The Georgia High School Football Daily’s Weekend Predictions: Who’s winning and losing in Playoffs Second Round
By CHIP SAYE
For the AJC
The road was particularly harsh for the lower-seeded teams in the first round of the playoffs last weekend. Fourth-seeded teams won only three of 40 games, down from eight in 2008 and the average of six over the previous five seasons. No. 3 seeds fared slightly better, winning 10 of 40, giving home teams a 67-13 record for the week.
Now we look to Round 2, where the competition gets tougher, and the picks get more difficult. Here are some of the stories worth watching in tonight’s games:
Region 1-AA is 4-0: Fitzgerald, Thomasville, Brooks County and Cook swept their Region 4-AA opponents last week, making 1-AA the only region in the state to go 4-0 in the first round. Things aren’t likely to go as well tonight. Fitzgerald should take care of Swainsboro to advance to the quarterfinals, but Thomasville (vs. Jefferson County), Brooks County (vs. Charlton County) and Cook (vs. Appling County) all have their work cut out for them. I expect all three to lose, but Thomasville and Brooks County could make things interesting.
Intriguing matchup for Round 3: Victories by Lassiter and Colquitt County would set up a third-round Class AAAAA game between Lassiter coach Chip Lindsey and his former boss, Colquitt County’s Rush Propst. Before coming to Lassiter, Lindsey was the offensive coordinator at Alabama’s Hoover High School, where Propst was the head coach. Lassiter should survive South Gwinnett in a game that could be reminiscent of their last playoff meeting in 1999, when David Greene led South Gwinnett to a 45-42 victory in the first round. But I don’t expect Colquitt to get past Stephenson, which is aiming for its sixth appearance in the quarterfinals this decade.
Toughest pick of the week: I’ve gone back and forth all week on the Commerce-Darlington game. Both teams enter the game 7-4. Both teams have won six of their past seven after 1-3 starts. Both have gone 3-4 against playoff teams, including lopsided losses to Wesleyan. Darlington has struggled a bit in its past couple of games after wrapping up the Region 6-A championship, losing to Trion in the regular-season finale and then beating Warren County 16-14 in the first round. So I’ll go with No. 2-seed Commerce, which is the hotter team at the moment.
Easiest pick of the week: Most times, the closest thing to a lock you can find is Buford. Not this week. The Wolves are playing an 11-0 Jefferson team coached by T. McFerrin, who has a lot of experience beating teams from Gwinnett County from his days as the South Gwinnett coach. I do think Buford will win, but there are safer picks out there. The one I keep coming back to is Dunwoody at Gainesville. Dunwoody acquitted itself well in the Region 5-AAA championship game against St. Pius and had a surprisingly easy victory against Elbert County in the first round. But I don’t see how the Wildcats can slow Gainesville, which has the state’s second-highest scoring average (46.8 points) as well as the top defense (6.3 points) in Class AAA.
No. 4 seeds: Can the three No. 4 seeds that won last weekend make it two upsets in a row? Yes, no and maybe. Yes for Flowery Branch, the runner-up in Class AAA last year. The Falcons are better than your typical No. 4 seed, and they should move into the quarterfinals by beating Grady. The no is Cook, whose road should end tonight at Appling County. That leaves Brookwood as the maybe. The Broncos upset McEachern in the first round, which I didn’t think would happen, and now travel to Peachtree Ridge, the Class AAAAA runner-up in 2008. I’m picking Peachtree Ridge, but I won’t be shocked if Brookwood wins again.
No. 3 seeds: Ten No. 3 seeds escaped the first round, but I see only two making it to the quarterfinals — Liberty County and Westminster. But don’t count out Rockdale County against Hiram (another difficult pick) or defending Class AAAA champion Tucker, which plays at Sandy Creek.
And don’t forget: I can’t fail to mention the biggest battle of heavyweights on tonight’s schedule, Lowndes at Camden County. Last year, Camden County used its second-round victory against the No. 2 seed from Region 1-AAAAA (Northside-Warner Robins) as its springboard to the state championship. The Wildcats are facing the same situation this year, but this time it’s Lowndes advancing to the quarterfinals, and perhaps a lot further.
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Playoff predictions
Last week: 71-9 (.888); Season: 1,569-385 (.803)
Winner–Loser
Class AAAAA
Grayson–Roswell
Lassiter–South Gwinnett
Lowndes–Camden Co.
Newnan–M.L. King
North Gwinnett–Woodstock
Northside-W.R.–Union Grove
Peachtree Ridge–Brookwood
Stephenson–Colquitt Co.
Class AAAA
Brunswick–North Clayton
Griffin–Ware Co.
Hiram–Rockdale Co.
Marist–Apalachee
Sandy Creek–Tucker
SW DeKalb–Clarke Central
Thomas Co. Cent.–Richmond Acad.
Westside-Macon–Lakeside-Evans
Class AAA
Baldwin–Cairo
Carrollton–Eastside
Carver-Col.–Woodward Acad.
Flowery Branch–Grady
Gainesville–Dunwoody
Liberty Co.–Jackson
Peach Co.–Washington Co.
St. Pius–North Hall
Class AA
Appling Co.–Cook
Buford–Jefferson
Calhoun–North Oconee
Charlton Co.–Brooks Co.
Fitzgerald–Swainsboro
Jefferson Co.–Thomasville
Lovett–East Jackson
Westminster—Callaway
Class A
Commerce–Darlington
ECI–Clinch Co.
Greenville–Wilcox Co.
Holy Innocents’–Bremen
Lincoln Co.–ELCA
Sav. Christian–Miller Co.
Twiggs Co.–Chattahoochee Co.
Wesleyan–Bowdon
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203 comments Add your comment
NHS_2013_LB #26
November 21st, 2009
12:06 am
Newnan 15 MLK 6, Mack Brown (3 rushes; 7 yards; 1 fumble), Alec Ogletree (8 tackles; 1 forced fumble; 8 receptions; 45 rec yards), Zander Ogletree (9 tackles; tackle for safety; 3 rec; 26 rec yards; 39 rushing yards). I guess we now know who can contain Mighty Mack Truck Brown. The even Mightier Ogletree Brothers and their Newnan Cougars!!!!! Grayson, you up next…..
justinfh88
November 21st, 2009
1:34 am
nice to not hear or see a comment from a viking..until aug…one more paper tiger down just a few more crapy south teams to go
Packer Fan Of Albany Georgia
November 21st, 2009
1:35 am
Good Job Colquitt County Packers on a Job well done; keep getting better each week like we taught you; and you will be fine; TAKE IT TO THE DOME!!!
'78 Bear
November 21st, 2009
1:56 am
For South Georgia Alchemist:
I loved reading all that smack talking SWD was doing all year against Griffin!! Why am I not hearing anything now? After all, you got to be in it, to win it!! Where is SWD? I’ll tell you….same place Tucker is!! Do the math:Griffin pf-459, pa-65. That’s an avg. of 38ppg off. v. 5.5ppg def. It’s going to be a great game next week!! SWD…you can read about it while you’re turning in your uniforms!!!!
BLACKGOLD
November 21st, 2009
2:12 am
SWAINSBORO ,YALL PLAYED A GOOD GAME,BUT YOU CANNOT KEEP LIVING IN THE PAST (2000) 6-0 YOU REMEMBER , MALC. EADY YOUR A HELLAVA ATH. #2 ALSO ,BUT REVENGE IS A MUTHA************ AND VICTORY IS MINE. THE GAME WAS A STR8 DOG FIGHT FOR 4 QRTS ….GUESS WE WANTED IT MORE ….AS THE FANS LEFT …DOWN BY 20 , I WANTED TO SEE MORE …AND THEY GAVE ME ONE WIT A BOOTLEG I KNEW THEN IT WAS NOT BUSINESS ,IT WAS PERSONAL. GO CANES ,WE LIVED TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
BLACKGOLD
November 21st, 2009
2:22 am
1AA WENT 2-2 FRIDAY NIGHT ,COOK SHOCK MANY AND CAMDEN SHOCKED THE HS NATION. FITZGERALD /CALLAWAY BUFORD/COOK 1AA DO YOUR THANG
BLACKGOLD
November 21st, 2009
2:23 am
GO …..FITZGERALD PURPLE HURRICANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLACKGOLD
November 21st, 2009
2:38 am
FITZGERALD 64 , swainsboro 666666, you do the math = NOT ENOUGH, NOTICE THE 6′S (2000) 6-0 . ITS BASKETBALL SEASON FOR SWAINSBOROCAUSE! !!! FOOTBALL 2009-2010 OV, WE PEACHTREE RIDGED YA
Darry HighSchool Football Fan
November 21st, 2009
3:31 am
Again folks Stephenson and SWD with all their “D1″ prospects can’t get it done against inferior opponents what a shame.Just maybe if you play some stronger programs from South Georgia in the regular season then you might become battle tested for the playoffs.Getting kids in school is great but let’s not down play winning state championships coaches that’s what you play for ,to win the game. For the last 10 years these two programs have under achieved in the playoffs. Until the leadership at the top becomes better prepared exspect most of the same each year. Loads of future college players with no High School titles.Simple as this Ron and Buck you have tried now please give someone else a chance the kids deserve it. They say golf is a fulfilling game gentlemen. good luck.
dirty
November 21st, 2009
8:19 am
well carver columbus beat woodward last night. up next flowery branch.passing team but think carver will be ok.to much I.Crowell best rb in the state period only a jr.
North Florida School Systems
November 21st, 2009
8:22 am
Thank You Colquitt County Georgia Packers for a Great Year; We are pulling for you to go the the Georgia State Dome.
Lowndes County Student
November 21st, 2009
8:23 am
Go Packers
wesley thomas
November 21st, 2009
8:31 am
Impressive win,Carver of Columbus.Now we must get ready for a Flowery Branch team that is pretty durn good. WE have a lot of offensive weapons including the #1 rusher in the state, how ever our defense is also our strength. Too bag the GHSA put us in the same bracket as Gainesville, that would have been a godd game for the state crown if both teams made it. Go tigers continue to work and play hard.
Lioness 30097
November 21st, 2009
8:58 am
Major kudos to Camden County for their win over Lowndes. I think everyone had counted the defending champs out before the 1st q even started. Congrats, maybe we will see you kids again in the DOME.
plowboy
November 21st, 2009
9:30 am
camden will not win state
Gladiator'85
November 21st, 2009
10:19 am
BillyBall has returned to CCHS In Athens, The kids take it serious now, SWD, remember we are who you thought we were. WE ARE THE CLARKE CENTRAL GLADIATORS!
Gladiator'85
November 21st, 2009
10:28 am
Darry H.S.F.F., Inferior is not the word I would want to call a team that from ‘77 to ‘89 pretty much ran North Ga. Yes I know it’s been some down time, but champions come out of that school. Check the roster of the 98 Super bowl, and tell me how many other schools you’ve known have three people from the same High School competing in the same S,B.. KNOW YOUR HISTORY SON!!!!
Darry HighSchool Football Fan
November 21st, 2009
10:34 am
Stephenson and SWD players can now have plenty time to start preparing for their freshman college year in advance. As for the coaches maybe they will watch some of these less talented teams in the playoffs do more with less and still prevail.You coaches in the metro have had a pass for far to long.Gentlemen please get better at your craft or walk away,because right now as coaches you are stealing money and cheating the kids with your in ability to get kids to play at their highest level.Ron and Buck getting kids in college is great,but that doesn’t give you a free pass to continue fall short to inferior opponents.Parents and fans were is your passion? This wouldn’t fly in South Georgia,Texas,Flordia these coaches would be history.
8 AAAA
November 21st, 2009
10:35 am
Region 8 shutdown all football operations in region 6 last night, and they were not upsets, better teams and coaching won, in closing good luck in basketball
Darry HighSchool Football Fan
November 21st, 2009
10:46 am
GLADIATOR’85 we are talking about high school performances “SON”don’t care about superbowls or that other stuff count the state championships everything else is mute. Didn’t mean to upset you but I don’t think yall have 9 division 1 college players on that team. Congrads yall simpily beat a more talented team with lesser players. Their is no shame in that good luck.
Jim
November 21st, 2009
11:10 am
The Colquitt County Packers went in to the Stephenson game as underdogs, but we like it that way. In the future never under estimate a team from Region 1-AAAAA cause we will show you something like the upset the Packers pulled on Stephenson and all there D-1 Prospects. Stepenson is a great, football team no doubt about it, but so is Colquitt County. Go Pack!
Mlk fan #1
November 21st, 2009
11:37 am
No one shut Mack brown down in the game last night his hamstring is injured and he just tried to give it a try.MLk dominated game in the first half and should have put the game away then but the coach played to conservative with ball on the Newman two yard line. Newman wAs ready to be knocked out with MLK driving at the fifty yard line before half . The coach played conservative again And let 1:40 expire for the half .Newman showed no signs of life but they were let off the hook by some shaky play calling by MLk.
This why they play the games
November 21st, 2009
12:01 pm
Mlk fan #1,
All I read from you were excuses. Two FG’s in a half isn’t dominant. You guys played hard and lost. Deal with it.
Impex7
November 21st, 2009
12:18 pm
“Never under-estimate the HEART of a CHAMPION”!………..CCHS WILDCATS!
topper
November 21st, 2009
4:44 pm
plowboy – “camden will not win state”
Okay I’ll bite . Who will?
cougarfan
November 21st, 2009
4:58 pm
newnan defense was to strong. the closer you get to the red zone the harder they play. also ghsa needs to have a word with the mlk coaching staff they are the rudest most foul mouthed coaches i have ever sceneand the school system should fire them. the officials and police told them before the game which stairs to use and at half time they walked up the newnan cougar stairs with the team cursing at the cougar fans. what great role models they are for the kids they are teaching.
Albany Georgia For The Packers Of Moultrie
November 21st, 2009
5:44 pm
Now that the Colquitt County Packers whipped the Jags ass; I would love to see what they say now?????
Kirk Smith
November 21st, 2009
5:46 pm
Job Well Done Colquitt County; former Moultrie Citizen keeping up with you, Bring home another state title like you did in 1994!!!!
C-High Wildcats
November 21st, 2009
6:07 pm
I got one thing to say NEVER EVER bet against the wildcats now the whole state of GA is looking stupid cause they surely thought LOWNDES WAS GOING TO WIN BIG!!! C-HIGH ROLLING ON AND STRONG
cougar fan
November 21st, 2009
6:13 pm
plowboy 4real who gonna win state Camden is seeking revenge on grayson if they can win this week and everyone knows that first game was a fluke
Univ.Of Central-Dekalb-12u-blue
November 21st, 2009
7:39 pm
Albany packer—nice to see you have a fresh new account,I guess there are no teams to cheer for in you town.I will simply give the real fans of CC credit. They travel well !You have a real emotional team,even after we scored they never put their heads down long.I dont know who WILLIE MCCARY is( ?????) is but I would have given him a ride home–he along w/ the kick returner can play @ my college any day.I will tell you, you get the honor of playing the GOLDEN CHILDS team.Dont touch him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they will not throw 19 flags vs-3 on lassister .NOW ITS YOU TURN TO SEE HOW S. H .S .FEELS LIKE EACH YEAR IN THE PLAYOFF.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO FOR TWO COACH????????????????????
#1 Eagle Fan NSWR
November 21st, 2009
8:14 pm
Go EAGLES!!!!
mistermak
November 21st, 2009
11:41 pm
Well once again Camden loses the coin toss to a Metro team. Seems to happen every year. I guess it would be a terrible thing for one of those #1 seed North Ga teams to have to travel on Thanksgiving. But it is ok you gonna lose any way!!
Camden Mark
November 21st, 2009
11:43 pm
Picking Camden lose is a bad idea,in any game,against anyone.
Camden Mark
November 21st, 2009
11:44 pm
excuse me.”to lose”.
BulldawgBite
November 22nd, 2009
12:27 am
well im picking them to lose this next week AT NG. im sure they have improved since their early losses and camden is notorious for being a good playoff team but NG is gonna be too much for the wildcats. they were at home and could only score 10 points. i dont care who your playing but at home you should be able to score more than 10 points.
dakotah
November 22nd, 2009
1:54 am
BulldawgBite how many titles has ng won ? camden is going for there 3rd that would be a 3 way tie for most titles in 5a with parkview and lowndes [never gonna hear from parkview again]
Mlk fan #1
November 22nd, 2009
2:07 am
Enter your comments here
Fear the Paw
November 22nd, 2009
8:21 am
It seems they should play the game on Saturday. It would sell a lot more tickets. Matter of fact all playoff games should be scheduled on Saturday.
BlackAngel
November 22nd, 2009
9:16 am
This goes out to all the Colquitt Packers Fans ans supporters who showed up at the game against Stephenson. ( Congratulations) It was a hard fought game but the Jags came up short. Ask any Packer fan who was in attendence and they will tell you that the Packers Offense didn’t move the ball as many of you all thought they would. Both team Defenses were outstanding, unforantely it came down down to Special teams and penalties. To say the least Stephenson had poor special teams and a ton of penalties and almost won the game still. You see I looked at something as the game was going on. I did see the Packers defense loose life in the first quarter because Stephenson had time possession throughout the game. It wasn’t until a key interception by the quarterback that momentum change. Never say that Stephenson Coaches can’t coach or make adjustment. The coaching staff did a great job with the game plan and adjustments. Actually really no adjustments was made. The only thing I question is why we kept kicking the ball off to No.4 instead off kicking it in the end zone? Special teams played a major part in the Packers victory.
Tim
November 22nd, 2009
9:52 am
Same ol’ story, Cairo never gets any credit for just playing good basic football. Stats may not show that we are a good football team but our kids have heart, of course we won state last year and still didnt get any credit from this newspaper. My prediction, watchout Gainesville we play just plain ol’ hard hitting football in the southern part of Ga.
BulldawgBite
November 22nd, 2009
10:51 am
dakotah, NG has 0 titles but i can hardly say all those titles will help you this year. so what if you won on the road last year. look at woodstock. teams change year to year. heck they can change throughout the season. so any kind of “tradition” that camden might have isnt gonna make a difference in this one. have a safe drive up here.
Quinn of the Ridge
November 22nd, 2009
3:58 pm
At a neutral field or in Kingsland I’d take Camden. But man, that’s a LONG drive for the Wildcats. I think it’s a toss up. Both teams are VERY different, Camden is a running Wing T team that counts on having a stout defense, as opposed to North Gwinnett is a speedy Spread team that scores a lot of points. I think it should be a good game and could go either way.
Black is Back
November 22nd, 2009
8:29 pm
I have seen Camden play this year and can you say pick six, because if you put it up in the air much on them you will have to learn the term quick. Let’s go Charlton!! Good luck to Clinch, Cook,Fitzgerald and Camden.
George Gipp
November 23rd, 2009
10:36 am
Sure am glad Camden beat Lowndes. I was sure tired of hearing all that crap about how much better they were than last year’s team. Uh. don’t think so…
SportsFan31313
November 23rd, 2009
11:05 am
Congratulations to all winning teams on this past Friday Night under the lights. Some wins caught me by surprise.
ADVISOR
November 24th, 2009
12:19 am
Thanks coach Gartrell for all you’ve done for Stephenson and our young Men.The scholarships offers are MUCH needed and appreiated …BUT… These young Men wanted to win State …They worked hard from Nov08 until this pass Friday .academically…physically…emotially…they gave their all practicing to 8/9 o’clock at night …to show you and your staff they deserved this title ….AAAAA State Champs …So…Next season please don’t say that it doesn’t matter to you about being S/C only that you got our kids in school BECAUSE …IT MATTERS TO THEM.This wasthe most talented most disiplined team you’ve ever had …I’m doing this on line because you did it in the papers …as a coach you did not fight hard enough for your players …THEY deserved more …you made them beleive they could be State Champs …then you say it not important!.To all you seniors good luck at the next level you all will do well and we will miss you………GGGGGGGOOOOOOOOJJJJJAAAAAAAGGGGSS!!!!
PEACHCOUNTYTROJAN
November 24th, 2009
9:07 am
PEACH COUNTY ALL THE WAY!!! ANY ST. PIUS FANS WANNA WAGER ON THE GAME? I’LL BE THERE WAITING ON U… PEACH COUNTY 35 ST. PIUS 14….. U HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS.. LOL
ben talie
November 24th, 2009
5:35 pm
Hey grayson-ram! I like your comment about the camden wildcats! I sure like for your team to meet us in the playoffs. We beat Lowndes so who is our next strong opponents none. Don’t forget we are the defending champ with lightning speed. Bring on your rams again. This is playoff football my friend not regular season games.
ben talie
November 24th, 2009
5:49 pm
to randy prosen: are you going to the game next friday at north gwinnette? let me know. Our cats gonna win anyway.
Ben talie