Congratulations Generals and Lady Generals

Congratulations to all of our athletes for their achievements that were recognized last night. A special congratulations to Benjamin Nelson, Adam Guthrie, Eric Oveart Grant Colson, Rachel Swilley, Rebekah Swilley, Erin Redshaw, and Samantha Sloan for their respective awards. We would also like to congratulate Rachel Swilley and Benjamin Nelson for receiving the Christian Student Athlete Award. Keep up the great work and we are all so very proud of all of our student athletes.

Sports Banquet Tonight

See you at the Dasher Church of Christ fellowship hall for the 2007/2008 Georgia Christian School Sports Banquet.

My deapest apologies

I am sorry for getting behind in posting information about our team these past few weeks. As many of you know I am still furthering my education and my studies have been very stingy with my time. I am glad that the semester is over and am excited to be able to devote more of my time to our squad. Look for more posts as we build up to our playoff match with Heritage.

Oh the places you will go, and win.

On this Monday I saw football played. The Lady Generals traveled to Hinesville to take on the Lady Highlanders of FPCA. The first goal of the match came from a Rachel Swilley cross (right to left). Samantha Sloan running to goal scored the one touch goal high into the net. Sloan would net another assisted by Christina Martin. Christina would assist again as Carley Alley would have to goal on day as a result of a continued run and bodying in the football. All working goals, but reminiscent of the loss on Friday Samantha Sloan would seal off a defender dropping the ball back to a willing and ready Erin Redshaw who would chip the keeper from on outside the 18. Contributing as well as Augusta Guthrie in net only allowing one goal and stopping a penalty kick.
On the defensive end of the ball Rebekah is finding her place with the fullbacks assisting fellow classmates Talissa Sampson along with veterans Erin Redshaw and Pamela Brown. Anyone who knows anything about the games will tell you that so many games are won and lost in the midfield and ours is showing signs of strengthening. Amy Clonce moving up when called along with Carli Alley, Casey Alley, and Kailynn (not sure on that spelling) Jeffords are solidifying our midfield that will be critical to our success in the future.
The Lady Generals are learning to play more physical, they are maintaining focus as well as taking better care of the ball. This will be essential in what looks to be the biggest match of the season thus far for the Ladies as they take on the Lady Panthers of Tiftarea Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 PM in an effort to qualify for the playoffs. See you at the Pitch.

Terrel: Have you ever seen the Rain?

I always look for new ways to win, and in this sport that generally requires that you look for new ways to score and new ways to prevent goals from being scored on you. On last Friday(11th) we traveled to Dawson to take on number 1 in our region. It was raining in Dawson, not water but footballs. Three goals were achieved by the Lady Eagles from clear outside the 18. Guthrie may or may not have been in ideal position for these strikes yet I am not sure that that would have mattered. There were however some goals scored late that may have been a result of fatigue, lack of position or that old fall back term... "a lapse". The Lady Generals were held scoreless but did foster some attacks. The positive side for this contest was that Terrel did not show a clear cut emphasis on ball movement and I do believe that our defense made things difficult for them, hence the balls fired in from outside. Two things stood out to me in the match. The first being that Samantha Sloan and Rachel S. seem to working together well and seem to be cultivating a good chemistry. The second being the play of Christina Martin. Our lone senior was moved from her traditional fullback position to more of an attacking back. I really feel confident in her helping us to score goals. (More on that in the next post)

Down.... but not out.

The Lady Generals football team traveled to Thomasville to compete against the Lady Warriors of Brookwood. Playing on the football field the Lady Generals gave up a goal early. A cross from right to left reminiscent of the goal that ended our LaGrange Cup early in the men's season somehow found its way into the back of the net. The Ladies would not allow another goal in the half. We were given a opportunity or two inside the 18 in first 40 minutes yet we could not convert. A hand ball in the box in the first half sent Samantha Sloan to the spot, but ended in a strike high and to the cross bar. That goal would not matter on the day as the Lady Warriors came out with the possession in the second half netting there final goal with a solid square pass and finish in front of goal.

Spring break did us no favors as most of our girls showed signs of staleness on the pitch. That being said there were many positives that were witnessed in the loss. First and foremost the back line was on point. Christina Martin is returning to form and made things difficult on the right side. Talisa Sampson, playing beyond her years, held down the middle in our new formation. Pamela Brown did her job as well denying balls played to the weak side. Sloan and Rachel Swilley battled it out in the middle of the field to get chances yet the combinations were not there against the tough Lady Warrior back line. I see progress in our young midfield and hopefully as the timing improves so will the chances.

The biggest improvement on the day was the physical nature with which our players competed. Football is physical and there is no getting around it. Our girls seem to be becoming ladies becoming women and no longer allowing the opposition to push us around. This is a big step in our program progressing and we must be physical in order to "compete" not to mention win.

This could not come at a better time due to the fact that we will travel to Dawson on Friday to battle it out with tough and always physical ladies of Terrel. I look for a good effort from the Lady Generals on Friday and hope see beautiful football to start the weekend.













We are going to stretch it out in practice today and get ourselves ready for tomorrow.

Lady Generals Loose Home Opener

A Decade. Ten Years. That is how long we have been playing the beautiful game at GCS. I was there for a the first match. I was in the eighth grade and I rode on a cooler in between the two front seats on some old van all the way to Albany to video the game for coach Brathwaite. I remember it well because I really had to "go" for most of the trip there and he would not stop. I will refer more to the history that we have at a later time, but for now the following.

1. The Lady Generals gave up a 3-1 one lead to eventually loose a region game at home to Valwood in the last 3 minutes of the second overtime.

2. The last strike of the game was as good a shot that you could ask for. (Give credit where it is due.)

3. There were Lady Generals that played there all for 100 minutes.

4. There were Lady Generals that did not play there all for 100 minutes.

5. There were Lady Generals that did not play at all.

There is youth on the pitch to be sure, and if you attended the match today you saw what our youth is capable of (Talisa Sampson just to name one). You also probably witnessed some of our veterans that did not give all that they had for the entire match. I told our team after the match that some of them just do not get it. The "it" is competition. Some of our players have not idea how to compete. They do not realize that just making a good show will not get us very far if anywhere at all. All we ask of our players is to play as hard and as long as possible for their team. This is all anyone can ask of anyone. We will do our best as coaches to continue to prepare our players to the best of our and their ability. As players you must continue to build one another up because this is the only way we can come together as unit. As parents (of which I am not) and supporters, continue to encourage our squad, but do not reward mediocrity. We must challenge our young ladies and help them to aspire to great things. We must uplift, we must humble, we must chastise, we must punish, we must reward, we must reprimand, we must thank, and we must congratulate but only when the party in question is worthy.

I care very deeply for each and every player that is on our roster and will continue to do all within my power to make them a better player but more importantly a better person. I know that you all feel the same and I thank you for your support.

Ephesians 4:28-30 (New International Version)

28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The picture below illustrates one of our philosophies as team. You will have to ask a Lady General to explain the picture below.