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PAGE 2B BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016 The Game Plan Why I walked away from fantasy football I t’s always about this time of the year where many of my friends come up to me and ask me if I want to join their fantasy football league. I usually have anywhere from 8-12 people ask if I want to play with them and every single one of them gets the same exact answer — a resounding ‘no.’ I guess it always comes as a surprise to my friends because I love football. I watch football every weekend and spend a lot of time discussing both the col lege and the pro game. But to be completely honest, I hate fantasy football. I know that I am the minority here, but I haven’t played fantasy football in five years and I can’t imagine that changing anytime soon. Hear me out, I have nothing against those who play fantasy football, I see how it can be enjoyable and I used to get a lot of enjoyment out of it myself, but my perspective on it has changed. Let me give you a scenario to explain the way I feel. I am a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and in this scenario the Steelers are playing the Cincinnati Ben- gals. I have A.J. Green on my fantasy team and he is having a big game against my Steelers. Here is my issue with fantasy foot ball: In this scenario I am essentially forced to cheer for a guy that is playing my team and contributing to my team’s potential loss of the football game. I can’t do that! I feel like fantasy football is nothing more than a giant conflict of interest. Now, I know there are a lot of people that would say in the scenario I presented that they play fantasy football because if their team lost, if nothing else, at least they would be getting fantasy points from A.J. Green. I get that point and it is fair, but I don’t want anything to get in the way of my love for my team and I personally believe that it causes a huge conflict of interest that can eventually lead to complacency in cheer ing for my team. I know, that’s way too deep for the subject we are on, but I feel like fantasy football would ruin my love for my team and would make me more prone to just liking different players or teams because of fantasy football. Which is definitely happening, there are a ton of people who don’t cheer for one team any more they just cheer for their fantasy players. Don’t hate me for this, I just have a strong personal opinion on fantasy foot ball. Most of America loves it so I’m not here to try and lead a tiny revolution, I have just personally enjoyed football a whole lot more since I stopped playing fantasy football several years back. But don’t mind me, go draft your team and get busy if you are going to play. Let the games begin! Tyler Rollason is a Winder-Barrow High School and University of West Georgia graduate. You can e-mail comments about this column to tyrollason @yahoo. com. Snapshots SIDELINE ASSISTANCE Jarod Hoch prepares to run footballs into the game for the Winder- Barrow High School football team. Hoch is receiving guidance and train ing from long-time WBHS game ball manager Mike Maxey. Hoch is the son of WBHS defensive coordinator Paul Hoch. Photo by Jessica Brown Wildcats continued from IB Morris will certainly be a player to watch for the Wildcats on offense in 2016. “We hope to set him up on some big plays,” Sims said. “He’s a threat on the outside. We will throw to him 8-10 times a game. Ethan is simply a great leader for our team.” AHS DEFENSE On the other side of the football, the Wildcat defense is hoping for a In Loving § Memory of my mother HELEN WILBANKS Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen and unheard but always near, Still loved and missed and very dear. step forward in 2016. Sec ond-year coordinator Will Peters said the learning has gone a little smooth this offseason. “The kids know our sys tem better.” Peters said. “We have more confidence in what we are doing. At this point, we are ready to play, ready to hit someone else. We’ve been through the grind of the offseason so it will be good to play against someone else.” One area which has been a plus for AHS has been added strength in the weight room. Peters, who helps over see the Wildcat strength program, said the added strength of his players will help on the field. Midway Christian Church Sunday, August 28th Chuck Cook, Guest Speaker Sunday School 10:00 AM Worship Service 11:00 AM Covered Dish Lunch 12:00 PM VBS Reunion 1:00-3:00 Midway Christian Church 1406 Hog Mountain Road Winder, GA 30680 770-725-7639 www.midwaychristian.net www.facebook.com/midwaychristian High School Football: Scouting Reports Walnut Grove @ Winder-Barrow High School •The Game: Walnut Grove @ Winder-Barrow High School, Friday, 7:30 p.m., W. Clair Harris Stadium •Records: WBHS 0-1, Walnut Grove 0-0 •Last meeting between the teams: First meeting between the teams • Coaches: WBHS: Heath Webb, third season at Winder-Barrow High School, 12-11 record, 8th sea son overall as head coach, 29-34; Walnut Grove: Ben Reaves, fourth season at Walnut Grove, 11-19, WHITE BROWN 24th season overall, 102-134-1 • Key Players: WBHS: LB Mason White, DB/WR Deon Williams; C Dylan Brown, WR Casey Thurmond, RB Javonne Hughes; LB Nate Millwood, QB Brock Landis; Walnut Grove: QB Isaiah Clark, OL Dakota Cox •Listen In: Game will be broadcast on WJBB 107.1 FM. •Notes: The Winder-Barrow High School football team was stunned 31-0 by Clarke Central High School last Friday in the 2016 season opener for the Bulldoggs. Coach Heath Webb said it was a “bad" performace in all areas and that much work has to be done. The Bulldoggs had legiti mate opportunities to score on their first three possessions in the season opener but ended up with no points. That allowed Clarke Central to remain in the game and the Gladiators then came to life offensively and also made some big plays on the defensive side of the football as well as on special teams. Walnut Grove will visit W. Clair Harris Stadium this Friday in what will be the home opener for WBHS and the first game of 2016 for the Warriors. Walnut Grove is coached by Ben Reaves, who has been a successful head coach dating back to 1993. After beginning his career as head coach at Social Circle High School, Reaves coached for nine years at Newton High School. That stint was followed by six seasons at Putnam County High School before he took the reigns of the Walnut Grove program prior to the 2013 season. Walnut Grove officials hope Reaves can provide the stability the program needs after having changed head coaches twice from 2009-2012. The Warriors compete in Region 8-AAAAA along with Loganville, Johnson (Gainesville), Flowery Branch, Buford, Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals. The game has taken on added importance for WBHS as the Bulldoggs need to play better overall and to gain a win to erase the memory of last week's disappointing season opener. Webb said his players have done a good job of putting that game behind them and will be focused on this Friday's opponent. "The players are helping the coaches forget the Clarke Central game," Webb said. •They Said It: WBHS head coach Heath Webb: "We brought in everybody to watch film Sunday. We have the right collection of players who are positive and upbeat. They will learn from losing a game like that. Going into the tank is not something I'm worried about with this group of players." — Scouting reports compiled by Chris Bridges/photos by Jessica Brown River Ridge @ Apalachee High School • The Game: River Ridge High School at Apalachee High School, Friday, 7:30 p.m., R. Harold Harrison Stadium •Records: AHS 0-0 in 2016; River Ridge 1-0 in 2015 • Last meeting between the teams: First meeting • Coaches: AHS: Steve Sims, sec ond season at Apalachee, 0-10; River Ridge: Tyler Wynn, second season at River Ridge, 2-9 •Key Players: AHS: WR Ethan Morris, QB Ryan Miller, WR/DB Will Smith; TE/DE Jason Craig •Notes: The Apalachee High School football team has a higher than normal level of confidence for a program coming off a 0-10 season. With a revamped region and classifi cation, the Wildcats will play five non-region contests to begin 2016. The first region game does not take place until Sept. 30. AHS coach Steve Sims said year two of his tenure with the Wildcat program has run smoother and there is more depth on the roster. AHS is dealing with some injuries that will test that depth factor early. Sims said some freshmen will likely see playing time on the varsity this fall. The Wildcats won their preseason scrimmage against North Oconee 7-0 on Aug. 12. While Sims does not want to put too much emphasis on a scrimmage win, he noted when a program is struggling to win then any success is important. River Ridge is coming off a 1-9 campaign in 2015 but has already matched that win total after one game in 2016. The Knights defeated Woodland (Cartersville) 36-8 at home last week. Coach Tyler Wynn, simi lar to Sims, is now in his second season leading his program. River Ridge is still a relatively young program, with 2016 being the 8th season of varsity football for the Woodstock-based team. A win Friday would mean even more confidence for the Wildcats as the program is 1-29 since 2013. • They Said It: AHS coach Steve Sims: "We are excited to open the season at home. We want to go out and see how we perform. River Ridge is coming in with confidence and a game under their belts. Hopefully, we can find a way to win the game." CRAIG SIMS Whisperin’ Bill Anderson Is Coming Back to Commerce! The Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center At Commerce High School September 6, 2016 - 6:00pm Bill will be signing his new book, “Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, An Unprecedented Life in Country Music,” and singing a few songs! Admission is FREE. Books will be available for purchase at the event.