AAAAA blog: Colquitt-Valdosta, MLK-Stephenson, P’Ridge-North Gwinnett to decide final region titles in showdowns
Four teams clinched region titles Friday, and three more will be decided next week in games between teams tied for first in what will be the most intriguing Friday of the season in Class AAAAA.
First, let’s look ahead -
-Colquitt County (8-1) will play Valdosta (7-2) for the Region 1 title on Friday in Valdosta. It would be Colquitt’s first region title since 1999, Valdosta’s first since 2003.
-No. 4 Stephenson and No. 5 M.L. King, both 9-0, will play Friday at Hallford Stadium for the Region 2 title. It will be the seventh straight year that one of these DeKalb County schools has won 2-AAAAA. MLK won in 2010 and 2007. Stephenson won in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. They’ve met when they were 5-0 and 6-0, but never 9-0.
-No. 8 North Gwinnett and No. 10 Peachtree Ridge, both 8-1, will play at North Gwinnett on Friday to decide Region 7. Both Gwinnett County schools are in Suwanee. North Gwinnett is the two-time defending champion. Peachtree Ridge won in 2008.
Clinching region titles Friday were Hillgrove Hillgrove (Region 4), Walton (Region 5), Alpharetta (Region 6) and Grayson (Region 8). For Hillgrove and Alpharetta, it was their first region titles ever.
Alpharetta trailed Centennial 20-0 but won 32-26 on a last-minute touchdown. Second-ranked Grayson had a close call, as well. Kasey Gaines intercepted a pass and returned it 15 yards for the winning touchdown with 27 seconds left.
No. 1-ranked Camden County (Region 3) clinched its region the week before.
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
344 comments Add your comment
WildCat Nation RIP Coach Welch
October 30th, 2011
6:24 pm
With all due respect….I love to see spirited debate about who will be #2. Or as we call it in the winner’s circle…the 1st LOSER!!!
GO CAMDEN!!!
Gwinnett Fan
October 30th, 2011
6:44 pm
North Gwinnett looks forward to another opportunity to play Camden. If things play out, we could get a rematch in the third round. You have to beat the best to be the best. We look forward to the opportunity.
Camden is a great program with great fans.
NHS4Life
October 30th, 2011
6:59 pm
Ok, into the Band topic the only reason N. Gwinnett band is good, because Norcross last band director moved to N. Gwinnett because he was closer to work.
On the Football Topic, N. Gwinnett beat Grayson last year, and no doubt they might do it again. Even though Norcross lost only to P. Ridge and N. Gwinnett, because the referee cheats a lot and I see those cheats with my own eyes. Norcross is a good contender in the AAAAA Region, and might do well in the Playoffs. You gotta give Norcross a chance.
NHS4Life
October 30th, 2011
7:04 pm
I would have to say P. Ridge will win Friday. I am sure.
GwinnettDad
October 30th, 2011
8:01 pm
@NHS4Life – sorry to bust your bubble, but Grayson beat NG 23-19 in the 2nd round last year. And anytime somebody starts to complain about the referees, I sense a loser. Norcross deserves better representation.
Seriously??
October 30th, 2011
8:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Seriously??
October 30th, 2011
8:42 pm
@nukieie Did I mention Stephenson opened in 1996? How long has Lowndes been around? The only high school band in GA to accomplishment more than SHS is Southwest Dekalb, and thats because they are older. That was NOT even stephenson full list but Stephenson band accomplishments have surpassed Lowndes. If you saw the movie “DrumLine” which im sure you have then you would know the fictional band (atlanta a&t) in the movie is made up of students from Stephenson and Southwest Dekalb. Dallas Austin specifically came to the Stephenson and SWD band room and handpicked 70 or so band memebers from each band (I was one of the SHS students to do it) to make up “Atlanta a&t”. So until Lowndes band can star in a hit GRAMMY WINNING MOVIE. Yall are not on stephenson level..bandwise and soon to be football wise. And not to mention Stephenson will be traveling to hawaii THIS november for the pearl harbor parade, they are going to Bands of America this spring(the 3rd african american band invited since world war 2) and most likely they will be traveling back to rose bowl in 2013. Like I said. Go to youtube and type in Stephenson high, the first thing to pop up is BAND. Thousands of band clips people have recorded .(stephenson band is recorded more than alot of college bands)
I have only seen one clip of Lowndes band on youtube. And its 2009. Yall arent on stephensons level AT ALL in anyway.
Just Saying
October 30th, 2011
8:44 pm
HILLGROVE ALL DAY….CAMDEN is GARBAGE..it will be proven again this year.
VikingNow
October 30th, 2011
9:07 pm
@ Seriously?? May need to re-search Lowndes High Georgia Bridgemen on You Tube before knocking The Band. Never seen Stephenson’s band – sure it is really good. Really sounds like you have never seen our band or you would know they rank at the top. Not just me saying that but fans from some of the other schools we have played this year on this same blog and also based on the awards won This Year.
Seriously??
October 30th, 2011
9:15 pm
@VikingNow Your right I have never seen Lowndes band. But I did however research them on youtube and could only find one clip . And I wouldnt have insulted your band program if some of your bandmates or fans or whatever wouldnt have insulted Stephensons band and dancers. Im sure yall are a pretty good band..but Stephenson and Lowndes are two very diffrent types of bands. Lowndes (from what ive seen on the clip) is corps style while stephenson is traditional(high step) so we are automatically looking at two diffrent things in bands.
nukieie
October 30th, 2011
9:35 pm
Yeah I saw the start of Drum line but could not watch it because it was a STUPID mivie.
nukieie
October 30th, 2011
9:38 pm
here is alittle hepl little boy
http://www.youtube.com/results?search=Search&resnum=0&oi=spell&search_query=lowndes+georgia+bridgemen&spell=1&suggested_categories=10%2C24&sa=X
Nike 11
October 30th, 2011
9:42 pm
There are a lot of bands out there that are good at what they SPECIFICALLY do.
Stephenson is more of a crowd pleasing band than a competiton band. Lowndes I would say is a mix of a competition/crowd band. Then you have Cobb schools like Lassiter that put on shows geared towards competition on the national and regional level as well as some of the best concert programs in the nation. All are very good, no doubt about it.
In football, should be an exciting last week of the season. Then the real fun starts…
squirrell
October 30th, 2011
9:51 pm
Ok, Colquitt was ranked as high as 3rd at the begininng of the season then was dropped out of the polls and labeled as “overated” and now they have “dominated” Lowndes and Coffee. So, if the PACK dominates Valdosta in the same way this Friday night, is THAT finally enough to move them back up in the Polls, or are they going to have to wait until after their trip to the DOME to be ranked?
nukieie
October 30th, 2011
9:53 pm
Hey “squirrell” it is better to under the radar. Let folks find out!
Let the young men play
October 30th, 2011
9:57 pm
I have seen Lowndes Band several times over the years. There are excellent and very entertaining.
Tift County Fan
October 30th, 2011
10:07 pm
Has Jay Walls resigned from Tift County yet?
JAB
October 30th, 2011
10:15 pm
how ’bout , I’m just coming back home from church service, I respect what you did (Apologize), Real men admit when they are wrong! Okay, my prediction is that Stephenson will win because (ALL) of those D1 guys is going after MLK QB, just going to shut him down for this game but not for the rest of the playoff. MLK & Stephenson have a lot to prove this year, I wouldn’t be suprize if they both end up in the “DOME”…
GwinnettDad
October 30th, 2011
10:33 pm
@JAB – for some reason, I’ll take MLK. The Valdosta game is the difference maker. Just a hunch.
2011JAG
October 30th, 2011
11:20 pm
JAGS its time…..bring it……its your time….. state bound……do it for ya teamates…the coaching staff….the former jags….da students…the community……GOOD LUCK TO A SPECIAL BUNCH OF YOUNG MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously??
October 30th, 2011
11:26 pm
@Nike 11: Your partially wrong. Although Stephenson is a crowd pleasing band they can also change it up. They have also done the same MAJOR competions as those bands you named. BOA being one of the biggest competitions for bands, Stephenson has went twice for marching band and Symphonic band. Matter of fact the symphonic band was the 3rd african american band to be invited since world war 2! The have also done National Adjucators and won! Which is a pretty hard event to be invited to. And lets not mention the straight superiors stephenson has earned since 1996 in MARCHING band and symphonic band competitions. Just because Stephenson plays crowd pleasing music at games dosent mean they arent able to switch it up when it necesessary.
Seriously??
October 30th, 2011
11:37 pm
nukieie : I find it hilarious how you have to direct people to current videos of lowndes while stephenson band videos are ALL OVER YOUTUBE. Literally. Lowndes in my honest opinion, is boring! That is probally why I cant find any clips. Yall are one of those bands that people leave and go to concession stands when its time for your band to play at halftime. Stephenson band clips are all over youtube because alot of people actually come to the games just to hear the band and see the dancers. So continue to hate. Its really funny.
Jammerz
October 31st, 2011
12:02 am
did anyone notice this article the other day http://www.ajc.com/news/wild-hog-leads-cops-1212051.html. Seems a week before the Packers and Valdosta tie up to settle region 1, there is a Hawg stalking thru the neighborhood. And no Cat fans, if it is caught the GHSA will not grant it eligability to play for ya on Friday
packerboi45
October 31st, 2011
12:19 am
I been on here reading all these comments bout football or whatever just thought dat maybe you should you know football is religion in 5A down here in southwest georgia we ball players and got mo titles and superstars den any team in atlanta da best thing y’all got an ever had is cam newton an he wasn’t nun til he went to auburn we done had greg reid, tevin king, malcom mitchell and ect. Its simple the last 6 out of 10 trophies are in 5AAAAA
JAB
October 31st, 2011
12:23 am
Here is a preview of Stephenson Jaguar band, they really know how to pump up the football team and get the fans involved!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w28V34Wlmc0&feature=related
Jammerz
October 31st, 2011
12:38 am
JAB
ok, the Stephenson Band has won more awards than your Football team
Lowndes07Alum
October 31st, 2011
12:57 am
I was on the Danceline at Lowndes and I witnessed Stephenson’s band in person, on the field, before the game, during the game and after the game. They are a good band however, the behavior they displyed during the 2 games we played them (Lowndes won both times) was atrocious. I even got hit with ice from the fans that attended the game as I stood on the sideline waiting to go on for half time. When captains and section leaders went to greet and compliment the leaders of the Stephenson band they were rude and one got into a verbal altercation with one of our band directors. So I personally do not have a good opinion of this band. However, none of the kids that were in the band then are there now. You can’t really compare the two bands in accomplishments because many of the things that Stephenson has accomplished are things that the Lowndes band director woud not pursue and vice versa. Just my two cents
CamdenFan2012
October 31st, 2011
1:14 am
Most entertaining week of post thus far. I have a prediction that CAMDEN will win it all this year, however I do respect everyone elses opinion and love for their team. Battle of the BANDS (LOL)!!
Colquitt County Underdog
October 31st, 2011
1:18 am
who cares about bands? Stephenson has horrible coaches and manages to waste the most talent in the state year in and year out. Having kids go to college is all well good but it is very possible to compete and win championships and still send players to the next level. Rush Propst has had CC on the brink of a championship for the last two years and has sent more players to college during his tenure so far than the previous two coaches combined. When you have a program that is supported by the entire community (in spirit and dollars), good things happen. Stephenson fans do not even show up to support their own team, even for a playoff game. So for JAB to post this nonsense about Stephenson is quite comical. Your program is shoddy from the top down buddy
JAB
October 31st, 2011
1:53 am
@ Colquitt County Underdog, I don’t know what school you went to but obviously they forgot to teach you statistics Stephenson has had the same coach since the school has open he has a 98.7 winning percentage, he has been in 1st or 2nd in the region and has produced more D1 athletes signees in the state of Georgia over the last three years! Excuse me, I got a phone call____________??? That was every NCAA College football coach in America and they told me to allow you guys to continue criticizing there little league college recruiting team (STEPHENSON) They also said that they will be at the Stephenson vs MLK game to maybe recruit some more and thank the coaches for producing D1 Athletes…
Zone3canE
October 31st, 2011
2:28 am
Packerboi…stop!!! As far as athletes and talent go way more talent in the metro than the sticks.
Stephenson fan
October 31st, 2011
6:35 am
So just Agee points and then I’m gone…this is a football blog right so why are guys talking about bands..but let me say this lowndes is not on the level of Stephenson becuz we can do wht yu do but yu can’t do wht we do..we are known musicianship and gne leave it at that..@gross yu said sumthin about the young ladies outfits looking like strippers…I’m guessing yu have no idea about the culture from which bands like Stephenson,mlk, and other black schools come from that’s why yu would make an ignorant statement like that but it’s a black thing I dnt expect yu to get it..and if are black u need to be sla
Stephenson fan
October 31st, 2011
6:41 am
Smacked ..hard…but anyways Stephenson Mlk biggest game of the year without question…an if yu don’t no why that means you dnt need to…it’s more than just football..it’s away of life
Y
Stephenson fan
October 31st, 2011
6:47 am
Sorry bout my grammar..didn’t prof read before I submitted it..so agin sorry for those who can’t read it and put the correct wording where you see mistakes
pmuckle
October 31st, 2011
8:07 am
MLK VS STEPHENSON WILL BE THE GAME OF THE YEAR!!! NOT THE GAME OF THE WEEK THE GAME OF THE YEAR!! THE KING IS HERE!!!
Neutral
October 31st, 2011
8:18 am
The bands, REALLY??? You guys are arguing about teenage kids. With that being said, MLK/Stephenson game is more important to the metro/eastside Atlanta area, Valdosta/Colquitt game is more important to south Ga. My prediction is for Colquitt and MLK to win.
packerboi45brad
October 31st, 2011
8:53 am
@zone3canman or whateva yo name is colquitt county has beat every team in your metro area yall soft up there we go 4 a day an practice year roun while yall go 2 a day and rock skinny jeans packers are 9-2 in playoff games in your area an unbeaten at home and this is known as the hawg pen in my city if yo teams make it pass first round you guna see what the hawg pen hit 4 last year we put out grayson, mlk, westlake, collin hill, lassiter,dacula, and stephenson done got sent home to by yours truly i played in all these game and i shut the atl down i only respect one team an thats brookwood who end up beating us in the dome but unfortunatley respect aint guna be enough to keep us from not going back down south with the title it would look betta in black-n-gold Go Pack Go!!!!!!!!!!!!
GwinnettDad
October 31st, 2011
9:06 am
packerboi45 October 31st, 2011 12:19 am “Its simple the last 6 out of 10 trophies are in 5AAAAA” My hopes are that most Packer fans 1) actually know what region they’re in, 2) know that Colquitt is actually in 1-AAAAA, 3) Know that 1-AAAAA (Lowndes) has won 3, 4) knows that Camden in 3-AAAAA has won 3, 5) knows that Colquitt County has won 0, 6) knows that 5-AAAAA has won 0;. Rarely have we seen that much boneheaded wrongness in a single sentence.
gman57
October 31st, 2011
9:46 am
So sad,,, Coffee so much talent…wasted! when your PA annoucer has to remind the your punter to get on the field… it’s time for better coaching.
Seriously?
October 31st, 2011
10:21 am
Lowndes07Alum: The things Stephenson band has accomplished are things lowndes wouldnt pursue?? Stephenson accomplishemnts are things ANY BAND (corp style or traditional) would be proud to do. Including Rose Bowl, Macys Parade, Bands of America, etc etc etc.
Jaguars
October 31st, 2011
10:33 am
Ok people lets leave the bands out of this football debate. But that comment about our dancers being strippers was over the line, why are you disrespecting high school girls? Our band is great. They keep us pumped and they sound good. End of discussion.Back to football. The Stephenson/ MLK is going to be huge. The biggest game played in georgia this entire season.
Watch and See
Just Saying
October 31st, 2011
10:39 am
HILLGROVE will SMACK STEPHENSON AGAIN this year if we they face them
Just Saying
October 31st, 2011
10:40 am
HORRIBLE COACHING will lose it for them AGAIN this year
packerboi45brad
October 31st, 2011
11:22 am
@ Gwinnetdad i see you think you know a lil sum we got runner up for the state last year we have been in the final rounds of the playoff the last 2 and we have been in the playoff every year except two under tim cokely and we do have a title 15-0 94 state champs and soon to be the owner of this 2011 trophy dont take it personal we just ball players down here watch D1 football games on saturday every house hold name dats sum body in the acc or sec come from down south yall soft tight jean wearing goofballs who dnt play no body the sorriest team in region 1-AAAAA will beat any team up there any day u guna see colquitt, valdosta, an lowneds guna put all yall out this the toughest region in the state dont never forget that this region home to the real ball players of the state football is religion down here
JAG4LIFE
October 31st, 2011
11:32 am
Stephenson/MLK are both great teams. I’m pulling for the JAGUARS, but either way it goes they are both winners. Every football team has a rival and it just determines who is best. After reading these blogs there’s passion for everyone’s team,as it should be. I agree and disagree with a lot of opinions on this blog, listing them won’t change anything. The debate will just go on and on. One of these teams will end up at the DOME, which one we will see. Positivity and respect is always the best way to address other’s opinions. GO JAGUARS!!!!!
packerboi45
October 31st, 2011
11:37 am
how many more times will colquitt county ravage the state before everybody give us our props we done beat the best of the best the only school we aint torched up there is brookwood they the only one we respect down here everybody else we will play our b-team on you like we did the vikings, carver alabama, madison county fla, tift county an ect i know you get what im saying rite well just in case you a slow cookie if you want to when state enter the hawg pen GO PACK GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! p.s. dont take it personal we just good like dat lol
I AM KING
October 31st, 2011
12:08 pm
The stephenson and mlk game will b starring alot of D1 prospects also the rb that has transfered from stephenson to MLK has been a big factor in each and every game(Jamonde hunter) he will expose some of these D1 players from stephenson…….
jesus
October 31st, 2011
12:11 pm
If yall think Jamonde will expose stephenson u kidding yourself. He is stephenson garbage.
ITS ME
October 31st, 2011
12:17 pm
JAMONDE HUNTER IS A UNDER THE RADAR BACK HE HAS GREAT SIZE GREAT SPEED AND NICE STRENGTH HE WILL BE A BIG FACTOR IN THIS GAME AND THOSE D1 PROSPECTS WILL HAVE TO BRING THERE A-GAME FRIDAY. . .
I AM KING
October 31st, 2011
12:20 pm
That comment was uncalled for and stephensons garbage sure is looking good on MLK side huh.