Cheer Team Tumbling Over the Competition Pierce Co. High School
Wrestler Primed for the Present
John Jones, Northside High School
VSU
National Champions
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IN THE
GAME
FEB/MAR 2019
Presented by:
ITG Next | 1
Honoring South Georgia Athletes No Matter the Sport
4 North Carter Street Lakeland, Georgia 31635 (229) 482-3585
978 Valdosta Highway Homerville, Georgia 31634 (912) 487-1200
202 W. Washington Ave. Nashville, Georgia 31639 (229) 686-9451
1201 S. Patterson Street Valdosta, Georgia 31603 (229) 244-3585
3303 Inner Perimeter Road Valdosta, Georgia 31605 (229) 244-3585 8 | itgnext.com
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IN THIS ISSUE 18 20 21 23 25 28 29 44 45 46 48 54 55 56 58 68
10-Year-Old Superman Smashing Records Witcher Takes on New Horizons With Dual Enrollment Program Southern Regional Technical College
Macon County Student Takes College Career in Own Hands South Georgia Technical College More Than an Athlete Coastal Pines Technical College
Bouncing Back Despite Setbacks Valwood School
Cheer Team Tumbling Over the Competition Pierce Co. High School Shining a Light Through All Levels of Sport FCA
First Hardaway Athlete to Commit to Play Division II Since 2012 Genesis Adams, Hardaway High School Making a Run for It Deerfield-Windsor School
Pine Grove Middle’s Bundle of Joy Allea Christopher Player Turned Coach Tia Lewis, Turner Co. High School
Wrestler Primed for the Present John Jones, Northside High School
Cincinnati Assistant Coach Bringing the Team Together Outfielder Knows What It Takes to Catch Success Andrew Newhouse, Perry High School
Area Athletes Honored at 11th Annual ITG Next Banquet Compensation Beyond Scholarships for College Athletes
70
Is Change Good?
81
NFL Hall of Famers' Letter to the League
82
Vikings Take to the Water Pacelli High School
Football Champions
30 31 33 35 36 40
There's No Stopping a Runaway Freight Train Frederica Academy
High Expectations and Back-to-Back State Titles Clinch Co. High School A Cinderella Story: From 5-5 to State Champs Bainbridge High School Humble and Hungry Is the Motto Lee Co. High School
Central High School Wins First State Football Title in 25 Years Road to the Throne Valdosta State University
School Pages
50 49 52
Lowndes High School Brooks Co. High School Dooly Co. High School
Player Profiles
71 72 73 74 76 77 79 80
Jayce Tyler Moore, Coffee High School Sky Geovanni, Colquitt Co. High School Dominique Dale, Valdosta High School Daniel King, Cairo High School Taydrain Sanders, Turner Co. High School Treun Pace, Pelham High School Nia Allen, Valdosta High School J. Ben Paulk, Colquitt Co. High School
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New Year. New Looks.
NEW ADVENTURES. But some things never change... Enjoy the award-winning dealership experience at Valdosta Toyota.
The All New 2019 Toyota RAV4 Has Arrived. The all-new Toyota RAV4 is ready to hit the hot spots in town or the fresh springs out of town—and everywhere in between. Whether it’s the premium Limited, rugged Adventure grade, or stylish XSE Hybrid, there’s a RAV4 just for you. So get set to discover new places, whenever and wherever you want, starting at with the best prices and best experience at Valdosta Toyota. ValdostaToyota.com/RAV4
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2980 James Circle, Valdosta, GA 31601
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(229) 299-4146
More Than an Athlete Written by: Dominic Ligon | Photography by: Micki K Photography
Jackson Boeckel is an exceptional student-athlete who shows just as much dedication in the classroom as he does on the baseball field. Boeckel is currently a junior attending Camden County High School, while also dual-enrolling at Coastal Pines Technical College. He proves that average isn’t enough. Growing up in Kingsland, Georgia, Boeckel has been playing baseball since the age of four. He comes from a baseball loving family and credits his parents for inspiring his passion for the game at such an early age. Although he originally played second base as a kid, Boeckel had to transition to playing behind the plate as catcher for the Wildcat squad. This transition taught him how to adapt quickly.
“To play catcher, you have to be aware of everything that’s going on in the game,” he said.
It’s safe to say that Boeckel’s keen awareness and willingness to adapt benefits his academics as well. Deciding to register for Coastal Pines Technical College’s Dual Enrollment program was a no-brainer for Boeckel, considering he’d gain college credits while still in high school.
“I would recommend Dual Enrollment to any high school student that wants to further their education in college," he said. "It will give you the chance to knock out a couple of college courses early and get a head start. It’s only as complicated as you make it. If you use your time wisely, it makes things a lot easier.” He admitted that hard work and consistency are needed to do both, but he doesn’t shy away from the workload. The 17-year-old maintains a 4.0 GPA as an athlete and Dual Enrolled student. After high school, Boeckel hopes to play college baseball and also plans to major in engineering. There’s no doubt that there are big things to come for the young student-athlete.
There are 25 general education courses taught by Coastal Pines Technical College that are guaranteed to transfer to any of the University System of Georgia’s colleges and universities. • American Government • American Literature • Art Appreciation • Biology Introduction I • Biology Introduction II • Calculus • Chemistry I (Intro) • Chemistry II (Intro) • College Algebra • Economics (Macro) • Economics (Micro) • Economics (Principles) • English Composition I
• English Composition II • Humanities (Intro) • Pre –Calculus • Psychology (Intro) • Public Speaking • Quantitative Skills & Reasoning • Sociology (Intro) • Statistics (Intro) • US History I • US History II • World History I • World History II
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THE BANK FOR YOU
2004 2007 2012
2018
YES
DID IT AGAIN!! 38 | itgnext.com
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender www.citizenscommunitybank.net
Congratulations
NCAA DIVISION II
VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSIT Y
We specialize in team equipment & team uniforms.
ITG Next | 39
2018 AWARDS BANQUET
Area Athletes Honored at 11th Annual ITG Next Banquet Written by: Anna Limoges | Photography by: Eric Vinson and Marque Milla Reese
On Dec. 10, 2018, players, coaches, and fans gathered to celebrate the top football players from 33 schools across the region at ITG Next's 11th Annual South Georgia High School Football Awards Banquet. University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban was the guest speaker for the evening. He talked about the early years of his football career and emphasized the impact coaches have on players and vice versa. He said that we owe the people who have helped us more than a "thank you" and that they deserve an IOU of our very best. Following Saban's speech, the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year from each school were awarded for their performances on the field and the leadership they provided during the season. ITG Next and sponsorship partners then awarded top honors to eight players, one fan, and one coach. A coach in attendance was also named the winner of the Steel's Jewelry giveaway.
Guest Speaker Presented By:
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CONGRATULATIONS
Berrien High School Offense: Tanner Adams Defense: Brian Carter Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Brooks Co. High School Offense: Darryl Gallon Defense: JaColby Brown Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Colquitt Co. High School Offense: Kamaar Bell Defense: Brian Merritt Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Mitchell Co. High School Offense: James Thomas (NP) Defense: Malik Barnes Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Pelham High School Offense: Judah Wilson Defense: Javoris Williams Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Thomas Co. Central High School Offense: Quay Edwards Defense: Tykeem Wallace Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Turner Co. High School Offense: Demarcus Barnes Defense: Trent Henderson Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Worth Co. High School Offense: Jordan Curry Defense: Tayshaun Shipp Vereen Rehabilitation Center
Bainbridge High School Offense: Caleb McDowell (NP) Defense: Roman Harrison (NP) Southern Regional Technical College
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