South Georgia December 2015 Edition

In this issue December 2015

09 The Golden Leg of “Baby Lu” Luis “Baby Lu” Martinez Colquitt County High School 10 The Shot Clock It’s About Time

Tift Senior Leads Yet Another Talented Blue Devils Squad PJ Horne Tift County High School

12 In Massachusetts, the Lady Raiders are on a Roll Watertown High School 27 In the Game’s Student-Athlete Holiday Wish List

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39 LMS Vikings Set Unprecedented Milestone Lowndes Middle School 41 Lessons from Athletics Transcend the Game In the Game Opinions 59 Public Wifi: Protecting Your Information provided by Colony Bank 61 South Georgia Physician Finds Middle Ground to Help Injured Athletes Return to Their Game provided by Phoebe Ortho

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Funderburk, Wolfenden Run Away from the Pack Region + State Results Region 1-6A Area Schools

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29

46

From Fifth to First: Lee County Senior Eyes a State Wrestling Championship Aaron Maxfield Lee County High School

Senior Bearcats a Big Part of History-Making in Bainbridge Tyler Storey & Calvin Isom Bainbridge High School

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Vikings’ Alum Uses Football to Teach Life Lessons, Accountability Randall Godfrey Lowndes High School

After over 30 years of marriage, Cathy Parker is a head coach’s wife + She Takes Football to Barrow Alaska!

Lanier County High School

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Senior Indian More than a Cliché DJ Pollard Irwin County High School

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The Four Kings of the Triple Crown Clinch County High School

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LMS Eighth-Grader Soldiers on in Aftermath of Unspeakable Tragedy Katelyn Wade Lowndes High School

Get In the Game Online!

Sneak Peak:

Be sure to pick up a copy of our January issue! We will take a special peek at one of the most competitive 6-A basketball teams in the state of Georgia by talking with Wheeler High School’s PG, Darius Perry.

December 2015 south georgia edition 5

Read Cathy Parker’s full story on page 29!

Contributors:

From the Publisher

Hard work. Perseverance.

Overcoming adversity. Getting up when you’ve been knocked down. All of those phrases have been applied to lessons learned through athletics.

Every student-athlete we’ve ever featured, in one way or another, has had to deal with one or more of these. This month, however, we have two individuals – one student, one adult – who know these applications better than most.

Cathy Parker, wife of Lanier County head football coach Carl Parker, and Katelyn Wade, a 13-year-old cheerleader at Lowndes Middle School, have recently faced almost insurmountable obstacles. For Cathy, hers came in the form of a project to get a football field to Barrow, Alaska, that she coordinated from her

then-home in Jacksonville, Florida. Barrow is nearly 4,000 miles away in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. Eight years ago, when the local school board decided to bring football to Barrow, Cathy felt burdened to make sure those kids and that community had what they needed to play. Grass won’t grow in Barrow, so the kids played on gravel and frozen dirt. She initiated a project to get a turf field to the kids in Barrow. The project required nearly $1 million to complete and involved more logistical nightmares than you could possibly imagine. It was, however, a success, and now the Barrow Whalers play on Cathy Parker Field in Barrow.

In the meantime, she and Carl have begun a new chapter in their lives since he took over the embattled Lanier County football program.

The challenges of changing the culture of the Bulldogs is nothing compared to what Cathy and Carl went through with the Barrow project, and the Parker family is once again transforming a community through football.

Katelyn Wade is facing a

completely different set of challenges this year. Just a few weeks into the school year, cancer claimed the life of her mother, Kristen. At just 13 years old and preparing to finish middle school and move on to Lowndes High, she must also adjust to life without her mother. In the face of incredible adversity, Katelyn has kept her mother’s memory alive by immersing herself in cheering and school, and she plans to keep striving for excellence in both as she transitions to high school. The first part of the school year has not been easy for her, and the future only promises to hold more dark days as the Wade family celebrates Christmas for the first time without Kristen, but Katelyn has carried herself with grace, determination, and strength through the most tragic of circumstances.

See the inside of this edition of In the Game for more on Cathy Parker and Katelyn Wade.

We are making a transition this month – from fall sports to winter/spring sports. We still have plenty of football coverage. But by the time this

edition reaches your hands, the regular football season will be over and the playoff brackets will be set. In just a few short weeks, we will crown state champions in all classifications.

Will a South Georgia school be among the winners? Let’s hope so.

We have our first basketball feature of the year in Tift County’s P.J. Horne. We also have more wrestling coverage, and we’re getting ready for soccer, golf, tennis, baseball, and track. It’s also noteworthy that this is the last edition of 2015; it’s hard to believe that we’re already about to start 2016.

In fact, typing “2016” doesn’t even seem right. But the new year is upon us, and with it will come more coverage of the very best of high school sports in our area.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season, and we look forward to a great winter/ spring sports campaign.

Publisher Mark Dykes Editors Mark Dykes Sarah Turner Graphics Sarah Turner Cover Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography Feature Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography Lindsi Jones Lindsi Jones Photography Sarah Turner Feature Writers Robert Preston Jr. James Washington Jon Nelson Copy Editor James Washington Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com

Cole Parker

cole@inthegamemagazine.com

Website Manager Cole Parker

Tell us what you thought about the November issue of In the Game! info@inthegamemagazine.com

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For advertising information call: 888-715-4263 Dykes Media Group, Inc. | P.O. Box 812 | Valdosta, GA | 31603 In the Game is published monthly (excluding July). The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group, Inc. makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2015 Dykes Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

December 2015 south georgia edition 7

Fastbreaks December 2015

The Golden Leg of

Baby Baby Lu Lu

M

ost successful football programs are constantly in the spotlight for the players in the “skill” positions. However, even certain positions in this group are highlighted more often than others. Quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, and defensive specialists are typically the ones that find their names on the front page of the sports section following a big win.

But, every once in a while, there is a player from a less recognized skill position that needs acknowledgment. Kickers are often taken for granted because, on the surface, their job appears simple.

A true appreciation doesn’t come to light until your team’s kicker is lined up with a chance to launch a game-winning field goal.

Any true fan of the game knows that there is incredible ability and focus that goes into launching a football through the uprights with a stadium full of screaming fans breathing down your neck. Kickers often receive the most ridicule for a blown kick, but occasionally, they garner their share of appreciation and respect. Such is the case in Colquitt County.

Luis “Baby Lu” Martinez has seen the center stage more times than he can count. Luckily, it’s a situation in which he thrives. As the kicker for the defending-champion Colquitt County Packers (Moultrie, Ga.), he has had his share of opportunities to add to the scoreboard. And he has been successful, time and time again.

As of this writing, Martinez has

scored 65 points for the Packers in the 2015 season (32 extra points, 11 field goals). His point total is currently the second highest on his team (behind receiver Kiel Pollard), and he ranks fifth of all players in Region 1-AAAAAA. When Martinez was a freshman, he earned a spot on the varsity soccer team (he is a four-year letterman and plays midfielder and forward). While he had the distinction of being the youngest member of the team, he did not have the distinction of being the only player named “Luis”. After it was decided that he would need a nickname to distinguish him from his older teammate, “Baby Lu” came to fruition. And it is now a moniker that the Colquitt community will never forget.

“The people here mean everything to me,” Martinez says. “This is home. It is a special place to live, and I love it here.”

Martinez has been a member of the football team since his sophomore year. He missed part of his first season (2013) due to a knee injury, but has still managed to leave his mark on the Colquitt program. For his career, he currently sits at 28-of-41 on field goal attempts (he has even connected on three attempts of 50-plus yards). But what is more impressive is his stat line from the red zone. Since joining the team, Martinez has gone an astounding 130-of-130 in point-after-touchdown attempts, which gives him a school record for most consecutive successes. And with the end of the season still weeks away, as well as an expected playoff fun for the Packers, the record is only

expected to grow.

“I want to win another (state) title,” he says. “Last year, when we went to state, there were so many of our fans there. I want to do it for them. They are always there to back us up, so we want to make them proud.”

Off the field, he is an outgoing and caring individual that never meets a stranger. Everyone in the community knows him as the friendly young man that is never angry; he is active in his church, he has done work with the Colquitt Leadership Group, and he will go out of his way to help someone in need.

“I love the community support,” Martinez says. “I was born and raised here. I wouldn’t trade this community for anything. It’s like one big family.”

After graduation, he would like to attend the University of Georgia. He plans to pursue a career as either a physical therapist or a financial adviser.

But no matter where he goes or how big he becomes, one thing remains the same. “Baby Lu” is Colquitt born and Colquitt bred. And he loves his Packer family more than anything. ITG

Longest field goal

56 yards (Scrimmage vs. Coffee County, 2015)

Most points in a game

16 (vs. Lee County, 2015) 4/4 PATs, 4/4 FGs

December 2015 south georgia edition 9

Fastbreaks

>>

Currently, the NBA and WNBA use a 24-second shot clock, while the NCAA (beginning in the 2015-16 season) uses a 30-second clock.

High school? Nothing. Players move on to the collegiate ranks and immediately have to learn a new style of play. And if you’ve ever played a sport, once something is ingrained mentally, the smallest tweak can take much longer to adjust to than expected. A shot clock may seem simple, but when that time is in the back of a player’s mind (and it didn’t have to be there in the past), what is getting pushed out of the way to make room?

by James Washington

The Shot Clock: It’s About Time In 1954, Syracuse Nationals owner Danny Biasone experimented with a 24-second shot clock during a scrimmage. His formula was simple: After checking the box scores of games that he enjoyed, he noticed that there were about 120 shot attempts per game (60 per team). Therefore, in a 48minute game (or 2,880 seconds), there was a shot attempted approximately every 24 seconds. The idea stuck, and the following season (1954-55), the National Basketball Association adopted regular use of a shot clock, which has been used in every season since.

Basketball is a fast-paced game. Fans are drawn in because of the constant action and excitement. And it can be argued that, without a shot clock, there may very well still be “stall ball” played in the upper ranks.

Do you recall the score of the first basketball game ever played? True enthusiasts may have done their research, but for those that haven’t, here’s a quick history lesson. On January 20, 1892, two teams of nine players each battled it out at the YMCA gymnasium in Albany, New York. The final score? 1-0.

Now, it’s highly doubtful that hoops would ever get to that level again, but the lesson to take from this is that progression is key to improvement. Arguments always ensue over 10 In the Game December 2015

the quality of play between various eras, and it is hard to distinguish, mainly because things change. Players, coaches, rules; they all evolve.

It’s time for our area to evolve in its own right. Let’s adopt a shot clock for high school basketball.

The biggest advantage to using a shot clock is that of preparation. We all understand that not every student-athlete is going to become a professional. But, for the players that do end up reaching the highest levels of competition, wouldn’t it only make sense to give them adequate preparation in their craft? By implementing a shot clock on the high school level, players are already getting used to competing under a time crunch. At the professional level,

the smallest things can be the difference between a win and a loss. And if you’re bringing in a young player, it only makes sense that the more experience they have playing with a shot clock, the better. (Also, most AAU leagues and tournaments already implement the use of shot clocks.)

The classroom provides students with the basics to succeed and strengthens those lessons with problems that reflect real-life situations. For the student-athletes that are strongly interested in pursuing a career in sports, the preparation should be similar. Put student-athletes in these situations now so that they become habit sooner than later. ITG

Fastbreaks

Head coach Eileen Donahue extends her coaching win total to an amazing 590 games. The win also gave the Lady Raiders their 40th shutout in the last 41 games.

For the Love of the Game

In Massachusetts, the Lady Raiders are on a Roll

I

by James Washington | photography courtesy of Watertown High School

In the world of sports, the state of Massachusetts is an unspoken Mecca of success. In the world of professional basketball, the Boston Celtics lead the National Basketball Association with 17 world championships to their credit. The Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League have won six titles in the Stanley Cup era (which is the fourth highest title count). And the New England Patriots have taken world of the National Football League by storm, winning four Super Bowls since 2001 and establishing themselves as one of the prominent teams of the last 15 years.

In that regard, it is only fitting that we hear about more astounding accomplishments from The Bay State.

12 In the Game December 2015

On November 12, 2008, the women’s field hockey team of Watertown High School (Watertown, Mass.) fell in the Division II State Semifinals after they were unable to hold a two-goal advantage over the opposing Hopkinton High School (Hopkinton, Mass.).

The team has not lost a game since.

(Ironically, the team’s home venue is named “Victory Field”.)

And on October 21, 2015, the team did more than simply win. It made history. With a 6-0 victory over Melrose High School (Melrose, Mass.), Watertown’s Lady Raiders extended their win streak to 154 games, passing the former national record held by Eastern High School (Voorhies, N.J.) which was set in 2005. ITG

December 2015 south georgia edition 13

16 In the Game December 2015

Horne leads yet another

talented Blue Devils squad PJ Horne | Power Forward | Senior | Tift County High School

written by Robert Preston Jr. photography by Micki K Photography | Marque Milla Reese

I

t’s the same story this year in regards to Tift County basketball.

The Blue Devils are once again loaded. They didn’t lose much last year. They’re back and, after last year’s stunning and disappointing first-round playoff loss to Newton, they’re hungrier than ever.

“We only lost two games last year,” says Tift County head coach Eric Holland. “Unfortunately, one of those games was in the first round of the playoffs. In our mind, we’re 0-1.

And we’re ready to pick up where we left off last year.”

18 In the Game December 2015

On a team full of elite-level players, one young man stands out above the rest. Junior forward PJ Horne, a 6’6”, 220-pound threeyear starter, is the kind of player every coach wants. He’s big, strong, fast, and versatile; Horne can play any position on the court and play it well. This year, he will have to step up and lead the Blue Devils – and that’s just fine by him.

“We want to come back stronger than ever,” Horne says. “A lot of people look up to us, and we want to get better. We came up short last year, but our goal remains the same. After that playoff loss, it hurt. We were devastated to work so hard and have it end

so early. We were shocked. Our fans were shocked. It just didn’t feel right.”

So what did the Blue Devils do? Less than a month after losing to Newton, they were back in the gym, working even harder.

“It’s been a very long offseason,” Horne says.

A year ago, Horne averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks per game. His teammates call him “the total package” – he plays equally well at the three or the four and can dominate on both ends of the floor.

“We’re expecting him to do everything. He dominates on both offense and defense. He should be among the leaders in every statisti-

+

Did You Know?

Coming up through the Tift County system, PJ Horne played football in addition to basketball. After his freshman year, however, he put away his cleats, shoulder pads, and helmet.

“I wanted to focus on one sport,” he says.

“I didn’t want to have to balance two sports. I wanted to put everything into basketball.”

Does he miss the opportunity to dominate on the gridiron like he does on the floor?

“A little,” he says. “I hear about it every day.

It’s been tempting. It was fun. I liked football.”

cal category,” says Coach Holland.

Horne attributes his success to two qualities: being coachable and never settling for second-best.

“I always give everything I have when I step on the court,” he says. “I also listen to my coaches. I listen to what they tell me then I use those lessons on the court.

I think that’s what helped me develop my game.”

As his game has developed, so have his expectations. It’s not enough just to make the varsity; he had to start. It’s not enough to get in the playoffs; his teams have to win the region. And it’s not enough to get in

the state playoffs; Horne and his teammates expect to win the state championship each year. Which is why last year’s abrupt exit from the postseason was so difficult.

“It feels great to be expected to win state,” he says. “We like to say that there are three seasons. The regular season is the first season. The playoffs are the second season. Then winning the championship is the third season. If you win all three seasons, you’ve got it. And that’s what we want to do – win all three seasons.”

Horne’s work ethic, talent, and academics (he carries a 3.2 GPA) have attracted the attention of college coaches throughout

the country – from Southeastern Conference schools like Georgia and Florida to Ivy League institutions – who would like to have him on their rosters in the future. It’s a little unusual to think about for Horne – he’s only a 16-year-old junior with two more years of high school basketball left to play. While his immediate goal remains to lead the Blue Devils to a state title, he knows where he’d like to end up one day.

“In a few years, I’d like to be in the NBA,” he says. “If I’m not there, I want to be somewhere being successful. I’m not ever going to give up. I’ll always keep my head up.” ITG December 2015 south georgia edition 19

GHSA Region 1-AAAAAA Cross Country Championships Vikings, Wildcats, Packers, Trojans, and Blue Devils toed the line in Leesburg on October 29th for the Region 1-AAAAAA cross country championship races.

For the girls, Colquitt County High School’s Elizabeth Funderburk led the way and finished with over a 60-second lead from the rest of the pack. Funderburk, previously featured in In the Game, is a three-sport athlete for the Packers; she is a state finisher in cross country, track, and golf.

To the former champs’ dismay (Tift Co. High School), the Lee County Trojans took the title for the girls with an overall score of 52.

1 (10) Elizabeth Funderburk

6 (10) Ashlee Golden

Colquitt County High School

Tift County High School

20:57.70

22:45.90

2 (11) Savyon Toombs

7 (10) Ramsay Miller

Lowndes High School

Lee County High School

22:05.00

22:47.70

3 (10) Page Makenzee

8 (10) Phoebe Bills

Lowndes High School

Lowndes High School

22:10.30

22:57.70

4 (11) Madeline Mathis

9 (9) Caroline Taylor

Valdosta High School

Lee County High School

22:28.60

22:58.30

5 (11) Ansley Cain

10 (11) Harley Stephens

Lee County High School

Tift County High School

22:40.50

23:17.50

20 In the Game December 2015

Elizabeth Funderburk Female Individual Region Champion

Team Scores 1 2 3 4 5

Lee County Tift County Lowndes Colquitt County Valdosta

52 54 67 70 107

23:16 Avg 23:25 Avg 24:20 Avg 24:01 Avg 25:57 Avg

Team Scores

Lowndes High School 16:33.60

6 (9) Hayden Bills

Lowndes High School 18:13.70

2 (12) Robert Grooms

7 (11) Francisco Centeno

3 (12) Chance Roe

8 (10) Quin McGlamery

Lee County 17:10.60

Lowndes High School 17:21.90

4 (10) Jake Merritt

Colquitt County 17:26.20

Valdosta High School 18:29.30

Valdosta High School 18:33.40

5 (11) Matthew Baun Valdosta High School 17:47.60

Tift County High School 18:46.20

18:03 Avg 18:52 Avg 18:58 Avg 19:27 Avg 19:41 Avg

How did your region champs do at the state level?

10 (12) Matthew Fisher

34 57 67 90 96

Another runner recently featured among the pages of ITG took an individual win in the boy’s race. Kaleb Wolfenden of Lowndes High School ran away from his competition finishing in the mid-16’s. And in this race an individual runner was able to call his teamates champions also as Lowndes stole the show with a score of 34, despite the inclement weather.

9 (10) Hunter Hatfield Lee County 18:44.30

Lowndes Valdosta Lee County Colquitt County Tift County

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1 (11) Kaleb Wolfenden

Kaleb Wolfenden Male Individual Region Champion

1 2 3 4 5

Funderburk finished 45th out of 211 state qualifiers with a time of 21:00.73

Wolfenden finished 32nd out of 225 state qualifiers with a time of 17:17.40

December 2015 south georgia edition 21

Senior Bearcats a Big Part of History-Making in Bainbridge written by James Washington | photography by Micki K Photography

N

o matter the outcome of the remainder of the season, the 2015 Bainbridge Bearcats (Bainbridge, Ga.) have made a name for themselves. Currently sitting at a record of 8-0 (3-0 in Region 1-AAAA), their eight-game season-opening win streak is the highest for the

school since their 10-game streak to begin the 1960 season.

As the popular saying goes, there are two sides to every story. In this case, both sides scream hard work, determination, and success. The Bearcats are powered by a tremendous offense, averaging over 35 points per game. Their defense is no pushover, either;

the team is allowing a mere 11.8 points per contest.

Two key components of the team’s success are their star receiver, Tyler Storey, and defensive lineman Calvin Isom. Each holds down his respective side of the field, and each is a big reason why this season’s Bearcats are setting the standard for years to come.

December 2015 south georgia edition 23

Tyler Storey

Wide Receiver 6’0”, 180 lbs Family: Samuel and Patricia (parents); Tauhadah and India (sisters), Trey (brother)

us that we have to take things a day at a time. It’s all about the next practice, the next game.

Adversity is going to come.

But it’s not about that. It’s all about how we face it and fight through it.”

After graduation, Tyler would like to pursue a career in physical therapy. He is undecided as to which college he will attend, but he knows that he would like to include football in his collegiate plans.

“This team is like a family,” he says. “I’ll never forget my teammates. I know that this is a group of guys that I’ve gone to war with, and they have never let me down. I’ll keep those types of memories with me for the rest of my life.”

Calvin Isom

T

yler Storey is a threeyear letterman for the Bearcats. Lining up at wide receiver, he is a key component of the success that the team has earned. Through the first eight games, he leads all receivers with 50 catches (totaling 930 yards) and six touchdowns. However, if you ask him, he is but a mere cog in the machine that is the Bainbridge offense.

“It’s all about the team,” Tyler says. “I’m a ‘team first’ type of player. I just want to be sure that I’m doing my part so that we can all succeed together.”

Away from the gridiron, Tyler is also a four-year member of the school’s baseball and wrestling teams. However, football is the current focus.

The Bearcats are undefeated in region play and hold a fourgame advantage over their closest competition in the overall standings.

“It’s all about hard work and focus,” he says. “We push each other. Our coaches tell

Defensive Tackle 6’2”, 245 lbs Family: Calvin, Sr. and Cynthia (parents); Shakira (sister)

S

imply put, Calvin Isom loves the game of football. It is what he eats, sleeps, and breathes. In that regard, it is only fitting that he is such a dominant force on the defensive line. At defensive tackle (and occasionally

defensive end), he has totaled 36 tackles on the year, including two tackles for loss.

The hot start for the Bearcats is almost expected when a player of Calvin’s caliber is lining up for the team.

He is a two-time All-Region team member and is shooting for his third consecutive nod this fall. He has been playing the game since he was 12 years old, and he has no intentions of stopping any time soon.

“I would love to play in college,” Calvin says. “We’ll just have to see where I end up.

But college football would be a dream come true for me.”

Calvin is the epitome of leadership for the team. He is constantly boosting his teammates, keeping them motivated and focused. Off the field, he is regarded as a good student that is big on grades.

“When it comes to this team, we’re successful because, from the top to the bottom, the grind is the same,” he says.

“From the coaches on down, we have our minds made up.

It’s all about focus, prayer, and hard work.”

Although it is his final season suiting up in the Bainbridge purple and gold, Calvin makes it known that the Bearcat way will forever be cherished. He is grateful to be a part of the program for four years, and looks forward to the opportunity to make the community proud in whatever he does in the future. And, most of all, he says he will always treasure the bonds that he has built with his teammates.

“These aren’t teammates; they’re my brothers,” he says.

“I couldn’t do any of this without such a strong team.

I’m blessed to be here, and I thank God every day for the opportunities that I have been given in my life.” ITG

Tyler Storey on Calvin Isom:

“(Calvin) is my boy; we’re very close. He’s a dedicated player and, overall, a really good guy. He’s one of my best friends; I have a lot of respect for him.”

Calvin Isom on Tyler Storey:

“(Tyler) is an awesome athlete. Not just a football player. Everything he does on the field, he does it on the wrestling mats and on the baseball field, too. On top of that, he’s just a great person. He’s always positive, and he always keeps his head held high. I’m proud to call him my friend.”

Most important lesson

learned at BHS: “You can’t give up, ever. Success is a daily task, and it requires daily effort. Remember, every time you take a break, there’s somebody getting closer to passing you.” (Tyler Storey) “Success comes from within. You’ll never advance if you only measure your success by the next person’s failure. You have to want to be the best that you can be at all times.”

(Calvin Isom)

26 In the Game December 2015

In the Game’s Student-Athlete Holiday Wish List

Athletic Socks Let’s face it. At some point, every young student-athlete envisions themselves as their favorite collegiate or professional athlete. Regardless of sport, they enjoy being decorated in the likeness of the people they admire and emulate, down to the smallest details. As of the 2015-2016 NBA season, the league has partnered with Stance Socks and now markets team-specific and designer athletic socks for players. Many student-athletes are already wearing unique decorative socks in games. These are perfect stocking stuffers for the athlete in your life!

Spikeball Game Set Spikeball is a game that is taking the world by storm. Typically played with four players (in a two-on-two matchup), Spikeball includes the use of a small trampoline-like object with string netting and a small bouncing ball (with a 12-inch circumference). With rules similar to volleyball, the game is sure to keep your student-athlete (or any interested players) busy and active over the winter months!

Fitbit Surge Fitbit, the mother of all fitness trackers, is a functional and stylish gift for your favorite fitness junkie this holiday season. While it is also the most expensive, the Fitbit Surge is the “Fitness Super Watch” which tracks GPS, continuous heart rate, all-day activity stats and sleep. It includes smart notifications and music control.

What’s new with this favorite fitness accessory? Color! The Fitbit Surge is now available in blue, tangerine, and traditional black.

December 2015 south georgia edition 27

After over 30 years of marriage, Cathy Parker is a head coach’s wife

by Robert Preston Jr. | photography by Lindsi Jones Photography

“

It’s different with Carl coming on in on this later in life, at 50 years old. He’s played in the Super Bowl. We’ve had a kid taken in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft. We don’t have anything to prove. We want to pour what we have into this community and this team to make a difference. Winning at all costs – we don’t have that attitude. It’s more than that. They hired Carl to turn the program around, and he’s very focused on that.

We have enough maturity to know it takes a lot of hard work. And he’s willing to do that,” says Cathy Parker, the wife of Lanier County head football coach Carl Parker.

Coach Parker has indeed become a head coach later in life. But this is far from his first coaching gig. For Coach Parker – and by default, Cathy – athletics have been a way of life. In one way or another, the Parker family has been involved in sports since day one. Carl and Cathy dated through Carl’s college and six-year professional football career, which included two years with the Cincinnati Bengals and an appearance in Super Bowl XXIII (Parker’s Bengals lost to the San Francisco 49ers).

The Parkers have four children – Kyle, who was a two-sport athlete at Clemson (football and baseball), a first-round draft choice by the Colorado Rockies, and currently a member of the Rockies’ big-league squad; Collin, a volunteer coach at Lanier County who played college football; Kendal, a linebacker at SUNY Maritime College in New York; and Cara, a star softball player at Appalachian State. One way or another, Carl Parker has always coached, no matter what his daytime job may have been.

This time, however, it’s different. The Parkers don’t have to deal with the usual challenges that a coaching family has to face. Their children are grown and out of the house. It’s just the two of them, and Cathy has plenty to keep her busy.

She works full-time with the Boys and Girls Club in Valdosta. She’s also writing a book and helping to produce a movie.

While she’s doing that, her husband is working on building a winning program in Lakeland.

“We’ve never not been at the ball field,” Cathy says. “It’s just now that our livelihood comes from it. Nothing’s really changed at the Parker household. We still live at the ball field. And Carl’s always been coaching. Only difference now is that we’re getting paid for it.”

For Cathy, the Lanier County job was a tremendous blessing. Carl went to work at Lanier County as athletic development director. While he was there, he was offered a coaching job outside of the Valdosta area. If he took the job – and he was going to – it would have meant moving yet again. And Cathy didn’t want to leave Valdosta.

“I was born and raised here,” she says.

“Carl moved here when he was 12 years old. We’re both Lowndes High graduates.

When we moved back in 2011, we were glad to be back, and we wanted to stay.

But that other job was a great opportunity for him.”

Not long after Carl went to work in Lakeland, and before he could accept the other coaching offer, Lanier County’s head coach abruptly resigned. Lanier’s administration didn’t want to lose Carl, so they offered him the head football coaching position. It was a tremendous blessing, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Cathy was thrilled that the job came along when it did – Carl could do what he loved, and they could stay in Valdosta.

“It was a real answer to prayer,” she says. “We wouldn’t have to move.”

So what is Cathy’s role with the team?

She’s a very independent individual with a variety of projects to keep her busy.

At the same time, she’s a typical head coach’s wife. She feels the frustration of not winning. She supports her husband.

And she gives him the time he needs to change the culture in Lanier County.

“I go to all the games,” she says. “I’m busy, but all the kids know who I am.

They know me as ‘Carl’s wife’ and ‘Collin’s mom’. I have a lot of compassion for parents of the athletes. I’ve been there. I know how they feel.”

The work of building the Bulldogs into a consistent winner is going to take a long time. The biggest thing the Lanier County program needs is continuity.

Carl Parker is the fifth head coach the Bulldogs have had since 2009. They’ve averaged about three wins a year over that time and haven’t been a playoff contender in a decade. It’s going to take time, hard work, and a long-term commitment to turn the program around. That’s exactly what Cathy Parker expects, and the rebuilding process is something to which she is very committed.

“We want to stay at Lanier County and build a winning program,” she says.

“We want to stay in South Georgia, be around family, and have a place for our children to call home. That would be our desire.”

December 2015 south georgia edition 29

T

housands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of words have been written about Cathy Parker’s involvement with Alaska’s Barrow Whalers football team. The short version is that Cathy spearheaded a long and at times frustrating process to provide a field to the Whalers, the first and only football team above the Arctic Circle.

Back in 2007, when the Parkers lived in Jacksonville, Florida, Cathy saw an ESPN Outside the Lines special on a football team in Barrow, Alaska – the most northern American settlement.

Barrow was starting a football program after the kids at the local high school said football would keep them in school.

With the nearest opponents

500 miles away and no grass to play on, football in the Arctic was controversial and expensive. Cathy knew the positive impact football had made on her family and she wanted the kids in Alaska, almost literally a half a world away, to experience those same blessings. “I said to Carl, ‘You know, that football program is going to save the lives of those young men.’

He agreed,” she says. Cathy developed a vision and a burden almost immediately for the players in Barrow, Alaska. A woman of tremendous faith, she saw football as a ministry for those young men. She began a project to raise money, nearly $1 million, to get an artificial turf field to Barrow for the Whalers. ITG

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Did you know?

Only 5.3 percent of the Earth’s surface lies as far from the Equator as Barrow.

photos courtesy of Cathy Parker

u During the 1988-1989 school year, the Clinch County Panthers (Homerville, Ga.) set a milestone that, to this day, still stands alone in the ranks of high school athletics history. The Panthers’ football, basketball, and baseball teams captured state titles within the same academic year, a feat that was completely unprecedented in high school sports.

Here, 27 years later, four key members of the “Triple Crown” champions have taken the time to talk to In the Game to reminisce on that memorable year. Gregory Calley, A.C. Cooper, Brent James, and Jamie Spates were seniors during that year at Clinch County High School. Even more impressive, each of these men was a key component of each one of those titles brought to Homerville. Three sports, three seasons, three titles.

And with Calley, Cooper, James, and Spates leading the way, In the Game has hereby dubbed them the “four kings of the Triple Crown”.

by James Washington | photography by Micki K Photography

Clinch County High School

The Four Kings of the Triple Crown 32 In the Game December 2015

December 2015 south georgia edition 33

photographed (L-R) Brent James, Jamie Spates, Gregory Calley, A.C. Cooper

Gregory Calley Standing 6’5”, Gregory Calley is not hard to distinguish from the rest of the pack.

A tall, intimidating leader, he shined in each sport that he played for the Panthers. In 1988-1989, he helped to set the standard of greatness on campus; he was a center and defensive end during football season, and forward and center on the hardwood, and first baseman when they took to the diamond. (Calley is also a three-time state champion in baseball. Also to his credit, he was a member of the school’s first-ever baseball state championship team in 1986.)

“We might not have been the biggest or the most talented, but we had a chemistry that was unmatched,” Calley says. “These guys (Cooper, James, and Spates) and I have been playing together since Pee Wee ball. There’s a familiarity here that can’t be taken away.”

The football team, led by legendary head coach Donald Tison (for whom the football field is now named), fought hard and brought home the first football state title in school history.

“There’s not enough you can say about Coach Tison,” Calley says.

“He was soft spoken; but that’s because his respect spoke volumes.

He was so much more than just a coach. He was a mentor, and so well-respected.”

The Panthers completed an undefeated 1988 season (13-0), capped off with a 34-14 win on the road in the state title game against the Palmetto Raiders (Palmetto, Ga.).

“I remember, it was freezing

when we stepped off that bus,” he says. “But we knew the game was ours long before then. Once we got warmed up and that adrenaline was going, we went out there and proved it to everyone.”

Jamie Spates Jamie Spates played fullback and linebacker during football season, forward and guard on the hardwood, and pitcher and centerfielder during baseball season.

While all three teams were able to set standards come game time, he emphasizes that it was what happened away from competition that made these teams so special.

“We were students of the game,” Spates says. “We succeeded, for one, because we were always looking for ways to improve. We knew that we could get better if we knew what successful teams were doing.”

More than studying footage or plays, he also acknowledges that it was the bond that the teammates shared that carried their success to the next level.

“We always wanted to go to the best camps with the highest level of competition,” he says. “Sometimes, we didn’t have the money. I remember, for one of our camps, one of our teammates couldn’t afford to go.

We all banded together and washed cars. The money that we raised got him to camp with us.”

The championships did more than boost a city. They proved to doubters statewide that the small city of Homerville needed to be taken seriously.

“Our coaches were always there for us,” he says. “Sure, we wanted

to win titles for ourselves. But we wanted it more for them. Anytime we didn’t reach the top, the naysayers blamed it on Coach Tison and the staff. They didn’t understand; it’s us on the field, not the coaches.”

But most importantly, as Spates says, while outsiders hesitated to put any faith in Clinch County, the locals never wavered in their support.

“I remember, before one game, there weren’t any fans in the stands.

We didn’t know why until we got closer to the field. They had made a tunnel for the team to run through.

That feeling was incredible. We’re more than a team. We’re more than a community. We’re a family.”

Brent James Brent James has a rather straightforward opinion on the accomplishments of the 19881989 Clinch County Panthers.

“I think it speaks for itself,” James says. “Our junior year, the football team got knocked out of the running before we could capture a title. It was then that I assured myself that I did not want to experience that feeling again. My senior year was the last chance to get it right.”

James was a wide receiver and safety during football season.

He suited up as a guard during basketball season and later as a third baseman in the spring. Like his teammates, he took pride in knowing that, as a senior, it was his responsibility to keep his team motivated.

“Senior leadership was huge for us,” he says. “But even that wouldn’t have been possible without the coaches that we had. Coach Tison was always calm and under control; Coach (Cecil) Barber, who was our head baseball coach and defensive coordinator during football season, was the hard worker. And Coach (Jerry) Edwards was all about practice. They all had different qualities, and I think that’s what made us so well-rounded.”

James also acknowledges one other coach in particular that helped fuel the Panthers’ success. He speaks very fondly of head basketball coach Allen Robbins, noting the one thing that he did that allowed the team to succeed.

“Coach Robbins allowed us to be ourselves on the court,” James says. “We weren’t the tallest or the

u “Bottom line, I’m a competitor.

I don’t like losing. The things that we were able to accomplish that year have motivated me for life. No matter the challenge, I think back to that year. And I tell myself, ‘If I was able to do all those things that year, there’s nothing I can’t do now’.”

- Gregory Calley

strongest, but I dare you to find a faster team than the ’88-’89 Panthers. We used that to our advantage. Speed, presses, fast breaks… that’s what took us to the top.”

A.C. Cooper According to teammates, A.C. Cooper, for lack of better words, was “the man”. On the gridiron, his talent at quarterback led to being named First Team All-State for the 1988 season.

“Homerville is so small, and we’re such a tight-knit community,” Cooper says. “Most of us have known each other as long as we can remember; we’ve played together our whole lives. For everybody else, it was a football game, a basketball game, or a baseball game. For us, it just felt like playing in the park.”

Once football season ended, Cooper shined as a point guard for the basketball team and played shortstop and pitched for the baseball team. And, like his teammates, he had nothing but high praise for all of his coaches.

“Everybody on all of these teams worked incredibly hard,” he says.

“And it wasn’t hard to do. When you had coaches like we had, it came easy. Our coaches were terrific; really, they were more than just coaches. They were there for us, no matter what we needed. When your coaches have your back, it’s easier to want to give top effort for them.”

It’s been 27 years since the Panthers football team took state, sparking the historic run. Cooper hesitates before commenting that he doesn’t see a school repeating their feat anytime soon.

“It’s not because schools don’t have the talent,” he says. “The times have just changed so much.

Nowadays, kids tend to focus on one sport, maybe two. When we were coming up, we played sports all day. It was all we had. So, naturally, so many of us excelled at multiple sports. I guess you could say the small-town life worked to our advantage. When sports are your everyday life, you strive to be the best at all of them. And that year, we were.” ITG

December 2015 south georgia edition 37

O

LMS Vikings Set Unprecedented Milestone

by James Washington | photography courtesy of Lowndes Middle School

n October 15, 2015, the Lowndes Middle School Vikings’ eighth-grade football team defeated the Panthers of J.L. Newbern Middle School by a score of 36-16. The players shouted in jubilation; fans, family members, coaches, and administration were all on hand for the event. This particular win did more than simply add a win to the Vikings’ alreadystellar 2015 season; it even did more than ensure that they had completed a perfect 6-0 run through this year’s schedule.

Lowndes Middle’s win solidified an unparalleled run.

It finalized a streak of three straight years that these young men never experienced the sting of defeat. The eighth-grade Vikings ran the table since they came into middle school, and after an undefeated sixth- and seventh-grade campaign, the final game over the Panthers was the icing on the cake.

“These boys are driven,” says Chris Tindall, Lowndes Middle School’s head coach. “They worked hard all three years.”

While this was his 22nd year of coaching, Coach Tindall came into the Lowndes Middle coaching ranks in 2013; the same year that the current eighth-graders began middle school.

“The sixth-graders worked incredibly hard to make this possible,” he says. “They’re intrinsically motivated; that’s the best part. They don’t need awards or trophies. They had the drive to want to be the best, simply because they weren’t willing to accept less.”

Prior to the sixth-graders’ run, the current ninth-grade Vikings went on a similar run. They were undefeated as seventh- and

eighth-graders. However, their undefeated streak only spanned two years. After the sixth-graders matched that mark, the conversation began. The hard work increased. The motivated provided more fuel. And, six games later, the dream became a reality.

“These are just great young men,” Coach Tindall says. “Many guys come through this program, but there is just something special about this group. Usually with a group this age, there are questions of maturity, either mentally or physically. We didn’t have those issues. They wanted to get the job done, and they did what it took to make it happen.”

Next year, these student-athletes will be moving on to the high school level. However;

their accomplishments, their memories, and, most importantly, their streak, will all remain intact. The 2015 eighth-grade Vikings will remain a staple of Lowndes heritage and pride.

Forever. ITG “This entire group is extremely talented, but there are three young men in particular that I’d like to recognize. (Running back and linebacker) Shawn Martin, (running back and safety) Ghetti Brown, and (fullback and defensive end) James Hill were leaders these last three seasons. Their work ethic and determination paved the way for this team’s success.” Head Coach Chris Tindall

December 2015 south georgia edition 39

I love this time of the year. As I sit here and write this, it’s late October. The weather is cooling off. It’s my birthday month. Halloween is right around the corner, and my kids absolutely love

Halloween. We’re also about to usher in Thanksgiving and Christmas, which are indeed the most wonderful times of the year.

October also takes me back a few

years, to when I coached cross country at South Georgia State College. It was the first – and only – coaching gig I have ever had.

Lessons from Athletics Transcend the Game | by Robert Preston Jr.

In the Game Opinions

When I went to work at the college in 2008, the thenathletic director approached me about coaching the team.

When he asked me, I immediately agreed to do it. After I got the job, I realized just how daunting a task it would be. I was in my late 30s. I had never coached before. I had never wanted to coach before. I knew nothing of the finer points of running or exercise science; I was simply a recreational runner who knew a little about how to get faster.

Once I had the job, I had to figure out how to coach. I knew how to run. But taking what little I knew and passing it on to younger runners – that was a different story altogether.

The process of building that first team, planning those first practices, and teaching kids about hard work, accountability, teamwork, and never giving up was not easy. It was, however, very rewarding.

We always hear about the lessons athletics teach to the participants. What we don’t talk about is what athletics teach those who coach. My coaching career didn’t last long; just five years. That gives me the opportunity to reflect on my time as a coach, recall those lessons, and see how I’ve applied them in my post-coaching career.

As I look back, I can easily identify the most significant lesson coaching taught me: consistency. I figured out pretty early on that I had to be consistent. The routine was important. I had to plan well and stick to the plan. That may seem obvious, but for me, it was hard lesson to learn. I tend to be an opportunistic person; I often bounce from one task to another as opportunities present themselves. It’s hard for me to stick to a plan. That wouldn’t work coaching kids.

One of the first things I did when I started coaching was put together a handbook. That handbook addressed almost any issue or problem that would or could surface. The handbook gave us a set of written guidelines that protected the athletes as well as myself. Missed a practice? There was a written rule for that. Late for practice? The handbook covered that as well. Cutting the course? Not giving your best? Missing meets? Belittling teammates? All of those were covered, too.

Along with consistency on the team came consistency in other areas as well. It’s natural for coaches to look after their athletes.You want to make sure they have what they need in order to be successful. But showing favoritism, even among your athletes, can get you in trouble. The NCAA – and in my case, the NJCAA – have strict rules for that. My AD told me

early on that, despite the temptation, to never do anything for an athlete that I wouldn’t do for a non-athlete at the college.

In other words, be consistent in how you treat other people, whether you know them or not.

I took those guidelines to heart. And while I know I wasn’t a perfect coach by any means, being consistent gave me a framework within which to work. It kept me from getting in trouble with the college, with the NJCAA, and with parents.

It also provided my runners with the same kind of framework for their own activities.

We had some good teams. We had some good runners.

And we experienced some success. I have said many times before, and I’ll say it again – those five years that I coached cross country were among the most rewarding five years I’ve ever spent doing anything.

In the two years since I left the college, I often think about those three or so months every year we spent running in the pre-dawn hours around campus. When the weather starts changing, I remember how my Florida kids thought we were in the Arctic. It would be 60 degrees with a slight breeze and it may as well be below-freezing for them. I also think about those lessons we all learned. I stay in contact with a few of our runners, and they speak fondly of the time they spent at South Georgia State College. What they don’t know is what they taught me and how they challenged me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I do now. I believe I walked away having learned even more than they did.

That’s why athletics are so important. It transcends the field of play for participants, coaches, and spectators. Maybe I’ll get the chance to coach again in the future. But even if I don’t, those five years I spent with the cross country team at South Georgia State College will remain among the most influential of any time period of my life. ITG

December 2015 south georgia edition 41

42 In the Game December 2015

Katelyn Wade

LMS Eighth Grader Soldiers on in Aftermath of Unspeakable Tragedy

by Robert Preston Jr. | photography by Micki K Photography

"

“What impresses me about Katelyn is the willpower she has and the ‘want to’ that drives her. She wants to be good at anything she tries. It comes naturally to her. Her mother had it. So do I. So she has a strong double dose of it,” says Tori Wade, the father of Lowndes Middle School eighth-grader Katelyn Wade.

Katelyn’s focus, drive to succeed, and love of cheerleading have empowered her in the wake of unspeakable tragedy. On Sunday, Sept. 13, Kristen Wade, Katelyn’s mother, succumbed to cancer. It was Kristen’s second bout with the disease. Initially diagnosed with breast cancer last year, Kristen underwent surgery and treatment. According to Tori, the cancer never really went into remission.

“She had finished the last stage of reconstruction when another spot popped up,” Tori says. “They took that out, biopsied it, and it came back as breast cancer of the bone.”

From there, the cancer spread into the spinal column then into Kristen’s brain. The prognosis was not good. Earlier this year, doctors told the Wades that Kristen had just three months to live.

“When they told us that, it was like a bombshell,” he says. “But Kristen didn’t want us to sit around and mourn and mope. She wanted us to celebrate her life. Katelyn wants to do so much to honor her mother. I can’t imagine what Katelyn is going through as a kid. I know what I’m going through as an adult. Kristen wanted us to pick up and move forward.”

As the inevitable approached, Kristen told Katelyn she was going to have to wrap herself in what she loves and let it consume her. In that, Kristen said, Katelyn would find the strength she needed to continue.

Cheerleading is what Katelyn loves. She’s been cheering for Lowndes Middle for two years. A talented athlete, she is equally at home as a December 2015 south georgia edition 43

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base or a flyer.

“She does a little bit of everything,” says Kayla Evans, Katelyn’s cheer coach. “She was initially a flyer but she came in this year and wanted to try something different. She’s doing really well as a base this year. She’s also one of the best jumpers on our team. She has perfect technique.”

Kristen succumbed fairly quickly after the cancer returned. Still, the Wades were able to enjoy what little time they had left. Tori says that, while they weren’t necessarily ready, they were prepared. And that made all the difference to everyone.

“Kristen was ready,” Tori says. “We wanted to be as prepared as much as possible as a family. We didn’t have to be ready, but we had to be prepared. With our situation, we knew what was going to happen.

We had time, and we were able to make that time really count. Sometimes we don’t live every day as a complete family. We go and do our own things, our own hobbies. Even though we can’t see her or hear her, we know she’s here every day.”

Even though the family had time to prepare and say goodbye to Kristen, her mother’s illness and passing have dealt a crushing blow to Katelyn. Throughout the entire ordeal, however, Katelyn has refused to let it distract her from cheering. In fact, cheering is where she has found peace, purpose, and solace. And that’s exactly what her mother wanted.

“She always told me to continue what you started,” Katelyn says.

“She was an awesome mother. She never missed a game or competition. She was always there, and she supported whatever I did. She did the same for my little brother, too. She was a great woman, a great personality, and she always had a smile on her face – even going through treatment. She knew everybody. She was just great.”

The Lowndes Middle cheerleading team is like a family. They are there for each other. They look out for each other. And everyone – from the coaches to the cheerleaders and their parents – was there for Katelyn. It was her refuge, and the help she received from her teammates carried Katelyn through those dark days in September and October.

“It’s somewhere I can go,” she says. “I have friends I can count on and two coaches that I count on who will be there for me. I can go to the cheerleaders with anything. They have helped me by being able to go to them, having someone to count on through toughest times, talking me through everything, and just being there for me.”

The first few weeks after Kristen’s passing were very difficult. But the routine of school and cheering helped Katelyn tremendously.

“It was a little rough for the first couple of days,” she says. “But once I got back in the routine, I realized I could fight through anything.

I learned that from Mom.” After Kristen passed, Tori gave Katelyn the option of taking a week or so off from everything to unwind. Katelyn wouldn’t hear of it.

“She said no,” Tori says. “She said she had to go school and do what she needed to do.”

Katelyn has dedicated this season to Kristen. And her mother’s memory will inspire her as she moves forward. An honor roll student and Fellowship of Christian Athletes officer, Katelyn understands that the best way to remember Kristen and carry her legacy forward is to never give up on her goals. She wants to keep cheering, keep working, and keep smiling.

“Every time I step on the mat, I think of her,” Katelyn says. “She may not be there physically, but she’s always there. I feel her presence, and it’s very comforting.” ITG

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December 2015 south georgia edition 45

From Fifth to First: Lee County senior eyes a state wrestling championship Aaron Maxfield | Sophmore | Lee County High School

46 In the Game December 2015

written by Robert Preston Jr. photography by Micki K Photography

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It’s been a long road for Aaron Maxfield, a senior wrestler at Lee County High School. Though he’s still relatively young, you could call Maxfield a wrestling lifer. His father, Phil, is a former high school wrestling coach. When the younger Maxfield was 4 years old, he began his career in the USA Wrestling program.

And he’s never looked back.

Maxfield has traveled all over the Southeast wrestling. In the process, he’s picked up some valuable experience against some of the region’s best wrestlers. One thing, however, that he didn’t pick up was weight. When he entered high school, Maxfield weighed 92 pounds – significantly below the minimum 106-pound weight class. He was able to wrestle but, as an undersized freshman, he had to compete against bigger, stronger wrestlers. Maxfield bounced on and off the varsity squad that year. He showed promise, but his size was very much an obstacle for him.

As a sophomore, Maxfield made the varsity team, but he was still small. He weighed 102 pounds and again wrestled

at 106. His experience paid off; using what he learned after a decade or more in USA Wrestling and with a year of high school wrestling under his belt, Maxfield qualified for the state meet and finished the year with a 44-10 record. His 29 pins that season placed him at sixth in Lee County’s record book.

Tired of constantly having to wrestle bigger, stronger opponents, Maxfield hit the gym even harder between his sophomore and junior years. Finally, after two years of being undersized, he put on enough size to finally hit 106 pounds. The extra weight and strength proved to yield significant advantages; Maxfield went 46-6, placed fifth in the state, and set the Lee County record for pins with 35.

Aaron Maxfield has some interest from college wrestling programs. The schools are mainly smaller colleges a long way from home. He’s considering wrestling in college, but he admits that it might be a better choice for him to focus on his academics instead of trying to wrestle. That’s a decision he plans to make a little later in the school year. As for what he plans to study in college, he has his eyes on something in the medical field; he has considered becoming a physician’s assistant. He says that when he was younger, in the span of just a few months, he broke both arms and suffered through a bout of appendicitis.

“I was in and out of doctors’ offices,” he says. “I met with a lot of PAs, and that always interested me. Thankfully, I’ve never been hurt wrestling, but I’ve dealt with a few injuries in other areas.”

“I lost two matches at the state meet by one point each,” Maxfield says. “My senior year, I’d like to win the whole thing.”

The plan for this season is to start the season at 113 pounds. Then, after the

holidays, he would like to cut down to 106. Maxfield’s goal is to make it back to state at 106 pounds.

“A lot of 120-pounders drop down to 113 pounds,” he says. “But they are often bigger and slower than true 113

pounders. At 106 pounds, the wrestlers are more compact and faster. It doesn’t sound very big, but I’m 5’5”. A lot of the guys at 106 are walking around at about 5’0”. I’ve learned how to use my height to my advantage against the smaller guys.”

For Maxfield, the key is to keep working and remain confident without getting cocky.

“I don’t want to get too confident,” he says. “I always try to stay humble, but I also go into every match knowing I can win, no matter who my opponent is. I also have a great team around me that can back me up. I know I can do well individually, and I know our team can do well. We’re trying to win tournaments this year. I want to go into each match confident, without any doubts.” ITG

On the Cover

“

My journey wasn’t easy. And I was blessed to have both parents in my house. They gave me a spiritual background and had me in church on Sundays and Wednesdays. Kids need a father figure around to point them in right direction, to stay on them. If they aren’t brought up the right way, it can go in the wrong direction easily,” says Randall Godfrey, a 1992 graduate of Lowndes High School, an All-SEC linebacker with the University of Georgia, and a veteran of 12 NFL seasons.

Randall Godfrey uses football to teach life lessons, accountability

by Robert Preston Jr. | photography by Micki K Photography

December 2015 south georgia edition 49

50 In the Game December 2015

knowyourdallascowboys.com musiccitymiracles.com

Godfrey enjoyed one of the greatest post-Lowndes careers of any Viking. At Georgia, he was SEC Freshman of the Year, All-SEC, and All-American. After finishing his playing career with the Bulldogs, the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He would play 12 years for five teams – the Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. During his career, he played in 170 games (149 of which he started), recorded 653 tackles, 17 sacks, six interceptions, and two touchdowns (one on an interception return, one on a fumble recovery).

Godfrey retired after the 2007 season and moved to Atlanta. He still calls Atlanta home, but he remains well connected to the Valdosta-Lowndes County community.

He is engaged in a variety of activities in the community, including a football camp he hosts each summer for local youth. The goal of the camp, he says, is to teach kids the life lessons that can be learned through football.

“Our camp isn’t really about football,” he says. “It’s about how to make the right decisions and make the most of the opportunities you have.”

The journey from the halls of Lowndes High to the National Football League was one of hard work, opportunity, and making good decisions. “I was very fortunate growing up in Valdosta. I was in the city school system for a while; then moved to the county system when I was in middle school. I was touched by so many people who molded me into the person I am. They kept me going and helped me achieve my goal of playing in the NFL. I was able to do that only because of the right people being around me and mentoring me,” he says.

And that’s why Godfrey hosts his camp every year. He would like to give back to the community and show them what it takes to be successful. Not everyone can play in the NFL. Everyone, however, can get an education and set themselves up for success.

Opportunities are out there for the taking, but kids must make the right decisions to seize them. “A lot of people came before

spokeo.com

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Education is a focal point of Randall Godfrey’s message to youth. In his post-NFL career, Godfrey has been successful in a number of different areas: He owns a funeral home in Valdosta that’s celebrating 10 years in business (he actually started the funeral home two years before retiring from football), has trained college athletes for the NFL Combine with Competitive Edge Sports, and works in real estate. One of the first things he did after retiring was return to school. He left Georgia for the NFL without graduating. He went back to Athens and

finished his degree in housing and home economics. Now, he’s pursuing a master’s degree at Georgia. Godfrey also has four children who occupy a significant portion of his time. Still, he finds time to get to Valdosta about once a month. “We run the funeral home out of our office here in Atlanta. But I get down there regularly to check on my family and visit the funeral home. On the weekends, I’m absorbed by my kids. I don’t even make any Georgia games,” he laughs.

and before me as well, who laid a foundation for success. This is TitleTown. Colleges watch this community. If you stay out of trouble and play well, you can play college football and get a free education. All you have to do is take care of your business on the field and in the classroom and have positive people around you,” says Godfrey.

The Randall Godfrey All-Star Football Camp takes place at Martin Stadium during the first weekend in June. The camp is designed for both beginners and seasoned players alike, ages six to 16. The instructors are some of Godfrey’s former teammates as well as local players. Godfrey wants the participants to know that if they put in the work, they’ll get a return on their investment. “That return is a free education.You know, these kids are being challenged. A lot of gangs are pulling away some of our athletes. I want to keep energy in our city. This town was built on sports, Winnersville is a mainstay in our community. We all come together to support our kids. That’s what I love about it. I want our kids to understand the tradition behind these games so they’ll understand what it’s all about,” he says.

For more information on the Randall Godfrey All-Star Football Camp, visit www.randallgodfreyfoundation.com.

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Another issue with which Randall Godfrey is closely involved is domestic violence. In 2005, his sister, Deidra Miller, was killed in Valdosta by her estranged boyfriend, Julonda Clayton, in front of their four-yearold son. Deidra’s death rocked Godfrey and nearly derailed his football career. Instead of giving up in the aftermath of his sister’s murder, he returned to the field and soldiered on. “That was a dagger that affected my entire family and me. I came back and played several more years, but I had some negative thoughts. I didn’t know if was going to play,” he says.To this day, Godfrey assists women in negative relationships. “I try to help people get out of bad situations and into safety.That’s my main goal – to help women get out of bad relationships.”

December 2015 south georgia edition 51

them, and before me as well, who laid a foundation for success. This is TitleTown. Colleges watch this community. If you stay out of trouble and play well, you can play college football and get a free education. All you have to do is take care of your business on the field and in the classroom and have positive people around you,” Godfrey says.

The Randall Godfrey All-Star Football Camp takes place at Martin Stadium during the first weekend in June. The camp is designed for both beginners and seasoned players alike, ages 6 to 16. The instructors are some of Godfrey’s former teammates, as well as local players. Godfrey wants the participants to know that if they put in the work, they’ll get a return on their investment. “That return is a free education.You know, these kids are being challenged. A lot of gangs are pulling away some of our athletes. I want to keep energy in our city. This town was built on sports, and Winnersville is a mainstay in our community.

We all come together to support our kids.

That’s what I love about it. I want our kids to understand the tradition behind these games so they’ll understand what it’s all about,” he says.

For more information on the Randall Godfrey All-Star Football Camp, visit www. randallgodfreyfoundation.com. ITG

December 2015 south georgia edition 53

From the Writer While speaking to DJ, it is obvious that he is an extremely humble young man.

Above all, he made sure it was clear that he loves, respects, and appreciates everything and everyone that has helped him to the levels of success he has reached.

“My biggest

DJ Pollard More Than A Cliché Senior | Fullback Irwin Co. High School

by James Washington photography by Sarah Turner

inspiration is my family,” he says. “My mom, my dad, and my brothers and sisters; I do this for them. I love them so much. And my girlfriend, Braee Jordan, and her family. They are always looking out for me, and I am really grateful for them.”

T

o say that DJ Pollard “has heart” is straddling the fence of disrespect in the eyes of the Irwin County faithful. Since his freshman year (2012), he has given his all to the Indians’ program, and in the process, put the team on his back whenever necessary.

In DJ’s freshman year, Irwin County finished with a record of 7-4. The team earned a playoff spot, but it ended quickly with a 31-6 first-round defeat at the hands of the Trion Bulldogs (Trion, Ga.). In his sophomore campaign, the Indians finished with a record of 10-2-1. To add to their success, the team nearly made their way through the GHSA Class A State Playoffs before falling in the semifinals, by only one point, to Charlton County (Folkston, Ga.).

Last season, the Indians went 11-2-1, and their drive earned them their first region title since 1997.

They made history by becoming the first Indians team to go undefeated at home, and they took their season to the Georgia Dome (where the later rounds of the GHSA playoffs are held) for the first time December 2015 south georgia edition 55

since 1997. Although the Indians fell to Hawkinsville in the state title game, they realized an important fact: hard work will take you where you want to go.

For his junior-year efforts at linebacker, DJ was named to the All-State Team as well as Defensive Region Co-Player of the Year.

But his talent and ability extends far beyond the secondary; in his senior year, he has spent more time on the offensive side of the line, suiting up at fullback. And, according to head coach Buddy Nobles, it has already paid off nicely.

“He’s all about action,” Coach Nobles says. “He’s playing more running back this year, and he’s one of our leading rushers thus far. But it’s not just about what he does on the field. He’s outstanding in every aspect of everything he does. DJ is just that kind of person.”

Standing a mere 5’5” and weighing in at just around 170 pounds, he may have heart, as so many enthusiasts say, but in Ocilla, it is much more than that. DJ Pollard is the heart of the Irwin County Indians.

“During one game, (the coaching staff) noticed that DJ was in some pain,” Coach Nobles says.

“He was favoring his shoulder and his ankle. But he wouldn’t leave the game. We pretty much had to force him out. At no point does he ever quit on this team.

He’s extremely dedicated and

dependable.”

DJ has grown up in the Irwin community. It is what he eats, breathes, and loves. He first donned football at the age of 6, and his talent has increased as surely as his age.

“I love it here,” DJ says. “This is my home. Everyone here looks out for you; they care about you.

We’re one big family, and nothing will ever change that.”

“You know, people always put their best player in a box,” Coach Nobles says. “And, if he’s a small guy, they always use the same cliché. They say he’s small with a big heart. And sure, DJ’s got that.

But with him, it’s more, so much more. He brightens everyone’s day. And he carries himself well.

He’s all about representing his last name, and he does a terrific job of it.”

His last name carries weight in Ocilla; his father, David Pollard, is an Irwin County alumnus and was an outstanding athlete in his own right.

“We talk about everything,” DJ says. “My dad played here. He was an All-State linebacker (in 1996). But more than football, we just talk about life. Most importantly, he teaches me to never give up, and to always think.

Think about my choices, my future, everything. He’s always been there for me.”

It is DJ’s humble upbringing that has made him such a welcome presence in the Irwin

County family. He is described as a hard worker that puts in equal effort wherever he goes. And he goes everywhere. Aside from his success in the classroom and on the gridiron, he is also a member of the wrestling and tennis teams and competed as a part of the track team his freshman year.

“If you didn’t bring it up, he probably wouldn’t tell you that he was a state runner-up wrestler last year,” Coach Nobles says.

“He can do it all. And he does it with a smile. He’s a lighthearted young man; we’ll often tease each other. I’m not that tall myself, but I’m taller than him. So I may throw a joke his way, and rather than get upset, he throws a joke right back. He’s the kind of person that wants everyone around him to be happy. We really treasure that around here.”

DJ has not decided where he would like to attend college; he is patiently waiting to see if he will receive any athletic offers. His favorite subject is math; because of that, he would like to major in either mathematics or accounting.

But in the end, he hopes that whatever he does makes him family and community proud.

“It feels good to have people approach me in the community with support,” he says. “I’ll have small children come up to me, or shout ‘Hey, DJ!’ from a distance.

Just to know that I have an impact on their lives is such a humbling feeling.” ITG

Public WifI: Protecting Your Information provided by

Think safety when you use a “Hotspot” WiFi Hotspots are great for browsing the web or reading your favorite blog. However, they’re not the place for online banking, making online purchases, checking email, logging into your social network, or anything else that sends confidential information over the internet.

Public WiFi Hotspots that you can connect to without a password are sending everything in clear, readable text that can be intercepted and read by criminals. Any passwords, credit card information or other sensitive, private information can be easily stolen.

There are ways to protect yourself though. Just follow a few simple guidelines.

Use only secure networks When you look at the list of Wireless Networks available, most computers and mobile devices will display a “lock icon” for secure networks. Do not choose a network without this icon.

A secured network uses data encryption to transmit information from your computer or device, which makes the information unreadable. One of the quickest ways to tell if a network is secure, is to try join-

Use your own hotspot

ing the network. If it asks for a password, it is safe.

Turn off File and Print Sharing Your computer and device settings include the option of sharing files and printing.

This allows users to move files between computers over the network.

On a public WiFi network with sharing turned on, criminals have easy access to all the information stored on your device. Turn off File Sharing and Print Sharing to minimize your chances of having information stolen.

If you have a phone that will act as a personal hotspot, or a mobile broadband modem, use it.

Such devices are far more secure than public hotspots. Make sure you use recommended security settings, and a secure password for your mobile hotspot connection.

Without security settings, criminals can use your hotspot as a doorway into your computer, or device. Not securing your personal hotspot with a password could also let strangers freeload off your connection, which can max out your data plan, or increase your bill.

December 2015 south georgia edition 59

“You have to understand an athlete, whether it is a professional athlete, or a weekend warrior; when injured, is hurting. These athletes are isolated from their passion.

It is an incredibly difficult time. To then hear that there is nothing that can be done…that’s just intolerable. It does not have to be just ‘watch and wait’ or surgery. There is a lot of middle ground. There is a lot I can offer in the middle.”acknowledges Kiyoshi Yamazaki, M.D.

9 Phoebe Ortho physicians and athletic trainers provide sideline medical support for Albany State University, Albany Technical College, DeerfieldWindsor, Sherwood Academy, Terrell Academy, Terrell County, Westover High and Worth County.

South Georgia Physician Finds Middle Ground to Help Injured Athletes Return to Their Game - Audrey Pike

Dr.Yamazaki, a non-operative sports medicine physician with Phoebe Orthopedic Specialty Group in Albany, Georgia, completed his residency in family medicine and went on to complete a fellowship in sports medicine. His love of sports and life-long participation in athletics made sports medicine a natural fit.

“Growing up, I always played sports. I participated in gymnastics, basketball, track, and cross country. I was a NCAA athlete.

I can’t think of a sport I haven’t tried!” Dr.Yamazaki said this with his signature bright smile.

“After residency I considered orthopedics, but I saw a wide-open and rarely addressed gap between primary care services and surgery. It appeared to me that in the treatment of injured athletes, the middle ground was

often skipped over. It was either that nothing could be done or surgery was the only answer. I knew there were many more options and I wanted to help athletes find those alternatives to healing.”

Having been injured in college, Dr.Yamazaki understands that the worst thing an athlete can be told is not to train. “Bodies are resilient, but we must allow our bodies to heal injuries or we run the risk of making injuries worse, or permanent. But saying the word ‘rest’ to an avid athlete is almost like using a profanity! You can’t just tell an athlete to completely rest.

So we do relative rest. Relative rest allows us to find ways to rest the injury without resting the athlete. It is a key tenant of sports medicine. It is a component of all treatment plans for all athletes that I treat.”

Dr.Yamazaki continued, discussing the difficulty athletes have in accepting rest. “While there are some injuries that preclude all participation in sports, that isn’t universal. Each athlete is unique. That is how my practice treats each and every patient who walks through our doors; as a unique individual athlete with unique needs and in need of a unique solution.”

Treatment plans often include relative rest, allowing athletes to continue with training while avoiding further aggravation to the injury. Such an approach can

Kiyoshi Yamazaki, MD, offers non-operative aggressive treatments such as ultrasound guided injections and a newer procedure that embraces how the body heals itself -- Platelet Rich Plasma Injections.

be viewed as an opportunity to develop a weak side, thus enabling the athlete to be stronger bilaterally once healed.

“It may be more difficult in a lot of ways to adjust training,” Dr.Yamazaki said. “But it will also force us to do the harder things that make us reach our full potential.”

The mental aspect of healing for the injured athlete is an integral component of the training that physicians receive in sports medicine fellowships. “The psychological impact of an injury is huge for an athlete,” Dr.Yamazaki said. “We integrate sports psychology into the healing process. It is crucial during healing but also post-healing when the athlete is getting back to their sport. The athlete is trying to overcome the timidness and fear of reinjuring themselves.”

“Our bodies have an innate understanding of the difference between pain and injury,” Dr.Yamazaki continued. “But after injury we forget a lot of that. It can strip athletes of their aggressiveness and ability to perform. This psychological shift can actually result in further injury to the athlete.

Suddenly, the athletes are secondguessing their natural athletic impulses, which leads to hesitation.

In contact sports, hesitation can cause decisions to be made which can lead to catastrophic injuries.

Often the hesitation comes at the hardest part of a movement which is when you are the most likely to get hurt. A big part of my job is helping athletes heal mentally as well so that when they are fully released they do not get reinjured.”

Dr.Yamazaki is committed to brainstorming with athletes to create a plan to get them back to their sport as quickly and safely as possible. There are many tools in the arsenal of the sports medicine physician. Dr.Yamazaki offers such services at Phoebe Orthopaedic

Specialty Group.

“We have non-operative yet aggressive treatments that are much more than mere rest or the prescription of narcotics that just mask the pain. These treatments are supported in the clinic setting by Phoebe Physician Group, and include ultrasound guided injections for joint injury, arthritis, partial tears, and tendon injuries.

This permits us to deliver various medications right to the injury site.

It is very low in pain because we can see exactly where to place the needle and are not hitting things that hurt. There is no radiation and it can be done in the office real-time.”

“We also have Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (PRP),” Dr.Yamazaki continued. “This is a newer procedure that embraces research on how the body heals itself. It uses an athlete’s own blood, the platelet rich growth factors present in the blood, which serve to actually heal injuries. We concentrate them down to a specific percentage and re-inject them into the poorly healing area. It breaks up scar tissue and allows the area to attempt to finally heal.”

“As sports medicine physicians, we are not here to judge. I am here as a guide, an advisor, a mentor, and a doctor whose role is to identify the injury and make an acceptable treatment plan with the athlete that is geared to achieve both medical and athletic goals. We will use relative rest to meet those goals, but not to simply return to pre-injury state. The goal is to get stronger and better to prevent further injuries in the future. I am here to make that a reality for athletes.”

For information ,contact Phoebe Orthopaedic Specialty Group at 229-312-5000 or visit phoebeputney.com

December 2015 south georgia edition 61

What just happened!?

A Season full of Suprises

It seems like just yesterday, it was July. I distinctly remember having my yearly discussion with In the Game publisher, Mark Dykes, about the magazine, high school football, and what we thought might happen during the 2015 season. A lot of it turned out to be true, but there were some things that happened that I doubt many of us expected. by Jon Nelson And that’s my question for you, dear reader.

What was the biggest surprise for you this season? Was it an individual performance, a team performance, or an entire game? Let us know what left you in disbelief this season via our website or social media pages.

There are quite a few moments that come to my mind. Berrien knocked off Thomasville for the first time in the history of the series (which dates back to the early 1960s). Telfair County made a playoff run for the first time in over a decade. Turner County sat at the top of the power rankings in the single-A public class. We got to see teams from Georgia nationally ranked, and we got to see Fitzgerald’s JD King put up the numbers he did (thanks to a powerful offensive line). We witnessed some of the toughest regions in the state, regardless of class, playing some of the tightest

football around; Regions 1-AA, 2-A, 3-5A, and, as usual, 1-6A, all kept us on the edge of our seats (some down to the final night of the regular season). Bainbridge made themselves known again, and the Brooks County Trojans reminded us once again that they would play anyone, anywhere, at any time, and not think twice about it.

And, to top it off, I got to hit the road for Georgia Public Broadcasting once again and see a lot of you, which is always fun.

When you get to go to places like Rochelle, Fitzgerald, Tifton, Moultrie,Valdosta (for both Region 1-6A schools), Homerville, Waycross, Kingsland, Ashburn, and all points in between, it’s fun to see how each town celebrates this time of year.

Football in South Georgia is special. When GPB got to go to Moultrie for the Valdosta

game, it was finally time to show the rest of the state what “Southern Pride” is all about.

(Frankly, I can’t wait to come back to cover more South Georgia games.)

Before you know it, we will be crowning our state champions, and Christmas will be around the corner. The weather will get much colder, and we will begin to turn our focus down the road to National Signing Day as we find out where our top student-athletes will go for weekend play next fall.

So, as your school’s season winds down, just remember one thing: the season never ends these days. There’s always something to talk about; whether it’s the past, the present, or the future. And that’s what makes this sport that we love so much here in Georgia one of the best sports around.

Play it safe, everyone. I’ll see you soon.