Senior Night Smackdown

The Marauders Kickdown on Port St. Joe on Wednesday Night After an 8-0 Victory

Photo by Andrew Berenson/Maclay Andalusian

Senior Night kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 17 with honoring the five Maclay seniors: Aiden Merritt, Mason Singleton, Ellis Strickland, Andy Baker and Tyler Keller. Parents, coaches and teammates cheered the seniors on as a way to commemorate their hard work and accomplishments.

Maclay’s varsity boys soccer team has had much success this year as they head into their last regular season match with a 13-1-2 record. After the tough loss to Chiles in November, the Marauders bounced back in an unprecedented way. The team has won ten games and tied once since the Chiles match.

The Marauders controlled the match from start to finish. By the time halftime rolled around, Maclay led 5-0. Like the first half, the Marauders dominated the rest of the match. The refs called the game early after Maclay mercy ruled Port St. Joe. 

“We had a good game plan and everyone worked pretty hard during practice,” junior Colin Edwards said. “Everyone was ready.”

Junior Zac Scovotto has played a major role for the Marauders this year. He has scored 23 goals and assisted on nine goals this season. Scovotto is sixth in the state in goals and 18th in the state with 55 points. 

“I felt good about it [my goals],” junior Zac Scovotto said. “It was more of a team effort with them passing me the ball and being able to get the ball to my feet so that I am able to score.”

The intense and disciplined practices have proven to be a vital piece in the Marauders’ success. Since late fall, the team has maintained a high level of focus during all of the practices in order to succeed. 

“Our practices have a lot of high intensity, game-like drills that help prepare us for game day,” Singleton said.

Maclay has struggled to cap off their incredible seasons in the past. Each year the Marauders have great success during the regular season; however, every year the team falls short of winning states. This year, the team is much more experienced and prepared for the playoffs. 

“We are going to keep on working like how we have been doing all season because we have had success with it,” Scovotto said. “Hopefully win states.”

The team will finish their season against Berkeley Prep on Friday, Jan. 19. The team will then head into the playoffs next week with the goal of winning the state championship.