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PAGE 2B — THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 24. 2009
MCHS at Hab. Central, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Coach focused on Hab. Central, not region race
Raider linebacker Donavan Carey (no. 2) corrals a Salem
running back in Madison County’s 21-16 win over the
Seminoles. Ben Munro/staff
FRIDAY’S OPPONENT
■ Team: Habersham Central
■ Record: 3-2
■ Coach: Stuart Cunningham (first year, 3-2)
■ Last week: Madison Co. 21, Salem 16; Hab. Central 42, Winder-
Barrow 35
■ Last year: Hab. Central 28, Madison Co. 7
■ Series: Hab. Central leads 16-3
■ What else: Madison County seeks its fifth consecutive win ...
MCHS is averaging 228.0 yards rushing a game in its last three
games ... MCHS has won just one time at Hab. Central (1982)...
Madison County seeks its first victory over Habersham since 2005.
By Ben Munro
ben@mainstreetnews.com
Sure, the Madison County
football team finds itself in the
middle of the region title race at
the mid-point of the season.
But Raider coach Randell
Owens says he’ll let the fans
ponder the possibilities.
“The thing that we’ve got to
focus on is just taking care of
business this week and not look
past this Friday night against
Hab. (Central),” he said.
Madison County shoots for its
fifth straight win Friday when it
faces Habersham Central in Mt.
Airy at 7:30 p.m.
Any talk beyond Friday’s
game is “coffee shop conver
sation for fans and whatever,”
Owens said.
“That's what makes it fun for
our fans and our supporters to
be able to speculate and talk
about all that, but on our part we
just have to look at our goal just
to get to the playoffs and don't
worry about things we can't
control,” he said.
Habersham, which beat
Madison County 28-7 in 2008,
is coming off a 42-35 victory
over Winder-Barrow this past
Friday.
The Mt. Airy Raiders show
case a power running game out
of the I-formation as well as
a spread package. Defensively,
Habersham Central "might be
the best tacklers” in the region,
Owens said.
Madison County hasn't beaten
Habersham Central since 2005
and has won just once in Mt.
Airy. That victory came in 1982
en route to Madison County’s
first-ever trip to the postseason.
Football notes
Owens praises
decision to move
homecoming dance
to Saturday
Owens said Madison County
High School administration
“showed great wisdom” in mov
ing homecoming dance from
Friday to Saturday.
That way, nothing was on the
Raiders’ minds Friday night
against Salem except football.
Owens said he’s been in some
halftime locker rooms during
homecoming where that hasn’t
been the case.
“It’s just hard for me to
compete for the minds of
16-17-year-old boys with cute
little 16-17-year-old girls,” he
said. “I'm going to lose that
battle every day.”
Solid offensive line
play continues
During its 21-16 victory over
Salem this past Friday, Madison
County saw more production
out of the weak side of its offen
sive line, or “quick side” as
Owens terms it.
“Because it doesn’t sound as
bad as being called weak,” he
said. “It has actually become
our strength.”
Quick guard Steven Goldman
graded out at 92 percent, while
quick tackle John Gunnells per
formed at 90 percent efficiency.
Meanwhile, Demitris Pattman
had another winning grade of 70
percent while center Jeremiah
NeSmith has risen from a 20
percent grade earlier this year to
77 percent against Salem.
Tyler Adams has made
a quantum leap as far as his
grade, Adams, who graded out
at just 10 percent earlier this
year against Winder-Barrow,
jumped to 85 percent against
Salem.
A grade of 70 percent is con
sidered "winning.”
Softball...
are proud of them. That’s something that they’ll take
with them for the rest of their life.”
With a collective 3.812 GPA, Madison County
is tied with Hopkins High School, a private school
in Minnesota, for the top spot. The softball Raiders
finished third last year, but ranked no. 1 among
public schools.
Madison County's smarts in the classroom and
winning ways on the field have earned it acclaim
around the state. The Raiders will be featured on
Georgia Public Broadcasting’s “Prep Sports Plus”
program tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 p.m. The show
will re-air Sunday at 11 a.m.
Kesler said he dictates no study hours when the
softball team is together, saying this team tends to be
a self-motivated team when it comes to the books.
Raider varsity players can often be seen studying
during the junior varsity games preceding theirs.
“I think it's more of a credit to the girls and their
parents,” Kesler said of the team’s academic achieve
ments.
Kesler also thinks the girls’ competitive nature to
remain one of the top academic softball teams keeps
the softball Raiders studying hard.
“Our girls are proud of that and they good-natured
ly rib each other about studying and keeping their
grades up,” Kesler said.
As for the team’s television segment, the team
plans to make an event out of it, complete with a
pizza party and a viewing of the program at the
Madison County High School theater.
“We’re going to make it special for the girls,”
Kesler said.
NATION’S TOP HIGH SCHOOL
(NON-WEIGHTED) SOFTBALL GPAs
1. (tie) Madison County High School, 3.812
1. (tie) Hopkins High School, 3.812
3. Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, 3.777
4. Stephen Decatur High School, 3.742
5. Allen County - Scottsville High School, 3.731
6. Jefferson Co High School, 3.723
7. Joaquin High School, 3.702
8. Plainedge High School, 3.700
9. Seymour High School, 3.693
10. Van High School, 3.690
Madison Co. extends winning
streak, starts region tourney Tues.
All the good academic news comes amid prepara
tion for the region tournament.
The team ran its school-best winning streak to 14
games with a 5-2 victory over Winder-Barrow on
Senior Night, rallying for five runs in the bottom of
the sixth. “It was a good come-from-behind win,”
Kesler said. “Winder-Barrow is much-improved
from last year.”
Katie Bolin went 2-for-3 with a two-run triple in
the pivotal sixth inning. Elizabeth Whieldon (1-for-
3) and Ariel Bates (l-for-3) also drove home runs
in the sixth. Brandi Osborne also had a hit, going
l-for-2.
continued from page IB
Katie Bolin had a big two-run triple
Tuesday in Madison County’s victory over
Winder-Barrow. Ben Munro/staff
On the mound, Erin Gibson pitched a complete
game, scattering six hits and surrendering two runs,
both unearned. She also shuck out a season-high 11
batters.
The Raiders (20-1, 8-0) then closed the regular
season Wednesday with games against Morgan
County and Alcovy at Morgan County High School,
but results weren't available at press time,
Madison County opens region tournament play
Tuesday at 4 p.m., receiving a first-round bye. It
faces the winner of the Heritage-Winder-Barrow/
Salem game.
By virtue of its no. 1 seed, Madison County
will have homefield advantage for Tuesday’s game.
Madison County will also host all the Wednesday
and Thursday region tournament games.
The Raiders must win once to qualify for the state
tournament, but the team has eyes on bigger prizes.
“Our sights are on winning the region tourna
ment,” Kesler said. “That’s our goal.”
Earning a high seed out of the region tournament
weighs more heavily now than in years’ past.
The GHSA has scrapped the state sectionals -
which brought 16 teams together at a neutral site —
in favor of best-of-three series at home field sites for
the first two rounds.
The top two seeds in each region earn hosting
rights for the first-round playoff games.
The quarterfinals are still in Columbus.
RECENT ACTION
MCHS 5, Winder-Barrow 2
WBHS 0001100 — 2
MCHS 000005X — 5
Hitting: Bolin 2-3, 3B, 2RBI; Whieldon 1-3, RBI;
Bates 1 hit, 1RBI; Osbornel-2
Pitching: Gibson 7IP, 6H, 2R, 0ER, 11K
MCHS 24, Clarke Central 0
MCHS (14) 7 3 —24
CCHS 0 0 0 — 0
Hitting: Whieldon 3-4, HR, 2B, 6 RBI; Bates 2-2,
Skelton 2-2; Atkinson 2-3
Pitching: Gibson IIP, 2K; Boggs IIP, 3K, Smith
IIP, 3K
MCHS 12, Cedar Shoals 0
CSHS 0000 — 0
MCHS 0723 — 12
Hitting: Bates 2-2, 2RBI; Skelton 1-1, 2RBI;
Osborne, Ellisor, Bolin, LaZear 1 hit
Pitching: Gibson 2IP, 6K, IBB; Boggs IIP, IK,
IBB; Smith IP, IK
Sports shorts
Touchdown Club
offering $10,000 prize
The Madison County
Touchdown Club will hold its
23 rd annual “$10,000 Giveaway”
Oct. 24 at the Danielsville
Volunteer Fire Department.
Contact Ricky McElroy at
706-789-2305 for tickets.
The Touchdown Club is also
selling 911 signs, while spots for
the Raider Wall of Fame (located
on the back of the press box) are
still available.
Madison Co. Cruisers
schedule continues
The Madison County Cruisers
— a local automobile organiza
tion — continues its sched
ule with an Oct. 17 cruise-in at
Danielsville City Park from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m.
"All makes and models are
welcome — rat rods, finished
and unfinished,” organizers said.
"As long as it has wheels and an
engine, it’s invited. We want to
see it all.”
The registration fee for all
shows is $5. For more informa
tion, contact J.J. at 706-255-2196
or James at 706-795-2645.
Madison Co. Rec
Dept, soccer scores
Here are soccer scores from
week one action at the Madison
County Recreation Department.
Intermediate League:
•Kickers 2, Typhoons-2
Goals: (Kickers) Jarrod Smith,
Hunter Moats, (Typhoons) Alyssa
Gowan, Dakota Thornton
•Chargers 2, Cougars 1
Goals: (Chargers) Bricen
Bradberry, Noah Dobbs, (Cougars)
Peter Faulkner
•Legends 5, Silverbacks 1
Goals: (Legends) Jaylan
White (2), Madison Howell,
Emily Bartlett, Sydney Arnold,
(Silverbacks) Kaitlyn Padgitt
•Chiefs 2, Cougars 1
Goals: (Chiefs) Will Jennings,
Levy Jones, (Cougars) Peter
Faulkner
Major League:
•Galaxy 3, Terminators 1
Goals: (Galaxy) Forest Lane,
Kasi Pressley, Sydney Jacobs,
(Terminators) Kimberly Cooper
•Stingers 8, Mighty
Mustangs 3
Goals: (Stingers) Tyler Terrell
(4), Chandler Hart (3), Eli Dixon,
(Mighty Mustangs) Dalton Croy
(2)
Senior League:
•Steelers 14, Tornadoes 2
Goals: (Steelers) Graham
Mayne (6), Austin Mize (3),
Daniel Walker (2), Dylan Gordon,
Buddy Anderson, Cody Greene,
(Tornadoes) Isabel Edwards (2)
•Cobras 4, Blazers 2
Goals: (Cobras) Wyly Pope (2),
Sergio Bustamante, Lee Reno,
(Blazers) Miles Chasteen, Wyatt
Gearing
Youth basketball
signups start Oct. 12
Registration for Madison
County Recreation Department
youth basketball leagues begins
Monday, Oct. 12.
Signup days are Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Extended hours for registration
are Thursday, Oct, 22; Friday, Oct.
23; and Saturday, Oct. 24. The
extended Thursday and Friday
sign-up times are from 9 a.m. to
7 p.m. and the extended Saturday
sign-up time is from 10 a.m. to
1 p.m.
Visit the main office at Sammy
Haggard Park located at 1345
Highway 98 West for all sign-ups
during the designated times. There
will be no late sign-ups.
Leagues are offered in both
boys and girls divisions for 7-and-
8-year-olds, 9-and-10-year-olds,
11-and-12-year-olds and 13-and-
14-year-olds.
The age control date is January
1,2010. All players must be seven
by that date and cannot turn 15 by
that date. The registration fee is
$25 per child. A birth certificate is
required for registration. The out
of county fee is an additional $25
per child. For more information
on the youth basketball program,
call the recreation department at
706-795-6270.
Champs ...
Phillip Archer said.
Archer said his team did a good job of running
the bases, moving runners over, putting the ball in
play and producing clutch hits in winning the title
contest in convincing fashion. He added that the
Mustang defense was "outstanding” throughout the
tournament.
Madison County finished the year at 14-1 and
10-0 against region foes. The Mustangs’ lone loss
came in the Northeast Georgia Middle School
Classic, an event they ended up winning.
The team overcame several obstacles to turn out
continued from page IB
another memorable year, Archer said.
“We faced a lot of adversity throughout the sea
son due to sickness and the weather the past few
weeks,” he said. "We could have easily rolled over,
but we fought through each situation and found
ways to pull out W’s.”
Archer said he and assistant coach Todd Powell
were “very blessed and fortunate to have the oppor
tunity to be a part of this team.”
“We appreciate everyone’s support, from faculty
and administration to the parents that got them to
and from practice,” Archer said.
Volleyball..
“for an amazing performance.”
Delay said she was proud of how her team came
together in earning the region win.
“The team worked hard as one unit, which
equated to a win,” she said. “What a way to end
continued from page IB
our region play at home.”
Madison County will have to win two play-in
matches to qualify for the region tournament.
The first play in match is Oct. 6 with locations
yet to be determined.
Running game .. • continued from page IB
approaching it. Meanwhile,
quarterback Jacob Owens leads
Madison County with six rush
ing touchdowns.
The selfless attitude extends
beyond the backfield.
As the Raiders have become
more ground-oriented, it's
meant less opportunities for
receivers like Patrick McCrary,
who's caught only two passes in
the last two games.
Owens said he even apolo
gized to McCrary during a
victory over Cedar Shoals Sept.
18. McCrary, who spent most
of that evening blocking against
the Jaguars, told Owens he had
no problem with the conserva
tive game plan and the coach
appreciates that.
"We've got a lot of guys with
that attitude that are playing
just real unselfishly right now,”
Owens said.
Paired with that unselfishness
is a vastly improved offensive
line paving the way for the run
ning game.
Raider linemen receive
weekly grades for their perfor
mance and five received “win
ning grades” of 70 percent after
Madison County’s 21-16 win
over Salem.
Kendrick Butler had 103
yards on just nine carries
against Salem.
Owens might have to start
posting these numbers in the
locker room given the recent
interest. Not long after Madison
County’s victory last week,
players were inquiring about
grades.
“'How did I grade out?' It’s
almost like you study all week
for a test and bug the teacher,
‘Did I pass?'” Owens said.
This is just another indicator
that this senior-laden offensive
line takes its job seriously.
Owens said the unit is intent on
atoning for last year.
“They knew that was a
weakness last year,” Owens
said. ‘They’ve really taken it
on themselves to work to try to
improve week-by-week.”
This all has created problems
for Madison County’s oppo
nents. In years’ past, Madison
County has been "right-handed”
or strong-side oriented. But
instead of running to one side of
the offensive line this year, the
Raiders now attack both sides
equally.
Combined with several
capable ball carriers, Madison
County has a broader range of
attack.
“It puts you in a position
where you can try to call the
play versus what the defense is
lined up and doing as opposed
to having to sit there and say
we’ve got to get it to this par
ticular player on this side of the
line,” Owens said.
Madison County hopes that
trend continues into the second
half of the season as the Raiders
are in the thick of the region
title race.
But this much appears evi
dent through five games: The
Raiders are concerned with the
bottom line, not headlines.
“It just goes back to the old
thought of saying, ‘It’s amazing
what you can get done when
nobody cares who gets the
credit,”’ Owens said.
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