Cumberland Gap’s path to the State Championship Game was not an easy one. After wrapping up their regular season the Panthers took on Oneida in the District Championship game and won 6-0. The Panthers then moved on and face Polk County in the Regional Semifinals where they won 9-1. Next up was Loudon County in the Regional Championship game and Cumberland Gap prevailed 3-0. University High then rolled into Cumberland Gap for the State Sectionals and The Panthers again reeled off another victory by a score of 5-2 to secure a spot in the state tournament.
Once Cumberland Gap arrived in Chattanooga for the state tournament they first matched up with Madison Magnet in the quarterfinals who The Panthers beat 3-1. Cumberland Gap faced Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) in the semifinal round of the state tournament and again prevailed by a score of 3-0 and locked up their spot in the state championship game.
Cumberland Gap’s appearance in the title game matched them up with defending state champion Merrol Hyde. Cumberland Gap got to face the team that put them out of their previous trip to the state tournament in 2020.
After player introductions were squared away Merrol Hyde and Cumberland Gap took the field for the first kick which belong to the Panthers. Through the first 15 minutes of action the ball mainly kept Cumberland Gap on the defensive and then with 22:44 left in the first half Reagan Hudson found the net for Merrol Hyde to take a 1-0 lead.
The next 17 minutes of game action remained scoreless for both teams before Merrol Hyde again found the goal to take a 2-0 lead over Cumberland Gap on a goal by Gianna Cruz with 3:24 left in the first half.
Merrol Hyde would hold that 2-0 lead as the first half came to a close.
Reagan Hudson found the goal again for Merrol Hyde. Cumberland Gap then trailed 3-0 with 30:06 left in the second half.
Sydney Rewa found the net for Merrol Hyde. They were then up 4-0 over Cumberland Gap with 23:47 left in the second half.
Cumberland Gap fought hard right up until the final buzzer sounded but ultimately found themselves coming up short 4-0 to Merrol Hyde.
We are all proud of you girls and thankful we got to witness everything we did during your record breaking season!
– Brandon Payne
– Photos by Allen Earl
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