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St. Andrews caps season with title; Miller named football coach
By David Shelton
Columbia – Perhaps the only feeling better than winning a state title is beating the team that beat you a year earlier for the same crown.
St. Andrew’s School got a measure of revenge in the SCISA AA/A boys state soccer championship game, knocking off defending state champion Thomas Sumter Academy, 2-1, to avenge a loss in the 2009 finals.
Max McKenzie and Gil Watts scored goals for St. Andrews and a stout defense held off several late charges to capture the school’s first title. Thomas Sumter out-shot St. Andrews, 12-5, but were turned away several times late in the match.
St. Andrew’s coach Charles Moore, just completing his third season, credited his team’s defensive play, especially in the decisive second half.
“I think we were a little more physically fit and stronger and I think it was the difference in the second half,” said Moore, whose team finished with a 9-4-3 record this season. “Our defense was tremendous, especially in the second half. We were strong in goal and very physical in the back. We kept them from scoring. You have to do that to win and our defense was the key today.
“They are a good team and I thought they played exceptionally well today in the first half. I didn’t think we played our best half in the first half but we were tied and that was a positive.”
While the sting of last year’s loss in the finals served as strong motivation, Moore says the eight seniors on this year’s team showed leadership during the playoffs and he felt especially good for that group.
“We will certainly miss those eight seniors but I am so happy for them,” said Moore. “Being able to win your last match and win a championship is a special feeling and they will never forget it. We had a lot of kids that have played a long time and they’ve worked very hard for this moment. Not all of the seniors are starters and some didn’t play today but as a unit they were great leaders. I am very happy for them.”
In addition to Watts and McKenzie, the other seniors included Corey Meyer, Jimmy Blakewood, Jake Merves, James Hughes, Jeff Gonzalez and Ricky Timms.
MILLER TO TAKE OVER FOOTBALL PROGRAM
The St. Andrews School football program will have a new direction this fall as the school recently hired Brock Miller as the new head football coach. Miller is the former coach at Colleton Prep Academy and built a highly successful program over the last several years. Miller’s teams were known for their toughness and tenacity and the former North Carolina State offensive lineman expects to bring that same mentality to St. Andrews in 2010.
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