The ultimate weekend of lobbying for spots within the inaugural School Soccer Playoff has begun and Military needs to be in that dialogue.
The Black Knights wrapped up an ideal first season within the American Athletic Convention, simply dispatching favored Tulane 35-14 within the title recreation on Friday evening at West Level. No. 24 Military was 8-0 in regular-season play, and moved to 11-1 total.
Military was the discuss of the nation for some time this fall, profitable its first 9 video games of the season and lengthening the nation’s longest win streak to 13 video games. A powerhouse Notre Dame crew put an finish to that fairly convincingly two weeks in the past, however Military bounced again, knocking off Texas San Antonio to clinch home-field for the AAC remaining after which dominating the Inexperienced Wave within the championship.
The percentages are actually towards the Black Knights being chosen for the one coveted playoff spot being provided to the second-tier Group of 5 conferences – that seems to be going to Mountain West Convention champion Boise State – however Military coach Jeff Monken mentioned his crew deserves a more in-depth examination.
“I’d like to see this crew get a crack at it,’’ Monken mentioned after the Tulane recreation. “The best way they’re enjoying and the dedication that they play with, the arrogance they play with … we’d give anyone some hell, I do know that.’’
Monken has held his views on the CFP rankings near the vest however lastly laid out the argument barely two days earlier than the committee finalizes the sphere following championship weekend, not least of which is there are solely seven groups within the nation (after Friday evening) which have received at the least 11 video games.
“This (Military) crew performed 11 regular-season video games,’’ Monken mentioned, reminding folks that Military nonetheless has yet one more recreation to play, towards Navy. “They’ve crushed all people they put in entrance of us, aside from the quantity 4 crew within the nation (Notre Dame), they usually beat the pants off of us … I get it. However we beat all people else and simply beat one other bowl crew tonight.’’
Military can also be the highest dashing crew within the nation and a top-10 crew in complete protection. The Black Knights have been ranked within the AP Prime 25 for eight consecutive weeks – that’s the first time since 1958. Military has additionally made the CFP Prime 25 rankings for 4 of the previous 5 weeks.
AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti mentioned earlier within the week that his league’s champ – particularly an 11-1 Military crew – ought to obtain critical consideration, a degree Monken echoed on Friday.
“I believe this crew might compete in addition to any Group of 5 crew within the nation, within the playoff,’’ Monken mentioned. “I do not know what would occur after we get in there (the playoff). We might solely be capable to discover out if we get in.’’
Monken typically refers to his personal squad as America’s Crew, relying on a sense of patriotism for the Military and what it stands for in defending the nation’s pursuits.
“Who in faculty soccer, who round America would not be excited to see the Military Black Knights within the playoff?’’ Monken posed. “I believe all people would. It is a distinctive, totally different model of soccer. All people in America can cheer for his or her home-state crew and their alma mater, and nonetheless cheer for Military.
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“I believe there could be a variety of pleasure to have this crew within the playoff,’’ Monken added.
The School Soccer Playoff area, in addition to the remaining faculty bowl video games, might be introduced on Sunday (midday ET, ESPN).
kmcmillan@th-record.com
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Prime faculty soccer win marks in 2024
(via Friday evening)
12 wins: Boise State; Oregon
11 wins: Military; Penn State; Indiana; Notre Dame; Texas
10 wins: Arizona State; Brigham Younger; Georgia; Iowa State; Louisiana; Miami; Nevada Las Vegas; Ohio State; Tennessee