High School Sports Magazine®
In This Issue:
COLUMBUS VALLEY
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CONTENTS
October/November 2014
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16
6
Pacelli High School
11
Sports Connection
Diet Apps: Are They Necessary?
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Glenwood Academy
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FCA: Be the Best You
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16
Player Spotlight
Central High School
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Player Spotlight
Columbus High School
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Rising Star
Blackmon Road Middle School
10 Questions with Cora Moore
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Shaw High School
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Muscogee County Media Day
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Timeless Moments in Sports 38 Chattahoochee County High School
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Brookstone High School
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Northside High School
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Traveon Samuel
Mary Catherine Smith
Kathryn DeBice & Candace Burleson
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Freshman Focus
Shaw High School
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Coach’s Corner
Northside High School
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Chattahoochee County High School
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Josh Kemp
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Academic Athlete
Luke Dawahare
Also Inside
2
Idalisse Martinez
Lindsay Johnson
32 Read. Subscribe. Share.
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game High School Sports Magazine®
COLUMBUS VALLEY
October/November 2014
From the Publisher We might still be waiting for the slight chill of fall weather, but October is an exciting time for fall sports! The older I get, the more I appreciate the season that follows the wicked heat of summer and precedes the sometimes gray days of winter. In celebration of the sports that thrive this time of year, In the Game High School Sports Magazine’s October/November edition has a variety of articles and information about high school athletes and events in our area.
Publisher Mark Dykes
Editor
Mark Dykes Sarah Turner
Area Editor
Beth Welch beth.w@inthegamemagazine.com
Graphics
James Washington
Photography
Jerry Christenson George McDuffie Brandon Sweeney
Feature Writers Robert Preston Jr. Beth Welch
Copy Editors
Sarah Turner James Washington
Advertising/Marketing
Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com Mike McGuire mike@inthegamemagazine.com
Website Manager Sarah Turner
The cover features our two Player Spotlight athletes. Mary Catherine Smith has gained quite a reputation in the sport of softball. Having played the game since she was a small child, Smith strikes fear in opponents’ batters and sparks immense team spirit among the Columbus High School Lady Blue Devils with her pitching skills. Central High School’s Traveon Samuel knows a little about intimidation, too. The agile and quick-footed running back has verbally committed to playing collegiate athletics for the University of Louisville but is still causing havoc on the local gridiron when it comes to eluding his opponents. Be sure to check out both of these stellar athletes’ stories inside. Academic Athlete Luke Dawahare of Pacelli High School is also a football athlete. Dawahare is vital part of the Vikings’ football team, but has always understood academics come first. The student-athlete sports a 4.4 GPA while managing two sports at Pacelli, as well as being a member of a club team. His story is well worth taking the time to read. Switching to another fall sport, our Freshman Focus and Rising Star athletes are passionate about volleyball. Don’t miss the stories of Shaw High School’s Idalisse Martinez and Blackmon Road Middle School’s dynamic duo of Candace Burleson and Kathryn DeBice.
Area Schools
in the
Auburn Tigers • Beauregard Hornets Beulah Bobcats • Brookstone Cougars Callaway Cavaliers Calvary Christian Knights • Carver Tigers Central Red Devils • Chattahoochee Panthers Columbus Blue Devils Glenwood Academy Gators Grace Christian Crusaders • Greenville Patriots Flint River Academy Wildcats Hardaway Golden Hawks • Harris Co. Tigers Jordan Red Jackets • Kendrick Cherokees LaGrange Grangers • Lee-Scott Warriors Loachapoka Indians • Manchester Blue Devils Marion County Eagles • Northside Patriots Opelika Bulldogs • St. Anne Pacelli Vikings Russell Co. Warriors • Shaw Raiders Smiths Station Panthers Spencer Greenwave • Troup Tigers
Contributors
High school sports don’t happen without good coaching. Our Coach’s Corner feature is all about a former local athlete, Northside High School’s Lindsay Johnson, who is now leading the Lady Patriots volleyball program. Johnson is a good example of why athletics are important at every level of play. Rounding out our magazine this issue is the return of Lamar Weaver’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes opinion article. Always insightful and uplifting, we welcome Weaver’s comments back after the summer break. In addition, we have 10 Questions with Cora Moore, who oversees the concession duties for Harris County High School and Sports Connection with Chattahoochee County’s new (and returning) football coach, Josh Kemp. An innovative idea brought to Columbus by the new system-wide athletic director for Muscogee County School District occurred over the summer. Todd Stanfill initiated Media Days to highlight athletic programs in the district. Athletic directors, coaches, and athletes showed up to introduce their fall sports teams. Stanfill’s plan is to continue with media events for winter and spring sports in the future. Inside, ITG has a variety of photos taken by George McDuffie from the two-day event.
Mark Dykes, Publisher
Beth Welch,
Editorial & Features
As usual, our magazine includes pages of photos and articles from local schools. Please take time to check those out and consider supporting a high school sporting event this fall. There is nothing like being in the midst of cheering fans and, of course, it is always good to be In the Game!
For distribution or subscription information contact: info@inthegamemagazine.com For advertising information call: 888-715-4263 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, GA 31603
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Beth Welch
James Washington, Graphic Designer
In the Game Magazine is published bimonthly excluding July. 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
Luke Dawahare
Academics and top grades have always been an important part of Dawahare’s school experience. His parents set the bar high for their three sons, and Luke has had little trouble meeting or exceeding their expectations.
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pacelli high school
Academics are Primary Focus for Stellar Student-Athlete by Beth Welch
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riday night home games draw large crowds at Pacelli High School during football season. Supporting the Vikings’ football team is a long-held tradition for those with a connection to the small private school in Columbus. On those nights, a group of youngsters usually start up a game of tag football between the football and softball fields. It wasn’t that long ago that Pacelli senior Luke Dawahare was one of those kids who could be found playing in the shadows of the stadium lights. “It seems like I have been coming to games here at Pacelli all my life. I used to play football right over there while my brother was playing on the field. I have a lot of good memories here,” says Dawahare. Today Dawahare, 17, is in the middle of his last football season at Pacelli. He started off at St. Anne-Pacelli School in Kindergarten. In the sixth grade, Dawahare decided to go from playing pick-up games with friends to the more organized sport of middle school football. He saw time as an outside linebacker, but that was short-lived. The 5’7,” 160-pound athlete has never been the biggest guy on the roster. He is, however, based on some opinions, the ideal size for a high school varsity running back, a position that he has been playing (along with cornerback) since middle school. It takes Dawahare several seconds to answer which position he favors the most. With notable reluctance, he gives up that the cornerback
photography by Jerry Christenson
position carries a little more substance for him. It clearly stands to reason that a player with a 4.4 grade point average might be using another skillset in addition to physical talent when playing football. For Dawahare, playing cornerback puts him head-to-head mentally with his opponents. “I guess cornerback would be my favorite, by just a little bit, because I like to take time to read the quarterback; to read his eyes and try to think what he is thinking, and then play tricks with that,” he says with a slight smile. Academics and top grades have always been an important part of Dawahare’s school experience. His parents set the bar high for their three sons, and Luke has had little trouble meeting or exceeding their expectations. His mind has the natural tendency to want to figure things out, to analyze why something works like it does or to design a better way of doing something. For those reasons and more, his favorite subject in school is math. He also has plans to become a mechanical engineer with hopes of attending Notre Dame. Easy going and friendly, Dawahare becomes serious when discussing his future. He loves sports and even admits he will be more than a little sorry to end his playing time once the season is over, but the senior wisely understands his life after high school will be successful due to his classroom activities.
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“A good education is what I am looking for, and the good schools want people who can maintain their academic standards. There is money in academic scholarships just like there is for athletic scholarships. I feel confident I have learned here what I need in order to make it at college,” says Dawahare. For this last year on the Pacelli gridiron, Dawahare prepared throughout the summer. He is counting on the Vikings making the playoffs and becoming region champs. He loves just about everything there is about football and playing it at Pacelli. Dawahare isn’t just an athlete looking to satisfy his own personal goals, either. He takes great pride in being able to wear the red jersey of a Viking. “I have enjoyed playing football since the first time I came on the field. The coaches have been great, and the fans that support us could not be any better anywhere. It’s an honor to be on the team. There is something about playing football for a school like Pacelli,” he says. Football is one of two sports Dawahare participates in for his school. He has been playing soccer since he was three years old. The outside back position player is not only a member of the Vikings varsity soccer team, but also plays club soccer. The two sports sometimes clash because club soccer with the local Red Star team has games in the fall. Unwilling to give up either sport (Dawahare has been a team captain for Red Star for years), he has time management down to a science and has made some big sacrifices. “I have football practice after school. From six o’clock to six-thirty, I do homework. Seventhirty to nine o’clock is soccer practice. One time we had a home football game, and after it was over we drove through the night to Orlando for Red Star,” Dawahare says laughing and shaking his head. Soccer is so important to him; he may give it a try as a walk-on at whatever college he
attends next fall. He is also looking forward to another season playing the sport for the Vikings in the spring, but is more than a little focused at the present time on football. When the stadium lights are turned off at the end of the season, and Dawahare has played his last game, he says it will be bittersweet. For as long as he can remember, Dawahare has had a connection to St. Anne Catholic Church or its schools. His mom even works in the school office. “I’ve been at Pacelli all my life. God has blessed me. I have great memories with my friends and have been a part of a great athletic program. I hope I have been a good role model for kids who want to play here but, I also think I am ready for the next step. It’s time,” he says. ITG
Getting to Know Luke Family: Parents, Anne and William Dawahare; two brothers Favorite food: Fruit Pets: A dog, Daisy Favorite place to eat: Moe’s Music he likes: Hip hop Church: St. Anne Last book he read: Seal Team 6 Ritual before a game: Visualize the game Favorite athlete: Jozy Altidore Favorite team(s): Notre Dame, Baltimore Ravens Person he most admires: My mom The best thing about attending Pacelli High School: Being with friends all the time
Are they necessary?
We use our smart phones for just about everything these days. And now, some of us even monitor the things we digest in an application.
Diet and fitness tracking applications are becoming considerably popular among all ages. Apps such as MyFitness Pal, Lose It, Nutrino, and My Diet Coach, to name a few, are being downloaded to health-conscious phone owners across the world. The applications allow users to measure their intake right down to the last teaspoon of coffee creamer. “Most Americans don’t realize what a normal serving size is,” Jeanne-Hope Bradshaw, nutrition professor and dietician, said. “With careful measurement, diet apps can be a great tool for athletes or anyone wanting to monitor intake.” Traditional food logs have always been used, but they were on the demanding side. Who wants to carry around a pen and notebook and ask the waiter for a nutrition run-down while your friends’ stomachs growl at you for holding up their food? Diet applications allow users to log everything at the click of a button. Most restaurant and grocery items are available through the search option. If not, these savvy applications offer a bar code scanner for foods not listed. Users have more control over their diet. The apps give a daily break down of macronutrients including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and some even let you view your intake of cer tain micronutrients like sodium and iron. The applications give users a set amount of calories per
day according to their diet goal, may it be to lose or gain weight at any rate or for those happy with their size, to maintain. What may come in handy for athletes is the ability to get an estimate of how much they should eat following a workout to replace calories that were used. This is often underestimated. The applications can allow athletes to log the type, time, and intensity of a workout in order get an approximate number of extra calories they should consume. Tracking diet and fitness endeavors on a smar t phone has its cons too. For students, having your phone out in class to log food doesn’t always seem so guiltless. You must log your weight, height, age, and activity level very accurately to get proper feedback. Finally, it is still a hassle to remember to log every item you consume throughout the day. “I think the trackers are a great idea but are only effective if the user is precise with data entry,” Bradshaw said. “Thinner people tend to overestimate dietary intake while heavier people tend to underestimate intake.” In a perfect world, we could still manage our diet just by paying attention to our hunger. However, outside influence and boredom kick in more often—hence America’s obesity rate. Diet applications might just be wor th the download.
NUTRITION
Diet Applications:
by Sarah Turner
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SPORTS CONNECTION
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by Beth Welch
photos submitted by Sara Kraus
ho says you can’t go home again? Well, Josh Kemp is out to prove that sometimes a coach can return to a program after a few years away and be successful again. Chattahoochee County High School saw several winning seasons under the coaching of Kemp from 2004-2009. The past few seasons haven’t really been anything to cheer about for the Panthers, but a new sense of excitement can be detected at the school about football and game nights. Kemp has about six weeks of the regular season left, but In the Game managed to catch up with him and ask a few questions about his coaching style, his return to the Panthers, and his team.
In the Game: When did you begin your coaching career, and what sports have you coached? Josh Kemp: 2002, Assistant Middle School Coach; 2004, Head Varsity Football Coach; 2005, Baseball Coach (all at Chattahoochee County High School) ITG: What has been your timeline for coaching football at ChattCo? JK: 2004-2009 (Head Football Coach); returned in 2014 as Head Football Coach ITG: Did you play sports in high school? JK: Yes; football and baseball ITG: Why did you want to coach football? JK: I had a lot of scholarship offers in high school, but I tore my knee up, and I wasn’t able to come back and play. I decided I wanted to continue with the sport in a different way. ITG: How many football teams make up your program at ChattCo? JK: Two; JV and varsity ITG: How many athletes participate in the football program? JK: 60-70
ITG: Who are some of your players to watch this football season? JK: CJ Afoa (quarterback), Maurio Moore (Receiver), Mackery White (Receiver), and Christian Matthews (Receiver and Defensive back) ITG: Do you have a certain style of coaching or philosophy about coaching? JK: I believe in really trying to build a family atmosphere where the kids feel like they belong. I want the kids to feel like this is their home away from home. ITG: What are some of the goals you have established for this season as head coach? JK: We want to establish a culture of winning, not just on Friday nights, but in the hallways, classrooms, and at practice. We want to develop a sense of community and redevelop a sense of oneness within the ChattCo community. ITG: What is the best thing about coaching at Chattahoochee County High School? JK: The kids. They’re hard workers. We averaged 50 students a day from 2:00-8:30 during spring training. It’s fun to coach when kids don’t mind working.
JOSH KEMP Job title and responsibilities: Environmental Science Teacher and Head Football Coach Age: 34 Hometown: Ellaville, Georgia Education: B.S. chemistry; certified in Secondary Education Family: Wife, Heather; son, Caleb (5) Hobbies or leisure time activities: Golfing, fishing, hunting Person he most admires: Jesus 11
Gators
GLENWOOD Over the Net: Gator Volleyball by Parker Slappey & Charley Woodall photography by Peter Lu
Volleyball has been a part of the Glenwood fall athletics program for three years now, and it has come a long way from the fledgling team that took to the court in its inaugural season. In the past two years, the program has worked to expand not only its team and experience, but also its fan base. This year also brought another coaching change, with Daryl Free taking the helm, but players say that each year and each coach has brought more knowledge to the girls about the sport. Last year, the coach came in knowing a lot about volleyball, which helped the girls build a foundation of fundamentals. Even though they did not
win many games, they improved throughout the season. This year, 13 girls fill out the Gator roster. That 13 includes four seniors, three of whom are returning for their third season and were founding members of the inaugural Gators team: Haviland Harden, Elizabeth Perdue, and Whitley Pope. The fourth senior, Josie Kittrell, has returned to Glenwood for her senior year. There are no juniors rounding out this year’s roster, so while underclassmen make this a very young squad, it bodes well for the future of the program. This year’s seniors will tell you that each season of experience makes a world of difference.
The Senior Perspective
(From left): Whitley Pope, Haviland Harden, Elizabeth Perdue, Josie Kittrell
Returning seniors Harden, Perdue, and Pope said that the program as a whole has improved tremendously each season, and they characterize the program’s first season as a “getting started” year. They said every year has made them better players, and they hope to improve throughout this season, winning as many games as they can. They also said past seasons have helped the girls on the team gain a strong bond, which, in turn, has made them better as a whole.
The seniors’ hope this year is that their leadership will be continued in later years by the younger members of the roster to help achieve their goals they have for volleyball, as well as continuing to grow the program.
New Leadership This year’s returning senior Gators also admit that having had a different coach for each of the program’s three seasons has been a challenge for all of the girls. From having to learn each coach’s practice and training style to learning the different techniques and game strategies, it’s been an evolving process, but they are quick to tell you that they have gained more knowledge about the sport with all three coaches and have used that knowledge to become the team they are now. Coach Darryl Free, while new to the Glenwood Volleyball program, is not new to Glenwood, having been a part of the Gators’ basketball program in past years. Although he is new to coaching a volleyball team, he has stepped up to the responsibilities of leading this team, finding early success and already adding wins to their current season record. Free has a lot on his plate due to having no assistant coach, but he says he is learning 12
more and more each day. Free said one of the major adjustments coming into volleyball from a basketball background has been getting used to the pace of the game. Free said basketball has a faster pace, and because of that, volleyball feels like a much slower game. Adding to what he refers to as his “learning curve” is the emerging status of the Gator volleyball program compared to Glenwood’s wellestablished basketball program. Free said one of the challenges is helping the players keep the sport in perspective. He said he wants the girls to know that, despite the the volleyball program not being as experienced, it is as serious as the other major sports in Glenwood and not just a sport they play for fun in the fall. He also shares this year’s seniors’ hope that the senior leadership will set an example for the younger girls to follow and continue to use to build the program.
Top (from left): Elizabeth Perdue, Haviland Harden, Samantha Castillo, McKenna Gillespie, Jaylee Sawtelle, Josie Kittrell Middle: Mackenzie Morefield, Whitley Pope, Sophie Wilkerson, Kyndall Johnson Bottom: Raegan Carson Smith
Knowles,
Lindsey
Daigle,
T
Be the Best You
his past August, the Pioneer Little League Major Girls Softball Team participated in the Little League World Series in Portland, Oregon. They were one small break from earning a spot in the championship game, placing third in the world with a 5-1 record, beating Oregon, Latin America, Europe-Africa, and Central U.S. twice. This scrappy Columbus team clawed their way through the losers’ brackets in the state tournament in West Point, Georgia, and the regional tournament in Warner Robins, Georgia, to earn this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Portland. Manager Chuck Landrum and coaches Bo Weaver and Micky Mallory lead the team to new heights with every tournament, believing in and getting the players to believe in themselves. The players were Kennedi Bedell, Jada Chadwick, Sammie Cotton, Kamdyn Fuller, Cydnee Harrison, Mary Head, Jillian Holloway, Nyiah Kelley, Savannah Landrum, Lindsey Sanders, Aiyana Taylor, and Raelee Weaver. One day Moses walked deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. “When the Lord saw He had caught Moses’ attention, God called to him from the (burning) bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” God told him. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.” After the closing ceremony, I had the opportunity to walk out onto the field in Alpenrose Stadium. Only then did I realize how hallowed this field symbolically is. To think of all the great players who have played in the baseball and softball LLWS tournaments over the last 75 years, these girls have now become part of that great sports history. While there is no comparison of standing on Alpenrose Stadium field and in the presence of the Almighty God, to a female little leaguer who dreams of playing in the LLWS, it has to rank quite high on the list. One of the benefits of making it to the Soft-
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ball LLWS was meeting two great ambassadors and legends of softball, Jennie Finch and Michelle Smith. All ten teams had team and individual pictures made with Jennie Finch, and everyone had opportunities to meet and get pictures with and autographs from Michelle Smith at the ESPN broadcast booth. These two role models gave selflessly of their time to influence the players. Before each game at the LLWS, after singing of the national anthem, two players from each team jointly recited the Little League Pledge. When foreign teams played, their players also recited it in their native language, like the Czech Republic team from Prague. Peter J. McGovern wrote this pledge in 1954, interestingly the same year FCA was founded. It made its first appearance in the February Little Leaguer© magazine. It was written to reflect some of the sentiments of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, minus the references to the U.S., while adding the elements of sportsmanship and the desire to excel. In 1955, the pledge was sent for approval to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a strong supporter of Little League. While in office, President George W. Bush would recite the Little League Pledge before T-Ball on the South Lawn games at the White House. Incidentally, President Bush first recited the pledge in 1955 as a Little Leaguer in Midland, Texas. In her talk before the semifinal games on Tuesday, Finch spoke eloquently about how to “Be the Best You.” Components of her speech included having a positive attitude, being a role player, and giving your best effort. In Colossians 3:23, the Apostle Paul tells us “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” What if, all the time, we all did our best, played fairly while striving to win, loved our country and respected its laws, and trusted in God. What an ideal worth pledging!
Little League Pledge I trust in God I love my country And will respect its laws I will play fair And strive to win But win or lose I will always do my best.
Player Spotlight
Traveon Samuel Central High School
sponsored by:
College Decision Gives Central High Athlete Chance to Focus on Season by Beth Welch
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s far back as the ninth grade, people have been asking Central High School’s Traveon Samuel, “Where are you going?” The question refers to Samuel’s college choice, and in August, the talented running back and slot receiver ended speculation when he committed to the University of Louisville. The decision was a long time coming for the Red Devils’ senior, but it brought an immediate sense of relief. “The next day, when I woke up, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It had been stressful for a long time, but I made the right decision for me,” says Samuel. The 17-year-old has been touted as one of the best high school football players in the nation, and is ranked the No.11 all-purpose back in the country, according to 247Composite. He received early attention from several powerhouse college programs, eventually garnishing 17 offers. Prior to his final decision, Samuel had narrowed down his choices to three major schools: South Carolina, Florida State, and Auburn. On the verge of committing to one of those, he visited the University of Louisville. “I just loved Louisville. I liked the coaches, the players, and the program. They run the same kind of offense we do, so it was clear I wouldn’t have to spend time learning something else. That was pretty big to me,” Samuel says. On August 1, Samuel committed to the University of Louisville while on
photography by Jerry Christenson
the campus in Kentucky. He says he took his time making the decision and attended “about 100 camps” over the last few years while looking at schools. Samuel insists the verdict was not made on the spur of the moment, and he received no pressure from family about the decision. “My mother told me I needed to make (my own decision) because I was going to be the one who had to live with it. I looked at a lot of options and in the end, Louisville is the right choice for me,” he says. The road to this point has had some great moments for the 5’8,” 175-pound athlete. Samuel played varsity football as a freshman. He experienced a breakout year as a sophomore running back for the Red Devils, scoring 20 touchdowns in 2012 and rushing for 647 yards. His junior year, the three-star prospect racked up 781 yards rushing, 452 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns. He says his favorite position to play is slot receiver, but since his talents include speed (he runs a 4.41 40-yard dash) and agility, he is a natural at several positions, including special teams. Just before Samuel began preparations for his final season at Central, a major coaching change was made in the Red Devils football program. Long-time Central head football coach Woodrow Lowe was replaced by newcomer Jamey Dubose. Samuel has some definite thoughts on the events that took place. Wisely, though, he knows at this point, he can show loyalty to both the past and present coaches by putting forth his best
“I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It had been stressful for a long time, but I made the right decision for me.” performance on the field. The Phenix City native‘s uncle, Robert Wilson, instilled in him a love of the game. While playing middle school football, Samuel began to think he might be a good football player, and if he worked hard and made good grades, he could make it to the college level. That idea was reinforced when he garnered an unusual amount of attention as a freshman. It was then that Samuel realized he was going to have to take his talents seriously. He ran track at Central, and last year he played baseball, but football has always been his focus. As offers from colleges began to roll his way and it became clear he had his pick of schools, Samuel made a surprising decision. He put into place a plan to finish his high school academic schedule a semester ahead of his peers. “I will be enrolling in January at Louisville. I have been taking classes to finish early; this way, I will already be there as a freshman for spring training,” he says. Samuel says he feels he is ready for the move, even if he experiences a little nervousness like every new college freshman. Whatever anxiety he has will be far outweighed by the excitement of
being a part of the football program under the direction of Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino. He expects to be used as a slot receiver, punt returner, and kick returner for the Cardinals. Before he heads up the road to Kentucky, Samuel is in the middle of his senior season at Central. His strong work ethic and multiple skills make him a valuable asset for the Red Devils. Samuel is setting the stage for a run at the state championship for his team. He believes the Red Devils have the means and the opportunity to make it happen. According to his timetable, he will be able to see his team into the winner’s circle and then have about two weeks of school left before the holiday break. After the first of the year, Samuel will exchange the red of Central High for the red of the University of Louisville’s Cardinals. “It’s a relief to have the decision made. There was a lot of stress on me for a long time but I couldn’t be happier about Louisville. It just seems like the right fit for me. A lot of good schools wanted me, but I probably wouldn’t get to play as soon as I will at Louisville. I am motivated by that, and I’m going to go there and prove myself,” says Samuel. ITG
Getting to Know Traveon Family: Mother, Tyesa Wilson; father, Reginald Samuel; three sisters and two stepbrothers Favorite food: Chicken Favorite place to eat: Zaxby’s Music he listens to: Rap Athlete he admires: Tavon Austin Favorite sports team: University of Louisville, New England Patriots Church: Liberty Hill Person he most admires: Jonathon Wallace Favorite movie: Friday Night Lights Future plans: To get a degree in broadcasting and become a professional football player Best thing about attending Central High School: Being around people who have the same goals
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Player Spotlight sponsored by:
Senior Pitcher Hopes to Lead Lady Blue Devils to a Region and State Title by Robert Preston Jr. photography by Jerry Christenson
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Mary Catherine Smith
Columbus High School
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hen Mary Catherine Smith started playing softball about five or six years ago, she never thought her career would end up where it is now. Back then, she was playing to have fun and kill some time. Now, she’s 17 years old and one of the best players on a Columbus High team that’s in position for a strong postseason run. Smith has followed the typical pathway to a successful high school career. She began playing in local leagues, eventually progressing to travel ball. She continued playing travel ball as she earned roster spots on her middle and high school teams. As Smith entered her freshman year, she joined a Lady Blue Devils team that has a proud softball heritage, including a 2009 state championship. Smith has helped add to Columbus High’s championship resume; her sophomore and junior years, they won region titles and launched deep playoff runs. Her sophomore-year team eventually finished fifth in the state. Smith has been a big part of Columbus High’s success. Primarily a pitcher, she can contribute in a number of different ways. At her position, she controls the tempo of the game. A fantastic game manager, she stays calm under pressure and doesn’t get rattled. To be a successful pitcher, you must have a short memory. You can’t dwell on bad pitches, at-bats, or even innings. Smith does a good job of blocking out the negative and focusing on the positive. “I’m going to pitch my game, and I’m going to stay calm, cool, and collected,” she said. “I strive to be a good leader, and I want to lead by example. I want to show the younger pitchers what they’re supposed to be doing when they step inside that circle.” Throughout her career, Smith has played in a number of big games, and she’s posted some solid numbers along the way. During her sophomore year, Columbus High wasn’t on anyone’s softball radar. The Lady Blue Devils were unranked and barely more than an afterthought. Columbus High rolled through the regular season, won region, and eventually made it to the Elite Eight. “We laid it all on the line that year. It was an awesome feeling,” she said. Smith pitched in the game leading up to the region championship. She threw well and also contributed at the plate, hitting a home run to help put the Lady Blue Devils in position to win the region. “We were prepared to get ahead and never let up. We had a good hitting team, and we knew we had to go hard the whole game,” she said. Her junior year, Columbus High repeated as region champions. The Lady Blue Devils were 20-7 as a team, and Smith posted a 1.60 ERA with 159 strikeouts in 161 innings. She also hit .306. “I get to hit quite a bit; but we have some good hitters, so I don’t get to the plate every
game,” she said. This year, Smith would like to see her team win a third straight region championship and bring home another state title. She believes the 2014 edition of the Lady Blue Devils has what it takes to accomplish both. “We have 11 seniors on this year’s team. One is out due to shoulder surgery so we have 10 who can get on the field and play. We have some great hitters, a great pitching staff, and we play some very good defense. That’s what we need to win – solid pitching, good hitting, and great defense,” she said. Though Smith and her Columbus High teammates hadn’t played a single game at the time of this interview, she still had a good enough resume to earn a roster spot on a college team. Several schools are interested,
and she has one scholarship offer on the table. Smith hasn’t made a decision yet and is still weighing her options. “I’m still visiting and figuring out what I’m looking for in a team,” she said. “I want to go where I can get the most playing time on a competitive team with good facilities, coaches, teammates, and academics. Academics are very important to me,” she said. Outside of school and softball, Smith is also very involved in her youth group at Morningside Baptist Church. Her faith is very important to her, and it is something she relies on every time she steps between the lines on game day. “My relationship with God is very important to me. I know I’m not in control; that someone greater than me is. And win or lose, He has a plan for my life,” she said. ITG
Mary Catherine’s Favorites: Softball team: University of Alabama Player: Jennifer Fenton Sport you wish you could play but can’t: “I don’t want to play anything else.” Place to travel: Australia Person to meet: Gabby Douglas Best movie in the last year: Divergent Superpower: Super speed
Rising Star
Kathryn DeBice
Candace Burleson
Blackmon Road Middle School 28
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Volleyball Players Discover Competitive Spirit by Beth Welch
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articipating in organized sports has many benefits. One such benefit is the opportunity to discover talents and abilities not revealed by other means. For two Blackmon Road Middle School students, the sport of volleyball has brought out one very strong personality trait: a highly-defined spirit of competition. “Yeah, I am pretty competitive out there,” says Candace Burleson, 14, about her play on the volleyball court. Nodding her head in agreement, Kathryn DeBice, also 14, admits to being very competitive. Both teens began playing volleyball at Blackmon Road in the sixth grade. While they had been exposed to the sport through camps and other venues, they had never really played volleyball in a competitive environment. It didn’t take long for them to realize they loved the game, and they loved to win. “There is just something about volleyball. I liked it right away, and the more I played, the more I loved it,” says DeBice. Burleson had some experience with a competitive sport prior to trying out for volleyball. The 5’3” eighth-grader had previously been a competition swimmer with the Columbus Hurricanes, but eventually settled on volleyball as her sport of choice. DeBice and Burleson both light up when asked about being competitive
photography by Jerry Christenson
on the court. Each says they had no idea they could be so driven to win, but volleyball has brought out that spirit of competition like nothing else. Last year, the BRMS Lady Eagles Volleyball Team went into the middle school championship undefeated. Harris County Carver Middle School ended their hopes of a victor’s trophy. Burleson and DeBice have many goals for the 2014 season, and one of them is to help lead their team all the way to the winner’s circle. In order to make that happen, they have been working hard at perfecting their skills to be even better teammates. Burleson says she sees her strengths as passing and setting, recognizing herself to be better on the offensive side of the game. Although she is obviously the quieter of the two, Burleson exhibits a calm confidence, which brings a maturity to her play not found in some young athletes. “I think about it a lot. When I first started playing, it was the way the game was played that made me like it so much,” she says with a smile. At 5’7,” DeBice is all about defense. She views her strengths as passing and communicating with her teammates. DeBice also plays with a travel volleyball club, and has learned communication is necessary whether playing club ball or with her middle school team. Laughing, the outgoing teen admits she likes to talk a lot, and that being vocal helps her on the court.
Family: Parents, Martha and Phillip DeBice; one brother, Blake Favorite food: Chicken Favorite place to eat: Mikada Music she prefers: Country Pets: One dog, Maggie Athlete(s) she admires: Jordan Larson and Matthew Anderson Favorite team(s): Auburn University Hobbies or leisure activities: Volleyball Favorite subject: Social Studies Person(s) she most admires: Parents Best thing about attending Blackmon Road Middle School: Volleyball! I look forward to it every day after class.
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Kathryn DeBice
DeBice and Burleson both light up when asked about being competitive on the court. Each says they had no idea they could be so driven to win, but volleyball has brought out that spirit of competition like nothing else. “It gets pretty loud, and I like yelling when we are playing. You’ve got to be able to communicate what is happening, and I guess I am pretty good at that,” says DeBice. Eagles’ volleyball coach Chuck Yarbrough has been coaching the sport at Blackmon Road for 12 seasons. He is one of three local middle school coaches who have coached volleyball for all 12 of the seasons at their respective schools since the sport was added to the Muscogee County middle school lineup. During that time, he has seen a lot of middle school volleyball athletes and coached many who have gone on to the high school level and beyond. He knows his team will be rebuilding after losing many key players from last year’s winning program, but he has a lot of confidence in Burleson and DeBice as two of his best players. “She has great technical skills and a great heart. She is always in a position to make the play and has great court sense. She just has great instincts and a huge desire to win. She always gives her best. She is obsessed with volleyball,” says Yarbrough about Burleson. He also has high praise for DeBice. “She makes some spectacular plays and shows a lot of leadership on the court. Even as a seventh-grader, and a hitter at that, among a lot of returning
Candace Burleson
eighth-graders, most of whom were hitters also, she pushed for playing time. She lives, eats, and breathes volleyball,” Yarbrough says. While many middle school athletes participate in more than one sport, Burleson and DeBice have chosen to focus solely on volleyball. They are looking to the future and their plans include not only playing at the high school level, but becoming collegiate athletes as well. DeBice has already decided she will attend Northside High School next year. Burleson isn’t sure where she will be as a freshman, although she has narrowed down her choices to two schools. Both young women have the desire to attend the same college, Auburn University, and that desire also extends to being a part of the college’s volleyball program. Until then, though, Burleson and DeBice have a lot more to accomplish, including helping to produce a winning volleyball season for the Eagles. That competitive spirit they have in common will serve them well in their pursuit of a championship. It emerges pretty quickly when asked which of the local middle school teams they are mostly looking forward to opposing on the volleyball court this fall. Without hesitation and in perfect unison, they reply, “Harris County.” ITG
Family: Mom, Jennifer Gray; Dad, Ricky Burleson Favorite food: Steak Favorite place to eat: Fuji Music she prefers: Country Pets: One dog, Chloe Athlete she admires: Destiny Hooker Favorite team(s): Auburn University Hobbies or leisure activities: Volleyball Favorite subject: Math Person(s) she most admires: My parents Best thing about attending Blackmon Road Middle School: Teachers put academics first before athletics.
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We Proudly Suppport All Local High School Athletics
Save money. Live better. Save people money so they can live better. It’s that simple. At least it was to Sam Walton. It’s what he wanted from the very beginning, and it’s the guiding principle for everything we do at Walmart. 2801 Airport Thruway Columbus, GA 31909 (706) 653-4227 5448 Whittlesey Blvd 6475 Gateway Rd Columbus, GA 31909 Columbus, GA 31909 (706) 322-8801 (706) 563-5979
10 Questions with Cora Moore by Beth Welch
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photography by Brandon Sweeney
here are so many great things about high school football games, but one of the best parts of attending a game is a visit to the concession stand. Revenue generated by the selling of concessions is a huge fundraiser for many athletic programs. Over the years, the types of concessions sold probably differ from the days of just a simple menu of popcorn, hot dogs and soda. Times have changed, and today’s concession venues have a lot more to offer their customers. However, some things have not changed. The responsibility for overseeing concession stand sales is time-consuming and hard work. In the Game asked Harris County High School’s Touchdown Club Concessions Chairperson, Cora Moore, 10 questions about their operation. In the Game: When did you first get involved with the concessions at Harris County High School? Cora Moore: My husband and I became involved with the Touchdown Club in the fall of 2008, when our sons were freshmen; that is also when we started working in the concession stand. ITG: Do you have children who attend HCHS? CM: Not anymore. Our sons, Tevon and Devon, graduated in 2012. ITG: Is the Touchdown Club responsible for concession sales during all of the Tigers’ home football games? CM: Yes, we are open for all levels of football games (middle school, freshmen, JV, varsity) at the high school. Beginning this year, the Touchdown Club will sponsor the Harris County Middle School football program with concessions. ITG: After expenses, are the funds generated by concession sales put back into the Touchdown Club to help with the football program? CM: Yes. We do pre- and post-game meals, refurbish and help purchase new weight room equipment and new uniforms. We purchased the HUDL software, which the coaches use to highlight and review game
films. This is also beneficial for the players to establish a highlight for possible college recruitment. ITG: What are some of the items available for purchase at the Tigers’ concession stand? CM: We offer hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, pretzels, candy and, of course, sodas for our fans to purchase. ITG: What are the most popular concessions among Tiger fans? CM: Our Tiger fans just love Chick-fil-A sandwiches, nacho cheese, and candy. ITG: What time do you typically begin setting up for a home football game? CM: We start the grill up around 4:30 p.m., and the rest of the volunteers arrive around 5:00. ITG: What time do you usually finish your duties and leave on a game night? CM: Depending on the game, 10:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. This includes clean-up and counting of receipts. ITG: Are there other volunteers who help in concessions? CM: Yes. The members of the Touchdown Club come in and help with the preparation and setup of all the food before the game starts. We also have a lot of help from the community, like Piney Grove Baptist Church, who work the concession stand during the games so that the parents have an opportunity to watch their kids play in the football game. We also let high school students work the concession stand if they are in need of community service time. ITG: Why do you continue to work as the chairperson, even though you no longer have children in the athletic program at HCHS? CM: To help support the upcoming players and help the program become better each year.
Age: 47 Job title and/or responsibilities: Accounting Specialist III at AFLAC Hometown: Jenkinjones, West Virginia Education: Mount View High School, Military and College Family: Husband, Lennie (HCHS ‘81), twin sons, Tevon (West Georgia Military College) and Devon (PFC, Ft. Detrick, Maryland) Person I most admire: My mother; she enjoyed doing things for other people Favorite past time: Cooking Best thing about working as the Concessions Chairperson for the Harris County High School Touchdown Club: Being an appointed chairperson by the President, Bill Castleberry and Vice President, Lennie Moore; Being entrusted with the responsibility to keep things organized and running smoothly. This is a big money maker for the program and even though it has its challenges, I enjoy what I do.
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No Matter the Language, the Love of Volleyball Remains the Same by Beth Welch
photography by Jerry Christenson
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dalisse Martinez is crazy about volleyball. One of hundreds of incoming freshmen at Shaw High School, Martinez is not only wild about the sport, but also grateful for what volleyball has already done for her in a new school environment. A native of Puerto Rico, Martinez spoke no English until two years ago. That was when the teenager moved to Kentucky to be with her military father at Fort Knox. It was not an easy time for Martinez, but she persevered. “At first they wanted to put me in the sixth grade because I didn’t speak any English, but I was allowed to go to the seventh grade to see if I could do the work. I never got behind. I worked very hard. I studied English all the time. It was difficult to learn, because I was older, but I did it,” she says with a smile. Martinez credits Rosetta Stone programs and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes with helping her transition from not speaking a single word of English to becoming quite fluent in a matter of months. She also spent a lot of time doing what many American teenagers do routinely on a daily basis. “I watched television and listened to American music. That helped me. I would listen to songs and look at the lyrics at the same time. I spent hours and hours watching television and practiced the words I heard. It was really, really hard, but I did it,” says Martinez with obvious pride. In the eighth grade at her middle school in Kentucky, Martinez tried out for volleyball. She admits she was surprised she made the team, and even more surprised at how much she
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liked the game. A few times, she had to ask a teammate to translate some of the rules of the sport. On occasion, she would get confused about plays or technical terms, but eventually, volleyball became the place where she fit in. Martinez explains that out on the court, she was the same as any other player. In her mind, Martinez wasn’t held back or judged on her language skills when playing volleyball. The sport gave her an opportunity to express her natural talents and be herself. Military families learn to live with the prospect of relocation. Sometimes a move to a new locale and a new school is hard to accept. Martinez, however, was excited about attending high school in Columbus when her father’s orders to Ft. Benning were made known. The vibrant and outgoing teenager began searching online for the options available to her. Because she has a passion for the written word and a love of volleyball, Martinez was looking specifically for a school where her skills in both could be enhanced. In the process of her investigation, she learned about the Muscogee County School District’s magnet programs. A friend gave her the idea of taking a look at Shaw High School’s Mass Communications Academy Magnet Program. Martinez then scoped out the volleyball program. English might be her second language, but Martinez is a quick study. She emailed head volleyball coach Julee Fryer, who extended an invitation for Martinez to visit. After that initial encounter, Martinez followed the steps to become a member of the Lady Raiders volleyball team. With so many transitions in her life, Martinez has become very grateful for her new “family.” She says Coach Fryer and her teammates have been kind and very gracious in their interactions with the young freshman athlete. No one makes fun of her or teases her if she gets a word in English confused from time to time. “Everyone has been very helpful to me. Often
someone will tell me that I talk really pretty or that they cannot believe I haven’t been speaking English very long. Everyone is so nice to help me understand and to fit in like I have always been here,” she says. High school volleyball is vastly different from the middle school version. Martinez has been working hard to be a beneficial member of the Shaw team. She has suffered a little anxiousness at times, such as allowing a pass to go straight through her hands on her first play during a scrimmage game. Martinez can laugh about it now, but she quickly decided she never wanted to experience that feeling again. The 15-year-old sees her strengths on the court as receiving and setting. At 5’1,” Martinez doesn’t have height on her side, but she makes up for it with attention to detail and perseverance. She practices drills with her father and watches a lot of volleyball on television or by way of the Internet so she can better understand playing techniques. According to Coach Fryer, Martinez is already on the road to being a productive volleyball athlete. “Idalisse has transitioned well, and her work ethic will continue to push her,” says Fryer. Shaw’s volleyball coach cites a list of Martinez’s strengths as being “a hard worker, open to learning and wanting to learn every position.” When asked if she is interested in trying other sports, Martinez quickly sits forward and shakes her head so vehemently it causes her dark ponytail to whip back and forth. Her enthusiasm for volleyball is evident, as she seems a little perplexed as to how to phrase her response without repeating herself but eventually gives in to the feeling. “I just love volleyball. It’s my sport. I love it. I mean, I just love it. I can’t explain it, but I love it. I just love the game. I really, really love it,” she says with more than a little passion. No translation needed. ITG
Freshman Focus
Idalisse Martinez Shaw High school
Getting to know Idalisse Family: Parents, Javier and Mayra Martinez;
three brothers, two sisters Favorite food: Spaghetti Pets: Three dogs Music: Mozart during homework; other times, music like Katy Perry’s songs Favorite athlete: Javier Culson Favorite team(s): University of Louisville Volleyball Hobbies: Volleyball, reading, shopping
Favorite place to shop: Body Central
Favorite television show: Vampire Diaries
Person(s) she most admires: Dad and stepmom
Favorite class in school: Writing Best thing about attending Shaw High School: The people are really nice.
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Raiders SHAW
Shaw’s football team is back with a vengeance. There have been several changes regarding positions. The biggest adjustment was the quarterback switch from junior Tyrone Huff to junior Bradal Knight. Perimeter blocking and special teams are areas needing the most work, according to senior David Whitehead. Members of the team feed off each other. They have built up a mentality for success. The Raiders do celebrate, but it is short lived, because they are all reminded by Coach Kyle Adkins to move on and prepare for the next game. “This season we are going to shock the world and turn heads,” Whitehead said. Shaw’s dazzling Lady Diamonds have built a legacy for themselves as one of the better dance lines in Columbus. This year, they are led by senior captains/
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Raiders’ Teams Motivated This Fall by Kyle Jones
choreographers Breanna Jones and Ariel Demunn, with assistance from co-captain Chelsea Paulding. Although the current leaders on the team will be graduating in May, they anticipate that attention-worthy teammates will step up to the plate next season, including juniors Taija Horne and Tasia Rogers, as well as sophomores Valencia Kearse and Destiny Ross. The team performs in competitions inside and around the city. They compete in the Battle of the Bands and the halftime field show during the games. They also participate in the Morehouse University, Martin Luther King Jr., Veterans Day, and Modern Free Parade. Before their show, they always play Little Sally Walker, to get them “turnt up,” says Jones. The girls see themselves as the best, and they intend on making everyone else believe the same. They do not need any major improvements, but work towards perfection. The competition cheerleaders are hungry and eager to redeem themselves and reclaim their rightful title as number one. They have a better attitude and are more dedicated this year. Last season, they experienced a minor setback that has fueled their fire to succeed. The experience in the team is evenly shared, as there
are four seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, and six freshmen. If members of the squad feel like something needs to be changed, the girls can voice their opinions, but in the end, the final decision goes to first-year coach Tracy Barnes. Thinking outside of the box and being different is widely encouraged on the squad. If a situation occurs when the routine seems too difficult, they simplify it. On the other hand, if it is too easy, they throw in extra difficulty to spice it up and test their potential. The Shaw softball team hopes to make it to state this season. Some of the players prefer playing on the road as opposed to home games, because it feels good to win on someone else’s turf. Prayers are incorporated in the team’s pre-game ritual. Senior pitcher Brianna Simmons is the leader of the team. There was a lot of doubt coming into this season because last year’s talent graduated in May. The boys cross country teams looks impressive this year. There is a plethora of returning runners, and the team has shown a lot of progression in practice. As serious as the sport is to the boys, they still like to have fun while running. Senior
Hakeem Mustafaa said, “As long as you keep your mind strong and focused, you should excel.” There is not a specific leader on this team, as all of the seniors contribute and show their support for less experienced runners. There are a lot of new additions to the team. Mustafaa says when it comes to projecting the next star, it is not easy to do, as there are many guys that have a lot to offer the team. The Lady Raiders cross country team is ready to ascend to a higher level, as their male counterparts have already established themselves a threat. The captain of the team is Jessika Balek. She runs 3.1 miles of 5k in city meets, usually at Kinnett Stadium, as the locations of the out of town meets are usually determined by the people running it. Semia Houston is the next projected runner to shine in her senior year. Balek’s advice is “to just do your best to finish and complete the run without stopping.” The team feels that if you stop running, you give up on yourself; running a 5k isn’t easy. According to Balek, breathing and pace are the most important things to remember when running. It is solely a men-
tal game and should be approached as one. This year’s team is really competitive. Balek has a strategy to run and encourages the other girls to come up with their own strategy and continue running until resting is absolutely necessary. Along with praying, the team engages in an uplifting “Go Raiders!” chant. They are looking to make a statement and want to be looked out for this year. The volleyball team has been silently adjusting to a new playing style, brought forth by their coach Julee Fryer, who arrived last year. There is not an official leader on the team; everybody acts as one and advises each other. Even though there are still changes, they are getting used to making sure everybody knows right from wrong. The team really wants to focus on learning from their mistakes, working on coverage, adjusting, and communicating with each other when passing the ball. Senior Keora Glover prefers playing a home match at Shaw versus at the opponent’s court because she is more familiar with her home court than others. Their team motto is “A losing team with a winning attitude is better than a winning team with a losing attitude.”
Coach’s Corner
Lindsay Johnson Northside High school
Former Standout Athlete Making Transition to Coaching New Sport by Robert Preston Jr.
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indsay Johnson was a basketball fanatic. She went to Columbus High School, where she was an All-Region basketball player. As a small forward, she used her talent on the basketball court to play four years and earn a degree at the University of Auburn-Montgomery. She always knew she wanted to teach and coach; she just thought she would be coaching basketball. And she did – for a while. Then volleyball came along. After graduating from UAM, Johnson went to work at Shaw High School. She was hired as a special education teacher and head women’s basketball coach. Johnson was quite happy coaching basketball and wasn’t really looking for anything else to do. Eventually, the former volleyball coach left, which opened up a position at Shaw. “Some of the players at the time asked me to coach the volleyball team,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know anything at all about the game. I had never played; Columbus High didn’t have a volleyball team when I was there. But I agreed to coach the girls.” For two years, she was head basketball and head volleyball coach. Then, she stepped down as head basketball coach, but 32
photography by Jerry Christenson
continued working with the basketball team as an assistant while still serving as head volleyball coach. After six years at Shaw, she left for Northside. Johnson, who still teaches special education and coaches volleyball, is in her second year at Northside. So why did she give up basketball for a sport she knew nothing about? “I love the girls and their commitment to the sport,” Johnson said. “The commitment level they have to volleyball is greater than the commitment level I see in other sports. They truly love the game. They are driven and self-disciplined. They never miss practice and they play year-round, and that helps the program tremendously.” Because Coach Johnson never played volleyball, she had no idea about the fundamentals of the sport when she started coaching. Johnson set out to learn volleyball, and it’s a quest she still pursues today. One thing that really surprised her when she began coaching volleyball is how technically sound the sport is. The girls have to be in excellent physical condition, but they must also know the technique and fundamentals of every position on the court. “You can’t hide anybody on the floor,” she said. “I’m still learn-
“I love the girls and their commitment to the sport. The commitment level they have to volleyball is greater than the commitment level I see in other sports. They truly love the game.” ing the sport, but these girls love the game and really want to be a great team. That makes me want to learn even more about volleyball. I love the kids and I love their passion.” For a relative newbie at volleyball, Coach Johnson’s teams have done pretty well. Her first year coaching volleyball at Shaw, the girls made it to the Elite Eight. After that first year, they played for a region title every year under Coach Johnson. Last year at Northside, the Patriots made the state playoffs and this year, the Patriots were 8-4 at the time of this interview in late August. The region schedule didn’t begin until September, so Coach Johnson didn’t yet have a good feel for how the region picture would take shape. Coach Johnson strives to do everything she can in order to give her kids what they need to succeed. She has a threefold approach to coaching: Do the right thing in school, in the community, and on the court. If her players do those three things, then the wins, losses, and playoff appearances will take care of themselves. It doesn’t hurt that Johnson’s practices are notoriously difficult, either. “We make practice as hard as we can,” she said. “Our practices are harder than most of our games. That way, when we get in a close match, we have the men-
tal toughness to grind it out. We want to win those close sets, and a lot of the time, those come down to mental toughness. That’s what we’ve been working on this year.” Nearly all of Johnson’s volleyball players want to eventually play in college. And that’s where her kids have a tremendous advantage over others. Though Coach Johnson didn’t play volleyball at all, as a former college athlete, she knows the recruiting process well, and she knows what it takes to play at the next level. “We go hard at every practice and we’ve built our program around toughness,” she said. “That has helped get these young ladies ready to play volleyball at the next level.” Coach Johnson has been in the Columbus area her whole life, and she doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon. She has no desire to coach in college, and she is perfectly happy with where she is. “I will stay at the high school level,” Johnson said. “I love being in the classroom with my special education children. And I love coaching high school kids. I like watching them grow and mature into responsible young adults, and I enjoy helping mold them into successful women.” ITG
A Look Inside: Muscogee County’s 2014 Media Day photography by George McDuffie
Carver High School
Columbus High School
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Hardaway High School
Jordan High School
Kendrick High School
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Northside High School
Shaw High School
Spencer High School
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Timeless Moments in Sports
October
10.1.1975 The Thrilla in Manila
10.6.2009 They All Fall Down
Boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier clashed for the third and final time, fighting for Ali’s WBC/ WBA Heavyweight Championship in Quezon City (Metro Manila), Philippines. The battle ended with a 14th-round TKO when Frazier’s corner threw in the towel. It is hailed by many as one of the greatest matches in boxing history.
In his first game against his former team, Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings became the first quarterback to defeat all 32 teams in the NFL. He passed for 271 yards and three touchdowns as the Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 30-23.
10.7.2012 It’s a “Brees” Connecting on a 40-yard score to wide receiver Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees set a new record by throwing at least one touchdown in 48 consecutive games, surpassing Johnny Unitas’s 52-year-old milestone. His streak would eventually end at 54 games against the Atlanta Falcons.
10.26.1984 The Debut Michael Jordan made his professional debut with the Chicago Bulls in a 109-93 win over the Washington Bullets. He would go on to become the first rookie to lead his team in four statistical categories over a season (points, rebounds, assists, and steals), a distinction that has yet to be accomplished by anyone else. 38
10.27.2004 Curse Reversed After coming back from an 0-3 deficit to defeat the New York Yankees in the ALCS, the Boston Red Sox captured their first World Series title since 1918, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals four games to none. The title lifted what had been referred to as the “Curse of the Bambino,” which Red Sox fans supposed was caused when Boston sold baseball legend Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919.
October Birthdays Anquan Boldin – October 3, 1980 (Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers) Derrick Rose – October 4, 1988 (Point Guard, Chicago Bulls) Brittney Griner – October 10, 1990 (Center, Phoenix Mercury) Bryce Harper – October 16, 1992 (Outfielder, Washington Nationals) Nick Saban – October 31, 1951
(Head Football Coach, University of Alabama)
Chattahoochee County
Panthers Q&A with Jon Griffin, New Athletic Director One Team. One Dream. One Heartbeat. Originally inspired by Latavius “Quin” Jones (June 23, 1990-March 7, 2011) and the Class of 2008, “One Heartbeat” has come to define the Panther Nation and is the driving force behind their athletics. With a new athletic director and numerous changes in programs and coaching staff, defining the dream and building an athletic program driven by one heartbeat has become more important than ever. Some of these changes started taking place during the 2013-2014 school year, and with cross country, wrestling, track, and boys’ soccer all going to playoffs, Chattahoochee County is well on its way to becoming a defining player in the 5-AA region. This school year, Four Winds Restaurant, well known for its famous Ranger Burger, has developed a Panther Burger and will stay open until midnight after all home football games for a “5th quarter” gathering spot. The establishment of a new Parent Activity Booster Club has brought parent involvement to the forefront of the changes, and has created a boost in school pride within the student body.
We sat down with new athletic director Jon Griffin to get his views on some of the changes taking place in the department and to get his take on what it’s going to take to redefine the dream. What are your goals as the new athletic director? Griffin: I hope to bring a positive and enthusiastic approach to our department. I would like for all coaches to be accountable within their programs and build traditions of winning on and off the playing field. I want all programs to incorporate a foundation of discipline and moral character for all coaches and student-athletes. How is Chattahoochee County’s athletic department defining itself? Griffin: I hope we stay consistent and positive with all aspects of our department. What would you describe as the three most important goals for athletic coaches at Chattahoochee County this year? Griffin: We want to build a consistent and strong foundation within our programs, dis-
play a positive attitude within all aspects of the program, and have a strong moral character and market ourselves in a positive way through the sports communities. What changes are happening to athletics this school year? Griffin: We have eight new head coaches and a new sport in volleyball. The administration also decided that the athletic director would be more accessible by not coaching. So I will not be coaching. We have a buzz going around here this year. All of the department seems to get along and are communicating. It’s been a fantastic start of the year! While Chatt Co has its share of challenges, including an ever-changing student body due to its high military population, administration, faculty, staff, coaches, parents, and students are joining part in redefining the voice of Chatt Co and establishing the Chatt Co Nation as an athletic force in the region.
Volleyball Returns to Chatt Co Athletics After a three-year hiatus, Volleyball is returning to Chattahoochee County. With new head coach Jeffery David Lane, an all-new coaching staff, and only three returning seniors from the original team, it is essentially a new program. 21 players have come out to make up the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams this season. With a rigorous 10-game schedule their first season back, Coach Lane’s goals for the program include “to have a great season and to continue to build the program for years to come.” The key to a great athletic program is a good coach, and Lane is exemplifying those characteristics on and off the court. His coaching strategy is “to control the ball on our side of the net and be aggressive servers. There is no better way of taking control of a match than with an unstoppable server.“ Watching the well-oiled machine that is a Lady Panthers Volleyball practice, it looks like his strategy is working, and he is developing some skilled servers on both teams.
The first few games of the season have showed that the girls are playing a competitive game and are not afraid to push toward
success this season. When asked what this season’s goals are, Lane responded: “Obviously everyone’s goal is to make it to the postseason, but our main goals for this season are to build up good, strong team chemistry and to make every play count.” Watching the girls play so far this season, Lane is well on his way to accomplishing these goals. While, according to Lane, “each member of our team plays a pivotal role in our success,” there are a few players to watch out for this season. Outside hitters Kasey Dixon (senior, #5) and Madison Ayers (junior, #6) and setters Jasmine Bolden (senior, #10) and Miranda Welch (junior, #3) are key players to the team’s success. These girls display the determination and competitive spirit that is driving the team this season. We hope the Lady Panthers have great success this season and in the future, and are glad to welcome volleyball back to the Chatt Co. Nation. Good Luck Ladies! 39
Cross Country Teams Well-Prepared for Upcoming Season
Brookstone
Cougars
by Andrew Butcher
Dr. Cheruiyot’s love and passion for running came at an early age when she was growing up in a village in Kenya. As she got older, she had a desire for competing, and the thrill of racing has kept her in the sport ever since. Before her time at Brookstone, she was the graduate assistant coach at Columbus State University from 2004-2010. Leading the Cougar pack this year is junior Will Jenkins and sophomore Abbie Dillion. Jenkins, who has been running for Brookstone since his eighthgrade year, is very driven and loves
to compete. Dr. Cheruiyot considers him her top male runner, based on his performances at the early meets. This proves true when looking back to his freshman season when he was named Most Improved, and Most Valuable Runner. “Cross country is more than a sport, it is a brotherhood; something I share with my friends,” Jenkins said. He attributes his success to Dr. Cheruiyot’s rigorous practices, commitment to making each runner better, and positive outlook on running and life as a whole. The Cougar brotherhood consists of 16 aspiring, determined runners: Connor Todd, Tommy Bridgewater, Edward Bridgewater, Michael Gibbes, Will Jenkins, Stuart Sherrer, Michael Umana, Sam Pawloski, Jack Fergusson, Hayden Spicer, David Thayer, Mills Miller, Perk Swift, Will Bird, Walker Hinds, and Cal Lavoie. Four-year, returning senior Michael Gibbes loves the sport just as much as anyone. He loves running in general, but the meets are the best part. “When you hear that gunshot in the air at the start of a race, you’ve got to convince your body not to just shut down after the initial sprint. Then, you’ve got to continue convincing yourself to keep on going for the next five kilometers. All that time, the adrenaline is flowing, and you feel so excited. The runner’s high is real,” Gibbes said. This seems to prove true with the other runners on the men’s team as well. Abbie Dillion, top female runner for the Cougars, is on her way to another outstanding season. Her work ethic, drive, and perseverance not only put her in position to have a top finish in the region, but to compete successfully on the state level. She is determined to run her best on a daily basis, not just for herself, but for her teammates. Dillon also considers her teammates her best friends and part of her family.
She broke into the cross country scene last year, placing second at the City Championship, and 10th at the Area Championship. So far this year she has set a new personal record with a time of 21:08. This was at the Berry College meet, amongst a field of 399 female runners, in which she placed 88th. The lady Cougars as a whole, including Abigail Pitts, Redding Byrd, Lindsey Atkins, Arielle Hopf, Kay Moon, and Madison Ogletree “are going to be a force to be reckoned with this year on the state level”, according to Dillon. With stacked rosters on both ends for the Cougars, this season is looking rather promising. It is now time for the six-mile practices, hard work, sweat, and dedication to payoff. This year’s area and state championships are theirs for the taking. It is now time for Dr. Cheruiyot and her runners to execute and compete at the high level that is expected. With high hopes and lots of anticipation building up for the Cougars, this should be one interesting and exciting season. Photo courtesy of Brookstone High School
Photo courtesy of Brookstone High School
With the 2014 cross country season finally underway, Dr. Cheruiyot, the Cougars’ head coach (along with assistant coaches Katie Forsyth, DeeDee Gordon, and Alex Chapman) has the team geared up for another outstanding year on the trails. Expectations for this year’s team are certainly high. A common goal among the runners and coaches this season is that everyone has a state championship in mind. Competing in the single A private school division is nothing new to Dr. Cheruiyot, who has been coaching at Brookstone for three seasons now. “With a lot of returning talent, I believe we have a chance of faring well in the area, then moving on to state,” Cheruiyot said.
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photo courtesy of Northside High School
Patriots
NORTHSIDE
Cheer Coach and Role Model by Rachel Shehane
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says, “Coach Cornwell has made me a better person,” Brock said. “She will always be my role model. She has been my coach since freshman year and I feel like I can depend on her for anything.” Kya Walker views her as a role model as well. “She has been very instrumental in my life and I would not be the same without her,” Walker said. Cornwell does not only have a profound effect in her cheerleaders but also on her students. She teaches geometry at Northside and tries to perform just as well as a teacher as she does as a coach. She attended Columbus State University and graduated with a degree in secondary education with a focus in mathematics. She is currently working on her master’s degree for the same subject. She hopes that her education, along with her teaching, will help her students the same way she tries to help her cheerleaders; by helping them better themselves both academically and personally. Under the leadership of Coach Cornwell, working together, becoming leaders, determination, and hard work, Northside’s cheerleaders are off to a great season! Cornwell’s drive and passion for her girls and cheerleading gives the girls a positive role model and the opportunity to learn life-long skills. Coach Cornwell is truly an inspiration and asset for Northside’s cheerleading team!
photo courtesy of Northside High School
Northside High School Head Cheerleading Coach Kierra Cornwell has begun this season with big goals for her team and a determination to make this the team’s best season yet. Her connection with the girls and their dedication will make achieving their goal a little easier. “This is one of my best seasons already,” Cornwell said. “I have an amazing group of girls, some who I have been coaching since their freshman year. I’m excited to continue working with them and watch them cheer after all of our hard work.” She hopes that as she coaches the girls this season they will become closer and stronger as a team and develop strong leadership skills. Cornwell’s coaching is the result of her own cheerleading experiences. She was a varsity cheerleader at Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia and cheered for the Trinity Warriors outside of school. Her coach for the Trinity Warriors was Tina Fears, who has influenced her coaching today. “Tina was my favorite coach when I cheered and I really try to model myself after her,” Cornwell said. “She focused on precision and detail and always helped us to cheer our best. At the time I hated her because she was hard on us, but that was something I appreciated later on. I hope to have the same effect on my girls.” Just as Cornwell models herself after Tina Fears, it seems that the girls on her team try to model themselves after her. Senior cheerleaders Olivia Brock and Kya Walker are two examples. Olivia Brock