High School Sports
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Oconee County High School Football Works to Combat Nationwide Concussion Trend
As both a father and the head football coach at Oconee County High School, Travis Noland understands the risk of concussion that comes with the game that has shaped him and his sons. Noland’s son Zeb, the graduate assistant turned starting quarterback at the University of South Carolina, was in…
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Local Football Star Focused on Legacy Over Limelight
Jefferson, Georgia. isn’t necessarily known across the country as a hotbed for high school football talent. Malaki Starks is an exception. While he’s committed to play college football at the University of Georgia for Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, Starks says he is first committed to his Jefferson High School…
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Social Media Expands Opportunities In Sports News Industry
Long before Wes Blankenship was hosting a podcast for the University of Georgia Athletic Association alongside former Bulldog quarterback D.J. Shockley, he was a sports anchor for WMAZ-TV in Macon, Georgia. Even back then, Blankenship’s faith in social media was as strong as it is today. “Even while I was…
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Athens-Area Athletes Turn to Social Media to Get Recruited in Pandemic
Clarke Central High School soccer player Hazel Fairbairn is just one of many prospective college recruits struggling with how recruiting has changed in the pandemic. Fairbairn, a late entry into the recruiting process, has had a very unorthodox experience. “Since camps are being shut down and delayed,” Fairbarn said, “it…
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Battle of the bands: Athens-Area High School Marching Bands Adapt to COVID-19 Restrictions
High school football was back this fall in the Athens area, but with a different atmosphere. Because of pandemic protocols, the bands were limited in practice and were farther away from the action on Friday nights, which affected teams, cheerleaders and fan participation. Ethan Strang and George Zeliff are reporters…
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Some Athens-Area Teams Defy Odds With Winning Ways During Pandemic
Five months ago, high school sports in the fall seemed like an impossible reality. Athens-area teams, though, found a way to brave through regulations, uncertain schedules and a world of competition never experienced before. “We’re just so thankful to be out here and also thankful to still be healthy,” North…
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COVID-19 Protocols, Revenue Losses Challenge High School Athletic Directors in Athens Area
High school athletic directors in Athens have a much more difficult job this year. Between preventing the spread of COVID-19 and dealing with the financial impact of protocols, athletic directors are trying to keep sports teams playing. Ryan Kerley and Anna Marian Block are reporters for Grady Sports Bureau.
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Football Coaches in Athens Area Manage Much More Than Playoff Aspirations Amid Pandemic
Football coaches at Oconee County High School, Athens Academy and Clarke County High School had to find a balance between keeping their teams competitive and keeping their teams healthy this season. Amelia Green and Josh Talevski are reporters for Grady Sports Bureau.