By Aaron Coe
Herald Writer
They’ve won the division and locked up a berth to state.
Now the Snohomish soccer team is thinking state title.
“I think we’re going to win state – there’s no doubt about it,” said Panthers midfielder Cameron Bailey, who scored the only goal in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Monroe that sealed Snohomish’s Western Conference North Division championship. “We’re young, but don’t let that fool anybody.”
The team has graduated 18 seniors since winning the title in 2000. Coach Dan Pingrey starts a freshman and five sophomores. The future appears bright, but the Panthers are thinking only as far as the next three weeks.
The Panthers (12-0-4), who also locked up a berth to state with the Monroe victory, will play for the District I title against Edmonds-Woodway at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mount Vernon High School.
Beating the Warriors could prolong a meeting with top-ranked Decatur, a team with a reputation for being unbeatable.
The No. 1 team from District I could not meet Decatur until the semifinals, assuming the Gators win the District 3-4 tournament. The No. 2 District I team could face the defending state champion Gators in a quarterfinal. One of the six teams fighting for the third and final district berth – Monroe, Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon, Jackson, Shorecrest or Mariner – could face Decatur in the first round. The District I playoffs begin tonight.
Pingrey says bring on the Gators and their 37-game unbeaten streak.
“We’ve been saying from day one that we are good enough to play in a state championship,” said Pingrey, whose 2001 team advanced to a quarterfinal. “Decatur is the team – they’re No. 1. We wanted to play them last year, but we didn’t make it. We’ve all been talking, and we want Decatur.
“They are the best and we want them.”
Jackson sprinter ailing: Craig Chambers, who ran in the Class 3A 100-meter final as a sophomore at last year’s Star Track meet, may not have a chance this season. Chambers, a junior who is also a standout football and basketball player, severely sprained an ankle in late April. Jackson coach Eric Hruschka said it is doubtful that Chambers will be ready to compete at Wednesday’s South Division meet.
“If he can’t come back, it will be disappointing for him and for us,” said Hruschka, whose team hopes to win a trophy at state. “But, he’s not going to risk his football down the road for a track meet right now.”
Snohomish baseball player signs: Josh Roberts, a senior pitcher for Snohomish who is also an outstanding hitter, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Portland.
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