The hills and valleys of Chattooga County have a lot of beauty to share with visitors and residents alike. For fans of the Chattooga Indians, a thing of beauty in recent years has been a resurgence in athletic success. Many feel that winning is a contagious phenomenon and the wins have gone viral for the Indians. Athletics success for the 2018-19 school year is largely a result of the foundation that has been laid over the past few seasons. Chattooga facilities are second to none and Superintendent Jimmy Lenderman has been a key factor in ensuring that personal pride among Chattooga students is at an all-time high. Just as important, public perception of the Chattooga athletes and students is also beyond anything in recent memory.
According to Athletic Director Barry Peppers, “Coaches care about the student/athletes and do a tremendous job of pushing them to be their best. Mr. Lenderman, Principal Jeff Martin, and former Athletic Director Billy Martin have put the right people in the right places and I have just inherited a great program.” Peppers points to individual and team effort all across the campus as key elements in the new Chattooga system of excellence. “Our students work hard in training and preparation and it shows during the competitions. I am fortunate to be a small part of this great family. Go Big Red!!!”
Chattooga Athletic Excellence:
- Lady Indians Volleyball team qualified for state playoffs.
- Lady Indians Softball team finished 2nd in the Region, hosted the first-ever home state playoff game, advanced to the Sweet 16 (losing to the State Champions, but beat them in game one as the only team in the tournament to do so and finished the season 10th in the State).
- Chattooga Football finished 2nd in Region, advanced to the playoffs, and won first-ever Home state playoff and advanced to the Sweet 16
- Chattooga Girls Basketball finished 2nd in Region and won first-ever Home state playoff game and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over 30 years.
- Indians Competition Cheerleaders, despite changing divisions to the single toughest region in the state, placed #3 at the State Championship.
- Chattooga Boys Basketball won the Region 7-AA Championship (for the 3rd consecutive year), and advanced to the sweet 16.
- Chattooga Track Team qualified Five athletes for the State Championship and took the 2-A State Championship in the Triple Jump
- Chattooga Wrestlers boasted five State Placers, Four State Finalists, THREE Individual State Champions and tied a school-best 3rd place team finish at the Traditional State Championship.
For Chattooga sports, every team has made the state playoffs, with the exception of Cross country. As basketball season approaches its closing and the results of the GHSA Directors’ Cup is updated, Chattooga should finish in the top ten. The previous highest finish for the Indians… 33rd.
In addition to the athletic success for these students during this run of excellence, Chattooga has had over a dozen scholarship athletes move on to the college level in the past three years. Just one more example of the athletic platform providing priceless academic opportunities that can change lives and impact the Chattooga County community for another generation.
