Providence Academy claims Blue Ridge Classic title

JOHNSON CITY — It had been a while since Providence Academy had won the Blue Ridge Classic. That drought ended on Saturday, as the Knights blanked Unicoi County, 2-0, to claim the title on a lovely Saturday for soccer on their home turf. "I always love the Blue Ridge," Providence senior Cage Merkel said. "The last two years it was really dirty and rainy, this year we got it. It was good." Providence (10-2) won three games in the Blue Ridge, defeating Daniel Boone, 5-0, and University High, 3-1, before scoring two first half goals to take down the Blue Devils. "It has been a little while," Providence head coach Mike Cash said. "Last year because of the point system we didn't lose and we didn't get scored on, but we didn't make to the championship because of how the point system is. It has been several years since we have won so it is good to win it here at home." Marcus Poff, who earned tourney most valuable player honors with seven of the Knights' 10 goals over three matches, put Providence up to stay, and Carter Larson added a second goal before the halftime break. Creed Hogan had an assist in the win. "We have Marcus, he can shoot really far out and they fall into the top so definitely good shots by him," Merkel said. "Carter up top, he sometimes finishes well, today he did. That is how we got the win." That, and defense. Unicoi County (4-4-1) had few scoring opportunities, with Austin Beckner picking five saves in goal for the Knights. "I think the first half we passed the ball pretty well. It was probably one of the best halves that we have had in a while," Cash said. "We are growing, made some good runs, we were unselfish, played some good team ball. When they got some opportunities I think our defense did a good job back here." Unicoi County, which got seven saves from freshman Benny Acevedo, played three matches at the Blue Ridge Classic, defeating Chuckey-Doak, 2-0, played to a 0-0 draw with Maryville Christian and then fell to the Knights. "We are young so we are still learning and even learning how to play together and how to cover each other so I am real pleased," said Unicoi County head coach Brian Thompson, whose Blue Devils will host Elizabethton Tuesday, a nice change from playing every match last season on the road. "Our team is young and we are playing hard." It was warm, but Merkel was fine with it. He followed in his sister's path, having been at Providence since kindergarten. He had played basketball for the Knights, but decided to focus exclusively on soccer this season. "I have played it since was three years old and I have always had a liking towards it," said Merkel, whose teammates dumped a bucket of water on Cash after the win, "and the coach, Coach Cash, I love him." Cash praised the efforts of his two seniors, Merkel and Jacoby Puhr. "He has been here since kindergarten, played all the way up through middle school. He had a good tournament, made some runs, had some good goals," Cash said. "I think even defensively coming back he did some really good things for us. He is unselfish, shared the ball, probably could have had a couple of more goals, but passed it off some. He has done a good job." Merkel, who might try to play club or intramural soccer in the fall at the University of Tennessee, was joined on the all-tournament team by Poff. He's looking for a big season ahead for his final season playing in a rugged league that is led by Grace Christian, who is currently ranked eighth in the state. He will attend the University of Tennessee in the fall, and hopes to play on the club team in Knoxville. He was certainly glad to claim the Blue Ridge, and was joined on the all-tournament team by Jeremiah Moore, Luke Severson, Poff, Beckner and Puhr. "A big win for us," Merkel said.