Ten local soccer teams get ready for runs at the Valley Championship across multiple divisions
By Patrick Dillon @PDillon_SGN
TULARE COUNTY – A total of 10 boys’ and girls’ teams will represent the foothills area across a variety of playoff divisions in the coming days.
Boys’ Brackets
The favorite to once again be in the hunt to bring home the title has to be the Lindsay Cardinals (16-6-3, 10-2) in Division IV. Lindsay is coming off an impressive eighth outright East Sequoia League title after defeating the Strathmore Spartans 3-1 last week.
Lindsay has made it to the finals the last two years. Last season, they lost their chance to successfully defend their title when the Mira Monte Lions got the better of Lindsay 1-0.
This season Lindsay enters as the No. 2 seed, giving them a first round bye. They will wait to play the winner of the No. 7-seeded Chavez Titans (11-8-2, 8-2-2) or have a rematch against the 10th-seeded Lions (10-10-6, 4-4-2). Lindsay’s first game is Friday, Feb. 15 at home. Game time is to be determined.
“We definitely deserve the second seed,” Lindsay head coach Tony Godoy said. “We are right where we need to be. I’m confident heading into the playoffs.”
The Farmersville Aztecs (20-8, 9-3) had a chance to either win the East Sequoia League outright, or at least share the title with the Cardinals. But back-to-back losses first to the Cardinals, 2-1 (2OT) and then to the Woodlake Tigers (17-5-3, 9-3) 3-1 ruined opportunity for either outcome.
Farmersville was awarded the No. 4 seed in Division V. They have also been given a first-round bye and wait to face the winner of the No. 5-seeded Fowler Redcats (11-9-6, 6-5-1) or the No. 13-seeded Desert Scorpions (6-12, 4-8). Farmersville will take the field on Friday, Feb. 15 at an undisclosed time.
Woodlake joins Lindsay in the Division IV bracket after their win over Farmersville boosted their seeding to No. 4. Woodlake plays the No. 13-seeded McFarland Cougars (8-13-3, 4-7-1) tonight, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m.
In Division VI, both the Exeter Monarchs (9-7-3, 5-4-1) and the Strathmore Spartans (5-9-1, 3-7) earned first-round byes to Friday’s round. Exeter awaits the winner of the No. 7-seeded Fresno Christian Eagles (12-7-1, 8-1), and the No. 10-seeded Frazier Mountain Falcons (7-5-4, 6-4-2). Strathmore will play the No. 6-seeded Orange Cove Titans (8-12-7, 3-6-3) or the No. 11-seeded Summit Charter Bears (6-10, 4-5).
Girls’ Brackets
Not one foothills area team earned a first round bye in the girls’ brackets. The Golden West Blazers (15-3-4, 7-2-1) in Division III and the Exeter Monarchs (10-6-2, 9-2-1) in Division IV both earned No. 3 seeds.
Golden West hosted the No. 14 Selma Bears (10-7-2, 5-6-1) last night. Final happened after press time.
Exeter earned a first round bye to Thursday’s quarterfinals match-up against the No. 6 McLane Highlanders (14-9-2, 6-4). Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Lindsay Cardinals (14-7-3, 10-3) grabbed the No. 5 seed in Division V after their second-place finish in the East Sequoia League. Last night, Lindsay played the No. 12 Chavez Titans (6-16, 4-8). The final happened after press time.
Also in Division V was the third-place team from the ESL, the Woodlake Tigers (8-11-1, 7-5). Woodlake earned the No. 10 seed and had to travel to play the No. 7-seeded Washington Union Panthers (12-12-3, 5-5). Results for the game were settled after press time.
