MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions celebrates Daviess County High School

On Friday, Dec. 16 MaxPreps and the Kentucky Army National Guard visited Daviess County (Owensboro, Ky.) High School to honor the boys soccer team on the 12th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, which is in its sixth year honoring the top soccer teams across the country.

The Panthers put together an unforgettable season (27-1) and won their first-ever boys soccer state championship in a dramatic season finale penalty kick shootout, winning 2-1 (6-5 in PKs) over the defending champion Covington Catholic. Additionally, the team finished the year ranked No.8 in the country, out of more than 16,000 boys soccer programs, according to the MaxPreps computer poll.

When asked how it felt to finish the year with a state championship and national top 10 ranking, head soccer coach Doug Sandifer said, "We have been chasing the state championship goal as a program for many years and to finally break through and win it was just fantastic. But a national ranking and recipient of this award was not in our plans."

Before the trophy ceremony, Specialist Justin Moore of the Kentucky Army National Guard set up a table display outside the gym doors during the girls and boys varsity basketball games. SPC Moore provided information and answers to students' questions about the Kentucky National Guard. The display also featured the Army National Guard national ranking trophy that would be presented to Coach Sandifer and the boys' soccer team during halftime of the boys' varsity basketball game. Out of the 1,200 students/parents that attended the games, many stopped to take pictures of the prestigious trophy.

As halftime of the game was approaching, Coach Sandifer and the Panthers took formal photos with the trophy as SPC Moore and the cheerleaders handed out Tour of Champions commemorative shirts to the team.

After an already excitement-filled first half of Daviess County boys varsity basketball, it was finally time to recognize the soccer team in front of a sold-out gymnasium. The roar of the crowd grew even louder when they heard that their boys soccer team had finished the year ranked No. 8 in the country by MaxPreps. The cheers lead to a standing ovation, as everyone in the gym acknowledged what a remarkable season the Panthers had.

Next, SPC Moore congratulated the team on their accomplishment and described many similarities between a soldier of the National Guard and a championship team, including loyalty, dedication and sacrifice. To conclude the ceremony, SPC Moore presented Coach Sandifer and the team with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy and championship banner. After accepting the trophy, Coach Sandifer thanked team and school for their support.

Once again, MaxPreps and the Army National Guard congratulate Coach Sandifer and the Daviess County Panthers on a great season, a state championship and a national ranking!

Click here to view the Daviess County TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Soccer TOC, please visit the MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.