It was all about the goal scorers.

The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association all-state soccer game was held in Dalton last week, and the players were wearing the nets out.

The two teams combined for nearly 20 goals, and the final score was 9-8.

A pair of Callaway High soccer standouts were first-hand witnesses to the excitement.

Michael Everett and Josh Cooprider, who helped lead the Cavaliers to the best season in the history of the program, were teammates on the losing team.

Both men said it was a fantastic experience.

“There were some phenomenal players, the best I’ve ever seen for our level,” Everett said. “I really enjoyed playing with them.”

Cooprider shared time with a handful of other goal keepers, and he said it “was really fun” to be around so many gifted players.

“Every guy out there was just top class,” Cooprider said. “The shots were top class. It was a lot of good work, just being in goal for those guys.”

Everett and Cooprider were key players for a Callaway team that shared the Region 5-AA championship before winning the program’s first state-playoff game.

Callaway was hit hard by graduation, which means Everett and Cooprider will play critical roles next season.

“You just want to keep striving, and get better,” Cooprider said.

Everett said he’ll make it a point to help out the younger players.

“We’ve got to get the younger kids brought up our level, so they can train the younger ones, so we can keep a good program going,” Everett said.