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2B FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 Smoltz steams after Game 1 loss The steam rising from John Smoltz’s balding head wasn’t visible here Wednesday afternoon, but the veteran Braves ace’s building frustration was certainly evident. Smoltz thought his six innings and three runs allowed should have B»a aft NOTEBOOK R. TRAVIS HANEY Morris News Service been enough for Atlanta to take down the New York Mets in Game 1 of the teams’ doubleheader. Instead, journeyman lefty Dave Williams held the Braves to a run for six innings. The Mets’ bullpen then threw three scoreless innings in New York’s 4-1 victory. Smoltz danced out of some trouble all day. He thought the only mistake he made in his quality start was the two-run homer he served up to Carlos Delgado in the sixth. “I made one bad pitch and we only scored one run,” Smoltz said. “That’s as sim ple and short as you’ll ever hear me.” The 39-year-old wasn’t quite done, though. He MOVE From page iB and punt the football. “We have the capability and worked on being more balanced than we have in the past.” As big as the shock waves that victory caused through out the state, Way said it was their main goal to play well in that situation, and he’s not as glowing in his own review as his colleague was. “We may have caught (Parkview) at the right time,” he said. “We are by no means a real good foot ball team right now. If we keep working we have a chance to be. “I was pleased with the execution on both sides of the ball. The effort was outstanding. Special teams were O.K. Kick-off return needs a lot of work.” Northside also got off to a winning note last weekend in a 26-14 triumph over Houston County High, yet another county rival. The Eagles took advantage of two first half mistakes by the Bears to get 10 points, then held off Houston after giving the football away twice in the second half. “We gave them a few plays, but overall I thought we played well (on defense),” said Nix. “I thought their defense played well, too. We didn’t move the ball well against them. Both of us had some big plays, but thank fully we scored enough to come out on top.” “They have tremendous team speed,” said Way about this year’s Eagles. “They always do. They may | CLEATS 'VadTMER PARENT?., WE'RE GOIUG TO AFTER TAE LAST GAME OM fwE WAUT THE VwP WE POM'T TRY 90METMHJG A LITTLE PIFFEREtJT J s S-ATORPAY WE'RE GOItJG TO I <r GIRLS- TO BE ABLE MAVE THAT i AT THE |JEXT TOURNAMENT. /5, AAVE A TAH6ATB PARTY J TO ENJOY TME MANY «JBS> IF x — | y s WONPERFUL FOOP TMERE'S- foop 1 " J) ( JO a / f AREN'T TAILGATE PARTIES \ EVERYONE BRINGS-. A POIS-ONING. - Jj S •{ f / ( SUPPOSE TO TAKE PLACE I V -J ? ! BEFORE ft DONATE TO GOODWILL. ♦ 2209 Moody Road J ♦ 115 Margie Drive H ♦ 1355 Sam Nunn Blvd. M ♦ Gaiiena Mall - 2922 Watson Bivd W www.goodwillworks.org Building lives, families, and community went on to hint that the offense let the club down. Later, after the Game 2 loss, the Braves’ position players said as much. “If you score one run, you’re not going to win,” Smoltz said. “That’s what happened today.” After he said that, young ster Oliver Perez one-upped Williams, tossing a five hit shutout in the second game. FRINCNY MAKES FRIENDS: Adding insult to the two losses, Francoeur was called out in the fourth inning after a fan interfered with Julio Franco’s attempt on a foul ball down the first base line. The pop up neared the stands, and the fan’s hand got between the ball and Franco’s glove. Francoeur, and manager Bobby Cox, became incred ulous about the ruling. And, further, that the fan - a middle-aged man eating an ice cream cone - wasn’t ejected from Shea Stadium. Francoeur said he was trying to explain to first base ump Kerwin Danley that Franco might not have caught the ball even with out the fan reaching in. When Francoeur came up the next time, he was booed not be as big as they have been on either side of the line. But they play great defense and they are bal anced on offense. In terms of what they do, it’s like all the other Northside teams I’ve seen the last 10 to 15 years.” At the quarterback posi tion, it’s a tale of two play ers who, for different rea sons, played sparingly in 2005. Mark Wright Jr. of Warner Robins missed about 90 percent of last season with a knee injury. He had a good scrimmage outing against Peach County, but Parkview provided his first full-game test. “He looked awfully good,” said Nix. “He’s big and fast. He has a good zip on the ball, too. He’s a lot more precise, more productive.” Northside’s Marques Ivory, a junior, has taken over the Eagle’s quarter back duties while Jacobi Rodrigues now plays wide receiver. Ivory cer tainly relied on last year’s starter on the 14-1 team as Rodrigues made seven catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns. This is one position where Way knows the Eagles have gotten bigger, again in terms of size. The Demon coach likes the way Ivory throws the ball, but sees the mobility factor different from what Rodrigues and others before him had. “He can move well enough to evade would-be rushers,” said Way. “He can scram ble and make good positive yards. I don’t think he’s a treat to break it all the way, but you have to account for him.” heartily by the Shea faith ful. And the 22-year-old promptly flied out weakly to center to the sound of their chastising cheers. COOID NAVE REEN WORSE: In playing their third double header in five days, the Braves became the first team to do so since the Mets did it in August 1998. Actually, the Mets played six games in four days. The last Braves team to play three doubleheaders in a business week was the 1976 club. And that team actually wound up playing four doubleheaders in six days. COMMUNITY NERO: Tim Hudson is the Braves’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given each year to the player who is seen as the team’s leader in community service. Hudson and his wife, Kim, are active in several Atlanta area charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Smoltz, honored in Houston during the World Series, won the MLB-wide award last season. Additionally, Smoltz is the Braves’ nominee for the Marvin Miller man of the year award. Fans can vote for that Smoltz at www. mlbplayers.com. The Demon coaches also won’t get too caught up in worrying only about Rodrigues in the passing game. In fact, the hope may be that the best defense is that it won’t be the Eagles’ night. “They spread it around so much that it’s hard to double him,” said Way. “If you do that you’ll leave somebody else uncovered. Or you have to take some body out of the box, and they’ll run the football on you. You have to pick your poison, but we have some guys in the secondary who can match up well with them.” “I thought he did a good job,” said Nix on Ivory’s game Friday. “Of course he threw the interception, but he made a lot of big plays. He was under distress when he threw the interception ... just trying to make some thing happen. Sometimes you’re better off not trying to make something happen. “I know (Warner Robins) is going to put a lot of pres sure on him. Hopefully we can move the ball in some areas.” Nix has other first time starters or starters try ing new positions. He said some did well and others didn’t. Deonta Jordan did well as a fullback with 48 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The pleasant surprise of the night was freshman Devon Pike, the new placekicker. He hit on field goals of 27 and 30 yards, though there was one miss of a PAT. “It was a mis-hold,” said Nix. “The holder didn’t field the ball. It was not the kicker’s fault.” w mS aelaaataUme§ SPORTS Result* of tht CsSparta. cam VoNtyM Cmclm ME Class AA/A 1 VMkar z rvmvyii 8 SavMmh Christian 4 Grattan Atlanta Christian Westfield finishers at die cross country meet at George Walton Tuesday 1 Jacob Parnell (first tor varsity) 19:13 2 Hunter Wojohn 22:31 3 Evan Grantham 23:53 4 Thompson Way 24:59 5 Hank McCord 26:02 6 ' Will Walton 29:14 7 Zack Hamsley 25:01 8 Jared Howard 26:37 9 Jeremy Stubbs 2753 10 Will O’Neal 2828 11 Clave Cleveland 32:32 1 Leigh James-Arttgas 25:34 2 MaDory Eubanks (ninth) 24:12 3 Callie Brown 29:47 4 Kim CampbeH 32:20 BROWN From page iB It’s not surprising that he was doing what he always does, making a film about exotic forms of wildlife. It reminds me in some ways of Dale Earnhardt and other auto racers who have died as a result of on-the . track accidents. In both cases, you’re talk ing about people doing what they love to do, which also happens to be what they happen to do for a living. Also in both cases, it’s about professions with a lot of dan gerous risks. ■ Tiger Woods wins five golf tournaments in a row. Good thing or bad thing for the sport? You decide. In this recent victory, Woods overcame a three shot deficit - which can be like being down five runs in baseball - against Vijay Singh, who not long ago took away the world’s No. 1 rank ing. One thing you hear about in the post-tournament com mentary is how these two particular golfers don’t care for each other. The evidence is that they never said a word to each other during their pairing over 18 holes. On that same note, the rumors are Woods and another would-be rival, Phil Mickelson, aren’t exactly the best of friends. When he had to present Lefty with PREPS From page iB I don’t know if they neces sarily do. We haven’t played them in a couple of years. “(The Cavaliers) are spreading it out more than they normally do. I’m sure they’ll run the ball more than they had the opportunity to against FPD. “We have to control the ball on offense. They have a lot of speed at wideout and the quarterback position. We just hope we don’t get behind them.” The Hornet loss at John Milledge was a bit more on the frustrating side, 31-28. “Our offensive line per formed exceptional,” said Jones. “Anytime you get 300 yards rushing ... Austin’s a good back, but I don’t think it matters what back is back there if the line blocks like that again. We have people who can get in those holes.” The turnover margin also — - “Catch your favorite team on WNNG 1350 for play by play action with Mike Davis and Greg Elrod” CRUNCH TIME Every Wednsday Night from Sonny's BBQ 7 p.m.- 8 p.m. We’re also carrying the Georgia Tech Games. BtWltt 7 Landmark ClrtstlM Class AAA I fwtwwwwr ZBtemiVtfty StaariyCmk 4 Count™ SOCMMCSMty 8 Watt Hal the green jacket after this year’s Masters, some labeled Woods’ smile and congratu latory wishes as fake and insincere. I say if there is some ani mosity between these great players, let’s see some real demonstrations. And I don’t mean any thing subtle like stepping in a lie. Tiger, if you really hated it when Phil won at Augusta, just take the jack et, throw it into some bushes and say, “Put it on yourself (beeeep).” Those NASCAR racers sure don’t hold anything back in showing how they feel about each other. You’ll see somebody go up to the guy who sideswiped him and try to pull him right out of the car. Makes great televi sion for the Speed Channel and could spice up the Golf Channel. (Gee, two NASCAR refer ences in’one column. Must not be feeling well.) ■ Not only are the New York Mets primed to take over as National League Eastern Division champi ons, they may also soon earn another label once owned by the Atlanta Braves: Biggest offseason disappointment. Not only are some of the key Mets players less than 100 percent healthy, but also take a look at that lead they have. When is the last time in the last couple of months they played a significant game? worked against Westfield as the Trojans cashed in two takeaways for touchdowns to just one for the visitors. “Defensively I thought we would play better than we did,” said Jones. “They had over 250 yards rushing. But they never stopped us all night. That’s the most disap pointing. If we don’t get the ;' ""I y" ' I »•< -i ■' ■ - ii l WALK AWAY WORRY-FREE FOOT & ANKLE CENTER 1040 Momingside Dr. • Perry, GA 31069 478-988-4676 Warner Robin - High School Northside - High School Houston County High School THE HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Class AAAA 1 Ntarttt tttPIMX 8 Rtatfl MM 4RCMMI S tttMtwMMf Academv 8 Ssaosyifc 5 Morgan Irby 32:50 •2- Kart Nelson 14:31 3 TraeTofleson 13:36 * V.: . . Ryan Sichelsttel 13:33 5 Mammon Way 16:06 6 Gab* Gattis 16:36 V Elton Grier 13:52 2 Caroline Amos (ninth JV) 12:15 3 Courtney Hamsley 15:51 4 McKinley Waiton 14:11 5 Callie Ray 16:54 6 Sarah Kate Johnson 17:54 7 -.- v ' Erin Walker 14:49 8 Elizabeth Stokes 17:21 The Braves know that for mula all too well. Have a hot streak in the summer, lead the division by double figures, coast into the play offs, then come home early. Maybe that’s why so many wild card teams reached the World Series recently. Those. contenders are playing mean ingful games in September, and the momentum carries over into October. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and sav we’ll have an; all wild-ca r d Fall Classic this time around. (You know, it’s kind of nice . out here on this limb. Don’t usually spend a lot of time with all the other predictors. Didn’t do too well last time with that Georgia Tech- Notre Dame pick.) ■ Bulldog Talk. A recent report on gecr giadogs.com said that Damon Evans reached a deal with the University of Oregon for a home at-home series in football for the 2015 and» 2016 seasons. ' Another good move by the new athletic director, who also got Arizona State, Louisville and Colorado on Bulldog schedules (good thing he missed the call from Montana State). Playing the Ducks would be great ... this year. Might see them in a bowl. But do you realize that the players who will suit up in these games (2015 and 2016) are right now playing middle school ball? turnovers, I don’t think we lose.” Madruga, in fact, had more than 100 yards on the ground with a touchdown. The quar terback slot remains a two man competition between Chase Ellis and Casey Young, Jones said both are still play ing well and both will see action against the Cavaliers. DR. SARVEPALLI D. JOKHAI Podiatric Physician and Surgeon, Board Qualified GAME DAY Pre game starts 7:30 Class AAAAA 1 Narthvtaw 2 Lassiter 8 Etawab A _ *f 5 Parkview 8 Walt on 7 Pops 8 Kannesaw MmhOM Specializing in surgery of ingrown toenails, heel spur-, hammer toes, bunions, also diabetic foot care. New patients are welcome by appointment We accept most private insurance plans. 100037532 (>0037989