2010 Profile: Head Coach Don Dowling enters his third season at the helm of the Pirate ship. This year’s Pirate squad has their work cut out for them as they must replace the offensive workhorses from last year’s team. Mark Lawson, Jeff Davis and Terrence Green are all gone. Lawson accounted for almost 3,000 yards and 27 TDs in the last two seasons. The Pirates do return six starters on offense and five on defense. Dowling will suit up one of his smaller teams as far as numbers go, dressing out 20 players. Xavier Eutsay has shown promise at running back as has Blade Osborne at the QB position. Others that will see time in the offensive backfield include Delontre Keys, Jaylen Williams, Josh Rogers and Aaron Green. A strong point for the team will be the offensive line who return all but one starter. John Whittington, Ethan McClendon, C.J. Fussell, Lucas Pollack, Mickey Cassidy, and Todd Brown will anchor the Pirates in the trenches.
2010 District: Sneads is in one of the toughest districts around, playing in an 9 team district. Their district (Class 1A - District 1) includes Baker, Bozeman, Freeport, Holmes County, Jay, Northview (Bratt), Sneads, South Walton and Vernon. Freeport took the district crown last year and South Walton finished as the runner up. Sneads finished at a respectable 4-4 but know that they must improve that district record if they hope to make the playoffs.
2010 Schedule: Sneads will play a preseason game in Graceville and then open up the regular season at home against non-district foe Blountstown. They close the season with county rival Marianna. In between are eight straight district contest. They only break is an open date during mid-season. In their favor is the fact that Freeport, South Walton and Northview are all home games. That will put some of the tougher teams in the Pirates cove and cut down a little on their travel time.
2009: Finished the season with a respectable 5-5 record in the regular season and then won a post season bowl game against Trenton to finish 6-5. Lawson was the work horse on offense, rushing for over 1,000 yards and leading the team in scoring.
2010 Pirate Assistant Coaches: Jack Glover, Andy Ward and Shawn Graham. Team Chaplain is Andy Glover.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
2010 SHS Pirates Roster
# Name Class Position
2 LARON BROWN 11 WR/DB
3 AARON GREEN 11 RB/DB
5 DALLAS GOFF 11 WR/DB
8 TRENT McDANIEL 11 WR/DB
9 BLADE OSBORNE 11 QB/DB
10 XAVIER EUTSAY 12 RB/DB
14 JALON DANIELS 10 RB/DB
20 DELONTRE’ KEYS 10 RB/LB
24 JOSEPH BOYD 10 RB/DL
32 JOSH ROGERS 12 RB/LB
33 JOHN WHITTINGTON 12 TE/DL
34 CALEB ALEXANDER 10 TE/DL
52 ETHAN McCLENDON 12 OL/LB
54 CJ FUSSELL 12 OL/DL
55 TODD BROWN 11 OL/DL
56 JACKSON CHANDLER 10 OL/DL
58 DREW GAY 11 OL/DL
69 ANFERNEE BAKER 11 OL/DL
70 LUCAS POLLOCK 10 OL/DL
76 MICKEY CASSIDY 11 OL/DL
2 LARON BROWN 11 WR/DB
3 AARON GREEN 11 RB/DB
5 DALLAS GOFF 11 WR/DB
8 TRENT McDANIEL 11 WR/DB
9 BLADE OSBORNE 11 QB/DB
10 XAVIER EUTSAY 12 RB/DB
14 JALON DANIELS 10 RB/DB
20 DELONTRE’ KEYS 10 RB/LB
24 JOSEPH BOYD 10 RB/DL
32 JOSH ROGERS 12 RB/LB
33 JOHN WHITTINGTON 12 TE/DL
34 CALEB ALEXANDER 10 TE/DL
52 ETHAN McCLENDON 12 OL/LB
54 CJ FUSSELL 12 OL/DL
55 TODD BROWN 11 OL/DL
56 JACKSON CHANDLER 10 OL/DL
58 DREW GAY 11 OL/DL
69 ANFERNEE BAKER 11 OL/DL
70 LUCAS POLLOCK 10 OL/DL
76 MICKEY CASSIDY 11 OL/DL
2010 Marianna Bulldogs
2009 Profile: Marianna celebrates the beginning of their 85th season of playing football and they do so under the direction of alumni and former Bulldog quarterback Steve DeWitt who enters his second season at the helm for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs lost some talented players from last year’s squad but have a good nucleus of players returning. Several solid running backs return including Tre Jackson, Elliott Batson, Chris Bowers and Charles “Scooter” Barnes. Israel Davis, Siddiq Rushdan and Jerrell Long will also see plenty of action in the offensive backfield. The key challenge for the Bulldogs will be to replace Fidel Montgomery at the QB position. Two underclassmen have been battling for the spot. Hakeem Holmes, who saw some action last year and lefty Michael Mader are vying for the starting nod. Holmes came in knowing the offense and can run the ball. Mader, who has concentrated on baseball the last two years, is the better passer. Both will likely see plenty of action during the season. In the trenches the ‘Dogs will be led by seniors Jaren Bannerman, Xavier Peterson, Zack Smith and Javorius Garrett.
2010 District: Marianna will have the same district as last year and will face the same uphill battle against Pensacola Catholic. The Crusaders have absolutely dominated the district the last ten years and the fight with the other teams has been to see who could earn a berth in the FHSAA playoffs as the district runner up. In addition to Pensacola Catholic, Marianna will battle Walton County and Chipley in district matchups this season.
2010 Schedule: Marianna will open up the 2010 campaign against two Jackson County squads (at Cottondale and hosting Graceville). Two of the ‘Dogs first three games will be played on a Thursday night (Cottondale and Bay). Their first district matchup will be the fourth game of the season on the road at Walton. After hosting Liberty County for a tough homecoming Marianna will host in an always tough district contest. A pair of Tigers (Blountstown & Chipley) along with the Tiger Sharks of Port St. Joe follow. The Bulldogs close out the season with another Jackson County foe when they host Sneads.
Assistant Coaches: John Donaldson, Ron Tanner, Brian Collins, Carlan Martin, Nathan Goodman, Ray Lawson, Travis Blanton, Andy Shelton, Dustin Larkin
2009: Marianna went 5-5 in the regular season, finishing third in their district
2010 District: Marianna will have the same district as last year and will face the same uphill battle against Pensacola Catholic. The Crusaders have absolutely dominated the district the last ten years and the fight with the other teams has been to see who could earn a berth in the FHSAA playoffs as the district runner up. In addition to Pensacola Catholic, Marianna will battle Walton County and Chipley in district matchups this season.
2010 Schedule: Marianna will open up the 2010 campaign against two Jackson County squads (at Cottondale and hosting Graceville). Two of the ‘Dogs first three games will be played on a Thursday night (Cottondale and Bay). Their first district matchup will be the fourth game of the season on the road at Walton. After hosting Liberty County for a tough homecoming Marianna will host in an always tough district contest. A pair of Tigers (Blountstown & Chipley) along with the Tiger Sharks of Port St. Joe follow. The Bulldogs close out the season with another Jackson County foe when they host Sneads.
Assistant Coaches: John Donaldson, Ron Tanner, Brian Collins, Carlan Martin, Nathan Goodman, Ray Lawson, Travis Blanton, Andy Shelton, Dustin Larkin
2009: Marianna went 5-5 in the regular season, finishing third in their district
2010 MHS Bulldogs Roster
# Name Class Position
1 Elliott Batson SR RB/ILB
2 Hakeem Holmes JR QB/OLB
3 Israel Davis SO RB/CB
4 Tre Jackson SR RB/CB
5 Clayte Rooks JR WR/S
6 Siddiq Rushdan SR RB/OLB
8 Drew Melvin JR TE/DE
10 Kevin Myrick JR WR/CB
12 Chris Bowers JR FB/OLB
15 Michael Mader JR QB/CB
20 A.J. Blount JR OL/ILB
23 Charles Barnes SR RB/CB
24 Jerrell Long JR RB/OLB
30 Cody Barfield JR WR/CB
32 Zack Smith SR TE/DL
33 Larry Bush JR OL/DL
42 Ty Poole SR WR/CB
50 Xavier Peterson SR OL/DL
52 Jeffery Basford JR OL/DL 55 Will Soto SR OL/DL
56 Xavier Perry JR OL/DL
58 Jaren Bannerman SR OL/ILB
60 Chris Godwin JR OL/DE
62 Justin Schutkovske SR OL/DL
63 Rodney Elder JR OL/DL
72 Javoris Garrett SR OL/DL
1 Elliott Batson SR RB/ILB
2 Hakeem Holmes JR QB/OLB
3 Israel Davis SO RB/CB
4 Tre Jackson SR RB/CB
5 Clayte Rooks JR WR/S
6 Siddiq Rushdan SR RB/OLB
8 Drew Melvin JR TE/DE
10 Kevin Myrick JR WR/CB
12 Chris Bowers JR FB/OLB
15 Michael Mader JR QB/CB
20 A.J. Blount JR OL/ILB
23 Charles Barnes SR RB/CB
24 Jerrell Long JR RB/OLB
30 Cody Barfield JR WR/CB
32 Zack Smith SR TE/DL
33 Larry Bush JR OL/DL
42 Ty Poole SR WR/CB
50 Xavier Peterson SR OL/DL
52 Jeffery Basford JR OL/DL 55 Will Soto SR OL/DL
56 Xavier Perry JR OL/DL
58 Jaren Bannerman SR OL/ILB
60 Chris Godwin JR OL/DE
62 Justin Schutkovske SR OL/DL
63 Rodney Elder JR OL/DL
72 Javoris Garrett SR OL/DL
Washington Signs for Multi-Million Dollar Bonus
After the June 8th draft, the next major decision for a MLB draftee is finalizing an agreement with their Major League squad. With less than 10 minutes before the deadline, former Chipola centerfielder, LeVon Washington agreed to sign with the Cleveland Indians for a $1.2 million bonus.
Washington, who was selected in the second round of MLB’s 2010 First-Year Player Draft had until midnight on Monday to sign with the Indians.
“I was just praying that they would sign me,” said Washington before leaving Florida on Wednesday.
Washington will report to Cleveland’s Rookie League team based in Goodyear, Arizona.
In 41 games as a freshman at Chipola, he batted .327 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs.
Washington understands that there are many areas of his game that must improve as he seeks to continue to climb the ladder in Major League Baseball.
“Defensively, I can get to almost every ball hit,” he said. “There is always stuff to improve on. I definitely need to get better at jumps on balls and reading the ball off the bat.”
Playing in the final games for Cleveland’s Rookie League team, Washington will have the opportunity to fine-tune his skills and improve as a player.
Washington, who was selected in the second round of MLB’s 2010 First-Year Player Draft had until midnight on Monday to sign with the Indians.
“I was just praying that they would sign me,” said Washington before leaving Florida on Wednesday.
Washington will report to Cleveland’s Rookie League team based in Goodyear, Arizona.
In 41 games as a freshman at Chipola, he batted .327 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs.
Washington understands that there are many areas of his game that must improve as he seeks to continue to climb the ladder in Major League Baseball.
“Defensively, I can get to almost every ball hit,” he said. “There is always stuff to improve on. I definitely need to get better at jumps on balls and reading the ball off the bat.”
Playing in the final games for Cleveland’s Rookie League team, Washington will have the opportunity to fine-tune his skills and improve as a player.
Friday Night Football Preview August 27, 2010 Kickoff Classics and Jamboree
Marianna at Mosley 7 pm This game will be played at Bozeman High School and the ‘Dogs will have their work cut out for themselves against the much larger Dolphins (Class 4A). Head Coach Steve DeWitt will likely use the game to size up the battle for the QB position between Hakeen Holmes and Michael Mader. Marianna will open up the regular season next Thursday night in Cottondale.
Radio: WJAQ 100.9 FM
Sneads at Graceville 7 pm – Anytime you get two Jackson County schools together it will be a hard fought contest, even in a pre-season game. Sneads Head Coach Don Dowling has been known to say in the past “if we step on the field and turn on the scoreboard, we going to try to win the game.” That said, both Dowling and Graceville’s Todd Wertenberger have a lot of sizing up to do with their squads as both teams will trot out some young faces. Both will try to win the game but both will likely play everyone on the squad. Sneads will open the regular season next Friday night when they host Blountstown. Graceville will host Northview in their season opener that same evening.
Radio: WFBU 94.7 FM
Cottondale 6 pm – The Hornets will take part in the Quincy Jamboree that will include themselves, Munroe and St. Francis Catholic. The Hornets will look to Dominque Webb to led them offensively but Head Coach Mike Melvin already knows what Webb can do on the field. He’ll likely use these scrimmages as an opportunity to see how some of the younger Hornets respond under the lights. Cottondale opens up the regular season next Thursday night when they host Marianna.
Radio: WJAQ 100.9 FM
Sneads at Graceville 7 pm – Anytime you get two Jackson County schools together it will be a hard fought contest, even in a pre-season game. Sneads Head Coach Don Dowling has been known to say in the past “if we step on the field and turn on the scoreboard, we going to try to win the game.” That said, both Dowling and Graceville’s Todd Wertenberger have a lot of sizing up to do with their squads as both teams will trot out some young faces. Both will try to win the game but both will likely play everyone on the squad. Sneads will open the regular season next Friday night when they host Blountstown. Graceville will host Northview in their season opener that same evening.
Radio: WFBU 94.7 FM
Cottondale 6 pm – The Hornets will take part in the Quincy Jamboree that will include themselves, Munroe and St. Francis Catholic. The Hornets will look to Dominque Webb to led them offensively but Head Coach Mike Melvin already knows what Webb can do on the field. He’ll likely use these scrimmages as an opportunity to see how some of the younger Hornets respond under the lights. Cottondale opens up the regular season next Thursday night when they host Marianna.
Register Begins 22nd Season With Bulldog Football On The Radio
The Marianna Bulldogs football program celebrates the beginning of their 85th season this year. And for a little over one-fourth of the program’s existence Bulldog fans have heard a familiar voice on their radio come Friday nights. Russell Register will begin his 22nd season as the play by play announcer of Bulldog Football on the radio.
In 1988 Register approach Don Moore at WJAQ about the possibility of doing some broadcasting for the Bulldogs. He had heard Sandy Westmoreland say at the close of the 1987 season that it was going to be his last year as the announcer. Westmoreland had followed in the line of former Bulldog football announcers like Moore and Dick Bowers. Moore told Register they already had a new announcer (Scott Hales) lined up for Marianna but they needed someone to help with their “Game of the Week” for Jackson County Football. Register began helping David Ferro and they ended up concentrating on the streaking Graceville Tigers. In his first season on the radio Register helped call the Tigers run to a 1988 State Championship under Phil Fowler.
Hales was not able to continue as the Bulldogs announcer in 1989 so Register was offered the spot and as they say, the rest is history. The first game of the 1989 season Register announced the Bulldog’s 17-14 win over Baker to snap a 23 game losing streak. His color man that year was Brad Clarke. The following season Register was joined by color man Tory Hussey. In 1991 he got his third color man in three years as a former school mate joined him. (See Simply Put for more on that color man).
Over the 21 previous seasons Register has seen some good times and not so good times for the Bulldogs. The best of the good times included the late 90’s when the Bulldogs reel off four straight district championships, some big playoff wins and an appearance in the 2000 Class 2A State Championship game played at Florida Field. The bad times included a few seasons with just one or two wins. Through it all Register has been there. “I graduated from Marianna in 1979 and I guess it’s safe to say that I bleed purple and gold. I’m with the Bulldogs win, lose or draw” Register said.
Register has also seen a lot of changes in the technology used to bring the fans the broadcast, especially on the away games. “We used to use a box called a “marti” and a police scanner. The marti transmitted to the police scanner and the police scanner was placed by a telephone receiver. In those days we could not hear the station engineer so we had to time our commercial breaks. Sometimes we timed them right and sometimes we didn’t,” Register recalls. Along the way the use of hard line telephone lines helped tremendously and with the proliferation of cellular phones the broadcast have become easier. Still there are some trying times. “As with any technology sometimes there seems to be gremlins working hard to make the broadcast difficult. It keeps us humble but for the most part we’ve always been able to pull off the broadcast,” said Register.
Another trademark of Register’s broadcasting career is dedication. Since he began broadcasting Bulldog football in 1989 Marianna has played a total of 227 regular season games and 22 pre-season games. That is a total of 249 games in 21 years and Register has broadcast all but two. He missed a game in 1989 season when his son was born and missed a second game in 1997 when his sister-in-law passed away. He has gone through five coaching changes and three station changes. He first started out broadcasting on WJAQ but then the games were moved to WJNF. Two years ago the broadcast were returned to WJAQ when WJNF was sold and the new owners choose not to continue the broadcast.
In 1988 Register approach Don Moore at WJAQ about the possibility of doing some broadcasting for the Bulldogs. He had heard Sandy Westmoreland say at the close of the 1987 season that it was going to be his last year as the announcer. Westmoreland had followed in the line of former Bulldog football announcers like Moore and Dick Bowers. Moore told Register they already had a new announcer (Scott Hales) lined up for Marianna but they needed someone to help with their “Game of the Week” for Jackson County Football. Register began helping David Ferro and they ended up concentrating on the streaking Graceville Tigers. In his first season on the radio Register helped call the Tigers run to a 1988 State Championship under Phil Fowler.
Hales was not able to continue as the Bulldogs announcer in 1989 so Register was offered the spot and as they say, the rest is history. The first game of the 1989 season Register announced the Bulldog’s 17-14 win over Baker to snap a 23 game losing streak. His color man that year was Brad Clarke. The following season Register was joined by color man Tory Hussey. In 1991 he got his third color man in three years as a former school mate joined him. (See Simply Put for more on that color man).
Over the 21 previous seasons Register has seen some good times and not so good times for the Bulldogs. The best of the good times included the late 90’s when the Bulldogs reel off four straight district championships, some big playoff wins and an appearance in the 2000 Class 2A State Championship game played at Florida Field. The bad times included a few seasons with just one or two wins. Through it all Register has been there. “I graduated from Marianna in 1979 and I guess it’s safe to say that I bleed purple and gold. I’m with the Bulldogs win, lose or draw” Register said.
Register has also seen a lot of changes in the technology used to bring the fans the broadcast, especially on the away games. “We used to use a box called a “marti” and a police scanner. The marti transmitted to the police scanner and the police scanner was placed by a telephone receiver. In those days we could not hear the station engineer so we had to time our commercial breaks. Sometimes we timed them right and sometimes we didn’t,” Register recalls. Along the way the use of hard line telephone lines helped tremendously and with the proliferation of cellular phones the broadcast have become easier. Still there are some trying times. “As with any technology sometimes there seems to be gremlins working hard to make the broadcast difficult. It keeps us humble but for the most part we’ve always been able to pull off the broadcast,” said Register.
Another trademark of Register’s broadcasting career is dedication. Since he began broadcasting Bulldog football in 1989 Marianna has played a total of 227 regular season games and 22 pre-season games. That is a total of 249 games in 21 years and Register has broadcast all but two. He missed a game in 1989 season when his son was born and missed a second game in 1997 when his sister-in-law passed away. He has gone through five coaching changes and three station changes. He first started out broadcasting on WJAQ but then the games were moved to WJNF. Two years ago the broadcast were returned to WJAQ when WJNF was sold and the new owners choose not to continue the broadcast.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Football Is In The Air
The Sneads Pirates work on blocking assignments in Monday’s practice as they gear up for the 2010 season and their pre-season game in Graceville against the Tigers on August 27th. 
Bulldog Assistant Coach John Donaldson oversees two of the Bulldog lineman during their blocking drills on Tuesday. Marianna will open up the 2010 season with a pre-season game in Panama City against Mosley on August 27th.
Graceville Head Coach Todd Wertenberger (center with hat) talks with his Tigers while on water break during Tuesday’s practice. Graceville will host Sneads on August 27th in a pre-season kickoff classic.
The Cottondale Hornets run through their offense on Tuesday as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The Hornets will be playing host to Marianna in the opening regular season game on Thursday September 2nd.
MHS Cheerleaders Receive Awards at Camp
The Marianna Varsity Cheerleaders recently returned from a National Cheerleaders Association summer camp. The camp was held at the University of Florida and attracted over 200 cheerleaders from the surrounding states.
The MHS Cheerleaders received the following awards at the NCA Summer Camp they attended.
Spirit Stick Award – This prestigious award, selected by the squads, is awarded to the team who exemplifies true team spirit and camaraderie.
The Herkie TEAM Award – this is awarded to the squad who exemplifies the qualities upon which NCA was founded. These qualities are leadership, values, and teamwork.
National Championship Bid Winner
Campion Chant – Teams compete with a chant that they learned during the week. Technical skills, as well as the ability to lead the crowd, are judged to select the winner.
The Spirit Stick winner
The ladies are very excited about kicking off the upcoming football season at the fall jamboree against Mosley on August 28th.
The squad is coached by Christi Shelfer and led by Captain Courtney Larkin.
The MHS Cheerleaders received the following awards at the NCA Summer Camp they attended.
Spirit Stick Award – This prestigious award, selected by the squads, is awarded to the team who exemplifies true team spirit and camaraderie.
The Herkie TEAM Award – this is awarded to the squad who exemplifies the qualities upon which NCA was founded. These qualities are leadership, values, and teamwork.
National Championship Bid Winner
Campion Chant – Teams compete with a chant that they learned during the week. Technical skills, as well as the ability to lead the crowd, are judged to select the winner.
The Spirit Stick winner
The ladies are very excited about kicking off the upcoming football season at the fall jamboree against Mosley on August 28th.
The squad is coached by Christi Shelfer and led by Captain Courtney Larkin.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Boston Butt Sale to Raise Scholarship Funds
The Panhandle Seminole Booster Club is currently pre-selling smoked Boston Butts through August 27, 2010 to support their Annual Scholarship fund. These tasty pork butts range from 8 to 10 pounds and will be ready for pick up (September 2) in time for Labor Day weekend.
The Club holds two annual events (spring golf tournament and Boston Butt sale) to raise scholarship funds and help local students to attend Florida State University.
Each student will receive a $1000 award from funds raised through these events in the past year by the club, a registered 501©3 non-profit corporation.
Support higher education for our local students and enjoy a fabulous smoked Boston Butt on Labor Day weekend.
For more information, contact Joy Hinton (850) 482-3466, visit Sweet Stuff Bakery at 4477 Jackson Street, or contact a club director (Matt Dryden, Jamelia Cone, Joy Hinton, George Sweeney, Ruth Davis, Joanne Anderson, Jeanie Burleson, Lisa Pelt, Jerry Glass, Tony Klappas, Jordan Girton, or Roy Baker).
The Club holds two annual events (spring golf tournament and Boston Butt sale) to raise scholarship funds and help local students to attend Florida State University.
Each student will receive a $1000 award from funds raised through these events in the past year by the club, a registered 501©3 non-profit corporation.
Support higher education for our local students and enjoy a fabulous smoked Boston Butt on Labor Day weekend.
For more information, contact Joy Hinton (850) 482-3466, visit Sweet Stuff Bakery at 4477 Jackson Street, or contact a club director (Matt Dryden, Jamelia Cone, Joy Hinton, George Sweeney, Ruth Davis, Joanne Anderson, Jeanie Burleson, Lisa Pelt, Jerry Glass, Tony Klappas, Jordan Girton, or Roy Baker).
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