D-B rallies past Hilltoppers for back-to-back district titles

“I was playing a completely different position because I was playing more defensive, but this game I moved up top with Brogan (McGhee),” Farmer said. “We worked really well together off the ball, getting the ball back and forth along with Adrian (Calo) on my side. Our ball movement in this game was extremely good.”

And extremely effective. So of course Farmer knew exactly where to be when Bryson Broadwater’s header bounced back inside the box. Farmer followed, equalizing in the 17th minute after Science Hill (8-9) had grabbed the early lead.

In the 30th, Farmer crossed inside to McGhee, who then sent the ball low and away into the left corner for the go-ahead goal.

So it only made sense for Farmer to be honored as MVP of the District 1-AAA tournament. And few people are as familiar with the Hilltoppers as Farmer.

“I’d lived in Johnson City all my life, went to elementary and middle school there until I moved here my freshman year at D-B (when my family moved for work),” Farmer said. “I still play travel soccer with some of them. In games it can get a little rough, but in the end we’re always good friends.”

It is a rivalry after all. But D-B (14-0-2) made it 3-0 against Science Hill this year with the win.

TOPPERS STRIKE EARLY

Science Hill held the overall advantage in shots, 14-12 and 9-6 on goal. And the Hilltoppers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second minute when Ian Almaroad found the back of the net unassisted on a quick counterattack.

“A little bit of luck but it put us in a good spot, and from that point we were on the attack a lot,” Science Hill coach David Strickland said.

But the Hilltoppers had six attacks negated due to offside calls.

“There’s some inexperience there,” Strickland said. “But hats off to Tony (Weaver) and that group. They’ve beaten us three times and there’s nothing we can say. Every single time they’ve figured out how to win it.”

Ethan Cline made eight saves for the Tribe, and Foster Childress four for Science Hill.

The win also marked the first district championship of the Tony Weaver era, as a head coach at least. He's been here as an assistant coach before, including last year's district title under Tom LaGuardia.

“It does feel different to a certain extent, but when you’re an assistant coach, you’re still a coach,” Weaver said. “That’s how I treat my coaches, because they’re just as much of a head coach as I am. This is a group effort. I’ve got great assistant coaches that help me every single day. This is not a one person team. We play as a group.”

UP NEXT

Both teams have advanced to the Region 1-AAA semifinal round Tuesday. Science Hill visits District 2 champion Jefferson County, while D-B entertains Sevier County. Tuesday’s winners advance to the region championship match Thursday as well as Saturday’s sectional round.