Football Friday Night Week 2

This week my teams were 2-1. Let's see what happened this week:

WARNER ROBINS 21, NORTHEAST 20
Antavious Hawkins scored on a 3-yard run with 16 seconds left, and the extra point won the game. Chandler Dyson was 7-of-18 passing for 66 yards and a touchdown.  He rushed for 101 yards on nine carries. Warner Robins led 310-204 in total yards.

There was some bad officiating in this game.  Probably the worst in a while but both teams pushed through.  Warner Robins had a chance to pull away in this game but let Northeast back in.  The Raiders very nearly pulled off the upset.  Warner Robins continues to be undefeated in the series history.  

Next: Friday vs. Northside (Warner Robins) (1-1)

Warner Robins leads the all-time series 43-25 and have won the last nine games in the series.  They won last year's game 22-13.  I have attended this rivalry game and can tell you that you can throw out the records when these two teams meet.  Anything can happen and has happened in these games.  

VILLA RICA 27, HIRAM 9
Villa Rica football secured its first 2-0 start since 2017 with a 27-9 win at Hiram on Friday night. The game did not start out pretty for the Wildcats, but a 17-0 scoring run in the second half clinched an impressive comeback triumph. Villa Rica (2-0) fumbled on the second play from scrimmage at Hornet Stadium, giving Hiram (0-2) the ball deep in Wildcat territory. Fortunately, Michael Hilbert’s defensive group held the Hornets to only a field goal.

Villa Rica has already exceeded my expectations with their 2-0 start.  I had projected they would finish 1-9, so this is quite a start for the Wildcats.  

Next: Friday vs. South Paulding

Villa Rica is 2-6 against South Paulding but has won the past two meetings.  They won last year's meeting 31-17.  

JEFF DAVIS 42, CLINCH COUNTY 7
Clinch County, playing without four starters, scored the game’s opening touchdown on Lamarcus Bryant’s 41-yard run but was down 21-7 by halftime. Traviian Miller rushed for 83 yards on 18 carries and was 12-of-20 passing for 111 yards. Bryant had 140 yards from scrimmage. 

The Panthers last started 0-2 in 2021 when they finished the season at 3-7.  I am a bit surprised that the Panthers are 0-2 to start the season.  They will need to get it together when that play undefeated Miller County.

Next: Friday at Miller County (2-0)

Clinch County is 18-9 against Miller County and have won the past six meetings between the two teams.  The Panthers won last year's meeting 35-6.  Miller County has defeated Kendrick (51-8) and Atkinson County (51-25) to start the season.

Thoughts about Phone Zombies

I had another encounter with a phone zombie today.

There is a zombie invasion and it is people who have their faces in their phones while walking.

Have you noticed how many people walk while looking at their phones now?  It’s crazy.  Today I was nearly plowed over by someone who nearly walked into me because they were entranced by what they were doing on their phones.

I am challenged enough walking without the distraction of a phone.  

Today when I walked to return a package at UPS, I counted 22 people who were looking at their phones while walking.

 

It’s annoying when you're just walking and the person in front of you is just on their phone. How important is whatever the thing they are doing on the phone that they need to be looking at while walking.

According to State Farm, pedestrian traffic deaths are at their highest since 2009, and distracted walking is likely partially to blame. In just 10 years, there have been over 51,000 pedestrian deaths, an increase of 53%.

What is it about our phones?  Why can’t we put them away to just do the most basic tasks?

I remember when we used to be able to function without our phones.  We actually left them at home - mainly because they were wired and couldn’t be taken with us.  Yes, I’m that old.  There was no need to stay in connection with the world and nothing happened.  

I will say that phones are a great convenience.  It definitely has its advantages but we can also be too dependent on them and miss out on life and what is going on around us.

Having been seriously injured in a trip and fall a few years ago which wasn’t related to using my phone, I have tried to be more mindful of my own phone use when walking.  I will keep it in my pocket instead of holding it out in my hand to avoid the temptation of being distracted by it.  If I need to use my phone, I will stop and stand to the side to do what I need to do.

Beware that phone zombies walk among us.  Be careful and don’t become one yourself.  

Are You Ready For Some Football Reading?

As we begin another football season, I wanted to promote my inspirational football fiction book series available on Amazon.  This series follows the life of Colton Preston who grew up as a preacher's kid with a love for playing football.  Follow his journey through these three books.  

BOOK #1

PASSING TOWARD THE PRIZE

Coach Turner leaned forward and looked directly at Colton. 

“Look here Preston. You have to decide if you are going to be a leader or a quitter. A leader FINDS a way to lead. A quitter doesn’t bother to try. It’s easy to quit. Don’t pick the easy way.”

This is not the way Colton thought his high school football days would turn out for him. He is in the Class of ’82 at Tompkins County High School in the small town of Tompkinsville, Georgia. His father moves them to a new church in Savannah, Georgia. He misses his friends and his girlfriend, Belle, who are now hundreds of miles away. 

Colton also finds himself on a football team that clearly does not want him there. Starting over and dealing with these changes are difficult for any age but for a 15-year-old preacher’s kid, it adds to the challenges he faces. He is not immune to the consequences of sin and the need for forgiveness. Colton will have to trust God that all things will work together for good.

If you loved “Facing the Giants” and “Remember the Titans” you will root for Colton Preston.

Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WGKN9B

BOOK #2 

FOR A GAME SUCH AS THIS

It is estimated that over 4,000 women play tackle football in the United States.

Carrington Preston loves football and wants to play but – she’s a girl.

Carrington wants to do more than watch her football team on the sidelines.

“Dad…I have a crazy idea,” Carrington says. “I want to try out for the football team!”

Carrington begins her journey from the sidelines to the football field as she joins the Davidson High School football team.

Her dream of playing football is not an easy path as she must summon the courage of Esther to overcome challenges on and off the field. A shocking school shooting in the cafeteria changes the course of her life. The tragedy tests her faith and resolve to pursue her dream of playing football.

How will she respond when the National Football League decides to launch a women’s professional league?

Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6742TB4

BOOK #3 

AUDIBLE TO THE PROMISED LAND

Colton Preston’s life has revolved around football. He played in high school, college and the pros. His past brings him back to his old high school to be their football coach and end the state’s longest losing streak. He faces a huge task to rebuild the Tompkins County High School football program.

Once Colton has his team heading in the right direction, his star quarterback decides to come out that he’s gay on social media which rocks the team and the town of Tompkinsville, Georgia.

Colton must find a way to support his quarterback and unite the team.

He is conflicted but his wife, Belle, reminds him of his own past.

"Colton, someone has to do this. Someone has to be a leader. Remember what your old high school coach at Westside told you?"

Colton remembered what Coach Turner had said. He was ready to quit when he walked into Coach Turner's office that day. The old coach must have known what Colton was thinking. He pointed at Colton and said:

"Look here Preston. You have to decide if you are going to be a leader or a quitter. A leader FINDS a way to lead. A quitter doesn't bother to try. It's easy to quit. Don't pick the easy way.”

How will Colton find a way to lead the team and the town through the challenges ahead?

Available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCXLCHH9