Sports

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLLEGE OF COASTAL GEORGIA Wayne County’s Antonio Juarbe has had a strong year at College of Coastal Georgia and was recently named the Sun Conference Golfer of the Year.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLLEGE OF COASTAL GEORGIA Wayne County’s Antonio Juarbe has had a strong year at College of Coastal Georgia and was recently named the Sun Conference Golfer of the Year.

Jesup’s Juarbe named finalist for 2026 NAIA Jack Nicklaus Award

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Antonio Juarbe is on the doorstep of College of Coastal Georgia history. The junior from Jesup has been named one of five finalists for the 2026 NAIA Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Workday—the most prestigious individual honor in college golf.
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

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
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

News Staff
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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

News Staff
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
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

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
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

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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

News Staff
Thursday, April 9, 2026
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.