Newspaper Page Text
The True Citizen, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 — Page 13
SPORTS
Bears impress during scrimmage against Laney High
Brannon Braddock
Jbraddo4@gmail.com
Everyone’s favorite time of
year is finally back: football
season. Waynesboro’s own
Burke County Bears hosted
visiting Lucy Laney High last
Lriday night at the Bear Den.
There were a lot of questions
entering this season. The Bears
lost their star quarterback,
Marshall Llowers, who signed
with Augusta University. They
lost Charlie Dorsey (running
back) and Damien Prescott (de
fensive end) to Gordon State
University. As well as a bunch
of unsigned stars like Kohen
Rogers (wide receiver.) Burke
County did not disappoint,
however, opening the season
on a strong note
Sophomore Sean Vandiver,
has been selected as the start
ing quarterback (with Jensen
Brantley playing back up,
filling in a role similar to NLL
star Taysom Hill) and he played
with confidence. He completed
nine of twelve in the air, throw
ing for 153 yards and a touch
down. He also had success on
the ground, with his longest
run being nine yards. A’mere
Williams and Cordarius Tree
split carries in the backheld
with Williams being the clear
starter. He ran for eighty-hve
yards on six carries, including
a 70 - yard touchdown run in
the first quarter. Tree tracked
three carries for forty yards and
a touchdown. Some standout
receivers include Ronderius
Gray (four catches for 54
yards) and tight end Harry
Newton who caught a single
pass in blown coverage for a
44-yard touchdown.
Speaking with Newton about
his touchdown, he said, “The
safety was paying attention to
a drag route. I ran a comer and
was able to get behind him.”
He praised his teammates
saying, “Our offense played
really well. We ran the ball
well, and we pretty much did
what we wanted out there.” He
also spoke highly of Vandiver,
paying specific attention to
his ability as a dual threat
quarterback: “he had a couple
of really good runs.” Newton
is excited for this season to
officially start, he thinks that
the Bears have a really good
chance to win region, which
means taking down the offen
sive juggernaut, Benedictine.
The Bears play the Cadets at
home this year, so that could
be a game that swings in their
favor. Otherwise, Newton’s
eyes are fixated on having fun
and getting some good looks
from college scouts.
Defensively, senior Brandon
Lively led the team in tackles,
with six solo tackles, seven as
sists, and a sack. Other notable
performances include Rashard
Carter (four tackles, five as
sists), Jensen Brantley (one
tackle for a loss, three tackles,
one assist), and Jeremy Rich
ardson (one tackle, six assists.)
Though the game didn’t
count, it was a stellar start to
the 2023 season. The Bears fin
ished as a 28-16 victor against
the Wildcats. A lot of questions
were answered, including the
quarterback question of who
was going to take Llowers’
place, and it seems like Head
Coach Lranklin Stephens is a
great fit for Burke County. Lor
those looking to support the
Bears, their next home game
will be against Thomson on
Lriday August 18. Be sure to
come out and cheer on Burke Harry Newton catches 44 yard touchdown pass from Sean
County against their biggest Vandiver in blown coverage versus Laney High.
rivals.
SMALL CHANGES
difference
SAVE AT HOME WITH ENERGY-EFFICIENCY
TIPS FROM GEORGIA POWER.
It doesn't take a lot to save a lot. Even the smallest of
changes can lead to bigger savings on your home energy
bill and help you save energy for the bigger things in life
For tips and programs to make your home more energy-
efficient, visit georgiapower.com/energytips
Georgia Power
BCHS