Sports

This past Friday night the Dodge County High School Indians hosted the Cook County Hornets in a key match up of undefeated, in region play, teams. Dodge County came into the game looking to hold on to an undefeated season as Cook County looked to keep a six game winning streak alive. This region 1-AAA game proved to be a true battle of top ranked teams but the Indians would come away with their first loss and a tough one with a final score of 13 to 10 to Cook County.
The Dodge County High School Indians would take time before the game to honor and recognize their senior football players, cheerleaders and band members along with their parents.
Dodge’s defense did a great job of holding the Cook County Hornet’s from scoring position in the first drive of the game. Landon Martin would come onto the field and on the opening drive for the Indians would turn downfield and a couple of first downs the Indians would be within field goal range. Senior, Mitch Tanner would kick a 29-yard field goal and Dodge would lead three to zero. The rest of the first quarter was defensive games as Dodge and Cook would both hold the other team from the end zone and scoring position.
With 4:20 on the clock in the second quarter, Cook County would move down field and into field goal range. A 25-yard field goal would put them on the scoreboard and the game would be tied at three to three. The Indians would receive the ball back and would quickly move down field. With the clock winding down in the first half of the game, Coach Hodges would turn to the reverse, reverse play and Roscoe Wilcox would get the ball and with a 21-yard run cross the goal line and score. Tanner would come in and kick the point after and Dodge would go into the locker room leading 10 to three at the half.
Both teams came back onto the field after halftime and the third quarter turned into a defensive game. Neither team could get into the end zone or within field goal range and at the end of the third quarter Dodge would lead 10 to three. [Full Story »] 

By Russ Ragan
It was a big week for the Dodge County Middle School Lady Warriors as they officially got their 2014 softball season underway last week. On Tuesday, Dodge defeated Vidalia nine to one. Thursday Dodge got on the road and shutout Swainsboro, 20 to zero. On Saturday, the Lady Warriors hosted Diamond Day. In their first game the Lady Warriors defeated West Laurens 11 to three. In game two, Dodge defeated Toombs County 10 to one.
The region season got underway last Tuesday as they hosted Vidalia. The Lady Warriors got the scoring started in the second. Jessie Thomas and Amber Maxwell had singles and a bunt single from Olivia Cranford loaded the bases. Laralin Rogers drove in Thomas and Maxwell would score for a two to zero Dodge lead. Jade Dowdy got the call on the mound for Dodge. She had four strikeouts in the first three innings. Dodge would add to the dead in the home half of the third. Singles from Abbey Manning, Jacey Dowdy and Jade Dowdy would load the bases with one out. Jenna Hickman would unload the bases with a triple for a five to zero lead. Hickman would score for a six to zero lead. Dodge would add to the lead in the fourth as Manning would double and score for a seven to zero lead. The Lady Warriors would end the game in the fifth. Hickman got her second triple of the game to lead off the inning. Cranford would draw a walk and both would score and that would end the game for a nine to one final.
Dodge traveled to Swainsboro for a region game on Thursday. This game would get out of hand real quick. An eight run first would be followed by a 12 run second for a 20 to zero shutout. Jade Dowdy teamed with Linzy Bowen for a one hit shutout with nine strikeouts. Here is a run down of the Dodge offense. Rogers had a hit, walk and run scored; Lane Barrows a walk and run scored; Manning a triple, walk and run scored; Jacey Dowdy a single, walk and run scored; Jade Dowdy a single and run scored; Thomas a single, walk and run scored; Hickman a walk; Maxwell a walk and run scored; Cranford a walk and run scored; Gracie Lewis two walks and two runs scored; Mattie Grace Hutcheson a single, walk and two runs scored; Bowen two walks and a run scored; Sydney Powell a walk, single and run scored; Kyla Howell a walk, single and two runs scored; Madison Hardy a single and run scored; and Addison Trawick a single, walk and two runs scored.
Saturday, it was Dodge hosting Diamond Day. These games don’t count toward the region standings. Dodge hosted West Laurens. The Lady Warriors got off to a slow start as they trailed three to zero early in the game. Dodge would rally in the second. Walks to Cranford and Barrows had them on base with two outs and Jacey Dowdy doubled both home for a three to two game. A double by Thomas tied the game at three to three and Dodge took the lead as Hickman scored, at four to three. Dodge added to the lead in the third as Cranford doubled and was driven in by Barrows for a five to three game. Dodge blew the game wide open in the fourth as they scored six runs. Hits from Bowen, Thomas, Maxwell, Jade Dowdy, Hickman, Barrows, Manning and Jacey Dowdy blew the game wide open and Dodge got the 11 to three win.
In the final game of the day Dodge defeated Toombs County 11 to one. Hutcheson walked to lead off the first and she scored on a hit by Aniyah Black for a one to zero lead. Dodge put together four runs in the second. Howell and Trawick walked and scored. Bowen walked and scored, Black singled and scored and Dodge would lead five to zero. Bowen was strong for Dodge on the mound. She had 10 strikeouts and allowed only five hits and one run. Trawick drove in Logan White for a six to zero lead and Hutcheson scored Trawick for a seven to zero lead. Powell, Hutcheson and Bowen rounded out the Dodge scoring in the fifth for the 10 to one final.

On September 2, the Dodge County High School (DCHS) Lady Indians softball team hosted the Bleckley County Lady Royals, in what they were hoping to be a pretty heated match up.  On August 5, 2014, when the Lady Indians traveled to Cochran, they defeated the Royals by a score of only three to one. With a record of 16 and two for the season, and 11 and zero record in region play, the Lady Indians were ready to face their biggest rivals.
Elizabeth Massingill went to work on the mound for the Lady Indians with her strong defense behind her. She struck the first batter out, the second batter hit to shortstop, Margaret Simmons, who threw it to Kaylee Peterson at first base for the second out and Massingill struck the third batter out.
Then the Lady Indians would get their chance to do some damage on the diamond. Right fielder, Chelsey Hickman, singled to right field. Left fielder, Haley Holloway, struck out, while Hickman stole second. Third baseman, Annie Moore, put down a perfect bunt, moving Hickman over to third. With runners in scoring position, shortstop, Simmons stepped into the batters box when lightening struck, causing a 30-minute delay.  When the game resumed, Simmons finished her at bat by taking a walk, loading the bases for her sister, catcher Nikki Graham. As Graham prepared to hit, lightening struck again and the game was eventually called due to the weather. The teams have decided not to reschedule the game.
Have you been to a DCHS softball game lately? If not, you have missed out on some of the finest talent in Dodge County. Not only will you see a skilled group of young ladies playing a sport they love, but also you will hear the National Anthem sung so beautifully by an amazing young lady. Macy Pruitt, the seventh grade daughter of Robert and Kelly Pruitt, has become the “voice of the Lady Indians.” As she performs the anthem, the opposing team’s fans are always in awe that such a petite young girl can belt out this powerful song with such ease.
Even though the Dodge County players and fans are fortunate to hear her at every home game, one will still feel chills running up and down their spine as she gets to the part “Oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave,” and God decides to allow the wind to blow just enough for our flag to start waving.
Pruitt has a God-given talent and the Lady Indians are blessed to have her as their “little sister” showing up and showing out at each of their home games.
The Lady Indians would like to thank Macy, Robert, Kelly, Madelyn, and Julianna for their continued dedication, loyalty and support.
And if you haven’t heard this young lady sing, you have one last chance this season before play-offs begin. The Lady Indians will host Toombs County on September 25, at 6:00 p.m. for senior night.

By Russ Ragan
It was another busy week for the Dodge County High School (DCHS) Lady Indians as they had three more region games. The Lady Indians stepped out of region play for a real pitcher’s battle against AAAAA Veterans our of Warner Robins. The non-region battle opened the week for the girls. The game was scoreless until the eighth inning as Veterans would finally push a run across for a one to zero win. Tatnall County came to Eastman for a region match-up on Thursday. Dodge scored six runs in the second to coast to a 12 to one win. Dodge traveled to Savannah on Saturday for a pair of games. Beach was the first game. Dodge scored six in the first and coasted to a 18 to zero win. Dodge beat Jenkins in the second game, seven to zero.
The Dodge-Veterans matchup was a pitcher’s battle from the word go. The teams combined for only four hits through the regulation seven innings. Margaret Simmons had a leadoff double to account for Dodge’s only hit of the day. Haley Holloway pitched seven shutout innings with no walks. Veterans would score the only run in the eighth as they scored in the intentional tiebreaker. That is when you put a runner at second base with nobody out and start the inning from there. The play at the plate was real close, but Dodge didn’t get the call and the final was one to zero.
Thursday Tatnall County came to Eastman to continue region play. The game was scoreless until the Dodge second. A double from Simmons to deep center scored Annie Moore who singled for a one to zero Dodge lead. Kaylee Peterson singled home Simmons for a two to zero Dodge lead. Back to back runs batted in (RBI) doubles from Lizzie Massingill and Holloway gave Dodge a four to zero lead. Nikki Graham drove in the final run in the inning and Dodge grabbed a six to zero lead.
Dodge continued to attack in the third as Allie Varnadoe doubled home Simmons for a seven to zero lead. Massingill singled home Varnadoe for a eight to zero lead after three. Tatnall scored their only run off Holloway in the fourth. Dodge would keep the attack going in the bottom of the inning. Dodge opened the inning with singles from Moore, Simmons and Lila Coleman. Coleman’s hit drove in Moore for a nine to one game. Varnadoe hit a “gapper” for an inside the park homer for a 12 to one Dodge lead and that would be the final. Holloway would get the win for Dodge with one walk and seven strikeouts. [Full Story »] 

The Dodge County High School (DCHS) Indians welcomed the Brantley County Herons this past Friday night at Memorial Stadium for the first home game of the season.
The Herons returned the opening kickoff and a completed pass from Anthony Turlington to Mikel Collins lead to a 10-yard touchdown. The point after kick was no good and Brantley County was on the board, six to zero.
The Indians returned the kick off and drove the ball down field. With the first quarter coming to a close, quarterback Landon Martin, with an eight-yard run, scored for the Indians. Dodge County decided to go for the two-point conversion and Kyle Glover ran the ball in. Indians were up eight to six at the end of the quarter.
Brantley County’s next possession ended with no score and Dodge County got the ball back and quickly erupted downfield. Mitch Tanner kicked a 37-yard field goal and Indians led 11 to six.
Once again Brantley County could not score and Dodge County would once again get the chance to move down the field. Martin would keep the ball and run in for 15-yards and scored for the Indians. After a defensive personal foul at the zero yard line, the point after kick by Tanner was good and Dodge went into the locker room at the end of the first half leading 18 to six. [Full Story »] 

A fundamental wrestling camp will be held on Saturday, August 16 at the Dodge County Wrestling Gym. There will be two sessions held that day.
The first session is from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and the second session is 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The gym will open at 8:00 a.m. for registration.
The camp is open for youth through high school age. Beginners and experienced wrestlers will benefit from this camp.
Coach Dave Matthews, head wrestling coach at Life University women’s program, owner of Mid State Wrestling Academy and a coach for Team Georgia National Team will be the clinician.
For more information on the camp and cost please call 478-231-5523.

Eastman-Dodge Recreation Department is holding registration for soccer until Friday, August 15.
All games will be played in accordance with the U.S. Youth Soccer Small Sided Games Manual. This will be Eastman’s first outdoor small-sided soccer league.
Age groups will be divided into six and under, eight and under, 10 and under and 12 and under. All registered players will receive a free t-shirt.
Registration can be done at the office on the Dublin Highway or online at www.eastman-dodge-recreation.com.
For more information about registration, call the office at 478-374-4696.

Archery camp was a big hit with Dodge Connection-Communities in Schools of Dodge County (DCCISDC). The summer kids spent several days learning the basics and practicing skills in the archery room. Several Dodge Bullseye volunteers, Elaine Pittman, Lisa Hightower, Todd Hightower and Jim Cravey, assisted with the camp! If you are interested in participating in archery this school year please contact Elaine Pittman. Pictured are participants Andrew Harrell, Calli Thompson, Adam Doss, DCCISDC AmeriCorps volunteer Asa Akins, Samantha Yawn, Bryan Hall, Eve Harrell, Lise Thompkins, Aniru Shasma, Emmanuel Sutton, Jenny Robinson, Angel Diego, Kadence Adams, Rashaun Tanner, Ezekiel Villanueva, Gaige Oxford, DJ Shadix, Anivrya Shasma and Brilee Lucas.

The Dodge County High School Lady Indian Softball team will open their season Wednesday, August 6 at 6:00 p.m. against the Bleckley County Royals in Cochran. The Lady Indians combined varsity and junior varsity team members are (front row, l-r) Allie Varnadoe, Haleigh Pavesich, Lindsey Crummey, Faith Manning, Julianna Bellflower, Meredith Hutcheson and Sara Lann; (second row, l-r) Kaylee Peterson, Margaret Simmons, Haley Holloway, Elizabeth Massingill, Caitlyn Gooch, Ashley Maxwell, DaKurah Johnson and Hailey Hickman; and (standing, l-r) Kiley Dix, Lila Coleman, Chelsey Hickman, Nikki Graham, Annie Moore, Lauren Belflower and Macy Rogers. Not pictured is head coach Amanda Mullis and assistant coaches Meghan McCranie and Shelly Butler. (Photo by Claudia Lowery Graham).

The Eastman-Dodge County 12 and under (12U) girls softball team finished their season recently with a runner’s up in the state championship played in Nashville. Team members are (first row, l-r) Lane Barrows, Gracie Lewis, Macey Haley, Addison Trawick, Jessie Trawick and Linzy Bowen; (second row, l-r) Madison Hardy, Amber Maxwell, Jenna Hickman, Olivia Cranford and Aniyah Black; and (third row, l-r) coaches Josh Maxwell, Tom Cranford, Al Lewis, Tavarius Black and Katie Selph.

The Dodge County 8 and under (8U) boys all-stars competed this past weekend in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) state tournament. The boys fought hard and placed third in the state after finishing second in their sub-district.
The Dodge team faced Putnam County in the first round and cruised to a 25 to three win in just three innings of work. In the second round the boys faced the eventual second place team from Jeff Davis. The young Dodge team played their best defensive game for four innings but lost their three to two lead in the fifth and eventually lost 10 to three.
With the boys falling to the lower brackets, they bounced back with a final at bat 14 to 13 win over a very tough Berrien team. Next up for Dodge was the host team of Screven County who had fought hard to remain in the tournament by upsetting some good teams. Dodge took the lead early and never looked back and defeated the Screven County team 13 to six.
The play-in game for the state championship was next for the 8U team facing once again the powerful team from Jeff Davis. The Dodge crew fought hard but were just over matched after playing three games in one day, including some playing with sickness, and lost 13 to one.
The eventually Class C State Champions, Evans County, was also from the Dodge District. The Dodge team has nothing to hang their heads about after playing in such a tough district and finishing third in the state. The coaching staff would like to thank the boys for their hard work and representation of Dodge County, as well as, the parents that put up with the long hours to get to this point.
Team members are (front row, l-r) Tye Moore, Landon Fordham, Zamiyan McDuffie, Jake Rogers, Gavin Fordham and Jarris Coney; (middle row, l-r) Jackson Stokes, Grant Goodman, Ashton Pitts, Riley Williams, Landon Walker and Mason Yeomans; (back row, l-r) assistant coach, Brian Yeomans; head coach, Jayme Fordham; assistant coaches Donny Fordham and Bryan Williams.

What do you know about life jacket safety, the 100-foot law, minimum age limits for boat operators, boating under the influence? These are just a few examples of things you should know before operating a vessel on public waters, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division.
How important is boater education? So important that beginning July 1st, completion of a boater education course will become mandatory for all vessel operators born on or after January 1, 1998.
“In an effort to provide a mechanism for ensuring that Georgia boaters are knowledgeable, boaters will be required to complete a boating education course,” says DNR Lt. Col. Jeff Weaver, assistant director of Law Enforcement. “After all, tragedy can happen quickly and making an effort to learn boating laws, rules and regulations can potentially save a life – including your own.” [Full Story »]