Upon Further Review

All the clown-like administrators in the Southern Valley DoesStink had to do was make a trip to the Waynesboro soccer pitch on Friday to get a taste of what could be.

Thanks to a series of events (mainly Rockbridge County High School treating its girls soccer program like second-class hacks), the Wildcat girls lost a home game and Waynesboro got to reap the benefits with an ultra-rare girls, boys soccer doubleheader. Sure, we can all feel bad for the Wildcat girls, or you can look at it as a wake-up call for the district’s no-brain trust. With two back-to-back games, those terraced stands at the old Wilson-Jackson field were full by the time the boys team took the pitch. (Though, and let’s be honest here people, those “stands” are in desperate need of a weed whacking.)

“It was a great atmosphere,“ said Waynesboro boys coach Bill Meicke.

Darn skippy, Bill.

So maybe this is what the Southern Valley would get if they would wake the heck up and realize this is the way to schedule basketball games and, maybe, schedule a few more Friday night soccer games next spring. Meicke was right, the atmosphere was electric and it had nothing to do with the lights he, “loves.“

It had to do with almost full stands, nice weather and the feeling that, “Wow, this is how high school sports should be.“ The boys provided some fan base along with the parents for the girls game and, in return, I don’t think a single girls player left after their 6-0 win over Rockbridge.

“We never get the opportunity to see the girls play,“ Meicke said. “And that was nice to have their parents here to support us.“

Meicke’s boys didn’t disappoint, joining the girls in a high-scoring shutout and winning 8-0. It was a tale of two halves for Meicke, who, thanks to the larger Waynesboro pitch is more of chess-match kind of guy when it comes to soccer. “The second half looked more like soccer,“ he said.

After scoring five goals in the first 40, the Giants only put three in the rest of the way.

“[Rockbridge plays] really, really flat in the backs and they’re susceptible to all those breakaways,“ Meicke said. “That’s not my brand of soccer.“

But on a Friday night with fans flocking to see them play, it was the right kind.

And another thing: WAKE UP SOUTHERN VALLEY!

Seriously, when Wilson Memorial moves up to Group AA and the DoesStink, it’s going to bring with it Athletic Director Greg Troxell and his know-how when it comes to scheduling games since, you know, the Shenanodah District does it right. Troxell, please straighten this out and don’t let these we-don’t-care-about-kids bullies try to shut you out.

Greg Troxell, your table is so freakin’ ready it’s not funny. And plenty of fans can’t wait to see you take that seat.

Back to soccer: Sam Crickenberger and Kate Garber combined to give the Giants a shutout in both of those matches. Crickenberger had to do it with what the untrained observer would call a makeshift defense in front of him thanks to an injury and a couple of guys out for Confirmation. For Crickenberger, however, it was just different faces and jersey numbers.

“Everybody on this team can play,“ he said. “We’re 19 deep.“

Meicke begs to differ. “Even looking at some of the JV players, we’re 21 deep,“ he said. “And if I had a couple more uniforms, we’d be a couple more deep.“

Kristin Berrang, take a bow.

Courtney Freed and Cammy Nasholds, get up there and join her.

Ah, what the heck, John Garber, you deserve something too. You know, for that big save and all.

Now, just think, in two years Scott Crist’s Wilson girls team won’t be running out of steam in the second half. Against anybody. (Hold your e-mails, thanks.)

Another reason to love the Shenandoah District: Yeah, Riverheads boys know their time at the top appears to be over. But that doesn’t mean they’re gonna roll over and let it happen. On the road, in front of Wilson’s fans.

I’ve said it once, I’ve said it thousands of times. Want to know how high school sports should be, look at these “podunk” schools. (Greg, you at that table yet? Hurry up, will ya.)

We’ll touch on Friday’s baseball and more soccer Monday. You know, it’s Sunday which means I have to sit outside and watch the wife mow the lawn. I’m kidding, I watched her mow it Thursday.

It had to do with almost full stands:-)