Kickoff tomorrow!
Tigers will take on Warren Co. in season opener Friday at 7:30
By JOHN LOVVORN

Brandon Howard junior lineman

The 2007 football season kicked-off around the state this past weekend. The new Washington-Wilkes football team got its feet wet, literally, with a jamboree game in Elberton Friday night. Although the game ended with a 13-0 score in favor of the Blue Devils, it doesn't count for anything as it was only a practice.

The Tigers tried out several different formations, plays, and players on both sides of the ball to get ready for the upcoming regular season which starts this coming Friday night against Warren County. Washington devoted the entire fourth quarter to the young kids, playing ninth and tenth graders against Elbert's starters to help them gain experience.

W-W returns five starters on offense, including linemen Dan Wylie, Tyrance Ashmore, Tyrece Ashmore, Larry Raiford, and fullback Drew Wilson. The Tigers have to replace several key players from last year, including quarterback Clete Wilson and tailback Kelmetrius Wylie.

Three different players stepped up for Washington Friday night to fillthe quarterback position. Junior Ty McGill went one-forone passing for eight yards and had three carries for nine yards. Sophomore A.J. Perlotte went one-for-one passing for nine yards and had two carries for one yard, and freshman Teverrius Jones went two-for-fivepassing for three yards and had two carries for four yards. Tight end Anthony Smith was the leading Washing- ton receiver with two catches for ten yards. Next was wide receiver Caleb Saggus with a great jumping catch for eight yards.

TEVIN Turman junior running back

The Tigers' ground attack was led by Tevin Turman with six carries for 39 yards, followed by Dede Stewart with six carries for 29 yards. Drew Wilson also had double digit yardage with three carries for 11 yards. Although mostly young and inexperienced, the W-W offense generated 112 yards in three quarters, and if not for some costly turnovers, would have scored several touchdowns. As the season advances and the new starters gain experience, the Tigers will have a very consistent offense.

The Washington-Wilkes defense returns only one starter, junior defensive end Anthony Smith. Among those the Tigers must replace are defensive back Gary Wilburn and linebackers Trey McCants, Demont Gresham, and Dywane Hampton. Despite its inexperience, the W-W defense held strong against the Blue Devil offense, causing two turnovers in just three quarters. In the first half, the defense gave up 156 yards, but 80 of those came on just a few big plays by Elberton.

The Tiger defense takes down an Elbert County running back in last Friday's preseason game.

The Tigers settled down in the third quarter, giving up only 35 yards. The young defense came in for the fourth quarter and only gave up six points to Elbert's starting offense. Leading tacklers for Washington were linebacker Whit Chafin,corner DeeDee Stewart, and defense end Tyrece Ashmore. The longer the game progressed, the better the defense played. As the Tiger defense gains more confidenceand experience, they will continue to improve from week-to-week.

This Friday night the Washington- Wilkes Tigers begin the regular season against the Screaming Devils of Warren County. The Devils finished second in region 7A last year behind Lincoln County and advanced deep into the state playoffs. Warren runs a double slot offense featuring an option attack, with quarterback Tommy Seals, a four-year starter, being the primary weapon. Last week he had two touchdown runs over 30 yards in the Devils' jamboree against Burke County, but these were Warren's only plays over eight yards.

Senior football player Kelley Roberts was not included in the Seniors photo in this week's foorball supplement.

Defensively, Warren County bases out of an even front. Senior linebacker Van Williams is the Devils' leader on defense. This will be a good early test for the Tigers and will allow both the offense and the defense to gain valuable experience before the Tigers face rivals Thomson and Lincoln County and then move on to the region schedule. Kickoff is at 7:30 in Warrenton.

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