Class AAAAA goes topsy turvy: It’s 2006 all over again
‘’You had a bad day, you’re taking one down.
You sing a sad song just to turn it around.’’
Remember that song? Bad Day? It was No. 1 in 2006. That’s the year Roswell and Peachtree Ridge reached the Class AAAAA final, and nobody won. Georgia’s craziest season ended in a tie.
It’s 2006 all over again.
Had a bad day: Camden County, North Gwinnett, Clarke Central, Charlton County …
Let’s talk about AAAAA first. This is 2006. There are probably a dozen teams that could’ve won Class AAAAA this season. There’s no great team, but a bunch of good ones.
I witnessed one of these surprising outcomes – Grayson 23, North Gwinnett 19.
Conclusion: Grayson converted some critical third-down passes in the first half and scored 10 points while North Gwinnett proceeded to turn the ball over in those same key spots.
It was 10-0 at halftime, and it was over. Grayson is too well-coached, too good on defense, to let a team off the hook for making those mistakes.
Tangent: That #90 at Grayson is the best sophomore DL I’ve ever seen. Might be the best defensive player I’ve seen in person this year.
Now, is Grayson better than North Gwinnett? Hillgrove better than Camden? Colquitt better than MLK? Valdosta better than McEachern?
It doesn’t matter. They’re all good. The team that plays the best wins.
As we move down in classification, that cliché doesn’t apply so much. Some teams are so good in the lower classifications that they don’t have to play well every round.
Other random thoughts …
Are things setting up for a Lowndes-Valdosta final? Wouldn’t that be something. Valdosta would be home the next two rounds. Lowndes is Lowndes. I suspect something will monkey with this scenario and it won’t happen, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Re Camden: Somebody asked me if Hillgrove’s victory was the biggest upset in playoff history. Now If you spin the facts – No. 1- ranked team, two-time champion, virtually unknown Cobb County school – then it’s up there. But with Camden, you really don’t know whether this is a good or great team until the playoffs. I suspect Camden was just good this year. Camden gave up 42 points twice this season. Lots of turnover from the 2009 team. I think Northside losing to Whitewater was a bigger upset.
AAAA: Interesting to me that three of the final eight were middling AAAAA teams last season – Kell, Chattahoochee, East Paulding. This class is deeper than it has been with 18 schools dropping down from AAAAA.
AAA: Of the big four, Peach and Sandy Creek continues to look awesome. Carrollton and Cairo, not so much. Give SPX & Eastside credit, but I think it’s now Big Four A: Peach, Sandy Creek. Big Four B: Carrollton, Cairo. Great job Cedar Grove & Monroe Area, but I don’t it’s still a four-team race, with two out front.
AA: Except for the Lovett-Brooks quarter, this class has held no real surprises. Buford-Cook should be a classic this week.
A: The Clinch-ELCA, Wilcox-Wesleyan quarterfinals will be ‘’epic,’’ to borrow my 11-year-old daughter’s favorite word.
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
445 comments Add your comment
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
10:59 am
I like my other post better so I’m re-posting here because I forgot to cover the most storied and legendary program in Ga high school football:
No way Lowndes is the favorite this Friday. Collins Hill will win no doubt. Everyone will see that Lowndes is all talk and can’t perform when it counts. It will be another domination by a Gwinnett team. Remember Grayson Lowndes fans? This time it will be in your precious Concrete Palace. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. This goes for Valdosta too. No one cares about all your trophies and tradition. Grayson beat down Lowndes and now they’ll destroy Valdosta on their sacred ground that’s so “feared”. Gwinnett will rule Titletown on Friday. No doubt
HeadSouth
November 23rd, 2010
11:19 am
Lowndes at home is very strong. I think Harrison snuck up on them in a season opener a few years ago but other than that their losses are mostly on the road. Collins Hill will go down by at least 2
TD’s, maybe 3 or 4!!!
Grayson, after a few early season bumps, seems to be peaking at the right time (just like some 5AAAA team I’m very fond of) so Valdasta – Grayson looks to be a much better/closer game.
Where is this computer that now has East favored on the road against undefeated Starr’s Mill?
JIMB
November 23rd, 2010
11:27 am
@Carlton I”m laughing, your O.K. we have to have fun here and also get under each others skin. My fun time is young kids growing up in the football mentality that will help them grow in life. My team is always better than your team. The North football is as good as the south, stat 166 college football players now in college from Gwinnett only. That is the largest group period. Yes Gwinnett is bigger but the youth program is number one in America says SI.Valdosta is the known football city of Georgia but the tide is changing. The only two all Americans in Georgia youth football last year were from North Gwinnett and Millcreek both freshmen this year.
Gwinnett's Finest
November 23rd, 2010
11:35 am
I haven’t posted anything until now but I have to agree with A Fan. I know slot of these other Gwinnett county fans have been trying to be humble but let’s face it… Gwinnett Rules! And Friday Gwinnett will rule the South!!!! Go Rams!!!!!!
From Where I Sit
November 23rd, 2010
11:57 am
Not so fast my friends!!!
Valdosta and Lowndes will be big winners this weekend as Region 1 is the hardest region to play in.
Enough Said!
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
11:58 am
@BKSMITH14– Trust me, I will be in the stands on Friday at Lowndes to watch our QB dismantle your overrated defense. What’s the one thing that Lowndes can’t do (besides win on the road of course)??? Stop the pass. It will be quite enjoyable to see the frustration come out and watch your players act like they did up at Grayson when they got spanked. Overrated team & players, overrated coach… You guys have it all. As for Grayson, they will continue their streak of upsets and dismantle the most overrated Georgia football team that ever was. Come Friday about 10:30 PM Gwinnett will have exposed what Titletown really is… A JOKE!!!!
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
12:02 pm
O and I keep forgetting about those little Pigs… oops Packers in Colquitt County. Valdosta may be the most overrated team, with the close second being Lowndes but the most Overrated Coach award goes to Propst. Why did he leave Alabama again??? Many have not heard of Mill Creek but everyone will know who they are after Friday. Gwinnett will make believers out of doubters come Friday.
GHS#22
November 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
MAN I love this dude……………….AFan!!!
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
12:17 pm
O and I’m not a dude. I’m a woman that loves her some Gwinnett County Football. Thanks for the love GHS#22
Gwinnett's Finest
November 23rd, 2010
12:23 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqD1oBOAtss
This video was suggested to me by a friend. I thought I would share it with all of my Gwinnett fans. Have you seen this one A Fan or GHS#22? It shows exactly what you’re talking about. Lowndes can’t stop the pass. Little ole Tift County, who didn’t even make the playoffs, beat Lowndes in their precious Concrete Palace. This video is evidence of how overrated Lowndes is.
VikingsOnAMission
November 23rd, 2010
12:40 pm
GHS#22 and A Fan, please find a room!
hsfb
November 23rd, 2010
12:55 pm
GHS#22 and A Fan, it’s funny that you guys have been absent for the most part during the regular season. Now all of a sudden since your teams just found a way to play with the big boys, you want to make your selves known. Trust me, after Friday night, you will be a distant memory just like the Northside fans are. Enjoy this short ride while you can.
hsfb
November 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
By the way…..if you are going to make posts, you should at least be factual instead of allowing your emotions to cloud reality.
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
I mentioned earlier in another blog that I read the blogs but have never posted anything. I think I mentioned this last week. I’ve finally just reached my limit hearing about Region 1 and it has just come spilling out. If I’m not mistaken it’s a free country and u can say whatever I want. Sorry that the people who post all the time feel that they are the only ones who can post. I didn’t even start reading these blogs until about week 5 or 6 or believe. Just never felt the need to post until now. Get off your high horse.
grayram
November 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
Not too much to write about before the playoffs.
What offense does Valdosta run?
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
Sorry for the typos. O and I think everyone is using their emotions when they post. Isn’t pride in your team an emotion. Hometown pride is an emotion. When talking about Collins Hill the last time we played at Lowndes we won. I think that’s a fact. Last time Grayson played Lowndes, they won, o my that’s another fact. Lowndes is notorious for being unable to stop the pass. Is that another fact?!?! Lowndes can’t win on the road when it really counts… Fact! Heinecke is the best QB in the state… Ok that’s my opinion but Lowndes will see it as a fact on Friday!!!
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
1:16 pm
@VikingsOnAMission– I’m happily married thanks
James
November 23rd, 2010
1:21 pm
I am not a big high school football fan, but I think it is sad that AJC has not followed closely the only remaining APS school in Grady High School
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan
November 23rd, 2010
1:26 pm
@ BKSMITH14 I don’t believe you were at Valdosta-Lowndes game. You must have HEARD the viking kept Mitchell and Rome in check. Do you remember when the vikings finally took the lead? YES.. It was in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. Lowndes fans were quiet most of the game till THE MIGHTY CATS got a little too relaxed. From what I understand, the Vikings truly doesn’t want to see the MIGHTY CATS. IF you win the next two games and we will see you in the Dome!!
hsfb
November 23rd, 2010
1:27 pm
You are correct, this is a free country. You are also correct in stating the obvious that we all deal with emotions on these blogs. Here is where you err…..there is nothing wrong with being emotional as we all are. My point simply was that we “should not” allow our emotions to cloud reality as you and your sidekick have. It leads to irrational and defenseless disscussions (pun intended). Have a nice day.
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
1:34 pm
O somebody’s getting angry… I think that’s another emotion hsfb…. I’ll be showing another emotion when I’m laughing all the way to the dome
yo
November 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
bksmith14….he said, she said, they said. You said, “I myself did not say that i know for a fact that it happened.”
bksmith14 what you have just acccomplished is slander and gossip, nothing more and nothing less….think on that. ps-calling it like I see it and that you have to appreciate.
Nukieie
November 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
“A Fan” quit “baiting” posters. It only make you look as bad as you say everyone else is. YOU will not ge another comment from me. For the rest of you ignor her/him/it.
yo
November 23rd, 2010
2:20 pm
A Fan why don’t you post it 10 more times if it will make you feel better. Keep posting it and you might actually start believing it.
GwinnettDad
November 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
A Fan, have you ever BEEN to the Concrete Palace down there?: While I haven’t been to Camden, that place, by far, is the most intimidating place to play that I’ve been. Best of luck to CH, but at the same time, you’re doing for CH what another does for Lowndes. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I guess I’m simply not a “in your face” kind of blogger, because, if anything, it only provides more energy and determination to the opponent at the expense of the team you say you support.
yo
November 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
JIMB with that 11:27 post you actually sound like a Stephenson alum pulling for Gwinnet.
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan
November 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
BKSMITH14 is the example of what SOME viking fans are all about. (LOW CLASS) THEY CAN NOT ACCEPT A WIN OR LOST WITH GRACE. Yep… A Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan said it. If they lose, “SOMEBODY CHEATED”, If they win, “WE BEAT THEIR GREAT PAPA TO SLEEP with T-Shirts made with slogans”. SO REDNECKISH!!
yo
November 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan can’t argue with what you say about burgerkingsmith14 but it hasn’t been that long ago that the Cats were the pros of your Lowndes accusations. Fact is it could be said that SOME of those Lowndes fans learned it from ya’ll.
“Ya’ll” could be considered a REDNECKISH term for “all of you”.
yo
November 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Isn’t BurkerKing home of the whopper? Just saying.
yo
November 23rd, 2010
2:38 pm
So lets see the last time Lowndes lost a home playoff game was to Collins Hill. Hmmmmmmm! I’m thinking these kids will know all about that and C. H. will stand for Considerably Humbled when the Eagles make their way back to Gwinnet.
JIMB
November 23rd, 2010
3:09 pm
@YO Gwinnett thats 2 t’s twice the touch. as in QB collins Hill he is good real good, just like John Russ the junior at Millcreek
Neutral Fan
November 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
The computer predictions are meaningless. I think they were wrong in every game last week. So you better hope they picked against your team.
I have been to many games all over the state and will have to say the Concrete Palace is incredible. I don’t see how 17 or 18 year old kids make the long 4 hour plus ride from Atlanta, walk into that stadium where there is 12,000 strong, see all the state title banners, Titletown sign, and hear the crowd and not be intimidated. I was when I went and I am a grown man and wasn’t playing. Collins Hill can throw the ball and seem to be good but winning there will be tough. Lowndes has athletes, they always do, it will be a matter if they can handle the atmosphere. I saw a VERY good and national top ranked Peachtree Ridge team get completely demolished there year before last. That game was over before they could blink. Good luck to them. Valdosta can be the same way.
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
3:22 pm
Not baiting, just showing how I really feel and saying what a bunch of other Gwinnett fans are thinking. I’m tired of hearing about Lowndes and Valdosta. Obviously I don’t care what anybody else thinks of me so I’m going to keep on keeping on and support all of the Gwinnett teams in their games on Friday. I love Gwinnett football and I have no shame!
Eagle homer
November 23rd, 2010
3:27 pm
Which is the stadium seen from I75? Cats or Vikings? Is Valdosta the city school and Lowndes the county? No matter, a great rivalry!
When I was a suburban Atlanta kid in the late 60s and early 70s Avondale then Lakeside were the best programs in N GA. I remember thinking that they were the greatest HS programs ever! Until of course they got destroyed by Valdosta in the state finals…
Camden74
November 23rd, 2010
3:29 pm
@DIG…….The academics stack up just fine! Camden is rated in the top 10% of high schools in the nation, academically! Now what?
grayram
November 23rd, 2010
3:31 pm
After HSFB wrote that our team just learned how to play with the big boys i looked back at my last four years supporting the Rams. It has been a pretty good ride.
Grayson has gone 44-8 and outscored their opponents 1427-504
Playoff losses to Camden by 15, Peachtree Ridge by 3 in double ot, Newnan by 2 on a blocked field goal on the last play of the game by Ogletree.
Some wins during that time have been over highly rated teams such as Norcross, Camden, Brookwood, Lowndes, PRidge, Warner Robins.
So know matter what happens in Lowndes county Friday night i think the Rams have done a great job of playing with the big boys.
Camden74
November 23rd, 2010
3:33 pm
@DIG………..How would know whether or not I have anything to do with Camden’s success or lack there of? For all you know, I could have a son, grandson, nephew, cousin or someone I trained playing or coaching for Camden! I could be a big money booster, how do you know?
PackerAlumni66
November 23rd, 2010
3:33 pm
JIMB I saw your comment on the Moultrie Observer web page. One thing is wrong Mill Creek did not face 6 ranked teams out of ten regular season teams! S.Gwinnett,Norcross and North Gwinnett are the only ones. Playoffs you guys faced S.Gwinnett again and Etowah! I guess yall cant count up there either?
grayram
November 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
Camden74
Where do you find the academic rankings?
Lowndes 96
November 23rd, 2010
3:36 pm
@A Fan This will be my one and only post to you. All debates will be ended this friday about where the best football is played in the state for this year. But if you’re going to stay on this blog, you might as well get used to hearing about region 1. Region 1 is simply the winningest, most state championship rich region in the state.
Camden74
November 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
@AAAAA Football Fan……..I’m sure everyone affiliated with Camden Football is looking forward to seeing #22 again!
Tiger4Life
November 23rd, 2010
3:40 pm
@JIMB
In reponse to your 11:27am post. I’m sure Dekalb Co. send more kids than Gwinnett Co. The link is from ajc.com It list all 405 schools in GA with the number of kids on college rosters. click the link here>>>>> http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-high-school-sports/2010/11/02/list-current-college-players-produced-by-each-georgia-high-schools/
I added all the Delakb schools and came up with a total of 297.
grayram
November 23rd, 2010
3:44 pm
What happened in the Mill Creek vs Cherokee game this year? Did Mill creek win 35-14 then forfeit?
Jammer
November 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
grayram
Millcreek got caught playing with an ineligable player and had to forfiet the win
A Fan
November 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
@Lowndes96 you just proved my point… Living in the past. Throwing the “tradition” and trophies in people’s face… You are right though, after Friday, everyone will know where the best football is played. And it’s fine that you won’t respond to my posts, doesn’t bother me a bit. I’m just a proud Gwinnett football lover. I can’t help it that all of you people refuse to acknowledge the truth. I have my opinion, you have yours, when it comes down to it, the game is played on the field and someone will be going home crying (region 1)
zack
November 23rd, 2010
3:48 pm
While I share the same rooting interests as “a fan” and all of the other gwinnett supporters… l believe words such as beat down and destroyed are a bit much. JIMB if you really think grayson has just arrived in the AAAAA scene, you obviously havent followed much football the past 3-4 years. Ask lowndes, they remember who the rams were. I digress… Would any knowledgeable valdosta fans like to talk about the actual game and not this never ending north vs south debate? What kind of defense do the wildcats run? Playmakers? From what I have scene, they are very similar to grayson on offense. They can spread it out or go back to the wing t roots. Am I correct? Anything would be great, Im just ready for friday night in valdosta. Win or lose Im excited for the experience of attending a game in titletown!
BKSMITH14
November 23rd, 2010
3:50 pm
@ AFAN, you are an idiot !!!! your living in the past. 2001? please, things have changed at lowndes since then. that team went 6-4. not even the same team or same offense. grow up!!!
@valdosta_wildcat_fan——we held rome in check all night. he caught like 2 or 3 passes and was a nonfactor. mitchell was heldo in check also. except for 2 big plays, you guys did nothing all night. that as AFAN wd say it, is FACT!!!!!
PackerAlumni66
November 23rd, 2010
3:51 pm
Oh wow cheaters too? Wouldn’t that left them as 4-6? How did they make the playoffs?
BKSMITH14
November 23rd, 2010
3:51 pm
AFAN make sure you get you moron idiotic self back on here sat am or fri nite after yall get humbled!!!! Lowndes defense is right there with graysons
Fight for the Crimson & White
November 23rd, 2010
3:52 pm
Ok can’t you people see that A Fan is either someone posing as a gwinnett/Collins Hill fan or a very disturbed Lowndes fan? They haven’t posted any real stats or information that would point to them being a true CH fan. If it’s a lowndes fan then they’re just trying to make CH look bad… I don’t know but it’s obviously a joke.