Page 8A THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD October 30, 2013 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Indians’ two game win streak snapped in 30-3 loss at St. Francis By Mason Mitcham Towns County Herald Staff Writer

Alpharetta - The Indi- ans and Indian fans braved the cold on Friday to travel to St. Francis, trying for their third win in a row. Though neither team initially had a clear edge, the St. Francis Knights eventually emerged with a 30-3 victory. The first quarter was indecisive. It might have gone another way had not the Indians suffered a couple of penalties early on, including one call for a facemask. Cruz Shook and Harrison Hobbs were at the fore of the offense, whereas Garrett Bradshaw stood out on defense with several nice, hard-hitting tackles. The Knights fought their way to the goal line, but it took them several tense plays to break through the Indian defense for the necessary two Senior Vonya Baldwin (12) leads the Indians onto the field at St. Francis. Photo/Lowell Nicholson Senior Brett Barrett looks for a block. Photo/Lowell Nicholson yards to score. They finally ran in the touchdown with 5:20 left in the first quarter, but were un- able to get past Shook, Jackson Noblet, and Bradshaw to score again. That quarter ended 7-0. The second quarter start- ed off well. Shea Underwood kicked a 35-yd field goal for three points. At 10:11, Vonya Baldwin caught an interception. Evan Keyes took over defense this quarter, focusing less on merely stopping the Knights and more on hurling them to the ground. Still, St. Francis was able to get through as the quarter drew to a close. With 67 sec- onds left, the Knights scored another touchdown, bringing Shea Underwood and the kickoff team. Photo/Lowell Nicholson the score to 14-3 at halftime. With 11:39 to go in the third, the Knights scored an- other touchdown, bringing the score to 21-3. The penal- ties continued against Towns County. For a helmet-to-helmet penalty, the Indians lost 15 yards. For an offsides penalty, they lost five. Still, they fought. Jaryd Gurley (77), Kyle Davis (60), and Garrett Bradshaw (80) anchor the front line. Photo/Lowell Nicholson With about five minutes to go in the third, they backed St. Francis up to the 5-yard line. It seemed they would score as the clock wound down. But the penalties ulti- mately went against them, and the Indians were unable to score. The Knights scored with- in the first five seconds of the The Towns County Band made the trip. Photo/Lowell Nicholson fourth quarter, bringing the beginning of the season--a fact guards, Keyes and Kyle Davis. score to 27-3. They were later which is already obvious to the The end of the season is only a able to add a field goal as the spectators that regularly turn few weeks away, but Harrison game drew to a close, finishing out on Friday nights. is already planning summer with a score of 30-3. “I think we’re playing workouts. While Head Coach Blair better fundamental football,” he “We’ll do four days a Harrison acknowledges that said. He mentioned that starting week all summer long,” he the loss was unfortunate, he’s quarterback Russell Cox, only said. “And we don’t stop lifting. focused on the broader picture: a freshman, has risen admira- That’s another reason we’re creating a winning, consistent bly to the pressures of playing getting better, because we’re football team. high school football. “I don’t getting stronger.” “You’ve got to play care who you are, that’s hard,” “I’m trying to build a games like that before you can he said. It’s hard to go from a program,” Harrison said. “Not win games like that,” he said. middle school season to a high just one season. But what we “It’s all a process.” school season, but he’s doing a went through tonight’s going to Harrison noted that the great job.” He also added that help us in the future. I wish we team has made steady but im- some “unsung heroes” of the had twenty more games, just so portant improvements since the team were his two offensive we can keep getting better.” Indians’ Coach Blair Harrison instructs the Indians during the second half. Photo/Lowell Nicholson 6&U one win away from Super Bowl Register your child now for Upward Indoor Soccer By Mason Mitcham consecutive Saturdays from of sports, Upward Sports’ Towns County Herald January 25 through March Coaches and Volunteers con- Staff Writer 1, 2014. nect with families during the Only one evaluation formative years in a child’s will be held on Tuesday, life to develop values, ath- Saturday held un- December 17th from 5:30 letic skills and a life-long expected turns for Towns to 7:30 PM at the House of love of the game. County youth football. Prayer Family Life Center Founded in 1995 by This first round of the and everyone is encouraged Caz McCaslin, Upward playoffs saw the 9-10 year Online registration to attend. Sports is the world’s largest olds take a hard loss to Jack- is now open through Janu- Form and registration Christian-based kid’s sports son County. ary 6th for Upward Indoor fees may also be dropped league. The first-class sports However, the 5-6 year- Soccer for boys and girls in off, Monday through Friday, program—which includes old team forged ahead, beat- grades Kindergarten through at House of Prayer Family basketball, flag football, ing Dawson County 26-0 6th at www.hopb.org or at Life Center or First United soccer and cheerleading— and securing a place for www.fumcunioncounty.org. Methodist Church’s business provides a fun sports experi- themselves in the next round The early registration price office between 9 a.m. and 2 ence based on healthy com- of Super Bowl Playoffs. to participate is $60 and p.m. For more information, petition for kids, teaching The 9-10 year-olds includes one jersey among contact either church office skills for the sports arena played with their usual other Upward sports related at HOP (706) 745-5925 or and values for life. abandon. Peyton Ivester and resources. After December FUMC (706) 745-2073. Today, nearly 550,000 Hayden McClure both scored 18th, the price will be $70. Research indicates children in 48 U.S. states touchdowns in the first half. Payment plans are available that children’s moral foun- and Canada participate in Colin Crowder ran for an ex- if needed. Convenient once dations are generally in Upward Sports Leagues tra point. Opponents Jackson The season draws to a close for youth football across North Georgia, per week practices will begin place by the time they reach and Camps hosted by 2,400 but Towns County still has teams alive. Photo/Mason Mitcham County remained tough. By the week of January 6, 2014, age nine (Barna, 2003). Us- churches. N(Oct30,A3)SH halftime the score was tied downs. Also scoring for job’ to my coaching staff,” while games will be held on ing the universal language 13-13. the Indians was Dawson Smith said. “They just do a In the second half, Devane. wonderful job.” His coaching however, Jackson took the “He moved the ball staff for the 5-6 year-olds New youth basketball BMTA lead and held it until the end great all day,” said Smith. consists of coaches Randy annual meeting of the game, defeating Towns Defensively, Copper Floed Crisp, Shane Haney, Paul program at Rec Department County 19-13. and Robert Burns did incred- Hunter, Brandon Burns, and The Towns County for the program will be $45 Benton MacKaye Trail Though disappointed, ibly well. They only allowed Head Coach Joey Floed. “I Recreation Department is for 8 & under and $25 for 6 Association Annual Meet- Director Jimmy smith stayed Dawson three 1st downs the just can’t say enough,” Smith currently taking youth bas- & under. ing weekend, Nov. 1 - 3. positive. entire game. “Everybody had said. ketball registration through Age divisions will be Group Hikes, Friday - Sun- “They ended up 7-2,” great tackles,” said Smith. Next week’s round of Saturday the 16th of No- 6 & Under Co-Ed divisions day. Meeting on Saturday, he said. “They had a wonder- Also playing well were playoffs will be held at Fan- vember 2013. (5 & 6 year olds), 8 & Un- in Ellijay, includes reports ful season.” Aiden Burrel, Kaylee Rader, nin County. You may register your der divisions (7 & 8) year on the trail, election of new On the other hand, the and Evan Woodall. Smith The 5-6 year-olds will child at the Towns County olds. This is for both male Board and lasagna dinner. 5-6 year-olds will be ad- said his coaching staff were face off against Flowery Recreation Department. and female. See www.bmta.org for de- vancing to the next round of very proud of the young kids, Branch. If they win, they will Our hours of operation are For more information tails and to pre-register. playoffs. “because they played like play at home the following Monday thru Friday from 9 please contact The Towns Contact Darcy Douglas with Brett Young rushed for champions.” Saturday. a.m. til 8 p.m. and Saturday County Recreation Depart- questions - bmtadarcy@ya- 200 yards and three touch- “I want to say ‘great from 9 a.m. til 4 p.m. Fee ment at (706)-896-2600. hoo.com or 404-497-0818. N(Oct30,A1)SH THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD October 30, 2013 Page 9A Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Towns Cross Country’s road to a repeat begins this week By Mason Mitcham don’t compare in terms of how Towns County Herald close the athletes are. Staff Writer “You don’t find stuff like this,” she said of the relation- With the Area Meet fast ships the runners have with one approaching, Towns County another. Cross-Country Coach Jeannie Of course, such close- Ledford knows she’s done all ness doesn’t always come she can to prepare her team. without a little urging. There’s It’s been a year of ups a reason Ledford sometimes and downs; though a crop of substitutes the word “family” new runners have shown in- for “team.” credible improvements from “I make them,” she said. the beginning of the season, “Every bit of it. Because I want some more experienced runners people to feel like no matter if have suffered injuries. you were the kid who came in Now, however, all her and couldn’t run three miles, runners are healed up, healthy, we’re here on your best day and ready to compete in the area and we’re here on your worst tournament on Halloween. day. When somebody’s hurt, To say that Ledford ex- I’ve got other legs that can run pects the competition to be stiff for you.” would be an understatement. The end of the season is “We’re focused on Trion, Both of Towns’ Cross Country squads have come a long way under Coach Ledford since the season began in August. Photo/Lowell Nicholson always emotional, exciting, and Commerce, and Gordon Lee,” handling it. said. “There is not enough that team’s mental state will be in- “and I feel confident in my kids stressful, but this year, those she said. “All these teams are “How I handle it is, I could ever be said about what credibly important in the meat that they’re going to fight, and factors are increased because separated by seconds.” look at those three runners and she does.” Ledford’s known grinder that will be the area that they’re going to try with at the end of the year, Ledford She went on to add that Lindy,” she said. The “three “Brain” since she was very tournament. They’ve trained their heart and with their feet will be losing members of her the area in which Towns will runners” are Caitlin Sheffield small, but Lindy’s never run. hard and worked on perfecting and with their minds, and that’s family. compete is the toughest area and Ansley and Taylor Varde- “She does more for this team their technique, but so have the all you can do.” But she’s staying fo- in the state. So after area, the man, all in the top seven Led- than if she ran a step,” Ledford athletes in Trion, Commerce, The closing of the sea- cused. After all, she has had cross-country team will most ford will depend on to score in said. and Gordon Lee. son is decidedly bittersweet. another great coach to model likely be running against the Area and State. Though this is the penul- “It’s not always the most Ledford’s seniors have been in herself after. same competitors at state. Lindy Hollingshead had timate moment of the season, gifted or the most trained,” her life since they were kinder- “I keep trying to remem- Towns County has already a special place in Ledford’s Ledford’s focus is on staying Ledford said. “It comes down garteners. ber how Coach Carney handled beaten Commerce once this heart. Ledford calls Lindy calm, collected, and present. to who wants it more. You just “They are a phenomenal us and handled me and how year, but both teams had a run- “Brain” because Lindy is the She isn’t thinking about an- show up and you battle. blessing and no matter where he handled that pressure,” she ner out for injuries. brains of the team. She’s the other state championship, but “Because on any given they go, they will always be my said. “It’s something I don’t “This will be the first manager, who deals with scor- rather about having her team day it could be anybody’s race. kids,” she said. take lightly. If my position in race of the season where ev- ing and paperwork so Ledford run the best they can at area. It’s that close.” Ledford sees it as her job this world right now is to coach, erybody’s athletes are back,” can focus on coaching. “I stay one objective at a It may be close, but Led- to bring her team as close to- then I’m going to coach the best Ledford said. “The person that I liter- time. We’re focused on not get- ford is confident in the ath- gether as they possibly can be, I can. I’m going to try to make a The pressures of per- ally do not know everyday ting ahead of ourselves, staying letes she’s known, taught, and until they are no longer “just” difference like somebody made formance at area and state are how that I could function with- ever present, and our battle is trained with for 11 years. a team but are instead a family. a difference in my life. I owe daunting. But she has ways of out, is my Brain,” Ledford Halloween,” she said. And her “I feel hopeful,” she said, She admitted that other teams him that.” never three-putted. Joe How do you develop great NASCAR 2013 Collins feel on long putts? I am glad By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter you asked and I will explain. You don’t. If you don’t have ES COMING IN 2014 Tips from the Range it, you ain’t gonna find it on the Gordon bounces NASCAR is consid- course unless you play a lot of ering changing its quali- One of the places I see golf. You gotta’ use technique. fying procedure in 2014, many players falter when score It is impossible to develop con- back at Martinsville is concerned is on the putting sistent feel when greens change was in not for the 48.” which would allow multi- surface itself. They stroke the daily and you only play a couple victory lane for the first Jamie McMurray ple cars on the track at the putt poorly, which can be cor- times a month. Your technique time this season as he won rounded out the top-10. same time. rected through practicing the must provide the base of your Sunday’s Sprint Cup race Top-10 Chase The proposed quali- proper technique, make poor putting stroke. Feel is created at . leaders after 33 of 36: 1. fying format would have reads or develop inconsistent inside good form through a lot Gordon, who led four Kenseth-2294, 2. John- cars in groups of five or feel or they do the one thing of practice on technique. The times during the 500-lap son-2294 (Kenseth is con- six, with each car released that probably causes more added first thing you must consider is race, took the lead from sidered the leader, because from pit road in intervals strokes to the scorecard than the fact that it is very important of a few seconds, similar any one factor and that is: Lag to repeat your form every stroke on lap 479 he has more wins than Jeff Gordon is all smiles after Putting. so that your distances will be and stayed out front for Johnson), 3. Gordon-2267, to road course qualifying. winning Sunday’s Martinsville Each group of drivers More often than not, a consistent. It is vital that you the remaining laps. 4. Harvick-2266, 5. Cup race. would then have a certain once a week golfer or a twice keep your head still and watch “Man, it’s hard to -2258, 6. crewmember was yank- a month golfer will go out and the putter head strike the ball to top a win like this,” said Bowyer-2239, 7. Earn- amount of time to complete ing on Harvick’s driver- qualifying laps, with the play a decent round of golf, and make a clean impact. Always Gordon. “This was a huge hardt-2238, 8. Biffle-2236, when the final score is totaled, keep the intended target line in side window net, another best lap speed used to de- win, but I gave it all I had. 9. -2219, 10. aimed a sledge hammer at it’s higher than said golfer thinks your minds eye by using your I couldn’t have driven any Edwards-2218. termine the starting order it ought to be. You hit the ball peripheral vision. Don’t move his truck. for the race. On restrictor- harder. DARRELL WALLACE Harvick exited the well, even hit several greens in your head to do this. Keep the “A couple times I JR WINS TRUCK plate tracks (Daytona and regulation, but what happened use of your hands to a minimum area, because he realized Talladega), NASCAR is thought I might have giv- RACE he was in the wrong pit for to your score? The ride home until you have struck the ball. considering using a draft- provides the answer to this high en it away, but we had the Darrell Wallace Jr. sympathy. Stay in balance. car, team, and everything won Saturday’s Truck Se- ing session, likely 45-60 score phantom as the round Now, this is how you “I don’t care what is replayed inside the golfers we needed to win.” ries race at Martinsville minutes, to determine the find your correct distances from they throw at me,” said head. All of a sudden, when course to course or from week It was Gordon’s 88th to become the first black starting order. Harvick. “That’s exactly The everything is counted and all to week on your home course. victory in 722 Sprint Cup driver in nearly 50 years the reason I’m leaving shots are analyzed, it is obvious Find a flat place on the practice starts. to win a major NASCAR field would still be set RCR ( primarily through qualify- that good ball striking alone is putting green and step off five Matt Kenseth, who event. Racing) is because you’ve not going to produce low scores. paces ( 15’ ) from the nearest led the most laps (202) fin- Wallace beat Jeb Bur- ing races but whether the got those punk-ass kids new format would be used Said golfer just counted 45 total flat hole. Drop three balls and ished second and is back ton into Turn-1 on a restart putting strokes which included make a good solid stance to coming up. They’ve got no to determine the Daytona as the Chase leader. with five laps to go, and respect for what they do in six three-putts and one four-putt. prepare to roll the first practice “The car was good then held on for the win. 500 pole and the lineup for Unacceptable! putt. Draw the putter back to this sport and they’ve had the qualifying races is still and the team did a great His victory was the everything fed to them The average golfer thinks the outside of the back foot and job in the pits, but we first by a black driver to be decided. that the difficulty in golf is hit- make your normal, or as close to with a spoon. So, I cut “Nothing is set in had a couple issues,” said since Wendell Scott’s Dec. him slack all day and, you ting the ball from point A to normal, putting stroke that you stone yet,” NASCAR point B. Oh, if only this were Kenseth. “We had a bad 1, 1963 win in a Grand know, he just dive-bombs would use on the course during rear tire there at the end National (Sprint Cup) race spokesman, Kerry Tharp true. The difficulty in golf is a round. DO NOT change your me in there, dumps me. shooting your lowest score ever and it didn’t handle like it said. “We haven’t de- stance, merely place another at Jacksonville, Fla. It’s a shame you’ve got to or being a consistent low scorer. ball exactly where the previous did earlier.” “This (win) means termined how all that get taken out by some rich (throughout the sea- Ball striking is important to ball was rolled from and stroke tried everything,” said Wallace. kid like that.” having good scores but putting the next two. Assuming you had several times to get around “This is an emotional win son) would be adminis- Following a 22nd tered. We’re still working is the one thing that can affect all the elements in place to make Kenseth, but had to settle for me, especially doing it place finish, Dillon quietly your score the most and in rela- a good stroke, determine how far for third place. in Wendell Scott’s back- through that but with the explained, “He got side- goal of providing a more tive terms, the easiest to control. past or how short the average of “I dunno’ what hap- yard. I love coming here Proper technique is required to a the there balls is and that is the ways and then he hit the enhanced qualifying ex- pened,” said Bowyer. “We to Martinsville, it’s always brakes and tried to brake- point but some simple logic will distance you will roll the ball had a good car, but a lot good to me. It finally paid perience for the fans that help you roll those long putts on the course when drawing the check me. So, I can’t be- come there and watch it of things happened dur- off. I think it’s my third lieve that happened. I’m closer to the hole and in return putter back to the outside of the ing the race. Some of it trip here. I love coming and the fans that watch it have less putting strokes on the back foot. Pretty simple huh? pretty disappointed in on television and, quite was our fault, and some here, the fans are great the things that just went scorecard. Sound good? This is a simple but very frankly, for the competi- Many of you have seen affective way to combat lag put- wasn’t. That’s just the way here and we always put down. some races go.” on great races here. I had tors.” the old timers and the way ting problems. Nothing is more “I used to look up Weekend Racing: they used their hands to putt by irritating than putting for birdie to do some muscling there to that guy but I guess he breaking their wrist in the fol- and come away with bogey or was fourth, while Jimmie at the end and get around doesn’t understand the will be the center of NA- low through. Obviously this is double. Work on this the next Johnson came in fifth. Ty (Dillon) and keep away circumstances of what’s SCAR racing this week- a form of putting that requires time you go play and you will Johnson led three dif- from (Kevin) Harvick, so going on. I understand its end, as all three major se- a tremendous amount of feel find the first putts getting a lot ferent times, but near the we dodged a few bullets tough racing down there ries’ will be at the 1.5-mile but can be the most consistent closer to the hole which should end his car lost handling in the race and this is awe- in (turns) one and two at track. way to putt for someone who eliminate most of the three and and a fourth-place finish some.” Martinsville. I know we Fri., Nov. 1, Truck has developed that feel. Char- four-putts. was the best he could man- , wrecked, but to tear up a Series race 20 of 22; Start- lie Jenkins was my mentor at Good luck and I will see Butternut Creek Golf Course age. , Ben Kenne- truck after the race and act ing time: 8:30 pm ET; TV: you on the course! “It’s been a great dy, , Denny like a punk on the track when I was growing up and he FoxSports1. taught me to roll the ball on the battle with the 20 (Matt Hamlin, German Quiro- and stop on pit road in my Sat., Nov. 2, Nation- League Kenseth),” said Johnson. ga, , Scott pit stall, was pretty ridicu- putting surface and to feel each wide Series race 31 of 33; putt before you ever struck the “Jeff drove a great race, Riggs, and James Bue- lous.” Starting time: 3:30 pm ET; bowling scores and we’ll keep going until scher were the remaining ball. He stood on the south side Harvick, who will TV: ESPN2. of the ball and he actually cut Galaxy Bowling: Mon- we get to Homestead.” top-10 finishers. move to Stewart-Haas Sun., Nov. 3, sprint across the ball with his stroke, day Night Men - Game: Gary was Tempers flared near Racing in 2014, is in his Cup race 34 of 36; Start- but made more putts than any- Brown 278; Derrick Rice 275; sixth, followed by Denny the end of the race be- final season with RCR. Ty ing time: 3 pm ET; TV: one. His stroke was through the and Jeb Plott 257. Series: Der- Hamlin, and Dale Earn- tween Kevin Harvick and Dillon is team owner Rich- ESPN. shoulders but also with a whole rick Rice 763; Gary Brown hardt. Ty Dillon. A bump from ard Childress’ grandson. Racing Trivia Ques- lot of feel through the hands. He 701; and BJ Gilbert 653. Mon- , who fin- Dillon in Turn-2, during Another grandson, Austin tion: Who won the pole day Night Women - Game: ished ninth, approached lap 189 of the 200-lap race Dillon races for Childress for the first NASCAR race Sarah Chumbley 206; and Nell Johnson after the race sent Harvick’s truck spin- in the Nationwide and Cup at Martinsville in 1949? Family Bike-A-Thon Rice 195. Series: Shae Roberts ended with some angry ning. series. Last Week’s Ques- Bike to raise money for 529; and Nell Rice 512. Young words concerning John- Both drivers pitted. Top-10 leaders after tion: Which year did Matt new playground equipment at At Heart - Game: Ernest Rice son’s driving habits. Harvick stopped in 19 of 22: 1. Crafton-707, Kenseth win his only Cup Union County Primary School. 205; Don Ransom 204; and “We got a rear bum- Dillon’s pit stall to voice 2. Buescher-656, 3. T. Dil- championship? Answer. It Drop in Sunday, November 10, Ron Mack 192. Series: Al per torn off by the 48- his displeasure, and ask lon-646, 4. Burton-639, 5. was 2003, while driving a 2013 at Meeks Park between 1 Squires 538; Ron Gaucher car,” said Biffle. “It takes for a crying towel. Sauter-625, 6. Blaney-615, Jack Roush Ford. - 5 p.m. All participants must 537; and Paul Napolitano 534. a whole lot to tear off an Crew members for 7. Paludo-615, 8. D. Wal- You may e-mail any wear a helmet. $5 registration Thursday Night Fun - Bob entire bumper. We had a Ty Dillon’s team fired lace-614, 9. Gaughan-595, questions to the Racing fee per biker. Landis 265; Russ Southcott good car, and would have back with some choice 10. Peters-592. Reporter at: hodges@ Face painting, hair art, 258; Jeb Plott 246; and Pam finished much higher if verbal words. While one QUALIFYING CHANG- race500.com. tattoos, drinks and pizza will Bierce 212. Series: Jeb Plott be available. 722. N(Oct30,Z12)CA