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 Dragons, Tigers enter football playoffs Friday
Commerce hosts Georgia Military; Jefferson travels to Lincoln
County
The Georgia High School Association will begin its 2001 state
football playoffs Friday, and two area teams are eligible to
participate.
Jefferson's Dragons will travel to Lincoln County to battle the
Red Devils, a perennial Class A football powerhouse that struggled
early but rallied to take four straight wins to close the regular
season. Jefferson finished third in Region 8-A, and Lincoln County
second in Region 7-A to set the meeting.
The defending state Class A champion Commerce Tigers will host
Georgia Military College, the third seed from Region 7-A.
Jefferson and Lincoln will square off at 7:30 p.m., with the
game in Commerce starting half an hour later.
FINAL SPOT SET
The fourth seed from Region 4-A was finally decided Friday. Wheeler
County, which held the fourth spot on a three-way tie-breaker
going into last week's contests, lost to Emanuel County Institute,
opening the door for Montgomery County.
The Eagles took over the three-way tie-breaker with a win against
Stewart-Quitman Friday. If the Eagles had also lost, Wheeler
would have retained the tie-breaker advantage.
CORRECTED BRACKET
In other Class A playoff news, due to incorrectly reported early-season
scores from various sources, playoff spots for Region 3-A were
incorrectly listed in the state playoff bracket in last week's
edition of The Jackson Herald. A corrected version may be found
on in this weeks Jackson Herald.
Hoops teams
split opener in tourney
Lady Leopards open the season with win. Saturday night couldn't
have been a better beginning for Mike Gordon's final season.
The Lady Leopards were aggressive, they fought hard, and they
shocked Madison County with a 53-40 victory over a team that
finished in the Elite Eight in class AAA.
Banks County had two more games scheduled in the Madison County
Tipoff Tournament after their opener Saturday night.
Due to an early deadline because of Thanksgiving, those results
were not available for publication.
The Lady Leopards stand to open their home season Tuesday against
Towns County at 6 p.m.
The Lady Raiders started off Saturday's game taking a 17-12 first
quarter lead. Banks was moving the ball around well but had trouble
getting it inside.
In the second quarter, though, the Lady Leopards found the basket
and pushed ahead to take a 26-25 halftime lead.
Banks County went on a 9-1 run in the closing seconds of the
first half to take the lead.
All the while, the Lady Leopards were aggressively attacking
the Lady Raider offense. Their defense and fast-paced offense
allowed the Lady Leopards to take control of the game but also
forced a lot fouls.
"Banks is a young and scrappy team," Madison County
head coach Tim Cook said. "They really got after us and
might have played a little harder than we did."
In the second half, the Lady Leopards continued their aggressive
runs and pushed farther ahead of Madison County.
The Lady Raiders, who hit only eight free throws despite going
to the line 27 times, could never find their inside shot.
Banks outscored Madison 16-7 in the final quarter to take the
win.
Ashley Freeman led the offensive attack for Lady Leopards with
23 points.
Freshman Kayla Duncan put 16 on the board in her Lady Leopard
varsity debut.
Also scoring were: Megan Williams, four; Joni Martin and Ashley
Campbell, three; and Maggie Elrod and Jessica Kennedy, two.
 2001
Class A Playoffs
Commerce Hopes To Out-Flank Georgia Military Friday Night
This is usually the time of year that all eyes are on Commerce.
After all, entering the Class A playoffs the past four seasons
with a combined record of 37-3 has made the Tigers a perennial
contender come post season time.
But 2001 has a different twist.
Seeded second with a 6-4 record, the defending Class-A state
champions will be looked on more as a possible spoiler than a
front-runner to the throne.
However, Commerce head coach Steve Savage said one can never
really predict what the post season could hold.
"If we could get past the first round then some things could
happen for us...You never know what's going to happen...,"
he said. "It's like we're starting over now."
The Tigers' first contest of the "new season" is against
an opponent still looking for some breakthrough success in the
playoffs.
Georgia Military College coach Derrick Allen said luck hasn't
been on his team's side when it comes to the post season.
"We made the playoffs for the first time since God knows
when last year and we had to play Buford and we make it this
year and we've got to play the defending state champions,"
Allen said with a laugh.
But Savage doesn't laugh when it comes to talking about GMC,
saying the Tigers will have their hands full against their first-round
foes.
"They're fundamental, they block and tackle really well,
they've got some good defensive ends...We'll have to go out there
and have our best game," Savage said.
The Milledgeville military academy sported a 7-3 record this
year but were possibly a few plays away from being 9-1, dropping
two ball games in overtime.
Allen, who's turned a 1-9 program in his first year into an outfit
that's posted three straight winning seasons, said his squad
has been a resilient one in 2001 despite the loss of some key
seniors from last year's team.
"We're pleased with what we've done, considering what we
lost," said the coach. "I think we've recovered pretty
well."
Part of what has helped them recover is a dangerous tandem of
Bulldog backs in 215-lb senior Brandon Smith and junior Jarvis
Williams.
Allen said both have good speed but added that Smith is more
of an inside runner while Williams is more dangerous on the outside.
Savage said the pair of backs who lead GMC the I-formation/Wing-T/Wishbone
attack "will be as good as we've seen all year."
On the defensive side of the ball, Commerce will have to contend
with linebackers Reginald Mosely and Calvin Atkins who anchor
the Bulldogs' "Shade 50" attack.
As far as Commerce goes, Allen said the Tigers will present problems
for his team on both sides of the ball.
"I'm impressed with how their line comes off the ball,"
Allen said of Commerce. "I'm impressed with the running
backs, especially the fullback (Nick Slayton)...Defensively,
they're probably the best we'll play all year."
Allen added that he had an overall respect for the Commerce program.
"I'm really impressed with how hard their kids play,"
Allen said. "Commerce has an absolute first-class program."
 Lowe resigns as Panther football coach, A.D.
Jackson County head football coach and athletic director Greg
Lowe resigned from both posts Monday, according to high school
principal Dr. Robin Hines.
"Coach Lowe has officially tendered his resignation as head
football coach and athletic director," Hines said. "We
certainly appreciate the efforts of Coach Lowe and his staff
in attempting to move the program forward, but we feel it's time
for a change in direction. We certainly wish him the best."
Neither Hines nor Lowe would comment on whether the resignation
was requested, but several sources close to the team have indicated
that was the case.
During Lowe's tenure on the sidelines, Jackson County managed
only a 2-28 record, but the team did see a significant increase
in participation numbers during that time.
Lowe indicated he currently has no plans for the future, but
Hines expressed his wishes that Lowe remain with the system as
a teacher.
"We hope he continues to be a part of our school,"
Hines commented. "He can stay as long as he wants; he's
a quality individual and a quality teacher."
Lowe has received numerous honors during his teaching career,
including being named Star Teacher several times.
 Raiders
routed in final game
North Hall rolled out no Trojan horse, no sneak attack.
The Trojans simply outmanned Madison County Friday in a 35-12
win, handing the Raiders only their second loss in as many years
while erasing a 762-day, 22-game winless drought.
"My kids weren't prepared to play mentally," said Madison
County head coach Tom Hybl, whose team finished the season at
8-2. "And it was my fault we didn't have them ready."
North Hall, 1-9, opened the game with a bang as 5'9" senior
David Brock returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for a score.
The Trojans added two more touchdowns before the half, a 34-yard
jaunt by Lee Spillers and a three-yard run by Corey Hutchins,
to take a 21-0 lead into intermission.
North Hall, a AAAA school, continued its dominance in the third
quarter, scoring on a six-yard run by Brock and a two-yard run
by Hutchins, which put the Trojans up 35-0.
"They (North Hall) were a good football team," said
Hybl. "They are very physical and used to playing a couple
of levels up from where we are....They played with great intensity
and we stood and watched."
Hybl said he was pleased his team "didn't roll over and
absolutely quit." The Raiders added two late scores to cut
into the Trojan lead.
Tony Freeman, who broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season, scored
Madison County's first touchdown of the night on a three-yard
run with 8:33 left in the game. The PAT was blocked and the Raiders
trailed 35-6. Quarterback Jonathan Pou carried the ball in from
12 yards out with just over a minute to go. The 2-point conversion
attempt failed.
Despite being disappointed with the season finale, Hybl was proud
of his squad's effort this year.
"Overall it was a really good, solid season," said
Hybl, who surpassed Larry Milligan this season as the football
program's all-time leader in coaching wins. Hybl has a 22-18
record at Madison County. Milligan had led the program with a
19-21 mark.
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LOCAL
FOOTBALL SCHEDULES/RESULTS
Local Playoff Results
(first round)
Jefferson 14
Lincoln Co. 26
Commerce 3
Ga. Military 0
| Banks County |
| (2-8-0) |
| Date |
Opponent |
Score |
| 8/31 |
at
JCCHS |
12-7 |
| 9/7 |
Jefferson |
7-35 |
| 9/21 |
Dawson
Co. |
0-28 |
| 9/28 |
at
East Hall |
0-28 |
| 10/5 |
GAC |
0-48 |
| 10/12 |
at
Apalachee |
0-30 |
| 10/19 |
Lumpkin
Co. |
0-20 |
| 10/26 |
at
Union Co. |
0-35 |
| 11/2 |
Rabun
Co. |
21-18 |
| 11/9 |
at
White Co. |
10-33 |
| Commerce |
| (7-4-0) |
| Date |
Opponent |
Score |
| 8/31 |
Franklin
Co |
29-13 |
| 9/7 |
at
Forsyth Ctrl |
14-35 |
| 9/14 |
Morgan
Co |
ppd. |
| 9/21 |
at
Walhalla, SC |
35-24 |
| 9/28 |
at
Lincoln Co |
13-12 |
| 10/5 |
at
Ath Acad |
7-34 |
| 10/12 |
Wash-Wilkes |
26-49 |
| 10/26 |
Wesleyan |
24-15 |
| 11/2 |
at
Jefferson |
14-0 |
| 11/9 |
Buford |
0-41 |
| 11/16 |
Morgan
Co. |
27-10 |
| 11/23 |
Ga.
Military |
3-0 |
| Jackson County |
| (1-9-0) |
| Date |
Opponent |
Score |
| 8/31 |
Banks
Co |
7-12 |
| 9/7 |
at
Madison Co |
7-35 |
| 9/14 |
at
Elbert Co |
ppd. |
| 9/28 |
Hart |
3-51 |
| 10/5 |
at
Eastside |
7-47 |
| 10/12 |
Loganville |
0-47 |
| 10/19 |
at
Franklin |
21-14 |
| 10/26 |
Winder-Barrow |
0-35 |
| 11/2 |
Stephens
Co |
3-34 |
| 11/9 |
at
Monroe Area |
0-27 |
| 11/16 |
at Elbert
Co. |
7-14 |
| Jefferson |
| (4-5-0) |
| Date |
Opponent |
Score |
| 8/31 |
Athens
Christian |
40-6 |
| 9/7 |
at
Banks Co |
35-7 |
| 9/14 |
at
Johns-G'ville |
ppd. |
| 9/21 |
Madison
Co |
11-14 |
| 9/28 |
at
Social Circle |
21-28 |
| 10/5 |
Oglethorpe
Co |
21-6 |
| 10/12 |
Lndmrk
Christ |
23-14 |
| 10/26 |
at
Buford |
0-41 |
| 11/2 |
Commerce |
0-14 |
| 11/9 |
at
Wesleyan |
31-14 |
| 11/16 |
at
Johns-G'ville |
7-23 |
| 11/23 |
@ Lincoln Co. |
14-26 |
| Madison County |
| (8-2-0) |
| Date |
Opponent |
Score |
| 8/24 |
South
Forsyth |
0-17 |
| 9/1 |
Apalachee |
36-3 |
| 9/7 |
Jackson
Co |
35-7 |
| 9/14 |
at
North Hall |
ppd. |
| 9/21 |
at
Jefferson |
14-11 |
| 9/28 |
Warren
Co |
14-7 |
| 10/5 |
Union
Grove |
35-6 |
| 10/19 |
at
Wesleyan |
14-0 |
| 10/26 |
at
Union Grove |
14-10 |
| 11/2 |
Athens
Christian |
49-6 |
| 11/16 |
at N. Hall |
12-35 |
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