Their accomplishments on the gridiron captured the hearts and minds of their school and community so it’s not surprising that it was a little emotional for all involved to see it end last Friday night.
The Apalachee High School football team had a season for the ages in 2009. It will not be forgotten by the players, coaches or fans. Successful football seasons have a way of doing that for small communities. I know Winder and Barrow County are not the smallest of small, but we aren’t so big either that we don’t appreciate when one of our local teams does something special.
Such was the case for coach Shane Davis and his Wildcats this fall. The season, which began way back in late August with a victory against Monroe Area, finally culminated last Friday with a bitter chill in the air against Griffin. It didn’t end, however, until the AHS Wildcats made all of Barrow County proud.
In a time when many headlines locally are nothing to be proud of, this group of young men and all associated with them have done something which we all can be proud of. No scandals here, just good, old-fashioned hard work which resulted in school history.
As I talked with parents of some of the players after it was all over Friday night, we all agreed it would take some time for the players to realize just what it is they have accomplished. Oh, they know winning 12 games, a region title and hosting three state playoffs games is special. As football players they certainly know.
Yet, the hurt of the one loss they endured was too much to look past during the moments after the contest. There were tears, that’s to be expected, but there was a sense of accomplishment, even while the disappointment of the loss weighed on the players. A couple even mentioned looking foreward to next season and being anxious to repeat what was done in 2009. The work ethic the coaches have installed was no doubt showing through.
For me, I will remember talking with quarterback Mike Norman after the games and his big smile as he saw me walking toward him with pen and notebook in hand.
I will remember the play of the guys in the trenches for AHS. The players who seldom receive credit for what they do, but who no doubt made an impact for the Wildcats. Coach Matt Sorrells’ group of players can certainly be proud.
I will remember Christian Hoard as he played fullback in the AHS offense and was practically impossible to stop by any foe.
For me, shining a little credit in the direction of players like Nick Donaldson, who understood his role and did his best to make the team better. As it turns out, Donaldson saw a great deal of action in Friday’s quarterfinal contest.
It was a season where I got to really know offensive coordinator Joel Miller and defensive coordinator David Wagner. The coaches helped break down the playoff opponents for me and the paper and in doing so I was able to give them credit for what they do.
Finally, I must thank head coach Shane Davis for allowing me complete access to his program. I gained valuable behind-the-scenes information about how a high school program is run. Coach Davis and I had some great football talks throughout the season like any football fanatics do.
Davis, a former assistant at a high school in my hometown, shared insight with me that I don’t think was given to anyone else. For that I am appreciative. It made me feel like a part of the program, only if in a small way. Davis is a class act among class acts. Intense during games, he never forgets to keep things in perspective, using athletics for a greater role than justs wins and losses. AHS and Barrow County as a whole are truly fortunate to have him here. Personally, I hope he never leaves.
Let the countdown to 2010 begin.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. E-mail comments about this column to cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
