By: Charlie Moon

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Charlton County Indian baseball coach Thad Marchman told me, “Our players and community take a lot of pride in our field.”

I had no idea where he was going after asking him about Charlton’s (Folkston, GA) hometown feel.

I wondered, “Is this guy ok?” It’s a busy week for him, but…..more on that later.

This weekend, for my third consecutive year, I’m honored to call the GHSA A-Div. 2 State Championships at Georgia Southern’s JI Clements Field. I feel like an honorary Tribe Nation member.

The #1 ranked Indians (36-2, 20-0) battle #2 ranked, fellow Region 2 rival, Lanier County (32-9, 15-5) – a 3-game series.

For the Tribe, it’s familiar territory. Since Marchman took over in 2007, Folkston’s diamond boys have won 3 state and 10 region titles, including a state title last year.

The only thing between them and a possible 3rd consecutive state title, is a 2022 mis-played deep left field fly ball on a late-night cloudy, hazy sky against Metter, at JI Clements Field.

…..back to why Marchman talked about their field, when discussing Folkston pride.

“First thing we did when I started was, improve our field. Our players and community take a lot of pride in it. It’s beautiful…come a long way. All players have a role making it that way and keeping it that way.”

I knew where he was going now.

“That’s a reflection of our town. The common ground of small-town high school athletics builds the hometown feel, taking pride in how we represent our community when we play, keeps it that way.”

And it’s not just baseball. In the modern era, between baseball, football and hoops, Charlton owns 7 state titles, 36 region titles and 7 state runners-up.

Although Charlton has had long-time athletics success, baseball was a doormat – until Marchman arrived in 2007.

“We immediately focused on the field so our players would have a place they were proud to play. Then we focused on discipline, then on performance.

We finally started to see some success in 2011. We made the state playoffs for the first time since like 1977.”

Marchman doesn’t worry about private schools poaching players either.

“I have to coach the players that live in my county. Whoever is there, that’s who I am going to coach. If they want to be with us, great. If not, that’s ok too.”

Charlton and Lanier call the Okefenokee Swamp their backyard. They’ll shut down their towns, drive to Statesboro, and decide a state title.

One thing is for sure. The Indians of Charlton will bring every bit of hometown pride that JI Clements Stadium can handle!