Worth Co. High School
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November 2009
Sisters of Swing
by Cale Colby
Twin sisters Heather and Haley Ellis mean double trouble for any team facing the Worth County Lady Rams. Haley catches and Heather plays short stop. Haley is the leadoff hitter while Heather bats clean up. As freshmen, they played a major role in Worth County’s region championship and eighth place rank in the state. This year they returned to the Worth County Diamond Den determined to prove that the Lady Rams’ diamond dominance is here to stay.
In 2009, they have been a threat at every swing of the bat. They consistently drive the ball to the fence for doubles and triples and they have each hit home runs this season. They steal bases frequently. Then, they turn around and pick off base runners with Haley firing the ball to Heather waiting at second for the tag. They play smart, aggressive softball and they are only in their sophomore season.
Haley Ellis was the Region 1-AAA Player of the Year for 2008. She was an All-State, All-Region, and All-Area softball player last season, and she was runner up for Player of the Area. Haley also led the region in hitting last season. As the Lady Rams’ catcher, she is a necessary component of Worth County’s pitching dominance. ‘Practice makes perfect’ is Haley’s motto, and she loves the adrenaline rush that comes from being put on the spot in an intense game. She hopes to continue her championship-caliber softball career with the University of Arizona. She plans to study sports medicine in college, and she hopes to someday open her own sports therapy clinic.
Heather has played ball her entire life. She played recreation league baseball until she was 12, so she’s never been a stranger to a fast pitch. The sophomore was First Team All-Region in 2008. She believes that “failure is not an option,” but she loves winning as a team. Her favorite part about playing softball is the closeness and trust she shares with her teammates on and off the field. Heather hopes to continue her softball career as a University of Georgia Diamond Dawg. She plans to study sports medicine at UGA, and someday coach a travel ball team.
Including middle school, the Ellis sisters have been playing softball for five years with the Lady Rams. They have been a part of Worth County’s conference championships three of those years. When they’re not playing in Worth County, Heather and Haley play travel ball with the South Georgia Extreme. The Extreme finished fifth out of 49 teams at the Softball World Series in Panama City this year.
Photography courtesy of Cale Colby
by Cale Colby
Twin sisters Heather and Haley Ellis mean double trouble for any team facing the Worth County Lady Rams. Haley catches and Heather plays short stop. Haley is the leadoff hitter while Heather bats clean up. As freshmen, they played a major role in Worth County’s region championship and eighth place rank in the state. This year they returned to the Worth County Diamond Den determined to prove that the Lady Rams’ diamond dominance is here to stay.
In 2009, they have been a threat at every swing of the bat. They consistently drive the ball to the fence for doubles and triples and they have each hit home runs this season. They steal bases frequently. Then, they turn around and pick off base runners with Haley firing the ball to Heather waiting at second for the tag. They play smart, aggressive softball and they are only in their sophomore season.
Haley Ellis was the Region 1-AAA Player of the Year for 2008. She was an All-State, All-Region, and All-Area softball player last season, and she was runner up for Player of the Area. Haley also led the region in hitting last season. As the Lady Rams’ catcher, she is a necessary component of Worth County’s pitching dominance. ‘Practice makes perfect’ is Haley’s motto, and she loves the adrenaline rush that comes from being put on the spot in an intense game. She hopes to continue her championship-caliber softball career with the University of Arizona. She plans to study sports medicine in college, and she hopes to someday open her own sports therapy clinic.
Heather has played ball her entire life. She played recreation league baseball until she was 12, so she’s never been a stranger to a fast pitch. The sophomore was First Team All-Region in 2008. She believes that “failure is not an option,” but she loves winning as a team. Her favorite part about playing softball is the closeness and trust she shares with her teammates on and off the field. Heather hopes to continue her softball career as a University of Georgia Diamond Dawg. She plans to study sports medicine at UGA, and someday coach a travel ball team.
Including middle school, the Ellis sisters have been playing softball for five years with the Lady Rams. They have been a part of Worth County’s conference championships three of those years. When they’re not playing in Worth County, Heather and Haley play travel ball with the South Georgia Extreme. The Extreme finished fifth out of 49 teams at the Softball World Series in Panama City this year.
Photography courtesy of Cale Colby
Loud and Proud
by Cale Colby
Worth County’s Sherrod Loud brings hurt and lost yardage to his opposition. He earned All-Region and All-Metro in 2008. As a senior, the 6’1”, 280 defensive tackle says he plays with more emotion than in years past. He also states the knowledge and experience of the previous seasons have given him understanding and perspective to make smarter moves on the field. Loud explodes through the line with precision and determination and he punishes whoever he finds with the ball. In the Rams’ first six games of 2009, Sherrod amassed eight sacks and at least 24 tackles.
His senior year is going great. He’s keeping his grades up, and he’s anxious to start college. For Sherrod, the best part about playing football is that the sport could give him the opportunity to receive a free education. So far, he has been offered full scholarships from Georgia State and Western Michigan. In addition to these schools, Sherrod has been considered by Louisiana Tech, Louisville, and Kansas. Which school will Sherrod most likely attend? He says he wants to graduate and then weigh all of his options.
He plans to study business management and he hopes to own his own business some day. If he is not drafted into the NFL, he intends to join the Air Force or Navy after college. One thing is for sure: with Sherrod’s ambition and determination, he will most likely accomplish anything he attempts.
Sherrod says his father is his greatest inspiration in life. He has a great dad who takes care of his family. Sherrod also has a twin brother, Gerrod, who graduated from Worth County last year. Gerrod was offered a scholarship at Kentucky, but he is attending Albany State until his brother finishes school in the hopes that they can continue playing football together.
In 58’s own words, “If you don’t put anything in, don’t expect to get anything back.” Loud brings leadership and a positive attitude to the football field, and those qualities make him a great asset to the Worth County Rams.
Photography courtesy of Cale Colby
by Cale Colby
Worth County’s Sherrod Loud brings hurt and lost yardage to his opposition. He earned All-Region and All-Metro in 2008. As a senior, the 6’1”, 280 defensive tackle says he plays with more emotion than in years past. He also states the knowledge and experience of the previous seasons have given him understanding and perspective to make smarter moves on the field. Loud explodes through the line with precision and determination and he punishes whoever he finds with the ball. In the Rams’ first six games of 2009, Sherrod amassed eight sacks and at least 24 tackles.
His senior year is going great. He’s keeping his grades up, and he’s anxious to start college. For Sherrod, the best part about playing football is that the sport could give him the opportunity to receive a free education. So far, he has been offered full scholarships from Georgia State and Western Michigan. In addition to these schools, Sherrod has been considered by Louisiana Tech, Louisville, and Kansas. Which school will Sherrod most likely attend? He says he wants to graduate and then weigh all of his options.
He plans to study business management and he hopes to own his own business some day. If he is not drafted into the NFL, he intends to join the Air Force or Navy after college. One thing is for sure: with Sherrod’s ambition and determination, he will most likely accomplish anything he attempts.
Sherrod says his father is his greatest inspiration in life. He has a great dad who takes care of his family. Sherrod also has a twin brother, Gerrod, who graduated from Worth County last year. Gerrod was offered a scholarship at Kentucky, but he is attending Albany State until his brother finishes school in the hopes that they can continue playing football together.
In 58’s own words, “If you don’t put anything in, don’t expect to get anything back.” Loud brings leadership and a positive attitude to the football field, and those qualities make him a great asset to the Worth County Rams.
Photography courtesy of Cale Colby
October 2009
Rams Football
by Cale Colby
With region play just around the corner, the Worth County Rams have a promising season ahead. Former WCHS athletic director Scotty Ward is taking on the responsibility of head coach for the Rams in 2009. He believes that a defensive line stacked with seniors will be Worth’s greatest strength this season.
The team has tremendous talent on both sides of the football with seniors Sherrod Loud at defensive tackle and Justin Tukes at tight end. Loud has the speed and strength to bust through the line and pressure or take down the quarterback every time the ball snaps. Tukes stands 6’5” and runs the forty in 4.72 seconds. He is consistently open down field and anxious to add passing yards and first downs to the Worth County stats.
After playing in just three games last year, sophomore Rodney Farley is the starting quarterback for the Rams in ’09. Rushing or passing, Rodney threatens to move the chain every down. In his first two games at the helm of the Rams’ offense, Farley has completed 10 passes for 116 yards, and he has carried the ball 15 times for 114 more. Expect big things from the young quarterback as he matures into a team leader.
Coach Ward shared these remarks about his team’s potential: “You instill in the students that you compete and you don’t give up. If you play hard every down and you don’t take plays off, you’ve got a chance to win the football game.”
Keep an eye on the Mighty Rams this season. Worth County is determined to win and more than capable of making it happen.
The team has tremendous talent on both sides of the football with seniors Sherrod Loud at defensive tackle and Justin Tukes at tight end. Loud has the speed and strength to bust through the line and pressure or take down the quarterback every time the ball snaps. Tukes stands 6’5” and runs the forty in 4.72 seconds. He is consistently open down field and anxious to add passing yards and first downs to the Worth County stats.
After playing in just three games last year, sophomore Rodney Farley is the starting quarterback for the Rams in ’09. Rushing or passing, Rodney threatens to move the chain every down. In his first two games at the helm of the Rams’ offense, Farley has completed 10 passes for 116 yards, and he has carried the ball 15 times for 114 more. Expect big things from the young quarterback as he matures into a team leader.
Coach Ward shared these remarks about his team’s potential: “You instill in the students that you compete and you don’t give up. If you play hard every down and you don’t take plays off, you’ve got a chance to win the football game.”
Keep an eye on the Mighty Rams this season. Worth County is determined to win and more than capable of making it happen.
Photography by Cale Colby
Lady Rams Softball
by Cale Colby
Last year, the Worth County Lady Rams racked up 24 victories, the Region 1-AAA title, and they ranked eighth in the state. The softball team is on track to continue that dominance in ‘09. Of their first 14 games, WCHS has posted 11 wins and shut out the competition four times. With a record of 6-1 in region play, the girls are currently atop the 1-AAA standings.
With only one senior on the roster, Worth County is a fairly young team, but don’t mistake them for rookies. Seven starters have returned. Among them, three of the players were All-Region last season. Two more were All-State. Catcher Haley Ellis was named Region Player of the Year in 2008. She also earned All-Area, All-Region, All-State, and she led 1-AAA in hitting.
At the center of the diamond, Morgan Bell, Kelly Weaver, and Lauren Potts are among the best pitchers in South Georgia. They throw hard and they love to win. Lady Rams’ head coach Russ Beard believes that these girls offer some of the best pitching he has ever seen. The 11-year WCHS softball coach comments, “Fast pitch softball has come a long way in Worth County since we made the transition from slow pitch in 1998. We had some good years, but we didn’t have the pitching and the defense because our girls didn’t understand it… now they understand.”
They have learned the game and they play it well. Expect big things from the Lady Rams in the weeks to come. These girls are no joke, and they’re looking to prove that by dominating the region for a second straight season.
With only one senior on the roster, Worth County is a fairly young team, but don’t mistake them for rookies. Seven starters have returned. Among them, three of the players were All-Region last season. Two more were All-State. Catcher Haley Ellis was named Region Player of the Year in 2008. She also earned All-Area, All-Region, All-State, and she led 1-AAA in hitting.
At the center of the diamond, Morgan Bell, Kelly Weaver, and Lauren Potts are among the best pitchers in South Georgia. They throw hard and they love to win. Lady Rams’ head coach Russ Beard believes that these girls offer some of the best pitching he has ever seen. The 11-year WCHS softball coach comments, “Fast pitch softball has come a long way in Worth County since we made the transition from slow pitch in 1998. We had some good years, but we didn’t have the pitching and the defense because our girls didn’t understand it… now they understand.”
They have learned the game and they play it well. Expect big things from the Lady Rams in the weeks to come. These girls are no joke, and they’re looking to prove that by dominating the region for a second straight season.
Photography by Cale Colby
