The Viking football team will again spend a day at West Macon Little League this coming Saturday, April 21, serving as "buddies" to the Miracle League baseball players. Last year, the Vikings spent a Saturday morning assisting the Miracle League players with hitting, fielding, and baserunning, and Coach Moore said then that the Vikings would not miss the opportunity if it arose again.
The Miracle League is a baseball league for the physically challenged, and many different celebrity and corporate sponsors are coming on board to make baseball a reality for those who may have otherwise missed out on fulfilling their dreams of enjoying America's past time.
Each player has a "buddy" to help him or her participate in the game, giving the players and their "buddy" a chance to experience the fun and excitement of making memories on a baseball field.
"We participated last year, and we were inspired, " said FPD Head Football coach, Greg Moore. "We decided before we left the field that day that we wanted to be a part of the Miracle League, and we wanted to help make the dream of playing a game a reality for these kids every chance we got."
For more information on the Miracle League, visit their website at www.miracleleague.com.
The Vikings will be at West Macon LL on Sat., April 21, from 9:30 a.m. until about 1:00 p.m. All of the FPD family is encouraged to attend and be a part of the miracles.
Patterson named Scholar Athlete
Congratulations to FPD senior football player, Will Patterson, on receiving the Scholar-Athlete award from the Macon Touchdown Club for the 2006 season. The award is a scholarship to be applied to the tuition where Will enrolls in the fall of '07. The Macon TD Club is presenting 4 scholar-athlete awards to players from the middle Georgia area. He will be presented with his scholarship award tonight at the TD Club's annual Jamboree at the Methodist Children's Home in Macon. Tennessee Head Football Coach, Phillip Fulmer, will be the guest speaker and will make the presentation to Will and his family. He will be joined tonight by his family, Coach Moore and Coach Gess at his table.
Congratulations, Will!
Seven Vikings earn postseason honors
The Vikings' football team placed seven different players on the GISA's South All-Region team. The team roster was released on December 4, as the 2006 season came to a close with the playing of the championship game on December 1. Will Patterson, Blake Yaughn, Foster Veazey, Payne Clubb, Ben Childs, Matthew DuBose, and Josh McCallum were all selected to the South's roster for the All-Region team. Coach Moore was selected as the Coach of the Year for leading the Vikings to their third consecutive Region Championship.
Patterson, Clubb, and DuBose were then also selected to the GISA's All-State roster. All three are first-time selections at the State level. Patterson has been a 3-year starter at center, as well as this a team captain for FPD, while Clubb, also a captain, led the GISA in passing yards (2,030) and TD's (24). DuBose finished the year as the third leading rusher in the state (1,430 yards) behind Jim Intorcia from Tattnall and Carl Robinson from Riverside Military.
In addition, McCallum and Patterson have been chosen to play on the GISA's All-Star Blue Team. That team will be coached by Southland Head Coach, Jack Harris, and they will compete on December 9 at 1:00 pm at Cavalier Fields in Macon vs. the GISA's Red team. The All-star squads are comprised of A, AA, and AAA players from around the state.
Congratulations to these players.
Patterson & McCallum earn All-Star Honors
Seniors Will Patterson and Josh McCallum have been chosen to the GISA's All-star Blue squad by the coaching staff assembled to coach the game. The GISA All-star game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 1:00 p.m. in Macon at Cavalier Fields. Patterson is a three year starter at center, and he has become the anchor of all ground and air success the Viking running backs and quarterbacks have enjoyed during that same time. Known for his strong presence in the huddle and in the weight room, Patterson was a Team Captain this past year for the Vikings.
McCallum was a starting tight end and defensive end in his triumphant return to football after one year away. Josh has great hands, incredible speed for his size, and he has been pivotal in establishing outside running threats as well as becoming a reliable receiver for the Vikings passing game.
Both McCallum and Patterson are undecided on their college choices, but both would like to pursue football at some level.
The annual end-of-season awards banquet for the football team will be held on Monday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Macon. Coach Moore and all of the assistant coaches will present MVP awards for offense and defense, Team Captains, as well as special recognitions for the Elite, Super Vikings, and this year's Seniors.
Football team hosts 1st Round Playoff Game
For the third consecutive year, the FPD football team won the region and will host a first round state playoff game at George S. Johnson Stadium. In fact, Friday night's 16-18 loss at Deerfield was the Vikings first region loss in the past three seasons. During that stretch the FPD football team has gone 11-1 in region play.
On Friday, November 17 @ 8:00 pm the FPD will host John Milledge Academy from Milledgeville, GA.
Cost of admission is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for students (1st grade and up)...EVERYONE must pay---season passes, comp. passes, etc. are NOT valid at State Playoff games.
Football team defeats Sherwood 55-14, wins third straight Region Championship!
It was the final home game of the regular season, it was senior night, and it was for first place in the AAA South region....Friday night was a great night for FPD. The Vikings cruised to an early lead and never looked back in running away from Sherwood Christian, 55-15. The victory pushed FPD (7-2) to the top spot of the South region, and it secured that the Vikings will hold that spot, regardless of the outcome of the final game of the regular season at Deerfield this coming Friday night. The Region Championship is the third in a row for FPD, with the Vikings compiling an 11-0 region record over that same time.
The only spot left to be decided in this week's region games is the Region runner-up spot. Southland and Pinewood will play in Bellville to determine the #2 and #3 seeds heading into the State Playoffs the following week. Deerfield has secured the #4 spot after their victory this past Friday night.
On Friday, the Viking defense was swarming, and the offense was clicking early. Matthew DuBose rolled to early touchdowns on the ground, and Taylor Martin racked up the rushing yards and a TD as well. Meanwhile,Logan Faulk, Josh McCallum, Jon Harper, Ben Childs, and Micah Fuller all had first quarter catches for big passing yards. Payne Clubb threw touchdown passes to DuBose and Childs, and Faulk would later connect with Fuller for another. Defensively, Blake Yaughn turned in another impressive night in tackles and Jon Harper added an interception to go along with Garrett Johnson's fumble recovery. Kane Putnal stole the show for the special teams, making 5 tackles on the kickoff coverage team alone.
Foster Veazey chosen as Macon Touchdown Club Defensive "Player of the Week".
FPD Junior linebacker, Foster Veazey, has been chosen as the Macon Touchdown Club's Player of the Week. Foster led an impressive defensive unit in last week's 27-12 victory over Stratford. During the night, the strongside linebacker recorded 18 total tackles (11 first hits and 7 assists) and chalked up 2 tackles for a loss. It was easily Veazey's strongest performance of the year, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Veazey will be presented to the Club members on Monday, Oct. 30, at the weekly meeting at the Methodist Children's Home on Pierce Avenue.
Foster Veazey - Junior
Senior NIght - 2006
This coming Friday, Nov. 3rd, when the Vikings take on visiting Sherwood Christian from Albany, FPD will recognize the senior class members of the football, cross country, cheerleading, band, and dance teams in a pre-game ceremony. Senior Night proceedings will begin at 7:45 p.m., and the parents of those being recognized are reminded to be on the HOME sideline by 7:35 p.m. Senior moms are also reminded to pick up their "Senior Night mums" at the main entrance gate under the pressbox. Thirty-one class members will be recognized, and it should be a memorable night.
FPD @ Stratford chosen 105.5 FM "Game of the Week"
Viking linebacker, Blake Yaughn, and junior tailback, Matthew DuBose, have both been chosen as "Player of the Week" by the Macon Touchdown Club. Yaughn, a two year starter at middle linebacker, helped lead a shutout of previously unbeaten Pinewood Christian. In the victory, Blake recorded a whopping 23 total tackles (14 first hits, and 9 assists), as well as recovering 3 fumbles. DuBose, on the other hand, led a balanced offensive attack that piled up 28 points, with the final 7 coming on a 75 yard touchdown run by Matthew. It was the longest run in DuBose's career. In the past 4 weeks, DuBose has posted impressive rushing numbers, inching his way ever closer to the 1,000 yard mark for the season (881). University of Alabama-Birmingham offensive coordinator, Pat Sullivan, was the guest speaker at the TD Club's weekly meeting at the Methodist Children's Home on Pierce Avenue.
Blake Yaughn - Senior
Matthew DuBose - Junior
FPD defeats Pinewood
MMQB by Jonathan Heeter of the Macon Telegraph.
The following excerpt was taken from his blog "Bringing the Heet".
GAME BALLS
This past Friday proved to be a huge night for FPD, which likely just has to beat Stratford or Deerfield-Windsor to secure the GISA Region AAA South title. The Vikings picked up a resounding 28-0 win over previously unbeaten Pinewood Christian.
Running back Matthew DuBose has continued his strong play, rushing for 161 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings. Payne Clubb led FPD through the air with 164 yards passing and three touchdowns.
But perhaps the FPD defense should receive most of accolades for holding Pinewood to around 230 yards of offense and forced four fumbles.
Vikings defeat Westfield, advance to 2-0 in region play
FPD Quarterback, Payne Clubb, and Tailback, Matthew DuBose, were each listed in Saturday's Macon Telegraph under the Top Performers column for their efforts Friday night versus George Walton. Clubb finished the night 21 of 34 passing for 318 yards and 3 TD's. It was his biggest night as the Viking QB, as FPD took to the air versus the blitzing defensive fronts of George Walton. DuBose, also a junior, posted equally impressive numbers from the backfield. Matthew rushed for 67 yards on 11 carries, but he also built up 90 yards receiving on 8 catches. FPD will look for more big numbers from these two junior players as they prepare for a big South Region matchup versus Southland Academy this coming Friday night.
Payne Clubb - Junior
Matthew DuBose - Junior
Clubb garners Macon Touchdown Club "Player of the Week"
Clubb named TD Club's Player of the Week:
Junior quarterback, Payne Clubb, has been selected as the Macon Touchdown Club's "Back of the Week" for his performance in FPD's 36-16 victory over George Walton this past Friday night. Clubb, a first year starter, posted his best numbers of the season in throwing for 318 yards on 21 of 34 passing and 3 TD's. Six different receivers were the targets of Clubb's passes, as FPD spread the ball around against George Walton's blitzing defensive front. Clubb will be presented with a trophy at the TD Club's weekly meeting at the Methodist Children's Home on Pierce Avenue. Valdosta State Head Coach, Chris Hatcher, will be the guest speaker after dinner.
FPD Night at The Macon Touchdown Club
Monday, September 25, is FPD Night at TD Club:
Next Monday, Coach Greg Moore, along with the 2006 Viking Football team captains, will be guests of the Macon Touchdown Club. The Club offers each middle Georgia high school the opportunity to speak to the TD Club members regarding their season, their school, and a brief message about the goals and direction of the program. Coach Moore will speak following dinner, and he will recognize the four team captains: Blake Yaughn, Foster Veazey, Will Patterson, and Payne Clubb. Duke Head Coach, Ted Roof,a longtime friend of Coach Moore's, will be the guest speaker at the Methodist Children's Home that night. Moore and Roof met at the University of Alabama, where Moore was serving as Head Student Manager and Roof was a Graduate Assistant Coach to Head Coach, Bill Curry, and his staff.
2006 News
Vikings use "Hatchets" to place emphasis on Special Teams One of the top priorities Coach Moore laid out for the 2006 football team was improvement and attention to special teams play. As a result, the coaching staff has come up with a list of criteria for each special team to meet goals during games this year. Those teams that meet their stated goals in each special team play will be awarded a "Hatchet" decal for their helmet. Players can also attain a hatchet for making what the coaching staff is calling "a play that involves exceptional individual effort" on each special teams play. The hatchets will be awarded throughout the rest of the season. Also on the helmets this year, besides the traditional P logo decals, the players may have an ELITE decal for elite status, SUPERMAN logo decal as a super viking, the American flag (honoring the heroes of 9/11), and their number.
New Video Board draws attention George S. Johnson Memorial Stadium has picked up some new equipment for the new season. Resting atop the scoreboard in the North endzone is a new 5' x 9' full color, programmable video board. It is the first of its kind in the middle Georgia area for high schools. The Vikings plan to use the board for advertisement and sponsorship messages, Athletic department and school announcements, and special effects and graphics to enhance everyone's enjoyment of the game. Look for the Vikings to start pre-game highlight video presentations in the weeks ahead as a part of the program. The sign was purchased in an agreement with The Sign Store on Pio Nono Avenue in Macon. It is programmed using a wireless internet connection service, and the programs are then scheduled to run at different times throughout the night. The new board has received very positive reviews, and the sky is the limit on its capabilities. For information on advertising during the games, please contact Chad McDaniel at 477-6505, ext. 162 or cmcdaniel@fpdmacon.org.
"Breakfast with Coach" starts this Friday, 9/15: Coach Greg Moore will host the football dads and friends this coming Friday morning at 7:00 am in the school cafeteria for the first ever "Breakfast with Coach." About 40 are expected to join Coach Moore and a member or two of the staff for southern style breakfast,coffee and juice, video highlights, question and answer time, and a brief devotional message. "Breakfast with Coach" will end at approximately 7:45 am. Those attending are reminded to park in the Fine Arts parking lot and enter the cafeteria through the Fine Arts side lobby entrance into the MAC. If you are interested in attending the next "Breakfast with Coach", please notify Coach Moore via e-mail at gmoore@fpdmacon.org for reservations.
The next scheduled breakfast time is Friday, October 6 at 7:00 am. (The morning of the Tattnall game)
FPD Hall of Fame Night
Hall of Fame Night, 9/15 vs. GWA
This Friday night is Hall of Fame Night, as the Vikings prepare to host George Walton Academy at George S. Johnson Memorial Stadium. Prior to the start of the game, at approximately 7:45 pm, the FPD Athletic Department will honor its two recent Macon Sports Hall of Fame inductees, Jim McLemore and Bobby Brown. The ceremony will take place on the 50 yard line, as Athletic Director Greg Moore will present replica plaques, like the one's they received at the Hall of Fame, to Jim and Coach Brown. Those plaques will then find a permanent home in the lobby of the Middlebrooks Athletic Center, alongside the Vikings' retired jersey displays. What a great honor for Jim McLemore and Bobby Brown...please come early to help us show our appreciation and congratulations to them.
New Directions to Mt. deSales
The name of the road that was once Interstate Drive has been changed to CavalierDrive.
Traveling South on I-475, you will need to take the Thomaston Road exit.
Turn right at the exit ramp onto Thomaston Road. Turn left onto Cavalier Drivewhich is located between Captain D's and Church's Chicken.
Traveling North on I-475 take the Thomaston Road Exit. Turn left at the exit ramp onto Thomaston Road. Continue across the bridge on Thomaston Road.
Turn left onto Cavalier Drive which is located between Captain D's and Church'sChicken.
Labor Day
The football team will practice on Labor Day at 3:30 pm.
Preseason Parents Meeting
The annual pre-season parents meeting for the B team and Varsity football teams will take place on Wednesday, August 9th. The meeting, which has become the traditional setting in which Coach Moore and parents discuss the upcoming season, will be held in the school Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. One or both parents are encouraged to attend. Football parent coordinator, Debi Reed, will also address the group to align committees and their members for the upcoming season's activities. Please plan to attend.
Football team announces '06 captains
Spring practice ended on Thursday, May 18, as the players continued the annual tradition of voting for Team Captains heading into the Summer strength and conditioning program. Seniors, Will Patterson and Blake Yaughn, as well as Junior, Foster Veazey were selected. Patterson is a returning 3 year starter at center for the Vikings, while Yaughn and Veazey are entering their second season as starting linebackers. All three have been instrumental to the recent run of success for the Vikings on the field, but their leadership and character have already dominated the winter and spring off the field. Each has led the way in a resurgence in the strength and conditioning program under coach Jonathan Gess, and their leadership there has been vital to the program's intensity and success. The Vikings will choose another Captain coming out of summer camp practices as the season's first game nears. Coach Moore made the announcement to the team in the Weight room, appropriately enough, this past week.
Senior linebacker Matthew Reed has been honored as a 2005 Macon Touchdown Club Scholar/Athlete Award recipient. Honorees are chosen based on academic achievement, as well as athletic accomplishments as a football player. The award was presented to Matthew as a part of the Touchdown Club's annual jamboree program at the Methodist Children's Home in Macon. Ohio State Buckeyes' Head Coach, Jim Tressel, was the keynote speaker for the evening of awards and recognition to the best football players in the Middle Georgia area.
Reed was a Team Captain his junior and senior seasons for the Vikings. He was also the team's leading tackler, recording a remarkable 199 total tackles during the 2005 season. Matthew was selected All-Region, All-State, All-Star, and 1st Team All-Middle GA for his work on the field in helping lead FPD to the State Championship game for the second consecutive year.
Matthew is still undecided on his college plans. (Except that he definitely wants to continue playing football.) He has several options in the works, but ultimately he and his family are trying to decide on the best fit for him academically as well as on the football field. Because of his academic achievements, Matthew may yet qualify for other scholarship opportunities.
Justin Lyles graduated from FPD in 2003 and walked on to the University of Georgia football team in the winter of 2004. Below is an update he recently sent to the FPD coaching staff.
hello everyone,
I know it has been a while since i have seen yall. I hope to
stop by on friday of our spring break after i get back from
the beach like the week of March 10th. Everything is going
well. We have just completed our second week of mat drills.
One week to go. They started out kind of rough but i have
done well this week. i have really improved the last three
sessions and my grades are on the rise. i cant say i wont be
glad when they are over however. next saturday we start
spring practice, then we have spring break then we have a
couple more weeks of it. i should get a lot of playing time
this spring. we are pretty short on depth with the departure
of 4 dt's to graduation. we are changing it up a little bit.
this spring we are starting to just play left and right
instead of having a predetermined Nose and Tackle. it should
help us have more opportunites to make plays even though i
was fine mainly playing Nose. The weight room is my favorite
domain as usual. i am definitely farther along right now
than i was at this time last year. im really hoping to crush
my all time highs this august. waking up 3 days a week at 4
am for mats is taking its toll on me but they have taken it
easier on me now that i am an upperclassman and now in my
third session of mats. i know what is takes to satisfy them.
I had a little scare earlier this month when Coach G was
rumored to be leaving. That could have really hurt or really
improved my chances of playing depending on the replacement
but now there is nothing to worry about atleast for another
season. a bit of good news schoolwise, i was named to the
SEC Academic Honor Roll for the previous year so i was proud
of that. I've kept my gpa above a 3.0 and i am on track to
graduate with a degree in Consumer Economics in December
2007. well i think that just about covers it all, football
is good and school is good. i hope you all are doing well
also. good luck with the rest of the semester with your
teams. i read the macon telegraph every morning online to
see how we are doing. let me know if u have any questions.
have a good one.
D. Justin Lyles
Vikings place 7 players on All-City Team
Continuing what has been a very rewarding off-season for the FPD football team, the Vikings have learned that seven members of this past year's Region Championship team have been selected to the Telegraph's 1st Team All-Bibb County team. The team is comprised of the top football players, public and private, in the Bibb County schools. Alex Thigpin, QB; Jordan Fuller, WR; Casey Whalen,OL; Stephen Tatro, OL; Matthew Reed, LB; Zack Walker, LB; and Jonathan Hollingsworth, K, were all named as 1st Team selections. Ryan Castles, RB, and Foster Veazey, LB, join them to complete FPD's contingent on the team. The complete team is listed below.
2005 Macon Telegraph All-City Football Team
Offense
Player
Position
School
Alex Thigpin
QB
FPD
Kareem Jackson
RB
Westside
Jimmy Intorcia
RB
Tattnall
Cornelius Davis
RB
Central
Correy Earls
WR
Central
Jordan Fuller
WR
FPD
Joel Kelly
OL
Central
Casey Whalen
OL
FPD
Stephen Tatro
OL
FPD
Josh Morrison
OL
Tattnall
A.J. Shilcoski
OL
MDS
John Meyer
Ath.
Stratford
Max Garcia
P
Westside
Defense
Julius Webb
DL
Central
Jason Troupe
DL
Westside
Zack Walker
DL
FPD
Michael Lemon
DL
Stratford
Trey Ennis
LB
Tattnall
Matthew Reed
LB
FPD
Antwan Moore
LB
Central
Christopher Gantt
LB
Northeast
Darryle Hill
DB
Westside
Kurt Hardison
DB
MDS'
Alexander Wyche
DB
Central
Brett Layson
DB
Tattnall
Daniel Renfroe
Ath.
Tattnall
Jon. Hollingsworth
K
FPD
Vikings dominate All-Middle GA Football Team with 10 players
For the second consecutive year, the Vikings have occupied the 1st Team All-Middle GA quarterback position in the Telegraph's annual pigskin picks. Alex Thigpin was voted 1st Team QB, and Viking linebacker, Matthew Reed, joins him as a member of the 1st team on the defensive side of the ball. Besides being voted Team Captains by their teammates, Thigpin and Reed combined to lead the Vikings to a return trip to the GISA State Championship game.
The two seniors are not alone, however, in being recognized by the Telegraph's staff. Jordan Fuller, receiver, and Zack Walker, outside linebacker, secured spots in the paper as members of the 3rd Team All-Middle GA squad. Fuller leaves FPD as the second leading receiver in school history in number of catches, while Walker became a force at OLB by registering 7 quarterback sacks this past season. Senior, Jonathan Hollingsworth, is the third member of the 2005 Vikings to be picked as a member of the AMG team, landing a 3rd team spot as the kicker, completing his career at FPD amongst the career leaders in extra points and field goals.
Five other members of the State Runner-ups were named to the All-Middle GA Honorable Mention team. Seniors Ryan Castles (RB/DB), StephenTatro (OL/DL), Jarrett Clubb (WR/DB), and Casey Whalen (OL) join Sophomore, Foster Veazey(LB) on the list, giving FPD a middle-GA leading ten players on the annual squad.
Vikings Release 2006 Varsity Schedule
The GISA State Office recently released the official game schedules to each of its member schools for the 2006 and 2007 football seasons. Under new region alignments, the AAA classification will implement a new format for the state playoffs, with only 4 schools from each region qualifying for the post-season. The season will begin later than has been the case the last few years, pushing the Finals back to the weekend after Thanksgiving. The new schedule for beginning and ending the season was met mostly with very positive regards from the league's head coaches.
The Vikings will open the season in Macon, facing long-time region rival Mt.deSales at Cavalier Fields in what will now be a NON-region game. Week 2 of the season will be the Vikings' first home game, and it will present a re-match of the 2005 State Championship game between FPD and Riverside Military Academy. That game will be the season opener for the Eagles. The rest of the HOME schedule presents tough matchups in George Walton, Tattnall, Westfield, and Sherwood Christian, which will also serve as the opponent on Senior Night. For more information on the new region alignments, please view the new re-classifications at the GISA website, www.gisa-schools.org.
Please look for information regarding season passes and the full schedule of games for all of the Viking football teams in the weeks ahead as schedules are finalized.
Mid GA Ambulance Free Enterprise Award (Highest Academic Avg. for a Senior): Blake Gilbert
Kaiser Leadership and Viking Warrior Award: Daniel Bridges
Most Valuable Defensive Player Award: Matthew Reed
Most Valuable Offensive Player Award: Alex Thigpin
Team Captains: Alex Thigpin, Matthew Reed, Zack Walker, David Anderson
The 2005 banquet began a new era in individual awards recognition for the Vikings' Football program. Coach Greg Moore, with the full support of the 2005 Team Captains, ended the numerous individual awards that usually accompany the banquet at season's end. Stating that the Vikings would continue to award individuals for academic and leadership achievement, Coach Moore went ahead with the Free Enterprise and Kaiser Awards, as well as Team Captains. The usual other "Most Outstanding" type of awards have been replaced by recognition for the Elite and Commitment winners in the off season strength and conditioning program. In addition, each Senior was called to the stage to be honored by one of the coaches on the 2005 staff. The Captains, along with Coach Moore and the football staff, agreed that this type of recognition was more in line with the football team's belief that hard work, toughness, and togetherness were more important to the team's success than just a handful of individuals. "Everyone needs for everyone else to do his job." All parts are equally critical to team success. The Captains did want the staff to honor an MVP for offense and defense, so those awards were presented.
Coach Moore also presented the Attitude Award to every member of the 2005 football team!
* For a complete listing of the Commitment and Elite Award winners, check those links on the Viking football home page.
GISA 2AAA All-Region Selections: Alex Thigpin, Matthew Reed, Jarrett Clubb, Jordan Fuller, Casey Whalen, Zack Walker,
Jonathan Hollingsworth, Will Patterson, Ryan Castles, (hon. mention: Stephen Tatro)
GISA All-State Selections: Alex Thigpin, Matthew Reed, Casey Whalen, Jordan Fuller
GISA Blue Team All Star Selections:Alex Thigpin, Matthew Reed, Casey Whalen, Jordan Fuller, Stephen Tatro
Viking fans will need to know ahead of time that the cost of admission throughout the playoffs will be slightly different than during the regular season games. Admission for adults and students will be $6.00 for the State Championship game at Riverside Military Academy.
Castles, Thigpin named "Co-Players of the Week" by Macon TD Club
Seniors Ryan Castles, TB, and Alex Thigpin, QB, have been named the Co-Players of the Week by the Macon TD Club for their performances in FPD's comeback victory over Tattnall last Friday night. Castles, a 5'8", 140 lb. tailback, finished the night with 77 yards rushing on 19 carries, 1 rushing TD, and he also caught 6 passes for 87 yards and a receiving TD. With less than 3 minutes to play, Ryan was on the receiving end of a 4th down conversion that went for 53 yards and a critical Viking first down. That was followed by a Thigpin to Castles connection with :09 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 28-28 from the 5 yard line.
Thigpin, a 6'1", 170 lb. quarterback, will appear before the TD club for the 2nd time this season. Alex finshed the night with 274 yards passing, completing 21 of 40 passes and throwing for 2 TD's. Thigpin was again a threat running the ball, ending up with 70 yards rushing on 16 carries. It was Thigpin's most efficient night of the season throwing the ball, as time and time again, he converted big plays for the Vikings' offense on 3rd and 4th downs.
This will mark the 3rd time of the season the Vikings have been honored by the Touchdown Club, and it will be a big night, as Georgia coach, Mark Richt, will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held at the Methodist Childrens Home on Pierce Avenue on Monday, October 31st.
The Vikings' heartstopping 31-28 double overtime victory this past Friday night secures the #1 seed from Region 2AAA for the Vikings for the second year in a row. With city and region foe, MDS, still looming this coming Friday night, the Viking Nation can begin to make playoff plans. FPD will receive a 1st round BYE in the playoffs, followed by a 2nd round HOME game versus the #2 team from Region 1. Tattnall and Stratford will play each other this coming Friday night to determine the #2 and #3 seeds from Region 2, as MDS has already been placed in the #4 seed by virtue of region losses to Stratford and Tattnall the last couple of weeks.
All of the members of the Viking Football League, FPD's elementary football league, will be recognized at halftime of the final home game of the year on October 28 vs. Mt.deSales. Team coaches will be announced on the public address system, and the teams, dressed in their jerseys, will join their coaches at midfield during the recognition. Viking Football League players and their parents will be admitted free of charge for the game, and they should proceed to the Admissions Gate nearest the Tennis courts to enter the stadium. VFL players should wear their team jerseys!!! Coach Moore is urging the coaches and players to get to the game early...the VFL players will run onto the field through the spirit tunnel and a banner before the Varsity team does the same. VFL players should meet in the back of the endzone at 7:45 p.m. to participate in the pre-game run-through.
The Viking football league has enjoyed tremendous growth in the last couple of years, and the league would love for you and your family to become a part of the Viking football family. For more information on the VFL, click on the VFL link, located on the football page of www.fpdmacon.org.
Viking linebacker, Foster Veazey, has been named "Player of the Week" by the Macon Telegraph. Veazey, a 6'1", 175 lb., sophomore, recorded 21 tackles in the Vikings 13-2 region victory over Stratford this past Friday night. Foster also had 2 interceptions.
Viking defensive end, Zack Walker, has been named the "Lineman of the Week" by the Macon Touchdown Club. Walker, a 6'1", 185 lb., Senior, recorded 20 tackles in the Vikings 13-2 region victory over Stratford this past Friday night. Zack also had 2 QB sacks, as well as recording 2 of his 20 tackles for a loss. Walker and his father, Keith, will be honored at the Touchdown Club's weekly meeting, as Florida coach Urban Meyer will be the keynote speaker for this week's dinner meeting. Zack's recognition marks the 2nd time a Viking has been honored as the "player of the week" by the TD Club this year.
Vikings pick final
Team Captain! Senior Zack Walker has been chosen as the fourth Team
Captain for the 2005 Football team. Feeling like it was time
for the team to make a final statement about leadership before
the Region schedule gets underway, Coach Moore allowed each team
member to cast a ballot for what was described as "A consistent,
powerful, positive presence." Zack had a tremendous summer of
preparation, and after recovering from knee injury last season,
he has progressed into a leadership role for the defense. Walker joins previously selected Captains Matthew Reed, Alex
Thigpin, and David Anderson.
Vikings on the air
AGAIN! ESPN Radio...105.5 "The Fan"....will be on campus Friday to
carry the FPD-Stratford football game. Game time is 8:00 pm,
with Russell Deese at the helm calling the play-by-play. This
will mark the 2nd time the Vikings have been chosen as the Game
of the Week for the Middle Georgia radio station. Greg Moore
will be a call-in guest on Thursday afternoon at 5:45 pm to
preview the 1st region game of the year for both FPD and
Stratford.
FPD is
urging those planning to attend the remaining HOME games, Oct. 14
vs. Stratford and Oct. 28 vs. MDS, to please arrive early to help
avoid last-minute parking problems on campus. Several of the back
parking lot spaces have been occupied by the high school
construction project, and late-arriving spectators are experiencing
difficulty finding a parking place on campus. Calvin Drive, the
school's entrance road, is a county maintained road, and the Bibb
County Sheriff's Department will NOT allow parking along the drive.
There are NO PARKING signs along the entrance road, but several
people, unaware of the Sheriff's instructions, have attempted to
park there during the last couple of home games. Cars
parked along Calvin Drive will be towed! Thank you
for understanding and helping us work through the problems by
arriving earlier than usual. There is plenty to do on campus
early....Tailgate parties and the Pep Rally begin at 6:30 every HOME
game at the back entrance to the MAC.
Senior Alex Thigpin
Named TD Club's Player of the Week:The
Vikings' quarterback has been named the Macon Touchdown Club's
Back of the Week for his performance last Friday night in FPD's
loss to Westfield in Perry. Thigpin finished the night 19/26
passing for 274 yards and 3 TD's. He also was the team's
leading rusher with 49 yards rushing on 18 carries and 1 TD.
Thigpin's numbers were his best of the season in the passing
game, and his season totals ballooned to 69/120 for 821 yards
and 9TD's.
Alex will be presented with a trophy by the TD Club, following a
dinner and club meeting with Tony Barnhart, journalist for the
Atlanta Journal Constitution and ESPN commentator, serving as
the guest speaker for the night.
Thigpin's accomplishment marks the 8th time a Viking quarterback
has been honored by the Touchdown Club in the last 5 years.
Viking football fans can listen in on
ESPN radio, locally 105.5 FM, on Thursday, September 22. Coach Greg
Moore will be the weekly guest for the middle Georgia high school
football show at 5:15 p.m. The 105.5 talk show hosts have been
talking all week about the Vikings' incredible 42-35 comeback
victory over John Milledge. They'll get Coach Moore's take on what
happened via telephone interview.
Coach Moore to attend
Marines Graduation Greg Moore's younger brother,
Jay Lenderman, will graduate from Marine Boot camp at Parris
Island, South Carolina, on Friday, September 9. Jay entered the
13-week camp in April, and after 11 weeks into training, he
suffered health problems that landed him on extended holding
platoon duty in the medical unit for another 8 weeks. After
long waiting, and many long days and nights, Jay will graduate
the 13-week boot camp on the 26th week of his stay at Parris
Island. Coach Moore's entire family is
proud of Jay for hanging in there, refusing to give up when it
looked like that might be the best thing to do. They will all
celebrate at Parris Island during the Vikings' open week. (Great timing, Jay!) Jay is a former Viking,
graduating in the class of '97, and he once served as as
statistician for older brother, Greg, in football and
basketball. "This is a great accomplishment
for Jay, and we're proud of him. I wouldn't miss being there
for anything...I can't think of any greater calling than that of
serving our country right now, and Jay's perseverance has made
him ready to do so."
Vikings 28 Fellowship Christian 8 In a game marred by a large
number of penalties on both sides, the Vikings (1-1) finally
established the upper hand in the third quarter to pull away
from Fellowship Christian (1-1) this past Friday night. FPD
struck first in the opening quarter after Foster Veazey forced a
turnover on Fellowship's first drive of the night, and the
Vikings capitalized immediately. After another defensive stop,
FPD looked poised to take control, but a Viking miscue in its
own endzone resulted in an FCS safety, and then the erratic play
began on both sides. FPD led 14-2 in the 2nd quarter, but
penalties squelched any chances of further damage before the
half. The Vikings' defense smothered
the FCS running game, allowing a total -19 yards rushing for the
night. The Paladins' lone score came late in the game, and
overall the defense allowed just 157 total yards. On offense,
the Vikings were balanced in their attack, accumulating 121
rushing yards and another 155 through the air. Castles, Reed,
and Thigpin all scored on the ground, and Hollingsworth caught a
43 yard pass from Thigpin for another score. "It was great to get that first
win, and I was pleased overall with the way we responded to the
penalties. Playing on the road can be challenging, and this was
a good first look at overcoming obstacles, " Coach Moore said
after the game. Reaction mixed on Sprint
Turf After playing football on the new
age Sprint Turf Friday night, the reaction was mixed from
players and coaches. Coach Moore says, " I would guess the
players were about 50-50 on who liked it and who didn't. It's
definitely different, and I'm sure the kind of cleats you would
wear if you played on it every game would be a major
consideration. Several guys had a tough time getting good
traction in their cleats, but then again, we play on natural
grass all of the time." It was the Vikings' first game ever
played on synthetic turf. Roswell High School is playing on the
new surface for the just the second year, as many of the Atlanta
area schools and complexes are installing the unique surface.
"We'll be glad to get back on the grass at home this week, " Moore said. Viking Football League
Registration Complete. The 2005 Viking Football League
completed its registration, tryouts, and equipment issue day on
Saturday, August 27. Over 140 elementary students from FPD and
other area public schools registered to form 6 Junior Division
teams and 4 Senior Division teams. Coaches will meet on Monday
to draft their teams, and uniforms will be issued in the next
week, as the VFL prepares to finalize its game schedule for the
season. Practices will begin this Thursday, and then teams will
practice regularly throughout the season on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, playing games on Saturday mornings. The League is
comprised of elementary football players and cheerleaders in
grades 2-5, and the coaches are volunteer parents and friends.
The VFL commissioner is Mr. Bobby Gerhardt, father of Kai and
Kaci, both of whom are FPD graduates. To inquire about late
registration, please call Bobby at 474-7086. Friday is New Family Dinner
Night This Friday's game versus Tiftarea
will be the site of the annual "New Family Dinner" night.
Families who have joined FPD's family for the first time this
school year are invited to come to Johnson Stadium early to
enjoy pre-game dinner at the grill. Last year, over 200 people
attended the dinner, so please plan to come early. New families
can get a good look at GameDay activities on our campus,
including the Tailgate party and pep rally behind the locker
room at 6:45 p.m. For more information on the New Family
Dinner, please contact Annette Rogers at 477-6505, ext. 126.
FPD v. Westfield in Semifinals.