BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood boys soccer team hammered at West Florence in the second half of their game Tuesday night.
The Bengals took 17 shots on goal over the last 40 minutes, but what made the difference was West Florence’s push inside the penalty box. Striker Cayden Berzins’ penalty kick that followed went to the right of the Knights’ goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 74th minute of the game.
“He’s our PK guy,” head coach Robby Setzler said. “He took a nasty knock late in the game, but he’s cool, calm, and collected from his spot, so I’m really proud of him.”
Blythewood (16-1-1, 10-0) held West Florence (8-5, 6-3) scoreless the rest of the way at District Two Stadium in to preserve a 1-0 victory and clinch the team’s second straight Region 5-5A championship.
“I’m proud of them. and to be where we’re at, to clinch a region championship two times in a row, it hadn’t been done here in a long time,” Setzler said. “I’m happy to be a part of it for sure.”
Before the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the last time Blythewood won a region title was in 2021.
Setzler, in his fifth year with Blythewood, won his 100th career game last April. He is 87-38-6 with the Bengals since taking over from longtime Blythewood head coach Peter Widdig, who retired.
Blythewood tried to push an advantage in the first half, keeping the ball in enemy territory most of the time. On its heels, the West Florence defense either knocked the Bengals’ attempts away or the Blythewood shots missed their mark.
“I wish we would’ve played a little bit better in the first half, but I thought we were able to come out in the second half and were able to keep them under pressure and alleviate some of the pressure off of us.”
The Bengals close out the regular season at Sumter Friday and with a home game against Ridge View May 1.
Blythewood averages 3.5 goals per game. Junior Daulton Purcell leads the team with 18 goals and 12 assists. Senior Ryan Hall has 10 goals and four assists on the season, as does Berzins, a junior, who also has 12 assists.