The Grand County High School boys soccer team defeated North Sevier 5-1 in Moab on Tuesday, April 12, before falling 3-2 to Wasatch Academy at home on Thursday, April 14. The Red Devils lost 4-3 at Gunnison on Tuesday, April 19, dropping their record to 5-4-1 in 2A Central play.
Grand jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first half over the visiting Wolves before adding two more goals in the second half. Deklynd Chant led the Red Devils with two goals, while Joseph Shumway, Kane Scherer and Miguel Infante each scored one goal.
Scherer found the net again against Wasatch Academy, as did Nolan Ramirez. The Red Devils and Tigers were tied 2-2 at intermission before Wasatch Academy netted the only goal of the second half for the victory.
Against Gunnison, Scherer, Ramirez and Shumway each scored as the Red Devils and Bulldogs were tied 2-2 at halftime before Gunnison pulled away in the second half for the win.
Scherer leads Grand with eight goals this season. Ramirez has scored seven times and Shumway has six goals for the Red Devils. Infante and co-captain Rylan Ruggeri each have four goals.
Grand currently sits at fifth in the 2A Central standings, but there are four teams, including Grand, within a game of second place. The top four teams in each division qualify for the 2A playoffs, while the top two teams in each of the four 2A divisions will host first-round playoff games on Wednesday, May 4. Grand last made the playoffs in 2014, when the Red Devils lost 5-1 at Rowland Hall in the first round. The Red Devils’ two remaining games are their home finale versus Manti on Thursday, April 21, and a road match at Wasatch Academy on Tuesday, April 26. Both games are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
All four of Grand’s losses have been by just one goal. Grand also lost to Gunnison 2-1 on March 10 and Manti 4-3 on March 29. The Templars lone loss in division play came 4-3 at Emery on March 17.
“Their losses have all been close,” Grand County High School athletic director Ron Dolphin said. “They haven’t been blown out.”
Dolphin praised the job that coach Mike Camps has done turning the team around after a one-win campaign in 2015 when Camps took a year off from coaching.
“The team is far better this year than they were last year,” Dolphin said. “Mike Camps has done a much better job. The kids are enjoying soccer a lot more this year.”
Red Devils among five teams battling for four playoff spots
“The team is far better this year than they were last year. Mike Camps has done a much better job. The kids are enjoying soccer a lot more this year.”
When: Thursday, April 21, 4 p.m.
Where: Grand County High School soccer pitch, 608 S. 400 East
2A Central Standings as of Tuesday, April 19
Manti: 7-1-1
Emery 6-4-0
Wasatch Academy: 5-3-0
Gunnison: 5-3-1
Grand: 5-4-1
South Sevier: 2-6-1
North Sevier: 0-9-0
Wasatch Academy was scheduled to play North Sevier on Tuesday, April 19
