Gaffney High School is known for its football teams, basketball teams, and baseball teams, but not much attention is given to our soccer teams. This season was especially memorable for our varsity boy’s soccer team. April 18, 2017 will always be a monumental day for Gaffney High School soccer; the boy’s varsity soccer team secured its first Region 3-5A Championship in Gaffney soccer’s twenty year history.

The Indians started the season with high expectations and goals for an unforgettable spring campaign, but they never imagined knocking off powerhouse Dorman on two separate occasions. Scott Simmons, the varsity boy’s soccer coach, said, “We played some very good teams; we took some loses, but the team was battle-tested for region.” There was a close loss to TL Hanna, and the Indians saw that the team they had was special, so that game was a major turning point in their season. Defeating Dorman at the Reservation reassured the Tribe that they could make a run at the region title. With their first region game win in hand, the boys dribbled their way to an undefeated region record of  8-0. The Indian’s finished the spring season with a regular game record of 14-6-1; with fourteen overall wins the guys set the school record for the most wins in a single season.

“Winning region is amazing. It’s the first time soccer has ever won it in its 20 year history. As a former player and having played on the first Gaffney soccer teams, it means so much to me,” said Simmons, marveling at the season. For the boy’s varsity soccer team, having a coach who played on the first soccer team at Gaffney High makes this unforgettable campaign even more pressing in Gaffney soccer history. The Indians are thankful for this season and its many victories and are excited to see what records they can break and what goals they can score next soccer season.

“Winning region means a lot, and words can’t explain how I feel. Knowing that we won the first title at GHS, we are part of history now.” -Fernando Calderilla (senior)

“This has been the best season ever. It means everything to be a part of the first team to win region. It makes me a little emotional just thinking about it.” -Chris Cline (senior)

“This is a really big deal to me and to everyone on this team. I prayed to God to bless us with the will and commitment to get this done, and the banner proves His powers.” -Dorian Suarez (senior)

“It has been an unforgettable year for us. We fought through every game, and in turn, we broke records and made history. We proved many people who doubted us wrong; there is no better feeling than that. I am beyond honored to have been on this team.” Luis Perez (junior)