This edition will reach the newsstands on the first day of February. However, I’m already in a spring state of mind.
Perhaps it’s the better-than-usual weather we’ve enjoyed in recent days. Despite some chilly mornings, the afternoons have been quite enjoyable, especially for January. This past Saturday in fact, I was able to spend most of the day outside, getting an early jump on yard work, which usually does not begin until spring.
I also received the baseball schedules for Apalachee High School and Winder-Barrow High School last week and that led to thoughts of warm, spring days at the local ballfields. Make no mistake, however, those first few games of the season can be tough with the wind howling and the temperature still in a winter state of mind.
Yet, we all know that eventually the afternoons will grow warmer and warmer. Hopefully, by the time the Wildcats and Bulldoggs are finished this season on the diamond, there will be some summer type weather.
The WBHS program has become a frequent visitor to the postseason in recent years. Coach Brian Smith has done a solid job with the Diamond Doggs and early indications are this upcoming season will be no different.
Over at Apalachee, coach Mike Cavey has worked countlness hours to build the Diamond Cats into a successful program. The past few seasons have seen AHS continue to take the necessary steps toward making the postseason. There’s still work to be done, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wildcats qualify this season along with the WBHS Bulldoggs.
AHS will play in a preseason scrimmage Feb. 17 at Morgan County before beginning the regular campaign Feb. 24 at Central Gwinnett. The home opener will be Feb. 29 against Archer High School.
The WBHS Diamond Doggs will play at Grayson Feb. 18 as they usher in 2012.
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Looking even further ahead finds the Apalachee High School football team already preparing for a new-look schedule this fall.
Coach Shane Davis has released the Wildcats’ 2012 schedule which will see AHS open the season Aug. 31 at Lanier High School in Gwinnett County.
The other non-region opponent will be Greater Atlanta Christian on Sept. 7.
Following an open date on Sept. 14, the Wildcats will enter region play against Gainesville Sept. 21. Region games against Clarke Central, Flowery Branch, Loganville, Cedar Shoals, Salem, Heritage and Winder-Barrow will follow. AHS and WBHS will meet in the regular season finale Nov. 9 at W. Clair Harris Stadium.
A preseason scrimmage at Elbert County will also be held Aug. 17.
Winder-Barrow High School head coach David Wagner released the Bulldoggs 2012 schedule Tuesday. I’ll break it down next week. WBHS opens the regular season Aug. 31 at Jackson County.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
