The Gatlinburg-Pittman Highlanders defeated Pigeon Forge, 3-1, in overtime Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in a Class A state quarterfinal at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Photo by Danny Parker/5Star Preps)
BY DAVE LINK
MURFREESBORO — Gatlinburg-Pittman didn’t need much of a scouting report going into Tuesday’s Class A state quarterfinal match at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.
The Highlanders had already beaten District 1-A rival Pigeon Forge three times this season.
And they made it four straight wins over the Tigers, this time winning 3-1 in two 10-minute overtimes after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 80 minutes of regulation play.
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Gatlinburg-Pittman (16-4-1) is the defending state champion and cleared a big hurdle by beating Pigeon Forge (13-7-1).
“It’s just kind of unfortunate, because I think Madison (Magnet) and other people that were watching (would say) we are the two best teams in Single A,” G-P coach Zach Schrandt said.
“Now I say that humbly, and we could lose tomorrow, but (Pigeon Forge is) phenomenal individually, and it was hard to beat them four times, so credit to them. They have nothing to hang their heads over.”
This is the first year the TSSAA has used an RPI formula – which includes strength of schedules — for pairings in the state soccer tournament.
In previous years, the TSSAA used a blind draw, and two teams from the same district could not play each other in the state quarterfinals.
Schrandt is in favor of the RPI formula.
“We knew in January this could happen,” Schrandt said, “but I don’t think it’s real until you see the bracket and you say, ‘Oh, my goodness, we have to play our archrival in the opening game.’
“We’re the guinea pigs (in TSSAA sports), so I hope we continue to get it right in soccer because I do think it’ll advance the game (using the RPI). It’s just unfortunate that we had to be the first guinea pigs that go through it.”
In an ironic twist, Schrandt was in the second graduating class at Pigeon Forge High School, and he played for Pigeon Forge soccer coach Bill Moseley.
Moseley guided the Tigers to the program’s first state soccer appearance this season.
“We played a good game,” Moseley said. “We took them to overtime. In my eyes, we’re the top two best teams here, and we match up in the first round. We got to overtime, and that’s the best game that’s going to be played here in this tournament.”
G-P will play Independence of Antioch in Wednesday’s semifinals at 4 CT. The Lions (16-2), making their second-ever state appearance, defeated Forrest 7-1 in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
The Highlanders beat the Lions 3-2 in penalty kicks in last year’s state quarterfinals after the teams played to a 1-1 draw.
“They’re an incredible team, a lot like Pigeon Forge,” Schrandt said. “We’ve got to try to get a little better control than today. The heat and humidity took a toll, but the one thing I was proud of is we do a ton of nutritional work, and down the stretch I thought (Pigeon Forge) really ran out of steam when we went to overtime.
“It wasn’t beautiful soccer, but I thought our nutrition and our recovery, and we have someone with us doing yoga every day with us right now, so I think down the stretch those things helped a little bit.”
Senior defender Caden Brooks gave G-P a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, scoring on a long free kick.
The Highlanders took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Pigeon Forge turned up the offense in the second half.
Sophomore defender Martin Moradel tied it 1-1 when he scored on a free kick from about 35 years in the 54th minute.
Neither team scored again in regulation.
Pigeon Forge was called for a handball inside the 18-yard box in the 83rd minute, giving the Highlanders a penalty kick.
Senior forward Brandon Ramirez drilled a left-footed shot to his left and into the net.
Ramirez scored again in the 87th minute on a header after a cross by Carlos Turcios.
“I told (Ramirez) right before we went out there (for overtime), ‘I know it’s not gone the way you wanted it to, but you still have (20) minutes to impact this game.’” Schrandt said. “And he immediately goes out there and hits a PK and scores a header. That’s what he’s capable of, and I think it’s just about staying positive throughout the game for him.
“He hadn’t done much to that point. No matter who we play against, you notice him. He’s a big, imposing forward. He’s quick and technical, and they did a good job on him. They took probably one of their best players and they marked him, so that was good coaching on their part.”
5STAR PHOTOS powered by KOC — Gatlinburg-Pittman vs. Pigeon Forge soccer (Tuesday, May 20)