AAAAAA blog: Camden defends No. 1 ranking … Four teams clinch region titles

Five things we noted from Class AAAAAA on Friday –

- No. 1-ranked Camden County is the champion of Region 1 after traveling to No. 4 Lowndes and winning 24-7. Lowndes scored on its opening drive, but Camden controlled the game from there. Camden (9-0) plays No. 10 Colquitt County (6-3) next week in an attempt to finish unbeaten in region play, but the No. 1 seed is secured.

- Hughes, Lassiter and McEachern joined Camden in clinching region titles. Hughes (8-1, 4-0) won its first in history, in Region 2, with a 17-13 victory over Tri-Cities. This is a 4-year-old south Fulton County school that had finished 2-7, 2-8 and 3-7 in its previous three seasons. McEachern (7-2, 6-0) won Region 4 with a 62-21 victory over Harrison. It’s McEachern’s third title in four seasons. Lassiter (9-0, 6-0) won Region 5 with a 28-14 victory over Roswell. It is Lassiter’s second region title, first since 20009.

- South Gwinnett remained in contention for the title in Region 8 with a 42-38 victory over Brookwood. QB Jordan Ramey passed for 382 yards and four touchdowns. South Gwinnett (7-2, 6-1) can clinch at least a No. 2 seed and home playoff game with a victory next week over Parkview (7-2, 6-1). For South to win the title, Brookwood would have to upset Grayson (8-1, 6-1). If Grayson and South Gwinnett win next week, Grayson is the champion.

- Walton is the No. 2 seed in Region 5, but might be missing Tyren Jones, who left the game in the first half with a knee injury and did not return in a 21-16 victory over Etowah. The win clinched a home playoff game for the Raiders. Jones returned to the field in the second half but did not play. He was expected to get an MRI on Saturday morning. Jones, who is committed to Alabama, entered the game with 1,675 yards rushing.

- Joshua Dobbs of Alpharetta might’ve become the first player to pass for 3,000 yards this season. Unofficial stats for Friday’s game – a 41-23 victory over Centennial – credited him with 382 yards and four touchdowns. That would put him at exactly 3,000 yards passing on the season with 24 touchdowns.

FYI – If Coffee beats Valdosta, and Camden beats Colquitt, next week, that will force a 3-way tie fir first place. The likely playoff teams then would be Coffee and Colquitt.

The tiebreaker, if I understand it, would be points allowed against those three teams + Lowndes and Camden. In other words, ”all playoff contending teams.”

That would eliminate one team. After that, it’s head-to-head.

As it stands, the points allowed are …

Colquitt – 64
Valdosta – 96
Coffee -97

376 comments Add your comment

Camden74

November 3rd, 2012
7:49 pm

Beware little piglets, it’s hog skinning time! :-)

D-Nice

November 3rd, 2012
8:15 pm

@Unimpressed, when I said HUMBLE I was talking about the kids on the field, after all they are the only ones that matter. Fans will be fans, talking trash is what we do.

blu eagle

November 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm

Are u kidding me, lowndes posters talking about missing 2 players, did not get beat that bad etc. etc. bsbs. Camden kicked your butts and they will do it again, if u see them again which u won”t, give me a break!

yo

November 3rd, 2012
8:54 pm

blu eagle I must confess that if any one would know what a Camden butt kicking looks and feels like it would be you.

yo

November 3rd, 2012
8:58 pm

Northside got beat so bad by Camden that 3 years later you are still kneeling at their throne. Hail the cats, Hail the cats. We Nortshide bow to you great and mighty cats. :-)

sportsnut

November 3rd, 2012
10:21 pm

@! Your Highness74 == Come on man. That was not what I expected. I will say it again, I saw nothing special. Tell me this. Do you consider what happen last night to be the showing of a balanced team, from either participant ? This is my only issue with both teams. The lack of a passing game will hurt this year because you have so many doing it. If you can’t pass, you can’t play catch up if needed. Say it is forth quarter and you are down 10 with 5 min. to go. Do you run the wing T or do you put it up ? I know, you are not going to be down 10 in the 4th, with 5 min. to go. Your D is to good for that Play along for 1 minute and say what if ? Are you as confident in your passing game that you rarely use to pull you through ? Those were two good teams on the field last night but there is something lacking and it is very clear to see. I know it is hard for you to see where I am coming from because I am on the outside looking in. Camden and Lowndes can be had easily against the right team and as you know on any given night could be you. Who knows what might happen. We could lose in the first round. So could you.

CamdenCOFan

November 3rd, 2012
10:53 pm

Havent you guys learned over the years Camden and Lowdnes are Identical football teams That said whoever makes the least amount of mistakes wins the game peroid. It doesnt matter if players are hurt. Both team have great PROGRAMS at their schools. Tonight Lowdnes made the most mistakes. If both your leading rusher were playing and same mistakes were made same result its that simple. Both coaches played an extremely conservative game until the end. So congrats to our team and good luck in the playoffs should we meet. In the mean time we have a score to settle with our next opponent. PACKERS better get ready a freight train in coming to town after what Coach Prost siad to Herron after the game. I can here the crying now.

wildcat fan

November 3rd, 2012
10:56 pm

Is anyone really realizing if not for the 2 personal fouls we could have shut them out. Hell Camden made mistakes also playing on the road won by more than 2 touchdowns. Gave up only 40 plus yards after that. First series. Camden has a great defense. Mistakes can be caused by the other team. Stop with this mess, Lowndes has a great football team, but Camden beat them. I will this game playing in that atmosphere in Martin Stadium, the death valley of high-school football. But we beat good underfeated team on their field by 17. Just don’t like you people acting like. Lowndes is the team that made mistakes. Look at all the bogus penalties.

WILDHAWG2012

November 3rd, 2012
11:15 pm

Congrats to Camden Co on your win friday and your region championship!!! You earned it,and glad u guys are in region 1 cause it will make a difference in the playoffs.I mean the odds r against the south anyway with just 4 south teams against the Atl but it is not playoff time yet and i know u guys are still upset at what happen last time u met the Packers and we all know that u guys are good but we aint scared and we say bring it we will be waiting!!

wildcat fan

November 3rd, 2012
11:15 pm

Meant to say that Lowndes wasn’t the only team to make mistakes

Camden74

November 3rd, 2012
11:20 pm

sportsnut…..You just don’t get it, do you? Well, seeing is believing. The playoffs are coming and we’ll see who’s standing at the end! Remember these words, this is not 2011 and this is not Class 4A!

Camden74

November 3rd, 2012
11:28 pm

That’s right little piglets! It’s HOG skinning time! :-)

CamdenCOFan

November 3rd, 2012
11:29 pm

Nice try bk but brice was clearly at the 27 and 1/2 yard line when the ball came out of his hand. The los was the 28. I got a screen shot to prove it. I send you a copy if you like.

WILDHAWG2012

November 3rd, 2012
11:36 pm

@Bk=Lowndes defense played good and they looked pretty fast but they were playing a veteran team who is on a mission. So let it go and get ready for playoffs cause u really sound sad with all the excuses. And sorry to some of the Camden fans that wanted Coffee to win cause u didn’t like our coach,well Coffee lost but you kinda new they would huh.

Lowndes1995

November 3rd, 2012
11:37 pm

Anyone watching the Camden vs Lowndes game Can see that they were watching two of the best defenses in the state. The score may have been different for Lowndes with a healthy Burgman and Lang but Camden would probably still have won the game. Lowndes should win a few games in the playoffs but our QB play will keep us from winning against a team like Camden that can shut down our running game. Our QB cannot make quick decisions and is too slow to try and get away from the rush. We have one of the best running games in the state to go with our defense but our offense is one dimensional. We have got to pass at times other than 3rd and long to loosen up the defense. Hopefully we will make adjustments over the next two weeks. Great game Camden! You came and won a game in a tough place to play! No excuses! You were the better team. Good luck against the Hawgs and hopefully we will find a way to see you in December.

WILDHAWG2012

November 3rd, 2012
11:44 pm

@Camden74=We here big dogg,bring it dude. Lets see if the little kitty cats can play in mudd!!!!

CamdenCOFan

November 3rd, 2012
11:49 pm

We had no dog to hunt in your game with coffee. We get you next week regardless :) . We will see if your coach is talking trash after this game. I have the upmost respect your your head coach’s abilities. However, he talks too much trash and whines too much. He made some classless comments to coach Herron after the game last year. I hope he remembers what he said and chokes on it because our coach has too much class to say anything back. Good Luck and come strapped up friday or you may lose your head. Should be fun.

Tipp Smooth

November 4th, 2012
12:12 am

Where is VikingTilEye, he must have lock jaw or severe case of
dry mouth…

Camden74

November 4th, 2012
12:28 am

Tipp Smooth………VTE is so full from eating CROW, he can’t speak nor write! I knew we wouldn’t hear from him after the game. :-)

the truth

November 4th, 2012
1:03 am

Someone answer a question who was at the Colquitt-Coffee game. Just before half did Propst call two time outs before Colquitt kicked the field goal? Thanks

the truth

November 4th, 2012
1:49 am

Lowndes does not have an easy road in the playoffs. After the first round, they may have to make 3 road trips which would include a 6.5 hr roundtrip to play Lovejoy and consecutive 8 hr roundtrips to play Parkview/Grayson and then Lassiter. That is a lot of travel especially after the pounding of a game.
This is assuming the 1 seeds win. If some upsets occur and they get an extra home game it would help them.

how 'bout

November 4th, 2012
2:30 am

@the truth–> …can’t answer your question ,,,but a link to game is http://www.ghsa.tv/colquittcounty/events/39763 …maybe you can find it there

WILDHAWG2012

November 4th, 2012
9:48 am

@CamdenCoFan=Honestly i don’t know what happened r what was said the last time coach Rush and coach Heron spoke and this is my first year on this blog sight and i have been wondering why all the beef is with coach Rush. We trash talk in fun cause we r big fans of our teams like everyone else. I really just learned of the things that Rush does and says mostly thru these blogs but me as a die hard fan i do respect everyone we play and if i get defensive about anything its when someone talks about our team and our kids. I don’t really don’t defend coaches because they come and go but the name on the jersey stays the same.So it doesn’t bother me when people talk about the coach but when people wish bad on our kids and team because they don’t like our coach.But its cool but i will trash talk to u guys because its the last time i will have before playoffs cause i will be pulling for all of region 1 teams no matter who it is.But i will be pulling for my team really strong even tho u guys are strong i still expect a great game and we hope to get a big victory! Good luck and safe travels

57Cat

November 4th, 2012
10:08 am

WILDHOG2012 – I really like watching the Packers play and I pull for them except when its in the best interests of my Yella Cats for you to lose. Colquitt is a fun bunch to watch play football and were I living in Moultrie I’d be as avid a fan as you are. However, while I think your coach has a great football mind – he can really coach football – his antics on the sidelines are repulsive. I’m told by reliable sources who were on the Valdosta sideline, that when you guy were making your stirring comeback against us, he flashed the choke sign across the field. If that’s true, that’s bush and childish. It’s the sort of thing about which we question his qualifications to work around kids.

Hereswhatittakes

November 4th, 2012
10:20 am

Hey CamdenCOFan remind us what ole Rush said after the game. I really don’t need another reason do dislike him but it will help. Ad WILDHAWG2012 I agree with you about not hating the kids and we don’t but its just some of the things we think that the coaches allow that is it liked and sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the players actions and the coaches leadership. As Remember the Titans taught us “attitude reflects leadership”

Tipp Smooth

November 4th, 2012
10:34 am

What did Propst tell Herron??

reggaeman

November 4th, 2012
11:15 am

Camden going to win state this year, keep it in the south

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
11:24 am

@ Your Highness74 == I get it. You have a team that is good at running the ball. They have a strong run defense. What was that dicipline thing you said Lovejoy needs to fix ? Seems you need a few refresher courses yourself. Camden won a game that was a true battle of wills. However, I do not think you have what it takes to be champion. This is not Camden hating. This is looking at things from a realistic point of view. Lovejoy is good but I know they could lose in the 1st, round. We all know that. We do expect to win though. Looking all the way to the Dome is a mistake. Take it one game at a time and the rest will take care of itself. You do have a good team and with so many players. Makes me wonder why you have 2-way players. You have more seniors than we have players. There should be enough there to find 22 exclusive position players. What is it, 146 ? We will try and do our part and meet you on the field. Congrats on the victory.

CAMDEN1981

November 4th, 2012
11:37 am

@sportsnut …I hear and respect what you are saying. I don’t know what you were expecting to see. The last two times these teams met (both teams were at the top of their game) the score was only 10-7. Each year I hear the same thing about how a passing team will just kill us. I think our records (Lowndes and Camden) stands for itself with over seven state championships in the last 12 years just between us. I am sure we met some great passing teams on the way to those championships. Yes the game changes each year, you win some and you lose some but the bottom line is you have to beat us because we are doing our best to beat you. CONGRATS TO REGION 1 AAAAAA.

Stooge

November 4th, 2012
1:26 pm

Colquitt pulled off a good one. Hill probably learned a good lesson and won’t repeat his mistake. Propst behaved and the D and QB stepped up. Camden might rack is but we’ll give ‘em a good game.

WildcatManiac

November 4th, 2012
2:50 pm

@sportsnut Yes Camden has 143 players and 72 of them are juniors and seniors. And there are a few players that play both ways for some of the game. Because if you would look back at the stats of past games you would see that we have about 10-16 running backs that touch the ball in a game. The coordinators rotate 2-3 players on about 75% of the downs on defense and offense. Yes the best players are on the field for the first snap but we have pretty much 40 or so players that could be considered first string and others behind them that would start anywhere else. And the other strings usually get substantial playing time when we play in the blowouts so that helps the reload for next year. What I am trying to get out is that it is not a 18-20 player show at Camden. With the exception of most of the freshman and probably about half of the sophomores everyone will play at some point in every game. Everyone has a job and they are all ready to go to work when the first whistle blows. That is the way Heron does it and is the prime reason that there has been so much success the last 12 years here. Not to mention all of these boys grow up with the same offense and defense from the time they start playing 6-7 year old flag.

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
2:59 pm

@ Camden1981 =-= That is all I have been saying. It remains to be seen this season as to wheather they can get by like they have so far. I know what they did in the past but this is 2012 and 6A is new and unfamiliar foes await many of us. From the start of the season, I have been saying that there will be many surprises. Expectations for some teams were dashed early and some are doing what was expected of them. All I would like for people to understand is that they are not invincible. Proclaim what you will but you can be had. We do have a good team but I will not claim we are better than anyone or that we will beat anyone. You will have to play and play well to beat us, that much I will say. As far as what I expected to see, that was not it. This was stale. It is not what I am accustomed to when watching a good football game. What I saw was a defensive game. That does not in my book equate to a football game. Offensively, points need to be put on the board. The more you score, the better your chances to win. Defensively, stop the opponent from scoring. the better you do this, the more your chances increase. Special teams. Field position is a must and keeping assignments on kicking teams. All three of these phases must work in coordination with one another to enhance the team concept, Balance is utmost. Ramsey threw about what, 10 times ? That left the rest of the offense with running 30-40- times. That is not balanced. It worked for them against Lowndes but will it work against a passing team that puts the pressure on you to try and keep up. The Wing T is not designed to play catch up. Camden runs it 90-95 percent of the time, so does Lowndes. If you never do it, how can you be proficient at it ? We will see what transpires in a couple of weeks.

WildcatManiac

November 4th, 2012
4:45 pm

@sportsnut You are correct. No team is invincible but most of the time you can pick a winner. Barring crazy plays or just luck, there is usually one team that will beat another in any given night. I am not going to crown Camden as the state champs at this point because they still need to win 5 games. But I will say that any game they play in they will be favored to win. And by the way. That ho-hum wing T offense leads the state 6A in scoring. So until they get put in a position where they are down by more than a couple of touchdowns, I think that our wing T is more than capable of putting up points. And most of those games had running clocks for the second half with the third and fourth strings in. A lot more points could have been put up but that is another facet of Camden football where we are not going to intentionally kick a team while they are down. In the past I have seen that as a bad thing and in the end may have cost us a few games because our first and second strings were not physically ready to play a full game against tougher opponents. So we post out on a few titles where we just could not get over that hump. Playing stiffer competition out of region 1 has definitely got us in better game shape so that should not be a problem this year. And if I have failed to mention, Camden has the leading defense in the state as well allowing less than 6 points per game with some of those points coming late in blowouts against the third and fourth team defense. And when we have thrown it is because we wanted to. But when your quarterback has 20 plus touchdowns on the year and one interception that was on a muff by one of our receivers then you have to feel pretty good about the passing game too.

LTrojan Fan

November 4th, 2012
4:58 pm

Don’t you guys have a newspaper down south that you can fill up the comment sections with your dribble?

Gamer

November 4th, 2012
5:05 pm

Yo: Perhaps NSWR had to kneel to Camden’s throne 3-years ago==== but your future is to kneel before them every year. Like the old saying go, “you knew I was a snake when you took me in”. Those wildcats (the snake) will whip you from now on——Oh yes, you do go to Camden next year.All that put down by you concerning Camden’s weak schedule in Reg. 3 is only getting you an annual whipping.

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
5:20 pm

@ WildcatManiac == Until this week, when we were off, we led the state in scoring. We are also in the top 3 in scoring D. Seven of the 9 games we have played have been with a running clock in the second half when we insert our reserves. Ther is one difference between Lovejoy and Camden and that is that Camden is a running team and we are a balanced offense We will throw one first down and run on third. There is a luxury to being able to do this. It will keep the D honest. You can’t load the box on us. You will get burned. Double any reciever and the run game will bite you. This is what I am talking about. A complete football team.

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
5:53 pm

@ WildcatManiac == These are the numbers according to MaxPreps, Total Points: Camden, 393, that is an average of 43 6 points per game. Lovejoy, 384, for an average of 42.6 points per game. Camden has allowed a total of 52 points for an average of 5.7 points per game surrendered. Lovejoy has allowed a total of 60 points for an average of 6.6 points per game surrendered All these are complete through 9 games. Just so you know.

CamdenCOFan

November 4th, 2012
5:59 pm

Coach Rush has no class after Camden lost to them last year he could not wait to get to Herron and say Looks like I out coached you this year and gave him some kinda of jester instead of shaking hands like most anybody else would have. Things is Herron will never say anything about it, but I sure he will never forget it. Also like to clairify, that I like Packers and enjoy watching them play. Camden, Lowndes, Colquit, and other Region 1 teams have many similiarities in style of football played. The truth be known, the best football in the state is always played in the southend. I’m glad they created the 6A class. All the teams in region one will be playing the best teams in the state every year now. :-) Only two things can result from that. YOU QUIT OR GET BETTER. And I dont see any quitters in our region. End result is many state titles will be coming out of this region. Maybe will will be known as TITLE REGION in ten years or so. Also makes every friday night count. You gotta love it.

CamdenCOFan

November 4th, 2012
6:04 pm

@Sportsnut….. Did you watch the Camden vs Lowndes Game. Camden is very balanced we just choose to run the ball because less chance for mistakes that way.

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
7:04 pm

@ Camden COFan == Yes I did watch. It was not the first time I have seen them play. I understand the logic but I am a believer in playing ball. Execution is supposed to be there. That is what practice is for. Trust that everyone will do their jobs. This is after all a team sport. Throwing 10 times and running the rest does not show balance. They did what they had to do to win. They did what they felt gave them the best chance to win. Can’t blame them. A win is a win. My concern is that being from a running region and not facing a team that will throw it 40 times puts you at a disadvantage somewhat. Region 1 Db’s will be tested in the first round. Watch what I say !

Camden74

November 4th, 2012
7:09 pm

sportsnut……I don’t know what else to say to you except, you still don’t get it! Go ahead and see things the way you want to see them. But I will take Camden’s style of play over anything I’ve seen out of the Metro Atlanta Area. The best team in your area plays football the same way as Camden and other teams in R1. They run the Wing-T, they pass when they want to and they play strong defense. Really don’t see how you could possibly have a problem with that. Maybe one day you’ll learn that each team is different and you have a game plan for each team. It’s not one size fits all. Camden played Lowndes one way and will play another team totally differently. I really hope all the teams Camden faces in the playoffs think the way you do……..Good luck to you and your team. :-D

Camden74

November 4th, 2012
7:28 pm

Colquitt Fans……I have NO problem with Colquitt County HS, the players nor fans. But your Head Coach, now that’s a different story! Haven’t liked that chicken headed sob since his days at Hoover. Like him even less now. I don’t know the man, only know what I see and hear. Maybe he’s a different person when he’s not on the sidelines or dealing with football. Hopefully he is, it could be his football persona only….. I have never cared for the win at any cost mentality and then rub it in your opponents faces. :-)

bksmith14

November 4th, 2012
7:59 pm

I have read all of the comments on all 4 pages……….not many other than me and 1 or 2 others realize the importnace of lang and burgman not playing in the camden game.

Lowndes held camden to 200 yds offense………78 yds rsuhing on 35 attempts. Our defesne did its job…….take away the bad punt and the muffed ount and camden if tehy win…its prob 10-7……

You add lang and burgman in this game if we play again and camden will have to play better than they did to win again bc those 2 boys are that big of a difference maker on our team. Thats the bottom line.

LTrojan Fan

November 4th, 2012
8:14 pm

Come on guys…give each other your e-mails and leave the comment sections for things that are worth while. No one cares about anything that you guys down south are talking about!!!!

Camden74

November 4th, 2012
8:25 pm

bk……..Come on man! Get help, please! :-)

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
8:32 pm

@ Your Highness74 == Thanks for the well wish’s. First, I don’t think you get it. You will though. The comparisons between Lowndes and Camden have been described on this blog as mirror images of one another. Now you tell me all teams are different. Having a different game plan for each team is different from being the same as another team. That, however is not the question at hand. Can they deal with a passing team that is going to put pressure on them to score and keep up. In regards to the best teams in our area, WE are the best team in our area We are not anywhere near Gwinnett. Closer than you but not near them. Passing when you want to means that you have no worries about your ground game. You may meet a team that is capable of stopping your run game and then you have to throw because you need to, not because you want to. You keep saying that I don’t get it. What is it that you really want to say ? Camden can not be beat > Camden is the best football team in Georgia? Lovejoy does not qualify as a threat to Camden. No other team in Georgia is on Camdens level? Everyone, especially Lovejoy should just give up because you said so ? Where does it end ? When we all agree with you ? Can Camden do no wrong? Their system is unlike any other. Camden has the market cornered in football. Camdens system is full-proof. They have the smartest coach. They have the best athletes. In short, CAMDEN IS SUPERIOR TO ALL .

sportsnut

November 4th, 2012
8:33 pm

Bk is starting his own river.

Camden74

November 4th, 2012
8:38 pm

sportsnut…….Those are your words, not mine. Is Lovejoy not in the Metro Atlanta Area? Again, you really don’t get it, but, you will eventually. So there’s no need to continue down this road. Just wait til the playoffs…….. :-)

Stooge

November 4th, 2012
8:53 pm

@Camden74. He’s quite a nice fellow off the field and his players like and respect him. He put a dying program back on the map but I agree that his antics at game time are awful.

Camden74

November 4th, 2012
9:05 pm

Stooge…..Are you saying it’s all an act and he has a Jekyll and Hyde personality when football is involved? :-)