Route 66 Kickoff Classic begins Aug. 31

Carlinville, North Mac and Staunton among this year’s participating teams

By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter

The gateway to the boys’ high school varsity soccer season is traditionally the Kickoff Classic on Route 66.

This tournament features two pools of four teams. On the final day of the Classic, crossover contests will be played to determine overall placements.

All games, with the exception of the third place and championship matches, will feature 40-minute halves without overtime nor a penalty kick shootout.

If the scored is tied after regulation in the third place match, it will go straight to PKs to determine the third place winner. IHSA postseason rules of 40-minute halves, and, if necessary, overtime periods and PKs, will be used for the championship.

The tournament begins Sat., Aug. 31 and will continue Tues., Sept. 3. The place games will be played Wed., Sept. 4.

The first pool features Carlinville, Wesclin, Lincolnwood and Athens.

The second pool features North Mac, Litchfield, Springfield Lutheran and Staunton.

In pool play, teams will be given three points for a win and one point for a tie. Tiebreaks in the standings will be decided via head-to-head result, fewest goals allowed and overall score differential (Extremum for any match is ±3). If neither of these factors break the tie, it will be decided via a coin flip.

The Kickoff Classic will be hosted by Carlinville and North Mac. The Cavaliers and Panthers will always play on their home field, unless they square off against each other on the tournament’s final day. If that’s the case, the game will be played in Virden.

Seventh, fifth, third and championship game times and locations will be determined after the final matchups are set.

POOL PLAY – AUG. 31
At Carlinville
9:00a Carlinville vs Wesclin
11:00a Lincolnwood vs Athens
1:30p Wesclin vs Lincolnwood
3:30p Athens vs Carlinville
At North Mac
9:00a North Mac vs Litchfield
11:00a Staunton vs Lutheran
1:30p Litchfield vs Staunton
3:30p Lutheran vs North Mac
POOL PLAY – SEPT. 3
At Carlinville
5:00p Litchfield vs Lutheran
7:00p Carlinville vs Lincolnwood
At North Mac
5:00p Wesclin vs Athens
7:00p North Mac vs Staunton