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2022 WEST GEORGIA SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

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YEAR IN REVIEW

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Volume 1 March 2022 WGW Sports: Spring Sports Preview

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Red Devils Rolling Right Into Season

to push the younger ones. Douglas Bell and Cody Wood serve as the top Red Devil returnees, while Bryan SolisGonzalez is a freshman who has exhibited tremendous potential. “They are very enthusiastic about the game, and senior leadership is key for this group,” Teal said. “They also need to be more aggressive defensively.” The Red Devils suit up for a 10game regular season – featuring five non-region games and five region contests – before the Class A state playoffs kickoff in April. The Red Devils square off against local rivals Mount Zion and Haralson County on two occasions, along with tussles with Temple and Callaway in the non-region portion of play. Some things Teal is looking to see from the squad this spring are “hustle, aggressiveness and smart play on offense.” “And hopefully we can be more competitive than years past,” he added. WGW

Bowdon boys settle in for 10-game grind

he Bowdon High School boys’ soccer team was a bit behind the 8-ball this spring when it came to having all its weapons in the arsenal. With several Red Devil players still competing on the hardwood or working, Bowdon head coach Mark Teal didn’t have his Bowdon Red full roster at his disposal Devils Roster during the preseason, forcing them to play No. 00 Kolton Drummond catch-up on the pitch No. 2 Andrew Hopson as the campaign quickly No. 3 Aaron Rodgers No. 5 Javarious Glenn came into fruition. No. 6 Demarion Horton “The participation on No. 7 Bryan Solis-Gonzalez the boys’ side has been No. 8 D.J. Brown lacking, however we No. 9 Asher Christopher No. 10 David Villareal do have a few position No. 11 Jamichael Jones players and one who can No. 15 Cameron Holloway play anywhere on the No. 17 Charlie Prater field,” Teal said. No. 19 Cam Bartlett That being said, Teal No. 20 Sam Grizzard No. 25 Skylar Young noted how this group No. 27 Douglas Bell has a passion for the No. 30 Aiden Nunn sport and a handful of No. 33 Cody Wood upperclassmen returning No. 60 Lewis Ashall Kemp

Devilettes Dig In For Spring Showcase

working on fundamentals,” Teal said. “We have a few veterans on the girls’ team, but we are mostly inexperienced.” Some of the top returning weapons for Bowdon include Carli Daniel, Caroline Huggins, Anna Grace Gay and Juleigha Turner, while freshman Julie Morales-Cabrera is one to look out for as a top newcomer. Additionally, the Red Devilettes will receive a boost from freshmen Jessi Gibbs and Ally Bowen once they come on board following basketball season. After the four-game region tune-up, Bowdon shifts gears toward league play, where it will step across the line against Drew Charter, Dalton Academy, Armuchee, Trion and Mount Zion with another non-region matchup against Haralson County mixed in there. Teal Bowdon Red is hopeful Devilettes Roster of developing a strong chemistry over the course No. 00 Josi Gilley No. 3 Zoe Brown of the season in order No. 4 Aniya Ponder to deliver a competitive No. 5 Stevie Ballenger product on the field. No. 8 Juleigha Turner “If we can get them No. 10 Rebekah Williams No. 12 Carli Daniel working as a single No. 14 Julie Morales-Cabrera unit, we should be No. 15 Yosdel Ponce competitive. They need No. 16 Caroline Huggins to be more aggressive No. 21 Anna Grace Gay defensively. Hopefully, No. 22 Ally Bowen No. 24 Jessi Gibbs that will come sooner than later,” he said. WGW No. 32 Hannah Donehoo

Bowdon girls mixing young with the old this season

hort but sweet is one way to define the Bowdon High School girls’ soccer season this spring. Under the direction of head coach Mark Teal and assistant Staci McAdams, the Red Devilettes will play a 10-game schedule that runs through the end of March and potentially further should they secure a Class A state playoff berth. Bowdon opened the campaign with four rivalry bouts against local foes Haralson County, Temple, Callaway and Mount Zion before jumping into the Region 6-A slate. Teal, who serves as a lay coach, noted how the girls worked hard in the preseason in preparation for the spring session. “It’s been fantastic. We have mostly been

“If we can get them working as a single unit, we should be competitive. They need to be more aggressive defensively. Hopefully, that will come sooner than later.”

Red Devil Diamond Reset Bowdon replacing core of last year’s ballclub

here is a Red Devil reset in ‘The Friendly City’ this spring. After graduating nine seniors and seven starters, the Bowdon High School baseball team is turning to a new crew of leaders in 2022, and fourthyear head coach Brian Vance is confident in their abilities to carry the forks for the proud tradition of Red Devil baseball. “We do have five seniors, the majority of whom were

role players last year. We had a couple that carried a pretty significant role,” Vance said. “But really, just an unproven group that is really working hard, and it presents a lot of opportunities for guys.” This year’s senior class includes outfielders Will Upchurch and Brady Entrekin, infielders Devin Downs and Jack Watkins and catcher Zach McEwen. Also, junior Will Rainwater is another key returnee for Bowdon. “Those guys are the core leading our team. We’ve got a couple of sophomores that will be involved and some freshmen who will make their way into the lineup, too. So it will be important for those guys to lead and lead well,” Vance said. Watkins and Entrekin will serve as two components on the Red Devil pitching staff, while sophomore Bryson Adams is also expected to emerge as a “big-time starter” this spring. With so many new starters in the fold – and others

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vying for playing time – the non-region schedule was especially critical this season in order to have the best nine out there come Region 6-A play. “We scheduled this year trying to get as many as we could in prior to region play,” Vance said. “We had one of our region teams drop out, so we had to put some of those nonregion games toward the end of the year. Luckily,

we’re close to Alabama, Bowdon Red Devils so we can schedule a lot Baseball Roster of stuff with them. Their schedule is a little bit No. 2 Jack Watkins No. 3 Brady Entrekin different than ours. But No. 4 Will Huggins we’re really going to see No. 5 Devin Downs how it plays out in these No. 5 Landon Evans non-region games and see No. 6 Jacob Williams No. 7 Mason Mims what our roster looks like No. 8 Mason Lovvorn moving forward.” 9 C.J. Kidd Once the Red Devils roll No. No. 10 Luke Windom into the region slate, some No. 11 Zach McEwen of the usual suspects will No. 12 Will Rainwater No. 13 Ethan Kent be gunning for the crown No. 14 Gareth Addison with the likes of Gordon No. 15 Dalton Ballenger Lee, who made it to the No. 16 Bryson Adams Class A state championship No. 18 Austin Stephens No. 19 Blake Cole last spring, and Trion always in the mix. Bowdon No. 20 Micah Caldwell No. 21 Andrew Adams finished second in the No. 22 Zander Langley region last year. No. 23 Dylan Akins “It’s always competitive No. 24 Jaxon Ledbetter No. 27 Jason Martinez when you get into No. 30 Trey Short region play. Mount Zion No. 33 Nate Kovac and Armuchee will be No. 34 Brayden Swofford competitive. I think the No. 40 Will Upchurch top-two competitors will probably be Gordon Lee and Trion, so we’ll see how we stack up against those guys,” Vance said. Now in his fourth season coaching at his alma mater, Vance couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be than running out onto Roop Field every spring to represent the Red and Black. “I count my blessings every day. To walk into this building, a building that I attended as a student and to see all the construction that’s going around and the facilities and how they’ve improved at the school, it’s really cool to see,” Vance said. “To pick that torch up and be able to carry it for Bowdon and continue that tradition for Bowdon baseball and Bowdon athletics, in general, it’s really exciting to be back.” WGW

Blue Devils Back on State Title Hunt

Bremen boys building a buzz following final four berth

n the heels of a run to the state semifinals, the Bremen High School boys’ soccer team is heating things back up this spring. The Blue Devils honed in on school history with the trip to the Class AA final four last season, and entering the new campaign with a top-10 state ranking, they are kicking toward another deep run in 2022. Of course, there will be a new cast of characters leading the ballclub this time around, with a handful of returning seniors at the front of the pack sprinkled in with a solid core of up-and-coming talent at the varsity level. “We’re really just trying to develop our chemistry. We’re really young, but have a lot of talent,” noted Bremen head coach Jason Fields. “It’s just young

talent. We graduated eight boys last year, and five of those were starters.” Harley Davis serves as the top returning goalscorer from last year for the Blue Devils, while Fields is also looking for quality offensive production from Josh Chapman with center-back Brody Derringer and midfielders Aiden Brown and Kevin Thomas also in the mix. In goal, Austin Garner will serve as the last line of defense for Bremen. After suffering a tough setback to Class AAAAAA Rome in the season opener this spring, the Blue Devils bounced back with wins over South Paulding, The Walker School and Douglas County leading into a stretch of games against Alexander, North Paulding, Northgate and Cass – all of which are in the higher classifications of the GHSA. The Region 5-AA slate commences on March 1 against Callaway with Temple and Haralson County also in the league landscape. The Blue Devils have dominated region play in past years, and Fields expects more of the same this spring as they gear up for the postseason with four challenging non-region clashes to close out the regular season against Cartersville, Newnan, Carrollton and Kennesaw Mountain, respectively, to finish off the month of March. And that’s when the real fun begins, as the Blue Devils aim to peak into the postseason for another

playoff push. “We’re just trying to improve every game and progressively get better at things that we’ve been exposed to (early in the season),” Fields said. “We kind of know the things we need to fix. If we can get better before region play and get better for some of those teams at the end of the season like Newnan and Bremen Blue Devils Carrollton, Roster then we No. 1 Austin Garner should be No. 2 Brody Derringer ready for the No. 3 Matthew Luckey playoffs.” No. 4 Blake Underwood Once the No. 5 Kevin Thomas field of 32 is No. 6 Zach Burns No. 7 Wyatt Mathis set for the No. 8 Jon Smith Class AA state No. 9 Josh Chapman playoffs, Fields No. 10 Aiden Brown anticipates some familiar No. 13 Deese Miller No. 16 Brady Price faces duking it out for No. 19 Dalton Sheats the crown in the form of No. 24 Dylan Corso Lovett, Pace Academy, No. 25 Ryan Elder Gordon Central, Putnam No. 26 Baden Derringer and Thomasville, along No. 33 Harley Davis

with his own boys in Blue. “It’s a little stronger on the boys’ side once you get into the round of 16,” Fields said. “We’ve seen all those teams before and we know how they play. If we can just get to that point, I think we can adjust and maybe surprise some people at the end.” WGW

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Lady Devils Reload For Another Run

Bremen girls coming off state title appearance

ollowing a historic run to the Class AA state championship round last spring, the Bremen High School girls’ soccer team is primed for another title push in 2022. Although the Lady Blue Devils graduated nine players and five starters from last year’s squad, there is still plenty of firepower on the pitch and a hungry crop of newcomers ready to make their mark for one of the elite soccer programs in the state under head coach Jason Fields. For the first time in school history, Bremen soccer reached the state championship after knocking off perennial private school power Pace Academy in the final four to set up a showdown with another private school staple in Lovett. Although the dream of a state title fell just short, the Lady Blue Devils got a taste of what it takes to get there and are determined for another

go-around this spring. “We made it to the end last year, and that’s always been our goal,” Fields said. “We know we can beat some of those private schools since we beat Pace (Academy) last year. Now that they have the confidence to know they can get through some of those private schools, I look to be back in the same spot this year.” Bremen opened the season ranked No. 2 in Class AA, behind defending state champion Lovett. Although Bremen lost some quality talent to graduation, it means a new group has the opportunity to cement its legacy in the Bremen soccer archives. And it’s not bad to start with the reigning Class AA Player of the Year returning for her junior season. Forward Mary House delivered a dominant display in 2021, rattling off a school-record 44 goals to ignite a potent Bremen offensive attack. Now back as an upperclassman, House joins fellow Lady Blue Devil leaders such as Ella Harrod and Lily Keown. Then there is a core of underclassmen stepping into the varsity spotlight, including sophomore keeper Payton Terrell and freshman Bella Fields, who are expected to make an immediate impact this spring. “So it’s kind of a reset. But we’ve got a lot of younger talent, and some of the girls who were not getting a lot of playing time last year are getting some playing time this year. They’re definitely

stepping up,” Fields said. As usual, Fields ensured his squad would be battletested early and often with No. 0 Olivia Codner No. 1 Sydney Melillo its non-region schedule, No. 2 Taylor Hasenfuss highlighted by contests No. 3 Kaylen White against schools from much No. 4 Mary House higher classifications. No. 5 Estefani Baizabal No. 7 Gabbie Worthy “We have teams like No. 8 McKayla Sweat Northgate, North Paulding No. 9 Erin Nix and Alexander,” Fields No. 10 Janie Voyles said. “I think we’ve got the No. 12 Ella Harrod personnel to do well. Our No. 13 Bella Fields No. 19 Mattie Johnson bench is a bit of a concern, No. 22 Payton Terrell but maybe by midseason No. 23 Yujean Shin those players will get a little No. 29 Danilyn Sheats bit stronger.” No. 44 Lily Keown The Lady Blue Devils have had a stranglehold on league play through the years, and this year should be no different. Fields noted

Bremen Lady Blue Devils Roster

how it’s a matter of taking care of business during the region slate while building depth and experience for the postseason run. “As long as everybody is clicking and just getting the girls on the bench some playing time during region play and making sure we’re doing the right things with the formation we’re running,” Fields said. “We’ve just got to stick true to our philosophy and impose our will on other teams.” WGW

small ball strategies to generate runs at times. “But that’s fun to me. I love situational baseball. I hope that we can be successful on it. We’re working hard on it. That’ll be the biggest difference in this group. We’ll have to win in different ways,” Brown said. There will be an overhaul in personnel when it comes to the lineup for the Blue Devils after graduating nearly the entire starting nine from a season ago. “Last year was the first group that I had for four years,” Brown said. “So that was my first Bremen chasing down region three-peat this spring class that went all the way through. It was a here may be a new method to the madness, pretty strong class. We went to the final four. We had but the ultimate goal remains the same for the a championship-caliber team. We just didn’t win it. Bremen High School baseball team in 2022. This year we’re going to be young. We’re going to Coming off a second-straight Region 5-AA have to change and do things a little bit differently.” championship and run to the Class AA state Bremen still boasts nine seniors, although some semifinals, Blue Devil head coach Chris Brown noted were role players last year and will have bigger how his ballclub could simply slug its way to victories shoes to fill in 2022. One of those returnees who last year. certainly was not a role player is the reigning Region He doesn’t expect that to be the case this spring, noting how his offense will have to implement some 5-AA Player of the Year.

New Identity, Same Goal For Blue Devils

Senior Blake Matthews is a do-it-all performer for Bremen, and the Troy University football signee will once again be heavily involved in all aspects of the game during his spring swan song as a Blue Devil. “It’s not very common to be Region Player of the Year as a junior,” Brown said. “Last year he was our No. 1 pitcher, leadoff batter and center fielder.” The Blue Devils also bring back their No. 2 starter, as sophomore Jake Steed now has a year of varsity experience under his belt upon taking the mound in some huge games last season as a freshman. “He was actually starting Game 1 in all of the playoffs,” Brown said. “So we’ve got our top two guys coming back. We’ve got a lot of depth in our pitching.” Bremen will also lean on senior pitcher Denver Crook, senior catcher J.T. Wood, senior third baseman Beau Kelley and senior first baseman Will Hindman for leadership and production on the field. “They didn’t get a lot of starts last year, but they played some valuable innings,” Brown said. “It’ll be a little different role, but they’re used to being in the big moments.” Brown wanted to get his ballclub battle-tested early and often this spring in the non-region schedule, as it raced out to four consecutive wins before suffering a loss to Calvary Christian in late February. With plenty of action still on tap before the Region 5-AA opener on March 28 at Callaway, the Blue Devil skipper is hopeful of seeing tremendous growth from his squad between now and then. “We may go .500 on our non-region schedule and that would be successful,” Brown said. “I’m OK with, ‘Well, we saw some good, we saw some bad. But we’re going to learn from it.’ You learn more from losses than you do from wins.” Of course, the games that really matter begin once league play settles in for a grind against the likes of Callaway, Haralson County, Heard County

“I’d love to threepeat as region champions. I think we’re capable. We won the region the last couple of times by three or four games. We kind of walked away with the region. But if we win it this year, it’s going to be right there down to the end, and that will make it fun. That will make it exciting.”

and Temple. Callaway was a fellow state semifinalist last year, while Haralson County made a historic run to the elite eight. “These kids think they’re going to win the region championship,” Brown said. “That’s important. They’re not just saying, ‘Hey, maybe we can get in.’ They expect to win a region title, and part of that is just thinking that. If you think that, then your preparation is different. The games feel different. “I’d love to three-peat as region champions. I think we’re capable. We won the region the last couple of times by three or four games. We kind of walked away with the region. But if we win it this year, it’s going to be right there down to the end, and that will make it fun. That will make it exciting.” Now in his fifth season as the Bremen head coach, Brown said it’s been an incredible ride up to this point and he can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Blue Devil baseball. “It’s been so much fun building that. With the support of this community, they do whatever it is you want for them. The parents here are unbelievable. They really support them,” Bremen Blue Devils Brown said. “And the Baseball Roster kids really take pride. No. 1 Mitchell Sauls What I say is that it’s No. 2 Dylan Huey not about leadership, No. 3 A.J. Lipham it’s about ownership. No. 4 Caden Johnson You have to own your No. 5 Blake Matthews No. 6 Beau Kelley game and you have to No. 7 Aiden Price develop it on your own. No. 8 Easton White "Now I’m going to No. 9 Jake Steed help you, but I can No. 10 Ty Morris only do so much. You No. 11 Jonah Hatchett No. 12 J.T. Wood have to own it. So No. 13 Nick Richardson that’s what we talk a lot No. 14 Denver Crook about in this program No. 15 Cole Quesada is ownership. If you No. 16 Sully Senft No. 17 Will Hindman own your game and No. 18 William Seale you work at it, that’s No. 20 Carter Smith leadership, too.” WGW

Trojans Gunning For Growth

Carrollton boys leaning on strong core of young talent t is not a matter of rebuilding, but reloading for the Carrollton High School boys’ soccer team in 2022. As a perennial power in the Peach State, head coach Scott New and his Trojans fully anticipate resuming that role this spring. There may be some growing pains along the way, especially given the gauntlet of a non-region schedule to kick off the campaign, but facing the best of the best has become a standard for this program in its pursuit of the ultimate goal. And this year is no different. By the time Carrollton reaches Region 5-AAAAAA play, it will have already faced the likes of Allatoona, Starr’s Mill, Northgate, Denmark, Johns Creek and Brookwood – a heavy diet of state championship contenders across multiple classifications year-in and year-out. Of course, waiting in the wings once league action heats up is defending Class AAAAAA state champion Dalton. New understands there may be a few bumps in the road for his young squad, but he is confident this group can handle it and will ultimately be better in the long run when all is said and done. “It’s a talented group. It’s a group that’s fun to coach. They’re eager to learn,” New said. “We’re

very young. We’ll probably start four freshmen and four sophomores. Two juniors will start and one senior will start. With that, normally there is usually no experience at all. But we do have several of those guys as sophomores who started as freshmen. So we have some experience there. Just how it all comes together with the schedule that we have, it’s going to be a learning experience for them early.” Carrollton returns just two seniors in Jaiden Sosa and Christian Buchanon, as Sosa missed all of last season due to an ACL injury. He will serve as a co-captain this spring. And even though they are young, a strength

for New’s crew is the sophomore class, led by standout and co-captain Isaac Cruz. “He’s probably one of the premier players, for his age, in the state. He’s somebody that we are going to rely on as a big contributor,” New said. Cruz is joined by his brother, Josue Cruz, along with Ronald Reyes and goalkeeper Luke Ryhne from the sophomore class. “So we’ve got a lot of talented returners. They are just young. Then these freshmen, we’ve got some really talented freshmen. We’re just going to have to catch up and mix in to get our chemistry with some of these older guys,” New said. The Trojans started their playoff march when region play kicked off on Feb. 17 against South Paulding, and New anticipates the usual suspects contending again in the form of Dalton, Rome and Alexander, along with his own ballclub.

“It’s about working hard every day, having a great attitude every day. When we do that, the rest of it follows.”

“Traditionally, Dalton is the best team across any classification. The good news is, we usually see the best team that we can see all year during region play,” New said. “Then Rome’s been really good. Alexander has a really good program. Paulding and Douglas counties have good club systems. The region will be strong, but we expect to compete with those guys and we expect to be better by the time region play starts.” Carrollton Trojans And as the Trojans Roster develop that chemistry and build up the experience, No. 0 Connor Richardson New anticipates it will reap No. 1 Luke Rhyne No. 2 Jacob Russell positive results when it No. 3 Carlos Hernandez really matters. No. 4 Ronald Reyes “It’s about working No. 5 Jaiden Sosa hard every day, having a No. 6 Austin Rader No. 7 Freddy Perez great attitude every day. No. 8 Eduardo Hernandez When we do that, the No. 9 Garrett Hardesty rest of it follows,” New No. 10 Isaac Cruz said. “The big thing is No. 11 Christian Buchanon No. 12 Robert Wilson building them together No. 13 Carlos Medrano and having them learn No. 14 Josue Cruz together and understand No. 15 Chris Zimmer that the process is going No. 17 Jefferson Hernandez to take a little time to get No. 18 Ohuen Romero No. 19 Owen Torres to where we want to be. No. 20 Davis Reeves We’ll probably look a lot No. 21 Danny Jimenez different a month from No. 22/24 Edduin Romero (the start of the season) to No. 25/26 Kelvin Hernandez where we are today.” WGW No. 27 Shavique Bascus

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Lady Trojans Charged For Another Run Carrollton girls gear up for tough competition this spring

he Carrollton High School girls’ soccer team understands what it is up against every spring in the form of facing competition unlike any other in the state of Georgia. But it’s a task the Lady Trojans fully embrace with a hunger to prove they belong among those elite programs across the Peach State. Carrollton head coach Drew Ebensberger noted how each year presents its own form of challenges and a renewed charge for a fresh group of girls who are fired up to step between the lines. “A new season is always exciting to get back out on the field and start planning from where last season ends to prepping for the next one,” Ebensberger said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us. But assuming they stay healthy and do what I'm asking of them, I think we can do really

well and we can go really far this year.” The Lady Trojans feature a relatively small team this season, in terms of sheer numbers, but they are led by five seniors and a host of younger talent poised to step into the spotlight. “I’ve got a few new faces, and they’re learning our culture, our style. They’re working real hard. We’ll really see here in the first few weeks where we’re at,” Ebensberger said. “I have high expectations for these guys if they can stay focused and stay healthy.” Senior co-captains Kayla Watts and Kailee Dukes will lead the charge for Carrollton this spring, while Delaney Thomas and Nadya Perez are two other key returners. The Lady Trojans are also looking for big things from underclassmen Kameron Ebensberger and Kylie Briscoe.

Facing a non-region schedule that includes several heavyweights, No. 0 Kameron Ebensberger including the defending No. 1 Bailey Shockley Class AAAAAA state No. 2 Gracey Whipple champion in Johns Creek, No. 3 Delaney Thomas No. 4 Yanet Gonzalez Carrollton will be battleNo. 5 Rylea Swafford tested by the time it steps No. 6 Gabriela Gonzalez into region play. No. 7 Nadya Perez No. 8 Brooke Walker From there, it’s a matter No. 9 Kate Slappey of going blow-for-blow No. 10 Katherine Tollerson with the likes of Dalton and No. 11 Kailee Dukes No. 12 Jennifer Chavez Alexander, among others. No. 13 Kylie Briscoe “We’ve got our work cut No. 14 Sherlyn Quinonez out for us and these girls No. 15 Emma Padilla No. 17 Marilyn (Sam) Turcios are going to come out and No. 18 Kayla Watts do what we’re supposed No. 19 Johana Mejia-Carias to do. I’m excited to see what they do against this competition,” Ebensberger said. Of course, every season is remembered by where you finish, and Ebensberger is confident this group can turn it on down the stretch and make a run come the Class AAAAAA state playoffs. “We want to go as far as we can. Once you hit the state playoffs, you’re playing against the top teams.

Carrollton Lady Trojans Roster

“It’s all of us. We win together. We lose together. That’s always been our philosophy. It doesn’t just come down to one. We always work together, and that’s how it’ll be again this year."

You’ve got to be ready, and any given night, anybody can walk away with it,” Ebensberger said. “We’re going to prepare the best we can and give everything we’ve got against anyone we play.” And when and where the season happens to end, the Lady Trojans are all-in as one unit focused on what is best for the team and program. “They work together, not selfish. They move the ball around and have that ‘I’ll do whatever is best for my team’ attitude,” Ebensberger said. “It’s all of us. We win together. We lose together. That’s always been our philosophy. It doesn’t just come down to one. We always work together, and that’s how it’ll be again this year.” WGW

Trojans Ready To Tangle For Title

Carrollton seeking back-to-back region crowns in 2022

cott Johnson looks at the spring season as a marathon, not a sprint. With that in mind, the Carrollton High School head baseball coach strategically configures a plan of an attack that prepares his Trojans for any and everything they could possibly see come playoff time. And that all starts with beefing up the earlyseason schedule with some bigtime opponents. “We want to make ourselves ready for the 21

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playoffs. So how do we do that? One, we play 30 games. That’s what we’re allowed to play. So we want to play all 30. If we get a rainout or if we get people cancel on us or whatever, I want to make them up. You never know when we’re going to learn something in a game that will translate to a situation that will help us in the playoffs,” Johnson said. “So I want to play all 30 and I want to play quality programs so that we are best prepared to play that quality baseball that is always in the postseason.” Behind a deep pitching staff and talented core around it, the Trojans once again have lofty expectations in 2022 after getting eliminated by the eventual state runner-up last spring in the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.

Johnson noted that the weeks leading up to the start of the season were very productive in allowing the Carrollton coaching staff to make some critical decisions regarding personnel. Of course, there are a handful of standouts returning who have already established themselves in the program, led by senior center fielder Ace Williamson, who is headed to Southern Union to play at the next level. “He was one of the best players on the team last year and certainly carries that torch this year,” Johnson said. “I just want him to play pressure-free and have fun playing ball. He’s already committed to Southern Union. He’s really good. He can play so many different positions on the diamond and makes himself valuable in that way, as well. We can move him around and allow other kids to play to their strengths.” Carrollton also brings back first baseman/pitcher Riley Anderson and third baseman Jackson Edwards at the corner infield spots. Edwards is returning from a “catastrophic” knee injury that had him sidelined over the past year. “He hits the ball really hard. He’s hit the weights and you can tell. He’s a good player,” Johnson said. “I’m glad to have him back healthy and being able

to play.” Emerging as team leaders this spring are catcher Cole Carter and left fielder Cam McLendon, as both have gotten off to strong starts to their senior campaigns. “Cole actually got hit in the face by a pitch in our first game and had to miss the second game. But he’s been back playing. He’s a tough kid. I’m really proud of him. And Cam has really come through with the bat early on,” Johnson said. The Trojans are also looking for big things from Seth Childers and Myles Morris in the outfield, as Morris, who has signed to play quarterback at N.C. State, elected to stay in Carrollton this spring rather than enroll early in Raleigh. Meanwhile, newcomer Andrew Albertus is one who Johnson believes is on the cusp of a breakout season in 2022. “He’s our starting second baseman, and we moved him to leadoff in the second game of the season and he got three hits. He looks really good. He looks the part,” Johnson said. When it comes to the Carrollton pitching staff, it is headlined by the trio of Turner Fricks, Carson Sewell and Cade Cosper. Cosper Carrollton Trojans is coming off a 4-1 season Baseball Roster last year with a 2.07 ERA. But there are plenty No. 00 Carson Waldrop of other capable arms in No. 1 Wyatt Brewer No. 2 Seth Childers the stable for the Trojans, No. 3 Myles Morris and the coaching staff has No. 4 Luke Turner already got a good look at No. 5 Jackson Edwards No. 6 Conner Brewer them early in the year. No. 7 Andrew Albertus Now it’s just a matter of No. 8 Cole Britton which guys step up and No. 9 Joe Cooney No. 11 Ace Williamson cement their roles on the No. 12 Cade Cosper bump. No. 13 Cole Carter “We’re deep. We’ve got No. 14 Drew Johnson 11 guys that can throw. We No. 19 Riley Anderson No. 20 Turner Fricks threw 10 different pitchers No. 21 Cam McLendon in the first two games. So No. 22 Malik Kemp we’re confident to throw No. 24 Maddox Monsour No. 26 Noah Claiborne 11 different guys out on No. 30 Myles Butler the mound,” Johnson said. No. 33 Ethan Nalley “We’ll see who gets hot No. 34 Bryce Kingeter No. 43 Malachi Kemp and who’s going to do what No. 44 Carson Sewell we want the most, and

they’ll end up getting the most innings. It’s pretty wide open. We’re just going to let the cream rise to the top.” With a non-region schedule that features Woodland, North Atlanta, Hillgrove, Locust Grove, Troup, East Coweta, Newnan, Norcross and Wesleyan, along with three games in the Bash at the Beach hosted by Glynn Academy, the Trojans should be more than ready for league play come March 14 when South Paulding comes to Cole Field for the Region 5-AAAAAA opener. As the defending league champion, the Trojans will have the target on their back this spring, and Johnson anticipates a full-scale fight to the finish to secure back-to-back crowns. “South Paulding is much better than people think. I think they’re really going to challenge for the region title,” Johnson said. “Rome is going to be there, Alexander is going to be there. East Paulding is always there. So it’s going to be a dogfight in our region. There’s no real pushovers. We’re challenging ourselves and we’re going to try to make the postseason and then see if we can make some noise.” And that’s where the real fun begins. But first things first – you’ve got to handle your business before you can punch your ticket to the postseason party. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a one, two, three or four seed. Everybody’s got a chance. The only people who don’t have a chance are the people who don’t make the postseason,” Johnson said. “If we can make the postseason, we consider ourselves a contender.” WGW

Youth Movement For Lady Lions

Central girls focused on game-by-game improvement

he Central High School girls’ soccer team is undergoing a youth movement this spring. The Lady Lions return just a handful of seniors, and that group will have to bring a young cast of talent up to the speed of the varsity game over the course of the season. “We really only have four seniors returning from last year, so it’s a whole lot of blending and getting the new to play with the old. I’ve been proud with the leadership of our older kids and our younger kids just willing to step up and play a tough role right off the bat,” noted sixth-year Lady Lion head coach Ashley Hart. “There’s going to be some growing pains, but I think in the long run it’s really going to pay off.” The Lady Lions will lean on senior forwards Bricely Galvan and Grace Yoder for production and leadership this spring, while midfielders Lorelei Daugherty and Cadie Kilgore also bring experience to the field. The backline will feature several newcomers, including freshmen AnnaClaire Daniel and Ximena Nunez, with sophomore Daniela Morales expected to lead that unit, coupled with senior Autumn Scott in goal. “We’re just looking to improve each game. We’ve got a good, young group and as the season goes

on, we’ll continue to improve. We’ve got a good set of seniors to anchor our back and our attack. So we’re excited with what’s going on,” Hart said. Once Central hits Region 7-AAAA play in March, the competition stiffens even more with a pair of defending state semifinalists among the league foes, and three top-10 Class AAAA programs this year in Southeast Whitfield, Cedartown and Northwest Whitfield. “Once we get to the region, it’s just a matter of playing our game and, essentially, establishing our identity is going to be critical,” Hart said. And while those growing pains may surface from time to time,

Central Lady Lions Roster No. 1 Autumn Scott No. 3 Daniela Morales No. 5 Ximena Nunez No. 6 Lorelei Daugherty No. 7 Grace Yoder No. 9/0 Cadie Kilgore No. 11 Gabriella Baldassarri No. 13 Bethany Brock No. 14 Kamry McEwen No. 16 Anna Weaver No. 17 Elissa Robison No. 22 Bricely Galvan No. 23 AnnaClaire Daniel No. 24 Maggie Payton No. 25 Bella Abernathy No. 28 Lily Stinecipher No. 34 Brendy Morales No. 36 Litzy Gomez

Hart stressed the No. 1 thing she wants to see is something her team can control – playing hard every time out. “We look to really out-work teams and play pretty direct. We want to get the ball forward,” Hart said. “Defensively, we’re probably better than we are attacking-wise. But I think as the season goes along, we’ll be creating more opportunities.”WGW

“We’re just looking to improve each game. We’ve got a good, young group and as the season goes on, we’ll continue to improve. We’ve got a good set of seniors to anchor our back and our attack. So we’re excited with what’s going on"

Lions Shooting For State Showing

Central boys prepared for loaded region slate this spring

olstered by a deep group of returning starters, the Central High School boys’ soccer team is revved up to make some noise this spring. And playing in one of the toughest regions in the state, the Lions will need those veteran play-makers to rise to the occasion in 2022 in order to land a top-

four spot and Class AAAA state playoff berth. It’s something sixth-year head coach Mike Townson believes is certainly within reach if his guys can remain healthy and play up to their potential. “We’re loaded with lots of individual talent. I’m just trying to find a way to get us to mold together,”

“We’ll be battle-tested. We may have a not-so-good-looking record when region play starts, but hopefully it gets us ready for that grind.”

Townson said. “Each year it seems like it’s something different since COVID. But hopefully we can turn the corner and have a good year this year.” Central opened the spring campaign with a hard-fought, 2-1 victory over county rival Villa Rica, something Townson hoped would serve as a springboard to a strong stretch of play through the non-region schedule. “We’ll be battle-tested. We may have a not-sogood-looking record when region play starts, but hopefully it gets us ready for that grind,” Townson said. Senior Bennett Little returns following an all-state campaign last spring, where he led the Lion offense in goals scored. “He was a Southeast All-American. He broke about every school record we had for goals scored for a career and season last year,” Townson said. Senior and fourCentral Lions Roster year starter Gio Perez No. 0 Christian Martin No. 17 Andry Medrano No. 1 Camden Jones No. 18 Bennett Little is another No. 2 Peyton Presley No. 19 Lawson Jones key No. 4 Dario Garcia No. 20 Spencer Knoll weapon No. 5 Tony Mora No. 22 Hector Solis back in No. 7 Christian Ruiz No. 23 Edwin Ibarra the fold, No. 8 Javy Rodriguez No. 24 Giovany Perez No. 9 Cam Cochran No. 26 Brennen Little serving as No. 10 Dylan Mount No. 31 Angelo Bianchini a prolific No. 11 John Ramirez No. 33 Jose Ortega passing No. 12 Logan Bailey No. 37 Ismael Esparzia threat No. 13 Jonathan Martinez No. 45 Huck Maxwell No. 14 Orlando Ruiz No. 77 Yareth Vargas in the No. 15 Bryce Waldrop No. 80 Joseph Parada offensive No. 16 Owen Hooker No. 88 Luke Skinner arsenal.

Central is also looking for quality production from Little’s younger brother, sophomore forward Brennen Little, while junior Camden Jones is back for his third year starting in goal for the Lions. “We’ve got a great group coming back, but we’re just missing a couple of guys in some key spots,” Townson said. “When you start moving people around in soccer, you kind of get in a bind, especially defensively.” Following a non-region schedule that includes Sprayberry, Maynard Jackson, Callaway and Georgia Military College, the Lions step into Region 7-AAAA action in March, where things will really heat up. In a league that features defending Class AAAA state champion Southeast Whitfield, along with traditional power Northwest Whitfield, followed by Cedartown, Pickens, Ridgeland and Heritage, it makes for a formidable foe every night out. “You have to win to get in. You can’t have an off-night in this region,” Townson said. Now in his sixth year leading the soccer program in Lion Valley, Townson is proud of the projection of Central soccer and is excited to see what unfolds for this group this spring. “I think we’re establishing a good program here. The kids work hard, we have a good fan base and good parent and community support,” Townson said. "We want to do things right with this program, graduate our kids and get them into college.” WGW

Lions Locked In For Region Rumble

Central cooking up winning formula this spring

es Shiver believes his ballclub has all the ingredients for a special season this spring. The Central High School head baseball coach returns 10 seniors, proven performers and a quality concoction of up-and-comers for the diamond campaign. But the final mix to that winning formula is a spoonful of character, something Shiver is proud to

see his program serve up for 2022. “I really like the makeup of our team, characterwise. I think this may be one of the best character teams that I’ve coached,” Shiver said. “That speaks for itself. I’m very proud of the way we’ve handled ourselves off the field during the offseason and preparing for this upcoming season. I’m excited, the coaches are excited and I think the players are excited. We look forward to a new year.” Of course, you also need plenty of talent to survive in this day and age in the Peach State, and the Lions feature plenty of that with the return of three of their top four pitchers from a season ago, along with two of the best position players in Region 7-AAAA in senior catcher Gage Gray and senior third baseman Dillon Smith, who earned first-team all-region accolades last year. “I feel like we’re a veteran ballclub this year. Experience is always good early in the

year to help you get rolling. So hopefully we can do that,” Shiver said. Along with Gray and Smith back in the fold, the Lions return a pitching staff that features seniors Jacob Muse and Caleb Griffis, along with junior Walker Altman. “(Altman) really came on as a sophomore for us and he’ll return as a starter,” Shiver said. “Jacob Muse was our first relief guy last year and this year will move into a starting role. But he got a ton of innings last year. I think he pitched almost 40 innings as a relief pitcher. Then Caleb Griffis, he pitched last year as a relief guy. We’re looking for him to give us some starts and relieve wherever we need him. He’s a strike-thrower, so we’re looking to be able to utilize him.” Shiver is also expecting key contributions from juniors Sam Turner and Hayden Manson and seniors Blake Ivy and Kellon Rollings, among others as Central Lions the starting nine gets set Baseball Roster early in the season. The Lions opened the No. 1 Kellon Rollings diamond campaign with No. 2 Gage Gray No. 3 Connor Fennell a 10-game non-region No. 4 Andrew Bass schedule, highlighted by No. 5 Walker Altman wins over reigning Class AA No. 6 Sam Turner state semifinalist Callaway No. 7 Jacob Muse No. 8 Blake Ivy and Haralson County, who No. 10 Hayden Manson reached the elite eight last No. 11 Brennan Ray season in AA. No. 11 D.J. Haskins Central also faced quality No. 13 Dillon Smith programs such as South No. 15 Tucker Lambert No. 16 Vicari Swain Paulding, Columbus, Harris No. 17 Isaiah Gray County and Walnut Grove No. 18 Asher Hamilton to prepare for the region No. 24 Caleb Griffis slate, which begins on No. 25 Brandon Musick No. 32 Matthew Tanner March 8-10 in a three-game

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series against Pickens. “I like to play a tough schedule to prepare us for the region. Sometimes the games don’t go our way, but at the same time, we’re getting a lot of learning experience from those games,” Shiver said. “It’s good to have some young guys mix in with your squad with those veterans who have been there and played.” Cedartown is the defending champion in Region 7-AAAA behind junior standout Dylan Cupp, a Mississippi State commit and the No. 1-ranked shortstop in the nation for the Class of 2023. Heritage was a solid No. 2 last year and brings back a loaded pitching staff, led by lefty Cade Fisher, who is committed to the University of Florida. And while each team has its share of high-level players, Shiver feels it is truly anybody’s ballgame this spring in 7-AAAA with the talent level spread equally throughout the region. “I just think it’s whoever is playing better that day,” Shiver said. “From top to bottom, it’s probably one of the most even regions that I’ve been a part of during my time here at Central. We’re looking forward to that, and we’ll see where we fall in the mix. If we do what we’re capable of, we’ll be in that mix. We’re looking forward to that challenge.” WGW

Rebels Raring To Get Their Kicks On

Haralson soccer features slew of newcomers this spring

ports are about more than just wins and losses. You can learn a lot about yourself in the process, and that’s something Rusty Smith is preaching to his young squad in 2022. The “We don’t Haralson County have a High School feeder boys’ head program soccer coach understands and kids that wins don’t play may be soccer from few and far this the time between season, but they’re 5 or that’s not 6 around how he will here.” measure this particular group when all is said and done this spring.

With seven players on the roster who are completely new to the sport, Smith has been encouraged with the spirit and attitude from these Rebel rousers. “We don’t have a feeder program and kids don’t play soccer from the time they’re 5 or 6 around here,” Smith said. “Sports like this at Haralson are always kind of tough, but we have a good attitude and the kids really try hard. I really enjoy having them. This is one of my favorite teams I’ve had, and I’ve coached for 16 years in six different sports.” Haralson County does have some experience behind four-year starters and co-captains David Davis and Fernando Ramirez, who have been instrumental in bringing the new guys on board. “Their main leadership skill is just being able to get the team's ear. Everybody listens to them,” Smith said. “We’ve got so many young guys that have never played. So they direct a lot of the stuff. It’s a big thing in education, and also coaching, to me, that peer tutoring and for the upperclassmen to teach the younger guys. To me, that’s the way a program should work when you’re trying to build something.”

Smith noted how each captain is a great leader, and they do it in different styles. “David is more vocal and Fernando is more quiet, leading by example,” Smith said. “But it’s a good combination of leadership.” The Rebels toe the line for several local battles during the non-region schedule, and that’s something Smith wants his players to embrace and enjoy rather than only consider it as a “rivalry.” “A lot of kids know Haralson County each other and I think Rebels Roster that’s really good. Something that’s No. 2 Brock Brayton No. 3 David Davis important to me with No. 4 Aidan Brayton local games,” Smith said. No. 6 Jose Manuel Patino “They’re rivalries, but the No. 7 Brandon Pitts sportsmanship and being No. 8 Kaleb Spain able to smile with the No. 9 Dawson Davis No. 11 Fernando Ramirez guys that are opponents No. 12 Nicholas Motes and have fun and enjoy No. 13 David Bruce the game … It’s also good No. 14 Diwon Willis for the community and the No. 15 Caleb Lilliard No. 16 Christian Dagley gate and the fans coming No. 18 Korbin Cauthen to the games. It adds No. 20 Dakota Jones excitement and fun to the

competition.” The Rebels are guaranteed a playoff spot in the Class AA field since there are only four soccerplaying schools in Region 5-AA, but the No. 1 priority for Smith this spring is to see improvement on a day-to-day basis at practice and game-by-game growth over the course of the campaign. “Even though the (results) haven’t been great, the effort has been really good,” Smith said. “Our conditioning has to get better. Obviously, every sport when it first starts, our conditioning is on that level. You talk about playing 80 minutes and we’ve only got 15 kids on the roster. So that’s only four subs. I think when you say it and you actually do it, it’s two different things in playing for 80 minutes.” WGW

Rebelettes Shooting For Spring ‘Spark’

First-year head coach hopeful of building soccer buzz in Haralson 30

he old cliche’ that, ‘It’s not where you start, but where you finish,’ would certainly serve as a rallying cry for the Haralson County High School girls’ soccer team this spring – and beyond. The Rebelettes didn’t enter the campaign with lofty expectations of a state playoff run or plans of celebrating a region championship at the end of the regular season. But first-year head coach Kylie Leopard wants that to be a goal

“We’re definitely the underdogs, but they go out there and they still fight, even against teams that are much more experienced than we are and have more skillful players. But I’d definitely say we’ve come a long way.”

for the future of the Haralson County program. “We need a lot of work on our teamwork, but I think they’ve really come a long way from where we started,” said Leopard, who served as an assistant coach the previous two seasons. “We’re definitely the underdogs, but they go out there and they still fight, even against teams that are much more experienced than we are and have more skillful players. But I’d definitely say we’ve come a long way.” Leopard has witnessed first-hand what it’s like to build a program into a winner, as she prepped at nearby Bremen High School, which is now a Class AA powerhouse in girls’ soccer, reaching the state championship round last year. The Rebelette coach noted how it’s not a lack of talent in the Haralson hallways that’s stopping them from building a high-level program; it’s about generating a buzz for soccer in the community. And it starts at a much younger age. “I think that’s truly the hardest part. There’s a rec program in Haralson County, but there’s only like one team every season. There’s just not a

lot of interest,” Leopard said. “So I think just trying to spark that interest for them. What I’ve learned is that if we can get the girls out there, they end up falling in love with it. It’s just a matter of getting the girls out there and showing them it’s not necessarily all about our skill. It’s if they’re willing to be coached.” Leopard is proud to say that this year’s squad is very coachable, a trait she’ll “take over anything, anyday.” Leading the charge in that department has been the quartet of senior captains Lauren Bridges, Molly Roberts, Nydia Soriano and Destiny Miller, along with junior Arianna Mozley, sophomore LenaGrace Fisher and freshmen Reagan Sharpe and Emily Bruce. The Rebelettes opened the season with nine non- Haralson County region games, Rebelettes Roster including several local showdowns, before rolling No. 1 Arianna Mozley No. 3 Nydia Soriano into Region 5-AA play in No. 5 Reagan Sharpe March with bouts against No. 8 Maleigh Baggett No. 10 Shirley Rollins Temple, Bremen and No. 11 Molly Roberts Callaway on tap. No. 12 Emily Bruce Haralson County will No. 13 Destiny Miller hold its Senior Night on No. 15 Sarah Wallace March 25 against Bowdon No. 17 Lauren (Lou) Bridges No. 18 Hailey White before gearing up for the No. 19 Ava Payne Class AA state playoffs. No. 20 Lena-Grace Fisher Leopard has seen the No. 21 Kaelin Peavey strides the program has No. 22 Kayde Muse taken over the past few years, and now as the Rebelette head coach, she wants each class to take ownership of making it stronger on a year-toyear basis. “For Haralson County soccer, I would just love to see more interest in it, more people willing to try,” Leopard said. “For this season, more than anything, I want my girls to see their potential. Because they have it. I think a lot of it is just doubt. I want them to see that they have the skills. They just need to apply it.” WGW

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Rebels Rev Up For Another Run

Haralson hopeful of building off historic season

he Haralson County High School baseball program is coming off a season like no other. Not only did the Rebels punch their ticket to the Class AA state playoffs, they won their first postseason series in program history and rambled all the way to the elite eight last spring. Needless to say, it sparked a flurry of fireworks for the school and community, and HC head coach Patrick Syer reflected on how it serves as a tremendous boost for Rebel baseball moving forward. But the Haralson skipper is also quick to point out that last year is in the books.

Now it’s time for the 2022 squad to leave its own legacy. “It’s been huge. A lot of firsts last year. First team to win a playoff series on the male side in school history. Of course, advancing that far was huge. But the thing we’ve got to make the distinction of, this isn’t last year’s team,” Syer said. “So this team is trying to find its own identity and try to roll off that momentum. You’re not coming in as a dark horse anymore.” Even so, the Rebels return some of the top weapons from last year’s squad, led by first-team allregion third baseman Clay Hyatt and first-team allregion pitcher Holden Davis. Haralson also brings back catcher/second baseman Holden Williams and senior first baseman Colton Sanders. Beyond that, there are some fresh faces finding their way into the starting lineup, and Syer is looking to see who, among that core, will help fill the shoes of last season’s five seniors. The luxury of having a talent and leader of Hyatt’s caliber is a strong starting point, however, as the

University of West Georgia football signee has been a proven winner since stepping foot in the Haralson hallways across multiple sports. “It’s tremendous. We know what Clay’s going to give us athletically. But the biggest thing is with his leadership,” Syer said. “Him and Colton Sanders do a great job in leading. It’s fun to have him. I wish we could keep him for several more years.” The Rebels opened the season with a nonregion schedule that included home-and-home dates with Cedartown, Rome and Central, something Syer wanted to utilize to bring some of the younger players up to speed on the varsity stage. Because once Region 5-AA play settles in, the grind truly begins. Last season the region sent three of its five teams to the elite eight or better, with Callaway and Bremen reaching the state semifinals. Meanwhile, Heard County has been a postseason staple under head coach Trent Bianco and Temple is a rising program under the direction of head coach Jamie Sexton. It’s something Syer and the Rebels look forward to, and they are confident about their chances to make some more noise in 2022. “It’s going to be a battle this year,” Syer said. “We’ll see how it plays out. We were fortunate last year by getting hot at a good time.

Hopefully, we can repeat that.” Now in his fourth season as the Haralson head man, Syer noted how it’s been an enjoyable ride up to this point and he’s excited to see what the next chapter presents for this year’s ballclub. Haralson County Rebels “It’s all Baseball Roster about those No. 1 Holden Davis kids and No. 2 Haldyn Williams they’ve bought No. 3 Carson Ray in. That’s the No. 5 Champ Cash good thing. No. 6 Tucker Wade No. 7 Jordan Gentry Our parents No. 8 Luke Armstrong have bought No. 9 Austin Hicks in and our No. 10 Jakob Starling community has No. 11 Logan Addison bought in,” No. 12 Clay Hyatt No. 13 Evan Long Syer said. “It’s No. 14 Caden Hughes been really No. 15 Tucker Durden fun. As long as No. 16 Luke Johnson we continue to No. 17 Bowen Estes No. 18 Gaige Vann win, I bet it will No. 19 Nate Buchanan continue to be No. 20 Colton Sanders fun.” WGW

Braves Brace For Region Battle

Heard County expects another tight race for league crown

pitching and defense, and the Braves return their pring has sprung in Franklin. As Heard County High School athletics shifts top two arms with Connell White and Aidan Boyd anchoring the rotation. gears from the hardcourt to the diamond, “I think we’ve got enough guys that can go out the excitement hits the great outdoors as baseball there and throw strikes behind Aidan season is now in full swing. Heard County Braves and Connell. Defensively, if we make Head coach Trent Bianco is the routine plays, we’ll be in a lot of confident about the outlook for Baseball Roster games and have a shot to win a lot of the 2022 campaign, noting how his No. 1 Chris Pruitt Braves will embody that hard-hat, games,” Bianco said. No. 2 Jacob Watts lunch-pail mentality. Another key component to that No. 3 Blayne Barlow “The thing we’ve been preaching equation is the return of junior No. 4 Will Alford with our guys is, ‘Do your job.’ catcher Tyler Lasseter, who delivered No. 5 Tyler Lasseter No. 6 Connell White Whether that’s get a bunt down, hit a breakout performance as a firstNo. 7 Bo Langley behind a runner, execute a hit-andteam all-region selection last season. No. 8 Trevor Hansford run. Just all the little things it takes to “He’s made big strides. He was a No. 9 Noah Cantrell win ballgames,” Bianco said. “That’s sophomore last year and broke our No. 10 Aidan Boyd No. 11 Sammy Calhoun going to be the kind of team we school record in caught steals. So No. 12 Carter Coleman have. Then, of course, battle your we’ve got him for another two years. No. 13 Isaiah O’Neal butt off with two strikes and not give He’s big behind the plate,” Bianco No. 14 John Paul Awbrey away outs. I think we’re going to be a said. “Then offensively, he’s made No. 16 Blake Oldham scrappy bunch that gets after it.” even more strides this year. So I’m No. 18 Matthew Raines No. 19 Sammy Holliday For Heard County, it all starts with excited to see what he can do.”

Although he’s getting a late start, senior Isaiah O’Neal brings a high level of athleticism to the ballpark day-in and day-out. The three-sport athlete has earned first-team accolades in football, basketball and baseball and will provide a major boost upon making the transition from hoops. “He’s a do-it-all type of guy,” Bianco said. “He’ll be a big part of our lineup once he comes on board from basketball.” John Paul Awbrey is a returning starter at first base, while the rest of the infield features Will Alford, Jacob Watts, Matthew Raines and Trevor Hansford. Blayne Barlow and Chris Pruitt will join forces with O’Neal in the outfield, as Bianco referred to Pruitt as the team’s “spark plug.” “He’s not a big guy, but he just gets after it and he’s one of those guys who can really battle at the plate and set the tone for our offense,” Bianco said. “In terms of a defensive center fielder, he’ll be one of the best we’ll see and I’m glad he’ll be with us.” The Braves always challenge themselves with a quality nonregion schedule, and that was no different this spring. Bianco said it’s critical to see how his players handle adversity and learn what they do

well and don’t do so well. It all boils down to the Region 5-AA schedule, where the Braves will square off against three teams that reached the elite eight or better last year, including Callaway and Bremen, who both marched to the final four of the Class AA state playoffs. “In my eyes, it’s the toughest and most competitive region in the state,” Bianco said. “That’s what makes it fun. If you’re not taking care of your business day-by-day, you’re getting behind other guys. We’ve got to make sure that we get a little bit better today than we were yesterday.” Of course, the Braves are no stranger to deep playoff runs under Bianco, who is now in his ninth year at Heard County, and he would love nothing better than to bring that atmosphere back to Franklin again in 2022. “The community in Franklin shows out. That’s the really fun thing about coaching here is they love all their sports,” Bianco said. “If we’re fortunate enough this year to be in a position to play for a region title or make those deep playoff runs, the community support is second-to-none.” WGW

Eagles Eye Postseason Return

Mount Zion boys taking aim at region crown, playoff run

ne year removed from a state playoff appearance, the Mount Zion High School boys’ soccer team has its sights set on even bigger and better things this spring. The Eagles punched their playoff ticket in 2021 in the first season under the direction of head coach Adam Watts, and now the second-year MZ maestro is ready to make reservations for another slot in the Class A postseason pairings. “They went to the playoffs for the first time in a few years. So, really, our intent this year is

to go back to the playoffs,” Watts said. “Have a few more wins, get back to the playoffs and try to win a playoff game. I know Mount Zion has made the playoffs before, but I don’t know that we’ve ever won a game in the playoffs. So we’re trying to make that adjustment.” Mount Zion returns midfielder Jonatan Perez as a top offensive weapon, while Cole Jordan and Kevin Berrios will shore up the defensive side of the ball. Watts noted how his squad lost a lot of firepower to graduation last spring, so bringing the offense up to speed early in the season will be critical. “In those first few games, we’ve got to develop some offense,” Watts said. “We’ve got to get to a point where we find more offensive opportunities against the better teams.” Following a third-place finish in Region 6-A last season, Watts wants his ballclub to focus on climbing the league ladder to where it can host a state playoff contest and compete for the region crown. He added that there is little margin for error,

however, given the makeup of the region schedule. “I feel like we’re No. 0 Tristan Jordan No. 1 Nick Samples competitive with No. 2 Christopher Mata everybody in our region. No. 3 Jonatan Perez We very well could No. 4 Eli Barrino have finished No. 1 in No. 5 Cole Jordan No. 6 Carlos Randall our region last year,” No. 7 Kevin Berrios Watts said. “We only No. 8 Joseph Daniel play each other once. No. 9 Brett Cook So sometimes if you No. 10 Daniel Cornejo make a mistake, you No. 11 Tyler Hurston No. 12 William Garcia drop a spot and you No. 13 Jose Mendez don’t ever have a chance No. 14 Carlos De Luna to gain that spot back. No. 15 Jose De Luna But we’re competitive No. 16 Ceasar Velasquez No. 17 Larry Acosta with everybody in our No. 18 Cody Cook region.” No. 19 Oscar Nunez The boys’ program at No. 20 Tyler Facer Mount Zion continues to grow with nearly 30 players out this spring – almost enough to field a JV team – and the Eagles have changed the expectations and culture for MZ soccer through their recent success with a hunger for more.

Mount Zion Eagles Roster

“They were excited about getting to the playoffs. That was our goal from the get-go. It’ll be our goal to return,” Watts said. “If we can create a consistency of getting there, then it’s just, ‘Can we win a game? Can we put together enough to win a game and move on to the next round?’” WGW

Lady Eagles Looking to Climb the Ladder

MZ girls focused on turning the corner in ‘22

uilding a program from the ground-up requires more than just some dirt and a shovel. You’ve got to have someone willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. And that has been Adam Watts’ undertaking over the past two seasons upon being handed the reins to the Mount Zion High School girls’ soccer program. And, no, the win-loss differential wasn’t what the Lady Eagles had hoped for last year, but it’s all about

climbing one rung at a time in order to get to the top. So now in his second year at the helm, Watts wants to see his squad begin to turn the corner and not settle for moral victories, rather see the fruits of their labor begin to pay off. “Last year we worked a lot on defense and we stayed in some games. Our record didn’t really reflect on how much improvement we made. But we did stay in games we hadn’t stayed in before,” Watts said. “This year we want to find a way to win those close games.” This year the Lady Eagles are focused on stepping it up on the other side of the pitch by creating more offensive opportunities and flipping the pressure to the opposing defense. “We’ve got everybody back from last year. So, hopefully, this year is a little bit of a turnaround from last year,” Watts said. The MZ head coach is hopeful that the return of senior Courtney Denney, who battled through

injuries last season, will provide a boost for the Lady Eagle offense. “She has a spark, and hopefully we can get some offense out of her,” Watts said. Defensively, MZ is looking for quality play out of newcomer Elayla Phillips, who has been a star player for the Lady Eagle softball program in the fall. In goal, Mount Zion returns a steady presence with Olivia Bradford serving as high-performing leader in the box. “She made some incredible saves last year, and we’re looking for her to play as consistently as she did last year,” Watts said. Mount Zion Lady The Lady Eagles Eagles Roster have home-and-home No. 00 Athena Hammett dates with two local No. 0 Olivia Bradford rivals early in the year No. 1 Carlissa Randall with a pair of contests No. 2 Haven Shelton against Haralson No. 3 Anna Jones No. 4 Kayley Lepard County and Temple, No. 5 Aaliyah Collins and they’re focused No. 6 Kenzie Canning on how they fare from No. 7 Courtney Denney the first meeting to the No. 8 Abby Davenport second to see if they’re No. 9 Noelle Ledford No. 10 Michelle Ortiz trending in the right No. 11 Jacqueline Rodriguez direction. No. 12 Gabby Mendoza “Everybody says wins No. 17 Elayla Phillips are the most important No. 18 Jenny Bade No. 19 Monica Coleman thing, but we need No. 20 Faith Sanford to see improvement

between games played with each other before we go into region play,” Watts said. And once Region 6-A play gets underway, MZ will have to battle the best of the best in Georgia, as league foes Atlanta Class and Armuchee clashed in the Class A state championship last year with Atlanta Class prevailing in a 4-0 decision. Drew Charter and Trion accounted for the other two playoff representatives from the region, and Watts noted that his squad will have to upend one of those programs in order to land a postseason berth. “They’re the top tier, and then Trion, Bowdon and Drew Charter are the teams we’re trying to make sure we have a chance to win against,” Watts said. But perhaps the biggest step for Mount Zion this spring is reeling in some ‘W’s and moving the program another step ahead. “Some wins, some goals. Really, just increase their knowledge of the sport,” Watts said. WGW

Quality Over Quantity For Eagles

Mount Zion motoring into season with 11-man crew

he Mount Zion High School baseball team punched its first state playoff ticket in a quartercentury last spring. And now the challenge for Eagle head coach Randall Wright is to keep that momentum moving in the right direction in 2022. Making that task much more difficult is a major turnover in personnel upon being hit hard by graduation and only having 11 players suiting up this season. But Wright is taking a glass-half-full approach to the diamond campaign, noting that what it lacks in quantity, Mount Zion more than makes up for in quality by running high-character players out on the field day-in and day-out. “We’ve only got 11, but like I’ve told a lot of people, they’re 11 good guys. They’re going to be there, they put the work in. Nobody has been missing practices, nobody has been missing workouts,” Wright said. “They show up and do what

they’re supposed to do. So it’s been nice to have 11 guys that are committed to it and are all-in.” The Eagles are leaning on a trio of seniors and four-year guys in the program with the return of

Garrett Gordon, Dylan Roulaine and Cohen Hancock with Gordon manning first base, Roulaine in center field and Hancock at either first or third. All three will also serve as top arms in the rotation for the Eagles. “They’re going to have to really lead us this year because we’re really young after them,” Wright said. “We have one junior and then we’ll start three sophomores and two freshmen.” Beyond the seniors, the Eagles are looking for quality production from sophomores Chase Butler (P/3B), Jake Gordon (2B) and Mason Jakubiak (C), while junior Eli Rivers will start in left field and will pitch. “So it’s guys that Mount Zion Eagles have been in the Baseball Roster program, but they’re No. 2 Jake Gordon going to be relied No. 3 Hayden Young on much more now,” No. 5 Eli Rivers Wright said. “Hopefully, No. 7 Chase Butler they can get some No. 8 Mason Hudson No. 9 Dylan Roulaine confidence (in the nonNo. 12 Cohen Hancock region) and kind of get No. 14 Mason Jakubiak their feet wet because No. 15 Andrew Roulaine our region is brutal. So No. 17 Garrett Gordon No. 31 Edgerin Dobbs hopefully we can get

some confidence in them and let them know that, ‘Hey, it’s still just baseball,’ and then by region we’ve got more chemistry and we’re rockin’ and rollin’ on all cylinders.” Now in his eighth season overall and seventh as head coach at Mount Zion, Wright reiterated that he wants the program to remain steady year-by-year and not suffer a dropoff when any particular class graduates. “So we lost those seniors who kind of built it, and that’s what I’ve been telling these young guys. ‘You’ve got to keep it going. Don’t let it be a 10-year drought,’” Wright said. “That’s not the expectation. We’ve got to get back, and we’ve got to find a way to get back. If we don’t this year, we don't fall off the map. We’re right there and we’re ready to make a run next year.” WGW

A Championship Tradition At Oak Mountain ACADEMY

Fall reflection, springing forward for Warrior athletics

he championship tradition is alive and well for the 2021-22 athletic year out on The Mountain. As a state playoff staple through the years, Oak Mountain Academy hasn’t missed a beat during its current run, highlighted by a state championship repeat last fall for the volleyball program, another playoff run by the boys’ basketball team this winter and now with the spring season upon them, the Warriors are focused on defending three more state crowns in tennis. For OMA Athletic Director Steven Gillispie, it’s a standard of excellence that has been passed down from class to class over the years. Here’s a look ahead to what’s on the forefront this spring, as well as a reflection on the accomplishments from Warrior and Lady Warrior student-athletes from their respective fall and winter campaigns.

Spring The spring season features both boys’ and girls’ tennis and

Hollis Engel won the 2021 state championship in the long jump.

golf, along with girls’ soccer and a few individual participants in track and field. The Lady Warriors captured the state crown in girls’ tennis in 2021 and are on serve to defend that title this spring, while the pairing of Abbey Penley and Kenzie Reid will look to win back-to-back state championships in doubles play. On the boys’ side, Dylan Sims brought home a state singles title for Warriors tennis, and he will be the favorite once again to net some more hardware. Senior Hollis Engel is defending a state champion in the long jump, as well. Penley, Reid, Sims and Engel were all juniors last season and can cap off their OMA athletic careers with back-to-back titles as seniors this spring. “As the defending champion, you’re going to get everyone’s best shot. They want to take down the king,” Gillispie said. “We were winning championships as underclassmen. So it’s not like we’re defending the title with The pairing of Kenzie Reid (left) and Abbey new people. Those mainstays of Penley (right) will look to win back-to-back the program are returning. So state championships in doubles play.

we’re excited about what can happen.” Additionally, the girls’ soccer team reached the state championship round last year and returns a strong core of that team this season.

Greene, who scored his 1,000th career point in late January,” Gillispie said. “The bloodlines are good. It’s been established here for a while. Well before I got here. The boys’ basketball program has been very solid.”

Winter

Fall

Volleyball headlines fall The OMA boys’ basketball athletics for Oak Mountain team was seeking a three-peat Academy, and the Lady Warriors this winter on the hardwood continued their winning ways this after rattling off back-toyear, completing the three-peat back state championships in with another run to the state 2020-21, but the Warriors fell crown under the direction of firsttwo games short of reaching year head coach Jessie Fuller. the championship round of Gillispie said you can expect February’s Class A bracket. OMA volleyball to be in the mix Even so, it was another for four in a row next fall. memorable campaign for the Dylan Sims brought home a state singles “Obviously, we’re going to be Warriors under first-year head title for Warriors tennis. much younger next year because coach Micah Kilgore. we graduate six seniors. But there “Basketball is kind of our will still be six with state championship experience marquee boys’ sport. We’ve had players go on to coming back,” Gillispie said. WGW college. We held strong this year with senior Zuri

Volleyball

Singles & Doubles

Tennis Team

Basketball

Long Jump www.oakmountain.us

Lady Tigers Putting The Pieces Together

Temple girls aim to hit stride upon reaching full strength

he Temple High School girls’ soccer team had the appearance of an incomplete puzzle during the first stretch of the spring campaign. And with that, came some results that didn’t necessarily reflect the potential of this group. So when the Lady Tigers finally reach full strength with all their pieces in place, lay coach Kenny Akins is confident this will be a dangerous squad as the season commences to crank up. “We’ve got a good group of girls. If we can get everybody on the field at the same time and get everybody healthy, I feel we can compete for No. 1 in the region,” Akins said.

“It’s been a struggle getting all the girls on the field at the same time. We started two weeks early, and with basketball still running, it was tough. But I think it’s going to come together real well.” Temple, which finished third in Region 5-AA last season, returns plenty of firepower offensively in the form of senior forward “We’ve got a good Emily Higdon, who netted group of girls. If we a career milestone last year. can get everybody “She’s probably one on the field at the of the most prolific goalsame time and get scorers in the area. She everybody healthy, actually scored her 100th I feel we can compete for No. 1 goal of her career last year in the region.” as a junior,” Akins said. “So she’s a dynamic goalscorer.” Temple also brings back senior Becca Schillinger,

who will be in goal as the last line of defense, while junior Delaney Akins is shifting back to offense this spring to complement Higdon up front for the Lady Tiger attack. “She was the second-leading goal-scorer for our team as a freshman. She moved to defense last year out of team need, but we’ve moved her back to offense, and she’s the second-leading scorer on the team this year,” Akins said. The Lady Tigers also feature plenty of speed at left wing with junior Izzy White and senior Lashay Henson serves as another mainstay in the program. “She’s not the quickest, she’s not the strongest. But you’re not going to be able to measure heart against her. She’s got more heart than anybody,” Akins said of Henson.

A younger player who Temple Lady Tigers Akins expects to have Roster a breakout season is sophomore Madeline No. 2 Delaney Akins Briscoe. No. 3 Isabelle White “She’s going to be No. 5 Maron Chitwood our up-and-coming No. 6 Diamond Grise No. 8 Kylie Hutcheson player,” Akins said. No. 9 Emily Higdon “She’s played soccer as No. 10 Payton Adams long as I could imagine. No. 11 Lashay Henson I actually coached her No. 13 Madeline Briscoe off and on for about the No. 15 Kemea Hines last eight years.” No. 16 Kyndale Ray The Lady Tigers will No. 17 Haley McElhannon have eight matches No. 18 Hailey Duke No. 19 Ansleigh Garrett under their belt before No. 21 Rebecca Schillinger kicking into the region schedule come March, and Akins wants his squad to develop a tight bond to position itself with the best opportunity to make a state playoff run in April. Once region play begins, Temple will work to get past a pair of state-ranked juggernauts in Bremen and Callaway, while Haralson County is also lurking among the mix. “We’ve got to play as a family. We preach family,” Akins said. “If we can work together as a group, work together as a unit, that’s what soccer is all about. Moving the ball and working together. The best way I can describe it is family.” Former Temple head coach Raol Calas, who is now serving as team manager, echoed that sentiment and he also believes the Lady Tigers have something special brewing in 2022. “We’re one complete unit. Coach Akins is handling the coaching and I’m handling the managing of the clubs. We’re not short on duties around here,” Calas said. WGW

Young Tigers Earning Their Stripes Temple boys leaning on up-and-comers in ‘22

here is no shortage of talent across the Temple High School boys’ soccer team’s roster this spring. It’s just been a matter of playing the waiting game for Tiger lay coach Kenny Akins and Co. With winter sports crossing into the start of spring, the Tigers didn’t have all their weapons in the arsenal early in the year. But now that they’re at full force, Akins is eager to see Temple soccer unleash in March. “We haven’t had the whole team together at all early in the season. We had basketball in the state playoffs and wrestling going on. But once we have everyone on the field, we’re going to be the best team on the field athletically every time,” Akins said. “Our team speed is second-to-none. We’re going to be faster than anybody out there, offensively and defensively. We’ve just got to move the ball, communicate and work together.” Versatility is the name of the game for Tiger senior Dalton Whitmire, who has literally played every

position on the field during his THS career. “His ballhandling skills, you’re not going to find anyone who can handle the ball better than him,” Akins said. “He even played goalie for us last year, out of necessity.” Whitmire won’t be needed in goal this spring, however, with the emergence of junior Blake Hales

defending the posts. “He’s quick on his feet, dynamic to the ball. And he’s got a leg on him,” Akins said. Senior Sammy Zimbron was one of those late to the pitch party after helping lead the Tiger basketball team to the Class AA state playoffs, and

he’ll be welcomed with open arms to the soccer field by his teammates. “Another one that can play defense, offense. He’s going to add a whole different level of athleticism to the team that we’ve been missing at the start of the season,” Akins said. Leading the offense early in the campaign was sophomore Hunter McAnallen, while his younger brother, Cason, is a freshman and also has a bright future in the program, according to Akins. The Tiger coach is also looking for production from freshmen Jonathan Nunez and Ivan Platero this spring. “We’ve only got two Temple Tigers seniors. We’re really, Roster really young. If we just learn to work together, No. 1 Chase Washington everything will be No. 2 Dylan Whitmire better,” Akins said. No. 3 Chase Ogles Former Tiger head No. 4 Hunter McAnallen coach and current No. 6 Trent Guy team manager Raol No. 7 Andrew Jackson No. 8 Ivan Platero Calas said it’s been No. 9 Samuel Zimbron a matter of getting No. 10 Jonathan Nunez better week-by-week No. 11 Marco Sanchez for this promising No. 12 Anthony Silva ballclub. No. 13 Heidan Garden “I look forward No. 14 Cason McAnallen to seeing how No. 15 Johance Williams these young players No. 16 Blake Hales No. 17 Eric Torres continue to improve No. 18 Daniel Long this season and No. 20 Adam Schillinger beyond,” Calas said. No. 25 Dalton Whitmire WGW

Tigers Poised To End Playoff Drought

Temple continues to climb in Year 3 of Sexton era

amie Sexton has his program ascending in the right direction. The third-year Temple High School head baseball coach entered Tiger Town with a strong diamond pedigree. From delivering lights-out performances at Jefferson High during his prep days to commanding the mound for the University of West Georgia at the collegiate level, where he enjoyed a record-breaking career with the Wolves from 2010-15 before putting on his coaching cap at Carrollton as a top assistant. Upon taking over Temple baseball in 2019, Sexton and staff have built from the ground-up. The Tigers were off to a promising 6-5 campaign in his first season before COVID derailed sports across the state in the spring of 2020. Temple followed it up with an 11-win season last year and was still alive for a Class AA state playoff berth heading into the final series of the regular season. Now in Year 3, the Tiger skipper is focused on

ending that postseason drought, which is now at 10 years, something he wasn’t shy about reminding his players of as preparations for 2022 got off and running. The Tigers have a solid core of young and old, experienced and inexperienced at the varsity level, and Sexton noted that it’s going to take everyone buying in and being on board to achieve the goals they have in place. “We’ve got a good mix of both. Our depth’s not as deep as I would like it to be. However, what we do have is pretty experienced,” Sexton said. “We’re going to have to have a couple of juniors step up a little bit and fill some of the holes we lost last year. Our seniors are really strong, and they’re going to be able to lead us. We’ll kind of go as they go.” Temple returns seniors Gage Tucker, Carter Kittrell, Luke Watson and Ricky Ruiz as a quartet of leaders, with Tucker and Kittrell earning all-region honors last year, while junior pitcher Kael Whiddon is another key addition after having to sit out last year

as a transfer. Tucker primarily played behind the plate last season, but Sexton wants to move him into the infield more this spring to save his arm for the mound. The Tigers actually have a deep pitching staff, and the THS coaching staff intended to use the non-region portion of play to figure out what guys would play what role when Region 5-AA action kicked into gear. “Of our 13, 14 guys we’ve got on varsity, 11 of them pitch. So the biggest thing is going to be getting everybody innings to see who can do what in certain situations. Who is going to be our starters? Who is going to be our relievers, our backend guys that can come in and close the game down?” Sexton said. “And just figuring out our defense, as far as where we feel our best nine give us the best chance to win.” And once region play settles in, it’s a series-byseries slobberknocker for the right to earn one of four playoff spots among the five teams in the league, three of which reached the elite eight or better in the Class AA state playoffs last season. “It’s a gauntlet. Last year we were one win away against Heard County in a game that we were up 3-0 there and lost in the last two innings,” Sexton said. “Again, that experience of being able to close ballgames. At Haralson County, we were up in two of the three games at some point in time during the game and lost those there at the end. We were right “You’ve definitely got to bring your ‘A’ game every game. That’s what’s so great about our region. It makes it fun. It makes it competitive. It gives you something to look forward to.”

there last year. Very close, but the experience got us. So hopefully that will pay off this year. But you’ve definitely got to bring your ‘A’ game every game. That’s what’s so great about our region. It makes it fun. It makes it competitive. It gives you something to look forward to.” As for the program itself, Sexton is proud of how far it has come during a short time, and he credited THS Principal Tim Gribben, Assistant Principal Chris Edwards and Athletic Director Scotty Ward for playing pivotal roles in providing the resources to make it happen. “They’ve been excellent in helping me establish the program here and basically giving us everything that we’ve asked for. Our fundraising efforts go into that, as well,” Sexton said. “The county, they’ve been Temple Tigers great, too, in helping us Baseball Roster with some things that are bigger-ticket items. Just No. 1 Darius Rogers giving us a chance to No. 2 Kael Whiddon build something here. The No. 3 Carter Kittrell No. 4 Roman Marron guys have done a great No. 5 Beau Beckjorden job buying in, and that’s No. 7 Isaiah Allen what I’m really excited No. 8 Laythen Bagwell about this year. For these No. 9 Andon Flotz seniors and these juniors, No. 10 Luke Watson this is Year 3 with me. So No. 11 Rylee Hollowood I’m really looking forward No. 13 Lane Summerville to that experience and No. 14 Parker Andel No. 17 Preston Bott that culture-breeding that No. 19 Ricky Ruiz we’ve done the past few No. 23 Gage Tucker years and see that pay off No. 24 Connor Mincey this year.” WGW

Wildcats Aim To Keep Spring Streak Alive Villa Rica boys locked in toward state playoff berth

the state playoffs every season since 2014, which urnover is part of athletics, especially at the happened to be Thompson’s first with the program, high school level, and it’s something the and he and VR head coach Matthew Minor have no Villa Rica High School boys’ soccer team is intentions of that streak stopping on their watch this undergoing this spring. After graduating a deep senior class, the Wildcats season. “I told them that my one goal is the playoffs. So aren’t using that dreaded “rebuilding” forecast – perhaps, more of a “reloading” target for the 2022 campaign. "I told them that That being said, VR lay coach my one goal is the Kenny Thompson anticipates playoffs. So I don’t some growing pains before want to see that drop everything begins clicking. And off. It’s a goal that’s he’s hopeful of that coming sooner than later. definitely achievable, “In high school sports, you even though we’re can go from being senioryoung. Now, what heavy and experienced to very happens after that? young, inexperienced and a That’s the question.” little bit smaller. So I’m seeing the transition,” Thompson said. “In years past, we were the biggest team on the field and the strongest. But now we’re in a year where we’re going to have a lot of freshmen starting.” The Wildcats have reached

I don’t want to see that drop off. It’s a goal that’s definitely achievable, even though we’re young,” Thompson said. “Now, what happens after that? That’s the question.” Senior fouryear starter Malachi Rafiq returns as a key weapon for the Wildcats this spring, while his younger brother, Luke Rafiq, is also back as a midfielder who will be in the heart of the battle for VR. “Malachi’s one of our impact players. He’s started and played every game for me. He pretty much plays every minute of every game. I rarely take him off,” Thompson said. The Wildcats will also feature an international flair with two foreign-exchange students joining the program, as Victor Diez comes to the City of Gold from Spain, while Pietro Sapia joins the program by way of Italy. “They just moved into the area and are great players. So they’ve added something to us. They’ve got an international, different style of play. But they’ve helped out tremendously,” Thompson said. Other newcomers to the program, and much less traveled, are the freshman quartet of Buddy

Thompson, Ezra Miahnahri, Cooper Easterwood and Nolan Alba, who are also expected to make an immediate impact on the pitch. Villa Rica finished as the No. 2 seed in Region 6-AAAAA last season behind Midtown – formerly Grady High – and Thompson believes it will Villa Rica Wildcats be the top competition Roster again, along with Lithia Springs and North No. 0 Eddy Hernandez Springs. No. 00 Edwin Baker But before the No. 3 Nolan Alba No. 7 Kenneth Thompson III Wildcats begin their No. 8 Micah Alba playoff pursuit, they’re No. 9 Victor Diez focused on developing No. 10 Luke Rafiq that winning chemistry No. 11 Ezra Miahnahri by mixing and matching No. 12 Manuel Garcia No. 13 Malachi Rafiq personnel during the No. 15 Pietro Sapia non-region stretch. No. 16 Cooper Easterwood “Honestly, region play No. 17 Robert Scruggs is what matters. It’s nice No. 18 Shalim Pacheco to do well in non-region No. 19 Lovesson Placide games, but with such a No. 20 River Shannon young team, we’re trying No. 21 Omran Alnshewati to get them ready and be No. 22 Peniel Derisse No. 25 Christian Arnell focused on the region,” No. 33 Jeremiah Green Thompson said. WGW

Lady Cats Back On The Playoff Prowl Villa Rica girls race out to strong start this spring

he Villa Rica High School girls’ soccer team is picking up right where it left off from a season ago. Following a runner-up finish in Region 6-AAAAA and trip to the Sweet Sixteen of the Class AAAAA state playoffs, the Lady Wildcats raced out of the gates this spring to a fantastic start in non-region action, highlighted by a 10-game winning streak leading up to the start of league play in March. VR head coach Tracey Coslin has been encouraged with not only the victories, but the fact that his ballclub has shown signs of improvement each time out. “The season has started off good. The progress, I think we’re a little bit ahead of the schedule. But we’re very young,”

Coslin said. “We lost some pretty key pieces last year. We’ve filled in nicely, but we’ve got to feel like each game’s got to be striving toward getting a little bit better.” Villa Rica is leaning on a balanced attack in 2022, with players from every class stepping to the forefront to ignite the strong start. Senior four-year starter Jayden Brock has been a mainstay in the program, while junior center-back Autumn Hale is a “well-established defender,” sophomore centerdefensive midfielder Mia Bonner has taken “a big leap” from her freshman season and freshman Justice Rogers has provided an offensive spark early in the campaign. “So the good news is, it’s not all

coming from one source,” Coslin said. “There’s been multiple people doing a lot of good things for us early in the year.” Coslin expected the defense to be ahead of the offense early in the year, but he anticipates his team being stronger on the attack as the season unfolds, especially when it gets into the region schedule. “I want to see us become a more possessionstyle team,” Coslin said. “We started out a couple of games early in the season trying to play long balls over the top, a classic kick-and-run. I think as we move forward, we’ll really try to concentrate on possession of the ball.” And when it comes to the region slate, the Lady Cats are chasing down defending 6-AAAAA champion Midtown – formerly Grady High School – for the right to a No. 1 state playoff seed. “They had a very young, but very talented team. So I expect them to be right there at the top. North Springs was a real close game. They had about four or five players who probably played higher level club ball,” Coslin said. “It’s going to be a competitive region. I think two through six have kind of closed the gap on each other. But I think we’ve got to work to catch up to Midtown.” Villa Rica Lady Villa Rica soccer has Wildcats Roster become a playoff staple during the Coslin era, and No. 2 Megan Knox the Lady Cat head coach No. 4 Autumn Hale is poised to make another No. 5 Hannah New No. 6 Niya Hindsman run in 2022. No. 8 Justice Rogers So far, all signs are No. 9 N’Khia Zachery pointing in that direction. No. 10 Jayden Brock “We’re definitely going No. 11 Libby Hartley to try to keep the streak No. 12 Bethany New alive,” Coslin said. “We No. 13 Sam Schmidt No. 14 Anna Bumgardner started off well, but things No. 15 Mia Bonner can always change pretty No. 16 Zipporah Cheely quick in this sport. We’re No. 17 Kendall Tosh keeping an eye on it and No. 20 Javonne Cook working toward a strong No. 21 Cecila Dunkin No. 22 Olivia Thompson season.” WGW

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Cats Counting On Youth Emergence Villa Rica sets sights on region crown, postseason return

eal Hannah may have a young squad on his hands in 2022, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be inexperienced. The sixth-year Villa Rica High School head baseball coach will lean on his six returning seniors for leadership and production on the field and, from there, it’s a troupe of underclassmen who are hungry to take that next step up the varsity ranks upon getting a taste of the big stage last season. “If I chose to, I could run eight or nine sophomores out there at one time and feel comfortable with the team that we put on the field,” Hannah said. “We’ll just see how they react when they get into the varsity environment.” The Wildcats are coming off a secondplace finish in Region 6-AAAAA last season and are focused on leapfrogging North Springs into the top spot this spring. But before Villa Rica ventures into league play on March 9 against the defending champs, it got battle-tested with a non-region slate that featured Haralson County, Bremen, Landmark Christian, Westminster, Cedartown and McEachern in order

to see how the younger players handled adverse situations and late-game drama. Hannah said more than the win-loss margin, he wanted to see his squad develop consistency during the early-season matchups. “We’ve got a good mix of some games that will test us, some games that are going to be defensive because the teams we play have some good arms they’re going to be able to throw at us,” Hannah said. “I’m just looking to see who, out of those younger kids, is going to step up and not let the moment overwhelm them and look to the older kids to make sure

they are where they’re supposed to be.” The Villa Rica skipper expects pitcher Jaden Camp, pitcher/ outfielder Logan Ervine, shortstop Braden Jones, and infielder Wesley Gaines to serve as key contributors this season. In the outfield, VR is looking for quality production from Dorian Jordan and Jake Herrera, who will also be one of the top arms on the hill. “Jake is going to be big on the mound, in the outfield and at first. He’s kind of a utility guy that’ll also help us offensively,” Hannah said. Hannah believes a run to the region championship will be very similar to last season, with everybody gunning for the reigning champs.

“North Springs Villa Rica Wildcats will be the team Baseball Roster to beat. But everybody’s No. 1 Jorden Murphy going to be No. 2 Layton Hyneman No. 3 Brady Perry improved. No. 4 Wesley Gaines Chapel No. 5 Drew Coker Hill’s No. 6 Matthew Green going to No. 7 Braden Jones be pretty No. 11 Dorian Jordan good. No. 12 Kade Robinson No. 14 Jake Herrera Midtown No. 15 Jaxon Hembree is going No. 16 James Hutter to be about No. 17 Caleb Floyd the same as No. 19 Mason Westmoreland last year and No. 22 Jaden Camp No. 23 Hayden Head Jackson, as well. I know Jackson’s got one No. 34 Logan Ervine good arm that they’re going to run out there, and he’s good enough to beat anybody on any given day,” Hannah said. “I expect to be, and we should be, in the mix as one of the four to make the playoffs, and hopefully we play well enough to have a shot to win the region.” Now in his sixth season in charge of Villa Rica baseball and eighth overall in the City of Gold, Hannah is proud of where the program is currently and the direction it is headed. “Now they understand what standards we’ve put in place and what’s expected of them,” Hannah said. “We’ve got a really good core of young kids that are coming up. This eighth-grade group, ninth-grade group and 10th-grade group, they have a high baseball IQ and it’s going to be fun to see how good they end up being if they continue to work.” WGW

Season Of Transition For UWG Softball Wolves add new pieces to diamond dynamic in 2022 Photos provided by the University of West Georgia

he University of West Georgia softball team is storming right into season this spring, and the diamond dynamics will look a little different for the Wolves in 2022. UWG head coach Al Thomas returns his core four in the form of program stalwarts Alley Taylor, Hannah Scarbrough, Kristyn Nix and Chandler Mevis, but beyond that, there are several position battles brewing early on in the spring campaign. Taylor, now a graduate student, has been a mainstay at shortstop over the past half-decade in Carrollton, bringing pop and speed to the plate to complement her cannon in the field and leadership in the dugout.

Nix is coming off a First-Team All-Gulf South Conference performance last season as a sophomore after setting a school-record for batting average. The junior from Zebulon is back at second base and looking to keep the hit parade coming as an upperclassman. Scarbrough, another graduate student, has served as the table-setter at the top of the lineup offensively through the years while playing tremendous defense in center field. Mevis, a junior outfielder, emerged on the scene last year and has shifted from left to right field this season and is hitting in the No. 2 hole offensively.

“That nucleus, those four are really playing well,” Thomas said. “They’re kind of carrying us early in the year. We know what we’re getting out of them.” Sophomore Isabella Pinto has taken over at left field, while Thomas is working a rotation at the corner infield spots early in the season with senior Maddie Gorsuch and Carson-Newman transfer Madison Vandergriff splitting time at third. At first, R.J. Janke, Ava Ramirez and Emily Bodenheimer are battling for the starting nod. Behind the plate, a pair of freshmen are serving as the backstop with Rylee Green and Emma Bailey both getting their opportunities. “Those two, if we can get their bats going, they’re pretty solid catchers. It’s just the offensive part being new, trying to figure all that out,” Thomas said. The biggest question mark early in the season,

however, is the UWG pitching staff. With injuries to the expected No. 1 and No. 2 starters throwing a wrench in the early-season plans for West Georgia, Thomas summoned sophomores

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West Georgia Wolves Softball Roster No. 1 Isabella Pinto No. 2 Bailey Christol No. 3 Madi Cronic No. 5 Emma Bailey No. 6 Emma Worley No. 7 Maddie Gorsuch No. 8 Lauren McElhaney No. 9 Kya Draper No. 10 Jacie Arrington No. 12 Madison Vandergriff No. 13 Chandler Mevis No. 14 Addison Sturdivant No. 15 Kaley Dowdy No. 17 Hannah Scarbrough No. 18 Rylee Green No. 19 Macy Ann McKnight No. 20 Kristyn Nix No. 21 Katie Hassenboehler No. 22 R.J. Janke No. 23 Maddie Clark No. 25 Carlie Monsour No. 26 Camden Smith No. 28 Emily Bodenheimer No. 29 Ava Ramirez No. 30 Alley Taylor No. 32 Jacelyn Lahr

Macy Ann McKnight and Kaley Dowdy into leading roles, along with even using Taylor in the circle at times, and freshman Emma Worley to round out the available arms. “Last year we had Macy Ann McKnight, who threw maybe four or five innings. Kaley Dowdy, she threw probably three or four innings herself. Those are really our go-to pitchers right now,” Thomas said. “They’re trying to find their way, and we’re trying to help them. Then we had to fill in with (Taylor) and she had to pitch a couple of

innings.” So as the Wolves mix and match in trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, Thomas is hopeful of seeing that come sooner than later so as not to get behind the 8-ball in the Gulf South standings. “It’s just trying to see who can step up and try to hit it, try to catch it and we’ll see what happens. We have the potential to be really good,” Thomas said. “But we’ve got to get our pitching worked out.” WGW

Wolves Hunting For Gulf South Success

West Georgia baseball turns to new talent in 2022 Photos provided by the University of West Georgia

he University of West Georgia baseball team featured one of the most prolific displays of offensive fireworks in program history last spring behind the explosive bat of the 2021 Gulf South Conference Player of the Year. With Dan Oberst delivering a recordbreaking campaign as one of the nation’s top hitting machines, the Wolves understood there would be a big hole missing at the top of the lineup in 2022 following his departure. Enter his former partner in crime – reigning First-Team All-GSC performer

Brody Wortham, who has taken the torch as the Alpha Wolf. He has also shifted into the leadoff spot and now mans first base for UWG head coach Jeff Smith. “He’s picked up where he left off last year, swinging the bat real well,” Smith said of the sophomore sensation, who led the GSC in hitting last season with a .411 batting average. “Brody does such a good job. We’re hitting him in the leadoff spot because he makes a lot of contact and he gets on base. He sets the tone for the start of the game and gives us a chance for RBIs.” The Wolves tallied several of those in the seasonopening series against Kentucky State, combining for 51 runs in a three-game sweep to swing into season. Of course, things get much tougher in league play, and this year is no different as every weekend is a grind in the Gulf South schedule.

It will be interesting to see how the season unfolds for the Wolves with a new cast of talent mixing in with a core of returnees. Thus far, Smith likes what he sees. “I love the team. I love our guys. We have a lot of talent. We have 18 new players that we’ve added to the returning guys. So I think we’ve got the right players,” Smith said. The middle infield features a pair of sophomores in shortstop Sam Ladner and second baseman Jonathan Logsdon, while junior Collin Moore is back at the hot corner and sophomore Jackson Webb is another returning starter behind the plate. The Wolves also bring back Carrollton High School product Joe Skinner, who has been a steady contributor at first base and designated hitter during his UWG career. Davis Schwartz, Anthony Calabro, Logan Fink and Edgar Cruz will serve as key components in the outfield, and fellow newcomer Fuzzy Furr is expected to be a tough out for opposing pitchers as UWG’s designated

hitter, along with roaming the Cole Field outfield defensively. And while the offense was a focal point last year, pitching proved to be the concern. Smith is hopeful of shoring up that phase of the game in 2022 behind some fresh arms in the program, along with a handful of returning guys, led by starter Robert Coleman and bullpen ace Andrew Smith. Smith has been especially strong at the start of the year, working out of the bullpen as both a long reliever and helping the Wolves escape jams in tight spots. “He’s been lights-out. He’s commanding four pitches and he’s giving us a chance. Very few walks,” Smith said. “He’s been doing an outstanding job.” Smith is also looking for solid contributions from

offense will bring to the table, Smith stressed that it will ultimately come down to pitching and defense in order to make a run in a league as loaded as the Gulf South Conference. The regular season runs through the end of April, followed by the GSC Tournament in Oxford, Alabama, May 6-10. “If we pitch, with the hitting lineup we have, we just need some quality starts and we’ll be fine and we’ll compete this season,” Smith said. WGW

Ronny Piepmeier, Garrett Mishoe, Jackson Hodnick, Jonathan Hickman and Brycen Jones from the bullpen, while the weekend starters were still a work-inprogress early on in the campaign. So while the West Georgia skipper feels confident in what the

West Georgia Wolves Baseball Roster No. 1 Jonathan Hickman No. 2 Brady Simpson No. 3 Jonathan Logsdon No. 4 Jack Rasmussen No. 5 Andrew Smith No. 6 Riley King No. 7 Robert Coleman No. 8 Joseph Hill No. 9 Jackson Webb No. 10 Brody Wortham No. 11 Cody Mish No. 12 Austyn Wright No. 13 Dominic Murgo III No. 14 Sam Ladner No. 15 Logan Fink No. 16 Edgar Cruz No. 17 Ezra Brown No. 18 Anthony Calabro No. 19 Nick Morgan No. 20 Peyton Berry No. 21 Brycen Jones No. 22 Joe Skinner No. 24 Max Wilson No. 25 Davis Schwartz No. 26 Collin Moore No. 27 Fuzzy Furr No. 28 Jason Hodnick No. 29 Charlie Tull No. 30 Chad Wallen No. 31 Tripp Church No. 32 Ronny Piepmeier No. 33 Jenson Barker No. 34 Garrett Mishoe No. 36 Mac McRae No. 37 Keegan Moore

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