Tifton Scene May 2023 | Page 25

his staff from Macon in 1976 . Both Macon and Tifton came to see him at the ceremony , filling up several rows . McWilliams said some had even come from as far as South Carolina .
He and every inductee thanked God for their abilities and accomplishments . “ All of us need to realize we ’ re here because God wants us to be here ,” he said . McWilliams brought extra entertainment to his speech , picking up his guitar and singing part of the Bobby Bare classic , “ Dropkick Me Jesus ( Through the Goalposts of Life ).”
Past and future were on his mind . McWilliams asked everyone to get behind the Blue Devils on the gridiron . “ Let ’ s get behind this team ,” he said . “ It ’ s got to take us all .”
Earls said he knew McWilliams would be a tough act to follow on stage , especially because he did not have a song to sing . His award was presented by Johnny Spurlin .
He is the youngest of those being inducted , having graduated in 2017 . A soccer star at Tift County and Piedmont , Earls was a three-time 1st team All-Region selection for the Devils , additionally meriting Player of the Year . He still holds the school records for assists in a season and in his career . At Piedmont , Earls made multiple national All-Academic teams and scored 56 goals , 11 being game-winners .
“ I ’ m very proud to be the first male soccer player selected ,” said Earls .
Earls joined others in thanking the committee for the selection . He thanked his teammates ,
2007 softball team
adding he had made lifelong friendships . Coaches Dusty Clark , Jake Chitty and Zac Martin have been like brothers to him . He thanked his family for their support . Earls wants to be a coach like his father , Bobby , describing his dad as “ My best friend ” who has inspired him “ to be the best I could be .”
Beckham said Edwards was unable to be in attendance . He read Edwards ’ accomplishments , which are numerous as a kicker and punter and also included a standout baseball career at Tift .
At Tift , Edwards booted 42 field goals , including 18 during his senior season . His long was 50 yards , then a school record , and he averaged 41.8 yards per punt as a senior . He merited All-State fand All-Region for his dominance . Moving on to UAB and Georgia Southern , Edwards started four years as punter .
“ it ’ s an honor to be back in this building ,” said Green . “ This means the world to me .”
Travis Williams made the trip down from Atlanta to present Green with his award . Green and Edwards were teammates on Tift ’ s 2006 football team that reached the semifinals . Later , Green earned All-State and had a senior season where he recorded
125 tackles and two sacks . At the University of Miami , Green played four seasons , winning a Captain ’ s Award and the ACC ’ s 2012 Brian Piccolo Award . He now operates a gym .
Green thanked many of his coaches , focusing on Jay Walls .
Griffin was another multisport athlete as a Lady Devil , excelling in softball , basketball and soccer . All-State , GACA South All-Star and All-Region Player of the Year in softball at Tift , Griffin starred at Georgia Southern , where she set school marks in home runs ( 26 ) and RBIs ( 97 ). In basketball , Griffin starred for John O ’ Brien and in soccer for Nancy Anderson Mark . If the sporting achievements were not enough , Griffin was named Miss TCHS as a senior .
She commended her parents for their sacrifices . “ I have the best , truly ,” she said . Besides O ’ Brien and Anderson , Griffin thanked her teammates . “ I would not be standing here without them and they are as much a part of this award as I am .” Bobby Simpson presented Griffin with her plaque .
Basketball is in Gibbs ’ veins . A rare four-year letterman for Tommy Blackshear , he was on two teams that won region tour-
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