GHSA clears Lowndes in spying case
Lowndes’ football program was cleared Tuesday of allegations that its coaching staff was stealing signs in its 17-14 victory over Colquitt County last month, the GHSA announced.
Colquitt County head football coach Rush Propst alleged that an assistant coach that he fired two years ago was using binoculars to watch Colquitt’s sideline and relaying signals to Lowndes’ coaching staff in the press box of a Sept. 28 game.
A video posted online showed Buzz Payne, now part of Thomas County Central’s staff, in front of the visiting press box and watching the game with binoculars. Lowndes coach Randy McPherson denied knowing Payne or using him to intercept signals.
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
93 comments Add your comment
Oldschool Hawg
October 9th, 2012
3:49 pm
Just shows that the GHSA is as clueless as we all knew they were. They don’t care about what happens in the South anyway. Probably delighted them to see such a pot of poo being stirred! No worries, still got 9 games to go!
Football Nut
October 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
Was the GHSA looking at the same video as everybody else???….You can clearly see the Lowndes coaches looking right at Buzz Payne for his next signal….Come on Man!!!
HardHat
October 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
If you aint cheatin’ you ain’t tryin’..!
Taylor Wooten
October 9th, 2012
4:51 pm
Its a sad day for Georgia HS Football……guess you are free to do whatever. No rules. Enjoy!
yo
October 9th, 2012
4:59 pm
LOL by by Probst. You made such good friends with so many people while you were here.
AVikingFan
October 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
I was sitting a few feet away from where the man in an Alabama shirt and holding binoculars was standing. At the time I thought he was an Alabama scout or recruiter. I learned the next day his name was Buzz payne. He may have been talking andg gestering as if he was communicating with the Lowndes assistant coaches but I promise you the plexiglass is too thick to allow the coaches to hear fans below them. They could barely hear the Lowndes Band. I tried communicating with them myself, in vain.
Payne’s motive was to get in Rush Probst’s head, which he apparently succeeeded in doing, in revenge for getting fired in 2010. Reportedly Probst fired him in front of others, humiliating him. A Colquitt High School administrator stood directly behind Payne and reported he heard no communication between Payne and the Lowndes coaches.
The Sports Editor of the Valdosta Times Newspaper was standing directly behind the Lowndes coaches in the visitors press box. He reported he heard NO communication between Payne and the Lowndes coaches. (This same Sports Editor had been denied admittance to the home side press box! Terrible display of sportsmanship shgown by Colquitt officials.)
Some folks are pushing McPherson to sue Probst in a court of law for defamation of character for Probst calling him a “blatant liar” in the newspaper. Personally I just hope the Colquitt B of E does the right thing and immediately terminates Probst’s contract.
sportsnut
October 9th, 2012
5:23 pm
BREAKING NEWS “OVER @)) INVLVED IN FIGHT BETWEEN COLLINS HILL AND PEACHTREE RIDGE OVER FOOTBALL”
sportsnut
October 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
” 200 INVOLVED”
Colquitt Fan
October 9th, 2012
6:02 pm
We all knew they wouldn’t do anything. How much more obvious can you get? Good luck the rest of the way Lowndes, we’ll see each other again. Everybody rolled over on buzz I’m sure and he’ll be the fall guy. Vikingfan, how hard is it to understand run or pass through a window, Conn admitted he helped them and he helped Lowndes. But like unsaid, good luck the rest of the way
5-Time
October 9th, 2012
6:12 pm
Please people move on already!! You guys lost!! We’ve been cleared!! Why is sportsnut always in Region 1 discussion?? This blog has nothing to do with Collins Hill or Peachtree Ridge!!
Camden74
October 9th, 2012
6:24 pm
sportsnut……Since you’re reporting, who won the fight?
Plowboy - Viking
October 9th, 2012
6:29 pm
Propst better be able to back up these words ” my 2013 team will go undefeated”……he better have them ready, because I think Lowndes might just run the score up !!!!!!
Squirrell
October 9th, 2012
6:31 pm
Playen Lowndes in the Playoffs!
Now that would be “Hog-Heaven”!
If that happens to HAPPEN, Pack wins!
In the Concrete Palace, In the HogPen or In the DOME!
GUARONTEE YA!
border dweller
October 9th, 2012
6:57 pm
Russ Probst callin’ someone out for cheatin is like Hank Williams calling somebody else a drunk.
Propst is gone soon
October 9th, 2012
7:03 pm
Given that Colquitt won’t make the playoffs this year, how soon will Propst be gone?
There already have been discussions, get it done and restore some dignity to the program.
prof.jess
October 9th, 2012
7:04 pm
Anyone in their righ mind would know what Prost, claimed, happen is almost impossible because of the time frame. How could a person look at a teams alingmemnt call down to the opponent and they make the adjustments, and the other teams are running a quick run offense?
Dum-Bass
October 9th, 2012
7:32 pm
Propst reminds me of Petrino. “TROUBLE” seems to follow him where ever he goes. Whether he’s right or wrong this time, he always has something stirred up.
Gman57
October 9th, 2012
7:39 pm
It would appear that Rush P. has the “I’m going to win at all cost”…..or blame the other team’s coach if he doesn’t.
Camden74
October 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
Gman57……CROW!
Dum-Bass
October 9th, 2012
8:11 pm
Mr. P and his problems seem to be contagious. The CCHS band director got fired over an incident with a 17 yr. old band member(fact, was in MO) and the girl’s softball coach resigned over something yet known just days before the playoffs. “Muddy water” seems to be quite prevalent in that area.
Unc BS Ex
October 9th, 2012
8:14 pm
Probpst and the cronies that support him are past disgusting!
vikings suck
October 9th, 2012
8:21 pm
buzz payne did the same thing for grayson last year. you people talking about probst are just a bunch of idiots.
Fan
October 9th, 2012
8:25 pm
Breaking News: GHSA clears Lowndes cites high gas prices, unable to investigate!
Chan
October 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
This is The GHSA telling Propst to get lost. Good job GHSA.
Unc BS EX
October 9th, 2012
8:32 pm
Including my ex!
i'mjustsayingwhati'msaying
October 9th, 2012
8:42 pm
Can we move on now from the reality show already? There are 4 games left in region play. The focus needs to be on that, and not this crap. Colquitt still has Coffee, Valdosta and Camden. Lowndes still has Valdosta, Coffee and Camden. Lot left to decide region. Colquitt can’t afford another loss before they get to Valdosta and Coffee. Camden will more than likely be 4-0 when they get to Lowndes. Coffee has 1 region loss and still have Colquitt, Lowndes and Valdosta. A rough road to travel. This is good stuff right here.
Fire the Nut
October 9th, 2012
8:42 pm
Whose decision it was to hire the Colquitt Co. HC!
Colquitt Fan
October 9th, 2012
9:35 pm
There has no discussions of getting rid of Propst. Propst hasn’t said anything about it since he handed the video and stuff over. Although it was obvious, we all knew nothing would happen. He gave Lowndes credit for stopping the run and causing turnovers. Good for Lowndes, they got away with one. We’ll be ready come playoff time, just like every other year.
laughing hog
October 9th, 2012
9:42 pm
to Fire the Nut
It was the devil that hire him
AVikingFan
October 9th, 2012
9:54 pm
A few last comments on the Colquitt/ Lowndes fiasco. In Dr. Swearngin’s letter to Lowndes principal Mr. Jay Floyd dated October 9, 2012 and of which I have a copy, he informed Lowndes the GHSA would take no action against Lowndes because it found no wrong doing has this direct quote in the 2nd paragraph: “It is important to understand that there are no NFHS or GHSA rules that explicitly prohibit observing signs being given by an opponent and using that information.” (Heck folks, it’s done in baseball all the time!)
Therefore, even if Lowndes did use the infomation Buzz Payne was observing, it is not against ANY GHSA RULES!
The only rule that was broken involving Buzz Payne was a Region 1-AAAAAA rule that “prohibits any region team or its employees from working against a region 1-AAAAAA team in the PLAYOFFS.” Thus when Buzz Payne, still an employee of Valdosta Hiigh School (he resigned over the Christmas break last December), aided and helped Grayson in its game with Colquitt County in last year”s playoffs, VALDOSTA HIGH SCHOOL inadvertantly broke a REGION 1-AAAAAA rule. It is understood and implied that a region 1-AAAAAA team should know what its employees do .(The rule was adopted by region 1-AAAAAA, and prior to that, Region 1-AAAAA, mainly to prohibit the act of sending game films and scouting reports to a playoff team when that team is playing a 1-AAAAAA member team.)
Sooooo, the only question that remains is, is Colquitt County going to continuetro put up with Rush Probst and his antics? Is winning football games as important as the lessons taught to students?
In a few days the letter sent to the GHSA last week by Lowndes Principal Jay Floyd will be released. In his letter to the GHSA, Mr. Floyd quoted the Colquitt principal AFTER the Colquitt Lowndes game as saying “Probst is crazy and he is tired of putting up with his rants and behavior.”
Colquitt Fan, you and a few others can continue to defend the man (Propst) if you want to. But I think you can see that the huge majority of these bloggers oppose your position on this matter. I’ve also been told every team in Region 1-AAAAAA but Colquitt is standing with Lowndes on this and related issues involving Propst.
Now, as far as I’m concerned, the incident is HISTORY, except of course, until we meet Colquitt again!
oldpacker
October 9th, 2012
9:56 pm
Propst could have handled this whole affair quietly through channels, but his monsterous ego wouldn’t let him. He publicly badmouthed the school administration and called other coaches liars. He has given our whole community a black eye. Please “powers that be”, isn’t it time to get rid of this liability?
5-Time
October 9th, 2012
10:42 pm
Neeeeeeext….Huge Rivalry Game coming this Friday Night in “Winnersville-TitleTown!! Lowndes has moved on!! They are focused on the “WINNERSVILLE CLASSIC/TITLETOWN SHOWDOWN” now. Which squad will “Represent”??….”WILDCATS” or “VIKINGS”….
Colquitt Fan
October 9th, 2012
11:22 pm
That not true at all Viking fan since it was other coaches who relayed the wrongdoings to him. It’s over and that’s fine, but Propst isn’t going anywhere so get used to him. Good luck the rest of the way
the truth
October 9th, 2012
11:32 pm
A Viking Fan, I am glad you brought up the part about observing signs and using it against an opponent. I assume they expect everyone to close their eyes while the signs are being given. You look for every advantage you can to win games. I guarantee I am going to scout how plays are signaled and have my coaches in the press box watching with binoculars to try and catch something. If the coach does not have players smart enough to be able to change signs from week to week, maybe he should do what people did in the old days. Go into a huddle, send in the plays by alternating players.
bksmith14
October 10th, 2012
12:24 am
Ok…….here yall go……..i have a source who has told me that propst has been warned by colquitt county administration that he needs to tone it down….way down….and that he is pretty much on his last leg in this regards…..this was told to me through a phone convo today at 8pm……by a source inside the cc football program….
colquittfan…you my friend continue to be igonorant……and nieve……your coach is on hiw way out if he continues to be the same guy who he has been
williambrado1
October 10th, 2012
6:53 am
Look you colquitt players wer beat all night and the score should have been worse. Take your but whipping and solidify it in the playoffs. Get over it, you dont have an offense!
SouthernGent
October 10th, 2012
7:10 am
I am not a Lowndes fan, but I have to ask, isn’t this same Propst who is now questioning some other coach’s ethics the same Propst who was run off due to his having an affair with a young girl at that high school? This is nothing more than sour grapes from a egomaniac. He is just trying to make enough noise so no one pays attention to the fact that he got his tail whipped in his own home stadium. The same stadium where they sell “reserved seating”, but when you show up, they laugh and point visitors to general admission. No class there at all!
yo
October 10th, 2012
7:16 am
Some body is going to make a killing selling binoculars at next years Lowndes/Colquit game.
Oldschool Hawg
October 10th, 2012
7:41 am
Again…all of you Lowndes people are hypocritical IDIOTS. Nobody has questioned the great Randy Macpherson and all of his under the table investigating and scrutinizing and bad-mouthing Rush Propst…but as soon as we have a legitimate complaint we’re accused of being whiners and of not being able to take a loss. Well let me again enlighten you, WE HAVE NEVER SAID BUZZ’S ACTIONS CAUSED US TO LOOSE….SO FRIGGIN QUIT SAYIN THAT WE DID….this incident was brought to light because it is unethical, and if you include the facts from last years Grayson game it makes it even worse. And no one has accused Grayson of cheating…nor are we using that as the reason we lost.
Colquitt Fan
October 10th, 2012
7:47 am
Bk smith, give it a rest moron. You’re the ignorant one with all your stupid sources crap. You don’t know wth you’re talking about. Sources, get outta here with your nonsense. love how you think you know something and call people ignorant while your own fanbase apologizes for you, that means you’re a clown. The thing wasnt about stealing signs, it was about a former disgruntled employee that assists other teams when we play them while employed at another school. That simple. Lowndes got cleared like we knew they would bc I’m sure they just pointed the finger at Payne, which is fine.
Southern Gent. That’s not accurate at all. Propst didn’t cheat w some young girl from school, It with a woman with wh he’s still with today. Not that I condone cheating, but is he really the only person to ever cheat on their spouse? A student? Good lord where do people get this stuff
Oldschool Hawg
October 10th, 2012
8:22 am
Amen Colquitt Fan! Everybody is letting their dislike or hate for Rush and our program cloud the issue. It is cheating kids, plain and simple. The same kids that could very well be your kid or nephew or grandson. No matter what the motivation or root cause and by whatever and whomever, it’s still setting a bad example and cheating our kids! I don’t have a kid involved in the issue, but I know a lot of them on the team. I know their parents also, and I know how just utterly upset and disgusted a lot of them are. What would you do if the situation put your kids in the position of the one that was possibly cheated??? You’d probably blow your top also!
Colquitt Supporter
October 10th, 2012
8:33 am
Oldpacker – well stated. I respect any coaches right to protest(against or for us) but they should do it in a professional manner i.e., going straight to the GHSA and not blasting out opinions on the radio or in the papers.
Southern Gent – never heard the HS girl story. To my knowledge, his current wife would not have been that young when he was in Al.
Coach Miller
October 10th, 2012
8:40 am
It doesnt matter how old the girl was that Propst cheated with “Colquitt Fan”. The fact is, Propst is trying to cite that Lowndes is unethical because there was a guy in the visitor stands with binoculars. However, this is coming from the guy that changed the grades of his students while at Hoover, as well as cheating on his wife.
Yeah this guy knows all about ethics…
Colquitt Fan
October 10th, 2012
8:49 am
That’s wrong too miller. All it was was alleged that he changed grades by some newspaper writer. Even if he did, which was not even close to being proved, it was said that he done it to get a kid into college. Not to benefit himself. You all should quit spouting off stuff that you heard from an uncles closing when you don’t know much at all if any. And it wasn’t like he was hopping from woman to woman, he’s still with the woman. Get over it.
Coach Miller
October 10th, 2012
9:02 am
Propst is a lunatic and he’s turning everyone in Moultrie into one as well!! Who cares though, once he drags down y’alls program like he did at Hoover, y’all can go back to mud boggin on friday nights!!
AVikingFan
October 10th, 2012
9:28 am
Let’s move on folks. Neither Lowndes nor Buzz Payne broke any GHSA rules. Good luck to the Packers from here on out. One thing’s for certain, if history is an indicator, Colquitt will be strong late in the season as as they head into the layoffs. I really think they have a very good chance of knocking off Camdem on Nov 9th.
Lowndes is heading over to Cleveland Field Friday night for our big game with the Cats. We had over 20 players at the radio show last night at the Holiday Inn. They are pumped and ready. They know they will remember playing in this game the rest of their life. Like me and all the Viking Nation, they remember how losing last year’s game felt. They WILL be ready.
Our coaches realize Valdosta has good athletes and are well coached. McPherson believes Valdosta losing to Brooks was a fluke, and the score in the Cats’ game with Camden was misleading. It will take a monster effort by our young men to come out on top. Not many teams go to Cleveland field and walk away winners. One has to only look back to last year’s Valdotsa vs Colquitt game. TheCats often make good teams look bad when playing on what I like to call Blazer Field (Home stadium for Valdosta State University).
Goooooooo Vikings!
sportsnut
October 10th, 2012
9:33 am
@ Camden74 == The cops won. Only one serioys injury and that was delivered by a cop to the knee of a student that had to be taken to the hospital. @ 5-Time == I’m here because I choose to be. Regiom 1 is part of high school football and it is not here solely for your use. This is an Atlanta business which I support with my attention and my money. Stop using it for your discussion if you want no one else involved. You have a newspaper there, use it.
sportsnut
October 10th, 2012
9:40 am
Sorry, only “serious” injury
SGAFootball
October 10th, 2012
10:01 am
Since the Valdosta Daily Times got cute today and decided to publish the article regarding spy gate in print ONLY, could one of our notorious “copy and paste” fans please find a way to get the article on here for everyone to read?
Smidgen
October 10th, 2012
10:11 am
Time for Rush to take his drama back to Alabama. He got run out of Hoover now he needs to be gone from Moultrie. What an idiot.
dagrapevine
October 10th, 2012
11:04 am
buzz payne was officially off of the valdosta coaching staff when valdosta loss in the first round of the play-offs last year.by the time of the grayson/colquitt play-off game he knew he was going back to tcc as a middle school coach.i was wondering how long it would take for someone to try and drag valdosta into this.
who really cared to begin with.
Reeze
October 10th, 2012
11:27 am
Sportsnut……Lovejoy most likely gets to host the loser of the Camden/Lowndes game in round 2 of the playoffs this year . Tucker and Northside was on the other side last year ….No cake walk to the Dome this year…”see you in November” we’ll be watching.
5-Time
October 10th, 2012
11:31 am
The Georgia High School Association and its executive director, Dr. Ralph Swearngin, cleared Tuesday the Lowndes High football team of allegations that its coaching staff stole offensive signals from Colquitt County during a game last month.The Vikings are no longer under investigation.Swearngin informed the Lowndes County School System administration of the GHSA’s decision shortly after lunch on Tuesday.“We received a letter from Dr. Swearngin stating that the GHSA is not taking any action against Lowndes High School,” Lowndes County Superintendent Wes Taylor said in a statement. “In his letter, Dr. Swearngin explained that the GHSA is obligated to investigate complaints from member schools, and he emphasized, ‘I do not believe that the involvement of the GHSA Office should be viewed as an accusation of guilty.’”As Swearngin explained to The Times, there are no rules prohibiting any actions made by the Vikings during their game against Colquitt County on Sept. 28 in Moultrie.“Number one, there is no playing rule that covers this. There is no GHSA by-law that covers this,” Swearngin said. “What would have to happen is, we would have to see verifiable evidence that an ethics violation occurred. We looked at video that was given to us, information given to us by both schools and we finally decided there was nothing in there that would determine an ethics violation was made by Lowndes High School.”The GHSA was investigating whether the Vikings stole Colquitt County’s offensive signals during their 17-14 win over the Packers. The allegations were brought forth by Packers head coach Rush Propst, who accused the Viking coaches of using former Packer and current Thomas County Central middle school coach Buzz Payne to steal signals during the game.Propst said Payne used binoculars to watch Colquitt County’s sideline to determine whether the Packers were preparing to run or pass. He then relayed that information to Lowndes coaches in the press box, according to Propst’s allegations.“There are no rules that prohibit one coach from one school talking to another coach from another school,” Swearngin said.After officially opening his investigation into Lowndes’ actions last week, it took Swearngin and the GHSA less than five days to determine Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson was not guilty of unethical behavior. “We investigated and found no violations to act upon,” said Steve Figueroa, the GHSA’s director of media relations. “As far as we are concerned, the investigation is closed and no action will be taken towards any school involved.”During a phone interview with The Times last week, Propst called McPherson a blatant liar and said that he knew the Vikings cheated in the win.When reached by the Moultrie Observer Tuesday afternoon, Propst said the Packers needed to move on from the decision made by the GHSA.“I’m at peace with it,” Propst told the Observer’s Wayne Grandy. “It’s a non-factor. We need to move on. Right now, my energy and focus has to be on our football team.“All I can control is our football team and the direction it needs to go.”In his statement released to media Tuesday afternoon, Taylor defended his coach and his ethics, saying Lowndes employees are held to high standards.“As employees of the Lowndes County School System, we are held to a high standard,” he said. “In our roles of influence and authority over young people, we are expected to conduct ourselves as positive role models at all times. When we encounter adversity, the manner in which we respond to it reveals our character.”Taylor added: “We are in the business of helping students learn as they grow and mature. We endeavor to prepare our students to be successful and to become productive citizens after graduation. This experience affords us yet another teaching opportunity.”The Vikings (6-0, 2-0, Region 1-AAAAAA) visit crosstown rival Valdosta (3-2, 0-1, Region 1-AAAAAA) in the Winnersville Classic Friday night. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
bksmith14
October 10th, 2012
11:38 am
ColquittFan…….you havent been right yet….get over yourself……your coach is on his way out……i do have sources….and very good ones at that…..just so happen my source in colquitt county is on the td club and is good friends with the principal and several board members and his son used to be an offensive linemen at colquitt…who now plays in div 1………thats all i will say to that….
there may be a lowndes fan or 2 who have appologized for me…but most agree with what i got to say and how i stand up for my vikes…..and most certainly agree with me on rush hollwood propst
you just cant beat me in a debate about it bc you have no sources nor facts
5-Time
October 10th, 2012
11:39 am
That waiting line I saw this morning for the “WINNERSVILLE CLASSIC” tickets was looooooong!! I bet it sold out quick….
bksmith14
October 10th, 2012
11:43 am
ColquittFan
“The thing wasnt about stealing signs, it was about a former disgruntled employee that assists other teams when we play them while employed at another school”
just another example of Colquitt Fan catching himself in a lie and at the same time proving me right once again
the quote above is directly from colquittfan, A) he over the last week has been one of the main ones claiming we cheated……B) i all alone have said this was buzz payne doing this on his own trying to get back at rush propst
funny how colquitt fan eats his own words and at the same time just makes me look that much better
Colquitt Fan
October 10th, 2012
12:49 pm
Dude I really think you have mental problems. You make yourself look foolish every single day. You are clown, and a joke on this board. It’s obvious you are a troll, bc you can’t really believe the things you say.
"J"
October 10th, 2012
1:04 pm
@ Hard Hat! I know the blogger who commented on kids “leaving programs because they won’t finish at .500 and transfer to another should sit out a year” have the nerve to make an adverse comment of
“If you’re not cheating… you’re not trying” Please make up your mind!! What side do you truly stand for?
AVikingFan
October 10th, 2012
2:44 pm
Howdy REESE!
AVikingFan
October 10th, 2012
2:45 pm
REEZE
HaveBinocularsWillTravel
October 10th, 2012
4:09 pm
Who is Colquitt playing this week? I gotta check and see if I can make it.
Colquitt Supporter
October 10th, 2012
4:33 pm
They are off this Friday.
HaveBinocularsWillTravel
October 10th, 2012
5:51 pm
Then that’s 2 out of the last 3 weeks they were off!
Reeze
October 10th, 2012
7:13 pm
AVikingFan ……..How’s it going man
bksmith14
October 10th, 2012
7:35 pm
colquittfan……when you stop being ignorant….we all might start to listen to your post more
Colquitt Fan
October 10th, 2012
7:41 pm
Ok buddy, thanks for the advice. Maybe I can get people to take me seriously like they do you
Been There
October 10th, 2012
7:58 pm
GHSA cleared Probst for recruiting violations and Colquitt fans site that as absolution of any wrong-doings…..but the GHSA cleared Lowndes football and many Colquitt fans are saying GHSA is corrupt, biased, etc……. Irony?
waynester
October 10th, 2012
7:59 pm
As a CCHS alum, watching this from afar, both sides in this argument are partially right and partially wrong. Rush Probst may be the biggest *%$#@ in the state but that doesn’t justify the former Packer coach doing ANYTHING to adversely effect the young men in the program who are busting their butts, just like the Lowndes kids, to win a game…and they are the ultimate victims of this whizzing contest. If ya’ll succeed in running off the Packer coach will that be worth the harm done to everyone else involved in the program? Just because it isn’t illegal, doesn’t mean it’s right. If these coaches hate each other that’s their problem as long as it doesn’t hurt the kids involved. As far as Propst being a role model–that’s a sad joke–Pack fans, don’t make excuses or attempt to explain away the coach’s sorry past behavior–be diligent that history doesn’t repeat itself…and GHSA–ya’ll know this is going on–crack down on this joker with the spyglasses–where there’s smoke there’s fire. Shut this mess down….
bksmith14
October 10th, 2012
9:16 pm
waynester
“Just because it isn’t illegal, doesn’t mean it’s right.”
this is what most people thought about those alabama boys being brought into colquitt who were a year older than eevryone else also…….time to move on …you nor anyone else is going to win this argument
bksmith14
October 10th, 2012
9:17 pm
a lot may not admit it…but most like my post…
of course there are those who dont….but you always goin to have those people
we all need to get off this lowndes and colquitt debate
SouthernGent
October 11th, 2012
8:05 am
At least one person got the point. Propst is an unethical son of a gun and has no business questioning anyone else’s ethics. I just laugh out loud as I read these packer fans trying to justify his stupid actions. I used to think more highly of the packers.
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
9:00 am
Bk you say we won’t win the argument on the Alabama boys but yet it wasn’t even enough to warrant an investigation but yet you continuously call rush a cheater. At least we had enough evidence to cause an investigation. But yet we have to come on here and defend our coach every week for doing the same thing your coach done which is go complaining to the ghsa. We can certainly move past this but yet we will have to defend our coach weekly
SGAFootball
October 11th, 2012
9:11 am
I don’t think anyone is complaining about Coach Probst going to the GHSA. They are questioning his actions following the game by going on public radio and newspaper and defaming a fellow coach. Had he done this in a professional manner, then he would not have put himself out to be ridiculed. Most people with any common sense understand that you do not publicly degrade others without first going through proper channels. I have NEVER heard the Lowndes coach PUBLICLY degrade ANYONE.
AVikingFan
October 11th, 2012
9:23 am
Waynester — Swearngen said there is no rule against a coach who works for one program assisting another team in one of its games. Region 1-AAAAAA does however have a rule against it in the playoffs only, in games involving a region member.. In his statement to his AD that was forwarded to the GHSA, Buzz Payne stated he worked on his own accord in Colquitt County that night when they met Lowndes, and he would continue to work against Colquitt as long as Probst is the HC, in every game they play “as long as I can.” He’s a fairly young man so he may live long enough to work against them a long, long time. Or until a rule is adopted preventing it. But, if such a rule was passed, schools could not exchange films and scouting reports, so, I don’t think any school would ever vote to adopt that change.
And, Swearngen said if its not against the rules it can’t be considered enethical. He said just because the GHSA investigates a school after it receives a complaint, that doesn’t mean the school being investigated is guilty of any wrong doing. He also said it is the role of the GHSA to consider the source of a complaint. This says to me they may not consider R. Probst reliable.
\What you Colquitt peoplke need to do is address the problems with your HC throwing your principal and school administrators under the bus on your local radio immediaately following the Lowndes game. In my profession, and most, they fire folks immediately for insubordination.Your principal stated to the Lowndes principal after the game that “Probst is crazy and I’m tired of his antics and shenanigans!” Apparently the principal’s hands are tied by B of E members who place football over what’s right. Ask Clayton County what that kind of thing did for them.
But folks, like I said before, it’s time for all of us to move on. Colquittfan and bksmith14 need to “kiss and make up.” (I seriously doubt our HC”s ever will!!!!!) It’s our region against the state, and we should limit squabbles among each other.
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
9:25 am
The only thing he said about McPherson was the he told a lie about not k owing buzz Payne, which was a lie. And I don’t blame him one bit for being upset about our staff not doing anything about the people on the sidelines, plus in the heat I can’t say I blame him. Let me ask you, if this had happened to your team, not the spying but the former coach helping multiple teams try and beat you, would you not want him called out for being unethical. Dude needs to get over his firing, he’s the real crybaby
HaveBinocularsWillTravel
October 11th, 2012
9:28 am
Well said Viking Fan!
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
9:30 am
I don’t have a problem w bk, but he’s delusional and ill be danged if I’m gon be called “ignorant” by that dumb moron. Our principal mr jones is a clown himself that tells teachers to do anything possible to pass kids and get his graduation rate up. Nobody cares what he thinks. Like I’ve said before, Propst hasn’t come close to doing anything while at Colquitt
HaveBinocularsWillTravel
October 11th, 2012
9:33 am
ColquittFan, if you think every HC knows every middle school coach in the state you’re as crazy and naive (or immature) as bksmith says you are! Man you are not even on the side of the majority in your own county. Like the man said, MOVE ON!
HaveBinocularsWillTravel
October 11th, 2012
9:37 am
ColquittFan — I know Mr. Jones. I knew him at Lee County. He’s as fine a man as you could want running your high school. Your trouble is you are just as lacking as Propst in judgement and common sense. And like I said above, you are in the minority in your own COUNTY!
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
9:40 am
What I’ve said is true about him, I was married to a teacher. Whether you know him or not doesn’t matter. Prove me wrong, what has Propst done at Colquitt?
Sideline Observer
October 11th, 2012
9:42 am
Colquittfan – Personal attacks have gotten bloggers banned before on these AJC blogs. Don’t post things too personal. Last year it happened to several posters. Profanity and personal attacks are against their rules. Just saying…….
Sideline Observer
October 11th, 2012
9:46 am
HaveBinocularsWillTravel — Colquittfan, is the key word in your last post “WAS”? If you didn’t hang around a man like Propst so much, and trying to emulate him, you might still be married to that teacher .Nothing personal, just asking.
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
9:53 am
Lol good one, I wasn’t the crazy one in that situation. Still waiting on what he’s done wrong though while at Colquitt
bksmith14
October 11th, 2012
11:32 am
ColquittFan….is to …ignorant to know the diff between “knowing” of someone…and actually “knowing” someone………..Randy Mac doesnt know caoch payne on a personal level like he does the men on his staff…….he knows of him…the question….that was asked to coach mac was do you know the man in the video? his response was what i or any one else would have said if you try to make out who that is by just watching the video bc you cant make out facial features in that video…….he said he didnt know the man in the video…….bc i believe he didnt have anything to do with payne being at game doin what he was doin……..
show me where he was directly asked if he knew buzz payne colquitt fan??
AVikingFan
October 11th, 2012
2:45 pm
bk, Randy was quoted in OUR newspaper as saying he didn’t know Buzz Payne.
Colquittfan, far as I know the only thing Propst has done wrong at Colquit is being insubordinate to his administrators, as if he is bigger and more important than life. And the way he stays “on the field” during games – against GHSA rules – and the fact that he berates referees and tries to intimidate them into calling Colquitt’s way. Not necessarily the right thing to teach students. He just comes across as an egotistical a-hole. I know I wouldn’t want my sons to play for him.
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
That’s your opinion and I certainly respect that. Our kids love him and play hard for him and that’s all that matters. I wouldn’t mind my kid playing for him bc that is Propst’s main concern, the kids. And if they have any skills what so ever, he will get them into college.
And thanks for the support on Randy mc not knowing buzz. Anybody that can read saw it in the newspaper. So really ignorant is trying to cover up something that was plain as day in your own newspaper lol
SGAFootball
October 11th, 2012
4:02 pm
This is what Randy Mac said in regards to “Buzz Payne” as quoted in the Valdosta Daily Times:
“I have seen the video and I have never seen the man in the video,” McPherson said. “He is in no way associated with our program. I even asked my coaches if they could hear him — they couldn’t. I can’t help what some fan does in the stands.”
So, he NEVER said he didn’t know Buzz Payne. I watched the video and there is NO WAY you can tell who the man in the video is unless you know him VERY WELL. I don’t think Coach Mac and Buzz know each other on more than a “hello, how are you” level. Therefore, how has Randy lied???
SGAFootball
October 11th, 2012
4:07 pm
Also, he was never “QUOTED” in the VDT saying he didn’t know Buzz Payne. The VDT said that Randy Mac said he didn’t know Buzz, but it wasn’t in quotation marks and it seems to be referring to his quote regarding not knowing the man in the video. There is a difference between “quoting” someone and “hearsay.”
Colquitt Fan
October 11th, 2012
5:28 pm
Does it really even matter? I’m just responding to the nonsense from above.
AVikingFan
October 11th, 2012
11:48 pm
SGAFootball — Thanks for your comments. When I saw Buzz Payne in Moultrie standing a few feet from me with an Alabama shirt on and binoculars, I honestly thought he was an Alabama scout or recruiter. I mentioned that to my wife. I never heard him verbally trying to communicate with the Lowndes coaches. He was cordial, friendly and very respectful. He even asked if we minded him standing there behind us. I have since learned that two of our assistant coaches know him, as an acquaintance, not on the friendship level. Coach Mac says he doesn’t know him. That’s good enough for me. Coach Mac says we didn’t benefit from Buzz Payne being in Moultrie. That’s good enough for me.
But I DO agree with part of Colquittfan’s last post. “Does it really even matter?” And, will Propst soon wear out his welcome in Moultrie? Yes, I think so! Will Colquitt ever win a state title with Propst as HC? No, I do not think so. Is he a good high school coach? Yes! Could he be a good offensive coordinator on a Division II college team? Yes!
football-legend
October 12th, 2012
12:24 am
i am going to stand on what i said vikingfan……..randy didnt see he didnt know buzz payne…….i know what paper said…we both can agree on one thing…we both pull for the vikings and we both support coach mac…….we all need to move on to another subject
football-legend
October 12th, 2012
12:26 am
the way i take it is randy doesnt know buzz payne personally…more of just knowing of him….get what i am saying…….
youi cant make out who that is by watching the video……..that is a fact…
Colquitt Fan
October 12th, 2012
12:50 pm
Y’all just proved my point, y’all support y’all’s coach and we support ours. But yet we have to defend outs on a weekly basis. Get over Propst, he’s not going anywhere singer used to him. We never bash any one else and even root for our fellow region members. Try returning the favor.
Vikingfan, out of curiosity, why don’t you think Rush can win a title? How can you deny our last three playoff runs? Looks as though Grayson needed a little help from buzz last year too. Conn admitted to using him and barely squeaked it out.