The Gatlinburg-Pittman soccer team fell just shy in their repeat bid in the Class A state championship. (Photo: Danny Parker)
BY DAN FLESER
MURFREESBORO – Gatlinburg-Pittman’s senior moment Friday afternoon was no match for Franklin Grace Christian Academy, which was inspired by underclassmen.
A pair of freshmen and sophomores accounted for all of the Lions’ goals in their 4-1 victory in the Class A state championship soccer match at Siegel Stadium. Three of the scores came in the first 23 minutes for the private school, which will move to Division II next season.
Senior midfielder Luis Ortiz scored for defending champion Gatlinburg-Pittman (18-4-1) in the 71st minute.
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“They really have no business being in the Division 1A small school public school side,” G-P coach Zach Schrandt said. “Two years ago, they made the choice to stay. More power to them.
“It’s hard for us to compete. Our kids fought, they tried. It’s just we were outmatched all over the field. That’s crazy. They’re just that good.”
G-P managed a 2-2 tie with Grace during the regular season. Schrandt said that the difference between that match and this one boiled down to “luck.”
In the first meeting, the Highlanders survived Grace’s early surge without a goal being scored. They then scored the first, allowing for a different strategy. The early goals on Friday changed the narrative dramatically, exposing the Highlanders more fully to the Lions’ speed and skill.
Schrandt urged his players to keep their heads up during the trophy presentation. He was preaching perspective during the postgame team photo as well.
“A few years ago we had three or four fans, including my wife, at the game,” he said. “Now we’re upset because we didn’t win a state title.”
Schrandt said the Highlanders return nine starters. They were relatively young during the past two seasons and still won a state championship and played for another.
“With (Grace) gone and we’ve beaten everyone else, we can be right back here and play for it again next year,” Schrandt said. “It’s hard but (have) perspective. From where we were to where we are now, we can’t be upset.”