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Click on a headline below
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| Postseason Superlatives: Eleven Canes named to
All-Tiftarea team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/31/06
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| Postseason Superlatives: Six Canes named to Thomasville newspaper's
All-Region 1-AA team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/31/06
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| Postseason Superlatives: Five Canes named to
GSWA All-State team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/24/06
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| Postseason Superlatives: Six Canes named to
All-Middle Georgia team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/24/06
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Six Canes have been named to the All-Middle Georgia team. They are:
Third team: Travis Fleming and Jarrell Paschal
Honorable mention: Brent Gordon, Dion Ross, Corey Taylor, and Nick Williams
Congratulations to these players on achieving this honor.
All-Middle
Georgia Football Team 2006 (Macon Telegraph)
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| Postseason Superlatives: Three Canes named to AJC
All-State team...
MIKE KITCHENS - 12/23/06
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Three Canes have been named to the AJC AA All-State team. They are:
First team: Travis Fleming
Honorable mention: Brent Gordon and Jarrell Paschal
Congratulations to Travis, Brent, and Jarrell.
AJC
Class AA All-State List (AJC)
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| Postseason Superlatives: Travis Fleming named
to GACA North-South roster...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/20/06
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| Phun with Photoshop: Motivational Posters...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/16/06
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| Auld Lang Syne: Former Hurricane head coach retiring...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/13/06
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Lynn Hunnicutt, who coached Fitzgerald in 1981 and 1982, is stepping down from the head coaching position at Pepperell
after a long and successful career. His stint at Fitzgerald was his first head coaching job. He moved to Pepperell in 1983
and continued a career that included a 186-94-1 record, three region championships, and a state championship in 1990. Coach
Hunnicutt played his college ball for Vince Dooley at UGA and was a team captain in 1972. He will remain at Pepperell as
a teacher and as the school's AD.
Coach hanging up his whistle (Rome News-Tribune)
Fitzgerald coaching history (PHDC)
Lynn Hunnicutt's UGA football card (PHDC)
Congratulations to Coach Hunnicutt and good luck to him in his future endeavors.
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| College Canes: Fabian Daniel named MSC All-Conference...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 12/5/06
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| Scoring Summary: Bleckley vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 12/5/06
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Fitz vs Bleckley County, 10-19, 111706
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
04:20 Bleckley 5 yard run, Rozier (6); EP, Brown (7), NG. Fitz 0, Bleckley Co 6.
2nd Quarter:
08:07 Fitz 33 yard FG, Ayala (16). Fitz 3, Bleckley Co 6.
00:56 Bleckley 20 yard pass, Brown (7) to Hall (84). EP, 2-pt. conversion attempt, Brown (7) to Hall (84), NG. Fitz 3, Bleckley Co 12.
3rd Quarter:
06:52 Fitz 2 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 10, Bleckley County 12.
4th Quarter:
09:33 Bleckley 6 yard run, Rozier (6); EP, Brown (7). Fitzgerald 10, Bleckley Co 19.
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| Auld Lang Syne: 1960 Offense Picture...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/30/06
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1960 Offense Picture
Thanks to the Fitzgerald Herald-Leader for the picture and to the Fitzgerald Herald-Leader, Bill VanSickler, and Billy
Chambless for help in identifying what year the picture was taken.
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| Press Clippings: Bleckley-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/13/06
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| Miscellaneous: Game History Added...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/20/06
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Fitzgerald football game history can now be found in the History section. Make sure the read the
"Notes and Acknowledgements" to find out the particulars on the information in
the database.
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| Phun with Photoshop: Priceless...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/18/06
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| Press Clippings: Bleckley-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/16/06
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| Press Clippings: Brooks-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/13/06
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| Scoring Summary: Brooks vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 11/13/06
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Fitz vs Brooks County, 20-16, 111006
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
02:21 Fitz 2 yard run, Ross (32); EP Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Brooks County 0.
2nd Quarter:
03:29 Fitz 1 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Brooks County 0.
3rd Quarter:
07:53 Fitz 5 yard run, Ross (32). EP, Ayala (16), NG. Fitz 20, Brooks County 0.
01:58 Brooks Co 3 yard run, Morley (44); EP, 2-pt. conversion, Cody (18) to non-rostered (17). Fitzgerald 20, Brooks County 8.
4th Quarter:
07:45 Brooks Co 1 yard run, Cody (18); EP, 2-pt. conversion, Cody (18) to non-rostered (17). Fitzgerald 20, Brooks County 16.
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| Miscellaneous: Player of the Game and Coaches Show pics...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/10/06
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| Press Clippings: Brooks-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/9/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Cook post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/6/06
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Cook...
RANDY
RODGERS - 11/6/06
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Fitz vs Cook County, 35-21, 110406
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
05:53 Cook 23 yard run, Merritt (24); EP, Dobbins (43), NG. Fitz 0, Cook 6.
01:34 Fitz 6 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Cook 6.
2nd Quarter:
00:25 Cook 8 yard pass, Goff (17) to Chester (25); EP, 2- pt. attempt, Goff (17) to Merritt (24). Fitz 7, Cook 14.
3rd Quarter:
03:20 Fitz 5 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Cook 14.
00:53 Cook 15 yard pass, Goff (17) to Inman (6); EP, Dobbins (43). Fitz 14, Cook 21.
4th Quarter:
07:18 Fitz 28 yard pass, Taylor (5) to Pruitt (12); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 21, Cook 21.
05:29 Fitz 30 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 28, Cook 21.
02:28 Fitz 2 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (17). Fitz 35, Cook 21.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Cook pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 11/2/06
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| Press Clippings: Thomasville-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/30/06
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| Scoring Summary: Thomasville vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/30/06
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Fitz vs Thomasville, 14-10, 102706
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
10:00 Fitz Safety (ball snapped through end zone on punt attempt). Fitz 2, Thomasville 0.
04:26 Thomasville 22 yard FG, Vann (40). Fitz 2, Thomasville 3.
2nd Quarter:
01:33 Thomasville 94 yard run after fumble recovery, Jackson (13); EP, Vann (40). Fitz 2, Thomasville 10.
3rd Quarter:
03:25 Fitz 2 yard run, Williams (24); EP; 2-point attempt, Taylor (5), NG. Fitz 8, Thomasville 10.
4th Quarter:
09:00 Fitz 2 yard run, Williams (24); EP, 2-point attempt, NG. Fitz 14, Thomasville 10.
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| Press Clippings: Canes to host familiar Thomasville...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/26/06
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Fitzgerald and Thomasville football go way back. The Purple Hurricane and the Bulldogs played some of the early
football games together back in the 1920’s. The Canes beat Thomasville in 1948 for the South Georgia Championship
before going on to win the state championship. Last year, Fitzgerald defeated the Bulldogs in the first round of
the play-offs. They have a history.
Last year the Canes were in Region 2-AA, but re-alignment plopped the region champion Purple Hurricane in Region
1-AA and right square in the middle of a group of competitive teams. The Canes have measured up, so far, having
gone 5-0 and knocking off region favorite Early County last Friday.
The next threat to breaking the undefeated streak on the year is that Thomasville team, the one that the Canes
know so well. The Fitzgerald-Thomasville series goes back to 1922 when Coach Duncan’s Canes lost 15-0 in Thomasville.
The overall record is 8-4-2 with the Bulldogs holding the advantage. The Canes hold the edge since 2000 when the
recent series was renewed, both playing in Region 1-AAA. The Canes knocked off the Dogs that year, 35-7, to plunge
themselves in the middle of the state title race. Fitzgerald is 3-2 since 2000. Last year the Hurricane knocked off
the boys from Thomasville 28-0.
The 2006 version of the Bulldogs are led by Junior Ken Dixon, 568 yards through the air and 311 yards on the ground
at quarterback. Tyrone Williams, a sophomore, has 362 yards in seven games, a 4.9 yards per carry average running
out of the backfield. Jermain Johnson leads the Bulldogs with 41 tackles on the year followed by Willie Bradshaw
with 35 and Oscar Jackson with 40.
Fitzgerald fans are anxious to see fullback Nick Williams, a senior, who has 698 yards on the season with three
games to go in the regular season. Dion Ross, also a senior, has 606 yards and a huge 13.2 yards per carry average.
On defense, seniors Brent Gordon and Jarrel Paschal lead the Canes. These leaders and their defensive unit held
the prolific Early County offense to minus one yards total rushing on the night.
“They’re a real good team with a great coach. They’re relatively young, playing a lot of sophomores and they have
a lot of speed,” said Fitzgerald head coach Robby Pruitt. “They run some option, a little misdirection, toss sweep.
The quarterback is pretty slippery.” He added, “They’re a real good football team. They’ve won five straight,
they’re on a roll.”
Fitzgerald is 7-0 on the season (5-0 in the region) and the Bulldogs are 5-2
(5-0 in the region).
Said Coach Pruitt, “Our kids are playing hard with a lot of heart right now. They’ve played through a lot of
adversity; some of them have been playing through pain and injuries.”
Game time is 7:30 for what is the reprise of the first round match-up from last year. The crowd at Jaycee Stadium
promises to be large so Hurricane fans will want to arrive early to get a good seat and support our hometown Purple
Hurricane.
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| Press Clippings: Thomasville-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/26/06
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| Auld Lang Syne: 1975 Team Picture...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/25/06
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| Press Clippings: Early-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/23/06
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| Scoring Summary: Early vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/23/06
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Fitz vs. Early County, 33-14, 102006
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
10:48 Fitz 12 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Early County 0.
06:43 Fitz 48 yard run, Williams (24); EP, 2-pt. conversion, Williams (24). Fitz 15, Early County 0.
2nd Quarter:
06:37 Early 1 yard run, Taylor (4); EP, Bryant (14). Fitz 15, Early County 7.
01:42 Fitz 26 yard FG, Ayala (16). Fitz 18, Early County 7.
00:05 Fitz 32 yard FG, Ayala (16). Fitz 21, Early County 7.
3rd Quarter:
06:27 Fitz 7 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16), NG. Fitz 27, Early County 7.
00:57 Fitz 8 yard advanced fumble recovery, Alexander (6); EP, 2-pt. conversion, NG, Williams (24). Fitz 33, Early County 7.
4th Quarter:
06:43 Early 49 yard pass, Taylor (4) to Lee (1); EP Stamper (15). Fitz 33, Early County 14.
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| Press Clippings: Early-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/19/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Berrien post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/16/06
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Berrien...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/16/06
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Fitz vs Berrien County, 49-0, 101306
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
08:00 Fitz 6 yard run, Paschal (34); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Berrien County 0.
04:30 Fitz 4 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Berrien County 0.
00:09 Fitz 6 yard run, Paschal (34); EP, Ayala (36). Fitz 21, Berrien County 0.
2nd Quarter:
03:13 Fitz 1 yard run, King (36); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 28, Berrien County 0.
01:47 Fitz 1 yard run, Taylor (1); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 35, Berrien County 0.
3rd Quarter:
07:38 Fitz 8 yard pass, Taylor (5) to Pruitt (4); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 42, Berrien County 0.
4th Quarter:
10:58 Fitz 4 yard run, Stewart (29); EP, Meza (14). Fitz 49, Berrien County 0.
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| Miscellaneous: The O-Line visits WRDO before the Dodge game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/15/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Berrien pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/12/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Albany post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/9/06
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Albany...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/9/06
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Fitz vs Albany, 56-0, 100606
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
04:29 Fitz 25 yard pass play, Taylor (5) to Pruitt (12); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Albany 0.
02:11 Fitz 13 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Albany 0.
00:00 Fitz 7 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 21, Albany 0.
2nd Quarter:
08:06 Fitz 10 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 28, Albany 0.
06:46 Fitz 20 yard run, Williams (24). EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 35, Albany 0.
00:17 Fitz 80 yard interception return, Taylor (1). EP, Ayala (16) Fitz 42, Albany 0.
3rd Quarter:
06:33 Fitz 14 yard run, Taylor (1); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 49, Albany 0.
4th Quarter:
11:00 Fitz 59 yard run, King (36); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 56, Albany 0.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Albany pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/5/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Dodge post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 10/2/06
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. Dodge...
RANDY
RODGERS - 10/2/06
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Fitz vs Dodge County, 30-3, 092906
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
03:55 Fitz 77 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala – NG. Fitz 6, Dodge Co 0.
2nd Quarter:
09:48 Fitz 47 yard FG, Ayala (16). Fitz 9, Dodge Co 0.
3rd Quarter:
08:27 Dodge Co 26 yard FG, Kirtz (41). Fitz 9, Dodge County 3.
08:12 Fitz 3 yard run, Williams (24; AP. Ayala (16) – NG. Fitz 15, Dodge Co 3.
4th Quarter:
07:35 Fitz 4 yard run, Ross (32); EP, two point conversion, Ross (32). Fitz 23, Dodge Co 3.
03:49 Fitz 1 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 30, Dodge Co 3.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-Dodge pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/28/06
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| Auld Lang Syne: 1970 Team Picture...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/27/06
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1970 Team Picture
Thanks to the Fitzgerald Herald-Leader for the picture and to Louie Harper for providing the names.
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| Press Clippings: Mitchell-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/26/06
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| Scoring Summary: Mitchell vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/26/06
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Fitz vs. Mitchell County 092206
September 22, 2006
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
07:14 Fitz 33 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Avila (16). Fitz 7, Mitchell County 0.
00:28 Fitz 2 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Avila (16). Fitz 14, Mitchell County 0.
2nd Quarter:
11:07 Fitz 11 yard pass, Taylor (5) to Pruitt (4); EP, Avila (16). Fitz 21, Mitchell County 0.
08:50 Fitz 1 yard run, Ross (32); EP, bad snap –NG. Fitz 27, Mitchell County 0.
06:15 Fitz 56 yard run, Taylor (1); EP, Avila (16). Fitz 34, Mitchell County 0.
3rd Quarter:
02:10 Fitz 20 yard run, Thomas (2); EP, Avila (16). Fitzgerald 41, Mitchell County 0.
4th Quarter:
(None)
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| Press Clippings: Mitchell-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/21/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald mascot named by AJC as
one of the ten coolest in the state...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/19/06
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| Miscellaneous: Additional pictures added
thanks to Herff-Jones/Owens Studio and Band Boosters...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/19/06
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| College Canes: Troy Williams and Kevious Johnson have big games...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/18/06
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Troy had a key interception, seven tackles, and a goal-line stop in ASU's win over Stillman last Thursday.
Albany State 14, Stillman 7
Kevious rushed for 129 yards and a TD in Wofford's near-upset of South
Carolina on Saturday.
South Carolina 27, Wofford 20
Congratulations to these former Canes on their strong performances.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-RC post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/18/06
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| Scoring Summary: Fitz vs. RC...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/18/06
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Fitz vs. Randolph-Clay 091506
September 15, 2006
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
10:43 Fitz 58 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Randolph-Clay 0.
2nd Quarter:
06:29 Fitz 4 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Randolph-Clay 0.
03:33 Fitz 3 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16) - NG. Fitz 20, Randolph-Clay 0.
03:12 Fitz 38 yard run, Taylor (1); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 27, Randolph-Clay 0.
3rd Quarter:
07:26 Fitz 3 yard run, Taylor (1); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 34, Randolph-Clay 0.
01:25 Fitz Fumble recovery in end zone, Massee (13); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 41, Randolph-Clay 0.
4th Quarter:
10:22 R-C 33 yard pass, (6) to (18); EP, (8). Fitz 41, Randolph-Clay 7.
01:37 R-C 23 yard pass, (6) to (12); EP, (8) - NG. Fitz 41, Randolph-Clay 13.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald-RC pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/14/06
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| College Canes: Updates on Josh Battle and Nate Inman...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/5/06
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| Scoring Summary: Irwin vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 9/1/06
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Fitz vs. Irwin County, 090106
September 1, 2006
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
03:45 Irwin 37 yard FG, Wolfe (12). Fitz 0, Irwin County 3.
2nd Quarter:
06:49 Fitz 31 yard FG, Ayala (16). Fitz 3, Irwin County 3.
02:20 Fitz 2 yard run, Paschal (34); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 10, Irwin County 3.
01:50 Fitz 5 yard run, Paschal (34); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 17, Irwin County 3.
3rd Quarter:
08:50 Fitz 6 yard run, Williams (24); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 24, Irwin County 3.
05:24 Irwin 36 yard FG, Wolfe (12), Fitz 24, Irwin County 6.
4th Quarter:
02:41 Fitz 5 yard run, King (36); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 31, Irwin County 6.
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| Press Clippings: Irwin-Fitzgerald post-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 9/1/06
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| Press Clippings: It’s Irwin!...
RANDY
RODGERS - 8/30/06
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In the last regular season of the year, the league-leading Purple Hurricane was dependent on a fumble
in the last few moments of the game to survive with an unblemished Region 2-AA record. That game was
against a super-motivated Irwin County team that came within one miscue of upsetting the highly ranked
Purple Hurricane.
Well, it’s Irwin, again. The game won’t count in the league standings, but in the area of bragging rights,
it’s everything.
The Hurricane is changing leagues, as are the Indians. Fitzgerald will play in the super-competitive
Region 1-AA while the Indians drop down to Region 2-A. As the competition goes, it won’t be any easier
for Irwin in a region that features some pretty high-powered programs.
Irwin will be led this year with junior Loren Purvis behind center. Gone are P.J. Florence and Chavarious
Charlton, but you can bet there will be some Irwin County running backs to plug those holes to run out
of Jute Wilson’s Wing T backfield.
Fitzgerald’s attack will be led by Robby Pruitt’s stable of backs, a seemingly never-ending supply of
quality athletes. Running out of that backfield will be Jarrell Paschal, Corey Taylor, Dion Ross, Nick
Williams, and a host of other Canes that will help to put together Robby Pruitt’s own version of the
Wing T zig-zag-zoom.
“They look pretty good,” said Coach Robby Pruitt. “They’ve got two big backs that know what to do with
the ball.” He added, “You know how that game is. It’s always going to be a tough one. They’ll play us
better than they play anybody else.”
Mike West’s defense will be changing up schemes a bit, but look for his placement of pieces of the puzzle
to get the most out of a unit that lost significantly through graduation. “We’ve got to play with a tenacity
about us,” said West. “If we don’t bring our A game, we’re going to get our butts beat.”
The Hurricane holds a formidable lead in the all time record, 42-21-2, and a current win streak of six
games.
Game time is 8:00 Friday night at Fitzgerald’s Jaycee Stadium. The season/home opener promises to be full
of fireworks and old time Fitzgerald-Ocilla tradition. It’s Fitzgerald-Irwin, Friday night at the stadium.
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| Press Clippings: Irwin-Fitzgerald pre-game...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/29/06
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| College Canes: Roy Williams joins his brother, Troy, at Albany State...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/28/06
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Roy Williams has transferred to Albany State and will be playing on the ASU
football team with Troy, his twin brother. Roy had previously been attending
school and playing football at Fort Valley State.
2006 Albany State roster
As a result of Roy's transfer, Fitzgerald will now have two sets of brothers
playing college ball together. Coach Pruitt's sons, Tyler and Tucker, are
playing football at Valdosta
State.
Good luck to these former Canes during the upcoming season.
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald #10 in preseason
AJC AA poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/28/06
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| Scoring Summary: Turner vs. Fitz...
RANDY
RODGERS - 8/26/06
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Fitz vs. Turner County, Pre-season Scrimmage, 082506
August 25, 2006
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
06:32 Fitz 10 yard pass reception, Taylor (5) to Austile (84); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 7, Turner County 0.
2nd Quarter:
07:48 Fitz 18 yard run, Paschal (34); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 14, Turner County 0.
00:29 Fitz 15 yard run, Ross (32); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 21, Turner County 0.
3rd Quarter:
08:44 Fitz 19 yard run, Taylor (1); EP, Ayala (16). Fitz 28, Turner County 0.
03:51 Turner 37 yard pass reception, Brock (1) to Smith (18); EP, NG. Fitz 28, Turner County 6.
00:19 Turner 10 yard run, Brock (1); EP, NG. Fitz 28, Turner County 12.
4th Quarter:
09:39 Fitz 5 yard run, King (36); EP, NG. Fitz 34, Turner County 12.
01:50 Fitz 6 yard pass reception, Atkinson (9) to Stewart (29); EP, Roberts (22), 2 points. Fitz 42, Turner County 12.
00:00 Turner 30 yard pass reception, Lawhorne (2) to Parker (29); No EP attempt. Fitz 42, Turner County 18. |
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| Miscellaneous: 2006 team picture added
courtesy of Anderson Photography...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/19/06
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| College Canes: Kevious Johnson named
preseason 2nd team All-SoCon and HM All-American...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/16/06
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| Press Clippings: Fitzgerald #5 in preseason AP AA poll...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 8/15/06
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| College Canes: Pictures of some College Canes in the 40's and
50's...
MIKE KITCHENS - 8/6/06
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| Miscellaneous: Summer roundup...
FITZGERALD
HERALD-LEADER - 8/6/06
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| Guest Column: Blood, sweat, and years of playing football in Jaycee Stadium...
JOHNATHAN
ROBERTS - 4/1/06
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(Note: Johnathan played for the Canes this past year, but he has already graduated from
FHS and is now at Georgia Southern. This is an essay he wrote for his English
class at GSU. Thanks to Johnathan
for letting me share this on phdc. - MK)
I sit in my locker awaiting deployment. Just on the other side of the wall and through the door, battle
awaits me. The popcorn has been popped. The boiled peanuts have been boiled. The stage is set. My homeland has been invaded by a foreign kind. They stand upon, “The Swoosh,” my logo on the center of the field.
They are those who do not believe that purple and gold rules the world. They are those who do not appreciate
Fitzgerald, Georgia’s rich heritage. I enlisted in this army of a football team to defend Fitzgerald High
School, my home front, at all cost. I love this place. It breathes. It is alive. It is electric. It is
Jaycee Stadium. After all, I learned everything I need to know in life here--playing football--in the
battlefields of Jaycee Stadium.
Football has taught me the importance of teamwork. All it takes is one person to be out of sync to ruin
a play. When watching a single play it seems to zoom by, but in reality it can last a lifetime. I am an
offensive-minded person who without any doubt enjoys lighting up the scoreboard. My objective is to score
touchdowns, which is easier said than done. There are so many things that must go right. Due to dark forces
the situation may take a turn for the worse, and that is why scoring touchdowns can be as complicated as
giving birth.
Scoring touchdowns is an adrenaline rush. They are unpredictable. My coach is the commander-in-chief. He is the
big man -- the head honcho. The quarterback is the signal caller. He is tall and slender and sports the number two.
My Wing-T style huddle consists of my army’s best soldiers; this is where we plan our attack. It also provides the
stench of clammy football. We break to our assign areas ready to defend the purple and gold. I taste the blood from
the cut on my lip. As we approach the trenches of battle we scan the enemy’s counter attack. I check to my right and
left while sweat gently trickles down my face. I realize I may never have a chance to fight with such brave men again.
I see all the purple reigning from the stands which consequently propels me to destroy. Tears fill my eyes; however, I
am not sad for us. The tears are for my opponent—the enemy—the tormentor. This is when I get mean. War begins. I see
two of my soldiers down on the mushy turf.
Here is my opportunity to strike. I plant and I cut up ripping a plug from soggy grass. Someone shouts, “Run!
Run!” My tank is almost empty, but the goal line is in sight. I juke, I spin, into the arms of the enemy, but I
break free only for a respite. “He’s on your tail!” someone barks. I speed up. My enemy’s last line of defense
awaits me on the goal line. “Mayday! Mayday! Kill shot!” I repeat, “Kill shot from the right!” My tight end has
the number 82 plastered on his jersey. He serves as an air assault pilot who seems to protect from the stormy
sky above. He replies, “Roger that,” as he swoops pass me to plow down the defender. Then for a moment I hear
nothing. I stare off into Heaven. I remember where I started from. I thank Him, for it is God who has made this
way. It is He who created my utopia, Jaycee Stadium.
“Touchdown! Touchdown!” the commentator blasts over the PA system while gurgling down his Diet Coke. The Marching
Canes erupt. The bass drums thud. The trumpet player is slightly off key. The Purple Girls chant cheers and the
Purple Nation joins in with the chorus to screech the fight song: “We are the Hurricanes! We are the best! We are
the ones who beat all the rest!” I feel someone come scoop me up to sit on their shoulders. My soldiers and I
rejoice. The eagle has landed. Mission accomplished. Over and out. Once more Fitzgerald High School has been
defended successfully.
That is what a play is like on the battlefields in Jaycee Stadium. From that one play I learn to work with others.
I learn how to trust another person with my life. I learn to compete. I demonstrate my patience, my dedication,
and my passion for football. These are the lessons I learned and the attributes I gained playing football through
the years in Jaycee Stadium. I bleed Purple. I sweat Gold.
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| Miscellaneous: New blog covers Purple Hurricane baseball...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 3/16/06
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James Taylor, a former Cane baseball player (class of 1989), has started a blog
covering Purple Hurricane baseball. You can view it by going to http://fhsbaseball.blogspot.com/.
James will be providing information on the team and its games.
James has always been a big Cane fan and, besides being a former player, has
some strong ties to the current team. His brother, Harvey, is one of the coaches
on this year's squad. Harvey used to pitch for the Canes and went on to play
college baseball. Also, James' nephew (Harvey's son) Brad Taylor is a freshman
on the varsity squad this year.
Thanks to James for stepping up to the plate (pun intended) and volunteering to
give us updates on the 2006 Diamond Canes.
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| Miscellaneous: Fitzgerald wins second consecutive state title
in weightlifting...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 3/15/06
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Fitzgerald has repeated as the state weightlifting champions by winning the team
title in the recent meet held in Perry. Fitzgerald had a higher score than all
the other teams in the state (including 21 total AA teams and 84 teams across
all classifications). Fitzgerald's team total of 22 points clinched the title
for them. Appling finished second in AA with 10 points. Dacula (AAAAA) finished
second in all classifications with a team total of 20 points.
In the individual weight classes, Fitzgerald had one second-place finish (Nate
Inman), two third-place finishes (Kiyati Nicolas and Byron Scott), and two
sixth-place finishes (Chad Thompson and Jarrel Paschal).
Congratulations to the team and to Coaches Mike Booth and Randy Garrett.
2006 State Championship
weightlifting results (from Hawkinsville Red Devil website)
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| College Canes: Pictures of some recent College Canes...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 2/14/06
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Here are some former Canes who played (or are still playing) college football.
Thanks to Troy Williams for sharing these.
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| College Canes: Nate Inman signs with West Georgia...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 2/1/06
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Nate Inman has signed on to play football with West Georgia College. During his
senior year, Nate was Honorable-Mention AJC All-State, 1st Team GSWA
All-State, 1st Team All-Tiftarea, 2nd Team All-Middle Georgia, and 1st Team
All-Region 2AA. He was also named the Offensive Player of the Year for the
All-Tiftarea team and the All-Region 2AA team.
Congratulations to Nate on his gridiron success and good luck to him as he moves
on to the college level.
Five players from the
area ink with colleges (Tifton Gazette)
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| Auld Lang Syne: Former Fitzgerald coach takes job at college level...
MIKE
KITCHENS - 1/12/06
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