Pinewood Prep boys not overlooking St. Joseph's

The Pinewood Prep Panthers are trying to extend their dynasty in boys' soccer. Standing in the Panthers' way is St. Joseph's Catholic School, a veritable David that has been building a reputation as a giant-killer.

The SCISA soccer championships will be played Saturday at Heathwood Hall in Columbia.

Pinewood Prep, the only local team still alive in the playoffs, will play for its fifth straight Class AAA championship at noon. The Panthers, SCISA's top-ranked team, enter the game with a 21-2 record, and reached the final with a 2-1 overtime victory over Cardinal Newman at home on Wednesday. Coach Jason Birchwood said it was the type of game Pinewood has been used to seeing.

"Everyone is coming with their best game plan," he said. "Teams are coming better prepared. From the beginning of the season, we knew teams would be gunning for us. We have to respect every opponent."

At no time could that be more true than when they face St. Joseph's, easy to dismiss as the third-place finisher in its region. On the other hand, the Knights earned their spot in the championship game with a pair of road victories against higher-ranked opponents.

"They have gotten two very good results against two teams that can give us problems," Birchwood said. "We can't go in complacent. They are in the final for a reason. You have to treat them with respect. An underdog at top form is dangerous in any sport."

The Panthers enter the game as the heavy favorite. They have won four consecutive state championships — under Birchwood in 2004 and 2007 and under Winston Helms in 2005-06. It's a program that was put together by Birchwood and Helms as coach and assistant, and it has thrived with each class of newcomers.

"It's an interesting situation for me, starting and seeing where the program has come," Birchwood said. "I know repeating (as champion) is hard. That's why I like to coach. I like the challenge — getting kids to act in unison.

"The challenging part is getting guys to believe in your concept, your team. Making them ready to sacrifice for the team. They have to put aside their egos for the common good."

Three Panthers landed on SCISA's all-state soccer team: Malcolm Reid, Trey Reidmayer and Alex Filo. Reid is used as a defender and midfielder, but Birchwood describes him as a utility player. Reidmayer is a midfielder and striker, and Filo plays defender and some midfield.

"In essence, we attack a lot. Our defenders attack a lot. We try to create opportunities with our defenders," he said. "We do spend a lot of time on our defense."

Pinewood and St. Joseph's have not played each other this season, but Birchwood expects the Knights to provide a familiar look to the Panthers.

"St. Joseph's is very technically sound. They are very similar to us," he said. "That's the kind of game we prefer to play. They might not be as physical as the other teams we've faced, but we have to respect their technical ability."