The Mountain Press - G P facing CAK tonight for region title

GATLINBURG — Throughout the 2011 season, the Gatlinburg-Pittman Lady Highlanders (18-1-1) have faced obstacles and overcame them.

Six times in the season the team has climbed TSSAA’s levels of classification to battle larger AAA schools, and they’re 5-0-1 in those contests — with wins over Seymour, William Blount, Morristown East and Jefferson County and a tie against Dobyns-Bennett.

But perhaps no bigger obstacle has stood before the Lady Highlanders than today.

The team will host District 4-A/AA champion Christian Academy of Knoxville (18-1-1) at GPHS at 5 p.m. to decide the Region 2-A/AA champion.

“CAK the last few years has been a complete powerhouse,” G-P head coach Whit Helton said. “They were state runner-up last year, and they’ve won the state championship three of the last four years. They’re very fast, especially in the back.”

Helton said he recognized a couple of the names of the CAK soccer players as all-state track performers for the Lady Warriors.

GPHS earned the shot at CAK with a 1-0 victory over District 4-A/AA runner-up Kingston on Tuesday, while CAK crushed G-P’s 3-A/AA runner-up Berean 7-0.

CAK, like G-P, has had an incredible 2011 season.

They played 10 AAA squads over the course of the regular season and beat eight of them, losing only to state powerhouse Farragut and tying perennial winner Bearden. Their wins included victories over Cleveland, Sevier County, Maryville and Knox West.

Beyond the region championship, the winner of tonight’s match will also earn a top seed in Saturday’s sectional game and face the No. 2 team from Region 1 — either Elizabethton or Greeneville.

The loser, in the meantime, will the face the champ from Region 1. The winners of the Saturday games will earn a spot in the state tournament next week.

“We’ve wanted the opportunity to play CAK and see how we can compete with them,” Helton said.

“With all the hype surrounding CAK, the tradition and the championships, we have nothing to lose. Win or lose we still have the chance to play in the substate Saturday.”

Source: http://themountainpress.com