The long journey to the state soccer finals begins this week with the District 8 Tournament at the Glasgow-Barren County Soccer Complex and Warren Central High School.

The boys’ tournament will kick off Monday in Glasgow with four first round games, while the girls open Tuesday at Warren Central with a trio of games.

In the boys’ tournament, Greenwood and Bowling Green are once again the favorites. The two teams faced off in a scoreless draw last month and have met for the district title in all but one year since 2001. The Purples have won three straight district titles, with Greenwood’s last championship coming in 2005.

While Greenwood and Bowling Green are the favorites, Warren Central and Barren County will look to be the spoilers.

The Trojans finished the season 13-5-1 and will likely meet a Bowling Green team that it tied 1-1 in the season opener in the semifinals. Barren County must get past crosstown rival Glasgow in round one, a team the Trojans beat 5-1 in September and the final week of the regular season.

Warren Central will face off with Warren East in the first round, setting up a possible semifinal match with Greenwood. The Dragons stunned the Gators in 2006 and dropped a tough 1-0 decision in early September.

In the girls’ tournament, Bowling Green and Greenwood are also the favorites – but Warren Central hopes to play spoiler.

The Lady Gators get a first round bye after going 6-0 in district play in the regular season – including a convincing 5-1 win over Bowling Green in September.

Greenwood will meet the winner of Tuesday’s first round game between Glasgow and Barren County, which will be played in Glasgow.

In Tuesday’s other first round games, played at Warren Central, Warren East will meet Warren Central and Bowling Green will face Monroe County.

The top two teams will advance to next week’s Region 4 Tournament at sites to be determined.