Sanderson boys soccer
FILE PHOTO
Senior Jackson Parker (13) is a key member of the Sanderson soccer team's defense, but a hip flexor injury might keep him out of Monday's showdown with Broughton, said coach Todd Worley.
Spartans, Caps square off Monday
Both soccer teams unbeaten; winner takes over first in league
Entering Monday, the Broughton and Sanderson boys soccer teams stand alone — both 5-0 — at the top of the Cap-7 Conference standings, two games ahead of third-place Millbrook.
But barring a draw — how anticlimactic — Monday night's match between the Capitals and Spartans will break the deadlock.
And while there is no prize for being the leader at the turn, whichever club prevails takes a decided advantage toward winning the conference's regular season.
However, Sanderson coach Todd Worley sees the contest as more than just a fierce league match-up, but a great way to measure where his Spartans stand heading into the final month of the season.
"Both sides should be excited about it because we are the only two teams undefeated in conference, and we are really playing for the first-half lead," the coach said. "But win or lose, this game is going to be a measuring mark for us. It will give us a better understanding of where we need to be.
"If we lose, we are going to have to adjust. But if we do well, we will still have to adjust."
Although the state soccer playoffs don't kick off until late October, Monday's clash should draw postseason-type attention as Sanderson and Broughton are ranked second and third, respectively, in the state.
And while the Spartans (12-0-1) might have a slight advantage over the Capitals (10-1-2) in record — they fell to No.1-ranked Durham Jordan 2-1 Aug. 26 — Worley explained Broughton, last year's Cap-7 winner, hasn't been dethroned yet.
"Everyone sort of expected them to drop this year, and they haven't," the coach said. "They have done the opposite. They have played very well. And they are the champions of the conference until someone can knock them off."
If the marquee match-up wasn't intriguing enough, Broughton's leading scorer Bjorn Johnsen played at Sanderson for two years before moving abroad then returning to Raleigh to play his senior season with the Capitals.
Worley spoke highly of Johnsen and his time wearing the blue and red.
"I have been glad to see him having the success he's having," the coach said. "He is a good kid. Plus, it has been two years since I've seen him play, so I'm looking forward to it."
Unfortunately for the Spartans, the squad has experienced several injuries in recent weeks, which could play a role in Monday's contest.
Defender Dustin Hatcher has been sidelined with a back injury, and will miss significant time, Worley said. And fellow defender Jackson Parker — the quarterback of the Sanderson defense — has been slowed by a hip-flexor injury.
The Spartans likely won't know his status for the game until Monday. Parker sat out Sanderson's previous game, a 6-4 win over Enloe Sept. 23, and Worley said his presence was missed.
"It is a big adjustment playing without those guys. They had been playing well — playing at a high level," the coach said. "Hopefully, Jackson will be able to get out there. But the injury has been tough on him, and he's done his best to play through it."
If you can't make Monday's contest, the squads face off in less than four weeks to close out the regular season.
If the first six weeks of the season are any indication, there will likely be plenty on the line at the Oct. 21 contest.
Monday's game at Sanderson is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
