New rankings: What’s up with Marist?
Let’s get ready to ramble … What’ s up with Marist? The War Eagles beat Lakeside 6-3 in overtime two weeks ago, then lost to Dunwoody 20-0. It’s the first time they’ve failed to score a touchdown in consecutive games in the Alan Chadwick era, which dates to 1985. How does a team beat Southwest DeKalb and push Tucker to overtime suddenly loses its offense? Do we write Marist off?
Another team in a funk is Peachtree Ridge, which has scored just one TD apiece the past two weeks. The Lions have struggled with injuries. Do we write them off, too?
In other news, East Coweta (7-0) is in the AJC rankings for the first time since 2004. On Friday, it’s EC vs. Stephenson (7-0) in 2-AAAAA. … Lovejoy (7-0) is ranked for the first time since 2005. …
Only three teams are unbeaten in AAAAA. Trivia: There were only two 10-0 teams in AAAAA after the regular season of 2007. Who were they? If you get that one right, you probably looked it up.
OK, the rankings … Someone ask me about Dublin because I’ve been practicing my explanation for that.
Class AAAAA
1. Camden County (6-1)
2. North Gwinnett (7-0)
3. Lowndes (7-1)
4. McEachern (6-1)
5. Stephenson (7-0)
6. Valdosta (7-1)
7. Grayson (6-1)
8. Brookwood (6-1)
9. Norcross (6-1)
10. East Coweta (7-0)
Class AAAA
1. Northside-Warner Robins (7-0)
2. Clarke Central (7-0)
3. Tucker (7-0)
4. Kell (7-0)
5. Griffin (7-0)
6. Flowery Branch (7-0)
7. Chattahoochee (7-0)
8. Starr’s Mill (7-0)
9. Thomas County Central (5-2)
10. Lovejoy (7-0)
Class AAA
1. Peach County (7-0)
2. Sandy Creek (7-0)
3. Cairo (7-0)
4. Carrollton (8-0)
5. Baldwin (7-0)
6. St. Pius (6-1)
7. Gainesville (6-1)
8. Ridgeland (6-1)
9. Burke County (5-2)
10. Washington County (5-1-1)
Class AA
1. Carver-Columbus (7-0)
2. Buford (7-1)
3. Calhoun (7-0)
4. Cook (7-0)
5. Swainsboro (7-0)
6. Westminster (5-2)
7. North Oconee (7-0)
8. Fitzgerald (6-2)
9. Thomasville (6-2)
10. Lovett (5-2)
Class A
1. Clinch County (7-0)
2. Wesleyan (7-0)
3. Savannah Christian (7-0)
4. Wilcox County (7-1)
5. Lincoln County (6-1)
6. Charlton County (7-1)
7. Eagle’s Landing Christian (7-0)
8. Johnson County (8-0)
9. Darlington (6-1)
10. Marion County (7-0)
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328 comments Add your comment
AVikingFan
October 18th, 2010
4:37 pm
If Collins Hill finishes 3rd they can make reservations at the Country Inn and Suites in St. Marys for their 3rd round trip down to Camden County. We’ll see how the Ketchup man passes on the Wildcats!
How ’bout it Norcross fans! Ya’ll gonna take CH when you play’em?
BcS2010
October 18th, 2010
5:02 pm
@SWD Panther Paw….. lol ok i see where you are coming from lol
@WarEagle…..yall will be ok come playoff time jus no that yall have to beat Mays because the 3rd and 4th seed really have a tough game with either Flowery Branch or Clarke Central
Camden74
October 18th, 2010
5:07 pm
Man! Some people sure do have selective memories!…….LOL
Cobb Co. football
October 18th, 2010
5:27 pm
to Lowndes players and fans
If Valdosta and Mceachern meet in the second round, who do you think will win the game, and why? I figured you would be most qualified to answer since you played both teams this year.
BulldawgBite
October 18th, 2010
5:33 pm
wow i just saw pridges bracket in the playoff. If i was a pridge player i would be upset that i lost but then realize that i have by far the easiet route to the semis of any team in the state. they have to beat etowah or woodstock i believe but after that it is so much easier than other teams. They arent gonna be a contender for state if they lost to norcross and could only score 10 on collins hill but regardless it looks like they will get to the semifinals
WarEagle
October 18th, 2010
5:40 pm
BcS2010 — Agree – I think the 2d seed from Region 6AAAA gets the best draw in the playoffs compared to the other brackets. But even the “best draw” will be very tough, as everyone in Region 6AAAA should remember from last year.
DecaturDre
October 18th, 2010
6:00 pm
Well put SWD Panther Paw. Well put.
DecaturDre
October 18th, 2010
6:08 pm
It is funny War Eagle u have to refer to SWD everytime. We are not ranked. And we didnt get beat by a non-ranked team and then almost lost to a non-ranked team. Yea SWD lost to Tucker. It is what it is. And SWD lost to u guys congrats. But SWD is not ranked. So u get a rise out of beating a non-ranked team. U need to worry about get blank by a non-ranked team (Dunwoody not disrespect). Cause u have Mays, Redan and dont sleep on Lithonia. Thats ur problem stop worrying about others and worry about yourself. U cant control what Tucker did they did their thing. Worry about what uy got coming ahead. This blog is not about what happen to SWD it is what happen to the great all mighty Marist. SWD is nothing so leave them alone.
Marist Parent
October 18th, 2010
6:13 pm
To: It is what it is.
1) I know Chadwick and he will usually put the best player on the field. As others stated, to run the option to Marist standards, it usually takes them playing on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and JV teams. Then, IF they are good enough, they play QB on the Varsity. Chadwick could care less about their color; it just takes years of practive.
2) The only time Chadwick did not put the proper player at QB was 2008 when he put Cooper Taylor at QB instead of Kyle Farmer, who was a junior at the time and led them to the state his senior year. Cooper’s a great athlete but struggled at QB because of lack of experience. That team had 8 kids go to the next level, granted not all at D1 but they had outstanding talent that suffered due to QB play.
3) Depth – don’t let the 100 kids on the team fool you. Players don’t get cut at Marist, (nor should they) so many/most don’t have the talent to play at this level.
4) Thanks to everyone for not making the normal absurd comments about Marist recruiting. As I’ve told my friends and competing teams, if they recruit, they’re doing a crummy job, getting 160 lb RBs and only one lineman over 220.
5) Dunwoody game-didn’t see it but word has it they have pretty good talent, AND the head coach used to coach at Marist. If anyone knows how to stop the option, he does.
Peace everyone.
BLACKGOLD
October 18th, 2010
6:17 pm
THE NATIONAL WEATHER CENTER HAS ISSUED A HURRICANE WACTH FOR BERRIEN CO AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES, A PURPLE HURRICANE HAS BEEN SPOTTED
whew
October 18th, 2010
6:30 pm
@ It is what it is. Are you saying the sophomore should not start, but be a back-up? I didn’t read that you are saying the kid should start. Maybe I missed something, but I read your posts a couple of times and didn’t see you say the kid should start at Qback. I think War Eagle may be missing the point of your posts. Not that Marist doesn’t play the non-caucasian kids in **other** positions (DB, RB), but that their history has supported that a non-caucasian doesn’t play in the Qback position at the varsity level. Titletown sees the point of your posts the same as I do. Looks like to me you are disputing the lack of depth argument with an argument that maybe the depth that Marist has “looks” a little different than what they have had in the past. I see that War Eagle is saying, though, that maybe the “other” kids don’t fit into the types of schemes Marist runs. Interesting from both sides, but not particularly race baiting. Maybe a little uncomfortable for some.
whew
October 18th, 2010
6:37 pm
@Marist Parent–And who is to say that he is not making the same mistake in other positions that he made in the 2008 quarterback position? Typically, Chadwick defers to his position coaches and doen’t step in unless there are some strong convictions otherwise. It was a huge benefit to my team, so no arguments from me.
Tiger4Life
October 18th, 2010
6:59 pm
@ everyone commenting on coach Chadwick at Mirist. It’s completly absurde if you think that he is not playing the best players to win the game! True the other kid maybe better at QB, but it is more effective to have him play HB. If you can have both on the field at the same time it make more sense!
WarEagle
October 18th, 2010
7:08 pm
@whew — Are we arguing about whether someone should be a back-up at QB? I missed that. I thought someone was questioning the choice of starter at QB and suggesting that reasons other than merit went into that choice this year.
I’ve said my piece on this thread. I’ll post again Friday night/Saturday morning about the games. Best of luck to you all and I hope your teams play well and play safely on Friday night.
AVikingFan
October 18th, 2010
7:32 pm
Cobb County football – You asked for our comments on the outcome of a possible McEachern vs Valdosta playoff game, and why we feel like we do. I think both are very good teams, and well coached. I think Valdosta has more weapons, and a better defensive front five and inside linebackers. Our coach said after we played Valdosta it was the best front seven he’s ever coached against. Valdosta’s QB is a better passer, but gets rattled if you pressure him. Valdosta has the best tight end in the state. McEachern has home field advantage, and a better punting game. Both teams have accurate field goal kickers. McEachern runs the ball better, but as I said, Valdosta has a solid defensive front, and really quick. I think Valdosta would win and move on to meet North Gwinnett in week 3.
Yo
October 18th, 2010
7:34 pm
Titletown “I was the one”……sorry if the Vick (who runs) and Manning (who doesn’t run) comparison was a little over your head.
“It Is What It Is ” Titletown doesn’t think a qback is any good unless he can run.
So if the sophomore can run faster than the 2 seniors he would concur with your coaches.
I’m curious…….who was qbacking Marist when they were winning?
Yo
October 18th, 2010
7:40 pm
Cobb Co. football the team that ends up playing the best defense at year end would win between
McE and Valdosta.
Also, turnovers would play a big part.
Those 2 along with Colquit are very similar teams.
Defense will be the determining factor come playoff time for those 3 teams.
The offenses of all 3 are not an issue.
Yo
October 18th, 2010
7:47 pm
Suwannee Ownz I think you missed the point.
Colquit moved the ball quite well against Lowndes after the 1st Quarter.
Their receivers were not lacking a bit.
Also, I can assure you that CH does not have any bigger, faster or more
physical receivers than Valdosta.
It sounds like CH is another team in the mold of Valdosta and Colquit.
High powered offense and if the defense improves will be much to handle
come playoff time.
By the way, the kid who intercepted Colquit for Lowndes in the 4th quarter
is a 6′ 6″ junior who can play safety, linebacker, receiver, defensive back
or defensive end.
And plays all of the position very well.
They are currently playing the kid at linebacker.
Yo
October 18th, 2010
7:50 pm
The one scary thing about Valdosta every one needs to remember is that this is the first year for their head coach and they are running completely different schemes than last year.
Of all teams they still stand to improve considerably between now and year end.
Ed
October 18th, 2010
8:41 pm
Is Chattahochee for real, or are they just in a weak region?
D.J. Kwan
October 18th, 2010
8:54 pm
Don’t Worry About Marist: Every Team Go’s Through They’re Downfall. It’s Tough For The Guys Though. After The 6 – 3 Win Over Lakeside. The Workouts Every Day Were Like Boot Camp, For The Marist Players, They Need Rest.
The Expressions On The Players Faces When I See Them Walking, Says It All.
Some Of Them Look Like They Want To Throw In The Towel And Not Play.
It’s To The Point Now, Where The Coaches Are Yelling, And They Are Forgetting The Most Important Lesson Of All.
(Teach Your Players To Have Fun)
The Players Mindset Seem To Be In It, But The fire In Their Hearts, That Began The Season, Is Just Not There!
EAGLEFAN
October 18th, 2010
9:06 pm
Peachtree Ridge still has to play Mill Creek this week& North Gwinnett the last game. They very well could miss the playoffs this year. Mill Creek as a very balanced offense. Big bruising back with speed and the qb is a running threat as well. P’tree Ridge will have it’s hands full this Friday. They are not going to win scoring 7 or 10 points.
CH qb played with people in his face all game last Friday. 377 yards and 4 TDs
Reeze
October 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
Marist’s triple option offense is old and predictable and now it seems as if the mediocre to average teams have caught up to it…
One On One With The Great One
October 18th, 2010
9:11 pm
@ Gatorbait… I couldn’t agree with you more on the playoff woes we felt over the past few years. Let me say I AGREE.. i can route for my team and still be unbias unlike some bloggers about what need to be done in order to gain the local., regional, and national respect. We at Stephenson are not pounding our chest saying,” look at what we done and it’s because if what the refs did that cost us”. we win the class and lose with honor. All I was refering to Mr. Gatorbait is that people didn’t and still don’t believe Stephenson is for real. After losing 29 players from last year thinking that no way in the world they can compete on the level like.. A Camden, Lowndes, Valsdosta, North Gwinnett, Grayson etc… Well then you say well they have no coaching.. I beg to differ. Unlike other teams you may have heard of coming back name any Stephenson player before the season start you can name that was impact players that coaches where raving about? As I have stated before we will play anyone, anytime, at anyplace. Hopefully the turn will come this year in the playoffs where we can get past the second round. I will say this.. No garentuee this.. Stephenson will never get blown out of a game and will not allow over 21 points either. That goes for all those high power spread offense too.
Ed
October 18th, 2010
9:38 pm
Reeze — Didn’t Marist make it to the state finals in 2008 with that same old and predictable offense? Come on, the best teams in this state run “old and predictable” offenses — wing T, veer, etc.
Classof2k11ATLvike
October 18th, 2010
9:39 pm
maybe Marist isnt going down, maybe other teams are getting better, for example, St. Pius beating them 2 years in a row after not winning one for 5 years and dropping about 16 out of the last 19
It Is What It Is
October 18th, 2010
9:47 pm
@whew..thanks dud
6AAAAfollower
October 18th, 2010
10:14 pm
Fact of the matter is marist took Tucker into 2OT and could have won. They beat SWD and are still in control of the 2nd seed. As for the QB-he is playing hurt with a lot of pain and still gives it his all every week. Marist will be back on track in no time at all, just be patient.
hsfootballfan
October 18th, 2010
10:33 pm
Enter your comments here
football fan
October 18th, 2010
10:42 pm
marist has its hands full for the rest of the season they will end the season 1-3 and will miss the playoffs this year mays,lithonia and redan are no cupcake teams that they can overlook
football fan
October 18th, 2010
10:45 pm
truth is that when marist played swd they got exposed and teams saw that if you be physical with them they will lay down. swd could have easily won by 28 points if they just stayed in their spread offense.
football fan
October 18th, 2010
10:52 pm
swd beat chamblee, douglass,carver ,redan, and dunwoody by 3 tds or more and won by 50 in 3 of the contests . its time you guys give credit to them for getting back on track after two heartbreaking losses.they also have a balanced attack on offense and the #1 defense in dekalb county. with all that said someone is going to have a problem in the playoffs this year i look for the panthers to go deep in the playoffs and meet tucker in the dome to avenge their 50-19 defeat.(fyi) marist beat tucker in 2008 34-0 on their way to losing to tucker in the state championship
Let the kids play
October 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
It seems Marist may be heading in the same direction as the Warner Robins Demons have the past few years. The Demons are currently 0-7 this year and we are still counting The coach only knows how to coach one scheme. So you end up having some of the better athletes sitting on the bench because they don’t fit into the “scheme” . Everything is fine until you are no no longer able to win with your “scheme” then the fans start asking why the 6′3 guy that runs a 4.5 forty is on the bench and the 5′10 guy that runs a 5.0 forty is starting. Warner Robins has no open competition for positions and the Seniors play regardless if they are the biggest, fastest , strongest etc for the position. This makes the program successful money wise but the best team never gets on the field at the same time. Welcome to the club Marist !!!!
Ed
October 18th, 2010
11:14 pm
Football fan — I’m not following you — Did Marist lay down before or after they won the game against SWD? Yes, SWD has played better lately, but hard to get excited about wins over Douglas and Chamblee — I think those teams only play 7 man football.
Ed
October 18th, 2010
11:15 pm
Let the kids play — Is everyone drunk tonight? I think Warner Robins is in the club with Douglas and other teams without any wins. Marist is currently 5-2 and on track for a playoff spot.
GT VET
October 18th, 2010
11:29 pm
@Tom…I think Dade is better than alot of the 6-AA teams in buford’s region,but ya gotta understand that those are metro schools and they Always get the rankings(besides this is the ajc poll not the real one)..having said that, you Tom will find out just how good Dade is this coming Friday night when Calhoun visits..heres a lttle inside for ya..Dade wont put anywhere NEAR 42 up on the Jackets,and I assure you the other end wont be 0 either..ya know you may have the right score though..lets say Calhoun 42..Dade 0..ok ok Calhouns 1st string hasnt played even 3 Qtrs this year except for the first game..Calhoun 42…Dade 7..
BcS2010
October 18th, 2010
11:31 pm
Marist has a good team. After they took Tucker to 2OT they was happy that they played them so good and were looking over every other team. Marist still controls there own destiny. Point blank if Marist beats Mays than they will go deep into the playoffs if they lose to Mays than they will be a 1st round exit.
SWD is also 5-2 but be real you cant really say that they are alot better with beating chamblee,douglass,carver,redan,and dunwoody. Those were 5 games that they was supposed to win by a large amount. I think SWD is the team that nobody really knows how good they are because they lost the only 2 real games they played but dominated the other 5 they was suppose 2.
Tiger4Life
October 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
@Ed just take in consideration that anyone can post on this blog. Some are bitter parents or ex-players who think that thier child or themselves should have been playing and not the kid who got the D-1 scholarship. I read it for enterntainmnet. If you post something with some substance you won’t get a response.
Tiger4Life
October 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
As I posted earlier, the playoffs will be here in 4 weeks and most of these posters will have the Chicago Cubs attitude “wait till next year” and most of the non-sense will cease and desist.
Ed
October 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
You are right, Tiger. I read this thing for kicks, and am just amazed at times how silly people can be. Boy, lose one game and your team is in the ditch! I enjoy watching your team, Tiger, and really admire in particular the kids from Tucker at QB and LB who have chosen to use their athletic abilities to get into Harvard and Stanford. Best of luck down the stretch.
Panther Pride
October 19th, 2010
12:24 am
I agree it is hard to tell how good the Panthers are. But I do think the team has matured since the Tucker game where they was just hit in the mouth. The Marist game is still a bit of a mystery especially with Marist losing to Dunwoody only a week after SWD beat them solidly. These next couple of weeks will be interesting to see how Marist and Mays responds and to see if SWD peaks right at playoff time. 6AAAA will have some good football played here down the strecth.
It Is What It Is
October 19th, 2010
7:43 am
Tiger you are right about some being fair weather fans, etc. I made an assessment regarding the depth of the team. I haven’t written
Marist off, but give the other teams their due. Other teams work just as hard with less, but the excuse from the Marist faithful us we’re hurt and have no back ups, which is false. They have them but they don’t utilize them. The q b has been hurt for weeks, yet you still play him and blame close games and losses on injuries. Smart coaching?
cane fan
October 19th, 2010
8:11 am
Just got through looking at the numbers on the dade- calhoun game…….dade is haveing one of those years……BUT calhoun traditionally has one EVERY year ……DADE I am sorry you are going down this friday and its not going to be pretty….CALHOUN 49 – DADE 7!!!!!
SouthGARules
October 19th, 2010
8:27 am
AVikingFan: North beat Collins Hill 33-20.
Titletown Fan
October 19th, 2010
8:37 am
@Yo….your comparison about Manning and Vick was not “over my head”…it was actually beneath me. I never said that a QB was better if he could run faster, that is you making assumptions and allowing your sensitive nature about the subject cloud your thoughts. What I said was that lack of mobility is an issue for QBs during playoff time when defensive pressure is more likely….and that both Lowndes and Valdosta have QBs that are less mobile which may present a problem during the playoffs. Both of those programs had African American QBs that were moved (Tyler Hunter, Dashay March). I am not second guessing those coaches, they may have legitimate reasons for making the changes, but I am entitled to express my opinions about it…and your sarcasm will do nothing to hinder that.
Just like “whew” stated, these are legitimate questions that have more to do with ability than race, but if you think that race does not come into play from time to time when it comes to deciding QB play at the HS and college level, then you are living a delusional world. For example, I think the Northside WR QB (who is white) is extremely agile and mobile and will give them a great chance to capture the 4A title.
I support both programs because I work in youth outreach and deal with the issues these kids face off the field when the Friday night lights are turned off and they have to face a real world. so I apologize if my comments are uncomfortable to some, but they represent reality for many of the youth I represent.
Yo
October 19th, 2010
9:05 am
Titletown you are softening what you actually said….but glad you are coming around.
Sorry my sarcasm gets you flustered and emotional but glad it will not stop you from
expressing your opinion. In return I won’t stop expressing my opinion of your opinion
should I disagree.
As for race? Those who are not racist don’t even see skin color.
JUSTAFAN
October 19th, 2010
9:25 am
bulldawg 15– Seems as though this entire blog belongs to you.It will be interestin’ to see how much blogging you do after Friday…..WE’LL BE WAITING !!!
AVikingFan
October 19th, 2010
9:42 am
Titletown – Cole Parker is one of the fastest players on the Lowndes team. He can outrun Durden, Clemons, Stanley, Burgman, and most every body except Braswell and Moore, and maybe one or two others.
AVikingFan
October 19th, 2010
10:13 am
SUWANNEE OWNZ and BULLDAWG 15 – Cobb County fan asked about Valdosta vs McEachern, so I’ll ask ya’ll. Who do you think will place 1 thru 4 in Regions 4, 7, and 8? This will give Region 1 an idea of who we will face in the playoffs, from knowlegable folks. Thanks in advance!
AVikingFan
October 19th, 2010
10:24 am
SouthGaRules – Sounds like Collins Hill is coming around. Guess it took them a little while to get that passing attack going, like it did Colquitt. Some think games like the Valdosta vs Brunswick game are good games. (64-62. Me, Valdosta and Lowndes or Colquitt vs Lowndes, or McEachern vs Lowndes, now those were good games! Good offenses and good defenses. Colquitt vs Valdosta can turn into another Brunswick/Valdosta shootout. Neither defend the pass very well, but both can score points. I had rather watch Brookwood vs Grayson.