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.
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445 comments Add your comment
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
10:48 am
Buford then should beat cook. Did colquitt lose to columbus-carver? another 2aa team?
EAGLEFAN
November 24th, 2010
10:48 am
robert
November 23rd, 2010
11:13 pm
How can you have another high school in the same county but play sports at only one? What does GHSA say about that set up. Seems against the rules of the High School Association.
Duluth as a Math & Science HS on its campus but its students are not allowed to play on the Duluth teams. Not sure if it is a commitment to academics by the school or a GHSA rule.
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
10:50 am
Did Colbuitt play a 5AAAAA schedule or a 2AA schedule?
yo
November 24th, 2010
10:53 am
200,000 citizens? Wow Grayram ya’ll planning on bringing 90,000 plus folks this way? That might explanin why half the population on that night headed back to North Atlanta with their tails between their legs.
The ones who still had tails to tuck between their legs.
You know……that Gwinnett area that in reality is just North Atlanta.
Are you coming down? You better bring a crowd. Otherwise just the crowd alone will set you back in Valdosta by a touchdown or 2.
grayram
November 24th, 2010
10:57 am
YO
We are coming down. Try and save us a few seats ok!
Touchdown T
November 24th, 2010
11:02 am
grayram, I got a nice chuckle out of that one. Nice come back, yo.
Lowndes 96
November 24th, 2010
11:05 am
JIMB Colquitt signed a contract with Cook when one of his asst. coaches became the head coach there, that was the one and only aa school they played. And since you don’t know anything about Cook I dont think you should be saying Buford is going to beat them. Buford will be in the fight of their lives Friday night and I guarantee you their coach knows that.
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
11:20 am
I understand Cook is probably good,all teams are good to get to this point, I was not clear about why a 5AAAAA school would play 2AA school. All you could hope for is a nasty mark on your year. I promise you no 5AAAAAA school would want to play Buford.Even if you won it’s a no win deal.
BcS2010
November 24th, 2010
11:29 am
Its funny to see how Hillgrove is doing alot better in AAAAA than they were in AAAA.
Lowndes 96
November 24th, 2010
11:51 am
JIMB When a team schedules an out of region game, they are looking to tune up for the season or find out something about their team. If a aaaaa school scheduled Buford, because they thought it would help them later on in the season I guarantee they wouldnt be worried about what happened in the game as far as win loss goes. I really dont see why a aaaaa school would shy away from Buford. The fact is what happens in a non region game doesnt matter in the playoffs, what matters is how good a team is playing in the playoffs. The opposing coach isnt going to care who they lost to the first or second game in the season , just how theyre playing now. Being undefeated isnt everything and it is not required to win a state championship.
zack
November 24th, 2010
11:52 am
any thoughts on if it does rain, how does this affect valdostas o?
wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
12:02 pm
man the second round was quite a shocker if you ask me, grayson upsets ng and hillgrove upsets camden at their places bummer especialy for camden fans, myself included, but wait im getting deja vu from watching hillgrove and camden, that offense looks familiar, oh yeah its that same offense that those pesky raiders of sta ran when the cats paid them a visit, camden couldnt stop it then, so they couldnt stop it friday, good luck hawks, you are going to need it playing brookwood, GO VIKINGS WILDCATS PACKS
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
12:44 pm
Just watched Colquitt replays on Ihigh.com looks like they have problems stopping the run on any team. Prediction Cierski with millcreek has banner day 6′1 260lb Maryland committment. runs behing 6′6′ right tackle 275lbs.
PantherNation
November 24th, 2010
12:52 pm
Can the Starr’s Mill Panthers take down East Paulding in the quarterfinals?
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan
November 24th, 2010
1:10 pm
@Sideline Observer… Get off the side line, get way up high in the bleachers or stay home and SHUT UP!! Most Region 1 fans are pulling for one another. If you are living in Cook county and pulling for them, is that enough for that lil town? Cat HATER!! I have not heard one Cat Fan bash any team in Region 1 except for you and a couple Nit wit Viking Fans!! I am going to say this, “SOME Viking Fans do not know how to take a loss and the wing-t is no good”. What?? Are you afraid to play the Cats again? You recieved a gift on October 8, 2010. You won’t get one for Christmas!!
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan
November 24th, 2010
1:11 pm
Enjoy the Region Title LOSER!!
Carlton
November 24th, 2010
1:12 pm
JIMB, most of the teams that Cook has played this year thought they would easily win against Cook, All the posters predicted every team they played would beat them but they have not lost so far. Buford is next.
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
Carlton good to hear from you, well I will pull for Buford and thats rare but they are neighbors and don’t want the house torched. Buford has the best situation in Georgia, they have a school that is the only city school in Gwinnett county so kids can pay to play and for a good coaching staff 7 state titles.
Carlton
November 24th, 2010
1:36 pm
No question Buford is good. It is going to be the biggest story this year when Cook beats them. Remember, I am far enough away that they can’t get to my house.
southernpride
November 24th, 2010
1:39 pm
Cook is LOADED. Buford has their hands full Friday.
No_Disrepect
November 24th, 2010
1:42 pm
No disrespect for The HOOCH, but I hope DUTCHTOWN advances….BUT…being the REALIST I am, it is highly doubtful they will due to the facts that 1) they are having a hard time scoring TD’s and 2) they are on the road. Plus 3) the Hooch has a GREAT team this year! Since I have no true dog in the hunt (GRIFFIN BEAR FAN) I have to pull for our sub-division region representatives, so GO DUTCHTOWN!! Also good luck wishes to our very deserving region champs this year: STARS MILL. I hope they can stop E. PAULDING. What is the sound of a dud cannon?
~~~~pffftssfft…fizzzzlessssssplt???~~~~~~~
Jacket Speed
November 24th, 2010
2:03 pm
Everyone knows the right bracket belongs to Buford. Cook will give them a game, but in the end Buford will be playing for #4. The left bracket, on the other hand, is up in the air. Thomasville will give Carver all they want and Calhoun and Fitz is a flip of a coin. I belive whoever wins the left side bracket will win state. Buford has lost early in the years past and peaked in November/ December. Carver beats Buford but struggles against R6 #3 GAC 21-7 with only two offensive td’s. I belive any other play off team plays GAC and they win by 3 or 4 scores. Carver better tighten up this week or they be buying a ticket to the dome. Fitzgerald/ Calhoun game will be a barn burner. Wing T- of Fitz will only work if they can throw the ball sucessfully, Calhouns D will stop any run. The biggest question is; Can Calhoun score on Fitz… Can’t wait until Friday.
AVikingFan
November 24th, 2010
2:13 pm
GHSF Daily
November 20th, 2010
6:50 pm
“umm…Lowndes is still a premier program in 5A, nobody would be surprised if they win it all. It’s not like 5A is a total shocker.”
“I didn’t say it would be a total shocker. But note that Lowndes has lost two games, both to teams that are gone, once to a team that didn’t make the playoffs. Lowndes also has had a cakewalk to the QF. If Lowndes wins, it won’t be your typical Lowndes state champion”
TODD perhaps you are underestimating Region 1-AAAAA. Sure, as you pointed out, we lost to Tifton. Stephenson, whom you held in high esteem all year long and who won their region, only beat Tifton 14 to 7. So losing to them, especially after their freshman QB had nine games under his belt, was not something to commit suicide over. I bet Tift County could have beat a lot of region 7 and region 8 teams that you are so high on. Wish you’d take some of EagleNationRising’s advice about Gwinnett County. Yeah Yeah! The AJC sells fish wrappers there! My bad!
Good luck to the Cats, Cook, Brooks, Clinch, Thomasville, Colquitt, and Fitzgerald Friday night. My Vikings will need all the luck we can get to beat such a good QB and Collins Hill team. Do your part Cats, and we’re gonna give it our best shot to try and meet you guys in the Dome.
h-mmmm “cake walk to the 1/4 finals.” Todd I can’t believe you dissed a good Newnan team like that! I can’t believe you haven’t heard from them about it.
AVikingFan
November 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan — Not really intending to butt in on your gripe with that guy from Adel but I happen to recall us getting SEVEN (7) GIFTS from VALDOSTA in the past seven (7) years. THANK YOU! ie, as in SEVEN times in a row! Why on earth would you think we’re all of a sudden scared of you now? Good luck against Grayson, you’ll need it, but just the same, hope to see you in the dome. It’d be kinda special if both the semis were held in Valdosta Ga next week!
Camden74
November 24th, 2010
2:34 pm
@grayram……..Is there a pill or something you take for that particular vision?
Wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
2:41 pm
As much as I hate to take sides on this blog, 1-AAAAA doesnt get as much respect as they deserve, They have good teams Lowndes, Valdosta, and Colquitt. Also Lowdnes and Valdosta have quite a few wins and State Rings and trophies that say that they are good, cut 1-AAAAA some slack, underestimated and misunderstood, Its funny how people get on here and brag that their team is the best. Yet most people’s teams have not done anything in the playoffs, past or present. 1-AAAAA deserves some respect and I believe everyone on here should show it to them
GwinnettDad
November 24th, 2010
2:41 pm
@HillgroveMike – nobody in the Brookwood community is overlooking Hillgrove that I know of.. I have said, after defeating Stephenson & Camden, that Hillgrove should be considered the favorite Friday. Brookwood’s caliber of opposition has not been comparable to Hillgrove, and Brookwood has played at home twice while Hillgrove has been on the road. Why don’t you point out the people that are overlooking Hillgrove to me? I’ve been on this blog for the playoffs, and I’m not aware of them.
All eight teams that have got this far have already proven themselves winners.
Camden74
November 24th, 2010
2:42 pm
GO REGION 1 5A………..!!!!!!!!
GwinnettDad
November 24th, 2010
2:50 pm
JIMB said, “Hillgrove Mike, Brookwood isn”t a fun place to play. They aren’t nice and the staduim is old,concrete is cold. Offense is weak,defense is great.”
@JIMB, well, we hope to win, thus, it really isn’t intended to be a fun place to play. I don’t know when you’ve been to Dave Hunter Stadium, but the stadium is “old concrete?” Beg your pardon? The lower half of the home stands are, but that’s all the concrete. The stadium was constructed roughly 25 years ago, so it really isn’t that old.
Brookwood has been a run oriented team forever. When the Broncos passed, one really only had to cover one receiver. There was no short passing game. Not any more! McLane can pass, and has had time to do it, and use the pass to control the ball. The pass then opens up the run. This is NOT the same run oriented team that it was. When you have a QB in his 3rd year as a starter, capabilities change. And while we have good defenders, this is not as dominant a defense as it past years either.
So, JIMB, update your playbook. Brookwood has. Still, however, Hillgrove is going to be everything Brookwood can handle. Should be a good game.
grayram
November 24th, 2010
3:07 pm
@Camden74
No pills, and i hope i don’t need any about 10pm Friday night!
Mikey Boy
November 24th, 2010
3:15 pm
@ No Disrespect! Change the name buddy! Cause are can dont Fizzle!!! HERE COME THE BOOOOM!!!! SOON!!!
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
3:31 pm
Gwinnett dad, I do play by play every week, Not a slam on your stadium its not the best in Gwinnett by the least. I was talking about the history of the school not a fun place as in tradition. And yes I know Dave Hunter very well and your play book. Watched the Grayson game and the Dacula game, shouldn’t remind anyone of that. I will be a Bronco Fan on Friday
Mikey Boy
November 24th, 2010
3:31 pm
@PantherNation. Any team can win on any given Night. I see a close battle of Field postion once again. Looks like you have a run option team. with the spread. Raiders D is mean and Hungry for the run. I say the weakness would be Secoundary. So that 6`6 Wr from Starrs milll whos commited to GT will have to Show up. But #5 Foe Low Johnson is ganna D em up! I have the Honor of seein another great High school football game Friday. Lets see if it can top the Clark Central game. another 12-0 team. Raiders are what 9-2 now. The question should be can East beat Starrs Mill?!? YES THEY CAN!! GOOO RAIDERS!!!
Wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
3:34 pm
To all of Hillgrove Fans, Coaches and especially Players, Band nad Cheerleaders,
The game Friday was spectacular, your offense is top notch, they train and practice very well in Cobb Co. It was disappointing to watch Hawks swarm the paw and dance to “All The Way Turned Up” and “All I Do Is Win” but I can not blame you all. You defeated the #1 team and defending state champs. And your fans our very supportive, its good to see alot of fans on the other side. Your coaches are good too. They coached with emotion and passion, something Camden lacked all night. Even Herron recognized that from the kick off. Now I want all of Hillgrove to know, Camden will be expecting you all to get into the playoffs next year. It is kind of the starting of a mini rivalry.
Now any team that overlooks Hillgrove is a foolish team. After seeing them first hand, they are no joke and they deserve some respect. They are like Camden in 2009. After losing to Grayson in the Corky Kell Classic and Hoover at Chris Gilman, everyone doubted that they would even make it past the first round. But they just kept chugging knocking off N. Gwinnett, Lowdnes, Colquitt, and Northside, all of those games they were projected to lose. I will be the first to admit this and I love my Camden Wildcats, Camden got bested. Coach Herron said “Thats what happens when you play in a Region(3AAAAA) with little competition and win State back to back”(Tribune & Georgian Sports). Take this as a complement, Hillgrove you keep doing your thing against Brookwood, but I have to say if you all survive the Bronco Stampede at Brookwood, You all wont survive the Viking Onslaught at the Concrete Palace. You though it got loud in Thunder Alley? In the Palace it gets worse, with a 450+ band along with over 1,000 fans screaming, it is truly a taste of South Georgia football, but keep your focus and above all put God first on the field and you might make it to state.
Fight for the Crimson & White
November 24th, 2010
3:41 pm
@Wildcat12-
“Take this as a complement, Hillgrove you keep doing your thing against Brookwood, but I have to say if you all survive the Bronco Stampede at Brookwood, You all wont survive the Viking Onslaught at the Concrete Palace. You though it got loud in Thunder Alley? In the Palace it gets worse, with a 450+ band along with over 1,000 fans screaming, it is truly a taste of South Georgia football, but keep your focus and above all put God first on the field and you might make it to state.”
I LOVE IT! Hope some of you Camden Boys can make it over to the Palace on Friday to cheer us on
Wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
3:45 pm
Now to everyone else, can we please stop downgrading Lowdnes? You have to give them some kind of respect, They play with heart and emotion. Valdosta as well. And im not forgetting Colquitt either, It is a shame really, It is going to take a state championship to silence people,
@BulldawgBite
Camden would like to play N. Gwinnett during the regular season, but no offense Camden has its sights on a bigger prize, this year they came awfully close to possibly playing for a mythical National Championship (If we had beat STA and won State this year) I think NG is doing the right thing by scheduling teams outside the state, It gets old just playing the same people. I think NG would have fun playing teams like Don Bosco Prep, Trinity, St Thomas, Miami Central, South Panola, Hoover, Jenks, Servite, Crenshaw and teams of that caliber. Alot of out of state teams run offense that you see in the playoffs, For example, when Camden played St Thomas and Miami Central both teams ran a variation of the spread, the Camden saw that same spread last Friday night against Hillgrove. Playing out of state teams gets your name out there, even though NG is always ranked in MaxPreps and ESPNRise. But once again Camden would enjoy playing NG or any other in state team, but other teams and states are calling our name.
Wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
We will try all of Camden (well most of us anyway, I am)will be rooting for you and all South Georgia teams. Do us a favor Lowdnes, Valdosta, and Colquitt bring a title back south, to its rightful home. lol
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
This guy is proud of his band 450+ our band is good also but has scored no points. But they did go to England, cashed in there American express points.
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
3:53 pm
including Hillgrove
yo
November 24th, 2010
4:06 pm
Can you imagine this game if replayed in the Dome?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K35pfy2EV3Q&feature=related
Make it happen Title Town….go Cats and Vikes.
2 down and 2 to go to ged er dun!
GwinnettDad
November 24th, 2010
4:08 pm
@JIMB, oh. Your analysis of Brookwood has the chance of being as accurate as if I watched Lowndes vs. Ware County (3-0) and Lowndes vs. Tift County (7-10) and analyzed Lowndes by just those two games. Wouldn’t be very accurate, would it? I’ve watched Brookwood since 1997 and have seen 8 of their games this year, and yes, the two you saw weren’t offensive masterpieces. Parkview was similar. A lot has to do with what team shows up on Friday night, and with these young kids, one never knows. We’re much better offensively, however, than we’ve been in the playoffs in past years.
Wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
4:13 pm
Friday’s Games will be good Collins Hill at Lowdnes, Grayson at Valdosta, Hillgrove at Brookwood and Mill Creek at Colquitt. Now everyone on here says Gwinnett county will beat all the South Georgia teams. I believe everyone that says that knows the real truth: South Georgia football has a winning tradition, and that tradition will continue this year. There is only one team that could have made a run to state from the southeast and that is Camden, like Northside and North Gwinnett they had a White Water Incident and overlooked those Hawks from little known Hillgrove High School. But like always none of us are playing its up to the boys in the pads to back up our words
HillgroveMike
November 24th, 2010
4:38 pm
Wildcat12,
As I stated in another blog…I hope Camden goes undefeated (until they meet Hillgrove again). Your program is incredible and some day when our young school grows up into the state power house that Camden is, it would be an honor for our program to be like yours. I would love to have a mini-rivalry between our schools. I do apologize for some of the boys jumping on the Paw. I thought it was unsportsmen for the boys to do it. I believe both teams left everything on the field that night and the “extra” celebration was not appreciated by many of the parents and school administration.
GwinnettDad – You are one of the few (other than Camden fans) that have given some props to Hillgrove. You’ve also provided great insight to the upcoming game. “Most” in this string of comments, have already put Brookwood playing Lowdnes next week. I hope our boys come to play because your program and fans make it rough on visting teams (I mean that respectfully not taking jabs). Fridays game will be extremely tough for Hillgrove because we don’t match up against you the way we matched up with Stephenson and Camden.
See you Friday night and GO HAWKS!!!!
PackerAlumni66
November 24th, 2010
4:43 pm
To all Pack fans I wont be able to be at the game I have been looking forward to all week. I bought tickets but found out today my wife is extremely close to giving birth to our second child and would rather have it in a hospital instead of Mack Tharpe Stadium. I told her she was crazy! It would be great. Anyways I see the Georgia High School Magazine picked the Pack,Cats,Vikes and the Broncos to win friday
topper
November 24th, 2010
4:47 pm
HillgroveMike – The jumping on the paw , while it is a little unsportsman like to do , those were kids who just played one hell of a game against the 2 time defending state champs and got carried away. As for being a state [ower house you guys definately have a good start on that with your coaches what a great game plan they came in with.;
topper
November 24th, 2010
4:48 pm
should have said power house
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan
November 24th, 2010
5:00 pm
@ AVIKINGFAN… I gues you are right 7 gifts in a row is not bad, when you guys only won 16 out of 49 games. hummmm. 9 in a row from 1968 to 1975 sounds good and 13 in a row from 1986 to 1996 sound even better. hope to see you in the Dome!! ; )
Wildcat12
November 24th, 2010
5:21 pm
I agree with topper, it wasnt unsportmans like the kids were having a good time, If Camden would have won we student section and fans would have been dancing on the field and I am pretty sure when (not if) Camden visits Hillgrove, our fans and players will dance will in the middle of your field
It isnt a sign of disrespect just a great celebration, In fact I am glad Hillgrove won in a sense. Camden needed a wake up call and Hillgrove gave it to them, Camden has had it easy (except for Miami Central and St. Thomas Aquainas). Keep chugging Hillgrove, you all are the Camden of 2009,
JIMB
November 24th, 2010
5:42 pm
I can’t believe Gwinnettdad is upset about Brookwoods offense,it’s not bad it’s predictable. Hillgrove shouldn’t win. Lownes isn’t as good as they normally are but good enough be in the hunt. All eight teams are good really good but aren’t great. Parkview had a great team in the ninties. Millcreek has the best chance in the southern games because Colquitt is the weakest. Its all about matchups ask Camden
AVikingFan
November 24th, 2010
5:55 pm
Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan — Did ya’ll give us the game in 2009 also? 57 to 15! Great gift. Thanks. Give us some more like that!