Sports
Sports
Recreation department will host district tournament
The Dodge County Recreation Department was awarded the District 1, Class “C” 12 and under boys tournament last week.
The tournament will be held starting on Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 at the recreation department complex.
There will be 12 out of town teams coming to our town for this week of play.
Recreation director, Travis Niblett, had this to say about the big tournament “We have done quality tournaments in the past and the state has given us the responsibility of running this big tournament. It will be big for our town, our county and for businesses.”
The Dodge County Recreation Department was awarded the District 1, Class “C” 12 and under boys tournament last week.
The tournament will be held starting on Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 at the recreation department complex.
There will be 12 out of town teams coming to our town for this week of play.
Recreation director, Travis Niblett, had this to say about the big tournament “We have done quality tournaments in the past and the state has given us the responsibility of running this big tournament. It will be big for our town, our county and for businesses.”
Russ's Sports Review
Coming into the season, I thought the National League East would be a four-team slugfest. So far things haven’t turned out that way. The Phillies, as advertised, have been pretty good lately as they went to 27-19 after Sunday’s win over the Rockies. The Braves, as I thought, are 25-22 but are only 2.5 games out of first place. Top to bottom, the Phillies are probably better than the Braves but we will have to see.
My big question is what in the world has happened to the Nationals? They were 19-26 going into Sunday night’s game against the Cubs. Their offense hasn’t been good and the bullpen has been suspect. I know losing Harper didn’t help but I can’t believe they are this bad. Some say that their time has passed but we will have to see. Then there are the Mets. They were swept by the Marlins, who are awful. Hey are just 20-25 and their big problem is he offense. They only scored six runs in the three games against Miami.
Could the East be a two-team race? Maybe, we will just have to see.
Now for the week of the Braves. They were 4-2 on the week but that wasn’t the big news of the week. Of course it was Austin Riley. As expected, he got his chance in left field as Ender Inciarte had a strained back muscle and landed on the injured list. Riley has been great with a pair of long homers and he came real close to a third.
The question now is, what to do when Inciarte is ready? I feel sure the league will adjust to Riley and he will have to adjust as well. He was 0-4 Sunday in the 3-2 loss to the Brewers. Time will tell but for now he has put a good bit of excitement in Atlanta.
Now for the part that makes all Braves fans hold their breath and that is the bullpen. They allowed eight runs in the final three innings on Friday as they nearly blew a 12-0 lead. Saturday, a late lead got away but a 10th inning homer by Freeman gave the Braves an extra innings win. Sunday, they lost in extra innings on a late homer despite an eighth inning homer by Freeman. They did let Venters go on Saturday. It is true that he was really struggling but so are others and changes are going to have to be made.
Now for some other news. Tuesday wasn’t a good night for the Hawks. They finished eighth in the lottery. To make matters worse, the pick they got from the Mavericks was tenth. Don’t be shocked at all if they make a trade on draft night.
In some college play, the Georgia women’s tennis team played for a national championship on Sunday against Stanford. The Lady Dogs came in ranked number one but things didn’t go well and they fell 4-0. The Lady Dog softball team and the baseball team are both still alive.
Okay, last week I said that pro wrestling fans would soon have an option to the right now mediocre WWE product. Starting this fall, though still not exactly sure of the date, AEW wrestling will start on the TNT network. Many of you fans know Cody Rhoades, Chris Jericho and the Young Backs. They will be featured and I wouldn’t be shocked if Dean Ambrose shows up there as well. I think the “wrestling wars” will return this fall!
Of course after my deadline, we have a Braves trade. It helps the bullpen but don’t get excited on the surface. The Braves have sent Jessie Biddle and the injured Vizcaino to Seattle for right-hander Anthony Swarzak and cash. To be honest, it looks like a “junk for junk” deal. Swarzak is injury prone and he is wild. He does get some strike outs so there is that. Vizcaino is out for the year and is a free agent at the end of the year. Biddle as we know is nothing special.
The Braves got cash to even out the contracts.
My big question is what in the world has happened to the Nationals? They were 19-26 going into Sunday night’s game against the Cubs. Their offense hasn’t been good and the bullpen has been suspect. I know losing Harper didn’t help but I can’t believe they are this bad. Some say that their time has passed but we will have to see. Then there are the Mets. They were swept by the Marlins, who are awful. Hey are just 20-25 and their big problem is he offense. They only scored six runs in the three games against Miami.
Could the East be a two-team race? Maybe, we will just have to see.
Now for the week of the Braves. They were 4-2 on the week but that wasn’t the big news of the week. Of course it was Austin Riley. As expected, he got his chance in left field as Ender Inciarte had a strained back muscle and landed on the injured list. Riley has been great with a pair of long homers and he came real close to a third.
The question now is, what to do when Inciarte is ready? I feel sure the league will adjust to Riley and he will have to adjust as well. He was 0-4 Sunday in the 3-2 loss to the Brewers. Time will tell but for now he has put a good bit of excitement in Atlanta.
Now for the part that makes all Braves fans hold their breath and that is the bullpen. They allowed eight runs in the final three innings on Friday as they nearly blew a 12-0 lead. Saturday, a late lead got away but a 10th inning homer by Freeman gave the Braves an extra innings win. Sunday, they lost in extra innings on a late homer despite an eighth inning homer by Freeman. They did let Venters go on Saturday. It is true that he was really struggling but so are others and changes are going to have to be made.
Now for some other news. Tuesday wasn’t a good night for the Hawks. They finished eighth in the lottery. To make matters worse, the pick they got from the Mavericks was tenth. Don’t be shocked at all if they make a trade on draft night.
In some college play, the Georgia women’s tennis team played for a national championship on Sunday against Stanford. The Lady Dogs came in ranked number one but things didn’t go well and they fell 4-0. The Lady Dog softball team and the baseball team are both still alive.
Okay, last week I said that pro wrestling fans would soon have an option to the right now mediocre WWE product. Starting this fall, though still not exactly sure of the date, AEW wrestling will start on the TNT network. Many of you fans know Cody Rhoades, Chris Jericho and the Young Backs. They will be featured and I wouldn’t be shocked if Dean Ambrose shows up there as well. I think the “wrestling wars” will return this fall!
Of course after my deadline, we have a Braves trade. It helps the bullpen but don’t get excited on the surface. The Braves have sent Jessie Biddle and the injured Vizcaino to Seattle for right-hander Anthony Swarzak and cash. To be honest, it looks like a “junk for junk” deal. Swarzak is injury prone and he is wild. He does get some strike outs so there is that. Vizcaino is out for the year and is a free agent at the end of the year. Biddle as we know is nothing special.
The Braves got cash to even out the contracts.
Sports
Annual Kiwanis golf tournament is successful
The 27th Annual Eastman-Dodge Kiwanis Club Golf Tournament was held on May 4th, 2019 at Green Acres Golf Course.
Under near perfect weather conditions, teams from the middle Georgia area came to support the work for children done by the Kiwanis Club and to compete for prize money and bragging rights.
Winners in the first flight were: first place, Stuart Rogers and William Alexander; second place, Murray Ward and David Hilliard and third place, David Jones and Wyatt Jones.
Winners in the second flight were: first place, Aubrey Brown and Steve Moore; second place, Charles Roland and Jesse Whittle and third place, Lamar Coleman and R.C. Coleman. Winners for closest to the pin were Steve Moore on hole number three, Wyatt Jones on holes number six and 13 and Jeff Moss on hole number nine.
The Kiwanis Club wishes to thank the following individuals and companies for their support and participation as hole sponsors: Arconic, Bug House, Bohannon Auto Repair, Butcher Block, ChasMar Home and Garden, Chic King, Christian Life Center, Citizens Bank and Trust, Clay’s Automotive, Coleman Paint and Body, Colony Bank, Dairy Queen, Earl Rogers, CPA, Easter Seals, Eastman Drugs, Eastman Equipment Company, Eastman Fast Lube, Eastman Lion’s Club, Eastman Pediatrics, Eastman Insurance, Ethridge Plastics, Five Otters Olive Orchard, Global net, The Insurance Connection/Jill Johnson, Hartley Tire Service, Jackie’s Gun and Pawn, Lakeside Church, Legacy Flexible Packaging, Little Fork Lift Service, Martha Shelton Florist, Massengill Heating and Air, McDonald’s, Mondi, Ocmulgee Animal Care, Pruett Heating and Air, Rhine Drug’s, Rozar Alignment, Sawtooth Ranch/Zack and Debbie Mercer, Shorty’s Quick Stop and Used Cars, Attaway’s Sidetrack Cafe, Sonic, Stamps-Walker Agency/Clint Williams, Stokes and Southerland Funeral Home, Stuckey Timberland, The Floor Plan, Medical Center Prescription Shop, Tommy Thomas Realty, Goodman Auto Sales, Tripp’s Barber Shop, Village Pizza, Wayne’s Lawn and Equipment and Robert Kigans.
Indians place at state meet
Several Dodge County High School students competed in the state track meet.
Placing from Dodge were: Europe Brown, sixth place in high jump; Caleb Fluellen, fifth place in discus; Keldrick Beck, fifth place in high jump and Jadin Johnson, fourth place in shot put.
The 27th Annual Eastman-Dodge Kiwanis Club Golf Tournament was held on May 4th, 2019 at Green Acres Golf Course.
Under near perfect weather conditions, teams from the middle Georgia area came to support the work for children done by the Kiwanis Club and to compete for prize money and bragging rights.
Winners in the first flight were: first place, Stuart Rogers and William Alexander; second place, Murray Ward and David Hilliard and third place, David Jones and Wyatt Jones.
Winners in the second flight were: first place, Aubrey Brown and Steve Moore; second place, Charles Roland and Jesse Whittle and third place, Lamar Coleman and R.C. Coleman. Winners for closest to the pin were Steve Moore on hole number three, Wyatt Jones on holes number six and 13 and Jeff Moss on hole number nine.
The Kiwanis Club wishes to thank the following individuals and companies for their support and participation as hole sponsors: Arconic, Bug House, Bohannon Auto Repair, Butcher Block, ChasMar Home and Garden, Chic King, Christian Life Center, Citizens Bank and Trust, Clay’s Automotive, Coleman Paint and Body, Colony Bank, Dairy Queen, Earl Rogers, CPA, Easter Seals, Eastman Drugs, Eastman Equipment Company, Eastman Fast Lube, Eastman Lion’s Club, Eastman Pediatrics, Eastman Insurance, Ethridge Plastics, Five Otters Olive Orchard, Global net, The Insurance Connection/Jill Johnson, Hartley Tire Service, Jackie’s Gun and Pawn, Lakeside Church, Legacy Flexible Packaging, Little Fork Lift Service, Martha Shelton Florist, Massengill Heating and Air, McDonald’s, Mondi, Ocmulgee Animal Care, Pruett Heating and Air, Rhine Drug’s, Rozar Alignment, Sawtooth Ranch/Zack and Debbie Mercer, Shorty’s Quick Stop and Used Cars, Attaway’s Sidetrack Cafe, Sonic, Stamps-Walker Agency/Clint Williams, Stokes and Southerland Funeral Home, Stuckey Timberland, The Floor Plan, Medical Center Prescription Shop, Tommy Thomas Realty, Goodman Auto Sales, Tripp’s Barber Shop, Village Pizza, Wayne’s Lawn and Equipment and Robert Kigans.
Indians place at state meet
Several Dodge County High School students competed in the state track meet.
Placing from Dodge were: Europe Brown, sixth place in high jump; Caleb Fluellen, fifth place in discus; Keldrick Beck, fifth place in high jump and Jadin Johnson, fourth place in shot put.
Indians participate in Spring scrimmage under new head coach
By Joey Marchant
The Ken Cofer era of Dodge County High School Football began Friday, May 17 as the Indians traveled to Warner Robins for a spring football jamboree with the AAAAAA Houston County Bears and the AAAA Howard High Huskies.
Coach Cofer was hired on April 16. He has had only nine practices with his team without a full coaching staff. In that time, he has installed a new no huddle offense and an aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme. Both were on display Friday night. Expectations were tempered going in due to all of the recent changes.
The format called for Dodge to play two nine-minute periods against Houston and two nine-minute periods against Howard. There would also be a six-minute period against each team designed for younger players to see some action. Scores would not be kept during the six-minute periods.
Houston County won the toss and elected to go on offense. On the first play, Daylon Gordon blitzed from his linebacker position and dropped the running back for a one -yard loss. Houston County would fly down the field after that. A 27-yard run would move the ball to the Dodge 26-yard line. Three plays later, Houston had a 20-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty. With the Bears knocking on the door inside the five-yard line, the Dodge defense stiffened. Caleb Fluellen dropped the running back for a two-yard loss on second down. Daylon Gordon sacked the quarterback on third down. Houston would have to settle for a short field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Dodge went on offense from its own 30-yard line. Rising sophomore Kade Harpe got the start at quarterback. Harpe handed off to Mikhail Carr on a sweep, but Carr slipped on the artificial turf just as it appeared he had the corner. Harpe completed a short pass to Timmy Johnson, but the play was called back for a holding penalty. Harpe then faked a handoff and rushed for a 46-yard gain down to the Houston 32-yard line. The Dodge offense then stalled and Mason Mangham came in to attempt a 46-yard field goal. The kick was on line, but it fell short of the cross bar.
Houston took over on its own 30-yard line. The Bears completed an eight-yard pass and had a two-yard run for a first down. A pass across the middle was batted away by Carr. On the next play, Dodge brought heavy pressure as Elijah Williams flushed the quarterback from the pocket where Javon McNeal grabbed him and slung him around. The big quarterback was able to keep his feet and get rid of the ball for an incomplete pass. Dodge chose not to blitz on third down, and the Bears completed a first down pass. The Bears would later complete another pass on the drive giving them a first down at the Dodge 34-yard line. Gordon then dropped the running back for a six-yard loss. A second down pass fell incomplete. Nathan Coley defended on a third down pass attempt to end the Houston threat.
Dodge went three plays and out on its next drive. Houston took over on its own 30-yard line and immediately connected for a 60-yard touchdown pass on a busted coverage by Dodge. The inside receiver ran a short out route, which was bit on by both the corner and the safety leaving the outside receiver running alone down the sideline for the easy catch and score. The extra point made it 10-0 Houston.
Dodge would again go three plays and out on its next possession, and Houston would take over on its own 30-yard line. After a nine-yard pass completion on first down, Gordon recovered a fumble on second down giving Dodge the ball at the Houston 36-yard line. Harpe went for it all on the next play, but he could not connect with Carr streaking down the sideline. Dodge lost three yards on the next play. Harpe hit Keldrick Beck for a seven-yard gain bringing up fourth down and six yards to go. Harpe was able to draw Houston off sides with a hard count leaving Dodge with fourth and one. Gordon took a direct snap from center and gained the 1 yard he needed for the first down. Dodge went back to the direct snap on the next play and Gordon broke to the outside for a 25-yard touchdown run. This play showed Gordon’s athleticism. There was confusion pre-snap about which way the tight ends should shift and post snap about whom they should block. This left Gordon alone to weave his way through three defenders on the way to the end zone. Mangham’s extra point was good to cut the Houston lead to 10-7.
Houston took possession on its own 30-yard line and completed a 34-yard pass for a first down in Dodge territory. Dodge was able to hold Houston without another first down as Jamal Mahan and Gordon applied heavy pressure to force the quarterback to throw incomplete on third down.
Dodge took over on its own 30-yard line with time ticking away. Gordon had runs of 22 yards and three yards to get the ball into Houston territory at the 45-yard line with time for one more play. Harpe heaved a pass toward the end zone on the final play, which was intercepted to end the scrimmage with Houston winning 10-7.
Dodge would now take on Howard High who won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Dodge took possession at its own 30-yard line. Dodge converted one first down on a nine-yard pass to Timmy Johnson. The Dodge offense quickly stalled.
Howard took over on its own 30-yard line. The Dodge Defense would have to adjust from the spread offense run by Houston County to the Wing T offense run by Howard. They would struggle to do so. Howard came down the field rather easily reaching the Dodge eight-yard line before the Dodge defense stiffened. Carr and Elijah Williams tackled the running back for a two-yard loss. Carr then chased down the running back after a three-yard gain on a sweep play. On third down, Kane Northcutt sacked the quarterback. Howard had to settle for a short field goal attempt, which hit the right upright leaving the game scoreless.
Dodge took over on its own 30-yard line. Jayleen Lemon rushed for three yards. Harpe rushed for nine yards and a first down. Lemon rushed for four yards. Harpe then hit Carr in stride with a 49-yard touchdown pass. Mangham added the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Howard went three and out on its next possession. Rising freshman Hunter Kirkley came in at quarterback for Dodge and scrambled for 12 yards and a first down, but the Dodge offense stalled.
Howard took over on its own 30-yard line. Howard rushed for nine yards on first down. On second and short, the Howard running back rushed up the middle for a 61-yard touchdown run breaking seven Dodge tackles along the way. Howard added the extra point to tie the score at 7-7.
Harpe came back in to run the Dodge offense, which took over at its own 30-yard line. Carr went in motion and took a handoff running left before cutting back down the right sideline for a 40-yard gain. After an incompletion, Harpe hit Beck with a short pass. A defender punched the ball into the air. Lemon recovered possession for Dodge and a Howard defender picked Lemon up and body slammed him earning a 15-yard personal foul penalty. The result of the play was Dodge having a first down at the Howard 20-yard line. After a screen pass to Gordon gained 4 yards, Gordon took a handoff running left, and with little running room, broke seven tackles spinning and juking his way to the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown run. Mangham added the extra point for a 14-7 Dodge lead.
Howard took over on its own 30-yard line and immediately rushed 70 yards for a touchdown. The extra point tied it at 14-14. Dodge went three and out on its next possession, and Howard had the ball with a chance to win the game. Howard drove down to the Dodge eight-yard line with less than a minute to play before fumbling the quarterback center exchange. Williams pounced on the fumble for Dodge.
Dodge took over on its own 30-yard line. Lemon rushed for five yards. A 15-yard penalty gave Dodge the ball at midfield with time for one play. Harpe heaved the ball down field toward Beck, but the pass was intercepted. As the defender attempted to navigate his way up the sideline, Colby Lee pushed him out of bounds at the Dodge 48-yard line to end the scrimmage with Howard in a 14-14 tie.
Dodge will have plenty to work on as they begin summer workouts and fall practice. However, the good definitely outweighed the bad this spring.
Dodge will open its season with a scrimmage on August 9 at Hawkinsville. The regular season schedule will kick off on August 23 with Dodge hosting AAAAAA Bradwell Institute.
Statistical leaders from the four varsity periods Friday night were as follows:
Passing: Kade Harpe was six for 15 for 69 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Rushing: Daylon Gordon had 13 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Kade Harpe had three carries for 55 yards.
Mikhail Carr had three carries for 43 yards.
Receiving: Mikhail Carr had one catch for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Keldrick Beck had three catches for seven yards .
Timmy Johnson had one catch for nine yards.
Daylon Gordon had one catch for four yards.
Defense: Daylon Gordon had seven tackles (five solo) including a sack and a fumble recovery.
Javon McNeal had six tackles (three solo).
Nathan Coley had six tackles (four solo).
Mikhail Carr had five tackles (four solo) and one pass deflected.
Elijah Williams had four tackles (two solo) and one fumble recovery.
Special teams: Mason Mangham was 0/1 on field goals and 3/3 on extra points.
By Joey Marchant
The Ken Cofer era of Dodge County High School Football began Friday, May 17 as the Indians traveled to Warner Robins for a spring football jamboree with the AAAAAA Houston County Bears and the AAAA Howard High Huskies.
Coach Cofer was hired on April 16. He has had only nine practices with his team without a full coaching staff. In that time, he has installed a new no huddle offense and an aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme. Both were on display Friday night. Expectations were tempered going in due to all of the recent changes.
The format called for Dodge to play two nine-minute periods against Houston and two nine-minute periods against Howard. There would also be a six-minute period against each team designed for younger players to see some action. Scores would not be kept during the six-minute periods.
Houston County won the toss and elected to go on offense. On the first play, Daylon Gordon blitzed from his linebacker position and dropped the running back for a one -yard loss. Houston County would fly down the field after that. A 27-yard run would move the ball to the Dodge 26-yard line. Three plays later, Houston had a 20-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty. With the Bears knocking on the door inside the five-yard line, the Dodge defense stiffened. Caleb Fluellen dropped the running back for a two-yard loss on second down. Daylon Gordon sacked the quarterback on third down. Houston would have to settle for a short field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Dodge went on offense from its own 30-yard line. Rising sophomore Kade Harpe got the start at quarterback. Harpe handed off to Mikhail Carr on a sweep, but Carr slipped on the artificial turf just as it appeared he had the corner. Harpe completed a short pass to Timmy Johnson, but the play was called back for a holding penalty. Harpe then faked a handoff and rushed for a 46-yard gain down to the Houston 32-yard line. The Dodge offense then stalled and Mason Mangham came in to attempt a 46-yard field goal. The kick was on line, but it fell short of the cross bar.
Houston took over on its own 30-yard line. The Bears completed an eight-yard pass and had a two-yard run for a first down. A pass across the middle was batted away by Carr. On the next play, Dodge brought heavy pressure as Elijah Williams flushed the quarterback from the pocket where Javon McNeal grabbed him and slung him around. The big quarterback was able to keep his feet and get rid of the ball for an incomplete pass. Dodge chose not to blitz on third down, and the Bears completed a first down pass. The Bears would later complete another pass on the drive giving them a first down at the Dodge 34-yard line. Gordon then dropped the running back for a six-yard loss. A second down pass fell incomplete. Nathan Coley defended on a third down pass attempt to end the Houston threat.
Dodge went three plays and out on its next drive. Houston took over on its own 30-yard line and immediately connected for a 60-yard touchdown pass on a busted coverage by Dodge. The inside receiver ran a short out route, which was bit on by both the corner and the safety leaving the outside receiver running alone down the sideline for the easy catch and score. The extra point made it 10-0 Houston.
Dodge would again go three plays and out on its next possession, and Houston would take over on its own 30-yard line. After a nine-yard pass completion on first down, Gordon recovered a fumble on second down giving Dodge the ball at the Houston 36-yard line. Harpe went for it all on the next play, but he could not connect with Carr streaking down the sideline. Dodge lost three yards on the next play. Harpe hit Keldrick Beck for a seven-yard gain bringing up fourth down and six yards to go. Harpe was able to draw Houston off sides with a hard count leaving Dodge with fourth and one. Gordon took a direct snap from center and gained the 1 yard he needed for the first down. Dodge went back to the direct snap on the next play and Gordon broke to the outside for a 25-yard touchdown run. This play showed Gordon’s athleticism. There was confusion pre-snap about which way the tight ends should shift and post snap about whom they should block. This left Gordon alone to weave his way through three defenders on the way to the end zone. Mangham’s extra point was good to cut the Houston lead to 10-7.
Houston took possession on its own 30-yard line and completed a 34-yard pass for a first down in Dodge territory. Dodge was able to hold Houston without another first down as Jamal Mahan and Gordon applied heavy pressure to force the quarterback to throw incomplete on third down.
Dodge took over on its own 30-yard line with time ticking away. Gordon had runs of 22 yards and three yards to get the ball into Houston territory at the 45-yard line with time for one more play. Harpe heaved a pass toward the end zone on the final play, which was intercepted to end the scrimmage with Houston winning 10-7.
Dodge would now take on Howard High who won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Dodge took possession at its own 30-yard line. Dodge converted one first down on a nine-yard pass to Timmy Johnson. The Dodge offense quickly stalled.
Howard took over on its own 30-yard line. The Dodge Defense would have to adjust from the spread offense run by Houston County to the Wing T offense run by Howard. They would struggle to do so. Howard came down the field rather easily reaching the Dodge eight-yard line before the Dodge defense stiffened. Carr and Elijah Williams tackled the running back for a two-yard loss. Carr then chased down the running back after a three-yard gain on a sweep play. On third down, Kane Northcutt sacked the quarterback. Howard had to settle for a short field goal attempt, which hit the right upright leaving the game scoreless.
Dodge took over on its own 30-yard line. Jayleen Lemon rushed for three yards. Harpe rushed for nine yards and a first down. Lemon rushed for four yards. Harpe then hit Carr in stride with a 49-yard touchdown pass. Mangham added the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Howard went three and out on its next possession. Rising freshman Hunter Kirkley came in at quarterback for Dodge and scrambled for 12 yards and a first down, but the Dodge offense stalled.
Howard took over on its own 30-yard line. Howard rushed for nine yards on first down. On second and short, the Howard running back rushed up the middle for a 61-yard touchdown run breaking seven Dodge tackles along the way. Howard added the extra point to tie the score at 7-7.
Harpe came back in to run the Dodge offense, which took over at its own 30-yard line. Carr went in motion and took a handoff running left before cutting back down the right sideline for a 40-yard gain. After an incompletion, Harpe hit Beck with a short pass. A defender punched the ball into the air. Lemon recovered possession for Dodge and a Howard defender picked Lemon up and body slammed him earning a 15-yard personal foul penalty. The result of the play was Dodge having a first down at the Howard 20-yard line. After a screen pass to Gordon gained 4 yards, Gordon took a handoff running left, and with little running room, broke seven tackles spinning and juking his way to the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown run. Mangham added the extra point for a 14-7 Dodge lead.
Howard took over on its own 30-yard line and immediately rushed 70 yards for a touchdown. The extra point tied it at 14-14. Dodge went three and out on its next possession, and Howard had the ball with a chance to win the game. Howard drove down to the Dodge eight-yard line with less than a minute to play before fumbling the quarterback center exchange. Williams pounced on the fumble for Dodge.
Dodge took over on its own 30-yard line. Lemon rushed for five yards. A 15-yard penalty gave Dodge the ball at midfield with time for one play. Harpe heaved the ball down field toward Beck, but the pass was intercepted. As the defender attempted to navigate his way up the sideline, Colby Lee pushed him out of bounds at the Dodge 48-yard line to end the scrimmage with Howard in a 14-14 tie.
Dodge will have plenty to work on as they begin summer workouts and fall practice. However, the good definitely outweighed the bad this spring.
Dodge will open its season with a scrimmage on August 9 at Hawkinsville. The regular season schedule will kick off on August 23 with Dodge hosting AAAAAA Bradwell Institute.
Statistical leaders from the four varsity periods Friday night were as follows:
Passing: Kade Harpe was six for 15 for 69 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Rushing: Daylon Gordon had 13 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Kade Harpe had three carries for 55 yards.
Mikhail Carr had three carries for 43 yards.
Receiving: Mikhail Carr had one catch for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Keldrick Beck had three catches for seven yards .
Timmy Johnson had one catch for nine yards.
Daylon Gordon had one catch for four yards.
Defense: Daylon Gordon had seven tackles (five solo) including a sack and a fumble recovery.
Javon McNeal had six tackles (three solo).
Nathan Coley had six tackles (four solo).
Mikhail Carr had five tackles (four solo) and one pass deflected.
Elijah Williams had four tackles (two solo) and one fumble recovery.
Special teams: Mason Mangham was 0/1 on field goals and 3/3 on extra points.
Sports
Archers participate and place at Eastern National Tournament
The Dodge County Team Bullseye attended the 2019 Eastern National Archery in Schools Program Tournament last weekend at the Kentucky Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.
The middle school archers participated as individuals. Deanna Yancey scored 280 and ranked in the top 3% of the middle school girls. Others members of the middle school who attended were Hailey Cossett and Troy Tennell.
The high school team participated in the Bullseye and 3-D tournament. Both teams ranked in the top schools in the country. Jacob Towns placed 4th in the high school division. He won a medallion, plaque and $500.00 college scholarship. Noah Coleman scored a 293 and ranked in the top 1% of all Bullseye participates. Jade Barlow and Zoey Durden were the top female archers for both teams.
Member of the high school are as follows: Josh Williams, Noah Coleman, Nickolas Varndoe, Clay Robinson, Evan Kirkley, Zoey Durden, Llya Tripp, Aliyah Durham, Zack Anderson, Hayden Spires, Jade Barlow, Ashley Smith and Halie Smith.
The coaching staff attending the tournament was Elaine Pittman, Brenda Williams, Jason Williams, George Johnson and Gabriel Ellis.
Team Bullseye extends their appreciation for all the hard work of the coaches, volunteers and parents.
The Dodge County Team Bullseye attended the 2019 Eastern National Archery in Schools Program Tournament last weekend at the Kentucky Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.
The middle school archers participated as individuals. Deanna Yancey scored 280 and ranked in the top 3% of the middle school girls. Others members of the middle school who attended were Hailey Cossett and Troy Tennell.
The high school team participated in the Bullseye and 3-D tournament. Both teams ranked in the top schools in the country. Jacob Towns placed 4th in the high school division. He won a medallion, plaque and $500.00 college scholarship. Noah Coleman scored a 293 and ranked in the top 1% of all Bullseye participates. Jade Barlow and Zoey Durden were the top female archers for both teams.
Member of the high school are as follows: Josh Williams, Noah Coleman, Nickolas Varndoe, Clay Robinson, Evan Kirkley, Zoey Durden, Llya Tripp, Aliyah Durham, Zack Anderson, Hayden Spires, Jade Barlow, Ashley Smith and Halie Smith.
The coaching staff attending the tournament was Elaine Pittman, Brenda Williams, Jason Williams, George Johnson and Gabriel Ellis.
Team Bullseye extends their appreciation for all the hard work of the coaches, volunteers and parents.
Russ's Sports Review
The Braves wrapped up their 10 game road trip on Sunday and all this season has been up and down. After sweeping the horrible Marlins, the Dodgers handled the Braves in three straight. Then came the wild Arizona series. The D-Backs won the first game in extra innings and you have to be thinking oh no, a long losing streak.
Somehow the Braves won the last three and got through the road trip 6-4 and in pretty good shape. They are 21-20 and only (somehow) three games behind the Phillies. The rest of the month looks tough. They started a six game home stand on Tuesday against the Cardinals and then the Brewers came to Atlanta. They will next go to St. Louis and San Francisco. The rest of the month will be a monster.
We finally did see a batting order change on the road trip. Acuna did go back to the leadoff spot. Albies was moved to the sixth spot in the order. Acuna was the top leadoff man in the game in the second half of last season. The order as a whole has been pretty good from the top to bottom with the exception of one guy and it is Ender Inciarte. The gold gloved center fielder is hitting just .218. Changes could be on the way, but more on that later.
Now for everyone’s favorite discussion, the Braves bullpen. Who will be the closer this week? Do you buy Luke Jackson on being the full time closer? Sorry but I am not ready for that. Honestly I have no faith in anybody coming out of the pen.
The Braves will join about nine other teams in he chase for Kimbrel. He will be available without draft pick compensation. I know the Braves would love to have him but will the team win a bidding war? My short answer is no.
If you have kept up with the Braves, this week is the bat of Austin Riley. He is killing it at AAA Gwinnett. The problem is Riley is a third baseman and Donaldson isn’t going anywhere so what to do? The potential solution could be under way. Riley has started playing left field some in Gwinnett. Is he ready to move to the big club? Probably not yet but I think the process is speeding up. After all, the 22-year-old Riley is hitting .300 on the year with 14 homers and 35 RBI’s. His strike out rate is still a little high but it is getting better. In a month or so, I could see an outfield with Riley, Acuna and Markakis. That would make Inciarte the odd man out.
Maybe they could move him for some pitching help, perhaps to Cleveland who could really use an outfielder. That could certainly hurt the defense side of the outfield but it would put more runs on the board.
By now, we will all know the results of the NBA Lottery for the Draft. Lets hope by some miracle that the Hawks can get the top pick and grab Zion. He would help make the team one of the most exciting ones to watch.
I know there are a lot of “closet” wrestling fans out there. There is some huge news that is supposed to come out this week that could change the industry.
As you know, the WWE isn’t really good right now and things could soon get much worse!
Somehow the Braves won the last three and got through the road trip 6-4 and in pretty good shape. They are 21-20 and only (somehow) three games behind the Phillies. The rest of the month looks tough. They started a six game home stand on Tuesday against the Cardinals and then the Brewers came to Atlanta. They will next go to St. Louis and San Francisco. The rest of the month will be a monster.
We finally did see a batting order change on the road trip. Acuna did go back to the leadoff spot. Albies was moved to the sixth spot in the order. Acuna was the top leadoff man in the game in the second half of last season. The order as a whole has been pretty good from the top to bottom with the exception of one guy and it is Ender Inciarte. The gold gloved center fielder is hitting just .218. Changes could be on the way, but more on that later.
Now for everyone’s favorite discussion, the Braves bullpen. Who will be the closer this week? Do you buy Luke Jackson on being the full time closer? Sorry but I am not ready for that. Honestly I have no faith in anybody coming out of the pen.
The Braves will join about nine other teams in he chase for Kimbrel. He will be available without draft pick compensation. I know the Braves would love to have him but will the team win a bidding war? My short answer is no.
If you have kept up with the Braves, this week is the bat of Austin Riley. He is killing it at AAA Gwinnett. The problem is Riley is a third baseman and Donaldson isn’t going anywhere so what to do? The potential solution could be under way. Riley has started playing left field some in Gwinnett. Is he ready to move to the big club? Probably not yet but I think the process is speeding up. After all, the 22-year-old Riley is hitting .300 on the year with 14 homers and 35 RBI’s. His strike out rate is still a little high but it is getting better. In a month or so, I could see an outfield with Riley, Acuna and Markakis. That would make Inciarte the odd man out.
Maybe they could move him for some pitching help, perhaps to Cleveland who could really use an outfielder. That could certainly hurt the defense side of the outfield but it would put more runs on the board.
By now, we will all know the results of the NBA Lottery for the Draft. Lets hope by some miracle that the Hawks can get the top pick and grab Zion. He would help make the team one of the most exciting ones to watch.
I know there are a lot of “closet” wrestling fans out there. There is some huge news that is supposed to come out this week that could change the industry.
As you know, the WWE isn’t really good right now and things could soon get much worse!
Russ's Sports Review
Okay. It was a good week for the Braves as they won five of seven games against the Padres and the horrible league’s worst Marlins. They are 6-4 in their last ten and only stand 1.5 games out of the lead in what has been an underwhelming National League East so far. Right now they are in Los Angeles playing a good Dodger team. After this rough series, they will go to Arizona to play a much better than expected Diamondbacks team. The D’Backs swept the Braves in Atlanta in April.
The highlight of the week was Friday night against the Marlins. It was the re-match against Jose Urena. You remember Urena, right? He beamed Acuna last year and hurt his wrist. I had a feeling that something was going to happen back at him. Sure enough, Braves starter Kevin Gausman threw a pitch behind Urena, but it missed him.
It was considered to be on purpose and I do feel like it was, so Gausman and manager Brian Snitker were both ejected from the game. The Braves won as Touki Toussaint pitched four really good innings out of the bullpen. Touki was brought up Friday “just in case he was needed” and headed back to AAA on Saturday. I am sure the Braves will be heavily fined and I am sure Gausman will be suspended by the league this week. Hear me out before being critical of my upcoming statements. I know the Braves are only 1.5 games out of first place going into Monday’s play, but I do not see the East staying at this level and frankly, I think this is the kind of team the Braves are going to be this season. The bullpen is a mess and honestly I don’t see Kimbrel coming in to save the day. This team will score some runs but I don’t think the pitching will hold up over 162 games. An 85-win season is probably the best they can do and I don’t think when the dust settles that they will make the playoffs.
There are six players that are my personal key to look at for the 2019 season. Let’s start with the offense. The trio of Albies, Acuna and Swanson are important to this team. Of course Acuna and Albies signed cheap long-term deals. They both are real streaky but if they stay healthy, things will be fine for many years to come. The third is Swanson. He is leading the club in RBI’s with 25. His defense is very good so if he can hold his own at the plate, things should be just fine. I didn’t mention Freeman because we know what he is going to do. It looks like help is on the way but more on that a little later.
Now for the pitchers. The most important to me are Fried, Soroka and Toussaint. I know Touki is in AAA but if Fried and Soroka can keep the pace up, those could be a great one-two punch. Personally, I would rather see Touki stay in the majors but that is my take and his upside may be higher than the rest.
I said earlier that help is on the way. Here is the report from the farm. The hottest by far is third baseman, Austin Riley at AAA Gwinnett. He has ten homers in just 113 at bats. He hit four this week including a 492-foot shot. He is also hitting .301 on the year. The problem is that I do not see any big club play for him soon. Josh Donaldson will be the third baseman unless he is injured. Another player that needs a chance is Cristian Pache. He is a 20-year-old centerfielder. He is hitting .300 on the year. The big deal about him is his glove. Many consider him the best outfielder period. I know Inciarte is a golden glove outfielder but his bat is not an asset. I would love to see him in center in the 2020 season.
The one arm I would like to see get a shot maybe next year is 21 year old right-hander Ian Anderson. He is at AA Mississippi. He needs to work on his control just a little and maybe a chance to the 2020 rotation.
I am sticking to my predictions on the 2019 team not making the post season. If the organization can get some financial help, the future can be real bright for years to come!
The highlight of the week was Friday night against the Marlins. It was the re-match against Jose Urena. You remember Urena, right? He beamed Acuna last year and hurt his wrist. I had a feeling that something was going to happen back at him. Sure enough, Braves starter Kevin Gausman threw a pitch behind Urena, but it missed him.
It was considered to be on purpose and I do feel like it was, so Gausman and manager Brian Snitker were both ejected from the game. The Braves won as Touki Toussaint pitched four really good innings out of the bullpen. Touki was brought up Friday “just in case he was needed” and headed back to AAA on Saturday. I am sure the Braves will be heavily fined and I am sure Gausman will be suspended by the league this week. Hear me out before being critical of my upcoming statements. I know the Braves are only 1.5 games out of first place going into Monday’s play, but I do not see the East staying at this level and frankly, I think this is the kind of team the Braves are going to be this season. The bullpen is a mess and honestly I don’t see Kimbrel coming in to save the day. This team will score some runs but I don’t think the pitching will hold up over 162 games. An 85-win season is probably the best they can do and I don’t think when the dust settles that they will make the playoffs.
There are six players that are my personal key to look at for the 2019 season. Let’s start with the offense. The trio of Albies, Acuna and Swanson are important to this team. Of course Acuna and Albies signed cheap long-term deals. They both are real streaky but if they stay healthy, things will be fine for many years to come. The third is Swanson. He is leading the club in RBI’s with 25. His defense is very good so if he can hold his own at the plate, things should be just fine. I didn’t mention Freeman because we know what he is going to do. It looks like help is on the way but more on that a little later.
Now for the pitchers. The most important to me are Fried, Soroka and Toussaint. I know Touki is in AAA but if Fried and Soroka can keep the pace up, those could be a great one-two punch. Personally, I would rather see Touki stay in the majors but that is my take and his upside may be higher than the rest.
I said earlier that help is on the way. Here is the report from the farm. The hottest by far is third baseman, Austin Riley at AAA Gwinnett. He has ten homers in just 113 at bats. He hit four this week including a 492-foot shot. He is also hitting .301 on the year. The problem is that I do not see any big club play for him soon. Josh Donaldson will be the third baseman unless he is injured. Another player that needs a chance is Cristian Pache. He is a 20-year-old centerfielder. He is hitting .300 on the year. The big deal about him is his glove. Many consider him the best outfielder period. I know Inciarte is a golden glove outfielder but his bat is not an asset. I would love to see him in center in the 2020 season.
The one arm I would like to see get a shot maybe next year is 21 year old right-hander Ian Anderson. He is at AA Mississippi. He needs to work on his control just a little and maybe a chance to the 2020 rotation.
I am sticking to my predictions on the 2019 team not making the post season. If the organization can get some financial help, the future can be real bright for years to come!
Dancers and tumblers bring home
over 20 awards at competition
Members of the Georgia Peach Dance and Tumbling Competition Team competed in the Regional Dance Competition in Dublin on April 12 through April 14.
Competiting against teams with 20 plus members, the 12-member team brought home: four platinum elite awards, 11 platinum awards, four high gold awards, one judges award for most entertaining, one second place overall award out of 10 routines, one first place overall award out of nine routines, one fourth place overall award out of 23 routines, one eighth place overall award out of 23 routines, one 11th place overall award out of 27 routines, one fourth place overall award out of 27 routines, one third place overall award out of 27 routines, one second place overall award out of 10 routines, one first place overall award out of 10 routines, two second place break down awards, two first place break down awards and four top performer of the day awards.
Team members pictured above are Raegan Lancaster, Kynslie Reynolds, Azaria Huttoe, Adrianna Leschak, Tamiah Smith, Camille Orange, MJ Orange, Heaven Ibarra, Isabelle Burch, Kadee Walker, Ella Walker and Amarianna Johnson. The instructor for the group is Sarah Ashley Winans.
over 20 awards at competition
Members of the Georgia Peach Dance and Tumbling Competition Team competed in the Regional Dance Competition in Dublin on April 12 through April 14.
Competiting against teams with 20 plus members, the 12-member team brought home: four platinum elite awards, 11 platinum awards, four high gold awards, one judges award for most entertaining, one second place overall award out of 10 routines, one first place overall award out of nine routines, one fourth place overall award out of 23 routines, one eighth place overall award out of 23 routines, one 11th place overall award out of 27 routines, one fourth place overall award out of 27 routines, one third place overall award out of 27 routines, one second place overall award out of 10 routines, one first place overall award out of 10 routines, two second place break down awards, two first place break down awards and four top performer of the day awards.
Team members pictured above are Raegan Lancaster, Kynslie Reynolds, Azaria Huttoe, Adrianna Leschak, Tamiah Smith, Camille Orange, MJ Orange, Heaven Ibarra, Isabelle Burch, Kadee Walker, Ella Walker and Amarianna Johnson. The instructor for the group is Sarah Ashley Winans.
Indian baseball season ends in playoffs
By Joey Marchant
Dodge had a tough draw in the first round of the state playoffs traveling to Alma on April 24th to face the 8th ranked Bacon County Red Raiders who had a record of 21-8. Bacon had a solid lineup, good pitching and excellent defense. They were easily the best team Dodge faced this year.
Andrew Lowery took the mound for Dodge in the first game and pitched a complete game allowing just four runs on nine hits. He walked one batter and hit one batter. He struck out two. Dodge played solid defense behind Lowery.
Dodge got on the scoreboard first in the third inning when DJ Bursch walked and stole second. Garrett Durden drove in Bursch with a base hit to give Dodge a 1-0 lead.
Bacon tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the third.
It appeared Bacon would break it open in the fourth, but Bursch got a great jump on a ball hit in the right center gap and made a diving catch for out three. At the crack of the bat, it looked like a sure double that would plate two runs. The score remained tied.
Dodge had a chance to take the lead in the fifth. Brendan O’Connor reached on an error. Durden walked, and Brodie Woodard walked to load the bases with one out. Kadin Burse hit a rocket right at the third baseman which had it been a few feet either way would have plated two runs. That did not happen. The third baseman made the catch and was able to beat O’Connor to the third base bag for the double play to end the inning.
Bacon added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.
Dodge had another opportunity to score in the sixth as Lowery, Parker Hardin and Bursch all drew walks to load the bases with two outs. Dodge could not score. You cannot load the bases twice without scoring against a good team and expect to win.
Bacon added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a questionable balk call as Lowery attempted to pick off a runner. Bacon led 4-1.
Woodard and Burse had base hits for Dodge in the seventh bringing the tying run to the plate. Dodge ended the game by grounding into a double play falling by a score of 4-1.
Leading hitters for Dodge were Brodie Woodard who was three for three with a walk and Garrett Durden who was one for three with one run batted in (RBI).
Dodge would need to win the second game to stay alive and force a third game the next day. Parker Gay started the second game on the mound for Dodge. After struggling early, Gay settled down and showed a lot of guts the rest of the way pitching five innings allowing six runs on seven hits.Gay walked two batters and hit two batters. He struck out six.
Bacon came out on fire taking a 5-0 lead after one inning. Gay worked his way out of a bases loaded one out jam in the second by getting a ground back to the pitcher and a fly out to first base.
Gay struck out the side in the third but did allow an unearned run thanks to a walk and a Dodge error. Bacon led 6-0.
Gay did not allow a run in the fourth. Meanwhile Dodge went hitless through the first three innings. Dodge rallied in the fourth. Garrett Durden and Brodie Woodard had consecutive base hits to start the inning. Noah Mincey would later draw a walk, and DJ Bursch came to the plate with two outs. Bursch was due for the big hit Dodge so desperately needed. Bursch was averaging one homer a week over the last month. He got a belt high fastball and did not miss driving the pitch to the deepest part of the ballpark. Had he pulled the pitch to left as he had done often over the last month, it would have been another homerun. Bursch would have to settle for a bases clearing double over the head of the centerfielder driving in Durden, Woodard and Mincey. Parker Hardin singled driving in Bursch to cut the Bacon lead to 6-4.
Gay finished his high school career on a positive note sitting down the Raiders in order in the fifth. Woodard had his fifth base hit of the day in the bottom of the fifth, but Dodge could not score.
Landin Crummey came in to pitch the sixth for Dodge. Crummey deserved to escape the inning unscathed, but two Dodge errors led to a Bacon run and a 7-4 Bacon lead.
Bacon all but closed the door in the seventh by scoring four runs for an 11-4 lead. Dodge would not give up until the final out. O’Connor reached on an error and went to third on a base hit by Durden. O’Connor scored on a wild pitch. Woodard walked. Burse recorded the final Dodge hit of the season and his high school career driving in Durden with the final Dodge run of the season in the 11-6 defeat.
Leading hitters for Dodge were as follows: Garrett Durden was two for four with two runs scored. Brodie Woodard was two for three with a walk and one run scored. Kadin Burse was one for four with and RBI. DJ Bursch was one for three with double and a walk with three RBI and one run scored. Parker Hardin was one for one with a walk and one RBI.
Dodge finished the season with a record of 17-9. Great things are expected from Dodge next year as they return seven players with significant starting experience and a host of capable reserves.
By Joey Marchant
Dodge had a tough draw in the first round of the state playoffs traveling to Alma on April 24th to face the 8th ranked Bacon County Red Raiders who had a record of 21-8. Bacon had a solid lineup, good pitching and excellent defense. They were easily the best team Dodge faced this year.
Andrew Lowery took the mound for Dodge in the first game and pitched a complete game allowing just four runs on nine hits. He walked one batter and hit one batter. He struck out two. Dodge played solid defense behind Lowery.
Dodge got on the scoreboard first in the third inning when DJ Bursch walked and stole second. Garrett Durden drove in Bursch with a base hit to give Dodge a 1-0 lead.
Bacon tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the third.
It appeared Bacon would break it open in the fourth, but Bursch got a great jump on a ball hit in the right center gap and made a diving catch for out three. At the crack of the bat, it looked like a sure double that would plate two runs. The score remained tied.
Dodge had a chance to take the lead in the fifth. Brendan O’Connor reached on an error. Durden walked, and Brodie Woodard walked to load the bases with one out. Kadin Burse hit a rocket right at the third baseman which had it been a few feet either way would have plated two runs. That did not happen. The third baseman made the catch and was able to beat O’Connor to the third base bag for the double play to end the inning.
Bacon added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.
Dodge had another opportunity to score in the sixth as Lowery, Parker Hardin and Bursch all drew walks to load the bases with two outs. Dodge could not score. You cannot load the bases twice without scoring against a good team and expect to win.
Bacon added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a questionable balk call as Lowery attempted to pick off a runner. Bacon led 4-1.
Woodard and Burse had base hits for Dodge in the seventh bringing the tying run to the plate. Dodge ended the game by grounding into a double play falling by a score of 4-1.
Leading hitters for Dodge were Brodie Woodard who was three for three with a walk and Garrett Durden who was one for three with one run batted in (RBI).
Dodge would need to win the second game to stay alive and force a third game the next day. Parker Gay started the second game on the mound for Dodge. After struggling early, Gay settled down and showed a lot of guts the rest of the way pitching five innings allowing six runs on seven hits.Gay walked two batters and hit two batters. He struck out six.
Bacon came out on fire taking a 5-0 lead after one inning. Gay worked his way out of a bases loaded one out jam in the second by getting a ground back to the pitcher and a fly out to first base.
Gay struck out the side in the third but did allow an unearned run thanks to a walk and a Dodge error. Bacon led 6-0.
Gay did not allow a run in the fourth. Meanwhile Dodge went hitless through the first three innings. Dodge rallied in the fourth. Garrett Durden and Brodie Woodard had consecutive base hits to start the inning. Noah Mincey would later draw a walk, and DJ Bursch came to the plate with two outs. Bursch was due for the big hit Dodge so desperately needed. Bursch was averaging one homer a week over the last month. He got a belt high fastball and did not miss driving the pitch to the deepest part of the ballpark. Had he pulled the pitch to left as he had done often over the last month, it would have been another homerun. Bursch would have to settle for a bases clearing double over the head of the centerfielder driving in Durden, Woodard and Mincey. Parker Hardin singled driving in Bursch to cut the Bacon lead to 6-4.
Gay finished his high school career on a positive note sitting down the Raiders in order in the fifth. Woodard had his fifth base hit of the day in the bottom of the fifth, but Dodge could not score.
Landin Crummey came in to pitch the sixth for Dodge. Crummey deserved to escape the inning unscathed, but two Dodge errors led to a Bacon run and a 7-4 Bacon lead.
Bacon all but closed the door in the seventh by scoring four runs for an 11-4 lead. Dodge would not give up until the final out. O’Connor reached on an error and went to third on a base hit by Durden. O’Connor scored on a wild pitch. Woodard walked. Burse recorded the final Dodge hit of the season and his high school career driving in Durden with the final Dodge run of the season in the 11-6 defeat.
Leading hitters for Dodge were as follows: Garrett Durden was two for four with two runs scored. Brodie Woodard was two for three with a walk and one run scored. Kadin Burse was one for four with and RBI. DJ Bursch was one for three with double and a walk with three RBI and one run scored. Parker Hardin was one for one with a walk and one RBI.
Dodge finished the season with a record of 17-9. Great things are expected from Dodge next year as they return seven players with significant starting experience and a host of capable reserves.
Four basketball players receive state honors
By Chad W. Smith
Several Dodge County High School (DCHS) basketball players were selected to various all-state teams for the 2018-19 basketball season.
Three senior members of the girl’s team received honors. They are Destanee Wright, Europe Brown and LaShauna Coley, along with boy’s senior Chris Clark.
Destanee Wright, a four-year starter for the DCHS Squaws basketball team, led her team to the Region 3AA Championship for the second year in a row and was named Region 3AA Player of the Year. She finished her senior season averaging 23.6 points a game, nine rebounds a game and 3.9 steals a game. She scored 1,000 points by the end of her junior season and finished with over 1,650 points in her high school career. Destanee was named the 2019 AA State Player of the Year by The Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) and was named to the AJC AA All-State First Team; 2019 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) South Senior Player of the Year; 2019 GACA South Senior All-Star Team; 2019 HypeSouth All Middle Georgia Best Offensive Player (leading all of Middle Georgia with 655 points); 2019 HypeSouth All Middle First Team and 2019 Sandy’s Spiel Girls AA All State Honors First Team.
Europe Brown finished her senior season averaging 16.9 points a game and scored over 1,000 points in her high school career to help lead the Squaws to their second Region 3AA Championship and to the state playoffs. She was named to the 2019 GACA AA South All State Team; 2019 AJC AA All State Second Team; 2019 Sandy’s Spiel Girls AA All State Honors Second team and 2019 HypeSouth All Middle Georgia Honors Second team.
LaShauna Coley finished her senior season averaging 10.6 points a game after missing the first eight games due to illness. She was named 2019 HypeSouth All Middle Georgia Honorable Mention.
Chris Clark led the Indians this year with 16.9 points a game. Clark was named to the 2019 GACA AA South Boys’ All State Team.
By Chad W. Smith
Several Dodge County High School (DCHS) basketball players were selected to various all-state teams for the 2018-19 basketball season.
Three senior members of the girl’s team received honors. They are Destanee Wright, Europe Brown and LaShauna Coley, along with boy’s senior Chris Clark.
Destanee Wright, a four-year starter for the DCHS Squaws basketball team, led her team to the Region 3AA Championship for the second year in a row and was named Region 3AA Player of the Year. She finished her senior season averaging 23.6 points a game, nine rebounds a game and 3.9 steals a game. She scored 1,000 points by the end of her junior season and finished with over 1,650 points in her high school career. Destanee was named the 2019 AA State Player of the Year by The Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) and was named to the AJC AA All-State First Team; 2019 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) South Senior Player of the Year; 2019 GACA South Senior All-Star Team; 2019 HypeSouth All Middle Georgia Best Offensive Player (leading all of Middle Georgia with 655 points); 2019 HypeSouth All Middle First Team and 2019 Sandy’s Spiel Girls AA All State Honors First Team.
Europe Brown finished her senior season averaging 16.9 points a game and scored over 1,000 points in her high school career to help lead the Squaws to their second Region 3AA Championship and to the state playoffs. She was named to the 2019 GACA AA South All State Team; 2019 AJC AA All State Second Team; 2019 Sandy’s Spiel Girls AA All State Honors Second team and 2019 HypeSouth All Middle Georgia Honors Second team.
LaShauna Coley finished her senior season averaging 10.6 points a game after missing the first eight games due to illness. She was named 2019 HypeSouth All Middle Georgia Honorable Mention.
Chris Clark led the Indians this year with 16.9 points a game. Clark was named to the 2019 GACA AA South Boys’ All State Team.
Russ's Sports Review
This past week was a very big one for the future of the Falcons. The annual NFL draft was held in Nashville, Tennessee. This was the draft that the team was hoping would fix the defensive line. The key word here is “hoping”. Things really looked good as major targets Ed Oliver and Christian Wilkins actually fell down a little. Oliver fell to ninth and was picked up by Buffalo. I cannot imagine what it would have required to move just five spots.
No big deal I thought as Wilkins was still on the board at 13. I don’t know if the Falcons brass thought the Dolphins were looking quarterback but they weren’t and Wilkins is off to South Beach. I would think a third round or maybe a fourth would have gotten the Birds the 13th pick. My hopes for a trade down were dashed as the Falcons decided to go for guard Chris Lindstrom out of Boston College. After going “who is this guy”, I started to check my mock drafts and yes, this guy was a huge reach. He was mostly viewed as a second or even third round pic. I guess the pair of free agent guards that they signed aren’t projected to be very good.
My last hope was maybe the Falcons would grade back into the bottom of the first round. Sure enough, they dealt their second and third round pick to the Rams for the 31st pick. After wasting little time, they picked another offensive lineman. You have got to be kidding me! Kaleb McGary from Washington. I think he will do fine but is he actually the team’s biggest need? So much for improving the defensive line. I hope no one gets hurt!
That takes us to day three. The Birds traded up six spots to take Kendall Sheffield, a corner back out of Ohio State. Reports are he is real fast and has decent size as he is right at 6 feet tall. Why did he fall to the fourth round? Of course he is hurt! He tore his pectoral muscle at the combine. They worked out the draft from the powerhouse programs of Charleston, Louisiana-Monroe and okay Washington and Pittsburgh. There was an NFL record 64 players out of the SEC. Guess how many the Falcons got? You guessed it, zero! For the record, the six true Super Bowl Champion Patriots grabbed five SEC players out of the ten players they drafted. Listen, I hope the pair of offensive linemen are Falcons starters for 15 years but they don’t address their biggest need this year. Things could be worse. It might be the Braves bullpen! Yes, it was another rough week for the boys of summer. They went 2-4 on the week and they were fortunate to win one of the games they did win.
It took a three run homer in the 8th by Donaldson on Sunday to win 8-7 over the Rockies. The offense isn’t the problem. The heart of the order, Donaldson, Freeman, Markakis, Albies and Acuna has all been good. The pitching is not so good. Gausman allowed ten runs in two starts and Teheran hit the wall after five innings. A positive thing is that Soroka-Fried and Foltynewicz all pitched good but they also had a win and a loss to show for it.
The problem is this staff has no ace and no closer. We all knew this when the season started and yet ownership has done nothing. The bullpen allowed nine earned runs in six innings against the Rockies over the weekend. I think AJ Minter will be a solid pitcher in the game but he is not ready to be a closer for a contender. If only there was a seasoned closer out there that could be had for say a second round pick. The Kimbrel story has gotten out of hand. If you want a silver lining to the 13-14 Braves, it is that they are only two and a half games out of first place going into Monday night’s play. The problem is the rest of the east will continue to get better. Will the Braves?
No big deal I thought as Wilkins was still on the board at 13. I don’t know if the Falcons brass thought the Dolphins were looking quarterback but they weren’t and Wilkins is off to South Beach. I would think a third round or maybe a fourth would have gotten the Birds the 13th pick. My hopes for a trade down were dashed as the Falcons decided to go for guard Chris Lindstrom out of Boston College. After going “who is this guy”, I started to check my mock drafts and yes, this guy was a huge reach. He was mostly viewed as a second or even third round pic. I guess the pair of free agent guards that they signed aren’t projected to be very good.
My last hope was maybe the Falcons would grade back into the bottom of the first round. Sure enough, they dealt their second and third round pick to the Rams for the 31st pick. After wasting little time, they picked another offensive lineman. You have got to be kidding me! Kaleb McGary from Washington. I think he will do fine but is he actually the team’s biggest need? So much for improving the defensive line. I hope no one gets hurt!
That takes us to day three. The Birds traded up six spots to take Kendall Sheffield, a corner back out of Ohio State. Reports are he is real fast and has decent size as he is right at 6 feet tall. Why did he fall to the fourth round? Of course he is hurt! He tore his pectoral muscle at the combine. They worked out the draft from the powerhouse programs of Charleston, Louisiana-Monroe and okay Washington and Pittsburgh. There was an NFL record 64 players out of the SEC. Guess how many the Falcons got? You guessed it, zero! For the record, the six true Super Bowl Champion Patriots grabbed five SEC players out of the ten players they drafted. Listen, I hope the pair of offensive linemen are Falcons starters for 15 years but they don’t address their biggest need this year. Things could be worse. It might be the Braves bullpen! Yes, it was another rough week for the boys of summer. They went 2-4 on the week and they were fortunate to win one of the games they did win.
It took a three run homer in the 8th by Donaldson on Sunday to win 8-7 over the Rockies. The offense isn’t the problem. The heart of the order, Donaldson, Freeman, Markakis, Albies and Acuna has all been good. The pitching is not so good. Gausman allowed ten runs in two starts and Teheran hit the wall after five innings. A positive thing is that Soroka-Fried and Foltynewicz all pitched good but they also had a win and a loss to show for it.
The problem is this staff has no ace and no closer. We all knew this when the season started and yet ownership has done nothing. The bullpen allowed nine earned runs in six innings against the Rockies over the weekend. I think AJ Minter will be a solid pitcher in the game but he is not ready to be a closer for a contender. If only there was a seasoned closer out there that could be had for say a second round pick. The Kimbrel story has gotten out of hand. If you want a silver lining to the 13-14 Braves, it is that they are only two and a half games out of first place going into Monday night’s play. The problem is the rest of the east will continue to get better. Will the Braves?
Tennis
By Mary Beth Dopson
The Dodge County High School Tennis team hosted two competitors two weeks ago to begin the first round of state playoffs.
Both the boy’s and girl’s team were victorious in their played matches and will advance to the “Sweet 16”, second round, in the playoffs.
The boys battled against Swainsboro High School and swept their opponent with a 5-0 team win. Winners for the boys included: first singles Jaret Underwood, second singles Nathan Newman, third singles Dane Hardin, first doubles Jason Peterson and Orlanda Brown, and second doubles Brayden Nardi and Ryan Clements.
The girl’s team defeated their opponent, St. Vincent’s Academy, with a team score of 3-2. Winners for the girls included: second singles Jessie Thomas, first doubles Abby Christian Manning and Abbey Manning, and second doubles Mattie Grace Hutcheson and Precious Coleman.
The teams traveled to Augusta on April 22nd to play their Sweet 16 match against Davidson Fine Arts School.
The boy’s and girl’s team showed up and showed out in their played matches and will advance to the Elite 8, third round, in the playoffs. The crowds were fired up watching the intense matches played.
The boys battled against Davidson Fine Arts School and won with a score of 3-2. First singles Jaret Underwood pulled out an outstanding win of 6-3 1-6 6-1 in a third set. Third singles Dane Hardin dominated his opponent with a 6-1 6-2 win. First doubles Jason Peterson and Orlanda Brown played awesome with a 7-5 6-3 win.
The girl’s team defeated their opponent, Davidson Fine Arts School, with a team score of 3-2. Third singles Annie Jones won in a tough played match win of 6-4 6-2. First doubles Abby Christian Manning and Abbey Manning smashed their opponents with a 6-2 6-3 win. Second doubles Mattie Grace Hutcheson and Precious Coleman crushed their opponents with a 6-2 6-2.
Team members pictured above are (front row, l-r) Abbey M. Manning, Precious Coleman, Leighton Jones, Makiya Roberson, Mattie Grace Hutcheson, Abby C. Manning, Mary Beth Dopson; (middle row, l-r) coach Marcie Jones, Annie Jones, Ellie Jones, Olivia Cranford and Jessie Thomas and (back row, l-r) Orlanda Brown, Jaret Underwood, Dane Hardin, Nathan Newman, Brayden Nardi, Ryan Poole, Caleb Singletary, Ryan Clements, Jason Peterson.
The Indians will play the third round of state matches before April 28th against Rockmart.
The Dodge County High School Tennis team hosted two competitors two weeks ago to begin the first round of state playoffs.
Both the boy’s and girl’s team were victorious in their played matches and will advance to the “Sweet 16”, second round, in the playoffs.
The boys battled against Swainsboro High School and swept their opponent with a 5-0 team win. Winners for the boys included: first singles Jaret Underwood, second singles Nathan Newman, third singles Dane Hardin, first doubles Jason Peterson and Orlanda Brown, and second doubles Brayden Nardi and Ryan Clements.
The girl’s team defeated their opponent, St. Vincent’s Academy, with a team score of 3-2. Winners for the girls included: second singles Jessie Thomas, first doubles Abby Christian Manning and Abbey Manning, and second doubles Mattie Grace Hutcheson and Precious Coleman.
The teams traveled to Augusta on April 22nd to play their Sweet 16 match against Davidson Fine Arts School.
The boy’s and girl’s team showed up and showed out in their played matches and will advance to the Elite 8, third round, in the playoffs. The crowds were fired up watching the intense matches played.
The boys battled against Davidson Fine Arts School and won with a score of 3-2. First singles Jaret Underwood pulled out an outstanding win of 6-3 1-6 6-1 in a third set. Third singles Dane Hardin dominated his opponent with a 6-1 6-2 win. First doubles Jason Peterson and Orlanda Brown played awesome with a 7-5 6-3 win.
The girl’s team defeated their opponent, Davidson Fine Arts School, with a team score of 3-2. Third singles Annie Jones won in a tough played match win of 6-4 6-2. First doubles Abby Christian Manning and Abbey Manning smashed their opponents with a 6-2 6-3 win. Second doubles Mattie Grace Hutcheson and Precious Coleman crushed their opponents with a 6-2 6-2.
Team members pictured above are (front row, l-r) Abbey M. Manning, Precious Coleman, Leighton Jones, Makiya Roberson, Mattie Grace Hutcheson, Abby C. Manning, Mary Beth Dopson; (middle row, l-r) coach Marcie Jones, Annie Jones, Ellie Jones, Olivia Cranford and Jessie Thomas and (back row, l-r) Orlanda Brown, Jaret Underwood, Dane Hardin, Nathan Newman, Brayden Nardi, Ryan Poole, Caleb Singletary, Ryan Clements, Jason Peterson.
The Indians will play the third round of state matches before April 28th against Rockmart.
Covenant College softball sophomore Faith Manning was named to the USA South All-West Division second team when the conference named the season award winners on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
Manning, a sophomore from Eastman, is currently batting .330, is second on the team in runs batted in (RBIs) with 14, a slugging percentage of .407, an on-base percentage of .407 and has had 11 walks. Manning has played and started in all 33 games on the year, including 32 starts at catcher. She is one of two Covenant College players to tally four hits in a game this season as she accomplished the feat in a win over Agnes Scott on March 27. Manning has seven multi-hit games on the season.
In conference play alone, Manning led the Scots with a .426 average and 11 RBIs to go along with a slugging percentage of .511 and a .473 on-base mark.
All awards are voted on by the softball coach at each institution. The divisional team voting is completed only by those coaches in the particular division. The first team all-conference and individual award voting is completed by all coaches.
Manning is the daughter of Jimmy and Ashley Manning of Eastman and a 2017 graduate of Dodge County High School.
Manning, a sophomore from Eastman, is currently batting .330, is second on the team in runs batted in (RBIs) with 14, a slugging percentage of .407, an on-base percentage of .407 and has had 11 walks. Manning has played and started in all 33 games on the year, including 32 starts at catcher. She is one of two Covenant College players to tally four hits in a game this season as she accomplished the feat in a win over Agnes Scott on March 27. Manning has seven multi-hit games on the season.
In conference play alone, Manning led the Scots with a .426 average and 11 RBIs to go along with a slugging percentage of .511 and a .473 on-base mark.
All awards are voted on by the softball coach at each institution. The divisional team voting is completed only by those coaches in the particular division. The first team all-conference and individual award voting is completed by all coaches.
Manning is the daughter of Jimmy and Ashley Manning of Eastman and a 2017 graduate of Dodge County High School.
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