Several local soccer teams in various classifications cruised through the first round of the GHSA state tournament and will be back on the field next week.
First-round AAAAA boys action saw Starr’s Mill pick up a 7-2 win over Statesboro, setting up a second-round match May 6 at Clarkston.
McIntosh also won its playoff opener, 6-0 over South Effingham, and will play at home May 6 against Alexander or Druid Hills.
Should they win, both teams would play their quarterfinal matches at home May 9. The Chiefs and Panthers are in separate brackets and can only face each other in the final.
Should McIntosh advance beyond the quarterfinal, its remaining action would be on the road. Starr’s Mill would host a semifinal and final should the team go that far.
In the AAAAA girls bracket, Starr’s Mill advanced with a 6-0 win over Glynn Academy and will travel to Alexander May 5 for the second round.
McIntosh also moved on with a shutout, 2-0 over Camden County. That means a road match May 5 against Dunwoody.
Both teams are in position for a home match May 8 in the quarterfinal. The bracket has them poised to meet May 8 in the semifinal which would be at McIntosh.
If either team reaches the final, that match will be at home.
In AAAA boys competition, Whitewater won its first-round match 3-0 over Grady and will either play at Wayne County or host Eastside May 6. Fayette County fell 6-0 to St. Pius in the first round.
Whitewater won 3-2 over Grady in the first round of the AAAA girls bracket and will host Walnut Grove May 5. Sandy Creek lost 7-0 to Marist in the first round.
Two local teams are in the 24-team Class A boys bracket. Our Lady of Mercy’s first-round match was scheduled for May 1 at home against Athens Christian, with the winner facing Stratford on the road May 6. Landmark received a first-round bye and will host the Pacelli-Atkinson County winner May 6.
Our Lady of Mercy is in the Class A girls field with a first-round bye, returning action May 5 at home against the Stratford-Calvary Day winner.
