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
Regular Joe
November 16th, 2009
5:05 pm
Camden will beat Lowndes and Stephenson will beat Colquitt.
Quinn of the Ridge
November 16th, 2009
6:05 pm
Robert, I find that remark about Roswell and Peachtree Ridge hysterical. It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
Wolverine Fan
November 16th, 2009
6:10 pm
To bad we can’t haul the woodshed with us to NG.
inthatrenches (from the sunbelt conference)
November 16th, 2009
6:51 pm
Sportsfan31313 give me your picks…..
K-MAN
November 16th, 2009
7:02 pm
STEPHENSON (VS) COLQUITT….This is really your first true test of the season…(STP). You really havent been tested all year long by no one. You cruised by all of the soft patsies on your schedule. I know you played who you are supposed to…but now comes the REAL deal! Heres a team that will knock your block-off if youre not totally prepaired to play for 48 minutes. So dont go in (half-stepping). Lets see what youre really made-of! I would love to see you win….but I give the edge to COLQUITT simply because they are (battle) tested. That region their in is no joke!
K-MAN
November 16th, 2009
7:16 pm
MLK…I saw NEWNAN play friday (vs) VALDOSTA….and I was not impressed at all. They do not look like a serious contender. they look more-like a pretender. You are supposed to come out swinging in the play-offs because there is no tommorrow…they came out flat! They are not ready. You can beat this team. Just play hard and do what you do!
footballfan
November 16th, 2009
7:24 pm
LOL, some of you Stephenson fans are just hilarious. If Stephenson would actually play somone in the beginning of the season to help them competition wise I might be a believer. However opening up with 4-6 AAA Mcnair, 3-7 AAA Columbia, and 6-5 AAAA Ware County just isn’t gonna do it. You know it might help if you started scheduling mayber perhaps some of the Region 1 teams, Look at Grayson, Peachtree Ridge, those teams aren’t affraid to do it. They know how to prepare kids for the playoffs. Oh and another thing Coaching plays a huge role also. Coach Gartrell may do enough to get by within the region and around the metro are, but when it comes playoff time, he either sneaks by folks or he falls flat on his face. You guys do have a ton of talent there at Stephenson, its a hot bed for recruiting. Explain to me why you have all those great D1 athletes but can’t get the job done, sounds like to me your coach isn’t getting the most out of his players. Thats the difference between Stephenson and the Region 1 teams they face. Their coaches get the most out of their kids and therefore coach Gartrell gets out coached, you will see come Friday night.
cal509
November 16th, 2009
7:36 pm
K-MAN WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT VALDOSTA WAS NO PUSH OVER TEAM THEIR LINE ON BOTH SIDES HAD MORE 300+ PLAYERS AS A COUGAR FAN WE DID VERY GOOD AND YOU WILL GET YOUR TURN JUST BE PATIENCE.
This why they play the games
November 16th, 2009
7:47 pm
Just because I remember the old days I’m going to go for Newnan. Griffin and Newnan had a good rivalry when I was in school. They always played us tough even when they weren’t that good, which was rare. Their coach back in the 70’s was a character. Any of you Cougar fans remember his name? Good luck in the AAAAA playoffs. I know you guys play quality football regardless of state geography.
TRUE BLUE
November 16th, 2009
7:50 pm
FOOTBALLFAN, YOU MUST BE ONE OF THOSE STEPHENSON HATERS WHICH WE AT STEPHENSON LOVES. STEPHENSON, 2 YEARS AGO TRIED TO SCHEDULE SOME POWERHOUSE. O’KAY GHSA IS RECLASSIFYING EVERY REGION NEXT YEAR AND STEPHENSON IS WELCOMING ALL NEWCOMERS WITH A HOME AND AWAY CONTRACT. STEPHENSON DON’T RUN FROM COMPETITION IN ANY SPORTS. JUST BECAUSE LOWDNES AND NSWR IN 1AAAAA AND COLQUITT COUNTY PLAYED THEM DOESN’T MEAN THAT THEY PLAYED THE HARDER SCHEDULE. HELL LOOK AT THEIR NON REGION GAME BEFORE YOU GO RUNNING OFF AT THE MOUTH. GO TO GA.PREPCOUNTRY.COM BECAUSE I THOUGHT I SAW A 1A TEAM AND 2A TEAM FOOTBALLFAN. DON’T BE SHOCK ON FRIDAY WITH THE RESULTS BECAUSE STEPHENSON HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE TO THEIRSELVES. FURTHERMORE WHO CARES WHAT YOU BELEIVE, I GUESS MACPHERSON GOT OUT COACH LAST YEAR.
roswellfan
November 16th, 2009
7:57 pm
Wow….the Grayson bloggers sure seem pretty confident this week against Roswell…..already talking about further into the bracket. Again, don’t underestimate Roswell. More to come…
Robert
November 16th, 2009
8:00 pm
OedipusTax
I simply forgot nothing. I didnt say Northside won in AAAAA. I’m speaking about the lack of respect that comes from the Atlanta area fans and the AJC towards Middle to South Georgia football. Its all about Grayson this North Gwinett that. What about Northside or any other team in the state. As a fan of the sport, you respect the other team and give them credit. Everyone has thier fav team but don’t run from reality. There are other teams in the state of Georgia besides Atlanta area teams.
Robert
November 16th, 2009
8:04 pm
Either way instead of arguing like kids, we’ll see who the best in the state is this year cause the brackets are finally good and the top teams are actually gonna play each other. If its Grayson, N. Gwinett, Lowndes, Northside, or whoever it is. I think the best team will actually win this year.
Robert
November 16th, 2009
8:07 pm
This is from Rivals.com
9 Grayson Loganville GA 11-0 10
Stock Falling Grayson plays too many close games to make us feel confident of this ranking. The 21-14 win over Marietta was another example of the worrisome offense.
TJ
November 16th, 2009
8:33 pm
OK, what is with all the Pemberton guesses on injury, paper said stinger, now seperated shoulder, and lastly a sprain….what is it really because Pemberton is needed to win in playoffs? Guess we need injury reports for high school football. Then the question of how many ACL injuries are over at Grayson? All playing? I feel if Roswell will have to throw to win. Backup ready to have that preasure on him?
Rivals is right to question Grayson. If you do not watch their games you can not tell they are dominating on defense. Teams are scoring on special teams and last minute hail Mary passes at end of games. *IF* Grayson losses this year it will be in a close game. Robert is right……..the best team will win it this year!!!! And that team will be from Gwinnett County!!!
Viking Girl
November 16th, 2009
8:43 pm
Well I respect all of these teams regardless of Region. If they made it to the playoffs then they are a threat. Trust me there will be some upsets before Dec. 12. So, really nobody here knows who will win it. I know we all hope it’s our own teams but that’s why you play the game. Everyone all bragging on Grayson, Newnan, Stephenson, Lowndes, Camden, and Northside but none of us have stopped to think is there a dark horse team that’s gonna come out of nowhere this year? Just a thought.
N.C all da way!
November 16th, 2009
8:43 pm
yal sleepin on N.Clayton..once dey beat Brunswick friday..dey gon play SWD..den we gon c who da best team n 4A!!!!!
Black is Back
November 16th, 2009
8:56 pm
Vikings on a mission go 84 to Waycross it is not a bad road at all, when you get to Folkston take 40. Shouldn’t take more than 2 and 1/2 hours or so.
BlackandGold24
November 16th, 2009
9:05 pm
TrueBlue my guess is that you will not be on here next week making any kind of bold statements about Stephenson, because your precious cougars will be sent packing by the Packers. You win your games playing a patsy schedule and you are the best team in the state. I assure you that playing in region 1AAAAA would give your Stephenson team at least 3 losses. Go ahead and post all you want this week, since it will be your last.
Decatar 4 Life, same goes for you.
Go Pack!
dakotah
November 16th, 2009
9:09 pm
camden saint THWE SR QB QUIT bercuz her got so respect cuz of his height
BlackandGold24
November 16th, 2009
9:12 pm
Remember talk is cheap. The game is played on the field. Colquitt leaves it on the field every week. Our talking is coming out of Region 1AAAAA with an 8-2 record, only losing to nationally ranked teams. This team is physical and will hit you like you have never been hit.
dakotah
November 16th, 2009
9:14 pm
hgh
SouthGARules
November 16th, 2009
9:15 pm
Viking Girl: You are so right. Who, outside of the Woodstock faithful, thought Woodstock would be in the quarters & give Camden the fight of their lives last year?
Robert: The lack of respect goes both ways. The Middle & South Georgia folks don’t respect Metro Atlanta teams as well. Also, you will have to admit that some of the posters on these blogs tend to annoy others with their constant trash talk about their school being “God’s gift to high school football”.
Personally, I think it’s great that people are passionate about their favorite high school, whether they attended or their kids attend. However, when people denigrate others to puff themselves up & extol their virtues, then that crosses the line.
Etowah Fan: A Brookwood-NSWR matchup would be interesting. I’d put my money on BROOKWOOD MOM.
yo
November 16th, 2009
9:18 pm
Decatur 4 Life says “I think not and this maybe the last weekend for 1AAAAA football” but in reality what 4 Life is saying is that I hope this is not the last week for Region 2AAAAA football. 4 Life is saying “please history! do not repeat yourself!”
You just have to read between the lines.
dawg4life
November 16th, 2009
9:29 pm
Hey Phil don’t hate player hate the game Jackson rolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
89viking
November 16th, 2009
9:30 pm
vikingsonamission,,,, go thru waycross and folkston,,,its alot quicker,,,i have a gps and it says go to I-10 also but its almost 3 hours that way. i come home from folkston every tuesday and go thru folkston / waycross and from I-95 i can be downtown valdosta in 2 hours and 15 minutes to the “T”. i also go only 8 miles a hour faster than posted speed limit,,,between waycross and folkston its a 65mph zone.
SanityRules
November 16th, 2009
9:37 pm
Max Bass was the Newnan coach for many years. K-Man ,keep posting as you look sillier with every post. You say Colquit Co. is battle tested because of region 1 then the very next post you say Newnan’s victory over a fellow region 1 opponent was weak. The only thing weak is your lack of logic. Dakotah, your text writing is a little hard for us old timers to comprehend.
yo
November 16th, 2009
9:44 pm
Here we go:
Saving the toughest for last.
Northside over UG
Peachtree over Brookwood
Newnan over M L King
Grayson over Roswell
North Gwinnett over Woodstock
Lowndes over Camden
Lassiter over S. G. (but look out)
I originally was giving Stephenson the nod but….
in a mild upset Colquit over Stephenson
(the key is Colquit not falling behind early
as Colquit has proven all season they are a second
half team)
and upset special because I just have a feeling
yo
November 16th, 2009
9:57 pm
How I see the Lowndes/Camden game.
And let me add this will be my observation as to whoever Lowndes plays the rest of the way should they get by Camden.
Camden is good enough to beat Lowndes (like Northside) and should they beat Lowndes it will be around a 3 point loss for Lowndes (see Northside).
On the other hand Lowndes is good enough to dominate Camden and capable of making it a ugly game (unless you are a Lowndes fan).
So there you have it….any where from a low score and low point margin win for Camden (like they almost pulled off against Grayson) to a lot of points from Lowndes and a wide margin win.
The determining factor will be which team for Lowndes gets off of the bus.
If it is the slow starting Lowndes then we will have a ball game.
If it is the fast starting Lowndes then game over fast.
This why they play the games
November 16th, 2009
10:12 pm
Max Bass…that’s the man. He pulled out all the stops. He had Newnan wear dark burnt orange jerseys back in the 70’s against Griffin because they ran the option and you couldn’t tell which player had the ball. Hilarious…
In those days it was Region 6-AAA, then 6-AAAA. The strongest teams were Griffin, Newnan, LaGrange, and Morrow and/or Fayette County. Griffin, Newnan, and LaGrange seem to still have loads of talent. I know Newnan and LaGrange still play…too bad Griffin has lost all of their traditional rivals. Beating up on Forest Park and Jonesboro got old 25 years ago.
I hope Newnan goes deep into the playoffs. I’m sorry that LaGrange lost to Liberty Co. but those kids deserved to win. I hope Clarke-Central (another old Griffin nemesis) represents well against SW Dekalb. I’m such a sentimentalist that I’m almost sorry Valdosta has fallen so hard. Almost.
Actually, good luck to all the kids. My main hope is for no serious injuries and some well-played Georgia football.
This why they play the games
November 16th, 2009
10:17 pm
SanityRules,
I think dakotah might be talking about a short QB. What’s the point of posting, though, if no one understands what you said?
SWD Panther
November 16th, 2009
10:27 pm
thsi friday is the game with Clarke Central its going to be a competition of speed and prowess and who wants it worst thanks for the support Carvell and Holcomb but we have to get it done the field before we can make that date with Griffin so its wide open in AAAA and its the same for Griffin too Tucker and Marist are still on their side of the bracket and Sandy Creek dont forget about em.
inthatrenches (from the sunbelt conference)
November 16th, 2009
10:28 pm
Yo good picks I see the slow starting Lowndes team a close nailbiter I was predicting a 1 point Camden win but it is really a toss up Lowndes has a slight edge on talent but camden is at home That usually accounts for something?/ However i do not see Colquitt over Stephenson Colquitt has had a good season but the travel and a hostile environment and athletes all over the field for the Jags I see a 14+ game Does not look like Colquitt finish drives that well…. Hey Where is ENR??
AVikingFan
November 16th, 2009
10:32 pm
Wolverine2Blazer – Lowndes football games are broadcast on 99.5 fm and on http://www.thevikingvoice.com
If Woodstock wins and IF we do too, maybe we can also be lucky enough to host them in round 3, and you can come see us play.
yo
November 16th, 2009
10:44 pm
One other observation to go with the rest of my 1AAAAA buddies.
I like the way the brackets (unlike last year) are setting up for 1AAAAA to make a run this year. If Colquit gets by Stephenson and that in my mind is the “BIG IF” then I do see the possibility getting better and better of 3 1AAAAA teams in the Semis. If the BIG IF happens then Colquit would only be one game away from the semis against S.Gwin. or Lassiter.
I think Lowndes has learned its lesson (but time will tell).
One note on Lowndes loss to Northside. Northside played at their best and Lowndes didn’t. Still Lowndes had numerous shots at winning or taking that game to overtime. This statement is not to take any thing away from Northside who I very much respect. It is to say to the rest of the state that even when Lowndes is not on top of their game you still better be ready for a ball game and just because Lowndes doesn’t have their best you had still better have your best, if you plan to walk away with a win.
Northside just had the first 3 rounds handed to them if they will just win at home (something they are good at). I’m predicting it will be Northside and Grayson in the quarters and Northside comes out ahead due to their ability to defend the Wing T. Should be a low scoring ball game.
ps-I think Grayson will beat Newnan in a defensive slugfest. Why? The Grayson Wing T monster that Slalom hates so much. The one like Camden ran against them last year.
yo
November 16th, 2009
10:48 pm
I meant Northside over Grayson in the semis (not quarters) in above post.
footballfan
November 16th, 2009
10:56 pm
Ok, so scrimmage games don’t count, however Northsides first game was against Carver of Columbus, whose only loss was to Northside warner robbins, CoC would more than likely win region 2-AAAAA. Colquitt county played Thomasville who made the playoffs and the only 3 teams they lost too also made the playoffs. Can you not see the difference in the teams they play, The ones that are in the lower classifications are pretty darn good teams. The ones that Stephenson played are terrible. Again you have no point. The packers beat stephenson by 10
inthatrenches (from the sunbelt conference)
November 16th, 2009
10:56 pm
Yo on the PS Newnan Grayson would be a slugfest but it was not the wingT that won it… It was Newnan turnovers that was the difference…Camdens scoring drives were like 15, 33 and 34;in the first half the camden defense was the catalyst not the Offense…
yo
November 16th, 2009
10:58 pm
inthatrenches I am concerned about the Colquit travel. The environment however is not a concern. Those boys have already been to Cleveland Field and the Mac this year. Won in one of those games and almost pulled it out in the other.
yo
November 16th, 2009
11:03 pm
Actually inthatrenches I see the potential Grayson/Newnan or the potential Grayson/Northside or the potential Newnan/Northside as absolute toss ups. Just decided to pick one. The difference in any of those game will be what you mentioned about Camden last year….turnovers.
yo
November 16th, 2009
11:08 pm
Regarding Stephenson’s athletes….The good thing about speed is it gets places fast. So if you get them running in the wrong direction then you have them running in the wrong direction faster. That means they get to the wrong place faster than every one else. The wrong place is the wrong place, doesn’t matter how fast you get there. LOL
inthatrenches (from the sunbelt conference)
November 16th, 2009
11:08 pm
But doesn’t that offense bog down in the redzone they seem to shoot themselves in the foot often There TD friday was from a fumble at the Westlake 15, that was early in the game if they were as effecient as every claims then it should have been a blowout I know they have the horses but this is a pretty good team they are facing; I see them getting the Hype that Valdosta got last week playing well for a half and then losing it in the second half….
blu eagle
November 16th, 2009
11:11 pm
Yo, I agree with you about our region 1-AAAAA, I think Lowndes has learned some about playing on the road, they should come in well rested
and have enough time to get accustomed to the field, if they do that they should take some of the home field advantage away and win a hard fought game!Hopefully NSWR has learned some things about not letting up in the second half against anybody.I see colquitt winning a close one also. Go region 1!
inthatrenches (from the sunbelt conference)
November 16th, 2009
11:14 pm
Yo being a lowndes fan you definitely know speed the trick for Colquit will be ball control I’m afraid they will have to keep Stephenson’s offense on the sideline and wear down the defense with running and screen passes…. of course that sounds easy from a keyboard on a Monday LOL
yo
November 16th, 2009
11:25 pm
inthatrenches trust me on this one thing about Colquit. They will be in better condition than Stephenson and they will win the second half.
When they were down to Northside considerably, sitting in the Lowndes stands I told everyone, “Colquit is a second half team” and they proved me right in their comeback in almost pulling it out. Colquit has been doing that all year. That comes from 2nd half adjustments and conditioning.
Now another thought. Colquit does have some dificulties in the red zone sometimes. The other side of looking at that is they do move the ball down the field and the other team gets it in bad field position against a pretty good defense. Colquit’s offense will spread the field and then their running back is very capable of hitting the home run on you. Their running back has some good wheels.
dakotah
November 17th, 2009
12:19 am
SanityRules Is This Better? As I Was Saying The Sr. QB For Camden Quit Cuz He Got No RESPECT From Other Players And Coaches Beacuse He Is 5 Foot 4 Inches And Next Year Wen In In 10th Look Out For #31 Dakotah Collins TE/MLB/SS I Have The Body Mass To Be A TE/MLB And The Speed To Be A SS I Run A 40 Yard Dash In 4.4 Seconds:] I Fast For Being 5 Foot 10 Inches 190pnds:] Aint I?
PackerBeliever
November 17th, 2009
12:19 am
This is a really talented Colquitt team. One thing that I like about this year team is that it is muture and when things get bad they don’t bow they heads and lay down they do the exact opposite they stand up and put and end to whatever the other team is doing. The NSWR game showed me alot about our team even though we lost. NSWR running back O’Neal gashed up the first two drives and the entire first half, but after that we came out and showed that we would not be ran on anymore. I don’t know about the talent or the coaching that Stephson has but I know that talent isn’t enough to win games when it comes to the playoffs. We come from the best region and everyone out there knows it so I’m ready to see 4 quaters of football….so I hope Stephson is ready to play 4 quaters because I know for sure that the Colquitt County Packers of Moultrie, Ga will be strapped and ready to get after some a**!!!
Wolverine2Blazer
November 17th, 2009
8:12 am
AVikingFan, Thank you. And thats a big if. Both of us have to get past a high quality team. Personlly I’m hoping the coin flip would lead towards a game at the Rock cuz i’ll be back home and the dorms will be shut down starting next tues night. haha.
TJ
November 17th, 2009
8:20 am
Here is a thought that may come into being. Not sure if darkhorses but North Gwinnett be the ones to quietly take it all, no one blogs about them much. Their college style can come up with big points and big stops. Against a Wing T team this can be a bad thing. Wing T is not designed to catch up in short amount of time. North Gwinnett will give Wing T teams fits if they get ahead in a game. Their is a little revenge factor if they meet Lowndes again too.
My final 4:
*P.Ridge (Wing T),
*Grayson (Wing T),
*N. Gwinnett,
*Stephenson
Needless to say I think a Gwinnett team wins it this year.
TCCHS JACKETS
November 17th, 2009
8:26 am
Todd,
Who do you have winning the Thomas Co. Central game this Friday night.
Upset in AAAA Ware over Griffin?