PANAMA CITY BEACH — Mosley’s prowess in girls soccer in recent years has been well documented. But when the District 2-3A tournament begins at Arnold Tuesday evening, it isn’t the Dolphins boasting the longest streak of advancing to the regional round.
Not even close.
Host Arnold is seeking its 11th consecutive regional appearance when it hosts Bay 5 p.m. Tuesday. Mosley, which is the top seed in the tournament, takes a streak of five straight regionals into its 7 p.m. matchup with Rutherford. The semifinal winners, which both qualify for the regional tournament next week, meet 7 p.m. Friday to decide the title.
The difference between the programs, and it is a major one, is that Mosley reached the Class 5A Final Four in 2010 and Arnold has never advanced to even a region championship game.
That could change this postseason, and beginning with Tuesday in what will be the first district soccer tournament featuring only Bay County high schools. The district champion will host a Region 1-3A quarterfinal next week while the runner-up will travel.
Mosley coach Marek Betkowski said this year’s club is much like the Dolphins of 2013 in that they are underclassmen dominated. Betkowski said the roster includes only five seniors and just two of them start.
One difference this winter, however, is that 9-1-2 Mosley played fewer matches. That wasn’t necessarily by design, according to Betkowski, but had its advantages.
“It was something to do with the new district and all Panama City schools,” Betkowski said. “We had few (district opponents) to travel and play.
“We did have more practice time, which can help. But with more (games), by the time you get to district and beyond they can be tired and injured, so I actually feel good about it.”
Elizabeth Vickers has become the Dolphins’ No. 1 scoring option this season, but in Katie Thomas, Taylor Hallmon and Stevie Marie Mullins, to name a few, Betkowski thinks Mosley has sufficient firepower.
Defense could dictate Mosley’s fortunes, and Betkowski feels his team has developed much needed chemistry.
“We are looking for a little more consistent,” he said. “Maybe we had half a game (at times) where we a little bit off, but overall I’m pleased with the defense.”
Rutherford comes in as the fourth seed, and hasn’t been competitive thus far in matches against Mosley while finishing 0-6 in the distsrict.
Second seed Arnold brings a 12-5-0 record into its game with Bay, 6-11-0. The Marlins’ lone district losses were to Mosley, but by representative scores.
Arnold coach James Gardner said his team’s progress was accelerated by the impact of a number of ninth-graders.
“I think overall the team is stronger than I was concerned they’d be,” Gardner said. “We lost some really good seniors, but our freshmen have stepped in a done a really good job.”
In particular, he said, Camryn and Sydney Means, Eden Hawes and Gabby Champagne. They’ve also combined for 16 goals and 13 assists.
Arnold defeated Bay twice during the season, but Gardner shied away from any discussion of dominance.
“To me, that doesn’t mean anything anyway,” he said. “That can just lull you to sleep. We don’t overlook anybody.”
Arnold is led in scoring by senior Autumn Jaworski with 14 goals and eight assists. Kelly Crowley has scored 10 goals, but Camryn Means (eight goals, seven assists) and Jaclyn Lehtio (7-4) have as many or more points.
The District 1-1A tournament featuring Port St. Joe and Franklin County, and 1-2A with Bozeman and Marianna, each began on Monday.