SBLive Weekly Boys Soccer Wrap (Jan. 16): Northwest Rankin completes undefeated season; Madison Central routs Clinton off set pieces

Each week, the team at SBLive Mississippi will take an in-depth look at the past week’s high school boys soccer action, as well as a look ahead to the action to come in the following week. 

Here’s a look at the weekly boys soccer wrap for the week of Jan. 16 to Jan. 23.

Games of the Week

Madison Central 5, Clinton 0

The Clinton Arrows (11-5-2) traveled to “The Jungle” to face off with the Madison Central Jaguars (12-2-1) on Tuesday night with the region championship on the line. 

The Arrows had to have a certain amount of confidence coming into the game after winning the first matchup between the two teams 2-1. Clinton was also on an impressive 7 game that included a pair of wins over solid coast teams Gulfport and Ocean Springs. 

On the opposite end the Jaguars were coming off a tough 0-2 loss to rival Northwest Rankin. While everything appeared to be favoring Clinton prior to the contest, Madison Central came out and simply dominated specifically on set pieces. 

The Jags scored their first goal off a great corner from Terron McIntyre. McIntyre put in the cross into a dangerous area and Dillan Smith rose and headed the ball straight to the back of the net. 

The first goal did little to decrease Madison Central’s intensity. Just three minutes later Terron McInytre took another corner that he actually bent into the back of the net from the corner spot. Madison Central was up 2-0 just thirteen minutes into the game. 

Clinton finally began generating some chances of their own and had a chance on goal in the 23rd minute. Hayden Thomas whipped in a great cross from the right side that found teammate Tanner Jones just 5 yards away from goal. Jones was able to get the shot off but it was nicely saved by the Madison Central goal keeper.

The Arrows got one more chance right before half in the 36th minute. Price Farrar played a nice cross that found teammate Brice Nunnery just a few yards away from goal. Nunnery was able to turn and get a shot off that looked dangerous but was deflected away by the Madison Central defense. Clinton was unable to capitalize, and the teams went to half with Madison Central up 2-0. 

Clinton needed to desperately get back into the game in the second half but Madison Central shut the door in the 49th minute. Jags’ goalkeeper Landon Parrow took a free kick from his side of the field. Parrow placed the kick perfectly as it landed to Will Farthing at the PK spot. Farthing got his shot off and the slow roller snuck past everyone. The shot actually came off the post but was deemed to have crossed the line by the assistant referee and a goal was awarded to Madison Central. 

The Jags added two more before it was all said and done off a great free kick from John Hrivnak and a penalty kick goal by Terron McIntyre. The Jags dominated through set pieces and were region champions thanks to it.

Goals: Dillan Smith (10’), Terron McIntyre (13’), Will Farthing (49’), John Hrivnak (61’), Terron McIntyre (67’)
Assists: Terron McIntyre (10’), Landon Parrow (49’) 

Players of the Game
Madison Central – Terron McIntyre 
Clinton – Hayden Thomas

Up next: Madison Central completed their region championship with a 2-1 win over Germantown Friday night on senior night. They will host Center Hill in the first round of the high school playoffs on Tuesday night. Clinton dropped a tough game Thursday night against Northwest Rankin 2-3. They will travel to Lewisburg on Tuesday for the opening round of the playoffs. 

Northwest Rankin 3, Clinton 2

On Thursday night two of 6A’s best teams faced off in a great test prior to starting the playoffs. 

The Northwest Rankin Cougars (21-0-1) were not only looking for momentum heading into the playoffs, but also to continue their incredible unbeaten season. They were region champions and a team that is likely the odds-on favorite to hoist the golden ball. 

The Clinton Arrows (11-5-2) were looking to rebound after a difficult 0-5 loss to their region rival Madison Central. The Arrows have also put together a quality year and are certainly a team that could face the Cougars for championship in early February. 

Clinton came out on all cylinders clearly looking to make a statement. A rip of a shot from Brady Torrence in the first minute followed by a dangerous moment from Luke Hopkins seemingly had the Arrows on the front foot. 

But in the blink of an eye Northwest Rankin was breaking towards the Clinton goal. Rory Humphrey was on the move down the left-hand side when he laid a perfect pass right into the path of teammate Miles Williams. Williams calmly slotted home the finish and despite the Arrows strong start they were down 0-1 in the 3rd minute. 

Clinton remained aggressive following the Cougar goal and that aggression allowed them to equalize the game in the 23rd minute. A great buildup from the Arrows lead to Keaton Cole being wide open down the right-hand side. Cole lobbed in a perfect cross that found Brice Nunnery all alone 6 yards away from goal. Nunnery headed the ball right to the back of the net evening up the game at 1. 

Rory Humphrey got one more chance for Northwest Rankin prior to half but a great 1 on 1 save from the Clinton goalkeeper kept the game level. Both teams played well and were tied at 1 going to half. 

Northwest Rankin retook their lead in the 52nd minute. A great pass over the top by Miguel Magagnin caused trouble for the Clinton defense. The Clinton centerback attempted to head the ball away but instead the ball went back towards his own goal. Rory Humphrey ran onto the mistake and finished brilliantly chipping the goalkeeper. The Cougars were back in control 2-1.

Miguel Magagnin shut down a possible Arrows come back with a magnificent free kick. The shot was taken from 20 yards away from goal on the left side and the midfielder got the shot up and over the wall and past the Clinton keeper.

Despite trailing late, the Arrows kept great effort and got one back in the 80th minute. Brice Nunnery’s shot was nicely saved but fell to teammate Erick Martinez who finished the chance. The Arrows were unable to get another late goal and Northwest Rankin’s undefeated season continued.

Goals: Miles Williams (3’, Northwest Rankin), Brice Nunnery (23’, Clinton), Rory Humphrey (52’, Northwest Rankin), Miguel Magagnin (66’, Northwest Rankin), Erick Martinez (80’, Clinton)
Assists: Rory Humphrey (3’, Northwest Rankin), Keaton Cole (23’, Clinton), Miguel Magagnin (52’, Northwest Rankin), Brice Nunnery (80’, Clinton) 

Players of the Game
Northwest Rankin– Rory Humphrey
Clinton – Brice Nunnery 

Up next: Northwest Rankin’s completed the undefeated season with a 3-0 win over Terry on Friday. They will begin their playoff run against Pascagoula Tuesday night. Clinton will travel to Lewisburg for an opening round playoff matchup on Tuesday. 

Other top results across the State this week:

Tuesday, Jan. 18
Brandon 0, Oak Grove 3
Olive Branch 0, Desoto Central 7
Lewisburg 0, Center Hill 1
Gulfport 0, Biloxi 2
Horn Lake 1, Hernando 2

Thursday, Jan. 20
Tupelo 3, Oxford 0
New Albany 2, Cornith 0
Long Beach 2, Pass Christian 0
Starkville 1, New Hope 3

Friday, Jan. 21
Germantown 1, Madison Central 2
Itawamba AHS 0, Tupelo 7
Pearl 4, Warren Central 0
West Lauderdale 0, Starkville 2

A look ahead (Jan. 24 – Jan. 30)

The MHSAA soccer playoffs begin this week! You can follow along with each of the brackets here:

6A Boys | 5A Boys | 4A Boys, Class I (1A/2A/3A)

MORE: Full boys soccer schedule

First Round games to watch:

Monday, Jan. 24
Stone at McComb
East Central at Florence
Northeast Jones at Forrest County Agriculture

Tuesday, Jan. 25
Pascagoula at Northwest Rankin
West Lauderdale at Caledonia
West Jones at George County
Center Hill at Madison Central 
Brandon at Biloxi 
Harrison Central at Oak Grove
Hernando at Starkville
Clinton at Lewisburg

Saturday, Jan. 29
Second round of playoffs