Jose Gutierrez's goal lifts Richland to 2-0 win over Bay High in boys' 4A championship

BRANDON — For the second time in three years, the Richland Rangers claimed the Class 4A state championship.

Behind a strong second-half attack, the Rangers got past Bay High 2-0 to claim the MHSAA Boys Class 4A State Championship at Brandon’s Bulldog Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“We weren’t switching the field, but we saw the areas in their right and left backs and exploit it and take what they give us,” said Richland coach John Adams. “We battled together like we have all year. This one feels great — they say the first one is lucky and the second time is a legacy, so we're going to keep on doing what we do.”

The first half didn’t have much of any offense, and the game was scoreless at halftime.

Four minutes into the second half, Jose Gutierrez scored off a pass from Charles Williams to give Richland a 1-0 lead.

Gutierrez was named the game’s most valuable player.

“It was a great pass from Charles, and I just had to put in the goal,” Gutierrez said. “This is an amazing feeling winning a state championship.”

The score stayed the same until the 69th minute as Richland’s Jacob Young pass to Williams, who was wide open, who shot and reached the back of the net to give the Rangers the 2-0 lead and seal the win.

“The second goal was a big relief and gave us a cushion there late,” Adams said. “Defensively we played shaky to start, but we adjusted to what they were doing. We had to keep fighting in high school soccer anything can happen.”

Bay High finished with just four shots on goal.

The Tigers finished 17-8-1.

��We had a few opportunities and in a game like this you have to capitalize,” said Bay High coach Kelly Ross. “Give Richland credit they took advantage of their opportunities and we didn’t.”