With the playoffs right around the corner, the time is now for Sumrall’s young soccer program. Todd Siders knows his Lady Bobcats and Bobcats must be playing their best ball as the second season approaches. If Saturday afternoon was any clear indicator, they both appear well on their way.
Both teams made quick work of visiting Wayne County. The Lady Bobcats got things started with a 5-0 win, while the Bobcats followed up with another Sumrall victory, 7-1. Although neither of the wins affected district standings, Siders realizes their importance.
“It’s been a weird year with the cancellations and the weather,” Siders said. “The girls haven’t played in like 10-plus days.”
Well, if there was any rust, the Lady Bobcats hid it well. The team took a 2-0 lead into halftime off a pair of first half goals from Cameron McLaurin. In the second half, Caragan Childs added two goals of her own.
“That’s two special players,” Siders said of Childs and McLaurin. “Cameron’s only been playing for two years now. Looks like she’s been playing her whole life. It’s unbelievable what she can do. They have to play like that, and they know it. A big part of what we do depends on how they play.”
Kailey Gresham added another goal for the Lady Bobcats, who improved to 9-7-1 with the win. They will be back in action at home Monday night at 5:30 against Lawrence County. A win there or against Purvis Thursday night will clinch their second-straight Region 6-4A Championship.
On the boys side, Sumrall locked up their region title Friday night with a 10-0 win over McComb. Some of that scoring spilled over into Saturday’s match, as the Bobcats cruised to a 7-1 win.
“On the boys side, that’s definitely the best we’ve played in a little while, which is good to see,” Siders said. “We need to be hitting our best stride going into the playoffs. We gotta build off this performance today.”
Sophomore Benson Trussell led the way for Sumrall with 4 goals. A superb performance, but not necessarily surprising, said Siders.
“He [Trussell] does stuff with a soccer ball that I don’t coach. He’s just got special abilities about him.”
Jack Boover, Max Elkins and Jathan Stevens each added one goal apiece for the Bobcats, who improved to 9-8-1 with the win.
All in all, Siders likes the direction both his Bobcats and Lady Bobcats are heading. That’s the playoffs, and he knows it will not be easy.
“We know the challenges ahead of us,” Siders concluded. “Whoever we play in the first round, girls or boys, is going to be extremely tough. We know if we don’t play our best, we’re going home. It’s about building a process and making sure we’re ready for the moment.”
