More than 200 high school football fans, coaches, and players converged on the REA Building in downtown Waycross for the inaugural Media Day for In The Game Magazine’s Southeast Georgia edition in late July. Members of the press were on hand to interview coaches and players to get their thoughts on the upcoming high school football season.
“This is the start of high school football season in Southeast Georgia,” said Shawn Smoak, publisher of In The Game’s Southeast Georgia edition. “We had 18 coaches, plus players, fans, and media, and it was the perfect way to kickoff the year. You could feel the excitement building for football.”
The day got underway with the patriarch of Southeast Georgia football taking the stage, Charlton County head football coach Rich McWhorter, who is going into his 26th year at the Indians’ helm with a record of 261-63-2. He has led the Indians to the playoffs every year he has coached, and he has earned four state championship rings. He was honored as the 2013 In The Game Coach of the Year.
Coach McWhorter was followed by Bacon County High School’s head coach Ken Cofer, Jeff Davis County High School’s head coach, Roger Metts, new Long County coach Eric McNair, Brantley County coach Mark Walker, third-year Frederica Academy coach Brandon Derrick, and McIntosh County Academy coach Robby Robinson, who returns for his second stint with the Buccaneers. Among the players he brought to the stage was up-and-coming running back Malcolm Myles, who is looking forward to a big season this year. Also stepping up to the podium was 2011 In The Game Coach of the Year J.T Pollock from Appling County. Liberty County coach Kirk Warner, who is in his 13th season with the Panthers, said that he has several Division I prospects, including senior Martial Washington and junior Richard LeCounte, who was recently named one of the top prospects from the class of 2017. Wayne County High School coach Jody Grooms introduced standout linebacker Jeremiah Littles, who hopes to help the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back region titles.
Two of the new schools who enter the Southeast Georgia area this year were at Media Day: Vidalia High School (with coach Lee Chomskis) and Toombs County High School (with second-year coach Lyman Guy). The Toombs County schools will be covered by ITG starting with the 2015 season.
New Brunswick head coach Larry Harold introduced some of his top players, including sophomore quarterback Randon Jernigan, athlete Shawn Smith, and hulking offensive lineman D’Ante Demery, who is one of the most recruited players in the area as a junior. Coach Rocky Hidalgo from Glynn Academy introduced running back Garrison Hurd, who will be playing both ways for the Terrors again. Second-year Ware County coach Franklin Stephens hopes to repeat as undefeated region champions this year. He brought along Georgia Tech commit Dedrick Mills and linebacker Ervin Nard. Pierce County High School coach Sean Pender, the 2014 In The Game Coach of the Year, made the short trip from Blackshear with several players, including quarterback Stetson Bennett. Former Georgia Southern quarterback and Bradwell Institute head coach Greg Hill was the big winner of the day. He went home the winner of a drawing for a new $1,000 smoker from Lang Smokers of Nahunta. Media Day was sponsored by Mayo Health Clinic in Waycross.
SE-SF-0915-Media Day
By Rob Asbell
Inaugural Media Day Draws Coaches, Players and Fans
