Final rankings: At least we agree on who’s No. 1
Throughout the season, we hear that the only rankings that matter are the final rankings. Then when the final rankings come out, we find that those are the most controversial of all.
These are the ones that live in history. So I hope I haven’t messed them up too badly.
Now, a look back at the finals. If I were a head coach, or a fan of a particular school that’s playing for a championship, I might feel differently, but as a fan of high school football in general who lives within easy driving distance of the Georgia Dome, it’s pretty nice having the finals in one spot.
Congrats to Wilcox County and Sandy Creek for winning their first state titles. Before the playoffs, I claimed that only SWD and Griffin could win AAAA. That wasn’t smart. On the other hand, I’m proud that I stuck w/ Wilcox in the rankings when others didn’t after the Pats lost two games. One of my favorite posts: “Can you guys explain to me how a two-loss Wilcox Co. team gets the nod … ? … Man you guys haven’t got a clue!”
We also stuck w/ Camden County w/ two losses. That was a weekly source of contention, but I will add that many Poll Talk bloggers came to my defense on that one. Rule of thumb for ranking teams: When you’re not sure, trust history. Camden is the most improved state champion in the big class from Week One to Week 15 since perhaps Brookwood in 1996.
We never ruled out Buford. When the playoffs started, I picked Buford. When the draw was changed and Buford was seeded to travel to Fitz, I picked Fitz. When game time came, I picked Buford again. Class AA was a lot of fun this year, for a chance, because Buford was beatable. But the Wolves ruled in the end.
Gainesville-Peach was one of the best finals I’ve seen. (So was Wilcox-Savannah Christian.) The defense in the AAA final was intense and vicious on both sides. Good high school football.
Finally, who would be your statewide player of the year? Da’Rick? Ogletree? Sims? Nick Marshall? Ean Days? Mason?
Class AAAAA
1. Camden County (13-2)
2. Northside-Warner Robins (13-2)
3. Lowndes (10-2)
4. Newnan (13-1)
5. Grayson (12-1)
6. Colquitt County (11-3)
7. North Gwinnett (12-1)
8. Stephenson (11-1)
9. Peachtree Ridge (10-3)
10. Lassiter (12-1)
Class AAAA
1. Sandy Creek (14-1)
2. Griffin (13-1)
3. Clarke Central (12-3)
4. Apalachee (12-1)
5. Southwest DeKalb (10-2)
6. Thomas County Central (11-2)
7. Rockdale County (10-4)
8. Marist (9-3)
9. Westside-Macon (11-2)
10. Hiram (11-1)
Class AAA
1. Peach County (15-0)
2. Gainesville (14-1)
3. St. Pius (12-1)
4. Flowery Branch (10-4)
5. Carver-Columbus (11-2)
6. Eastside (11-3)
7. Cairo (9-4)
8. North Hall (9-3)
9. Baldwin (9-3)
10. Jackson (12-1)
Class AA
1.Buford (14-1)
2. Calhoun (14-1)
3. Fitzgerald (13-1)
4. Lovett (12-2)
5. Jefferson County (12-1)
6. Charlton County (12-1)
7. Callaway (10-3)
8. Westminster (8-4)
9. Jefferson (11-1)
10. Thomasville (8-4)
Class A
1. Wilcox County (13-2)
2. Savannah Christian (14-1)
3. Wesleyan (12-1)
4. Lincoln County (11-2)
5. Clinch County (10-4)
6. Darlington (9-5)
7. Greenville (11-1)
8. Bowdon (10-2)
9. Twiggs County (11-2)
10. Holy Innocents’ (11-2)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
310 comments Add your comment
Post-Punk Revival
December 13th, 2009
8:39 pm
I don’t feel these rankings are controversial at all. I have only the following minor disagreements:
Class AAAAA: I would bump Colquitt above Grayson. The Packers finished the season really strong, whereas Grayson sputtered from the first round on.
Class AAAA: Apalachee is a bit high. They had a great season, but their schedule was a rather weak one.
Class A: Twiggs Co. over Greenville and Bowdon.
To those people who think that Greenville should be ranked higher in Class A: It is a fantastic story and all, but Region 4-A was pathetic this year. All nine of the other teams in the poll would be undefeated too with Greenville’s schedule.
Todd Holcomb
December 13th, 2009
8:42 pm
“Sorry about reading the column too quickly, and thought it said “we are stuck with ” instead of “we stuck with” Camden County. Point remains about the 2 losses.”
That’s funny! … No, we are not ‘’stuck” with Camden. Georgia football is proud of Camden County. I’d like to see a Camden-Hoover rematch.
re: MLK – I spoke w/ Coach Jarvis. He had not resigned officially but was making plans to coach elsewhere.
SOOHSO
December 13th, 2009
8:43 pm
Urban Myer at UF has the inside track on Nick Marshall of Wilcox Co.
CJ Dawg
December 13th, 2009
8:52 pm
Ean Days is the player of the year. The kid carried camden into the championship while also doing double duty as middle linebacker. Other kids may go farther and make more noise, on the HS leverl, it can’t get any better. The QB from Wilcox is a huge talent though.
VOW
December 13th, 2009
9:09 pm
YO- check the score out from the Camden- Lowndes game in 2002- surprise, Cats won 20-12 on October 4th, 2002 in the concrete palace!
wildcat fan
December 13th, 2009
9:25 pm
YO,,, check the records we played at THE CONCRETE PLACE in 02 and won.
farmer jim
December 13th, 2009
9:42 pm
A point not seen here, Camden County switched QBs with about 3 games left in the regular season and tweeked the defense to make the Wildcats an awesome power. They gave up an average of 5 points/game in the playoffs. Even with the initial QB who quit the team when told that he would no longer start, Camden lost two games by 3 points each prior to region and had a real shot at winning each. Last year, they graduated 35 seniors with 21 receiving scholarships. Ony 3-4 starters were left on offense and defense. So, they had a lot to overcome enroute to a back to back 5A championship. To tell the truth, I never thought that the team would accomplish what the ‘08 team did. To all teams that made the playoffs, congrats, you had a good year. Farmer Jim
Dome Days
December 13th, 2009
9:54 pm
Da’Rick the freak – get used to dissapointment now because you won’t be playing in the Dome again unless you go pro!
yo
December 13th, 2009
9:54 pm
I stand corrected. Camden did win one at Lowndes in McPherson’s
first year of bringing the Wing T (a shock to the system of Lowndes at the time)to Lowndes. Now come on back over state champs.
cc Indian pride
December 13th, 2009
10:16 pm
Chris Milton Qb Charlton County Watch out for him he had over 2700 passin yards with 36 tds an 1200 rushin with 18 tds an is only a jr…. this guy gotta be all state.. best qb i seen all year.. an nick marshal will be going head 2 head with him i the same region next year.. lookin foward 2 this game..
Justafan
December 13th, 2009
10:17 pm
EagleNation—I heared Coach Hatcher was up for the Valdosta job.
Will Camden be in 1AAAAA next year?
Flo-Ri-Duh!
December 13th, 2009
10:26 pm
UGA is recruiting Marshall the QB at Wilcox County and he will get an offer soon.
NHS Eagles Man
December 13th, 2009
10:26 pm
There is NO OVERTIME in the finals. Gainesville and Peach would have been co-champions if they had tied.
Made the trip from Birmingham
December 13th, 2009
10:26 pm
I made the trip from Birmingham to see Peach Co. because my bro-in-law helps coach. That had to be one of the best games I have seen in quite a while. I live and work extremely close to Hoover H.S. which had to come back and beat Camden earlier in the year. I’ve seen them play some good games but the AAA game Saturday afternoon was awesome.
David v. Goliath is probably over used but Gainsville was loaded with talent and rightfully so… they have a great team. It goes to show, put pressure on Simms and he’ll make a mistake, don’t and he’ll kill you. Looked too many times to Jones though and one of the smallest guys w/ one of the biggest hearts made a great read and an even better play. Nice play Luke!
That’s one you hate to see anyone lose… especially like that. Congrats Peach Co. from Birmingham, AL.
Fred
December 13th, 2009
10:29 pm
Congratulations Camden County! I though from the beginning y’all would be there in the end, right with us!
Wouldn’t that have been something, two teams open at the Dome and finish there together. Oh well, it was not to be.
I would put Lowdes at 5 and move Newnan and Grayson up. They both went deeper in the playoffs and yes I know about the region 1 vs 3 playoff debate but you have you play the cards or games as they are dealt to you. If you are the champions, you find a way. Grayson may have appeared to sputter but the Grayson-Newnan game was one of the best I’ve have ever seen. I have seen other posters say that game possibly wore Newnan down so much it made it an easier game for NSWR.
EagleNationRising
December 13th, 2009
10:29 pm
Justafan: Wow! Chris Hatcher, the former Georgia Southern/Valdosta State head coach is actually going to Valdosta High School. Is that real or just Valdosta HS Boosters attempting to excite the fanbase. Hatcher is a Middle Georgia native from Macon. He would be a big time hire.
Camden County is not going to play in Region 1AAAAA. The regions have already been realigned by the GHSA. Camden County is going to be playing in Region 3AAAAA.
GAIL
December 13th, 2009
10:30 pm
Observer…you wrote Alec Ogletree from Newnan is the most talented player in the state by far. He just didn’t have the team around him to secure a spot in the Stat Finals.
Really…please enlighten me with further explaination. So because of the team one person did not make it to dome? So if they had made it would you be saying they were there because on one person? Maybe there’s a chance they lost the semi to a better team that night.
Big Dawg
December 13th, 2009
10:33 pm
In my opinion, the most overrated school in the last five years has been Stephenson H.S. out of Dekalb County. Year in and year out, Stephenson produces many D-1 players. Yet, Stephenson has problems beating teams from South Georgia who can match them talent and speed wise. The No. 8 ranking in Class AAAAA is too high.
Big Dawg
December 13th, 2009
10:37 pm
If the QB from Wilcox County is not selected as a Super 11, the selection committee is on that stuff. Even my wife was amazed at his play making abilities. This kid is the best QB in the State…period!!!!
Fred
December 13th, 2009
10:40 pm
Regard the question of overtime, the GHSA rules do not address overtime in the playoff games but do mention it earlier in the rules about games in general. http://www.ghsa.net/football-rules-procedures “J. The GHSA Overtime Procedure will be used whenever two schools from the same classification are tied at the end of regulation play. ” Others have mentioned on the playoff blog that Gainsville was having issues with the kicking game. Perhaps the coach felt they could keep the momentum from the score going.
NHS Eagles Man
December 13th, 2009
10:46 pm
We’ve had several “co-champions” in the last couple of years because of ties. Peachtree Ridge and Roswell, along with Dublin and Charlton County in 2006 for example.
.
December 13th, 2009
10:47 pm
Wish Coffee would get Valdosta’s old Coach Rick T. CHS coaches are all home boys learning on the job, not much to look forward to.
Mary Welch
December 13th, 2009
10:49 pm
Nick Marshall – hands down – Player of the year. Easily the best player in the state at any level.
stop all yall whinning
December 13th, 2009
10:51 pm
yo;
understand with only 5 teams in 1aaaaa that lowndes is in desperate need to fill out its schedule but why would you want to play someone who you’ll probably have to face in the 2nd yet again, my advice stop scheduling those 2a & 3a schools at home and hit the road against powerhouse programs both in and out of state. because as the last two years have shown the state and nation that lowndes is a power only if they have the home cooking of the concrete palace (and before you go there – yes except for maybe 2 or 3 of the other schools in 3aaaaa the region in all 2a & 3a schools but it seems to work for camden b/c other than mandated region play camden looks for tough opponents to test themselves)
mistermak
December 13th, 2009
10:59 pm
Todd Holcomb— this years game between Hoover and Camden was the 2nd game of a home and away series. Camden beat hoover in Alabama last year 44-16. So this years game was the rematch!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
December 13th, 2009
11:09 pm
Kirby Smart is going to work Bama for a raise and will probably stay put for another year or two at which time he will be a hot commodity as a head coach.
columbia Blue
December 13th, 2009
11:18 pm
OK Lets look at the facts—Camden who plays in a region that everyone in the State of Georgia gives them hell for accomplished:
BEATING 3 YES 3 YES 3 REGION 1 AAAAA TEAMS– REGION 1 AAAAA TALK TRASH NOW
2009 REGION 1 AAAAA CHAMPIONS AND STATE CHAMPIONS
THOSE ARE THE FACTS–AND WE CANNOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR
Mark
December 13th, 2009
11:24 pm
Nice to see Lassiter in your final Top 10…they deserve to be there. Hutson Mason should be in the discussion of top player – the numbers he has put up the past two season have been nothing short of incredible.
Ocmulgee Swamper
December 13th, 2009
11:29 pm
Nick Marshall will play basketball. You can bank on it.
o-me
December 13th, 2009
11:31 pm
K Smart has already said two weeks ago that he will only leaving for a Head Job. He will get one shortly. Richt is looking at TCU D-C = Rumors on Yahoo.com
Bawney Fwank
December 13th, 2009
11:36 pm
2008 Pre-season BCS National Champions UGA Bulldawgs Numba 39 in 2009!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 13th, 2009
11:49 pm
Coach at Gainesville had no choice, his kicker stinks. His odds of making a two point were about the same as his kickers percentage. From what I recall they went for two on 2 or 3 occasions in the semi-finals. If he could have been co-champions then shame on him. He got out coached two weeks in a row.
Marshall is the best player in the state. Rogers did nothing against Buford and Sims is an athlete without a position.
eye of the tiger
December 14th, 2009
12:00 am
tucker should have made the final rankings. . .
and mack brown is still the best player in the state not that ace ogletree guy
VBeckham
December 14th, 2009
12:01 am
Thanks for the kind words about Camden. I’m glad someone else realizes the difference between Camden in game 1 and Camden in game 15. This has been a truly remarkable coaching job by Coach Herron and his staff. From a team with no”superstars”, came a team with a lot of “stars”. A couple of guys need to be singled out including our QB Ruiz. He came from nowhere to starting QB of the AAAAA state champs. He has a great arm and a lot of poise for someone with very little experience. Can’t say enough about Days and Murphy who have been there from day 1. MVP of the playoffs has to be Aundre Johnson. He saved his best games for the 5-game playoff run. Hardly anyone knows their names, but the team would have gone nowhere w/o the play of the O-line. Probably our best unit to date. The entire defense went literally from “worst ‘ to “first” during the season. Not our fastest, not our biggest, not our strongest, just our best. Congrats to Northside for a great 2-year run in AAAAA. Your pick of Lowndes as #3 was right on target. Thanks for staying with Camden even after the two early losses. To be in position to win those games playing with the youth and inexperience we were, says more about a “tradition” than talent. Tradition can win a lot of games over the years. Just ask Valdosta. Thx again for a great season of reporting high school football for us all. Vance Beckham. Go Cats!!!!!
Bodog
December 14th, 2009
12:55 am
Big Blue 1……..It’s so easy to misplace the anger you harbor others WHO have more than your school. Why don’t you get up, and solve this problem, get some annswers, start a fund dirve, organize a school support group ….have fund raisers, seek the advice of school leaders…..talk to the school district….get the to approach political help thru state of georgia….GET UP, AND DO SOMETHING POSITIVE, AND CHANGE THE SYSTEM IN THE RIGHT VENUE TO NELP YOU SCHOOL……..DON’T SIT, AND PLAY THE BLAME GAME….YOU HAVE A CHOICE!!!!!!!
GOBIGBLUE
December 14th, 2009
1:32 am
Equally sad was the way the CAMDEN fans and parents acted at the Dome. The football team took care of business but the parents embarrassed the team….
pity poor monroe area
December 14th, 2009
1:42 am
BigBlue1: Trying to reduce your team’s perceived problems to a black/white issue went out of style 45 years ago. This sort of loser’s limp diminishes the accomplishments of a dedicated group of young men and neutralizes any legitimate talking points you might have had. Get over yourself. Quickly.
CATS Biggest Fan
December 14th, 2009
4:53 am
What did the CAMDEN fans and parents do at the Dome to embarrass the team? I was not able to attend the Game this year but I watched it on TV. Please respond to the question. I lived in Camden County for over twenty years and have never known them to embarrass the team before.
Paddy
December 14th, 2009
5:45 am
Bodog….well put. The blame game from big blue 1 is a frequent refrain. No one listens to folks like him. They are talkers not doers. That” poor me ” line has not cut it in decades.
camden fan
December 14th, 2009
6:20 am
GOBIGBLUE : You must be talking about the way our fans cheered and applauded for your team when the game was over and they accepted the 2nd place trophy since there was maybe 100 NSWR fans left when the game was over. Once again those kids deserved better from their fan base but did not get it and I do not buy the excuse of the weather, that was those seniors last game those kids deserve better and I hope our fan base would never do that. Don’t judge the fan base on a few clowns that were carrying on, every school and fan base has them.
Football Fan #3
December 14th, 2009
6:49 am
NEW REGION FOR CAMDEN – REGION 3C (MOST TEAMS ARE 6A AND CLOSE PROXIMITY IN MILES from Camden High School)
Orange Park High School – 6A – 44.2 miles
Sandlewood High School – 6A – 44.6 miles
Forest High School – 6A – 38.5 miles
Mandarin High School – 6A – 36.1 miles
Bradwell Institute High School – 4A – 72.7 miles
All are similar size schools (except Bradwell is just short of 5A Size)
The problem is that all schools are located in Jacksonville, except Bradwell. How Camden finishes in this new region would be their placement in the GHSA tourney.
Even schools in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine are closer than 117 miles. This is closer than most Region 1 schools.
So all the complainers that Camden should not be in a weak region 3, if the GHSA would allow this new region, this would solve the problem. It would also solve the distance problem. Of course the Florida schools would have to go along with it also.
Also, congrats to Camden on another championship!
Just a thought. What do other fans think about this idea?
Southside
December 14th, 2009
7:01 am
Todd Holcomb what a joke. Ranking Marist number 8 and not ranking North Clayton, despite Marist not even making it past the 2nd round? I agree with blue and white, you really don’t know what your doing. Marist should be ranked at all.
NTH Trojans
December 14th, 2009
7:12 am
First and foremost, let me congratulate all the finalists on great seasons, and congratulate all the state champs, you earned and deserve it. Now to clear up any kind of confusion on the Gainesville/Peach Co game, there are no ties in championships anymore. Coach Miller went for 2 in that situation for 2 reasons. 1) Their kicking game has been suspect all season, it just wasn’t a big issue because they have not had to depend on it UNTIL that game. 2) Until their last 2 possessions, Gainesville had not sustained any drives on PC all game long, so he took both things into consideration, and decided to try to steal the game by going for 2. It was the right call. The only thing that I don’t understand, is why he did not leave the ball in Sims’(#2) hands, and either roll him out on a run/pass option, or run a QB draw. With Sims’ athletic ability, I can’t see him not converting. As one blogger said earlier, it was the gutsiest call of the finals. If it works, he’s a genius, if it doesn’t, he’ll be second guessed forever.
Player of The Year
December 14th, 2009
7:14 am
Blake Sims All day long that kid is the truth. Da Rick is a down field threat and thats it. He cannot and did not do all the things Mr. Sims did this year on that field. Yes he is going to Georgia and Mr. Sims is going to Alabama. Don’t rob the kid, best player in the state this year by far.
rwdekalbfan
December 14th, 2009
7:19 am
Does anyone on here remember when during the regular season there were several teams complaining on here how Camden County did not belong in the top 10 because they had 2 losses but Todd tried to explain the reason they were still in the top 10 and people thought the ajc folks were favoring certain teams and were biased against their teams which were undefeated at the time. Please let this be a lesson for next year so we dont have to listen to all the whining. I dont think anyone outside of Camden County believed they would repeat as champions. Wow.
NTH Trojans
December 14th, 2009
7:22 am
I also wanted to say that I’ve enjoyed blogging with all of you this year. Especially Sportsfan, ENR (even though you can get under my skin worse than anyone, but I do like your passion for your team), Slalom, Reeze, Yo, AVikingFan, and anyone else that I forgot. Hopefully next year I’ll get to meet up with all of you in the dome and have some fun.
rwdekalbfan
December 14th, 2009
7:25 am
Sandy Creek had an incredible year and made a believer out of a lot of people. Even though they were in the top 5 most of the year they still seemed to be under the radar. And there were not many Sandy Creek people on here bad mouthing other teams. Seems like a very classy program.
NTH Trojans
December 14th, 2009
7:35 am
rwdekalbfan,
I know what you are saying. I wasn’t sure if Camden would win State (which they did, of course), but I did defend Todd and the AJC (which is something that I’m not in the habit of doing), on their keeping Camden in the top 10 after starting 1-2. What Camden did this year shows that it’s not all about the games you win, but also how well you play in the games you lose, and the quality of your opponent. I’ve gone on record here saying that Camden can not control how strong the competition in their region is, but they do a great job of scheduling tough non-region opponents, and in my opinion, that’s what helped them win another Championship.
Ga.Football
December 14th, 2009
7:38 am
Blake Sims Player Of the Year Hands Down Did more things on the field then any player I saw this year Da’rick very good player Sims just did more on the field all year. Da’rick offense player of the year. Ogletree defensive player of the year. Sims player of the year without a doubt.
NTH Trojans
December 14th, 2009
7:40 am
Ga. football,
Maybe so, but he wasn’t even the best QB in his region. That honor goes to Connor Shaw,