Polk Middle thumps Rugby in regular-season finale

Polk County Middle closed its regular season Wednesday on a winning note, thumping Rugby Middle 6-1 in a conference battle at Utz Field.

The Wolverines close the season with a 6-5-1 record. Polk appears set to receive the fourth seed in the Blue Ridge Conference East Division, which would mean a first-round trip in the BRC postseason tournament to Macon Middle. Official pairings will be announced Friday.

Polk jumped ahead Wednesday in the fifth minute as Luke Garrison scored on a pass from Ross Dow. The Wolverines scored again just minutes later as Hunter Ledford found the net after a low cross from Brennan Oates.

Tallis Metcalf upped the advantage to 3-0 in the 15th minute, scoring on an assist from Ross Dow.

Rugby struck for its goal early in the second half, but the Wolverines soon responded as Dow outraced a defender for an Erik Pena pass and took advantage of the breakaway to score in the 45th minute.

Oates added a goal in the 54th minte, the assist going to Pena, before goalkeeper Charlie Wagoner moved out of goal and into the forward lineup and scored just before the end of the match on a pass from Cole Huntley.