Since the Stump On Sports series started at Ridgeland High School in June of 2002 the Volunteer State has won five consecutive games.
But this year’s game has an added twist.
Alex Napier and Tyler Covington of Ooltewah have also been on the losing end against Tennessee in the past.
Napier (Ridgeland) and Covington (Ringgold) were on Georgia teams for the past two years in the Hardee’s Tennessee/Georgia All-star Futures Classics for sophomores and juniors.
This year these Owls will represent Tennessee after transferring to Ooltewah as seniors.
Covington said Tennessee has a better team again this year.
“Georgia has a good team,” Covington said. “But, I think Tennessee will win. Just like when Ooltewah went down to play Gordon Lee it will be a very competitive game.”
Napier was voted the Most Valuable Player in the Futures game last season. The speedy outfielder tied an All-Star game record with three hits and reached base five times.
”I have a new perspective on the game because I’m playing with players I have not played with before,” Napier said. “I’ve played with most all the guys in Georgia at one time in my life. I don’t know many of the Tennessee guys.”
Napier said Tennessee has the most depth and will enter the game confident.
”I look forward to this game every year,” he said. “It’s awesome and brings the best in the Chattanooga area in for one game.”
A Georgia native faring well in this game for Tennessee has happened before.
In fact, Ringgold resident Bryce Thomas was representing Notre Dame in June of 2002 when the first game in the Stump On Sports series made a debut at Ridgeland.
Thomas tied the game 5-5 in the top of the seventh with a solo homer.
Thomas also stole home and ended the night at shortstop by starting a nifty 6-4-3 twin-killing and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
The Futures game features the top sophomores and juniors from the Chattanooga area.
It will be played this season at Ridgeland on Tuesday, June 12 at 6 p.m.
Frank Seabolt will manage the Georgia squad and John Riley will assist.
Tennessee has won the first two meetings in the series in
2005 and 2006.
Georgia Seniors Classic - June 11, AT&T Field, 6 p.m.
Jake Sharrock - Gordon Lee
Tyler Beesley - Gordon Lee
Dane Anderson - Gordon Lee
Patrick Mattos - Gordon Lee
Daniel White - Gordon Lee
Travis Burns - Gordon Lee
Ryan Ellis - Gordon Lee
Derek Duran - Gordon Lee
Will Brooks - Gordon Lee
Matt Kolwyck - Ringgold
Corey McKenzie - Ringgold
Dexter Scudgins - LFO
Logan Hixson - LFO
Daniel Travis - LFO
Garrett Burgess - Northwest
Mark Kelly - Northwest
Zack Brown - Dalton
Brad Wilkerson - Calhoun
Curt Welch - Calhoun
Brodie Pullen - Calhoun
Charlie Culberson - Calhoun
Josh Smoker - Calhoun
Andy Rogers - LaFayette
Blake Hixson - Ridgeland
Derek Pierce - Ridgeland
Jordon Dean – Dalton
Head Coach Todd Middleton, Northwest
Asst. Coach Greg Payne, Gordon Lee
Asst. Mike Dunfee, LaFayette
Georgia Futures Classic - June 12, Ridgeland High, 6 p.m
Zack Debord - Gordon Lee
Clayton Chandler - LaFayette
Jordan Day - Trion
Justin Harris - Ringgold
Drew Walker - Ringgold
Rob Riley - Ringgold
Zack Fairchild - Ringgold
Matt Holden - LFO
Jake Jennings - LFO
Mark Posey - LFO
Cory Floyd - LFO
Ian Brockway - Ridgeland
Cody Pemberton - Ridgeland
Jarrett Didrick - Calhoun
Chris Davis - Ridgeland
Clark Eldridge - Ridgeland
Gabe Hermon - LFO
Mitchell Arnold - Northwest
Jaron Hollifield - Northwest
Michael Simpson - Southeast
Garren Palmer - Dalton
Mackey Sheets - Dalton
Carter Crutchfield - Dalton
Ben Hawkins - Model
Nic Davidson - Calhoun
Brad Moss - Calhoun
Justin Carruth – Ridgeland
Head Coach Frank Seabolt
Asst. Coach John Riley
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