Sharks vs. Guppies

KATHLEEN, Ga. — The time has come — a match-up that rivals even the most intense; no different than Sparta and Persia, the Greeks and the Romans, even the Warner Robins Demons and the Northside Eagles. On Tuesday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. in Houston County’s Competition Gym, the games begin. The Houston County Sharks will take on the Guppies for another round.

The Houston County Sharks are a championship winning, lean, fighting machine. In the last decade, their adapted basketball team has won nine out of 10 title games, and their adapted football team has kept a similar record.

The Guppies carry similar gumption. A rag-tag team of Houston County School District officials, high school principals, business owners, TV personalities and even the mayor of Warner Robins herself, the Guppies may not carry the same level of experience on the court as the Sharks, but they do have tenacity.

The two teams will face head-to-head in a one-hand-touch wheelchair football game for the ages.

Entry into the game is $5 — all proceeds raised for the event will go towards the Sharks, their equipment and facility needs. The Journal spoke with Sharks Coach Christy Jones for more details.

“When we first started the Sharks, we were looking for a way to get more people in the community to know who the Sharks were,” Jones explained. “We came up with this fundraiser game, it’s the only game we charge admission for through the whole year, and we invited our board members, local business owners [and] some TV personalities … [the Guppies] always give us a good fight.”

This year, the Sharks’ varsity team remains undefeated, with their state championship game coming up May 13. The junior varsity team aren’t far behind either, taking second place in their competition so far.

The Guppies will be comprised of School Superintendent Mark Scott, Assistant Superintendents Chris Brown, Cheryl Thomas, Elgin Mayfield and Walter Stephens, former Survivor contestant Rick Devens, Warner Robins Bike Shop owner Ethan Sealy, Sharks supporter Bobby Ryals, The Storm Wrestling Center Coach Gerald Carr, Warner Robins High School Principal Chris McCook, Houston County High School Principal Doug Rizer and Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick. According to Jones, the Guppies put up a strong showing each year.

“We play in the gym, it’s one-hand tag, and the court is divided into thirds,” Jones said. “Just like in football, we have four attempts to get to the first down markers on the thirds.

“We have six per team on the court, and you have the quarterback, center, receivers — the same positions as in football, we’re just rolling instead of running.”

Jones added that she and her team are excited to play against the Guppies — it’s a good practice game just before the State Championship, and it’s a competitive match — but as the Sharks’ coach, she admits she’s believes her team will win by a large margin.

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