Football: Grayson ranked No. 2 in preseason poll
It’s been 20 years since a Georgia high school football team has won a national championship. Grayson, a returning state champion in Georgia’s highest classification, is poised to make a run.
This week, the Rams were ranked No. 2 in preseason by MaxPreps in the first major national poll. Grayson was 15-0 last season and finished in the top five of several national rankings. This season, 10 of 11 defensive starters return, including defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, the 2011 all-classification player of the year.
‘’Grayson should have the country’s best defense, and their offense, with the amount of skill it returns, will be just fine,’’ said Stephen Spiewak, editor of MaxPreps’ national football rankings. “I do expect them to return to a more run-based offense to which the program has been more accustomed. Not to mention, no matter which team Grayson plays, it will always have the single best player on the field [in Nkemdiche].’’
Ranked No. 1 is Manatee of Bradenton, Fla. Grayson and Manatee will have one common opponent – Central of Miami. Grayson plays Central on Aug. 31 at Grayson.
Another Georgia team is in MaxPreps’ top 25. That’s Colquitt County at No. 18.
‘’Colquitt seems to have a good blend of veteran leadership and talented youth,’’ Spiewak said. “I really think Cole Segraves is going to have a huge senior season. It came extremely close to beating Grayson last year and would give them a game this season as well. Overall, I think it’s going to be a very good year for high school football in Georgia.
The most recent Georgia team to win a national title was Valdosta, which was selected in 1992 by the National Prep Poll and the National Sports News Service.
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229 comments Add your comment
sportsnut
August 3rd, 2012
9:58 am
@WILDHAWG2012 == I love it when people can agree to disagree. Yes this is the time of year when we all get a little fired up. I have been doing my homework and I do see you guy’s as a formidable opponent. I too, will make my way to the Dome for the Classic as I am sure I will see some good football. It will be interesting indeed.
sportsnut
August 3rd, 2012
1:08 pm
Did Stephenson lose it’s spring game to Thomasville High 33 – 10 ?
Camden74
August 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
How have the new GHSA Heat Rules affected your team’s practices?
FearTheSpear
August 5th, 2012
4:32 am
About the druid hills situation @sportsnut …The kids at druid hills are very good and they all work together….I went to there practice on monday and they seem Very Discipline.. When they was warming up it was complete silence and I see them being a contender in 6A play….Also I met 4 studs on they team that wants to win…. Jaquan Johnson 6-2 160 broke A record in kick returns in dekalb county football…. Deandre Byrd 6-1 215 is a leader and the best linebacker in the county…. Desi Bigby 6-3 260 is a dtackle that went to many camps this year…,this kid is fast and strong and plays like cant nobody stop him…I talked to Desi and asked him how does he feel to play in the top class of high school football in georgia and he says that every team in the region are working hard to better themselves..he says that every team goes through 2 a days like they do and he is going into the season with a chip on his shoulder…He is a great kid and I can see him playing some division 1 football..
sportsnut
August 5th, 2012
9:47 am
@ Fear the Spear == Talked to Desi on yesterday and he has good words for a couple of newcomers in Qua Huff and Trevino Huff. They are cousins and are 9th and 10 graders. Qua will play primarily at safety and Trevino at running back. Keep up with those names as they come from the same youth organization that many Tucker athletes come from before being stolen by Tucker Youth. It may not be this year but in time they will compete As I stated before, coaching may be their biggest problem. I don’t think they realize. how hard they need to work and he also needs to get the right people in the right places. He has speed and athleticism in many players but needs more. He should hit the hallways as soon as school starts to recruit. He has the student population to recruit from so he needs to get busy. If their Qb. can get his head together, he can win some games on his abilities alone. I wish them luck on the incoming year.
DawgNation
August 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
@FeartheSpear I heard about the kid desi bigby.. He has an uncle who played ball for Uga and he has a cousin who plays for them now… DawgNation will be watching and I Expect a UGA offer him.. @sportsnut do you think Desi can play Division 1 ball
sportsnut
August 5th, 2012
6:09 pm
DawgNation == Yes he can. He need’s to work much harder than he does to fully reach his potential.. He has picked up a few pounds of muscle and needs to adjust his attitude so that he will have no self doubt when he is on the field. He can dominate if properly motivated. This may be a problem because the coaching staff does not seem to know how to accomplish this.
Rich
August 5th, 2012
8:11 pm
needs NOT need’s.
DawgNation
August 5th, 2012
10:39 pm
@sportsnut Desi is a great athlete… He plays like a 4 star recruit when he wants to and his only problem is mentally.. I saw the kid at a UGA camp and he was better then half of the 4star and all of the 3 star..he needs to get that mentality that no one can stop him..and also he is a athlete that is very coachable..he has a 6′3 260 pound body frame that can be used at UGA,BAMA,FSU,UF and more..Trust me this kid name is going to be all over 6A football just watch and see..
FearTheSpear
August 5th, 2012
10:50 pm
@Sportsnut The Coaches at druid hills are learning.. The head coach coached at UGA and powerhouse High Schools all around GA..this program is ready and wants to win..with Trevino huff who is 5′8 150 that plays running back runs like he is angry..Desi told me that him and the hhuffs ate related and they family knows all about football..I will be at they practice all this week and let yall know about him.. Also Desi along with Jaquan johnson and more seniors has great potential to play D1 football…besides jaquan runs a 4.3. In the forty… @dawgnation with desi size I see more schools offering Desi..FSU contacted him along with Nebraska and more.. This kid is going to be a monster..
Dawgnation
August 6th, 2012
12:47 am
@FeartheSpear just wait till the season start..
sportsnut
August 6th, 2012
11:53 am
Yes, I know the Huff kid’s and Desi . I attended school with Qua’s father and mother and with Desi’s uncles and aunts. You are correct about the attitude. He will be well served to play angry. Trevino Huff is as tough as they come at his size. I have watched all three grow up and am looking foward to watching them compete. Qua is going to be a good one if the can learn to not bite on run fakes. He has good size at 6′1 and around 170 or so for a 9th grader at safety.
sportsnut
August 6th, 2012
11:55 am
Hey Rich, not much to say about your team or are you the literary / grammer police ?
Dawgnation
August 6th, 2012
1:12 pm
I just can’t wait to see the 3kids play..@sportsnut did you see desi play lately..the kid was playing like he was the number 1 player in ga.. At last weeks practice I watched the kid practice and I recorded his practice..the kid had 11tackles in practice along with 3sacks…and plus 4 of his tackles was his little cousin trevino huff..as I watched them practice trevino Had 9carries for atleast 130 something yards..I didn’t get to see Qua huff play because he didn’t have pads on but the 3 kids always stay together and argues about who is the best cousin at Druid Hills…
FearTheSpear
August 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
I just met with Desi this morning as I gave him a ride to Druid Hills…he was telling me that he is now focused and ready to play.. He says he has made goals and wants to win…also he is ready for big schools such as lovejoy to challenge him…also he knows players on lovejoy team..and he said some guy told him lovejoy was going to beat them 45-0 halftime..that’s more fuel for the fire baby!!
Rich
August 6th, 2012
4:59 pm
@sportsnut – It’s GRAMMAR NOT GRAMMER! And yes I’m the grammar police! Get your mind right!
GoPackGo
August 7th, 2012
8:14 am
Lowndes will win it all as always. Ask bksmith14
GoPackGo
August 7th, 2012
8:17 am
Anyone who overlooks Lovejoy is a FOOL. They are gonna give us all we can handle. Not too concerned about Lowndes this year. If we don’t overlook Lowndes, should be a repeat of last year.
sportsnut
August 7th, 2012
11:49 am
@ Rich == I am past the time in life for the need of a teacher. My mind is right. It is set to football and not grammor, grammer or grammar. You should take your talents to the schools where there are to many kid’s entering college that need remedial courses.
sportsnut
August 7th, 2012
11:59 am
@ Fear the Spear == I am sure Desi is ready to play and I hope he does well. I want every kid from my old hood to be a winner. Come Sept. 28th, he will be challenged by Lovejoy. The level of competition will serve him well this year as he goes against bigger, stronger, faster players. Looking foward to this season and all that it will bring. If the Red Devils are not careful, they could be down by 45 at half. Don’t worry though, Coach will not run it up. That only happens when the opponent is not able to stop the 3rd string.
Camden74
August 9th, 2012
12:57 am
16 days! Go Camden County Wildcats!
NGHS 09
August 9th, 2012
1:18 am
If Grayson and Colquitt make it deep into the playoffs again, will they meet before the dome or in it?
NGHS 09
August 9th, 2012
1:20 am
@ Camden74….I’m looking forward to watching J.J. Green shred some 1-AAAAAA defenses.
GwinnettDad
August 9th, 2012
6:36 pm
@Camden74 – anybody from Camden, Colquitt, Lowndes, Valdosta etc. Regarding the Maxwell Computer rankings for Region 1-AAAAAA, the computer forecasts the following for region 1-AAAAAA:
Lowndes 4-2
Colquitt 4-2
Camden 4-2
Valdosta 3-3
Coffee 2-4
Tift County 2-5
Brunswick 1-5
That’s 20 wins and 23 losses. Doesn’t anybody on the AJC have enough intelligence to add these numbers up? Does anyone in that sport department have an IQ above room temperature? Good grief. Blame the computer. But the AJC has no business publishing obvious stupidity which insults any football fan, not to mention, region 1-AAAAAA.
GwinnettDad
August 9th, 2012
6:47 pm
@GoPackGo – I’m not sure BKSmith14 has been released from the Georgia State Home for the Permanently Bewildered just yet. Pretty soon they might decide to occasionally let him out of his cage.
GwinnettDad
August 9th, 2012
6:49 pm
@NGHS 09 – of course there’s no way to know that right now, is there? Depends upon where each finishes, doesn’t it, then the design of the playoff brackets which I haven’t seen.
Camden74
August 10th, 2012
12:28 am
@NGHS 09…….I’m looking forward to watching J.J. perform on both sides of the ball. I actually like him better at DB……. IMO he’s the BEST all around FOOTBALL PLAYER in the state!
Camden74
August 10th, 2012
12:54 am
GwinnettDad…….I’m already on the record concerning RANKINGS, especially preseason. They’re probably there just to get people talking about the upcoming season, at least I hope that’s the reason they post them……..But sometimes they do get lucky with their guessing game!
With Camden having so many new faces on offense and defense, being in a new Region and a totally different practice schedule because of the new heat related practice rules, they are truly a question mark! But, one thing for sure, they will play tough and hit hard! With all of that said, barring key injury, I’m still picking Camden to finish first or second in the Region. As far as the AJC is concerned, they’re just trying to sell papers!
sportsnut
August 10th, 2012
7:25 am
I wonder who did the blog about ” What it might look like in AAAAAA ” earlier ? This prediction puts Lovejoy in the number 16 spot whereas the before mentioned blog had them as perhaps number 3.Is there anybody home ?Here we go again with the Bias. Sometimes it feels as though Clayton County is South Georgia.
HS Football
August 10th, 2012
12:34 pm
Rivals has 7 GA High School teams ranked in the TOP 100 in the nation. Grayson 4, Camden 17, Lassiter 26, Walton 39, Kell 54, Northside 58, Colquitt 59…Polls & rankings can’t possibly be accurate as they are trying to make a mildly educated guess based on last year’s sats & hopefully at least considering returning players. That said…No Lovejoy! Sorry Sportsnut.
Camden74
August 10th, 2012
3:18 pm
I would prefer for Camden to be under the radar, but I guess it’s too late for that. It’s difficult to lay low when you have 4 SEC commits. I hope they all live up to the hype!
sportsnut
August 10th, 2012
4:43 pm
@ HS Football == No sweat. Been there, Done that .We are currently on a mission and we will not be deterred. Same as last year. Much to do about nothing. Unfinished Business. So many ways to say it. Last but not least, we will see. Many think we can’t play with the Big Boys. Little do they know that we are BIG BOYS that have moved into the hood and will stand our ground. Last season was no fluke and it will be seen early this time.
bksmith14
August 10th, 2012
9:31 pm
colquitt county should be ranked higher than camden…….they beat them last year and camden lost a lot of players from last years team………camden will lost to colquitt at colquitt although i will be pulling for them to win….
bksmith14
August 10th, 2012
9:36 pm
Colquitt Lost the best tight end in the state …he is gone to Ga……the ylost Bryce giddens……one of the best offensive lineman in the state…….they lost their elite rb woodyard and the best lb in the region and prob state in #12 washington……and guess what??? they had hill last year who is now a sr and cole who is a sr at qb and octavious jackson…..sr olinemen……so all the hype about how colquitt is going to be better ……IM NOT BUYING IT……..they lost over half of their best players ……sure they return the 3 mentioned above but they lost a lot…….they will be good…….but not state title Good……..Lowndes will be solid again also…….but i still say the next 2 years will be our best…….epsecially year after next
GoPackGo
August 11th, 2012
8:37 am
Coach Propst says this is his best Packer team yet….maybe he doesn’t know. bksmith14 maybe you should call and let him know he’s wrong.
GoPackGo
August 11th, 2012
8:40 am
I don’t think Lowndes will make the playoffs. I will be pulling for everyone in Region 1 to beat them
bksmith14
August 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
We shall see……remember i said……colquitt will be solid but not as good as last year…yall lost way to many playmakers……..all this hype about hill…..heck he was on the team last year
GoPackGo
August 12th, 2012
5:14 pm
Should be a good season. I think the offensive line is our only concern this year. We have the big play makers on offense and defense.
bksmith14
August 13th, 2012
1:25 am
you big playmakers are hill and cole….and the guy that committed to usf at corner……yall have some guys who will have to make names for themselves other than that…….
GoPackGo
August 13th, 2012
11:47 am
Just wait and see
5-Time
August 13th, 2012
11:59 am
I’m not worried about one or two players to be honest with you. I’m worried about the 26 defensive players your Coach is going to be rotating in and out. That’s going to be HUGE in the 4th quarter!! When everybody’s tired and can’t get off blocks, here they come with fresh legs, getting off tackles/blocks, flying to the ball. That’s my only concern…
bksmith14
August 13th, 2012
10:05 pm
i am not concerned about it at all………..not worried about bringing in jv players as defensive subs………last year colquitt had a great o line………this year is a ? for them at the postion other than opctavious………..they lost 3 HUGE components ……..ty smith was huge for them on offense……..and shermaine washington at lb #12 he was huge on short yardage situations and also on stopping the run………..I look for colquitt to be good no doubt but they will be beatable just like they were last year and i really think last year they were more explsoive on offense…………When you take a guy like ty smith away who scored a lot of your tds and you take woodyard away at rb and washington who wd get you first downs on 3 and 1 or 2 then you lose a lot….ot saying the guys coming up to take their place wont be good but its hard to replace talent like that year in and year out
5-Time
August 13th, 2012
11:07 pm
You’re right – but we’ll see – I believe Lowndes can still be victorious over Colquitt Co. this year. I mean – Valdosta beat them last year – and we had Valdosta, and let it slip away.
5-Time
August 13th, 2012
11:07 pm
You’re right – but we’ll see – I believe Lowndes can still be victorious over Colquitt Co. this year. I mean – Valdosta beat them last year – and we had Valdosta, and let it slip away….
bksmith14
August 14th, 2012
12:04 am
colquitt has more talent than lowndes does this year…….lowndes has some good players and we have a lot of speed……..and also coach mac has taken back over the playcalling duties which he has not done the last 2 years……..lowndes has a shot…colquitt will have to play good ball and execute to beat lowndes but i will stand firm in saying that lowndes will be solid this year……..but i still feel lowndes is 2 years away from having another great team
GoPackGo
August 14th, 2012
7:57 am
Ty Smith scored 7 touchdowns. He was 4th on the team in receiving touchdowns.
GoPackGo
August 14th, 2012
8:02 am
Excuse me. He caught 5 touchdown passes.
GoPackGo
August 14th, 2012
8:03 am
Lowndes is always solid. I was just jerking your chain. I hope the final 4 is all Region 1AAAAAA.
sportsnut
August 14th, 2012
10:40 am
Who is going to start the season 0 – 1 ?
11 days until this answered.
Region 1, 7 and 8 AAAAAA be aware !
5-Time
August 14th, 2012
11:00 am
Lovejoy of course….