Five Performances GHSA Boys Playoffs - Paideia vs GAC

Friday night featured a playoff clash between the Paideia Pythons and the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. The Spartans got off to a hot start in the first half, heading into the locker rooms with a 1-0 lead. However in the second half, Paideia turned the tide thanks to their set piece play, scoring two goals off set pieces and winning the match 3-1. The Pythons will advance in the playoffs to face the Wesleyan Wolves in their next match. Here are five standout performances from Friday nights match.    Noah was everywhere in the midfield for the Pythons in the match, the center mid showcased his high work rate on both ends of the ball. Defensively, Noah made some crucial challenges and would make multiple challenges in a row, showing his energy and effort to win the ball. Offensively he possesses some good footwork and dribbling in close around defenders, managing to maintain possession while under pressure. Noah scored the second goal for the Pythons, capping off a nice run with a great finish into the bottom corner. He also made some calculated passes around the midfield, distributing the ball well across the pitch.     A defensive center mid, Dalton is almost an extra defender for the Pythons with some attacking threat as well. He clogs up the midfield to thwart opposing attacks with timely stabs and sliding challenges. He also uses his physicality to knock opponents off the ball cleanly. On the ball, Dalton makes good decisions on who to play the ball to and keeps the build-up play flowing in the midfield. After the match, Dalton was the first player to go over and help up some disappointed Spartans players, a sign of a class character and some true sportsmanship.     Benjamin is a striker who combines his blistering pace and quick feet to cause havoc for opposing back lines. He constantly is looking to make runs in behind, whether that be out wide on the wing or more central down the middle, he covers all areas in the attacking third. His crossing when he gets out wide was on display, as he assisted the only goal of the game for the Spartans with a nice corner kick into the box which was headed home. He made the keeper work as well, forcing a couple nice stops from some efforts outside the box.     A right back, Blake plays almost as a wingback for the Spartans when his team is in possession. He makes lots of overlapping runs and offers another threat out wide on attacks. On the ball, Blake brings the ball up into space when offered, and was able to use that to his advantage and play some beautiful long balls in over the top of the Pythons defense. He is defensively sound as well, rarely getting beat by opposing attackers and using his quick pace to cover large areas when needed.     A no-nonsense center back, Jose held it down for the Pythons of the defensive end of the ball. Breaking up lots of long balls and crosses, Jose excels at winning headers and made lots of aerial clearances to get the ball out of danger. Jose spent the last 20 minutes winning challenges and clearing the ball away as the Spartans pushed to equalize. His positioning defensively and decision making was phenomenal, as the Spartans seemed pushing for lost hope towards the end.

Friday night featured a playoff clash between the Paideia Pythons and the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. The Spartans got off to a hot start in the first half, heading into the locker rooms with a 1-0 lead. However in the second half, Paideia turned the tide thanks to their set piece play, scoring two goals off set pieces and winning the match 3-1. The Pythons will advance in the playoffs to face the Wesleyan Wolves in their next match. Here are five standout performances from Friday nights match.