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
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:36 pm
Just like the WR game, Friday was a wake up call. Peachtree defense was the best we have seen this year. Lowndes was also good but slept thru the first half. Ridge was awake the whole game except one big play in the 4th. How do you let a receiver get open behind the safety in the last few minutes of a game. Its just highschool football, unpredictable.
NHS (not Newnan High School)
November 30th, 2009
11:42 pm
This year’s Northside team is not great but they do seem to find a way to win and make history. First region 1 championship, first win ever at Valdosta, first win ever at Tift county, first time ever beating Lowndes and Valdosta in the same year. Now thats scary.
Colquitt County Underdog
December 1st, 2009
2:56 am
packer- you have gone beyond what is deemed reasonable trash talk. the packers have 2 losses on the record. we are not undefeated. we are not the 72 Dolphins or 85 Chicago Bears. stop saying crazy stuff just for the sake of saying it. Camden is the defending AAAAA champion and they are not going to just lay down at home for the Packers to beat them. the Packers will have to play their best game of the season to win in Kingsland…luckily we are peaking at the right time.
White Trash
December 1st, 2009
8:55 am
Colquitt County Underdog – Great response to Packer, I am glad that someone from your team has common sense. Every team is beatable, you guys have a safe trip to Kingsland and lets have a great semi final game…
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
9:27 am
It’s all about strategy when it comes to scheduling look at UGA’s schedule vs Florida schedule. If you schedule to many tough teams outside your conference early on it can be problematic. Florida took Miami off their schedule for that reason.
If Camden moves to 1-AAAAA they will schedule just like the other teams. You get three non-region games. First game is a cup cake. Second game a tough opponent. Now a great coach can find his glaring weakness. The third game another cup cake or mid level program. This allow a great coach to see the adjustments.
Camden has used this formula in region 3-AAAAA. But there weak region allows the coach to continue to develop young players and stay away from major injuries. This is the main reason they can win on the road.
Player development for depth and no major injuries is the key.
But unlike say Valdosta,Lowndes,Colquitt,NSWR and WR (1-AAAAA) or Peach County, Baldwin, Carver Colombus (1-AAA)who has to deal with a tough region schedule and major injuries and cannot rely on a weak region schedule to develop experience back up during the season. Give any great coach the ability to play freshman and sophmores a half game every game and watch the results. Take any of these programs and give them Camden’s 3-AAAAA schedule and watch the results. They can not schedule no more than one tough opponent outside their region. Check all the above teams non-region schedule and you will see what I just said.
NSWR removed Peach County from their schedule for this reason when they went to 1-AAAAA.
Robert Davis did this when he left Warner Robins and went to Westside Macon and that program.
Buzzbee removed Screven County and Swainsboro tough AA teams from Statesboro schedule to build up that program when he arrived.
When I was in the military I was stationed at at Moody AFB in Valdosta, Warner Robins AFB, Texas, Florida. I was raised in Statesboro Ga. I now live in Metro Atlanta. I have seen great High School football.
To win State you need plenty of depth and no key injuries.
I was at the NSWR and PTR game and I saw NSWR starting QB go down with a possible concussion. A key starting DL also went down late. But they had enough depth to gut out a win at home. This could be a major problem come Friday vs Newnan. Wesleyan starting QB went down with a knee injury and the defending Class A State champs went home.
NSWR Injuries
December 1st, 2009
9:30 am
Are all these injuries to NSWR just dings or are they ones that could be game changing injuries, keeping key players out. I know that rumors of injuries are usually hard to count on. Does anyone know if Newnan has anyone out?
topper
December 1st, 2009
11:04 am
packer – If Lowndes were better than Camden wouldn’t they have beat Camden? The better team won that game!
jcwfalcon
December 1st, 2009
11:23 am
NSWR injuries- I was at the game but other than that I know no more than anyone else without inside info. Briar Van Brunt- starting QB went out in the 1st half and didnt return. I wouldnt expect to see him vs Newnan if it was a concussion, unless…it seems Nix has a habit of trying to win with his backup unless the game gets out of hand, then he will put his recovering starting QB back in to try to change it up or create a spark. We saw this vs. Tucker in the playoffs two years ago, and it worked. I believe Northside was down 21 and came back to win that game in the 2nd half.
Because Van Brunt is more of what I would consider a Tebow style QB (which is to say he seems to run more than he passes), with the backup in I think we can expect to see more of a traditional passing QB. Not sure if he passed more in the 2nd half vs Peachtree because they had shut down the run and NHS was behind, or because he doesnt have the same running ability as Van Brunt.
Starting HB Shaquille O’Neal went into last week vs Peachtree Ridge with with two broken fingers, but played anyway. He was uneffective, and Northside was unable to get any running game going with anyone. I do not know if it was just Peachtree Ridge’s solid run D that stopped O’Neal, or if his fingers had an effect. I would expect to see him play vs Newnan, but we dont know what type of performance we will get.
I could be wrong about much of this. My info comes from other people who arent in the inner circle. I dont have any idea about the d-lineman that went down vs Peachtree Ridge.
GOPACKGO
December 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
Sorry Camden fans but we have been here many times before. Some of our fans are just stupid and talk trash. I will root for our Packers but totally respect Camden County. Don’t let one person spoil your opinion of all of us. We are a program with a winning history and we typically do not trash our opponents. Some people from Moultrie need to shut their mouths. Go Pack Go!!!!
White Trash
December 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
GOPACKGO- There are always one bad apple of the bunch, it goes both ways. Should be a great game friday and both teams deserving to be there. Go WILDCATS…
Eagle Fan
December 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
NSWR Injuries according to the Macon Telegraph Van Brunt has a bruised sternum and is expected to play Friday. O’neill will play most likely.
topper
December 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
GOPACKGO – No offense taken… I think it is just some of your younger fans who might be a little new to this! We are looking forward to a great game!
Decatur 4 Life
December 1st, 2009
12:51 pm
Stephenson Jaguars Supporter
Don’t put Columbia in the same boat with Cross keys in anything. That lets me know you know nothing about what you talk. Although I agree with you about Gartrell that game against Colquitt was not packed with Jaguar fans. It was actually more Packer fans there than Stephenson, the fact is maybe the rest of the Jaguar Nation knew Gartrell’s luck would not change this year.
Decatur 4 Life
December 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
Drago
I like Newnan’s chances this year but we I never considerd you a part of metro Atlanta and I’m still not. You’re close but that only matters in hand grenade throwing and horseshoes, and another thing I’m still pulling for you because the baby SEC way overrated
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
Hi Eagle Fan,
That’s good news for the Eagles. I think NSWR most important player is the field goal kicker (All State 2 years). Conrad seems to be playing to keep it close and mistake free and let him win it. That’s why he let him kick it in the first overtime without running a play (also they could not move the ball on the ground and he did not want risk a fumble). If Newnan can play mistake free this could come down to who has the best kicker/punter.
cane fan
December 1st, 2009
1:14 pm
fitzgerald at home this week; should be a 4 qtr war, buford may be “big”, but fitzgerald has been small all year, fitz is strong and fast, I bet buford has not seen such a fast “D” like fitz, also fitz has so many weapons on “O” pass attack 4 rb’s that avg over 10 yds per carry, I hope buford has a safe trip down 75, it’s going to be a longer trip back north, good luck guys
GO CANES!!!!!!
Sportsfan31313
December 1st, 2009
1:37 pm
Okay this weeks Predictions:
Class A
Wilcox County beats Clinch County
Savannah Christain over Darlington
Class AA
Fitzgerald beats Buford
Calhoun Beats Lovett
Class AAA
Peach County Beats Eastside
Gainesville Over Flowery Branch
Class AAAA
Griffin Beats Sandy Creek
Clarke Central Beats Rockdale County
Class AAAAA
Northside Warner Robins Beats Newnan
Camden County Beats Colquitt County
WHO DARES TO DIFFER?
Fred
December 1st, 2009
1:45 pm
Newnan and NS (I dropped the WR!
) both had tough opponents last week from the weak (to hear ENR talk) Gwinnett teams. Both walked to the edge of the abyss and looked in. I think Newnan knew they were going to have a tough game while I think NS might have gotten caught up in someone’s hype and underestimated PTR. This week’s game will require perfection to win. I kind of like Newnan since I have direct knowledge of them (whew!) but know that NS will play strong. This is where coaching will tell. It is going to be all about getting the kids prepared to be on the top of their game. I predict another very close game similar to last week’s. If there is a spread in the score, I think it will be because mentally the loser broke down. Of course, this assumes no sigificant injuries. If Olgetree goes down, then NS wins.
By the way, I’m Fred and not fred!
wilcoxfan4life
December 1st, 2009
1:45 pm
These predicts look right on the money to me!!!!!!!!!
Newnan 1 fan
December 1st, 2009
1:48 pm
Mighty Grayson had a good fg kicker and punter. but he got both of his fg blocked . the first by Zander and the second by Alec.
We kicked the ball off and play defense all game long. and eventually NSWR will get tired of getting hit and turn the ball over.
We have had the hardest playoff schedule this yaer and so glad we have playing region 1 teams because i want close there mouth about who the play in the regular season and using that as an excuse to lose, my theory is that you all build up this hype and cant live up to it. I said it before we had the best team in state last year and we lost 26 players all 11 on offense and we still have the best team this year. The best thing about it we will be really good the next 3 years. National Champions once al 9th graders become seniors
True Blue Cat
December 1st, 2009
1:53 pm
I think at this level coaching has so much to do with how the team performs. You look at Camden County even when they were a 2AA school they would play non-region games against larger opponents and win some lose some but they could never carry deep into the playoffs. The talent is the same the school is larger but Jeff Herron seems to be the real difference maker.
We also love the fact that many schools do not give Camden much respect as a program. We continue to compete though year after year and always seem to play with a little chip on our shoulder.
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
1:59 pm
Newnan 1 fan
Can you really continue to count on blocked fields to get you thru? The key is turn overs and field position. Which ever team wins that battle will win the game. A bad punt could decide the game.
Peach County
December 1st, 2009
2:01 pm
Coaching makes a huge difference! Carver-Columbus has more talent than the Auburn Tigers, yet they only have 1 ring to show for it.
Fitzgerald fans, get over yourselves. Pruitt came to WRHS and tried to make a Wing-T team into a passing team. Brian Wray led WRHS to a title that Pruitt lost badly with. A good coach adjusts his schemes to fit his players talent. That was like Wade Phillips trying to run the 3-4 with 255lb Patcrick Kerney at DE
NSWR fans get over yourselves. Until HoCo opened, WRHS was the dominant power in Houston County. Even then it took Robert Davis going to Westside before y’all ever won anything!
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
2:05 pm
True Blue Cat
You have a solid/great program at Camden. I justed wished you and the rest of the supports would admit the region schedule gives your coach chance to develop solid talent during live game situation. You have no need to play with a chip on your shoulder. You have great talent year end and year out period.
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
2:11 pm
Peach County
Great post. Amen on the Pruitt and Robert Davis comment. Davis used Northside as a feeder program for the Demons. He would recruit the great Sophmores. Pruitt almost destroyed the Demons program.
randy prosen
December 1st, 2009
2:12 pm
Camden beat Lowndes in a defensive battle, that game is over. It was not an upset it was a shutdown. I beleive Jeff Herron and his staff are the best coaches in GA. Coaching does get those kids ready and up for these games. But I think its the kids out there making the plays. I would put Camden up against anyone player for player. And they do it with class. Have a safe trip Colquitt Co., enjoy Thunder Alley, I know I do. Go cats. Beleive in the Paw.
Fred
December 1st, 2009
2:30 pm
Newnan 1 fan,
I think you might be mistaken. The first field goal attempt was pushed slightly to the right and missed by a foot or two. The second field goal attempt was in all reallity slightly beyond his reach and fell short. The last attempt with 5 secs left was blocked when no one touched Olgetree.
Your team played very strong. You might want to look at things as they really are so as not to be blind sided. Good luck with your predictions. A lot can change in three years.
WARDAWG
December 1st, 2009
2:42 pm
Packer, this is about coaching. Coaching plays a vital part in any program. The coaches have to get the kids to buy into a program. This occurrs through trial and error. Camden has palyed in the Kell Classic for some years now, with the exception of this year have won. (Great Season Grayson). Look no further than 2000 when the largest classification was formed, the only winner’s have been Parkview, Lowdnes, Pridge/Roswell,Camden. That is only four teams over a 9 year span. three of these teams have multiple titles. The only team to beat Camden from AAAAA during this time is Lowdnes. There are numerous successful programs in Georgia. All it takes is one bad night on a friday and you are on your way home. Colquitt has 1 title in AAAA(1994). So Packer, Just the facts please. Camden just wins, and they have a program supported by the community. No trash talk needed. The Cats strap it up and execute the game plan. Best of luck to all teams on friday.
White Trash
December 1st, 2009
2:55 pm
WAQ- I can admit that our region allows us to develop players, at the same time, you still have to have good players to execute the system we play. In our community, everyone is involved so it is easy for the transition when they (kids) come up from pee-wee to Varsity, due to them playing/learning the wing-t system early.
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
3:01 pm
WARDAWG cut Packer some slack. He’s just excited about his second year coach Propst and how he has revived the program and the community. Surely you remember the years before Herron or maybe not. I saw Colquitt play Stephenson live and was very impressed with Propst and how he out coached Gartrell. He put together a great game plan to stop a high scoring offense the next week. Should be a great game wished I could be there.
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
3:06 pm
Thanks White Trash. You seem to be the only voice of reason among your compadree’s. It’s about player development during live game situations. Good luck….
topper
December 1st, 2009
3:13 pm
WAQ – You are right about the weak region helping in player development, but where it does not help is you never know how a team who beat everyone by 50 will react when they are involved in a tight game situation. That is when you know it is all about coaching. Last year that was my major concern with Camden in the playoffs. Not as much this year having played 3 close games to start the season.
White Trash
December 1st, 2009
3:25 pm
WAQ – No problem, but it is only common sense, why would you play your starters for 4-Qtrs when you are up by 35 points or more at halftime. You risk them getting hurt and it is a great opportunity for everyone to play and contribute to the team. It builds morale and confidence in the younger players when there time is up to play the main role in the system. This is coming from a Camden grad and huge fan.
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
3:38 pm
topper
That’s why Herron schedules the two tough non-region games early to see were the possible problems maybe. Use the region to work on them. He is not scared to take the early loss. He does NOT care about polls. Only championships. The 3-AAAAA region is a great advantage to him.
topper
December 1st, 2009
3:43 pm
WAQ – I agree and have been saying for a while now there biggest advantage is the lack of injuries due to playing the easy schedule. Last year all of the non region games he scheduled were easy wins! Not the case this year.. Honestly in all the years I have been watching this team this years team is the most improved over the course of a season I have ever seen! Can’t wait for friday!!!!!
xman
December 1st, 2009
3:59 pm
johnies and joes, not X’s and O’s
WAQ
December 1st, 2009
4:07 pm
topper
This might be Camden’s best team. It reminds of the Lowndes County team from 99. They lost the their first game to Warner Robins 14-7, then in the middle of the season they lost back to back games to Colquitt and Ware County. Made the playoffs. Went on the road for every playoff game except the finals. Overcame a 28 to 7 halftime deficit to NSWR in the Dome to win 31-28. Beat Brunswick in the final 17-0. If memory servers me correctly Jay Ratliff the All Pro nose for the Cowboys was his All state Tight End.
inthatrenches
December 1st, 2009
4:11 pm
Fred sorry for some over anxious fans the reality we escaped Loganville….we definitely are talented but some people (obviously) do not know how to look at a win objectively….the grayson game could have went the other way as far as the 9th grade team goes…..that group might be the best 9th grade group I have ever seen… but as you have said alot can happen in three years…Thanks for the well wishes the Cougars appreciate your support….hey we could be saying the same for grayson Wow what a game…..and as far as coaching goes….. I think Grayson has a bright future…
good days
December 1st, 2009
4:26 pm
oconee county warrior was state champion 1999 under coach herron
topper
December 1st, 2009
4:26 pm
WAQ -I think you might be right. Maybe not as taleneted but the best TEAM. If you would have asked me if this would be the case the after the Hoover game which was the third game of the year I would have said wait till next year! But again coaching!!!! Great job done by Coach Herron!
CamdenGuy
December 1st, 2009
4:37 pm
One of the greatest joys we have about the Camden County Wildcats is that we take care of business of play at a time! From being around this team for the last 8 years I can say we have to maintain class, respect and focus! The only game that matters is this Friday Night! Period! Region 1AAAAA is an incredible region that have incredible teams! Being in South Georgia Rocks! Go Cats Go!
Newnan i
December 1st, 2009
4:52 pm
Fred- I am glad you could read my message didnt proof read. But my prediction is based on knowledge of our 9th grade team and how they are learning from the seniors. the fastest person at our school is a wide receiver in the 9th grade and our 9th grade team blew every team they played out. i know its 9th graders but just saying look out they are very talented . remember these names Maurice White LB, Devon Henry WR,and Bryce QB
We are ranked 12 in the nation and after we beat NSWR. Then I hope Camden win so we can beat them for the championship.
This will rank us in the top 5. And next year our entire offense will return. with a very young but big defense. Newnan will be National Champs 2011
Newnan i
December 1st, 2009
4:59 pm
WAQ- Yes, i count block fg goals when its not luck. Our team plays very intense and hard. Grayson was ready to throw in the towels, the first quarter they got out of their game plan they threw more passes in the first half then they did all year. We got tired and they scored so we let them off the hook they was ready to give up. the reason they was able to attempt those fg. is because there coach made a great call by facking the punt and we got fooled bad. but they couldnt move the ball at all we played lights out.
This why they play the games
December 1st, 2009
4:59 pm
Certain scholls don’t fit the mold of north or south georgia footaball. Newnan, LaGrange, Griffin, and Carrollton fit that mold. They play a western style that hasn’t changed much in generations. The bottom line is that style doesn’t win it- talent and coaching do. I remember when Douglass came to Griffin and did all kinds of strange workouts to put some fear in Griffin. They got back on their buses on the short end of a 27-0 score. But they looked good.
SouthGARules
December 1st, 2009
5:40 pm
I have to agree with SportsFan31313 especially Northside over Newnan. Northside has the greatest coach in the state in Conrad Nix, while Newnan has a relative neophyte in Mike McDonald. That should more than overcome the home field advantage that Newnan has. All you have to do is ask ENR.
plowboy
December 1st, 2009
5:56 pm
packers 28 camden 14
northside 24 newnan 10
wardawg
December 1st, 2009
5:56 pm
WAQ, I will cut Packer some slack. Friday is a few days away. Hopefully Packer will get on the road to travel and see the game live, not play by play from a blog site or from someone watching the game. This one will be a dandy.
topper
December 1st, 2009
6:05 pm
plowboy – I don’t think there is any way Northside scors 24 on Newnan an Colquit will not put 28 points on Camden.
Tift Devil
December 1st, 2009
6:45 pm
plowboy- Those are two of the worst picks I have seen this year, there is NO WAY Northside is going to put up 24 on Newnan, I think they will be doing good to get 14.
columbia Blue
December 1st, 2009
6:47 pm
To all Packer Fans
I am a life long resident of Camden County. We have had great talent in the past but we did not have coach Herron and his staff. The coaching staff at Camden is absolutly great. As far as Packer football is concerned—You guys have a GREAT TEAM. Camden will have to play their best game to win. As far as the tradition at Colquitt—–You Guys have always been good. If I am not mistaken, the packer team of 94 (maybe 96) was one of the best teams I have ever seen. I think the running back that year was a kid by the name of Lavisky King. He was a GREAT running back. I heard that he was killed in a car accident his senior year. Camden certainly respects the PACKERS. We will certainly not take them for granted. Good luck Colquitt. May the best team win. GO WILDCATS