Athletics

MEET THE COACH | Volleyball Coach Briana Collins

Coach Briana Collins is anticipating a special and memorable volleyball season. Not only is the record-holding, 13-year graduate returning to Sherwood Christian Academy’s campus this year as head coach, but she is coaching her younger sister Ivy Grace in her last season as a senior at SCA. Briana Collins is Varsity/JV Head Volleyball Coach at SCA, where she graduated in 2015. Her credentials include being recruited from SCA to become a collegiate athlete as a defensive specialist, where was named NAIA Scholar Athlete all three seasons. Coach Collins has coached club-level volleyball and led her team to nationals.

ROLE AT SCA:
Varsity/JV Head Volleyball Community Coach

EDUCATION:
2015 SCA alumna; B.S. in Psychology from The University of Mobile in 3 years; M.S. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Valdosta State University

EXPERIENCE:
SCA – 6 years of volleyball at SCA. I started as a setter and was moved quickly to the back row as the Libero.
College – Recruited to play volleyball in college at The University of Mobile as a defensive specialist.
Career – Coached club volleyball at C-229 for 4 regular seasons and took 1 team to nationals. Coached the SCA JV team last year. Also coached my intramural team for two seasons during grad school.

AWARDS/HONORS:
SCA – Scholar Athlete and named MVP, Best Defense, All-Region, All-State, and All-Star. I hold the record at SCA for career digs: 476.
University of Mobile – NAIA Scholar Athlete all three seasons

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SWGA:
Chick-Fil-A

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS VOLLEYBALL SEASON?
Having the opportunity to mentor and connect with the athletes that share the same passion of volleyball as me. The volleyball program at SCA significantly impacted my life as a student, athlete, follower of Jesus, and now as a coach.

FAVORITE HOBBIES:
Spoiling my niece, reading, diamond painting, and doing anything that requires a competition.

FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Dancing with The Stars

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AS A COACH TRAINING SCA ATHLETES TO COMPETE WITH EXCELLENCE?
I always try to model what I expect from the athletes. Competing with excellence starts before they step foot in the gym. I hope to build character and integrity first. These qualities will reflect in the way we practice and compete.

We’re excited for a new season of volleyball and will be cheering on Coach Collins, her sister Ivy Grace (pictured above), and the entire varsity team!

Middle School Boys Soccer Team Win State Championship

Congratulations to SCA’s middle school soccer boys team, Coach Roger Russell, and Coach Juan Vilchez for winning the 2023 GAPPS Middle School State Championship on April 25, 2023!

The team beat Eastside Christian School in Marietta in the GAPPS middle school soccer state championship game.

Students, teachers, and parents lined up in the hallways and breezeway for a special send off on the morning of the game.

We are proud of this team that includes SCA athletes in 5th through 8th grade!

Sherwood Christian Athletics Hosts 1st Annual Catalyst Sports Awards – Suits & Sneakers Gala

Athletes and parents alike dressed to the nines in their Gala attire and favorite pair of sneakers on April 15, 2023, at the 1st annual Catalyst Sports Awards to celebrate the SCA sports season and award outstanding middle school and high school athletes. Gala guests enjoyed posing on the red carpet, a delicious catered meal, and entertainment and commentary by gala hosts SCA Athletic Director Jay Flynt and SCA Headmaster Kenny Roberts.

The awards show highlighted the 2022-2023 sports season’s greatest accomplishments and outstanding individual athletes including Most Thrilling Moment, Best Game, Dynamic Duo, Best Team, Biggest Fan and more! True to an awards-style show, students and coaches presented winners with illuminated sneaker trophies after sharing video clips and photos of the nominated athletes in action. Each winner shared an acceptance speech and their gratitude to their family, teammates, and coach. It was a great night of fellowship, laughter, and fun!

The winners of the 2023 Catalyst Awards:

Biggest Fan: Vance Carter
Breakthrough Athlete: Easton Enfinger
Difference Maker: Maddox Powers
Dynamic Duo: Owen Henshaw & Alex Harris
Most Thrilling Moment: State Championship Touchdown
Best Game: State Championship vs Unity
MS Female Athlete of the Year: Julia Kendrick
MS Male Athlete of the Year: KJ Bevel
MS Team of the Year: MS Cheer
Coach of the Year: Kenny Roberts
Female Athlete of the Year: Olivia Keith & Addie Hemmings
Male Athlete of the Year: Owen Henshaw
Team of the Year: Varsity Football

It was a night and an event that is here to stay at SCA! We can’t wait for next year!

SCA Hosted 15th Annual Tournament Under the Cross

Photo by Kim Russell.

The Sherwood Christian Academy campus was packed with soccer games and soccer fans on March 17 and 18 for the 15th Annual Tournament Under the Cross soccer tournament!

Photo by Brian Kelley.

There were 18 GAPPS, GISA and GHSA teams from across the state of Georgia competing all day Friday and Saturday in what has become one of the state’s largest soccer tournaments.

SCA varsity boys made it to the semifinals and lost 2-1 to Central Arts & Athletics. Varsity girls finished 3rd in their group, losing to Central Georgia Arts & Athletics and defeating Holy Spirit Preparatory School.

Photo by Kim Russell.

Several college coaches and scouts attended this year to evaluate potential recruits, from schools including Albany State University, ABAC, Georgia Military College, Toccoa Falls College, Andrew College.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped with the soccer tournament!

Photos by Kim Russell and Brian Kelley.

Kenny Roberts Awarded Albany Herald’s “Football Coach of the Year” and Football Players Honored

Coach Kenny Roberts has been selected by the Albany Herald as the “Coach of the Year” for his leadership in the Eagles’ State Championship winning year. Coach Roberts was Interim Football Head Coach for the 2022 football season.

Photo by Dan Mingo.

Several SCA varsity athletes were honored in the Albany Herald for the 2022 high school football season and named to the Albany Herald’s “All-Albany Football Team”:

First Team Offense | Easton Enfinger

Second Team Offense | Tripp Roberts

Second Team Offense | Jude Peavy

Second Team Offense | William Price

Second Team Defense | Maddox Powers

Congratulations to Coach Roberts and the entire SCA varsity football team for a great season and this special recognition!

SCA Athletic Director Jay Flynt recognized Coach Roberts and these athletes this morning in front of their peers.

Article from the Albany Herald: https://www.albanyherald.com/sports/albany-heralds-all-albany-football-team-announced/article_feee2826-9a6c-11ed-9e28-cbc3387aed1d.html

Coach James Byrd Awarded “Girls GAPPS Head Coach of the Year”

Congratulations to SCA’s Head Track Coach James Byrd for being awarded the Georgia Track & Field/Cross Country Association “Girls GAPPS Head Coach of the Year” on January 20, 2023!

Coach Byrd serves as cross country head coach, track head coach, and guidance counselor at SCA. The 2021-2022 SCA Girls Track Team won the GAPPS State Championship last season!

SCA’s Varsity Football Team Wins State Championship

Photo provided by Kim Russell.

Sherwood Christian Academy’s varsity football team are the 2022 GAPPS 8-Man Football Division I-AA State Champions! The Sherwood Christian Academy Eagles won their second state championship in a nail-biting game against the Unity Christian Lions tonight at Legacy Field with a final score of 43-40 on November 25, 2022! The last four minutes of the game was a back-and-forth between Sherwood and Unity, and both teams played well. The Eagles scored in the last 12 seconds to secure their win. SCA won our first state championship in 2014.

The game was broadcast live on the radio with commentary from Alex Kendrick and Jim McBride. Fireworks signaled each touchdown and a fireworks show was displayed after the referees declared the Eagles the winners.

In a pre-game interview for the radio broadcast before the State Championship game, Varsity Football Coach Kenny Roberts said, “These guys have put in the time in the summer and in the weight room. They’ve put in a lot of very hot days working in full pads and working through a rough sport [and physically taxing] like football. These guys have gotten better all year long. Their character has remained strong. So for them to have the chance to play for a state championship and be able to play at home in front of their family and friends…I’m really excited for them!”

This was Coach Roberts’ first year to lead varsity football, and he attributed some of his players’ wins to their steadiness and strong character.

“These athletes are so mature and business-like. They have goals for their games, but it’s their character – they want to do well. Their mind and heart is ready before they come into the locker room. Once they get out there in that battle when they’re competing and they’re having someone who is coming at them just as hard as they are… they remain steady in the things that we worked on. They don’t get frustrated or angry. They just remain steady,” Coach Roberts said.

Video of State Championship celebration by Tommy McBride.

“If we remain steady in what we’ve worked at, we can trust the Lord with the results because we have walked out in obedience in the way that we’re supposed to be doing these things and we can trust Him with how it ends,” Coach Roberts said.

We are so proud of each one of these Eagle athletes who have competed with excellence this season!

Jim McBride and Alex Kendrick provided live commentary of the State Championship game on Albany’s Talk Radio 1590 and 99.3 WALG.
Halftime Radio Show – Listen to Alex Kendrick and Jim McBride interview Coach Kenny Roberts about SCA’s varsity football achievements as heard on Albany’s Talk Radio 1590 and 99.3 WALG, 11/25/22.

ARTICLE from Albany Herald: “From 2-7 to State Champions: Sherwood Christian Beats Unity Christian for Title”

PHOTOS: Photos of the State Championship game by the Albany Herald.

PHOTO GALLERY: Here are some highlights from the 2022 SCA varsity football season! Photography by Dan Mingo, Brian Kelley, and Rebecca Johnson.

IN THE NEWS: “Sherwood Christian’s Big Adventure: All the Pieces Just Fell in Place”

An article about SCA’s 2022 Varsity Football Season from The Albany Herald by Joe Whitfield, Albany Herald Staff Correspondent. Read the article at the Herald’s website here.

ALBANY — The Sherwood Christian Academy Eagles will play Unity Christian School of Rome Friday night for the GAPPS Class AA state championship in 8-man football.

When interim head coach Kenny Roberts took on the challenge, he had no idea this is where his team would be at the end of the season.

“I took it because I didn’t want the football program to die,” Roberts said in an interview Monday afternoon. “After Coach (Chad) Evans resigned, Dr. Dougherty (Sherwood headmaster Brian Dougherty) and I began looking for a new football coach. We interviewed a couple of coaches and actually made an offer to one of them, but he withdrew his name because he decided he didn’t want to move. I told Dr. Dougherty I would step in because there were nine eighth-graders (rising ninth-graders) who wanted to play and could be a good start for the school. Since then, all of the pieces have just been falling together.”

Those pieces included great help from assistant coaches with the same goals in mind and a couple of key additions to the team in seniors Graham Anderson and Maddox Powers. Neither of these players was with the team when Roberts took over the program before spring practice last year. But now they are crucial members of the team about to play for a state title.

“Graham (Anderson) is the catalyst for our team when it comes to character,” said Roberts. “He has truly helped our team develop their character and I told him recently I didn’t want to do this without him here. And Maddox (Powers), some of our eighth-graders met him at a church camp. He was their leader at camp and then he ended up transferring to Sherwood. There is a real connection with him. Some of them even called him ‘Daddox.”

Anderson plays defensive end and left guard. Maddox plays fullback and defensive end for the Eagles. Anderson has been at Sherwood for 13 years and played football up until ninth grade before deciding not to return. He felt led to play and his friends on the team helped convince him to come back, along with a great deal of prayer. Powers is a transfer from Lee County after moving to the area from North Carolina during the COVID era.

“When everything kept falling into place,” said Roberts, “we realized about mid-season that we might be able to make a run at state.”

The Eagles are 10-1 on the year and have won nine in a row. They have scored fewer than 50 points in only three games all season with a freshman quarterback.

Quarterback Tripp Roberts is Coach Roberts’ son and has thrown for 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns this season on a team that primarily runs the ball. Running back Easton Enfinger is the main running threat and has 1,541 yards rushing with 25 touchdowns.

“I’m a little surprised at his statistics, but not at Tripp’s ability,” Coach Roberts said of his son Tripp. “He has wanted to be the quarterback since he was very young. He has put in the work. He has had a growth spurt of about three inches in the last year or so. He is a serious kid who works when no one else is working,” the coach said. “I knew he would learn the playbook quickly because I knew how serious he was about playing quarterback. It has been fun to watch him this year.”

“With Easton, he is really fast,” said Roberts. “But he is a super hard worker and has excellent leg strength and great natural vision to see what is happening. There are a lot of plays where he just gets three, four, or five yards, but he just keeps working and he has to push through that. I’m proud of his toughness and his fight to keep pushing when I know he is exhausted.”

But all of this still doesn’t explain how the Eagles went from almost not having a team to where they are now — about to play for the state championship.

“We’ve worked very hard to be consistent in the weight room,” Roberts said. “We started working three days a week this summer and it has continued into the school year. The boys come to school before 7 a.m. three days a week to lift before school starts. It is our willingness to put in the work that has a lot to do with our success.”

But there is more. The coaches and others made real investments in the players.

“We’ve been very intentional on making sure these players learn lessons that will help them in life, not just on the football field. We wanted to invest in these boys and teach them things that will help when they get into tough situations and learn that you do things the right way,” the coach added.

“We’ve had other people invest in these boys by bringing a pre-game breakfast on game day and a pre-game meal later that day. We wanted the boys to feel live someone was investing in them. We wanted to let them know that they are loved by their coaches. We wanted to let them know they are special and valuable, not because of their statistics, but because of who they are.”

The coach said all of these investments showed up earlier this season when the Eagles were in a tough battle with Vidalia Heritage in Vidalia. The Eagles managed to come home with a 58-54 win but not without some real fight.

“We were in the game where we had been flagged 13 times for penalties and the other team had gotten two,” said Roberts. “Our guys didn’t whine and complain. It would have been easy to complain and give up. Instead, they just put their heads down and pushed even harder and won the game.”

Vidalia Heritage made it to the state semifinals before falling to Unity of Rome last week by a final of 52-8. The score was eye-opening because Sherwood barely survived against Vidalia, but Roberts said the film he saw showed Vidalia fumbled at least seven times because its starting quarterback suffered an injury and they were unable to run their offense effectively. While Unity is a good football team and will be challenging, Roberts believes his Eagles will be ready to face another tough challenge.

Kickoff for Friday’s game at Sherwood Christian is set for 7:30 p.m.

SCA Varsity Athletes mentioned in this article (L to R): Graham Anderson, Maddox Powers, Tripp Roberts, Easton Enfinger

First Ever Fam Jam Fall Festival Is a Success!

Volunteers, parents, and teachers put hours into planning, preparing, and executing SCA’s first ever Fam Jam on Saturday, October 1. The fall festival was not only geared towards offering a fun family atmosphere, but it also raised money for SCA’s Football Program.

SCA Athletic Director Jay Flynt announced this week, “Due to your generous support and participation, Fam Jam was an amazing success! Seventy-five percent of the fundraising goal for football was met!”  

The theme of this year’s Fam Jam was “Gone Country” and all the booths, decorations, and costumes brought out the Western flair in those who attended. Booths, manned by parent volunteers, included milking a pretend cow, shooting Nerf darts at targets, riding a play horse, throwing horseshoes, roasting s’mores over a campfire, balloon popping contests, and many more creative activities. SCA senior football players and cheerleaders signed their autographs, families rode hay rides around the lake, and kids jumped and slid down bounce houses.

Mallory McBride (SCA parent, alum, and middle school cheerleading coach) was one of the organizers and brains behind Fam Jam. She and a group of other parents joined forces together to make Fam Jam a reality.

“Our goal for Fam Jam was family fun,” Mallory said. “We knew we could count it as a success if we had top to bottom participation from all grades from K3-12th. We have such great families at SCA, but we hardly ever interact together as a whole. We wanted to create an event atmosphere that allowed people to get to know each other and expand their social circles.”

It’s safe to say that Fam Jam was a success!

Will there be another Fam Jam? Mallory answers, “We hope to continue Fam Jam every October for years to come! Every year will be a new theme, but the structure will stay the same – family fun and a jammin’ good time!”

A “thank you” to all the volunteers from Coach Flynt: “A special thank you to the ladies who made Fam Jam possible, as well as all the staff and parents who volunteered to help with planning and coordinating the games, booths, and so much more! Without your time and effort, Fam Jam would not have been possible!”

2022 Around the Cross Invitational Cross Country Event Largest Meet in School History

Sherwood Christian Academy hosted the largest cross country meet in school history and the day was a great success! The “Around the Cross Invitational” was held on August 20 with 25 teams participating from the Southwest Georgia area.

Sherwood Christian School cross country athletes did remarkably well in the competition.

SCA Cross Country Head Coach James Byrd said, “Not only did we have a smooth event, but our athletes and teams competed at the highest level and performed amazingly. Many of our athletes were recognized as top 10 finishers!”

Congratulations to all our cross country athletes. Special recognition goes to:

SCA’s Jr. Pro Boys team won 1st place!
SCA’s Jr. Pro Girls team placed 2nd!
SCA’s Varsity Boys team placed placed 4th!
SCA’s Middle School Boys team placed 4th!

Individuals:
Jr. Pro Girls 1st Place | Aaliyah Hawkins
Jr. Pro Girls 9th Place | Caroline Seward

Jr. Pro Boys 1st Place | Henry Wright
Jr. Pro Boys 4th Place | Brand Hemmings
Jr. Pro Boys 6th Place | Jordan Cleare
Jr. Pro Boys 7th Place | Tanner Mingo

Middle School Girls 5th Place | Jordyn Ban

Middle School Boys 3rd Place | Nati Russell

Varsity Boys 8th Place | Luke Bergrab

“We are very proud of where our students are right now for being the first meet of the season, and we are looking forward to an amazing rest of the season to come!” Coach Byrd said.

See more photos from the Invitational in the slideshow below! Photography by Dan Mingo.