Central Georgia Sports ReportOctober 02, 2019Comment

Wednesday's Daily News 'n Notes: GBI to look into Bleckley County student-teacher/coach situation; legendary Royals coach to retire; full Braves and Peach State CFB report; Honor Roll

Central Georgia Sports ReportOctober 02, 2019Comment

Wednesday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.

Bleckley County coaching legend Cranford to retire

One of the most decorated high school coaches in Central Georgia will make one more run toward a state championship, and then retire.

The resignation of Shelly Cranford was accepted Tuesday night at the Bleckley County Board of Education meeting, “with regret”, effective Nov. 30, 2019.

The Royals boys cross country team won GHSA Class AA boys state title in 2015 and 2016, and have won the last three girls state championships.

The Royals have dominated region cross country for more than a decade in both boys and girls running.
Cranford is also an assistant track coach, helping the Royals boys to the Class AA state track title last spring for the first time in program history. The girls won the AA championship in 2007.

He was named the Georgia track and field coach of the year last summer by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Bleckley County hosts a meet on Thursday.

Bleckley County coach resigns after student relationship

The Bleckley County Board of Education on Tuesday accepted the resignation of assistant football and assistant basketball coach Brantley Collins, also voting to “condemn the actions of” Collins.

Superintended Steve Smith said in a statement issued after the meeting Tuesday night but sent to students earlier in the day that the teacher was no longer on the district payroll, and that it was reportedly an isolated incident. It was passed on to the Professional Standards Commission to investigate.

On Wednesday, the Bleckley County Sheriff’s office announced it was seeking help from the GBI to investigate a relationship between a Bleckley County teacher and student. And Smith confirmed to WMAZ that the teacher in question was Collins.

WMAZ reported that, according to a GBI agent, the relationship began in the spring and ended in September.

Collins was hired just before the start of the 2018-19 school years.

Who did well?

Check out a new feature, the Tweets from area high school football teams with their honorees for the week. Coming Thursday in Latest Coverage.

Coming Thursday

The Sports Report’s predictions for the week, latest statewide polls, Maxwell Ratings updates, and tentatively a combo high school/college/Loughdmouthings column.

The Latest Coverage.

Coming Friday

Catching up on the Central Georgia college honor roll. People doin’ some work around here. To be in The Latest Coverage.

Honor Roll

Middle Georgia State freshman earns conference honor

FVSU’s Jarman picked by SIAC

Southern Conference honors Mercer’s Martineau

Braves Report

If you win, they’ll forgive and come

DeRosa: Braves can handle any punch

The pitching vs. hitting battle

Bullpen played a big role in the season’s success