High School Football by The Union-Recorder

AUGUST 2010

FOOTBALL Explosion TEAM ROSTERS

GAME SCHEDULES TEAM INFO

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

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Baldwin High Braves Head Coach: Dexter Copeland Classification: GHSA Region 2-AAA Last Season’s Record: 9-3 Bulletin Board Material! 2010 Prediction: 7-5

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. versus Burke County (3S-AAA) Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Central, Macon (2-AAA) Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Westside, Macon (2-AAA) Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. versus West Laurens (2-AAA) Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Mary Persons (2-AAA) Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. versus Perry (2-AAA) Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Howard (2-AAA) Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans (2-AAA) Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Rutland (2-AAA) Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Peach County (2-AAA)

The Union-Recorder There is no secret to what the Baldwin Braves will be doing this season: running the ball, passing the ball and hoping to stay ahead of all competitors defensively. All of this adds up to a winning formula, and first-year head coach Dexter Copeland has the energy, fire and drive to get it all done. Oh, and he also has a talented stock of weapons on both sides of the ball. On offense, the team will be led by fast-rising quarterback DeAndre Thomas, who took over duties late last season, and who showed flashes of brilliance in the post season. The Braves will need to overcome the bumps

and bruises they recently sustained in their disappointing scrimmage versus Wilkinson County in the annual Jamboree at Baldwin High Stadium. Baldwin’s offense will need to “hold on to the ball” and prevent costly penalties in order to be successful. With senior Altovise Harris at running back and the likes of senior linebacker Janerio Bonnor and junior linebacker Jose Solomon manning the defense along with All-everything defensive end Kitray Solomon, Baldwin could surprise many this season. “We have tons of linebackers. Javon Griswold, Janerrio Bonnor and Jose Solomon will be our starting three lineback-

ers. We are lucky to have depth at that position. We will play at least five during any point during a game,” said Copeland, who previously had a successful stint at Twiggs County. The key to their season could lie in their opening Region 2-AAA matchup with Central from Macon. This game along with the Sept. 10 game versus Westside (2-AAA) will probably set the tone for Baldwin’s season. West Laurens and the remaining 2-AAA slate will provide plenty of competition for the Braves as they try to establish defensive superiority early, and perhaps get things clicking on offense. “It’s going to be fun.

Continued below

Back in the Game

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All my surgeries and procedures atORMC went very smoothly from check in through discharge. I felt that my recovery was their priority. I can’t say enough about my physician who has given me a new lease on life. Haven Morrison Eatonton, GA The service was excellent and the physical therapists at Oconee Regional were exceptional! My physician is an excellent and caring physician. The nurses were very caring and attended to my needs. Louise Etheridge McIntyre, GA The attention that was given to me as a patient and to my wife was amazing. After my knee replacement, I was playing golf in six weeks. It’s like getting a new lease on life. Hiram Wilson Mableton, GA

Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder

FULL MOTION: Dexter Copeland said Baldwin’s offense will be 50/50 in 2010.

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52 Sheromz Pounds 53 John Widby 54 Meshack Brown 55 Wydelric Denson 56 Quincy Price 57 Brandon McClain 58 Khaliyq Sousa 59 Gary Dupree 60 Ryan Adams 61 Lamarcus Tuft 62 Sterling Steele 63 Willie Culver 64 Derrick Washington 65 Quartavious Mallory 66 Antraun Grable 67 Thaddeus Robinson 68 Jasper Milner 69 Damekius Harper 70 Rhett Hudson 71 Brandon Beard 72 Jerome Butts 73 Garrison Hogan 74 Justin Jones 75 Jerrell Saulsbury 76 Qwantavious Butts 77 Carl Hartry 78 Shamar Lattimore 79 Linton Lattimore 81 Kavaski Robinson 82 Danqune Havior 84 Tremmon Dixon 85 Cameron Jackson 86 Quinshon Henderson 87 Courvoisius Scott 88 Chris Butts 89 Patrick Glover NA Damon Driskell NA Shatavius Scott NA Patrick Glover NA Quinton Barfield NA Brian Pruett NA John Patterson NA Keandre Reaves

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Jamar Johnson Chris Sealy Jaques Daughtry DeAndre Thomas Altovise Harris Lamarcus Brown Roshaun Miline Donte Beckham Will Ruark Antonio Havior Senario Davis Bryan Mosley Tyler Franklin Derrick Burnett Marcus English Myles Faulk Jesstin Washington Tyler Edwards Deon Kelsey Delquavius Shinholster Musiah Robinson Eddie Jones Kitray Solomon Johnny Havior Quinton Hood Ernest Horne Shurron Havior Floyd Candy Joseph Macklin Jeremy Pinkston Quovadus English Atavious Brown Janerio Bonner Jose Solomon Jaycarus Harper Kentarius Cooper Tyrone Dawson Shavon Griswold Jaitavius Jackson Correy French Malaquias Alexander Fredrick Leslie Demetrius Davis Quntrez Farley

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Defensively, we are going to be good. Offensively, we are going to be a no huddle team. We are going to throw the football and we are going to run it. We are going to be 50/50,” said Copeland. When 2010 is all said and done, Baldwin’s season could come down to how well their defense can shut teams down, and how well their offense can protect the ball. They will also need to control the clock. “All it’s going to take is hard work, dedication, everybody coming to practice, staying focused and everybody must stay out of trouble,” said Kitray Solomon.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

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GMC Prep Bulldogs

Head Coach: Brad Owens Classification: GHSA Region 7-A Last Season’s Record: 3-7 2010 Prediction: 2-8 Bulletin Board Material!

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Strong Rock Christian Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Prince Avenue Christian Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. versus TBA Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. versus Baconton Charter Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. versus Towns County Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Jeff Davis Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. versus Hebron Christian Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. versus Glascock County Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. versus Lakeview Academy Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at North Cobb Christian

Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder

TOUGH AS NAILS: GMC Prep’s season will depend on how well its defense holds up.

The Union-Recorder Expectations are high at GMC Prep where the team hopes to ascend from their 3-7 finish a year ago. Second-year head coach Brad Owens has been a tireless workhorse during the offseason, and even blew out his vocal chords during a motivational rally with students and parents. The Bulldogs worked on building their depth, overall conditioning and team strength during the summer, but the team suffered some emotional bumps and bruises in their preseason scrimmage with Double-A Monticello. The Bulldogs will travel to Strong Rock Christian Aug. 27 and face a team that finished 4-7 a year ago. GMC Prep matches up well with Strong Rock and will need to come out confident and firedup in order to have a chance to win. GMC Prep will also need to come out and establish superiority on defense. “Defensively, we’ve got a lot more depth and a lot more competition. So, there’s some real battles at certain spots that there haven’t been in the past years. I just think the level of competition is increasing for us — our intensity and physicalness,” said defensive coordinator Steven Simpson. “They are getting bigger and are getting faster. Guys are also looking out for each other. When one guy makes a mistake the other guy picks him up. They always encourage each other in a constructive manner. They want to be successful.” Owens wasn’t very pleased after the

Bulldogs’ recent scrimmage with Monticello, and hopes the team will continue to work hard — and build their mental toughness as well as their physicality. “I was disappointed in the half in the fourth quarter. They hurt us with the option early on. They had a really tough running back and he just kept breaking tackles,” s a i d

Owens. “We played poorly in the fourth quarter, and that comes down to conditioning. We are going to take it as what it was — a learning experience. We are going to figure out what is wrong and we are going to fix it.”

Rhett Harrison

On offense, the Bulldogs will be relying heavily on junior quarterback Ray Mosley, sophomore running back Taylor Payne, and bruising freshman fullback Hunter Harding, who really stood out on both sides of the ball during the summer. Junior running back Justin Parham has also looked like a gamebreaker during the summer and will give the Bulldog’s another homerun threat from the backfield to compliment Payne. GMC Prep is strict when it comes to special teams, and none come any better than returning All-State punter Joseph McAllister, who also stars as one of GMC Prep’s primary deep threats at receiver. The Bulldogs will need McAllister’s leg to pin opponents deep and will also need for him to

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MARKEL JONES WAYNE GRIFFIN REKARCHIE GRIFFIN AUSTIN SPEAR ANDREUS WARTHEN JOSEPH MACALLISTER RAY MOSLEY AARON BROWN RYAN PARHAM CHAD FREEMAN TIM SEO BILLY WHITLOCK BLAKE BROWN CHASE BLOODWORTH DELARRION MILNER MANQUEZ WARTHEN JUSTIN PARHAM TAYLOR PAYNE DREW REECE COLBY LAWRENCE JUSTIN SHEPPARD HUNTER HARDING MALIK BRADLEY JAMARCUS JARRETT ZOE LUMPKIN PARIS CONSTANTINIDIS JORDAN EASTERWOOD LETHERREO WOMBLE

connect with Mosley on a few deep balls. Senior linebacker Skyler Walker has also made a name for himself and will probably emerge as one of the

QUAN WRIGHT DALVIN GRABLE IAN BAILEY WYATT MEDLIN COLE VEAL KEVIN KIRBY TAYLOR BEDDINGFIELD NATHAN WELDON DANIEL AMERSON WESLEY ZANT HUNTER MIMS DJ CLAYTON JOHN GRANT JOHN BETHEA JACOB RUSSELL CONNER SMITH SPENCER TYSON DEVONTA WALKER JARED SOWELL TJ CLARK SKYLAR WALKER KYLE TUCKER JOSH BROWN ELLIOT FAIRBRASS JALEN SMITH TYLER PENNINGTON BEN CRAWLEY NATHAN THOMPSON SINJON SOWELL

unit’s most vocal leaders. All in all, if GMC Prep can control the clock on offense, prevent opposing teams from gaining large chunks of yardage,

eliminate turnovers and penalties, and continue to play with the same fire and enthusiasm they had this summer, this could be a magical year.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

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JMA Trojans

Head Coach: Don Marchman Classification: GISA Region 1-AAA Last Season’s Record: 0-11 Bulletin Board Material! 2010 Prediction: 1-10

2010 SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Gatewood School Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Windsor Academy Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Brentwood School Friday, Sept. 17 versus 7:30 p.m. Griffin Christian Friday, Sept. 24 versus 7:30 p.m. versus Mt Vernon Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 PM versus Dominion Christian Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 PM at Holy Spirit Prep Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 PM at Tattnall Square (1-IAAA) Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 PM at Mount de Sales Friday, Nov. 5 versus Stratford Academy

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Josh Harrison Trent Thiel Cooper Morgan Wicker Tuten Ryan Blizzard Rhett Blizzard Frankie Hines Joseph Beasley Michael Lewis Derren McGiboney Logan Brookins Heath Roberts Jon Thrower Tommy Pittman Tyler Arthur J.T. Stevens Dalton Rogers Jesse Deariso Brandon Bush Ray Pittman Gavin Kopel Nick Reeves Blake Harrington Granger Harpe Ben Bentley Will Lovins Wynn Owen Joseph Young Heath McDonald B.T. Walters

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Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder

READY TO WIN: JMA’s talent and depth on the line of scrimmage has drastically improved since 2009.

The Union-Recorder Can JMA climb out of the cellar in 2010? Will there line hold up as the season progresses? These are just a few of the questions being tossed about by diehard JMA followers as their season opener with Gatewood Thursday night kicks off prep football for Baldwin County. Baldwin and GMC Prep will kickoff Friday, Aug. 27. JMA has arguably the deepest and most experienced quarterback roster in the county. The team has been going with junior Ryan Blizzard in the summer, but also have heralded transfer Wicker Tuten from south Georgia to throw into the mix. Tuten was considered a strong candidate for the starting position before he went down with an injury a few weeks ago. Blizzard and senior Derren McGiboney will both use their quickness and abilities to keep the Trojans in the mix early on. Playing Gatewood on the road to open the

season won’t be easy, but then again, the Trojans have nothing to lose. “We are going to try to come out and establish the run. I felt like last year we got down early and then went to throw and throw and throw. There were some good things we got out of the passing game last year that we want to utilize this year,” said associate head coach J.T. Wall. “J.T. Stevens looked real good at fullback. This year we want want to establish the run and get things going. We are probably going to be a tailback by committee. Cooper Morgan has looked good. Heath Roberts looks good, young Tommy Pittman looks good. We also want to look at Derren McGiboney at the position.” JMA’s offensive speed should improve when Tuten returns. “The whole offense will change when Wicker comes back. We have to applaud Derren, he’s like our Omar Infante (utility

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player with the Atlanta Braves) — he can do pretty much anything and can play several positions.” Senior Josh Harrison could turn out to be a deep threat at wideout. “He’s a tall, athletic guy that is not afraid to go up and get the ball. He can jump. John Thrower and Tyler Arthur are at tight end. The line also looks good,” said Wall. JMA also added Granger Harpe, a much needed transfer from Baldwin High. Harpe is tall and has the overall size and ability to really give the Trojans a boost on the offensive and defensive front. “I think we are doing a better job of flying to the ball, and trying to be more aggressive. I think in summer camp we progressed in that regard,” said defensive coordinator Gary Sanders. “We’ve had several guys step up and try to earn playing time.” Among those were Cooper Morgan, a sophomore that has been standing out at defensive end. “We’ve got to find out who is going to step forward and do the job for us,” said Sanders. “J.T. Stevens is looking good at linebacker, and Josh Harrison is doing a great job in the secondary flying to the ball. Sanders also mentioned that two-way lineman Brandon Bush is also looking good at end, and that Ryan Blizzard is looking sharp at the strong safety position. “Junior B.T. Walters also stepped up and made some plays for us. We’ve just got to get more consistency out of all of them,” said Sanders. “Stevens, McGiboney, Harrison and Frankie Hines are all taking on that leadership roll this year. We need that leadership from our seniors.”

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

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John Hancock Rebels Head Coach: Steve James Classification: GISA Region 1-A Last Season’s Record: 0-10 2010 Prediction: 2-8

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Fullington Academy Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Gatewood School Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Crisp Academy Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. versus Covenant Academy Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Briarwood Academy Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. versus Curtis Baptist Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at David Emanuel Academy Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. versus Memorial Day School Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. versus Nathanael Greene

ROSTER Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder

PURE HEART: John Hancock may surprise some opponents under the tutelage of first-year head coach Steve James.

The Union-Recorder In a preseason scrimmage versus John Milledge Academy, the John Hancock Rebels proved to be a very physical opponent on a raindrenched Trojan Field. Although their numbers appeared scant, it was clear right off the bat that the Rebels are going to be a competitive opponent for anyone this season. GISA Region 1-A John Hancock, coached this year by Steve James, finished 3-7 last season and will probably do about the same this year. The team will be led by a tight-knit group of seniors who have played together for several years now, even

though they are blessed with a talented nucleus of seniors. The line will feature veteran seniors Justin B a t c h e l o r, Dustin Boone, M i c h a e l Branch and John Sanders. The team will rely on their stingy line to open up gaping holes for Evan Butcher, Clate Hollinshead, Jamie Johnston, Chris McCoy and Cody Norrod. Sophomore Mitchell Wheeler will also help the team from the wideout position. If the team is able to overcome their low numbers and depth, there could be a reason to smile at John Hancock this season.

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Justin Batchelor Dustin Boone Michael Branch Evan Butcher Clate Hollinshead Jamie Johnston Chris McCoy Cody Norrod John Sanders Tanner Burks Tyler Munsey Mitchell Wheeler Zachary Poss

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Hancock Central Bulldogs Head Coach: Zackery Harris Classification: GHSA Region 7-A Last Season’s Record: 1-9 2010 Prediction: 2-8

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Greene County (L 34-6) Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. versus Putnam County Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Social Circle Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Aquinas Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Twiggs County Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln County Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. versus Washington-Wilkes Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Warren County Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. versus Wilkinson County Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. versus Glascock County

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Wayne Griffin

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Andreus Warthen

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Marcus Walker

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James Wanambwa

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Xavier French

RB DB

Dontavious Lowe

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Lemarcus Lewis

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Sabryan Timmons

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Cameron Brown

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Joseph Grier

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Sanford Pearson

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Justin Brookins

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Oshea Wanambwa

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Kinjarvis Tripp

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Thaddeus Walker

Deonte Franklin

Kentarious Smith

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VETERAN PLAYERS: Hancock Central will be relying on the likes of wideout Marcus Walker this season.

The Union-Recorder Hancock Central head coach Zackery Harris, who graduated himself from H a n c o c k Central in 1995, will continue in his roll as chief motivator of the team in 2010 after a 2009 campaign in which they only won one game. The Bulldogs boast several veteran players at their skill positions, from senior Vontavious Howell at running back (currently out with an injury), and seniors

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Alden Lawson and James Wanambwa at wideout. The team will also sport several juniors and seniors on the offensive and defensive fronts, according to Harris. Last season’s Bulldogs squeaked through the season and were only able to capture one victory, but that will change in 2010 when Hancock Central has a chance to play the role of spoiler in several games The team is also expected to get help from some its underclassmen. “Deonte Franklin, a sophomore, is our starting running back. He should be pretty good there this year,” said Harris via telephone. “We have only 35 players and that’s putting a strain on us as far as depth. Justin Brookins will anchor the offensive line. Kentarious Smith is a senior and he’ll help out there

also,” said Harris.” Alden Lawson will be playing outside linebacker and tight end for us.” Hancock also features a transfer from B a l d w i n , Kamerick Wilson, and he’s expected to help out at the cornerback position. Harris added that the team is leaner this year due to some players transferring elsewhere. “We had about six kids go to Georgia Military. That really hurt us. Wayne Griffin, our quarterback last season, he transferred also,” he said. “They are a small group of seniors, they’ve been playing since their freshman year. Most of them played as freshman.” Although their schedule is rough, Hancock Central should be able to notch some victories, and could surprise some people with their team speed. “Two teams we can really play with are Glascock and Warrenton in terms of numbers. Everybody else is pretty big and generally pretty good every year,” said Harris. On a side note: Hancock Central lost their season opener at Greene County, 34-6, and are now 0-1 on the year.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

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Putnam Co. War Eagles Head Coach: Ben Reaves Classification: GHSA Region 4-AA Last Season’s Record: 8-3 2010 Prediction: 8-3

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Hancock Central Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Dublin Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. versus Crawford County Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Southwest, Macon Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. versus Lamar County Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Greene County Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. versus Morgan County Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Monticello Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. versus Pike County Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Northeast, Macon

Contributed photo

MORE BEEF: The Putnam County football team worked hard in the offseason to improve their overall team strength.

The Union-Recorder Putnam County tied for first in Region 4-AA in 2009 and could do the same in 2010. Head coach Ben Reaves was all smiles when discussing the potential his team has this season. “I feel good about our senior group. It’s the first four-year group I’ve had. They are competitive, hard workers and have always done a great job for us,” said Reaves. “We are excited about our starters and depth. Our backups, we are looking to get them where they need to be.” The 2010 War Eagles will also have one primary team strength. “Our unity throughout the years has been our team strength, and experiencing winning last year. Our kids left that last game hungry. We hope they pick that up this year with that same hunger,” said Reaves.

Putnam County finished 8-3 last season, but wants to get further in the playoffs this year. “We have a few goals — win all our home games, win our region championship and go to state. We want to win every fourth quarter,” said Reaves. Like all the teams featured in this year’s U-R Prep Football Explosion, Putnam County will count a lot on its core group of senior leaders. “We have some great senior leadership. Linemen Cameron Harper, Vontarious Wesley at tackle, quarterback Nick Burke and our tailbacks are all returning,” said Reaves. “Our receiving corps? We’ve got four or five guys there. Defensively we are excited about our linebacking position. In the secondary we have some young guys working there. Charleston Reed at safety is a head-hunter and does a great job for us.”

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Gatewood Gators Head Coach: Gene Harper Classification: GISA Region 1-AA Last Season’s Record: 7-4 2010 Prediction: 8-3

The Union-Recorder

2010 SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 pm. versus John Milledge Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at John Hancock Academy Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Stratford Academy Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 PM at Nathanael Greene Friday, Sept. 24 versus Robert Toombs Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Westminster Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Brentwood School Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. versus Central Fellowship Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. versus Edmund Burke Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Piedmont Academy

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Hunter Moore Isaac Ringer Conner Richter Cal Taylor John Taylor Chandler Shearon Jackson Turner Ross Coleman Hampton Clark Damian Bacon Cline Wooten Trevor Bowden Evan Harris Sam Trammell Jared Spivey Joe Welch Ryan Powell Alexander Sills Dylan Reynolds Kyle McElhannon Cody Copelan Kaleb Fedelem Nash Cullens Chase Montgomery Josh Dugan Jarred Camp Clay Porter

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Tyler McLemore Scott Schneider Dylan Harris Cody Rewis

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74 75 77

Gatewood head coach Gene Harper has 96 career wins heading into this season, so it shouldn’t take long for him to hit a special milestone before the season is over. The team finished 7-4 last season, but could be even better this year. “Our quarterback is a senior, John Taylor, and he throws the ball well. He’s going to be a good leader on the team,” said Harper. “We return most of our offensive line except for a couple. Our junior tailback Ross Coleman is back, and we have wideout Isaac Ringer, 6-3.”

Harper didn’t hide what his offense will be doing, and what successful offenses strive to do. “Hopefully we can run and throw the ball this year. We are a 50/50 team,” said Harper. Harper also added that his defensive front is coming along after losing seven starters last season. “We have three or four who have started. We hope they get plenty of reps and know their assignments. That’s one of the things they’ve worked on since the fall,” he said. Gatewood is moving back down to GISA AA this year and will face

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the likes of Brentwood, Piedmont and Edmund Burke. “We played for the state championship in 1988 and lost, and then won it all in 1990. So it’s been 20 years,” said Harper. “We’ve made it to the final four a couple times after that.” Harper is excited about his Thursday opener with JMA and feels his team, as well as area fans will be ready. “Hopefully, we will have a big crowd from all the other schools who aren’t playing. When we dropped back down to double A we decided to make it the first game of the year,” said Harper. “Piedmont says they are our biggest rivalry. John Milledge also says we are their biggest rivalry. I think we play a rival team every two weeks.” Gatewood’s coach stated that the program is on the rise, and the younger generation are looking primed and ready to do great things in the future as well. “We are striving right now to build the program back up. We have 52 boys in our C-Team program. We have about 110 kids in our football program right now,” said Harper. “We know we have to work hard in this region, Piedmont, Edmund Burke and Brentwood all went to the final four last year. The top four teams go, and that’s our goal — to make the state playoffs.”

Gatewood

Go Gators! 1010 Town Creek Blvd. Greensboro, GA (706) 453-2454 • (706) 347-2591 www.greensborotire.net

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

PREP FOOTBALL

Greene County Tigers 2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 20 versus Hancock Central (W 34-6)

Head Coach: Charles Winslette Classification: GHSA Region 4-AA Last Season’s Record: 4-7 2010 Prediction: 6-5

Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. versus Hephzibah Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Pike County Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. versus Northeast, Macon Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Southwest, Macon Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. versus Putnam County Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. versus Crawford County Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. versus Monticello Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Lamar County Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Morgan County

Contributed photo

GOOD START: Greene County flattened Hancock Central in their season opener Aug. 20, 34-6.

The Union-Recorder The Greene County Tigers have a shot at a winning season in 2010, but they will have to get by the likes of Putnam County, Lamar County and Hephizibah. Greene County last captured a region championship in 2005 (7-AA) when they were led by current Georgia Tech star quarterback Josh Nesbitt. The school is blessed to have back at the helm head coach Charles Winslette, who coached at the school from 19891993, leading the team to the Class AA state championship in his final year at the school. Winslette took over for Larry Milligan in 2009. Greene County is currently off and running on the right foot after steam-rolling Hancock Central 34-6 in their season opener Aug. 20. The Tigers will next host Hephzibah Aug. 27. In his career, Winslette has recorded 24 winning seasons, has had teams post at least 10 victories in nine seasons and had one undefeated campaign in 1985, when his West Rome Chieftains went 15-0 and won the Class A state crown. Winslette is his own offensive coordinator, and has installed the Wing-T offense. The Tigers won a state title under Winslette in 1993. He was 47-18-1 in Greensboro from 19891993.

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GOOD LUCK to all of the area schools! Have a safe & awesome season!

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

PREP FOOTBALL

Nathanael Greene Patriots Head Coach: Larry Harrison Classification: GISA Region 1-A Last Season’s Record: 9-3 2010 Prediction: 8-4

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. versus Piedmont Academy Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Crisp Academy Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. versus Gatewood School Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Briarwood Academy Friday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. versus Memorial Day School Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at David Emanuel Academy Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. versus Curtis Baptist Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. versus Covenant Academy Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. John Hancock Academy

ROSTER PLAYER

POS.

WEIGHT

Tanner Underwood RB/DB

Fresh

140

Colt Smith

OT/DT

Soph

250

Micah Stewart

RB/DB

Senior

150

Rhett Mobley

FB/S

Soph

160

Chris Brown

RB/DB

Junior

140

Mason Adams

OT/DT

Fresh

175

Kevin Cervantes

OT/DT

Fresh

185

Willie Burt

OT/DT

Senior

185

Adam Burden

OT/DT

Junior

210

Jamie Burt

OG/LB

Senior

175

Bailey Vandiver

OG/DT

Fresh

145

Aric Hanson

OG/OT/DE Junior

170

Ben Holcomb

QB/RB/DB Junior

140

Brad Thackston

C/DT

Junior

138

Jay Long

TE/RB/DE Junior

150

Dillion Ray

FB/LB

Senior

165

Pete Peugh

OT/DT

Fresh

175

Nathaniel Green

Good Luck Patriots! 1010 Town Creek Blvd. Greensboro, GA (706) 453-2454 • (706) 347-2591 www.greensborotire.net

Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder

FINESSE TEAM: Nathanael Greene will find a way to score the upset win.

The Union-Recorder Nathanael Greene head football coach Larry Harrison knows a thing or two about building winners, and he also recognizes that his team’s 2010 schedule is a doozy. “There you have it. One brutal schedule that the weak at heart may want to ignore,” said Harrison on his website. The Patriots open up with Piedmont, one of the toughest AA teams in the state, and then travel to Crisp Academy the following week. After a bye week, the Patriots will c h a l l e n g e Gatewood at home Sept. 17. “They are one of the top AA teams in the state and are just sneaking into “AA” from “AAA” by a couple of students — but whose counting? — Right?,” said Harrison on his website.

Nathanael Greene’s region opener will come against Briarwood Sept. 24. “One of the best teams we'll see all year,” said Harrison. Next up for Nathanael Greene will be s i n g l e - A Memorial Day, who won the double-A State Championship last year. The Patriots will close out their schedule with David E m a n u e l , T h o m a s Jefferson, C o v e n e n t C h r i s t i a n (Macon), and finish their regular season versus John H a n c o c k Academy.. “ [ J o h n Hancock} is the fightingest bunch of country boys around! A must to be prepared for,” said Harrison. Coach Harrison concluded his third year at Nathanael Greene as a 2004 Region Champion and State Runner-Up, a 2005 State Semi-finalist, and a 2006 State Semi-finalist.

Kickoff the Season Right! Best of luck to all of the area football teams!

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

PREP FOOTBALL

Morgan County Bulldogs Head Coach: Bill Malone Classification: GHSA Region 4-AA Last Season’s Record: 1-9 2010 Prediction: 2-8

2010 SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Walnut Grove Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. versus Avondale Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. versus Monticello Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Lamar County Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Northeast, Macon Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Putnam County Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. versus Pike County Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Crawford County Friday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. versus Southwest, Macon Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. versus Greene County

ROSTER Photos by the Morgan County Citizen

THE BIG QUESTION: Will Morgan County finish better than 1-9 this season?

The Union-Recorder The Morgan County Bulldogs, under the guidance of head coach Bill Malone, have nowhere to go but up in 2010. The team sports over 80 players on their active roster, and there is a feeling around M o r g a n County that this could be the year to believe. The 2009 Bulldogs finished the season 1-9, with their lone win being a 14-0 defeat of Jackson County. Morgan County’s toughest opponents in 2010 will be versus Avondale, Putnam County and Lamar County. The team returns seven players on offense, and six on defense and this should bode well as the Bulldogs slug

their way throughout the season. Key returning starters for Morgan County include senior running back Antwan Carter and senior quarterback JD Hawkins. Senior offensive lineman Conner Perry also returns and will anchor the line. According to MaxPreps.com Morgan County’s strength’s include senior leadership, strong sophomore class, and a tough offseason strength and conditioning. The site lists “young linemen” as the team’s primary weakness. T h e Bulldogs have the shear size and numbers to improve this season, and their opener versus Walnut Grove will reveal much more about the team and their ambitions in 2010. Morgan County last won a region championship (8A-AA) in 2007.

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NO PLAYER

Nick Simmons

44 Casey Kiplinger

Garrett Mozingo

45 Jason Dowdell

AJ Smith

46 Jake Miles

Terrance Heard

48 Dalton Fulcher

Cody Lovin

49 Wyatt Martin

Zack Shepperd

50 Jon Bone

Drew Stapleton

51 Bryce Kiepper

Curtis Perryman

52 Tevin Waller

JD Hawkins

53 Jonathan Chewing

10 Antwon Carter

54 Jacob Bobo

11 Desmon Williams

55 Bailey Ross

12 Davon Gibbs

56 Gerald Reid

13 Kahdeem Chisolm

57 Zack Jenkins

14 Marcus Ross

58 Drew McHugh

15 Quinton Smith

59 Corey Eaton

17 Trenton Hawk

60 Garrett Vick

18 Drew Hale

62 Dustin Taylor

19 Carter Shultz

63 JD Hubbard

20 CJ Smith

64 Zack Mayo

21 Tyler Efird

65 Travis Adams

22 Andrew Couch

66 Austin Ross

23 Michael Gray

67 Ladarius Walker

24 Stewart Spence

68 Conner Perry

25 Bill Payne

70 Ray Smith

26 Adam Knight

71 Will Collier

27 Marquis Leary

74 Dakota Shelton

28 Alex Baldwin

75 Jason Shelton

29 Taylor Gage

76 Ethan Finch

30 Campbell Harrison

77 Tevin Lowe

31 Latavious Burton

78 Tanner Hamilton

32 Donta Moore

79 Jackson Beckham

33 Deondre Williams

80 Justice Chapman

34 CJ Henson

81 Melvin Davis

35 Nyeijuan Mack

82 Mark Knight

36 Marquis Benton

83 Robert Shook

37 Ryan McSherry

84 Trey Eaton

38 Grayson Segrest

85 Justis Ogletree

39 Jontavious Cox

86 Andrew Behrendsen 12

40 Ben Scoggin

88 Demarius Brinkley

41 Chase Reid

89 DJ King

42 CJ Lowe

91 Jacob McAlister

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

NJCAA FOOTBALL

GMC JC Bulldogs Head Coach: Bert Williams Classification: NJCAA Last Season’s Record: 6-5 Bulletin Board Material! 2010 Prediction: 6-5

2010 SCHEDULE Saturday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at Navarro College Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. versus Snow College Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. versus N.C. Tech Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Arkansas Baptist Saturday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. versus Southeast Prep Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. TBA (Davenport Field) Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. at Grand Rapids CC Saturday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. at Louisburg College Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. versus Jacksonville Univ. Saturday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. at Lackawana College

ROSTER NAME POS Anderson, D'Iano LB Baker, Kevin WR Barfield, Quanta DB Barnes, James OL Bing, James WR Black, Josh FB Bodiford, Jermyrin FS Boone, Quentarvius CB Brice, Jarvis LB Broome, Kaleb OL Brown, Alex DOG Brown, Deontae OL Brown, Rashard OL Cantey, Rick OL Chambliss, Devin DL Coleman, Akeimos DL Coleman, DeWaine CB Collins, Evan RB Cooper, Jamal WR Davenport, Kevin WR Davis, Barry LS Davis, Joseph WR Dawson, Bernard LB Dixon, Damian CB Dobson, Marquice CB Dwyer, Neal OL Edwards, JaVontae RB Encardes, Paul FB Few, Daniel RB Fields, Jalen DL Foston, Ulysses “D.J.” WR Freeman, Caleb OL Freeman, Fran-cot CB Fuller, Calvin DB Gallman, Martinez CB Grant, Terome WR Gunn, D'Mario DOG Hall, Josh PK Harris, Josh RB Hawkins, Demery LB Hughes, Bernardis CB Hunter, Fre'Shad DL Jackson, Kentorius DOG James, Micah OL James, Rashad QB Jenkins, Sterling OL Johnson, Brandon DE Jones, Justin OL Knight, Tyler TE Lewis, X'Zayvious OL Lipscomb, Chris DB Loschizki, Valeri DE Lovett, Marquis LB Mack, Glenn Jr. DB Mallory, Qwontez LB McCrary, William DB McCrary, Willie LB McCullers, Daniel DL McKinney, Brandon TE Middlebrooks, A.G. RB Mitchell, Terrell TE Mitchum, Antonio LB Neely, Jarrett WR Nelson, Darvell OL Nix, David WR Outlaw, Lonnie WR Owens, Chris FS Peters, Elijah RB Pollin, Randee CB Prince, Rashon WR Resby, Tabrian LB Roberts, Michael QB Robinson, R.J. RB Sally, Brant FS Shaddix, Dylan QB Shell, DeAndre OL Simmons, Quayshon LB Skelton, Demazio FS Smith, Anthony DL Spence, Blake P Spivey, Brad DE Stowers, Keon DL Thomas, Naeem DB Trahan, Breland LB Tyler, Jamal RB Vick, Leroy DE Washington, Corey Jr. WR Washington, Demetrius CB Watson, David CB Watts, Khiry CB Wigfall, Adrian WR Williams, Jonathan DL Williams, Rodney RB

HT 6'1 5'10 5'7.5 6'2 5'9 6'3 5'11 5'10 6'2 6'6 5'9 5'9 6'2 6'4 6'2.5 6'4 5'10 5'10 6'2 6'2 6'3 6'4 5'11.5 5'9 5'9 6'3 5'7 5'11 6'1 6'6 6' 6'2 5'11 6'3 5'11 5'11 5'11 5'11 5'11 6'0 5'9 6'4 6'1.5 6'5 6'1 6'2 6'6 6'6 6'5 6'5 6'0 6'5 NA 5'11 6'2 6' 6' 6'6 6'5 5'9 6'6 6'2 5'10 6'6 5'11 6'8 6'2 6' 6'1 6'2 5'10.5 6'0 6'2 6'2 6'3 6'1 6'1 6'1 6'0 5'10 6'3 6'3 5'10 6'1 5'11 6'6 6'5 5'11 6'1 5'10 5'9 6'5 6'0

WT 222 160 180 300 156 220 177 170 225 310 190 286 301 326 246 274 160 200 193 210 225 180 195 178 170 270 186 224 235 256 182 296 178 195 163 155 175 182 185 228 172 247 182 325 165 308 250 295 247 320 188 260 NA 207 205 191 188 391 262 202 240 228 185 360 170 197 196 237 190 180 215 187 212 193 223 303 183 185 233 245 265 265 199 195 170 275 196 169 175 169 145 215 200

HOMETOWN Jonesboro, GA Summerville, SC Madison, FL Columbia, SC Augusta, GA Milledgeville, GA Cairo, GA Macon, GA Monroe, GA Aiken, SC Lilburn, GA Lawrenceville, GA Kissimmee, FL Manning, SC Forsyth, GA Washington, GA St. Mary's, GA Morganton, GA Hull, GA Hephzibah, GA Grovetown, GA Aiken, SC Jacksonville, FL Hartsville, SC Jefferson, FL Lawrenceville, GA Milledgeville, GA Trion, GA Lithia Springs, GA Dalton, GA Milledgeville, GA Arlington, GA Athens, GA Aiken, SC Edgefield, SC Brunswick, GA Hampton, GA Ladson, SC Leesville, SC Lyons, GA Irwinton, GA Apex, NC Griffin, GA Hoschton, GA Swainsboro, GA Columbia, SC Augusta, GA Augusta, GA Leesburg, GA Waycross, GA Flowery Branch, GA Duesseldorf, Germany Norcross, GA Waverly, GA Albany, GA Moultrie, GA Moultrie, GA Garner, NC Lawrenceville, GA Lincolnton, GA Hiram, GA Hemingway, SC Rock Hill, SC Franklin, GA Monroe, GA Rochelle, GA Hephzibah, GA Mobile, AL Columbia, SC Toms River, NJ Athens, GA Kings Mountain, NC Moncks Corner, SC Goose Creek, SC McDonough, GA Goose Creek, SC Gordon, GA Myrtle Beach, SC Tignall, GA Macon, GA Myrtle Beach, SC Rock Hill, SC Ellenwood, GA Lawrenceville, GA Rock Hill, SC Elm City, NC Charleston, SC Aiken, SC Cameron, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Lexington, SC Edgefield, SC College Park, GA

Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder HIGH SCHOOL Mt. Zion Summerville Madison County Keenan Laney Baldwin Cairo Westside Cedar Shoals Aiken Berkmar Collins Hill Osceola Manning Mary Persons Washington-Wilkes Camden County Fannin County Madison County Glenn Hills Harlem South Aiken Andrew Jackson Hartsville Jefferson County Berkmar Baldwin Lafayette Harvester Christian Dalton Baldwin Early County Cedar Shoals Lucy Laney Strom Thurmond Glynn Academy Luella Fort Dorchester Batesburg-Leesville Toombs County Wilkinson County Cary Griffin Mill Creek Swainsboro Keenan Westside Lucy Laney Lee County Ware County Flowery Branch NA Norcross Camden County Dougherty Colquitt County Colquitt County Southeast Raleigh Riverside Military Lincoln County McEachern Hemingway Northwestern Heard County Monroe Area Wilcox County Hephzibah Spanish Fort Toms River East Cedar Shoals Kings Mountain Berkeley County Stratford Henry County Goose Creek Wilkinson County Myrtle Beach Washington-Wilkes Tatnall Square Myrtle Beach Northwestern Mays Peachtree Ridge Rock Hill Fike North Charleston Aiken Calhoun County Myrtle Beach Lexington Strom Thurmond Franklin Pierce

TALL TARGET: GMC JC will have the benefit of throwing the ball to 6-foot, 8inch Lonnie Outlaw out of Wilcox Co. Outlaw was also signed by UGA.

The Union-Recorder Will this be the year for the GMC JC Bulldogs? Will they slither out of the pit of mediocrity and find their way back into the bowl picture? The Bulldogs travel to Corsicana, Texas for their season opener Sept. 4 versus Top 10 Navarro, before their home opener Sept. 11 versus Top 5 ranked Snow, a game that could turn out to be the game of the year. There is no doubt the Bulldogs have the talent to defeat anybody this season. Perhaps the biggest question mark is at quarterback, where they lost two starters and will work with several newcomers to see who has what it takes to get the job done. “We just have to find out which quarterback can handle the pressure. Two guys went through spring that showed some capabilities. Signee Dylan Shaddix was a good quarterback in high school. He’s in the mix,” said GMC JC head coach Bert Williams. Williams stated that his skill positions are still pretty solid and that the offense will need to go with what’s best for the team. “We have to be willing to adapt our offense to what our tools allow us to be good at. Our offense is different — we

don’t have the experience we had a year ago,” said Williams. “We have a strong group at running back, but we need to find our quarterback. We have a good tight end group and a good receiver group.” The GMC JC defense is as good as any, and most teams won’t be able to just run the ball against them. “I feel like we have the tools to be a very good team. The defense should be pretty strong. We have experience and talent and we have some good signees as well. We have the chance to make a strong unit even stronger,” said Williams. The Bulldog offensive line should also be a formidable bunch once they all come together. “We are still trying to evaluate that on the offensive side. One guy who has made tremendous improvements is (6-foot, 6-inch) Kaleb Broome, who has already committed to an SEC school. He’s done a fine job in the classroom and in workouts. He had an injury that slowed him down but he’s back to 100 percent,” said Williams. “Micah James is another big, tall offensive lineman for us. He had a slow start, but he really worked hard in the offseason. He dropped weight and improved his speed.” Williams said offensive lineman Rick Canty

GOOD LUCK & Have A GREAT SEASON!

Wilkinson Title Pawn

from Manning, S.C. seems to be motivated to do great things, and from an athletic and explosiveness standpoint is probably the best. “Big (6-foot, 6-inch) Darvell Nelson is also a big body out there and he can move some meat for us,” said Williams. At defensive end, AllAmerican candidate Leroy Vick is coming off ACL surgery but is close to being back to 100 percent, which bodes well for the Bulldogs. “Brad Spivey at the other end is one of our most consistent good players on the line. Brandon Johnson can also do some big things,” said Williams. [UGA recruit] Jalen Fields is also a big body and packs a lot of punch. He will do some big things for us. Keon Stowers is a converted linebacker and is super quick at that position.” Williams is also excited about big Daniel McCullars (6-foot, 6inches). “He looks like a Paul Bunyan. He is super strong and he really worked super hard over the summer,” he said. The defense’s most decorated player, linebacker Antonio Mitchum, is back, and is looking good after ACL surgery. He is now 100 percent. “Demery Hawkins is also a very impacting player who can be a big play guy. He made several critical game-changing plays last year,” said Williams. “Qwontez Mallory, Marquis Lovett, Jarvis Brice — it’s a good group, a strong group. We are fortunate to have good players.” GMC JC is also very strong in the secondary with Demario Gunn, Kentorious Jackson, Alex Brown and Demazio Skelton all returning. All made significant plays in 2009. All in all, it’s going to be an exciting year for GMC JC, and Milledgeville really needs to come out Sept. 11 and root the Bulldogs back into the upper echilon of the NJCAA rankings. 2010 could turn out to be a very special year for GMC JC.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

NCAA FOOTBALL

Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach: Mark Richt Classification: Southeastern Conference Last Seasons Record: 8-5 2010 Prediction: 10-3

2010 SCHEDULE Sat, Sept 4 versus Louisiana-Lafayette at 12:21 PM ET Sat, Sept 11 at South Carolina at 12 p.m. ET Sat, Sept 18 versus Arkansas at 12 p.m. ET Sat, Sept 25 at Mississippi State TBD Sat, Oct 2 at Colorado at 4:30 PM ET Sat, Oct 9 versus Tennessee Sat, Oct 16 versus Vanderbilt Sat, Oct 23 at Kentucky TBD Sat, Oct 30 versus Florida at 3:30 p.m. Sat, Nov 6 versus Idaho State TBD Sat, Nov 13 at Auburn TBD Sat, Nov 27 versus Georgia Tech TBD

TIME TO START BEATING FLORIDA: UGA head coach Mark Richt could be on the hot seat again if his team continues to lose to Florida. are kickers. Drew Butler, the team's punter, won the Ray Guy Award last season, while Blair Walsh was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, awarded to the nation's top placekicker. To further emphasize the strength of the Bulldogs' special teams units, Boykin had two 100-yard returns for touchdowns last season. OUTLOOK: Much of Georgia's success this season will come down to the play of Murray under center. “It's pretty clear that he is going to be the guy,” says tight end Aron White. “He's definitely not resting on his laurels. He's still working and grinding because he feels like he has a lot to prove.” The non-conference schedule is favorable, and the Bulldogs are fortunate in that they avoid Alabama. Still, a shot at the SEC title seems unlikely because of the inexperience at quarterback and on defense.

Photos by Brent Martin/The Union-Recorder

TIME TO STEP UP: UGA redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray will have plenty of targets to throw to in 2010, plus the advantage of a veteran line.

Don’t mess mess with with Don’t Baldwin County County Baldwin Football! Football!

HSIDE TI OUT

OFFENSE: “The quarterback room has got to be the youngest room maybe in the history of college football,” remarked Richt at the recent SEC Media Days. “You got a redshirt freshman, a true freshman on scholarship and then two walk-ons, and that is all that is in that quarterback room right now so it's scary in there. But the good news is Aaron Murray is really doing a very good job, and he knows the deal extremely well.” Murray is the redshirt freshman of the group, a prized recruit with special talent. He will certainly benefit from the presence of A.J. Green, the team's star receiver who now enters his junior campaign. Green made 53 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns, numbers that actually fell short of the pace he set as a freshman. The hope is that Georgia will be able to run the ball consistently behind one of the top offensive lines in the SEC. Clint Boling, a stud left tackle, is one of four returning starters, and the group will open holes for the tandem of Washaun Ealey, a sophomore, and junior Caleb King. Last season, Ealey posted 717 yards and three touchdowns on 125 carries. DEFENSE: Georgia welcomes back just four starters on the defensive side of the ball, so expect to see plenty of new faces in 2010. “Defensively everybody is still on a pretty good learning curve right now, but everybody is ready to learn and prepare for this season,” says Richt. Three of the team's four defensive assistant coaches were fired after the 2009 season, and it

remains to be seen if the shakeup will result in better play. New coordinator Todd Grantham is orchestrating the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, a move designed to create an attacking style. The Bulldogs were solid against the run last season, ranking third in the SEC, but they struggled mightily against the pass. Brandon Boykin, a junior, is the only returning starter in the secondary, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Boykin did intercept three passes last season, the most of any returnee. Linebacker Justin Houston has star potential, as he impressed everyone with 7.5 sacks a year ago. Along the defensive line, Demarcus Dobbs, a senior, figures to be the leader. SPECIAL TEAMS: It seems odd to say, but aside from Green and Boling on the offensive side of the ball, Georgia's best players

The Associated Press

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JUNKYARD PHILOSOPHY: Georgia’s new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who previously coached for the Dallas Cowboys, is bringing forth a relentless defensive package this season.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ga. Tech Yellow Jackets Head Coach: Paul Johnson Classification: Atlantic Coast Conference Last Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Record: 11-3 2010 Prediction: 9-4

JACKETS 2010 SCHEDULE Sat, Sept 4 versus South Carolina State at 1 p.m. Sat, Sept 11 at Kansas at 12 noon TBD Sat, Sept 18 at No. 18 North Carolina at 12 noon TBD Sat, Sept 25 versus North Carolina State TBD Sat, Oct 2 at Wake Forest TBD Sat, Oct 9 versus Virginia TBD Sat, Oct 16 versus Middle Tennessee State TBD Sat, Oct 23 at Clemson TBD Thu, Nov 4 at No. 10 Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m. Sat, Nov 13 versus No. 13 Miami (FL) TBD Sat, Nov 20 versus Duke TBD Sat, Nov 27 at No. 23 Georgia TBD

The Associated Press OFFENSE: Josh Nesbitt did not participate in spring practice this year, but word has it that he was healthy enough to go. Chalk it up to precautionary reasons that kept him sidelined this spring, and who could blame him or the Jackets? Jaybo Shaw, Nesbitt's backup a year ago, transferred to Georgia Southern this offseason, leaving Tevin Washington as Nesbitt's primary backup. Washington was solid this spring, but has played in only one game at the collegiate level, and that came in mop up duty against Jacksonville State in the first week. Keeping Nesbitt healthy is important. The offensive line, a unit replacing three starters, will be challenged to keep defenders away from Nesbitt this season, but it's inevitable that he'll take his fair share of bumps and bruises as one of the offense's primary ball carriers. Georgia Tech's

triple option offense has taken them to new heights under Paul Johnson. Jonathan Dwyer opted for early entry into the NFL Draft, but Anthony Allen, Roddy Jones and Embry People are poised to take over where Dwyer left off. Allen will take over Dwyer's B-Back position and will see a lot of runs to the inside, with Roddy Jones likely to get a bulk of the carries to the outside. Demaryius Thomas, who is now in the NFL, caught 46 passes last season. The second leading receiver was Embry People with 8 receptions. Stephen Hill came in third with six receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown, and is expected to blossom into the next big thing in the passing game. DEFENSE: Virginia is transitioning away from Al Groh's 3-4 defense in favor of the 4-3 variety, while Groh brings his 3-4 defense to Atlanta. There are a few holes to fill with the early departures of Derrick Morgan and Morgan Burnett, but overall

AP file photos

ARMED AND READY: The 2010 Yellow Jackets sport a talented group of quarterbacks, even with the departure of Jaybo Shaw to Georgia Southern. Georgia Tech returns eight starters from a year ago. Of course, with the new defense a lot of players will find themselves in new roles in 2010. Anthony Egbuniwe finds himself at outside linebacker after playing the defensive end position opposite Morgan last season, while Jason Peters moves from the tackle position to end. Filling the nose tackle position in the 3-4 defense has proven problematic. T.J. Barnes, Logan Walls and Ben Anderson will compete this fall for the position. Peters and Izaan Cross are the presumed starters at the end positions and will have some pretty big shoes to fill in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback. Morgan's 12.5 sacks last season ranked 8th in the nation. Brad Jefferson, last year's leading tackler, will assume one of the inside

HAVINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; FUN: Will the 2010 Yellow Jackets get to celebrate like this in Sanford Stadium. Most probably...not.

linebacker positions and is a key player in stopping the run. Fans can also look forward to the return of Cooper Taylor to the safety position. Taylor sat out the 2009 season with a heart disorder and returns to the team in 2010. He was one of the standout players in 2008, finishing second on the team with 69 tackles. Cornerback Mario Butler is also a key player in the secondary who should be in for a good season. SPECIAL TEAMS: Scott Blair returns to assume kicking duties. Blair was 45 for 46 in extra points and hit 14 of his 20 field goal attempts last season. Chandler Anderson also returns after averaging 42.3 yards per punt last season on just 37 attempts. Orwin Smith and Jerrard Tarrant, last season's leading kick and punt returners, respectively, also return for the 2010 season.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

NCAA FOOTBALL

Georgia Southern Eagles Head Coach: Jeff Monken Classification:Southern Conference Last Seasons Record: 7-4 2010 Prediction: 7-4

2010 SCHEDULE Sat, Sept 4 versus Savannah State at 6 p.m. Sat, Sept 11 at Navy at 3:30 p.m. Sat, Sept 18 at Coastal Carolina at 6 p.m. Sat, Sept 25 versus Elon at 6 p.m. Sat, Oct 9 versus Wofford at 6 p.m. Sat, Oct 16 at Chattanooga at 6 p.m. Sat, Oct 23 at the Citadel at 1 p.m. Sat, Oct 30 versus Samford at 2 p.m. Sat, Nov 6 versus Appalachian State at 2 p.m. Sat, Nov 13 at Western Carolina at 3 p.m. Sat, Nov 20 at Furman TBD

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ESTABLISHED VETERAN: Former Georgia Tech quarterback Jaybo Shaw is ready to lead the Eagles to victory in 2010.

The Associated Press Jaybo Shaw had to execute only one basic move to be proclaimed Georgia Southern's starting quarterback by first-year coach Jeff Monken. Shaw only had to enroll in school. Shaw followed first-year coach Jeff Monken to Statesboro from Georgia Tech, where Monken was an assistant coach under Paul Johnson and Shaw was a backup to Joshua Nesbitt. The new coach and transfer quarterback are leading Georgia Southern's return to the triple-option offense, the attack that worked so well for Johnson when he was the Eagles' coach. Monken coached under Johnson at Georgia Southern, Navy and Georgia Tech. Georgia Southern was 62-10 with two national championships in Monken's five years as an assistant (1997-2001) with Johnson. Monken is cautioning fans against expecting an immediate return to those glory years. “We're undefeated right now so we're going to enjoy that while it lasts and do the best we can to try to bring some victories here to Statesboro,” Monken said. “I know that's what our fans are hopeful for.” He said the return of the option offense does not guarantee an immediate return to the top of the Southern Conference and FCS. “It is not a magic wand,” Monken said. “It's not a magic offense that 'oh we're running this offense so we're gonna rush for all these yards and score so many points. You've got to execute on offense better than the team we're playing executes on defense. If we can do that we'll have a chance.” Monken wouldn't try to predict how long the transition will take. “It probably doesn't happen in the first year,” he said. “I don't know that in my travels with coach Johnson that it has happened anywhere in the first year. Some places faster than others, and we'll just have to see. I think the longer we do it the better we'll get at it.” Monken says his reception from fans “has been great.”

“I think they're most receptive because of the connection I have to Paul Johnson and the success he had here and he's had since he left here,” Monken said. “There's a hope that we can bring that success back and I'm No. 1 on that list. I hope that, too.” Monken replaced Chris Hatcher, who was fired after a 5-6 record last season. “It surprised a bunch of us,” said sophomore defensive tackle Brent Russell of Hatcher's firing. “We really weren't expecting it.” Russell said Monken “lays it all out on the line for you. He tells you what he expects from you. If you don't work to his expectation, he'll tell you up front.” Added Russell with a laugh: “Not that coach Hatcher didn't, he just wouldn't be so blunt about it.” Hatcher, now the head coach at Murray State, was 18-15 in three seasons at Georgia Southern. Shaw, a junior, did not participate in spring practice. He was in Statesboro for informal workouts during the summer. “Just having him here, having him work out, being in the weight room, having him be with the guys helps us,” Monken said. “It was very beneficial to have him here.” Georgia Southern's top four quarterbacks from 2009 left the program. The 2009 starter, Lee Chapple, transferred to North Alabama to play for coach Terry Bowden. Jawaun Luckey, a walk-on transfer from Tuskegee, and A.J. McCray, who moved to quarterback from defensive back, ran the offense in the spring. Neither can match Shaw's experience in the system. Shaw passed for 321 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2008. He returned to a more limited role last season after suffering a broken collarbone in preseason practice. “We obviously gained a real advantage with getting Jaybo,” Monken said. “He brings the game experience, leadership and the confidence of having run this offense in games, which we don't have with any of our other quarterbacks. None of our other quarterbacks have played a college game in this offense.” Junior Zeke Rozier entered preseason practice as the No. 1 fullback. He left Saturday's scrimmage with a knee injury. The severity of the injury has not been released. Freshmen Robert Brown of Macon and 5-foot-6 Aaron Fisher of Tulsa, Okla., also are competing for playing time at fullback. Monken said Fisher “is really fast and powerful.”

WIN ONE FOR ERK: Georgia Southern players have an established tradition of touching the bust of former coach Erk Russell before they take the field.

FOOTBALL EXPLOSION 2010

NCAA FOOTBALL

Georgia State Panthers Head Coach: Bill Curry Classification: Colonial Athletic Association Last Season’s Record: N/A 2010 Prediction: 2-9

PANTHERS 2010 SCHEDULE Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. versus Shorter Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. versus Lambuth Saturday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. versus Jacksonville State Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Campbell Saturday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. versus Morehead State Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. versus Savannah State Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. versus North Carolina Central Saturday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. at Old Dominion Saturday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. at South Alabama Saturday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. versus Lamar Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Alabama

The Associated Press ATLANTA — In his previous head coaching jobs, there were plenty of things for Bill Curry to worry about. Who's going to play quarterback? How does the defense look? Will these Alabama fans ever fully accept me? There were other issues that never crossed his mind. Do we have enough helmets and chin straps? What are we going to use for a locker room? Where are we going to practice? But those are just the sort of things Curry has fretted over in what will certainly be the final coaching job of his career and arguably the most daunting one yet. In less than two weeks, Curry will lead the Georgia State Panthers onto the field for their very first game, the culmination of a two-year journey that exposed the exhilarating highs and excruciating lows of starting a college football program from scratch. “It's been a real adventure and I've loved every minute of the challenge,” the 67-year-old Curry said, pausing briefly and adding with a wry grin, “Well, almost every minute.” OK, so he didn't really love it when he learned that his first semblance of a team - recruits and walk-ons who spent a formative year doing nothing but practicing and scrimmaging against themselves - didn't actually have a field.

READY TO GET THE BALL ROLLING: In this Aug. 10, photo, Georgia State football coach Bill Curry, left, walks past cornerback Justin Hughes during football practice in Atlanta. So Curry and one of his assistants, George Pugh, hopped in a car and started riding around Atlanta, looking for any patch of grass and goalposts within a 40-minute radius of Georgia State's downtown campus. “We found a bunch of them. Then we had to find out who ran them,” Curry recalled. “There was an awful lot of time and effort spent on those kind of things, and that's just one example.” It will all seem worth it on the night of Sept. 2, when the Panthers, an independent in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, play their first game against Shorter, an NAIA school. From humble beginnings, they'll run onto a relatively grand stage - the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome, home field of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, site of the Southeastern Conference championship game, venue for two Super Bowls and an Olympics. “This is the reason why I came here,” said Mark Hogan, who was Georgia State's very first player. “I didn't come here to practice all year like we did last year, but that was part of it. That was preparation for this. It was well worth it. Now we're here, and we're about to play some real football.” Good luck, Panthers!

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