Tayvian McKibbins…Tay…Big Tay…our #51.
He knew how to battle.
It’s how he landed on the offensive and defensive line at The Doug, graduated early from Cass High School, and earned a coveted position on the Georgia Southern football team.
A Colonel first, an Eagle second.
But it wasn’t just his blocking or tackling that truly made him stand out, it was his character.
“Tay’s million-dollar smile says it all; he had a huge personality and made an incredible impact to a lot of people on and off the field here at Cass," said CHS Head Football Coach Steve Gates. "He will be missed tremendously."
“Tay was a friend of everyone,” added Assistant Principal Katherine Wallraven. “He smiled wherever he went and lit up a room whenever he walked in. Tay was a Colonel through and through and truly exhibited what it meant to love blue and live gold.”
Tay lost his short battle with cancer on March 6, 2025.
It left so many hearts in our small Bartow County community shattered.
We won’t see him walk across the stage come May, but rest assured, every time we “fire the cannon,” we will think of you, Tay.
Fly High 51.