Today's interviewee is Chip Ariail, the statistician and historian for Bainbridge football. A former Bearcats player, Ariail has been an assistant football coach, head soccer coach and art teacher for Bainbridge schools.
Chip Ariail, Bainbridge football statistician and historian
1. What's your background with Bainbridge football and Bainbridge High over the years? "I played two years on the varsity as a nose guard for head coach Miller Shealy [1979] and for future Georgia High School Hall of Famer Jimmy Hightower [1980]. I then attended the Bainbridge College but still had an interest in the team and asked to do the stats. I worked along with Joe Crine, the sports editor of the Bainbridge Post Searchlight, and even wrote a few articles, thus immersing further into the Bearcat football exploits. Although I transferred to Valdosta State in 1984, my brothers Scott and Pat began playing, so I continued to assist the team through the final high school graduation in 1989. The next year I moved back to Bainbridge to teach and coach under head coach Sonny Smart as a middle school coach and have been here since, providing my assistance with statistics and Bearcat football history. The stats started as a side hobby, but I also realized it was a way to help students get recognition and to use the information for recruitment in case they had an interest in playing college ball."
2. You recall the 1982 state title. Did you think you'd see another one? "The 1982 was a great team that rebounded from an early season loss to Mitchell-Baker, which also had a great squad, and defeated them nine games later for the region title and eventually won the state title game 7-6 on a cold and rainy night in Gainesville. The interesting fact is that a bulk of the starters from that team had started their high school varsity career winning one game as sophomores, five as juniors and eventually a 14-1 finish and the AAA state title in 1982. Over the years, Bainbridge has posted several competitive teams, and being an optimist, I knew the law of averages would eventually kick in. But without a doubt, 2018 was a year to remember."
3. What's the most memorable or interesting thing about the 2018 championship? "The season had so many twists and turns it would make your head spin, and worthy of an ESPN '30 for 30' episode. The team had to endure inexperience, weekly injuries, thin depth, a four-game losing streak, a hurricane and its wake, personal tragedy, and travel over 1,800 miles for the last four weeks of the playoffs. When I look back, determination, perseverance against the odds, never-say-die attitude and a little luck characterized the season.
"In the title game, drama was not short-lived. The Bearcats built a large lead, scoring in every facet of the game. But Warner Robins came storming back to tie the game in the waning minutes of regulation and appeared to have a win at hand with six seconds and a short field goal attempt awaiting. But when all seemed lost, Bainbridge's lone Division I commitment, Roman Harrison, leaped shoulder high on the snap to block the field goal to force overtime. Bainbridge came away with a 47-41 victory. It's regarded by many as one of the greatest games in GHSA championship history."
4. Bainbridge has had some great coaches over the years. You played for Hightower, who won two state titles at Americus. Then were was Ralph Jones, who won a state title at Bainbridge and then Cairo. How would you describe and contrast those coaches? "All of the coaches listed were not only good coaches, family men, but also leaders who believed in the getting the most out of an individual on the field while emphasizing a strong commitment to developing character. Jimmy Hightower, although not a big man, carried himself in a way that resounded respect. He was very focused in demeanor and cool under pressure. Ralph Jones had similar qualities, being a good organizer, and knew how to get the most out of a South Georgia athlete. Jones' motto for the team was the three C's - Commitment, Courage and Character.
"Ed Pilcher started his career as a defensive coordinator but was best known for his veer offense. He was an old-school, no-nonsense type of coach but enjoyed coaching the game, the coaches and the young men he came in contact with. Sonny Smart and Jeff Littleton were defensive coordinators for state title teams and both had teams that thrived on having difficult and tough defenses. Also, both had an ability to adapt offensively, while maintaining a strong running game.
"I would be remiss if I did not mention the other head coaches who along with their staff impacted many players in a positive way during my tenure with the team - Steve Bench, Bob Christmas, Greg Guy and Ricky Woods. All of the men mentioned believe in players having commitment and accountability to team goals and how they should carry themselves in the classroom, on the field and in the community."
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