SPORTS LEDGER February 2024 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 6 The
JSU Sets 2024 Football Schedule Fresh off one of the best debut seasons in FBS history, the Jacksonville State Football Team's full 2024 schedule has been released by Conference USA. Jax State will play six games at a newly renovated Burgess-Snow Field and six road games in 2024, including an eight-game CUSA schedule. Jax State will be a full- fledged member of FBS and CUSA this season, making the Gamecocks eligible for the CUSA Championship Game after finishing a two-year transition period. The Gamecocks went 9-4 last fall to become the first program in FBS history to win a bowl game in its first season by claiming the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl title. JSU became just the sixth team in FBS history to win nine games in its transition season. Jax State's transition to football's highest level will be more visible in 2024, when the Gamecocks open the new Loring and Debby White Football Complex, as well as new seating on the north side of the stadium. Home games will include non-conference games against Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss, as well as CUSA match-ups with New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee, FIU and Sam Houston. "We are excited about this schedule and to be able to showcase the new state-of-the-art Loring and Debby White Football Complex and the progress that has been made to our stadium," said Athletics Director Greg Seitz. "Coming off of an historic season and a bowl win in our first year in FBS, we feel like game day at Jax State will be one of the best in our region. With added suites and premium seating to go along with what drew the top attendance in CUSA last season, we can't wait to showcase that in 2024." Coastal Carolina will open the schedule on August 31, a return trip from Jax State's game at the Chanticleers last season. The next week will see the Gamecocks start a two-game road swing with their first trip to ACC power Louisville, followed by a return to Eastern Michigan after the Eagles played in Jacksonville a season ago. The non-conference portion of the schedule will conclude on Sept. 21, when Jax State hosts Southern Miss in the first of a two-game agreement. That game will mark Homecoming for the Gamecocks and the final Saturday game before November. They will have a bye week on Sept. 28 before opening the CUSA schedule. For the second-straight season, CUSA will play its October games during the week to be able to showcase the league in front of a national television audience on the ESPN Family of Networks and CBS Sports Network. That stretch will start on Friday, Oct. 4 at rival Kennesaw State, who will be playing its first season in CUSA and its final season of transition from FCS to FBS. A quick turnaround will follow for the Gamecocks, who will host New Mexico State on Wednesday, Oct. 9 before another bye week. Middle Tennessee will visit Jax State for the first time since 1998 on Wednesday, Oct. 23, before back-to-back road games at Liberty on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Nov. 9. Jax State will return home for another two-game swing, hosting FIU on Nov. 16 and Sam Houston on Nov. 23 before wrapping up the regular season on Nov. 30 at Western Kentucky. The 20th annual Conference USA Championship Game will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
Plainview and Geraldine Advance To Northeast Regional Finals Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Geraldine's Conner Johnson in action against Piedmont in the Northeast Regional Semi-finals.
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger It's not often that a basketball program will play the same team six times in the same season. However, that is the case for the Plainview Bears and Geraldine Bulldogs boy's basketball teams this year. The programs have already met five times this year and Plainview leads the series 3-2. The last match-up was on February 6 and Geraldine picked up a 72-71 victory in double overtime in the 2024 Area finals. The sixth match up is set to take place in the Class 3A Northeast Regional finals at Jax State at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22. The game could not be more fitting for the two powerhouse programs and it will be the final game to be played at the regional tournament this year. The winner will advance to the AHSAA State Basketball Tournament.
two points each. Tristian Thurmond had one point in the win. Geraldine advanced to the Regional Finals with a 71-50 victory over Piedmont. Geraldine had four players reach double figures in the Semi-final victory. Connor Johnson and Lucas Bryant scored 21 points each. Jaxon Colvin had a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, 13 of which were defensive rebounds. Redick Smith had 15 points for Geraldine. Carlos Mann chipped in two points. Piedmont had two players in double figures. Cole Wilson scored 15 points and Taylon Swain had 11 points. Colton Proctor scored seven points, Dylan Oliver had six points. Chance Murphy netted five points, Jaylen Brown added four points and Luke Rhinehart chipped in two points for Piedmont.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Plainview' Landon White (#5).
To set up the game, both programs had to win in the Regional Semi-finals and both teams did just that. Despite a sluggish first half start, Plainview took down Susan Moore 64-29 on February 17, 2024. Plainview led 26-19 at halftime. However, the Bears outscored Susan Moore 38-10 in the second half.
Landon White paced the Bears with 13 points and seven rebounds. Traylor and Ty Griggs scored nine points each. Eli Sampson scored seven points. Owen Wilborn and Grant Nickelson added six points each for Plainview. Trey Rutledge had five points. Sawyer Wilborn, Owen Hope, Jay Williams, and Austin Anderson scored
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Geraldine High School held a special signing day celebration on February 7, 2024 for two student athletes who will be continuing their careers at the collegiate level next fall. Carlos Mann and Moses Garcia (seated middle) were joined by GHS Head Coach Michael Davis (seated right) and members of the Bulldog football team during the event. Carlos signed with Shorter University in Rome, GA. Shorter's football program finished 3-8 last year. Moses committed to Georgia Military College, which finished at 7-4 last fall. The college is located in Milledgeville, GA. Two Geraldine Players Sign Football Scholarships
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