Trojans host Pirates April 10

By Ken K.Green It will be the soccer version of “The Battle of Potato Creek” April 10 as Lamar County hosts Pike County at Trojan Field. The girls kick off at 5:30 p.m. and the boys will do battle following at 7:30 p.m.The Trojans outlasted the Pirates 4-3 earlier this season in Zebulon for their first ever win over Pike on the soccer field. At 5-7 overall and 4-2 in region play, Lamar is looking to improve from its current third place standing and earn a home field state playoff match.The season has included several close matches in the region and in the intense Mary Persons Bulldog Cup tournament. The schedule has featured opponents with a combined 68-68 record giving the Trojans the tough competition necessary to carry them into the post season.Lamar coach Davis Kirksey says the team has improved on its defensive effort and its ability to finish scoring chances. “We have scored 15 more goals and given up 13 less than at this point last season.”The Lady Trojans are 6-6 for the year and in fourth place in the region at 4-2 but the top two teams have one loss each so it will be a dogfight down the stretch for playoff seedings. Lamar is looking to make its second straight appearance in the state tournament after going for just the first time in school history a year ago.Early season success, including a second place finish in the Trojan Cup tournament, led to a number ten ranking in the state Class AA polls but the youth of the team has evened things out as the season has progressed. Five of the team’s 11 starters are freshmen.The Lamar girls face a big task today in trying to avenge an 8-0 loss to Pike County earlier this season in Zebulon.Later this week Lamar will host a junior varsity tournament that will include boys and girls teams from Pike County, Jones County and Mary Persons.