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— www.MainStreetNewsSports.com — October 23, 2008 The Banks County News Chris Bridges, Sports Editor 706-367-2745, direct line 706-367-9355, FAX chris@mainstreetnews.com Important lessons taught in heat of battle he Banks County High School football team was in the middle of a hotly contested game against region foe Jefferson last Friday night. The visiting Dragons entered the contest undefeated and basi cally unchallenged. No opponent had been able to come close to slowing down Jefferson’s spread offense, which seemed to be get ting even more potent with each passing game. The BCHS Leopards, how ever, made it known early on they were not going qui etly. Coach Blair Armstrong's team was pre pared to give the Dragons their toughest challenge of the season. It was obvious from the opening kickoff. As the game wore on and the two teams traded punches like two championship contenders in boxing, a situation occured on the BCHS sideline which probably went unnoticed by those in the stands. It is worth noting, how ever, because it shows the type of coaches who are leading the Leopard program. Defensive coordinator Paul Hoch was talking with one of the BCHS players who had become frustrated with how a series of plays had gone against the home team. The player had begun criticizing his own teammates for what they were not doing on the field. Hoch immediately told the player that he would not tolerate that type of behavior. It didn’t matter that the player in question was one which BCHS desperately needed on the field to have a chance to win. “I will sit you out the rest of the game to prove my point,” Hoch told the player. “I will lose this game to show you we are going to do things the right way. That is not something you are doing to do.” The player quickly got his head back on straight and was back in the game helping his team give undefeated Jefferson all it could handle. Hoch had made his point and all it took was a few direct comments from the defensive coordinator. Everyone wants to win foot ball games. Coaches, players and fans want their team to win every Friday night. Every school across this state dreams of that magical, undefeated season. However, high school athletics can also be used as extension of the learning process for student- athletes. The lesson Hoch taught his standout player on the BCHS team last Friday night was a valu able one. It was a lesson that no one player, regardless of how great he is, is bigger than the team. Even with the Leopards challenging an undefeated oppo nent, Hoch had the bigger picture rightfully in place. As I watched Hoch and the BCHS coaching staff at work last week, it made me think if I had a son, the Leopard team would be the place I would want him to play. Yes, winning is important, but there are other lessons which are also being stressed within the BCHS football program. Lessons which will stay with these players far beyond their years on the gridiron. Lessons about life and what’s important in that game. Chris Bridges is sports editor of The Banks County News. E-mail comments about this column to chris @ mainstreetnews. com. HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Several players have standout season for BCHS BY CHRIS BRIDGES The Banks County High School fast-pitch softball team fell one-game short of advanc ing to the state sectionals this fall. While narrowly missing that goal was a disappointing, the Lady Leopards did man age to record 13 wins in 2008 and will lose just two seniors (Samm Kennedy and Kathy Davidson) to graduation this spring. Hayley Baird was the team’s top batter with a .398 average with 35 hits and 19 runs scored. Madison Franklin, a freshman on this year’s team, finished with an impressive .318 batting average including 28 hits with six doubles, nine RBI and 18 runs scored. Ashley Denton finished with a .325 mark and drove in 25 runs. Kim Tomas drove in 13 runs and scored 14. Jordan Rogers earned eight wins in 2008 while Thomas had five. “We had a strong showing at the region tournament with big wins against Fannin County and Oglethorpe County,” coach Josh Lord said. “Our pitching was great all year. Most games we lost were by the same formula — not managing enough offense to overcome a couple costly defensive mis takes.” In addition, the injury bug took its took toll on BCHS. “Our players and coaches spent countless hours at practice working to get better each day,” Lord said. “I feel like we did. We were one win away from not only making state, but from tying a BCHS school record for single season wins (set in 2006). The level of competition we faced this year was prob ably better than that year overall so in some ways, this could be viewed as our most suc cessful season. Our players will be hungry to build on this year, and we look for good things to come.” JUNIOR STANDOUT Junior catcher Haley Baird was a threat for the BCHS Lady Leopards both behind and at the plate this fall. Baird will be one of the key return ing players for BCHS next sea son. Photo by Randy Crump/ Rudeseal Photo Fannin County @ BCHS, Friday, 7:30 p.m. OFFENSIVE STARS Demetric Dempson, scoring Banks County’s first touchdown against Jefferson last Friday, will help lead the Leopard offense against Fannin County this week. Photos by Lyn Sengupta SOFTBALL AWARDS BCHS to be recognized Sunday The Banks County High School softball program will hold its annual sports recog nition program Sunday at 2 p.m. at First Georgia Bank in Homer. All members of the Lady Leopard varsity and junior var sity softball teams will be hon ored during the event which is scheduled to take place from 2-4 p.m. For additional information, contact coach Josh Lord at jklord@banks.kl2.ga.us. REC. DEPARTMENT Basketball registration continues Leopards face must-win game this week BY CHRIS BRIDGES At this point in the 2008 season, it pretty much comes down to mathematics. The Banks County High School football team needs wins to stay in playoff contention. The Leopards will also need a little help from some other teams to make it past week 10 of the 2008 campaign. At A Glance: Fannin County (6-1,5-1 )@ BCHS (3-4,3-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m. First things first, however, and that begins this Friday night when Region 8-AA foe Fannin County High School makes the long trek to BCHS for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. “We have to win out to stay in the playoff chase,” Leopard head coach Blair Armstrong said this week. “We will also have to have a couple of other things happen, but right now we have to focus on this week because Fannin County is going to be a tough test for us.” The always tough Rebels from Blue Ridge will once again be big up front which helps clear the way for their wishbone offense. “They also have some fast backs but we feel we are better at this point in the season than we were last year when they beat us,” Armstrong said. “Our kids are anxious to face them again. We are strong and more mature than we were last season.” The BCHS coach also believes playing the contest at home will be to his team’s benefit as the trip from Fannin County takes a mini mum of two and a half hours. The Rebel wishbone attack, something not seen much more in high school football or at any level for that matter, presents a different type of challenge for the Leopard players and coaches this Friday. It is different than the spread offense that Jefferson used RUSHING LEADER last week. Justin Beasley had another big effort See Preview on page 2B against Jefferson. The Banks County Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registration for basketball until Friday, Oct. 31. Teams are available for play ers ages 5-12. The fees are $40 per player. For additional information contact the recreation depart ment office at 706-677-4407 or go to to the department's website at www.bankscounty. recware.com. SENIOR NIGHT Athletes to be honored Fri. Banks County High School students involved in fall ath letic events will be recog nized prior to this Friday’s game against Fannin County. In addition, senior mem bers of the BCHS band will be recongized. Friday is the final regular season home football game for the Leopards for 2008. JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL Leopards play well, but fall to Jefferson 34-19 last week BY CHRIS BRIDGES For the Banks County High School junior varsity foot ball team, it was a case of winning everywhere but on the scoreboard last week. The JV Leopards fell to Jefferson 34-19 despite com piling 415 yards of offense. Six turnovers by BCHS proved to play a big factor in the outcome. Dylan Lackey was the leading rusher with 133 yards with Alex Banks adding 82 yards. Jordan Smith finished with 51 yards on the ground while Jeremy Greenway, Jacob Blalock and Kyle Smith also contributed. See JV on page 3B TOUGH UP FRONT The defensive line has been a key element to the BCHS junior varsity football team’s success this fall. Photo by Randy Crump/ Rudeseal Photo