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jenkinscountytimes.com
The Jenkins County Times
Wednesday, January 17, 2024- Page 9
WA H EAGii;
S P
By Brad Asbury, Sports Editor
for
'I i 11 : Times
r s
BRAD ASBURY pastorbradasbury@gmail.com
Javarius Gilmore skies above the rim to shake the goal and ignite the
crowd early in the game. His dunk was one of the many highlights of the
night by the War Eagles in their 17-point victory over rival ECI. Photo by
Danielle M. Davis
TjjjajEjff Under the
Bleachers
On Monday night in Houston, TX before a cheering
crowd of over 72,000 and an estimated at-home viewers
of approximately 25 million, the Michigan Wolverines
defeated the Washington Huskies for the NCAA Football
Championship. Michigan won 34-13. The final score
appeared more one-sided than the game was, even though
Washington never led during the game. The Wolverines
scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter that sealed the
game.
There were some interesting things about the
championship game. First, this was the first time since
2014 that there was not an SEC team in the Championship.
Before 2014, you would have to go to 2006 to find a
championship game that an SEC school was not in the
tournament. The SEC has dominated the football scene for
many years now!
The National Championship game was soon
overshadowed by numerous other college football stories.
The transfer portal continues to dominate the conversations
in sports. However, it was the news from Tuscaloosa, AL
that shook the football world. Longtime coach and one of
the most successful coaches in football history announced
his retirement on Wednesday. Fans and non-fans were in
disbelief over the announcement! The job was filled by
Friday by the coach of the Washington Huskies, Kalen
DeBoer.
The NFL Playoffs began over the weekend. The
storylines were not dominated by spectacular plays, close
scores, or big hits. The weather stole the show in at least
two matchups. The Buffalo Bills versus the Pittsburg
Steelers was delayed from Sunday until Monday due to a
large snowstorm. The Kansas City Chiefs versus the Miami
Dolphins game was played on Saturday night even though
the wind chill was -31 during the game.
Fans at the Chiefs game were told that they could not
enter the game unless every part of their skin was covered
due to the extreme cold temperatures. During the game the
coach for the Chiefs had his mustache freeze due to the
cold. Even with the extreme cold 71,400 people still found
their way into the stadium as the Chiefs won 26-7.
This game proved one thing to me. The saying that 1 hear
and adhere to often is the simple statement, “People will do
what people want to do.” If people want to watch a game
and it is -31, or if it is 101; they will endure the extremes
if they want to watch their favorite teams or whatever it
may be that they desire to do. People will brave extreme
weather to watch sports, go shopping, or any other activity
they desire to do. However, on a sunny day and 75, if there
was something they desired not to do they would avoid it
with every excuse known to man.
In Psalm 84:10, the Psalmist stated that he would rather
be a doorkeeper in the house of his God than one thousand
other places. In other words, there is no place in the world
he would rather be than in the presence of God. What if our
desire matched that of the Psalmist, knowing that nothing
would keep us from our daily walk with the Lord? We
would climb mountains and sit in subzero temperatures to
see our favorite sports team. Remember Christ entered our
world and came to die in the place of sinners so that He
could be in a relationship with us.
My challenge to you this week is very simple, ft is okay
to be sports-obsessed and to sit in subzero temperatures
to watch your team. Those people might have flirted with
stupidity in doing so, but that is one man’s opinion. But,
with a like manner, let us pursue Christ! This week, while
you are Under the Bleachers, remember to bundle up, it is
cold outside!
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Border Bowl XI
Saturday morning under a cool winter breeze with the sun shinin
bright, fans filled the football stadium located on the campus c
Burke County High School. Nearly a month has passed
the GHSA State Football Championships took place,
sports have begun, and the next season seems so far away
However
Saturday
was all
about high school football once again. On this day, it was not
county versus county; rather it was state versus state, it was
Georgia versus South Carolina.
The Border Bowl as it is known is presented each January
by WJBF NewsChannel 6 and features the top senior football
players in the CSRA region of Georgia and South Carolina.
Forty-four suited up for each time representing their school
and their state. Each player wears the jersey provided for the
; the'
Border Bowl; however, the players where their school-issued
helmets. Three helmets stood out from all the rest, at least for
my eyes on Saturday. Three helmets had the War Eagle logo,
and they were worn by Derrick Grier, Rob’Travious Coney,
and Jeremiah Gilmore.
All three War Eagle players had standout careers, especially
in the 2023 season as they helped lead their teams to a nistoric
season at Jenkins County. While you would often see Coney
play on both sides of the ball, Gilmore and Grier were on the
defensive line all season long. During the Border Bowl, all three played defense. On more than one occasion the
names jof the War Eagles that were playing were called for big stops on defense. Coney got a big stop when a
kick. Gilmore got a sack during the
South Carolina player returned a
le game, and Grier was also in on plays. All
eg' „
three represented Jenkins County well and stood out one more time on the field of play.
For many that played on Saturday, it would possibly be the last time they would play and represent their
high school. Some will have the chance to play another four
years in college, and some may have caused college coaches
who were in attendance to take notice. Others will never play
organized football again. Saturday was the opportunity for
one last time to put on a helmet and do what they have loved
to do.
Saturday’s Border Bowl was one by team Georgia for the
third year
straight.
And for the
third year,
South
Carolina
could not
put up any
points on
the board.
The final score was 21-0.
Tickets cost $15 per person to enter. The admission fee
went 100% to the Ronald McDonald House, and year to date,
just before the 11th annual game, the Border Bowl had raised
over $100,000 for them. Burke County High School also
benefited as they sold concessions and had the opportunity to
sell parking. The Border Bowl has made its mission all about
kids and students! To that end, they had a high-quality event showcasing the best seniors of our CRSA!
Talaya Milton shoots for three on Friday night in the Lady War Eagles ’
win over ECI! The Lady War Eagles won the hard-fought battle 47-35.
Photo by Danielle M. Davis.
Senior Nevaeh Campbell lays up a basket on Friday night. She had one
of her best games of the season scoring 21 points in the Lady War Eagle
victory. Photo by Danielle M. Davis
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Head Coach Jason Boynton heads on
the floor during a 30-second timeout on
Friday night. Photo by Danielle M. Davis