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April 16, 2008 Section b The Banks County News Sports Editor: Chris Bridges Contact: 706-367-2745 www.mainstreetnews.com First & Ten ★ ★ ★ chris@mainstreetnews.com BY CHRIS BRIDGES Football now year-around sport to follow A s an admitted die-hard football junkie, I used to wonder if I was the only one who longed for gridiron action in April. Was I the only one who began counting down the days to the new season as soon as the last one ended? Was I the only one who watched games from the previous season on tape, (now on DVD) several times during the offseason. Was I one of the few who bought the preseason magazines when they began showing up on the newsstand at your local gro cery store four months before the season’s first game was played? Was I the only one who would go to said grocery store and leave in disappointment when no pre season magazine had arrived yet? (As of this writing, I have yet to find one waiting for me on the shelf.) It seems as if the answer to my questions is, “No.” I am not the only one who is going through withdrawals right now that would make a recovering alcohol proud. It seems there are others, thou sands upon thousands even, who feel this way. Just this past weekend right smack in the middle of the world’s most famous and pres tigious golf tournament, ESPN was televising the spring football game of the Florida Gators. Yes, hours of television coverage from the world wide leader in sports was dedicated to a spring football game. I realize Florida is expected to challenge for an SEC title and possibly more this fall. I know many college football experts are already saying “mark your calendar” when the Gators meet the Georgia Bulldogs in a game which could have an effect on more that just the conference race. However, for ESPN to air a spring football game shows just how much interest there is in the collegiate gridiron world, even in the middle of the offseason. In case you are wondering, I watched some of the Gators’ spring game. I was able to catch Heisman Trophy quarterback Tim Tebow at work and I must say UGA better be prepared for him this upcoming season. (I still say had Tebow not been injured this past fall, Florida would have defeated UGA). In addition to the Florida spring game on ESPN, my cable televi sion provider has also been airing several spring games from across the South. Also, several spring football media guides have also been arriving at my desk in recent weeks and I have busy breaking each one down. Yes, I know the new season is still months away. I know most people are in a full football mindset yet. However, for the die- hards like myself, it’s never too early to start thinking about next season. The great thing is, I now know I am not alone in my long ing for gridiron action. Die-hard fans like myself have to stick together. We’ll cue up week two of the 2007 season at our next meeting. Chris Bridges is sports editor of The Banks County News. Contact him at 706-367-2745 or by e-mail at chris@mainstreetnews.com. Banks County Recreation New season off to smooth start for Banks recreation BY CHRIS BRIDGES The 2008 campaign is off and running for baseball and softball teams at the Banks County Parks and Recreation Department. Director Philip Cronic said Monday the first week of games were played during the week of April 7 with teams taking the following week off since local schools were on spring break. Games were scheduled to resume this week, weather permit ting. “The first week went well,” Cronic said. “Everyone was ready to get the season started.” Local softball and baseball rec reation teams can be seen com peting as many as five days per week. Games are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. This spring sees a total of 34 teams competing under the Banks County Parks and Recreation Department banner. Baseball and softball teams in the 9-12-year-old divisions compete with teams from Commerce and Jackson County. In addition, the 13-14-year-old baseball teams from Banks County com bined to form a league with squads from Commerce, Jackson County and Winder. The opening day parade for the ‘The first week went well. Everyone was ready to get the season started.' — Philip Cronic 2008 season was held last month although the preseason ceremonies were cut short because of rain. Cronic said in addition to softball and baseball season, his department is preparing for several summer camps which will be held in coming weeks. Several coaches from local schools will conduct camps as has become tradition each summer. BCHS Baseball: Going For First Place Subregion race going down to final week BY CHRIS BRIDGES At this point in the season, every game, every out even, is getting important. The Banks County High School baseball team held a half game lead in the Region 8-AA North stand ings going into the final week of the regular season with a 9-4 mark. The Leopards were just ahead of Dawson County (8-4) and Fannin County (8-5) in the standings. Union County (6-7), Rabun County (4-9) and East Jackson (3-9) are further back in the standings. “It’s going down to the wire just like we knew it would,” said BCHS coach Joe Lord. “Anything can hap pen and anybody can and has beat anybody. It’s come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes. The goals that we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season are still all very much within reach with two games left in the regular season. We have put ourselves in good posi tion and we look to finish strong.” BCHS earned two key subregion wins last Thursday by sweeping Union County in a doubleheader played in Homer. The Leopards took the first game 12-4 and then earned a victory in the nightcap 11-3. “We swung the bats well and I’m proud of how we came out ready to play,” Lord said of the game one victory. “We were focused and played well against a good Union County team.” Jeff Smith earned the win work ing 5.2 innings with four strikeouts. Tyler McEntire pitched the final 1.2 innings and both drew their coach’s praise for their efforts in the key contest. At the plate, Alex Gailey was 3-for-4 with three RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Justin Gibbs continued his solid 2008 campaign with a 2-for-4 effort with a run and a walk. Kyle Smith finished 2-for-3 with four RBI while Chris Porter was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Jeff Smith also went 2-for-3 at the plate and Chase Armour was 1-for-2 with three runs scored. Wesley Angel and Brett Armour also scored runs in the first game against Union County. See Baseball on page 3B SHINING ON THE DIAMOND (Top) Alex Gailey earned a win against Union County last week. The Banks County High School senior, who has signed with Piedmont College, has been a standout on the mound this spring. (Left) Chris Porter and Bill Redmon have helped shore up the defensive effort for the Leopards in 2008. Photos by Randy Crump and Lyn Sengupta High School Soccer Leopards fall during area to Spartans BY CHRIS BRIDGES Banks County High School and Athens Academy met on the soccer field Monday with a trip to the state playoffs on the line. When 80 minutes of competition was over, the Spartans had emerged with a 2-0 win although not without some controversy. In fact, BCHS coach Chris Cooley said a copy of the game tape is being sent to the Georgia High School Association. “We can’t change the decisions made, but the calls were very one sided which was incredibly frus trating,” Cooley said. “There’s not much we can do about it now, but it’s a bitter way to end the season. We had several good chances disal lowed from very questionable calls which I hate to see happen to our players. It really changed the course of the game.” The Leopards were set to meet Oglethorpe County Tuesday night in a match for third place in the region although neither team will advance to state. It will be the final official- match of the 2008 campaign. BCHS will also play a “grudge match” Wednesday (today) where Leopard team mem bers will divide up and starting at 5:30 p.m. Football Local players recognized Two former Banks County High School football players were hon ored for their performances as mem bers of the Georgia Pride this past season. John Payne and Jeremy Angel were recognized during the team’s awards banquet held Saturday. Payne was named one of the team’s “Field Generals” while Angel earned the “Outstanding Offensive” award. Awards were voted on by the play ers. The Georgia Pride is a semi professional football team based in Monroe. High School Tennis BCHS Leopards once again advance to region tournament BY CHRIS BRIDGES The Banks County High School varsity boys tennis team is preparing for some early morn ing competition Thursday. The Leopards will begin play in the Region 8-AA tournament at 8:30 a.m. Thursday against either Morgan County or North Oconee. Fortunately for coach Mike Ruth’s team, the trip won’t be a long as they will make the short journey on Hwy. 441 to East Jackson High School for this year’s region event. BCHS defeated Dawson County Tuesday to qualify for the region tournament. This season marks the sixth consecutive year the Leopards have qualified for region. “We are excited about competing,” Ruth said Tuesday night after his team locked up a spot at the 8-AA tournament. “Making it for the sixth year in a row is something to be proud of.” A victory in the first round would guarantee the Leopards another trip to the Class AA state tennis tournament. Against Dawson County Tuesday on the road, Kyle Walker posted a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles while Trey Martin earned a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles. Jacob Westmoreland and Nathan Ward won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles while the BCHS team of Viet Pham and Chase Minish took a 6-1, 7-6 victory at No. 2 doubles. Fannin County is the No. 1 seed from Region 8-AA North followed by Rabun County and Banks County. The BCHS Lady Leopards just missed quali fying for the region tournament after falling to Dawson County Tuesday. The BCHS girls fell 4-1 in their final match of the 2008 season. Lauran Taylor and Taylor Seabolt posted Up Next: •Region 8-AA tennis tournament, Thursday @ East Jackson, 8:30 a.m. the lone win at No. 2 doubles 6-0, 6-0. “Each of the girls played a tough match and played with heart,” said coach Lisa Hulsey. “This has been a very rewarding season for the players and for me as a coach.” The Lady Leopards tennis team posted wins in six of their 10 matches during the 2008 season.