As August rolls in, high school soccer teams across the region are gearing up for the first competitive matches of the season, and three early‑season tournaments are already setting the tone for what promises to be a busy year.
The centerpiece is the John Martin Kickoff Tournament, hosted by East Alton‑Wood River, where six squads will contest pool play before the finals on August 29.
Defending Champions and Pool Dynamics
Jersey Panthers enter as the reigning champions, having edged Southwestern in a dramatic overtime penalty shootout last year. Their opening pool encounter will pit them against East Alton‑Wood River, while Southwestern must first test themselves against the hosts before a potential rematch.
Schedule details show pool games slated for August 24, 25 and 27, with the championship match slated for 7 p.m. on August 29, followed by placement games later that evening.
Beyond the John Martin event, the Alton Redbird Tournament will run from August 26 to 29 at Alton High, Piasa Motor Fuels Field and Public School Stadium, featuring eight teams in a single‑elimination format, while the Kickoff Classic on Route 66, a joint effort by Carlinville and North Mac, stretches into early September with playoff rounds scheduled for September 2 on artificial‑turf fields.
These early competitions not only give teams a chance to fine‑tune tactics but also honor local soccer heritage; the John Martin Tournament commemorates the former EA‑WR coach who steered the program from 1980 to 1985, compiling a 62‑34‑11 record and a 63 % win rate.