The Alexander City Outlook

Benjamin Russell junior varsity soccer gets nice win over Auburn

The Benjamin Russell boys junior varsity soccer team defeated Auburn on Tuesday to pick up its seventh win of the season against five defeats.

Chris Patterson moved up the left side of the field and found teammate Richie Bradshaw, who put one in the back of the net in the first half to put BRHS up 1-0.

Auburn would tie the game before half, but the Wildcats got a game-winning goal late in the second to win.

Patterson lofted one up for Aron Armour, who headed the ball in for the deciding goal. Head coach Dewayne Riddle said the win was a sign the team is coming together.

“This team has a lot of talent, it’s just really a matter of us gelling together,” Riddle said. “We were a bit up and down to start the year, and one of our main scorers, Ben Chappell, went down with a torn ACL.

“But, the guys have stepped up and we’ve dealt nicely with the adversity.”

Riddle said Bradshaw has been a key player in replacing Chappell.

“Really, we’re a well-rounded team,” Riddle said. “We’ve got a nice group of sophomores that anchor the defense and a solid corps of midfielders. Blake Chappell has played well all season in the goal for us, as well.”

A couple of the standouts from the Auburn game include Parker Boone, Johnny Warren, Brady Whatley, Hunter Bailey and Anthony Roth.

The Wildcats recently finished third in a tournament in Sylacauga.

The team gets several days off for spring break, before returning March 22.

“We play a lot of these sectional teams when we start back,” Riddle said. “It’s important for these young men to play well against these teams because that’s who they’ll see when they get to the varsity level.”