Defending champion McIntosh brings a 43-game winning streak into a rematch with Houston County in the Class AAAAA boys championship game today at Kennesaw State.
The Chiefs won their fourth state championship last season by defeating Houston County 2-0 in the title game.
McIntosh, ranked No. 1 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, has outscored its three playoff opponents 20-1. The Chiefs (20-0) are led by Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year Adam Sheikali, who has 18 goals and 16 assists. Houston County (18-2) got two goals from star striker Steven Moore to beat Clarke Central 2-1 to advance to the championship game. Moore owns the school record for career goals and assists.
The McIntosh girls also will be competing for a state title, when they take on rival Starr’s Mill today in the fourth all-Fayette County championship game in five years.
Starr’s Mill (19-3) is seeking its sixth state championship. McIntosh (17-2) has won eight state titles, including the 2011 and 2012 championships. Starr’s Mill won the regular-season meeting 2-0 April 22.
Kennesaw State also will host the Class AAAAAA and AAAA boys and girls championship games, with the AAA, AA and A title games being held tonight and Saturday at Emory University.
In the AAAAAA boys final, Brookwood (21-1) will face Mill Creek (18-2) Saturday. Chris Costley scored four goals in the top-ranked Broncos’ semifinal victory against Douglas County. The Hawks defeated Harrison 5-0 to advance to the championship game.
Harrison’s girls earned a return trip to the Class AAAAAA final with a 4-0 victory against defending champion Parkview. Harrison (21-0) has shut out 16 consecutive opponents, allowed just three goals all season and outscored opponents 26-0 in the playoffs. The Hoyas will face East Coweta or top-ranked Grayson, who were scheduled to play Thursday night after their semifinal was called off in the first half because of weather Wednesday.
The AAAA championships will be decided Saturday afternoon at Kennesaw State. Top-ranked Dalton (21-0-1) will face Johnson of Gainesville (21-1), which will be playing in the first title game in school history. Dalton’s Javier Rodriguez has 16 goals and 20 assists. The Catamounts eliminated Johnson in last season’s quarterfinals.
The Marist girls will try to win their fourth title in seven years when they face Veterans (18-1).
In Class AAA, defending girls champion St. Pius (18-3) will be seeking its fifth championship in six years when they face Blessed Trinity (15-3-1). St. Pius won the regular-season meeting 3-0 April 1. The AAA boys championship features St. Pius (17-5) against Oconee County (19-3).
Greater Atlanta Christian will be looking to sweep the AA state championships tonight at Emory. The Spartans boys (22-0) will try to beat three-time defending champion Westminster (13-4-5) for the third time this season. The Spartan girls (18-2-1) will face Lovett (17-2). The two teams split the two regular-season meetings.
In Class A, the Atlanta International School (16-2-1) boys will face Paideia (13-7-1) for the third time this season Saturday. The region rivals split their two meetings during the regular season. AIS is led by Tomas Perez, who has 25 goals. The First Presbyterian girls (19-0) will try to complete an undefeated season when they meet Pace Academy (13-5).
GHSA soccer championships
Friday
At Kennesaw State
5 p.m. — AAAAA Girls: Starr’s Mill vs. McIntosh
7:30 p.m. — AAAAA Boys: Houston County vs. McIntosh
At Emory University
5 p.m. — AA Girls: Greater Atlanta Christian vs. Lovett
7:30 p.m. — AA Boys: Greater Atlanta Christian vs. Westminster
Saturday
At Kennesaw State
Noon — AAAA Girls: Marist vs. Veterans
2:30 p.m. — AAAA Boys: Johnson, Gainesville vs. Dalton
5 p.m. — AAAAAA Girls: Harrison vs. Grayson/East Coweta
7:30 p.m. — AAAAAA Boys: Mill Creek vs. Brookwood
At Emory University
Noon — A Girls: First Presbyterian vs. Pace Academy
2:30 p.m. — A Boys: Paideia vs. Atlanta International School
5 p.m. — AAA Boys: St. Pius vs. Oconee County
7:30 p.m. — AAA Girls: St. Pius vs. Blessed Trinity
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