GATLINBURG, Tenn. -- A pair of boys soccer small school state powers clash today, kicking off the Smoky Mountain Cup, and effectively ringing in the national spring season.

Sure, several states are already weeks into spring play and there have been a few marquee clashes between out-of-state foes, but the Smoky Mountain Cup, part of the High School Cup series, elevates it to another level.

Today, [Lausanne Collegiate School tn-m] (Tenn.) squares off with FAB 50 No. 18 George Mason (Va.) and FAB 50 No. 25 Greeneville takes on Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.). Both matches are slated for 6 p.m. EST.

Lausanne, George Mason and Greeneville combined to go 41-4-2 last year, and all three won state titles.

Other key participants this weekend include Father Ryan (Tenn.) and McGill-Toolen (Ala.).

This is the first of two weekends for the Smoky Mountain Cup. This week, 45 teams, primarily from Tennessee, will be competing. In two weeks, the second Smoky Mountain Cup event features more out-of-state programs and could have far greater FAB 50 implications. The Southern Coast Cup, run by the same event organizers, completes the trio of major spring events, and that will take place the first weekend in April in Alabama. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK

F: Zorhan Boston, George Mason (Va.), Jr.

GK: Max Cole-Staley, Fairview (Tenn.), Sr.

M: Declan Quill, George Mason (Va.), So.