Knights ready to cap season

By By Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
February 14, 2004
The West Lauderdale boys' soccer team has been cast in a new role for the final act of the Class 1A-2A-3A season.
The Knights (23-1-1) have dominated the majority of their opponents on the pitch this season, but when they meet Madison St. Joseph for the state crown today, West Lauderdale will be the underdog.
St. Joseph enters the 11 a.m. match at Pearl searching for its third consecutive state title. The state championship game was originally scheduled for Feb. 7, but heavy rain pushed back the match one week.
West Lauderdale, which is making its third trip to the state title game in four years, has been preparing for its new role all season.
The Knights, who won the state crown three seasons ago and finished runner up two seasons ago, have imagined what a match would be like against St. Joe all season.
West Lauderdale has had plenty of people play strong supporting roles to help the team prepare for its season finale performance, according to Brown
No matter how the script went in the minds of the West Lauderdale players, Brown said St. Joe adds a new act his team hasn't seen much this season.
St. Joe, which defeated West Lauderdale for the 2002 state title, has one of the most potent offenses in the state, and facing a goal-scoring juggernaut will be a new experience for the Knights this season.
West Lauderdale enters today's match coming off a 5-0 shutout in the North state title game against Corinth.
The Knights defense, composed of goalkeeper Scott Truesdale, sweeper Josh Sonak, stopper Michael Pogue and wingbacks Jay Joyner and Matthew Castleberry, will have to put on a similar performance against St. Joe.
Along with playing their strongest defense of the season, Brown said the Knights will also have to have the right mindset going into the contest.