The Bearden High School Boy’s Soccer team, which has compiled a 66-2-3 record during the decade of the 2000s, grabbed the brass ring in 2002 by being named the No. 1 team in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association (NSCAA). The Bulldogs had a perfect season (25-0) while setting a state record of 48 consecutive wins.
The No. 1 ranking came after the Bulldogs won back-to-back state championships in 2001 and 2002. During that time, they had five All-State players, three All-South players, one NSCAA Adidas All-America selection, one Gatorade Player of the Year and one All-America Game Goalkeeper Most Valuable Player. In addition, the team has also been recognized by the NSCAA for academic achievement with a 3.4 grade point average. Their head coach, Eric Turner, was named 2001 Gatorade State Coach of the Year, and both the Knoxville News Sentinel Coach of the Year and District & Regional Coach of the Year for the last 3 seasons.