AAAAAA blog: Lovejoy makes a point in loss … Valdosta is reeling … Watch out for toddlers Archer, Lambert, Johns Creek
Five things we learned Friday (or Thursday) in Class AAAAAA –
- Lovejoy can hang with the elite in the big class. Lovejoy lost, of course – 14-7 to No. 8 Colquitt County. But Lovejoy travels back from South Georgia knowing that penalties and mistakes were the main difference, things that can be corrected. Lovejoy outgained Colquitt over 300 yards to 210. The better team won, but the season is early. Not that Lovejoy fans thought there was anything to prove. The Wildcats had made the Class AAAA final last season, losing to Tucker, but this was the team’s first major test in the highest classification.
- Valdosta takes a step back. The week’s biggest upset was Valdosta’s 28-24 loss to Brooks County, the third-ranked team in Class AA. It is Valdosta’s first loss to a Georgia team in a lower classification since falling to Ware County in 2004. Valdosta hasn’t lost to a Class AA team since at least 1970.
- Archer, a fourth-year-old school in Lawrenceville, is solid. The Tigers beat East Coweta 27-6. Archer made the playoffs for the first time last season and is on track to do it again in Region 8. Archer running backs Ernest Alexander (102) and Sean Fowler (122) each went over 100 yards rushing.
- Lambert, a fourth-year-old school in Suwanee (the Forsyth County side), is solid. The Longhorns made the playoffs (without advancing) the past two seasons in AAAA. Their 19-17 victory over improved Roswell has them 2-0. They beat Etowah 14-7 the week before. Good chance Lambert will be 6-0 when the ‘Horns face …
- John’s Creek, a fourth-year-old school in Alpharetta, is solid. The Gladiators (2-0) beat Milton 14-6 as QB Skye Overton had another big game (221 yards passing, 59 rushing), and JC held Milton to 71 yards rushing after Milton put up over 300 against Alpharetta. Region 6 is shaping up to be one of this classification’s deeper regions.
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
97 comments Add your comment
coffee reborn
September 10th, 2012
11:33 am
Bksmith14, don’t count Coffee out..all new everything, we are very young with alot of good players.
NGHS 09
September 10th, 2012
12:11 pm
Call me crazy Todd….but didn’t Archer get blasted 49-3 in the first round by NG last year? And they return mostly the same team? What makes you think they will contend in region 8? I see their talent, but their coaching is questionable.
Fred
September 10th, 2012
1:15 pm
@highschoolhigh – With 17 6A schools, 1 city and at least 2 privates (off the top of my head – may be more) playing football in the county, our talent gets spread around more than in the one school counties in S GA. It really doesn’t surprise me that the titles are spread more.
bksmith14
September 10th, 2012
1:30 pm
i am not counting coffee out……i dont feel yall will beat us (lowndes) one reason is we got yall at the palace……2 i feel lowndes has a better team
i do feel coffee may can get in playoffs now more that i did last week……yall have valdosta at home and winning that game agains them may decide whether yall get in or not……coffee seems to have improved….hoep they have to be honest…..
it will take a region 1 team to beat grayson…….
walton dont have the defense to do it……..north gwinnett may cd give them a fight but i just dont think they can beat grayson
Blowfish
September 10th, 2012
3:25 pm
Todd – Archer is a few years away, although with the weakening of 8AAAAAA, they will be a playoff team (seed 3 or 4) for the next few years. Coach Dunn is a great guy and a good Coach, but his staff is LIGHT years away from the things that Grayson and Brookwood can do with the talent they get. Also, there is no buy in or continuity at the Youth level. The youth coaches are running their own high school offenses from 1982, and you seldon see a high school coach at Harbins Park on Saturday. They will make playoffs with a 6-5 and 5-5 records and be middle of the road for many years.
bksmith14
September 10th, 2012
4:06 pm
Packer Hawg….regardless of what any cat fans tell you …here is my opinion on what happened ri night when the hammer was brought down on the cats
1. Brooks county is a much improved football teal from last year. (cats only beat em by 9 last year at death valley 20-11)
2. Valdosta kinda seemed like lowndes did fri night ….just did not seem fired up to be playing the other team.
3. Brooks outplayed valdosta and outcoached them
4.brooks doesnt have the depth valdosta has but they have enough to match up with valdosta starters vs starters
5. Valdosta has a young defense and it showed at times fri night……
Dount count out the cats though…….they will be right in the thick of things in this region
bksmith14
September 10th, 2012
4:07 pm
A LOT of people were so upset about losing to brooks that some people were calling for caoch to get fired
fridaynights
September 10th, 2012
6:05 pm
It all comes down to THREE things. Who is playing Dec. 15, did you get by Gwinnett teams, Did get by Region 8AAAAAA
Remember that in the last 16 years, in the highest classification in Georgia highschool Football State Championships the champion was from Gwinnett County 8 times and 7 of those were from region 8
I did say region 8AAAAAA
Did I say that region 8 has played in the championship game 10 times and gwinnett has played in it 12 times in the last 16 years.
500 average not bad.
South Georgia WHO ???
bksmith14
September 10th, 2012
6:23 pm
fidaynights…..this is a what have you done for me lately work we live in…….we arent goin back to when i was 10 yrds old…………gwinnett has got the last 2……..before that i was the lowndes and camden show………over the last 8 or 9 years the south has won more…………but gwinnet , i give it to em…has got the last 2……….
i expect a long run of titles from region 1 6aaaaaa after this year……..something like winning 5 out of the next 7 or so………
bksmith14
September 10th, 2012
6:26 pm
grayson, lovejoy, north gwinnett are imo the 3 teams from atl/gwinnett area or lets just say the north….that have a shot at going to dome….with grayson being the favorite by a long shot out of the 3……you can bet your cans that lowndes….colquitt…camden…and i still believe valdosta will turn it around……..one of these 4 will be in dome if not 2 this year……….coffee may be the sleeper…time will tell
57Cat
September 10th, 2012
7:10 pm
@bksnith14 – I don’t know where you get “a LOT of people” calling for Coach Gillespie to be fired, unless it’s a lot of Lowndes people. While many of us questioned the play calling in the last two minutes of the Brooks game, Valdosta Wildcat supporters are well pleased with the progress of the Cats since Coach Gillespie arrived. Remember, Coach Hyder went 3-7 in his first year in 1974 and did not win his first State Title until 1982. Cat fans haven’t hit the panic button just yet.
sportsnut
September 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
May I direct everyone to the post by Highschoolfootballfan on Sept. 8th at 8:47 p.m.. Ever heard of a 30 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty ?
bksmith14
September 10th, 2012
9:36 pm
57cat………i know a lot of people that had a knee jerk reaction and were so embarrassed that comments about gillespie being fired were spreading like wildfire to say the least……..it was also all over scout.com
i feel gillespie is a great coach and i feel he is the right man for valdosta…..we are on the same page there……
i have been hearing that valdosta will be dropping down to 4 or 5 aaaaa soon and it will not be an option………i hope this doesnt happen
57Cat
September 10th, 2012
9:42 pm
Valdosta had 30 yards in penalties for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the same play against Coffee, I think last year. One of the penalties occurred during the play, the second one followed the it. There was a lot of stuff that went on in that game, as I recall.
57Cat
September 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
Bksmith14 -I actually misread your earlier post. You said a LOT of people were upset and some called for his firing. That may be true, but I have heard of no one being that upset. Most of us gave Brooks props for playing a really good game. Their QB could play for ANY school in Georgia.
I’ve not heard anything about us being dropped down. It would not occur before 2014, in any event. I still think we would have the option of playing up.
Camden74
September 10th, 2012
10:05 pm
Fridaynights……..Do you think with more schools than any other area in the state, your percentage should be better? There will only be 4 schools from South Georgia in the Class 6A playoffs, but you guys seem to be VERY concerned, why?
WildcatGuy
September 10th, 2012
10:32 pm
Let me share with you an incredible video of Camden County Football at it’s best!
http://www.tribune-georgian.com/articles/2012/09/10/sports/1sports9.10.txt
5-Time
September 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
I know you’re kidding right?? Nice video and all but who were ya’ll playing again?? Oh, that’s right go figure….
AzCat
September 10th, 2012
10:58 pm
@57Cat: You’re right, every school has the option of playing up in class. Marist has been electing to play up for a long time.
WildcatGuy
September 10th, 2012
11:06 pm
5 Time, you have no class so therefore you cannnot appreciate class! The heat is coming and you better prepare to eat some major crow!
The Truth
September 10th, 2012
11:26 pm
This just in…Lambert will lose to South Forsyth in 2 weeks.
5-Time
September 11th, 2012
12:00 am
Who were ya’ll playin again??
5-Time
September 11th, 2012
12:04 am
I’m sorry you feel that way. . . .
bksmith14
September 11th, 2012
2:48 am
when camden comes to play lowndes this year…….i expect a great game……camden will def have the edge on us at the qb position……..but lowndes will have plenty of speed on defense to keep up with jj green…….its brice i am more worried about than green…………lowndes has always done well agains the run when ging against big name backs
all the talk was last year when we went to play stephenson was that mike davis was going to run over us……he is a florida by the way……..we held him to less than 100…..and he was never a factor
camden …….i would give them the slight edge right now bc of brice…….but time will tell……..this isnt as good of a lowndes team as the 09 team was…but still a solid team and if we keep improving we may can get to that level by then…….we can match up with anyone as far as speed goes
bksmith14
September 11th, 2012
2:50 am
mike davis went to south carolina….not florida….i dont blame him…the gators suck
Colquitt Supporter
September 11th, 2012
9:21 am
@Sportsnut, Concerning the 30 yard penalty. I do not know the rules on this but I was under the impression there were personal fouls against one CC player by two different LJ players at about the same time. Maybe someone who is more knowledgable on the rules can say something.
I watched the game on youtube but the “action” was too far away to really see. A friend of mine was at the game and was in front of the play. His only comment was that one of our coaches was pulling our player back so he would not do anything stupid and draw a foul. I think most of our fans thought it would be offsetting penalties. Not sure what may have happened before the ref saw the fouls.
The Packer report may be on TV tonight. If I get a chance to see it, I’ll let you know what Probst says. On the show, he is pretty good about calling it as he sees it whether it is for/against himself, the Packers, or our opponents.
GwinnettDad
September 11th, 2012
10:14 am
Anytime I read about the refs being unfair or prejudiced on this blog, I believe the person writing the complaints is a sour puss, a poor sport, and a baby whiner. And does that remind you of anybody here?
Camden74
September 11th, 2012
10:27 am
GwinnettDad……Let’s see how you feel when the calls go against your team and affects the outcome of the game!
bksmith14
September 11th, 2012
12:29 pm
gwinnettdad………..he is a brookwood bronco i believe…………..not a lot to cheer for if so……………they seem to be dowm this year,,,,,,but who knows…..maybe they get it together and make the playoffs……..
Madingo
September 11th, 2012
12:35 pm
The University of Moultrie and Camden State seem like the best teams in Region 1 in 2012…….time will tell.
Fred
September 11th, 2012
1:21 pm
@Camden74 – it has affected us in the playoffs before. You moan and complain for a day or two and then drive on ’cause nothing’s going to change it.
Fred
September 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
@bksmith14 – **not a lot to cheer for if so……………they seem to be dowm this year**. What are you basing that assessment on? They lost to the state runner up and won over a good 6A team. Their collective opponents are 3-1 with the 1 loss to Brookwood.
highschoolhigh
September 11th, 2012
1:49 pm
Colquitt Supporter,@Sportsnut
I was at the game and yes the 30 yard penaly was a personal foul on a LJ player jawing with Hill, he was flagged twice for 15 yards, and yes the officials walked off the entire 30 yards. Taht is what i
highschoolhigh
September 11th, 2012
1:52 pm
Colquitt suppoter ans @portsnut, that is what I was referring to when I said 30 yard penalty. Never saw that before until then. Thought that they only walked off one. Maybe someone else is more knowledable.
sportsnut
September 11th, 2012
3:05 pm
@ HighschoolHigh == They walked off two 15 yard penalties. There was only one Lovejoy player and one Colquit player involved. Two officials saw the same thing and both threw flags. We were also under the impression it was off-setting calls but we were wrong. @ Colquit Supporter == This is just a question I wanted to pose. I am relieved to know that there are some who have a sense of football. Some on here think they know everything and they are wrong about that as well.@ Fred == We will do just that. I just wanted to know if anyone had ever seen or heard of such a thing. @ GwinnettDad == Are you upset about something ? Who’s your team ? We are collectively talking football. You are the only one here calling people names. Be proud of the kid’s you support and be a role model for those younger than you that are here to do what we are all here to do and that is support our favorite team . Things happen. We lost and that is that.
Camden74
September 11th, 2012
4:16 pm
Fred…..Maybe they do, maybe they don’t…….As attested to on this blog.
4Real
September 11th, 2012
7:17 pm
Lovejoy coaching staff SUCKS big time! Last year the players just out played most of the teams they faced. The players worked so hard all year long, especially in the off season. The coaches were out coached in several of the playoff games and big time in the state championship game. They will be out coached in most games!
GwinnettDad
September 11th, 2012
8:00 pm
Let me reitterate. Brookwood’s had bad calls. I’ve never blamed a ref for consciously trying to change the outcome of a game even if the call DID change the outcome of a game. Only whiners and crybabies blame refs. So, Camden74, if you want to reserve the right to be a crybaby, so be it. I hope not. Same for BkSmith14.
sportsnut
September 11th, 2012
8:36 pm
Now I understand. GwinnettDad is a Brookwood fan. That explains much. I am so sorry that you feel a need to berate others whose teams started out better than yours. Please try to be understanding of the amount of support we have for our teams. I would like you to know that I was pulling for Brookwood against Walton to begin the season.@ 4Real == They may have been out coached in the playoffs but we won, didn’t we. There were 14 games we won being out coached. I’ll take it every time !
Camden74
September 12th, 2012
12:44 am
GwinnettDad……..LOL……When did I ask for the right to be a crybaby? Bad calls contribute to wins and loses all the time, that’s a part of the game, but one doesn’t have to like it!
Camden74
September 12th, 2012
12:48 am
Correction: “Losses”
bksmith14
September 12th, 2012
2:12 am
Gwinnettda is gets offended quiker than anyone else on this blog……..however his post make since most of the time and he also sounds like he knows football but does get offended rather quik……we all have at some point
DOSTA DAWGS
September 12th, 2012
7:19 am
Why would Valdosta drop to 5A or 4A when they have finished #1 or #2 in the region for the last 2yrs in football and basketball. Look at the 3 major sports (FOOTBALL-BASKETBALL-BASEBALL) over the last 3yrs since coach Gillespie was named AD and look at the CATS success. The CATS have the most balanced sports programs in Region1AAAAAA. Not bad for a school you say should be playing 5A or 4A.
DOSTA DAWGS
September 12th, 2012
7:35 am
The Brooks Co win over Valdosta was a long time coming. Brooks has always played Valdosta tough, even in the Nick Hyder years. I remember in 1994 Valdosta beat Brooks 10-7 0n a very controversial call. 2010 Cook Co. beat Colquitt County and the PACK ended up in the title game!!!!!!
I will say the formula used by Brooks is the formula to beat Valdosta. Teams with spread offenses and mobile QB’s give the CATS trouble. Brunswick, the school that Brooks Co. coach Freeman was the head coach, came in a scored 62pts against the CATS. This Brooks team looked like a mirror image of that Brunswick team. The Cats lost last year to Newnan which had a very athletic QB. Also the CATS lost to Coffee last year when Coffee went with the athletic kid at QB. Lowndes gave the CATS trouble in the first half last year when they went spread and let the QB run the ball. Therefore its not that surprising that Brooks finally beat the CATS. However, unless your team has a very athletic QB that can run and throw, the CATS will be tough.
WILDHAWG2012
September 12th, 2012
8:59 am
@DASTA DAWGS= I think they are talking about Valdosta’s enrollment not talent is why everyone thinks they should be in 5a or 4a. At some time during the year the ajc put out some info on the enrollment of 6a schools and the cats were one of the smallest in 6a i think. I did read something like that but that has to be what they mean but it can’t be talent
Colquitt Supporter
September 12th, 2012
9:47 am
@Highschoolhigh and Sportsnut – packer report from last night was for last the TCC game. Maybe it will be on tonight.
bksmith14
September 12th, 2012
12:24 pm
“THE CATS HAVE THE MOST BALANCED SPORTS PROGRAM IN 1AAAAAA”
i would have to argue that one………..lowndes sports team on an overall basis have been much better than vhs…….i dont know about basketball but softball…soccer….wrestling etc…….i dont believe valdosta has us there…….