It’s coaching: Semifinal teams have a common edge
We can talk north-south this week. (Does metro Atlanta get credit for Newnan?)
We can talk public-private. (Did two injuries last week prevent a private school sweep of Class A?)
But here’s what strikes me about the semifinals:
Coaching.
How does Camden County struggle to gain positive yardage on Aug. 29 and win 35-0 on Nov. 27?
How does Colquitt County, after years of mediocrity, go from 2-8 to 11-2 in two seasons?
How do Lassiter and North Gwinnett go decades without winning a state playoff game and become region champions?
Fizgerald in nine seasons under Robby Pruitt: 99-15-1.
Fitzgerald in the nine seasons before Robby Pruitt: 32-63.
Gainesville in eight seasons under Bruce Miller: 83-16.
Gainesville in eight seasons prior to Bruce Miller: 35-48.
Calhoun has won 111 games this decade under Hal Lamb.
Calhoun won 50 games in the 1990s and 39 games in the 1980s.
Savannah Christian has won 48 games in five seasons under Donald Chumley. Savannah Christian won 25 games in the five years prior to Donald Chumley.
Darlington? Really? Didn’t its best player transfer to Calhoun?
Did I mention Conrad Nix?
Do you really think Wilcox County is just having a run of good athletes?
What do you think of Lovett’s athletes?
How does Rockdale County go 1-9 in 2007, hire Mike Etheridge, and go 10-3 in 2009?
Has Chip Walker at Sandy Creek or Steve Devoursney at Griffin or Chad Campbell at Peach County or Jim Dickerson at Clinch County ever had a losing season?
Has any other coach ever started his career winning 66 of his first 69 games?
Will Mike McDonald at Newnan ever lose a game?
Was high school football so special in Hall County seven years ago that everyone just knew Flowery Branch could open in 2002 and win 52 games from 2005 to 2009?
Even Cinderella needs a fairy godmother.
Eastside’s Rick Hurst took over a team that went 0-10 in 2004, and his Cinderella is 11-2 for the second straight year in a county that has its first-ever semifinal team.
At Clarke Central, the Athens Cinderella, Leroy Ryals took over a 4-6 team and has improved the victory total in each of his four seasons – 6-5, 7-3-1, 9-2, 11-2.
How many of these teams wouldn’t be playing this week if they hadn’t hired the coach they did?
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261 comments Add your comment
Newnan 1 fan
November 30th, 2009
5:42 pm
NEWNAN IS THE ONLY NEWNAN TEAM LEFT WE ARE NOT A PART OF METRO. BUT NORTHSIDE WILL THINK WE HIT LIKE WE ARE FROM THE SOUTH. AND WE SCORE LIKE WE ARE FROM THE NORTH. SO IM PREDICTING A 17 -0 WIN FOR NEWNAN
columbia Blue
November 30th, 2009
5:42 pm
Packer Fan
The following is your quote:
Region one is by far the best region in the state, and honestly, no one can argue with that. Just look at the facts. Northside and Colquitt county are two of the teams in Semi’s. And colquitt is a three seed. The only reason that there are not three teams is because Camden Somehow upset Lowndes. Camden doesnt deserve to be here.
I will certainly not reply to your post in a negative manner; however, I am certain our team will be given additional incentive to play as good as possible. You see, I refuse to talk trash because anyone with class would certainly not stoop to the gutter as you have. Good luck Colquitt—may the best team win. I hope the winner Friday night gets credit for representing South Ga. GO WILDCATS
packer
November 30th, 2009
6:04 pm
All jokes aside. Sure camden is good, im not saying they arent. But they arent better than lowndes, look at what lowndes did to peachtree ridge, look at what lowndes did to us at the beggining of the season. Thats why i said they dont deserve to be here.
The packers are gonna win, point blank period, sorry. End of story. They will come out and run the kick back with roberson, and if we are defense first then itll be three and out he’ll run the punt back. Oh, nevermind itll probally be blocked.
I respect camdens program and if it werent for us they would most likely win state again, but the Pack is here and we aint make it this far to go home already. Bye camden, maybe next year, well, never mind, colquitt county will take it again next year.
Camden
November 30th, 2009
6:08 pm
packer.
you are honestly a complete idiot.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
6:15 pm
Duh, of course its coaching, especially in the playoffs. Its also execution and a little luck. One mistake, one turover, one bad play, one bad call, one missed field goal, and you lose. Just ask Grayson and Peachtree Ridge. The legend of the MAC continued Friday night for the Eagles and the streak lives. Unfortunately we must now travel to Newnan this Friday without the MAC and our starting quarterback and running back (both juniors by the way). I know Newnan is not in North Georgia or South Georgia. I think its in east Alabama. I have only been there once, back in 1981 when the WR Demons beat them for the championship (nice memories of Newnan from that) Do the players still parade down the hill in single file for 20 minutes to scare the opposing team? Anyway, Newnan should win since they have the best defense in the world but Northside will show up and with little luck, who knows. Maybe we will bring some magic dirt from the MAC with us on the bottom of our cleats.
cane fan
November 30th, 2009
6:20 pm
this friday buford will see how much fitzgerald backs up their coach, I bet this game will be sold out before weds, and no one will be sitting for this game, it is going to be exciting to see two great coaches in action, the only weakness that i see in buford is in their kicking game, special teams will play a major role in this one
FITZGERALD 21 – buford 12
Matt-GHS 1999
November 30th, 2009
6:22 pm
The Sandy Creek-Griffin game has been moved from Sandy Creek to Memorial Stadium in Griffin b/c SC’s stadium didn’t have enough capacity to host a semifinal game.
Just came down at about 2PM.
columbia Blue
November 30th, 2009
6:22 pm
Packer Fan
I do not know what too say. We will be there Friday night. Heck I did not know we were playing the Dallas Cowboys. You guys must really be good.
packer
November 30th, 2009
6:26 pm
you didnt know? haha
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
6:41 pm
By the way, I predict Camden will beat Colquitt and will win state. Camden does not lose at home and has the best team in the state for the 2nd year in a row, probably three years in a row if you count next year too. Camden has the best team and the best coach/assistants. Since Georgia Southern didnt, Georgia should hire Herron as either offensive or defensive coach, maybe both. Anyway, Camden is the best in the state but they still have an unfair advantage by playing in their weak region and having only one school in the county. Sorry, I am just stating the truth.
klent
November 30th, 2009
6:44 pm
A good coach can rally his troops in any stituation. it doesnt matter what region the team is in. Carrollton has the highest paid coach in the state. he makes according to the AJC over $110,000 a year. has the state of the art equiment. this coach only runs three basic plans on offense. just think if Camden Co, CALHOLN,NSHS,BUFORD, CCHS,NEWNAN,WILCOX had the resources to work with. i wish the best for the teams in the semis. COULD ANY OF THE WINNING COACHES PLEASE APPLY FOR THE HEAD COACHING POSITION AT CARROLLTON?
spwhite
November 30th, 2009
7:11 pm
Like I have stated many times before. What did Camden do before Jeff Herron arrived? We were a typical region 3 team. We had the same number of students, only one school in the county, and played the same teams. Herron comes along gets the community involved, more players involved, starts scheduling tougher non region opponents, and now all we here is how unfair it is to be in this region and have so many students. Well if you use the student population as a guide then we should never finish higher the 4rth in the state since we are not the largest school in Ga.
dakotah
November 30th, 2009
7:15 pm
Enter your comments here
vikefan
November 30th, 2009
7:22 pm
I’ve always felt that at Lowndes we have been blessed with athletes moreso than great coaching. When we beat Parkview back in 04 ??? (17-14 was the score…not sure of the date), we beat them with great play calls from whoever was calling the O plays back then. Since then, Lowndes won 49-7 against Brookwood and won 36-7 (or so) against So.Gwinnett (I think)… we were soooooo much quicker and faster no contest.
For the last two years, we’ve (shoulda, woulda, coulda) had the talent, but when we ran up on teams that could match our athletic ability (Grayson, NSWR, Camden) we had no answer. In all of those games the D held their own for the most part, but when there is little doubt as to what the Vikes offensive scheme will be…run, run, run… well, the opposing D doesn’t have to plan or think about much. Example: Several folks after the Camden game ran into one of Camden’s Coaches at a Waffle/Huddle house after the game and their scheme was to protect the outer flats w/LBs (and as he said) because they knew Lowndes would not pass over the short middle… I’ll say it again… if Lowndes could throw a 5-8 yard pass effectively from time to time, they would have two more State Championship trophys in the case. I mean at least something to cause the opposing D at least think about, rather than, nah it’s Lowndes; lets just load the box for the run and you know what… run is usually what we would do.
Obviously still frustrated… over our 2nd year in a row 2nd round exit
Jefferson
November 30th, 2009
7:35 pm
It helps to have big, fast players, when you don’t and win that’s where the coaching shows up.
Andy
November 30th, 2009
7:42 pm
Packer: Camden does not deserve to be here?
Why does eveyone say that EVERY year and yet camden wins every year. I also think region one is the best but, camden beats region1 teams often (not everytime but, often) and still never gets the recognition that they deserve.
Every team in the final four deserves to be there thats what a playoff system is (as opposed to the college bcs) if you don’t understand it, I can further break it down for you.
cowetatakenover57
November 30th, 2009
7:50 pm
NSWR better hope the ‘03 Newnan team don’t show up because if they do smh DOME BOUND! NSWR remember if NO one else do lol
Bleed Red
November 30th, 2009
7:57 pm
Camden been there so, It think the trash talk ant going to win the game for the Pac. Your not going to a prep school like LHS your going to kingsland and as regions go dont matter Camden will win in any of them .They have one best program in state that tells alot about the coaching staff.
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
8:01 pm
Vikefan you guy’s lost to Grayson in the third round in 08′ the problem Lowndes has had was the road in the playoffs they only have 1 win on the road since the inception of 5A the play calling stinks up the joint on the road in a hostile environment and a strong defense……. they choked at Northside they were busted in the mouth at Camden…..face the facts They are like the playground bully they are bigger stronger faster and have all the friends(see the ajc picking them the last two years) but when they come to somebodys else’s turf they get punched in the mouth….then all the woulda,shoulda, coulda come out to play while other teams are still playing you better be glad your losing some of that competition in region 1….maybe that #1 seed will help you out??
Old Wildcat
November 30th, 2009
8:05 pm
Packer, the game will be played on the field. So let’s watch and cheer on our team. The scores from last week games are irrelevant. Good luck to both teams and may the best coaching and execution win the game. (Its been said that a little luck helps, but we’ll see.) Safe trip to Kingsland.
Sugar Hill Dawg
November 30th, 2009
8:12 pm
My hat’s off to the Wildcats from Camden County. I never dreamed they would handle North Gwinnett so easily last Friday. That said, look out for the NGHS Bulldogs next year. (I know, I know – I’m beginning to sound like a whiny Tech fan!) With a few exceptions (a few linemen, some off of the under rated defense), North should be much stronger next year. Evidence of North’s rise: Buford’s not recruiting nearly as many of our guys as they used to.
fred
November 30th, 2009
8:13 pm
To all my Camden fans. Once again we get no respect. We don’t play anybody. But year after year we are still here and still competitive. We continue to put GA football on the map by playing nationally ranked teams in nationally televised games. You have to excuse all the trash talk from Colquitt County fans because they have not been here before. They don’t understand that all teams in the Semis earned the right to be there. When the lights go out at Chris Gilman Stadium on Friday night Camden County will be victorious. Of this I have no doubts. Packers you can continue to talk trash because in the end it will be decided on the field, but atleast show some class, act like this is not your first time.
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
8:24 pm
cowetatakenover57
NSWR better hope the ‘03 Newnan team don’t show up because if they do smh DOME BOUND! NSWR remember if NO one else do lol
I am a Newnan fan also but the 03 team has nothing to do with this game we are the hunted in this scenario……they will tout that 03 game at Northside for revenge….. I expect Northside to have a little extra in the tank for this one… they are not intimidated by our team, they intend to be smarter and use every inch of that field…. Nix is a very smart coach he has seen defense and he probably has a wrinkle or two in store for the Newnan Defense; the question is will we have one for them….they have a strong defense also…this is the week our coaching will be tested…. last week we knew what grayson had for us …they never deviated from what they normally do….and they were a blocked FG away from putting us out…..I assure you they (Northside) will come out swinging the question is can and will we counter? Not trying to throw a wet blanket over enthusiasm but the Cougars need FOCUS this week more than the last 3………… everyone penciled Lowndes in the #1 seed in Region 1 and Northside busted them in the mouth…and took it like they were taking their girlfriends….Don’t sleep this week this is not a BYE!!
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
10:09 pm
Just watched the game film of Peachtree Ridge and Northside. Teams evenly matched so it came down to coaching. With about 5 mintes left in the game and leading 10-3, Peachtree Ridge had a 4th and 2 to go around the Northside 40. Tough decision for the coach. Go for it and probably put the game away or punt and hope your defense holds one more time. The coach blinked and punted. The rest is history.
spwhite
November 30th, 2009
10:10 pm
What are y’alls thought on this. Lets say Camden does get moved to region 1. Does Coach Herron still schedule tough non region opponents? Or would he start scheduling weaker non region opponents? I would think that he would still schedule the tougher teams myself. You still can build and develop your team. I would think he would still swap players in and out like he does now. If we lose a non region game it still wont affect the region standings and maybe it will make us stronger.
Any thoughts or theories on this?
jcwfalcon
November 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
Is the Pridge/NHS game on the internet? I was there but wouldnt mind seeing it again.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
10:13 pm
Just got directions/map to Newnan’s stadium. It says head toward Alabama and look for a big hole in the ground and sign that says Cougars will be buried here.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
10:16 pm
PR/NHS game not on the Internet to my knowledge. Watched it at the Booster Club meeting.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
10:21 pm
I dont think Camden will move to Region 1. But if they did, they should schedule weaker non-region opponents. Region 1 is tough enough to wear down a team over the season and cause injuries. Just ask Lowndes and Northside.
SanityRules
November 30th, 2009
10:36 pm
NHS(not Newnan High School), you seem awful confident about NSWR fate. You seem to have a Alabama hillbilly education since it seem you don’t know your school’s initials. Seriously it won’t be easy and I think you know that and insulting the people of Coweta county won’t help NSWR one bit come Friday night. Have a safe trip.
jcwfalcon
November 30th, 2009
10:44 pm
SanityRules, for the record, Northside is only NSWR to the talking heads. Northside High School is NHS. Longtime fans hate when people spell it out- Northside-Warner Robins. Warner Robins is not in the name of the school anywhere.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
10:51 pm
Yep, you’re right, I was born and raised in Alabama. Northside is not really from Warner Robins, we’re from Northside Georgia. Thanks for the safe trip comment, I hope I dont hit a cow in the road.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
10:58 pm
Newnan is in COW-eta count right?
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:02 pm
Oh Sanity just look at the record against Warner Robbins they are 19 – 33 against the Demons when your the little brother in town you don’t want everyone to know your the lil brother so that is the reason the faithful dropped the WR hey if your big brother beat you like you was a step… you would hate him too….glad there is no Northside (Newnan) we would probably be getting hated right now!!!
SanityRules
November 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
Jcwfalcon, I hear you and it is duly noted. NHS(not Newnan High) appears to be a juvenile and it would be a complete waste of my time to converse with a child or someone with a mind of a child. See you on Friday.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:04 pm
Since ENR is not available for history lesson, I just looked up Northside vs Newnan series record. Bad news for Northside is that Northside is 1-2 all time against Newnan. Bad news for Newnan is that the one win for Northside came at Newnan. Oh-oh.
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:06 pm
In what 1972 hey better pull Grandad out to remember that one?
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:06 pm
Not looking for conversation anyway, thanks
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:08 pm
I was there and it was ugly
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:09 pm
what 22-6?
jcwfalcon
November 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
inthatrenches- only one “b” in Robins.
Yep, Warner Robins used to beat Northside like a step child. It was tough. That is why we hate them so much. They were national contenders, Northside was the team fighting to maybe make the playoffs. Fortunately since 96 the Eagles are 10-4 vs the hated Demons. But even back in the day, Northside folks didnt want to be known as the little brother of the Demons. They wanted to be contenders in their own right. Cant blame them. It has worked out nicely over the last decade plus.
The US used to have a good economy too. That fact wont help your 401K.
SanityRules
November 30th, 2009
11:12 pm
Inthatrenches ,you are correct. He seems to have a inferiority complex. I thought we could have some good football talk this week ,not all this insulting talk. You would think with a program like Northside and their fans,it would be different. I guess there’s a rotten apple in every bunch.
spwhite
November 30th, 2009
11:14 pm
NHS (not Newnan High School) – I dont think Camden will move to Region 1. But if they did, they should schedule weaker non-region opponents. Region 1 is tough enough to wear down a team over the season and cause injuries. Just ask Lowndes and Northside.
Well, I think that I read somewhere on here that Lowndes was looking at scheduling tougher non region opponents for thier away games. Maybe to help them with their post season road trips.
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:14 pm
Yeah I was cryin’ on the bank when WR came here and owned us probably the biggest team I ever saw play Newnan Heck I was only 12 but I remember every lineman for WR was a head taller than the cougars line….
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:16 pm
Sorry the 1981 WR team I was referring to!!!
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:17 pm
Okay, I give up, no sense of humor in Newnan. Both Newnan and Nortside won last week becuase of a blocked field goal in the 4th by a star player. Both Northside and Newnan have great defenses that are better than there offenses. Both run the spread formation and rarely from under center. The teams are evenly matched and a lot alike.
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:23 pm
Do high schools have to report injuries I would like to know the status of the RB and QB for Northside? You Northside guys holding back? is Van Brunt going to play?
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:25 pm
Lowndes does need to schedule tougher road games even though region 1 does take its injury toll. Lowndes seems to have trouble winning against good teams on the road. However, they are unbeatable at home and at the dome. Northside also does not play well on the road, see Lowndes and Carver last year and Tift and Valdosta this year. Camden does not seem to have the road problem.
inthatrenches
November 30th, 2009
11:29 pm
NHS (not Newnan High School) I think it is scary how even they are? the offenses are either big play or bust…. the defenses are lights out……. the advantage of being at home for Newnan may be slight but the experience of Nix balances that back out this may look alot like last weekend!! I just hope you guys do not find the cryptonite….
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:30 pm
High schools do not have to tell if a player will play or not due to injury. Just like the PROs, its better not to tell so the opposing team will have more to prepare for. I know but i am not telling. Does’nt really matter about the quarterback anyway, as demostrated friday, either can lead the team to victory. I am more concerning about our running back.