Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: Five semifinals playoff teams that far exceeded expectations
Of the 20 teams that have reached the semifinals, 15 were ranked in the preseason and can’t be called a true Cinderella. Five were unranked and given little chance before the season of sticking around this long.
Here is a look at each by the GHSF Daily staff:
Rockdale County (AAAA): The Bulldogs were 5-5 last season and started this year 1-3. Then, to ensure that no one would predict them to reach the final four, they nipped winless Monroe Area 18-15 in the 10th game. Since then, it’s been three decisive playoff victories on the road – Banneker (41-18), Hiram (21-7) and Westside (23-7).
Darlington (A): The Tigers were 6-5 last season and started 0-3. This is the private school in Rome that lost star quarterback Nash Nance to Calhoun, the No. 1-ranked team in Class AA. Darlington won its region but lost to Trion in the 10th game. Who saw this coming? Not us. Coach Tommy Atha has Darlington in the semifinals for the first time since the state championship season of 1998.
Clarke Central (AAAA): Talk about a blast from the past. Clarke Central was North Georgia’s top program in the largest class from the mid-1970s through the mid-’80s under Billy Henderson, a Hall of Fame coach, but hadn’t won a playoff game since 1997. The program hadn’t hit bottom, just become mediocre. Leroy Ryals has improved the school’s victory total each since he arrived in 2006. Still, Clarke Central was 8-2 in the regular season.
Colquitt County (AAAAA): Colquitt is the only semifinalist that is coming off a losing season. Colquitt was 4-6 in Rush Propst’s first season in Moultrie, but the coach who won five state titles at Hoover of Alabama has the program in the semifinals for the first time since 1998. Colquitt finished in third place in powerful Region 1-AAAAA.
Eastside (AAA): The Eagles of Covington lost most of their starters from last season’s region champions. That included player of the year Justin Wray. Eastside started 1-2, losing to its Newton County rivals, but has won 10 straight. Remember that this is a program that suffered consecutive 0-10 seasons in 2004-05.
Here is the preseason ranking of the other 15 semifinal teams:
No. 1 – Buford (AA)
No. 2 – Calhoun (AA), Gainesville (AAA), Wilcox County (A)
No. 3 – Flowery Branch (AAA), Clinch County (A)
No. 4 – Camden County (AAAAA), Fitzgerald (AA)
No. 5 – Sandy Creek (AAAA)
No. 6 – Griffin (AAAA)
No. 7 – Northside (AAAAA), Peach County (AAA), Lovett (AA)
No. 8 – Savannah Christian (A)
No. 10 – Newnan (AAAAA)
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171 comments Add your comment
topper
December 2nd, 2009
4:54 pm
JUSTME ,Auburn Packer – Alright guys these are high school kids we are insulting here …… Lets keep the topic on football!
camden
December 2nd, 2009
5:01 pm
ahh friday night im camden county, it dont get no better. with that said its going to be a great game this friday. its going to be cold, and the wildcat boys are going to have there shirts off cheering there hearts out. ole jeff is going to have a great game plan, and so is rush. both teams are playing way better than what there talent is. both teams are hot. something has to give. colquitt travels well camden can play some football in kingsland. its going to be packed, get atmosphere.
camden wins close on a missed extra point, or a blocked punt. 14 to 13 or 10
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:05 pm
ok no love for camden haha just cuz u got hoovers old coach dont me jack camden is in a weak region yes BUT we get it dont in the post season so untill u beat us shutup and ill shutup i wish all the teams good luck and also the feild wont be muddy it TURF
Old Wildcat
December 2nd, 2009
5:05 pm
Support your team but please let’s be respectful.
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:06 pm
its funny
topper
December 2nd, 2009
5:07 pm
Old Wildcat -”Support your team but please let’s be respectful.”
My thoughts exactly!
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:07 pm
Old Wildcat amen
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:08 pm
Enter your comments hereit gets annoying u wont beat camden by 14 camden wont beat u by 14 its gonna be good nobashing
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:09 pm
gosd the rain needs to go away
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:10 pm
rain ran go way just dont come back on friday
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:11 pm
i hate storms we are undee a tornado watch:[
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:12 pm
Enter your comments herebut its disapat6ting
Gryphon
December 2nd, 2009
5:15 pm
It seems most of my fellow Griffin fans think Sandy Creek has no shot against us. But they were ranked higher than Griffin in the preseason and their only loss was a 2OT game against a 5A playoff team.
I really don’t think it’ll be that big of an upset if SC pulls it out. Though I will cheer my Bears on to the bitter end.
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:15 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBb_BrhnAo go there they he the whole camden ng game on youtube
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:17 pm
it wS A ONE SIDED GAME AFTER THE FIRTS
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:21 pm
DAMN I CANT SPELL
OLD PACKER
December 2nd, 2009
5:21 pm
haha,
I consider your football program to be funny!!!!!
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:22 pm
OLD PACKER who the hell r u talking to
Andy
December 2nd, 2009
5:22 pm
insulting cheerleaders? thats my family you are talking about (Camden finished 7th in the state in cheerleading this year by the way).
As far as Camden county being a nice little town-its the same size as colquitt county.
I hope the fans that show up in Kingsland are more respectful than the trash talking, lack of intelligence posting types such as Auburn Packer.
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:23 pm
?
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:24 pm
andy amen
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:26 pm
im scared
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:27 pm
i freaking hate storms
dakotah
December 2nd, 2009
5:29 pm
?,.m;j
phil
December 2nd, 2009
5:30 pm
For new alignments go to http://www.ghsa.net – it’s on the front page there.
OLD PACKER
December 2nd, 2009
5:32 pm
GO PACK GO!!!! I think the Packer Cheerleader’s won the State Competition!!!!!
topper
December 2nd, 2009
5:35 pm
phil thank you.
Andy
December 2nd, 2009
5:35 pm
Thats awesome old packer, I couldn’t remember who won 5A.
That is also why nobody should be insulting anyone, you never know the whole story all four teams in left can beat any other team still left.
OLD PACKER
December 2nd, 2009
5:35 pm
looks to me like Auburn Packer was not the first to make the cheerleader comment. I am sorry that your family was insulted by Auburn’s comment but if you read carefully, it looks like JUSTME made the initial comment. Perhaps Auburn has family on the Packer cheerleader team as well.
ayy
December 2nd, 2009
5:41 pm
yall colquitt boys aint finna win on friday anyways so talk all the noise ya want, cuz its only like a 3 hour drive back for yall to be cryin.
topper
December 2nd, 2009
5:42 pm
watch the insults people they will shut this blog down! Keep the topic on football and remember these are just kids we are talking about!
OLD PACKER
December 2nd, 2009
5:47 pm
ayy,
We love the road. This roadtrip should be sweet with victory!!!!
Andy
December 2nd, 2009
5:50 pm
Yeah I didn’t read JustMe’s comment, also very uncalled for.
I guess this is why I never usually get on here, all of the negative comments and the insulting.
topper
December 2nd, 2009
5:51 pm
Yeah Andy I think I am done on here!!! I will just wait till Friday.
Aec
December 2nd, 2009
5:59 pm
Newnan an Camden will meet in the championship game for AAAAA..It will be a rematch of the semi finals from last year..Hopefully Newnan can keep it together an pull out the victory over Camden County for the championship this year.That would be sweet revengie from last year lose!! GOOO COUGARS!!!
newnancougarfanCHD
December 2nd, 2009
6:13 pm
First of all, it is Ogletree not Ogeltree, “tree” for short. Second of all, PROSKILLpat you obviously dont know about the Newnan defense if you think you can establish a run game. If you establish anything offensively it will mostlikely be the pass but there is a very very high possibilty you wont be able to really establish the pass or run against our defense. The only time a team has been able to establish the run game is when they had a tiny,fast, and slippery running back, specifically Tay Willis from East Coweta. We practically shut down Grayson’s run and they couldnt use our weakness of small fast runningbacks out of Ean Pemberton so I seriously doubt yall can do that against us. Plus the team is going after yalls O-Line because of some comments made by some Offensive linemen about Newnan so…… Im thinking Newnan should have the edge in this one. GO COUGARS!
EAGLE1
December 2nd, 2009
6:13 pm
I think any team could win Friday night! At this stage of the game all of the teams are good. If they wouldn’t they would have not made it this far. Good luck to all the teams and may the best teams come out on top. Hopefully the Eagles can get their running game going. They are definately going to have to play better against Newnan! I think Conrad will have them ready and pumped up. They are the underdog and have nothing to lose! If they play their game, then it will be close. It’s really been fun playing in 1AAAAA Region. I really hate to drop back to AAAA. GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!
EAGLE1
December 2nd, 2009
6:16 pm
NewnancougarfanCHD,
What comments are you talking about? I haven’t read anything about Northside’s offensive line saying anything negative about Newnan. Fill me in on this.
Old Wildcat
December 2nd, 2009
6:24 pm
Enough negativity. Let’s talk about the individuals on the team. So who is the best offensive and defensive player from the final four?
cane fan
December 2nd, 2009
6:30 pm
buford is under a HURRICANE WARNING!!!!!!!!!
Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: Five semifinals … School
December 2nd, 2009
6:33 pm
[...] Original post: Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: Five semifinals … [...]
EAGLE1
December 2nd, 2009
6:36 pm
The best defensive player for Northside is Brison Williams. He also plays offense! He’s about 5′11″ 185 lbs. He’s already committed to South Carolina.
columbia Blue
December 2nd, 2009
6:48 pm
packerfan31322
YOU QUOTED randy,sorry to be the one to tell ya this but Colquitt is no Beach,Groves or Savannah High,get ready for some real football
I am going to pretend that you are not crazy as heck. This is the forth round of the State Play-offs—-We are defending AAAAA State Champions and you have the gall to say we will not be playing the talent associated with the Savannah Schools (No Joke). I have heard enough. Our kids have heard enough. Heck it is time to strap it on and play SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL. Camden will be ready to play the game of their life. Thanks for the neagtive comments—-It only adds fuel to the fire. Yes we are ticked off and dern tired of the trash talking. If we get up in the game, I hope Coach Herron does not put the second string in as he did against North Gwinette (4th quarter). Evidentally we have a lot to prove Friday night. I love being the blacksheap of South Georgia.
Old Wildcat
December 2nd, 2009
6:52 pm
Its hard to pick out one player at Camden because of the “One Team Concept”, but if I had to pick one it would be Days.
wardawg
December 2nd, 2009
6:53 pm
Put the region 1 AAAAA to rest. The only team to win a 5A title from region 1 AAAAA is Lowdnes, the rest have yet to sniff a title, never the less play in a final game. Camden beat Northside last year and Lowdnes this year. Lowdnes had and has an outstanding football team and program. Camden is 8-0 since 08 in the stae playoffs against the best in AAAAA. EW this is your best year since ‘94, 15 years ago, and that was AAAA football. What is your playoff record since 2000, the birth of AAAAA football? How many titles? Since 04-05 the only region 1 AAAAA teams to beat Camden is Lowndes(2) and Warner Robins(1). Camden has beaten Tift County, Lowdnes, Valdosta, Colquitt, and Northside. They have never lost to a region 4 AAAAA team. So the Cats stack up well against 1 AAAAA teams, why? because they don’t look at your region when they lace them up and strap it on. You really know what separates Camden, Lowdnes, Northside, Pridge, Brookwood, Parkview, and Valdosta Newnan? These are programs, not just teams, there is an atmosphere of expectancy. To always be a contender. There have been a lot of 1 hit wonders, but few programs are consistant in challenging every year for the title. I am talking ablot programs when you take an honest assessment and really have football knowledge and follow other programs, not teams and say, they will be in the hunt for a while. That is when bandwagon bloggers get on, you can pick them out. Colquitt was has been 18-25 overall since 04-05, and 9-17 in region 1 AAAAA. This year is not included. What does this mean, Colquitt has not competed in AAAAA football until this year. Before you decide that Camden does not belong on the field with a region 1 AAAAA team, make sure your team has ranked near the top of your won region consistantly before you critize. Again do your homeworrk, research and then post, just the facts. Good luck to Camden and Colquitt on friday. The best team will win, remember, turnovers are part of the game.
magicman,crazyfan
December 2nd, 2009
7:01 pm
Best Offensive Player is Newnan WR Alec Ogletree, Best Defensive Player is Newnan FS Alec Ogletree hahahaha
NHS
December 2nd, 2009
7:03 pm
Nobody loves a winner two years in a row, GO PACK!
NHS
December 2nd, 2009
7:05 pm
Next year Camden plays Savannah Arts Academy. That ought to be fun to watch!
columbia Blue
December 2nd, 2009
7:07 pm
NHS
Colquitt has a great team. Camden is terrible—IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR–HECK
NHS
December 2nd, 2009
7:09 pm
No, Camden is too good, I am jealous!