Four teams converged at the Hilldale Community Park field on Saturday, October 30, for the first Bella Vista Futbol League Tournament. Every team played each of the other teams in shortened games with champion determined by points (3 for win, 1 for tie). Goal differentials were not used, and any tie for the championship would go directly to penalty kicks.
The King’s Warriors opened the tournament against the New Castle Knights, and posted a convincing 4-0 shutout. Aaron Smith scored a hat trick, and Jayden Cox added one. Ignite, arguably the strongest team in attendance, defeated Alleghany County 3-1, but then shockingly surrendered points to New Castle when they only managed a 1-1 tie, despite dominating much of the match. The King’s Warriors continued firing on all cylinders and saw Chance Blevins erupt with an offensive explosion against Alleghany County. He scored twice in the first two minutes, then added two more before halftime before being subbed out for most of the remainder of the game, which ended 4-1. New Castle then took on Alleghany County in one of the tournaments best games, with New Castle coming out on top 3-2. In what proved to be the tournament championship, the King’s Warriors faced off against Ignite in the final game. Ignite was stronger and faster overall, but the Warriors knew they could claim first place with only a tie while Ignite had to win. The Warriors played hard with a defensive mindset, and repeatedly frustrated the Ignite attack to post a 0-0 shutout to win the Tournament Championship (KWSC – 7 points; Ignite -5 points; New Castle – 4 points; Alleghany County – 0).
In the post tournament ceremony, Jake Dickens was voted the tournament’s outstanding goalkeeper, and Chance Blevins and Jayden Cox were named to the All Tournament Team. The King’s Warriors were awarded the League Championship banner for 2021, which they will proudly hang in the gymnasium at Countryside Baptist Church in Forest Hill.