Page 8 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD September 30, 2015 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Indians’ defense solid in 24-0 loss to George Walton Academy By Shawn Jarrard Towns County Herald Staff Writer

The Towns County In- dians struggled to move the ball for the second week in a row, falling to George Walton Academy 24-0 at home on Friday, Sept. 25. For most of the day and into the game, the weather fluc- tuated between light drizzling rain and a barely there mist, and though the field was saturated, the conditions offered a level playing field for both teams. “I can’t fault the effort of our young men,” said Indians Head Coach Billy Barnhart, still visibly proud of his boys in the face of the loss they all shared. “They play hard, Coach Barnhart during a timeout vs George Walton Photo/Lowell Nicholson The Indians’ defense lines up vs George Walton on a damp night in Hiawassee. Photo/Lowell Nicholson they’re playing their best. Like I told them, I felt we played Towns County beefed up de- when you get two positive and put something in the end day and a new week next week, of improvement and growth defensively good enough to win fensively enough to cut its loss plays – big plays – and they zone and get some scores, and have a new beginning next – measures Coach Barnhart the football game.” over last year by 24 points. And were just both taken away from maybe give them a little bit week,” said Coach Barnhart. “I gladly applies to his team, even And that is a statement the overall story may have had you due to penalties and you’re more energy, I think it would talked to them about new begin- in one of the toughest regions with merit, given that Towns a vastly different outcome had backed up. help us. Offensively, we’ve got nings yesterday, and each week in the state. County stopped all three the Indians been able to score “The negative plays are to get that fixed. That’s going for us is a new beginning. “We’re getting better, 2-point conversion attempts some critical early points. just killing us offensively. to be our main focus this next “Whether you win or lose we are,” said Coach Barnhart. made by the Bulldogs, and “We felt coming in that That’s another thing that’s re- week. We’re going to continue on Friday, the great thing about “Like I said, George Walton held George Walton scoreless 21 points would win this ball- ally hurting us on offense. It’s to work defensively, but I’m it is, each week you’ve got to last year, it was 28 points in the for the first and fourth quarters game, and I feel if we do score like we take one step forward proud of our defense, and I’m look at as a new beginning. first quarter. They put 21 on us of the game. early, then they don’t get 24,” and two steps back. We’ve just proud of the way they played We’ll just have to look at this in about two minutes. That just “This group scored more said Coach Barnhart. “But it got to continue to eliminate defensively.” as a new beginning this week shows you the improvements points in the first quarter against didn’t happen, and we’ve got that.” Towns County’s next and come back ready for work, we’re making as a football us last year than they did the to keep working, we’ve got One aspect of the game matchup is this Friday, Oct. and get after it and get ready for team. We’re not near where we whole game this year, and to figure something out offen- that Coach Barnhart repeatedly 2, when the Indians head to Athens Academy. need to be yet, but to say we we’ve just got to be able to sively. I’m proud of our guys, praised was the defense, which Athens Academy to play at “I believe in our kids. can’t compete in this region is generate something offen- still proud of them, still proud forced George Walton into mul- 7:30 p.m. They’re great young men that to me ridiculous. sively positive,” said Coach of their effort and proud of the tiple fourth-and-punt situations, Going into that game, work hard, and I’m proud of “We’ve just got to con- Barnhart. way they play.” and the Indians defense also got Coach Barnhart will utilize them. We’re going to continue tinue to work hard in the weight Looking at last year’s During the game against the ball turned over on downs the first part of the week dur- to coach them hard, and they’re room, work hard in the practice matchup, it’s easy to see how Hebron two Fridays ago, the several times. ing practice to focus on his going to continue to work hard. field, but it’s going to come. much the Indians have grown Indians faced a tougher than “Defense makes stops Indians and what they can do It’s just what we do and what We’ve just got to continue to as a team. usual officiating crew – not and makes stops early, and to bring their offense back into we’re going to do.” be patient, continue to work During that Sept. 26, so against George Walton at when you don’t get anything the light. Sometimes the biggest hard, continue to believe in 2014, game at George Walton home, though Towns County going offensively, it just kind “Lord willing, the sun’s successes are measured not each other – everything’s going Academy, Towns County went still received some disappoint- of takes some of your en- going to come up tomorrow, by the number in the wins to be all right. Like I said, I’m into the halftime down 35-0. ing penalties. ergy out, I know it does,” said and we’ll wake up to a new column, but by the measures proud of our guys.” But in the second half, the In- “We’ve got to eliminate Coach Barnhart. “I’m not say- dians held the Bulldogs to two the negative plays,” said Coach ing they’re not playing hard touchdowns while putting up Barnhart. “We had two huge – our defense is still playing runs, and we got them both hard, but it just takes some of NASCAR 2015 four of their own to finish that By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter second half 28-13 in points over called back on penalties. It that energy out. George Walton. wasn’t a bad officiating crew “If we could just gener- In just a year’s time, tonight, but those just kill you, ate something offensively early Kenseth gets fifth cup win LOUDON, N.H.—Matt lin-2093, 3. Edwards-2089, 4. Loga- Kenseth won his fifth Sprint Cup no-2089, 5. Johnson-2083, 6. New- Termites victorious over Swain race of the season this past Sunday man-2074, 7. -2073, 8. at New Hampshire. Kenseth was Keselowski-2072, 9. Truex-2071, By Shawn Jarrard up good numbers, including the age limit each year. running second behind Kevin Har- 10. Gordon-2068, 11. McMur- Towns County Herald Collin Crowder, who had the The Mites Player of the vick, with four laps to go in the 300- ray-2058, 12. Earnhardt-2057, 13. Kyle Busch-2056, 14. Me- Staff Writer game’s only touchdown and Game was Christian Wade, lap race. Kenseth had been chasing Harvick’s blue No. 4 for over 20 nard-2056, 15. Harvick-2034, 16. rushed for 60 yards, received said Mites Head Coach Joseph Bowyer-2018. Matt Kenseth Gets His Fifth laps, and didn’t appear to have any Cup Win Towns County Youth for 160 yards. Goble. chance of catching him before the The points will be reset after Football League games that Kyle Oakes, the Midg- Crowd favorite Shep race ended. Sunday’s Dover race, and the field come just one of two factory-backed were scheduled for Saturday, ets quarterback, rushed for Calhoun returned that Satur- But on lap 297, Harvick reduced to 12 drivers. Drivers that teams in the Sprint Cup Se- Sept. 26, against Murphy, NC, 40 yards and passed for 180 day to deliver the invocation slowed and headed for pit road. need to have a good finish include ries next season. It will remain a were canceled due to rain. yards, and both Crowder and before the games, after having He was out of gas. Kyle Busch, , Kevin single-car team next season. In home games against Caleb Bradley nabbed an in- been out of town for the pre- Kenseth then coasted the re- Harvick, and . The 35-year-old Truex said he is ready and anxious to drive Swain County on Saturday, terception apiece. vious home game, and Angel maining three laps to victory lane, The top three leaders are Joe smiling all the way. Gibbs drivers. the No. 78 car in 2016 and rejoin Sept. 19, the TCYFL Indi- Leading the Midgets Moss pleased the ears of those BLANEY GETS Toyota. He drove a Toyota Camry ans played hard, though only “There at the end we could defense were Reece Hampton gathered with her always reli- actually run faster than I thought,” XFINITY WIN for four seasons as a member of the the Towns County Termites and Crowder. able rendition of the national said Kenseth. “We had a great car. Ryan Blaney won Saturday’s Racing team from emerged victorious. Midgets Head Coach anthem. We’ve got the momentum and we’re Kentucky Xfinity race over Ty Dil- 2010 through 2013. Termites Head Coach Damon Crowder acknowl- Director Smith would going to enjoy this one, because it lon on a green-white checkered fin- “I am happy to continue in Shane Haney appropriately edged that the game was a also like to recognize the could change at anytime.” ish. my role with Furniture Row Rac- labeled the game a big win – tough loss, saying that the cheerleaders who cheered all Teammate Blaney, who had ran behind ing and feel that we’ve just begun final score 14-6 – for his 7- and Swain County players were a that day in the hot sun. ran second, followed by Joey Lo- Dillon for most of the race was able a growth spurt that will take us to a gano, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, to stay under Dillon’s No. 3 car new level,” continued Truex. “It’s a 8-year olds. lot bigger and quicker. Also, Despite two tough loss- through Turn 1 on the restart, and great organization and Barney (Vis- “We needed this one to , , Mar- several Towns County youths es, Director Smith said the tin Truex, , and Ryan keep his momentum through the ser, team owner) gives us whatever start a push for a playoff spot,” were out sick, including key referees were the best he’d Newman. backstretch to win by less than half a we need to be successful.” said Coach Haney. “Brett starter Hayden McClure. seen all year, and he and his Overall, it was a bad day second ahead of Dillon. TOP-25 AND Young got us on the board with Towns County’s Mites coaches are proud of their for Harvick and the Stewart-Haas “We were lucky to get a good THEIR WINNINGS a 5-yard touchdown to the left also suffered a loss that Sat- young Indians’ collective ef- Racing teams. ’s 11th push and just get a little position on NASCAR is about winning set up by a big run by Brody urday to an undefeated Swain fort. place finish was the highest of the (Dillon) and use up the race track. I and money. It’s hard to tell some- Burke. Young scored the other County team, 52-8. “They didn’t quit – for four drivers. Kurt Busch never led a knew once we were clear, we had a times which is the most important, lap and ran out of fuel. He finished really good shot at it,” said Blaney. but here are the total winnings of on a blast up the gut you could “Swain County’s got the whole games, everybody During the race the top-25 Sprint Cup drivers after drive a truck through. Dawson it going on with the Midgets played hard,” said Director 19th. Harvick wound up 21st after leading 216 laps. and Darrell Wallace Jr. got together the Chicago race. This is the amount Devane directed the defense and the Mites – they both Smith. hit the wall and finished 40th. Af- on the track. The pair exchanged won by the car. Each driver receives very well in holding the Devils looked good,” said TCYFL Towns County Youth ter bouncing off the wall she was cuss words with each other after the between 40 and 60 per cent of this to just one score.” Director Jimmy Smith, adding Football plays at home in tagged by . Both driv- race which carried over to Twitter. total, depending on their contract. Pee Wee Indians got that Swain County was likely Frank McClure Memorial ers were done for the day and could Wallace said he was blind- 1. Matt Kenseth-$4,921,697, a bye on account of Swain to send teams to the Cracker Stadium against Cherokee, not continue. sided by Scott, his wife, and truck 2. Denny Hamlin-5,307,887, County’s lack of a Pee Wee Bowl this year. NC, on Saturday, Oct. 3, with Brad Keselowski led four driver. 3. Carl Edwards-3,584,573, 4. team. Many of the Swain a kickoff time of 11 a.m. – different times, but jumped the re- Scott accused Wallace of Kyle Busch-3,229,421, 5. Kurt start during a late race caution and being classless and cursing out his Busch-3,607,841, 6. Joey Lo- On the Midgets front, Mites turned 11 after the sea- Director Smith hopes to see wife. gano-6,439,716, 7. Jimmie the Indians lost to their Ma- had to serve a pass through penalty. son signup deadline, which a big Towns County turnout He finished 12th. The remaining top-10: 3. Johnson-5,614,748, 8. Ryan roon Devil counterparts with is usually an age reserved for for the kids’ last home game Here are the 16 Chase lead- Regan Smith, 4. Chase Elliott, 5. Newman-4,153,058, 9. Brad Ke- a tough 40-6 final score. Midget teams but can happen of the year. ers after two races into the 10-race Brandon Jones, 6. , selowski-4,863,087, 10. Dale Still, several Indians put when kids are on the cusp of Chase. 1. Kenseth-2099, 2. Ham- 7. Chris Buescher, 8. Erik Jones, 9. Earnhardt Jr.-4 851,635, 11. Darrell Wallace, 10. Matt Tift. Martin Truex-4,221,111, 12. The First Annual GA Mountain Pickleball Classic st Top-10 leaders after27 of 33: Jeff Gordon-4,225,668, 13. Ja- The 1 Georgia Mountain Pickleball Classic 1. C. Buescher-982, 2. T. Dillon-963, mie McMurray-3,963,227, 14. 3. Elliott-957, 4. Smith-935, 5. Wal- Paul Menard-3,237,015, 15. Double Elimination Tournament 9/18/15 lace-874, 6. Sadler-872, 7. Scott-857, Clint Bowyer-4,188,431, 16. Winners 8.Suarez-852, 9. Gaughan-836, 10. Kevin Harvick-7,104,268, 17. RESULTS OF THE ROUND ROBIN Reed-735. Aric Almirola-3,982,527, 18. 3.0 (8 teams; play to 15, win by 1) AUSTIN DILLON IS TRUCK Kasey Kahne-5,428,379, 19. Champion: Melissa and Avie Ownby WINNER Kyle Larson-3,608,288, 20. nd Austin Dillon won Saturday’s Greg Biffle-4,047,520, 21. Aus- 2 Place: Randy Heyob and Robert Richardson 3.0 Truck race at New Hampshire. tin Dillon-3,385,903, 22. Casey 3rd Place: Judi Rhodes and Marcia Dones finished second Mears-3,494,392, 23. Danica Pat- 1st Place: Jim Burd and Don Raeen followed by , Timo- rick-3,101,174, 24. A. J. Allmend- 3.5 (16 teams) nd thy Peters, John Nemechek, Daniel inger-3,627,520, 25. David Ra- 2 Place: Avie Ownby and Melissa Ownby Hemric, Erik Jones, Austin The- gan-3,568,409. Flight #1 (8 teams) (play to 15, win by 1) rd riault, Dalton Sergeant, and Gary Weekend Racing: The 1st Place: Jackie DiChiara and Don Raaen 3 Place: Randy Heyob and Robert Richardson Gaulding. Truck teams race at the 1.5-mile Las 2nd Place: Carrie Palmer and Tammy Lentini Top-10 leaders after 17 of Vegas Speedway, while the Sprint rd 23: 1. E. Jones-666, 2. Crafton-659, Cup and Xfinity teams are at the 3 Place: Bob Levy and Dave Seddon 3. Reddick-647, 4. Sauter-617, 5. Dover Mile. Hemric-558, 6. Peters-552, 7. Hay- Sat., Oct. 3; Xfinity Series Flight #2 (8 teams) (play to 15, win by 1) ley-549, 8. Townley-518, 9. Gal- race 28 of 33; Starting time: 3:30 1st Place: Wendy Evans and Bill King (Seneca, South Carolina) 3.5 lagher-509, 10. Kennedy-504. pm ET; TV: NBCS. 2nd Place: Neil Pascal and Bert Templeton st TRUEX AND TEAM Sat., Oct. 3; Truck Series rd 1 Place: Dean Essex and John May MOVING TO TOYOTA race 18 of 23; Starting time 10 pm 3 Place: Kathi Patrick and Gerry Smith nd The No. 78 Furniture Row ET; TV: FoxSports1. 2 Place: Doug Klaucke and Marty McRoberts Racing team has re-signed Martin Sun., Oct. 4; Sprint Cup race Medal Round: 3rd Place: Jackie DeChiara and Eddie Palmer Truex Jr. for 2016, and beyond. 29 of 36; Starting time: 2:30 pm ET; Grand Champion: Wendy Evans and Bill King “It’s not just the place, it’s the TV: NBCS. people - especially this year,” Truex Racing Trivia Question: 2nd: Jackie DiChiara and Don Raaen said. “Last year almost made me What year was the Sprint Cup Chase 3rd: Neal Pascal and Bert Templeton want to retire. It’s funny what a year instituted? 4.0 and a couple of different people can Last Week’s Question: 4.0 (6 teams; play to 15, win by 1) st bring to the table.” What year did Kurt Busch win his 1 Place: Rob Thomson and Carl Byxbee will only Sprint Cup championship? Champion: Carl Byxbee and Rob Thomson (Hayesville, NC) nd switch to in 2016, forming Answer. It was 2004. 2nd: Walter Straus (Athens) and Lori Vancza (Terre Haute, Indiana) 2 Place: Keith Rhodes and Danny Cornett a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs You may contact the Rac- 3rd: Dee and Rick Ezrol (Ashville, NC) rd Racing from which it will receive ing Reporter by e-mail at: hodges@ 3 Place: Walter Straus and Lori Vancza chassis and engines. FRR will be- race500.com.