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i Section B ■ www.MainStreetNewsSports.com — Sports November 20, 2008 The Banks County News justiu Poole. Sports Editor 706-367-2346, direct Hne 706-387-5418, FAX |UStin®mainsre«news.com FROM THE HIP Advice from Banks breaks decade long drought with winning season the past BY JUSTIN POOLE The football team didn't make it as far as I had hoped it would this year, but it did do something that is as important, arguably man; important, than winning a The 2008 Gridiron Leopards hod. a foundation This year the Big Blue and White achieved something that the program and the fans have not seen done ir over a decade of football, the Leopards had a winning season and made it to the playoffs. For a long time, the attitude towards Banks County's football team has been an expectation of losing. While other programs, (ie Commerce) have such a long history of winning that the average person would be hard pressed to recall a losing season. [For the record, it was 1992.] The last winning season and the last time the Leopards made it to the playoffs was 1997, under the coaching of Dennis Marlow Marlow coached big Blue for 10 seasons and out of that decade of coaching, lead Banks County through sever, winning seasons and four playoff trips. (>_• of the things Marlow says is important to football play ers and in life is some ageless wisdom passed down from his coach Jim Lofton. “He taught us to do our best. If you do your best and come up short that is a whole lot better than not trying." Marlow said. While Banks County may have lost last Friday's piayofT game, early on they were giv ing it their all. Late in the game on Friday, the players where noticeably dragging and hang ing their heads as Calhoun con tinued to run the score up Blair Armstrong said after the game that Banks County has to learn to play through aid continuing to fight. Ii is very easy to get behind a winning team, and just as easy to place blame on the coach after a loss Marlow says (he type of peo ple you want around, are die people who arc there for you when things are not going good ' It's easy when you are on lop to get everybody behind you. lb me the measure of a man is how good he treats you when every thing is not going good. The players have faith in this coach- MAKING A BREAK FOR IT Clay Frink gained 17 yards for the Leopards before being sidelined due to an Injury. Photo by Justin Poole BY JUSTIN POOLE Lest Friday night didn't quite go as planned for the Leopards. Banks County traveled to Calhoun for the first round of the state playoffs, a trip that is one of the reasons the Big Blue can still hold its head high. Banks County was knocked out of the run ning. blanked 63-0 by Calhoun. While the final score may not be something the play ers want to add in when they tell the story, what will be told is how the Banks County Leopards made it to the playoffs after 11 years, how this season was the first win ning season in over a decade and how Justin Beasley's 2,000 plus yards blew past the rush ing record of Terry Allen. Banks started the season in the hole, los ing the opener and the first region game to Washington-Wilkes (14-39) and Riverside (22-56). The Leopards picked up its first win against Dawson County (48-27) followed by a win over Rabun County (35-6). A loss to North Oconee (7-12) did little to slow the Leopards as they continued and swept East Jackson (42-0). Adding to the feats of the season was the Jefferson game where Banks held on as the 8-AA region champions would slip by only two scores ahead, 34-22. Banks was only one of two teams to come within two touch downs of undefeated Jefferson during the regular season. North Oconee fell to Jefferson 17-16. The Leopards carried their last three games with at least 21 points over each opponent. Fannin County fell to Banks 34-13, followed by a Banks County Halloween treat 42-20 over Oglethorpe. The last regular season game was make or break it for the Leopards, as the bus rolled into the mountains to take on Union County. Walking away with a 34-13 win the players were extremely excited as they made the trip >o the playoffs. With a winning season and knowledge that a playoff trip can be attained, next year's Leopards have a foundation to build from. Calhoun ends Leopards' playoff bid Despite the scoreboard last Friday ticking away the Calhoun plant* lead, at the end (4 the game Bank* County has achieved snmethuig that is pang to help next year's team A retied to fall back on that say* the leopard* are good era nigh and have what tt takes to hold a position in the region Just because Calhoun was s neaer this year and knocked Hanks County out in the fust round, doesn't men that the leopards can go buck to being |usl the Pudunk school tewn rveryont has regarded it as BY JUSTIN POOLE No one can say that Calhoun is lacking in athletic ability on the grid iron. The top seed in 7S-AA. Calhoun made a point to cover virtually any opening Banks could have sneaked through. Yet. Banks still was able to pick up over 180 yards. In the first quarter Banks kept Calhoun at bay until eight minutes in. where Calhoun scored its first touchdown. Anticipation was high as the Leopards mailed 7-0 going into the second quarter. Justin Beasley slipped by a few of the Yellow Jacket defenders to pick up some needed yardage early in the quarter. Banks was unable to push on into the end/one and punted. Calhoun extended its lead to 14-0 a few plays later. On the kick. Calhoun started a trend for the game with a long kick back for z touchhack. to plan! Banks on the 20 yard line. With the quarter winding down and Calhoun up 28-0. Banks ' Clay Frink picked up a first down for the Leopards but suffered in the end as the Calhoun defenders knocked him to the ground which resulted in an ankle injury. The first half ended with Calhoun leading 35 over Banks. Banks Counly was unable to overcome the lead and Calhoun continued to mercilessly play the ball and ended the game 63-0. Blair Armstrong said after the game that Banks is better than what the scoreboard shows and just failed to execute. "We just didn't execute like we are supposed to,” said Armstrong. “We get a little down and we haven't learned how to fight through it yet." See Football on page 3B BASKETBALL WRESTLING » wd a to*. H mr» hfcr w» dm t have fhr baa luck at tbr draw I Bank* (rantyl oar hang thru head* m They have laid • grod fuundanm tar nan yaarVyrndodwhaByoaon Leopards ready to run onto the court for 08 09 BY JUSTIN POOLE The Banks County High School girls basketball team is preparing for another season on the courts. The Lady leopards are looking to improve on the 7-15 record from last year. "We still have a long way to go.” said coach Jerry King "However the girls are becoming more familiar to the drills and philosophy of the program." With several returning players as juniors and seniors, the ladies are jumping right in with the first game on Thursday Thursday evening the Banks County ream traveled to 1-ckevtew Academy The 8-A opponent went 7-12 last season At press time scores from Thursday's game were unavailable Go to www mainstreefnewssports com for updates oo Thursday's game Thjrtday's game serves as a warm up for the Lady laopirdi, who will compere in the Jackson County Tournament this coming Monday and Tuesday Man's Thau The boys basketball team hopes to improve on Iasi year's 1-14 season and is looking to psek up some RETURNING SENIOR Returning grappler Wesley Angel, right h* one of the several returning wrestlers *br Banks County this sea son. Photo by Randy Crump Mat Leopards prepare for first match on Tues. BY JUSTIN POOLE With football over and a cold snap in the air. it it time to move inside for athletic activities The Mat leopards are preparing for their first match, next sreek against Msdisoa County and Franklin Counts The tri-meet i» at Madison County on Tuesday, Nov. 25. where the middle school will also be wrestling. Coach Kasey Hanley said that the Leopard grappler* tee expected to have skilled members in each clast "We will he more expe rienced across the board this year.” Haneiy sard TVprndtng on how the weight classes fall, we should have experienced wrestlers in each sveight class" With two returning al players coming <>ff the football field the Banks County team should make a good showing at Madison County on Tuesday «s page *•