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By WILLIAM O’DONNELL, Sports WriterSyrup Cup: The Symbol Of SuccessTHE SYRUP PITCHERToday’s SPORTS LINE Is written by Howard Smith, who will take over the reins of the sports department as the new sports- editor.The SYRUP PITCHER! Regardless of what the season record is at the finish, the possession of this trophy is probably the difference between a winning and losing season for Thomasville and Cairo., For the first time since Thomasville moved back into 1-AA football, the game will have no effect on the region standings. As you know, Cairo has dropped into Region 1-A, as a result the contest is strictly a “blood game.”The Bulldogs are out to keep the Syrup Pitcher, which they think of as Thomasville property. As the old saying goes “possession is nine-tenths of ownership.”Thomasville won twelve of seventeen games with one tie in the Cairo series before the inception of the Syrup Pitcher.Since 1953, the year Julian Roddenbery donated the trophy. Thomasville has held the pitcher for twelve vears with a solid string of victories from 1953 ’till 1962.Cairo won the Syrup Pitcher in ’62 with the inspired running of Larry Green, a later FSU great. Thomasville, for various reasons, was unable to regain the trophy until 1965, when they blanked Cairo, 14-0. They have held it since then, not by victory, but by virtue of two ties.—The Real ReasonCairo, after having a taste of possession of the Syrup Pitcher, will be over here with big plans of carrying the trophy back across the river. Probably, they already have a place reserved in the trophy case.Whatever the results of the game, it might be well to remember the original reason for the Syrup Pitcher.One of Grady County's most prominent citizens, Julian Roddenbery, was the person that conceived and paid for it,Quoting Mr. Roddenbery, “1 have for years observed with pleasure, and yes, pride, the spirited and wholesome rivalry, blended with fine sportsmanship that the young men of Thomasville and Cairo football teams have demonstrated in their annual game. As you probably know, Grady and Thomas Counties lead all the other counties in the production of the South’s sweetest and most delicious table food—good ole Georgia Syrup. It seems to me to be appropriate that our trophy be a Syrup Pitcher, representing the Championship of the two counties.”One of the stipulations was that each year the winner should have its name engraved on the trophy. On the sides you will find the name of each year’s champ engraved for all to see.—UnmistakableThe only place you can see the trophy, though, is the high school trophy case. YOU CAN’T MISS IT! It’s that big one sitting all alone in the center. To have it anywhere else would be a sacrilege.The big question is can this year’s game produce sc winner? To hold to it on the basis of a tie looses a- lot of the trophy's glory.You can be sure that each of the teams will be giving 100 '/lt;■ effort. After all, neither of the teams has won the game in two years, but you can be sure tht both have big plans for this year.Note: The Times-Enterprise wishes William O’Donnell best of luck in his studies at the University of Georgia. We would also like to acknowledge two years of tireless service in the quest of the best in sports’ news. Thanks!
Newspaper Details
Thomasville Times Enterprise
Thomasville, Georgia, US
Fri, Sep 13, 1968
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Scott D.
NA, 11 Mar 2025
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