Madison County's Patrick McCrary was named to the All-Conference SSAC basketball team. McCrary's Emmanuel College Lions are playing in the SSAC tournament this weekend in Rome, Georgia but McCrary will be watching from the bench. He suffered a broken arm last week in last week's action.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
'Coach Griff' has influenced many on and off the diamond
Column posted in the Feb. 24 issue of the Madison County Journal. To subscribe to the Journal visit www.mainstreetnews.com
By Dallas Bordon
His “field” of dreams has always kept him busy and he still spends many hours there all through the year.
His “field” of dreams has always kept him busy and he still spends many hours there all through the year.
“I do believe it is
something he really enjoys. He is always so proud to hear from his players
and/or their parents after they have graduated no matter where their paths led
them, he is still very interested.” These are words echoed from Kelli Griffeth,
wife of long time Raider baseball coach Charlie Griffeth.
This month, “Coach Griff” as he’s known by his players and friends enters his 26th season as the Madison County High School baseball coach. During those years he has seen players come and go. He has been one of the most respected coaches around and although he is said to be a man of a few words, he still gets his point across and he still seems to produce a winner.
During the years of Griffeth’s reign many of his Raiders have continued their baseball careers at the college level and one even reached the major leagues. Jake Westbrook now with the St. Louis Cardinals and the winning pitcher of game six of the World Series was just one of Coach Griffeth’s ace men on the mound in the mid 90s.
“He knew we had good talent and he pushed us to be our best,” said Westbrook who originally signed with Georgia before being drafted. “We never had an easy practice, but he did a great job getting us ready to play.”
Raider alum Adam Swann, who continued his baseball career at the University Of Georgia, said Griffeth was and still is a coach that expects a lot from his players only because he puts a lot into his players and the program.
“I’ll never forget when I was a freshman, I was walking across the field to get the tarp off the mound and Griff yelled for me to get the lead out of my butt, In other words, don’t walk across my field; pick up the pace,” said Swann who admitted he liked the bluntness and toughness of Coach Griff.
Westbrook made his debut to the show with the New York Yankees in the late 90s but was originally drafted out of high school by Colorado.
“Griff was good about handling all my calls from professional and college scouts and setting up their visits to the games,” said Westbrook. “He never told me who was coming or when because he didn’t want to add stress before the game.”
Prior to Westbrook and Swann’s successful runs in the 90s, power hitting Andrew Bullock said Griffeth’s knowledge of the game is rare in a high school level coach.
“He ran practice like a Division I team,” said Bullock. “He ran practices in periods and each had been thought out to get the most of each day. Our preparedness was second to none.”
While Westbrook describes Griffeth as a hard nose coach who knows how to get the most out of his players, Bullock and Swann both echoed the same thought.
“He had a knack for getting the best out of us,” said Bullock. “He knew who would excel by being pushed a little harder mentally and who would do better being left alone.”
Swann as a freshman claimed that the coach was much harder on his players but mellowed out during his senior season.
“I think coach getting married to his wife Kelli had a lot to do with him mellowing out,” said Swann.
Charlie Griffeth married his wife Kelli in 1996 following the summer baseball season. They have two boys, Tyler, 13, and Logan, 9, whom Griffeth spends as much time as possible watching their games or teaching them how to hunt.
“He’s a devoted dad,” said the coach’s wife. “He does miss out on a lot of their activities during spring, but he attends whatever he can even if it means he goes straight from his practices and field work to their games even if he hasn’t been home or had dinner.”
As for the man off the field, Griffeth is an easy going person according to his wife.
“He’s pretty much what you see is what you get,” said Mrs. Griffeth. “He really makes no appearances or bones about anything and his temperament is really easy going.”
Griffeth’s wife is appreciative of the fact that he never shows frustration or disappointments after a game around her or their boys.
“He’s just Charlie, the husband and dad here at home,” she said. “He really leaves the game at the field.”
Griffeth shows his dedication not just to baseball or his responsibilities at home but also the Middle School where he serves as principal of House 1300. He is described by his co-workers as being very laid back with the kids and is very good with putting things into perspective.
Born and raised in Athens and a 1977 graduate of Clarke Central, Griffeth played both football and baseball under legendary coach Billy Henderson. His college days consisted of playing baseball for North Greenville, West Georgia, and Columbus College. He also coached at Griffin High School in Columbus for one year and also at Columbus College for five years prior to Madison County.
Whether it’s the Charlie Griffeth who wears the hats of “hard nose coach,” dedicated dad and husband, or laid back co-worker, he has become one of the most respected men to those who know him best.
“Coach Griff got the most out of us and pushed us to be the best we could be,” said Westbrook. “Looking back now I can really appreciate that because it made me a better player and I’m very appreciative. He has a great work ethic.”
“It was an honor and a pleasure to get to play for him,” said Andrew Bullock.
“We had a great group of guys and we enjoyed ourselves. Winning is fun and Coach Griff and coach (Ken) Morgan liked having fun,” Adam Swann.
Dallas Bordon is a regular contributor to The Madison County Journal.
This month, “Coach Griff” as he’s known by his players and friends enters his 26th season as the Madison County High School baseball coach. During those years he has seen players come and go. He has been one of the most respected coaches around and although he is said to be a man of a few words, he still gets his point across and he still seems to produce a winner.
During the years of Griffeth’s reign many of his Raiders have continued their baseball careers at the college level and one even reached the major leagues. Jake Westbrook now with the St. Louis Cardinals and the winning pitcher of game six of the World Series was just one of Coach Griffeth’s ace men on the mound in the mid 90s.
“He knew we had good talent and he pushed us to be our best,” said Westbrook who originally signed with Georgia before being drafted. “We never had an easy practice, but he did a great job getting us ready to play.”
Raider alum Adam Swann, who continued his baseball career at the University Of Georgia, said Griffeth was and still is a coach that expects a lot from his players only because he puts a lot into his players and the program.
“I’ll never forget when I was a freshman, I was walking across the field to get the tarp off the mound and Griff yelled for me to get the lead out of my butt, In other words, don’t walk across my field; pick up the pace,” said Swann who admitted he liked the bluntness and toughness of Coach Griff.
Westbrook made his debut to the show with the New York Yankees in the late 90s but was originally drafted out of high school by Colorado.
“Griff was good about handling all my calls from professional and college scouts and setting up their visits to the games,” said Westbrook. “He never told me who was coming or when because he didn’t want to add stress before the game.”
Prior to Westbrook and Swann’s successful runs in the 90s, power hitting Andrew Bullock said Griffeth’s knowledge of the game is rare in a high school level coach.
“He ran practice like a Division I team,” said Bullock. “He ran practices in periods and each had been thought out to get the most of each day. Our preparedness was second to none.”
While Westbrook describes Griffeth as a hard nose coach who knows how to get the most out of his players, Bullock and Swann both echoed the same thought.
“He had a knack for getting the best out of us,” said Bullock. “He knew who would excel by being pushed a little harder mentally and who would do better being left alone.”
Swann as a freshman claimed that the coach was much harder on his players but mellowed out during his senior season.
“I think coach getting married to his wife Kelli had a lot to do with him mellowing out,” said Swann.
Charlie Griffeth married his wife Kelli in 1996 following the summer baseball season. They have two boys, Tyler, 13, and Logan, 9, whom Griffeth spends as much time as possible watching their games or teaching them how to hunt.
“He’s a devoted dad,” said the coach’s wife. “He does miss out on a lot of their activities during spring, but he attends whatever he can even if it means he goes straight from his practices and field work to their games even if he hasn’t been home or had dinner.”
As for the man off the field, Griffeth is an easy going person according to his wife.
“He’s pretty much what you see is what you get,” said Mrs. Griffeth. “He really makes no appearances or bones about anything and his temperament is really easy going.”
Griffeth’s wife is appreciative of the fact that he never shows frustration or disappointments after a game around her or their boys.
“He’s just Charlie, the husband and dad here at home,” she said. “He really leaves the game at the field.”
Griffeth shows his dedication not just to baseball or his responsibilities at home but also the Middle School where he serves as principal of House 1300. He is described by his co-workers as being very laid back with the kids and is very good with putting things into perspective.
Born and raised in Athens and a 1977 graduate of Clarke Central, Griffeth played both football and baseball under legendary coach Billy Henderson. His college days consisted of playing baseball for North Greenville, West Georgia, and Columbus College. He also coached at Griffin High School in Columbus for one year and also at Columbus College for five years prior to Madison County.
Whether it’s the Charlie Griffeth who wears the hats of “hard nose coach,” dedicated dad and husband, or laid back co-worker, he has become one of the most respected men to those who know him best.
“Coach Griff got the most out of us and pushed us to be the best we could be,” said Westbrook. “Looking back now I can really appreciate that because it made me a better player and I’m very appreciative. He has a great work ethic.”
“It was an honor and a pleasure to get to play for him,” said Andrew Bullock.
“We had a great group of guys and we enjoyed ourselves. Winning is fun and Coach Griff and coach (Ken) Morgan liked having fun,” Adam Swann.
Dallas Bordon is a regular contributor to The Madison County Journal.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Where are they now...Steve Sanders former Red Raider
Published in a January issue of the Madison County Journal. Subscribe to the Journal by visiting http://www.mainstreetnews.com/
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| Steve Sanders Class of 99 |
By Dallas Bordon
A look at former Red Raiders Steve Sanders
Class of: 1999
Sports Played At MCHS: Varsity football QB,DB,PR,KR. Played under Dale Smallen in 1997. Won the Most Valuable Player in 1998 under Tom Hybl. Played Junior Varsity in 1995.
Sanders was a point guard on the Raider basketball team under Charles Wilkes in 1997-98. Played under Kenny Walker (1998-99), and played on the Junior Varsity squad in 1995-97.
Sanders was a member of the Raider golf team in 1997-1999 under coach Mark Turner.
After his Raider days: Received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University Of Georgia in December of 2003. Sanders attended the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2008-2011 where he graduated cum laude. He was the editor for the South Carolina Law Review and president of the Law Republicans.
While at UGA, Sanders was a sports writer and sport editor for The Red & Black student newspaper. Following graduation from UGA Steve continued sports writing for several newspapers from 2004-2007. Those publications included the Richmond County Daily Journal in Rockingham, N.C., the Aiken Standard in Aiken, S.C., The Gainesville Times in Gainesville, Ga., and the Augusta Chronicle in Augusta, Ga.
Steve met his wife Anna, from Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2006 and was married in 2008.
Raider Memories: “It’s fair to say I think I played football and Basketball during what might have been the low points for both programs in recent memory,” said Sanders referring to the combined football record of 2-18 in 1997-98. As for basketball, Sanders recalls the Raiders finishing with a record of 6-18 in both years; with 5 of the wins all coming against Oglethorpe County. “I wouldn’t trade those times and experiences for any other. They still are some of my best memories,” said Sanders. “I like to think it all made me a better person, a tougher and more disciplined person.” Sanders continued. During those down times, Sanders learned a lot about character and heart and claims he has made a lifetime bond with those guys who went through it all with him. “Another good thing was that a guy like me, who probably wouldn’t be able to get on the field for most teams in our region, got to play almost every play. I was usually the smallest guy on the field, but I welcomed the challenge,” said Sanders who stood at 5-6” and 130 pounds.
Sanders said that he can remember how much better in football the Raiders were in 1998 compared to 97. The Raiders finished 0-10 in 1998. His Raiders squad had about 27 players with almost everyone having to play on both sides of the ball. “I remember the first game in 1997 against Commerce at home which was my first varsity action. I remember running through the cheerleaders and the banner and hearing the P.A. guy announcing here come the Raiders-in the country accent,” said Sanders. Commerce had a well known freshman that same year by the name of Monte Williams and William’s Tigers rolled to a 28-0 lead at halftime that night. “I started at free safety and led the team in tackles-not a good sign when a free safety leads the team in tackles,” said Sanders. During a later game against Habersham Central, Sanders remembers Coach Dale Smallen moving him along with Thomas Munro to defensive end on a night where Sanders finished with two quarterback sacks. “I played outside linebacker against a top 10 Stephens County team. We were down 38-0 going into the fourth quarter when Coach Randall Owens (then the offensive coordinator) put me at quarterback against their C-team and we scored three straight touchdowns,” Sanders recalled.
His final season on the gridiron Sanders recalls facing the Commerce again but this time the Tigers were ranked number one in Class A. Sanders recalls his Raiders leading in the fourth quarter before Monte Williams took control for Commerce. Later in the game Madison County fumbled and ended up losing a heartbreaker.
As for his time on the basketball court, Sanders played under Charles Wilkes and Kenny Walker. “I remember the road trips and playing cards on the bus while traveling to those old small gyms with the team more than anything,” Said Sanders. “I remember coming out of the tunnel during home games in the dark and having the spotlight on me for the first time. We weren’t very talented, but we had fun.”
Sanders’ days on the golf team consisted of playing side by side with guys like Jed McLuen and Ryan Hybl on a team that finished in the top 10 in the state in 1998-99.
Today Sanders is employed at Fulcher Hagler LLP Law Firm in Augusta, Georgia practicing business and corporate law, tax law, civil litigation, and estate planning. Sanders passed the Georgia Bar exam this past summer.
As for his playing days at Madison County; “I hope people respected the way I played and I hope I inspired some undersized kid in the stands to play,” said Sanders.
If you're a former Red Raider of any sport (5 years ago or longer) at Madison County Highschool and would like to be featured in the Madison County Journal send your information and photo to Dallas Bordon at dallasb32@yahoo.com
If you're a former Red Raider of any sport (5 years ago or longer) at Madison County Highschool and would like to be featured in the Madison County Journal send your information and photo to Dallas Bordon at dallasb32@yahoo.com
Monday, February 13, 2012
Red Raider baseball is here
This Saturday the Madison County Red Raiders will hit the diamond to open the 2012 baseball season on the road at Hebron Christian in Dacula at 1:00. Catch all of this season's highlights of Raider baseball in the Madison County Journal each week and at http://www.mainstreetnews.com/
Friday, February 10, 2012
For dads, raising a girl is "on the job training"
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| 2000 Photo |
Published in a February 2012 issue of the Madison County Journal. To Subscribe to the Journal visit www.mainstreetnews.com
By Dallas Bordon
Dallasb32@yahoo.com
If there is a person who has the perfect formula for raising girls, please pass that information to us dads. There are many books and sites online that can give offer advice on raising girls, but it’s the “on the job training” that will teach the most.
My daughter was age two when I became a single dad. Suddenly my life changed and I felt like it was the first day of college except this time my major was “Raising Girls 101.” Needless to say, I think I graduated but now I’m all of a sudden in the graduate program of that same field of study. Gone are the daycare years and fighting with car seats, stepping on Barbie doll feet while walking through the house in the dark or tapping Barbie’s leg back on after the dog chewed it off. Not to go without mentioning the endless hours of watching that purple thing named Barney on the television. The years of day care and elementary school have also come and gone and now it’s middle school. Those years that many of my friends experienced as parents and have warned me about are almost over.
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| Eight Grade Dance |
There is no text book or motivational dad speeches that can teach us dad’s the correct way to raise a girl. Each day we learn lessons by trial and error. It’s much like school in many ways because there is a lot to learn in a short amount of time. But on the flip side its lessons I enjoy. For my daughter who is an eighth grader, these middle school years haven’t been as bad as my friends have warned me about. The main things I have noticed in this stage of her life are the growing fads. We all know about them because those were so important to us when we were teens although they are much different now. I can pull out my middle school yearbooks and as we look back at the past, it’s more of a comic book to her because of the styles that have changed so much. She gets a good laugh at the hair styles, lack of makeup, and clothing styles of those middle school girl years.
Their lives change so fast and even though she’s just preparing to make the transition from middle school to high school I can remember dropping her off at daycare just like it was yesterday. The early days of elementary school when we walked our kids to class hugged them bye and told them “I love you” are gone and replaced by a quick drop off at the middle school curb, no hug and a quiet whisper of “I love you.” Don’t dare do those things now because it is embarrassing them? I do enjoy the split moment of opportunity I have when the car door opens and she begins to get out and I voice the “I love you” a little louder. Her expression and eye contact aren't quite as warm as I remember it in the day care years.
Their lives change so fast and even though she’s just preparing to make the transition from middle school to high school I can remember dropping her off at daycare just like it was yesterday. The early days of elementary school when we walked our kids to class hugged them bye and told them “I love you” are gone and replaced by a quick drop off at the middle school curb, no hug and a quiet whisper of “I love you.” Don’t dare do those things now because it is embarrassing them? I do enjoy the split moment of opportunity I have when the car door opens and she begins to get out and I voice the “I love you” a little louder. Her expression and eye contact aren't quite as warm as I remember it in the day care years.
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| 2013 in Abbeville SC |
Over these years I can see how my daughter has grown into a young lady. As those times have breezed by I still wonder am I doing the textbook things that I am supposed to do. But then again as I watch her enjoy these early stages of life knowing that she’s happy, healthy and knows that she loved, that’s rewarding enough for me.
Dallas Bordon is a Sports Writer for The Madison County Journal
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| Easter 2012 |
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| Vacation 2012 |
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| Vacation 2013 |
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| At "Spill The Beans" in Greenville SC in 2010 |
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| Colbert Elementary |
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| Middle School Tennis |
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| High School Volleyball |
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