| |
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| Postseason Superlatives: All-Middle Georgia team announced...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 1/1/06
|
|
|
The postseason accolades continue as the All-Middle Georgia football team was recently
announced by the Macon Telegraph. Three Canes were named to the second team, one
Cane was named to the third team, and nine Canes were named as honorable mention
picks.
Congratulations to these players for this recognition.
2005
All-Middle Georgia Football Team (Macon Telegraph)
|
|
| Postseason Superlatives: Multiple Canes named
All-Tift; Nate Inman
is OPOY...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/24/05
|
|
| Miscellaneous: New blog covers Purple Hurricane
basketball...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/24/05
|
|
|
Corey Slacks, a football and basketball player who has been named to the Region
2AA All-Academic Team, emailed me recently to ask if I had any ideas about
coverage for the Canes' basketball team. In all but the rarest of
situations, phdc is dedicated to football and those activities directly
associated with football. However, Corey and I worked together
to set up a blog for basketball team. This brand new blog can be found at: http://fhsbasketball.blogspot.com/.
Corey stepped up to the plate and is committed to updating Hurricane fans on the
basketball team and its season. He has already added the rosters of the players
and the cheerleaders and he has added the 2005-6 schedule. As the season
progresses, he will updating readers on the games as well.
Thanks to Corey for taking the initiative to provide a platform for folks to be
able to keep up with Hurricane basketball. It's going to be a big benefit to the
team and the fans.
NOTE: If any other FHS sports team is interested in starting its own blog, I'd
be glad to help them get started. Just as there is an fhsbasketball.blogspot.com,
there could be an fhscheerleading.blogspot.com, an fhsbaseball.blogspot.com, an
fhswrestling.blogspot.com, etc. All it takes is someone who is willing to post
updates after matches/games. The updates can be done from any computer and are
as easy as typing an email or typing a Word document. If a player or a coach or
a fan wants help creating a blog, just contact me using the link at the bottom of the
page.
|
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| Postseason Superlatives: Canes named to AJC and GSWA All-State teams...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/18/05
|
|
| Profile: SFC Neal Smith...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/15/05
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|
|
NOTE: Here is the profile of another one of our troops who keeps up with the Canes
via phdc and iHigh.com. Thanks, Neal, for sharing your info and for your service
to our country.
Name:
"Neal Smith" (click
for pic)
Family:
"My wife's name is Dawn Smith (Owens). We have 2 children, Shelby age
11, and Kensley age 5. We live in Fitzgerald. I also have 3 other daughters,
Georgia age 18, Amanda age 16, and Kayla age 15 who live in Ocilla with their
mother."
Rank/Unit:
"I am a platoon sergeant for Bco 2/121 Infantry GA National Guard out of
Cordele."
Location:
"Iraq"
Service duration:
"I have been in the military for 23 years, 6 of which have been on active
duty. This is my second combat deployment. The first was during Desert Storm
while I was in the army with the 1st Calvary Division. I was also deployed to
Bosnia in 2001 for 6 months with the Guard."
Job:
"On the civilian side I have worked for Haulmark for almost 6 years."
Fitzgerald connection:
"I played football and baseball for the Canes from '80 to '82. I don't have
any relatives who play football for them but my nephew plays baseball for the
Canes. His name is Rick Holt."
Message for the Cane Nation:
"I want to say to everyone, please say a prayer for everyone over here and
I can't wait to get back to Fitzgerald and my family."
|
|
| Postseason Superlatives: All-Region team full of Canes...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/13/05
|
|
|
The 2AA All-Region team has been announced and Fitzgerald is well-represented on the squad. There are eleven
Canes on the first team and five Canes on the second team. Also, six Canes made the All-Academic team and one
Cane made the All-Freshman team. Taking top honors were Nate Inman as the Offensive Player of the Year and
Jarrel Paschal as the Defensive Player of the Year.
Congratulations to all these players on these great accomplishments.
All-Region teams named for
1A, 2AA (Tifton Gazette)
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|
| Miscellaneous: Purple Girls take first...
RANDY
RODGERS - 12/12/05
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|
|
(Note: I normally don't post about non-football sports, but this accomplishment
definitely merits an exception - MK)
Fitzgerald's Purple Girls took first at the GHSA AA State Competition Cheerleading Tournament on
Saturday. The Canes are a consistent top five finisher in the annual competition and have dominated
local competitions in which they competed over the years.
The Fitzgerald girls edged out defending champion Pepperell for the title. Dawson was third and nearby
Dodge County of Eastman placed fourth. Region 2-AA, in which the FHS squad competes, placed all four
of its qualifiers in the 16 team finals field on Saturday.
Congratulations to the hard working Purple girls and Head Coach Angela Davis for your accomplishments
and thank you for representing the Fitzgerald community in such a first class way.
Article about
cheerleading championships (AJC - Registration required)
TV broadcast schedule - 1/13/06 (GPB)
TV broadcast schedule - 1/14/06 (GPB)
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
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| Press Clippings: Canes #7 in final AP AA poll and #8 in final AJC
AA poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/09/05
|
|
| Auld Lang Syne: Football pictures from 1954 season now posted...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/08/05
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|
|
(Note: Thanks to Carlton and Louise Fowler for loaning me the yearbooks - MK)
1954 pictures
|
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| Auld Lang Syne: Football pictures from 1953 season now posted...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/05/05
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|
|
(Note: Thanks to Carlton and Louise Fowler for loaning me the yearbooks - MK)
1953 pictures
|
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| College Canes: Rodney Milsap on Pearl River's MACJC championship squad...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/29/05
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|
| Press Clippings: Todd Holcomb's AJC article recalls fumble-rooskie...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/23/05
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Calhoun post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/22/05
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|
| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Calhoun...
RANDY
RODGERS - 11/22/05
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|
Fitz vs Calhoun, 11/18/05.
November 18, 2005.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
6:13 Calhoun 15 yard reception, Urbano (31) to Locklear (6); EP, Little (21). Fitz 0, Calhoun 7.
2nd Quarter:
11:28 Calhoun 1 yard run, Urbano (36); EP, Little (21). Fitz 0, Calhoun 14.
5:58 Calhoun Worley (9) to Durham (4); EP, Little (21). Fitz 0, Calhoun 21.
1:59 Calhoun Worley (9) to Durham (4); EP, Little (21) – NG. Fitz 0, Calhoun 27.
3rd Quarter:
11:45 Calhoun 10 yard run, Urbano (36); EP, Little (21). Fitz 0, Calhoun 34.
7:19 Fitz 23 yard reception, Battle (2) to Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Calhoun 34.
2:35 Calhoun 1 yard run, Urbano (36); EP, Little (21). Fitz 7, Calhoun 41.
1:00 Fitz 42 yard run, Fleming (55); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Calhoun 41.
4th Quarter:
9:03 Calhoun 1 yard run, Worley (9); EP, Little (21). Fitz 14, Calhoun 48.
:53 Fitz 1 yard run, Inman (42); EP, 2 pt attempt, Inman (42) – NG. Fitz 20, Calhoun 48.
|
|
| Guest Column: A Hurricane Tear...
SHANNON
DOROUGH - 11/20/05
|
|
|
(Note: Thanks to Shannon, whom I played football with and
graduated with and who has a way with words, for this contribution - MK)
Everybody, sooner or later sheds tears. As adults we may find ourselves crying for many reasons; joyful
tears of some major accomplishment, the loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, or seeing the devastation
caused by a catastrophic hurricane. The list could go on.
Now think back to your years as a teenager. What did you cry for? Your parents took your car keys, your
boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with you or maybe you cried because you flunked a test. As adolescents we
somehow find many reasons to be disheartened.
Over the years, I have seen many high school football players brought to tears after a loss. I have especially
watched for and been witness to senior ball players crying who didn’t win “the big one.” Some people see
these young men crying and ask how they could let something like losing a football game cause them to cry.
For those who don’t understand, it’s obvious. They have never shed a Hurricane Tear.
During the 2005 second-round playoff game against Jackson, I saw a young man crying Hurricane Tears. In
the first half of the game, he suffered an injury that would keep him sidelined for the rest of the game.
My six and eight year old daughters noticed this young man crying and asked how he could be doing this if
we were winning. My less than detailed answer was simply, “he’s not going to be able to get back in the game!”
For anyone who’s ever been competitive at anything, knowing that you can’t compete any longer is quite unnerving.
For many football players at this level, realizing that you are “out of the game” is unbearable. For some players
this may be from an injury and for others it is brought on by playing their last high school game. Win, lose
or draw.
In 1986, under the direction of Coach Mike Ellis, my senior team advanced to the first round of the playoffs.
We traveled to Brooks County with high hopes of continuing our season. I remember riding to the game on the
bus, listening to my own “motivational music.” I remember visualizing how I would break through the offensive
line and sack the quarterback. I remember thinking that we would soon be state champions.
We arrived at a stadium that seemed in my mind to be less than spectacular. The visiting locker rooms were
dimly lit and offered no comforts. This concrete block building was positioned under several aged and dismal
oak trees that just made the whole setting seem less than appealing. There was no grass or paving around this
place as dusty clay served the landscape.
The whistle blew and our next obstacle was under way. Back and forth, both teams played well for some time.
Then we slowly began to realize that our opponents had the edge. Bigger, stronger and faster, Brooks County
only needed 48 minutes of playing time to end a lifetime of playing football for most of us.
I remember walking across the field and shaking their hands with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
Then as we exited the fenced in area and headed for our concrete quarters, I began to cry out loud and with
great pain. Yes, I had taken a beating on the field that night, but I didn’t feel any physical pain. My pain
came from the inside. Deep inside.
Somehow I knew that I had just played the last game of organized football of my life. I started flag football
when I was five and was seventeen at that time. Twelve years of blood, sweat and tears had just come to a
screeching halt. Twelve years of always working to win a football game. Twelve years of wins and losses.
Sure, I had cried after other losses, but never quite like this. Never had the pain been so intense. I was
crying Hurricane Tears.
Every year since that game in 1986, I stand in awe as my beloved Hurricanes cross the field for the after game
handshake of their last game. Many of these young men have tears in their eyes, just as I did. To this day,
as I watch, I still get that lump in my throat. I know why they are crying. I feel their pain. I know what
kind of tears they cry.
A Hurricane Tear is different than other tears. A Hurricane Tear has no shame in it. A Hurricane Tear is
built on pride. A Hurricane Tear is the desire to go further. A Hurricane Tear has a lifetime of friendship
and brotherly love in it. A Hurricane Tear is not black or white. A Hurricane Tear can only be one color:
PURPLE!
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Calhoun pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/17/05
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|
| Press Clippings: Jackson-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/14/05
|
|
| Scoring Summary: Jackson vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 11/14/05
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|
|
Fitz vs. Jackson, 11/11/05.
November 11, 2005.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
4:47 Fitz 31 yard pass reception, Battle (2) to Thompson (82); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Jackson 0.
2nd Quarter:
9:49 Fitz 5 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Jackson 0.
3rd Quarter:
None
4th Quarter:
10:13 Fitz 50 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 21, Jackson 0.
7:41 Jackson 29 yard reception, Lunsford (11) to Watts (2); EP, Waits (80). Fitz 21, Jackson 7.
3:17 Fitz 1 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 28, Jackson 7.
|
|
| Profile: SSgt Travis L.
Faison...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/10/05
|
|
|
NOTE: As you can see from the guestbook, there are a number of Cane fans who have
served or do currently serve in our nation's armed forces. They keep up with the
team from locations around the US and around the world (including Iraq, Korea,
and Japan). In honor of their service, I would like to provide a profile of one
of these loyal fans. Thanks to Travis Faison for participating in this and
thanks to all those who have served our country with honor and distinction.
Name:
"Travis L. Faison"
Family:
"Wife (Traci) and two children - Travis and Kiara"
Rank:
"Currently Staff Sergeant (Getting Promoted 1 Dec 2005 to the rank of
Gunnery Sergeant)"
Unit:
"Headquarter and Service Company, Combat Assault Battalion"
Location:
"Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan"
Service duration:
"I've been in the Marine Corps about 11yrs, 6mos"
Job:
"I'm a Career Retention Specialist (Try to retain Marines in the
Corps)"
Fitzgerald connection:
"1994 graduate of FHS"
Message for the Cane Nation:
"This quote from Vince Lombardi holds true to life and football.
'Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is
the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're
willing to pay the price.'"
|
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| Press Clippings: Jackson-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/10/05
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|
| Press Clippings: Thomasville-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/7/05
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|
| Scoring Summary: Thomasville vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/5/05
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|
|
Fitz vs Thomasville, 11/04/05.
November 4, 2005.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
5:04 Fitz 8 yard run, Roberts (22); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Thomasville 0.
2nd Quarter:
4:19 Fitz 9 yard run, Inman (42); EP, 2 pt. attempt, Newell (14) – NG. Fitz 13, Thomasville 0.
3rd Quarter:
2:50 Fitz 48 yard run, Inman (42); EP, 2 pt. conversion, Inman (42). Fitz 21, Thomasville 0.
4th Quarter:
3:07 Fitz 12 yard run, Roberts (22); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 28, Thomasville 0.
|
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| Press Clippings: Thomasville-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/3/05
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Irwin post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/31/05
|
|
| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Irwin...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/31/05
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|
|
Fitz vs Irwin Co, 10/28/05.
October 28, 2005.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
None.
2nd Quarter:
11:39 Fitz 75 yard pass, Battle (2) to Lately (81); EP, Ayala (16) kick – NG. Fitz 6, IC 0.
11:23 IC 86 yard punt return, Charlton (45); EP, 2 pt. attempt, Charlton (45) – NG. Fitz 6, IC 6.
3:45 Fitz 34 yard run, Ross (32); EP, 2 pt. attempt, Inman (42) – NG. Fitz 12, IC 6.
0:00 IC 27 yard run, Charlton (45); EP, 2 pt. attempt, Florence (41) – NG. Fitz 12, IC 12.
3rd Quarter:
9:48 Fitz 2 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16) kick. Fitz 19, IC 12.
0:41 IC 12 yard run, Charlton (45); EP, 2 pts., Florence (41). Fitz 19, IC 20.
4th Quarter:
9:29 Fitz 8 yard run, Inman (42); EP, 2 pt. attempt, Austile (84) – NG. Fitz 25, IC 20.
|
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Irwin pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/27/05
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: Weather report for Ocilla...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/27/05
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|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald vs. Ocilla/Irwin County...
JIM OGILVIE /
RANDY RODGERS - 10/27/05
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|
|
|
|
OCILLA/ |
|
| YEAR |
FITZ |
IRWIN |
RESULT |
| 1922 |
64 |
0 |
W |
| 1923 |
6 |
7 |
L |
| 1924 |
Did not play |
| 1925 |
6 |
0 |
W |
| 1926 |
0 |
48 |
L |
| 1927 |
6 |
45 |
L |
| 1928 |
7 |
12 |
L |
| 1929 |
27 |
0 |
W |
| 1930 |
Did not play |
| 1931 |
59 |
0 |
W |
| 1932 |
? |
? |
W1 |
| 1933 |
78 |
0 |
W |
| 1947 |
40 |
0 |
W |
| 1948 |
59 |
6 |
W2 |
| 1949 |
39 |
0 |
W |
| 1954 |
0 |
13 |
L |
| 1955 |
45 |
6 |
W |
| 1956 |
19 |
37 |
L |
| 1957 |
25 |
0 |
W |
| 1958 |
13 |
0 |
W |
| 1959 |
8 |
20 |
L |
| 1960 |
0 |
0 |
T |
| 1961 |
61 |
19 |
W |
| 1962 |
21 |
6 |
W |
| 1963 |
21 |
13 |
W |
| 1964 |
7 |
20 |
L3 |
| 1965 |
21 |
7 |
W |
| 1966 |
34 |
12 |
W |
| 1967 |
18 |
7 |
W |
| 1968 |
19 |
13 |
W |
| 1969 |
37 |
7 |
W |
| 1970 |
35 |
6 |
W |
| 1971 |
25 |
6 |
W |
| 1972 |
14 |
39 |
L |
| 1973 |
20 |
18 |
W |
| 1974 |
0 |
13 |
L |
| 1975 |
0 |
7 |
L |
| 1976 |
7 |
9 |
L |
| 1977 |
0 |
0 |
T |
| 1978 |
35 |
12 |
W |
| 1979 |
40 |
0 |
W |
| 1980 |
25 |
0 |
W |
| 1981 |
10 |
5 |
W |
| 1982 |
14 |
0 |
W |
| 1983 |
28 |
14 |
W |
| 1984 |
16 |
7 |
W |
| 1985 |
0 |
21 |
L |
| 1986 |
7 |
13 |
L |
| 1987 |
27 |
7 |
W |
| 1988 |
20 |
0 |
W |
| 1989 |
41 |
0 |
W |
| 1990 |
27 |
14 |
W |
| 1991 |
10 |
18 |
L |
| 1992 |
30 |
0 |
W |
| 1993 |
43 |
7 |
L4 |
| 1994 |
24 |
7 |
W |
| 1995 |
0 |
28 |
L |
| 1996 |
0 |
17 |
L |
| 1997 |
19 |
28 |
L |
| 1998 |
7 |
26 |
L |
| 1999 |
13 |
32 |
L |
| 2000 |
28 |
22 |
W |
| 2001 |
43 |
14 |
W |
| 2002 |
49 |
41 |
W |
| 2003 |
32 |
29 |
W |
| 2004 |
27 |
6 |
W |
| 2005 |
TBD |
| Overall
record: |
|
Fitz-41, Ocilla/Irwin-21, Tie-2 |
| Fitzgerald
Average: |
|
.641 |
| Ocilla/Irwin
Average: |
|
.328 |
| Shutouts: |
|
Fitz-17, Ocilla/Irwin-9 |
| Winning
streaks: |
|
7 games: Fitz-3 |
|
|
5 games: Fitz-1, Irwin-1 |
|
|
4 games: Fitz-1 |
|
|
3 games: Fitz-1, Irwin-2 |
|
|
2 games: Fitz-1, Irwin-1 |
|
|
|
| Found
no records prior to 1922 |
|
|
|
| 1
Fitzgerald paper states as win, but has no score |
| 2
Fitzgerald was State Champion |
| 3
Only regular season loss, Fitzgerald went on to play for the state
championship |
| 4
Forfeit due to eligibility violation |
|
|
| Press Clippings: Suey, Irwin, Suey!...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/27/05
|
|
|
Take several generations of Fitzgerald and Ocilla boys and put them in the same room
and one thing is for sure, they’ll soon get around to talking about The Game. Who won
their senior year and maybe even about a personality or two that wore Purple and Gold
and went by the names Hurricanes, Terrapins, or Indians.
They may even get around to the great Fitzgerald teams of the 40s, 60s, and the first
few years of the new millennium or the great Irwin teams of the 60s, 70s, and 90s. Surely
there will be Fitzgerald names like Jay, Goff, Hargrove, Paulk, Chambless, Luke, Pruitt,
McDonald, Johnson, and Bell that will be mentioned. Even the Ocilla boys like Sumner,
Roberts, Roberts, Paschal, Walters, Walters, and Barnes will be discussed.
The Ocilla boys will surely bring up the 1964 game when the Indians ruined Fitzgerald’s
perfect regular season by knocking off a Hurricane that was riding high, headed towards
a title game appearance. They’ll also talk about the winning streak of the 90s when the
Indians beat Fitzgerald 5 straight years.
Canes will mention the payback of the 1968 team when they squashed the Indian perfect
record by beating them, unexpectedly. They’ll also talk about the 1973 team that was
resurrected by a returning Joe Compton. The Pruitt era of the last few years will be
mentioned and the extraordinary game that Carlos Bell had a couple of years ago when
he single-handedly scored 4 touchdowns, setting up Leo Sanchez for the last minute
field goal that closed the deal for the Canes.
They’ll talk about a lot. The competition, the meetings at the Dairy Queen, Tastee Freeze,
Hardee's, and the Wal-Mart parking lot. I bet places like Johnnie’s and Harper’s were
pretty popular spots, too. The girls that the boys from Fitzgerald dated down in Ocilla
and the Fitzgerald girls that dared wear an Indian letter jacket in the halls of old Fitz-Hi.
The Fitzgerald boys might even recall Coach Compton’s 1973 cheer that he unveiled just for
the game:
Born in the back wood, straddle of a log,
Ears like a Billy Goat. Teeth like a hog.
Suey, Irwin. Suey!
Some of the pep-rallies will come up. I, personally, have seen “10 Little Indians” played
out in at least a dozen different ways and I know the folks down in Ocilla have “taken the
wind out of a purple storm” in a bunch of different ways.
My friend Michael Parker, a former administrator at ICHS and now principal of Berrien High
School, told me that when he was a new assistant principal down in Ocilla, he and another
staff member performed at the Irwin-Fitz pep rally. Parker dressed up as the dreaded Hurricane
with a cape and a purple wig. The other guy, dressed as the Indian, chased Parker around the
gym and “scalped” him, removing the wig to reveal a bloody head. “The crowd went wild,” said
Parker. “It didn’t help, though. We still lost.”
I’m hoping that the Canes can continue their winning streak and make it 42-21-2. The sure thing
is that both teams will come out and leave it all on the field like Carlos Bell did two years
ago. Someone will step up big and a new story will be created.
Shoot! We might even bring out Compton’s old cheer which is allowable for just one game out of
the year.
Born in the back wood, straddle of a log,
Ears like a Billy Goat. Teeth like a hog.
Suey, Irwin. Suey!
|
|
| Press Clippings: It’s that time again, Fitzgerald vs Irwin...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/26/05
|
|
|
It’s that time again, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane and the Irwin County Indians. For some it’s
the most important game of the year. It’s for the bragging rights and we don’t realize just how
important that is until we don’t have them! It’s just that important.
Fitzgerald’s Hurricane is riding high and looking to gather additional strength as it heads towards
post season play as the Region 2-AA Champion and the number one seed in the first round of the
play-offs. The Indians from Ocilla will be playing for the possibility of sneaking into the play-offs
as a number four seed and will playing for pride and the possibility of being a spoiler for the
Canes and their undefeated region record.
The Indians are riding on a two game winning streak with a 30-28 win over Pierce County a week ago
and a 22-20 win over Brantley County on Friday night. The Indians would even their season record
with a win over Fitzgerald; they are 4-5 for the 2005 season.
The Indians feature a highly touted offensive lineman, Justin Anderson, a 6-foot-4, 315 pounder who
has committed to play for UGA. Running out of the Indian backfield will be P.J. Florence and
Chavarious Charlton, two seniors that would like nothing more than to upset the Canes in their
final year in Irwin Red and Black.
The Hurricane looks to keep on rolling with Seniors Nate Inman and Johnathan Roberts running out
of the high octane Robby Pruitt Wing T machine. Another senior, Josh Battle, will be calling signals
and handling the ball in the prolific “zig-zag-zoom” Hurricane offense. Special teams standout Fred
Thomas is also a senior and he looks to give a big performance in his last big Irwin County game.
Other seniors that look to win out over the Indians include center Russ Ridgeway, defensive lineman
Byron Scott, as well as defensive standout Jamall Williams. Seniors Jerad Smith, Erick and Derrick
Lately, Lapolean Harris, Chad Thompson, Desmond Hodges, Justin Newell, Tony Vickers, Kiyati Nicholas,
Lonnie Davenport, Jay Smith, James Foster, and Dale Rozier will all be planning to knock off the
Indians and take that high school highlight with them as they play their last Fitzgerald-Irwin
match-up.
“It’s a big one for the two communities,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “I know they’ve struggled
some this year but they’ll play lights out in this one. We want to play with a lot of community
pride and end our regular season with a strong win as we head into the play-offs.”
The all time record favors the Canes, heavily. The series goes all the way back to 1922 when the
Reverend Thomas Duncan’s Canes beat the boys from Ocilla, 64-0. The Canes lead the series
41-21-2.
Game time will be 7:30 at Ocilla’s Lanny Roberts Memorial Stadium on Highway 129 North. Crowds
are expected to be huge for this annual affair. The Canes and the Indians, Friday night.
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| Press Clippings: Ben Hill Middle School wins conference title
game over Ware...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/26/05
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The Middle School Canes took the Southeastern Georgia Middle School Conference championship
Thursday afternoon at Jaycee Stadium in a runaway, 36-10, over the Ware County Middle School
Gators.
The boys in purple received the kickoff and Brandon Stewart (1) took it all the way, 78 yards,
to end zone green on the first play of the game. Jarlon Roberts (22) ran it in for the extra
points and made the score 8-0 with just a few ticks off of the stadium clock. BHMS 8, Ware 0.
On Ware's first offensive, Brian Taylor (59) came up with a fumble at the Ware 38. Six plays
later Trent Pruitt (4) sneaked it in for the score. Mark McLeod (32) converted the two pointer
and the Canes led 16-0 with 4:31 still showing in the first quarter.
The Canes got on the board again with 7:42 left in the half when Ladarius Rozier (31) turned
it up in the middle for the score from four yards out. The extra point was no good, but the
Purple Hurricane led 22-0.
With just 1:34 left in the half, Jarlon Roberts (22) blasted in from a yard out from his fullback
position for a touchdown. Roberts (22) also added the two point conversion to extend the lead.
BHMS 30, Ware 0.
The boys from Waycross and Wacona showed some grit in the third when the quarterback, Wilkinson
(8), got out for a 35 yard romp to the end zone to get the Gators on the board with 4:46 left in
the third quarter. Wilkinson was unsuccessful on the two point attempt, but the Gators had gotten
on the board. BHMS 30, Ware 6.
The Fitzgerald boys answered the score with just 38 seconds left in the third when Latravious
Stewart (2) stuck it in from eight yards out. The PAT was no good, but the Purple Canes led
36-6.
Following the Canes score, Ware County's Darrell Moore (5) found the seam and open field on the
kickoff return and returned it all the way, 71 yards, for the second score for the Gators. The
extra point was no good and with 6:21 left in the game the score was Fitzgerald 30, Ware
County 12.
The Hurricane was driving at the Ware two with just seconds left when Pruitt (4) took a knee
to drain the clock and the Fitzgerald boys had won their first SGC Championship in their first
year in the league.
"They did a great job," said Coach Troy Fletcher. "From the time we started working out in the
summer, the team decided that this was going to be their year and they haven't looked back."
PurpleHurricane.com joins a supportive community in congratulating the Ben Hill Middle School
Purple Hurricane on their conference championship. We look forward to seeing this fine group
of Hurricane athletes as they join the varsity Canes next year as freshmen.
Webcast
of championship game
BHMS - Roster
BHMS - Picture 1
BHMS - Picture 2
BHMS - Picture 3
BHMS - Picture 4
BHMS - Picture 5
(Thanks to WRDO for the webcast, Wayne Gladden for the roster, and Randy Rodgers for the pictures)
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| Press Clippings: Jeff Davis-Fitzgerald
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/25/05
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| Guest Column: Everything I ever really needed to know I learned playing football...
BRENT GORDON
(#33) - 10/24/05
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(Note: I asked Mrs. Brenda Whitley, an FHS teacher, if she had
any promising writers in her classes that would be interested in contributing to
the website. She extended the offer to her students and Brent Gordon, a member of the
football team, jumped on it. Thanks to Mrs. Whitley for "playing ball"
and to Brent for sharing his clever and well-written essay here on phdc. - MK)
EVERYTHING I EVER REALLY NEEDED TO KNOW
I LEARNED PLAYING FOOTBALL
Have you ever had that clueless moment and you’re just thinking why did I do that? Trust me you’re not the only one if you have. We all become knowledgeable
with time and experience in activities we enjoy. Not all but some can relate to this. I have come across the fact that football is teaching me all about life.
· Be disciplined; everyone needs self-control to push them to go that extra mile.
· Have character.
· Don’t call Vaughn Lieutenant Dan and Coach Booth “Boof-fool.”
· Trust your teammate beside you to do his job.
· Take advantage of the opportunities you have.
· We are all family. We can accomplish more as one.
· Be dedicated.
· Don’t get yourself in a situation to do “quitta drills.”
· Keep your head on a swivel. We need to be aware of challenges that can sneak up on us.
· Always do the detail of your assignment and that play is dead in the water.
· There’s nobody like Coach Ellis.
· If you have a potty mouth, be prepared for the 25 push ups.
· The team is only as weak as the weakest person.
· We as a team represent Fitzgerald, our school, our parents, and ourselves.
· Adversity is going to hit, but we have to pull together and overcome it.
· Work hard to become better.
· Don’t miss reps in the weight room.
· Community support is behind you.
· Be thankful for the facilities and treatment we have.
· Anything is possible on any given night.
Football may just be a leisure activity to some, but it’s a part of life to me. It’s all some football fanatics and lovers of the game know. I am learning so much with the experiences I’m having. Just think how the world would be if we are disciplined, have character, represent ourselves in a mannerly way, and appreciate the things we have. Life essentials are everywhere. I’m thankful for football, and I’m proud to be a Purple Hurricane.
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| Scoring Summary: Jeff Davis vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/24/05
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Fitz vs Jeff Davis, 35-3.
October 21, 2005.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
8:03 JD 16 yard pass, Varnadoe (15) to Graham (4); EP, Miller (75)-NG. Fitzgerald 0, Jeff Davis 6.
7:01 Fitz 72 yard kick off return, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Jeff Davis 6.
0:01 Fitz 71 yard punt return, Thomas (4); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Jeff Davis 6.
2nd Quarter:
6:25 Fitz 2 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16)-NG. Fitzgerald 20, Jeff Davis 6.
1:36 Fitz 37 yard pass, Battle (2) to Austile (84); EP, Ayala (16). Fitzgerald 27, Jeff Davis 6.
3rd Quarter:
11:51 Fitz 5 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala (16). Fitzgerald 34, Jeff Davis 6.
7:55 Fitz 51 yard pass, Battle (2) to Thompson (82); EP, Ayala (16). Fitzgerald 41, Jeff Davis 6.
4th Quarter:
1:37 Fitz 2 yard run Jemea Thomas (5); EP, Ayala (16). Fitzgerald 48, Jeff Davis 6.
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| Press Clippings: Hurricane will host Jeff Davis, seniors to be honored...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/20/05
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The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets will be in for a visit with the Purple Hurricane on Friday for their annual
Region 2-AA contest. Hurricane seniors will be recognized prior to the game as the FHS football program
will conduct its annual Senior Night.
The Yellow Jackets are 2-3 in region play and 2-6 overall. They are led by Head Coach Andy Rykard in his
first year as head coach for the Jackets. Fans will look out for running backs Gary Williams and Justin
Griffin. Chase Varnadoe will be the signal caller. The Jackets have struggled in 2005.
The Hurricane is coming off of a 35-3 win over Appling County in Baxley. They are 7-1 on the season, 5-0
in Region 2-AA, currently in first place. The Hurricane is ranked fifth in the sportswriter’s poll, the
AP Poll and second in the coach’s poll, gasports.com.
Senior running back Johnathan Roberts is coming off of a 104 yard, three touchdown game against the Pirates
while senior quarterback Josh Battle threw for 100 yards and a TD to wide receiver Darian Austile. Senior
fullback Nate Inman extended his all purpose yards total to 1245 yards on the season and scored his 13th
touchdown of the year through eight games.
Fitzgerald holds an overall 16-4-1 record over the Yellow Jackets dating back to 1952. The Canes defeated
the Jackets 49-0 last year in Hazlehurst.
Fitzgerald versus Jeff Davis, 7:30 at Fitzgerald’s Jaycee
Stadium on Friday.
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| Press Clippings: Jeff Davis-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/20/05
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Appling post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/18/05
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Appling...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/15/05
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Fitz vs Appling County, 35-3.
October 14, 2005.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
9:13 Fitz 33 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Ayala(16); Fitzgerald 7, AC 0.
0:37 AC 20 yard FG, Seirgo Rangel(1); Fitzgerald 7, AC 3.
2nd Quarter:
6:41 Fitz 27 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Ayala(16). Fitzgerald 14, AC 3.
1:10 Fitz 4 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Ayala(16). Fitzgerald 21, AC 3.
3rd Quarter:
9:09 Fitz 3 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16). Fitzgerald 28, AC 3.
4:27 Fitz 51 yard pass, Battle(2) to Austile(84). Fitzgerald 35, AC 3.
4th Quarter:
None.
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| Press Clippings: Hurricane takes region campaign on road to Baxley...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/13/05
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The Purple Hurricane will take their campaign for the 2005 Region 2-AA Championship on the
road Friday when the Canes travel to Baxley to challenge the Appling County Pirates. The
Hurricane is 4-0 in Region 2-AA play while the Pirates are 1-3.
The Pirates are in the first year under Coach J.T. Pollack. Pollack came to Appling County
from Screven County where he was the offensive coordinator. The Pirates operate out of a
Wing T offensive scheme.
"They've got a new coach. In some games they've looked better than others," said Coach Robby
Pruitt. "They look like a team that is on the verge of finding themselves. They have good
athletes. They're sure good enough to kind of scare you when you look at their athleticism."
The Hurricane is coming off of a big 52-15 win over the Brantley County Herons. Fullback Nate
Inman broke the 1000 yard barrier with his 107 yards on the ground. Inman also had three pass
receptions for 28 yards. His teammates in the backfield also had prolific games; Johnathan
Roberts had 158 yards while Dion Ross had 88.
Appling's only win in the region is over Irwin County, 34-26. The Pirates lost to Bacon County
last Friday night by a score of 21-17.
After Friday's win over Brantley, the canes are in the driver's seat to defend their Region 2-AA
Championship. The Canes were 7-0 in the region in 2004. The Fitzgerald-Appling County game resulted
in a 52-21 Hurricane victory during that perfect 10-0 regular season a year ago.
Game time is 7:30 at Baxley's Jimmy Swain Stadium. The Stadium is located on Hwy 15 South in Baxley,
adjacent to Appling County High School.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Appling pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/13/05
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| Press Clippings: Brantley-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/11/05
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| Scoring Summary: Brantley vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/10/05
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Fitz vs. Brantley County, 52-15.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
10:30 Fitz 93 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 7, BC 0.
6:02 Fitz 8 yard run, Ross(32) ); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 14, BC 6.
5:30 Fitz 20 yard reception, Battle(2) to Austile(84); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 21, BC 6.
4:19 Fitz 35 yard reception, Battle(2) to Austile(84); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 28, BC 6.
1:34 Fitz 1 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 35, BC 6.
2nd Quarter:
2:42 Fitz Safety, Paschal(34); Fitz 37, BC 6.
3rd Quarter:
11:55 Fitz 5 yard run, Inman(42); EP, 2 point conversion, Inman(42); Fitz 45, BC 15.
9:15 Fitz 37 yard interception; EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 52, BC 15.
4th Quarter:
None.
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| Press Clippings: Nate Inman named WALB POW after Charlton game...
MIKE KITCHENS -
10/10/05
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| Press Clippings: Homecoming festivities feature Brantley-Fitz battle...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/6/05
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The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane, the defending Region 2-AA Champion, will play host
to the
Brantley County Blue Herons on Friday night at the stadium for homecoming. Though the Canes
decimated the Herons in last year's 51-7 win in Nahunta, the Herons are 5-1 on the season
and are eager to show the region and the rest of the state that they are for real.
"They're much improved," said Fitzgerald's Robby Pruitt. "Their only loss was to Jeff Davis
and they were short six of their starters. They're scrappy."
The Herons will be coming to Jaycee Stadium the week after the Canes knocked of the number
one ranked and defending AA State Champion Charlton County Indians in a start to finish shoot
out in the stadium. "We're a prime candidate for an upset," said Coach Pruitt. "We're coming
off of a big win and with homecoming and all of the distractions, we're going to have to be
focused."
The Herons feature a passing attack with the quarterback, Stephan Prevatt(12), a junior, having
a strong and effective season as the Heron signal caller. Targets for Prevatt include Brandon
Collins(7), a junior wide receiver and Spencer Martin(22), a senior wide receiver. Scotty Lee(28),
the senior running back, Jay Edwards(42), the junior fullback, and Jeremy Griffin(2), a senior
also out of the Heron backfield, lead the Blue Herons in the ground game.
"Coach (Sean) Pender will have them ready," said Coach Pruitt. "When they lost to Jeff Davis, they
had six starters that weren't playing. We don't want to look past these guys."
Game time is 7:30 with the crowning of the Homecoming Queen 2005 at half time. Come out and support
the Purple Hurricane and enjoy the festivities of homecoming at Jaycee stadium, Friday night.
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| Press Clippings: Brantley-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/6/05
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| College Canes: Former Cane Fabian Daniels earns honor...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/5/05
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Former Hurricane running back Fabian Daniels was named the Mid-South Conference’s
Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 174 yards and four touchdowns in Shorter's
win over Cumberland this past Saturday. This was the first time a Shorter player has ever rushed
for 100 yards in a game and it comes just three weeks after Fabian scored the first touchdown for
Shorter's newly-created football program.
Shorter's
Daniel earns award (Shorter College website)
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| Press Clippings: Charlton-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/4/05
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| Scoring Summary: Charlton vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/2/05
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Fitz vs Charlton County, 29-22.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
6:07 CC 4 yard reception, Dasher(9) to Donley(17); EP, Donley(9); Fitz 0, CC 7.
2nd Quarter:
8:44 CC 43 yard reception, Dasher(9) to Williams(4); EP, 1 yard run, Walker(31); Fitz 0, CC 15.
7:37 Fitz 48 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 7, CC 15.
3rd Quarter:
8:34 Fitz 2 yard run, Ross(32); EP, 1 1/2 yard run, Ross(32); Fitz 15, CC 15.
4th Quarter:
9:30 Fitz 17 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala (16); Fitz 22, CC 15.
3:26 Fitz 5 yard run, Vickers(21); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 29, CC 15.
:23 CC 1 yard run, Dasher(9); EP, Dasher(9); Fitz 29, CC 22.
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| Press Clippings: Charlton-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS -
9/29/05
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| College Canes: Updates on some former Canes playing college
ball...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/29/05
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2004 Fitzgerald graduates Carlos Bell and Jerry Taylor are playing football at Hibbing
Community College. Carlos recently scored his first college touchdown on a
punt return and had 212 all-purpose yards. Jerry had 13 completions in 18
attempts for 147 yards passing and 1 touchdown in a recent game. I added these
two former Canes to the list of College
Canes.
Roy Williams is transferring from Fort Valley to Albany
State, where he will be joining his brother Troy. Troy is a starting
linebacker for the Rams.
Of course, Fabian Daniels is still playing at Shorter
and Tyler and Tucker Pruitt are at Valdosta
State. And while Kevious Johnson is not playing this fall at Wofford,
he's reportedly planning to return next year to resume his academic and athletic
careers.
Finally, while I rarely mention other sports at phdc, former all-state defensive
back Trent Taylor is doing very well in baseball and with his academics at North
Florida Community College.
Congratulations to all these guys and keep up the good work!
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| Press Clippings: Canes vs. Indians on Friday night; one of most
significant games in the state...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/29/05
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Fitzgerald beat them in the regular season, but the Indians went all the way to the
title game and won it! The only blemish on the Indians' 2004 record was a 26-22 loss to
the Purple Hurricane of Fitzgerald at their home field, The Swamp. Kind of makes for an
interesting show down, doesn't it?
"They're good," said Fitzgerald Coach Robby Pruitt. "They have big play potential. They
have a great running back, a great quarterback, and wide-outs and receivers." He added,
"They concern you with the big play potential."
The Indians are ranked #1 in the AP poll and are 5-0 on the season, coming off of a 41-14
whipping of Appling County on Friday night. They have beaten McIntosh Academy and defending
Class A Co-Champion Clinch County by close scores, both contenders in Class A. The other
scores have not been close with the Charlton County Indians winning handily.
Fitzgerald is ranked number 9.
The Indians are led by quarterback Lemuel Walker(31), a bruiser out of the backfield. Other
outstanding players include Dwight Dasher(9) at quarterback and receivers D.J. Donley(17),
Terrence Milton(7), Devarro Greaves(81), and Justin Williams(4), all who had TDs in last
week's Appling County game.
On the defensive side of the ball, fans should look out for Jarques Nightingale(2), Deangelo
Dasher(38), Jonathan Ferguson(13), and Adam Davis(55).
Fitzgerald has some "pop" of their own with Nate Inman(42), the leading rusher, as well as
senior stand-outs Johnathan Roberts(22) and Tony Vickers(21), and Junior Dion Ross(32), all
running out of Robby Pruitt's backfield. Receivers Darian Austile(84) and Chad Thompson(82)
will also being looking for some fireworks of their own.
Byron Scott(66) and Jerad Smith(53) will anchor a stingy Hurricane defense and Russ Ridgeway(65)
will hold down the middle of the offensive line at center. Christian Angeles(96) will be the
kick-off specialist and place-kicker Victor Ayala(16) will continue his stellar junior year.
"We can beat them," said Coach Pruitt, "but we're going to have to play. Just like last year,
the team that makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top at the end of the game."
Game time will be at 7:30 at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium. Come see whether the Canes can make
it 2-0 in the series between the Canes and the Indians or if the Indians will find a way to get
satisfaction over last year's defeat at the hand of the Purple Hurricane.
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| Press Clippings: Hurricane starts slow, but gets on track for big
win over Pierce County...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/27/05
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It took the Purple Hurricane most of the first quarter to get on the board, but
after Josh Battle and Johnathan Roberts hooked up with 3:38 left in the first, the
game was on and the Canes dominated on both sides of the ball, save the haunting
propensity for turnovers. The score came from 13 yards out. Victor Ayala added the
extra point and the score was 7-0.
Tony Vickers scored his first of two TDs just 15 seconds into quarter number two.
The score came on a 3 yard plunge. Ayala split the goal posts for the extra point.
That extended the score to 14-0, Fitz.
Vickers again stuck it in from a yard out with 5:38 left in the half. The Ayala extra
point was good and Fitzgerald led 21-0.
The senior fullback, Nate Inman, busted in from the one yard line to make the score
27-0 with 5:40 showing on the third quarter clock. Bring on Ayala, snap, place, and
kick it through and the score is 28-0.
The Hurricane closed out the third quarter, with just four seconds left, with their
fifth score of the evening on a Nate Inman, his second of the night, run from 15 yards
out. Victor Ayala, again, added the point after and the score had been extended to 35-0,
Fitzgerald.
The Bears did manage a score late in the game with 38 seconds left in the game. The strike
was a 23 yard pass play to the right corner of the playing field that made it into the
end zone. The extra point was no good making the final score 35-6, Hurricane.
Fitzgerald had 5 turnovers, four fumbles and an interception while the Bears threw two
to Canes and fumbled once.
'We played pretty well, again," said Coach Robby Pruitt. "We shot ourselves in the foot
with turnovers," he stated. "We had four turnovers in the first half, alone." He added,
"We had penalties, too. We can't play like that with what's coming next week (Charlton
County)."
"Even with all of the turnovers, we played pretty well. We never had to punt and the defense
held them to very little yardage," he concluded.
Fitzgerald will host a tough Charlton County team that is undefeated on Friday night at the
stadium. Fitzgerald, the 2-AA Region Champion, will host the Class AA State Champion,
Charlton, at Jaycee Stadium. Game time is 7:30.
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Pierce...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/26/05
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Fitz vs. Pierce County, 35-6
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
3:36 Fitz 13 yard pass reception, Battle(2) to Roberts(22; EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 7, Pierce 0.
2nd Quarter:
11:45 Fitz 3 yard run, Vickers(21); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 14, Pierce 0.
5:38 Fitz 1 yard run, Vickers (21); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 21, Pierce 0.
3rd Quarter:
5:40 Fitz 1 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 28, Pierce 0.
:04 Fitz 15 yard run, Inman (42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 35, Pierce 0.
4th Quarter:
:38 Pierce 23 yard pass reception, 10 to 5; EP, 12, -NG; Fitz 35, Pierce 6.
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| Phun with Photoshop: Survivor Cane Country...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/24/05
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Pierce pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/22/05
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| Press Clippings: Hurricane takes 2-AA campaign to Blackshear...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/21/05
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The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane will be in Blackshear on Friday night to play the Pierce
County Bears. The struggling Bears are the second Region 2-AA opponent of the 2005
season.
Fitzgerald is 3-1 on the season with wins over Berrien County, Perry, and Bacon County.
The Bears are 1-3 tin the 2005 season, losing to Wayne County, 0-29, on August 19th;
Charlton County, 6-28, on August 26th, and Calvary Day, 8-35, on September 2nd. The Bears'
only win on the season came on last Friday night against Richmond Hill, 19-14.
Tom Hybl, father of former Oklahoma QB and Heisman candidate Nate Hybl, coaches the Bears.
They are coming off of a 1-9 2004 season. The Bears last successful season was in 2002
when the Bears went 3 rounds deep in the state play-offs. Graduation from that season has
left the Bears struggling. Fitzgerald defeated Pierce County, 49-0, on September 24th in
2004.
Leaders on the ground Nate Inman(42) and Johnathan Roberts(22) look to add to their rushing
totals for the season and receivers Darian Austile(84) and Chad Thompson(82) will be eying
passes by Quarterback Josh Battle(2).
Cane fans will travel to Blackshear for a 7:30 Region 2-AA game on Friday night.
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| Scoring Summary: Bacon vs. Fitz...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/19/05
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Fitz vs. Bacon County, 43-13.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
2:05 Bacon 12 yard pass, Mercer(3) to Robinson(22); EP, Martinez(86); Bacon County 7.
2nd Quarter:
11:23 Fitz 7 yard run, Inman(42); EP-2 pt attempt, Newell(14) NG; Fitz 6, Bacon County 7.
6:44 Fitz 26 yard pass, Battle(2) to Austile(84); EP-2 pt attempt, Battle(2) to Austile(84) NG; Fitzgerald 12, Bacon County 7.
3rd Quarter:
10:25 Fitz 42 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 19, Bacon County 7.
7:43 Fitz 44 yard punt return, Thomas(4); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 26, Bacon County 7.
7:15 Fitz 21 yard run, Vickers(21); EP, Ayala(16); Fitzgerald 33, Bacon County 7.
4:12 Bacon 1 yard run, Mercer(3); EP, Martinex(86) NG; Fitzgerald 33, Bacon County 13.
1:48 Fitz 34 yard FG, Ayala(16); Fitz 36, Bacon County 13.
0:00 Fitz 33 yard run, Roberts(22); Fitz 43, Bacon County 13.
4th Quarter:
None
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| Press Clippings: Bacon-Fitzgerald
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/19/05
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| Press Clippings: Bacon County in for Region 2-AA
opener...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/15/05
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The Bacon County Red Raiders will be in on Friday night for a 7:30 contest, the
first Region 2-AA contest of the year for both programs. The two teams will be
meeting for advantage in the region, the first of seven games for both teams. The
Canes are 2-1 as are the Red Raiders from Alma.
The series goes back to 1956 and Fitzgerald enjoys a 12-1 win-loss record against
the football Red Raiders. The latest game was played in Alma last September 17th
when Robby Pruitt's Purple Hurricane got the win, 38-0.
"They're a lot better than they were last year," said head Coach Robby Pruitt. "We
will be working through the next week to get ready for them." He added, "We'll be
working on some of the problems that we have had in our first games. We need to hold
on to the ball."
Fitzgerald is the defending Region 2-AA Champion with a 2004 season record of 11-1
while the Red Raiders suffered through a 1-9 2004 season. Their only win came against
Pierce County by score of 27-0.
Fans will want to come out and support the Purple hurricane on Friday night, 7:30,
at the stadium.
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| Press Clippings: Bacon-Fitzgerald
pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/15/05
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| College Canes: Former Cane Fabian Daniels' first college TD
is one to remember...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/12/05
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| Press Clippings: Canes get back on winning track; defeats
Perry, 21-3...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/7/05
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The Purple Hurricane found the win column once more Friday night when they
defeated the Perry Panthers 21-3 in Perry. The AA Canes beat the Panthers in every
category except the turnover column, giving the ball over 4 times to the AAA Panthers.
The Hurricane scored first at 8:04 in the first quarter. Josh Battle(2) hit Chad
Thompson(82) on a 32 yard pass and run play that put the Hurricane up by six. The score
capped a 73 yard, nine play drive that started at the Fitzgerald 27. The point after attempt
was blocked and the Canes led by 6.
Perry hit the scoreboard on their first drive of the night by way of a 48 yard field
goal that was kicked by Jason Sweat. That made the score 6-3. with 6:08 still left in the
first quarter.
Jonathan Roberts(22) capped an eleven play drive with 2:32 left in the first half
when he scored from seven yards out. The two point attempt was no good and the score
was Fitzgerald 12, Perry 3 after the 70 yard drive.
Fitzgerald's defense got on the board with just 1:25 left in the first half when the
Canes tackled the Perry quarterback in the end zone for a safety. With the safety the
Canes had extended their lead to 14-3 going into the half.
Neither team got on the board again until the fourth quarter when Nate Inman(42)
got out for a 45 touchdown run with 8:59 left in the game. The point after attempt by
Victor Ayala(16) was good. The Inman run culminated an 85 yard, eight play drive.
Fitzgerald 21, Perry 3.
"We had a real good defensive effort," said Head coach Robby Pruitt. "I can't say
enough about the job that we did on that side of the ball." He added, "On offense we had
a lot of mistakes and turnovers, but it was a good win for the team. They were sky high, 2-0, and they were a good team. Our defense did a good job to keep them out of the end
zone."
Fitzgerald had four fumbles in the non-region contest. "We're going to have to get
better as we go into the region," said Pruitt. "We need to be more consistent and hold on
to the ball better if we are going to be successful."
"It was a good win for the program against a very good football team," said
Coach Pruitt. "We'll take the next two weeks to work on some of our problems before we
get into the region. Bacon County is much better than they were last year."
The Hurricane has an open date this week and will host the Bacon County Red
Raiders on September 16th in the first Region 2-AA contest for the Purple Hurricane.
Game time is 7:30 at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
Fitzgerald vs. Perry, 21-3
1st Quarter
8:04 Fitz 32 yard reception, Battle(2) to Thompson(82); EP, Ayala(16)-NG; Fitz 6,
Perry 0.
6:29 Perry 48 yard FG, Sweat(37); Fitz 6, Perry 3.
2nd Quarter
2:32 Fitz 7 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, 2-point attempt NG; Fitz 12, Perry 3.
1:25 Fitz Safety; Fitzgerald 14, Perry 3.
3rd Quarter
None
4th Quarter
8:59 Fitz 45 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitzgerald 21, Perry 3.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Perry
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/6/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Perry
pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/1/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Tift County
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/29/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Turnovers and Tift County Blue Devils defeat
Fitzgerald, 26-13...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/27/05
|
|
|
The Tift County Blue Devils defended their home field Friday night with a big
win over the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane. The Canes had the turnover bug and Tift
County made good with the big play.
Four fumbles by Fitzgerald, two in Tift County territory, were big factors in the
Fitzgerald loss to a team that is on the rebound with a new coaching staff along with what
appears to be a new attitude. The Devils also capitalized on the big play talents of their
quarterback, senior Scott Shuman(17).
Tift got on the scoreboard first when Shuman(17) on a busted play hit his
receiver, Jay Gaskins(8), for a TD. Shuman bobbled the ball and scrambled out of his
pocket and hit Gaskins on a comeback situation. Charlie Edwards(30) hit the extra point
to put the Devils up 7-0 at the 8:16 point of the first quarter.
It didn't take the Hurricane long to answer the Devil statement when Jonathan
Roberts(22) got out for an 80 yard TD run on the first Fitzgerald play form scrimmage.
Victor Ayala's(16) extra point try was good and the Canes and Devils were knotted up 7-
7 with 8:06 showing on the clock.
Tift County got the lead back for good with 2:02 left, still in the first quarter,
when Edwards(30) hit a 28 yard field goal.
The biggest play of the entire game came when Shuman hit his wide receiver,
Israel Troupe(11), with no ticks left on the clock on a 53 yard pass play after scrambling
from the grasp of Hurricane defenders. Edwards was good on the point after to make the
Tifton lead 17-7 at the half.
The Blue Devils capitalized on a Justin Newell(14) fumble at the Fitzgerald 22
when Edwards added his second field goal of the night at the 6:35 mark of quarter
number three.
Tift County capped their scoring with an 11 yard run by halfback Emanuel
Nelson(24) with just 4:05 left in the game. The score was set up by field position at the
Fitzgerald 16 after a 24 yard punt return by Israel Troupe(11). The extra point try by
Edwards was no good and Tift led 26-7.
With 3:14 left in the game, Josh Battle(2) returned to the game and marched the
Canes 76 yards on seven plays for the final score of the night. Battle(2) hit his tight end
Chad Thompson(82) at the 15 and Thompson made up the difference when he ran it in
the corner for the six points. Ayala's extra point try was no good making the final score
Tift County 26, Fitzgerald 13.
The Blue Devils appear to be a much improved team over 2004. That coupled
with a myriad of Hurricane miscues gave the Devils their first win in the last four tries.
Tift County is now 2-0 on the young season while Fitzgerald is 1-1.
Fitzgerald will travel to Perry next Friday to the Panther Pit for a 7:30 kick-off
with Perry High.
Fitzgerald vs. Tift County, 13-26
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
8:16 Tift 24 yard reception, Gaskins(8); EP, Edwards(30); Fitzgerald 0, Tift 7.
8:05 Fitz 80 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Ayala(16); Fitzgerald 7, Tift 7.
5:05 Tift 28 yard FG, Bowen(30); Fitzgerald 7, Tift 10.
2nd Quarter
0:00 Tift 53 yard reception, Troupe(11); EP, Bowen(30); Fitz 7, Tift 17.
3rd Quarter
6:35 Tift 32 yard FG, Bowen(30); Fitz 7, Tift 20.
4th Quarter
4:05 Tift 11 yard run, Emmanuel Nelson(24); EP, Bowen(30)-NG; Fitz 7, Tift 26.
0:35 Fitz 18 yard reception, Thompson(82); EP, Ayala(16)-NG; Fitz 13, Tift 26.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Tift County
pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/25/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Purple Hurricane to play Tift County at
Brodie Field...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/24/05
|
|
|
Fitzgerald's Hurricane may well be at the top in the AA rankings, but the Blue
Devils of Tifton are not impressed. They are smarting and would like nothing better than
to end a three game losing streak to their neighbors and to continue to excel under first
year head coach, Jay Walls.
The Devils took care of the Crisp County Cougars Friday night in Cordele, 31-0,
while the Purple Hurricane beat the Berrien County Rebels, 51-0.
"They're a solid team," said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. "They have a talented
offense and the defense is real good. We'll have our hands full."
The Devils bring back 2004 All State member Larry Dean in the Tift County
secondary and Jeffrey Searcy was the leading tackler against Crisp County. The Blue
Devils kept the Cougars out of the end zone.
Tift County's defense, their apparent strength, will try to work that same magic on
the strong Fitzgerald offense that features Nate Inman at fullback, Dion Ross and
Jonathan Roberts. Victor Ayala will continue to take care of kicking duties. He added 6
extra points and a field goal against Berrien County. The Fitzgerald offense put up 503
yards in their win over Berrien. Josh Battle threw to a variety of receivers including
Darian Austile, Erick Lately, and Inman running out of the backfield.
The Blue Devils have the advantage in size. "They're defensive line is real big,"
said Coach Pruitt. "We're going to have a real big night."
The Canes have some defensive highlights to brag about themselves. The
Hurricane held their opponent to zero points and featured an interception for a
touchdown by P.J. Pruitt and a touchback that prevented a Berrien score.
Tift County leads the series 37-19, in a rivalry that dates back to before 1919.
Until the late 50s, the Hurricane and Blue Devils were the feature of every Thanksgiving
afternoon for decades.
Fitzgerald is the defending Region 2-AA Champion while the Blue Devils play in
Region 1-AAAAA.
Game time is 7:30 at Brodie Field in the Devils Den. The stadium is located on 8th
Street with visitor parking adjacent to the stadium on the east side of the field.
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: ATHF...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/23/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Berrien-Fitzgerald
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/22/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Purple Hurricane defeats Berrien in season
opener...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/19/05
|
|
|
Fitzgerald's Purple Hurricane began the 2005 season with a win over the Berrien
County Rebels here tonight. The Canes did not score until late in the first quarter,
but after the Nate Inman touchdown with a minute left in the first, the Hurricane
scored often to down the Rebels by a score of 51-0.
The first score was the first of three Inman scores on the night. Dion Ross accounted
for two of the seven Hurricane scores while Erick Lately and P.J. Pruitt also found
the end zone in the game. Victor Ayala was 6-for-7 on extra point attempts and connected
for a 37 yard field goal on his only attempt.
The Robby Pruitt Wing T offense racked up points all night, but the Mike West led defense
found the end zone, too. P.J. Pruitt picked off a Kenta West pass intended for Answar
Warren for a 54 yard interception and score to wind up the Hurricane scoring with 9:08
left in the game.
The Hurricane had 203 yards through the air, 297 on the ground for a total of 500 yards
offense. The defensive side of the ball held the Rebels to 26 yards passing and 96 yards
rushing for a total of 122 offensive yards. The Hurricane defense held the Rebels scoreless
and allowed only one completion and intercepted one. Fitzgerald recovered 3 fumbles and
lost 2.
Fitzgerald will take on the Tift County Blue Devils at Brodie Field in Tifton on next
Friday night at 7:30. The Devils shut out the Crisp County Cougars tonight in Cordele
by a score of 31-0.
Fitzgerald vs. Berrien County, 51-0
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter:
1:00 Fitz 1 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 7, Berrien 0.
2nd Quarter:
7:00 Fitz 17 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 14, Berrien 0.
3:49 Fitz 7 yard run, Ross(32); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 21, Berrien 0.
:02 Fitz 10 yard reception, Battle(2) to Inman(42); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 28, Berrien 0.
3rd Quarter:
8:58 Fitz 7 yard run, Ross(32); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 35, Berrien 0.
5:13 Fitz 37 yard FG, Ayala(16); Fitz 38, Berrien 0.
:48 Fitz 43 yard reception, Newell(14) to Lately(81); EP, Ayala(16); Fitz 45, Berrien 0.
4th Quarter:
9:08 Fitz 54 yard interception, Pruitt(11); EP, Ayala(16)-NG; Fitz 51, Berrien 0.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Berrien County Rebels to challenge Canes in
season opener...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/16/05
|
|
|
The Berrien County Rebels will arrive in town on Friday afternoon for the 8:00 season
opener for both teams. The Rebels will be lead by new Head Coach Ross New and
looking for a little respect while the Purple Hurricane will be boasting Top 10 preseason
rankings in at least three state-wide polls.
The Rebels have had dismal showings of late and are looking to establish themselves as a
team and a program to contend with. To spoil the big Hurricane opener would be nothing
more than perfect for a band of Rebels with a new leader.
The all-time record against Berrien County is 22 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie dating back to
1951 when the Purple Hurricane coached by Mel Bray destroyed Nashville High School
57-0 in Nashville. Fitzgerald boasts a three game win streak over the Rebels dating back
to 2000 in Robby Pruitt's first game as head coach at Fitzgerald. Last year's outcome was
a 45-6 whipping down in Nashville to begin the 2004 season.
The Hurricane is ranked #8 in the Associated Press (AP) preseason poll while the
GaSports.com Preseason Football Coaches Poll for 2005 has the Canes at #3. The Atlanta
Journal Constitution (AJC) ranks Fitzgerald at the #1 spot before the first belly, sweep, or
waggle is ever executed.
Nate Inman (42), Jonathan Roberts (22), Dion Ross (32) and a cast of running backs will
be anxious to show their wares on the football field on Friday night for the opening game.
Senior Josh Battle will be calling signals and expecting to run a Robby Pruitt orchestrated
Wing T that is as explosive as any offense in the state and will be hoping to complete his
performance with a passing game that features Darian Austile and Chad
Thompson.
It's the Rebels and the Purple Hurricane in what will play out as an exhilaration or a
heart-breaker, depending on the team with the most points at the end of the first game of
the 2005 season. Game time is 8:00 on the field at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium. |
|
| Press Clippings: Canes beat Turner County on scoreboard; work
on passing game...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/15/05
|
|
|
The Purple Hurricane out athleted and outplayed the Rebels of Turner County in
Friday's scrimmage. The Canes contained a very active Rebel passing game, for the most
part, and forced 4 punts in the first half. The final score was Fitzgerald 35, Turner County
12.
Fitzgerald's running game spread the wealth around, though Nate Inman and Dion
Ross had eight tries each. Both Hurricane runners scored, Dion on the first drive and Nate
on the second drive. Fitzgerald's JV got on the board late with a fumble in the end zone
and a score from a yard out with 2.8 seconds left in the scrimmage.
The Hurricane spent 15 plays working on the pass attack that resulted in a
somewhat dismal showing against the boys from Ashburn. Josh Battle was 3-for-14 for
completions of 18 yards, eight yards, and 65 yards. The 65 yard completion was a 65
touchdown strike to Darian Austile showing that Battle does have the ability to scramble
and be a part of the big play. Brad Taylor was 1-for-1 for 9 yards on his only passing
attempt of the evening.
Victor Ayala continues to be consistent maintaining a perfect percentage on
PATs. Ayala added the extra point on each of the Hurricane touchdowns.
The defense contained the air show of the Rebels allowing only the two scores,
one on a 10 yard strike by Michael Soliday and the other a 35 yard throw by Russell
Coker.
Fitzgerald will begin the regular season on Friday night against the Berrien
County Rebels at 8:00 at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium.
|
|
| Press Clippings: AJC preseason poll
has Fitzgerald at #1...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/15/05
|
|
| Auld Lang Syne: Some new (well, actually old) pictures
posted...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/13/05
|
|
|
Special thanks to Chip Bowen and Tim Pust at Owens Studio for sharing these
great pictures!
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes are #8 in preseason
AP AA poll...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/11/05
|
|
| Auld Lang Syne: 1965 Sports Banquet Audio
Clip...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/10/05
|
|
|
The link below is to a 15-minute audio clip from the football portion of the
1965 Sports Banquet. On the clip, Coach Joe Compton talks about each senior football
player and gives out the annual football awards. It's a neat piece of Cane history and
you'll probably hear some familiar names.
NOTE: The audio file is an mp3, but it's contained in a WinZip file. If you don't have WinZip, you can download it from the
WinZip website. It has a free 21-day trial.
Also, you will probably have to turn up the volume to hear the audio.
If you have problems downloading the file, .
Here is the file: 1965 Sports Banquet
Thanks to Jack Paulk for sharing this file!
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes get it on track and demolish Lee County
Trojans in scrimmage...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/6/05
|
|
|
It was a light rainy night in South Georgia, but for an early 64 yard run from
scrimmage for a touchdown by Senior Jonathan Roberts (22), the Fitzgerald offense
was getting soaked by the Lee County Trojans in the first half.
The score at half time was 14-7, Trojans, and it took the hurricane junior varsity
to provide the spark that resulted in scores on four consecutive drives, the first by
the JV and the last three by the varsity in the fourth quarter. Lonnie Davenport (27)
found the end zone in the third while the JV was on the field. Dion Ross (32) scored
from 10 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter from the spot that the JV
left when the departed the field at the end of the third. Tony Vickers (21) hit pay
dirt on a 1 yard effort with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Nate Inman (42)
hit up in the middle for six with only 18 ticks left on the Jaycee Stadium scoreboard.
One fear that was allayed in the effort was the placekicking well-being of the Hurricane.
Victor Ayala (16) was 4-for-4 on extra point attempts, but remains untested in the field
goal department.
Junior Corey Taylor (1) added the final 2 points when he took the "fire" play into the
right corner for the successful 2 point conversion.
Adjustments at the half appear to have been the key to the success of the Purple Hurricane.
The defense showed some bend against the super potent pass attack of Lee County's Devante
Richardson (11) who is verbally committed to Florida State in football and baseball.
Richardson was also forced to punt three times and threw an interception to Fred Thomas
(4) in the third quarter.
The final score was 36-14, Fitzgerald.
The Canes will travel to Ashburn on Friday to play the Rebels in the second of two
preseason scrimmages at 8:00.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Purple Hurricane to host Lee County in first
preseason scrimmage...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/4/05
|
|
|
The 2005 edition of Fitzgerald’s Purple Hurricane will get the first opportunity
to hit someone not wearing purple on Friday night at the stadium. The Trojans from
Lee County High School in Leesburg will be in for the first football affair of the
year.
According to Head Coach Robby Pruitt, the Canes are ready for the scrimmage. “The
team and the coaches have worked real hard this summer and we are looking forward
to answering some of the questions that only playing against another team can
answer,” said Pruitt. “It has been hot out there and our guys have been working
hard.”
The Hurricane finished their annual football camp a week ago and has been practicing
each afternoon since. During the week long camp, several Canes made their way to the
local hospital to receive treatment for heat related illnesses. According to Pruitt,
“We were fortunate that we didn’t have any serious injuries. There were four or five
players who got dehydrated and had to have IVs and we have a couple of other injuries,
but I think they were hurting before camp got under way.” The other injuries consist
of tender hamstrings and pulled groin injuries, according to Coach Pruitt.
This will be the first of two preseason scrimmages that the Hurricane will play in
before they get into the regular season on August 19th with the Rebels of Berrien County
in the friendly confines of Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium. The Canes will travel to Ashburn
next week to scrimmage with the Florida Gator looking Rebels, Turner County.
The start time for the event is 8:00 at the stadium. Purple Hurricanes and Cane fans are
encouraged to come out and support the boys in purple and gold as the rev up for the 2005
campaign.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes Getting Ready for 2005 Campaign...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/3/05
|
|
|
Jay Smith, a senior, works out in the weight room. The strength and conditioning
program is key to the prevention of injuries in addition to getting the players
bigger, stronger, and faster. (Picture)
Senior Derrick Lately finishes off his
workouts with his turn on the pull up bar. (Picture)
Chad Thompson and Dion Ross are at the
set position and QB Josh Battle gets instruction from Coach Robby Pruitt on the
passing game. (Picture)
Defensive Coordinator Mike West watches as Senior Jerad Smith runs his drill while
others watch on. (Picture)
Ronald Jackson is working hard at summer drills. (Picture)
|
|
| College Canes: Pictures of College Canes...
MIKE KITCHENS - 7/4/05
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald moving to
1-AA in 2006 season...
MIKE KITCHENS - 6/13/05
|
|
| College Canes: Fabian Daniels to play for Shorter...
MIKE KITCHENS - 3/20/05
|
|
|
Fitzgerald's Fabian Daniels has received a scholarship to play football
at Shorter College. Shorter is just starting up its football program and
will be coached by Phil Jones (a former FHS head coach and a former assistant
at UGA). Congratulations, Fabian!
Shorter article on Fabian Daniels
|
|
| Postseason Superlatives: Four Canes named to AJC AA All-State team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/18/04
|
|
|
The 2004 AJC All-State teams have been announced and four Canes were
recognized. Earning first-team honors were Matt Fletcher, Leo Sanchez, and Rodney Milsap.
Donte McCray was listed as an "honorable mention". Congratulations to these
four seniors!
All-State Football: Class AA (AJC - Registration Required)
|
|
| Miscellaneous: 2004 pictures added courtesy of Lawson Owens
and Randy Rodgers...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/16/04
|
|
|
A heaping helping of 2004 pictures were added on 12/15. The pictures were taken by Lawson
Owens from Owens Studios/Herff-Jones photography and forwarded to me by Randy
Rodgers. Thanks to Mr. Owens and Mr. Rodgers for making these available to the
public.
Pictures Page
|
|
| Postseason Superlatives: Rodney Milsap to play in
North-South All-Star Game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/15/04
|
|
| Postseason Superlatives: Fitzgerald heavily
represented on All-Region team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/12/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald is #7 in final AA
AP and AJC polls...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/12/04
|
|
| College Canes: Kevious Johnson named All-SoCon...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/24/04
|
|
| College Canes: Wofford's Kevious Johnson surpasses 1000 yards
rushing on the season...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/21/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Dublin-Fitzgerald
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/15/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Breaks go way of the Irish, Dublin 23, Fitz 15...
RANDY RODGERS -
11/13/04
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|
|
The breaks went the way of the Irish tonight at Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium as the
10th ranked Irish knocked of the #1 ranked Purple Hurricane in what the sportswriters
will call a major upset. The Hurricane was in the game the entire way, but the Hurricane
could not get their running game on track and, well, there were those breaks.
“Our kids never gave up,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “They were in there the entire
game and they fought all the way.”
He added, “Hand to Coach Holmes and his team. They came in here and beat us. We wish them
luck as they move on.”
The Hurricane finishes the season with a record of 11-1 for the 2004 season. The Canes
will graduate 17 seniors off of a squad that was paid little attention by the rest of
the state, but finished the regular season ranked at the top of the Associated Press (AP)
football poll.
Good luck, Canes, in the off-season and we look forward to the 2005 season that begins
in just 8 ½ months.
Fitz vs. Dublin
1st quarter:
7:27 Fitz 23 yard FG; Leo Sanchez(10). Fitz 3, Dublin 0.
2nd quarter:
8:09 Dublin 37 yard FG; Justin Miller(11). Fitz 3, Dublin 3.
7:56 Fitz 96 yard KO return; Donte McCray(4); EP Sanchez(10). Fitz 10, Dublin 3.
2:50 Dublin 10 yard run; Chris Pooler(3); EP Miller(11). Fitz 10, Dublin 10.
:25 Fitz 43 yard FG; Sanchez(10). Fitz 13, Dublin 10.
Third quarter:
7:35 Dublin 56 yard punt return; Brandon Edmonds(6); EP, no good. Fitz 13, Dublin 16.
2:44 Dublin 2 yard run; Brian Wilcher(5); EP Miller(11). Fitz 13, Dublin 23.
Fourth quarter:
Fitz Safety; Quentin Milsap(92) blocked point in end zone.
Fitz 15, Dublin 23.
Final score:
Fitzgerald 15, Dublin 23
|
|
| Press Clippings: Dublin-Fitzgerald
pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/12/04
|
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| Press Clippings: Hurricane and Fighting Irish to tie up in second round play-off action...
RANDY RODGERS -
11/10/04
|
|
|
Fitzgerald will open the community on Friday to its neighbors from the north, as
they welcome the Fighting Irish of Dublin and their followers to the second round
play-offs to be hosted by Fitzgerald High School. The #10 ranked Irish will come in
to take on the home stand Canes who are 11-0 on the season, their best mark since
1969.
The Irish managed a 14-7 win over Cook County in Adel last week. That win earned the
boys from Dublin a shot at the number 1 ranked Purple Hurricane here on Friday night.
The Hurricane defeated the Manchester Blue Devils at home.
Dublin was 7-3 on the season, but don’t let that record fool you as the Irish were
forced to forfeit their first two games, even though the Irish beat two lesser teams.
The forfeits came about as a result of an eligibility issue. The other loss came to
Vidalia, 23-3 affair. The Indians were then ranked #1 in the AP poll.
Coached by Roger Holmes, the Irish also run the Wing T. Like Fitzgerald, Dublin hired
an out-of-state coach in 2001. Holmes took the Irish to the state title game in 2002,
losing to the Screven County Gamecocks.
The all-time series dates back to 1919 when Fitzgerald defeated Dublin 25-0. The all-time
record is 9-8-1. The Canes have won the last two meetings, 42-17 in 2000 in the Shamrock
Bowl, and 22-21 at Jaycee Stadium in 2001, a nail-biter that the Canes won by 1 point
on the penetration rule.
“They’ve got a great team,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “They’re big, physical, tough
and all those things. We’ll have to prepare and play a lot better than we did (Friday
night) to be in the ballpark with them.”
The winner will advance to the quarter finals, round three, to take on the winner of the
Calhoun, Grady game. Location will be determined based on the outcome of the games. If
Calhoun wins, the game will be played in Calhoun. If Grady wins, the game will be in
Fitzgerald, should the Hurricane win, and at Grady should the win go to Dublin.
Ground Zero will be Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium for the second round of the 2004 State
Play-Offs. Game time is 7:30 for the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane versus the Fighting
Irish of Dublin.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Manchester-Fitzgerald
post-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/09/04
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: Unlucky Charms!...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/09/04
|
|
| College Canes: Wright Bazemore and Paul Ward...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/07/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Hurricane beats Manchester 28-0, sets sights on
Dublin...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/06/04
|
|
|
In a decisive win over the Manchester Blue Devils, the Purple Hurricane ran their
record to 11-0 by a score of 28-0. The Canes held the Devils scoreless, but it was
a bend but don't break performance by the Cane defense and a performance by the offense
that had head coach Robby Pruitt scratching his head.
The Hurricane scored on two TD passes from Battle to Austile and on runs by the senior
running back, Fabian Daniels, and the junior fullback, Nate Inman.
The defense claimed 1 fumble recovery and 3 interceptions on the way to the win while
the boys with the ball put it on the ground twice for turnovers.
"I'm not at all pleased with the way the team played," said head coach Robby Pruitt.
"Not at all." he added, "There are times when you win a game and you're disgusted
because you know you are a lot better than you played. You know, we all want to win,
but what I'm most concerned about is us playing the way we're capable of playing and
doing what's right and playing hard."
Pruitt and his staff will be looking to improve their week of practice as they prepare
for a strong Dublin team that beat Cook County, 14-7, to advance to the second round.
The Canes and the Fighting Irish will meet up at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium on Friday
night at 7:30.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter:
3:25 Fitz 30 yard pass, Battle(2) to Austile(84); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 7, Manchester 0.
2nd Quarter:
2:02 Fitz 12 yard run, Daniels(24); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 14, Manchester 0.
3rd Quarter:
5:11 Fitz 32 yard pass, Battle(2) to Austile(84); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 21, Manchester 0.
3:17 Fitz 1 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 28, Manchester 0.
4th Quarter:
None
Final Score:
Fitzgerald 28, Manchester 0. |
|
| Press Clippings: Manchester-Fitzgerald
pre-game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 11/04/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes #1 in AP, #4 in AJC after ten games...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/03/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Irwin-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/02/04
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: Old School! (has sound if
you use Internet Explorer)...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/31/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes extend winning streak to 5 over
Irwin: completes perfect regular season...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/30/04
|
|
|
The smack talk is over. The "we're gonnas" and the "we'll see about that's" are behind
us. Fitzgerald has won the 64th annual Fitzgerald Ocilla/Irwin game, 27-6. The Hurricane
followers, the Fitzgerald Faithful, has the bragging rights for at least one more year,
the fifth in a row. With the win, the boys from Fitzgerald extend their dominance in the
series to 41 wins, 21 losses, and 2 ties.
The Irwin defense along with untimely penalties stymied the Hurricane offense for the
first half. Fitzgerald got on the board with 3:25 left in the first quarter to take the
early lead when Fabian Daniels scored from 30 yards out. Sanchez's extra point was good.
Irwin had the opportunity to tie it up when they capitalized on a Fitzgerald fumble at
the Indian 23. The fullback, Charlton, found the end zone from 15 yards out at the 9:37
point of the game. The Indians were unable to tie up the game when the Sandy Paulk extra
point attempt was no good., making the score 7-6 at the half.
The boys in purple regained their game presence in the second half and put up 20 unanswered
points for the rout.
"I thought we did about everything we could to give it away," said Head coach Robby Pruitt.
"We played better the second half."
With the win, the Hurricane will advance to the state play-offs next week. The Fitzgerald
community will host the Manchester Blue Devils and their followers Friday night in Jaycee
Stadium.
Fitz vs. Irwin County Indians, 27-6
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
3:25 Fitz 30 yard run, Daniels(24); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 7, IC 0.
2nd Quarter:
9:37 IC 15 yard run, Carlton(45); EP, Young(15), unsuccessful; Fitz 7, IC 6.
3rd Quarter:
5:23 Fitz 1 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Newell(14) 2 pt. unsuccessful; Fitz 13, IC 6.
:24 Fitz 5 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 20, IC 6.
4th Quarter:
4:45 Fitz 22 yard run, Daniels(24); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 27, IC 6.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Suey, Irwin, Suey!...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/28/04
|
|
|
Take several generations of Fitzgerald and Ocilla boys and put them in the same room and one thing
is for sure, they’ll soon get around to talking about The Game. Who won their senior year and maybe
even about a personality or two that wore Purple and Gold and went by the names Hurricanes, Terrapins,
or Indians.
They may even get around to the great Fitzgerald teams of the 40s, 60s, and the first few years of
the new millennium or the great Irwin teams of the 60s, 70s, and 90s. Surely there will be Fitzgerald
names like Jay, Goff, Hargrove, Paulk, Chambless, Luke, Pruitt, McDonald, Johnson, and Bell that will
be mentioned. Even the Ocilla boys like Sumner, Roberts, Roberts, Paschal, Walters, Walters, and Barnes
will be discussed.
The Ocilla boys will surely bring up the 1964 game when the Indians ruined Fitzgerald’s perfect regular
season by knocking off a Hurricane that was riding high, headed towards a title game appearance. They’ll
also talk about the winning streak of the 90s when the Indians beat Fitzgerald 5 straight years.
Canes will mention the payback of the 1968 team when they squashed the Indian perfect record by beating
them, unexpectedly. They’ll also talk about the 1973 team that was resurrected by a returning Joe Compton.
The Pruitt era of the last few years will be mentioned and the extraordinary game that Carlos Bell had
last year when he single-handedly score 4 touchdowns, setting up Leo Sanchez for the last minute field
goal that closed the deal for the Canes.
They’ll talk about a lot. The competition, the meetings at the Dairy Queen, Tastee Freeze,
Hardee's, and
the Wal-Mart parking lot. I bet places like Johnnie’s and Harper’s were pretty popular spots, too. The
girls that the boys from Fitzgerald dated down in Ocilla and the Fitzgerald girls that dared wear an
Indian letter jacket in the halls of old Fitz-Hi.
The Fitzgerald boys might even recall Coach Compton’s 1973 cheer that he unveiled just for the game:
Born in the back wood, straddle of a log,
Ears like a Billy Goat. Teeth like a hog.
Suey, Irwin. Suey!
Some of the pep-rallies will come up. I, personally, have seen “10 Little Indians” played out in at
least a dozen different ways and I know the folks down in Ocilla have “taken the wind out of a purple
storm” in a bunch of different ways.
My friend Michael Parker, a former administrator at ICHS, told me that when he was a new assistant
principal down in Ocilla, he and another staff member performed at the Irwin-Fitz pep rally. Parker
dressed up as the dreaded Hurricane with a cape and a purple wig. The other guy, dressed as the Indian,
chased Parker around the gym and “scalped” him, removing the wig to reveal a bloody head. “The crowd
went wild,” said Parker. “It didn’t help, though. We still lost.”
I’m hoping that the Canes can continue their winning streak and make it 41-21-2. The sure thing is
that both teams will come out and leave it all on the field like Carlos Bell did a year ago. Someone
will step up big and a new story will be created.
Shoot! We might even bring out Compton’s old cheer which is allowable for just one game out of the
year.
Born in the back wood, straddle of a log,
Ears like a Billy Goat. Teeth like a hog.
Suey, Irwin. Suey!
|
|
| Press Clippings: Irwin-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/28/04
|
|
| Auld Lang Syne: Fitz head coaches and their college careers...
JIM OGILVIE / MIKE KITCHENS - 10/26/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Jeff Davis post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/26/04
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: WMD's discovered!...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/25/04
|
|
| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Jeff Davis, 49-0...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/25/04
|
|
|
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
9:40 Fitz 2 yard run, Daniels(25); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 7, JD 0.
5:35 Fitz 12 yard run, Roberts(22); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 14, JD 0.
2nd Quarter:
9:26 Fitz 31 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 21, JD 0.
9:17 Fitz 5 yard fumble return, Inman(42); EP Sanchez(10); Fitz 21, JD 0.
5:30 Fitz 18 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 35, JD 0.
0:12.9 Fitz 39 yard run, Inman(42), EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 42, JD 0.
3rd Quarter:
8:11 Fitz 56 yard run, Ross(32); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 49, JD 0.
4th Quarter:
None
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald vs. Ocilla/Irwin County...
JIM OGILVIE /
RANDY RODGERS - 10/24/04
|
|
|
|
|
OCILLA/ |
|
| YEAR |
FITZ |
IRWIN |
RESULT |
| 1922 |
64 |
0 |
W |
| 1923 |
6 |
7 |
L |
| 1924 |
Did not play |
| 1925 |
6 |
0 |
W |
| 1926 |
0 |
48 |
L |
| 1927 |
6 |
45 |
L |
| 1928 |
7 |
12 |
L |
| 1929 |
27 |
0 |
W |
| 1930 |
Did not play |
| 1931 |
59 |
0 |
W |
| 1932 |
? |
? |
W1 |
| 1933 |
78 |
0 |
W |
| 1947 |
40 |
0 |
W |
| 1948 |
59 |
6 |
W2 |
| 1949 |
39 |
0 |
W |
| 1954 |
0 |
13 |
L |
| 1955 |
45 |
6 |
W |
| 1956 |
19 |
37 |
L |
| 1957 |
25 |
0 |
W |
| 1958 |
13 |
0 |
W |
| 1959 |
8 |
20 |
L |
| 1960 |
0 |
0 |
T |
| 1961 |
61 |
19 |
W |
| 1962 |
21 |
6 |
W |
| 1963 |
21 |
13 |
W |
| 1964 |
7 |
20 |
L3 |
| 1965 |
21 |
7 |
W |
| 1966 |
34 |
12 |
W |
| 1967 |
18 |
7 |
W |
| 1968 |
19 |
13 |
W |
| 1969 |
37 |
7 |
W |
| 1970 |
35 |
6 |
W |
| 1971 |
25 |
6 |
W |
| 1972 |
14 |
39 |
L |
| 1973 |
20 |
18 |
W |
| 1974 |
0 |
13 |
L |
| 1975 |
0 |
7 |
L |
| 1976 |
7 |
9 |
L |
| 1977 |
0 |
0 |
T |
| 1978 |
35 |
12 |
W |
| 1979 |
40 |
0 |
W |
| 1980 |
25 |
0 |
W |
| 1981 |
10 |
5 |
W |
| 1982 |
14 |
0 |
W |
| 1983 |
28 |
14 |
W |
| 1984 |
16 |
7 |
W |
| 1985 |
0 |
21 |
L |
| 1986 |
7 |
13 |
L |
| 1987 |
27 |
7 |
W |
| 1988 |
20 |
0 |
W |
| 1989 |
41 |
0 |
W |
| 1990 |
27 |
14 |
W |
| 1991 |
10 |
18 |
L |
| 1992 |
30 |
0 |
W |
| 1993 |
43 |
7 |
L4 |
| 1994 |
24 |
7 |
W |
| 1995 |
0 |
28 |
L |
| 1996 |
0 |
17 |
L |
| 1997 |
19 |
28 |
L |
| 1998 |
7 |
26 |
L |
| 1999 |
13 |
32 |
L |
| 2000 |
28 |
22 |
W |
| 2001 |
43 |
14 |
W |
| 2002 |
49 |
41 |
W |
| 2003 |
32 |
29 |
W |
| 2004 |
TBD |
| Overall
record: |
|
Fitz-40, Ocilla/Irwin-21, Tie-2 |
| Fitzgerald
Average: |
|
.635 |
| Ocilla/Irwin
Average: |
|
.333 |
| Shutouts: |
|
Fitz-17, Ocilla/Irwin-9 |
| Winning
streaks: |
|
7 games: Fitz-3 |
|
|
5 games: Irwin-1 |
|
|
4 games: Fitz-2 |
|
|
3 games: Fitz-1, Irwin-2 |
|
|
2 games: Fitz-1, Irwin-1 |
|
|
|
| Found
no records prior to 1922 |
|
|
|
| 1
Fitzgerald paper states as win, but has no score |
| 2
Fitzgerald was State Champion |
| 3
Only regular season loss, Fitzgerald went on to play for the state
championship |
| 4
Forfeit due to eligibility violation |
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: Canes are king of the 2-AA hill...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/23/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald destroys hapless Jeff Davis, clinches region...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/23/04
|
|
|
The Purple Hurricane beat the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets 49-0 at Yellow Jacket Stadium in Hazlehurst on Friday
night. With the win, the Canes have ran their record to 9-0, 6-0 for the season and clinches the 2-AA Region
Championship and the number 1 seed going into the state play-offs in two weeks.
The Canes ran the score to 42-0 by the half, with the trio of the Pruitt backfield (Inman, Daniels, and Roberts)
scoring six touchdowns and scoring them often. The Jr. Varsity played the entire second half with sophomore
Dionne Ross getting a TD of his own 3 minutes into the second half.
“Our first goal was to clinch the region championship and we did that,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “We can
now focus on next week and a perfect regular season. The Irwin County game is always a lot of fun.” He added,
“They’re a good football team and we’ll be working hard to get ready for them.”
Fitzgerald wins the Region Championship three out of the last five years, with the win. The other two years
the boys in purple were runners-up.
The Canes will face the Indians of Irwin County next Friday night and will then host the number 4 team out of
Region 4-AA the following week, also at Jaycee Stadium. |
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Jeff Davis pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/21/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Appling-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/20/04
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: "The Donald" weighs in...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/20/04
|
|
| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Appling County, 52-21...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/15/04
|
|
|
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
9:00 36 yard FG, Sanchez(10); Fitz 3, AC 0.
3:41 2 yard Run, Sellars(10); EP, Fenn(15); Fitz 3, AC 7.
2nd Quarter:
7:46 25 yard pass, Battle(2) to Austile(84); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 10, AC 7.
5:14 22 yard run, Reed(20); EP, Fenn(15); Fitz 10, AC 14.
1:41 14 yard run, Daniels(24); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 17 AC 14.
:38 33 yard pass, Battle(2) to Fabian Daniels(24); Fitz 24, AC 14.
3rd Quarter:
9:01 7 yard run, Roberts(22), EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 31, AC 14.
1:38 40 yard pass, Sellers(10) to Fountain(2); EP Fenn(15); Fitz 31, AC 21.
4th Quarter:
11:28 28 yard pass, Battle(2) to Daniels(24); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 38, AC 21.
10:40 28 yard int. for TD, Thrower(15); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 45, AC 21.
6:49 16 yard run, Inman(42); EP, Sanchez(10); Fitz 52, AC 21.
Unofficial:
Fitz
Rush 274 , 44 carries, 3 TD
Pass 116, 5/9/3/0
Total 390
Appling
Rush 131, 23 carries, 1 TD
Pass 213, 9/19/1/2
Total 344
|
|
| Press Clippings: Appling comes into Jaycee Stadium for Band Night...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/14/04
|
|
|
"They’re good!” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “They’re quick on defense and they have some weapons
that they can beat you with.”
Coach Pruitt was talking about the Appling County Pirates and the upcoming game on Friday night.
“They’ve moved their personnel around over the last few games and they’re an even better team.” He
added, “This is a good football team.”
The Pirates, 5-2 on the season, come into Jaycee Stadium with losses only to #1 ranked Vidalia and
#5 Charlton County. The Vidalia Indians beat the Pirates 28-21 on August 27th in a non-region AA
contest. The Charlton Indians won 33-7 on September 24th. Fitzgerald is undefeated, 7-0, and dethroned
the Charlton Indians from their #1 ranking in the 7th week of the season, 26-22, at Charlton County
on October 1st.
The player to watch for the Pirates is #20, Chris Reed. Reed plays fullback and middle linebacker. He
led Appling last week against Bacon County with 45 yards on 6 carries and was the leading tackler with
6.5 tackles. #10 John David Sellars was 10-for-16 for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns, also last week
against Bacon County. Ronald Johns (30) had 2 catches, both for TDs, for 106 yards. Tyrell
Paulk (7)
had 3 catches for 52 yards and a touchdown in the game, a 48-0 thumping of the Red Raiders.
The Canes and the Pirates, Friday night at 7:30 Jaycee Stadiums, in the annual Band Night game. The
Marchin’ Cane seniors will be recognized during pre-game festivities.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Appling-Fitzgerald game previewed in Tifton paper...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/14/04
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: The perfect storm is brewing...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/13/04
|
|
| College Canes: Kevious Johnson has second consecutive career-best game...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/10/04
|
|
| Scoring Summary: Fitzgerald over Brantley County, 51-7...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/09/04
|
|
|
After arguably the biggest game in years and the defeat of powerhouse Charlton County, Robby Pruitt’s
Fitzgerald High School Purple Hurricane beat the Brantley County Blue Herons down in Nahunta on Friday
night, 51-7. This ran the Fitzgerald record to 7-0, the Region 2-AA record to 4-0, and the all time
record against Brantley County to 5-0.
The Hurricane got off to a slow start, but by half time, the guys in purple enjoyed a 37-0 lead.
Fitzgerald got on the scoreboard for the first time with 6:42 left in the first half when Nate Inman
scored from 9 yards out. Leo Sanchez added the extra point.
Johnathan Roberts added to that score with 4:20 left in the first quarter when he ran the ball for a
22 yarder. Nate Inman added the 2 point conversion to make the score 15-0.
Chad Thompson was the receiver on the TD pass with 4:47 left in the half. Sanchez’s extra point made
the score 22-0.
Fabian Daniels scored from 35 yards out on a run that everyone in the stands thought had ended at 15,
but a cut back to the center of the field found open running room for the senior and the touchdown.
Sanchez added the extra point to make the score 29-0 with 2:22 left in the half.
Donte McCray became the fifth Hurricane on the night to score a touchdown when he picked of a Blue
Heron pass and ran it back 28 yards to add to the Hurricane lead. The extra point attempt looked doomed
when a bad snap sent Corey Taylor, the holder, scrambling. His last second toss to Chad Thompson made
the attempt gone bad effort good and the score 37-0 with 2:02 left in the half.
The second half was played under a running clock as a result of the recently implemented “Mercy Rule”
due to one of the teams being up by 35 points. There was 8:15 left on the clock when Johnathan Roberts
got into the end zone from 59 yards out. Sanchez added the point after to make the score 44-0.
The Blue Herons capitalized on a pass interference call against Fitzgerald that set them up at the
Fitzgerald 15. The quarterback tossed a 10 yard TD pass to the tight end for their only score of the
night. The extra point was good to make the score 44-7.
The junior varsity got their chance on the final drive of the evening and resulted in Jerrell Paschal
sticking it in from 20 yards out with 2 minutes left. Victor Ayala added the extra point to cap all
scoring for the evening to make the final score 51-7, Fitzgerald.
“I was concerned about us coming out like that,” said Head coach Robby Pruitt. “We didn’t have a good
Monday or Tuesday. Tonight’s start was a direct result of our Monday and Tuesday.” He added, “To
their credit (Fitzgerald football players), they did get in the game and got better as the game went
on. We were glad to get the win.”
Fitzgerald will host Region 2-AA foe Appling County at Jaycee Stadium on Friday night. “They have a
lot of speed and a lot of athletes,” said Coach Pruitt. “It’s going to take a good effort.”
Congratulations, Canes, on your big win against the Herons.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Brantley previewed in Tifton paper...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/07/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes #4 in AJC, #2 in AP...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/06/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Charlton game highlighted in articles...
MIKE KITCHENS - 10/04/04
|
|
| Phun with Photoshop: Hurricane warning for Charlton County...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/30/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Charlton game mentioned in Atlanta, Macon, and
Tifton papers...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/30/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Article on Fitzgerald football in Macon
Telegraph (9/23/04)...
MIKE KITCHENS - 9/26/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald may be second hurricane to hit Folkston this week...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/25/04
|
|
|
The folks down in Folkston are getting ready for some bad weather this week. Hurricane Jeanne
is projected to be in the general area on Monday, even though it may be downgraded, by then, to
a tropical system. On Friday, Rich McWhorter and his tribe of very good football playing Indians
will be expecting a football playing Hurricane of great intensity. They’ve observed that storm
of the purple persuasion getting better and stronger every week.
When you say Charlton County
football, you’ve referred to one of the elite programs in the state
with Rich McWhorter, one of the most sought after coaches in the southeast. The Indians have had
some pretty outstanding success down through the years under McWhorter. He ran his career record
to 150-39 as a head coach. Coach McWhorter added his 150th win on Friday night when the Indians
defeated Region 2-AA foe Appling County, 33-7.
The Indians are known for premier players and you only have to mention the family name “Bailey”
to prove that point. This year’s blue-chip, premier player is defensive end Justin Mincey.
Mincey(5) plays defensive end and anywhere else McWhorter and his staff have a need for a 6’ 51/2”,
245 pounder that has all of the tools and prior performance to be selected as a member of
Jacksonville’s Florida Times-Union Super 11 as well as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11.
Mincey runs a 4.8 in the 40 and is ranked as the second best defensive end by theinsiders.com. He
has the likes of Georgia, Florida, Miami, LSU, and Tennessee coveting his services and throwing
scholarships his way.
Mincey is one part of a defense that is characterized by speed. You can bet that there will be few
sweeps ran to Mincey’s side of the field, but he will have plenty of help to try to neutralize the
Hurricane attack. Dustin Nobles (11) and Maurice Sims(35) were both credited with 5.5 tackles
against Appling County. L.T Glover(12) intercepted a pass and Edward Thompson(20) and Larry Moore(69)
both covered fumbles to stymie the Pirate effort. There were 3 recorded sacks.
Offensively, the Indians are outscoring their competition 145-45 and are led by Lemuel Walker(31).
Walker scored 3 touchdowns and totaled 131 yards on the ground against Appling County
and is averaging
6.9 per carry on the season. The quarterback, Dwight Dasher(9) launched a 30 yard touchdown pass to
his teammate, 6-2 wide receiver John Boatright(19), on his way to a 193 yard performance. The
Indians had 390 yards total offense.
The boys in purple have had their own success and will be in an underdog position Friday night as
very few expect Robby Pruitt’s charges to be able to overcome an Indian attack in the swamp. Nate
Inman(42) had 54 yards on 5 carries and 3 touchdowns, while Fabian Daniels(24) had 130 yards on 3
carries and a score, and Johnathan Roberts(22) got in the end zone once with 54 yards on 5 carries.
Reserves Tony Vickers(21) with 51 yards on 2 carries and Jerrell Paschal with 50 yards on 4 carries
showed that they are able to contribute.
The boys on the other side of the ball are playing strong and in a “no-name” defense led by the
senior Rodney Milsap(91) are punishing opposing offenses. Look for the Hurricane defense to cause
concern for the Indian offense. With Johnny Bly(8) and Donte McCray(4) roaming the secondary, it
must make opposing quarters think twice about throwing anything in their direction.
The other team, special teams, has some stars of their own. Leo Sanchez(10) was not called on
Friday night for a field goal attempt, but the whole state knows he can boot 50 plus yards field
goals and, when the ball is on the tee, he is dead eye on extra points. Johnny Bly(8) and Donte
McCray(4) have proved that they can return everything in their reach for big outcomes.
Game time is 7:30 at The Swamp, Charlton County’s stadium, just north of Folkston, east of US1.
It’s the Canes and Indians in Region 2-AA play, the big one, the one that everyone’s looking forward
to, 7:30 Friday night. |
|
| Press Clippings: Purple Hurricane beats Pierce County, 49-0...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/25/04
|
|
|
Robby Pruitt’s prolific Wing T-based offense was clicking on all cylinders last night as the
Purple Hurricane defeated the Pierce County Bears, 49-0. The Canes scored on long runs from
scrimmage the entire evening and even hit the end zone three times on one possession before
finally getting credit for it three penalties later.
The outcome of the game was never in doubt as the Hurricane received the kickoff and marched
to the end zone. After the Bears attempted an onsider to get the game underway, the Hurricane
started their drive at the 40 and culminated the effort on a 20 yard run by the fullback, Nate
Inman(42).
Inman scored 2 more times and Johnathan Roberts(22), Fabian Daniels(24) and Jelani Shelton(20)
also got in the end zone from scrimmage. Returner Donte McCray(4) put points up for the Hurricane
when he returned the punt after PC’s first drive attempt 69 yards. The Hurricane received the 2
point bonus when the punter, dealing with a punt that soared over his head, kicked the ball out
of the back of the end zone.
Fitzgerald’s kicker extraordinaire, Leo Sanchez(10) got 4 extra points to add to his yearly total,
but was denied the opportunity to add two more when the snap missed its mark and the attempts
were botched.
At the end of the first half, the Hurricane score 4 times before they were awarded points. Donte
McCray(4) received a PC punt and, after bouncing off of Bear head hunters, regrouped and routed
himself 51 yards for an apparent Fitzgerald touchdown, but the guys in the striped shirts called
a return block in the back that backed the Canes up to the Fitzgerald 47. Fabian Daniels(24) found
the end zone two plays later when he took the ball 51 yards for the second ill-fated score of the
series. Result: called back and backed up 10 yards, to boot, for a Hurricane hold. The next play,
the tricky Cane brain trust added a pitch back to the quarterback, Josh Battle(2), who gad to go
61 yards for the goal line. Result: back, back, back due to a call of illegal forward pass that
appeared to be a forward lateral across the line of scrimmage. No points. The Canes went to a more
traditional way of getting points, subsequently, and chewed up chunks at a time enroute to a 21 yard
“up the gut” score by Nate Inman(42), the fullback. Four times, in the case, with this team, with
these referees, and with patience was the charm.
The Canes will travel to Folkston next Friday to take on the top ranked Charlton County Indians in
a contest, starting at 7:30 PM, which will merit state-wide attention.
|
|
| Miscellaneous: A "Category 5" Conversation with
Alan "Snake" Dixon...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/23/04
|
|
|
The following interview was conducted with Alan "Snake" Dixon, a former Hurricane football
player who went on to play at Harding College and in the NFL. The interview occurred late
in the summer of 2004.
MK: Mr. Dixon, what was the experience like when you were drafted? Were you expecting it?
Snake Dixon: Our quarterback, Tom Ed Gooden, was drafted in the 11th round and soon after that
I got a call from the Kansas City Chiefs. They told me they were planning on drafting me shortly
and would call me back. However, the call came from the Vikings instead and they told me they had
drafted me in the 14th round. They said that they would be calling me back in a couple of weeks
and would be flying my wife Belinda and I up there to meet the coaches and the other draftees.
Belinda said to me, "Where in the world is Minnesota?".
MK: I guess you both figured out where Minnesota was pretty soon after that. Had you been to
Minnesota before? What was that experience like?
Snake Dixon: I have never been that far up north -- only as far as Northeast Missouri State to
play in a football game (which turned out to be my best career college football game). The
experience was awesome. After the draft, the Vikings flew Belinda and I to Minneapolis where
we met with some of the coaches and about ten of the draftees at a fancy restaurant. It was
a neat experience!
MK: And what happened after you joined up with the team?
Snake Dixon: In '74 there was an NFL strike and only rookies and first year players came to
training camp. This was good for the rookies because ten rookies made the team that year. Bud
Grant was not in favor of a strike. After going through training camp, I beat out the 8th round
draftee (a running back from Nebraska) and started the first preseason game against the Denver
Broncos. I got a knee injury, but it got better before the first regular season game. However,
Coach Grant placed me on injured reserve and said that when another player got on the injured
reserve list I would be moved up. No other player got injured and I spent the entire season
practicing every practice and going through all the team meetings with the team.
MK: How dramatic was the jump from Harding to the pros in terms of the competition and the level of
play?
Snake Dixon: In college you feel like you can intimidate some of your opponents and teammates in
practice by speed or quickness. However, once you get in the pros no one gets intimidated unless you
are special like Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, or Deion Sanders.
MK: Who were some of the more well-known people you played with/for and what were they like?
Snake Dixon: As far as some of the well-known Vikings, Bud Grant is still one of my five heroes along
with Joe Compton. Coach Grant was a strong disciplinarian whom we all respected. I feel that some of
the players now on the Vikings team could not play for Bud Grant. If you get a chance, read his book
titled "Bud: The Other Side of the Glacier". Alan Page, Carl Eller (NFL Hall of Fame 2004 - joining
previous inductees Grant and Page), and Jim Marshall were the Purple People Eaters. I had to to go
up against them every day at practice and that was a daily task that a lot of people would not like
to do. Fran Tarkenton was a Georgia boy and he took a liking to me after he found out I was from
Georgia. He still holds a ton of records and he was like one of the coaches. He would get up at the
meetings and the coaches would let him go over how the team would play against the next opponent.
MK: So you were with the Vikings for two years?
Snake Dixon: I finished out the 1974 season and came back in July for the 1975 season. I played in
two preseason games before getting a note after a morning practice to come see Coach Grant at his
office and bring my playbook. So I was cut before the regular season began. As a result, I can only
say I played for the Vikings one year.
MK: Then you went to the Seahawks for their inaugural season? What was that like?
Snake Dixon: Jack Patera was an assistant coach at Minnesota and I got to know him there. When Jack
Patera was hired as the head football coach for the Seattle Seahawks in the spring of 1976, I called
out to Seattle to talk to him. After a couple of times of failing to get through to him, I said that
I was Alan Dixon who played for the Vikings -- then they hooked me up with him. I asked him for a try
out and he said they were having a rookie camp that weekend and he would hook me back up with the
secretary for a plane flight. That was on a Tuesday and the next day I was on a plane from Atlanta to
Seattle. I went thru the camp and was signed to a contract to start training at summer camp. I was the
second string fullback and I played in the first game that was ever played in the new Kingdome at
Seattle against the San Francisco 49ers. I played the last part of the second quarter and all of the
fourth quarter. I didn't miss any assignments during the game, but I got a call the next week after
practice to come to Coach Patera's office and bring my playbook. He said they were not happy with any
of the running backs! It was like when Bud Grant cut me, he said, "There are some things you just have
to accept". Well, it was hard to accept! But at least I can say, I got a chance to play with the
pros!!!
MK: What have you been doing since your playing days were over?
Snake Dixon: When I got cut from Seattle, they sent me home on a plane that made about ten stops from
Seattle to Atlanta instead of the first class seat like the trip there. I asked my wife Belinda if she
wanted to go to Jekyll Island for a few days and we did. While we were there, I got a phone call from
Phil Jones, the head coach of the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes. He wanted to know what my plans were.
I told him I didn't have any, but wanted to coach. Even though the Hurricanes' summer camp was over he
hired me as the varsity assistant coach to coach with him, Max Braun, Mike Ellis, and David Carter.
This was 1976-1977 season. I ended up coaching for the Canes for 3 years as assistant varsity football
and head track coach. I retired from coaching after three years because I felt like in order to be a
successful head football coach, I would have to move from Fitzgerald and travel all over the state of
Georgia. In 1979, I went to work for David Y. Sims selling real estate at Roanoke Realty and have been
there ever since.
MK: Any final thoughts/memories/experiences you want to share?
Snake Dixon: I have been fortunate to play for some super Christian disciplinarian coaches and play with
winning teams. It started with Woot Goff Little League (Turkey Bowl Champs), Lamar Wynn (B-Team
undefeated season), Joe Compton (8-1-1), Jesse Dyess (7-3), John Prock (head coach at Harding University),
and Bud Grant (coach of the 1974 NFC Champion Minnesota Vikings). At Harding, I was able to start for
four years and we never had a losing season. In 1972, we went 10-1 and won the Cowboy Bowl by a score of
30-27. Also, I served as a co-captain with Bubba Hopkins on the 1972 team at Harding. Bubba graduated
from Fitzgerald High School a year after I did and became my teammate at Harding. I have had a lot of
great memories and experiences with football and love Fitzgerald and I'm glad that Belinda and I were
able to raise our three children (Jad, Andee, and Ashlee) who have all graduated from college now!
But one of my most cherished memories is playing for and being associated with the Fitzgerald Purple
Hurricanes!
MK: Thanks for your time. Your ability to carry a football so well certainly took you to a number of places
and through a number of great experiences. It has been a pleasure reliving some of those great memories
with you.
1974 Vikings team picture
1974 Vikings team picture (close-up)
Vikings-Broncos game program
|
|
| Press Clippings: Article on Pierce/Fitzgerald game in Tifton Gazette this week...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/23/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes go for 5-0 against Bears...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/20/04
|
|
|
The Pierce County Bears will be in for homecoming on Friday night. Fitzgerald will
be looking for a big homecoming win and to run their 2004 record to 5-0.
The Bears have had a hard time finding the end zone this year as they were shutout
in their first three outings. They found it three times on Friday night against
Richmond Hill for the first win of the season.
Fitzgerald has never lost to Pierce County or Blackshear in a series that dates back
to as early as 1919. The Canes last traded home and away games in 1988 and 1989 with
the Canes winning both of those games handily.
It’s a new day, though and the new coach in Blackshear is Coach Tom Hybl. Hybl has a
reputation and a record to back it up of athletic success and he, along with his team
of Bears will be looking to establish themselves in Region 2-AA as the season goes
along. They would like nothing better than to knock off a top10 team, the Fitzgerald
Purple Hurricane.
The Purple Hurricane will continue to build intensity as they get ready for the
following week and what will surely be the Game of the Week in AA when they face the
Indians down in the swamp in Charlton County. Look for the Hurricane and their
leadership to try some new and different things as they try to find the end zone as
early and often as possible.
Game time is 7:30 with pre-game festivities getting underway at 7:00 and the crowning
of the queen at halftime. It’s Homecoming 2004, the Canes and the Bears at what will be
ground zero, Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes take care of Red Raiders, 38-0...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/20/04
|
|
|
Senior Leo Sanchez kicked a 50 yard field goal and three extra points on the way
to a 38-0 rout of the Bacon County Red Raiders in Alma on Friday night. The Hurricane
stopped the Raiders at every turn and stymied any hope of them getting anything going
all night.
The big gainer in the show was fullback Nate Inman. The junior had 91 yards in his
performance against the boys in the “Blueberry Capital of the World. Darian Austile
had 36 yards on three receptions, but it was little Donte McCray that led all receivers
with an acrobatic 39 yard reception.
There were several replacements in on defense for the Bacon County game. Demarcus
Duffy at nose guard and Corey Taylor at outside linebacker were two of the younger
guys in for starters that received extended playing time.
“It’s always good to get a region win,” said Head coach Robby Pruitt. Of the running
clock that the game was finished under Friday night, he said, “the rule is good, I
guess, but it doesn’t let you play as many of the younger kids as you would like to.
Before you know it, the game is gone.”
Frustration on the part of the boys from Alma became evident and resulted in the
ejection of one of the Bacon County players. “I don’t know what they were upset
about,” said Pruitt. “It looked like it might get out of hand, but the referees handled
it well.”
Fitzgerald put up a balanced attack with 230 yards rushing and 107 through the air. The
Canes had one interception, by Johnny Bly, that was returned for a 50 yard touchdown.
Fitzgerald will be at home on Friday night against the Pierce County Bears. Kickoff is
at 7:30 with homecoming festivities beginning at 7:00 and the homecoming queen being crowned at halftime.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes still at #6 in AJC AA Poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/20/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Hurricane begins region play at Bacon County...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/13/04
|
|
| The
Purple Hurricane of Fitzgerald will be on the road this week to Alma to take on
the Bacon County Red Raiders, the first Region 2-AA contest of the season. The
Hurricane is 3-0 while the Raiders are 0-3.
Fitzgerald leads the all time series between the two schools by a margin of 11
wins and 1 loss. The last four games have been shutouts for the Purple Hurricane
with a total score of 147-0 over the span of time between 1968 and 1989. The only
loss to the Red Raiders was in 1962 when the Raiders edged the Canes, 19-13.
Fitzgerald will return to the friendly confines of Jaycee Stadium next week to
host the Pierce County Bears. The boys from Blackshear are 0-3 and will be facing
AAA Richmond Hill. The week following Fitzgerald will be in the Charlton County
swamp to take on the #1 ranked Indians.
Game time in Alma is 7:30. The stadium is located on US1 on the right, traveling
north, ½ mile after turning north off of GA32.
Good luck, Canes, as you return to Region 2-AA and begin the 2004 campaign.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes maintain #6 ranking in AJC AA Poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/13/04
|
|
| College Canes: Wofford-Georgia Southern game to be on TV...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/13/04
|
|
| According
to the Wofford football website, the game between Wofford and Georgia
Southern in Statesboro will be on Fox Sports Net South this Saturday (August
18th). Kickoff will be at 7:30PM.
Wofford features Fitzgerald native Kevious Johnson as its primary running
threat. The sophomore was the 2003 SoCon Freshman of the Year, a 2004
preseason All-SoCon selection, and was named a 2004 Preseason
honorable-mention All-American by National Football Gazette.
After his successful freshman year, Johnson started his sophomore campaign
last Saturday by rushing for 89 yards on 20 carries against South Carolina
State in Wofford's season opener. He also became the first Wofford player in
the last 22 years to return a kickoff for a touchdown when he returned the
opening kickoff 90 yards for a score.
Good luck to Kevious in the Georgia Southern game and try to catch the game on
TV if you get a chance! |
|
| Press Clippings: Canes still at #6 after open week...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/13/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald stuns Perry, 24-7...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/9/04
|
|
| As the Perry-Fitzgerald match up was taking place, the folks in Florida
were being left reeling by a Hurricane named Frances. Though kinder and gentler than the
last storms to come ashore on the Floridian peninsula, Frances left enough damage on the
mainland and the panhandle to make her a memorable storm. So was the case of the Purple
Hurricane that thumped the Cats from Perry on Friday night.
Fitzgerald got on the board first and out to a 14-0 lead on touchdowns by Nate Inman and
Fabian Daniels before the Panthers pulled within 7 to go in at halftime. Leo Sanchez, the
Fitzgerald soccer connection and big time kicker, kicked a chip-shot 21 yarder in the third
to stretch the lead to 17-7. In the last stanza, Josh Battle hooked up with Inman to put
the icing on the cake and stretch the lead to 24-7.
“I was pleased to get the win,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “Our offense played better
and the defense played a good game.”
The Purple Hurricane will be off this week in preparation for the Region 2-AA schedule
that begins on September 17th in Alma. |
|
| Press Clippings: Canes maintain #6 ranking in AJC AA Poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/9/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald to host Perry...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/1/04
|
|
| The Perry Panthers, under the leadership of Coach Chuck Conley, will
be in town on Friday night to challenge the hometown Purple Hurricane. Old friends,
the Canes and Cats will face-off in a game that will count for nothing but pride and
bragging rights.
The Cats are AAA while the Canes are AA, having dropped down in the most recent re-classification
effort by the Georgia High School Association. That won’t keep them from going at each other,
though. You can bet that the Cats won’t be easy on a smaller Purple hurricane team.
“They’re pretty good,” said Head coach Robby Pruitt. “You’ve got to respect them. They have
outstanding athletes. They’ll line up and go after you. They beat Stephens County a couple of
weeks ago and that’s no small feat.”
The Hurricane is coming off of a 17-0 win over AAAAA Tift County, a score that was provided
by defense and special teams. Senior place kicker Leo Sanchez (10) accounted for 5 of those
points, a field goal and two extra points, while Johnny Bly (8) scored on a 99 yard kickoff
return and big Rodney Milsap (91) got in the end zone on a “scoop and score” after he recovered
a fumble by the Tift County quarterback at the 17.
“They were beaten by Crisp County who came out in a set totally different from what they showed
against Tift County,” said Pruitt. “They’re a good team.”
Game time is 7:30 on Friday at Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald moves up to #6 in AJC AA Poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/31/04
|
|
| Fitzgerald is now #6 in the AJC Class AA after its win against
Tift County last week. Three teams from 2-AA are still in the Top 10.
AJC
prep polls (registration required) |
|
| Press Clippings: Make that 2-0: Canes dispatch Tift County,
17-0...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/28/04
|
|
| The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane accomplished a couple of things
Friday night at Jaycee Stadium. First, they knocked off AAAAA Tift County. Second,
they established themselves as a defensive team to be respected.
Last week’s virtual shutout of Berrien County, the Rebels only scored on the Canes
backups, served notice that the Canes may be a team to respect on that side of the
ball. This week’s shutout of the Tift County Blue Devils reinforced that claim in
a big way.
The Devils were fresh off of a win over the Crisp County Cougars and had high hopes
of downgrading the powerful Hurricane to a mere storm. It just didn’t happen.
Fitzgerald’s heralded offense was unable to get in the Blue Devil end zone all night,
but they were able to set up a field goal in the first half for standout placekicker
Leo Sanchez (10) who kicked the 32 yarder for the 3-0 halftime score.
Johnny Bly (8) put the region on notice in the third quarter that the Canes special
teams are no fluke. He returned the opening kickoff in the second half 99 yards to
extend the Fitzgerald lead to 9-0. Sanchez(10) handled the extra point and Fitzgerald
led 10-0.
Is it any accident that Rodney Milsap (91) is being salivated over by the southeastern
region’s Who’s Who in college football? Absolutely not. Milsap increased the value of
his stock in the fourth quarter when he got the rare opportunity to scoop and score on
a Donnell Cullins (15) fumble from 17 yards out. Again Sanchez (10) sealed the deal with
the point after. Fitzgerald was up 17-0, which held to be the final score in the neighbor
versus neighbor contest.
Donte McRae (4) had a breakout game with three interceptions deep for the Canes that stymied
the blue Devil passing attack. The Devil offensive line was unable to handle the defensive
front 7 and made it hard to run or pass.
“I was very pleased with the play of our defensive unit,” declared defensive coordinator
Jim Moore. “We did what we had to do and stayed where we needed to be to put points on the
board.” He added, “We had a couple of breaks, too.”
Fitzgerald will be back in action on Friday night for their final non-region contest of the
season. The Perry Panthers will bring their traveling show into Jaycee Stadium for a 7:30
kickoff.
Congratulations Canes and staff on being 2-0 in the young 2004 campaign.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Tift County Blue Devils bring 1-0 record into Jaycee
Stadium...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/23/04
|
|
| One of Fitzgerald’s oldest opponents, the Tift County Blue Devils will be in
Friday night to take on our own Purple Hurricane. The Devils are coming off of their season
and home opening win against Crisp County, 28-16, while Fitzgerald is sporting a win of their
own, 45-6, against the Berrien County Rebels.
“They’re real good,” said head coach Robby Pruitt. “They are huge. They’re more athletic than
they’ve been in the past.”
The Devils sported a 21-3 lead at half time over the Cougars and went on to hold off the cats
from Cordele to take the 28-16 win.
“They have two defensive linemen that are 6-5, 340 pounds and 6-2, 275 pounds,” added Pruitt.
“The ends are 6-0, 220 pounds and the middle linebacker is 250 pounds. They’re big.”
Fitzgerald has a few athletes of its own including Rodney Milsap and brother Quinton Milsap
in the middle on defense for the Canes. Don’t write off Josh Mims at linebacker, either, as he
has been all over the field during the preseason scrimmages and in Friday night’s win over Berrien
County.
Fabian Daniels will be back after a game on the sidelines that was a result of a neck injury the
week before. He will join Nate Inman and Johnathan Roberts who along with Jelani Shelton and others
ran out of the Hurricane backfield.
Josh Battle was the offensive player of the game this week and he will be looking to again air
it out against the Blue Devils as they come into town for the annual renewal of the AAAAA-AA
rivalry.
Don’t forget defense. It will again be Bly, McRae, and Thrower who will again be patrolling
the skies over Jaycee Stadium and will be looking for “picks”.
It’s the Canes and Devils, Friday night at 7:30 in Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium. |
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald #9 in latest AJC AA Poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/22/04
|
|
| Fitzgerald moved up to #9 in AA in the just-updated AJC high
school football polls. Region 2-AA was well-represented with Charlton County
at #5, Appling County at #7, and Fitzgerald at #9..
AJC
prep polls (registration required) |
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald Hurricane preview on WALB's website...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/22/04
|
|
| In case you missed it, there is a good preview of the 2004
Hurricane squad on WALB's website. It includes a video you can watch online as
well.
WALB preview of the
2004 Canes |
|
| Press Clippings: Purple Hurricane gets 45-6 win in season
opener...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/21/04
|
|
| Robby Pruitt’s debut as the returning head coach at Fitzgerald
High School was a success. The Hurricane put up 45 points on the rebuilding Berrien
County Rebels. The pesky Rebs hung in with their first team to put up a late score
on the Hurricane subs to finish the scoring for the evening.
The Canes were without the backfield senior magician, Fabian Daniels, who was taking
the week off after a stinger in the final against the Turner County gridsters a week
ago, but Pruitt simply went to his stable and let the horses pick up the slack.
“They played us tight on the run all night,” said Head coach Robby Pruitt. “The
passing game was there all night. I was pleased with what I saw. We’ll get to work
on the tape when we get back to the school.”
“We’ll have to look at the film,” said Defensive Coordinator Jim Moore. I feel
pretty good about the turnovers. We’ll just have to see what it looks like.”
The stingy Hurricane defense capitalized time after time on the Berrien offensive
miscues, scoring and setting up scores for the Hurricane offense.
Josh Battle, the junior, spent most of the time under center and threw the ball at
will on the Rebels. Nate Inman rushed and received for TDs until cramping slowed his
offensive prowess, but he hung in all night.
The Canes will now turn their attention to a den of Blue devils that will be putting
together a plan to knock off the Canes at Jaycee Stadium on Friday night. The devils
are coming off of a convincing win over the Crisp County Cougars on Friday night and
are described by the media as much improved over last year when the Canes held on for
a 6-0 win in the Mud Bowl in 2003. Game time will be 7:30. |
|
| College Canes: Former Cane Kevious Johnson name to preseason
All-SoCon team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/20/04
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald ranked #10 in preseason AP poll...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/13/04
|
|
|
CLASS AA
1. Buford (12) 136
2. Charlton County (2) 121
3. Decatur 75
4. Early County 74
5. Vidalia 64
6. Swainsboro 59
7. Greater Atlanta Christian 45
8. Calhoun 32
9. Cook 29
10. Fitzgerald 26
Others receiving votes: Screven County 25, Appling County 21, Laney 18,
Adairsville 13, East Hall 8, Darlington 4, Thomasville 4, Wesleyan 4, Jeff Davis
3, LaFayette 3, Metter 3, Brooks County 2, Macon County 1. Source: AJC |
|
| Auld Lang Syne: Former Fitzgerald coach takes over top job at Shorter College...
MIKE KITCHENS - 7/31/04
|
|
|
Phil Jones, who was head football coach and athletic director at Fitzgerald from 1975-1979,
has accepted the head coaching position at Shorter College. Coach Jones will be
building the program from scratch as this will be Shorter's first football
team in its 131-year history. It will compete in
the NAIA and will be the only NAIA football program in the state of Georgia.
Coach Jones has had a long career as a high school and college coach. He has coached at
Warner Robins, Jeff Davis, Fitzgerald, Dooly County, and Winder-Barrow at the high
school level.
At the college level, he has been an assistant at the University of Georgia (under Jim Donnan),
SMU, and Gardner-Webb.
We certainly wish Coach Jones the best of luck in this exciting new position.
For more information, feel free to visit the
Shorter College Athletics website.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Canes break camp today...
RANDY RODGERS - 7/29/04
|
|
|
The 2004 version of the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane breaks camp this afternoon
after having gone through the annual meeting at J.D. Tygart near Ray city. The
Canes have been engaged in intense workouts in preparation for the upcoming season.
“We have eons to go,” said Head Coach Robby Pruitt. “We have some bright spots
and we have some areas that will require a lot of work.”
Pruitt characterized the backfield as a bright spot. “They’re talented and quick.
We have a lot to work with.” He added, “I’d have to say that the backfield on offense
and the defensive front are the bright spots. Our linebackers are pretty good, too.”
The coaching staff has been challenged to replace a senior line of 2003 that was loaded
with leadership and experience. “Someone is going to have to step up. We have decent
size, but we’re not near where we need to be.”
The Canes will take on the Lee County Trojans next Friday in Leesburg at 7:30 before
hosting the Turner County Rebels the following week and getting into the regular schedule
on the 20th against Berrien County in Nashville.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald on all-time wins list for high
school football...
MIKE KITCHENS - 6/28/04
|
|
|
Fitzgerald's long history of success on the gridiron places it amongst the
all-time wins leaders (state and national) for high school football
programs. This list comes from the Football
Friday Night website (replicated here with permission). A more exhaustive
national list can also be found at the Texas
HS Football site (which actually shows FHS in 237th place nationally - a
negligible difference).
NOTE: Records current through July 1st, 2004
| Georgia |
National
|
Record
|
School
|
Winning Percentage
|
|
1
|
1
|
813-169-34
|
Valdosta
|
.8169
|
|
2
|
50
|
617-275-46
|
Thomasville
|
.6823
|
|
3
|
58
|
605-305-29
|
LaGrange
|
.6597
|
|
4
|
60
|
601-220-23
|
Lincoln County
|
.7257
|
|
5
|
101
|
568-218-26
|
Dalton
|
.7155
|
|
6
|
105
|
567-309-32
|
Americus
|
.6421
|
|
7
|
133
|
552-299-38
|
Marist
|
.6423
|
|
8
|
178
|
530-322-27
|
Marietta
|
.6183
|
|
9
|
196
|
519-316-31
|
Colquitt County
|
.6172
|
|
10
|
203
|
518-234-29
|
Thomson
|
.6818
|
|
11
|
220
|
509-292-37
|
Cairo
|
.6295
|
|
12
|
225
|
508-374-31
|
Fitzgerald
|
.5734
|
|
13
|
-
|
491-374-34
|
Albany
|
.5651
|
|
14
|
-
|
486-209-19
|
Commerce
|
.6940
|
|
15
|
-
|
485-360-29
|
Tift County
|
.5715
|
|
|
| Miscellaneous: Fitzgerald ties for 11th in final Directors Cup standings...
MIKE KITCHENS - 6/24/04
|
|
|
FHS finished in a tie for 11th place in the final standings for the 2003-2004
AAA Directors Cup.
|
CLASS AAA: |
|
School |
Points |
| 1. |
Westminster |
980 |
| 2. |
Grayson |
740 |
| 3. |
Lovett |
696 |
| 4. |
Gainesville |
510 |
| 5. |
Cartersville |
490 |
| 6. |
Carrollton |
480 |
| (tie) |
Savannah Christian |
480 |
| 8. |
LaGrange |
450 |
| (tie) |
Spalding |
450 |
| 10. |
Westover |
440 |
| 11. |
West Laurens |
300 |
| (tie) |
Richmond Academy |
300 |
| (tie) |
Fitzgerald |
300 |
| 14. |
Elbert County |
292.5 |
| 15. |
Dublin |
281 |
NOTE: The Dodge Champions Directors Cup is awarded by the GADA to the school
in each classification that performs the best in state athletic competitions.
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution - 6/13/04
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|
| College Canes: Alan "Snake" Dixon stills holds Harding College records...
MIKE KITCHENS - 6/13/04
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|
| College Canes: Good article on Fitzgerald native Wright Bazemore...
MIKE KITCHENS - 6/13/04
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There
is a good article on Wright Bazemore in the Winter 2000 version of "The Mercerian" (Mercer's alumni
newsletter). Bazemore was a Fitzgerald native who was a gridiron star at FHS and
Mercer before he became a legendary coach at Valdosta High School. According
to the article, he once earned a mention in the "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" newsletter by scoring
11 touchdowns in a single game (while at FHS). His career at Valdosta culminated
in an 83% winning percentage over his 28-year career. They even named their stadium after
him. His induction into the the GACA Hall of Fame in 2001 was a further testament to his illustrious career.
"The Mercerian" article on Wright Bazemore
(Page 7 - you'll need the Adobe Acrobat
Reader)
Coach Bazemore's
record at Valdosta High School
GACA Hall of Fame - Wright Bazemore
|
|
| Press Clippings: Coach Robby Pruitt returns to Fitzgerald (click to see articles below)...
MIKE KITCHENS - 1/12/04
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|
| Press Clippings: Canes season ends in second round...
RANDY RODGERS - 12/01/03
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A stingy defense and 4 turnovers ended the up and down season of the Purple Hurricane
Friday night in Sandersville. The Canes put the ball on the ground three times and threw
a pass to the wrong color shirt two times. The final score was 42-0, Washington County.
The season is ended with a record of 7-5 in the tumultuous first year of Robby Robinson's
first year at Fitzgerald. Robinson's spread offense with which he had had success in Metter
over the last two years proved unproductive in the Fitzgerald program whose talent had been
weaned on the running game of past leadership. Robinson and company adjusted after their
first region loss, to Thomasville, and won out the balance of the regular season and the
first round with Northeast Macon.
The Canes will graduate nearly 20 seniors, a class that has the unique honor of being the
winning-est class in FHS football history, despite the 5 losses of the current season.
Congratulations, seniors, as you complete you high school senior year and move on to
successful futures in college and career.
The 2004 season will be here before we know it with the first three games, non-region,
against Berrien County, Tift County, and Perry. After a week off the Canes will go on
to their region schedule that will include Charlton County, Brantley County, Pierce
County, Jeff Davis, Appling County, Bacon County and archrival Irwin County. Irwin will
be the last game of the year in Fitzgerald.
Good luck, Canes, as you compete in winter and spring sports and prepare for the 2004
Hurricane season.
|
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| Press Clippings: Washington County, site of Fitzgerald's second round play-off game...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/25/03
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The Fitzgerald Purple Canes will head to Sandersville and Washington County
High School's House of Pain to take on the Golden Hawks in the second round
of the 2003 play-offs. The Hurricane is coming off of a 31-6 win over Northeast
Macon and the Hawks were victorious over South Effingham, 43-10.
The Hawks are 10-1 on the season with only the loss to Swainsboro, 21-15, as
a blemish to their schedule. Lineman Seth Watts (76) is already committed to
Georgia. At 6'5" and 290 pounds, Watts has anchored both the offensive and
defensive lines for the golden Hawks.
In addition to Watts the Golden Hawks are loaded with seniors. Senior quarterback
Justin Burden (17) along with free safety Stacey Watts (10), defensive lineman
Trent Ingram (34), and linebacker Eddie Morrell (44) are just of a few of the
standouts on this WACO team.
WACO runs out of the I including power, triple and single set looks. On defense,
the base set is 4-4 with the secondary providing different looks.
"We're excited about having the Purple Hurricane fans in for the game," said
Head coach Rick Tomberlin. "We have great crowds and I know that the Fitzgerald
folks follow their team so I'm looking for a full house and some competitive play."
Fans can travel US 319 from Fitzgerald to Wrightsville and turn left on GA 15
to Tennille and Sandersville. At GA282, also Riddleville Road, turn right. The
stadium will be on the left.
Congratulations Canes and Cane fans as you move on to the second round of the
GHSA state play-offs in Sandersville. |
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| Press Clippings: Canes beat Northeast, 31-6, to advance to showdown with Washington County...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/24/03
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Senior Carlos Bell (21) and Fabian Daniels (34), the junior, put together a
performance on Friday night that resulted in 31 points on offense and Robby
Robinson's defense led by Rodney Milsap (91) and Jerry Taylor (47) held the
Northeast Raider offense to 6 points to take their first round play-off game
at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium. The Purple Hurricane will advance to the next
round as a result of the 31-6 win.
The Canes put up 338 yards of offense and controlled the field of play the
entire evening with the exception of a busted coverage that resulted in a 62
yard touchdown for the Raiders with 8:24 left in the first quarter. The
Raiders took the early lead on the Jaquan White (3) to David West (10) pitch
and catch that resulted in the score. The extra point was no good and
Northeast led 6-0.
After that, though, it was all Fitzgerald as Bell put up 186 yards on 29
carries scoring 4 TDs. Daniels had 149 yards on 23 carries. Kicker Leo
Sanchez (10) had a 36 yard field goal and 4 extra points.
The Purple Hurricane will be on the road on Friday night to Sandersville
to take on the Washington County Golden Hawks in the House of Pain. The
Hawks are in the second round by virtue of beating South Effingham,
coached by Bob Herndon, former FHS head coach.
On hand at the Fitzgerald-Northeast game were several former FHS stars
of recent years including Troy and Roy Williams, Detrik Hall, Tucker
Pruitt, and Kevious Johnson who stars for the Wofford Terriers at running
back. The Terriers are nationally ranked out of the Division II Southern
Conference.
Congratulations, Canes, on your first round win and good luck as you take
your prolific running game on the road to Washington County on Friday night.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald to host Northeast in first round of state play-offs...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/19/03
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By virtue of a second place finish by the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane in Region 1-
AAA, the Canes will host the Northeast Raiders of Macon at Fitzgerald's Jaycee
Stadium. The Canes, with a record of 6-4 on the season will host the Raiders, with a
record of 7-3, who are the third place seed out of Region 4-AAA.
The Raiders depend heavily on linebacker and D1 prospect Boston McConnell
(34) on defense. McConnell is considered as one of the top five linebacker prospects in
this year's class of recruits. The Raiders utilize a 4-3 defensive scheme.
On offense, the quarterback is Jaquan White (3). He is the signal caller out of the
multiple I formation on offense and depends on his running back, Rodriquez Worthy (2)
who is a 1000 yard rusher on the year.
"We're glad to still be plying and in the play-offs for the fourth year in a row,"
said head coach Carror Wright.
Wright added, "We graduated 23 last year and had 4 return on offense and 4
return on defense. Our kids have done a great job."
Northeast lost to Southwest High School in double overtime and to another cross
town rival, Central High School, by a touchdown. "We were just two plays away from
being 9-0 going into the Peach County game."
Game time is 7:30 at Jaycee Stadium, the Canes and the Raiders in play-off
action. |
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| Press Clippings: Canes beat Monroe, advance to play-offs...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/19/03
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502 yards of offense, all on the ground, assured the Hurricane a second place
finish in Region 1-AAA and a home field advantage in round 1 of the state play-offs. The
Canes defeated Monroe (Albany) at Hugh Mills Stadium, 44-14.
Senior running back Carlos Bell had his best game of the season so far as he
tallied 230 yards in rushing to get his season total to 959 on the ground. Bell leads Region
1-AAA in all-purpose yards with a total of 1429 yards. Fitzgerald's adjustment to the
running game utilizes Bell's talents along with a stable of running backs that have poured
it on for the Hurricane. Bell also scored two touchdowns.
The junior, Fabian Daniels, put up 117 yards of his own while sophomore running
back Johnathan Roberts had 115 yards. Sophomore Nate Inman, who spends most of his
time on the defensive side of the ball, tallied 35 yards. All three backs had touchdowns.
Johnny Bly and Trent Taylor both had interceptions off of Terrance Ransom, the
region's leading passer. Bly returned his interception for a 32 yard touchdown, while
Taylor's TD stopped a scoring threat within the 5 yard line for Monroe.
With the win, the Hurricane advances to the first round of the state play-offs.
They will host the Northeast Raiders at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium on Friday night.
Congratulations, Canes, as you find yourselves in the play-offs for the fourth
straight year. May you take it all the way and accept the appreciation of a supportive
community. |
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald defeats Worth County in Region 1-AAA match up, 24-6...
RANDY RODGERS - 11/4/03
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The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane offense has, again, reinvented itself. The offense
that featured almost entirely the potent Hurricane running game, showed multiple
sets including a tight wishbone set and the familiar shotgun formation. The Canes
were up by 14 at the half and held the Rams to 6 points in the second half to go
on to the 24-6 win.
Fitzgerald put up 369 yards on the ground and completed only 1 pass of the four
thrown. Fabian Daniels, the junior, carried the ball 23 times for 181 yards, a
total that included long runs of 37 yards, 52 yards, and 25 yards. Senior running
back Carlos Bell added to his region-leading all-purpose yardage with 25 carries
that totaled 144 yards, a kick return of 23 yards, and a pass reception for 7 yards.
Bell has 1125 official all-purpose yards and 644 rushing yards through 8 games.
(This does not include the lightening shortened opener with Turner County.)
The Hurricane offense controlled the game by possessing the ball 30 minutes and
10 seconds of the total 48 minutes of play time. The opening Hurricane drive lasted
12 plays and 4 minutes and 49 seconds, while the opening Fitzgerald drive of the
second half was 10 plays and 4 minutes and 59 seconds.
Fitzgerald holds the second place position in Region 1-AAA behind Thomasville who
defeated the Canes 14-7 a week ago. The Monroe Tornadoes also have just 1 loss, but
have only 1 win in the conference. The Hurricane has two: over Westover and Worth
County.
Fitzgerald will travel to Albany after a week off to play the Tornadoes at Hugh
Mills Stadium on November 14th in the final game of the regular season.
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| Press Clippings: Worth County for Senior Night...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/28/03
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The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane will be at home Friday night against the Worth County
Rams. The Rams, in pursuit of post-season play, are struggling in 2003 campaign. The
Canes, due to their defeat of the Westover Patriots, are somewhat certain of at least
a fourth place seed. Both teams realize the importance of this and the final game of
the year in two weeks.
The Rams are coached by second year head coach Harold Brantley and feature an attempted
balance between run and pass. The Hurricane has been relegated mainly to the ground,
where they have had the majority of their success, but challenges with the pass in a
scheme that could really go if the passing game could come together.
Friday night is senior night with in excess of 20 seniors on the football team to be
honored along with their parents and the students and parents of the senior cheerleaders
and other senior students involved with the football program.
Kickoff is Friday night at 7:30 at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium.
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| Press Clippings: Thomasville defeats Fitzgerald 14-7...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/25/03
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The Thomasville Bulldogs defeated Fitzgerald in a defensive battle on Friday
night. Both teams were undefeated in the region going into the game.
The Bulldogs were up 14-0 at the half on scores from 3 yards out and on a 36 yard
TD strike to Tonk Felton (17) with seconds left in the first half.
Fitzgerald narrowed the gap with 4:49 left in the third quarter on a run on fourth
and long from the Bulldog 40 by Fabian Daniels (34). Sanchez (10) kicked the extra
point.
The Canes held the Bulldogs out of the end zone the second half and forced 8
punts during the game.
Thomasville goes to 2-0 in Region 1-AAA while the Hurricane is 1-1, both with 2
games left.
Fitzgerald will host Worth County next Friday night at 7:30 on Senior Night. |
|
| Press Clippings: Thomasville in for Band Night...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/23/03
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The Purple will host the Thomasville Bulldogs on Friday night in both of the teams'
second Region 1-AAA contest of the year. The winner of this game will lead the conference
while the other team will be 1-1 in region play.
Thomasville features Tonk Felton, a name Hurricane fans recognize over the last couple
of years. Felton lines up at wide receiver and runs out of the backfield as a receiver
and takes the handoff from time to time. Felton is also dangerous on punt and kick returns.
Fitzgerald's defense has shown stinginess throughout a season that has netted little
offensive production for the boys in purple. The Hurricane did, however, turn in a breakout
game on this past Friday night when the Cane offense put up 43 points and the defense, in
the form of a Darries Snelling interception return, added six.
The Purple Hurricane will need big games out of senior running back Carlos Bell and the
junior, Fabian Daniels, in order to defeat the Bulldogs. Look for sophomore quarterback
Josh Battle to turn in an outstanding game and receivers Fabian Daniels, Carlos Bell, Paul
Smith, Trent Taylor, and Paul Smith to make some exiting plays on the way to what would be
a Hurricane victory.
Cane fans will want to be on hand early for pre-game festivities that will honor senior
band members and members of the auxiliary units for the Marchin' Canes. The FHS band has
worked real hard and provided entertainment and contributed spirit to the home and away
games and can always be counted on to represent Fitzgerald High School well.
Kickoff is at 7:30 Friday night at Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium. |
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| Press Clippings: Canes beat Westover...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/23/03
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Fitzgerald's Carlos Bell scored three touchdowns and Fabian Daniels got on the board
twice to lead the Canes to 49-14 whipping of the Westover Patriots. Johnathan Roberts
and Darries Snelling also scored TDs and Mr. Dependable Leo Sanchez kicked 5 extra
points in the contest in Albany.
The Purple Hurricane had 239 yards rushing and 155 yards through the air as they relied
more on the run than in past contests. Play selection was different in games past with
many running plays originating out of the shotgun.
A little razzle-dazzle got the Fitzgerald fans buzzing when with 1:14 left in the third
quarter, after a Daniels touchdown, the Canes executed the "swinging gate" extra point
formation with senior Carlos Bell taking the "snap" (really a pitch) from center Sam Rodgers,
also a senior. The 2 point conversion was good and Fitzgerald continued to dominate an otherwise
successful Westover team under the direction of Head coach Jeff Caldwell in his first year
at the Albany school.
This marked the first win in the first Region 1-AAA game of the year for Fitzgerald. The
canes will be at home on Friday with the Thomasville Bulldogs.
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| Press Clippings: Westover is first region contest...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/16/03
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The Fitzgerald High School Purple Hurricane will be in Albany Friday night at Hugh Mills
Stadium. This is the first Region 1-AAA contest for both the Hurricane and the Patriots.
The Hurricane has made steady progress in developing and adapting to both a new offensive
scheme and a defensive scheme. The Fitzgerald defense leads the region in defensive categories
in stopping both the run and the pass. The Hurricane offense appears to be getting on track
with changes made in signal calling duties and a steady ground attack, though the Canes
attained more yards through the air against Cairo than on the ground. (Josh Battle passed
for 138 yards against the Syrupmakers.)
As far as post season play is concerned, it's a new season and all members of Region 1-AAA
are on equal footing. The Canes will face Westover this week in Albany and then will be at
home for two weeks in a row against Thomasville and Worth County. After an open date on
November 7th, the Canes will go back to Albany to play Monroe in the regular season finale.
Hurricane fans will want to be on hand to support the guys in purple as they enter into their
region schedule and fight on toward a spot in the state play-offs in this the 2003 football
campaign.
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| Press Clippings: Canes come up short in Cairo heartbreaker...
RANDY RODGERS - 10/11/03
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The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane lost a heartbreaker to Cairo in Cairo Friday
night. The Canes and Syrupmakers fought it out with the score 0-0 at the half.
The Syrupmakers got on the board with 1:36 left in the third quarter on a bootleg
by the quarterback, Brandon Robinson. The extra point was no good.
Cairo scored again with 9:26 left in the game when Robinson connected with
Clifford Hammonds for a 23 yard strike. The extra point was no good.
Fitzgerald got on the board 5:51 left in the game when the Cairo defensive back
intercepted the ball and ran in the end zone where he was tackled. This made the score
12-2, Cairo.
Fitzgerald again put up points when Josh Battle scrambled 10 yards for the score
from his QB position. There was 56.6 seconds left on the clock. The 2-point conversion
was no good and the score was Cairo 12, Fitzgerald 8.
The Canes attempted an on side kick and it at the Cairo 44. The Hurricane quickly
moved to the 28, but the comeback win was not to be as the Syrupmakers picked off a
Battle pass that was intended for Michael Mann. Final score: Cairo 12, Fitzgerald 8.
The Hurricane will begin region play next Friday when the guys from Fitzgerald
travel to Albany for a 7:30 game with the Westover Patriots.
|
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| Press Clippings: Hawkinsville avenges 2002 loss...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/29/03
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A talented Hawkinsville red Devils team avenged the loss to Fitzgerald in Fitzgerald last year and
took one of their own at Hawkinsville's Bobby Gentry Stadium on Friday night, 20-10.
The Red Devils scored on three pass plays on their way to the win. The Devils missed the first
extra point attempt when the kick went wide right. After the second TD, the Red devils Todd Coley
(6) ran the ball in himself. The third extra point try was incomplete as the two-point conversion failed.
Blake Henderson (5) scored the only Hurricane TD from 8 yards out in the second quarter. Leo Sanchez (10)
added the extra point. Sanchez also accounted for the 40 yard field goal in the third.
The Canes suffered their first loss in the Robby Robinson era to Hawkinsville. The Canes have two
additional games before region play gets underway as the Hurricane preps for a run at the state play-offs.
Fitzgerald will take on the 1-AAAA Crisp County Cougars on Friday night at home. It will be homecoming and
a talented opponent on the field.
Come support the Canes as the guys in purple will go for the win in the 2003 Homecoming game in
Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium at 7:30 PM. |
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| Press Clippings: Mutual Respect, Fitzgerald and Hawkinsville...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/25/03
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Fitzgerald’s Robby Robinson and Hawkinsville’s Lee Campbell are looking at each other’s team and both are concerned
about what they see. They’ll match up Friday night to see which concern was enough to outdo the other one.
Fitzgerald is ranked #7 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Top Ten rankings and #8 in the Associated Press (AP)
poll for Class AAA. Hawkinsville has moved into second place in both rankings in Class A.
According to Fitzgerald’s Head Hurricane, Robinson, Hawkinsville is due the respect. “They’re better than that.
I think they’re the best Class A team in the state.” He added, “They’ll be in the Dome and expect them to play for
it all.”
Lee Campbell, the head coach at Hawkinsville, thinks that Robinson has a good team of his own. He told a radio
audience a couple of weeks ago that Fitzgerald was the best team on their regular schedule. “They’re having some
growing pains putting in a new offense and defense, but they’ll be ready. Robinson is a defensive ‘guru’. You can
bet that a team coached by him will be a good defensive team.”
Both teams had open dates last week and very familiar with each others tendencies.
Fitzgerald’s Carlos Bell and Leo Sanchez combined to score 32 points, just three more than the Indians, to defeat
the archrival Irwin County High School two Fridays ago. The Indians got out to a big lead, but the Hurricane
players reached down deep and turned around a game that was important to the community, but particularly the
seniors.
This is the best team that Campbell has had at Hawkinsville. This is his fifth season. In addition to a winning
tradition, the Red Devils have two big time prospects in senior Charles Johnson and junior Brandon Perry.
Johnson, at 6’3” and 240 pounds has verbally committed to Georgia while Perry will be wooed by a bunch of programs
over the next year before having to make up his mind. Junior Todd Coley is the returning quarterback that calls signal for the second straight year. Last year he threw for over a thousand yards.
On paper it looks like a real slobber-knocker. Both teams have had two weeks to prepare for each other.
Hawkinsville would like to avenge their only regular season loss of 2002 and the Canes would like to keep
their record perfect.
Game time is 8:00 at Hawkinsville’s Bobby Gentry Stadium. |
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| College Canes: Fitzgerald’s Kevious Johnson featured in win over Georgia Southern...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/22/03
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Fitzgerald's Kevious Johnson scored all three touchdowns in the Wofford Terrier win
over the Georgia Southern Eagles and it was all done on the cable channel Fox Sports
South network. Last year Kevious was the all purpose leader for the Purple Hurricane
and all of Region 1-AAA. Now, as a true freshman, he has taken that talent to the next level.
Kevious scored from 2 yards out in the first quarter with 7:49 left on the clock to put the Terriers
up by 7. The extra point was added by Nick Robinson and Wofford led 7-0.
The Eagles tied the game up with 5 seconds left in the first when Kevin Davis ripped off a 34 yard run.
Sean Holland booted the extra point for Georgia Southern.
It appeared that the powerhouse GSU program was going to take control of the game when with 8:19 left
in the first half T.J. Anderson ran 19 yards for the touchdown. Holland added the extra point and the Eagles led 14-7.
The score remained the same at halftime, throughout the third quarter, and to the 8:19 mark of the fourth quarter when
Johnson added his second TD of the evening with a run from 5 yards out. Robinson added his second kick of the
night to tie the score up at 14 all.
Fitzgerald's Johnson was not finished. With 1:47 left in the game, Kevious caught a swing pass from
quarterback Trey Rodgers and raced 24 yards to put the Terriers on top to stay. The two point conversion
by Brandon Smith failed and the Terriers led 20-14.
Georgia Southern was unable to answer and the Terriers won their second game in two years against Georgia Southern
and ran their record to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in the Southern Conference.
Johnson had 81 yards on 3 carries and the three touchdowns to become the first freshman since 1989 to score
three TDs in a game.
"We knew it would be a hard fought game," Wofford head coach Mike Ayers said. "We felt like we had a good
game plan on both sides of the ball.
"I can't say enough about the way our kids competed. It was unbelievable. It was a knock-down, drag-out,
old-fashioned, jaw-to-jaw, in the trenches, get after each other's tail type game. It was super.
"Our defense takes a great deal of pride. We didn't execute at times, but we hung in there. It was a
tremendous game and a tremendous victory for our team."
The Terriers will next be in action on Saturday when they host Catawba in Spartanburg. The Eagles will
host Chattanooga at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, also on Saturday.
Note: Information for this article was taken from the websites of Wofford University and Georgia Southern University. |
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| Press Clippings: Field goal with 2 seconds makes it 4 in a row over Indians...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/12/03
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Carlos Bell scored 4 touchdowns, but it was Leo Sanchez
that claimed the winning margin in the 32-29 win over the Irwin County
Indians. With the score 29-29 and 2 seconds left on the clock, Sanchez kicked
the field goal from the Irwin County 18.
Irwin led 29-15 at the half, but Fitzgerald came back big
for the win. Bell had 171 yards on the ground that included a 40 yard TD run,
a 45 yard TD run, and an 81 yard scoring jaunt. Carlos also had 87 yards on a
kickoff return. Blake Henderson had 83 yards through the air that included 39
yards to senior Michael Mann.
Congratulations seniors as you are undefeated by the
Indians in your high school careers.
|
|
| College Canes: Fitzgerald's Kevious Johnson scores for
Wofford...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/11/03
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| One of the main highlights of the Wofford - SC State game on Saturday,
particularly to Fitzgerald fans, was the play of freshman Kevious Johnson, the
two-time All State running back of the Purple Hurricane. Kevious scored two
TDs for Wofford.
It appears that Kevious is picking right up where he left of on the
Hurricane gridiron at Wofford. We're proud of Kevious and wish the Terriers
great success as they continue the 2003 season.
|
|
| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald beats Tift County in rain and mud...
RANDY RODGERS - 9/6/03
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| In a traditional match up, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane eked out a
win over the Tift County Blue Devils. Rain and muddy field conditions were the
major factors in the game that saw standout Carlos Bell get near the century
mark for the second game in two weeks, but it was Fabian Daniels that got the TD
for the Hurricane late in the first quarter that turned out to be the winning
margin. The try for two was no good, as again the wet conditions came into play
when there were problems between the center and back in the snap exchange.
Fitzgerald will host the tribe from down south, the Irwin County
Indians, in the
annual rivalry affair on Friday at Jaycee Stadium. Irwin was victorious against
Atkinson County, 43-29, in Friday night's action.
|
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| Press Clippings: Hurricane builds with new coaching staff...
RANDY RODGERS - 8/11/03
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| All things are new again in Fitzgerald.
At least, that is, when you are looking at coaches, offensive and
defensive schemes, and football facilities.
Gone is Head Coach Robby Pruitt who presided over the revival of a program
that is numbered among the oldest in the state. In is Head Coach Robby
Robinson who comes from Metter and has coached in the Georgia Dome for the
last three years.
Robinson brings with him from Metter Brad Owens as offensive coordinator and
brother Rhett Robinson to coordinate the defense. Both schemes are new to
the guys in purple and gold.
Senior Tucker Pruitt departed the friendly confines of Jaycee Stadium to call
signals for his dad at Warner Robins in the prolific Wing T offense that
he has quarterbacked since a mere child. His departure left a hole at QB
for the Canes. Senior Trent Taylor, Junior Blake Henderson, and Sophomores
Josh Battle and Justin Newell are all getting a look to play behind center
in the wide-open spread offense.
The offense will be based out of the I formation. There will be a variety of
offensive sets. We'll try to be as balanced as we possibly can
between the run and pass. The defenses that gave me the most trouble (as a
defensive coach) were those that ran out of a variety of sets," said
Head Coach Robinson.
Defense looks to be the same scheme that Robinson used at both Metter and in
Swainsboro where he was Defensive Coordinator in 2000 when his defense
held Fitzgerald to zero points, enough for the Tigers to win the State
championship over the Canes 6-0.
Describing his defense, Robinson said that the defense that Fitzgerald fans will see
next year is based on an attacking philosophy. It will feature a five-man
front. Our defense is predicated on attacking. (Rhett) has been the
offensive coach (at Metter) and he'll take those things into his job as
defensive coach.
Region 1-AAA all-purpose yards leader Kevious Johnson graduated from the backfield
of the Purple Hurricane to go on to Wofford College, but the number two leader, Carlos
Bell, is back and looks to get the ball again as a senior when Fitzgerald is on offense.
He never needs to come off the field, said Offensive Coordinator Brad Owens. He's too
dangerous. Wherever he's lined up the defense will be looking for him to get the ball.
That gives us a lot of options. Also running out of the backfield are expected to be
Senior Dexter Boone, Junior Fabian Daniels, and Sophomore Johnathan Roberts among others.
Seniors Jerry Taylor, Gabe Justice, and Tedric Wilcox along with Junior Donte
McCray will be among others that will perform receiving services for
whomever is calling signals in the multi-faceted offense.
Senior Center Sam Rodgers and Senior Tight End Michael Mann will be back and will
be joined by seniors Luke Hatcher, Sam Scott, and C.J. Studstill as well
as juniors Matt Fletcher and Stephen Everett with sophomores Chad Thompson
and Russ Ridgeway on the line. The O line looks to be much improved from a
year ago.
Defensive lineman Rodney Milsap is a junior this year and as he gets older he gets
better and commands the attention of opposing offenses as well as college
recruiters who are hoping that he looks their way a year from now as he
readies for his senior year. When Milsap is on the field the Hurricane
defense has been most effective.
Milsap is looking to have help on the line from a cast of linemen that include
seniors Reuben Lewis and Quan Phillips Chris Slacks, and Kyle Bozeman
along with junior JoeDee Pitts and sophomore Derrick Lately. Keeping the
sweep and the option honest look to be corners Senior Tedric Wilcox,
Junior Johnny Bly, and Sophomore Josh Battle. Backers in the defense that
was evolved by Head Coach Robinson are expected to be juniors Jason Floyd
and Josh Mims along with sophomores Nate Inman and Jerad Smith. Keeping it from
going too far are predicted to be safeties Jerry Taylor, Trent Taylor, and Paul Smith,
all seniors, along with Junior Preston Scott.
The Purple Hurricane will have 1-AAAAA Tift County and AAAA opponents Crisp
County and Cairo as well as Class A powerhouse Hawkinsville and AA Irwin
County before beginning their 1-AAA region schedule at Westover on October
17th.
Expected to be the class of Region 1-AAA is last year's champion, the Thomasville
Bulldogs. The Hurricane will host the K-9s in their place on October 24th
before the Rams of Worth County also play in Fitzgerald's Jaycee Stadium
on Halloween. The Canes go to Albany to play the Golden Tornadoes of
Monroe on November 14th.
Under construction are two state of the art field houses, one at the high school
and one at the middle school, along with track and soccer fields. On the
drawing board is an addition at Fitzgerald High School that will include a
new weight room and other athletic facilities. Jaycee Stadium is in Phase
One of an expansion to seating on the home side with Phase Two slated
after the construction of the weight room addition.
Excitement is building in and around Fitzgerald as the Purple Hurricane continues to
develop towards storm strength for the August 29th season opener at
Fitzgerald against the Turner County Rebels.
Note: Randy Rodgers covers Fitzgerald High School football for the Fitzgerald Herald-Leader. He is
not affiliated with Fitzgerald High School or the Ben Hill County School System.
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