This year the boy’s and girls’ soccer team and the volleyball team were all victorious in their seasons. The boy’s soccer team won their first state championship since 2009. The girl’s soccer team won their 11th state title and, the volleyball girls won their 9th state title. All three teams showed teamwork and determination to win this season.
The boy’s soccer team ended up playing Whitefish in the championship game, which took place on November 2nd at 12:00p.m. After whitefish scored twice off two penalty kicks, senior Cole Bland scored making the score 2:1 in the first half. Continuing into the second half, senior Luke Pankratz got fouled in the box giving the Rams a chance to tie it up on a penalty kick. Cole Bland took the penalty kick and scored off of it to tie it up 2:2. Although both teams had numerous chances to score and win the game, no one ended up scoring, causing the game to go into overtime. Again, both teams had shots, the first half of overtime was scoreless. Going into the second half of overtime, the minutes were ticking down until Sawyer Guenthner scored the final goal of the game. The Rams ended up winning the state championship 3:2. “After the final whistle, all I felt was relief and happiness. Being able to win a championship for Boy’s Central soccer with all my friends was a truly special moment.” Senior Daniel Apostol says. This team showed determination throughout the season and having their season end in the perfect way, a state championship. “All the work we put in from running and the hard practices paid off and we were rewarded,” Apostol says.
The girl’s soccer team played Laurel on Saturday November 2nd at 2:00 p.m. The game started with many shots on goal until freshman Emerson Dull scored the first goal of the game. Laurel then scored to tie it up, making the score at halftime 1:1. When the second half started, both teams were playing very physical with both teams getting multiple shots on goal. With about twenty minutes left in the game, Emerson Dull was fouled in the box causing a penalty kick. Dull is the one chosen to kick it and ended up scoring. The next twenty minutes were very physical as Laurel tried to score an equalizer. When the final whistle blew, the score was 2:1. “Knowing the the amount of work we’ve put in four years to see it pay off was an indescribable feeling.” Senior Ava Yates states. The girls soccer team also put in a lot of work and they were determined to win state and that determination payed off.
After having a successful season with only one loss in the regular season, the Ram’s volleyball team made it to state in Bozeman. Their first game was against Columbia Falls on November 14th at 4. The Rams ended up winning that game advancing them to the semifinals. They played Dillion at 6 on November 15th and won to advance them to the finals. Next up, they played the Frenchtown volleyball team on November 16 at noon. When the match started both teams were going back and forth, but Frenchtown ended up winning, forcing a second game. In the second game, Central came out strong winning the first set 25-14. Frenchtown ended up winning the next two sets, 19-25 and 20-25. Central wasn’t discouraged and won the next set 25-22, forcing a fifth set. In the fifth set, Central came out wanting it more than Frenchtown winning the set 15-3, declaring them the 2024 State Volleyball Champions. “It was a great feeling. This year’s team was so close and especially after losing last year and coming back from losing the first championship game to winning the second was amazing.” Senior Annie Hanser says.
