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Jesup, Georgia 31545

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

75

Bulldogs embrace Highway 15s barking barn

From Wrightsville to Sandersville, along Highway 15, the asphalt runs red and black. Herschel, the Bulldog who needs no last name to be recognized, exploded out of DINK Johnson County NeSMITH and into The Chairman University of Georgias record book. His exploits were regaled, from the sideline, by another Wrightsville native, Loran Smith. And 18 miles north in Washington County, the Edwards brothersRobert and Terrence became UGA legends, too. Herschel, Robert and Terrence have hung up their cleats. But theres another notable attached to the route that South Georgia members of the Bulldog Nation travel into Athens. In 1980, the year Larry Munson begged Herschels teammate to run, Lindsay, run, the creator of another Bulldog icon was born. Tennilles Ross Smith came into the world woof, woof, woofing. It was the natural thing to do. His father is a rabid Dawg fan, as was his father. In 2000, that passion caused him to pick up a paint brush and bark his Bulldog beliefs on the clapboard side of a weatherbeaten country store, five miles south of Sandersville. Twelve years later, the Bulldog Barn is a landmark signifying Sanford Stadium is 90 miles away. So how did the barn blog begin? With the help of Sandersvilles Ben Tarbuttton III, I tracked down Ross, a civil engineer who lives in Milledgeville. Ross explained, It was Coach Jim Donnans last year. Some of us were upset that Corey Phillips wasnt the starting quarterback. On a whim, Ross, with his cousins and boyhood buddies, grabbed paint and a brush to announce their frustrations. His uncles abandoned Jot Em Down Store became the now popular Highway 15 icon. While Ross mans the brush, he is quick to say that the messages are a product of teamworkthe Old Savannah Crew (OSC), composed of cousins and friends who grew up along nearby Old Savannah Road. Reflecting, Ross said, We were 20-

My Opinion
MMM

After Highway 15s Bulldog Barn collapsed in 2012, donations poured in to help the Old Savannah Crew (OSC) restore the iconic building between Wrightsville and Sandersville. Ross Smith said this message was painted on two bed sheets.

year-oldsyoung and reckless. Today, I dont think wed have said: To Hell with Carter, Phillips for President. In 2011, an OSC message was: No complaining! Get on the bus! Hunker down! Frustration barked again in 2010: Richt, $53K per week for this? Better figure it out! But in 2008, the barn read: Hurricane Richt projected path Miami 1-8-09. Ross reported that one his favorites was in 2007: Ticket: $40, Coals & Meat: $51, Munson: Priceless. Another he likeda lot was in 2003: Pollack: Growth on a QBs Fanny, Greene for Heisman, Same Junkyard, New Dawgs. The only non-Bulldog sign followed 9-11 in 2001. Ross painted an American flag with one star: United We Stand. After big games, the OSC is not surprised to find 20 people hanging around the barn in anticipation of the next message. Ross laughed about

The remodeled barn was ready by the time this years Bulldogs beat the Florida Gators, coached by former Bulldog Will Muschamp. The OSC also got in a playful jab, calling Florida Jorts, referencing the jean shorts worn by some Gator fans. the time that he almost dropped his paint brush. A state trooper pulled up and got out. It was intimidating, Ross said. I was wondering what I might be doing wrong. Instead, the patrolman just wanted to take a picture. (If youd like to see photos of Ross and Companys work, visit their Facebook page: UGA Football Barn Sign.) As much as fans have fretted about fortunes of the Red and Black, they also worried about the condition of their beloved Bulldog Barn. Timethe Crimson Tide nor the Gamecockswas its worst enemy. And sure enough, the wind, rain and rot sacked it earlier this year. When that news rippled up and down Highway 15, donations poured in. Ross, leading the OSC, went to work. Hammers swung in a fury to complete the renovation, just as the 2012 Bulldogs chomped the Florida Gatorsagain. Woof, woof, woof! dnesmith@cninewspapers.com