By: Taylor Herring
In an attempt to bring the Lamar County School District’s community together, the School Board has recently decided that Oak Grove, Sumrall, and Purvis should play each other in football each year. This plan will go into effect for the 2010-2011 season. Now the annual Pre-Season Jamboree, where the three schools play one another, will be considered a preview of future games in the season.
Mr. Jeff Vanderheiden, OGHS Assistant Principal, who student-taught at Sumrall while in college before transferring to Oak Grove, is in favor of the new decision. “It gives local teams a good opportunity to come together as a community.”
Not only will the decision generate rivalry, but it will also boost competitive spirit among players, parents, and fans.Furthermore, the three teams will no longer be forced to pay such high transportation fees since they will only be traveling a few miles for these games. All three teams can now expect an even bigger turn out of fans since traveling to a neighboring city is much less burdensome than traveling across the state.
Oak Grove Junior Class President Anne Morgan Banquer is excited about the decision to play different local teams. “Friends and members of my church who play on their school’s football teams will finally be able to see what it’s like to play on Oak Grove’s field,” she said.
Coaches and football players are in favor of the plan as well, considering they will now be competing against many of their close friends in the community. Many players have complained in past seasons that they have gotten tired of playing the same teams each year, and would like to see new head-to-head match-ups. Fans often guess which team in the district is the best, and they will soon have their proof in the coming season.
This new policy will create a healthy rivalry among students in the area. With a newfound competitive spirit in the community, it’s a whole new ballgame.
