Score Atlanta Vol. 11 Issue 4

Time to look great!

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 4 | FEBRUARY 6-12, 2015

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YOUR SOURCE FOR SPORTS IN GEORGIA

BRING THE NOISE The Usos continue rise to WWE’s most popular duo. | Pg. 12

Who’s Next | Pg. 4-5 Georgia’s latest class of signees populates the college football landscape.

Living For The City | Pg. 7-10 Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame inducts its Class of 2015.

The place was trashed. It u but you wouldn't even know itsed to be a neighborhood, high gear, and after al the t . So we cranked it into raining, things just clicked.

We got food and water to eve even built shelters in a day. I ryone in an hour. We out of the Guard. But I didn't knew I would get a lot people would get, too. know how much other

Get ahead in life with the Guard.

• Money for college • Training in more than 200 career fields • Service to your country and community

TRAINING

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EDUCATION

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ADVENTURE

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MONEY

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SERVICE

Programs and Benefits Subject to Change 14CNG-04_10.125x9.321.indd 1

8/7/14 10:30 AM

Vol. 11 Iss. 4 | February 6-12, 2015

STARTING LINEUP PUBLISHER/EDITOR I.J. Rosenberg

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NATIONAL SIGNING DAY COVERAGE

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ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

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INSIDE THE WWE

ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR DJ Galbiati Blalock

MANAGING EDITOR Craig Sager II

MARKETING/ Lauren Goldstein PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR

BUSINESS MANAGER Marvin Botnick BEAT WRITERS Ricky Dimon (Braves, Tech)

Brian Jones (KSU) Dan Mathews (UGA)

Craig Sager II (Falcons)

Kyle Sandy (Hawks, GSU,

Gladiators)

FOLLOW ALL OF THE NATIONAL SIGNING DAY COVERAGE

STAFF WRITERS Jalisa Smith

Matthew Cason

TO ADVERTISE IN SCORE ATLANTA:

404.256.1572

Copyright 2015 Score Atlanta Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Score Atlanta is published in print every other week on Fridays and a digital version is posted to ScoreAtl.com in-between print issues. Views expressed in Score Atlanta are not necessarily the opinion of Score Atlanta, its staff or advertisers. Score Atlanta does not knowingly accept false or misleading editorial content or advertising nor is Score Atlanta responsible for the content or claims of any advertising or editorial in this publication. No content (articles, photographs, graphics) in Score Atlanta may be used for reproduction without written permission from the publisher.

www.ScoreATL.com www.SigningDayFrenzy.com COVER PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME, SONNY KENNEDY AND THE WWE.

STAY CONNECTED!

@SCOREATLANTA

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SCORE ATLANTA | www.ScoreAtl.com

COMMITMENTS TO INSTATE COLLEGES GEORGIA 1.

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Johnathan Abram......................S.....................................................East Marion (MS) Patrick Allen..............................OT.........................................................Franklin (MD) Chuks Amaechi.........................LB............................... Arizona Western College (AZ) Deandre Baker..........................CB................................................. Northwestern (FL) Michael Barnett.........................DE.......................................................Woodland (SC) Juwuan Briscoe.........................CB............................................... Thomas Stone (MD) Kirby Choates............................S..................................................................Tri-Cities Michael Chigbu..........................WR.....................................................Holy Cross (LA) Tae Crowder...............................WR........................................................Harris County Terry Godwin.............................ATH............................................................... Callaway Sage Hardin...............................OT.....................................................................Marist Jackson Harris..........................TE............................................ Columbia Central (TN) DaQuan Hawkins.......................DT................................................................Westlake Jonathan Ledbetter...................DE....................................................................Tucker Sam Madden..............................OT........................................................ Barnegat (NJ) Gary McCrae..............................LB....................................................... Randolph Clay Rico McGraw ............................CB............................................................Stephenson Natrez Patrick............................DE...................................................................... Mays Rashad Roundtree.....................S...................................................... Lakeside-Evans DeVondre Seymour...................OT......................................................Hinds C.C. (MS) Jayson Stanley..........................WR............................................................. Creekside Juwan Taylor..............................LB...................................................... Hallandale (FL) Trent Thompson.........................DT................................................................Westover D’Andre Walker.........................DE.................................................. Langston Hughes Jarvis Wilson.............................S..............................................................Tupelo (MS) Shaquery Wilson.......................ATH......................................Coral Gables Senior (FL) Justin Young..............................DT..................................................................Grayson

GEORGIA TECH 1.

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MERCER UNIVERSITY 1.

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Jake Brooks...............................ATH...............................................................Thomson Will Coneway.............................LB............................................... Washington County Dawson Ellis..............................OL...........................................................East Coweta Cole Fisher.................................K......................................................................Archer Destin Guillen............................DE..............................................................Berea (SC) Stephen Houzah........................DB.................................................... Lakeside-Evans Marquise Irvin...........................WR............................................Madison County (AL) Eric Jackson..............................DB................................................................ Hillgrove Blake Jones...............................DL.........................................................Harris County Dorian Kithcart..........................DL................................................................Norcross Mitch Mathes.............................OL......................................................................Troup Donte Maxson............................RB..................................................Pinellas Park (FL) Chad Mitchell.............................OL...........................Montgomery Bell Academy (TN) Truett Moss................................OL..................................................................Calhoun Steven Nixon..............................LS.................................................................Harrison Jake Peppers.............................TE...............................................................Creekview Jimmie Robinson.......................ATH........................................Flagler Palm Coast (FL) Matt Shiel...................................P.....................................................Auburn/Australia Stanley Smith............................OL...........................................................Opelika (AL) Jonathan Ward..........................LB...................................................... Tattnall Sqaure Chase Westfall...........................TE......................................................................Dalton

Victor Alexander........................LB..............................................Trinity Christian (FL) KirVonte Benson........................RB................................................................. Marietta Will Bryan..................................OG.....................................................Franklin County Christian Campbell....................ATH.................................................. Ponchatoula (LA) Tyler Cooksey............................LB...................................... Greater Atlanta Christian Nathan Cottrell...........................RB............................................... Knoxville West (TN) David Curry................................S......................................................................Buford Meiko Dotson.............................CB........................................................ Mainland (FL) Brentavious Glanton..................DT...................................................................Monroe A.J. Gray ....................................S................................................. Washington County Kyle Henderson.........................DT............................................................... Plant (FL) Harland Howell..........................WR................................................................ Wheeler Omahri Jarrett...........................RB................................................... New Manchester Mikell Lands-Davis...................RB.............................................................. Alexander Marcus Marshall.......................RB....................................................... Millbrook (NC) TaQuon Marshall........................RB.........................................................Harris County Brant Mitchell ...........................LB..................................................Webb School (TN) Brad Morgan..............................OG...................................................................Etowah Scott Morgan.............................DT...................................................................Etowah Christian Philpott.......................WR................................. North Florida Christian (FL) Jaylend Ratliffe..........................ATH........................................... Scotland County (NC) Anree Saint-Amour...................DE...................................................... North Gwinnett Trent Sellers..............................DE..........................................................Sandy Creek Brad Stewart..............................WR.......................................................... Benedictine Dorian Walker............................ATH.............................................................. Mt. Paran Quaide Wiemerskirch...............RB................................................................Pace (FL) Dante Wigley..............................CB...............................................................Carrollton

KENNESAW STATE 1.

Kyla Arrasmith...........................TE............................................................Navarre (FL)

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Auston Banks............................RB....................................................Notre Dame (TN)

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Chaston Bennett........................RB............................................................... Rusk (TX)

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Raekwon Chatman....................DB.......................................................... Ware County

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Leigh Comfort............................OL................................Northeastern Oklahoma (OK)

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Kingsley Ejike............................DL...................................................................Newton

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Derrick Farrow..........................DB........................................... East Central C.C. (MS)

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Matt Foster.................................DE.................................Middle Tennessee State (TN)

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Darnell Holland..........................ATH.................................................................Bowdon

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E.J. Hurley..................................OL..........................................................Sandy Creek

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Malik Letatau.............................OL.....................................College of San Mateo (CA)

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Chase McNulty...........................DB...............................................Itawamba C.C. (MS)

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Kyron Minter..............................LB............................................. Navarro College (TX)

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Dustyn Moore............................DE..................................................Heritage-Conyers

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T.J. Reed.....................................RB...........................................................Daphne (AL)

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Zach Taisler................................LB..................................................... Houston County

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Kevin Ackerman........................TE.................................................. Bolles School (FL) J.L. Banks..................................LB.........................................................North Oconee Jay Bowdry................................S............................................................. Thomasville Jeremiah Culbreth.....................DT.................................................. Langston Hughes Lane Ecton.................................S....................................................... Dutch Fork (SC) Wesley Fields............................RB.................................................Americus-Sumter Obe Fortune...............................ATH....................................................................Milton D’Ondre Glenn...........................WR.................................................... Douglas County Markeis Hallback......................RB..................................................Moore Haven (FL) Malik Henry...............................WR.............................................................Tift County Naquan Howard.........................WR............................................... F.W. Buchholtz (FL) Logan Hunt................................DE............................................... Washington County J.B. Kouassi...............................DE................................................................Norcross Jessie Liptrot.............................ATH....................................... Duncan U. Fletcher (FL) Max Magana..............................OT....................................Feather River College (CA) Christian Matthew ....................CB...............................................................Hardaway Hampton McConnell..................QB..........................................................West Forsyth Eric Montgomery.......................RB................................................................ Hillgrove Joshua Moon.............................S................................................................ Creekside Curtis Rainey.............................OG..................................................Robert E. Lee (FL) Jeremiah Theus.........................OG................................................. Bolles School (FL)

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Tre Campbell..............................S........................................................ Scottsdale (AZ) Ed Curney..................................LB.......................................................Carver-Atlanta Kendrick Dorn...........................RB...................................San Bernardino Valley (CA) Marquan Greene........................WR..................................................... Colquitt County Penny Hart.................................ATH..........................................................King’s Ridge Melliek Jackson........................S.......................................Champagnat Catholic (FL) Dequeszman Kelley...................DT......................................................Coffeyville (KS) Demarcus Kirk..........................RB................................................................Dora (AL) Julien Laurent...........................DT.....................................New Mexico Military (NM) Matlin Marshall..........................ATH.................................................................... Evans Chase Middleton........................LB............................................................ Brookwood Kameron Myers.........................WR...........................................East Mississippi (MS) Charlie Patrick...........................LB...................................................................... Mays Kelvin Rainey.............................LB..................................................Iowa Western (IA) Kaleb Ringer..............................LB............................................................. Butler (KS) Dom Roldan...............................OG........................................ Grossmont College (CA) Tyler Simonsen..........................OT...................................San Bernardino Valley (CA) Ari Werts....................................TE.............................................................Stephenson Aaron Winchester......................QB..............................................................Mt. Pisgah

Vol. 11 Iss. 4 | February 6-12, 2015 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

GEORGIA TECH LOADS UP ON INSTATE TALENT

BY CRAIG SAGER II | CSAGER@SCOREATL.COM

N

ational Signing Day 2015 was bigger than ever this year as national and local media broadcasted the final college decisions of thousands of athletes from every corner of the country. In our own backyard, the Peach State once again took center stage as the nation’s top programs battled for Georgia’s deep list of prospects.

The amount of talent and the number of big names in this year’s class rivals Georgia’s star-studded Class of 2013 that 247sports considered the most talented class of recruits in the nation that year. That year lit the fuse at both ends as Georgia transformed from being considered one of the most talented states in the nation to a mandatory stop on every top program’s radar.

Within Georgia’s borders, we saw Georgia Tech put together a recruiting class this year that is considered to be the best in head coach Paul Johnson’s tenure. The Yellow Jackets used 17 instate players to build its 27 player class, the most Georgia prospects to go to any school in the nation this year. Defensive end Anree St. Amour is one of the headliners in the class and the North Gwinnett standout was one of the hundreds of signees to come through the second annual Signing Day Frenzy celebration at Stars and Strikes. The event started with recordsetting Pickens running back Shannon Brooks signing to Minnesota and continued with plenty of excitement as 92.9 The Game broadcasted live. Lakeside DeKalb brought Army signee Kellyen Walker and highly-touted defensive lineman Michael Horton. Horton informed the listens and fans in attendance that he was flipping from Florida to sign with Auburn.

CHAMPIONSHIP TALENT…

Georgia once again built a top 10 recruiting class, but the attention was shifted towards Georgia Tech’s incoming class significantly more than previous years. One of the main aspects creating the excitement is the level of success and championship experience within the list of signees. Class AAAA state champion Buford sent safety David Curry to Georgia Tech on Wednesday, one week removed from Curry’s decision to flip from Virginia. Class AA state champion Benedictine sent wide receiver Brad Stewart (AJC Class AA Player of the Year) to the Jackets in this year’s class and Class A state champion running back Dorian Walker joined Tech’s Class of 2015 after a breakout season for Mt. Paran. Linebacker Tyler Cooksey (Greater Atlanta Christian) and safety A.J. Gray (Washington County) both made the fi-

nals this past season in their respective classifications and brothers Scott and Brad Morgan manned the trenches this past season for Etowah and helped the Eagles reach the state semifinals for the first time in school history.

THE GEORGIA WAY…

The Georgia Bulldogs brought in 13 instate prospects this year and there is still a chance for Macon County safety Roquan Smith. Smith committed to UCLA on National Signing Day but has not yet signed his letter of intent and could ultimately land on the Dawgs. Callaway receiver Terry Godwin was a late pickup on National Signing Day as he signed with the Dawgs live on Fox Sports South Wednesday at 6:20 pm. Godwin picked Georgia over his other finalists Auburn and Alabama.

ELITE JUNIORS…

In December of 2013, the inaugural Elite Junior Classic took the field at McEachern High School. Many watching the junior allstars share the spotlight wondered how that group would do when National Signing Day came 14 months later. By the end of National Signing Day, 53 of the first Elite Junior Classic participants were signed to play college football this fall at 38 different schools.

Wide receivers T.J. Rahming (McEachern) and Keyston Fuller (Griffin) both signed to Duke, while defensive back Khalil Brooks (Mays) and offensive lineman Josh Fannin will be teammates at Middle Tennessee State together this fall.

Auburn plucked five prospects from the Elite Junior Classic in its No. 9 nationally ranked incoming class. Kicker Ian Shannon (Marietta), lineman Kaleb Kim (Mill Creek), Darius Slayton (Greater Atlanta Christian), Jordan Colbert (Griffin) and linebacker Robert Muschamp (Darlington) are all Tiger-bound. Wide receiver Daniel Imatorbhebhe (North Gwinnett) and lineman Brandon Sandifer (Northside-Warner Robins) are future Florida Gators teammates and Tyler Camp (Mary Persons) and Hunter Holland (Buford) are both headed to Western Kentucky.

UGA grabbed safety Rashad Roundtree (Lakeside-Evans) from the group, while Georgia Tech signed previously-mentioned Curry, Stewart and St.-Amour along with running back KirVonte Benson (Marietta).

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INAUGURAL ELITE JR. CLASSIC CLASS The following are the players that signed college scholarships as of Thursday morning from the inaugural Elite Junior Classic in 2013.

For more information on this class, go to EliteJuniorClassic.com.

KirVonte Benson................. Georgia Tech Josh Bettistea..................Gardner-Webb Khalil Brooks.....Middle Tennessee State Almonzo Brown....................... Minnesota Kawon Bryant...Georgia Military College Andrew Butcher...................... Tennessee Chris Calhoun...................... Wake Forest Tyler Camp..................Western Kentucky Jordan Colbert..............................Auburn Lewis Cousins III....................Delta State Levi Cribb....................Jacksonville State David Curry......................... Georgia Tech Daniel David................Appalachian State Gordon Dudley......................... Reinhardt Chuma Edoga.....................................USC Josh Fannin........Middle Tennessee State Daniel Fennell.................. South Carolina Blake Ferguson.................................. LSU Julian Fraser......................................Yale Christopher Frederick.............. Syracuse Keyston Fuller.................................. Duke Taj Griffin.......................................Oregon Quintin Hampton................................ UCF Hunter Holland............Western Kentucky Stephen Houzah............................Mercer Logan Hunt...................Georgia Southern Mitch Hyatt................................. Clemson Daniel Imatorbhebhe....................Florida Quentez Johnson......................N.C. State

Chandler Jones.........................Louisville Willie Jordan...........Northeast Oklahoma Max Kemper...............................Air Force Kaleb Kim......................................Auburn Cal King............................... Presbyterian J.B. Kouassi.................Georgia Southern Nekyle Lundie...........................Nebraska Malik Mackey.............................Hampton Hampton McConnell....Georgia Southern Chase Middleton................ Georgia State Robert Muschamp........................Auburn D’Andre Plantin................... Virginia Tech T.J. Rahming..................................... Duke Connor Redmond............. South Carolina Rashad Roundtree.......................Georgia Brandon Sandifer.........................Florida Ian Shannon..................................Auburn Darius Slayton...............................Auburn Luis Sobh.............................West Florida Anree St-Amour................. Georgia Tech Brad Stewart....................... Georgia Tech Cordarro Stoute..................West Georgia Jalen Wilkerson................................. FSU Daylan Williams..................Morgan State Nick Wilson................................ Stanford Steven Wright..............................Virginia

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Dan Quinn

Undrafted Free Agents

On Wednesday some of Georgia’s best and brightest high school football players signed on the dotted line to further advance their careers to the collegiate level. Some may go on to be the best players in the nation, while others may choose to focus on their studies, but one thing will remain a constant: None of them will forget their days under the Friday night lights.

The former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator has cashed in and will become the new head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. The 44-year old Quinn inked a five-year deal on Monday morning to become the 16th head coach in franchise history. He will look to replicate his ‘Legion of Boom’ defense in Atlanta.

Did you guys watch the Super Bowl on Sunday? Well if you are a part of the 114 million who did, you would have seen that it was Malcolm Butler (West Alabama) and Chris Matthews (Kentucky) who stole the show for their respective teams. It just goes to show that the most unheralded players can make the biggest impact when you least expect it.

By Kyle Sandy

WHO’S HOT

National Signing Day

SCORE LIST

By Brian Jones

FALCONS ARE QUINNING

It’s official. Former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the new head coach of the Falcons. He was formally introduced to the media on Tuesday and he promises the Falcons will be more physical than they were in the past. Welcome to Atlanta Coach Quinn. We are looking forward to you turning the team around.

WHAT A RUN

The Hawks win-streak ended at 19 games when they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. It was bound to happen sooner or later, especially with the injuries that were nagging the team. But the Hawks have made believers out of the fans, and it makes for an exciting second half to the season.

BIG NIGHT AT PHILIPS

Speaking of the Hawks, they have a huge game on Friday when they take on the Golden State Warriors. Both teams are in first place in their respective conferences, and both teams have provided a ton of excitement this season. Philips has been packed all season long, but Friday night could break records in terms of attendance.

EMBARRASSED BLANK

Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the media on Tuesday to not only talk about his new head coach, but to also addressed the fact that his team was investigated for pumping crowd noise in the Georgia Dome. Blank said he was embarrassed and angered by the entire situation. I hope the NFL found nothing wrong for the Falcons, but when there’s smoke…

ATLANTA SPORTS HOF

If you have some free time on Friday night, head on over to the Buckhead Theatre to check out the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Induction and Award Ceremony. The inductees this year are Dale Ellis, Leeman Bennett, Al Mead, George Morris and Charlie Yates. Tickets are only $25, so come on out and support legends of Atlanta sports.

WHO’S NOT

SCORE ATLANTA | www.ScoreAtl.com

Pete Carroll

Kennesaw State

29 percent

By now, I’m sure you have heard this storyline a million times. On the precipice of winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell decided to throw the ball on the one-yard line instead of run it with Marshawn Lynch.

Pundits everywhere have called it the worst call they have ever seen. Yikes.

The Owls had to rally at home to beat Division-II Paine College. It has been another woeful year thus far for the Owls.

They are now 8-16, but just 2-5 in the dwindling A-Sun which has seen an exodus of talented programs leave the conference. It’s time for KSU to become a contender and not a push over.

The 29 percent that did not watch the Super Bowl on Sunday did themselves a great disservice. The game had everything you could want: unlikely heroes and great storylines galore. Super Bowl XLIX will go down as one of the best championships the sport has ever seen and thank goodness it replaces our memories from last years’ blowout.

NUMBERS

OUR TWO CENTS

By Kyle Sandy

Our email newsletter is something we take a lot of pride in at Score. If you aren’t familiar with it, it is a high school sportsheavy publication that we produce each day to fill in our readers on the latest happenings in Georgia prep sports. We send it out Monday through Friday throughout the year and Monday through Saturday during the fall.

Not only do we cover popular sports like football, basketball and baseball, we also cover every other varsity sport the GHSA fields. If you like Georgia high school sports at all, sign up for our email newsletter by visiting www.tinyurl.com/scorenewsletter and enter your email address(es) that you’d like added to the distribution list.

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TRIVIA QUESTION

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SANITY AT LAST

HOW MANY FORMER ELITE JUNIOR CLASSIC PLAYERS DID AUBURN SIGN IN ITS 2015 RECRUITING CLASS?

“One of our goals here is that we’re going to be the best fundamental team in football. Those are going to be some of the core tenants that we’ll talk about.”

ANSWER ON PAGE 14

- New Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.

19

Game winning streak for the Hawks was snapped on Monday.

15

Buford Division-I football signees this year.

8

Hawks lead over Toronto for the No. 1 seed.

8

Eight of Georgia Tech’s nine conference losses have been by single digits.

5

Years in Dan Quinn’s contract.

1,000

Ryan Harrow scored his 1,000th point as a Georgia State Panther

16

Georgia State and Georgia Southern are a combined 16-5 in the Sun Belt.

$6million

Dian Toscano’s new fouryear deal with the Braves

2015 Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Friday, Feb.6, 2015 | Buckhead Theater | 7:15 p.m.

MISSION STATEMENT The Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring Atlanta’s sports heroes, remembering great moments in Atlanta’s sports history and preserving the past from which future generations can learn and take pride. www.AtlantaSportsHallofFame.org /AtlantaSportsHallofFame @ATLSportsHallofFame

ORDER OF EVENTS Welcome Larry Winter - President, Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Kickoff Kasim Reed, Mayor City of Atlanta Parade of Hall of Famers Presentation of Hall of Famers - Zach Klein, WSB TV-Channel 2 In Memory Salute to Lou Hudson and Pete Van Wieren - Zach Klein, WSB TVChannel 2 State of the Hall Larry Winter - President, Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame 2015 ASHOF Star of Year Presentation Star or Year Winner - Chase Elliott, Q&A on stage with Zach Klein WSB TV-Channel 2 2015 Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Induction 1. Leeman Bennett (presented by Dr Homer Rice - Member of ASHOF) 2. Dale Ellis (presented by Coach Hood, Marietta High School Basketball Coach) 3. Al Mead (presented by Andy Fleming - Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee)

LIST OF CURRENT ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAMERS Hank Aaron Tommy Barnes Gayle Barron Steve Bartkowski Furman Bisher Jackie Bradford Ron Bradley Cindy Brogdon Skip Caray Bobby Cox Bobby Cremins Bill Curry Bobby Dodd Edith McGuire Duvall Bill Elliott Walt Frazier Tom Glavine Buck Godfrey Bill Hartman John Heisman Evander Holyfield Lou Hudson Claude Humphrey Ernie Johnson, Sr. Bobby Jones Calvin “Monk” Jones Roger Kaiser Corky Kell

Steve Lundquist Earl Mann Dr. Phil McCrary Antonio McKay James “Red” Moore Edwin Moses Dale Murphy Larry Nelson Phil Niekro Tommy Nobis Melvin Pender, Jr. Mark Price Randy Rhino Dr. Homer Rice George Rogers Deion Sanders John Schuerholz John Smoltz Dr. Tim Singleton Louise Suggs Jessie Tuggle Ted Turner Wyomia Tyus Jeff Van Note Pete Van Wieren Dominique Wilkins

THANKS TO OUR TABLE SPONSORS Atlanta Falcons Charlie Yates Family Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A Bowl East Lake Foundation George Morris Family

Greater Atlanta Christian Leeman Bennett Family New Hope Baptist Church North Atlanta Church of Christ Smith Family

THANKS TO OUR SILENT AUCTION SPONSORS Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Motor Speedway

NAPA Tour Championship 680 The Fan

2015 ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME ARTWORK PROGRAM

Under the direction of art teacher Laura LaQuaglia, six Kell High School Advanced Placement studio art students researched the 2015 Star of the Year and five inductees. The students then created artwork celebrating the athletic achievements and contributions of each individual. The artwork is displayed tonight in the lobby of the Buckhead Theatre.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND HOW IS The six students and the pieces they created are: THE VOTING DONE FOR THE ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME? Antonio Nichols...........................................................Chase Elliott Michala Settle......................................................Leeman Bennett 1. To be eligible for the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame a nomFerris Halemeh................................................................Dale Ellis ination must be for an individual or team in the Greater Atlanta Area as defined by the US Census MSA (Met- Rachel Cheek.....................................................................Al Mead ropolitan Statistical Area). This is a 28 county area.

Avery Silva.............................................................. George Morris 2. A nominee must have been born in Greater Atlanta or Kennedy O’Connor.................................................... Charlie Yates resided in the Greater Atlanta area long enough to have attended high school, and/or participated in a sports activity in Greater Atlanta for at least four years.

4. George Morris (presented by Lee Baker, Executive Director Touchdown Club of Atlanta)

3. Participated in their sport or activity for at least 20 years, or have been retired for 3 years, or in the event of a death an individual or team is immediately eligible.

5. Charlie Yates (presented by Bob Jones IV - grandson of golfer Bobby Jones)

4. Must be present at the Induction Ceremony to be inducted.

Wrap-up and Thank You Larry Winter - President, Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame

5. All nominees will go through a multi-tiered screening process. The final vote is done by the Honors Court.

CLASS OF 2015 INDUCTEES LEEMAN BENNETT

AL MEAD

• Leeman Bennett has left his imprint on both college and professional football in the city of Atlanta.

• Bennett is one of the Atlanta Falcons’ most successful head coaches. During the 1977 season, Bennett’s defense — nicknamed the “Gritz Blitz” — set an all-time NFL record for allowing only 129 points in a 14-game season, a record that will never fall, as the NFL then moved to a 16-game season.

• He was named coach of the year by several organizations following the 1977, 1978, and 1980 seasons.

• Bennett led the Falcons to the first playoffs and division championships in team history. He was the Falcons first head coach to leave with a winning record.

• After coaching 15 years in the NFL, Bennett returned to Atlanta and became a prominent leader of a struggling college bowl game.

With his active participation, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is now part of the nation’s Bowl Championship Series.

• Bennett also had a successful business career in Atlanta, and served on numerous boards of directors.

• Al Mead overcame obstacles and challenges to become one of the greatest Paralympians in history.

• Out of Morehouse College, Mead dominated the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games, winning the gold medal and setting a world record in the long jump.

• He then captured the long jump silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, a year in which he co-captained the team.

• Mead was the world record holder in the 100-meters from 1982 to 1987.

• He is also the former national record holder in the long and high • jump; a seven-time national 100-meter champion; a winner in the national high and long jump titles 14 times; and a former world recorder holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

• In 1983, Mead set world records in the 100 and 200 meters at the NHS Canadian meet.

• Mead was the first Paralympian to be inducted in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of both the U.SA. Track & Field of Georgia and the U.S. Amputee Athletic Association Halls of Fame.

DALE ELLIS

GEORGE MORRIS

• Dale Ellis collected 1,710 points and 989 rebounds as an All-American in basketball at Marietta High School in the 1970s. He then went on to University of Tennessee where he was named All-SEC three times.

• Ellis was the ninth overall pick of the 1983 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He was traded to Seattle in 1986, where his playing time increased significantly. He was awarded the NBA Most Improved Player in 1987.

• Ellis set the National Basketball Association’s record for most minutes played in a single game. Ellis set the record on Nov. 9, 1989, when he scored 53 points in 69 minutes, out of a possible 73, for the Seattle Supersonics in a 155-154 quintuple-overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

• Ellis set a franchise record in the 1988-89 season, where he scored 2,253 points, which stood until 2009.

• After Seattle, Ellis played for the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Miami Heat.

• His 1,719 career made three-pointers ranked third in NBA history at the time of his retirement in 2000.

• George Morris was part of Georgia Tech’s golden era of football during the early 1950s.

• Morris played offense and defense for Bobby Dodd’s Ramblin’ Wreck squad that tore off 23 straight victories.

• The 1951 campaign produced an 11-0-1 record, which included a regular-season 14-14 tie with Duke and a 17-14 victory over Baylor in the Orange Bowl.

• The Yellow Jackets were 12-0 in 1952, including a 24-7 victory over Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl, and were picked as national champion by several media services.

• During Morris’ junior and senior seasons, only two opponents managed to score more than one touchdown against Tech.

• Morris made 114 unassisted tackles over the 1952 season and earned All-America and academic All-America recognition. Of the 21 All-America football players coached by Dodd, he said none was greater than center-linebacker George Morris.

• Morris worked 30 years as a football official with the SEC. He was also involved in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Touchdown Club of Atlanta, and the National Football Foundation.

CHARLIE YATES • One of Atlanta’s most distinguished golfers ever. During the 1930s, few golfing amateurs in the country were better known or more widely celebrated.

• A graduate of Boys’ High School in Atlanta, Charlie Yates learned the game of golf at the Atlanta Athletic Club’s East Lake Golf Course. He was mentored by Bob Jones, one of the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame’s original inductees.

• Yates enjoyed a distinguished amateur career, winning the Georgia Amateur in 1931 and 1932, the NCAA individual title in 1934, while an honor student at Georgia Tech, and the Western Amateur in 1935. His most notable victory came in the 1938 Amateur at Royal Troon in Scotland.

• He played in the Masters eleven times, including the first-ever Masters in 1934, and was low amateur five times. In 1936 and 1938, he played on the U.S. Walker Cup Team. In 1953, he was captain of the Walker Cup Team, and was named honorary captain in 1985.

• In 1980, Mr. Yates was presented with the Bob Jones Award by the United States Golf Association, which is given in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.

• Yates had a long and successful career in business. He served tirelessly on numerous civic causes in the city of Atlanta, including the Woodruff Arts Center, the Metro Atlanta YMCA, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

IN MEMORY OF PETE VAN WIEREN (OCT 07, 1944 - AUG 02, 2014) • Pete was the Atlanta Braves play-by-play broadcaster for 33 years. “The professor” was known for his in-depth knowledge of the game and thorough preparation before broadcasts.

IN MEMORY OF LOU HUDSON (JUL 11, 1944 - APR 11, 2014) • “Sweet” Lou Hudson was the smooth-shooting Hawks star who averaged more than 20 points during 13 NBA seasons. Lou was known for his big smile and great jump shot.

2014/2015 ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME HONORS COURT Jon Babul.............................................Atlanta Hawks-Event Marketing Rohan Backfisch...........................................................Fox Sports South Lee Baker......................................................Touchdown Club of Atlanta James Barker....................................... Morehouse Alumni Association Jackie Bradford..............................................................Member ASHOF Soloman Brannan.............................................NFL Players Association Amy Bryant............................................. Emory Women’s Tennis Coach Mike Cammuck..........................................Shiloh High School-Athetics Dennis Caniglia............................... Atl Chapter-College FB Foundation Andy Carr....................................................................Atlanta Track Club Dan Corso.............................................................Atlanta Sports Council Kim Cox........................................................... Ga State Golf Association Steven Craft....................................................... Fulton County Athletics Sam Crenshaw.......................................................92.9 The Game Radio Tim Darnell....................................................... Sports Author/Journalist

Chris Dimino.............................................................. 680 The Fan Radio Horace Dunson.....................................Dekalb County Athletic Director Mike Emery........................................Gwinnett County Athletic Director John Farina................................... Emory Athletics-Sports Information Buck Godfrey..................................................................Member ASHOF Bill Hartman....................................................................Member ASHOF Bob Hope...........................................................................Atlanta Braves Brandon Hutchison.......................................... Atlanta Motor Speedway Steve Jones..............................................Cobb County Athletic Director Roger Kaiser...................................................................Member ASHOF Frank Kleha........................................Atlanta Falcons- Media Relations Ralph Kytan.................................................Retired Coca Cola Company Dewey McClain.................................................NFL Players Association Dr Phil McCrary..............................................................Member ASHOF Scott McFarlane......................................................... 680 The Fan Radio

George Olney....................................... Kennesaw State-Dir Major Gifts Jim Owen.............................................. Oglethorpe University Athletics Scott Pederson................................................. Positive Athlete Georgia Mel Pender......................................................................Member ASHOF Mike Perry.........................................................Alpharetta Parks & Rec Ken Rodriguez.....................................................................Fox 5 Sports Larry Smith..................................................... Channel 46, CBS- Sports Mike Stamus........................................................Georgia Tech Athletics Christian Sutttle................................... Hillgrove High School-Principal Charlie Taylor...........................................Ga State Univ Ath Association Jeff Van Note...................................................................Member ASHOF Sharman White............................... Miller Grove High School-Athletics Carter Wilson............................................................... Decatur Athletics

2015 ATLANTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND BOARD Joel Alterman Lee Baker Margaret Billingsley-Events Chairman Cheryl Glisson-Secretary Margaret Kleiman-Volunteer Chairman Tony McIntyre

Jim Riley Carolyn Serra Greg White Larry Winter-President Selina Winter-Marketing & Public Relations

The Georgia State Golf Association congratulates Charlie Yates on his induction into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame

ATTEND THE 2015 ATLANTA GLAZIER CLINICS Learn the latest X’s and O’s from winning football coaches.

The Atlanta Clinic

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly February 6-8, 2015

Register at: GlazierClinics.com

The Atlanta 150 Clinic The Westin Buckhead Atlanta February 27- Mar 1, 2015

Vol. 11 Iss. 4 | February 6-12, 2015

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WWE

TAG TEAM CHAMPION THE USOS HAVE EMERGED AS THE MOST POPULAR DUO IN THE WWE

BY BRIAN JONES | BJONES@SCOREATL.COM

ag teams in the WWE have always been popular. During the WWE’s rise in the T 1980s and 1990s, teams like the Legion of

Doom, Demolition and the Hart Foundation made headlines all with their wrestling skills and unique in-ring presences. At the turn of the 21st century, the two teams that drew ratings for the WWE were the Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian. From their on-mic performances to their in-ring abilities, those two teams had fans on the edge of their seats.

Now, there’s a new team that’s starting to gain more and more traction after a strong 2014 and looks to do even bigger things in 2015. Jimmy and Jey Uso, better known as the Usos, are the current WWE Tag Team Champions, and they are looking to make waves in their young careers.

The Usos won the tag team titles twice last year, and because of that they won the Slammy Award for Tag Team of the Year. So this past year was big for the Usos going forward, and with another successful title defense at the Royal Rumble last month, it looks like the Usos are here to stay.

ALL IN THE FAMILY…

So how did two twin brothers from Florida get involved in the WWE? That’s an easy question to answer because Jimmy and Jey come from a family enriched in the business. Their father, Rikishi Fatu, was one of the more popular Superstars in the 90s and 2000s. The Usos are also nephews of the late WWE superstar Umaga, and they are cousins to current WWE superstar Roam Reigns and one of the most famous WWE Superstars of all-time, the Rock.

“We grew up around this business,” Jimmy said. “It was something that was branded in our brain that WWE would be home for me and my brother sometime in the future.”

Umaga and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T trained Jimmy and Jey and the training process was challenging to say the least.

“It got frustrating,” Jimmy said talking about training for the WWE. “You start from the bottom and work your way up. It was easy for us to get the hang of it, and it was easy for us to learn.”

Even though their dad did not train his two

SWIMMING & DIVING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

WALTON, ST. PIUS AIM FOR RARE BACK-TOBACK TITLES

BY LAUREN GOLDSTEIN | LGOLDSTEIN@SCOREATL.COM

S

ince Brookwood’s state championship dynasty from 2008-2010, Georgia’s highest classification has seen four different teams fight to win the state title. In the Class AAAAAA 2014 state championships, Walton edged runner-up Chattahoochee in a comefrom-behind second place finish in the last event (400 freestyle relay) to end the 14-year streak in which a Gwinnett County school had taken home the boys state championship.

Walton has returned this season with the depth, speed and determination to make a run at their second straight state title. The Cobb County meet last month saw the defending state champions dominate their Cobb County opponents, racking up 601 points to win their fourth straight county title. Lassiter finished runner-up with 454 points, followed by Wheeler (364.5), Pope (280) and Hillgrove (254).

However, the 2015 state championship will be no cakewalk for the Raiders. Gwin-

nett County is bringing the heat this season in hopes of taking back what had been theirs from 2000 to 2013. Returning for the Collins Hill team is South Carolina commit Cody Bekemeyer and junior Taylor Delk. The Eagles towered over rivals with 1,006 points to Parkview’s 885 points, then North Gwinnett taking third (775) and Brookwood fourth (732).

CLASS A-AAAAA…

Much like Class AAAAAA, there has not been one school to take charge since Westminster’s six consecutive titles from 2003 to 2008. Marist won the trophy in 2009 and Greater Atlanta Christian in 2010. Wesleyan claimed the state title back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. The 2013 season saw the establishment of a new classification, combining the smaller classifications, and a new state champion, Dalton. Last season, St. Pius X edged runner-up Marist 199 points to 191 to seize the

sons, that didn’t mean he was not involved in their careers.

“If we had any questions, we would give him a call,” Jimmy said. “We had really good help.”

But before the Usos were banging heads on the mats, they were banging heads on the football field as they were standout players at Escambia High School in Pensacola, Fla. And because both players were so good at the high school level, they were able to take their talents to the University of West Alabama where they played for a few seasons.

“I think [playing football] helps a lot,” Jimmy said. “If you’re an athlete prior to becoming a WWE Superstar, it helps in a lot of ways.”

Once football was done for the Usos they started training to become part of the WWE. They would make their debut in Florida Championship Wrestling, which is WWE’s developmental organization in 2007, and they would win the Tag Team titles in 2010. They would make their WWE television debut that same year, and they have been active since then.

The reason the Usos have been able to continue to be a part of the roster for nearly five years is their unique style. One of the things that stand out with the Usos is a Samoan chant they do, and it has been very popular with fans.

“It comes from our ancestors,” Jimmy said.

“We would do this crazy war dance before war.

It means we’re ready for anything. I got my brother, I got my team and here we go.”

WAVE OF THE FUTURE…

The Usos have established themselves as the top tag team in the WWE because of their combination of size, speed and athleticism.

And their rise could not come at a better time

A-AAAAA state title but has lost now UGA swimmer, Gunnar Bentz.

Dalton boys return to the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center with vengeance after a seventh place finish at last year’s state meet. The Catamounts dominated at the North Georgia Regionals last month where they boasted 208 points topping Rome (172), Cambridge (140), Blessed Trinity (103) and Jefferson (93). Dalton boys are led by record setting junior Ethan Young who looks to replicate his incredible run at state last year. Young broke a 14-year old state record in 100-backstroke on the second day of the state championships. The final day, he broke his oneday state record with a 47.26 finish.

GIRLS…

Since the installment of Class AAAAAA, there has been some consistency in Georgia’s top class. Lambert girls have become the swimming powerhouse winning the state title the past two seasons. They took home their second straight state title last season out scoring second-place John’s Creek 279 points to 246.5. Prior to the Longhorn’s winning streak beginning in 2013, there had been five different champions since 2004. Lassiter earned the title for four consecutive years from 2008 to 2011 until Brookwood triumphed in 2012.

Lambert is coming off their sixth Forysth County title finishing with 788.5 points, far ahead of the second-place South girls (603). The Lady Longhorns placed first in the

because the division was missing great teams the last few years.

But with the Usos along with some of the younger teams that are coming along, the division is starting to be a force in the WWE.

“The tag team division came back hot when the Shield came in along with us and the Wyatt’s,” Jimmy said. “We have The Ascension coming in and more tag teams down in NXT that have to get ready. We love the tag team division.”

With the Usos on top of the division means more media time, and that was the case when both brothers made appearance on the realty show Total Divas on the E network. Jimmy had a little more airtime than Jey, but that had to do with his wife, WWE Superstar Naomi, being part of the main cast.

“I had to get adjusted to it because it’s something new,” Jimmy said about being on the show. “I’m used to going into the ring with the lights on and the cameras on. But when I’m out of the ring the lights are off but the cameras are still on. It was weird, but it was cool.”

Naomi is also into music, so she and Jimmy spend a lot of time in Atlanta. And with the brothers being from Pensacola which is four hours away, they are very familiar with the city.

“I used to make trips here back-and-forth to see my cousin Roman Reigns at Georgia Tech,” Jimmy said. “The WWE universe in Atlanta has always been with us. ATL is a second home.”

When the Jimmy and Jey come to Atlanta on February 24 for Smackdown, Philips Arena will be loud when they hit the ring. The Usos are a big reason WWE is the most watch program on cable television and the Samoan brothers from Pensacola show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Photo courtesy of WWE.

200-medley, 200-freestyle and 400-freestyle. Caroline Aikins won the 200-IM and the 100-backstoke, Katherine Aikins the 50-freestyle and Nicole Raicik the 100-butterfly.

CLASS A-AAAAA… After the smaller classifications saw back-and-forth state champions in Westminster’s six straight titles beginning in 2001, Marist’s five consecutive from 2007 to 2011, then the Wildcats return in 2012 and 2013, Woodward Academy took home the title last season but lot record setter and Virginia swimmer Caitlin Cooper.

In the 45th Metro Swimming and Diving Championships last month the Marist relay team dominated in the pool. The foursomes of Kendall Nelson, Anna Cote, Gracie Crump and Marlaina Schwab and Nelson, Tori Lauterbach, Leona Harper and Lizzy Walls placed first in both the 200-medley relay (1:52.40) and the 200-freestlye relay (1:38.55) respectively.

Lady War Eagle sophomore Elizabeth Bailey finished on top in a pair of individual events, the 200-IM (2:05. 30) and the 100-butterfly (56.48), after finishing in fourth and fifth place, respectively, at the state meet last year. Senior Katie Christy leads the Westminster squad finishing second place in the 200-freestlye (1:55.63) and 100-breastroke (1:07.73) at the Metro swim meet.

Photo courtesy of River Oak Photography.

Vol. 11 Iss. 4 | February 6-12, 2015

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