2022 Football Preview

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HEAD COACH Head Coach, Jeff Littleton is a 1988 graduate of Worth County High School. He was a defensive back for the Rams and was part of two State Championship Games in high school as a player. Coach Littleton graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Valdosta State in 1993 and went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology in 2011.He is entering his tenth season as Head Football Coach of the Bainbridge Bearcats and is pictured with his wife, Kristi and two daughters, Anna Kate and Emily.

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/ DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Coach Joe Dollar is a Bainbridge High School graduate. He is in his 7th year back home, at BHS, coaching and teaching. After graduation in 2000, he attended Valdosta State University. Prior to moving back to Bainbridge, Coach Dollar spent 10 years coaching at Thomas County Central. Together with his wife Beth Belcher Dollar, also from Bainbridge, he has three sons: Gambler age 15, Benji age 12, and Grant age 8.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ QUARTERBACKS COACH Coach Harville is entering his 8th season with the Bearcats, his 42nd overall. Coach Harville attended Madison Central High School where he played football and baseball. As a player, Harville played quarterback and defensive back, earning all-district honors his senior year. He is pictured with his wife, Rebecca.

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Coach Brian McCorkle is entering his 15th year of coaching with the Bearcats. Coach McCorkle is a 1995 graduate of Cairo High School. After high school, he attended Valdosta State University where he earned a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to Bainbridge, Coach McCorkle coached at Pelham High School and Albany High School. He is pictured with his wife, Michelle and two sons, Williams and Lee.

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH Coach Justin Palmer is beginning his 8th year of coaching with the Bainbridge Bearcats. Coach Palmer is a 2009 graduate of Cairo High School. He played on the offensive line before continuing his collegiate career at Valdosta State University. He is pictured with his wife, Samantha, son, Knox and daughter, Blakely.

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Coach Blake Cecil is entering his tenth season of coaching with the Bainbridge Bearcats. He is a 2004 graduate of Woodland High School in Cartersville, Ga. After graduation, he accepted a baseball scholarship to Andrew College. In 2011, Coach Cecil graduated with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education. He is pictured with his wife, Brandie, son, Hayes and daughter, Liza.

LINEBACKERS COACH Coach Adam Edwards is entering his 2nd season of coaching with the Bainbridge Bearcats. He is a 2006 graduate of Blountstown High School. After graduation, he accepted a football scholarship to Jacksonville University. He has served as the Quaterback, Running Back and Defensive Back coach. He is pictured with his wife, Sherie and kids, Rylan, Bailey and Abigail.

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH Coach Brad Almon is entering his 1st season of coaching with the Bainbridge Bearcats. He was previously the Assistant Coach on the 2008 State Championship team at Cairo High School and the Assistant Coach on the 2011 State Semifinals Team at CHS. The last four years, he has spent at Coffee High School as an Assistant Coach.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COORDINATOR/ TE/H BACK COACH Coach Johnson will begin his 35th year of coaching and his first at Bainbridge. He spent 17 years in Alabama coaching and made the move to Georgia in 2004. His coaching stops in Georgia have been at Lee County, Cairo, Pelham and Mitchell County.

He is married to Diana Applegate Johnson and they have two children Brittany and

RUNNING BACKS COACH Coach Larry Cosby is a graduate of Bainbridge High. Cosby was a four year starter under head Coaches Ralph Jones and Sonny Smart. Coach Cosby attended Hinds Community College for two years. Coach Cosby is entering his 17th year of coaching at Bainbridge High School. Coach Cosby has two sons and a goddaughter. Lance (23), Daylon (19) who attends college at VSU, and August (8).

9TH GRADE WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Coach Quarterman is a 2006 graduate of Hephzibah High School. Coach Quarterman graduated from Augusta State with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Coach Quarterman went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Education and Athletic Coaching. Coach Quarterman teaches 8th grade Science at Bainbridge Middle School.

ATHLETIC TRAINER Kedeemya Cooper has been named the new Athletic Trainer for Bainbridge High School. She has served in the collegiate and high school setting over the past 5 years.

She is a native of Thomasville, Georgia and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Albany State University in 2014. She received a Masters and Doctorate in Athletic Training.

9TH GRADE DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Coach Martavious Flowers is entering his third year of coaching with BHS. He is the son of Vickey and Beverly Flowers. He was born and raised in Climax, Georgia. He is a 2017 graduate of Bainbridge High School.

He was an all-region performer during his senior campaign. He has one daughter and resides in Bainbidge.

CHEERLEADING COACH

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Coach Katherine Bedwell is a graduate of Enterprise High School in Alabama. She has obtained an undergraduate degree and graduate degree in Elementary Education and Gifted. She is currently a teacher at Hutto Elementary School. She is the wife of the Late Captain Justin Bedwell and the mother of Maddie Lue, 11. This is her first year coaching Varsity.

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Head Coach Jeff Littleton and the 2022 Bainbridge Bearcats look to continue to build their foundation of success. all Friday night lights are back and so are the Bainbridge High School Bearcats. Last season the Bearcats had another season full of success as they won nine games and made a deep playoff run. This year the expectations with the Bearcats are nothing less than great.

Although the Bearcats have lost key starters in the secondary like Smoke Bouie and four starters on the offensive line, the Bearcats have 11 starters returning to the field in

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2022. Among those returning are key skill players like playmakers Keenan Phillips, Antavious Murphy and Dontae Broadnax who not only make plays on the offensive side but also anchor the defensive unit.

Head Coach Jeff Littleton looks to those playmakers to continue to develop and lead this team as he sees their comfort in the system and in big game situations.

“Having playmakers returning is always important because you don’t

have to replace rushing yardage, receiving yardage and all of those things,” said Littleton. “Those guys know their place on the team and know that we look to them when we need a play.”

Another strength of this Bearcat team is the defensive line and the linebacking core. With the defensive backs group and offensive line group practically all being new, the coaching staff really looks to the front seven to anchor this team and

win games while the newcomers learn to gel.

“The defensive line, linebackers, running backs and receivers are all returning starters so those guys are going to really have to carry the secondary and offensive line throughout the first few games,” said Littleton. “The standard is there and we expect to keep rolling.”

Aside from the returning skill position players, the coaching staff is really excited about guys like cornerback RJ Hamilton, brothers Corey and Cam Sanders and sophomore Antayvion Harris on the offensive side of the ball to have the opportunity to play and help the team win.

“A lot of these guys have been in our system for a few years and are finally getting the chance to step up and play so we’re really excited to let them showcase their talent and help us win games,” said Littleton.

Leadership and physicality are two words Coach Littleton used when describing the identity of this team. With key players on both sides of the ball, the coaching staff looks for the guys who have been in the system to lead the new guys by example and make plays and decisions that result in wins.

One player held to this standard is starting quarterback Bo Smith.

This will be Smith’s fourth year as the starter and the coaching staff looks for him to make the jump mentally.

“One thing we have been working with Bo on a lot are his presnap reads and progressions,” said Littleton. “We are really looking to him to go through those reads and those third and fourth progressions

Jill Holloway — Post-Searchlight

MAKING THEM MISS: Wide Receiver Keenan Phillips eludes defenders as he hauls in a screen pass.

to make the right decisions and ultimately put the ball in the hands of our playmakers.”

The Bearcats open their season at home against Dade Christian on August 19 and Coach Littleton and his staff are adamant about only focusing on the next opponent.

“The only game I’m focused on is the next one,” said Coach Littleton.

“There is no opponent lesser or greater than others. When you start

thinking like that is when you start getting beat.”

Wins and championships are nothing unordinary to the 2019 GHSAA Coach of the Year, however Littleton ultimately wants to teach his players skills and lessons that they can use further in their life and help them grow into young men in their time at Bainbridge High School.

coring points and putting the ball in the hands of elite playmakers is nothing new to the Bainbridge High School Bearcats.

Last season the Bearcats averaged close to 30 points per contest and this year the expectation is nothing less.

With playmakers like Keenan Phillips, Amari Ross, Antavious Murphy and RJ Hamilton all returning, the Bearcats are really looking to give opposing defenses trouble.

Offensive Coordinator Mike Harville is extremely happy to have guys like Phillips and Murphy back because they show comfort in performing in big game situations.

“Having those guys back is really important for two reasons,” said Harville. “Obviously their playmaking abilities are among the best in the state, but also their decision making skills. They have played in this system for years and show comfort in playing and making smart decisions on the field.”

Harville and the offense also have big expectations for starting quarterback Bo Smith. With three years experience leading the offense, Harville looks for Smith to develop in his decision making on the field.

“We’ve really been working with Bo on recognizing his pre-snap reads and then being able to go through progressions one through four and make the right decisions to get the call in the hands of our playmakers.”

Another player the Bearcats are excited about is Cam Sanders.

Sanders gives the offense a huge

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Jill Holloway — Post-Searchlight

READING THE DEFENSE: Quarterback Bo Smith drops back to pass and looks for the open receiver.

variety with his skillset. From being able to play anything from backup quarterback, to running the ball or catching passes, Sanders is the ultimate flex player.

“Cam Sanders is someone who we plan to use in the offense and we’re really excited about him,” said Harville. “Sanders knows so much about this offense and can do many different things so we look to him to really be that x-factor.”

With the offensive line having four new starters, the coaching staff knows it is going to take some experience for those guys to become comfortable in the system and in game situations. Harville and the coaching staff has spent the summer implementing some new sets to help the offensive line.

“We have been putting in and practicing some new sets and schemes to not only help the offensive line but help Bo as well,” said Harville. “These sets allow Bo more time and give him more options whether its downfield or out

of the backfield.”

The backfield of the Bearcats is a really strong piece of this offense.

With playmakers like RJ Hamilton, Tevon Moore and Kenneth Jackson possessing the ability to carry the ball. Quarterback Bo Smith also being a dual threat with his legs, which is sure to give opposing defenses trouble.

Coach Harville emphasized that in order for the offense to be successful, it all comes down to being a well-balanced offense and being able to sustain drives.

“What it all comes down to is balance,” said Harville. “Being able to run and throw the ball equally and picking up first downs, creating long drives, eliminating turnovers and keeping the defense off the field is what we would like to be able to do as an offense. That’s how you win games. It starts with the quarterback play.”

The Bearcat offense is set to take flight on August 19 against Dade Christian.

he Bainbridge defense in 2021 was one of the best in the state, holding opponents to just 16 points per game. This season’s defense looks to continue that success by being the most aggressive bunch on the field.

Led by defensive coordinator Joe Dollar, the Bearcats have an extremely strong front seven and linebacking core full of returning starters and playmakers. Coach Dollar looks for the front group to anchor the defensive unit and help the secondary that has lost seniors like Smoke Bouie.

“Our lineman and linebackers are a really strong and experienced group,” said Coach Dollar. “I really look to those guys to quarterback this defense and make plays while the secondary gets experience and becomes comfortable.”

Among the defensive group, linebackers Donta Broadnax and Devon Smart along with Dariyon Smart and Noah Phillips on the defensive line are guys that the coaching staff really looks for to lead the group and make the plays to help win games.

“Those guys who are returning starters know what we expect from them and know we have confidence in them,” said Dollar. “They understand our standard and have made plays before. Football is all about being comfortable and they’re comfortable in important situations.”

In order to give the offense opportunities to put points on the board, Coach Dollar emphasized how important it is to win the turn-

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Jill Holloway — Post-Searchlight

QUICK PURSUIT: Linebacker Chris Jones chases down the ball carrier and makes the tackle in a scrimmage.

over battle.

“The most important thing I want to see from this defense is being able to get off the field on third down and create turnovers,” said Dollar. “Our job is to put the offense in the best position for them to score points. The more opportunities we give them the better.”

Most importantly, the coaching staff wants to see this defense be

aggressive and physical every play.

Coach Dollar emphasized that physicality and energy shown from his leaders on defense will inspire the rest of the team and put wins in the book.

The 2022 defense will have their first opportunity to feast on opposing offenses on Friday August 19 at home against Dade Christian.

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making friday night lights bright again he Bearcat cheerleaders are excited to be back on the sidelines this season rooting on the boys of fall. Coached by Katherine Bedwell, the team has a lot of new ideas they plan to implement that promise to make this year one to remember.

Seniors Abbey Hall, Shayla Allen, Breyanna Collier, Kennadi Hughes, Jaycee Maxwell, Saraiyah Porter and Taryn Powell are all looking forward to their final season, spending time with one another and seeing the Bearcats make it to playoffs again, or hopefully another State Championship.

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All of the senior cheerleaders are most looking forward to the rival game against Cairo High School.

“It’s the last region game of the season and it’s our biggest rival,” Powell said.

The cheerleaders plan to continue with the tradition of the annual Syrup Sop leading up to the Cairo game in Willis Park Square, along with the addition of the pancake supper, hosted by Bainbridge High School’s FFA. For the past two years, the cheerleaders have started the spirit of competition a little early, having the football players and teachers compete in a pancake-eat-

ing contest, with former Assistant Principal Sean Johnson being the two-time reigning champion.

While annual events like the Syrup Sop will remain the same, younger fans have a new way to enjoy spending time with the cheerleaders during this year’s little girl’s camp.

Bedwell explained this year, the little girls will take part in a camp after school on August 15 and August 17, before cheering with the Varsity squad at the first home game against Dade Christian on August 19.

Another former favorite activity

may be returning as well.

Bedwell has promised that the Student Section theme nights cheerleaders will host at least one, Aug. 19 Dade ChrisHawaiian if not more, school pep rally for the tian Luau entire high school, something that has not been done in the past four Sept. 9 Thomasville Blackout years.

Oct. 7 Westover Purple & Powell is especially excited about Gold this, as she said it is something COVID-19 took away from them Oct. 28 Hardaway Halloween and prevented fans from the full Bash Bearcat experience.

However, fans can join in on the Nov. 4 Cairo White Trash Bash full experience this year by decking out in themed outfits with the student section. with fans encouraged to wear HaThe first home game against Dade waiian shirts, flip flops, straw hats Christian will be Hawaiian theme, and leis.

They will also have the annual pink out game for Breast Cancer, where all the cheerleaders will wear their pink shirts and the crowd is asked to wear pink as well.

Finally, the team will celebrate homecoming, where they will don the traditional purple and gold in the student section, before closing out the season with a white trash bash in honor of their final region game against Cairo.

Bedwell is thankful to be able to work with this group during their final year and her first year as head coach. She looks forward to cheering on the Cats every Friday night with them.

The Pride of Decatur County is ready for a season of high spirit and bearcat music or nearly four decades, the Bainbridge High School Band has been one of the premier bands in Georgia. Our award-winning accomplishments, 37 consecutive years of Superior Ratings, and 17 national appearances speak volumes to the dedication and hard work given to the program by the students, parents, community, staff, and administration.

This year’s show theme is a tribute to Phil Collins and the group Genesis. Our show will feature hit songs

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including Easy Lover, In The Air Tonight, Invisible Touch, and Take Me Home. The halftime show will once again continue to honor the longstanding traditions and standards of our band program.

The band isn’t just working toward their marching band performances. They are also looking forward to performing for many community events throughout the school year. In addition to those performances, we will be preparing our students to continue the Supe-

rior traditions of our Concert and Symphonic Bands at state events as well as community and school events. Our Jazz program will also be offering performances during the Winter & Spring. In our band program, we encourage students to have fun while learning responsibility, mental discipline, teamwork, self-esteem, leadership and an enjoyment and lifelong appreciation of music.

We are very fortunate to have a very hardworking and dedicated

staff to instruct and support our students. Will Parker, Assistant Band Director at Bainbridge High School, Brad Moore, Assistant Band Director at Bainbridge High School and Director of Bands at Bainbridge Middle School, Danceline Sponsor, JoAnn Moore, Colorguard Sponsor, Beth Dollar, Instrumental Instructor, Catie Parker, Percussion Instructor, Kyle Drinkard, Low Brass and Logistics, Raymond Powell,

and Director of Bands for Decatur County Schools, James Sewell.

We are very appreciative of our Band Booster Organization which is a hard-working group of parents who help and support us in so many ways. We have many business and community sponsors as well as volunteers who we are very grateful to have supporting us in everything we do.

To all of the citizens of Decatur

County, the Board of Education, Decatur County Schools Administration, and the faculty & staff of Bainbridge High School, thank you for your continued and dedicated support of our band program.

This is going to be another GREAT YEAR for the “Pride of Decatur County!”

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Grace Christian Academy will be going into their third season of football in 2022. This season the Cougars will be competiing in a full 11 on 11 region schedule beginning on August 19.

This season Grace Christian Academy will be moving into their new home facilities on Faceville Rd as they begin the new step of their development plan. The Cougars are eager to be the first to play on the new field in front of their home fans.

LANCE GODWIN HEAD COACH

The Cougars are lead by Head Coach Lance Godwin along with Chris Williams and Richard McClure. Godwin is in his third season as Head Football Coach and is focused on creating a legacy of winning football and building young men.

In just their second season, Godwin led the Cougars to a winning record, winning seven games and reaching the playoffs. This season the Cougars are returning all but two starters and Godwin is excited to see the continued development of his players.

Godwin is blessed to be in the position to lead young men and teach them skills not only useful in football but in helping them become young men. Godwin also thanks all the boosters and supporters who have helped make the Grace Christian Academy football dream become a reality.

Cheerleading Coach Mardi McRae enters her first season of coaching cheerleading for the Cougars after a 12-year hiatus. She is pictured with her husband, Dr. Mallory Mcrae and daughter, Lainey.

Danceline coach Kellie Gay enters her first season of coaching danceline for the Cougars.

She is pictured with her husband, Eric and daughters, Lollie and Lanie.

Co- Cheerleading Coach Carrie Bodrey enters her first season of coaching cheerleading for the Cougars. She is pictured with her husband, Clay and children, Mel and Walt.

Head Coach Lance Godwin enters his 2nd season of coaching the Cougars. He is pictured with assistant coaches Richard McClure and Chris Williams.

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After a playoff berth in 2021, the Grace Christian Academy Cougars will open the 2022 season at their new facilities as they begin their third season in school history. he Grace Christian Academy Cougars showed much improvement in 2021 winning seven games and reaching the playoffs in just their second season in existence. The Cougars have a new challenge in their third year as they move to full 11 on 11 competition, as they previously played eight on eight.

Despite the move up, Head Coach

Lance Godwin is both excited and optimistic about the change and wants to continue to build upon the Cougar legacy. One reason why Godwin and the staff are excited about the move is the less travel when playing on the road.

“When we were at eight man the travel was intense,” said Godwin.

“We’d be taking the bus to places over five hours away and get home

super late at night because it was just hard to find teams that play eight man. Now we’re playing teams all relatively close and it’s just way easier.”

Godwin and the staff are also excited about the amount of returning players in 2022. Although seniors Carter Hathcoat and Kooper Kearns graduated in 2021, the Cougars are returning every player

from last season including four senior starters.

“I’m really excited about a lot of these guys and how much they’ve learned,” said Godwin. “Guys like Jayfus Ferguson and Kevin Brooks have been in this system all three years and have developed and grown really well both physically and as football players.”

Another player that Coach Godwin and the staff have their eyes on is starting quarterback Hayden Cohen. After missing last season due to injury, Cohen has put in the work all offseason to come back stronger and smarter and ready to lead the team. The coaches have been especially impressed with his ability to learn the offense and his arm strength.

“Hayden is a great kid and we’ve already seen him grow this summer,” said Godwin. “He’s really eager to play and help this team win and compete. He’s really developed mentally and really familiar with our playbook too. Not to mention we have a great group of seniors around him to guide him.”

The Cougars have extra motivation heading into the 2022 season, as they will have the opportunity to play on their brand new facilities on Faceville Road. Previously the Cougars played at the Rec Authority Fields, but now they have a place to call home.

For Godwin and his players, they are especially amped up for the first home game and are focused on winning that first game in front of their fans.

“I think the kids are most excited for that first home game,” said Godwin. “We’ve talked about it multiple times at practice and the thought of

Travis Politakis — Post-Searchlight

GO LONG: Wide Receiver Jafus Fergusonr hauls in a long pass from Quarterback Hayden Cohen in practice.

winning that first night on the new field really gets these guys motivated.”

Being the first team in history to play on a complex that will be used for years is important to the Cougar players and they want to build a winning legacy for years to come at Grace.

What has been impressive to Coach Godwin and his staff is the leadership and accountability of the seniors on his team. Godwin emphasized how together the group of players is and how everyone cares

about each other.

“These guys handle themselves like young men,” said Godwin.

“Even if I am running late or something these guys always start practice with a prayer and go through their warm-up routines as a group without me or any of the coaches telling them what to do. They take football really seriously and you can tell.”

The Cougars first game will be at home on their new field on Friday August 19 against Baconton Charter at 7:30 p.m.

021 was a massive step up in production for the Grace Christian Cougars as they posted their first winning record at 7-5 and earning their first playoff birth in school history. Despite making the jump from eight man to 11 on 11, Head Coach Lance Godwin and the Grace Christian coaching staff have optimism heading into the season.

Although making the jump from 11 on 11 poses its challenged, Godwin is relieved, in a sense, because 11 on 11 is what Godwin grew up playing and is more familiar with

on the coaching side of the spectrum.

“I mean I grew up playing 11 on 11 my whole entire life so I’m really familiar with it,” said Godwin. “When you’re really familiar with something it makes it easier to teach. When it was eight man there were things I had to learn because I wasn’t too familiar with it.”

On the offensive side of the ball, Godwin and offensive assistant Chris Williams have been working all summer with the receiving group, helping them improve their footwork and expanding the route

tree.

“In 11 man the guys are going to be just as fast if not faster so we have to be really technical with our running and making sure we are running clean and fundamental routes,” said Godwin. “We also just want to get them accustomed to catching passes from Hayden who was hurt last season.”

Starting quarterback Hayden Cohen suffered a leg injury last season but is back stronger than ever this season and ready to lead the Cougars as the signal caller. In their seven wins in 2021, the Cougars

offense was potent, scoring around 42 points per game, with the largest being 64 points against Covington Academy.

Some players the coaches are looking for to make plays on the offensive side of the ball are senior running back Jayfus Ferguson and wide receiver Kevin Brooks. Both seniors have been with Godwin the last three years and are comfortable in the system and with leading the younger group.

Godwin and the coaches are especially impressed at the way the seniors step up and lead the underclassmen both on and off the field.

“The leadership we have on this team is something I am really

proud of,” said Godwin. “There are multiple guys in this group who speak up and step up and really take charge and teach the younger guys.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars lost senior Kooper Kearns who led the team in tackles two years straight; the defense is still a stingy group. In 2021 the Cougars defense pitched a shutout against twice, one against Peoples Baptist Academy and the second against Nathanael Greene Academy.

This summer defensive assistant Richard McClure has focused on working with the defensive line and drills that focus on shooting the gap, since two more are added on

the line in 11 man.

Some players to watch for on the defensive side of the ball are defensive end John Cruz and linebacker Spencer Blanton. Coach Godwin and McClure most of all want to see aggressiveness and physicality out of their defense in 2022.

“Scheme is important and different in 11 man but on defensed you just have to want it more,” said Godwin. “If you’re aggressive and more physical in your pursuit of the ball, the other team will want no part.”

The Cougars will open their season at their new facility on August 19 at 7:30 p.m. against Baconton Charter.

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415 E. Broughton StreetBainbridge 229.246.8212

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