood Christian (14-6-2). Junior Riley Ridgeway knocked in the game-winner one minute into OT.
The Lions, with 13 seniors, won their fourth boys state title with a 3-0 victory over Saint Paul’s behind a pair of goals from Grant Janich.
Saint Paul’s lost in the state finals for the third straight year, but coach Chad Harrelson felt good about how his team finished.
“Nobody counted on us to be here,” he said, of his team that included only four seniors and no returning starters from 2012.
Briarwood senior Kyle Kimel was named the game’s MVP. He scored the other Lions’ goal and assisted on Janich’s goal.
“As many seniors as we have this year, it makes it that much more special said Briarwood head coach Mark Wallace.
Briarwood finished the season 20-5-3, while St. Paul’s was 17-8-3.
First State Title For Athens
The Athens Golden Eagles practiced corner kicks in their final practice session and it paid off in the championship game.
Sophomore Ashley Ward got on the end of a Kate Morgan corner kick in the first half and headed it in for the game’s only goal.
For the past seven seasons Athens came to Huntsville, but went away without a championship. Last year they lost in the title game.
It’s been a long road,” said Athens head coach J.B. Hutchison. “The foundation was set from those before us.”
The Golden Eagles (16-7-3) reached the final this year with a 1-0 overtime victory over #2 Briarwood Christian (14-6-2). Junior Riley Ridgeway knocked in the game-winner one minute into OT.