Georgia Force's Eddie Jackson goes for paydirt
Posted on 10/30/2004 11:55:25 PM PDT by flying Elvis
Despite the team’s 8-1 record and an offense that’s averaging 32 points per game, you won’t find the North Georgia Falcons ranked among the top 10 in the latest prep football poll.
You also won’t find them running drills on a freshly-cut practice field, or playing a game in front of a packed stadium on any given Friday night.
In fact, you won’t find the Falcons doing many of the things that are taken for granted by the state-sanctioned high school football teams in Georgia.
But what you will find when you finally locate these Falcons — who sometimes practice on an elementary school softball field — is a close-knit group, deeply dedicated to their sport, their teammates and their faith.
Yes, the Falcons are content to fly slightly below the radar of so-called “big-time” high school football. They are one of the eight teams that make up the Georgia Football League, a first-year league comprised almost entirely of home-schooled players from around the state.
Andrew and Caleb Gilbreath, who live in Armuchee, are two of the players on the Falcons’ 27-man roster.
Since August, the Gilbreath bothers have been making the one-hour trip to Canton (home of the North Georgia squad) roughly four times a week to practice with the team.
The commute is tiring, but well worth the effort to be part of a pioneering league that is clearing a path for home-school athletes of the future.
“It’s been great,” said Andrew, 17. “I’ve really enjoyed being around my teammates, and I’ve loved all the challenges.”
The Gilbreath brothers, and the rest of the Falcons, have been overcoming challenges since the outset.
Off the field, they’ve had to deal with constant travel, and the skewed schedule that accompanies it.
“It’s a massive commitment,” said Lisa Gilbreath, mother of Andrew and Kaleb. “And you certainly have to be flexible.”
On the field, the team has dealt with inexperience. Less than one-fourth of the Falcon players had ever played football before.
But through it all, the Falcons have soared, winning seven of eight games in the regular season, claiming the district title and earning an automatic berth to the national playoffs in Tennessee.
Well, almost automatic.
“We’ve got to raise some money for that trip,” said Caleb, 13, who plays on the Falcons’ special teams.
Financial concerns are clearly an issue for the league, which is growing quickly but still has a long way to go before catching up with its public-school counterparts.
Scaled Down
The Falcons rarely practice on an actual football field. Instead, they use whatever is available, even if it’s just a open patch of land devoid of yardage markers and uprights.
Also, the team’s uniforms are hand-me-downs, donated from a Catholic college in New York (which might be a good thing, if the need ever arises for a Hail Mary pass).
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the GFL and public-school prep football is seen in the stands.
Andrew estimates that most of the Falcons’ home games, played at the South Cherokee Recreation Association, draw between 50 and 100 people.
“There aren’t too many people up there,” he said, “but there’s enough to make you nervous.”
No trash-talking
The GFL’s Website makes it clear that the league is founded on Christian principles, and seeks to glorify Jesus Christ through football. http://www.georgiafootballleague.com/
That spirit is evident on the field, Andrew said, which is one of his favorite aspects of the league.
“The attitude of the guys is different, much different, than what you see in a (public-school) game,” he said. “In our games, you’ll see (opponents) helping each other up and patting each other on the back and stuff like that.”
But Andrew is quick to point out that the league is no place for the faint hearted.
“Believe me, it’s still full-contact football,” he said. “We like to hit and tackle, and plow over guys. But the difference is that sportsmanship is more (evident) in our games than you’d see other places. And to me, that makes the games much more enjoyable.”
Something New
When GFL founders Roger McDaniel and Hank St. Denis first began toying with the idea of a home-school football league, the reception was lukewarm, at best.
Initially, there weren’t enough interested players to even form a team, much less a league.
But this year, the idea caught fire, with 250 players signing up. Suddenly, the wheels were in motion. Before long, teams were practicing, game schedules were being set and the league was evolving.
Both McDaniel and St. Denis are fathers of home-schooled children, and wanted their kids to have the same opportunities as everyone else. St. Denis is now the GFL director, while McDaniel, a former quarterback at Ole Miss, is the Falcons head coach.
Hitting Home
Although some states allow home-schooled children to participate in public-school sports, the legislature in Georgia recently voted down a bill that would have permitted that to happen.
The failed bill, oddly enough, helped pave the way for the GFL, opening the door for home-schooled children to play a sport that was formerly reserved only for public schools.
“It’s been amazing to watch this whole thing come together,” said Lisa Gilbreath, who learned of the league at a home-school expo.
Caleb said he was skeptical when first approached with the idea, but it didn’t take him long to warm up.
“After the first practice, I decided I loved it,” he said.
Older brother Andrew was an easy sell, too. And once the Falcons started winning, the excitement heightened.
“Being on a winning team has been fun, because I’ve never done that before,” he said. “And I’ve liked just being able to hang out with my friends after the games, having a good time.”
Granted, it’s not exactly the same as public-school football, but it’s close enough to perfect for Andrew, Caleb and 248 players like them.
“I know there are differences, but that doesn’t bother me,” Andrew said. “I’ve had a lot of fun just being out there on the field, playing football.”
I think home-school and 'community' school (where a family would also home-school neighbor kids) are the future because of the failing of public schools. These guys are setting the foundation for the future.
Beautiful!
More signs that the home schooling movement is reaching critical mass.
Now *THIS* is something I can get behind! Let's get this going in other markets...I have one in mind!
Here's a page with links to other homeschooling sports programs. http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/sportsprograms.htm
You bless me...thanks ;)
BUMP.
That's alright. I remember years the Atlanta Falcons would draw 50 to 100 people.
“The attitude of the guys is different, much different, than what you see in a (public-school) game,” he said. “In our games, you’ll see (opponents) helping each other up and patting each other on the back and stuff like that.”
But Andrew is quick to point out that the league is no place for the faint hearted.
“Believe me, it’s still full-contact football,” he said. “We like to hit and tackle, and plow over guys. But the difference is that sportsmanship is more (evident) in our games than you’d see other places. And to me, that makes the games much more enjoyable.”
I just wish the NCAA and NFL felt that way too, Andrew.
bump for later.
Well, here's one for you. Last year there was all that trouble with the Division of Youth and Family Services in NJ because social service workers weren't bright enough to see that a "homeschooling" foster family was starving their children. There was a lot of criticism about homeschooling in NJ. In fact, there are still a couple of bills that would regulate homeschooling in the legislature.
Well, lo and behold, I check out a homeschooling newsletter only to find that the Deputy New Jersey State Attorney General is now involved with family law issues and working with DYFS, and he was homeschooled. He also wrote a textbook which is now being used in law schools on taxes.
Homeschoolers are becoming more and more involved in the public arena everyday.
Late bump
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