Franklin Grace Academy’s Jake Breeland streaked downfield on a rare thrust from the nominal away team, looking like a flash of red and white lightning as he sped past Boyd Buchanan defenders. With cool precision, he punched a shot through and gave GCA a 1-0 lead.
Of the two goals Franklin Grace had scored in the match, both had come within the first minute of play in each championship half.
Boyd Buchanan’s championship run ended in the DII-A championship 3-0 to Franklin Grace.
“We didn’t give up, and we fought to the end,” coach Dustin Walker said. “I’m proud of them. Life is so much more than soccer. We got to hang out with an amazing group of guys, and they got to build relationships with each other. In a few hours, we’ll be eating with our team and families, and be thankful for the opportunities. The loss is going to sting, but we know it’s bigger than one game.
Boyd Buchanan must have been galled by the way their first half unfolded. Cam Park and Mills Wood, combined with a supporting offensive cast that included Ben Hauke and more, completely dominated play.
After FGA used a well-placed long ball and cross to strike in the first few seconds, they conceded possession almost entirely to the Buccaneers.
The Chattanooga-area team imposed their will on every inch of the pitch outside of the goal, using their size and brawn to carve out position on set pieces. But the Buccaneers could not make a single one of their many chances count for a goal.
A GCA defender always seemed to get a limb or body part in the way though. Franklin Grace went into halftime with minimal possession but enjoyed a lead of 1-0. In the second half, FGA’s 1-0 lead doubled on Jones’ strike to start the second half.
Boyd Buchanan’s back line of Hutch Healy, Ben Pearson, Lane Park and Matt Stone were far busier in the second half, when Franklin Grace began to assert themselves on the offensive end following their second goal. They were helpless in the 51st minute when Jones torched everyone down the endline and crossed a lob ball into forward Zion Jones.
It was an easy finish, and Boyd Buchanan would have needed a miracle to pull off a rally. The Buccaneers competed until the very last whistle and accepted the runner’s up trophy with grace after 80 hard-played minutes.
“I know we lost today, but I’m probably the proudest coach here,” coach Walker said. “We played well. I could not be prouder of these guys, to be their coach and thankful that me and the other coaches could be with them this year. That’s not coach speak, that’s truly the way we feel.”
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