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The Millen News — Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Page 7
SPORTS
With Coach Brad
If you have a sports story that we need to record, message me at pastorbradasbury@gmail.com. Maybe
something exciting is happening in your athlete’s life, let us know.
-Coach Brad
pastorbradasbury@gmail.com
Friday Night Fight
at Roy Head Stadium
School closures mean sports
cancellations
While there were no fists
thrown at Roy Head Stadium
on Friday night, the only way
to describe the game was a
fight from beginning to end.
The War Eagles suited up for
the first regular season home
game of the season against the
Warren County Screaming
Devils. The War Eagles
had played two scrimmage
games before Friday night,
yet this was going to be their
first true test. Last season,
Warren County advanced to
the quarterfinals of the Class
A state playoffs and they
came in losing almost no one
from that successful team.
According to Max Preps, this
Warren County team is a top
20 Class A football team.
The War Eagles came into
the matchup short staffed
because of Covid. Many of
the players had been sent
home earlier in the week due
to close contact with those
who were positive; some of
those players were key senior
leaders. The coaches and fans
alike knew that it would be a
“next man up” situation; who
would respond for this young
football team?
As the game began, it
became obvious this War
Eagle team would not be
fearful of this strong Devils
team. The War Eagles quickly
forced the Devils to punt,
and the War Eagles took
over on offense. After some
successful plays on offense,
the War Eagles were faced
with a 4th down and very
short. With momentum on
their side and hoping to make
a statement, quarterback
Tyrone Martin ran the ball
up the middle and ended up
in the end zone after a huge
run. The War Eagles would be
successful on the two-point
conversion, and they would
take an 8-0 lead.
The War Eagles defense
came out strong once again
on the next drive and forced
the ball out of the hands of
the Red Devils. This time,
Tyrone Martin would throw
the ball down the field to
senior Jaden Lee who would
account for another War
Eagle touchdown. After the
two-point conversion the War
Eagles led the game 16-0.
Those two scores early
in the game would be the
only scoring for the War
Eagle offense. The Screaming
Devils defense got tough, and
their offense began to press
forward. The Devils would
roll off three touchdowns to
end the first half. The score
at halftime was 22-16.
After halftime, the game
became a defensive war. Both
teams exchanged hard hits
and forced turnovers. Neither
team was able to move the
ball into scoring territory.
Even though both teams’
offense would show signs of
momentum, the defense was
there to step up. The game
would end with neither team
adding to the scoreboard.
After the game Angie
Johnson, guidance counselor
and the wife of Head Coach
David Johnson, stated it
best, “I witnessed last night
young players stepping up
and making big plays, older
guys that stepped up to fill the
gap, players that have never
been a leader on the field
take control, and I saw most
importantly a brotherhood.
Our team and staff have
faced so much adversity with
COVID just as other teams
have. We played without so
many players and we can only
pray that they all get well,
and everyone stays healthy.”
The players played with a “do
not give up attitude.” They
fought hard and sacrificed
everything on the field. The
end was disappointing to this
young team, but this was only
the first game.
At this moment, the next
three Friday nights are off for
the War Eagles. After a two-
week break, they will hit the
practice field again on Labor
Day and start preparing for
the rest of the season!
The announcement of school
closing came on Thursday after
noon, with that announcement
there was a trickle-down effect
into the athletic department of
Jenkins County. For the next
two weeks, teams will be un
able to practice or play games.
For the War Eagles football,
this will mean that the game at
Telfair and the home matchup
against Aquinas will either be
cancelled or postponed to a later
announced time. The next War Eagle football game is scheduled for September 17th at Claxton,
which is a regional game.
The middle school softball War Eagles team already had a cancellation due to Covid. Burke
County had to cancel their game with the Lady War Eagles because of school cancellations in their
county. It is unknown which games they will or will not make up in the coming days.
For the War Eagles High School softball, they will miss out on their matchups against Claxton,
Portal, Wheeler County, and Portal. Three out of these four games are regional games, and they
will be rescheduled.
While competitions were largely unaffected in the 2020-2021 sports season, the resurgence of
Covid is taking its toll. The break will be difficult for teams as they will miss out on practices;
however, with many players either quarantined or sick, a break may just be what these players need.
We look forward to the restart of local sports the week of Labor Day. When the announcement
of rescheduled games occurs, we, at the Millen News will let you know so you can be at the next
home game! Until then, we will stay War Eagle strong!
Coach David Johnson stands as his team is ready to come busting through the sign
on Friday night for the first game of the regular season. The War Eagles would lose
the game 22-16, but it was hard fought from beginning to end. (photo contributed)
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Sophomore running back Rob-travious Coney stands with Coach
Hil Johnson after the loss on Friday night. Coney stepped up as
running back, punter, and on defense Friday night fighting hard
from beginning to end. He and many of his teammates stepped
up in the absence of teammates, (photo contributed)
The Jenkins County War Eagle Marching Band is on the field ready to play the National Anthem on Friday night.
The band, under the direction of James McBride, not only played the National Anthem, they also entertained the
crowd at half-time and throughout the game. The band works very hard each day to ensure they provide top quality
performances to the fans of Jenkins County, (photo by Brad Asbury)
We are Honored to Sponsor Jenkins County Sports!
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