Georgia landed its 24th commitment for the 2026 class and on Friday when Miami Northwestern defensive lineman James Johnson announced his decision to commit to the Bulldogs, giving the program a commitment for the seventh day in a row. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound prospect chose Georgia over Florida, Florida State, Miami, Texas, and 38 other offers, giving Georgia assistant and defensive line coach Tray Scott his fourth defensive lineman commitment for the 2026 cycle, joining Carter Luckie, Seven Cloud, and Corey Howard. The addition of Calicut moves Georgia up one spot in the 247Sports Team Class Rankings, passing Notre Dame to give the Bulldogs the No. 2 class in the country.

Watch Johnson’s junior highlights above. As a junior, Johnson made 60 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, five sacks, and five quarterback hurries in nine games. As a sophomore, Johnson had 51 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries, and seven sacks.

Johnson is ranked as the No. 90 overall prospect, the No. 13 defensive lineman in the country, and the No. 11 overall recruit in Florida according to 247Sports. He ranks as the No. 69 overall recruit in the country in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, as well as the nation’s No. 8 defensive lineman and No. 10 overall prospect in Texas. Below is the 247Sports Scouting Report for Johnson from February 20.

“Explosive defensive tackle with all the fixings to make a living up front. More of a one-gap player than he is a two-gap player at this stage, but has the mass to dock in the middle. Added almost 25 pounds to a frame that stretches just over 6-foot-2 between sophomore and junior seasons and should eventually carry 300 pounds or more. Owns some of the best throwing metrics in the Sunshine State for his class and that lower-body twitch constantly shows up on tape as he shoots out of his stance and is quick to put opponents on their heels. Raw upper-body strength allows him to club his way around obstacles while a near 82-inch wingspan makes it difficult for blockers to establish initial hand positioning. Can get caught playing with a higher pad level and will fade for stretches during games, but hard to overlook push-back power and motor when it has been primed. Likely to face an initial adjustment period as he will see a significant jump in competition when he arrives at the college of his choice, but projects as a potential difference-maker at the point of attack for a College Football Playoff contender that can be stationed at different spots across the line.”

Not a VIP subscriber to Dawgs247? Sign up now to get 50 percent off access to everything Jordan D. Hill. Kipp Adams, Benjamin Wolk, and Olivia K Sayer have to offer on all things Georgia and access to the No. 1 site covering the Dawgs.

Blair Oaks High School‘s longtime head baseball coach Mike DeMilia, who has served with the Falcons for seven seasons (2018–2025), is taking the reins of Missouri Valley College’s baseball program, according to a press release from the school’s athletics department and reported by ABC 17 News.

During his tenure at Blair Oaks, DeMilia guided the program to:

“Mike has a great track record, and he’s a very hard worker,” Missouri Valley Vice President of Athletics Marsha Lashley said in the school’s announcement. “His energy and his respect for the game and doing things the right way will serve our students well.”

Before his time at Blair Oaks, the Nebraska native coached at the collegiate level:

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity,” DeMilia said in the release. “There is so much happening at Missouri Valley; they’re really on the move. It’s an honor to join the team.”

Blair Oaks will begin the search for its next head baseball coach ahead of the 2025–26 school year.

With the intense heat backing off a few degrees after the recent rain, a cooler day presented participants the perfect weather to go on a bike trip with Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail.

Starting in the morning of June 28 about 40 participants gathered at the front entrance of the Shore Cultural Centre, 291 E. 222nd St., before heading out on the four-and-a-half mile route which would highlight the lakefront trail, Yuko Park, Russell Avenue Park and concluding at Bananas For Bikes, a local bike shop on Lakeshore Boulevard.

Holzheimer Gail said that besides the chance to get some exercise, the idea to behind having a “Bike with a Mayor” event was to not only have a chance to engage with some community members but also to gauge the quality of bike routes in the city.

“It’s just an opportunity to get residents out and ride their bikes and see some of the improvements we’ve made,” Holzheimer Gail said before departing. “We always want to help improve the bicycle and pedestrian safety for the community.

“I think that’s a big part in building a vibrant community. So, this is just a way to get out and model that.

“We would love to work towards more sheltered trails, but we don’t have enough room to do that,” Holzheimer Gail added. “So, just being mindful in how do we incorporate bike safety into our transportation planning is kind of part of everything that we do. As we are planning park improvements, as we are attracting businesses, keeping in mind of how do you make it safe for residents to ride their bike there.

“Sometimes it’s simple things like bike racks, sometimes it’s having special trails for the bikes, it can be a number of different things.”

She said that they have done around four similar bike rides in the past, each time the route changes in order to highlight a new area of the city. She said that while the bike ride was a big part of the event, it was also to build comradery and to show even lifetime residents that there are new things going on in the city.

“Last year we did kind of the south side Euclid Avenue, started at Collision Bend and kind of stayed up there,” Holzheimer Gail said. “So, this year, we are going to kind of focus more on the north. Still, with the improvements that we’ve made, it’s still hard to get over the field by the freeway and the big streets, so we are going to stay north this time.

“It’s also just a great way to meet residents,” Holzheimer Gail added. “I know one of the times that we did this, residents who have lived here most of their life were surprised by things that they didn’t know about… It’s a good way to learn about some things that are happening in the city, get to meet new people, and have some fun.”

Diana Hildebrand, education and outreach manager for Bike Cleveland, who was leading the group along the route as part of the safety team, said she is excited to get on the road and that the Bike with the Mayor event was, to her, a fun way for people to get involved.

“Bike with the Mayor rides are so important,” Hildebrand said. “It gets the community out and connects the person who they consider a higher up to the people to say, ‘hey I’m a person as well’…

“We have to let people know that bicycles are allowed to share the road with other vehicles. We also talk to our city and county people as well, so that they can start to implement changes — that they are aware that the sidewalks could be a little wilder, or maybe when we are repaving their streets we could add a speed table, buffer bike lanes or install a bike lane…”

While there were many places along the route that she was excited about, the first thing that came to mind, she said, was the new lakefront connections and Lake Erie itself.

“My favorite part is the connection to the lake and the beautification around the lake,” Hildebrand said. “They have been trying to install the park and while I was out here I was looking at it, I love being outside, and connecting communities to our beautiful lakefront is so important.”

Riding bikes can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. According to the National Safety Council, there were 1,377 preventable bicycle-related deaths in 2023 in the U.S., with 937 of those deaths due to being hit with a motor-vehicle.

Hildebrand said that she had something to say to drivers who might be getting a little too close.

“One thing I would like to say, so that people understand our bike safety laws, bicycles are (considered) vehicles in the state of Ohio and a lot of states across the nation,” Hildebrand said. “Just give us our three to four feet while passing us cautiously. And if I had to add an explanation point to something, don’t honk your horn at us. Hoking your horn absolutely scares a cyclist. We don’t know if a car is coming fast at us, or anything like that.

“Just be cautious with us on when we are on the roadways, and remember that, your mom, your dad, your aunt or uncle, your brother or sister- one of us are enjoying the outdoor space on two-wheels- or sometimes three-wheels if you want to ride a tricycle- just let us enjoy our time outside… we always want to come home to our families.”

Originally Published: June 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM EDT

Since the mid-1990s, colorectal cancer cases among adults aged 20 to 39 have increased by about two percent each year.

Demons had many memorable individual performances with team success

Durango High School players make some noise from the dugout while playing Grand Junction Central on April 11 at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

Durango High School had a historic spring athletic season with every team advancing to the state playoffs. Now it’s time to look at some of those individuals’ best efforts of the season.

Each team will be awarded a top performance and a second-best performance based on the statistics available and the significance of the games.

Track and field: Xavier Sutherlin’s performance at the state championships

Durango’s Xavier Sutherlin goes up and over during the boys 110-meter hurdles at the 2025 DHS Ron Keller Invitational. (Herald file)

Xavier Sutherlin had a lot on the line heading into the 4A state track and field championships on May 20.

He had a fantastic high school career up to that point, but he had one last chance to show he was one of the state’s best hurdlers. As a senior, Sutherlin was only days away from graduating high school and then he would be off to Western Colorado University to compete in hurdles in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Sutherlin made his mark at the state championships by finishing third in the 4A 110-meter hurdles in 14.58 seconds. It was the highest finish of any Durango track and field athlete at state this year and the highest of Sutherlin’s hurdling career.

Although Sutherlin wasn’t as focused on the 300 hurdles, the Demon star still finished ninth at state in that race in 40.71 after coming into the event seeded 13th. His 300 hurdles finish earned him his second podium at state (the top nine finishers in each event earn podium honors).

Third at the state will be tough for any Demon track and field athlete to beat next year.

Runner-up: Lacy Ruggiero’s performance at the state championships

Other than Sutherlin, sophomore Lacy Ruggiero was the only other track and field athlete to earn two podiums at state. She ran a personal best 5:01.43 in the 4A 1,600 to take seventh after entering as the 14th seed.

Ruggiero was also a part of the 4×800 relay squad that finished ninth in 4A.

Many high school track and field athletes dream of having two state podiums in their high school career and Ruggiero already accomplished that halfway through hers. She’ll be one to watch during her junior season as she’ll have her training partner, rising freshman Zia Fadil, to push her at the front.

Girls golf: Jayden Craig’s performance at regionals

Durango High School junior Jayden Craig poses with the individual medal and the team title from the 4A Region 4 Regional girls golf tournament at the Olde Course at Loveland on May 2. Craig won the individual title by three strokes and Durango won the team title by 17 strokes. (Herald file)

Junior Jayden Craig didn’t have her lowest round of the season at regionals for Durango, but it may have been her most important round for the team.

Craig battled tough greens at the Olde Course at Loveland on May 2 in the Girls 4A Region 4 Regional and came away victorious with a score of 11-over par to be the tournament’s individual medalist and help lead the Demons to the regional victory. Craig ended her round with a birdie, seven pars, eight bogeys and two double bogeys.

Golf is a mental game and it was impressive for Craig to meet the moment and help deliver the program its first regional title in head coach Kirk Rawles’ tenure.

Craig will be relied upon next year as a senior with the departures of seniors Ellie White and Raimee Brant.

Runner-up: Dylan Livingston’s performance at Montrose Red Hawk Tournament – Cobble Creek

Sophomore Dylan Livingston showed her potential at the Montrose Red Hawk Tournament- Cobble Creek Tournament at the Links at Cobble Creek in Montrose on April 7.

Livingston finished third in the tournament at 5-over par or 77. She finished with two birdies, nine pars and seven bogeys.

The rising junior did go lower than what Craig did at regionals, but not all golf courses are equal. The Links at Cobble Creek was an easier course and the tournament wasn’t for a regional championship.

Regardless, Livingston’s performance on April 7 showcased her power off the tee and soft hands around the green. It could be a preview of what’s to come next season.

Girls soccer: Ellis Campbell’s performance against Mountain View

Ellis Campbell of Durango High School strikes the ball for a goal on May 7 while playing Mountain View High School at DHS in the first round of playoffs. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

The Durango girls soccer team had to bounce back in the first round of the 4A state playoffs this year and sophomore Ellis Campbell was a big reason why it did.

In 2024, the No. 4-seeded Demons were upset in the first round by No. 29 Dakota Ridge. This season was a chance to bounce back after that devastating loss and the No. 5 seed Demons accomplished that with an 8-0 win over No. 28 Mountain View in the first round of the 4A state playoffs on May 7.

Campbell led the charge with three goals in the middle of the game to give the Demons an insurmountable cushion. It was an important hump for the team to get over and allowed the Demons to get one more win at home in the next round before losing to Lutheran on the road in the state quarterfinals.

Runner-up: Bella Saren’s performance against Grand Junction Central

Senior Bella Saren had a fantastic outing against Grand Junction Central on May 1 on Dirks Field at Fort Lewis College. She finished with four goals in the Demons’ 10-0 rout of the Warriors.

Grand Junction Central was awful this season, finishing 1-14 overall and 0-10 in the 4A/5A Southwestern League. However, Saren scored her four goals in only 25 minutes of action. That’s an impressive feat in a varsity game, regardless of competition.

Baseball: Austin Romero’s performance against Lewis-Palmer

Austin Romero of Durango High School puts the ball in play while playing Grand Junction Central on April 11 at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

The 2025 Durango High School baseball team was powered by its juniors and May 17’s regional final game against Lewis-Palmer was no different.

Lewis-Palmer was a big favorite as the No. 3 seed in 4A and as the host of the 4A Region 3 Regional. However, led by Romero, the No. 19 seed Demons upset Lewis-Palmer 13-8 to win the regional and advance to the state tournament.

Romero was on fire at the plate, going 4-5, including a home run, scoring three runs and finishing with two RBIs. Romero couldn’t have picked a better day to have one of his best days at the plate and the Demons needed it; they were down 7-1 after the first inning.

Runner-up: Dylan Burns’ performance against Summit

The Demons and Romero wouldn’t have had the chance to stun Lewis-Palmer if it weren’t for Durango and Burns’ performance against Summit earlier that day.

No. 14 Summit and the Demons battled back and forth all game before Durango scored three runs in the ninth inning for a 15-12 victory. Burns led the way at the plate, going 5-6 with five runs and an RBI.

A fantastic playoff run and a lot of enthusiasm for next year might not have happened if it wasn’t for Burns.

Girls lacrosse: Indie Eaton’s performance against Telluride

Durango sophomore Indie Eaton is hoisted by senior Ellie Casias (18) as teammates–including senior Eliciana Martinez (15)–arrive to celebrate Eaton’s game-winning, second-overtime goal against Telluride on March 31. (Herald file)

The Durango High School girls lacrosse team had many close games this spring and the Demons’ game against Telluride on March 31 may have been the Demons’ most consequential.

Durango beat Telluride 14-13 in double overtime. This win was a huge reason Durango won its first league title in program history, since the Demons and the Miners both finished league play with a 6-2 record.

Sophomore Indie Eaton was fantastic and had four goals for the Demons, including the game winner in double overtime. Her final goal of the game changed Durango’s season.

Runner-up: Silvie Bosmans’ performance against St. Mary’s Academy

The Demons dominated St. Mary’s Academy in the first round of the 4A state playoffs and Bosmans had a significant role in the victory.

The senior finished with a team-high eight points on five goals and three assists to lead Durango to a 20-4 victory. She also dominated draw control to keep the scoring and possession going.

Durango’s seniors won their last home game behind Bosmans’ strong performance.

Boys lacrosse: Alex Gnehm’s performance against Montrose

Alex Gnehm of Durango High School deflects a Montrose High School shot at the goal on April 26 at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)

Jerry McBride

It was a fantastic turnaround season for the Durango High School boys lacrosse team under first-year head coach Valeria Skarbek. The Demons tripled their wins from the previous year and made it to the state playoffs for the first time this decade.

The Demons’ playoff chances weren’t looking great when they were 2-7 overall heading into a league game at Montrose on April 24. But behind senior goalie Alex Gnehm, the Demons snapped a five-game losing streak and won 12-10.

Gnehm was a brick wall in goal, stopping a season-high 33 shots. Gnehm’s performance and Durango’s win got the Demons on the right track as they won their next three games (including a forfeit).

Runner-up: JT Munger’s performance against Summit

Senior JT Munger was the straw that stirred the drink for Durango’s offense and had many memorable performances. His performance against Summit might’ve been the most important of the season and his career.

The Demons were 5-7 overall and on the edge of a state playoff birth before their game at Summit on May 2. Munger then delivered one of his best performances of the season, leading the Demons to a 14-6 victory and sealing a state playoff birth.

Munger tied a season-high with 10 points. He finished with three goals and a season-high seven assists. Munger had put up a lot of points in losses in his career, but showed one last time that he could put up points in a winning effort.

Girls tennis: Natalie Christensen’s performance at state

Natalie Christensen of Durango High School, playing in No. 2 singles, takes on Grand Junction on April 11 at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

The Durango High School girls tennis team didn’t bring home any hardware from the 4A individual state championships, but sophomore Natalie Christensen showed she could compete with some of the best players in 4A.

Christensen, playing in No. 2 singles, beat Anna Fedoruk from Palmer, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round. Christensen then lost in the quarterfinals to eventual No. 2 singles state champion Rose Katen from Cheyenne Mountain, 6-4, 6-0. Christensen pushed Katen the hardest she’d been pushed, according to Cheyenne Mountain coaches.

Runner-up: Annabeth Hanson and Mary Jane Ramos’ performance at regionals

The doubles duo of sophomore Annabeth Hanson and senior Mary Jane Ramos impressed at regionals by winning the regional championship in No. 4 doubles.

It was even more impressive how dominant Hanson and Ramos were at the regional; they beat Montrose’s Annabelle Sanburg and Katelyn King 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinals and Grand Junction’s Kendra Tooker and Eliza Bell in the finals, 6-3, 6-2.

bkelly@durangoherald.com

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