East Jackson’s second loss this season somewhat mirrored its first.
The Eagles (4-2) found themselves on the short end of another 1-0 pitchers’ duel, this time falling to Cherokee Bluff Wednesday at home in non-region action. East Jackson lost to Apalachee 1-0 back on Feb. 18.
Eagle coach Tedd Sims — whose team was coming off a 7-2 win over Cherokee Bluff Tuesday — called the close loss “a growing process.”
“It’s all about a process,” he said. “Doing the right things every night, playing the game hard every night, and if you get in a buzz saw like this and you come away with a 1-0 loss, you tip your hat to the other team.”
The Bears scored the lone run of Wednesday’s game with an RBI single from Jackson Kemp in the top of the sixth inning.
Cherokee Bluff starter Dylan Kautz threw five no-hit innings before East Jackson broke-up the no-hit bid in the sixth inning. Kautz allowed two hits and struck out 10 batters in six innings of work.
East Jackson starter Cole Sealey threw six innings, allowing four hits and one unearned run with five strikeouts, but was unable to finish out the game after injuring himself while throwing an off-speed pitch in the seventh inning.
“I just know he’s a tough competitor and he’s in a lot of pain,” Sims said. “It’s tough.”
Sealey possibly sustained an elbow injury to his throwing arm, but Sims didn’t want to speculate.
“He said it was his elbow, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” he said. “It could just potentially be a pulled muscle and that’s what I’m hoping for.”
Freshman Brayden Redding came on in relief of Sealey and threw a perfect seventh inning.
“I just told him, you never know when your shot is going to be called, and he went out there and got three-straight outs,” Sims said. “He did a great job. I’m proud of him.”
East Jackson missed its best chance to score in the fourth inning when it put runners on second and third with one out, and then later loaded the bases with two outs, but came away empty.
“We didn’t have the timely hit tonight that we had last night against these guys,” Sims said. “Coach (Jeremy) Kemp, he does a good job. We played college ball together, so we know one another very well, and I knew his guys were going to be ready to battle today. I wouldn’t expect anything less. We just competed and fought and battled and you tip your hat to them.”
Sims reiterated his concern for Sealey after the loss.
“Right now, my number one concern is Cole, and (we’ll) just see where we go,” he said.
The Eagles host Riverside Military Friday at 6 p.m.
•EAST JACKSON 7, CHEROKEE BLUFF 2 (TUESDAY): Prior to losing 1-0 on Wednesday, the Eagles went on the road Tuesday and scored four runs in the third inning and three in the sixth inning to pick up a win over Cherokee Bluff.
Halton Hardy threw a complete-game gem, allowing five hits and two runs with 10 strikeouts. He walked just one batter.
The Eagles finished with 14 hits.
Cole Sealey went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and an RBI. Jarrett Pursley went 3-for-4 as well with an RBI. Others with multi-hit games were Caleb Adair (2-for-3, RBI) and Josh Compton (2-for-4).
Entries from February 2019
Tennis: Lady Leopards defeat East Jackson in recent action
The Banks County Lady Leopards defeated East Jackson 4-1 on Tuesday.
The Lady Leopards got wins from Chloe Smith and Jaden Hoard in singles. Both won in straight sets. Jill Martinet and Betsy Chambers spearheaded the doubles play with a straight-sets win. Mikayla Beckett and Aspen Davis won their match in three sets.
On Monday, the Lady Leopards lost to Hart County 3-2. Hoard at No. 2 singles and Martinet and Chambers from No. 1 doubles secured the two wins.
The Leopards fell to East Jackson 3-2. Ronnie Jones scored a win in singles and the duo Garrett Presley and Luke Barnett won in straight sets. The Leopards were swept 5-0 on Monday.
The Lady Leopards got wins from Chloe Smith and Jaden Hoard in singles. Both won in straight sets. Jill Martinet and Betsy Chambers spearheaded the doubles play with a straight-sets win. Mikayla Beckett and Aspen Davis won their match in three sets.
On Monday, the Lady Leopards lost to Hart County 3-2. Hoard at No. 2 singles and Martinet and Chambers from No. 1 doubles secured the two wins.
The Leopards fell to East Jackson 3-2. Ronnie Jones scored a win in singles and the duo Garrett Presley and Luke Barnett won in straight sets. The Leopards were swept 5-0 on Monday.
Soccer: BC suffers sweeps in recent action
Olivia Duphily scored the Banks County Lady Leopards' lone goal during Tuesday's 6-1 home loss to Union County. It was the first Region 8-AA game of the season.
The girls also lost to Stephens County 9-1 last Friday. Roxie Coley scored the team's only goal.
The boys' team suffered a 5-0 loss Tuesday to Union County and saw Stephens County squeak by 3-2 last Friday. Erwin Durmic scored the team’s two goals in last Friday's loss. Both goals were unassisted.
Region 8-AA play continues Friday at home against Social Circle.
The girls also lost to Stephens County 9-1 last Friday. Roxie Coley scored the team's only goal.
The boys' team suffered a 5-0 loss Tuesday to Union County and saw Stephens County squeak by 3-2 last Friday. Erwin Durmic scored the team’s two goals in last Friday's loss. Both goals were unassisted.
Region 8-AA play continues Friday at home against Social Circle.
Track and Field: BC hosts 1st home meet of 2018
Among the soggy conditions last Thursday, the Banks County track and field team competed at home. Even in the tough conditions, though, several competitors performed well, according to head coach Will Foster.
“Overall I thought we performed well,” Foster said. “I could tell that we had not been able to practice outside all week, especially in our more technical events.
“It is hard to mimic some movements indoors. We had some very good performances out of several distance runners. Griffin Stephens was about two seconds off of the school record in the 3,200. Destinie Martin also had a big PR in the 3,200. A lot of our field events and hurdle events were affected by the rain, so while the kids threw, ran and jumped well, it did not necessarily show in their times and distances.”
The team doesn’t compete again until March 7 at Commerce. Between now and then, Foster hopes his group can get “quality work” done during practice.
“For our running events I want to be able to have several quality workouts to help us get into shape and build a little confidence,” he said. “For our technical events I want us to really focus on holding our form throughout the events, even when we are tired or in nervous situations.”
“Overall I thought we performed well,” Foster said. “I could tell that we had not been able to practice outside all week, especially in our more technical events.
“It is hard to mimic some movements indoors. We had some very good performances out of several distance runners. Griffin Stephens was about two seconds off of the school record in the 3,200. Destinie Martin also had a big PR in the 3,200. A lot of our field events and hurdle events were affected by the rain, so while the kids threw, ran and jumped well, it did not necessarily show in their times and distances.”
The team doesn’t compete again until March 7 at Commerce. Between now and then, Foster hopes his group can get “quality work” done during practice.
“For our running events I want to be able to have several quality workouts to help us get into shape and build a little confidence,” he said. “For our technical events I want us to really focus on holding our form throughout the events, even when we are tired or in nervous situations.”
Baseball: Leopards sweep Clarke Central in Monday doubleheader
With last week bringing a lot of rain, Monday provided the perfect backdrop for the first doubleheader of the season for the Banks County High School basebal team.
The Leopards took advantage of the nice weather by putting up 27 runs in two games and defeating Clarke Central 13-2 and 14-9. The Leopards have a home doubleheader on Friday against Union County to open Region 8-AA play.
“The guys have worked hard and prepared for this,” head coach Peyton Hart said after the wins. “They really work at being ready when opportunities arise. I think that’s been engrained in our offseason training and our work.”
Hart added it is a good sight to see his team “take care of business” on their home turf, while having “fun.”
“Winning has become fun,” he said. “That’s our expectation.”
Hart said pitching set the tone for the doubleheader, starting with Tripp Williams in game one. The Leopards used six pitchers during both games.
“We’ve got to get better at communicating defensively in certain situations,” Hart said. “We’ll definitely clean that up, but when you have limited field time and limited practice time, some of that is kind of learn on the go.
“We had some guys playing out of position tonight, but we’ll clean it up. I’m excited about Friday. It’s a great opportunity. I was really glad to play a doubleheader before we played Union. Now we understand energy-wise and effort-wise what it takes...We’re excited about our group.”
In game one, the Leopards jumped out to a 5-0 first-inning lead. Williams hit a two-run homer to start the scoring. The lead was extended to 6-0 on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the third.
The Leopards found five more runs in the fourth thanks to two doubles, two passed balls and a sacrifice fly. The final two runs came in the bottom of the sixth on a Parker Hobson double.
In game two, the Leopards fell behind 6-2. In the bottom of the third, though, the Leopards struck for six runs to take a 8-6 lead. The Leopards scored four of the six runs with two outs in the inning.
The Leopards added three more runs in the fourth. Runs came on an error by Clarke Central, a passed ball and an RBI groundout.
Clinging to a 11-9 lead in the bottom of the fifth, a Caden Cotton sacrifice fly gave the Leopards more breathing room at 13-9.
Kobe Westmoreland scored the game’s final run in the sixth on an errant throw.
The Leopards took advantage of the nice weather by putting up 27 runs in two games and defeating Clarke Central 13-2 and 14-9. The Leopards have a home doubleheader on Friday against Union County to open Region 8-AA play.
“The guys have worked hard and prepared for this,” head coach Peyton Hart said after the wins. “They really work at being ready when opportunities arise. I think that’s been engrained in our offseason training and our work.”
Hart added it is a good sight to see his team “take care of business” on their home turf, while having “fun.”
“Winning has become fun,” he said. “That’s our expectation.”
Hart said pitching set the tone for the doubleheader, starting with Tripp Williams in game one. The Leopards used six pitchers during both games.
“We’ve got to get better at communicating defensively in certain situations,” Hart said. “We’ll definitely clean that up, but when you have limited field time and limited practice time, some of that is kind of learn on the go.
“We had some guys playing out of position tonight, but we’ll clean it up. I’m excited about Friday. It’s a great opportunity. I was really glad to play a doubleheader before we played Union. Now we understand energy-wise and effort-wise what it takes...We’re excited about our group.”
In game one, the Leopards jumped out to a 5-0 first-inning lead. Williams hit a two-run homer to start the scoring. The lead was extended to 6-0 on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the third.
The Leopards found five more runs in the fourth thanks to two doubles, two passed balls and a sacrifice fly. The final two runs came in the bottom of the sixth on a Parker Hobson double.
In game two, the Leopards fell behind 6-2. In the bottom of the third, though, the Leopards struck for six runs to take a 8-6 lead. The Leopards scored four of the six runs with two outs in the inning.
The Leopards added three more runs in the fourth. Runs came on an error by Clarke Central, a passed ball and an RBI groundout.
Clinging to a 11-9 lead in the bottom of the fifth, a Caden Cotton sacrifice fly gave the Leopards more breathing room at 13-9.
Kobe Westmoreland scored the game’s final run in the sixth on an errant throw.
GIRLS' SOCCER: Jackson Co. off to strong start but ‘nowhere near a finished product’
Through three games, the Jackson County girls’ soccer season has been a carbon copy of the previous two years.
The seventh-ranked Panthers, two-time defending region champions, are scoring at a high rate and remaining stingy on defense in a 3-0 start against non-region opponents.
“The upperclassmen are focused because they view this as either their last shot or best shot at a state championship,” coach Matt Maier said. “The underclassmen are starting to realize how good we can be and are starting to push for playing time. I have been pleased with the final scores we have been getting, but we are nowhere near a finished product.”
The Panthers remained undefeated with a 6-0 win over Prince Avenue Christian at home last Wednesday. Lindsey Fowler scored two goals, and Serenity Castillo, Abbie Venable, Reagan Bewley and Melissa Ventura scored one goal each.
Jackson County has outscored its foes 22-1 in its 3-0 start.
But Maier said his team knows improvements must be made, especially in playing consistently for 80 minutes.
“The girls realize this and have been working hard to clean things up,” he said. “We really haven’t put together two strong halves yet, but that’s to be expected this time of year. We don’t want to peak in February, we want to be peaking in the middle of April and beginning of May.”
The seventh-ranked Panthers, two-time defending region champions, are scoring at a high rate and remaining stingy on defense in a 3-0 start against non-region opponents.
“The upperclassmen are focused because they view this as either their last shot or best shot at a state championship,” coach Matt Maier said. “The underclassmen are starting to realize how good we can be and are starting to push for playing time. I have been pleased with the final scores we have been getting, but we are nowhere near a finished product.”
The Panthers remained undefeated with a 6-0 win over Prince Avenue Christian at home last Wednesday. Lindsey Fowler scored two goals, and Serenity Castillo, Abbie Venable, Reagan Bewley and Melissa Ventura scored one goal each.
Jackson County has outscored its foes 22-1 in its 3-0 start.
But Maier said his team knows improvements must be made, especially in playing consistently for 80 minutes.
“The girls realize this and have been working hard to clean things up,” he said. “We really haven’t put together two strong halves yet, but that’s to be expected this time of year. We don’t want to peak in February, we want to be peaking in the middle of April and beginning of May.”
Tigers’ Pate finds college football home at Harding University
A month ago, Levi Pate was helping the Commerce wrestling team win its sixth-straight state duals title. This month, Pate was celebrating his opportunity to play college football.
On Feb. 6, the senior Tiger signed his letter of intent to play football at Harding University. The college is located in Arkansas. He joins former Tigers Cole Chancey and J’Varius Wood.
“I’m extremely pumped and excited, you know,” Pate said. “The recruiting process wasn’t a bad thing or anything, but I’m definitely excited to have that over with and done with and move on to what’s next.”
Pate chose Harding in part to his stepbrother, Chancey, being part of the program. He also said the program is the “college version of Commerce.”
“The coaches are highly motivated and enthusiastic about doing what’s right,” Pate said. “They do things the correct way.
“They’re just a great group of guys up there, good culture. Be an easy transition to what I’ve been learning here in high school to up there, and I’m extremely excited about it.”
Pate wasn’t the only one who signed on Feb. 6. He shared the stage with two teammates: Dylan Deaton and Caleb Mason, both of whom signed with Shorter.
“Beyond the fact that those guys are some of the best friends I’ve had in high school, they’re my brothers, because we’ve gone through the experience of playing high school ball together,” Pate said. “I was extremely proud and excited and beyond what I was doing, I was excited that I could be a part of what they were doing.
“Extremely excited for them and wish them the best for the future.”
Pate called Commerce head football coach Michael Brown a “great coach,” but an even better person during his time at Commerce.
“There’s something to be said about what he teaches off the field, what it means to be a man and how to hold yourself as a man,” Pate said. “Honestly, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I can say, for me, he’s been a second father figure in my life.
“You can’t take that lightly. He’s saying the right things to guys that, at a time in their life, need to hear that. He’s done nothing but help me, and help the guys around me, to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be.”
Pate’s biggest takeaway during his time as a Tiger, the bonds he formed with his teammates.
“Can’t ever take away the fact that the guys I’ve been with have been there for me and beyond football, just the relationships that you create through it,” Pate said. “It’s just something that I’ll never forget and never take for granted, the relationships I’ve built over this four-year span.”
On Feb. 6, the senior Tiger signed his letter of intent to play football at Harding University. The college is located in Arkansas. He joins former Tigers Cole Chancey and J’Varius Wood.
“I’m extremely pumped and excited, you know,” Pate said. “The recruiting process wasn’t a bad thing or anything, but I’m definitely excited to have that over with and done with and move on to what’s next.”
Pate chose Harding in part to his stepbrother, Chancey, being part of the program. He also said the program is the “college version of Commerce.”
“The coaches are highly motivated and enthusiastic about doing what’s right,” Pate said. “They do things the correct way.
“They’re just a great group of guys up there, good culture. Be an easy transition to what I’ve been learning here in high school to up there, and I’m extremely excited about it.”
Pate wasn’t the only one who signed on Feb. 6. He shared the stage with two teammates: Dylan Deaton and Caleb Mason, both of whom signed with Shorter.
“Beyond the fact that those guys are some of the best friends I’ve had in high school, they’re my brothers, because we’ve gone through the experience of playing high school ball together,” Pate said. “I was extremely proud and excited and beyond what I was doing, I was excited that I could be a part of what they were doing.
“Extremely excited for them and wish them the best for the future.”
Pate called Commerce head football coach Michael Brown a “great coach,” but an even better person during his time at Commerce.
“There’s something to be said about what he teaches off the field, what it means to be a man and how to hold yourself as a man,” Pate said. “Honestly, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I can say, for me, he’s been a second father figure in my life.
“You can’t take that lightly. He’s saying the right things to guys that, at a time in their life, need to hear that. He’s done nothing but help me, and help the guys around me, to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be.”
Pate’s biggest takeaway during his time as a Tiger, the bonds he formed with his teammates.
“Can’t ever take away the fact that the guys I’ve been with have been there for me and beyond football, just the relationships that you create through it,” Pate said. “It’s just something that I’ll never forget and never take for granted, the relationships I’ve built over this four-year span.”
Deaton heading to Shorter to play college football
During the Commerce Tigers’ Oct. 19 game at Towns County, the Tigers won 49-7. In the same win, though, the Tigers also lost as one of the senior stalwarts was injured.
Dylan Deaton left the game with a leg injury. He never played another down for the Tigers. With it, Deaton thought his chance to play college football was also done.
Little did he know that four months later he would be signing his letter of intent to play college football at Shorter University alongside teammates Caleb Mason (also a Shorter commit) and Levi Pate (Harding University commit).
“At first, it was really hard, because I didn’t think I was going to play college football,” Deaton said of the injury. “But then coach (Michael) Brown and the other coaches talked to me and said that I definitely could.
“So I just started working hard at therapy and trying to get healthy.”
During his senior campaign, Deaton rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns on 48 carries. He caught five passes and had one receiving touchdown. On defense, Deaton racked up 36 tackles.
“I decided to sign (at Shorter) because I visited there and I liked it a lot,” Deaton said. “The coaches are real young and enthusiastic. The people are really nice there.”
Deaton reflected back on what Brown meant to him during his time at Commerce, from the weight room to the recruiting process.
“The most important (impact) was probably the weight room, getting us all stronger,” Deaton said. “He helped a lot during the recruiting process, getting our names out there and stuff.”
During his time as a Tiger, Deaton said the game that stands out the most came during his sophomore year against Taylor County. The Tigers downed Taylor County 35-20. In that game, Deaton had a fourth-quarter interception and a fumble recovery, which sealed the second-round-playoff win.
Dylan Deaton left the game with a leg injury. He never played another down for the Tigers. With it, Deaton thought his chance to play college football was also done.
Little did he know that four months later he would be signing his letter of intent to play college football at Shorter University alongside teammates Caleb Mason (also a Shorter commit) and Levi Pate (Harding University commit).
“At first, it was really hard, because I didn’t think I was going to play college football,” Deaton said of the injury. “But then coach (Michael) Brown and the other coaches talked to me and said that I definitely could.
“So I just started working hard at therapy and trying to get healthy.”
During his senior campaign, Deaton rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns on 48 carries. He caught five passes and had one receiving touchdown. On defense, Deaton racked up 36 tackles.
“I decided to sign (at Shorter) because I visited there and I liked it a lot,” Deaton said. “The coaches are real young and enthusiastic. The people are really nice there.”
Deaton reflected back on what Brown meant to him during his time at Commerce, from the weight room to the recruiting process.
“The most important (impact) was probably the weight room, getting us all stronger,” Deaton said. “He helped a lot during the recruiting process, getting our names out there and stuff.”
During his time as a Tiger, Deaton said the game that stands out the most came during his sophomore year against Taylor County. The Tigers downed Taylor County 35-20. In that game, Deaton had a fourth-quarter interception and a fumble recovery, which sealed the second-round-playoff win.
BOYS' SOCCER: Jackson Co. off to 2-2 start under new coach after win over Prince Ave.
The Jackson County boys’ soccer team has won two of its first four games under first-year coach Jason Guzzardo, though more wins were possibly within the team’s grasp during this early stretch of the season.
“After four matches, we expected ourselves to have had a bit more favorable results, but a few costly mistakes in two closely-contested matches have cost us early thus far,” Guzzardo said.
The Panthers (2-2) returned to action this past Tuesday in its region opener against Franklin County, but results of that game weren’t known at press time. Jackson County hosts Oconee County Friday (7:30 p.m.) and North Oconee Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).
Jackson County opened the season with a 3-1 win over Banks County Feb. 5 before dropping games to Winder-Barrow (3-0) Feb. 7 and Mt. Pisgah Christian (2-1) Feb. 16. The Panthers evened their record last Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Prince Avenue Christian. In the victory, Ryan Xiong scored in the 13th minute, off an assist from Ashton Parnell, and Erick Rodriquez scored in the 55th minute on a penalty kick as the Panthers picked up the non-region win in a driving rain. The game included a 30-minute lightning delay. Goal keeper Parker Garrison recorded three saves in his third start, earning his first shutout. Jackson County out-shot Prince Avenue 17-3.
Guzzardo said his team has benefitted this season from playing a deep roster in multiple positions and systems that best fit its personnel. Meanwhile, the mistakes that cost his team games “are fixable and have been addressed as we head into region play,” the coach said.
Guzzardo also said this team has already bought into a new culture and philosophy that he began implementing during the fall.
“These young men also have shown great perseverance and patience in the learning curve of our brand of soccer while continuing to focus on one game at a time,” he said.
“After four matches, we expected ourselves to have had a bit more favorable results, but a few costly mistakes in two closely-contested matches have cost us early thus far,” Guzzardo said.
The Panthers (2-2) returned to action this past Tuesday in its region opener against Franklin County, but results of that game weren’t known at press time. Jackson County hosts Oconee County Friday (7:30 p.m.) and North Oconee Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).
Jackson County opened the season with a 3-1 win over Banks County Feb. 5 before dropping games to Winder-Barrow (3-0) Feb. 7 and Mt. Pisgah Christian (2-1) Feb. 16. The Panthers evened their record last Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Prince Avenue Christian. In the victory, Ryan Xiong scored in the 13th minute, off an assist from Ashton Parnell, and Erick Rodriquez scored in the 55th minute on a penalty kick as the Panthers picked up the non-region win in a driving rain. The game included a 30-minute lightning delay. Goal keeper Parker Garrison recorded three saves in his third start, earning his first shutout. Jackson County out-shot Prince Avenue 17-3.
Guzzardo said his team has benefitted this season from playing a deep roster in multiple positions and systems that best fit its personnel. Meanwhile, the mistakes that cost his team games “are fixable and have been addressed as we head into region play,” the coach said.
Guzzardo also said this team has already bought into a new culture and philosophy that he began implementing during the fall.
“These young men also have shown great perseverance and patience in the learning curve of our brand of soccer while continuing to focus on one game at a time,” he said.
Jackson Co. youth wrestlers dominate in ‘Bama tourney
Three Jackson County wrestlers won their divisions, while three others finished as runners up in the Alabama Super State tournament Saturday.
The tournament featured state champions from multiple states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana.
“So, we decided to go to get some good competition — which it was very good competition,” coach Allen Spry said.
The event served as a warm-up for Georgia state tournament for these wrestlers. That tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday in Perry.
In the Alabama tournament, Robert Spry (10U, 70 pounds), Donovan Spry (10U, 55 pounds) and Dylan Ransom (10U, 75 pounds) each placed first in their weight divisions, while Deacon Wiley (10U, 85-90 pounds), Kamryn Spry (6U, 45 pounds) and Daelin Spry 8U, 50 pounds) all took second place in their respective divisions. Josh White actually placed twice in the 10U division, taking sixth in the 67-pound class and fifth in the 70-pound class.
Robert Spry pulled off a major victory in winning his bracket, defeating an Alabama state champion and a two-time Georgia state champion in taking a first-place medal. He won all his matches, including the state finals, via technical fall. Meanwhile, Donovan Spry went unbeaten in his bracket, as did Ransom, who took home a title in only his second year as a wrestler.
“He was really wrestling good, hard and fast,” coach Spry said of Ransom.
Wiley, an 85-pounder, earned a tough draw in the tournament as both the 85 and 90-pound classes were combined. Wiley lost in the finals to a 90-pound champion from Alabama.
Kamryn Spry, only in his second year of wrestling, fell in the 6U, 45-pound finals to a two-time champion from Alabama. White, in pulling double duty in the 10U class, wrestled eight matches in about three hours in a busy day on the mat.
“I was proud of all them,” coach Spry said. “We went up there and we represented well.”
Spry said for a group of wrestlers, not only from Georgia, but from the same county, to dominate is it did made a statement.
“Again, it’s just another stepping stone to see that we’re on our way and we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.
Over a dozen Jackson County wrestlers are scheduled to wrestle in this weekend’s state meet.
The tournament featured state champions from multiple states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana.
“So, we decided to go to get some good competition — which it was very good competition,” coach Allen Spry said.
The event served as a warm-up for Georgia state tournament for these wrestlers. That tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday in Perry.
In the Alabama tournament, Robert Spry (10U, 70 pounds), Donovan Spry (10U, 55 pounds) and Dylan Ransom (10U, 75 pounds) each placed first in their weight divisions, while Deacon Wiley (10U, 85-90 pounds), Kamryn Spry (6U, 45 pounds) and Daelin Spry 8U, 50 pounds) all took second place in their respective divisions. Josh White actually placed twice in the 10U division, taking sixth in the 67-pound class and fifth in the 70-pound class.
Robert Spry pulled off a major victory in winning his bracket, defeating an Alabama state champion and a two-time Georgia state champion in taking a first-place medal. He won all his matches, including the state finals, via technical fall. Meanwhile, Donovan Spry went unbeaten in his bracket, as did Ransom, who took home a title in only his second year as a wrestler.
“He was really wrestling good, hard and fast,” coach Spry said of Ransom.
Wiley, an 85-pounder, earned a tough draw in the tournament as both the 85 and 90-pound classes were combined. Wiley lost in the finals to a 90-pound champion from Alabama.
Kamryn Spry, only in his second year of wrestling, fell in the 6U, 45-pound finals to a two-time champion from Alabama. White, in pulling double duty in the 10U class, wrestled eight matches in about three hours in a busy day on the mat.
“I was proud of all them,” coach Spry said. “We went up there and we represented well.”
Spry said for a group of wrestlers, not only from Georgia, but from the same county, to dominate is it did made a statement.
“Again, it’s just another stepping stone to see that we’re on our way and we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.
Over a dozen Jackson County wrestlers are scheduled to wrestle in this weekend’s state meet.
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