Board of Education addresses Warriors for Social Justice Group

Community, Indian's Corner, News

WHITE, GA.- The Board of Education addressed the community and the concerns about the Warriors for Social Justice group at their board meeting on Thursday, September 30.

On July 27, former substitute teacher James King brought to the notice of the board of education a group operating on google classrooms. The group was called Warriors for Social Justice. This was the first of many times King and his growing group brought the matter to the Board’s attention.

On July 27 according to Chairwoman Missy Jarrard, the board began investigating the claims King made about the group. However, the board never released an official statement to the public on the investigation or the findings. Due to this, King and his group believed that nothing was being done with the information they provided.

Former substitute teacher James King speaking during the meeting.

King and four others spoke again about their concerns dealing with the Warriors for Social Justice group at the meeting on Thursday. It was then that the board made a formal statement to the public about the matter.

” Tonight I would like to make a formal response on behalf of the board. The White County Board of Education has thoroughly investigated the allegations brought forth regarding the social justice teacher discussion group that took place after hours, we have found nothing to support the claims that critical race theory has been brought into any curriculum or has impacted instruction in any way. Through our investigation, it was found White County School System has followed the state board standards, curriculum, and policies. The members of the board of education supports the White County Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett and the teachers and staff of the White County School System. At this point and at this level the White County Board of Education considers this matter closed,” stated Chairwoman Missy Jarrard.

Jarrard’s statement was met with applause from the majority of the people in attendance. King and his group made no further comments at the meeting.

Board Business

Chairwoman Missy Jarrard delivering her formal statement for the board.

The ESPLOST request is $59,174.00. It is broken down to $7,174.00 for two pottery wheels and one Olympic oval kiln for the high school. $12,000.00 for new band equipment also for the high school. $36,500.00 for renovations of the main public restrooms at the central office which was built in 1972. Finally, $3,500.00 for a large format printer, ink, laminator and laminate rolls to be used by all the schools.

For the June and July reports, Finance Director Julie Dorsey presented the Board with the numbers. The June revenue in the general fund is $41,033,546.04 and the expenditures are $3,160,107.13. The July revenue is $305,238.38 and the expenditures are $771,502.61.

The July financial report for the general fund.

 

Warriors top Lumpkin Co. in extra innings

Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports

The White Co. Warriors defeated the Lumpkin Co. Indians 15-12 in 10 innings on Wednesday night in Dahlonega. Senior J Ben Haynes hit a triple in the top of the 10th inning that drove in two runs to help his team get the win.

Sophomore Kyler Mayo hitting the first of his 2 RBI doubles in the game.

Haynes had 4 RBIs in the game, two of which came on sacrifice flyballs that were nearly home runs.

After the Indians scored a run in the first inning, White Co. scored seven straight runs across the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings to jump out to an early lead. Senior Evan Chambers drove in two of those runs on a single in the 4th inning.

With the game seemingly over, Lumpkin Co. scored seven runs in the bottom of the 5th to take a 10-8 lead. Scooter Ligon hit a 2-run RBI single to give the Indians the lead.

In the top of the 7th, freshman Ryan Fowler stole home off of an error on a pickoff attempt to tie the game.

Tied at 12 heading into the 10th, Haynes’ heroics helped give White Co. the victory.

The two teams will meet again on Friday in Cleveland. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 p.m.

White Co. defeats Dawson Co. 76-48

Sports, Team FYN Sports, White Co. Basketball

The White Co. Warriors defeated the Dawson Co. Tigers 76-48 in Cleveland on Friday night. White Co. dominated the first three quarters, allowing them to coast to victory in the fourth. They outplayed and outhustled Dawson Co. on both ends of the floor.

Sophomore Jadon Yeh sizes up fellow sophomore Jaden Gibson.

White Co. had five players score in double digits. Junior Silas Mulligan led the team with 24 points. Kenny Simpson scored 15 points, Jadon Yeh and Reece Dockery both had 12 points, and Cooper Turner scored 11.

After leading 41-21 at halftime, White Co. scored 28 points in the third quarter to seal the game. The Warriors shot the ball extremely well, hitting 11 three pointers in the game.

White Co. travels to play the Gilmer Bobcats on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

White Co. shuts out West Hall in homecoming game

Sports, Team FYN Sports, White Co. Football

The White Co. Warriors (5-2, 1-2 Region 7-3A) defeated the West Hall Spartans (2-5, 0-3 Region 7-3A) 35-0 in their homecoming game on Friday night. Junior Silas Mulligan ran for three touchdowns, and sophomore Darius Cannon had two interceptions to help the team dominate both sides of the ball.

Junior Zion McMullen celebrating the first White Co. touchdown of the night, which came on his 3-yard run.

The Spartans received the ball to start the game, but neither team scored on their first possession. Junior Zion McMullen opened the scoring with a big run that set up his 3-yard rushing touchdown to give White Co. a 7-0 lead. After getting the ball back from West Hall, the Warriors lost a fumble on a high snap that gave the Spartans excellent field position. Despite that, junior Bryson Cronic made a huge interception and returned it to the West Hall 30-yard line. This set up Mulligan’s first touchdown of the night, which came from 12 yards out.

To open the 2nd quarter, Cannon ended the Spartans’ possession early with an interception. Unfortunately, that drive was cut short by another fumble from White Co. After another interception by Cannon a few possessions later, neither team was able to move the ball well until late in the first half. After a 36- yard pass from senior Riley Stancil to fellow senior Cooper Turner, Mulligan ran in the touchdown to give the Warriors a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Junior Bryson Cronic returning his interception to the West Hall 30-yard line.

White Co. received the ball to open the second half. They weren’t able to score on the opening possession, but they put together two scoring drives on the following possessions. Mulligan’s 3rd touchdown of the night came on a 38-yard run halfway through the 3rd quarter. After forcing another 3 and out, Stancil had two big runs that set up his 5-yard touchdown run that increased their lead to 35-0. After getting another stop, the Warriors were able to run out the clock and seal the win.

The next White Co. game will be in two weeks when they host the Lumpkin Co. Indians on November 6th.

White Co. falls to North Hall in overtime

Sports, Team FYN Sports

The White Co. Warriors (4-2, 0-2 Region 7-3A) fell to the North Hall Trojans (3-3, 2-0 Region 7-3A) 34-31 in overtime at White Co. high school. The Warriors were led by sophomore Darius Cannon, who had three receiving touchdowns and well over 200 receiving yards on the night.

Sophomore Darius Cannon catching his first of three touchdowns on the night for the Warriors.

The Trojans received the ball to open the game but couldn’t get things started on the scoreboard. It was White Co. who struck first on a 29-yard field goal by senior Andrew Pierce to give the Warriors the lead halfway through the first quarter. White Co. was able to get another stop on the next possession, and then score on a 41-yard touchdown to Cannon on 3rd and 25. However, the Trojans responded with a big play of their own as they scored on a 64-yard screen pass.

White Co. held onto a 10-7 lead until North Hall scored on a 10-yard rushing touchdown halfway through the second quarter. The Warriors were able to respond with a solid drive. On 4th and 11, senior quarterback Riley Stancil found Cannon for a 35-yard gain that set up a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Stancil. The Trojans moved the ball down the field quickly on the ensuing possession to set up a 44-yard field goal that tied the game at 17 heading into halftime.

The Warriors received the ball to open the second half but quickly went three-and-out. North Hall used their run-heavy offense to take a huge chunk of time off of the clock on the next drive. They scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter.

Senior Riley Stancil running right through two defenders for the touchdown for the Warriors.

On the next Warriors’ possession, they faked a punt but couldn’t convert. However, the Trojans couldn’t capitalize on the favorable field position, as they missed a 53-yard field goal. White Co. quickly got momentum back on their side with a 73-yard touchdown on a screen pass to Cannon to tie the game at 24. The Trojans once again slowly drove down the field and set up an 8-yard touchdown to give them the lead with just over four minutes in the game. Cannon once again came up big for the Warriors. On the first play from scrimmage, he caught a pass in the middle of the field, bounced to the outside, and ran 77 yards for the touchdown to tie the game less than 20 seconds later. Both teams had another possession to take the lead, but neither was able to capitalize.

In overtime, the Warriors were stopped just short of the line on 4th down. The Trojans got the ball down to the goal line on their possession, but White Co. kept making stops. North Hall eventually chipped in the 18-yard field goal to win the game 34-31.

The Warriors have another home game next week as they host West Hall at 7:30 p.m.

 

White Co. sweeps North Hall to advance to Region 7-3A championship

Sports, Team FYN Sports, White County High School

The White Co. Warriors swept the North Hall Trojans 2-0 to advance to the Region 7-3A championship. The top-seeded Warriors, who also hosted the tournament, won the first set 25-22 and the second set 25-15.

Senior Dasha Cannon spiking the ball.

Neither team was able to gain any separation in the first set, as the score was tight the entire way. Both teams had a few short runs, but North Hall held onto a 20-19 lead late in the set. White Co. had another run left in them and scored five straight to take a 24-20 lead. The Trojans fought back to win two more volleys, but the Warriors held on to win 25-22.

White Co. picked up right where they left off in the first set and raced out to a 6-0 lead. They extended that lead to 15-5 and eventually held on to win the second set 25-15 and win the match 2-0.

The Warriors moved on to face Lumpkin Co. in the region championship.

White Co. falls to Dawson Co. to open region play

Team FYN Sports, White Co. Football

The Dawson Co. Tigers (2-3, 1-0 Region 7-3A) defeated the White Co. Warriors (4-1, 0-1 Region 7-3A) 42-35 on Friday night in Dawsonville. Despite the constant rain throughout the game, neither team struggled to make big plays.

Senior J Ben Haynes scrambling out of the pocket.

Backup quarterback Riley Stancil came into in the game in the middle of the third quarter and ran for two touchdowns for the Warriors. Sophomore Darius Cannon also made a number of big plays for White Co., including a 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Both teams got off to slow starts to the game. Dawson Co. received the first possession, but the teams traded a pair of 3 and outs before a bad punt by White Co. gave the Tigers excellent starting field position. They capitalized on it quickly as Holtzclaw found Lane for a 34-yard touchdown to give Dawson Co. the first points of the game late in the first quarter. The teams traded 3 and outs again before senior J Ben Haynes found his receiver for a huge 48-yard gain. However, the Warriors couldn’t move the ball into the endzone and faked a field goal attempt that gave the ball back to Dawson Co.

The Tigers reversed the field quickly on a 74-yard run by Isaiah Grindle. Shortly after, Holtzclaw found junior Conley Dyer for a 21-yard touchdown to extend their lead early in the second quarter. White Co. found life on an 80-yard kick return by Cannon to start the drive in the redzone. However, the Warriors again couldn’t finish the drive with a touchdown as junior Braedon Hubbard intercepted a 4th down pass to get the ball back for the Tigers. Junior Riley Turner got the ball right back for the Warriors by intercepting a pass on the next drive. Cannon used the interception to score a 64-yard touchdown to get the Warriors on the board late in the first half. Dawson Co. was able to strike back quickly on a 63-yard touchdown to Sonnichsen less than a minute later. White Co. finally found life in their offense and continued that momentum. Cannon had another big play on a 32-yard reception that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Haynes that made the halftime score 21-14 in favor of the Tigers.

White Co. picked up right where they left off to start the second half. Senior Cooper Turner had a 38-yard reception that set up a 33-yard touchdown run by junior Silas Mulligan. The Warrior defense built off the touchdown as senior Jesse Moose intercepted a pass to get White Co. the ball back. With Haynes going down on the ensuing drive, Stancil stepped in and delivered the Warriors their first lead of the game on a 12-yard touchdown run. Dawson Co. fought back on the next drive, as Holtzclaw got the ball to his playmakers before eventually finding Lane for his second touchdown of the game. The Tigers’ defense stepped up this time as they set their offense up with great field position after a fake punt by White Co. Holtzclaw found Sonnichsen quickly for a 42-yard touchdown to get Dawson Co. the lead back late in the 3rd quarter.

Sophomore Darius Cannon after making a big play for the Warriors.

Mulligan started off the next Warriors’ drive with a 28-yard run to swing the momentum back to the Warriors. Stancil built off of the big play with a 19-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 35 early in the fourth quarter. Grindle returned the kickoff to midfield, but the Tigers couldn’t capitalize on the field position. They attempted a fake punt of their own, but a fumble gave White Co. excellent field position for their next drive. Mulligan powered his way through the Tigers’ defense to get his team down to the goal line. However, Dawson Co. was able to recover a fumble on the 3-yard line to swing the momentum back in their favor. The Tigers struggled to move the ball to begin the drive. Holtzclaw made two huge throws on third down. The first was a 17-yard pass to Sonnichsen to get his team some breathing room. The next was a pass to sophomore Jaden Gibson that turned into a 77-yard touchdown for the Tigers to give them the 42-35 lead with less than four minutes remaining in the game. White Co. reached deep into their back of tricks on the next drive. A double reverse set up a long run by Cannon to get White Co. past midfield. The Tiger defense stepped up one last time. After a sack on third down, Gibson sealed the game with an interception to get Dawson Co. possession of the ball and the victory.

White Co. plays next Friday as they host North Hall high school at 7:30 p.m.

White Co. defends home field, runs past North Hall 16-0

Sports, Team FYN Sports

#2 Rachel Carter round third for the Lady Warriors.

The White Co. Lady Warriors (2-2, 1-0 Region 7-3A) defeated the North Hall Lady Trojans (0-3, 0-1 Region 7-3A) 16-0 at home on Tuesday night. The Lady Warriors got off to a hot start, as they scored nine runs in the first and inning and seven runs in the second inning.

#12 Liana O’Kelley at the plate for the Lady Warriors.

White Co. also played great defense, as they let up only two hits in the game. The two pitchers for the Lady Warriors were #12 Liana O’Kelley and #9 Annika Vandiver.

The bats were hot all around for White Co. #2 Rachel Carter batted two for two in the game, and #13 Gabby Whiddon wrapped up the game with a grand slam in the bottom of the second inning. The Lady Warriors were dominant in all facets of the game.

The Lady Warriors play again on Thursday at Lumpkin Co. high school as they take on the Lady Indians (2-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A).

White Co. baseball falls to Clarke Central at home

Sports, Team FYN Sports, WCHS Baseball
White County Warriors

The White Co. Warriors baseball team managed just three hits in a 7-4 loss to Clarke Central on Friday, March 6, in Cleveland.

The Warriors (4-6) were led at the plate by Riley Norton, who was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double on the day as the only player to have a multi-hit game.

Norton’s double came in the bottom of the third inning with White Co. trailing 2-1.

After Billy Carder struck out to start the bottom half of the inning, Jake Johnson drew a walk and then stole second base. Dylan Sargent was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second as Norton stepped to the plate.

J. Ben Haynes came on as a courtesy runner for Sargent before Norton smacked a 2-2 pitch into left field. The line drive drove in Johnson and Haynes and put White Co. up 3-2.

Clarke Central answered two innings later with a run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 3-3, before blowing things open in the top of the sixth with four runs to go up 7-3.

White Co. managed to add a run in the bottom of the sixth when Blake Kelley scored on a fielder’s choice ground ball hit by Sargent, putting the score at 7-4.

That was all the Warriors could muster in the inning as they left two runners stranded.

Johnson finished the night 1-for-1 with two runs scored and three walks, while Sargent added an RBI, and Riley Higgins drew to walks for the Warriors.

White Co. is next slated to visit Riverside Military Academy at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 9.

White Co. Warriors fall to West Hall Spartans 2-1

Sports, Team FYN Sports, WCHS Soccer

The White Co. Warriors (1-2) lost 2-1 against the West Hall Spartans (3-0) on the road on Friday night. West Hall scored consecutive goals halfway through the first half, and White Co. couldn’t recover.

Ian Sanchez about to kick the ball.

The Spartans scored the first goal of the half with 19 minutes left. They followed that up with another goal less than a minute later. The Warriors were able to get onto the scoreboard for the first time late in the half. With 37 seconds left, #9 Andrew Pierce scored on a header to cut the Spartans’ lead to 2-1 at the half.

Despite neither team scoring in the second half, the game was competitive. West Hall went on to win 2-1.

White Co. plays again on Monday at home against Habersham Central (2-0) at 7:30 p.m.

Lady Warriors run through West Hall on the road

Sports, Team FYN Sports, WCHS Soccer

The White Co. Lady Warriors (2-1-1) defeated the West Hall Lady Spartans (0-3) 10-0 on the road on Friday night. White Co. scored six goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half, ending the game early.

Hope Thomas keeping the ball away from a West Hall player.

The Lady Warriors had four goals in the first half, two of which came in the final five minutes. The first goal came on a free kick from #8 Ada Smith. The second came less than a minute later from #1 McKinley Jones who had a straight shot on the goal.

White Co. took care of things quickly in the second half, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes, and three more in the next five minutes. #14 Alexis Pashkovets scored two of the final three goals, including the goal that sealed the 10-0 for the Lady Warriors.

White Co. plays again on Monday at home against Habersham Central (1-0) at 5:30 p.m.

White Co. football Players of the Week recognized

Player of the Week, Team FYN Sports, White Co. Football
White Co. Players of the Week

The six players named TeamFYNSports Player of the Week during White Co.’s 2019 football season were recognized Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the high school. Each player received a commemorative shirt and a gift certificate for a free meal.

The Players of the Week were:

Week 1: Zion McMullen. The sophomore running back scored three touchdowns in a win against Lumpkin Co. on Aug. 30 at home.

White Co. Players of the Week

Junior J. Ben Haynes was named the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week three times during the past football season.

Week 2: J. Ben Haynes. The junior quarterback accounted for two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in a loss at Habersham Central on Sept. 6.

Week 3: Jesse Moose. The junior defensive player had an 80-yard fumble returned in a win against Pickens on Sept. 13 at home.

Week 4: J. Ben Haynes. The quarterback threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to go along with three rushing touchdowns in a win at North Hall on Sept. 20.

Week 5: Jesse Moose. The junior had multiple sacks and tackles for loss to go along with a fumble recovery in a loss at Marist on Sept. 27.

Week 6: Will Sampson. The senior wide receiver had multiple catches and a receiving touchdown in a loss at Flowery Branch on Oct. 4.

Week 7: J. Ben Haynes. The quarterback accounted for five touchdowns (three rushing and two passing) in a win against West Hall at home Oct. 18.

Week 8: Cooper Turner. The junior caught two touchdown passes in a loss to Denmark at home Oct. 25.

Week 9: Riley Stancil. The junior running back scored a rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown in a win at Chestatee on Nov. 11.

Week 10: Cooper Turner. The junior had more than 100 yards receiving in a loss to Blessed Trinity at home Nov. 8.

 

Editor’s note: TeamFYNSports would like to thank our sponsors for the 2019 White Co. football season. Without their support, coverage of the Warriors would not have been possible. A big thank you to Circuit World, Graphic Expressions, Day’s Chevrolet, Flash Media Group, Ingles, Pepsi, and Chick-fil-A.

Lady Warriors defeat Central high school in 4A state playoffs

Sports, Team FYN Sports, White Co. Basketball, White County High School

The White Co. Lady Warriors hosted and defeated the Central high school Lady Lions in the first round of the 3A state playoffs on Friday. A 13-0 run from the Lady Warriors in the third quarter helped them take control of the game and eventually win 63-50.

Senior Ellie Gearing plays transition defense against the Lady Lions.

White Co. was led in scoring by Piedmont-commit Bentley Cronic, who had 24 points. Junior Dasha Cannon scored 16 points, and fellow junior Maddie Futch had 10 points.

The first quarter of the game was a hard-fought battle for both teams as they traded scored. At the end of the period, the Lady Warriors led 13-11.

White Co. started to take control in the second quarter as they opened the period with a 14-2 run. This allowed them to extend their lead to double digits and take a 34-23 lead into halftime.

Senior Naomi Crumley sets up a play.

The Lady Warriors used the third quarter to seal the game. After giving up two early 3-pointers, White Co. went on a 13-0 run get their lead to 20. A late three from the Lady Lions cut the Lady Warrior lead to 49-32 heading into the final period.

Central started off the fourth quarter with a quick 6-2 run to cut into the lead. However, White Co. responded with a strong finish to the game and won 63-50 to advance to the second round of the 4A state tournament.

Jadon Yeh is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Warriors!

Player of the Week, Team FYN Sports, White Co. Basketball
Jadon Yeh

Jadon Yeh is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Warriors!

Yeh, a freshman guard, had double-digit scoring in both games for White Co. (5-5, 0-2 Region 7-AAAA) last week as the Warriors won two straight.

On Friday, Dec. 13, Yeh scored 13 points as White Co. took down Class 6A’s Habersham Central 67-46 in Cleveland.

The next day in the North Georgia High School Showcase in Dawsonville, Yeh scored 11 points as the Warriors defeated Riverside Military Academy 58-46.

For his efforts, Yeh is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Warriors!

Silas Mulligan is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Warriors!

Player of the Week, Team FYN Sports, White Co. Basketball
Silas Mulligan

Silas Mulligan is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Warriors!

Mulligan scored 15 points in the White Co. boys basketball team’s only win last week, a 58-46 defeat of Union Co.

Mulligan is a sophomore shooting guard who stands 6-foot tall and weighs 170 pounds.

The Warriors are 3-3 on the season and next host Blessed Trinity to open the Region 7-4A schedule.

For his efforts, Mulligan is the TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week for the Warriors!

TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week – J. Ben Haynes, #8

Player of the Week, Sports, Team FYN Sports

Tonight was the J. Ben Haynes Show; it was spectacular to witness.

Team FYN Sports is excited to announce it’s Player of the Week for the White County Warriors – QB J. Ben Haynes. Haynes led the Warriors to a huge victory over the rival North Hall Trojans.

Haynes was undoubtedly the best player on the field tonight. He was throwing the ball down the middle of the field with pinpoint perfection, including a key 45 yard passing TD. Most of his incompletions were through no fault of his own due to receivers dropping multiple passes. But what was most impressive was his rushing. Last season, Haynes would very rarely run the ball. This season, he has scored rushing touchdowns in all four games so far, including 3 tonight. Every time he was under pressure, he found a way to gain yards and keep the drives alive.

Congratulations to J. Ben for being selected as the Team FYN Sports player of the week for the White County Warriors for the 2nd time this year!

Back to Top