Georgia Amateur Sports News & Notes (Sept 20, 2007)
September 20th, 2007 Posted in College Football, College Soccer, College Volleyball, Fishing and Hunting, High School Cross Country, Georgia, High School Soccer, High School Softball, High School Volleyball, High School FootballVisit www.LocalReplay.com to view our photos and videos and register (we’re a FREE site) to get started making your own Team/Player/Coach/Fan webpage on which you can archive your unlimited sports highlights and stats forever. Click here for an example.
Enjoy our daily look at amateur sports headlines from around the State of Georgia. Click here to see yesterday’s edition.
High School Football
Take 10: Why HSFB tops CFB & NFL
“Now that we’ve had a few weekends to lounge around watching football, it got us thinking: Friday nights are so much better than Saturdays and Sundays. Don’t get us wrong. Take Ten loves our college and NFL, but high school punts them both out of the back of the end zone.”
State FB Report: Who’s hot, who’s not
“But perhaps Davis’s analysis explains why five traditional state contenders are struggling to make ends meet this season, and why five mediocre programs are sitting at 3-0, at least two wins better than in 2006. Here’s a look at those 10 teams whose fortunes so far have been quite different from what they were in 2006″
AJC ranking of South’s top players
“Every December, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution unveils the Super Southern 100, our list of the top 100 high school football players in the South. This year, with so many recruits making their college choices earlier than ever, we figured, ‘Why wait?’”
Adairsville heads to Temple Friday night
“When a team gets blown out, sometimes the feelings from the loss carry over to the next week. The Adairsville Tigers had a chance to suffer a blowout hangover after losing 42-0 at Cass Sept. 7. However, Adairsville rebounded from the loss with a convincing 42-20 victory over Model at Tiger Stadium last week.”
Jags, Raiders set to clash in 24 hours
“Second-year Spalding High head coach Tommy Gilstrap knows his team will have to be clicking on all cylinders when the last two undefeated teams in Region 4-AAA meet Friday night. Spalding (2-0) travels to take on West Laurens (2-0) in a battle of Region 4-AAA giants.”
Abercrombie is catching on for Crusaders in ‘07
“Griffin Christian’s quarterbacks and wide receivers spent most of the summer months working on the team’s passing game, and that preseason work is already paying off for senior receiver Kevin Abercrombie.”
Jupiter adds extra kick to Berkmar’s attack
“The senior wide receiver from Berkmar is a Louisiana boy at heart. He talks with just the slightest dash of creole in his voice, subtly allowing that Georgia is not his home. “I’m from New Orleans,” Jupiter is proud to say. But two years ago, Jupiter transferred to Berkmar. Or more accurately, was moved to Berkmar.”
“The Liberty County High School Panthers have much to cheer about after repeating history with a solid win over the Brantley County Herons Friday night. Last year the Panthers shut out the Herons, 28-0. This year, the Herons came to battle. but the Panthers proved to be stronger and came out with a 33-13 victory. Leading the Panther offense was senior quarterback Henry Barrett and the solid running game of Bryon Calahan, who had seven carries for 18-yards, Roderick Jones’ 18 carries for 116-yards and Brandon Roberts’ 10 carries for 87-yards.”
Today’s high school football game: Jones County at Northside
“Jake Robertson has steadily improved as the season has wore on. Not only is he a threat to pass, but he is a threat to run as well. Jones County scored 43 in a loss to Henry County, so the offense can score. But this is the toughest defense the Greyhounds have had to face and this is not the toughest offense Northside has had to deal with.”
Heritage School looking for road win at Pinecrest
“In the advanced course of football 102 at The Heritage School, the students learned about the appearance of “lady luck” last Friday night. An interference call along with an 80-yard punt return went in favor of the Windsor Academy Knights, 14-7 winners in the Hawks’ home opener and denied the latter from a 3-0 record. “We struggled with some mental mistakes in the game,” commented Hawks head coach Ron Beaucham. “Our concentration level was up and down and that hurt us.”"
Indians back on Thursday stage
“For one of the few times on their schedule, the East Coweta Indians will get the stage to themselves tonight at Twelve Oaks Stadium against the Mt. Zion Bulldogs. In a county that has seven high schools and two stadiums, games in Clayton County are played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and the school night honor falls upon the Indians and the Bulldogs.”
Vikings working to correct mistakes; preparing for ‘Cats
“Northgate head football coach Bill Luckie has plenty of respect for the Villa Rica Wildcats football program. And although he’s worried about the athletic Wildcats and potential problems they will present, he’s even more concerned about correcting a couple of problems involving his own squad. His offense, according to Luckie, has to avoid turnovers and his defense has to execute better. Those two assessments led to a 24-0 loss to Region 2-AAAA rival Woodward Academy last Friday.”
Winless Lithonia serves as Cougars’ Homecoming foe
“Coming off their 35-0 win over South Gwinnett last week, the Newnan Cougars host the winless Lithonia Bulldogs Friday night at Drake Stadium in the Cougars’ annual Homecoming game. Lithonia is 0-2 this year and 1-22 stretching back to the final game of the 2004 season. An easy win for the Cougars, you say? Not so fast. “They’ve had two weeks to get ready for us,” said Newnan coach Robert Herring whose Cougars beat Lithonia, 34-18, last year in Panthersville Stadium.”
“The Rockdale football team is coming off a disappointing 42-6 loss last week at Dacula after the Bulldogs were narrowly defeated in their first two games. But at 0-3, Rockdale coach William Johnson knows it’s still about preparing for the Bulldogs’ subregion opener Sept. 27 at Alcovy. Rockdale’s offensive point production has steadily declined over the past three weeks. Johnson said this has been because of the quality of opponents the team has faced and the offense’s lack of execution.”
Region 2-AA off to a hot start
“Through the first three weeks of the high school football season, no region in the area is off to a better start as a whole than 2-AA. With six of its eight teams unbeaten at 3-0 or 2-0, the region boasts a combined 17-3 record, with all of those losses coming at the hands of either a playoff team from a year ago or a Class AAAAA squad. Even teams like Jeff Davis and Long County, which each went 2-8 last year, are off to 3-0 starts.”
A quiet football night in Savannah on Friday
“For the first time in a long time, there will be no Friday night lights on in Savannah/Chatham County this weekend. All of the county’s public and private school football teams have a bye this week, or will play on the road.”
Weathers earning his stripes at quarterback
“The bleak start to the season for the Temple High School football team has overshadowed the performance of senior quarterback Chase Weathers. The Tigers have lost their first three games, but there haven’t been any complaints from the coaching staff about Weathers, who has thrown for four touchdowns and about 400 yards in his first season as Temple’s full-time starting quarterback.”
Lions stay unbeaten with 41-22 win
“Not all the thunder and lightening in the vicinity of West Walton Park Friday night was of the climactic variety. The offensive unit of Loganville Christian Academy provided the “lightening”, while the Lions defensive squad brought the “thunder” as LCA extended its undefeated streak in a 41-22 win over the Twiggs Academy Trojans.”
“Loganville travels to Clarke Central to begin subregion play at Billy Henderson Stadium against the Gladiators…George Walton Academy tries to get back into the win column as the Bulldogs make the long journey to Thomasville to play the Brookwood School…Monroe Area will try to straighten out its defensive woes as the Purple Hurricanes host Clarkston this week.”
Devils blank Tigers; region play begins this week
“Last Saturday afternoon, the Washington Wilkes Tigers fell to the Lincoln County Red Devils by a score of 32-0. The game was originally scheduled for Friday night, but was cancelled due to lightning and rescheduled for Saturday. This is the third game in a row against Lincoln that the Tigers have failed to score a touchdown. The loss dropped Washington’s record to 0-3 on the year.”
High School Softball
North Oconee and Pilar Harden know repeating as state champions poses tough task
“The Lady Titans (14-3-1, 5-0 Region 8-AA) have gradually improved this season, working to find a team chemistry after replacing three starters from last year’s state title team. The state championship put a target on the backs of the Lady Titans. And North Oconee coach Bryan Eades noticed it right away this season.”
Prep Roundup: Lady Tigers shut out Sonoraville
“Tayler West threw a two-hitter with eight strikeouts and a walk Wednesday as the Adairsville Lady Tigers shut out Sonoraville, 10-0, in five innings in a Region 7-AA North softball game at Adairsville.”
“Megan Flarida had a pair of hits to lead Carver to a win over Kendrick.”
Lady Falcons use big hits to beat DHS
“After the Dublin tied up the game at 4-4, it seemed momentum had switched from East Laurens to the Lady Irish. But momentum didn’t stay in Dublin’s favor long. The Lady Falcons responded with five runs in the top of the sixth as East Laurens went on to win 9-4 on Tuesday.”
Lady Crusaders keep rolling vs. EBA
“The Trinity softball team (14-2) (4-0) played games on Monday and Tuesday of this week picking up two more wins, including a region victory against Edmond Burke Academy. The win against EBA completes a region sweep of them. The Lady Crusaders had earlier swept Memorial Day School out of Savannah.”
Colburn leads GMC to win over Rutland
“Led by a dominating pitching performance from junior Chelsi Colburn, GMC edged Rutland 1-0 on Wednesday to extend its win streak to five games. With Colburn consistently hitting her spots and Rutland pitcher Sarah Ray striking out 13, hits from either team were few and far between.”
WARNER ROBINS 1, TIFT COUNTY 0; STRATFORD 4, MOUNT DE SALES 1; TATTNALL SQUARE 7, FPD 6; SOUTHWEST 6, CENTRAL 4; NORTHSIDE 10, WESTSIDE 0
“This season, the East Coweta Lady Indians have had to rely on pitching and defense to have a successful softball season. Wednesday night was not an exception as Alison Owen allowed one hit and recorded 11 strikeouts in a 10-0 five-inning win over the Griffin Lady Bears in non-region action. Since allowing one run in the second inning at Northgate on Sept. 12, the Lady Indians’ pitchers have recorded 19 consecutive scoreless innings.”
“Between six Winder-Barrow errors and the Alcovy pitchers combining for a three-hitter, the Lady Tigers cruised to an easy 11-0 win in five innings Wednesday.“I tell my team all the time that if errors weren’t part of the game then the game wouldn’t be fun. That’s part of the game. If they make errors, you have to take advantage of them. We lost many a game because of errors, so it’s time for us to start winning some,” Alcovy head coach Casey Bates said.”
Lady Bulldogs top North Cobb, 6-1
“Kylee Knop pitched a two-hitter and drove in three runs with a bases loaded double Monday as George Walton Academy knocked off North Cobb Christian School, 6-1. Mallory Taylor also had a good day at the play with two hits and two runs scored.”
Lady Tigers pick up region win 4-1 over Putnam County Eagles
“On Tuesday, September 11, the Washington-Wilkes Lady Tigers beat Putnam County’s Eagles by a score of 4-1 to pick up their first region win of the year. Cayla Gilland pitched a complete game allowing the single run on three hits while striking out fivebatters.”
High School Volleyball
“Chandler Ambrister had 25 kills, nine aces and nine digs to lead Harris County to a pair of wins in a tri-match at Central on Wednesday.”
“Cheyenne Carroll had six aces to help Calvary Christian to its win over Heirway in Atlanta.”
“Alex Brown has 25 assists and 16 aces as Harris County beat Northside and Spencer in a tri-match at Northside.”
“Monroe Area High School’s volleyball team takes a 12-9 non-region record into tomorrow’s 8-AAA opener at home against Apalachee.”
High School Soccer
High School Cross Country
Winters breezes: Heritage star leads boys to win
“Heritage’s Shuaib Winters outdistanced his nearest competitor by nearly a minute Tuesday to help lead the Patriots to victory in the Newton-Rockdale Area Cross Country Meet at Alcovy. Winters’ winning time was 17 minutes, 51 seconds while Newton’s Travis Knight placed second with a time of 18:47. It was a repeat performance for Winters as he won last year’s meet at Newton High School. The Patriots tallied 31 points to take the team championship, their 10th straight area title, for both boys and girls. Newton took second with 48 team points.”
Lady Patriots run away with girls title
“The Heritage Lady Patriots placed five in the top seven and outpaced Eastside by 54 points to take their 10th straight Newton-Rockdale Area Cross Country Meet title Tuesday at Alcovy. Megan Drish led the Lady Patriots as she placed first with a time of 23:14, five seconds faster than second-place finisher Ameryst Amstead of Newton. Heritage took third and fourth as Sarah Hayward had a time of 23:20 and Whitney Adkins finished in 23:29. Rounding out Heritage’s top five were Erin Tarr (sixth, 24:45) and Janet Van Heest (seventh, 24:50).”
Cadets dominate cross country meet
“Led by winner Greg Surrette, Benedictine took the first five places Wednesday to win a cross country meet at J.F. Gregory Park.”
CC Tigers improve through 3 meets with 7 more to go
“The WW cross country Tigers have run in three more competitve 3.1 mile courses in area meets this season. At the Taliaferro County three-way meet on September 5, the Tiger boys placed first with most runners improving their times by over one minute.”
College Football
Foster’s notoriety doesn’t worry Lewis
“In case anyone hasn’t noticed, Georgia Southern has running options other than quarterback Jayson Foster. Foster has been the talk of the town with 484 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in two games. That’s good enough to rank first in both the rushing and scoring categories in NCAA statistics for Football Championship Subdivision teams.”
“Georgia Southern running back Lamar Lewis has had the best first two games of a football season you never heard about. The Florida State transfer ran for 150 yards in the Eagles opener against West Georgia and added 206 on the road Saturday against Coastal Carolina. After two weeks, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior is fifth nationally in the Football Championship Subdivision’s rushing statistics, producing 178 yards a game.”
“Heading into the 2007 season, Georgia Southern had a lot to be optimistic about at running back where talent ran deep and young players looked promising. But two games into the year, the current outlook isn’t as bright for a group whose top three runners are banged up. In the latest injury news, precocious true freshman Zeke Rozier is out for the season after “tearing up his knee” in last week’s win at Coastal Carolina, Eagle coach Chris Hatcher said Wednesday afternoon. Further complicating the situation is the likely absence of senior Lamar Lewis and junior Mike Hamilton, who are both doubtful for Saturday’s 7 p.m. home game against Chattanooga, Hatcher added.”
College Volleyball
Double exposure: Wildcats’ Lightfoot balances coaching two sports
“Emory Lightfoot Jr. paced the sidelines Sunday at the Health and Physical Education Complex, coaching the Fort Valley State volleyball team as it faced Benedict. Lightfoot will be pacing the floor of the gym until March, as a month ago he was named interim men’s basketball coach.”
College Soccer
CSU women’s soccer team gets another shutout win
“Columbus State earned its third straight shutout victory, 3-0 over Clayton State in Morrow, Ga., Wednesday night. The Lady Cougars (6-3, 2-0 Peach Belt Conference) has won four of its last five games. Rachel Walthall scored CSU’s first goal in the 18th minute. It was her second of the season. She took a crossing pass from Hannah Ospina and kicked it past Clayton State keeper Whitney Jowers.”
North Georgia Saints post soccer win
“Avram Allen’s goal in the 104th minute lifted North Georgia College and State University to victory over Pfeiffer University in Wednesday soccer action. The win improves the Saints’ record to 3-5-1 overall, with the Peach Belt conference against #7 Lander coming up Saturday.”
Miscellaneous
Foxworthy to serve as honorary chairman
“Georgia native and avid hunter and fisherman Jeff Foxworthy is lending his enthusiasm for the outdoors and his best-selling quick wit in support of an important American tradition. In celebration of a passion for the outdoors that he shares with 64 million other Americans, Foxworthy has been chosen as honorary chairman for the 2007 National Hunting and Fishing (NHF) day.”
Kingfish top offshore catch list
“Coastal fishing action slowed somewhat during the past few days, with northeast winds shutting down most of the offshore activity and causing inshore anglers to look for protected waters.”
“With the water temperature now dropping, both fish and bait are beginning to move, and the methods of successfully catching them change with the season. Spotted sea trout, red drum and flounder are beginning to gather up. It is this time of year that I like to use live finger mullet for both spotted sea trout and red drum.”
“Squirrel hunting season is now under way throughout Georgia, and, apparently, hunters in some areas of the state have questioned the health of the animals.”
Is Little League Baseball coming to Carrollton?
“Could Carrollton be the next team to represent Georgia in the Little League World Series? That’s a scenario James Shockley is hopeful of at least helping make possible next summer. The Carrollton resident, along with the Carrollton Parks and Recreation Department, is in the process of changing the current format for its youth baseball league, which has participated in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association for more than 20 years now.”
Coe finishes third in Covington
“Local runners competed in the Covington Police “5k Fuzz Run” joining some 1415 other runners and walkers of all ages on the 3.1 mile course through the city.”
1 Trackback(s)