Parkview, Berkmar Face Off in Lilburn Soccer Showdown

Parkview’s varsity soccer teams will travel across Lilburn tonight to try to avenge a loss in the boys match to Berkmar last year.

The Patriots went into the Big Orange Jungle last year and defeated the Panthers 1-0.

The home loss to a region team was tough, but Parkview squeezed into the state playoffs in the end. Berkmar has long been on the outside as Brookwood and Parkview usually end up winning the playoff spots for Region 8-AAAAA.

Berkmar coach Tracy Crouch, the former Parkview coach, understands the playoff experience is not there for Berkmar.

“After I moved on and became Berkmar’s coach, I quickly learned that our boys here had not made it into the state soccer tournament in over 20 years," he said. "This is my second season with them and that is our ultimate team goal.”

Coach Crouch is trying to take Berkmar where he once took Parkview, a state championship.

“The only way to do that is by beating good teams like Parkview and Brookwood,” continued Crouch. “Beating Parkview last year was a big step for us but we did not accomplish our overall goal. We did not make the tournament by one game. We were so close, but so far away.”

Crouch was a former player for the Panthers from 1987 to 1990. He attended Georgia State University on a soccer scholarship and graduated with a degree in Psychology. After graduation he came back to Parkview to teach and coach for 11 years. Crouch took the varsity boys to a state championship in his first year as head coach in 2005. Parkview’s boys were ranked No. 2 in the nation that year.

Crouch is not the only one to have switched sides. The Patriots also added Ernesto Cardenas to their roster this season. Cardenas played for Parkview for three years as one of the leading goal scorers. His height and heading ability in the box creates problems for defenders.

Cardenas said about facing his former team, “Facing my old team feels like facing any other team. I expect to be treated like any other forward because I know I’ll treat them like any other team”

Can this be considered a competitive rivalry with such different success in recent years?

Crouch believes, “The Berkmar vs. Parkview game isn't a true rivalry in the sense that the Parkview vs. Brookwood game is, but we've always had a healthy respect for each other that I believe dates back to the 'Green Flag' football tradition. Since we are so close in proximity, there is some sibling rivalry.”

Captain Pete Charter of Parkview believes it is a rivalry saying, “I feel it is a rivalry because they are also in Lilburn and since I’ve been in high school our games with them have been tight.”

There certainly is respect among the two teams.

“Parkview is a terrific team who is always prepared and well-coached," Crouch said. "They are a huge hurdle for us, but hopefully, we will be able to give them a competitive game.”

Can these two former Panthers, Crouch and Cardenas, provide a spark for a team looking to make a statement? Can they prove that they are ready to battle with Parkview and Brookwood for a playoff spot?

You can find out as the Panthers visit Berkmar with the boys following the girls at 5:30pm.