Jared Benko speaker for October 18

Jared Benko, from Watkinsville, Georgia, earned a bachelor of science in sports studies from Georgia in 2005 and then a master of public administration in Athens in 2007. He got his start in the athletic business field as an intern at Georgia from 2007 to 2008. He also spent seven years in sports communications at Georgia, including five years as a student and two years as a graduate assistant, while assisting with the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves.

Jared Benko was hired in March of 2020 as the Athletic Director of the Georgia Southern Eagles and began his new role on April 1. Benko, who has more than a decade of progressive leadership experience in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), comes to Statesboro from Mississippi State where he served as Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Financial Officer for nearly four years (2016-2020).

His first year was unprecedented in more ways than one as Benko had to navigate a college landscape altered by COVID-19. The Eagle football team was one of two FBS teams (Alabama) to play 13 games and just one of two (Texas State) to play all 12 regular season contests. The football season was capped by a win over Louisiana Tech in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Three Georgia Southern teams captured conference championships (rifle, women’s tennis, men’s golf).

*From gseagles.com

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of October 1st

OrthoGeorgia Back of the Week: Travion Solomon, Senior Quarterback, Northeast High School. Travion was 19-27 passing for 207 yards and 1 TD. He added 16 rushes for 164 yards, and 2 TD’s. On the night Travion accounted for 371 All Purpose yards in his team’s 27-23 win over Washington County.

 

OrthoGeorgia Lineman of the Week: Trey Butts, Senior Center/Defensive Tackle, Mount de Sales Academy. From his Center position, Trey graded out at 96%, including 10 pancake blocks. From his Defensive Tackle position, Trey had 8 tackles in team’s 35-7 win over Aquinas.

 

OrthoGeorgia Special Teams Player of the Week: Jake Prather, Junior Kicker, Academy for Classical Education. Jake had 3 kickoffs for Touchbacks, a 40-yard FG, and he had a net punting average 47 yards on the night. Two of his punts were downed inside the 10 and 15 yard lines, in his team’s 30-14 win over Crawford County.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our meeting on Monday, October 4th.

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists https://www.orthoga.org/

 

Another great night at the Macon Touchdown Club. We had the pleasure of having Coach Chris Hatcher of Samford University as our speaker tonight. Chris is a Macon native, and played his high school football at Mount de Sales Academy. On the night that he won Player of the Week at the Macon Touchdown Club, he was offered a chance to play at Valdosta State University. He ended up being a 2 time All American QB and winner of the Harland Hill Trophy, which is the Heisman for Division II.

https://samfordsports.com/sports/football

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946

Drew Butler speaker for October 11

Drew Butler is the son of Kevin Butler and attended Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee Georgia. He was an All-American punter for the University of Georgia under head Coach Mark Richt from 2007 to 2011. He led the nation in punting in 2009 and was a unanimous first team All American and winner of the Ray Guy award.

In 2012, Butler signed with the Pittsburg Steelers and punted 77 times for a 44 yard average. Butler played for the Pittsburg Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Arizona Cardinals.

He now runs his own consulting business, called 4th Down Consulting and hosts two college football shows, the Punt & Pass Podcast and CampusLore Live. His career has always been focused on the intersection between media and sports, and his unique perspective will serve him well as Vice President , Collegiate at Icon Source as the major contender in the college space.*

*From Business Wire

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of September 24th

OrthoGeorgia Back of the Week for September 24th: Travion Searcy, Senior Quarterback, Southwest High School. Travion completed 15 of 21 passing for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 15 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown in his team’s 32-20 win over Jasper County. On the night, Travion totaled 338 total all-purpose yards.

 

OrthoGeorgia Co-Lineman of the Week for September 24th: Charlie Morris, Senior Middle Linebacker/Offensive Guard, Tattnall Square Academy. Charlie accounted for 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss and a safety. From his offensive guard position, Charlie graded out at 80% and had 2 pancake blocks in his team’s 46-14 win over Aquinas.

 

OrthoGeorgia Co-Lineman of the Week for September 24th: Michael Darby, Senior Defensive End, Southwest High School. Michael accounted for 15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 3 Quarterback sacks in his team’s 32-20 win over Jasper County.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our meeting on Monday, September 27th.

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists https://www.orthoga.org/

 

Great night at the Macon Touchdown Club with Charlie Cobb from Georgia State University. Charlie is the Athletics Director and it was great having him with us.

https://georgiastatesports.com/staff…/charlie-cobb/352

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946

 

 

Chris Hatcher speaker for October 4

Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th football coach in 2014 and has previously served as the head football coach at Valdosta State, Georgia Southern and Murray State University. This Macon native was also a quarterback/tight ends coach at the University of Central FL and worked with quarterbacks at the University of Kentucky. He was named into the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of fame, Macon Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame as well as the GSC Hall of Fame. While a student at VSU, he was a two-time All-American quarterback and held 14 Valdosta State, 13 Gulf South Conference and 17 Division II national records. He received the Gulf South Conference’s Commissioner’s trophy twice, which is awarded to the league’s Most Outstanding Student-Athlete. He graduated from VSU with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education.

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of September 17th

OrthoGeorgia Co-Back of the Week: Jackson Freel. Senior Running Back/Defensive Back, Covenant Academy. Jackson rushed 17 times for 135 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also had 1 reception for 21 yards and a touchdown, and added 6 tackles from his Defensive Back position in his team’s 40-14 win over previously unbeaten Vidalia Heritage.

 

OrthoGeorgia Co-Back of the Week: Keondre Glover. Junior Running Back/Defensive Back, Stratford Academy. Keondre rushed 8 times for 103 yards and 2 Touchdowns, had 1 reception for 38 yards, a Punt return for 18 yards, and a kickoff return for 84 yards. Keondre also added to 2 tackles from his defensive back position in his team’s 34-7 win over Mount Paran Christian.

 

OrthoGeorgia Lineman of the Week: Zavion Hardy, Junior Defensive End, Tattnall Square Academy. Zavion accounted for 4 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss in his team’s win over Savannah Country Day.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our meeting on Monday, September 20th.

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists https://www.orthoga.org/

 

Great night at the Macon Touchdown Club with Coach Brian Bohannon of Kennesaw State University.

https://ksuowls.com/sports/football

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946

 

 

 

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of September 10th

OrthoGeorgia Back of the Week: A’khori Jones, Senior Quarterback, Mount de Sales Academy. A’khori rushed 18 times for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns and went 5 of 8 passing for another 38 yards, totaling 311 yards of offense in his team’s game against Brookstone.

OrthoGeorgia Lineman of the Week: Coleman Cauley, Senior Linebacker, First Presbyterian Day School. Coleman accounted for 25 total tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, in his team’s game against Aquinas.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 13th.

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists https://www.orthoga.org/

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946

 

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of September 3rd

OrthoGeorgia Lineman of the Week: Grayson Dugger, Senior Offensive Lineman, Jones County High School. The senior lineman graded out at 87% for his offensive line play and accounted for 2 pancake blocks against Veterans High School.

 

OrthoGeorgia Co-Back of the Week: John Alan Richter, Senior Quarterback, Jones County High School. John went 27 of 34 passing for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus another 42 yards rushing on 4 attempts in his team’s game against Veterans High School.

 

OrthoGeorgia Co-Back of the Week: Griffin Green, Junior Running Back, First Presbyterian Day School. Griffin rushed 26 times for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 3 receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown in his team’s game against Brookstone.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 13th.

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists  https://www.orthoga.org/

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946

 

 

 

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of August 28th

OrthoGeorgia Lineman of the Week: Eli Miscall, Sophomore Offensive Tackle, Stratford Academy. Eli graded out at 82% from his offensive tackle position and added to pancake blocks in his team’s 47-7 win over George Walton.

 

OrthoGeorgia Back of the Week: Zion Ragins, Sophomore Wide Receiver, Jones County High School. Zion hauled in 5 receptions for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 4 rushes for 29 yards in his team’s 34-28 win over North Gwinnett.

 

OrthoGeorgia Special Teams Player of the Week: Evan West, Senior Kicker, Jones County High School. Evan connected on 2 Field Goals including a 50 yarder, 2 punts pinning North Gwinnett deep in their own territory, 2 kickoffs for touchbacks, and a touchdown saving tackle on a return in his team’s 34-28 win over North Gwinnett.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 13th.

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists  https://www.orthoga.org/

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946

 

The Macon Touchdown Club, OrthoGeorgia Players of the Week, for the Week of August 21st

OrthoGeorgia Co-Lineman of the Week: Justin Walker, Junior Defensive End, Westside High School. Justin compiled 4 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in his team’s 35-10 win over Bradwell.

 

OrthoGeorgia Back of the Week: Travion Solomon, Senior Quarterback, Northeast High School. Travion completed 10 of 14 passing for 187 yards and 1 touchdown. He also accounted for 63 yards rushing and 1 touchdown on the ground in his team’s 33-28 win over Jones County.

 

OrthoGeorgia Co-Lineman of the Week: Kobe Butts, Senior Linebacker, Mount de Sales Academy. Kobe had 15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and a sack in his team’s 17-7 win over Jasper County.

These players were recognized by the Macon Touchdown Club during our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 13th.

 

OrthoGeorgia Orthopedic Specialists https://www.orthoga.org/

To join the Macon Touchdown Club, click on this link, and Click link in page for a Membership Application.
http://macontouchdownclub.com/join/
Promoting High School football since 1946