October 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
7
GHSA Will Expand to Seven Classifications + A Q & A with Gary Phillips, GHSA Executive Director
10 Class of 2017 SEGA’s Best Class Ever? Southeast Georgia Area Juniors 21 Stepping Up BIG Justin Larson Glynn Academy 24 Keeping the Blue Tide Rolling Eric McNair Long County High School
28 WMS Players Learn That Winning Is A Habit LaDedric Castellanos Hudson Spurlock Waycross Middle School 32 Attention to Detail Jaquez Bolds Ware County High School 36 Sibling Rivalry Williams Brothers Appling County High School Pierce County High School
Also Inside Camden County High School............17 Ware County High School.................19 Wayne County High School...............35 Pierce County High School................39 Bacon County High School................41
October 2015
From the Publisher
Tell us your thoughts!
Read more about the Williams Brothers on page 36
To use a golf term for this football season “we’re at the turn starting the back nine.” Most teams have played half their season as I write this and we have several teams in playoff contention. Teams we’ve come to expect to be in the playoff running are out leading the pack. Camden and Ware are undefeated at the moment and you have teams like Liberty, Pierce and Charlton all ranked in the top 10 in their respective classifications. Should be a great run to the playoffs with plenty of football to play to determine which teams make it to the dome. Could 2017 be the best class ever for collegiate talent coming out of SEGA? Last year we featured 6 student athletes on the covers of In the Game from the class of 2017 and this month we are featuring 4 more. Richard LeCounte, Liberty County’s own who is listed as the #7 player in the country for 2017. Stetson Bennett, the Pierce County QB is one of the top passers in the state of Georgia. De’Antne Demery, this Brunswick Pirate offensive lineman has been getting offers since his freshman year. Last but not least, DeeJay Dallas will
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play his college ball at UGA after he graduates from Glynn Academy. There’s some serious talent in SEGA for the class of 2017. Glynn Academy’s Justin Larson is familiar with the term “next man up”. In the state playoffs in 2014 Larson was called upon to take over for the injured starting QB. Larson was cool under pressure and advanced his Red Terrors deep into the playoffs. In the classroom Larson shines as well. He’s been taking advance content and accelerated courses at Glynn Academy and winning in the classroom as well as on the field. There’s a lot to be said for youth and enthusiasm, you just don’t hear it much when describing High School head coaches. Meet Long County’s new head coach Eric McNair. McNair is the youngest head coach in the SEGA coverage area with the unenviable task of returning Blue Tide Football back to prominence. McNair has a good staff in place and an administration and community who wants to win and I think they have the right man at the helm. It’s been a few years since Waycross Middle School has won a conference championship. They played for it last year but came up short in OT losing to Arthur Williams in Jesup. Met two of the reason the Dawgs will have a shot at making a return trip, Hudson Spurlock and Ladedric Castellanos. Spurlock and Castellanos give the bulldogs a 1-2 punch on offense and both play on the defensive side of the ball at middle linebacker and safety respectfully. They both are leaders with the same goal, championship. Meet 2011 Crosby Nissan Middle School Player of the year Jaquez
Bolds. Now a senior at Ware County High School Bolds is having another award winning season for the Gators. The only thing difficult is which award. Bolds has played outstanding on defense at his linebacker position and is one of the leading tacklers on the team. When on offense Bolds is one of the leading rushers while playing with a host of running backs in the Gator backfield. Regardless of which side of the ball Bolds is playing up to the potential everyone saw in 2011. We hope you enjoy reading In the Game as much as we enjoy producing and publishing it. We are always open to suggestions as well as story ideas or ways you think we can improve our magazine. Please visit our Website at www.inthegamemagazine. com and Facebook at www.facebook. com/inthegamemagazine. Follow us on Twitter @SEGAIn TheGame and on Instagram at inthegamesega. You can now keep up with all the Friday Night scores across SEGA and the state with our new partner App Scorestream. Download the scorestream app at Google Play or the Appstore today. Join us every Thursday evening live from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. as we broadcast live from Firehouse Subs in Waycross. Listen to “In the Game on Radio” on WWUF 97.7 FM or stream the show live on www.waycrossradio. com.While you’re online, don’t forget to nominate a deserving studentathlete or coach for one of our feature articles. You’ll be glad you did.
Email us at info@inthegamemagazine.com to let us know what you thought of the September edition of itg!
Contributors Publisher Shawn Smoak Editors Mark Dykes Sarah Turner Graphics Sarah Turner Cover Photography Jeffrey Griffith Old Goats Photography Feature Photography Jeffrey Griffith Old Goats Photography Jennifer Carter Johnson Jennifer Carter Johnson Photography Bo Carter Bo Carter’s Sports Pictures Feature Writers Rob Asbell John DuPont John Wood Copy Editor James Washington Advertising/Marketing Shawn Smoak shawn@inthegamemagazine.com Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com Website Manager Cole Parker SEGA Prep Sports P.O. Box 2960 Wayross, Ga. | 31502 Corporate Office: Dykes Media Group, Inc. P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, Ga. | 31603 In the Game is published monthly (excluding July). The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group, Inc. makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2015 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.
SEGA
N ews
October 2015 written by John Dupont
The Georgia High School Association recently unveiled its much-anticipated restructuring of the state’s high school classifications in a move designed to restore parity to the association’s 451 member schools. On August 17, the GHSA’s Executive Committee gave a collective thumbs-up to a blueprint that calls for the addition a seventh competition classification beginning in 2016 and includes a so-called “Big 44” at the top of the enrollment ladder, as well as a public/ private classification. The GHSA currently consists of six classifications, from A through AAAAAA.
“This isn’t an ‘answer-all’ solution by any means, but right now, it is probably the most fair proposal we have had in a while,” says J.T. Pollock, the head football coach and athletic director at Appling County High School, and a member of the state’s Executive Committee. “We’ve been meeting on this since April, and the two ‘big dogs’ on the committee - Dave Hunter and Earl Etheridge – have been talking to schools. They brought in some ideas to the committee and, through this laborious process, we came up with a plan that includes facets from several plans.”
Hunter (Region 8-AAAAAA) and Etheridge (3-AAAAA) helped spearhead efforts on the committee, which also includes Pollock and two other athletic directors from In the Game’s Southeast Georgia coverage area: Charlton County High School’s Jesse Crews and Mike Thompson of Bacon County High School. “Dave and Earl did a lot of the leg work, for sure,” says Thompson. “It’s hard to make everybody happy, but they were trying to do something that was best for everyone in the state, not just Metro Atlanta or South Georgia. In Atlanta, they might drive 50 miles and pass 30 schools, but down here, we can drive 50 miles and maybe not pass a single school. There are still a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’, and like Dr. Phillips has said, ‘We’re a long way from the finish line.’” The Executive Committee opened the table for suggestions from all
comers and ultimately drafted a plan featuring the “best of the best” from more than a dozen proposals. The new plan calls for reclassification every four years, as opposed to the traditional two-year turnover cycle, albeit with a key oversight feature. The legislation allows for a two-year “adjustment period” designed to allow schools to move up or down in mid-classification if their school experiences drastic enrollment shifts. “We’ll re-evaluate you at midcycle and move you up or down if you have grown or lost folks,” says Crews. “In the past, we might have shoved some small people up into Class AA that didn’t need to be there. We don’t want to do that to anyone. This plan went before a state oversight committee of five state senators and five state representatives, and they were all okay with the plan.”
Here are some key aspects of the new plan, which won’t shake out until after the October submission of each school’s Full Time Equivalent (FTE) figures: > There will be eight championships in the socalled “power-ranked” sports of football, softball, basketball, and baseball. > The GHSA will place the state’s largest 44 schools at the top of the chain. This group will consist of schools whose enrollment is approximately 2,000 or greater. > The old Class A will be renamed “Public/Private”. There are 33 schools in GHSA that don’t play football and will be taken out of the mix for the purpose of figuring percentages upon which the five remaining classes will be based. Twentyeight of the aforementioned schools will be placed in the “Public/Private” classification, with the other five schools being added back into the In the Game | 7
October 2015
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mix elsewhere. > There are 24 teams in both the public and private playoffs in the new proposal. The top eight schools on each side will receive a bye during the opening round of the playoffs, while 16 other teams will compete in round-one action. > Remaining schools not placed in either the “Big 44” or the “Public/Private” division will then be divided up among five classifications – Classes A through AAAAA – with 19 to 21 percent of the remaining total of schools being allotted to each of those classifications. > The plan calls for implementation of a “multiplier” in cases
where more than three percent of a school’s students come from outside the county in which the school is located. If a school exceeds that percentage, it will be required to move up one classification. However, this caveat applies only to those schools assigned to classes A through AAAA. Schools have the right to appeal such a decision. > Schools may still opt to “play up” in a higher classification. If such a request is approved, the higher classification involved would then ask its smallest school to play down a classification in an effort to maintain balance among all classes.
Q & A With GHSA Executive Director Gary Phillips
ITG: As we begin 2015-16, thoughts are already close to the next round of realignment, which GHSA will soon decide in December. What should member schools be most mindful of during this process? GP: The final ratification will be done in January. There are a series of steps that are prescribed in the constitution in deciding reclassification, including in the fall FTE counts come in. The tendency for some is to look at reclassification and say, ‘This is good for football’ and it may be. But we have to think more long-term and think more globally in devising a plan that not only takes care of football, but also 22 others sports and decide what
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is best for the gamut of programs and variety of schools. We are going to have some 455 schools when the dust settles. Everybody is going to look at it from a ‘what’s in it for me standpoint,’ but we’ve got to look at it from the point of what’s in it for everyone. ITG: At the July meeting, the GHSA’s re-classification meeting studied 13 separate reclassification proposals presented by schools and regions. Is there a specific criteria a plan should have in order to “make the cut” for a final vote? GP: We didn’t go into this with the idea that a particular proposal was only acceptable if it met certain items. We spent some time in the past year traveling around the state having different meetings to hear what schools had to say and what their concerns were, like the public-private school debate. Once we got into January and February, we talked about taking proposals and said ‘If you have an idea, fine. Send it to us.’ We just didn’t put any value judgment on it and put it all out there in order to see what other schools and regions see what the answer might be.
ITG: Does GHSA study blueprints put forth by other state associations when considering realignment? GP: I think the committee has had some exposure. All these guys have friends in other states. But you have to be careful with that. Some of the geographical area they (other states) cover is not all that large. I think the committee counts on us to say, ‘This is what a certain state does. This is what was voted in and was not accepted.’ So we kind of have some idea of what other states are thinking about, but not everybody nationally is on the same reclassification rotation. Some states do it every 2 years, 4 years, and even 3 years. I’m not sure how they do that, especially in football. And then you have some that even do so every year. ITG: What else would you want us to know about reclassification? GP: Out of those 13 proposals, certain ones were eliminated; t was about half and half. But others were tabled by the committee. That way either the entire proposition or elements of that proposition could be brought forth in the future where an idea could
be plucked and the committee could come forward with a compilation of good ideas. The August meeting in Macon sets the framework that will be put in place. Then we have to wait on the Department of Education. We will get the private school numbers in September and the public school numbers in October, and then we’ll start lining the schools up. ITG: Looking elsewhere, the GHSA incorporated the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee several years ago. How valuable has that innovation been thus far? GP: The big thing we did in April was to institute the limited football contact regulations. We got some support from the committee, but obviously the driving force for changes in football came from the national association… We signed onto the changes necessary for the amount of practice time, coupled with changes put in place a couple years ago – like coaches using the wet bulb at practice – to the amount of time they can be involved in hitting, be outside, and how many times they can be outside. We instituted heat and humidity policy several years ago and we were a major player in the concussion
legislation. We were either third or fourth in the nation to adopt limited contact regulations for football. ITG: GHSA has also taken a lead role against hazing and bullying. What are the most important oversights in place to prevent those situations? GP: We will do whatever we can to help schools address this. We wrote a couple articles about it and in the spring we adopted an anti-bullying and hazing policy that has not been completely been adopted, but it has raised awareness. There is an antibullying law in Georgia, thanks to the state legislature. Every state doesn’t have one. It (bullying) is out there and we just need to get it out of the school culture altogether, so we need to take a lead rule. ITG: These days everyone has a Facebook page and GHSA is no exception. How has social media played a role in the advancement of the association’s mission? GP: Based on what our marketing director (Alan Sharp) tells us, that’s where the information dispersal is going. We no longer print out a book and send it to schools. Over the years we have decreased the number of things we’ve printed and are
going more and more into the area of technology. Our marketing director has been the driving force behind that. I’m a dinosaur; I use a black ink pen and a yellow note pad. But I’m wise enough to listen to those who are suggesting good, sound practices. ITG: Would you agree that the Association’s partnership with the NFHS Network has also taken sports to a new level in Georgia? GP: Ralph Swearingen saw what was happening and Georgia was one of the first to sign on with the NFHS Network. Ralph was a major player in how that was constructed; he jumped in with both feet. And It’s going to be a growing entity. It gets our message out there about sportsmanship, integrity in the game, and bullying issues, plus it just puts our product out there in another avenue for all level of fans. It’s on TV in Georgia, but it’s not on TV in say, Montana, so now someone can see their grandchildren play or see their old high school play. We’re excited about being an early partner with the Network and about putting our product out there. ITG: In the past year, the GHSA lost a friend in the passing of former executive direc-
tor Tommy Guillebeau. What do you think Coach Guillebeau would be most proud of when looking at the Association today? GP: Tommy protected the GHSA financially and he drove the bus to get the GHSA on TV starting with the football playoff games. He signed the first corporate partnerships, starting in football with companies like Molten and Wilson. He was a pioneer in that area when nobody else thought about it. Tommy was also somebody that felt like the executive committee members need to be drawn into a network. Mr. (Bill) Fordham (Guillebeau’s predecessor) wasn’t big on that so Tommy was a real leader in laying groundwork. Ralph was a great steward in taking those pieces and building onto that foundation. He guided that process, so they are both hard acts to follow. ITG: What else do you want people to know about the mission of the GHSA these days? GP: We work hard every day and we are all about what is best for high schools and athletes. We are always trying to look at the big picture. We know that 97 percent of our kids won’t play sports in college, so we want the high school experience to be the very best it can be.
Sega’s best class ever?
Class of 2017 written by Rob Asbell | photography by Jeffrey Griffith
presented by
They are among America’s most wanted, sought by college recruiters clamoring to speak with them and get each one to visit their respective campuses. Amazingly, all of them are just juniors; 11th graders who made their mark on the football field during their first two years of play. Now, with offers to play college football pouring in, these standouts have the attention of football fans and coaches alike. Rather than waiting until their senior year to shine, these athletes have taken the early route and had recruiters taking notice as early as their freshman season. This summer, some were visiting college campuses, while others were attending camps to better themselves. Getting to this point has taken a lot of hard work from each if them to continuously improve themselves. “I constantly remind myself I am not where I want to 10 | inthegamemagazine.com
be,” says Pierce County’s Stetson Bennett. He learned the value of a strong work ethic from his father, who was his first coach. “He taught me that in order to succeed, you must work harder than anyone else.” For Liberty County’s Richard LeCounte, improvement has come by learning. “I study as much as I can about the game.” His methods have worked well, as most of the prominent schools in the country have offered him scholarships. Meanwhile, Glynn Academy’s Deejay Dallas has made his decision early and verbally committed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. While those three use speed to their advantage, D’Antne Demery of Brunswick High School uses his size to move people out of the way, clearing holes for running backs and keeping defensive linemen away from quarterback Randon
Jernigan. Even at 6’6” and more than 300 pounds, Demery finds that preparation is the key to success. “Work hard in the weight room, watch film, and study hard,” he says. So far the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee are looking at him. Together, they already have nearly 50 offers to play college football, and they haven’t even made it to their senior years. The group would not be complete without mentioning highly recruited Vidalia High School linebacker and running back Nate McBride, who is sitting out his junior year due to injury. He also carries a pocket full of college offers in his junior year. They represent one of the most recruited classes to ever come out of Southeast Georgia. This begs the question… The Class of 2017: Is it Southeast Georgia’s best ever?
Richard LeCounte
Safety Liberty County High School Hinesville, Ga College plans: LeCounte plans to major in communications and become a journalist. “One day having my own newspaper company.” Favorite part of the game? “The feeling you get after winning a big game with your teammates.” Schools who are looking at you: “I have 23 offers,” LeCounte says. (Those include colleges such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, and UCLA.) What do you do away from school and practice? “After practice, I study; when I am settling in at night, I watch old football games or basketball games.” LeCounte was also a member of the Panthers basketball team that made it to the state semifinals. He was named All-Region 3-AAAA and All-State as a guard. Coach Kirk Warner on Richard LeCounte: “Of course Richard is a very important part of our team. He brings excitement and leadership qualities. Hopefully his skills on the field will open up opportunities for his teammates to make plays, because most coaches will design defenses to keep Richard from beating them. As far as his recruitment is concerned, he has a few favorites, but it’s still too early to tell where he will end up.”
With nearly two dozen college scholarship offers, Liberty County’s Richard LeCounte is already one of the most sought after players in the nation. The junior from Riceboro runs the 40 in 4.43 seconds and plays several positions for head coach Kirk Warner’s Panthers, although he is being recruited primarily as a defensive back. He was the MaxPreps Freshman of the Year runner-up and a first team AllAmerican his freshman and sophomore years. LeCounte started playing sports at 6 years old, with his mother as his first basketball coach. His father coached him in flag football and track, and by the time he was in eighth grade, he bypassed playing in middle school and was playing junior varsity at the high school. LeCounte had played just a few games his sophomore year when he started getting collegiate offers. Now, he gets phone calls from Ohio State’s Urban Meyer; LeCounte’s friend and former Liberty County teammate, Raekwon McMillan, has become a superstar. LeCounte is known as a big hitter from his defensive back position, destroying quarterbacks when he comes on a blitz. Coach Warner uses LeCounte in several positions to get the ball in his hands on offense. He can be at quarterback in the Pistol formation, or throwing the ball out of the halfback pass. Usually he is carrying the ball as a running back or catching passes as a wide receiver. No matter where he plays, LeCounte is adept at making the first defender miss with his elusive style of running. Last season against Richmond Hill, he had four touchdowns and four tackles. 11
Deejay Dallas
Defensive Back Glynn Academy Brunswick, Ga
Classroom Clout: Dallas is a member of the Glynn Academy Student Council and holds a 3.6 grade point average. He is on schedule to graduate early, in December 2016, so that he can start classes at the University of Georgia, where he plans to major in veterinary science. Favorite part of the game? “Blocking and scoring touchdowns.” Schools who are looking at you: Georgia (verbally committed), Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, California, and Mississippi State. Who has helped you the most and how? “My family,” Dallas says. “They push me and encourage me to be the best everyday.” What goes through your mind when you break huddle knowing you are about to get the ball? “Let’s get it.” Coach Rocky Hidalgo on DeeJay Dallas: “DeeJay’s talent is matched by his personality and character. Not only is he a great athlete who can change the game at any moment, he is a great competitor who challenges himself and his teammates to push beyond their boundaries.”
Deejay Dallas already knows where he is going college. The Glynn Academy junior gave his verbal commitment to the University of Georgia before the start of the 2015 season and will be joining the Bulldogs in Athens after he graduates early from high school next year. Dallas is a playmaker on both sides of the ball and is a threat to score at anytime. He started the season off with a bang, catching a long touchdown pass on his first reception of the year. The following week, he snatched an interception and weaved his way to the end zone 12 | inthegamemagazine.com
for a 77-yard touchdown against archrival Brunswick. The 6’0” athlete with a 4.52 40-yard dash can play several positions, including running back, wide receiver, and defensive back for Rocky Hidalgo’s Red Terrors. In college, he will play wherever Mark Richt wants him. “Either slot or corner; I’ll probably return kicks, too.” Dallas was named All-Region 3-AAAAA last season to go along with All-State honors. He started playing sports when he was 4 years old and soon discovered that football was his favorite. At 7, he
returned a kickoff for a touchdown during a little league game. He became a starter for the Terrors his freshman year and continued to stand out. His most memorable game came last season, when Glynn Academy had to come from behind to defeat the Drew Titans in overtime during the first round of the playoffs. Dallas pushes himself constantly and credits working hard for his success on the field. “Trying to outwork the competition is every aspect of life.”
D’Antne Demery
Offensive Lineman Brunswick High School Brunswick, Ga Classroom clout: Demery has a grade point average of 3.1 and has a world of opportunity open to him. “Right now I’m considering the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama, the University of Auburn, the University of South Carolina, and Ohio State,” Demery says. “I plan to major in business.” Schools that are looking at you: Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, Clemson, Illinois State What goes through your mind on the field? “Don’t lose, and go hard.” Coach Larry Harold on D’Ante Demery: “D’Antne Demery is a big, athletic, and physical offensive lineman with so much untapped potential. He is a soft-spoken and quiet leader that tries to do everything that his coaches ask of him. Demery has a very bright future here at Brunswick High and beyond.”
“Which one is he?” asked someone in the crowd at a Brunswick Pirates’ game earlier this season. “He’s the biggest guy on the field,” came the response. At 6’6” and 305 pounds, D’Antne Demery stands out on the Brunswick offensive line in more ways than one. Number 77 is a people-moving machine for Larry Harold’s Pirates, lining up at tackle and, sometimes, on one side of the line by himself when they run an unbalanced set. His favorite part of playing football? “Knocking people out,” Demery says.
He recalls last season’s 28-7 victory over Statesboro when he got a clean shot on a Blue Devil defender. “I pulled around and destroyed a guy.” Despite his size and penchant for rendering opposing players unconscious, Demery is a quiet young man who leads by example. Known as “Big Man,” Demery lives up to his Facebook and email nickname, towering over opponents and teammates alike. He can bench press 325 pounds and squat 535. Demery was always one of the biggest players and started playing football
when he was 9 years old. He continued playing through middle school and became a varsity starter in ninth grade. He was named Second-Team All-Region 3-AAAAA in 2014, he received an invitation to play in the Army All-American game and the Rising Senior game, and he was named Most Valuable Lineman at MVP Camp in Valdosta. This season, Demery is clearing out defenders for the Pirates as a junior. While he is considering several offers, he has not yet decided where he will play college football. In the Game | 13
Stetson Bennett
Quarterback Pierce County High School Blackshear, Ga Classroom Clout: Bennett likes to read and holds a 4.0 grade point average. He is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Beta Club, while taking dual-enrollment college classes. He was chosen for the 2015 Georgia High School Magazine All-Academic Team and was a Baseball Academic Athlete of the Week. Hopefully I get the opportunity to play football or baseball in college, but if not, I plan on attending the University of Georgia and major in history,” Bennett says. He plans to become an attorney. Favorite part of the game: “Winning and seeing how all the hard work pays off.” Schools who are looking at you: Mercer, Samford, Berry Your memorable big play: In a playoff game against Jackson last year, Bennett read the defense and realized that a linebacker was about to blitz. “I let him come close and then spun around to my left, got outside the pocket, saw our running back Micheal Bush come open, and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass.” Coach Sean Pender on Stetson Bennett: “He comes in early every morning to study the film and the game plan. As a Coach, you want your players to become students of the game, and Stetson Bennett is just that. He is good at what he does because he has the correct work ethic. What I mean by that is, he does not just put in the hard work and the long hours, but he makes those hours count. They are productive hours, and the hard work is toward accomplishing goals, both personal and team related.”
Ask any defense who has faced the Pierce County Bears in the past two seasons, and they will tell you about Stetson Bennett. The elusive quarterback led (head coach) Sean Pender’s team to the third round of the playoffs last year. The 5’11” quarterback covers the 40 in 4.6, which is quick for a signal caller. Bennett is known as a strong passer with great accuracy. He has good field vision and can get rid of the ball in a hurry when he finds an open receiver. In a victory over Southeast Bulloch this season, Bennett threw for almost 300 yards and led his team on a game-winning drive in the final minutes. 14 | inthegamemagazine.com
“Going into the 2015 season, I would have to say he would be considered the offensive MVP,” Coach Pender says. “He would be the hardest player to replace if he went down.” Bennett works hard on the field, but he has also found a way to work off the field by putting in hours of preparation watching game films and studying his opponents. “He is generally successful because he is prepared when his opportunities arrive,” Coach Pender says. Bennett started playing football, baseball, and basketball when he was 5 years old. He continued playing until
he gave up basketball in ninth grade. That same year, he became a starter on the Pierce County baseball team, where he plays shortstop. In football, he has been honored with the WTOC Play of the Week, was named All-ESPN Coastal quarterback last year, was named Region Honorable Mention, and attended the Mercer University QB camp, Bobby Lamb Football Camp, and Top QB 2015 MVP camp. Against Dodge County last season, with the region’s number-two seed on the line, Bennett passed for 394 yards and five touchdowns to go along with two rushing TDs.
Camden County High School
Wildcats Ready for region 1-AAAAAA Play
written by John Wood | photography by Shawn Smoak Due to Mother Nature, it took three games before Camden was able to play a full game in 2015. Opening at home against Tallahassee Lincoln in the Frank Smith Memorial Classic, the Wildcats came out quick and made plays on both sides of the ball. Camden County’s coaching staff was especially proud of the way the special teams played on the way to a 48-13 win, as the game was called due to a torrential rainstorm. “The play of our special teams is encouraging,” Camden head coach Welton Coffey says. “We have made plays in special teams every week.” In their second game, the Wildcats struggled early, but a strong rushing attack gave the Wildcats a 21-7 halftime lead before lightning kept them in the locker room permanently. An inspired and loaded Glynn Academy awaited Camden in its first road test. The Red Terrors’ upstart offense has made Rocky Hildago’s team one of the most prolific in Class AAAAA. Coming off of a runner-up finish in a national passing tournament, Glynn proved to be a strong opponent for the Wildcats. But,
again, Camden’s special teams continued to shine through, and a 95-yard kickoff return put the Wildcats ahead for good. “Quality competition makes you better,” Coach Coffey says. “You have to raise your level of play and coaching.” The next week, Camden had its opportunity to put the Glynn County sweep into effect as they hosted the Brunswick Pirates. Brunswick, led by sophomore quarterback Randon Jernigan and firstyear head coach Larry Harold, have some good talent, but overall the Pirates are a young team. Camden was firing on all cylinders against the Pirates and completely controlled the first three quarters of the game. Leading 34-3 at the half, Coffey used most of the second half to get younger players and reserves some varsity experience. The Pirates were able to get a few stops, and unfortunately the Wildcats had a few fumbles and some breakdowns on offense, which gave Brunswick an opportunity to come back and make it a game in the fourth quarter. “We cannot shoot ourselves in the foot with flags on the offensive side of the
ball,” Coach Coffey says. “Penalties are drive-killers. Every game is a learning experience. We were winning by more than 30 points in the second half with a running clock against Brunswick, and then we played some younger kids. We need to be better at handling games. We can’t let the lights get too bright.” In their final game before a bye week, the Wildcats blanked Wayne County, 42-0. Once the bye week is over, Coffey knows exactly what is waiting for the Wildcats as they move into Region 1-AAAAAA (regarded as the toughest region in the state). “We have a way to go, but the play of our secondary has been improving,” he says. “We always want our offensive line play to be on point, and they are progressing. We have to work better on ball security and not getting penalties.” Camden opens region play against Valdosta High School on the road the first week of October. “In our region, it is hard to make predictions,” he says. “The parity between the teams is so close.”
Camden students brought the “White Out’ between the bricks as they defeated Glynn Academy on the road 24-14.
ware County High School
Gators’ Football Keeps Rolling in Autumn
written by Rob Asbell | photography by Bo Carter
The Ware County Gators football team of Coach Franklin Stephens extended their regular-season winning streak to 24 games with five victories to start the year, including wins over Brooks County and Hampton High School. The Gators held a spot in the state’s Top 10 as they prepared for a road trip to take on the always-tough Coffee County Trojans in a game that decided state and region rankings. The Trojans took an early 7-3 lead at halftime, but the Gators scored early in the third to take a 10-7 lead. A Jaquez Bolds 20-yard run pushed Ware’s lead to 17-7. Ware eventually won 23-14 to take the lead in Region 3-AAAAA. Noah Sheppard hit three field goals for the Gators. The following week, the Gators wore all gold uniforms for
Childhood Cancer Awareness as they posted a 51-24 victory over Richmond Hill in “The Swamp” to push their streak to 23 games. The Gators have averaged more than 38 points per game while only giving up 13. A 44-7 win over Bradwell Institute added to Ware’s perfect region and overall record. The Lady Gators volleyball team of Coach Gina Howell got off to a 6-0 start on the season before falling to perennial powerhouse Camden County. Led by seniors Kayleigh Eichfeld, Patricia Maybie, Shaelyn Owens, Lexi Price, and Khadijah Williams, the Lady Gators simply overpowered opponents to start the year. With region play dominating September, the Lady Gators faced the daunting task of playing 16 matches over a 10-day period, with little time
to recover physically. They are now preparing for the Region Tournament in Brunswick, which will take place October 9-10. The Ware cross country teams started running in September, with a meet in Douglas, before hosting their own. The boys finished fifth, while the girls were eighth at Coffee High; the boys were second in Waycross, and the girls finished fifth. The boys team includes Matthew Hamilton, Alec Jones, Logan Millard, Andrew Mitcham, Joshua Nix, Jackson Snow, and Dalton and David Soper. The Lady Gators cross country team includes Kelsey Davis, Dominique Dukes, Sara Hitt, Madison Lloyd, Meleah Morton, May Prewitt, Shanya Washington, and Emma Wheeler.
Justin doesn’t have a lot of experience playing football, but he is such a cerebral player that he has been able to adjust by immersing himself in the study of the game.
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Glynn Academy
Justin Larson In the Game | 21
Justin Larson Glynn Academy (W) Rob Asbell (P) Jeffrey Griffith
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BIG Stepping Up
by Rob Asbell photography by Jeffrey Griffith
Finding a way to be successful while under immense pressure seems to be Justin Larson’s strength, whether it is on the football field for the Glynn Academy Red Terrors or in the classrooms of the sprawling campus, where he is in the top five percent of his class academically. “Justin is one of the best students in our school,” says Glynn Academy principal, Dr. Scott Spence. “He has earned this distinction while taking Honors, Accelerated, and Advanced Placement courses. During his tenure at Glynn Academy, Justin has not only been an outstanding student but also a model citizen. We are all very extremely proud of his accomplishments.” On the football field, Larson had to step up late last year. After serving as backup quarterback for Glynn Academy last season, he was tossed into the starting job when Zach Lamper went down with an injury in the first round of the state playoffs. Rather than shrink from the pressure, Larson met the challenge head on. “I got the chance to help lead us to a win and further our playoff run,” Larson recalls. His first big play was in that playoff game against the Drew Titans, when he tossed a 68-yard touchdown pass to start the Terrors’ comeback in a 35-34 overtime win. The following week, he led Glynn Academy to a second upset victory, this time over defending state champion Creekside 31-21. As the Terrors continued to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, Larson led them with his arm and legs until the eventual state champions, Northside (Warner Robins), ended their winning streak. This season, as a senior, he has continued to lead the team, as he stepped into the starting quarterback position full-time. His first pass of the season was a 54-yard touchdown strike to Deejay Dallas; this was followed shortly after by a 31-yard touchdown pass to Garrison Hurd. He also led the Terrors to back-to-back victories to start the 2015 season, which included a
28-0 victory over rival Brunswick. But Larson is more than the starting quarterback for Glynn Academy, he is also one of the school’s top students. Larson is the definition of a leader, both on and off the football field. He is an academic standout in the classroom, maintaining straight A’s. He holds a 4.2 grade point average and wants to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. At 6’1” and 190 pounds, Larson is also a member of the Red Terrors’ baseball team and may have to decide which sport he will play in college. Larson started playing football when he was 8 years old. “My first year playing quarterback was in the seventh grade for recreation league ball,” he recalls. “I can remember throwing a pass to a receiver in the end zone and it hitting him in the helmet and watching it bouncing to the ground.” Larson is always quick to pass praise along to his teammates rather than take the glory for himself. His favorite part of playing football comes in the wake of a big play. “Running down field with my offensive linemen during a big play where one of our skill players has broken out for a touchdown.” The senior signal-caller has several weapons to help him offensively. Dallas lines up at receiver and running back, while bruising runner Garrison Hurd lines up beside Larson in the backfield. He is also a student of the game, spending time away from school and practice to watch game and practice film. “Justin doesn’t have a lot of experience playing football, but he is such a cerebral player that he has been able to adjust by immersing himself in the study of the game,” says head coach Rocky Hidalgo. ITG In the Game | 23
Keeping the Blue Tide Rolling By John Wood photography by Jeffrey Griffith The brightness of the “Friday night lights” can be a mystery to schools that don’t have them. Obviously, the start-up cost of a high school program is expensive, but the emotional support of a community is also precious capital. Especially for a school like Long County High School, that had not fielded a high school team in recent memory. Firstyear head coach Eric McNair knows the trials and tribulations that come with laying the foundation of a new program. He saw the struggles that the Blue Tide had in its infancy, but he has also witnessed as the program has turned the corner.
“The administration and community are committed to establishing great athletic programs at Long County,” McNair says. “They push for and strive for excellence in everything that has the Blue Tide name on it. The administration and community have been behind my staff and I since day one. They see what we are building here and know that Long County is on the rise.” McNair grew up in Collins and played high school football for the Battle Creek Warriors of Tattanall County High School. Even as a player, he was a student of the game, understanding total blocking concepts, other assignments, and keys of positions besides his own. When he graduated high school, he went on to Georgia Southern, and 24 | inthegamemagazine.com
during his first year of college, he got an opportunity to go back and coach at Tattanall and loved every minute of it. “I always loved the game, knew everyone’s assignments, you name it,” he says. “When I was a senior, I was contemplating what to do with my life. Jeff Kaiser asked me to become an assistant coach for him. I did it for the first year while in college and fell and love. I’ve been coaching ever since. Jeff Kaiser and John Glanton; both were my head coaches in high school. They are guys who I can call at anytime and ask for advice. They are both sticklers for organization and discipline.” McNair has seen the numbers of players coming out to play football increase. The school and
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One of the hardest things to realize is that winning does not happen overnight.”
“It really feels like home to me. It is great to have kids you’ve coached come back to see you on a regular basis and know that you were a small part of what made them who they are.”
community’s support has not waned during the first days of the program and continues to be on the rise. This past summer, the Blue Tide averaged almost 60 players during summer pride workouts, which McNair sees as a nucleus to give the Blue Tide a good 2015 campaign. “One of the hardest things to realize is that winning does not happen overnight,” he says. “Long County has had several coaches who have made it a better place and made big strides, but it has not always been in terms of wins and losses. In my time here as an assistant, as well as head football coach, we are seeing huge strides. Long County is no longer the whipping boy of Region 2; now we are in every game that we play. The interest is up in football, and it should turn into wins soon.” His Blue Tide battled back against Jeff Davis, and after losing a few games, finally recorded his first victory (also a region
1-AA win) of his career. “The kids and parents here are awesome,” he says. “It really feels like home to me. It is great to have kids you’ve coached come back to see you on a regular basis and know that you were a small part of what made them who they are. I make my players believe that they can win. We have overcome a lot of obstacles in strength and conditioning, as well as in our work ethic. The kids have bought in and are working hard. We are probably the best winless team in the state.” One of the most important attributes for McNair is the cohesiveness and dedication of his staff. Long County has a veteran staff of assistants that includes defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Jeff Miller. Miller was the defensive coordinator for 20 years at Bradwell Institute. Miller’s father, Jack, coached high school football in Georgia for 53 years. In the Game | 25
“Jeff Miller, Deshon Brock, Paul Austin, JT Brown, Mike Stanford, Tyler Rogers, and Ryan Morgan; they are quality men of character and are dedicated to turning Long County around,” McNair says. “I could not do what I do if it not for the assistant coaches that I have.” There was never a question of the time that a football coach spends during the season, but he also understands when you are the head coach, more responsibility falls on you. McNair readily accepts the task. “It has been good. I have a lot of quality assistants that make my job much easier,” he says. “They do their part to get the job done, and that’s what it takes to be successful. I usually arrive at the school around 6:00 am and leave 26
around 7:00 pm. On Fridays I usually work on stats and film breakdown until about 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. I wake up Saturday and watch our opponent. Sunday morning, I break down our opponent. I meet with the defensive staff at 1:00. Then, I meet with the entire staff at 2:00, and offensive staff from 3:00 until.” When McNair has time away from the field, he enjoys watching college football and spending time with his family. “I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful wife Ashley of five years,” he says. “We have two sons; Asher, who is two years old, and Jase, who is five months. We live in Ludowici.” ITG
WMS Players Learn That Winning is a Habit by John Wood | photography by Bo Carter Eighth-grade football players Hudson Spurlock and LaDedric Castellanos ended up teammates at Waycross Middle School from different roads, but you certainly would think they had been together for a long time. 28 | inthegamemagazine.com
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Hudson Spurlock “Hudson is a great kid,” says WMS head football coach Kevin Stevenson. “He works hard in the weight room. He takes a lot of pride in doing things right and that transfers to field. He is a coach’s kid. He understands the game of football. It is like having a coach on the field. He has done well for us. He is a great running back and has good vision. He sets his blocks up and his speed is very deceptive. He runs very hard. He is a great student in the classroom. He takes a lot of pride in his academics.” Spurlock came to Waycross with his family when his father, Sonny, became the offensive coordinator for the Ware County Gators football team. His love of sports comes natural, and he never hits an offseason, since he competes in wrestling and runs indoor and outdoor track as a sprinter and hurdler. “Mollie and I are very proud of Hudson; he is a great kid,” says Sonny, Hudson’s father. “He does an excellent job of being coachable and competing hard. Probably my favorite quality of his is that he cares about others; whether in school or on the field, he is always trying to help others be successful, regardless of who they are.” Hudson runs the 110-meter hurdles, 400-meter and 1600meter relays, open 400-meters and pentathlon, and he placed third in the conference in wrestling last year. “I am 14, and I enjoy watching football highlights and watching any type of sporting event with my parents, along with being informed on it,” Hudson says. “I have two sisters; Riley is a sixth-grader at WMS and Madelyn is a sophomore at WCHS. I also have a brother; Harrison is a senior at WCHS. My mother is the Waycross Middle School cheer
head coach and assistant football cheer coach at WCHS, and my father is the offensive coordinator for the Ware County High School football team and assistant track coach at WCHS.” Hudson’s favorite sport is football, and he wants to be in any position that he has a chance to handle the football and gain yards to help his team. He also understands how much of an advantage he has since his dad is a coach in one of the best high school programs in the state of Georgia. “With my dad being the assistant head coach and the offensive coordinator, it has not only benefitted me offensively, it has all around been helpful in the sport,” he says. “I’ve also had the opportunity to be around some great players that my dad has coached. And I still get to see some of them play in college and NFL. Many of them are very successful people. I have learned to enjoy the game more than ever with my dad helping me along the way.” Hudson is also a great student, earning straight A’s. His favorite class is math, and he is also on the Math Team at WMS. Besides being an exceptional student-athlete on and off the field, WMS has helped him develop leadership skills and play ball with his good friends Jordan Williams, LaDedric Castellanos, and Banner Thomas. “Ever since I moved to Waycross and began attending WMS, I have made many friends whom I hope to keep when I transition to high school,” he says. “I also enjoy being around my Principal, Mr. Hitt, who has taught me a lot about leadership. I enjoy spending time with my friends because they challenge me to be a better person.”
Both young men will be great players for Ware County High School. They are good leaders. They understand the importance of academics and what it takes to be successful on the field. Coach Stephens is getting some good ones, and you will hear their name a lot in the future. 30 | inthegamemagazine.com
LaDedric Castellanos Originally from Miami, Castellanos learned a tragic lesson about the violence in the area at a young age; his father was killed when LaDedric was only 4 years old. His family relocated to Gwinnett County, and Castellanos showed he was a natural athlete on the baseball field, performing at a high level against older players. “I love football, but my favorite sport is baseball,” he says. “I love playing centerfield.” Just like Hudson, LaDedric never hits an offseason, competing year-round in football, basketball, and baseball. He is a University of Georgia fan, and his favorite player is Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb. “My goal is to keep getting stronger and keep at least 3.5 GPA,” he says. “One of my best memories I remember playing middle school ball in my seventh-grade year is starting on the eighth-grade team at safety and making it all the way to conference. Eventually we got put out, but I said to myself ‘we’re going to win it next year’.” One of his biggest influences has been Coach Kevin Stevenson, who is a like a second father to him and has made him stronger on and off the field. “LaDedric is a very physical player,” Coach Stevenson says. “He is a headhunter on defense. He loves the weight room, and that has transferred to the field. He is a great student in the classroom. He is a joy to coach, and he is one of the players that I began molding two yearsago as a sixth-grader. He is a wingback, but he has stepped up and played quarterback for us this year as well. He can play just about any position on defense.”
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Attention to Detail by John Wood | photography by Bo Carter
Athleticism may get a player on the field, but what keeps them there is building technique. The key foundation to building technique is focus and attention to detail, and that is exactly what Ware County senior football player Jaquez Bolds is focusing on. “Jaquez is having a very good year to date. It can be attributed to maturing and the desire to be an impact player his senior season. Jaquez had a tremendous offseason in the classroom, weight room, and throughout the summer,” says Ware County head football coach Franklin Stephens. Stephens came in one season ago and retooled the strong, solid foundation that Ed Dudley had at Ware, but added his own signature. In Stephens’ first season, the Gators finished 10-0, and took the Region 3-AAAAA crown. Playing under the “Friday night lights” is special, but wearing the green and gold of the Ware County Gators is a something players remember for a lifetime. “It is a really big deal to play football for Ware County,” Bolds says. “It’s a great feeling to play in the Swamp, but even if we play on the road, it’s awesome because we have so much support.” Bolds and his other teammates have learned how to push themselves to their total best effort. The expectations that Stephens put on his players have paid dividends. Players are not just performing on the field, but off it as well, and most importantly, in the classroom. Bolds is consistent with his commitment to the expectations put forth by Stephens and the Ware County coaching staff. “Jaquez has improved his attention to details offensively and defensively, which has allowed him to make more plays in all phases of the game,” Stephens says. “He has stepped up and become a positive leader on the team.” Bolds quickly reciprocates the faith, belief, and confidence that the head Gator has in him. “The program changed a lot when Coach Stephens got here,” Bolds says. “He pushes on the field, in the classroom, and outside of school, and he wants us to develop leadership, character, and skill for success on the field and in lifting weights.” On the offensive side of the ball, Bolds is one of many running backs that carry the mail for the Gators, but his favorite position is on the other side of the ball as a linebacker. “It going really good; I won top player four times,” Bolds says. “Twice on defense, once on offense, and I was named ‘Most Physical’.” Through four games, Bolds leads all defensive players for Ware 32 | inthegamemagazine.com
County with 24 total tackles, including 16 solo tackles and two sacks. On the offensive side of the ball, he has had 32 carries for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Jaquez is averaging 8.3 yards per carry, and his longest run has been 46 yards. “I feel like the season is going well, and I want to keep on improving as the season goes on,” Bolds says. “I feel like I had a subpar year in 2014, I want to have a great senior year. I believe the coaching staff has helped me the most to improve my game in all areas. My focus the remainder of the season is to take each game one at a time and hopefully play well enough to help us win a state championship.” Jaquez is very thankful for a group of teammates that have been there battling to be the best since day one: Ervin Nard, DeAndre Taylor, Allen Jones,
Monquez Maxwell, Jalen Strickland, and Ronnie Adams. While there may be a quarterback controversy at The Horseshoe at Ohio State, there isn’t one for Jaquez, since Braxton Miller is his favorite player. It’s one of Bolds goals to go on play college football, but first, he would love to help give the Gators a shot at a state championship. “Jaquez has been one of our most improved players, not just on offense, but in all phases of the game,” says Ware County’s offensive coordinator Sonny Spurlock. “He has also become arguably our most productive player. I think the keys to his improvement have been his mental maturity; not only knowing better what to do but leading others, and his consistency; always being here and getting done what needs to be done day after day.” ITG
Wayne County High School
A battle for the Yellow Jackets Against tough schedule and injuries written by John Wood | photography by Jeffrey Griffith
When Wayne County began its ascent to becoming one of the top programs in the state, it just so happened that Greyson Lambert, the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia was a key part of that foundation. “We’re happy for Greyson Lambert,” says Wayne County head football coach Jody Grooms. “But we always have been. He is just a great guy that happens to be a pretty good football player. Good things happen to good people.” The Yellow Jackets have one of the strongest schedules of any class in the state of Georgia. “After having to go an extra day to finish our game against Glynn Academy (which resulted in a loss), we’re not really sure about how the early part of the season and how the tough schedule has
impacted us,” Grooms says. “It certainly helped us last year. Our confidence never wavered. Our non-region schedule is brutal. We searched far and wide for teams in our classification or teams below our classification, but kept being told no. We will see how it works out for us next year. I am anxious to see how we perform in our first region game against Liberty.” Then Wayne County ended up going on to play Statesboro, whom they defeated in a punter’s duel in the fourth quarter, and lost to Oakleaf, Florida, and AAAAAA power Camden County. “I am very confident that we are very banged up,” Grooms says. “Our success in region play will be determined by how well our reserves play.” Even with his team still trying to find its
groove this season, he has seen bright spots that should help the Yellow Jackets move through the rest of the season. “We’re struggling a little bit offensively right now,” he says. “We’re still searching for playmakers in critical situations. (Safety) Kevin Wyatt, (quarterback) Nolan Grooms, and Jeremiah Littles have been fairly consistent for us so far.” The area of the game that is really pressing to the Yellow Jackets right now, according to Grooms, is getting to the point where Wayne is playing with more consistency and passion. Despite a 12-3 loss against Liberty to open Region 3-AAAA play, Grooms is still confident in the possibilities the second half of the season has for the Yellow Jackets.
Sibling Rivalry by Heidi Flowers | photography by Jennifer Carter Johnson
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Passion, commitment, and a true love for the game must be a family trait for the Williams brothers. Allen and Luke can be seen heads above their teammates, playing left tackle, but you will have to cross county lines to see each one play. Allen Williams is 17-year-old senior at Appling County High School; he stands 6’8” and weighs 342 pounds. His little brother, Luke, is a 14-year-old freshman at Pierce County High School, and he stands 6’4” and weighs 292 pounds. Their parents, Cheryl Inman Williams and Michael Williams, had a hand in the love these young men have for the game. Allen said that his dad was always watching and teaching him about the game, and he remembers it being a part of his life at an early age, and when asked what his favorite part of the game is, Allen said it is the competition and showcasing his talent. His mom is glad to point out the letters Allen has received from numerous schools wanting him to play for them, inviting him to camps, and recruiting his talent as a left tackle. Luke’s passion for the game is directly attributed to his family as well, but he likes the contact part of football,
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stating that “hitting people” was his favorite part. This is a good desire for a left tackle, since their job is to protect the quarterback, and, if the signal caller is right-handed, he is protecting his blind side. In everyone’s life and passion there is a favorite moment, and for the Williams brothers there are no exceptions. Allen relives his favorite moment when his team upset Peach County in their backyard during the first round playoffs last year. For Luke, his favorite moment is going to State Championship in recreation football. A large part of football is sportsmanship, and according to Luke, to have good sportsmanship, you have to “keep it classy”. Allen says it was simply “if you get beat, don’t get mad; and if you beat them, don’t brag”. Since the lack of sportsmanship has been very evident in the news lately; as a student and a leader, Allen says that being unsportsmanlike “showed a lack of respect, and you are blaming your problems on others”. “You won’t make it far in life or succeed by being a bad sport,” Luke Williams echoes. Like most true fans of the sport, there is
someone we have as a hero. For Allen, it is Herschel Walker, and he says it was because Herschel went from being picked on to becoming one of the best athletes of all time. Allen passionately says, “Herschel showed his bullies he was worthy of greatness.” Now for little brother Luke, his hero is his brother Allen, because “he’s good at everything; being a brother, playing ball, and being a good guy (even though we fight).” Both young men plan to play college ball; Allen hopes to have a career in engineering, and Luke wants a job playing football in the NFL. They both think that bad attitude and not working hard are challenges that are faced today on the field and in life. The Williams brothers also have advice for each other. Allen wants Luke to remember to “work hard, and don’t let anyone tell you can’t do anything”. Luke just wants Allen “not to do anything stupid.” It’s all about brotherly love, respect, and fun for these two. And on October 23, 2015 a night classified as “Senior Night” at Appling County, these brothers will be on the same field, wearing the same number, on opposite sides. ITG
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Pierce County High School
Meet Matt Knox
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The Sound of Silver Marching Band written by Ivy Young | photography by Chase Sharp
The Sound of Silver Marching Band debuts a Styx tribute for the 2015-2016 season, and Mr. Matt Knox is the drum major. Knox is a senior at Pierce County High School and has been in the band program for seven years. After four years of marching, Knox decided the he wanted to be drum major. “I wanted to lead the band,” he says. “The biggest challenge I have to face is probably the responsibility.” The role of drum major can be challenging, but Knox has excelled. “One of my personal goals as drum major is to gain a superior rating in my
class, and even to get first-place drum major. A goal I have for the whole band would be to receive straight superiors in all divisions, and even first place in our classification.” Matt Knox is a man of many instruments. His primary instrument is trombone, but he also possesses the ability to play baritone, tuba, keyboard, and several string and percussion instruments. His accolades include: GMEA All-State Band (eighth grade), GMEA All-State Orchestra (10th grade), District Honor band (sixth-11th grade), Region Honor Bands
(eighth, 10th, and 11th grade), District Jazz Honor Band (10th and 11th grade), Outstanding Band Student (10th and 11th grade), Director’s Award (seventh and eighth grade). Knox does not stop at band; he shines in the classroom as well, where he holds down a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the BETA club. Knox wants to attend the University of Georgia, where he plans on majoring in music education. “I want to further enrich the world with this awesome thing called music, just like my incredible directors, Mike Carter and Bob Edwards, have done for me,” he says.
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Bacon County High School
Football & Softball Searching for Playoffs
written by Rob Asbell | photography by Andrea Heflin Coach Ken Cofer’s Red Raiders football team wasted nating the rivalry back to 2005. Bacon County’s 2-0 start set the no time getting the season started, posting a 68-12 opentable for battle of undefeated teams in The Swamp in Folkston, ing night victory over Lanier County. Jacob Carver had two as the Raiders traveled to Single-A power Charlton County. The touchdowns in the first quarter of a game in which Bacon County Indians were too tough this season, and the Raiders fell to 2-1. had the highest scoring output in school history. The next week, The following week, Bacon faced defending state champion extra bleachers were brought in to accommodate the crowd for Benedictine and fell to the state’s top ranked team in Class AA. the Pierce County game in Alma. It was a hard-fought contest, They came back the following week to win 46-24 over the Long but the Red Raiders prevailed, 41-40, over their rivals to the County Blue Tide to go 3-2 at the halfway point. southeast. Pierce County had won the last five contests, domiBacon County continues region play in October.
Coach Stephen Tyre’s Lady Raiders softball team brought home the Region 2-AA crown last season with a record of 26-7 and an appearance in the Elite Eight in Columbus. Entering this season, they were ranked seventh in the state by Score Atlanta. They will enter the playoffs as the number-three seed from Region 2-AA (behind Vidalia and Bryan County) after posting a 15-7 season record. The Lady Raiders had an up and down season, which included a five-game win streak during the midway point and a four-game winning streak to end the season. They had region wins over St. Vincent’s, McIntosh County Academy, Long County, Jeff Davis County, and Groves. Bacon County also had non-region wins against Richmond Hill, Glynn Academy, Coffee County, and Fitzgerald.
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