Lowndes-Camden headlines a loaded second round
I can’t remember a better second round in the highest classification.
Lowndes-Camden County goes without saying. Playing a tougher schedule week in, week out, will help Lowndes, so I’m picking the Vikes on the road. I know Camden beat Northside last season in the same second round, but that was when Camden was the better team. This year, Lowndes is the better team.
Other amazin’ games in AAAAA –
MLK vs. Newnan (Mack Brown vs. Alec Ogletree)
Woodstock at North Gwinnett (I like both these teams a long and think either could’ve made the semis with another draw)
Roswell at Grayson (Is Pemberton hurt? How is Champaign? Good upset pick game here. Cool story about the backup QB at Roswell throwing the winning TD pass in OT. Who will cover Chris Boyd?)
South Gwinnett at Lassiter (Can anybody stop Hutson Mason?)
Colquitt County at Stephenson (Good news for Jags is that they get to see the spread offense before having to face Lassiter. Bad news is that they might not live to see next week. As Ron Gartrell said to me today, “We have so much trouble with South Georgia teams.’’)
Other stuff …
Team of the week: Liberty County. I really love teams that turn things around. Best win in program history against LaGrange last week. … I would’ve given the same kudos to Chattooga, btw.
Now, let’s discuss Carver of Columbus. OK, you beat Burke County 28-21. Burke is the best No. 4 team in the state, but still. Is this what a state-championship team would do to Burke? Is it too late to jump on the Gainesville bandwagon? I’m only now starting to realize how good Gainesville’s defense is. Carver didn’t want me on their bandwagon in the first place, but I’m curious to see how those two teams do this week.
In AAAA, it’s two teams – Griffin, SWD.
In AAA, it’s two – Carver, Gainesville.
In AA, it’s three – Fitz, Calhoun, Buford.
In A, it’s two – Wesleyan, Twiggs.
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338 comments Add your comment
spwhite
November 16th, 2009
12:12 am
yo- its a turf field.
yo
November 16th, 2009
12:26 am
thanks spwhite and glad to hear it. Playing on grass when we travel is what I think hurts us as much as the travelling now that we have a turf field also.
Todd Holcomb
November 16th, 2009
12:30 am
This turf/grass thing confuses me. Turf is grass, you know. …
One of the private schools on the southside, either Landmark or ELCA, I believe, put in new turf, I was told. I assumed that it was artificial, so I wrote that in GHSF Daily. Turns out, it was REAL turf (i.e., grass) that was installed.
Camden’s turf ain’t real. But then what is real? You can’t walk on something that’s not real, right? So let’s just say it’s not living. Camden’s turf if not living.
It’s very nice, though.
Camden’s weight room is unreal.
spwhite
November 16th, 2009
12:36 am
Todd Holcomg- Camden’s turf ain’t real. But then what is real? You can’t walk on something that’s not real, right? So let’s just say it’s not living. Camden’s turf if not living. LOL
Suwanee 0wnz
November 16th, 2009
12:38 am
Glad to see you finally recognize the strength of the Red Elephants. Most divisions are balanced enough to see several potential champions – but I honestly think that Gainesville simply dominates their division. It remains to be seen on the field, but I could easily see this team cruising through all of their oppoenents.
I also think Buford is on a mission after the loss to Lovett. They may face some tough games but there seems to be a determination there that hasn’t been there for years. We’ll see how they do with this new determination and a little less talent.
In 5A I really think there are several teams that could go all the way. There are some really good teams, and all of them have shown a bit of weakness. Primarily, there is a lack of consistency. For example, P Ridge has the tools to win it all. But they have had major lapses in several games. Can they beat Brookwood and NSWR? Absolutely! But it remains to be seen whether they will do so. NSWR exposed some weakness in Lowndes; several teams could beat them with a big D Line and a constant attack against their secondary. Each of the strong teams appears to have some weakness and they will face an opponent capable of exploiting that weakness.
As a North fan I would rather play Lowndes in Suwanee than Camden in Kingsland. North got hosed in the revised brackets. It does not mean North will win, but I think it is possible to beat either of these teams, and more possible to beat Lowndes after a nice long bus trip. No matter what, North has to be the underdog if they even make it to that game.
How anybody can pick a winner in Lassiter vs South is beyond me. If the difference is 3 points, it would not surprise me to see a score of 63 to 60 – either way.
We really have some exciting teams and matchups in 5A this year. Nobody should count Newnan out. There will be some absolutely awesome football. I am sure going to have fun watching the North v Woodstock game, regardless of the winner. There are honestly 8 exciting matchups in 5A this week.
Waco_die_hard_fan
November 16th, 2009
12:48 am
C-town i thought todd knew jordan of footbal played for burke…..i don’t know why more people don’t know bout that kid he came to waco and the plays he made time after time was shocking…..the kid the truth…………FYI 3AAA WAS THE BEST REGION IN AAA……….JUST MY OPINION….BUT THE PAST 2 YRS THE FIRST ROUND HAS MADE MY POINT
Lowndes-Camden headlines a loaded second round | Prep Zone: AJC … | I Love High School Football
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OedipusTax
November 16th, 2009
5:38 am
Stephenson hasn’t deserved respect come playoff time, simply because they haven’t won much come playoff time despite a wealth of D1 bound players. Maybe this year is their turn. But it won’t be, if Stephenson, as in the past, apparently reads their press clippings, and forgets to play the game on the field.
Peachree Ridge did get spanked by Lowndes back in September 51-17. Lowndes has beaten some very good teams badly over the years, parfticularly at home, whle losing in Gwinnett last year and shaming themselves in the process. While PR lostt to NG, the game was pretty close.. If PR plays Northside Warner Robins in round 3, my bet is that they’ll represent Gwinnett County well, and, win or lose, play a good game. When it has come to State AAAAA champs in past years, Gwinnett has won their share.
Rfrom G
November 16th, 2009
6:41 am
Winners on Friday:
NSWR
Peachtree Ridge (sorry Brookwood Mom)
Newnan
Grayson
North Gwinnett
Camden County
Lassiter
South Gwinnett
roswellfan
November 16th, 2009
7:12 am
Grayson supporters should not look past Roswell this Friday. Don’t think a 10 point spread will happen as noted in an earlier post. My early objective feeling is that if the game is close in the 4th quarter (and I expoect it to be) then Roswell will win a close game perhaps by a field goal. Grayson no doubt is very good; however Roswell is very solid against the run and has outstanding special teams play. Most kickoff are into the end zone and the kicker is very accurate; he is a Houston committ. This only matter because I believe that special teams and field position will be important in this game. It appears that Grayson is a good running team while roswell coaches have built the Roswell defense to stop the run. It will be nasty in the trenches but roswell will hold its own. I expect a close game, with Roswell winning perhaps by a field goal. Roswell qb should not be underestimated….he is very good. Grayson would be foolish to look past Roswell. I expect Roswell to pull the mild upset in a close game.
Etowah Fan
November 16th, 2009
7:22 am
Round 2 Picks:
NSWR over UG
P’Ridge over Brookwood (still can’t get over McEachern losing)
Newnan over MLK
Grayson over Roswell (but very close and tempted to pick the upset)
Woodstock over NG (a bias pick)
Camden over Lowndes (mild upset in some circles)
Lassiter over SG
Stephenson over Colquitt Co.
Still licking my wounds over the Etowah loss. What could’ve been…
Gwinnett Fan
November 16th, 2009
7:22 am
Sure sounds like Camden County is not getting a fair deal on the brackets.
The Gwinnett schools would be screaming if this happened every year.
Thanks for loking into it. I look forward to hearing the GHSA explaination.
Wolverine Fan
November 16th, 2009
7:29 am
It will be a good game at NG Etowah Fan……..Thanks for the bias pick. Hope the “D” holds tough.
TJ
November 16th, 2009
7:52 am
Grayson focuses week to week. They are not looking past Roswell, this is a huge game for them. They are getting all their players back this week that have been injured. Grayson has had injury problems this year but I hear they are all back this week for Roswell. If Pemberton is fine, and the injured produce, Roswell will be close but no cigar status. If their players are not back 100% and others do not step up, Roswell will win it. Grayson actually looked pretty good grinding out yards without Pemberton but they missed the homerun playmaker. Grayson played 3 quarters without Pemberton but he still went over 100 yards and had 2 TDs in 1 quarter. If he had played the whole game I think the score would have been in the high 30’s to a lucky 14. Grayson had game in hand and sat Pemberton, one score was desperation throw that was caught at end of game. Frustration I have with Grayson is the fact they let game scores get close when the stats show they dominated game. Usually give up a special teams run back or desperation throw score. No doubt this week will be close, but that is the way Grayson plays.
Camden and Lowndes will be almost worth driving down and seeing. I pick Lowndes but I am sure it will be a great game. Has Camden finally sat that senior QB or is he still spliting time with the better QB?
SOUTH MOM
November 16th, 2009
7:52 am
If South upsets Lassiter will they FINALLY get some respect???
Etowah Fan
November 16th, 2009
7:54 am
Wolverine Fan – I expect the “D” will hold. Coach OB should have them prepared. After last year, Woodstock should have some confidence, but not overconfidence.
I might just have to load up and make a second trip to Gwinnett County… to the North side this time. How do you think my Etowah blue will be received?
GHS#22
November 16th, 2009
7:57 am
Not sure if Roswell Fan knows this or not, but Grayson has the best defense in the state. Just as the last 20 teams. Their offense may not put up big numbers, but the defense allows none!!!!
I will be the first to admit if you score on grayson it on the special teams. BTW the kicker is the second best in state.
lowndesvikes001
November 16th, 2009
8:09 am
GOOOOOOOOO VIKINGS GO!
LOWNDES-24
CAMDEN- 10
SouthGARules
November 16th, 2009
8:10 am
Rfrom G: How can Lassiter & South Gwinnett both win Friday night? They play each other.
SOUTH MOM: Anybody that underestimates South is a little shortsided. I will say that matchup with Lassiter will be one of the most entertaining games Friday night. Whoever has the ball last will probably win.
Etowah Fan: Agree with you on your picks except I believe North gets it done over Woodstock. My heart says Brookwood because they have definetly improved as the season has gone on, but my head says the Ridge. I know whoever wins that game should not even bother going to the MAC next Friday. LOL
DavaoJeff
November 16th, 2009
8:28 am
Lowndes 34 Camden 10
Etowah Fan
November 16th, 2009
8:30 am
SouthGARules – I was also tempted to pick Brookwood. I will definitely be rooting for the Broncos. Brookwood just might be the Cinderella Woodstock from last year and make a surprisingly deep run. P’Ridge is beatable.
Wouldn’t that be something then to see NSWR vs. Brookwood? Brookwood Mom and ENR going at each other all week next week.
Etowah Fan
November 16th, 2009
8:32 am
South Mom – Yes, SG will get respect if South beats Lassiter. Beware of the onside kicks though!
steve
November 16th, 2009
8:41 am
tucker vs sandy creek game of the week. Tucker defending champs, sandy creek is a good team. Sandy creek(10-1)only loss to east coweta, Tucker(9-2) losses to southwest dekalb and marist.
Grayson Student
November 16th, 2009
8:41 am
Even if the roswell team is built to stop the defense, graysons offense is built to run the ball… they WILL get 2-3 yards a carry… I dont think roswell has seen a running attack quite like graysons.
VikingsOnAMission
November 16th, 2009
8:45 am
The dreamer in me takes Lowndes by 10 (if our field goal kicker is having an “on” night). The realist in me takes Lowndes by 3 (if our field goal kicker is having an “on” night). I bet the Northern teams are thanking their lucky stars that Lowndes and Camden are playing against each other this Friday. One of the two finalists is being knocked out WAY too early!
phil
November 16th, 2009
8:52 am
Dawg4life
Jackson deserves no love, worst No. 1 seed in the state, any classification. The Red Devils will not survive this Friday night. So long, good night!
Bracket Fairness is for losers. The Playoffs are great, you gotta win or go home. You gotta beat the best to get to game 15. Only the strong survive. So long Camden, we hardly knew ya!
E!
November 16th, 2009
9:01 am
So, how does one know for sure if a team they want to see is playing on Friday or Saturday? The brackets only shows Nov. 20-21. Is this something that can only be found out via the schools? Thanks!
Astute Observer
November 16th, 2009
9:02 am
I’m with “roswellfan” on this one. It will be an outstanding game. Not much air attack from either side but a lot of smash-mouth, in your face, gruntin’ and groanin’ at the line. Short but consistent gains and lots of 3rd (and 4th) down conversions for both sides. My pick: Roswell by 3
Black is Back
November 16th, 2009
9:02 am
Keep sleeping on us Todd! Charlton is not the same Freshmen and Sophmores that didn’t get out of the first round last year. We couldn’t score on a bet and had to keep it close last year. This year is a different story. We will take it one game at a time. Let um keep overlooking us. GO INDIANS!!!
PACKER '02
November 16th, 2009
9:03 am
Go Golden Herd. Lowndes get ready, we’ll see you in the semi’s at the concrete palace.
GHS#22
November 16th, 2009
9:05 am
vikining on a mission:
what does Grayson care about lowndes and Camden playing each other?
Grayson held Camden Co to 60 total yards of offense and Lowndes to just 7 points……….
you guys kill me with that!!!!
VikingsOnAMission
November 16th, 2009
9:13 am
I was at the Grayson/Camden game – if you think Grayson is a better team than Camden because they won that one game you are dillusional! Also, if you think Lowndes is fielding the same team this year that you played last year you are dillusional. Once your Rams can beat an average team by more than one touchdown (this year), then get on here and talk to us! Once the Rams start putting the points up on teams that Lowndes and Camden have put up this year (with their JV players playing the second half), then get on here and talk to us!
BlackandGold24
November 16th, 2009
9:20 am
I don’t know much about Stephenson except the fact that they are undefeated. I do know that they better play defense this weekend or this game could be ugly for them. Lowdnes did not stop the Colquitt offense, they stopped theirselves with penalties and turnovers. The only team that slowed Colquitt was NSWR and they only did so in the first half. This team will find a teams weakness defensively and exploit it. I think Colquitt will put up 28 points on Stephenson. If Stephenson wins this game they better put up 29 on a tough region 1AAAAA defense.
GHS#22
November 16th, 2009
9:21 am
Just check the schedule, Grayson has shut down as many teams as any other “great” team, and they do it all in the first quarter half….second and third string plays the rest of the game.
Interity means more to the Grayson program than beating a team 76-0
sounds like the coaches are compensating for something.
GHS#22
November 16th, 2009
9:26 am
check the win columns for all 3 teams……….
if Camden puts up any offense points this week, lowndes is weak. After the game, ask Camden which defense they would rather play against?
VikingsOnAMission
November 16th, 2009
9:27 am
GHS#22 — BAHHHHAAAAAHAAAAHAAAAHAAA !!!! I don’t know how much more “integrity” Lowndes can show than letting their JV and B Team play the second half. I guess the JV and B Team players are suppose to go out there and take a knee every down. Because your second and third string players can’t score, and Lowndes’ can speaks to the excellence of the players coming up next year and the next and the next. Don’t get me started on this “integrity” garbage. And yes, I have “checked the schedule” and all I can say is: REALLY!?!?!?!
VikingsOnAMission
November 16th, 2009
9:29 am
As far as whom Camden had rather play this week, I think they have already spoken on this blog. And the loud and resounding answer is “How in the world did we get Lowndes in the second round?”
GHS#22
November 16th, 2009
9:36 am
sounds you have bought into that hold “Region 1 is the best region” crap!
oh yeah about the interity stuff I remember it from the Grayson Lowndes game
camden saint
November 16th, 2009
9:45 am
The Sr. QB FOR CAMDEN COUNTY QUIT AFTER THE LAST GAME OF THE YEAR DON’T KNOW WHY BUT WOULD. DOES ANYBODY?
GO CAMDEN!
OedipusTax
November 16th, 2009
9:57 am
The folks here can’t figure out why Lowndes is playing Camden County? All brackets where the first round favorites won are having a #1 seed play a #2 seed. Remember that Lowndes is a #2 seed this year, and will most likely have to travel for all their remaining games. As good as they are, they have to play Camden County IN Camden County. Both teams understand what each other does, consequently I see a low scoring affair. Last time these two faced each other Lowndes won 10-0 in the dome. The edge, though, still is with Lowndes because there’s nothing like game time competition, and Camden County can play in its region blindfolded and still win. Camden playing somebody this good this early favors Lowndes.
GHS#22
November 16th, 2009
9:59 am
I feel Lowndes will beat Camden, but not by much………..
I don’t think Lowndes will get past N. Gwinnett
Decatur 4 Life
November 16th, 2009
10:03 am
VikingsOnAMission
We don’t have to be happy about yall playing each other this week. Sounds like an excuse to me, to win the title you had to go through each other anyway so what difference does it make that its the second round. That’s just the draw you got
GOPACKGO
November 16th, 2009
10:04 am
Just remember Colquitt County beat Lassiter by over 10 points in the preseason scrimmage.
WolverineDefense
November 16th, 2009
10:05 am
Etowah blue will be welcomed Friday night! Thanks for the support.
camden saint
November 16th, 2009
10:05 am
I have to agree with you on that.
Canmden has had easy Victories the last 9 years with that Cupcake Region it has been playing.
It will be a challenge for Coach Heron to win Region Next year with all of the teams he has been playing moving down to where they should have been.
Hopefully we will take Valdosta’s Place in their Region.
Can’wait!
Go Cats
Suwanee 0wnz
November 16th, 2009
10:11 am
Etowah Fan, there are plenty of seats at North Gwinnett. A couple years back North “switched” sides of the field. The visiting team now gets the old “home” stands, and a generous patron built an entirely new home stand on what used to be the visitor side. I have never seen any animosity towards visitors or others at North (except maybe against Buford). I really think this will be a tough but exciting game – Woodstock is a solid team.
I think the Brookwood team that is playing now, is not the same team we saw during the playoffs. They found another gear and I think P Ridge v Brookwood will be a tremendous game.
South’s shootout with Lassiter should be another fantastic game. And anybody who likes football will want to see Lowndes v Camden. It is worth watching a Stephenson game just to see their drum-line. They have some fantastic musicians. It really is too bad there isn’t some way to record these and watch them all.
It is great to be a football fan in Georgia this year!
Decatur 4 Life
November 16th, 2009
10:18 am
BlackandGold24
Was this the same offense that scored 10 points on Westlake? Was this the same tough 1AAAAA defense yall said Newnan would have trouble with yet they scored close to 30 points. I always said 1AAAAA was a tough region but after this weekend yall might not have but one team left.
Better hope NSWR take care of business because everyone might be home watching during dome time.
TRUE BLUE
November 16th, 2009
10:39 am
BLACK AND GOLD 24, No team in the past 4 years has put 28 pts. on STEPHENSON. We just don’t give up points like that to passing teams. This is a humble team and its a new season 1-0 and 4 more to go. Hey Callitlikeitis , you can keep your negative commets to youself and you to Panola Roads Finest. Neither one of you know what you are talking about and them coaches at STEPHENSON are more than just coaches for our kids. They do more than coach them, but you wouldn’t know that because all you look for is to BLAME. BLAME IT ON the coaches, because STEPHENSON is DOME BOUND
Gram
November 16th, 2009
10:43 am
Pemberton has a seperated shoulder! He will play