Sidelines & Headlines
Tra Battle Finds Redemption
Stagione 2
di Jim Hardin
Host Blake Giles catches up with Tra Battle, who had a game to remember 20 years ago against Auburn University. Tra was an all-star athlete in Forsyth, walked on at Georgia, earned a scholarship, was named All-SEC and third-team All-American. He played professionally for six years. Now he is a cybersecurity specialist in the Air Force and he recently launched a clothing line: CBTB (Covered by the Blood). He relates his first college game at Clemson. He talks about pass interference (everybody else is), having seen it on his phone. He recalls the impression that Kirby Smart made as an assistant coach at Georgia. And he shares how God reminded him of his mission in life to be a light.
Host Jim Hardin catches up with long-time friend Bill Waldrep, who has quite the following as a farmer through videos on social media. He is a third-generation farmer in Monroe County, where he raises vegetables and cows. Ag policy is high on the list of his interests. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and was a high-school ag teacher for 30 years, mostly at his alma mater, Mary Persons High. He and his wife, Sarah, raised three girls, and they have one granddaughter.
Host Jim Hardin and Blake Giles look ahead to the Georgia-Alabama football game. But first, they look back at local high school results, and what happened in college football last week. Including the emergence of another ex-Auburn quarterback (they’re everywhere). Auburn lost to Tennessee in an uninspired game. Vanderbilt looked like the best team Georgia has played so far, but that will change this Saturday with the visit to Alabama. They both agree that youth baseball is out of control, and Blake shares his recipe for Graham Cracker Toffee, aka brown-sugar meth.
Co-hosts Blake Giles and Jim Hardin pick their final four teams one third of the way through the season, and they don’t agree. The guys review a dramatic and much-needed win by Athens Academy, as well as other high school results. And then they turn to the college scene. Georgia dominated Oklahoma, led by a trio of great backers: Chris Cole, Raylen Wilson and Quntavious Johnson, who gave Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer nightmares. Auburn won, but Jim says they have yet to have a statement win. Meanwhile, ex-Auburn quarterbacks are scattered all over the college landscape. Don’t ask them about the obscene celebrations that are in the news. They don’t like them. Sportsmanship seems to be a thing of a bygone era.
It’s a big weekend of college football with lots of big games, and hosts Blake Giles and Jim Hardin agree that Oklahoma at Georgia is not one of the big ones. There’s UT at UT (Texas at Tennessee, Manning Present vs. Manning Past, orange vs. orange) there Texas A&M at LSU, where the loser will be 0-2 in the SEC, there’s Ole Miss at Florida, where Trinidad Chambliss will duel Aaron Philo; there’s Vanderbilt at Auburn, where the Tigers are looking for an offensive line; there’s Oregon at Southern Cal, where former Pac 12 foes square off in a Big 10 battle; and there’s South Carolina at Alabama, where Shane Beamer might need a big win.
Hosts Blake Giles and Jim Hardin talk some high school football, college football and even dip their toes in the NFL world. On the high school scene, Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals play in their annual rivalry game. How about a 73-66 score, for a football game? Prince Avenue Christian rolls. Athens Academy is struggling. On the college front, LSU’s game at Ole Miss may suck all of the air out of the room. Florida and Auburn will be on at the same time. Activate Multiview. Auburn and Georgia were not tested last week. Georgia may not be again this week with its trip to Arkansas, which lost in a blowout to Utah. Texas may a move toward the CFP, but Ohio State is not out of it. What is wrong at Oregon?
Martin Willingham, a Macon, Ga., resident, was host Jim Hardin's neighbor for 20 years. He has jumped into the publishing business with a bang, putting out three books all at once. Two are fiction and one is non-fiction.
Hosts Jim Hardin and Blake Giles review the first full week of college football, including the untimely call that went against Western Michigan, robbing them of a win over Michigan. Prince Avenue Christian hosts Greater Atlanta Christian in a big non-region game, and Jackson County hosts defending state champion North Oconee in a game high on the radar. And how about scoring nine touchdowns in a game, or 22 points in the final two minutes? That’s high school football. Auburn was fortunate to escape with a one-point win over Baylor. Georgia, aka Tight End U., routed Tennessee State, 63-3. Hmm. Where have we heard that score before? Oh. Sugar Bowl, Georgia 63, Florida State 3. Speaking of the Seminoles, it may be a race to see who gets canned first: Mike Norvell at FSU or Dabo Sweeney at Clemson. Yikes, Blake admits he vastly underrated LSU, which backed down when the SEC forced its hand. Florida looked impressive, thanks in part to Prince Avenue Christian grads Bailey Stockton and Aaron Philo. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has lost five of its last six and faces Tennessee next. The big showdown this weekend is Ohio State at Texas. And it is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Where were you?
Hosts Blake Giles and Jim Hardin preview the upcoming season, with an emphasis on Georgia, Auburn and the Southeastern Conference. They also pick the 12 teams they think will make the College Football Playoffs. Jim is high on LSU; Blake is not.
Hosts Jim Hardin and Blake Giles catch up with Clarke Central Coach David Perno, who is dealing with an extra challenge this year as he is taking treatments for cancer. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, David grew up in Athens after his father, Don, opened an Arby’s in Athens as well as Perno’s Formal Wear. David was previously the head baseball coach at Georgia. Three times, he coached the Bulldogs to the College World Series. Fun fact, this year’s Georgia appearance in the College World Series was the first that did not involve a Perno. Brother Donn played on the 1987 team, David played on the 1990 national champs, and he was an assistant coach for Ron Polk in 2001 and the head man in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Now in his 11th season at Clarke Central, David is delighted with the 2-0 starts. The Gladiators beat Pepplebrook in the Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Classic and beat Oconee County 21-3. “It should have been worse,” David said. “They called two touchdowns back.” Quarterback Tray Bryant gives Clarke a dual threat. He has added Carter Mangel to the coaching staff to join his brother Jack. Run-pass option has revolutionized football at the high school level. Playing for Billy Henderson was a dream come true for David. He started as a receiver, but switched to fullback after weight training. Dealing with cancer has been a challenge. Fatigue is a factor. Despite that, he is scheduled to coach the Clarke baseball team in the spring. David finds inspiration from watching how former Georgia baseball players Chance Veazey and Johnathan Taylor have overcome paralyzing injuries. Not many high school coachers in the upper levels are coaching both football and baseball teams. The new point system is affecting how coaches strategize late in games. Cedar Shoals’ starting quarterback was a part-time starter for Clarke Central last year. David says Hezzekiah Millender could play quarterback at Georgia if they give him a shot.