Hurricanes capture first Class A Boys Soccer State Championship

Shellie Murdaugh, Bluffton TodaySun, May 31, 2026·2 min read

The second time was the charm May 21 for the Hardeeville High School varsity boys’ soccer team in their quest to win its first-ever SCHSL Class A boys state championship.

The team faced Dixie High School, the same team as in the first matchup, but with different results as the Hurricanes defeated the Green Hornets 3-2 in overtime.

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“I want to first give glory to God for allowing us to be able to enjoy this beautiful game,” said Hurricanes Head Coach Misael Garzon. “All year we spoke about trusting the process and finishing the job this team started last year.”

Garzon is in his first year as the head coach and Athletic Director, coming over to Hardeeville in September after coaching for nine years at May River.

Garzon said throughout the season the players worked hard to earn the opportunity to play in the championship game and finished what they started last year.

“They persevered and never forgot their why and earned the right to be called state champions,” he said.

The Hurricanes came into the match with an 18-7 overall record and with the win completed its ninth consecutive win. The team lost last year’s championship match to Dixie High School 2-1.

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Hardeeville made it into the championship game this year by capturing the region title with a 9-1 region record and taking its second straight Lower State Championship recently with a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Charleston Math & Science.

The first goal in the championship game went to the Hurricanes in the first few minutes on a penalty kick when senior midfielder Fabian Ramirez, who was also an all-state player and region player of the year, scored the game’s opening goal.

The Green Hornets were able to knot up the score 1-1 ten minutes later with both teams going into halftime tied. Dixie High School opened the second half in the first minute with a goal to take a 2-1 lead. Efrain Tinoco, a senior two-time all-state player and all-region for the Hurricanes, tied the game 2-2 around midway in the second half, scoring off an assist by senior Kevin Lopez.

The game finished in regulation tied with the first overtime ending without either team scoring. The Hurricanes freshman Caden Mitchell scored the game-winning goal with eight minutes remaining off an assist by Fabian Ramirez.

This article originally appeared on Bluffton Today: Hurricanes win first-ever Class A Boys Soccer State Championship