BOYS' SOCCER: Terry Sanford knocks out CBA from 3A playoffs

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on November 9, 2016 9:57 AM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Fast, furious and fundamentally flawed.

That was the formed consensus by many last night at Hardy Talton Stadium, following Charles B. Aycock's hard fought -- and wholly bizarre -- 2-1 loss to Terry Sanford during second-round play of the N.C. High School Athletic Association soccer playoffs.

From the outset, the action developed in redline fashion.

The visitors opened with speed racing along the touchline and creating attacks on Aycock's half of the pitch. In the fifth minute, Golden Falcons keeper Skyler Landers stoned a point-blank attempt by the Bulldogs' Emerson Pharedes, who would feature prominently at all points throughout the match.

From there, the tenor of the match changed.

Physicality ruled from that point, with Sanford imposing its share of it. Time and again, the Bulldogs won 50/50 balls with a bruising, checkmate-style, repelling Aycock advances with consistency and sending the powder blue faithful into a frenzy.

"I think it got out of control," Aycock head coach Cory Worrell said. "Hands flailing... studs coming up. Just dangerous. (Our) players weren't going into tackles they usually go into."

Emotions heightened in the 30th minute, when Landers skied above the box to corral a Sanford throw-in. Surrounded by a sea of jerseys below, the sophomore lost his balance, falling awkwardly to the turf.

The Pikeville caucus erupted.

Seconds later, a collective groan washed over the stands when an indirect free kick was awarded to Sanford -- one which Bulldog senior Billy Kalevas deposited in the corner net for a 1-0 lead.

"Landers comes out, then goes to the ground," Worrell said. "As far as I know, you're supposed to protect the keeper in that box. It is what it is."

Aycock responded, however.

A foul in the box by Sanford's James White allowed for a powder-blue penalty kick in the 37th minute, and was promptly handled by sophomore David McIver.

At half, the match was tied one apiece.

The second stanza again marched to the beat of the visitors' physical drum, with both teams fighting for position and advantage wherever possible. Sanford struck again in the 55th minute, when Pharedes gained control of a throw-in, navigated a crowded box and slipped a winner by an outstretched Landers near the right post.

Then matters changed for good.

Aycock, scrambling to tie the affair in the 62nd, generated an attack in front of Bulldog keeper Thomas Rogers. The ball was gathered by sophomore Payne Casey, who fired to clear the area and square the match.

A collision ensued, then silence.

Casey lay on the ground, unable to move. As coaches and parents raced to his side, a pall spilled over the once-spirited crowd. Some 20 minutes later, the midfielder was gingerly ushered from the pitch to a waiting ambulance.

Casey underwent surgery late Tuesday to repair a broken tibia and fibula. According to his dad, Paul, Payne is resting comfortably.

The remaining minutes of the affair proceeded with a hushed hurriedness, and saw Aycock's last-ditch effort secured by the sure-handed Rogers, who tendered a sharp performance between the pipes for Sanford.

Post-match, emotions spilled over amongst powder-blue players, coaches and family. There were more questions than answers, and rightly so. This was more than a season-ending playoff loss.

"We played our hearts out," Worrell said. "But we're done... The seniors played a great season and I didn't want it to end for them."