By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports
We have all been stuck in our houses for a few days now –at least, the lucky ones among us — and it’s not easy keeping from going stir crazy. This is even harder for high school soccer players who are used to competing in the cold and moving around non-stop, although I don’t think playing FIFA on EA Sports counts.
There are only six playing dates left in the boys’ soccer season, and with the volume of games cancelled since Friday, there is no way that they will all be made up. One thing is surely known — ALL the district games will be rescheduled, even if that means cancelling other games already scheduled. Those league games are required to be played.
With so few games played, none after last Thursday, there was very little movement in this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal boys soccer coaches’ poll. Caddo Magnet moved from fifth to a fourth-place tie with Benton, who gained one voter’s confidence and received one of the first-place votes, taking the unanimous top team status away from Loyola. The Flyers still have the other four first-place votes and are the clear top ranked team in the area.
There were only five games played last week by our six teams receiving votes, with two of those games between these teams. Loyola topped Magnet 6-3 and Byrd tied Captain Shreve. In the other games involving the top local teams, Bossier and Calvary tied 1-1, Benton beat Airline 4-0, and Magnet topped Northwood 3-1.
As for games left on schedules, only time will tell how many get played since games won’t resume until Wednesday night at the earliest. The regular season ends next Monday.
Here is a look at what is scheduled. District games are italicized to show they will be played, one way or another.
Loyola is slated to host Neville tonight. Flyers’ coach Wes Kyle is actively working with the Neville coach to move the game, possibly to Monday. The Flyers are scheduled to play at home Thursday against Minden.
Bossier was to host Byrd tonight. Bossier coach Gerardo Martinez and Byrd coach Gary McCormick have agreed to reschedule the game for Saturday at 1 at Bossier. The Bearkats host Ruston Thursday and finish the season at home with Sterlington on Monday.
Along with the rescheduled Bossier game, Byrd faces Calvary at home on Thursday.
The Benton Tigers have three games remaining, starting Thursday at Haughton, then at Northwood Saturday and finishing the season at home against Calvary.
Caddo Magnet coach Nick Flowers is actively attempting to reschedule the Mustangs’ postponed Monday match with Southwood, as it’s a district game and is required to be played. This is complicated moreso because both the girls and boys teams were scheduled to play. The Mustangs are set to play Captain Shreve on Saturday.
Captain Shreve hosts Airline on Thursday, before its final game with Magnet on Saturday. Coach Greg Palmer is attempting to reschedule the Gators’ postponed contest against Pineville.
All of these anticipated games are subject to change or cancellation based on any developing weather issues or having to bump games in favor of district games, so it would be prudent to confirm plans before going out to the fields to cheer them on.
Next week’s final SBJ coaches poll and playoff brackets will run a day later than usual, to include the final day of the season on Monday.
The Week 11 SBJ boys’ soccer poll listing school (W-L-T record), points (first place votes):
1, Loyola (11-5-2), 24 (4)
2, Bossier (8-7-3), 15
3, Byrd (8-6-7), 14
T4, Benton (10-6-3), 9 (1)
T4, Caddo Magnet (12-5-2), 9
Also receiving votes – Captain Shreve (4)
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net
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