SPORTS LEDGER Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com The JULY 2022 Page 8
The University of Georgia football program will open the 2022 season against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, September 3 in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic. Kick off is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium . The contest marks only the second time the two football programs have met. The one previous meeting resulted in a 27-16 win for the Bulldogs in 1977. Additionally, the 2022 Georgia-Oregon match- up will mark the Bulldogs’ third appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The Bulldogs previously defeated North Carolina 33- 24 in the 2016 and fell 35- 21 to Boise State in 2011. Georgia was scheduled to face off against Virginia to open the 2020 season in Atlanta, but the match-up was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Games times have also been announced for another trio of Georgia games. The Bulldogs will play host to Samford in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 10, and the game will be televised on the SEC Network at 4 p.m. ET. One week later, Georgia will travel to Columbia, S.C., to face South Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 10. ESPN will televise this matchup at 12 p.m. The Bulldogs return to Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, and will take on Kent State at 12 p.m. In addition, the annual Georgia-Florida sFhl ao. ,wwdiol lwbne ionnJ aCcBkSs oa nt v3i:l3l e0, p . mH i. gohnl iSgahttue rddbayy, dOecf et .n2s9i v. e lineman Travon Walker going first overall to the JGaecokrsgoina v i l l feo oJtabgaul la r s , t e tahme saw a program-record ft ihvee fpi rl as yt e rrso usnedl e c ot ef d t hi ne 2W0a2l k2e r ’Ns FsLe l e cDtri oa nf t,. J oAr df taenr Do vaevri as l l w absy s ePlhe icltaedde l p1h3itah. La ni nde b adcekfeern sQi vuea y l iWn eaml kaenr Db eeivnogn t ec hWo syeant t wb ye r eG br eoet nh B29ayth wpiictkhs. tThhee 2s2enledctiaonnds closed with safety LMeiwn ni se sCo itna e Vgiokiinngg s t o wtiht he the 32nd pick. Georgia Football
USA Softball took home its third-straight gold medal at the World Games 2022 at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex in Hoover with Alabama All-Americans Haylie McCleney and Montana Fouts leading the way for the red, white and blue. McCleney was named the World Games MVP, batting 8-for-15 (.533) across five games with four runs scored, five RBIs and a pair of doubles. She helped clinch USA’s spot in the gold medal game with a 3-for-3 day with three RBIs against Australia on Tuesday. A native of Morris, Ala., and a four-time All-American at Alabama from 2013-16, McCleney has been a member of Team USA since 2014 including last summer at the Tokyo Olympics. Fouts made two appearances for Team USA, striking out 13 batters across 5.0 shutout innings pitched with just two baserunners allowed. This year marked Fouts’ first selection to the national team’s roster, previously trying out in the fall of 2019 after competing with the U19 team the previous summer, earning a third-place finish at the International Cup. Fouts is a three-time All-American with the Crimson Tide and will return to Tuscaloosa with one season of eligibility remaining in 2022-23. Team USA qualified for the gold medal game following wins over Italy (6-0), Chinese Taipei (7-0), Canada (10-2) and Australia (5-0), setting up a Tokyo Olympics rematch Wednesday night against Japan. In front of a packed house at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, a three-run double from Janae Jefferson and stellar pitching performances from Monica Abbott and Ally Carda secured the 3-2 victory. USA Softball Wins Gold Medal The Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater (SMPA) Miracle League is about making new friends, building self- esteem, and being part of an organized team. The Miracle League saw enormous growth this past Spring as it doubled in size, growing from 51 to 102 players and eight teams. This significant increase from last fall helped develop the league and allow it to split into two separate divisions; four teams participated in the 16+ age division, while four teams participated in the 15 & below age division. Each player in the league had their own walk-up song, and the atmosphere on game night was truly electric. Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater recently announced that Mountain Lake Behavioral Healthcare is joining the League as the Presenting Sponsor for the Miracle Field and the Miracle League official mascot, Homer. "Mountain Lakes Behavioral Healthcare is very proud to sponsor the Miracle League and Homer the Mascot, said Myron Gargis, Executive Director for Mountain Lakes Behavioral Healthcare. "We had several staff members to help as Buddies during the spring season, and it was great to see the players having a fun time playing baseball. It was an awesome experience for everyone involved, and we're looking forward to being partners with SMPA and the Miracle League for many years to come," added Gargis. To help the athletes, each Miracle League player is paired with a buddy who is there to protect the player, assist the player in batting and running the bases, and to be a friend both on and off the field. Sand Mountain Park is currently accepting registration for the fall Miracle League and games will be played in September and October. The Miracle League is one of the most impactful programs offered at the park and the park is grateful to all the volunteers who help make the program possible. Registration for players and "Buddy" volunteers are available online at www.sandmountainpark.com and is open until July 24. Please direct all questions to League Coordinator, Lisa Hansford, at lhansford@sportsfacilities.com or 256.302.4847. Miracle League Continues to Grow
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Sardis head football coach Chris Stephens gives instructions to some of his players during the Sardis Lions 7-on-7 tournament at Boaz High School on July 12, 2022. This season will be Coach Stephens first year at the helm of the Lions program, after he was hired this past summer to replace former Sardis Coach Gene Hill. The Lions are set to kick off the Chris Stephens coaching era with a home game on August 19 against DAR. Coaching The Lions
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger The Boaz Pirates, shown making a catch against St. Clair County, were one of ten high school football teams participating in a 7-on-7 tournament on July 12, 2022 at Boaz High School. The other teams participating in the event were: St. Clair County, Sardis, Douglas, Guntersville, White Plains, Lee-Huntsville, New Hope, Jacksonville and West End. The Guntersville Wildcats defeated Jacksonville in the finals to win the 7-on-7 tournament. Both Guntersville and Boaz will open the 2022 season on August 19. The Pirates will be on the road at Jacksonville. Guntersville will be traveling to Southside-Gadsden. Boaz Holds 7-on-7 Event
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Sardis High School recently hosted a summer skills camp for boys and girls in grades 2-6. Sardis Varsity Girls head coach Heath Cullom said that approximately 30 kids participated in this year's camp. The participants took time from their activities to take a group picture with Coach Cullom and members of the Sardis Lady Lions Basketball team. Sardis Holds Youth Basketball Skills Camp
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