Seahawks soccer boys down Freeport

The Seahawk soccer boys split their last two games, falling at East Gadsden and then returning home to defeat Freeport.

The East Gadsden Jaguars scored three goals in the first half as they brought Franklin County High School’s undefeated adventures to an end with a 4-0 win Nov. 30 in Havana.

Two goals in nine first-half minutes from an “own goal” by the Seahawks and a dicey shot through the legs of multiple Seahawk defenders did the damage before an unidentified Jaguar put the icing on the cake late in the first half and ensured the Seahawks' first foray away from the Nest ended in disappointment.

During the first half, Seahawk fans were quick to applaud shots on goal by Alex Causey, Elton Olvera, Graham Kirvin (two headers), James Newell and Zack Howze.

More heroics followed when the Seahawk defense finally settled and goalie Daniel Carrino made eight saves before halftime.

In the second half, the Seahawk defense stiffened further with Tanner Klink playing very well from his sweeper position and Carrino adding three more saves. Olvera had two shots on goal, with one being a free kick and Kirvin added another shot on goal, but none found the back of the net.

A Jaguar striker put the game beyond doubt 23 minutes from time, slotting home a goal off a left-wing dribble. The Jaguars managed 67 percent of the time of possession, and finished with 129 shots on goal to the Seahawks’ 10.

Senior Tanner Klink was awarded Player of the Match for his efforts, demonstrating an impact defensively in both halves with his great field of vision.  He was instrumental in acquiring dispossessed passes, steals and headers out of the 18-yard box. Klink held the defensive third against the onslaught of offensive attempts and provided a boost to the team’s counter-attacking efforts despite the teams losing effort.

Hawks cruise to first district win

On Friday at home, the Seahawks faced Freeport, a new rival in the district rival which also includes Port St. Joe and Rocky Bayou. 

From the opening whistle, the Seahawks pressed forward and were in complete control against the Bulldogs.  An offensive onslaught occurred with multiple shots and goals from Olvera (three shots on goal; one score; and one assist), Causey (three shots on goal; one score off an assist from Olvera, Howze (two shots on goal; one score on assist from James Harris; Newell (two shots on goal; one score), James Harris (one shot on goal; one score on an assist from Elisha Patriotis); and one assist) and Kirvin (two shots on goal; one score) to take a 6-1 lead into the half.

Defensively in the first half, the Seahawks controlled the middle third of the field and hurried the Freeport offensive mid-fielders with so much pressure, that only “through balls” were an option for their scoring attempts. The combination of Javeion Winfield, Julio Ramirez, Billy Harris and Klink blew up the inside passing lanes, and scoring opportunities for the Bulldogs became few and far between. Carrino was not tested with the frequency he was accustomed to, with only one save on two shots in the first half. 

In the second half, the Seahawks made multiple substitutions with everyone getting some playing time and still managed to maintain pressure and possession.  Casey Sapp led all Seahawks in the second half with six shots on goal, Winfield had three shots on goal and Jonathan Whitcomb, Ramirez, Billy Harris and Matthew Turner each had one shot on goal. Klink, who got some playing time as a mid-fielder, scored unassisted.  James Harris added to his goal totals off a second assist from Patriotis and since first time net minder Stephen Jackson replaced Daniel Carrino in goal in the second half, Carrino got to play a little offense and scored an unassisted goal.

The Seahawk substitutes in the second half allowed the Freeport boys’ a little respite from the smothering first-half defense they had seen and allowed for six shots on goal by the Bulldogs.  Jackson allowed three goals in the second half but also made three saves.  Upon completion of their first district win of the season 9-4, the entire Seahawks team ran to the home-crowd side of the field and in an apparent pre-rehearsed skit, Seahawk player Olvera mimicked a swimming fish, which was subsequently “caught” by another player and lifted by the entire team. A “picture” of the “catch” was taken by yet another Seahawk player.

With their first district win of the season, the boys were eager and excited about their Wednesday night re-match at home against E. Gadsden.

Sophomore James Harris was awarded Player of the Match for his efforts, with two goals and one assist. In addition, his defensive prowess in the middle third of the field was instrumental in getting the ball back for the Seahawks.

Joe Shields serves as assistant to coach Jono Williams of the Seahawk boys soccer team.