AAAAA playoff draw: Brutal for some
My pal Chip Saye sent me a mock draw for the Class AAAAA playoffs today, and it’s pretty interesting.
Here are some highlights:
Lowndes is projected to play at Camden County in the second round, which is widely known by now. But the winner would face another juggernaut in the quaterfinals, probably either McEachern or the Region 7 champion (Peachtree Ridge or North Gwinnett).
How’s that for a stacked quarter of the draw?
No. 1 Grayson and No. 4 Newnan also share a quarter, and a coin flip would determine which would have home-field edge if they play.
The third quarter figures to have Northside, Woodstock and the Peachtree Ridge-North Gwinnett winner.
The lowest quarter has the fewest ‘big-name’ teams. Stephenson is the highest ranked and would be seeded to play the Region 6 champ, Roswell or Lassiter.
I’ll post the potential matchups in other classes later this week.
Here is AAAAA, and note that I’m not sure I agree with Chip that North Gwinnett and Lassiter are winning their regions. I might have to pick Peachtree Ridge and Roswell. But Chip is killing me in the predictions this season. I’ll stick to rankings.
Newton at Camden County*
East Coweta at Lowndes
Brookwood at McEachern*
Walton at Peachtree Ridge
Valdosta at Newnan*
Bradwell Institute at M.L. King
Harrison at Grayson*
Collins Hill at Roswell
Kell at North Gwinnett*
Dacula at Woodstock
Pebblebrook at Northside*
Union Grove at Windsor Forest
North Forsyth at Lassiter*
Etowah at South Gwinnett
Beach at Stephenson*
Colquitt County at Westlake
*Regoin champion
This week’s rankings:
CLASS AAAAA
1. Grayson (9-0)
2. Northside, Warner Robins (8-0)
3. North Gwinnett (8-0)
4. Newnan (8-0)
5. Lowndes (7-1)
6. Stephenson (8-0)
7. McEachern (8-0)
8. Peachtree Ridge (7-1)
9. Camden County (6-2)
10. Woodstock (7-1)
CLASS AAAA
1. Griffin (8-0)
2. Westside, Macon (8-0)
3. Southwest DeKalb (7-1)
4. Sandy Creek (7-1)
5. North Clayton (7-1)
6. Hiram (8-0)
7. Marist (6-2)
8. Tucker (7-1)
9. Apalachee (8-0)
10. Thomas County Central (7-1)
CLASS AAA
1. Gainesville (8-0)
2. Peach County (8-0)
3. St. Pius (8-0)
4. Carver, Columbus (7-1)
5. Washington County (8-0)
6. Carrollton (8-0)
7. LaGrange (7-1)
8. Jackson (8-0)
9. Baldwin (6-2)
10. North Hall (6-2)
CLASS AA
1. Calhoun (8-0)
2. Fitzgerald (8-0)
3. Buford (7-1)
4. Jefferson County (8-0)
5. Charlton County (7-0-1)
6. Lovett (7-1)
7. Thomasville (6-2)
8. Westminster (6-2)
9. Jefferson (8-0)
10. Swainsboro (7-1)
CLASS A
1. Wesleyan (9-0)
2. Savannah Christian (8-0)
3. Lincoln County (7-1)
4. ECI (7-1)
5. Twiggs County (7-1)
6. Wilkinson County (7-1)
7. Greenville (8-0)
8. Miller County (7-1)
9. Johnson County (7-1)
10. Wilcox County (6-2)
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246 comments Add your comment
BROOKWOOD MOM
October 28th, 2009
7:00 pm
SouthGARules: Yea, you read it right!
SportsFan31313
October 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
SouthGARules,
Yes that is why I used the wording Warner Robbins or Valdosta in one of my comments….
SouthGARules
October 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
SportsFan31313: Sorry, I misread. BTW, Warner Robins has only 1 “b”, not 2.
BROOKWOOD MOM: When has that ever happened? Or has it?
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 28th, 2009
9:46 pm
Good post SportsFan31313 – That took a lot of work man. Good job. But I believe Valdosta win 4th place in Region 1-AAAAA. Can’t believe WR will beat Lowndes in the Concrete Palace in the last reg. season game.
Goober,in response to your question about region 1-AAAAA playoff bylaws, I have the region By-laws in writing but am not authorized to pass them out. Contact the region secretary at Colquitt High, School, Kevin Giddens. Maybe that’s something Todd might want to do.
In case of a three way tie, the tie breaker is adding all the points allowed in all games involving playoff teams and games among the three teams tied. I.E., if there was a 3 way tie for 4th place, you would add each teams “allowed points’ in all of their games with all playoff teams including the two other teams they were tied with.
If there is a 3 way or more tie for 1st place, same thing.
In case of a two way tie for any position , head to head game result decides winner for that position.
Here’s exactly what would happen if Colquitt beats Northside and a 3 way tie results, with Colquitt, Lowndes, and Northside. Lowndes surrendered 6 to Colquitt, 10 to Northside, and 15 to 4th place Valdosta (providing Valdosta does win 4th place). Total 31 allowed by Lowndes. Northside allowed 7 to Lowndes and 13 to Valdosta, 20 points so far. Lowndes put 31 on Colquitt and Valdosta scored 7, so Colquitt has given up 38 so far and would be out of the running for the region title.
Now this is all based on the BIG WORD “IF” Colquitt beats Northside. The score in that game would then decide the region championship. Lowndes has other wise given up 31, Nothside 20. So, if Colquitt scores 12 or more on Northside and wins the game, Lowndes is Region Champ.
Simple ain’t it? BTW, this foremat has been in place several years in Region 1-AAAAA and is the direct result of this region’s teams having difficulties scheduling other Class AAAAA teams to come to South Georgia for non region games. Prior to this format to decide ties, we counted AAAAA non region wins as the tie breaker.
spwhite
October 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
Ok, a few questions. Seems like there are some very knowledgeable people here. 1. What are the qualifications to be a class AAAAA vs a AAAA? I know that the Savannah teams do not have very many players on them but yet they are AAAAA. 2. How are the playoff brackets decided? One year Lowdnes and Camden meet in the championship game, the next they are in the same playoff bracket. 3. Why couldnt we get Camden in another region. I would rather go watch Camden play Valdosta, Lowdes,Coffee, or Warner Robins, then the Savannah teams. And I bet there would even be more fan participation because of the quality of teams that will be playing one another. I see it every year here at Camden. When we play top teams place is packed. When we play sub par teams home side full but not packed but visitors side pretty empty. I would think evrybody involved would benifit, schools, teams, players, and fans!!!!
Wolverine2Blazer
October 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
spwhite, because the Camden teams other than football can’t afford to go to Valdosta, much less Northside that much.
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
spwhite – GHSA rules prevent a school from traveling more than 100 miles on a school night, and remember, schools play other sports besides football. A school can’t be in one region in football but in another region for other sports. Basketball games, baseball games, tennis matches, golf meets, wrestling, softball, etc schedules many games on Tuesday or Thursday nights. A team can decide to play “up” ith a larger size region, but can not play “down ” into a smaller size region. For Camden to move to Region 1-AAAAA the closest school is Coffee county, 98 miles. All other region schools are over 100 miles. By the way, the Savannah area schools do quite well in AAAAA basketball.
For the past 4 years 1850 students put a school into Class AAAAA. I’ve heard the number most likely will increase to probably 1900 for the next 4 years. GHSA will use the attendance numbers reported in Oct 2009 which have not yet been made public. As an example, in the March 2009 attendance numbers reported to the state, Valdosta had 1937 students and Lowndes had just under 2800. I understand Northside had just over 1900. Many Atlanta area schools exceed 3000. When the numbers for the October reporting are published, the GHSA will decide which teams are 5A, 4A, 3A, etc and they will remain that way for 4 years (I’ve been told).
Hope this helps.
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 28th, 2009
11:14 pm
SOUTHGARULES – Warner Robins has two region losses with games remaining against Northside and Lowndes (at Lowndes). Valdosta has three region losses but will be favored in their last two games against Houston County and Tift. Should they both finish with 3 losses, Valdosta would be the 4th place team because of their win head to head. I do NOT think WR will beat both Northside AND Lowndes, that’s why I wrote Valdosta in INK to travel to Newnan in the 1st round.
Pridge senior
October 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
I hate it when others say this but, I think that everyone will be suprised by peachtree ridge in the playoffs this year. There is history to prove this: 06: state champions, 07: beat number 1 north Cobb, 08: beat Grayson, runner up.
Ng-pr is going to be the best regular season game this year!
blu eagle
October 29th, 2009
2:02 am
These last 2 weeks will be tough for NSWR, no doubt,but they will find a way. As for Lowndes posters, NSWR was in your vaunted backfield half the night and Lowndes County will also not get by Grayson either, no way, no how! Lowndes cannot play with teams in their same class. Get used to it Lowndes, no state title for you, yet again, get used to it!
spwhite
October 29th, 2009
2:53 am
Thanks again for the input!! I dont know about the 100 mile rule. mapquest shows savannah at 107miles from kingsland. I know in recent years we’ve played at Hoover, and at Aiken, Sc. Oh Well, at least the playoffs are only a few weeks away!!
SouthGARules
October 29th, 2009
8:16 am
HomeFieldAdvantage: I agree. In an earlier post, I said that the coaching career of Rick Tomberlin at Valdosta would come to an end in Newnan in the 1st round of the playoffs. I wonder if the powers that be at VHS had to do it over again, would they have run Mike O’Brien.
He was 70-20-1 @ Valdosta with a state title. Since he was run, VHS is 46-34 with NO state titles. Just wondering……
Hoya Chuck
October 29th, 2009
8:41 am
Sportsfan31313…I’ll take “One-and-done” this year!! Just getting to the play-offs this year, with the young team that we have, is more that most expected. Harrison has alot of pride, and has as loyal a fan base, as any school around.
Pridge senior…I agree with you that the NG/PR game should be one of the best of the year! I wish I could see that one. However, I have got to go out and support my Hoyas on thier “1st” play-off game!! If we lose to Marietta, we are done!! I will pulling for Peachtree Ridge, due the great respect I have for thier excellent program and the class thier supporters have shown us each time we have played them!! Good luck!!
GO HOYAS!!
AVikingFan
October 29th, 2009
8:52 am
spwhite – the 100 mile rule applies to nights when they hold school the next day.
AVikingFan
October 29th, 2009
9:05 am
Hoya Chuck – the “powers to be at Valdosta” became disatisfied with O’Brien because he let his assistants be off on Saturday, and not make a presence at the local Boys Club or YMCA for youth league football games. Lowndes had a huge presence there and was starting to get county kids playing there to stay with “county” middle school programs instead of enrolling in the “city” middle schools which was something that had happened at Valdosta for many years. A lot of the former Wildcat “stars” were “county” kids who were “influenced” as youth leaguers to attend “city” schools. That’s when the tide started turning in Lowndes’ favor in the competition between Lowndes and Valdosta. People in the “know’ said O’B was stubborn about that and was let go. (At least that’s the local rumor.)
I personally think some of the “powers to be” at Valdosta sometimes think they have the “power” to bring Nick Hyder back.
AVikingFan
October 29th, 2009
9:07 am
My last post should have been directed to SOUTHGARULES. Sorry HoyaChuck.
Todd Holcomb
October 29th, 2009
10:02 am
To play in Class AAAAA, enrollment must be 1850 or higher, or you must request it. Savannah schools choose to play in AAAAA. Schools may ”play up” if they choose.
The playoff brackets are set by the GHSA before the season. Too complicated to explain how they do it, except to say regions 1-4 and 5-8 play between themselves in the first round, and there is one team from each region in every quarter of the draw.
Camden didn’t play Lowndes in the championship last year.
Teams are put into regions based on geography. As for ”why can’t we get Camden in another region,” the GHSA doesn’t set regions based on what fans might want to see. It’s about limiting travel. Camden is closer to Savannah, and Savannah teams have a right to play in AAAAA according to GhSA rules.
The cutoff for AAAAA beginning next season will be 1900.
SportsFan31313
October 29th, 2009
1:42 pm
Greetings South Rules,
Thank you for the correct way of spelling Warner Robins. I thought all this time it was spelled with two b’s…..
SportsFan31313
October 29th, 2009
1:49 pm
Greetings HomeFieldAdvantage,
Well as I said before, one could never know about that tough Region of 1-AAAAA. Warner Robins you could never under estimate that team, even when they are down. I was speaking of the Warner Robins / Northside Warner Robins game. It could very well be an upset which could have a potential to send the Region Title up for grabs. Well still I don’t know because the tie will go go to Northside Warner Robins because they beat Lowndes County. I was saying that ENR should not lay any claims to any Region Title in 1-AAAAA as of yet because we still have two weeks of regular season left. Lowndes County are on Northside Warner Robins Heels on obtaining that 2009 Region Title. In addition, we still have Colquitt County that have a long shot at laying claims as well. You never know.
SportsFan31313
October 29th, 2009
1:52 pm
Greetings HomeFieldAdvantage,
I like the way your theory. You will make a great Sports Analyst my friend.
SportsFan31313
October 29th, 2009
1:53 pm
HomeFieldAdvantage,
Sorry about the typos. way was not suppose to be in that sentence.
SportsFan31313
October 29th, 2009
1:59 pm
Hoya Chuck,
Don’t feel bad. I am a Region 3-AAAAA Bradwell Institute fan. Bradwell Institute will more than likely be one and done as well this year. I predict will be the only team that will advance into the 2nd round, and then they will be done after that.
SportsFan31313
October 29th, 2009
2:02 pm
Greetings Todd Holcomb,
Thank you for explaining the Classification assignments. Maybe everyone will understand now.
HomeFieldAdvantage
October 29th, 2009
8:38 pm
SportsFan31313 You are absolutely correct abou not underestimating Warner Robins. Maybe the Northside players will this week, but I doubt it because of the rivalry thing. Lowndes will not underestimate them the following week at our stadium, I assure you.
But if Valdosta wins out (vs Tift and Houston County) Warner Robins will have to win out also in order to make the playoffs. Valdosta beat them in their head to head matchup.
Which two teams besides Camden and Bradwell do you think will make it from your region?
Regions 6-AAAAA and 7-AAAAA are going down to the wire next week.Peachtree Ridge vs North Gwinnett and Lassiter vs Roswell will be as good as any playoff game. I’d sure like to see both of’em. I think this week’s Newton vs Union Grove will be a good game, as will Roswell vs Walton. Course Northside vs WR is the biggest around South Georgia after Lowndes vs Coffee. (To me the biggest game is always OUR next one!)
spwhite
October 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Thanks Todd Holcomb for the info.. Yeah I know that Lowndes didnt play Camden last year. I was referring to several years ago. But anyway thanks again for explaining everything. Really helped clear things up for me!!!
SportsFan31313
October 30th, 2009
11:18 am
Greetings HomeFieldAdvantage,
You have to say that Region1-AAAAA has been VERY exciting this year among other years in that Region. This year is for the region Title i so close, and can be within Lowndes County, and Colquitt County reach if Northside Warner Robins screws up these last games. The Rival game between Northside Warner Robins and Warner Robins, I have a feeling that Warner Robins may upset Northside Warner Robins. Northside Warner Robins fan base is too over confident about those Northside Warner Robins Eagles. I remember when Northside Warner robins couldn’t even touch Warner Robins shirt tails because they were always chasing it LOL…..:-)
Now that the table has turned for Northside Warner Robins, and they have defeating Warner Robins lately, they seem to be immune from getting beat by Warner Robins. That is the problem that I see. Warner Robins are very quiet right now and I believe that they may pull the upset this year silencing NSWR Fans. I sure hope that they have a lot of Law Enforcement present there, because if Warner Robins win, it will a battle off the field among fans.
In response to your question for Region 3-AAAAA in making the post season playoffs, it will be in this order: Camden County, Windsor Forest of Savannah, Bradwell Institute, and Beach High Of Savannah. All will be one and done this year with the exception of Camden County. Camden County will advance to the 2nd round and will be done if they meet Lowndes County in the 2nd Round. if not, then I will have to wait and see who they will be playing to make a prediction. Lowndes County will have no problem winning tonight against Coffee County….
SportsFan31313
October 30th, 2009
11:55 am
AVIKINGFAN,
This is how I see it tonight in Class AAAAA as to who will win tonight.
Warner Robins vs Northside Warner Robins ? Upset Alert maybe Warner Robins
Colquitt County vs Houston County (Colquitt County)
Lowndes County vs Coffee County (Lowndes County)
Valdosta vs Tift County (Valdosta)
Region 2-AAAAA
Stephenson vs Greenbriar (Stephenson)
Union Grove vs Newton County ( Union Grove)
Martin Luther King vs Redan (MLK)
Luela vs Douglass (Luela)
Region 3-AAAAA
Camden County vs Savannah (Camden County)
Windsor Forest vs Groves (Windsor Forest)
Bradwell Institute vs Johnson (Bradwell Institute)
Beach vs Jenkins (Beach)
Region 4-AAAAA
Newnan vs Mundy Hill (Newnan)
Westlake vs Pebblebrook (Westlake)
East Coweta vs Riverdale (East Coweta)
Chapel Hill vs Lovejoy (Chapel Hill)
Creekside vs Morrow ( Creekside)
Region 5-AAAAA
Mceachern vs Kennesaw Mountain (McEachern)
Woodstock vs South Cobb (Woodstock)
Etowah vs North Cobb (Etowah)
East Paulding vs Cherokee (East Paulding)
Harrison vs Marietta (Harrison)
Region 6-AAAAA
Lassiter vs Centinnial (Lassiter)
Roswell vs Walton (Roswell)
Milton vs Pope (Milton)
Kell vs Alpharetta (Kell)
Campbell vs Wheeler (Wheeler)
Region 7-AAAAA
North Gwinette vs Duluth (North Gwinette)
Peachtree Ridge vs Norcross (Peachtree Ridge)
Collins Hill vs South Forsyth (Collins Hill)
North Forsyth vs Chattahoochee (North Forsyth)
Mill Creek vs Northview (Mill Creek)
Region 8-AAAAA
Grayson Idle
Meadowcreek vs Central Gwinwtte ( Central Gwinette)
South Gwinette vs Brookwood (South Gwinette)
Dacula vs Berkmar (Dacula)
Parkview vs Shiloh (Parkview)
NG18
October 30th, 2009
9:14 pm
I wish the Peachtree Ridge QB a quick Recovery from his shoulder..PR.will not have a chance beating North Gwinnett without him.
BulldawgBite
October 30th, 2009
10:34 pm
PR couldnt beat a 1-8 team without their qb. that must say something about their backup
North Georgia Football
November 1st, 2009
2:09 am
I don’t care what anyone say’s but it is no way in hell that Northside is going to beat the strong Colquitt County Packers team from Moultrie; you can insult and say whatever but it still want change the fact what this team from the south is going to do the N.S.
Cell Mate2
November 1st, 2009
2:18 am
Go Packers; I live in North Georgia but I will always be a Moultrie Native and a liftime supporter of the Packer/ Colquitt County Football.
GO PACK!@!!!!beat Northside!!!!
FanofNorthside
November 1st, 2009
2:22 am
Cell Mate 2, you must have been in prison too long and not keeping up with football; you must have a mental problem to think that Northside is going to be beaten by any southern team or just say florida team because that is what we consider Moultrie, Thomasville, Valdosta, and Columbus just North Florida!!!
Cell Mate2
November 1st, 2009
2:27 am
You don’t know me like that punk; I ain’t from North Florida; we will see what you weak team will be like fool!!!
FanofNorthside
November 1st, 2009
2:31 am
I ain’t no Punk either; I ain’t going to argue about something that stupid; I will see your foolish selve on the field
Good Bye!!!!
NorthGeorgiafootballguild
November 1st, 2009
2:36 am
How is Moultrie and Valdosta, Columbus, Thomasville North Florida; I thought we were within the limits of Georgia; Colquitt County is part of Georgia and has a very, very, very, good talented team this year that compare’s with the teams from Moultrie of the 90’s, I am not a fan of Colquitt County but I am going to give them the respect; and you should too@!!!
FanofNorthside
November 1st, 2009
2:45 am
So I guess Colquitt County Fans are the elite and that you can say whatever about someone’s else team but if a comment is made about the packers you wanna get personal!!!We will see what the Pack is made up of!!!I hope the Northside eagles are reading this mess!!!!
FanofNorthside
November 1st, 2009
2:50 am
You are damned right!!!!The Pack is going to get that #$* Colquitt County is my team and BUMP you and Northside; we will see Friday
This Is The Pack!!!
HomeFieldAdvantage
November 1st, 2009
11:22 pm
Ok guys, let’s keep it clean. The AJC staff has banned some folks alfeady and warned others. Let’s all keep it above the water line so we can all stay on here and root for our teams.
SportsFan31313
November 2nd, 2009
11:38 am
I 2nd that motion……
BlackAngel
November 2nd, 2009
7:02 pm
I am waiting on the Region2 5A teams. Keep talking about your Lowdnes, Camdens, Warner Robbins, Northside Warner Robbins, Colquitt, Valdosta, and All the South Georgia teams that should win the State title.. Region2 Teams Will let me be perfectly clear when I say say this WILL UPSET YOUR TEAM(S)! Keep on keeping that Region under the radar and I promise you some of your south teams will be one and done.
yo
November 2nd, 2009
9:13 pm
goober I’ll take that correction any day.
yo
November 2nd, 2009
9:14 pm
BlackAngel……fofrofLOL
reality
November 4th, 2009
9:42 am
If anyone knows ex Brookwood Coach hunter, please have him fire Mark Crews. Mark Crews has single handedly killed the heart and minds of a whole team. This team has the talent to have beaten every time they played but lacking of coaching, no quarterback and no game plan has definitely destroyed them… If Brookwood loses to Parkview… Please FIRE… CREWS…..
reality
November 4th, 2009
9:47 am
Fire Mark CREWS…
burke county 1 fan
November 4th, 2009
5:28 pm
** ALERT ** ALERT ** I SEE ( TYRELL BRIGHAM ) GEORGIA’S MOST EXSPLOSIVE QB BEATDOWN OF CARVER COLUMBUS – YO YALL ARE GETTING READY TO PLAY THE WRONG TEAM, AGAINST THE POWERFUL GOLDEN HAWKS OF WACO HE RAN FOR 155 AND THREW FOR OVER 200 , ANY CARVER COLUMBUS FANS OUT THERE , AND YALL BEST BELIEVE THAT OVER 400 FANS WILL FOLLOW THE BEARS , I TOLD CAIRO FANS LAST YEAR THAT IT WAS GONNA BE A HIGH SCORING GAME AND IT WAS ,BUT IF U CANT STOP THE SPREAD BE PREPARED FOR THE UNSTOPPABLE TYRELL BRIGHAM TO DESTROY YALL,
UG
November 17th, 2009
10:25 pm
Union Grove played a good game against Winder Forest in the First round of the playoffs. We are faced up with superb football team NS Warner Robins this Friday, it will be tough for us to advance into the 3rd round, but we have been working hard this week in practice… and anything could happen in the playoffs. And if we do beat NS Warner Robins then there won’t be no stopping the UG!!!
Go Wolverines!!!!