Last week a situation unfolded here locally unlike any I’ve ever even heard of before. And, in true Thomas County fashion, it ended up being one that actually helped me regain a little faith in humanity. 

There’s a unique fraternity of old guard radio football play by play guys here in our area. My friend Michael Best has been calling the Cairo Syrupmaker games for almost 40 years, and I’ve been doing Central’s games since 1986 myself. My friends Darrell Allen and Jim Rayburn have been the radio voices for Thomasville’s Bulldogs for 30 or so years themselves. 

Legions of fans still gather around their radios (or these days computers) to be able to listen to their respective guys call the games for their favorite teams, and for a lot of those fans their fall Friday nights revolve around those listening parties. Add in a big rivalry kind of game and the listenership multiplies exponentially, and even goes outside the boundaries of a particular fan base. 

So you can imagine the shock when news broke out early last week that Darrell and Jim both had tested positive for COVID. Remember, this wasn’t just any week for their Bulldogs — it was the week of the traditional rivalry game against the Cairo Syrupmakers in the Battle for the Syrup Pitcher. 

Unlike the Central broadcast, which has three guys on it (myself, Bryan Davis on color, Jamie Majors on the sidelines), Darrell and Jim are pretty much it for Thomasville’s. They do have Hank Rogers (“The Wise Man,” as Darrell calls him, since he once played a wise man in the First Baptist Church live nativity during Victorian Christmas) drop by and help with their tailgate show. 

But as far as their live broadcast is concerned, it’s Darrell and Jim. And with both of them testing positive, neither one of them could broadcast the game. 

So what to do? 

Tuesday of last week, WPAX station owner Len Robinson gave me a call at the high school. He said he had been thinking about the situation, and had come up with a potential solution he wanted to run by me. 

“I’d like for Bryan Davis to call the Thomasville game.”

For a split second, my senses reeled. After all, the very thought of having someone from the Central Yellow Jacket broadcast crew as the main guy calling the Thomasville Bulldog game seemed borderline sacrilegious. I mean, after all, this is the kind of thing that could lead to lions laying with lambs and such. 

But just as soon as that thought crossed my mind it was replaced with the irrefutable fact that right was still right and wrong was still wrong, and doing anything but helping out in this unique situation would be wrong. Bryan had filled in admirably before on a Central game before, so why not? 

“Absolutely,” I responded. “It’s just the right thing to do.” 

Now, to be sure, Bryan is a Yellow Jacket to the core, and I knew him accepting the job would come with some mixed emotions. But just as I figured, he stepped up to the plate and agreed to offer his services. 

The biggest issue anyone saw with the arrangement was simply that being a Central guy (and being pretty young) Bryan’s knowledge of the Bulldog program and its rich history was not something he’d be able to bring to the table. And given the fact that the national champion 1974 Thomasville team was going to be recognized at halftime of the Cairo game, it was important that someone be there who could offer up that kind of perspective. 

So to help Bryan there, Len recruited “The Wise Man” Rogers to provide color commentating. And then, stepping off the sidelines to help with the situation was none other than long-time Bulldog PA announcer Bill Raney. Between the two of them was a treasure trove of red and gold knowledge that would help fill in the spaces Bryan simply couldn’t. 

As things turned out, Central’s game was a blowout, and ended about the time the Thomasville game entered their fourth quarter. That gave me a chance to tune in and see how things were going. 

Of course, Thomasville mounted a furious comeback against the Syrupmakers and won the game 26-21. Bryan, Hank, and Mr. Rainey sounded like they had been working together for years, describing the action and filling all of the details in very professionally. 

When it was over, Hank and Mr. Rainey both thanked Bryan for stepping in and offering a hand. Bryan graciously thanked them for their help and the ‘Dog fans for being so supportive. 

Later than night, Bryan called me and said, “Now I know why you’re so dang tired at the end of our games. I am plumb wore out.” 

Wore out or not, last week Bryan became the only person I know of in the history of Georgia high school football radio history to call a game pitting his school against their biggest rival one week, and then turn around and call the following game for none other than that rival school. If it has ever happened before I’m not aware of it. 

More than anything, it just goes to show that you should never be above helping out where a helping hand is needed — even if you’re blue and gold to the core and those needing the help are wearing red and gold.