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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