1. Cairo Syrupmakers/Syrupmaids
The town of Cairo named their high school athletic teams after the product their town was famous for—syrup. In 1986, ESPN ranked “Syrupmakers” as the No. 1 high school sports nickname in the nation. Adding to the distinctiveness of the school’s moniker, Cairo’s girls teams are called the Syrupmaids.
2. Johnson (Savannah) Atom Smashers
Johnson High School opened its doors in 1960, shortly after the atom smasher (or particle accelerator) was discovered. The school also had ties to Savannah State University’s science department and decided that "Atom Smasher" was an appropriate nickname for a school with a focus on the sciences.
Playing off of this dynamic name, the school’s basketball gym is called the “Reaction Chamber” and the football helmet features a picture of an atom.
3. Clarkston Angoras
An “angora” is a type of long-haired goat. Early citizens of Clarkston were said to own a large number of angora goats, which led to the town being nicknamed “Goatsville” and then the more prestigious “Angora Heights.” The high school chose this rare nickname to honor the town's reputation.
4. Glynn Academy Red Terrors
Tracing its beginnings to 1788, Glynn Academy (located in Brunswick) is the second oldest high school in the state.
The school can trace its nickname to a band of Scottish Highlanders who defended the coastal region from the Spanish. The Highlanders wore bright red uniforms and came to be known as “Red Terrors.”
5. Warren County Screaming Devils
If you wanted to make a list of sinister mascots, the Screaming Devils definitely would top the list. And if this nickname isn’t enough to scare the pants off of visiting teams, the eastern Georgia school plays in a stadium called Death Valley.
If these schools still existed, they might have made the list…
Honorable Mentions: Commercial Typists, Lanier Poets, Ocilla Orphans, Sandersville Satans.
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3 months ago
I don't know, I've got to put the Atom Smasher at the top spot. Is it a rule that you have to be a total nerd to attend that school?
I sort of like the "Reaction Chamber," but the atom logo is terrible.
from 3 months ago
LOL, I like Atom Smashers too but I couldn't go against ESPN. The power... I can't deny them....
In regard to being nerds, Johnson HS actually has a hell of a basketball program there.
3 months ago
I'm a grad of Johnson and its just a regular public high school with a special nickname. The Reaction Chamber is where all the teams came and with only a few coming away with a win!
from 3 months ago
Thanks for reading, Bubba.
Has Johnson won any state titles in basketball recently?
3 months ago
Great article. I wish we had names like this in CA. Way too many Knights, Wild Cats, and and Mustangs.
3 months ago
It's interesting to see that these schools are all pretty old type schools.
2 months ago
How bout Gainesville Red Elephants, Cartersville or Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes, or Spencer Greenwave Owls
from 2 months ago
AJ,
Those are good ones as well, but they didn't quite make the top 5.
An interesting note on the Purple Hurricanes, there are a few schools throughout GA that use that nickname (I believe it is 5). I am not sure why they all picked that nickname, as it seems very unique. What is a Purple Hurricane? Why would a hurricane be purple or is it just a nickname for something else?
from 11 days ago
I live in Cartersville. Not sure how the "Purple" got into the equation. Of course the Hurricane part is fun .... A Hurricane warning... Hurricane flags... etc...
I'll have to do some research on that one.
But I agree with AJ... Gotta add the Purple Hurricanes!!!
Nice article Stephen. Really enjoyed it.
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