Sherwood’s “Under the Cross” tournament begins Friday

ALBANY — Sherwood Academy will host the largest high school soccer tournament in Georgia beginning Friday at Legacy Park, which is adjacent to the school on Leary Road. The 12th annual “Under the Cross” tournament will bring 24 teams, both boys and girls, to Albany for two days of soccer competition. Schools will represent the GICAA, the GISA, and the GHSA. Other than the Sherwood Eagles, the other local schools which will have teams competing include Dougherty High School and Westover High School.

“This is the largest high school tournament in Georgia,” said Sherwood Coach Jeremy Davidson. “We have actually scaled it back slightly this year from 32 teams to 24 and have upped the level of competition. We have teams from the Athens area, the Augusta area – all over.”

The tournament will also draw the eyes of 15 or more college scouts looking for potential recruits. Some of those who have committed to the tournament come from schools including Andrew College, Anderson University, Brewton Parker, Bryan College, Columbia International, Emmanuel College, Erskin College, Anderson College, North Greenville, Point University and Truett McConnell.

Weather forecasts for the weekend are looking slightly better for Saturday, but Davidson the teams will play unless there are severe downpours or lightning. There will be four fields of competition taking place at the same time and the finals for the tournament are set for 2:00 p.m. Saturday for the girls and the boys to follow. “We are hoping our Sherwood teams will make it to the finals,” the coach said.

The Sherwood Lady Eagles will begin the tournament at 11 a.m. Friday morning and the boys will play at 12:30 p.m. The girls will play again on Friday at 5 p.m. and the boys play the late game at 8:30 p.m.