By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The defending Region 7-2A champion Millington Trojans took on a tougher challenge from Memphis RISE Academy May 17 at the Millington Soccer Field. RISE made the trip to Millington back in March to open the season against the Trojans losing 7-0.
Trojan coaches Rosemary Boswell and William Carter expected a better effort from RISE and the players from Memphis lived up to the expectations, holding the Trojans to four goals. RISE even scored on the Millington defense. But the defending champs had enough juice to outlast RISE 4-1 to advance to the Regional championship game to take on the Wooddale Cardinals out of Memphis. Wooddale beat Millington’s rival the Covington Chargers 3-2 in the other Region Semifinal contest.
The Trojans won the Region title last season earning the school’s first championship and home Sectional game. Trying to repeat the feat started off rocky against RISE with Millington players missing several shots on goal. Finally at the 38-minute mark of the first half Trojan Chase Michael got a shot on goal. After the RISE goalie blocked the attempt from the net, Josue Torres flew in for the rebound goal making the tally 1-0. Millington maintained the lead for the final two minutes of the first half and went on a scoring barrage early in the second half. Michael netted the first of three goals in the final 40 minutes. Trojan Aaron Blankenship made the score 3-0 scoring a goal off a corner kick.
Then the Millington lead grew to 4-0 when Emir Jimenez netted a goal. RISE kept up the intensity despite the deficit to get on the scoreboard. But it was Millington moving on to the Regional championship and guaranteeing a spot in Sectionals this Saturday.
After Wooddale beat Millington 2-1 in Regionals, the Trojans traveled to Crockett County. The Cavaliers ended Millington’s season with a 5-0 victory.
