By CARMEN LINDSEY
carmen.lindsey@gaflnews.com
ABBEVILLE — The Wilcox High Patriots football team has been an inspiration for their school and their community. In celebration of their accomplishments and hard work, the team was honored with a special proclamation from the Wilcox County Board of Commissioners.
In the proclamation, the Commissioners recognized the efforts of the Wilcox County High School for becoming the first Wilcox Patriot football team to reach the State of Georgia Class A Football Championship.
They also congratulated the players for a job well done and offered a special recognition to head coach Mark Ledford and his staff for the outstanding job of coaching and motivating outstanding young athletes. The Board encourages all its citizens to commend and applaud the coaches and athletes of Wilcox High and wish them every success in the future.
“You have played fair, played hard and played to win,” the proclamation stated. “Bless you all.”
“This is a special day for us,” said coach Ledford after accepting the manifesto on behalf of his team. “I think the guys are very deserving of this. We tried to make it just like any other game,” he referred to the state championship football game held in Crisp County against Emanuel County Institute. “For us, it was a state championship game. For the community, it was more. It was special.
“What I think [the state championship game] did for a moment, at least, was unite Wilcox County. We weren’t divided. Abbeville, Rochelle and Pitts were one. That’s something we’re proud of,” Ledford spoke in front of the Wilcox Commissioners and the Wilcox County Board of Education.
“Someone up north in Atlanta said, ‘I didn’t know where Abbeville was, but now I know,’” here Ledford referred to the football game at the Georgia Dome. “We’re thankful for the support. It was tremendous.”
The Commissioners also sent a letter thanking the Crisp County School Superintendent and Board members for their generosity and hospitality shown to the Patriots’ football team and fans by allowing them to use their facilities for the state championship game.
“There was no way that Wilcox County could have handled the large crowds,” said Lee Hollingsworth, chairman of the Board. “It is very heartwarming to know that we have neighbors who still care and will go the extra mile to help out in the various needs of each other. We are deeply grateful to you, Crisp County, for your support and consideration.”
In other news:
Wilcox Commissioners reappointed the following individuals in the county: Lee Hollingsworth, chairman; Hazel Keen, county clerk; Norris Hall, assistant county clerk; Jarrell Jones, road superintendent; Thomas Pujadas, county attorney; Dr. W.M. Cerillo, county physician; Joni Wilson, county health nurse; and Larry Brown, EMA director.
