10U football team advances to state championship
When the regular fall season concluded at Swainsboro-Emanuel County Recreation Department, the organization selected the players who would represent the local area as district all-stars.
These teams have since played their postseasons, and one of them—the 10U football team—earned a berth to the state title game this past weekend.
Starting off postseason play for SECRD were the 8U football team as well as the 10U co-ed soccer team, both of which competed at district on Monday, November 15.
The 8U squad fell to Thomson-McDuffie 24–19. Players included Hudson Anderson, Joshua Bedgood, Cornelius Brown, Drake Clements, KJ Coleman, Micah Coxwell, William Devane, Travion Dixon, Cameron Foster, Brenden Hamiel, Moses Harden, Arshad Huston, Brooks Kirkland, Cru’shad Mincey, Christopher Outler, Mathew O’Quinn, Owain Rewis, Brayden Telegen, Malik Vinson, Emery Watson, and Ayden Wilkerson. Their coaches were Josh Clements, Cornelius Brown, Josh Coxwell, and Jessie Anderson.
The 10U co-ed soccer team won in a forfeit on opening day, allowing them to advance. However, their district run would be cut short November 18, as they lost 9–3 against Rincon. The team ultimately placed third place out of five teams. Players included Bowen Ware, N’Oreal Pierce, Abby Lewis, Lillian Hudson, Jennifer Hernandez, Christopher Coleman, Jace Henry, Rayleigh Faircloth, Adalee Bell, Luis Lopez, Ansley Frye, and Jonquin McKinney. Mitchell Hudson and Brandon Bell coached them.
A second co-ed soccer team from SECRD, the 8U group, played Wednesday, November 17. They defeated Lyons 4–0. They, too, however, would be put out the next day, falling to Glennville 10–2. The team played well enough throughout to solidify a third place finish out of nine teams. Players included Charlie McNeely, Anna Frye, Nathan Kersey, Lakelan Wilson, Hudson Ware, Brooklyn Lewis, Greyson Gowen, Benton Bishop, Walker Arp, Reese Mcneely, and Andrew Matias. Their coaches were Jansen Ware, Dean Gowen, and Payton Frye.
Swainsboro-Emanuel’s 12U footballers put forth a valiant effort of their own but fell to Dublin-Laurens 51–0 on Wednesday, November 17. (No photo was taken.) Players included Johnny Allen, Caiden Bostic, Jamario Carlton, Landon Claxton, Logan Claxton, Gabriel Coleman, Demetrius Cuyler, Kamarion Dukes, Kylin Grant, Dustin Henry, Saquan Huston, Kayden Osborne, Tristian Poole, Demauri Roberts, Kamori Smith, Malcolm Steele, Caden Waston, and Ty’Kevius Worthen. Fred Osborne coached them.
One team would advance through district play—the 10U football squad. They opened play Tuesday, November 16, beating Vidalia 38–0. On Thursday, November 18, the boys would top Effingham 34–18, advancing them to the district championship on Saturday, November 20. At that time, the local boys beat Thomson-McDuffie 26–14 for the title win, advancing them to the next round.
Swainsboro-Emanuel 10U would have a two-week break before taking on Ware County on Saturday, December 4. That hiatus proved to be harmless as the local boys beat the squad from south Georgia 19–0.
Surviving and advancing, SECRD then took on Sumer County on Sunday, December 5, to vie for the GRPA Class B 10U Southern Division Championship. Again, the opposition from south Georgia was no match as Swainsboro-Emanuel came out on top, pulling from behind to win 20–14.
With the win three days ago, SECRD will now take on the regional champion from the north in the state finals this Saturday, December 11. Game time is set for 12 p.m. in Effingham County.
Players include Chase Banks, Khymmerre Bell, Camaury Bostic, Zi’len Boynton, Banks Burke, Jay Cuyler, Ashton David, Jeffery Davis, Quinton Dukes, Hunter Fullmore, Damos Handsom, Tenojay Harris, Maddux Hendrix, Kalei Hunter, Kyle Johnson, Caleb Jones, Vaiden Kirkland, Jeriahan Miles, Justin Nobles, Chandler Smith, Dylan Steele, Eric Worthen, and Gavin Worthen. Hugh Hendrix, Bruce Sutton, Garrett Worthen, and Rafael Jordan are their coaches.
All district games were played in Effingham County.