CHECK US out at SCOREATL.COM VOL 5 NO 15 02 I SCORE ATLANTA Get in the Game!

Home , Bill Hohn, Demarcus Dobbs, Leo Mazzone, Mark Schlabach, Mike Peterson, Skip Caray

AUGUST 7-13, 2009 CHECK US OUT AT SCOREATL.COM VOL 5 NO 15 02 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

College football quick hits, Hawks schedule released and Vick’s fooling no one y now you are probably well aware of But shouldn’t he be more focused on devising consider the 42-year-old’s 2-4 record and 7.12 BFlorida head football coach Urban ways to compete with Georgia and Florida on ERA or the fact that Atlanta currently has FIVE Meyer’s six-year extension at $4 million per the football field? Will any number of signs starters who have been more productive than the year, which makes him the highest-paid help recruits forget the many losses the Vols future Hall of Famer. coach in the Southeastern Conference. And, are sure to suffer in ’09? like him or not, it’s hard to argue he isn’t FINISHING UP … worth every penny, even in these tough eco- TO THE HARDWOOD AND DIAMOND … According to reports, Michael Vick will be in nomic times. If we assume what we make is The NBA released its regular-season Atlanta over the weekend to take part in a based on our worth, Meyer would still be schedules on Tuesday and there’s a lot to like for special event with the Humane Society. Now, underpaid. … Remaining on the college grid- Hawks fans. Atlanta will not only be home and few people have defended Vick or sympa- iron, ESPN writers Mark Schlabach and Ivan in action on Thanksgiving and New Year’s, but thized with him more than I. But, really? The Maisel simulated a college football mock will also appear in seven nationally televised Humane Society? How naive does the retired draft this week, divvying up the top programs games, the most in the last 12 years. I’ve always dogfighter really think we are? … Monday in America. Southern California and Florida said, no one defines a team’s place in the league (Aug. 3) was the one-year anniversary of were taken one and two, respectively, while like the national television networks. … Isn’t it Skip Caray’s death. It served not only as a the University of Georgia was drafted 10th, interesting how many professional athletes call good opportunity to remember the legend’s ahead of the likes of Michigan, Nebraska, the ATL home? In late 2008, Julius “Dr. J” life, but also as a reminder of the now declin- Florida State and Tennessee. The funny thing Erving purchased a home in our lovely city and ing import of local sports announcers. We is, despite having not won a national champi- fellow former NBA star and current Atlanta res- will always miss you, Skip. … And finally, onship since 1980, I bet most Bulldog fans ident Ralph Sampson doesn’t live far from what’s better than watching little kids play the would be livid over their location on the list. NFLers Jerome Bettis (retired) and Brandon most boring sport of the year? If you’re think- Note: last week, CBSSports.com named Marshall. The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter ing of baseball and answered “nothing,” you UGA the eighth-best team of the decade. … explored the issue deeper in a Monday column will be happy to learn the All-Star team from In other college football news, don’t be sur- and it’s certainly worth a read. … Talk about Warner Robins will be making the trip to prised next week if you stumble upon Lane loyalty and respect all you want, but sports man- West Virginia in the coming weeks, the last Kiffin as you’re driving through downtown agement is about making tough decisions in the stop before Williamsport and the Little ATLANTA PRESENCE: Tennessee head coach Lane Atlanta. The Tennessee lead man has plans to name of winning. So, for all you people who League World Series. Good luck, guys. Kiffin will be featured prominently on two highway erect two 14-feet-by-48-feet digital billboards were outraged when the Braves decided not to Janovitz can be reached at billboards in the metro Atlanta area. Photo courtesy of in the area touting UT and all its greatness. re-sign John Smoltz, perhaps you should now [email protected]. the University of Tennessee.

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM AUGUST 7-13, 2009 SCORE ATLANTA I 03 ™ STARTING SHOT OF THE CCAANN’’TT LINEUP MMIISSSS THIS WEEK PUBLISHER/EDITOR I.J. Rosenberg MANAGING EDITOR Alex Ewalt WEEK… Score Atlanta’s Brian Jones was in ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR DJ Galbiati VIDEO MANAGER Scott Janovitz Flowery Branch for opening weekend BUSINESS MANAGER Marvin Botnick 8 of training camp and has a full report. SALES MANAGER Mark Mayo BEAT WRITERS Josh Bagriansky (Dream), Stephen Black (Kennesaw State), Jason Boral (Thrashers), James Butler (UGA), Dave Cohen (Georgia State), Ricky Dimon (Tech), Alex We give an update on fall practice for Ewalt (Preps), Scott Janovitz (Hawks/Recruiting), Brian Jones (Falcons), Fletcher Proctor (Braves) both Georgia and Georgia Tech and offer STAFF WRITERS Cranston Collier, Joe Deighton, Rajesh Gupta, 9 a look ahead to the rest of the preseason. Zander Lentz, Andrew McCarron, Corey Mitchell, Alan Gales, Brian Penter, John Edwards, Derek Wiley CONTRIBUTORS Tad Arapoglou, Dean Zindler, Kevin Dankosky, Mitch Evans, Matt Judy, Tony Schiavone, Richard Diamond, Recruiting reporter Scott Janovitz high- Joe Haines, Brian Katrek, Chris Dimino, Mike Bell, Matt Stewart, Fred Kalil, Nick Cellini, Phillip Leopold, Dave Marshall, Greg Smith, Steak lights a couple of key recent commitment Shapiro, Mike Cather, Beau Bock, Hal Lamar, Chris Cotter, Roy 15 from Peach State athletes. Hickman, Dave Cohen, John Olah, Jeff Woolverton, Chris Voss, Bob Rathbun, Courtney Capps, Bill Hartman, Chuck Dowdle, Shannon Alderman, Dan Kamal, Dennis Scott, C.C., Hal Lanier, Jeff Batten, Micah Hart, Ben Wright, Columnist Fletcher Proctor keeps Atlanta Alan Vasquez, Andrew Vedlitz, Brian Jones sports fans in the loop on recent develop- Georgia Tech QB SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Mitch Albom, Dave Kindred, Barry Bloom Josh Nesbitt 18 ments in the local sports media. ™ SCHOOL LISTING TEAM SCOOP AND VOICES INSIDE AT SCORE

E Score Atlanta has moved to a new, CHEROKEE/FORSYTH: Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, Forsyth Central, COVER DESIGN BY DJ GALBIATI. North Forsyth, Sequoyah, South Forsyth, West Forsyth, Woodstock COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF JIMMY CRIBB/ATLANTA FALCONS. H football-focused format that will keep

COBB: Allatoona, Campbell, Harrison, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, T local fans up to date on the pro, college Marietta, McEachern, N. Cobb, N. Cobb Christian, Pebblebrook, Pope, S. Cobb, Sprayberry, Walton, Wheeler 2 SPIN 5 CHEAP SEATS 6 SCORE LIST-DUE UP and high school games! From the latest DEKALB: Chamblee, Columbia, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Lakeside, SHOWIN’ OFF THE GUNS: At N recruiting news to features and stories Marist, Miller Grove, M.L. King, Paideia, Redan, St. Pius X, Southwest July’s Countdown to Kickoff, Georgia linebacker FALCONS UGA-TECH SCORE MORE O DeKalb, Stephenson, Stone Mountain, Tucker 7 8 9 on your favorite players from all levels, FULTON: Alpharetta, Blessed Trinity, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Douglass, Rennie Curran gave Bulldog fans a little glimpse turn to Score Atlanta (found in all Grady, Lovett, Mays, Milton, North Springs, Northview, Riverwood, of what they will see all year on the field. Curran 10 HIGH SCHOOL 11 RECRUITING 12 GA STATE Roswell, Tri-Cities, Westminster, Woodward Academy and the team started fall practice on Monday in QuikTrips, Krogers and Blockbusters in GWINNETT: Berkmar, Brookwood, Buford, C. Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, the metro area) and Scoreatl.com! Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian, Meadowcreek, Mill Creek, Norcross, preparation for a tough opener at Oklahoma State 13 CALENDAR 14 AD INDEX North Gwinnett, Parkview, Peachtree Ridge, South Gwinnett, Wesleyan on Sept. 5. Photo courtesy of Rob Saye.

Petit Le Mans once again set to bring more superstars and blazing action to Braselton ou may know Road Atlanta through (Petit Le Mans held its inaugural event in Mans series so important? It has to do with races in the traditional Le Mans style, Petit Yany number of its great yearly racing 1998 as a part of the Professional what’s at stake. The winner of Petit Le Mans Le Mans is a grueling race, which utilizes events, which in 2009 included the exciting SportsCar Racing series). automatically wins entry into the famed 24 several drivers per car over the course of Suzuki Superbike Showdown and the In Petit Le Mans, as in the rest of the Hours of Le Mans, the oldest example of the 10-hour marathon. For more informa- Ferrari Challenge in April, the Drift Atlanta American Le Mans series, the field is divid- this genre of racing. Petit Le Mans is one of tion on Petit Le Mans, visit race in May, and the WERA Cycle Jam in ed up into two categories: prototypes, which only two races in the world that grants an Roadatlanta.com or see our article on the June. But coming up in September is per- are closed-fender vehicles specifically for automatic berth in the 24 Hours of Le Mans September race on page 9. haps the best known and most prestigious racing; and the Grand Touring class, which race, which is held near the town of Le event on the Road Atlanta schedule, the consists of modified production cars (think Mans, France. annual Petit Le Mans. a souped-up Ferrari made for the race Following the On Sept. 23-26, the world-renowned track). Those two classes are then divided endurance 2.54-mile road course in Braselton (just up into two subcategories each, based on I-85 off exit 129) will host the 12th annual weight of the automobile and Petit Le Mans series race. The event is the other characteristics. marquee race in the American Le Mans So why is Atlanta’s series, and is also one of the original stops stop on the on the tour since its inception in 1999 American Le

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ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM AUGUST 7-13, 2009 SCORE ATLANTA I 05

A new era for Score, ESPN skips E.A. coverage and Braves need Blank core Atlanta has hit a new gear. ESPN SHOULD BE ASHAMED … the same courtesy to a female reporter work- S The network has become the Wal-Mart ing for CBS? No way. Shoot, Chris Berman Born in January 2005 with a single of sports, but isn’t it funny that you haven’t would have been the first to give her a nick- product, a weekly sports edition which at heard a word reported on any of their brands name. I can hear Chris now, “Let’s go down to OUT FRONT that time was reaching just 350 locations, we about the videotaping of Atlanta resident Erin Erin AndrewsWearingNoPants.” Fact is, like it have become Atlanta’s grassroots sports Andrews wearing nothing but her birthday or not, it’s a story and ESPN is hypocritical for suit in a hotel room? After all, the story not reporting it. I guess from now on I better marketing company, with strong relation- check my peephole when I am in a ships with everyone from the hotel room. But please don’t take Falcons to the Georgia High away my ESPN. School Association, from 790 The Zone to Fox 5 and the HOPING BLANK WILL BUY BRAVES … Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The economy has taken a bite out of Proudly, we are about to begin everyone, but I sure hope Arthur working with the company I Blank’s checking account is big worked at for more than 13 years, enough when the Braves go on the the AJC, where my career in sports market in a few years. The current journalism got a kick-start with my owner, Liberty Media, purchased the 1991 coverage of a lightly regarded team for tax reasons and, because of team called the Atlanta Braves. IRS regulations, has to hold on to the It’s been 17 years since I team for a few more years. But when The Atlanta Falcons are back at training chronicled that incredible worst-to- that time runs out, the Braves desper- camp after a surprising 11-5 season and first season and, on Friday nights ately need someone with heart and a productive offseason. This weekend, the this year, you will see Score’s real- emotion running the club. I couldn’t team will be hosting its second annual All- time flash scoreboard on AJC.com. even tell you who from Liberty has Access Weekend, which consists of a live In addition to our weekly newspa- anything to do with the Braves. scrimmage at Brookwood High School on per, we now have five prep editions Blank, who has done a great job with during the school year, an around- the Falcons, would give the Braves the Friday night and the Roam the Dome the-clock monitored webpage boost they need, both in morale and in event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on (SCOREATL.COM), a daily high the wallet. Blank was interested in Saturday. If you’re able to go to either of school newsletter called the Georgia POTENTIAL BUYER: The Braves’ contract with Liberty Media will be up in several buying the team when Time Warner these events, be sure to check out Score High School Football Daily — years and Falcons owner Arthur Blank will almost certainly be a player in the bid was selling it, but couldn’t come close Atlanta’s official All-Access Weekend which we produce through a part- to matching the Liberty Media deal, Guide. The cover and above photo are nership with two former AJC to purchase the club. Blank considered buying the club when it was up for sale by which was all based on tax savings. courtesy of Jimmy Cribb/Atlanta Falcons. staffers I formerly worked with — a Time Warner. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Cribb/Atlanta Falcons. My guess is that two years from now full division devoted to Webcasting, Blank owns the Braves and the team partner of Score, is at its best when 680 is nip- specialty print and event activation, brings back some of the excitement ping at its heels and the Zone isn’t about to take two radio shows and soon our very we all witnessed in the 1990s. this sitting down. I guarantee you 790 comes own “Drudge Report” for Georgia CATCH I.J. ON SUNDAYS Imagine being in a town that has a out swinging real soon, especially after hearing high school sports, where we aggre- chance to win a Super Bowl, World Braves vice president Derek Schiller say, gate the best prep sports stories the ‘My guess is that two years from now [Arthur] Blank Series and NBA title. It could happen. “What appeals to us is the fact the Fan is the Peach State has to offer. city’s leading sports station.” Schiller had to say But despite the downfall of owns the Braves and the team brings back some of DOWN AT THE ZONE … all the right things about his new partner, but newspapers, we still cherish the I haven’t commented on the recent whether he believes that or not, I know man- printed word and this week you the excitement we all witnessed in the 1990s.’ move the Braves made by signing on agement at 790 and station mouthpiece Steak will see a change in both the with 680 The Fan as their new flag- Shapiro wasn’t very happy to hear it. Like I direction of Score’s main edition as well as its spread on the Internet like a virus. I like ship. The team really didn’t have much of a said, the Zone isn’t about to take this sitting Andrews, went to lunch with her a few years choice, as none of the big boys in town wanted down and I know I would like to see Steak and distribution. It will now be easy to find, as it ago and put her on our cover (just so happens to spend the money; 790 The Zone doesn’t John Kincade in a cage match down at Wild will be distributed to all QuikTrips, Krogers she was interviewing Michael Vick). But that have the signal or an FM partner and the deal Bill’s. The bet here is Steak would take Johnny and Blockbusters in the metro area. aside, Andrews and ESPN made it a story puts 680 on the map. I wish 680 well with the in about as long is it takes Kincade to say some- So enjoy the changes, the new columns when she hired attorneys, an investigation Braves, but I think this is going to benefit thing stupid, which is about a minute into his and the increased emphasis on football and began and, subsequently, the video leaked out. sports fans, as the team being on a sports talk show. Put the gloves on guys! high school sports. Now, for a taste of how I She is a public figure, but ESPN has refused to station for the first time will really turn up the Rosenberg can be reached at am feeling these days cover it. I wonder if ESPN would have given heat between 680 and 790. The latter, a strong [email protected] and 404-256-1572.

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 06 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game! T

L The state’s Retired quar- With Tiger just T BACK AT THE BRANCH: It’s IS IT SEPT. 5 YET?: BACKIN’ OUT: THE OTHER FOOTBALL: CAN’T HOLD HIM: A that time of year again! The college football fans no doubt have terback Brett Favre out-waffled all this talk about the American keeps finding new ways to

W 3 5 7 9 S Falcons1 are back in action up in Flowery that date circled on their calen- even himself when he decided to game, sports fans were treated to impress us. After looking rough E I Branch for fall training camp, and fans dars, as it marks the season openers for stay retired and not to join the Minnesota not one but two sensational soccer match- in the first round at last weekend’s X

L can get their first glimpse of NFL action both Georgia Tech and Georgia. Camp Vikings. The platinum-bearded QB is gives at the Georgia Dome this summer. And Buick Open, Woods roared out to five E

L — as well as the new draftees — in per- opened this past week for the two pro- ing US gray hair with all the unnecessary we think the real grass the Dome was straight birdies in Round 2 and coasted

A son at the team’s complex. grams, which both have high hopes in ‘09. drama surrounding his career. sporting for them was a great look! to a win over the weekend. What’s next? E Y

B HE’S BACK … SORT OF: BACK IN SESSION: And last SCHIZO BRAVOS: The team NO OFFSEASON: Believe it or CREEPY STUFF: So ESPN R 2 With Michael Vick free to sign 4 but not least, Georgia high 6 looks unstoppable one minute, 8 not, the NBA and NHL franchis- 10 personality Erin Andrews has with an NFL team, and eligible schools got back into the swing then drops two crucial series to es in town haven’t been just sit- had a rough month with the O to play after Week 6, rumors have begun of things with fall camp beginning last the Marlins and Dodgers when it looked ting around this summer. Hawks draft whole peephole video thing, then last to swirl about where the controversial QB Saturday. The new Score Atlanta Football like it was going to make a move. Will the pick Jeff Teague reportedly looked good week paparazzi camped out in her gated C will end up. Will he get a shot right away weekly will be following ALL things high Braves just stop teasing us and either in his first workouts, and Thrashers community in Dunwoody, leading her to

S to get back in the league? school football, so stay tuned! win the division or tank? draftee Evander Kane did as well. call 911. It’s time to let it go, people. S

E Friday Night Lights. Roam the Dome. Braves at L.A. Dodgers. Gwinnett Braves vs. Braves vs. Washington. Falcons Training Camp. Dream vs. Detroit. N It will be the second Still want some more 96.1 FM. Fox Sport South Durham. 550 AM. CSS. 96.1 FM. Peachtree TV. If you have never been to The Atlanta Dream are O

J time the Atlanta Falcons football? Well, come on It’s the beginning of Another local baseball team After a tough series Flowery Branch to fighting for their playoff against the Dodgers, the see Falcons Training N will hold their Friday over to the Georgia August and the Braves lives, as they are a half P

fighting for a playoff spot is Y

A Camp, it is quite an Y Braves come back A I Night Lights event and Dome to see the are still in the playoff game out of the last the Gwinnett Braves, Y A D A Y R experience. Fans get Y it’s where Falcons Falcons go through a Y race. They have a home to take on the playoff spot. They take D S U A A A B who are gunning for a look at how an NFL D Y E

fans have an oppor- R mock game. After the tough task as they woeful Washington on the Detroit Shock D D D S A

Y the division. They play practice works and N U S N N Nationals in a two- R

D tunity to see the game, players will try to get a big win on Friday, who have B D T I E the players sign O U the Durham Bulls, a U E E players up close A sign autographs and against the game series. See been struggling as of R U S

autographs after- H M S F

series that could deter- T W and personal at fans can watch the Dodgers, who have Brian McCann and the wards. The T late. Come see Erika mine the division U Brookwood 2008 highlight the best record in rest of the crew gates will De Souza and High. It will start video. The game baseball. First pitch leader. Game at the Ted start- open for fans company at D 7 at 7 p.m. 8 kicks off at 12 p.m. 9 is at 4:10 p.m. 10 starts at 7 p.m. 11 ing at 7 p.m. 12 at 7:30 a.m. 13 7:30 p.m. HOTTEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO OVER THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS

Adam LaRoche State’s college football players Hawks on TV We know it’s just preseason lists, but Our Atlanta basketball team will final- The Braves may have picked up the big bat we like to see our Jackets and ly get some prime-time exposure, as they needed for a second-half push, picking Bulldogs get a little recognition. Both the team will enjoy being on national up former Braves 1B Adam LaRoche in a trade teams were well represented on their television seven times this season. with the Red Sox for 1B Casey Kotchman. all-conference teams as voted on by That total equals the amount of times the coaches (Georgia with five total the team was on national television THUMBS UP TO LaRoche is great defensively and is a notori- and Tech with three), and Tech QB for the past 11 seasons combined. ously good hitter from July on. The deadline Josh Nesbitt was put on the Davey Finally, America will get a proper HAPPY RETURNS deal was a great move. O’Brien Award watch list. introduction to Joe and J-Smoove.

AFL troubles Braves fading? White out At press time, it seemed likely that the 22- After an encouraging start to the sec- At press time, Falcons WR Roddy year-old Arena Football League was on the ond half of the season, the Braves White was holding out in order to brink of folding, which would mean the end of have fallen off and have slipped in the restructure a contract that is up at the standings. At press time, the team end of the coming season. White was the very popular Georgia Force franchise. The had dropped to sixth in the Wild Card the only Falcons player to choose to Force, which are owned by Arthur Blank, standings at 5.5 games behind the stay out of practice for contractual THUMBS DOWN TO came into existence in 2002 and had been Braves and was all of six games reasons, and is being fined almost owned by Blank since 2004. behind the division-leading Phillies. $16,000 for each missed day. HOLDOUTS CRUNCHING THE SANITY NUMBERS TOUGH TIMES AT LAST Weight of the Falcons’ There will be folks announcing the end a good investment. But probably not for “The last two games’ performance lightest player, CB of professional golf on the heels of companies that are in bankruptcy, or are 175lbs Chris Houston Buick pulling all of its sponsor- being run by the government. Buick by the officials is something that ships. It will be all doom and leaving golf is sad, but if you makes you sit back and wonder. And Weight of the Falcons’ gloom for some. While it is cer- couldn't see this one coming, you as a player, it makes you not want to heaviest player, OG tainly not good news, this was haven’t been paying attention. play when that stuff happens. 333lbs Justin Blalock not unexpected. First, Buick Brian Katrek can be Because you don’t have a chance.” ended its sponsorship deal with heard on 790 The Zone’s “On – Braves’ Chipper Jones after a Pounds of chicken Tiger Woods. Then came word The Green with Brian the Falcons will that courtesy cars would become Katrek” Sundays from 8-9 a.m. game against the Marlins in which serve by the end of umpire Bill Hohn ejected Bobby 4,800 more rare at PGATOUR events. and can be reached at Cox and Brian McCann training camp Sponsoring golf tournaments remains [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM AUGUST 7-13, 2009 SCORE ATLANTA I 07

White holdout the dominant story from first week of camp; looking ahead to the preseason he 2009 NFL season is upon us and the to camp and is listed as the player to replace their first preseason game against the Detroit TAtlanta Falcons got training camp under- Lawyer Milloy. Also, LB Mike Peterson Lions. It will be interesting to see how the way last week. All the rookies were signed and brings the same leadership that Keith defense does against No. 1 pick Matthew checked in, but Roddy White, who had a mon- Booking brought every year, and DT Peria Stafford and to see if it can rattle the quarter- ster 2008 season at the wide receiver position, Jerry looks to be more confident and is work- back out of Georgia. In game two of the pre- has decided to hold out for a new contract. ing more with the first-string defense. season they will go on the road again to face “There’s no reason to get angry,” said head There were also some signings in the the St. Louis Rams. This should be a game coach Mike Smith after the first practice session first week of camp, as linebacker Jamie where the veterans play a little more as they on Saturday. “I can only coach the guys that are Winborn and offensive lineman Adam Speer get back into playing shape. The last two preseason games will be at here along with our coaching staff. That’s how agreed to terms. we are going to approach the situation.” the Georgia Dome, as the team plays the San Speaking of the players that were on the Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens. COMING UP … These two contests will be important for field, all of them looked sharp in the first So what to expect in the second week of week of training camp. Quarterback Matt players that are on the fringe to make an camp? More fans will able to take a closer impression; the coaching staff will make cuts Ryan looks more and more comfortable in the look at the team with the Friday Night Lights after both games. offense, and a lot of credit has to go to tight event at Brookwood High School on Friday Jones can be reached at end Tony Gonzalez, who catches everything and the Roam the Dome event at the Georgia [email protected]. that is thrown at him. Dome on the following day. This will give BACK IN THE SWING: Second-year Falcons quarterback But it’s the defense that has been making fans an opportunity to see who has improved Matt Ryan is shaking off the rust during the first week the most noise. CB Brent Grimes had a cou- from last season and which rookies look of training camp. With intense film study over the sum- ple of interceptions in the first day of camp ready to play right now. mer, Ryan should be ready to shine in year two. Photo and S Thomas DeCoud is having a solid start After that, the Falcons will get ready for courtesy of Jimmy Cribb/Atlanta Falcons.

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 08 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

Talented young players mix in with veterans as Georgia opens fall camp fter what was a disappointing 2008 sea- The Dawgs may be taking a running Georgia’s offensive line has trans- ing Justin Houston, who is suspended for the Ason by the University of Georgia’s lofty back by committee approach, as the team formed seemingly overnight from a weak- first two games. Senior Rod Battle and junior standards, the Bulldogs come into the 2009 sports five solid options at the position. ness to a strength. The Dawgs return all five Demarcus Dobbs will start. campaign relatively under the radar. The Sophomore Caleb King will likely get most starters as well as tackle Trinton Sturdivant, The linebacking corps welcomes back Dawgs started last season No. 1 in the rank- of the first team reps in fall practice, but who missed all of 2008. Marcus Washington at the Mike position. ings before getting blown out in two of their could be unseated by Richard Samuel or Preseason All-SEC first-teamer Rennie biggest games and then losing to archrival Carlton Thomas. Redshirt freshman ON DEFENSE … Curran returns at Will along with Darryl Georgia Tech for the first time since 2000. Dontavious Jackson and true freshmen The much-maligned Bulldog defense Gamble at Sam. First-round draft choices Matt Stafford Washaun Ealey will push for playing time. looks to have improved during the spring and The secondary will be led by junior and Knowshon Moreno are gone, but UGA A.J. Green leads a talented, yet inexperi- early reports from summer workouts say that Reshad Jones at strong safety and Prince fans are still optimistic about their team’s enced, receiving corps that will try to get past the unit is hungry and ready to live up to its Miller at cornerback. True freshman Branden chances in the SEC East. a season-ending torn labrum injury to Kris “Junkyard Dawg” nickname. Smith may start at the other corner position Senior Joe Cox will get the nod at quar- Durham. Mike Moore will be a solid second The forte of the defense will be up the while senior Bryan Evans will make the terback. Cox has started one game in his option for Cox, while talented sophomore middle, starting with deep and experienced switch from corner to free safety. career (Ole Miss, 2006) and has seen spot Tavarres King should start at split end. defensive tackles. Jeff Owens and Geno Brandon Bogotay will battle Blair duty in several others. Despite his lack of True freshman tight end Orson Charles Atkins return as the starters, but the unit also Walsh over kickoffs, but Walsh holds the playing time, the 6-foot-1 native of has made waves since arriving over the sum- boasts solid backups in senior Kade Weston place kicking duties. Drew Butler looks to be Charlotte is one of the most respected play- mer and should play at both wide receiver and and sophomore DeAngelo Tyson. in the lead at punter. ers on the team and is the unquestioned tight end this season. Sophomore Aron White The end position has more questions, but Black can be reached at leader in the locker room. will get the start at tight end. returns several bodies at the position, includ- [email protected].

Questions loom as Jackets reopen playbook; Jones making swift recovery o far at fall practice for Georgia Tech, one ment over the offseason, as the Jackets can use freshman Jemea Thomas of Fitzgerald had While a number of true freshmen for Tech will Squote pretty much sums up the sessions. a more productive passing game to match the been getting reps at safety after reports sur- likely redshirt (QBs David Sims and Jordan “We were way ahead of where we were a unstoppable (at times) running game, led by faced that the athletic and versatile player Luallen, for example), several have established year ago at this time,” said head coach Paul (dare we say, Heisman Trophy candidate?) would get the first shot at A-back. themselves as competition for the older players. Johnson to AJC beat writer Doug Roberson junior B-back Jonathan Dwyer. Also, A-back Roddy Jones, who dislo- DE Emmanuel Dieke from North Clayton after Monday’s opening practice. Fans would After practicing in shorts and helmets on cated his wrist in a weightlifting accident ear- was an early enrollee that can push for the hope as much, and they’d be right. In the spring, Monday and Tuesday, the team graduated to lier in the summer, is expected to make a full two-deep on the defensive line, while WR the team avoided the fumbles and the offensive wearing shoulder pads the next two days. On recovery in time for the first game of the sea- Stephen Hill, possibly the most heralded hiccups that occurred last season throughout the Friday, Tech will be decked out in full pads. son. No word, however, on whether the recruit for Johnson’s ’09 class, has been spring and fall, and should be looking like a There were a few noteworthy roster tid- impressive in passing drills and in fielding coaches expect to play him on Sept. 5 against punts. The 6-foot-4 Hill has been mentioned confident, second-year triple-option offense. bits that surfaced during the first week, Jacksonville State at home with Clemson According to onlookers and media mem- by some as a possible starter alongside redshirt including a transfer of a player in the two- waiting just five days later. junior Demaryius Thomas if all goes right, but bers, the quarterbacks looked crisper. deep. Redshirt freshman S Kamaron Riley of Specifically, starting QB Josh Nesbitt’s throws right now, he is just an enticing prospect with Hawkinsville will transfer to Georgia Military FRESH FACES … a lot of upside and even more to prove (think: were looking crisper and more accurate than College after some reported academic issues; One of the thrills of fall practice is to see the blocking) if he wants to see early action. they did at times last year during the season; no word on whether he plans to try and rejoin incoming freshmen compete on the field and Ewalt can be reached at this was one of the noted areas of improve- the team after spending time at GMC. True make their bids for immediate playing time. [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM ti ished lastseasononamuchmoreposi- 3 kick off the2009-10campaignonOct. offseason withthe Thrashers readyto b thatwesummer sunisthefact have A ty minutes.Ho 133 blocked shots,91hitsand94penal- totaled 40points.Healsocontributed 14 goals(nineonpower plays) and which heplayed inall82games, scored 2008-09 seasonwiththeMapleLeafsin K Gar deals includedtradingdefenseman general, lastseason.Oneofthebiggest up toomany shotsongoal,andgoalsin bolstered alinethatatmany timesgave dealing, especially ondefensewhere he Waddell wasted notimewheeling and ing year. Rightoff thebat,GMDon with solel on offense, while Exelby was known selling pointishisabilitytocontribute AUGUST Revamped rostergettingreadyforseason lown by thehalfway pointintheNHL v ubina, w at Philips Arena. The Thrashers fin- e net Exelby fordefensemanPavel re y Why notthinkcold?Lostinthe note thanthey started, leaving fans y loftier e for hisdefensi ou ho iscomingof tired ofthesummerheat? xpectations forthisupcom 7-13 w SCORE MORE e v er , Audi Spor times since2000.Hedrives withteam has won racesatPetit LeMansfive Rinaldo Capello,anItalianracerwho event atRoad Atlanta ever since. 1998 andithasbecomethebiggest Petit LeManstookplacein The first about 10hours,whichever comesfirst. which is1,000miles(394laps)longor carendurancerace Mans isasports Road Atlanta. 2009 Petit LeManswilltake placeat RACERS TOWATCH … T 10-hour limit.F 20minutesunderthe McNish finished also won multipletimesatBraselton. British diver Allan McNish,who has and came in first inhisclassification. and cameinfirst sional appearanceattheLeMansrace Helio Castrone Petit LeMansbringsworld-classspeed , v K e 2009 ubina’ on BraseltonSept.23-26,asthe he eyes oftheracingworld willbe One driver tokeep aneye onis What isityou ask? The Petit Le In fact, attheeventIn fact, lastyear, f skills. The of asolid s t main Nor ves made his first profes- ves madehisfirst - th or America alongwith r No athome;and the CarolinaHurricanes of theregular seasonasthe Thrashers face in Nashville;Oct.3,which marksthestart open preseasonplay against thePredators calendar areSept.17when the Thrashers once intheirbriefnine-year history. playoffs, something they have doneonly y season, thehopesthisyear arethatthe several key players duringthe toinjury lastyearbystart andhurt thelossof cameoutaheadinthisdeal. but Thrashers ma Scottish Rite. kids atChildren’s Healthcare of Atlanta- Kayla’s ReadingGarden,andvisiting for Humanityhomes,donating booksto around ule ofoffseason charitable events sched- inabusy ization isparticipating Champions, cometotown. Penguins, thereigningStanley Cup [email protected]. outhful mula 1superstar v ember 21,w Gupta canber Atlanta, suchasb Some k For ateamcrippledby a bad As usual,the Thrashers organ- Thrashers canretur y miss Ex e y hen thePittsb dates tomarkonyour call 1-800-849-7223. Atlanta, gotowww.roadatlanta.com or ing orotherevents goingonatRoad want ontickets, park- moreinformation price, which willendonSept.18.Ifyou can beboughtonlineforanadvance tw event. Fans aone-day canbuy pass,a ticket forthecampgrounds. you cantake thefamily campingwitha ties forPetit LeManslastfourdays, so Atlanta throughouttheyear. The festivi- Mans race,thatisforevery raceatRoad free. And thatisnotjustforthePetit Le that childrenages12andundergetin this exciting event atRoad Atlanta is [email protected]. FAMILY FUN… to anothervictory. comes back,expect himtoleadhisteam some noiseagain, andifCastroneves So expect CapelloandMcNishtomake elb uilding Habitat o-da AL eac y’s bighits, Tickets areonsalenow forthe One of the great perksofcatching One ofthegreat Jones canbereached at y W n hed at pass orafour to the A ur Y gh S extended hisleadover Edwards to183 championship forJohnson, w essentially clinchedthe place finish mizing Edwards’s gain. The second- and alapdo ty b trouble afteraPitRoad speedingpenal- the pointsleader. Johnsonranintoearly Edwards couldn’t on gain muchground pole-sitter JimmieJohnson,but Hamlin with15lapstogoandbeatout Carl Edw NSCS Championiscrowned. Lastyear, Chase fortheSprintCup,atw October orNovember ofthe aspart eitherin Auto 500hasbeenrun with thePep Boys Auto 500at7pm. time Cup racingatnightforthefirst Speedw the lights.OnSunda Degree V12 300getsunderway beneath the N Sprint CupQualifying.Laterthatnight, on Saturday, Sept.5withNASCAR time since2003. L A Labor DayhaslotsinstoreatAMS -da T Atlanta MotorSpeedway forthefirst abor Day NASCAR to actionreturns ut stor In previous years, thePep Boys y SC pass. ASCAR NationwideSeries a y ards tooktheleadfromDenny w med backfrom30thplace ORE Tickets wn tosecondplace,mini elcomes N The weekend kicksoff A y TL T close to$12and ing morethan$6million,Smithearning $5 millionnext year, Mike Bibby mak- With ZazaPachulia settomake nearly the team’s willingnesstospendmoney. seeable future.Italsosays alotabout lion lastsummer, together forthefore- signed afive-yeardealworth $58mil- would keep himandJoshSmith,who lesssignificant. Murray far State to Atlanta makes thelossof scorer JamalCrawford fromGolden course, thetradethatbroughtdynamic to have re-signedwiththeclub. Of become theteam’s only freeagentnot sign onthedottedline,FlipMurray will are accurateand Williams doesinfact million over years. Ifthereports five onacontractworthan agreement $40 Marvin Williams, apparently comingto son onfourpla obligated tospend$30millionnext sea- rightaround$8million,theteamis earn agent market. With thelikes ofLeBron player, JoeJohnson,issettohitthefree , Hawks, Williamsmoveclosertodeal ASCAR Sprint Atlanta Motor closer tore-signingfreeagent he Hawks have reportedly moved .C But backto Williams. The deal hich the OM ho y - ers rightw W [email protected]. y Jr.Earnhardt left last Atlanta frustrated Dale rounded outthetopfive. Hamlin, MattKenseth andKyle Busch points withjustthreeracestogo. chase tickets forbothevents. way.com orcall877-9-AMS-TIX topur- F b vides plentyoffreeparkingon raceday, ($75) andSunday ($100)races. AMS pro- also areavailable forboththeSaturday for adultsand$19students.Pitpasses Sprint CupSeriestick Aug. 7)fortheNationwideSeries,while inthetop10allafternoon. running after him toslipan11th-placefinish damaging hiscaronPitRoad Johnson b 2001; in2005,Edw wonHarvick by just.006secondsin Kevinvides exhilarating finishes: trackonthecircuit, alwaysfastest pro- by somearoundNASCAR as the ans canlo ut parkingpassescanbeattained for$75. ear aftergettingknock illiams ontrackto Lander canber Tickets atjust$25($30after start Atlanta MotorSpeedw hen itsbest y g just .028seconds. on toatlantamotorspeed ets r of Here’s tohopingheusestherestof and hisgame stillappears“unrefined.” [email protected]. to be“packingonafe ESPN’s ChrisSheridan,Smithseemed camp synopsisofhisplay. According to equally toreadthepost- asfrustrating Team USA’s July minicamp. And itwas Josh Smithwould in beparticipating QUICK FINISH… ak’futurenegotiations with Johnson, theironly all-star. Hawks’ the impactcontractwillhave onthe see how much Williams demands,but money. Itwillnotonly beinterestingto to forkover yet anotherlarge sumof becoming atitlecontender, itwillhave ous aboutkeeping BigShotJoeand big guns. As aresult,if Atlanta isseri- foryears atsuch tomake runs finances league have beenpreparingtheir the summerof2010,teamsaround Chris BoshandJohnsonallavailable in James, Dwyane Wade, CarlosBoozer, ards beatout un aslow as$39 ed aroundand fseason wisel SCORE eached at Janovitz canbereached at It was exciting when we learned a

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E R O M E R O C S w e xtra pounds, I 09 ” 10 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

Curry and football team ready to begin fall practice; program teams up with NFL/YET t’s history in the making here at Georgia Youth Education Town to utilize the Atlanta ple who benefit from this center. It’s very 1983 through 2008. “Dave Kaplan is ideal for IState, as head football coach Bill Curry and NFL/YET facility as a temporary practice important that the student-athletes in our pro- our organization. He has vast experience in the the staff get ready to begin practice with the site this fall. It’s located just a few minutes gram understand that they are role models leadership and logistics of complex entities. first squad of Panther football players. from campus on Hill Street. The site includes and they can make a difference.” He is a remarkable communicator, and an out- Twenty-seven scholarship student-athletes both natural and artificial turf fields, which The newest addition to the coaching staff standing human being,” said Curry. … Tune in and upwards of 30 walk-ons will take the are also utilized by the NFL/YET program is former NFL player Todd Perry, who will Friday, Aug 14 from 2-3 p.m. for our Panther field on Friday, Aug. 14 to make the Panther and the adjacent Martin Luther King Jr, coach the tackles and tight ends. Perry played Football preview show on WRAS-FM (88.5) football vision a reality. Middle School. “This is a wonderful partner- for Curry at Kentucky and then played 11 sea- live from the team’s first practice. Where will practice be held you may ship because it provides an opportunity for sons with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dave Cohen is in his 26th season as the ask? Well, while construction continues at the our student-athletes to give back to the local Dolphins. … Also joining the staff as the “Voice of Georgia State Basketball and permanent location on Martin Luther King Jr. community,” said Curry. “We will be practic- director of football operations is Dave Kaplan, Baseball on WRAS-FM (88.5) and works on Blvd., Georgia State has entered into a part- ing football there in the afternoons, but we who directed and managed Atlanta’s former the football radio crew at Furman University nership with the National Football League also plan to be involved with the young peo- PGA Tour event, the AT&T Classic, from in Greenville, S.C.

Dream look to solidify playoff bid with long July homestand, favorable matchups t’s a totally different season in 2009 for the second place in the conference, just a half game Saturday before embarking on a five-game the final postseason spot. After those two IAtlanta Dream, who are in the thick of the back of both Connecticut and Washington, road trip that will take the team up to the final Eastern clashes, the Dream host four Western playoff hunt after setting a league record for which were both 10-9. Indiana leads that side week of the season. The Dream will try to Conference teams in a row in Seattle, San losses in a season in their inaugural year. After of the league with a 16-4 overall record, tops in start this long homestand with wins over Antonio, Los Angeles and Sacramento; the the All-Star break, the team won its first two the league. Now that the stage is set, here’s a Eastern Conference teams the Chicago Sky homestand ends on July 25. games out of the gate, a surprising 106-76 look ahead to the rest of the season and some and Detroit Shock, both of which could chal- Given the team’s recent run of good form blowout win over Phoenix on July 30 and an games that will determine if the Dream are lenge Atlanta for that final seed in the play- and a favorable schedule through the end of the 89-83 home win over New York on Aug. 1. postseason-bound. (The team met San Antonio offs. The Sky have All-Star starters in Sylvia month, fans have a great chance to see our home- With a 10-10 record at press time, the Dream on Thursday night on the road but results were Fowles and Candice Dupree, but are atrocious town team in the playoffs after one of the biggest were in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, unavailable at press time.) on the road (2-9 on the year). Next, Atlanta one-season turnarounds in recent sports memory. which would put them in the playoffs. Thankfully, the team will enjoy six will host Detroit on Thursday, which was only Ewalt can be reached at Moreover, the team was less than a game out of straight home contests beginning this 1.5 games behind the Dream in the chase for [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM AUGUST 7-13, 2009 SCORE ATLANTA I 11

Gators steal another recruit from Peach State; Clemson has huge week ast Monday was a busy day along the becoming the ninth Georgia player to choose Alabama and Auburn. Beasley, a 6-4, 287- To end the week, Callaway receiver LGeorgia recruiting trail, with three top in- Vandy in the class of 2010. Roby opted to pound offensive guard, selected Clemson Quantavious Leslie made his decision state recruits announcing their college decla- play for Bobby Johnson over offers from over Maryland, Memphis, Miami, and Ole known, choosing the University of West rations. The University of Florida picked up a Wake Forest, West Virginia, Auburn and Miss. Later in the day, Westlake cornerback Virginia over East Carolina, Clemson, commitment from Jackson defensive end Boston College, to name a few. Darius Robinson gave his verbal pledge to the Kentucky and LSU. Leslie is a big, physical Neiron Ball. Ball, a 6-4, 210-pound dynamic On Tuesday, Henry County wide receiv- Tigers. The 6-0, 170-pounder was also receiv- wideout at 6-4, 180 pounds. athlete, chose the Gators over the hometown er Markeith Ambles chose the University of ing interest from Kentucky, Miami, Bulldogs and was the second Georgia recruit Tennessee over the University of Florida. Michigan, Michigan State and Stanford. LAST WEEK ON THE VISIT … to commit to the Gators in a three-day span, The 6-2, 182-pound Ambles is the fourth- Last week, Florida State earned commit- Last Sunday, The Official Visit, Score with the other being M.L. King running back ranked player in the state of Georgia, ments from its second and third Georgia Atlanta’s Sunday (2-4) all-recruiting radio Mack Brown. ... Also on Monday, Stanford according to Rivals.com. recruits in the class of 2010. First, Columbia show on 790 The Zone, got the chance to speak earned a commitment from Centennial offen- Clemson had a dynamic week recruiting defensive end Tank Sessions gave the with some of the state’s top recruits. Among sive tackle David Yankey. The 6-5, 275-pound the state of Georgia, landing three top Peach Seminoles his pledge on Wednesday. The 6-5, them was Westlake linebacker Michael Taylor, Yankey represents the fourth Georgia State recruits on Thursday and only days after 230-pound Sessions also had offers from who told The Visit he has settled on a final prospect to commit to Jim Harbaugh and the earning the commitment of Centennial DB Maryland, Ole Miss, N.C. State, Oklahoma three of LSU, Tennessee and Stanford. Taylor Cardinal in this class. Henry Anderson Martin Jenkins. First the Tigers received and Auburn. On Friday, FSU struck again by had previously hoped to take his time with the (Woodward Academy), Daunte Carr commitments from a Carver-Columbus duo getting a verbal pledge from Telvin Smith, a process, but will now announce in the next few (Gainesville) and Tai-ler Jones (Gainesville) in Corey Crawford and David Beasley. 6-3, 196-pound linebacker out of Lowndes weeks due to the flurry of early commitments represent the other three. … Finally, Crawford, a 6-5, 235-pound defensive end, high school. Smith also had offers from in the class of 2010. Peachtree Ridge receiver Bradley Roby chose chose Clemson despite earning offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Louisville and Janovitz can be reached at the Vanderbilt Commodores on Monday, top schools such as Georgia, Florida State, Ole Miss, to name a few. [email protected]

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 12 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

High school football begins again as fall practice opens; checking in on champs t seems that anticipation for the high Chip Saye to put out daily previews of each ly that it just doesn’t matter how much talent almost 2,400 yards rushing last season, but Ischool football season keeps finding ways team in the state via an email newsletter, the Buford loses to the college ranks; you can’t back is RB Laquinton Williams, who projects to reach new peeks. Georgia High School Football Daily. We have keep the Wolves down. Rising seniors Du’Von to adequately replace Bryant for Cairo. A number of programs, including previewed the state’s teams all the way Millsap and Kolton Houston should make Tucker, Class 4A: This is another team Thomas County Central in football-crazy through Class 4A, with Class 5A running Buford’s lines two of the biggest and most Thomasville, took advantage of the rule that next week Monday-Thursday. Here’s what that was hit hard by the loss of a big senior feared in the state. The transfer of elite RB class. While the Tigers still have a good bit of allowed programs to start practicing at 12:01 we’ve found out about the returning champs Storm Johnson to Loganville for his senior a.m. on Aug. 1 (Saturday) by holding a college from Classes A-4A: year hurts, as does the defection of vaunted S talent, the graduation of RB/LB Jonathan basketball-style “Midnight Madness” practice Wesleyan, Class A: The Wolves were as Daunte Carr to Gainesville, but Buford picks Davis (Central Florida), RB/DB Drayton session. It was estimated that Thomas County big a surprise state title winner as we’ve seen in up a transfer from Woodward Academy CB Calhoun (LSU) and about 30 other seniors Central’s fan attendance for the event was well recent years when they upset ECI last Ryan Dillard, himself a college prospect. Once will leave the DeKalb County powerhouse a over 1,000 for the late-night session, which December. The main catalyst of that explosive bit thinner than in recent years. DE James attack is back in the form of junior RB Kyle again, Buford will be the favorite in Class 2A. lasted only about an hour or so before players Cairo, Class 3A: The first school we’ve Vaughters (who projects as a LB in college) headed back to bed; they had a Saturday morn- Karempelis, a Georgia High School Football has offers from Southern Cal, Ohio State and ing session as well. Daily Class A first-teamer and its favorite play- named that won’t be the favorite to repeat, the er in Region 8. Karempelis had 1,902 yards Syrupmakers (who were recently voted No. 1 Florida before ever playing a snap as a junior, WHAT’S UP WITH THE CHAMPS? … rushing and 31 TDs last season, amazing num- in a Sports Illustrated poll for the country’s best and senior RB/DB/KR/PR Devin Scott will Score Atlanta has spent a lot of time bers for a sophomore. It looks as if the underdog high school mascot) were decimated by gradu- carry the team at the skill positions. catching up with the top programs in the state will become the favorite, as Wesleyan should be ation and only return three total starters. Gone Sign up for the GHSF Daily by sending so far, as we’ve been partnering with high a consensus No. 1 team heading into the fall. is the backfield tandem of QB Angelo Pease an email to ghsfdaily@bellsouth.net. Ewalt school football writers Todd Holcomb and Buford, Class 2A: We’ve learned recent- and RB Reginald Bryant, who combined for can be reached at [email protected].

Roswell QB and team prepare for bounce-back year with tough August workouts reseason training camp is a grind While many might think that the Hickman explained. preseason camp. Pfor any football team, at any level. work for the new season starts with Hickman knows how tough training “I just try to set the example,” he said. “I That goes for 15- to 18-year-old high challenging practices under the hot camp can be. He went through trials and try to push myself and say ‘hey if I can do it, schoolers who will head to camps August sun, training camp is actually tribulations as an underclassman when he you can do it, too.’” across the state this August. For the capper to many months of laying served as the backup QB for the Hornets. Thanks to the guiding hand of Hickman them, maintaining a clear head and a the groundwork. “Moving from Junior Hornet Football to and an experienced roster that returns plenty healthy body is easier said than done. “We had workouts Monday through varsity level was the hardest thing for me,” he of talent and includes close to 30 seniors, The intense preparation is no Thursday over the summer where said. “Just seeing the change of speed to the things appear bright at Roswell. different at Roswell High we would lift [weights], throw a change in intensity.” But RHS is only one of many teams School, where the Hornets little, and get together and run But Hickman benefited from that time across Georgia getting ready for the fall, and are looking to improve on plays,” Hickman said. on the sidelines, learning from then-starting how much stronger the Hornets can become last season’s 5-5 record. For a more experienced quarterback Dustin Taliaferro, who quarter- as a unit during the next month will go a long “5-5 was unaccept- player like Hickman, the wear backed RHS to a Class 5A state champi- way in determining their fate. able,” said senior quarter- and tear of training camp is noth- onship in 2006. “This year is going to be a whole differ- back Brian Hickman. ing new. But for younger players, “Just being able to stay on the sideline ent ball game. We have a lot of players return- Hickman (pictured), a making the adjustment to the and watching him do what he does helped me ing and we have that mindset that we’re going returning starter, directs the expectations of varsity football is a lot,” Hickman recalled. “We talked all the to make playoffs,” Hickman said. “Personally, offense on game day. But he often somewhat trial by fire. time, warmed up together, and senior year we I think we have a chance to go undefeated also leads on the practice field, a “We’re out here working did the same thing.” with the talent we have.” role he plays not just this month hard for 2 hours straight along Now Hickman is trying to mimic Photo courtesy of Roy Hickman. throughout camp but also with lifting and conditioning, so Taliaferro’s role, as he continued to push his Bagriansky can be reached at throughout offseason workouts. we have to stay mentally strong,” teammates throughout the offseason and now [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM AUGUST 7-13, 2009 SCORE ATLANTA I 13

Tournaments League games played every day and fee $300. All Tournament Players Park, 3910 BASKETBALL FOOTBALL night at the Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club. For Canton Hwy Marietta, GA 30066. Register at Dream. August 8 vs. Chicago 7 PM. August 13 vs. Detroit Falcons. (Preseason). August 15 at Detroit 4 PM. more info or to register visit http://www.usclub www.alltournamentplayerspark.com or (678) 384-6500. 7:30 PM. August 15 vs. Seattle 7 PM. August 20 vs. (Regular season). September 13 vs. Miami 1 PM. sport.com/ San Antonio. Collins Hill Athletic Association. Ongoing. Accepting Harlem Legends. The Harlem Legends have scheduled GYMNASTICS Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" applications for qualified coaches in all age groups. their 2008 Shoot for the Stars Basketball & Physical Gymnastics Classes at Gymnastics AcademyofAtlanta. Registration Ongoing - Men's League plays on Sunday For information email Craig Deneau at Fitness Camps. The "Shoot for the Stars Youth Ongoing - 3126 Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, Ga. For evenings at the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club. For [email protected] Basketball Camps and Clinics" are a unique form of information call 770-975-8337 or visit more info or to register visit www.usclubsport.com Grayson Athletic Association. Ongoing. Football learning experiences geared towards young basket www.gymnasticsacademyofatlanta.com. Top of the Key. Ongoing. Personal basketball lessons coaches needed for eighth grade and all age groups. ball players of all skill levels. There are two Gwinnett Gymnastics Classes at Gwinnett Gymnastics Center with Olympian Debbie Miller-Palmore, boys and For information call Duane Davis at 678-300-0282 County camps this year. Please visit our website Ongoing - 927 Killian Hill Road Lilburn, Ga. For girls ages 8-18. For information call 770-465-1502. or visit www.gaasports.org. (www.harlemlegends.com) or call 404-837-6719 information call 770-921-5630. Southern Xposure. Ongoing. Cobb County Christian Flag Football. GSL -- Georgia Sports Leagues. Georgia’s for additional camps. Atlanta School of Gymnastics in Lawrenceville. School - Marietta. AAU and YBOA tryouts for 9- Largest Flag League. Registration ongoing. We offer Ongoing. Classes for tots through teens. Cheerleading and-under and 8-and-under teams. For information 7-Man, 8-man, Youth and Co-Ed styles of play VOLLEYBALL classes for ages 5 and older. For information call call 404-447-3992 or email [email protected]. around Atlanta. We play ALL year round. For infor Gwinnett Sports Center. Registration ongoing. For 770-277-9434. Peach State Basketball. Ongoing. Basketball skill mation please contact (678)799-0159 or email information call Jerry Robison at 678-491-0203 The Little Gym of Snellville. Ongoing. Noncompetitive development training for college caliber high school [email protected]. Visit www.georgias or visit www.gscfun.com. gymnastics and motor-skills development classes players throughout the off-season. Players can use portsleagues.org. Suwanee Sports Academy. Ongoing. Volleyball training and camps. For ages 10 months-12 years. For these sessions to continue improving all year long. Arena Indoor Football. Ongoing. Youth and Adult and development for boys and girls grades 3-12. information call 770-982-0901 or visit Contact Brandon Clay at 404-422-3946 or visit Leagues. Youth 7 vs. 7; Adult 6 vs. 6. For informa VolleySkills, VolleyStars, VolleyTraining, and www.tlgsnellvillega.com. www.peachstatehoops.com for more information. tion, call 678-714-7454 or e-mail info.indoor@atlantasil OnCourt Player Development, a year-round com verbacks.com. www.atlantasilverbacks.com/indoor. prehensive player development program. For more Suwanee Sports Academy. Ongoing. Basketball train information, contact Mary Carnell at 770-614-6686 RACING ing and development for boy and girls grades K-12. Capitol City Officials Association. CCOA is accepting x108 or visit www.ssasports.com. Friday Night Drags and Show-N-Shine. August 14 Rising Stars, Future Stars, Suwanee Basketball ongoing registration for the upcoming GHSA High at Atlanta Motor Speedway. League, On Court Player Development, nationally- School season in football. We hold weekly training SWIMMING & DIVING 32nd Annual National Biker’s Roundup. August 4-9 recognized year-round comprehensive player devel meetings. For more information, contact Irvin Swimming lessons. Ongoing - Alpharetta City Pool - at Atlanta Motor Speedway. opment program. For more information contact Seabrook at 404-957-3331 or e-mail Alpharetta, Ga. - 1825 Old Milton Parkway. For Mike Brown at 678-541-0176 or visit www.ssasports.com. [email protected]. information call 678-297-6107. OFFICIATING Mark Price Shooting Lab. Ongoing: Personalized pro Gwinnett Aquatics. Ongoing - 2800 Quinberry Drive Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" Flag fessional shooting instruction through one-on-one HOCKEY and Bethany Church Road. For ages 5-18. Swim Football, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball. Earn coaching and state-of-the-art technology at Suwanee Peachtree Booster Club. Ongoing - Pickneyville Roller team and lessons available. For information call money officiating. Training provided. For more info Sports Academy. For more information, contact Hockey Rink. Fees: $95 for 12-game season, $30 770-972-4055. email [email protected] or visit Mike Brown at 678-541-0176 or visit www.ssasports.com. out-of-county fee. For information visit www.pbsports.org. Senior Water-Exercise class. Ongoing - Mountain Park www.usclubsport.com. Open Recreational Basketball. GSL -- Georgia Sports pool - Lilburn, Ga. Fees: $1 per class. For information Football - Lanier Football Officials Association. Leagues. Georgia’s Best Sports Leagues. Registration SOCCER call 770-546-4650. 10-10:50 AM. Ongoing. GHSA member accepting applications ongoing. We offer “Top Gun,” “B,” “C”and Co-Ed Challenged Soccer. Ongoing. For mentally and physi SwimAtlanta Sugarloaf at Kid’s Village. Ongoing. Swim with weekly training meetings. For information call styles of play around Atlanta. We play ALL year round. cally disabled youngsters. For information call Ken team, lessons, lap swimming, master’s program, Tom Tipton at 770-967-3197, ext. 239 or visit For more information please contact (678)799-0159 Higgins at 770-985-0434. water aerobics and scuba available. For information www.lanierofficials.org. Hall of Fame soccer clinics. Ongoing on Fridays call 678-442-7946. or email [email protected]. Visit Clarkston Community Center. For under-6 through 9RCorp Sports Officials. Ongoing. Provider of sports www.georgiasportsleagues.org. under-12 players. Fees: Free. For information call officials for multiple sports including basketball, flag 404-508-1050 or visit www.clarkstoncommunitycen YOUTH REGISTRATION football, & softball. Looking for additional officials. Soccer-Soccer Alley. Ongoing - 3265 Roswell Road- For information call Dennis Reagan at 404-213- BASEBALL ter.org. 5:30-7 PM. Atlanta. For information call 404-266-0762 or visit Braves. August 7 at Los Angeles Dodgers 10:10 PM. Competitive Amateur Soccer in Atlanta For more 0588 or email [email protected]. www.starsoccerclub.com. Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association. Needs youth August 8 at Los Angeles Dodgers 10:10 PM. information, visit www.majesticsoccer.com. Tucker Youth Soccer. Ongoing - 2803 Henderson Road August 9 at Los Angeles 4:10 PM. August 11 vs. Tucker, Ga. For information call 770-414-0538 or and High School officials for 2008-2009 season. Washington 7 PM. August 12 vs. Washington 7 TENNIS visit www.tysa.com. Training and mentoring provided for free. Great PM. August 14 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 PM. August 15 Technique Clinics. Ongoing - Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. Track and Field - Peachtree City Flash Youth Track way to earn some extra money and get some fun vs. Philadelphia 4 PM. August 16 vs. Philadelphia Tuesdays (serve/volley) and Saturdays (forehand/back Team registration. Ongoing - Riley Field - aerobic exercise. For more information, visit 1:30 PM. August 18 at New York Mets 7:10 PM. hand). Fees: $18. For information call 404-790- Peachtree City, Ga. For ages 6-14. For information www.GALAXREF.com or call Jim Westbrook at August 19 at New York Mets 7:10 PM. August 20 at 4772 or email [email protected]. 2 PM on call 770-631-3552 or email [email protected]. 770-753-9059. NewYork Mets 7:10 PM. Saturdays, 6:30PM on Tuesdays. Gymnastics - Georgia Gymnastics Academy. Gwinnett Braves. August 7 at Toledo 7 PM. August 8 Tennis camps for kids. Ongoing weekly. Lost Mountain Ongoing. For registration in Lawrenceville call 770- ATLANTA SPORTS COUNCIL at Toledo 7 PM. August 9 at Toledo 6:30 PM. Tennis Center. For information call 770-528-8525. 962-5867; in Suwanee call 770-945-3424. Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Dec. 31, 2009. Georgia Dome. For August 10 vs. Durham 7 PM. August 11 vs. Gym Elite. Ongoing. Registration for ages 2 and older. tickets, call 404-444-4444. Durham 7 PM. August 12 vs. Durham 7 PM. August LACROSSE Cheerleading for ages 6 and older. For information To reach the Atlanta Sports Council call 404-586- 13 vs. Durham 7 PM. August 14 vs. Pawtucket 7 Lacrosse. Ongoing. Registration for 1st-8th grades. For call 770-242-0678. 8510 or visit www.atlantasportscouncil.com. PM. August 15 vs. Pawtucket 7 PM. August 16 vs. information call 404-216-5870, email Youth Soccer Training. Ongoing. Start age 3 and up. Pawtucket 2 PM. August 17 vs. Pawtucket 2 PM. [email protected] or visit www.bagat For information, call 678-714-7454 or e-mail MISC August 18 at Norfolk 7:15 PM. August 19 at Norfolk awaylacrosse.com. [email protected]. Pool Tournament. Nightly - Ongoing - Sean Patrick’s 7:15 PM. August 20 at Norfolk 7:15 PM. Double Stixx Lacrosse. Ongoing - Leagues, Travel www.atlantasilverbacks.com/indoor. Bar & Grill - Buckhead. Fees: No cover. For infor Prospect Watch. Ongoing - Buckhead. Baseball pitching Teams and Tournaments for youth, high school and Corpus Christi Youth Basketball League. Registration mation call 770-650-5723. 8 PM. and hitting lessons by a former college and minor adult’s boys and girls. More information about the is now underway for our 29th season! Boys and girls Performance Training Inc. at Suwanee Sport league coach. For information call 404-869-7966 best lacrosse programs in Georgia can be found at ages 5 through 14, any skill level, are welcome. Cost: Academy. Ongoing. Offers speed, agility, and quick or visit www.eteamz.com/tryouts. www.doblestixxlacrosse.com or by contacting $90 per child/$85 for siblings. Fee includes uniforms, ness training for athletes across multiple sports. Adult Baseball League Metro Atlanta. Ongoing. MSBL Chris Smith at [email protected] or field trips, skills clinics, 9 games and more! Register For moreinformation, contact Dustin Wolf at 770- 18+, 28+, 38+, and 48+. Sunday League contact 404-550-5322. while space is still available Saturdays October 11 & 614-6686 x121 or visit www.ssasports.com. info is 770.785.2588, e-mail [email protected]. 18, 2008, 10 AM to 12 PM. Location: Corpus Christi Suwanee Sports Academy. Pre-K Athletics for 2, 3 and 4 RUNNING Church Sports Arena, 600 Mountain View Drive, year-olds introduces the basic skills needed to play MSBL 18+ Saturday League contact info is 770- Stone Mountain, GA 30083. For info, call 770-469- 436-8114, e-mail [email protected]. MSBL Jim Herrin Memorial Stampede 5K/10K/Mile. Aug. basketball, soccer, and t-ball. Also, there is a unique 8. Warner Robins, 7:30 AM. 478-972-2609. 0395, email [email protected], or visit the league’s after school program that provides students with a 18+ Midweek Wood bat league contact info is website (www.ccybl.net). 770-436-8114, e-mail [email protected]. Dog Days Run 5K/Mile. Aug. 8. Marietta, 7:30 AM. weekly sports curriculum along with the after school 404-625-4907 classroom setting. For more information, call 770- MSBL 18+Fall League contact info is 770-436- Dennis McCormick Road Race 5K and Fun Run. 8114, e-mail [email protected]. For more SOFTBALL 614-6686 or visit www.ssaports.com. Aug. 8. Suwanee, 7:30 AM..; 678-376-1416. Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" Registration Club Sport. Club Sport opens registration for summer information about our Atlanta Adult Baseball League, Measuring Stick Cross Country 5K and Fun Run. Ongoing for Men's & Coed Leagues League games please visit our website at www.AtlantaMSBL.com. played at multiple locations throughout the Metro Area. leagues on May 1st with league play beginning in June. Aug. 8. Lawrenceville, 8 AM. 770-466-3504 Club Sport is Atlanta's recreational sports and social TNT Sports. Ongoing. Baseball pitching and hitting les Summers End 5000. Aug. 8. Winder, 8 AM. For more info or to register visit www.usclubsport.com sons by Rob Blair, former college coach, Snellville. 770-868-2917 AYSA Spring Season. Ongoing - North Park - Cogburn and group with over 10,000 participants each year on 1200 To set up a free pitching or hitting analysis call Bethany - Alpharetta. Fees: If Alpharetta Residential teams in 120 leagues. Each season Club Sport offers 678-344-5876. CAMPS Property Tax IS NOT PAID at the primary residence of leagues in flag football, softball, soccer, sand and indoor Jack City Baseball. Ongoing. Baseball pitching and hit Nike Basketball Camps. Camps located in Snellville, the player, then the Non-City Resident Fee must be volleyball, basketball and more. Club Sport is where ting. Instruction with former pro Keith Whitner. 18-y Roswell, Kennesaw, Oxford and 0894-4297 to find paid. After Jan. 13, $10 late fee is charged. Atlanta comes to play! For more information about Club looking for high school players. The new location is out which dates suit your campers best. K-Club Classic – D1 Fastpitch Softball. February 20- Sport, upcoming events, photos or interviews with the inside Velocity Sports in North Gwinnett. For more Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" 22. Kennesaw State, Memphis, Buffalo, Miami, owner, please contact Rich Alvarez at 678-994-0793 information call 770-633-0948 or visit jackcity.net. Registration Ongoing for Sand & Indoor Leagues and Drexel and Iowa are schedule to participate. Entry ext. 818 or visit www.usclubsport.com.

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 14 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

Sports talk stations positioning for future; WSB’s Dowdle to retire n today’s sports world it seems that as long rently aired on Project 96.1 FM and AM 640. John Michaels will give color commentary Ias a competition is going on, the television, This move makes sense for the Braves on all of the action. McDaniel calls a solid radio or print media is covering it. And who because with Leo Mazzone now on the sta- game and Michaels originally got his feet wet is going to keep tabs on all of that coverage? tion’s morning show, “The Rude working with the Georgia Force. The two Score Atlanta, that’s who. Every week we’ll Awakening,” and Buck Belue on in the after- called games together last season and this break down what the various forms of media noon, the team will get plenty of coverage, year the pair should be able to flow off of are doing in Atlanta and across the country. though you have to wonder if the coverage each other. Those fans looking for the So with no further ado … will be slanted to the positive because of the Saturday morning recap might be disappoint- The Hawks will be on national television affiliation. John Kincade gives hard-hitting ed, however, as High School High Five will seven times this upcoming season. Getting to commentary on the Braves and it would be a not return for a third season. Those looking the second round certainly has its perks. Not shame for him to have to curb his opinions for high school football news will need to only are you on the national stage with a because of a fear of backlash. tune in to 790 Sundays from 2-4 for The chance to win a title, but you get to be on The Fan is also adding Florida Gator Official Visit, presented by Score Atlanta. ESPN and TNT the following year so everyone football. For the last three seasons, the Fan Starting the week after Labor Day, the can track whether or not you’ll make it back. has been the home of Auburn football, but Official Visit will move to Mondays, 7-9 p.m. ESPN has selected six Atlanta games, four of with Atlanta being home to so many Florida SCORE ATLANTA which will be played at Philips Arena. The first alumni, and with the Gators seeking their GOODBYE TO CHUCK … national broadcast will be live from Boston on second straight title and third in four years, Finally, WSB’s Chuck Dowdle will ADVERTISING INDEX Nov. 13, but Hawks fans can pack Philips on the Fan decided to strike while it is hot. With retire at the end of the year. Dowdle has been 790 The Zone ...... Front Thanksgiving night as well as New Year’s Auburn going through a transition year, and with Atlanta’s WSB for 24 years. He won’t Aqua Blue...... 4 Night. Considering the Hawks used to never as long as Tim Tebow is doing the Gator be leaving the Atlanta sports scene, however. Atlanta Braves ...... 2 even sniff ESPN or TNT, this is a big deal. chomp, this change will seemingly bring lis- Dowdle will still do the weekly Mark Richt People love their Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. teners out of the woodwork. The question is, coach’s show as well as handle post-game Atlanta Dream ...... 10, 15 though, will the station give the Gator faith- interviews for the Georgia Bulldog Radio Atlanta Falcons ...... Front RADIO NEWS … ful the Urban Meyer call-in show? Maybe I Network. It’s a shame to lose a staple of the Corky Kell Classic...... 7 The Atlanta Braves will be moving next missed it, but I don’t remember hearing from local television scene, especially when you GEICO ...... 1 season. No, not to a new stadium, but to a Tommy Tuberville all that much when he consider how much of a professional he was GHSFD Newsletter ...... 15 new radio station. Braves games will be was roaming the sidelines for the Tigers. on the sports report. Dowdle never seemed to Georgia State ...... 10 heard on AM 680 The Fan as well as 100.5 WSB 750 AM will still carry the University fall victim to the ESPN poseur-trap that so FM starting in 2010. The team signed a five- of Georgia games with extended coverage many sports anchors did when SportsCenter Hooters...... 15 year deal and will move to The Fan, which and Sports Radio 790 The Zone is still the hit its peak earlier this decade. You never Man’s Best Friend ...... 5 also owns the broadcast rights to the NHL’s flagship station of Georgia Tech. seemed to get a Craig Kilborn/Dan Patrick Mikael’s Auto Spa ...... 4 Thrashers. The Fan works with two other Speaking of 790 The Zone, football still impersonation with Dowdle; you just got North River Tavern ...... 12 smaller AM stations, so NHL coverage will lives on the station and Friday nights will Chuck, and that was perfect for Atlanta. Play It Again Sammy ...... 11 likely get pushed to The Fan2 or The Fan3 once again feature high school football. Trey Proctor can be reached at when schedules conflict. The games are cur- McDaniel returns to call play-by-play and [email protected]. PV-ATL ...... 8 Rhodes Bakery ...... 11 Ron Veal Football Camp ...... 14 TO ADVERTISE IN SCORE ATLANTA: Copyright 2009 Score Atlanta Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. CHECK OUT THE Score Atlanta is published every week on Fridays. Views expressed in Tour Championship ....Back Page Score Atlanta are not necessarily the opinion of Score Atlanta, its staff or 404.256.1572 advertisers. Score Atlanta does not knowingly accept false or misleading Trivia Zone ...... 14 NEW AND IMPROVED editorial content or advertising nor is Score Atlanta responsible for the content or claims of any advertising or editorial in this publication. No U.S. 10K Classic...... 11 content (articles, photographs, graphics) in Score Atlanta may be used SCOREATL.COM! for reproduction without written permission from the publisher. Worthmore Jewelers ...... 4

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM AUGUST 7-13, 2009 SCORE ATLANTA I 15

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