Emerald Coast October 2016 Edition

FHSAA Shakes up the Football Playoff System

Niceville High School

Coach Tre S.L. Jones Christian Academy

Fall 2016

Jacob Hall / Mac Wilson / Brinker Shell

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In The Game | 3

STAY IN THE GAME

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IN THIS ISSUE 07. Publishers Letter

22. The New Kid on the Block

08. Picture perfect

25. FHSAA Shakes up the Football

A Short Time ago

10.Building a Team

Coach Tre / S.L. Jones Christian Academy

Playoff System

12. Pensacola Sports Charity Challenge

28. The Sound and the Fury

15. Tiger Point Sports Association Redux

33. Instant Replay

18. Run Like an Eagle

35. Chain Reaction

Niceville High School

Jacob Hall / Mac Wilson / Brinker Shell

Brad Harnett / Riley Laggan

21. Coaches Clinic Fast Break

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Top Players to WATCH

Legend Jim Goodman

Future Gridiron Stars A Coach’s Wife For the Smell of the Grass

Emerald Coast

along the line, that guy didn’t learn about or forgot sportsmanship. That win lose or draw, we are bigger than the game. Our fellow brothers and sisters on the field of competition deserve our respect, just as we deserve to be respected.

It seems that we’ve totally accepted the throw away, easy way out, accommodate every whim society - someone complains about prayers before a sporting event, do away with it. National anthem protests, stop playing the anthem or let the team hide in the locker room so they can’t act out. Postgame hard feelings, eliminate the handshake. The post-game handshake is bigger than that.

It signifies that while the contest is over, we go on together as a community. Eliminating the handshake dehumanizes the participants and makes them something else – gladiators.

Are they really just modern day warriors performing for our entertainment where only the victor shall emerge and be celebrated? Or are they our children, our brothers and sisters who are participating in sport to make them a better, stronger person?

It’s the cheap and easy way out instead of dealing with the real issues. And no, I don’t have the silver bullet answers. I have my opinions about how they would be dealt with on my team, if I were the coach. But throwing away our religion, traditions, national pride and sportsmanship just because the vocal minority raised an octave is definitely not the answer. It is just a game. And when we forget that, just like the prayer, the anthem and the handshake, we will soon just do away with the games altogether. And for the very same reason - it’s just a game and not worth all the trouble. That will truly be a sad day.

Arnold & Ed

In the Game is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without consent from the publisher. P & T Productions, LLC makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content.

All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2015 P & T Productions, LLC All rights reserved.

ISSN 1945-1458.

Find Your Team’s Preview Inside!

IN THE

GAME EC August 2016.indd 1

August 2016

A short time ago, the Escambia County School District performed an experiment. For one week, at all high school football games they eliminated the post-game handshake.

Only the coaches and captains would be allowed to meet at midfield after the contest was decided. Each team was required to retire to opposite end zones or their locker room. Gladly, after a week of complaints from students, parents and the public, scathing articles and editorials in the paper, on radio and TV, that horrible idea was walked back to the barn and put away, hopefully forever.

This is just another example of political correctness run amok. Someone’s feelings might be hurt because they lost, or even worse, someone might be proud and excited that they won. Some administrator felt it best to just to just keep these two groups as far apart as possible. So much for that sportsmanship thing that we claim is one of the main reasons for even competing – you know, the whole, keep your head up, look them in the eye, shake the hand of your opponent, respect the effort.

It’s all about perspective. Keeping sports in their appropriate place. It is just a game after all. Even here in the deep south, where it is often joked that sports are more important than religion, and people often lose that perspective and elevate sports to a place it doesn’t belong. Things like the poisoning of the Oak Trees at Auburn begin to make sense, in a weird, twisted way. Somewhere

8/4/16 9:42 AM

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS! email us at info@itgsportsnetwork.com to let us know what you thought of the August edition of ITG.

Contributors

Publisher Mark Dykes Editors Arnold Gamber Ed Spears Graphics Brittany K. Wyche Cover Photography Marque Milla Reese Feature Photography Rachel McMeninmen Arnold Gamber Marque Milla Reese Michelle Smith Katherine Quarles/Spiros Zachos Devin Pattie Feature Writers Marty Stanovich Rachel McMeninmen Arnold Gamber James Washington Tiffany Roher Edward Spears Copy Editor James Washington Advertising/Marketing Arnold Gamber arnold@itgsportsnetwork.com Ed Spears edward@itgsportsnetwork.com Website Manager Cole Parker FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL: 888-715-4263 P & T Productions, LLC 3451 Bayou Blvd. Pensacola, Fl 32503

Check this out!

We all know the siblings in sports like the William sisters in tennis, the Manning brothers in the NFL and more. But heres a list of a couple that no one really knows about.

StepH Curry

Yes, the reigning NBA MVP and best shooter in the league has a brother who plays in the pros. Despite not having the same NBA success, Seth Curry is also a pro basketball player. In fact, Seth played at a bigger school than Steph and put up some respectable numbers in college.

Picture Perfect Written by Edward Spears | Photos by Edward Spears

A picture is worth a thousand words. In The Game Magazine depends on pictures to help share our stories. But a great picture doesn’t just happen. You have to either be in the right place, at the right time and be fortunate enough to capture a magical moment or, more likely, you have to be creative and talented and make magic happen. We have been fortunate to work with some incredible photographers to capture the images that bring our stories to life, especially

the cover pictures. The last three ITG Emerald Coast cover photos were taken by Katherine Quarles and Spiros Zachos. The husband and wife owners of Po10tial Magazine (http://po10tialmag.com), Katherine and Spiros are active in the Pensacola arts community. For the ITG August cover shoot, we got a glimpse behind the scenes at what it takes to make a memorable picture.

It was a beautiful, warm July night at the Tate High School football field in Cantonment. The amazing Florida sunset was captured by Pelican Drones.

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is a former first overall pick and is a multiple time all-star and All NBA award winner. He is one of the most exciting high flyers in the league. One thing that almost no one knows about Blake is that his brother, Taylor, is a former second round pick.

Michael Vick

Michael Vick has been one of the more polarizing figures in the NFL for years and is one of the best mobile QBs of all time.

He has also done terrible things off the field, but there is no denying his skill on the field. This is very similar to his brother, Marcus Vick.

Champ Bailey

Champ Bailey is often regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history. He is a multiple Pro Bowl and All Pro award winner and a member of the All Decade team of the 2000s. What many people don’t know is that he is the brother of another former NFL player. Boss Bailey, best known for his time with the Detroit Lions, is the younger brother of Champ Bailey.

Jason Giambi

Jason Giambi was a big time slugger in the MLB and was a five time all star who won the 2000 AL MVP. He had one of the better careers in MLB history. What a lot of people don’t know about Jason is that he has a younger brother that also played in the MLB. Jeremy Giambi played in the MLB for six years and enjoyed moderate success, but wasn’t able to put up the numbers that his brother did.

8 | itgsportsnetwork.com This information is courtesy of www.thesportster.com

Arnold and I had discussed with Katherine and Spiro what we had in mind for the cover shot. It was pretty simple, but sometimes the simplest things wind up being the most difficult. The concept was a football player looking forward to the season. It was the 2016 Preseason Edition of the magazine after all. Preseason practice was over. Everyone is undefeated. Looking into the unknown. The smoke clearing. Ready for the stands to be full, the band playing, the cheerleaders chanting and the fans screaming. Capture everything that is exciting about high school football, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the emotions, in one picture, with only one person. A picture of simplicity, that reflects everything. Easy, right?

We had the pieces in place. Coach Jay Lindsey arranged for access to the football field and had the lights on. His new starting QB, Jake Henry, was ready to suit up and be our model. Spiro and Katherine had their equipment while Arnold and I were there to lend support and review the pictures. The joy of modern cameras – instant review. “That’s close, but still something missing” was said more than once.

We didn’t plan on the large lawn mower breaking down on the field and basically eliminating

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the home side of the stadium from use. But hey, we’re flexible – shift to the other side and set everything up. The night actually proved to be too clear, no clouds or haze. No problem – Arnold came prepared with the sparklers.

Get Jake positioned just right and….. “Yes, we’re sorry Jake, but your face will not be seen in the picture. See, it’s this artistic kinda

thing we’re going for”. Take ten pictures and review. The football is turned the wrong way. The helmet is not quite right. Jake, turn your shoulders. Take ten more and review. “Yes, we know that’s not your number Jake. We’ll take it out in post”. The wind is blowing the smoke back at us. Can we move the lawn mower at all? A little more up angle. We need the entire goal post and that one light stanchion. “Jake, you’re leaning. No, we don’t want to see your face”. Take ten more and….. wait, go back to that one for a minute. Four people, each with a different idea of what the final product should be all pause and silence.

I’m thinking, “should I be the first to say it?” Sure, why not – “I like that one”. Arnold, still catching his breath from inhaling sparkler smoke mumbled a “yeah, me too”. Hey Coach Lindsey and Jake, take a look at this. “Looks good” they said in the way you say things when you’re ready to go home. But we really wanted to hear from Spiro and Katherine. They said that could work with the lighting and exposure. They could make it fit our vision. And considering they weren’t out in Pensacola Bay on a small boat in a pretty decent chop on a cloudy day, like they were for the June Edition cover shoot, they were pleased.

Fast forward a week and we get the finished image. The amazing ITG production staff removed what was the number “16” on the jersey, sized it right, added the graphics and there you have it – a magazine cover is born.

This is just one small example of what goes into making In The Game magazine come to life. The images make the stories jump off the page. We hope to give you more “behind the scenes” glimpses into how this all comes together in future editions.

We are truly grateful for all the talent that helps Arnold and me take our ideas and make into a reality that we read every few months. We cannot do it without you. THANKS!!!

In The Game | 9

Building

a team Written by Edward Spears

Running around in the pine forest of Northwest Florida might not seem like much of an activity for a football team to do to get ready for the season, but the Indians of Choctawhatchee High School have started to see it as a rite of passage. Coach Greg Thomas has taken his squad up to Ranger Camp 6 for the last couple of years to help bring them together through team building exercises and physical conditioning. For three days in July they participate in similar activities as the US Army Rangers undergo to develop team bonding and learning how to work together. The experiences these young athletes share are something they will never forget.

Coach Thomas believes the experience of working together to achieve positive outcomes helps develop his players for a more productive season. But on top

10 | itgsportsnetwork.com

of that he believes he is helping develop better people for the future. As a coach and an educator he feels the team building exercises teaches his players skills they will utilize for the rest of their lives. Learning how as individuals to bond together to achieve success is something these young people will have to do the rest of their lives.

Guided by Ranger Instructors, the Indian football players learn to work as one. Coach Thomas would like to see this lead to victories on the field, but more importantly see this lead to victories in these student athletes lives!

Ranger Camp “6�

Camp James E. Rudder (Camp Rudder) is host to the third and final phase of a nine week training course, dubbed the "swamp phase", of the U.S. Army Ranger School.

The camp is located on the Eglin Air Force Base reservation, co-located with Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #6 / Biancur Field, approximately fourteen miles northwest of the main Eglin AFB airfield.

The Florida Ranger Camp was established November 15, 1951, by then Major Arthur "Bull" Simons who was named the Commander of the Amphibious/Jungle Training Committee at Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #7 / Epler Field,[1] which was the initial location of the camp. Colonel Simons was later the commander of the prisoner of war rescue attempt on Son Tay, North Vietnam. The Florida Ranger Camp remained at Field Seven for 20 years until it was moved to Field Six in January 1970.

The current Camp Rudder was named for Major General James E. Rudder, USA in June 1974. MG Rudder commanded the 2d Ranger Battalion when it scaled the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, France, during the 1944 D-Day Normandy invasion.

In The Game | 11

ensacola Sports is Florida’s first and oldest sports organizing and management group, and the area leader in amateur and professional participant sports, event management, marketing and promotions in the Pensacola and Northwest Florida Region. They are passionate and enhancing the quality of life, health, well-being and economic development of the Pensacola and surrounding regions through education, inspiration and participation.

No matter the season, there’s always something going on. Pensacola Sports offers a wide array of sporting and athletic events sure to spark your interest – whether as an amateur or professional athlete, or a spectator or volunteer.

Discover some of the Fall events that Pensacola Sports has to offer!

Bud Light Charity Challenge – Pensacola Marathon October 14 & 15 Presented by Publix – Pensacola Sports is excited to partner with November 13 The Lewis Bear Company to present the 12th annual Bud Light Charity Challenge Tennis Tournament. This event benefits Arc Gateway, an organization that provides the best possible life experiences for more than 800 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Bud Light Charity Challenge is held at Roger Scott Tennis Center and is a 2-person team Round Robin format. It is a great way for you and your partner to test your game all while having fun and supporting a great cause. Food and drinks are provided throughout the tournament. There is also a silent auction held to raise money for Pensacola Sports and Arc Gateway that includes; gift baskets, vacation giveaways, sporting event tickets, and other fantastic opportunities and gifts.

Fall Golf Classic – October 28

On October 28th Pensacola Sports will host its annual Fall Golf Classic. For the first time in the tournaments history it will be held at the beautiful Perdido Bay Golf Club. This is one of the tougher tracks in the Pensacola area, and provides a fun challenge for you and your teammates.

The format is Best 2 Balls of 4, which is makes this one of the more unique tournaments in town. Every player receives a Pensacola sports goodie bag including a Polo, Hat, and tumbler.

There will be closest to the pin challenges on all of the Par 3's, longest drive, raffle prizes, and plenty of food and beverages provided.

Combine Veteran’s Day weekend, historic Pensacola, sugar white sandy beaches, add a route atop the bluffs overlooking Escambia Bay where runners greet the sunrise and you have the perfect recipe for the 12th Annual Pensacola Marathon, scheduled Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 beginning at 6:30 a.m. The event features a full, half and 5K and a free kids run after the race.

The Pensacola Marathon is the only Full Marathon offered in Pensacola and is one of the premier running events on the Gulf Coast. Come challenge yourself and then stay for the fun!

HSAS Volleyball – November 17

The 10th annual Subway High School All-Star Volleyball game will take place once again at the University of West Florida Field House. The game is an East vs. West battle and features the top Seniors of Escambia County (West) playing against the top seniors of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties East). This game provides the seniors to be recognized for their accomplishments, and to give them one last chance to catch the eye of a college recruiter all while competing in a fun and positive environment.

Tickets to the game are $8 at the door, or $6 if you bring a canned good to be donated to the Mana Food Pantry. There will also be an on-court Fan Contest sponsored by Academy Sports and Out Doors, with a chance to win up to $200 in Academy Sports & Outdoors gift Cards.

If you have questions about any of our events please visit us at www.pensacolasports.org or give us a call at our office (850) 434-2800 12 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Subway High School All-Star Volleyball Game Seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties

Thursday, November 17, 2016 UWF Field House

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Tiger Point Sports Association Redux Written by B.J. McCroskey | Photos courtesy of Tiger Point

When it’s time to get the kids out of the house and into sports, what park do you think of in the Emerald Coast / Gulf Breeze area?

Maybe you think of Gulf Breeze with their nice fields and sun-blocking awnings, the many options in Pensacola, or Navarre.

Nestled in between Gulf Breeze Proper and Navarre in the Tiger Point area is another choice that is often overlooked. Tiger Point Sports Association (TPSA, tpsports.net) offers youth sports including baseball/t-ball, fastpitch softball, flag football, and soccer. The park also has outdoor basketball and tennis courts, a walking track, and playgrounds. A concession stand is also available during games and practices with maybe the best gyros in the area.

Tiger Point is an all-volunteer park that in recent years has seen their numbers in some sports decline, as have other parks in the area. Once the jewel of the area, Tiger Point has recently been known more for the poor condition of their fields, broken scoreboards, vandalism, garbage issues, and other problems than the park that provides a great sports experience for the area’s kids. Tiger Point’s biggest strength and weakness is its volunteers. Being an all-volunteer park means that most of the work must be done by volunteers without the benefit of money coming in from the city of Gulf Breeze due to the park’s location. This is also a strength as some of our volunteers go over and above for the benefit of the park.

At the end of 2015, a new TPSA President (Chandler Cruit) and Vice President (B.J. McCroskey) were elected by the TPSA Board of Directors. With them comes a new focus on improving every aspect of the park. Simply volunteering and sitting back is not the approach these two are taking. Based on each’s experience with specific sports, they decided to split the park in half with Cruit being responsible for the soccer side and McCroskey handling the baseball/tball/softball side. Initially their approach was concentrated on execution and completion of needed tasks and work. With improving coordination with the TPSA Board of Directors and Santa Rosa County, the rebuild of Tiger Point is in full affect.

One of the first tasks was to improve the overall condition of the baseball and softball fields. Sod was laid on baseball infields, weed treatment area was extended, sprinklers adjusted/fixed, and a large effort began to paint (orange) the dugouts, benches, and boards on the fields. VP McCroskey explains how the idea came about. “We had some coaches take the initiative to paint the boards and dugout on one of the softball fields. It looked awesome but honestly made the other fields look even worse. We decided to do the same on the rest of the baseball and softball fields, and we want all who come to the park to see a lot of Tiger Point orange. In the past, the condition of the fields has been used as a reason not to come to Tiger Point. Come and check them out now.”

Led by previous soccer Commissioner Chandler Cruit and new Commissioner Rich Schwarting, Tiger Point has one of the strongest soccer programs in the area and also has built a strong relationship with the Bayside Soccer Club.

The park’s flag football program, in its third season, is also very popular and continues to grow. The program was started as a replacement for the recently discontinued tackle football program and was started by former flag football commissioner Wally Farej. New Commissioner and former TPSA President Vic Claudio now runs the program and has made some exciting changes to be implemented this season.

The challenge has been figuring out what to do with the park’s struggling baseball and softball programs. The field work was the first step and is ongoing. The Spring 2016 season was a success and included the GCGSA midseason softball tournament that was the largest tournament hosted by Tiger Point with 81 teams. Definitely a learning experience, Tiger Point looks forward to hosting more tournaments in the future. This also marked the first time in years that all scoreboards were functioning at the start of the season, although more work is needed on them. The brightest spot of the Spring was the number of t-ball players. Not only is t-ball one of the most entertaining sports to watch, but it also gives us a glimpse into our bright future.

Baseball Commissioner Tim Smith and softball Commissioner Danny Salazar continue to work closely with the Vice President to continue to rejuvenate the programs. When planning for the Fall sports season, there was a lot of skepticism about even being able to offer baseball/t-ball and softball. Would the programs have enough numbers? Would Tiger Point have to turn away kids at the last minute because there simply aren’t enough to field a team?

These were important questions, as Tiger Point wants to continue the overall positivity from the Spring season. In the recent past, there were many reasons that parents didn’t register their kids at Tiger Point. The important thing now is to remove as many of the negative reasons as possible.

Tiger Point is extremely pleased to report that 102 kids are registered for Fall baseball/t-ball and softball numbers are strong as well with multiple teams in each age group. One contributing factor is the increase in advertising and getting the word out. Tiger Point registration was communicated via billboards, banners, flyers placed at local businesses and schools, and other advertising.

Tiger Point even considered advertising on the banners that fly behind the planes that are seen over the beaches. Maybe next Spring.

The biggest contribution to the successful Fall softball numbers was by one of our volunteers. Ezra Daniel, softball 10u coach, held practices throughout the Summer and got the word out to Gulf Breeze coaches and players. The practices were a lot of fun and did a great job of getting the word out about the Fall season. This is a great example of one of Tiger Point’s volunteers taking pride in his team, sport, and the park. He also spends countless hours working on the 10u field and others.

So the Fall seasons are underway. What about the future at Tiger Point?

There is still much work to be done. Taking a note from the positive aspects of the relationship between TPSA soccer and Bayside, the baseball and softball side are working to build a relationship with the Unlimited Training Academy (UTA) in Pensacola. UTA has conducted baseball and softball camps at Tiger Point for Tiger Point players and others in the area. Sharing their professional and college level experiences, they have also conducted clinics for Tiger Point coaches. The guys at UTA have also helped with some of the field work at Tiger Point. How often do you have a professional baseball player help to work on your fields? It is much appreciated.

This growing relationship between Tiger Point and UTA has two aspects. First is the development of Tiger Point’s players and coaches. Their level of baseball and softball knowledge and their professional and fun manner of sharing it is beneficial to all. They also offer individual and group lessons, cage rentals, rent-a-coach, and other services. Check them out at unlimitedtrainingacademy.com. The knowledge level of coaches at Tiger Point has been questioned in the past. Development of coaches and making sure that coaches at Tiger Point are teaching proper fundamentals is one of the items we are working to improve. Remember the “removing negative reasons” part mentioned earlier?

Tiger Point feels that they already have the best coaches in the area, but UTA has helped with this development.

The other aspect is centered on travel baseball. Travel baseball is a higher level of competition where teams are formed to primarily play in tournaments. Currently there are more opportunities to play travel baseball in the area than ever before. However, many of the teams that are created are also quickly disbanded. Tiger Point is a recreational sports park. This is important to remember and shouldn’t be overlooked. Without travel teams of their own, Tiger Point has lost players to travel teams. UTA has travel baseball teams.

As their travel teams grow, the idea is for Tiger Point to recommend UTA to players looking for an increased level of baseball play as UTA is an established entity. Adversely, the goal is also for UTA to recommend Tiger Point for players who don’t make their teams during tryouts. Tiger Point looks forward to the continued growth of this budding relationship.

Tiger Point is also looking to the future park-wide. Many projects and improvements are being researched, including the possible addition of awnings over the bleachers, crowning the fields to improve water drainage issues, adding field space for soccer, and many other. The question is how to do it.

Park funds, county assistance, grants, and other means are all possibilities. Lots of work to still be done, but the future is exciting.

So why do all this? Is it because orange is a really cool color? Is it really important for baseball/softball fields to be well maintained, soccer goals to have nets, football fields to be lined, and scoreboards to work? The balls will still roll out for games. People are often very forgiving. Those in the Tiger Point and local neighborhoods will choose Tiger Point for the convenience and location over a better opportunity at another park. Right?

It’s actually very simple. Tiger Point Sports Association (President, Board Members, Commissioners, Coaches, Volunteers, etc.) is here for the children.

Tiger Point’s goal is to provide the best possible sports experience for your child in the area. We may not succeed, but nobody can say we didn’t try. Hope to see everybody at the park.

Football

Softball

In The Game | 15

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In The Game | 17

Girls 2A Varsity Cross Country Region 01 - District 01 School

Arnold High School Bay High School North Bay Haven Charter Academy Pensacola Catholic High School Rutherford High School South Walton High School Walton High School West Florida High School of AdvancedTechnology

Girls 3A Varsity Cross Country Region 01 - District 01 School Booker T. Washington High School Escambia High School Gulf Breeze High School J.M. Tate High School Milton High School Pace High School Pensacola High School Pine Forest High School

Region 01 - District 02 School Choctawhatchee High School Crestview High School Fort Walton Beach High School Mosley High School Navarre High School Niceville High School

18 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Girls 1A Varsity Cross Country Region 01 - District 01 School Baker High School Central High School Freeport High School Jay High School Laurel Hill High School Northview High School Paxton School Pensacola Christian Academy Rocky Bayou Christian School

Ru an Written by Edward Spears Photos by Davin Patti

un Like n Eagle The Eagles soar to an overall win, capturing 10 of the top 12 positions and a 1-2-3-4 finish

The 2016 Niceville Girls Cross Country Team is picking up right where last year’s squad left off. The 2015 team finished second in the state. The 2016 team returns nine of the top ten from that squad.

How did they start off 2016? How is an overall team victory, a 1-2-3 finish and 10 of the top 15 finishers in the Pace Patriot Invitational 5K for opening acts? In the second meet of the year, The West Florida Cross Country Classic, they backed that performance up with an overall win and seven of the top ten, including a 2-34 finish. That result was achieved without running the girls who finished 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 11th in the first meet! The Wildcat Invitational on September 17 saw the Eagles soar to an overall win, capturing 10 of the top 12 positions and a 1-2-

3-4 finish. The Gulf Coast Cross Country Stampede brought another team victory and 8 of the top 13 finishers. They are literally running away with the 2016 season.

Led by seniors Abbie Harrelson, Alexis Sherwin, Jane Parke, Mackenzie Shinnick, Claire Crist, Diana LaFollette; Juniors Hannah Schneidewind, Ally Woodard, Ciara Coger; Sophomores Jayda Brooks, Erin Eubanks, Hanna Farley; and Freshmen Jayden Horne, Clara Beth Lafollette, Erin Converse the team’s biggest competition may be themselves. Coach Jamie LaFollette is in an enviable position with strength and experience from top to bottom of his roster. His goal for this year is to stay healthy and stay focused. He said one of the lessons he learned from getting so close to a state title last season is

to not race his top girls too much during the season. He is looking to incorporate strategic rest periods for his runners during the season to build up to the state championships. This plan is already being tested. Senior Claire Crist, a perennial top runner for the Eagles since her freshman year, is no longer available due to a season-ending stress fracture. However, the Lady Eagles are still running toward where they want to be: padding their nest with a state title.

Coach LaFollette has built this team for the long run and you can look for it to continue for some time. Along with the underclassmen running Varsity, the JV team can hold their own. In the Pace Invitational, the JV team only held all of the top 6 positions.

In The Game | 19

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Coaches Clinic

FAST BREAK

Written and Photographed by Edward Spears

In The Game Emerald Coast hosted the second annual Basketball Coaches Clinic at the University of West Florida.

On Sunday, October 9, In The Game Emerald Coast hosted the second annual Basketball Coaches Clinic at the University of West Florida. Thirty-five participants from across the panhandle attended the clinic to keep up to date on the changes in basketball. Representing every level from youth to D-I college coaches, the participants were treated to an afternoon full of learning and oncourt demonstrations.

University of West Florida Head Women’s Basketball Coach Stephanie Lawrence Yelton again emceed the event and provided her team to demonstrate the drills and skills from the speakers.

The workshop started with UNC All-American, WNBA star and new UWF Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach LaQuanda Barksdale Quick taught the “Pack-Line” Defense. University of South Alabama Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Russ Willemsen demonstrated new techniques for player development. University of West Florida Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Brian Benator demonstrated the Ball Screen Motion Offense.

One of the highlights of the clinic was Coach A.C. McCullers, currently the head coach at Strong Rock Christian School (GA). Coach McCullers is the #3 all-time winningest coach in Georgia history and he was Coach Yelton’s high school coach that guided her to three state titles, losing only three games in her entire high school career and building the foundation that would lead her to win a national title at UNC. Coach McCullers presented Coach Yelton with several pictures from her high school career and a questionnaire each player for his teams completes discussing their plans and goals. Coach McCullers focused his presentation on transitioning fastbreak into offensive sets.

The day ended with a motivational presentation on action planning for your program and your team from retired coach/basketball enthusiast Chip Boes.

ITG Emerald Coast would like to thank our sponsors: Pensacola Sports, Comfort Inn and the basketball staff at UWF for providing their facilities and players for the Coaches Clinic. Look for more clinics in the future.

In The Game | 21

S.L. Jones Christian Academy

S.L. Jones is adding football and baseball to the slate for 2017 and Coach Tre will once again be at the helm.

The New Kid on the Block S.L. Jones article | Photos by Edward Spears

t was a typical Wednesday at S.L. Jones Christian Academy as I sat outside the front office, looking at the overflowing trophy case. Administrators hustle around the front office. Announcements buzz over the intercom. Kids mingle in the bright halls between classes, laughing and high-fiving. One name is heard over the din of the hallway – “Coach Tre” “Coach Tre” over and over. Coach Tre is Athletic Director and basketball head coach Tre Bonner, just the man I’m here to see. Coach Tre has been a fixture at The Jones Academy. For 17+ years he has helped guide the youth at the private Christian Academy. The K3 – 12 school, founded in 1998, is an accredited institution with 375 students. Playing in the Panhandle Christian Conference, the Warriors have long been a basketball powerhouse in the conference consisting of school along the Emerald Coast. The team went 12-0 in last season. In 2010, he led the Warriors to the National Association of Christian Athletes National Title and third place in 2015. The 16 team tournament held in Dayton, Tennessee annually draws the best talent nationally.

But all that is about to change. S.L. Jones is adding football and baseball to the slate for 2017 and Coach Tre will once again be at the helm. And they are jumping in with both feet, moving to the Florida High School Athletic Association District 1-A, Joining much larger high schools Baker, Northview and Jay. And they are not afraid.

“Bible, book, then ball is our mantra. It starts at the top” says Coach Tre. At the top is Pastor Willie Demps, CEO of the Academy and pastor of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Pensacola. Pastor Demps is no stranger to high level academics and sports, having been named Teacher of the Year seven times and Coach of the Year three times at various school districts. We put a heavier 22 | itgsportsnetwork.com

academic requirement on our players than other schools. We require a 2.5 minimum GPA to participate. “S.L. Jones is not a last chance or drop out school” he stresses. “We are a private Christian school, just like Pensacola Christian, Aletheia or Trinitas”. “We stress to our kids that they can achieve through playing sports. That going to college is a must. It’s expected”.

To assist those that wish to attend the Academy, multiple scholarship opportunities are available.

The excitement over football is evident. From Pastor Demps on down, there is a sense of growth and opportunity. The school will field a freshman and JV team in 2017 and add varsity in 2018. “We don’t see any roadblocks”, says Coach Tre. From having to play all road games, to acquiring all the equipment necessary to field a football team, the staff is meeting each challenge. “Our goal is to build an IMG-type academy in Pensacola.

The kids come first and this program is for them”. And they’re doing everything they can to build it. Krispy Kreme Donut sales, fundraisers and apparel sells are underway to raise the needed funds.

Coach Tre is building his own team to make the dream a reality. Pastor Demps’ son, Willie, Jr. a standout linebacker at B.T. Washington High and collegiately at LSU and is returning to S.L. Jones to serve as the defensive coordinator. Warrington Youth Football National Title Winning Coach Ladaron Clardy will be on the staff, led of course, by Coach Tre. Coach Tre proudly points to the sharp white, gold and blue uniforms and helmet on prominent display in the trophy case.

The Warriors are going to look good and with Coach Tre and his staff, I can assure you they will play good too.

“We provide a great education, with great sports and great coaches”.

In The Game | 23

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This system will prevent teams with losing records from advancing to the playoffs

FHSAA Shakes up the Football Playoff System Written by Edward Spears | Photography by Marque Milla Reese

On September 26, 2016, the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted to shake up the high school football playoff system. Boiling down the changes, it all comes down to winning. And it is being hailed as the type of change everyone was hoping for. Gone are the days of putting all emphasis on winning two or three district games and basically ignoring the other eight games on the schedule. Every game matters. And while wins are critical, playing quality opponents will matter just as much. (See the FHSAA Point System below) It will be interesting to see how coaches and athletic directors balance playing quality teams with getting wins. Can the system be gamed to produce the exact results that it is trying to prevent? Namely, prevent a team with a losing record from advancing to the playoffs. For teams in Class 1A-4A, districts are completely eliminated. Each school will be responsible for developing their own schedule. Each region will get four playoff entries into a 16 team post season.

For Classes 5A-8A, the districts remain. Each district champion receives an automatic bid into the playoff and will have home field advantage. After that, there will be four wildcard teams from each region based on points. The post season will feature 32 teams. The new system will be implemented in 2017 and 2018, when the Board, which voted 14-2 for the new system, will review how it’s working.

“I think it’s going to be harder for smaller division teams to get games, especially for those quality teams that could upset a higher division team. As with anything new, it’s going to take a few years to figure out and see how it works” Emerald Coast Area Football Coach.

The unique aspect of the new system is the points structure that awards points not only for wins and losses, but for the quality of the opponent based on the strength of their schedule.

Opponents will fit into one of the following four categories: Category

Win-Loss %

1

Opponent’s Record

Points (W)

Points (L)

80% or Higher

10-0, 9-1, 8-2. 9-0, 8-1, 8-0

50

35

2

60-79%

7-3, 6-4, 7-2, 6-3

45

30

3

40-59%

5-5, 4-6

40

25

4

39% or Lower

3-7, 2-8, 1-9, 0-10, 3-6, 1-7

35

20

• Points are based on your opponent’s regular season record and your win-loss record • This system rewards winning and strength of schedule • You must play a minimum of eight games to be eligible for a playoff seed • Total games played will be divided by your total points earned (teams who choose not to schedule 10 games will not be penalized)

It remains to be seen if this system will prevent teams with losing records from advancing to the playoffs. But what is clear, every game now matters, and you no longer control your own destiny. AN opponent’s strength of schedule could change several times during the season. One week, you could be in, you could win that week, and then find yourself on the outside In The Game | 25 looking in because previous opponents could falter. This is definitely a wait and see.

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New FHSAA Football ESCAMBIA Districts

SANTA ROSA

ITG Emerald Coast Service Area *2015-2018 seasons

7

8 3 2

4

17 1 20 16

6 5

8 CLASS 6A - REGION 1 - DISTRICT 1 1. Escambia High School (Pensacola) 2. Pine Forest High School (Pensacola) 3. Tate High School (Cantonment) 4. Washington High School (Pensacola)

8 CLASS 6A - DISTRICT 2 5. Gulf Breeze High School 6. Navarre High School 7. Milton High School 8. Pace High School

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8 CLASS 6A - DISTRICT 3 9. Choctawhatchee High School (Fort Walton) 10. Crestview High School 11. Fort Walton Beach High School 12. Niceville High School

8 CLASS 5A REGION 1 DISTRICT 1 13. Arnold High School (Panama City Beach) 14. Bay High School (Panama City) 15. Mosley High School (Lynn Haven) 16. Pensacola High School 17. West Florida High School (Pensacola)

HOLMES

24 10

21

19 29 WALTON WASHINGTON

OKALOOSA

25 27

12 9 11

26 28

BAY

8 CLASS 4A - REGION 1 - DISTRICT 1 18. Rutherford High School (Panama City) 19. Walton High School (DeFuniak Springs)

13

8 CLASS 3A - REGION 1 - DISTRICT 1 20. Pensacola Catholic School

8 CLASS 1A - REGION 1 - DISTRICT 1 21. Baker School (Pensacola) 22. Jay High School 23. Northview School (Bratt)

8 CLASS 1A - REGION 1 - DISTRICT 2

24. Holmes County High School (Bonifay) 25. Vernon High School

15 14

8 CLASS 1A - REGION 2 - DISTRICT 3 26. Bozeman High School (Panama City) 27. Freeport High School 28. South Walton High School (Santa Rosa Beach)

8 CLASS 3A - REGION 1 - DISTRICT 4 29. Chipley High School

In The Game | 27

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Written by Edward Spears

They go by names like, “The Showband of the South”, “The Pride”, “The Sound Wave”, “The Big Red Machine”, “The Million Dollar Band” and ‘The Super Sound”. Those names are earned through dedication, hard work and a commitment to excellence. Try and imagine a football Friday night without the sound and rhythm pumped out by each school’s marching band. It just wouldn’t be the same. Band members earn their stripes and place on the team through blood sweat and tears. They play through pain. They have to memorize the music and formations. And there is always practice, practice, practice.

Just like the football team they are supporting, band members must endure summer camp, daily rehearsals out in the heat and elements ever present along the Emerald Coast. Throw on a heavy, long sleeve and long pant uniform, a tall hat and then carry around instruments that can weigh up to 35 pounds and you have an athlete and artist all wrapped into one. In The Game Magazine caught up with several band members to learn more about these amazing students.

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Secrets Behind The Making of Drumline

You may have known this; but I had no idea that the Drumline story was loosely based on the story of famed producer, and the father of Chilli’s child, Dallas Austin. Nick Cannon’s character was based off producer Dallas Austin and his high school drumline experiences. Austin was heavily involved in the making of the film. He served as executive producer and was also the man behind the soundtrack.

Zoe Saldana is trained as a classical dancer. But when she decided to pursue acting, she wanted to distance herself from the dancer role. But she told Campus Circle, that’s not exactly how it happened for her with her first couple of movie roles. “I thought I was going to get to leave the dancing stuff behind me, but I realized that I am just going to do whatever is tossed at me. Who knows? Maybe the next thing might be martial arts.”

Zoe wasn’t the only one who had a bit of a hard time, in the last couple of scenes during “BET southern classic” scene Leonard Roberts, who played Devon’s former nemesis, Sean, was very sick during his final scenes. He was said to be so sick that you see that he appears visibly weak and sweaty by the end of the film.

In The Game Magazine would like to thanks the band members for helping make the Friday night game experience even more memorable and wish them luck in their upcoming competitions and parades.

Nick Cannon has spoken extensively about how well prepared he was for this role. He was quick to remind people that that was him actually drumming. A decade later, he told Star Pulse about the physical toll preparing for the movie had on him, like the scars he developed on his hands from sleeping with drumsticks in his palms. “That was like 10 years ago, I wish I could still do that! It was about six hours everyday for about two months before we started shooting. I still have scars on my hands”

In The Game | 29

Courtesy of www.madamenoire.com

Jacob Hall

Senior at JM Tate High School Trumpet player in the Showband of the South GPA: 3.8

Seven years playing Four years marching

One of three Trumpet Section Leaders My favorite part of being in band would have to be getting to spend time with people who are like me, who enjoy playing music and having a great time while doing it.

I think the hardest part of being in band is the amount of work that has to be put into getting a ten-minute half time show on the field. Countless hours of practice are put in during the end of summer and after school in the fall but at the end of the day, it is worth it.

The whole preseason process begins with our rookie camp to teach the new members of the band how to play their instrument properly while marching across the field.

Rookie camp happens around the first two weeks of June and really prepares the new members for what they can expect during band camp. After rookie camp is over, we have what is left of June and most of July to learn our music before band camp begins.

Around the middle of July, the band meets two or three times to have a music rehearsal before starting band camp the next week.

Band camp starts around the last week of July lasting for two weeks. Our band camp lasts from 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM Monday through Friday with Wednesday practices only lasting from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM. After these two weeks of practice are over, we host a parent preview for our families to get a first look at that season’s show.

Game days usually start off in the morning making sure I have all the parts of my

uniform together and ready for the afternoon. Once I get to school I will hang out with some of the football players and chat about how the game is going to go that night. Then, after school before the game, most of the sections of the band will go out to eat at different places and relax before coming back to school to get ready. This is usually the best day of the week considering we all get to enjoy that afternoon and get pumped for the game later that night.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS: I plan on going to the University of West Florida to major in electrical engineering.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT BEING IN THE BAND: Everyone needs to know that being in band is not the easiest thing to do all the time.

Marching band is tough but at the end of the day when the crowd goes wild after you have performed a show, you know it is worth all the hard work.

WHAT PARADES, COMPETITIONS, ETC. HAVE OR WILL YOU PARTICIPATE IN WITH THE BAND: Each year our band marches in the annual Veterans Day and Christmas Parade. I have also marched in the ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will be performing this December with a mass band in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Mac Wilson

Sophomore Bass Drumer in the B.T. Washington High School Band

I enjoy having the opportunity to play music and being a part of the drumline. The hardest part is the actual marching – learning the steps. We prepare for the season for two weeks at summer camp in the hot sun. We practice three days a week after school and band class during the day.

Game Day for me is an opportunity to play in front of others and

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First year playing and marching show what we’ve learned. One thing I would like everyone to know about being in the band is that it’s a lot of hard work, but it is also a great way to make friends and learn more about music. The WHS Band will be participating in the Milton Band Festival and the Marching Band Assessment in Fort Walton Beach.

Brinker Shell

Junior at Gulf Breeze High School Percussion Player in the Soundwave Band

My favorite part about Band is that it's like a family, so it is the highlight of my day to hang out with them. The hardest part about band is most definitely the time commitment.

In order to prepare for band over the summer we have one week of rookie camp in June which is from 8-12. In addition to that, we have 2 weeks of band camp from 8-5. During the season, we have practice on Monday Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-6:30 and football games on Fridays from about 5:0011:00 depending on when they are located. Game day is very long but I enjoy cheering on our football team who is currently 4-0 for the first time in history.

As for my future plans, I would like to attend the University of Washington, Seattle to become a nurse anesthetist and possibly enlist in the navy to help pay for said education.

Band isn't the cake walk that everyone might think it is. We are out in the sun marching and playing almost every single day. I challenge anyone who says this is easy to take on our practice schedule.

Events: We had a March-a-thon this past Saturday, and we will likely be in two Christmas parades as well as the homecoming parade. Also, we will have a total of four all-day Saturday competitions.

Two years playing Two years marching IN PICTURE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Natalie Tobin, Julia Dane, Brinker Shell, Emily Hoeflich, Savannah Goette

16 YEARS EXPERIENCE Professional Sports Recruiting Videos In The Game | 31

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Instant Replay

A look back at the

Top Players to WATCH

Legend Jim Goodman

Future Gridiron Stars A Coach’s Wife For the Smell of the Grass

August Edition of In The Game Magazine

Emerald Coast

Written by Edward Spears

A Coach’s Wife –

Mindy Clayton, wife of Gulf Breeze Head Coach Bobby Clayton and daughter of Pine Forest Head Coach Jerry Pollard was torn on September 16. On one sideline was her father’s undefeated Eagles. On the other, her husband’s undefeated Dolphins. Only one would leave the field undefeated. It turned out to be Bobby’s Dolphins, the surprise team of the early part of the 2016 season.

Both teams remain atop their district standings.

Find Your Team’s Preview Inside!

At the midpoint of the season, many district races are just starting to heat up. In the 6A, District 1 race, Tate leads the way at 5-1 followed closely by Pine Forest at 4-2. The two are heading for a Halloween weekend clash at Pine Forest on October 28. District 2 is shaping up to be a battle between powerhouse Navarre (5-0) and upstart Gulf Breeze (5-1). These two will also face off on October 28 at Navarre. The 6A, District 3 race is shaping up between perennial leader Niceville (6-0) and a much improved Crestview (6-0). Look for these teams to clash on the 28th at Crestview. In 5A, District 1, Bay High School (4-0-1) and West Florida (3-2) lead the pack. They will meet on October 14 at the Woodham Middle School Football Stadium. With the majority of district games still to be played, the season is not over for any team. Watch for an exciting second half of the season.

Top Talent to Watch-

Looking at the area statistical leaders at the midpoint of the season (through 5 games):

August 2016

2016 High School Preseason Football –

IN THE

GAME

Rusty Moorer, Crestview (1537 yards, 22 TD’s) Tyler Phelps, Gulf Breeze (1355 yards, 10 TD’s) Jeff Toney, Niceville (1320 yards, 17 TD’s)

Wesley Philpot, Pine Forest (63 Total) Logan Green, Gulf Breeze (63 Total) Ben Dobry, Gulf Breeze (54 Total) James Howard, Pine Forest (50 Total) Chandler Marshall, Arnold (48 Total)

Anthony Johnson, Pace (886 yards, 10 TD’s) Michael Carter, Navarre (641 yards, 15 TD’s) Jaden Gardner, Pine Forest (519 yards, 3 TD’s) Jake Henry, Tate (503 yards, 4 TD’s)

Liam Gesler, Gulf Breeze (5.5) Dalton Lykins, Arnold (4) Cade Taylor, Navarre, (4) Jaxon Adams, Pace (4)

Andrew Adkins, Crestview (682 yards, 8 TD’s) Tristan Covell, Gulf Breeze (510 yards, 4 TD’s) Tylon Tolbert, Vernon (424 yards, 6 TD’s) Juanyeh Thomas,, Niceville (405 yards, 4 TD’s) Parker Baynes, Gulf Breeze (344 yards, 3 TD’s) Keon Voisin, Crestview (316 yards, 5 TD’s)

Matt Demahy, Gulf Breeze (6) Walter Yates, Gulf Breeze (3) Shannon Halfacre, Tate (3) Justin Veras, Niceville (3) Justice Bice, Holmes County (3) Jireh Crittenden, South Walton (3)

In The Game | 33

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Chain Reaction Mission Our mission at Chain Reaction is to empower teens to learn through service. In a safe, fun and empowering environment, our teens discover their innate strengths and untapped abilities; unite as a team of connected, committed citizens; and believe in themselves to achieve more and aspire to see the good in all things.

Vision Chain Reaction has grown to become a nationally recognized teen-directed, teen-organized and teen-driven organization with program chapters in major cities across the United States. We are the premier teen leadership experiential education organization for teens in the United States.

CR Reputation Chain Reaction has gained a reputation as the premier teen leadership and experiential education organization for teens. Education through applied service learning and civic projects teaches our teens important life skills, identity and character development. Our curriculum lays the foundation that prepares teens for the real world and is recognized as a proven force for creating a positive, measurable impact for teen success.

In The Game | 35

Brad Harnett Q: What grade are you in?

A: Sophomore at FSU- Biology major Q: How long did you play basketball competitively in high school?

A: In high school (Pensacola Catholic High School) played 4 years on varsity squad. I now play intramurals at FSU.

Q: How were you a member of Chain Reaction?

How long have you been member of the Executive Committee?

A: I started Chain Reaction when I was a sophomore until I was senior. I was on CR Council Board for two years.

Q: What convinced you to join Chain Reaction?

A: I went to a conference at rotary youth, and I met another

teen who was involved with CR and they took me to one of the meetings and I then I decided to join.

Q: As a student athlete, how did you find balance between school, basketball and serving with Chain Reaction?

A:

It defiantly was hard to balance, and prioritize what is important. I had to make a schedule and couldn’t slack off in order to make sure everything was staying balanced.

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Q: Have you learned anything from Chain Reaction

that’s impacted your playing basketball, or your interaction with the rest of the tennis team?

A: Oh defiantly. One of the biggest things CR helps you

with is leadership. Since I was giving service and learning leadership skills it made me seek them for basketball. I was able to practice those leadership skills during CR then go out and do it for my basketball team.

A:

Kristin. Her enthusiasm, the connections and what we could do for each other.

Q:

Where would you like to go to college? Are you planning on playing tennis in college?

A: Northwestern and U. of Texas, Austin, UF and UNC. I’m look-

letes that are looking to get involved in service?

ing more to focus on school in college, maybe play on a club team while at school. Club teams are still super competitive and I’d like to go to a school where I can challenge myself academically and still play great tennis on the side. I think University team tennis would take away from my focus on school, so I’ll be playing club.

A: I would say make the leap to get involved. A lot of

Q: As a student athlete, how do you find balance between

Q: What advice would you give to other student athpeople think it may be boring or not being able to balance a schedule, but once you decided to value what’s important for you and your community it is a great experience.

Q: How has CR prepared you for college?

A: CR has helped tremendously for college. There are

school, tennis and serving with Chain Reaction?

A: I think I really find balance by working hard and working on the most important things in my life. School and Service come first, tennis comes second. School and Service kind of overlap, but if I need a break, instead of sitting down and watching TV or something, I go practice tennis.

a million things to do, clubs, intramurals, social, and of course school work. No one is there by your side to help you through it all. Practicing service and time management through CR has helped me be successful in college.

Have you learned anything from Chain Reaction that’s impacted your playing tennis, or your interaction with the rest of the tennis team?

Q: What would you say to other athletes that say they’re

A: I think Ive gotten a lot of patience through playing tennis,

too busy for service, that say they don’t have enough time?

A: I would defiantly say there is always time. Prioritize

what’s important. Service is so much more important to not just your own life, but to other peoples life. Service is worth putting the time into.

Riley Laggan Q: What grade are you in?

A: 11th (Junior) Q: How long have you been playing tennis competitively?

A: I’ve been playing since 7th grade. I’ve always been

pretty good but this past year (sophomore year) I got way better. My mental game got way better.

Q:

and really applied that to Chain Reaction and my service. Chain Reaction has helped me with hard work and dedication, and that definitely translates to my tennis game. It really helps translate into life at school as well.

Q: What advice would you give to other student athletes that are looking to get involved in service?

A: Definitely do it. For me, being able to balance all the things can teach you a lot. Budgeting your time and getting involved in more things really helps to build character, and I think it helps prepare you for life after high school, in college and after.

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: Cross-country in the Fall. It helps to cross-train and gets me in shape.

Q: What school do you go to?

A: I’m in the IB program at PHS. Q: Now that you’re a junior in IB, do you think it’s going to get more difficult to balance school, service and tennis?

Q: What do you mean your mental game? Why did that

A: A lot of what people struggle with in IB is math and science,

A:

Q: What would you say to other athletes that say they’re too

get better?

My mental game was holding me back as a player.

Making smarter decisions, not getting down on myself while I’m playing. Just focusing more on going out there instead of putting tons of pressure on myself.

Q:

How long have you been a member of Chain Reaction? How long have you been member of the Executive Committee?

A: Since Freshman year of high school. I’ve been on the executive committee since sophomore year.

Q:

What convinced you to join Chain Reaction?

but I love math and I’m really good at it. I think that helps a lot, but the time management aspect is going to be a lot more difficult. busy for service, that say they don’t have enough time?

A: Chain Reaction can really

teach you a lot, about yourself and your sport. Eventually you realize that doing things in your community and doing things in school are more meaningful than just playing tennis.

In The Game | 37

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To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.

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Michelle Carmical Area Director mcarmical@fca.org

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In The Game | 39

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