football preview 2011

HAVE A GREAT SEASONon the field and in the classroom!

Contact: Doug Stewart, CoordinatorMember of Education Industry AssociationRegents’ Reading Instructor at [email protected]

478.456.1347ANYTIME

478.453.3518References Available Upon Request

AAAAMilledgeville’sHHIIDDDDEENN

SSEECCRREETT……

LLEETT UUSS UUNNLLOOCCKK

YYOOUURR PPOOTTEENNTTIIAALL

Flexible Payment Plan Available

We offer:ACT • SAT

CRCTGrad Exam

Preparation

Previous athletes of Alpha Test Prep:

Maurice Hurt, Univ. of FloridaJeff Whitaker, Auburn Univ.

Roy Veal, Cumberland UniversityTheo Rich, North Carolina State Univ.

Calvin McMullen, University of Minnesota, CrookstonEarnest Butts

Garden City Kansas Community College

Free Tutoring for ALL eligible Baldwin Highand Early College Students!

Visit us at theBaldwin HighProvider Fair

at 5:30 pm thisevening

As a senior for the Baldwin HighBraves in 2011, DeAndreThomas, quarterback, has high

expectations for the upcoming season.Thomas has had a decorated career at

BHS, going 9-3 his first year as a starter,then following up his junior year by carry-ing the team to a 10-2 record, taking theteam to the second round of the playoffsboth seasons.

“It’s been pretty good, but it would bebetter to come out with a state champi-onship,” Thomas said. “I want to take theteam further.”

Thomas and his teammates will playagainst some of the best teams in the statein region competitions, but he admits hisdesire to beat those teams is personal.

“I want to beat Westside, Peach Countyand Burke County,” Thomas said. “We got

high expectations. We got complacent lastyear, but we can’t do that this year.”

Individually, Thomas begins the 2011season with lofty goals for himself.

“During the spring, coach and I cameup with three and one,” he said. “It’s 3,000passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards, 31touchdowns and 10 rushing on theground.”

With Thomas’ mobility, and ability tomake a play, he believes that, “teams don’twant to get me out of the pocket.”

Thomas will lead the Braves this season,with hopes of continuing his educationnext year and playing for a college or uni-versity.

“I’m planning on getting a D-1 scholar-ship and keep going,” Thomas said.

He will be one of the key elements tothe Brave’s offense this season.

By STEVEN [email protected] only his second year ashead coach of the BaldwinHigh School football team,Dexter Copeland is lookingto improve upon the 10-2mark that the Braves set lastseason.

Copeland and his staffhave spent long hours try-ing to get the team tobecome more of a unit inthe off-season.

“Basically, we’re trying toget better as a footballteam. Last year we were adivided football team,” hesaid. “I think last year, atthe end of the year, webecame one whole team; atthe beginning of the year,when I first got here, wewere the most divided foot-ball team. We’re just tryingto get better at becoming ateam.”

He attributes the close-ness of this year’s team tothe strong senior leadershipthat has captured the teamin the locker room.

“This year we’ve got atremendous senior class,and we’ve got tremendousleaders in that senior classand they want to win,”Copeland said. “They’vebeen to the playoffs every

year, but they haven’tkicked the door down. Thisis their senior year, andthey’ve got some big loftygoals that they want toachieve, and they have beenworking hard all summer,all during the off-seasontrying to get to where theyare now.”

While Copeland haskept changes in the team’sschemes to a minimum, hehas implemented a fewminor changes in positions.

“Something differentthis year, some guys aregoing to play both ways,not all the time, but we’vegot to put some of ourplaymakers on defense;we’ve got to let them playsome offense,” Copelandsaid. “We got two or threeseniors that are going tohave to play both ways, andthat’s going to be thebiggest difference, but we’vejust got to get better atwhat we’re doing.”

With momentum carry-ing over from last season,the Braves hope to maturethroughout the season, asthere are several highlytouted teams in the GeorgiaHigh School AssociationRegion 2-AAA. The firstbig test will come againstBurke County High School

in the season opener.“They are a top-5

ranked football team; theymade it to the semifinalslast year,” Copeland said.“They’re returning like 16starters back from last year’sfootball team. And also,every game in our region istough. We got perennialfavorites Peach County atthe end of the year;Westside is going to be agood football team, andMary Persons is bringingback 21 seniors this year.”

Copeland’s Braves facethe exact opposite of whatthe team had last year withmany upperclassmen.

“Last year we were theolder team; this year we’re

the younger team, every-body else is bringing theirplayers back,” he said. “Sowe have to grow up andgrow up in a hurry.”

In order to make up forthe lack of upperclassmen,Copeland believes that it isthe position meetings andattention to detail that willhelp his team rise to theoccasion in the 2011 sea-son.

“Taking care of the littlethings will help you winfootball games,” he said.

SeniorQB 4

Good Luck &Have a Great

Season!

2 LocationsMilledgeville

& Lake Oconee478-453-COOLSales • Service • Installation • Duct Cleaning

Commercial & Residential

HEATING & AIR

Back in the Game

Broken limbs and injuries to joints occur when weleast expect them. When that situation arises, it is theorthopedic specialist who comes to our aid.Oconee Regional Medical Center has two board certifiedorthopedic specialists on staff, plus the diagnosticequipment and technologists to help them make quickand accurate diagnoses, and the high tech surgicalsuites and personnel to perform any necessary surgeries.All this, close to your home and family.

Focused On Healing. Focused On You...Always.

BHS BRAVES 2011 SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT HOME/AWAY

BHS BRAVES 2011 ROSTER

AUG. 26 BURKE COUNTY AWAY

SEPT. 2CENTRAL-MACON

BIBB CO.SPORTS COMPLEX

AWAY

SEPT. 9 WESTSIDE-MACON HOME

SEPT. 16 WEST LAURENS AWAY

SEPT. 23 HOME

OCT. 7 PERRY AWAY

OCT. 14 HOWARD HOME

OCT. 21 VETERANS HOME

OCT. 28RUTLAND

BIBB CO.SPORTS COMPLEX

AWAY

NOV. 4 PEACH COUNTY HOME

MARY PERSONS

1 Raheem Waller WR/DB Sr.2 Chris Sealy WR Jr.3 Jaques Daughtry DB Jr.4 DeAndre Thomas QB Sr.5 Senario Davis RB So.6 Jaquavious Tennyson WR Sr.7 Roashaun Milline WR/DB Sr.8 Donta Beckham WR/DB Sr.9 Will Ruark K Sr.10 Jose Solomon LB Sr.11 Jamar Johnson WR So.12 Antonio Havior QB/WR Jr.13 Jerrel Simmons QB Fr.14 Michael Scott WR Sr.15 Lamarcus Tuft DB So.16 Zach Clarke K So.17 Tajhea Chambers QB/WR Fr.18 Marcus English WR Jr.19 Montagus Haddock DB Jr.20 Jeremey Pinkston DB Jr.23 Tyree Solomon DB Jr.25 Khaliyq Sousa DB Sr.26 Delquavious Shinholster RB Jr.27 Quincy Price RB So.28 Torey Hudson RB Jr.29 Quavez Hill WR Fr.30 Johnny Havior DL Jr.31 Patrick Glover DB So.32 Tyler Edwards LB Sr.33 Sharron Havior DB Jr.34 Floyd Canty RB Sr.35 T.J. Foston DB Fr.36 Jatavius Wright DB Sr.37 Kentavious Thomas RB Fr.38 Quantavious Lee DB Fr.40 Courvoisious Scott DL Sr.41 Quondarius Holsey DB Fr.42 Jaycarus Harper DL Jr.43 Kentarious Cooper LB Jr.44 Damekius Harper LB So.45 Jaitavious Jackson LB Jr.46 Quinton Barfield LB So.47 Willie Culver DB Jr.48 Patrick Culver DB So.49 Marquiet James WR Sr.50 Demetrius Davis DL Jr.51 Joseph Macklin OL Sr.52 Shermonz Pounds DL Jr.53 John Whidby OL Sr.54 Shatavious Scott DB So.55 Wydeldric Denson DL Sr.56 Carl Hartry DL Jr.57 Brandon McClain OL/DL Sr.58 Tayron Greene OL/DL Fr.59 Gary Dupree LB Sr.60 Keith Dudley OL So.62 Isaac Childs OL Fr.64 Derrick Washington OL Jr.65 Melieck Paschal DL Fr.66 Garrison Hogan OL So.67 Sterling Steele OL Jr.68 Carlos Cummings DL Fr.69 Keyford Lumpkin DB Jr.70 Rhett Hudson OL Jr.71 Brandon Beard OL Sr.73 Xavier Dent OL Jr.75 Tony Horton DL Fr.76 Erique Rozier DL Jr.78 Shamar Lattimore DL Jr.81 Quan Gaines WR Sr.82 Danqune Havior WR So.83 Jaylan Miller WR Fr.84 Brandon Goodman WR Fr.85 Jaquarius Marshall DB Fr.86 Cody Melon WR So.87 Nick Jones WR Jr.88 D’Kemon Gaines WR So.89 Jordan Moore TE Sr.

Shelton Grave LB Fr.Tyler Sparks K Jr.Dorian Havior FS Fr.Chris Harris RB Jr.O Crutchfield DB So.Kilen Mitchell WR Sr.Jeffrey Whittey WR Jr.Kentavious Scott OL/DL Jr.LaKeith Thomas TE Fr.Devin Bloodworth LB Jr.Wesley Tanner WR Fr.

Baldwin BravesHead Coach: Dexter Copeland

Classification: GHSA Region 2-AAALast Season’s Record: 10-2 (8-1)

Two of the most important positionson the football field would includethe quarterback and the safety. Theseplayers have the best view on the

field, they manage the team in between plays andthey make the spare of the moment calls before theball is snapped.

For John Milledge Academy, Ryan Blizzard, sen-ior, has earned these duties through leadership anddedication over the last three years as a starter.

“Everything we do runs through him, and he’llhave a lot more freedom this year to kind of put usin the right spot and make things happen,” J.T.Wall, head coach, said. “He led the team in rushingyards last year and led the team obviously in pass-ing yards. He’s really stepped up to be that leaderwe’re looking for, and he’s a great example for theseyoung guys to see how he works and how he makesthings happen.”

Blizzard not only works hard for his coaches andteammates, but it is his passion for the game thatdrives him most.

“I’ve loved football ever since I was little. I get itfrom my dad. He loves the game just like I do, andI get it from him,” Blizzard said. “What gets meout there is just wanting to excel and do what Iwant to do best. There is nothing like Friday nightlights; just the intensity is there, you see yourfriends out there on the sideline watching you, soyou’ve just got to stay turned up and play your bestand do your best on and off the field.”

Beginning in 2009, Blizzard has manned theteam on the field, and has experienced drastic

improvements with each season.“We stuck him in there as a sophomore, and it

was a bit of a learning curve for him, but it’s reallyworking out in our favor now that he got all ofthose reps,” Wall said. “He really took control ofthe offense and really took things into his ownhands and started making better reads. We gavehim a little freedom last year and we’re trying togive him a little more this year.”

Garnering All-Region honors for the first timelast season, Blizzard hopes to take it a step furtherin 2011.

“My main goal this year is to get All-Region,All-State and to play in the all-star game, and signwith some college, that’s my biggest goal,” he said.

Entering his last season with the Trojans,Blizzard plans to give it one last shot to play for theregion crown.

“I’m really looking forward to having a big sea-son, wanting to play for a region championship,and winning a region championship,” he said.

By STEVEN [email protected]

The John Milledge Academy Trojans made giant stepsforward in 2010, winning four football games and beatingtheir biggest rival, Gatewood, after a devastating season in2009.

Coming back with one of the largest teams ever fieldedin JMA history, J.T. Wall, head coach, believes that histeam is ready to make it to the next level.

“We have the most players that I know of ever, andwe’ve got good senior leadership,” Wall said. “A lot of thoseare returning guys that have been here a while, and knowhow we like things done. We’ve had nothing but positivethings over these seniors who have really stepped up andhad a good off-season and preseason.”

The Trojans will run the same offense and defense as inthe past, but the fact that the team returns experiencedplayers on both sides of the ball will be key to JMA’s suc-cess.

“We’re basically going to be the same, we’re going to bein the I, a pro-style offense starting out in the I. We’ll getin the shotgun a little bit, just to get in some differentlooks, and we’re going to run a base 50 on defense,” Wallsaid. “We’ve got six returning starters on offense and six orseven on defense, and a bunch of those guys are seniors.”

Seniors like Ryan Blizzard, quarterback and free safety,are highly motivated going into the upcoming season, asmany were on the team during the 2009 season where theteam did not win a game.

“Most of these seniors were around two years ago whenthey didn’t win a ball game, and they got a taste of what itfeels like to win a game or two last year,” Wall said. “I real-ly feel like we’re ready to turn the corner, and the futurelooks bright with these guys leading the way and kind ofsetting the tone for teams to come.”

The Trojans open up their season tonight at homeagainst their biggest rival, Gatewood at 7:30 p.m.

‘We feel like we haveturned the corner andhave bright days in ourfuture.’ ~ JMA head footballcoach J.T. Wall

SeniorQB/DB 8

JMA TrojansHead Coach: J.T. Wall

Classification: GISA Region 1-AAALast Season’s Record: 4-5-1 (2-5)

JMA TROJANS 2011 SCHEDULE


JMA TROJANS 2011 ROSTER

AUG. 25 GATEWOOD SCHOOL HOME

SEPT. 2 WINDSOR ACADEMY AWAY

SEPT. 9 BRENTWOOD SCHOOL HOME

SEPT. 16 GRIFFIN CHRISTIAN AWAY

SEPT. 23 AWAY

OCT. 7 DOMINION CHRISTIAN AWAY

OCT. 15 HOLY SPIRIT PREP HOME

OCT. 21 TATTNALL SQUARE HOME

OCT. 28 MOUNT DE SALES HOME

NOV. 4 STRATFORD ACADEMY AWAY

MT. VERNON

PRESBYTERIAN

1 Aaron Schielie WR/DB Jr.

2 Trent Thiel QB/DB So.

3 Nick Bentley RB/DE Fr.

4 Cooper Morgan RB/DE Jr.

5 Keaton Drinkwater RB/DB Fr.

7 Damian Bacon WR/DB Sr.

8 Ryan Blizzard QB/DB Sr.

9 Rhett Blizzard WR/DB Sr.

10 Trae Beck TE/DE Sr.

11 Joseph Beasley RB/DB So.

12 Michael Lewis WR/DE Jr.

14 Colby McCommon QB/DB Fr.

20 Logan Brookins RB/DB Jr.

21 Joe Castillo RB/DB Fr.

22 Heath Roberts RB/DB Jr.

23 Justin Parham RB/DE Sr.

24 Zach Meeks WR/DE Fr.

25 Zak Cooper RB/DE Jr.

31 Jon Thrower RB/LB Sr.

32 Tommy Pittman RB/DB So.

40 Tyler King OL/DL Jr.

42 Tyler Arthur TE/LB Sr.

44 Cole Veal OL/DL So.

49 Jon Qualls RB/LB Fr.

50 Ben Bracewell OL/DL Fr.

51 Jesse Deariso OL/DL Jr.

55 Brandon Bush OL/DL Sr.

57 Andrew Hayes OL/DL So.

62 Ross Swicord OL/DL Fr.

66 Jordan Bush OL/DL Fr.

68 Jack Cox OL/DL Fr.

70 Chase Owen OL/DL Fr.

71 Nick Stanaford OL/DL Sr.

75 Nick Reeves OL/DL Sr.

77 Blake Harrington OL/DL Sr.

78 Granger Harpe OL/DL Sr.

79 Ben Bentley OL/DL Sr.

81 Filip Velimirovich TE/DE Fr.

82 Ryan Breese TE/DE Jr.

83 Christian Johnson WR/DB Fr.

86 Will Lovins WR/DE Jr.

87 Chase Register WR/DB Fr.

88 Wynn Owen OL/DL Sr.

89 Joseph Young TE/DE So.

95 Heath McDonald OL/DE Jr.

99 B.T. Walters OL/DL Sr.

The GMC Prep football team opens up underthe lights at home against Strong RockChristian School on Friday, Aug. 26, and the

Bulldogs will look to Andreus Warthen, senior, as theirkey player throughout the night.

As the second leading tackler, rusher and receiver forGMC in 2010, Warthen looks to improve on his markfrom last year.

“I want to receive like at least 1,000 yards this year,and want at least 80 tackles,” he said.

Because of his speed and ability to make plays,Warthen will most likely be the player most teams keyon throughout the season, hopefully opening up otheropportunities for the Bulldogs.

“He brings a lot to the table, and he’s our fastestplayer,” Brad Owens, head coach, said. “He’s a guythat’s going to give you trouble, and is going to have tobe accounted for, and as people focus on him it’s goingto open up some doors for other people.”

This year Warthen will be line up on defense at thecornerback position, slightly different than the formerfree safety position that he played last season.

Warthen admits he is excited about the change, as itwill allow him to make plays.

“I like to be up in the mix, instead of sitting backwatching,” Warthen said.

While Warthen looks to do well individually, heespecially wants the team to get even with PrinceAvenue in 2011.

“I’m gunning for Prince Avenue,” Warthen said. “Iwant some revenge. They beat us pretty bad last year,but we got a better squad this year so we’re going toimprove.”

As the opening game rapidly approaches, Warthencontinues to focus on the one main goal for the sea-son—to win.

“Hopefully we will win all of our games,” he said.“We worked too hard this summer to not win. I hopewe’re able to run the ball first, and then pass the ball.”


With more depth and confidence, the GMC Prep Bulldogsplan to show up big this year on Friday nights.

Brad Owens, head coach, believes that the team is set up tohave its first winning season since 2001.

“I feel that we’re setting up to have a winning season. Wehaven’t had a winning season here in a decade,” Owens said.

“We were 3-7 my first year and 5-5 this year, and I feel likewe’re starting to turn the corner and becoming more compet-itive. We’ve developed some players and had some playersmove in that, together have helped us get a lot better with alot of hard work.”

The Bulldogs improved drastically from 2009 to 2010,something in which Owens attributes to having a larger poolof kids to pull from than before.

“We’ve got a lot more depth than we’ve had in the past. Ifeel like in the past we only had 14 or 15 kids that we couldthrow out the field on a Friday night that could be competi-tive, and with the rest there would be a pretty big drop off,”Owens said. “I don’t feel like that’s the case at all this year. Ifeel like we’ve got 20 to 25 kids that are capable of playing sig-nificant time on Fridays, and when you have that it createscompetition in practice, and competition for spots.”

Not only does Owens’ team want to win ballgames, butthey also want to perform better at home.

“We certainly want to get a win, and we want to do that athome,” Owens said. “We’ve won more on the road lately, thanwe’ve won at home, so that’s something I want to try and fix.That’s something that should be a high priority for us to winour home football games.”

Owens and his staff have not made many changes goinginto the 2011 season, only minor adjustments to help solidi-fy what the Bulldogs already have.

“From the defensive side of the ball, we’ve changed from a3-5 to a 3-4 scheme, which is not a huge paradigm shift oranything, but it certainly required some adjustments, andwe’re running primarily a cover two on top of it with two safe-ty’s as opposed to having a single safety,” Owens said. “Thereare just small things, and for the most part our terminologyand premise has not changed a whole lot.”

Going into the new season, the Bulldogs plan to improveon their performances from last season and set the tone forfuture GMC Prep teams.

“If you look at our last 14 games we’re 8-6, prior to that inthe previous 14 games we were 2-12,” Owen said, “so thingsare definitely getting better.”

SeniorWR/DB 5

GOOD LUCK& Have A

GREAT SEASON!

Wilkinson Title Pawn

114455 GGaarrrreetttt WWaayy •• MMiilllleeddggeevviillllee447788--445522--44991100

You’re his biggest fan, his agentand his dad. Secure his dreams,

no matter what, with life insurancefrom Auto-Owners Insurance.

SOUTHSIDE TIRE

AND BRAKE

(478) 453-7215

Because thegame and theride there canboth be great!

Because thegame and theride there canboth be great!

Don’t mess withBaldwin CountyFootball!

Don’t mess withBaldwin CountyFootball!

GoodLuck toAll AreaTeams!

Good UsedMusical

Instruments

GoodTrade-InsAccepted

GMC BULLDOGS 2011 SCHEDULE


GMC BULLDOGS 2011 ROSTER

AUG. 26 STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN HOME

SEPT. 2 PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN AWAY

SEPT. 16 BACONTON CHARTER HOME

SEPT. 23 TOWNS COUNTY AWAY

SEPT. 30 HOME

OCT. 7HEBRON CHRISTIAN

ACADEMY AWAY

OCT. 14 GLASCOCK COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 21 LAKEVIEW ACADEMY AWAY

OCT. 28 NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN HOME

NOV. 4 3-A WEST CROSSOVER HOME

JEFF DAVIS

1 Markel Jones

2 Wayne Griffin

3 Rekarche Griffin

5 Andreus Warthen

7 Ray Mosley

8 J. Adams

9 Ryan Parham

10 Manquez Warthen

11 Dylan Efird

12 Billy Whitlock

14 Dalvin Grable

17 Delarrion Milner

24 Taylor Payne

25 Drew Reece

28 Colby Lawrence

30 Terez Hall

32 Malik Bradley

33 Jamarcus Jarrett

34 Nick Contino

36 Spencer Williams

40 Quan Wright

42 Ian Bailey

44 Daniel Lane

51 Taylor Bedingfield

52 Nathan Weldon

54 Daniel Amerson

55 Hunter Harding

57 Wesley Zant

58 Parker Williams

60 DJ Clayton

61 Conner Dean

62 John Grant

63 John Bethea

64 Jacob Russell

66 Conner Smith

67 Nathan Thompson

68 Devonta Walker

72 Daulton Rogers

74 TJ Clark

76 Rocquez Worthen

78 Sinjon Sowell

80 Zach Whittle

81 Elliot Fairbrass

82 Liam Fairbrass

83 Jered Knowles

85 Roy Wood

99 Dudley Shannon

GMC Prep BulldogsHead Coach: Brad Owens

Classification: GHSA Region 7-ALast Season’s Record: 5-5

FRIDAYNIGHTFOOTBALLFootballseason is BACK!The Union-Recorder isyour number one sourcefor all of this years foot-ball coverage.

Find results, stats andgame wrap-ups in theprint edition, online oreven on facebook andtwitter!

No matter your preference we’ve got

you covered!

Alocal star and graduate fromBaldwin High School, JaVontaeEdwards, sophomore, is looking

to do big things this season for the GMCBulldogs.

Edwards struggled his freshman yearlearning the role of tailback at the collegiatelevel, but admits the spring and summerhave proved to be a step in the right direc-tion.

“The spring went pretty good, and thesummer went pretty good,” Edwards said.“I’ve been working harder, trying to get inthe rotation so I can play more. I’m learn-ing the plays more.”

One of the biggest adjustments thatEdwards has had to make is the pace ofplay at the collegiate level.

“The game speed and the differences in

players are different,” he said. “They arebigger, stronger and faster. I had to studyplaybooks and learn more about football.”

While the level of play has increased to ahigher level, Edwards still enjoys the samesupport he received in high school, as fami-ly and friends are able to watch him playon a regular basis.

“I know I have a lot of support,”Edwards said. “My family gets to see meplay normally, so that’s really cool.”

Going into his second season with theteam, Edwards has lofty expectations.

“We’re just trying to compete for aNational Championship and go undefeatedfor the next season,” he said. “I’m trying toplay more and contribute in any way that Ican.”


Opening up against thedefending NJCAA NationalChampions, NavarroCollege, on Saturday, Sep. 3,Georgia Military Collegeplans to match up well athome.

Like most teams, theBulldogs hope to come outon top this season, butunderstand that the first twogames are going to be two ofthe biggest matchups all sea-son.

“I expect to get goingevery game now, or have achance to win it one. Wematch up very well witheveryone we have on ourschedule,” Bert Williams,head coach, said.

“Certainly, we’re going tohave some great challenges inthe opening game of the yearagainst defending NationalChampions Navarro College,but it’s nice to be able to playthat here in town, but followthat up with a flight out toUtah to play Snow College,then we have several othersthroughout the year that willbe a challenge, but we havetwo huge ones to start it off.I expect us to be able to goout there and battle it outand again, get the job doneeach and every week.”

With a solid mixture ofreturning players andsignees, the Bulldogs expectto have one of the mostexplosive teams in recentyears.

“Everything’s gone prettygood, the guys are prettymuch where we expectedthem to be in all honesty,”Williams said. “In certainpositions, we had some

young guys that we’re look-ing to move ahead and dosome things, so we feel likewe have an opportunity to bevery explosive on offensewith the signees that webrought in plus the guys thatwe returned. We’re excitedabout that, with some of theguys, the main guys return-ing.”

GMC has several return-ing players that will be keyon offense this season, withR. J. Robinson, Jarrett Neelyand JaVontae Edwards in thebackfield.

“Offensive skill-wise, wefeel like we’re deeper andstronger than we’ve ever beenfrankly, so we’re excitedabout that,” Williams said.

Williams also expects greatthings from North Carolinanative, Anthony Riggin,freshman, at the quarterbackposition.

“Anthony Riggin has hadmoments of being really,really good,” Williams said.“He can be an electrifyingplayer back there. He justreally needs to get comfort-able with what we are doing,and as soon as he does he isgoing to be hard to keep offthe field.”

On the defensive side ofthe ball, the Bulldogs returnJalen Fields, Fre’Shad Hunterand Daniel McCullers upfront, three guys that will becrucial in the defensive suc-cess this season, as GMClacks experience at the line-backer positions.

“The defense has been alittle bit of a challenge,”Williams said. “We returnedsome experience up front,which is always good, and wereturned some experience in

the secondary, but we reallydidn’t return a whole lot ofexperience in the middle atlinebackers and dogs. Thatwas an area that we reallywanted to address throughour signing class, and thenwe moved some differentpositions around a little bit.”

Williams hopes that thechanges made on defense willallow the Bulldogs to putmore pressure on their oppo-nents, something he admitsthey have gotten away fromin recent years.

“We feel very strong aboutwhere we are on defense aswell. Defensively we’verededicated ourselves tobeing a pressure-orienteddefense,” Williams said.“The last couple of yearswe’ve kind of gotten awayfrom that a little bit, and it issomething we felt like weneeded to get back to if wewanted to be as good as wewanted be.”

SophomoreRB 9

Gray

222 West Clinton Street Suite 3Gray, GA 31032

(next to Advance Auto)

(478)986-5400

Greensboro

1001 Village Park Drive Suite 105 (Located in Village Shoppes at the Green,

next to the Port Armor Entrance)

(478)986-5400

Milledgeville

571 Hammock Rd. Suite 106Located in Columbia Center

(Old McGaw Building)

(478)452-6252

We’re proud to support all the local

teams and wish themall a great season

Preparation“It’s not the will to win, but the

will to prepare to win thatmakes the difference.”

Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant

Good luck to all the teams!

1897 N. Columbia Street • Milledgeville • 478.453.8714Serving Milledgeville for over 20 years

GMC BULLDOGS 2011 SCHEDULE


GMC BULLDOGS 2011 ROSTER

SEPT. 3 NAVARRO COLLEGE HOME - 1:00 P.M.

SEPT. 10 SNOW COLLEGE AWAY - 1:00 P.M.

SEPT. 17 HARGRAVE MILITARY

ACADEMY

AWAY - 1:00 P.M.

SEPT. 24 ARKANSAS BAPTIST

COLLEGE

HOME - 1:00 P.M.

SEPT. 29 AWAY - 7:00 P.M.

OCT. 8GRAND RAPIDS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOME - 1:00 P.M.

OCT. 22GREEN RIVER

COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOME - 2:00 P.M.

OCT. 27 NORTH CAROLINA

TECH

HOME - 6:00 P.M.

NOV. 5 CHATTAHOOCHEE TECH HOME - 1:00 P.M.

NOV. 12 LACKAWANNA COLLEGE AWAY - 1:00 P.M.

VALDOSTA STATE JV

2 Brant Sally FS3 Jarrett Neely WR4 Ronnie Martin CB5 Mario Alford RB6 Adrian Wigfall WR7 Nico Ranieri QB8 Martinez Gallman CB9 JaVontae Edwards RB10 Neville Hewitt FS11 Tiquention Coleman DB12 Dylan Shaddix QB/P13 Shannon Brown LB14 Anthony Riggin QB15 Jaylon Myers CB16 Willie Carmichael ATH17 Terome Grant WR18 D.J. Rozier ATH19 Quanta Barfield DB20 Troy Nunes QB21 R.J. Robinson RB22 Antonio Marshall DB23 Raynard Reid DB24 Chris Owens FS25 Demetrius Washington CB26 Chris Rivers DB27 Darrius Edwards LB28 Damian Dixon CB29 Rashad Dalton CB31 Marquis Lovett LB32 J.T. Stevens FB33 Ryan Womack RB34 Anthony Criswell RB36 David Watson CB38 Brandon Golson LB40 Tyler Mickens CB41 James Bryant LB42 Caleb Clayton-Molby FB44 Reggie Brown TE/WR46 Timothy Few RB47 Jamichael Beckford LB48 Jamaal Edmonds FB50 Nate Holton OL51 Caleb Freeman OL52 Blake Bonifas LB53 Rashard Brown OL54 Glenn Mack Jr. DB55 Tabrian Resby LB56 Thomas Condon OC58 Tre Carter OL60 James Barnes OL62 DeAndre Shell OL66 Lekevius Lyons OL68 Jermarquis Perry OL70 X’Zayvious Lewis OL72 Justin Jones OL74 Trenton Brown OL76 Sterling Jenkins OL78 Daniel McCullers DL80 Kevin Gary WR81 Connor Redd WR82 Lonnie Outlaw WR83 Corey Washington WR84 Cory Sonnega WR85 D.J. Foston WR86 David Nix WR88 Anthony Smith DL89 Kris Hurley TE90 Octavius Brown DL91 Josh Hall PK92 Jonathan Williams DL93 Devon Johnson LB95 Chris Kennedy PK/P96 Trae Hemphill DL97 Jalen Fields DL98 Fre’Shad Hunter DL99 Keon Stowers DL

PIGSKINPICKS

Follow local coaches & community members

as they pick their way to the best record

of football season!

GMC Junior College BulldogsHead Coach: Bert Williams

Classification: NJCAALast Season’s Record: 6-3


After a 5-5 season in 2010,Gatewood School looks tomake its mark on theupcoming football season.

Gene Harper, head foot-ball coach, believes that thesenior leadership might bewhat makes the differencefor the Gators in 2011.

“I think we’re going tohave good chemistry, but youreally don’t know what yougot until you get out thereand the rubber hits the

road,” Harper said. “I’m realpositive about the team thisyear. I think our senior lead-ership is going to be the key.”

The team returns severalseniors on an already stoutroster, some of whom willplay key roles on both sidesof the ball.

“We return Ross Coleman,senior all-state running back,and we’re excited aboutthat,” Harper said. “Whatsets this team apart is proba-bly having an all-state run-ning back, and having other

players that can help him likeCody Copeland, a senior,who will be playing line-backer on defense and guardor tackle on offense.”

Another key to the Gator’ssuccess will lay in the handsof starting quarterback CalTaylor, sophomore, who willtake on the starting role forthe first time in 2011, as wellas the defense schemes of Jeff

Ratliff, defensive coordina-tor, who will run the defensefor the first time this fall.

“There’s been a lot ofenthusiasm and the kids havebeen working hard this sum-mer,” Harper said. “We’vealso got Jeff Ratliff, who hasbeen at Tattnall, and he’sgoing to be the new defen-sive coordinator.”

With an all-star running

back in the backfield andsome senior leadership ondefense, Harper and theGators hope to do well thisseason.

The Gatewood Schoolopens up on the roadagainst John MilledgeAcademy Aug. 25.

www.putnamgeneral.com

101 Lake Oconee ParkwayEatonton, GA • 706-485-2711

Call Heather Dardenat Century 21 Old Capitol Realty

for your Real Estate NeedsCall today

447788--880044--11551199

Old Capitol Realty

Milledgeville Office185 Roberson Mill Rdwww.c21ocr.com

Gatewood GatorsHead Coach: Gene Harper

Classification: GISA 1-AALast Season’s Record: 5-5 (3-3)

GATEWOOD 2011 SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION

2011 ROSTER

AUG. 25 JOHN MILLEDGE AWAY

SEPT. 2 JOHN HANCOCK HOME

SEPT. 9 STRATFORD ACADEMY HOME

SEPT. 16 NATHANAEL GREENE HOME

SEPT. 23 AWAY

SEPT. 30 WESTMINSTER, AUG HOME

OCT. 7 BRENTWOOD HOME

OCT. 14 CENTRAL FELLOWSHIP AWAY

OCT. 28 EDMUND BURKE

ACADEMY

HOME

NOV. 4 PIEDMONT ACADEMY HOME

ROBERT TOOMBS

CHURCH ACADEMY

1 Hunter Moore WR/DB Jr.2 Johnny Ellison WR/DB So.7 Cal Taylor QB/DB So.9 Drake Thomas WR/DE Jr.10 Daniel Jackson DE/DT Sr.11 Ross Coleman TB/DB Sr.12 Hampton Clark WR/DB So.13 Michael Fordham WR/DB So.17 Isaac Weeks RB/DB Fr.21 Cline Wooten WR/DB Jr.22 Trevor Bowden OK/DB So.23 Preston Collis WR/DB Fr.24 Sam Trammell TE/DB Jr.27 Jared Spivey OF/DE Jr.30 Kevin Byrd WR/DE Fr.33 Michaes Brown TE/LB So.44 Luke Leverett OB/LB Fr.50 Kyle McElhannon FB/LB Sr.55 Cody Copelan C/LB Sr.56 Kaleb Fedelem OG/LB So.60 Nash Cullens OT/DT So.63 Seth Collis OT/DT Sr.65 Chase Montgomery OG/NG Sr.66 Josh Dugan OG/DE Sr.71 Jarred Camp C/DT So.72 Clary Porter OT/DT Sr.74 Scott Schneider OG/DE So.86 Ian Dutton WR/DB Fr.88 Jonathan Ellison DE/DT Fr.

1010 Town Creek Blvd.Greensboro, GA (706) 453-2454 www.greensborotire.net

Go Gators!

Gatewood

PIGSKINPICKS

Follow local coaches & community members

as they pick their way to the best record

of football season!

Putnam County High School War EaglesHead Coach: Ben Reaves

Classification: GHSA Region 4-AALast Season’s Record: 9-3 (7-1)


As defending region champi-ons, the Putnam County HighSchool War Eagles plan to con-tinue their winning ways in2011.

Finishing with a 9-3 recordin 2010, the War Eagles are notsatisfied.

“Our expectations are to win;to win every game we play,” BenReaves, head coach, said. “Lastyear’s team set the mark high bywinning the region, but thisyear’s group plans on continuingthe tradition. Our goal everyyear is to play 11 games, and totake it a step further we want todo whatever we can to play 13

games this season.”The season bodes well for

PCHS, as they return manyexperienced players at crucialpositions.

“We have a really good seniorclass,” Reaves said. “We haveNick Burke (senior) our quarter-back is four-year starter, and wehave a three-year starter for us attailback, Martez Waller (senior),which was the all-classificationleading rusher for the state ofGeorgia last year.”

Reaves returns other seniorslike Charleston Reid, CarlBuckner, Brandon Cole andDevin Nelson at receiver, andRobert Adams, senior, at tightend. Other possible key playersfor the War Eagles are juniors

La’Darien Reeves, linebacker,and Gary Waller, running backand outside linebacker.

“We’ve got a lot of kids play-ing both ways, but we have a lotof experience and we have tohandle the conditions playingboth ways like that,” Reavessaid.

The War Eagles are anxiousto get going according toReaves, but plan to do the bestthey can each game.

“Our kids love the game offootball and were really excitedabout the season,” Reaves said.“Anything can happen on anyFriday night. ‘Expect greatthings and attempt great thingsis the motto.’”

WAR EAGLES 2011 SCHEDULE


WAR EAGLES 2011 ROSTER

AUG. 26 HANCOCK CENTRAL HOME

SEPT. 2 DUBLIN AWAY

SEPT. 9 CRAWFORD COUNTY AWAY

SEPT. 16 SOUTHWEST - MACON HOME

SEPT. 23 AWAY

SEPT. 30 GREENE COUNTY HOME

OCT. 7 MORGAN COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 14 MONTICELLO HOME

OCT. 21 PIKE COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 28 NORTHEAST - MACON HOME

LAMAR COUNTY

1 Martez Waller TB/DB Sr.

2 Casey Farley QB/DB Fr.

4 Charleston Reid WR/DB Sr.

6 Kevin Dorsey TE/DE Jr.

9 Peyton Johnson WR/DB Fr.

10 Nick Burke QB/DB Sr.

12 Dontrez Smith WR/DB Sr.

14 Damien Brannon WR/DB Jr.

15 Devin Nelson WR/DB Sr.

16 Carl Buckner WR/DB Sr.

18 Brandon Cole WR/DB Sr.

19 Jonatan Coronado R/P Sr.

21 Darius McMullen QB/DB So.

22 Tristan Fuller RB/DB Fr.

24 Quintavious Waller TE/DE So.

25 Daryl Smith WR/DB So.

27 Mike Evans RB/LB Fr.

28 Michael Webb TRN/MGR Jr.

32 La’Darien Reeves RB/LB Jr.

33 Gary Waller RB/LB Jr.

34 K.T. Waller RB/LB So.

40 Nolando White RB/LB Fr.

50 Damoio’n Wright OL/LB Jr.

51 Miguel Romero OL/DL Sr.

52 Dettrick Solomon OL/DL Fr.

54 Brian Scarborough OL/LB So.

55 Tyree Clemons OL/DE Sr.

56 Calvin Jordan OL/DL Jr.

60 Demario Bullard OL/DE So.

62 Jon Hall OL/LB So.

72 Trey White OL/DE Sr.

75 Aaron Pineo OL/DE Sr.

76 Tom Reid OL/DL Fr.

77 Jekwan Cobb OL/DL So.

78 Darrell Farley OL/DL Sr.

85 Robert Adams TE/DE Sr.

87 Scott Sharp OL/DE Fr.

88 Jeffery Finney TE/LB Jr.

{‘Expect greatthings andattempt greatthings is themotto.’- Head Coach Ben Reaves

www.putnamgeneral.com

101 Lake Oconee ParkwayEatonton, GA • 706-485-2711


PUTNAM CO. HIGH SCHOOL

Let’s Go War

Eagles!


In 2009 the Morgan County High School football teamlost to Vidalia in the first round of the state playoffs, fin-ishing the season with an impressive 8-3 overall record.

Going into the upcoming season, the Bulldogs will havehigh standards, as they will be looking to duplicate theirsuccess from last year.

Opening up at home against Walnut Grove HighSchool, Bill Malone, head coach, and his players look toget off on a positive note with a win in front of the homecrowd.

There will be high expectations for Morgan County in2011, but the Bulldogs hope to continue play well intoNovember.

BULLDOGS 2011 SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATIONAUG. 26 WALNUT GROVE HOME

SEPT. 2 CLARKTON HOME

SEPT. 9 MONTICELLO AWAY

SEPT. 16 LAMAR COUNTY HOME

SEPT. 23 HOME

OCT. 7 PUTNAM COUNTY HOME

OCT. 14 PIKE COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 21 CRAWFORD COUNTY HOME

OCT. 28 SOUTHWEST-MACON AWAY

NOV. 4 GREEN COUNTY AWAY

NORTHEAST-MACON


Finishing off the 2010 season with only two wins, onecoming inside the region, the Nathanael Greene Patriotslook to bounce back this fall after a disappointing seasonlast year.

Bill Byce, head coach, will lead the team into battle onFriday, Aug. 26 on the road against Piedmont Academy.

Byce and the Patriots have their work cut out for themas three of the teams on their schedule are picked as top-5teams in the Georgia Independent Schools AssociationCoaches Poll, one of those being Piedmont Academy.

PATRIOTS 2011 SCHEDULE


AUG. 26 PIEDMONT ACADEMY AWAY

SEPT. 2 CRISP ACADEMY HOME

SEPT. 16 GATEWOOD AWAY

SEPT. 23 BRIARWOOD ACADEMY HOME

SEPT. 30 AWAY

OCT. 7 DAVID EMMANUEL

ACADEMY

HOME

OCT. 14 THOMAS JEFFERSON HOME

OCT. 21CURTIS BAPTIST

AWAY

OCT. 28 COVENANT ACADEMY AWAY

NOV. 4 JOHN HANCOCK ACADEMY HOME

MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL


Nathanael Greene Academy

Good LuckPatriots!

Morgan County BulldogsHead Coach: Bill Malone

Classification: GHSA Region 4-AALast Season’s Record: 8-3 (6-2)

Nathaneal Greene PatriotsHead Coach: Bill Byce

Classification: GISA Region 1-ALast Season’s Record: 2-8 (1-6)

WARRIORS 2011 SCHEDULE

OPPONENT LOCATIONAUG. 26 JOHNSON COUNTY AWAY

SEPT. 2 SOUTHWEST - MACON HOME

SEPT. 9 WHITEFIELD ACADEMY HOME

SEPT. 16 DOUGHERTY HOME

SEPT. 23 AWAY

SEPT. 30 WASHINGTON-WILKES AWAY

OCT. 14 TWIGGS COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 21 HANCOCK CENTRAL HOME

OCT. 28 WARREN COUNTY HOME

NOV. 4 LINCOLN COUNTY HOME

AQUINAS


Last year the Wilkinson County Warriors finished offthe season with an 11-3 record overall, and playing deep inthe Georgia High School Association class A playoffs.

This year James Hagins, head coach, and his staff bringback many returning athletes both on offense and defense.

“We have a whole offensive line, except one returning.We have six returning on offense, so we expect a lot onoffense,” Hagins said. “We have several returning ondefense. Our defense is the key to the team.”

While the team relies a lot on its defense, Hagins admitsthat the offense should be strong as well this season.

“We are going to run the spread offense,” he said. “Wealso have a good quarterback that passed for a little over3,000 yards last year and he’s coming back.”

Hagins expects to not only do well at the regional levelagain, but also fight for a state championship in 2011.

“Overall we are 80 percent and we should be back inthe playoffs and challenge Lincoln for the title,” he said.

The Warriors will field a very experienced team this fall,with many players off of last years team return.

“We got 38 offof last year’s squad,which is why Ithink we’ll have apretty good year.Most of them arejuniors too,”Hagins said.“We’re going to bepretty good over-all.”

DATE

2011 ROSTER1 Rikeem Stallings WR/DB Jr.2 Demarcus Alexander RB/LB Sr.3 Greg Heath WR/LB Sr.4 Jared Miller QB/DB Jr.5 Corey Bennett RB/DB Sr.6 Dalvin McCommons WR/DB Sr.7 Kareem Jernigan WR/DB So.8 Johnathan Jackson TE/DE Sr.9 Fred Lawrence TE/LB Sr.10 Montavious Green RB/DB Sr.12 Cory Brown WR/DB So.14 Quan Neal WR/DB Fr.15 Halvonte Walker QB/DB So.16 Adryonte’ Smith WR/DB Fr.17 Andres Aparicio PK Fr.18 Que Covin WR/DB So.20 Derrick Ruff RB/DB Jr.21 Michael Southerland WR/DB Jr.22 Danny Miller WR/DB So.23 Kaleem Jernigan WR/DB So.24 Gabriel Mathews RB/LB Sr.26 Davon Cooper WR/DB Fr.28 Terrence Brown RB/LB Sr.29 Will Ingram WR/DB Fr.32 Marquavius Grable WR/DB Fr.34 Clyde Carter RB/LB Jr.38 Artrell Jordan WR/DB Jr.45 Matthew Jackson OL/LB Fr.50 Marquez Tyson OL/DL Sr.51 Tobias Dalton OL/DL Jr.53 Damien Brown OL/DL So.54 William Mitchell OL/DL Sr.57 Demone Kemp OL/DL Fr.58 Damien Kemp OL/DL Fr.59 Trent Reid OL/DL So.60 John Major OL/DL So.62 Kenneth Stovall OL/DL Jr.64 Marcus Parrott OL/DL Sr.65 George Surgick OL/DL Fr.66 Jalen Cobb OL/DL Jr.72 Pete Peugh OL/DL So.73 Randy Bowman OL/DL Jr.77 Cameron Callaway OL/DL Fr.88 Jason Buice OL/DL Fr.


The Greene County Tigers will battle several obstaclesin the 2011 season, as they face both a young team and asmall coaching staff.

With the recent economic struggles across the country,Charles Winslette, head football coach, has had to cut hisstaff to less than half compared to recent years.

“Right now, we’re short on assistant coaches,” Winslettesaid. “Last year I had seven assistants and right now I havethree, because of all the cutbacks in education it has greatlyaffected our projected coaching staff.”

The Tigers will also battle a young team, with only tworeturning starters on both sides of the ball.

“We’re sort of young,” Winslette said. “There are a lotof guys who will be playing for us that don’t have a lot ofplaying experience at the high school level, but they’ve beenwatching other guys do it, now it’s their turn.”

Even with a predominately young team, Winsletteremains optimistic about the Tigers’ season.

“The expectations are always high when the seasonstarts,” Winslette said. “Though we realize that you don’tget most state champions or region champions with newstarters, so while you like to be optimistic you have to berealistic also.”

One key element for the Tigers will be returning run-ning back, T.J. Brown, senior, as he will be expected bymany to score big for the team in 2011.

“We’ve got a running back, T.J. Brown, who played full-back last year and rushed for over 1,000 yards,” Winslettesaid. “He’s done really well, and we’ve been really pleasedwith what we’ve seen.”

Winslette expects the season to be a learning curve formost of the team, but hopes to have strong showing earlyin the season against Hancock Central.

Greene County TigersHead Coach: Charles Winslette

Classification: 4-AALast Season’s Record: 6-4 (4-4)

TIGERS 2011 SCHEDULE


AUG. 19 HANCOCK CENTRAL AWAY

AUG. 26 HEPHZIBAH AWAY

SEPT. 9 PIKE COUNTY HOME

SEPT. 16 NORTHEAST - MACON AWAY

SEPT. 23 AWAY

SEPT. 30 PUTNAM COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 14 CRAWFORD COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 21 MONTICELLO AWAY

OCT. 28 LAMAR COUNTY HOME

NOV. 4 MOGAN COUNTY HOME

SOUTHWEST - MACON

FRIDAYNIGHTFOOTBALLThe Union-Recorder isyour number one sourcefor all of this years foot-ball coverage.

Find results, stats andgame wrap-ups in theprint edition, online oreven on facebook andtwitter!

No matter your preference we’ve got

you covered!


Greene Co. High School

GOOD LUCK

TIGERS!

Wilkinson County WarriorsHead Coach: James Hagins

Classification: GHSA Region 7-ALast Season’s Record: 11-3 (5-0)

John Hancock Academy RebelsHead Coach: Scott Blizzard

Classification: GISA Region 1-ALast Season’s Record: 3-7 (1-6)

Hancock Central BulldogsHead Coach: Zackery Harris

Classification: GHSA Region 7-ALast Season’s Record: 2-8 (0-6)


Beginning a new season, with a new head coach, the JohnHancock Academy Rebel football team plans to get back to“old school” strategies in 2011.

After a season where the team struggled to win onlythree ball games last year with one coming in region com-petition, Scott Blizzard, head football coach, and his staffwant to get back to the basics this fall.

“This is my first year as head football coach, and I planon being here a while,” Blizzard said. “We’re going to getback to old style and not being fancy. We’re going to runthe ball at you, and I’m excited to see how that will workout.”

The JHA football team will field a well-balanced teamthis season, with three to four players from each class andtwo eighth-grade athletes stepping up to the plate as well.

Being a new coach and bringing new strategies to thetable, Blizzard is positive that 2011 will be an improvementfrom recent years, but also admits this fall will be a largestepping block for future seasons.

“I’m looking to win five football games, and if we don’tthat will be expected, but I’ve got a feeling we’re going towin at least five ball games,” Blizzard said. “This is definite-ly a rebuilding year for us.”

Blizzard and the Rebels would like nothing more thanto start the season off with a win in their own backyard, asJHA opens up with Fullington Academy at home Aug. 26.

REBELS 2011 SCHEDULE


AUG. 26 FULLINGTON ACADEMY HOME

SEPT. 2 GATEWOOD ACADEMY AWAY

SEPT. 9 CRISP ACADEMY HOME

SEPT. 16 COVENANT ACADEMY AWAY

SEPT. 30 AWAY

OCT. 7 CURTIS BAPTIST AWAY

OCT. 14 DAVID EMANUEL ACADEMY HOME

OCT. 21 MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL AWAY

OCT. 28THOMAS JEFFERSON

HOME

NOV. 4 NATHANAEL GREENE AWAY

BRIARWOOD ACADEMY


Starting the season off with a win against one of theirbiggest rivals, the Hancock Central Bulldogs are firing onall cylinders as they blazed past Greene County 34-21 intheir season opener.

Zackery Harris, head coach, hopes that the win againstTigers will spark his team to play at a higher level this sea-son.

“Greene County has been a long time rival, but it hasn’tbeen much of a rival in the last couple of years,” Harrissaid. “We have been under achieving the last couple ofyears, so I hope that we can live up to our potential thisyear.”

After snagging one of the biggest wins in recent years,Hancock Central looks to derail some of the other teams inthe region this season.

“We want to definitely win some of our region games,”Harris said.

With many returning players, some key athletes, theBulldogs show positive signs of a potential winning seasonin 2011.

“We are looking forward for Deonte Franklin, junior,”Harris said. “He’s really doing a great job. He’s tearing itup.”

The goal for the Bulldogs this season is to be in thehunt in every game they play.

“We want to be competitive in every game and be inposition to win every game we play in,” Harris said.

As the 2011 high school football season gets started, theBulldogs look to be one of the key teams to watch out foron Friday nights.

“Were anticipating being really competitive this year,”Harris said. “Everybody is competitive.”

BULLDOGS 2011 SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATIONAUG. 19 GREENE COUNTY HOME

AUG. 26PUTNAM COUNTY AWAY

SEPT. 2 SOCIAL CIRCLE AWAY

SEPT. 16 AQUINAS HOME

SEPT. 23 HOME

SEPT. 30 LINCOLN COUNTY HOME

OCT. 7 WASHINGTON-WILKESAWAY

OCT. 14 HOME

OCT. 21 WILKINSON COUNTY AWAY

OCT. 28 GLASCOCK COUNTY AWAY

TWIGGS COUNTY

{“We’re going to get back to oldstyle and not being fancy.We’re going to run the ball atyou, and I’m excited to seehow that will work out.”

- Head Coach Scott Blizzard

{ “We want to be competi-tive in every game and bein position to win everygame we play in,”

- Head Coach Zackery Harris

WARREN COUNTY

The Associated Press

ATHENS - All around, theGeorgia Bulldogs are surroundedby rivals basking in championshipglory.

Florida won a national title,followed by LSU. The Gatorstook another turn at No. 1.Alabama was next in line. And,finally, it was Auburn hoisting thebiggest trophy of all last season.

Even South Carolina, long aSoutheastern Conference patsy,rose to prominence under coachSteve Spurrier. He led theGamecocks to the SEC Eastcrown a year ago, and they’refavored to win it again this season.

As for Georgia, it’s been a slow,steady slide to irrelevance.

If that doesn’t change — prob-ably as soon as this season — theBulldogs could be looking for anew coach. Mark Richt is feelingthe heat, and his players know it,too. How could they not? All theyhave to do is watch TV, flip onthe radio or check out theInternet.

“It’s extreme motivation tohear people saying coach Richtmight be on the hot seat,” defen-sive end Abry Jones said.

Richt was the toast of the red-and-black world when he ledGeorgia — which had not won anSEC title since 1982 — to a pairof conference championships inhis first five years on the job.

The program still appeared onthe right track as late as 2007. Astrong finish and Sugar Bowlromp left the Bulldogs at No. 2 inthe final rankings, setting up nice-ly for a run at the top spot with ateam led by future first-rounddraft picks Matthew Stafford andKnowshon Moreno.

Instead, Georgia has gone thewrong way.

Richt’s teams are barely above.500 in the SEC (13-11) over thelast three seasons, and this groupis trying to bounce back from a 6-7 debacle — the school’s first los-ing year since 1996.

While a highly rated recruitingclass eased some of the pressureon Richt, his future will comedown to how many games hewins. The players are rallyingaround him, trying to use the crit-icism as motivation.

“I love my coach. I love thisteam. I love this university,”receiver Tavarres King said. “Anytime someone is criticizing them,I feel like they’re criticizing me. Itake things personal. So, definite-ly, it’s in my ear. I wanna go getit.”

With Auburn losing HeismanTrophy winner Cam Newton andFlorida breaking in a new coach,there’s certainly an opening for ateam such as Georgia to claw itsway into the championship mix.

Richt shrugs off any specula-tion about his future and insiststhat he’s optimistic about turningthings around.

“Everything is geared towardthis season, the excitement of itand the fact that we have a chanceto have a great year,” he said. “I’mreally as optimistic as any yearsince I’ve been at Georgia.”

The Bulldogs should get apretty good indication of theirchances in the first two weeks ofthe season.

They open against Boise Statein the Chick-fil-A kickoff game atAtlanta, only about an hour fromcampus and essentially a homegame. Then, in the actual homeopener, Georgia hosts SouthCarolina to establish an early bal-ance of power in the SEC East.

“If we win that, we’re in thedriver’s seat,” senior center BenJones said. “If we lose, we’re at the

bottom.”Georgia will have to carry on

without its best player. A.J. Greenleft a year early for the NFL, leav-ing a huge hole in the offense.

The Bulldogs don’t have onereceiver to fill the void, but they’recounting on a group effort withKing, Marlon Brown and a hostof others.

“What’s his name again?” Kingquipped, when asked aboutGreen.

With No. 8 now playing in theNFL, this team firmly belongs tosophomore quarterback AaronMurray, who is coming off a stel-lar season that showed both hispotential and his toughness.

Hardly looking like a redshirtfreshman, he completed morethan 61 percent of his passes for3,049 yards, with 24 touchdownsand just eight interceptions.Murray also impressed teammateswith his willingness to take offrunning when no one was open— and plow into a larger defend-er if he could pick up an extrayard or two.

Richt would prefer thatMurray be a little more cautiouswith his body, but there’s nothingelse to quibble about with thisnatural-born leader.

“His performance was alwayson a point,” cornerback BrandonBoykin said. “You saw guys hit-ting him in the face and he’sbleeding from the chin, whichshowed how tough he is. He wasalways working hard in the weightroom, right there with us runningsprints. That’s the type of personyou want leading your team.”

Richt expects Murray to beeven better this season, eventhough he won’t have Green onthe receiving end of his throws.

“I think he’ll recognize thingsquicker, which will mean throw-ing more routes on time, on

rhythm,” the coach said. “I thinkhis accuracy will improve becauseof his comfort level in what we’redoing. He’s already improved inthat everybody really believes inthe guy. They wanted to believe inhim last year. Now, there’s noquestion he’s a leader of theteam.”

There could be some bumpsalong the way, however. In addi-tion to losing Green, Murray willbe handing the ball to a new leadrunner after Washaun Ealey andCaleb King both left the program.Isaiah Crowell, the team’s mostprized recruit, would wind up

starting in his very first game.With all the newcomers on

offense, Georgia will count on itsdefense to carry more of the loadthan it did a year ago. The playersare certainly more comfortablewith coordinator ToddGrantham’s 3-4 scheme, and theyappear to have landed the proto-type nose guard in 340-poundjunior college signee JonathanJenkins.

“You can tell there’s a realmajor difference,” Jones said.“Everyone is on the same page allthe way through.”

University of GeorgiaHead Coach: Mark Richt

Classification: SEC EastLast Season’s Record: 6-7 (3-5)

Keith Barlow/The Union-RecorderThe University of Georgia team firmly belongs to sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray,who is coming off a stellar season that showed both his potential and his toughness.

UGA 2011 SCHEDULESep. 3 vs. Boise State Atlanta, Ga. 8 p.m. ETSep. 10 vs. South Carolina * Athens, Ga. 4:30 p.m. ETSep. 17 vs. Coastal Carolina Athens, Ga. TBASep. 24 at Ole Miss * Oxford, Miss. TBAOct. 1 vs. Mississippi State * Athens, Ga. TBAOct. 8 at Tennessee * Knoxville, Tenn. TBAOct. 15 at Vanderbilt * Nashville, Tenn. TBAOct. 29 vs. Florida * Jksnville, Fla. 3:30 p.m. ETNov. 5 vs. New Mexico State Athens, Ga. TBANov. 12 vs. Auburn * Athens, Ga. TBANov. 19 vs. Kentucky * Athens, Ga. TBANov. 26 at Georgia Tech Atlanta, Ga. TBA


ATLANTA (AP) —Georgia State coach BillCurry had just one playerin his new football programtwo years ago.

This season, after thePanthers debuted with a 6-5record, he has a new chal-lenge: Curry has struggledto keep his quarterbacks outof trouble.

Drew Little, who waslast year's starter, violated ateam rule in March and wassuspended the first fourgames this season. In June,Curry had to suspendKelton Hill, who was con-sidered next in line to start,for an on-campus burglaryarrest.

When the Panthers' sea-son begins on Sept. 2against Clark Atlanta, Bo

Schlechter likely will start atquarterback. Ben McLanewill be No. 2.

Hill was reinstated toschool last week and ispracticing with the scoutteam. According to a dealstruck with the FultonCounty District Attorney'soffice, Hill, a redshirt fresh-man last season, will not beprosecuted if he earns a col-lege degree in four years.

Curry said the situationthe team's faced with devel-oped in the offseason.

"That's life. Sometimesit happens. You wouldrather that it didn't, but wewill manage," he said. "Wewould love to redshirt BenMcLane. If it is the rightthing to hold somebodyout, then we would like todo that. If we can, we will.If we have to play him, wewill prepare him to play."

Curry is pleased thatMalcolm Smith, whoplayed mostly on specialteams last year, is challeng-ing Rosevelt Watson, TravisEvans and Parris Lee forcarries. Watson, Evans andLee combined for 713 yardsrushing and seven touch-downs, but Smith hasadded a spark this summerto a ground game thatstruggled last year.

"It's going to be hard tokeep him off the field, butit's going to be hard to keepseveral of (the others) offthe field," said Curry."That's a good problem tohave."

Defensively, GeorgiaState needs to improveagainst the run. Opponentshammered the Panthers fornearly 188 yards per game.

Day Date Opponent LocationThur. Sept. 1 CLARK ATLANTA Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.Sat. Sept. 10 OLD DOMINION Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.Sat. Sept. 17 at Jacksonville State Paul Snow Memorial

Stadium, Jacksonville, Ala.Sat. Sept. 24 at Houston Robertson Stadium,

Houston, TexasSat. Oct. 8 MURRAY STATE Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.Sat. Oct. 15 at South Carolina St. Oliver C. Dawson

Stadium, Orangeburg, S.C.Sat. Oct. 22 SOUTH ALABAMA Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.

(Homecoming) Sat. Oct. 29 at UTSA Alamodome,

San Antonio, TexasSat. Nov. 5 LAMBUTH Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.Sat. Nov. 12 at West Alabama Tiger Stadium, Livingston, Ala.Sat. Nov. 19 CAMPBELL Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.

PANTHERS 2011 SCHEDULE

Georgia StateHead Coach: Bill Curry

Last Season’s Record: 6-5


ATLANTA (AP) — Al Grohwasn’t surprised his Georgia Techdefense needed a year to learn his3-4 scheme.

That was Groh’s prediction lastsummer when, entering his firstseason as Georgia Tech’s defensivecoordinator he said, “Every timewe have done this installation, wedo a lot better the second yearthan the first.”

Last season, the defense strug-gled at times as Georgia Tech fin-ished 6-7.

Now, as he’s preparing for hissecond season, Groh says he isencouraged that returning playersare more comfortable in thescheme.

Another plus: He says he hasmore depth and versatility as helooks for improvement in 2011.

Each of Groh’s three startingdefensive linemen are back: endsIzaan Cross and Jason Peters andtackle Logan Walls. There is moreexperience at linebacker, wheresenior Steven Sylvester and hard-hitting junior Julian Burnett arereturning starters.

Finally, Groh’s players are morecomfortable in his 3-4.

“We do see signs of this beingthe second time through,” he said.

“It’s a process to really be ableto execute at a player’s position.The first part of that process isjust to be comfortable with what

that job is. Once they learn theirassignments, then the next stage isto learn how to really do their job.Last year, so many players werejust trying to figure out what theirjob was.”

Groh said returning players“have a much better handle onhow to do their job.”

Coach Paul Johnson fireddefensive coordinator DaveWommack after the 2009 ACCchampionship season becauseJohnson wasn’t satisfied with the24.8 points allowed by the team.

The average was slightly worseunder Groh. Georgia Tech ranked57th in the nation with its averageof 25.23 points allowed.

Georgia Tech struggled tomake key stops and was weak attimes against the run, rankingonly 70th in the nation with itsaverage of 170 yards allowed pergame on the ground.

Johnson has been clear that heexpects the downward trend ondefense to end this season.

“Hopefully they’ll be better,”Johnson said. “I think they will. Ihave every reason to think they’llbe better than a year ago and ifwe’re going to be better, they’llhave to be. We need them to playbetter than they played a yearago.”

Johnson said the defense hasfared well against the offense insome practices, but not onTuesday.

“It wasn’t very good,” Johnsonsaid. “The offense knocked thefool out of the defense at the endtoday.”

Burnett said it will be easier toplay faster when the players have amore complete understanding oftheir roles.

“The fact that we know whatwe’re doing now, it just gives us alot of confidence,” Burnett said.

“One of the big things at line-backer, you don’t want to do toomuch thinking. It has to be a nat-ural thing.”

The defense did not deserve allthe blame for Georgia Tech’s poorfinish last year, but Burnett saidthe program’s first losing seasonsince 1996 provided ample moti-vation for the offseason.

“We do have something toprove,” Burnett said. “Last year’srecord wasn’t as good as wehoped. That’s something that’sgoing to motivate us this year.”

The 67-year-old Groh was 59-53 in nine years as Virginia’scoach and was fired after a 3-9record in 2009. He was 26-40 asWake Forest’s coach in the 1980sand was 9-7 as the New York Jets’coach in 2000.

Groh also was an NFL assis-tant under Bill Parcells with theNew York Giants and NewEngland Patriots.

Groh’s first college job was as aplebe assistant at Army in 1968.Now, 43 years later, he said he

still enjoys the challenge of teach-ing.

“Oh, for sure. It’s most defi-nitely fun to work with the play-ers on a daily basis and to seetheir advancement and improve-ment,” he said.

“I understand every phase of it.It’s teaching, it’s progress, it’s com-petition. There’s competitionevery day. The competition, that’swhat puts the energy in the gameand that’s what puts the spark init for all of us.”

GT 2011 SCHEDULESep. 1 vs. Western Carolina Atlanta, Ga. 7:30 p.m. ETSep. 10 at Middle Tenn. State Murfreesboro, Tenn 7:00 p.m. ETSep. 17 vs. Kansas Atlanta, Ga. 12:30 p.m. ETSep. 24 vs. North Carolina Atlanta, Ga. TBAOct. 1 at North Carolina St. Raleigh, N.C. TBAOct. 8 vs. Maryland Atlanta, Ga. TBAOct. 15 at Virginia Charlottesville, Va. TBAOct. 22 at Miami Miami, Fla. TBAOct. 29 vs. Clemson Atlanta, Ga. TBANov. 10 vs. Virginia Tech Atlanta, Ga. 8 p.m. ETNov. 19 at Duke Durham, N.C. TBANov. 26 vs. Georgia Atlanta, Ga. TBA

GSU 2011 SCHEDULESep. 3 at Samford at Birmingham, Ala. at 7 p.m.Sep. 10 vs. Tusculum at Paulson Stadium 6 p.m.Sep. 24 vs. Western Carolina at Paulson Stadium at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Elon at Elon, N.C. at 1:30 PM Oct. 8 vs. Chattanooga at Paulson Stadium at 3 p.m. Oct. 15 vs. Furman at Paulson Stadium at 3 p.m.Oct. 22 vs. Presbyterian at Paulson Stadium at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at Appalachian State at Boone, N.C. at 3 p.m. Nov. 5 vs. The Citadel HOMECOMING at Paulson Stadium at 2 p.m.Nov. 12 vs. Wofford at Spartanburg, S.C. at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Ala. at 2 p.m.

University of GeorgiaHead Coach: Paul JohnsonClassification: ACC Atlantic

Last Season’s Record: 6-7 (4-4)

GSU eager to build on success The Associated Press

STATESBORO — GeorgiaSouthern exceeded expectationslast season by advancing to theFCS semifinals under first-yearcoach Jeff Monken.

Now the Eagles are consideredfavorites to challenge for aSouthern Conference title, butMonken isn’t impressed.

“We didn’t win a champi-onship,” Monken said. “We haveno championship rings from ourconference. We were fortunate tomake playoffs, we did, won a cou-

ple of games, so there’s still a lot ofus left to accomplish.”

The nucleus of GeorgiaSouthern’s 10-5 season returns, andMonken doesn’t fret for a lack ofdangerous skill position players inhis option offense and 4-3 defense.

Fullback Robert Brown andquarterback Jaybo Shaw, who com-bined to rush for 23 touchdownsand 1,518 yards last year, lead abackfield that includes slotbacksJ.J. Wilcox and Johnathan Bryant.Wilcox had 484 yards rushing anda team-high 551 yards receiving.

Bryant earned the starting slotbacklast year before he broke his leg inthe season opener againstSavannah State.

Brett Moore, a former backuplong snapper, emerged last year asa team leader and is an all-confer-ence tackle.

The defense is led by all-confer-ence selections Laron Scott, a cor-nerback and return specialist, andtackle Brent Russell. Scott had sixinterceptions and 1,161 kickoffreturn yards last year. Russell fin-ished with eight sacks.

Georgia Southern EaglesHead Coach: Jeff Monken

Classification: Southern ConferenceLast Season’s Record: 10-5

football preview 2011

Documents

senior year

year weve

junior year

educationnext year

year ashead coach

team atthe

thomas mobility

team tobecome