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SUBSCRIBE IDA SOLOMON DURAND To put it simply, Ida is a creativeminded thinker turned Historic Preservationist turned Interior Designer, turned creative director turned cultural resources historian, turned publisher, always looking to find the smart center of an idea and turn it into a compelling brand solution. Ida is a fifth generation native of LaGrange and holds a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from Savannah College Art & Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) from LaGrange College.

KANE BRADFIELD Kane Bradfield is a retired Arena League football player for the Lexington Horsemen where he helped lead the team to the Arena Bowl Championship in 2004. He is currently the Owner and Head Trainer of Clockwork Performance Training with nearly 10 years of experience behind him. Bradfield has successfully trained many athletes across various sports, from youth athletes to the collegiate and professional ranks. He is an energetic and passionate person who believes in the power of discipline and positive reinforcement, fueled by his core values: teach, critique, empower. Bradfield says, “At the end of the day, everything I do is for the community. It’s all about giving back.”

community’s sports needs since then. Kevin loves sports and enjoys writing, and he is grateful to have a career where he can combine those two passions. Kevin is incredibly excited to be the first editor of Sideline Pass, and he is looking forward to continuing to provide top-notch coverage of high-school, college, community, and recreation sports in the area.

SARA ARNOLD Photographer and Graphic Designer Sara Arnold leads our creative team. A LaGrange native, Arnold moved to California after graduating from LaGrange College and was hired as Creative Director for a successful start-up in Silicon Valley. She also served as the personal photographer to Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, and his wife Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and CEO of the personal genomics company 23andMe. Her passion for art, photography and design shines through in her work. “There is a story there, and it’s my job to see it, understand it, and convey it,” she says.

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(404) 787-8424 KEVIN ECKLEBERRY Kevin Eckleberry has been a sports journalist in Georgia for nearly 30 years, and for the past two decades he was the sports editor of the LaGrange Daily News. Kevin is a life-long Georgian who began his career at the Daily Citizen News in Dalton in 1993 after graduating from Georgia Southern University. After stops at the newspapers in Albany, Rome and Cartersville, Kevin came to LaGrange in 2002, and he has gratefully served the

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EDN .2

CONTENTS

Youth Wrestling

8-11

Kevin Eckleberry

LHS football

18-19

LHS reunion

26-27

Troup football

28-29

Tanner Glisson

30-31

CHS football

32-33

Heard football

34-35

Greenville football

36-37

Handley football

38-39

Lafayette Christian football

40-41

LHS softball seniors

42-43

Troup softball seniors

44-45

CHS softball seniors

46-47

Heard softball seniors

48-49

Mackenzie White

50-51

LGA softball seniors

52-53

LHS volleyball

54-55

HANDLEY FOOTBALL

YOUTH WRESTLING

CALLAWAY FOOTBALL

LCS FOOTBALL

CONTENTS

EDN. 2

LAGRANGE ACADEMY SOFTBALL

LHS VOLLEYBALL

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Troup volleyball

56-57

CHS volleyball

58-59

Heard volleyball

60-61

Clay Webb

Raleigh Thompson

Callaway fishing

66-67

Trevor Booton

68-69

Middle School roundup

70-71

Kale Gibbs

72-73

Braylon Sanders

74-75

Callaway 2020 seniors

76-78

Jamari Thrash

Emory Jones

80-81

Darius Joiner

82-83

Toni Sosa

84-85

LHS softball players in college

86-87

Christian Morris

88-89

Kayla Lane

Sydney Goddard

Ryan Bliss

LC football

93-95

Zach Neighbors

Point football

Kelly Carlisle

100-101

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DON’T LET THE SMILES FOOL YOU...

By Kevin Eckleberry Don’t let the smiles fool you. In some ways, twin sisters Blakely and Brylie Garner are typical 8-yearold girls, and they’re quick with a hug or a kind word. When the sisters make their way onto a wrestling mat, though, the smiles disappear, and the only hugs they’re giving away are when they’re attempting a takedown. Brylie and Blakely began competing when they were 4 years old, and they’ve taken the youth wrestling world by storm. They started winning big from the get-go, and they’ve compiled an impressive collection of trophies, medals, and other hardware from the numerous tournaments they’ve competed in across the country. The twins have an unwavering support system that includes their father and coach, Drew Garner, as well as their mother, Melanie, and their younger brother Gage has proven to be a fine training partner and an exceptional wrestler in his own right. Drew Garner, who was a state-championship wrestler during his time at Troup High and is now the school’s head wrestling coach, entered his daughters in their first tournament four years ago. Soon enough, Brylie and Blakely began amassing wins and capturing championships, and now they’re two of the top youth wrestlers in the country. “They can be little devils on the mat, and they can be little mommas off the mat,” Garner said. “They’ll find the first baby doll. That’s just how they are.” While Drew Garner may have

encouraged his daughters to try wrestling, the decision to stick with it was their own. “I like a lot of things about this sport,” said Brylie. “It’s very competitive. It’s very fun. I like practice, and I like the tournaments because they’re really tough and competitive. Whenever dad bumps me up a weight class I like it. I also get beat a lot, but that makes me better, too.” Blakely Garner, who has won numerous state and national competitions, said her favorite aspect of the sport is “having fun at the tournaments. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it just matters if you have fun.” Fortunately for Blakely, she’s done a lot more winning than losing, and she has seven national titles to her credit, and she also won the state championship every year from 2018 to 2021, and in three of those years she won in the boys’ division. This year alone, Blakely has won two national championships, a world championship, and yet another state title. Blakely also won the Trinity Award, an exclusive honor that goes to a wrestler who win all three tournaments in the Trinity Award series. Additionally, Blakely was a first-team selection on the World All-Star team, another impressive honor that only goes to the best of the best in the world of youth wrestling. Brylie has an impressive wrestling resume of her own that includes multiple state championships as well as a national title, and she is a second-team selection on the World All-Star team. Brylie and Blakely are also part of a thriving youth team based at Troup

High that won the youth team state title last season. For the twins, the path to wrestling began when they participated in another sport. “They actually started at 18 months doing gymnastics,” Drew Garner said. “That’s where I could see enough to know there were some possibilities. I feel like gymnastics builds the foundation of athleticism for these kids.” When the girls began wrestling competitively, the success was there from the get-go, with Blakely winning a state championship in 2018 in the boys’ division, and Brylie coming in third in the girls’ state tournament. From the start, the twins often wrestled up weight classes, or they were taking on competitors older than they are. “Dad says it makes us better,” Brylie said. “We’re wrestling up weight classes, and bumping up weight classes makes you stronger, tougher and better because they’re a lot heavier.” Beyond the physical aspect of the sport, mental strength is such a critical part of wrestling. It’s two competitors squaring off with no one there to help them, and a two-minute period can seem like an eternity. Competitors can shake hands when the match is over, but when it’s time to wrestle, it’s all about figuring out a way to overcome your opponent, and friendship, or kinship, doesn’t enter the equation. “Blakely finds it easier to come to that type of mentality,” Drew Garner

Photo: Será Será Photo & Design

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said. “Brylie, it’s a little bit harder for her. She’s a very soft-hearted, sweet kid. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. But she will work hard, and she competes.” The twins are fortunate to have a father, and a coach, with an extensive background in the sport. During his time at Troup, Drew Garner was a part of one of the most successful wrestling programs in the state, with legendary coach Dariel Daniel leading the way. After helping Troup win a state championship in 2001, Garner wrestled at Pensacola Christian College. Drew Garner has a deep appreciation for wrestling, and he feels it offers so many lessons, many of which transcend sports. “It teaches a lot of self-control, discipline, work ethic,” he said. “It teaches you mental toughness. It instills a lot of lessons. It teaches you not to quit.” Garner became Troup’s head coach in 2019 after serving as an assistant coach under his brother, Craig Garner, and those two helped the team achieve back-to-back top-five finishes in the state meet in 2017 and 2018. In 2016, Garner helped create the Troup Tiger Youth Wrestling organization, and that program is thriving. Through his duties as a teacher and a coach, Garner has a lot on his plate, and he is grateful for the support of his wife, Melanie, who has been beside him every step of the way. “I love her to death,” Garner said. “She allows me to do my passion. Not only does she support it, but she embraces her role. She’s doing a lot of our car rentals, our hotels, she runs fundraisers. She’s a pivotal part of it.” Melanie, meanwhile, is 100 percent supportive of everything Drew is trying to do, and seeing him coach-

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Brylie, Blakely and Gage is something special. “To see them out there, it’s amazing the relationship they have together,” Melanie said. “I love the relationship he has with all the kids, whether it’s youth or high school. He’s always just loved the sport, and I was very happy he was able to come back and do what he loves.”

It teaches a lot of self-control, discipline, work ethic.”

As for Brylie and Blakely, while admitting a bit of trepidation when they first began competing, she has been behind them all the way. “When they first went out there, as a momma I was nervous, but I knew they had worked hard, and as long as they wrestle hard, that’s all you can ask for,” Melanie said. “That’s great to watch.” Six-year-old Gage Garner has also

been bitten by the wrestling bug, and he’s starting to make a name for himself in the sport. “When we first started him, he was young,” Melanie said. “So, at first, we weren’t real sure about him. As he’s been around them, and been able to get out there more for himself, he’s grown a lot. He really enjoys the sport. He knows his sisters used to whoop him in wrestling, and now he’s giving it right back to them. So, it’s a lot of fun to watch.” Melanie and Drew have encouraged Blakely and Brylie to enjoy the sport, but to make sure to give it all they’ve got. “We talk to them a lot about their future. You’ve got to stay focused, and you’ve got to put everything into this,” Melanie said. “If you do that, then you can go far. It’s a lot of fun to think about the possibilities.”

Photo: Será Será Photo & Design

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What a journey it’s been. (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) offer an ideal way to get out up-to-the date news and stay connected with the community.

Earlier this year, myself and a few others decided to take a leap of faith, and Sideline Pass magazine was born. This undertaking hasn’t always been a smooth one, there are challenges that arise with any new undertaking, but last month the debut edition of Sideline Pass was unveiled, and I’m proud of what our team accomplished.

Also, we’ve started a website, sidelinepass.net, and that allows us to provide that much more information, whether I’m covering a game, or previewing a big event, or writing about the individuals who thrill us with their athletic exploits.

The stories covered the gamut, from high-school football, to professional baseball, to college and professional athetics, to youth baseball, and on and on. With the stories in place, we needed someone to design the magazine, and Sara Arnold did an outstanding job in that department, and our publisher, Ida Durand, has been there every step of the way, providing whatever was needed, and her support is incredibly appreciated, and Kane Bradfield has been out there promoting it like only he can. Here’s the thing. As pleased as we were with the first edition, there’s no time to rest or sit back and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, because there is always the next deadline looming. So, soon enough, it was back to work, and I believe we’ve put together another edition of Sideline Pass that our readers will enjoy.

The idea is to make Sideline Pass, through its various offerings, the leader for local sports in this area. Editor Kevin Eckleberry

It was so much fun putting these stories together, and it’s a joy to be able to talk with coaches and student-athletes, and find out more about their lives, and get to know them.

I hope you enjoy this edition, and we’re already at work on the next one, and our goal is to see Sideline Pass grow, evolve, improve, and be something this community can be proud of for a long time to come. Thanks for reading, and thanks for your support.

Those who choose this profession do so in part because of a curiosity, an interest in people, and that is no doubt the case for me. Everyone has a story, and this magazine will give us a way to tell them. In addition to this magazine that will come out once a month, I’m also pleased that we’ll be able to offer more up-to-date media offerings as well. Our social-media outlets

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Troup County’s Influence on Golf A 1925 exhibition match at LaGrange, Georgia’s Highland Country Club captures, left to right, Harold Callaway, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, and Watts Gunn. Credit: LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

Few places outside Scotland have had as much impact on the world of golf as Troup County, Georgia. Though golf only came here after World War I, the number of people associated with Troup County who have made important contributions to the game, internationally, is phenomenal.

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Donald Ross, the most noted name in course design, came to LaGrange in 1922 to personally supervise construction of his course plan for Highland Country Club. He also assisted in designing the course at the American Legion in 1947. Lionel and Harold Callaway, English born brothers, were among early professionals at Highland Country Club. Lionel is credited with inventing miniature golf, the golf practice net, and the Callaway Handicap System. Harold was the first professional at Highland Country Club, employed at the suggestion of Donald Ross. Harold is one of the few men who actually beat Bobby Jones, and did so in a match at Highland Country Club in 1924. Harold was a name on the professional circuit but best

noted for his career as a golf instructor, which he did for 29 years at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Among his students was Babe Zaharias, who won 41 professional events, including 10 that predated the LPGA. Harold’s wife was Martha Greer, who was Miss LaGrange in 1929. Her mother was one of the Troup County Cleaveland family. Ely Reeves Callaway, Jr. frequently won the club championship at Highland Country Club as a teenager. His international contribution to the world of golf began in 1982 the year Ely bought an interest in Hickory Stick Golf USA. He liked a unique specialty club they manufactured. The following year, Ely bought out his partners and renamed the company Callaway Hickory Stick USA, serving as CEO and President. In 1986, the company was the first to use computer controlled milling machines to ensure uniform flatness on putter surfaces. In 1988, the company was renamed Callaway Golf. Callaway Golf introduced the revolutionary driver, Big Bertha the first wide body, stainless steel wood, in 1991. The next year the company went public, offered on the New York Stock Exchange under the

symbol ELY. The line of Big Bertha Irons was unveiled in 1994 and Callaway Golf Ball Company was started in 1996, the same year that Callaway Golf became the world’s largest manufacturer of clubs. Robert “Bobby” Jones, one of the most prominent names in golf played in LaGrange many times from the 1920s on. Bobby Jones was the only man to ever win the Grand Slam of Golf Championship in a single year. He was perhaps an inspiration for his second cousin, Ely R. Callaway, Jr. who was a repeat champion in the 1930s. He founded the Augusta NationalGolfclub in 1933 and the Masters TournamentTournament in 1934. Byron Nelson played in LaGrange many times. He set a new course record of 64 at Highland Country Club in 1946. Walter Hagen played in LaGrange in a match with Bobby Jones in 1925. Allen Doyle of LaGrange is the “winningest amateur since Bobby Jones.” He has won the PGA Senior Championship twice; the @U.S. Open twice, beating Tom Watson in one; the Players’ Championship, where he beat Jack Nicklaus; the Charles

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Schwab Cup for leading winner in a single year; the Georgia State Amateur at least 8 times; and the Walker Cup Trophy as well as countless other tournaments locally and nationally. He was the leading force behind creation of the First Tee program too. Tad Moore of LaGrange hand makes and markets golf clubs that are used by leading professionals. Some of his clubs can sell for $3,000 and are coveted possessions used in national and international golf events. He was a Director of the Georgia State Golf Association. Suzanne Jackson of LaGrange among finest women’s golfers and the first woman to serve as rules official at men’s tournaments, including the Masters. Taylor Hall, while a student at LaGrange High School, won the U. S. Junior PGA Championship, played on the U. S. team at the Junior Ryder Cup, and at the Junior Masters, among other feats. James Minniefield of LaGrange won the Southern Amateur Colored Golf Championship in 1935. Hicks Broughton of LaGrange won second place at the Southern Amateur Championship in 1935 and was champion in 1936. Dick Cline, one time professional at the American legion won the Georgia Open in 1961. Among the many local players who have played in National Golf Tournaments include: David Daugherty, National in 1977 & Georgia State Four-Ball 1986; Lane Williams of LaGrange, appointed Tournament Director of the Georgia State Golf Association in 1986. Brothers Brent and John Holmes of LaGrange began winning golf championships at aged 8 and 10. In 1993, Brent became course superintendent at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, the first green golf course in the Middle East and host of the Desert Open. The same year, John became superintendent at Deering 16

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Bay Yacht and Golf Club in Miami working for Arnold Palmer and Jeb Bush. Today, John’s company, Atlas Turf head-quartered in LaGrange with offices in Hong Kong, supplies turf to courses world-wide, works closely with major course architects, and develops grasses to grow in places not previously amenable to grass. Brent’s company supplies golf courses all along the Eastern Seaboard. LaGrange, Georgia is thought to be the only town on the Earth that was home to both the U. S. Senior Champion (Allen Doyle) and Junior Open Champion (Taylor Hall) in the same year. TROUP COUNTY GOLF COURSES AND CLUBS As early as 1916, the local newspaper, the LaGrange Reporter, listed “Golf Links” as something missing in LaGrange. Other items on their wish list were a Club House, Public Park, Hotel, and Auditorium. Local investors built the first course on Vernon Road after World War I, just east of Lee’s Crossing where LaGrange Internal Medicine and several WellStar offices are located. A few years later, Highland Country Club was constructed off Ben Hill Road, now called Country Club Road today. In 1939, Edward Swanson Pinckard built a course on Hamilton Road where, in 1947, the American Legion developed a course. The Fields Golf Club, in southern Troup County, began in 1990. The course for First Tee, on LaFayette Parkway, started in 2006. Hogansville had a golf course that once boosted lights for nighttime golfing. The course for West Point’s Riverside Country Club is located several miles east of town in Chambers County, Alabama. LaGrange Country Club was the first country club and golf course in LaGrange, and opened about 1919. An antebellum Greek Revival house with four plastered- brick columns, built by Benjamin H. Cameron for Wiley H. Sims served as their clubhouse.

The house, enlarged in 1923 by Daniel Lumber Company, included a club room 18 by 44 feet with a dance floor, kitchen, reception room, and dining room. Men had locker rooms with showers on the first floor. Women had parlors and dressing rooms on the second floor. The club had tennis courts and planned to construct a lake for swimming and other sports, but was almost exclusively a golf club. John A. Baugh, Jr. was President. Miss Mary B. Nix succeeded George H. Crossley as Secretary/Treasurer in 1923. Board members included LaGrange Mayor, Sanford H. Dunson, Jr., and County Historian, Clifford L. Smith. . Membership, open to women and men, reached over sixty in 1923. Prominent members included: Hatton Lovejoy, Dr. Frank M. Ridley, Jr., Henry D. Burks, T. B. Wilhoite, Robert Hutchinson, Samuel P. Rakestraw, Jesse T. Carter, and Dr. Wallace H. Clark. Dinner/Tournaments and Town Challenge Tournaments with West Point and Newnan were popular for several years before the club closed about 1925. When the City of LaGrange acquired the property in 1926 it included a California style bungalow, a well with a Japanese shelter, and the clubhouse. The 194 acres included one of the best streams in the county and rolling hills. In 1923, Georgia Atkinson Bradfield won the 18 hole women’s championship and broke the course’s nine hole record with a 49. In their second annual tournament, some of the competing teams were mixed, men and women. In 1924, at a tournament in Newnan, players from LaGrange, who represented both LaGrange and Highland Country Clubs, were: Cason J. Callaway, Chilton W. Coleman, Talley B. Moncrief, Grady Kensington, Barney Mayer, William T. Culpepper, and William H. Jones. They tied for second place against eight other cities, including Atlanta and Columbus. Highland Country Club was chartered January 31, 1922 as a family center to include golf, swimming, tennis, social events, and other recreation. Fuller E. Callaway and his son, Cason J., took the initiative. The former donated the 207.16

acres so that the $40,000 raised by the 53 stockholders could all go into construction and development. The list of original investors includes all those who were prominent in the founding of LaGrange Country Club earlier. They employed Donald Ross to design the course and he came to LaGrange to personally supervise. The architectural firm of Hentz,Adler & Shutze and Reid designed the first, one story clubhouse, which burned in December of 1924. Neel Reid designed a replacement clubhouse that included a second story to serve as a guest house for Callaway-Truitt Mills. The opening day, July 3, 1923 included an exhibition match that brought “big golf in my own backyard” according to Barrington J. King inin 1923. Bobby Jones, the 1922 Southern Amateur Champion, beat Perry Adair, the 1923 Southern Champion, and professionals Harry Stephens of Druid Hills and Howard Beckett of Brookhaven. The Neel Reid designed three story clubhouse, featured a beautiful port-cochere with four square columns, was replaced in 1966 by a structure of modern design. In 1995, architect Skip Smith redesigned the current, greatly expanded clubhouse that is reminiscent of Churchill Downs. Newman Construction Company completed Smith’s design in a $1.9 million renovation. Regular tournaments include club championships, the Skin Edge Tournament, and the Highland Classic, a regular stop on the Woman’s Professional Golf Tour. Other golfing events at Highland Country Club date back to one held by the Rotary Club in 1924. Today, tournaments and scrambles are a major source of fund-raising for organizations including the Heart Association, LaGrange Hospice, Boys & Girls Clubs, Cancer Society, and a myriad of civic organizations. Highland was rated among the toughest 25 courses in Georgia in 1985. Baxter L. Schaub Post, American Legion was founded in 1919 by returning veterans of World War I. Soon after World War II, the group began planning to build a 9 hole golf course and clubhouse on

Hamilton Road. The 107 acre site covered the same area once developed as a golf course by LaGrange native Edward Swanson Pinckard. Ben Roberts, civil engineer, made the topographical survey for the course and J. B. McGovern, course designer from Wynnewood, Pa., came to LaGrange to investigate the property. McGovern had been associated with Donald Ross for 25 years and Ross collaborated with him on the models. Beecher Hills Construction Company of Atlanta built the course at a cost of $31,000. Opening day was August 20, 1947. The directors included Post Commander John Bryant, Elmo Bradfield, Charles Gibson, Coley Glenn, Jr., Hugh Campbell, and Horace Richter. Max McKay leased and operated the course from 1960 to 2005. He developed and made many changes including the addition of a pro shop. Widening of Hamilton Road in 1983 called for changes that expanded the difficulty factor on the last four holes. The Legion and its course closed in 2013. The Daniel Sherrer Invitational Championship, long time annual event held at Legion Course, began in 1974. In 1980, McKay created Industrial Summer Leagues with 75 players representing 10 companies. Leading the Hillside Cotton Mill team the first year was Allen Doyle, who had won the Georgia State Amateur Tournament the two previous years. The Fields Golf Club opened its first 9 holes in 1990 under the name Rosemont Hills Golf Club. The developers hoped the course would rival nearby Callaway Gardens at half the cost to players. The club sold memberships but was open to the public until a certain number of memberships were sold. Owners, Frank W. Gill, Jr. of Woodbury, and Dr. Bill Couch of Pine Mountain, set the opening of the second 9 holes for January of 1991. It was the maiden effort of course designer Mike Young, now a world renowned course designerdesigner from Watkinsville and featured rolling links similar to traditionally Scottish fairways. From its highest elevations of 900 feet, players could see Pine

Mountain. The course occupied 131 of the site’s 231 acres which also offered 50 to 60 lots for building homes. Vance Smith Construction Company of Pine Mountain did the grading work. The facility included a 5,000 square foot clubhouse and events center with a grill, dining rooms, locker rooms, and pro shop. Rosemont Hills became the Fields by 1999 and in 2006 was refurbished and re-opened under the name Overlook Golf Club. IN 2012, the name became The Fields Golf Club. First Tee of Troup County began in 2004 spearheaded by Allen Doyle, the winningest amateur since Bobby Jones, to teach golf and life lessons to youth aged 5 to 18. In 2005, the Golf Channel shot a documentary on the program. A special course for the program opened in 2006 on LaFayette Parkway. Pinckard’s Golf Course developed on Hamilton Road about 1939 by Edward Swanson Pinckard. He operated the course, also known as LaGrange Golf Course, until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941. He died in 1945 of pneumonia, after serving in the South Pacific. The American Legion developed a new course on the same location, on Hamilton Road, in 1947. Written by F. C. Johnson, III, County Historian, Troup County Historical Society Archives and Legacy Museum on Main

1936 - Ely wins the first of four consecutive club championships at Highland Country Club in LaGrange, Georgia. Photo: media.callawaygolf.com

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LAGRANGE FOOTBALL

hen LaGrange head football coach Matt Napier began laying out his plan for the 2021 season, he knew how important it was going to be to have a well-rounded quarterback who could expertly run his offense. Napier examined the roster, weighed his options, and decided that someone who was a wide receiver a year ago was the man for the job. Tae Snead, a play-making pass catcher on the 2020 team that won eight games and reached the second round of the state playoffs, was moved to quarterback, and he spent the offseason preparing to lead the offense. Napier was confident Snead had everything it takes to succeed at that position, and the second-year head coach was proven right. Snead has enjoyed an exceptional season in helping lead the Grangers to a winning record and a spot in the state playoffs for the second straight year. “He’s a special player,” said Napier, who has helped turn around LaGrange’s program after spending 15 seasons as the offensive coordinator at Callaway High. “He brings a competitiveness that helps the people around him be able to raise their level of play as well. He’s just executing at a high level. He’s continued to improve from game one until now. We’re excited about him.” Snead showed what he is capable of in the first game when he had a touchdown pass and a scoring run in a 24-6 win over Upson-Lee. Snead has dazzled defenses with his accurate passes whether he was in

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the pocket or on the move, and he’s also a threat with his legs, as he has shown on numerous occasions as he showed in a win over Columbus when he ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run. It helps that Snead is surrounded by explosive offensive players, including wide receivers Kobe Jones, Tristan Smith and Magic Johnson.

stuffing running plays while showing off his speed and athleticism while getting to opposing quarterbacks.

The Grangers fell short that night, but Snead’s ability to be a team leader was likely enhanced by his willingness to play while hurt. “He’s got a lot of heart,” Kobe Jones said. “He makes me want to keep going.”

Even when Dixon isn’t making tackles, he’s making an impact on the game, just because opposing offenses have to always be aware of him and he draws so much attention.

Snead, Napier said after the Carver game, is “a warrior.”

“There are some dynamic play-makers out there,” Napier said. “Tristan and Kobe have really come on to do well, and Magic’s such an explosive player. He brings quickness that makes him a threat, and he’s a great route runner.” Snead, whose relationship with the wide receivers was no doubt enhanced since he played that position a year ago, has nothing but belief in the players he throws the ball to.

but he returned a few plays later, hobbling, just to be there with his teammates.

“I’ll go to battle with him any day of the week,” Napier added. “He didn’t do everything perfect, but he sure plays hard and plays with that competitive spirit that makes him a difference-maker. We’re excited to have him on our team, and he’s got that warrior spirit.”

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

“One thing I have is confidence in my receivers,” Snead said. “I know if I underthrow the ball they’ll get it, if I overthrow the ball they’ll get it. I just have trust in them.” LaGrange also has gifted running backs in Asa Leath, AJ Tucker and freshman Malachi Render-Fannin, and the offensive linemen have been up to the challenge as well. “We’ve got a great backfield, and it all starts up front,” Snead said. Snead is also a tough player, capable of withstanding the physical toll that comes with being a quarterback. In a loss to defending region-champion Carver, Snead had to leave the field late in the game with an injury,

How dynamic the offense can be was on display when LaGrange scored touchdowns on its first seven possessions in a 57-14 road win over McIntosh. “The starting offense, we had seven possessions, and we scored seven touchdowns,” Napier said, reflecting on the performance against McIntosh. “And we were excited about the execution. We still had some penalties, and things we were able to overcome, and we made some big plays. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but we were happy to be able to execute at a high level, and we were able to get a bunch of guys touches, and see a bunch of different guys make plays.” LEADING THE WAY: Senior defensive lineman Thadd Dixon is one of the most heavily recruited players on the team, and he has shown why this season.

“He makes a play without making a tackle. That’s a big deal,” Napier said. “He disrupts, he takes on two blockers, he affects the puller. All those things allow those quick guys to come up and make plays.” VETERAN LEADER: A strength of LaGrange’s team this season has been the offensive line, and that’s no doubt due in part to the presence of David Pleasants as the position coach. Pleasants has decades of experience and has been a head coach before, and he specializes in getting every ounce of potential out of the players he coaches. That has been particularly important the past two seasons with the offensive line seemingly changing each week because of injuries or quarantine procedures. “Coach Pleasants does a great job of getting those guys ready each week,” Napier said. “We talk about adversity all the time, and you go down a couple of players here or there, and you’ve got to figure it out. With everything we do, you’ve got to be intelligent, and you’ve got to have a good coach at that position. We had a lot of adversity last year and did a great job.”

Dixon has been a force up front,

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706 882-9261 300 WEST BROOME ST. SUITE 100 LAGRANGE, GA 30240 SIDELINE PASS

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

Two years ago, Maxpreps.com put together a list of the top 50 highschool football games of all time, and LaGrange’s win over Colquitt County came in at number 20. After that game, LaGrange was named the country’s number one team by USA Today. That team was led by Gary Guthrie, LaGrange’s head coach from 1984 to 1993, and he had an 89-31 record during that time. Guthrie was replaced by Steve Pardue, who led LaGrange to a state championship in 2001, and that team is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. After going 11-1 in 2000 with a loss to Swainsboro in the second round of the playoffs, LaGrange posted a 14-0 record in 2001, and it beat Cedartown 22-19 in a memorable championship game.

LHS REUNION LaGrange High has one of the richest Also, this is the 30th anniversary of and winningest football programs in arguably the finest team in LaGrange the state, and it has the championhistory. ship trophies to prove it. In 1991, while playing in what was at During a game earlier this season, the time the state’s largest classificathree of LaGrange’s state-champion- tion, LaGrange went 15-0 and beat ship teams were recognized since Colquitt County 17-16 to capture the they’re celebrating anniversaries Class AAAA championship. this year. During that playoff run, LaGrange LaGrange’s first state championship beat state powerhouses Statesboro, came 100 years ago in 1921, when Valdosta, McEachern and Colquitt head coach Bernie Moore led the County. team to a title. The win over Valdosta was particularMoore was LaGrange’s head coach ly noteworthy. for three seasons, and he had an 185-2 record from 1919 to 1921. At the time, Valdosta was Georgia’s dominant program, and it won state

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Just as the 1991 team did, LaGrange had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to win the title. With less than a minute left in the game, Blake Mitchell threw a touchdown pass to Patrick Higgins, and LaGrange had the championship. LaGrange went on to capture state championships in 2003 and 2004 under Pardue, who had a 161-45 record from 1994 to 2010. LaGrange also won state championships in 1955 and 1958 under legendary coach Oliver Hunnicutt. Six of LaGrange’s state titles came after the Georgia High School Association was formed in 1948. LaGrange also claimed state titles in 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1930.

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

championships in 1989, 1990 and 1992. The 6-0 loss to LaGrange in the second round in 1991, in fact, was Valdosta’s only loss from 1990 to 1992. LaGrange beat McEachern 21-14 in another classic game in the semifinals before outlasting Colquitt County. LaGrange trailed Colquitt County 16-14 late in the fourth quarter when Walt Harris, a future NFL star, intercepted a pass, and quarterback Rodney Hudson led the team on an 83-yard drive that ended with a 24yard field goal by Scott Simmons with 13 seconds left.

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“All week, we were really consistent, and we’ve got a really good bond now,” Wortham said. “We think alike”

TROUP FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

He was ready for the moment. When Troup quarterback Taeo Todd went down with an injury in a week two game against Callaway, senior Tyson Duncan was asked to step in and fill that void. Although Troup lost to Callaway, Duncan showed what he was capable of when he threw a fourth-quarter scoring pass to Dwartney Wortham for his team’s lone touchdown. “When (Todd) went down in the Callaway game, I had to get my mind right,” Duncan said. “I’ve been ready for three years to do this.” The following week against Hardaway, with Todd still unavailable, Duncan was back at quarterback for a critical Region 2-AAAA game. It wasn’t looking good early, with Hardaway surging to a 28-3 lead in the first half, but with Duncan leading the way, Troup staged a furious comeback and eventually won 41-34 in overtime. Duncan delivered a clutch and winning performance, not only throwing for 108 yards with a touchdown, but he also ran for 119 yards with a touchdown. When the Tigers needed a play, Duncan was often the man to provide it, and it was a shining moment

for a senior who has meant so much to the program over the years. “It’s definitely my highlight,” Duncan said in the Troup indoor facility after that memorable game. Duncan remained at quarterback the next two games, and when Todd returned, he became a full-time linebacker, helping anchor a strong defense. Whatever Duncan accomplishes, it’s unlikely he’ll do anything to top that memorable night in Columbus when he helped Troup stage a remarkable comeback against Hardaway. Duncan not only played the whole game at quarterback against Hardaway, but because of injuries on defense, he also started at linebacker and was on the field for nearly every snap. “The deal is this, the joker is just a gamer,” Glisson said. “He can be on my team any day of the week and twice on Sunday. He’s a player. He does anything we ask him to do. He played linebacker and quarterback (against Hardaway). He had to. We had so many people going down. He gave me that look about the third quarter when we had momentum. He didn’t say it, but we made eye contact, and it was like hey we’ve got this, we’re going to win this thing, and I had 100 percent confident in him.”

Duncan had a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to help spur the comeback, and he threw a 52-yard scoring pass to Noah Dixon in the third quarter.

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

While there are plenty of reasons Troup rallied to beat Hardaway, the importance of Duncan’s performance can’t be overstated.

In overtime, Duncan completed a third-down pass to Dwartney Wortham for a first down, and TJ Mitchell scored on a 1-yard-run on the next play to lift Troup to the win.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Glisson said. “He’s a great kid, and he’s going to do great things in life, and I couldn’t be more proud. It’s a great moment, and it’s something he’ll talk about, and his teammates will talk about 30 years from now.”

“That’s the best performance he’s ever had,” said Wortham, Troup’s outstanding senior wide receiver. “He’s got one of the biggest hearts on the team.”

IRVIN’S BIG NIGHT: It was a memorable night for Troup senior defensive back Kullum Irvin.

When the Tigers fell behind by 25 points in the first half, Duncan knew it was important to focus on small things instead of trying to wipe out the deficit all at once. “You get down that much, you have little victories in order to stay up,” Glisson said. “It gets hard on you when you’re down that much. You just have to take it one play at a time.” Duncan stayed positive, as did his teammates, despite the gloomy outlook in the first half. “It’s hard coming back from what we came back from,” Duncan said. “We’ve got really good character, and that’s what won us the game. We didn’t get down on ourselves.”

During a 38-0 home win over Spencer on Sept. 17, Irvin not only did his part defensively, but at halftime, he was crowned homecoming king. Irvin is putting the finishing touches on what has been an extremely successful high-school athletic career. While he has been a standout in football and a multi-year starter, he’s also an elite wrestler who has placed at the state meet and will be a favorite to win a championship this season. On the football field, Irvin is a critical player on a defense that has a lot of players in the early stages of their playing careers. More than half of the defensive starters are sophomores, which makes the presence of seniors Irvin, Tay Shells and Nazir Easter and others so important.

There have been times where the inexperience on defense has been evident, but Irvin has made sure to let his teammates know that failure comes with the territory. “You see them fail, but they take it, and they learn,” Irvin said. During his time on the football program, Irvin has been a part of four state-playoff teams, and that include the 2018 team that went 12-2 and reached the state semifinals. This team, despite all the inexperience, has produced another winning season that includes an appearance in the state playoffs. “Words can’t explain how proud I am of my team,” Irvin said. “There’s a lot that goes on every day, and we’ve got to overcome it, and we have. I love our team. I love the fight in our team.”

He’s got one of the biggest hearts on the team.”

WORTHAM COMES THROUGH: Another senior who has been a key member of the team is Dwartney Wortham, and he had his finest night as a wide receiver during a 37-0 win over Shaw. Wortham had a career-best three touchdown receptions while catching nine passes for 153 yards. Wortham and sophomore quarterback Taeo Todd have worked hard on their connection during practice, and it paid off against Shaw.

PHOTO :Kevin Eckleberry 28

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Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

Tanner Glisson During the 2015 season, Tanner Glisson wasn’t thinking about setting records, he was more focused on professional survival. That was a challenging time for Glisson, who was in his first season as the head coach of Troup High’s football team.

By Kevin Eckleberry

Gatorade bath, and some of the players lifted him on their shoulders in celebration. For his part, Glisson wanted to make sure the focus was on the players that night, most notably the seniors who were recognized before the game.

The Tigers lost their first nine games, and only a victory on the final night of the regular season allowed them to avoid a winless season.

“It’s all about them,” Glisson said. “One day when I’m sitting on the beach I may reflect on a record. Tonight, it was about our seniors, about the kids. I can’t say enough great things about our senior Fortunately for Glisson, and the program, class, and the culture that we have. I’m that wasn’t a sign of things to come. blessed to be their football coach.” The Tigers enjoyed one of the biggest turnarounds in the state in 2016 while winning eight games, and they’ve continued to thrive since then.

One of the seniors who was honored, wide receiver Dwartney Wortham, was happy to be a part of the team that helped Glisson secure the record.

When Troup beat Shaw 37-0 on Oct. 7, Glisson became the all-time winningest coach in the history of Troup’s football program.

“It’s so special to us,” Wortham said. “Coach G is like a second father to us. We love coach G so much. We wouldn’t trade him for anything.”

That win gave Glisson a 48-28 record at Troup, and he broke a tie with Steve James, who was 47-32 from 1983 to 1989.

Glisson came to Troup after spending two seasons as the head coach at Manchester High, where he had a 10-11 record.

When the clock hit zero and Troup had the win over Shaw, Glisson received a

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Glisson’s tenure at Troup got off to a

rough start, with the team struggling to a 1-9 record in 2015.

The second time around, Glisson decided to make the leap.

The Tigers enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in 2016 when they went 8-3, and they improved to 9-3 in 2017 and won a playoff game.

“That was about the time that I realized that God had a big hand in it. It was really meant to be,” Glisson said during the memorable 2018 season. “They seemed like they were excited to have a coach like coach Sutton, and all of the sudden for whatever reason he’s gone. So, then I got the call again, and it was like I better listen. And once I was able to come over and interview and see some things, I fell in love with the place.”

The 2018 season was the finest in the history of the program, with the Tigers going 12-2 and reaching the state semifinals for the first time since 2001 and the second time ever. The Tigers went 6-5 in each of the past two seasons, and they’ve enjoyed another winning season this year while qualifying for the state playoffs for the sixth straight year. Glisson would not have ended up at Troup if Shawn Sutton hadn’t had a change of heart. Sutton was hired as Troup’s head coach in February of 2015, but less than two months later, he re-signed, and the search began anew. Glisson had been previously contacted about the Troup job, but at the time he didn’t feel the timing was right.

Glisson’s success hasn’t been limited to football. Last year, Glisson took over the baseball program, and he led Troup to a region championship, a program-record 29 wins, and a spot in the third round of the state playoffs. Glisson was a prep football and baseball standout at Manchester High, and he was the quarterback for a team that played for a state championship. After graduating from Columbus

State, Glisson began his coaching career at Manchester, and he then had stints as an assistant coach at Greenville and Shaw. Glisson returned to Manchester in 2005, and he took over the program in 2013 when Greg Oglesby retired. Wherever he’s been, and whatever position he has held, Glisson has been committed to coaching players hard, but also making sure they understand he cares about them and wants them to be the best they can be. “I can remember being a player, and I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally, but nobody wants to be embarrassed,” Glisson said. “You want to teach kids life lessons and things, but you want to berate them and really embarrass them. I wouldn’t do that to my kids. So hopefully we teach lessons, we’re firm when we need to be firm, we’re uplifting when we need to be uplifting, but it’s just a pleasure being around kids and trying to help make those kids good adults.”

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CALLAWAY FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

While the Callaway Cavaliers marched to a state championship last year, all Javian Parks could do was stand on the sidelines and watch. Parks, at the time a junior linebacker, suffered a severe knee injury in August that required surgery, and he didn’t play the remainder of the season. While Parks wanted nothing more than to get out on the field and “fight with my brothers,” that wasn’t possible after enduring a torn ACL. “It’s hard, but you have to keep pushing through, just like every day,” Parks said. “Our coaches talk to us about overcoming adversity, and that’s what I had to do.” As the 2021 season approached, it was time for Parks to return to the field, to test himself, to see if he was ready to put himself out there again. Parks began the season as a backup, but as the weeks rolled along, the coaches figured it was time to give him more responsibility, and he was in the starting lineup for a critical region road game against Bremen. Parks came through with a strong effort to help Callaway beat Bremen 35-7. “Javian Parks, he got his first start at inside linebacker, and I was really proud of him,” said Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins. “He’s battled rehab, and it’s been a long process coming off that ACL injury, and it was good to see him out on the field getting to call plays at Sam linebacker.” Parks got his most playing time during the region opener against

Haralson County, and while it was a losing night for Callaway, he was happy to be able to contribute.

back, three players have shared the snaps, and they’ve all been productive when called upon.

“I’m glad I had the opportunity,” Parks said. “They moved me to inside linebacker last game, so I knew I had the chance to make more plays.”

Those three players have all had their moments to shine, and they were at their best during a road win over Bremen when Callaway ran the ball at will.

Dusty Hubbard, Callaway’s defensive coordinator, knew it was going to take Parks some time before he was ready to fully contribute.

“Our running backs, Amarion Truitt, Quay Whitfield, Jordan King, they ran really hard, and the offensive line blocked well,” Wiggins said. “I was really proud of their physicality up front.”

“Honestly, he would have played a lot more early on, but he still wasn’t ready,” Hubbard said. “Right before the season started, he tore his ACL. So, it was right at a year. He was physically probably ready, but he still had some days where he’d go out and practice, and the next day it would swell up on him.” Parks showed enough to Hubbard that night to prove that he was ready for even more responsibility, so the

Callaway also has a new quarterback this season, and sophomore DeShun Coleman has been a steadying presence since game one when he led the team to a big road win over Opelika.

following week he was in the starting lineup.

DeShun Coleman, whose older brother Demetrius Coleman was a threeyear starter at quarterback, has completed a high percentage of passes while getting the ball to some talented wideouts including Treyonn Tucker, Carlos Billingslea and Andrew Locke, as well as tight end Exavious Reed.

“He played really well, and he’s kind of taken over the Sam linebacker position,” Hubbard said. “He’s calling everything.”

KICKING STRONG: Coming into the season, the kicking game figured to be a strength for the Cavaliers, and that has proven to be the case.

THREE-HEADED MONSTER: During the 2020 state-championship season, Charlie Dixon was the undisputed number one option at running back.

Senior Blake Eubanks has been rock-solid at place kicker, and he provided one of the season’s top highlights when he made a game-winning field goal against Opelika.

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

The senior had a remarkable season, leading up to the championship game when he ran for more than 200 yards against Fitzgerald. It’s been a different scenario this year for the Cavaliers.

handling the kickoff duties. As for that memorable night at Opelika, the work Eubanks has put in to become as accomplished kicker paid off big-time. “To get the game-winning field goal at the end, it’s very special for him,” Wiggins said. “He’s put a lot of time into his craft, and to come out and win the game like that is so special.” When Eubanks watched the ball sail through the uprights, he celebrated with his teammates. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Eubanks said. “I love my teammates.”

Eubanks has also been exceptional when called upon to punt, and he boomed one more than 50 yards against Bremen. Sophomore Greyson Batchelor has also been a major contributor while

Rather than having one main running

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DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Not surprisingly, junior Tyler Lasseter has been Heard County’s leading tackler this season.

HEARD FOOTBALL

Lasseter enjoyed a stellar sophomore season, and he has kept it going as a junior, pacing the team in tackles from his linebacker position.

By Kevin Eckleberry When the Heard County Braves need someone to step up and make a play, senior Isaiah O’Neal is often the man for the job. O’Neal has been Heard County’s number one offensive play-maker all season as a wide receiver and running back. “If they call my number, I like to be there and do whatever I can,” O’Neal said earlier this season. What O’Neal can do is score from anywhere on the field, whether he’s taking a handoff, or catching a pass from quarterback Maurice Fench. In an early-season game against Pepperell, O’Neal ran for 89 yards with two touchdowns, and he also caught five passes for 37 yards. The following week against a strong Manchester defense, O’Neal had 131 rushing yards on just 10 carries with a touchdown, and he caught two passes for 39 yards. O’Neal has continued to be there each week, dazzling defenses with his speed, power and vision while helping lead Heard County to the state playoffs. In Heard County’s Region 5-AA opener against Temple, O’Neal had a dominant effort with 173 rushing yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns. While O’Neal is on the field for just

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about every snap, he’s also a critical member of the defense as a defensive back.

“He’s got that Heard County fullback mentality,” head coach Shane Lasseter said of his nephew, Tyler. “He’s going to hit you.”

“I like to stay on as long as I can,” O’Neal said. “If I need a break, we’ve got some good players that can come in and help.”

Senior linebacker Chop Swint has also had a strong season and is second on the team in tackles, and sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Echols is the team leader in sacks.

Shane Lasseter, Heard County’s firstyear head coach, noted that O’Neal is so gifted at defensive back that opposing quarterbacks are hesitant to throw the ball in his direction. “Something a lot of people don’t realize, they’ve had a really good receiver that we’ve thrown him out there on, and people aren’t challenging him because he’s got that reputation,” Lasseter said. “That’s as important as what he’s doing with the ball in his hands.” Whatever his role, Lasseter said O’Neal attacks it with 100 percent effort. “We’ve been very pleased with him,” Lasseter said. “He’s just a play-maker, and a really good kid. He’s a program kid. He’s been here the whole time, and worked his tail off, and they don’t make a better kid. We’re really pleased with him.” O’Neal is a part of a senior class that has enjoyed a lot of special moments over the years that included a state championship in 2019. One of those seniors is defensive lineman and offensive lineman

Defensive linemen Isaac Walls, Jackson Akins and AJ Rogers have also had strong seasons, and defensive backs Isaiah O’Neal, Antwon Carter, Qua Nelson have been getting the job done as well. Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

Senior Daven Enomoto has also been a key member of the defense, and he’s also a critical player on special teams. Jackson Akins, who enjoys a close relationship with O’Neal. “They’re like brothers. They’ve grown up together,” Lasseter said. “All of those boys love each other. That makes a big difference, too.”

rushing touchdowns. Isaiah O’Neal continued to lead the offense with 173 rushing yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns, and quarterback Maurice Fench added 155 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

RUNNING STRONG: While the Braves have shown the ability to make plays in the passing game, their bread-and-butter offensively is their ground attack.

Talented sophomore running back Antwon Carter chipped in with 37 yards on five carries with a touchdown.

That was on display during Heard County’s 49-20 win over Temple in the Region 5-AA opener for both teams.

Leading the way is an offensive line that figured to be the strength of the team, and that has indeed been the case.

The Braves ran for more than 400 yards and averaged more than seven yards per carry, and they had seven

It’s an offensive that features four seniors, including 2020 all-state player Jackson Akins.

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classroom, you’re going to pay for it.” Wynn also credits an improved offensive line for helping Sands put up big numbers. “Our offensive line did a tremendous job,” Wynn said. “It’s amazing the development our offensive line has had throughout the summer, and into the fall.” After some difficult seasons, Sands has enjoyed the success the Patriots are having, and he stressed that there haven’t been any shortcuts. “It’s fun, but you’ve got to put in the work to get here,” Sands said. “You’ve got to be locked in on what the coaches tell you, and you can’t be undisciplined.”

GREENVILLE FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

He’s a big play waiting to happen. The Greenville Patriots have had a productive offense this season, and running back Javion Sands is a big reason why.

“To speak the truth on it, he’s grown into it,” said Tyler Wynn, Greenville’s 36

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The Patriots have also been effective in the passing game with quarterback Alfredrick Bridges leading the way. Bridges is averaging more than 150 passing yards a game, and he has reached double digits in touchdowns.

third-year head coach. “He finally bought into putting some weight on. He’s always had speed, and now he has the combination of speed and power.”

Sands’ breakout performance came The senior has been the focal point in week two against Strong Rock of the offense, and he ran for at least Christian when he ran for 156 yards 100 yards for four straight games on 11 carries with two touchdowns, until he was slowed by a potent Man- and he showed off his speed with a chester defense in the sixth game. 90-yard scoring run. Sands is on pace for a 1,000-yard season, and he’s averaging nearly eight yards per carry, despite facing defenses that are committed to trying to slow him down.

AIR SUCCESS: While Javion Sands has enjoyed a big season, the Patriots haven’t had to rely solely on the running game to find success on offense.

Sands had 114 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns the following week against Taylor County, and against a state-ranked Schley County team, he ran for 156 yards on 11 attempts with two touchdowns.

Sands capped a memorable fourgame stretch with 119 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown in a victory over Baconton Charter.

Bridges has a talented group of players to throw the ball to including Jadarius Robinson, Tydrekus Reeves and Jamie Wheelous. “That was one of the things we looked at as a coaching staff after last season. I felt like we needed more balance to be successful offensively,” Wynn said. “We challenged our quarterback and our receivers, and they bought into that. They were excited about it, and they worked really hard this offseason. We’re excited about the success we’ve had, and we need to continue to improve there as well. We have been very pleased with our ability to balance things out offensively.”

It’s amazing the development our offensive line has had throughout the summer, and into the fall.” Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

In the game against Taylor County, it was tied in the second half, but Greenville scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns on runs by Sands to put it away. Sands capped both of those drives with touchdown runs, and he believes the commitment he and his teammates have made to the program made the difference. “This week, last week, the coaches push us hard,” Sands said. “No breaks, and you do something wrong in the

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HANDLEY FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry It was another dominant performance, one of many this season for the Handley High Tigers. There was, though, something special about this victory on a September night at Munford. When Handley prevailed 40-10, it was the 150th career victory for Larry Strain, who has enjoyed an exceptional head-coaching career that began in 1999. Strain has also become the winningest coach in Randolph County, passing Ron Watters, who had a 147-97 record at Randolph County High from 1979 to 2000. “That’s a great list,” Strain said before the season. “It’s not just a Wadley thing or a Woodland thing or a Randolph County thing or a Handley thing, and I think that’s what makes it so interesting. Because if you go back and talk about each one of these guys that’s on the list, at some point I can remember in my life that he was the man that everybody recognized, especially from that community. It’s especially nice to be listed in that group of people.” Strain became a head coach for the first time in 1999 at Woodland, and he compiled a 100-78 record in 15 seasons at the school.

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After one year at White Plains, Strain took over the Handley program in 2015, and a victory over White Plans on Oct. 22 gave him a 54-26 record at the school, and that includes state championships in 2020 and 2016. The 2016 team lost its first two games but went 13-0 the rest of the way and beat Madison County 30-7 in the championship game. Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

Handley earned another state championship in 2020, going 12-1 while beating Gordo 35-20 in the championship game. RUNNING STRONG: There were plenty of reasons Handley won a state championship in 2020, and running back Tae Meadows is high on that list. Meadows was unstoppable in the playoffs. In a 34-13 semifinal victory over American Christian Academy, Meadows ran for 224 yards on 27 carries with four touchdowns. The following week in a 35-20 win over Gordo in the Class AAAA championship game, Meadows delivered another memorable performance, running for 264 yards on 38 carries with four touchdowns. Meadows finished the season with a school-record 30 touchdowns, and he

ran for more than 2,000 yards.

attempts against Cleburne County.

Not surprisingly, Meadows has been the centerpiece of the Handley offense this season, and he is once again putting up big numbers week after week.

Even in a loss to Anniston on Oct. 15 when Meadows was held to fewer than 100 yards for one of the few times over the past two years, he still had a productive night, running for 86 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns.

Meadows missed a game with an ankle injury early in the season, but he has been rolling since then. During a 19-18 victory over Lanett in a matchup of state powerhouses, Meadows ran for 191 yards on 30 carries and had an 81-yard touchdown run. In a 35-20 win over Jacksonville, Meadows had four second-half touchdown runs to help Handley overcome a 13-point deficit. Meadows, after returning from his ankle injury, had 197 yards on 23

SMALL WORLD: Ty Fetner and Cannon Kyles, who have shared time as Handley’s quarterbacks this season, have a close link to Handley’s recent past. Their brothers, in fact, helped lead Handley to state championships within the past decade. “Before I got here, they won a state championship in 2011, and we won it in 2016,” said Strain. “Both of their

Before I got here, they won a state championship in 2011, and we won it in 2016.”

brothers were the starting quarterbacks on those teams. That’s kind of ironic.” Trae Kyles was the quarterback on the 2011 Handley team that went 15-0 and beat Madison County 20-14 in the championship game. In 2016, Rhett Fetner was Handley’s quarterback, and he was named the MVP of the state-championship game after throwing for 232 yards with two touchdowns in a 30-7 victory over Madison Academy. As for this year’s team, Ty Fetner and Cannon Kyles have both done a stellar job at quarterback when called upon. “I’ve got two quality quarterbacks,” Strain said.

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Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

Resting is not an option for Braden Firth. On a Lafayette Christian School football team with limited numbers, Firth knows that he will rarely, if ever, be able to come off the field, and the senior is fine with that. “I just told (the coaches), if you need me on the field, I’ll be on the field,” Firth said. “Just tell me where to go. I find that to be the most enjoyable way to play.” A year ago, Lafayette Christian won the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools 11-man state championship. That team included eight seniors, and a handful of other players didn’t return, so the decision was made to drop down to eight-man football this season.

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Christian head coach Jarred Pike said. “And Alex runs out in the flat and catches swing passes, catches the deep ball, runs the option. He’s a do-it-all guy.”

through last year. Among the seniors on that 2020 team was Braden Firth, Cason’s older brother, and that was a special moment for the siblings.

“What I do normally, I’m offense, defense, and I’ll do PATs if we kick,” Firth said. “We started going for two most of the time, so I’ll come off for special teams and I’ll go right back on the field.”

Getting the ball to Firth and Tusing is quarterback Andrew Hough, who has thrived in his first season as a starter.

Firth was a key player for the Cougars this season, making plays on offense, and getting it done on defense as well.

“He’s got a great arm, and he understands everything that’s going on,” Pike said. “He’s had to really take a leadership role this season after losing all those guys. I’ve been proud of him and what he’s done.”

“I’ve been playing with my brother since he was in the eighth grade, and I was in the sixth,” Cason Firth said. “So, it’s been really fun to be able to play with him. He’s a phenomenal player, and to stay together and win a championship together was great. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

Even with that, out of necessity because of the small roster, many of the players like Firth have been playing offense and defense.

Another player who came up big for the Cougars this season was Alex Tusing, who along with Firth provided a lot of the explosive plays on offense.

Firth, Tusing and Hough helped the Cougars bring home the program’s second state championship last season.

“Braden, if he’s matched up one-onone, we’ll check down to him, and we’ll say our guy is better than your guy, at least we hope he is,” Lafayette

Lafayette Christian also won an eight-man state title, and it made it to the 11-man championship game in 2018 and 2019 before breaking

While the Cougars didn’t exactly start over this year, it was a vastly different team that included a handful of players who’d never been on a football field before. Cason Firth was more than happy to help the new players find their footing, and he’s proud of the progress they made.

Firth said. “We’ve got a right guard, Bailey, this is his first time playing football, his first time playing a contact sport. He goes into a few of these games, and he pancakes people who are twice his size. He’s putting in the work, and he’s doing great. I like seeing that kind of progress from new guys.” Pike, a Lafayette Christian graduate who took over the program following the departure of Billy Bryant, had nothing but positive feelings about the effort shown by all the players, new and experienced alike. “I’ve been really pleased with their attitudes, and their fighting spirit,” Pike said. “We’ve got guys that literally never come off the field. They can’t. You score a touchdown, you tell them good job, now go line up for the kickoff. Those guys, they’re committed, they’re in it, and they help each other out.”

I’ve been really pleased with their attitudes, and their fighting spirit.”

“I do my best to help when I can,” SIDELINE PASS

LAGRANGE SOFTBALL SENIORS By Kevin Eckleberry

It was a different kind of season for LaGrange High’s Holly Lynn. During a 2020 season that included a region championship and a trip to Columbus for the Class AAAA final four, LaGrange was led by six seniors, most of whom had been starting since they were freshmen. Lynn was a junior catcher on that team, and she fit right in with a veteran group of players. Flash forward a year, and Lynn was surrounded mostly by players getting the first taste of varsity softball, including a group of freshmen who the previous year were in middle school. LaGrange, despite that inexperience, finished third in the region tournament and took Perry to a third game in an opening-round playoff series before falling short. While Lynn missed her friends and former teammates who graduated, she also enjoyed the challenge of being the team leader on a team with so many new faces. “It’s honestly more fun,” Lynn said after an early-season game. “To me, last year, I knew what to expect.

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We were consistent, we were good, we knew what we were going to be. But this year, I didn’t know what to expect. There were doubts in everybody’s head. They just keep proving themselves. It makes me excited.” One of the players who graduated following the 2020 season was pitcher Camden Smith, who started for four years and is now playing softball at West Georgia. With Smith gone, a new group of pitchers, including freshmen Zoe Thompson and Kimberly Reynolds, took center stage. “It’s fun leading them,” Lynn said. “Camden always knew what to do. So, to guide them in that direction, it makes me feel good, because next year they’ll be able to guide themselves.” Lynn was joined on the team by fellow seniors Mariana Ceja, Kate Asbell and Mary James Stogner, and coach Gabby Heath was grateful for their presence.

really led us mentality-wise.” While Lynn won’t play for LaGrange High anymore, her time on a softball field is far from done. Lynn has committed to Columbus State, and she’ll make it official later this year when she signs her letter of intent. “I play travel ball, and they saw me, and invited me to a prospect camp, and I did really good at the camp,” Lynn said. “They liked me, and they came and watched me play some more, and then they invited me to another camp, and that’s when they said they wanted to give me an offer, and I accepted later that day, because I knew I wanted to go there.”

They just keep proving themselves. It makes me excited.”

“Definitely to keep the culture,” Heath said. “It’s hard when you have fewer upperclassmen. They had a lot of pressure on them to keep the culture going in the same direction we were. They’ve done a really good job. Holly Photo :Kevin Eckleberry SIDELINE PASS 43

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

TROUP SOFTBALL SENIORS By Kevin Eckleberry

They’re a part of Troup High softball history. The past two seasons have been historic ones for the Troup Lady Tigers, who in back-to-back years have advanced to the second round of the Class AAAA state playoffs. The 2020 team was the first one to win a series in the state playoffs, and this year’s team repeated that feat before falling to North Oconee in the second round. The four seniors from the 2021 team have been right in the middle of everything the past two seasons, and they exit the high-school stage having helped Troup reach new heights. The seniors are outfielder Casey Sani, first baseman Jennifer Albertson, catcher Lexi Parker, and third base-

man Morgan Watkins. “They’ve come up big for us, and I hate to see them go,” said Ryan Simpson, Troup’s second-year head coach. The quartet of seniors all did their part during a doubleheader sweep of Howard in the first round of the playoffs. Sani in particularly had a big series with three hits and two RBIs, and Albertson had an RBI in game one. Parker didn’t have an at-bat in either game, but her role is nonetheless a critical one as a catcher. Sani, a multi-year starter, has savored her time as a member of the Troup softball family. “It’s had its ups and downs, but a lot of our ups outweigh the bad,” Sani said.

“A lot of us really love each other so much, and we have such a good strong bond, especially this year.” Sani joined the program as a freshman in 2018, and now her time as a Troup softball player has ended. While sad to see things end, Sani is looking forward to seeing what the team accomplishes next year and beyond. “There were times I look back, and I wish it would hurry up, but I think about how next year I’ll be leaving, and I start to tear up, but I can’t wait to see how far they go,” Sani said. Albertson, an outstanding first baseman, noted how far the program has come since she and the other seniors were freshmen.

“We’ve definitely come a long way,” Albertson said. “My freshman and sophomore year, we didn’t make it to state. Being able to (advance to the second round), it’s an honor.”

“They’re amazing,” Sani said of the returning players. “They’re going to take us all the way next year I feel like. I have no fear leaving them behind to carry our legacy.”

For Albertson, the success takes on extra meaning because she’s been able to spend time with friends and teammates who mean so much to her. “To play with these girls, we’ve grown together, and we’ve played together, and it feels really good to be able to make it this far,” Albertson said. While the seniors will be missed, the future appears bright for Troup, with most of the key players set to return, and the program will also benefit from the creation of a softball team at Long Cane Middle School, which played its first games this fall.

To play with these girls, we’ve grown together, and we’ve played together, and it feels really good to be able to make it this far.” Coach Gabby Heath

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Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

CALLAWAY SOFTBALL SENIORS By Kevin Eckleberry

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When Josh King took on the challenge of becoming the new Callaway High softball coach earlier this year, one of his first tasks was reaching out to the returning players, including the seniors.

starters, including Vetsavong, who “She’s a team leader. Every at-bat has been a key cog in the lineup since she’s grinding, and every inning she’s her arrival at Callaway in 2017. grinding behind the plate. She’s blocking balls like it’s nobody business. While Vetsavong was mostly a catch- She’s a senior you want on your team, er during her time at Callaway, she and you want to go to war with. That’s also played some in the outfielder, who she is, and it’s been incredible to One of those players was Alora Vetsa- and she even tried her hand at pitch- watch.” vong, a soon-to-be senior who’d been er this season. a key cog on the team since she was a For Vetsavong’s first three seasons at freshman. During one memorable game this Callaway, she played for head coach season against Shaw, Vetsavong deliv- Robyn McCann, and the team enjoyed King knew how important the seniors, ered a walk-off, game-winning hit in plenty of success, reaching the state including Vetsavong, would be, and the final inning. playoffs all three years. he was grateful for their presence during a season that ended with a “Before that at-bat, I was telling every- When McCann stepped down loss to Dade County in the opening body I want to win so badly,” following the 2020 season, King was round of the Class AA state playoffs. Vetsavong said. “I said, I’m going to tabbed as her replacement, and hit this ball no matter what. I went up Vetsavong once again helped “The seniors this year have really there, and I knew the first pitch was Callaway make it to state. helped me as a coach,” said King, a going to be close, so I said I’m going to Troup High graduate who played hit it no matter what.” While the wins were enjoyable, baseball at Marshall University in Vetsavong’s most enduring memories West Virginia. “The group of seniors After that hit, Vetsavong was greeted will be of the time she spent with her we have, you couldn’t ask for a better by her head coach, who was thrilled teammates and friends. group coming in as a first-year head to see a player he’s so fond of have a coach. They’ve helped me lead this moment like that. “I love this team, and I love the program.” people on this team,” Vetsavong said. King’s only regret is that he only had “They’ve got great attitudes, and that’s In addition to Vetsavong, the other one season with Vetsavong. what we had the whole year.” seniors were Chaple Butler, Mikayla Speer and Aaliyah Morman. “I hate that missed those times, but I’m soaking up every moment, because Most of the seniors were multi-year she’s such an inspiration,” King said. SIDELINE PASS

HEARD SOFTBALL SENIORS

It has been extremely fun.”

By Kevin Eckleberry

What a run it has been for a gifted, committed, and close-knit group of seniors. Heard County’s softball team has had an extraordinary four-year run, and the seven seniors from this year’s team have helped provide the foundation for that success.

each other. Every single one of us. It’s so fun to play with them. And the maturity level has risen since our freshman year.”

That group includes third baseman Janiyah Strong, who is re-writing the record books at Heard County and has passed some impressive names to be the program’s all-time leader in home runs and RBIs.

“We’re all super close. I love every single one of them,” White said after Heard County’s final home game, a 9-1 victory over Pepperell in the decisive game three of their playoff series. “It’s really sad. Today, we kept talking about, this is our last game on this field. It gives me chill bumps just talking about it. I love all the girls. We’re really close, and I’m really going to miss it.”

Another senior is catcher Mackenzie White, who has committed to Ole Miss and will make it official when she signs her letter of intent later this year. Shortstop Emma Helton, second baseman Zekylah Boyd and first baseman Abigail Lathrop have anchored the infield for years, and outfielder Courtney Cannon and pitcher Brianna Hill round out an impressive senior class. “It has been extremely fun,” Strong said of the time she’s spent with her fellow seniors. “Me, Mac, Emma and Abigail have been at Heard County since eighth grade. We came up together. We added (Boyd) our sophomore year, and that added to the group. We love

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The seniors have known nothing but success since they joined the program, highlighted by back-to-back state championships.

Helton, who has started at shortstop since she was a freshman, said “I love high-school ball. It’s been great to have our infield pretty much all four years. We always know what each other is going to do. We know how to pick each other up.” While all the seniors have accomplished a great deal during their time at Heard, it’s Strong who is putting herself at the top of some impressive lists. Strong is the program’s all-time lead in home runs and RBIs, and she enjoyed a remarkable senior season that included a performance against

Pepperell when she hit a home run in all three games. “She’s passing some of the players that you never thought would be passed,” said Heard County head coach Matt Hornsby. “Not only is she passing them, she’s blowing by them. The progression that she’s made as a hitter over the past three years has been fun to watch. She’s always had the talent, it was would she ever been able to polish her swing up enough to lay off certain pitches, to stay balanced a little more. To see that she’s done that has been awesome to see.” Strong appreciates the support her teammates have given her over the years. “They cheer me on through the good and bad, and I love them for it every day,” Strong said. White, who plays the challenging catcher position, is on those all-time lists as well, and she’s second in home runs and third in RBIs. White, who is also an exceptional defensive player with a cannon for an arm, will continue her playing career at Ole Miss. “It felt just like home,” White said. “I go there, and their campus is beautiful. Everyone I talked to is super nice. We went on a bus tour, and everyone was waving to us on the sidewalk.

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

And academically, they have exactly what I want to do for school. So, I’m super-excited.” Helton is another senior who has put together an impressive high-school resume, and she makes things happen from the top of the order. “She is one of those players that can do it all,” Hornsby said. “She’s got speed, defense, she hit a home run at Bremen, and she can lay down a bunt at any time. This whole senior group, it’s awesome to be a part of.” Boyd, an exceptional defensive player at second base, has accomplished plenty as well, and she had an RBI triple that helped turn things in Heard County’s favor in game three against Pepperell. Lathrop is ultra-dependable at first base and is the number three hitter in the lineup, and Cannon is part of an athletic outfield that seemingly chases down every ball that’s hit in the air. Cannon, in her final at-bat at home, hit a walk-off, three-run home run against Pepperell in the series clincher.

“She totally deserved that. It was just amazing. I’m so proud of her.” Hill has also been a key player this season as a pitcher who helped fill the void while sophomore Lilly Rae Fulford was out of action with an injury. While the seniors were no doubt an extremely valuable part of the team and will be missed, Heard County has some gifted underclassmen, including Aubree Ussery, Hannah Wright and Taylor Bailey, who are part of the ever-day lineup. Fulford, meanwhile, has been the team’s number one pitcher since she arrived on the stage as a freshman in 2020. With Fulford and the other underclassmen returning, and with some talented middle-school players on the way, Heard County should be poised to keep the good times rolling next year. OF NOTE: For much more on Heard County’s repeat state championship, see the next edition of Sideline Pass

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Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

MACKENZIE WHITE By Kevin Eckleberry

at Heard County, and she has been ultra-dependable, both Now, with her high-school play- at the plate, and on defense ing days behind her, White will where she uses her strong right look ahead to college, and she’ll arm to cut down opposing base White, Heard County’s outrunners. get an opportunity to play in standing senior catcher, has verbally committed to Ole Miss, the Southeastern Conference, “She deserves this,” Heard which put two teams in the and she’ll make it official later County coach Matt Hornsby this year when the NCAA sign- College World Series said. “She works hard.” this year. ing period begins. Heard County’s Mackenzie White is headed to the Southeastern Conference.

positions on the field.

White is part of a talented group of seniors on the softball team, and she made quite a mark on the program, winning championships, and putting up impressive numbers.

“It felt just like home,” White said of her decision to commit to Ole Miss. “I go there, and their campus is beautiful. Everyone I talked to is super nice. We went on a bus tour, and everyone was waving to us on the sidewalk. And academically, they have exactly what I want to do for school. So, I’m super-excited.”

White, in fact, will leave Heard County second all-time in the program in home runs, and she’s third in RBIs, all while expertly playing one of the most challenging defensive 50

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It felt just like home.”

White was a multi-year starter SIDELINE PASS

LAGRANGE ACADEMY SOFTBALL SENIORS

We knew they were a good team, but we were prepared for it, especially going for a championship.”

By Kevin Eckleberry

When the time comes for Kelsey Cotton and Mackenzie Jones to walk across the stage and receive their high-school diplomas, they will have help create some impressive additions to the school’s trophy case.

but it’s also scary in a way, but it’s fun to show them our style, and how we operate.”

Cotton and Jones have both enjoyed phenomenal athletic careers at LaGrange Academy, and they recently completed their senior seasons on the softball team.

LaGrange Academy beat rival Flint River Academy after staging a dramatic rally in the seventh and final inning of the second and deciding game.

While the Lady Warriors came up short in the semifinals of the GISA state tournament, they won the state championship in 2019 and 2020, with Cotton and Jones playing key roles.

That championship was special not only because it was their first, but because it was won on their home field.

Jones and Cotton were also a part of the girls’ basketball team that won a state championship in February.

While that series was more than two years ago, the memories are still easy for Jones to recall.

In softball, LaGrange Academy had plenty of inexperience last season, and it helped to have two seniors who have seen it all leading the way.

“We talk about it, you remember that play at second base, in this inning, or when this person said this,” Jones said. “We remember everything about it. It was a crazy experience.”

The first state championship the two won together was in 2019. Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

“We have that winning mentality, having won in softball and basketball,” Cotton said. Jones, as one of the team’s veterans, knew how important her role on the team was. “We have a lot of new girls that we’ve had to introduce, and help,” Jones said. “I feel like they definitely look up to us. That’s kind of a cool feeling,

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“It gives me chills just thinking about it,” Cotton said.

“We knew they were a good team, but we were prepared for it, especially going for a championship,” Cotton said. The two seniors were hoping to help lead the softball team to a three-peat, but it wasn’t meant to be, with LaGrange Academy falling to Fullington Academy in the semifinals of the state playoffs. The season served as a learning experience for a group of players who will try to lead the Lady Warriors to a state title next fall. “We’re trying to hold them up to the same standard,” said head coach Charles Parker. “We’ve got some young girls, and they’re learning. They’ve got to learn, sometimes the hard way, but it makes you humble.”

LaGrange Academy repeated as state champion in 2020 when it beat Thomas Jefferson Academy in a hardfought series that went the full three games.

While Cotton and Jones are done playing softball at LaGrange Academy, they’re in the midst of their senior seasons in basketball, and they’re on a team that should have an outstanding chance of making it back-to-back state titles.

A few months later, Jones and Cotton helped LaGrange Academy win a state championship in basketball with a victory over Thomas Jefferson Academy.

“We just have to stay humble, and play to our potential,” Jones said. “It’s brought us this far.”

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Volleyball is everything to us. Everyone on the team is my best friend.”

LHS VOLLEYBALL SENIORS By Kevin Eckleberry

A journey that began as seventh graders at Gardner Newman Middle School has reached the finish line. A successful season for the LaGrange High volleyball team has ended, but not before the team won the first state-playoff match in the history of the program. Leading the way was a group of seniors who have been friends and teammates dating back to their middle-school days led the way. Of the 10 seniors, nine of them began playing together in middle school, while Katy Beth Bedingfield transferred to LaGrange from Troup when she was a sophomore. Tejay Dowden, LaGrange’s second-year head coach, was coaching at Gardner Newman when the current seniors joined forces on the volleyball team, and she said “it’s pretty amazing” that they’ve stuck

together for six years. “I want that moving forward,” Dowden said. “Hopefully we’ll stick together like that. I’ve invited the middle school to come watch the games, and just to see the attitudes of the players.” It’s a senior class that includes Danasha Lewis, Addie Eiland, Jasmine Andrews, Katy Beth Bedingfield, Kensley Swift, Lauren Park, Delfina Martinez, Jhmeriya Strozier, Lauren Woody, and Jenna Gynther. A strength of this year’s team, predictably, was the chemistry enjoyed between a group of players who know each other so well. “We’ve got a good bond,” Andrews said. “We know each other, and we know how each other plays.” LaGrange qualified for the state playoffs for the second straight year.

In 2020, LaGrange finished fourth in the area tournament before falling in the opening round of the state playoffs. A year later, LaGrange improved its position at the area tournament and finished third in the area tournament, beating the rival Troup Lady Tigers in the process. LaGrange followed that up with a straight-sets win over West Laurens, giving the team its historic state win. “This is the definitely the season we’ve been waiting before,” said Eiland, who along with Park earned a spot on the all-area team. “I think the fact that we’ve all made it to this point, it’s been really fun to see each other play and grow.” Each player on the team has faced her own challenges over the years, including Eiland, who underwent

surgery in the offseason to help correct complications from scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. To help alleviate the back pain and hopefully help improve her back condition, Eiland had a metal rod inserted in one of her legs, which was about an inch shorter than the other one. “It wasn’t a fun experience to say the least,” Eiland said. After the surgery, Eiland began a lengthy rehab process, and even when she was cleared to start playing volleyball again, it took awhile for her to regain her form, and her confidence that she was going to be OK.

did take Eiland some time to get back to full strength.

their best season together as highschool players, and it was an enjoyable final chapter.

“When I had the surgery, I knew it would take a little while to get back,” Eiland said. “I think because I couldn’t play for so long, it made me try to be better. I think I play better than I did before.”

Following the final match there were tears and hugs as the realization hit home that their time together, at least as teammates, was over.

It helped that Eiland had the support of her friends and teammates, who were there for her every step of the way.

Bedingfield, who made a smooth transition to LaGrange as a sophomore, said “volleyball is everything to us. Everyone on the team is my best friend. We’ve promised, even out of volleyball, to stay connected.”

“We had to motivate her,” Lewis said. “This summer, we had a lot of workouts, and we knew she wasn’t going to be at her best at the start of the season. We just pushed her.”

“For a little bit, I was kind of nervous about playing,” she said. “The leg kind of would hurt, and I couldn’t really jump off it. Now, I forget I have a metal rod.”

The seniors all pushed each other to be the best they could be, and Lewis said “we have confidence in ourselves. We have a lot of fight.”

While the story has a happy ending, it

That fight helped the seniors enjoy

PHOTO :Kevin Eckleberry 54

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Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

and this last year we made it to sweet 16,” Andrews said. One of the seniors, Gracie Corley, said “it’s been a lot of fun” to be a part of this senior class. “It’d be a lot harder to play if you didn’t know them like that,” Corley said. “I’ve been with them since I started high school. I’m so close to them. Even out of school. It’s been a really cool experience.” The 2021 Troup team had its ups and downs, but Corley was proud of the way everyone hung together. “We’ve played really hard, and we stayed together as a team,” Corley said. “That’s really important, making sure your team members don’t get down on themselves. We bring each other up. That’s really great.”

TROUP VOLLEYBALL

As for her time as a Troup volleyball player, Corley said it has gone by in a flash. “It feels like it started yesterday,” Corley said. “It goes by fast, especially your senior season.”

We’ve played really hard, and we stayed together as a team.”

By Kevin Eckleberry

When Anna Andrews arrived at Troup High as a member of the volleyball coaching staff, she was tasked with leading the freshman team. Andrews formed a close relationship with her players, a bond that only grew when she took over as the head coach of the varsity team before the 2020 season. On an October night, an emotional Andrews watched as those players were celebrated on senior night before a game against Glenwood Christian. 56

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The seniors are Lilly Kate Doughman, Berkley Noles, Kirstin Vaughn, Gracie Corley and Olivia Parker. “I coached them on the ninthgrade, junior-varsity, and varsity teams,” Andrews said. “And it’s not just volleyball, but this is my first graduating group as a teacher, too. This senior class is real special to me.” The seniors have been a part of plenty of success over the

years. In 2018, Troup won a thriller against North Oconee to reach the second round of the Class AAAA state playoffs. After not making it to state in 2019, Troup returned to the second round of the playoffs in 2020 after getting a road win over Thomas County Central. “For most of them, the two years they’ve been on varsity, they either got pulled up to play in the sweet 16 (in 2018),

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CALLAWAY VOLLEYBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

It was a short-and-sweet senior-day ceremony for the Callaway High volleyball team. There was only one senior on the Callaway volleyball team, so Shaunna Tumlin had the spotlight to herself during the senior-day celebration this fall.

On a team with talented players able to put the ball away at the net, Tumlin’s role was to put the hitters in the best position to make plays.

“She is my passer. She’s my go-to for passing, and service receive,” said Callaway head coach Leigh Bailey. “We have a Tumlin was a key member of a lot of hitters, but we have to be team that overcome some early able to pass it. We have to get it to them, and we have to play struggles to at one point won three matches in a row, includ- defense. I’ve got some girls that can play some defense.” ing a victory over rival Heard County. Tumlin began playing highschool volleyball as a sopho“I’m super-proud,” Tumlin more, and she spent that seasaid of the progress Callaway made during the season. “At the son mostly as a member of the beginning, we didn’t get along, junior-varsity team. but we did team-bonding, and Tumlin moved up to varsity as we’re close now.” Photo :Kevin Eckleberry 58 SIDELINE PASS

a junior, and for the past two seasons she was an anchor in the lineup. This year being the only senior, Tumlin knew her obligations to the team extended beyond just making plays on the court. “Everybody kind of looks up to me,” Tumlin said. “I was ready for that.”

I’m super-proud.”

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Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

HEARD VOLLEYBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

Spencer Campbell has enjoyed the way this season, and Camp- better job hitting today, taking care of the ball. We eliminated the challenge of building a pro- bell was grateful for their cona lot of our hitting mistakes. tributions. gram from scratch. That first set, we had some service errors. The same thing in When Heard County started a “We’ve got a couple of seniors that third set. But if we learn to brand-new volleyball program that are doing their job, taking finish, we’re going to be a tough care of business,” Campbell in 2019, Campbell was tasked team to beat out.” said. “They’ve stepped up.” with getting things up and running. While the seniors will be There have been the usual ups missed, the future appears bright with the returning playand downs associated with a new program, but things are no ers and the newcomers set to take the court in 2022. doubt on the upswing. While the Lady Braves didn’t post a winning record this season, they more than doubled their win total from the first two years combined. “We’re starting to build some momentum,” Campbell said after a hard-fought loss to Callaway. “Some of our younger players are growing up.” Seniors Harleigh Dudley, Zoe Spradlin and Zoey Drew led 60

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“We’re looking for this program to continue to progress,” Campbell said. With an eye on the 2022 season, Campbell’s hope is that some of the close losses will eventually turn into wins. “That’s kind of been our thing all year long is learning to finish,” Campbell said after his team beat Temple, and lost to Callaway. “We did a much SIDELINE PASS

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HEARD CHAMPIONS!

ongratulations to the Heard County softball team, which beat Vidalia to capture a second consecutive Class AA state championship. After beating Pepperell and Dodge County in the first two rounds of the playoffs, Heard County won all four of its games in the state finals in Columbus to capture the state championship. Over the past two years, Heard County has a remarkable 17-1 record in the state playoffs. Heard County has won three state championships since 2013 under head coach Matt Hornsby. Leading the way for Heard County were seniors Zekylah Boyd, Mackenzie White, Emma Helton, Janiyah Strong, Abigail Lathrop, Courtney Cannon and Brianna Hill, most of whom were fouryear starters. Best of luck to the seniors, as well as to the returning players who’ll go for a three-peat in 2022.

ongratulations to the Heard County Middle School football team, which won a league championship with a 28-8 victory over Temple at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. Heard County beat Bowdon in the semifinals of the league playoffs before taking care of Temple in the championship game.

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RALEIGH THOMPSON

CLAY WEBB

By Kevin Eckleberry

Nothing was going to keep Clay Webb from crossing the finish line first, not some talented pursuers, or a soggy, muddy course at Pyne Road Park. On a rainy October afternoon, Webb raced to the top spot in the Troup County Championship, finishing ahead of LaGrange’s Bo Beall, who claimed the number two position. Earlier in the season, Webb bested all the runners from LaGrange and Callaway during a race at Lafayette Christian School, but he took nothing for granted in the rematch. “I was thinking, I won last time, and I knew they’d been training really hard, and I knew they’d come out swinging,” Webb said. “I knew I was going to get that time down, and I did.” Indeed, Webb finished the 3.1-mile race in 18 minutes, 23 seconds, which was a personal-best time. While Webb was in control the entire way, Beall remained close behind until the finish line.

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“I kept turning around seeing him,” Webb said. “That was definitely helping.” Webb has made dramatic strides during his time at Troup, and he enjoyed a phenomenal junior season that included a county title. “You don’t have to tell him to work hard. He does it on his own,” said Troup coach Rusty Taylor. “He’s a great kid. Anything you tell him to do, he does it, and he does it with pride.”

Callaway’s Colton Alsobrook finished fourth, and LaGrange’s Gabe Shaw was fifth. Troup’s Tim Dunn was sixth, and LaGrange’s Javon Harris, Marcus Franklin, Cameron Clay, Joseph Haywood and Hollis Stephens snared the next five spots. Troup’s Ephrem Davidson, Brayden Hutchins and Jacob Walker were 12th through 14th, respectively, and Callaway’s Avery Brooks was 15th.

While Webb’s primary focus during a race is on continuing to lower his personal-best time, he does enjoy the challenge of going toe-to-toe with other strong runners.

While Troup was unable to unseat LaGrange as the county champion, Taylor is pleased that the gap between the two teams has closed considerably.

“Me personally, I like testing myself and getting better,” Webb said. “It’s fun getting to test yourself against the other schools.”

“I’m very proud of them,” Taylor said. “I preached to them how important four and five are. That’s where it all matters. We were so good with our top three, and four and five we’ve got to get better. But I’m proud of them. We’ve done really good, and we’re at least competing with them now. They know we’re here now.”

While Webb was the individual winner, LaGrange took the team title, with Troup coming in a close second. Webb and Beall captured the top two spots, Troup’s Caleb Lynd was third,

It has been a smooth transition for Raleigh Thompson. Thompson, who a year ago was an eighth-grader at Gardner Newman Middle School, enjoyed an exceptional freshman season that included a victory in the county championship at Pyne Road Park. Thompson, LaGrange coach Chase Wilson noted, is always willing to go above and beyond to succeed. “She has reached out to me and said I don’t feel like I’m getting better,” Wilson. “What else do I need to do? She has taken the initiative on the few days we’ve had off to go out and run herself. She is by far the most mature freshman we’ve had.” At the county championship, Thompson posted a time of 23 minutes, 33 seconds to win the title, with Long Cane eighth-grader Grace Johnson (competing for Troup High) placing second. Troup High’s Allie Foster was third, and LaGrange’s Ivorie Smith, Alyssa Rhaney and A’dayshia Blakes were fourth through sixth, respectively.

Troup’s Kendal Cornett, Callaway’s Amani Askew, Troup’s Kellie Sprayberry and LaGrange’s Gabi Martinez rounded out the top 10. Thompson, who earlier in the season finished fifth in the LaGrange Invitational at Pyne Road Park, took the lead from the get-go, and she never gave it up, although Johnson stayed in her shadow the whole way. “When someone’s right behind you, it motivates you, because they’re really pushing you,” Thompson said. Thompson began running cross country in middle school, and after some initial hesitation, she embraced the sport. “This is my third year doing cross country,” said Thompson, whose older sister Caroline Thompson was a soccer standout at LaGrange High. “It’s hard, but I like it. I joined my seventh-grade year, and my dad made me do it. I didn’t want to do it. I was too scared, but I’m glad I did. I like it.”

times at Pyne Road Park during the season, and it’s a setting she enjoys. “It’s very difficult, but I like it,” Thompson said. “I like going in the woods. It’s really shady back there, and it’s kind of peaceful and quiet.” Thompson is a part of a LaGrange girls’ team that should be set up for success in the future. Of LaGrange’s top six runners this season, only Ivorie Smith is a senior, and some gifted runners from Gardner Newman, which won the middle-school championship, are on the way. Wilson’s hope is that the team will enter the 2022 season ready to roll. “We’ve got to hit it hard in the summer,” Wilson said. “We’re a little bit behind because we didn’t have anybody show up over the summer. Hopefully now that we’ve got them all together, we can get them out during the summer.”

Thompson ended up racing three

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Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

CALLAWAY FISHING By Kevin Eckleberry

It didn’t take a whole lot of arm-twisting to convince Ken Mapp to return to coaching.

kind of person,” Mapp said. “I like to be active, involved in something, and this is it.”

At the September tournament, Callaway had three two-person teams competing.

Mapp has decades of experience in the coaching business, and he enjoyed a successful tenure leading the Callaway High softball program.

The Callaway High fishing program has been thriving since it started a few years ago, so Mapp knew he was stepping into a positive situation.

Mapp is retired now, although he has gladly filled in as a substitute teacher this school year.

“The organization was already set, they just needed to have somebody teacher certified,” Mapp said. The 2021-2022 season got underway in early September with Callaway competing in a tournament on West Point Lake.

Seniors Krystyn Garrett and Caden McMillian joined forces for one of the teams, and the other teams were sophomore Nathan Odom and freshman Dawson Foster, and freshmen Hayden Nixon and Billy Bozeman.

When one of the teams at Callaway High needed a head coach, Mapp gladly accepted the call. Glenn Goodson stepped down as the Callaway fishing coach following the 2020-2021 season, and Mapp has been tasked as his replacement.

The season continues through next May when the Georgia High School Association state championship will be held at Clarks Hill Lake in Lincolnton.

Callaway Middle School also had three teams participating in the tournament, Drake Bishop and Kaleb Garrett, Jackson Adams and Tripp Glover, and Nathan Searels and Ryder Crawford. While everyone is trying to win, Dawson Foster said “it’s a friendly competition” between all the anglers from the different schools.

“Peace, and relaxation, I’m not that

it,” Foster said. “You see them in the morning, and you say good luck.” As for the Callaway High team, Foster said everyone is close, which makes tournament days enjoyable. “The most fun thing about it is the bond between all the anglers,” said Foster, who fished competitive at Callaway Middle before making the transition to high school. “It’s like a brotherhood. We all just love each other.” One of the team parents, Sandy Odom, enjoys seeing the camaraderie the schools have at the competitions. “We loved it, and it’s so family-oriented,” she said. “You’re not just clapping for your team, you’re clapping for the other team. Everybody claps for

everybody. When we’re out of town, we’ll meet up with the kids from Heard County, or Harris County, and stay out in the parking lot.”

The most fun thing about it is the bond between all the anglers.”

“Nobody’s really super cocky about 66

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TREVOR BOOTON

He showed some guts.” Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

By Kevin Eckleberry

Trevor Booton, LaGrange High’s hard-throwing junior pitcher, will carry his considerable talent to Auburn University when his time in high school is done. Earlier this fall, Booton made a verbal commitment to join the baseball program at Auburn, and he can make it official in December of 2022 when he’ll be eligible to sign his letter of intent. Booton will be the anchor of LaGrange’s pitching staff this season after enjoying a successful sophomore season. Booton was on the mound for some of LaGrange’s most important games this season, and he was usually up to the challenge. In a first-round playoff series against Jenkins, Booton got the call for game two, and he pitched a seven-inning no-hitter with a remarkable 17 strikeouts.

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Booton was back on the mound for game two of a playoff series against West Laurens, and he pitched seven super innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits, and LaGrange won 4-3 in extra innings. One of Booton’s gutsiest performances came early in the season against Columbus. While Booton wasn’t at his best, he pitched a complete game as LaGrange beat Columbus 9-7 in a critical Region 2-AAAA game. Booton surrendered three runs in the seventh inning, but LaGrange head coach Donnie Branch stuck with his sophomore pitcher and let him finish things off.

“That means a lot,” Booton said. “Coach Branch has a lot of faith in me.” Two other LaGrange baseball players have also made their college decisions this fall. Zack Thompson, a senior catcher, has committed to Gordon State College, and senior outfielder Landon Cook has committed to Oglethorpe University. Thompson and Cook will be eligible to sign their letters of intent later this year.

“It was big that Trevor finished,” Branch said after that game. “He showed some guts.” Booton, in turn, appreciated the confidence his coach showed in him.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

Long Cane, which has enjoyed plenty of success of its own over the years, is under the direction of new head coach Bryan Wallace this season.

Callaway High’s football program is one of the best in the state, and having a robust middle-school program no doubt contributes to that.

The Long Cane and Troup High programs are tied closely together, and they even both practiced at the high school during the preseason.

Woodard works closely with Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins to make sure the programs are on the same page.

“That’s why we’re practicing over there,” Wallace said. “It’s one program. It’s working out. We get to watch and learn how they do it.”

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

When Marcus Blandingburg took over the football program at Gardner Newman Middle School, he had lofty expectations. Blandinburg wanted to elevate the program and make sure the Mustangs could compete with any team they crossed paths with, and that mission has been an unqualified success. During the past two seasons with Blandingburg at the helm, the Mustangs have won nearly every game they’ve played, and they’ve won back-to-back county championships. Gardner Newman wrapped up a second straight county title with a home win over Callaway, and it beat Long Cane Middle School earlier in the season.

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“They’ve worked so hard,” Blandingburg said after the win over Callaway. “We stay in the weight room twice a week during the season. We’re working hard. Every day, we’re trying to take a step up. We don’t want to stay the same.” Callaway Middle came into the game with an unbeaten record, but the day belonged to Gardner Newman. “We knew they were a physical football team,” Blandinburg said. “So that’s what we’ve been talking about. We’re a physical football team, plus we have speed.”

Wallace oversees a program that has enjoyed plenty of success over the years, and he wants to keep that going.

works closely with Matt Napier, LaGrange High’s second-year head coach.

“We’re trying to win a championship,” Wallace said. “It’s great competition.”

“I appreciate coach Napier. We work together so well,” Blandingburg said. “He gives us anything we need, and we try to help the program. We help with ball boys, and they help with the chains. We talk about football. It’s a great relationship between me and coach Napier.”

Callaway Middle School, despite the setback against Gardner Newman, enjoyed an exceptional season under head coach Kerry Woodard.

“I came in with coach Wiggins. We started the same year (2005),” Woodard said. “When he got the head-coaching job, we got on the same page.”

The middle-school team is led by Zack Janney, who previously coached at the high school. “He does an awesome job over there,” Lasseter said. OF NOTE: Callaway Middle School beat Gardner Newman to capture the league championship. For a recap of that game and photos, please see our next edition of Sideline Pass

The same sort of relationships exists in Heard County between the middle-school and high-school programs. “They practice at the middle school during the year, but in the summertime they start in the morning in the weight room, and then we have a cross-over period,” said Heard County head coach Shane Lasseter. “We call it a family period where we do everything together.”

Blandinburg is also grateful to have a group of coaches that share his mission.

“We’ve got a great coaching staff,” Blandinburg said. “We’ve While winning games is always got former Grangers, and coach (Dustin) Ward is the best the goal, Blandinburg is also offensive coordinator in the aware of how important it is city. He’s over here as much as to prepare his players for I am. Hats off to coach Ward. He high-school football. always calls a hell of a game.” With that in mind, Blandinburg SIDELINE PASS

Gibbs, playing for new head coach Matt Napier, became one of the state’s most productive running backs, and he rushed for more than 1,700 yards while averaging close to 10 yards per carry. A team that won a combined six games the previous four years went 8-4 in 2020 and won a playoff game for the first time in a decade. Defenses knew what was coming, but Gibbs still managed to put up massive numbers week after week. For Gibbs, it was all about the preparation heading into his senior season.

KALE GIBBS

While the school was shut down for months because of COVID-19 and the players were not able to train together, Gibbs didn’t let that slow him down.

By Kevin Eckleberry

He’s following in his father’s footsteps. Kale Gibbs, who enjoyed a memorable senior season as a member of the LaGrange High football team, is playing football at a military academy, just as his father Chuck Gibbs did decades ago. Chuck Gibbs, who was LaGrange High’s head football coach during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, was a football and track standout at the United States Military Academy (Army) in West Point. Now, Kale Gibbs is in the early stages of his own college journey as a freshman running back at the Air Force Academy. 72

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Gibbs, who helped the Grangers win eight games and reach the second round of the state playoffs in 2020, was one of a handful of LaGrange players who signed a letter of intent during a signing ceremony in February.

year with no offers, and then my senior year blessing after blessing came along, and the ability was given to me, and now I have the opportunity to go and serve and play at a Division I school. That’s just a dream come true.”

“To be able to play Division I, that’s just a dream I’ve had since I was young,” Gibbs said. “My dad was always a football coach. My granddad was a football coach. It’s been in my family for so long. That, and being in the military and serving the country. Those two things have been embedded in my family, and I always dreamed about being able to achieve it, and I never thought I could. I went into my senior

Kale Gibbs joined the LaGrange football program in 2018 when his father was hired as the new head coach.

“He made the most of it, training six days a week from March on,” Chuck Gibbs said. “We set up a gym in the garage. I’m a track coach and a strength coach. He didn’t miss. His relative gains, relative to everyone else, were huge. So many other people took three or four months off (because of COVID-19). I think that made a huge difference in his life was the work ethic and the preparedness.” Matt Napier took over the LaGrange program in 2020, was proud of what Gibbs was able to accomplish during his remarkable senior season. “He didn’t have a lot of film before this year with injuries and things like that,” Napier said. “He went all out. His accomplishments are well-deserved.”

and his commitment and his effort and his personality are exactly how you draw it up. He just played with an effort that you ask all kids to play with, but you don’t get it from them all. His leadership and his work ethic are second to none.” While Gibbs will no doubt be laser-focused on making the most of his time in Colorado Springs, he’ll also be keeping an eye on what the other college football players from the LaGrange High class of 2020 will be doing. “The rest of these guys have worked hard alongside me,” Gibbs said. “I have no doubt that they’ll find success. Hard work is the core of this program.”

Napier added that “his heart

Gibbs was a productive player as a sophomore and a junior, but his time on the field was limited because of injuries, and there was little interest from colleges. Everything changed during a memorable senior season. SIDELINE PASS

BRAYLON SANDERS

This is one of my main goals, to hear my name called on draft night.”

By Kevin Eckleberry

If Braylon Sanders has shown anything over the years, it’s that when the ball is thrown in his vicinity, he’ll usually find a way to make the catch. During his time at Callaway, Sanders was the consummate big-play receiver, making some momentous catches, including one on fourth down for a touchdown in a memorable playoff win over Screven County in 2016. Sanders has been at Ole Miss since 2017, and while his playing time has been limited at times because of injuries, he has continued to make plays when the football comes his way. Sanders, who along with all other college-football players received an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, is his fifth and final season at Ole Miss. With second-year head coach Lane Kiffin leading the way, Sanders is having his finest season as a college player.

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In a memorable 52-51 win over Arkansas, Sanders had the game-winning 68-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter, and he also had a spectacular diving catch that set up another score.

Under normal circumstances, Sanders’ time at Ole Mis would already be done, but the NCAA decided to grant every college athlete an extra year of eligibility because of the complications created by COVID-19.

The previous week against topranked Alabama, Sanders had a phenomenal one-handed catch that appeared on the sports highlights shows that night.

When Sanders was given the option of returning to Ole Miss for a fifth year, he didn’t hesitate.

Before the season, Kiffin felt Sanders was poised for a breakthrough season, and the coach has been proven right. “I think Braylon can play all over the place. I think he’s extremely talented,” Kiffin said. “If he had a good year from a height, weight, speed, ball skill standpoint, he’s a potential first-round draft pick. You saw the explosive plays he made a year ago, just didn’t have that many opportunities with injuries and other situations. So, look for him to have a really big year.”

“It’s one of the best campuses in the country,” Sanders said before the season. “The Grove, that’s the best thing about it. Before the game, you’re walking through the Grove with all the fans. It’s a great feeling walking through there.” For Sanders, game days turn into family reunions, with a large group of relatives also turning out to watch him play. “My family and friends, they like to travel,” Sanders said. “Most of them, they get there on Friday and stay the night so they can be there for The

Grove on Saturday mornings. Just to be able to see them in that time of morning, it’s great.” Sanders arrived at Ole Miss after a memorable stint at Callaway High, where he was an all-state wide receiver. Sanders was, in fact, a part of one of the biggest plays in the history of Callaway’s football program. In a third-round game against Screven County in 2016, Callaway was facing a fourth-down situation with moments left in the game when Sanders caught a pass from Dylan Johnson and turned it into a 47-yard touchdown.

my life,” Sanders said. “Being in that atmosphere, it felt great, and then scoring the winning touchdown and having all the fans running around on the field, it was great.” When this season ends, Sanders is hoping to play professional football in the NFL, and his stock is no doubt rising this fall. “This is one of my main goals, to hear my name called on draft night,” Sanders said. “Whether it’s day one or day two, just as long as somebody has faith to give me an opportunity, I can go out there and show them my talents.”

That play capped a 98-yard scoring drive and gave Callaway a 35-34 victory and a berth in the state semifinals. “That’s one of the biggest games of

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class,” said Dusty Hubbard, Callaway’s defensive coordinator since 2005. “Guys, hands down, you’ve got the hardware. When they come back and ask, you guys got it. What a great group of guys.”

CALLAWAY SENIORS

Among Callaway’s signees was quarterback Demetrius Coleman, a threeyear starter who was a foundation of the championship team. Coleman signed with Chattanooga as a defensive back.

By Kevin Eckleberry

Charlie Dixon, a running back who enjoyed a brilliant playoff run, signed with North Carolina AT&T, and wide receiver and defensive back Jalin Shephard signed with the University of West Georgia.

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

I’m just so happy for me and my teammates and my brothers. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be able to do this.” They’d come close, agonizingly close, to bringing home a state championship.

broke the door down after so many close calls? The answer was a resounding yes.

Heading into the 2020 season, the Callaway football program had established itself as one of the best in the state, but the team was still seeking that elusive state title. The 2018 and 2019 seasons both ended with heart-breaking losses in the state semifinals, and Callaway made it to the final four in 2013 and 2016 as well. As the Cavaliers prepared for the 2020 season, they were viewed as a team that could be the last one standing in Class AA. Could this be the team, after so many close calls, be the one that 76

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With a talented and committed group of seniors leading the way, Callaway made its way through a grueling playoff stretch and brought home that long-awaited state championship. On a brilliant December afternoon in Atlanta, Callaway beat Fitzgerald 2217 to win the Class AA state championship, setting off a celebration years in the making. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s rankings, Callaway beat, in order, the top four teams in Class AA to secure the state title. For the seniors, the championship

was especially sweet, since so many of them were starters or key contributors the previous two years when Callaway lost in the semifinals. Now, many of those seniors have taken their winning pedigree to the college level. Eight seniors from that 2020 team, in fact, are in the early stages of what they’re each hoping will be a successful collegiate career. Whatever they accomplish in coming years, they can all take satisfaction in knowing they were the group to give Callaway its first state championship. “Often around these parts we have guys come back, our senior classes come back, and they get into a debate about which senior class was the best

Long snapper Eli Freeman and defensive back Osiris Rivas signed with Blinn College in Texas, and defensive lineman and tight end Keshawn Suggs stayed in Georgia after signing with Reinhardt University. Also remaining in Georgia was linebacker LaQuize Gilbert, who signed with Georgia Military College, and offensive lineman Lathan Patterson originally signed with the University of the Cumberlands before joining Suggs at Reinhardt. Recruiting coordinator Andrew Caraway, who helped the seniors find the right college home, was proud of the leadership those players displayed during a championship season. “Family is such an important thing in life. Everyone can agree that at Callaway High School we’re one big family,” Caraway said. “(During the 2020 season), there’s no question we faced adversity like we’ve never seen before with this pandemic. It made you wonder if we’d even have a

football season. This group of seniors faced those challenges head on, and they overcame them each and every day, ultimately leading to the first state championship in school history.” A senior who perhaps put those leadership skills on display more than anyone else was Demetrius Coleman, who calmly and capably directed the offense from the quarterback position. Coleman finished his prep career with a 10-2 playoff record, and he was at his best when the pressure was the greatest. Coleman will play his college football at Chattanooga, a place he said “felt like home.” “They kept it real from day one,” Coleman said. “They’re giving me an opportunity to play. I just feel like I’ll be successful there.” Coleman, whose younger brother DeShun Coleman is the current quarterback at Callaway, was glad to be able to share his signing day with his friends and teammates. “We came into high school together, and we were in middle school together, and we grinded all those years, and we finally reached the ultimate goal, and now we’re living our team,” Coleman said. “I know they’ll do great things.” Coleman spent a lot of time in 2020 handing the ball to Charlie Dixon, who was magnificent in the playoffs, capped by a memorable performance in the championship game when he ran for more than 200 yards. Dixon, who had plenty of college options, felt North Carolina AT&T was the right fit.

“I wanted to attend an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities),” Dixon said. “I went and I just felt at home. It felt like family.” As for his signing day, Dixon said “this is a day we’ll never forget. It’s a good memory to have in our hearts.” LaQuize Gilbert, a linebacker who led Callaway in tackles in 2020, chose to go the two-year route after signing with Georgia Military College. “I really just tried to stay closer to home,” Gilbert said. “I chose my best interest, to see where I could play.” Gilbert was thrilled to see so many of his teammates get a chance to play in college. “I’m glad that we’ll all get a chance to go off and play somewhere that wants us,” Gilbert said. “I’m just so happy for me and my teammates and my brothers. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be able to do this.” Jalin Shephard was one of the state’s best and most versatile players, and he made an impact as a wide receiver, defensive back, and punter. Shephard was Callaway’s leading receiver with 24 catches for 505 yards and nine touchdowns, he had four interceptions on defense, and he did an outstanding job as a punter. Coach Dusty Hubbard feels Shephard deserves to be mentioned alongside the other great players who came through the program. “Jalin, he didn’t get the five-star accolades like Terry (Godwin) and Tank (Bigsby) and those guys, and they deserve that and they were great players and great athletes, but Jalin is just a football player,” Hubbard said. SIDELINE PASS

PHOTO :Kevin Eckleberry

JAMARI THRASH By Kevin Eckleberry

“He is a football player. He can do it all. He was our biggest threat at wide receiver all year, and he had an ability to get take-aways at corner. And I thought his punting was huge.” Shephard, who was the Class AA defensive player of the year according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, is playing for West Georgia, an NCAA Division II program in Carrollton. “I want to thank God, because without him none of this would be possible,” Shephard said. “Second, I want to thank my friends and family for pushing me.” Keshawn Suggs, who was an impact performer as a defensive lineman and tight end, joined

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Reinhardt, an NAIA program. “I want to thank my coaches, my teachers, my family,” Suggs said. “They pushed me to get to this moment. Without them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now.” While Suggs was mostly known for his ability to create havoc on defense, his most memorable moment came on offense. In a 41-17 semifinal win over Rabun County, Suggs made a shoestring catch that was impressive enough to be the No. 3 play on ESPN’s Top 10 plays from that day. Defensive back Osiris Rivas and long snapper Eli Freeman signed with Blinn College in Texas.

Rivas was a ball-hawking defensive back, and he made multiple interceptions during the state playoffs. “It’s so much work and heart put into this, not only for myself, but for all my teammates,” Rivas said. “For it to pay off and for us to get to go to college, and continue to keep playing for free, it’s the greatest feeling in the world, not just for me, but for everyone involved.”

The 2021 season has been a coming-out party for Jamari Thrash.

interest of numerous college programs.

Thrash, a wide receiver from Troup High, played sparingly during his freshman season at Georgia State in 2019, and he was used a bit more as a sophomore and had nine catches.

No school showed more interest in Thrash than Georgia State.

This season, Thrash has stepped to the forefront as one of Georgia State’s top receivers, and he had 14 catches and two touchdowns in the first four games of the season. Thrash, who helped Troup reach the state semifinals in 2018, is grateful to the coaches for giving him an opportunity to show what he can do this year. “I appreciate my coaches putting that faith in me and believing in me to go out there and make plays for them,” Thrash said during an interview earlier in the season. Thrash was one of the state’s most prolific wide receivers in high school, and he predictably drew the

“From the get-go, they kept in contact with me since day one,” Thrash said. “They always called me, they were at my school every Friday, they came to almost every game. I feel like they really wanted me here. I felt this is where I needed to be.” That effort on Georgia State’s part paid off, and Thrash signed his letter of intent and joined the team for the 2019 season. Thrash had 12 catches his first two seasons, and he surpassed that total in the first four games this year. “Really, my big thing was just having confidence, and believing in myself, telling myself you can go out and win this one-on-one, you can make plays for Georgia State,” Trash said. Thrash’s first game this season was

his most productive one. In the season opener against Army, Thrash was Georgia State’s leading receiver with seven receptions for 87 yards, and that included a remarkable one-handed catch when he had to reach behind him to snare the ball. “It was sort of behind me, and I just wanted to make a play on it,” Thrash said, reflecting on that catch. “I try to finish a game with zero drops. I try to make a play when the ball comes my way.” Thrash followed that up by catching at least two passes the next three weeks, and he had a season-long 35yard catch against Charlotte on Sept. 18. On a team with some gifted receivers, Thrash knows he needs to take advantage of his chances. “It keeps you on your toes,” Thrash said. “We try to make an opportunity count when the ball is headed our way.”

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and it’s definitely just helping me.” Jones showed what he’s capable of during a game against an Alabama team that, at the time, was unbeaten and ranked number one. After an inspired effort in a loss to top-ranked Alabama, Jones completed 21-of-27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Tennessee, and he was named the Southeastern Conference player of the week.

EMORY JONES

Jones also led Florida in rushing in that game with 144 yards on 15 attempts.

By Kevin Eckleberry

Former Heard County Brave Emory Jones waited his turn, playing sparingly during his first three seasons as a quarterback for the Florida Gators. That patience, and commitment to the program, has paid off this season, with Jones taking over as the Gators’ starting quarterback, although he has shared time with talented freshman Anthony Richardson. Shane Lasseter, who is in his first season as Heard County’s head coach and was a longtime assistant coach on the team before that, knows the temptation was there for Jones to leave the program.

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“In today’s world, commitment is not appreciated,” Lasseter said. “He could have, at any time, left, and he had people trying to tell him to do that. He made a commitment to that school, and to coach (Dan) Mullen, and he stayed the course. I hope he has a great year, because he deserves it.”

first to Feleipe Franks, and then to Kyle Trask. Jones played in 24 games during his first three seasons at Florida and had more than 1,000 yards combined rushing and passing, but he has never been the featured quarterback until this year.

“It has been hard, but it’s all been for a reason,” Jones said Jones, who grew up in Lain an Associated Press story Grange and attended Heard before the season. “That’s High, was one of the state’s what I’ve realized over the most highly recruited players during his time in high school. past years. I have been playing a little bit, so that keeps me going. I’ve just been watching Jones, despite his lofty status the guys in front of me do their as a blue-chip recruit, was a backup the past three seasons, best and watching how they move and how they operate

Jones became just the second player in Florida history to have more than 200 passing yards and more than 100 rushing yards in one game. Even when things haven’t gone well, like when he threw three interceptions in a road loss to LSU, Jones has continued to be the consummate teammate, and he was supportive of Anthony Richardson when he took over as quarterback in that game. After getting benched against LSU, Jones entered the game in the second half after Richardson was injured and threw a touchdown pass that at the time pulled Florida even. While Jones has settled into

the University of Florida community, his ties to Heard County remain deep. How much the school means to him was evident this summer when Jones, despite being pressed for time, participated in a youth football camp at Heard County on July 3. “He participated in something that morning, drove up here, did the camp, and drove back,” Lasseter said. “That was awesome. His role is completely different this year. There’s a lot of people leaning on him, pulling him in a million different directions. That was special for him to come.”

of all those guys.” As for Jones, whatever his role his moving forward, Lasseter is confident his former player will be up to the challenge. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he can handle it,” Lasseter said.

It has been hard, but it’s all been for a reason.”

Jones was one of a handful of former Heard County players who participated in the camp. One of those players is Aaron Beasley, a junior linebacker at Tennessee, and he and Jones faced off on Sept. 25. Another player at the camp was Heard County graduate Chief Borders, who is a freshman linebacker at Florida. After the camp, Jones, Beasley, Borders and the other former Braves had supper together in the field house, and they got to spend some time together and reminisce about old times. “That was awesome for them to get to hang out and have fun,” Lasseter said. “We’re real proud

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It’s been quite a debut season at Western Illinois for Darius Joiner. Darius Joiner, a defensive back from Handley High, is enjoying a phenomenal season for Western Illinois.

DARIUS JOINER

By Kevin Eckleberry

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Joiner is Western Illinois’ leading tackler, and he has been in double digits in tackles in nearly every game this season. During one memorable game against Youngstown State, Joiner had 23 total tackles including 14 solo stops, and he had 12 tackles against Ball State and Montana. Following the game against Youngstown State, a 38-35 come-from-behind victory for Western Illinois, Joiner was named the Missouri Valley

Conference defensive player of the week. Late in the game with Western Illinois clinging to a threepoint lead, Joiner made a tackle with less than two minutes left to force a turnover on downs. “We are all very proud of the consistent fight and effort Darius showed on Saturday,” Western Illinois head coach Jared Elliott said. “He represents what being a Leatherneck is all about.” Joiner, reflecting on what the award meant to him, said “I am very grateful and honestly just want to do anything I can to help the team. I personally do not think about stats or tackles, just ways to make an impact so we can get the job done.”

Joiner, who helped Handley win a state championship in 2016, was at Jacksonville State from 2017 to 2019 before transferring to Western Illinois. Joiner was red-shirted in 2017, and he saw limited playing time in 2018 and 2019 before deciding to transfer. Western Illinois didn’t play in the fall of 2020 because of COVID-19, but it did play a seven-game spring schedule this year. Joiner didn’t play in the spring, and he’s making up for lost time this fall. Although Joiner is a senior, he has one season of eligibility remaining should he choose to return in 2022. SIDELINE PASS

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

TONI SOSA

I know the next level’s going to be even harder.”

By Kevin Eckleberry

Toni Sosa knows the challenge facing him is a tall one.

when he signed. “I know the next level’s going to be even harder.”

Sosa was a successful member of the LaGrange High boys’ soccer team, and he helped lead the team to the third round of the state playoffs last spring.

Fully aware of how difficult it’ll be to find a place on the field, Sosa accepted the offer to join Keiser’s program without reservation.

With his high-school days behind him, Sosa is trying to make a go of it in college, and he’s a member a Keiser University (Fla.) team that has been ranked near the top of the NAIA national standings all season. Sosa has spent the fall season on the developmental team, which gives players who don’t get playing time on the varsity level an opportunity to acclimate to the college game. At Keiser, Sosa is surrounded by players who were at the top of the ladder on their high-school rosters, and he knows there are no shortcuts to success. “The work has just begun,” Sosa said

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“I’m excited,” Sosa said. “I know going into there, it’s a really great program. It I can help them, if I can play, that’s great.” Sosa became a member of the LaGrange High soccer family as a freshman, and after playing sparingly on the varsity squad his first two years, he was a starter his final two seasons, and he was a team captain as a senior. “Toni was on the varsity as a freshman, and didn’t play a lot,” said LaGrange head coach Shane Pulliam. “The next year he didn’t play a lot, and then he started, and this year he was a captain. The difference between Toni as a junior and Toni as a senior is night and day. That’s why he’s (signing). Something in him

flipped a switch, and he decided that I’m going to be better. He started running on his own, training on his own, and he came out and became a leader on our team, was a captain on our team.” Sosa, Pulliam added, “got better every year because he chose to be better, and chose to be a leader.” Pulliam’s respect for Sosa only grew after LaGrange fell to East Hall in the state tournament last spring. “We lost, we’re in the locker room. I give the seniors a chance to go around and talk,” Pulliam recalls. “(Sosa) said, every player on this team matters. Whether you are a starter or not, everybody matters. I wouldn’t be where I was, doing what I do, if it wasn’t for you guys. All of you guys helped make me a better as a player. That is exactly the kind of leadership I expressed to the Keiser coach.”

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I’ve been working for this since I was little.”

LHS SOFTBALL PLAYERS IN COLLEGE By Kevin Eckleberry Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

When the 2017 season got underway, there were five freshman starters on the field for the LaGrange High softball team.

team are now playing college football, and they are preparing for their freshman seasons that will begin in February.

Those players never left the lineup during their four seasons in the program, and they were soon joined by another member of that 2017 freshman class who became a starter as well.

Among those players are pitcher Camden Smith (University of West Georgia), shortstop Abby Vanhoose (LaGrange College), second baseman Madison Dennis (Georgia Highlands College) and Malone Aldridge (Georgia Highlands College).

When the 2020 season ended with a loss in the semifinals of the state playoffs, it was time for those six players, who’d spent so much time together and enjoyed a remarkable run of success, to say goodbye to high-school softball. While their time in high school is done, they’re far from finished with a game that has brought them so much joy. Four of the seniors from the 2020

Two other successful members of the class of 2021, Jacee Marable and Kirsten Williams, aren’t playing college softball. Gabby Heath, who coached those six players throughout their high-school careers, was grateful to have the luxury of penciling them into the lineup every day for four years. “When I was thinking about what to say about them, consistency is the

word that came to my head, because if you look at their stats, their averages, statistically what they’ve done, they’re always there,” Heath said. “They’re consistent in every aspect of their loves, too.” Camden Smith was LaGrange’s top pitcher for four seasons, and by the time she left she was one of the best players at her position in the state. Smith had plenty of options when it came time to choose a college home, and she went with West Georgia in Carrollton. “I walked in, and I loved it, every bit of it,” Smith said. “Coach Al (Thomas) is great. It’s a blast to be there with him and all the girls. It’s exciting.” For each of Smith’s four seasons at LaGrange, she had Vanhoose and Dennis playing behind her.

Vanhoose is staying at home to attend LaGrange College, and playing college softball is the fulfillment of a long-time goal. “I’ve been working for this since I was little,” she said. “I always wanted to do this. It’ll be exciting.”

Highlands felt right,” Aldridge said. “Madison, a teammate of mind, she’s also going there, so it felt like it would be nice to go together, and I like the idea of it just being two years, and after I can go somewhere bigger, if I want to do that, or just go to college to be a student.”

Dennis and Aldridge, meanwhile, will head north to join the Georgia Highlands College program.

Aldridge and her former teammates at LaGrange left behind a winning legacy.

Dennis was happy to be able to share her signing day with her friends and former teammates.

In 2019, LaGrange finished second in the region tournament and reached the second round of the state playoffs.

“It means a lot being able to sign on the same day, knowing you worked hard together, and you get to celebrate together,” Dennis said.

In 2020, LaGrange won a region championship and made it to the final four of the state playoffs in Columbus before falling short.

Aldridge, an athletic outfielder known for making acrobatic catches, has joined forces with Dennis at Georgia Highlands. “I had a few offers, but Georgia

SIDELINE PASS

CHRISTIAN MORRIS By Kevin Eckleberry

Christian Morris knew his future wasn’t on the field, rather it was on the sidelines, and he embraced that. Morris became an invaluable member of the Troup High football team not as a player, but as an equipment manager, a role he held from his sophomore to senior year. As his time in high school was ending, Morris realized he wanted to keep doing something that brought him so much fulfillment, so he explored the possibility of being an equipment manager in college. Reinhardt University, which is located about an hour north of Atlanta in Waleska, gave Morris an opportunity to achieve his goal. Morris received a scholarship offer from Reinhardt to be an equipment manager on the football team, and he happily accepted, and he has been with the team throughout the season. One of Morris’ number one supporters is Troup High head football coach Tanner Glisson, who was thrilled to see things come together. “We talk about it all the time that there’s a place for every single person in our program here at Troup,” Glisson said. “Now, you put your money where your mouth is, and it shows what the really looks like. It looks like Christian Morris.”

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It’s amazing. I couldn’t be happier.”

Morris, in turn, appreciates the support he received from Glisson and everyone at the school who helped him make a dream become reality. Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

“His support meant the most,” Morris said of Glisson. “He’s treated me just like one of his top recruits. That’s what I’m going to miss most about Troup, everybody is so welcoming and supportive. They were always high-fiving me, treating me with respect. It’s amazing. I couldn’t be happier.” Morris joined the Troup football team as a freshman, and by his sophomore year, he was the equipment manager, a role he held until he graduated. While he never put on shoulder pads, there was never any question that Morris was a member of the team. Royce White, a former all-state offensive lineman at Troup who is now a freshman at Memphis, saw how much effort Morris put into his job. “He’s really worked hard,” White said. “At every single practice, he’s working just as hard as us, just in a different way. I never see him just being lazy. He’s always busy and working hard.” Morris was given a lot of responsibility by Glisson, and he’s grateful for that.

he’s let me have whatever guys I want. He’s given me free rein to handle my staff. It’s been amazing to have that freedom.” For Morris, the idea of becoming an equipment manager in college really began to blossom during a trip to Georgia Tech in March of 2019. Morris and some other members of the support staff at Troup went to Georgia Tech and were given a tour while spending time with people with similar responsibilities on the college level. “I got a chance to tour, and just see how they do things, and I thought, is there a realistic chance I can do this in college,” Morris said. From there, Morris began exploring his options, and it was Reinhardt who came through with an offer. Reinhardt, Glisson noted, “is getting a good one. I called and talked to their coaches and say hey, I highly recommend this guy, and they said we’re going to offer him. That’s just great.”

“I’ve been blessed,” Morris said. “Ever since I took over my sophomore year,

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Photo : University of Pittsburgh

SYDNEY GODDARD By Kevin Eckleberry

She wanted to be there for her teammates.

KAYLA LANE By Kevin Eckleberry

As Heard County’s Sydney Goddard prepared for her senior season, she knew she wasn’t going to be close to 100 percent physically, but she was committed to being on the field.

When it came time to choose a college home, Kayla Lane had plenty of options close to home, but she decided to go another route.

Goddard, who lived in LaGrange while attending Heard County, gutted it out during the 2020 softball season and made it the whole way, despite fighting through a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery.

and is thrilled with her decision.

“I love it,” Lane said. “It’s 12 hours away, but it hasn’t been bad. Even in the fall you’re busy all the time that you don’t have Lane, who enjoyed an exceptime to think about tional softball career at Troup High, signed with the University being home.” of Pittsburgh, and in the fall of 2019 she packed her bags and A highlight of the season came when Lane, playing a game in headed north. her home state at Georgia Tech, Lane made her collegiate debut had two hits including a home run in the series finale. in the spring of 2020, and she was playing well when the It was a special moment for season was cut short because Lane, who had big cheering of COVID-19. section for that weekend series. Lane and her teammates reFor Lane, part of the appeal turned to the field this spring of going to Pittsburgh was the for a full season, and Lane chance to play college softball played in 40 games with 39 at the highest level. starts, and she hit .219 with six home runs, 20 RBIs, and 17 The ACC features some of the runs scored. top teams in the country, including Florida State, which Although Pittsburgh is a long played for the national champiway from LaGrange, Lane has onship this season. settled in nicely at Pittsburgh 90

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Lane got her first college atbat in the eighth game of her freshman season, and it was a moment she’d been waiting on for a long time. “It was exciting,” Lane said. “You grow up watching it on TV, and I think I want to do that, and then you’re out there, and you have all the fans cheering for you. It’s like, oh wow, I’m really out here now.” Lane and her teammates played a handful of exhibition games this fall, and they’ll return in February for the start of the spring season. Last season, Pittsburgh was 17-29 overall, and 12-24 in the ACC.

While unable to play defensively, Goddard was still a key contributor offensively, and she hit better than .400 for a team that won the 2020 Class AA state championship. When the season was over Goddard had shoulder surgery, and now she’s in the early stages of the next step in her athletic career as a member of the Reinhardt University softball team. While the injury may have limited Goddard during her senior season, she’s glad she made the decision to postpone the surgery and be on the field for a championship team. “I had shoulder surgery, so I

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

wasn’t able to play my senior season that I was hoping too, but I would not change that for the world, because I got to be that (good) teammate, and I was able to support the girls,” Goddard said. “Softball isn’t just about playing, it’s about the character that you develop through adversity. I’m so grateful that I’m able to have this opportunity to go and extend my career.” Goddard was a late arrival to the sport. She’d never played softball before high school, and when she tried it as a freshman, she didn’t make the team. “Most girls, they grow up playing the sport,” Goddard said. “I didn’t even find out what softball was until my freshman year. For me to start that late, there was a really big learning curve.” After failing to make the squad, Goddard took that as a challenge to work even harder at her new-found sport. “I ended up getting cut my freshman year on the highschool team, and I was like, I’m not going to let that stop me,”

Goddard said. “I took it as a challenge, and I went to work and got better every year and made the team my sophomore year, leading all the way up to my senior year and we won the state championship.” While Goddard played highschool softball at Heard County, she’s familiar with many of the players in LaGrange, and she played with a handful of them in travel softball. Among Goddard’s travel-ball teammates were LaGrange High’s Camden Smith, Malone Aldridge, Madison Dennis and Holly Lynn, all of whom are or will play college softball. “I play travel ball with Camden, Holly, Malone, Madison, so I know all of them,” Goddard said. “They’ve been a huge part of me and my success. I got to play summer ball with them, and they helped me be a better player.” As for her time at Heard County, Goddard is grateful for the way she was welcomed. “Being from out of town, it’s hard to come in as an outsider but they accepted me with arm’s open, and just treated me like family,” Goddard said. SIDELINE PASS

RYAN BLISS By Kevin Eckleberry

Year one as a professional player is in the books for Ryan Bliss. Bliss, the former Troup High and Auburn University standout, was selected in the second round of the professional baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in July. After playing two games for the Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks, Bliss spent the final 37 games of his debut professional season with the Visalia Rawhide, a Single-A team. At the two stops combined, Bliss hit .267 with a .326 onbase percentage, and he had six home runs, 10 doubles, 24 RBIs, and 23 runs scored. The highlight of Bliss’ season came in September when he hit for the cycle, meaning he had a home run, a triple, a double and a single. During a season with so many milestones, from being drafted, to making his professional debut, it was a moment that stands out. “I’ve got videos on this game,” Bliss said during an interview with MLB.com. “I’m going to save these videos and go back 92

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to the night where I felt great. I’m going to go into the offseason really remembering this swing and doing everything I can to make sure that’s the swing I have every time I’m at the plate.” Bliss went 4-for-5 in a win over Rancho Cucamonga, and he had two RBIs and two run scored in the 7-3 win. Bliss began his landmark night by driving the ball over the right-field fence for his sixth and final home run of the season. Bliss followed with a double in his next at-bat, and he came through with a triple in the sixth inning, leaving him a single shy of the cycle. Bliss grounded out in the seventh inning, but in the ninth and final inning, he got one last at-bat, and he lined a base hit up the middle on a 3-1 count to earn the cycle. Asked if he was thinking about the cycle, Bliss said “oh, 100 percent. You try not to think about it. You’re trying to win. But it’s baseball, it’s hard not to, especially when you’ve got your teammates. The crowd understood it, too. It was definitely

an adrenaline rush.” Despite everything Bliss accomplished as a youth, high-school and college player, he’d never hit for the cycle. “After T-ball, high school, college, this was my first cycle,” Bliss said. “It’s pretty cool to have it in my first pro season.” Bliss, after three exceptional seasons at Auburn, was taken with the 42nd overall pick by the Diamondbacks. A few weeks later, Bliss was in Arizona embarking on his professional baseball career, and his goal is to continue giving everything to a sport that means so much to him. “I’m just continuing what I was doing in the spring with college ball,” Bliss said. “I did have to make adjustments in pro ball. Obviously, it’s different. But I’m having the same mindset and approach of trying to stay through balls and not as much lift balls as hit hard line drives and doubles to the gaps. Let my hands and power take over, and that’s what’s happening here.”

LAGRANGE COLLEGE FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

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they followed that up with four straight losses in games that were competitive. LaGrange College lost 26-21 to North Carolina Wesleyan, and 20-10 to a strong Brevard team. After the Brevard game, LaGrange College head coach Earl Chambers said “there’s a lot we can take from that game, a lot we can learn as a young football team. When it’s time to make plays, you’ve got to make plays. You can’t sit around and think that something is going to happen magically if you don’t make it yourself.”

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

I’m excited and ready to make plays and get to the ultimate goal (a league championship).” It was only two years, but in some ways, it had to seem like an eternity.

“It’s disappointing for the players, but our leadership made the best decision for the school, and I support that,” Chambers said. “And also, it gave us an The LaGrange College Panopportunity as coaches to realthers didn’t play a game in ly hone in on our players and 2020 after the season was kind of gain a better relationcanceled because of COVship with them. Academically, ID-19. we had plenty of opportunities to get better, and also, we pracWhile some teams chose to play a limited spring schedule ticed 10 straight weeks, so we built the spring around what a this year, LaGrange College decided to wait until the tradi- real season would feel like.” tional fall season to return to Still, there’s nothing play an acaction. tual game, and on a September evening in Alabama, LaGrange It was a challenging situaCollege made its long-awaited tion for the players, but head returnto the field for a 42-17 coach Earl Chambers underseason-opening loss to Birmingstood it was a situation that ham Southern. was out of anyone’s control. 94

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The season has been a struggle at times for the Panthers, but at least they’re playing after sitting on the sidelines in 2020. LaGrange got its first win of the season on Sept. 18 when it outlasted Southern Virginia 38-34 in a USA South game. The win ended a six-game losing streak dating back to 2019, and LaGrange College had to overcome a 14-point first-half deficit to make it happen. Quarterback Shedrick Lindsey threw for 252 yards with three touchdowns, and James Monroe ran for 109 yards on 21 carries. Unfortunately for the Panthers,

two touchdowns against North Carolina Wesleyan. Facing a strong Brevard defense, Lindsey threw for 163 yards, and while he didn’t have any touchdowns, he also didn’t throw any interceptions. Junior running back James Monroe has also been a bright spot for the Panthers, and junior De’queze Fryer has provided some electrifying moments at tight end, and he had touchdown catches in each of the first six games this season.

Fryer had nine catches for 123 yards against Southern VirginThe good news for the Panthers ia, and he had back-to-back games with eight receptions looking toward the 2022 season and beyond is that the bulk against Methodist and Brevard. of their players are underclassmen, including Shedrick Lind- “He is a talent,” Chambers said. sey, a junior quarterback from “He made some catches that makes you go wow. I know Spalding High in Griffin. everybody’s looking at him. After his big-time performance He’s been double-covered. He’s against Southern Virginia, Lind- got a lot of eyes on him, and sey threw for 152 yards and

he still able to find a way to get himself in position to make plays. That’s extraordinary.” On defense, sophomore defensive back Klynell Johnson is LaGrange College’s leading tackler, and two freshmen, linebacker Hassan Tutson and defensive lineman Jaden Jones, have also been among the team leaders in tackles.

He made some catches that makes you go wow.”

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ZACH NEIGHBORS By Kevin Eckleberry

It’s nothing new for Zach Neighbors. During his playing days at Callaway High, Neighbors was a foundation of the offensive line, and he made life difficult for opposing defensive lineman on plenty of Friday nights at Callaway Stadium. Now, Neighbors is continuing to get it done on the offensive line, and he’s still playing his games at Callaway Stadium, he’s just doing it on a higher level. Neighbors is a freshman offensive lineman for LaGrange College, which returned to action this season after not being able to play in 2020 because of COVID-19. Neighbors made his college debut with a road game against Birmingham Southern, and 98

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POINT UNIVERITY FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry

when LaGrange College played its first home game against Berry College, he was in the lineup once again. Neighbors was a two-sport standout at Callaway, and he was a part of a lot of memorable moments in football, and baseball. Neighbors, in fact, between baseball and football was a part of five teams that advanced to the Class AA state semifinals. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Neighbors said of his time at Callaway. “Coach (Pete) Wiggins, I felt like he was a father away from home. Everything was great. My teammates felt like brothers. We were all close together and played multiple sports together. It was a great feeling.”

Neighbors chose to attend LaGrange College after visiting the campus and spending time around the coaches, including head coach Earl Chambers. “It’s a great environment,” Neighbors said. “When I went over to visit, I felt like I was at home.” Dusty Hubbard, the defensive coordinator in football and the head coach on the baseball team, said Neighbors made a lot of progress in both sports during his time at Callaway. “Zach’s come a long way,” Hubbard said on Neighbors’ signing day. “I would have never thought he’d be a starter for football or baseball. He’s grown up a lot, and really matured. I’m happy for his opportunities as well.”

It has been a challenging season for the Point University football team, but the Skyhawks did give their homecoming fans a memorable victory on Oct. 2. Facing St. Andrews, Point built a 17-point lead in the second half before hanging on for a 38-35 victory, much to the delight of head coach Julius Dixon.

also had touchdown runs. Aaron Anderson led Point in that game with 10 tackles, and Quan Neal had nine tackles with a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Neal, a junior defensive back, has been a bright spot for the Skyhawks this season and is the team’s second-leading tackler.

Following a game against Faulkner, Jacon-Duffy was named the conference’s defensive player of the week after he had five tackles and three sacks. Ja’Darius Young, a senior linebacker from LaGrange High, is ninth on the team in tackles, despite missing two games.

On offense, Payton Allen has been Point’s primary play-maker, and he had touchFollowing the win over St. “My hat goes off to this team Andrews, Neal was named the down passes against Moreand staff for their never-quit head State and St. Andrews, attitude,” Dixon said. “It was an Mid-South Conference Apand he had a scoring run palachian Division defensive awesome home crowd, and against Ave Maria. player of the week. we are excited to be able to get the win.” Sensir Carnes is Point’s leadAaron Anderson, a junior ing rusher, and he ran for 28 linebacker, is Point’s leading Point quarterback Payton yards and averaged seven Allen threw for 159 yards with tackler, and junior defensive a touchdown completion to CJ back Shakwan Bickley, senior yards per carry in the win over Ave Maria, and he had 42 linebacker Kameron Weems, Henderson. rushing yards against a strong and freshman defensive Reinhardt team. lineman Gabriel Jacon-Duffy Brenton White had two short have also been among Point’s scoring runs, and Sensir Carnes and Tyrique Robinson leaders in tackles this fall. SIDELINE PASS

This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time.”

Kelly Carlisle has reached the finish line. Carlisle, a Callaway High graduate, is putting the finishing touches on what has been a fantastic career as a soccer player at Point University. Carlisle arrived at Point’s West Point campus in the fall of 2018, hoping to make an instant impact after excelling at Callaway in soccer and softball. Carlisle made it happen. Carlisle finished her freshman season with a team-leading seven goals, including three game-winners.

KELLY CARLISLE

Carlisle had three goals as a sophomore while continuing to be a critical part of the offensive attack, and she had five goals during her junior season and was the only Point player to earn a spot on the Appalachian Athletic Conference all-conference team. Carlisle is having an exceptional senior season, leading the team in scoring, and she’ll leave Point with

more than 20 career goals.

Carlisle isn’t the only former Callaway player on the Point roster.

Carlisle had two goals in a win at St. Andrews on Sept. 12, and she had goals in back-to-back games later that month.

Ashley Bowden, a sophomore, is a defender who has played in a handful of games this season.

Carlisle signed with Point in part because she felt it would be a family-type atmosphere, and she’s pleased that it worked out that way.

Like Carlisle, Bowden enjoyed the close-knit atmosphere when she visited Point and spent time around the coaches and players.

“The first day I went, my freshman year, I could tell is going to be a family thing,” Carlisle said. “I knew we were going to be really close. We hang out every day, on the field, and off the field. We have dinner with each other. We’ve made really close friendships.”

“When I went there, everyone was super-nice, and I felt at home and comfortable,” Bowden said when she signed. “Sometimes you go to college and feel a little out of place, but I didn’t feel out of place at all.”

Another appealing aspect of Point is its proximity to home, meaning Carlisle always has a healthy cheering section in the stands. “It’s been great being able to have my family come,” Carlisle said. “They’re my biggest supporters, and having them really helps my nerves, too. My mom (Kristy Reynolds), she’s my number one supporter.”

When Carlisle was a junior and Bowden was a sophomore, Callaway won the first state-tournament game in program history, and those two helped the team win another state game in 2018.

time and effort to achieve his objective of being a college soccer player. “This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time, since I started playing for (Mike) Petite when I was a freshman,” White said. “I played on (junior varsity) my freshman year, and I’ve worked my way up since then. I didn’t think this would be possible, but it worked out, it happened. I always worked for it, I never put my head down, and now I’m here.” Petite saw the work White put in to achieve his goals, and he told him “your desire is something I have rarely seen in a player. You want so much, and it’s not for you. It’s for the team, and it’s for the program. Your willingness to want and work is why you got this opportunity.”

There is also a Callaway presence on the men’s team at Point. John Will White is a freshman goal keeper at Point, and he put in a lot of

Photo: Kevin Eckleberry

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101

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NEED CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE? When you can’t be with your loved one...we can

Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care. Locally owned and operated private home care. Acti-Kare takes home care from surviving to thriving through our exclusive Acti-Vate fatigue fighting program.

Our services include: • Alzheimer’s Care • Assistance with Walking/Mobility • Bathing & Grooming • Meal Preparation • Medication Reminders • Light Housekeeping • Transportation to Appointments • Shopping • Engagement through Games, Crafts & Hobbies • Mommy & Me Care for New & Expectant Moms

Serving Troup, Heard, Carroll, Harris, Pike, Coweta, Meriwether, Fayette and Muscogee Counties

actikare.com/lagrange

Tammy Malone Strickland 404-272-3204

Debbie Malone Bazen 704-578-2146

Sideline Pass Sports Magazine

Articles inside

LGA softball seniors

Troup softball seniors

CHS softball seniors

LHS softball seniors

Lafayette Christian football

Heard softball seniors

Handley football

Greenville football

Youth Wrestling

Troup football

LHS reunion

Kevin Eckleberry

Tanner Glisson

LHS football

Heard football

CHS football