Sports

TREY GILLEY / Staff Jacket Trenten Houston looks for extra running room after hauling in a pass.

TREY GILLEY / Staff Jacket Trenten Houston looks for extra running room after hauling in a pass.

Jackets show promise despite loss to Mustangs in spring scrimmage

Jacket gridiron head coach Scott Roberts said he was pleased with the effort during last week’s scrimmage against the South Effingham Mustangs, but he added that the team still has plenty to clean up and improve on over the summer before the Aug. 21 season opener against Liberty County.
Terrence Ward is all smiles with Wayne County Recreation Department director Speck Echols after setting a state record in the U-8 boys long jump.

Terrence Ward is all smiles with Wayne County Recreation Department director Speck Echols after setting a state record in the U-8 boys long jump.

Ward breaks 21-year-old GRPA state record in U-8 long jump

Wayne County’s Terrence “Blu” Ward led the Wayne County Recreation Department track team at Saturday’s GRPA state meet in Carrollton, stunning the field by breaking a 21-year-old state record in the U-8 long jump with a leap of 12 feet, 5 inches.The team also had a number of top-three finishers.
Omari Kelly

Omari Kelly

Kelly signs with Chicago Bears

Former Michigan State wide receiver Omari Kelly, whose father, Albert, lives in Jesup, recently signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. Kelly began his collegiate football career at Auburn University, where he appeared in 19 games.

Wayne County falls in Game 3, eliminated by East Forsyth

The Wayne County High varsity baseball season came to a close late last week with a 9-3 loss to East Forsyth High in Game 3 of state play. The teams had split the first two games, with East Forsyth winning the opener 9-5 and the Jackets responding with a 4-0 shutout in Game 2.
Visiting Florida universities are, from left, coach DJ West, Preston Scott, Trint Howard, Braylon McCarthur, Drae Bradwell, Ax Doomes, AJ Duncan, Zy Lewis and coach Tre Jackson.

Visiting Florida universities are, from left, coach DJ West, Preston Scott, Trint Howard, Braylon McCarthur, Drae Bradwell, Ax Doomes, AJ Duncan, Zy Lewis and coach Tre Jackson.

Middle school athletes visit FSU, Florida

STAFF REPORT   Former New England Patriot Tre Jackson recently took a group of eighth graders on a college tour, giving them the opportunity to watch spring practices, sit in on team meetings, and interact with players and coaches at Florida State University and the University of Florida.

Tennis seniors

The Wayne County tennis program recognized the team’s 2026 seniors in play recently against Savannah Christian Preparatory School. The seniors include, from left, Emma Murphy and Kilon Reddish.  
ERIC DENTY / Staff Jacket Branton Ray pitched in relief against the BC Cadets.

ERIC DENTY / Staff Jacket Branton Ray pitched in relief against the BC Cadets.

BC Cadets sweep Jackets in three-game Region 1 series

The Benedictine Military School Cadets were too much for the Jackets to handle this past week as WCHS fell in the three-game Region 1 series, 13-4, 10-0, and 6-2. The Jackets are back in region action this week against New Hampstead High. The two played Tuesday in Savannah.
ERIC DENTY / Staff Jacket Haddy Peel dives safely back to first in a pick-off attempt in a game against Perry High.

ERIC DENTY / Staff Jacket Haddy Peel dives safely back to first in a pick-off attempt in a game against Perry High.

Yellow Jackets take first Region 1 series from Perry High Panthers

  The Wayne County High Diamond Jackets secured the three-game Region 1 series against the Perry High Panthers late last week, punctuating the set with an 18–1 run-rule victory in the finale.