August 2013_Upstate Game Day e-edition

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GAME DAY spartanburg • greenville • greer • gaffney • polk county, nc

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vol. 3, no. 1

youth sports magazine

BEST DEFENSE OFFENSES TURNING UP PRESSURE

FOR SAFETY’S SAKE DOES NEW LAW GO FAR ENOUGH?

BONE TO PICK WOODRUFF RECEIVER FACING BIG CHOICES Dorman senior RB Shondrell Keenan (1) scores during the Cavaliers’ Week 0 win over Wade Hampton.

ED OVERSTREET PHOTO

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GOV. HALEY SIGNS CONCUSSION LEGISLATION

ANNE TAYLOR HOUGH HEADS TO PEBBLE BEACH WOODRUFF’S BLAKE BONE FACING BIG CHOICES COACHING CHANGES INCLUDE TOP PROGRAMS TENACIOUS DEFENSE COUNTERING OFFENSES

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Making Waves

RAE DOCHERTY of Dorman glides through the water during the team’s first competition of the season in a meet at the Spartanburg Swim Center.

ED OVERSTREET

‘GAME DAY’ WELCOMES GINA BALLEW PAYNE

ginabpayne@ upstategameday.com

Gina Ballew Payne has joined Upstate Game Day as an independent sales representative. She is a Chapman High School graduate with over 20 years sales experience. Gina resides in Campobello with her two daughters. Gina also notes she has a passion for the Upstate and the people here. Welcome aboard, Gina!

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GAME DAY Youth Sports Magazine

EDITOR & PUBLISHER / LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR Les Timms III les.timms @upstategameday.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR / SENIOR WRITER John Clayton john.clayton@upstategameday.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Ken Finley Ed Overstreet Pete Cochran Lorin Browning To Advertise, Contact les.timms@upstategameday.com 864-804-0068

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NEWS & NOTES FROM THE LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS SCENE

Gaffney’s Byars named to All Star team

Junior track star shines at AAU nationals D.R. Hill Middle School eighth-grader Mikenzie Mullins returned from the AAU Junior Olympics in Michigan with more medals to add to her ever-growing collection.

Mullins came away with four top-five finishes at the event this past month.

“It was a lot of fun,” Mullins said. “There was a lot of really good competition.”

Mullins, a member of the Greer All-Stars AAU club team and the Byrnes varsity track team, brought home silver in the triple jump and bronze in the pentathlon.

She also finished fourth in the high jump and fith in the long jump.

She said she missed out

Mikenzie Mullins came away with four top-5 finishes at the AAU Junior Olympics last month.

on gold in the triple jump by four inches.

“I did better than I ever had,” Mullins said. “It was

hard competition, so it got me ready for upcoming events.”

Paladins make Greer’s Reese Hannon captain

Gaffney’s Colton Byars was selected to play on the MLB.com U.S. All Star Team.

The inaugural National Youth Baseball Championships all-star game features the top 40 12-under players from across the U.S. and was to be held Aug. 26 in Memphis, Tenn. The game was also to be televised live on the CBS Sports Network and MLB.com.

Byars, primarily a catcher, was nominated by his team, the Evoshield Canes out of Durham, N.C. The Canes were ranked No. 8 in the country by travelbaseballselect.com with an 83-15 record.

The invitation culminates a busy summer for Byars, who was also invited to play with the 12U Fish Hawk Wolves of Tampa, Fla., at Dreams Park in Cooperstown, N.Y., in June. He will also be returning to Cooperstown with the Southeast Stix, a team composed of players from Florida and the Carolinas, for the All Star Village Touranment.

Furman sophomore quarterback Reese Hannon has been elected one of the Paladins’ three captains for the 2013 season.

The former Greer standout joins senior All-American offensive lineman Dakota Dozier and senior safety Greg Worthy as captains.

As a true freshman a year ago, Hannon came off the bench in the season’s second game and passed for 255 yards and four touchdowns against Coastal Carolina. He went on to assume the starting role and throw for a Furman freshman record 1,896 yards and seven touchdowns.

Reese Hannon became the Paladins’ starting quarterback as a freshman.

Colton Byars GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 5

ED OVERSTREET

DORMAN CHEERLEADERS PERFORM BEFORE THE START OF THE DORMAN-WADE HAMPTON SEASON OPENER. 6 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

BYRNES FANS IN THE STANDS CELEBRATE THE REBELS’ VICTORY OVER APOPKA, (FLA) IN SEASON OPENER.

PETE COCHRAN

Gaffney’s Hyleck Foster RUNS FOR YARDAGE AGAINST ROCK HILL. PETE COCHRAN

GAME DAY u JUNE 2013 7

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ANNE TAYLOR HOUGH SELECTED FOR FIRST TEE OPEN SEPT. 27-29

LOCAL GOLFER HEADS TO PEBBLE BEACH Standout junior golfer Anne Taylor Hough has been selected to compete in the 2013 Nature Valley First Tee Open Sept. 27-29 at Pebble Beach Resorts’ Del Monte Golf Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links along California’s Monterey Peninsula.

Hough, a junior at Spartanburg High School, will be among 81 First Tee participants to compete in the PGA Champions Tour junior-am event.

The tournament is to be televised internationally on the Golf Channel. As the only First Tee representative from South Carolina, Hough is expected to be paired with Greenville resident and Champions Tour player Jay Haas.

“The life lessons I’ve learned at The First Tee, and now teach at my local chapter, are the key to success both on and off the golf course,” Hough said.

“The First Tee has taught me to raise the bar and work hard to achieve my goals.

Playing in the Nature Valley First Tee Open is a dream come true.”

Hough was selected for the tournament by a national panel of

judges, which evaluated playing ability and comprehension of the life skills and other character education learned through their involvement with First Tee. More than 150 applications from across the nation were submitted.

Hough and the other juniors will be teamed with 81 Champions Tour players and 162 amateurs as they compete for the pro-junior title at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course. Play will be conducted on Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course on Friday and Saturday, and final round will be played on Pebble Beach on Sunday.

“Anne Taylor is our second participant (Forrest Fowler attended in 2010) to be selected for this prestigious honor, demonstrating that anything is possible through preparation and perseverance,” said Fran Dunn, Executive Director of The First Tee of Spartanburg.

“Anne Taylor is well-prepared to be an enthusiastic and effective ambassador for The First Tee on an international stage at Pebble Beach.”

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS HEAD TO THE WEB

LORIIN BROWNING

Broadcasts of Boiling Springs, Chapman, Landrum, and Polk County games can be found at upstateprep-cast.net.

Fans of several local high schools will be able to listen to their favorite varsity football teams through internet broadcasts this fall.

Broadcasts of Boiling Springs, Chapman, Landrum and Polk County (N.C.) games can be found at http:// upstateprep-cast.net, where fans can listen live or replay the broadcast on the site’s audio player.

“We are looking forward to getting as many games on the air as we can for these schools,” said Tom Dixon, voice of the Boiling Springs Bulldogs.

Joining Dixon on the Bulldog broadcast crew will be Chad Wagner, Vance Wagner, Cole Bryson and Houston Dixon.

Britt Wilkerson will handle the playby-play duties for Chapman and will be joined by former Chapman and North Greenville offensive lineman Kevin Parks.

Dale Wilkerson will be Landrum’s play-by-play voice, and former Landrum quarterback Josh Greene will provide color. Phil Cox, Nate White and Justin Mathis will also be heard on various broadcasts.

Wayne Aumen on play by play and Ray Henderson on color will anchor the Polk County broadcasts.

Each broadcast will begin with the Upstate High School Preview Show with Stan Olenik and Mike Anthony at 6:30 p.m. each game night.

The games are powered by www. meridix.com, and can be heard on smart phones as well as through a low-powered FM signal at the stadium. All home games can be heard at 104.5 FM. Check the website to confirm the frequency for road games. n

FALL YOUTH ACADEMY IS APPROACHING

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OPEN TO GRADES 1st - 8th, this academy is geared both towards club volleyball players and for athletes who have not played organized volleyball.

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Location- Upward Stars Volleyball Center Cost- $150

NEW STATE LAW MANDATES ‘RETURN TO PLAY’ POLICIES

ED OVERSTREET

Gov. Nikki Haley signs state legislation designed to protect student athletes from concussions and other injuries during an August visit.

HALEY VISITS DORMAN TO SIGN CONCUSSION BILL

By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn State law couldn’t have stopped Dorman volleyball player Tatum Metts from suffering a concussion during a volleyball match in April.

As her club team’s libero -- or defensive specialist -- she dove hard for a dig and bumped her head on the floor.

It didn’t even seem like a big deal at the time, but as the days went on, she had headaches, trouble concentrating and sensitivity to light -- the tell-tale signs of a concussion.

Dorman became the first school in the state to TATUM METTS adopt concussion protection policies to protect student athletes a year ago, making it a fitting place for Gov. Nikki Haley to sign state legislation designed to protect

student athletes from concussions and other injuries during an August visit.

South Carolina became the 49th state to sign such a bill into law. Only Mississippi is without a similar statute.

The new state law mandates that all school districts in the state create “return to play” policies as far as handling concussions. It also requires that parents be educated on concussion symptoms.

Athletic trainers or team-related physicians suspicious that a concussion or brain injury has been sustained during a practice or competition, the studentathlete must be removed for an evaluation.

If concussion symptoms appear, then the athlete must be cleared by a doctor before returning to practice or competition.

“I have a son who plays basketball and a daughter who is a cheerleader,” Haley said. “This tells me, as a mom, what to watch out for. More importantly, if they get hurt, the coaches are going to know what to do; the district is going to have a plan in place; we’re going to make sure they don’t go back to play before they’re ready to go back. We’re going to have doctors involved.

“It allows our kids to have fun playing the sports they love, but it also protects

them. That’s the important part of this bill.”

Dorman Athletic Trainer Mickey Sobeski said the science behind the new law has dramatically changed the way he and his fellow trainers look at head injuries.

“I came here in 1985, and the guidelines in place then were so much different than they are today,” Sobeski said. “We’ve gained so much knowledge about concusions and how to handle concussions. Now, we understand brain injuries more. We understand about the nature of concussions, and that helps us.”

Then, Sobeski said it was not uncommon for a player who suffered concussion symptoms in the first half of a game to return to the playing field before the game was through.

Not anymore.

Still, the 900 hospital visits by studentathletes who suffered from concussion symptoms last year are believed to be only a fraction of the actual injuries sustained on the playing field.

Some injuries remain undiagnosed, sometimes because of a lack of education GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 11

CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS

> Headache or pressure in the head > Nausea or vomiting > Balance problems or dizziness > Double or blurry vision > Sensitivity to light or noise > Feeling sluggish > Concentration or memory problems Source: USA Football ED OVERSTREET / FILE

A vicious hit knocked IAN METTS out of a game lin 2011 in and left him with post-concussion syndrome.

on the symptoms and sometimes because players cover the symptoms in order to stay on the field.

“You’re always going to struggle with really competitive players,” Sobeski said.

“But that’s one great thing about this law -- forms will be sent home that the parents and the athletes have to sign. It really

A concussion occurs when a blow to the head causes the brain to slam against the skull beyond the ability of the cerebrospinal fluid to cushion the impact.

stressed the importance of identifying and reporting those symptoms.”

The law reaches beyond football into all sports, including cheerleading.

Sheila Romano, also a trainer at Dorman, said concussions are diagnosed at least once a year.

“We’ve even had concussions in track

ED OVERSTREET

Gov. Nikki Haley and Dorman principal Ken Kiser sit with Dorman student athletes.

12 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

where people have fallen over hurdles or something and hit their heads on the track,” Romano said. “The more we can get parents to understand that this isn’t like the old movies where a player ‘got his bell rung’ and he’s dizzy for five minutes, and then he’s hunky-dorey, the better off we will be.”

Metts, whose brother, Ian, also suffered a serious concussion as a football player with the Cavaliers, was one of those cases.

Days after bumping her head during a club volleyball match, Tatum was neither hunkey nor dorey.

“I was dizzy and shakey, and I couldn’t stay focused on what I was doing,” Tatum said. “In volleyball, I couldn’t pass. I couldn’t see the ball -- there were two of them after it first happened.

“Coming back, I couldn’t even focus on seeing the ball. . . . I was out of school for about three weeks. I had to moderate my classes -- go to one block and then go home and rest. I couldn’t go to lunch because here were too many loud noises.”

Tatum is back on the volleyball court with Dorman now, but only after clearance from a doctor -- as required by Dorman’s policy and now by state law. n

COMMENTARY

Concussion bill needs funding to help poorest in state

O

High School League regulations f course, there fell a little short, according to was the obligatory Dr. George Wham, the head political backpatting as Gov. Nikki athletic trainer at Pelion High School.

Haley came to Dorman to It was a positive announce a new and necessary step, law designed there is no doubt. to help protect But Wham also student-athletes revealed a troubling from returning statistic effecting to soon from athletics in South injuries and Carolina: insure proper About onediagnoses. third of public high Maybe it was schools in South justified, even Carolina are without though South athletic trainers.

JOHN Carolina was the That means 49th state to enact CLAYTON roughly 70 members such a law, leaving of the SCHSL have no only Mississippi trainers, often relying instead in our tremendous wake of on volunteer physicians from progress. their area. But sometimes, The law picks up where S.C. those too are tough to find.

In the Upstate, we are lucky. Partnerships with wonderful medical facilities such as Steadman-Hawkins, the Greenville Hospital System and St. Francis in Greenville as well as Spartanburg Regional Hospital in Spartanburg help provide schools with athletic trainers who are at practices or at the very least games for virtually all sports.

That luck does not extend to other places in the state that Wham referred to as the “corridor of shame.”

They are the places with the double-digit unemployment rates, more under-employment and rampant poverty. They are the places people pass through without stopping on the way to Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island.

Marlboro County. Marion

County. Bamberg. Allendale.

Times are tougher there than here.

The local school systems there are already stretched as are the hospital systems, so another mandate without funding -- no matter how well intended -- is just one more burden for them to bear.

In today’s world of youth sports, athletic trainers are no longer a luxury -- not if the desire is truly to protect the young people who participate in youth sports.

The next step is for the state to help with funding in the poorer areas of South Carolina, to offer grants to help those school districts hire athletic trainers. That is the only way this new law can truly help everyone as it is intended. n

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BONE to PICK

Woodruff wide receiver facing big choices

By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn

T

here are a couple things on Blake Bone’s checklist for the 2013 football season.

First, the highly recruited Woodruff wideout wants to help get the Wolverines back in the state championship hunt.

Second, Bone wants to make a decision about his college future in short order so as not to distract him or the team from the first goal.

“I want to make a decision in the next few weeks,” Bone said in late August. “I’ll sit down with my family and my coach and decide what is the best fit for me.”

Bone, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who glides as much as runs around the gridiron, has compiled a dozen NCAA Division I offers, making him among the most highly recruited Woodruff players since Tony Rice in the early 1980s.

Online scouting services have reported Bone has narrowed those choices down to four favorites.

Bone said he is leaning toward the Southeastern Conference in part because he feels the powerful SEC will prepare him better for a shot at the NFL one day.

Three of the four schools that are among his favorites are members of the SEC -- South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi -- and soonto-be ACC member Louisville.

Other offers have come from Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Nebraska and Marshall.

FULTON HAMPTON

Woodruff wide receiver Blake Bone makes a leaping catch against Gaffney during the Border Showcase Classic.

GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 15

BLAKE BONE / from page 15 “It hasn’t been as hard during the summer with no school. Recruiting has been a pretty cool ride to have, so it’s a blessing,” said Bone.

Regardless of which school Bone chooses for his football and academic futures, he is looking for a family atmosphere within the program such as the one in his hometown of Woodruff.

“There’s got to be a family aspect of it,” Bone said. “I want to play for a team that’s going to be close. I want to go to a place

that will bless me as a receiver and as a man.

“I want to have a great connection with my receivers coach, and the offense is very important. I’d like to go somewhere with a winning tradition.”

Bone, who caught 65 passes for 1,150 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior, knows something of football tradition as a Woodruff product.

“It’s easy to play football here because of the fance we’ve got and the support they give us,” Bone said. “I think that makes it

easier for me to play in front of a live crowd every Friday night.”

Woodruff head coach Brian Lane said Bone will take a tremendous work ethic as well as the echoes of Friday night crowds with him to college.

“I see a kid who works really hard and is now starting to understand and read defenses,” Lane said. “When you get a kid who can play and understand defenses, then the sky is the limit for him.” n

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OFF-SEASON MOVES

Coaching changes revolve close to home

By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn This past offseason has included more than spring practices and 7-on7 tournaments -- it also saw coaching changes at Spartanburg High and Byrnes that were more closely related than anyone might have guessed.

Byrnes head coach Chris Miller, who was 78-11 with four state titles with the Rebels, took over at Spartanburg following the resignation of Freddie Brown.

Miller was an assistant on the Vikings staff under Doc Davis when they won their last state title in 2001.

MILLER Miller said the transition at Spartanburg is a work in progress.

“There’s a lot of stuff we’ve still got going,” Miller said.

“We’ve got some great athletes who just have to learn the game of football and learn to be smart abour what we’re doing.”

Following Miller’s departure, Bobby Bentley re-ascended to the top job at Byrnes -- as many would have predicted.

Bentley was 107-52 with four state championships during his first stint as head coach. Bentley spent two seasons as head coach at his alma mater, Presbyterian College (2007-08) before returning to Byrnes as District 5 athletic director and offensive coordinator/associate head coach in 2009.

Smith to Riverside Phil Smith’s decision to leave Dorman High School, where he served as defensive coordinator on head coach Dave Gutshall’s staff, caused ripples in Region II-4A as well as Peach Blossom 3A. As Smith took over at

Riverside, Dorman hired Blue Ridge head coach Wade Cooper to replace Smith.

Smith, a Greer native who played at Greer High School, said some people thought he SMITH was “crazy” to take over a struggling Riverside program.

“The kids have been super, really willing to work hard and have been receptive to our style of coaching,” said Smith, a head coach for the first time. “It’s something as as a head coach that you’re really happy to see.”

So, what is the biggest challenge for the Warriors after back-to-back 1-10 seasons?

“Region II,” said Smith of what is arguably the toughest Class 4A region in the state.

“Our biggest challenge really is getting over that hump, getting our kids to feel what success is,” he said. “If they can win the small battles, things will start looking better. We play in the toughest region in the state, and we’re going to work hard to climb that ladder.”

Smith will debut along with the Warriors this season at the FCA Jamboree against Christ Church.

on the field -- you’re going to see a lot of similarities,” said Clark.

“I’ve added a few things to the offense from last year, but the defense will be pretty similar there. Our focus has been on the kids -- it doesn’t matter who’s coaching you, they have to show up and play. As hard as our kids work, we expect good things out of them.”

Clark said while the Tigers feature a solid number of returning starters from last season, graduation depleted CLARK the team’s secondary, so that is an area of concern for this coming season.

Rick Tate takes over Bulldogs

With the unexpected resignation of former head coach Bruce Clark, long-time Boiling Springs assistant Bruce Clark was elevated to the head-coaching position on an interim basis just days before the Bulldogs began fall practices.

Tate, who had been the junior varsity head coach and varsity outside linebackers coach, begins his second stint as interim head coach. He filled in for Clark in 2009 when Clark underwent therapy following neck surgery. He is also the Boiling Springs boys golf coach and led the Bulldogs to runner-up finish in the Class 4A tournament this past spring.

Clark won 39 games in five seasons at Boiling Springs, but reportedly cited philosophical differences with school administrators as the reason behind his resignation. n

Shane Clark promoted at Blue Ridge With Cooper’s departure, Shane Clark was promoted from offensive coordinator to the top post, earning his second stint as a head coach. He was previously head coach at his alma mater, Travelers Rest.

The Tigers were 9-3 overall and 6-1 in region play last season, earning a third of the Region II-3A title along with Greer and Greenville and the No. 2 playoff seed.

“What you’re going to see

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”

www.sportsplusphotos.com GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 17

Tenacious ‘D’ Offensive trends set tone for high school game, defensive strategies

By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn

I

t is unseasonably cool in Woodruff, a sweltering August night replaced by late October temperatures.

Clinton is visiting W.L. Varner Stadium for a preseason jamboree. The Red Devils’ I-formation, two-tight end offensive sets are every bit as foreign in today’s high school football game as an August chill in the Upstate.

While high-octane, pass-happy offenses are spreading through high school programs like chicken pox through a kindergarten class, defenses are working hard to keep pace.

And it isn’t always easy.

“You have to cover the whole field now,” said Blue Ridge head coach Shane Clark, who served as both defensive and offensive coordinator with the Tigers before ascending to the top job this past offseason. “You’re not looking at the wishbone where everybody is bunched up. They’re lining up all over the place and you’ve got to line up with them.”

As much as playing defense may have changed as far as formations and assignments, some aspects do remain the same.

18 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

“We focus every day on getting 11 guys to the football,” Clark said.

Blue Ridge, which won a share of the title in Region 2-3A in 2012, averaged 34.9 points per game, scoring more than 50 points in three-straight games using a quick-hitting spread offense that featured the zone-read schemes featuring dual-threat quarterback Ty Montgomery.

Meanwhile, the Tigers defense gave up just over 14 points per game.

“Quarterbacks now are extremely well coached -- they know where to hit you and how to hit you quick,” said Blue Ridge Defensive Coordinator and former Byrnes assistant Mark Razzano. “You’ve got to make a decision -- do you want put pressure on the quarterback or try to

ED OVERSTREET

While high-octane, pass-happy offenses are spreading through high school programs like chicken pox through a kindergarten class, defenses are working hard to keep pace.

make a play in coverage.”

When choosing the latter, coaches must trust they will win matchup battles among receivers and defensive backs and/ or running backs and linebackers.

Spartanburg High senior linebacker Dishawn Carter said getting pressure on the quarterback, while attacking the offense is key.

“We want to get to the quarterback,” Carter said. “We want to make him make a mistake.”

Chapman head coach Mark Hodge agreed.

“It all comes back to how good you are up front,” Hodge said. “If you’re good up front on defense, you can do some things -- get pressure and it starts there.”

Using the spread, Chapman boasted one of the most prolific scoring offenses in the Upstate in 2012, but the Panthers’ defense never caught up to its offense, struggling all season.

Senior linebacker Luke Holden said the Panthers are confident in turning that around this season.

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Holden said. “We have to do our jobs and not try to do anybody else’s and use our God-given talent.”

Summer 7-on-7 passing tournaments and leagues help offenses perfect their timing at the skill positions, but coaches said defenses do not always benefit as much.

“You can get into some bad habits on defense,” said Chesnee head coach Lynn Fleming. “But it can help keep guys in shape and if you’re a team that doesn’t use the spread on offense, it gets your guys used to seeing it.”

Holden said the summer work helped him and his teammates.

“It really helps us get to our drops and into our zones a lot faster,” Holden said.

As much as playing defense against today’s offenses can be about matching up with opponents, it can also be about

keeping up.

Taking a page from the University of Oregon playbook, well-tuned offenses such as Byrnes and Gaffney seek to cram as many offensive plays into a 48-minute game clock as possible, keeping constant pressure on the opposing defensive unit.

Those two teams have won the past two Class 4A state championships.

But trends in football change from year to year, decade to decade and coaches have to change with it, just as they have adapted to this high-flying era.

“Some of us have been around long enough to see some of the old I-back stuff and some of the older guys have seen it all,” said Hodge. “And now, I think we’re starting to see a little bit more of the two-back stuff come back, and some of the two-tight stuff come back.” n

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REALIGNMENT

ON THE HORIZON FOR 2014-15

Chapman to rejoin rivals Greer, Blue Ridge in Region 2-3A, while Greenville to appeal move to Region 1-4A From Staff Reports

W

hen the S.C. High School League’s most recent realignment takes effect for 2014-15, Greenville High School could find itself in Class 4A, while Woodruff will go back to Class 2A after two years in 3A. Unless a Sept. 13 appeal to the SCHSL is ruled upon favorably, Greenville will move to Region 1-4A from Region 2-3A. Chapman will move over to Region 2-3A to rejoin some traditional rivals in Greer and Blue Ridge.

Greenville is one of several high schools across the state with plans to appeal its status in the 2014-16 realignment. Greenville, which boasts the reigning Class 3A champions in girls golf, state runners up in swimming and 2012 Region 2-3A tri-champion in football, is petitioning to remain in Class 3A. Like Chapman, Gaffney will move to a geographically friendly Region 3-4A with Clover, Fort Mill, Nation Ford, Northwestern, Rock Hill and York.

“Moving into Region 2 is going to reduce our travel with each of those schools being within 30-45 minutes of us, with the exception of Emerald (in Greenwood),” said Chapman Athletic Director Greg Wilson of changing Class 3A regions. “The eight-team region will also help us with non-region scheduling as football will now only need three additional games.

“Most of our other teams will go from 10 region contests to 4 with the realignment, which helps with building schedules. I do feel we are going to be very competitive in all sports, and I am very excited about the future.” n

Class 4A

Class 2A

Region 1: Easley; Greenville; Greenwood; Hillcrest; Laurens; TL Hanna; Westside; Woodmont

Region 1: Blacksburg; Carolina; Chesnee; Landrum; Liberty; Pendleton; Powdersville; Woodruff

Region 2: Boiling Springs; Byrnes; Dorman; JL Mann; Mauldin; Riverside; Spartanburg; Wade Hampton

Region 2: Abbeville; Batesburg-Leesville; Crescent; Ninety Six; Saluda; Strom Thurmond

Region 3: Clover; Fort Mill; Gaffney; Nation Ford; Northwestern; Rock Hill; York Region 4: Blythewood; Dutch Fork; Lugoff-Elgin; Ridge View; Spring Valley; Westwood Region 5: Irmo; Lexington; North Augusta; River Bluff; South Aiken; White Knoll

Region 3: Columbia; Eau Claire; Fairfield Central; Keenan; Mid-Carolina; Newberry; Pelion Region 4: Andrew Jackson; Buford; Central; Cheraw; Chesterfield; Indian Land; North Central Region 5: Barnwell; Edisto; Ridgeland; Silver Bluff; Wade Hampton; Woodland

Region 6: Carolina Forest; Conway; Socastee; South Florence; Sumter; West Florence

Region 6: Academic Magnet; Battery Creek; Bishop England; Garrett; North Charleston; Whale Branch

Region 7: Cane Bay; Goose Creek; James Island; Stratford; Wando; West Ashley

Region 7: Andrews; Johnsonville; Kingstree; Lake Marion; Lee Central; Timberland

Region 8: Ashley Ridge; Bluffton; Colleton County; Fort Dorchester; Summerville

Region 8: Aynor; Dillon; Loris; Marion; Mullins; Waccamaw

Class 3A Region 1: Belton-Honea Path; Daniel; Palmetto; Pickens; Seneca; Walhalla; West-Oak; Wren Region 2: Berea; Blue Ridge; Chapman; Eastside; Emerald; Greer; Southside; Travelers Rest Region 3: Broome; Chester; Clinton; Lancaster; South Pointe; Union County Region 4: AC Flora; Camden; Chapin; Dreher; Lower Richland; Richland Northeast Region 5: Aiken; Airport; Brookland-Cayce; Gilbert; Midland Valley; Swansea Region 6: Crestwood; Darlington; Hartsville; Lakewood; Manning; Marlboro County Region 7: Georgetown; Lake City; Myrtle Beach; North Myrtle Beach; St. James; Wilson Region 8: Beaufort; Berkeley; Hanahan; Hilton Head Island; Orangeburg-Wilkinson; Stall

Class A Region 1: Calhoun Falls; Dixie; Fox Creek; McCormick; Ridge Spring-Monetta (FB only); Ware Shoals (except FB); Whitmire (except FB) Region 2: Brashier Middle College; Christ Church; Greenville Charter; Greer Middle College; S.C.S.D.B.; Southside Christian; St. Joseph’s; Tamassee-Salem; Ware Shoals (football only); Whitmire (football only) Region 3: CA Johnson; Governors School Math & Science; Great Falls; Lamar; Lewisville; McBee Region 4: Blackville-Hilda; Calhoun County; Hunter-Kinard-Tyler; Ridge Spring-Monetta (football only); North; Wagener-Salley; Williston-Elko Region 5: Allendale-Fairfax; Bamberg-Ehrhardt ; Bethune-Bowman ; Branchville; Denmark-Olar; Estill Region 6: Baptist Hill; Burke; Charleston Charter; Cross; Lincoln; Military Magnet; St. John’s Region 7: C E Murray; East Clarendon; HannahPamplico; Scott’s Branch; Timmonsville GAME DAY u JUNE 2013 23

PPPlease submit your best pics to

photos@upstategameday.com

Athletes in Action

photos by: John Clayton * Les Timms III * Ed Overstreet • Kenneth Davis ª Pete Cochran ª Fulton Hampton

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GAMEGAME DAY uDAY FEBRUARY 11 GAME JUNE2013 201327 25 DAY uuMAY GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 27

RACE SET FOR SEPT. 13 IN DOWNTOWN SPARTANBURG

HIGH HEEL HUNDRED RETURNS From staff reports All ages are eligible to compete in the third running of the Hub City High Heel Hundred scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 along Main Street in Spartanburg.

The event is presented by the Converse College Student Government Association to raise awareness for women’s equity. All proceeds will benefit the SAFE Homes rape and crisis center. SAFE Homes rape and crisis center is a non-profit organization serving victims of domestic violence and their dependent children in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties, and victims of sexual assault in Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.

Briana Bateman, president of the Converse College Student Government Association, said the event continues to grow.

“Last year, we had a good turnout, but this year, we’re hoping for a tremendous turnout,” she said.

Pre-registration for adults is $10 and $20 on the day of the race. College students and youth ages 2-14 can register for $5 each.

Entrants will also receive a goody bag with a t-shirt as long as they are available.

“It’s a lot of fun, the best part is when everyone puts on the heels and tapes them on and their tutus -- that’s the funniest part,” Bateman said. “But at Converse, we’ve learned that it’s important for us to be involved and give back -- it’s about service and leadership -- and we’re excited about the good cause this is going to go to.”

Heels must be at least two inches high for the 100-meter dash.

The staging area for the race will be at East Main and Liberty streets near the Denny’s Plaza. n

Ex-Panther LeCroy to continue wrestling career Recent Chapman High graduate Alex LeCroy signed in August to continue his wrestling career at West Virginia University Tech in Montgomery, W. Va. LeCroy is a former Spartanburg County champion and placed at the S.C. Individual Wrestling Tournament as a senior.

In addition to wrestling, he played football and tennis, and was an all-state chorus member as well as participant in the school’s drama program.

FULTON HAMPTON

Polk County’s offensive line creates a wall for QB Reece Schlabach who led the Wolverines with three touchdowns (2 rushing and one passing) in their 21-38 loss to Shelby.

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Cars, Planes & A Runway Race

Hope & Cure

Run / Walk for Colon Cancer

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 • 8 AM - 9:30 AM. ON THE RUNWAY AT SPARTANBURG DOWNTOWN AIRPORT

The public is welcome to come and celebrate a day at the airport with classic cars and bikes, planes of all types, a race down the runway and entertainment all day.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 • 10 AM - 4 PM

Proceeds from the run/ walk will benefit Colon Cancer Solutions for colon cancer awareness and education.

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AREA

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union counties

PETE COCHRAN

Boiling Springs

Aug. 30 at Nation Ford, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 York, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Clover, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Rock Hill, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 Byrnes, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Wade Hampton, 7:30 Oct. 18 Spartanburg, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Dorman, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Gaffney, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 Mauldin, 7:30 p.m.

Broome

Aug. 23 at Chesnee, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 30 Landrum, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 Ninety Six, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Fort Mill, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Clinton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Union County, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Chester, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Woodruff, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Chapman, 7:30 p.m.

Byrnes

Aug. 24 Apopka (Fla.), noon Sept. 6 Woodruff, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Clinton, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Boiling Springs, 7:30 Oct. 4 Spartanburg, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 Gaffney, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Mauldin, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 Dorman, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Wade Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

Chapman

Aug. 30 at Chesnee, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Travelers Rest, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Blue Ridge, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Mid-Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 Saluda, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Chester, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Clinton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Woodruff, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Union County, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 Broome, 7:30 p.m.

Chesnee

Aug. 23 Broome, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 30 Chapman, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Woodruff, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Pendleton, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Liberty, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Landrum, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Powdersville, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Crescent, 7:30 p.m.

Dorman

Aug. 23 Wade Hampton, 8 p.m.

Aug. 30 Rock Hill, 8 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Greenwood, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Hillcrest, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Dutch Fork, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 Gaffney, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Mauldin, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Spartanburg, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Boiling Springs, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Byrnes, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Gaffney

Aug. 23 at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 30 Clinton, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 Union County, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at York, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Dorman, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Wade Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Mauldin, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Byrnes, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 Boiling Springs, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Spartanburg, 7:30 p.m.

Greer

Aug. 30 at Seneca, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Union County, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Greenville, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Travelers Rest, 7:30 Oct. 4 Eastside, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Berea, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Pickens, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Southside, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Blue Ridge, 7:30 p.m.

Landrum

Aug. 30 Broome, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Walhalla, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Polk County (N.C.), 7:30 Sept. 20 Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Liberty, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Powdersville, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Chesnee, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Blacksburg, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Crescent, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Pendleton, 7:30 p.m.

Spartanburg

Aug. 30 at Union County, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 Laurens, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at South Pointe, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Greenwood, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 Riverside, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Byrnes, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Dorman, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Boiling Springs, 7:30 Oct. 25 at Wade Hampton, 7:30 Nov. 1 Mauldin, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 Gaffney, 7:30 p.m.

SCSDB

Sept. 12: Fountain Inn Christian, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Tenn. School/Deaf,

6 p.m.

Sept. 26: Oak Level Baptist, 6 p.m.

Oct. 5: at NC School/Deaf, 2 p.m.

Oct. 19: Ga. School/Deaf, 2 p.m.

Oct. 23: at Fountain Inn Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 31: NC School/Deaf, 5 p.m.

Spartanburg Christian Aug. 23: Lee Co. (N.C.) Aug. 30: at Calhoun Academy Sept. 6: at Thomas Sumter Sept. 13: at Oakbrook Prep Sept. 27: at Robert E. Lee Oct. 4: at Florence Christian Oct. 11: at Trinity-Byrnes Oct. 25: Westminister-Catawba

Union County

Aug. 30 Spartanburg, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Gaffney, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Greer, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Fairfield Central, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 Newberry, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Woodruff, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Broome, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 Clinton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Chapman, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Chester, 7:30 p.m.

Woodruff

Aug. 30 Abbeville, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Byrnes, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Chesnee, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Laurens, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Ninety Six, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Union County, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Chester, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 Chapman, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Broome, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Clinton, 7:30 p.m.

GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 31

AREA

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES Greenville County Berea

Aug. 30: Carolina Academy Sept. 6: at Powdersville Sept. 13: at Newberry Sept. 20: at Southside Sept. 27: Blue Ridge Oct. 4: at Pickens Oct. 11: Greer Oct. 18: Eastside Oct. 25: at Greenville Nov. 1: Travelers Rest

Blue Ridge

Aug. 30: Wade Hampton Sept. 6: J.L. Mann Sept. 13: at Chapman Sept. 20 Eastside Sept. 27: at Berea Oct. 4: Greenville Oct. 11: at Travelers Rest Oct. 18: at Southside Oct. 25: at Pickens Nov. 1: Greer

Carolina Academy Aug. 30: at Berea Sept. 6: Southside Sept. 13: at Christ Church Sept. 20: at Landrum Sept. 27: Chesnee Oct. 4: at Blacksburg Oct. 11: Crescent Oct. 18: at Pendleton Oct. 25: Powdersville Nov. 1: Liberty

Christ Church

Sept. 6: Eastside Sept. 13: Carolina Academy Sept. 20: at Ware Shoals Sept. 27: Calhoun Falls Charter Oct. 4: at McCormick Oct. 11: Dixie Oct. 18: at Southside Chri tian Oct. 25: at St. Joseph’s Nov. 1: Whitmire

Eastside

Aug. 30: at Riverside Sept. 6: at Christ Church Sept. 13: Wade Hampton 32 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

Sept. 20: at Blue Ridge Sept. 27: Pickens Oct. 4: at Greer Oct. 11: Southside Oct. 18: at Berea Oct. 25: Travelers Rest Nov. 1: Greenville

Greenville

Aug. 23: Abbeville Sept. 6: at Daniel Sept. 13: J.L. Mann Sept. 20: at Greer Sept. 27: Southside Oct. 4: at Blue Ridge Oct. 11: Pickens Oct. 18: at Travelers Rest Oct. 25: Berea Nov. 1: at Eastside

Greer

Aug. 30: at Seneca Sept. 6: Riverside Sept. 13: Union County Sept. 20: Greenville Sept. 27: at Travelers Rest Oct. 4: Eastside Oct. 11: at Berea Oct. 18: at Pickens Oct. 25: at Pickens Nov. 1: at Blue Ridge

Hillcrest

Aug. 30: at Mauldin Sept. 6: at Wade Hampton Sept. 13: Dorman Sept. 20: at Riverside Sept. 27: Greenwood Oct. 4: at Westside Oct. 11: J.L. Mann Oct. 18: at Laurens Oct. 25: T.L. Hanna Nov. 1 Easley Nov. 8: at Woodmont

J.L. Mann

Aug. 30: Southside Sept. 6: at Blue Ridge Sept. 13: at Greenville Sept. 20: at Mauldin Sept. 27: T.L. Hanna Oct. 4: Greenwood Oct. 11: at Hillcrest

Oct. 18: Westside Oct. 25: Woodmont Nov. 1: at Laurens Nov. 8: at Easley

Mauldin

Aug. 30: Hillcrest Sept. 6: at Woodmont Sept. 13: at T.L. Hanna Sept. 20: J.L. Mann Sept. 27: at Wade Hampton Oct. 4: Dorman Oct. 11: Gaffney Oct. 18: at Riverside Oct. 25: Byrnes Nov. 1: at Spartanburg Nov. 8: at Boiling Springs

Riverside

Aug. 30: Eastside Sept. 6: at Greer Sept. 13: at Woodmont Sept. 20: Hillcrest Sept. 27: at Spartanburg Oct 4: at Boiling Springs Oct. 11: Byrnes Oct. 18: Mauldin Oct. 25: at Gaffney Nov. 1: Wade Hampton Nov. 8: at Dorman

St. Joseph’s

Aug. 23: at Barnwell Aug. 30: at Blacksburg Sept. 6: River Bluff Sept. 20: at Calhoun Falls Charter Sept. 27: McCormick Oct. 4: at Dixie Oct. 11: Ware Shoals Oct. 18: at Whitmire Oct. 25: Christ Church Nov. 1: Southside Christian

Southside

Aug. 30: at J.L. Mann Sept. 6: at Carolina Academy Sept. 13: Powdersville Sept. 20: Berea Sept. 27: at Greenville Oct. 4: Travelers Rest Oct. 11: at Eastside Oct. 18: Blue Ridge

Oct. 25: at Greer Nov. 1: Pickens

Southside Christian

Aug. 23: Crescent Aug. 30: Peculiar Generation Sept. 6: at Silver Bluff Sept. 13: at Dixie Sept. 27: Ware Shoals Oct. 4: at Calhoun Falls Oct. 11: McCormick Oct. 18: Christ Church Oct. 25: at Whitmire Nov. 1: at St. Joseph’s

Travelers Rest

Aug. 23: at West-Oak Aug. 30: Liberty Sept. 6: Chapman Sept. 20: at Pickens Sept. 27: Greer Oct. 4: at Southside Oct. 11: Blu Ridge Oct. 18: Greenville Oct. 25: at Eastside Nov. 1: at Berea

Wade Hampton

Aug. 23: at Dorman Aug. 30: at Blue Ridge Sept. 6: Hillcrest Sept. 13: at Eastside Sept. 20: Woodmont Sept. 27: Mauldin Oct. 4: at Gaffney Oct. 11: Boiling Springs Oct. 19: Spartanburg Oct. 25: at Riverside Nov. 1: at Byrnes

Woodmont

Aug. 30: Wren Sept. 6: Mauldin Sept. 13: Riverside Sept. 20: at Wade Hampton Sept. 27: at Westside Oct. 4: Laurens Oct. 11: at Greenwood Oct. 18: Easley Oct. 25: at J.L. Mann Nov. 1: at T.L. Hanna Nov. 8: Hillcrest

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NextLevel

For anyone with the desire to play sports at the college or professional level, the road is long and hard. This regular feature is about local athletes, living their dream.

MR. SMITH goes to WOFFORD Former Dorman star gaining ground with Terriers

By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn

A

fter more than 4,000 career rushing yards at Dorman High School and 30 touchdowns as a senior, Ray Smith found out those numbers didn’t matter as much as a couple of other ones when it came to big-time college recruiting.

Smith is 5-foot-7, 185 pounds.

Those numbers trumped his gaudy statistics as an all-region and all-state performer at Dorman, so he made the trip to South Carolina’s WilliamsRAY SMITH Brice Stadium last season as a visitor with his hometown Wofford Terriers.

“We got down there and the coaches and my teammates were telling me, ‘prove to them that you belong,’” Smith said. “So, that’s what I wanted to do. . . .

I felt like I should be playing at that level.”

While Wofford and other Football Championship Subdivision teams jumped at the chance to recruit one of the state’s most productive running backs, the Gamecocks and other team’s from the sport’s power conferences looked at Smith’s size rather than his stats.

Then, it came down to where Smith felt comfortable as a player

34 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

Wofford running back Ray Smith, right, takes on the Gamecock defense in a game from last season.

and student.

At Wofford, he found a home just miles from home.

“I talked to my coaches (at Dorman) about it,” Smith recalled of his decision. “They said to think about where I would go if I wasn’t a football player.

Where would I go if I was just a student? I wouldn’t go to Georgia Southern. I wouldn’t go to App State. It was Wofford.

“I wanted to stay home and represent the town well, coming from Dorman and going right

down the street. Wofford’s got a great reputation and a great network and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Smith played in all 13 games for the Terriers as a true freshman last season, gaining a season-high 88 yards with a touchdown against Lincoln.

With the graduation of workhorse back Eric Breitenstein, Smith is in line for a much more productive sophomore season.

“I’d like to lead the team in rushing and score a lot more

than one touchdown,” Smith smiled.

But the big goals for the Terriers are Southern Conference and FCS championships, he said.

With a year in coach Mike Ayers wing-T-styled system under his belt, Smith said he is looking forward to being a bigger contributor in 2013.

He also offered a bit of a spoiler for the Terriers’ upcoming season, which begins Aug. 31 at Big XII member Baylor. n

youth fitness

4 THINGS TO HELP YOU HAVE A GREAT SEASON

A

s summer winds weight room, consistent effort down and school in practice and proper rest and starts nutrition. None of back, it’s these things come time to begin the easy. Remember fall sports season. others are putting in Hopefully it has been the work and if you a good summer of don’t, you’ll get left preparation. Here behind. Commitare four things to ment is what transhelp you have a great forms a promise into season. If you play reality. a spring sport then this will encourage 3. Do what is you to keep working right- Sometimes KEN to have that season athletes get wrapped you’ve always wanted in themselves and FINLEY to have. the attention they 1. Position receive. Former yourself deliberately- Good NBA coach, Jeff Van Gundy athletes get into and stay in said during a recent NBA game good body position most of the in reference to a young and up time. Great athletes always find and coming player that ‘the only a way to get in great position players who improve are those and remain there. Whether you who study, have high character are a defender in basketball or and have great work ethic’. Be soccer or a tackler or blocker willing to do what others are in football, every sport requires not. great body position for optimum success. For court or field 4. Trust in your sports I teach our athletes, ‘Hips preparation – Thinking doesn’t back, shoulders forward and achieve outcomes, only action knees bent’. Picture a baseball does. Prepare yourself with fielder awaiting a pitch, feet what you need to succeed, and firmly on the ground with the then act! When you prepare weight shifted slightly toward well, a game’s pressure and the toes. intensity becomes easier to handle. The secret to success is 2. Focus carefully- There consistency of purpose. are a lot of distractions around There you have four steps to us. It’s easy to skip a workout, a great season. You can be the give less than our best effort example for your teammates during practice, or stay up and set the tone for a great year. late. To be successful in athletYour hard work is always worth ics it takes hard work in the it no matter what happens. You

LORIIN BROWNING

are not just training for sports but you are training to be successful in life. n Ken Finley is a physical therapist and certified youth

speed and agility specialist. To learn more about his youth athletic development programs you can contact him at kfinley@ finleypt.com.

Have a story idea? contact editor and publisher Les Timms III les.timms@upstategameday.com 864.804.0068

GAME DAY u AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 35

FAITH in SPORTS

Rev. SETH BUCKLEY

Fall, football bring back memories

I

t is hard to explain to people how much I love the smell of freshly cut Bermuda grass. It has nothing to do with landscaping or making money as a boy mowing lawns. It has everything to do with the smell of walking onto Brice Field at Easley after Head Coach Larry Bagwell had just cut the grass on Thursday… getting ready for Game Day on Friday! (Yes…that was back in the day where the head coaches were also the Football Field Maintenance team!)

There are so many sounds, smells, and sights that trigger memories that will always be treasured as I look back to my years of playing sports in Middle School and High School.

While it would be easy to go down the road of Glory Days and tell stories of games gone by, the things that I remember most were the unique sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that developed among the players

36 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

and the coaches.

Two years ago Easley held the final game at Brice Field before moving to the new field at the new campus (I won’t share my thoughts on that move but if you are nostalgic…fill in the blanks) Former athletes were invited back they recognized us at halftime.

We gathered according to the years that we played, and that’s when it got real. Tearing up and giving hugs, we all began to experience the gift that playing a sport together had given us. 30 years later and we still treasured the memories as though they happened last week.

As coaches and players, what kind of memories will be made this year that will last a lifetime? I hope that coaches understand that at the end of the day, there are so many life lessons that can be addressed by them that will equip players for years to come.

I pray that my boys will be able to look back in 30 years and have stories that bring tears to their eyes and laughs in their hearts. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he said in the opening chapter, “ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

That nostalgic thought refers to the Spiritual growth and leadership that the church had embraced.

For me, I think of coaches that helped me to grow in ways that I could never repay and it causes me to “Give thanks every time I think of them.”

Middle School and High School Coaches like Bob Gordon, David Lewis, Mike Barnes, Larry Bagwell, Eddie Barbary, Bill Houston, Earl Gilstrap, and Eddie Cisson will forever be etched in my heart because of how they shaped me.

Every time I hear the sounds

of pads popping…the smell of the locker-room…the fresh cut grass…I thank my God for those who took the time to pour into the lives of young men and women and give them memories that they could cherish for a life time.

As you coach or play today…. focus on making memories that count!! n The Rev. Seth Buckley is minister to students at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg. He is a former football player at the University of Alabama, where he played for legendary coach Bear Bryant.

FAITH in SPORTS

Rev. BUCKY ROGERS

Fellas, family, faith and football

F

or many guys, fall is the greatest time of the year.

The air begins to get a crispness, the kids head back to school (finally), and the football fields get fresh lines and one last fertilizing. People everywhere grab the colors of their favorite team and hit the road, hit the couch, or at least hit the DVR. Bars fill with people, homes open for parties, and parking lots become a circus of tailgating. Some live for this time of year. Even the smell of a football gets their hearts racing.

At times, the wives and kids in these homes aren’t quite as thrilled. Sometimes daddy goes MIA for a couple of months, and even when he’s there, he’s not really there. Obviously, this isn’t true in every football loving home, but it is in some, especially when this opportunity to tune in, turn off, and connect with a team takes the place of needed family time.

So, what does a guy do?

Are we supposed to just forget sports, and sit around the table singing kids songs. Obviously not. But there are steps you can take to combine your love for your family with your love for football in a way that communicates to your wife and kids that your love for them is far greater. Take a look at these suggestions and pick a few this fall to try out. You might be surprised how it affects your home.

• If your wife doesn’t really understand football, try explaining it to her. Don’t use a bunch of technical terms, just help her understand the general flow of the game. The simple act of talking to her for an extended period of time may be worth gold.

• Make football day into a game. If you have younger kids, use racecars to represent the 2 teams, draw out a track on some craft paper, and mark out some point lines. Each time a team scores, let your kids take turns moving the cars to their

next spot on the track. If you have older kids, start a fantasy league in your home with a big reward at the end (don’t be cheap...throw a couple hundred dollars out on the table for this that can be won at the end), or let them help you with your fantasy team.

• This is going to sound crazy, but ask your wife to help you get on Pinterest.com to find cool ideas for you to sport your team colors at your home, your car, even your clothes.

She may get really on board with you this fall if she’s able to use her creative side to come alongside you.

• Obviously, as much as possible, watch games together as a family. Teach your kids what’s happening during the game, and celebrate with them when your team brings home a W. • Make some predictions at the beginning of the season and at the beginning of each game. Let the winner pick their favorite dessert or

have a special 2 hour “anything I want with daddy” day. (This could be fun…especially if your wife wins!)

Obviously, this isn’t all you can do. Just start small and pick one. You don’t want to get to the end of the season…or the end of your life, and realize your best time was spent on things that don’t last. Use your time this fall to reflect your priorities. n Bucky Rogers is the Pastor of Students and Worship Arts at theMill in Spartanburg SC where he and his wife Julie have served for the past 7 years. They have 4 children and plan to adopt many more. Bucky leads IgniteSpartanburg, is on the advisory board for the International Center for Youth Ministry, has written curriculum for Student Life and Nav Press, speaks at various camps and retreats, is the author of ‘Rooted in the Ancient Words’, and blogs at www.buckyrogers.net

All Sports - All Spartanburg - All the Time www.espnspartanburg.com

OVERTIME

LATE HITTING NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE AREA

xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx The Upstate Youth Football players of the Greer City Recreation Department were given free team photos of the Greer High School football

team to get signed on Aug. 22 at Meet The Jackets night at Dooley Field.

For many youth, it was their first time on Dooley Field.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Gaffney’s Foster, Byrnes’ Bentley keeping word

By JOHN CLAYTON On Twitter @JCTweetsOn Gaffney’s Hyleck Foster scored with a pass reception, a rush and a kickoff return in the annual Battle of the Border Showcase.

And there were smiles in Huntington, W. Va., home of Marshall University.

As Indians teammate Shaq Davidson made his highly publicized commitment to South Carolina, Foster made Marshall his college choice, more quietly offering his verbal commitment to the Thundering Herd earlier this summer.

“Marshall is an up-and-coming program,” Foster said. “It’s not a big school and it’s not a small school. It’s an offense that I 38 AUG. 15 - SEPT. 14, 2013 u GAME DAY

can fit into. . . I feel like Marshall is a great fit for me.”

Foster said he and Davidson are “just like blood brothers” and are happy to see one another succeed.”

Foster rushed for more than 1,800 yards as a junior, helping lead the Indians to the Class 4A state championship.

He chose Marshall over offers from Charlotte, Mercer, Old Dominion and Eastern Michigan. Foster will join former Gaffney teammate Raheim Huskey, a 2012 graduate, at Marshall. Huskey is sitting out this season due to academic eligibility requirements.

Bentley sticking with ODU: Byrnes quarterback Shuler Bentley told a Virginia newspaper his verbal commitment to Old Dominion still stands, even though some schools are still in pursuit of the senior.

Bentley told the Virginia Pilot (Norfolk) that Cincinnati, Charlotte and Eastern Michigan continue to recruit him despite the commitment. Verbal commitments are not binding.

Shuler reportedly also has interest from Clemson, Auburn and Duke but those schools have yet to make formal offers.

“I’m committed to ODU,” Bentley told the Pilot. “But if another university offers me, if I feel it’s better for me and my family, then I’ll look at it, consider it, think about it and pray about it.”

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