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May 21, 2008 Section b The Banks County News Sports Editor: Chris Bridges Contact: 706-367-2745 www.mainstreetnews.com chris@mainstreetnews.com First & Ten BY CHRIS BRIDGES Another athletic school year comes to close I guess the old saying about the time going by quicker as you get older is true. It seems like only last week we were welcoming the start of the 2007-08 sports season at Banks County High School. Now, it’s all but over. It’s amazing how time flies, not just because you are older but because you have enjoyed every minute of every sport season. I stopped by BCHS Monday morning and visited briefly with athletic director and head football coach Blair Armstrong. My inten tion was to pick up a copy of the football team’s summer schedule, which Armstrong has detailed from start to finish. Armstrong mentioned how unusual the morning had been as the final week of school kicked off. Much was accomplish by the Leopard and Lady Leopard teams during the 2007-08 time frame. The football team continued to make marked improvements on the gridiron and is primed for a breakthrough season this upcom ing fall. The BCHS boys cross country team qualified for the state meet under the quality lead ership of coach Kelly McDuffie. Coach Josh Lord and the Lady Leopard softball team also had many bright spots last fall and will be able to make their debut at their new facility this upcom ing season. I know how much they are looking forward to that. When basketball rolled around, it was a pleasure to watch veteran Leopard coach Mike Ruth con tinue to work with this program. Ruth has shown an unmatched level of loyalty to BCHS athlet ics and I am looking forward to his being back on the bench next winter. First-year Lady Leopard coach Jerry King also made a positive impression on me as his team could be seen making big steps forward as the season progressed. With many returning lettermen, look for King’s squad to be even more of a force in 2008-09. One of the great success stories at BCHS the past three years has been the work turned in by Mat Leopard coach Kasey Hanley. Using a successful for mula (which includes a heavy dose of hard work) he learned at Jefferson High School, Hanley has guided the BCHS program to record after record. It’s mind boggling to look at how much the Leopard wrestlers have accom plished since Hanley took over. See First and Ten on page 3B Spring Football Leopards complete spring work, turn eyes to summer BY CHRIS BRIDGES When comparing his first spring practice at Banks County High School to his second, Leopard head coach Blair Armstrong said there was a big difference. The players were more accustomed to Armstrong’s overall methods and what the coaching staff expected from them. As a result, things ran much smoother the second time around. “Offensively compared to last year we were light years ahead,” the coach said Sunday after breaking down the spring scrimmage. Chuck Hudson will be the new offensive coordinator for BCHS, but he has worked with Armstrong for several years and was the offensive line coach for the Leopards this past season. “Our offense is going to change a little, but our overall blocking schemes will be the same,” Armstrong said. “We will have a new quarterback and that is something we will have to work on before the start of the new season.” Alex Banks, who was the starter for the junior varsity in 2007, took plenty of snaps in spring drills. Chris Porter and Brett Armour only recently joined the football team following the completion of base ball season. Despite missing several of the members of the baseball team for some of spring practice, Armstrong said overall things went well. See Football on page 3B PREPARING FOR FALL The BCHS football team wrapped up spring work last week with its annual spring scrim mage. The Leopards are now set to enter summer conditioning. Photo by Chris Bridges BCHS Baseball: An Impressive Spring MAKING THE PLAY Banks County High School's Aaron Wagoner makes another play from his second base position. Wagoner is one of the players Leopard coach Joe Lord will have to replace for next season. Photo by Lyn Sengupta Statistics tell the tale for Leopards during 2008 season BY CHRIS BRIDGES In order to have a successful season on the baseball field, a team must have standouts when it comes to the statistical department. Such was the case for the Banks County High School Leopards in 2008. Coach Joe Lord’s team posted an impressed 16 wins this spring and the team advanced to the state tournament, the first time in the program’s history since 2001. Team statistics and individual statistics reflect ed the overall increase in wins this season. “We had seven players bat over .300,” Lord said. “Our home run total also doubled. We really worked hard and got in the weight room to get stronger. We look for that to continue. We also improved our ability to manufacture runs by improving our ability to bunt and steal bases. We like to swing the bats, but sometimes you have to make the smart, fundamental play. We were much improved in that area.” Alex Gailey was 14-of-15 in the stolen base depart ment while BCHS was 33-of-37 as a team. Overall, the Leopards averaged 7.2 runs per game while allowing 5.7. Numerous players had big springs on the plate including Gailey, Zack Dale, Justin Gibbs, Tyler Hulsey, Chris Porter, Bill Redmon and Jeff Smith. Overall, BCHS had 160 singles in 2008 com pared to 100 the previous season. The team also doubled its homerun total from 14 to 28. As a team, the RBI total increased from 93 to 162 and the number of triples went from one to five. “The numbers say a lot, but we still feel like we have a lot of work to do,” Lord said. “We’re ready to get back at it this summer and keep getting better. Next spring will be here before we know it, and we’ll be ready.” Strong pitching also played a key role in the team’s success this spring. The overall staff earned run average was 3.99, which Lord said was “pretty good” for a high school baseball team. Hudgins had a 2.42 ERA. “Our pitching was good, and we’ll look to keep getting better,” the coach said. “We threw more strikes this year and pitched to contact. That allowed us to stay on our toes defensively and make plays in the field. We feel like we can win if our pitchers don’t give up more than four runs a game.” The 2008 campaign was a historic one for the Leopards on many fronts. The team tied for first in the regular season in Region 8-AA North and was third overall in the region. BCHS lost only three home games and only three defeats were to teams which did not make the state tourna ment. A key five-game winning streak during the heart of the subregion schedule helped keep the Leopards’ postseason hopes alive. “We are proud of our season and are ready to get back to work preparing for 2009,” Lord said. We’re ready to get back at it this summer and keep getting better...’ — Coach Joe Lord High School Football BCHS players have busy summer set BY CHRIS BRIDGES Blair Armstrong has plenty of pride in what he does. The Banks County High School football coach has pride in his pro gram, pride in his players and pride in the progress the Leopards made last fall. Therefore, it should come as no suprise the BCHS summer foot ball program is called “Pride of Summer.” The detailed summer schedule is outlined for players, coaches and parents on a calendar which begins next Tuesday and runs all the way through the Aug. 22 pre season scrimmage against Johnson High School. Detail is the name of the game in building a high school football pro gram today and Armstrong has every detail covered. “Work dur- Countdown in g the sum- to kickoff: mer is vital ,” the coach ioo DAYS said recently. “We have to work because everyone else is working.” Weight room sessions will mainly be in the morning. Armstrong said he has found that is the best time for players. “In the long run, it is best for them to not sleep in,” the coach said. “By lifting in the mornings it gives them the rest of the day free to work or concentrate on other sports. I believe this is the best way to handle it.” While the weight room will be open in the afternoons (3:30-5:30) on May 27 and May 29, the 8 a.m. until noon time frame kicks in begin ning June 2 as the official “Pride of Summer” program begins. BCHS will once again compete in the Lineman Challenge at Gilmer High School this summer. This year’s event is set for Saturday, June 21. The official first day of preseason practice is set for Aug. 4 from 3:45 until 6:30 p.m. The first day of school is Friday, Aug. 8.