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

323 comments Add your comment

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
5:08 pm

NGHS 09…….I said schools because the first State Title won in Camden was won by a HS that no longer exist, not Camden County HS. :-D

Cobb fan

November 11th, 2012
5:11 pm

Was speaking of S Ga. teams throwing ball, we can worry about the others “hopefully” after this week. Speed isnt a concern for us we see all kinds of speed in metro Atl. and I doubt we will see anybody faster from Region 1, our main problem is going to be defense against an offense we never see and offensive lines that work great as a group. should be a fun Friday night!

NGHS 09

November 11th, 2012
5:15 pm

I wonder what the computers say about the first round outcomes.

NGHS 09

November 11th, 2012
5:15 pm

@ Camden74 What year was that?

bksmith14

November 11th, 2012
5:27 pm

sportsnut…..newton…valdosta…camden…colquitt. whats your point……you played a much weaker schedule than we did……newton making the playoffs just shows how weak your region is …they are what? 4-6?

5-Time

November 11th, 2012
5:37 pm

sportsnut….D-1 Prospects means nothing to Lowndes. Please don’t go touting the D-1 prospects line!! We heard enough from Stephenson and SHUT them out last year with all those D-1 prospects!!

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
5:41 pm

NGHS 09…..1960, they threw a lot of TD passes from the Wing-T. Oh yeah, don’t think because it was the early 60s good defense wasn’t being played. Most of today’s receivers would not be able to get off the line. The rules now favor the passing game. Back then, totally different story! The DB could beat you to a pulp as long as the ball was not in the air. :-)

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
5:41 pm

Hey 74 == Just visited a blog I hadn’t been to in a couple of days and spotted your post asking me about an earlier claim. Why Lie ? You can not tell me that I said Lovejoy would be in the final. No one here can say that about me. It is simply not true. Boy, that loss must have really gotten to you for you to falsely accuse me of saying something I have not and would not say. How has it come to this ?
@ GwinnettDad == I am hitting you for the same reason. I caught your post. There is nothing to hide in Lovejoy’s past. Those years you are talking about have their reasons. Lovejoy has been open since 1990. There have been only 9 losing seasons in those 22 years. The run of losing seasons you mentioned were partly due to the opening of Mundy’s Mill in 2004. They took half the students and half the talent. Lovejoy suffered through the years from 04=09 and when they came back, they were back. If you never heard of Lovejoy before last season in the Dome, you have been under a rock

the truth

November 11th, 2012
5:46 pm

The wing t is fine, but the truth is any team with a strong running attack can be successful throwing as long as they are able to dictate when they throw. Statesboro won a championship in 2001 running a wishbone. They rarely ran the ball outside of the tackles and they were successful thrown from that formation. Parkview had great success throwing running from an offset eye, Brookwood won running from an eye formation. The trouble is when a strong running team is put in a position of having to throw the ball.

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
5:47 pm

@ 5-Time We are not Stephenson. It is o.k. for you to tout your stars but not for me to do the same.
@ Bk == Do really think your schedule was that much tougher than ours ? My point is seven of the teams we played will be in the playoffs. Our non-region schedule will all be playoff teams. How many of your non-region opponents will be in the playoffs ?

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
5:50 pm

Anybody here remembers Pinevale HS? :-)

HSFootballFan

November 11th, 2012
5:55 pm

McEachern had the toughest schedule this year.,..Hands down!

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
5:56 pm

sportsnut……I have no reason to lie! If you don’t remember saying it, just say you don’t remember making that comment. But you did allude to making the finals. It had something to do with Lovejoy making the finals in 4A last season…..Why do you think I’ve been on your case so much, it’s because of what you were saying early on! You probably said so much stuff until you can’t recall what you said! This was back in July/August before the season started. You were saying all sorts of crazy stuff! :-)

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
6:02 pm

The point was made because many people believe just because a team runs the Wing-T, they are not able to throw the ball. My point was, you can easily throw from the Wing-T. But most coaches don’t choose to, for what ever reason! :-)

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
6:05 pm

sportsnut, bk……Why are y’all arguing about it, wait a few weeks and we will all know who has the horses to pull the load! :-)

GwinnettDad

November 11th, 2012
6:07 pm

Sportsnut + Lovejoy = Lovenut! :-) Wish it was Sportsjoy. An immature little dweeb that plagues activities where there are grown ups. Ho hum. I pity Norcross, I really do. They deserve better representation here.

GwinnettDad

November 11th, 2012
6:09 pm

@Camden74 – after Lowndes disposes of Lovejoy, no more Lovenut. I’ll look forward to that.

West Forsyth

November 11th, 2012
6:11 pm

Good time of the year. WF 3rd year in a row in the playoffs for a 6 year school aint half bad. Last year we went to the Elite 8 with an upset on the road vs. Hillgrove. This year we get 2 at home at least. But if any of you have seen West play, please tell me why they have PEAKED too soon? Their high flying offense has really slowed down, not blocking as well, not throwing nearly as well. Good luck everybody, this should be fun.

GwinnettDad

November 11th, 2012
6:11 pm

bk – Other than Lovejoy, I can’t take any team from 2-AAAAAA seriously. 3-AAAAAA isn’t even on the radar. That’s why if 1-AAAAAA can get by McEachern and North Cobb, their chances are so good at having 4 teams in the quarters. That is, barring any bizarre upset of Lowndes or Camden.

GwinnettDad

November 11th, 2012
6:15 pm

@West Forsyth – not really familiar with 6-AAAAAA. Collins Hill should be a good test. Good luck.

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
6:17 pm

I’ve seen McEachern and North Cobb play earlier in the season. McEachern is VERY dangerous.North Cobb can put up points, which makes them dangerous too! :-)

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
6:21 pm

West Forsyth was definitely playing well early in the season. They had a pretty good QB, RB and WR. Defense was okay, but no match for a good offense. :-)

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
6:50 pm

@ Gwinnettdad == why the personal attack ? By the way, I am a Lovejoy fan. We are talking football, not here to degrade one another. You can take my advice, if you do not want to talk football, do not address me. I will not be drawn into any more disputes that could turn personal. Disregard any and all my post if you do not want to talk football.
@74 == I seriously doubt that I have said anything about Lovejoy winning the title, even though that is the goal and my wish. I have only made comparisons to other teams and talked about the prospects of Lovejoy getting back to the Big Game. Nothing I have said was crazy, just new to you. All the comments I have made were mainly about others and not a lot of talk about what Lovejoy has or what they do. They are balanced, athletic. big, fast and well coached. That is the extent of it. Many comments were questions for others and I got return questions and answer them to the best of my ability. Lovejoy is the outsider and thats fine. We will see ! Bk and I were talking about the second round and the strength of the regular season schedules. He says Marietta’s Qb worries him and I told him if that was the case, he should be very afraid of Lovejoy because we have more than just a D-1 Qb. We have a team and it is full of D-1’s. On the schedule issue, I asked how many teams on their schedul were playoff teams and of course he had to make an issue of it.
@ Gwinnettdad == Did my explanation for Lovejoy and those losing years have any bearing as to why you decided to attack ? Just the truth. Do a little homework before you speak on subjects you know little about. If you were able to locate that info, you could find more.

GwinnettDad

November 11th, 2012
7:03 pm

Facts are that Lovejoy had five losing seasons in a row, went undefeated during 2010, and lost in the first round. 2011 gave them a 14-1 season in AAAA. I’d never heard of them. Now, all of a sudden, we have somebody that considers the traditions of Valdosta to be worthless, that his school is the greatest dynasty since Vince Lombardi played with a yo yo. And he plays innocent. Yawn. While I’m from the north, you can be that I have every hope that Lowndes shuts up this person, who can’t apparently remember just how obnoxious he can be.

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
7:09 pm

sportsnut……I’m going to let it go, but I can tell you, the statements you made early on is what set me off on you and Lovejoy. Maybe you don’t remember, but you said some really outrageous stuff leading up to the season! :-)

jj

November 11th, 2012
8:39 pm

whoa!!!! good luck cobb teams…holy smokes are they all going to get smoked. crappy draws.

yo

November 11th, 2012
8:57 pm

sportsnut you know what they say about passing the football? There are only 3 things that can happen and 2 of them are not good. So put it up early and not just often but “real” often.

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
8:58 pm

First of all, let me deal with 74. Show me where this has been the case. I did not do it last season and I have not done it this year. I think the problem is that I am here and you are not accustomed to the new kid on the block talking so much. I have stated all along that I thought 6A was wide open and I have never claimed victory before it was accomplished. You can not make me out to be something I am not and these pages will prove me to be correct. I have my way of getting my message across just as the rest of you. If you mistake what I said for what I mean, just ask and I will clarify.
@ Gwinnettdad == Never have I compared Valdosta’s tradition with Lovejoy’s. Never. After re-reading your post, I am sure you have me confused with someone else. Any Valdosta fans here will tell you they have not heard one single negative word about Valdosta’s program and especially not in comparison with Lovejoy. Sounds like you have a problem that we here can’t help you with ! What in the H… did I do to you ? We did have those losing seasons but who is making a big deal of it ? Not me. We lost. We got over it. We are here now. Did your team make it to the playoffs ? A 4 seed perhaps ?

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
9:02 pm

sportsnut………Just let it go man, I have….. :-)

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
9:03 pm

@ Yo == That all depends on wheather you have a run game to compliment the passing game. If you have no D, by all means, early and very often. Try to put yourself in position to stay ahead. Get up 2 scores if you can and then you can trade scores if your D can’t contain their offense. Early and often is the way to go.

only a matter of time

November 11th, 2012
9:04 pm

jj…is that they got crappy draws or they will crap their draws? I think McEachern is the only one with a legitimate shot at winning Friday night. They have 3 good offensive weapons. They are fast, faster and fastest. this is not the 2010 Hillgrove team that got in a bus and went to Camden Cty with several real good players and came away with a “W”. Like I said earlier, Hillgrove is two or three years away from being a serious contender. I was blasted earlier in the year for suggesting they are rebuilding but I think people see now they only had enough to beat the region’s bottom feeders. Marietta is led by a capable QB but I don’t think Lowndes’s secondary will have a tough time sleeping Thursday night. No. Cobb is also led by a capabale QB but he’s just a soph and is not playoff battle tested. I remember when battle tested ‘Dosta came to McEachern in ‘10 and left with a “W”. I don’t see them having any issues with Warriors.

bksmith14

November 11th, 2012
9:05 pm

sportsnut…….come on man…..what are you puffin on? Tri cities , newton , rockdale, alcovy……..lord how mercy …what an imposing region full of playoff teams

newton # 2 seed (4-6)
alcovy # 3 seed (4-6)
rockdale #4 seed (3-7)

Wow sportsnut…what a very intimidating region scedule you have , the above teams should not even be allowed to be in playoffs …they arent playoff teams nor playoff worthy

on the other hand….here is Lowndes region playoff teams

Camden #1 (9-1) nationally ranked and top 5 state ranked
Valdosta # 3 seed (7-3) beat colquitt ..and scored 38 in the process
Colquitt #4 seed (7-3) beat lovejoy and camden…lost to you got it…LOWNDES

the worst team in our region tifton (2-8) would be the # 2 seed in your weak powderpuff lollipop region

alpharetta is 7-3 and colquitt is 7-3……..you beat alpharetta 43-24 and lost to colquitt

Lovejoy has not done anything big yet my friend.

Quit throwing up in everyones face how many playoff teams is on lovejoys schedule….what a joke. lil boys club teams can beat those guys.

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
9:14 pm

@74 == What, and let you have the last word, never ! Bk and I were engaged in conversation and you want to know what we are arguing about like you are the principal or something. I can’t talk with you because you say I don’t listen and can’t be told anything and then when I talk to others, you still have something to say. Give it a break, man. Concern your self with trying to get Coach to play more aggressively before you get knock out of the playoffs. Good Luck this week and I think you need someone to remind you about your medication.

AVikingFan

November 11th, 2012
9:14 pm

Camden74 — Pinevale High School closed and merged with Valdosta in the late 60’s. Fred Davis, long time Principal at Lowndes Middle School was a great passing QB for Palevale in the early to mid 60’s, and is currently a member of the Lowndes Board of Edu.

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
9:24 pm

@ Bk == Did not throw it in anyones face. I was directing my comments directly to you and not everyboby’s faces. You guys from south georgia are off the chain. Is it possible that some one else can play this game ? Nonetheless, we will be doing our part to be there. I hope Lowndes does it’s part.

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
9:33 pm

AVikingFan……Thanks! So it was Pinevale that became Westside, right? Do you know Mr. Davis? :-)

5-Time

November 11th, 2012
9:41 pm

sportsnut….When have I ever touted Lowndes “stars”"?? I can’t boast about something we don’t have!! This 2012 Lowndes squad has ZERO D-1 commits. And you’re right on point saying Lovejoy is not Stephenson. So Lovejoy better get it done in the playoffs this year with all those D-1 athletes or you will become the new Stephenson in AAAAAA!! We wouldn’t want you guys to drop back down to AAAA like Stephenson….

Fred

November 11th, 2012
9:42 pm

@The Cross – Give it a rest man. You are starting to attack the poster, not the issue.

@The Truth – You saw 2 big plays by Brookwood on passes that happened to go for touchdowns. 2 of the 3 (I think) successful passes in the first half were big plays. With all due respect to the Broncos because they can be very explosive, we shut down their passing game outside those 2 passes. Our “porous” secondary intercepted the Broncos QB twice, once for a pick 6, and should have had a couple of more. Our D dropped a couple they probably should have caught. You said you watched bits and pieces. If you had watched the whole game, you would have had a much difference perception.

sportsnut

November 11th, 2012
9:55 pm

@ 5-Time == Not meaning individuals, rather your team. I know that is something you have not done. You do have faith in your team and that is what i was talking about. I can assure you, we are not Stephenson. We are not going anywhere. Lovejoy will toe the line.

only a matter of time

November 11th, 2012
10:12 pm

guys, every team has a player for whatever reason doesn’t get a lot of ink but is a heck of a player. in region 5 it’s number 5 for Lassiter. this kid is multi-talented and causes match up problems. I’ve seen him a couple of times and both times he was breaking ankles out there. who in your region is like that headed into the playoffs? whoever wins this thing, it just may come down to a kid who is flying under the radar.

Camden74

November 11th, 2012
10:47 pm

GwinnettDad……I doubt sportsnut will ever go away, he’d just come back pretending it was someone else using his screen name. :-)

bksmith14

November 11th, 2012
11:09 pm

both tiquan lang and now nick burgman will both wind up goin on to play ball at the college level. both were visiting troy this past saturday. lang will be d-1 and i beilieve burgman also……prob not a major d-1 school but d-1 nonetheless

Marietta fan

November 11th, 2012
11:38 pm

@bk good luck to y’all on Friday. I can’t wait to get to the concrete palace to see how we do. Should be a great game!

bksmith14

November 12th, 2012
12:16 am

Marietta fan……same to you. Safe travels. i expect a good ballgame. Yall have a good team this year and some good looking players. the qb yall have scares me. If you have any questions as to where to eat or directions ask me. If you want to eat at a good place and get your moneys worth i suggest get off at exit 22…the north valdots rd exit..go left and drive about 2 miles or so until you see a flash foods gas station and right behind it on the left is a restraunt called the smokin pig. wonderful eating and a great salad bar.

What time will you be at game……i may offer up a chance for you to meet “bk” so you can get back on here and let everyone know i am actually a pretty nice guy

AVikingFan

November 12th, 2012
8:49 am

@Camden74 — Pinevale was a “city” black high school. Westside was the “county” black school, and merged with Hahira High School and Lowndes County High School (my high school) to form present day Lowndes High School. Fred Davis and his wife Susie are good friends with my wife and me.

AVikingFan

November 12th, 2012
9:00 am

5 – Time I enjoy reading your posts! Always respectful, knowledgeable, and interesting. Keep it up! Sure hope we beat “Maretta” from the top of the circle, then we can all get together and motorcade to sportsnut’s place and see what they have.

BTW, one of our Viking Voice radio announcers graduated from “Maretta.”

Packer Backer

November 12th, 2012
11:07 am

wow camden county fans think highly of the wildcats yall good but yall not great it dont matter if yall win every game the next ten years in this region you will never be true winners cause when yall loose yall cry colquitt county sees the wing-T every friday just about an its been dat way since before camden came so its no suprise yall cant move the ball on us it dont matter if you had ten J.J. greens you not guna beat everybody if you run the same plays our defense is hungry an we do the same to everybody every game we lost this season was by 2 or 3 points when camden shced. looks like our then you can say what you want until then camden need to man up cause there will be no hand outs givin down south its a slap in our face to beat yall two years in a row an still not be respected as a good football team we have accomplished more than yall in the last 3 season

sportsnut

November 12th, 2012
11:33 am

Hey 74 == I have a good name, both the birth name and my handle here. I would never hide behind another. Even if we lose, I will be here to talk football as long as the season goes.
@ AVikingFan == Come on over. We will save you a seat. Speaking of which, If you are coming to the game, get there before all your fans do because we do not have a large stadium. Only holds about 5 or 6 grand. Of course, all this depends on wheather Lovejoy and Lowndes both make it to the second round.

Camden74

November 12th, 2012
11:43 am

sportsnut……See what I mean, you read a post but you just don’t understand what you’ve read….SMH :-)

Camden74

November 12th, 2012
11:44 am

AVikingFan……Please ask Mr. Davis if he remembers Ralph J. Bunche HS. Thanks. :-D