After a hard-fought defeat in the District Semifinals last year to Bolles, the Stallions circled the date of this year’s District Championship game and set a rematch with Bolles as their goal. Not necessarily to win, but just to be in the battle for a District finish that might rank them high enough to get into Regional play.  After proving to themselves that they can compete with anyone at that level, it was the team’s laser focus in training as they entered the 22-23 season.

The team got off to a great start with 4 wins and 1 tie through the first five games. Then they ran into a tough Yulee team that handed us our first loss and a bit of a wakeup call- only to be followed up by a devastating loss to District opponent Wolfson 5-0. For a minute it looked like the wheels were coming off and the goal was not so reachable. This team however has a certain “secret sauce” that kicked in and things started turning back around. This team is a family- in every sense they are brothers! They play for something bigger than themselves; they play for each other, for their family and their school, and most of all for God. 

With a new determination, our boys finished the rest of the regular season without a defeat and when the final rankings came out for the District tournament, they were the #2 seed!  This meant a bye in the quarterfinal round and set up the first of many giants that this team would slay… a rematch with Wolfson! In a game most people might have written off as a sure loss, the Stallions came out with a fire that was unstoppable and defeated giant number 1. That set up the very goal they had set on day one- Bolles in the District Championship. In an epic battle that ended tied at 2 in regulation, and scoreless in two overtime periods, the game would be decided by Penalty Kicks. By a tally of 5-4 Providence took down giant #2 and brought home a District Championship!

Now what? We reached our goal and more!…  Let’s just keep being us and playing for family and God’s glory and see what else He has for us!  Next up in the Regional quarterfinals, down goes giant #3, Trinity Catholic!  Following that in the Regional semifinals, another tie in double overtime against powerhouse FSUHS and another Penalty Kick win, 4-3!  This set up the game of the season in Jacksonville- the rematch of Providence and Bolles for the Regional championship!  The game did not disappoint! It was a battle from the opening whistle and again the match ended tied in regulation! The Stallions kept the first overtime period scoreless, but conceded the winning goal with time running out and could not find the equalizer- ending an incredible season as Regional runners-up!

This also ended a 22 year coaching career for Scott Dunckel, a blessing he was not expecting- but if you’re going to go out, it’s a special thing to go out on a high note! It was an amazing season. We are so proud out these boys, so pleased for the seniors to end their careers on such an awesome run, and so excited for the future of this growing program! To God be every bit of the glory!!!