Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
JACKSON — When Gallia Academy coach Cory Camden took over the program in 2017, the Blue Devils finished the season at 1-11-4 overall.
Five years later under his leadership, Gallia celebrated its first-ever district championship. And, on Saturday, they did it again.
Times have indeed changed.
Despite an outstanding effort from Unioto’s defense, the Blue Devils (18-2) managed to score two goals and cement a 2-0 victory over the Shermans in a Division IV district final.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“Our program is going through the roof and it’s so amazing to see all of the work the boys have done over this season to pay off in this way,” Camden said. “It’s been such an exciting season, and I’m so proud of the boys. We’re such a close group, active in our community and I think all of these little elements really play a huge part of our success.”
Behind every great team is a great defense, and make no mistake about it, the Blue Devils have one of the best in the state.
They have allowed just 13 goals all year, and with Saturday’s victory, pitched their 12th shutout of the season.
“Our coaches work with us on our defense every day in practice from defending corners, marking the right players and knowing how to defend them,” Gallia Academy’s Kalin Schneider said. “We watched film on Unioto all week and had a game plan prepared so we were ready.”
GA came out firing early, habitually ripping shots on target. But Unioto’s Chase Denison was up for the challenge and it lit a fire underneath his Shermans.
No matter if shots were directly at him, curving left or right, or high, the freshman was right there to be a wall and block any chance Gallia had to score.
“Their goalie made some incredible saves and did a great job all night keeping them in the game,” Camden said. “Unioto might be a young team, but they are incredibly talented and very well-coached. They were level-headed and cool in the face of pressure when we were attacking. They played a great game.”
However, Gallia knew it was close to breaking through if it continued to apply pressure.
Midway through the half, the ball appeared to go out of bounds, but no whistle was blown. Logan Drummond continued to play as everyone else stood still for a minute. He struck the back of the net for a 1-0 lead, a score that remained at halftime.
“We had a ball played in and Beckett [Camden] took the shot,” Drummond said of the game sequence. “I believe it hit the post, but everyone just stopped and I kept playing. Play through the whistle.”
Unioto (8-12) knew it needed to equalize quickly as the second half clock continued to tick away, but Gallia had other plans.
A little more than 10 minutes into the half, the Blue Devils fired a shot and off a ricochet, Nathan Shockey turned and fired into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
From that moment forward, all eyes were on Gallia’s defense and goalie Kalin Schneider. That group continued to negate anything the Shermans threw their way before the final whistle blew to send the Blue Devils back to the Sweet 16.
“It definitely feels good to be back in the Sweet 16,” Schneider said. “Two years ago, we lost a tough game at this stage, but I believe in us and I think we have what it takes to get it done.”
While Unioto’s season comes to an end, Gallia Academy advances to a Division IV regional semifinal at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Zane Trace High School against Wheelersburg, who defeated Zane Trace to advance.
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