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.

445 comments Add your comment

BKSMITH14

November 24th, 2010
6:40 pm

valdosta wildcat fan—–LOWNDES RUNS THIS TOWN. quit living off hasbeen glory. we came into the litter box and cleaned out the poopy already this year. i guess we will just have to go to the dome and do it again, lets make it 8 poopy cleanings in a row

GwinnettDad

November 24th, 2010
7:43 pm

Wildcat2 Now everyone on here says Gwinnett county will beat all the South Georgia teams.

@Wildcat2 -Why do you insist upon writing a lie? Something that simply isn’t true, and is stupid as well? Everyone on this blog says the Gwinnett teams will win? We’ve had “A Fan,” who was crowing about Collins Hill, but I’m guessing that’s actually a Lowndes fan trying to juice up this blog. Otherwise, name names, Wildcat2. Otherwise, shut up.

I consider the Gwinnett teams to mainly be underdogs, and have said so even about the one team that is playing at home, Brookwood. Since I’m part of “everyone,” and I’ve been here for weeks, this Wildcat2 is nothing but a WildGooseChaser that is simply making smoke where there’s no fire.

ibleedblack&silver

November 24th, 2010
7:50 pm

Yes vikingfan I am aware that valwood is a private school that’s why I mentioned it because it was being left out in the convo.. they even have a football team lol.. that is where I went to school my freshman and sophmore year, then my family moved to metro atlanta. I then atended vsu. So I am a lil more aware than some with no 1st hand knowledge of lowndes county/valdosta

GwinnettDad

November 24th, 2010
7:52 pm

@JIMB, almost correct, Parkview had a great team when they won 46 in a row, 2000-2002, and three State Championships in a row. Won it also in 1997. Francoeur and Stinchcomb were on the 2000-2002 teams, among others.

GwinnettDad

November 24th, 2010
7:53 pm

And in all honesty, by distribution, far more postings are being done here by fans from the south than from anyplace else.

Lowndes 96

November 24th, 2010
8:38 pm

GwinnettDad:

This is the second time that you have implied that a Lowndes fan was posting as a Gwinnett fan. While that is not impossible, it doesn’t make it true. Every blogger on here posts under the cloke of annonimity. You don’t ever know who you are talking to on here. Just because you believe something to be true doesn’t mean that it is. Therefore, you shouldn’t then post what you don’t know to be true. You just blasted a Camden fan for posting something you believe to be a lie. By continuing to post that this “a fan” is actually a Lowndes fan you are doing the same thing.

grayram

November 24th, 2010
10:07 pm

It is a little silly to say “everyone on here is saying Gwinnett is going to win”
I think its about 10-1 South GA posting. Only a couple have dared to think a South GA team could lose.
A Fan talking up her team is fine, she sure got alot of you stirred up.

JimB, Has Mill Creek ever played Grayson? I don’t remember if so. Is this Mill Creeks 1st year playing a Varsity schedule?

yo

November 24th, 2010
10:16 pm

Predictions

Brookwood 21 Hillgrove 28 (Surprise again)

Colquit 85 Mill Creek 84 (49-49 in regulation)
During 5th overtime Probst decides it is time to go for the win and goes for 2 and gets it.

Valdosta 24 Grayson 17 (More defense in this game than many are expecting)

Lowndes 45 Collins Hill 21 (In 4th quarter Lowndes substitutes and CH gets 3rd TD)

AVikingFan

November 24th, 2010
11:15 pm

YO – Sounds good to me! Hope it holds up! Two semis in Lowndes County next week. That’s something even Gwinnett hasn’t done!

68 Viking

November 25th, 2010
12:39 am

like an earlier blogger stated it very well. This the most fun for free. Good luck to all teams on friday Hope ever one travels safely Happy thanksgiving Go Vikings

ibleedblack&silver

November 25th, 2010
1:38 am

Yo your theory on the overtime thriller is already blown out of the water, due to the fact that by rule teams must go for 2 after the 3rd overtime.

wildcat12

November 25th, 2010
8:38 am

gwinnettdad last time i checked its a free country and GOD gave me the right to say what i wanted. second off you dont tell me to shut up because what im saying is true just because you are an ignorant man who has nothing better to do than to blast a 17 yr old fan from camden county, thats me wildcat12 not wildcat2. and thank you viking blogger(s) for defending, my opinion is true to me, if you or any gwinnett fans dont like it…….GET OVER IT! And for everyone else this is a blog, free opinion 4 every1

yo

November 25th, 2010
9:31 am

ibleedblack&silver then with those offenses and defenses the game may never end based on that ruling………;-)

Rufus S. DeMann

November 25th, 2010
10:05 am

To The Mill Creek Hawks……..

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!

From,

Rufus, “Doc”, Ms. Violet and everybody associated with Lime Sink LLC

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 25th, 2010
11:16 am

57-12 was the best gift we ever gave you guys. Congratulations!! I know you enjoyed it. Thanks?? No problem, considering 48-6 thumping in 1968, 40-0 whipping in 1969, 41-7 whipping in 1975, 41-0 beat down in 1988, 52-12 Murder in 1994. Also while considering 1522 total points in every game played Valdosta owning 1025 of those points, 57 in one game ain’t bad. Hope to see you in the Dome. Kisses…

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 25th, 2010
11:18 am

@ AVikingFan… 57-12 was the best gift we ever gave you guys. Congratulations!! I know you enjoyed it. Thanks?? No problem, considering 48-6 thumping in 1968, 40-0 whipping in 1969, 41-7 whipping in 1975, 41-0 beat down in 1988, 52-12 Murder in 1994. Also while considering 1522 total points in every game played Valdosta owning 1025 of those points, 57 in one game ain’t bad. Hope to see you in the Dome. Kisses…

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 25th, 2010
11:27 am

@BKSMITH14.. Go find some marbles or jackstones to play with. I can have a decent old fashion rivalry squabble with AVIKINGFAN and have my fun. Not with you, you and I are not in the same category. Go in the yard and play. Chris Brown says it best, “DEUCES”

yo

November 25th, 2010
11:31 am

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

All of those scores you bring up of the past is about like a grandfather reminding his grandson about how bad he used to beat him.

The problem is that the grandfather is now and old man and the grandson is now in his prime……get used to it.

yo

November 25th, 2010
11:33 am

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan”s” = old man :-0

yo

November 25th, 2010
11:39 am

And by the way Grandpa…..thanks for becoming the gift that keeps on giving.

yo

November 25th, 2010
11:41 am

Kind of like the Grand Pa Energizer Bunny…..and giving….and giving….and giving…….

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 25th, 2010
11:48 am

@ Yo-yo…Reminding me about last year, what’s the difference? I added a few more years. Now, you need to go in the yard and play. Class of 89′.

down south fan

November 25th, 2010
11:59 am

see sonnie iremember when a loaf bread was 3cents a gallonof gasnwas75cent those were the days sonnie

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 25th, 2010
12:01 pm

@Yo-yo… The last time I checked, Daddy is still Daddy even when he’s dead. Keep living kid.

yo

November 25th, 2010
2:53 pm

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan ya’ll left us a might good inheritance. Dead people (even daddy’s) can’t spend their inheritance but we (the chilren) are spending it well for you. You would be proud if you were still around to see how well we are spending it. Investing it current and future state championships. Thanks for the Big inheritance…daddy.

Touchdown T

November 25th, 2010
4:52 pm

Guys we will have plenty of time for this when we meet in the dome.Vikes just take care of your business tomorrow so we can see you again happen. Of course it will be a different outcome next time around. ;)

BKSMITH14

November 25th, 2010
5:01 pm

valdostawildcatfan, we own the cats. times have changed my son, your a hasbeen and liveing off hasbeen glory. i dont have to go bck to last year, i can go back just a lil over a month ago and remember goin to the cat box and taking the poop out

BKSMITH14

November 25th, 2010
5:02 pm

i am starting to hope grayson beats valdosta listening to the valdosta wildcat turd

AVikingFan

November 25th, 2010
9:42 pm

Here’s my updated version of the Facts of life: The are only a few things ” in life.
1) Death
2) Taxes
3) Shipping and Handling Charges
4) Hillgrove can beat ANYBODY ANYTIME

Will my Cobb Country friends please forgive me NOW?

AVikingFan

November 25th, 2010
9:44 pm

“COUNTY not COUNTRY. My bad! Dang typing!

AVikingFan

November 25th, 2010
9:46 pm

Repeat for the Cobb Fans: Life’s certaintys !) Death 2) Taxes 3) Shipping and handling Charges 4) HILLGROVE CAN BEAT ANYBODY ANYTIME

GAinAUB

November 25th, 2010
10:05 pm

VALDOSTA WILDCATS AKA the Grandpa Energizer Bunnies. The gift the keeps on giving and giving and giving and giving and giving and giving and giving. Seven in a row and counting. Nobody in your proud history has beaten you seven times in a row except for the Lowndes High Vikings. And like I said, “and counting.”

Speaking of tomorrow night, I am pulling for Valdosta, and think they will win. Lowndes coach Randy McPherson said Valdosta’s front “seven” are the best he’s ever coached against. They match up really well against the Wing T. I doubt Grayson can throw it as well as Lowndes did against Valdosta, and that is what changed the game back in October. Grayson will not wear Valdosta down like they did North Gwinnett, and Valdosta will pull away in the 2nd half.

Hillgrove may very well upset Brookwood, the highest ranked team still in the playoffs in AAAAA. If a team can beat Camden at their place, they can certainly beat Brookwood after a one hour bus ride in traffic they are more than used to.

Colquitt has more speed than Mill Creek has ever seen in their worst nightmares. It won’t be close.

Lowndes will defeat the state’s best QB and a very good Collins Hill team, but it might be a dogfight and a nailbiter. If the Lowndes that played last week against a very good Newnan team shows up to play, they could very well Peachtree Ridge, errr, I almost said “Northside” Collins Hill! But that is reserved for when a totally unknown team upsets an unbeatable powerhouse. And Collins Hill is certainly NOT an unknown team. Everybody has heard about their passing game this year.

yo

November 25th, 2010
10:17 pm

GAinAUB I agree with “all” you said.

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 25th, 2010
10:52 pm

@Yo-yo, You’re welcome.. @GainAUB, I think I like you ;) @BKSMITH14, I told you to go outside in the yard and play marbles or jackstones. I never said you are welcome in the house. DEUCES.

Guys, I am a Region1 lover. I love all my teams down south. While we are in this part of the season, lined up on the opposite sides of the brackett, it make since to pull for one another. The lil kid BKSMITH14 started on my Cats and I must defend them. As a matter fact, AVIKINGFAN, took a jab after I told BKSMITH14, “appreciate the gift” but AVIKINGFAN and I had a more friendlier trash talking bout. BUT if you want to go to war with words, I have plenty of ammunition. I BLEED BLACK and GOLD till the DAY I DIE!!

packer fan

November 26th, 2010
4:17 am

i think we will take care of millcreek!!!!!!!

Rufus S. DeMann

November 26th, 2010
9:05 am

Ifin the Lord’s willin…and…the Creek don’t rise…

Go You Hairy Hawgs !!!

The talk is over…time to get down to business. Should be a good’un. Might even be a few people in the New Hawg Parlor…(Smile). Football after Thanksgiving…ya goota love it.

Rufus>>

GHS#22

November 26th, 2010
10:09 am

IT’s GAME TIME………………

AVikingFan

November 26th, 2010
10:33 am

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan _ I’m pulling for ya’ll to take care of business. Send Grayson home so they an join North Gwinnett in basketball practice Monday. Ya’ll too Colquitt. Let’s make it a South Georgia sweep. That includes COOK. Tell your radio man, Dr. McCartney, AVikingFan said hello! Hope ya’ll beat big bad Buford!

Valdosta_Wildcat_Fan

November 26th, 2010
12:14 pm

Same to you AVkingFan… You guys dispatch Collins Hill and send them home so that Valdosta-Lowndes County can own the Dome. (For a Day) LOL.. Region1… Let’s show the rest of the state the way to the Dome is through South Georgia. JUST DO IT!!

yo

November 26th, 2010
1:07 pm

S. Panola 24 – Olive Branch 13
See someone played a little D.
Their most recent game.

GraysonFantheoriginal

November 26th, 2010
11:35 pm

ah 3 Gwinnett County teams battle for the finals….not shocking.

Viking Ale

November 26th, 2010
11:36 pm

Congrats to C

Viking Ale

November 26th, 2010
11:38 pm

Congrats to Collins hill.I have never seen a quarterback that good.Heck of a game hope you win state.Class act.

GHSBandDad_CrazyFAN

November 27th, 2010
10:45 am

Afan may have disappeared but the sentiment festered, then fostered, then focused, then flourished. LOL to the trash talking, mumbling, grumbling, tumbling, bumbling elicited by the grousing, blousing, and detoxed fans of Lowndes and Valdosta. Boasting and Roasting has left you toasting a little too long in the oven – i.e. burnt by your own words. Gwinnett County is now owns three quarters of the title.

GHSBandDad_CrazyFAN

November 27th, 2010
11:09 am

*Gwinnett County now owns three quarters of the title