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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) r V.Sl k T" f ■, 1 V J ■■ ' \ [T /j } IP" 1 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! Planters Electric Membership Corporation .providing more than just ELECTRICITY A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative