For the first time in Fort Atkinson High School history, the boys soccer team has earned a spot in competing for the State Championship title.
The occasion will be celebrated on Friday with a spirit parade send-off including a police escort.
The team clinched the title of Regional Champs after defeating Whitewater at home last Thursday, May 6. Last Saturday, May 8, the team qualified for the State Semifinal by defeating Jefferson 4-1 and then Waupun in a nail-biter that went into overtime with a final score of 3-1 claiming the Sectional Champion title.
Fort Atkinson comes in with a 7-5-2 record and will compete at 11 a.m. at Marian University, Fond Du Lac, against undefeated McFarland High School. If Fort Atkinson comes out on top of that match, they will move on and play the final game at 7 p.m. for the State Championship title.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Fort Atkinson has been allotted a limited amount of tickets to the game. The tickets will be available first to players’ families. Any remaining tickets will be made available to the public for $11 each. Please contact the Athletic Department at the high school for ticket inquiries.
The link to watch the games live is: https://www.wiaawi.org/Media-Center/Watch-Online.
Public invited to send-off
The team will be escorted down Main Street in Fort Atkinson by the Fort Atkinson Police Department at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 14. The public is invited to join in this celebratory send-off by lining the Main Street sidewalks and cheering the team on.
This celebratory send-off was organized by a group of the players’ mothers who wanted to make the experience extra special for their children, the students, and the community. They ask that you gather downtown along Main Street and show your support and Blackhawk Spirit by wearing red and black or your Blackhawk gear. Homemade signs wishing the boys well would be appreciated.
The team and event organizers send a special thank you to Ron and Deb Klement, owners of Klement Towing, for the use of the trollies to transport the team through town.
Team history
The first boys high school soccer team was formed in 1985. Coach Kent Lovejoy was hired as head coach in 2012 and has led the most teams to conference victories in Fort Atkinson soccer history.
Said Lovejoy: “This has been a tough year for the kids all around. With 14 seniors on the roster, it was disheartening when we lost the opportunity to play our regular season of fall soccer last year. We have been fortunate to be able to play an alternate season this spring, and we could not have dreamed of a better outcome. I am excited that they are able to end their high school soccer careers in this extraordinary way.”
Lovejoy asks that the community gives this “historical accomplishment a historical send off.”
The Verlo Mattress Store in downtown Fort Atkinson displays congratulatory signs in advance of this weekend when the Fort Atkinson High School boys soccer team will advance to the State Championship Semifinals. A downtown send-off parade is scheduled for Friday and the game will be played on Saturday. Submitted photos.
The Fort Atkinson High School boys soccer team poses for a picture last Saturday after qualifying for the State Semifinal. The team defeated Jefferson 4-1 and then Waupun in a nail-biter that went into overtime with a final score of 3-1, claiming the Sectional Champion title.
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