Prep soccer: Three area teams set standard with state playoffs approaching

A few boys’ soccer teams from Randolph County could be in good positions to make some noise in the postseason.

Championship efforts from Asheboro in the Mid-Piedmont Conference and co-champions Randleman and Southwestern Randolph in the Piedmont Athletic Conference came with some dominating performances.

Because of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the western part of the state, the beginning of the state playoffs has been delayed as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association adjusted the postseason calendar for the sport. The pairings and seeds will be announced Thursday.

First-round games will be contested Saturday, and for teams advancing there will be a busy slate of games in the postseason next week.

Because of the unexpected layoff, Asheboro added an extra game to its schedule, with the Blue Comets slated to face visiting Mooresville in a non-conference matchup Tuesday night. Asheboro entered this week with a 21-2 record.

Last week, the Blue Comets finished matters in terms of conference play.

Asheboro’s 4-1 road victory against Montgomery Central included two goals apiece from Cam Letterlough and Diego Bustamante. Cristian Raygadas was credited with two assists.

That stretched Asheboro’s winning streak to 17 games without a loss in more than two months. In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, the Blue Comets went 10-0 to hold a two-game edge on second-place Ledford.

In the Piedmont Athletic Conference, Southwestern Randolph and Randleman stayed atop the standings.

The teams both went 11-1 in league play during the regular season, splitting their two meetings.

Southwestern Randolph reached the 20-win mark overall.

Both teams needed one victory last week to maintain their first-place spots.

Southwestern Randolph overwhelmed Uwharrie Charter Academy in a 10-1 home victory. Aaron Avina’s three goals to go with two goals each from Kevin Garcia and Logan Freeman paved the way for the result.

Randleman did its part by topping host Trinity 3-1. The Tigers trailed at the half before scoring three second-half goals, with two of those by Owen Leonard and the other by Mario Martinez. Francisco Vences had two assists.

** Third-place Trinity wrapped up its conference slate by defeating visiting Eastern Randolph 7-2.

** Fourth-place Providence Grove received goals from Bryan Carbajal and Saul Cortes in a 2-1 victory against host Wheatmore.

** UCA’s Jaydon DeNamur racked up four goals in a 5-2 victory against visiting Wheatmore, which received both goals from Sawyer St. Clair.