ITG-SEGA / September 2016
It was a rite of passage, a gala event that included players, coaches, cheerleaders, and even a mascot or two. The smoky aroma of grilled meats rose from the grill. Enthusiasts swapped stories and challenged each other in cornhole. Parents and supporters cheered.
And that was a good month before regulation high school football kicked off in southeast Georgia.
The 2016 In The Game High (SEGA) Media Day, sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System, served as a fitting pre-cursor to the gridiron slate now underway. The second annual event was held July 23 at the historic Waycross City Auditorium featuring coaches and players representing 17 schools from the ITG (SEGA) coverage area. Coastal Pines Technical College, Sea Palms Resort, Robbie Robertson Ford, Lee & Davis Meats, and Lang BBQ Smokers also sponsored festivities enjoyed by fans young and old.
“Around here we like to say that football season doesn’t actually have a beginning or an end,” said Shawn Smoak, publisher of ITG’s Southeast Edition. “We just have that time of the season where we play the games. And if you didn’t know any better from looking around here today, you’d wonder what time kickoff was.”
Coaches took to the podium in providing snapshots of their teams for the coming season. Key players also took the stage as journalists from media outlets throughout southeast Georgia and northeast Florida took notice. Meanwhile, the Coastal Pines Technical College mascot entertained fans and posed for photos. Elsewhere, the Ware County High cheerleaders served as hostesses while all attendees were treated to tailgate treats, courtesy of Lee & Davis meats and expertly cooked on a state-of-the-art smoker from Lang BBQ Smokers.
All head coaches entered a drawing for a smoker giveaway by Lang’s in a drawing that featured a “final four” cornhole competition. Ultimately, the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets emerged victorious in winning the smoker for their head coach, Ed Lovvorn. Sea Palms Resort also awarded a vacation getaway, won by Robbie Roberson.
Head coaches on hand included Brandon Derrick (Frederica Academy), Derek Chastain (Wayne County), Rocky Hidalgo (Glynn Academy), Larry Harold (Brunswick High), Greg Hill (Bradwell Institute), Franklin Stephens (Ware County), Welton Coffey (Camden County), Rich McWhorter (Charlton County), Kyle Langford (Bacon County), Lee Chomskis (Vidalia), Eric McNair (Long County), Mark Walker (Brantley County), and Sean Pender (Pierce County).
Garrett Cranford, offensive coordinator for Appling County, represented the Pirates. Blue-chip player and University of Georgia signee Richard LeCounte represented his team, the Liberty County Panthers. J.T. Pollock and Kirk Warner, head coaches for Appling and Liberty, were unable to attend due to prior commitments, as was McIntosh County Academy’s Robby Robinson.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much we appreciate our sponsors, the coaches, and these players,” Smoak said. “They all make the game of football possible for fans to enjoy. We are indeed thankful that we can get together for a couple of hours before the first Friday night whistle blows to help showcase talent and to say thanks.”
ITG Web Content
Media Days Marks Unofficial Start To SEGA Gridiron Slate
By John DuPont
