Local Sports
Johnson to play in all-star game
THOMASVILLE — In 2006, a neck injury nearly ended Jermaine Johnson’s football career.
Three years later, the former Thomasville High School standout is an all-star and on the brink of playing Division I football.
Johnson, a sophomore at Northeast Mississippi Community College, will play in today’s Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges All-Star Football Classic.
“It’s a good feeling,” Johnson said. “I feel real good. I feel like my football career is finally getting to a point where I like it.”
Johnson was a defensive force for the Tigers this year at linebacker. The 220-pounder finished with 65 tackles, including 45 solo stops. Johnson also tallied 4.5 sacks. He was one of five players from Northeast Mississippi selected to play in today’s event, which will showcase 66 of the state’s best players. The game will be played at 1 p.m. at Kennum Stadium in Booneville, Miss.
“He is very resilient,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said. “We’re very proud of what he’s done.”
Resiliency appropriately describes Johnson, who has overcome so much. In Thomasville’s seventh game of the season against Mitchell County in 2006, Johnson made a jarring hit on an Eagles receiver. Johnson never got up. He was diagnosed with a neck injury and sidelined the rest of the year.
“I had a big doubt that I was ever going to play again,” Johnson admitted. “But the coaches at Thomasville High and the players just stuck with me and stayed by my side and kept me going.”
Johnson returned in May 2007 for spring practice and was an integral part of the Bulldogs’ run to the quarterfinal round of the Class AA playoffs despite nursing an ankle injury the first part of the year. Johnson has been at Northeast Mississippi for two years.
Johnson’s play on defense this year has attracted many Division I schools as National Signing Day is two months away. Johnson said he is being recruited by Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Middle Tennessee.
“It’s very fulfilling,” Johnson said. “Everything’s looking on the good side for now.”
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THS, Central, Cairo attend Bainbridge camp
Footballs were flying all over the practice fields adjacent to Bainbridge High School Thursday afternoon.
Thomasville, Thomas County Central, Cairo, along with two schools from Alabama and Leon (Fla.) participated in a passing camp at Bainbridge. The three-hour long passing league drew rave reviews from those in attendance. -
Yellow Jackets making strides in passing leagues
Another summer day gone by, another passing session under Thomas County Central’s belt.
The Yellow Jackets hosted a 7-on-7 passing league with Lowndes Wednesday afternoon.
The two teams threw for almost two hours at Central practice field. With Central set to compete in its last passing league today in Bainbridge, head coach Bill Shaver likes the progression his team has made on offense and defense. -
Folsom galloping ahead
Horseback riding came natural for Landrie Folsom — so, too, has winning.
It’s only natural that a national championship is in the Thomasville resident’s future, right?
That’s the dream Folsom will carry with her this weekend when she participates in the Junior Hunter Finals and Hunterdon Cup Equitation to be held in Lexington, KY on Aug. 2-5. Folsom is excited about participating on the national stage but understands how tough the competition will be. -
Drew still undecided about collegiate future
Ray Drew is still undecided.
By all accounts, Thomas County Central fans will have to wait until Signing Day, 2011, to find out where the highly-recruited senior will play collegiate football.
Speaking five days before the start of fall practice, the Central senior gave no hints as to who his favorites were. He’d like to keep it that way. -
East has mixed feelings with Brookwood’s play in camp
The run-oriented Brookwood Warriors got an extensive look at their passing attack this week.
The Warriors attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes passing camp at Georgia Southern, Monday-Wednesday. Brookwood competed in a passing league that included such schools as Cook, Irwin County, South Effingham and Long County. -
Cairo passing camp a success
Cairo’s eight-team football camp continues to be a passing success.
Thomas County Central, Bainbridge and Valdosta joined the Syrupmakers and four schools from Florida to compete in 7-on-7 drills Thursday morning. - Bombers to host tournament
- Little League set for another year
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YMCA swimmers qualify for state event
The Thomasville YMCA took 26 swimmers to Tifton on for the 2010 GRPA district swim meet. All qualified for the state championships in Tifton in two weeks.
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Haskins running wild
Nathan Haskins has lofty goals for his cross-country career.
Running in a marathon is next for the Thomasville native. - More Local Sports Headlines
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