The early “stretch” run of a possible 18 games in 15 days ends Friday for Billy Pollock’s Lady Gamecock softball team. However, it will not equal quite that many. 
A possible seven games in the Tattnall County Warrior Creek Classic turned out to be just six. A contest with South Effingham Aug. 26 was postponed because of wet grounds. Barring rain Wednesday, this Sept. 2 afternoon or Friday, the schedule will be “but” 16 games in those same 15 days. 
Any idea of going undefeated through this span seemed too much to hope for three weeks ago. After all there were two talent-laden tournaments to get through. But, you know what, after the usual rout of Laney Tuesday, the team stood 13-0 set to face the Lady Mustangs from the south Wednesday. 
Whatever happened yesterday against another AAAA squad, the Red and White have proven they are worthy of their preseason hype. Yes, they have to win the games with 2AA-A designation beside them (and they have played only two) to become sub-region champions. 
Yes, they have to win a pair of best-of-three series to claim a region title. Yes, they have to win a pair of best-of-three series to get back to Columbus. 
There is still much work to be done. As of now, they have done all that they can possibly do.
Folks around the state have noticed what the team has done as well. Despite returning every starter from a top five team that went 27-3 a year ago, SCHS was unranked in the first AA poll. Last week they entered at No. 9. After their impressive showing in Statesboro, the team catapulted past seven schools to stand ranked at No. 2, behind only defending state champ Buford, this week.
It also is noteworthy that two other schools entered the Top 10 this week, 3AA-B opponents Dodge County and Bleckley County.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done and polls mean nothing.
In addition to their sub-region schedule, which has its first-round extravaganza this afternoon with rival Southeast Bulloch coming here, the Greenbrier Coca Cola Classic and contests with the likes of host Greenbrier (No. 5 in AAAA), North Oconee (No. 2 in AA), Brookstone-Columbus and others looms on the horizon barely three weeks away.  
If football is going to emerge from the shadows of the Lady Gamecock fall programs, it must pick it up Friday night. One loss does not a season make just as 13-0 at this point does not mean anything down the road (especially since only two of those wins count toward the post-season goal).
There were disappointments with that large crowd looking on last week. It is not the first time. Our Roosters have not won a season-opener since 2005 -- the last time the Red and White played the Blue and White of Effingham County to start a season. 
There were many, many, many new faces across the line on both sides of the ball. Most will get better after their baptisms under fire. 
Tattnall will be a good test. They are a AA school just as we are. They are neither world beaters nor are they any type of patsy.
Play well and there should be a check in the win column for the Gamecocks. Make the mistakes of this Friday past and there will be another check in the loss column with Jefferson County staring at us next week in our own back yard. 
Here’s to this week and we get it all together.
On a completely different note, a note that will be alluded to elsewhere in the paper and will be mentioned in great detail next week, in part of the pregame festivities prior to the Jeffco game, a group of ladies will be recognized. This group will be members of the 1969 Central High School Lady Lions track team. 
All they did that year was win the GIA Class AA state championship.
Please come and give the members of the first Screven County public school state champions a big hand.

Burton Kemp Jr. is a contributing writer to the Sylvania Telephone.