Leopards win first place in lineman challenge

Traveling just across the South Carolina state line, the BCHS contingent won it all in the competition which showcases strongman events for offensive and defensive linemen. Events ranged from the 185-pound bench press all the way to the old-fashioned tug-of-war.

BCHS was led by a senior group with just one year of experience at these competitions and emerged with an overall score of 85. The closest team to the Leopards was Class AAAA Daniel High School which compiled 70 points. Host Walhalla was third with 53 points followed by AAAA Gaffney with 49.

The only other Georgia school competing was Hart County, a AAA school. The Bulldogs were sixth with 44 points among the 11 schools competing.

Coach Blair Armstrong’s team was first in several team events included the bench press, five-man sled push and tug-of-war. In the bull pull, Tyler Hulsey and Thomas Baker dominated all competitors but one with three wins each. Baker qualified for the championship round and almost pulled out the overall win despite having a 50-pound weight disadvantage.

Zack Dale took the Root Hawg event pushing a tire weaving through a chute. Tramaine Mayfield won the one-man sled contest while Clint Caudell, Jeff Smith, Barry Whitfield, Justin Lewallen, Justin Scott, Lyn Hester, Nathan Mathis and Cody Gowder helped make it a complete team victory, Armstrong said.

Armstrong and assistant coaches Chuck Hudson, Tony Bowen, Brandon Worley, Jason Armstrong and Shane Wilburn helped coached the players while they were supported by teammate and quarterback Chris Porter and junior varsity players Abner McCright and Nathan Krumnow.