By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
The Benton Tigers only played one game last week: their matchup with the Bossier Bearkats last Tuesday, ending with a 0-0 tie. Behind that result and their first week 2-2 tie with Loyola, the Tigers moved into the top local boys team conversation.
They swayed one coach to vote for them as this week’s No. 1 team in the Shreveport-Bossier Journal boys soccer coaches’ poll. The Tigers remain in third, but are earning respect and making progress.
Benton had a rematch with West Monroe Monday night looking to avenge their 5-3 loss to the Rebels a couple weeks ago. The home field advantage did not help as the Tigers fell 2-0.
Benton is participating in the Bossier Tournament, at Tinsley Park, this weekend and are set to play Ouachita Parish, Central Lafourche, and Minden.
The Loyola Flyers were able to hold the top spot in the poll even after going 1-2 in the Hannan Tournament last weekend. The Flyers lost 2-1 to Northshore on Friday. Saturday the Flyers began the day with a 1-0 victory over host Archbishop Hannan, and they finished the weekend with a 5-0 loss to The Willow School.
Loyola takes on Captain Shreve tonight at Messmer Stadium before playing in this weekend’s Bossier Tournament. The Flyers will face Ouachita Parish and Calvary.
After the scoreless tie with Benton last week, the Bossier Bearkats, ranked second in the SBJ coaches’ poll, headed south to play in the Hannan Tournament. They went 1-1 against their south Louisiana competition. Friday, they fell 3-0 to The Willow School and salvaged the trip with a 2-0 victory against Fountainebleau of Mandeville.
The Bearkats are off in the early part of this week to prepare for their tournament. They are scheduled to play Airline, Central Lafourche, Haughton and Evangel this weekend.
Caddo Magnet moved up one spot, flipping with Byrd, in this week’s coaches’ poll. The Mustangs only played one game last week, beating Minden 7-0. They played Sterlington Monday night, winning 4-2. The Mustangs face Airline tonight, followed by a small break before going to the Beau Chene Tournament the following weekend.
The Byrd Yellow Jackets played two games last week: losing to Neville 4-0 and besting Ruston 3-0. Byrd topped Huntington Monday night 8-0 and are set to face Haughton tonight.
The Yellow Jackets also play in the Bossier Tournament this weekend and are scheduled to play Ouachita Parish, Haughton, and Central Lafourche.
Captain Shreve tripled its points in the coaches’ poll, not quite enough to get into the top five, but it’s forward movement. The Gators split their games last week, losing to West Monroe 4-1, then topping Huntington 8-0.
The Gators beat Ouachita Parish Monday night 9-1 in a prep game for their matchup with Loyola tonight. The Gators finish the week with a game in Marshall, Texas. That game will not count in the power rankings.
The Week 4 SBJ boys soccer poll listing school (W-L-T record) points (first place votes)
1, Loyola (2-3-2), 22 (3)
2, Bossier (3-2-2), 21 (1)
3, Benton (2-2-2), 14 (1)
4, Caddo Magnet (4-1-1), 9
5, Byrd (2-3-1), 5
Others receiving votes: Captain Shreve (3), Calvary (1).
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net