LONDON — David Broyles’ North Laurel Jaguars are looking to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in boys’ soccer program history on Monday, but to do so, they’re going to have to go on the road and beat 14th Region champion Perry Central.
The Commodores (19-2-1) enter the game with a higher RPI (.59083) than North Laurel (.57322), but the Jaguars (14-5-3) defeated Madison Southern earlier in the season with a 2-1 decision while Perry Central lost to Madison Southern, 9-1.
Reaching the Sweet Sixteen isn’t a surprise to Broyles. He knew he had a talented team entering the season.
“Coming into the season, I knew on paper we had an extremely talented team and that if we worked hard enough and came together we could accomplish any goal we set out,” Broyles said. “We set goals of winning district, region and making a run at state. I also set a schedule that I thought would help prepare us for this. This was a big accomplishment for the team and the school as we had never won region before.
“We had some bumps in the road along the way, but this group was prepared mentally to accept the challenges,” he added. “We accomplished two of our goals and now we move on to the third one which is making a run at state.”
The Commodores won’t be taken lightly.
Perry Central has outscored its opponents, 144-29, this season. The Commodores posses five player that are in double digits in goals scored.
Tyson Neace has 42 goals and nine assists, while Aiden Fugate has 31 goals, and 25 assists. Carter Castle had scored 19 goals while teammate Ian Montgomery had tallied 15 goals and 22 assists. Preston Dunn had 10 goals.
“The first obstacle in our way is a trip to Perry Central on Monday,” Broyles said. “We played them last year, and I expect them to give us a fight on Monday. I do believe we will come out with the result we want if we continue to play the way we have for the past couple of weeks.”
North Laurel is led by Jaxon Jacobs’ 20 goals. He also has six assists while Grant Abner had 13 goals, and eight assists. Tanner Broyles follows with 12 goals, and 10 assists.
Keeper Ayden Ebersole has been solid, and has 157 saves, and has eight shutouts.
“The biggest key will be our possession game and passing, if we come out moving the ball well I like our chances,” Broyles said. “This group of young men have been locked in mentally and I expect them to be that way for the rest of this run.”
The game is set to be played at 7 p.m. on Monday.
