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HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
•Friday Night Countdown is a publication of
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN PAGE 3
•The Dragons shoot for their sixth straight victory over decadesold rival Commerce. Commerce, however, still owns this series
overall with a 41-20-5 lead. The schools have played since 1947.
•The football series between these closest of neighbors
will continue for at least two more years. Jefferson is 4-0
all-time vs. Jackson County, winning 31-14 last year.
•On the same night that Jackson County and Jefferson
square off, a new crosstown rivalry will begin when
Commerce and East Jackson meet for the first time.
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
Follow Jackson
Herald sports
on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/#!/
•East Jackson leads this battle of cross-county rivals
2-0. That includes a 21-12 win at Panther Stadium
last year. Not only is this game for bragging rights, it
also counts in the Region 8-AAA standings.
Commerce tigers
4 Some things never change, like the triple option at Commerce,
which the Tigers have been running since 1967 ...
8 Second-year success? East Jackson is out to show it has fully
transitioned to second-year coach Brian Smith’s system ...
Follow local sports
on Facebook by
becoming a fan of
The Jackson
Herald today.
Pictured on the cover of
this year’s football preview
are (clockwise) Davante
Gresham (East Jackson),
Josh Ingram (Jackson
County), Jamal Browner
(Commerce) and Kody
McDonald (Jefferson).
Cover design by Leslie
Morris and Ben Munro
12 New Panthers coach Benji Harrison has come over from Flowery
Branch and gone about changing attitudes at Jackson County ...
16 The Jefferson Dragons expect to win big again this year, but
can they do so with so little size and experience on the roster?
21 Despite 525 victories, it is a one-point loss that stands out as
the greatest game ever played in Commerce football history ...
PAGE 4
•Coach:
Marvin Justice (4-7 at
Commerce, 4-7 overall)
•Last season:
4-7 overall, 3-3 Region 8-AA South
•Last playoff appearance:
2011
•Returning starters:
Jamal Browner, FB, Sr.; Micah
Eason, T-DL, Sr.; Clay Pritchett, C,
Sr.; Quay Little, HB-CB, Sr.; Dylan
Seagraves, DL-TE, Sr.; Trey Grier, LB,
Sr.; Dillion Haggard, LB, Sr.; Baron
Mather, S, Sr.; Chase Ledbetter,
S, Sr.; Terrick Ramsey, HB-CB, Sr.;
Drew Whitfield, QB, Jr.; Aaron Kyle,
T-DL, Sr.; Chance McClure, G-LB,
Jr.; Morgan Flint, OL-LB, Jr.; Tony
Patman, DL, Jr.; Jamir Walton,
CB-WR, Jr.; Kyle Brewer, LS, Jr.
•Other key players:
Logan Owensby, LB-P, Sr.;
Nahum Mendoza, K, Jr.;
Dyrae Johnson, CB, Jr.
•Strengths:
With 17 returning starters,
Commerce will boast a lot of
experience coming into the 2012
season. The Tigers’ offensive line
will be made up of all veteran players including Clay Pritchett, Micah
Eason, Chance McClure and Aaron
Kyle. The entire secondary also
returns. The team has increased
their strength, speed and size due to
significant gains in the weight room.
•Weaknesses:
Staying healthy and team chemistry are the primary concerns
for the Tigers. Commerce was
staggered with injuries last year,
with eight different players missing substantial playing time.
•Outlook:
Commerce has a veteran offensive
line and playmakers in the backfield. The
Tigers will face a tough schedule including out-of-region games against AA Banks
and Rabun as well as AAA East Jackson
and Jefferson. The Tigers will need to
stay healthy and focused throughout the
season in order to stay in the top-half
of the region 8-A power rankings.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Same ole song and dance
for Commerce offense
C
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
By Cameron Whitlock
ommerce High School football has been running
a triple option offense for over 40 years – and
don’t expect that to change any time soon.
“I want to say Coach Lamb started coaching in
1967, and started running the option in his second
or third year,” said second-year head coach Marvin
Justice. “He was a wing-t guy, but he felt like he
just needed to do a little something different.”
That “little something different” went on to become the
cornerstone of Commerce football for decades to come.
Boasting a veteran offensive line and an endless squad
of running backs, Justice feels that this year’s Tigers are
well suited to run the triple option offensive attack.
“We have a good group of lineman this year,” said
Justice. “Commerce football has always been built
around the o-line and I think that if these fellows can
develop the proper chemistry and maintain good attitudes,
then I think they really have a chance to be the one of
the best offensive lines ever to play at Commerce. “
“We’ve all been playing with each other
since we were very young. I think we are
going to have a great season.”— Jamal Browner
The offensive line will be anchored by a host of upperclassmen Tigers including Micah Eason, Clay Pritchett,
Chance McClure, Morgan Flint and Aaron Kyle.
Justice expects Eason and Pritchett both to step up
and become team leaders, on and off of the field.
The Tigers will look to a multitude of backs and utility players to keep their option game afoot. Justice
expects senior fullback Jamal Browner will have his
share of carries up the gut, but plans on utilizing the
speed and agility of senior halfbacks Quay Little and
Terrick Ramsey to keep defenses on their toes.
Justice claims that the real strength of the
Tigers’ rushing attack is its depth.
“We really have some depth at running back this
year. We have two or three fullbacks that are more than
adequate,” said Justice. “Jamal is the front runner in the
group, but you also have Trey Grier who had a lot of
playing time last year. Trey is going to get his share of
carries as well. They are both 215 lb. type fullbacks, and
that is good on any high school team. Our halfbacks
have some speed as well. They aren’t as big, but we
have five halfbacks that we could count on any time.”
Rounding out the Tigers option attack is junior quarterback Drew Whitfield. Although this is Whitfield’s first year
starting under-center, Justice feels that he has proven himself
in the off-season and looks forward to seeing him progress.
“The leadership element of the quarterback position is where he really excels,” said Justice. “He’s a
natural leader. He leads by example and the kids follow him. He’s done a great job running the option
so far and judging on what we’ve seen this summer, he’s been an efficient passer as well.”
Returning players seem more than excited to be
back on the field working together. Senior fullback
Jamal Browner feels that the team has a better sense
of community than in previous years, which will ultimately lead the Tigers to a successful season.
“We are all really well connected,” said Browner.
“We’ve all been playing with each other since we were
very young. I think we are going to have a great season.”
The Tigers will begin their season with their traditional contest against longtime rival Jefferson on Friday,
Aug. 31 at Tiger Field at Ray Lamb Stadium.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 New region recipe
This season, the Tigers may find themselves doing a bit of math to determine
where they stand. Due to the new Region
8-A alignment and power rating system,
winning every game has never been more
important. Public schools and private
schools will have different playoffs, but
will be competing in the same region. The
public school playoffs will consist of 16
teams. Those that win their regions will
automatically qualify; otherwise, teams
will become eligible for the playoffs
based on their power ratings, which are
determined by result of contest, class of
team played and difficulty of schedule.
Ole’, ole’, ole’
The Tigers will look to first year player
Nahum Mendoza to put the ball through
the uprights this season. The Tigers haven’t
had a particularly strong kicking game in
past seasons, but coach Justice believes
that Mendoza is the solution to their woes.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN “According to coach (Steve) Savage,
Commerce has never had a soccer style
kicker,” said Justice. “My first year as
head coach, I did everything I could to get
Nahum to come out. We recruited him
really hard, but he just didn’t want to play.
Finally, this season he decided to give it a
shot. He’s a great kid, and he’s doing really
well. He hasn’t kicked in a game yet, and
that will be a ton of added pressure. But,
he’s been doing great in practice, and I
think he will be an asset to the team.”
The position shuffle
Junior Chance McClure started at
offensive guard as a freshman, but due
to Browner’s injury, became the go-to
fullback in the 2011 season. Now with
Browner healthy, McClure will find himself once again, lining up at guard.
Senior Dillion Haggard, who started at
linebacker last year, found himself transitioning to the defensive line this summer.
Haggard (62 tackles, 2011) will start at
defensive end for the 2012-13 season.
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Jamal Browner, FB, Sr.
Jamal Browner suffered a season ending injury during the preseason
last year. Coaches believe that if Browner can make the transition
back to the game, he has great potential. Browner claims he had no
problem getting back into the swing of things. “Once I started getting back in the weight room and back on the field, it felt great,”
said Browner. “It felt like I never really left.” The Tigers will count
on the 215-lb. fullback for hard-nosed downhill running plays.
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
Micah Eason, OT/DL – Eason has started every varsity game the
Tigers have played since his freshman year. Coaches look to the 6’1”
offensive and defensive lineman to be a team leader this year.
Clay Pritchett, C – Pritchett is a second year starter at center who will
anchor the offensive line and make several reads and calls for the Tiger unit.
Dillion Haggard, HB/DL – Haggard, a senior Tiger, is a versatile
team player who will line up at a number of different positions.
Quay Little, HB-CB – Little, who was second in total rushing for the
Tigers in 2011 (358 yds), is expected to be a big-play threat at tailback. Little
has also made significant gains in the weight room during the off-season.
Terrick Ramsey, HB-CB – Ramsey brings speed and agility to the tailback position. Ramsey also is a threat as a kick returner, leading the team in total return yards in 2011 (259 yds).
KICK
OFF
to a great season!
SANDERS
FURNITURE
Dr. Jon Milford & Dr. Gene Doss
would like to say
Good Luck To All
Our Local Football Teams!
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Optometrists
1115 South Elm St. • Commerce, GA
706-335-5139
Hours: 9-6 Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.,
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1697 South Elm Street
Downtown Commerce
335-3189
Voted Best Eye Care Provider In Jackson County By The Readers Of
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN Marvin Justice is entering his seventh season with the Tigers and
his second as head coach.
Formerly a defensive coordinator under
Steve Savage, Justice helped the Tigers
advance to the Class A semifinals in 2006.
Justice is only the third Commerce head
football coach in the last 40 years (Ray Lamb,
1967-1988 and Steve Savage, 1989-2010).
Justice ended his first season with the
Tigers with a 4-7 season, with Commerce making its 15th consecutive trip to the playoffs.
Justice has emphasized the importance
of off-season conditioning to his Tigers this
year. Commerce players and coaches have
spent a great portion of their summer in
the weight room and Justice believes that
the payout will be worth the time spent.
“The number one key to us having a
successful football team starts in the
weight room with strength and conditioning.,” said Justice. “We wanted to make
them stronger, faster and bigger.” Justice
pointed more specifically to an increase
in the size of the Tiger backfield.
PAGE 7
DateOpponent
A. 31
Jefferson
S. 7
@East Jackson
S. 14
Banks County
S. 21
Rabun County
S. 28
@George Walton Academy
O. 5
Athens Christian
O. 12
Prince Avenue Christian
O. 19
@Athens Academy
O. 26
Hebron Christian Academy
N. 9
Pinecrest Academy
DateOpponent
A. 26
Jefferson, L, 41-14
S. 2
Franklin County, W, 10-7
S. 9
North Oconee, L, 33-0
S. 16
Washington-Wilkes, L 33-0
S. 30
Athens Christian, W, 41-0
O. 7
Riverside Military, W, 42-0
O. 14
Athens Academy, L, 21-10
O. 21
Prince Ave. Christian, L, 35-13
O. 28
George Walton Academy, L, 24-14
N. 4
Social Circle, W, 45-21
N. 11
Lincoln County, L, 35-14
Year
2011
2010
2009 2008
2007 Record
4-7
5-6
7-5
5-6
6-5
Region finish
4th, 8-A
3rd, 8-A
2nd, 8-A
3rd, 8-A
3rd, 8-A
•39 playoff appearances
•17 region titles
•1981 Class AA, 2000 Class A champions
Good luck on your coming season!
Commerce High School
East Jackson
Comprehensive High School
Jackson County
Comprehensive High School
Jefferson High School
2377 Homer Rd. • Commerce, GA 30539
(Hwy. 441 South of Tanger Outlets)
706-335-2800
Sale Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Service Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
PAGE 8
•Coach:
Brian Smith (3-7 at EJCHS,
99-79 overall)
•Last season:
3-7 overall, 1-5 Region 8-AA South
•Last playoff appearance:
2009
•Returning starters:
Jeff Chandler, LG, Sr.; Davante
Gresham, RB-LB, Sr,; Austin
Beauchamp, QB-LB, Jr.; Justin Akin,
RG, Jr.; Drashun Upadhyay, WR-DB,
Jr.; Deangelo Moore, WR-DB,
Jr., Josh Saucier, WR, Sr.; Taylor
Saulters, LB, Sr.; Austin Johnson,
DB, Sr.; Zach Hembree, DB, Sr.
•Other key players:
Andre Sangalang, LB, Sr.; Josh
Archer, OL, Sr.; Tyree Rakestraw, RB, Jr.;
Casey Reed, WR, Jr.; Robert Waterson,
RT, Jr.; Blake Garner, DL, Jr.; Jordan
Wadell, LB, Jr.; Jamal Wilcher, LB, Sr.;
•Strengths:
Though they scarcely had a chance
to catch many balls last year, the
East Jackson receivers could be
a strength as Drashun Upadhyay,
Deangelo Moore and Casey Reed
look to bolster East Jackson’s passing game. On defense, the Eagles
are solid at linebacker with Davante
Gresham, Taylor Saulters and
Andre Sangalang all returning.
•Weaknesses:
The Eagles face inexperience in
the offensive backfield this fall. East
Jackson lost its top two runners from
last year — tailback C.J. Allen and
quarterback Tyler Collins — so replenishing those rushing yards is key for
the Eagles. East Jackson was also onedimensional last year, throwing for just
over 100 yards all season. On the other
side of the ball, East Jackson returns
no starters along its defensive front.
•Outlook:
Brian Smith has had a year to get
his system installed at East Jackson.
Perhaps that continuity will lead
to bigger things in 2012. In fact,
Smith said the he expects to be a
true spread team on offense this
year. The schedule will be tough,
however, with the Eagles facing
six playoff teams from last year.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Eagles seek second-year
success under Smith
L
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
By Ben Munro
ast season was every bit the transition year at East Jackson.
The Eagles lost their last six
games and limped to a 3-7 finish in their
first year under coach Brian Smith.
What a difference an offseason — and some
familiarity — makes. By all accounts, the
Eagles enter year two much more confident in
Smith’s system and, in turn, themselves.
“We just know where we’re going right now, instead
of last year because we had a new coaching staff,” senior
linebacker-running back Davante Gresham said.
Smith, himself, has watched this program grow, saying “year two is so much easier than year one.”
He points to the playbook, which has now expanded, and the schemes, which are easier to teach.
“We’ve got things in that we couldn’t
even get near to last year,” Smith said.
“We just know where we’re going
right now ...”— Davante Gresham
Specifically, Smith hopes to open up the passing game that faltered in 2011 and get back to the
brand of football he enjoys coaching after running the ball almost exclusively last year.
“We’re not where we need to be, but we’re getting there,” Smith said. “We can see it.”
Gresham believes there’s better understanding of the schemes on both sides of the ball.
“People are getting a hang of the offense and
defense, so I think with age and the older we get
in the offense, we can do good,” he said.
There’s also more specialization of personnel. Smith
and company are trying to limit the number of twoway players as much as possible. In fact, only three
Eagles are slated to play both offense and defense.
“I just think that’s going to make us better over the long haul,” Smith said.
Gresham is one of few players being asked to play
on both ways. But it’s a challenge he’s embracing.
“I feel like it’s a big opportunity to show what I have
and to show what our team can do,” Gresham said.
“It’s just an opportunity that I’m ready to take.”
Beyond X’s and O’s and the depth chart, there are
other indicators that the program is moving forward.
The Eagles instituted a new offseason lifting program,
and Smith praised the leadership he saw over the summer. While East Jackson may be dealing with its share
of inexperience — the offensive back field and defensive line return no starters — this group of Eagles
is laying a new foundation with their work ethic.
“I like our inexperience,” Smith said. “I do.
In fact, our inexperienced kids are outworking
some of the experience we’ve had in the past.”
Gresham believes the bar has
been raised in year two.
“He expects more of us,” Gresham said of Smith.
“He expects us to all be leaders, no matter what
grade we’re in. He just keeps us working hard.”
Gresham feels this can all translate into success this fall for East Jackson, which moves
up to Region 8-AAA (along with four other
schools from the old Region 8-AA).
“We feel like we can have our first winning season
in a while — since my freshman year,” Gresham
said. “I think we can do pretty good this year.”
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Eagles putting
priority on passing game
East Jackson coach Brian Smith
doesn’t mince words when describing
his team’s passing attack last year.
“We couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean
last year if our feet were wet,” Smith said.
“We know that.”
After throwing for just over 100 yards
all season, East Jackson looks to be better
equipped to put the ball in the air in 2012.
Players are much more familiar with Smith’s
system this year and much further ahead
of the learning curve this time around.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but we are working
hard and we are planning to be a true spread
football team,” Smith said. “That’s what I
want to be. It’s what I like to be. It’s what I do
best … We’re taking the approach that that’s
who we are and that’s who we’re going to
be. So the passing game has got open up.”
Smith has yet to decide on who
will be the triggerman in the offense.
Austin Beauchamp, Caleb Hill
and Brodhi Strong are all compet-
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN ing for the starting quarterback job.
“I like all three,” Smith said. “They each do
things differently. If I could pull some from each
one of them and put it together, I would do it.”
Evaluating the starting quarterback spot will
be an ongoing process, according to Smith.
“One of them asked me the other day,
at what point are you going to decide on
a starter?” Smith said. “I said, ‘everyday.’
My attitude is just because you’re not
the starter for game one doesn’t mean
you can’t be the starter for game four.”
EJCHS football
team turns to
basketball court for talent
Smith was able to recruit a pair of basketball players — Casey Reed and Tyree
Rakestraw — who should be valued additions to the football team at the skill positions.
Reed is playing receiver while
Rakestraw is at running back.
“Those are the kind of kids we’ve got
to have in our program,” Smith said.
PAGE 9
PAGE 10 FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Davante Gresham, RB-LB, Sr.
Davante Gresham, a senior, will wear multiple hats for East Jackson.
The Eagles are counting on him to play on both sides of the ball at linebacker and running back and will look to him as a team leader.
To that end, Smith praised Gresham’s dedication and leadership during the Eagles offseason workouts.
“He works hard in the weight room and he provides leadership on and off the field,” Smith said.
A hard-nosed runner in the backfield, Gresham will, however, be
counted on more heavily for his contributions on defense.
“Our no. 1 priority right now is for him to play linebacker
because that’s where we’ve got to have him,” Smith said.
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
•Justin Aikin, OL — Smith calls Aiken “a dream for a line coach.” Aikin is
a junior who likes contact, enjoys mixing it up in the trenches and doesn’t miss
a workout. Aikin is also a great student of the game, according to Smith. “He
plays guard, but he wants to learn how to play tackle and center,” Smith said.
•Austin Beauchamp, QB-LB — Beauchamp, a junior, is a versatile player, who can lineup at either linebacker or quarterback. He
emerged as a team leader during offseason workouts and has practiced almost exclusively at quarterback during the preseason.
•Taylor Saulters, LB — Saulters, a senior, is another player that impressed Smith
with his dedication in the weight room. A quarterback and linebacker last year, Saulters
has settled in on defense this year where he’ll be counted on heavily at linebacker.
P. O. Box 479 • 11 State Street
Commerce, GA 30529
Toll Free 1-888-264-5069 • Fax 706-336-6782
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Brian Smith’s next victory will be his 100th,
but Smith says that’s more a reflection of staying
around the game long enough than anything else.
“Shoot, that just means I’m old,” said Smith,
who’s been a head coach since 1995.
Smith played football collegiately at Clemson and
served as a head coach at several high schools in South
Carolina — and even one college (North Greenville).
He now enters his second year at East Jackson.
“The neat thing for me is that I’m still as excited
about this as I was the first time I did it in ’95 as
a head coach,” Smith said. “It’s good to feel that
way. In everything we do, it’s still new to me.”
Smith points to the solid foundation that he
and his coaches enjoy at East Jackson.
“You’ve got great facilities and you’ve got
an administration that we can trust in and
believe in that is behind us 100 percent,”
Smith said. “So that makes it all easier.”
Now in his 18th year on the sidelines, Smith said
he enjoys the lessons that come along with the
wins and even the losses. He says there’s much
more than teaching football in the profession.
“I’ve always said, if the only thing we
do is teach kids how to get better at football, we have failed,” Smith said.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN PAGE 11
DateOpponent
A. 31
@Banks County
S. 7
Commerce
S. 14
@East Hall
S. 21
@Jackson County
S. 28
@Elbert County
O. 5
Hart County
O. 19
Morgan County
O. 26
North Oconee
N. 2
@Franklin County
N. 9
Oconee County
DateOpponent
A. 26
White County, W, 28-27
S. 2
Oconee County, L, 35-0
S. 9
Banks County, W, 35-7
S. 16
Jackson County, W 21-12
S. 23
Oglethorpe County, L, 30-0
S. 30
Hart County, L, 30-10
O. 14
North Oconee, L, 57-3
O. 21
Elbert County, L, 45-14
O. 28
Jefferson, L, 35-7
N. 4
Athens Academy, L, 38-14
Year
2011
2010
2009 2008
2007 Record
3-7
3-7
10-2
3-7
1-5
Region finish
t-5th, 8-AA South
5th, 8-AA South
2nd 8-AA
7th 8-AA
N/A
•2009 Region 8-AA runners up
•2009 playoffs, second round
PAGE 12
•Coach:
Benji Harrison (0-0 at Jackson
County, 0-0 overall)
•Last season:
3-7 overall, 1-5 Region 8-AA South
•Returning starters:
Dustin Scott, RB, Sr.; Xavier
Harper, WR, Jr.; Ben Brissey, WR, Jr.;
Josh Ingrim, OL, Sr.; Reno Messler,
OL, Sr.; Kyle Daniel, QB, Sr.; Chris
Foster, DL, Sr.; River Bryant, DL-TE,
Sr.; Chandler Lanier, DL, Sr.; Evan
Breakspear, LB, Jr.; Daivon Ledford,
LB-RB, Sr.; Garrett Holt, DB, Sr.
•Other key players:
Keyshaun Curry, DB-RB,
So.; Sean Lee, LB, Sr.;
•Strengths:
The Panthers will lean heavily
on their defensive line early as the
rest of the team gets settled. On
the other side of the ball, Jackson
County returns its leading rusher,
passer and receiver from last year.
That includes Dustin Scott, who
romped for over 800 yards last year.
The Panthers do have a lot of experience overall with a 24-member
senior class that seeks the program’s
first winning season in 20 years.
•Weaknesses:
Harrison has cited depth as a
concern but believes the main
hurdle for Jackson County is overcoming its past. Panthers haven’t
qualified for the playoffs since
an 8-2-1 season back in 1992.
The Panthers are also transitioning to a new offense and defense
with the new coaching regime.
•Outlook:
The ingredients are here for the
Panthers to notch some W’s this year.
Jackson County has experience and
play-makers on both sides of the ball
and will benefit from a large senior
class. As with any coaching change,
how long it takes the team to get
comfortable with the new system
will determine its year-one success.
But there seems to be much excitement around what Harrison is trying
to establish at Jackson County.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Panthers aim for breakout
season with first-year coach
•Last playoff appearance:
1992
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN
J
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
By Ben Munro
ACKSON County is under new management and the new boss is making his mark.
In fact, Panther senior Josh Ingram didn’t hesitate when asked if he sensed a shift between last year
and this year with first-year coach Benji Harrison.
“Huge. With coach Harrison here, he’s just really
changed the momentum and really changed the pace,”
the veteran offensive lineman said. “He doesn’t take any
junk. If you put up junk, he’s going to kick you out. He’s
going to put somebody in there that wants to play.”
Harrison, who comes to Jackson County from Flowery
Branch, is tasked with revitalizing a program that
hasn’t had a winning season or qualified for the postseason in 20 years. The Panthers went 3-7 last year.
Part of his job has been changing attitudes.
“I think the biggest job we’ve had to do as a staff
is to change the mentality, to change the expecta-
“This is what we want: We want wins.
We want the playoffs ...”— Josh Ingram
tion, to just try and instill confidence in these kids, to
hopefully work them a little differently than they’ve
ever worked,” Harrison said. “I think they feed off
us. I think they know average is unacceptable.”
The cupboard isn’t exactly bare for Harrison
as he starts this reclamation project.
Jackson County returns its leading rusher
Dustin Scott, leading passer Kyle Daniel and leading receiver Xavier Harper from last year’s squad.
Meanwhile, the defensive line, led by Chris Foster,
has been the highlight of the preseason.
Harrison definitely believes in the players he has at his disposal.
“Are we loaded? No, I don’t think we’re loaded,”
Harrison said. “Do I think that we’ve got good enough
players if they believe in what we’re doing? Absolutely.”
The Panthers also boast a 24-member
senior class, and Harrison said he believes
a team is only as good as its seniors.
“It’s a big senior class,” Harrison said. “They’ve played
a lot of football. So the first thing you’ve got to do is
let them know you’re going to take care of them, that
you’re going to build a football team around them.”
There was an adjustment period early on, Ingram
said, but the Panthers have really circled the wagons.
“We got off to a slow start, but I’ve seen —
especially over this (preseason) camp — us
really coming together,” Ingram said. “I’m get-
ting really pumped up, really excited.”
This season will be a transition year in more ways than one.
Jackson County moves up to Region 8-AAA along
with four other school from the old Region 8-AA.
But the Panther seniors intend to make this
season of change a special one. That includes
breaking that 20-year playoff hex.
“Going to the playoffs,” Ingram said. “This is
what we want: We want wins. We want the playoffs. And we want to live the winning dream.”
Harrison is just as eager to make this season count.
In fact, he wants big things for this senior class.
“I want this class to be the ones that turns this thing
around,” Harrison said. “When they come back five, 10
years from now, they’ll be the ones that can stick out their
chest a little bit and say we started this turnaround.”
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Panthers relying on
stout defensive line
The defensive line — led by Chris Foster, River
Bryant and Chandler Lanier — set the tone during
the preseason and must continue to do so until Jackson
County can get comfortable in other areas on the field.
“They’re the guys that have got to play well for us
early and allow us to get going offensively and to get
comfortable in the secondary,” coach Benji Harrison
said. “They’ve got to play well. They’ve got to control the line of scrimmage, and I think they will.”
Harrison added: “I just feel like those front four are
good enough to allow us to play well while everybody
else is kind of getting used to it,” Harrison said.
There’s also added value in having a defensive line the
caliber of the Panthers. “They’re good players,” Harrison
said. “It makes us better everyday going against them. I
feel like we’re going against a good defensive line, which
ultimately is going to make us better on Friday nights.”
Combined with Jackson County’s linebacking corps, Harrison believes his team
has a pretty formidable front seven.
On the other side of the ball, Harrison believes
the Panthers’ offensive front — led by Josh
Ingram and Reno Messler — should become
a strength of this football team as it becomes
more comfortable in Harrison’s offense.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN Ingram agrees that the offensive front is primed to
have a big year. “I think our defensive line is going
to be solid, but if we’re going to win games, our
offensive line is going to take it,” Ingram said.
Key to JCCHS offense is
tempo, tempo, tempo
Jackson County will run the spread under Harrison’s
direction, though this version of the spread may
feature more of the running game than others.
Regardless, the key component to Harrison’s
offense is to play with great tempo and to
force the defense to play just as fast.
“I don’t think it will ever be fast enough as I want
it,” Harrison said. “But our big key is that we’ve just
got to get lined-up. We’ve got to get lined-up fast
and force the defense to get lined-up fast.”
In fact, those are the words that Harrison
probably repeats the most.
“I say that so much I get a headache in practice from
yelling, ‘get lined-up, get lined-up, get lined-up,’” he said.
“But I just think that’s the key. If you don’t have that part
of the spread, then you’re losing a valuable part of it.”
As for who will direct Harrison’s spread offense, the starting quarterback job was still up for grabs as of mid-August
between senior Kyle Daniel, who’s started off-and-on since
his sophomore year, and sophomore Jacob Lewis.
PAGE 13
PAGE 14
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN
Dustin Scott, RB, Sr.
Dustin Scott rushed for 807 yards last year, which included a 236-yard
effort against Hart County and an 189-yard night against East Jackson.
Scott also scored eight touchdowns and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. His
junior-year highlights included a 64-yard touchdown against Hart County.
So, the senior is paramount to Jackson County’s ground game plans.
“We expect big things out of him this year,” coach Benji Harrison said.
While Jackson County will try to throw the ball this year, the Panthers’
offense will start with the running game — beginning with Scott.
“If we can run the football, then I think it will
open up our whole offense,” Harrison said.
The back-up spot behind Scott will be by-committee with both
Daivon Ledford and Keyshaun Curry getting carries. “Keyshaun can
do some special stuff when he touches the football,” Harrison said.
•Chris Foster, DL — A big and physical player who should
command his share of double-teams, Foster is the anchor
of the defensive front, according to Harrison. “Chris has
become a leader on this football team,” Harrison said.
•Evan Breakspear, LB — Breakspear plays inside linebacker and is the “quarterback” of the defense, Harrison said.
“He’s got to make sure we’re getting lined up correctly.”
•Xavier Harper, WR — Harper, a speedy junior, led Jackson County
with 384 yards receiving last year and caught four touchdown passes,
including a 49-yarder. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN Though he has no previous head coaching experience,
Benji Harrison is well-versed on what it takes to be
one of the powerhouses of Georgia high school football.
Harrison (who was a college quarterback
at Presbyterian) spent the last four years at
Flowery Branch under coach Lee Shaw, during which the Falcons won 43 games and
made one state finals appearance.
Harrison rose to the rank of offensive coordinator
last year and presided over a team that averaged 44.8
points a game in a run to the state quarterfinals.
Prior to his stint at Flowery Branch, he
coached at Elbert County and Franklin County.
Harrison has spent 12 years as an assistant.
“I feel like the guys (I’ve coached under) — coach
(Lee) Shaw especially — showed me how to run a
program outside of just X’s and O’s, and that went a
long way,” Harrison said. “I think my time at Flowery
Branch showed me what it takes to create an atmosphere of winning and how to maintain that.”
And make no mistake, he expects nothing less at Jackson County.
“Our goal is to make this a program that’s
competitive at the state level,” Harrison said.
“That’s our goal here. If we shoot for anything
less than that, we’re short-changing our kids.”
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PAGE 15
DateOpponent
A. 31
Winder-Barrow
S. 7
@Jefferson
S. 14
Athens Christian
S. 21
East Jackson
S. 28
North Oconee
O. 5
@Franklin County
O. 19
@Hart County
O. 26
@Oconee County
N. 2
Elbert County
N. 9
@Morgan County
DateOpponent
A. 26 Johnson, W, 20-12
S. 2 Walnut Grove, L, 37-0
S. 9 Fannin County, L, 28-20
S. 16 East Jackson, L, 21-12
S. 23 Elbert County, L, 48-0
S. 30 Oglethorpe County, W, 30-13
O. 7 North Oconee, L, 56-0
O. 21 Jefferson, L, 31-14
O.28 Hart County, L, 22-13
N. 4 Rabun County, W, 42-7
Year
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Record
3-7
4-6
4-6
1-8-1
0-10
Region finish
t-5th, 8-AA South
6th, 8-AA South
7th, 8-AAA
8th, 8-AAA
7th, 8-AAAA
•1986 region runners-up, 1986 playoffs
•1987 playoffs, second round
•1992 playoffs
PAGE 16
•Coach:
T. McFerrin (25-8 at Jefferson,
326-101-4 overall, 38th season)
•Last season:
8-3 overall, 4-2 Region 8-AA South
•Last playoff appearance:
2011
•Returning starters:
Bryant Shirreffs, QB, Sr.; Collin Anthony,
OL, Sr.; Tyler Cole, DE, Sr.; McKay Dickens,
WR, Sr.; Justin Holcombe, DL, Sr.; Kody
McDonald, LB, Sr.; Connor Paul, DL,
Sr.; Chandler Schlutow, PK, Sr.; Wesley
Simonton, LB, Sr.; Isaiah Blake, SB, Jr.;
Tyler Bowen, LB, Jr.; Donnie Hatifled,
TE, Jr.; Tristen Jackson, FB, Jr.
•Other key players:
Todd Brown, DL, Sr.; Conner Nations,
OL, Sr.; Tay Stevens, LB-RB, Sr.; Eli Griffin,
OL, Jr.; Ethan Hix, OL, Jr.; Hanon Price,
DB, Jr.; Chandler Thompson, WR, Jr.;
Jordan Tyler, OL, Jr.; Rufus Whitfield, DL,
Jr.; Willie Taylor, DB, Jr.; Micah Carpenter,
SB-DB; So.; Tradd Porter, S, So.; Trent
Sorrells, S-WR, So.; Sammy Williams, TB,
So.; Rodney Carr, WR, So.; Ethan Garner,
OL, So.; Dalton Hill, WR, So.; Maverick
McKinney, LB, So.; Chris Nable, WR, So.
•Strengths:
Jefferson hopes the strength of this
year’s team lies in its passing game.
Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs enters
his third year as a starter and the
Dragons have plenty of receivers with
potential. In the backfield, Jefferson
returns Tristen Jackson who was nearly
a 1,000-yard rusher last year. Jackson,
however, was sidelined during the preseason after recovering from surgery.
•Weaknesses:
If Jefferson is to compete for a region
title, it will have to do so with the least
experience it’s had in four years under
coach T. McFerrin. The Dragons are youngest along the offensive front where they
lost four of five starters off last year’s state
playoff team and the defensive backfield
where are all starters from last year are
gone. This year’s Jefferson team is considerably undersized, according to McFerrin.
•Outlook:
Experience and size woes aside, this is
still a program that’s won 36 games the last
four years and two region titles. Jefferson
expects to win annually. That won’t change
this year. Bryant Shirreffs is still at the
controls of the offense and the Dragons
have potential playmakers. How quickly the
offensive line matures will determine a lot.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Inexperienced, undersized
Dragons still expect to win
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
By Ben Munro
wo themes have dominated the preseason talk for
Jefferson: size (or lack thereof) and inexperience.
Throw in an injury or two and it’s
enough to give 38th year coach T. McFerrin
more preseason trepidation than usual.
“There are so many things that we don’t know
right now with the lack of experience, with all the
new starters we’ve got, with the situation with size,”
McFerrin said. “We’re a very small team.”
So if ever a year relied on team leadership, it’s this one.
“We just really need to step up as seniors — and juniors
as well, “ said senior linebacker Kody McDonald, who
tallied 107 tackles last year. “We’re going to have a lot of
good juniors and sophomores coming up. We’re going to
be young, but we’ll definitely have talent to make up for it.”
Still, this is as green as Jefferson has been in its four
years under McFerrin, who guided the Dragons to an
8-3 record and trip to the state playoffs last year.
Four of five positions on the offensive line will
be manned by first-year starters. Collin Anthony
T
“We’re young at receiver, but I have a lot
of people I can throw to.”— Bryant Shirreffs
is the lone hold-over there. Meanwhile, the defensive backfield will comprise all new starters.
Then, there’s junior tailback Tristen Jackson, who
burst onto the scene last year with a near 1,000-yard
season but was sidelined during the preseason following knee surgery in January. The timetable of
his return was uncertain during preseason camp.
But it’s not all bad news for Jefferson, which has
averaged over eight wins a year under McFerrin.
Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs returns for his senior
season after passing for nearly 1,900 yards last year
and rushing for 400. Jefferson hopes its passing
game can offset some of the areas of weaknesses.
“Our linemen are small, so the equalizer might have
to be the passing game,” McFerrin said. “You can get
by with smaller people and maybe not being as fast
as we would like to be with a good passing game.”
To that end Jefferson is almost three-deep at the
receiver positions. Shirreffs said he feels very comfortable
throwing to tight end Donnie Hatfield and believes that
receiver McKay Dickens can become a huge playmaker.
Other younger receivers could be reliable targets, too.
“So we’re young at receiver, but I have a lot
of people I can throw to,” Shirreffs said.
As for that young offensive line, Shirreffs said the
group has shown some intensity during the preseason.
“Which I liked,” Shirreffs said. “It’s a young line,
but I think they’re smart. They’re really smart. After
a couple of games, they should get that experience
that will be key in the latter part of the season.”
While Jefferson may be small and inexperienced,
it does have one thing on its side: a 36-9 record
since 2008 (the year before McFerrin arrived).
That can’t be underestimated, McFerrin said.
“They expect to win, and that’s part of the battle right there,” McFerrin said. “They expect to
win. They don’t know that they’re inexperienced.
They don’t realize that they might be small.”
And this group of Dragons has designs on winning.
“First of all, we just want the region championship and
most importantly to beat Commerce,” McDonald said.
“But I feel like we can take it all the way if we really,
truly work hard. Talent can only go so far, but I think talent beats hard work when hard work doesn’t work hard.”
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Coach warns that region foe
Washington-Wilkes is ‘loaded’
T. McFerrin expects this to be a “tough
year,” though his squad won’t face a team
that finished with a .500 record last year.
He points to the season-opener with
Commerce, which he said “is always
tough” and two Class AAA opponents
Jefferson must play this year — North
Hall and Jackson County. McFerrin notes
the rival Panthers’ size and experience.
“They’ve got everybody back, and they’re
huge,” McFerrin said. “They are huge.”
Within the new-look Region 8-AA, the
coach is especially wary of WashingtonWilkes, which Jefferson plays Oct. 5.
“In the region, I know one thing:
Washington-Wilkes is loaded,” McFerrin said.
“They are loaded. I’ve got film on them already
and they are huge. Their linemen are huge and
strong. They’ve got great speed. They’re really
going to be a challenge. I’m not putting down
any of the other six (region opponents)… but
we’re going to take it one game at a time like
the old cliché and just do the best we can.”
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN PAGE 17
Linebackers lead Dragon defense
Jefferson’s strength on defense could
lie with its linebacking corps — a group
that includes Wesley Simonton, Kody
McDonald and Tyler Bowen.
Simonton racked up 114 tackles, six
tackles for loss and two sacks last year.
McDonald also had a big year with 107
tackles, eight tackles for loss and two
sacks. Bowen, meanwhile, has moved
from defensive line to linebacker. Bowen
had a team-high four sacks last year.
McDonald expects big things out of
his fellow linebackers and himself.
“I really feel confident in the linebackers and the whole defense in
general,” McDonald said. “I really feel
like our linebackers can be one of the
key and core parts of this defense.”
The secondary is a different story
as the Dragons will break in four new
starters there. Eight to 10 players are
competing for those four spots.
“The jury is still out on them of
course,” coach T. McFerrin said.
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PAGE 18
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 Bryant Shirreffs, QB
With Bryant Shirreffs, Jefferson is armed with one of the top quarterbacks in Class AA.
The 6-2, 215-lb. senior returns after a 2011 campaign in which he threw for 1,873 yards,
19 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He completed over 60 percent of his passes.
“It all starts with him obviously,” coach T. McFerrin said. “Those other
guys are not going to make plays unless he gets the ball to them.”
Perhaps more impressive than his stats is his work ethic.
“He’s the hardest worker we’ve got probably,” McFerrin said. “He really works hard.
We have to shut him down in the weight room because sometimes he tries to over
do it. He’s always working hard and sets a good example I think without a doubt.”
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
•Tristen Jackson, RB — Jackson barely missed a 1,000-yard season last year as a sophomore, running for 959 yards and seven touchdowns.
He also caught 17 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown, so Jackson is a
valuable all-purpose back. Jackson, however, had ACL surgery in January
and the timetable of his return to the Dragons remains in question.
•McKay Dickens, WR — The most experienced of Jefferson’s wide-receivers,
McKay Dickens hauled in 22 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns last year.
•Donnie Hatfield, TE — Hatfield, a junior who has gotten bigger and stronger
according to McFerrin, caught 12 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown last year.
•Isaiah Blake, WR-RB — Blake didn’t get his hands on the ball
much last year as a sophomore (only 28 touches in 11 games) but
has the potential to be a big-play threat for the Dragons.
•Sammy Williams, RB — A small, sophomore with good speed,
Williams will figure into the Dragons’ plans at tailback.
•Tyler Cole, DE — Much like Carson Newman did last season, Cole has been moved from linebacker to defensive end where
Jefferson coaches hope the senior can make a big impact.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 T. McFerrin, who ranks fifth all-time in
the state with 326 coaching wins, was
already one of Georgia’s high school coaching legends when he took the Jefferson
job back in 2009 and has continued to
win while presiding over the Dragons.
Jefferson has racked up 25 victories
in McFerrin’s first three years. Even
the junior varsity program has had two
undefeated seasons in McFerrin’s tenure, so Dragon players have become
accustomed to nothing but winning. Not
coincidently, the program has grown.
Jefferson has 87 players this year.
“That’s the most we’ve had,” said
McFerrin, who’s coached at eight schools
in Georgia. “In fact, we’ve run out of
lockers. People are having to share
lockers, so the numbers are good.”
McFerrin led Jefferson to an eight-win
season last year and a trip to the state playoffs, the Dragons’ second during his tenure.
Still, the burdens of coaching don’t
get any easier — even for a coach
nearly four decades into the job.
In fact, McFerrin said the older he
grows, the more nervous he gets.
“That’s my biggest fault, I think, is
that I’m a worrier,” McFerrin said.
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN PAGE 19
DateOpponent
A. 31
@Commerce
S. 7
Jackson County
S. 14
@North Hall
S. 28
@Greene County
O. 5
Washington-Wilkes
O. 12
@Rabun County
O. 19
Oglethorpe County
O. 26
@Social Circle
N. 2
Riverside Military
N. 9
Union County
DateOpponent
A. 26 Commerce, W, 41-14
S. 2
North Hall, W, 38-28
S. 9
Dawson County, W, 42-14
S. 16
Hart County, W, 57-29
S. 30
North Oconee, L, 38-28
O. 7
Oglethorpe County, W, 48-13
O. 14
Elbert County, L, 14-0
O. 21
Jackson County, W, 31-14
O. 28
East Jackson, W, 35-7
N. 4
Dawson County, W, 21-10
N. 11
Calhoun, L, 39-6
Year
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Record
8-3
6-4
11-1
11-1
8-4
Region finish
3rd, 8-AA South
4th, 8-AA South
1st, 8-AA
1st, 8-AA
2nd, 8-A
•22 playoff appearances
•Five region titles
•1977 State Class B runners-up
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN PAGE 21
The greatest game ever played
T
By Rob Jordan
his football season marks the end of Tiger
Stadium in Commerce. The Commerce
BOE recently voted to re-name the venue
“Ray Lamb Field at Tiger Stadium.” It is a great
honor for coach Lamb and for all of the players that
he coached while at Commerce and also an opportunity to revisit “The Greatest Game Ever Played”
on that legendary field. It was a game for the ages:
David vs. Goliath, one for all the marbles, a battle of
champions. You might say all of
these things about many sporting events over the years, the
1958 NFL Championship, the
classic Duke-Kentucky NCAA
battle or the Braves’ World
Series win, but in Commerce
it refers to the epic 1977 North
Georgia Championship game
between Commerce and East
Rome. Those who were there
will never forget it, of that I
am sure. There have been
many “great games” in the history of Tiger Stadium. Two
state titles were won between those lines as well
as numerous Region and area Championships and
who can forget the many hard fought battles with
bitter rival Jefferson? Yet, with more than 525 victories in the storied history of Commerce Football,
it is a one-point loss to East Rome that stands out
as the greatest game ever played at that venue.
December 1, 2012 will mark the 35th anniversary of
that monumental game which, for many, was a milestone in their lives and football careers. For me as a
player on that Tiger team, that night is a memory that
still can bring waves of emotion even after all these
years. There exists no video record of the game. The
Commerce film sustained water damage some years
later and the East Rome film was lost. And even if the
films had survived, it would have been an incomplete
record, for in 1977 there were no video tapes or hard
drive storage, everything was literally on film and
“ There have been many ‘great
games’ in the history of Tiger Stadium
... Yet, with more than 525 victories in
the storied history of Commerce football, it is a one-point loss to East Rome
that stands out as the greatest game
ever played at that venue.”
neither team thought to bring an extra roll for the OT
that was to play out that chilly December evening.
N
ow you must remember that this was
1977. There was no Facebook or twitter. There were no cell phones or
internet and even ESPN was several years away.
There was no place to get up to date sports scores
for NFL or NCAA football, much less high
school scores, so if you wanted to know what
happened you had to be there. And believe me,
almost everyone was there, at least that is how it
seemed (some estimate as many as 10,000).
With game time temperatures in the mid 40s with
a light breeze, it was a perfect crisp December night.
The bands were playing, the cheerleaders getting
the fans fired up, the referees going over various
scenarios and the anticipation in the air was palpable. When the Tigers took the field to the sounds
of “Tiger Rag” and ran through a sign painted as
a brick wall, it was truly an electrifying moment.
But I can’t imagine that anyone anticipated quite
what was to play out on the field that fateful night.
East Rome came into the North Georgia
Championship game undefeated and ranked #1 in
Class A. The Gladiators would field what many
considered to be the best team in Georgia in any
classification and who could argue with that assessment? Sixteen players on the 1977 ER roster signed
to play college football. The entire backfield of
QB Sylvester Elkins, Georgia Back of the Year
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL 12
Greg Gordon, and 6’4” 257 lb. fullback Larry
Kinnebrew (who also won the state shot put, discus,
100-yard dash and wrestling championships) all
signed scholarships with UGA. Wide receiver Greg
Tutt signed with Auburn and defensive tackle Ray
Brown with Clemson where he was a standout on
its 1981 national title team. Not a bad talent pool.
Most Georgia sports pundits had East Rome
as a prohibitive favorite with many saying that
the Tigers would get blown out by the bigger and more athletic East Rome squad. In the
end, however, it was the Gladiators who had
to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The game began as many expected with coach
Jerry Sharpe’s Glads racing to a 13 point secondquarter lead on touchdown runs by Elkins and
Gordon. From there, though, it was the Tigers who
dominated play. After the second Gladiator score,
the Tigers took over on their own 20 yard line. The
Commerce wishbone attack, with a steady diet of 34
and 35 outside veer, ground out an 80-yard touchdown drive that chewed up almost seven minutes off
the game clock. Allstate fullback Ricky Hill bowled
over the goal line from the one on the 15th play of
the drive but freshman kicker Richard Dills’ PAT
was wide and the Tigers trailed 13-6 at the half.
In the locker room I can remember vividly
coach Lamb saying how he thought before the
kickoff we might not be able to win, but that after
witnessing how hard we had played in the first
half, he was certain that we could. Everyone in
that locker room took that message to heart and
Commerce outplayed the Glads in the second half.
In the middle of the third quarter, the Tiger
offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage, and Commerce scored on a time-consuming
78-yard drive on the legs of quarterback Donald
Rucker, Hill and running back Dean Allen.
Allen’s three-yard touchdown and Dills’ PAT
early in the fourth-quarter tied the score at 13.
At the same time, the Commerce
Continued on Page 22
PAGE 22
FRIDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN
Continued from Page 21
defense held the Gladiators to only two second-half first downs. Time after
time the Tiger defense rose to the challenge, delivering vicious tackle after
vicious tackle to all of the East Rome backs. I remember one particular play
when the Commerce trio of Ricky Hill, Charles Whitlock and Terry Canup
all met Kinnebrew in the backfield for a fouryard loss. After that teeth jarring hit Kinnebrew,
nearing exhaustion, took off his helmet, called
time out and sat down in the middle of the field.
Commerce had two second-half opportunities
to win the game in regulation. After Commerce
linebacker Terry Elrod jarred the ball loose
from Elkins on the East Rome 16 with six
minutes left, it appeared that the Tigers would
pull off the miracle win. However on a fourthand-one at the Gladiator six, an offside penalty
forced the Tigers into a field goal attempt
that was wide and the score remained tied.
Only three plays later, Commerce defensive Brad Brown picked
off an Elkins’ pass at the East Rome 30 with less than two minutes
in regulation. Three Donald Rucker runs and the only pass completion of the night for Commerce had the Tigers poised for the win but
a penalty again forced another field goal attempt that also sailed wide.
Regulation ended with the score 13-13 and this epic battle moved into
uncharted territory for the Tigers, the very first Commerce OT game.
In 1977 Georgia’s overtime rules allowed for two five-minute “mini-halves.”
If at the end of those two periods the score remained tied then the team that
had the deepest penetration in the preceding non-scoring period would be
declared the winner. This is a rule that will forever haunt all Tiger fans.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012 referee had taken into account the enormity of the situation and swallowed
his whistle after the last Tiger touchdown? What if we had not scored the
last TD at all? Would it have turned out any differently? Those are questions that will never be answered but I can say this; I am a better person
for having played in that game on that night. The friendships and camaraderie that was forged on that field are still strong today and many of the
players return to Tiger Field periodically. When
they do, the talk inevitably turns to ”the game.”
Dr. Kenny “Bull” Flint and David Adams, who
were both linemen in that game, along with many
others, are still fixtures at Tiger games some 35
years later. Tiger pride and tradition runs deep
and even though it was a loss in the record books
there were no losers on the field that night.
“ I can say this; I am a better person
for having played in that game on that
night. The friendships and camaraderie that was forged on that field are still
strong today and many of the players
return to Tiger Field periodically.”
C
ommerce received the kickoff for the first overtime but the
offense stalled near the 50 yard line. After the Commerce
punt, the Tiger defense once again forced a three-and-out,
but a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down allowed East Rome to
maintain possession near midfield. Time expired in the first OT period
with East Rome at the Commerce 34 and the score still tied 13-13.
East Rome had the ball first in the second overtime but the offense
could get no traction. The Tigers took over on downs when coach Sharpe
elected to go for the first down on fourth-and-short and Commerce
defensive back Richard Beasley forced Elkins out of bounds at the East
Rome 22. After two plays netted three yards, Commerce lined up with
a third-and-seven from the East Rome 19. The play call was 31 counter option which called for the QB, Rucker to fake right and pivot into
the option on the left side of the line. Kinnebrew was blitzing from his
LB spot and hit Rucker as he completed the pivot and the ball bounced
onto the turf and into the hands of Dean Allen who raced into the endzone for his second score of the night. The PAT was good and the Tigers
led 20-13, with less than two minutes left in the second overtime.
As you can imagine there was pandemonium on the Tiger sidelines and
Commerce was called for excessive celebration which forced a kickoff
from deep in Tiger territory. East Rome lined up for the last drive with
a first-and-ten at the Gladiator 49 yard line. After a couple of incomplete passes, Elkins hit Kinnebrew on a screen pass down to the Tiger
23. With time running out Elkins rolled to his right, narrowly avoided a
sack, and threw deep to a very well covered Willie Wells who made an
unbelievable grab in the back of the endzone for the score. Elkins’ PAT
tied the score at 20-20 and the OT rules awarded East Rome a single
point for the penetration to the Tiger 34 in the previous OT period for a
final official score of 21-20. A stunned crowd could do nothing but look
on in stony-faced disbelief. The Greatest Game ever played was over.
After the post game prayer, speeches and showers I rode around
Commerce for several hours replaying all of the scenarios in my head.
What if we didn’t have those penalties and missed field goals? What if the
E
ast Rome went on to win 32 consecutive games, including another one-point
win over Commerce in 1978 en route to
back-to-back state titles, but none of those games could match the intensity and effort displayed by the Tigers in that 1977 matchup. Commerce
scored 20 points on an East Rome defense that had shut out nine opponents and had given up only 33 points in 13 games that season. The Tigers
also outrushed the Gladiators 240-225 and had three more first downs
while holding East Rome’s powerhouse offense to their lowest point total
of the year. It was described as a “super effort” by coach Lamb and all
the Commerce fans and players who were there would have to agree.
Many years later, I was watching Larry Kinnebrew when he played
running back for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. In the post game interview after a particularly hard-hitting game, the reporter commented
that he guessed that he (Kinnebrew) had never been hit quite as hard as
he was hit that day. Without any hesitation, Mr. Kinnebrew said ”No,
the hardest I was ever hit was in a little town called Commerce, Ga.”
There are many players throughout the years who could say the same.
GO TEAMS!
Franklin
Insurance Agency
Chris McClure, Manager
Jefferson, Ga. • (706) 367-5710
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