Landon Bowers breaks his brothers’ record in win
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STEUBENVILLE – The Bowers’ family has left an indelible mark on the Big Red boys’ soccer program, and the family added to its legacy against Jefferson County rival Edison.
Senior standout Landon Bowers contributed a hat trick and two assists leading Big Red to a 9-0 victory against the Wildcats via mercy rule on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at home on Reno Saccoccia Field inside historic Harding Stadium.
The trio of goals gives Bowers 37 on the season setting a school record. His older brother – Cole – set the school record last season with 36.
“Landon got the three goals he needed to break Cole’s record,” Big Red (12-3-1) head coach Greg Bowers said. “He has worked hard. Losing Tad (Loot) has made more of the offensive responsibility fall on Landon. He has done a great job with us not having Tad.”
Loot, who is a senior, tore his ACL in Big Red’s last scrimmage prior to the start of the regular season.
“Tad was poised to have a breakout senior year before tearing his ACL in our last scrimmage,” Coach Bowers said. “He has been a leader on the sidelines.”
Landon Bowers is now three goals away from tying Bailee Beall for the most goals in a single season in Big Red history. Beall tallied 40 goals for the Big Red girls’ team last season.
Cole Bowers and Beall both eclipsed the 100 goal mark in their illustrious careers.
“Landon and Cole are different,” Coach Bowers said. “Landon would be more of a midfielder if we had Tad. He would be more of a distributor. Without Tad, he has had to take on a dual role on offense.”
Christopher Jones collected two goals and two assists to help lead the way offensively for the Red-and-Black in their victory against Edison, Chase Beall delivered two goals and an assist and Joel Elliot netted a goal and an assist. Also, Joby Ribar recorded a goal, while Teddy Gorman added two assists.
“We played well,” Coach Bowers said. “We moved the ball well. We were able to get a lot of kids into the game. We were able to honor our seniors on Senior Day. It was a good day.”
JJ Lamantia made fives saves in goal for the victors. The shutout was the ninth this season for the boys in red, and Big Red has only allowed 16 goals in 16 games this season.
Nathan Forster finished with 17 saves in goal for the Wildcats (6-9-2).
“Coach (Justin) Wise has done a great job bringing that program back,” Coach Bowers said. “They were nonexistent for four years. They had two wins last season, and they are close to .500 this year. He has done an excellent job bringing that program back.”
Prior to the start of the game, Big Red honored its four seniors – Eli Jankowski, Luca Holt, Tommy Lucas and Loot.
“All four have been with us for four years,” Coach Bowers said. “We lost a couple along the way. Eli, Luca and Tommy have all worked hard. They had to wait their turn to get ample playing time. They have done a great job of leading us to the record we have.”
The seniors lead by example. Holt and Lucas are the anchors of the Big Red defense.
“They come to work,” Coach Bowers said about his seniors. “They come to practice to work. They lead by example. Tommy and Luca are our two center backs. They are a big reason why we have only allowed one goal per game all season.”
The victory was No. 255 for Coach Bowers at Big Red. Coach Bowers added his name to the OHSAA state record book when he recorded victory No. 250 against St. Clairsville Sept. 17 at home.
Big Red is scheduled to end the regular season against Harrison Central at 6 p.m. Thursday out at Wagner Field.
The game against Big Red was the final one of the regular season for the Silver-and-Black. Edison is slated to play St. Clairsville in an Ohio Division IV Eastern District 2 Sectional Co-Final at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 on the road down at Red Devil Stadium. The Red Devils are the No. 3 seed in the tournament, while the Wildcats are the No. 11 seed.