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Is there a gardener on your Christmas list?

By
Mitzi Oxford
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Want to give a gift that keeps on giving for seasons to come? If you are buying for a family member or friend who gardens we can help you with that. Whether you’re searching for gifts for a beginner or experienced gardener, it’s hard to fail with something useful that makes their tasks easier or inspires some creative planting.

As someone who has been gardening most of my life, the gifts that feed my passion for growing are always some of my favorite and most memorable treasures for Christmas or any occasion.

Here is the ultimate “idea” list for the green thumb wannabes or master gardeners on your gift list.

Handy garden tools

Digging, weeding, pruning, and scooping out potting mix are all part of the garden routine. These tools are a “must” for those tasks. These are my personal favorites. Many have been gifts and they are cost effective but well made to last for years.

Fiskars makes some great pruning shears. I prefer these with a softgrip. They are easy to use and with a little annual maintenance, including cleaning with WD 40 to prevent rust, should last forever.

A stainless steel scoop is perfect for lifting out mulch, garden soil, or potting mix when spring planting season comes round. Again a little maintenance by storing it out of the elements goes a long way.

Finally, every gardener needs a good pair of gloves for weeding and planting. I like the ones with a latex on the palm of the glove. Tractor Supply in Cornelia usually runs some great prices for these which comes in handy when you go through several pairs a year.

Garden Journal

I’ve previously written about keeping a garden journal. The benefits are many and the choices are endless. Some include an area to sketch out your dream garden. Some include gardening tips and famous garden quotes. All of them have a space for taking notes about when and what you planted and what is performing well or not from month-to-month. This is great info to look back on from year to year. Why? It can save you time and money!

There are many to choose from including some with artistic covers or not. Prices range from $10 to $25 but they are all a great investment for the gardener in your life.

Watering globes

I love these watering globes for many reasons. You can fill them with water and not have to fuss over watering your plants. Plus, they are like a work of art to add interest to your planters. Walmart carries them and they are available at garden centers or online. The globes generally come in sets of three in a variety of colors.

Gardening Books and subscriptions

For years I’ve been gifted gardening books and magazine subscriptions for Christmas and occasionally on the anniversary of my birth date which comes round in March. These are some of my favorite gifts because when the weather is cold and dreary, I can lose myself in thumbing through the pages for ideas and beautiful illustrations.

A couple of years ago, my niece gave me a subscription to Birds and Blooms. I fell in love. It contained great gardening tips and planting to attract birds information. Additionally, the magazine contains monthly contests. How fun is that?

Gift certificates and donations

You can NEVER go wrong with a gift certificate either from a local nursery or garden center. If you are buying for a more experienced green thumb gardener and looking for some unique plants, here are a few of my favorite online places for gift giving. Gilbert H. Wild and Bluestone Perennials are two of my favorites.

Another idea is to give a donation in someone’s name. I can’t think of a better organization to support than the Soque River Watershed Association. Their work makes our community a better place. As a bonus, they operate the Clarkesville Greenway Community Garden, Habersham County’s first public organic community garden!

Plants

I love to give orchids as gifts, especially phalaenopsis. They are the easiest to grow and with little maintenance should last for at least three months. Few flowering plants are more beautiful than orchids and they will bloom again with a little TLC.

Happy shopping! Whatever you select from this list will be much appreciated by the gardener in your life!

NGTC Poinsettia sale continues through Dec. 9

By
Staff Report
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If poinsettias are part of your holiday decorating plan, you may want to make North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville a stop on your shopping map.

NGTC is hosting its annual poinsettia plant sale through December 9. The sale features red, white, and glitter poinsettias, Christmas cacti, and holiday-colored begonias.

The greenhouses on the Clarkesville NGTC campus are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday,

Cards, cash, and checks are accepted, and all sales must be made in person.

The NGTC greenhouses are located at 1500 Highway 197 North. For more information, contact John Mather, environmental horticulture lab assistant, at [email protected].

Semifinal previews

By
Todd Holcomb
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Class A Public

Wilcox County at Irwin County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Buddy Nobles Stadium, Ocilla

Records, rankings: Wilcox County is 10-3, the No. 1 seed from Region 4-A Public and No. 8; Irwin County is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 2-A Public and No. 1.

Last meeting: Irwin County won 14-0 in the second round of the 2020 Class A Public playoffs.

Things to know: These south Georgia schools, about 30 miles apart, had been in the same region since 2006 until last year, and the playoffs have maintained their streak of playing each other annually. Irwin County has won eight straight in the series since Wilcox County’s last region title in 2012. Irwin is trying to become the first Class A public-school team to win three consecutive Class A titles since Lincoln County in 1985-87. The Indians defeated previously unbeaten Macon County 28-15 in the quarterfinals. Damarkus Lundy rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns. He’s rushed for more than 150 yards in all three playoff games and has 1,414 rushing yards on the season. Wilcox County is in the semifinals for the first time since 2012. The Patriots’ last final was during its 2009 state championship season. Wilcox beat Manchester 20-14 in the quarterfinals. Preseason all-state QB Abe Stowe passed for 181 yards, putting him a 2,068 for the season. Day Day Lawson rushed for 94 yards, giving him 1,353 yards on the season. B.J. Gibson had 93 yards receiving. Irwin’s average score is 39-14. Wilcox’s is 26-22.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Irwin County 31, Wilcox County 8

Brooks County at Metter

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium/The Jungle, Metter

Records, rankings: Brooks County is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 2-A Public and No. 2; Metter is 13-0, the No. 1 seed from 3-A Public and No. 4.

Last meeting: Brooks County won 35-6 in the 2019 Class A Public quarterfinals.

Things to know: Metter is in the semifinals for the sixth time in history. The Tigers have never reached a final. For the second straight season, they are 13-0 at this point. They lost to eventual champion Irwin County in the 2020 semifinals. In the quarterfinals last week, Metter beat Turner County 60-21 with 574 rushing yards. Two-way starters Kaliq Jordan (150 yards rushing, 10 tackles) and Danny Cheley (161 rushing, eight tackles, one interception) had big games. Metter is the most run-oriented team remaining in Class A Public. Cheley (1,242 yards) and Josh Kelly (1,587) are each over 1,200 yards rushing. Brooks County has been a state runner-up the past two seasons. The Trojans beat Warren County 51-43 last week for their eighth straight victory, each time scoring at least 42 points. Omari Arnold rushed for 249 yards and five touchdowns on 28 carries and went over 2,000 yards (2,071) for the season with 34 rushing touchdowns. Willie Brown had 114 yards receiving. Brooks’ losses are to Irwin County and Thomasville, which also are in their semifinals.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Metter 30, Brooks County 23

Class A Private

Trinity Christian at ELCA

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Commitment Field, McDonough

Records, rankings: Trinity Christian is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 4-A Private and No. 1; Eagle’s Landing Christian is 7-6, the No. 1 seed from 2-A Private and No. 5.

Last meeting: Trinity Christian won 34-3 on Oct. 1.

Things to know: Trinity Christian, the A Private runner-up in 2020, returned to the semifinals with a 56-7 victory over Darlington last week. The Lions are the state’s highest-scoring team, averaging 53.25 points per game, and their closest game this season was the 31-point win over ELCA in the regular season. David Dallas passed for 228 yards in that game and has thrown for 3,307 yards and 41 touchdowns with just three interceptions for the season. His brother, Josh, has 1,043 receiving yards, and Dominick Cosper has 1,200 yards rushing and 496 receiving. ELCA, which started the season 2-6 against a schedule loaded with top-10 opponents from higher classifications and out-of-state powerhouses, is now two wins away from its sixth state title in seven seasons. Charlie Gilliam passed for 257 yards in a 35-28 victory over Holy Innocents’ last week. He has 1,831 yards and 16 TDs this season. Brandon Hood, a 1,300-yard rusher, ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns. His 19-yard TD run with about three minutes left gave the Chargers a 35-21 lead, and they held on. ELCA is averaging 27.42 points for the season but 43.25 during their five-game winning streak (one win was a forfeit).

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Trinity Christian 34, Eagle’s Landing Christian 14

Prince Avenue at Fellowship Christian

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bob Lord Field, Roswell

Records, rankings: Prince Avenue Christian is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 8-A Private and No. 3; Fellowship Christian is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from 6-A Private and No. 4.

Last meeting: Fellowship Christian won 31-28 in the 2016 Class A Private semifinals.

Things to know: Defending state champion Prince Avenue Christian has won 12 consecutive games since a 21-13 loss to Calvary Day in the opener. Fellowship Christian, which has won 11 straight since a 56-20 loss to Trinity Christian in its second game, knocked out Calvary Day 24-14 last week. Nick Persiano rushed for 110 yards to surpass 1,000 for the season (1,059 with 22 touchdowns). QB Caleb McMickle has passed for 1,850 yards for the year. A victory this week would put first-year Paladins coach Tim McFarlin in the finals for the sixth time (Roswell in 2006, Blessed Trinity in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019). Prince Avenue put up 481 yards in a 41-22 victory over First Presbyterian last week. Aaron Philo was 28-of-35 passing for 397 yards and three touchdowns, putting him at 3,819 yards and 42 TDs for the season. Seven players had at least one catch. Bailey Stockton surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the year with his six catches for 61 yards. He also ran for 32 yards and two touchdowns on three carries. Elijah Dewitt (917) and Ethan Christian (870) also are closing in on 1,000 yards receiving. Dewitt had seven catches for 140 yards and two TDs last week.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Fellowship Christian 26, Prince Avenue Christian 24

Class 2A

Fitzgerald at Swainsboro

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Field, Swainsboro

Records, rankings: Fitzgerald is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-2A and No. 5; Swainsboro is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 2-2A and No. 10.

Last meeting: Fitzgerald won 27-12 in the second round of the 2018 Class 2A playoffs.

Things to know: Swainsboro is in the semifinals for the first time since 2000, when it won the Class 3A championship with a 6-0 victory over Fitzgerald. The teams have met just twice since then, with Fitzgerald winning both. Last week, Swainsboro advanced with a 12-9 double-overtime victory over Northeast. The Tigers blocked a field goal and recovered a fumble on Northeast’s two possessions before winning it with a field goal by Daron Coleman, his first of the season. Ty Adams ran for 82 yards and a touchdown, giving him 1,719 yards for the season. Fitzgerald, the state runner-up last season, is in the semifinals for the sixth time in eight years after a 21-7 victory over previously unbeaten Putnam County. DeNorris Goodwin led the way with 25 carries for 139 yards and two TDs, putting him at 1,002 yards for the season. The Purple Hurricane ran 45 times for 249 yards. Fitzgerald gets 78% of its offense on the ground, averaging 210 yards per game rushing and 60 passing. Donald Wilcox (96 carries, 499 yards), Jakorrian Paulk (56-466) and Sylon Davis (83-303) also contribute to the running game.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Fitzgerald 18, Swainsboro 13

Callaway at Thomasville

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Thomasville

Records, rankings: Callaway is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 5-2A and No. 7; Thomasville is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from 1-2A and No. 2.

Last meeting: Callaway won 34-21 in the 2020 Class 2A quarterfinals.

Things to know: Callaway’s Charlie Dixon ran for 237 yards in the playoff victory against Thomasville last year, but he’s at North Carolina A&T now, one of six all-state players the Cavaliers lost to graduation. Callaway went on to win its first state title after losing in the semifinals or quarterfinals the previous four seasons. Last week, Callaway trailed South Atlanta 22-14 at halftime but scored on four consecutive possessions in the second half to win 39-22. Kier Jackson and Amarion Truitt ran for two touchdowns each, and Deshun Coleman threw a 35-yard TD pass to Cameron Tucker. Thomasville, in search of its first state title since 1988, is in the semifinals for the second time in three seasons. The Bulldogs held Rabun County’s Gunner Stockton, the No. 2 passer in state history, to 14-of-32 passing for 160 yards last week and knocked out the top-ranked Wildcats 49-24. Malik Harper ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, and Ricky Fulton ran for 109 yards on 14 carries. Shannen White passed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 88 yards and two TDs.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Thomasville 29, Callaway 10

Class 3A

Appling County at Cedar Grove

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, William “Buck” Godfrey Stadium, Decatur

Records, rankings: Appling County is 12-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-3A and No. 6; Cedar Grove is 10-3, the No. 1 seed from 5-3A and No. 5.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: Appling County is in the semifinals for the first time since 2011 and can reach its first final in a football history that dates to the 1950s. The Pirates, whose lone loss is to region rival Pierce County, beat previously unbeaten Thomson 21-7 in the quarterfinals. Appling held Thomson to a season-low 210 total yards. Jarvis Mims rushed for 102 yards. Dennis Mims went over 1,000 yards rushing on the season and had nine tackles, two tackles for losses and an interception. Taylen Crosby, who rushed for 317 yards in a second-round victory over Cherokee Bluff, did not play because of an injury and remains questionable this week. Cedar Grove, the Class 3A champion three of the past five seasons, beat Crisp County 28-6 last week. Arkansas commit Rashod Dubinion rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns, and Crisp County was limited to 190 total yards and two field goals. Cedar Grove’s defense has two players committed to Georgia (CB Kayin Lee and DE/LB Carlton Madden) and another heavily recruited in that direction (DL Christen Miller).

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: This game is rated as a toss-up.

Carver (Atlanta) at Pierce County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bearville Stadium, Blackshear

Records, rankings: Carver is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 5-3A and No. 8; Pierce County is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 1-3A and No. 3.

Last meeting: Pierce County won 51-18 in the 2020 Class 3A quarterfinals.

Things to know: The 2020 quarterfinal between these two was settled by halftime as Pierce County took a 30-6 lead. Carver was playing without injured star RB Jarveous Brown. He has run for 1,490 yards this season and is joined now by transfer Quintavious Lockett (1,258 rushing yards) to form one of the state’s most explosive backfields. The Panthers have put up 414 yards rushing per game in three playoff games. Loading the box to stop Brown and Lockett also has consequences. Bryce Bowens was 6-of-10 passing for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the 46-14 victory over Burke County last week. Pierce County, the reigning state champion, has seven shutouts but beat Peach County 35-30 in a rare high-scoring affair in the quarterfinals. QB D.J. Bell, who takes direct snaps and rarely passes, rushed for 256 yards and five touchdowns on 45 carries. He’s rushed for 1,636 yards and 21 touchdowns in only eight games and surpassed 250 yards in four straight games, all against playoff teams. This is Pierce County’s third semifinal in four years. The senior class is 48-5 overall, 12-2 in the playoffs. Carver is seeking its first state final since 1967.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Pierce County 21, Carver 14

Class 4A

Cedartown at Carver (Columbus)

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus

Records, rankings: Cedartown is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 7-4A and No. 4; Carver is 12-1, the No. 1 seed from 2-4A and No. 3.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: Cedartown is in the semifinals for the first time since 2001 after a 39-25 victory over Perry last week. Cedartown trailed 18-17 early in the third quarter but outscored Perry 22-7 the rest of the way. C.J. Washington (committed to Georgia) ran for a season-high 204 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and had a touchdown receiving. Washington (914 yards rushing for the season) and Harlem Diamond (1,075) have combined for almost 2,000 yards. Diamond had 56 yards and a TD last week. The Bulldogs finished with 334 rushing yards, slightly above their season average of 329.3. Carver reached the semifinals five times, and won a state title, from 2006 to 2011, but this is the Tigers’ first trip back to the final four since then. Carver defeated Dougherty 16-14 last week. Jaiden Credle rushed for 137 yards and both of his team’s touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 4-yard run with 8:01 remaining in the third quarter. Credle has 1,874 yards rushing for the season. Jamari Riley added a season-high 101 yards rushing, as the Tigers finished with 319 yards on 46 carries.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Cedartown 22, Carver 20

North Oconee at Benedictine

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Savannah

Records, rankings: North Oconee is 10-3, the No. 1 seed from Region 8-4A and No. 5; Benedictine is 11-2, the No. 1 seed from 3-4A and No. 2.

Last meeting: Benedictine won 48-17 on Sept. 10.

Things to know: Benedictine was 0-2 and North Oconee was 1-2 coming into the teams’ early September meeting, which Benedictine won with a 34-point second half. Neither team has lost since. Justin Thomas had 214 yards rushing, 77 yards receiving and three touchdowns in that game. The Georgia baseball commit had 205 yards on 21 touches in a 24-21 victory against top-ranked and defending champion Marist last week that put the Cadets in the semifinals for the fifth time in nine seasons. Holden Geriner (committed to Auburn) was 10-of-13 passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns against Marist and has 2,765 yards and 29 TDs for the season. Benedictine is two wins away from its third state championship in eight seasons. North Oconee, which opened in 2004, is in the semifinals for the first time in school history after a 29-24 quarterfinal win over Bainbridge. North Oconee trailed 17-15 in the third quarter but got rushing touchdowns from Max Wilson and Khalil Barnes and then held on. Barnes and Dominic Elder had first-quarter touchdown runs. Jack Fabris and Brett Biga had interceptions.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Benedictine 34, North Oconee 17

Class 5A

Warner Robins at Creekside

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Banneker High School, College Park

Records, rankings: Warner Robins is 12-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-5A and No. 4; Creekside is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from 3-5A and No. 5.

Last meeting: Warner Robins won 34-21 in the second round of the 2004 Class 4A playoffs.

Things to know: Warner Robins, the defending Class 5A champion, is a victory away from its fifth consecutive finals appearance. The Demons beat Jones County 49-21 in the quarterfinals with 491 yards rushing and a season-low 46 passing yards. JaFredrick Perry rushed for 291 yards and five touchdowns on just 14 carries. Chaz Sturn rushed for 172 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Malcolm Brown, the Demons’ leading rusher with 1,332 yards, hasn’t played the past two games. Creekside, a defensive-minded team, beat Whitewater 20-13 while allowing only 138 total yards and seven first downs. Nyqua Lett was 10-of-15 passing for 106 yards. Khary Morrow rushed for 96 yards on 21 carries. Creekside is trying to reach the finals for the first time since its 2013 state championship team. Creekside’s average score is 34-12 against a schedule that includes seven top-10 opponents, two from higher classes. That includes a victory over Class 7A semifinalist Grayson. Warner Robins’ average score is 49-19 while playing six top-10 opponents, three from higher classes.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Warner Robins 28, Creekside 21

Blessed Trinity at Calhoun

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Phil Reeve Stadium, Calhoun

Records, rankings: Blessed Trinity is 9-4, the No. 3 seed from Region 7-5A and No. 9; Calhoun is 11-2, the No. 2 seed from 7-5A and No. 6.

Last meeting: Calhoun won 32-27 on Oct. 8.

Things to know: In the region game between these two in the regular season, Calhoun QB Christian Lewis was 13-of-16 passing for 234 yards. Gage Leonard had 117 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 15 touches. Cole Speer, a two-way starter and Region 7-5A’s player of the year, had six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Calhoun never trailed. Blessed Trinity RB Justice Haynes rushed for 224 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries in defeat. He ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 49-7 victory over Villa Rica. He has rushed for 2,200 yards in 11 games, having missed two early in the season. Blessed Trinity is the lesser balanced team, averaging less than 100 yards passing per game. Calhoun and Blessed Trinity have won three state titles each since 2011, all in lower classifications, with Calhoun winning in 2011, 2014 and 2017 and Blessed Trinity in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Calhoun 29, Blessed Trinity 19

Class 6A

Dacula at Hughes

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium, Fairburn

Records, rankings: Dacula is 9-4, the No. 2 seed from Region 8-6A and unranked; Hughes is 12-1, the No 1 seed from 4-6A and No. 3.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: Both teams are seeking their first appearance in the state finals. Dacula is in the semifinals for the third time in four seasons and sixth time overall. Hughes is in the semifinals for the first time since the program began in 2009. Dacula is the only unranked team still alive in 6A after a 35-0 victory over Johns Creek, which was the last remaining No. 4 seed. The Falcons scored all of their points in the game’s first 16 minutes. Kyle Efford, a three-star linebacker prospect committed to Georgia Tech, ran for three touchdowns and had an interception to set up another score. Will Green recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. Hughes has won 12 consecutive games since a 7-6 loss to Newton in the opener. The 12 wins are a school record. The Panthers defeated Northside of Warner Robins 48-7 last week behind four rushing TDs by Antonio Martin, who is committed to Georgia Tech. Martin ran for 95 yards on 19 carries, giving him 786 yards for the season. Prentiss Noland passed for 171 yards and a touchdown, and Jakarri Martin scored on a 44-yard fumble return. Michael Collins recorded 16 total tackles.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Hughes 25, Dacula 14

Carrollton at Buford

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tom Riden Stadium, Buford

Records, rankings: Carrollton is 12-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 5-6A and No. 7; Buford is 12-1, the No 1 seed from 8-6A and No. 1.

Last meeting: Buford won 24-21 in the 2019 Class 5A quarterfinals.

Things to know: Carrollton ended a five-year losing streak in quarterfinal games with a 37-32 win over Westlake that put the Trojans in the semifinals for the first time since 2013. Bryce Hicks scored the winning touchdown on a 33-yard pass from M.J. Morris with 41 seconds left. Hicks rushed for 141 yards (giving him 839 for the season) and three touchdowns. Morris (committed to N.C. State) also threw a touchdown pass to himself, catching a ball that was deflected at the line of scrimmage and running 25 yards for the score. Carrollton led 24-0 in the third quarter but was outscored 32-7 over the next 16 minutes. Carrollton averages 42.2 points per game but will be facing a Buford defense that allows just 6.5. The Wolves recorded their fifth shutout of the season when they beat No. 2 Lee County 27-0 last week. Ashton Daniels (committed to Stanford) passed for 174 yards and a touchdown and scored on an 11-yard run. Victor Venn (Colorado) ran for 195 yards. Buford, a two-time defending state champion, is in the semifinals for the 19th time in 22 seasons.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Buford 34, Carrollton 12

Class 7A

Walton at Milton

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Eagles’ Nest, Milton

Records, rankings: Walton is 9-3, the No. 3 seed from Region 3-7A and No. 9; Milton is 12-1, the No 1 seed from 5-7A and No. 3.

Last meeting: Walton won 24-9 in 2015.

Things to know: Walton is in the semifinals for the first time since its Class 5A runner-up finish in 2011. Milton is in for the first time since winning the Class 7A title in 2018. Walton advanced in the second round with a 52-35 victory over No. 7 Brookwood, the fourth top-10 opponent the Raiders have beaten, the second in the playoffs, both on the road. Sophomore QB Jeremy Hecklinski was 14-of-24 passing for 268 yards. Rawson MacNeill had five receptions for 99 yards. Sutton Smith, a Memphis-committed running back, had 180 all-purpose yards on 16 touches. His 64-yard TD reception midway in the third quarter gave Walton a 42-14 lead. Milton had a tougher time with fourth-ranked Mill Creek, winning 36-27. It was a two-point game until Jordan McDonald’s 1-yard run with 3:25 left. Devin Farrell was held to 3-for-9 passing for 118 yards, but McDonald rushed for 201 yards on 21 carries. McDonald, who is committed to Central Florida, rushed for 248 yards the previous week against Marietta. Milton’s average score is 42-20. Walton’s is 37-26.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Milton 30, Walton 24

Grayson at Collins Hill

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Fahring Field, Suwanee

Records, rankings: Grayson is 10-3, the No. 2 seed from Region 4-7A and unranked; Collins Hill is 13-0, the No 1 seed from 8-7A and No. 1.

Last meeting: Grayson won 38-14 in the 2020 Class 7A championship game.

Things to know: After losing to Grayson twice last season, Collins Hill is heavily favored this time. The Eagles’ average score is 42-6. Grayson’s is 24-17. Collins Hill has beaten every opponent by 15 points or more. Collins Hill’s 49-7 victory over Lowndes last week was the most lopsided defeat that Lowndes has suffered in 40 years. Sam Horn was 27-of-32 passing for 323 yards and four touchdowns. The Missouri-committed quarterback has thrown for 3,217 yards this season. Travis Hunter, who is committed to Florida State, and Cedric Nash each had 112 yards receiving, and Ryan Stephens rushed for 125 yards. Grayson beat 10th-ranked Roswell 24-14 in the second round. Grayson had eight sacks, and Joe Taylor rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He’s rushed for 966 yards this season. Grayson averages only 80.7 yards passing per game. Grayson has beaten three region champions (Archer, McEachern, Denmark), but Roswell represented Grayson’s first victory over a top-10 opponent. Grayson last beat a No. 1 team in 2019 (Marietta).

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Collins Hill 32, Grayson 0

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Georgia Secretary of State sues Justice Department over voting records delay

By
Stanley Dunlap
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Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is suing the Department of Justice for allegedly failing to respond to communications requested by the Republican official about the DOJ’s case challenging Georgia’s voting overhaul. (file photo by Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder)

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is suing the U.S. Justice Department over allegations that the federal agency failed to respond to records requests for communications with prominent liberal groups about overturning Georgia’s new election law.

The U.S. District Court of Columbia District lawsuit accuses the agency of not complying in a timely manner after the Republican state elections chief filed the Freedom of Information Act request several months ago. A DOJ lawsuit is among a number of complaints filed in courts alleging discrimination in the election law overhaul passed by Republican lawmakers earlier this year.

Raffensperger requested any communication regarding Georgia’s new election law between the Biden administration and 62 outside groups and individuals as well as members of Congress and their staff members on Aug. 31. The lawsuit claims that the government agency only acknowledged their request, and they claim the DOJ lawsuit is based on political motivation rather than merit.

“Considering how blatantly political the Biden lawsuit against Georgia’s commonsense election law was from the beginning, it’s no surprise they would stonewall our request for basic transparency,” Raffensperger said. “I will always fight for truth and integrity in Georgia’s elections.”

The Freedom of Information Act requires the release of many previously unreleased government documents and information within 20 working days or about one month of a request.

The lawsuit was filed several weeks after the secretary of state’s office settled with the American Oversight watchdog organization for not responding fully to multiple open records requests for election documents and other information.

Raffensperger’s office declined to respond Wednesday when asked by the Georgia Recorder about how its criticism of the DOJ differed from its own violation of the state’s Open Records Act.

One of Georgia’s leading voting rights groups criticized Raffensperger for his hypocrisy. Common Cause Georgia is one of the plaintiffs in a separate lawsuit challenging provisions of the voting overhaul lawmakers approved in March, but its Georgia director said it hasn’t been informed of the state’s FOIA inquiry or this new lawsuit.

“There should be equitable treatment for sharing information,” said Aunna Dennis, executive director of Common Cause Georgia. “It needs to be a transparent process. You shouldn’t ask for something that you’re not doing.”

Richard T. Griffiths, president emeritus of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, called the DOJ’s lack of response unacceptable.

“All citizens deserve the respect of their government to be able to get access to public records and the federal FOIA is designed to let the public know what’s happening in their government,” he said. “Whether you’re a citizen worrying about waste in their neighborhood or a state official wondering about what’s going on related to the litigation they’re involved in.

“That said, we hope Secretary Raffensperger will remember the enormous efforts they had to make to get information out of the federal government and make it easier for citizens to get open records from their agency when citizens of Georgia file,” Griffiths said.

Just a week before the Supreme Court handed down its opinion on a restrictive Arizona voting law, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against Georgia alleging that the state law is in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or language.

The justice department’s suit is among eight pending federal lawsuits facing long odds in challenging Georgia’s sweeping voting overhaul as they attempt to roll back new absentee ID requirements, invalidating provisional ballots cast before 5 p.m. at the wrong precinct and limiting the use of absentee drop boxes.

In March, Georgia was the standard bearer of sweeping election law changes for many Republican-controlled states due to claims by Republican legislators that the new regulations would make voting easier and harder to cheat.

But opponents of the overhauls pointed out that they were mostly overactions to overwhelmingly disproven claims that fraud resulted in President Donald Trump losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden.

Republicans contend that the law extends early voting by requiring every county to provide it on Sundays and for the first time mandates each county provide at least one drop box for voters to deposit their absentee ballots. Those accommodations became common in Georgia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

In this year’s municipal elections, Democrats made significant gains despite the fact that a larger number of absentee ballots were rejected due to a shortened window and new identification requirements due to Georgia’s SB 202.

Abrams’ entry into 2022 race sets up health care as a pivotal issue

By
Joy Purcell
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Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks during a 9th District Democratic Party meeting at the Habersham County Recreation Department & Aquatic Center on Tuesday, Sept.. 17, 2019. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)

Democrat Stacey Abrams’ entry Wednesday into the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial race almost guarantees that health care will be a leading issue in the campaign.

Abrams, who narrowly lost to Brian Kemp in the 2018 race, pushed Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act as a top priority in that campaign.

As governor, Kemp has taken a much narrower path toward increasing the Medicaid rolls, and has opposed expanding the program in the standard ACA fashion, as most states have done.

Instead, he has proposed a plan to extend Medicaid to more low-income adults, but this plan has strict eligibility requirements – such as holding a job or fulfilling some alternative obligation. That means it would cover far fewer people than standard expansion would. And the Biden administration, which must approve such a state plan, has raised questions about those requirements.

If Kemp gains the Republican nomination, and Abrams is the Democrats’ pick, “it sets up a stark contrast on health care,’’ said Laura Colbert of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future.

Georgia is one of 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid, as Republican leaders have called the move too costly.

Kemp issued a quick response to the Abrams announcement.

Gov. Brian Kemp

“Next November’s election for governor is a battle for the soul of our state,” he said. “I’m in the fight against Stacey Abrams, the failed Biden agenda and their woke allies to keep Georgia the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

The AJC reported in October that an advocacy group founded by Abrams launched a seven-figure ad campaign urging Kemp to give struggling Georgians a boost by supporting an expansion of Medicaid.

The ads by Fair Fight featured three front-line health care workers who accused Kemp of “playing politics” by opposing an expansion of the program.

Brian Robinson, a Republican strategist, noted that Abrams “campaigned heavily on Medicaid expansion in 2018 and she’ll do so again. It’s an issue that unites all Democrats and independents and poaches some Republicans. Polling shows a majority of Georgians support it, and that’s the kind of topic a nominee is looking for in a general election to contrast with the opponent.”

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll in 2019 showed that 71% of Georgians supported expansion.

Any Democrat running for governor would promote health care issues, said Bill Custer, a health insurance expert and retired Georgia State University professor. Medicaid expansion “is clearly an issue important to Georgians,” he said.

But congressional passage of the Democrats’ Build Back Better legislation, which contains an alternative to cover low-income uninsured people, would take some steam away from the Medicaid expansion fight, Custer said.

The U.S. Senate is considering the legislation, which has already passed the House. As currently proposed, it would offer coverage in the health insurance exchange for poor residents in the 12 non-expansion states, though changes could be made in the measure to win some senators’ support.

Another potential campaign dividing line is abortion. Abrams has opposed abortion limits, while Kemp signed a Georgia bill in 2019 that outlawed most abortions once a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat — usually, about six weeks into a pregnancy and before many women know they’re pregnant. Some of the bill’s critics in the medical community say the term “fetal heartbeat” is misleading.

A federal judge in 2020 ruled the Georgia law unconstitutional.

The U.S. Supreme Court, though, is hearing a potential landmark case involving abortion. The justices Wednesday heard the most serious legal challenge to abortion rights in a generation.

And judging from the questions asked by the justices, it appeared possible — even likely — that a majority of them could vote to turn the thorny question of whether to allow abortion and under what circumstances, back over to individual states, Kaiser Health News reported. The high court’s Roe v. Wade decision effectively legalized abortion nationwide in 1973.

In the 2022 campaign, Abrams may point to her work on helping to pay off people’s medical debt.

The political organization she leads, Fair Fight, told the Associated Press in October that it has donated $1.34 million from its political action committee to the nonprofit organization RIP Medical Debt to wipe out debt with a face value of $212 million owed by 108,000 people in Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

U.S. Supreme Court considers new limits on abortions in Mississippi case

By
Laura Olson and Ariana Figueroa
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Wednesday’s oral arguments were also closely watched back in Georgia, where the fate of the state’s anti-abortion law is tied to the court’s decision on the Mississippi measure.

GHSA plan would reshape A-3A

By
Todd Holcomb
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Class A private schools such as Wesleyan, Eagle’s Landing Christian and Athens Academy will be moved up to 3A or 2A to compete with public schools next year if the Georgia High School Association approves a plan to apply the 3.0 enrollment multiplier to all Class A schools and eliminate the public-private split that has existed in Class A since 2012.

A ripple effect would send Class 2A football powers Rabun County, Bleckley County, Heard County and Swainsboro into Class A, where a few smaller but prominent private schools, such as Prince Avenue Christian, would remain. (See the proposed classifications for 3A, 2A, A-1 and A-2 below.)

The GHSA’s reclassification committee approved the plan 15-1 on Wednesday. The GHSA’s executive committee still must approve it.

The reclass committee’s plan would place five Class A private schools – Hebron Christian, Mount Vernon, St. Vincent’s Academy, Savannah Christian and Wesleyan – in Class 3A. Thirteen other Class A private schools, including football powers Athens Academy, Calvary Day, Darlington, ELCA and Fellowship Christian, would go into Class 2A.

Other private schools would remain in Class A, which would be restructured into two divisions based on size after applying the 3.0 multiplier.

The most notable private schools remaining in Class A probably would be Prince Avenue, a football powerhouse, and St. Francis, a basketball juggernaut. For the first time in a decade, they would compete for the same state championships with existing Class A public programs such as Irwin County and Brooks County but also with schools falling into Class A from above, such as Rabun and Bleckley, along with Elbert County.

Under this plan, the GHSA would recalculate 3A, 2A and A to ensure a similar number of schools reside in each. With private schools going up, others must fall.

The GHSA had hoped it was done with reclassification last month, with all schools assigned to their 2022-23 classifications and regions. Classes 3A and 2A had only one private-school member. And that one, Aquinas, was granted permission only because of extreme geographic isolation.

Many public schools believe that private schools have an unfair competitive advantage because they lack natural school boundaries. To combat that, the GHSA this year adopted a 3.0 multiplier, which means that students outside a school’s attendance zone are counted three times to determine a school’s classification. That effectively moved larger private schools such as Westminster, Lovett and Greater Atlanta Christian out of 3A and 2A and into 4A and above.

However, the 3.0 multiplier wasn’t used on Class A private schools because they already competed as a private-only classification. But change has become necessary because the GHSA could be down to about 25 or fewer Class A Private schools that field football teams next year.

Ten Class A private schools left the GHSA for another association last month, and more departures are almost certain if the GHSA doesn’t give the remaining Class A private schools what they believe are meaningful region alignments and playoffs.

The reclass committee will meet again Wednesday to hear appeals from schools in classes 3A, 2A and A. They can petition to move up or down.

Proposed reclassifications

Below is how the four lower classifications would look if the GHSA executive committee approves the latest plan. The numbers for each school represent the enrollment, the out-of-zone students and the total for reclassification purposes. Schools marked with an asterisk do not play football.

Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily. To sign up for GHSF’s free email newsletter click here.

Terry Grant Funk

By
Now Habersham
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Terry Grant Funk, age 61 of Homer, passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

Born in Sylva, North Carolina on October 3, 1960, he was a son of Mary Cochran Funk of Cornelia and the late Ralph Franklin Funk. Terry was the owner/ operator of Controlled Electrical Systems. He was a devoted husband and father and loved spending time with family and friends, as well as his dog Dingo. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially on his safaris to Africa. Terry was a member of Damascus Baptist Church and the Mt. Airy Masonic Lodge #141 F&AM of Mt. Airy, Georgia.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Broadus Martin.

In addition to his mother, survivors include his loving wife of 41 years, Robin Martin Funk of Homer; son and daughter-in-law, Grant & Ashley Funk of Lula; brothers and sister-in-law, Timmy & Lettie Funk of Bradenton, Florida and Todd Funk of Cornelia; sister, Susan Metz of Anderson, South Carolina; mother-in-law, Betty Martin of Homer; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kathy & Donald Pruitt of Homer; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bobby & Susan Martin of Homer; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A graveside service is scheduled for 11 am, Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Austin Kelley officiating and Masonic Rights provided by the Mt. Airy Masonic Lodge #141 F&AM.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the Secret Santa Fund at Mt. Airy Masonic Lodge #141, PO Box 106, Mt. Airy, GA 30563.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

Mcgahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Stacey Abrams is running for governor of Georgia in 2022

By
Stephen Fowler
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Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks during a 9th District Democratic Party meeting in Clarkesville on September 17, 2019. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)

Stacey Abrams is running for governor of Georgia. Abrams announced her gubernatorial bid Wednesday ending months of speculation about her political plans.

Abrams enters the race as the leading Democrat, setting up a likely rematch against embattled Gov. Brian Kemp in a state controlled by Republicans that Abrams narrowly lost in 2018.

Considered a rising star within her party, Abrams announced her campaign Wednesday with a video called “One Georgia.” It touts her work since falling about 55,000 votes short of becoming the first Black female governor in U.S. history in the state’s last governor’s race.

“Regardless of the pandemics or the storms, the obstacles in our way or the forces determined to divide us, my job has been to just put my head down and keep working toward one Georgia,” she said.

The former state House minority leader saw her profile skyrocket in the aftermath of the 2018 election through her organization Fair Fight, which has led nationwide efforts around voting rights, the U.S. Census, redistricting and other political calls to action, which has raised more than $100 million since its launch.

Abrams’ announcement will likely clear the field of Democratic challengers, as her fundraising prowess, extensive grassroots organizing and overall popularity within the party all position her as the best candidate to flip the governor’s mansion.

Her opponent will most likely be Kemp, the former secretary of state who clashed with Abrams over election laws and access to the polls as voting rights became a central issue of the 2018 race that saw then-record turnout.

But the governor faces his own challenges around election issues, as former President Donald Trump’s vendetta against his narrow defeat in Georgia has led to at least two pro-Trump primary challengers and the threat of former Sen. David Perdue’s entry into the race.

Kemp did not take steps to overturn the 2020 election despite repeated overt and covert attempts by Trump and his allies to influence officials in battleground states he lost, and false claims of fraud with the election led to a measurable drop in turnout across rural conservative strongholds in the January 2021 runoff elections that saw two Democrats, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, elected to the U.S. Senate.

Abrams’ 2018 campaign was built on creating a coalition of typically non-voting voters of color across the state along with increasingly diverse suburbs that have seen massive population growth and ideological shifts to the left.

Over the past decade, 1 million new residents have flocked to Georgia, almost exclusively in nonwhite parts of metro Atlanta.

But as Republicans are in an all-out war over the ideological future of the party, Abrams’ polarizing plans for a progressive Georgia could prove to be a boogeyman that unites conservative voters behind Kemp and the eventual nominee for U.S. Senate to run against Warnock.

Several things are for sure: the governor’s race will be expensive, contentious and carry an outsize importance on the national political conversation for years to come.

This article appears on Now Habersham through a news partnership with GPB News.

Akins elected to Habersham commission amid low voter turnout

By
Hadley Cottingham
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Ty Akins casts his ballot in the Nov. 30 runoff election between himself and Jason Hogan. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)

Habersham County voters have elected Ty Akins as their new District 5 commissioner, with Akins receiving 65% of the vote. Akins will succeed Tim Stamey who resigned from the board of commissioners earlier this year for health reasons.

Commissioner-elect Ty Akins puts wife Christina’s “I voted” sticker on after voting at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)

“I feel great,” Akins told Now Habersham after the votes were counted. “I’m very happy to have the opportunity to serve Habersham County and the community I love.”

The Tuesday runoff election was marked by low voter turnout; Akins received 836 votes to runoff opponent Jason Hogan’s 480. The Elections Office counted a total of 1,321 ballots cast, less than 5 percent of Habersham County’s registered voter population.

RELATED: Runoff election voting going smoothly in District 5, despite some bumps

“The sad part is, that’s somewhat expected,” Habersham North Poll Manager Steve Lindley said. “. . . A lot of people might not turn out with just two names on the ballot.”

Poll workers from area precincts bring ballots and poll pads to the elections office. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)

Early voting and absentee voting made up nearly half of the election results, with a total of 610 early and absentee ballots making up the runoff results. The number of voters participating in the runoff election was even lower than the municipal and special elections at the beginning of the month, which saw around 2,675 voters.

Election results are currently “unofficial and incomplete” and will be certified on Friday, at which point the results will become final. Akins will join the commission in January of 2022.

Vaccine mandate for health care workers halted nationwide by Louisiana judge

By
Laura Olson
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WASHINGTON (GA Recorder) —A federal judge in Louisiana on Tuesday issued a ruling blocking nationwide the Biden administration mandate requiring millions of health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

A suit challenging the mandate was led on behalf of multiple states including Georgia by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican, and U.S. Judge Terry Doughty granted the states’ request for a preliminary injunction.

Doughty said in his opinion that he extended the injunction beyond those states and to the entire U.S. because “there are unvaccinated healthcare workers in other states who also need protection.”

Other states joining Louisiana in its suit, filed Nov. 15, included Montana, Arizona, Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia.

Doughty, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said that “this Court believes the balance of equities and the public interest favors the issuance of a preliminary injunction.”

“The public interest is served by maintaining the constitutional structure and maintaining the liberty of individuals who do not want to take the COVID-19 vaccine,” he wrote. “This interest outweighs Government Defendants’ interests. “

At issue is President Joe Biden’s campaign to ensure that workers throughout the country are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Under Biden’s order, many private-sector employees were required to get vaccinated or undergo weekly tests, while some 17 million health care providers at facilities participating in the federal Medicare and Medicaid health insurance programs must be vaccinated — with no option to choose weekly testing instead.

Under the requirement, health care workers were to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr expressed vindication Tuesday after Doughty’s ruling.

 

Becker’s Hospital Review reported earlier this month that a federal study found 30 percent of health care workers in 2,000 hospitals across the U.S. remained unvaccinated as of Sept. 15.

“I applaud Judge Doughty for recognizing that Louisiana is likely to succeed on the merits and for delivering yet another victory for the medical freedom of Americans,” Landry said in a statement. “While Joe Biden villainizes our healthcare heroes with his ‘jab or job’ edicts, I will continue to stand up to the President’s bully tactics and fight for liberty.”

The Louisiana ruling followed another on Monday by a federal judge in Missouri that blocked enforcement of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for millions in 10 states.

That ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp, another Trump appointee, affected the states involved in that lawsuit: Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, Wyoming and Alaska.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that the administration is “obviously going to abide by the law and fight any efforts in courts or otherwise” to prevent health care facilities from protecting their workforces.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is laying some of the blame for an ongoing workforce shortage in senior care facilities and at other health care providers on the mandates pushing people out of the profession to escape being forced to take the vaccines.

Senior care facility managers are struggling to balance their desire for COVID-19 safety precautions with a need for workers who are resisting the vaccines.

“We believe COVID-19 vaccinations are critical to ensuring the safety of the vulnerable individuals residing in nursing centers, and we appreciate efforts to increase uptake in long-term care,” said Devon Barill, director of communications for a Georgia senior care industry association. “However, we are concerned that the mandate could exacerbate the significant workforce crisis long-term care communities are already experiencing.”

Because the mandate would apply to all facilities that treat Medicare and Medicaid patients, it covers the vast majority of the nation’s hospitals, home health care services and other medical service providers that depend on federal payments.

Additionally, Kemp and Carr are fighting in district court federal vaccination mandates for employers with 100 or more employees and federal contractors.

The governor vowed Tuesday to continue the state’s legal battles against vaccine mandates ordered by the Biden administration.

 

Georgia Recorder Editor John McCosh contributed to this report.

Albert William Miele

By
Now Habersham
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Albert William Miele, age 74 of Braselton entered rest Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville Campus.

Albert was born March 19, 1947, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Dennis & Ida Kane Miele. He was retired from the construction industry and was of the Catholic faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Miele. He loved sports and was known for pulling for whichever team was winning at that time. He will be missed greatly.

Left to cherish his memory, sons, Phillip (April) Miele, Brett Miele & Paul McBride; brothers, Johnnie Gorman & James Gorman; sisters, Eileen Findley, Colleen Babin & Darlene McBride; 5 grandchildren & a number of nieces & nephews also survive.

Please share online condolences with the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Albert William Miele.

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