Geo Pacheco in action vs CSTHEA.(Photo:MindySmith)

Rhea County Loses on Road vs Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee
Home Education Association

March 2026

The Eagles traveled to Camp Jordan stadium field on a crisp, cool evening for a 6:30 kickoff vs. the CSTHEA Patriots. The Eagles came out working hard on the pitch, with lots of physicality on both ends. A direct kick awarded around the 25 yard mark for the Patriots was driven low into the far side of the net despite a great diving attempt by Sam Rasnake, Patriots up 1-0. The Eagles kept battling back with multiple balls being bobbled around in the front of the net but couldn’t quite finish it off. A foul late in the 2nd half 8 yards inside of the box could have tied it up with a PK for our Eagles, but the foul was recalled back by the refs and instead given right outside of the box, which the Eagles tried valiantly to shift and put it in but fell short, halftime score down 0-1. The Eagles came out and kept battling, seeing more attempts and shots than the Patriots, with 1 finally managing to find its way into the far back side of the net, as Sawyer Campbell slotted a ball through to Geo Pacheco, who made sure the shot counted, Eagles tied 1-1. The game kept battling back and forth, with multiple questionable calls against the Eagles or no calls at all for them, which started building frustration on all ends. The Eagles and Patriots kept up a physical battle for the ball all game long, and within the last 10 minutes, an Eagle defender and a Patriots striker both went straight up to head the ball inside of the box, with the striker flopping down, a foul was called for the Patriots. The original PK shot was recalled back, as one of the Patriots charged in too early, so a retake of the PK was allowed, with the ball going in to give the Patriots the edge of 2-1. With the minutes counting down, the Patriots started to waste a lot of time on kicks and throw-ins with no ref interference or reprimands, so the clock ran out before the Eagles could come back and even the score. While the Eagle’s play wasn’t what they wanted out of themselves, they never gave up and kept fighting back the whole game. Spring break next week allows the Eagles to travel to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for some team bonding and games vs. local high schools down there. Safe travels to the Eagles as they go down, and the next game back home will be March 26th, where we host Walker Valley Colts, JV-5pm; V-7pm

Article by Audrey Norman