jenkinscountytimes.com
The Jenkins County Times
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 - Page 9
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BRAD ASBURY
WAR EAGRE
By Brad Asbury, Sports Editor
for
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pastorbradasbury@gmail.com
Under the
Bleachers
One week of absence from “Under the Bleachers” seems
like a lifetime in the world of sports. One thing is for
certain in the wide world of sports, they do not stop! High
school football is in its last week of play before playoffs
begin, college football is down to its last month, college
basketball has begun play, and high school and middle
school basketball are starting up. This week Halloween
decorations are taken down, Christmas decorations are put
out (we skip the day of thankfulness, so it seems).
The World Series began on Friday night October 27th. The
teams with the best records in MLB did not even compete
for Championship Series, much less the World Series. What
was predicted as an Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles,
the two best teams in baseball, turned out to be the Texas
Rangers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks. As of writing the series
is tied 1-1. Last season (2022) the Rangers were 68-94 and
the Diamondbacks were 74-88. I am not even sure if those
teams would have bet on making the 2023 World Series.
The NBA season kicked off last week. The Hawks have
started off 1-2. In their win the Hawks scored 127 points!
That is a lot of point! The NBA season is a long season.
The Hawks still have 79 more games to ensure a winning
record! In the NFL the Atlanta Falcons are now 4-4. They
still have about 9 games left. Hopefully they can get on a
run soon.
The GHSA State Softball tournament has now ended. In
Class A-Division 2, Lanier County won the championship.
Lanier County did not lose in the playoffs! Locally, ECI
was eliminated by Wilcox County in the playoffs.
In closing, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to, “Give
thanks in all circumstances.” While I know we shout out
a, “Thank you God,” when our team hits the game winning
touchdown or hits the grand slam; what if we just went
under the bleachers for a while and praised God for all He
has done for us and given to us? Then when we leave from
under the bleachers, we go out and tell others of all that
God has done for us! I love to talk about sports. Basketball,
football, baseball, and most any sports I love to talk about;
however, what if for the next month we all developed the
habit of talking more about the blessings of God than we do
about our favorite team.
One thing is for sure, sports will come to an end. They
could stop at any moment like they did in March of 2020.
Yet, the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. Give
thanks to God for all He has done. Then tell others about
Him before you talk about them!
Regional Championship
Friday Night
On Friday night, the annual rivalry game between the
Jenkins County War Eagles and the Portal Panthers will
electrify Portal High School, as both teams battle it out for
the Region 3 Class A-Division 2 Championship. The War
Eagles enter the battle undefeated with a 9-0 record, while
Portal has a 6-3 overall record. Both teams are undefeated
in regional play.
Friday nights matchup will be the biggest matchup
of this storied rival in many years, or maybe the biggest
matchup between these two teams. In recent weeks. Portal
has defeated Montgomery County 51-23, ECI 40-0, and
McIntosh County Academy 27-0. The losses they have this
year include a loss to Gray Collegiate out of South Carolina
56-35, Bryan County (Region 3 Division 1 Champions)
22-14, and Screven County 22-21. They are led by Florida
Gator signee Amir Jackson, and another college prospect
Elijah Coleman.
The War Eagles will counter the offensive attack of
Portal with one of the toughest defenses in Class A football.
The War Eagles have only allowed 113 points all season.
The defense is stingy in not only allowing points, but in
allowing just a few yards allowed as well.
While the defense of the War Eagles is hard hitting, the
offense has some incredible speed and many weapons.
Rob’travious Coney, Christian Wilson, Tyrone Martin, and
ZZ Wilson highlight a prolific running attack as they cut
through the holes that are wide open by a big and physical
offensive line. Rob’Travious is among the top rushers in the
state of Georgia among all classes and is only 5 yards short
of 1000 this season!
The War Eagles jumped up on the rankings by one spot
this past week. They are now ranked sixth by the Georgia
Football Daily, Portal at the present time is unranked and
has not been ranked this season.
The game will begin at 7:30 at Portal High School. Be
sure to get there early and be loud for the War Eagles as
they play for their first regional championship since 1960!
The War Eagles will lose 13 seniors this season to
graduation. These boys have been part of a historic run.
They have defeated ECI 3 out of their 4 years playing
and been part of 3 playoff teams. Now, they have the
winningest record since 1955 in one season. Those
seniors include left to right (lower part of picture):
Emmanuel Watson, Joshua Coney, Caleb Asbury,
Derrick Grier, Vance Garvin, Jeremiah Gilmore,
Keishan Scott, Demtris Moore, and TyTy Williams.
Top part of picture left to right: Rob’Travious Coney,
Christian Wilson, ZZ Wilson, and Tyrone Martin.
Photo by Genie Boynton.
JCHS Boys’ Cross Country Regional
Champions, Girls’ Regional Runner-Up
On Monday afternoon, October 23rd, the Jenkins County War
Eagles and Lady War Eagles Cross Country team (XC) hosted
the Region 3-Class A Division 2 Cross Country Championship.
The meet was held on a beautiful afternoon at Magnolia
Springs State Park in Millen. Participating in the meet was
ECI, McIntosh County Institute, Montgomery County, Portal,
Savannah Classica Academy, Savannah Early College High
School, and Statesboro Steam.
The War Eagles boys’ team, as a whole was crowned Regional
Champions, while the girls’ team finished just behind Portal to
be named Regional Runner-up. In addition to the exceptional
performances for the team, Ben Tyler, a JCHS senior was the
overall boys’ winner with a time of 20:34, setting a personal
record for himself. Rashad Allen finished 5th overall and all 7
War Eagle runners finished in the top 15!
Next up for the War Eagle and Lady War Eagle XC team will.
Be a trip to Carrolton to compete in the State XC Championship.
The meet will take place on Friday, November 3rd. The boys are
scheduled to run at 12:00 PM and the girls will follow closely
behind at 12:45 PM.
Good luck to our War Eagles and Lady War Eagles at the State
Meet next week. We, at the Jenkins County Times, will keep you
up to date as soon as we have results.
Ben Tyler, a Senior at JCHS is pictured holding his trophy as he
won the Region 3 Class A-Divison 1 Championship! Ben completed
with a personal record of20:34. Photo Submitted.
The Lady War Eagle Cross Country Team was awarded Regional
Runner-up at the Region 3 Class A-Divison 1 Championship that was
held last week at Magnolia Springs State Park. Runners from left to
right: Jaylee Bennett, Autumn Dailey, Grizelda Mendoza, Nevaeh
Campbell, Kady Richardson, and student manager Bailey Pendergast.
Photo Submitted.
ZZ Wilson has had some notable moments through his senior year and
athletic career at Jenkins County. One of those notable moments came
after the against Montgomery County as he had the top play of the week
by Recruit Georgia as voted on by fans! Photo by Danielle M. Davis.
Ty Boynton, #62 and a junior for the War Eagles poses with three young
War Eagles before the game on Friday night. Pictured with Ty are Brodie
Dailey, Ozzie and Dobbie Gay. Photo Submitted.
Christian Wilson, a senior for the War Eagles, looks to toss the ball at a recent game for the War Eagles. Christian finished with 156
yards on 9 carries and 1 touchdown on Friday night for his final home game for the War Eagles. A wall of War Eagles on the offensive
line creates a hole for Wilson that includes: Blake Aaron (68), Vance Garvin (55), Ty Boynton (62), Corey Lockett (59, and Rob ’Travious
Coney (6). Photo by Daniell M. Davis.
