By CHIP SAYE
For the AJC
Hiram coach Andy Dorsey could have been speaking for a lot of teams when he told Georgia High School Football Daily earlier this week, “It’s the playoffs for us from here on out.”
What makes Hiram’s situation a little different was the second part of his statement. “We’re 7-0, but the odds are still way against us to get in the playoffs,” Dorsey said.
Hiram is in Division B of Region 7-AAAA, one of a handful around the state in which the schedule is heavily loaded at the back end, one in which all, or at least most, of the games among the top teams have yet to be played.
No. 9 Hiram plays tonight at home against No. 10 Hillgrove and then plays at Sprayberry next week (Sprayberry, the defending region champion, handed Hillgrove its first loss of the season last week). Win both, and the Hornets claim the subregion championship and the state playoff berth that goes with it. Lose both, and they must win a region play-in game against the No. 2 team from Division A just to make the state playoffs. A 7-0 start could disintegrate in a hurry into a season out of the playoffs.
But I don’t see that happening to Hiram. I do expect Hillgrove to bounce back from its loss to Sprayberry and beat the Hornets tonight, but I also expect to see Hiram in the state playoffs, one way or another.
Here are some other regions in which the top teams still have several games remaining against each other:
Region 6-AAAAA: Three weeks ago, Lassiter, Roswell, Walton and Milton were tied for first place. Milton has since fallen off with two losses, and Walton was sidetracked by Centennial last week. But Lassiter, Roswell and Walton all face each other in the final three weeks, beginning tonight with Lassiter at Walton. After watching Lassiter’s Hutson Mason pass for 545 yards last week, I don’t see Walton stopping the Trojans tonight. And if any of the top four teams falter, Kell and Centennial are lurking to take their playoff spot and spoil their season.
Region 6-AAAA: Stone Mountain, off to its best start since 2000, is 6-1 and needs just one more victory to clinch a playoff berth. Getting that won’t be easy, because the remaining schedule includes No. 7 Tucker tonight, a dangerous and unpredictable Chamblee team on Oct. 30 and No. 3 Southwest DeKalb on Nov. 6. I expect the Pirates to lose to Tucker and Southwest DeKalb but beat Chamblee and advance to the postseason.
Meanwhile, region co-leaders Marist and Southwest DeKalb meet tonight. Marist would all but wrap up the title with a win, but I’m going with Southwest DeKalb, which must turn around and play Tucker and Stone Mountain in the final two weeks before it can celebrate the title.
Region 8-AA: East Jackson, Jefferson and North Oconee are 7-0 and three games ahead of the fourth-place teams, so even a season-ending collapse won’t keep them out of the playoffs. But the hardest work of the season begins tonight, when North Oconee travels to East Jackson. Jefferson visits North Oconee next week, followed by East Jackson at Jefferson in the season finale. I look for East Jackson to beat North Oconee but for Jefferson to win the region championship.
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The weekend predictions
Last week: 145-29 (.833); Overall: 1,055-284 (.788)
Friday
Winner – Loser
Adairsville – Sonoraville
Allatoona – N. Cobb Christian
Apalachee – Heritage-Conyers
Armuchee – Temple
Avondale – Decatur
Bainbridge – Upson-Lee
Baldwin – Liberty Co.
Banneker – Lithia Springs
Beach – Bradwell Institute
Bowdon – North Paulding
Bremen – Gordon Lee
Brookstone – Drew
Brookwood – Dacula
Brunswick – Ware Co.
Buford – Blessed Trinity
Cairo – Perry
Calhoun – Dade Co.
Camden Co. – Jenkins
Carrollton – Central-Carroll
Cartersville – Cedartown
Carver-Col. – Kendrick
Cass – Murray Co.
Central Gwinnett – Berkmar
Chamblee – Forsyth Central
Charlton Co. – Brantley Co.
Chattahoochee – Northview
Chattahoochee Co. – Stewart Co.
Chattooga – Gordon Central
Clarke Central – Cedar Shoals
Collins Hill – Mill Creek
Columbia – Clarkston
Colquitt Co. – Warner Robins
Commerce – Lakeview Acad.
Cook – Berrien
Creekside – Chapel Hill
Creekview – Pickens
Dalton – Rome
Darlington – Mt. Zion-Carroll
Dooly Co. – Turner Co.
Dougherty – Crisp Co.
Dublin – East Laurens
Dunwoody – McNair
ELCA – Landmark Christian
Early Co. – Albany
East Coweta – Morrow
East Jackson – North Oconee
East Paulding – Kennesaw Mtn.
Eastside – Oconee Co.
Elbert Co. – Jackson Co.
ECI – Metter
Etowah – South Cobb
Evans – Hephzibah
Fannin Co. – Banks Co.
Fayette Co. – Whitewater
Fitzgerald – Brooks Co.
Flowery Branch – West Forsyth
Franklin Co. – Stephens Co.
Gainesville – Gilmer
Glascock Co. – Ga. Military
Glenn Hills – Josey
Glynn Academy – Wayne Co.
Grayson – Meadowcreek
Greene Co. – Howard
Greenville – Pacelli Catholic
Griffin – Jonesboro
Grovetown – Walnut Grove
Harlem – Butler
Harris Co. – Lee Co.
Hart Co. – Morgan Co.
Henry Co. – Northeast-Macon
Hillgrove – Hiram
Holy Innocents’ – Whitefield Acad.
Jackson-Atl. – South Atlanta
Jefferson – Rabun Co.
Johnson-Gaines. – East Hall
Johnson-Sav. – Windsor Forest
Johnson Co. – Treutlen
LaFayette – SE Whitfield
LaGrange – Columbus
Lakeside-Evans – Westside-Aug.
Lamar Co. – Heard Co.
Lambert – Johns Creek
Langston Hughes – Arabia Mtn.
Lanier Co. – Bacon Co.
Lincoln Co. – Hancock Central
Locust Grove – North Murray
Loganville – Monroe Area
Lovett – GAC
Lowndes – Houston Co.
Luella – Redan
M.L. King – Greenbrier
Manchester – Macon Co.
Marion Co. – Schley Co.
McEachern – Harrison
McIntosh Co. Acad. – Appling Co.
Miller Co. – Randolph-Clay
Montgomery Co. – Jenkins Co.
Mt. Paran – Hebron Christian
Mt. Pisgah – Our Lady of Mercy
Mt. Zion-Jonesboro – Alcovy
Newnan – Pebblebrook
Newton – Douglass
Norcross – Duluth
North Clayton – Stockbridge
North Gwinnett – North Forsyth
North Hall – Chestatee
Northgate – McIntosh
Northside-W.R. – Tift Co.
Osborne – Paulding Co.
Pace Academy – SW Atl. Christian
Peach Co. – Worth Co.
Peachtree Ridge – South Forsyth
Pelham – Atkinson Co.
Pepperell – Coosa
Pierce Co. – Jeff Davis
Pike Co. – Jordan
Portal – Bryan Co.
Putnam Co. – Monticello
Richmond Academy – Cross Creek
Richmond Hill – Long Co.
Riverside Mil. – Oglethorpe Co.
Rockdale Co. – Habersham Central
Rockmart – Model
Salem – Winder-Barrow
Sandy Creek – Starr’s Mill
Sav. Christian – Calvary Day
Sav. Country Day – Claxton
Screven Co. – Southeast Bulloch
Sequoyah – Northwest Whitfield
Social Circle – Prince Ave.
South Gwinnett – Shiloh
Southwest-Macon – Central-Macon
Southwest DeKalb – Marist
Spalding – Rutland
Sprayberry – South Paulding
Statesboro – South Effingham
Swainsboro – Laney
Tattnall Co. – Benedictine
Taylor Co. – Central-Talbotton
Terrell Co. – Calhoun Co.
Thomas Co. Central – Hardaway
Thomasville – Mitchell Co.
Toombs Co. – Bleckley Co.
Tri-Cites – Douglas Co.
Trion – Walker
Tucker – Stone Mountain
Twiggs Co. – Telfair Co.
Union Co. – Dawson Co.
Valdosta – Coffee
Vidalia – Dodge Co.
Warren Co. – Aquinas
Washington Co. – Burke Co.
Wesleyan – Athens Academy
West Laurens – Thomson
Westlake – Lovejoy
Westminster – Cross Keys
Westside-Macon – Amer.-Sumter
White Co. – Lumpkin Co.
Wilcox Co. – Hawkinsville
Wilkinson Co. – Wash.-Wilkes
Woodland-Henry – Eagle’s Landing
Woodstock – Cherokee
Woodward Academy – Mary Persons
Saturday
Winner – Loser
Carver-Atl. – North Atlanta
Cedar Grove – Towers
Groves – Savannah
Lithonia – Lakeside-DeKalb
Miller Grove – North Springs
Monroe – Westover
St. Pius – Grady
Stephenson – Union Grove
Villa Rica – Mays
Washington – Riverwood
72 comments Add your comment
EagleNationRising
October 23rd, 2009
12:47 pm
Hoya Chuck: I intend no disrespect of a very strong Harrison program. However, even you have to admit that Harrison has been very un-Harrison like this season. If you lose to Kennesaw Mountain, you are probably going to get violated by McEachern, who has scored big on practically every team they have played.
The score is more reflective of the flu outbreak and lack of practice from some of the Harrison players. The Hoyas only put up 14 points against a (then) winless Kennesaw Mountain team. McEachern is obviously really good. They have never scored less than 31 points all season. The Indians have put up more than 42 points in 5 out of 7 games.
Again, no disrespect intended. With the lack of practice (preparation), I am afraid that it is going to be a very long Friday night for Harrison. If it is only 35-7, Harrison should consider themselve fortunate. I hope it is a better game for the Hoyas. McEachern looks very dangerous though.
What do I know. Heck, I am worried to death that our young Eagles are more focused upon the Big Game next Friday against Warner Robins. I fear that Tift County may be a “trap game” for Northside.
Tim
October 23rd, 2009
12:53 pm
So you chose not to pick the region 6-AAAAA games since you mentioned the region at the top?
EagleNationRising
October 23rd, 2009
1:03 pm
Jcwfalcon: We lost to Warner Robins 20-6 the following week in 1989. Back then the state playoffs were just 3 rounds. Each region played a tournament to determine a winner. The eight region winners entered the state playoffs in the quarterfinal rounds. I like the current system, much better.
That was one of the best Warner Robins team ever and had four All-American players. The 7-6 win for Northside was truly a classic (for Northside). The game was on ESPN. Chris Fowler, of College GameDay fame, was right there at the MAC, then known as International City Stadium, for a show called Scholastic Sports America that chronicled top high school sports. Obviously Warner Robins was on top of the world.
Oh yes, the “Nice To Beat ‘Em Twice” shirts refer to the only time that Northside has beaten Warner Robins twice in one season. That was 1987. We beat Warner Robins in the City Championship 27-14. We then beat them in the Region Playoffs 10-0 the following week.
Unfortunately, we failed to reach the state playoffs. We lost to Evans in the Region Championship game 9-7. Evans had an All-American quarterback. It was later determined in the state playoffs that there was a radio device in his helmet. Evans beat Northside and went on to beat Effingham County, 12-10, the following Friday. Effingham County lost the quarterfinal game and turned Evans in. Later, the GHSA ruled that Evans had to forfeit the game. Effingham County reached the state championship after losing to Evans. Morrow beat Effingham County 21-0 for the AAAA State Championship.
The Nice to Beat ‘Em Twice shirts were popular and it was certainly a moment of pride for our program. Before Northside beat Warner Robins in both games in 1987, Warner Robins led the series 6-20. It also marked the first time that Northside beat Warner Robins in three straight games. It is amazing how times have changed.
EagleNationRising
October 23rd, 2009
1:11 pm
JCWFalcon: The Nice to Beat ‘Em Twice shirts were made for the only time that Northside beat Warner Robins twice in one season. That was in 1987. Northside beat the 1988 defending state champion Warner Robins Demons in 1989, 7-6. The following week we lost to Warner Robins 20-6.
1987 was a time of great excitement in the Northside program. It also was the first time that Northside had beaten Warner Robins three straight times. The series was Warner Robins 20, Northside 6 going into the 1987 season.
Unfortunately, we lost to Evans in the Region finals, 9-7. The following week Evans beat Effingham County in the state quartefinals. Effingham turned in Evans for cheating. It was determined that the All-American Evans quarterback had a radio device in his helmet. Although Evans beat Effingham 12-10, Evans had to forfeit the game. Effingham reached the State Championship game and lost to Morrow, 21-0. Morrow was led by the great Andre Hastings.
The 1987 Northside team was very good. Unfortunately, we lost to Evans twice who were obviously cheating all season. The “Nice To Beat ‘Em Twice” shirts were popular. Warner Robins did go on the win the State Championship the following season and were ranked number one in the nation from wire to wire in 1989 before being upset by our Eagles.
sweet James Jones
October 23rd, 2009
1:13 pm
Towers WILL NOT LOSE to Cedar Grove this year.
pmuckle
October 23rd, 2009
1:18 pm
union grove will defeat stephenson just wait and see who will be crying the blues LOL
EagleNationRising
October 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
BulldawgBite: How a team is ranked in the pre-season means ABSOLUTELY nothing at any level of play! I do not want to hear about how Prattville was ranked in the preseason. North Gwinnett has only beaten one team with a winning record in the state of Georgia (that is Brookwood who is only 4-3). FYI: The season is almost over. It is a legitimate question to ask why this AJC has blasted Stephenson all season long for what they call a weak schedule, yet given North Gwinnett a pass. NG has dodged all Georgia competition. The one supposedly strong team that NG plays is Prattville (AL), who passes the ball twice as much as they run. Prattville can NOT run the football. Period!
The combined record of the Georgia opponents faced by North Gwinnett is 16-33. Are you kidding me??? That is a cupcake schedule if I have ever seen one. Prattville is NOT ranked now. They are 6-2. They have NO rushing game whatsoever.
BulldawgBite, if you win football games in the state of Georgia, you are going to have to stop the run. Beating Prattville, who had -1 TOTAL rushing yards against North Gwinnett, displays that you can beat a weak Alabama program that passes the ball all of the time. It will be interesting to see how NG responds to teams that pull guards, run traps, and hit people in the mouth all game long through physical run blocking. Prattville would lose to 100 Georgia programs if they only rush -1 total yards in a football game. That is UNHEARD of.
No team in the state ranked in the top 10 in AAAAA has faced a weaker schedule (to date) than North Gwinnett High School. If I am not telling the truth BulldawgBite, please correct me. The Georgia opponents faced by North Gwinnett are a combined 16-33!!! In contrast, Lowndes County High School in Valdosta has faced opponents with a combined record of 34-16. That is a BIG difference.
Let’s remember that Peachtree Ridge was ranked #8 in the nation before they got “Peachtree Ridged” at Martin Stadium. After Lowndes County 51, Peachtree Ridge 17, the Lions have slid effectively out of the top 100. Lowndes County was rated #3 in the nation before they traveled to McConnell-Talbert Stadium and played a team full of 15 year old starters. National rankings mean NOTHING when high school kids are getting hit in the mouth.
North Gwinnett will respond to getting hit in the same manner that North Gwinnett kids usually respond to getting hit. They will roll over and quit. I know it and you know it too. You are not going to win a State Championship in Georgia passing the football 25 times per game. It will not happen.
Chip
October 23rd, 2009
2:04 pm
My bad, Tim. I go through the schedule by region, a few at a time, and I skipped right over them. But here they are: Pope over Alpharetta, Centennial over Campbell, Kell over Wheeler, Lassiter over Walton and Roswell over Milton.
EagleNationRising
October 23rd, 2009
2:11 pm
BulldawgBite: No matter how you guy spin it up at North Gwinnett, these are the facts. NG beat a team, Prattville (AL), that was, I repeat WAS, ranked in the top 10 of a totally irrelevent national poll. That team, Prattville, rushed for -1 yards in a high school football game against North Gwinnett, far from a defensive bastion. That team, Prattville, is no longer ranked.
Since playing an inferior small state football program, North Gwinnett has faced 6 teams in Georgia. The combined record of those six teams is 15-27. I repeat 15-27! It is very open and honest to ask the AJC staff and other posters why they have been so critical of Stephenson’s schedule when the Georgia opponents of North Gwinnett are a combined 16-33. The best team that NG has faced to date is a 4-3 Brookwood team. 4-3 is a down season at Brookwood HS. NG has not played anyone!
Peachtree Ridge was ranked 8th in the nation on September 3, 2009. On September 4, 2009 the scoreboard at Martin Stadium in Valdosta, GA read Lowndes County 51, Peachtree Ridge 17. On October 1, 2009, Lowndes County was ranked as high as third in the nation. On the night of October 2, 2009, the scoreboard at McConnell-Talbert Stadium read Northside 10, Lowndes County 7. Of course, at McConnell-Talbert there is a video board allowing fans and rivals to see reruns of Northside glory. In other words, national rankings mean nothing when people are getting hit.
No ranked AAAAA in the state of Georgia has faced weaker Georgia competition than North Gwinnett. If the previous statement is inaccurate BulldawgBite, please correct me. You have one end of the spectrum with a program like Lowndes County, who has faced opponents with a combined 34-16 record. That is taking on all challengers. You have the other end of the spectrum which North Gwinnett head coach Bob Sphire aspires to. That is to play the weakest schedule possible to boost rankings and AJC hype. 15-27 is a borderline disgrace. I am shocked that you defend weak scheduling like this BulldawgBite. The last five NG opponents are a combined 11-24…or an average of just over 2 wins.
I picked North Gwinnett to beat North Forsyth. You are not being objective if you fail to put a team that has only faced one team with a winning record in Georgia on “Upset Alert” when they face a team with 5 wins in 7 games. NG is on “Upset Alert” because NG has yet to show that they can compete against top tier competition. They have dodged it all season long. Prattville would not win 5 games in Georgia. You don’t win at the highest levels in this state passing all of the time. Any NG fan should know this.
EagleNationRising
October 23rd, 2009
2:16 pm
BulldawgBite, no ranked AAAAA in the state of Georgia has faced weaker Georgia competition than North Gwinnett. If this statement is inaccurate BulldawgBite, please correct me. You have one end of the spectrum with a program like Lowndes County, who has faced opponents with a combined 34-16 record. That is taking on all challengers. You have the other end of the spectrum which North Gwinnett head coach Bob Sphire aspires to. That is to play the weakest schedule possible to boost rankings and AJC hype. We sit in the eight week of the high school football seaons. To have faced Georgia opponents with a combined record of 15-27 while beating your chest is a borderline disgrace! I am shocked that you defend weak scheduling like this BulldawgBite. The last five NG opponents are a combined 11-24…or an average of just over 2 wins.
I picked North Gwinnett to beat North Forsyth, because I know that neither team is very good. You are not being objective if you fail to put a team that has only faced one team with a winning record in Georgia on “Upset Alert” when they face a team with 5 wins in 7 games. NG is on “Upset Alert” because NG has yet to show that they can compete against top tier competition in this state during the current season. They have dodged top competition it all season long. North Forsyth is far from what NG will see in the playoff. At least they have a winning record. Prattville would not win 5 games in Georgia. You don’t win at the highest levels in this state passing all of the time. Any NG fan should know this, BulldawgBite. I am obviously not the only person who has circled this game, partner.
BulldawgBite
October 23rd, 2009
3:52 pm
ENR, would you agree that NG cant do anything about its region schedule? just like Northside doesnt choose who is in their region. it just so happens that their region has more wins or that you have played the toughest teams in your schedule already. We schedule are games based on what teams are usually good. Prattville had won 44 games in a row and thats a testament to our run defense if we hold them to -1 yards rushing. They have lost two games.. to NG and to current #3 team in the nation Don Bosco Prep. I can assure you Bob Sphire has been training the boys extra for tonights game and they will be ready. NF is getting better every year and last year almost beat ptree ridge. the rain should help out NF tonight but im still picking the bulldogs.
NG18
October 23rd, 2009
10:25 pm
LAST TIME I CHECKED NORTH GWINNETT WAS RANKED BY ESPN 1N THE ELITE 50 PROGRAMS RIGHT WITH LOWNDES I GUESS ESPN WRITERS SEE SOMETHING ABOUT NG THAT AJC SEES. I HOPE WE SEE NSWR IN OUR PLAYOFF BRACKET AND SHOW HOW A WEAK REGION CAN TAKE DOWN A POWERHOUSE.
SouthGARules
October 23rd, 2009
11:16 pm
NG18: You may get your wish. If North wins the region, they would match up against NSWR in the quarterfinals.
BulldawgBite
October 23rd, 2009
11:42 pm
SouthGARules, i would gladly beat up on the northside warner robins eagles. thing is after we do im sure Every single northside poster will say “we were young this year we only have sophmores and juniors” they build up excuses beforehand because they dont expect to win. of course ENR bashes the two teams he probably fears most because he knows he will see one in the 3rd round. both NG and PTR. We arent scared or buying this crap about how south of this “gnat line” the players hit so much harder and are just of a different calibur. bring it on!
The Georgia High School Football Daily's Weekend Predictions … · entertainment life
October 24th, 2009
2:50 am
[...] Original post: The Georgia High School Football Daily's Weekend Predictions … [...]
seiler3497
October 24th, 2009
11:26 am
To all Region 7-AAAA teams and schools.
I think from now until Hillgrove decides to build a visitor seating section. Anytime Hillgrove travels close your away seating anf put up baseball beachers off to the side. I find Hillgroves seating a disgrace. Lets face it if Hillgrove wanted to fix it they could. TREAT HILLGROVE THE SAMEWAY THEY TREAT EVERY OTHER SCHOOL WHICH TRAVELS TO THEIR SCHOOL.
BY THE WAY THEY WERE VERY OVER RANKED AND PLAY DIRTY. GO HORNETS.
The Cannon Rules!!
October 24th, 2009
1:46 pm
johnson 111…
Ok, Hiram didn’t get the 31 points I predicted but they got 28 AND the WIN!!! Also Hillgrove only scored 20!!!
I’ll give you one thing…Hillgrove is HUGE & FAST…they dressed out a lot of kids also, Hillgrove is probably not far from being a AAAAA school and can play with the best of them!!!
They will need to address their stadium issues!!!
rwdekalbfan
October 24th, 2009
6:49 pm
To ” DATBOIDAPIRATE” looks like you need to keep you thoughts to yourself. Your prediction od SWD getting “MOLLY WHOOPED” by Marist didnt quite happen now did it. Stone Mountain did score more points in their blowout loss to Marist but that is a “pitiful”, “pitiful” thing to brag about.
Blackangel
October 26th, 2009
10:21 pm
Wow!! I been reading alot of comments by ENR and Bulldogbite. I must say you both have good points. Regardless how we feel about our favorite team or teams in Georgia the game is played on the field. What if neither team make it to the Championship Game? Will there be excuses of how young out team was? Or the refs cheated? Every team will showcase their talent when playoffs start. What I will stand by and say is thatnot many High Schools in South Georgia. Most schools like Lowdnes, Camden, Tift Co. get the talented athlethes because of the disparity among high schools, then your best players will go there. When the next high school is in the next county what do you expect? No disrespect to those schools ansd counties
31
October 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
GO Hornets!!!!!!!!!! I hope people stop the hating on the hornets now after the Hillgrove game. BTW mr. CANNON ive heard already that Hillgrove is gonna be AAAAA next year.
31
October 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
Theyre supposed to be AAAAA next year because their numbers are already up there.
SportsFan31313
October 27th, 2009
11:18 am
Greetings Homefieldadvantage,
I guess chip was wrong AGAIN!!!!! LOL…… Not only did Bradwell Institute Beat a Beach High School, they hammered them. But the REAL reason Bradwell Institute lost those two games were because twelve starters were injured, and five of the twelve are out for the season. I have never seen anything like this in the history of Bradwell Institute Football. However; it is a very young Bradwell Institute team. Hopefully they will be healthy and back with a vengence next year. The playoff picture for Bradwell Institute is BRUTAL.
Liberty County High School (Panthers) Region3-AAA is actually playing a lot better than Bradwell Institute. In what I believe to be the toughest region in Class AAA Liberty County has done very well. Three teams (Washington County, Burke County, Baldwin County) that are / were Ranked in the top 10 this season, and Bardwell beat one out of the three, lost a close one to Washington, and lost one to Baldwin County. Liberty County did beat a McIntosh Academy who is ranked in Class AA, they beat Region 3-AAAA Effingham County, they beat Region 3-AAAAA Beach, with losses only to the teams i have mentioned and Region 2-AAAA Glynn Academy in overtime. They lost their bid for the number two seed by losing to Baldwin County. Theyt will be on the orad to play Carver Of Columbus in which I believe Liberty County will beat them there in Columbus.