Free-For-All Forum: Georgia high school football FINALS scores, updates, photos and chat – LIVE!
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It’s the FINALS of HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS. AJC high schools beat writer Michael Carvell will try to blog live and take your questions about high school football and related topics.
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GHSA BRACKETS: AAAAA | AAAA | AAA | AA | A
Here are the finals games you can find stories and photos from this weekend on ajc.com…
Class AAAAA – Camden Co. vs. Northside-Warner Robins
Class AAAA – Clarke Central vs. Sandy Creek
Class AAA – Gainesville vs. Peach Co.
Class AA – Calhoun vs. Buford
Class A – Savannah Christian vs. Wilcox Co.
GHSA BRACKETS: AAAAA | AAAA | AAA | AA | A
Finals topic: Review the 2009 season — biggest surprises, disappointments, most inspirational stories, who deserved the hype, who didn’t, players we’ll miss most and who’ll rule in 2010.
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601 comments Add your comment
jesse james
December 11th, 2009
8:15 pm
Go Sandy Creek, I hope you beat the socks off Clark Central. Any Coach that let’s his kids wear socks like that needs to get his butt kicked. That is what is wrong with athletics!
EagleNationRising
December 11th, 2009
8:23 pm
Copngratulations to Buford for winning the State championhip and to Calhound for reaching the State Championship. This blog is for fun, ribbing other fans, and talking a little trash. However, we should all agree that any team that reaches this point deserves our respect.
One game down and now we are preparing to see Clarke Central back on the state’s center stage. It has been far too long for such a storied program. Good luck to both Clarke Central and Sandy Creek. I have a great deal of respect for both.
This game should be fun.
jacketnation
December 11th, 2009
8:41 pm
Get well soon Vikings fan. Hope you are fit as a fiddle for the holidays.
flats
December 11th, 2009
9:08 pm
If the darn socks make you dirty your britches then follow chess or checkers at your local high school.he want his kids to play ball his way and not a man that walks around complaining wearing dirty britches that are soiled.let the boys alone man!
cane fan
December 11th, 2009
9:13 pm
is there a way to tell if a coach has applied for another coaching job even if he is not hired?
Geo
December 11th, 2009
9:14 pm
Cane Fan still can’t get over his team losing.
cane fan
December 11th, 2009
9:18 pm
just wondering??????
cane fan
December 11th, 2009
9:18 pm
rumorers going around
flats
December 11th, 2009
9:20 pm
what the crap you talking about caneman?
cane fan
December 11th, 2009
9:23 pm
valdosta
flats
December 11th, 2009
9:27 pm
valdosta might get the guy from byrnes high in south carolina.
The Truth
December 11th, 2009
10:37 pm
WOW!!! Calhoun was out coached and out played! I think that they had a trouble game plan! That DaRick kid choked! the little running back fumbles all the time and the QB has a weak arm! I think that if calhoun played in a tougher region they would not be a 9 time region champ!
BullDawg Rick
December 11th, 2009
10:54 pm
Well, Well, Well…
The Wolves of Buford have solidified themselves as the Georgia Team of the Decade! They have won titles in every fashion imaginable… From a blow out – 50 – 0 vs. Lovett to a defensive struggle vs a great offense 13 – 10 vs Calhoun… 6 State Championships & 8 Finals in the past 10 seasons!!
The question remains…. Who’s #2???
jcwfalcon
December 11th, 2009
11:04 pm
Buford lol.
AstroFan
December 11th, 2009
11:10 pm
@EagleNationRising I’m guessing you never heard of Douglass high school? As an alumnus of Douglass, the biggest problem that’s holding us back is the school system holds back the city of Atlanta football programs, same way in Dekalb, which is why MLK Jr’ H.S. coach is leaving. At Douglass we pulled in more money than any other school in the city, but we never saw that money, because we have to share it.So no, Football stadium, Alright weight rooms and that’s basically it. But out of all of that, Douglass is still able to turn out tons and tons of D-1 athletes and 4 NFLers. We had a game over at Morris Brown stadium 30,000 fans back in 2000, but Douglass never saw any of that money.
Mlk fan #1
December 11th, 2009
11:46 pm
Buford needs to step up and play in the big boy league they recruit players from the surrounding area. They don’t have the courage to move up and compete
JayBo
December 12th, 2009
12:06 am
Ok, I know everybody has been waiting on JayBo’s commentary of the Calhoun-Buford game..ok calm down folks just kidding. Well first of all, I was 2-0 with my picks…I picked Buford and Sandy Creek…congrats 2 both! If you’ve been following the blog you know that i was pulling for Calhoun—my wife’s alma mater. Also those who know me know that I graduated from TCC…had to say that b/c I want all to know that my assessment of the game is unbiased.
Here I go…I have been following Calhoun for five plus years now and this team tonight provided them their best chance to win it all. What did you see tonight JayBo?? What was Calhoun problem JayBo?? There were three issues that caused Calhoun the game tonight: 1) TURNOVERS(4) 2) COACHING—Calhoun’s offensive coaches game plan needed more wrinkles…you gotta come into a state championship game with IMO atleast 5 new offensive plays that your opponent has not seen on film…you gotta have them in your back pocket!! Buford was ready and waiting on everything Calhoun did on offense. However, Calhoun’s defense played with a lot of heart..they were small, but boy were they rugged and hardnosed on D…they played good enough for Calhoun to win. 3) QB play….im not one for criticizing kids on her, but the QB aint that good period!! The QB from last year who quit the team(or replaced by the powers that be) was waaaaaaay better than the kid who transferred in!! I know they say he is a Vanderbilt commit, but he is not athletic at all!!!! If he was more athletic he could of taken a couple of those read options plays to the house, but only got about 10 yards or so b/c he’s slow! QB from last year was much quicker…if he was the Qb Calhoun wins this game easily!! Then his arm strength is not there…can not throw the deep ball good at all…his deep throws were all underthrown!!! Then he just holds the ball intead of leading his receivers….they were open, but with him holding the ball…the DB’s had time to recover! Again, the QB from last year who should have still be the QB was much quicker with his decisons!! These three things cost Calhoun the game tonight!!!
Bodog
December 12th, 2009
12:07 am
Hey Guys: LET YHE MIGHTY WOLVES GLOAT,ALL THEY CAN STAND: THE IS A TIGER COMING THAT WILL TEAR ANY WOLF IN THE STATW OF GEORGIA IN SCHREDS!!!!!! CARVER WILL BE THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK,AND NO I SAID NO BODY CAN STOP HIM ON THE MIGHTY BUFORD TEAM TEMEMBER IT’S ALL OVER MIGHTY BUFORD……THE RECRUITER OF RECRUITERS,ETC
Bodog
December 12th, 2009
12:11 am
after saying all that ; buford deserves respect ; they earned the state champ. my hat’s off to you…………..
JayBo
December 12th, 2009
12:13 am
No sir Bulldawg…in the words of ESPN’s Lee Corso…not so fast my friend!!! No way can a stacked team playing in AA be the team of the decade!!!!! Thats a no brainer my friend!!!! There is no other AA school or n any classification with that kind of size year in and year out…just dont work that way. How can you explain that???? Its obvious that the team is stacked and therfore should be forced to play up….no respect for Buford’s program at all…just not right and the GHSA ought to be ashamed of themselves for allowing Buford to do this!!!!
pity poor monroe area
December 12th, 2009
12:41 am
Congrats yo Buford for ye another state title, and MAN, did the Creek put it on my Gladiators!! Thought Clarke Central was going to pull it out when the kid hit the third-quarter field goal for a 9-7 lead. Stepped away for just a couple of minutes and it was 22-9, Sandy Creek. Wow, what a second half showing by Sandy Creek!!! Great couple of games tonight.
Pulling hard for my Red Elephants to bring it home tomorrow……
blu eagle
December 12th, 2009
1:02 am
Go you BIG BLUE EAGLES, hope it is a good win tommorow, we want to give Coach Nix a good sendaway because I am afraid this is his swansong.He is not only a great coach, he is a good man with character and integrity.If you played for him you know! Go you hairy hairy eagles!
Buford South.
December 12th, 2009
1:11 am
And the team of the decade is………………………….?
Country Cooking.....
December 12th, 2009
1:19 am
CCHS’s Coach handed Sandy Creek the Ball game tonight. On 2nd and 23 you run a draw, and on 3rd and 22 you pass, when you know you have to, and every body else in the stadium knows it. Bad Coaching by the H.ead Coach all night gave SC the state Championship.
BEARMAN
December 12th, 2009
1:36 am
CONGRATS TO SANDY CREEK FROM BEARMAN AND GRIFFIN BEARS. WELL DONE!
SCfootball
December 12th, 2009
3:29 am
AAAA State champs baby!!!!! Good luck to all the teams tommorow! The party in tyrone continues all night long!
SCFaithful
December 12th, 2009
4:21 am
Country Cooking….We have been hearing all year how bad coaching “gave” us the game. Well it is time to give credit where credit is due. We EARNED every win we got and we did it against teams that were suppose to dominate us. It is time for all the critics to step up and admit…we have a great team…we have great coaches…and we are for real because we are STATE CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
czBrat
December 12th, 2009
7:42 am
Ditto that comment from SCFaithful. If you’re a good sport, how about giving credit and well-deserved congratulations to Sandy Creek. They’ve been given nothing. They have trained, fought, and earned every victory up to and including the AAAA State Championship! CONGRATS PATRIOTS!!
GHS RED MACHINE
December 12th, 2009
7:48 am
Gainesville is a community steeped in football tradition. Yes, the title has never been brought home but there’s always a first in everything. We love and support our guys and are so proud of a 14-0 season. I think today may be the day some of you south Georgia folks open your eyes and see a surprise. I feel something coming. I was part of the 82 team and we fell short. What has given me chills this week is seeing a piece in our newspaper that showed some of our 82 team guys and their sons who play on todays Red Elephant team. It just seems like it’s our time. Mostly, let us all pray for the safety of the traveling teams, fans and families. May no one get hurt on the field of battle and sportsmanship is the highlight of the day.
Region 6AAAA Fan
December 12th, 2009
8:03 am
Congrats to Buford and Sandy Creek on winning their respective classification championships…let me throw my 2 cents in about this playing up or down in classifications. The GHSA set the guidelines based on school enrollment so if there’s any blame to be handed out it should definitely go them(GHSA), although you can petition to be allowed to play up or down, so in that retrospect maybe some of these perennial power teams should certainly consider moving up and playing in a bigger class…now all this talk about who’s the team of decade and who should be ranked where nationally and all that mess would be a moot point if the GHSA would adopt the format some other states have on determining a “TRUE” state champion, and that would be to have each classification champ play each other for the state crown…of course we know this will never ever happen, but it is something to look at
EagleNationRising
December 12th, 2009
8:57 am
I believe that programs should play on an even playing field. If enrollment does not determine that playing field, I do not know what else a program could do. I believe allowing to play up or down based upon on the field success is opening Pandora’s Box. It is a slippery slope and rarely serves the good of the overall student body.
This is, at least, Buford High School’s second state championship in less than a month or so. They are back-to-back state champions in softball and three time state champions in football. There are 20 sports and activities sponsored and sanctioned by the GHSA. Unless Buford is simply rough-housing their competition in every one of those sports and activities, why should the Wolves play up? There are more athletes in a school than just the boys who play football.
“True” state champion? In my view, we already have 2 “true” State Champions! There is no arguing the matter. In approximately 15 hours we will have 5 “true” State Champions. I promise you any person on this blog questioning the “true” worthiness of either of those 5 State Champions is opening Pandora’s Box and approaching a very slippery slope. There is no large state in this nation that has this supposed “true” state champion. Georgia is the 10th largest state in the nation. Even most of the small states that have become famous for crowning one state champion (almost always a large school) have abandoned them. Go to Indiana and watch the basketball state championships. There are no longer any “Hoosier” storylines. Schools with similar enrollments compete with one another.
In a state as large as Georgia, you have to separate school’s by classification along the lines of enrollment. I only wish that the GHSA would wake up and come to some type of broader consensus about private schools. This issue will not go away because we close our eyes. I believe there will be a day that this issue affects larger schools. Then, I am certain that the GHSA will make a move.
Congratulations to our 2 “true” state champions Buford and Sandy Creek. I will take either of them and play any small state program that believes they are a “true” state champion. I believe the odds rest with the Georgia programs.
EagleNationRising
December 12th, 2009
9:07 am
With all due respect to the Clarke Central posters on this blog, how exactly did the coach hand the game to Sandy Creek? It appears to me that there is not one athlete wearing a CC uniform that is going to be playing wide receiver at Louisville or running back at Mississippi State.
I have even challenged some Northside posters on this matter. Do you guys know what it is like to play high school sports against top tier athletes like the guys Sandy Creek had running out of the tunnel. I have attempted to explain to blogger on this site how impressive a program like Carver-Columbus is and how they are beyond loaded with talented athletes.
If anyone could complain, I would imagine that the posters from Sandy Creek would have had a larger complaint. Our Eagles played Newnan last Friday. The Cougars went a few possessions where they simply force fed the football to Ogletree. This guy is one of the best players in the nation. If we did not have a player like South Carolina bound Brison Williams, we would have simply had to take our medicine.
Sandy Creek had better players at major offensive skill positions. Only armchair quarterbacks who have no clue could point to the head coach at Clarke Central. One way or another the Mississippi State bound RB and Louisville bound WR from Sandy Creek were going to get theirs. It is frankly nothing that the head coach can do about it when you face a two headed monster like that.
Sandy Creek are state champions! Clarke Central is the runner-up and back to relevence in Georgia high school football after missing the party for over a decade. Let’s celebrate two fine seasons. Obviously, CC’s coach got his team to the State Championship. He can not be that bad! Griffin was the top team in the state for most of the season. Sandy Creek violated the Bears on their own field. SC must be pretty good.
Region 6AAAA Fan
December 12th, 2009
9:14 am
How in the world does school start back later up north but the high school football championships are already over before georgia’s???? lol…anyway me personally i would still like to see a real “TRUE” state champion in high school football here in the state of georgia, it would squash a lot of the my-team-is-better-than-yours convo, even though the talk does make for good pub
EagleNationRising
December 12th, 2009
9:16 am
Any “Red Elephant” recruiting going on up in Hall County? We already know how top flight Gainesville boys’ basketball programs recruit and get it done. What is really going on up in Red Elephant Country? It is only a question, Gainesville posters. I just know that GHS got real good and real loaded, real quick!
Before a single Gainesville poster goes nut, I know for a matter of fact that a certain head basketball coach loaded his program up and reached a few State Championship game with a certain Georgia signee at wide receiver who was a heck of a basketball player and with his “future” wife’s son who is the leading scorer for his Division I mid-major basketball team.
Yes, I am talking about “East Hall! East Hall! East Hall!” Is that sort of “reaching out” going on with the Red Elephants? I certainly hope not. The truth is the Red Elephants are playing a program from Middle Georgia. You guys should already know what happens when Middle Georgia teams hit the field.
For all of the talk about metro Atlanta and South Georgia, Wilcox County, Peach County, and Northside all represent Middle Georgia with strong teams and discipline programs annually. The Red Elephant faithful will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Middle Georgia’s finest programs, Peach County, this afternoon. The Trojans are going to hit all night long. The Gainesville vs. Peach County game has the potential to be a real gem. Two great community programs. The way it is supposed to be. I love it!
Jefferson
December 12th, 2009
9:27 am
Good game Buford. Calhoun could not overcome 4 2nd half turnovers. The defense played they asses off, as they were put in a tough situation. They have a winning program over there that is tough to beat.
COUGFAN88
December 12th, 2009
9:39 am
Well Congrats to..Buford and Sandy Creek “True” state Champions in their classifications..tonight is going to be the crowning of 3 other “True” state champs in their Classifications..ENR it has been fun to read the blog the last couple of days..and would like to tell you that your knowledge is impressive…I was just trying to stir the pot last week going after you…but you do know your football in the state…good luck to both Northside and Camden County in this much notable game…I will be watching from afar on the internet..It has been fun this year..ENR..nothing personal from last week ok..I am just proud that Newnan made it that far…and Northside did whip us even though the score looked closer than it actually was…it has been a great week of reflecting..and if this is Coach Nix’s swan song as someone mentioned earlier..then I Know Northside will play their butts off for that Coach because he deserves to go out a Champion…Good luck to all..ENR hope to see you on here next year..stay safe and healthy and to AVikingFan:I am still praying for you to recover quickly and hope to see you on here blogging away next football season..
EagleNationRising
December 12th, 2009
9:39 am
Buford kids are State Champions. Sandy Creek players are State Champions. Any person who could argue their “true” worthiness should go out and find a wall. After identifying that wall, that person should go and talk to it. Perhaps, the wall can give them some insight to what a “true” state champion is. Again, name one large state that plays for one state championship. I am completely confused as to how any person could say that any team that wins the state championship in any classification is not a true state champion.
I would argue that the State Champion in high school football in Georgia is a much TRUER champion than the National Champions at the highest level of college football. “True” champions? What are you talking about? Do you believe that the NFL has a “true” champion playing a playoff system that is separated by conference, NFC and AFC? Do you believe that the NFL playoff system is a “true” playoff system in that some teams get byes and that some teams get home-field advantage with worse records because their team won their weak division?
In my world, “true” means equal playing field. I can give you a myriad of examples in football that are not equal. The NFL plays an unbalanced schedule based on a team’s previous season. Then, they award bye weeks in the playoffs. Then, they play through conference schedules. College football has a bowl system at one level and a playoff system in others that forces regional play. If the top two teams are from the same region, they must play one another before advancing to the quarterfinals. That is not fair or true. There are flaws with any system.
I see two fine State Champions who are as “true” as the morning sun.
Jefferson
December 12th, 2009
9:40 am
“played they asses off” should be “played their asses off”
That’s pretty funny.
EagleNationRising
December 12th, 2009
9:49 am
CougarFan: Nothing personal was taken from it. I had a nice trip from the city down to Newnan. People were very nice and helpful in directing me through downtown towards the high school. I love it when people have passion for their school! I love my high school and I love communities like Newnan that get behind their programs. Drake Stadium was packed and a great environment for a high school playoff game.
I was even a little jealous. I wish Northside could play in a stadium like that. It was right there on campus. We play in a very nice stadium. However, it is a municipal/city stadium that all Warner Robins high schools share. It is also directly across the street from Warner Robins HS, our hated rivals.
When I was in high school, our games were played with a bright Demon with lighted green eyes overlooking the field. After we lost to Parkview in the State Championship game, that was changed. The Demons still keep a big “R” lit up across the street and put bright lights on a sign reminding everyone about their two National Championships.
I just wish Northside could play on Green Street at our high school. I love McConnell-Talbert. However, it would be nice to play at Conrad Nix Stadium or something like that right on campus. Even if it were smaller than McConnell-Talbert, it is something unique about playing right there at the high school.
Good luck to the Cougars next season. Hey, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year at Northside and Newnan. It looks like the Eagles and Cougar simply reloaded for 2009. I hope the Cougars have even more success next season. Good luck.
Jefferson
December 12th, 2009
10:00 am
Cane Fan – Enjoyed the oonversations this season. I hope you and your family has a great holiday season and may ya’ll be blessed in the next year.
For you fans who know how to win modestly and lose graciously ya’ll have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It is what it is.
Later
jesse james
December 12th, 2009
10:27 am
Bring the semi-final games back to the dome and bring the finals back home. Oh I forgot the SEC Championships has to have the Dome.
Region 6AAAA Fan
December 12th, 2009
10:36 am
I love this blog, see how it envokes chatter? I am in no ways saying either of the teams that won championships in the Dome yesterday are not true champs, what i did say is that in some states they have each champion from their respective class play each other for the “TRUE” overall state champion
Region 6AAAA Fan
December 12th, 2009
10:39 am
Let’s have Buford play the Camden/NSW winner, and Sandy Creek play the Peach/Gainesville winner and those winners meet the following week for a “TRUE” champ…it would definitely be interesting and fun conversation.
True GA Peach from PEACH County
December 12th, 2009
11:00 am
GOOD LUCK TROJANS!!!!!Win @ the DOME and Bring that AAA Title HOME …. where it belongs!!!! Class of ‘93 got ya back – Remember yall…
“IT’s STILL PEACH SEASON”!!!!!!!
bad brad
December 12th, 2009
11:02 am
I have been Sandy Creek fan from the beginning and there have been great players at the Creek throughout our relative brief history, from J R Lemon (Stanford) & Jabari Holloway (Notre Dame)…Kedric Golston (UGA), Calvin Johnson & Andrew Gardner (both Tech), to the current guys like Neal and Davis.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s in South Fulton. They opened a new school in College Park in the late 60s (Lakeshore) and they were immediately successful. Their coach was named Charlie Brown. After a time, Brown left to go to South GA to coach. He came back to another new S. Fulton School (MD Collins) who prior to his arrival rarely won more than 2 or 3 games a season. It wasn’t long before they were winning most all their games and getting to the playoffs every year.
I say this because it is my long held opinion that if you have a high school coach with a good system, he will win wherever he goes. When Rodney Walker took over from the original coach (Don Tyre), it was readily apparent that he had a much better system (known for great defense)than Tyre and plugging in good athletes made our program successful. Rodney has coached several places and generally wins wherever he goes.
Chip Walker learned at the feet of a master and he has his own system firmly established, both offensively and defensively. It used to drive me nuts when we took delay penalties over and over as Chip would run the QB to the sideline after every play to get the next call. He doesnt do that anymore.
This season was not a fluke. We have generally gone 9-1 or 10-0 most of the last several seasons, only to lose early in the playoffs. Now that Chip has mastered the mentality of winning in the playoffs, I expect Sandy Creek to be a force every year.
Yes we have talented athletes, but every one of the current crop should thank their coach and his staff because his system works and they have become stars because of it.
Just one man’s opinion.
BTOWN HERO
December 12th, 2009
11:46 am
I was at both the games and I can honestly say, Sandy Creek knew what they where doing from the opening drive. Their WR’s where like Walmart always open. They simply ran the ball to make the game interesting.. in the 4th qtr they just opened up a can and started throwing down field and gashing the CC Defense. hats of to them and my Buford Wolves 3-peat!!!
True GA Peach from PEACH County
December 12th, 2009
11:55 am
Gooooooo Northside!!! Good Luck Tonight!!!!! PEACH CO & NORTHSIDE…… Middle Georgia’s Finest!!!!
btown beatdown
December 12th, 2009
12:58 pm
Buford won it, calhoun didnt give it away. tough Calhoun cant hold onto the ball so thats their own problem. maybe should work on that. hahahaha. there is one middle school in the city system, but two close by. jones and lanier middle school.
btown beatdown
December 12th, 2009
12:58 pm
and calhoun needs more class, trying to start fights at the end of the game. good game but you lost.
btown beatdown
December 12th, 2009
1:40 pm
and buford gone put work in this off season like every year and we gone be back at the top again. oh lets do it