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o 04 ^3* ■'3- O 04 OJ Vol. 143, No. 42 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830 Established in 1882 Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - $1.00 Edmund Burke captures first-ever football state title TRES BRAGG The old football saying “defense wins championships” may not ring true for Edmund Burke Academy’s (EBA) football season as a whole, but few could argue that adage when the school took on Gatewood during last Friday’s GIAA-AA State Cham pionship game. The EBA Spartans captured the school’s first ever football state title after defeating the Gatewood Gators 16-10 at Mercer University. Gatewood’s 10-points was the team’s second fewest scored all season, as they entered the contest averaging over 30-points per game. Although there were few explosive offensive plays from either team during the matchup, Spartan fans were thrilled by how well the team’s defense stepped up multiple times to secure the historical win. “Our defense has played outstand ing all season long,” EBA head coach Andy Woodard said. “Our defensive coordinator Buddy Woodard had the defense extremely prepared for the title game as Gatewood threw every thing they had at us with their play action passes and tweaks to their run game,” he added. Woodard went on to say how the Spartan defense forced four key turn overs, all of which potentially saved the game. Two of those turnovers came when junior standout, Owen Redd intercepted the ball during Gatewood possessions. The other two were forced fumbles from se niors Connor Syms and Ayden Phil lips. Both fumbles were recovered by Junior Aden Hickman. In addition to the turnovers, sev eral Spartans posted big numbers on the defensive side of the ball. Sophomore Matthew Hood harassed Gatewood’s offense all game and garnered 16 total tackles. Hickman tallied 12 tackles of his own with Redd right behind him with 11. Se nior Kade McGill, Edmund Burke’s leading tackier for the season, re corded nine during the win while Grant Mobley had eight. Parker Oliver had seven tackles, two for a loss, and recorded two sacks. Clint Miller and Will Gelderman added seven and five tackles respectively. Offensively, quarterback Grant Mobley rushed for 117 yards on 26 attempts with two touchdowns. The additional 23 rushing yards came from Phillips and Lee. Mobley also completed six of nine passes for 43 yards. Redd caught four of the passes for 34 yards and Lee grabbed two for nine yards. Kicker Bray- ® Walker family hires high profile attorney SHELLIE SMITLEY thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com A spokesperson for famed civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump confirmed he is representing the Walker family regarding the death of Freddie Walker. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence on Bailey Road July 27 after the Burke County EMA reported difficulty with a combative person. Walker’s family was attempting to transport him to a hospital for a mental evaluation. During the incident, he was tased by Deputy Tyler May four times in approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Walker was later pronounced dead at Burke Health hospital. The Columbia County Regional Force Investigation Team con cluded the use of force was justified. After a review, the District Attorney's office de cided against presenting the case to a Grand Jury. Crump, often referred to as “Black America’s Attor ney General,” represented the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Tyre Nichols and Jacob Blake. He also represented people affected Rev. Al Sharpton (left) with Attorney Ben by the Flint Michigan water Crump (right) during the George Floyd crisis and the plaintiffs behind trials. the 2019 Johnson & Johnson company’s product caused ovarian baby powder lawsuit alleging the cancer in Black women. Jones wins mayoral race James Chick Jones won the Waynesboro mayoral position in a close race. Jones received 52.5% or 378 of the 720 bal lots cast. Incumbent candidate Bill Tinley received 47.5% or 342 of the total votes. Those who voted represented 21.5% of registered voters. There were 38 votes cast by mail, 277 dur ing advance voting and 405 in- person ballots cast on election day Tuesday, December 5. Three decades Roberts celebrates 30 years at Burke Chamber ANNE MARIE KYZER She’d passed through the Bird Dog Capital countless times heading back and forth from her hometown of Au gusta to Georgia Southern University during college, never guessing she’d devote her career to being one of Burke County’s greatest promoters. But when a job opening came up with the Burke County Chamber of Commerce just after graduation, Ashley Roberts jumped at the op portunity and moved to Waynesboro. Roberts marked her 30th an niversary at the helm of the Burke County Chamber last week, a role she’s never regretted taking on all those years ago. While the chamber industry, busi ness needs and challenges have changed over the years, she says the common denominator has always been the humbling support of others toward a common goal. “When I think about the past thirty years, the word that comes to mind is grateful,” Roberts said. “I feel grateful and blessed to have been afforded the opportunity to do this job. I’m also thankful for the hun dreds of people who give their time, money and resources to support this organization and this community.” In her early days, Augusta Cham ber of Commerce Director Al Hodge served as a mentor and offered invaluable guidance as she learned her role, while local leaders in Burke County extended a warm welcome to the community. Chip Bare field, longtime local business leader, can still remember the first meeting she attended in the auditorium of the Burke County Of fice Park in 1993. “Since then, it’s evolved into this career and she just does a great job,” he said, recalling his terms on the board over the past three decades and as chair. “She’s always worked hard on everything she does, and people want to help her.” Burke County farmer Henry Hop kins called that consensus-building ability one of her great strengths. Hopkins served on the chamber board in 2001 and then again nearly 20 years later. “I've watched her grow and mature in that position and think she does a wonderful job of bringing out the best in Burke Coun ty,” Hopkins said. “I SEE think of her as a team ROBERTS captain, always with ^ At right, Burke County Cham ber of Commerce members celebrated 30 years with Ashley Roberts at their helm.