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by Ben Munro
$40,000 project will give MCHS teams two workout rooms
Rather than Extreme Home Makeover, it will be extreme weight room makeover this summer at Madison County High School.
The school is undergoing an approximate $40,000 project to revamp the current weight room and build a new facility in what was the high school’s band room (The band is moving to the freshmen academy building).
“It gives us a weight room at both gyms,” Madison County High School athletic director and football coach Randell Owens said Monday as weightlifting equipment arrived on-site.
The current weight room is connected to the Freshmen Academy gym, or what was formerly the middle school gym, while the new weight room will be located close to the high school gym.
Owens expects weight room upgrades to be completed, at the latest, by mid-August. The project, which helps meet Title IX gender equity guidelines, was funded through a combination of money raised through the touchdown club, community donations and funds from the board of education.
The Madison County football team will still occupy the current weight room, but have a much more improved space in which to workout. The football Raiders, as well as other sports programs, will benefit from 14 multi-purpose stations, which will allow for more efficient workouts and use of floor space.
Players will be able work exclusively at one station, rather than frequently switching locations for bench press, squats and incline repetitions.
“We can do all our lifting in one spot without having to change stations,” Owens said.
In the past, boys’ and girls’ athletic teams have had to schedule lifting sessions around each other. But having two facilities will alleviate that.
Raider softball coach Doug Kesler said that Owens has always been very accommodating in making the weight room accessible to his teams, but said the extra space will make scheduling easier.
“As far as when you look at all the teams, it’s going to look a lot better logistically for everybody involved having access to two weight rooms,” Kesler said.
Madison County girls’ head basketball coach Dan Lampe said weightlifting has become very much a part of the girls’ game today and is happy to see the expansion of the facilities. He said the availability of the new facility will allow his players getting into a more regular routine in the offseason.
“It will be nice for next summer,” said Lampe, whose team is coming off a run to the Final Four. “We’ll be able to seamlessly work our way through.”
Lampe said the upgrades should be beneficial to the athletic program, across the board, noting another plus of an additional facility.
“The girls’ biggest thing is that they (want) to have it so they can keep it clean. Guys don’t usually worry too much about that,” Lampe joked.
Owens notes that expanded weightlifting space will also benefit the physical education program, providing an entire extra class space.
RAIDERS to Continue Voluntary Workouts Through August 1
Reprinted from The Madison County Journal, July 16, 2008 edition
by Ben Munro
“We’re rocking and rolling,” said Madison County head coach Randell Owens, who enters his fifth year on the job.
The Raiders have faced area schools Oglethorpe County, Franklin County, Jefferson, Athens Academy, Elbert County and Monroe Area in the seven-on-seven passing drills this summer. The pad-less, non-contact setup allows player to hone their skills in the passing game or defending the pass.
“We’ve held up pretty well,” Owens said. “Our kids are learning. Our puppies are growing up.”
The team makes its annual trip to West Georgia July 24-26 for team camp. It’s primarily a passing league, but offers a lineman camp, too.
Owens said any kind of competition with other schools helps him to gauge his team. Last year, the Raiders took on the likes of powerhouse Thomas County Central (which went on to go 13-1 in 2007) and eventual state quarterfinal team Westover at the West Georgia event.
“Everything you do gives you a little bit better feel,” Owens said. “We’ll get a chance to compete against some pretty good talent.”
Just 14 days remain before the start of preseason practice while 36 days remain before Madison County’s Aug. 22 scrimmage with Franklin County. That will be the closest thing the Raiders will have to popping pads with the Lions this year, since there was no room on this year’s schedule for a non-region game. Owens said that’s a shame, given the interest — and gate — that accompanies games against local teams.
“As an athletic director, I wish we were playing them (Franklin County) for real,” Owens said. “We make more money off that game than we do all three Rockdale County schools.”
Owens isn’t sure how closely the scrimmage next month will resemble an actual game. But no matter how much coaches regulate the rules, it won’t temper the intensity between the two familiar foes.
“No matter what we do as coaches, it’s going to be personal. With our kids, it will be personal,” Owens said. “Their kids are going to want a piece of us whether it’s a scrimmage or not.”
Football notes: Allen drawing interest from colleges
Raider tailback Al Allen has been hitting the field with a vengeance in the offseason with several colleges eying the senior prospect.
He’s received scholarship overtures from both Liberty College and Presbyterian, while other schools have shown interest.
In turn, Allen, who totaled 1,412 yards last year, has stepped up his intensity and team leadership during voluntary weightlifting sessions and passing league competition, Owens said.
“He’s been a little more focused,” the coach said.
As of July 1, college coaches were allowed to call potential recruits.
Owens said others have stepped up over the summer as well. Bracken Turner has been impressive at free safety and wide receiver, while Claude Johnson “has improved his status” for his dependability and consistency during passing league. The coach added that Jamal Cooper has been showing off his speed at wider receiver while Cody Esco has proven steady in pass coverage.
Football team enjoys another strong year-end academic report
BY BEN MUNRO
For the second year in a row — and only the second time in Randell Owens coaching career — all 2008 Madison County football players are academically eligible.
No player will have to attend summer school to regain eligibility, though Owens said some players might be encouraged to attend to stay on track with graduation requirements, but not for athletic eligibility purposes.
Seventeen Raiders earned a 3.6 or higher cumulative GPA this past school year while Owens noted that another four players who are taking AP and honors courses had a 3.5 GPA.
With 68 rising 10-12th graders, 25 percent of the team has a 3.6 GPA or better.
The players who had a 3.6 or higher GPA include: seniors Spencer Baird, quarterback; Bo Dalton, center; Dylan Herring, offensive tackle; Brett Maddox, linebacker; Ben Morris, wide receiver; juniors Tyler Adams, linebacker; Conner Boyett, offensive tackle; John Gunnells, offensive tackle; Jacob Owens, quarterback; sophomores Matthew Dove, defensive tackle; Tanner Johnson, linebacker; Haden Martin, linebacker; Demetrius Pattman, offensive guard; Chase Peck, offensive guard; Breon Rucker, fullback; Bradley Smith, quarterback; and Daniel Vaughn, offensive tackle.
Players with a high 3.5 in the AP and honors courses were junior Steven Goldman, offensive guard; junior Jacob Scarborough, defensive end; junior Bracken Turner, wide receiver/free safety; and sophomore Kellen Harris, offensive tackle.
Owens noted the efforts of all these players, their parents and teachers for the academic success.
“It sure does make a coach’s job a lot easier,” he said.
by BY ZACH MITCHAM
But coaches say there’s plenty of work to do over summer.
Raider cheerleaders — for the only time in 2008 — cheered for both teams Friday.
And there was plenty to holler about during the annual Red and Gray intrasquad scrimmage.
For instance, there was Claude Johnson plowing his way over classmates and cohorts for extra yardage; Al Allen reeling in an approximate 60-yard strike from Jacob Owens; or Spencer Baird finding the end zone with his fleet feet and connecting with receivers on some nice gains.
The list goes on. But the nice plays were offset, too, by the inevitable failures in execution.
It was the spring game after all. And there are still months to go before the Raiders head to Rockdale County for the Aug. 29 season opener.
Asked about his squad’s performance Friday, Raider head coach Randell Owens handed the phone to assistant Mike Haynes, who said the Raider performance was pretty good.
“We’re not where we would like to be but we’ve got some people who can fill some holes,” he said.
The defensive coach said he was impressed with Al Allen.
“He (Allen) looked good on both sides of the ball,” said Haynes. “He had good vision and made some athletic plays on defense.”
Haynes praised Claude Johnson, noting that the runner has clearly paid his dues in the weight room. He also said Alex Young was strong at cornerback.
While Georgia Bulldogs’ G-Day game victors celebrate with steak and lobster, there was no red meat for the Raider Red team, which downed the Gray 27-13. Instead, the Red squad could feel some pride in the belly. And the annual scrimmage isn’t about winning or losing anyway, Haynes said. It’s about making assessments.
“We play that (who wins) down,” said Haynes. “It’s not about winning as much as it is about kids showcasing their talents and establishing a depth chart.”
Haynes said the team has established a preliminary depth chart, but added that hard work over the summer can lead to changes once preseason practice begins.
“One kid can outwork another over the summer and gain on them,” he said.
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