Packing for Jacksonville: Friendly Reminders for Those Making the Trek to the Cocktail Party

by T Kyle King on Oct 24, 2011 9:44 PM EDT

While the world waits to learn whether the fake John Brantley will start for the Florida Gators this Saturday---signs point to "yes," to the surprise of exactly no one in Bulldog Nation---the real John Brantley prepares to be inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame for the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday.

Brantley, a Sunshine State native, was a two-time All-SEC linebacker for the ‘Dawgs, twice being named the team’s most outstanding defensive player and being elected defensive captain of the 1987 Red and Black squad. He finished that year with 154 tackles, which is the fourth-best individual single-season tally in school history but only the second-best total notched by Brantley in the course of a campaign; he registered 160 in 1986.

Brantley was a colorful player who embodied the rock-ribbed tenacity of the Georgia defenses of the 1980s. Prior to one of the Bulldogs’ epic clashes with the Clemson Tigers, Brantley remarked: "This is one to see who the men are. It is the kind of game where women and children need to be sitting in the top level because bones are going to be cracking. It's going to be really intense."

Brantley will be joined in the Cocktail Party series hall of fame by fellow Georgia standout Bill Saye, whose play at linebacker was instrumental to the Red and Black’s 1954 victory in Jacksonville. Against the Gators, Saye was responsible for two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the Bulldogs’ 14-13 win over a favored Florida squad.

The players will be enshrined at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Friday in the plaza outside the south end zone of Everbank Field. Also among the noteworthy events taking place in and around the Gateway City are the following appearances by Robbie Burns, author of Belue to Scott! (all times Eastern):

Weds., Oct. 26 - Georgia-Florida Golf Tournament Banquet - Jekyll Island, Ga. - 6 p.m. (Morgan Center)
Thurs., Oct. 27 - Brogen's - St. Simons Island, Ga. - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 27 - Fireside Tex Mex - St. Simons Island, Ga. - 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 28 - Sports Mania - Jacksonville Beach, Fl - 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 28 - UGA Alumni Oyster Roast - Jekyll Island, Ga. - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Great Dunes Park)
Sat., Oct. 29, Sports Mania - Jacksonville, Fl. - 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Metropolitan Park across from the stadium)

If you’re in Jacksonville, stop by and see Robbie, and be sure to tell him you read about these events here at Dawg Sports.

While we’re on the subject, which Dawg Sports readers will be making the trip to the St. John’s River this week? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to post your photographs and reactions from Jacksonville in the fanposts. Also, help a first-time visitor to the Cocktail Party, if you would.

Go ‘Dawgs!

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I am heading down to stay at Jekyll Island and then going to the game saturday

there are not words to describe how excited I am, but its only a little less than how much I hate Florida.

this will be my 6th trip, but my first as an alumni and first time staying at the Georgia beaches

Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off... the right pitch will come, but when it does, be prepared to run the bases. ~Rick Maksian

by oneloyaldawg on Oct 25, 2011 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

Check out the Rah Bar at Jekyll

Great marsh view and the best peel-and-eat shrimp in the world.

by Elihu Smails on Oct 25, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for quisinal consumption accuracy in reporting

some shrimp just die, but the shrimp at Rah Bar die gloriously…

I will root for Alabama or Ohio State if they play the Chinese...maybe.

I will root for Auburn if they play Al Qaida, Hamas or the Phillies

by HSridge on Oct 29, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm headed to St. Simons late Thursday

and will be enjoying the beach and bars on Friday before getting up early Saturday to beat the traffic off the island and around the stadium. Really hoping the trip back to St. Simons is a pleasant one, but I know that the fine establishments on the island will help to soothe any pain or celebrate any victory.

by UGAVike on Oct 25, 2011 7:22 AM EDT reply actions

Only going as far as St. Simons this year

I’m tired of the ordeal of getting from there to Jacksonville only to watch us come up with new and exciting means of futility.

by commodore_dude on Oct 25, 2011 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

You stole my thunder!

This was to be the topic of my daily post on Wednesday. My family has had season tickets next to Coach Saye and his family for about 15 years.

I think I’ll still do the post tomorrow… but now I’ll have to actually put some in-depth content in it. :-(

by vineyarddawg on Oct 25, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

Heading down early Saturday!!

GO DAWGS!!! GO PALADINS!!!

by geapsquash on Oct 25, 2011 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

I'm trying out a new strategy

The gist of it is that I save my money and yell at the TV. I believe that my anger and angst will be more well received outside of Jacksonville.

Sacrificing goats, chugging Maker's Mark, and walking underneath The Arch.

by RedCrake on Oct 25, 2011 11:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

For those staying on St. Simons or Jekyll Island

Here is a link to the music scene for the rest of the week and weekend. http://www.goldenislesmusic.com/music_scene.html Welcome to the Golden Isles!

"Man, is there gonna be some property destroyed tonight." - Larry Munson

by MarshDawg on Oct 27, 2011 8:21 AM EDT reply actions

Can somebody check on my renters?

In the Mandarin area of Jax – they are Dawg rooters, so it OK. Just wanna make sure they have put in a pool or something while I have been on the other side of the country.