Connect Magazine

Shiver with antici‌pation - Rocky Horror on tap Annual Haunted Forest seeks volunteers Gregg Allman tribute show at Eagle Creek

Time to head to the fair!

Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair comes to the Boro

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Table of Contents

Editorial for September

mirth & Matter Editor’s letter

Daily Specials ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Brass Transit ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 Calendar ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 6-7 Halloween Costume Ideas ���������������������������������������������������� 7 It’s fair time in the Boro �������������������������������������������������� 8-10 The Music Scene ��������������������������������������������������������������12 Connect Crime �����������������������������������������������������������������13 Vampin’ Gamer ����������������������������������������������������������������15 Rocky Horror �������������������������������������������������������������� 16-17 The Haunted Forest ����������������������������������������������������������18 The Arts Seen ������������������������������������������������������������� 20-21 Overthinking It �����������������������������������������������������������������22 Tailgate Tattler ����������������������������������������������������������� 24-25 Day Trippin’ ��������������������������������������������������������������������24 A Tribute To Gregg Allman ������������������������������������������������26 Tailgate Tattler ����������������������������������������������������������� 28-29

Behind the Scenes People who make it happen

Angye Morrison, EDITOR 912.489.9402 | amorrison@connectstatesboromagazine.com Hunter McCUMBER, ART DIRECTOR 912.489.9491 | hmccumber@statesboromagazine.com Stephanie Childs, MARKETING MANAGER 912.531.0786 | schilds@connectstatesboromagazine.com Tim Webb, Multimedia twebb@statesboroherald.com Darrell Elliot, Distribution 912.489.9425 | delliot@statesboroherald.com

Angye Morrison Connect Editor

You guys…it’s my favorite month of the year!

I love Halloween and October is clearly the best month out of the year. Not just because the weather is great, but also because of, well, did I mention that it’s Halloween season?!

This month, we’ve featured a few events that we think will help you enjoy your time this month. Of course, top of the list, is the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair. It’s a can’t-miss event. Be sure to check out the story on the fair, and go online to see the schedule of events each night. So much to see and do at the fairgrounds!

We’ve also included an article on Charlie Bowen, who many of you will know as Dr. FrankN-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live,” held each year at the Averitt. He’s putting on his fishnets for possibly the last time, so you’ll want to read about him and his portrayal of this iconic character in the annual production.

As you know, rock legend Gregg Allman died earlier this year. Eagle Creek is hosting a celebration of his life and music, “Please Call Home,” this month. It’ll be a night of great music, great food and great fun.

There’s so much going on this month, and there’s just not enough room here – you’ll just have to flip the pages in this issue to check it all out.

And Happy Halloween…I look forward to it with antici…pation.

Jim Healy, Operations manager 912.489.9402 | jhealy@statesboroherald.com Connect Magazine is published monthly (12 issues a year). The cover and contents of Connect Magazine are fully protected by copyright laws of the United States and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Connect Magazine. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials.

Such materials will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Address letters and editorial contributions to Connect Statesboro, Angye Morrison, 1 Proctor Street, Statesboro, GA 30458, amorrison@connectstatesboromagazine.com. Copyright © 2017 by Statesboro Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

October 2017

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Daily Specials

Happy Mondays: Happy Hour all day! Half off all alcohol and select appetizers Trivia Tuesdays: Trivia at 7 p.m. with cash prizes; $10 buckets of beer, $7.99 shrimp and grits Wicked Wednesdays: Karaoke and live DJ at 9 p.m.; $13 buckets (imports), $8 buckets (domestics), $3 doubles all day Thirsty Thursdays: $10 buckets of beer, $3 doubles, $3 bombs, $3 Newcastle all day Fridays & Saturdays: Live music; $10 buckets of beer Sunday Funday: Happy Hour all day!

Karaoke and live DJ at 8 p.m.; 45¢ wings Everyday Lunch Specials: $7 lunches with a drink, 7 days a week!

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(NEXT TO DUNHAM’S SPORTS)

Brass Transit to bring hits of powerhouse Chicago to PAC stage

By Angye Morrison “Saturday in the Park.” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It is?” “Colour My World.” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” “Hard Habit to Break.”

List those titles and anyone who’s even slightly a fan of the powerhouse band Chicago will start humming the familiar tunes.

And on Oct. 10, starting at 7:30 p.m., Brass Transit will bring those familiar hits to the stage at the Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center.

Brass Transit consists of eight of Canada’s most talented and accomplished musicians and singers. The band has toured North America steadily, receiving standing ovations for their renditions of Chicago standards. Reviewers say the band doesn’t just imitate the songs, they embody them.

Ian Jutsun is the lead vocalist, and is a singer, actor and comedian who began his singing career at the age of 13 in Montreal. He is an experienced Broadway actor and singer, and recording artist. On trumpet is Tony Carlucci, a veteran studio musician and band leader who started playing the trumpet at the

age of 9. By 11, he was playing in weekend bands, and by 15, he was a regular in Toronto’s music scene. Carlucci has played with such artists as Corey Hart, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Percy Sledge, the Drifters, Sam and Dave, and Paul Anka.

Bob McAlpine plays guitar and supplies backing vocals. He’s a versatile and veteran rocker, who has been the “go-to” guitar man on the Toronto music scene for many years.

He has played on countless albums and television shows. He has worked with Ben E. King, Martha Reeves, Little Anthony and the Imperials, just to name a few. He was also named the 2014 Canadian Guitar Fingerstyle Champion.

No band is complete without drums, and Paul DeLong brings it for BT. A Juno Award winner and jazz educator, DeLong has forged a career which encompasses funk, fusion, jazz and Latin music. He’s worked with such artists as Tom Scott, Domenic Troiano, Carlos Del Junco, Carol Welsman and the Canadian Tenors. He’s also taught at Humber College in Toronto for the past 24 years, and is a regular

contributor to Modern Drummer magazine.

Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago will take you back in time with flawless renditions of classic Chicago hits. The show will be held in the Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Building. Purchase tickets online at georgiasouthern.edu, or call (912) 4781480.

October 2017

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OCTOBER Sunday

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monday

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Tuesday

Wednesday

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DJ & Karaoke Gnat’s Landing 9 p.m.

Coty James and Benjii Taylor Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

Coty James and Benjii Taylor Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

Please Call Home: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Gregg Allman Eagle Creek Brewing

The Mammoths Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

Experience the Aurora GS Planetarium 6 to 9 p.m.

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12

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Open Mic Night Locos - 9 p.m.

DJ & Karaoke Gnat’s Landing 9 p.m.

C2 & The Brothers Reed Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

The Southpaw Band Millhouse 9 p.m.

Open Mic Night Eagle Creek Brewing

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Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair October 16 - 21

Open Mic Night Locos - 9 p.m.

DJ & Karaoke Gnat’s Landing 9 p.m.

Jamie Renee & The Walkers Gnat’s Landing 7 p.m.

First Friday

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Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Building Georgia Southern

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Saturday

Open Mic Night Locos - 9 p.m.

The Mammoths Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

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Friday

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Open Mic Night Eagle Creek Brewing

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Thursday

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The Southpaw Band Tenth Mountain Division

10 p.m.

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21 The Brown Goose Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

Open Mic Night Eagle Creek Brewing

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The Brown Goose Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

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Open Mic Night Locos - 9 p.m.

DJ & Karaoke Gnat’s Landing 9 pm

Little Bird Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

Little Bird Dingus Magees 9:30 p.m.

Scare on the Square Downtown 4:30 to 9 p.m

Haunted Forest The Clubhouse October 24 - 31

Open Mic Night Eagle Creek Brewing

Ghost Tours by Lantern Light Prime Real Estate Eagle Creek 7 p.m.

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31 Open Mic Night Locos - 9 p.m.

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www.connectstatesboro.com

The Arts Putting Us on the Map: Georgia and its Coastal Plain - Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau A unique collection of maps that tell stories about Georgia, the Coastal Plain and Bulloch County. The exhibit will be on display until April 2018. The CVB is located at 222 South Main Street in Statesboro.

Give it a Spin! Workshop, 3rd Sunday each month Averitt Center for the Arts For those 16 years of age and up, from 1-4 p.m., this pottery class for beginners covers the basics. Bring a towel with you; all other materials provided. Cost is $25 ($40 for non-members).

Paint-N-Party - 2nd Friday each month Averitt Center for the Arts Come and have fun with your friends and your favorite drink (21+ to drink). Price includes a 16X20 canvas and art supplies. Call Tony Phillips at (912) 212-2787 to register. Cost is $35 per session.

Betty Sanders Botts - Sacred and Wild Averitt Center for the Arts On display through Nov. 4, Botts’ works will feature large environmental canvases that depict forest animals dynamically.

Art Educators’ Exhibition - Averitt Center for the Arts The Youth Gallery at the Averitt features the artwork of Bulloch County students each month. This month the spotlight is on Mill Creek and Portal elementary schools. The exhibit will be on display throughout the month. An opening reception is held on the first Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

The THEATER Saturday, October 7 A Tribute to Mayberry, Emma Kelly Theater Since 1960, audiences have laughed along with the folks of Mayberry. Come enjoy your favorite characters in a fun night of scenes, songs and good, clean fun. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased online at www.averittcenterforthearts.org or by calling (912) 212-2787.

Thursday, October 12 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Whitaker Black Box Theater The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. on this spooky classic, performed by the Statesboro Youth Theater. Additional shows are on October 13 and 14, and October 19-21, all at 7:30. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for youth. Call (912) 212-2787 or go online at www.averittcenterforthearts.org to purchase.

Friday, October 13 The Makeup Artist, GSU Black Box Theatre A makeup artist gradually transforms a young, ambitious actor into an old has-been. The play will be performed on October 14 also. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with free admission.

Friday, October 20 Mansfield Park, performed by Georgia Southern University Opera Based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name, the opera is the tale of Fanny Price, and is a Cinderella-like story. Admission is free, with an additional performance on October 21. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Emma Kelly Theater.

Halloween costume ideas for all ages Special to Connect Are you the type to eagerly scour every Halloween store in town in search of the perfect costume that will make you the talk of the party? Or perhaps you’re more the type to dig something up last minute, feeling compelled to dress up? And what about your children? Do they always know exactly what they want to be, or, on the contrary, can they never seem to make up their minds? No matter your answers to these questions, here are several ideas to help inspire your next Halloween get-up!

Are you fond of movies, television series or video games? Well, pop culture offers endless inspiration! Do you or your children go crazy for characters like Belle, Moana, Flash McQueen, trolls, minions or one of the furry members of the Paw Patrol? How about Toad, Daenerys Targaryen, Princess Leia or Zelda, or the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow? Have you ever dreamed of embodying a superhero or villain like Wonder Woman, Batman, Harley Quinn, Joker or Deadpool? Lastly, if you’re big on nostalgia, why not venture into the magical universe of Harry Potter?

Not much of a moviegoer or gamer? Then perhaps you’re a fan of current events! Hop into the shoes of Donald Trump, Hilary Clinton or Justin Trudeau for the day — and don’t forget to study your character to get their mannerisms just right. More of a social media addict? Channel your favourite emoji, or turn yourself into a hashtag. And if you’re one to think outside the box, why not create your own disguise? A quick online search will yield many unique DIY ideas for every personality type: bottle of wine, box of crayons, hot dog, tube of toothpaste, etc. The only limit is your imagination!

So, what will you and your children transform into this year?

Thursday, October 26 The Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE, Emma Kelly Theater The annual performance of this cult classic will have you on your feet doing the Time Warp for sure. An additional show will be performed on October 27. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the pre-show starts at 8. The show is for mature audiences only; no one under 18 will be allowed in without an adult. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call (912) 212-2787 or go online at www.averittcenterforthearts.org to purchase.

October 2017

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Scarecrows, Ferris wheels and canned goods:

It’s fair time in the Boro

By Lauren Porter

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www.connectstatesboro.com

On October 16-21, the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro will host the 56th annual fair at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds on Georgia Highway 67. The vast acres of land will transform, seemingly overnight, into a maze of colorful lights and rides that cater to our inmost need for adrenaline.

The Kiwanis Club held a record breaking fair last year, one that served more than seven counties in Georgia and raised $160,000.

The money raised from the fair is given back to the community in generous ways by the Kiwanis Club members, and in 1961 when Statesboro’s first carnival was organized, that same generosity was present in our community.

A brief history It all started when Georgia Southern University asked the Kiwanis Club to donate $3,000 in matching funds so a professor could take a $30,000 grant. Though the Kiwanis Club in Statesboro was only a year old at the time they were asked, the 28 members agreed to help, and they each signed a bank note that held them responsible for repayment. The board members decided that in order to raise $3,000, they would need to host a carnival and get the people of States-

boro involved.

When the mayor would not allow the fair to be within city limits, the club was forced to move their operation, though they did not go far. In a parking lot just 50 yards outside of the city limits, Statesboro’s first carnival was set up, but not without a few rookie mistakes.

“We learned a lot that year. For instance, we didn’t have anywhere for people to use the bathroom, so we needed more accommodations,” said charter club member Tal Callaway.

Despite the minor hiccups, the carnival was a major success. The event raised enough money for the club to repay their bank note and Georgia Southern got its grant. Since that first year, the fair’s most fundamental aspect has been about raising money, and the club has always stayed true to its roots in the pursuit of giving that money back to our community.

The following year, the carnival was held at Parker’s Stockyard. Due to the carnival’s success, board members made plans to secure a space for annual fair operations. By 1963, the Kiwanis Club found a permanent home for their endeavors and they purchased a 28-acre peanut field on Highway 67. The October 2017

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first “real” fair was held on Oct. 14, 1963, as it was held on the grounds we use today.

Five decades later, the original 28 acres has more than tripled in size due to a recent land purchase. The Kiwanis Club has acquired an additional lot of land over the last month, bringing the new amount to approximately 95 acres.

Giving back There is no doubt that such a vast space brings ample amounts of opportunity during fair week. The Kiwanis Fairgrounds opens its doors to seven surrounding counties that do not have a fair of their own. It gives everyone a chance to experience the fun and devour a stack (or two) of those soft, fluffy pancakes.

The parking lots are packed tightly, people spill into the admissions gates from all directions, and suddenly the vast and open field begins to feel more like a congested street in the city. But, after the rides are broken down and the dust settles back into the ground, it is 10

www.connectstatesboro.com

a whole new environment.

Ashlee Corbin, chairman of the Kiwanis public relations committee, said that before becoming a Kiwanis Club member, she had never been on the fairgrounds when it wasn’t full of lights and rides.

“You go during the off season and you think of how everything seems so small during fair week,” she said.

The transformation is uncanny. You think it’s just a fun, exorbitant carnival until you start to dig under the surface and learn where your candy apple money is going. Perhaps what is even more captivating than that fleeting view of the Ferris wheel is what happens at the heart of the club’s operation, which is giving that money back to the people.

The Kiwanis Standard Form for Club Bylaws asserts that the club’s purpose is to improve the quality of life for children and families worldwide. The more Corbin came to understand this foundation, she saw that

each donation had a story, and was unique in the way that it served the club’s purpose.

She recalled her first experience of giving a check away to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department.

“It was for the child ID project,” she said.

The project stores children’s fingerprints in a national database and assists in locating those who are missing.

“I remember doing that when I was a kid, and now as an adult I see the other side of it all. I thought, we just gave money to them for something so important, and it still gives me chills,” she said.

Without the success of the fair and the club’s donation, the ID project would have gone unfunded. But because the club gave that money back in such a generous way, we are now able to take precautionary measures that will protect our children in the future.

“You start to see the fair in a completely different light when you are behind the scenes and you know the impact that it has,” Corbin said.

When you’re a customer, a trip to the fair can cost a pretty penny. But in learning of the positive effect that it has on the community, expenses seem more than justified. The Kiwanis Club of Statesboro gives a vast majority of the fair’s proceeds to the surrounding area.

This includes GSU student scholarships, donations to 4-H in all seven counties, as well as to the Altrusa club, and law enforcement – and that list only covers the tip of the iceberg. It is all for a good cause, and most people who participate at the fair don’t realize they play a huge role in contributing to our community, simply by showing up.

This year, traffic will swarm Highway 67 for miles as people inch their way toward the fairgrounds. You will hear the petrified shrieks and unrestrained laughter long before you reach the gates. Upon entering, you will be mesmerized by the flashy lights and the sweet smell of cotton candy in the air.

At first glance, what you will see is the fair.

But the bigger picture is in there if you look closely enough. On the surface, you’re buying a sheet of tickets and a funnel cake, but the deeper implications guarantee more than just a night of fun-filled memories for you and your family.

The Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair runs from Oct. 16-21. Admission is $5 for everyone 6 years old and up. For more information or to see a complete schedule, go online at www.kiwanisogeecheefair.org.

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INTERESTED WRITERS CONTACT ANGYE MORRISON AT amorrison@connectstatesboromagazine.com

THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE OF STATESBORO

October 2017

11

The Music Scene

By Brandi Harvey

Not playing second fiddle The first time I heard then 15-year-old Micahlan Boney play the fiddle, I was attending “Tales from the Altamaha” in Lyons, Georgia.

The locally produced historical vignette style show features a four-piece band known as the “River Rat Review Band.” I’d been in the show the previous year, and by the end of the show, I was terribly disappointed that I didn’t have the opportunity to join the cast again. The opportunity to work with such a talent is always high on my priority list.

Three years later, I was finally given the chance to work with Miss Boney when she joined the “Bodacious Bobcat Band” for the Averitt Center’s production of Always, Patsy Cline. In the weeks leading up to the show, and during the performances, she once again left everyone, audience and cast alike, in awe of her skill and talent. Sixteen-year-old Michalan Boney is making a mark, and not just in the Statesboro Music Scene, but around the state, and beyond. With awards across the state for everything from her fiddle to her vocals including her most recent win at 2017 Savannah KIX 96 Country Music Showdown with local legend John Alan Brown, she’s caught the eye of many of the area’s greatest musicians. And her genuine, humble, gentle spirit captures the heart of piers and fans alike.

Dylan Bragg, formerly of Bragg and Company and now performing as “The Other Bragg,” is a long-time friend, and had this to say about her: “She’s an amazingly talented, beautiful soul. Quick with a smile and kind words. Always ready to play and spread music everywhere she goes. Just absolutely amazing!”

Most well known as a fiddle player, she is also accomplished on mandolin, guitar and banjo. Aside from her passion for music, however, she was inspired by her “big brother” in music, Wesley Bragg, who was the first to bring her on stage and give her a venue for her musical voice. She has followed in his footsteps and continues his legacy of encouraging young musicians, especially young girls.

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www.connectstatesboro.com

When she isn’t playing with her band Micahlan Boney and the Pig Eye Daddies, you can find her sitting in with everyone from Dylan Bragg to Jerry Roberson. Roberson, local piano man extraordinaire (as well as everyone’s go-to piano tuner!), brought her on for the Patsy Cline show, and had tremendous praise for the young talent.

“She is the whole package,” says Roberson.

“Talented, smart, congenial, and driven.”

In the near future, I have the privilege of working with Roberson, Boney and the rest of the cast and band for a “Ladies of Country Music” show at the Kiwanis Fair in Statesboro, and then again in March for a reprise of our roles in Always, Patsy Cline at the Averitt featuring myself, Christie McLendon, Roberson, Boney and several other well-known local instrumentalists.

Currently, Micahlan is working on a proj-

ect that combines two of her greatest loves history and music. She is putting together a tribute to Bob Dylan at the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library. Featuring local leaders, writers, and musicians, the January 28 event will showcase some of Statesboro’s “Who’s Who” reading and performing some of Dylan’s best loved poems and songs. The event, planned in cooperation with our local “Friends of the Statesboro Library,” will help to raise funds for the library.

“By bringing the library into the equation we’re trying to blend arts of live music, spoken word, and literature together.”

With all of this going on, it’s easy to see why she isn’t playing second fiddle to anyone.

Local musicians and fans alike are just waiting to see what this talented young lady is destined for. Wherever she goes, we know she’ll be successful!

Connect Crime •By Holli Deal Saxon

Clumsy Crooks UNDESERVED - A woman suffered injuries from being attacked by a man that were severe enough to send her to the emergency room, but she told police she had been “mean to” the offender and refused to press charges. The incident took place at a Foster Williams Road location, reportedly after the man came to “check on” the woman.

FAST FOOD FIGHTING –Two men became engaged in a fight at Cook Out on Fair Road. Someone called police, who arrived to find one man who was involved was in-

toxicated, He was arrested.

KIDS AND BASKETBALLS – A Live Oak Loop man told deputies neighborhood kids were trespassing on his property, striking his house and causing water leaks. The kids admitted a basketball had rolled into the man’s house, but denied ever beating on his home.

HER HEAD HURTS – A Moore Circle woman called police to say a man, whom she said paid her to stay at his home, beat in her bedroom door claiming she stolehis

phone. She said he was holding the phone at the time. When police arrived the man was sitting on his porch, claiming he did not know why the woman called them and stating she was “crazy.

The woman told police the man made her head hurt.

INJURED AND ARRESTED – A man walking down the middle of Miller Street Extension, bleeding from, the face, refused to comply with police commands and was taken to jail.

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Q: Is bleaching with these “over the counter” teeth bleaching systems really effective?

LARRY G. HUBBARD, DDS, PC 912-764-9891 4 Lester Road | Statesboro, Ga www.statesborodentist.com

A: Over-the-counter bleaching products are not as good as what you would get in a dental office. OTC bleaching products cannot be concentrated enough to actually change the color of teeth. There are two types of stain on teeth - intrinsic and...

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Redesigned With you In Mind

Vampin’ Gamer • By Tim Webb

Destiny is definitely an

‘upgrade’

Developer Bungie and publisher Activision have released the sequel to the highly popular Destiny, an online-only multiplayer first-person shooter for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Set in a fictional world like the original, Destiny 2 features elements of roleplaying games across a multiplayer “shared-world” environment.

In addition to the main story driven campaign missions, Destiny 2 includes player versus player (PvP) modes and several player versus environment (PvE) modes. The PvE modes include a three-player strikes and six-player raids. The game also has a free roam mode where players can take part in public events across the map.

Like Destiny, Destiny 2 includes the same three classes of Hunters, Titans and Warlocks. Each class has their own perks, special abilities and sub-classes. Together the classes work together in a typical damage dealer (Hunter), tank (Titan) and support (Warlock) role.

Although there is plenty for a player to do who like to game solo, Destiny 2 is better experienced with others. Players can silently work with other unknown and random strangers in public events and free roam activities. Also, players can team up with friends and others for more grueling and time-consuming strikes and/or raids for better loot and legendary gear. Players can even join clans which offer some passive benefits for just being a part of the clan as well as helping with meeting certain milestones.

Bungie has made a lot of great updates to Destiny 2. The variety of activities found in the game now make the grinding up in levels less repetitive and entertaining for both teams and solo players. Speaking of teams, working together with others now is highly rewarding and only adds to the already satisfying looting and shooting.

In conclusion, Destiny 2 cuts down on the repetitive frustration found in the original game’s grinding. The campaigns story is now understandable and enjoyable. It’s definitely an upgrade from the first game for me and keeps players wanting to come back for more each day with the loot driven gameplay. Aside from a few bugs, Destiny 2 appears to be an easy candidate for Game of the Year (GOTY).

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October 2017

15

Get in touch with your ‘inner Frank’

at Rocky Horror

By Angye Morrison

Charlie Bowen will once again put on his fishnet stockings and corset to bring the iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter to life in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live” – a role he’s played since 2010. It’s a role he has relished because it brings out his “inner Frank.”

“It’s a lot of fun,” he says, laughing. “Frank is way over the top. To get to do that on stage is a lot of fun. I have to take it to a degree that I’m never allowed in public. I feel like I have a little Frank in me. I feel like a lot of people have an inner Frank.”

But not everyone gets to let that inner Frank out. This show, Bowen says, is his one opportunity to do so.

For those unfamiliar, Rocky Horror is a cult classic, a comedy musical movie that is a perfect send-up of the horror B-movies of the 1970s. In the movie, based on the 1973 16

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stage production, sweethearts Brad and Janet are stuck with a flat tire during a storm.

They find their way to the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. The couple is soon swept into the crazy world of Frank and his guests, a wild group of people at the mansion for the annual Transylvanian convention. The night is a raucous romp that includes dancing and singing, a murder and a chase scene or two.

The 1975 movie was initially panned, but soon became a hit after it became a regular midnight feature at the Waverly Theater in New York City. Audience members began dressing like the characters and talking back to the screen. As the movie showings spread to other cities, shadow casts began to emerge, with actors lip-syncing the characters’ lines. By the end of 1979, there were twice-

weekly showings at more than 230 theaters.

These days, the film has a large international following, and has become the longestrunning theatrical release in film history.

Bowen first saw Rocky Horror in 2009, when he attended the Statesboro show to see his wife, Megan perform as a Transylvanian.

“I got into this because of my wife. But I love the show also. Seeing her in it, that was my first time seeing Rocky Horror live. It’s a totally different experience, and I was like, this is really cool. I told her, if you’re gonna be in this next year, I’m gonna be in it, too,” he said.

The next year, he auditioned himself, and won the role of Rocky. The following year, he was cast as Frank, and he’s played the lead role ever since. Megan has also continued to be in the show, and is playing the role of

Magenta this year, in addition to directing the production. The couple has discussed making this their last year in the cast.

“Every year I say this is gonna be my last year. The past couple of years, I’ve been like, this is gonna be my last year,” he said.

But three actors who had been portraying major roles – Brad, Janet and Columbia – were to be recast this year. Bowen didn’t feel he could step down from the role just yet.

“My wife talked me into one more year.

Casting three really big roles and a new Frank would just be too much,” he said.

But even with that thought freshly uttered, Bowen waffles.

“Who knows? Next year I might be in it again,” he said. He’s hopeful that the new cast will be return, and that will ultimately free up the role of Frank for someone new. The

idea of a return cast is important to this production, he said.

“We only have a week of rehearsals. That’s not a lot of time,” he said. “It’s really just a couple of hours each day that week. You really have to know the show to make it really good.”

Bowen, who is a Georgia Southern University alumnus, says he enjoys being in the production for many reasons.

“It keeps me in the college community. Most of our cast is college students. It gives me a chance to be around the younger crowd, and be a part of this very welcoming community,” he said.

He also enjoys knowing that the show is important for the community.

“It’s important that we have this show. We are in South Georgia. This community is very conservative. It is a religious community. So this is kind of the one night that the people who aren’t conservative get to be around likeminded people. And feel safe in the community and feel welcomed and feel part of that community,” he said.

Bowen has also developed some great friendships as a result of his involvement in the show.

“I’ve met a lot of people through the show that have become friends of mine, and not just in the cast, but audience members. There are people that come every single year,” he said, smiling.

Bowen says he is aware that the role of Frank is an iconic one for Tim Curry, who played the part in the film. When asked what he brings to the role, Bowen smiles.

“Nobody could be better than Tim Curry,” he said. “Every year I watch the movie over and over again. I still watch the movie probably 50 times leading up to the show. I try to do Tim Curry’s character justice. And there are a lot of sections in the movie where I try to do things exactly like Tim did it; the same mannerisms, the same facial expressions, the same body movements. But then, I try to add my own flair in there, here and there.”

If Bowen could play another character, he said he’d be interested in playing Brad, which would be the complete opposite of Frank.

“I’ve thought about what it would be like to play the more meek character. Of course, Brad has a big arc. I thought that would be a lot of fun. I’ve said that I’m getting too old to be one of the main characters,” he said, laughing.

He’s also interested in playing the criminologist, like Tim Curry did in the recent remake for television.

Bowen and his wife have been married for eight years. The couple has a son, Jack Danger, who is 6. Bowen also has a son from a previous marriage, Xander, who is 17.

“Outside of Rocky Horror, I’m a pretty traditional dad,” he said, laughing. “Xander is thinking of going out for the baseball team at Statesboro High, so I’ve been tossing baseballs with him in the back yard. And Jack is into Pokémon. That’s something that we do together. I’m really a homebody.”

Charlie and Megan are into swing dancing, having taught classes and traveled to perform. Bowen is also a police officer, and works for his alma mater as a training officer.

And yes – he’s pulled over someone for speeding who recognized him as Frank.

The Bowens have poured much into the show, including their own money. The Averitt Center for the Arts provides the space at the Emma Kelly Theater, in addition to a small budget, which is used for the prop bags.

“When you have to make 700-plus bags, it adds up really quickly,” he said. “So we try to use most of the money the Averitt gives us on that and props.”

They’ve done some fundraising as well, and that money goes to help pay for costuming, although many of the cast members provide their own costumes.

Bowen is quick to point out that the show wouldn’t happen without his wife.

“She’s been the driving force behind it,” he said, adding that they have no plans to stop the show, even if he and Megan operate more behind the scenes.

“We work as a team to make sure it happens. It’s very important to us that it keeps going. That the LGBTQ community and the notconservative part of the community have an event to go to where they can be around likeminded people and feel safe, feel welcome and have fun.”

Bowen says they have worked each year to make sure the show is always morphing into something better.

“Our goal is to always put on a show that’s better than last year,” he said. “We have some new things for this year’s show that we think are really gonna bring some laughs and will be something new for the audience to see.”

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live” will be performed at the Emma Kelly Theater on Oct. 26 and 27. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the pre-show starts at 8. The show is for mature audiences; no one under the age of 18 will be allowed in without an adult. Tickets are $15.

Call (912) 212-2787 or go online at www. averittcenterforthearts.org to purchase.

October 2017

17

Haunted Forest to offer new scares this Halloween

By Angye Morrison The annual Haunted Forest at The Clubhouse will begin spooking local residents on Oct. 24, and run through Oct. 31.

Rest assured – there will be a lot of things going bump in the night.

The tradition began on the Georgia Southern University campus many years ago, but 18

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was taken on in 2008 by Willingway Hospital as a community service project for their employees and clients when the GSU recreation program decided to discontinue organizing the event. At that time, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bulloch County was chosen as the beneficiary of the proceeds, and the nonprofit

has partnered with Willingway to help host the event.

The event raises, on average, $16,000 to $18,000, and 100 percent of the funds goes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bulloch County, and will be used locally.

According to Mike Jones, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs, the event grows each year, with about 4,000 to 5,000 people going through the attraction.

“We have five different scare stations that people walk through. Each year we try to change it up a little bit to create new excitement and continued interest in the forest,” he said. “It’s a massive undertaking each night.

There are over 100 volunteers that it takes to put the event on, and it takes months of planning and organization.”

The event moved to The Clubhouse, located on Old Register Road, three years ago, Jones said. He added that more people have begun to attend since the move because, he believes, people may have thought it was just for college students when it was held on campus.

“We have people from Savannah and other areas go through,” he said.

The volunteers who help with the event are students as well as members of the community, and they all have a love for Halloween and “enjoy scaring people,” Jones added, saying that volunteers for this year’s event are still needed. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Ron Wright via e-mail at rwright@ bgcbulloch.org.

The costumes and makeup for the participants are both donated and provided by sponsorships. Lighting and materials for the scare stations also come from sponsorships.

Although he wouldn’t give away anything regarding this year’s event, Jones did say that people always ask if KoKo the clown will be there – and he will be in place to entertain the crowds while they wait to get in.

The event begins each night at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children 10 and under, and can be paid at The Clubhouse. They are also offering a fast pass this year – at $20 each, the passes will get you to the front of the line, with no waiting.

There are no restrictions as to who is allowed in to the Haunted Forest, but Jones said that parents are educated at the entrance that it is a “high scare program.”

“Parents can then determine if kids should go through. At parents’ request, we can provide a low scare,” Jones said.

As for how long it takes to go through the forest, Jones answers, with a laugh.

“It depends on how fast you can run.”

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Photo 1: Some of the city’s best “gangsters” can still belt out a tune in “Guys & Dolls” Shown are Jackson Hamilton, Joshua Murray and Bennon Smith.

Photo 2: Miranda Winter, on box, sings in character as Sarah Brown with Mission Band members Amber Wade, Brogan McGowan and John Parcels.

Photo 3: Sarah Brown (Miranda Winter) and Sky Masterson (Joey Simon) have a night out on the town, complete with entertainment.

Photo 4: Christie McLendon belts out “Honey Bun” from South Pacific during Broadway in the Boro at Statesboro High School, with a little help from Kevin Kolbe. The annual event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, with a small portion of the funds going to the SHS Fine Arts Department. Photo courtesy of Christie McLendon Photo 5: Director Eddie Frazier gives instruction during dress rehearsal of “Guys & Dolls” at the Averitt Center for the Arts, while Sky Masterson, played by Joey Simon, looks on.

Photo 6: Christie McLendon, as Miss Adelaide, reacts to her on-stage love, Nathan Detroit, played by John Marsh.

arts seen The Arts SEEN! Send photos, along with information about the event, as well as the names of those pictured, to amorrison@connectstatesboromagazine.com.

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Overthinking It • By Katherine Fallon

Soaring above and beyond Over Labor Day weekend, I went to Epcot with my human and a good friend, for the International Food & Wine festival. Before we went, we sat down with the menu of food truck items and filled out sports brackets to determine which countries were must-visits for each of us. Some of them (Hawaii, Africa) were on all of our lists, and others suited only one of us.

The brackets helped us decide upon where to spend our time, where to head at what time of day, how to create full and sensible meals out of tiny plates from around the world.

I went in wanting mostly meat. I have eaten raw, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free in my life, and at this point I eat primarily vegetarian, but I love and continue to eat meat.

Working on the cattle farm in Colorado solidified my outlook on the food chain, and I am reverent in my consumption of animals, but I feel passionately about their place in my diet. I have watched slaughters for food and have killed animals myself. I understand that certain domesticated species wouldn’t exist at all anymore were it not for centuries of animal husbandry.

We ate a lot at the festival, and I did get my meats: curry chicken, spicy African beef 22

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stew, spam and home fries, tuna tartare, Jamaican beef patties. In the end, though, those were my least favorite of the dishes. In fact, my number one choice, Spain, fell out of favor as I grew more and more disappointed in the meat dishes and no longer wanted charcuterie. The winner, hands down, according to all three of us, was a roasted beet salad with feta, green beans, candied pecans and balsamic vinaigrette. For me, second place went to a cheese plate.

The best ride was Soarin’, of which I had no memory. Nikki remembered it from a trip she’d taken 10 years before and insisted during the early planning stages that we ride it, and do so more than once. It took precedence over every food on our bracket. Our trip was essentially a Soarin’ pilgrimage.

It was like the running of the bulls each morning, when we got in line 20 minutes before opening, and rushed, along with countless others from other entrances, toward the ride. People came from all corners, some actually sprinting, us power walking like mall walkers. It was the only ride anyone clapped after, and they did so both times we rode it.

In Soarin’, you sit tight on a seat with a

chest restraint, legs dangling much like modern roller coasters. On a concave screen before you, a video is projected wherein you are touring the world from the sky. Your row of seats tilts to look down at magnificent heights, and trembles or shakes when the landscape suggests it. You watch elephants run and smell the dirt and grass of their feet trampling the plains. You pass lush palm-dense islands and smell a coconut and the sea breeze. You visit Sydney, Australia and San Francisco, and fly over frozen landscapes where polar bears roamed, lumbering along the snow drifts like ghosts.

Both times we rode Soarin’, there were goosebumps and tears. I cried on Mission Space, too, thinking about my father and gawking in awe at the believable solar system before me. There is something very different about visiting a theme park as an adult, among adults: the schedule we kept to, the patience and cooperation, and the [anti-] gravity of certain sights, simulated but utterly convincing, affording us views we cannot, as earth-bound humans, properly imagine on our own. We went for food, and we ate. We went for flight, and we flew.

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Day Trippin’ • By Kenley Alligood

Pirates, revolution and ironclads: Exploring Georgia’s maritime past Georgia has a long naval history, stretching all the way back to Spanish explorers and missionaries in the 16th century. In the 1730s the British, looking to expand their territory in the New World and create a buffer between the thriving settlements in Virginia and the Carolinas and the Spanish in Florida, chartered a new colony to be established under the leadership of James Oglethorpe. The first settlers arrived on the banks of the Savannah River in February 1733 aboard the Anne, a small merchant vessel. By 1744, the first company was established in the port city of Savannah to ship raw goods and materials back to England. In less than two decades, the port of Savannah had become vitally important to the success of the colony and its settlers. Georgia was the only colony who paid King George III’s Stamp Act due to the fact that more than 60 ships sat idle in Savannah’s harbor. The signing of the Declaration of Independence by the colonies in 1776 meant that, in early 1777, the British had established a blockade on the port of Savannah.

The city was occupied by British forces for much of the war and several British warships sunk off Georgia’s coast, typically running aground in its shallow coastal waters or falling victim to damaging storms. The most notable of these was the British warship HMS Defiance, which went down in the mouth of the Savannah River after a violent storm in 1780.

Unfortunately, much of Georgia’s early naval history has been lost to time with few artifacts remaining from its colonial and Revolutionary periods. However, the Ships of the Sea Mari24

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time Museum, occupying the William Scarbrough House and Gardens, curates an impressive collection of naval artifacts and ship models, including a model of Oglethorpe’s ship, the Anne. It is fitting that William Scarbrough’s home is now a shrine to American naval history: he was the owner of the Savannah, the first steamship to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Many of Georgia’s identified wrecks date from the Civil War, the most significant of these being the CSS Georgia, a Savannah-built ironclad gunship. Intended to remain at the mouth of the Savannah River and guard the city from Union attack, the ship was sunk by the Confederacy to prevent capture by Union forces in 1864. The wreck was relatively forgotten until the 1960s when dredging of the Savannah River revealed the remains and in 2013 a portion of the wreck was recovered by the Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the U.S. Navy. Artifacts were still being recovered from the site as recently as 2015 but none are yet on display.

Two other ships of note are the USS Water Witch, a Union blockade ship captured by the Confederate navy just south of Savannah, and the Rattlesnake, a passenger ship turned gunship and blockade-runner, smuggling cotton and guns between England and the struggling Confederacy. Both ships were sunk just south of the Savannah River, the Water Witch

by Confederate forces to prevent recapture and the Rattlesnake in a battle with the ironclad USS Montauk, the ship which would later serve as the prison of the six conspirators in

the assassination of President Lincoln. Artifacts from and a scale replica of the Water Witch now reside at the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

Additionally, many unidentified wrecks have been discovered on the beaches of Georgia’s barrier islands. An unidentified portion of a ship’s bow, exposed after storms hit Jekyll Island in 2008, are believed by many to be the remains of the steamship Magnolia which exploded in the Frederica River in 1852. Another mysterious wreck was revealed last year on Cumberland Island after a storm exposed a hull on the eastern shore. Speculation surrounded the wreck, some citing the island’s known history of raids by French and Spanish pirates. Archaeologists worked to collect artifacts for study and preservation and early indications are that the small ship dates from the mid-1800s.

So far, no pirate ships or significant pirate hoards have been discovered on Georgia’s coast but the legends live on through places like the Pirate’s House restaurant in Savannah and Blackbeard Island north of Sapelo. Tybee was a known hideout for English pirates who preyed on Spanish vessels and settlements and those who dream of adventure as swashbuckling buccaneers can attend Tybee’s 13th annual Pirate Fest. The event kicks off on Oct. 5 with the Buccaneer Ball with activities at the pier every day through Oct. 8 including a carnival, a parade, pub crawls, live music and fireworks. Regular admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are $15 with children under 12 admitted free. Costumes are encouraged.

Acoustic show at Eagle Creek a tribute to Gregg Allman

By Angye Morrison Local, regional and even some out of state artists will come together at Eagle Creek Brewing Company on Oct. 6 for Please Call Home: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Gregg Allman.

Organizers Greg Kearney and Kimbie Dismuke are excited about the show, and encourage local residents to come out and celebrate the music of this legendary rock artist.

The night will feature acoustic versions of Allman’s music performed by artists including Chris Mitchell, Daniel Navarro, Cyril Durant, Betsy Franck, Dylan Bragg, Micahlan Boney, Jason White, Michael McCarthy, Tall Paul Phillips, Nathan Smith and Kearney.

Gregg Allman played an essential role in the development of Southern Rock. He died earlier this year at the age of 69, following complications from liver cancer. A statement on his website at the time of his death said he passed away peacefully on May 27 at his home in Savannah.

The show idea was born from Kearney’s love of the Allman Brothers Band, formed in 26

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1969.

“I’ve been a fan of Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band since I was young. I’m a musician myself and I can literally remember where I was when I first heard their ‘Filmore East’ album and the impact that had on me,” Kearney said. “They are my all-time favorite band, hands down.”

Kearney believes that Allman was one of the best blues singers ever.

“That man had the ability to project so much emotion into his voice. It’s no secret that he lived a life of many noteworthy highs and lows, but music was always his medicine. He believed that music had the power to heal people, and I couldn’t agree more,” Kearney said.

After Allman passed away, along with several other noteworthy musicians, Kearney felt that something was needed to “tip our hats to them.”

“And Gregg Allman was at the very top of my list,” he said.

Kearney said he wanted to include a variety

of musicians so that each would get an opportunity to put their own spin to Allman’s music.

“We’ve gotten a great response not only from the artists, but from the public as well.

It seems that everyone knows of or has some kind of an affinity for at least one of his songs, if not many more. This is our way of showing that appreciation,” Kearney said.

The musicians for the show were handpicked by Kearney, chosen because he believed they would do Allman’s music justice.

“We’ve got a wide variety of artists for this show with roots and influences ranging from country, bluegrass, soul and everything in between,” he said. “These are all seasoned musicians and I, for one, can’t wait to hear their interpretations of this music.”

Most of the artists are from the Statesboro and Savannah areas, but there some are also coming from out of state.

Each artist will perform a handful of songs that were written by and or performed by Allman, either with the Allman Brothers or as a solo artist. The musicians have the option to perform solo or bring an accompanying musician, but there will be no full bands.

“I wanted to go with a more intimate atmosphere for this where it’s all about the music,” Kearney said. “I play guitar and somehow managed to sweet talk myself into sitting in with each artist, which I’m also very excited about.”

Kearney said the event has some great sponsors, including Bunyan Morris with Echeegeechee Studios, who hand-painted the design for the poster advertising the event. Prints of the design will be available for sale at the show.

Cake Bakery will be on hand to provide a special treat for the first guests through the door the night of the show, and Homegrown Trading Post, a local soap and crafts company, will also be helping out, along with Kevin Boyd with Country Financial Insurance.

“We couldn’t have put this on without these guys and I can’t tell you how much it means to have their help,” Kearney said.

Kearney said that more tribute events like this will be held in the future, so local residents should “stay tuned.”

“With all that’s going on in the world these days, nights like this are a great opportunity for people to come together and forget about all the bad, if only for a few hours,” he said.

Tickets are $6 in advance, available at Eagle Creek, and are $8 at the door. Seating is limited and the show is selling out fast. The show begins at 8 p.m.

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Tailgate Tattler • By Chris Stanley

Understanding that option you’re yelling about Georgia Southern football has no shortage of traditions whether it be the yellow school buses players ride into games with, baptizing new players in “Beautiful Eagle Creek” or minimalistic navy blue uniforms the team debuts on game day.

More and more nowadays, with the scrutiny surrounding the program and its shortcomings under head coach Tyson Summers, one tradition seems to pop up more than the others.

“Where is the triple option? Why aren’t they running the option?” is something you might have heard yelled with a slur at Gnat’s Landing during a Georgia Southern football game. To many football novices this sounds like a phrase of Mandarin Chinese, but to the regular football fan the phrase is nearly as old as the game itself.

The triple option is an offensive concept of 28

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football which has come to define Georgia Southern since the program’s resurrection in the early 1980s. Erk Russell, the coach whose identity is eponymous with the football program due to how quickly is turned Georgia Southern from nothing into a national power, called his offense “the Georgia Power Company” because of how well the Eagles ran the option.

But even as other teams moved to more modern concepts of offense like the spread or the run-and-shoot, Georgia Southern would stick to the triple option with continued success. Paul Johnson won two more national titles with the triple option in 1999 and 2000 to add on to the four the program already had under Russell and Tim Stowers.

So it comes as no surprise fans throw their hands in the air in frustration anytime a new

head coach comes in and tries to move away from the option concept. Brian Van Gorder and Chris Hatcher both moved away from the option offense in the years between 2006 and 2009 with disastrous results: a 21-23 record with no playoff appearances.

Under Jeff Monken and Willie Fritz the program came back to prominence using the – you guessed it – triple option offense. The correlation for success on the field at Georgia Southern is almost directly tied to the the triple option offense, so it’s no wonder fans are quick to get irritated when a coach tries to move away from the concept.

Summers learned this the hard way in 2016 when the team fell to a disappointing 5-7 after going 9-4 the previous year. The spread concept utilized by Rance Gillispie and David Dean fell flat on its face and forced Summers to hire Bryan Cook away from Georgia Tech to try and install a more traditional option attack akin to what Georgia Southern fans are used to.

After reading this entire spiel there are a lot of you are asking the same question: what is the triple option? What does it do and why does it work? Hopefully we can explain that over the next handful of paragraphs to give you a better idea of what the option style of offense entails.

But first, a little history lesson.

Prior to 1940, most offense was predicated on lining up seven men on the line of scrimmage and running straight into it like a battering ram with the occasional pass play mixed in. Don Farurot, the head coach of the Missouri Tigers, had an epiphany while watching a basketball game that would change the way teams played football forever.

Farout noticed during a two-on-one fastbreak play in the basketball game the defender could not make a play if the offensive players executed properly. If the defender decided to pressure the ball, the ball handler would make a quick pass to his teammate who then scored a basket. If the defender decided to cover the player without the ball, the ball handler would not pass and score a basket on his own.

Simply put, the defender was forced to make a decision in a situation where he was outnumbered. This is the basic philosophy of the option offense: force the defense to worry about multiple running options on a single play. It’s been used throughout history and still works in various forms today.

Older versions of the option offense can still be seen at high school games all across the country such as the flexbone, wing-T or wish-

bone formations. Georgia Tech, Navy, Army, New Mexico and Air Force still use these concepts at the FBS collegiate level.

Other teams have evolved to running the option out of the spread formation, which is what most colleges use and some other high school teams. But for the purposes of explaining the option in this article, we’ll stick to the flexbone formation made famous by Johnson when he was the offense coordinator of the aforementioned “Georgia Power Company.”

Use the picture we’ve provided as a reference. The players labeled “T”, “G” and “C” are the offensive line – their responsibilities differ depending what side the play is being run. In this example, the play is being run to the right side of the field so the right tackle is who we’ll focus on.

If the quarterback is labeled “QB”, then there are three running backs “A”, “B” and “Z” while the wide receivers are labeled “X” and “W.” Every basic triple option play – just like any play in football – starts at the snap exchange between the center and the QB. At the snap of the ball the first thing the QB does is read the defensive end, labeled with a No. 1 in the picture.

As the diagram illustrates, the right tackle leaves him unblocked intentionally so he has to make a decision. What the DE will see is the QB trying to hand the ball off to his Bback, who is the first option for the play. The defensive end can make one of two decisions here: he can attack the B-back on the handoff or stay at his spot and wait for the QB. If the DE stays at “home” as we like to say, the QB will hand the ball off to the B-back where he runs up the middle of the line. That’s the first option choice of a triple option play.

If the defensive end crashes inside to the Bback, the QB will pull back the handoff and continue running.

So with the defensive end out of the picture, this leaves the QB with two more decisions

to make. Now he has a second man to read – the outermost edge defender, labeled No. 2 on our diagram. Just like the DE, the “S” defender can do one of two things: he can attack the QB inside or stay at home to defend the pitch man, or our A-back who’s been trailing our QB this entire time.

On the diagram you’ll see a dotted line that runs perpendicular to the paths of the QB and the A-back. This is where the pitch can occur and is one of the final two options in our play.

If the “S” defender decided to attack inside on our QB, the QB will toss the ball back to the A-back who – if the play is blocked properly – will have a clear running lane.

If the “S” defender decides to stay at home, the QB will keep the ball and turn up field for a gain of yards. So in essence, the three options of the triple option are: dive, keep or pitch. If run correctly this can force headaches upon the defense because they have to stay disciplined in their assignments for the entire 60 minutes.

One false move and a pitch can go for 60 yards and a touchdown. The flexbone formation, shown in our diagram, isn’t the only way you can run the triple option. This play concept can work from the shotgun or I-formation as well. But the flexbone triple option is what Georgia Southern used for years to attain success and it’s what current fans desire in their offense today.

So the next time you’re watching Georgia Southern or Georgia Tech and you hear someone talking about the option offense, see if you can get them to explain it. If they can’t, then you can bust out the knowledge from this article and amaze your friends with your know-how of offensive football concepts.

Or at the very least when the Eagles aren’t running the option, you can claim you know what you’re talking about when you start yelling “Where’s the triple option?” at Summers and his staff.

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