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Forbush will have to hit the road in soccer playoffs
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Published: November 3, 2009
Forbush has made it through the season with the No. 1-ranking in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association's Class 2-A poll yet could play away from home throughout the NCHSAA playoffs.
Forbush had to forfeit eight victories in midseason after determining that it had inadvertently used an ineligible player. So instead of going into the playoffs at 22-0 -- the actual match record -- the Falcons will go in at 14-8, with the No. 3 seed from the Mountain-Valley 2-A/1-A instead of the No. 1 seed.
As a result, Forbush will be on the road to start the playoffs -- Wednesday at Polk County -- and could end up traveling throughout.
"We are capable of winning every game, it's just whether we win all those tough games in a row. It will be difficult," Coach Seth Davis of Forbush said. "I think the players are excited just to get the chance to play. At one time, we didn't know if we would make the playoffs and the guys seems pretty pumped up just to be able to compete and show what they can do.
"Maybe we will get frequent-flyer miles out of all the travel."
Forbush is one of 26 area teams in the NCHSAA's four soccer tournaments, where first-round matches must be played by Wednesday. Also qualifying were eight Forsyth County teams, including West Forsyth, which is 17-2-1 and having its best season in years.
West will be at home against Ragsdale (11-10-2) in a 4-A opener today at 6 p.m. The Titans lost for the first time since late August last week, falling 1-0 to Reynolds, but rebounded with a 2-1 win over Mount Tabor.
Coach Scott Bilton of West said that the loss triggered a players-only meeting and seemed to whip his team back into shape.
"I think it rededicated a lot of the guys," Bilton said. "They got upset because they wanted an undefeated conference season, and they got a little complacent. Since then, they have worked very hard. Sometimes a loss at the end of the year will get you refocused, and I am hoping that will be the case.
"I like our chances going into the playoffs, and I think we match up well with a lot of teams across the state. That said, a lot of those teams can beat anybody on a given day."
Also opening tonight will be Reagan, at Charlotte Ardrey Kell in 4-A, and Bishop McGuinness, at home against Elkin in 1-A. Other Forsyth County qualifiers are: Atkins, East Forsyth, Mount Tabor, North Forsyth and Reynolds.
In volleyball, North Surry (31-0) can take the final step toward the NCHSAA 2-A final today during a semifinal at Randleman (22-3). The winner will face the Hillsborough Cedar Ridge-East Duplin winner for the title at 2:30 Saturday at N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum.
North has never won a state volleyball title.
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