Josey's (from left) Armark Tolbert, John Fielding, Deon Grant, Percy Bland and coach John Starr are seeking another state championship. Photo by Steve Shelton/Staff

Football preview

Web-posted Aug. 29 at 10 p.m.

  David Cunningham sits halfway up the steep rows of cold concrete and peers at the barren field below where young men he has come to love as his own knock each other senseless.

 Here he is, a 41-year-old retired Army officer from Fountain Inn, S.C., who, 10 years ago, didn't know T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School existed. No real ties yet, he is probably the most dedicated fan among of a sparse group of supporters.

 It's perplexing. Perplexing, because there are 40 years of Josey history and alumni and, now, there is a Georgia High School Association Class AAA Championship for them to embrace.

The Donnan of a new era Web-posted August 29, 1996 at 7:25 p.m. Even if Georgia's new Head Coach Jim Donnavan restores the Bulldog program to its once-lofty perch, he will never quite forget what he was able to do in the foothills of West Virginia at Marshall University. Photo by Steve Shelton/Staff

Reynolds hunts running backs and snakes Web-posted August 29, 1996 at 10:25 p.m. AIKEN - It's appropriate that the leader of a smothering defense is a snake lover. Aiken linebacker Jamal Reynolds, rated one the top 50 high school players in the country by SuperPrep magazine, would probably rather catch snakes and take care of them than play football. Photo by Bob Rives/Staff

The Dream 16 Web-posted August 30, 1996 at 1 a.m. With what is perhaps the best collection of talent to hit the scene in years, Augsuta-area football figures to take its place on the map, thanks mostly to the cream, or better yet, the dream of the crop. Here they are. Graphic by Darin Bishop/Staff