Fitzgerald High School Purple Hurricane

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Press Clippings: Fitzgerald program is third "most improved"
MIKE KITCHENS - 5/5/08

Miscellaneous: Weightlifting team wins fourth state title in a row
RANDY RODGERS - 3/26/08

College Canes: Brooks, Duffie, and Lundy sign letters of intent
MIKE KITCHENS - 2/10/08

Postseason Superlatives: Twelve Canes named to All-Tiftarea team
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/27/07

Postseason Superlatives: Seven Canes named to All-Middle Georgia team
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/26/07

Postseason Superlatives: Two Canes named to GSWA All-State team
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/20/07

Postseason Superlatives: Two Canes named to AJC All-State team
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/20/07

Postseason Superlatives: Seventeen Canes named to All-Region teams
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/20/07

Postseason Superlatives: Two Canes selected to play in the GACA North-South game
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/20/07

Press Clippings: Fitzgerald ranked in final AJC and AP polls
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/18/07

Miscellaneous: Coach Pruitt receives All-Century Team honors for the state of Florida
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/12/07

College Canes: Kevious Johnson named to All-SoCon team
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/27/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Charlton post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/27/07

Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Charlton...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/27/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Charlton pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/21/07

Press Clippings: Screven vs. Fitz post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/21/07

Scoring Summary: Screven vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/21/07

Press Clippings: Screven vs. Fitz pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/15/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Brooks post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/13/07

Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Brooks...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/12/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Brooks pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/8/07

Press Clippings: Cook vs. Fitz post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/6/07

Scoring Summary: Cook vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/6/07

Press Clippings: Cook vs. Fitz pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/1/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Thomasville post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/30/07

Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Thomasville...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/30/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Thomasville pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/25/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Early post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/23/07

Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Early...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/23/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Early pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/18/07

Press Clippings: Berrien vs. Fitz post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/16/07

Scoring Summary: Berrien vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/15/07

Auld Lang Syne: New pictures added from the 1950's and 1960's...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/13/07

Press Clippings: Berrien vs. Fitz pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/11/07

Press Clippings: Albany vs. Fitz post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/9/07

Scoring Summary: Albany vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/8/07

College Canes: Kevious Johnson named Player of the Week...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/6/07

Press Clippings: Albany High Indians in for homecoming Friday night...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/4/07

Press Clippings: Albany vs. Fitz pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/4/07

Miscellaneous: Coach Pruitt is now the all-time leader in wins for FHS...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/2/07

Press Clippings: Dodge vs. Fitz post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/2/07

Press Clippings: Hurricane stands test, defeats ranked Dodge 13-6...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/1/07

Fitzgerald’s Purple Hurricane jumped a huge hurdle Friday night as they defeated the Dodge County Indians, 13-6. Never mind that the Indians and Canes have been playing since 1922. Never mind that the Indians are a member of Region 4-AA and the Hurricane is the defending Region 1-AA; this game had nothing to do with the region race. Never mind that the entire state was looking on to see who won. It was a benchmark game because both teams were highly ranked in all of the state polls.

The game got underway when the Dodge County captains won the toss and deferred their choice to the second half. The Canes chose to receive.

The game proved to be a defensive battle as the Hurricane and Indians made the offensive prowess of both teams seem tough going when each had the ball.

After an 18 yard return by Jemea Thomas (1), the Hurricane began their first possession of the night at the Fitzgerald 28. On first down, Thomas (1) ripped a 10 yard gain to the 38 and a new first down. A false start on first down backed the Canes up five yards and the next three plays the Indian defense forced the Canes into deficit yardage. Back to punt on fourth down, the punting team was hit with an illegal procedure penalty and another five yard step off in the wrong direction. Mauro Meza (37) had trouble getting the punt away and managed only a 20 yard punt to set up the Dodge County team at the Fitzgerald 42 with 9:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The Indians quickly went to work and readily moved the ball towards the end zone and the lead. It took six plays and two first downs to reach the Fitzgerald 10 and the Indians were knocking on the door. On first down, the Indian offensive gained one tough yard. On second down, the Indians managed one more yard to the eight. On third down the Indians lost three yards to the 11 setting up a fourth and goal. With 4:27 remaining in the first period, Dodge County’s Brian Elkin’s (99) attempted a field goal. With plenty of distance, the ball veered wide right and the Canes had dodged their first bullet and major threat of the night.

The Hurricane began their second offensive at the Fitzgerald 20 and, once more, found the going pretty tough. Combined with the tough Dodge County defense and the yellow flag, the Fitzgerald boys bogged down once more and Meza (37) was again forced to punt the ball away from the Fitzgerald 43. The Dodge County punt coverage team once more put great pressure on the Hurricane punt team and forced another poor showing for the Cane kicking game and a net of 12 yards on the punt.

With 1:47 left in the first quarter Dodge County went back to work at the Dodge 45, but three plays later they had managed only five yards to mid-field and had to punt the ball away.

Fitzgerald took over at the Hurricane 27 with the second quarter just underway with a first down and 11:51 to go in the half. In spite of 34 yards in negative penalty yardage the Canes moved the ball to the Fitzgerald eight in five plays due in large part to a 51 yard Brad Taylor (5) to R.J. Davis (84) connection. Despite two penalties that made the going tougher, Jemea Thomas (1) took the ball 3 ½ yards on a sweep to the left side to hit end zone green and six points for the home team. Meza (37) added the extra point and Fitzgerald was up by seven with seven minutes left in the half. Fitzgerald 7, Dodge County 0.

Both teams held the other to zero points for the balance of the half and went into half time with the score 7-0.

At the half, Fitzgerald had managed 90 yards on the ground and 91 through the air and seven points. The Canes had seven first downs. Dodge County was held to 38 yards on 16 carries and 20 yards passing for a total of 58 points and was scoreless.

John Newsome’s Marchin’ Canes rocked the home stands with the half time show with the sun glass-clad band and FHS Chorus as they entertained with the Ray Charles themed show. The chorus joined in with “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, a first ever joint presentation. The band was rewarded with a standing ovation for their showmanship. Newsome and the Hurricane band has brought a great degree of pride to the organization that has enjoyed a lot of prestige down through the years of musicianship and half-time entertainment.

Recognized at the end of the half time period were members of the 1987 AA State Champion Track Team.

The Indians received the second half kick-off and was unable to take advantage of their deferment and was forced to punt the ball away at the 9:12 mark of the third quarter.

Neither team was able to cause very much damage in the second half until there was only 5:12 left in the game when Charles Gordon (11) scored from 13 yards out on a quarterback keeper to put six points on the Dodge county side of the scoreboard. Jemea Thomas (1) got in on the extra point try to block the point and limit the Indian scoring to six points. Fitzgerald 7, Dodge County 0.

It appeared that the Indians were going to take over the game when they held the Hurricane to three and out on the next Fitzgerald possession. Meza was forced to punt the ball away with 3:53 left in the game and the Indians were set up at their own 43 and what looked like the beginning point of the winning Dodge County drive.

The Indians started out with a five yard false start penalty and their luck only got worse as on the very next play from scrimmage the quarterback, Gordon (11), put the ball on the ground. Jemea Thomas (1) covered the ball for the Hurricane to set the Cane up at the 50 yard line with 3:41 left in the game.

The complexion of the game had turned rapidly and just like that the Fitzgerald boys were nursing a one point lead and driving to score the knock out point. Seven plays later, who else but, you guessed it, Jemea Thomas (1) busted up in the middle from the two to put up six more points with 1:03 showing on the Jaycee Stadium scoreboard.

The Hurricane opted to go for the two point conversion to put the game virtually out of reach, requiring a two score offensive performance in less than a minute by the boys from Dodge County. But, it wasn’t meant to be and Thomas (1) was stopped short of the goal line and the Hurricane scoring was limited to six. Fitzgerald 13, Dodge County 0.

On the following kick-off, Mauro Meza (37) “pooched” the ball down the near side and contact on the receiver by the Cane defender dislodged possession from the Dodge County receiver and sophomore Chip Bowen (58) covered the ball for the Hurricane and set the ball up at the Fitzgerald 32 with 56 seconds showing on the clock and the opportunity to run the remaining seconds in the game and a Fitzgerald victory.

Final score: Fitzgerald 13, Dodge County 0.

“These guys beat a real good football team,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “We’re going to get better and we need to, but I’m very proud of this team and this win. It’s a big, big win.”

The Hurricane won out despite having 95 yards of penalties on 13 calls.

Jemea Thomas (1) was the Hurricane team member that managed to score both TDs. He also blocked the Dodge County extra point on special teams as well as covering the fumble on defense to stop the Indian threat with just 3:41 left in the game. He had what must be his benchmark game and will certainly be a competition that he will be remembered for for years to come and will become a part of the lore of Hurricane football.

The Hurricane will be at home next Friday night for homecoming when the Canes will host Region 1-AA foe Albany. Game time is 7:30 with festivities getting underway at 7:00 and featuring the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at half time.

Scoring Summary: Dodge vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/1/07

Press Clippings: Dodge vs. Fitz pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/27/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Mitchell post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/25/07

Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Mitchell...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/25/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Mitchell pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/21/07

Press Clippings: Hurricane gets big region win over Randolph-Clay, 41-6...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/20/07

The Hurricane signature offense and the brutal Cane defense showed up on Friday night and gave a whipping to the Randolph-Clay Red Devils in a 41-6 Region 1-AA contest. The Canes scored five touchdowns on the ground and one by air as the Hurricane rolled in its first region game and the season opener at Jaycee Stadium. In an uncharacteristic mix of plays, the Pruitt offense ran 37 on the ground and quarterback Brad Taylor hoisted 24 for 91 yards of the 319 yard offensive night.

“Brad did some good things tonight,” said Coach Robby Pruitt of the Fitzgerald passing game. “He did a lot better and made some good passes. I was overall real pleased with what he did tonight.”

The Hurricane’s Mauro Meza kicked off to the Red Devils to get things going and the Red Devils and along with a five yarder against the Devils, the Canes cover team pinned the boys from Cuthbert deep in their own territory. The line of scrimmage started within their 510 yard line.

As expected, the Red Devils gave the ball to their all-everything tailback, Chris Clay (28), who chomped off large pieces of yardage to the Randolph-Clay 35 where the drive stalled with 4th and two and the Red Devils elected to kick the ball away.

Punt return man Trenton Pruitt (4) took the fair catch at the Fitzgerald 37 to set the ball and the Canes in action for their very first offensive of the night. The Hurricane drove the ball in12 plays with a mixture of passing and rushing for the score on a sweep by Pruitt (4). The score came at the 3:40 mark of the first quarter on fourth and short. The Mauro Meza (37) point after attempt was blocked and the score was Fitzgerald 6, Randolph-Clay 0.

On the following kickoff, the senior return man for the Red Devils, Kendrick Green (5), took the ball at the ten and ran wide left where it appeared that he was tackled down for no gain, but the play was not blown dead and Green took the ball down the far sideline for a 90 yard touchdown romp and six points to tie the game. The point after was no good to make the score 6-6 with 3:26 left in the first quarter. Fitzgerald 6, Randolph-Clay 6.

After a thirteen yard kickoff return by Trenton Pruitt (4) the Hurricane set up for their second offensive at the Fitzgerald 38 with 3:19 left in the quarter. The Canes again went to work and drove the ball in seven plays to the Randolph-Clay 35. On a second and five at the 35, Jeff Baker (19) took the sweep left and took the speedy trip to the end zone for the second Hurricane TD of the night with 16 seconds left in the first quarter. The two-point conversion was good on a plunge by Juwan Alexander (6) and the Hurricane was up by eight. Fitzgerald 14, Randolph-Clay 6.

Randolph-Clay took their turn at the ball to extinguish the first quarter and drove to their own 49 from the 35 before the penalty bug hit a couple of times and backed the Devils back to their own 18 before they were forced to kick the ball away with 9 minutes left in the half.

The Hurricane started their next offensive at the Randolph-Clay 31 after a 15 yard personal foul mark-off against the Red Devils. Three minutes later, Pruitt (4) scored his second TD of the night on a speed sweep from left to right. The point after was once more no good and the score with 5:53 left in the first half was Fitzgerald 20, Randolph-Clay 6.

A fourth and a short three enticed the Red Devils to attempt a fake punt at the RC 37, but the swarming Hurricane defense made the Cuthbert boys regret that decision when they tackled the runner at the Randolph-Clay 31 where the Hurricane took the ball on downs with 2:15 left in the half.

The Hurricane wasted no time converting the Red Devil woes to points when Larry King (36) took it in from two yards out over the right side for another Fitzgerald score. The Meza (37) kick was good and the Canes were up by 21 with 1:13 left in the half. Fitzgerald 27, Randolph-Clay 6.

The Red Devils were unable to get anything going after their next kick off reception and the Hurricane got the ball back with 15 seconds left, but opted to take a knee to drain the clock and take the 27-6 lead to the locker room.

For the first half, Fitzgerald had 183 yards of offense with 127 coming on the ground and 56 by air. Brad Taylor (5) was 7-for-15 and the Canes had nine first downs. Randolph-Clay did not fare nearly as well with a total of 25 first half yards with 23 of those yards coming on the ground. The Red Devils had only three first downs. The Devils had a 90 yard kick off return for a TD.

The second half got started with the Canes receiving the kick off and driving in eight plays to the Fitzgerald 20 where the Canes turned the ball over on downs after the ball fell incomplete with a fourth and six with 9:16 left in the first quarter.

The Red Devils were unable to find points in the second half and the Canes made scoreboard numbers two more times before the subs took the field and clean up duty in the big Hurricane win.

With 4:26 left in the third quarter, Brad Taylor (5) found Trenton Pruitt (4) in the right front of the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown strike. Meza (37) kicked the extra point and extended the Hurricane lead. Fitzgerald 34, Randolph-Clay 6.

Jemea Thomas got in the end zone with 9:50 left in the game hitting off guard and tackle on the right side for end zone green. Meza (37), having regained his rhythm, made the extra point and capped all scoring. Fitzgerald 41, Randolph-Clay 6.

“We still have some work to do, but I like the direction,” said Coach Pruitt. “This was a good win. They’re a pretty good football team.”

Fitzgerald will be on the road next week for a Region 1-AA face-off with Mitchell County. Game time is 7:30 in Quitman.

Press Clippings: Randolph Clay vs. Fitz post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/18/07

Press Clippings: Randolph Clay vs. Fitz pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/14/07

Miscellaneous: Pictures added...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/11/07

Press Clippings: Fitz vs. Irwin post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/5/07

Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Irwin...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/3/07

Press Clippings: Canes win opener, 16-0...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/3/07

Hurricane season officially got underway on Friday night in Ocilla with a 16-0 Hurricane win over their neighbors to the south, the Irwin County Indians. Amidst the pageantry of South Georgia high school football and the celebration of the opening of a wonderful new football stadium and playing surface, the Canes managed the win over their arch-rival.

The Canes, represented by seniors captains Ward Massee (13), Anthony Brooks (61), Demarcus Duffie (62), and Malcolm Lundy (99), the Purple Hurricane won the toss and elected to defer their decision to the second half. The Indians elected to receive.

The Indians took their first possession at the Irwin County 24 after the Mauro Meza (37) kickoff. The Indians struggled against the stout purple defense, but managed a first down at the 35 after starting at their own 24. On the seventh play of the drive, the Indians, with a fourth and long, elected to go for the fake punt, but that fake proved unsuccessful as the Canes stopped the Indians for a two yard loss at the 20. The failure to convert the fourth down attempt gave the canes the ball at the Irwin 20 with 7:39 left in the first quarter.

The Canes lined up for their first possession deep in the opponent’s territory and one play later, Larry King (36) found himself standing in the Irwin County end zone with seven minutes still showing in the first quarter. Mauro Meza (37) came in to kick the extra point, but an off sides penalty on the Indians moved the ball half way to the goal and the Canes decided to go for two. Scotty Thomas (2) followed the “buffalo” into the end zone and the Hurricane was up by 8. Fitzgerald 8, Irwin County 0.

On the next series, the Indians were forced to punt the ball away for the first of four punts in the first half. The Indians were three and out and had fourth and ten at the Indian 28 with 4:27 left in the first. The punt was not fielded by the Canes and set up the second possession of the night for the Hurricane at the Fitzgerald 36. Three plays later, the Canes was back at their own 29 after back to back penalties and Meza (37) was back to kick the ball away.

The Indians benefited from a short Hurricane punt and, for the first time of the night, found themselves on the Fitzgerald side of the field with a first down and 3:33 left in the first. The boys from Ocilla were unable to capitalize on their good fortune, though, and kicked the ball away from the 43 with 46.2 left in the quarter.

The Canes were pinned back on their own seven to start their next series, but that situation would not last long as the Jemea Thomas (1) tore off on a 60 yard jaunt all the way down to the Irwin County 19. On the next play, Brad Taylor (5) hit R.J. Davis (84) in the right back corner of the end zone for six with 10:24 left in the first half. Once more, the Hurricane extra point team got the Ocilla boys to jump and the Canes elected to go for two. Larry King (36) converted the two-pointer and Fitzgerald had extended their lead to 16. Fitzgerald 16, Irwin County 0.

There was still almost three whole quarters to play, but the Indians and Canes played the rest of the game with no score. The Indians played on the Fitzgerald side of the field for the greatest part of the second half, but that same Hurricane defense, anchored by Anthony Brooks (61) and Malcolm Lundy (99), were able to protect from an Indian raid and hold the Irwin County team out of the end zone.

“We owe this one to the defense,” said Coach Robby Pruitt. “Coach West and his staff did an excellent job.” He added, “We’ve got two weeks to prepare for Randolph-Clay and we need to get a lot better on the offensive side of the ball.”

The Hurricane has an open week before hosting the Randolph-Clay Red Devils at Jaycee Stadium in the home opener on September 14th.

Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Irwin pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/30/07

College Canes: Corey Taylor is playing football at Pikeville College...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/30/07

Press Clippings: Canes are #3 in the AJC AA preseason poll...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/29/07

Press Clippings: Preseason football coverage...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/29/07

College Canes: Brent Gordon is playing football at Georgia Southern...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/21/07

College Canes: Kevious Johnson named preseason 2nd team All-SoCon...
MIKE KITCHENS - 7/30/07

Miscellaneous: Canes are second in the nation in weightlifting...
MIKE KITCHENS - 7/24/07

Miscellaneous: Longtime Hurricane broadcaster Charlie Ridgeway receives award...
MIKE KITCHENS - 6/8/07

College Canes: Former Cane Tucker Pruitt named VSU Male Scholar Athlete of the Year...
MIKE KITCHENS - 5/16/07

Auld Lang Syne: Former Cane Nate Stewart playing Sprint Football at the Naval Academy...
MIKE KITCHENS - 5/5/07

Miscellaneous: Weightlifters are state champs...
RANDY RODGERS - 3/12/07

Fitzgerald's weightlifters have successfully effected the three-peat. They are the state champions for the third year in a row. The Canes, under the leadership of Coach Michael Booth have won the title for an unprecedented three times in a row. They are the All-Classification State GACA Weightlifting Champions.

Fitzgerald took nine lifters to the all classification competition, which was held at the Perry national fairgrounds. The Canes were lead by seniors Dion Ross, Jarrel Paschal, and Nick Williams. Ross, who lifted in the 141-150 weight class, won the State title. It was Ross's fourth appearance at the state meet in which his best performance ever was fourth place. This year was much different for Dion. "Dion told me the night before he had a dream that he had one the state championship," said Coach Booth. "I'm glad for him that that one came true." Ross is now one of only two Fitzgerald lifters to win an individual weightlifting championship at the state level. The only other lifter to accomplish this feat was Jelani Shelton in 2005. Jarrel Paschal finished the day as the state runner-up in the 171-180 weight class. Paschal who scratched his second attempt at 315 pounds on the power clean, came back and successfully made the 315 on his third attempt. "That was probably the lift that won the team title for us," said Booth. "If Jarrel had not successfully made that lift he would have only received 5th or 6th place in his weight class. That would have given Effingham enough points to beat us in the overall competition. That lift was huge!" Nick Williams placed third in the 140 and under weight class. "This class was probably one of the strongest weight classes in the competition," commented Booth. His total of 885 pounds would have won him the state championship the year prior. Said Booth, "Nick's sacrifice is part of the reason we won the overall their year. He had been keeping his weight down since the start of wrestling season. Following his success in wrestling this year (State Runner-up) he decided to continue keep that weight off so we would have a strong competitor in the lightest weight class." Added Booth, "Most guys head to the all-you-can-eat buffet after wrestling season. We would not have won this year had it not been for his commitment to staying in the light weights" Junior Larry King had a stellar performance in the 160-170 weight class. Larry's 500 pound parallel squat helped propel him to fourth place overall in a very strong weight class. "Larry had a great day in all three of his lifts. If he had successfully made his last clean he would have placed third," said Coach Booth. "Larry did awesome for a guy making his first appearance at a state level competition."

The Canes finished their scoring with a sixth place finish from Sophomore Robert Outlaw. Robert had a strong day in the 226-245 weight class with new personal bests in the bench and squat. "If Robert will keep working hard I think he can win a state championship before he leaves FHS," said Booth.

The Canes were also represented by senior Brent Gordon, juniors Eddie Drawdy, Marcus Walker, and Anthony Brooks and Sophomore Jemea Thomas. All of which narrowly missed placing in the top six in their respective weight classes.

"I had been praying all week that they would just perform to the best of their ability and not get rattled when things didn't go their way," said Coach Booth. "They exceeded all my expectations. I couldn't be more proud of their performance. They busted their tails, and it paid off for them."

Results for the team members were, in the following order, Bench-Squat-Clean-Total-Place: 140-under - Nick Williams - 250-370-265-885 - 3rd place, 141-150 - Dion Ross - 275-385-285-945 - State Champion, 151-160 - Jemea Thomas - 275-365-245-885, 161-170 - Larry King - 270-500-265-1035 - 4th place, 171-180 - Jarrel Paschal - 275-440-315-1030 - State Runner-up, 181-190 - Brent Gordon - 305-435-295-1035, 206-225 - Marcus Walker - 305-430-290-1025, 226-245 - Eddie Drawdy - 320-460-265-1045, 226-245 - and Robert Outlaw - 340-525-230-1100 - 6th Place.

Results in the team competition were: All Classification Champion - Fitzgerald, 29 points; All Classification Runner-up - Effingham, 26 points; 3rd place - Washington County, 22 points; 4th place - Valdosta, 18 points; and 5th place - Appalachee, 18 points. Placers in the different classifications were: A Champion - Trion and A Runner-up - ECI; AA Champion- Dublin (Note: Dublin was made the AA champion because Fitzgerald was the All Classification Champion. Fitzgerald scored more points than Dublin.) and AA Runner-up - Tattnall; AAA Champion - Washington County and AAA Runner-up - Appalachee; AAAA Champion - Effingham County and AAAA Runner-up - Statesboro; and AAAAA Champion - Valdosta and AAAAA Runner-up - Windsor Forest.

The Herald-Leader along with an appreciative community congratulates the FHS Athletic Program, the FHS weightlifters, and Coach Michael Booth and company for this outstanding accomplishment.

2007 Fitz weightlifting squad
2007 weightlifting results (gasports.com)

Auld Lang Syne: Former Cane Bennie Cunningham noted in GSU internet poll...
MIKE KITCHENS - 3/1/07

Miscellaneous: Corey Taylor wins state in wrestling...
MIKE KITCHENS - 2/26/07

College Canes: Three Cane seniors sign letters of intent...
MIKE KITCHENS - 2/26/07

Postseason Superlatives: One Cane named to GACA All-State team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 2/19/07

Postseason Superlatives: Eight Canes named to Coaches' All-Region 1-AA team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 2/1/07

Auld Lang Syne: Wright Bazemore, Fitzgerald football royalty...
MIKE KITCHENS - 1/27/07

His name is revered in high school football circles, but how much do you know about Fitzgerald's most famous football alumnus? Here is some information on Wright Bazemore:

* He was born on a farm in Fitzgerald, Georgia on August 1, 1916.

* He played five sports for FHS. He won four letters in football, basketball, and track, and two letters in tennis and baseball (16 total).

* Here are the TD's he scored in the 1933 season, as reported by the Thomasville newspaper:

Date Opponent # of TD's

Sep 29 Montezuma 5

Oct 6 Ocilla 6

Oct 13 Sparks-Adel 5

Oct 20 Waycross 1

Oct 27 Moultrie 1

Nov 3 Albany 1

Nov 10 Douglas 1

Nov 24 Cordele 0

Nov 30 Tifton 0

(NOTE: The paper didn't say if these were rushing or passing or defensive or special team TD's)

* He was also written up in Ripley's "Believe It or Not" for scoring 10 TD's in two different games while at FHS. (NOTE: A Mercer University "Mercerian" article in 2000 said that he was written up for scoring 11 TD's in one game, but Coach Bazemore stated in a interview that it was 10 in two different games. That was confirmed by Coach Bazemore's son.)

* He graduated from FHS in 1934. He had many scholarship offers, but chose to play at Mercer, where his FHS coach (Bill Alderman) had played. At Mercer, he played football and basketball.

* He played football at Mercer with another Fitzgerald native, Paul Ward. Mr. Ward later went on to become mayor of Fitzgerald.

* He graduated from Mercer in 1938 and he accepted a coaching job at Waycross. He then joined Valdosta as an assistant coach in 1940 and took over as head coach at Valdosta in 1941. He retired after the 1971 season.

* During his time at Valdosta, he had a career record of 268-51-8. His teams won 17 Region titles, 15 South Georgia Championships, 14 State titles, and 3 National Championships. Oh, yeah, he also won at least seven State titles in basketball and he won six State titles in tennis.

* While he wasn't drafted into the service during World War II, he didn't think it was fair that boys he had coached were going off to and dying in the war while he was back home, so he joined the Navy.

* He was named the National High School Coach of the Year in 1969. He was Coach of the Year for District IV (covering six states) in 1968 and 1970. He was Georgia's prep Coach of the Year six times, and he was named Region Coach of the Year eleven times.

* He was elected to the Georgia's Sports Hall of Fame in 1960.

* He was made a charter member of the Mercer University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971.

* In 1996, Valdosta's football stadium was named Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, in honor of Coach Bazemore and Coach Nick Hyder.

* Pictures of him while he was at Mercer: 1 2 3 4

* An interesting piece of trivia: If you've seen "Remember the Titans", you might recall that that the TC Williams Titans finished second in the nation during 1971. Who was first in the nation that year? Wright Bazemore's Valdosta Wildcats, in what would be his final year of coaching.

* How he wanted to be remembered: "Even if I were not remembered as a coach, I would hope that there are those who I have influenced as far as becoming responsible men and women. Those who practice good Christian principles. All my life I've tried to instill the fact that competition, properly supervised, is a good character builder...Life is competition."

So there you have it -- a little info about Fitzgerald's most famous football alumnus.

Information provided by: Louie Harper, Curt Bazemore, Becky Taylor, "The Legendary Wright Bazemore's All American Valdosta Wildcats: 30 Years of Winning" by Tapley Fennon Newton, "Gridiron Glory Days, Football at Mercer, 1892-1942" by Robert E. Wilder

WRDO Real Radio 96.9 has a new website and is now streaming over the internet 24/7. As a result, Fitzgerald's 2007 football games will be available to anyone with an internet connection.

Tim, Bill, and Hal will be bringing you the games again this season. The football broadcast starts at 5:45PM every football Friday and will include the Coaches Show, the Road Show or Tailgate Show, the pregame, the game, the postgame, and the Tommy Palmer Statewide Scoreboard Show (which ends at midnight).

If you listen to the Hurricane webcast, remember to sign the guestbook and let Tim, Bill, and Hal know where (in the world) you are.

WRDO Real Radio 96.9 will also be broadcasting Georgia Southern football games this fall.

Make sure to tune in to WRDO for another great season of football in 2007.

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