Sports Editor

The Upson-Lee Knights' soccer team kicked off its quest for a region title in style as they cruised to an easy 6-0 win over Central-Macon in the first round of the region 3-AAAA tournament last Friday night at Thomaston's Matthews Field.

Upson-Lee senior Nick English, who had missed the previous three games due to being sick, wasted no time getting back into the rhythm as the Knights' leading scorer as he gave Upson-Lee an early 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.

"It was great having Nick back in the lineup," Upson-Lee head coach Matt Bentley said. "Him being back on the field as a scorer and a leader was a big lift for our team. For him to get out there and score right off really helped him. He was excited going into the game and that goal kind of settled him down and got him back into the groove."

It was over from there.

The Knights, who had beaten Central-Macon 7-0 earlier in the week, grabbed a two-goal lead eight minutes into the game as Jonathan Hall scored the first of his two goals.

Hall's second goal with 25:28 left in the first half gave the Knights a 3-0 lead, and senior Wynn Trice padded that lead with another goal with 22:06 left in the half to make it a 4-0 game.

After closing the last 20 minutes of the first half without a goal, the Knights started the second just as they had the first, with a Nick English goal.

English scored the Knights' first goal of the second half three minutes in, making it a 5-0 game and senior Gavin Hamby, a first year soccer player, got in on the scoring action as he scored his first career goal with 16:37 left in the game to cap-off the Senior Night win and help the Knights advance to the semi-finals of the region tournament.

"Before the game we talked about how important it was to play this game for our seniors," Coach Bentley said. "We wanted to get out there and play this game for them. For Gavin to get a goal just kind of topped things off. It shows how close this group is and what they stand for."

With the win the Knights earned a rematch with region rival Warner Robins Tuesday night. The Knights tied Warner Robins 1-1 earlier in the year in Warner Robins, but had the homefield advantage in the more important rematch that determines who will face either Eagles' Landing or Hardaway in the region title game. A win Tuesday night would have the Knights either traveling to Columbus to face Hardaway in the region title game, or hosting Eagles' Landing in the region title game. A loss Tuesday night would have the Knights hosting Eagles' Landing in the consolation game or traveling to Hardaway in the consolation game.

"This is one of the biggest games in recent history," Coach Bentley said. "We have had a thing with Warner Robins, the last few years, of alternating wins. They beat us two years ago, we beat them last year and we tied earlier this year. So there is a rivalry there. Throw that on top of the region tournament and it just adds to it. Region playoffs just make it a little more special. I really feel like the guys are pumped up for this one."

The win also secured a spot in the state playoffs for the Knights, but their seed will not be determined until the final game of the region tournament.

Scores and results from Tuesday night's game were not available by press time.