Will Grayson hold onto No. 1 ranking after another close call?
Michael Carvell
Will Grayson, the newly-crowned No. 1 team in the state’s largest division (Class AAAAA), be able to hold onto the top spot after surviving yet another upset bid on Friday?
Grayson clung to a three-point lead against Brookwood before a touchdown with six minutes left made the final score 22-12, nowhere near indicating how close the Rams were to losing their first game of 2009.
Do “style points” or winning by a large margin count for anything in the high school rankings like they do at the collegiate level? If so, Grayson might be in trouble. In five of the team’s seven wins, they either trailed or held a slim lead in the fourth quarter.
However, here is the bottom line on Grayson: All they do is win.
In other words, the Rams may not win any beauty contests along the way with how they do it. But they still do it.
This week, there will likely be a large contention of high school fans to the South calling for No. 2 Northside of Warner Robins to overtake Grayson for the top spot.
Who do you think deserves the No. 1 ranking? Grayson or Northside? Or other high-profile undefeated teams, such as North Gwinnett, Newnan, M.L. King and Stephenson? One notable high school football expert said last week that he feels like Lowndes is still Georgia’s best team, despite the loss to Northside. What’s YOUR vote?
A few more notes on Grayson: With the win against Brookwood, the Rams have virtually clinched an undefeated regular season and the Region 8-AAAAA championship. Grayson’s remaining three games are against teams which have a combined record of 1-18. Therefore, barring any politicking with the rankings, Grayson will carry the treasured No. 1 into the state playoffs.
What’s the most important thing for Grayson to accomplish over the next three game? Without a question, work on its passing game. In the playoffs, Grayson will see the same effective scheming it witnessed against the defenses of Brookwood and South Gwinnett. Other teams will stack the line of scrimmage with all defenders in an effort to have anyone but Grayson All-State tailback Ean Pemberton beat them.
In the long run, Grayson will only go as far as quarterback Patrick Santry’s arm will take it. Santry completed only 6 of 15 passes against Brookwood, but two were homerun balls, either accounting for or setting up crucial scores. Santry appeared much more comfortable in the pocket and threw it as well as he has all season. However, he still needs to improve on avoiding eyeing his primary target as soon as he gets the snap, and also on exhibiting more patience in looking for his secondary and third WR options. Brookwood’s defense was superb on Friday, but Grayson will see a parade of elite defenses in the playoffs.
Considering Grayson’s brutal schedule over the season’s first seven games, it gets my endorsement for No. 1. However, I wonder one thing: Grayson has won all the close games like a champion. I wonder what will happen if the Rams ever fall behind by a couple of touchdowns early. In your opinion, do you think they have the type of high-octane offense and breakaway stars (other than Pemberton) to rally back from a huge deficit?
And, of course, back to the BIG QUESTION: Which team do you think deserves the No. 1 ranking in Class AAAAA?
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Free-For-All Forum: Georgia high school football Week Seven scores, updates, photos and chat – LIVE! | Prep Zone: AJC High School Sports
October 9th, 2009
11:10 pm
[...] Grayson vs. Brookwood | Photos Griffin vs. North Clayton | Photos Walton vs. Milton | Photos Avondale vs. Westminster | Photos [...]
MarkB
October 9th, 2009
11:13 pm
Lowndes is still the best even with the loss to NSWR. Watch when the playoffs come.
Fred
October 9th, 2009
11:42 pm
The game tonight was a good game. The rain shower came and went right after kickoff and I think the high humidity was affecting both teams some. Humidity that high makes it very hard to cool down as your sweat doesn’t evaporate. I have mixed feeling about how the game went. Yes, Grayson benefited from some early Brookwood mistakes. Brookwood got what appeared to me to be most of their yards from a few long pass plays. The Grayson D looked good down in the trenches and the offense put up a more varied play mixture than I have seen before. Once again, the defense heald and the offense played ball control.
I’m sure much will be made about the closeness of the score. Once again, Mickey Conn showed a lot of class and did not run the score up at the end. With the ball around the Brookwood 10 yard line, he chose to run the clock out instead of taking the easy field goal or possibly going for the TD. I was proud to see the players from both teams come together at mid-field after the handshake and those that chose to appeared to have a common prayer while the others waited and then congratulated each other. A lot of these kids know each other and I was told that the Grayson QB Santry and RB Pemberton grew up with a lot of the Brookwood players and know each other well. Even there was some serious hitting going on, there was good sportsmanship exhibited by both teams. Great game guys!
By the way, the Brookwood band is large and GOOD!!!
SouthGARules
October 9th, 2009
11:57 pm
Fred: Agree about the band. I have been to games where BOTH bands combined were smaller than Brookwood’s. Grayson does not get a lot of style points, but all they do is win. The Pemberton run was a back breaker for Brookwood. A stop there & Grayson is punting to Brookwood & who knows what happens. An argument could be made for North Gwinnett as well. I have not seen the others play so I can’t really say about them.
Brazilia120
October 9th, 2009
11:59 pm
Have to agree with MarkB. Lowndes has the best overall team, even with the loss. I’d take NSWR 2nd, and maybe Grayson 3rd. Newnan, MLK, Stephenson, and N.Gwinnett are light years behind those three teams.
Five- O
October 10th, 2009
12:05 am
Northside-Warner Robins
Northside 24
October 10th, 2009
12:17 am
If Wants be the best you got beat the best like NORTHSIDE EAGLES we only one good games left is our Rival Warner Robins Demons.when lowdnes play Camden County in kinglands,GA.
It's time
October 10th, 2009
12:20 am
I think Lowndes and NSWR are two of the best teams and I would have to say North Gwinnett is right there with them. I think North Gwinnett would beat Grayson with their balanced spread offense attack and their very solid defense.
THEHILLISREAL
October 10th, 2009
12:30 am
I’ll checkout Newnan next friday, when they come to SWATS to play Westlake. I think right know Hillgrove are the best of class in 4A, Peach CTY 3A, Fitzgerald/Buford 2A, Wesleyan/Charlton Cty 1a.
MAYS DEFENSE SEE WHAT DOUGLAS CTY DID TO ALEXANDER, IF YOU DON’T MAKE THE PLAYOFF BLAME YOURSELF. PLZ DON’T SAY REF, MADE BAD CALLS. THE GAME SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT CLOSE.
MAYS HIGH TIL I DIE
DystopianDeity
October 10th, 2009
12:30 am
I’m not a Grayson fan, but good teams take care of business when it matters most. Lowndes can beat everyone else by 50 points, but when it came down to the clutch, they came up short. That’s why they have a loss and Grayson doesn’t. The playoffs will determine if Grayson is ultimately the best team in the state, but until they have that big L in their record, they are number one.
Geoff
October 10th, 2009
12:42 am
Until they lose, Grayson is going to e #1. There are about 10 teams in the state that are really good that could all have the #1 spot, winning the close games definitely gives the Rams an advantage in the playoffs, ecause they know they can do it. Most playoff games are decided by a touchdown or less, so the fact they they have 3 or 4 wins like that definitely plays into their hands. Home field advantage in the playoffs don’t hurt either.
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
12:46 am
I find this chatter about Grayson falling out of first place insane. Hey, it is a good conversation. Nonetheless, Grayson beat the defending state champions to open the season. When most teams were padding their schedule, the Rams were playing Camden County. Say what you want about the Wildcats of Kingsland being young. They are still Camden County! If there are any questions, simply ask Groves HS, who just got beat by Camden County 76-0.
I have said this many times before. Grayson appears to be having some issues on offense. Nonetheless, defense wins championships. Grayson beat Warner Robins 10-0. At the end of the day, Grayson played non-region games against two of the most storied programs in Georgia football history. I respect that. Grayson clearly gets my nod as the #1 team in the state, until they lose. We were close against Grayson, does not count. That is a storyline for the school newspaper. The Rams won…again. The Rams remain #1. End of story.
Mark B: Lowndes County #1 in the state. They are not even #1 in their region. I am a little lost.
Suwanee 0wnz
October 10th, 2009
12:59 am
Mark B, a team that cannot kick a field goal or complete passes has some serious weaknesses. Looks like they have an awesome defense, but ….
Suwanee 0wnz
October 10th, 2009
1:03 am
And North made a number of defensive mistakes this evening against an inferior team, before a hostile crowd, and some unfriendly refs. It remains to be seen whether North can beat a quality team on the road. I am not sure I would put them in the same class as the top 2 teams, yet.
yo
October 10th, 2009
1:04 am
Northside is the best as long as they can hide in the Mac.
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
1:05 am
The team in the polls that is highly SUSPECT has to be Peachtree Ridge. If a person can ask if Grayson deserves to be ranked #1, that same person has to have a challenging time justifying Peachtree Ridge being ranked. There is no team in the top ten that has played a softer schedule than Peachtree Ridge.
The Lions played like kittens in Valdosta and were VIOLATED by Lowndes County 51-17. They really have not faced a team with a prayer of reaching the 2nd round of the playoffs, if that. Look at P-Ridge’s SOFT schedule. Someone (MICHAEL CARVELL, I believe it was you) posted that Martin Luther King or Stephenson would go 1-2 in a Gwinnett region. The region that Peachtree Ridge is in is filled with lightweight competition. Mill Creek? South Forsyth? Duluth? North Forsyth? Norcross? Northview? Seriously?
You might say that P-Ridge faced a usually tough Harrison Hoyas program. They lost to 0-4 Kennesaw Mountain last Friday night and got beat by Woodstock at home 27-15. There is NO way that P-Ridge is a top 10 Georgia program. NO WAY! They are posing as the ninth ranked team in Georgia and a top 100 program in America.
What were you thinking Michael? Do us a favor MC. Please put Peachtree Ridge and the biggest Lion bandwagon fan in this state, Todd Holcomb, on “Upset Alert” next Friday night. Peachtree Ridge had one real game this year. The Lions gave up before they got off of the bus. Now, they face a 6-0 Collins Hill team, with an extra day of rest/preparation. Collins Hill played on Thuesday night. My prediction is the Lions quit again.
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
1:10 am
Yo, there is a little crow on the left side of your mouth. Shoot it to me straight. Is Rick Tomberlin done at Valdosta HS? Randy McPherson must not like the guy. If the coach of Warner Robins HS’s storied program went 1-9, then two years later went 5-5, and then was sitting at 4-3 (1-3 in the Region with the one win coming off of a 70+ yard fumble recovery to win it) that coach would be meeting with a realtor on Saturday morning. I am serious. Nothing is like Valdosta, even we Lowndes County and Northside fans have to admit. The closest thing that I have ever seen is Warner Robins. If this was happening at Warner Robins, a search committee would already be in place.
How is Rick Tomberlin hanging on?
B-Nasty
October 10th, 2009
1:10 am
Grayson is a good team, however, Lowndes and NSWR are GREAT teams. Like all the others say, Playoff sare the biggest measure of a teams heart and desire to win. I think NSWR is looking to prove themselves in the 5A playoffs after last years defeat by Camden County. Camden isn’t looking to hot this season. My 5A top five ranks as 1) NSWR, 2) Newnan, 3) Lowndes, 4) Grayson, 5) North Gwinnet…im not big on gwinnet county teams but North has shown to be a contender. You just can’t beat good old south GA football. Stephenson and MLK are great athletically but terrible playoff teams. Im saying NSWR ends up in the finals.
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
1:21 am
What has happened at Harrison High School? Come on Hoyas posters! Give up the inside information. Either this is the worst 7 day stretch at one of the true rising programs in metro Atlanta, or something is wrong. No disrespect to Woodstock, who is 4-1, and should be 5-0.
Last Friday:
Kennesaw Mountain, (0-4), 17 at Harrison, (3-1), 14
Tonight:
Woodstock, (4-1), 27 at Harrison, (3-2), 15
Harrison still plays at East Paulding, at McEachern, and hosts Etowah. I do not know how it works in Cobb County. However, you are not going to reach the state playoffs with 5 Region losses in Region 1-AAAAA. Heck, you have no prayer with 4 region losses. What is going on at Harrison? Was this expected? Harrison may only win one more game this season. I would NEVER imagine Harrison sitting at 4-6 as the state playoffs started. Crazy!
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
1:35 am
B-Nasty, Northside has proven themselves as a AAAAA program many, many times. No large classification program has won more games than Northside over the past decade. It is not even close. Northside hosted the second AAAAA State Championship game ever played in Georgia in a 12-7 loss to Parkview in 2001. I am a little lost with WILD chatter about Northside proving themselves. Prove what? The AAAAA classification started in 2000. Since 2000, Northside is 114-12. What exactly does Northside need to prove?
Northside is 8-5 in the playoffs in AAAAA. Northside has NEVER lost in the first round in AAAAA and have lost in a AAAAA State Championship game. Furthermore, Northside played for decades in the highest classification (AAAA and AAA before that). Northside has won almost 71% of our games in just under 50 years of football. There are only a handful of Georgia programs with a higher winning percentage than Northside-Warner Robins. Northside has more than proven ourselves.
Either way, Grayson is #1 and more than deserves it.
89viking
October 10th, 2009
2:51 am
lowndes fans will admit we have a defeat and that as long as we have a defeat,,,grayson or NS can have the #1 ranking,,,, BUT,,,,,we still like our chances, however all this talk about “lowndes chokes in the big game”,,,, 5 state title game appearances,,,5 state championships,,,,thats not choking folks. while theres lots of football to be played still….i dont think anyone is gonna be thrilled to see us coming or thrilled to be coming to us.
pity poor monroe area
October 10th, 2009
2:58 am
PRidge was less than impressive against a Mill Creek team that struggled to get first downs most of the night. PR clearly had the Hawks outmanned, but the game should have come with a hefty supply of No-Doz. Except for Brad Roby, who had three TDs, (INT return, 38-yard TD reception and a 30-yard run), da Ridge was da Disappointment. Did not live up to its hype at ALL.
pity poor monroe area
October 10th, 2009
3:00 am
Lowndes, Lowndes, L:owndes. Puh-LEEZE. All I have to say is 10-7. You Grayson haters harp about everything from friendly ref calls to Mickey Conn’s hair, but the Rams WIN week in and week out, no matter WHO they are playing. They’ve only been tested twice, by an overachieving Parkview and by a very-good-but-not-quite-the-same-caliber South Gwinnett.
pity poor monroe area
October 10th, 2009
3:02 am
And my beloved Purple Hurricanes made it 16 straight (0-10 in ‘08, 0-6 so far this year), losing 48-41 to Winder -Barrow. Looks like another winless season, Tonight was the Hurricanes’ best chance to earn a win. Someone please stop the agony…..
scott
October 10th, 2009
7:02 am
Hey guys Grayson number one for a reason, they are winning the big games period. That’s what they look at in the polls and we’ll see in the playoffs in a couple of weeks. In the mean time go rams.
gary
October 10th, 2009
7:21 am
Did anyone take alook at the whupping Valdosta took from Lowndes. Tomberlin needs to be fired immediately. I looked at the history of Valdosta football.That was the worst loss I could find. Just 15 years ago Valdosta was the best in the NATION!! Time for heads to roll.
James
October 10th, 2009
7:47 am
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE POWERHOUSES IN STEPHENSON & M L K…
Gwinnett Fan
October 10th, 2009
7:54 am
Peachtree Ridge is a top five team. Good coaches and good players. They have a very solid defense. Lowndes may want to play them again but no one else in the top ten wants to see them in the second or third round.
Peachtree Ridge over Collins Hill 21-7 next week.
Frank
October 10th, 2009
9:09 am
I have watched Brookwood football for the past five years. Each time its virtually the same plays. There is no variety in their playbook and team are able to be effective against them because they are limited. Furthermore the coach does not like throwing the ball much.To win you have got to have an arsenal of weapons, especially when one is not working.
As far as Grayson being #1, that remains to be seen during the playoffs. right now Grayson seems to have what it takes to win and they keep on winning.
SouthGARules
October 10th, 2009
9:26 am
Next week shall be interesting. Peachtree Ridge & Collins Hill meet @ Peachtree Ridge. This will answer questions. One, is Collins Hill for real? Schedule has not been tough & their best wins are Parkview on the road & Dacula at home. They do not play North Gwinnett, so unless they stumble against a winless South Forsyth & Mill Creek, they will be at worst a #4 seed in Region 7, even if they lose to Norcross & P’Tree Ridge. Collins Hill needs to win to validate their season & to be taken seriously in Region 7. P’tree Ridge has some work to do as well, finishing with Norcross & North Gwinnett as well as Collins Hill. I see both teams, along with North Gwinnett & Norcross coming out of Region 7. All that is left to be determined is the seedings.
On another note, congrats to Dacula & Norcross for winning last night in a very emotional week for the Maloof brothers.
Uncle Johnny
October 10th, 2009
9:27 am
I think it’s a crying shame that so much pressure is placed on boys 15 to 18 years old. School spirit is good for memories when you are old and player achievment is good to open doors to college, but the over emphasis on school football standings is a product of the hype created by the news media.
lhsvikes
October 10th, 2009
9:28 am
Lowndes should be number one again after the game they played last night!!!
Lowndes-57
Valdosta-15
GO VIKINGS!
James
October 10th, 2009
9:41 am
The Vikes need to be at least three….not sure about number one yet. But my did they dust them Cats off last night in prime fashion. Hmmmmmm…….I do believe Mr Tomberlin is done, hopefully they will go head and let him finish the season out.
kerri
October 10th, 2009
9:52 am
Grayson remains number one until they lose. Northside is a very close second. I don’t think Northside is the best team statistically, but they find a way to win. I wouldn’t bet against either team. After last night, I’d take Lowndes at #3. I wouldn’t take them above Northside or Grayson because they have a loss. Granted, they were a few yards from beating Northside…but, they didn’t. You have to win the close ones.
decatur where it is greater
October 10th, 2009
9:56 am
Mr. Carvell,
Let me start by saying I’m not writing about whether Grayson should be #1 or not I am writing about how you rate the teams. Stephenson started the season at 4 or 5 and every week we have dropped because of wins against what you consider lesser talented teams. Parkview and brookwood took grayson to the wire and these are not good teams, but all i see on the blog the championship teams find a way to win close games. that was not the case when stephenson beat a good newton county team in OT. we branded for allowing them to compete with us but now that the same thing happens to grayson we get a whole different view point you are biased and this entire blog theme is a sham. If you are going to view the teams and evaluate do it fairly and accurately. I know your next comment will be to validate how good gwinnett teams are. but brookwood and parkview are not elite teams brookwood took beatdowns from mckeachern and n gwinnett and parkview got beat by dacula. i will end this by saying if stephenson can’t have a bad night and win why can grayson have two and not move in the polls. Gwinnett County don’t get offended just making a point!!!!!
crash001
October 10th, 2009
10:07 am
EagleNationRising – I agree that Northside has a good program but they just moved bak up to 5-A last year. Tucker actually beat NS in the cahmpionship game in 2007 but Tucker head coach lost the game as he has lost other games in the past maybe that why the loser is at Peachtree Ridge now.
NS has a great program with excellent coaches but not the best in GA. The year Northside struggle with Tucker says a lot. Tucker plays in Dekalb County in 4-A classification but plays Stephenson in pre-season each year. Stephenson has won all of those games except one and domaineted the one they lost 17 -14. Tucker loses to Marist and will lose to Southwest Dekalb this year. We all know in the past Stepehnson has not done much in the play-off, all I am saying is Northside is not all that.
K
October 10th, 2009
10:20 am
B-Nasty – How can you say MLK is a horrible playoff team? I am well aware that there are State Championshipsr over in Lithonia, but for a school whose 1st Varsity year was 02 and made the playoffs in every season since 03…how can you make that statement. 03 quaterfinal loss @ TCC…lot of history there….04 semi in the dome v Lagrange…once again no shame…05 upset Carrolton in Carrolton..lost in 2nd round @ Hart County by 4pts…06 loss to Houston( agreed that this is a bad loss)..07 quarterfinals to Walton on last second FG…08 1st rd loss to Tift( another bad loss)….I am not sure how many teams on your list that have not won a State title since 03 can boast that track record. Sure MLK has to find a way to get over the proverbial hump…but they are not a terrible playoff team…stop regurgitating what you hear….speak what you know….I guess the teams MLK loss to were just horse poo in those years…Based on your assessment…any team that doesn’t reach the finals and win had a bad year and are terrible playoff teams…REALLY! Stop disrespecting everybody dude!
UnderDawg
October 10th, 2009
10:27 am
Grayson hasnt lost so they can have #1….until they make a early exit from playoffs. NSWR#2 until they leave the Mac in semis.(they will run tables next year in 4A…you heard it here first)NG#3 till they play a south GA team. Lowndes#4..may run table like the 2005
team. Newnan#5…only time will tell if they are posers or the real deal
BTW…Valdosta has a search commitee out looking for a new coach..never should have let go of O’brien
K
October 10th, 2009
10:45 am
crash001 – Just for clarity sake the Tucker coach in 07 is the same “loser” that led Tucker to the 08 State Championship. Ballard has been at PTR since 07 and that “loser” led PTR to the finals last year. Just to be clear!!!
Telvin Smith = Beast
October 10th, 2009
10:59 am
Lowndes is still the best team…the loss only made them more fired up…last night against valdosta, they looked possessed, the only thing stopping them from winning a state title is terrible referees…GO VIKINGS GO!!!!!!!!!!!
AJC Sports
October 10th, 2009
11:14 am
decatur — Michael Carvell doesn’t rank the teams. The Georgia High School Football Daily’s Todd Holcomb handles that. So you might want to take your argument to him. Thanks.
K
October 10th, 2009
11:16 am
IMO Valdosta needs to leave Tomberlin alone. Unless there are some behind the scenes issues let the man coach. We all know that he can coach, but it is obvious that Valdosta no longer gets the studs that it used to. In town with 2 schools u are going to have cycles. Is Valdosta one of the city schools that you can pay out of area tuition to attend? Valdosta may never when another state championship regardless of who the coach is? Valdosta may when 5 more…but before you Wildcat fans blow the man out for the next Messiah, remember that the rest of GA has caught up and no matter what you do your going to have some competition. The years you are trying to reclaim ended in the mid to late nineties…its time to focus on what you are teaching the kids and focusing on what kind of young men you are producing. You have a great history, but it cannot and will not be relived no matter who you hire and fire.
sportswoman
October 10th, 2009
11:47 am
I think they are the best right now because no one executes better. They are well coached and most importantly, they play fundamental football. The offensive line is strong and they follow the play through each down. The RB follows his blocks not trying to do it all on his own. The weak spot is they have no real passing attack and they don’t have a defense that can really cover a team that can pass the ball. If they play a team that can pass the ball down field. They could be in trouble.
realitycheck
October 10th, 2009
12:06 pm
If Brookwood had a coach with some b***s Grayson would have been defeated last night. First of all, Brookwood’s mistakes gave Grayson the first 12 points they scored. Brookwood’s run defense totally shut them down, if they had any coverage guys playing for Brookwood they would have won the game. Ask Crews what happened to Martrez Ogletree, Lavon Hooks, Leon Spann… looks like you have a great tight end, (hooks), free safety, (Ogletree) and great corner (Spann). Oh but I won’t stop there…What happened to Kent Rollins ( a real quarterback) not some lookin for his friend to throw the ball to kid that doesnt understand the game… oh hes daddy’s little boy…. come on Crew any other team would have benched him by now… He cost Brookwood the game… man open on a two point conversion.. but he’s looking to throw the ball to 19 another coaches son that couldn’t get across the goal line.. doesn’t that suck when u have a big back in your backfield like Marvis or even a big bodied possesion receiver like DJ Johnson whom he refuses to throw to…. oh but lets get to the facts… looks like number 11 was wide open in the endzone.. why didn’t you throw it to him.. Ben.. are you freaking blind…. Grayson will be beat.. that team isnt as good as Mcchearn nor North Gwinnett but they are well discipline….and if Crews wasnt such a sellout to his coaches son and the Mcclane family….
He would have a team that would win it all….
after this year… finished with BROOKWOOD football…….
CAMDEN COUNTY WILDCAT!!!!!
October 10th, 2009
12:21 pm
O.K IM NOT GOING TO LIE, GRAYSON DOES DESERVE THE NUMBER ONE SPOT…THEY EARNED IT BUT IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU FINISH. YOU CAN BEAT EVERY TOP NOTCH TEAM IN THE STATE AND BARELY WIN WHAT CAN YOU SAY DEFENSE!!! AND THEY HAVE A RGEAT DEFENSE AND THAT IS WHAT WINS CHAMPIONSHIP’S BUT I BEEN SEENED THE WEAKNESS’S IN THEIR DEFENSE AND THATS THEIR SECONDARY..AND IF A TEAM CAN PUT THE BALL IN THE AIR ON THEM AND CALM THAT VERY AGRESSIVE DEFENSE DOWN, YOU WILL HAVE THEM ON THEIR HEALS THAN BECAUSE THAT WILL OPEN UP THE RUN GAME ON THEM…I WATCH GRAYSON AND WHEN PLAYOFF TIME COMES YOU BETTER HOPE NO TEAM WILL DO THAT…BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY TEAM THAT I CAN SAY THAT REALLY DOMINATED CAMDEN COUNTY BECAUSE WE WAS YOUNG AND HAD TO FIND OUR TEAM GOING INTO THIS REBUILDING YEAR…BUT LIKE I SAY THEY CAN BE BEAT ON ANY GIVING NIGHT BECAUSE YOUR DEFENSE ISNT ALWAYS GONNA BE BAILING YOU OUT WHEN YOUR OFFENSE ISNT ROLLING…BUT I PUT MY HATS OFF TO THEM AND HOPEFULLY TO SEE THEM IN THE END BECAUSE ANY TEAM THAT BEATS CAMDEN, THAT LET ME KNOW THAT THEY ARE REAL GOOD BECAUSE WE STAY WITH TALENT AND A OUTSTANDING PROGRAM, BUT WITH OUR COACH HERRON WITH THE PLAY CALLING I DONT EXPECT US GOING FAR IF HE DOES GET HIS MIND RIGHT.
THE LOST’S WE HAD WAS DUE BECAUSE OF COACH HERRON WITH HIS PLAY CALLING AND I KNOW BECAUSE THE NATION WITNESS THAT WHEN WE PLAYED ON ESPN!!!! WE HAD A 2 TOUCHDOWN LEAD AND HE WANTED TO PLAY CONSERVATIVE SO MUCH AND ALL IT IS DOING IS MAKING HIM LOOK BAD IN THE END BECAUSE THE SCORE BOARD WILL SAY THAT WE LOST!!! WHAT HE DONT UNDERSTAND THAT TEAMS IS TRYNA RUN UP THE SCORE BOARD ON US CAMDEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE A POINT TO PROVE THAT WE IS NOT A GOOD TEAM FROM THE SOUTH!! SO I BELIEVE THAT IF THE COACHING GET RIGHT FOR CAMDEN COUNTY I EXPECT TO SEE MY BOY’S ON THE BLUE TO BE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME THIS YEAR!!! BUT WE HAVE A TEST AND IN THE SECOND ROUND AND ITS OUR RIVAL LOWNDES!!! AND YOU ALREADY KNOW WE GOT BAD BLOOD WITH THEM…THEY VE BEEN OWNING US FOR THE PAST 2 TIMES WE PLAYED!!! BUT WE WILL WELCOME YALL TO THE WILDCAT DEN SO LOWNDES FANS BE PREPARED FOR A GOOD ONE!!!
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
12:44 pm
CAMDEN COUTY WILDCAT!!!: Do not worry. I informed this board just over a week ago about how SUSPECT Lowndes County football is on the road. Luckily the game was online with Georgia Public Television. If I had told the story, Lowndes County posters would have lied. Randy McPherson looked like a first year coach at the MAC. He and the Lowndes County Vikings will get intimidated and underperform at the Wildcat Den in Kingsland, as well.
The Vikings were EXPOSED last season by Grayson. If you are Lowndes County and you have Greg Reid, who is arguably the most dynamic football player to come through the Peach State in years, you should win a State Championship. Not only did Lowndes fail to reach the State Championship, the Vikings did not even reach the semifinals. They can not beat a program like Grayson on the road. What do you think will happen to those guys at real home fields like McConnell-Talbert Stadium against Northside or facing Camden County in the Wildcat Den.
What Lowndes County has shown me is they will not compete at the same level on the road, as they do at home. I was SHOCKED to see the Valdosta Wildcat players just quit at the MAC in 2008. I saw Lowndes roll over last Friday. Lowndes may get “Peachtree Ridged” in Kingsland. The Viking coaches and player UNDERPERFORM and are very SUSPECT on the road.
TJ
October 10th, 2009
12:45 pm
OUCH! Brookwood turning on their coach! Guys, Brookwood will return to glory. My recreation league friends tell me that they have many greats comming up the line, squeeze out the coaches kids next couplke of years and all will be well. Looks like Brookwood will make it to the playoffs thanks to Grayson knocking out Parkviews QB for the season with broken jaw. Parkview looks really average now. Can not wait to see Brookwood versus South Gwinnett now to see who will be second seed. Grayson’s season is uneventful now until playoffs.
EagleNationRising
October 10th, 2009
12:56 pm
Crash001: Tucker did not beat Northside. Tucker has NEVER beat Northside. In 2007, Northside’s quarterback was a senior named Marquez Ivory. During his junior season Ivory was the State’s Offensive Player of the Year. He broke his leg early in the season and Northside played an untested junior named Joe Scott.
When Northside played Tucker at the Georgia Dome, Joe Scott was starting and Tucker took at 28-7 lead as Scott struggled, Northside’s defense stayed on the field and Tucker ran wild. At the beginning of the 2nd half, Ivory, who had missed 6 weeks, came out of the tunnel like Willis Reed of the NY Knicks. Even after that, Northside fumbled the ball in Tucker territory giving Tucker the chance to go up 35-7. Northside’s defense held Tucker. Instead of trying a field goal, Tucker went for a 4th down conversion and Ivory took over. He completed an almost 70 yard TD and the Dome was getting louder and louder. The Tucker band stopped dancing and Northside did what we always do.
Tucker posters and DeKalb posters can blame it on the coaches. The bottom line is the best Offensive Player in the State stepped on the field and the Georgia Dome went nuts because the Northside crowd was so much larger than the local Tucker team. Ivory made it look easy. Northside DOMINATED. It was not even close. Tucker had a lead because Northside had a backup quarterback in the game.
Tucker was NEVER close to Northside. Northside did not lose a game in 2006 or 2007. By the way, with all of your chatter about AAAA versus AAAAA, take a look at the 2006 season. Lowndes County won the State Championship in 2005. They went 14-1. The one loss that Lowndes County had was versus Ware County. Ware County was the State Runner-Up in AAAA. They lost to the 2006 AAAA State Champion Northside Eagles. Explain that to me.
DemonFan
October 10th, 2009
1:22 pm
EagleNationRising: You are right about the Northside-Tucker game. I was there. Northside came back and beat Tucker. Marquez Ivory came in and it was done. They were a totally different team second half. The offense and defense played better. It wasn’t even close. Tucker could not compete. There were a lot of Demons in the dome cheering Northside on as well.
Northside Observer
October 10th, 2009
1:46 pm
As a Lower Country guy that lives in Warner Robins, the question keeps coming up about Camden County playing weak coastal area teams. The solution to this shouldn’t come from Camden County bcause the Savannah schools will vote against moving out of AAAAA. That forcing Camden County to keep playing them. The Georgia Athletic Association should refused the Savannah Schools from playing 2 to 3 classifations above their student population.
Todd Holcumb, do you have any influence to voice some opposition to this injustice?
Maybe something can be work out to ensure Camden plays no more than 4-road games per year due to long travel.
Fred
October 10th, 2009
1:53 pm
It is very interesting to read these blogs. There is a lot talk about if this, if that, the outcome would have gone the other way. I think that can be said about both teams in any given game. Using the Brookwood/Grayson game last night as an example, some people have said if Brookwood could have contained Pemberton on the big run in the fourth quarter, the game would have been much different. This is true. Yet no one mentions the the pass from Santry to the receiver in the end zone that just couldn’t quite get control of the ball before he was pushed out. I was sitting on the one yard line and the play was right in front of me and it was a really close call on the refs’ part that could have gone either way. If that reception is made, the score is 14-0 early in the first quarter.
Again, that is just an example of the type of play that could have made a big difference in this particular game. I have learned that there are 48 minutes in the game and the final score is the end result of the sum of all of the plays on *both* sides. As others have said, it is not about style only the score at the end of the game. I really believe there are multiple teams that are gathered at the top. It is looking to be a really good playoff season!
plowboy
October 10th, 2009
2:11 pm
what is your problem enr with lowndes you always bring up the past , if my memory serves me well you guys have choked in a lot of games 99 , 08 and you barely beat ware county in 07 , the year lowndes whipped ware county and went on to win state and by the way nix is a good coach but compare his first 6 or 7 years at northside to coach mcpherson`s first 6 or 7 years at LOWNDES
BROOKWOOD MOM
October 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
Realitycheck: Please don’t go bashing the Coaches or the players at Brookwood. You are obviously a players Dad or Mom and I have a pretty good idea who you might be, but we have class at Brookwood so can you please show some? I wanted us to win this game just as bad as you did. Trust me! Yes, we all know that Kent is probably the better quarterback, but Ben is not doing a bad job. Our boys played their heart out last night, they wanted that win. I think they did an outstanding job against Grayson. We did have plenty of opportunity to win, but we didn’t. we have to move on. At least Grayson showed some good sportsmanship and they didn’t kick out butts.
roswell#1
October 10th, 2009
2:49 pm
Yes ! Grayson deserves to be number 1 in the rankings at this point. Can’t wait a few more weeks when this is all settled on the field with playoff seedings. Dont mean to bore you bloggers, but still cant believe the total lack of respect for Roswell in rankings. Walton and lassiter have a ligitimate argument as well. Since we will all play each other over the next 3-4 weeks in region play, I guess we will just have to handle our business in the state playoffs. I expect Lowndes to get upset along the way ! Lets see how Grayson handles thier business assuming that they get a number 1 seed in the playoffs. Roswell may get held back by questionable play calling by the offensive coordinator. Felt soory for Wheeler last night as the game was not even as close as the 42-7 score. Roswell head coach showed alot of class by not passing in the 2nd half when the game was already decided. Go Roswell Hornets !
sam f
October 10th, 2009
3:07 pm
grayson game plan is to drive the ball down the feild. to control the clock. not to make big plays. they are hard hiting on both sides of the ball and will beat any team in the state. hands down.
SanityRules
October 10th, 2009
4:07 pm
Decatur where it is greater, I hear where you’re coming from but remember these polls don’t mean nothing. It’s good for morale and team spirit but it won’t help you win anything . Be your region’s number 1 seed and you’re guaranteed at least 2 home games and maybe more. The only poll that means anything is the one after the Dome game.
TarHeelBred bleeds TarHeelBlue
October 10th, 2009
4:29 pm
The arguement can actually be made that Grayson and Northside Warner Robins should be tied for #1 in the 5A state rankings with NSWR having a slight advantage in the case for being ranked outright #1 due to having the most recent monster win by virtue of upending then-top ranked Lowndes a couple of weeks ago.
Callitlikeitis
October 10th, 2009
4:31 pm
Given Grayson struggles to win games strong against teams not ranked in the top ten, I think Northside Warner Robins should be ranked 1 in 5A starting this week.
SportsFan31313
October 10th, 2009
4:39 pm
Northside Observer,
That will never happen. Savannah Schools does not have the support and financial backing to outside their area. Savannah is large enough and have enough schools to stay in Class AAAAA. There are at least 8 Schools that play in Class AAAAA from the City of Savannah. In addition, they still have more schools in the City Of Savannah that play in AA, and AAA.
So I agree with you. It won happen. But that does not stop a school from playing NON Region Games. If Coach Jeff Herron wants to, he could schedule a NON Region match up against Northside Warner Robbins and Lowndes County if he wants to. So does everyone else.
So people, stop talking about Camden County playing in such a weak Region as if those are the only wins that they can get. Camden County is good to beat Schools outside of Region 3-AAAAA, and have proven that in the past.
SportsFan31313
October 10th, 2009
4:40 pm
Grayson will hold on to No 1 until they lose a game. Bottom Line…..
SportsFan31313
October 10th, 2009
4:41 pm
EagleNationRising,
Where is the Lowndes County upset? I was wrong when I said that Lowndes will win by 10. They blew them away……
dawgsfan3
October 10th, 2009
4:47 pm
Psh grayson wat about a woodstock team with s lightsout defense did u guys forget about that long playoff run last year two points short of camden county last year, Mcechearn is a amazing they are undefeated did i metion lowndes wat a team one loss woopdie doo woodstock last year proved that a team that looked bleak with an 8-5 can be a team like walton its all about heart only one of the seniors of that team went to a d-1 school Grayson hasn’t proven anything wit so muh close wins with all the hype they are getting lowndes in number one in my book
down south fan
October 10th, 2009
5:10 pm
the season not over even with the lost to ns but lowndes is still hanging around rather #5,#10 the vike are still sailing its not over yet Go VIKINGS
TarHeelBred bleeds TarHeelBlue
October 10th, 2009
5:43 pm
Decatur @ 3:05pm-
It’s highly unlikely that Grayson will have another close call until the playoffs. Brookwood was the last competitive opponent the Rams will play until the postseason. As another poster stated earlier, the Rams have gone through the meat of their schedule with their next three opponents, Berkmar, Meadowcreek and Central Gwinnett having a combined record of 1-18. The next best chance for any opponent to truly dislodge Grayson from the top spot will be the second round of the playoffs at the very earliest.
To address your earlier comments about the level of competition that Grayson has faced in close games with Parkview and Brookwood. Parkview was a solid playoff team with a legit shot at the #2 seed in a very tough Region 8-AAAAA before their starting QB, Kalik Barnes was hurt in the Grayson game. Parkview’s loss to Dacula, who is a contender for a #4 seed, was because of the loss of standout starting QB Barnes and because they faced a very emotional Dacula team on the road, a Dacula team whose head coach had just suffered the loss of his father almost the day before. Brookwood has team with lots of talent, but lots of youth also. True, Brookwood got off to a very slow start, struggling with a young team adjusting to a new offensive philosphy, switching from a run-first to a pass-first scheme and getting thrashed in their first two games giving up 42 and 41 pts to McEachern and North Gwinnett respectively, but the Broncos had come on as of late, winning their first three region games and putting up 51 and 64 in the last two games before the Grayson showdown. The close games that Grayson played against South Gwinnett, Parkview and Brookwood were all against in-region arch-rivals that always play the Rams very tough every year. The other two close games were against defending 5A state champs Camden County and a tough Warner Robins from hyper competitive Region 1-AAAAA. Add to that the upset of top-ranked Lowndes in the playoffs at the end of last season and a massive offensive line, a powerful ground game and stingy defense and Grayson has the necessary ingredients to remain as the top-ranked team in AAAAA. For those who say that Grayson doesn’t defend the pass very well, the Rams have and defended the pass well enough to beat three region teams in South Gwinnett, Parkview and Brookwood with very high-powered spread offenses and safety Kori Gaines has eight interceptions through seven games defending that passing game that many of the critics claim the Rams seem to be so weak at defending.
Tim McDaniel
October 10th, 2009
6:12 pm
pity poor monroe area???? I was at the game on the WB side and was told by several Monroe parents that if the coach would quit playing “booster ball” and put the best athletes on the field especially on d, ya’ll would have a better chance! Ya’ll got tons of speed, but the corners couldn’t make the plays and the d- line couldn’t get any pressure.
grayram
October 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
I’m sure NSWR has a great team, just as Lowndes, Camden, North Gwinnett, Newnan, Grayson and a few others do. Grayson has won every game on their schedule and thats all they can do. NSWR beat a tough Lowndes team and a few teams from class AAA. Its not like they have played a harder schedule than anyone else. If you want to play lower division teams TRY Buford. There are alot of really talented teams in Georgia and some really strong football programs spread all over the state. Just being located south of Griffin doesn’t make you a better team.
Since 2000 there have been 4 champions from Metro Atl and 5 from south ga.
yo
October 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
ENR lets just say I was hearing he was gone before the Lowndes game. Tomberlin isn’t the problem though. It’s the church board (touchdown club) that is the problem. If they replace him (a mistake IMO), I think they should replace him with a coach who already has a losing record since they have gotten so good at taking winning coaches and turning them into losers any way.
Valdosta has some really good talent coming back next year and it would
be a shame if the knuckleheads (the TD club) don’t give him a chance to see what he can do with what he has cultivated.
Another coach, another system, and that will only hurt their chances next year with who they have coming back.
As far as the Cats laying down, when “the real” Lowndes shows up that is what teams do this year.
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
Greyson should be number one, with NSWR number two, Lowndes number 3, Camden number 4, McEachern 5, NG 6, Newnan 7, winner of MLK/Stephenson 8, Walton 9, Lasseter 10.
If we could somehow combine Lowndes and NSWR, we could beat the combined top two teams from any region, year after year.
To answer a question a poster asked earlier on this site, there is no tuition to attend Valdosta High school. There is however, a rather steep tuition to attend Lowndes for students not living in the Lowndes school district. Lowndes currently is not accepting new tuition students due to the size of the school being close to max. The demography has simply changed since Valdosta’s heyday, and there are active gangs in the school with national affiliation. Valdosta’s Coach Tomberlin is doing a wonderful job with what he has to work with.
THE PUNISHER
October 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
Newnan gets no respect from any one in the state. I agree with mark newnan1 that Newnan will stay under the radar but come playoff time Newnan will fly high. Newnan is bigger than anyone knows but when they beat all the teams to the dome they will have gained their respect.This goes out to Reeze and Sgt. Chris. If you knew football then you would know that newnan has a great team as good or better than any AAAAA team in the state. (THE PUNISHER)
SanityRules
October 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
Home Field Advantage, your comments were enlightning. So it seems that Lowndes does a bit of recruiting if they accept students out of their school district. If there’s a stud football player out there, I’m sure Lowdnes finds a way to get him in. It is what it is, Your other comments about Lowndes and NWSR combining were somewhat silly. I think you knew that.
dawgma
October 10th, 2009
8:35 pm
GRAYSON – LOST IN QUARTER FINALS – ‘07
LOST IN SEMI-FINALS – ‘08
LOSES IN FINALS – ‘09 to Lowndes county.
HEY – AND I’M A NORTH GA BOY!
North Georgia
October 10th, 2009
8:56 pm
Congrat Colquitt County Packers
SanityRules
October 10th, 2009
8:57 pm
Dawgma Grayson can’t lose Lowndes in the finals this year as they may be on the same side of the bracket. Lowndes may have to contend with Camden and Grayson will have to deal with Newnan just to get to the semi-finals.
THEHILLISREAL
October 10th, 2009
9:30 pm
MARK NEWNAN 1, SORRY YOU ARE PART OF THE METRO AREA. NEWNAN IS ABOUT 20 MINS FROM MAYS HIGH, TAKE CASCADE-PALMETTO HWY(FIB) TO THE END TAKE RIGHT ON 29.
Michael Carvell
October 10th, 2009
9:53 pm
…BUT if I did do the rankings, I’m not sure where I would have Stephenson in the top 10, if at all. They could be the best team in the state or the worst team. No one knows because they haven’t played anybody. A lot of people are saying the same thing about Collins Hill. I guess we’ll find out a little more about both Stephenson and Collins Hill on Friday.
yo
October 10th, 2009
10:35 pm
SanityRules you need to reread HomeFieldAdvantage remarks about school alignment and that Lowndes is not taking any more kids because of over crowding. If they were the only other school district they could obtain from would be Valdosta’s.
NOKYAJAWOFF
October 10th, 2009
10:35 pm
PUNISHER….You should change your name to (THE PUSHER)….You and DAWGMOUTH will “Have Some Splainen to do LUCY’” in a few weeks. PAST RECORDS DO NOT AFFECT THIS SEASON… and Newnan hasn’t EARNED any rights of passage yet! TBBTB– Very concise observations based with fact,,however, Graysonstill needs much work in Secondary despite Cory Gaines VALIANT efforts.
88PoPs
October 10th, 2009
10:41 pm
DAWGMA–You seem to have built a nice ladder of success in your post to back up a growing program for Grayson. I’m not sure a young program could ask for a better compliment!
northside
October 10th, 2009
11:43 pm
i go to northside and no one ever talks about grayson!!! there not even on our level they barely beat warner robins last year we went to lowndes and got cheated on.if it was a fair game we would of won northside will be state champs again we played most of our jv players and still beat lowndes.that should tell you something
AVikingFan
October 10th, 2009
11:45 pm
To SANITYRULES Of course my friend HomeFieldAdvantage’s comments about combining Lowndes and NSWR was silly and meant to be. But Lowndes does not recruit, I promise you. We do however, have three middle schools with football programs in the 7th and 8th grades whose students go on to Lowndes in the 9th grade. Coach Randy McPherson oversees these three middle school programs, so the kids are taught McPherson’s sytem early on. Also, each middle school has a 6 grade team that competes in the local Boys Club. Guess what, they run the Wing T too!
EagleNationRising
October 11th, 2009
7:44 am
Northside: Grayson is certainly on our level. We have a team primarily made up of starters who are 10th and 11th graders. Grayson returns a team that reached the state semifinals last season. Grayson opened their season against the defending state champions, Camden County (who beat Northside last season 28-20 in Kingsland in the 2nd Round of the playoffs), and then topped Warner Robins. You can not ask any more of Grayson. They did not dodge stiff competition. They won. Under no circumstances should they drop in the polls.
AVikingFan is talking about recruiting. I have NEVER lived in Valdosta. However, I can tell you that there is GREAT pride in middle school sports in Warner Robins. If any of the schools recruited in Warner Robins, everyone would know about it. Everyone knows which middle schools feed into each high school. I live in Atlanta. I know that things are a little different up here.
If anyone is suggesting that Lowndes County is cheating and recruiting, I hope we can move past that.
EagleNationRising
October 11th, 2009
7:54 am
Yo: You are beginning to go down the road that I am very interested in. I know that you are just joking about Valdosta hiring a losing coach. However, the question should be asked. I am assuming that you guys live down there. Does Valdosta have the talent base anymore? I know that Rick Tomberlin won 3 State Championships at Washington County. He obviously did not forget how to coach in Valdosta.
I also know that the region is MUCH more competitive with Propst in Moultrie (Colquitt County), Warner Robins, and Northside-Warner Robins joining the region. Lowndes County, of course, has taken a GIANT step forward and Coffee is improved.
I would enjoy hearing from Yo and other posters from Valdosta. I do not want to make this a “political” issue or attack any churchgoers. I am a churchgoer myself. I know that they appeared to be every bit as good as our young Northside team. I have my beliefs including what I see as GROSSLY unfair scheduling against Valdosta. No team should have to play Northside and Warner Robins in back-to-back weeks. This season, Valdosta lost their quarterback after two straight weeks against Northside and Warner Robins. It is unfair. Whether you beat both schools or not, you are going to get hit very hard in back-to-back weeks. It is really unfair.
My questions is does Valdosta have the talent anymore? How many students go to Valdosta? No one is demanding that Valdosta go undefeated. My concern is I have seen Valdosta just quit. That is not what Winnersville is all about.
yo
October 11th, 2009
8:03 am
From the Valdosta Daily Times regarding Valdosta’s playoff chances.
“Despite a 1-3 region record, Valdosta actually still has a real good shot at making the playoffs. The Wildcats have already made it through the toughest part of their region schedule. They’ve played Northside, Lowndes , Colquitt County and Warner Robins, the top four teams in the current region standings. After their off week, they will face Coffee, Tift County and Houston County – who have a combined 2-9 region record – in the final three weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Warner Robins still has to play No. 4 Lowndes , No. 2 Northside and Colquitt, and if Valdosta wins its last three games, the Demons would have to beat two of those three teams to jump the Wildcats in the standings. Valdosta’s 14-7 win at Warner Robins earlier this year looks like a huge one right now.”
EagleNationRising
October 11th, 2009
8:09 am
Michael Carvell: Goodness Carvell! Stephenson does not deserve to be in the top 10? Are you serious? I hope you honestly answer this question: Who has Peachtree Ridge played? We all know that Peachtree Ridge played Lowndes County. The Lions also got VIOLATED 51-17. If you say that Stephenson, who is undefeated, does not have a schedule that merits a top 10 rankings, how do you justify leaving a team ranked in the top 10 that lost 51-17 to a team that will most likely fail to even win their own region? Is that just because some AJC panelist says that Lowndes County is the best team in the state. Give us all a break.
I believe you are coming down a little hard on Stephenson. Stephenson has regularly fielded some of the most talented teams in the state. If they are undefeated six weeks into the season, they CERTAINLY deserve a state ranking, especially considering a 2 loss team is ranked (Camden County). You gave us the somewhat wild statement that an undefeated Stephenson team should not even be ranked. Your reason…a weak schedule. How then do you justify Peachtree Ridge being ranked. P-Ridge has only played one tough team. To this point, their schedule is BEYOND weak!!! They could not even compete in one competitive game. Contrary to all of the AJC hype, that tough team is just the same old Lowndes County, unable to compete outside of Martin Stadium. I’m a little lost, Michael.
We all know that Todd Holcomb has a strange admiration for an OVERHYPED Peachtree Ridge program. Are you a “closet” Stephenson “hater” for some reason? Interesting. Does MLK deserve to be ranked? Does Newnan? I am beginning to believe that the AJC would like to ranked Northside-Warner Robins, Lowndes County, Camden County, and 7 Gwinnett County teams.
Michael, you NEVER answered our questions about how you believe Stephenson would be 1-2 in Gwinnett’s region 7-AAAAA. I am not certain that Northside’s freshman team would lose two games against the Gwinnett competition that Peachtree Ridge has faced thus far. Before you laugh, I am SERIOUS. Northside’s sophomore/junior team beat Lowndes County!
yo
October 11th, 2009
8:09 am
Actually you could add Lowndes to that trio ENR and make it back, to back to back tough weeks for Valdosta.
But then we had to play Northside and Valdosta back to back.
Somebody has to do it and it is the nature of the beast called 1AAAAA football.
ps – not a bash on church goers (or church boards) but just pointing out that it is those in charge that “are” the problem some times. It isn’t always the pastor or in this case the coach.
Time to head off to church….toodalooo!
EagleNationRising
October 11th, 2009
8:16 am
Yo, I agree with the Valdosta papers assessment. Valdosta wins any tie-breaker with Warner Robins. I disagree with the premise that Warner Robins can not sweep Northside, Lowndes County, and Colquitt County. Warner Robins is a run first, second, & third team. However, they are bigger, more experienced, and more physical than Northside’s team. I mean this Yo. You know that I am a Northside homer. However, Warner Robins is big and they are physical. They have played a strong non-region schedule.
Still, Valdosta will be a fourth seed, at best. That means no home games (most likely). A paper can twist how a team reacts. They are saying that Valdosta’s competition is a combined 2-9. Heck, Valdosta is 1-3 and if you ask people at Warner Robins HS, they should be 0-4. When people see you giving up 57 points, they start to think that Valdosta is not very good.
There is ABSOLUTELY no more intimidation factor associated with that program. I believe that people most nervous about playing Valdosta are older fans, like us, who know what Valdosta use to be. I do not believe kids have any belief that they will lose to Valdosta. For a matter of fact, I know that players from Northside expect to beat Valdosta.
The program has really gone backwards. Is it due to a shortage of athletes in the district? I do not buy that Rick Tomberlin is a bad coach. He has more than proven himself. Why is Valdosta struggling to even compete?
EagleNationRising
October 11th, 2009
8:21 am
Yo: It is ridiculous that a team has to play Northside, Warner Robins, and Lowndes County in 3 consecutive weeks. It is borderline insane. I would agree that playing Northside and Valdosta is a stretch too. Sorry, Yo, I can not give you that. Playing Valdosta is almost a guaranteed win. Those guys are not a tough game. Lowndes has a week off after playing Northside and you know it.
You boys from Lowndes County are violators at Martin Stadium. Randy McPherson should have called off the dogs. He should not take his own coaching shortcomings at McConnell-Talbert out on those kids from Valdosta. You know that is not right.
57 points?!?!? Put in some freshman and give them an opportunity to play in the Big Game.
highschool football fan
October 11th, 2009
11:23 am
I am first a Lowndes Viking Supporter. Grayson beat Camdem, NSWR beat Lowndes.No matter the reasons. They should be 1 and 2, Stephenson, Newnan, MLK probably should not be ranked. What have they ever won in the playoffs ? If you want to rank the other teams just think about who you really don’t want to face early in the playoffs. Camdem and Lowndes probably come to mind.
SanityRules
October 11th, 2009
11:55 am
Highschool football fan, you seem to be clueless. Newnan has made it to the semi-final twice and to the quarter-finals in the the last 6 years. We are 30-3 the last two and a half seasons. I think most agree you don’t luck your way into the semi-finals . What team do you pull for? Do a little research before you make stupid statements.
SanityRules
October 11th, 2009
12:04 pm
Region 1 AAAAA fans,I know it’s early but are you guys banking on a 4-0 beat down on 4AAAAA in the opening round of the playoffs? Hopefully we can split 2-2 but I don’t think you guys see it that way. Does anybody know the Creekside-Westlake score?
K-MAN
October 11th, 2009
12:15 pm
I am so tired of hearing about GRAYSON winning week in and week out… if all they do is win all the time…WHY dont they have a championship yet…they must forget to win in the weeks that it really counts!
THE PUNISHER
October 11th, 2009
12:27 pm
Highschool football fan,what sports are you talking about (flag football) you have lost you mind and you are clueless about Newnan football.Newnan have ONE of the best teams in the STATE.Your are killing me.
highschool football fan
October 11th, 2009
12:40 pm
I must be clueless, I just don’t remember Newnan ever winning a state championship or even playing in a championship game….The only flag football I know of is a team thaT CAN be 30-3 over the last 2.5 years and not go the distance in the playoffs even once…..Must be pretty weak competition in the region.
K-MAN
October 11th, 2009
12:40 pm
decatur-where it is greater—I must say …YOU ARE SO RIGHT! People are biased when it comes to certain teams. STEPHENSON and MLK and ECT will never get the credit they deserve…they are not located in GWINNETT county! If they were…you could not cut down enough trees to get paper to print about them…just like GRAYSON!
Newton
October 11th, 2009
1:06 pm
Grayson should be #1 until they lose. But as a Newton fan, and a fan of 2-AAAAA in general, the constant talk of MLK and Stephenson’s place among the states elite is getting old. To say you wouldn’t rank Stephenson based on who they haven’t played is baloney. They went to Ware Co. and routed them. Yeah they played Columbia and McNair, I wont let them off the hook for that. I get tired of people using the Newton game though as some kind of barometer for Stephenson. You make a good point DEC Stephenson only close game was to Newton. But look a Newton’s schedule for a minute, we have lost now to Alcovy(5-1), Stephenson (6-0) MLK (6-0), by no more than a touchdown in each game. Newton is a good playoff bound team. Like it has been said before on this blog, Peachtree Ridge is getting a pass for a blowout loss, Grayson is getting lauded as a championship squad for winning close games to lesser teams. Carvell, how can you say you wouldn’t rank Stephenson,when surely they started the season ranked in your poll,and have not lost a game? Forget who they played, they will have played as many ranked teams as Camden Co. (1) by seasons end. The only reason you didn’t include MLK in your comment Carvell is because they played N.Cobb (non- playoff team) and SWD, a team that they obviously matched up very well with, seeing as how they played them before and, well, we know that SWD recipe for winning hasn’t changed since I graduated in 95. So in closing I just want to say, you cant go by who teams have played because in some regions, they only play region games. IMO if anyone needs to be indicted on their regions or ranking, its Camden Co. Rankings don’t mean squat in the big scheme of things anyway, unlike the BS (excuse me BCS), HS football destiny is decided on the field.
funny
October 11th, 2009
1:12 pm
i kno anyone doesnt think mlk has a chance wit stephenson
THE PUNISHER
October 11th, 2009
1:15 pm
Highschool football fan, do some research on Newnan high football ok, learn the game. you will see this weak team in the playoff all the way to the END
Newton
October 11th, 2009
1:28 pm
From seeing Stephenson and MLK against Newton, it looks like it will be a low scoring game. Brown is going to have trouble finding room against Stephenson’s front seven. They are big, fast, and great against the run. They are almost a mirror image of each other. I think the Jags pull it out in a squeaker, but I don’t think its going to be all that exciting of a game to be honest for a ESPN game. Stephenson side note: They had THREE players last night in the FL- LSU game, what other scholl can say they had that many on TWo Top 5 teams? Pretty impressive.
funny
October 11th, 2009
1:43 pm
newton stephenson shouldve blown you out .. the rain calls and fumbles and two touchdowns called back help u all from being beat by thirty or more… we easily punk up 41 in the first half against luella well mlk barely scored 23 its gone be fun and wild the jags want to people to kno they are the king of the dekalb jungle… and sanders that running back is the most dangerous back in the state
LLLB
October 11th, 2009
3:18 pm
Northside should be rank # 1. They beat the best team in the state. Lowndes should be rank second. After that it doesn’t matter because no one else is on their level. However, Lowndes will not have another close game this year. The lost to Northside was a wake-up call. This Lowndes team is better than last years team. It’s good for them that the lost happen during the season instead of the playoffs.
Collins Hill EAGLES
October 11th, 2009
4:02 pm
The 6 & 0 Collins Hill Eagles should be ranked in Class AAAAA. Maybe after defeating Peachtree Ridge someone will take notice of the Eagles. GO EAGLES!
slalom1
October 11th, 2009
4:25 pm
Sanity Rules and The Punisher, Both of you make good points regarding Newnan. Bottom line is that the Cougars MUST get the monkey off their back and win the BIG one. I can think of 3 times in recent history when there was no doubt in my mind that Newnan was the state’s best team. In each occasion the Cougars found a way to lose to an inferior opponent. Once the Cougars FINALLY win the BIG one, I believe that more state titles will follow.(Take a look at Northside WR and how close they came so many times.) 2009 belongs to the Newnan Cougars. I look forward to seeing the Cougars FINALLY closing the deal and in the process getting some well deserved respect from fans throughout the state.
By the way, I sent some stuff on the previous blog for both of you.
pity poor monroe area
October 11th, 2009
4:57 pm
Tim:
No argument whatsoever, and thanks for calling out the coaching staff, something the local newsrag lacks the balls to do. Monroe Area has always had good athletes, but the mantra the past two years has been , “gee, we’re the smallest school in the region, we should be in 8-AAA, so we can’t compete”. What horsesqueeze. I am sick and tired of all the excuses and weekly Loser’s Limps trotted out by MA coaches, HC Fligg in particular. He is a pathetic excuse for a coach, and has squandered talent since he stepped into the position. And by the way, Monroe Area got hammered week in and week out in 8-AAA as well under Fligg’s “Leadership”. The two biggest problems are that the community doesn’t support the school or its programs, and the school board doesn’t give a damn whatsoever. The kids who step out week after week and are led to the slaughter by an incompetent coach deserve better.
slalom1
October 11th, 2009
4:59 pm
NORTHSIDE FANS, Come on Guys. You must know by now that your enrollment is MUCH too small to be competitive in AAAAA. LOL!! Nevermind the fact that you are UNDEFEATED in the nation’s toughest region, YOU ARE TOO SMALL. LMAO. Your coaching staff and fan support are excellent. But your school is just TOO small! Besides, in GHS football ENROLLMENT is everything. Being one of Georgia’s smallest AAAAA schools, it must be simply luck that you have done so well. Like Newnan who maybe has 150 more students than Northside, you guys are small potatoes to Grayson,Mill Creek, P’Ridge, Lowndes, etc. LOL.
pity poor monroe area
October 11th, 2009
5:00 pm
Grayson is No. ! until the Rams lose, with NS neck-and-neck Maybe a tie, even. North Gwinnett is solid, but not overwhelming anyone. Collins Hill? Good, but not really tested yet. PRidge flunked its big test at Lowndes. The Lions are good, but underperforming. Lowndes folks, you lost at the big moment. Deal with it. Vikings are still a powerful team, but sure as hell aren’t the no. 1 in the state. As other have said,m it matters little what polls say now. When it will matter is the Monday after the finals in the Dome.
pity poor monroe area
October 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
And no slights to Stephenson in my post above. The Jags cruise through the season, but have an ugly habit of making an early exit from the playoffs. Prove us wrong! The talent is definitely there. MLK has also done very well, but hasn’t stepped up to the next level just yet.
And Camden folks, ease up. We all know you’ll be there in late November and early December, as should Newnan.
Newton
October 11th, 2009
6:08 pm
Stephenson 13, Newton 7: Funny, even if you say what SHOULD have happened, it still won’t happen. Long way from getting blown out by thirty. Luella, come on man. If I list the teams they have lost to, you woudn’t be so proud of that win. I like Stephenson: I hope they win state. Sanders is good and Stephenson has some talented athletes, but don’t get ahead of yourself buddy. Its a reason why they aren’t in the discussion for No !
Coweta County
October 11th, 2009
6:20 pm
Newnan is the real deal. We will be there in the end. This team is so strong on defense. Hope everyone continues to ignore us.
yo
October 11th, 2009
6:26 pm
In reading these posts it would seem to me there is a difference in perspective as to what constitutes a successful season or a great season. Lowndes did not (in our minds) have a great or successful season last year because we felt like we underachieved against a very good Grayson team. When you feel like you have the best team in the state and don’t win a state championship, then you feel like your season was much less than it should have been.
The same will hold true of this year. Despite our loss at Northside we are very confidant we have the best team in the state this year. Unless we accomplish that mission of a state championship we will feel we have underachieved. That doesn’t make it any easy accomplishment for us or any one else, just what we expect to see happen.
There are other teams mentioned on this blog (Camden and maybe even Parkview for instance) whose thinking might be some what similar to ours. State Championship equals successful season.
Then there are numerous teams mentioned on this blog (I want call any team names) who consider a undefeated record during the regular season as a successful season and that now makes them a power house. At Lowndes we measure powerhouse by trophies.
Its all perspective. Once you’ve been to the very top you aren’t very satisfied with less. For Lowndes any thing besides a state championship is less.
Yes we lost to Northside a few weeks ago, but we are still playing for a state championship and at the end of the year we don’t just hope to be holding the trophy, but we expect to be holding the trophy.
Will it be easy? Of course not. AAAAA football as demonstrated by last year seems to have come up to a new level in the state of Georgia.
A lot of very good teams out there and the playoffs are a grind no matter how good of a team that you have.
yo
October 11th, 2009
6:30 pm
Coweta County Newnan is not being ignored and I do think you will most likely win your first game against the 4th place team of 1AAAAA in the first round of the state playoffs. Maybe. It will be either Valdosta, Colquit Co. or Warner Robins who will be coming your way. After that game then you can say you have played someone and proclaim how great your defense is. You will also then begin to find out how good your offense is.
Northside Observer
October 11th, 2009
6:36 pm
Slalom 1 and Yo,
AJC (Todd Holcomb) and every true sports blogger agreed to leave politics off the blog. There is a penalty if it keeps going. Please adhere to this requirement. It doesn’t matter who starts it.
Northside -WR should be rated in the 5-7 range for AAAAA. Let the target be on someone else’s back. They are getting better. What really counts is who wins the AAAAA championship. .
ramfan24
October 11th, 2009
6:52 pm
i think grayson should stay number 1 we have played some of the best teams in georgia(:
THE PUNISHER
October 11th, 2009
8:16 pm
To yo I like you yo even though you dont know the game of football and you probably never played the game. You only have two teams that are good and northside is the better team in your region, all of the teams in your region play three downs and a cloud of dust. Everyone including you thinks Newnan going out in the first or second round of the playoffs. Don’t just look at Newnan’s defense look at the offense and one of the best special teams in the state. Don’t be surprised if your great Lowndes does’nt go out in the first round. All you guys talk that junk last year and we should’ve won state this team is two times the team from last year you need to watch them play (THE PUNISHER)
northside
October 11th, 2009
8:18 pm
grayson hasnt played northside or lowndes the two BEST teams in the state.the AAAAA champions will be either lowndes or northside.hopefully northside
Grayson Student
October 11th, 2009
9:15 pm
Glad to see some people from northside showin grayson some love… at this point i would say grayson and northside are 1a and 1b but rankings are just speculation! we’ll all start narrowin down the teams in a few weeks
Yo
October 11th, 2009
9:22 pm
Punisher I understand I am not nearly as understanding of the great game of football as you think you are. But I have watched more state championship games in my home town.
I didn’t say Newnan would not win in the first round or the second, I just said don’t talk about great defense until you have beaten a very good cloud of dust team like Camden in 2008 and hold them down and then actually win a state championship game instead of talking about this being the year.
The point is that the 4th seed of Region 1AAAAA will be better than any team you have beaten this year save possibly (for my good buddy Slalom) LaGrange who you gave up 15 points to.
Our cloud of dust offenses have won how many championships to your offenses how many?
Then on the other hand it does seem to be the new climate in the world that we now give people
the top prize based on their potential. So maybe we should go ahead and give Newnan the state championship based on their potential.
Yo
October 11th, 2009
9:23 pm
I think Lowndes should be ranked 8th right ahead of Peachtree and Camden.
THE PUNISHER
October 11th, 2009
10:50 pm
Yo how many high schools do you Lowndes county have,two and you need three, but that’s not going to happen.You guys can’t win like that.If they had 500.000.people in Lowndes county they would still have two high schools.you are killing me
BulldawgBite
October 11th, 2009
11:59 pm
the rankings are where they need to be. I think all top 5 teams are neck and neck. no teams are really that much better than another in the top 5. Grayson solid defense and run. Northside solid defense and run. NG solid defense and great passing. Newnan and Lowndes both great defense and running. there is really no team in there that could overwhelm the others or beat them consistantly
yo
October 12th, 2009
12:09 pm
A second high school is being built in the Lowndes county school system to open very soon. Will not hurt the football team though. Unlike other school systems we think out of the box (education in action) and plan ahead.
George Gipp
October 12th, 2009
12:25 pm
Hey Dawgma, This year’s Lowndes team isn’t as good as the team Grayson beat last year. They wouldn’t have beaten the Ridge if the game was played on a neutral site. Everybody knows what goes on in Lowndes when you play there. Northside has played nobody other than Lowndes. Grayson has had one of the toughest schedules in the state, so yes, they are no.1 until someone proves otherwise on the field of play.
Quinn of the Ridge
October 12th, 2009
4:32 pm
Let’s see some South GA teams grow some stones and come play some Good North GA teams in North GA. I think some teams are afraid they will get “Coffee County’d” Collins Hill hasn’t defeated one respectable team this year, so I don’t see why we are overhyping them so much. Last year they we undefeated when they played the Lions at home (I believe a top 10 team) and the Lions rolled them 21-0. same story this year, except the Lions are the top ten team, and the Eagles are the undefeated team who is fighting for credibility. Last week, Mr. ENR predicted 21-17 Valdosta over Lowndes. The score was 57-15 Lowndes. This week he predicts Collins Hill to defeat the Ridge. I’m putting ENR on “Bad Prediction Alert”
BulldawgBite
October 12th, 2009
5:18 pm
agreed quinn. im a fellow 7AAAAA blogger and it seems every south ga poster thinks that collins hill is gonna win our region haha. they have 1 player thats really good and nobody else. pridge kills em again and collins hill lucks out they dont play battle of suwanee 2 against NG. its gonna come down to the last game this year between NG and PR. should be fun
Quinn of the Ridge
October 12th, 2009
6:45 pm
Agreed. It will come down to NG vs. PR. I believe you stated you think NG will edge over PRHS, but not by a lot (I think it was you, but could’ve been someone else) I think Ridge is the better team (Not by alot either) and the 7-AAAAA region will be whoever plays harder in that game. (Barring an upset by someone over Ridge or NG before that game).
wildcat alumni
October 12th, 2009
8:12 pm
To homefield advantage,
apparently you do not know what your name implies, I see you have bought into the hype as well. I hate to be the one to burst your bubble but, their are gangs in both schools. To even broaden your horizons, there are gang affilations in the majority of these schools. If there are bad elements in one and its the same community, guess what. Learn some history for yourself and realize that Lowndes is not this holy untouched school you want to make it out to be. It is a part of society. Talk football and not rumors or sterotyping about these young men.
Juice Man
October 12th, 2009
10:02 pm
well let me start off by saying this i think newnan is a better team than last year if you know that they lost there whole offense team and one of the best runningback of last year. so take newnan for a joke and see what the outcome is
BulldawgBite
October 12th, 2009
10:23 pm
thats exactly what i got. all the little things. im not looking for a blowout like what happened to yall at lowndes. p.s. yall wouldve won if it was in suwanee. just sayin to all those lowndes fans, nobody is gonna beat prhs or nghs in suwanee. heck the only reason im givin pridge a good chance is because their another suwanee team lol
highschool football fan
October 12th, 2009
10:24 pm
Punisher: I did not say Newnan was a weak team, just the remainder of the region just like Camden. The difference is they have proven they can win it all, more than once. I actually think you are probably one of the better teams in Metro Atlanta. You sound like a player. If so, good luck for the remainder of the season.
highschool football fan
October 12th, 2009
10:35 pm
Quinn on the Ridge. I thought when S Ga teams won 5 of the last 6 state championships in AAAAA, they had to play in N Ga (Atlanta) in the semi’s.I guess those games don’t count.
yo
October 12th, 2009
10:44 pm
Hey Queen of the Ridge show S. Ga. the money to travel like we show you to come our way and you might get us.
It is called fan and community support….you don’t have it like we do and so you can’t put people in the stands like we do.
yo
October 12th, 2009
10:49 pm
George Gipp I think you got that backwards from what I’m seeing this years Grayson team isn’t as good as the one that upset Lowndes last year. We will give you #1 for now though. It is a useless number unless you win the 15th game of the year.
eagleforlife
October 13th, 2009
10:01 am
I say.. let Grayson keep #1… it is all fictitional anyways.. and less pressure on NSWR and Lowndes and those other truely good teams… Let Grayson keep their heads blown up and thinking they can’t be beat… I would take #2 any ole day… Goooo EAGLES!!
BulldawgBite
October 13th, 2009
1:53 pm
look for another early round exit for region 1AAAAA this year. just like last year the #1 team will think they are destined to win and then get punched in the mouth by an atlanta team. afterwards they may provoke a fight, and after this they will claim this atlanta team just got lucky. the next year the fans feed us the same garbage that south ga football is on a different playing field than anywhere else
yo
October 13th, 2009
3:47 pm
I’m sorry BulldawgBite would you be one of those North Gwinneters?
Seems your memory only goes back 1 year. You must have been one of those 2007 fooball players that received a concussion from Lowndes and conveniently forgot the whole nightmarish experience.
Quinn of the Ridge
October 13th, 2009
6:22 pm
HS Football Fan, I’m talking about willingly coming up in the regular season. Not being forced to come up due to playoff rules.
Yo: It’s Quinn of the Ridge, not Queen.
Collins Hill EAGLES: You can’t be serious can you?
Pridge Senior
October 13th, 2009
6:43 pm
Quinn of the ridge: eagleforlife is a NSWR eagles fan, not a collins hill eagles fan.
Isn’t it remarkable that the combined record of suwanee schools is 17-1?
BulldawgBite
October 13th, 2009
7:24 pm
yo, you may still have a grayson gave lowndes last year. this year it will happen again im not saying grayson will beat them but they wont win state. there are too many teams for lowndes to go on the road against and NSWR has to play one road game and they will lose.
BulldawgBite
October 13th, 2009
10:14 pm
high school fan, its in the dome. no home field advantage. just because its near our school doesnt give us homefield advantage. ga and fla play their game in jacksonville. ya its closer for fla but does it give them homefield? no it doesnt because there are an equal amount of seating for both teams fans.
yo
October 13th, 2009
10:17 pm
No it is Queen because you will bowing to your King from the North very soon.
yo
October 13th, 2009
10:22 pm
BullDawgBite not worried about the travel. We learned that the Muhammed Ali rope a dope that we tried to pull off against Northside in the first half only works in boxing. So we will be back doing our thing and you will see the same intensity the Cats just saw and it doesn’t matter what planet we have to visit to demonstrate it.
The last team you want visiting your stadium will be the Vikings.
Mark it down.
keith harris
October 14th, 2009
1:23 pm
How many Football State Champions have came from that AAAAA region,in Middle to South Georgia (Valdosta,Lowndes,Tift,Warner Robins,Northside WR….)Well get ready for another….. THE NORTHSIDE (WR) EAGLES won’t lose again this year!! It really don’t matter who they play!!!!
tide Fan
October 14th, 2009
1:24 pm
Enter your comments here
Just a Fly in the Ointment
October 17th, 2009
1:33 pm
Who gives a rats fat behind how big the band is? Until the band puts points on the scoreboard they are just window dressing. Grayson vs. Lowndes for the AAAAA championship and may be the BEST FOOTBALL TEAM win!
ZUMA 5164
November 6th, 2009
7:21 am
We the people of Dekalb Co. Stand behind all of our teams. This year those Stephenson Jaguars are the best team in the state. Give those Jaguars their respect. They are one of the best total packages that Coach Gartrell and his staff has put together. GO JAGUARS. (DOME BOUND)!!!!!!!!!
ZUMA 5164
November 6th, 2009
7:24 am
face it Northside WR has already proven that they can be beat. An undefeated team will win the state championship this year.
ZUMA 5164
November 6th, 2009
7:25 am
Enter your comments here And Gwinnett Co. will not see the Georgia Dome this year unless they are watching.