October 2013 South Georgia Edition

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

South Georgia Edition

October 2013

35 10 On The Cover Pinevale Tigers 1963 Football Team

19 Special Feature

Schools Valdosta High School

15

Colquitt County High School

27

Valwood School

41

Cook County High School

45

42

Irwin County High School

49

In The Stands

Also Inside

Player Spotlight Mac Loudermilk Valdosta High School

46

Have Georgia High Schools Adequately Addressed The Issue Of Performance Enhancing Drugs?

17

Some Thoughts On Georgia High School Football

33

Trenton Thompson Westover High School

23 Academic Athlete Christian Parker Lowndes High School

30 Special Feature Newbern Middle School Football Standouts

®

Coach’s Corner Jeff Littleton Bainbridge High School

53

! e v i L with host Mark Dykes Thursdays 6 - 7 p.m.

Rising Star Ellie Stark Valwood School

Read.

Subscribe.

Share.

www.inthegamemagazine.com 4

• Atkinson Co. Rebels • Bainbridge Bearcats • Berrien Rebels • Brooks Co. Trojans • • Brookwood Warriors • Cairo Syrupmakers • Coffee Trojans • Colquitt Co. Packers • Cook Hornets • • Citizens Christian Patriots • Clinch Co. Panthers • Echols Co. Wildcats • Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane • • Georgia Christian Generals • Irwin Co. Indians • Lanier Co. Bulldogs • Lowndes Vikings • • Thomas Co. Central Yellow Jackets • Thomasville Bulldogs • Tift Co. Blue Devils • Tiftarea Panthers • • Valdosta Wildcats • Valwood Valiants • Worth Co. Rams •

in the

game

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Publisher Mark Dykes

Editor Mark Dykes Kaitlynn Passmore

Graphics Jennifer Alexander

Cover Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography

Feature Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography Kaitlynn Passmore

Contributing Photography Bryce France Sandy McClurd

Feature Writer Robert Preston, Jr. Jon Nelson

Copy Editors Crystal Hubbard Ashley Dailey

Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com

Website Manager Kaitlynn Passmore

For distribution or subscription information contact: info@inthegamemagazine.com

®

From the Publisher The legacy and heritage of high school football goes way back in the state of Georgia, often further back and into places many of us may have forgotten about or may not have ever known. The winning tradition that we celebrate today has existed for decades in schools like Thomasville, Valdosta, Cook, Cairo, Fitzgerald, and others. All five of the aforementioned schools won state titles many, many years ago and are still winning games today. Other South Georgia programs have surfaced as perennial state title contenders – Colquitt, Lowndes, Valwood, and even Clinch and Brooks.

There are, however, other schools with winning traditions – schools with which many people may not be familiar. They are the schools that competed in the Georgia Interscholastic Association (GIA), the AfricanAmerican high schools that existed before integration. These programs didn’t get much media coverage even in the local papers and many of their achievazements have been forgotten. It is a shame that we have let their accomplishments wander so far from the public’s eye.

This month, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of a state championship won by one of those teams – the Pinevale Golden Tigers of Valdosta. In 1963, the Golden Tigers steam rolled their way through their schedule (with the exception of two epic battles against the Center Tigers of Waycross) en route to a Class A GIA state championship. Their season crossed racial lines and, at least for a short time, united a community behind a football program that seemed destined for immortality. Led by five All-State players and a future Vietnam War hero who wouldn’t survive his tour of duty, the Golden Tigers gave football fans in the Valdosta community something to cheer about. When the season ended, they joined the 1953 Dasher Purple Tigers as owners of a GIA state championship. We spoke with a pair of former players who recapped that remarkable 1963 football season. It is an enlightening look at an important chapter in Lowndes County sports history.

The Valdosta schools are well represented this month in our regular features. We spent a little time with Valdosta High’s Mac Loudermilk for our Player Spotlight and Lowndes High’s Christian Parker for the Academic Athlete feature. Right now, Parker sits at the top of his graduating class and has tremendous opportunities awaiting him after high school. The Rising Star is Ellie Stark, a young lady who is playing on Valwood’s first-ever volleyball team.

We also expanded our territory a bit this month. Albany sits in an interesting spot on the map – maybe a little too far west to make it in the South Georgia edition and too far to the east to be included our Columbus Valley magazine. However, the Albany-Dougherty County community produces some fantastic athletes, and one of the best junior defensive linemen in the country is Westover’s Trenton Thompson. Trenton is being recruited by some of the best college football programs in the country and seems to be one of those can’tmiss prospects. We ventured into Albany and spent a few minutes with the talented lineman.

Several schools in the area have new football coaches, and we have been trying to spotlight as many of them as possible. Up this month is Bainbridge’s Jeff Littleton, a coach who has two state championships on his resume: one as a player in Worth County and one as an assistant coach in Cairo. Bainbridge is Littleton’s first head coaching job, and he has big plans for the Bearcats’ program.

As always, we have enjoyed producing this edition, and we look forward to once again bringing you the best in South Georgia high school sports coverage.

For advertising information call: 888-715-4263 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, GA 31603 6

In the Game High School Sports Magazine is published monthly excluding July. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2013 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

On The Cover

Pinevale High School 1963 Football Alumni

E

very team has at least one leader, that one individual who sets the tone for everyone else. For the Golden Tigers, that young man was Horace Hampton, the most athletic player on the team, according to his former teammates. “He was our spiritual leader as well as our leader on the field,” says Brown. Hampton was killed in Vietnam on March 27, 1966, less than three years after winning the state championship. “He died a hero’s death, trying to save the lives of others,” states Brown.

10

Pinevale High Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Only State Title

by Robert Preston, Jr.

W

hen people think of the ValdostaLowndes County high school football tradition, they probably consider Valdosta High’s 24 state titles, Lowndes High’s five championships, or Valwood School’s four. What observers may not realize is that there are at least two more high school football state championships in the community, won by the 1953 Dasher Purple Tigers and the 1963 Pinevale Golden Tigers.

These were African-American schools in the Lowndes County community in the days before integration, and these programs have their own championship legacy. This football season marks the 50th anniversary of Pinevale’s state title, and it’s something that those who were members of the Pinevale community still hold dear.

The 1962 season was a pretty good one for the Golden Tigers. They went 7-3, a record that today would almost certainly guarantee a playoff spot. But the postseason operated differently than it does today, and Pinevale’s season ended after 10 games. Heading into 1963, everyone knew the Golden Tigers would be good. They had 20 seniors and 18 juniors returning, making the team a veritable All-Star squad. “We felt like we were a team of destiny all along. We had no fear, and we were very well coached,” recalls Jefferson Brown, an All-State quarterback for Pinevale.

Leroy Butler, a freshman on the ’63 team, remembers an atmosphere of intensity surrounding the team from the first day of practice. “We were destined to win the title. And our coaches pulled out all the stops. We did things that had never been done before,” says Butler.

The Golden Tigers were a single-A school.

They started the 1963 season against 2A Johnson from Savannah. The Atomsmashers were big, strong, and led by George “Butch” Atkinson, a future Oakland Raider. Playing Johnson would be a big early-season test for Pinevale. “They pulled up at our place in a

photography by Miki K Photography Greyhound bus. We had never seen that before.

We always took school buses to our games,” says Brown. The Golden Tigers shut down Atkinson and kept Johnson out of the end zone all game. When the buzzer finally sounded, the two teams had fought to a 0-0 draw. “We considered that a moral victory for us,” states Brown.

After the Johnson game, Pinevale steamrolled through its schedule – until it faced Center from Waycross. That was the Golden Tigers’ big rivalry. Until 1963, Center had held the advantage over Pinevale. That season, however, things would be different. Pinevale and Center tied 7-7 in their first meeting in week nine. After dispatching Wilson in the regular season finale, Pinevale and Center met again in the first round of the playoffs. For the Golden Tigers, this game was effectively the championship game. Everyone knew that the winner of that game would be the favorite to win the title. “They were our nemesis, but that year, we had their number,” says Butler.

Despite so many explosive players on the field, neither team could score. Center had a playmaker named Alvin Robinson who could annihilate a defense all on his own. Pinevale safety Johnny Frank Williams, also an eventual All-State selection, was tasked with marking Robinson. “If Robinson went to the bench, Johnny Frank was supposed to follow him,” laughs Brown. Williams performed his duties flawlessly and neutralized Robinson. With about five minutes left in the game and the score knotted at zero, Pinevale had Center pinned deep in its own territory. Center ran a sweep to Robinson. Williams was right there with him and tackled Robinson in the end zone for a safety.

“After that, all we had to do was run out the clock,” says Brown. And that’s exactly what the Golden Tigers did. They defeated Center 2-0 and advanced to the next round.

Defeating Center was the de facto championship for most of the players and fans. To win the title, the Golden Tigers still had to get by three

more opponents. They had no trouble in any of their subsequent games; they outscored their opponents 94-13 in the last three rounds.

In the championship game, Pinevale faced the Lemon Street Hornets from Marietta. The two teams played at Cleveland Field in Valdosta on a freezing December evening. “The atmosphere was electric and the stands were packed,” says Butler. The entire community came out to support the Golden Tigers; about two-thirds of the fans in the stands were white.

According to Brown, the Golden Tigers controlled the game from the opening kick. Lemon Street just never had a chance. Even when the Hornets got a break, they couldn’t capitalize.

“They had this guy who was unbelievable. He was their best player and on one play, he beat Willis Mitchell down the left sideline. It was like Willis sprouted wings and caught up with him.

The ball was in the air and at the last second, Willis jumped up and the ball hit his hand. He turned around and caught the ball for an interception,” remembers Brown. Pinevale won the game easily, 27-13.

The 1963 season was the high-water mark for Pinevale. That team produced five All-State players: Williams, Brown, Horace Hampton, Duke Bradley, and John Roberts. Several others played in college at Albany State and Morris Brown. The following year, the Golden Tigers still had 18 seniors, but Pinevale moved up to 2A. They had a decent season, but it was nothing like 1963. A few years later, integration took place, and the Georgia Interscholastic Association, the conference to which Pinevale and most of the segregated schools in the state belonged, folded. “To this day, we are still proud of the tradition we had at Pinevale. Pinevale, Dasher, and the other segregated schools did more with less. We had subpar equipment – I had a blue and white leather helmet I had to put a facemask on. We had to come from farther back to get to the start line. Everyone at Pinevale played off what we did. We were a family, and everyone excelled,” says Butler. ITG

The Georgia High School Football Historians Association and the U.S. War Archives contributed to this story.

Pinevale Tigers 11

Valdosta Wildcats

Bazemore-Hyder Stadium • Capacity: 13,000 • Valdosta, GA • www.valdostafootball.com

New Season, New Opportunities

The Valdosta Wildcat football team plans to return to former glory in the 2013 season. After an average 2012 season, the Wildcats hope to show great improvement in the win column and also put together a state championship playoff run. In this upcoming season, the Wildcats will have to overcome many obstacles, including replacing a powerful offensive line and an injury to the starting quarterback during fall practice.

Since early January, the football team started preparing itself for what is sure to be an exciting season. The rigorous workouts designed by the coaching staff both mentally and physically prepare the team for in-game situations. Starting senior defensive end Adrian Scott comments on the team’s progress saying, “The team looks great. All the guys come out every day willing to work and get better. This type of work ethic is what it takes to be a successful football team.”

All players realize that the practice will pay off.

When asked about the offseason, coaches say that it is key for the rising seniors to take leadership roles.

All-state punter Mac Loudermilk discusses the roles of being a leader saying, “Every team needs players to step up into a leadership role. Being a leader requires you as a player to realize that the team is more important than your individual goals. Also, a leader needs to have an outstanding attitude. Coaches don’t want younger guys looking up to someone who has a bad attitude; they want the leadership roles to be taken by someone who is willing to work hard day in

by Ty Haynes and Dalton Tomlinson and day out.”

On August 16, 2013 the young Valdosta Wildcat team faced a fierce Ware County Gator squad which just came off of a state runner-up playoff run. The Wildcat defense proved to be a dominant force throughout the scrimmage, holding the Gator offense to only six points and a total of 150 yards.

The offense on the other hand, did not seem to be in midseason form. This may be due to the veteran Ware County defensive line, which caused havoc on an inexperienced Valdosta offensive line. When offensive line coach Mark Loudermilk comments on how to prepare a young offensive line for the intensity of Friday night games, he says, “Repetition in practice is extremely important along with perfecting technique.

Also a film study for the upcoming game is crucial. We don’t want to throw our young offensive linemen out there with no clue what to expect from the opponents’ defensive front.” Loudermilk fully expects the offensive line to be prepared for the regular season.

The strengths of this Wildcat team are manifested in the talented defense and also in offensive skill positions. The team returns two starting running backs, a top wide receiver, and also eight of 11 defensive starters. Defensive tackle Darius Sapp and middle linebacker Anthony Smith lead the defensive line. When linebacker Anthony Smith is asked about his expectations for the defense, he responds, “The defense is going to be solid all year long. The Wildcat fans should expect a lot of big plays, big hits, and hopefully a few shutouts.”

Wildcat Girls’ And Boys’ Cross Country Off To A Running Start

The Valdosta High School girls’ and boys’ cross country teams have started this year with fantastic results. Both teams fared excellently at the first meet of the 2013-14 season on Saturday, August 24 in Pelham County, with the girls taking home the first place prize and the boys finishing in second place. Not only did the teams dominate overall, but several girl and boy runners placed individually, as well. Three Valdosta High students ended in the top ten category for girls, and freshmen Matthew Baun ran himself into the top ten for boys. New Head Coach Jim Dawkins expects similar, if not better, results for the rest of the season.

After a strong 2012-13 season, the Valdosta cross country teams expected a rebuilding season before becoming an imposing force in their region. Last year’s boys’ group earned second place overall in region, and senior Doyle Wallace, now a freshmen at the University of Georgia, finished in first place overall in the boys’ division. That second-place team featured several seniors, and two of the school’s very top runners graduated in May. Despite losing so many members of a winning squad, the team remains excited about the season. Placing in second reinforces the excitement about this year’s expectations experienced by members of the team, featuring boys that span all four

grades. As for individual running, freshman Matthew Baun is expected to be a force to be reckoned with.

Beginning with the year’s first practices, the former St. John’s student made it evident that scoring in the top range at regions is his goal. His fellow teammates expect him to follow in Wallace’s footsteps, often referring to Baun playfully as “mini-Doyle” or “Doyle 2.0.”

The Wildcats’ girls’ team, which finished in fourth place at regions last year, suffered losses over the summer as well, saying goodbye to more than five seniors, including some of the team’s best runners and motivators. This year, the squad found itself with no seniors but several veteran varsity runners nonetheless. In addition, several new runners have been coming to practices, eager to be a part of a team that hopes to improve their season record and finish strong at regions. Junior Marki Wang, a varsity runner, says of the new team, “Cross country season should be a lot of fun this year because we feel like a family. Being with friends and making new ones keeps practice fun.” The girls motivate each other in and out of practice to stay active and improve at running on a daily basis, as a result of Dawkins’ promotion of team bonding.

On the offensive side of the ball, star running backs Malcolm Joseph and Nelson Herring return along with explosive wide receiver Alex Cason. Running backs coach Randall Owens comments on how he mentally prepares two experienced running backs, saying, “I have to make sure my guys are prepared to react quickly on the field. They already have the natural tools, so my job is to make sure to have them mentally prepared and focused for Friday nights.”

Usually, a high school football team’s goals include a winning record and a playoff berth. For the Valdosta Wildcats however, their eyes are set on claiming a 24th state championship. “Wearing a Valdosta Wildcat jersey means a lot. The pressure is enormous, we all feel like we have to live up to high expectations. But even with all the pressure, there is no two colors I’d rather wear on Friday nights than black and gold,” says Anthony Smith.

For many seniors, this regular season will be the last time they have an opportunity to play competitive football. This makes many of them set goals they want to accomplish by the end of the season. Three goals that all players could agree on were to beat Lowndes, win region, and win state. Anything less seemed to be unacceptable among the players. Hopefully, all the Wildcats hard work will pay off as they are now primed to start yet another electrifying football season.

by Aneesha Chowdhary Dawkins, a former marathon runner and army veteran, says this current team, both boys and girls, pleases and excites him. Dawkins says, “I am really happy with the dedicated runners we have. We always have a great turnout at practice, and my runners show up motivated and ready to work, even during practices in the summer.” Dawkins’ main goal is to leave his runner with a love and continuous passion for running. He encourages the team to run outside of practice to accumulate additional mileage, teaching the boys and girls under his supervision to get motivation out of the joy of running, not just the prospect of wining a meet. Of course, Dawkins expects some big wins at the seven meets the Wildcats will attend this season and hopes to beat the cross-town rival Lowndes High School Vikings. Most exciting of all to Dawkins and the rest of the team is regions, which Valdosta will be hosting at the end of this year’s regular season at Freedom Park on Halloween. With Dawkins’ constant support, motivation, guidance, and continual results similar to those of the first meet, the Wildcats are set for an outstanding, dominating 2013-14 season.

15

Have Georgia High Schools Adequately Addressed The Issue of Performance Enhancing Drugs?

by Robert Preston, Jr.

I

f there is one thing the last calendar year has taught us, it’s that the issue of performance enhancing drug use in sports is far from dead. Media types refer to “the Steroid Area” in baseball as if it’s in the past.

Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez have shown it is far from over. As I write this, the NFL is still reeling from the Vonn Miller drug testing scandal. And of course we had the ongoing Lance Armstrong saga and a host of other drug-related headlines this year.

These stories all deal with professional athletes. We know many of them choose to use drugs. With millions of dollars on the line, the temptation is just too great for many to resist.

But what about among the amateurs? Are those who don’t get paid to play using performance enhancing drugs?

In a word, absolutely. Over the last couple of years, more and more amateur athletes are failing drug tests. Many of these athletes are older age-group competitors in endurance sports, though there are a few weightlifters who have been caught cheating as well. Probably the most famous, or infamous, is also the most recent – the case of 80-year-old weightlifter Don Ramos. Ramos, who has held several world records throughout his career, was nailed in September for testing positive for steroids. The culprit? Therapeutic testosterone he has been taking for over 20 years. Despite his claims that what he was doing was legal and under a doctor’s supervision (he has a prescription), the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspended Ramos for two years. There is also the curious case of Atlanta age-group triathlete Kevin Moats, one of the best over-50 triathletes in the country, who flunked an out-of-competition test and also received a suspension. These are but two examples of dozens of amateurs who are failing drug tests for various reasons.

But, you might be saying to yourself, these are older men competing later in life who are in many cases taking drugs to help ward off the aging process. That may be true, but it doesn’t explain away the amateur athlete’s desire to succeed, to win, to climb to the top. The stakes have never been higher in high school sports, the media attention never greater. That leads to a dangerous combination of factors that could

lead high school athletes down a dangerous road.

In Florida, officials are already addressing potential drug use among high school athletes.

While the media focused its attention on the professional athletes named in the Biogenesis scandal, there were also several high school athletes whose names showed up on the client list. The Florida High School Athletic Association has guidelines against using performanceenhancing drugs and FHSAA officials have spoken publicly about the dangers – and consequences – of PED use.

Likewise, the Georgia High School Association has a similar policy. In the Special Policies section of the GHSA’s Constitution, the organization devotes Section 4.63 to this very issue: “The Georgia High School Association strongly opposes the abuse of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances by high school student-athletes. The GHSA believes that such usage violates legal, ethical and competitive-equity standards and imposes unreasonable long-term health risks on the user. The GHSA encourages member schools to educate students and coaches about the perils of steroid usage, and the GHSA will distribute educational materials about this issue to member schools.”

A noble policy but one that excludes a major deterrent to PED usage: testing. Admittedly, drug tests are expensive to administer and protocols are detailed and complicated. But does that mean that no testing guidelines should be in place? Not by a long shot.

Not all high school athletes are using performance-enhancers. Most, in fact, are not. But many are. In addition to the negative health effects of PED use, there are the dangers posed to other athletes. PEDs produce bigger, faster, and stronger players, and juiced players are a threat to their clean counterparts. In an era where concussions and other sports-related injuries are being constantly discussed, is there room for one more factor that could contribute to player injuries?

We may not be ready for PED testing just yet, but it needs to be in the discussion. And Georgia needs to lead the nation in making sure its high school athletes play cleanly and safely. ITG

The following web sites contributed to this story: www.nytimes.com, www.miamiherald.com, www.ironman.com, and www.ghsa.net.

17

Four-star Recruit has Offers From Top Programs Across the Country and Another Year to Decide

by Robert Preston, Jr.

T

he last 12 months have been hectic for Trenton Thompson, a four-star defensive tackle for the Westover Patriots in Albany.

And the attention is only going to get crazier for the 6’4”, 290-pound junior. Thompson is ranked fifth in ESPN’s top 300 juniors in the United States and already has offers from a number of Division I programs throughout the country. As wild as the last year has been, Thompson has handled the attention like a seasoned veteran.

He is a humble, hard-working young man who, despite the interest in what he will do in the future, is focused on one thing: helping his team win its first region championship and then making a deep run through the playoffs.

Thompson has lived in Albany his whole life and has played football for the last five or six years.

Special Feature

photography by Kaitlynn Passmore His sophomore season was a breakout year of sorts for him; he amassed 65 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. His performance in 2012 put him on everyone’s radar and established him as one of the top players in the country. Thompson was also a big reason why the Patriots, who have never been considered one of the stronger teams in South Georgia (Westover has never even won a region title), had their best season in many years.

The 2012 Patriots went 8-4 and finished second in the region.

Thompson is a big, strong, hard-working kid who moves very well despite the enormous amount of space he occupies on the defensive line, Thompson has good football instincts, and he knows how to find the ball carrier. Thompson

F

or his first two years of high school, Trenton Thompson also played basketball. He was a very good player who loved the game. However, as it became more and more apparent that his future would be in football, he decided to lay aside basketball and concentrate on the gridiron. It’s a decision that should payoff well for him. He will eventually end up at one of the best football programs in the country.

19

is fundamentally sound and doesn’t miss very many tackles. He’s also the kind of player who can alter an opposing offense’s game plan on his own. “I wanted to take over last year. My coaches told me I could do whatever I wanted to, but I would have to work harder than anybody else,” he says.

Coming into his junior year – with nearly a dozen scholarship offers on the table – he wanted to record over 100 tackles and 10 sacks. After three games, Thompson had 15 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for a loss. He also would like to see his team claim its first region title, something that very nearly happened last year. To play at his full potential, however, he has to remain focused on Friday nights and not get sidetracked by all the attention he receives Saturday through Thursday. So far, he has done a good job of keeping things in perspective.

“I just try to get into myself and not hang out

with the wrong crowd. I spend time with my mom and do what she tells me to do. I also listen to my coaches and stay on a straight line. I’m getting used to all of the attention, and I can’t let that stop me from where I want to go,” he says.

A good student who would like to major in sports management, Thompson has yet to make a decision where to attend school.

He has offers from 11 schools, including Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, Auburn, and Clemson. The first school that sent him a letter was South Carolina, and the first program to make a scholarship offer was Georgia.

Thompson isn’t ready to make a decision yet, but he will say that right now, Georgia is at the top of the list. “They came down here first and took time with me. I took my first visit there, and they made me the first offer. I love the University of Georgia,” he says. ITG

Academic Athlete

Christian Parker Lowndes High School

Lowndes Tight End Hopes For #1 Finish On Field and In Classroom

by Robert Preston, Jr.

F

ootball player and valedictorian. It’s happened a couple of times in South Georgia, but it remains one of the rarest of feats in area football circles. In 2013-14, it could happen again. As of early September, Christian Parker, the Vikings’ 6’1”, 200-pound tight end, was ranked number one in the Lowndes High Class of 2014.

“I hope it will hold,” says Parker. “There are

photography by Micki K Photography

a couple of people right behind me. I’m going to do my best and let the chips fall where they may.”

Ascending to the top of a class of 660 students, many of them high achievers in their own right, is the result of a lifetime of meticulous attention to academic detail. Parker has never taken a day off when it comes to his schoolwork. He is disciplined and is very

good at managing his time. Parker attributes his first-in-class ranking more to time management than sheer intelligence. “It comes down to how you manage your time. There is no messing around. I take all my subjects seriously, and I do the best I can in every class.

There’s not much time available - you have to do as much as you can in the allotted time,” he says.

23

C

hristian Parker has played several different sports and participated in a number of different activities in his Lowndes High School career. He is a member of Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta, editor of The Huginn (Lowndes’s literary magazine), and vice president of the Ultimate Frisbee Club. He also plays a little tennis, though he admits that tennis is something he does just to have fun and stay active in the spring. Parker also wrestled as a sophomore.

“Tennis is just a hobby. It’s too time consuming if you want to be at the top, and I just don’t have the time to do that,” he says.

Parker plays football in the fall and tennis in the spring. By the time football season ends, which at Lowndes is usually around Thanksgiving or beyond, the first semester is almost over. Tennis consumes nearly all of the spring semester. There simply aren’t many days during the year when Parker can just go home after school and relax. It’s always a balancing act: juggling school with sports or another activity of some kind. Despite the challenges he faces, he refuses to make excuses or let his grades slip. “There are plenty of times I’ve gotten home around midnight from tennis matches and had to stay up doing homework or projects. It’s just what you have to do sometimes,” he says.

That same commitment and work ethic spills over to the football field. Parker wants to be the best football player he can on the best team in the state, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make both happen. “I want to win, and I’ll do whatever’s best for the team. I’ll go wherever Coach Randy McPherson wants me to go,” he says.

As a tight end in Lowndes’s wing-T offense, much of Parker’s time is spent blocking. He would love to be used as a receiver, but he understands that his primary role is to clear a path for the Lowndes running game. Every once in a while, though, he gets an opportunity

to make a play. Early in the 2013 season, he had such an opportunity. In the season opener against Luella - which the Vikings won, 42-2 - Parker scored the first touchdown of the 2013 season. He ran a corner route and found himself wide open in the end zone. Quarterback Austin Dixon’s throw was perfect. “I didn’t have any touchdowns last year. I blocked the whole season. It was nice to get into the end zone,” he laughs.

Parker’s willingness to put the team above himself, his athletic ability, and his academics are a combination that has football coaches at some of the most prestigious universities in the countries flocking to Lowndes County the cream of the crop academically, including Harvard, Cornell, and other Ivy League institutions. That any college, particularly an Ivy League college, would be interested in Parker is a surprise to him. He always thought football would be something he played in high school. After that, he would hang up his helmet and work on his next challenge. Parker is now rethinking his post high school career.

“It blindsided me. When coaches started looking at me last year, it was a big surprise.

Playing football in college is very much a possibility. I’m going to wait until the end of the season to make a decision. We’ll see what happens then,” he says. ITG

Christian's Favorites: Sport you wish you could play: Wrestling Last movie: Hotel Transylvania TV series: The Office Team: Miami Dolphins or Georgia Bulldogs Player: Peyton Manning Place to travel: Europe Person to meet: “The president,

whoever he happens to be at the time.”

25

Colquitt County Packers Mack Tharpe Stadium • Capacity: 10,000 • Moultrie, GA • www.colquitt.high.schooldesk.net/Football 100 Years Of Excellence

Sihiem King (No.22) sheds a tackle and looks upfield for more Grayson defenders

Packers fell to runner-up. Seasons went by, and the same story would play out: a great season, followed by an excellent play-off run, then a demoralizing semi-final loss. The most recent was the 2012 season loss to Norcross. Could this year be different? Could it be the correct combination for success? Is the championship drought over?

To the Packer fan base, the time is now as the once young, inexperienced players have matured into their key roles as a team. And with the hardest schedule in the state and arguably the country, the team will need all the skill they have. With the Norcross scrimmage out of the way, the team must prepare for top-ranked foes such as state runnerup Lovejoy, scheduled at home on the September 6, followed by Carver at home, Lowndes away, Tifton, Brunswick, and Valdosta at home, and Coffee and Camden away.

“I think this year should be exciting. With all the young players, we can’t come out of the gate slow but rather at full speed, and I’m anticipating great things from them,” comments Receivers Coach Jean Cherizol.

Coach Cherizol is just one of the many new coaches that make up the staff that Propst believes will lead the team to victory. Tight End Coach John Cooper and Receivers Coach Jean Cherizol make up the newest addition to the Packer football coaching squad on the offensive side of the ball. Cherizol replaced Jamarcus Windham as receivers’ coach. Cooper- who did lead in many occasions in last season- took the tight end job as Gregg Segraves stepped down.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive coordinator Travis Pearson was succeeded by Coach Tracey Buckhannon as the Defensive Coordinator due to Coach Pearson’s transfer to South Alabama as a line-backer coach.

Buckhannon was a secondary coordinator for the Packers last season, and the job was filled in by Coach Jeremy Rowell. Andy Harden, last year’s defensive line coach was replaced by new coach Shelton Felton, as Harden was named Colquitt’s head basketball coach, a position he gladly accepted.

Offensive Line Coach Joey Bennett, Running Back Coach Zach Grage, Defensive Line Coach Greg Tillery, Offensive Coordinator Shawn Sutton, Linebackers Coach Danny Blaylock, and Defensive Backs Coach Dextra Polite return this year as Veteran Packer Coaches.

The team has had their struggles with many injuries especially with the linebackers. Seniors Adam Webb and Brandon Key both have severe ACL injuries that have hindered their final season.

Webb, who was absent from last season’s playing

Photos by Connie Southwell

It is 1913. War captured much of the newspapers as Mexican Revolutionaries swept Mexico. William Taft experienced defeat at the hands of Woodrow Wilson as the United States President. Famous Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who would revolutionize the position of college football coach figurehead, was born.

Indeed, history was being made, but nothing would be of more impact to the communities of Colquitt County as the game of football. In 1913, Colquitt County opened its doors to the fresh, new game of pigskin. The game began as an American rendition of rugby. Walter Camp, considered the “Father of American Football,” is notably attributed to giving the sport a line-of-scrimmage and introducing down-and-distance rules. The players, adorned in minimal padding with leather helmets, were referred to as “leatherheads.”

Needless to say, the game has evolved from miniscule pads and tacky equipment to hightech equipment and outrageous NFL salaries.

Advances in the sport swept Colquitt County as hailed coaches and stars left Mack Tharpe Stadium, but the tenacity of the Packers never died in the community. Rivalries, such as Lowndes, Valdosta, and Tifton, have always produced large crowds and nail-biting thrillers. From the time a child is born into the Packer lifestyle, they “bleed black and gold” until their death.

Packer football has had its ups and downs in the past two decades. In 1994, the school captured its first and only state title over Valdosta. In recent years, no other team has boasted more play-off wins. However, Colquitt County has knocked on the Dome doors for many years, but it has not yet yielded a state title. In 2008 Head Coach Rush Propst brought a team from a 2-8 season to 11-3 and a semi-finals appearance. The next year would pull the Packers to a state championship appearance against Brookwood, in which the

by Garrett May

Austin Hunnicutt (No. 89) sprints for more yards with Kiel Pollard (No. 2) and Gabe Mobley (No. 54), leading the way against Grayson

time, was deemed unfit for this year as he hurt his leg again during summer training. Key, who was a component as a starter last year, was hurt also during summer training, but is expected to return to the field.

Nonetheless, the show must go on, and did it go. The Packers stunned Grayson in the Corky Kell Classic in Atlanta, scoring 21 points versus Grayson’s six. Senior defensive back Michael Sutton scored the first Packer touchdown of the season on an interception return for a touchdown.

Sutton finished with three interceptions in the game.

Hoover proved more difficult than the Rams, triumphing over the Packers 27-10 on Friday August 30. The Packers scored first but, in the latter part of the game, the Bucs put up three unanswered scores, and the Pack lost the chance for a perfect season- but not the state title. Propst is confident about the new season.

“We’re not satisfied where we are right now, and we have got some big games ahead of us,” says Head Coach Propst.

However, with a rough game often come crucial injuries. Senior quarterback Daniel Mobley was diagnosed with a concussion and senior defensive Back O’Shay Williams was hurt and assisted off the field to the hospital, where he remained overnight. “None of the injuries are season-ending and we should be healthy in a few days. It will give our back-ups much needed reps and playing time,” says Linebackers Coach Danny Blaylock.

With schedules set and practice fields and film rooms smelling of hard work and dedication, football season is once again here. Anticipation is high, and the smell of turf and sweat draw the community close again as the doors of Mack Tharpe Stadium are opened and the beloved Packers take the field again, just as they have for the past 100 years.

27

Colquitt County Packers Packer Park • Moultrie, GA • www.colquitt.high.schooldesk.net/Athletics/Softball Keep Calm And Play Softball

He is a great coach and wants the best for us,” says junior Dianna Durham.

New seniors now have to fill in leadership roles. Those impact players for the 2013-14 season are #3 Taylor Owens playing second base, #18 Shelby Rakestraw playing first base, #22 Ainsley Davis playing pitcher and third base, #23 Cheyenne Sumner playing outfield, and #8 Kasie Ricks playing as a utility player. A utility player in sports is a player who can play many positions on the field.

The juniors of the team are #2 Dianna Durham playing outfield, #5 Cheyenne Tillman playing third base and pitcher, #10 Chazmin Singletary playing outfield, and #21 Madison Robinson playing first base.

The sophomores include: shortstop #4 Amber Kling, catcher #12 Christy Crosby, and #6 Nikki Johnson and #14 Christin Hunnicutt playing as utility-type players.

The only freshman is #11 Paris Sumner playing catcher.

The troubles of last season aside, the Packers are persevering through the season.

Starting early during the summer, Mobley had the young group sweating and working hard on the practice field. The team started the season off against Thomasville on August 13. The

Lady Pack won 5-3. Since then, the team has won only one of the past seven games, going 0-2 in region matches. The team has a booked schedule which is arguably the hardest in recent Packer history. Also, the team has only played eight of the 28-game season.

“It’s been a tough schedule, but that was on my part. We went to Atlanta and were only one or two big hits or plays from winning, and really I have been trying to change the mentality of the girls so that they can focus on the positive and not the negative. I’m also really trying to change the mentality of the team in a sense so that when people play Colquitt, it will be a feared name. I want it to be so people dread this team when they play us,” says Mobley. Having been with a wellrounded, tough group of boys on the baseball field, Coach Mobley has had much experience in the mentality of the sport.

Senior Taylor Owens is excited for the upcoming year stating, “Personally my main goal for this year is to use the adversity and change we’ve been faced with the last few seasons to be our driving force for success, to remember we’re still one team with one dream, and at the end of the day, trust our abilities and put our hearts on the field every single play of every single game.”

Photos by Connie Southwell

At Colquitt County High School, softball has been put on the back-burner. With the football team going deep into the playoffs and the wrestling team winning championships, the softball team has not had the attention it deserves. Nonetheless, the team has potential.

The inexperienced are gaining key varsity and junior varsity playing time, and this team could potentially make a deep run in the state playoffs.

The team persisted last year, posing a 15-11 record, finishing 4-2 in region play. During the 2012-13 season, the team fell under a coaching change as long time Coaches John and Carmen Phillips transferred to Pierce County. Coach Jake Mobley stepped in as assistant coach of the latter part of the season and was named head coach during the summer of 2013. During his first year as assistant, Mobley helped the Lady Pack to the second round of the playoffs in their first year as a Region 1 6A contender. Mobley, along with Ryan Strickland, Stacy Dunn, and Chance Pitts make up the 2013-14 coaching staff.

Even though Mobley’s aggressive workout tactics are feared by baseball players and other athletes, he has made a good impression with the softball team. “I really like it. Things are more intense, and we get a lot more done than before.

by Garrett May

The Colquitt County Varsity Lady Pack Back row (L to R): Shelby Rakestraw, Ainsley Davis, Coach Chance Pitts, Coach Ryan Strickland, Coach Jake Mobley, Coach Stacy Dunn, Madison Robinson and Cheyenne Sumner. Front row (L to R): Diana Durham, Taylor Owens, Amber Kling, Cheyenne Tillman, Nikki Johnson, Kasie Ricks, Chazmin Singletary, Christy Crosby, and Christin Hunnicutt

The Colquitt County Junior Varsity Lady Pack Back row (L to R): Sydney Dalton, Paris Sumner, Coach Chance Pitts, Coach Ryan Strickland, Coach Jake Mobley, Coach Stacy Dunn, Orion Wilson, Hannah Hollandsworth, and Sarah Mateny. Front row (L to R): Loragrace Bruce, Reagan Goforth, Taylor Kight, Caitlyn Meadows, Aubrey Greene, Ashley Spradley, Dalyn Dell, Dakota Baker and Emily Dozier.

SUMMER 353 Northside Drive 28

Valdosta, GA 31602

Tanning Salon

229-245-8285

esummer@mchsi.com

Special feature

After several seasons in the cellar, J.L. Newbern Middle experiences gridiron renaissance

by Robert Preston, Jr.

T

he last few years haven’t been easy for the J.L. Newbern Middle School football program. A variety of factors have created a perfect storm of sorts that left the football team reeling. Newbern had a little trouble meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), which, under the School of Choice program, meant that kids in the district could go to another school if they so desired. Many opted to do that, which negatively affected enrollment at the school. The overall decrease in enrollment meant fewer football players (and athletes in general), which resulted in a less competitive program.

Now, however, things are turning around. Newbern has been making AYP, and students are returning to the school. The football program is also benefitting from a very talented crop of athletes that is turning Newbern into an area middle school powerhouse. “Over the last three years, the eighth grade team hasn’t won more than two games. Now, our eighth grade team is 3-0.

We’ve scored over 30 points in each game, and our defense has only given up an average of four points per game,” says Head Coach Ed Denton.

Most of the eighth graders in the program this year have been playing together or against each other since they were eight years old. They know each other, they are comfortable playing with each other, and they play well together. It doesn’t hurt that several of these young men are extremely talented and already show that they will be impact players when they get into high school.

Ra-Jayce Rogers, a running back who can also play receiver, quarterback, linebacker, and safety, is the kind of player who can do just about anything on the football field. His father played at Valdosta High 15 years ago, and the Wildcat tradition is important to Rogers. “His father was a good player, but Ra-Jayce 30

photos by Kaitlynn Passmore could be even better than his dad. He has that ‘it’ factor that you just can’t coach,” says Coach Denton.

Jalen Harrell was Newbern’s quarterback last year.

For 2013, though, he has been moved to receiver and running back. He also spends some time at cornerback on the defensive side. Harrell is a versatile, smart player who makes great decisions. He’s just 5’6” and has a cannon for an arm. Despite being able to throw well, Coach Denton doesn’t see him as a quarterback in high school, hence his move to receiver. Harrell is an honors student and one of Newbern’s team leaders.

Michael Brown has taken over for Harrell under center. He’s 5’11” and still growing. Last year, Brown was a running back – and a very good one at that. Like Harrell, he is in honors classes and is one of the best students on the team. At times, Coach Denton and his staff still use Brown as a running back. On defense, Brown is a hard-hitting linebacker.

Demarrias Morrow is probably the fastest and fittest of Coach Denton’s players. A 5’10” receiver with great speed and endurance, Morrow never gets tired.

He has great hands, runs crisp routes, and he’s been working out with the high school team for a couple of years. The high school coaches already know him very well, and he has a bright future as a wide receiver for the Wildcats. You can also find him patrolling the secondary as a safety and cornerback.

Zakoby McClain, a fullback and linebacker, is the most physical player on the team. On defense, he delivers bone-jarring tackle after bone-jarring tackle.

On offense, he is an excellent blocking back who opens up the offense for Rogers and Harrell. Last year, he made a hit on a teammate during practice that people are still talking about. “His blocking is one of the reasons why our running game is so strong this

year,” says Denton.

Jaiden Greene is a big right tackle/defensive tackle who moves very well despite his size. Greene is an excellent blocker on offense but may be even better defensively. He’s also one of the better athletes on the team. He made an interception early in the season on a tipped pass. He broke free and likely would have scored if not for a premature whistle by one of the officials.

Larry Pope is another lineman who can play any position up front on offense or defense. In high school, Pope will probably play on the defensive side of the ball. He’s just too good at getting rid of blockers and getting into the gaps. His mobility and athleticism mean that he is almost always in the backfield or around the ball.

Telvin Godfrey is primarily a defensive end who also plays a little on the offensive line. The biggest player on the team, Godfrey is already 6’1” and wide as a barn door. He has the strength to go with his size and is also a great student.

Demetrius Smith, an inside linebacker and fullback, is another one of Denton’s players who can play all over the field. He has tremendous speed and athletic ability; last year, he returned a kick for a touchdown against a very good Tift team. Smith is focusing on defense this season and is a big reason why Newbern has allowed so few points.

These players give Coach Denton and his staff tremendous versatility and depth. In fact, it’s been a challenge getting the ball into everyone’s hands. It’s a problem he faces every practice and every game, but it’s a good one to have. “Since I’ve been here, we haven’t had a group this deep. Right now, we’ve got a lot of momentum going, and I hope we can keep it up,” he says. ITG

Making an Impact Jalen Harrell Age: 13 Parents: Tiffani & Zachary Davis Siblings: Jymia and Jakayh Davis

Favorites:

Color: Red Food: Seafood Music: Rap Video Game: NCAA 14 Movie: Friday College Football Team: Georgia Other Sports: Basketball and Track

Age: 14 Parent: K.C. Brown Siblings: Rashun Brown and Samuel Curry Color: Blue Food: Pizza Music: Meek Mill Video Game: Madden 25 Movie: Home Alone College Football Team: Clemson and Georgia Other Sports: Basketball

Favorites:

Color: Blue and Black Food: Chicken Fingers Music: Chief Keef Video Game: Black Ops 2 Movie: Blindside College Football Team: Georgia and Oregon Other Sports: Wrestling

#2

Position: RB QB CB KR Height: 5’11

Favorite Football Memory: Winning my first game and getting a pick Favorite part of playing football: Having fun, being the best I can be, and trying to go hard

Telvin Godfrey #54

Position: DE, FB, K, P Height: 6’1 Weight: 187

Age: 14 Parent: Evelyn Miller Siblings: Hugh Mchgee Color: Red Food: Pizza Music: Chief Keef Video Game: Madden 25 Movie: Friday After Next College Football Team: Florida State Other Sports: Basketball

Favorite Football Memory: When the NMS almost went undefeated Favorite part of playing football: When I am about to sack the quarterback

Larry Pope Age: 14 Parents: Tan Blair and Theo Murray Siblings: Four

Favorites:

Favorite Football Memory: When I threw three touchdown passes against Pine Grove Favorite part of playing football: Scoring and having fun

#56

Position: NT and RT Height: 5’8 Weight: 195

Age: 13 Parent: Coronzoa

Favorites:

Favorite Football Memory: Last year when I had 180 yards on two carries Favorite part of playing football: I like making people look bad.

That’s one of my goals every game.

Michael Brown Favorites:

#1

Position: RB QB CB Height: 5’5 Weight: 130

Jaiden Greene

Color: Red Food: Wings and Fries Music: Future Video Game: NCAA 14 Movie: Blindside College Football Team: Florida State Other Sports: Baseball

#52

Position: DL, FB, TE, and OL Height: 5’9” Weight: 160

Favorite Football Memory: Only losing one game seventh grade year Favorite part of playing football: Getting to hit someone and getting some recognition

Demetrius Smith #21

Zakoby McClain #12

Age: 14 Parents: Cryndolyn Hankins Siblings: Isaiah Brantley and Kimbryonna Eady

Age: 13 Parents: Willie McClain and Prettina Brown Siblings: Three

Favorites:

Color: Blue and Purple Food: Cereal Music: Chief Keef Video Game: NCAA14 Movie: Home Alone College Football Team: LSU Other Sports: Track

Position: ROLB and FB Height: 5’9 Weight: 160

Favorites: Favorite Football Memory: Making my first touchdown when I was eight Favorite part of playing football: Getting a big hit and making a touchdown

Color: Light Blue Food: Hot Dogs Music: “Levels” by Lil Wayne Video Game: Madden 25 Movie: Blindside College Football Team: Oregon Other Sports: Baseball and Basketball

Position: MLB, FB, and RB Height: 5’10”

Favorite Football Memory: I tackled another player from one of our rivals. The player spun around in the air and fell on his back Favorite part of playing football: Tackling, scoring touchdowns, running the ball, blocking and seeing how much I can improve from year to year

Ra-Jayce Rogers #6

Damarrias Morrow#17

Age: 14 Parent: Eureka Bell Siblings: Malik, Nicalui, and Sirriah

Age: 14 Parent: Annette Baynard Siblings: Tre Jackson, Sherrod Gore

Favorites:

Color: Red Food: Hot Wings Music: Rap Video Game: NCAA13 Movie: Friday College Football Team: Georgia Bulldogs Other Sports: Basketball

Position: WR, RB, SS Height: 5’7 Weight: 145

Favorite Football Memory: When I played “peewee” league, and my 11 and 12 team went undefeated with no scores against Favorite part of playing football: Breaking a big run and giving the O line a high five on good blocks

Favorites:

Color: Red Music: Cheif Keef and Morgan Tracy Video Game: NCAA 2013 Movie: Friday Night Lights College Football Team: Florida Gators Other Sports: Track, Wrestling, and Basketball

Position: WR, CB, S, and RB Height: 5’10

Favorite Football Memory: I scored four touchdowns against Colquitt, and I had 14 touchdowns throughout the season Favorite part of playing football: Catching over defenders and out running them on the sideline.

The coaches call me T.G.H – The Greatest Hands

31

Some Thoughts On Georgia High School Football

by Jon Nelson, GPB Sports Correspondent

The other day I was looking at one of the two websites I frequent (Becky Taylor and the ghsfha.org site) when I noticed that Barney Hester of Macon-Howard won his first two games of the year. He now has the title of fifth all-time in wins in the state—more than the great Thomson coach Luther Welsh. Hester coached at Tattnall Square from 1982-2012 and won 11 GISA titles in AAA. He’s only four wins behind long-time Bowdon coach Dwight Hochstetler, but Hester and everyone else will be behind Lincoln County’s Larry Campbell until…

Well, a long time from now…

If you look a little further down the list, someone else is within sight of 300 wins.

The Westfield School’s Ronnie Jones was only seven wins shy of 300 and is the next in line for that magical number at the beginning of the year. But, if you keep going south, Jeff Herron is the next active coach that could hit 300. He started the season with 242 wins, and he can attack the 300 number from his new gig at Prince Avenue Christian in Bogart.

As part of my “Southern Powerhouse Preview” at GPB, I was fortunate enough to be able to squeeze a trip in to Quitman and visit the team at Brooks County. Having seen Head Coach Maurice Freeman at In the Game South Georgia Media Day, I got a bit of a glimpse into how the Trojan family was attempting to handle the loss of the BC3.

And that’s all that you can do with a loss so substantial… you can only attempt to

handle it as best as you can. You wake up in the morning, do your best to have a good day, and try to have a string of good days in a row.

I spent a day at practice and saw how the hometown guy (who is now the hometown coach) and his staff are taking every day as an attempt to teach, learn, and above all persevere. Coach Freeman says that he goes by the sight of the crash at 6:30 in the morning so he can have his time with those the county lost.

If you really want someone to root for, it’s the Trojans. While Malkom Parrish is the marquee name on the roster, every Trojan that wears a number, t-shirt, hat, or golf shirt on a game day deserves our thoughts and support.

And don’t forget to catch a game of theirs or any other team. I know what all these teams and all these student-athletes mean to each and every one of you in your towns. You’re just as important to them as they are to you…

Catch up with me here or at Georgia Public Broadcasting on our Football Fridays in Georgia broadcast on your local GPB affiliate. Follow us on Facebook at GPB Sports or on the Twitter machine @ OSGNelson or @GPBsports.

Oh… another mandatory website for any football fanatic (other than the In the Game Magazine website and GPB.org, of course) is the Georgia High School Football Daily. It’s a great learning tool that will give you that football fix.

Play it safe, everyone… ITG

Shout outs to the folks

at both Glascock County and North Springs in the early part of the season. Chris Kelley’s Panthers beat Warren County in their season debut to break a long losing streak in that series. And the Spartans broke a 34-game losing streak with their win over Hapeville Charter, 3534. Their last win in regulation was against Lithonia on the last week of the regular season in 2008.

Jon Nelson, GPB Sports Correspondent

Someone else I have a

tremendous amount of respect for this season is over in Savannah; Tim Jordan is the new head football coach at Savannah High.

If the name is familiar to you in coaching, it’s because he’s also the boys’ basketball coach. He was a defensive back in college, so the sport isn’t unfamiliar. There was an opening that happened very late in the spring, and Jordan jumped in.

If there’s someone to root for this year, it’s Coach Jordan.

And I look forward to seeing the Jackets make a run during basketball season, too…

33

Loudermilk understands the nuances of football, the little things that some players are never able to fully grasp.

The knowledge he has of football combined with his athleticism and his size is one of the reasons why he is such a versatile weapon.

Player Spotlight Presented by:

Mac Loudermilk Valdosta High School

35

Multi-Faceted Senior Shows Skills at Quarterback, Tight End, Fullback

by Robert Preston, Jr.

T

he road to the 2013 football season was a meandering one for Valdosta High senior Mac Loudermilk.

The son of VHS assistant Mark Loudermilk, Mac and his family moved to Valdosta four years ago when then-newly hired Head Coach Rance Gillespie offered Mark Loudermilk a job with the Wildcats.

Mark Loudermilk had been on staff with Gillespie at a couple of his previous positions. Gillespie wanted to reunite with Loudermilk, who was at Cedartown at the time. Mark Loudermilk accepted Gillespie’s offer, and the family headed south. “I love being down here in Valdosta. It’s been more than I ever thought it would be. They eat, live, and breathe football down here.

So do I,” he says.

At the time, Mac Loudermilk was a freshman quarterback. He spent some time at fullback as a sophomore and eventually found a home in the backfield. Last season, Loudermilk developed into a very good blocker, and it appeared as though that’s where he would spend the majority of his senior season. He started 2013, however, at tight end. Then Cole Massengill, Valdosta’s starting quarterback, went down with a torn ACL, leaving a gaping hole at the quarterback position. Massengill’s injury opened the door for Loudermilk to resume his career under center.

photography by Micki K Photography

Massengill had an ironclad lock on the quarterback position. Now Loudermilk and Craig Berry share quarterback duties. “Both of us can run any play in the playbook. We know what to do in any given formation on any given play,” says Loudermilk. That’s no easy feat - Gillespie’s offense is one of the more complex high school schemes in the state. It’s a big change for Loudermilk, who grew up thinking he would be running Cedartown’s flexbone offense by now.

“At Cedartown, our plays were just two words. They were very simple. Here at Valdosta, some plays have as many as eight words and every word means something.

There aren’t any dummy words in the plays at all,” he says. Despite the complexity, Gillespie has a way of explaining things so that his players understand what’s going on. “He always tells us to relax and have fun. He’s very good at explaining blitzes and coverages. He can tell what kind of coverage a defense is in simply by looking at the defensive front. He’s very educated when it comes to football, and he’s good at teaching the game to his players.”

Moving to Valdosta has provided Loudermilk with some great memories, both on the field and off. The greatest memory of them all so far was the 2011 Winnersville Classic. In that now famous game, Valdosta came from behind to win,

The University of Central Florida and its head coach, George O’Leary, have committed to recruiting players from South Georgia in recent years, and Mac Loudermilk is one of at least three players from the area who have decided to play for the Knights.

Loudermilk joins Coffee High’s Wyatt Miller and Berrien High’s A.J. Wooten as members of Central Florida’s recruiting class of 2014.

36

21-17, late in the fourth quarter. Down by 10 with under a minute left in the game, the Wildcats scored two touchdowns to defeat Lowndes for the first time in seven years.

Loudermilk, then a sophomore, was the punter on that team.

“As time was winding down, I really thought we had a shot to pull it off. I knew we were going to win that game,” he says. Lowndes returned the favor last year on Gustavo Gonzalez’s lastsecond field goal to win the 2012 edition of the Classic. “We had several chances to win that game. It shouldn’t have come down to a field goal. But you have to give credit to Lowndes they did a great job to win. I thought if we could have gotten into overtime, we had a shot.”

The 6’2”, 220-pound Loudermilk has spent all of his life around football coaches. He has paid attention to the conversations going on around him, and he has benefitted from what amounts to 18 years of one-on-one tutoring with some of the best high school football coaches in the state. Loudermilk understands the nuances of football, the little things that some players are never able to fully grasp.

His knowledge of football combined with his athleticism and size is one of the reasons he

is such a versatile weapon.

Earlier this year, Loudermilk, who had offers from several different schools throughout the country, committed to the University of Central Florida. The Knights recruited Loudermilk as a punter and a possible H-back. “Central Florida runs an offense similar to what we do. I’m obviously very comfortable in that scheme,” says Loudermilk. X’s and O’s aside, Loudermilk chose Central Florida because, quite simply, he felt UCF provides the best opportunity for him to realize his ultimate goal, which is to play in the NFL. There were offers from other schools, most notably the Naval Academy, but the five-year commitment after graduation made him nervous. Plus Orlando is a lot closer to home than Annapolis. “My family will be able to see me play more at Central Florida,” he says.

With his college choice taken care of, the preseason All-State player can spend the next couple of months solely focused on helping his Wildcats get back to the top of Georgia’s high school football heap. “We want to go 15 games and win the state title. That’s our goal this year,” he says. ITG

Mac's Favorites: Team besides Central Florida:

Alabama Crimson Tide or Florida Gators

Player: Tim Tebow Subject: Science Least favorite: English Last movie: 300 Sport you wish you could play: Lacrosse Coke or Pepsi: Coke Superpower: Speed Person to meet: Tim Tebow. “He’s a perfect role model.

I admire him and what he stands for.”

Valwood Valiants

Goddard Field • Capacity: 750 • Valdosta, GA • www.valwood.org

Fall Sports At Valwood

Not only does the start of the 2013-14 school year mean classes and studies commence, but the fall sports season quickly gets busy on the Valwood campus. From “kicking-off” the defense of a state championship to “serving” up a new sport in volleyball, the Valiants will have over 120 student-athletes competing on close to ten different teams.

The Valwood football team will be looking to build off a perfect 14-0 season that saw them march their way to a GISA AA State Championship.

Not resting on their laurels, Head Coach Ashley Henderson has his team poised to be a major contender for back-to-back titles.

“I like this football team,” says Henderson.

“We’re really excited about this season and the process leading up to it. The kids have bought in and are ready.”

The Valiants must replace their top passer, rusher, and receiver, as well as four of five starters on the offensive line. However, with the influx of newcomers (including Seth Carlo who is tabbed as the starting quarterback) and several returning players (notably, Marik and Char Merine, Carter Elliott, and Zane and Zach Edmondson) that made key contributions last season, Henderson thinks the offense could be even better.

“I feel offensively we are way ahead of where we were last season,” says Henderson. “We also have more weapons at each position. I like this team’s demeanor, and I like our depth.”

Defensively is where the Valiants look to really make a statement. Coach Henderson wants his players to fly to the ball carrier and make their presence felt, and once again, he has players that can do just that. The defensive line is stout, anchored by last season’s sack leader Anthony Folkerts at end (he will also play middle linebacker), while the linebackers are led by senior James Braswell and junior Zane Edmondson.

The Merine brothers, who are two of the most athletic, dynamic players on the team, man two of the secondary spots. So, Henderson’s defense should pick up where last year’s left off.

“Defensively, we have some kids that run to the ball well and are violent when they get there,” says Henderson. “I feel like defensive line is a strength of this team, and we have good numbers in the secondary, which is huge for us.”

Valwood will also field JV, B-squad, and fifth and sixth grade teams. These young players are able to practice the fundamentals of the game while also learning the Valiant system.

by Kim Lerstang “Numbers are up - from the feeder programs to the varsity. It’s exciting times around Valwood football,” says an enthusiastic Henderson.

New to Valwood this season is the sport of volleyball. The Valiants will field both a JV and varsity squad and will rely on Head Coach Val Gallahan, who played collegiately at Valdosta State, to get the program off to a quick start.

“We work hard on the fundamentals and build from there,” says Gallahan. “The girls are all learning how to play together and trust each other on the court.”

Since the season is already underway and has started with several tough losses, the team is having to find out quickly which areas need improvement in order to garner wins. Senior Sara Wells is the libero which is a defensive specialist responsible for a majority of passing during serve receive. Wells is helping stem the learning curve.

Wells anchors the back-line with solid defensive play, while Lanier Langdale is a factor in the front court because of her leaping ability and knack for finding holes in the defense. In addition freshman setter Ashley Manwell has been instrumental in the team’s competitiveness, and her natural athletic ability and hustle is unparalleled.

Wells, a seven year veteran to volleyball and Valwood co-captain, says, “Out of all the teams I’ve played with over the years, this is by far my favorite.”

Langdale, junior co-captain, adds, “In spite of it being our first year, our team has been dedicated in putting huge amounts of time, energy, and effort. We’ve held our own against experienced teams, and it won’t be long until we start winning.”

The JV team has 19 players, proving to Gallahan the amount of interest and excitement the sport of volleyball has brought to Valwood.

“I’m a firm believer that JV programs aren’t about winning,” says Gallahan. “They will focus on instilling the fundamental skills that will cultivate sound varsity players and ultimately a successful program.”

Also in the fold during the fall season is varsity and JV cross country. The teams are mixed with experienced runners as well as those new to the sport. Varsity is coached by Bruce Beal, who is in his ninth year coaching in three different stints with the Valiants. Heather Shaw will head the JV team, her first season in the position.

Yes, fall sports are here, and it’s getting busy quick at Valwood.

Freshman Ashley Manwell prepares to serve the ball.

Sara Wells is the “libero,” a defensive specialist responsible for a majority of passing during the serve receive.

41

Irwin County Fans are chopping for their

‘Indians’!

Terry Family together for some Vikings football

Harris Family root their Vikings on

Cole family waiting for Lowndes kickoff

Deal Family

Viking fans are of all ages 42

right) Kiera Williams, Cora Lane, and Hayden Thomas

Excited Lowndes Vikings' Fans (left to

photography by Bryce France and Sandy McClurd

Fans from Crisp County pumps up the crowd

Doopsters ready to do the doop Lets Go Wildcats!

Joy and Hannah Eldridge on the sideline of the Valdosta game against Crisp County

Bob and Norman have a good time watching the Wildcats

Anderson Family have a great time in “death valley”

TOUCHDOWN CATS!

Hutchinson Family enjoying some Wildcat football

43

Cook Hornets Adel, GA • chs.cook.k12.ga.us Lady Hornets’ Softball

and go out to eat after games sometimes,” says senior Kelly Cornelius. Team unity is as much a part of the game as throwing, hitting, catching, and running the bases.

Playing softball is like breathing to some of these girls. They love it; they have been playing together since they were little girls, and everything in their lives revolves around it.

Although many times during the summer they could be doing something else, such as hanging out with friends or sleeping in late, these girls choose to be at practice, preparing themselves for the season ahead. All of their practice will eventually pay off.

The ultimate prize of winning a state championship is what drives each of the Lady Hornets to work their hardest day-in and dayout. Playing in one of the toughest regions in the state will prepare the team for a playoff run. Winning their region would allow them to host playoff games in Adel where the Hornet faithful can cheer them on to victory. These young ladies are certainly on their way to a state championship with a 5-0 record in region games and a 9-1 mark overall. They have runruled all-region games in five innings or less and have only one loss against Tifton. These girls are on fire!

Cook County High School

When it comes to the 2013-14 Lady Hornets softball team, a few words that come to mind are hardworking, dedicated, and loving. Leading the Lady Hornets are coaches Scott Ray, Paula Simmons, and Christy Duke. “We’re off to a very good start, but we’re also facing a lot of changes even though we have a lot of returning players. It’s been really fun so far, and we are a very close team. If we’re ever going to win a state title, this is the year to do it. We have a lot of talent, but we have to work together and stay focused to get there,” says junior Hayley Dobson.

The Lady Hornets for the 2013-14 season are: seniors Kylee Sumner, Kelly Cornelius, Shelbie Rowe, Courtney Taylor, Kalee Williams, and Payton Jackson; juniors: Hayley Dobson and Carlynn Steel; sophomores: Harley Paulk, Taylor Wilson, Shelby Griffin, and Jade Bloser; and freshmen: Brooke Alley, Alex Taunton, Cassey Cornelius, Shirah Brannon, Lexie Walker, Leslie Walden, Carly Williams, and Casey Leigh Chaney.

No matter how they fair on the field, the Lady Hornets will always be close. “Before every game, we spend five or ten minutes reading the Bible as a group or independently,” says senior Courtney Taylor. “We also have sleep-overs

by Peyton Summer

2013 Cook County Lady Hornets’ Softball team

45

Coach’s Corner

Jeff Littleton Bainbridge High School

Former Cairo Defensive Coordinator Takes Over the Bainbridge Bearcats

by Robert Preston, Jr.

t’s not easy getting kids to sacrifice their time for a football team. It’s hard getting kids to work towards challenging goals. You have to mix things up, keep it fun. Coaching these days is harder, and harder but the rewards are there. We live in South Georgia, and our kids love to play football,” says Jeff Littleton, Bainbridge High School’s new head football coach. A long-time assistant, Littleton is excited about his first head coaching job. And he couldn’t be happier being in Bainbridge.

Littleton graduated from Worth County

“I

46

High School, where he played football and baseball. In 1985, his sophomore year, the Rams were a 1-9 team under legendary Head Coach Milt Miller. A year later, they were 13-2, losing in the finals to Villa Rica. Finally, in 1987, the Rams won a state championship, defeating Marist in the state finals.

After graduating from Worth County, Littleton went to Valdosta State. While he was at Valdosta, Miller moved from Worth to Lowndes High. When Miller arrived at Lowndes in 1993, Littleton was dating Kristi

photography by Kaitlynn Passmore

Hill, the daughter of Lowndes defensive coordinator Randy Hill. With two strong connections to the Lowndes coaching staff, Littleton was able to land a position as a volunteer coach for the Vikings. For two years (1993 and 1994), he volunteered for Lowndes under the tutelage of Miller and Hill. He discovered he enjoyed coaching and, in 1995, he got his first job as an assistant coach at Dooly County.

Other jobs followed at Worth, Tift, once more at Worth, and, finally, to Cairo. Littleton went to Cairo in 2005 and became defensive

coordinator in 2006, a position he held until he became head coach at Bainbridge. In 2007, the Syrupmakers made it to the state finals but lost to Carver (Columbus). The following year, Cairo went undefeated and won a championship. “We had a lot of success at Cairo, and that allowed me the opportunity to get this position. I’m very thankful for that,” he says.

Throughout his career, the things he learned under Miller and Hill helped shape Littleton’s coaching philosophy. “They were like second fathers to me,” he says. Miller and Hill taught Littleton the importance of working hard each and every day, never taking a day off or letting up even a little. “My goals at Bainbridge are the same no matter where I am. I want to make our players better people first and foremost and to do things the right way. If we can do that, everything else will take care of itself,” he says.

They also taught him that the team is the most important thing; everything on the football field should be done with the best interests of the team in mind. Littleton and Kristi Hill would eventually marry. Randy Hill now serves as a volunteer with the Bearcats.

I

Coaching at Bainbridge is a family affair for Littleton. His brother-in-law, Brian Hill, is Bainbridge’s defensive coordinator.

“It’s been tremendous having him work with us. He is with us on Monday and Tuesday, and he also helps us on Friday nights.

He remembers everything; he can remember games decades ago like they were yesterday.”

Littleton is fortunate to have a wife who understands the coaching profession better than most. She grew up the daughter of a coach, and now she’s a coach’s wife.

Being married to the head coach is an adjustment, one complicated by the fact that she also has a new job herself. “She is in a new situation teaching at Bainbridge High as well. Football season is busy and now that we have kids, she is just as busy as I am. It’s hard on her when I’m at the office until 8 p.m. during the weeks. But we enjoy it, and we make it work,” he says. Littleton also enjoys being in Bainbridge and plans to stay for quite a while. “We’ve got good facilities here, a good staff, and good support from the community. I think we can really do something special here.” ITG

n week two of this season, Jeff Littleton returned to Cairo when the Bearcats and the Syrupmakers played each other. Cairo won 6-0 in what was a very intense, hard-fought game. Littleton enjoyed the game, all except for the outcome. “It was good to see everyone there. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, but they are an established program. We are still trying to get there. But I did tell them not to get used to beating us,” he laughs.

Indian Field • Capacity: 3,000 • Ocilla, GA • www.irwincountyindians.com Irwin County Football win the championship. Proper strength training and conditioning of athletes has been shown as a significant variable in avoiding serious injuries and decreasing recovery time when injury does occur. Coach Lindsey says, “Our athletes have conditioned hard and trained hard. My outlook for this season, I feel good about our team. We have a hard schedule; we open up with four AA teams then go into region play with strong single A teams including Clinch, Turner, Wilcox, and Charlton. We cannot relax for any of our games; we must play good, solid football each Friday night.”

UPDATE: The Indians began their season with wins. The Bleckley Co. Royals came to Irwin for the preseason scrimmage game. Irwin defended their home field with a 19 to 10 victory. The fans expected the starting team to make a good showing, but everyone was exceptionally surprised and proud of the freshmen and sophomores. The Indians have depth for the first time in years. They opened their regular season with another AA team, Taylor Co. Indian Fans were there in numbers to support their team. It was a well-played game,

and the Indians brought home a 27 to 9 victory.

Friday night brings the Fitzgerald Hurricanes to Indian Field. Irwin’s team, coaches, and the fans are ready to put a victory ‘W’ over the Canes in the books.

Irwin County High School

Coach Jon Lindsey, the Indians, and the fans are looking forward to Irwin 2013 football. The tribe will be under the lights with good numbers, great stamina, and high expectations. This is Coach Lindsey’s third year with Irwin; his first year the team was very young, and played many freshmen and sophomores. The team enters the 2013 season with much more experience; these players are now seniors and juniors with talent and experience from playing as sophomores and freshmen. The Indians played their first playoff game in several seasons last year. Coach Lindsey says, “I believe we are a competitive class A team.

We have worked to build on what we did last year, and we could have a successful season.”

Coach Lindsey believes weight training and conditioning are an essential part of the overall development of any championship athletic program. Realistically, the competitive nature of high school football has become such that it is necessary to train year-round. The teams who possess the big three (speed, strength, and agility) are the ones who will most likely play for and

2013 Irwin County Football Seniors

2013 Irwin County Football Team

49

Fall is upon us! The needs of SEGA FCA are growing and growing!

And now… so are we! We have added Chris Shelton to our staff as Event Planning & AV/Tech. We are adding Bobby Willis to our staff as our male Area Representative and are currently interviewing for a female Area Representative. We are also in the final stages of bringing a Missions Director to our staff to cover our international mission’s ministries.

Our staff raises their support as home missionaries in order to serve our communities directly to coaches, athletes and students. The support is raised from within and outside of our communities, but the end result is that the staff receive financial support and are enabled to minister unhindered.

Thank you for what you are doing to make our staff grow and helping them to reach coaches and athletes!

We are very excited about our newest staff member, Bobby Willis! Let us introduce you to him: Bobby Willis was born on March 15, 1947 and raised in a christian home. He accepted Christ as his savior in February 1972. While attending Lowndes High School, he participated in football, basketball, and baseball.

Bobby also played baseball in college at South Georgia Junior College.

He is married to Sandy Willis, and together they have four children and six

grandchildren. He coached local youth activities for 20 years and spent time at the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs and at Open Bible Christian School. Bobby is well known and well loved by the coaches in our community because he has developed relationships with them while officiating high school sports for the past 36 years. Bobby also worked in the prison system for the past 23 years and has participated in the Kairos ministry since it began. As he is stepping into retirement, Bobby feels called to reach the youth of our community before the world does. He states, “My desire is to make a difference in young peoples’ lives, and I feel that FCA is a true means of accomplishing this goal.” With his love of sports and passion for young people, the FCA seems to be the perfect fit.

Danny R. Broyles SEGA Area Director (229) 245-1717 Office www.segafca.org

SEGA FCA

@SEGAFCA

www.segafca.org

Rising Star Presented by:

Ellie Stark Valwood School

Ellie Stark also plays soccer. A defender, she has played soccer most of her life. She enjoys the game, but she has really fallen in love with volleyball. As she gets into high school, she could see herself really focusing on volleyball. “I play soccer for fun. It’s something just enjoy doing,” she says.

53

Valwood Eighth Grader Turns Over New Leaf With Volleyball

by Robert Preston, Jr.

E

very once in a while it’s good to turn over a new leaf and try something new.

Ellie Stark, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Valwood, decided this year would be a good one to do that very thing. In the past, she had always spent her late summer/early fall playing softball. This season, she decided to lay down her glove and bat to play volleyball. Her volleyball career is beginning at the same time as Valwood’s - this is the first time Valwood has had a volleyball team. Stark really didn’t know what to expect playing organized volleyball but, she has been pleasantly surprised with how things have turned out. “I’m enjoying playing volleyball. It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve done better than I expected,” she says.

Volleyball is a game of communication and precision. Good volleyball teams are made of players who are great communicators. Athletic ability is always good to have, but an athletic player who doesn’t communicate well doesn’t do a volleyball team much good. That’s one of the earliest lessons Stark had to learn, and it is something she keeps in mind each time she steps on the court.

When Stark spoke with In the Game, it was early in the season, and the Valiants were just getting their volleyball legs under them. Valwood had won two games, and Stark was playing on the varsity team with the high school girls. She plays left back, and her job is to recover the ball after a spike and move it up to the hitters. “I’ve been working on my overall skills. Since I’ve never played before, I need to learn the game.

I’m trying to improve my passing and be more

photography by Micki K Photography

efficient there,” she says.

Another sport she has played for quite a while and for which she has shown a great deal of talent is basketball. Stark usually plays on the post or the wing and is very good defensively.

This year, Stark could find herself playing with the varsity as well. “I love going after the ball.

I try to get the ball any time I can. I don’t mind battling for it at all,” she says. One of her primary goals for the upcoming season is to get better offensively. She would like to get better from the free throw line and shooting in general. She is also doing dribbling drills on a Rip Stick. “I need to work on my ball control, and that’s a good way to practice.”

Stark is also a very good student who stays busy reading and working as president of the Student Council and on Odyssey of the Mind projects. Stark has been selected as a participant in the Duke Talent Identification Program and last year missed her basketball team’s playoff game to take the SAT for the program. “I was upset that I couldn’t be at the game, but I had to take the test. It was a rare opportunity, and I had to take it,” she says. She scored above average, according to Duke’s selection criteria.

Stark is one of the rare students who not only enjoys reading, but she prefers to hold a book in her hands - no Kindles or other electronic devices.

“I just enjoy picking up a book. I read because my mom reads. I grew into it as I got older,” she says. Her favorites are the books in The Mortal Instruments Series. What about that other series popular with young adults? “I haven’t read the Twilight books. And I don’t plan on it.”ITG

Ellie’s Favorites Sport you wish you could play: Swimming Subject: Science Least favorite: Math Last movie: Safe Haven Dogs or cats? Dogs Pepsi or Coke? Coke Superpower: Fly

888.715.GAME HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

www.inthegamemagazine.com