Seniors prepare for home finale

Tomorrow, eleven members of the Tech football team will participate in their final home game at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

"You always want to end on a good note. All your family is going to be there on Senior Day," said senior wide receiver Chris Dunlap.

Senior quarterback Reggie Ball will lead the Jackets one final time down Yellow Jacket Alley into the Stadium at 11 a.m.

"I still have some education work to do, but my athletic career is coming to an end," Ball said.

Ball is one of six starters that will be recognized on Sunday. Other starters include tight end Michael Matthews and tackle Mansfield Wrotto on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, tackle Joe Anoai, linebacker KaMichael Hall and cornerback Kenny Scott will be honored.

Reserve tight end George Cooper, wide receivers Dunlap and Xavier McGuire, offensive linemen Travis Kelly and defensive back Sam Williams will be honored alongside the starters.

"The last couple of weeks, I hadn't really thought about Senior Day. Starting Sunday, I started thinking about it with my family and a couple other seniors," Wrotto said. "We came to the realization that it has been four years, five for some guys, at Tech."

Wrotto, Ball, Scott, Anoai, Hall and Dunlap joined the Tech program after the team lost 51-7 to Georgia in Athens and a 31-20 loss to Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Classic. They were forced to start as true freshmen and will leave with a 20-12 record in conference play with a win over Duke tomorrow. They have Auburn, Miami and Clemson twice.

Cooper, Matthews and McGuire joined the Tech team after George O'Leary left Tech to become the Head Coach of Notre Dame.

"These guys have been through a lot of ups and downs. I'm proud of them because they are mentally tough," Head Coach Chan Gailey said.

Kelly was a three year walk-on before suffering a severe knee injury that ended his career in the spring. Kelly is currently an assistant offensive line coach.

Fellow linemen Eddy Parker and Brad Brezina enrolled at Tech in 2003, but suffered career ending injuries.

Wrotto made the transition from a three-year starter on the defensive line to the offensive line for his senior year. He was going to make the transition last season, but an injury to Darryl Richard prevented him from making the change.

For some, the emotions of playing their final home game have begun to sink in.

"This week is very emotional.... In the locker room, you can get your mind on the memories of the last four or five years," Wrotto said.

For others, they haven't stopped to think about playing their final home game.

"I'm young and still going fast. I don't realize what is happening yet, but maybe later it will catch up with me," Ball said.

Ball has withstood a lot of criticism over the past four years, but he has led Tech to 28 victories and is among the winningest quarterbacks in Tech history. With four games to play, he is closing in on several records and moving up on the all-time career list for several records.

The senior leadership on this Tech team has been a key reason why Tech is 8-2 with the Coastal Division title wrapped up. This Tech team has a chance to win the first outright ACC Championship since 1990.

"Senior Day is a great time for those guys that have put in a lot of sweat and blood and work.... It's a very special time," Gailey said.