Hundreds of residents in Southeast Georgia's Ware County turned out last night to rally their hometown football team ahead of tonight's high school championship game. Gator fans dressed in "In It To Win It" T-shirts waved signs, cheered and danced -- or at least gyrated -- to the marching band.
It was the first time Gary Griffin could remember a big pre-game rally not held at the school or stadium, but in downtown Waycross. Griffin edits the local Herald-Journal and says, the town has come together since wildfires devastated the county earlier this year. "The fire kind of galvanized the community," Griffin says.
Then again, football is so big in South Georgia, maybe a fired-up rally for the GHSA AAA title would've happened anyway. Ware County's athletic trainer Randy Sharp says, the team is prepared. "Well, we're in great shape," Sharp says. "This time of year, everyone's a little knicked up and we are too but we're in great shape, ready to go and real excited."
The team faces Warner Robbins at 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale at 5pm, with about 4,000 available at the door and many prepared to wait in line.
It was the first time Gary Griffin could remember a big pre-game rally not held at the school or stadium, but in downtown Waycross. Griffin edits the local Herald-Journal and says, the town has come together since wildfires devastated the county earlier this year. "The fire kind of galvanized the community," Griffin says.
Then again, football is so big in South Georgia, maybe a fired-up rally for the GHSA AAA title would've happened anyway. Ware County's athletic trainer Randy Sharp says, the team is prepared. "Well, we're in great shape," Sharp says. "This time of year, everyone's a little knicked up and we are too but we're in great shape, ready to go and real excited."
The team faces Warner Robbins at 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale at 5pm, with about 4,000 available at the door and many prepared to wait in line.
