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Wcd., ScpT. 1, 1999, Houston Home Journal FaII Extracurricular Aciiviiits Guide Page 6B Young Westfield Hornets to be tested early By Phil Clark Home Journal Sports Somewhere in the middle of the 1999 Westfield Hor nets' football season, a milestone will be reached. Coach Ronnie Jones enters the season with 195 career victories, needing just five more to reach the coveted 200 plateau. Jones will tell you. though. that personal coaching records are some thing for fans to talk about. While he will no doubt cherish reaching a level that places him in the elite, he would still rather talk about the next week's oppo nent , and “how in the world our little ole' boys are gonna stay on the field with them," no matter who the opponent happens to be. Locals know, though, that Ronnie Jones has a way of getting the most out of his players, and molding them into a team. With the opener against Fullington already under their belts, the young Hor nets now must focus on playing well against the teams they expect to meet down the road in the play offs. "Were gonna be small again. But we ought to be quick, especially in the backfield. We have a few guys back there who can turn it up a notch when they hit an opening," Jones said of his team. He's talking about senior Jacob Walker, an all-star in anybody’s book. Walker should be among the top runners in the Georgia Independent School Associ Westfield Headmaster Drake: Growth at Westfield is great for education By Torey Jolley Home Journal Staff field is growing and accord ing to Headmaster Michael Drake, the growth is great for education. 'Most of the changes Westfield Schools have made are in areas of facilities or administration. Howev- er. in our curricu lum. we have added six advance place ment classes. That is a sign of a strong, improved curricu lum,'’ said Drake. "We’ve created for the first time last year a high school chorus class. Last year, we took our (lass to Carnegie Hall where they performed on stage. It was inspiring," said Drake. He added that Westfield has expanded the drama department. "We have a great curriculum, but we choose carefully each one," he said. In addition to new class offerings, Westfield Schools have updated technology equipment. With the addition of the new front offices, space was created to increase com puter space for students. Don’t fumble around looking for the right loan company... Air Hk- ill I | | fSpMsJr I flhmnrf <ili •- nmnfti .*i«lnWMi | Ck ami • «i { ap *Based on the value and condition of vehicle. ation "if our blocking holds up,", Jones pointed out. It is up front, on the offensive line, where the Hornets suffered the biggest graduation blow. Gone are some of the best linemen Westfield has produced in several years. Robby Heaton, a walk-on at the Citadel, is gone. So is guard Matthew Lee, a solid blocker who seldom made a mistake. Ron Marshall is gone at guard, too, though a nag ging shoulder injury kept him from playing at full strength his senior season. Tackles Chad Ekey and Josh Giles will be hard to replace, since both were in the 220-230-pound range, and both were quick and agile. But enough about what’s gone. Jones has to look at who’s left, and who is going to help them. Ben Brannen was a starter last year, mostly at center. He could be moved to a tackle posi tion with Joel Stephens moving inside. Cole Carter is a big, strong sophomore many believe will become an outstanding lineman. Michael Giles is back, too, and he will take advan tage of a year’s experience with the 1998 outstanding line. Junior Matthew Eve is not big, but is quick, in the mold of Matthew Lee. There are several other linemen getting a close look by Jones and his staff, and it could be well into the sea son before they are able to settle on a set lineup on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Quarterback is a position “We always had two computer labs. Now we have a lab for each: high school, middle school, and ele mentary," said Drake. The idea is students can use the computers and gain access to the internet for search purposes. All the computers in Westfield will be networked together. “We needed this third lab. We v need to teach everyone children and teachers, how to use computers to obtain information. Our feeling is a computer lab is right for us now. Perhaps in the future, we will go to computers in the classrooms, but now. now we need our labs," said Drake. As for new facilities, Westfield has several new additions: the front office building, the new field house, and K 4-5 building. “The front office building is great. It is a way for people who come to Westfield to know that is the place to stop for answers," said Drake. The recently completed addition houses all administration functions such as the headmaster office, counselor offices, as well as the boardroom. Last year, Westfield Schools added a new K 4-5 building. This unit. nMK mg-T Drake ‘Haw in the world lore] our Uttle ole’ boys are gonna stay on the field with them." Ron nie Jones on opponents where Jones has been blessed. Entering his sev enth season as the head man at Westfield, Jones has used Just three starting quarterbacks, beginning with Lon Talton 1993, Matt Shepley then started for two season as the signal caller, and finally, Trevor Jones, the coach's son, held down the spot for three seasons. “We've pretty much set tled on Bo Hart, a rising junior," Jones said. "Ernest Greene is also an outstand ing quarterback candidate, but we need him so much in other areas, that we believe we’ll be stronger with Bo calling the plays, and Ernest out there where he can use his great pass catching ability." Jones said. “And Mitch Greer, who's not as big and strong as the others, is as fundamentally sound at quarterback as any player you'll find." Jones added. When he gets to the backfield, that’s where Jones’ eyes sparkle a bit. With Jacob Walker back and sophomore Chance Jones ready to step in at fullback, with Hart at quar terback, Jones said there’s lots of competition for play Tired of incomplete passes from other loans companies. With your clear title, Car Title Loans of America can loan you the cash you need*. Plus you’ll find the con- d venience of no credit check, no payment for 30 days, no waiting and best of all, YOU KEEP A your car. Where you get more 7 than just money ... You always score Big! 1 029 St-. Patrick's Drive (Near the Super Wal-Mart) ing time at the other run ning back spot, and as relief for Walker and Jones. “We have Matthew Hul bert, Donald Walker, Mark Hulbert, and Will Holt who can flat fly at the wing posi tion. Kyle Harold has some experience at the fullback position, but we need him so much at linebacker," Jones said. The kicking game is in good hands, too. “Some major college coach will do himself a favor if he looks at Daniel Weir as a punting prospect," Jones said. “He’s just a junior and already he’s hitting the ball higher and further than most pun ters in our league. And he still has a year to learn. He will be a weapon for us," Jones added. “Nathan Skinner ended the season last year by hit ting 10 extra point kicks in a row during the playoffs, where the pressure is the greatest." Jones said of his place kicker. The graduated Gary Virden handled kick off duties, and that job was open coming into the sea son. Whether Ronnie Jones wants to relish it or not, victory number 200 will come this season. Deep inside, he's proud of the victories, but he’s more proud of the young folks who put the wins on the scoreboard. That's the way he'll always feel. Helping him along *the sidelines to post those wins will be Jamey Watson, who returns from last season, as does Ben Hulbert. New to the staff will be Duane Hunter, from Fullington, located adjacent to the elementary school wing, houses the youngest Westfield students. It also houses the Westfield after school program. “This program is to help our West field parents. We have an after school program, which is directed by Mary Thrower, for our K 4. It allows the children to have a safe place to stay until the 3:15 p.m. bus or until the parents get off of work to get them by 6 p.m.," said Drake. As for the new field house, “It is slow, but we think we will be in it mid-September. It will be great. It will have a extra large dressing room, coaches’ offices, and plenty of storage area. It will have a weight room as well." said Drake. The field house is located behind the school gymnasium, facing the football stadium. In addition to new buildings, a newly paved road was laid around the administrative building. "This should ease traffic problem through Holly Hills," said Drake. "Seventy-five new parking spaced behind the gym will be available and 15 new spaces by the new building." Westfield Schools will house 600 students in grades k 4-12 this year. who will also handle boys' basketball. Keith Warnock is a part-time coach with a lot of experience who should be an asset. "We ll need a lot of input from everybody," Jones said of his staff. "We lost one of the best assistant coaches I’ve ever had in Rennie Atkinson, and Jeff Dehem was a vital cog in our strategy last season. Well miss both those guys. Have a great <C> school year! Dr Rhonda Thompson Optometrist Good Luck to the PANTHERS and the HORNETS! Beavers & Moore Insurance Agency 1017 Jernigan Street, Downtown Perry 987-1832 Go,l tornets! Go, Panthers! See you after the-game! M* 1428 Sam Nunn Blvd. and the 10 senior we lost.” Continuing, Jones said. "Billy Sellers and Larry Bennett are back to work with our younger players. If we can stay healthy, we ought to be all right again this year." After opening with two straight on the road (Fullington and Tattnall Square), the Hornets' home opener will be Sept. 10 against Tiftarea. Thompson Clfnic Spoc'i«lizin|4 in I*c*clintrie!S <mcl Contacts Call 987-3702 now for an appointment. I mated in Will Mart Vision Center I lO‘> St Patricks Pk%vy Perry, (.c*orf*i«i