Lassiter High School Archives

From the AJC: Recruiting Rewind: Torn between Clemson and Tennessee

May 1, 2013 Leave a Comment

The following article is excerpted from a piece published in the AJC. Link to the full article HERE.

It was a tough decision for Ryan Jenkins.

The wide receiver from Lassiter High School committed early to Clemson, where his older brother played football for the Tigers. Then he got a last-minute scholarship offer from Tennessee, where his father starred in football.

Jenkins was part of a sizzling start to Clemson’s recruiting efforts in Georgia this past year. Early on, no out-of-state school recruited Georgia as well as Clemson, which also counted consensus No. 1 Robert Nkemdiche among its early commits.

However, while Clemson finished with a respectable performance in Georgia, it would’ve been a Hall of Fame effort if the Tigers hadn’t lost four of the state’s best in the final stretch.

They all slipped away to SEC schools: Nkemdiche signed with Ole Miss to play with his brother, Grayson DB David Kamara went with Nkemdiche, Jenkins followed in his father’s footsteps at Tennessee, and Peach County WR Demarcus Robinson … well, it’s still confusing why he switched (several times) from Clemson to Florida.

Jenkins talked about recruiting with the AJC:

What is the most creative thing a college coach did to get your attention? “Probably Butch Jones at Tennessee. He asked me before I came up what my favorite food was, and I told him crab legs. I didn’t think anything of it. But when I got up there to his office, he had crab legs and seafood laid out for me (on my official visit to Tennessee)”

Who finished runner-up to Tennessee, Clemson? “Yes, it was Clemson.” Is there anything Clemson could’ve done better to get you? “No, nothing more. They did everything perfect. It was just my heart was in Tennessee. You know, Clemson, I really liked the school. My brother (goes) there. I had a good relationship with those coaches. But I’ve been going up to Tennessee since I was three years old. So when they offered, that’s just where my heart was.”

Your brother plays at Clemson, and your father played Tennessee. You flipped from Clemson to Tennessee. How do you reflect on that? “It was just crazy thinking the whole time I was going to Clemson. When I got that call from Butch Jones, because I hadn’t had an offer from Tennessee, memories started coming in my head from when I was a little kid. So it was hard to turn down.”

Are you and your brother on speaking terms? “Yeah, my brother, he was a little upset. But he wanted me to go wherever I wanted to go, whatever I (felt) like was best for me. So he was cool with it.”

What about UGA and Georgia Tech? Was there ever anything between you and the in-state schools? “I was interested in Georgia over the summer. They wanted me to come to Dawg Night, and Coach (Mike) Bobo was telling me that if I performed well at Dawg Night, they were going to offer me. But Dawg Night was after The Opening, and I had planned on committing during The Opening. So, I never got a chance to go Dawg Night and get the offer from Georgia. And Georgia Tech, they never really recruited me. But if they did, they told me I was going to play A-back, so there was no interest there.”

Which non-Tennessee coach was the nicest? “Probably Coach Elliott, the running backs coach at Clemson who had been recruiting me for a long time. That’s still my boy. We have a great relationship. He was probably the coolest coach.”

Which coach was not so nice? “I’m still a little bitter about Nick Saban not offering me so I will have to take that out on him the next four years.” What happened there? “I thought they were going to offer me. He had told me that they were real interested and looking to offer, but they never did. I guess I will have to prove them wrong the next four years.” What if Alabama had offered? “I would’ve been really interested in Alabama. I liked the school a lot because I visited twice over the summer. They never pulled the trigger (with an offer), so it is what it is.”

Which coach was hardest to turn down? “Definitely Clemson with Coach Swinney, because me and Coach Swinney got real close. We become real good friends and all that. But telling him I was going to Tennessee was hard. But it’s a business decision. Because coaches, they treat it as a business. I’m a recruit. I can do that, too. It was a business decision.”

Biggest recruiting rumor that wasn’t true? “Probably that I went Clemson just because of my brother because that wasn’t the only reason I went there. The truth was I went there because I liked that school, and I thought that was the best option for me at that time. With the offers that I had, I thought Clemson was my best option at the time.

Biggest secret you kept? “I would say that I really always liked Tennessee. I never really told anybody because they didn’t really offer me until after my senior season. But I always liked Tennessee. They were always really my favorite school, but they never really offered me. I just never spoke about them a lot. But through the whole process, I always liked Tennessee.”

What was the toughest part of de-committing from Clemson? “Ending the relationships I had with Clemson coaches was probably the hardest part. You know, just letting them know you won’t be attending their school anymore because they had been recruiting me for a long time.”

What was the conversation like with Dabo Swinney? “I just remembered he was real disappointed and felt like I put him behind the eight ball in recruiting, too, because it was late in the process. I just told him I had to make a business decision and do what was best for me.”

What advice would you give to a kid who is thinking about de-committing on the right way to handle it? “I definitely tried to make sure that I didn’t disrespect Clemson in any way, shape or form. I let it be known it was no knock on the Clemson’s coaches or that school’s football program. I just committed to Tennessee because it was a better fit for me. It wasn’t because Clemson did anything wrong. It was Tennessee doing all the things right. If somebody goes through that, I would tell them not to knock the school that they are de-committing from. You show them all the respect in the world.”

Biggest regret? “I don’t really have any regrets. You know, none. I feel like everything happened for a reason. Tennessee offered me for a reason. So I feel like that was the place that God had planned for me.”

Recruiting advice for high school juniors? “Definitely just go with your heart because with Twitter and college coaches, everybody is trying to pull you in every single direction to which school they want you to go to. But just with your go with your heart. And when you feel like the place is right, just go ahead and commit. Don’t take any more visits after you commit because it just might messed up your head and all that. Go with your heart.”

(Reprinted from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 29, 2013. Written by Michael Carvell. Link to the full article HERE.)

Filed Under: Teen Blog, [Featured], [PostToSocial] Tagged With: Lassiter High School, Ryan Jenkins

Lassiter player selected as grant recipient

April 19, 2013 Leave a Comment

Lassiter High’s Derion Cannon was recently given a National Athleadership Grant from National Collegiate Scouting Association Athletic Recruiting and the NFL Players Association.

Derion Cannon, a reserve running back for Lassiter’s football team was recently given a National Athleadership Grant from National Collegiate Scouting Association Athletic Recruiting and the NFL Players Association.

According to a release, the grant is “awarded to student-athletes who qualify based on leadership in their community, academic achievement, athletics and a required essay written by the student-athlete.”

A 5-foot-5, 180-pound junior, Cannon was used sparingly last fall, carrying the ball eight times for 4 yards in two games. Heading into the 2013 season, Cannon will be one of two senior running backs returning for the Trojans and has been a member of the varsity program since his sophomore season.

“He’s been a great kid for us,” Lassiter coach Jep Irwin said. “This is his senior year coming up, and he’s been a hard worker ever since he joined the program. He’s a good teammate who is respected by his peers and who exemplifies the characteristics described in this award.

“On the field, he does several things well for us, and our running backs have to be involved in a lot of things like running, blocking and catching out of the back field. He’s in the rotation, and he’s done a good job for us when he’s in the game and certainly during practice.”

According to the release, NCSA Athletic Recruiting will work with Cannon and his family in finding a college that will best suit his needs.

“Our passionate team of 300 former athletes will personally guide and educate Derion throughout the entire recruiting process, giving him the tools that he needs to be successful in recruiting and in life,” said Chris Krause, CEO and founder of NCSA Athletic Recruiting, in the release.

“Picking the right college is a life-changing decision. It’s important for student-athletes to recognize that the choice of a college or university is not just a four-year decision. It is a 40-year decision that will impact their professional future and personal success in life.”

(Reprinted from the Marietta Daily Journal. Written by Carlton D. White, April 18, 2013. Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal – Lassiter player selected as grant recipient)

Filed Under: Teen Blog, [Featured], [PostToSocial] Tagged With: Derion Cannon, Lassiter High School

Lassiter students “Random Act of Kindness” on Prom Night

March 24, 2013 Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch

Donnie Gooding and Jessica Wilson, two Lassiter students with cerebral palsy who are in a wheelchair, recently attended prom. AMS vans graciously donated a wheelchair van for two so that Jessica and Donnie could ride together to the dance. Aspens Restaurant also donated a complimentary dinner for the two students. The “Random Act of Kindness” continued throughout the evening as fellow Lassiter High School students welcomed the couple with an inspiring round of applause. The kindheartedness also carried over to the crowing of the prom king and queen. Without even knowing they had been selected prom king and queen, Emma Kate Protis and James Rowe invited the special couple to be part of the prom court. Lassiter High School’s Prom Queen, Emma Kate Protis, was escorted by Donnie Gooding. Prom King, James Rowe, was escorted by Jessica Wilson.

Both Emma Kate and James are well-known in the Lassiter High School community for their own random acts of kindness. Emma Kate is deeply involved in missionary work which she plans to continue after high school and she recently spearheaded the nationwide “Stand for Freedom” event at Lassiter High School. This was a national movement among colleges and high schools to protest all forms of slavery. Emma Kate also oversees the “Below My Feet” campaign where she has already collected more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to take to Costa Rica for underprivileged children. Emma Kate is a member of Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, English Honor Society and Fellow Christian Athletes. Emma Kate was recently voted by her peers as “Best to Take Home to Mom and Dad.”

James Rowe is also known throughout the Lassiter High School community because he is an exceptional role model and full of positive energy. James is a true leader at Lassiter High School where he is a front-runner for Valedictorian, a member of the National Honor Society, Renaissance, Science Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Math Team and Academic Team. James is also part of the football team and Track and Field. James was recently voted by his peers as “Most Likely to be a Millionaire.”

“A big thanks to all of the Lassiter High School students for helping keep the Trojan Spirit alive on this very special evening, especially Donnie Gooding, Emma Kate Protis, James Rowe and Jessica Wilson,” said Assistant Principal Ashlynn Campbell. “Special thanks as well to Ms. Jasmine Nye and Ms. Sharlet Keilman for planning the Lassiter prom and Special Education teachers Ms. Jane Martin and Ms. Sue Thomas.”

(Submitted by Ashlynn Campbell)

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Filed Under: Teen Blog, [Featured], [PostToSocial] Tagged With: Lassiter High School

Lassiter to host benefit for alum

January 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Christopher Heitzman, who was critically injured in a July 7 wreck, is surrounded by, from left, his mother, Debbie Heitzman; wreck survivor and friend Tyler Seaman; dad, Randy Heitzman; and brother, Davis Heitzman.
Staff/Todd Hull

The Lassiter High School community is coming together once again to help raise money for a young man who was critically injured in a July wreck.

The Christopher Heitzman Benefit 5K Run/Walk is set for Saturday morning at the school.

Heitzman, who suffered multiple broken bones and a head injury, survived the wreck on Trickum Road in east Cobb, along with 18-year-old Taylor Seaman, who is now a student at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.

The driver of the car, Ryan Aschenbach, died. All three had just graduated from Lassiter.

Jamie Cole, a friend of the family who worked with Christopher’s mother Debbie Heitzman for about four years, began organizing the benefit race four months ago.

“There are so many high school students that were close to this accident,” Cole said. “I thought this would be a great way to get a lot of them together to raise money for the Heitzmans.”

Money from the event will help pay for Christopher Heitzman’s around-the-clock care.

That does not mean the 18-year-old’s health is not improving, though.

Debbie Heitzman said her son has gained nearly 20 pounds since coming home in mid-December, and he recently started smiling and laughing.

“We were just blown away to see him laugh and smile,” she said. “That’s the part we have missed, being able to communicate with him.”

In coming weeks, the family is also preparing for more surgeries to help with the teenager’s continued healing.

“We are trying to get him really healthy now so that he will be able to survive these surgeries,” she said.

The young man remains in a wheelchair and cannot walk or run, but Debbie Heitzman said they are planning on pushing him in the benefit race.

And while Christopher Heitzman won’t be able physically to run or walk in the benefit, Debbie is planning to push him along with fellow runners or walkers.

“This is one of the first events he’s actually been able to attend,” she said.

At two previous fundraisers, her son was still hospitalized, but more than $16,000 was collected for the family.

“The support is overwhelming and unwavering. It’s incredible that everybody is still as involved and hanging on to every little improvement he makes,” she said. “In tough times, I think people want to see the good things and that improvement.”

It’s no coincidence the event is being held on Australia Day, where Debbie, Christopher and her younger son Davis were all born.

“This just makes it more meaningful for me,” Debbie Heitzman said. “This is a big day for us.”

So far, approximately 27 people have signed up and paid for the run/walk, but Cole said more than 130 people have commented on the event Facebook page that they will be participating. To find the page, search “Christopher Heitzman Benefit 5K Run” on Facebook.

Participants are encouraged to register ahead of time at paypal.com with the email address jdcole001@yahoo.com, or on the day of the event.

Registration information or donations can also be mailed to Cole at 500 Queensbury Way, Acworth, GA 30102. Checks should be made payable to “The Christopher Heitzman Fund.”

“Even if you don’t want to walk or run, we’ll have donation buckets set up to join in the activities,” she said.

A raffle has also been set up, and tickets will cost between $3 and $5 each.

Items up for raffle include running shoes, oil changes, home-alarm systems and installations, private chef sessions, private baseball lessons, free air-conditioning maintenance, pottery, autographed books and local restaurant gift cards, among others.

Raffle participants must be present the day of the event. Names will be pulled after the run/walk.

A face painter will be on site and other children activities, including music, will be part of the fundraising event, along with snacks donated from the local Kroger and Publix stores, Pepsi and the Sandy Plains Baseball Association.

Participants are asked to park in front of the school or in the football parking lot.

(Reprinted from the Marietta Daily Journal. Written by Lindsay Field, January 22, 2013. Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal – Lassiter to host benefit for alum)

Filed Under: Do-Gooders Blog, [Featured], [PostToSocial] Tagged With: Christopher Heitzman, Lassiter High School

Georgia State the choice for Lassiter’s Dowling

January 21, 2013 Leave a Comment

The skills Robert Dowling (20) has learned in Lassiter’s secondary, he’ll be taking to Georgia State after he committed to play for the Panthers.
MDJ Staff file photo

Lassiter senior Robert Dowling, who was the Trojans’ most experienced defensive back this past season, verbally committed to play at Georgia State next fall.

“(Georgia State) can see a lot of potential in him, and he has great work ethic,” Lassiter coach Jep Irwin said. “He also wants to be good, and that’s a big part of it.”

Irwin said Georgia State coach Trent Miles, who was hired in November to succeed the retiring Bill Curry, visited with Dowling last week and was most impressed with the player’s 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame and his long arms.

During his two seasons of playing in the secondary, Dowling rapidly developed into a solid cover corner. And for that reason, teams didn’t target him all that much.

Despite that, he still ended up with 22 tackles — 1½ for loss — and three interceptions, the first coming with a 75-yard touchdown return in Lassiter’s season opener against Hillgrove. Other notable qualities of Dowling’s are his quickness and anticipation of the ball, and he has never been hesitant of being physical in regards of contact.

Dowling also received offers from South Alabama, Middle Tennessee State and Murray State, according to ESPN’s college recruiting website.

His solid play in the secondary helped the Trojans go undefeated in the regular season and clinch the Region 5AAAAAA championship before Brookwood stunned them in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.

Opposing teams didn’t target Dowling all that much. Even though many teams in the region are built around the running game, most pass attempts against Lassiter, Irwin said, were toward the linebackers and safeties.

“I was really pleased with how he played throughout the year,” Irwin said. “His first year (at cornerback), he had real good athletic ability. I think the experience (in 2012) allowed him to be more aggressive and cover better.”

Now Dowling is committed to joining Georgia State’s fourth-year program, which this fall will be in its first season as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision’s Sun Belt Conference.

(Reprinted from the Marietta Daily Journal. Written by Adam Carrington, January 20, 2013. Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal – Georgia State the choice for Lassiter’s Dowling)

Filed Under: Sports & Rec Blog, [Featured], [PostToSocial] Tagged With: Lassiter High School, Lassiter Trojans, Robert Dowling

Lassiter unveils new, 1,000-seat performing arts center

January 15, 2013 Leave a Comment

An open house is held for the new Lassiter Concert Hall at Lassiter High School.

Looking around at the Greek columns surrounding the stage, plush seats and acoustical features of the new performing arts center, Thom Majors said the music program at Lassiter High School has come a long way since he was in the band when the school opened in 1981.

“To have a performance in something other than a multipurpose room or a cafetorium, to have it in a true concert hall, is an amazing experience,” said Majors, 46, an Acworth resident.

The classic architecture seemed appropriate for a monumental day for the music programs at Lassiter and elsewhere in the Cobb County School District. The school held an open house Sunday for the new Lassiter Concert Hall, a 1,000-seat music venue paid for as part of a $14.9 million SPLOST project.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our community, for our kids to showcase what they can do in a place like this,” Cobb Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said. “It’s fantastic that our district put this together.”

The facility will be open to all Cobb schools and others in the community. Hinojosa said its acoustics are designed by the same company that did those in the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.

“It’s a district-wide facility, but we’re so glad it’s here at Lassiter,” Hinojosa said. “It is very unusual (for a high school), but it is a showpiece.”

School board member David Banks said large school concerts were previously held at McEachern High School in Powder Springs or at Kennesaw State University.

“We can basically do it all here. We don’t have to go across the county or fight traffic in Kennesaw,” he said. “I just hope it gets well used — that people take advantage of this type of facility in east Cobb and we wear it out.”

Alfred L. Watkins, who has been band director at Lassiter since it opened, said the concert hall will serve 500 band, choir and orchestra students, the largest music program in the county. It will also give a permanent home to the Cobb Wind Symphony, which Watkins founded and conducts.

“It represents the best of the school,” Watkins said. “The school is strong academically, artistically and athletically. The kids are strong in character, and this is part of that whole mindset.”

Watkins conducted the wind symphony during the open house, while hundreds came in to check out the new facility. During intermission, he showed off some of its features.

Curtains behind the stage can be raised and lowered in order to suit what type of music is being played, Watkins said. And the columns are designed to improve the acoustics in the hall, which has 350 seats near the stage, with 650 stadium style seats behind them.

“Sound is like an energy ball,” he said. “You have to have something to harness it.”

Some will notice that the stage doesn’t have curtains that can be raised and lowered in front of it, like a traditional theater might. But Watkins said that shouldn’t keep the concert hall from hosting dramas and other events.

“Shakespeare had a stage similar to this,” he said. “He seemed to have done OK.”

Lassiter senior Mark Hopper, a band member, said he has been waiting for the day he could perform at the concert hall since construction started in March 2010.

“We’ve watched it built from the ground up, dodging all the construction,” the 18-year-old said. “I love how it turned out.”

(Reprinted from the Marietta Daily Journal. Written by Geoff Folsom, January 14, 2013. Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal – Lassiter unveils new 1 000 seat performing arts center)

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Blog, [Featured], [PostToSocial] Tagged With: Lassiter High School