Predictions: Cook’s playoff road trip will end in Elberton
Playing postseason games away from home doesn’t appear to bother the Cook Hornets.
Cook was one of five No. 4 seeds to win last week (Lassiter, Newnan, Thomas County Central and Landmark Christian were the others) and one of 24 road teams to win out of 80 first-round games. The Hornets have won 10 road playoff games since 2000, tied with Lovett for the most in the state. In 2007, Cook made it all the way to the semifinals at the Georgia Dome without playing a playoff game in Adel.
Can Cook repeat that success on Friday in the Granite Bowl at Elbert County? The Blue Devils also won on the road last week, but they are better than a lot of No. 3 seeds. Elbert finished 9-1 in the regular season, losing only to fifth-ranked North Oconee 17-6. The Blue Devils were widely considered the second-best team in 8-AA but finished as a No. 3 because of the region’s championship game/play-in game format.
Cook’s playoff road trip likely will end with a loss Friday, as it will for fellow No. 4 seeds Lassiter, Newnan and Thomas County Central. Look for Landmark Christian to keep it going, however, with a victory at Calvary Day.
Congratulations go out to Jonathan Newman of Douglasville, who was the Week 9 winner in the High School Football Pickoff contest. Newman was the only contestant to correctly pick the winner of all 15 games last week. Click here to sign up and participate in this week’s contest.
THE WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
Last week: 64-16 (.800)
Class AAAAA
Winner##Loser
Brookwood##M.L. King
Camden Co.##Marietta
Dacula##Newnan
Grayson##Lowndes
Hillgrove##West Forsyth
McEachern##Lassiter
North Gwinnett##Colquitt Co.
Walton##South Cobb
Class AAAA
Flowery Branch##Thomas Co. Central
Lovejoy##Kell
Northgate##East Paulding
Northside-Warner Robins##Clarke Central
Pope##Tri-Cities
Tucker##Griffin
Ware Co.##Heritage-Conyers
Warner Robins##Chattahoochee
Class AAA
Allatoona##Mary Persons
Burke Co.##Woodward Academy
Cairo##Stephens Co.
Carrollton##Stockbridge
Gainesville##Monroe
Peach Co.##Ridgeland
St. Pius##Henry Co.
Sandy Creek##Troup
Class AA
Buford##Jefferson Co.
Calhoun##Brooks Co.
Carver-Columbus##Laney
Dublin##Westminster
Elbert Co.##Cook
Fitzgerald##Adairsville
Lamar Co.##Blessed Trinity
North Oconee##Appling Co.
Class A
Charlton Co.##Prince Avenue
ELCA##Greenville
Landmark Christian##Calvary Day
Lincoln Co.##Clinch Co.
Marion Co.##Bremen
Savannah Christian##Bowdon
Seminole Co.##Wilkinson Co.
Wilcox Co.##Aquinas
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82 comments Add your comment
White Trash
November 17th, 2011
12:20 pm
First. Go Camden. Also agree with Brookwood over MLK.
Surrender the Booty
November 17th, 2011
12:40 pm
Northgate over EP? That’s a bold move there Cotton, better hope it works out for you.
Raiders all the way.
sportsnut
November 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
@ Chip Saye== Thanks for the vote of confidence. When Friday comes and goes, we will, in my opinion, be talking about this young group of players from Lovejoy. These are basically the same kids that went 10-1 last season despite playing and starting as sophmores. There are only 16 seniors on the team now .I truely hope Kell is ready to play as I am sure Lovejoy will be.
31768_GA
November 17th, 2011
12:55 pm
Surprise Surprise, AJC predicting the fall of both Region 1-5A schools. Not to sure what kind of defense this NG QB faced this year but the way they are making him sound he must be the next Tom Brady. Careful now AJC I remember you guys talking really highly of this one QB a couple of years ago believe his name was Hutson Mason and he was going to carve up the Packers defense that year, and we seen how that turned out for Lassiter. Granted that was a different team and years ago I just wouldn’t put to much into these “Madden” like stats until they actually play someone equal to them. Can’t wait for tomorrow!! Go Pack!
rideordie
November 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
AJC will eat them words with picking Brookwood over MLK… Dawson and Company will be bombs away all game and the Pony’s don’t have enough in the secondary to contain them…
Devil in Atlanta
November 17th, 2011
1:08 pm
Elbert County is a great place to watch a High School football game! Take the ride up there and see a great atmosphere and a really good team! Go Devils!!!
Dogpound
November 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
GHS will upset ELCA
Dekalb football Fan
November 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
I am a Marist parent and have been to many Tucker football game’s in the past 15 years. Its been a while since I have seen a team this young with so much talent. Don’t only count on a championship this year. Tucker could be ranked in the nation to start the year run the table next year as well.
East Coweta
November 17th, 2011
1:31 pm
@ Surrender the booty, that is probably the safest pick on here. NG wins by 3 TD
sportsnut
November 17th, 2011
1:39 pm
28 hous=51 minutes
dekalbcounty1
November 17th, 2011
1:50 pm
I think someone ispraying that MLK qb #5 does not play. But it does not matter! MLK is a WINNER this year!!!
The "CANNON RULES"!!!!
November 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
@ CHIP SAYE / AJC…
Oh Yee of little faith!!! Don’t be fooled by last weeks game…The EAST “D” will stuff NORTHGATE all night long and the EAST Offense has many suprises as they rise to the occasion…This one WILL NOT be a low scoring game!!!!!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!! ON TO THE DOME TOUR —> CONTINUES WITH A ROUND TWO VICTORY!!!
dekalbcounty1
November 17th, 2011
2:41 pm
@Dekalb football Fan – MLK has the BEST HS record in the state for the FIRST six years! You should of went to the JV game Tucker vs MLK and guess what the outcome? We know students transfer to schools, but show ME all of those players addresses in TUCKER!!!!
RAIDER FAN
November 17th, 2011
3:34 pm
You have to remember that last weeks game was a battle of the #2 and #3 defenses and was expected by most to be a low scoring game. I don’t think that will be the case tommorrow night, at least not for E.P.s part. I think it will be a good game but I don’t believe NG will be able to handle the Raiders D and even without Webb at qb I think E.P.s O has been doing just fine.
Packer Fan For Life
November 17th, 2011
4:48 pm
These predictions are a JOKE!…..bet none of you would of predicted last weeks correct either. Its anyboys game at any given point.
RealisticEPFan
November 17th, 2011
4:55 pm
@Packer
There you go, take a pot shot at those doing the predictions then, don’t offer up anything yourself,,,,,,,,way to put yourself out there champ !!!
6AAAA Fan
November 17th, 2011
5:00 pm
@dekalbcounty1, let’s take a look at a lot of player’s on different teams including football and basketball and baseball around the entire state of georgia, I’m sure you will find there are plenty of kids that enrolled but don’t actually live in that school’s district…but I will say a lot of those kids do petition the school board to live in one district but attend school in another…let’s not open up a can of worms here, just play ball…
Is there anyone else here see Clarke Central having a great shot at beating the Mighty NSWR Demons?
I’ve seen Flowery Branch play a couple of times this season and they are pretty stout on both sides of the ball and Clarke Central beat em…
Can anyone enlighten me on the Griffin Bears team this year, I have no clue on what they bring to the table…
I’ve heard Lovejoy is pretty good defensively but are they capable of scoring points if needed…
Heritage-Conyers can apparently score points but can they play defense…
RealisticEPFan
November 17th, 2011
5:00 pm
@East Coweta
Have you seen EP play? I’ll be honest I’ve not found much to watch on Northgate.A few videos on youtube is all I have found. They seem to be a bit undersized,,,is that a fair assessment? In the little bit I did find, they seem to stay on their blocks well on offense with pretty good backs. On defense they seemed potentially suspect to the middle dive and off tackle play,,,,,again hard to tell.
Region 5 Fan
November 17th, 2011
5:27 pm
@ fellow East Fans
A few Facts
SWD Defense played Good and they are Good
Northgate is well coached
EAST wins by 14 or more
We have FOUR QB’s
sportsnut
November 17th, 2011
6:15 pm
@ 6-AAAA Fan== I don’t know anything other than what I heard about NSWR. I have however seen that back from Clarke Central and he is the truth. If NSWR can’t contain him, they may be in for a long, long night.
sportsnut
November 17th, 2011
6:25 pm
@! 6-AAAAFan== Eddrick johnson #4, running back for Griffin is pretty talented. They have team speed on both sides of the ball. Tend to have breakdowns on D at times. Can and will beat you if you are not careful.
montanto
November 17th, 2011
6:33 pm
sportsnut Clarke will have a better chance throwing the ball. Northsides defense is one of the best against the run and they are 100 percent healthy.
FridayNightLightsFan
November 17th, 2011
6:34 pm
Good luck to all. Last year Reg5 had 2 teams in QtrFinals. Would be nice to have 3 this year. But games to close to call.
GO EP Raiders!!!!
GO Reg5
Packer Fan For Life
November 17th, 2011
6:36 pm
@RealisticEPFan
The only thing I was meaning is that “predictions are like opinions and everybody has one”
Every team can have an off night, so why talk so much hype about your team when it could be your last night too. Bet Valdosta and Alpahretta didnt think they were gonna lose?! Thats the only point I was making.
CANEFAN
November 17th, 2011
7:08 pm
Cook co. is better than their record…..cant count them out …….5-6 yrs ago I believe was the #4 seed and they played a Dublin team that was 10-0 and no one had scored against them,,,, cook blasted them…….sssssssooooooooo…….they will rock in bedrock so tell fred and barney to look out…
GO FITZGERALD PURPLE HURRICANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brooks co is not going to lay down to calhoun,,,,,,,,,,FYI…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Former MLK Band Mom
November 17th, 2011
7:34 pm
ROUND 2 …. See you at Hallford on tomorrow night! GO MLK LIONS!
VikingFan
November 17th, 2011
7:50 pm
I’ll say again Cannon…. No big talk here, but seriously cannot wait until kickoff!!! Should definitely be a hard fought game on both sides, but you are going to be truly stunned after you watch this “under-sized” scoring machine go to work… And our defense make quick adjustments and baffle the Raider Nation!! I love your passion for EP, but would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to hearing “TICK TICK TICK Boooa….. Holy Sh____” Enjoy!!
Surrender the Booty
November 17th, 2011
8:08 pm
Does Northgate have a good place kicker? I ask because field goals are the only way they might score on EP’s Defense more than once.
NG17
November 17th, 2011
8:12 pm
31768_GA . North Gwinnett team is just a solid team and very balanced. In the past we had a few D1
players that playoff teams could focus on and shut us down. This is not the case this year. Last week Newnan beat your #1 seed from region 1 and Peachtree Ridge ran over Newnan this year. North Gwinnett Shut down the Ridge and beat them 28 to 0. North has played some good teams this year.
RealisticEPFan
November 17th, 2011
9:20 pm
No more score predictions from me. I do think it will be with both teams in double figures possible the 20’s or 30’s for each. Looking forward to a great game.
Slinger
November 17th, 2011
9:37 pm
@Cane Fan – Check the records, my friend. Cook is talented and yes they did go to Dublin as a 4 seed a few years back but they did not blast Dublin, they won by 6. The next year they played each other in the playoffs and Dublin won by 60. Yes, 60. That is getting blasted.
VikingFan
November 17th, 2011
10:22 pm
@RealisticEPFan….. I actually totally agree!!! Northgate’s D stats not realistic because most points against us have come in 4th quarters against 2nd teamers…. Having said that,,, both offenses look prolific enough to me that this thing will be a WAR!!!! I do think turnovers and Points Off just might tell the tale here!!! Seriously would like to meet and have a drink on the winner either way!!!
VikingFan
November 17th, 2011
10:26 pm
@Surrender the Booty… Great crack you are smoking!!! See my previous posts and RealisticEPFAN’S… Reality check!!! Watch and learn…
Panther Dad
November 17th, 2011
11:27 pm
With an 8-3 record, i still won’t bet against Clinch County
RealisticEPFan
November 18th, 2011
12:08 am
@VikingFan
Would welcome meeting, tell me where and how. Turnover wise, EP had 1 fumble and 1 int all regular season then doubled that in each category last week against SWD….so 2 and 2. Knock on wood that and special teams is an area that EP has been pretty strong in this year. They haven’t forced alot of TO, but have rarely given it up themselves.
Like I said I really know very little about NG other then they run the wingt, and for me that is a good thing except for the potential of that 4-6 times per game when NG trys to exploit the EP secondary. EP has been better since making personnel changes there 3 weeks ago, but it is still an area of concern. The run defense has been very good this year except for the 2nd quarter against Villa Rica when they oddly got pushed around
Let me know where to meet up,,,,i’m game.
ATL_23
November 18th, 2011
1:31 am
Region 5…most underrated region in all of GA. last year nobody gave Kell or East a chance, and this year even less respect is given to Kell and East, Pope joined the party this year and they arent gettinng much respect either…wouldnt be shocked at all to see all 3 advance to the Elite 8
eagle1
November 18th, 2011
7:37 am
Congratulations to the Northside Eagles for winning the 1AAAA Region Title! Good luck to both the Eagles and the WR Demons in the playoffs! GO BIG BLUE! Would love to meet the Demons at the Dome!!!!!
Bigdaddyc
November 18th, 2011
7:43 am
It’s difficult for me to make a Good prediction on the East / Ng game, because I know very little about NG. I think East should be fine against the wingT. They were exploited by the pass against Pope and Pope’s QB was very allusive. I never say a loss is a good thing but. I am sure East learned a lot about themselves that game. One thing I saw is they aint gonna quit on you. I still say East and Tucker are the best two teams in AAAA. If you are gonna beat them, you better sure as heck bring your A game and be dang good at it. I don’t see East beating themselves.With that said.. It should be a great game. I will be at the Hillgrove game, but will be watching the score to this one closely. Go get em Raiders!
pmuckle
November 18th, 2011
7:56 am
MLK WILL WIN WITHOUT OUR STARTING QB!!!! THE KING IS HERE!
sportsnut
November 18th, 2011
8:48 am
The # 1 Defense in the state will be on display tonight at Twelve Oaks and it is going to try and make a little history. Time to silence a few critics, if possible. I looked into the faces of the Kell squad last night and saw something that would worry me if I was a Kell fan. Since I am not a Kell fan, I will keep it to myself, wouldn’t want to make the trip any more worrisome. All phases of the game should be ready for what I am sure will surprise many, at least those who have not seen it. Good Luck to Kell and may all travel safely down and back up the road.
sportsnut
November 18th, 2011
8:59 am
I have listened to all the prognosticators and made my prediction according to their info. Kell will ,win this game by a score of 34-3. No matter what, I will be back on saturday to give props to the winner.Good Luck to all and safe travel.
Bigdaddyc
November 18th, 2011
9:13 am
My AAAAA picks are the same.. Except I am picking MLK over BROOKWOOD. Is there an upset coming this week? I say Lowndes, SouthCobb, Marietta, or Lassiter wins would be upsets… Anybody see it differently? Would a W. Forsyth win be an upset? I don’t see a win by Newnan as an upset.
The "CANNON RULES"!!!!
November 18th, 2011
9:28 am
@ VikingFan
” And our defense make quick adjustments and baffle the Raider Nation!!”
All I have to say is…NO WAY NORTHGATE has a bigger, faster, or stronger “D” that EAST faced last week against SWD…I invite you to go to the RAIDER web page and look at last weeks video of the game…Yeah that kid from SWD LOOKIN’ DOWN on everybody really is 6′8″ & 250 lbs!!! Look at their LINE!!!
Now start to think about it EAST managed to beat SWD with the back-up QB and a STRONG running game!
You keep telling yourself those 1/9 & 2/8 teams you guys played and ran the score up on were tough games…IT’S coming…out of the NORTHWEST in a little under 10 hrs now…RAIDER NATION is loading up and heading to the street named “CANNON”GATE, pass the golf course named “CANNON”GATE, and to AND THRU the gates at NORTHGATE!!!
Welcome to ROUND 2 / GHSA STATE playoffs…THE SWEET 16!!!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!! THE 2011 ON TO THE DOME TOUR…CONTINUES TONIGHT!!!
Bigdaddyc
November 18th, 2011
9:37 am
Am I missing something… Has NorthGate beat a good team this year? I’m confused as to why they are picked over East Paulding. They rank lower in the Nation, lower in the State, Fewer points scored,more points given up, I don’t see where they have a played a good opponent! They may win, but confused by the pick!
Packer backer
November 18th, 2011
9:43 am
U need to change 1 game . I know for sure…Colquitt will run over North Gwinnett
Bigdaddyc
November 18th, 2011
9:45 am
I take back that last statement… ” They may win” Not gonna happen. After looking into NorthGate for the past 45 minutes… East 31 – 14 over NortGate! I’m with Cannon rules on this one…
THE DOME TOUR CONTINUES…. TOO MANY CANNONS AROUND!
CHRIS
November 18th, 2011
9:45 am
Well Devil in Atl you are correct in your opinion of watching football in the granite bowl.What a great place to watch a high school football game!!They have some of the most enthusiastic fans around for a 2 a school.Rode up to Pepperell last week and the Devils fans outnumbered the Dragons fans easily 2 to 1. The only thing i would change in the predictions in Stephens county vs cairo.I will have to give that edge to stephens county and Mr Chaz Thornton.What a running back.Next year him and Tyshon Dye from Elbert county will be the top 2 runnig backs in the state ,Both ar juniors.
VIKE DAD
November 18th, 2011
9:50 am
@ All EP and NG fans
All this talk back and forth is really not getting us anywhere.
EP believes their team will be better than Northgate and will win
NG believes that we are the best team and will beat EP.
You will really just need to be there tonight to see it unfold first hand.
Remember that the words we type here will have no bearing on what the
boys will do on the field tonight.
EP drive safe and best of luck to both teams.
GO VIKINGS!!!
sportsnut
November 18th, 2011
9:50 am
@@@@@ Opening up== Kell has to be good in a couple of areas for them to have a chance tonight. Kick-off returns, as they will see many and their own kicker. This will make a difference. If the game is a defensive battle, and I know the Lovejoy D will do it’s job, Kell’s kicker better have a good leg. On the other hand, Lovejoys kicking game could use some work.. Good enough though to hit at least a 40 yarder. If Kell can achieve positive results from these areas, the have a punchers chance to beat these young men from Lovejoy
bucket
November 18th, 2011
10:05 am
@ Chris and Devil in ATL – it’s awesome to hear some love for the Blue Devils on this blog! IMO The Granite Bowl is the best high school venue in the state. Tyshon Dye and Chaz Thornton (Stephens) are two of the best running backs in the state and have been getting a lot of attention from some major D1 schools. Tyshon’s younger brother is going to be a beast as well. Here’s hoping the Blue Devils get a big win tonight against Cook before they have to face Buford University, I mean High School.