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Yes, it still very early in the 2010 baseball season for Winder-Barrow High School.

Heck, it hasn’t even really warmed up yet. Friday night as the Diamond Doggs were crushing North Oconee on the baseball field, spectators, including yours truly, were gathered around heaters trying to stay warm. [Full Story »] 

Far too often, a sports season is remembered by the final game.

It’s all part of the “What have you done for me lately?” mentality that too many sports fans display.
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I’ve often believed a great deal of success for any young person can be traced to a strong family support system.

With that necessary support, the sky can be the limit for any young person. Without it and you end up with the exact opposite.

So it’s no surprise that Apalachee High School’s Austin Sheppard has a strong foundation of family support. While Sheppard is the one who has earned every accolade on the wrestling mat the past four seasons, I have a feeling the Mat Wildcat senior would be quick to point out how much he appreciates his parental support. [Full Story »] 

In watching our local high school wrestlers compete this season, it constantly amazes me how much dedication it takes from these athletes to excel, or even survive, in their sport.

High school wrestling, I’ve always thought, has to be one of the most grueling sports to compete in. “Six minutes of hell,” is the way I’ve described a match. So much energy is given by wrestlers during matches, I’m amazed they even have the ability to walk off the mat. Sure, some matches don’t go the entire time length, but even so, it’s amazing to see what goes into a match.

Six wrestlers from Barrow County will compete at this week’s Class AAAA state tournament. The state sectionals have been canceled because of weather delays and quite frankly each of our local athletes deserve the chance to be on the big stage. [Full Story »] 

There’s nothing wrong with a good, clean rivalry.

That rivalry exists between Winder-Barrow and Apalachee. Rivalries, in their proper context, can be fun and even good for the schools involved. However, there always seemed to be a fringe element to the fan base who would take the rivalry beyond what it really should be. There are those who develop a true hatred for the other school and I’ve always found that to be a shame. [Full Story »] 

They gave one final salute to the 2009 Apalachee High School football team last week and while the season is officially in the record book now, one has to wonder just how long the record-setting campaign will remain in the minds of Wildcat followers.

I have to think it will be for many years. It has to be that way when so many records are broken in a single season. Everything from first undefeated regular season in school history to highest state ranking to first region championship to first home playoff games were accomplished this past fall. [Full Story »] 

The spring of 1991. In some ways it seems like yesterday. In others it seems like a lifetime.

It was in the spring of 1991 during the NFL draft when the Atlanta Falcons selected a relatively unknown quarterback from a school that is not exactly a football power. When the announcement was made, the speaker at the podium mispronounced his name. It’s something I imagine Brett Favre looks back on and laughs at now. [Full Story »] 

So Alabama is this year’s No. 1 team when it comes to “big boy” football.

You could easily list any other school which plays Division I college football because, to be honest, any champion at this level is mythical. Without a playoff system, that’s all we are left with.

It’s not that I have anything against Alabama. No, they aren’t my personal favorite and I don’t live and die with each play they make on the gridiron. Yet, you have to respect any school with such a storied tradition as Alabama has. Tons of national titles (see mythical statement again), a tradition like few others and a fan base which gives anyone a run for their money.
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Being a sports fan and having the ability to be patient often go together like oil and water, fire and gasoline, drinking and driving.

To be honest, the sports fan who is patient is rare. If you find one, take a long hard look at him or her because it might be some time before you find one again.

At Apalachee High School, Michael Parks knows about being patient. Parks is a coach, however, and probably can tell you how some fans at least aren’t into being patient. Yet school officials at AHS have shown that it pays to have patience in a coach and a program. The proof is showing itself in the Lady Wildcats 2009-2010 basketball season.
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