For the first time in nine years, the Todd County Central boys’ soccer team extended its season past the opening game of the 13th-District tournament, knocking off Russellville 5-0 to advance to Tuesday’s final against hosts Franklin-Simpson.
The Rebels last hoisted the district trophy in 2012 and had not been back to the 4th-Region tourney since 2013. They beat the Panthers three times this season, scoring twenty goals and allowing only one.
Aaron Mansfield opened the scoring with eight minutes left in the first half when he bent in a corner kick, and Tanner Henderson doubled the advantage a short time later with a goal off a through ball from Grady Reding.
Henderson was on target again after beating three defenders with just two minutes played after halftime, and Ivan Lopez added the fourth goal on Reding’s second assist.
Cam Wheelock got on the scoresheet for the final goal after good work by Zack Robinson to head a Chris Salazar corner kick back across the goal for Wheelock to nod home.
Goalkeeper Jonah Rager collected his third straight shutout and the Rebels’ twelfth of the season.
Todd Central and Franklin-Simpson split a pair of regular season matches, with the Rebels winning 2-1 in a penalty-kick shootout and the Wildcats winning 1-0 in overtime in Franklin.
