After failing to secure the district championship a couple weeks ago, the 15-and-under soccer team will be back in action this weekend looking to win a championship.

The last time the team saw action was against Eufaula, however, the game ended in disappointment as the team would fall 1-0.

Now, the team again has its eyes on another trophy – the ARPA state championship.

“We are going to be tested from the start,” coach Doug McLendon said

“Our first game against Dothan is going to be tough – I think we will see what we are made off during that game.”

The last time these two teams met was a year ago during the 13-and-under tournament.

Although the Troy team came away with a victory, it was by the slightest of margins, defeating Dothan in a sudden death shootout.

“I expect that the same kind of game on Saturday morning,” McLendon said.

The coach said he has seen improvement since the last time the team was playing competitively.

“We have gotten better since [district],” he said.

“A lot of practices have focused on communicating with one another.” “This team has practiced a lot with each other – they are ready for some real competition,” McLendon added.

Forward Scott McLendon said he believes this team has a chance to do some good things this weekend because of its preparation.

“Practice has been going well,” he said. “It took us awhile to get on the same page because we haven’t really played together in a while, but I think we will be ready for what’s to come this weekend at the state.”

The team will look to play three games during the two-day stretch.

It will for sure play two games on Saturday, with the first game-taking place at 11 a.m. against Dothan and the second game-taking place at 3 p.m. against Opelika.

On Sunday, the 15-and-under championship game will take place at 9 a.m.