MCHS Fall Sports Banquet

Senior players (kneeling, L-R) Josh Broxton, Shawndre Sheffield, Breche Leonard, Josh Rahymes, Bret Snow, Zenario Shuler; (back row) Chris Riggins, Sukena Diamond, Olivia Andrews, Isabella Lawson, Kyla Moye, Macey Richardson, Frank Sisson, LeAndra Kelley, Erika Benton, Chelsea Freeman, Dillon Spurlock, Jordan Foster, Jacquel Igles, Aaron Hayes, and Cosby Salters The program got underway with senior Bret Snow welcoming everyone and senior Josh Broxton giving the invocation. Once again Ms. Kay Fleet’s lunchroom staff prepared a delicious evening meal consisting of oven baked chicken, whipped potatoes, string beans, rolls, strawberry cake, and ice cold sweet tea.

After the meal, the principal, Mr. Robert McIntosh, gave recognition to the superintendent and board of education and thanked everyone for coming out to show their support of their son or daughter. Coach Susan Wade and Coach Amanda Nowell were the first to give recognition to the 2009-2010 Varsity Cheerleaders and how hard they have worked. The 2009-2010 Varsity Cheerleaders are seniors: Breche Leonard (captain), LeAndra Kelley, (co-captain), Erika Benton, Sukena Diamond, Chelsea Freeman, Kyla Moye, Jordan Foster; juniors: Salina Diamond, Brooklyn Kimble, Victoria Newberry, Sharita Sims, Kaycee Varnum; Sophomores Jasmine Bush, Laural Durham, Brittany Houston, Jessica Smith; Freshman—JiMia Cooper, Jodie Haverty, Ashton Mock, last but by far not the least, our very own Miller County Mascot—Senior Bret Snow. A big thank you goes out to all these lovely young ladies who decorated for the banquet. The MC school colors of red and white were displayed throughout the lunchroom. Coach Wade stated that the girls will be receiving their recognition at the Spring Banquet.

Miller County Fall Cheerleaders (front row, L-R): JiMia Cooper, Jessica Smith, Brett Snow, Sukena Diamond, Breche Leonard, LeAndra Kelley; (back row) Jodie Haverty, Laurel Durham, Jasmine Bush, Ashton Mock, Victoria Newberry, Sherita Sims, Brooklyn Kimble, Selena Diamond, Brittany Houston, Kyla Moye, Chelsea Freeman, Jordan Foster, Kaycee Next on the program was Varsity Softball recognition given by Coach Joni Cook Williams and Coach Jara Lane Miller. Coach Jara told the audience about our girls winning sub-region, and their records were 14-7 overall and 11-1 in the sub-region. Coach Williams and Coach Miller presented each girl a Sub-Region Medal as they were recognized. The 2009-2010 Varsity Softball Team consisted of three seniors—Olivia Andrews, Isabella Lawson, and Macey Richardson; four juniors-Jamie Cowart, Jenna Phillips, Weisha Sheffield, Mary K. Spooner; one sophomore- Sabrina Granade; and six freshmen- Rachel Grimsley, Amber Lovering, Ashton Mock, Morgan Mock, Densie Varnum, and Alea Worsley. There were five young ladies who made the All –Region, and they are Jenna Phillips, Olivia Andrews, Isabella Lawson, Sabrina Granade, and Jamie Cowart. Coach Joni then stepped up to the podium with a sparkle in her eyes; she began to thank everyone who had made this year softball season a huge success, and they were her parents-Joe and Glenda Cook, Mr. McIntosh, Woodie Kirkland, Eddie Whitaker, Ms. Glenda Bailey, and all the parents and Pirate fans who came out and gave their all.

Senior football players (kneeling) Josh Broxton; (standing, L-R) Zenario Shuler, Cosby Salters, Shawndre Sheffield, Trevonti Barber, Josh Rahymes; (not pictured) Juwan Jones Senior football players receiving sub-region patch are (L-R) Chris Wiggins, Josh Broxton, Shawndre Sheffield, Josh Lamar, Dylan Spurlock, Zenario Shuler, Josh Rahymes, Aaron Hayes, Cosby Salters. After recognition, Coach Joni and Coach Jara presented the Lady Pirate Award to senior-Isabella Lawson; Coaches’ Award was presented to Macey Richardson and Weisha Sheffield; Defensive Player of the Year was presented to Senior Olivia Andrews; Offensive Player of the Year was presented to Amber Lovering and Jamie Cowart. Most Valuable Player Award was presented to Senior Isabella Lawson. Isabella’s batting average was 484. Wow! Congratulations, Isabella! Then seniors--Lawson, Richardson, and Andrews presented Coach Joni and Coach Jara a gift of appreciation for all coaching ability and leadership on and off the field.

Softball players receiving awards were (kneeling, L-R): Jenna Phillips, Amber Lovering; (standing) Coach Joni Williams, Isabella Lawson, Macey Richardson, Olivia Andrews, Coach Jara Miller, and Weisha Sheffield. Last but by far not the least was the recognition of our 2009 Varsity Football Team. Head Coach Frank Killingsworth was the first to speak. He stated, “We ended up 9-3 in the region; we won subregion, and these young men have put in a lot of hard work and time. I want to say ‘thank you’ to the Booster Club, cheerleaders, parents, school staff, Mr. Robert McIntosh and the Pirate fans who gave so much support this year. I am proud of this group of athletes and what they have accomplished the last four years. Our record stands for the last four years as 29-18; we won two sub-region titles, and one region title.”

Sportswriter Glenda Bailey thanks players and parents. Then Coach Killingsworth recognized the managers of the team, and they were Frank Sisson, Alex Warren, and Adrel Bowden; statistician: Jason Suggs and “film crew” Ralston Blake. Next Coach Killingsworth, along with Assistant Coach Jason Houston, presented each football player from freshmen to juniors a 2009 Sub-Region Patch; beginning with freshmen--Jacolby Jones, Marvin Grant, Chandler Tabb, Alec Anderson, Jakell Roseborough, David Sisson, Tyris Bush and Jordan Callan; sophomores— Dewayne Logan, Trevonti Barber, Ricardo Wililams, Adrian Hayes, Nick Price, Alec Cobb, Jacquel Ingles, Janorris Mitchell, and Ty Sheffield; juniors— Caleb Cunningham, Marcus Bullard, Eddie Moore, Shaw Edwards, Tyalor Henry, Jarrett Rahymes, Brian Lovering, Lee Nix, Jerry Edwards, Cory Hart, Brandon Mathis, and Juwan Jones.

Next the Mighty Seniors were recognized and presented a Sub-Region Patch beginning with Zenario Shuler, Cosby Salter, Aaron Hayes, Shawndre Sheffield, Josh Rahymes, Dylan Spurlock, Stanley Carr, Chris Wiggins, Josh Broxton and Josh Lamar.

Next on the program was the presentation of awards beginning with Assistant Coach Woodie Kirkland presenting the Best Receiver Award to Cosby Salters; Assistant Dick Griffin presented the Most Improved Player to Josh Broxton. Assistant Coach Scott Warren presented the Best Defensive Lineman Award to Juwan Jones. Assistant Coach Nate George presented the Best Back Award to Zenario Shuler and the Best Runningback Award to Shawndre Sheffield. Assistant Coach Jason Houston presented to Cosby Salters the Best Line Backer Award. Cosby had 108 tackles, made All Region 1-A and was chosen as one of the Dynamic Dozen. Head Coach Frank Killingsworth presented the Coaches’ Award to Josh Rahymes and the Pirate Award to Trevonti Barber; and the Most Outstanding Player Award was presented to Shawndre Sheffield.

The Booster Club president, Mrs. Terri Cunningham, and her husband Mr. Michael Cunningham then presented senior awards to seniors for their dedication to the Athletic Program beginning with Olivia Andrews, Josh Broxton, Sukena Diamond, Chelsea Freeman, LeAndra Kelley, Isabella Lawson, Kyla Moye, Macey Richardson, Shawndre Sheffield, Frank Sisson, Dylan Spurlock, Ericka Benton, Stanley Carr, Jordan Foster, Aaron Hayes, Josh Lamar, Breche Leonard, Josh Rahymes, Cosby Salters, Zenario Shuler, Bret Snow, and Chris Wiggins.

Principal Mr. Robert McIntosh gave closing remarks thanking everyone –Ms. Glenda Cook, Ms. Casey Holt, Former Coach Renza Israel for coming and giving his support, to all the parents and Pirate fans – thank you for making this Fall Sports Banquet a huge success. Then senior Olivia Andrews gave the benediction.

So another Miller County Fall Sports Banquet has come to an end. Again thank you to all who made it a memory not only to the athletes but to the parents as well. May God Bless each and every one of you seniors and whatever road you decide to travel down- always remember to put God first and you bleed Pirate colors! gb

NOTE: To the Miller County Football Team along with the coaches, parents and Pirate Fans- I want to say ‘Thank you” for accepting me for me. I do not profess to be a professional sports writer, but I try to do the best I can for our teams. I have loved football all my life, and every touchdown that has been scored for Miller County, I feel as if I have run with you. It is such excitement to sit up in those stands and watch “my boys” out on a field. If I could take the adrenaline that I feel inside of me as I watch any of you running for a touchdown and throw it out to you, Hey—we would be at the Georgia Dome every year winning, winning, and winning! I know some might think that I am crazy up there yelling and cheering, but that is who I am. I am a Pirate, and I am proud to say that I am from Miller County. I am proud of our school system, faculty, staff and students. There was a time that I was ready to give it all up after Bart and Heath graduated. I felt as if I could not go back and sit there watching someone else wear my sons’ numbers. But two young men by the names of Colter Harrell and Brandon Miller came to me and said I could not give it up; they needed me on Friday nights. It would not be the same if I wasn’t there writing down plays or cheering. Yea, I am guilty of yelling out their names, but I want the team to know that I am there, right there for them, not for “show” but for them. I don’t know what me rooting for our team means to anyone, but to me –it is showing our football team that I am here cheering, rooting, backing , or whatever word I can come up with—I am here, and I believe in each and every one of you out there on that football field. I used to tell Bart and Heath that when you think you have given your all—dig a little deeper and you will find more strength. I know how all other mothers feel sitting up there in the stands on Friday night watching their sons playing. You are afraid they might get hurt, that is a chance our sons take, and you have to believe in them and put them in God’s hands. To the young men who are wearing the numbers 56 or 62 or maybe the number 80, wear those jerseys with Pirate Pride because my sons did, and now I have their jerseys where I can see them and reminisce when they played football. There have been times that I have pulled out old football tapes and watched them. So, parents, if your son or daughter wants to play sports, please don’t hinder them, encourage them to participate in school sports. Again I cannot thank every one enough for the love that I felt last Thursday night at the Fall Sports Banquet. Thank you, Josh Broxton, for your kindness and love along with the football team. I will wear my jacket along with my shirt with Pirate Pride.

Ms. Glenda Bailey- Miller County Sports Writer