Mens Athletic Spotlight Kevin Johnson
Carrollton, Ga. – September 3, 2004 – Transitions are apart of life, and sports are no exception to the rule. Little league to high school to college to the pros, is how one would like it to go. Along the way there are always set backs that are unwanted, but seem to make things better in the long run.
Senior cornerback Kevin Johnson made a transition that most would say was in the wrong direction. Johnson transferred from Clemson University during the 2002 off-season to join the West Georgia Braves. Division I is the level any high school player in any sport wants to reach at the college level. Bigger schools, bigger athletic teams, bigger and better chance of getting notice by pro scouts. But nevertheless, Johnson took that leap to Division II West Georgia, where he will join a strong secondary that looks to cause all sorts of trouble in the GSC in 2004.
The big difference from D-I (Division I) to D-II is the family atmosphere here at West Georgia, Johnson said.
The senior from Orangeburg, SC likes how the family oriented Braves made it easier to adjust to a new place, system, and team. Johnson has some big goals for the team this year, and does not feel that these goals are far fetched.
Win it all. Many people might say not a chance, but they havent been apart of the team that I have been for the past year. We have come together in a way that this team has never seen, and as long as the younger guys grow a winning attitude this team will be unstoppable! Those young guys look up to Johnson in most part because he has seen and has D-I experience, and has a real shot at the NFL.
The NFL is all I have my eyes set on, Johnson stated about what drives him everyday. Johnson feels that he is most like Deion Sanders. Deion has been through a lot, two-sport star, and is undoubtedly the best defensive back in the NFL, and is now coming back at an age most NFL players quit.
Johnson isnt stupid, he is going where the money is the best, but would not playing for the hometown Atlanta Falcons.
I feel I could add something to their secondary, but money is leading the way, Johnson noted about where he would like to play in the NFL.
Most importantly, and something most athletes do not say nor live up to the promise, Johnson vows he will never forget where he comes from, and all that has been sacrificed for his career to continue.
My uncle helped the most during my transition from Clemson to West Georgia. He just reminded that God knows what is going to happen and as long as I remember God is in control everything will work out it is intended to, Johnson said.
Johnson realizes that his time with friends and family is short and far between with his constant training for the NFL, but enjoys hanging with friends, just relaxing, and something he says he should have done all along, watching film. He is a sport management major and if for some reason cannot play after college he would love to coach somewhere, and will spend time with his family from the moment the season ends to when it is time to kick up the training for NFL rookie camps.
West Georgia clashes with Carson-Newman, comes up just short
Rome, Ga. – September 4, 2004 – To be the best, you have to beat the best. For three quarters of Saturday’s season opener at the Nick Hyder Football Classic, West Georgia hung close with the fifth-tanked Carson-Newman Eagles. But in the end, the Eagles handed a 31-24 loss to the Braves.
“I was really proud of the way our boys hung with this team today,” Ledford said. “Mike Alexis and Javari Taylor ran the ball well and I was glad to see Jaybriel Holbrook and Derek Boykin step up in a leadership role.”
Senior running back Alexis and freshman running back Taylor combined for 195 yards on the afternoon, including 132 from Alexis. The Miami, FL native also had 45 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Through the air, it was a pair of Carrollton natives that stole the show. Boykin was stellar in his West Georgia debut, catching three passes for 72 yards. Holbrook, also in his first game as a Braves, caught two passes for 52 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown.
Another bright spot for the Braves came on West Georgia’s second possession of the game. UWG blasted down the field on the back of Alexis, who rushed five times for 47 yards on the drive. But, on thrid down from the 13, quarterback Lucas McMichen was hurried, forcing a fourth down. In stepped Trevor Ramos, who promptly nailed a 30-yard field goal for the first West Georgia points of the season.
Ramos is an amazing story, who eight months ago, was in a terrible car wreck that nearly claimed his life. “Today was a real emotional day for me,” Ramos said. “I was just glad I was able to be out here for the team.”
After Braves’ score, Carson-Newman resumed a smashmouth brand of football, taking 12 plays to go 80 yards and a 14-3 lead. The lead extended to 17-3 just after the beginning of the second quarter, with the Eagles in command.
But the Braves, led this time by Taylor and Boykin, marched right back down the field. Taylor kicked off the drive with a 13-yard run, followed by a seven yarder. Two plays later, McMichen hit Boykin streaking across the middle and it was off to the races. Deonte Bolden drug down the sophomore at the two yard line, keeping Boykin out of the end zone. After another two plays, Taylor high-stepped into the endzone for the score to pull the Braves with eight at 17-9.
The score remained 17-9 until the second possession of the second half, with West Georgia in control of the ball. The defense held on Carson-Newman’s first attempt of the half, giving the UWG offense the ball at its own 45 yard line.
Alexis rushed twice for 13 yards, followed by a an incomplete pass to Corey Braddy. Then, an offensive coordinator’s dream happened as Carson-Newman blitzed with a screen play called. McMichen flipped the ball over the blitzing linebackers to a wide-open Alexis, who scampered 44-yards, diving into the end zone to the delight of the West Georgia faithful. Ledford went for two, and McMichen found Holbrook in the middle of the endzone to tie the game at 17.
But, then the Carson-Newman coaches threw a curve-ball and began a hurry-up offense. Three minutes and 22 seconds later, the Eagles found paydirt, firing up the CNU contingent.
After the Eagle defense held the Braves to a quick three-and-out, CNU quarterback Shane Kelley took an option 55 yards on the very next play for a commanding 31-17 lead.
Both teams added a touchdown late in the game for the final of 38-24. The day was a record-breaker for one Brave, punter Jeff Carpenter. The junior punted four times on the day for a school-record 51.8 average.
Next up for the Braves is a trip to Searcy, Arkansas, to face the Harding Bisons next Saturday at 7 p.m. EST.
Carpenter earns GSC honors
Carrollton, GA – September 6, 2003 – Only once in 2003 did a member of the West Georgia Braves capture a weekly honor from the Gulf South Conference. One week into the current season, the Braves have already matched that total.
Punter Jeff Carpenter was Monday named GSC Special Teams Player of the Week. Carpenter, a junior from Cumming, was honored for his performance in Saturdays season opening game vs. Carson-Newman.
Ive never seen anybody kick a ball any higher or longer, said Braves coach Mike Ledford. The coach added, Jeff didnt relax at all after making all-conference a year ago. He has continued to work and get better and better.
Saturdays performance by Carpenter featured four punts for a 51.8 yards per-kick average. His average was the highest ever in a single game for a West Georgia punter. On kickoffs, he three times forced Carson-Newman to start drives on their own 20-yard line. Also, Carpenter negotiated a successful on-side kick.
Carpenter already holds five West Georgia punting records. His marks include highest average in a game, most punts in a game and season, and most yards in a game and season.
Mens Athletic Spotlight Trevor Ramos
Carrollton, Ga. – September 10, 2004 – Comebacks seem to be just another part of every sport in the world, especially at the professional level. Michael Jordan came back to the NBA after a brief stint in the minor leagues, Mike Tyson has made too many comebacks, and Deion Sanders is the most recent big name to comeback to give a second try at it. Well, Trevor Ramos, the senior kicker for the West Georgia Braves, is making a comeback of his own this season.
During the Christmas Break of 2003, Ramos was involved in a car accident that very well could have taken his life and for sure is football career. Ramos went through intense rehab just to learn to walk again, and rehab of the brain to remember things that are so common to people like where you live, what are your friends names, and other everyday things.
“Through all the trials and choices I had to go through, my dad was there every step of the way for me, and this tragedy actually brought us even closer together,” Ramos explained . “God was also a big factor in all of this because if He didn’t want me playing again then He could have very well made that happen. But He showed His amazing love, and gave me a second chance at something I love.”
Ramos was the starting kicker last year for the Braves and with him most likely out for the season Coach Mike Ledford had to find a replacement.
“I really didn’t even think about having to replace Trevor. My coaching duties were put on hold when I got the call about what had happen to Trevor,” Ledford shared. “The father part of me came to the surface and I just wanted to do whatever I could to make Trevor comfortable through what he was going to have to go through.”
“I started making progress and my goal as well as my therapists goal was to get back on that field playing,” Ramos said. “I went out and kicked one day and felt as if I might be able to kick, so I went and talked to Coach (Ledford) about what my options were.”
But with Ramos in physical therapy, Ledford and the Braves’ staff had to act during spring practice and even through the summer, as if there would be a new placekicker for West Georgia in the fall of 2004.
“I didn’t know if Trevor was going to be our kicker this season,” Ledford said. “I wanted him out there for his knowledge of kicking, plus the fact was that we didn”t have a kicking coach, so I figured I would have him be a sort-of player/coach and that way he could kick as well. I knew that having him out there would be inspirational for the other guys on the team.”
So, on August 8, when the team reported for fall camp, Ramos was there on the field, kicking into the net at the south end of the practice field that he had known so well for the past four years.
“I’m so glad to be back out there. I found out how much I was loved and missed by the guys, and I found out who my friends were back home by who spent the time to find how I was doing. I gained a lot of weight sitting on my butt playing X-Box, but I’m now the best player at Tiger Woods Golf,” Ramos said. “But I am nowhere near where I was before the accident, and I have a freshmen on my heels that is very capable of taking my spot at any moment. It is great to be back, but it is going to be hard to kick the way I did.”
The comeback has nearly come full-circle, and last Saturday, Ramos stepped onto the field in Rome for the Braves’ opener with Carson-Newman, in a West Georgia uniform. Despite the emotion that goes with that, on the Braves’ second drive of the day, a fourth-and-two came up at the Carson-Newman 13. That familiar call went out from the UWG sideline, “FIELD GOAL, FIELD GOAL!” Ramos stepped up and kicked the ball through the uprighs for a 30-yard field goal, the Braves’ first points of the season. How sweet it is.
Fourth quarter comeback spoils Braves bid
Searcy, Ark. – September 11, 2004 – Despite leading for much of the game, the West Georgia Braves were unable to hold off a late fourth quarter surge from the Harding Bisons, as the homestanding Bisons upended the Braves 28-21 Saturday night.
The Braves opened the night with a 14-0 lead, but the Bisons came back late to send West Georgia to its second loss of the season.
Michael Alexis and Javari Taylor both rushed for touchdowns in the first half for the Braves’ two scores. Adam Lybrand’s touchdown pass late in the first half was the only score for the Bisons.
In the second half, Darius Pettigrew comes up with a big play interception at the 4:50 mark.
At the 8:57 point in the fourth quarter, Alexis broke free for a big 23-yard run to the Harding one, then walked into the endzone on the very next play for a 21-14 lead for the Braves.
The Bisons answered the UWG score with a touchdown of their own, followed by an interception thrown by McMichen, his third of the game. With four minutes left, Harding scores a touchdown to take a 28-21 lead.
West Georgia marched the ball back down, but faced a fourth-and-17 from the Harding 35 with 2:06 left in the ballgame. McMichen throws his fourth interception of the game on the play to seal the Braves’ fate.
“We didn’t throw the ball very well tonight,” head coach Mike Ledford. “We didn’t make very good adjustments in the second half and you can’t win games with the way we executed tonight.”
A bright spot for West Georgia was 195 yards on the ground, including 159 and a pair of touchdowns from Alexis. The senior had 241 all-purpose yards on the night as well.
Crazy finish, but Braves fall to UAM
Monticello, AR – September 24, 2004 – It was an amazing finish, but with 15 seconds remaining in Saturday’s contest between the West Georgia Braves and Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils, UWG quarterback Brent Owens’ pass sailed just over Jaybriel Holbrook’s hands in the endzone to send the Braves to a 31-27 heartbreaker.
Owens was forced into action late in the first half as starting quarterback Lucas McMichen went down on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Williams.
The Braves continued to take steps forward with two long touchdown passes and a blocked punt for a touchdown, but miscues late sealed the West Georgia fate. The loss was the first ever for the Braves in the series with Arkansas-Monticello.
Mike Alexis led the way on the ground with 25 rushes for 98 yards and a score on the night. Jesse Marinko, largly dormant thus far in the season, caught five passes for 141 yards, including a 65-yard touchdownfrom Owens.
Cory Allred, the reigning offensive player of the year in the Gulf South Conference, lit up the Braves’ defense, completing 26-of-48 passes for 433 yards on the afternoon.
The Braves fall to 0-3 on the season with Southern Arkansas coming to Carrollton next weekend for the home opener.
Braves fall to Arkansas Tech
Carrollton, GA – The West Georgia Braves dropped their fourth straight tough decision here Saturday, falling to Gulf South Conference rival Arkansas Tech, 28-14. A pair of fourth quarter TD passes by Tech quarterback Jason Campbell broke open a 14-14 tie, and proved to be the difference in the game.
Following a scoreless first quarter, West Georgia was first on the scoreboard. Freshman tailback Javari Taylor capped an eight-play, 44-yard drive with a one yard scoring run.
Tech countered on West Georgia?s next possession. Braves quarterback Derek Boykin dropped to pass, only to see the ball slip out of his hands. Defensive end Jirey Siner scooped up the loose ball and carried it 14 yards for the tying score.
Both teams posted TDs in the third quarter. Arkansas Tech?s Marcus Godfrey scored from a yard out, following a 71-yard throw-and-catch from Campbell to receiver Thomas Hosey. West Georgia answered on Boykin?s one yard TD run, tying the game at 14-14 as the fourth quarter began.
Campbell?s first scoring strike came on the first play of the final period, a 22 yard completion to Craig Gobroski. Later, it was Chris Johnson taking a 17-yard TD dash after catching a Campbell aerial.
Despite the loss, West Georgia tailback Michael Alexis continued his impressive performance. The senior from Miami, Fla., rushed 22 times for 132 yards. The performance pushed his career total past the 1,000-yard mark, only the 12th runner in the program?s history to achieve that total.
With the defeat, West Georgia falls to 0-4 on the season, 0-3 in Gulf South Conference play. Arkansas Tech is now 5-0, 4-0 in the league, and is ranked 21st nationally in the AFCA Division II Coaches? Poll.
West Georgia next Saturday returns to the road in search of its first win over the season. The Braves will face West Alabama in Livingston. Arkansas Tech returns home next week to face Delta State.
Mens Athletic Spotlight Jesse Marinko
UWG Senior continues to perservere
By Stuart Houghton
Carrollton, Ga. October 1, 2004 – A season that began with promise has had a rough beginning for the West Georgia Braves. However, with a disappointing September behind them, a new month brings new optimism for the Braves. For this optimism to evolve intothe realism of winning, a young Braves team needs a positive attitude and strong leadership.
Enter Jesse Marinko
The Braves senior tight end has stayed strong with his team and in his senior year he hopes things will be like his freshmen season of an 8-3 West Georgia squad.
The Braves are a team that are currently 0-3 in which they could easily be 2-1, but very possibly could even be 3-0.
We need to finish games, Marinko said. There are too many games that I can think of, the three games so far this season are prime examples, of games that we as a team let slip away.
Marinko is the leading receiver for the Braves, but is also a big blocker on the line for the leading rusher in the Gulf South Conference Michael Alexis. The senior entered the 2004 season with record of 23 consecutive games with a catch. That streak was broken the first game of the season against Carson-Newman.
The record was not important to me, Marinko shared. But it would have been nice to keep it going through my senior year. Mike had a big game against Carson-Newman, which meant me blocking which I dont mind doing as long as Im helping a teammate do his job even better.
,br> Being a senior on the team, Marinko realizes that he and the other seniors have had to keep the younger guys and transfers excited to play through a rough season thus far.
We tell them that this is a mans game, Marinko explained. If you lose your job do you go home and cry about it forever? No! You go out and find another job. Thats what we try to get across. Leave it all on the field and go out the next week and finish the job.
As one of the co-captains from the 2003 squad, it is second nature for Marinko to be a leader on and off the field. But, instead of setting lofty goals for the team, his leadership style is more by example for the Braves to follow.
On the field, I just want to leave this team knowing that I gave it my all every game, Marinko said. :Off the field, Im finishing my classes in marketing.
Marinko, a marketing major, has big hopes and aspirations in the field of marketing. Although he is a senior on the field, he has already graduated from West Georgia and is now working on his graduate degree.
Ill have my masters soon, and I hope to start an entrepreneurship, Marinko said. Becoming a successful businessman in Atlanta is something Im in college for. Having a family and a successful business is something I want in my future. Being a coach is something I could do if my business plans dont pan out, but I want to make money, and I dont see it in coaching.
The first game of the season is always important to a program. But the first game for the four-year player was delayed until tomorrow night due to Hurricane Ivan.
This is our first chance to show our school and community what kind of team we are, Marinko said. I want to give our fans something to come see in our four home games this season. A team that finishes is what I want them to see.
Finishing is what Marinko does on the field, and this weekend Marinko wants to finish the home opener with a win.
Valiant Effort ends in defeat
Carrollton, Ga. October 3, 2004 – The West Georgia Braves dropped their fourth straight tough decision here Saturday, falling to Gulf South Conference rival Arkansas Tech, 28-14. A pair of fourth quarter TD passes by Tech quarterback Jason Campbell broke open a 14-14 tie, and proved to be the difference in the game.
Following a scoreless first quarter, West Georgia was first on the scoreboard. Freshman tailback Javari Taylor capped an eight-play, 44-yard drive with a one yard scoring run.
Tech countered on West Georgia?s next possession. Braves quarterback Derek Boykin dropped to pass, only to see the ball slip out of his hands. Defensive end Jirey Siner scooped up the loose ball and carried it 14 yards for the tying score.
Both teams posted TDs in the third quarter. Arkansas Tech?s Marcus Godfrey scored from a yard out, following a 71-yard throw-and-catch from Campbell to receiver Thomas Hosey. West Georgia answered on Boykin?s one yard TD run, tying the game at 14-14 as the fourth quarter began.
Campbell?s first scoring strike came on the first play of the final period, a 22 yard completion to Craig Gobroski. Later, it was Chris Johnson taking a 17-yard TD dash after catching a Campbell aerial.
Despite the loss, West Georgia tailback Michael Alexis continued his impressive performance. The senior from Miami, Fla., rushed 22 times for 132 yards. The performance pushed his career total past the 1,000-yard mark, only the 12th runner in the program?s history to achieve that total.
With the defeat, West Georgia falls to 0-4 on the season, 0-3 in Gulf South Conference play. Arkansas Tech is now 5-0, 4-0 in the league, and is ranked 21st nationally in the AFCA Division II Coaches? Poll.
West Georgia next Saturday returns to the road in search of its first win over the season. The Braves will face West Alabama in Livingston. Arkansas Tech returns home next week to face Delta State.
Braves end losing streak with blowout
Livingston, Ala. – October 9, 2004 – The losing streak is over, and the West Georgia Braves took out the frustrations that come from eight straight losses on the West Alabama Tigers today. The Braves spoiled UWA’s homecoming with a 31-20 pounding.
The first quarter was all about big plays after the Tigers took a 6-0 lead midway through the session. The extra point by Tanya Butler was blocked. The Braves came back down the field on a reverse to receiver Johnny Williams that went for 43 yards. UWG was able to manage a field goal from that good field position.
As the quarter ended, the Braves scored on Michael Alexis 3-yard touchdown run. The run came two plays after John Perkins interception return to the UWA five.
On the next possession, with West Alabama deep in West Georgia territory, UWG safety Kevin Johnson picked off a Josh Crouch pass, giving the Braves the ball deep in UWA territory. Two plays later, Alexis went off tackle for a 23-yard touchdown and a 17-6 West Georgia lead heading into the break.
The defense played like gangbusters out there today, head coach Mike Ledford said. They really gave the offense a short field and made big plays today.
As the second half began, the Tigers get a huge 64-yard touchdown run from big-time back Marcus Ross to pull within four at 17-13. On the first play from scrimmage at the Braves 11, Javari Taylor answered right back with a 55 yard run to put West Georgia into Tiger territory. After a pass interference call on fourth down, the Braves get new life and Lucas McMichen steps up with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Raffinnee Gonzalez. The first of Gonzolezs career and the Braves were up 24-13.
Taylor ran wild in the third quarter, racking up over 100 yards rushing in that period. That total gave him his first ever 100-yard game in a West Georgia uniform. The freshman picked up another big run on the Braves next possession, setting up a third Alexis touchdown to give West Georgia a comfortable 31-13 lead.
The defense continued to play strong, keeping Ross and Co. out of the endzone throughout the third quarter. But, the Tigers got back on the board in the fourth quarter, adding another touchdown that pulled them to within two scores at 31-20.
Perkins and Jonathon Sello did a great job today, Ledford said. The super linebackers kept that big Ross in check the whole game.
But instead of folding, the Braves pulled yet another drive out, and with 1:36 left in the ballgame, the Braves added one more score, this time a senior Ryan Davis pounded the ball in from one yard out for the final of 38-20.
Carpenter earns second GSC Honor
Carrollton, Ga. – October 12, 2004 – Field position can win a football game. In West Georgia’s first win of the season last Saturday, field position made all the difference in a W for the Braves. For the second time this season, West Georgia punter Jeff Carpenter was named the Gulf South Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
The junior had two pooch punts inside the ten, and two more inside the 20 in helping the Braves hold off a tough West Alabama running game. Carpenter was constatnly pinning the Tigers deep, especially with the second longest of his career and longest in the GSC this season, a 66-yarder.
With the Braves and Tigers tied early in the first quarter, West Georgia found itself with a fourth-and-10 on its own 36 yard line. Carpenter came out and booted the ball into the endzone for a 66-yard punt, pinning the Tigers in deep.
The Braves look to make it two in a row this Saturday at Southern Arkansas. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m.
Heartbreaker in Arkansas
b>Carrollton, Ga. – October 15, 2004 – The West Georgia Braves participated in a see-saw battle Saturday night in Magnolia, Arkansas, coming up on the short end of a 45-37 score.
Offense wasn’t a problem for the Braves on the night, as senior quarterback Lucas McMichen turned in his best performance of the season in the loss, going 19-for-27 in the air for 219 yards on the night. The Braves also rushed for 266 yards in the game.
The Southern Arkansas Muleriders opened the game strong, building a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. But the Braves came storming back, tying the ballgame at 10 with 5:58 left in the second quarter. Sophomore quarterback Derek Boykin led West Georgia on those two drives, becoming the first hero of the night.
But back came the Muleriders, scoring a touchdown with just 1:24 left on the clock, giving SAU a 17-10 lead heading into the locker room.
The second half had the makings of a blowout early, as the Riders scored two touchdowns in the first five minutes of the second half.
Down 31-10 early in the half, the Braves looked to an unlikely source for a comeback, fullback Brian Davis, the second hero of the night. The sophomore scored the first UWG touchdown of the second half to get the Braves rolling again. After the defense held, West Georgia began driving again, and Davis’ big run to the five set up a Michael Alexis touchdown just before the horn sounded to end the third stanza.
Alexis was the next hero of the night, leading the Braves to two more scores, racking up 173 yards rushing on the game. He led West Georgia to its next score, tying the game at 31 with 9:54 left in the game.
However, the see-saw continued to swing as the Riders answered right back with another touchdown. The Braves blocked the extra point to gain some momentum back.
The offense used that momentum to blow right back down the field on the backs of Alexis and Javari Taylor. With 2:37 left, Taylor pounded the ball into the endzone, tying the game at 37. John Vickers’ extra point swung the see-saw back in West Georgia’s favor at 38-37.
But what goes up, must come down as a solid kickoff return gave SAU the ball at midfield. The Riders drove right through the West Georgia defense, scoring with 1:21 left in the ballgame. A two-point conversion gave Southern Arkansas a 45-39 lead.
But the Braves weren’t finished, driving back down the field on the arm of McMichen, who brought his offense to the doorstep of the SAU endzone. With six seconds left, on the Riders’ eight yard line, McMichen faded back and threw his only interception of the game at the goal line as time expired.
Homecoming is next week as West Georgia hosts Henderson State at Grisham Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Celebration in Florence
Florence, AL – October 30, 2004 – Miracles can happen. The 1-6 West Georgia Braves went into Braly Municipal Stadium Saturday night and upset a team that had spent the majority of the season in the top 20, stomping North Alabama 38-21.
West Georgia took an early advantage, building a 28-7 halftime lead and never looked back. The win was the most decisive in the history of UWG football at UNA.
“Lucas McMichen played one fabulous football game,” said head coach Mike Ledford. “Our assistants put together a great plan and our kids did a heck of a job.”
The Braves had 307 yards of total offense in the first half, including a 13-for-20 effort from senior quarterback McMichen. McMichen threw two touchdown passes on 181 yards through the air. Michael Alexis rushed for 110 yards and a score to lead West Georgia in the first two periods.
The defense also stepped up its play, getting interceptions from Adam Carter, Odell Willis, Kevin Johnson and Greg Moore in the opening half. Willis returned his interception for the Braves’ third score of the half.
It was more of the same as the second half began, as the Lions mounted a drive on their first possession. After crossing into West Georgia territory, Neal Bell stepped in front of another Chris Gunn pass for the Braves’ fifth interception of the night. UWG drove back down, but the drive stalled at the 16, and Trevor Ramos connected on a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead to 31-7 with under 30 seconds left in the third quarter.
After stopping UNA, McMichen went up top to Corey Brittain to get the Braves down to the Lions’ 11 yard line. Javari Taylor extended the West Georgia lead to 38-7 with a five yard touchdown.
UNA scored a touchdown very quickly, then recovered an onside kick. But after a first down, the Braves held on fourth, with Bell delivering a blow to bring down Lion quarterback Hansell Bearden
The Lions scored another touchdown, and tried another onside kick, but West Georgia recovered. On first down, Javari Taylor broke off a 31-yard run into the red zone with just over three minutes left in the contest.
“These kids have been doing this all year, and it finally turned out great,” Ledford said. “The only thing I can say is that they get all the credit. They’ve had so many things to be down about all year, and this is such a good thing for this program.”
West Georgia amassed 517 yards of total offense and had 25 first downs in the win. The victory was a career night for several Braves. Alexis rushed 31 times for 184 yards, a career high. McMichen was 20-of-34 for 275 yards and two touchdowns on the game.
UWG moves to 2-6 on the season and 2-4 in conference play. Next Saturday night, the 2004 season comes to a close as the Braves host in-state rival Valdosta State on Senior Night.
Valdosta delivers loss in season finale
Carrollton, Ga. – November 6, 2004 – The West Georgia Braves hung close with Valdosta State for two quarters here Saturday night. But the high-powered Blazer offense exploded for 506 yards on the game, upending the Braves 35-12 on Senior Night in Carrollton.
The West Georgia seniors played well, but a 25-of-30 night from VSU quarterback Fabian Walker was too much to overcome. Senior UWG quarterback Lucas McMichen closed out his career on a statistical high-note, going two straight games without an interception.
Senior running back Michael Alexis, for the seventh time in nine games this season, rushed for 100+ yards. The Miami, FL native ran the ball 24 times for 134 yards on the night. The total should have him leading the Gulf South conference in rushing for the season.
Jesse Marinko, the Braves leading receiver last season from his tight end position, went out with five catches for 62 yards on the night. Fellow senior tight end Hayes Mercure had two receptions for 24 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jonathan Sello was the man, collecting 12 tackles, including a sack, and blocked a punt on the night. Senior safety Kevin Johnson was second on the team in tackles against the Blazers with eight and an interception.
The Braves end the season with a 2-7 record, 2-6 in conference action.
Two Braves earn All-Region honors
WEST GEORGIA PLACES TWO ON ALL-REGION FOOTBALL TEAM Tailback Alexis, Punter Carpenter Selected All-Southeast Carrollton, GA – December 9, 2004 – Two members of the West Georgia Braves have receive additional honors for their performances during the 2004 football season.
Senior tailback Michael Alexis and junior punter Jeff Carpenter were Wednesday named first team members of the 2004 Daktronics All-Southeast Region Football Team. Both were last month chosen to the All-Gulf South Conference First Team.
Alexis posted stellar numbers in 2004. He rushed 207 times for 1,232 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 136.9 yards per game rushing was best in the Gulf South Conference, 12th nationally in Division II, and the best ever for a runner at West Georgia. Also, the Miami native caught 15 passes for 137 yards and two TDs. Alexis¹ 13 total touchdowns on the season placed him atop the league scoring stats in points per game by touchdowns.
Carpenter also posted huge numbers during the recently completed. The native of Cumming punted 40 times for an average of 43.8 yards per attempt, best in the GSC and second in the nation in Division II. Also, he had 11 punts of 50 yards or more, had only two touchbacks while kicking opponents inside the 20-yard line on 17 occasions.
The All-Southeast Region Team was chosen in balloting conducted among sports information directors at NCAA Division II schools from throughout the region. Carpenter, Alexis, and the other first team members will now on the ballot for the Daktronics All-America Team, to be announced on December 16.
Braves place four on All-GSC football
Carrollton, GA – November 15, 2004 – Though the team posted only a 2-7 record in 2004, a quartet of West Georgia Braves was Monday honored for their outstanding performance during the recently completed football season.
Four UWG players were voted to berths on the 2004 All-Gulf South Conference Football Team. Earning first team honors were senior tailback Michael Alexis and junior punter Jeff Carpenter. All-GSC Second Team honors went to senior defensive tackle Prentice Purnell and to John Perkins, a sophomore linebacker. “We’re very happy to see these young men carry on the tradition of all conference players at West Georgia,” said head coach Mike Ledford. “They all had outstanding seasons are deserving of this recognition.”
The first team selections of Alexis and Carpenter came as no surprise. Both were Gulf South Conference leaders at their respective specialties in 2004.
Alexis captured the league’s rushing title, averaging 136.9 yards per game in only nine games. He carried 207 times for 1,232 yards, and 11 touchdowns. His per game average was the highest ever for a West Georgia runner, and his total was the third highest ever at UWG. Also, he caught 15 passes for 137 yards, and two scores.
“Michael is such a deserving individual,” says Ledford. The coach adds, “His numbers speak for themselves. Plus, he cared so much about his teammates and our entire football program.”
Carpenter’s 2004 performance was no less outstanding. He led the GSC, and was second nationally in NCAA Division II, in punting with an average of 43.8 yards per punt. His averaged was the highest ever for a West Georgia punter. His numbers include 11 punts of 50 yards or more, and 17 times he punted opponents dead inside the 20-yard line.
“He”s the best punter I¹ve ever been around,” says Ledford of his two-time All GSC performer. “No one on the team works any harder, and no one puts the success of the team ahead of his personal statistics more than Jeff.”
West Georgia’s All-GSC Second Team selections also had outstanding seasons. Purnell led all UWG defensive linemen with 43 tackles, including nine for loss. Also, he topped the team in quarterback sacks with three, good for 14 yards in losses.
Perkins was West Georgia’s top tackler for the 2004 season. He had 68 total, including 43 solo hits. Also, he was second on the team in tackles for loss with 10, had two sacks, and ranked second in pass interceptions with two.
The selection of four players to the All-GSC Team marks a major improvement over a year ago for West Georgia¹s program. In 2003, only one Braves player, Carpenter, earned all-league honors.