Legend of Lincoln County Web-posted 8/28/97   LINCOLNTON, Ga. -- The redheaded country boy inherited his daddy's sweatshop mentality, so when he wanted nothing more than to coach football, the prettiest cheerleader at Calhoun Falls High knew what she was in for.

Coaches take 1997 spotlight Web-posted 8/28/97   If 1996 was the year of the running back in the state of Georgia with big-name seniors like Screven County's Audrell Grace, Columbus Carver's Jasper Sanks, Douglass' Jamal Lewis, 1997 is the year of the coach.

New faces dot South Carolina coaching landscape Web-posted 8/28/97   If you go to different high school football games each week, make sure that you pick up a roster to see who the head coaches are.

Macon holds bulk of power in 2-AAAA Web-posted 8/28/97   Macon still holds the balance of power in Region 2-AAAA after three of the four playoff teams in 1996 came from that area. Warner Robins, Central Macon and Northside Warner Robins share the favorite's roll to take the '97 region crown.

Evans' no-star system gets job done Web-posted 8/28/97   Losing 21 seniors would cause concern to most high school football coaches. However, 1997 isn't the first year Evans coach Jim Connor has had to replace a majority of his team leaders.

Bravo, Page lead offense for Lakeside Web-posted 8/28/97   Lakeside football may resemble an old wild-west shootout more than hand-to-hand combat in the 1997 campaign.

`Diamond Cutter' defense mainstay for Butler Web-posted 8/28/97   Jason Williams has a reputation for being a hard hitter, so much so his teammates call him ``the Diamond Cutter.'' Butler's defensive end appreciates being compared to World Championship Wrestling's Diamond Dallas Page who is known for his knockout move, ``the Diamond Cutter.''

Josey's pride remains solid Web-posted 8/28/97   As one of the few remaining links to Josey's storied past, James Bonner finds himself in the spotlight at a place where so many stars have shined.

Spartans' optimism runs high Web-posted 8/28/97   There isn't a coach in Region 3-AAA who doesn't think that Glenn Hills will be a much-improved football team in 1997.

Greenbrier year older and ready Web-posted 8/28/97   Greenbrier's Lamar Leverett feels like he's been set free. The Wolfpack linebacker was sidelined for all but two games last year with a broken jaw. Leverett said he is anxious to make up for lost time this year.

Laney's promise is there Web-posted 8/28/97   Eric Parker expected the worst when he took the Laney head coaching job in January. Turns out things weren't as bad as most thought.

South Carolina high school schedules Web-posted 8/28/97   Area South Carolina high schools include those in Aiken, North Augusta, Barenwell, Orangeburg, Blackville, and more.

Musketeers growing up Web-posted 8/28/97   The youth movement that began at Richmond Academy for coach Frank Caputo last season could begin paying dividends all too soon for the rest of Region 3-AAA. Now an experienced junior group featuring several rising stars at impact positions could spark an earlier-than-expected return to prominence for ARC.

Passing stays at Westside Web-posted 8/28/97   Gerald Barnes has been around long enough to know that the Westside football program he inherits is again faced with an uphill battle in 1997.

Brown is not alone in Swainsboro plans Web-posted 8/28/97   They come to see Dante Brown. They leave with more. Division I college recruiters this spring discovered that the Tigers' talent pipeline extends beyond Brown to the Class of 1999 - a Georgia prep class that could very well be headlined by Swainsboro linebacker Curtis Fann and quarterback Lyndon Johnson.

Burke coach relies on seniors Web-posted 8/28/97   Mike Falleur found out why Region 3-AAA is one of the toughest in the state, but he's got 24 reasons to believe in Burke County's region title chances this season.

Thomson's Jacobs good listener Web-posted 8/28/97   THOMSON, Ga. -- During 1996 preseason camp, juniors Quincy Jackson and Terrell Roberts presented an idea to Thomson coach Butch Jacobs. Worked out pretty nicely.

Hawks aim again for Week 15 finale Web-posted 8/28/97   Get the people from Jostens ready and fire up the electric hair clippers for a preseason test run. So loaded are the 1997 Golden Hawks, that anything less than another Class AA state title ring and another few chrome-domed months for Tomberlin will be the Georgia prep football surprise of the year.

Youth will do the serving early for Washington-Wilkes Web-posted 8/28/97   Butch Brooks has done just about everything in his 30 years of coaching, so he knows a rebuilding year when he sees it. And 1997 will certainly be just that for Washington-Wilkes, he says.

Harlem's Dye backs words with his deeds Web-posted 8/28/97   Harlem linebacker Chris Dye may not be the biggest player on the field, but he can have the biggest impact on it.

Nordman an iron man for youthful Aquinas Web-posted 8/28/97   He will have to be everywhere. Aquinas' Michael Nordman will be more than just running back if the Irish are to improve on their 5-5 records from last year.

GISA Roundup: Augusta Christian expectations unlimited Web-posted 8/28/97   With just 23 players on his team, Augusta Christian coach Steve Price said his squad must unite if they hope to improve on their 6-5 1996 record.

High school games on the radio Web-posted 8/28/97   WRDW-AM 1480 ``The Fan'' will continue its live broadcasts on Friday nights this fall, with Frank Mercogliano and Bill Botham handling the broadcasts. Games will be aired on tape delay on Jones Intercable the following Tuesday.

Georgia high school games Web-posted 8/28/97   Here are the schedules of all Augusta-area Georgia teams battling on the gridiron this fall. Games begin on Sept.5, a week after the South Carolina high school season starts.

Vikings embark on repeat in South Carolina Web-posted 8/28/97   Three-time defending Class AAAA, Division I state champion Spartanburg and defending Class AAA state champion Fairfield Central appear to be the teams to beat once again in their respective classifications.

Aiken's Johnson likes the challenge Web-posted 8/28/97   AIKEN -- You would think that a coach who lost 17 of 22 starters and four college football signees, including three Division I players, would lower his expectations for the upcoming season. That's not the case for Aiken coach Carey Johnson.

Motivation high at Hephzibah Web-posted 8/28/97   Hephzibah's Rebels tasted defeat enough last year and wants to wash that bitter taste out of their mouths this season.

North Augusta has new attitude Web-posted 8/28/97   NORTH AUGUSTA -- First-year coach Joe Long has brought a new attitude to his alma mater and it's paying off. North Augusta had 75 players come out for varsity football, which more than doubles the number (35) from last season.

South Aiken looking for early wins Web-posted 8/28/97   AIKEN -- Butch Nelson is frank in what he believes his team needs in the first month of the season. Wins. The first-year coach is hoping his team can improve on last season's 1-10 mark that included eight consecutive losses to end the season.

Thurmond needs time to mature Web-posted 8/28/97   JOHNSTON, S.C. -- Strom Thurmond coach Brian Smith thinks his team can get back to the same position it has been in the previous two years. It just may take more time.

Mustangs' Pitts is expected to give foes fits Web-posted 8/28/97   GRANITEVILLE -- Defensive lineman Jonathan Pitts has the people at Midland Valley excited about the upcoming season. Pitts, a 5-foot-11, 230-pound defensive end, will be the anchor of both the Mustangs' offensive and defensive lines. He is receiving interest from Army, Navy, Air Force, Harvard, Columbia and Yale.

Silver Bluff has weapons to succeed Web-posted 8/28/97   PETTICOAT JUNCTION -- Al Lown doesn't mind the high expectations that are coming his team's way. Silver Bluff is ranked No. 3 in the Class AA preseason poll by The South Carolina High School Report and is one of the favorites to win a Class AA state title.

Don't judge Ridge Spring-Monetta by its number of players Web-posted 8/28/97   MONETTA, S.C. -- There are only eight players in Ridge Spring-Monetta's senior football class. But those eight have big dreams for a team that doesn't have enough players, 21, to have an 11-on-11 scrimmage.