Program of the decade? Camden, Northside stake claims
Northside and Camden County will play on Saturday for the Class AAAAA championship.
Is this also for the title of ”football program of the decade”?
Let’s look at the candidates:
Northside: 121-13 record this decade, two state titles, two runner-up finishes, but is it significant that the titles were won in Class AAAA, below the highest level?
Camden Couty: 120-13 record this decade, two state titles, but are Camden’s W-L record and playoff draws enhanced from playing in the state’s weakest Class AAAAA region?
Lowndes: Three state titles and six championships in the state’s toughest region, but does that make up for having only 106 victories this decade and a 2-4 record vs. Camden County?
Buford: 137-7 record this decade and five state titles, with a sixth possible, but how do you compare AA vs. AAAAA?
Is there another program that deserves consideration? Parkview? LaGrange? Charlton County?
As far as the other finals, there are no great surprises that I see except Clarke Central. Great job by Leroy Ryals in reviving a program that hasn’t been in a title game since 1992. Sandy Creek also deserves some recognition. An early loss conspired to keep this team out of the limelight until it counts.
All the finalists from AAA down have been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 at some point this season. I’d say Sandy Creek is a solid favorite to win AAAA, but the rest of the finals are toss-ups.
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420 comments Add your comment
plowboy
December 8th, 2009
2:32 pm
cat faithful making a case for my school , if you would pay attention to the TOPIC you would see what i was doing….oh yeah CAMDEN`S record at the dome ….not too good
A Boy Named Sue
December 8th, 2009
2:44 pm
Not that this should carry a ton of weight, but when all four of these teams are so deserving you have to pick them apart somehow.
Current NFL Players:
Lowndes: 2
Buford: 0
Camden: 0
Northside: 1
AJC Super 11 Players since 2000:
Lowndes: 2
Buford: 3
Northside: 3
Camden: 0
No doubt
December 8th, 2009
2:48 pm
It has to be Lowndes. More state titles at the highest classification, in the toughest region. They don’t get automatic homefield advantage like Camden and Buford in the playoffs and yet still have 3 titles this decade. From what I saw they were the best teams in the state in 2008 and 2009 and unfortunately had to play on the road against very good teams. Talent wise, I don’t think anyone could compare to them the last 2 years.
topper
December 8th, 2009
2:53 pm
If you are looking for the best program with the most success regardless of classification , how can you deny what Buford has accomplished? This coming from a Camden fan! Although all 4 of these programs have a fair arguement in this.
Neutral Valdosta Resident
December 8th, 2009
2:54 pm
Good point No Doubt. I attended numerous Lowndes games the past couple of years and when they were firing on all cylinders, they were dominant. Ask Peachtree Ridge, North Gwinnett, Borrkwood, and Valdosta. Hell they didn’t play very well against Colquitt this year and still won by 25 at Colquitt. They have two losses this year by a combined 6 points to the two teams that are playing in the state championship, and both were on the road. What if those games were played in Valdosta. Unlucky seedings/coin flips both this year and last year cost Lowndes two more state titles. I am not a Lowndes or Valdosta fan, just calling it like I see it.
Flyer
December 8th, 2009
3:07 pm
Hey guys, I think you are leaving out one team. Parkview. When comparing against Lowndes, both have 3 AAAAA titles and made the playoffs 9 out of the 10 years. Parkview has one additional finals appearance and made it to at least the quarterfinals in 6 of ten years. Lowndes can’t say that. Camden has made at least the quarterfinals in 7 of 10 years. Northside has made the quartefinals in 6 of 10 years, although not all in AAAAA. I am not a Parkview fan, but they should at least be in the discussion.
WAQ
December 8th, 2009
3:17 pm
Flyer
Good point…
WAQ
December 8th, 2009
3:22 pm
Topper
You are correct. They have the most titles out all classifications. I just have hard believing that many D-1 recruits are in AA community school.
topper
December 8th, 2009
3:27 pm
WAQ – “I just have hard believing that many D-1 recruits are in AA community school.”
True but my thinking on this subject just comes down to performance and their performance can’t be denied! But in the end who really cares who the team of the decade is? I just want my team to be the team of the 2009 season Saturday night!
Flyer
December 8th, 2009
3:35 pm
WAQ
The answer to Buford getting that many recruits from a community school is that they recruit from Gwinnett, Forsyth and Hall counties. Think about it, if you are able to get an additional 5-10 athletes per class what it would do to your talent level. As long as you pay the 1500-2000 per year youy can go to school there. Community schools don’t have that luxury. In gwinnett county schools are being constantly split up and losing kids.
AVikingFan
December 8th, 2009
3:36 pm
AVikingFan
December 8th, 2009
3:32 pm
A very special thanks to all my blogging friends for their thoughts and prayers. I am getting stronger every day, and WILL get throught this thing. Two major arteries were stopped up and had to be by-passed, and either could have caused me to never watch another football game. I was really that close. But thanks to God, my wife, and my friends like you, I am getting stronger each day.
A special good luck to all the teams and therir fans treveling to and from the Georgia Dome this weekend. If any of you have any contact with players on your teams, tell them how proud you are of them.
I will be on the side and reading the blogs when I can. Thanks again and God Bless each of you.
CAMDEN-WILDCAT-#72
December 8th, 2009
3:44 pm
CAMDEN COUNTY– REGION 1AAAAA, REGION 3AAAAA, and CLASS AAAAA CHAMPIONS AFTER SATURDAY NIGHT!!!
SportsFan31313
December 8th, 2009
3:48 pm
We are ALL pulling for you to get well soon.
topper
December 8th, 2009
3:53 pm
SportsFan31313 – We are ALL pulling for you to get well soon.
I second that!!!!!
WAQ
December 8th, 2009
4:01 pm
Flyer
Thanks for that info.
plowboy
December 8th, 2009
4:07 pm
AVIKINGFAN we are pulling for you and praying for you! you got to get healed up , we need you next year!!!!!!!!!!! one of your old raiders!
Fred
December 8th, 2009
4:19 pm
Guwinster,
Regarding the statement about the Corkey Kell “We’ve been stuck with some bad teams in the past”, with all due respect I believe you played a good team this year.
Geo
December 8th, 2009
4:20 pm
Buford has the program of the decade. They have more wins and more titles. Whether you like them or not, it doesn’t matter. Results tell you everything you need to know. Name a team in the state of Georgia that has more wins and championships this decade.
Jefferson
December 8th, 2009
5:15 pm
As long as Buford’s recruits are legal, what can you say? Me, I’m saying their stats don’t lie, they are THE team of THIS decade.
That being said, Go Jackets beat Buford.
Buford South.
December 8th, 2009
5:46 pm
Ok people,let’s be reasonable…The question asked wasn’t who could beat who, it was according to the stats provided with a little un-bias,who is the tam of the decade.Personally,i say Buford because ive seen all teams involved a time or two and Buford is atleast as big,some cases bigger and as fast,sone cases faster. Trying to make sure i have the teams correct, Buford play a south Ga team last year and i remember the coach, who i think coached Dublin said the aaaa quarterfinalist they played earlier in the year doesnt match up with Buford. They may be shorthanded because of school size, but for one game Buford’s 11 will line up and be better than anyones 11!!!!!! believe that!
really?
December 8th, 2009
6:22 pm
A Boy Named Sue- Buford has a NFL player right now, Darius Walker. Denver Broncos. and people come to Buford because their success. people want to be a part of it and come here, the coaches dont go out and get people. so yes y’all are all wrong.
really?
December 8th, 2009
6:24 pm
Buford has a great program and so does NSWR and Camden, Lowndes. Buford was trying to schedule Byrnes, but it was too late bc they were already played Central Gwinnett. that would have been a great game as well. Buford is the dominant AA of the decade by far. and could easily be the number one program of the decade.
Camden Mark
December 8th, 2009
7:20 pm
Buford is a great team/program no argument but to leave out our nieghbors Charlton out of the AA picture is an insult.Much harder for them to maintain with the pool they have to draw from,way harder than Buford in football rich Gwinnett Co.I have more respect for them than any team in the state because of that.
Flyer
December 8th, 2009
7:21 pm
Really? Buford was offered the Central Gwinnett slot in the Progressive Football Challenge to play Byrnes. Central Gwinnett wanted out of the matchup. Buford declined and picked up Grovetown instead. Doesn’t sound too much like a team that wants to lay it on the line.
There is no question that Buford has done great things on the AA level. I realize that the question had no clarification on which class, just wich team was the program of the decade. Every team that has been talked about has certain things that give them so called advantages. Camden plays a weak region schedule so they can rest players and give back ups experience. Northside played in AAAA for a number of years in the middle and all of their Championships were won there (that could change on saturday).Lowndes seems to have trouble on the road and as great a team as they are have seemed to underachieve. Parkview won 45 straight games to start the decade, but has cooled of dramitcally the last 4 years. Buford has had unparelled success on the field but plays in AA and because of the way they are able to bring in talent they are not a true representation of a school with 800 students.
That being said, I think the winner of the Camden/Northside game will go along way toward being the team of the decade.
really?
December 8th, 2009
7:34 pm
charlton shouldnt be left out my bad. and camden has dont great things too, but all of these people throwing shots at buford dont know anything about the school or how hard they work.
really?
December 8th, 2009
7:59 pm
meant has done great things too
lowndesvikings0001
December 8th, 2009
9:59 pm
LOWNDES!
NHS (not Camden-StMarys-Kingsland-Woodbine-Waverly-Kingsbay-Browntown-***Unfair Advantage)
December 9th, 2009
12:05 am
You can’t be the Program of the Decade if you can’t win on the road!
NHS (not Camden-StMarys-Kingsland-Woodbine-Waverly-Kingsbay-Browntown-***Unfair Advantage)
December 9th, 2009
12:12 am
You can’t be the Program of the Decade if you play with submarines
NHS (not Camden-StMarys-Kingsland-Woodbine-Waverly-Kingsbay-Browntown-***Unfair Advantage)
December 9th, 2009
12:14 am
You can’t be the Program of the Decade if your name is Buford, cause it reminds me of the talking buzzard at Six Flags.
Collins #31 Camden Wildcats
December 9th, 2009
1:22 am
topper camden assst coach is in prison for teritic threaths he said he would fking kill thoes little basters and that b**** of and [ex] wife
randy prosen
December 9th, 2009
6:45 am
I hope that kicker trys alot of 50 yard kicks on Sat. Camden reloads, they are another team this year. Camden would have beaten Lowndes anywhere this year. Get Valdosta ready.
plowboy
December 9th, 2009
9:43 am
randy prosen , were you at the lowndes/camden game? camden did not beat us we beat ourselves ,
topper
December 9th, 2009
10:32 am
plowboy – I was at the game and you are wrong!!!! You got beat!!! A 9 minute drive at the end of the game sealed it ! Move on and get ready for next season. You are gonna say holding calls did it but why do holds happen?” Because someone got beat and they hold, You are the only lowndes fan I see on here that keeps making these claims.
PC fan
December 9th, 2009
10:58 am
To Sue: Peach County has had 4 Super 11 players since 2000. They are AJ Bryant, Tony Wright, Darius Dewberry, and Chris Slaughter.
stop all yall whinning
December 9th, 2009
11:18 am
plowboy,
you may be in trouble when you begin to make excuses, if you were at the game instead of just reading the second hand recap in the ajc you would have seen that despite the close score that the game was not that close and lowndes was fortunate to still have a chance to pull it out going into the fourth. the pressure was on the lowndes defense the entire game. all the mistakes including the muffed punts by each team was cause by the defenses. yes the rightside of lowndes line jumped offside on that 4th & 2 but it was not the only 4th down conversion on that drive (and most likely camden planned on going for it anyway look at the grayson game). camden could have added the last score but allowed time to expire, scoring might have given those who were not at the game a more representative feel for how the game transpired, but it would also have diminished an excellent effort by both teams. lowndes’s defense was proud and resilient while camden’s offense was relentless and its defense just as proud & resilient. it was a great game period.
my only regret is that it was in the second around, but for now those are the breaks, a very tough south georgia (middle georgia) team is going down (camden or who ever finishes second in the region)
as for lowndes being the best team in the state with the most talent the last two years,
yes I agree preseason and on paper but even you would have to admit ” that’s why they play the games”
A Boy Named Sue;
you are right it shouldn’t since this is a team sport, but if it was an individual sport like golf, tennis or bowling it might
happy holidays
stop all yall whinning
December 9th, 2009
11:22 am
happy holidays,
to all the teams, bands, cheerleaders, parents and fans making the trek to the dome, safe travels and injury free games this weekend are my holiday wishes!!
good luck!!
plowboy
December 9th, 2009
1:17 pm
i was at the game , you guys played well but how many drives were past the 50
topper
December 9th, 2009
1:43 pm
plowboy – Never enough drives past the 50 to make me comfortable! But enough to win the game. Both teams played lights out defense! I just wish tjat game had been played later in the playoffs.
plowboy
December 9th, 2009
2:06 pm
amen brother
plowboy
December 9th, 2009
2:08 pm
well i guess it doesn`t matter about programs of the decade , heard a rumor that COACH MCPHERSON maybe going to Florida State….
topper
December 9th, 2009
2:24 pm
plowboy -”heard a rumor that COACH MCPHERSON maybe going to Florida State….”
Wow I wonder if it is true! What will Lowndes do then?
plowboy
December 9th, 2009
2:27 pm
don`t know but MADISON county florida`s coach quit this week and that is where coach mac came from
plowboy
December 9th, 2009
2:27 pm
and thay are powerhouse in florida
stop all yall whinning
December 9th, 2009
4:37 pm
losing coach mcpherson would not only be a lose for nhs but for gahs football, but understand wanting to move on to bigger challenges, partly hoping not true but he and his coaches have built a solid program which should still flourish especially down in 4A if houston county does its due diligence with his replacement
but still only a rumor right plowboy!!
topper
December 9th, 2009
4:58 pm
stop all yall whinning – He is Lowndes coach not Northside
stop all yall whinning
December 9th, 2009
5:24 pm
topper
i realize that got distracted with real life matters on my end, my apologies to all ; }
wardawg
December 9th, 2009
6:23 pm
Nuetral Valdosta Resident. Great teams play well on the road, not just in front of their fans. Playing at home helps, but does not gurantee a victory, ask all of the teams that Colquitt traveled to and sent them into basketball season, with the exception of Camden. Camden won their titles on the road in 2003-2008. They won their to the Dome last eyar by beating Newnan at “The Drake”. Had to travel to North Gwinnett this year to get the right to play Colquitt at home. Friday we get on the road to travel to Atlanta. Plowboy, turnovers are part of the game, that is why they are kept as a statistic. They play a vital role when both teams are built around their defenses. Denfenses rely on who will blink first. Folks look at Camdens region and think that their region and the ability to play all of their players make them good. I have scanned all of the top teams that were in the playoffs and their were some blowouts in every region, including 1 AAAAA. If Camden was in 1 AAAAA, they may or may not go undefeated, but believe me, they would not be at the bottom of the region, they would compete every year, you don’t have to go undefeated during the year to win a state title, that’s a bonus when you do. But if you peak at the right time, you can do some damage, case in point Colquitt, #3 Seed in 1 AAAAA, they just ran into a good football program, that stresses teamwork. Ever notice how you never see Camden players in the spot light, even after a 247 yard, 2 touchdown performance, last week, Camden does not care about headlines and will not put headlines before teamwork, ask the starting senior QB who quit before the playoffs. Camden never skipped a beat, by the way their scoring has been on offense in the playoffs.
nhs student/drumline player
December 9th, 2009
8:20 pm
SHUT UP about camden co.camden has made it this far i give them that.but they just cant compete with northside this year.northside starts mostly 10th and 11th graders who will most likely go to a D1 schools.we have the best safety in the state and who is a good friend of mine.and we have a grade freshmen team that won all there games by atleast 30.we will see saturday night
camden fan
December 9th, 2009
8:53 pm
LOL @ nhs student/drumline player….. Guess we should just save the money and not travel. I mean the freshman were undefeated YIKES !!!!!!. Most of Camdens D is 10th and 11th graders with a Freshamn CB. Northside said same thing last year “we are a young team”, do you guys fail all your players so they can keep playing ????? At some point you have to have seniors. Yes we will see Saturday night who has the best team but win or lose CCHS has had a great year.