Poll Talk: Lowndes, SWD, Carver, Buford, Wesleyan are No. 1
Rankings don’t mean anything in high school football, but until toe meets leather for the first time this season Friday, it’s all we’ve got. So have at it with these.
Some think the defending champs should start No. 1, but I figure we’re ranking 2009, not 2008, so three state champs with heavy graduation losses — Camden County, Tucker and Cairo — won’t start in first place.
But I do think all three will be very good by the end of the season.
Lowndes (AAAAA) and Carver of Columbus (AAA) are safe choices, but I’m sure picking of Southwest DeKalb will cause some skepticism. But SWD was a Top 10 team last season that returns more marquee players than any other in AAAAA.
Todd Holcomb is co-publisher of Georgia High School Football Daily, a free email newsletter. To join the mailing list, go here.
Class AAAAA
Lowndes
Grayson
Peachtree Ridge
Camden County
Stephenson
North Gwinnett
Northside-Warner Robins
M.L. King
Etowah
Newnan
Class AAAA
Southwest DeKalb
Tucker
Rome
Marist
Sandy Creek
Griffin
Westside-Macon
Statesboro
Sequoyah
Loganville
Class AAA
Carver-Columbus
Gainesville
Flowery Branch
LaGrange
Cairo
Baldwin
Peach County
Carrollton
Washington County
Jackson
Class AA
Buford
Calhoun
Thomasville
Fitzgerald
Jefferson County
Pepperell
Lovett
Callaway
Brooks County
Jefferson
Class A
Wesleyan
Wilcox County
Clinch County
Lincoln County
Wilkinson County
Emanuel County Institute
Brookstone
Savannah Christian
Turner County
Bremen
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222 comments Add your comment
slalom1
August 23rd, 2009
7:15 pm
“Wildcat Fan” I would have to take issue with the “little man” syndrome. There have been some phenominal college RB’s who did not appear to have the size to play the game. i.e Noel Devine(5′8 170, W. Virginia). Also, do you remember Lionel “Little Train” James from Auburn?(5′5 and about 170). It is rare, but it does happen. I have only seen Pemberton play once, so I cannot fully attest for his talent. But from what I saw, he may be among the few who can overcome his size at the next level. There is one other “little big man” in Georgia. His name is Ocie Salter from laGrange.(5′5 162). An amazing RB with super human strength. I like the chances for both of these 2 underrated backs.
slalom1
August 23rd, 2009
7:19 pm
“Brookwood Mom” You tell’em girl.My money would be on you in a cat fight. But, take it easy on the goats and pigs. They most likely dislike their owner as much as you and I do. lol.
Yo
August 23rd, 2009
8:08 pm
Slalom now you know in high school most of the special team players
are already playing offense or defense on a regular basis. I don’t think they generally count 1 player twice because he is playing 2 different positions on a regular basis. The only exception might be the kicker/kickers. Yep..Little Train from I believe Dougherty High in Albany. Always the man I first think about when I think of little players in stature. Ended up having a pretty good pro career. Time to go back to sleep now and have Grayson/Ptree nightmares.
nukieie
August 24th, 2009
12:34 am
“Yo” you crack this “plowboy” up after each post.
williambrado
August 24th, 2009
10:56 am
Us down south ain’t forgot the whippin the North gave us. Oh we talking about N. Ga. football thats even worse. Yo we gonna take a whoopin or 4 or 5 whoopins. Sure we sqeeked by a mediocre 4a thomasville central team, but may be the only thing we have on the highlight reel this year. They may even call user losersville this.year. Po ole Lowndes , the ridge is coming, the ridge is coming, oh no what we gonna do. They gonna take over our little humble stadium. Can somebody show Lowndes some love?
williambrado
August 24th, 2009
10:57 am
Enter your comments here
Sports Fan 31313
August 24th, 2009
12:48 pm
I can go with this ranking for now.
Reeze
August 24th, 2009
3:33 pm
Yo…….I hope your Vikes are ready to represent Region -1 in AAAAA this year .Because it looks like the Vikes are the only team looking like a contender this year from south or middle Ga……Maybe the Packers will surprise us all……..Good luck ,the city of Warner Robins will be pulling for yall.
williambrado
August 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
The rumors around AJC blogs is go ahead crown Grayson the champs. I shonuff don’t want LIl ole over ranked lowndes to have to face them monsters.Theyse big and theyse bad and the ridge is coming next week to put Lowndes is their place.The future sure looks dismal for the plowboys but ill be right there on the40 yard line of the visators side to take our shellacking. I guess i might as well get ready to be called losersville this.Oh Me, Oh my. Can some of you north teams show Lowndes a little love?
6AAAA FAN
August 24th, 2009
4:37 pm
SWD gave peachtree ridge more than a handful friday night. I know it was just a scrimmage but, SWD could be one of the best teams in the state regardless of classification.
slalom1
August 24th, 2009
4:58 pm
Alright YO. Stop it. You are cracking me up. Between the afternoon naps and Yoga, you have mellowed tremendously in the past several months. Just PLEASE tell me you are not attending Pilate classes.
Yo
August 24th, 2009
6:45 pm
Reeze…wink, wink
Yo
August 24th, 2009
6:49 pm
Slalom…gittin your butt kicked by Grayson has a way of mellowing one, especially knowing there may be another butt kicking coming this way before the years out. I know Yoga might be too much sitting so how about Pilate, is it soft on the butt?
Sports Fan 31313
August 24th, 2009
6:51 pm
I predict that Region 1-AAAAA Lowndes County will be the Class AAAAA State Champions this year for several reasons.
slalom1
August 24th, 2009
7:59 pm
YO, I have already said, “Stop it!”You are killing me. (and from what I have heard Pilate is gentle on the buttocks).LOL.Let’s get down to some serious conversation like what a down year it is going to be for Lowndes. Now that I have given it some thought, here is my TOP 10 for AAAAA in 2009: 1-Duluth(do not know where they are or what they have but like the name. Sounds like an NFL team.).2-Northview Again the same is true as for my #1 but I must wonder,”from what view? From Valdosta or from Helen?” 3-Cherokee(I love the native Americans. This could be their opportunity to reclaim the land that has always been rightfully theirs.)) 4-Mundy’s Mill(You just have to wonder about this one. Did Mr. Mundy really have a mill? 5-Savannah(Cannot help but love River Street along with my birthplace.) 6-Houston County(Feel bad for any school known as “HOCO”. 7 Bradwell institute( What parent would have a good feeling about sending their high school son/daughter to an institute?)8 -Lovejoy- (With a name like that, how can you not pull for them? i.e. love, peace, etc.9-South Cobb(used to date a cheerleader from SC.) 10-Lowndes. (Sure a traditional powerhouse, but given the mojo from all the above schools, how can the mighty Lowndes stack up?)
SouthGARules
August 24th, 2009
8:46 pm
Brookwood Mom: In the immortal words of Doralee Rhodes “We ought to get a couple of rustlers & beat the S@$t out of the Grayson heifer who wanted your son to break his leg”. I do not condone fighting but if you punched her lights out, that would be just fine with me. There is no sense in people wishing injury on opposing players.
slalom1: I know your rankings were done tongue-in-cheek, but I’m surprised you did not have Meadowcreek in your top 10. FYI, Duluth is in Gwinnett County & Northview is just across the Chattahoochee in Fulton County in Johns Creek. They hold up Region 7-AAAAA with a combined record of 0-20 last year.
Yo
August 24th, 2009
9:20 pm
Slalom I see your top 10 and your ex is at #9. Just curious, did your wife go to high school? I hope not in Georgia. If so, you may be wishing your parents had sent you to a institute for life! Cause it sure does beat the death penalty.
slalom1
August 24th, 2009
10:45 pm
South Ga Rules, You are right. Meadowcreek should be in my Top 10. As of right now, tied for #10 with the slipping ratings for Lowndes.
slalom1
August 24th, 2009
10:49 pm
YO, hmmmm. Good point.
BBCAT FAN
August 25th, 2009
8:45 pm
Mike Mike, Sorry we broke that Cairo 14 game winning streak…You may should have read up on our Bearcat Kicker. 52 yard field goal!! To keep it real; both teams looked bad…it will be a long season for both
VIKING DAD
August 27th, 2009
3:36 pm
Are you ready for some smash mouth football. The Vikings are back and ready to take the title. Yes the Vikings did not win it like I said they would last year, but I guarantee you they are a better team this year. Some of you think Peachtree Ridge is the team to beat. I’ll let you know after Lowndes plays them next Friday 9-4-09 at The CONCRETE PALACE.
Kirk Smith
September 6th, 2009
6:23 pm
The Colquitt County Packers of Moultrie Will give the AAAAA Region More to worry with Because “The Pack Is Back.”