By: Michael Spiers

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The legends of Camden County athletics are about to take center stage once again.

The Camden County High School Athletics Hall of Fame has announced its second induction class, and it is a group filled with iconic names, championship pedigree, and unforgettable memories that helped shape the rich tradition of Wildcat athletics.

The 2026 induction ceremony is scheduled for June 20 at the Camden County High School Fine Arts Building, and for longtime Wildcats fans, the evening promises to be both a celebration and a walk through decades of sports history.

This year’s class honors three legendary individuals along with two state championship teams that helped establish Camden County as one of Georgia’s premier athletic programs.

Among the headliners is the late J.C. Outlaw, better known throughout southeast Georgia as “The Voice of the Cats.”

For nearly four decades, Outlaw’s voice became synonymous with Camden County athletics. Beginning in 1982, he broadcast Wildcat football and baseball games and became a fixture in the community through his work with the Camden County Quarterback Club and youth sports.

For generations of Camden fans, Friday nights simply sounded different because of Outlaw. Whether the Wildcats were making a playoff run or battling through the regular season, his passion and energy brought the action to life for listeners across the region.

His induction serves as recognition not just for his broadcasting career, but for the impact he had on the culture surrounding Camden County athletics.

The class also includes Tyrone “Ty” Jones, one of the greatest football players to ever come out of Camden County.

Jones built a remarkable professional career in the Canadian Football League after starring at Camden County High School and later at Southern University.

Jones became a CFL legend during a nine year career that included multiple All-Star selections, Grey Cup championships, and a Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.

He still holds Winnipeg Blue Bombers franchise records and remains one of the most decorated defensive players in CFL history.

His journey from St. Marys to professional football stardom remains one of the greatest success stories in Camden County sports history.

Joining Jones in the Hall of Fame class is Kenneth “Ken” Ellis, another football standout whose career reached the highest levels of the NFL.

Ellis, a former Green Bay Packers star and Packers Hall of Fame inductee, earned All Pro honors and multiple Pro Bowl selections during his professional career.

Ellis’ accomplishments helped pave the way for future generations of Camden athletes dreaming of playing football at the next level. His success on Sundays brought national recognition to southeast Georgia long before Camden County became known statewide for its football dominance.

The Hall of Fame class will also honor two championship teams that occupy special places in Camden County sports lore.

The 1999 Camden County boys track and field team captured the Georgia High School Association Class AAAA state championship and cemented itself as one of the top athletic teams in school history.

Meanwhile, the legendary 2003 Camden County football team will finally receive its place in the Hall of Fame after delivering one of the greatest seasons ever seen in Georgia high school football.

Coached by Jeff Herron, the Wildcats finished a perfect 15-0 season and captured the program’s first state championship by defeating Valdosta 21-7 in the Class 5A title game.

That team’s dominance was staggering. Camden allowed only 47 total points all season and helped launch what would become one of the most successful football dynasties in the state.

For many Wildcat fans, the 2003 championship remains one of the defining moments in Camden County sports history.

The evening will begin with a VIP and honorees reception from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are currently available for both the VIP experience and the ceremony itself.

More than anything, the event represents an opportunity for the Camden County community to celebrate the athletes, teams, and voices that helped build the tradition Wildcats fans still cherish today.