For the second time this season tropical weather expected to impact the area has shifted the high school schedule as football will be played on Thursday night instead of Friday. All football games are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.
Laney (2-0, 5-2) faces New Hanover (1-0, 3-3) at Legion Stadium. West Brunswick (2-0, 6-1) plays at South Brunswick (0-2, 1-6). Ashley (0-1, 2-3) travels to Topsail (0-2, 2-5). North Brunswick (0-0, 4-2) hosts Croatan (0-0, 4-2).
The shift in high school football has also moved around the soccer slate for this week as Laney and New Hanover will square off on the pitch next week (Oct. 10) as the Bucs prepare for a three game in five day stretch with dates against Ashley ( Oct. 11) and Hoggard (Oct. 13).
Coming off a loss last night, Hoggard looks to rebound after dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season on Wednesday as the Vikings play host to Coastal Christian in a non-conference match originally scheduled for Friday.
Listed below are scores from Tuesday’s prep slate along with an updated schedule for the rest of the week. Contact Joe Catenacci at joe.c@hometownwilmington.com for any changes or corrections.
Tuesday’s high school scoreboard
Soccer
Ashley 2 Hoggard 1
With the four Wilmington high schools separated by one game for first place in the Mideastern Conference, every match the rest of the way will play a crucial part in helping crown a division champion and home field advantage through a key stretch during the 4A playoffs later this fall.
Ashley and Hoggard were both coming off setbacks last week heading into Tuesday’s match and wanted to keep their position atop the standings. Possession went to the Screaming Eagles early and the visitors from Monkey Junction put away a big insurance goal late in the second half to grab a 3-1 result.
Elijah Akins propelled the Screaming Eagles to an early lead just eight minutes after the opening kick. Ashley set the tempo early, but Hoggard responded moment laters as Matt Stevens equalized for the 1-1 tie. The early drama continued to build approaching the midway point of the first half as the Screaming Eagles stayed relentless on the attack and regained the advantage when Cris Bautista put home a rebound opportunity coming off a corner kick for the go ahead goal.
Hoggard was quick on the counter, but Ashley’s back line held strong during the final 40 minutes to clinch the win. The biggest test of the game for goal keeper Evan Laverick came with under 15 minutes to play in regulation when he made a crucial save on Cesar Cruz to preserve the advantage. Seconds later, Wally Avila put the game away with a counter strike to gain separation from the home side.
Ashley has conceded just three goals in six conference games, improving to 5-1 in the division and 7-3-1 overall heading into Wednesday’s contest against Topsail. The Vikings dropped back-to-back games for the first time all season, falling to 3-2 in conference. At 7-4 on the year, Hoggard returns to action in a non-conference game against Coastal Christian on Wednesday.
New Hanover 4 Topsail 0
New Hanover maintains the tiebreaker over Ashley with one loss each in the division and the Wildcats took care of business Wednesday night to remain atop the conference following a 4-0 win against Topsail.
Chet Willis tallied twice, while Robert Franck and Jessie Wyatt recorded goals in the shutout. Declan Payne, Tenneyson Wnek and Paul Horning each picked up an assists.
The Wildcats moved to 5-1 in the division and 10-3 overall New Hanover has won five games in a row heading into the second half of conference play.
Laney 8 West Brunswick 0
The Bucs kept pace in the division race with a 9-0 win against West Brunswick. Laney (4-2, 8-4-2) heads into training until early next week before a grueling three game in five-day stretch with contests against New Hanover, Ashley and Hoggard.
Coastal Christian 7 Harrells Christian 0
Coastal Christian went ahead just five minutes into the match and tallied six more times in the match en route to a 7-0 win at Harrells Christian.
Gibbs Kramer, Douglas McKinney, Tommy Murphy scored goals in the first half to give the Centurions a cushion. Walker Henderson finished two scores after the break, while Jake Hahn and Roberto Gonzalez each found the back of the net in the win.
Coastal improved to 15-2-1 overall and play at Hoggard on Wednesday. The Centurions are 1-1-1 against Mideastern Conference public schools this season.
Cape Fear Academy 0 Parrott Academy 0
Volleyball
Hoggard 3 Ashley 0
(25-11, 25-14, )
After being pushed to five-sets early in the season by Ashley, the Hoggard volleyball team made quick work of its division foe the second time around and completed a regular season sweep over the Screaming Eagles with a straight set result on Tuesday.
The Vikings had a strong defensive showing in the match, which allowed the offense to shine. Seven different players totaled 20 blocks to help shut down the Ashley attack. Madie Schider and Mae Rowley had 16 and 11 digs, respectively, to anchor the back row defense. Kirby Smith cranked out 10 kills, while Julianna Askew recorded seven kills.
With three league matches remaining on the schedule and a four-game lead in the division standings, the Vikings clinched its fourth straight Mideastern Conference regular season championship. Hoggard has dropped just four sets in nine league matches this season, improving to 9-0 in conference and 13-5 overall.
The Vikings look to avenge a setback to Wilmington Christian Academy when Hoggard visits WCA on Wednesday.
Laney 3 West Brunswick 2
(25-16, 16-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13)
Stat leaders @Hannah_freas Kills 20 @DayleneThompson Blks (5) @alex_erling13 Asts (33) @meredithpooleyy Digs (25) @Sarah_Shropshir Aces (4)
— Laney Volleyball (@bucsetspike) October 4, 2016
New Hanover 3 Topsail 2
(19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 15-13)
Wednesday, October 5
Soccer
Ashley at Topsail
Hoggard vs. Coastal Christian
South Brunswick vs. West Brunswick at 5p.m.
Thursday, October 6
Football
North Brunswick vs. Croatan
New Hanover vs. Laney
Topsail vs. Ashley
South Brunswick vs. West Brunswick
Soccer/Volleyball
New Hanover vs. Laney (soccer) PPD until Monday, Oct. 10
Hoggard at Wilmington Christian (volleyball)
West Brunswick at South Brunswick (volleyball)
