It's that time of year again. It's time for the Division 4A state boys' soccer tournament. The perennial power Lakeside Blue Ridge at 17-1-2 finds themselves ranked second in the state this year and is on a collision course to face Tucson Desert Christian, currently ranked number one in the state with a 19-1 record, their lone loss coming at the hands of the Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets, 1-0, earlier this season in a tournament held in Chino Valley.
On the other hand, Blue Ridge came to town in September and dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision at Tucson Udall Park to the Eagles from Desert Christian. Blue Ridge is coached by Bryon Crain and his team won it all last year at the state tournament in Gilbert, but this year he has lost the services of star midfielder Trey Cavanaugh, who graduated last May. Desert Christian is coached by Steve Lord and is assisted by Mike Steele. Bryon is the son of my better half Sue Crain and this year is smiling from ear to ear as his son, Sue's grandson, Clayton, is a junior at Blue Ridge and leads the team in assists (21) this season and recently broke the school record for career assists. The top point-getter for Blue Ridge is senior striker Knoah Brosemann who leads the team with 32 goals and 19 assists.
On the other hand, Desert Christian has a couple of players who have an eye for the net and they are seniors Aaron Bradley and Ben Brandon with 23 and 20 goals, respectively. The two teams have a lot of work to do this weekend. Desert Christian will tangle with either Benson or Willcox on Saturday for the right to head for the state tournament in Gilbert on Nov 2-3, while Blue Ridge will play host on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Pinetop against the winner of tonight's contest between Snowflake and Show Low. If Blue Ridge and Desert Christian win Saturday and survive the semi finals in Gilbert the following Friday, the two could go head-to-head for the state title on Nov. 3.
Note: Mike Steele is a teammate of mine on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball team and two years ago, his son Caleb Steele was a star midfielder for Desert Christian. Caleb is now playing soccer for Trinity College, located near Chicago. Also, Coach Crain lost his top goalie from 2011. Konnor Smith graduated last May and is now playing soccer for Chandler-Gilbert Community College in the Phoenix area.
Photo below: Clayton Crain (#8) all-time assists leader at Blue Ridge.
Soccer Update (Friday, Oct 26, 2012): Willcox beats Benson 6-1 and will take on Desert Christian on Saturday at St. Gregory's field. Show Low edges Snowflake 3-1 and will take on Blue Ridge in Pinetop on Saturday.
Soccer Update (Saturday, Oct 27, 2012): Blue Ridge 5 Show Low 1, Blue Ridge advances to state tournament to face Chino Valley in semi final on Friday, Nov. 2. Desert Christian edges Willcox 2-1 and advances to other semi final and will take on Payson. Both games at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert. Blue Ridge-Chino Valley match at 5 pm, Desert Christian-Payson matchup to follow at 7 pm. Winners to play for title on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2 pm.
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