On to the semifinals: Pick the winners, and the players of the year
On to the semifinals in the state playoffs …
Two questions per classification today – Who is you pick (team) to win it, and who is your player of the year in each class?
Mine:
AAAAA –
Team: Grayson. Just liking the defense. Grayson has led 31-0, 23-0 and 20-0 entering the fourth quarters of their three playoff victories, and the Nkemdiche brothers are wreaking havoc. But can they score enough points?
Player: Collins Hill QB Taylor Heinicke is 284-of-431 for 3,906 yards and 43 touchdowns. Hard to beat that.
AAAA –
Team: Tucker. The most talent and a coaching staff that’s won before.
Player: Chattahoochee QB Timmy Byerly has accounted for 3,595 yards and 48 touchdowns rushing and passing. Note that you can pick a player whose team is done, such as Brian Randolph of Kell.
AAA—
Team: Sandy Creek. The Sandy Creek-Peach County game this week is as good a matchup as this season has given us.
Player: Peach County RB Travis Richmond went for over 250 last week vs. Grady and has right at 1,800 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns.
AA—
Team: Carver, although I think Buford is playing pretty dang good right now.
Player: Carver RB Isaiah Crowell has been injured much of the season, but he ran for 300 yards and five TDs last week vs. Thomasville.
A—
Team: Wesleyan. Or Clinch. But I’ll say Wesleyan.
Player: Wilcox County QB Nick Marshall threw for over 2,700 yards and 41 TDs and rushed for right at 650 yards.
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192 comments Add your comment
BURKE CO. NO.1 FAN
November 29th, 2010
6:00 pm
@ Sportsfan 31313 & Trojan 09
ITS GOOD THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT US , BUT I WILL TELL U THIS , ITS GONNA BE AN ATOMIC EXPLOSION IN CARROLTON, FRIDAY NITE, AND WE ARE BRINGING THE MOST EXCITING/FASTEST PLAYER IN THE C.S.R.A. WITH US, AND GUESS WHAT HE’S ONLY A FRESHMAN, I WANNA INTRODUCE YALL TO QB/CB/WR/SB/KR/PR/RB – DONQUELL GATOR GREEN, CAN U SAY WORLD CLASS SPEED, 4.3 AND HE PLAYS LIKE A 5TH YEAR SENIOR, OH WE WILL ALSO BE BRINGING SPEEDSTERS,-KR/WR/RB/CB/- KITCHENS, / WR/CB-OSBORNE /, QB/S/RB/WR/-MATON /, KR/PR/RB/-BEVERLY /, CB/KR/DB/PR/-HOWARD , I DONT KNOW WHAT YALL ARE THINKING,IT DOESNT MATTER WHERE WE PLAY ,WHO WE PLAY , THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS WHERE RECORDS DOESNT MATTER, U BETTER BRING YOUR A GAME OR THEM COUNTY BOYZ IS GONNA BLOW YALL OUT…, U CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK…
Jefferson
November 29th, 2010
6:06 pm
B-TownWolves4Peat – I’m not sure you went to last year’s final, Calhoun blew that game nobody got stomped, look at the final score. Calhoun has got a chance, whether they win or not is to be seen.
goldenglove002
November 29th, 2010
6:10 pm
Vegasjs- I haven’t seen Hooch play, but from everything I’ve heard I do not think they will put up all those points on Statesboro. Kell’s offense was well rounded and putting up big scores through much of the year, and was absolutely shut down against Statesboro.
jacketspeed
November 29th, 2010
6:52 pm
4Pete, Was that you that paid for that pass interference call in the first half last year? Still should have beat ya, but that didn’t help. Same D, same rb,bigger line and better qb. We did lose wr Rogers but #3 is stepping up. You better hope its us you play, we already know that Carver Columbus treated yall like water boys.
Trojan94
November 29th, 2010
6:54 pm
The ajc hates to be wrong, first they gave peach co all the love saying they were the team to beat now its sandy creek make up yalls minds! then you thought cairo was going to beat carrollton but the trojans blanked cairo the third ranked team in AAA 17-0……but thats ok ajc the game is played on the field and not out of an ajc sports writers article. carrollton vs peach co! the TROJAN CIVIL WAR Dec 11 at the georgia dome.
South Georgia Is Coming To Town
November 29th, 2010
7:04 pm
AAAAA
The Colquitt County Packers have an unbelievable offense with two running backs that will leave the Grayson defense worn out. Our defense is also coming around. We played the toughest schedule in the state and it’s paying off in the playoffs.
Colquitt Co. VS Brookwood Colquitt Co. State Champs
Tevin King is the most elusive and fastest running back in the state <—- AAAAA Player of the year !
NORTH GA FOOTBALL
November 29th, 2010
7:51 pm
I will tell you this Calhoun is ten times better this year because its not a one man show like last year if Calhoun would have give the ball to #5 more Buford would have lost.This year is not like that at all infact they are the best def in a high school i’ve ever seen,and these line backers they have are like a beast!! ………………..GO JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
inthatrenches08
November 29th, 2010
7:55 pm
Grayson vs C Hill winner Grayson AAAAA
Chattahoochee vs Tucker winner Chattahoochee AAAA
Carrollton vs Sandy Creek winner Carrollton AAA
Carver vs Buford winner Carver AA
Wesleyan vs Clinch winner Wesleyan A
wolfbait 67
November 29th, 2010
7:56 pm
CC /Calhoun game should be a war, winner plays at Buford’s second home-the Dome………going for 7 n 11
Kurt Ellis
November 29th, 2010
8:20 pm
Obviously, many of you Class A “experts” have not seen Clinch play. Clinch will take it all this year and will become the third Class A school to win at least 5 State Championships. FYI – The other two are Lincoln and Hawkinsville.
Andy
November 29th, 2010
8:23 pm
As Usual no RESPECT for Statesboro everyone thought Griffin would beat them and then they had NO CHANCE at Kell Well HOOCH fans u have a surprise coming your way this weekend The Devils are coming and they are coming to get them some HOOCH!!
jacketspeed
November 29th, 2010
8:23 pm
Wolfbait, no doubt, your guys are real. Never a doubt, just hoping Calhoun shows up for the show and plays like they can.
BcS2010
November 29th, 2010
9:11 pm
Tucker has a safety named Chris Sanders. He has played very well this season and has made the biggest inpact for a Tucker defense thats stacked.
@All the Starrs Mill fans please do not talk because if you do you will be just like Ware County,Hiram,Loganville,Mays,Marist, and Southwest Dekalb!!
SouthGARules
November 29th, 2010
9:24 pm
Grayson’s D is impressive, but their offense is nothing like last years. Of course, having a new QB & no Ean Pemberton probably has something to do with it. It’s evident their defense is better than last years & that’s saying quite a bit with four D-1 players on last years team. Colquitt County will not be intimidated Friday night-they have done rather well as road warriors in the playoffs the last 2 years. Despite their record, it is evident that they are a top 5 team as they were projected in the preseason.
Collins Hill is bringing back shades of 2001. In 2001, they won @ Lowndes & also won @ Brookwood. This year, they won @ Lowndes & will play @ Brookwood Friday night. Not saying that it will happen, but…
I know, Brookwood was not a playoff team that year, but the similarities…
State Champs: Collins Hill, Chattahoochee, Sandy Creek, Univ of Buford, Clinch.
Collins Hill-personal reasons, Chattahoochee & Sandy Creek-dropping down in classification gives you an advantage-however, it didn’t help NSWR, Buford-until they are beaten in the playoffs, they hold the belt, Clinch-a gut feeling.
jacket31
November 29th, 2010
9:56 pm
Bring your speed Burke Fan No. 1, Carrolltons D will shut it down. You have not seen speed. Until you see Carrollton, Snoddy and Brown will blow by you, they will lull you to sleep, then have you wondering what happened. Defense has shut down, some of best backs in Georgia and Alabama. Good luck Friday your going to Love Grisham Stadium.
Sailor
November 29th, 2010
10:10 pm
GHSF Daily,
Last week AJC.COM promised that there would be game photos available for 4 games. Y’all delivered on 3 out of the 4. We’re still waiting on the pictures from the Peach County vs. Grady game so cough ‘em up!!!
Link to promise of photos: http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-high-school-sports/2010/11/24/weeken-forum-talk-georgia-hs-football-quarterfinals-playoffs-live/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_high_school_sports
Thanks!
———-
Before I get into my predictions, is anyone else amazed at the rate in which Sandy Creek pushes out NFL players?
AAAAA
Colquitt County over Brookwood (in the 2nd most exciting game at the GA Dome)
POY: Coach Rush Propst. A story of redemption shines the brightest in Class AAAAA.
AAAA
The Hooch over Tucker (Ranked by Rivals.COM as #67 nationally) in a shootout*
POY: ‘Hoochee QB Timmy Byerly
*Chattahoochee’s offense will eventually over-power Tucker’s vaunted ‘D’ and will win going away in a high-scoring game.
AAA
Peach County (Ranked by Rivals.COM as #33 nationally) over Burke County** in a blowout
Co-POY: Sandy Creek WR Alex Chisum
Co-POY: Peach County RB Travis Richmond
**Picking Burke to SHOCK Carrollton at home in the biggest surprise of an overall surprising playoff year. Yes, my upset pick is for Carrollton to be Whitewatered/Hillgroved by Burke County
AA
Carver (Ranked by Rivals.COM as #34 nationally) over Buford (again!) in a close game
Co-POY: Calhoun RB Dustin Christian
Co-POY: Carver RB Isiah Crowell (who removes his helmet in the 4th quarter to reveal an Alabama Crimson Tide head scarf.
A
Clinch over Wesleyan in the MOST exciting game at the GA Dome
POY: Wesleyan RB Kyle Karempelis
Co-POY: Wilcox County QB Nick Marshall
reggae man
November 29th, 2010
10:20 pm
Grayson is playing good on defense but Valdosta shut their offense down. Their leading rusher only had 45 yards rushing. North Gwinnett and Valdosta beat themselves with fumbles which weren’t a result of hard hits….
jacket31
November 29th, 2010
10:21 pm
You got to score to win, Burke won’t even touch the endzone. So as far as upset, lol lol lol.
B-TownWolves4Peat
November 29th, 2010
11:05 pm
So if Calhoun would had gave the ball to #5 they would had won????? Come on son…… That just mean y’all need a new coach and did y’all get a new 1? Same old coach same old team and same old results! That’s a big (L)
Jeff in Calhoun
November 29th, 2010
11:08 pm
AAAAA
Grayson
Brookwood
AAAA
Chattahoochee
Tucker
AAA
Peach County
Carrollton
AA
Calhoun
Buford
A
Clinch County
Wesleyan
Jeff in Calhoun
November 29th, 2010
11:14 pm
Calhoun team is better than last years team. 1. Landon Curtis is better QB then Nash Nance was. He has thrown more TD passes 2. Defense is better 3. Dustin Christian is better 4. They got Carver at home
TROJANS09
November 30th, 2010
12:17 am
Burke County sits at 10-2 and Carrollton 13-0. I have seen Carrollton put up shut out after shut out this year. Not just beating teams , but putting 60 plus on some. Before Burke County gets their hopes up they should realize they stand little chance in Carrollton,GA on a Friday night. When the Trojans take the field its not the team behind them ,but the whole city of Carrollton. GO TROJANS!!!
Trojan94
November 30th, 2010
12:36 am
burke co you can forget it TROJANS all the way. As for sandy creek and peach co let them teams beat up on each other then face us next week.
Suwanee 0wnz
November 30th, 2010
12:48 am
I think Grayson will beat CC, and I believe that Collins Hill will defeat Brookwood. Frayson will take it all. But any of these 4 teams could win. They are all excellent teams.
Now the reason I believe that Grayson will beat CC, is because CC “thinks” they will score points anyhow no matter how tough the Grayson D. They also believe they have to stop the Grayson run. NO, they need to stop the big pass plays by Grayson that lead to scores. Stopping the run only gives them the ball back. I think CC does not realize what is about to happen to their offense. They will fumble the ball, they will throw interceptions. And there is nothing CC can do about it.
Having seen both Grayson and CH this year, I think a similar thing will happen to CH. Heinicke will not have any time to pass. He will throw rare interceptions trying to beat the blitz and the rush. Ultimately, CH is not going to score more than.
Now, there are a bunch of good running backs, and some excellent QB’s. Heinicke is certainly one of the best ever in GA. But there are others who are close, and he is probably not better than Lassiter’s “Mason” last year. The single reason that Grayson will beat these teams is Robert Nkemdiche. He is the best defensive player I have seen since Cameron Hayward, and I believe he is better than Cameron. Nkemdiche is a very special player who comes along only once in a generation. He will have more influence on the outcome of the game than Heinicke (if they play each other).
5A – Grayson, Robert Nkemdiche
4A – Some really good team
3A – Another really good team
2A – Buford (and we will all have to live with their insufferable bragging and recruiting for another year)
1A – Wesleyan
Suwanee 0wnz
November 30th, 2010
12:49 am
Shoot. CH will not score more than 14 against Grayson, if that.
Suwanee 0wnz
November 30th, 2010
12:58 am
Hmmm. I am rooting for the Collins Hill Eagles, to clear up any confusion about that (like anyone cares what I think). But I just think Grayson is too much for any team to handle this season.
This is the Buford team that actually won several GFL championships for the first time ever in Buford’s history. This year, Buford is actually loaded with their own talent, and the coaching staff knows how to use that talent.
Good luck to all the teams in their remaining playoff games. There will be some very fun games to watch, and I feel for all the teams that play well but fall a little short of the big prize. Hold your heads high – you have all played outstanding Georgia football.
Witn3ss
November 30th, 2010
2:41 am
im about to bust a nut looking at all these predictions for starr’s will losing, its getting me jacked…
@ BcS2010 those were some great examples. especialy when you barely beat marist (2OT), and ware county just didnt show up after having a 5 hour drive up here. so you guys have beat 2 pretty good teams. but you guys will probably end up like coosa, woodland, alcovy, upson lee ,fayette, mcintosh, northgate, harris, hardaway, brunswick, and EP
Witn3ss
November 30th, 2010
2:42 am
all the pressure is on tucker anways…will they choke?
Fair Play Fan
November 30th, 2010
8:08 am
Southgarule: You write, dropping down in classication didn’t help NSWR. Well, nor did it help Kell, East Paulding, etc. The point is, if you don’t win the state championship the next year after dropping down—it didn’t help you! You can’t go by how far you went the previous year in a higher classification because those seniors and you made had to really re-build.
With Hooch, Carver, and Sandy Sprngs let’s see.
Fair Play Fan
November 30th, 2010
8:09 am
I meant “those senior are gone”
TroganTrue
November 30th, 2010
9:09 am
@ BURKE CO. NO.1 FAN, you stated that Burke Co. would bring world class speed! Our fullback (Broderick Snoddy) is one of the fastest in Georgia. Burke Co. had better have a good offense because Cairo was only able to run 8 plays in the first HALF against Carrollton. Also remember the name Tevin McCoy, your QB and backs will get to know him pretty well.
Fred
November 30th, 2010
9:18 am
What @Suwanee 0wnz said!
He speaks from experience. 
I’ve said all year that Grayson has a much better balanced offense than I have ever seen. As opposed to previous years where G never passed in a game, passing has won several games this year. But you cannot ignore the run to cover the pass.
Player – Robert Nkemdiche. You have to see this boy play to understand him. While his senior brother Denzel is no slouch, it is hard to believe Robert is a sophomore. I sometimes wonder if they compete against each other to see who can do the best.
HoochFan
November 30th, 2010
9:27 am
@ goldenglove002 – I hear you! Kell probably felt pretty confident going into that game.
Hooch is definitely not overlooking Statesboro!
Just curious – what’s the story re: the Liberty County game? The entire Offense suspended for the game? Just looks odd. Anyone know??
Hooch has a lot of offensive weapons – Byerly can make a lot of things happen – Solid OL, WRs & RBs!! I’ll believe it if I see it that Hooch offense can be shut down!
Hooch defense has been solid, but as I’ve said before, it’s a whole lot easier playing defense when you’re up big! Marist game was an eye-opener – Gotta be ready to play!!
I don’t see a blowout, but I do see Hooch winning!! GO HOOCH!!
BrookFan
November 30th, 2010
9:55 am
It’s just not the same without Lowndes HS and Valdosta HS in the playoffs. The Valdosta HS Touchtown Club will surely want to change their name to, oh, say, The Valdosta HS Wish-We-Could-Score-A Touchdown Club, while The Lowndes HS Touchdown Club will adopt the more sedate Wish-We-Could-Kick-A-Field-Goal-In-Overtime-We-Already-Know-How-To-Score-A-Touchdown Club.
Sorry you guys didn’t get further in the playoffs. We did.
Ah-hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…I could go on
THE BLACK & GOLD HOUSE
November 30th, 2010
9:59 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LF9BW_804
Peach County has to be look at as a Dynasty 3 Championships in 5years.
Pac Man
November 30th, 2010
10:09 am
Peach County vs Grady was an instant classic…..I was there and I still am in shock from watching Peach County come back after being down 35 -21 in the fourth quarter to win the game…..Peach County and Sandy Creek may just top the excitement from this game…..The defending AAA State Champ(Peach County) vs last year’s AAAA State Champ(Sandy Creek)!!!!!! WOW…….
P.S. I want to send out my prayers for the family of the Peach County woman who was killed Friday night after the game in a tragic accident….My heart sunk after hearing about that awful news…God bless the family and I hope that they will be okay……
GwinnettDad
November 30th, 2010
10:50 am
Very difficult to beat the same team twice in the same year. Brookwood defeated Dacula twice in 2005 on the way to the finals when Lowndes dissected them. Brookwood was defeated by Parkwood twice on the way to the finals in 2002 – actually, they lost in the finals to Parkview. To win the State, Brookwood will have to defeat CH a second time, and very well may have to defeat Grayson a 2nd time. That’s a tall order.
On a 2nd matter, BKSMITH14 claimed last week that Lowndes “owns Brookwood.” For the record, they’ve played twice with each team winning once, Brookwood in the semis (1996) and Lowndes in the finals (2005). If I had a mouth like BKSMITH14, I would be crowing about Brookwood’s 8-1 domination over Collins Hill. You know what? I don’t believe games in past years mean a damn thing regarding this year. I think Brookwood’s victory over CH earlier in the year actually gives CH more motivation to win this next game. And the two teams scored as many points this year as it took past year teams three years to do.
Third, if one wanted to talk domination, Brookwood did NOT have to play North Gwinnett this year. NG has defeated Brookwood the last six times. When I was looking at the brackets, I saw that if the favorites won, Brookwood was going to have to play Camden, then Lowndes, then North Gwinnett. Winning those three I thought was about as likely as me seeing a pig fly. Seems that the road to the State can sometimes be a team that is the most fortunate, not necessarily the best, and that may apply this year as well as others.
GwinnettDad
November 30th, 2010
11:03 am
One more thing. There’s sometimes a flaw of a team that leads to their demise. The year Roswell tied for the State championship they beat Brookwood earlier 10-9 because Brookwood couldn’t make an extra point in the 4th quarter and missed something like three field goals before. This year? They cannot catch a punt. If I was Mark Crews, I would instruct his players to run away from a punted ball. Two games this year they’ve muffed punts twice and lost them every time. The one game they lost to Dacula, a muffed punt gave Dacula a TD. It would be insanity to let any Brookwood player to try to catch a punt against Collins Hill.
Tucker D
November 30th, 2010
11:12 am
It is time for Buford to move up to 3A or 4A.
Fred
November 30th, 2010
11:27 am
@reggae man, unlike past years where Grayson had a “go to” back with a backup player, this year they have 7 or 8 good running backs. This has meant that no one running back has amassed large numbers as they all shuttle in and out on almost every play depending on what is needed. Heck, even Robert Nkemdiche, a defensive lineman has carried the ball some and scored.
You don’t have to score a lot, only enough and that is something Grayson excels at.
I think it will be a good hard hitting game!
Panther Dad
November 30th, 2010
12:06 pm
It seems like alot of people dont know Class A football. Clinch County beat Wilcox in week 3,
33-14, shut Wilcox out in the second half and held Wilcox to negative 9 rushing for the game. Clinch county slew North Georgia’s Giant (ELCA) last week 34-27 in the quarterfinals, and i can say, ELCA was the most competition Clinch County has had this year. I can’t remember the last time Clinch starters played the entire game. I almost forgot, Clinch blew out Charlton the last game of the season 33-7 and held Charlton to 41 passing yards and 53 rushing (Chris Milton had a 45 yard touchdown run) for the game for you Savannah Christian fans who thank SCR beat somebody in Charlton. Clinch County’s quarterback Trey Dorsey has over 1100 passing yards with 12 TDs and over 1300 yards rushing with 23 TDs, Senior RB Anthony McNeil has over 1300 rushing yards with 22 TDs. Really, there’s not a team left in Class A that stand a chance against Clinch…lmao
Buford Mom
November 30th, 2010
12:06 pm
Not all Buford fans are obnoxious and insufferable…granted some (like B-TownWolves4Peat) can be that way and contribute to giving our program a bad rep. We are a small town that supports our local high school just like many others on this blog…we’re proud to be this far into the playoffs and look foward to Friday night.
CC vs Calhoun will be a great game no doubt, and we look forward to meeting the winner in the Dome for another great game!
Good luck to all the teams, coming this far is indeed an accomplishment!
Buford Mom
November 30th, 2010
12:13 pm
@TuckerD, per your post: “It is time for Buford to move up to 3A or 4A.” Believe me, our community and school wanted that too, thought we were going to do it last year but the administration (Superintendant?) blocked it supposedly because of the impact it could have on all of the other sports since they all have to move up, not just football.
GHS#22
November 30th, 2010
12:30 pm
Can’t wait for friday……..
Grayson all over CC. Offence wins games…….Defense wins Championships!!
rwdekalb
November 30th, 2010
12:53 pm
Whats the status on injured Tucker safety.
JJBA
November 30th, 2010
1:05 pm
I’m not a Sav. Christian fan but have seen them play 3 times. They might not be the best defense in the state because they are in Single-A but they have to be the most dominant. Coach Chumley can scheme with the best of them and that front 7 is unbelievable.
Bwolf
November 30th, 2010
1:56 pm
Buford is gonna do it again. We are focused on Lovett but come next week we will be focused on either but we want carver cause we wanna show last time was a fluke.
B-TownWolves4Peat
November 30th, 2010
2:28 pm
Buford what are you talking about…… How am I giving Buford a bad name? That’s sounds stupid! I was born and raised in buford and played for Buford! You sound so dumb!
B-TownWolves4Peat
November 30th, 2010
2:30 pm
Buford mom
yoo
November 30th, 2010
2:36 pm
The injured tucker safety is no longer injured. Just an ankle sprain that lasted the weekend.