Eight has become the magic number for the Warren County Middle School boys soccer team.
The Pioneers have tallied eight goals in each of their last three games, including Tuesday’s 8-4 victory over Franklin South.
Warren County (3-1) got four goals from James Jackson and one score each from Richard Gonzalez, Joshua Macanus, Seth Ballard and Freddie Franco while winning for the third straight time.
Jackson set the tone in the first half while helping the Pioneers build a 4-1 lead. The eighth-grade midfielder proved to be too much for Franklin South to handle as Jackson had his way against the Trojan defense. Jackson led the charge with several goals on his own and setting up teammates for scores.
By the time Jackson had completed a first-half hat trick and dished to Macanus for a goal late in the half, Warren County had put four shots past the Franklin South keeper before the break.
Coach Matt Jackson noticed how easy the goals came in the first half and urged his team at intermission to be more patient while working for great shots.
“We totally controlled the ball in the first half, so it became easy and we got passive,” said Jackson. “I wanted to come back in the second half and work on passing and teamwork. We still need to work on our defense, but it is hard to play all out when you’re winning by a large margin.”
Ballard’s first goal of the season came in the second half to help the Pioneers stay in cruise control. Jackson added his fourth goal early in the second half – giving him 13 goals in just four games.
Gonzalez and Franco would add to the total to help the Pioneers maintain their streak of eight-goal games.
The Pioneers went on the road Thursday in hopes of earning their fourth straight win in Manchester. Warren County’s match with Westwood wasn’t completed by press time.
Warren County will take a lengthy break before returning to action Friday, April 4 with an away game against Tullahoma.