West continues early success with win over Greeneville
By Ken Lay
As the 2025 high school boys soccer team heats up, West High is notching some big victories.
The Rebels (8-2-1) captured wins over a pair of powers last week, and had another opportunity for a signature win at press time.
On Thursday night, West looked impressive as it routed Class 2A juggernaut Greeneville, 7-1, at Bill Young Field on the first day of the Bearden Invitational. The Rebels opened a 3-1 lead by halftime as they posted a dominant performance against the Greene Devils.
Nick Jackson, Musah Kromah and Gavin Jones all found the back of the net over the first 40 minutes of the match. Jackson scored the first goal of the match when he tallied in the 11th minute.
Kromah extended the Rebels’ advantage to 2-0 when he scored approximately nine minutes later off an assist from Jones, a sophomore.
The Greene Devils (3-6-1) showed signs of life late in the first half when junior midfielder Samuel Gourley tallied in the 39th minute. But the Rebels would regain command of the match when Jones scored, making the score 3-1, in the waning seconds before halftime.
After the break, the Rebels started fast as William Harriman found the back of the net in the 48th minute. Kyle Finchum was credited with an assist on Harriman’s marker.
From there West dominated things with several players chipping in with offensive contributions. Kromah finished with two goals and two assists. Jones scored and dished out an assist. Harriman scored twice and was credited with an assist. Aidan Shuck-sparer scored a goal.
West closed out play in the Bearden Invitational on Friday against Beech, a solid program from Middle Tennessee. Results were not available at press time.
The win over the Greene Devils was the Rebels’ second big victory of the week. West recorded a 5-1 triumph over Class A power Alcoa on the road Tuesday night.
Jones scored twice and had an assist against the Tornadoes. Jackson, Oliver Bankston and Harriman also tallied in the match.
While West High coach Nick Kim is pleased with his team’s fast start, he’s hoping that the Rebels can continue their consistent play.
“We’re just trying to find our stride and be playing our best at the end of the season,” Kim said. “Sometimes when you play like this early, it’s kind of a catch-22.
“We’ve gotten two big wins this week and we’re playing well. Greeneville is a good team and we were able to come out and score early.”
West has lost one-goal matches against Farragut and Sevier County. The Rebels played Science Hill to a 1-1 tie to open the season. They also have wins over Webb School of Knoxville, Powell, Centennial, Nolensville, Austin-East and Maryville.
