Newton (4-0) is ranked for first time since 1995
Newton is ranked for the first time since 1995, entering the poll at No. 10 in Class AAAAA place of idle Grayson.
That was a tough call because some will say that beating Newnan (1-3) doesn’t mean what it used to, and that Newton didn’t look that great in doing it. Newton committed six turnovers, and Newnan was without its top running back.
But I try to ignore that stuff because it’s a slippery slope of subjectivity. Bottom line is that Newton is unbeaten against a similar schedule that Grayson (3-1) has faced, so in go the Rams. They’ll have to validate their ranking against East Coweta (4-0) this week.
One thing I like about ranking Newton (although it had no factor in the decision) is that it sheds light on an interesting story over in Covington. Newton fired its coach, Nick Collins, just before the season and promoted Cortez Allen to replace him. The team has persevered.
Also, there’s a running back named Akeem Hunt who has been perhaps the state’s best back that nobody talks about. He rushed for 133 yards in the win over Newnan, scored the winning TD in overtime and also ran a kick back 96 yards to get Newton in the game after it trailed 15-0 in the third quarter. …
Other rambling thoughts …
Warner Robins is 0-4 for the first time since 1966. That’s also the year that Northside beat Warner Robins for the first time ever, and it game in Warner Robins’ fifth game. Warner Robins plays Northside. …
Kell has beaten five straight unbeaten teams. All five – Etowah, Woodstock, East Paulding, Hiram and Grayson — still would be unbeaten if not for losing to Kell. Next for Kell? Unbeaten Pope. That’s pretty cool. …
Camden County has called off school Friday so that students and staff can travel to Fort Lauderdale to see the Camden-St. Thomas Aquinas game. Win that one and Camden is a serious threat to win some sort of national title. …
Congrats to Marion County (5-0), which is ranked for the first time ever this week. Only one in 187 Georgians can find Marion County on a map.
Valdosta beats Brunswick 64-62, and Lowndes beats Ware County 3-0. Weird.
Cook plays Fitzgerald in a big one Friday in Region 1-AA.
More big games that I haven’t mentioned …
Valdosta (5-0) at M.L. King (3-1)
Brookwood (4-1) at South Gwinnett (4-1)
Wesleyan (5-0) at Pace Academy (4-0)
Eastside (4-1) at Sandy Creek (4-0)
Class AAAAA
1. Camden County (4-0)
2. North Gwinnett (5-0)
3. Peachtree Ridge (5-0)
4. McEachern (3-1)
5. Lowndes (5-1)
6. Stephenson (4-0)
7. Norcross (5-0)
8. Valdosta (5-0)
9. South Gwinnett (4-1)
10. Newton (4-0)
Class AAAA
1. Northside-Warner Robins (4-0)
2. Clarke Central (4-0)
3. Tucker (5-0)
4. Kell (5-0)
5. Griffin (5-0)
6. Marist (4-1)
7. Flowery Branch (5-0)
8. Thomas County Central (3-1)
9. Chattahoochee (4-0)
10. East Paulding (4-1)
Class AAA
1. Peach County (5-0)
2. Sandy Creek (4-0)
3. Cairo (5-0)
4. Carrollton (5-0)
5. Baldwin (5-0)
6. St. Pius (4-1)
7. Eastside (4-1)
8. Woodward Academy (4-0)
9. Gainesville (3-1)
10. Cartersville (4-0)
Class AA
1. Carver-Columbus (4-0)
2. Buford (4-1)
3. Calhoun (4-0)
4. Cook (4-0)
5. Dublin (4-0)
6. Thomasville (4-1)
7. Westminster (2-2)
8. Fitzgerald (4-1)
9. Swainsboro (4-0)
10. Lovett (2-2)
Class A
1. Charlton County (5-0)
2. Wesleyan (5-0)
3. Clinch County (5-0)
4. Savannah Christian (4-0)
5. Wilcox County (4-1)
6. Lincoln County (4-1)
7. Eagle’s Landing Christian (4-0)
8. Johnson County (5-0)
9. Darlington (4-1)
10. Marion County (5-0)
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206 comments Add your comment
COWBELLMAN
September 27th, 2010
4:20 pm
Nice Post RealisticEPFan. I don’t think it could of been put any other way.
Titletown Fan
September 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
I have to this is the most informative discussion posts that I have read this year. Real high school football insight on this one. A few crazy comments, but mostly real talk.
My only comment is to the posters who are proclaiming that 5A is down this year, especially Region 15A…could it be because a lot of 5A schools are not really 5A and playing up, like Valdosta. I may be wrong, but there are really only 2 schools (Lowndes and Camden) with enrollment over 2200 or so, everyone else is really close to being a 4A school anyhow, so there is not much difference below the gnatline, so to speak.
Outsider
September 27th, 2010
5:09 pm
EagleNationRising,,You have all the answers, The Houston schools should have played up for pride. Because you’re a pride driven school and winning in a smaller classification is never considered being the best in Georgia. You have never won at the highest classification. Thats the advantage of playing up. Any team can win on any Friday night or have a down year, but put Carver or Peach against Lowndes and Camden on a yearly basis its not even worth talking about. Carver will need more tham Crowell, they’re barely winning now against much weaker teams
chemflu2
September 27th, 2010
5:12 pm
Ref: EagleNationRising and Reeze post on PCHS. I am in total agreement with the both of you. I must admit I’m a little biased toward the Trojans since I’m from Fort Valley. But everything I’ve heard quoted about this team has me convinced this is the best team Peach County has ever suited up. I hope I get a chance to make the trip from Missouri and catch them during the playoffs. To all naysayers, Peach County will have their second consecutive undefeated season. Go PCHS!
Camden74
September 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
My only real interest in having a high ranking for my school is the attention it brings to the program and to the school. Ergo, possibility of more scholarships and more $$$$$$! While I like having home field advantage, good teams compete and win where ever they play! I believe championships and rankings should be determined based on what’s done on the field!
fan
September 27th, 2010
5:55 pm
MAYS WILL SEE ABOUT TUCKER
spwhite
September 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
@ Titletownfan
Check out this link for school enrollment numbers
http://www.ghsa.net/files/documents/GHSA%20Classifications%202010-14.pdf
spwhite
September 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
@ Titletownfan
check out the ghsa site and seach enrollment for the student numbers of all Ga. schools. Looks like there are 28 schools over 2200 students.
cat doc
September 27th, 2010
6:45 pm
I tell you what, bring Northside W R down to Folkston and a 1A school will wipe up a 4A school.
Suwanee 0wnz
September 27th, 2010
6:57 pm
Bulldawg 15, while I am a fan of NG, I beg to differ with you. NOT all of the kids on the NG team came up “through the program”. I hate to single out players so I will pick a couple of numbers.
I assume we are both aware that one of the D1 linemen moved in this year from Florida.
#4 came up through the GFL (Gwinnett Football League – little league) in the Buford system where he led his team to several County Championships. And he played for Buford in his freshman year. The family has domiciles in both districts, and that player made a decision to play for Bob Sphire.
#21, THE FRESHMAN, moved into the district. His Daddy was a pro player. This kid is going to make a huge difference to the team, and nobody expected him to just arrive. I believe there are others, and there have been others.
A similar kind of thing is happening at P Ridge. Cameron Heyward (Ironhead’s son) played GFL for Duluth and Collins Hill but he chose to play for P Rdige. I mention Cameron by name because he has moved on from High School and I just plain love to watch him play. Ironhead was a wonderful man, and he made sure to put Cameron on a bright path to the future before he departed this earth. P Ridge has similar players on their roster now. Kids whose families have the wherewithall to choose the High School district in which they will live based upon the coaching in the sports programs.
In several cases there are athletic families who have a reasonable expectation that their offspring will make their living in professional sports. They want the best coaches for their children to give them the start they need. Once you have a superior coach like Dexter Wood, or Ballard, or Sphire some outstanding athletes just show up in your program. Sometimes, strong athletes who came up through the program are shunted aside, when one of these “phenoms” shows up.
There are also children of professional athletes who did come up through the program at those 3 schools. Nobody makes a big deal of it but in most cases the family chose the community for school quality, and affordability, along with the potential for strong coaching. In some cases the family assisted in GFL and chose Gwinnett because we do not play “pound ball” in Little League. The “big boys” play alongside the other kids their age. Smaller agile athletes have to learn how to deal with size. And of course, the “big boys” themselves are not penalized by dads who do not want their kids to have to play against them. Cobb and Fulton play “pound ball”; therefore many of the “big boys” settle in Gwinnett at an early age.
Newton Co.
September 27th, 2010
7:10 pm
Newton deep down inside could care less about a #10 ranking. As Ive said before, this county is on the rise in football. Eastside proved it last year,now its Newton’s turn. The Newnan game was actually the second time since the beginning of last season Newton allowed more than 20pts in a game( Camden Co. 1st rd plyf gm 09). Im really looking forward to the Eastside- Sandy Creek gane FRI. Its a real barometer game for Eastside, who really hasn’t faced any tough reg season competition the last couple years. Sandy Creek is a good as it gets, good luck Eastside.
rwdekalb
September 27th, 2010
7:51 pm
Marist does very well in most sports they compete in, but as far as football goes the Marist coach was quoted as saying one big advantage in staying in AAAA was a more convenient travel schedule. And Marist would do very well in AAA and AA but would find it no easier to win a title in either classification because a lot of those teams have better coaching and play a more disciplined style of football and many of those teams actually have home stadiums and rich football traditions. So while it is quite commendable how Marist competes while “playing up” their success would not necessarily be any better than it is now by playing in lower classifications.
rwdekalb
September 27th, 2010
7:55 pm
Does NSWR have any tough teams on their schedule. At this point in season I think Tucker, C. Central, and Marist would give them problems. Dont think this is the same NSWR at this point, however NSWR has shown they do get better as season goes on, so I guess only time will tell.
mike
September 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
It amazes me how all the homers from each area says their school is so good and the best in any classification. Camden County has beaten the best, plays the best, and if you come watch them, you will not be bored. The is NO WAY, I mean, NO WAY, any lower classification school could match Camden County in speed or defensive ability. Anyone who posts differently is really not paying attention. Anybody checked to see how Miami Central is doing since they lost to the Wildcats? They are averaging 57 points a game and beating teams from not only South Florida but also Texas. Does anybody on this blog really believe that Carver is even close to the talent level of the Rockets of Miami Central. GET REAL.
Now, I think Camden will have their hands full with St Thomas Aquinas, but I believe they will come thru in the end with the victory. God luck Cats.
Etowah Fan
September 27th, 2010
8:05 pm
@Bulldawg15: as odd as it continues to sound, I am touting Etowah’s arch-rival: Woodstock and the fact that they weren’t ranked ahead of Newton this week. I am not claiming that Etowah should or deserves to be ranked this week. You were correct in that Etowah didn’t get it done in the playoffs against Gwinnett teams going 1-3 over the last four years. Don’t forget that we have one of Gwinnett’s own in our Head Coach (former DC for Parkview back in the day). However, our cousins at Woodstock have fared a little better against Gwinnett in recent years and losing to a very good and undefeated (at the time) North Gwinnett team last year.
Don’t get me wrong, there is good football played in Gwinnett county, but we play some pretty good football in Cherokee county with a significantly smaller student population than most of the big boys in Gwinnett.
WILDCAT FAN
September 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
Mike, you hit it dead on my friend. And Miami Cantral is giving up basically no points. The starting QB sat out the first half of last weeks game and only played a half of the game before that. A very talented team.
Real Talk
September 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
Joe I cosign with Ralph your an idiot, must live in Dekalb County talking such nonsense. Tucker better than Peachtree Ridge? What are you smoking? Peachtree Ridge might be the best team in the whole State. Kell better than McEachern? Flowery Branch better than Norcross? You need to get out of Dekalb mroe often.
goldenglove002
September 27th, 2010
8:38 pm
GHSF Daily- Yup, any team ranked in the top 10, let alone top 5, is a huge accomplishment. And ranking the teams within it is really all matter of opinion that has no exact science to it. I have no problem with the schools ranked ahead of Kell here being ahead of them, just my opinion of how a rankings system works that is a little different.
re: the AAAA vs AAAAA argument, It’s an interesting one that can’t really be anything more than discussion with the teams not playing each other. I was extremely disappointed at first when Kell moved down to AAAA, but AAAA is definitely proving to be a very interesting division this year. And there have definitely been some big teams in AAAAA defeated by AAAA this year.
Horns 2010
September 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
1st I agree that Kell shouldn’t be preaching higher rankings. Be pleased and work your tails. Till you win in the post season you haven’t earned that respect. War Eagle. Really poor comparison on the private school since Marist practically legally recruits in every sport. Very easy for private schools to skirt the rules there. Now they have Incredible programs but are the equivalent to old time Notre Dame playing in D-1 with their low numbers. Grayson is for real for those who say not. Just look at the past 3 years. I would say the AAAA title will go through NSWR or Tucker both great to watch. Prediction Kell loses in 3rd rd this year.
joe
September 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
@ Real Talk… Kell and Flowery Branch are clearly not in Dekalb..Peachtree Ridge clearly is not the best team in GA…..Camden is hands down. And yes Tucker would beat Peachtree Ridge this year..Tucker has wayy more division 1 prospects..The best linebacker in GA..but you will see once Peachtree plays North Gwinett how good they really are..smh
OMacG
September 27th, 2010
8:59 pm
Suwanee 0wnz- great point about GFL not playing pound ball. I have argued for years that this was a key ingredient missing from Cobb County when it comes to developing players. Finally, we are moving that way over here.
Outsider
September 27th, 2010
9:01 pm
Real Talk,What in the world are you smoking. Camden is clearly the best team in the state, followed closely be Lowndes, yes Lowndes who wants to play them come play-off time. It could be very possible for Camden to win 4 in a row with all the guys I here they have coming back next year as much as I hate to say it. I don’t care how many former NfL players kids are on that team from PeachtreeRidge( I hope some don’t play like their fathers)that just doesn’t make them no better than my kid or yours. You must have attended PeachtreeRidge or your kid goes there, for you to make a statement like that.
Real Talk
September 27th, 2010
9:38 pm
Joe,
Every year Dekalb schools have D1 prospects but they NEVER win 5A because of poor coaching and lack of discipline. There is no way in hell Tucker could beat Peachtree Ridge, and note I said they MIGHT be the best team in the State but I can assure you they will beat North Gwinnett. And Flowery Branch is not even worth my keystrokes, get real man.
Real Talk
September 27th, 2010
9:41 pm
Outsider,
You sound like a hater…you hope they dont play like they fathers? Well there fathers were good enough to make it to the NFL, did you even play football in high school? You were probably in band with the rest of the losers. I guess we won’t know who is the best n 5A until the games are decided on the field. And Lowndes is 2nd best huh? Funny I’m sure McEachern beat them and Peachtree Ridge beat McEachern, smdh.
yo
September 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
ENR the last time Ware beat Lowndes was in 2005 and prior to that you have to go back to the year 2000 for Ware win over Lowndes.
Since 1995 the record is 13 wins and 3 losses against Ware.
So even in down year for Lowndes Ware has had a hard time beating Lowndes. The average score between the 2 schools has been pretty big
in favor of Lowndes. Yes even Charlton could play Lowndes or Northside good on any given night (might even pull out an upset) but don’t blow too much steam over this. Just because you are back to being a AAAA homer. If you were still in AAAAA you would be singing a whole different tune. By the way, the team from Northside that is supposed to be soooo feared this year hasn’t overly impressed me yet. Undefeated you are. But thus far I see a lot of room for improvement.
14 to 14 at half time against now 2-2 Bainbridge who lost to AAA Cairo
and could only beat that little school from Early county 14-7.
yo
September 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
Let me put this best in the state of Georgia hands down in perspective.
For the last 2 years every one was saying the same thing about Lowndes
right about mid season. And about mid season Lowndes looked like the best in the state hands down. A lot can change over the course of the season and teams can regress and teams can improve. Especially if that team gets hot in the playoffs. So be wise, and cool the best team in the state hands down talk. Even if Camden beats St. Thomas and I hope they do, it will not automatically qualify them as state champs. Even if they are best team in the state hands down, they still have to beat the next opponent and win the “last” game of the year to be “officially” declared best team in the state hands down. Trust me I know what I am talking about on this. I have learned the hard way 2 years in a row now.
joe
September 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Real Talk…. Tucker does what they have 2 do in AAAA they have a state ring from 2years ago. Peachtree is good but trust they will not win state this year. Tucker will win AAAA.!! But wh
Lowndes 96
September 27th, 2010
10:21 pm
@Real Talk,
Your right, McEachern did beat Lowndes, but since you posted under the name “Real Talk”….. lets do that. A break here or there McEachern beats PTR and is undeffeated right now…. a break here or there and lowndes beats McEachern and has two losses right now. Both games are very competative, and all three teams will have learned somthing from those games that will help them during the season and the playoff’s. What did we learn from these games? 5A playoff’s will be very competative this year. I’ve always respected PTR and there fans, but in my opinon these begining of the year games wont mean a thing come playoff time, all three teams will have gotten much better. As a Lowndes fan, I know somthing about haters, we seem to have alot of them. I love them! I hope we have a hundred more next year! Having haters only means one thing…. YOU HAVE A WINNING PROGRAM!! Anyway whoever you’re a fan of, good luck the rest of the year.
NsideBlue
September 27th, 2010
11:50 pm
@Real Talk – I wouldn’t be talking about people “hating” when you make a low-class comment about band students being losers… statistically, in the “real world”, kids who have a background in music are better in mathmatics, science and the language arts – and thus – usually end up with better jobs and higher pay. Not every bubba-jock-athlete will make the pros, so you’d best remember that many of us “band losers” might end up being the people that hire the rest of you.
Nukieie
September 28th, 2010
12:01 am
well said NsideBlue….their are lots of so called “band geeks losers” that are running the show in many companys
Nukieie
September 28th, 2010
12:05 am
I’ve had several of my former “Jock” class mate who have come to me and were not qualified for me to hire.
Nukieie
September 28th, 2010
12:06 am
So such comment are uncalled for “@Real Talk”
WILDCAT FAN
September 28th, 2010
8:13 am
Camden has learned that being the best right now doesn’t egual a State Championship, being good enough to win that 15 game of the year is the only time being the best in the state counts, and please don’t count Lowndes out with the 1 lose and the tight game against Ware, those these can have a positive impact on the rest of the season, of all the teams in the state ,Lowndes is the one Camden Fans, truly hope not to see in the playoffs. Because their always a threat. And thats out of respect for their program. If any fans know about how loses have and impact on the rest of the year is Camden Fans, remeber last year. You other fans can count Lowndes out, but here in Camden we’re not. Who wants to see them in the playoffs be honest.
WILDCAT FAN
September 28th, 2010
8:28 am
ENR, Your really a funny guy. Tooting the horn of AAAA football. You know if you were in AAAAA you would singing a different song. A fair weather fan is what you are. But I forgot these are the same fans that left the game early, instead of watching their team get their trophy at the end(fair weather fans). Oh I forgot you had to ride the wet slippery roads home in the terrible weather to go home so you can be in church the next morning(2hrs away). The same road Camden had to travel to go church as well(6 hrs away) By the way what time did you get home 1 or 2 in the morning, I got home at 5:30, with my 5 year old son and went to church with his Grandfather who is also a pastor.
cchswildcat86
September 28th, 2010
8:38 am
Yo …Well said!! Sure Camden has a chance at a 3peat, but I see 5 other teams (PTR, NG, LCH, Grayson and Stephenson) with the same chance.
GHSF Daily
September 28th, 2010
11:18 am
”Any school can petition to play up, but it is up to GHSA to decide whether to allow it in a particular case.”
I’m not aware of any case in which the GHSA has denied a school’s request to play up. No school will choose to play up and put itself in a position of geographical isolation, which is the only thing the GHSA would not like.
GHSF Daily
September 28th, 2010
11:23 am
Yo: I’m not sure that Lowndes still wasn’t the best team the past two seasons. The Vikes just failed to win a couple of tough road games. I’m not trying to argue that Lowndes indeed was the best team those years, but the way I look at it, the playoffs every year are simply one sample of the many ways that the playoffs might turn out if you played them 10 times. If you did that, I think Lowndes wins at least 1 out of 10 in 2008 and 2009. They were good enough to win it, and it’s possible they had the best team and just failed.
GHSF Daily
September 28th, 2010
11:26 am
”Every year Dekalb schools have D1 prospects but they NEVER win 5A because of poor coaching and lack of discipline.”
There are only two DeKalb schools in Class AAAAA. There are several DeKalb schools in AAAA, and Tucker did win it in 2008.
CamdenWildcat76
September 28th, 2010
12:02 pm
@Wildcat Fan – Funny that you say that Camden respects the play of Lowndes, I recently looked at the playoff brackets and hope that they are second place in Region 1. If anyone out think differently, hope lady luck is on your side during the playoff. But be advised, any team can be dangerous.
Jefferson
September 28th, 2010
12:03 pm
Rankings are just fluff at this point, the seeding in the playoffs is much bigger. Teams with losses should fall out with the chance to redeem themselves by getting into the playoffs. Spread the fluff, let teams that lose fall, it may motivate.
cchswildcat86
September 28th, 2010
12:50 pm
GHSF Daily ….I’m 100% sure Lowndes wasn’t the best in 08 and 09 .I think Yo’s point was you don’t crown a state champ in sept. I agree with Yo anything can happen…That 3-0 win for Lowndes maybe the wake up call they needed…Still alot of good football left to play….Go CATS
the truth
September 28th, 2010
1:18 pm
GHSF Daily How can a team be the best the past 2 years and dont have a ring to show for it . your opinion does not mean anything ,that was determined on the playing field. the best team has the trophy!
Gatorbait
September 28th, 2010
1:22 pm
GHSF Dily,
On paper, Lowndes was the best team. On the field at home they were the best team. I don’t think that they were the best team, I believe that they had the best players. Having the best players does not equate to being the “Best Team”. Football is a “Team” sport. If you can’t get those best players to scarifice for the “Team”, then you become a talented group of prospects. Give me a team full of football players any day. The right coaching can turn a group of football players into a championship team.
Nukieie
September 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
LOL… I get so much enjoyment out of reading many of post on here daily. Lots of the posters do show their age with some of the things that they say.
HeadEast
September 28th, 2010
3:19 pm
Mighty Lowndes hasn’t gone undefeated since 2004! They’ve had problems winning a big game on the road the last three years; McEachern, NSWR, Camden, and Grayson. Now their region has gotten so small and so soft (nothing after Lowndes and Valdosta) that they’re playing weak sisters like Burke and Da Brook. After 2007 they’ve consistently been one of the best, but never the best, a bridesmaid not the bride, and 2010 won’t be any different.
Reeze
September 28th, 2010
3:35 pm
Well said Gator……That’s what make Camden good ,Not many stars ,other than Days and a few others over the last couple seasons.. Team effort man,O-line ,Backs ,TE’s always got their pads in someones chest every play…… In 2008 and 2009 , no doubt about , Lowndes was very good , Take it from a Northside fan and observer to detail ,Camden was a lot better both seasons.
Reeze
September 28th, 2010
3:45 pm
Headeast……You are treading on thin ice my man.
Lowndes 96
September 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
Headeast…I have to admit man I got a big smile when i read your post, How many state championships do we have to win in ten years to get any respect from anybody? So what, we need to win six out of seven state championships. But hey I guess thats what you get with a winning program, having to deal with people like you. But by all means keep bashing us it doesnt bother me. I kinda like it.
Nukieie
September 28th, 2010
6:16 pm
“HeadEast” We have to play those teamsthat you refered to because they were man enough to play us. Other teams were ask to play be refused to do so. Tell you AD to accept the game and we would be happy to play!
K-MAN
September 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
Somebody please tell me how in the world is WESTMINISTER and LOVETT still in the top ten rankings…but JEFFERSON CO. is out at 3-1 after losing to SWAINSBORO by 2 points?