Sports Writer

The Upson-Lee Knights' soccer team competed Saturday night in it's fifth straight region championship game.

In 2001 and 2002 the Knights lost the championship game to Shaw High School of Columbus.

In 2003 the Knights won the region championship over Hardaway of Columbus.

In 2004 Upson-Lee lost to Hardaway in the region championship, and they were again denied by Hardaway on Saturday night, 2-0.

The region loss was only the second in as many years for the Knights, last year's championship game being the last.

The game was originally scheduled for Friday night, but due to inclement weather, was postponed until Saturday.

A large crowd made the trip to Columbus in support of Upson-Lee, proving that support for soccer in the area is continually growing.

The Woodruff Farm Soccer Complex, where the game was held, does not have stands for the fans.

Instead fans crowd around the edges of the field, which, blended with the fierce rivalry between Upson-Lee and Hardaway, made for a severely intense atmosphere.

The first half of the game was a defensive battle, with both teams fighting to keep from getting behind.

The second half the players seemed to calm down a little, but with nine minutes to go, Hardaway went up 1-0.

With four minutes to go the Hawks scored again, pushing the lead to 2-0.

A few great shot attempts by Upson-Lee were saved on great plays by a Hardaway defender, and the Knights fell short, losing 2-0.

"We knew it would be difficult to get into our offensive third," said head coach Matt Bentley of Hardaway's defense.

"They have one of the best back four we've seen all year, but at the same time we didn't play enough to our wings. We tried too many through balls."

Upson-Lee now hosts the first round of the state playoffs at Matthews Field against Thomas County Central on Thursday at 4:00.

"The guys took this one pretty tough, but we'll be okay," said Coach Bentley about his team's morale.

"We talked a lot this week about getting refocused and getting back in the swing."

Only GHSA passes will be accepted at the gate. Otherwise all tickets will be $7.

Knights baseball team wins two in a row

By Andy Johnson

Sports Writer

The Upson-Lee Diamond Knights won their second straight game on Monday, defeating Eagles' Landing 3-2 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Knights came into the game in a must-win situation to keep themselves alive for a chance at a playoff spot.

Jarett Burkett got the start on the mound for the Knights, and after walking the leadoff batter, his defense helped him out by turning a double play on an attempted hit and run by the Eagles.

Moments later, however, Eagles' Landing was on the board when their third batter hit a solo homer to left-center, giving the Eagles an early 1-0 lead.

Andrew Crews led off the bottom of the second for the Knights with a single, and David Maguire walked to represent the go-ahead run.

A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, and Ben Watson came through with a single to score Crews and tie the game at one.

Jarett Burkett grounded into a double play, but in doing so scored Maguire and Upson-Lee took a 2-1 lead.

Good defense kept the bases clean and the pressure off Burkett, who still had only allowed one hit going into the sixth.

A one out solo homerun in the top of the sixth tied the game for Eagles' Landing at 2-2.

When the Knights left the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, the momentum seemed to sway to the Eagles, but a three up, three down top of the seventh gave the Knights the burst they needed.

Kris Guenther hit into a fielder's choice, but stood on first with one out as the game winning run.

A single from Marcus Cherry moved Guenther to second, and a sacrifice groundout from Andrew Alverson moved the run to third base with two outs.

Alex Johnson hit a routine groundball to short, but a bad throw allowed him to reach safely and score the run, winning the game.

Jarett Burkett threw a great complete game for the Knights, allowing only two runs on two hits, the two solo homers.

Burkett also struck out five batters, walked three, and batted in one run.

Offensively the Knights were led by Andrew Crews, who went two for three, scored a run and stole a base.

Last Wednesday the Knights defeated Stockbridge in eight innings 15-11.

Upson-Lee's offensive lull for a good part of the season was ended. The Knights scored the fifteen runs on twenty hits, spread throughout the lineup.

Jarett Burkett started this game as well, but only pitched three innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, all earned, one walk and one strikeout.

Upson-Lee had to play catchup the entire game, with Stockbridge's largest lead being 10-5 after four innings.

The Knights fought back, scoring three in the fifth and two in the sixth to tie the game at 10.

In the eight inning however, Upson-Lee prevailed, scoring five runs to finally win the game 15-11.

Nath Legg's pitching performance may have been what saved the Knights in the latter part of the game. In Legg's five innings of work he allowed four runs on five hits and struck out five batters.

Offensively the Knights were led by Marcus Cherry, who went five for six, scored two runs and batted in three runs.

Alex Johnson went three for six from the plate and scored a run.

Michael Lowe went two for four, scored two runs and batted in one run.

Kris Guenther went three for four, scored two runs and batted in two runs.

"The Stockbridge game really turned things around for us," said UL head coach Gary Sharpe after Monday's win of his team's boost in morale.

"It was a wild, high scoring game and the guys finally got to have some fun. There was a good intensity. They weren't near as tight as they've been playing all season. They are finally starting to believe in themselves."

The Knights seemed like a different team, but it may be too late. The team still finds themselves a few games out of a playoff spot, but there is still a chance for postseason play.

"I would call it an outside shot," said Coach Sharpe.

"We're just going to do what we have to do and see how things fall into place."

The Knights need to win their last two games, at Henry County today and at Dutchtown on Friday.

They also need for Eagles Landing to lose to Henry County.

It's an outside chance, but it's definitely something to fight for.