2024 Football Preview Magazine by thepostsearchlight

FOOTBALL Preview

CHAMPIONS AREN’T BORN, THEY RISE.

Greatness is not achieved overnight.

It takes dedication, perseverance, competitive spirit.

It takes ambition.

It takes selflessness.

It takes you.

This is your time.

This is your year.

This is your destiny.

There is a champion inside you.

Let it rise.

Because here in Bainbridge, winning is more than a tradition. It’s always been the Bearcat way.

Oﬀense Preview

The 2024 Bearcats offense will look a lot different than it has in years past. Head coach Jay Walls and his coaching staff have the tremendous task of retooling their offense at most skill positions after key contributors Cam Sanders and Keenan Phillips graduated along with the rest of the backfield. Sander and Phillips combined for 50 touchdowns last season. Sanders threw for 1950 yards with only five interceptions and Sanders averaged 122.5 rushing yards per game on his way to a near 1500 yard season. That production is going to be very difficult to replace.

“It’s just something we’ve known since the spring,” said Walls on replacing a significant amount of production. “It’s something we’ve worked on very hard. We’ve got talent and we’ve had a good summer as far as attendance and we are getting better, but it’s just going to be a process.”

The Bearcats have not named a starter at the quarterback position, but have three players in contention. Camyrn Smith, who played receiver last year and seems to be a likely candidate, but he is recovering from an ACL injury and will not be able to take the field until September. A pair of rising juniors are currently battling for the starting spot in Brooks Hines, who Walls said has “shown a lot of ability”, and Curtis Hollingsworth, who Walls said has “really improved during the off-season”. Where the Bearcats may thrive out of the gate this season is on the ground. Despite loosing their three best runners due to graduation, Walls spoke highly of new backs Bryce Olds and Markavi-

on Johnson-Smith, also known as MK. Though he described them both as green, Olds and MK create a dynamic back field with Olds have “really outstanding speed” and MK being described as a physical runner. The biggest reason Bainbridge will likely have a solid run game is the blocking up front. Bainbridge has three returners to the o-line in left guard Sam Blythe, left tackle Truman Butler and center Messiah Handsford. They also have a pair of big blocking tight ends that Walls is excited about in Ty Jones and TJ Freeman. Those big and veteran blockers on the offensive line mixed with a pair of differently styled backs could give the Bearcats and very balanced and dynamic run game.

Defense Defense Preview

On the defensive side of the ball the Bearcats have the same issue as the offense. Experience. Coach Walls said he feels that they are strongest at linebacker where they have multiple returners. Braylon Phillips, Amarion Donaldson and Noah Stutler will be the backbone of this young defense. “Those three guys are what we have to build our defense around, but certainly you have to be strong upfront,” said Walls about his three returning linebackers. The rest of the defense has promise, but a lack of experience. The tough non-region schedule will give this green defense a very early test, which could help them when they face their region opponents. Many player who were on the team last

year, but lack starting experience, will have a solid foundation. Last season, the Bearcats allowed just 14 points per game and allowed just 27 point in their four region games. “We’ve got ability, we’ve got size, we’ve got strength and we’ve got skill. It’s just that we’re young or just lacking experience, starting experience, on the d-line, in the secondary,” Walls said. “There’s definitely a learning curve for guys who are just gaining that experience and it’s just going to take a little time. We’re certainly going to get an opportunity because our non-region schedule is going o give us a great experience.”

Coaches Bios

Coaching Staff

Jay Walls Head Coach

Coach Walls is a 1981 graduate of Rutherford High School in Panama City Florida. He was a Defensive Lineman and Offensive Lineman for the 1979 and 1980 Ram football teams. Coach Walls graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Valdosta State in 1987. He was a starting Defensive Tackle at Valdosta State from 1983 through 1985 and was named Permanent Captain in 1985. Coach Walls began his coaching career at Valdosta State coaching Defensive Tackles in 1986 and Outside Linebackers in 1987 and 1988. He also was an assistant coach at Crestview High School in Crestview Florida from 1989 till 1996. Coach Walls has been a Head football coach since 1997 with stops at Suwannee High School in Live Oak Florida, Tift County High School in Tifton Georgia and Navarre High School in Navarre Florida. He is entering his 28th season as a Head Coach with an overall record of 205-104. He is entering his 1 st season as Head Football Coach at Bainbridge High School. Coach Walls’ wife Amy is also a teacher at Bainbridge High School. They have three daughters, Lindsey Gilbert and Son-in-Law Greg Gilbert, grandchildren Greyson and Merritt. Lauren Backus and Son-inLaw Tim Backus, grandchildren Jackson and Anne-Marie. Their youngest daughter Aubrey is currently a sophomore at Pensacola State College.

Coaches Bios

Blake Cecil

Oﬀensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers

Coach Blake Cecil is entering his 12th 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, followed by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. In 2011 Coach Cecil graduated from Jacksonville State University with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education. Coach Cecil earned his master’s degree from Georgia Southern in the summer of 2020. He has made coaching stops at Adairsville and Cairo High School. Coach Cecil teaches Credit Recovery at Bainbridge High School. Blake resides in Cairo with his wife, Brandie, and their children, Hayes(6) and Liza(2).

Joe Dollar Defensive Coordinator

Coach Joe Dollar is a Bainbridge High School graduate. He is in his 10th 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. He has three sons: Gambler age 17, Benji age 14, and Grant age 10.

Brad Almon

Defensive Backs Coach

Hometown: Valdosta, GA College, Degree and Year Graduated: Georgia Southern Bachelor of Health Science 1992, Masters at Grand Canyon University. Coaching since 1992. Assistant Coach on 2008 State Championship Team at Cairo High School, Assistant Coach on 2011 State Semifinals Team at Cairo High School. Assistant Coach at Coffee High School for 6 Years. The Coffee 2020 Team Made the State Semifinals in AAAAA. This Is Coach Almon’s Third Year at Bainbridge Coaching Defensive Backs. Played on the 1989 and 1990 Division 1 AA National Championship Teams at Georgia Southern and the 1988 Division 1AA Runner Up Team. Coach Almon is married to Gaye Morrell Almon.

Coaches Bios

Larry Cosby Running Backs Coach

Coach Larry Cosby is a graduate of Bainbridge High School. Cosby attended Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee, lettered 3 years in football, and received his Bachelor of Art in Kinesiology. Cosby is entering his 29th year of coaching. Cosby is the father of two sons, Lance 25 and Daylon 22..

Cody Kremer Tight Ends and Long Snappers.

Cody Kremer is entering his 8th season of coaching football (1st year at Bainbridge). He is a 2012 graduate of Adairsville High School in Adairsville, GA. After graduation, Kremer signed a baseball scholarship to play at the University of Georgia. He later transferred to Central Alabama Community College where he was apart of a team that won the 2013 NJCAA Division 1 JUCO World Series. Kremer finished his baseball career at Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA in 2016. In 2017, Kremer started his football coaching career as an Offensive student-assistant coach at Troy University under Neal Brown (current West Virginia Head Coach)(father, Jim Kremer ,was a 4 year letterman for Troy football and served as Graduate Assistant football coach that won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1982). From 2018-2023, Kremer has served as a defensive backs coach with stints at Lee County HS(2018-2020), Pelham HS(2021), and Worth County HS(2022-2023) coaching both football and baseball. Kremer also served as the head baseball coach for Worth County Middle School the lasts 2 seasons. Kremer earned his Bachelors Degree in Social Science with a minor Coaching from Troy University.Kremer is currently working on his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. Coach Kremer will be teaching PE at Bainbridge High School. Kremer resides in Bainbridge, Ga. His family includes Father (Jim Kremer, Albany, GA), Mother (Kelly Kremer, Albany, GA) and sister (Carley Kremer, Marietta, GA).

Justin Palmer

Oﬀensive Line Coach

Coach Justin Palmer is beginning his 10 th year of coaching with the Bainbridge Bearcats. Coach Palmer is a 2009 graduate of Cairo High School. He played offensive line for the Syrupmakers before continuing his collegiate career at Valdosta State University. After transferring to Georgia Southern University, Coach Palmer earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. He went on to obtain his Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education in 2020. Coach Palmer is married to Samantha Hager Palmer, who is from Bainbridge, and is the instructional technology specialist at Hutto Elementary School. Coach Palmer and his wife have two children, Knox (5) and Blakely (2).

Colt Gardner Linebackers Coach

Coaches Bios

Coach Colt Gardner is a graduate of Holmes County High School in Bonifay, Fl. He attended college at Chipola College and graduated with a degree in Exceptional Education. Prior to coming to Bainbridge, he has coached in Florida at Chipley, Cottondale, Graceville, and Baker over the past 8 years.

Martavious Flowers

Defensive Line Coach

Coach Flowers is entering his sixth year of coaching with BHS. He is the son of Vickey and Beverly Flowers. He was born and raised in Climax, Ga. He is a 2017 graduate of Bainbridge High School. He was an all-region performer during his senior campaign. He has one daughter. He resides in Bainbridge.

Roman Harrison

Defensive Line Coach

Coach Harrison is entering his first year of coaching at BHS. He is the son of Lonzy Harrison Jr. and Elitha Gant. He was born in Tallahassee, Florida and raised in Port St. Joe, Florida/McCraeville, Georgia. Coach Harrison is a 2019 graduate of Bainbridge High School. He was awarded the Joe Crine Senior Athlete of the Year in 2019, 1st team All-State Performer for his junior and senior season and was the 5A GHSA Defensive Player of the Year in his Senior Season. He was also a part of the 5A state championship team in 2018 before he went on to play 5 years for the University of Tennessee. He is now back home in Bainbridge.

Coaches Bios

Terrance Quarterman

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 8 th grade Science at Bainbridge Middle School.

Harold Smith

Middle School Assistant Coach

Coach Harold D. Smith is a native of Decatur County, graduating from BHS in 1990. Coach Smith completed his undergraduate studies in 2006 in Physical Education at Florida A&M University. He continued his education, completing his master's degree and specialist program at Nova Southeastern University. Coach Smith’s coaching career started at Godby High School in Tallahassee, FL where he coached football and volleyball. Coach Smith is beginning his 19 th year as a coach and is currently helping coach BHS and BMS Football, Basketball & Track. Coach Smith is married to Tammara Smith, and they have 4 children and 1 grandchild.

Quarterbacks OFFENSIVE LINE Position Groups

Position Groups

Wide Receivers RUNNING BACKS

Position Groups

Defensive Line Tight ends

Position Groups Linebackers

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Position Groups

Special Teams

Senior Photos

Cheer Preview

My name is Haley Reece. I was born and raised in Bainbridge, Georgia and I have loved being Head Cheer coach this past year and I am looking forward to another great season. I got my elementary education degree from Valdosta State University and taught in Valdosta City Schools for the past 3 school years. I moved back to Bainbridge a year ago and married my husband, Sutton Reece in December of 2023. I am currently a 3rd grade teacher at Hutto Elementary School. I have been coaching school and club swim in the past and I absolutely love being the highschool cheer coach! I was a Bainbridge High School football and competition cheerleader from 2013-2016.I am looking forward to another year of sharing my passion for cheerleading to my cheerleaders, school and community.

Senior Cheer

Senior Cheer

Senior Cheer

Band Preview

For nearly four decades, the Bainbridge High School Band has been one of the strongest band programs in Georgia. Our award-winning accomplishments, 39 consecutive years of Superior Ratings, and 18 national appearances speak volumes to the dedication and hard work given to the program by the students, parents, community, staff, and administration. The band will have a new look for the first time since 1995. We are excited about our new band uniforms and are greatly

appreciative to our Superintendent, Dr. English, the Board of Education, Our Band Boosters, and all of our Sponsors for helping us in attaining them.

This year’s show features some of the greatest hits from HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS including the hit songs THE HEART OF ROCK N ROLL, THE POWER OF LOVE, HIP TO BE SQUARE, and I HOPE YOU LOVE ME LIKE YOU SAY YOU DO. 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 Superior 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 and volunteer group to instruct and support our students. Will Parker, Assistant Band Director at Bainbridge High School; Dr. Andrew Nelson, Assistant Band Director at Bainbridge High School and Band Director at Bainbridge Middle School; Catie Parker, Assistant Band Director at Bainbridge High School and Band Director at Hutto Elementary School; Danceline Sponsor, JoAnn Moore; Assistant Danceline Sponsor, Bailey Brock; Colorguard Sponsor, Michelle Johnston; Instrumental Instructor, Jacob Brown; Percussion Instructor, Kyle Drinkard; Low Brass Instructor, Raymond Powell; Instrumental Instructor and Announcer, Art Bruce; Logistics, Colby Whitaker and Colby Weath-

ersby; 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 our program 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!”

Courtesy of James Sewell, Bainbridge High School Band Director

GRACE COACHING STAFF

FOOTBALL HEAD COACH-RICHARD MCCLURE

ASSISTANT COACH-DALTON SNIPES

ASSISTANT COACH-WAYNE SHIVER

(NOT PICTURED)ASSISTANT COACH-ALEX WASEK

Team Preview

After defying the odds to even take the field last season, the Grace Christian Academy eight-man football team will take to the gridiron once again in 2024. The key difference this season for the Cougars is their schedule. They went 5-3 last year, but played just five games against varsity opponents. They performed well in those game, going 3-2 and averaging 31.8 points per game. They also allowed 29.6 points per game, though most of those points came in their two losses, 58-0 to Calhoun County and 64-24 to Baker County. This year the Cougars will play nine game versus all varsity opponents. They will play in a ten team region and will face region foe Harvester Christian in their season opener. The Cougars are coming into this 2024 season with good experience. Evan Sigman was the only senior on the squad last year and the Cougars are returning quarterback and safety Owen Earnest as well as Preston Barnett, Cade Wells, Jaiden Blecher and leading wide receiver Dawson Worsley. All of those seniors played both ways last year. The Cougars will be looking specifically to returners Peyton Powell and Paxton Sapp to sure up the offensive and defensive line.

One thing Grace Christian will have that they severely lacked last season is depth. Last year the Cougars eight-man football team featured just twelve players and almost every player had to play both ways like Earnest, who played both quarterback and safety. Now, after the conclusion of the summer, the Cougars have a 20-man roster, giving them a significant amount of depth for eight-man football and a much larger pool of players to develop. It’s significant progress for the team and shows a genuine excitement from the student body surrounding the program. The Cougars will start the season on August 16 when they face Harvester Christian in an away game. Their home opener will take place on August 30 against Memorial Day.