Newspaper Page Text
Laney-Josey rivalry resumes Oct. 20
By Timmy Cox
AUGUSTA FOCUS Sports Writer
The current crop of Lucy Laney
and T. W. Josey High School foot
ball players weren’t even gleams
in their parents’ eyes in 1964.
Gleam or not, they still know the
significance of their upcoming
annual football game. And so do
their parents.
In fact, many describe the an
nual Laney-Josey football contest
as not only a rivalry, but a city
event. Inamiable ways, this game
offers year-long bragging rights
to friends, families, civic employ
ees and even school officials.
For the past 31 years, Charles
Carpenter has seen both sides of
thefence. The 25-yeardJosey coach
heads the baseball team, and
serves as quarterback coach and
athletic director. He was also a
member of the ’64 Laney football
team. He recalls the inaugural
Laney-Josey game vividly.
“Itwas amatter of braggingrights
back then, too. We were both inner
city schools, and wanted to win that
game. We all knew each other, and
many of the guys had relatives on
the opposing team. Players were
selling (friendly) woof tickets. Josey
were the new kids, so victory was
very important to us. Oh yeah, we
Band performances always a treat in this game
By Timmy Cox
AUGUSTA FOCUS Sports Writer
While football teams experi
ence ups and downs, both Laney
and Josey high school bands al
ways come to play — year after
year.
For 10-year Laney band direc
tor Rodney Allen, herealizes that
his kids look at this game differ
ently. “They consider the rivalry
aspect. But I always emphasize
the positive aspect too.” Because
T
i .
?’;ASS“L
O <
Sunday, October 15, 1995
5:00 p.m.
CSRA Classic Fashion & Musical
Extravaganza
“An Evening of Beauty” at Augusta
College Performing Arts Theatre
Fashion Show featuring clothing for children and
adults from area entrepreneurs. Dynamic door
prizes including a weekend getaway, shopping
spree, dinner for two.
Gospel Extravaganza
7:00 p.m. Tabernacle Baptist Church
Featuring the choirs of Clark Atlanta University,
Savannah State University and Paine College
Admission: FREE
Thursday, October 19, 1995
7:00 p.m. Augusta Riverwalk Amphitheater
Jazz on the Riverwalk
Featuring area high school bands and the bands of
Clark Atlanta University and Savannah State
University
Friday, October 20, 1995
CSRA Classic Formal Banquet
Radisson Riverfront Hotel
SSO per person
6:00 p.m. VIP Private Reception with Dallas
Cowboy Great, Drew Pearson
7:00 p.m. Banquet Dinner featuring Drew
Pearson as guest speaker
9:00p.m. After-Dinner Reception
CSRA Classic Greekfest ‘95 —
“Back to the Bell”
William B. Bell Auditorium
General Admission: $lO
Advance Student Price: $8.50
9 p.m. Stepshow
Featuring step teams from across the Southeastern
region stepping for cash prizes.
Ist Place Sorority: SIOOO
2nd Place Sorority: SSOO
L e T
L™ e B
? '» ; % ' *"‘
% “:?:}:‘ \ :i;: . i .;
CHARLES IN CHARGE—Josey coach Charles Carpenter pre
pares his players for the gridiron clash between Laney and
Josey. Photo: Jimmy Carter
won that first one — 39 to nothing,”
he smiled.
“For this game,” explained Car
penter, “records don’t mean a
thing. May the best team win.”
He reflects on being on the losing
side. “Laney’s first loss to Josey
was in 1968. I mean people actu
ally cried behind that game,” he
recalls. Carpenter saysthisyear’s
game is a tad more special than
many ofthe band members know
each other personally, Allen says
they’re very supportive of each
other, while still having good fun
during the annual game. The
Laney '95 Wildcat band is about
100 strong, with six tubas and 25
drummers anchoring the “Pride
of Augusta.”
On the other side of town, Dr.
Charles Smith says his Josey
band members understand the
traditional value of the game.
However, he tempers his crew by
SCHEDUILE
OF EVENTS
Ist Place Fraternity: SIOOO
2nd Place Fraternity: SSOO
Intermission: Performer to be
announced
Saturday, October 21, 1995
CSRA Gridiron Clash
George P. Butler Stadium, Augusta, Ga.
Tickets: Advanced Adult $lO, advanced
student $8.50, All tickets sl2 at
the gate.
9:00a.m. Live Remotes with local radio and
television personalities.
9:30a.m. Tailgate Bash—Join us for an All-
American tailgate bash with live
remotes featuring local radio and
television personalities.
10:30 a.m. Pee Wee Foothall Game—Local
Pee Wees hattle it out to become the
CSRA Classic Pee Wee Champions.
11:00 a.m. Clark Atlanta Alumni Brunch at BL's
Restaurant featuring Clark Atlanta
President Dr. Thomas Cole.
11:45a.m. Exhibition of the Bands—Come
watch High School Bands perform to
earn hoasting rights as CSRA Classic
Band of the Year.
2:00 p.m. Kick Off of the 1995 CSRA Classic
Football Game featuring Clark Atlanta
University vs. Savannah State
University.
7:30 p.m. After-Game Show and Dance—
The Alumni of Savannah State
University will host an After-Game
Show and Dance featuring the Finess
Band at the Radisson Riverfront
Hotel. Your tax-deductible donation
of $25 will benefit the SSC
Scholarship Fund.
8:00 P.M. Official “After-Game Celebration”
at BL’s Restaurant—Come wine,
dine and dance with your friends at
BL’s. Enjoy the sounds of the live
jazz band in a relaxed atmosphere.
“Come taste the food, the fun, and
the Class of BL's!”
*There will be several other dinners, dances, and
boatrides hosted by area alumni chapters during
Classic Weekend.
recent contests. While Laney was
a perennial powerhouse in the
sixties and seventies, the late 'Bos
and '9os haven’t been too good for
the Wildcat attack.
~ “Thisyear, bothteams have had
successful seasons. Therefore, this
shouldbe a classic matchup,” says
Carpenter. The AD was quick to
credit Laney head coach Otis
Smart for restarting the Laney
making sure they understand
that consistency is key. Smith’s
“Sonic Boom of the South” has
garnered numerous awards since
Smith took over directorship 19
yearsago. The morning after the
Laney game, Josey’s band will
participate in a major band festi
val in Atlanta, featuring drum
and bugle corps units. “It’s an
honor to be in this festival, since
show-style bands aren’t typical
ly invited,” said Dr. Smith.
Both Allen and Smith agree
tradition. Smart, who’s known for
consistently leading Laney girls
basketball teams to state playoffs,
took overthe football program two
years ago. A 3-2 record fails to
mirror the Wildcats’ potent weap
onry led by seniors Kendrell Bell
(RB), Demond Brown (DB), Treon
Daniels (WR) and Corey
Stephenson (QB).
Josey head coach John Starr
also deserves kudos for staging a
remarkable '95 season. The Ea
gles are currently undefeated, with
visions of Region 4-AAA and state
title championships in sight.
Starr’s team features standout
quarterback George Brown, Troy
Tolbert (TE) Rod Hollimon (BF),
Brian Drew (RB) and receivers
Dion Grant and Armark Tolbert
(Troy’s younger brother).
“If you plan to come to this one,
you better get there early to get a
seat,” said Carpenter. “This game
brings out everyone. Both bands
will be doing their thing, college
kids comeback and all the alumni
will be rooting loudly.” Kick-offis
set for 7:30 p.m. at Josey’s White
Road Stadium.
When asked for what team he’'d
root for, Carpenter said, “My heart
will always be with Laney. But
my paycheck comes from Josey.
Go Eagles!”
that along with good musician
ship, discipline and strong aca
demic standards are tantamount
for theirstudents. While neither
director offered details concern
ing songs and routines, look for
nothing but excitement from
these two show-style musical
organizations. Both bands are
admittedly patterned after high
steppin’ legacies carved by
Grambling, Jackson State, Flor
ida A&M and Southern Univer
sity bands.
ILCLBN IR P l
L "‘,'B/‘/ -
annlde
HI
bLy A N
=%
* Tony Cornish Jr.
* The Fabulous Sports Babe
*One-on-One Sports Network
e Atianta Falcons Football
e USC Gamecocks Football
* Georgia Southern Footballl
* High School Play-By-Play
e Coaches Round Table
l “All Sports All The Time I
AUGUSTA FOCUS
ATRILIETIES of e weel
ol 7
S S
Charles Walker, Glenn Hills
High Schocl
When Glenn Hills head coach
Gene Crislip speaks of senior
running back Charles Walker,
he immediately describes him as
“qualified.” Walker has already
proven his pigskin prowess to
his coach, as well as his class
room abilities.
“His SAT scores are good, and
Charles is serious in the class
room,” said the coach. With 21
years at Glenn Hills’helm, Crislip
realizes the importance of bal
ancing athleticism with academ
ic awareness. On Friday nights,
Walker displays his other skills
— as a runner.
At 60", 150 pounds, Charles
leads the Spartan attack as their
leading rusher. In a recent de
feat at the hands of powerful
Laney High, Walker got his re
spect while scoring a touchdown
and gaining nearly 100 yards.
Crislip says it’s Walker’s speed,
quickness and work ethic that
makes him special. Savannah
State, Florida A&M and Albany
State are among colleges pursu--
ing Walker’s talents. Charles is
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Walker Sr.
October 12, 1995
'\ h N
T
X
Natasha Reid, Richmond
Academy High School
Expect good things from
Natasha Reid this year and in
1996. The junior is not only a
solid member of the softball team,
but is also significant to the suc
cess of Richmond Academy
High’s girls basketball and track
teams. “She’s naturally gifted
and should be one of the top
athletes in our area,” says head
softball coach Robert Rhodes.
While Rhodes is coming off a
rebuilding season, he credits
Natasha for being a positive in
fluence in helping the team stay
respectable. This season, Reid
played a variety of positions, in
cluding third base, left field and
pitcher.Ats'9", Natasha’s height
and agility is a perfect fit for
roundball action. As a sopho
more, the 16-year-old was voted
basketball team MVP. “She, like
so many of the girls, is very
coachable,” said Rhodes. He
points out that Natasha is very
attentive in the classroom.
“That’s a real plus these days,”
said the coach.
13