Thursday was a special day for Trey Loggins and North Georgia Christian School.
Loggins became the first football player from the Gainesville private school to sign a letter of intent to play at the college level. Loggins, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound linebacker, will play for Rockford (Ill.) College.
“This means a lot, and I consider it a blessing from God,” Loggins said. “I showed that everything happens for a reason — me coming to this school.”
Loggins transferred to North Georgia after three years at North Hall, where he also played on the football team. As a member of the Trojans, he participated in a combine in Atlanta two years ago and caught the eyes of Rockford recruiters. The NCAA Division III school, which competes in the Northern Athletic Conference, has been recruiting him ever since.
Two weeks ago, Loggins made an official visit to Rockford and was sold on the school. He said he chose Rockford over four other offering schools, most notably Northwestern.
“I liked how the team was like family,” Loggins said. “Everyone there was real close. I chose them because the coaching staff was very consistent, talking to me every week.”
North Georgia athletic director and football coach David Stephens hopes Loggins’ signing will lead to more opportunities for the school’s student-athletes.
“Hopefully not for just football,” said Stephens, who led the Chargers to a 7-1 record in the Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama league. “We have kids that can play at the next level in basketball and soccer too.”
SHORTER LENDS GAINESVILLE LACROSSE A HAND: The Lady Red Elephants lacrosse team, now in its third year of existence, is still searching for its first win. Without funds for clinics, the luxury of a deep coaching staff, and being the only Hall County school with a lacrosse club, they find themselves at a great disadvantage when playing more advanced programs.
“We can’t afford to pay for clinics, so we rely on volunteer services,” Lady Red Elephants coach Gay Maehrlein said.
Last week, Shorter College’s lacrosse team came and conducted a 2 1/2-hour clinic to help the team. Maehrlein said Berry College has already agreed to volunteer next year, and that she’s trying to get more colleges to volunteer and help the program grow.
“Local colleges offer scholarships,” Maehrlein said. “I’m trying to get the seniors to send their videos.”
Gainesville’s season finale is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Park against North Forsyth.
REGION 8-AAA TAKING SHAPE: The tight Region 8-AAA race is winding down, with White County and North Hall (17-3) tied at the top, and Gainesville a game behind at 16-4. Franklin County (14-6), Oconee County (13-7) and Walnut Grove (12-7) are still in the mix for a state playoff berth.
Noteworthy of White County’s top position is the pitching of David Sosebee. The 6-foot, 195-pound right-hander who is committed to Georgia, fanned 13 Oconee County batters in a 3-1 win on Thursday.
Sosebee is now 8-0 on the season.
Region play resumes today, with White County hosting Monroe Area, Walnut Grove traveling to North Hall and Gainesville hosting Stephens County.