The Dodge County News

The 43rd annual Miss Chieftain pageant will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Dodge County Middle School Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. and the second annual Miss DCHS pageant will be held at 5:00 p.m.
The events will be hosted by the Dodge County High School Chieftain Yearbook staff  with co-editors Jazmyne Mizell and Rileykate Mullis. The reigning Miss Chieftain, Angel Fivecoat, and the reigning Miss DCHS, Anna Margret Stapleton, will take their final walks as queens.
Eleven beautiful and talented young ladies will compete for the title of 2020 Miss Chieftain and 12 will compete for the title of Miss DCHS.
Our guests will experience “A Queen’s Night In A Winter Wonderland” with opening number dances at each event choreographed by Sarah Ashley Winans at Georgia Peach Dance and Tumbling.
Please understand the following COVID-19 restrictions will be enforced:  
1. No one will be allowed to enter without wearing a mask.  
2. A limited number of tickets will be sold, ensuring that guests will be able to maintain six feet apart from other guests at all times. 
3. If you feel sick, have had a fever, or have exhibited ANY symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. DVDs of the evening may be purchased and/or rented after the event has taken place.  
Tickets may be purchased from Darci Rogers at DCHS or Sarah Ashley Winans at DCMS or at Georgia Peach Dance and Tumbling. Tickets are currently on sale for each event. Please understand that because a limited number of tickets will be sold, tickets may not be available for purchase at the door on the night of the event.  Please purchase them early to ensure your attendance. 
Contestants vying for Miss Chieftain are Jaylin Sheffield, daughter of Jamie and Jenica Sheffield, sponsored by the Bank of Eastman; [Full Story »]

Dodge shuts out Swainsboro
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians cruised past the Swainsboro Tigers in the first round of the state playoffs. Dodge would get the ball first, and Swainsboro lined up for an obvious onside kick. Dodge sent in the good hands team to field the ball, but the kick failed to travel 10 yards giving Dodge possession at the Tiger 40 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Mikhail Carr handed to Keldrick Beck who raced untouched 40 yards for a touchdown on a jet sweep around right end. Mason Mangham split the uprights on the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Swainsboro put together a drive of its own with a series of short passes and runs, but the Dodge defense bowed its back when the Tigers reached the Dodge 37 yard line. Reco Caines sacked the quarterback for an eight yard loss. However, the Tigers got that and more back by completing a pass to the Dodge 19 yard line. On first down, Noah Cummings pressured the quarterback into the arms of Davis Marchant and Kade Harpe for a sack and a five yard loss. On second down, Jackson Bowen stopped the running back after a gain of four yards to the Dodge 20. On third down, Daylon Gordon and Tyrese Johnson went high in the air to defend a pass to the endzone. On fourth down, Cummings again sacked the quarterback for a five yard loss and a turnover on downs. That would prove to be Swainsboro’s best chance at points all night.
Neither team could do much offensively in their next two possessions, but Dodge gained field position thanks to Tiger penalties and a less than stellar Swainsboro punting game. Dodge began its fourth possession of the game at the Tiger 36 yard line. Gordon took it around right end breaking a tackle at the line of scrimmage and picking up a great block from Beck down field in route to a 36 yard touchdown run. Mangham’s extra point attempt was blocked due to penetration from the right side, and Dodge led 13-0.
Late in the first half, Dodge forced a Swainsboro punt when Cummings sacked the quarterback for an eight yard loss on third down. Harpe returned the punt eight yards to the Tiger 48 yard line. On first down, Gordon took the handoff and picked up four quick yards before being stood up by three defenders without going down. Kevin Sykes, Jr. realized Gordon was still on his feet and began to push Gordon forward for extra yardage. Linemen Cameron Gooch and Lane Poole joined Sykes, and eventually the whole Dodge Offense was pushing the pile down the field for another 17 yards from where Gordon was initially hit. Dodge would have a first down at the Tiger 27 yard line but could not score as a fourth down pass to Beck fell incomplete in the end zone.
Swainsboro went to the air and was able to reach the Dodge 28 yard line, but Caines delivered another sack and a four yard loss. Swainsboro would eventually turn it over on downs. The first half would end with Dodge leading 13-0. Things got worse for Swainsboro in the second half. Bowen put a hit on the backup quarterback that temporarily knocked him out of the game. The starter had previously left the game. The Tigers lined a running back up at the quarterback position who botched a handoff attempt that bounced off the ground and into the arms of Caines who returned the fumble 26 yards for a touchdown to give Dodge a 19-0 lead. An errant snap doomed the two point attempt.
Dodge would force two more three and outs by the Swainsboro Offense before Gordon took one in from 43 yards out for a touchdown. Mangham nailed the extra point to give Dodge a 26-0 lead. A snap over the head of the Tiger punter led to a 25 yard field goal by Mangham making the score 29-0 Dodge. A snap that rolled back to the Swainsboro punter led to a three yard touchdown run by Gordon making the final score Dodge 35 Swainsboro 0.
Gordon finished with 216 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns.
It was the third shutout for Dodge during its five game win streak.
Defensive leaders for Dodge were as follows: Reco Caines had seven tackles including two sacks and a 26 yard fumble return for a touchdown. Lamarie Mitchell had nine tackles. Jackson Bowen had eight tackles. Noah Cummings had seven tackles including two sacks. Jalon Jaynes had seven tackles. Kade Harpe had six tackles including ½ sack. Landynn Powers had six tackles. Keldrick Beck had four tackles and did a great job in coverage all night against some very tall Swainsboro receivers.
Dodge advances to the second round of the state playoffs to host Thomasville High on Friday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. The two teams have met four times in the state playoffs since 2006 with Dodge winning 20-13 in 2006 and 17-7 in 2016. Thomasville defeated Dodge 31-26 in 2019.
Thomasville figures to be the toughest opponent Dodge will have faced this year. The Bulldogs ranked #3 in AA by the Atlanta Journal Constitution are 7-4 on the year but those four losses have come to Brooks County (#3 in A-Public), Bainbridge (#6 in AAAA), Oconee County (#2 in AAA) and Fitzgerald (#1 in AA). The Bulldogs have defeated another ranked team (Early County #6 in AA). To say the Bulldogs have been tested is an understatement. Dodge is now 6-3 after a 1-3 start. This should be a great football game. Come out and support the Indians.





RUSS"S SPORTS REVIEW
By Russ Ragan
It was a wild but successful week in sports. The Braves stayed aggressive and signed another strong starting pitcher. The Bulldogs found their missing running fame and they blew out South Carolina. Then there were the Falcons. What can I say? It was their best game in years as they blasted the Raiders as we said goodbye to their biggest fan this week.
Seldom do the Falcons deserve top billing for good things but they did this week. The key number of this game is five. Kicker Younghoo Koo kicked five field goals including a 54 yarder. The defense really came to play. They had a season high five sacks. They had five additional quarter back hits. They also had five forced turnovers, which is the most in a while. They also had a pick six from Deron Jones. The Falcons’ offense wasn’t great, as Gurley and Julio Jones didn’t dress out in the 43-6 win. Hard to believe that the Raiders are the only team to beat the Chiefs.
This past week, my dad, Buddy Ragan passed away due to Covid. Everyone that knew him knew that he was a huge Falcons fan. It didn’t matter if it was the super bowl or pre-season, he watched every snap. I am sure he loved this game from the best seat in the house in heaven. I know he was really proud of the defense.
To stick with the football theme, it was a better game for the Bulldogs as they played South Carolina. The game was never in question but the running game made a comeback. Cook and White had a pair of touchdowns each and the team ran for 332 yards, only 432 more than the week before in the 45-16 win. J.T. Daniels had a solid game even although he wasn’t forced to do very much; He had 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Regular season play wraps up against winless Vandy this Saturday.
The biggest bit of Bulldog news is the reports that quarterback D’Wan Mathis will enter the transfer portal. That shouldn’t come as a surprise because there is no room for him. In addition to Daniels, who I hope comes back and not to the NFL, Carson Beck, a freshman and Vandergoff will be there next year as well. Mathis didn’t play well when given the chance. Mathis didn’t make the trip to South Carolina.
Let’s wrap up this week with the Braves. We all knew that the Braves had to address the starting pitching and they did. General Manager, Alex Anththropolis signed free agent Charlie Morton to go with Drew Smyley. Morton, as some of you may know, came up as a Brave. He struggled and was let go. He has had good years with Houston and Tampa Bay.
Personally, I really like both moves. Keep in mind Soroka probably won’t be ready for opening day. Both of these should take innings off of the bullpen. There are also reports that the team will make a multi year offer to Marcell Ozuna. I know the team is waiting for the decision on the designated hitter rule in the national league. A decision should come on that real soon.

Wayne Anthony Allen, age 50, of Rhine was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (D.U.I.) and failure to exercise due care.

Aubrey Paul Evans, age 33, of Hawkinsville was arrested for probation violation.

William Al-Majeed McClain, age 27, of Jacksonville, Florida was arrested for battery- family violence (1st offense) misdemeanor, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Juan Pablo Ramirez Ramirez, age 28, of Rhine was arrested for driving without a valid licenses and seat belt violation.

Jena Wade Upshaw, age 30, of Warner Robins was arrested for no insurance and driving while licenses were suspended or revoked (misdemeanor).

Paul Clinton Youngblood, age 35, of Eastman was arrested for forgery in the 1st degree, receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon or felony, first offender and possession of methamphetamine.

Jesus Cruz, age 51, of Eastman was arrested for battery (family violence) and cruelty to children in the third degree.

Jimmy Paul, age 52, of Eastman was arrested for driving while licenses were suspended or revoked and possession of
methamphetamine with the intent to sale, deliver or distribute.

Tammy Claxton, age 39, of Eastman was arrested for driving while licenses were suspended or revoked and improper exhaust system.

Elisha Williams, age 17, of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Santiago Santos, age 42, of Eastman was arrested for pedestrian under the influence (P.U.I.)

Bilal Abu Rub, age 44, of Eastman was arrested for driving without licenses and driving too fast for conditions.

Dear editor,
American culture in general, values the good of the individual over the good of the community.
Nowhere do we see the failures of that culture more acutely than with this new enemy of the people (COVID-19) pandemic.
State leadership, and national leadership, democrats who were, and still are taking advantage of a world crises to undermine a sitting president in successfully getting their guy in the Whitehouse.  Do you not remember Chicago mayor Raham Emanuel saying, “ Never let a crises go to waste”.
The so called leaders of this country have failed the nation, bringing about the worst infection rate and silly controversies around mask wearing, social distance, and temporary movement restriction have turned into a divisive political statement about American liberty.
I remember “The greatest generation”, my parents! That sacrificed daily during WWII, is long gone now.  
In its place, 21st Century America, we have a shallow, uncaring, selfish, and downright lazy ass population incapable of the slightest grand gesture of sacrifice for patriotic purposes.  Or the common good.  
This rock we call America, and the demographics of it, consider wearing a mask to fight this deadly pandemic is a violation of their civil rights, and thinking of others is NOT in their DNA.  It’s every man for himself, if you get COVID-19, you cam handle it.   Do you not remember seeing these young feckless hooligans showing their butt in our streets in a so called peaceful protest not wearing a mask, torching business, looting, creating mayhem, and murder over some rogue cop who acted independently of a homicide.  
Just a question for you up and coming future of our country millennials, what about the potential deadly fallout as a result of your selfishness?  The doctor who treats you has plans for his future, yet places your welfare above his own, the nurse who treats you may have a family to go home to, or not, if she gets sick from your disease.  Lets assume you survive, but were complicit in the deaths of those who saved you. 
The likelihood of you ever knowing who died taking care of you is remote.  But at least you know that you exercised your right to NOT wear a mask. When I think of you, quiet candidly, I feel like taking a bath.
This is sure not your granddad and dad’s America.
At 73 years old, at least I still have memories of what America use to look like. 
TSGT. Joseph Bryan , U.S.A.F. Ret 

DONNIE RAY ROLAND
Retired Civil Service
Donnie Ray Roland, age 61, of Eastman, died Sunday, November 29, 2020 at his residence.
Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Eastman, with Reverend Daniel Cook officiating.


SONYA SAWYER JACKSON
Retired Sidetrack Cook
Sonya Sawyer Jackson, age 49, of Eastman, died Friday, November 27, 2020 at her residence.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.


Joesph Benjamin Riley, Jr.
Retired Mcwyte
Company of Atlanta
Joseph Benjamin Riley, Jr., died on Thursday, November 26, 2020.
Graveside services were held Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Mullins Hill Cemetery in Chauncey with Pastor Benjamin Clark officiating.


JERRY NEIL THOMAS, SR
Retired Gilman Paper Company
Jerry Neil Thomas Sr., age 77, of Eastman, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Orphans Cemetery in Eastman, with Reverend Tim Tanner officiating. Social distancing and facemasks are suggested.


CARMINTA GIDDENS EDGE
Retired Bank Teller
Carminta Giddens Edge, age 70, of Eastman, died Monday, November 23, 2020 at her residence.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.


ADOLPHUS WALKER, III
Mt. Zion Baptist
Church Member
Adolphus Walker, III, age 37, of Eastman died Sunday, November 22, 2020.
Graveside services were held on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cochran with Pastor Mark Baker officiating.


CASSANDRA H. THOMAS
Dodge County Native
Cassandra H. Thomas (San), age 58, died Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Dodge County Hospital.
Graveside services were held Sunday, November 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Butch Dupree officiating.