Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: Stephenson enters national rankings
Stephenson’s 20-0 victory over M.L. King in a nationally televised game between unbeaten teams in Region 2-AAAAA earned the Jaguars a national ranking.
The RivalsHigh 100 put Stephenson at No. 81 and ejected Peachtree Ridge, which had been No. 77, from the rankings. Ironically, Peachtree Ridge also was coming off its best victory of the season, a 21-7 decision against previously unbeaten Collins Hill.
Other Georgia teams remained fairly stable in the rankings. Northside entered the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 at No. 24 while Lowndes dropped out.
Here are seven national rankings that include Georgia teams:
ESPN Rise
14. Grayson; 36. Northside, Warner Robins; 43. North Gwinnett; 44. Lowndes
*Massey
20. Lowndes
*MaxPreps Freeman Rankings
16. Northside; 17. Lowndes
MaxPreps Xcellent 25
14. Grayson; 24. Northside
National Prep Poll
9. Grayson; 14. Northside
RivalsHigh 100
6. Grayson; 19. Northside; 28.Lowndes; 47. North Gwinnett; 69. Gainesville; 81. Stephenson
USA Today
15. Grayson; 24. Lowndes
*Computer polls
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91 comments Add your comment
jag count
October 20th, 2009
11:42 am
Finally someone likes us
K-MAN
October 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
Dude…Its number #81. (dahhh)
Short Lived Jag
October 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
Jags better beat their chests now because they’re going to get spanked this weekend.
BulldawgBite
October 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
i actually think pridge would beat stephenson
big j
October 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
W0w here’s your chance union grove earn your respect this week I no we can play with them anybody could see that if you watched friday nt
BLUTO
October 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
K-MAN,DUDE,DAHHH,DUHHH.
WHAT’S NEX HUHHH!
yessir
October 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
K-MAN #81 out all of the high schools in the country. STOP HATING!!!!! Pridge was #77 I didn’t hear any complaints then.
COOL BREEZE
October 20th, 2009
2:55 pm
K- MAN MUST BE FROM MLK.
GO UG!
October 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
short lived Jag, cmon now what are you talking about? Stephenson is #81 in the nation. You can’t possible think little, slow Union Grove has a chance against them, the same Union Grove that will be dropping down to AAAA next year. Stephenson is big, fast and they rock. I just hope they will take it easy on us.
SouthGARules
October 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
Good for Stephenson. Let’s see if they can build on this. If they can, great. Respect will come your way. If not, same old Stephenson.
SportsFan31313
October 20th, 2009
3:23 pm
Kudos goes out to Stephenson but i don’t believe that Peachtree Ridge should have ejected…. The only loss came to the Ridge was early in the season, and they were still ranked, so why eject them now. They haven’t loss since then.
The Had Matter
October 20th, 2009
3:49 pm
GO UG! SSShhhhhh. Don’t give away the secrets that permeate throughout the Grove. The Grove sand bagged against Luella. Kept it close and then stepped on ‘em at the end….just like GT did against VT. The Jags better come with some game or else they will be next. Jag followers…wait…wait….do you feel that? That’s the same feeling P’tree Ridge is absorbing right about now…..the same feeling you’ll have when all is said and done. hahahahaha
BANG BANG
October 20th, 2009
3:58 pm
A’int no stopping us now Stephenson. UGrove put on a new jockey strap because its goin to get worn out. Please believe it
WOW
October 20th, 2009
4:07 pm
K-man We Appreciate You!!!! KEEP IT COMING !!!!!! GO JAGUARS
GO UG!
October 20th, 2009
4:19 pm
Stephenson, these posters are from your own school trying to get you fired up, like you need it being ranked #81 yes #81 in the NATION!!!! Enjoy your ranking this week, celebrate, meditate and take a few days off to take it all in, you deserve it. Let me look at my crystal ball, I see blue and white at the dome, I see Jag t-shirts, I see the Jag fever sweeping the State, I see Jag football being a household name across football nation from sea to shining sea….yes, I think Stephenson should take this week off and take it all in…. GO Jags!
sports fan
October 20th, 2009
4:43 pm
predictable play calling and no passing game will be your doom like always got lucky last week with bad offense play calling from mlk
slalom1
October 20th, 2009
5:33 pm
YO, You make me laugh. On a previous blog you suggested that Coach Nix, Coach Tomberlin and even Coach Godfrey should stick with the smaller schools where they might have more success. Someone here has already pointed out that Coach Godfrey HAS already won in the state’s largest classification. As for Coach Nix and Coach Tomberlin, they won state titles in AAAA and in AAA because they did an excellent job of coaching teams who were competing against other teams of similar enrollments. Luckily for Lowndes they have NO other schools in Region 1AAAAA who come close to the enrollment advantage enjoyed by Lowndes. You are quick to draw the gun when a fan of a smaller school might suggest the possibility that their team could in fact take on powerful Lowndes. Did Northside WR not just prove that point?
Homer Sensual
October 20th, 2009
5:53 pm
Bang Bang,
The Jags are gong to be shooting blanks this weekend. Keep living a dream because your worst nightmare is going to occur. Don’t believe the hype. It’s just imaginary. The jockey straps won’t get worn out if your boyz don’t try to play with my “boys” if you know what I mean….though tickle piles are kinda fun. ;- )
Hen Co
October 20th, 2009
6:11 pm
Go UG! what are YOU talking about? We stumbled with Luella but were are rivals!! you could have stuck jv luella out there and they would have gave a good fight…and I see Stephenson already wrote “Region Champs” on their chests. Great win against MLK but you still have another game to prove…In the yrs past Jags always ran over the Grove…But this 2009 UG team is a lot better than year’s past and they are looking for a lil respect in the state…be on your guard!
The Prognosticator
October 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
Stats are for losers and don’t you forget that. #81 in the NATION….who voted on that? Probably a bunch of half witted arm chair sports writers that wouldn’t know a football unless it hit ‘em in the nuts. Jag fans, here’s something to make you feel better. You’re # 1…….after the first 80 that are ahead of you right now. Did I mention that stats are for losers?
GO UG!
October 20th, 2009
7:18 pm
Stephenson, don’t be fooled by these posts, these are your people trying to pump you up as if you need it. We at the Grove know that we have NEVER beaten the mighty Stepenson Jags! Take the week off and enjoy your #81 NATIONAL ranking, you deserve it.
big j
October 20th, 2009
7:53 pm
I guess union grove shouldn’t even make the trip go ahead give region title to jags
K
October 20th, 2009
8:23 pm
I wonder why they want to recognize you now…it’s not like you just got 13 D-1 prospects on your roster in the past week…it has been the story all year??? Whatever your rank good luck…as much as I would like to see MLK win the region…I don’t want to see UG beat a Dekalb powerhouse…so please dominate the wolverines.
big j
October 20th, 2009
8:36 pm
Late word coaches meetin to decide if they should make trip or just forfit word is already puttin in game plan for newton next week probaly just play jv this week so nobody gets hurt
HAHA
October 20th, 2009
8:43 pm
UNION GROVE IS ALL OVER THIS POST AS IF STEPHENSON IS BRAGGING ABOUT IT OR SOMETHING…
big j
October 20th, 2009
8:57 pm
Everybody saw the jags friday they were perfect they couldn’t play any better I can’t believe only 81 from what I saw everyone in dekalb go ahead buy tickets to dome iam sure they would appreciate donation
K
October 20th, 2009
9:06 pm
I felt the same way last week as you do this week big j…if they take UG seriously you might get beat up…but there is a chance that they could come in with a big game hangover and get beat…ya never know…it is hs football!!!!
big j
October 20th, 2009
9:13 pm
K we both no if luella had any special teams mlk and union grove would both been in trouble
GO UG!
October 20th, 2009
9:23 pm
K and Big J, Union Grove will come in ready to play but they don’t for a minute think this will be an easy game. You guys are posing as Union Grove posters trying to get your team pumped up……don’t. I am sure they will be ready to play. Bottom line is we know we are the underdogs and we have never beaten you and might not this weekend, but we hope to give you a good game. Our posters have been pretty quiet about this game because we know how tough it will be, but no matter what we say on this blog it will not change how the kids play on the field. Good luck to you!
K
October 20th, 2009
9:31 pm
All MLK can do now is beat Greenbrier and get ready to battle UG for 2nd place or maybe 1st place…its really all up to UG. We shall see!
jag count
October 20th, 2009
9:31 pm
union grove I hope you are enjoying this blog your comments are very funny. We will see who is laughing at 9:00 saturday night. There is an upset alert in affect i predict you will be upset with your coach after the game.
Homer Sensual
October 20th, 2009
9:37 pm
big j & K, if I were as smart as you fellas, I’d be in the HOF. If I had as many D1 prospects on my roster as the Jags do, my team would be winning by 40/game. But we all know since the Jags are #81 in the NATION, the opposition should just lay down and call it a day. We are talking a AAAAA school playing against a AAAA school according to GO UG!.
big j
October 20th, 2009
9:40 pm
Yeah its all up to union grove and the jags they both control there own faite hopefully union grove shows up I would love to see what they can do playin there best the jags don’t have to play there best they are just that good
LSU
October 20th, 2009
9:45 pm
GO “JAGS” GO KEEP PLAYING HARD!!!!
LSU-GT55
October 20th, 2009
11:28 pm
OVER RATED- RIP= 20-0 DONT SPEAK NO MORE mlk
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT
October 21st, 2009
12:55 am
BULLDAWGBITE, You think PEACHTREE RIDGE can beat STEPHENSON , but what about your NORTH GWINNETTI BULLDOG. Don’t they face RIDGE the last game of the SEASONS. That’s who you need to focus on not STEPHENSON. I think you mean RIDGE will beat NORTH GWINNETTI not STEPHENSON. Stay Humble JAGUARS and DOME BOUND we are.
Taylor Wooden
October 21st, 2009
8:29 am
I see where Rick Tomberlin is having a “real tough time”. Well, I suspect Wildcat fans have had a real tough time themselves with his results the last 4 years.
Worst winning % in wildcat history
Worst winning % in region games in wildcat history
Worst season (1-9) in wildcat history
Worst loss in history (57-15)….to lowndes…and on national tv.
I think the Wildcats made the right move. Tomberlin better suited in AA or somewhere.
UGfan
October 21st, 2009
9:51 am
Whatever happened to team pride GO UG!? Here we are going into the biggest game of our season, and you are conceding? All of you “Union Grove” posters are doing nothing for morale, and, quite frankly, giving our team a bad name. So get proud or get quiet.
GO UG!
October 21st, 2009
11:38 am
UGfan, I am extremely proud of our guys and I am not conceding anything. Apparently you have not read all my posts. I said in an earlier post that if we play like we did against Luella and get penalized like we did against Redan we are in trouble. I also said that we may not have 15 Div. I prospects, however we do have a lot of heart and the will to win. If we can minimize our mistakes then we are in the game. How in the world are we giving UG a bad name? Would you like for us to say that we are going to mop up the field with Stephenson who by the way did not allow any points to MLK or should we not talk smack and let the kids play the game on the field? The reality is that games are not determined by how much smack is displayed on this or any other blog but how the kids play the game on the field. I can assure you that I want us to win as much as anyone. Win or lose this weekend I will still be proud of our guys and we will still go to the playoffs.
GO UG!
October 21st, 2009
12:18 pm
AJC, where is my post I don’t see it?
Luella's Mama
October 21st, 2009
1:02 pm
UGfan,
What kind of delusional nut case are you? “GO UG!” is an impersonator, but obviously you can’t see through that. Get a grip ‘fan’, this is all in jest. This is an AJC sport’s blog for goodness sakes….how serious can that be? If this blog affects team morale as you claim, the UGHS football team has much bigger problems than just having to face Stephenson.
BTW, I think Wolverines is a pretty good nickname, but Lions are man-eaters.
JHillsman
October 21st, 2009
1:08 pm
@BulldawgBite I have to disagree. Having seen both teams play on the same night in person, Pound for pound Stephenson has the better defense. No disrepect to Peachtree Ridge as they held Collins Hill RB Charles Perkins to 45yd rushing (Dacula was the only other team to hold him under 100yd this season) but Stephenson’s DLine is much better than Ridge’s OLine and would eat the Ridge triple option up. Special teams would be where I’d give Ridge the edge as Roby is lightning in a bottle.
Sanders and Davis in the Stephenson backfield behind a soild OLine can cause Ridge trouble as they would have to key on more than one back, which they had trouble doing vs Lowndes. It could also be an issue against Norcross (despite Norcross’ record) with DeShields and Huitt in the backfield and if they played Grayson (Pemberton and Gillespe). Mulitiple RBs that are effective gives Ridge trouble. I’ll give Peachtree Ridge the edge in Special Teams and Coaching but Stephenson the edge in Defense and they split the Offense.
IT'S US
October 21st, 2009
1:22 pm
Go Jaguars -PLEASE BELIEVE
MARK NEWNAN 1
October 21st, 2009
1:28 pm
Congrats to all the GA. schools that are rank. But i have a big problem with Newnan not being rank. OK we havent won state but over the last three years we have been at the top and Last year even though we lost to Camden we had the best team. And this year we are doing it again . PROTEST
COUGARS WOULD BEAT BYRNES.
We lost a total of 31 players last year 22 got playing time and 16 started. Yet this is our year and in 2 years we will be National Champs
JHillsman
October 21st, 2009
1:34 pm
There are some faults that I find with Stephenson however. 1)Their schedule is weak when it comes to non-region games compared to Peachtree Ridge’s. 2) Coaching is suspect as far as development of players with quality coaching at certain positions and that can lead to an early round exit in the playoffs. The monkey is on Stephenson’s back though as they have had the talent year in and year out to hang a banner and still have not. After so many years you have to look at something and that is where the coaching comes in to play.
Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: Stephenson enters … | I Love High School Football
October 21st, 2009
1:49 pm
[...] See the original post: Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: Stephenson enters … [...]
big j
October 21st, 2009
1:55 pm
I think everyone would agree that the jags have more talent but don’t sleep on union grove defence iam tellin you the best they will face so far if are offence comes alive can play with any team the only clear advantage is jags d line but union grove is getting heathier on o line this won’t be easy for either team
pmuckle
October 21st, 2009
1:59 pm
enjoy for this week Jags upset in the making
GHS#22
October 21st, 2009
2:07 pm
The Brackets are shaping up like this: Camden Co & Lowndes have to battle it out in the second round. N.Gwinnett & NSWR will go at it in the third round. Stephans & Woodstock in the third round, and Grayson & MLK in the third round.
Watch for it!
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
2:23 pm
Peachtree Ridge is not a top 250 team in the nation. I saw them live on Friday night in an empty stadium. This group lost a football game 51-17 to a team that is not going to even win their own high school region. You guys are going to eat crow with your continual disrespect to Stephenson.
Has Stephenson underperformed in past state playoffs? Yes (my own Northside Eagles fell short in some playoffs in the early part of this century). Does Stephenson sit right up near the top of the state along with Lowndes County HS, in means of doing less with more talent? Yes. On the other hand, I do not know how any objective observer can openly question the talent level of the Stephenson program.
Truth be told, it takes time for a program to adopt to winning, especially with a bullseye on their backs. Expectation affects the players and the coaches. I believe that Stephenson is getting there. God bless us all should they. The more nationally ranked Georgia schools, the better. I hope we can at the very least get behind all of the Georgia programs that are ranked. There are many nationally rated programs with a far weaker schedule than Stephenson. Trust me.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
2:33 pm
GH#22: We would love nothing more than to face North Gwinnett HS in the quarterfinals. That would be a matchup made in heaven for our Eagles. I would enjoy playing any team from that Gwinnett region, at any time, on any field. I saw Peachtree Ridge and Collins Hill live. These two teams just are not physical enough to make it happen in the state playoffs. I am uncertain if any Region 7-AAAAA program can compete against the top tier teams in Georgia this season. They appear slow and soft.
Before North Gwinnett looks ahead to whatever team from south of the Gnat line they are going to get VIOLATED by, the people at North Gwinnett need to focus upon their own region. Someone better put North Gwinnett on “Upset Alert” against North Forsyth.
North Forsyth easily handled Norcross at home Friday night. This should be reason for pause for North Gwinnett. North Forsyth may be peaking.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
2:45 pm
JHillsman: When did we all decide that the coaching is “great” at Peachtree Ridge. They have had 3 different coaches in the past 5 seasons. They have NEVER gone undefeated in the regular season. Heck, Peachtree Ridge has NEVER gone through a regular season with 9 wins. The best regular season at Peachtree Ridge in school history is 8-2. Heck, Rick Tomberlin has gone 8-2 at Valdosta. So what? 8-2 will get you fired in parts of this state.
“Great” coaches do not lead a team rated 8th in America and get beat 51-17. I am sorry! Lowndes County 51, Peachtree Ridge 17 should ELIMINATE all chatter about a “great” coaching staff at Peachtree Ridge. Those guys are collecting a check in Suwanee. Stephenson has done as much as Peachtree Ridge this season.
Stephenson went South of the Gnat line and won a road game at Ware County HS in Waycross. That, in itself, tells me that Stephenson is the better coached and better prepared program. You guys need to really take off the “I LOVE BILL BALLARD” skirts. This guy (Ballard) and his staff are junior varsity level coaches in Region 1-AAAAA. End of story.
He may be acceptable at Northside Middle School in Warner Robins. “Great coaching” at Peachtree Ridge??? Seriously? Either you are on medication or you are drinking the Todd Holcomb “I love P-Ridge” flavored Kool-Aid.
GHS#22
October 21st, 2009
2:57 pm
That would be a good match up………
GRAYSON ALL THE WAY THOUGH!!!!
GO UG!
October 21st, 2009
3:14 pm
Luella’s Momma, I am not an impersonator, I really am a fan. I am just having fun with this as everyone else should do. None of my comments bash anyone or are mean spirited unlike some other posters. This is my favorite time of the year and it is all in fun. I am really hoping for a great game out of Union Grove and I know that they are more than capable.
Rfrom G
October 21st, 2009
4:26 pm
This just in from the Dome…
Grayson 17
NSWR 10
Go Rams!
AVikingFan
October 21st, 2009
4:59 pm
EagleNationRising – You keep putting Lowndes down and you never waste an opportunity to call us under-achievers. We’ve won 3 state championships in Georgia’s largest classificatioon in the past 5 years. (Something that Northside has NEVER done, but Peachtree Ridge did in 2006.) I would think we are doing something right. Why can’t you just toot Northside’s horn – as you should- without constantly trash talking other teams? Especially one from your own region? Another Northside fan, Northside Observer, has tried several times to get you to tone down your hateful rhetoric. Maybe you don’t realize how abrasive you come across to people. (Or maybe you do!)
Did you see the consensus ranking totals this week for the six highschool polls? I believe Northside is 1, Grayson is 2, and Lowndes is 3, and Peachtree Ridge is 7th. What do you know that all those pollsters don’t know?
BTW, if you are correct and WR beats Colquitt 28-7 and WR goes on to lose to NSWR and Lowndes, those 7 points Colquitt scores could very well keep WR out of the playoffs with 1-AAAAA’s tie breaker system. Just thought I’d mention that.
AVikingFan
October 21st, 2009
5:06 pm
YO The Post monster just ate another of my posts too!
SHS Alum
October 21st, 2009
7:00 pm
Stephenson was once ranked #8 in the nation back in the Ball/Lumpkin days before Kregg was injured. Since then, SHS has had top notch talent but never had the on field discipline to take it to the championship level. I played with the Lumpkin bunch and up to the Cunningham/Riley/Sheppard crew (and played a little 1-AA ball). The same story all four years. Lots of talent but could never initially stay disciplined to stop the down south wing/option teams (Camden/Lowndes). I believe that for once in the history of SHS, they finally have a squad that can compete with the best in the state, North, South, Metro and Central GA.
Puddin
October 21st, 2009
8:15 pm
Stephenson will make an early exit in the playoffs. Just not enough depth to hang with NSWR, Grayson, North Gwinnett or Lowndes.
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 21st, 2009
8:31 pm
GHS#22 – I see Woodstock as 2nd seed from Region 5, thus not in Stephenson’s bracket.
Also, I doubt MLK can beat Newnan 1 out of 10, therefore Newnan will face Grayson in the 3rd round.
Lowndes or Camden will face McEachern in the 3rd round, as will NG and Northside WR. Colquitt may send Stephenson home in the 2nd round.
SouthGARules
October 21st, 2009
8:42 pm
ENR: Lowndes is right up with Stephenson in doing less with more talent? What are you smoking? Lowndes has won 4 state titles in the last 10 years. Stephenson 0. Northside has only won 2 (in AAAA)
Pridge senior
October 21st, 2009
9:18 pm
ENR you keep talking about how north gwinnett is great and peachtree ridge is not quite. What exactly is your prediction for the NG-PR game week 10? Think hard, because I will quote you on this.
blu eagle
October 21st, 2009
9:44 pm
Whatever teams make it into the playoffs from region 1-AAAAA, this year
have already been through the wars like I have never seen before in
one region. All these teams have improved drastically from last year and
will do well in the playoffs. This will definitely be their playoffs to win and succeed in like never before! Grayson and whoever else will have their mettle tested and come up lacking, count on it!
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
10:20 pm
HomeFieldAdvantage: I made the same prediction earlier this week. Is it point differential in the three region games that determines the teams that advance in a three way tie?
September 26: Valdosta 14, Warner Robins 7
October 2: Colquitt County 14, Valdosta 7
Colquitt stands at +7, Valdosta is EVEN, and Warner Robins is at -7. I do not see Warner Robins simply beating Colquitt County. I believe someone is going to call the law on Warner Robins head coach Bryan Way on Friday night in Moultrie. Warner Robins 28, Colquitt County 7.
HomeFieldAdvantage, my crystal ball tells me that the AJC needs to hype mediocre programs and game in metro Atlanta to sell another two or three papers. They are not going to report on the big game between Warner Robins and Colquitt County.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
10:21 pm
PRidge, I believe North Gwinnett has earned their ranking thus far. They played and competed against top tier competition, although it was an out of state team. I have NEVER said that NG was great. You are fooling yourself. Everyone on this board knows that I am very skeptical of high school football programs in metro Atlanta. I have a running challenge for anyone on this board. Name one major metropolitan arean in America that has produced worse results than metro Atlanta teams, in means of winning state championships. PRide Senior, there is no metro area in this nation that is worse than Atlanta. North Gwinnett is Atlanta. Therefore, you are not seeing a NG fan in ENR. I promise. I have only witnessed one great program from Gwinnett County in my entire life. That is Parkview HS. Otherwise, I see a rotating list of mediocre programs that the AJC promotes relentlessly.
I made a statement about PRidge’s coaching. Would you characterize PRidge as having a “great” coaching staff? I was comparing the assessment of the PRidge staff versus the overwhelming negative statements about the Stephenson staff. I believe the AJC has added to this negative perception about the Stephenson staff. When in fact, only one metro Atlanta team has played at a competitive team from south of the Gnat line and gotten hammered in such a brutal fashion. That would be the very soft Lions from Peachtree Ridge. The PRidge battle cry became that Lowndes County had the greatest team ever assembled. Of course, that sham got exposed at McConnell-Talbert Stadium when Northside beat Lowndes with a bunch of 15 year old players.
Grayson 17, Lowndes County 7
Grayson 17, Camden County 14
Grayson 10, Warner Robins 0
Obviously Grayson has a very strong coaching staff. There are six state championships in the past six years between those three programs (Lowndes County, Camden County, and Warner Robins). Grayson is 3-0 against those programs in less than one calendar year.
Lowndes County 51, Peachtree Ridge 17
Clearly, Peachtree Ridge is in over their heads when competing against the state’s best. PRidge was unprepared and afraid in a big stadium environment.
Stephenson 34, Ware County 13
Stephenson 20, Martin Luther King 0
Obviously, Stephenson knows how to prepare their team and get their team to perform in a hostile environment. They know how to prepare their team for a big game. It is ridiculous that the AJC and others ride Stephenson while promoting Peachtree Ridge. It is illogical to say, as an earlier poster did, that Stephenson has such bad coaching, while in the same paragraph proclaiming that PRidge has such “great” coaching. I am actually quoting the earlier quote made by JHillsman at 1:34 pm today (October 21).
I ask anyone to explain to me how a “great” coach and a “great” coaching staff loses 51-17 in a game…EVER? It is borderline impossible. The Peachtree Ridge staff has NEVER had one regular season better than 8-2. That is not great. It is good, admirable, but far from great. Stephenson has performed much better and have answered every challenge.
BulldawgBite
October 21st, 2009
10:24 pm
ENR, whatever dude NG or Ptree would beat your northside eagles. you guys are so over rated. no one even knows how good lowndes is this year. everyone is basing them off last years team. besides that win you have done nothing impressive. you beat a AAA school in preseason big deal. even if NG lost the game against north forsyth. (which is a big IF) it doesnt matter as long as we beat ptree ridge in the last game of the season. and we actually do have athletes up here in region 7 that would explain why the last 3 state championships had a region 7 team in the final.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
10:35 pm
BulldawgBite: You were on that same pathetic bandwagon proclaiming that Lowndes County would destroy Northside. We all know how that turned out. Truthfully, North Gwinnett and Peachtree Ridge should beat Northside. Our team starts almost all sophomores and juniors. Of course, coaching will come into play. Unlike the Bill Ballards and Randy McPhersons of the world, who are the leading contenders for the 2009 Buck Godfrey Award, Conrad Nix prepares his teams.
Northside would VIOLATE Peachtree Ridge, just like Lowndes County did. Grayson would VIOLATE Peachtree Ridge. McEachern would VIOLATE Peachtree Ridge. Stephenso would definitely VIOLATE Peachtree Ridge. North Gwinnett better VIOLATE Peachtree Ridge or every good program in the state is going to know that the North Gwinnett Bulldogs are just another AJC fraud.
I would welcome our Eagles facing the Puppies of North Gwinnett County. Playing NG, would guarantee me that our young Eagles would play a team that is not used to getting hit and a step slower at EVERY position.
BulldawgBite
October 21st, 2009
10:46 pm
our coach Bob Sphire is one of the best in the state he is fairly new here and won titles back when he was in kentucky but since he has been here NG has made 3rd round finals then 3rd round. so he obviously knows what hes doing. this is the most talented team we have had i think and i think we know what it means to get hit. your sophmores and juniors dont hit harder than anybody up here in suwanee. if yall have to travel to suwanee look for a sad drive home in the 3rd round. and if your team was so fast where are all the scholarships?
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
10:46 pm
BulldawgBite: We all know that you guys in North Gwinnett are accustomed to buying what you want in life. However, you can not buy a State Championship. You can not buy game preparation. You can not buy defensive and offensive execution. You can not buy the courage necessary to win a big game on a big stage. You certainly can not buy tradition and the community pride that comes with that tradition.
You guys from North Gwinnett seem to think that beating a program from Alabama is some sort of a blueprint win for your program. Beating Prattville (AL) is not going to carry very much weight against top tier programs in Georgia. You are fooling yourself to think it matters.
North Gwinnett has only beaten one Georgia program with a winning record all season. That was Brookwood, who is one game above 0.500 at 4-3. Every other NG opponent from Georgia this season has a losing record. In other words, NG has faced a cupcake schedule. Cupcake scheduling signal a lack of preparation. If you think that two bookend big games are going to prepare NG for a deep state title run, you are fooling yourself. Those bookends are a suburban Alabama school and Peachtree Ridge, who brought a new meaning to getting VIOLATED on a big stage. That is not preparation BulldawgBite. No team in the state fears NG.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
10:59 pm
Bob Sphire has coached in 48 games as the head football coach at North Gwinnett. The first two rounds of the playoffs are against JV level competition because NG is going to win their weak region and get a high seed. Sphire has coached in one of the weakest regions in the state of Georgia. He has coached against a teams from south of the Georgia Gnat line twice. Obviously, all of those weak Kentucky teams and the flag football played in Region 7-AAAAA has not prepared him for the best. The first game was something like this BulldawgBite:
North Gwinnett 0, Tift County 13
The next game was something like this BulldawgBite:
North Gwinnett 6, Lowndes County 30
I reiterate. Facing any team from Region 7-AAAAA would be like a breathe of fresh air. We welcome that. Kids from Warner Robins wear pads and hit people. Northside is south of the Georgia Gnat line. We will take our chances against a program like North Gwinnett. Just make sure you zip your NG Bulldawgs are the best skirt and tie the “I Love Bob Sphire” shirt on tight, because Northside players hit hard. It is not just Northside. If NG faces any team from south of the Gnat line the storyline is going to be the same.
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 21st, 2009
11:00 pm
EagleNationRising – not point differential. Points allowed.
GO UG!
October 21st, 2009
11:05 pm
Stephenson, are you feeling the pressue yet, can you feel the footsteps behing you in the dark, are you afraid to sleep at night? Just remember it will all be over Saturday night and after the game that there will be counselors set up to take your calls.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
11:27 pm
Grayson has beaten Camden County (5-2), Warner Robins (5-2), Dacula (4-3), South Gwinnett (6-1), Parkview (4-4), Brookwood (4-3), and Berkmar (1-6). That is an 8-0 record with wins over 5 Georgia programs with winning records. Grayson’s Georgia opponents have a combined record of 29-21.
Northside-Warner Robins has beaten 4 Georgia programs with winning records, stand at 7-0 and Northside opponents have a combined record of 28-23.
Lowndes County has beaten 4 Georgia programs with winning records. The Vikings are 6-1 and Lowndes County’s opponents have a combined record of 34-16.
Stephenson is 7-0 while beating 2 Georgia programs with winning record Jaguar opponents have a combined record of 19-30.
North Gwinnett is 7-0, The Puppies have only beaten one Georgia program with a winning record. The combined record of Georgia opponents that the NG Puppies have faced is 16-33.
It is amazing that Stephenson has become the program in question from these Gwinnett County cheerleaders posing as AJC journalists. BulldawgBite, it appears to me that no team in the state of Georgia, that is nationally ranked has played a softer schedule than North Gwinnett HS with only one Georgia opponent have a winning record in 4-3 Brookwood. 16-33 is the combined record of the six Georgia teams that NG has faced. 16-33!!! It is laughable that NG posters come on this board and beat their chests. Give it a rest. I would be careful calling out any top program in the state. Lowndes County posters will tell you. Wishing a Friday night with the likes of Northside is the last thing that anyone at NG wants. I am certain that Bob Sphire would literally wave a white flag on the visitor’s sideline at the MAC, at Martin Stadium, and at a number of other top Georgia programs.
EagleNationRising
October 21st, 2009
11:37 pm
HomeFieldAdvantage: So the two teams that allowed the fewest points reach the state playoffs in the case of a three way tie with each team winning once and losing once to one of the remaining two? So at the currect moment we have the following:
Colquitt County, 3-1, with a loss coming on Friday night against Warner Robins. Thus far allowing 7 points.
Warner Robins, 3-1, with a loss against Valdosta and allowing 14 points.
Valdosta, 1-3, with a win against Warner Robins and a loss against Colquitt County and allowing 21 points.
Warner Robins must win this game or they will have to beat both Northside and Lowndes County. I actually believe that Warner Robins is capable of sweeping all three games and winning the region. However, the Demons can not afford to lose to Colquitt County and beat only Northside or Lowndes. That would put the Demons at 4-3 and they would lose all tiebreakers with other 4-3 programs, thus missing the playoffs. It will be interesting HomeFieldAdvantage.
Pridge senior
October 22nd, 2009
7:08 am
ENR you keep talking about how north gwinnett is great and peachtree ridge is not quite. What exactly is your prediction for the NG-PR game week 10? Also, as you know, the loser will play northsidewr in the quarterfinals, so give me a prediction for that while you’re at it. Think hard, because I will quote you on this.
Is This a joke?
October 22nd, 2009
8:55 am
Union Grove, honestly are you serious. You do have a good football team but nothing to be talking smack about. I have not a fan of either of the teams that are going to play Saturday night, but honestly I was at the Luella game and UGHS looked terrible. I mean you struggled with a team that has only won 2 games. And Stephenson you didnt look good either against MLK. So honestly I think this will be a good game but neither team is gonna go far. UGHS does have talent but players are misplaced on the feild. And its def not UGHS line that is causing them problems its the kid throwing the ball. All in all I expect this to be a good game. Honestly I dont really care who wins cause both teams think they are better than they actually are
GO UG!
October 22nd, 2009
9:40 am
Is this a joke, you are right on with some of your commentary, what you said has been reverberating throughout the stands on Friday nights, low and behold an outsider comes to one game and can figure it out. I am not sure what post you read where we think we are better than what we are. I was chastised for taking the humble road into Hallford Stadium this weekend. My last post towards Stephenson was just razzing them a little in fun. Now I was at the Luella game as well, yes we looked terrible, but could it be because they are a heated rival of ours within in the County and maybe they were a lot more fired up than we were, maybe we were thinking about this week’s game or maybe as you stated we had kids out of position. You do know that in 2005 & 06 we made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs missed the playoffs in 07 and made it back last year with an early exit against NSWR. Hey we aren’t doing too badly are we? Come watch this weekend you will see a FIRED UP Union Grove team. As the late great Marvin Gaye said “lets get it on.”
UGfan
October 22nd, 2009
10:00 am
GO UG! I was not chastising you, merely adding another level of ’spice’ and conversation to this blog. Union Grove is fired up, and I wholeheartedly agree with both you and Is This a joke? Our plays are way too predictable. I do not know whether this is to save the playbook or what, I just know it ought to change Saturday. I am looking forward to it!
UGfan
October 22nd, 2009
10:05 am
GO UG! I am not chastising. Merely adding a ’spark’ so to speak, to get other people involved and their opinions. I agree with you and Is This a joke? Our plays are to predictable, and if we play like that Saturday, we are doomed. I am looking forward to this game, and have all year!
GO UG!
October 22nd, 2009
10:44 am
UGfan you know that we are putting the secret play in this week. LET’S GO GROVE THE AJC HAS PICKED US TO LOSE. WE NEED TO PRINT THAT OUT AND POST IT ON ALL THE PLAYERS LOCKERS SO THEY CAN SEE IT UNTIL GAME TIME.
GHS#22
October 22nd, 2009
11:16 am
Correction:
NG will lose to Woodstock in the second round, MLK will lose to Newnan in the second round, Pridge will lose to McEachern in the second round, Camden Co will lose to Lowndes in the Second round, Stephans will lose to Walton in the third round, and Roswell will lose to Grayson the second round.
BulldawgBite
October 22nd, 2009
12:17 pm
ghs22, the credit woodstock recieves as a road team is a little questionable who have they beat? Walton last year.. Norcross. nobody important. so until they beat a premier team im not sold. PTR holds Bennett to a low number like they did to Perkins. and Stephenson beats Lassiter. Grayson beats Roswell and then plays newnan
BulldawgBite
October 22nd, 2009
12:28 pm
ghs22, the credit woodstock recieves as a road team is a little questionable who have they beat? Walton last year.. Norcross. nobody important. so until they beat a premier team im not sold. PTR holds Bennett to a low number like they did to Perkins. and Stephenson beats Lassiter. Grayson beats Roswell and then plays newnan. i got lowndes beating camden but it could be closer than people think
Is this a joke?
October 22nd, 2009
2:34 pm
I will be there this weekend and I hope UGHS does win, because I’m tired of hearing this Stephenson crap. The part about thinking you are better than you are, I did not read on here that was my fault for not clearing that up. I have heard the remarks and comments from some of the players. But I am not trying to put down either team, just trying to bring this game back down to earth. BTW my prediction UGHS by 3….. Can’t wait to see what happens.
Is this a joke?
October 22nd, 2009
2:36 pm
Just an extra little addition, I have watched a lot of kids play over the years its my job. I’ll be there this weekend to watch #5 for UGHS
GO UG!
October 22nd, 2009
4:35 pm
is this a joke? #5 would be Jordan Aikens and he is electrifying. You should have seen his TD catch against Greenbrier; it was left side of end zone. He went up, made a great catch, dragged his toes to stay inbounds, He looked like A. J. Green. I don’t know what his time is in the 40 but I would venture to say that it is pretty fast. Obviously you are scouting the game for someone, take a look at #20 T.J. Moon as well he is only a sophomore. I sure hope the Coach made some corrections this week and I hope you are right with your prediction.
Is this a joke?
October 22nd, 2009
4:47 pm
Thanks for the info…. I’ll keep my eyes open!
footbaler
October 22nd, 2009
5:22 pm
ENR cracks me up. you beat Lowndes in a close game and a of the sudden you think your the best. And I honestly dont think the PR/ NG game is gonna end the way you want it to.
ETA: We’re leaving this in, but had to take out a word that threw it into our spam filter. Watch your language or next time we’ll leave it in there, OK? Thanks. — AJC Sports
Observer
October 22nd, 2009
5:48 pm
Wow ENR chillll/ just cuz NSWR beat lowndes in a close game does not mean yal are going to state. btw where was that game played?? At lowndes?? or at your home??
BulldawgBite
October 22nd, 2009
7:34 pm
GHS#22, i got NG over woodstock. they get credit as a good away team after last years playoffs but who did they beat? walton and norcross.. big deal. they havent won against any premier teams and McEachern put up tons of points on them. PTR beats McE because if they can shut down perkins they can shut down bennett. Stephenson beats Lassiter in 3rd round. and Grayson beats roswell which sets up a great game against Newnan
Jaguar
October 22nd, 2009
10:13 pm
some of u guys posts are stupid and incorrect …… STEPHENSON WILL BEAT UGROVE POINT BLANK PERIOD ….. READY TO SEE WAT U POST WHEN WE PLAY THE NEXT TEAM