AAAAAA blog: #1 Camden falls … Grayson wins region after all … South Gwinnett denies Parkiew … Check out the playoff draw
Four newsworthy happenings from Friday –
- No. 1 Camden County goes down – Camden had clinched a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs, but don’t think the Wildcats didn’t want to beat Colquitt County to run the table in their first season in vaunted Region 1. Instead, it was 10th-ranked Colquitt pulling the upset, 13-12. John Boatright’s 3-yard run in the fourth quarter and the ensuing extra point gave Colquitt the final margin in the final minute. Camden missed an extra point and later a two-point conversion and then a desperate 55-yard field goal in the final seconds. Camden County was ranked in the top five of four national polls with a high of No. 2 in the CNN/SI rankings. The seedings for the state playoffs in Region 1 remained the same. Camden is No. 1 and will play at home against Hillgrove, and Colquitt is No. 4 and will play on the road at McEachern.
- South Gwinnett denies Parkview’s Region 8 title – South Gwinnett upset No. 9 Parkview 16-14 on a field goal in the final seconds. Parkview (7-3) could’ve clinched its first region title since 2004. Parkview drove for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, but South Gwinnett (8-2) had the final say and wound up with the No. 2 seed in Region 8 and a home playoff game next week. Parkview fell to No. 3 in the region standings and must travel in the first round.
- Grayson wins Region 8 after all – Grayson, the 2011 champion of AAAAA and the preseason No. 1 in AAAAAA, fell out of the Top 10 briefly after a 22-7 loss to Parkview on Sept. 7. Since then, the Rams have taken it out on seven straight opponents, winning by average of 48-7. They gave Brookwood a taste o it 42-13 on Friday. But Grayson still needed Parkview to lose twice to claim the region title. Parkview slipped to Central Gwinnett 30-27 on Oct. 26, then to South Gwinnett. The drama of Robert Nkemdiche’s de-commit from Clemson wasn’t a factor Friday night. The Grayson defensive end and running back rushed for 74 yards and had two sacks.
- Playoff teams nearly set – Except for Region 5, the four state-playoff teams from each region are set. Valdosta eliminated Coffee in Region 1 with an impressive 44-8 victory. … Rockdale County took Region 2’s fourth playoff berth with an 18-14 victory over Druid Hills. … Tri-Cities took the final playoff berth in Region 3 with a victory over Douglas County. … Wheeler apparently made it in Region 5 despite talk of mini-games. … South Cobb has a small chance of slipping in from Region 4, but Hillgrove got the fourth seed despite losing to region champ McEachern 33-30. Hillgrove will travel to angry Camden County in the first round. Make that doubly angry Camden. Hillgrove stunned No. 1-ranked Camden on the road in the second round in 2010.
DRAW (unofficial)
(R3 #4) Tri-Cities at (R2 #1) Lovejoy
(R4 #3) Marietta at (R1 #2) Lowndes
(R5 #4) TBA at (R8 #1) Grayson
(R6 #3) Johns Creek at (R7 #2) North Gwinnett
(R2 #4) Rockdale County at (R3 #1) Hughes
(R1 #3) Valdosta at (R4 #2) North Cobb
(R8 #4) Brookwood at (R5 #1) Lassiter
(R7 #3) Mill Creek at (R6 #2) Alpharetta
(R4 #4) Hillgrove at (R1 #1) Camden County
(R3 #3) East Coweta at (R2 #2) Newton
(R6 #4) Chattahoochee at (R7 #1) Norcross
(R5 #3) Milton at (R8 #2) South Gwinnett
(R1 #4) Colquitt County at (R4 #1) McEachern
(R2 #3) Alcovy at (R3 #2) Newnan
(R7 #4) Collins Hill at (R6 #1) West Forsyth
(R8 #3) Parkview at (R5 #2) Walton
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
323 comments Add your comment
Truth about McEachern
November 10th, 2012
6:24 pm
As for next week, Colquitt is notoriously clutch in the playoffs, while again, McEachern is McChokern. There is absolutely no need to even play this game — Colquitt by 20.
Packerfan2000
November 10th, 2012
6:25 pm
that should be “to the region and congratulations” and “thank them for barely” We can’t type over here either.
GwinnettDad
November 10th, 2012
6:26 pm
@Truth about McEachern – I think Brookwood in 2009 was a 4th seed, and 5-5 going into the 1st round. McEachern had made Brookwood look funny in the Dome that year. Nevertheless, Brookwood won at the previously undefeated McEachern 20-10. Maybe it will be different this year. But the Colquitt team coming to McEachern is WAY better than the 2009 Broncos.
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
6:34 pm
HereWeGo-I am curious if you were talking about this years NG-Norcross game? Norcross never trailed in that game and for 75% of the game we were up by 2 scores. There was never a threat of NG winning that game. I just rewatched that game this week and frankly the score was a lot closer than the game. Norcross has only trailed on the scoreboard once this season and it was in the first game againt South Gwinnett in the first half.
The Cross
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
6:35 pm
Hey Falconguy45…*^&%^$# You buddy!!! This comment section is for EVERYONE!!! And, like I said in my earlier comment, there is a reason that the games are played instead of you guys on here making your predictions. And, by the way, what about the fact that these are HIGH SCHOOL games do you not get? Every year, every high school team plays with mostly new players…unlike college or pro. You act like your the comment police. You want to talk your trash, go do it on the Falcons section.
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
6:44 pm
A Gwinnett team will win the AAAAAA State Championship for the third straight year. Norcross vs. Grayson in the Dome.
The Cross
GwinnettDad
November 10th, 2012
6:46 pm
@HereWeGo – North Gwinnett has been an enigma to me come playoffs. They either lose unexpectedly or get clobbered, such as when they lost to Camden 35-0 with a VERY good team playining in Gwinnett. So I’d pick Grayson if they play, which would be at Grayson.
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
This is for Falconguy45…Cobb Football RULES
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
This is for Falconguy45…Cobb Football will dominate the playoffs!!!
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:01 pm
This is for Falconguy45…Cobb Football is the ONLY football played in North GA!!!
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:02 pm
This is for Falconguy45…Cobb Football has more talent than Gwinnett!!!
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:03 pm
This is for Falconguy45…Cobb Football has the best coaching in North GA!!!
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:04 pm
This is for Falconguy45…Cobb Football has the best looking uniforms according to the ladies!!!
GwinnettDad
November 10th, 2012
7:06 pm
Can’t say I’m impressed. Probably the rest of Cobb County is embarassed. Ho hum.
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:09 pm
This is for Falconguy45…you want to start your own “blog” then I suggest you do that. Otherwise…these “comments sections” are for EVERYONE!!! Get over it and yourself!!!
LTrojan Fan
November 10th, 2012
7:17 pm
GwinnetDad…not to trying to impress you or anyone else. Trying to make a point…if you don’t get that, then that is your problem. Falsonguy45 suggested that Cobb county football fans had no right to comment on these articles because we have not won anything. I have heard several of these guys call this comment section a “blog”. A blog is something that you set up yourself to express your opinions and expertise about a subject. These comments are meant for everyone that wants to “comment” on the article.
GwinnettDad
November 10th, 2012
7:25 pm
@L Trojan – PUT THE PIPE DOWN!
57Cat
November 10th, 2012
7:37 pm
This is a test. My last three posts have disappeared.
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
7:41 pm
I just got here…can anyone tell me who won the Camden/Colquitt game? I am sure they killed Colquitt but I was just curious what the final score was? Probably 48-6. That’s usually the score for the greatest team ever in high school football. I bet JJ Green had two touchdowns and Ramsey threw for a couple more. There is a rumor that the GHSA isn’t even going to make Camden play a game until the finals, it really is a waste of time given that they really can’t be beat. Well, if anyone knows what hapened just let me know.
The Cross
yo
November 10th, 2012
7:56 pm
Cross I think you are mistaken. That 48-6 prediction was when Camden takes Norcross to the wood shed. Of course that is assuming JJ doesn’t play and they go with the back ups.
Stooge
November 10th, 2012
8:17 pm
That’s hilarious
Camden74
November 10th, 2012
9:18 pm
The Cross……Man! Do I need to keep reminding you to take your meds????!!!!
HereWeGo
November 10th, 2012
10:38 pm
Cross, I remember that North game could have gone either way. North was inside your redzone in the third quarter and QB threw a perfect pass under the post for the go ahead TD, but receiver dropped the ball. On the next play, QB either ran or threw for what would have been first and goal, but phantom holding call moved ball back to a third and extremely long. Then QB threw a nice pass to receiver over the middle heading into the endzone, but your LB made an even better play while dropping extra deep and got the pick 6. That was a 14 point swing in the game, which you won by 10. Also North had the ball on your 5 or 10 with 2 minutes left and coach opted to go for TD instead of kicking field goal and ball was barely tipped by your defender. I think North won the battle of yardage, time of possession, etc., but you got the extra score on the pick six to win. Anyway, you won and deserve it because you made one more play, but the game could have gone either way.
As far as North / Grayson, North = Texas A&M, Grayson = Alabama. I personally think North and Norcross might be the best two teams in the state, no disrespect to anyone else, just my opinion based on what I’ve seen this year. Of course, we’ll find out here over the next few weeks. I just wouldn’t underestimate North, it seems they’re flying under the radar despite a great season so far.
@yo, I think North and Lowndes are both two seeds, so wouldn’t there be a coin flip for home field advantage?
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
10:51 pm
HereWeGo~I understand what you are saying now, I thought that was a great game. I do believe North Gwinnett will do some damage on the other side of the bracket. NG will give Grayson real problems and they are much better than Lowndes. Good luck I am rooting for an ALL Gwinnett Semi-finals!!!
The Cross
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
11:02 pm
yo~First of all Camden couldn’t hold Norcross to 6 points if you had Alabama’s front 7. Secondly, you may be able to score 46 on some of those patsies you played but we got to see how many you scored vs. a real defense…12 big points. I think we put up 5 td’s on Colquitt in 3 quarters in August. I love it how you boys got your rear ends handed to you but it doesn’t disuade any of you Camden boys into still believing that you are the greatest team in Georgia history. I love the blind love… It is so sweet.
Just answer me one question-what color is the sky in your simple, sweet little world?
The Cross
DawgFan
November 10th, 2012
11:05 pm
@GwinnettDad, that year we lost to Camden we were physically abused. It seems we’ve all had a year like that as I remember Brookwood getting pounded by one of the South GA teams in a championship game a few years back as well. Our coaches learned from this weakness and that has not happened since.
The demographics of our area does not turn out many players with the strength, size, or athleticism of the big football schools. We win because of great coaching and smart players. This is a credit to our players and coaches who always seem to get the most out of their talent. Sometimes, but rarely, it’s just not quite enough.
This year, our starting 22 are strong, but our depth chart is young. Our best 50 against the best 50 from Grayson, Lowndes, Camden, etc., will be a struggle for us. If we can stay healthy, we’ll be tough.
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
11:08 pm
Camden74-I am taking my meds. My chemicals are perfectly in balance. Unlike Camdens offense which seems totally unbalanced! I hurt for you…it’s so sad to see all of your dreams destroyed. Oh well,there is always next year. Or if you can’t wait until next year, root for Norcross…they have a much better shot to stay undefeated and win it ALL!!!!!
THE CROSS
NGHS 09
November 10th, 2012
11:11 pm
@ Camden 74…. I agree about McEachern…I predicted them to atleast win their region, but I was blown away by the talent they have on both sides of the ball while watching them play Walton on TV. The Qb puts up 300+ total yards of offense every week and their OL is gigantic. They may be peaking at the right time and they certainly have the players to get deep into the playoffs.
@ Yo…The disadvantage North Ga fans complain about has nothing to do with traveling or even the way the brackets are set up. For Gwinnett County teams, their argument is that Lowndes, Camden, Colquitt, and Valdosta don’t have to deal with all of the transfers and competition to get players like 17 AAAAAA Gwinnett teams deal with. Truly an advantage for Camden and Colquitt, Lowndes and Valdosta have a fantasy draft from their youth leagues lol, so it is understable…BUT neither side can change their situations, good or bad, so that’s why it is best to let the game play out. Lowndes looks stout IMO and IDK people are doubting them at all.
A lesson to all about the playoffs…flip a coin to see who has home field lol that’s about the only certainty and advantage a team gets in the playoffs. Look for some upsets this week!
NGHS 09
November 10th, 2012
11:21 pm
@ GwinnettDad…I would have to agree with your comments about NG, except that their only loppsided playoff loss was to Camden (and Lowndes in the 07 hurricane state title game). Also, last year’s team was way better than 2009 but also VERY good. Held Colquit to only two TD’s all game, something no one else did in the playoffs (like Camden and Grayson)…But NG does seem to find ways to lose games…whether it be Sphire being too conservative (80% of his play calling) or commiting penalties and turnovers at the worst possible times.
I will say though that NG doesn’t have the size or depth to beat Grayson for an entire 4 quarters. However stranger things have happened…
@ The Cross…Ok week one of our little agreement begins… Now it’s safe for me to say GO Norcross and represent Gwinnett County! I really do hope Maloof lets his boys do their thing every play…do that and Norcross rolls to the 3rd round.
DawgFan
November 10th, 2012
11:21 pm
Wow, Hillgrove and Camden in first round? Didn’t Hillgrove go down there and knock Camden off a couple years ago? Hillgrove is the one team from 4 that could give them a scare.
McEachern v. Colquitt will be a blood bath for a first round game. McE is accustomed to those cushy Cobb defenses, though, and I don’t think they’ve been hit the way Colquitt is going to hit them. But that will be a fun one to watch.
NGHS 09
November 10th, 2012
11:23 pm
@ LT Trojan Fan…Please tell me that you did not post about Cobb County Football having more talent than Gwinnett LOL…Your definition of talent must mean something entirely different. Just look at the last two Gwinnett County senior classes…especially 2011 grads…
GwinnettDad
November 10th, 2012
11:44 pm
The Cross <—- enough of an amateur to believe that a scrimmage counts as a real game.
GwinnettDad
November 10th, 2012
11:47 pm
NGHS 09 – keep in mind that the spike marks from North Gwinnett are still embedded in some of the old Brookwood helmets. There were times NG looked invincible, the offense of Sphires looked so sophisticated for high school. I was picking NG to go far, much further than they have. I’ve never figured out what’s happened to NG come playoffs.
DawgFan
November 10th, 2012
11:48 pm
@LTrojan, I think the point was that Printz is a very good QB, but there are at least five or six other QBs in the state who are doing everything he’s doing and more. North Gwinnett’s QB has nearly the same passing numbers as Printz, has made equally impressive throws, and also has about 700 yards rushing, but you don’t see his name in the paper everyday. We’re all just a little tired of the hype from the Atlanta-Printz Constitution that fails to mention some of the other great players.
Your statement about how well you did against Etowah does not impress schools that actually play defense. Lassiter has not done well outside of R5. Maybe this is your year, but you’ll have to beat a couple of teams from Gwinnett and South GA along the way. And those teams are not Etowah, believe me.
NGHS 09
November 11th, 2012
12:04 am
@ GwinnettDad…I think NG just gets physically worn down by teams with more depth and size. I think Haynes was injured last night, so I hope it wasn’t season ending…Going to need him big time for the playoffs.
bksmith14
November 11th, 2012
12:24 am
Tipp smooth……..you camden fans…yll told me to shut it with the excuses when yall beat us and i kept saying we should have done this….done that…we didnt have our 2 best players ….blah blah blah….well no wi will tell you. SHUT IT……..yall lost.
Th reality is …i agree with you tipp smooth…….the play calling was conservative…..i feel yall are the better team over colquitt…..but they have your number right now.
All i know…is camden is 9-1…so is lowndes 9-1
Lowndes won in the hogpen….camden did not
camden beat us….while our best were out.
This region and the teams 1-4 that made the playoffs are all playing at a high level right now….we are done beating up on one another…now its time for us to beat up pn the rest of the state. North ga…..here we come.
Marietta scares me more tham mceachern does……simply bc of the qb anthony jennings. No disrespect to mceachern……yall always have a good team and its no diff this year. I expect colquitt to beat mceachern by 7 to 14 pts though and i dont belive mceachern will score more than 14 on the pack
Lowndes is going to show more speed to marietta in one game than they have seen in all their games combines this year. i expect lowndes to win and win by 10 plus.
Its going to be very iinteresting to see how things shake out
Grayson is the team to beat on the entire ight side of the bracket as of right now. Lowndes ….lovejoy..valdosta and lassiter are the biggest threats to be able to knock them off.
i just dont see it with north gwinnett……….i would much rather have to play north gwinnett than grayson…so i hope they camn knock them off
bksmith14
November 11th, 2012
12:40 am
cole seagrvaes is average at best…….sure he has had his moments….but he didnt beet camden with his arm. He looked awful vs lowndes. I just have not been blown off my feet by him…ramsey is much much better. Cole is big and physical and when he is on…he is good….but the prob with him is he is not consistent. I would take him on my team though…i think highly enough of him for that
bksmith14
November 11th, 2012
12:55 am
The Cross
November 10th, 2012
6:44 pm
A Gwinnett team will win the AAAAAA State Championship for the third straight year. Norcross vs. Grayson in the Dome.
The Cross
you are at it again………i am ready to bet on this. You goin to run or stand your ground?
NGHS 09
November 11th, 2012
1:30 am
What NG looks like without Michael Haynes…
http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/north-gwinnett-bulldogs-(suwanee,ga)/football/hudl.htm
bksmith14
November 11th, 2012
1:57 am
NGHS09……….looks pretty good to me withuot haynes….of course ridge isnt that great though. yall should be able to give grayson a fight if yall show up and who knows…..strange thigs happen
NGHS 09
November 11th, 2012
3:31 am
Yeah they do…but region 6 better make sure all their pads are tightened and helmets screwed on right. Not predicting anything, but region 6 is SLOW and not as physical as I thought. Johns Creek better have a good back up Qb because Overton isn’t gonna want to run if C.J. James or Dante Sawyer get a hold of him. Forsyth County is thumpin their chest…they will find out who they are on Friday. Good matchups across the board.
NGHS 09
November 11th, 2012
3:45 am
Watched the West Forsyth vs Johns Creek game…does anyone know how to tackle in space?
yo
November 11th, 2012
7:00 am
Cross the history and future of our sky is always sunny and bright down here. Unlike that of Norcross. Have you ever seen the sun there? You would know it if you saw it. Kind of round and real bright. Hard to look at for a long period of time. Kind of reminds me of Norcross experience in the playoffs. Hard to look at for a long period of time.
Just watched Norcross and North Gwinnett replay until I got to bored.
If those are the 2 best teams in Georgia then Georgia is having a real bad year in football.
Yes North Gwinnett is a #2 seed like Lowndes which improves our chances of not having to travel because Grayson is a #1 seed. If we play Grayson…..we travel.
Norcross reminds me of Stephenson. Lots of talent and a early exit. The kind of team that gets the fans excited kind of like the promise of “yes we can” but the results always end up “no we didn’t”.
only a matter of time
November 11th, 2012
7:44 am
@dawgfan (11:21 pm)…sounds intriguing but this is no where near the 2010 Hawks that were loaded with D1 talent and got on a bus and went down to Camden County to surprise them. This team is young and is about 2 years away from making any noise. This years team did, however, get better and plays pretty hard. But I wouldn’t be looking for a shocker in this one.
sportsnut
November 11th, 2012
8:31 am
Once again, Lovejoy leads the state in scoring and scoring defense.
CamdenCOFan
November 11th, 2012
8:39 am
No excuses here. Camden got out played and coached in the end. As always though, what a great football game. In the end Camden made more mistakes. Congrats to Colquitt
HereWeGo
November 11th, 2012
8:45 am
@yo, I’m sure those Wing-T vs. Wing-T games must be really exciting for you. The modern age of football has invented something called the forward pass, which is really quite exciting to watch, too.
The spread offense with a mobile QB like Texas A&M and North Gwinnett can shred any defense, even Bama or Grayson.
AVikingFan
November 11th, 2012
9:31 am
Has anyone heard anything OFFICIAL about Wheeler being “IN?”
AVikingFan
November 11th, 2012
9:33 am
HereWeGo — The only thing exciting about the wing T that I can think of is, well, ahhh, ummmm, h-mmmmm, ohhhh, you know, I can think of only one thing! TITLES!!!!!!!!
HereWeGo
November 11th, 2012
9:52 am
Viking, S GA teams would have plenty of titles in years past if you ran the wishbone and played with your shoelaces tied together. But the game has changed and these spread teams are now beating the Neanderthals at all levels of the game. My comment was directed @yo who does not seem to appreciate the North v Norcross game which was one of the better games I’ve seen this year. The Wing T is BORING, but effective, unless you get behind and need to score quickly to catch up, which is often the case when you play a really good spread team.