by: Isaiah Morrison

SANFORD – It has become an annual tradition at this point. The Lee County High School boys soccer team is the champion of the Sandhills Athletic Conference for the third season in a row, but the Yellow Jackets are hoping for more this year.

This season has been really special and important with a third straight title and playoff appearance.

“I think Irvin (Gutierrez) and Brandon (Harding) have been the most beneficial players on the team this season,” said senior midfielder Danny Martinez. “They’re two great players overall.”

The Jackets have been here before. Two years removed from playing in the state semifinals, the Jackets are looking for another long playoff run this season. It starts Thursday night when the Jackets host Pinecrest for the SAC tournament final.

“It shows that we’re a really good team, and that we have potential,” said senior midfielder Brandon Harding.

“I see this team going really far because we’re a really good team, and we all dedicate ourselves to soccer in games, and practices,” Martinez added.

First Flight High School knocked the Jackets (17-5, 11-1 SAC) out of the state tournament a year ago. The tournament might still be a few days away, but they already have hopes of meeting again this year.

“We feel that the First Flight was an unfair match and we definitely would have a rematch if possible,” Harding said.

The Jackets are focused on playing for a state championship this season. There are 16 seniors on this year’s team with many of them returning from the final four team two seasons ago.

“The guys works hard at practices, took lots of L’s to get where we are today,” Martinez said.

After the conference finals Thursday, state tournament brackets will be released over the weekend for the Jackets playoff schedule.