Sandy Creek wins coin toss, then loses home playoff game to No. 1 Griffin
Chat with Michael Carvell
Sandy Creek’s football team won the coin toss to play at home in the state semifinals, but now will have to play on the road after GHSA rules clarification.
It was a huge turn of events for Sandy Creek. Who is the team’s opponent this week? Griffin, ranked No. 1 in Class AAAA and heavy favorites to win the state championship.
How did it happen? Sandy Creek’s stadium does not meet the seating capacity of 6,000 for a state semifinals game. The GHSA waives the rule for the playoff’s first three rounds, while next week’s championship games are held at the Georgia Dome.
After Sandy Creek realized the mistake, the school turned itself in and will play at Griffin at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
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160 comments Add your comment
studentofthegame
November 30th, 2009
11:29 pm
Wow so now Griffin isnt a safe place to play. OMG! If it makes you feel better we can play at one of the neighboring schools. It really doesnt matter. We own Sandy Creek check the last two games played. One at the battlefield the other in Griffin. The outcome will be the same as the previous two a Bear victory! You hear that THOMAS LAME
studentofthegame
November 30th, 2009
11:33 pm
You can tell Sandy Creek Fans arent used to the big stage. Does Sandy Creek have a state title in anything in the last 10 yrs just wondering.
Jay Stone
November 30th, 2009
11:43 pm
Wow, someone used “reprobate” in a blog comment. This is some high brow territory.
Someone asked about seating capacity. In 2004, the two teams played in the second round. IIRC that was before the GHSA changed the size of what it defined as a seat. It went from 18 inches wide to the current 24 inches wide. The required capacity for Class AAAA is 4,000. 4,000 24-inch seats = 5,333 18-inch seats. So if The Battlefield had 4,000 18-inch seats, it’s not big enough.
Thomas Paine
November 30th, 2009
11:44 pm
Student of the game: I want to thank you for the complement. Lame is what our 32nd president was. I’m glad I am finally commanding your respect through my viewpoints. Sandy Creek won a state championship in cheerleading in 2001, your fact finding abilities are failing you in the wee hours.
BEAR MEAT..
December 1st, 2009
12:00 am
fayette dawg glad you can read very proud…now worry about the game and don’t come too griffin since you won’t stop whinning about where too play the game…remember they(sandy creeK)reported it to the ghsa soo LETS PLAY AND STOP WHINNING …RETARD?
Thomas Paine
December 1st, 2009
12:05 am
Alright guys, enough of the the bullying of bearmeat. I simply won’t stand for it. Bearmeat, it’s not your fault that you’ve chosen a handle that makes you your own team’s desire. Nor is it your fault that you have to fight the battles of illiteracy. You need only concern yourself with the threat of twinks; I’ve heard they’re very interested in meeting some bear meat.
BEAR MEAT..
December 1st, 2009
12:08 am
PAINE AND YOU WENT TO GRIFFIN TECH..NICE FOR YA MAYBE MORE MONEY YOU COULD OF WENT TO GA.TECH..
Thomas Paine
December 1st, 2009
12:14 am
Silly bearmeat, I would never disgrace my family’s name like that; it was all a ruse my boy. I dropped out of high school during my third try at 10th grade. Human health can be a real thorn. But now we get into a more philosophical point: you bring up money. How much would you pay to be able to read and write? We all have our price.
bearfanforlife
December 1st, 2009
12:20 am
You people are truly amazing. This is an article about two football teams playing for a chance to play for the state title. If GHSA was to determine which town was safe to play sports in, I would imagine that 95% of the schools in Georgia would be very bored on Friday night. Let’s face the facts, there is NO WHERE that is safe all the time anymore. So lets concentrate on FOOTBALL. If you are not intelligent enough to blog on football, find you another habit because you are not welcomed here. Let the boys play the game Friday night.
Thomas Paine
December 1st, 2009
1:06 am
Bearfan, I agree. I can think of no more intellectually stimulating conversation piece than football, high school at that. The “boys” will play on Friday and it will be grand, no matter the outcome. However, I am a bit concerned about your fear of living and life in general. Via your post, I am making the assumption that you believe that 95% of the schools in Georgia pose an imminent threat to our youngsters’ safety, as well as their families’. Lighten up, Francis. There is nothing worse than going through life scared to greet what awaits you around the corner. Trust me, I have a brother-in-law that went to Griffin High who is that way. He has fits every time he goes back home to Griffin, spouting out claims that he doesn’t want to catch clamidia or rabis. We all tell him it’s silliness; just don’t touch anything.
jcwfalcon
December 1st, 2009
1:08 am
Enjoy it while you can Griffin. Northside will be back to kicking you guys butts down in 4A just like we have in the last five times we have met once we go back to being the big fish in a smaller pond instead of a big fish in a big pond.
Sorry, is it too early to start the 2010 4A Smack?
No dog in fight
December 1st, 2009
1:09 am
Last year when Newnan faced Camden County in the Semi-finals, they rented bleachers and placed them inside the stadium to give them the proper amount of seating. Why didn’t Sandy Creek do the same to keep this game in Tyrone?
Haiku-575
December 1st, 2009
1:30 am
Hi “No dog in fight”
It’s because they’re in Tyrone…
they can’t afford it!!!
jcwfalcon
December 1st, 2009
1:34 am
correction: kicked your butts the last 6 times we met. Not 5. My bad. Forgot about the playoff game in 99.
Bearz_Rule
December 1st, 2009
2:02 am
Allright you bunch of mealy mouth fayette county patty cakes, you wanna start it? The Mighty BEAR NATION wont back down even a LITTLE BIT…Fayette is nothing but a bunch of whiner hypocrites who can’t even afford to buy seats for the fans. When THE BEST FANS IN THE STATE (ALL THOSE FROM GRIFFIN) SAY JUMP>>>YOU WILL ASK HOW HIGH AND THEN ASK PERMISSION TO COME DOWN…you got that? good….now send your so-called team over here..AND LIKE IT.. and prepare to get sent home crying like you taught them by example. Spewing crap on here abut median income….we dont give a rats hind quarters how you steal your money. You sure don’t help out the athletics department with it it is obvious. Our team is BETTER than yours Our BAND is better than yours, our FANS are better than ALL of you combined, and our ANNOUNCER will make sure you KNOW it… furthermore be it known that you will ALWAYS be second (or third) fiddle to Spalding Counties Athletically Elite. WE OWN YOU! Now run tell that!
Bearz_Rule
December 1st, 2009
2:12 am
jcwfalcon – we will deal with you and your team when the time comes..BELIEVE THAT. Yeah you guys are good…We admit it…you have won fair and square, and for the most part NS folks have been a great bunch of fans and they show the Bear Nation some respect….are you on board with that or what?
Haiku-575
December 1st, 2009
2:22 am
jcwfalcon
better not get him riled up
(he’ll hurt your feelings!)
jcwfalcon
December 1st, 2009
2:32 am
You sweet talked me into respecting you Griffin.
But seriously. Looking forward to it being a good year for both Griffin and Northside next year in 4A. Im sure much smack will be spoken (typed) between the two fan bases between now and next November.
Bearz_Rule=Delusional
December 1st, 2009
3:28 am
Dad gum Bearz_Rule settle down. Let me know where youl be before the game and I will let you wash my car for change. You own us ? Clearly you couldnt even own a house in Fayette county or you would not be living in Griffen. Im glad you have Griffen Bears football because you probably dont have much else going for you.
John
December 1st, 2009
6:29 am
GHSA did not have a seating capacity for the semi finals until they moved the finals to the dome.
Devildog
December 1st, 2009
6:52 am
Just observing the atrocious spelling and punctuation . . . and the use of all caps by some . . . I wonder if ANY of these people even went to grade school. Is this what they’re teaching in high school these days? No wonder we’re in trouble.
Bearz_Rule=Delusional
December 1st, 2009
6:57 am
I fully expect this blog to take a decisively pro Griffin turn soon. All the Sandy Creek fans will soon be at work while Griffin supporters loiter around public libraries taking advantage of internet access.
studentofthegame
December 1st, 2009
7:20 am
All the Sandy Creek fans are doing is making it worse on your team come Friday. The numbers dont lie. Oh yeah THOMAS PAINE we dont consider cheerleading a sport of importance maybe you do because you were once cut from the cheerleading squad.(Maybe thats why you brought up the gay community)Nevertheless I can say Sandy Creek has never beat Griffin in anything! Except for maybe CHEERLEADING Lmao at these losers THOMAS LAME AND DELUSIONAL
bearfanforlife
December 1st, 2009
7:42 am
Thomas Paine, I am not scare to go throught life, just like I am not scared for my Bears Friday night. However, my point is that you can be walking down a street anywhere and get “mugged” so quit the Griffin bashing Read the newspaper,(if you can), or better yet, watch the news. They have stations that talk real slow for people like you. I know you feel that you are being “cute”,but that is not what anyone else it thinking. SO once again if you can’t talk about FOOTBALL, find a new hobby!!
GO BEARS!!!
griffinbear
December 1st, 2009
8:19 am
WOW HE SAID OUS STADIUM IS LILTTLE THEN THERES WOWWWWWWWW LIKE ARE YOU REALLY THAT DUMB THOMAS I DONT CARE ABOUT NO CRIME RATE HOW MUCH MONEY THE COUNTY MAKE ANY OF THAT OTHER BULL YA’LL TALKIN FIRST OF ALL YA” DONT PLAY NOBODY YA’LL THINK YA’LL GOIN TO BEAT US AT “THE HOUSE” YOU HAVE ALL LOST YA’LL DAMN MINES FOR REAL YOU HAVE MAN A COULPLE OF YRS AGO I WOULD PROBABLY SAY YEAH YA’LL GOT A CHANCE LIKE I SAID AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN WE WILL GIVE YA’LL 7 IF YA’LL COME HERE AND THINK YA’LL GOING TO RUN THE BALL SHIDDDDDDDDDDDD ANOTHER THING IS COMIN THIS IS THE BEST GHS TEAM TO COME THRU HERE FOR ALONG TIME SO ABOUT THIS STADIUM BULL LETS JUST LEAVE IT ALONE CAUSE WE ARE #1 YOU DUCKS GET YA’LL MINE RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE GRIPP…
griffinbear
December 1st, 2009
8:21 am
and yeah i promise you all ya’ll will here friday night is MAMA THERE GOES THAT MAN AGAIN#47
griffinbear
December 1st, 2009
8:23 am
AMD FLACON WHERE YOU FROM YOU JUMPIN FROM SANDY CREEK TO NORTHSIDE OHHHHH HE IS A D**K RIDER WOWWWW
Buzz
December 1st, 2009
8:41 am
2008 Vollelyball. Go CREEK!!!!
EagleNationRising
December 1st, 2009
8:44 am
Hats off to the folks over at Sandy Creek High School. I believe that Griffin is one of the finest programs in the state of Georgia. However, it really gets under my skin to read a story like this. The state playoffs have not been a shining moment from an administrative standpoint over at the GHSA in Thomaston.
They have had some HUGE mistakes. This is yet another example that these guys at the GHSA do not really have their arms around this thing. As most of you know, I am a big fan of every program outside of metro Atlanta. I know that the AJC staff and Todd Holcomb are attempting to come up with an approach to take metro Atlanta claims to Newnan, Griffin, and Gainesville. Most of us, know better.
I am going to cheer for Griffin 10 out of 10 times against an metro Atlanta program.
However, I really tip my hat to the folks over at Sandy Creek. It really shows great sportsmanship. Good luck to both Griffin and Sandy Creek. The people down in Tyrone (hometown of Sandy Creek HS) have really shown that they are class acts.
EagleNationRising
December 1st, 2009
8:53 am
Oh yes, I have read about volleyball at Sandy Creek. They have two really good twins, correct. I saw them on one of the local sports broadcasts. I always think of the GREAT Calvin Johnson when I think of Sandy Creek. How is the SC volleyball team doing?
GriffinWillChoke
December 1st, 2009
9:16 am
Has Griffin ever had an undefeated season? No. Have they won a state title since any of their current players have been alive? No. Does Stevie D know how to coach in a bog game? No. Will the Bears win? No. The Browns, Vikings, Bills, are right up their with the Bears and history will repeat itself on Friday. Go Pats!!!!!!!
GriffinWillChoke
December 1st, 2009
9:24 am
Why is there so much silence in here now??? the truth must hurt. In fact I will tell the truth even more…Griffin will lose by 20.
1bighammer
December 1st, 2009
9:28 am
Wow! All you folks talking about income, crime and illiteracy on a high school football blog.
Bear Meat,Bearman,Bearz_Rule,and studentofthegame…ya’ll are exactly the reason the rest of the state despises Griffin and their fans. That and the fact that your beloved “Griffin Memorial Stadium” really should be “Ghetto Memorial Stadium” because of it’s location.
These Patriots aren’t the rollover Patriots of years past, we’re not the rest of your pansy Region 4-AAAA, we’re not the Ware Lizards, and we’re not Apalachee.
You’ll find out soon enough. Just like all the rest.
GHS Bear 1988
December 1st, 2009
10:03 am
Griffin will choke, do you really believe that shiznit you just posted. Do think that your team will run the ball and beat this Griffin bear team by 20 . Keep dreaming!! This Griffin team is complete in all phases of the game. Your team wont even score a single point. Sure Sandy Creek went on the road and beat TCC, a TCC team that barely beat the #4 seed out of our region Alcovy 15- 8. While Griffin blasted them 36 – 3 while resting the starters in the second half. And for all you so called educated, rich folks from Fayette.Don’t worry about your personal safety, worry about your damn football team. They are the ones who will be assaulted all night Friday night. Count on that!! And Mon. they will be turning their uniforms.
Playoffs???
December 1st, 2009
10:07 am
Has Sandy Creek ever had an undefeated season? Griffin loses by 20? Someone is definitely drinking the Sandy Creek Kool-Aid. No one has scored 20 on Griffin and Sandy Creek won’t do it either. Pansy Region? The Powerhouse 5-AAAA consists of Osborne, Whitewater, Mcintosh? Come on we will allow you to retract that statement. I’m not saying Griffin plays a tough region schedule but Sandy Creek doesn’t exactly play in the SEC.
PTC DAWG
December 1st, 2009
10:11 am
The person talking crime in this blog is a full blown uninformed idiot. The crime rates are not comparable between either Tyrone and Griffin or Fayette County and Spalding County. The numbers are OFF the chart in Griffin and Spalding County compared to their counterparts in Fayette County. Give me a break. IF you want some hard numbers, check this url. http://www.ajc.com/news/ucr-2009ucr-2009-georgia-crime-137903.html
That said, Memorial Stadium is bigger. Rules are rules….also, from what I’ve heard, the game will also be televised on CSS ch 45 on Comcast.
wonderfish
December 1st, 2009
10:35 am
Sandy Creek will continue to stay humble and win. As an journalist, it’s unfortunate that the headline erroneously reads, “Sandy Creek wins coin toss, then loses home playoff game to No. 1 Griffin.” Gramatically incorrect because you can’t lose a game you haven’t played. The team has learned to overcome adversity, so regardless of the location or the headlines, they will play to win.
whodat
December 1st, 2009
10:40 am
For all you real fans out there, who really know football. Every team that has made it this far is pretty good. The one factor now is about defense can you stop me. I think the Bears from Griffin has an all time great defense. Im not from Griffin i just know the game.
mike
December 1st, 2009
10:43 am
You guys, Griffin will beat the , well AJC won’t let me put it here..No Contest, Go home small stadium people…BooHoo
Voice of Reason
December 1st, 2009
10:52 am
Anytime the GHSA gets involved in anything that requires basic logic and/or analytical thinking skills, then the resulting outcomes become very suspect at best. Everyone should know by now that the GHSA is an arm of the non-metro Atlanta area schools (Region 1 specifically). I don’t support either school, but somebody (GHSA) needs to explain why there was a coin toss in the first place. My guess is that the “good ole boy” network is at work here. I suspect that Griffin, a long time perennial power, has a bit more clout with the GHSA than Sandy Creek would. Bottom line though is the almighty dollar. The site that holds more folks, the more money the GHSA and it’s crooked hierarchy make. These schools no longer have the discretionary funds to bring in temporary seating if they aren’t guaranteed to make that money back.
As an aside…if Newnan isn’t “a metro Atlanta school” then please explain the criteria by which “metro Atlanta” is defined?
mike
December 1st, 2009
10:55 am
Lose by 20 to sandy creek, man get real…Griffin will win by 20 you mean !!
mike
December 1st, 2009
11:08 am
mmmmmmm, Lets See, Griffin 38 sc 3……HeeHee
gripp1922
December 1st, 2009
11:25 am
I griffin is undesputed No. 1 why do they have to have a cointoss with anyone??doesnt make since to me…we’re 13-0 and sandy creek has a loss so they need to come here anyway!!! so what were yall gonna do when griffin came up and there wasnt enough seats??? cuz i know where was gonna be atleast 4or 5 buses of just fans not counting the people driving…
jcwfalcon
December 1st, 2009
11:34 am
griffinbear, not sure what your post to FLACON meant…I assume it was directed at me. I’m a Northside Eagle who just wanted to poke Griffin fans. Over the last 5 years Griffin and Northside have seemingly had a couple of the more dominant programs. Because of it, we used to run a lot of smack back and forth about who was better when we were in 4A with them. Now we will be back. Just getting the 4A rivalry blood flowing again.
Jay Stone
December 1st, 2009
11:34 am
UGA didn’t steal the logo. They got the Packers’ permission. I can’t speak to Griffin’s use of it, though it’s different. The Packers’ is a white G on a green background. The Bulldogs’ is a black G on a white background. Griffin’s is a green G on a white background. (This was pointed out to me by Steve Shankweiler years ago; frankly, I don’t know that I would have ever noticed it)
As for the game, anyone who thinks this game will be a blowout hasn’t been paying attention. Neal against Griffin’s defense is going to be fun to watch. I’m comfortable saying this is the de facto state championship game. I’ve seen some 8-AAAA football, and I’m convinced neither Rockdale nor Clarke Central can stay with these two.
Bear Fan
December 1st, 2009
11:37 am
I am extremely pumped about the game on Friday. It is all anyone seems to talk about. There is no better place to be on a Friday night than at a high school football game (no matter who your team is). The atmosphere is exciting and everyone’s adrenaline is pumping. However there are a few things that some are forgetting. 1. This is a game played but 15, 16, & 17 year old kids. 2. It is the Final 4 and everyone wants “their” team to win. 3. After next week high school football will be over and for some it will be over this week. Then everyone who is complaing, moaning and groaning will find something else to complain, moan and groan about.
I can not believe all of the crazy talk on this post. Seriously people! Grow up, get a real job and GO BEARS!!!!
Hitman17
December 1st, 2009
11:40 am
yeah! BEARS DEN BABY! time to turn it up all way now!
jcwfalcon
December 1st, 2009
11:41 am
gripp- fyi- GHSA doesnt recognize anyones “rankings” for their seeding or for a method to determine home field. Prior to seeding all they see is where you finish in your region. Its a little obtuse, but it keeps it simple. GHSA doesnt want to deal with things like overall record, strength of schedule, quality wins, media rankings, etc.
If they went based on rankings, many of these schools who play in weaker divisions and went undefeated would have to go on the road to play 2 or even 3 seeds from tougher divisions. No doubt Lowndes had a higher state ranking and tougher strength of schedule than many of the #1 seeds.
I do wish they had SOMETHING else to use to determine home field besides a coin flip. I hate coin flips for anything. But, I am not smart enough to know what would be fair after, maybe, record vs common opponents and probably over 80% of the time they wont have common opponents. But, I agree ranking shouldnt be a part of it. Most of the folks doing those rankings dont/can possibly watch all the games. They are ranking blindly and typically with some degree of politics/past history (see Notre Dame being ranked sometimes without really working for it), and that wouldnt be fair to teams who would deserve it more.
Haiku-575
December 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
The only CHOKING
from Bears will be from the POINTS
they RUN UP ON YOU!
studentofthegame
December 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
To you Griffinwillchoke I guess you didnt know that Griffin High School has the most players from GA to play in the NFL. THOMAS PAINE you thinking cheerleading is a relevant sport on a blog tells me that Sandy Creek hasnt won anything nor are they ready for the big stage. Maybe you used to be a cheerleader Thomas thats probably the reason you brought up the gay community. Its all clear now