Thursday's News 'n Notes: Scoreboard; Mary Persons' Des Williams; GISA softball; Russell Henley; Braves, UGA, Falcons, Hawks; MLB, colleges, NFL, NBA, more

October 8, 2021 Central Georgia Sports Report

Thursday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.

In Coverage: This week’s high school football scouting reports; Maxwell Ratings predictions; The Sports Report picks

Scoreboard
High School
Softball
ACE 20, Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics 0
The Gryphons teamed 13 hits with 10 walks to cruise. Regan Foster, Lizzy Mitchell, Destiny Lucs, Brooklyn McGreggor, and Maddie Gatlin had two hits each, Foster with three RBI to lead the 23-0 Gryphons.Crawford County 15, GSIC 0

Dodge County 6, Lamar County 1

East Laurens 9, Dublin 1

Hawkinsville 16, Fitzgerald 2

Jasper County 18, Washington County 11
The Hurricanes led 9-2 after three, then the Golden Hawks cut it to 11-9 with seven in the fifth. The teams managed only 13 hits for 29 runs, thanks to 14 walks by Jasper County pitching and 13 by Washington County hurlers. Kate Robinson had three hits and Jasmine Stone three RBI for Jasper County.

Strong Rock 11, Stratford 1

Volleyball
ACE 2, Central Talbotton 0 (25-10, 25-14)
The Gryphons clinched second in the region, and will host a first-round GHSA playoff on Oct. 20. It’s ACE’s second playoff trip, and first home playoff match. The Gryphons are 15-9, and went 6-1 in region.

Tattnall 3, Piedmont 0

College
Volleyball
Emmanuel 3, Georgia College 2

📰N 📰E📰W📰S📰

Alumni Update

Mary Persons grad Williams has him a night

Des Williams was a major playmaker on defense for Mary Persons, and he’s kept that going.

The sophomore defensive back at East Central (Miss.) Community College intercepted four passes last week against Pearl River, setting a school record and earning National Junior College Athletic Association Division I defensive player of the week honors.

Williams had two more picks Thursday night in a 31-13 loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast, returning one 35 yards. He had one pass breakup to go with five tackles.

He’s eighth on the team with 22 tackles and has blocked three field goals.

Peach County’s Alex Henton is a teammate. The sophomore tight end has one catch for 13 yards.

Around/About Central Georgia

Westfield a top seed as GISA softball playoffs begin

Westfield goes for one for the thumb and a fifth straight GISA softball title when the playoffs begin this weekend.

The Hornets are the top seed in AAA and host Southland.

Third seed Trinity Christian welcomes Valwood and fifth seed John Milledge is at Bulloch.

Brentwood hosts Windsor in Class AA, with Game 1 at 11 a.m. Saturday. Gatewood is at Southwest Georgia and Piedmont hosts Crisp Academy. Fullington hosts LaGrange in the four-team Class A bracket.

GISA has one classification for softball, but breaks up the playoffs into three classifications. Of the 27 teams playing softball, 20 are in the postseason.

The finals are Oct. 23 at Southern Pines in Dublin.

Henley off to good start at Shriners

Maconite Russell Henley countered one bogey with five birdies and sits in a tie for 31st at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas.

Henley shot a 4 under 67, and sits six shots back of leader Sung Kang.

It’s the third tournament of the season, and Henley’s first. He shot a 14-under 270 last year and finished tied for 27th.

Around/About Georgia

Hall of Famers: Braves are, yes, built for October run

Brewers’ Yelich hopes for a much better postseason

Bullpen issues a test for Counsell

Midseason deals push Braves and Brewers to playoffs

A true hostile environment awaits

Salyer happy with O-Line day against Arkansas