C. Maybe Ortiz
The Eatonton Messenger
So far, so good. Not good enough for Coach Charles Winslette to use an overall superlative, mind you, but some of the efforts so far of the Greene County High School 2010 football team have appeared to be excellent.
"Athens Academy has a very good team this year," observed Athletic Director Willis McKithen, yet Greene County was able to come back from the scrimmage in Watkinsville on Friday, Aug.13, with a 35 - 14 triumph.
Similarly, the Aug. 20 home opener against Hancock Central ended 34-6 in favor of Greene County, but the opposition didn't score against the first string.
Energetic Sam Barnhart is this year's starting quarterback. Strong and daring, Barnhart has let loose with some lofty passes, mostly in the direction of wide receiver Horace Griffin.
But Barnhart's running game has been essential to spark the offense.
He had a number of more-than-first-down gains in the Athens Academy scrimmage and tallied the first two touchdowns of the Hancock game on quarterback keepers.
Lantrez Rivers uses his low center of gravity to elude the defense.
He's the go-to back, especially in tight situations, and he also contributed two rushing scores to the win over Hancock.
Senior Rodriguez Shelton (#25) and junior T.J. Brown (#28) are two more running backs of note on this 54-man squad, both showing speed and elusiveness.
The track accomplishments of sprinter D'Ondre Ruff (#27) will hopefully translate into bursts of yardage.
With only one returning starter, the all-senior offensive line seems to be holding up well.
Centered by Trevor Wright, the guard positions feature the serious strength of Terry Surgick, Jr., and Doug Jackson, while the tackle slots are filled by Larry Grimes and team captain Ronald Blair.
Eden Rodriguez and Alfonza Turner also bring size and desire to the line.
Sophomore Rikeem Stallings chased down numerous ball carriers in the early season. He is often assisted by senior defensive backs Alterreek Branch and Robert Smith.
The kicking game is particularly strong this year with senior soccer players Victor Tirado and Dale Barnett adding to the scoreboard.
It will be interesting to see if Tirado gets the opportunity to improve on his best effort with a near 50-yard field goal this year.
Much of the snap to the 2010 squad is due to the exceptional talent brought by the volunteer and staff coaches. "I am especially pleased with my coaching staff -- they are doing a fine job getting the young men ready to play," emphasized Coach Winslette.
Tonight's (Aug. 27) home game against Hephzibah will be the last opportunity to enjoy the GCHS team in Greensboro for a while. They're open on Labor Day weekend, coming back with an away game at Pike County on Sept. 10. Northeast Macon will travel to Greene County for the next home game on Sept. 17.
The two tri-county rivalries feature Putnam at Greene on Oct. 1 with the final game of the GCHS regular season in Madison against Morgan County on Nov. 5.
