The Sparks boys soccer team started the season against a national powerhouse, and now the Railroaders get to face that same team in the state playoffs.

The NIAA Class 5A state boys soccer tournament is Friday-Saturday at Hug.

In the semifinals on Friday, at 4 p.m., Hug (20-1 overall, 11-1 league) plays Palo Verde (13-4-3, 8-1-1) and at 6 p.m., Sparks (20-3 overall, 11-1 league) plays Coronado (23-0, 10-0).

Coronado, which beat Sparks, 7-0, on Aug. 15 in the first game of the season, is ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 10 in the nation on high school sports website MaxPreps.

Hug beat Sparks, 2-1 last Saturday in double overtime for the 5A-North Regional title.

Coronado is trying for its third straight state title.

Coronado beat Hug, 3-0, last year in the final.

In the 5A-South Regio

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