Boring Sports Summer
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Welcome to what is becoming an annual “It’s been a long sports summer, the Braves are still in last place, and I can’t possibly write another preseason article on SEC Football” story from yours truly.
For someone who writes stories on southern sports I like to refer to these days as the ‘Bob Ross’ days. You know, as in I’d rather watch that man with the glorious fro paint pictures of mountain ranges than subject myself to following whether or not the Hawks are going to give some guy I’ve never heard $5 million dollars a year to sit the bench.
Should Fred McGriff Be In Hall Of Fame?
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Another year, another Hall of Fame vote, and this weekend, another induction ceremony that will not feature Fred McGriff.
The slugger has been on the MLB Hall of Fame ballot for seven years now, and has garnered enough support to remain on the ballot for each following year, but has never come close to sniffing the 75% required to gain entrance into Cooperstown, by far baseball’s greatest and most rare honor.
Shawn Smith To Shine
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Brunswick High senior wide receiver Shawn Smith is about to embark on his final season in the Blue and Gold. The 5’11 170 pound Smith is committed to play football in 2017 for Coach Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks. South Carolina will be getting a deep threat and great athlete in Smith once his Pirate playing days are over.
Peach State Recruiting Wars
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In college football, recruiting is the lifeblood of every program since schools must replace their entire roster no more than every five years.
Fortunately, football programs located within the state of Georgia typically do not need to travel too far in order to find players.
Frederica 2016 Preview
By: John Wetzler
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Frederica Knights football team stalled in the playoffs last year with a heartbreaking loss to Gatewood.
The bright side of last year’s season was that Frederica was able to compete in the playoffs with only 4 seniors and a roster of nearly 30 players at the end of the season, many of whom were underclassmen.
ACC Atlantic Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Last season was a good year for the ACC.
Clemson won their first 14 games of the season before losing to Alabama in the national championship. The ACC Atlantic has been the best and most consistent division for the past five years. I’m going to predict the standings for the division.
SEC Drama
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
SEC Media Week is a lot like Chinese food. While it’s taking place you absolutely love it and can’t seem to get enough. Once it’s over though you realize that you feel utterly unfulfilled.
There is nothing of any substance that you take away.
There is however, a whole lot of entertainment.
Promising 2nd Half For Braves?
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Braves rebounded from a paltry and powerless 15-36 record through the first two months of the 2016 season to play competitive baseball in June and July, heading into the All-Star break with a 31-58 record.
Still, with multiple trades already completed and host of options remaining, the Braves figure to be one of the more active teams in the second half; both on the trade market and with intriguing minor-league decisions.
Let’s take a peek at some of the storylines we’ll be keeping an eye on through the next few months of Braves baseball.
2016 Brunswick Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It is football time in Coastal Georgia, and with all of the hype in Glynn County pointing to the south end of town the Brunswick High Pirates located on the north side of Brunswick are left wondering where is the love.
The Pirates coming off a very disappointing 3-7 season in 2015 look to rebound in 2016 returning 18 starters who started at one time or another in 2015.
Southeast GA Recruits
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Here at the Southern Sports Edition, we have long been writing about the level of football talent in our area.
We have seen a tremendous uptick in the attention that our kids are receiving from both the national media as well as the college coaches.
It’s not only in the Brunswick area, but this talent boost also includes our surrounding areas too. Other schools in the 912 area are just as loaded with amazing talents.
Places like Liberty County, Pierce County, and Toombs County will be similar to Glynn County in the fact that the eyes of the college football recruiting world will be watching to see how and where some of these high school players will continue their education and playing careers. Let’s take a look at a few of the standouts in our surrounding area.
Liberty County High School is no stranger to being in the football spotlight. Just a couple of years ago, Raekwon McMillan was one of the top high school players in the country. Now his cousin, Richard LeCounte, finds himself in the same spotlight.
LeCounte is one of the top playmakers in the country. While LeCounte plays on both sides of the ball, his best position seems to be safety.
Not only is LeCounte a stand out on the gridiron, but he was also a vitally important player on the basketball court. It is this kind of athleticism and playmaking ability that is needed to take the Bulldogs from really good to elite in the college football world. The newly awarded LeCounte was the first recruiting commitment for new Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.
Smart made him a priority in this 2017 recruiting class. LeCounte has been one of the most vocal and active leaders of the recruiting class and has played a big-time role in helping to recruit more in-state kids to stay home and play for the home state Dawgs. Look for LeCounte to maintain his commitment to Coach Smart and Georgia.
Over in Pierce County, Coach Sean Pender has the Bears rolling. The player who Coach Pender trusts to lead his high-octane offense is quarterback Stetson Bennett.
Bennett is able to make all of the throws in the spread offense that Coach Pender utilizes, but also has enough athletic ability to make plays with his feet when a play breaks down.
Bennett reminds me a little bit of former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. While rated a two star, when you take a look at his game film, his playmaking ability shows up time and time again.
Bennett currently holds offers from Georgia Southern, Mercer, and Middle Tennessee State among others. Bennett could be a great fit for new Eagles head coach Tyson Summers, or with the expected great season look for Central Florida coach Scott Frost to possibly come in with an offer. Bennett would be a great fit in Frost’s high-octane offense.
Over in Vidalia, there is linebacker Nate McBride. Usually it is the onions that make opponents cry, now it is McBride.
Simply put, McBride is an athletic freak. The top rated linebacker in the country is 6’2” 225 pounds and was timed at 10.68 seconds in the 100 meters. McBride was forced to sit out last season after breaking a bone in his left hand, and then he broke his right wrist after an auto accident.
McBride has offers from virtually every power five school in the country. Georgia, Alabama, and Oregon appear to be the top schools, but it seems that Georgia has edged just ahead in recent weeks. McBride would be a major cog in the class of 2017 for the Bulldogs.
So, that is a few more of the amazing talents here in the 912 area code. When Friday night high school games arrive, if your local school has a bye week, make plans to go see some of these big-time talents this season.
