Spartan Football Begins in Junior High

What comes to your mind when you think of Spartan football? I can guarantee that most people think of Friday nights, tailgating, and pep rallies- High School football. However, our Junior High football is just as important at GACS, if not more so because it represents potential and the future of football as we know it.

Varsity Head Coach Ken Robinson says, “Our junior high teams are extremely talented. Our eighth grade team had thirty-two players this past season. Our seventh grade had thirty-seven players. We expect the majority of these young men to continue on into our high school program next year and beyond.”

Our seventh grade team won three games and lost three games and our eighth grade team won five games, lost two games, and tied in one game. As with all our teams, however, more important than the final score is the spiritual emphasis. Coach Robinson adds, “I felt that our junior high teams were very successful this past season. We were successful on the scoreboard, but more importantly in areas that will matter for eternity.”

2009 Marching Spartans- Worth Highlighting Again

The MARCHING SPARTAN BAND is composed of 55 students, who for every football game march out and play for the fans of GACS.

The band is led by Mr. Wes York, who picks the selection of songs and draws out the different formations for the band to perform. He also schedules out the season and plans the season’s new halftime routine.

The real magic of the marching band begins with the work done at the marching band camp. This is where students new to marching band learn the basics, and where everyone learns the beginning of the half-time show.

The students practice every Tuesday and Thursday for two-and-a-half hours to work on their routine. This is combined with a short one-hour practice on Friday before the big game. This amounts to the total of six hours each week that the marching band puts into to each of the Friday night games.

This year’s selection for the marching band has the theme of ‘Chicago’ with the songs: “Make Me Smile,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Mononucleosis,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “25,” and “6 to 4.”

Come out on Friday night not only to watch the game, but also to see the Mighty Marching Spartans in action.

NFL Update: Surprises in ‘09

THIS season not much has changed. The Giants are still dominating the NFC, Peyton Manning and the Colts are still near the top of the division, and Brett Favre still wants to play. Even with those expectancies, many events have happened in ‘09 that would have been thought crazy at the end of 2008. Who expected with the loss of Hall of Fame Head Coach Mike Shanahan, replaced by rookie Josh McDaniels, and the great talent of Jay Cutler that this team would be undefeated? Or that Brett Favre would be in purple and gold?

Many experts predicted that the Tennessee Titans would be a strong Super Bowl candidate this year, but with a zero-five record, only one team since 1990 has made it to the playoffs let alone the Super Bowl with that starting record. And much to the Vikings’ surprise, they are undefeated because of unbelievable performances from Brett Favre,  thought to be a non-factor because of his age, and young Adrian Peterson who has proved to be the main part of this team. But is this too good to be true?

The Broncos, whose toughest opponent was the New England Patriots, has a much harder schedule a head of them. Facing the Ravens, Eagles, Colts and a hot Jets team, who knows if they will be prepared? Also, with three out of the five Vikings’ wins coming from teams with losing records, they also have tougher opponents to play. With the Giants, Ravens, and Packers at Lambeau, fans do not yet know how the Vikings will fare against high-caliber playoff teams, a factor if they are to go deep into the playoffs.

Next year new surprises will appear in the NFL. Who knows, maybe the Lions will have a winning record…or maybe not.

[NFL Fan? Follow the official NFL Blog @ http://blogs.nfl.com/.]

Q & A with Chris Bartolomei

MANDY: What’s it like being a freshman on the varsity football team?

CHRIS: AWESOME (other than being injured so far with my neck, but before that it was amazing).

MANDY: What is your position on the team?
CHRIS: Offense: Tight End, Defense: Bandit.

MANDY: Do you know any past athletes that motivate you to do your best during a game?
CHRIS: Well, we see Micah Andrews sometimes and he can get you fired up before a game. Also, we sometimes see Brandon Southerland.

MANDY: Is it hard to juggle school and practice and games?
CHRIS: All the time. I am usually up until 11 before I get to go to sleep.

MANDY: What is one thing that you enjoy while playing football?
CHRIS: I enjoy the thrill of playing the game. And also it’s an opportunity to gain character.

MANDY: What kind of a rush do you get when you are playing a game?
CHRIS: You get a rush of concentration, adrenalin, and a lot of mixed emotions.

MANDY: Is it scary to be facing so many older football players?
CHRIS: Not really, some people that we play maybe older, but that doesn’t mean they’re better. Some of the time they are and some of the time they’re not.

MANDY: What do you think makes a great football player?
CHRIS: Someone who works hard, is not afraid to make mistakes, and is not afraid to get after it.

MANDY: Would you trade football for any other sport? Why or Why not?
CHRIS: No, and yes… I hate to admit it. I love football, but I also love basketball and swimming. I can’t do everything do I have to make some difficult decisions on what sports I am going to play on certain seasons.

Mandy Good, Digital Staff

Fall Homecoming, a First for GAC

Homecoming 2009 is just around the corner.  This year we will have the first-ever GAC Homecoming festivities during football season!  The theme for 2009 “A Look Back and A Step Forward.” Join us October 9th at 7:00pm for the pregame events including a school-wide “Parade of Mini-Floats.”  You will not want to miss this, as entries from the Village, the Elementary (all 5 grades), Junior High (all 3 grades) and High School will be on display.  High School clubs will be competing for special rewards.

The varsity football team will host Decatur High School for this inaugural Homecoming event with kick-off at 7:30 pm. Stay in your seats during half-time for the crowning of the 2009 Homecoming King and Queen by GAC Chancellor Jesse Long.

The Homecoming Dance will be held in the Student-Family Center on campus, Saturday, October 10th from 8:00-1:00 pm. It is open to all 9th-12th grade students and their dates.  Students must register prior to the dance in the high school office beginning Monday, September 28th until Friday, October 9th.  The cost per person is $7.50.  If you have questions concerning this, please direct those to Dr. Ray Hawkins @ rhawkins@greateratlantachristian.org.  For information concerning appropriate dress, please visit the high school office for a handout.