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The Leopards have added a second notch to their win belts as the Rabun County Wildcats fell 18-14 last Friday night.

According to coach Blair Armstrong, the Leopards made a big step in learning to finish strong.

“I was very, very pleased,” said Armstrong. “We finally learned how to finish and looked like we had the confidence and knew we could win the game.” [Full Story »] 

The start of the 2009 football season has been rocky for the Banks County Leopards who are 0-2 after last week’s loss to Riverside.

The Leopards had a 12-0 lead after the first quarter last Friday night, but Riverside came back to defeat Banks County 23-12. Big Blue will have to shake it off as they prepare to face Dawson County this Friday.

The Leopards are in the same position now, as they were last season before the Dawson County game. During the 2008 campaign, Banks picked up its first win over Dawson 48-27. [Full Story »] 

The season opener for the Leopards’ 2009 cross country season was a big success for Banks County.

The Leopard runners opened their season on Tuesday at home, as they hosted six schools, Madison County, Jackson County, Oglethorpe, Washington-Wilkes, Towns County and East Hall.

According to team coach Kelly McDuffie, there was a lot of anticipation about the first meet since preparation for the season began in August.

“The team has been working exceptionally hard,” said McDuffie. “With 16 girls and 29 boys we have a large group to work with but they are the best.” [Full Story »] 

It was a rough season opener for the Banks County Leopards last Friday night as the Washington-Wilkes Tigers bumped the Leopards to an 0-1 record after a 34-21 loss for BCHS.

The defeat will spur on Banks County who brushes off last week’s loss to charge full steam into region play this Friday night, Sept. 4, at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville.

The Riverside Eagles also took one on the chin last week as they fell to AAA Elbert County 40-6. The Leopards will have to fight for it, as both sides are hungry for the taste of victory. [Full Story »] 

This is the week. The start of another Banks County High School football season begins Friday night.

The Leopards are going to take the field at 7:30 p.m. as they host Washington-Wilkes in the season opener.

Banks will be looking for a win over the Washington-Wilkes Tigers to set the tone for the year.

[Full Story »] 

The countdown to the 2009 Banks County football season is in single digits. There are only nine days left before the gridiron Leopards can start working towards their goal of a state title.

The excitement and anticipation is heavy as the calendar flips closer to the Aug. 28 opener. Banks is looking for a win, according to coach Blair Armstrong. The 1-0 record would boost the team as it starts region play on Sept. 4.
[Full Story »] 

Banks County’s Junior Leopards recently completed their second annual football camp, which coach Blair Armstrong described as “a huge success.”

The three-day camp at the high school was designed for boys ages 7-12 and allowed the young football players to get a taste of what’s in store once they reach the varsity level.

Armstrong and the rest of the BCHS Leopard football staff helped lead drills and demonstrated with varsity players the skills used on offense and defense.

On the final day of the camp, the boys were put through the “Eliminator” competition, which Armstrong uses with varsity players during the summer workouts. [Full Story »] 

The 2009 Banks County cross country team has some large expectations for the coming season.

Coach Kelly McDuffie said the girls are hard at work to make a return to the state tournament; the boys finished 15th last year.

“I am really excited about this year,” said McDuffie. “The girls are working super hard and I expect to see them appear back in the state tournament. Except for one boy varsity runner, we will be returning all seven of the eight runners who traveled to state last year and finished 15th.”

[Full Story »] 

After waiting all spring and through a long, hot summer, Banks County football is back on the field.

The Leopards donned pads and helmets Monday to officially start season practice.

The fact that the Leopards broke an 11-year playoff drought has increased expectations — everyone is looking to the team to return to the playoffs this season. [Full Story »]