About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2023)
• MILLEN • PERKINS • RED HILL • SCARBORO • BUTTS • EMMALANE • THRIFT • BIRDSVILLE • FOUR POINTS • co m Q\ o co o co LD SHOP LOCAL EAT LOCAL Vol 1 No 37 November 22, 2023 Quality News That Affects You JVfillen, Georgia $1.25 It Takes a Team to Succeed, It Takes a Staff to Build a Team By Brad Asbury, Sports Editor for The Times On Friday night in Vienna, GA the War Eagles traveled to face the Dooly County Bobcats. The last time the War Eagles played in the second round of playoffs was in 2017 under Flead Coach Charley Waters. The War Eagles were looking to advance past the second round for the first time since the 1960s. The War Eagles had already set milestones not done in years past. They won 9 straight games, and after a Portal loss, the War Eagles came back and won the first round of playoffs giving them a 10-win season. This was the most wins in program history, eclipsing the 1955 team. Friday night started off looking to highly favor the War Eagles. Flowever, fans would quickly witness a game of momentum swings. Superintendent addresses Dooly County concerns This past Friday night our Jenkins County War Eagles traveled to Dooly County for the second round of the GHSA football playoffs. Our football team and fans were subjected to treatment that no person should ever have to experience anywhere. As the superintendent, I want to assure you that we as a school system have been in communication with GHSA and the State Board of Education to address our multiple serious concerns. I received a response from GHSA this morning and their compliance officer is actively working on this incident. My ultimate goal is to make certain that no other school is ever subjected to that type of treatment from another school. If you have a concern relating to this incident please contact me at my email, jheam@jchs.com The War Eagles would score the first 14 points of the game and looked to be completely in control. The War Eagle ran attack was on point as always and the defense was limiting a very strong passing game of the Bobcats. However, after the second quarter began to get moving, momentum would swing. Suddenly, the War Eagles found themselves tied with the Bobcats. With two minutes to play in the half, and the game tied, Rob’Travious Coney broke free for a 30-plus-yard touchdown ran. Almost immediately, with the Bobcats having possession, the War Eagles High above the press box, you will find Roy Clayton (QB/D-Backs/O-Line) and Will Jenkins (Linebackers/B- Backs). Each week they signal plays to the coaches on the field seeing what only they can see that high above the play. You may never see these two on the field, but you can be sure they are the “eyes in the sky. ” Jenkins and Clayton are in the right portion of the box with Jenkins to the left and Clayton to the right. Photo by Danielle M Davis. Deadline Approaches for Absentee Ballot Applications and Voting picked off a pass and quickly marched down the field. Alex Morales was brought on board for the field goal from nearly 30 yards out. This was the first field goal attempt of the season, and it sent the War Eagles to the locker room leading 24-14. Coming out of the locker room, no one would score in the third quarter. The Bobcats would threaten, and the War Eagles forced two turnovers. Neither team could get the momentum in their favor. The third quarter would end, and the score remained in favor of the War Eagles by a 10-point margin. As the clock began to tick down slowly, Dooly County was finally able to pass for a touchdown cutting the score to a narrow three points. The War Eagles and Bobcats exchanged possessions, but it was the Bobcat defense that was able to force the War Eagles to punt and set up good field position. With under 5 minutes, the Bobcats would score on a long drive. The War Eagles had some exceptional runs at the end, but the Bobcats held on for the victory and they advanced to the next round. A season is not defined by one play, nor is a season defined by one game! The War Eagles finished with the most successful season in school history, with eighteen players being chosen first-team or second-team all-region for Region 3, the Co-Defensive Regional Player of the Year, and the Offensive Regional Player of the Year. The accomplishments on the field for this team were earned and shown in the statistical category and the final 10-2 record. Cheerleading coach, Hannah Johnson commented about this team on a recent social media post, “This team created a legacy for the Jenkins County high school football program. I hope when you look back on this season you remember the love and adoration shown to you by your coaches, your peers, your fans, and the community. What an impact, what a legacy. Proud doesn’t scratch the surface of what we feel for our boys. Reputation can’t be beat.” It Takes a Staff to Build a Team After the 2018 season, Head Coach Charley Waters retired as the Head Coach of the Jenkins County War Eagles. Coach Waters had a successful stint as Head Coach. After an absence of three seasons, the Waters returned to the helm of the War Eagles and since being back has transfomied football at Jenkins County High School. In his first season back, 2022, Waters led the War Eagles to a 7-4 finish and a chance to host the first round of the playoffs after earning a second-place finish in Region 3. This season, 2023, only got better. The War Eagles final record was 10-3 and Waters had his War Eagle team rolling. The offense and defense were both top in the state in their categories. Yet, Waters would not give the credit to himself. In any interview he has done with news outlets, or in times of personal conversation I have had with him he is the first to praise his staff. This season. Waters was surrounded by an all-star cast of coaches that included Hil Johnson (Offensive Coordinator), Jason Boynton (Defensive Coordinator), Chuck Sanders (Assistant Head Coach), Roy Clayton (QB/D-Backs/O-Line), Quinton Sweet (Defensive Line), Matt Williams (Special Teams Coordinator/ Receivers), and Will Jenkins (Linebackers/B-Backs). Each coach operated in their area bringing together the team that brought the excitement all season long. While they work in separate areas they act as one body, each doing its part, allowing fans to see a great brand of football. S ee EAGLES page 11 SHOPLIFTING INCIDENT LEADS TO ARREST By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times On Thursday, November 16, the Millen Police Department swiftly responded to a shoplifting incident reported by the Family Dollar Store. The caller informed law enforcement that store employees were actively pursuing the suspect on foot. Officers from the Millen Police Department, joined by deputies from the Jenkins County Sheriffs office, promptly converged on the scene to address the - unfolding situation. I The suspect, identified as Joseph Brown, attempted to evade authorities in a dramatic fashion, leaping through moving train cars at the South Masonic Street crossing. Undeterred, officers redirected their efforts to Belt Avenue and Reeves Street vicinity, intensifying their search for the elusive suspect. After a thorough pursuit, law enforcement successfully located Brown, 60, concealed in a wooded area nestled between Belt Avenue and the railroad tracks. The arrest was executed without incident, and Brown was taken into custody by law enforcement. Joseph Brown now faces charges of theft by shoplifting in connection to the incident. He is currently being held at the Jenkins County Jail, awaiting bond proceedings. The collaborative efforts of the Millen Police Department and the Jenkins County Sheriffs office exemplify their dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the community. By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times As the much- anticipated run-off election draws near, voters are reminded that the deadline for submitting applications for an absentee ballot by mail is swiftly approaching. The last day registrars will accept these applications is November 27, giving eligible voters a limited window to ensure their voices are heard in the upcoming election. The process is straightforward, with interested individuals required to submit their absentee ballot applications to the relevant registrars by the specified date. This option is particularly crucial for those unable to cast their votes in person due to various reasons such as travel, illness, or other commitments. Moreover, the deadline for registrars to receive a voted absentee ballot is set for 7 pm on December 5. This cutoff ensures that all completed absentee ballots are accounted for in a timely manner, allowing election officials to efficiently manage the voting process. In addition to the deadlines mentioned above, it's essential for voters to be aware that the final day registrars may mail out absentee ballots is also November 27. This means that to participate in the absentee voting process, individuals must have their applications submitted and processed before this date to receive their ballots promptly. Early voting will be held at the Jenkins County Courthouse beginning Nov. 27 - Dec. 1, 2023, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The run-off election is Dec. 5, 2023, at City Hall. Polls open at 7 a.m.
