Sports

BY RUSS RAGAN
It took a while, but the Falcons have finally got a new head coach and yes he is offensive minded and that’s a good thing. I think the Birds will contend more sooner than later in the NFC South. It is getting close to the scheduled start of Spring Training and the Browns still have some business to take care of.
Let’s start with the biggest news of the week. The Falcons have named Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as head coach. He has done a really good job as play caller, of course it doesn’t hurt having Derek Henry as a great back.
Another big piece is the possibility of hiring Dean Pars as defensive coordinator. He is known to be very apprehensive in play calling and he loves to blitz. He coached with Smith at Tennessee. He is currently retired but word is he is a chance to come.
The big challenge for Smith and staff is what to do with the fourth pick of the draft. If they stay at number four, they must take a quarterback. Zach Wilson from Brigham Young will be there and possibly Justin Fields as well. The second option is trading down to say number 19 to Washington and take Mac Jones from Alabama or Trey Lance from North Dakota State. The deal should include a second round pick and maybe a future number one. I also expect an early second round pick at running back. Travis Etienne from Clemson would be good with me and he catches a ball well out of the backfield.
The bottom line is this; Matt Ryan probably will be the quarterback in 2021. I think it’s time to draft his replacement for the 2022 season. I also think it’s time to draft a true workhorse running back. I think that is the way they should go in round two.
We have better than three months to discuss this one.
If you watched the Tampa-New Orleans game Sunday, you should have noticed one thing, the NFC South is getting old.
We probably saw Drew Brees in his final game and honestly he looked old.
Who will be the replacement? Jameis Winston doesn’t scare me at all. Then there is Tom Brady and Tampa Bay. He will be back in Tampa next year at 44 and honestly his best days are behind him. Will Tampa be the 2021 favorite? Without any questions. The Falcons can be right there in 2022 but this draft can’t be missed.
As I was writing this Sunday night, it looks like the search for the general manager is over.
Terry Fontenot, the assistant at New Orleans will be named the headman in Atlanta real soon.
Hopefully, Spring Training is close by as the 2020 baseball off-season is almost over. I wouldn’t be shocked if things got delayed a little but MLV is hoping for a 162 game season. There is still no word on the DH in the national league.
It doesn’t look like Ozuna will be a Brave as his price will be too high.
Names like Peterson, Brantley and a possible Kris Bryan trade should heat up soon as the Cubs are really moving payroll.

BY RUSS RAGAN
Despite neither team playing, there was news on the Falcons and Bulldogs front. The Dogs have several key returners and the offense should be really good. The Falcons have the fourth overall pick in April’s draft plus they have a fourth place schedule which is nice. There are reports that there is a favorite for the head coaching job and it’s a surprise.
Nothing really to report on the Braves front but I have some ideas.
It was a good week on the Bulldog front. Players have until this Friday the 15th to announce if they are returning for another season by the NCAA. The defense got a boost as Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis are coming back. No word yet from Zamir “Zeus” White. I do think he will be back. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem for the Dogs this fall.
There hasn’t been a whole lot of winning in Falcon land, but their losing has helped things out. We do have good news to report. The 2021 schedules are out and it’s doable for the Birds. They have the home games with the Saints, Bucs and Panthers. After that things get a lot easier. Of the remaining ten teams only two made the 2020 playoffs. Buffalo is very good, no question about it. The other is the Washington football team and they are very beatable.
The second part of good news is they have the fourth pick in April’s draft. The big question is do you draft a quarterback? Zach Wilson from BYU and Justin Fields will possibly be there. Personally, I don’t think the Birds leave Fields there at number four. They could trade down and add picks. We will talk more about that as time goes on.
There is even still more Falcons news and this one is about the next head coach. It looks like the early favorite is Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady. He was also in the same position in 2019 for the college national champion LSU. He is only 31, does that scare anybody out there?
The other big interior went to Kansas City Chief offensive coordinator Eric Bienieiz. He is the hot candidate across the league. Personally, I would take either one and it does excite me that both are offensive guys. The next three plus months should be interesting in Falcons land.
Let’s wrap up with the Braves. In the 2019 off season they picked up Cole Hanels, bad move, and Will Smith, improved as the year went along. In the 2020 off season, they picked up Charlie Morton. A move I liked, add Drew Smyley a move I don’t dislike just like last year things have gotten really quiet.
The Mets did make a real big deal as they got shortstop Francisco Lendor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco.
The Mets give up descent prospects in the deal but they are paying pretty much by contracts.
So, what will the Braves do? Well they could bring back Ozuna and hope the designated hitter comes back at least by 2022. They could trade for Kris Bryant from the Cubs as he will be a free agent at the end of the season, but you can’t overpay in prospects. Don’t rule out Michael Brantley or Joe Peterson for the last outfield spot. The Braves should do something soon for the offense.

BY RUSS RAGAN
There is a lot of football news to report and I am happy to say nearly all of it went really well. The Falcons “finished the drill” they made things interesting before losing 44-27 to Tampa Bay. It took all the Bulldogs had but they found a way in a 24-21 win over Cincinnati. Dodge County and former bulldog Leonard Floyd wrapped up a really good regular season with the Rams.
Let’s start with the bulldogs as they played undefeated Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl. Things didn’t look good as they trailed 21-10 going to the fourth quarter but things came together late in the 24-21 win. It was only an okay day for Daniels despite the numbers. He threw for 392 yards including a really good two-minute drill. George Pickens had 7 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown.
The big story was the Georgia defense and red shirt sophomore Azeez Ojulari. The defensive end had three sacks and a forced fumble in the win. He will go to the NFL draft and rightly so. He is currently projected to go in the first round.
Okay, back to the game. The dogs tailed 21-19 with 7 seconds to go. Sophomore kicker, Jack Podlesny lined up for a career long 53-yard field goal. He hit it flush with a nice little draw and dead down the middle for the 22-21 lead.
Ojulari got a sack in the end zone for the final points.
So, what’s next for the dogs? Well, they will finish in the top ten once again. Hopefully, Daniels, White and company will mostly come back for a really good chance for a special 2021 season.
Speaking of the bulldogs and Dodge County Indian, Leonard Floyd has had a really good year with the Rams. He picked up a sack and he had a quarterback hit in the Rams 18-7 must win over Arizona. He had 9 ½ sacks for the season for the layoff bound Rams.
Sunday’s missions were simple for the Falcons. Lose and they draft no worse than fourth in April’s draft. A win and they could fall as far as number 13. Things started good as Brady and Tampa Bay lead 23-10 at the half. Of course, the Falcons would make things close as it was 23-20 going into the fourth quarter. Fortunately, Brady got hot again in he fourth quarter for the 44-27 final.
So, what happens now? Well, they will pick fourth in April’s draft. Do you take a quarterback? Keep in mind, Matt Ryan will be the starter in 2021 because he has a massive 40 plus millions dollar cap hit. I do take the quarterback. Either Justin Fields, who looked good against Clemson or Zach Wilson from BYU will be there in the fourth spot. They can also trade down some and get maybe Mac Jones from Alabama? There are several ways they can do this.
The team made news Sunday night as they announced they will be interviewing Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the job. He is top pick for job openings. Personally, I would love him or any high-powered offensive coordinator. I have had it with defensive coaches.
I am sure there will be plenty of rumors soon.

BY RUSS RAGAN
Okay! Here we go once more! The Falcons blow another big lead to Tom Brady, but this time it’s not a bad thing. I will explain. The Bulldogs don’t get a regular finale but a New Year’s six bowl against Cincinnati. There are several reports that as many as five players, mostly defensive, back out. Ok, let’s get started.
Oh the Falcons! Things started out just fine as they grabbed a 17-0 lead at the half against Tampa Bay. Ryan had a pair of touchdowns. Then came the second half. The lead was 24-7 not 28-3 when Brody went to work. The 43 year old threw for 390 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 31-27 come from behind win. Unlike the heart breaking super bowl loss, this one was possibly a franchise revamping game.
The loss now moves the Falcons to the number four spot in the draft next spring. There are two games left but only one seems to be a sticking point. This Sunday, the Birds go to Kansas City. This one still means something to the defending champs, so it should be safe. The finale against Tampa concerns me. IF the Bucs have anything to play for, things are fine but if they don’t, it’s winnable against Tampa Bay backups. A wins would hurt things, just ask the Jets.
If the Falcons get the fourth spot, who do you take? Do you take Justin Fields as your quarterback in 22? Matt Ryan will be back next year so he would have a year to learn. Do you take Florida’s great tight end Kyle Pitts? The options are limitless at the four spot. The Falcons need a pair of losses badly. I know the greatest fair of them all will be hoping for that so you can too.
The Bulldogs didn’t get a home finale as Vandy backed out for the second time. The Dogs once again get a New Year’s Eve six bowl against a hinging Cincinnati team in the Peach Bowl.
It will be a touch game as Cincy is good and the problem is, are the Bulldogs interested? Reports are senior captain Monty Rice and several others will not play. Starting corners Eric Stokes and Tepon Campbell also will sit out. Richard Le Counte is also expected not to play. Only Campbell is projected to go in the first two days of the draft.
This is a tough challenge for Coach Kirby Smart and staff. The Dogs had players before the loss to Texas two years ago and before the super bowl win over Baylor last year. This one may be tougher. The Bearcats are not a power five-conference team. Cincy is in the “group of five” conferences. This game is almost a no win sit down for the Dogs. Win and you should have won-lose and you are laughing stock losing to a group of five team! I hope Kirby can get his boys ready to play!

Dodge shuts out Swainsboro
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians cruised past the Swainsboro Tigers in the first round of the state playoffs. Dodge would get the ball first, and Swainsboro lined up for an obvious onside kick. Dodge sent in the good hands team to field the ball, but the kick failed to travel 10 yards giving Dodge possession at the Tiger 40 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Mikhail Carr handed to Keldrick Beck who raced untouched 40 yards for a touchdown on a jet sweep around right end. Mason Mangham split the uprights on the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Swainsboro put together a drive of its own with a series of short passes and runs, but the Dodge defense bowed its back when the Tigers reached the Dodge 37 yard line. Reco Caines sacked the quarterback for an eight yard loss. However, the Tigers got that and more back by completing a pass to the Dodge 19 yard line. On first down, Noah Cummings pressured the quarterback into the arms of Davis Marchant and Kade Harpe for a sack and a five yard loss. On second down, Jackson Bowen stopped the running back after a gain of four yards to the Dodge 20. On third down, Daylon Gordon and Tyrese Johnson went high in the air to defend a pass to the endzone. On fourth down, Cummings again sacked the quarterback for a five yard loss and a turnover on downs. That would prove to be Swainsboro’s best chance at points all night.
Neither team could do much offensively in their next two possessions, but Dodge gained field position thanks to Tiger penalties and a less than stellar Swainsboro punting game. Dodge began its fourth possession of the game at the Tiger 36 yard line. Gordon took it around right end breaking a tackle at the line of scrimmage and picking up a great block from Beck down field in route to a 36 yard touchdown run. Mangham’s extra point attempt was blocked due to penetration from the right side, and Dodge led 13-0.
Late in the first half, Dodge forced a Swainsboro punt when Cummings sacked the quarterback for an eight yard loss on third down. Harpe returned the punt eight yards to the Tiger 48 yard line. On first down, Gordon took the handoff and picked up four quick yards before being stood up by three defenders without going down. Kevin Sykes, Jr. realized Gordon was still on his feet and began to push Gordon forward for extra yardage. Linemen Cameron Gooch and Lane Poole joined Sykes, and eventually the whole Dodge Offense was pushing the pile down the field for another 17 yards from where Gordon was initially hit. Dodge would have a first down at the Tiger 27 yard line but could not score as a fourth down pass to Beck fell incomplete in the end zone.
Swainsboro went to the air and was able to reach the Dodge 28 yard line, but Caines delivered another sack and a four yard loss. Swainsboro would eventually turn it over on downs. The first half would end with Dodge leading 13-0. Things got worse for Swainsboro in the second half. Bowen put a hit on the backup quarterback that temporarily knocked him out of the game. The starter had previously left the game. The Tigers lined a running back up at the quarterback position who botched a handoff attempt that bounced off the ground and into the arms of Caines who returned the fumble 26 yards for a touchdown to give Dodge a 19-0 lead. An errant snap doomed the two point attempt.
Dodge would force two more three and outs by the Swainsboro Offense before Gordon took one in from 43 yards out for a touchdown. Mangham nailed the extra point to give Dodge a 26-0 lead. A snap over the head of the Tiger punter led to a 25 yard field goal by Mangham making the score 29-0 Dodge. A snap that rolled back to the Swainsboro punter led to a three yard touchdown run by Gordon making the final score Dodge 35 Swainsboro 0.
Gordon finished with 216 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns.
It was the third shutout for Dodge during its five game win streak.
Defensive leaders for Dodge were as follows: Reco Caines had seven tackles including two sacks and a 26 yard fumble return for a touchdown. Lamarie Mitchell had nine tackles. Jackson Bowen had eight tackles. Noah Cummings had seven tackles including two sacks. Jalon Jaynes had seven tackles. Kade Harpe had six tackles including ½ sack. Landynn Powers had six tackles. Keldrick Beck had four tackles and did a great job in coverage all night against some very tall Swainsboro receivers.
Dodge advances to the second round of the state playoffs to host Thomasville High on Friday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. The two teams have met four times in the state playoffs since 2006 with Dodge winning 20-13 in 2006 and 17-7 in 2016. Thomasville defeated Dodge 31-26 in 2019.
Thomasville figures to be the toughest opponent Dodge will have faced this year. The Bulldogs ranked #3 in AA by the Atlanta Journal Constitution are 7-4 on the year but those four losses have come to Brooks County (#3 in A-Public), Bainbridge (#6 in AAAA), Oconee County (#2 in AAA) and Fitzgerald (#1 in AA). The Bulldogs have defeated another ranked team (Early County #6 in AA). To say the Bulldogs have been tested is an understatement. Dodge is now 6-3 after a 1-3 start. This should be a great football game. Come out and support the Indians.





RUSS"S SPORTS REVIEW
By Russ Ragan
It was a wild but successful week in sports. The Braves stayed aggressive and signed another strong starting pitcher. The Bulldogs found their missing running fame and they blew out South Carolina. Then there were the Falcons. What can I say? It was their best game in years as they blasted the Raiders as we said goodbye to their biggest fan this week.
Seldom do the Falcons deserve top billing for good things but they did this week. The key number of this game is five. Kicker Younghoo Koo kicked five field goals including a 54 yarder. The defense really came to play. They had a season high five sacks. They had five additional quarter back hits. They also had five forced turnovers, which is the most in a while. They also had a pick six from Deron Jones. The Falcons’ offense wasn’t great, as Gurley and Julio Jones didn’t dress out in the 43-6 win. Hard to believe that the Raiders are the only team to beat the Chiefs.
This past week, my dad, Buddy Ragan passed away due to Covid. Everyone that knew him knew that he was a huge Falcons fan. It didn’t matter if it was the super bowl or pre-season, he watched every snap. I am sure he loved this game from the best seat in the house in heaven. I know he was really proud of the defense.
To stick with the football theme, it was a better game for the Bulldogs as they played South Carolina. The game was never in question but the running game made a comeback. Cook and White had a pair of touchdowns each and the team ran for 332 yards, only 432 more than the week before in the 45-16 win. J.T. Daniels had a solid game even although he wasn’t forced to do very much; He had 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Regular season play wraps up against winless Vandy this Saturday.
The biggest bit of Bulldog news is the reports that quarterback D’Wan Mathis will enter the transfer portal. That shouldn’t come as a surprise because there is no room for him. In addition to Daniels, who I hope comes back and not to the NFL, Carson Beck, a freshman and Vandergoff will be there next year as well. Mathis didn’t play well when given the chance. Mathis didn’t make the trip to South Carolina.
Let’s wrap up this week with the Braves. We all knew that the Braves had to address the starting pitching and they did. General Manager, Alex Anththropolis signed free agent Charlie Morton to go with Drew Smyley. Morton, as some of you may know, came up as a Brave. He struggled and was let go. He has had good years with Houston and Tampa Bay.
Personally, I really like both moves. Keep in mind Soroka probably won’t be ready for opening day. Both of these should take innings off of the bullpen. There are also reports that the team will make a multi year offer to Marcell Ozuna. I know the team is waiting for the decision on the designated hitter rule in the national league. A decision should come on that real soon.

Dodge dominates Waco to claim region title
By Joey Marchant
Dodge traveled to the House of Pain in Sandersville with their eyes firmly fixed on a Region 3AA title. Dodge dominated from start to finish for a 35-16 victory. Washington County (“Waco”) won the toss and deferred until the second half. Tyrese Johnson returned the opening kickoff 29 yards to the Dodge 34 yard line. Mikhail Carr started at the quarterback position and took the first snap gaining 15 yards around right end before being shoved out of bounds. Hunter Kirkley came in for Carr and handed to Daylon Gordon who ran 39 yards up the middle to the Waco eight yard line. Carr came back in and ran eight yards for a touchdown. Mason Mangham split the uprights on the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Mangham squibbed the kickoff, which was covered by Waco at its own 32 yard line. Waco runs two very distinct formations. They prefer to line up in a single wing and snap the ball to the State’s second leading rusher Malyk Walker. At other times they bring in a more traditional quarterback and four wide receivers. On first down, Lamarie Mitchell and Landynn Powers dropped Walker for a one yard loss. On second down, Noah Cummings dropped Walker for a one yard loss. Waco then went with a passing formation, but Keldrick Beck ran the quarterback out of bounds after a seven yard scramble to force a punt.
Kade Harpe was interfered with while making a fair catch of the punt, and Dodge picked up 15 yards on the penalty to start at the Waco 48 yard line. Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham got his foot into a 41 yard punt driving the returner backwards and causing him to fumble the football. Jonah Collins momentarily had a shot at the ball for Dodge, but the returner was able to cover it at his own four yard line.
Waco then went on a 91 yard drive all on the ground. However, Monterrius George led a third down stop at the Dodge five yard line to force a Waco field goal, which was good cutting the Dodge lead to 7-3.
Dodge would be unable to move the football on its next possession, and Mangham got off a 37 yard punt, which was fair caught at the Waco 38 yard line. Harpe would drop into his hook zone and intercept Waco’s pass returning it 6 yards to the Waco 36 yard line. Dodge would move the ball with the running of Carr and Gordon. Carr would eventually score on three yard run followed by another Mangham extra point to give Dodge a 14-3 lead.
Gordon and Carr also played defense for Dodge each coming up with first half interceptions deep in Dodge territory to thwart the Golden Hawks. The first half ended with Dodge leading 14-3, but Waco would get the ball to start the second half.
Mangham executed the squib kick, which Waco had trouble fielding, and Davis Marchant tackled the returner at his own 29. Waco attempted a pass out of the single wing, but Carr stayed home to defend on the play. Dodge held on two running plays, and a short Waco punt rolled dead at the Dodge 40 yard line. Carr ran 14 yards dragging a defender the last nine yards to the Waco 46 yard line. It appeared Waco had stopped Gordon short on third down, but grabbed him by the face mask resulting in a first down at the Waco 25 yard line. Carr would take it around right end for a 25 yard touchdown, and Mangham’s extra point made it 21-3 Dodge.
Jaylon Jaynes dropped the returner at the 26 yard line. A holding penalty on first down backed the Golden Hawks up, and Reco Caines sacked the quarterback on the Waco 9 yard line. Waco would commit two more penalties before Caines and Beck converged to force a receiver to come down out of bounds after making a catch on third down.
Harpe fair caught the punt on the Waco 45 yard line. Gordon broke off a 20 yard run on first down to the Waco 25 yard line. Eventually Gordon would take it in for the touchdown from 1 yard out. Mangham’s kick gave Dodge a 28-3 lead.
Waco would mount another drive, but Jackson Bowen forced a fumble that Cummings recovered at the Dodge 10 yard line. Waco would add two late scores, and Gordon would add a 36 yard touchdown run to make the final score Dodge 35 Waco 16.
Gordon rushed for 190 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns while Carr rushed for 91 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns. Georgia High School Football Daily recognized the Dodge offensive line of Clay Lee, Chanler Neill, Jarred Frost, Cameron Gooch, Lane Poole and Davis Marchant as one of its lines of distinction this week.
With the win and the cancellation of the Southwest game, Dodge clinched the region championship and will host Swainsboro at home in the first round of the state playoffs on November 27.



Lady Indians named to first and second teams by Maxpreps
By Russ Ragan
The all region 3-AA softball team has been released. The Lady Indians had three players on the first team and five more on the second team. Dodge finished ranked number seven in AA in the poll by Maxpreps.
Dodge was lead by senior third baseman Logan White. She was name region player of the year and first team third baseman. White hit .419 on the year while leading Dodge with seven homers and 27 RBI’s. She also led Dodge with 31 hits. She was also four for four in stolen bases.
Joining White on the first team was sophomore catcher Ava Roland. She was the Lady Indians leading hitter with a .433 average. Roland had three homers and 18 RBI’s. She was second on the team with 26 hits.
The third member of the first team was freshman pitcher, Brooke Perdue. She was 9-3 on the year with a 2.36 ERA. She had nine complete games including a shutout. At the plate she had four doubles a triple and 11 RBI’s.
Leading the Lady Indians on the second team was senior first baseman Gracie Lewis. She hit .391 on the year with five doubles, a triple and she was second on the team with 20 RBIs.
Next up was freshman center fielder Ava Maxwell. She was sensational in the field and was the leadoff hitter for Dodge. Maxwell led the team with 26 runs scored, 16 walks and hit by pitch with seven. Maxwell led the team with a .500 on base percentage and her nine stolen bases were top for the team.
Next up, senior right fielder Bailey Harvey. She hit .317 on the season with two homers, two doubles, and a triple and 12 RBIs. Harvey was tied for second with hit by pitch with four and she stole two bases.
Next up, is junior short stop Makiyah Roberson. She hit .364 on the season. Robersonhad six doubles and 10 RBIs. Her three sacrifice flies led the team.
Wrapping up the second team is senior pitcher Linzy Bowen at the plate. She hit .304 and she stole two bases. On the mound she had four wins and six complete games. Bowen had 43 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched.

By Joey Marchant
Dodge shocks Northwest with 35-21 victory
Dodge won its third game in a row on Senior Night coming from behind to defeat the Northeast Raiders by a score of 35-21 and moved one step closer to a Region 3AA Championship. Northeast came in ranked 10th in the State sporting a 5-1 record and was undefeated in Region play having already defeated Bleckley County and Washington County.
Northeast won the toss and deferred. Davis Marchant took a short kickoff and got what he could up to the Dodge 34 yard line. Mikhail Carr lined up at quarterback for Dodge. On the second play from scrimmage, Carr attempted a handoff to Daylon Gordon, but the ball fell to the turf where Northeast pounced on it at the Dodge 30 yard line. Northeast used a short passing game early scoring on a four yard pass to take a 6-0 lead. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful.
Gordon fielded another short kickoff and returned it 25 yards to the Dodge 48 yard line. Three plays later, disaster struck again as Hunter Kirkley attempted to hand off to Gordon, and the ball again fell to the turf where Northeast pounced on it at the Dodge 48 yard line. This time the Dodge defense would hold forcing a three and out. The Northeast punter got off a good punt, and the ball rolled dead at the Dodge 5 yard line.
The Dodge offense could do nothing, and Mason Mangham came in to punt from his own end zone. The ball rolled dead at the Dodge 36 yard line, and Northeast had another golden opportunity. The Raiders moved to the Dodge 10 yard line, but penalties slowed them down. Facing fourth down on the Dodge 15 yard line, the Northeast quarterback rolled right to escape pressure from a blitzing Jackson Bowen. He could have easily ran for the first down and perhaps a touchdown, but he inexplicably tried to force the ball into a tight window in the end zone. Instead, Keldrick Beck batted the ball down.
The Dodge offense took over, and Kirkley hit Jalon Jaynes for 10 yards and a first down. However, after a five-yard run and a two-yard catch by Gordon, Dodge would remain short of a first down and have to punt. Mangham got off a 42-yard punt, and Northeast took over at its 26-yard line. Carr would intercept a third down pass and return it 41 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. A two-point attempt by Dodge failed.
Mangham drove the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Dodge forced a three and out after Beck went high in the air for a third down pass breakup. Northeast punted, and the ball rolled dead at the Raider 46-yard line. Carr came back in at quarterback and was unstoppable. Carr had runs of 14 yards and 12 yards. Gordon carried for 8 yards, but two penalties forced Dodge back to the Raider 22 yard line. Carr then ran 22 yards for a touchdown picking up a big block from Jayne’s downfield. The two-point attempt was no good, and Dodge led 12-6.
It was about this time that Northeast began to take control of the game and really pound the football on the ground mixing in short passes. Northeast went on an 18-play drive that ended with a touchdown and two point conversion leaving only 13.5 seconds left in the half. Northeast led 14-12 at halftime.
Northeast took the ball to start the second half and scored another touchdown on a nine-play 80-yard drive. The extra point gave northeast a 21-12 lead.
Gordon returned another short kickoff 20 yards to the Dodge 46 yard line. However, Dodge lost 24 yards on a bad snap. Center Pat Stevenson had been injured on the final play of the first half, and the Indians had to shuffle some guys around on the offensive line. This led to another three and out for Dodge. Mangham got off a 44-yard punt that rolled dead at the Northeast 36 yard line. Northeast continued to move the football and eat clock. The Raiders reached the Dodge two yard line in nine plays and seemed poised to put the game out of reach. However, the tide was about to turn. Northeast scored an apparent touchdown with 3:48 to play in the third quarter, but it was negated by a chop block. An illegal procedure penalty on Northeast followed. The ball was now on the Dodge 22 yard line where Kade Harpe ran the quarterback out of bounds for no gain on second down. On third down, Reco Caines sacked the quarterback for a 13 yard loss. After another penalty, Northeast would punt the football but only net 12 yards.
Trailing by nine points late in the third quarter, it was now or never for Dodge. On third down, every linemen executed his block, and Gordon juked the safety and outran the rest of the defense 64 yards for a touchdown. Mangham nailed the extra point, and Dodge cut the Raider lead to 21-19.
Mangham drove the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Landynn Powers dropped the running back for a two yard loss on first down. Harpe tackled the quarterback after a three-yard gain on second down. On third down, Powers and Harpe pressured the quarterback into throwing incomplete. The punter shanked another one, and it appeared the ball was going out of bounds. However, Harpe fielded it on a bounce and returned it 20 yards down the sideline to the Raider 15 yard line on the final play of the third quarter.
Another snap sailed over Kirkley’s head for a 15 yard loss. Then Kirkley’s pass was intercepted in the endzone and brought out to the Northeast 20 yard line. The Raiders would move the ball to the Dodge 44 yard line where Dodge forced a punt. The punt went only four yards before being fielded by Beck and returned 22 yards to the Raider 32 yard line. However, a blindside block on the return moved the ball back to the Dodge 40 yard line. Gordon ran 15 yards for a first down, and 15 more yards were tacked on for a late hit out of bounds. Gordon then ran 30 yards for a touchdown. Carr ran for a two-point conversion. Dodge led 27-21.
Lamarie Mitchell dropped the kickoff returner at the Raider 14 yard line. Northeast completed a 55-yard pass to the Dodge 30 yard line. Then Harpe recorded back to back sacks. A third down pass fell incomplete, and Carr and Sherman Clay successfully defended a fourth down pass in the end zone.
Dodge took over at its 42-yard line. Carr would subsequently run 46 yards for a touchdown, but the play was called back for an illegal formation. Two plays later, Gordon ran 44 yards for a touchdown getting a block from Marchant to seal the edge and a block from Tyrese Johnson downfield. Carr ran for the two-point conversion to make the final Dodge 35 Northeast 21.
Dodge improves to 4-3 overall. The win coupled with Washington County’s win over Bleckley County leaves Dodge, Northeast and Washington County in a three way tie for first place in Region 3AA. Dodge controls its own destiny, and can win a Region Championship with wins over Washington County and Southwest Macon. Dodge will travel to Sandersville to take on the Golden Hawks on Friday November 13 at 7:30 pm.




RUSS'S SPORTS REVIEW
BY RUSS RAGAN
It was another so so week for area sports favs. The good news, I guess, was the Falcons 34-27 win over Denver; the win hurts the chances of a top five draft pick.
Then, there were the Bulldogs. Things started out so well against Florida then things fell apart in the 41-28 loss. There is a little baseball news as the Silver Slugger awards were given out.
Let’s start things out with the Falcons. They almost saw another real big lead get away but they did hang on for a 34-27 win over Denver. Matt Ryan had another solid game with 284 yards and three touchdowns. The offense seems to be pretty strong despite not having Calvin Ridley able to go. The season would certainly be interesting if leads against Dallas, Chicago and Detroit would have stood up. The team certainly seems to be playing so much better after the coaching change. The 3-6 Falcons have games left with the Raiders, Chargers, world champion Chiefs and a pair of games against New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
Like I said earlier, things started out so well for Georgia. Zeus raced 75 yards on the game’s first play for a touchdown. After a quick three and out, Bennett hit freshman wide out Marcus Roseny- Jacksaint for another score and it’s 14-0 Georgia. Things at that very point went wrong. Jacksaint suffered a broken ankle and Bennett hurt his shoulder on the play. The Gators took over from there and rolled to a 41-28 win.
The question now is, what’s next for Georgia? First of all, figure out who is the next quarterback. Let’s face it, are Mathis or Bennett really the answer? The answer is unfortunately an obvious no. The Florida and Alabama games were way to big for either of them.
The final four games should be won, so that’s 8-2; not bad right? Wrong, Hard Richt would get 8-2 out of the team. The Dogs need to figure out next year’s quarterback right now! If Daniels is healthy let him play right now. If he isn’t it’s Carson Beck time. Let’s see what the kid can do.
Let’s wrap up things with the Selron Slugger awards. The Braves won four from the National League. Freddie Freeman at first base, he is also a finalist and favorite to win the MVP this week.
We should learn soon about the designated hitter for the national league. It’s the only way the Braves will be interested in bringing back Ozuna.

Dodge County Indians tame Lamar County, 38-0
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians may finally be hitting their stride. A week after shutting out Monticello, the Indians blanked Lamar County by a score of 38-0. You have to go back to 2007 to find Dodge recording consecutive shutouts. The 2007 team under the leadership of Coach Greg Robinson recorded five consecutive shutouts. Let’s be honest. Monticello and Lamar County are two of the weakest teams in Region 3AA this year. However, it is impressive any time you can shut out your opponent.
Tyrese Johnson took the opening kickoff back 31 yards to the Dodge 36 yard line. On the second play from scrimmage, Hunter Kirkley hit Johnson on a 39 yard pass play to the Lamar 22 yard line. The drive would ultimately stall, and Mason Mangham kicked a 25 yard field goal to give Dodge a 3-0 lead.
Lamar County fumbled on their second play from scrimmage, and Landynn Powers recovered the ball for Dodge at the Lamar 23 yard line. The Dodge Offense could not move, and Mangham missed a 44 yard field goal attempt. Lamar took possession of the ball, but Dodge forced a three and out. Kade Harpe fair caught the punt to give Dodge the ball at the Trojan 40 yard line. Harpe has done a good job of catching the football in the air and saving Dodge a great deal of yardage since being installed as the punt returner against Monticello. Dodge could not move the football giving up a sack on third down. Mangham got off a 46 yard punt, which Keldrick Beck downed at the Lamar County 1 yard line.
Dodge again forced a three and out, and Harpe fair caught the ball at the Trojan 40 yard line. Daylon Gordon had a 22 yard run. Later Kirkley hit Jalon Jaynes with a 23 yard touchdown pass. Jaynes caught the ball on a wide receiver screen and made the first defender miss. He then found a wall of blockers in Cameron Gooch, Jared Frost and Clay Lee. Jaynes outran the Trojans to the front pylon for the score. Mangham nailed the extra point, and Dodge led 10-0 in the second quarter. The teams then traded punts with Mangham angling one out of bounds at the Trojan 17 yard line.
Lamar was finally able to convert a first down, but soon faced a fourth and two yards to go. The Trojans lined up for the punt but instead snapped the ball to an up back who was immediately tackled by Noah Cummings a yard short of the first down. The official quickly signaled Dodge football, and the chains were moved and reset. Lamar’s head coach then demanded a measurement. The officials huddled and debated amongst themselves. Twice it looked like they would bring out the chains for a measurement. However, eventually the officials came to the same conclusion as the Dodge sideline and fans. You cannot go back and measure after moving the chains.
Dodge took over at the Trojan 31 yard line. After a couple of negative plays, Kirkley handed to Carr who ran 33 yards for a touchdown. Carr lined up as a slot receiver and took the handoff on a sweep left, but he found a crease and cut up field near the left hash mark outrunning everyone to the endzone. Mangham split the uprights on the extra point, and Dodge led 17-0.
Lamar would return the ensuing kickoff to its own 41 yard line and have its best scoring opportunity of the game. After allowing the Trojans to reach the Dodge 15 yard line, the Dodge Defense stiffened. Gordon, Cummings and Monterrius George all converged on the quarterback to sack him back on the 22 yard line, and the clock ran out on the first half with Dodge leading 17-0.
Lamar received to start the second half and came out in a tight formation unlike the spread they would run for most of the game. The change in formation may have thrown the Indians off briefly. Lamar pounded out 3 first downs and reached the Dodge 32 yard line where they faced third down. The Trojan quarterback faked a handoff and rolled left where his pass was intercepted by a leaping Lamarie Mitchell. Another receiver had broken open on a deeper route, but Gordon pressured the quarterback resulting in the shorter pass.
After having been bottled up for most of the night, Gordon would go to work on offense. He had carries of 2 yards and 6 yards before breaking a 58 yard touchdown run. Mangham’s extra point made the score 24-0 Dodge.
A Lamar County penalty assessed on the kickoff allowed Mangham to squib it deep into Trojan territory where the returner stepped out of bounds inside the 10 yard line. The Dodge Defense swarmed to the football forcing a three and out. Harpe fair caught the punt at the Trojan 46 yard line, and a Trojan penalty put the ball at the Trojan 31 yard line. Kirkley hit Beck in the endzone for a 31 yard touchdown pass. Mangham’s extra point made it 31-0 Dodge.
Lamar’s next possession ended when Cameron Mills tipped a pass that was intercepted by Sherman Clay. Dodge could not take advantage of the interception, but Mitchell later blocked a Trojan punt and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made the final score Dodge County 38 Lamar 0.
Dodge improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Region play. This sets up a huge home game with Northeast Macon on Friday November 6th at 7:30 pm. Northeast defeated Bleckley County on Thursday night by a score of 37-34. This is the best Northeast team in years. They throw the ball around and score a ton of points. The Raiders are also much improved in the trenches.
The Region 3AA playoff picture is starting to take shape. Southeast Macon, Monticello and Lamar County have all but been mathematically eliminated. This leaves Northeast, Bleckley County, Dodge County and Washington County vying for playoff position. Either team could win the Region at this point. Northeast is currently undefeated in Region play, controls its own destiny and could lock up a Region Championship with a win over Dodge. Northeast has already defeated Washington County and Bleckley County. Washington County and Bleckley County also play this week, so we will know much more about the playoffs on Saturday morning.
Dodge will celebrate Senior Night before the Northeast game, so come out early to honor Senior football players, band members, cheer leaders and ROTC Cadets.



Flag football team sweeps Wildcats, 21-0
By Amy Mullis
On Monday, November 2, the Dodge County High School girls’ flag football team travelled to Locust Grove and earned their third victory of the season with a 21-0 defeat over the Wildcats.
“We have played well and are learning a lot,” said coach Clint Sanders. “The season has been a season of firsts for Dodge County Girls Flag Football.”
Among those are Ileisha Mitchell scoring the first touchdown for girls’ flag football with a 53-yard run and Sydney Powell catching the first ever touchdown pass thrown by Logan White to win the team’s third game in the fourth overtime.
A first achieved in this week’s game was sophomore Elizabeth Sanders pulling the Locust Grove quarterback’s flag in the end zone for the first ever safety.
The junior varsity team also played in Locust Grove Monday night but suffered a tough 2-6 loss.
“We have a big area game against Portal High School next Tuesday,” Sanders said. “We need to keep working hard and continue to improve each week.”



BY RUSS RAGAN
I guess there is good news and bad news this week on the sports scene. The good first, Georgia beat Kentucky 14-2 on the road to set up a top ten showdown against Florida. I guess it’s good news that the Falcons beat Carolina 25-17, but it does hurt the team’s draft next year. The Braves may be looking at an old top prospect to come back for the rotation. Also, on a sad note, we lost a local legend on our own scene.
Let’s start on the college scene as the Dogs used a strong running game and a strong defense to beat Kentucky 14-3. The running game was led by red shirt sophomore Zaneir “Zeus” White, as he had 26 carries for 136 yards, both career highs. The defense was led by Richard Lecoute, who had 13 tackles. Now, for the bad news, Stetson Bennett was not good on six more. He had another pair of interceptions to go with his three a game ago against Alabama. I just don’t see the Dogs beating Florida with him in the game. I hope I am wrong. On a note that may be worse defensive standout Lecente is out for several weeks due to a motorcycle injury that he got Saturday night in Athens. Things aren’t adding up good for the weekend in Jacksonville.
The Falcons won their second game of the year both on the road as they got a 25-17 win at Carolina. They did nothing special, as Matt Ryan threw no touchdowns for the third time this year. He did run for one though. Julio Jones had a strong game with 137 yards. The defense did have three sacks and an interception so that’s not bad. It does hurt the draft position. They have a very winnable game this week, their last, against Denver.
Remember, talking about the needed veteran-starting pitcher for the Braves?
They are reportedly after one and it’s their former top prospect Adam Wainwrights. The 39-year-old Brunswick native was the Braves number one pick in the 2000 draft. He was traded to St. Louis for J.D. Drew. The Braves got a great year out of Drew but he left as a free agent. He would be a good pickup for the Braves, but it will be hard to get him away from the Cardinals.
We have to end things on a sad note this week. Recreation department legend James “Red” Roland died over the weekend. Red was a part of the Dodge sports scene for decades. He was a fixture at the recreation department and was a ball boy for the Indian’s football team for many years. He was a fixture on the softball scene for many years. Roland was also the biggest, and only, Dodger fan I knew. I hope he got some joy out of big blue getting their first championship in 30 years recently. He will be missed by all.

By Joey Marchant
Indians use smothering defense to defeat Hurricans, 58-0
Dodge County used a smothering defense and a big play offense to defeat the Monticello Hurricanes by a score of 58-0. Dodge was led onto the field by students Jeremiah Jackson, Anthony Jones, and Rashad Grace. Dodge won the toss and elected to receive. After a short kickoff and return by Tyrese Johnson, Daylon Gordon and Mikhail Carr went to work for Dodge out of the shotgun from the Dodge 37 yard line. Gordon ran through the tackle of a linebacker and around left end for a gain of 35 yards to the Monticello 28 yard. Carr ran right for 6 yards, and Gordon ran left for 11 yards. Then Carr ran right for 11 yards and a touchdown. The extra point was no good. Dodge missed its long snapper Braylon Mincey who was lost to quarantine but will return next week. That is a job that is sometimes taken for granted until the primary guy is not in there, and it throws everyone off. Dodge led 6-0.
The Dodge defense was composed mostly of sophomores and juniors. Monticello completed a 6-yard pass in front of the defense, but Landynn Powers dropped the quarterback for a loss on third down forcing a three and out. The snap sailed over the head of the punter and into the end zone where he recovered it for a safety. Dodge led 8-0.
Lamarie Mitchell fielded a short kickoff after the safety and returned it 9 yards to the Monticello 39 yard line. Hunter Kirkley entered at quarterback, and Dodge attempted to throw the football. The result was a three and out, and Mason Mangham got off a 45 yard punt, which was fielded and returned to the Monticello 11 yard line. Dodge forced a three and out, and Kade Harpe fielded a good punt over his shoulder returning it 6 yards to the Dodge 48 yard line.
Carr came back in to take the snap and rushed for 19 yards. Carr handed to Keldrick Beck who gained 4 yards on a jet sweep. Gordon had a run of 5 yards and then an 8-yard gain in which he ran over the middle linebacker. Penalties halted the drive, and on third and long, Dodge had a beautiful screen pass set up but threw to the wrong side of the field forcing a Mangham punt that sailed into the end zone.
Jackson Bowen blitzed on first down and dropped the running back for a 1-yard loss. Reco Caines tackled the running back for no gain on second down. Monticello completed a short pass on third down, but Mitchell and Harpe combined on the tackle to force a punt.
Harpe fielded the punt on one bounce and returned it 20 yards, but Dodge was penalized for a blind side block and the ball brought back to the Dodge 42 yard line. Gordon rushed for gains of 4 yards and 17 yards to the Monticello 32 yard line. Carr took a direct snap and ran around left end for a 32 yard touchdown getting a late block from Noah Cummings on the last defender to have a shot at Carr. Beck threw to Kevin Sykes, Jr. in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion. Dodge led 16-0.
Mangham kicked the ball into the end zone for a touchback, and Dodge forced a three and out. The Monticello punt rolled dead at the Hurricane 42 yard line. Gordon would need only two plays to score as he rushed for 5 yards and then 37 yards for a touchdown. The snap on the extra point attempt sailed almost behind Harpe but he alertly picked it up and hit Beck in the corner of the end zone for two points. Dodge led 24-0.
A penalty on the kickoff would back the Hurricanes up deep in their own territory. Dodge would force another three and out getting the ball back in good field position. Kirkley hit Beck for a gain of 16 yards. Then Gordon took a handoff and rushed 31 yards for a touchdown running over two defenders in the process on what would end up as the Recruit Georgia Play of the Week. Mangham split the uprights and Dodge led 31-0.
Monticello was able to execute a long pass featuring a double move by a receiver on its next possession. Although initially biting on the double move, Demron Gordon never gave up and tackled the receiver around the Dodge 10 yard line. The Dodge Defense would hold, and Carr would intercept a pass and return it 97 yards for a touchdown. The snap on the extra point was on the ground, and Harpe could not scoop it. Dodge led 37-0.
Dodge intentionally squibbed the kickoff and produced another three an out. Harpe fair caught the punt on the Hurricane 49 yard line. Kirkley completed a 10-yard pass to Noah Cummings and a 39 yard touchdown pass to Johnson. Mangham drilled the extra point, and Dodge led 44-0.
Another squib kick and three and out had Monticello punting deep in their own territory. The punter could not handle a high snap cleanly, and Johnson tackled him on the Hurricane 12 yard line. Beck ran for 5 yards. Cummings came in at quarterback and ran two quarterback power plays to punch it into the end zone for another Dodge score. Mangham split the uprights, and Dodge led 51-0. Mercifully, the half came to an end for Monticello.
Because of the lopsided score, the clock by rule would run for most of the second half. Johnson would add a 42-yard interception return in the third quarter. Mangham split the uprights, and Dodge led 58-0. Dodge would turn the game over to its junior varsity offense and defense that would preserve the shutout and the 58-0 victory. Dodge improved to 2-3 and will travel to Barnesville to face the Lamar County Trojans this Friday night in another important Region 3AA matchup. Lamar is 3-4 on the season and coming off a 30-0 loss to Bleckley County.



By Russ Ragan
Lady Indians season ends in first round of state tournament
The Dodge High Lady Indians softball team played Jeff Davis County in the opening round of the AA state tournament. The best of three series was a big time battle. The series had a little bit of everything. There was a pair of walk off wins, one by each team. There was also controversy. However, it didn’t have an effect in the game wins. In the end it would be the Lady Jackets that would win the third and deciding game 3-2 to advance to the second round.
The opening game of the series would go to Jeff Davis. They would get four runs in the first inning. Three runs in the inning would be unearned against Brooke Perdue. Perdue would have strong innings in the second and third to keep the game at 4-0.
Dodge would get on the board in the fourth. Gracie Lewis would walk with two outs and score on a double to right center by Bailey Harvey for a 4-1 game. The Lady Indians would get closer in the fifth. Ava Maxwell would get a one out single; Logan White would double to left center with two outs to score Maxwell for a 4-2 game. Jeff Davis would add a run in the fifth for a 5-2 lead and that would be the final.
Dodge would be the home team in game two. Linzy Bowen would get the start for the Lady Indians. The Lady (Continued from Page 1B)
Jackets would get the early lead with a first inning run. Bowen would have an easy second inning that included a strikeout. The Lady Jackets added a run in the third to take the lead to 2-0.
Dodge would get on the board in the third. Maxwell would single to lead off and would score on a double from Ava Roland for a 2-1 game. Bowen would have a scoreless fourth that included her second strikeout.
The game remained 2-1 going to the bottom of the fifth. Dodge would tie the game as Mikaya Roberson would single home Ava Maxwell for a 2-2 game. Gracie Lewis would follow up with a single scoring Logan White and Dodge took their first lead in the series 3-2 after the fifth.
The Lady Jackets would take the lead back in the sixth. They scored three with two outs to take a 5-3 lead. The Lady Indians would battle back in there half of the sixth. The big hit would come from Ava Roland with the bases loaded and two outs. She would single hard to left. Ava Maxwell and Bowen to tie things up at 5-5 going into the seventh.
The Lady Jackets would retake the lead in this back and forth game. Dodge came to bat trailing 6-5 with their season on the line. Gracie Lewis led off with a deep double to left. Bailey Harvey would single putting the winning run on base. Dylana Barton would walk start things off for Dodge as she hit a double over the left fielders head. Jessica Joiner who was running for Lewis scored easily to tie it and Harvey came flying home with the game winner and a 7+6 final to force a third and deciding game.
The Lady Jackets took the early lead in the first for a 1-0 game. Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The game remained 1-0 through three innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Remember in my opening that controversy was included? It came with one out in the Dodge fourth. Makiyah Roberson hit a deep drive to center; the ball hit the top of the fence and came back to the field of play. The question is was the ball tipped back by Jeff Davis or Davis fans? After some discussion, it was ruled a double and Roberson stayed at second. From the dugout, there was no way to tell if the ball was touched or not. It wouldn’t matter as Perdue helped herself with a single to tie the game at 1-1.
The Lady Jackets would take the lead in the fifth on a two out homer for a 2-1 game. It would stay 2-1 going to the Dodge seventh Bailey Harvey would single and go to second on an error with the tying run. For the second night in a row it would Dylana Barton with a deep double to left scoring Harvey for a 2-2 game.
Unfortunately, for Dodge, the Lady Jackets have the last bat in this one. They would walk this one off for a 3-2 final.


By Russ Ragan
This week was kind of quiet in Georgia. The Braves were done and the Bulldogs were off. Then there are the Falcons. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in a 23-22 loss to Stafford. Swift and the Lions. I will also wrap up the Braves and what I think they need to improve next year.
Let’s start with the Falcons. They are bad, really bad. For the third time this season, they blew a fourth quarter lead. This was a bad game all the way. The officials were mediocre at best, the coaching was just so so and the timing on things in the clutch was horrible as usual. Todd Gurley scored an “accidental” touchdown in the final minute to give the Falcons the lead but the Lions would have one more chance and you know the rest. Gurley tried not to score but he fell in the end zone. The Falcons could have run down the clock and kicked a field goal on the final play.
Oh well, they will try again early next week against Carolina on Thursday night football.
Okay, it’s time to talk about the Braves. Was the short 60 game season a good one? Yes, and they won two playoff series. Did they choke against the Dodgers in the league championship series? Well, sort of but they weren’t put in a good position despite a 3-1 lead in the series.
I am still not happy that they had no starter for game five. I know that Soroka was hurt and that Cole Hanes only threw two innings. There was no secret at the trade deadline and they got Tommy McClure and we all remember he was awful. They didn’t need a blockbuster, but a veteran that could eat some innings.
Back to the series, did the Braves not cash in on several chances? Especially the last three games? Yes, this team was built for the long ball and they couldn’t cash in with small ball. The base running in game 7 was real bad as well. So did the Braves really choke against the Dodgers? That’s one that is tough to answer.
So now that we are in the off season, how do the Braves get better? The first huge question is will there be the designated hitter in the national league? We should know shortly after the world series.
Personally, I think it will return in 2021, so can the Braves bring Ozuna back? He was great for team chemistry and when he was hot he can put the team on his back. He isn’t a good outfielder so if the DH isn’t back there are no chance returns but maybe a three-year deal worth 65 million brings him back. The next question is who will be the starting pitcher pick up in the off-season? We know that Fried and Anderson will be good. Hopefully Soroka will be ready to start the season. Okay, let me say these are not rumors at all. Just my humble opinion. How about Marcus Striven? He is a free agent and he is coming off of a so so year with the Mets. He has Toronto connection with Anthropolis from Toronto. Also, how about Carlos Quintana from the Cubs? When he is good he is very good. None of these guys are free agents this year. I would take either on a one year “prove it” deal.
Keep in mind that some money will come off the books. Hanels will be gone. So, that’s 18 million. Also, Malancon and Green will be free agents, but I will think they will try to bring them back. Anyway, the first big decision will be the DH return. Things will go from there.

By Russ Ragan
The Dodge High School Lady Indians wrapped up regular season play last Wednesday night in Bleckley County. Dodge played one of their most complete games of the season in a 14-2 blowout win over the Lady Royals.
Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. She could have fewer strikeouts though through two innings but Dodge trailed 2-0. They wouldn’t trail very long.
Dodge got an infield hit from Bailey Harvey and a hit from Dylana Barton to lead off the third. Ava Maxwell would get a bunt down and a bad through would score Harvey for a 2-1 game. One out later, Logan White would single to center scoring Barton for a 2-2 game. Mikayla Roberson would hit a sacrifice fly to score Maxwell but the ball would be dropped and Dodge took a 3-2 lead.
The Lady Indians would increase the lead as Gracie Lewis singles to center scoring White and Carson Ethridge who ran for catcher Ava Roland for a 5-2 lead. Roberson would score to wrap up the six run inning for a 6-2 Dodge lead.
Perdue had a way easy three innings that included her fifth strikeout of the game. Dodge kept the bats going in the fourth. Maxwell would walk to lead off the fourth and she stole second and went to third on a wild pitch.
One out later, White singled her home for a 7-2 game. Gracie Lewis singled home White for an 8-2 lead. Perdue would follow by being hit with the bases loaded and Ethridge scored as she ran for Roland who singled for a 9-2 lead.
Barton would single and that would score Patillo who ran for Lewis and Perdue for an 11-2 lead. Dodge would take a 13-2 lead going to the fifth.
Dodge wrapped up the scoring in the fifth. Ava Roland would double with one out. Gracie Lewis would score her on a ground and the Dodge lead would be 14-2. Linzy Bowen would wrap things up with an easy fifth including a strikeout.





By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians will host the Monticello Purple Hurricanes this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in a Region 3AA matchup. Dodge had an off week last week, and several starters will be coming off another two week quarantine the day of the game after a single Dodge player tested positive for COVID-19.
It is anyone’s guess what kind of game we will see out of Dodge. The Indians are 1-3 on the season with the three losses all coming by less than a touchdown and all following quarantines or short weeks.
Monticello has been playing football since 1926. Confusion arose when a new school was built and given the name Jasper County High while the sports teams continued to play under the name Monticello.
To make things more confusing, during the most recent reclassification, Monticello’s enrollment numbers were reported under the name Jasper County High. In December, the school board voted to ask the Georgia High School Association to refer to its teams in the future as “Jasper County, Monticello”.
This will be the first game between Dodge County High and Monticello. However, Monticello won five out of six games against the Eastman High Wildcats from 1950 to 1955.
The lone Eastman High victory came in 1950 under the leadership of head coach Arthur “Scooter” Yancey.
Monticello is 2-4 on the season with a record of 1-1 in Region 3AA. Both teams are coming off losses to Bleckley County. Please come out and support the Indians.




BY RUSS RAGAN
This week has had it all. Unfortunately, most of it hasn’t been so good but it hopefully will improve drastically as the column continues. This column is being done during game seven of the Dodgers-Braves. Atlanta had a 3-2 lead going to the Dodgers fourth.
Okay, it was hyped as the biggest college football game of the year as the Dogs headed to Alabama. For a half it was a great game. Bennett hit Cook for an 82-yard touchdown pass and Georgia took a 24-20 lead at the half.
Most really good teams make adjustments at the half and Alabama is a really good team. They picked off Bennett twice in the second half and the game was gone in a 41-24 loss. Bane scored three touchdowns on three drives right after the three interceptions. The Tide seem to make adjustments both on offense and defense, well for Georgia not so much. Then great defense was broken in the second half.
The Braves got out of a bases loaded jam and still led 3-2 going into the fifth. Okay, back to the Dogs, what is next for them? Well, this week is a good off week. It came about in complicated changes that called off the Florida-LSU game.
The biggest problem for Georgia is the offense. The Stetson Bennett IV story is really a great one. He went from walk on to eventually Bulldog starter but it’s time for a change. J.T. Daniels is ready to go and the time is now. He was seen on the sideline Saturday night without his knee brace. I think Bennett could lead the dogs to an 8-2 record as they probably lose to Florida. It’s time to start Daniels. He was the third ranked quarterback out of a high school behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. The good news for Georgia is they only dropped to fourth in the new polls. They have to win out to stay in the national picture. It won’t be easy but I think very doable.
The Falcons’ offense is a very good one, but they have struggled recently but Sunday they were back. In Raheem Morris’ debut as interim head coach they were really good in a 40-23 win over Minnesota. Matt Ryan came back after a pair of real stinkers with a really good game. He was 30 for 40 for 371 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Update; Braves just lost the lead, it’s now 3-3 in the sixth. They should have scored at least three in the third. Anyway, I knew the Falcons weren’t as bad as they have been playing. Julio Jones came back from a hamstring injury and had eight catches for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Birds have Detroit and Carolina the next two weeks and they are both really winnable so we will see.
Okay, I will stay somewhat from the Braves for now. I didn’t expect them to beat the Dodgers but I do have a big issue. The game five issue is totally inexcusable. You can’t run out of pitchers. To start in game five of the NCCS. There was no secret run out of pitchers to start in game five of the NCCS. There was no secret they needed another starting pitcher at the trade deadline. The lack of off days in the series really hurt this team. Anthropolis really has to take a big chunk of the loss of the series. Anyway, this team over achieved until clutch time in the final two games. This series should have been one. The bullpen was give out in the end. I am sure I will have plenty more to say on another Braves meltdown series.

Royals beat Indians, 38-33
By Joey Marchant
Dodge made the trip to Cochran for the second straight year due to region realignment. The game was moved up to Thursday night due to weather concerns. Dodge came into this one with a full roster and no one under COVID-19 quarantine. However, they were playing on four days rest due to having played the previous Saturday. As we have come to expect from the Dodge-Bleckley Rivalry, this game had a little bit of everything. There were big plays, controversy, huge swings in momentum, turnovers, trick plays, stoppages in play, a special teams touchdown, an ejection and a safety.
Bleckley won the toss and deferred to the second half. After the first kickoff went out of bounds, Coach Cofer declined the opportunity to take the ball at the Dodge 35 yard line showing supreme confidence in his return team. Ultimately, Keldrick Beck was stopped at the Dodge 22 yard line on the second kick. Mikhail Carr started behind center and took the first snap on a quarterback sweep right for 20 yards as he followed Daylon Gordon and tight roped the sideline. Gordon then carried for 6 yards, but Carr was stopped for no gain bringing up third down. Hunter Kirkley entered the ballgame at quarterback and threw a pass that sailed through the hands of Beck on the sideline. Mason Mangham came in to punt and had to deal with a high snap that veered right. Mangham did a great job of fielding the ball and getting the ball away, which landed on the Bleckley 32 yard line and just sat there. It doesn’t help Mangham’s stat line, but it was a big play to get it off cleanly. The Dodge Defense forced a three and out.
Dodge took possession at its 33 yard line after the punt. Kirkley hit Beck with a 2 yard pass. Then Dodge ran the counter play to Gordon who took it 65 yards down the sideline for the touchdown. Dodge pulled Jared Frost and Clay Lee on the play, but more than anything, Gordon just outran everyone to the end zone. Beck ran the conversion in for two points to give Dodge an 8-0 lead.
Mangham attempted a high pooch kick but put a little too much on it as the kick sailed out of bounds and Bleckley took possession at its 35 yard line. The Royals completed a slant route, and Dodge missed a tackle that led to a 41 yard gain to the Dodge 24 yard line. The Dodge Defense stiffened inside the 10 yard line. Beck broke up a pass in the end zone that was almost intercepted. However, Bleckley punched it in on fourth down from the 1 yard line. Cameron Mils stood up the Royal receiver at the goal line on the two point attempt, and Dodge led 8-6.
The ensuing kickoff was fielded by Beck who ran untouched up the middle behind a wedge of Dodge blockers for an 84 yard touchdown. Dodge was flagged for excessive celebration, which was enforced on the extra point attempt. Mangham’s attempt was no good. Dodge led 14-6.
Good kickoff coverage by Dodge and a block below the waist by the Royals would back Bleckley up to its own 10 yard line. Bleckley broke off a 39 yard run on first down to get the ball near midfield. The Dodge Defense would stiffen and force a punt. Beck made the mistake of trying to do too much and field the ball in traffic. The ball bounced off his shoulder pad, and Bleckley recovered the fumble at the Dodge 19 yard line. Bleckley scored a touchdown on the very next play. On the two point attempt, Bleckley ran its version of the reverse pass made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl a few years ago. Mills intercepted the pass in the end zone to deny Bleckley points. Dodge led 14-12.
The Bleckley kickoff went out of bounds, and this time Dodge elected to take it at the 35 yard line. Kirkley hit Kevin Sykes, Jr. for a gain of 7 yards. However, a pass to Tyrese Johnson lost 2 yards, and Kirkley’s third down attempt to Sykes fell incomplete. Mangham got off a 49 yard punt that rolled dead at the Bleckley 11 yard line.
Bleckley used a long run and two defensive penalties against Dodge to drive to the Dodge 3 yard line. However, Gordon dropped the running back for a 3 yard loss, and Mills defended a pass in the end zone to force a field goal attempt. The field goal was good, and Bleckley led 15-14.
Jalon Jaynes caught a short kickoff and returned it to the Dodge 35 yard line. On third down, Kirkley hit Johnson with a 34 yard pass to the Bleckley 30 yard line. Johnson beat his man and managed to get one foot down in bounds. Later a fourth down pass to Johnson would fall incomplete in the end zone turning the ball over to the Royals.
The Dodge Defense forced a punt, and Dodge got the ball back on its 25 yard line. Kirkley hit Johnson on a 46 yard pass play to the Bleckley County 16 yard line. However, a fake field goal would fail and Dodge turned it over to Bleckley County. The Dodge Defense forced another three and out, and Dodge got the ball back at the Dodge 26 yard line.
Dodge moved the ball down the field with runs of 12 yards and 10 yards by Gordon. Kirkley hit Sykes for 5 yards and Johnson for 8 yards before throwing a 34 yard touchdown pass to Beck just before half. Mangham drilled the extra point, and Dodge led 21-15 at halftime.
The third quarter was a catastrophe for Dodge. Dodge had a player ejected for trading punches with a Bleckley County player. Bleckley scored touchdowns on three straight possessions while the Dodge Defense offered little resistance. Meanwhile the Dodge offense went three and out on its first two possessions of the first half. Bleckley led 36-21 when Daylon Gordon broke a 75 yard touchdown run around right end to cut the Bleckley lead to 36-27. A two point attempt resulted in Kirkley throwing to offensive tackle Landynn Powers who crossed the goal line for an apparent two point conversion. The referees twice signaled the attempt was successful as they discussed the play for several minutes. Eventually the referees got the call right and ruled illegal touching on the play as Powers was not an eligible receiver. The play was designed for Powers to give ground and catch a lateral from Kirkley, which would have allowed him to legally catch the football.
Bleckley would again drive inside the Dodge 10 yard line, but the Dodge Defense would hold and force a turnover on downs. Carr lined up at quarterback and ran for gains of 22 yards and 18 yards. Kirkley hit Beck for a gain of 12 yards and Gordon picked up 17 yards. Kirkley passed to Davis Marchant for 13 yards. Gordon would eventually score on a 15 yard run after running through a tackle on the goal line. Mangham’s extra point attempt was no good, and Bleckley led 36-33.
Bleckley would have a long drive to chew up clock before Gordon recovered a Bleckley fumble on the Dodge 22 yard line. However, Dodge could not move the ball. The punt snap went over Mangham’s head resulting in a safety and giving Bleckley a 38-33 lead. Dodge had to kickoff to Bleckley, and Mangham attempted an onside kick. However, Bleckley recovered on the Dodge 30 yard line, and it appeared the Royals would run out the clock.
However, the Dodge Defense held and forced a turnover on downs giving Dodge the ball with about a minute to play and no timeouts. On fourth down and fourteen yards to go, Carr took a shotgun snap from center and ran for 13 yards where he was tackled as he slipped trying to cut back effectively ending the game. Bleckley took a knee to run out the clock and preserve the 38-33 victory.
With less than five minutes to go, Noah Cummings collapsed on the sideline from what would later be diagnosed as extreme dehydration. He was carted off to a waiting ambulance. Numerous players, fans, and coaches showed up at the hospital to check on Noah. He received great treatment at Dodge County Hospital and was released in the early morning hours on Friday. He is doing well.
Dodge falls to 1-3 having lost all three games by six points or less. Dodge has a scheduled off week this week before hosting Jasper County High (also known as Monticello High) in a region game on October 23.

By Joey Marchant
Dodge traveled up I-285 for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Whitefield Academy Wolfpack.
Dodge was traveling without starting quarterback Hunter Kirkley and starting safety/wide receiver Mikhail Carr, both of whom have been in quarantine for two weeks. Neither have tested positive for the virus but were quarantined for sitting within six feet of an infected student for more than fifteen minutes. Hopefully, the alternate schedule just adopted by the Dodge County Board of Education will put an end to the quarantines that have impacted several football and softball players this year.
So, Dodge called on starting middle linebacker Noah Cummings to pull quarterback duties this week later to be relieved by Kade Harpe who started nine games at quarterback last year but also missed practice time this week due to quarantine. Both gave their usual great efforts, but in the end, it was the lack of consistency from the Dodge offense that more than anything doomed the Indians on this day. That was not all on the quarterbacks. Often there was no time to throw, and Daylon Gordon had to fight for every yard he gained on the ground. On the bright side, except for two plays, the Dodge defense played lights out.
The Dodge offense got off to a great start as they took possession first and went on a 12-play 60-yard touchdown drive to open the ballgame. Gordon rushed for 18 yards on the drive. Cummings was perfect on the drive with completions of 25 yards to Tyrese Johnson and nine yards to Keldrick Beck. Finally, Reco Caines took it in from eight yards out for the touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, and Dodge led 6-0.
The ensuing kickoff struck a Whitfield player and was recovered by Davis Marchant giving Dodge the ball with excellent field position at the Whitefield 49 yard line. Dodge could not move the football this time, and Cummings launched a pass 45 yards in the air, which was picked off by Whitefield. Johnson was the intended receiver, and he tackled the defender at the Whitefield 5 yard line, so the play had the same effect as a great punt.
A personal foul penalty on Dodge quickly moved the ball out to the Whitefield 23-yard line. Beck then deflected a pass intended for Myles Redding who came into the week second in all of the Georgia High School Association stats with 482 receiving yards in only three games. The game plan was to have Beck shadow Redding all day long. Beck did an excellent job, as Redding was not much of a factor on offense.
On the next play, Dodge lost containment and missed an open field tackle allowing Whitefield quarterback Ayden Duncanson to rush for a 77 yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 7-6 Whitefield.
Dodge could only make one first down on its next possession before being forced to punt. A defender came off the edge and blocked Mason Mangham’s punt giving Whitefield the ball at the Dodge 33 yard line. The Dodge defense would hold. On first down, Jalon Jaynes and Harpe hit the running back in the backfield before Gordon came in to make the tackle for a 5-yard loss. That was followed by two incompletions and a Wolfpack punt.
Dodge again failed to move the football, and Mangham was pressured but managed to get off a 28 yard punt, which was fair caught at the Wolfpack 44 yard line. The Dodge defense again held forcing a punt that rolled dead at the Dodge 15 yard line. A holding penalty backed it up to the five-yard line. On the next play, Cummings rolled right under heavy pressure trying to avoid a safety in his own end zone and threw a pass that was picked off by Redding and returned to Dodge’s five-yard line.
The Dodge defense again rose to the occasion. Lamarie Mitchell and Jaynes brought heavy pressure off both edges forcing the quarterback to retreat and intentionally ground the football way back at the Dodge 32 yard line. A second down incompletion was followed by pressure from Monterrius George to force a third down incompletion and a Whitefield punt.
Dodge took over on its own 20-yard line and would end up losing a fourth down and short yardage gamble turning the ball over to the Wolfpack at the Dodge 29 yard line. Whitefield pushed the ball inside the Dodge 10 yard line before the Dodge defense forced a field goal attempt. The kick was good, and Whitefield led 10-6.
A pooch kick was fair caught by Caines at the 42-yard line. After Gordon picked up a first down with a 12 yard run, Cummings was intercepted at the Whitefield 26 yard line. The Dodge defense would again hold highlighted by a four-yard tackle for loss by Harpe and a big hit by Jaynes to dislodge the ball from a receiver on third down. Mitchell pressured the punter causing him to tuck the ball and run before being tackled by Gordon at the Whitefield 34 yard line. Cummings later completed a 19-yard pass to Kevin Sykes, Jr. at the Wolfpack 19 yard line with the clock ticking down in the first half. Sykes made a diving catch between two defenders. This set up a 36-yard field goal attempt by Mangham, but the ball sailed wide left. Whitefield led 10-6 at halftime,
The Wolfpack got the ball to start the second half. After a kickoff return to its own 40-yard line, the Wolfpack gained 10 yards on the ground for a first down at midfield. Then Jarvion Flowers shoved the center into the backfield, and Gordon met the running back at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
On second down, Cummings and Harpe met the quarterback at the line of scrimmage. A third down pass fell incomplete, and Jaynes fair caught the Wolfpack punt at the Dodge 30 yard line. Gordon carried twice for little yardage before Cummings hit Beck for 14 yards. Gordon carried for six yards and what would have been an 11-yard gain behind a bone-crushing block from Cummings, but Dodge was called for Holding.
Then Harpe entered at quarterback mid series. Gordon picked up seven more yards, and it appeared Dodge was starting to wear down the Wolfpack. However, Harpe’s first pass was behind Beck and intercepted by the safety. Whitefield came flying down the field on the arm of Duncanson who suddenly developed some accuracy after being off the mark most of the day. But the Dodge defense dug in again. Gordon stopped the running back a yard behind the line of scrimmage and when the referees refused to blow the whistle, picked him up and slammed him to the ground. Then Mitchell sacked the quarterback for a loss of 8 yards. A Whitefield field goal attempt sailed wide left.
Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham punted it away netting 29 yards where it was fair caught at the Whitefield 47 yard line. Whitefield moved it on the ground to the Dodge 33 yard line.
A heavy rush from Gordon, Mitchell and Caines forced the quarterback all the way back to midfield before he hurled it wildly downfield for an incomplete pass. Caines was actually blocked in the back on the play resulting in the ball being spotted at the Whitefield 46 yard line. On second down, Johnson batted a pass away from Redding on a nice defensive play.
Then on third down and long and under pressure from Mitchell and Flowers, Duncanson threw the ball down the field off his back foot. Johnson had a good coverage and appeared to be in prime position for the interception of the underthrown pass, but a receiver went high in the air to take the ball away from Johnson and trotted into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good giving Whitefield a 17-6 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Dodge took possession at the 32-yard line after the kickoff. Harpe hit Beck for an 11 yard gain and later called his own number for a gain of 14 yards to the Whitefield 42 yard line. Gordon lost a yard, and then had gains of eight yards and 10 yards to the Wolfpack 25 yard line. Dodge would ultimately be stopped on downs at the Wolfpack 20 yard line. Under heavy pressure from Harpe, Mitchell and George, Duncanson rolled out and made another ill-advised pass downfield. Beck tipped the pass, which was fielded by freshman Sherman Clay who had just entered the game. Clay returned it 39 yards for a touchdown, Beck passed to Sykes for the two point conversion making the score 17-14 Whitefield. The Dodge defense would get the ball back twice more, but the offense could not score.
Dodge ends the first part of its season 1-2 having been impacted greatly by several weeks of quarantine. Now begins the second season, the Region schedule with a visit to Cochran for a game against a familiar foe.
Bleckley has a record of 3-1 with a last second loss to Wilcox as its only blemish. This will be the first Region 3AA contest for both teams. The game has been moved to Thursday October 8th at 7:30 pm due to the weather forecast. We need as many Indian fans as they will allow to fill Royal Stadium. You will want to come early as there is not much room there for the visitors.