Seahawks homecoming festive despite loss

Franklin County students last week enjoyed five days of fun, a roaring fire, a triumphant parade and the crowning of a new Homecoming queen.

The only disappointment was that it all ended with a loss.

District 2-1A leader Blountstown didn’t look past the Seahawks Friday night on their first visit to the Mikel Clark Athletic Complex in Eastpoint, winning 41-0 and setting up a match-up against their arch-rival Liberty County next weekend to decide the district championship.

“The homecoming game is as much about the people that have been involved with our county schools in the past, as it is about the current young people,” said Coach Josh Wright. “Regardless of where you are from, coming back home always creates a great feeling like no other. Our players are aware of how former ball players come to the game to see who is wearing their old number and to see if they are ‘repping it’ the way it should be!

“Former cheerleaders and coaches also attend these homecoming games to see if the routines and schemes are as good as when they were on the sidelines,” said Wright. “Though the outcome of the game was disappointing, we hope that all in attendance can see that the programs are taking step after step in the right direction.”

With 327 yards of offense for the night, 224 of it on the ground, Blountstown established themselves early when they snuffed out the Seahawks’ promising opening drive.

After recovering a bobbled Seahawk snap at the Tiger 30-yard line, junior quarterback Charles Buggs hooked up with senior wide receiver Leon Broxton midway in the first quarter for a 77-yard touchdown, the first of their two aerial scores.

The Tigers then scored four rushing touchdowns, beginning with an 8-yard run by junior Alexander Garrett with three minutes left in the first quarter. Garrett also kicked three of four extra points.

In the opening play of the second quarter, senior Princeton Grant ran it in from 16 yards out. Grant led all rushers with 13 carries for 95 yards. Senior Darren Huff ran it in from 16 yards out with 9:23 left in the half.

The Seahawks held the Tigers scoreless in the third quarter, but Buggs added a one-yard rushing touchdown with 10:11 left in the game.

            “The Tigers brought in a pretty good football team, and we were far too charitable to them,” said Wright, whose squad committed two fumbles and two interceptions on the night.

            “We got out of the stable with a quickness, but never got out of the gate. Mishandled balls on special teams, untimely penalties, and poor coverage techniques; put us in the hole quickly,” he said. “This was a hole that we were unable to dig ourselves out of.”

The Tigers’ fourth quarter touchdowns irked Wright, especially the final one, with 1:52 left to play, when Buggs hooked up with Broxton on a 12-yard pass.

            “We wondered why the star wide receiver was still in the game. Had he not lettered yet? I mean, he was in the game catching balls against some of our reserve players that were gaining experience,” said Wright. “It is football though, and as Steve Spurrier would always say when he is beating you by 50, ‘it's not my job to call plays that you can stop.’”

            “We should have just stopped him. The Tiger players were very prepared and their weight room strength was a clear advantage.  Their performance was commendable across the board, and next week's showdown with Liberty County will be a great ballgame,” said Wright.

            “These two programs are established, which is what we are trying to do with this program.  We want this to take place not now, but right now!” said the coach.

School gets down all week

            October 27 to 30 was Homecoming week for the mighty Seahawks. On Tuesday it was Team Day, where students dressed up wearing their favorite team of their choice. Wacky Wednesday followed, where the kids tried to dress as wacky as they could, wearing something they wouldn’t normally wear to school or in public. Also on Wednesday were the Silly Olympics during sixth and seventh period that were the best ever. Playing music like the Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, Cha-cha Slide, Macarena, and many more songs that got the crowd pumped and the teachers and students dancing. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and the senior class won the Silly Olympics.

            On Thursday it was Twin Day, where many kids dressed up alike wearing the same clothes, hairstyles, and whatever it takes to be a twin. Friday was Spirit Day, so students wore their school colors showing their Seahawks spirit.

            On Thursday evening, Lynn Clark coordinated a school bonfire held in front of campus, which showcased cheerleaders of all three school levels as well as the football team. Booths set up by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Carrabelle First Baptist Church served up free hot dogs and hot chocolate.

            Following an exuberant Friday afternoon parade in downtown Eastpoint, led by Grand Marshal George Oehlert, the homecoming court was showcased to fans before the game as the senior girls rode in convertibles and atop cars in a lap on the track around the football field, the start of a tradition sure to become the standard.

            Flanked by her father, Katie Brannan, daughter of James and Wanda Brannan, was crowned Homecoming Queen during halftime. Last year’s queen, Jamie Daniels, and this year Ms. Franklin County, Kendyl Hardy, presented Brannan with banner, roses and a tiara in honor of her selection.

            The freshman class won honors for the top float, based on a casino arrangement to the Homecoming theme “Against All Odds.”  The senior float was runner-up, sporting enormous dice, and the eighth graders took third place, with a Big Game hunting scene. Honorable mention went to the junior class, for their float with an enormous Seahawk on it.

Seahawks shoot for .500 season

          A look at the game stats for the Blountstown match-up are sobering, but Wright is redoubling efforts to end the year on a winning note. The Seahawks are now 3-5, and 1-3 in the district.

            Senior Dalin Modican ran the ball eight times for 17 yards, sophomore Trekale Turrell five times for 14 yards, and senior Arron Prince twice for 11 yards, with all other runners with negative yardage.

            Modican threw 3-of-7 for 28 yards, and freshman Skyler Hutchinson 1-of-2 for negative yards. Each was intercepted once.

            Senior Dustin Putnal had one reception for 10 yards, junior CJ Barnes one catch for 18 Yards, and Turrell two receptions for negative yards.

            On defense sophomore Chris Granger had seven tackles, senior Chase Richards six, junior Taylor Hires six tackles and one assist and senior AJ Arnold seven tackles and a sack.

            “We are looking .500 dead in the eye with these last two ball games. And though our season goal was a district title, we will now channel all our energy into preparing for a talented West Gadsden team, and then a competitive Holmes County squad,” said Wright. “These last two road games are huge for us, and we will strive to succeed and start a win streak that will lead up to next season.”

            Kickoff against the Panthers of West Gadsden is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the old football field across the street from the new school in Quincy. The school is about 75 miles north, off of State Road 65.