GMC and ACE take region rivalry to the next level: playing for a state championship

Photo: Bobby Jaworski

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          They haven’t known each other long, the school that’s been around since the late 1800s, and the one that’s just graduating its third senior class.

          But they’re getting familiar, thanks to some soccer.

          Two years ago, GMC’s boys won the GHSA Class A Public boys state title, and young ACE captured the girls title.

          The GMC girls lost in the semifinals that year, as did ACE’s boys.

          They’ll get a whole lot more familiar – and perhaps a hair less friendly – when the ACE and GMC boys battle for the state championship.

          The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. – the second of two games – at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium.

          It’ll be the third meeting this year from the 1-2 teams in Region 7-A Public, the new kids on the pitch winning the regular-season meetings. ACE (17-3-1)  won 4-1 in mid-February – GMC (11-6) answered with a pair of 10-0 wins over Crawford County – and 4-3 less than two weeks later.

          The Bulldogs tried some tweaks in the second meeting, only to give up three goals in five minutes. They battled back, but could manage the tying shot.

          “The second half, we sent a lot of pressure forward,” head coach Bobby Jaworski said. “Couldn’t find the equalizer.

          Tanner Moreau is, as ACE head coach Robby Jones says, a “dribbling maestro” who has committed to UAB. Brad Cork has 18 goals and 19 assists, and 6-4 Jake Prather is a tall center back.

          Keeper Tate Turner has been key in the Gryphons’ 10 shutouts, including 2-0 over Stratford, and “gave them their only regular-season shutout,” Jones noted.

          The Gryphons bring about six off the bench, and the Bulldogs five. Eight of GMC’s regulars are seniors, to six for the Gryphons.

Photo: Mark Powell Photography

          GMC has five seniors in the lineup, led by striker Ethan Tolento, the program’s all-time leader in goals and goals in a season. Center-mid Colin McCabe had 14 goals and 14 assists. Jack Harris and Colby Avery are versatile pieces.

          Keeper Krish Patel has 68 saves, seven shutouts and a 10-5 record.

          The teams’ initial first meeting, scheduled for March 14, was wiped out by COVID, as was GMC’s preseason scrimmage.

          ACE has won five straight, outscoring opponents 38-5. Lamar County’s 3-2 win on April 13 broke a 11-game winning streak that included seven shutouts.

          GMC has won four straight since a 2-1 loss at Putnam County. The Bulldogs have topped those four 25-1.

          The meeting with Putnam County three days after a win over 4A West Laurens were big.

          “That pushed us into the playoffs,” Jaworski said. “We have seen a lot of really good players and good teams – ACE being one of them,” Jaworski said. “With that experience to fall back upon, we look to be ready for this game.”