Ready to ramble: It’s region title week
Get ready to ramble edition as region title week is underway …
Only two teams can win AAAA. That’s Griffin and SWD. Just don’t so any other that’s worthy. …
In AAA, it’s almost as clear-cut: Gainesville or Carver, probably Carver. Peach has a shot. Nobody else. Carver jumped Peach and SPX to #2. Time to get real in the AAA rankings. …
Buford will win AA, but if not, it’s going to take a passing team to do it, like Calhoun. Tempted to say that Fitz and Thomasville are better than Calhoun, but Calhoun has the best shot head-to-head vs. Buford. No one-dimensional team will beat Buford. …
Lincoln County won’t win A, but news flash: This is a well-coached team. Only about a half-dozen starters returned, and the team’s best player is out for the season, and Lincoln finds ways to win. But the winner of Class A will have the letter ‘W’ in its name somewhere.
AAAAA is wide open. Lowndes is the best team, but won’t have the best draw. It’s one of those rare seasons when any team in the Top 10 could win it.
This is a better week of football than the first round, which will see very few upsets. Look at these games, all for the region title -
Lassiter vs. Roswell (6-AAAAA)
North Gwinnett vs. Peachtree Ridge (7-AAAAA)
Sandy Creek vs. Banneker (5-AAAA)
Hiram vs. Dalton (7-AAAA)
St. Pius v Dunwoody (5-AAA)
Carrollton vs. Ridgeland (6-AAA)
Fitzgerald vs. Thomasville (1-AA)
Armuchee vs. Calhoun (7-AA)
Jefferson vs. East Jackson (8-AA)
Miller County vs. Clinch County (1-A)
The rankings …
CLASS AAAAA
1. Grayson (9-0)
2. North Gwinnett (9-0)
3. Newnan (9-0)
4. Lowndes (8-1)
5. Stephenson (9-0)
6. McEachern (9-0)
7. Northside, Warner Robins (8-1)
8. Peachtree Ridge (8-1)
9. Camden County (7-2)
10. Woodstock (8-1)
CLASS AAAA
1. Griffin (9-0)
2. Southwest DeKalb (8-1)
3. Sandy Creek (8-1)
4. North Clayton (8-1)
5. Hiram (9-0)
6. Thomas County Central (8-1)
7. Apalachee (9-0)
8. Marist (7-2)
9. Westside, Macon (8-1)
10. Dalton (7-2)
CLASS AAA
1. Gainesville (9-0)
2. Carver, Columbus (8-1)
3. Peach County (9-0)
4. St. Pius (9-0)
5. Carrollton (9-0)
6. Baldwin (7-2)
7. Jackson (9-0)
8. LaGrange (7-2)
9. North Hall (7-2)
10. Washington County (8-1)
CLASS AA
1. Calhoun (9-0)
2. Fitzgerald (9-0)
3. Buford (8-1)
4. Jefferson County (9-0)
5. Charlton County (8-0-1)
6. Lovett (8-1)
7. Thomasville (7-2)
8. Jefferson (9-0)
9. Swainsboro (8-1)
10. Westminster (6-3)
CLASS A
1. Wesleyan (10-0)
2. Savannah Christian (9-0)
3. Lincoln County (8-1)
4. ECI (8-1)
5. Twiggs County (8-1)
6. Greenville (9-0)
7. Miller County (8-1)
8. Johnson County (8-1)
9. Wilcox County (7-2)
10. Holy Innocents’ (8-1)
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286 comments Add your comment
nukieie
November 2nd, 2009
9:30 pm
“tommy” tommy, tommy, tommy. Please check you spelling before you post. Your post was so hard to read. I had to guess at many of you words.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT
November 2nd, 2009
9:31 pm
The only way its possible for LOWNDES to MEET GRAYSON in the finals is that NSWR loses this friday.Like I said before titletown you better start praying for COLQUITT COUNTY, because if they lose you will be seeded no.2 out region 1AAAAA. CAMDEN, NEWMAN, McEACHERN, AND THE MIGHTY RAMS WILL BE WAITING ON YOU.
Etowah Fan
November 2nd, 2009
9:36 pm
Region 5 – AAAAA: Marietta is the projected #4 seed because out of the four teams likely tied for 4th place (EP, Cherokee, Harrison, Marietta)… the tiebreaker reverts to head-to-head between these 4 teams. Marietta and Harrison are 2-1 and Cherokee and EP are 1-2 so Cherokee and EP are eliminated. Marietta beat Harrison straight up so Marietta is IN.
Of course, Marietta has to beat Kennesaw Mtn on Friday… and Cherokee, EP, and Harrison will have to lose to McEachern, Woodstock, and Etowah respectively. If an upset occurs, then back to the drawing board.
Etowah Fan
November 2nd, 2009
9:51 pm
Michael 19 – Etowah is the #3 seed from Region 5 – AAAAA at 7 – 2. The two losses were to McEachern (ranked # 6) and Woodstock (ranked # 10). The loss to McEachern was not surprising, but the score was (49-10), an anomaly IMHO. The Woodstock game (17-10) was close and could have gone either way as Etowah was leading 10-7 late in the game and gave up a big play to lose the lead.
Generally a good defense… good system type offense. Generally disciplined strong play at the line of scrimmage, but not an overly fast team.
What about South Gwinnett?
HomeFieldAdvantage
November 2nd, 2009
10:06 pm
EtowahFan – Todd said the tie breaker was total record against all AAAAA teams, region and nonregion.
Does anybody know what Tommy was trying to say? I read it, and re-read it. I’m still confused.
Come on back Tommy. You’re new on here. We need you man. But who are you “going for?”
wildcat
November 2nd, 2009
10:21 pm
lownes reminds me of miami huricanes they brag about the past yes yall great. But my candem county wild cats have got two titles sence 2003. Is what it is a great football state. And we are defending state champs.
cane fan
November 2nd, 2009
10:26 pm
FITZGERALD will manhandle thomasvile this friday, the offense is to quick and powerful, awesome qb,3-4 runningbacks super fast our defense is unyielding, fitz thomasvlle, brooks, cook will dominate their brackets in the playoffs.
cane fan
November 2nd, 2009
10:26 pm
atlanta needs to fire their kicker
TJ
November 2nd, 2009
10:31 pm
Oooohhh….numbers. Grayson has scored 277 and only had 65 scored on them. South Gwinnett kind of looks like McEachern. But South gives up less points, they have given up 137 and scored 308. But what does that really say, there are so many things that can skew the numbers like quality of opponents, region, time of possession, and how merciful a head coach is when it comes to running up the score. But for fun, look at these numbers for Newnan, they scored 310 and only had 35 scored on them. Who have they played? Hardly any team in 4 AAAAA has a winning record. Man, just looking, it is worse than 3 AAAAA. There is an Idea, lets rank regions to give us idea of seed strength.
Dillon Hutchinson
November 2nd, 2009
10:34 pm
I think that the only game that Gainesville has played that is a “test” was over North Hall in week 4. The final score to that game was pretty lopsided, but the Trojans were out several key players to injury, and turned the ball over more with backups than they had all season to date. Before the North Hall game, Gainesville had not allowed over 85 yards rushing per game. But North Hall put up well over 230. They played hard, but couldnt convert. If North Hall was playing ‘A’ game with all of its starters it would have been alot closer. I think Gainesville will make the Semis, at best. Because they do have trouble on defense somewhat, just not as much as others.
TJ
November 2nd, 2009
10:37 pm
Todd, can you arrange a bracket contest on AJC? I have one worked out. Be interesting to see who on here can really pick them.
yo
November 2nd, 2009
11:25 pm
I CANT BELIEVE IT I do believe you have that exactly right.
First Camden then Newnan then McEachern then I REALLY FEAR THIS’S Mighty Rams. Glad you have so much confidence in us but you did leave
off the last step of either N.Gwinnett/Northside. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT…OH NOOOOOOOOOOO….HERE COME THE VIKINGS!
Hamilton
November 2nd, 2009
11:26 pm
To SWDfan-
“We have THE BEST ATHLETES in the state. Point Blank Period. Anyone try and argue with more titles please.”
Hate to burst you bubble, but Marist won 9 state titles last year. Marist won the Director’s Cup for the best athletic program in AAAA by an absurdly large margin. No other school in any division had an overall performance anywhere close.
I’m actually a SPX fan, but facts is facts.
LaGrange Slayer
November 2nd, 2009
11:41 pm
slalom1 – You think that the referee’s has something to do with a 28-7 rear end kicking? I know that the superior team in all of GA is Carver-Columbus. The evidence is the nine (9) D-1 senior commit’s. I haven’t even mentioned the number of juniors that are being courted by D-1 programs across the country as we speak. Truth be told, Carver-Columbus is loaded for the next 3 years with at least (6) D-1 recruits in each class. That number doesn’t include the HBCU and FBS sub-division recruits…
The Columbus referee’s have never been in favor of a Carver-Columbus team. That shows that you have no clue that Carver-Columbus has to play against the referee’s at their own home games. That is how NSWR won in Columbus last year 7-6… After the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter by I. Crowell was called back for the 12-7 lead.
Carver is a predominantly black school and they have never in their history had the referee’s call a game that was skewed in their favor. There have been a few games that were called with a fair whistle… But, for the most part, Carver-Columbus has always had to play against the referee’s.
So, please… Spare us all with the referee excuses…
P.S…. THIS WAS JUST SENT IN….
Gainsville was undefeated last year….
UNTIL THEY PLAYED CARVER-COLUMBUS IN THE PLAYOFFS DOG!!!!!!!!!!
I tried to tell you writer’s that Carver-Columbus was still the best team in AAA… Might as well say all of GA.
The loss against NSWR was lady luck being on NSWR’s side. Carver shut NSWR down in the second half. Read the article that is on the GA Prep Sports site under NSWR’s record. Coach McGee admitted that he didn’t have those boys ready. They didn’t get it together until late in the second quarter. Once they made their adjustments, it was lights out. NSWR played their starter’s the whole game also…. Just in case someone wants to make the excuse of second teamers being in the game…. I. Cowell, the best junior running back in the state and top 5 in the country, rushed for over 100 yards and he had 2 touchdowns…. That was on NSWR’s starting defense in WARNER ROBINS!!!!!
We’ll match our big uglies against Grayson, Lowndes, Newnan, Buford, or whomever you think is the best team in GA… Pick a neutral site with unbiased referee’s, and you will have yourself a hell-of-a ball game. Carver-Columbus is never afraid to play anybody…
Mark
November 3rd, 2009
1:00 am
I know we don’t have a former Valdosta coach, but what do you have against Lassiter? Woodstock struggled and squeaked by a 1 win team, Lassiter puts up over 40 points AGAIN and remains undefeated yet still can’t crack the top 10?? Will a win over Roswell and a 10-0 record get us past woodstock?
Wolverine2Blazer
November 3rd, 2009
1:18 am
Its as simple as who we’ve played. Nobody is r6 has really proved themselves. If you will recall the r5 title was determined in OT so McE and Wood are fairly even.
GainesvilleALLTHEWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 3rd, 2009
1:40 am
Dillon Hutchinson…………im sorry but i bet half of those number were giving up by 3rd and 4rth string players..Gainesville first offense and defense usually sits down after the first half or they wold be blowing opponents..but i hope every game through in the playoffs would be great and exciting..will just have to see after gainesville beats flowery branch..my prediction on flowery branch game is gainesville beating them.. 35-14.. my prediction…
Wolverine Fan
November 3rd, 2009
6:15 am
Mark………We did not squeak by a 1 win team. South Cobb TOP=13 minutes. Total yds.65. We held the ball ran the clock, field was a mudbowl, we did not want to get anyone hurt by trying to run up the score.
Nat Harwell
November 3rd, 2009
6:43 am
Region 8-AAA champion Eastside High School of the Newton County School System should be ranked in AAA. This is Eastside’s second consecutive region title, and the Eagles made it to the Elite Eight last year. I’m just sayin’…
Pops
November 3rd, 2009
7:20 am
Mark – I agreee, and I am not saying anything about Woodstock’s win at South Cobb. However, even though I am a region 5AAAAA fan, in this case I believe the Region 6AAAAA champ should get the ranking.It has just took to the last week to determine. Unfortunately for you, that will be Roswell.
Hoya Chuck
November 3rd, 2009
7:34 am
GainesvilleALLTHEWAY!!!!!….I think your prediction was too kind for Flowery Branch. I don’t see them scoring 14 against that awesome Gainsville defense!! I See Gainsville going undefeated as 2009 State Champions. What an impressive squad.
kenny
November 3rd, 2009
7:48 am
by the way todd, Calhoun plays armuchee not pepperell for the 7AA crown..
Carver-Col. Fan
November 3rd, 2009
7:58 am
TO Slalom1, Save all the excuses and be a grateful loser. Remember Caver-Col. 2007 playoff wins and Champion win was on the road. Also the 2008 win 24-0 over LaGrange was on your home field. The better team always win.
viking lover
November 3rd, 2009
8:03 am
Just read an interesting article on Rivals 100. Colquitt County has rising stock and has entered the poll. Guess whose stock is falling?…… Grayson and Northside. Looks like all of America is wise to what’s happening in GA 5A. Grayson, it seems plays a relatively weak schedule and had a bye last week, which isn’t good this time of year. Northside, well Warner Robins can attest to their problems of late. Packers will win this Friday and contiue to move up in polls nationally. Grayson will fall apart in playoffs when they have to play a real football team.
randy prosen
November 3rd, 2009
8:20 am
Grayson is ranked #1 now. Enjoy it Rams ,it gets slick at the top of the heap. And every team out there is coming to get you. Grayson ,good job enjoy the BULLSEYE!
ChattoogaFan80
November 3rd, 2009
8:26 am
Personally, I don’t care if the AJC ranks Chattooga or not. Todd, your polls are all flawed anyway because you don’t ever come and see most of the teams on your lists anyway. I have been a Chattooga supporter all my life. I have seen the teams that we have had that have been horrible and the ones that have been good. But there is something completely different about this year. New coach has instilled a very large portion of discipline into a team that in the past didn’t really know the what the word meant. I agree that 6AA has some good to great teams. It will be a challenge for any other region in facing them. However, before you start looking at schedules and who plays who you need to actually see the teams play. Chattooga IS a very strong team this year. We are NOT the 2000 team. Come see them play. They are definitely better than Jefferson that will be a one and done this year. I think they have the best chance they have ever had despite what things look in the upcoming brackets. At least the Associated Press poll is more realistic than yours. BTW, Your credibility as a so-called expert in high school sports is very low since you don’t even know who is playing for the 7AA championship. It’s actually Armuchee vs.Calhoun not Pepperell vs. Calhoun as you have down. You need to do your homework better.
rwdekalbfan
November 3rd, 2009
8:31 am
To “Hamilton” I believe SWD fan was saying that Dekalb county had the best athletes when he said “We have the best athletes” not SWD.
SouthGARules
November 3rd, 2009
8:55 am
To all the folks that are complaining about the rankings: Get over it. They will not matter a hill of beans in the end. All that matters is getting one of 32 slots in each classification. I know that it is best to be a #1 seed, but I have seen #4 seeds make runs & win state (TCC was 5-5 one year) (PRidge was the #4 seed in 2006). Good luck to all teams this week.
Todd: I don’t envy you & Chip having to pick the 10 games of the week. Good luck narrowing the list.
Hamilton
November 3rd, 2009
9:13 am
To rwdekalbfan:
I think you are correct.
To sum up: 6AAAA – best athletes, 5AAA – poor reading comprehension.
Reeze
November 3rd, 2009
9:13 am
Vikinglover………You shouldn’t concern yourself with the Northside/Colquitt matchup……The Demons are coming to the palace with upset in mind and fighting for their playoff lives, and I think they’ll pull it off….I don’t think Lowndes will continue to shine much longer if Randy Mac doesn’t let Parker throw the ball more…….Before the Northside game this season , when was the last time the Vikes were held to 0 points in the first half?……..Demons 21 Lowndes 10
ketaboon
November 3rd, 2009
9:21 am
todd i cant believe you are overlooking peach co. i think peach is the most complete team in aaa. we dont just have offense we have defense to, when we leave the staters in. but baldwin only gained a total of 50 yards on peach at home and they gave carver all they wanted in columbus. i remember the last time you’ll didn’t take peach serious and we won the whole thing so keep counting us out.
Todd Holcomb
November 3rd, 2009
9:39 am
Chattooga Fan:
Nobody sees all the teams. There are too many of them. But I don’t thinking seeing the teams is that important (although I realize this is an unpopular opinion). Unless I can see every game, then seeing one game is more likely to make me biased because teams don’t perform the same each week. Just tell me the scores and whether it was close in crunch time and I think I can rank them fairly.
Every year, there are about a dozen teams like Chattooga – teams that weren’t that great the year before and haven’t been a Top 10 recently but come out of the gate 7-0 or perhaps finish 9-1 or 10-0. They haven’t beaten any good teams (I don’t think Chattooga has beaten any of top 20 teams in AA).
Out of those dozen, probably one will break through and do something in the playoffs and earn a Top 10 ranking. The rest won’t.
In other words, I’m just playing the percentages. Could Chattooga be a Top 10 team? Sure. We all like it when teams that have struggled break through. I want Chattooga to do well in the playoffs. It can happen. But chances are, they won’t. Same with East Jackson or Lakeside of Evans or Union Grove or Chattahoochee County or Appling County or Creekview or Ridgeland or South Gwinnett.
Maybe one will make a run, but very few will prove me wrong.
yo
November 3rd, 2009
9:50 am
Reeze you must already have on that dirty Warner cheerleading panties and cheer leading outfit and they appear to be clouding your thinking to be picking Lowndes giving up 21 to Warner. I can see them things causing you to believe in an upset possibility, but 21-10?
Lowwndes is possibly the highest scoring offense in all of AAAAA and you
are questioning McPherson’s offensive play calling? Wow! What do they need to do score 80 points a game by half time?
yo
November 3rd, 2009
9:52 am
Oh thats right, the rest of the state plays good defense and 1AAAAA doesn’t (except of course the Warner Robins schools) so thats what your thinking is….I get it now Reeze.
Michael 19
November 3rd, 2009
10:06 am
Etowah Fan Well South Gwinnett is the #2 seed in region 8 and they are 9-1 there only loss came to the #1 team in the state Grayson 20-16 they had two td’s called back that game, South Runs a spread offence and the average about 35 points a game, there deffence is solid but not the best. It should be an intresting matchup from what i here Etowah is pretty good so im exicted about the matchup
SWDGRAD
November 3rd, 2009
10:13 am
To Hamilton-
Learn to read. I CLEARLY said 6-AAAA. You realized you further proved my point you bumbling fool.
SWDGRAD
November 3rd, 2009
10:15 am
I see you later realized the error of your ways, Sorry for the insult.
HOTINHERE
November 3rd, 2009
10:39 am
VIKINGS = V ariably I nconsistant K inda I napropriate N o G ood S uckas
viking lover
November 3rd, 2009
10:55 am
Mr. B-Reeze, The reason I am concerned about Colquitt and Northside is simply because I am not in the least concerned about Warner Robins at the Concrete Palace. I have heard plenty of people second guess McPherson, but guess what? The man keeps producing winning teams year after year and has three State Crowns since coming to Lowndes in 2002. I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s doing. I said it before, Lowndes had a terrible game with Northside and they beat themselves…Just like the Grayson game last year. All I’m saying is that Colquitt County will not be a pushover team this year like they were last year. I believe they have the same region record as the Eagles do, correct? Of course a Packer win would put Lowndes in as Region Champs, if Lowndes wins Friday. Personally, it doesn’t matter to me if Lowndes wins Region or not. They can beat anybody in the State and that’s all it takes to win the big one.
ChattoogaFan80
November 3rd, 2009
10:56 am
Todd,
We agree to very much disagree. I have been in news media for years before becoming a teacher. I have seen a huge change this year in Chattooga. Yes, Chattooga did defeat a team that was ranked in the top ten this year…Armuchee. They are playing for the 7AA region title against Calhoun. They were toe to toe with Calhoun when they played them. I realize you cannot see all teams unless you cloned yourself. We will see how things go.
Reeze
November 3rd, 2009
10:57 am
Yo……… I know that I drew first blood , but You keep bringing up panties, Is there a fetish or something that we need to talk about, If so ill send you a white pair of panties with the big blue N letter on the back trimmed in orange and white!……… Seriously though ,The Demons have found themselves ,Way tripped over his feet last friday looked down and discovered he had very good athletes that could throw ,catch and move the football down the field ,we already knew this ,but I guess it sometimes takes some folks a little longer…….I think the Demons have found themselves again …..I am hoping they’ll stay alive and get the #4 spot in the region…..Jeff Whitaker and the Demon defense are gonna put some pads on your kids , they are hyped and ready ,so if I were you I would take the black and Gold panties off and replace them with the old Crimson and silver ones…… And I didn’t say region-1 didnt play good defense ,Lowndes ,Warner Robins,Northside and Maybe Colquitt now are some of the best defensive teams in the State….I said MaCeahern would outscore their opponents and win the state ,including any region-1 opponent…..They play in decent region and still average around 43 points a game. …Woodstock is #2 in Region 5 and only give up an average of 9 pts per game , MaCeahern put up 37 on them…….I think if it takes 60 plus points put up for the Indians to win , 60 plus it will be…
Region 6AAAA
November 3rd, 2009
11:07 am
Griffin People,
I never said that you had a weak region. I only said our region was superior to all others in AAAA. Just look at all sports and not just football. Year in and year out we win state titles in numerous sports and last year our region won about 15 total state championships. Yeah, Marist won most of them, but they are in DEKALB too. Our regions is the talk of all sports in AAAA, even ONE ACT LITERARY PLAYS and I didnt know you could win state in that.
ImaTitleTownBaby
November 3rd, 2009
11:13 am
hotinhere…u know u a hater
Reeze
November 3rd, 2009
11:23 am
Vikinglover………… a Bad game against Grayson in 2008 and again in 2009 against the Eagles..How about just giving credit where credit is due….The Vikes just were matched up against good coaching and good defenses….. The Vikes could only muster up seven points against the Eagles, and we are tired of hearing about the kickers problems …..If you would have turned your 3rd down conversions or put it in the endzone there would’nt have been any need for five field goal attempts …..The weeks prior to Northside your kids put up 75 ,51,41,31,50…..The weeks following 57 ,35,63….. bad game or good defense?….. you tell me……..You Vike fans are forgeting what the city of Warner Robins represents ,over the years the Demons and the Eagles have faced the best this state has to offer ,Lowndes is no different…….Demons 21 Lowndes 7….
Nick
November 3rd, 2009
11:27 am
Don’t sleep on Appling County
HOTINHERE
November 3rd, 2009
11:28 am
“I said it before, Lowndes had a terrible game with Northside and they beat themselves…Just like the Grayson game last year.” ….YEAH,WE ONLY LOSE TO OURSELVES = CHOKE!
Jefferson
November 3rd, 2009
11:37 am
Let’s be real about the Calhoun – Chattooga game. It really was not close, Calhoun stopped them 3 times inside the 30 and pushed them back. There was a long rain delay and power failure that night and the field was terrible. They got behind a Calhoun DB that slipped and scored on a long play in the 2nd half but the lead was never challenged. By the end of the game (midnight) everyone just wanted to go home. They are more than likey the 2nd or 3rd best team in the region.
Dalton will be playing for the 4A region championship against an undefeated Hiram. Ridgeland also will be playing for the 3A region championship.
Cane Fan if ya’ll are the best of the South I hope we meet in the quest because I want to beat the best or leave it all on the field, just don’t lose this week or you may have to do some traveling.
goober
November 3rd, 2009
11:43 am
Wow … I just read the post by “tommy” from last night … or should I say his rap song? Congratulations sir, that took some … talent?
Todd: Do you have records of which region the state champs (and runners-up) in each class came from, and where they were seeded going into the playoffs … let’s say going back to when we expanded to five classes? This might be a quantitative, objective way to make a good argument for which region is strongest, at least in the last 10 years.
Minter
November 3rd, 2009
12:33 pm
Bill. Don’t believe AA Callaway will even go 2nd round.
Minter
November 3rd, 2009
12:50 pm
No they won’t get passed even 8AA 4th seed