Jessie Miller heads all-state team Web-posted 12/24/97   SANDERSVILLE, Ga. -- Washington County's Jessie Miller, who is just as capable of stopping a ball carrier as he is of running for the end zone, is the state's all-classification Player of the Year.

Final Georgia football poll released Web-posted 12/24/97   ATLANTA -- Thomas County Central beat Burke County 21-19, giving the Yellow Jackets the Class AAA state championship for the fifth time in six years and the No. 1 spot in the high school football poll.

Miller stars despite injury Web-posted 12/21/97   CARROLLTON, Ga. -- It never showed on the outside, but Washington County's Jessie Miller, who scored four touchdowns in the Golden Hawks' 42-28 Class AA championship victory over Carrollton on Saturday night, was hurting on the inside.

Nothing could keep Hawks from greatness Web-posted 12/21/97   CARROLLTON, Ga. -- They wanted something for themselves. They wanted something that would make them stand out. They wanted their slice of football immortality. Nothing against the kids who came before them, the ones who got this Washington County machine rolling, but the 1997 Golden Hawks were on a mission to make the past seem puny by comparison.

Golden Hawks victorious Web-posted 12/20/97   CARROLLTON, Ga. -- The most prolific passer in the state gave Washington County a run for its money, but there hasn't been a challenge yet the Golden Hawks haven't been able to meet. Carrollton quarterback David Rooks had the game of a lifetime, but the Class AA team of the Nineties again found a way to complete its two-year mission.

Burke County looks forward to '98 Web-posted 12/20/97   THOMASVILLE, Ga. -- For Mike Falleur, big as a bear, it took everything he had to stop his eyes from watering. ``Dang,'' he said, as he watched the celebration at midfield with Queen's We Are the Champions blaring over the Thomas County Stadium sound system.

South Carolina rallies in Shrine Web-posted 12/20/97   CHARLOTTE - Kentrell Jones, Justin Darnell, Tyeler Dean and Kenneth Harney led an improbable South Carolina comeback in the 61st annual Shrine Bowl on Saturday.

Burke County falls short Web-posted 12/20/97   THOMASVILLE, Ga. -- Two points, one of the state's all-time great running backs and the team of the Nineties. That's all that came between Burke County and their dream.

Bears meet demise beneath golden arches Web-posted 12/20/97   THOMASVILLE, Ga. -- Just across the street from the Thomas County Central football stadium, on the south side of Highway 319, there stands a McDonald's restaurant.

Class AAA Notebook Web-posted 12/20/97   THOMASVILLE, Ga. -- The kids were distraught, but their parents had the right perspective. Minutes after Burke County's 21-19 loss to Thomas County Central in the state Class AAA final, many of the Bears were strewn about one end zone, faces buried in their hands.