The Putnam County boys soccer team recently wrapped up Region 4 Class A Division I play, leaving it third in the standings behind Jasper County and Lamar County with a 6-4 record.
Jasper County swept Putnam County earlier this season. The War Eagles then swept Lamar County, though two gut-wrenching losses in overtime to Towers hurt their chance at a second-place finish.
“[Both] ended the same way, and it left a sour taste knowing we would finish third at best,” Putnam County head coach Michael Taylor said of the losses to Towers.
Still, after seeing his guys play more together, Taylor feels good about his team heading into the playoffs.
Following its second loss to Towers on March 20, Putnam County won three of its last five contests. The War Eagles wrapped up region play with victories over Social Circle and the Utopian Academy for the Arts, along with a non-region win against Alcovy between those two games.
The Putnam boys played well, shared the ball on the pitch, and had many different scorers in those wins. A few of the younger War Eagles even got some valuable playing time in the 8-0 win over UAA.
“The Social Circle game felt like we controlled the pace and flow of the match. We had four different scorers,” Taylor said. “The Utopian game was much the same, as we controlled the match and were able to play all of our younger players. Our teamwork was outstanding. It was a lot of fun.”
Putnam County then dropped a pair of matches to Lake Oconee Academy and Toombs County, which won the Class A Division I state championship last year. The War Eagles now sit at 9-6 overall on spring break.
Taylor said he considered the loss to LOA “the worst” all season.
The Titans dominated early, leading 6-0 at the end of the first half before Putnam surged back with three goals in the game’s final 40 minutes. It just wasn’t enough, though, as the War Eagles started too slow.
Still, Taylor felt like the loss to LOA was an eye-opener for his team.
“After some formation adjustments and moving players to different positions, we created a spark and a lot of energy,’” he said. “We scored on a penalty kick and then started pressing high. That led to two other scores, and we were flying around the field.
“We had other chances, and it would have been exciting to watch them with that energy, teamwork, and grit if we had more time in the second half,” Taylor continued. “We lost, but we learned how to face adversity and come together like no other game this year.”
Putnam County started much better against Toombs, leading 2-1 at the break, but a lapse in the second half led the Bulldogs of Lyons to earn a close 3-2 win.
“After the LOA game, we came to this one focused and determined to start much better in the first half. I think we played our best game of the season so far,” Taylor said. “[The score] stayed tied 2-2 until 13 minutes left. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score after that, but I was very proud of the boys.”
Even after the losses, Taylor remains confident his team is playing its best heading into the state playoffs.
“I think we proved to ourselves that we can go into the playoffs and expect to win against any team if we play like we have been,” Taylor said.
Putnam County has three games left on its regular schedule. The War Eagles will face Oglethorpe County on April 15 on the road and Prince Avenue two days later at home. For the regular season finale, they will remain in Eatonton to face GMC Prep on April 18 before the Class A Division I playoffs begin April 25.