#1 -- Christian Tutt #2 -- Jacorey Crawford #3 -- Bubba Murray #4 -- Marcus Cade #5 -- Jalek Nicholson #6 -- Xzavious Lewis #7 -- Jaheim Heath #8 -- Davon Crockett #9 -- JT Thomas #10 -- Mills Ridings #11 -- Lavar Beard #12 -- Damekus Taylor #13 -- Walker Tharpe #14 -- Malik Frails #15 -- Torri Taylor #16 -- TJ Williams #17 -- Zack Johnson #18 -- Trey Parker #19 -- Kendall Smith #20 -- Tyrek Braswell #21 -- Artest Banks #22 -- Mike Thomas #23 -- Patterson Hutto #24 -- Quatrell Hunt #25 -- Tyrese Jones #26 -- Hakeem Wilson #27 -- Tyler Curry #28 -- Dylan Hobbs
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S Junior S Junior RB Soph. WR Junior LB Junior LB Junior QB Soph. WR Senior WR Senior QB Junior QB Soph. QB Soph. DE Senior QB Soph. RB Soph. DB Junior LB Senior WR Senior WR Soph. RB Junior LB Junior RB Senior ASST. Senior DB Senior DB Junior WR Senior RB Soph. LB Fresh.
2016 Varsity Roster #29 -- DeQuanta Jones #30 -- Noah Welch #31 -- DeArious Jones #32 -- Antorio Kendrick #33 -- Darious Heard #34 -- Damien Brinson #35 -- Dakota Gergen #36 -- Quimane Few #37 -- Kedarian Lane #38 -- Jarvis Harris #39 -- David Hamilton #41 -- Adonis Kendrick #42 -- Dontavious Rivers #43 -- Raheem Caser #45 -- Tyler Grant #46 -- Wesley Lockhart #47 -- CJ Zorn #48 -- Ethan Shelton #49 -- Kurtavis McGahee #50 -- AJ Grant #51 -- Roberto Pena #52 -- Austin Myers #53 -- Grant Burley #55 -- Tremell Roland #56 -- Jawon Brinkley #57 -- Kobe Walker #58 -- Tucker Hohlwein #59 -- Chase Smith
RB Soph. LB Soph. DE Junior LB Soph. RB Soph. RB Soph. K Senior RB Senior DB Soph. DB Junior RB Senior WR Junior LB Senior DB Senior DE Senior LB Junior DE Senior HB Senior DB Soph. OG Junior LB Soph. DE Soph. DE Soph. DT Soph. DE Soph. C Soph. OT Junior OC Soph.
#61 -- Jacob Quarles OG Junior #62 -- Jason Moore DT Soph. #63 -- Parker Mooney OT Junior C Soph. #66 -- Andre Thomas #67 -- Matthew Brown OG Junior #68 -- DeQuavious Butler DT Soph. #70 -- Christian Coulter OT Soph. #72 -- Juwuan Cheatham OG Senior #74 -- Donovan Williams OT Junior #75 -- Jorden Moss OT Junior #76 -- Tavarious Jones OG Senior #77 -- LaTorrence Jeffery OT Junior #78 -- Joseph Kennedy OT Soph. #79 -- Jacorey Gates OT Junior #80 -- Kenneth Neloms DB Soph. #81 -- Cody Alleva HB Soph. #84 -- Gage Hartwell K Soph. #85 -- Demarcus Huff X Junior #86 -- Ronnie Howard DE Junior #88 -- Tyler Ficklin DB Junior #89 -- Jackson Matthews HB Junior #90 -- Tequndre Fields DE Senior #91 -- Will Roberts DE Senior #92 -- Devin Randall DT Junior #93 -- Trabias Jones DT Soph. #94 -- Anthony Larkins DT Junior #95 -- John Adams DE Junior
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2016 Schedule 8/19 vs. Laney 8/26 vs. Effingham County 9/2 @ Jefferson 9/9 @ Pace Academy 9/30 vs. Clarkston *10/7 @ Hephzibah *10/14 vs. Baldwin *10/21 @ Cross Creek *10/28 vs. Burke County *11/4 @ Richmond Academy *Region Game
Head Coach - Rob Ridings Principal - Carla Shelton
Assistant Coaches
Lee Hutto, Jarrett Troxler, Brad Smith, LaBrandon Hudson, Eddie Lee Ivery, Josh Ingram, Steve Elliot, Alvin Wright
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2015 Results
8/21 @ Jefferson County 55-22 Win 8/28 vs. WACO 49-42 Win 9/11 @ Hart County 49-14 Win 9/18 vs. Washington-Wilkes 49-14 Win 10/2 @ Burke County 26-20 Loss 10/9 vs. Clarkston 56-7 Win *10/16 @ Liberty County 42-20 Win *10/23 vs. Wayne County 35-19 Win *10/30 vs. Windsor Forest 56-0 Win *11/6 vs. Burke County 35-28 Win 11/13 vs. Veterans 49-35 Win 11/20 vs. Grady Photo courtesy of Lifetouch 44-21 Win The THS receivers are shown above. Shown are (back from left) Trey Parker, Kendall Smith, JT Thomas, 11/27 vs. Buford Christian Tutt, Marcus Cade, Coach Alvin Wright, (front) Adonis Kendrick, Hakeem Wilson, Ethan 49-7 Loss Shelton, Cody Alleva, Demarcus Huff, Damekus Taylor and Davon Crockett. *Region Game
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THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
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Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
THS’ defensive line is shown above. Shown are (back from left) Coach Brad Smith, Tyler Grant, John Adams, Devin Randall, Will Roberts, Tequndre Fields, Ronnie Howard, Tucker Hohlwein, Walker Tharpe, Defensive Coordinator Lee Hutto, (front) Dearious Jones, Anthony Larkins, Dequavious Butler, Trabias Jones, Jason Moore, Austin Myers, Grant Burnley, Tremell Rolland and CJ Zorn.
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Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
The THS defensive backs are shown above. Shown are (back from left) Assistant Patterson Hutto, Tyler Ficklin, Tyrese Jones, Jarvis Harris, Bubba Murray, Jacorey Crawford, Christian Tutt, Coach LaBrandon Hudson, (front) Kenneth Neloms, Kedarian Lane, Kurtavis McGahee, Quatrell Hunt, Raheem Caser and TJ Williams.
Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
The THS linebackers are shown above. Shown are (back from left) Xzavious Lewis, Jalek Nicholson, Dontavious Rivers, Head Coach Rob Ridings, Zack Johnson, Artest Banks, (front) Noah Welch, Dylan Hobbs, Roberto Pena, Antorio Kendrick and Wesley Lockhart.
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Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
The THS tight ends and H-Backs are shown above. Shown are (back from left) Will Roberts, Coach Steve Elliot, Cody Alleva, (front) Walker Tharpe, AJ Grant and Jacob Quarles.
The THS longsnappers are shown above. Shown are Will Roberts, Walker Tharpe, Coach Brad Smith, Jackson Matthews and John Adams.
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Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
The THS special returnmen are shown above. Shown are (back from left) JT Thomas, Marcus Cade, Head Coach Rob Ridings, Jacorey Crawford, Bubba Murray, Christian Tutt, (front) Mike Thomas, Tyrek Braswell, Jalek Nicholson, Zack Johnson and Davon Crockett.
The THS varsity cheerleaders are McKenzie Bass, Danielle Bentley, Eniyah Boyd, Da’Miyah Cheatham, Grace Emce, Jenna Filback, Hannah Gunter, Heaven Hill, Taylor Herrington, Mya Hester, Kayla Holt, Ka’Tori Howard, Abby Hyman, Chloe Matherly, Caleah Neal, Grace O’Neil, Savannah Thaxton, Maiya Vinson and Paul Nickles (mascot).
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Bulldogs look to work hard, continue success BY CAITLIN BOLAND ccarpenter@mcduffieprogress.com
The Thomson High School Bulldogs finished last year’s season with an 111 record, a region championship and a trip to the state playoffs. During the offseason, the Bulldogs continued to work hard to get better everyday. “We worked hard in the weight room everyday, and the players worked with our running program to get physically ready for the season,” said head coach Rob Ridings. Ridings said the team completed 24 workouts and attended several camps throughout the summer including the Burns Palmetto Showdown 7-on-7 Passing Camp in Duncan, South Carolina; the Mike Hodges Offensive Line Camp; and the Hodges Quarterback-Receiver Camp and the South Carolina Quarterback-
Receiver Camp. Going into the 2016 season, Ridings said the team’s strengths will be with returning skilled players such as quarterbacks and running backs as well as a returning kicker in Dakota Gergen, who was an all-region kicker last season. “We returned a large majority of our skilled players, but we lost a large portion of the offensive line with only one returning starter,” Ridings said. “We lost all six of our players on the defensive front, so we are very young on both lines.” The Bulldogs have 80 players in 10th through 12th grade and 36 ninth graders, adding up to 116 players on the team. Both the JV and ninth grade teams will play a seven game schedule, and the varsity will have a 10 game schedule, beginning with a scrimmage against Grovetown on Aug. 12 and a regular season opener
against Laney on Aug. 19. The main goal for this year’s team is to win another region championship and get to the playoffs. Ridings said the ultimate goal is to win a state championship. “We are practicing hard every day and doing a good job in the hallways, working towards our goals,” Ridings said. “All of the games this season are important and tough, and we will
take them one at a time. We open the season with a very talented Laney team and then entertain Effingham County, a AAAAAA team -- two classifications above us.” One thing Ridings said is a weakness for the team going into the season is a lack of experience on both the offensive and defensive lines.
See THS, Page 19
The McDuffie Progress/Caitlin Boland
Mills Ridings, one of the THS quarterbacks, prepares to take a snap during practice.
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Photo courtesy of Mercer Harris Photography
The 2016 Briarwood Academy Bucaneers and coaching staff.
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times. “We’ve got a lot of interchangeable parts, and it really depends on what formation we’re in. If we can get those guys to gel, then Dylan (Reese) should be able to find a hole to run through,” said Fleming. The Bucs will have good size at one tackle this year with Travis Pate, 6’3” and 225 pounds. “If I had to give a hardest worker award for the off season, it would go to Travis Pate,” said Fleming. “He’s improved tremendously in the weight room and it’s starting to show outside.” Braxton Taylor will line up at tight end for the Bucs this year, and the offense will bring a new look to the table some this season. “We’re looking to go to more of a four receiver set to try to get people spread out, and Braxton’s going to be a big target outside for us,” the coach explained. Fleming said his receivers will include Will Johnson, Porter Brooks, Jesse Cushman and Connor Corbitt.
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Tyler Johnson returns at quarterback and will split time with Zach Stadler. Fleming anticipates Jesse Cushman will also see some action at quarterback. “We did seven-on-sevens, I think 10 of them this summer, to improve our passing game,” Fleming said. The Bucs took on a variety of schools, including some much larger public schools including Grovetown and Lakeside. “I was impressed with how we did this summer. Hopefully that will translate into this season,” Fleming said. “We also are going to incorporate our receivers into the running game, which we have not done in the past.” Fleming said his offense will force the opponent’s defense to spread out, and receivers may even be used as the pitch man when the Bucs run the option. In the backfield, Dylan Reese, Jesse Cushman and Ches McMichael will be called on to carry the ball this year. “I feel like Dylan can tote it 20 times a game and have no issues and fill right
in his brother’s footsteps,” said Fleming. Chase Darley will kick for the Bucs this year. The defense returns nine starters from last year, after graduating Mason Kent from the line and Jeb Blount from the secondary. Fleming expects Connor Corbitt to fill the void of Blount’s graduation and this year sees Will Johnson returning to the secondary but moving to strong safety. “Defensively we’ve got two very good ends —Braxton Taylor and Hunter Callaway,” said Fleming. Zach Stadler and Dylan Reese return to start at linebackers this year. “Our defense I know will hit and will get after it,” the coach said. Fleming said if his squad stays healthy, then the Bucs will have just as much depth as they had last year when they finished the year 9-3 and advanced into the state playoffs. Briarwood opens the regular season with two road games, beginning Aug.
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19 with a trip to Westminster of Augusta. “We expect to go down and take care of business,” Fleming said. Next will be the trip to Waynesboro to face Edmond Burke Academy to see which team takes home the Backyard Battle Trophy, which is sponsored by Jefferson Energy Co-Op and Planters EMC. The home opener is Sept. 2 as the Bucs host Piedmont, a team that defeated Briarwood 53-18 last year. Fleming and the Bucs are eager to avenge that loss. But a non-region opponent is expected to be one of the big challenges of the season. “We feel like our toughest regular season game probably will be John Milledge. They are a very good AAA school,” said Fleming. “As far as our region, TJ (Thomas Jefferson Academy) and Brentwood are the two to beat.” Fleming said his Bucs should be the favorite to win Region 2AA.
#1 — Hunter Callaway #2 — Connor Corbitt #3 — Will James #4 — Ches McMichael #5 — Zach Stadler #7 — Will Johnson #10 — Jesse Cushman #12 — Tommy Wells #13 — Tyler Johnson #14 — Lawson Sheppard #16 — Drew James
2015 Results
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WR/DE WR/DB WR/DB FB/DB QB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB FB/LB WR/DB
Senior Junior Senior Senior Junior Senior Junior Junior Junior Soph. Soph.
2016 Varsity Roster #23 — Dylan Reese #24 — Dawson Jones #26 — Tucker Huff #28 — Aaron Land #30 — Braxton Taylor #32 — Travis Pate #36 — Dalton Fuller #38 — Brandon McGahee #43 — Zachary Hill #44 — Christian Thigpen #50 — J.T. Hammond
8/21 vs. Edmund Burke 16-6 Win 8/28 @ First Presbyterian Christian 34-12 Win 9/4 vs. Westminster (Augusta) 43-27 Win 9/11 @ Augusta Prep 33-7 Loss 9/18 vs. Flint River 48-20 Win 9/25 @ David Emanuel Academy 48-14 Win 10/2 @ Piedmont Academy 53-18 Loss *10/9 vs. Monsignor Donovan 47-14 Win *10/16 vs. Windsor Academy 42-14 Win *10/30 @ Brentwood 48-34 Win 11/13 vs. Flint River 47-20 Win 11/20 vs. Memorial Day 33-6 Loss *Region Game
TB/LB Junior FB/DE Soph. TE/DL Senior WR/DB Fresh. TE/DE Junior OL/DL Junior OL/DL Fresh. OL/DL Fresh. OL/DL Junior TB/LB Fresh. OL/DL Soph.
#57 — Evan Moore #65 — Chase Darley #66 — Ford Walker #67 — Chapman Mohr #70 — Quinn Mohr #75 — Thomas Wilkerson #76 — Jacob Cato #78 — Danny Roush #80 — Charles McMichael #82 — Jackson Driver #88 — Porter Brooks
2016 Schedule
8/19 @ Westminster (Augusta) 8/26 @ Edmund Burke 9/2 vs. Piedmont Academy 9/9 @ Dominion Christian 9/16 @ Trinity Christian (Dublin) 9/23 vs. John Milledge Academy 9/30 vs. Flint River *10/7 @ Monsingor Donovan *10/14 vs. Thomas Jefferson *10/21 vs. Brentwood *Region Game
OL/DL CB/K OL/DL WR/DB WR/DE OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB
Fresh. Senior Junior Fresh. Soph. Fresh. Fresh. Junior Fresh. Soph. Senior
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Photo courtesy of Mercer Harris Photography
This year’s Briarwood Academy cheerleaders are (front from left) Corbyn Dent, Ally Daniel, Cameron Cheely, Mia McCorkle, Emma Moore, Ashton Tillman, (middle row) Chloe Johnson, Gracie Whitaker, (back) Courtney Parris, Alli Bennett, Kacie Frost, Holley Banister, Lanie Dukes, India Callaway, Jolane Mosley, Amber Turner, Emmalee Sims, Jacie Langford, Tara Tillman, Lauren Huff and Jazmin MacKendree. Football Head Coach — Bo Fleming Assistant Coaches — Mathew Graziano, Ryan Gerlach, Paden Remkus, Donny DeMore Managers — Connor Land, Cole Mosley Headmaster — Clayton Parrish Principal — Brinkley Bradshaw
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WARREN COUNTY SCREAMING DEVILS
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THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
2016 Schedule 8/5 vs. Portal (Scrimmage) 8/12 vs. Oglethorpe (Scrimmage) 8/19 @ Putnam County 9/2 vs. Harlem 9/9 @ Bradwell Institute (Hinesville) 9/16 @ First Presbyterian Day School *9/30 vs. Greene County *10/7 vs. Aquinas *10/14 @ Lincoln County *10/21 @ Hancock Central *10/28 @ Washington-Wilkes 11/4 Crossover-TBA The McDuffie Progress/Caitlin Boland
The WCHS Screaming Devils seniors are shown above. Shown are (back from left) Jarkevin Clark, Jahman Johnson, Kelveonta Veasley, CarDrez Slocumb, Kerensky Brown, (front) Nicholas Briddy, Jatavian Hatcher-Freeman, Stedman Hall, Jaquavious Fowler and Timothy Seals.
*Region Game
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Freeman ready to kick off fourth season at WCHS BY CAITLIN BOLAND
ccarpenter@mcduffieprogress.com
Warren County High School head coach Cherard Freeman is ready to start his fourth season with the Screaming Devils. Last year, the Screaming Devils went 3-7, winning games against Glascock County and Georgia Military College as well as an overtime win against Harlem. Freeman said he felt the team was doing well until a few key players were unable to play. “Everything started to go downhill after we lost a few key players,” Freeman said. WCHS lost four seniors from
last year’s team, but the team has 22 returning players and four new freshman. The key players for this season are the seniors who have been with Freeman for all four years including Timothy Seals, CarDrez Slocumb, Jarvis Collins, Kelveonta Veasley, Stedman Hall, Kentravious Brinkley, Jaquavious Fowler, Jarkevin Clark and Kerensky Brown. “During the offseason, we have gotten stronger and learned how to work as a team,” Freeman said. “The seniors are stepping up and being leaders, and I feel that the coaches have learned the kids’ abilities, and
the kids have learned us. We know how to work with each other.” Freeman has several goals for this year’s team going into the 2016 season. The first is to make the playoffs. Warren County will play in a split region this year along with Aquinas, GMC, Greene County, Hancock Central, Lincoln County and Washington-Wilkes on their side. The other side of Region 7A consists of First Presbyterian, Mt. de Sales, Stratford Academy, Tattnall Square, Twiggs County and
See WCHS, Page 29
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2015 Results 8/21 vs. Putnam County 20-14 Loss *8/28 @ Glascock County 38-8 Win 9/4 @ Tattnall Square Academy 14-0 Loss 9/11 vs. Harlem 12-6 Win (OT) 9/18 vs. Wilkinson County 38-6 Loss *10/2 @ Lincoln County 31-0 Loss 10/9 vs. Hancock Central 14-0 Loss *10/16 @ Georgia Military College 24-18 Win *10/23 vs. Aquinas 49-14 Loss 11/6 @ Wilkinson County 41-12 Loss
Go Screaming Devils! *Region Game
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– continued from Page 28
Wilkinson County. “Defensively, we want to hold teams to under 100 yards rushing and passing and win turnovers,” Freeman said. “Offensively, we want to rush for more than 150 yards, pass
for 75 yards and try to avoid turnovers and silly penalties. For special teams, we want the punt average to be 30 yards with only a 10-yard return, hold the kickoff return to under 20 yards,
#1 -- Stedman Hall #2 -- Jarvis Collins #4 -- Timothy Seals #5 -- Vontavious Crawford #6 -- Jahman Johnson #7 -- Jaden Hawkins #8 -- Malik Evans #9 -- Justice Hawkins #10 -- Jatarious Allen #12 -- Lovasea Carrol #14 -- Kentravious Brinkley #15 -- Zantez Hudson #23 -- David Wilburn #25 -- Gorzavious Hill
DB, WR Senior QB, DB Junior RB, DB Senior DE, WR Soph. DB, WR Senior DB, WR Junior DE, RB Soph. DB, WR Fresh. DB, QB Soph. DB, QB Eighth DB, WR Junior DB, RB Junior LB, RB Junior DB, WR Junior
return punts for more than 10 yards and return kickoffs for more than 25 yards.” WCHS opened their 2016 season against Portal in a preseason scrimmage, and they will open the regular
season on Aug. 19 at Putnam County. WCHS’ first region game is Sept. 30 against Greene County. “My coaching staff and I are looking to enjoy the season with the kids we’ve had
2016 Varsity Roster #33 -- Michael Dawson #43 -- Jarkevin Clark #51 -- Taryn Ivey #52 -- Jordan Johnson #53 -- Zachery Bell #54 -- Dylan Moss #62 -- CarDrez Slocumb #66 -- Jaquavious Fowler #70 -- Kelveonta Veasley #72 -- Tru’Landous Myers #73 -- Kalyb Bussey #76 -- Kerensky Brown #77 -- Juantavious Merriweather #84 -- Montavious Cummings
LB, RB Fresh. LB, HB Senior LB, OL Soph. DL, OL Fresh. DE, OL Soph. DL, OL Fresh. DE, OL Senior LB, OL Senior DE, OL Senior DL, OL Junior DE, OL Fresh. DL, OL Senior DL, OL Junior DE, WR Fresh.
all four years,” Freeman said. “We’ve watched them grow from 0-10 their first year to now. It’s been a long journey.”
Coaching Staff Head Coach: Cherard Freeman Assistant Coaches: Fred Blount, Rick Ellis, Corey Flournoy, Keith Johnson, Maurice Lester and Timothy Seals Sr. Principal: Trevor Roberson
The McDuffie Progress/Caitlin Boland The McDuffie Progress/Caitlin Boland
Jarvis Collins talks over the play with the offense in the huddle.
Timothy Seals kneels next to Coach Rick Ellis on the sideline to watch the Aug. 5 game against Portal.
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THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
GLASCOCK COUNTY PANTHERS
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2016 Varsity Roster
#2 -- Nathan Tyler #3 -- Will Bowles #6 -- Liam Carson #7 -- Liam Newsome #8 -- Austin Coxwell #9 -- Brandon Washam #10 -- Leland Bazemore #11 -- Evan Danforth #14 -- Santel Floyd #15 -- Ben Usry #16 -- Jonas Jones #17 -- Parker Rabun #18 -- Austin Fayson #19 -- Landry Johnson #20 -- Nick Light #21 -- Mikey Defore
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THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
QB, LB Junior WR, DB Junior QB, DB Fresh. RB, DB, K Fresh. RB, DB Senior TE, LB Fresh. RB, LB Senior HB, DB Soph. RB, DB Fresh. TE, LB Senior FB, LB Junior RB, DB Fresh. FB, LB Senior WR, DB Junior RB, DB Fresh. RB, DB Fresh.
Coaching Staff Head Coach — Chris Kelley Assistant Coaches — Michael Costello, Bobby Videon, Brent Lamb, Jeremy Bennett, Zakk Smallwood Principal — Danny Lovering
#36 -- Zach Kitchens #50 -- Jalen Jenkins #51 -- Justin Coleman #52 -- Will Hadden #54 -- Josh Fordham #56 -- Michael Greeson #58 -- Zac Gay #60 -- Alex Davis #64 -- Tuff Franks #65 -- Ken Kitchens #69 -- Steven Usry #70 -- Calvain Newsome #71 -- George Deraney #72 -- Josh Wood #74 -- Mckenzie Perry #75 -- Jackson Poss
WR, DB Fresh. OL, LB Soph. OL, LB Soph. OL, LB Senior OL, DL Junior OL, DL Fresh. OL, DL Fresh. OL, DL Fresh. OL, DL Senior OL, DL Fresh. OL, DL Senior OL, DL Junior OL, DL Senior OL, DL Junior OL, DL Senior OL, DL Soph.
2016 Schedule 8/19 vs. King’s Ridge Christian 8/26 vs. Harlem 9/2 vs. Crawford County 9/9 @ Stewart County 9/16 vs. Wheeler County 9/23 @ Pataula Charter 9/30 vs. Thomas Jefferson 10/14 @ GMC 10/21 @ Cross Keys 11/4 vs. Pataula Charter
2015 Results
8/21 @ Athens Academy 49-0 Loss 8/28 vs. Warren County 38-8 Loss 9/4 vs. GMC 38-21 Loss 9/11 vs. Hephzibah 42-14 Loss 9/18 @ Harlem 41-7 Loss 10/2 @ New Hampstead 54-25 Loss
10/9 vs. North Cobb Christian 52-7 Loss 10/16 @ Crawford County 40-6 Loss 10/30 vs. Stewart County 24-3 Win 11/6 vs. Tattnall Square 42-7 Loss
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Glascock coach previews 2016 Panther season BY CAITLIN BOLAND ccarpenter@mcduffieprogress.com
The Glascock County Panthers ended the 2015 season with only one win. However, they are working to get better this year. “This is a fun team to coach that listens well and is trying to get better,” said head coach Chris Kelley. The team lost nine seniors, and Kelley said they are having to replace a lot of positions, especially on defense. This year’s team will have 32 players with 12 freshman. The 2016 team will also have eight seniors -- Austin Coxwell, Leland Bazemore, Ben Usry, Austin Fayson, Will Hadden, Tuff Franks, Steven Usry, George Deraney and Mckenzie Perry -- to lead the team. “Our goal for this year is to work hard and get
better each week and to have a successful season,” Kelley said. “We are working on basic fundamentals to become fundamentally sound individually and becoming polished on team d and team o.” Kelley said the primary thing he is trying to instill in his players is mental and physical toughness. Going into the 2016 season, Kelley said the team’s strength is the offensive line, and he wants the community to come out and support the team. “Come out and support the kids because they work extremely hard everyday, and it means a lot to them to pack the stands every Friday,” Kelley said. Glascock’s first regular season game is Aug. 19 against King’s Ridge Christian at 7:30 p.m.
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#1 -- Cael Postell #2 -- Logan Etterlee #3 -- PJ Gilmore #4 -- Dustin Anderson #5 -- Cooper Thigpen #6 -- BJ Bargeron #6 -- Brody Lane #7 -- Chris Newsome #7 -- Josh Collins #8 -- Fernando Wicker #8 -- Baylor Maddox #9 -- Jordan McCladdie #10 -- Lane Phillips #11 -- Cristian Cozart #12 -- Colton Lopez #13 -- Quentin Gray #14 -- Leroy Maya #15 -- Tanner Bruyninckx #16 -- Cameron Carr #16 -- Curt Muns #17 -- Tanner Morrison #18 -- Joshua Russ #19 -- Marquett Bennett #20 -- Deshawn Grant #20 -- Tyler Mullis #22 -- Jerrod Harris #24 -- JT Turner
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OLB, RB Junior OLB,WR Soph. WR, DB Soph. LB, WR Soph. TE, LB Fresh. WR, DB Fresh. CB, QB Senior QB, DB Fresh. LB, RB Senior WR, OLB Senior OLB, RB Fresh. DB, WR Fresh. QB, K Senior LS, QB Junior QB, DB Fresh. DB, WR Soph. RB, OLB Junior RB, MLB Junior DB, WR Fresh. WR, DB Senior QB, DB Junior WR, FS Senior DB, RB So. WR, MLB Senior LB, RB Fresh. DE, WR Junior QB, OLB Soph.
2016 Varsity Roster #25 -- Tyler Corbell #26 -- Taylor Watts #27 -- Austin Powell #29 -- Abijah Ray #31 -- Chandler Maddox #32 -- Jody Cooper #33 -- Grayson Sheppard #33 -- Dylan Mcnutt #34 -- Cole Phillips #35 -- Brendan Maddox #40 -- Tristan Williams #42 -- Garrett Devore #44 -- Andrew Rollins #49 -- LJ Williams #49 -- Jacob Matthews #50 -- Logan Hatcher #52 -- Matthew Pope #53 -- Austin Wilkerson #54 -- Ean Dunkle #56 -- Dequan Dorsey #57 -- Kelvin Burns #58 -- Johnathan Masserant #59 -- Cail Dixon #60 -- Cory Brady #61 -- Trevyr Carlson #62 -- Blake Robertson #63 -- Christian Williams
LB, WR Junior WR, LB Fresh. DB, WR Soph. RB, LB Soph. FB, OLB Soph RB, CB Junior OLB, RB Senior LB, RB Fresh. WR, CB Soph. RB, MLB Junior TE, LB Junior DE, TE Senior MLB, FB Soph. WR, LB Fresh. MLB, FB Senior G, NG Senior DL, OL Junior DL, OL Soph. DL, OL Fresh. NG, G Soph. DL, OL Junior OL, DL Junior OL, DL Soph. DL, OL Soph. DL, OL Fresh. DL, OL Junior. C, DT Senior
#65 --Tyler Wood #66 -- Alex Litchford #67 -- Elise Davis #72 -- Waylin Bell #75 -- Jody Farley #76 -- Shaun Tate #77 -- Tyler Tindall #79 -- Seth Newman #80 -- Quest Caines #81 -- Michael Carroll #82 -- Jeremy Glidewell #85 -- Alex Pratt #88 -- Robbie May #89 -- Dawson Los #89 -- Dylan Williams #90 -- Chris Ray
DL, OL Senior. DL, OL Fresh. DL, OL Fresh. T, NG Junior OL Senior DL, OL Senior DL, OL Junior DL, OL Fresh. MLB, WR Soph. WR, OLB Soph. K Fresh. DE, TE Soph. OLB, WR Soph. WR, DE Junior TE, LB Fresh. OL, DL Fresh.
Coaching Staff Head Coach — Todd Booker Assistant Coaches — Lonnie Morris, Mark Boiter, Chris Waters, Rusty James (Head JV Coach), Brian Levens, Brian Usry, Kevin Waters, Carlos Carter Principal — Dietmar Perez
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THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
2016 Schedule
8/26 @ Glascock County 9/2 @ Warren County 9/9 vs. Greenbrier *9/16 @ Glenn Hills *9/23 vs. Butler *9/30 vs. Screven County *10/7 vs. Jefferson County *10/15 @ Josey * 10/28 @ Laney *11/4 vs. Westside (Augusta)
2015 Results
*Region Game
The McDuffie Progress/Wayne Parham
Bulldogs strength will be on both sides of the ball
The HHS seniors are shown above. They are Brody Lane, Josh Collins, Fernando Wicker, Lane Phillips, Curt Muns, Joshua Russ, Deshawn Grant, Grayson Sheppard, Garret Devore, Jacob Matthews, Logan Hatcher, Christian Williams, Tyler Wood, Jody Farley and Shaun Tate.
BY LINDA GREEN
lgreen@mcduffieprogress.com
The Harlem High School Bulldogs began their 2016 football season Aug. 12 with a scrimmage game against Jenkins County. “Our goal is to work hard on the field and in the classroom and be the best we can be, and make it to the state playoffs,” said head coach Todd Booker. The coach said the 2016-2017 team will have more depth on both sides of the ball. “We should be bigger and faster after a great offseason and summer in the weight room,” he said. “This
year's team has worked hard every day in the weight room and on the practice field. They are getting better each day.” At the end of 2015, the team was ranked 362 in Georgia and ended the season with an overall record of 3-7 and a region record of 2-4. The 2016-17 team wearing the red and black comprises 69 players, and nine seniors were lost to graduation in the spring. The coach said the strength of this year's Bulldog football team is the offensive and defensive lines. Throughout practice and through team meetings, Booker and his staff have tried to instill goals among the
players. The primary goal, Booker said, has been to reinforce in each member to not let anyone outwork them and to take pride in doing things right. Booker asked Bulldog fans to attend the games and support the team. “These young men have worked extremely hard this off season and summer and we are committed to getting better everyday,” Booker said. The Harlem Bulldogs will open their season on Aug. 26 at Glascock County, and the Bulldogs will open their region schedule on Sept. 16 at Glenn Hills.
8/21 @ Greenbrier 10-3 Loss 8/28 vs. Grovetown 42-7 Loss 9/11 @ Warren County 12-6 Loss 9/18 vs. Glascock 41-7 Win *9/25 @ Swainsboro 34-27 Win *10/2 vs. Screven County 41-0 Loss *10/9 @ Dublin 34-9 Loss *10/16 vs. Metter 34-33 Loss *10/23 @ Jefferson County 49-0 Loss *11/6 vs. East Laurens 28-6 Win *Region Game
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G T HS WARRIORS
THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Photo courtesy of Carter Koenig Photography
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
#1 -- Verenzo Holmes Jr. Senior #1 -- Chase Pennington #2 -- Jared Tildon Junior #3 -- Anthony Cobb Senior #4 -- Garrett Rodgers Senior #4 -- Davon Arrington Fresh. #5 -- Taylor Youngblood Junior #6 -- Antonio Oliver Senior #7 -- Jamir Malone #8 -- Justin Gibbs Senior #9 -- Jermaine Boyd Jr. Senior #10 -- Donavan McLean Junior #11 -- Hayden McPeake Junior #12 -- Jonathon Ball Junior #13 -- Philip Jones
CB QB Soph. CB, RB WR, CB WR WR QB CB RB, CB Soph. WR DE, DT K, CB QB WR, CB WR
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THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
2016 Varsity Roster
Senior #14 -- Derrick Canteen WR, CB Soph. #15 -- D'Angelo Durham RB, FS Junior #16 -- Martrell Beall CB, WB Senior #17 -- Braxton Wharton WR Junior #18 -- Gary Speed CB Soph. #20 -- Thomas Lollis OLB Senior #21 -- Zanthony Rambert Jr. WR, CB Junior #22 -- AJ Brown RB Soph. #23 -- Demarco Geter OLB, SS Senior #24 -- Kalei Watson FS, WR Junior #24 -- John Beckham RB Fresh. #25 -- Russell Page FS, WR Senior #26 -- Darrius Davis FB, OLB Senior #27 -- Khalif Miller OLB, SS Junior #28 -- Lamar Price WR, OLB
Junior #30 -- Carson Quarles CB Senior DT, DE #31 -- Adonis Wiles Senior #32 -- Anthony Adams FS Soph. FB, MLB #33 -- Shamar Cofield Junior #34 -- Tre Whitehead FS, OLB Senior #34 -- Raheem Murray Fresh. #35 -- Greggory Rodgers II ILB, FB Junior #36 -- Reggie Stone CB Junior #37 -- Deion Daniels FS Soph. #38 -- Tayelour Towns RB Junior #39 -- Zion Hogan MLB Senior #40 -- Chicago Certain ILB, TE Senior #41 -- Sylvester Middleton CB Soph. #42 -- Saleh Wells SS Soph. #44 -- Cole Brown RB, OLB Soph. #45 -- Tylan Horton OLB, DE Senior #46 -- Torrence Green FB, TE Senior #47 -- Isaiah Geyser FB Senior #48 -- Ryan Cordero Soph. #49 -- Khalil Warner Soph. #50 -- Elijah Reed G,T Senior #51 -- Nigel Henry OT Senior #52 -- Mitch Minehart MLB, OL Soph. #53 -- Gage Omar ILB, C Soph. #54 -- Shahin O'Neal DT, DE Senior #55 -- Cameron Voliton DE, G Senior #56 -- Garrett Wilkes MLB Soph. #57 -- Cornelius McCord G, DE Junior #58 -- Ben Butler C, LS Junior #59 -- Lajarius Long T, DE Junior #60 -- Deven Williams T, DE Junior #61 -- Dejon Parker G, NG Senior #64 -- Zach Demchak C, NG Junior #65 -- Tres Omar G, DE Senior
#66 -- Darrin Transou Senior #67 -- Logan Owen #68 -- DeWilson Rodgers Senior #69 -- Nate Colbenson #72 -- Alex Phillips #75 -- Shaun Golden #76 -- Jordan Bolah #77 -- Trajen Graham #79 -- Johnny Chen #80 -- Jimmy Cronan Junior #81 -- Carson Pryor #82 -- Ethan Smith Soph. #83 -- Jeloni Moore Senior #84 -- Quinton Brown Junior #85 -- Shileal Grovner Senior #86 -- Dejuan Carter #87 -- Rainey Ferguson Senior #88 -- Billy Fowler Senior #89 -- Reidyn Gleaton Senior #91 -- Kyle Bryant #94 -- Jonathan Hogan Soph. #98 -- Mason Pryor Senior #99 -- Micah Gilbert Junior
DE, G G, DE G, DE
Soph.
T Soph. G, DE Soph. OT, DT Soph. OT Soph. DT, G Soph. DT, G Soph. TE, MLB WR Soph. WR, OLB WR WR TE WR, FS Soph. TE OLB, WR WR, FB DE, TE Soph. DE, MLB K K
Coaching Staff Head Coach — Damien Postell Assistant Coaches — Dexter Carter, Bruce Zuehlke, Cory Evans, Jay Acree, Aaron Broderick, Wes Harrell, Kevin Hunt, Chris Miller Principal — Craig Baker
THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
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2016 Schedule
8/19 vs. Burke County 8/26 vs. North Oconee 9/2 @ Lincoln County 9/16 @ Richmond Hill 9/23 vs. Richmond Academy *9/30 vs. Alcovy
*10/7 @ Heritage (Conyers) *10/14 @ Evans *10/28 vs. Greenbrier *11/4 @ Lakeside (Evans)
2015 Results
8/28 @ Harlem 42-7 Win *9/5 @ Houston County 34-3 Loss *9/11 @ Evans 34-24 Win *9/18 @ Cross Creek 21-20 Win *9/25 vs. Jones County 42-7 Loss *10/9 vs. Greenbrier 41-7 Win
*Region Game
*10/16 @ Lakeside (Evans) 37-14 Loss *10/23 vs. Northside (Warner Robins) 28-7 Loss *10/30 @ Warner Robins 45-6 Loss *11/6 Richmond Academy 24-14 Win
*Region Game
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Postell looks forward to first year with Warriors BY WAYNE PARHAM
wparham@mcduffieprogress.com
Head Coach Damien Postell, in his first year in the top position, will lead his Grovetown Warriors into the season with the strength of nine returning defensive starters on his roster. Postell has been defensive coordinator for the past two years at Grovetown. Prior to that he served as a defensive back coach in his first year, 2013, at the school. “We’re bringing a good bit back on defense. We’re bringing back nine starters,” Postell said. “I’m very pleased with what I see from our defensive front. That’s our strong point on our defense, the up front six. We’re just expecting a great year
with those guys.” On the offensive side of the ball, the Warriors will be putting together a new mix of talent. Only one stater from last year’s offense returns. “That’s where we’re going have to grow up quickly,” the coach said. Postell said he is confident in junior quarterback Taylor Youngblood, who was the backup quarterback last year. “We’ve got some good leadership this year in our quarterback,” Postell said. But this year, Grovetown also has new talent on board after several Aquinas players transferred to the Warriors squad. “We’ve got those transfers coming
See GTHS, Page 39
Photo courtesy of Carter Koenig Photography
GROVETOWN HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY WARRIORS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
GTHS
THURSDAY • August 18, 2016
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in to kind of push our kids to get better,” Postell said. Those transfers already have multiple offers from colleges and are highly ranked in the state. Justin Gibbs, a receiver, and running backs Verenzo Holmes Jr. and D’Angelo Durham are joining the Warriors this season. “Even with Justin coming in at receiver, he’s actually made our other receivers better,” said Postell. The coach explained that when the receiver transferred, he was suffering from a high ankle sprain from sevenon-seven competition over the summer. He spent his first days at Grovetown working with trainers, but the coach said he was out on the field he was trying to help other receivers. “When he was out there with the kids, he was like a coach for us — kind of coached them up on different route
running skills and all,” Postell added. Postell said he anticipates the offense will gel together quickly. Last year, Grovetown was in a muchlarger region including 10 teams, several from the middle Georgia area. This year, they move into a new, smaller region with Greenbrier, Lakeside, Evans, Alcovy and Heritage of Conyers. Who does the first-year head coach see as the toughest region opponents? “Lakeside has always been tough for us. They’ve beat us every year since I’ve been here,” he said “Evans we kind of split with. I know they bring back a real nice running back-quarterback tandem in the backfield so that could be a tough game as well as the Lakeside game.” The coach said he does not know exactly what to expect from Heritage
and Alcovy. Both have new coaches and all you can do is look at last year’s record. This year, Grovetown fields about 125 athletes on the football rosters with about 85 dressing out for varsity. The program has 34 seniors this year on the varsity squad, about 27 juniors
and about 34 sophomores. The additional players fill in the rosters of the ninth-grade team and the JV team.