High High School School Sports Sports Magazine Magazine®®
In This Issue:
COASTAL EDITION
6
October/November 2014
6
Academic Athlete
H.V. Jenkins High School
18
On the Cover
Vidalia High School
22
Player Spotlight
Savannah Country Day School
CONTENTS
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Clay Cabrera
Jordan Black
Savannah Draud
24 Female Football Coach
18
Also Inside Impact Players
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Beach vs. Savannah: Rivalry Renewed
26
FCA Inspirational Corner
32
Angela Solomon
Myers Middle School
28
Coach’s Corner
Benedictine Military School
30
Rising Star
Savannah Christian
Middle School
24
28
Danny Britt
Dylan McMahon
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
®
CoasTal EdiTion
October/November 2014
From the Publisher The glow of the “Friday night lights” is upon us, and high school football season is in high gear. This month we feature Jordan Black, an all-around athlete that is leading the Vidalia Indians this season. He comes from a football family. You may have heard of his great-uncle: Mel Blount, an NFL Hall-of-Famer and former member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense.
Publisher Shawn Smoak
Editor
Mark Dykes Sarah Turner
Graphics
James Washington
Photography
Charles Mills Photography Imagined by Chas Ginger Russell Tramaine Singleton Gil Werntz Gil Werntz Photography
Speaking of football families, Dylan McMahon will be following in his brothers’ footsteps at Savannah Christian. For now, the middle-schooler is our Rising Star and, at 6’0” and 195 pounds, rules the offensive and defensive lines for the Raiders. Our Player Spotlight focuses on Savannah Country Day’s Savannah Draud, who has a screwball that baffles hitters and a menagerie at home that includes (gulp) eight snakes. Benedictine Coach Danny Britt took the Cadets deep into the playoffs last year and hopes to make another run this season. We take an inside look at Coach Britt in our Coach’s Corner this month. Also, we have a special feature on Angela Solomon, who has broken through a major barrier of gender equality; becoming a female football coach (and a very successful one). At H.V. Jenkins High School, Clay Cabrera is a senior kicker who holds a 4.0 grade point average in the School of Engineering, which is the toughest of the tough.
Feature Writers
It is one of the greatest football traditions in the Coastal Area: Beach vs. Savannah High. For generations, fans have played and cheered at the annual rivalry game. The newest member of our team, Tramaine Singleton, went to the game, and reports on the spectacle of the event.
Copy Editor
What’s in a name? A lot in some cases. In the Game tries to avoid making mistakes but, on occasion, it happens. Last month, we listed the Memorial Day School football team as the Matadors. We now stand corrected. MDA’s football team is known as the Blue Thunder, rather than the Matadors, which is used by all the school’s other sports teams. Sorry for the mistake, and go Blue Thunder!
Rob Asbell Tramaine Singleton John Wood James Washington
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Be sure to tune in to WJCL - ABC 22 on Thursday nights for the “In The Game” Player of the Week with “The Big Guy” Frank Sulkowski. Each week, Frank will take a player straight from the pages of our magazine and spotlight them during his sportscast. Lots of great players are coming up, so don’t miss it!
Area Schools
in the
Battery Creek High • Beach • Beaufort Academy Beaufort High • Benedictine Military Bethesda School for Boys • Bible Baptist School Bluffton High • Bryan County High Bulloch Academy • Calvary Day School Claxton High • David Emanuel Academy Effingham County High • Emanuel County Institute First Presbyterian Christian • Groves High Heritage Academy • Hilton Head Christian Academy Hilton Head Island High • Hilton Head Preparatory Islands High • Jenkins County High • Jenkins High Johnson High • Memorial Day School Metter High Pinewood Christian Academy • Portal High Richmond Hill High • Ridgeland Hardeeville High Robert Toombs Academy • Savannah Arts Academy Savannah Christian Preparatory Savannah Country Day • Savannah High Screven County High • South Effingham High Southeast Bulloch High • St. Andrew's • St. Vincent’s Statesboro High • Swainsboro High Tattnall County High • Thomas Heyward Academy Toombs County High • Vidalia High Whale Branch Early College High Windsor Forest High • Woodville-Tompkins
Contributors
Shawn Smoak
Coastal Publisher
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In the Game High School Sports Magazine is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Publishing 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 2014 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.
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Academic Athlete
Clay Cabrera
H.V. Jenkins High School
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Kicking His Way to the Top by Rob Asbell
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lay Cabrera’s school days are always long ones. They start with a full load of rigorous classes all day at the honors or advanced placement level at one of the toughest schools in Chatham County. When classes end, football practice begins, and he works to improve his kicking and punting. When he gets home, there’s homework for those top-level classes every night, so he stays up until it is all completed. “I try to manage my time as best as I can,” said the senior kicker at Hershel V. Jenkins High School in Savannah. The two-sport standout has done well balancing his academic and athletic endeavors. He is consistently on the Honor Roll, a University of Georgia Certificate of Merit recipient, AP Scholar (with distinction), vice-president of the National Honor Society, and a member of Warriors for Christ. When he isn’t practicing or studying, he is active in his church’s youth group, and he serves on mission trips during the summer. And then there is his kicking. Whether it is football or soccer, Cabrera is kicking year-round. Cabrera returned this season as a senior captain for Coach Tim Adams’ Warriors football team. Last season he had four touchbacks and five tackles.
photography by Imagined by Chas
“He is a great example of a successful student athlete,” Coach Adams said. “Clay adds stability to our team, and he has persevered through adversity on the field.” His quiet demeanor allows him to lead by example because he does not intimidate his teammates, but instead encourages them to accomplish the task at hand. His success in the classroom has given him confidence that has carried over onto the playing field. Cabrera says his first big play came freshman year, when he was called on to kick the game-winner in a battle with the Groves Rebels. His most memorable game to date was the Beach game last season, which gave Cabrera the opportunity to go eight-for-eight on extra point attempts as the Warriors downed the Bulldogs 62-0. To add even more to his plate, he is the team’s punter and, when football season ends, he becomes the captain of the Warrior’s soccer team. Last season, he scored seven goals as a defender/attacking mid-fielder. “I’ve played soccer ever since I was a little kid, playing in rec leagues and middle school,” Cabrera said. “I started playing football in ninth grade, when Coach Adams asked my dad if I would be interested in kicking.”
But what impresses most is his academic record. Cabrera is a top student at one of Savannah’s top public schools. He is in the Engineering Program at Jenkins High School. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System offers 23 specialty programs in fields such as allied health, performing arts, liberal arts and more at different middle and high schools. To be considered for the specialty programs, students must maintain good grades throughout elementary and middle schools along with satisfactory conduct. To get into the engineering program at Jenkins High School, students must score 850 or higher on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) and have a core grade point average of 85 out of 100 in math, language arts, science and social studies during high school with no failing grades. “Clay has taken the most rigorous academic curriculum offered by our school; all courses either at the honors or AP level, maintaining a 4.0 GPA,” said Grace Herrington, Program Director of the School of Engineering at Jenkins High School. As a multi-sport athlete and outstanding scholar, Cabrera learned to recognize the importance of a strong work ethic. On and off the field, he has what Herrington calls a “tremendous drive and determination to succeed.” The son of the Reverend Ovidio and Lacy Cabrera, his father is from Paraguay, and they try to visit family in the South American country every few years. He hopes to attend the University of Georgia, where he wants to major in civil/environmental engineering. His dream would be to work at an engineering firm that would give him opportunities to travel overseas, where he can help with projects in underdeveloped countries. “I feel like I will be able to make a difference in the lives of others in a positive way in this manner,” Cabrera said. ITG
Cabrera is a top student at one of Savannah’s top public schools. He is in the Engineering Program at Jenkins High School. As a multi-sport athlete and outstanding scholar, Cabrera learned to recognize the importance of a strong work ethic. 8
Coastal Area Nate Mayo
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ith the school year and fall sports in full swing, In the Game Magazine is taking a moment to showcase nine athletes that are excelling in their respective sports, as well as in the classroom. While sports require a tremendous amount of physical prowess, there is an equal, if not greater, respect that comes from a strong intellect, and these student-athletes are living proof that success in academia can easily translate to the court, gridiron, field, and even the pool. It takes a strong commitment to excellence to persevere in athletics, and these individuals certainly have what it takes. It must also be noted that, as busy as these student-athletes can be, they definitely need their down time. Take a look at what each student brings to the table, as well as what activities occupy their spare time!
Quayshauna McKay
Woodville Tompkins Technical and Career High School, Senior Sport(s): Volleyball, basketball, soccer Positions: Outside Hitter(Volleyball), Power Forward/Center(Basketball), Forward/ Midfielder(Soccer) Righty or lefty: Righty Car or truck: Car Superpower I would like to have: Super Speed Favorites: Snacks: Salt and Vinegar chips, Sour Patch Kids Food: Shrimp Drink: Orange Fanta Hobby: Shopping and going out to eat at new restaurants Pro Team: Miami Heat Pro Player: LeBron James TV Show: Hit the Floor Movie: Bring It On: All Or Nothing Movie Star: Taraji P Henson Singer: Ariana Grande School Subject: Chemistry Place to Travel: Atlanta
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St. Andrews School, Senior Sport(s) : Football, basketball, baseball, track & field Position: Quarterback and cornerback Grade Point Average: 4.0 Righty or Lefty? Righty Car or truck? Car Superpower you would like to have: Fly Favorites: Snack: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich Food: Conquistador sandwich from Zunzi’s Drink: Water Hobby: Hanging out with friends Pro Team: New England Patriots College Team: University of Georgia Pro Player: Tom Brady TV show: SportsCenter Movie: The Other Guys Movie star: Will Ferrell Video game: Madden 25 Singer/Band: The Rolling Stones School subject: History Pets: Dog Place to travel: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Casey Kahn
Beaufort Academy, Senior Sport(s): Swimming and basketball Positions: All strokes and forward Grade Point Average: 4.18 Righty or Lefty? Righty Car or truck? Car Superpower you would like to have: Ability to read people’s minds Favorites: Snack: Peanut butter pretzels dipped in Nutella, fruit Food: Grilled chicken Drink: Publix lemonade Hobby: Scrapbooking, going to the beach, boating, hanging with family and friends. Pro Team: Philadelphia Eagles College Team: South Carolina Gamecocks Pro Player: Ryan Lochte TV show: Grey’s Anatomy Movie: Forrest Gump Movie star: Jennifer Anniston Video game: Mario Kart Singer: Miranda Lambert School subject: Spanish, anatomy & physiology Pets: Mack (Dog) Place to travel: Australia
Impact Players Morgan Randolph
St. Andrews School, Senior Sport(s): Swimming, track & field Position: Butterfly, backstroke, freestyle, and individual medley Stats: Three-time GISA State Champion in the 100 SYD Butterfly Grade Point Average: 3.75 Righty or Lefty? Righty Car or truck? Car Superpower you would like to have: To fly Favorites: Snack: Apple slices with peanut butter Food: Macaroni Drink: Blue Gatorade Hobby: Kayaking Pro Team: New York Giants College Team: NC State Pro Player: Katie Ledecky TV show: Teen Wolf Movie: Sixteen Candles Movie star: James McAvoy Video game: Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes Singer: Matthew Mayfield School subject: English Pets: Pugs Place to travel: Scotland
Reyn Robinson
Beaufort Academy, Senior Sport(s): Football, basketball and soccer Position: Running back (football) Stats: 2,855 yards rushing, 28 touchdowns, 35 total touchdowns, 3,681 all-purpose yards Grade Point Average: 3.2 Righty or Lefty? Ambidextrous Car or truck? Truck Superpower you would like to have: Ability to read minds or fly Favorites: Snack: Doritos Food: Pasta Drink: Dr. Pepper Hobby: Hanging with friends Pro Team: Minnesota Vikings College Team: University of South Carolina Pro Player: Adrian Peterson TV show: American Horror Story Movie: Rocky II Movie star: James Franco Video game: EA Sports’ FIFA series Singer: Lil’ Wayne School subject: Free period Pets: My black Lab Place to travel: Greece
Savannah Draud
Clay Cabrera
H.V. Jenkins High School, Senior Sport(s): Football, Soccer Position(s): Punter/kicker (football); defender/mid-fielder (soccer) Righty or Lefty? Righty Car or truck? Car Superpower you would like to have: Flight Favorites: Snack: Beef jerky Food: Steak Drink: Sweet tea Pro Team: Barcelona, Detroit Lions College Team: University of Georgia Pro Player: Drew Brees, Ronaldinho Movie: Shooter Movie star: Denzel Washington, Scarlett Johansson Video game: EA Sports’ FIFA series School subject: Social Studies Pets: Butterbean (Dog) Place to travel: Paraguay
Savannah Country Day School, Senior Sport(s): Softball, soccer Positions: Pitcher, shortstop, goalkeeper Favorites: Snack: Sherbet Food: Baby back ribs Hobby: Scuba diving, drawing Pro Team: Cincinnati Reds College Team: University of Kentucky Pro player: Billy Hamilton, Hunter Pence, and Brayan Pena. TV Show: Big Bang Theory Movie: The Princess Bride Movie Star: Leonardo DiCaprio School Subject: Biology Pets: Four dogs, one cat, six turtles, and eight snakes.
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Taylor Jackson
Memorial Day School, Senior Sport(s): Basketball, volleyball, softball Position: Center, middle blocker, pitcher & shortstop Grade Point Average: 3.5 Righty or lefty: Lefty Truck or car? Car Super power you would like to have: Read people’s minds Favorites: Snack: Doritos Food: Spaghetti Drink: Coke Hobby: Modeling Pro Team: Atlanta Falcons College Team: University of Alabama Pro Player: Kerri Jennings TV Show: Finding Carter Movie: Taken Movie star: Liam Neeson Video game: Call of Duty: Black Ops Singer: Miley Cyrus School subject: Science Pets: Chocolate Lab Place to travel: New York
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Dylan McMahon
Savannah Christian Middle School, Eighth Grade Favorites: Snack: Nature Valley protein bar or Blueberry smoothie Food: A good cheeseburger Hobby: Fishing Pro Team: San Francisco 49ers College Team: Florida State University Pro Player: Russell Wilson TV Show: SportsCenter Movie: Fast & Furious Movie star: Paul Walker School subject: Math Pets: Dog Place to travel: Bahamas Car: Ford Raptor
On The Cover sponsored by:
“After we finished the season last year, Coach Chomskis told me that I was going to be the quarterback this season. We were going to change the offense around, and I would be the one on the field running things. I hadn’t been a quarterback before; everything changed overnight, but I have really enjoyed it.”
Jordan Black Vidalia high school
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Vidalia Senior Adapting Easily to Position Change by John Wood
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magine being a young boy growing up in Georgia, and your great-uncle has four Super Bowl rings that seem as big as your wrist. Vidalia senior Jordan Black’s great-uncle, Mel Blount, played cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, when the forte of the franchise was their stellar defense, known as the “Steel Curtain.” Blount won four Super Bowls and countless numbers of individual awards, including the 1975 AFC Defensive Back of the Year and NFL Defensive Back of the Year. He has also established youth homes since retiring from the league. From Lyons, Georgia, Blount has been a strong influence on Black. “My great-uncle was down here when my brother and I were growing up,” Black said. “He had us working outside and a football in our hands, playing with us. We loved playing football with him and what he taught us. He taught us to work hard, but also to make sure we kept our heads on straight, and if we do, we are going to accomplish anything we want to do.” After two seasons of being an AllRegion wide receiver, Black’s role on Head Coach Lee Chomskis’s Vidalia Indians football team changed dramatically going into his senior year. “After we finished the season last year, Coach Chomskis told me that I was going to be the quarterback this season,” Black said. “We were going to change the offense around, and I would be the
one on the field running things. I hadn’t been a quarterback before; everything changed overnight, but I have really enjoyed it.” Black certainly understood the point of having a good quarterback. He had thrived as a receiver the last two seasons. In 2013, he had 30 catches for 678 yards, averaging 22.6 yards per catch and scoring five touchdowns. He also played free safety on defense and continues to play that same position on defense this season. The talents that Black has exhibited on the athletic fields and in the classroom have not gone unnoticed. Marshall University, West Point, and Middle Tennessee State University have all shown interest in the multi-position student-athlete. “Jordan has a 3.4 GPA with a 1050 on the SAT,” Chomskis said. “He is a very bright young man who happens to be an incredible athlete. He is a high-character player who seems to thrive in bigger moments. He has started for four years and was a preseason All-State selection.” He was already a student of the game, but now, as the quarterback, he has started to help facilitate what he sees to the coaches and his teammates. Black also has become a more vocal leader, which was a change for him from previous seasons. “I didn’t have to say a whole lot as a receiver,” Black said. “Honestly, as a
photography by Ginger Russell
receiver, it’s about you being worried about doing your job as an individual; running the route correctly, catching the ball, stalk blocking if you need to. As a quarterback, now I need to be able to see the defense as a whole, not just secondary placement. Last Friday, I was really vocal the whole game, so now I am really getting used to it and comfortable with it. My teammates seem to be responding well.” Now, when Black watches film, he
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examines the intricacies of a defense, searching for an advantage he can use. He looks at placement and tries to determine tendencies that will give the Indians a chance to be successful on the offensive side of the ball. It seems to be working. In the first two games of the season, against Swainsboro and West Laurens, Black was 8-for11 passing for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His speed has also been an asset, rushing for 193 yards off of 17 carries for three touchdowns, including a long run of 46 yards. “I love to run the ball,” he said. “It’s nice to throw, but if a team gives me an opening on the midline, or I can see where we can run the option I will. We run the Wing T and the typical power and buck sweep, but we also run some option, which gives me more flexibility to run the ball.“ While rival Toombs moved up AAA, Vidalia stayed in AA and in a region that houses AA semifinalist Benedictine. “We know that Benedictine will be there at the end of the season,” he said. “We know they are one of the best teams in the region. But honestly, we take each team, each week and make sure that we don’t get ahead of ourselves. We just want to make sure that we work hard enough each week to hopefully win a region championship and make it to the state playoffs. Individually, I hope can live up to the preseason recognition and finish on the All-State team.” Unlike some teams, Vidalia players must memorize and recite the Indian Creed, which is posted all around the weight room. While all football coaches ultimately hope their players grow up to be honorable, responsible men, the Indian Creed is a continual reminder to Vidalia players that the end goal isn’t just winning on Friday nights, which, according to Black, helps them to grow closer as a team. Black never actually has an offseason
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during the year. He has been starting as a shooting guard on the basketball team since he was a freshman and also plays centerfield and pitches for the Vidalia High School baseball team. He works equally as hard in the classroom as he does on the field and considers history his favorite subject in school. That hard work in the classroom is attributed to one thing in particular: his mother, Katrina Black. “My mom always made sure that I got my grades,” he said. “If I didn’t get good grades in school, I wouldn’t have been able to play any sports. My dad and Chris Carroll have also been a big help this year with putting together transcripts and everything. I am very thankful for the influence that my grandfather Clint Blount has had in my life as well.” ITG
Pet-Loving Pitcher Lighting Up the Mound for the Hornets by Rob Asbell
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hen Savannah Country Day School’s Savannah Draud is not striking out batters on the softball diamond, she is tending to her menagerie of animals that includes dogs, cats, turtles and snakes. Eight of them, to be exact. Corn snakes, ball pythons, a rosy boa constrictor, and more. Similar to a snake’s prey, Draud’s screwball strikes fear into any and every batter that stands in her way when she is on the mound. Draud was First-Team All-Region and First-Team All-Savannah in softball last season. Her combined 18 & Under stats include a .300 batting average, .417 on-base percentage, and a 2.5 earned run average over 257 innings pitched. According to Draud, her favorite part of the game is being surrounded by her friends, coaches, and parents who know and love the game of softball as much as she does. As impressive as her softball numbers are, she is a two-sport athlete at Savannah Country Day, and was honored as the Most Improved Player for the Hornets’ varsity soccer team. “Van” or “Socks,” as she is known, started her junior year with the most memorable game of her young career. The Lady Hornets were facing the Claxton Tigers, which Draud mowed down in stunning fashion, striking out 17 Claxton batters. She finished the season with a 2.79 ERA and 144 strikeouts.
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photography by Imagined by Chas
She began her senior season with an eight-strikeout no-hitter against Windsor Forest. Draud always seems to find a way to make big plays. In little league, she made the last out at third base to win New York’s District 29 Championship. Draud moved to Savannah from Franklin Square, New York (on Long Island) in the summer prior to her junior year. “Savannah is a lot slower than New York, but the weather is way better,” she said. Draud’s strongest position is on the mound, where she keeps batters guessing. When she isn’t pitching, Draud plays shortstop, where her fielding skills are put on display. Savannah Country Day Softball Coach Vicki Kirkland says Draud is wellrounded and exceptionally coachable. “She humbly accepts her own successes and is her teammate’s biggest fan,” said Draud’s head softball coach, Coach Kirkland. She is also a consistent hitter and she has a knowledge of the game that gives her a distinct advantage on the bases. Coach Kirkland says she posses the skills to play at the collegiate level and will not be surprised if she is signed by a team after graduation. Draud’s primary goal for this season is to help her team to have a winning season that continues on into the playoffs. After graduation, she would like to play DivisionIII softball at a strong, but small, liberal arts school and major in neuroscience. Draud
holds down a 3.6 grade point average and made Honor Roll both semesters of her junior year. When she is not at practice, Draud works out at D1, a specialized athletic training facility in Savannah coowned by football legends Herschel Walker and Tim Tebow. Specialized workouts are a long way from her days playing t-ball in New York at five years old. She continued to play little league softball until she was 14, started playing travel softball when she was nine and played throughout her middle school and high school years. She played junior varsity in the 9th grade and has been on a varsity softball team since 10th grade, first on Long Island, and now at SCD. On the soccer field, Draud started playing goalkeeper last season and has taken to the position rather quickly. In addition to her athletic skills, she is also a well-rounded student who is fond of biology. She likes to draw, watch or go to baseball games, hang out with friends, skateboard, listen to music, and practice her bass guitar. Draud possesses a strong work ethic and a dedication to her teammates that reflects in her play. When she graduates, her coaches will miss those things about her. “I will miss her kindness, respect for the game and for others,” Coach Kirkland says. ITG
Player Spotlight
Draud was FirstTeam All-Region and First-Team All-Savannah in softball last season. Her combined 18 & Under stats include a .300 batting average, .417 on-base percentage, and a 2.5 earned run average over 257 innings pitched.
Savannah Draud Savannah High school
Special Feature
Breaking Barriers: Angela Solomon Myers Middle School
Myers Middle School Football Coach Setting Winning Tradition by Tramaine Singleton
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ngela Solomon, head football coach at Myers Middle School in Savannah, debunks the myth that football is just a man’s game. Her numerous accolades as coach of the Gators are evidence that she has the ability, toughness, and talent to match her competitors. Off the field, two things become instantly obvious when watching Solomon interact with her students: first, she genuinely cares, and second, she’s not afraid to dish out some tough love. This mix of grit and tenderness is why Solomon has endeared herself to the community and has earned respect not readily given to women in sports. Solomon has always held a love for football. “Football is my first love, believe it or not,” Solomon said. She played powderpuff football as a kid and has watched the game religiously her whole lifetime. Solomon, an army brat, was born in Savannah and later moved with her parents to Virginia
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photography by Imagined by Chas
as an adolescent. Her passion for sports was evident early. “During my middle school years in Virginia, I was taught the fundamentals of basketball,” Solomon said. “From there, I moved on to high school and took advantage of my talents.” After a successful high school career, Solomon was offered a basketball scholarship to attend Rowen University in New Jersey. Just prior to her senior year of college, Solomon faced a life-changing event. “I found out during our summer basketball camp that I was pregnant with my son, Andrew,” Solomon said. “I was three months away from attending professional basketball tryouts in Japan.” Obligations as a parent helped her gain a new focal point, which led Solomon to enter the coaching arena. Finally moving back to Savannah, Solomon landed at Myers as head basketball and track coach in 2009. After her predecessor moved on to Savannah High School, Solomon
was offered the head football coaching job, but she had reservations. “I initially didn’t believe that I would do well, ” Solomon said. “I was also badgered a little by some of the fathers of the players, and others in the community who felt that I wasn’t worthy of the position because I was a woman.” The early adversity of the job was not enough to make Solomon waver, and she began the task of building a winning team at Myers. Success came quickly for Solomon. With only a couple of months to prepare for her inaugural season, Solomon and her assistant coaches (Santana Riley, Terry Hines, and Eric Mason) instilled her mantra of hard work and discipline into the Myers program, eventually leading them to the championship game against Shuman Middle School. Myers suffered a tough 12-6 loss, but was now on the right track to success. When the Savannah Morning News decided to write a feature on Solomon, despite losing the championship game, other teams in the city took exception. “It was a huge controversy,” Solomon said. “People asked ‘Why should she always get the attention?’” Ironically, being a female football coach was now seen as an advantage, rather than a hindrance. The loss, coupled with the venom of her rival’s comments, motivated Solomon to work harder. Myers reached the championship game again in 2011 and 2012, before ultimately losing both games to West Chatham Middle School. Solomon’s teachings of discipline, tenacity and perseverance were tested during a third consecutive championship game appearance against West Chatham in 2013. After trailing 18-6 at the half, the Gators would rally to a 25-18 win, finally winning that elusive championship. After the game, Solomon used the win as a teachable moment for not only her players, but for her son, Andrew, and her daughter, Alicia. “No matter the odds, or what anyone says about you, don’t ever give up,” Solomon said. But life doesn’t get easier for Solomon on the football field. Instead
of being the hunter, her team is now the hunted. “We have a huge bulls-eye on our back now,” Solomon said. “No one wants to lose to the team with a woman as their coach.” But as expected, Solomon is up for any and all challenges. “I’m truly blessed,” Solomon said. “I receive great backing from the community, and these kids make all the difference in the world to me.” ITG
“We have a huge bulls-eye on our back now,” Solomon said. “No one wants to lose to the team with a woman as their coach. No matter the odds, or what anyone says about you, don’t ever give up.”
Rivalry
Bulldogs Defeat Blue Jackets in Latest Head-to-Head Battle by Tramaine Singleton
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lue and white” versus “blue and gold.” Blue Jackets versus Bulldogs. And last, but not least, the battle of the “baddest bands in the land.” When the Savannah High School Blue Jackets and Alfred Ely Beach High School Bulldogs meet on the football field, the basketball court, or even in the checkout lane of the local grocery store, competitive sparks start to fly in Savannah’s most intense rivalry. The two schools met for the 46th time on the gridiron on Saturday, August 22, at Savannah State University’s Ted A. Wright Field. Electricity filled the air as hundreds of fans and alumni of the respective schools poured out their emotions from the stands, anticipating a year’s worth of bragging rights with which to torture their cross-town rivals. Alonzo Jackson, who played in three of these games in the ‘90s, contemplates the agony he is sure to feel if his beloved Bulldogs lose. “If we lose to Savannah High tonight, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do,” he said. “My wife graduated from ‘the high,’ so I’m sure I’ll hear her mouth all night long.” 26
photography by Tramaine Singleton
Beach has always been recognized as one of the most successful athletic programs in Georgia sports history. Beach’s rivalry with SHS was preceded by their rivalry with Tompkins High School, their West Savannah counterparts. The late Russell Ellington, who graduated from Beach in 1956, compiled nearly 900 wins in his coaching career, including his stint as head coach of the Harlem Globetrotters. Legendary coaches Joe Green and Ronald Booker also walked the halls of Beach, coaching some of the city’s most outstanding talent such as Jim Golden, Mervin Jackson, David Hall, Frank Simmons, and Wilson Scott. In 1963, desegregation in Savannah schools changed the social landscape. With the closing of Tompkins High, Beach looked for a rival across town. Savannah High also had a rich tradition in athletics, and around the mid-1980s, their games against Beach began to take on a fiery edge. “Savannah High started beating some good Beach football teams,” said Laron Temple, a 1987 graduate of Savannah High. “There is a saying that you can’t have a rivalry if one team wins
Renewed
all the time.” A clear line was drawn. The football games were becoming must-see events, as games fans would fill Memorial Stadium to the capacity. Children would decide in elementary school whether they would continue their family tradition of attending Savannah High or Beach. Even the respective schools’ marching bands would battle for bragging rights at city parades and football halftime shows. “If your team loses the game, but your band wins at halftime, you feel a little better.” When asked to describe how intense the SHS-Beach rivalry has become, Temple offered this interesting anecdote: “If a Beach bulldog fan was hanging off of a cliff, I’d lend them a hand,” he said. “I’d wipe my hand after I helped them, but I’d definitely help them.” Not to be lost in the yearlong badgering, however, is a community who ultimately has great respect for each other. “We support these kids on the field, first and foremost,” Jackson says. “When the game is over, we stand up and cheer for both teams because, at the end of the day, we love all things Savannah.” On this humid, August night, Beach adds another notch on its belt by defeating SHS 21-14 in the 2014 edition of this football classic. Win-loss records seldom mean anything when these two teams play. True for most games in this rivalry, the players left everything on the field in a hard fought game. As the crowd spills out into the parking lot, fans discuss where this game will fall in the annals of the rivalry. Decide quickly, because basketball season is right around the corner. ITG 27
Coach’s Corner
Coaching the Total Player by John Wood
B
Danny Britt Benedictine military School
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photography by Gil Werntz
enedictine Military School, known as BC, is one of the oldest private schools in the Coastal area. People still talk about the rivalry between the Cadets and Savannah High when the two played at Grayson Stadium on Thanksgiving Day. Jim Walsh, Jr. made Benedictine into a force in the 70s and 80s, sending several players to Division-I colleges, and a few went on to play professionally. However, the program started to cycle through coaches and mediocrity crept into a once proud program. “It was extremely important to embrace BC’s tradition,” said Benedictine Head Football Coach Danny Britt. “We had to make sure that the basic cornerstones of the school - discipline, toughness and leadership - were entrenched in the philosophy of the football program.” Britt’s first head coaching job was at cross-town rival Calvary Day School. As the Cavaliers’ head football coach, he realized being in charge of a football program is much more than winning on Friday nights. The experience he gained from his mentors was invaluable. “I would first tell a young coach to learn as much as you can from good coaches and good people,” Britt said. “You have to learn how to be a CEO of sorts, and that takes a lot of experience in more than just football.” He encourages young coaches to develop a coaching philosophy before trying to run a program. At BC, Britt has the opportunity to work with some of the greatest assistant coaches around, including Baker Woodard and former Ole Miss Head Football Coach Ken Cooper. “We are very fortunate to have a very solid group of coaches at BC,” Britt said. “The success we have had is directly related to them and the hard work and dedication that they have given and continue to give to our boys.”
One other component has been key to the success of Benedictine having a true feeder program, which, according to Britt, is the absolute basis to continued success. “The foundation for all of our sports is built on them,” he said. “We will have kids from numerous schools in the area because of the strength of our athletic programs, the discipline in our military program, and our strong academics, but again, the core of our program will be from our feeder schools.” “The Linebacker and the Cheerleader” may not be the next Hollywood blockbuster, but it’s certainly been a great life story for Britt. “My wife, Stephanie is a coach, as well; she is much better looking than I am,” Britt joked. His wife owns Cheer Savannah, Inc., which offers classes in cheering and tumbling to girls in and around Chatham County. “Our coaching styles are almost identical, and that is funny to watch sometimes,” he said. Britt and his wife have two daughters. Southern, 15, was All-Region in volleyball at Calvary, and Saylor, 14, who attends St. Vincent’s, will be a BC cheerleader next year. The two have a 26-year-old brother, San Francisco 49ers’ DeMarcus Dobbs. The Britt’s adopted Dobbs when he was playing at Calvary. As a defensive end, Dobbs was the linchpin of the Cavaliers’ defensive front, which earned him a scholarship at UGA and eventually a spot in the NFL. “DeMarcus has worked very hard to get where he is professionally,” Britt
said. “He really was a long shot to make the team in San Francisco, but is now entering his fourth year.” Dobbs works hard on the defensive line for San Francisco, works as a reserve tight end on offense, and occasionally plays special teams. He played football, basketball, and track in high school and played multiple positions in each sport. Growing up in Camilla, Georgia, Britt learned the game of football at the Westwood School, where he was a running back and strong safety under Graham Lowe. He also ran track and was an All-State center fielder with his glove but couldn’t get above the Mendoza Line at the plate. Finishing his time in Statesboro, Britt’s first coaching job was at the Westfield School in Perry. He served as defensive coordinator, and Ronnie Jones taught him tremendous lessons about how to motivate young people. Since he was educated in private schools, Britt understands the importance of extracurricular activities, especially football, feeding into the total philosophy of the institution. Private schools teach and coach the whole student. Britt’s, and more importantly, Benedictine’s expectations are printed on the backs of the Cadets’ maroon Under Armour jerseys: “Physical, Disciplined, and Intelligent.” Graduates will learn how to follow and how to lead. “The player will have developed discipline and will be a part of a very strong brotherhood that will help him in every aspect of his life,” Britt said. ITG
Star
Dylan McMahon Savannah Christian middle school
Eighth-grade Lineman a huge presence for Raiders by Rob Asbell
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t 6’0” tall and 195 pounds, Dylan McMahon is a strapping young lad. His stature is even more impressive when you realize that he is only in eighth grade. He may not always be the biggest player on the field, but he is intimidating just the same. He has a toughness and an athleticism added to a big frame that allows coaches to put more responsibility on him. He brings leadership with his actions, and has a charisma about him that stops all players and coaches when he speaks. Playing both sides of the ball for Savannah Christian Middle School, the eighth grader is known as “D-Mac” by both teammates and opponents who have come up through the recreation leagues and the Savannah Parochial Athletic League. 30
photography by Gil Werntz
Dylan is a rare combination of size, athleticism and genetics, which makes for a great lineman. He has football in his blood. Both of Dylan’s older brothers played at Savannah Christian Prep School, with middle brother, Ben, reaching the Georgia Dome two consecutive years with the Raiders. Oldest brother Ryan played at Florida State University, setting the Seminoles’ record for most consecutive starts. He went on to spend time playing with the Atlanta Falcons. Those are big shoes to fill, but, according to their father, Dylan is bigger at this stage than either of his brothers. Dylan has played football as long as he can remember. He played for the Talahi Tigers in recreation league ball, and by fifth grade, he was playing for Savannah Christian. He was honored as “Best Lineman” in both his fifth and sixth grade
At 6’0” and 195 pounds, Dylan McMahon is a strapping young lad. His stature is even more impressive when you realize that he is only in eighth grade. He brings leadership with his actions, and has a charisma about him that stops all players and coaches when he speaks. years. Opponents got a reprieve last year when McMahon broke his foot just a few days before the season started. The injury forced him to miss all but the last week of practice. This season, he is back and playing numerous positions all over the field. He is a right tackle on offense, a strong side tackle on defense, and a punter and long snapper on special teams. His first big play came in the recreation league when he tackled a runner in the backfield while playing for the Talahi Tigers. He later tackled two players at the same time in the
backfield as the quarterback handed off the ball to the running back. His father, Michael McMahon, still recalls seeing his youngest son bust through the line to tackle running backs in the backfield. As dangerous as he is during the game, however, Dylan’s favorite part of playing football actually comes before the game, when he gets together with teammates to get pumped up. In addition to football and baseball at Savannah Christian Middle School, McMahon is also active in competitive weightlifting for Team Savannah and took second place in a national meet in Daytona this summer. His ultimate sports dream is to be a professional two-sport athlete like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, who both played in the NFL and Major League Baseball at the same time. McMahon maintains a solid “A” average and can usually be found on the Head Master’s and High Honor Roll. He looks forward to following in his brothers’ footsteps and playing for Savannah Christian Prep School. Afterwards, he wants to attend Florida State University and major in Marine Biology. Whenever he is not in school, McMahon likes to do anything on water: fishing, skiing, jet skiing or even just swimming at the pool. “Sports have provided Dylan the opportunity to develop relationships and friendships with teammates from all schools in Savannah that have the potential to last a lifetime,” Dylan’s father, Michael, said. Coaches praise Dylan’s mental aptitude for the game. “Dylan is like having another coach on the field,” said Savannah Christian Assistant Football Coach Tate McMillan. “He understands the game and communicates it well. He will absolutely be one of the best line of scrimmage players Savannah Christian has ever had.” In addition, by watching his brothers, Dylan McMahon has seen and learned the importance of discipline and hard work, as well as the results that can be obtained. As for his chances of playing further down the road, his father believes it is entirely possible. “He is already bigger than his brothers at this point in their development,” Michael said. “As long as he maintains the burning desire and discipline, the sky is the limit.” ITG 31
Clay Cabrera Senior H.V. Jenkins High School
Who inspires you?
Inspirational Corner:
“My dad - He is a great example of the morals and values that I have, and he is the kind of man and father I hope to be one day.”
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Taylor Jackson Senior Memorial Day School “My parents do each and every day. They have always been there, teaching me not to stop when I get to the finish line, but to keep on pushing.”
Reyn Robinson Senior Beaufort Academy “Mac Griffith: He has a serious case of diabetes, but I have never seen him frown, complain or quit. If he can go through life as happy as he does, it puts things in perspective when you think your life is bad.”
Morgan Randolph Senior St. Andrew’s School “My sister, Addison Randolph, because she is the hardest working person I know and strives to always rise to her full potential.”
Nate Mayo Senior St. Andrew’s School “Coach David Murray, a former teacher and coach at St. Andrew’s, inspires me because he always does everything he can to help people, and he epitomizes the kind of person I would like to be.”
Savannah Draud Senior Savannah Country Day “My father inspires me because he always takes time out of his busy life to help me with softball or any other aspect of my life; I consider him to be one of my best friends. My mother inspires me because she never lets me get upset; she is always there to comfort me and be my friend. My brother, Travis, inspires me because he is very protective of me, and he is very knowledgeable about both sports and life in general. My friends, especially those on my softball team, inspire me because they keep me motivated to work hard, and they are always there to pick me up when I’m down and make me laugh. My coaches inspire me because they are so helpful, understanding, and fun to play for. Lastly, the entire Country Day community inspires me because they have welcomed me with open arms since I moved to Savannah.” 33
Quayshauna McKay Senior Woodville Tompkins Technical and Career High School “My aunt, Danyelle Dyson, inspires me to strive for the best and conduct myself like a lady. She inspires me by being a real life example.”
Dylan McMahon 8th grade Savannah Christian Middle School “Michael Oher. He proved that you can overcome many obstacles and environments and succeed in life. He displayed the ‘never, never give up’ philosophy.”
Casey Kahn Senior Beaufort Academy “My parents. They both work hard!”
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