Tidbits - September 29, 2022
- Details
- Category: Archives
- Published on Tuesday, 27 September 2022 21:47
- Written by Ralph Shealy
- Hits: 1201
TIDBITS by RALPH SHEALY
GEORGIA ON MY MIND
On Sept. 17, 2021, Rabun County, Georgia, travelled to Saluda and beat the Tigers 63-7. Their quarterback Gunner Stockton originally committed to Carolina, but changed his mind and signed with Georgia.
A year later, on Sept. 17, 2022, Gunner’s college team travelled to South Carolina. In those two games, Gunner’s teams have won by a combined score of 111-14. As far as I know, he didn’t play last week. He wasn’t needed….
Last year, I saw Rabun County play as close to a perfect game as I have ever seen. They did commit three penalties, but other than those, they did nothing else wrong. It was uncanny. On Saturday, the Georgia Bulldogs were almost as perfect at Rabun County was.
Last year, Saluda was supposed to play Ninety Six, but COVID reared it’s ugly head and the Wildcats had to cancel, as did opponents Mid-Carolina and Batesburg-Leesville. The Tigers could have been a ten win team last year.
Rabun was ranked second in Georgia and Saluda was ranked third, both in 2A. Both teams had openings in the schedule and a highly publicized match was set.
Rabun County returned 19 starters from the previous year’s team, including the Number 5 rated quarterback in all the land, Stockton. Saluda had never played a player ranked so highly.. Some players who had good pro careers played here, but never anyone so nationally recognized as Gunner.
He lived up to the hype, completing 18 of 21 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns. He was also an outstanding runner, but when you complete 18 of 21 passes for 401 yards, you don’t have to run.
As good as Rabun was, the Wildcats did not win the 2A state championship in Georgia last year.
Carolina fans know the Gunner story. He played on a team that was formerly coached by the father of Gamecock legend Connor Shaw. Connor’s brother Jaybo was the coach of last year’s Rabun team. With the Shaw connection, Gunner committed to Carolina, but when the Gamecocks fired Will Muschamp, Stockton withdrew his commitment and signed with Georgia.
Georgia is loaded with quarterback talent, so Gunner is probably destined for a redshirt year. Ironically, with all that quarterback talent, the Bulldogs outstanding signal caller Stetson Bennett is a walk-on.
Was I destroyed by the Gamecocks humiliating loss to the number one team in the country? Not really.
Carolina began the game with five defensive starters out, so when 45 percent of your defensive starters are out against a team that beat Number 11 Oregon 49-3, what chance do you have?
I was hoping the Gamecock offense would at least show up, like it did against tenth ranked Arkansas the week before. No such luck. How in the world can Georgia continue to be that good on defense after losing most of last year’s starters to the NFL draft? It’s called recruiting.
It’s going to take Shane Beamer longer than two years to seriously challenge the Bulldogs.
The good news for the Gamecocks is they have the top team and the number ten team out of the way.
The Gamecocks have plenty of ranked teams left on the schedule, but only Clemson is ranked in the Top Ten.
If Carolina can find an offense .... if frogs had wings.....
GOD BLESS THE QUEEN
How many people do I know that have lost the “King” or “Queen” of their family this year?
It has been uncanny.
With so many deaths of mothers and fathers, I was not surprised that Queen Elizabeth died a few weeks ago at the age of 96.
What a remarkable life she had. Only two days before her death, she welcomed Britain’s new prime minister.
She has been Queen of England for 70 of my 71 years on earth.
When I was five, there was a episode of “I Love Lucy” entitled “Lucy Meets The Queen.” I saw a rerun of this recently and thought how Lucy, Desi, Ethel and Fred are long gun, but the queen they were trying to see in 1956 was still the queen in 2022!
There have been so many comedy television shows and movies where Queen Elizabeth was depicted by a look-alike.
One of my favorites was in one of the “Naked Gun” movies with Leslie Nielsen. They say Queen Elizabeth had a great sense of humor. I wonder if she Googled that scene?
Actresses have won an Oscar, Emmys and Golden Globes playing her. I’ll admit I’ve seen every episode of “The Crown.”
Queen Elizabeth was always thinking of her loyal subjects, even in her colorful outfits.
She was quoted as saying, “if I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.”
Think about it. When thousands came to see her, and she walked on that balcony, all would know who she was by the bright color of her suit, even if she was just a speck.
Her dresses were like the Pope in his robes. If the Pope wore a navy blue blazer you wouldn’t know who he was either.
The world joined in mourning the Queen’s passing.
Now, think about this. Few people on earth today will be alive the next time there is a Queen of England, with Charles, followed by William, followed by George.
George’s first born would have to be a girl. He’s what, nine?
BASKETBALL QUEENS
It has been an unbelievable year for the Carolina women’s basketball program.
Of course, the Gamecocks won the national championship, but two players, one current and one alumnus, have set marks they may not be matched by players coming out of the same college.
Aliya Boston won the college national defensive player of the year and national player for the year this season.
In the same year, Gamecock grad A’ja Wilson won the WNBA defensive player of the year and most valuable player award.
In -playing for the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces, A’ja has added to accomplishments few players have matched.
In high school, she lead Heathwood Hall to the state championship and was named the high school national player of the year.
In college, she led the Gamecocks to the national championship and was and the college national player of the year.
In the pros, she led Las Vegas to the WNBA title and was named the league MVP.
In the Olympics, she led the U.S. team to a gold medal.
High school champion, college champion, pro champion and gold medalist. How many other athletes can make that claim?