Newspaper Page Text
Sports
Westfield, Tattnall fight to
14-14 tie in GISA thriller
By PHIL CLARK
Home Jbwml Sports
MAc6n —Two really
good football teams played
four solid quarters of
smash-mouth football
Sept. 3 at Tattnall’s Jack
Bayne Field, but when it
was over, the two Georgia
Independent School Asso
ciation powerhouses (Tat
tnall and Westfield) had to
settle for a 14-14 tie.
It was a game of three
downs-and-out mixed with
an occasional extended
possession, where punting
played an important part.
In that respect. West
TAKE A BREAK Members oj the
Westfield defensive line including (from
left) Jason Wade (76), Cole Carter (79),
Perry teen-ager claims truck in buck contest
By John Trussell
Hotnt Jowiuw. Sports
Forest Gump’s mother said.
“Life is like a box of chocolates
and you never know what you’re
going to get." That analogy proved
true in a very positive way for 15-
year-old Kirk Peaster of Perry.
Peaster, a freshman at Perry
High School, beat out a talented
field of 15 other deer hunters at
the recent Buckarama, held at
The Georgia National Fairgrounds
and Agricenter, to win a $25,000
z-71 Silverado Chevy pickup.
It was ah unusual twist of
events which resulted in Peaster’s
road to the truck shoot-off, which
is sponsored by Georgia Outdoor
News Magazine.
Normally, the subscriber who
harvests the best scoring (Boone
& Crockett) buck during each
week of the 16-week Georgia deer
season wins several prizes and
Lady Hornets optimistic about the fall softball season
In our annual preview section
last week, one of those dreaded
computer glitches omitted our
preseason story on Coach Leigh
Ann Johnson’s varsity softball
tean at Westfield,
Since Johnson had some
interesting quotes during our
interview about her team, we
thought you might want to hear
what she had to say, although
the Lady Hornets have already
played several games.
"We only lost two senior
starters from last year’s team,
but we are still a very young soft
ball team," Johnson said after a
recent practice session.
Only outfielder Lauren Byrd
and infielder Laura Posey among
last year's starters were lost to
graduation. Utility player Connie
Thompson was the only other
senior on the team.
Still, as Johnson pointed out,
the team is young, although a bit
more experienced than the 1998
squad. And still, Johnson will
have only a handful of seniors to
anchor the 1999 team.
Competition at just about
every position is the key to the
field’s Daniel Weir got the
better of Tattnall's Josh
Loosier, punting seven
times for a 37.5 average
with three kicks of more
than 42 yards. Loosier
booted four times for an
average of 28 yards per
kick, his 15-yard shank
setting up Westfield’s go
ahead score midway
through the fourth quar
ter.
This game featured more
than just kicking. It was a
defensive gem which tested
the character of both
teams. For instance, on
Tattnall's first possession,
Homt Journal Photo by Phi! Clark
Michael Giles (61) and Ben B rannen (74)
take a break during action against Tat
tnall Sept. 3.
the opportunity to compete for the
truck at the annual August
Buckarama, sponsored by the
Georgia Wildlife Federation.
During one week of the 1998
contest, Peaster shot a very nice
6x6 12-point buck in Macon
County, netting him a score of
138 6/8 Boone and Crockett
points. His outstanding buck fin
ished fourth which have normally
excluded him from the contest.
Things changed. The first place
and second place holders were
dropped due to their inability to
comply with the contest rules. The
Yiumber three place holders, Capt.
Frank Timmons of Ponce Inlet,
Fla., passed away after collecting
the largest buck of his life. Next in
line was Peaster, who was eager to
complete in the contest
Aug. 21, the shooting competi
tion took place in the Georgia Liv
ing Building, with each of the con
Phil
Clark
Home
Journal
Sports
current Lady Hornets, according
to Johnson.
"We have competition at virtu
ally every position, and I think
that is what will make us a
stronger team this year. I’ve told
the girls that everything is open,
and they really have a spirit of
competition about them,” John
son said.
"We will also have a squad of
players this year who have more
versatility than in the past. Sev
eral players can play more than
one position,” she added.
For instance, during spirited
pre-season practices, Johnson
worked several combinations of
players around the infield. Short
stop Stephanie Thompson
| The night for ties?]
the Trojans mounted a 13-
play. 56-yard drive that ate
up over half the first quar
ter. The drive ended when
Westfield’s defense finally
stiffened and forced a fum
ble at their own 15-yard
line.
The Hornet's Kory
Kitchens claimed the ball
for Westfield, and Westfield
fans could breath a little
easier.
An illegal procedure call
on the Hornets’ very first
offensive play put them
back at their own 10-yard
See TIE, Page 8A
JB
Wed., Sept. 8, 1999
Page 6A
testants using a pellet gun to
break a clay target at various
ranges. Those who missed were
eliminated and soon only three
individuals were left in the contest
Peaster. Hugh Green (former
DNR Conservation Ranger for
Houston County) and Ray Pilcher
of Conyers.
In the final stage, the clay tar
get had been exchanged for a
smaller raw egg and the three
shooters had been moved back to
the 60-foot line. The viewing
gallery' stood on tiptoes and held
its breath as Green stepped up
first, and missed!
Pilcher than took his turn with
the same results. The crowd was
surely wondering if anyone could
break the egg. The last contestant
was Peaster who looked calm and
collected as he took the pellet gun,
See GUN, Page 8A
appears to be set at that posi
tion, and newcomer Patty Dudley
is looking good at second base.
But Dudley can also play short
stop. which will allow Johnson to
rest Thompson if she desires.
Thompson, a starter last year, is
still only a freshman.
It’s at the corners that John
son is most pleased. “We have
Hannah Barrett and Amber Hun
nicutt who can play either first or
third. Rebecca Dudley is solid at
first base, which opens up even
more options for me," Johnson
said. “Rebecca could also play on
our B-team so that she can gain
a lot of playing time." Ed note:
Dudley is starting on the varsity
and will not play with the B-team
as expected before the season
started).
There’s also some competition
in the outfield, where only Lau
ren Byrd departed. Anne Peake,
Stephanie Burdeshaw, Rachel
Moore and Emily Bennett all
played last year, and newcomer
Brittany Sullivan is making a bid
for playing time, though she will
play with the B-team.
The competition will make the
'<■ v ' '■: '■:■ ■■■■:'■ »&.■..■■:• ' x-^.^ ; V?Sef^^^
|fe§?
:Vf'■ : : ■;
Perry ties Vidalia then drops
overtime period to Indians
By ALLINE KENT
Home Journal Sports
With the exception of the
gathering of Vidalia fans
who traveled up for the
game, the outcome was not
to the liking of the sizable
crowd gathered at the Pan
ther Pit Sept. 3.
But those who witnessed
Vidalia’s 28-21 defeat
hometown favorite Perry,
would have to agree on one
thing. It was great game.
The game was the sea
son opener for both Geor
gia High School Associa
tion teams.
“We are disappointed in
the loss but these are
coachable things,” said
Perry head coach George
Pollino “TViPoc- ♦ Vrinrii'
w ~**~* w * *** •“**&-
that we can improve.
“The effort was there,
that is very encouraging.
We are in shape, we just let
outfield even stronger. And there
will not be a senior among them!
Patty Dudley could end up as an
outfield starter.
Erin Adkins is back at the
catcher’s position.
“I am very comfortable with
Erin behind the plate. She pro
tects the turf, so to speak, and is
not afraid to make the plays at
the plate, which is very impor
tant in softball," Johnson said.
“I’m counting on Julee Todd to
do the pitching. I would be
pleased if Julee could pitch every
inning, every' pitch. But I also
have an up-and-comer in Aman
da Murph, who will travel with
the varsity, and will pitch the B
team games," the coach said.
Todd will be looked to as the
team leader, according to John
son. “Because she is the pitcher,
and she is involved in every play,
every pitch. 1 feel Julee can take
the leader's role and run with it.
She will be sort of like a quarter
back in that we will be involved
in everything." Johnson said.
Hunnieutt and Patty Dudley
will be the only seniors on the
team. Dudley is a transfer from
Houston Horn Journal
them believe they could
win early," Collins said.
Early was 14 seconds
into the game when Vidalia
took a 7-0 lead. The Perry
offense fumbled the open
ing kickoff. Vidalia recov
ered and took over at the
27-yard line and then took
only the next play to score
the touchdown.
Late in the first quarter,
with a lst-and-goal situa
tion. the Indians fumbled
themselves, but retained
possession losing three
yards on the play. Perry's
Morris Clarington and
Philip Gentry made the
stop on second down but
the Indians managed to
run into the end zone on
♦ Vir»« r Movt ♦n »
The Panthers battled
back starting with a early
second quarter drive.
Michael Robinson caught a
BgapTr ' IJU
Home Journal Photo by John Trussell
THE WINNER Perry teen-ager Kirk Peaster, 15, checks out the
new pickup truck he won from Georgia Outdoor News.
Home Journal Photos by Jj
Johnson
CHECKING THE
WOUNDED
Perry Panther
Head Football
Coach George
Collins (left) lis
tens as Physician
Gerald Brantley
(middle) reports on
junior Rashad
Wynn (on ground)
late in the game
against Vidalia.
Assisting are
trainers from
Perry Hospital.
bullet down near the 14-
yard line setting up a first
and-10 situation. Donovan
Kendrick, on the carry,
scored the touchdown and
the point after touchdown
kick by Gentry was good
for a 14-7 score.
Perry's defense closed
down the Vidalia offense,
allowing no Indian first
downs until after the Pan
ther’s tied the score 14 all.
It was late in the fourth
quarter when the Panthers
answered back. Donovan
Kendrick's run got the
Perry first down on the 45-
yard-line with about five
minutes left in the game.
Again Kendrick carried
the ball for another first
rjniirn A ffpr n lore nf fnnr
on first down, Perry gained
that back and found them-
See OVERTIME, Page 8A
Stratford and Johnson feels she
will be an asset because she
plays a position vacated by a
graduating senior. Dudley is an
excellent hitter.
Ann Adams will also travel
with the varsity, although she
will be the catcher for the B
team. Adams, Murph and Sulli
van will all be doing double duty,
playing with both the varsity and
B-team.
Another addition to the team
Johnson is elated about is Jean
Davis. “I tried and tried to get her
to commit, but she wasn’t sure
at first, but she finally agreed to
it," said Johnson.
“She brings so many intangi
bles to the table. She has been
here at Westfield for a long time,
and all of the girls know her and
respect her," Johnson continued.
“Besides being an outstanding
athlete in her own right, Davis
knows how to communicate with
the players, and they feel com
fortable with her. And so do I. I
know that I can depend on Jean
to point out things that I over
see CLARK, Page 8A