The first night saw the juniors face off against the sophomores, followed by the seniors versus the freshmen. Both games were blow outs, leaving the juniors and seniors victorious. Ariana Pierner, the Juniors “secret weapon” (according to announcers) broke a record for the most yards in one game. After leading the Juniors to victory, along with star QB Taylor Rau (who plans on beating out Kyle Parker for the QB spot next year at Clemson) each player said they “were going to Disney World.”

Another junior, Katie Shreve, who had a nice pick six in the second half talked about how this year was different from last. “Its always fun to play, but this year was special because we did so good in both games.” Shreve has the wins to back up her statements. The juniors took the crown this year in the game of Powder Puff football (not literally though, we don’t want to start any fights).

The second night was the ultimate show down between the juniors and seniors, a game filled with a level of pre-season animosity that could probably make a pretty good MTV series. The final score was 27-7, the victory going to North Augusta’s junior class.  That same night, the freshmen beat the sophomores and earned their first win.

It might have been cold, but there was plenty of heat on the field during the year’s Powder Puff playoff. The juniors won the championship with two strong victories and earned the bragging rights this year.

However, with two games remaining, there is still a chance in making the playoffs, but it will not be easy. If they do make the playoffs though, expect to be on the road. Lead by coach Stephanie Ramey, the Lady Jackets’ had great wins against White Knoll, Orangeburg-Wilkerson, and Barnwell, each helping them in there playoff hopes. Senior leadership also was a big factor in the team’s success. With three of their top five players being seniors, plenty of leadership and experience was shown on and off the court. Four of those players are sophmore Taylor Elam, and seniors Macie Whatley, Brooke Busbey, and Kaitlyn Spieker. Each dramatically helped in all of the Lady Jackets’ wins. Before wrapping up, I was able to catch senior Kaitlyn Spieker for a few questions, before her having to dwell into another grueling day of practice.

1. How would you describe the season overall? We did good this season and worked hard during our matches and at practice
2. What was one difference from this year compared to last year? Well, we lost most of our top seven players, so a lot of players, including me, had to step up this year.
3. Do you feel as if the team progressed as the season did? Yes, I do feel that we got better later in the season. It is a big reason we have a chance in making the playoffs.
4. Being your senior season, what will you miss most about tennis? The new friends that I met and being apart of a team.
5. Last question, how has tennis helped you become a better person? It has helped me become more social and you meet lots of different types of people.

Three weeks of college football are over and done with, and this is my outlook through week three.

Top Ten

1.  Alabama…Mark Ingram is a bad man. Richardson isn’t half bad, either.

2.  Ohio State…Sort of like Pryor’s Heisman campain, they are close to being at the top but not there quite yet.

3.  Oregon…The Oregon offense is the only thing better than the Oregon uniforms.

4.  Nebraska…They embarrassed the future #1 pick in the NFL Draft; Mr. Jake Locker.

5.  Oklahoma…Very balanced offensive attack with RB Murray and QB Jones.

6.  Boise State…They won’t lose unless they play an actual BCS school in their BCS bowl.

7.  Arizona…11 tackles for loss against Iowa. Very impressive so far and dangerous on special teams.

8.  LSU…Defense has held past two SEC opponents to under 7 points and impressed the nation with their win over North Carolina.

9.  Wisconsin…Very strong rushing attack with two very good backs.

10.  TCU…Can’t really tell if they are real with their weak strength of schedule.

Biggest Surprise…QB Jake Locker, Washington.  He is supposed to be the #1 pick in the NFL draft next year, and has been a huge disappointment so far.  He was 4 for 20 with 71 yards against Nebraska.

Heisman…QB Denard Robinson, Michigan.  He is making defenses look like they’re standing still.  He had a combined 502 yards against Notre Dame.

Freshman of the year…RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina.  He broke 40 tackles and gained 112 yards after contact against Georgia.  The last freshman to start a season as good as this? Hershel Walker.

Best player you don’t know about…WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia.  He has had no less than 85 yards each game and lead the Mountaineers to key win over Maryland with 2 touchdowns.

Coach on the hot seat…Mark Richt, Georgia.  The Bulldogs are 1-2 and that includes 0-2 in the SEC.  Play calling has been awful and Richt isn’t letting his talented freshman QB break loose.

I don’t understand why…Clemson QB Kyle Parker didn’t come out of the game against Auburn.  Backup QB Tahj Boyd is supposed to be the greatest thing since Willy Korn (haha) and Parker looked like he was about to die out there.

QB Loranzo Hammonds lines up under center against Aiken

After a spectacular 10-1 regular season record put up by the North Augusta Yellow Jacket football team, the 2009 AAAA Football Division II State Playoffs are about to kick off with the Jackets hosting Conway on Friday in the 1st round.

Friday’s game should go North Augusta’s way. This entire season, opponents have had trouble trying to find a solution to the Jacket’s high-powered offense and aggressive defense. With standout players like Loranzo Hammonds, LJ Perry, and Matt Hazel, this team has all the pieces to go all the way this year. As long as the Jackets have confidence and stay determined, they should not disappoint fans.

Senior football player Andrew Smith said, “Well dawg, I think we can do it as long as we play up to our potential, we can’t overlook any teams.”

North Augusta has stacked up many TD drives and many defensive turnovers this season; it looks like it will be business as usual when Conway stops by this Friday. On paper, this game looks like it could get ugly before halftime. Conway has only managed to win 5 games this season and has a huge loss to 15th seed South Florence 71-21.

However, Jacket players aren’t taking the game for granted.  “We need to get all on the same page mentally, other than that, we are going to do what we know how to do best,” RB DeMarcus Rouse said, “We have a good team, I believe that we can win ”.

“I hope we go all the way, but it would suck to win the state championship the year I didn’t play”, says former DB DJ McCain.

North Augusta is the No. 5 seed in the Playoffs and is eying next week’s potential opponent who will come from the winner of the Goose Creek-Lancaster match-up.  If 13 seed Lancaster can knock off 4th seed Goose Creek, the Jackets will host another home playoff game. If they make it all the way, the latest the Jackets will play is into the month of December.

Notes:
Aiken High School still made the playoffs despite of losing to NA last week 35-7, but they should have an early exit since they have to play No.1 seed Berkeley this Friday.

photo by aikenstandard.com

On Thursday, October 22, the Lady Jackets geared up to play Richland Northeast for a make-up match due to rain. The team ended up winning 5 games to 1, with wins from Grace Manci, Kaitlyn Kennamer, Ashlyn Kelly, Taylor Elam and the doubles team that consisted of Macie Whatley and Brooke Busby. The scores were: Manci- 7-6, 6-1; Kennamer- 6-4, 6-2; Kelly- 6-1, 6-2; Elam- 6-1, 6-1; Whatley and Busby- 6-3, 6-2. This match led the Jackets to have to play another match to determine whether they would be playoff bound or not.

The following Monday, the team traveled to Richland Northeast in hopes of winning big and making it to playoffs. However, only two players won matches. Ashlyn Kelly won her match 6-2, 7-5, and Taylor Elam won her match 6-0 (W), 7-5 (L), and the tiebreak was 10-7.

While playing in Richland Northeast, senior player Kaitlyn Kennamer, suffered an injury. Kennamer bruised her patella on a deuce point that was also a set point. Her opponent shot a ball to the far side of the court, and Kennamer ran wide and fell on her knee. When she later tried to serve, her knee gave out.

The tennis team had thirteen players, seven of whom were seniors. When looking back at the season, seniors Grace Manci, Anna Flouras and Ashlyn Kelly all agreed, “The bus rides, the food, and the people were the best part!” They also said, “It’s bittersweet that the season is over. We didn’t think we would be that sad, but we are. We’re going to miss the people, but it’s okay because we are still going to do stuff as a team!”

Tennis Team Roster and Rankings
1- Grace Manci
2- Kaitlyn Kennamer
3- Anna Flouras
4- Ashlyn Kelly
5- Taylor Elam
6- Macie Whatley
7- Brooke Busby
8- Rachel Riley
9- Margaret Ann Williams
10- Logan Smith
11- Kaitlyn Spieker
12- Aubrey Lamar
13- Grace Flanders

The Florida Gators lead the BCS with 6-0 record and a .989 BCS average. 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow fully recovered from his nasty concussion at the Kentucky game, and was medically cleared to play at the Louisiana State game. The senior quarterback played well, leading to another big win for the Gators. This past weekend was nothing short of a nail biter, as the Gators took on Arkansas in what was projected to be an easy win. Uncharacteristically, Florida struggled to hold on to the ball all day long. Gator offense left Tebow uncovered, allowing for six sacks. Defensively, Florida gave up some big plays downfield.

Tebow says he honestly thinks they won the game “because of heart. We were not going to let each other down.” The 23-20 win over Arkansas put the Gators down on the AP rankings, moving Alabama up to first, and Texas remaining third.

“I’m not happy where we are at right now,” Coach Urban Meyer said.

However, no complaints were issued from the Gators as BCS standings were released Sunday afternoon. Florida was right where they wanted to be: still number one. Florida takes on Mississippi State this weekend.

The Crimson Tide has been slowly on the rise under head coach, Nick Saban. But will he be enough to put Alabama back where they once were under Bear Bryant‘s famous coaching?

Saban said a few days before the Carolina game, “[It’s] The passion to want to do it, the passion to stay with it, the passion to continue to go through the grind, and there are numerous teams every week that have a difficult time with that and don’t play well.”

The number four defense of the mighty elephants played a little less than spectacular. For a hardcore fan, close to unbearable. However, Alabama took on the number five defense of the Carolina Gamecocks this past weekend and pulled out a 20-6 victory. It was a messy, uncommon game full of turnovers, sacks, personal fouls, and interceptions. Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was no one to be impressed with, and Tide quarterback Greg McElroy’s performance was acutely under par. Saturday night made it clear that quarterbacks are not always your MVPs. In the final minute of the game, Alabama made their last reassuring touchdown, run in by Mark Ingram, a Hesiman nominee. This victory made all the games Alabama has played so far double-digit wins.

Spurrier seems to be on fire about his SEC loss. He has made allegations against Alabama, claiming the Crimson Tide holder put a small piece of white tape on the ground to spot PATs and field goals, then quickly put the tape back in his pocket after the kick. SEC officials have said to be looking into the claim, and Alabama coaches have been reminded of the rules on placekicks as well.

The messy Florida win was enough to vault Saban over the Gators in the AP standings with 1,447 points, and Florida with a close 1,434. Florida still clings to their number one BCS rank. Alabama faces off with the Tennessee Volunteers this upcoming Saturday.

TYJ: How long have you been swimming?
Clara Formby: I’ve been swimming for Hammond Hill Swim Team since I was five, so about eleven years. But I’ve been swimming for the Varsity team since I was in seventh grade.

TYJ: How did you do this year?
CF: I didn’t make it to state, but I dropped fifteen seconds off my 100-yard butterfly since the beginning of the season.

TYJ: What interests you the most about swimming?
CF: I spend all my summer at the Hammond Hill pool life-guarding, and swimming comes naturally to me. All my siblings swim, so I was kind of born into it. Plus I like the fact that no one smells bad, because we all smell like chlorine.

TYJ: How do you find time to be such an involved student?
CF: I live by my agenda! I dedicate a certain amount of time to swim practice, then I do all of my homework, and if I can, I try to go to church.

TYJ: Do you plan to keep swimming all through high school?
CF: Yes! I definitely want to continue swimming throughout high school. However, I don’t want to swim in college. For a club maybe, but not for the school itself.

TYJ: Is there anything you don’t like about swimming?
CF: Well, towards the end of September and the beginning of October, it gets really cold, especially when we have morning practices! When I first jump in, my legs go numb and I’m freezing, which is bad because I hate being cold! Plus it’s not exactly warm at 5:30 in the morning. But I warm up within the first eight or ten laps.

“She’s good at everything she does,” says Senior Stacey Scaggs. Scaggs has played soccer with Keely since seventh grade, and basketball with her since the two were age ten. Gillespie plays defensive left back in soccer and a defensive specialist in volleyball. Her best Cross Country time is nineteen minutes and forty two seconds on a three and one tenths course. Senior teammate Hunter Smith says, “Keely is a beast! She beats half of the boy’s times.” Smith has run with Keely for four years.

During her free time, Keely says she catches up on school work. Her favorite of all the sports she has participated in would have to be soccer. “We’re just more connected as a team, and we’ve worked together the longest. I guess it’s the experience.” Keely has offers from University of South Carolina Aiken for Soccer, and a Cross Country offer from Spartanburg Methodist College. She is still debating on which sport to play at the college level.

Gillespie aspires to be a pediatric nurse. After college, she does not plan on continuing her athletic career unless she has children: “Maybe I’ll coach if I have kids. Who knows?”

This impressive tri-athlete’s most memorable moment was last volleyball season during practice when senior pictures were set up in the gym. Teammate Haley Burleson was chasing after a ball to prevent any damage to the set up when she tripped on the curtain and brought the entire picture set up to the ground on top of her. “That was one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen,” comments Keely.

“I don’t think I have any strengths,” states Gillespie, “but I have a low confidence level. I think that’s my weakness.” Some would consider her humbleness as her most admirable quality. Emma Bach, senior volleyball teammate says, “Keely doesn‘t realize how good she is. Or she doesn’t want to admit it.”

“I guess I’m better at soccer,” she finally concedes. Gillespie, Scaggs, and teammate Nina traveled last summer to Las Vegas to guest play for the Honolulu Bulls.

Gillespie loves all of her coaches, and says that Sawicz, her soccer coach, is probably the most inspirational. “He has coached me in all three sports at some point in time. I think he knows me as an athlete best.”

Keely Gillespie is considered an athlete in every aspect of the word. She has attempted each sport that has been thrown her way. Keely also excels in the classroom. Whichever college Keely chooses to take the offer from should know what a lucky, talented catch they have reeled in.

Mustafa Greene vs The Black Death
One of the most highly recruited running backs in the state is Irmo’s Mustafa Greene. ESPN.com ranks him as the second best running back in the state and the 27th best running back in the nation. North Augusta High School’s senior linebacker, Dillon Temples, said “This week is an extremely big game against our toughest opponent this year. Mustafa Greene is a great running back. He has good vision, makes great cuts, and has amazing top end speed. So, as a defense, it’s back to the basics. This week especially, defensive players have practiced breaking down and making tackles in teh open field. Everyone has upped the intensity this week. In every drill we focus on what the coaches are trying to teach us and we have all been playing a lot faster. When it comes down to it, if our defensive unit can shut down Greene, we will be successful. Getting all eleven guys to the ball fast has been a major priority.”

NA’s ability to make big plays vs Irmo’s ability to stop big plays
No doubt about it, the NAHS Yellow Jackets have the athletes to make big offensive plays, but the Jackets may fall into trouble considering Irmo has the ability to stop big plays. Look for North Augusta to try and find an early rhythm with an intermediate passing and interior running game. “If we remember our assignments, capitalize on turnovers, and give each play 100% we can be successful against Irmo” said senior wide-receiver Matt Hazel.

As the football players say, “What we do today will determine our place in North Augusta High School football history,” this phrase will take on so much more meaning on Friday. So come out and support North Augusta as they play their region rivals the Irmo Yellow Jackets. You never know, this could be history in the making. .

As the team was getting in to warm up, the water was not as cold as the team was expecting. It was perfect because the water has a lot to do with how well the swimmer performs.  If it is too hot then the water is very thick and murky. If it is too cold then it is just very uncomfortable for the swimmer. Shelby Fuller a senior on the team knows this from experience because when the water is to hot or too cold it makes it harder for her to breathe which causes her to have asthma attacks. The pool in Aiken was just right though, Shelby stated before jumping into to the pool, “tonight is going to be a great night to win.”

That is just what the girls went out to do. The whole North Augusta girl’s team made Coach Joy and Coach Chris very happy by beating Aiken 180 to Aiken’s 105. The boy’s team swam very well and had a very good meet but lost by only 4 points, Aiken 145 to North Augusta 141. Everyone did a great job, to reach his or her goals to go to state.

With one more meet before state it was crucial to a couple of swimmers to make the state time in their events. Regions are the only other meet the swimmers could make the time.