Gainesville-Rome among top matchups in first round
The first round of the high school football playoffs is often filled with mismatches, and this year may be no exception. But there are some good matchups on the schedule, too. Here are five of the best in Class AAAAA this week:
*Rome at Gainesville: This could be one of the highest-scoring games of the weekend, a matchup of two teams that averaged a combined 80.4 points per game. Rome (8-2) won perhaps the game of the year in Class AAAAA, rallying in the final seconds to force overtime before beating North Paulding 57-56. Gainesville (7-3) enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak but has the leading candidate for AAAAA player of the year in quarterback Deshaun Watson.
*Northgate at Harris County: They may not bring the best records into the playoffs, but these teams turned their seasons around at just the right time. Northgate (5-5) lost five of its first seven games but rallied to win its final three, including a 15-3 victory over Mundy’s Mill in a region play-in game to qualify for the state playoffs. Harris County (6-4) was 0-4 before winning its final six games to capture the Region 1-AAAAA championship and a No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
*Heritage-Conyers at Allatoona: Allatoona (9-1) averaged 38 points in rolling through its first nine opponents before being shut down by East Paulding 25-7 last week in a game that decided the 5-AAAAA championship. The Buccaneers now face the task of trying to get the offense going again against a Heritage (8-2) defense that allowed just 13.7 points per game and held six of 10 regular-season opponents to a touchdown or less.
*Bainbridge at Union Grove: Union Grove set a school record with nine regular-season victories, but the Wolverines are still looking for a statement victory. Bainbridge provides that opportunity, despite its 7-3 record and No. 3 seed. Bainbridge’s three losses have come against one of Florida’s top 10 teams in Class 4A, and the others were against the top two teams in Region 1-AAAAA – Harris County and Thomas County Central – by a combined seven points.
*Pope at Stephenson (Saturday, Hallford Stadium): Can Stephenson overcome its recent first-round struggles? The Jaguars (7-2) lost their playoff opener four times in the past five years, but all of those came while playing in the highest classification. Stephenson will be facing a Pope (7-3) team that has won seven of eight games since an 0-2 start. Pope has just two victories in the state playoffs in the 25-year history of the program.
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94 comments Add your comment
uncleJunior
November 15th, 2012
5:51 am
That Heritage vs. Allatoona is huge!!!! You probably can count on a couple of upsets but the second round will be real interesting (to say the least). You have a possible East Paulding vs. Stephenson matchup.
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 15th, 2012
7:21 am
ALLATOONA better bring their A+++ game tomorrow night vs. HERITAGE – CONYERS…I hope they practiced the passing game A LOT this week…last week the EAST “D” completely SHUT DOWN their running game and you can bet the HERITAGE – CONYERS folks will try the same thing!
TOONA is real FAST and they need to find a way to exploit this! This game has ALL the make-up of being a HUGE SHOOT – OUT!!! TOONA is playing at home so that gives them a bit of an advantage!
GOOD LUCK ALLATOONA…Bring home a REGION 5 WIN!!! in your FIRST PLAYOFF GAME…
As far as the EAST / STEPHENSON match-up in Round 2…both teams have some work to do to get there…STEPHENSON (at home) has to first get by POPE and that should be a good game.
EAST has a 5/5 CLARKE CENTRAL team (that got ALL 5 of it’s wins against teams with losing records) coming into “THE BONEYARD”…this will be the second time these two teams have met as EAST went to CLARKE CENTRAL back in the 2010 Playoffs and beat them 24 / 10! In 2010 CLARKE CENTRAL was UNDEFEATED and ranked # 3 in the State…this time EAST is the UNDEFEATED team and ranked # 3, so CLARKE CENTRAL you know will be looking for some revenge!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 15th, 2012
7:26 am
In my previous post I of course meant to say…
GOOD LUCK ALLATOONA…Bring home a REGION 5 WIN!!! in your FIRST AAAAA PLAYOFF GAME…TOONA moved UP from AAA last year where they were UNDEFEATED and the REGION CHAMPIONS. they won 2 playoff games before losing to BURKE COUNTY.
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
7:42 am
I don’t really agree with the thought that Rome’s 57-56 last second win over North Paulding is/was perhaps the AAAAA game of the year. Two teams playing no defense certainly can’t be in the running for that type of honor
……. I don’t think that perhaps there might be a couple of upsets but I think most will come in other classifications this first round.
Luke
November 15th, 2012
8:28 am
Northside Eagles is the team to beat to win a championship in 5A
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 15th, 2012
8:39 am
@ LUKE…
If EAST and N.S.W.R. both take care of business these two teams could meet in the Semi Round and a coin toss would determine the HOME field!
and I AGREE with you…until proven (BEAT) otherwise N.S.W.R. is the “BIG DOG” in the fight for AAAAA. Get ready for the M.L.K. & TUCKER folks to start screaming! LOL!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
Tucker DAD
November 15th, 2012
9:21 am
You are right @Cannon Rules, here comes the screams!!! I’m tired of NSWR beating their chest like they have won something. The did not even finish in the top two last year so why are you putting yourself on top this year? You play in an awful region with no competition, your only game is WR and you beat them every year without a struggle. You are unproven and over hyped!
As for East you have the very same problem that NSWR. Your region is weak as well. You played a Allatoona team that is fresh out of the little leagues (AAA). You were ready to kick your coach off the field early in the season and now that you have plowed through your easy schedule you are carrying this false sense of confidence around.
Let me be clear about one thing. The way it has always been and the way it is now is that UNTIL you beat the champion then they are still the encumbent. We won state last year and until we have been removed from these playoffs we are the team to beat!
We are 14 points from being undefeated again this year and since we are in transition from a coaching turn over then that should be understandable. If you think that Tucker has taken a step backwards and we are not as formidable as last year then you are in for a rude awakening! Our conference was more competitive and we were not as sharpe as in the past but come playoff time we will be the Tucker of old!
I bet if you ask Creekveiw if we are a push over 3 seed I bet you they are wishing they were playing someone else. I garruntee you that you won’t find a 3 seed in the state of Georgia as good as us.
Don’t start counting your chickens so fast @Cannon, becasue that semi-final round that you are predicting with NSWR may very well be TUCKER!
By the way, history has it that Tucker play pretty good football on that Northside Warner Robins field. Ain’t that right @Blu Eagle? lol
BcS2010
November 15th, 2012
9:32 am
Lol where is tucker vs creekview? It’s suppose to be a great game lol( sarcasm)
HeadEast
November 15th, 2012
10:14 am
I don’t see any #1 seeds going down in the 1st round. Maybe Harris county but they’ll probably win too. #2 seeds are a different story. Union grove, Creekview, Gainesville, Glyynn, Stephenson, and Allatoona all look vulnerable.
East will walk through their practice game Friday night, eat lots of turkey, and then look forward to the playoffs starting with Stephenson or Pope.
East 45 – CC 3
GO EAST! GO RAIDERS!!!
l longhorn nation
November 15th, 2012
10:24 am
yal just keep ringing your bells and dont be suprised if CREEKVIEW puts tucker down HOOK”EM HORNS
All I have to say is.......
November 15th, 2012
10:40 am
ANYONE can go down in the first around and yes that includes East if we don’t care of business. Any given team can be beat on any given day. Let’s not count our chickens before they are hatched or jinx ourseves.
Gamer
November 15th, 2012
10:44 am
Tucker Dad: I think you are making a mistake attacking NSWR fans when you receive blogs written by non-NSWR people. It is their opinion and AJC that they have a good team. As far as this blog is concern, there is no blogger on here more than you beating Tucker’s drum. Don’t hate; this is all in fun. You may get your chance to visit NSWR in three weeks.
Middle GA Football Fan
November 15th, 2012
11:31 am
@Tucker DAD I guess if you are going to bring up the past I seem to remember a semifinal game at the Dome in 2007 where NSWR came from behind to win 31-28 over Tucker thereby continuing their way to a second consectutive AAAA title with a second consectutive 15-0 record. So we both have past triumphs to remember. But now it is 2012 playoff time. We’ll see who will survive out of an outstanding group of teams. Good luck to everyone involved.
ALL TUCKERRED UP
November 15th, 2012
11:53 am
@MIDDLE i TO REMEMBER THAT GAME. i WAS AT bARNICALES ON JIMMY CARTER WITH THOSE HUGE TV’S WATCHING. WE WERE HAVING A GREAT PARTY & THEN THE SECOND HALF STARTED. iT TURN FFROM A GREAT PARTY TO A DOWNER DRUNK!!!!!
Bigdawg1989
November 15th, 2012
12:14 pm
I am reposting this in honor of @TuckerDad…you have a very tough road to a possible championship, I wish your team luck!
Some interesting stats on the AAAAA brackets (based on MaxPreps rankings)….
Cumulative rank: (lower = tougher)
East Paulding qtr – 135
Harris County qtr – 141
Northside WR qtr – 143
MLK qtr – 147
Top 20 teams:
East Paulding qtr – 6
MLK qtr – 6
Northside WR – 4
Harris County qtr – 4
#1 Seed Rankings:
Northside WR qtr – NSWR #1 and Flowery Branch #7
MLK qtr – MLK #2 and Whitewater #12
East Paulding qtr – East #4 and Ware #8
Harris County qtr – Harris County # 29 and Kell # 9
#2 Seed Rankings:
Northside WR qtr – Thomas County #3 and Creekview #23
Harris County qtr – Gainesville #5 and SW Dekalb #6
MLK qtr – Allatoona #13 and Glynn Academy #18
East Paulding qtr – Stephenson #14 and Union Grove #16
Top 12 team with toughest road to the championship – Tucker! They will have to beat #23 Creekview, #7 Flowery Branch, #1 Northside WR, #4 East Paulding and #2 MLK!!!
What does it all mean…heck if I know!!!
It should be a fun few weeks of great football. Good luck to all the teams!!!
ALL TUCKERRED UP
November 15th, 2012
12:20 pm
AT THIS POINT YOU HAVE TO WIN THEM ALL ANYWAY!!!!!!! SO WHY NOT MAKE IT TUCKER THAT STARTS THE OTHER UNDEFEATED SEASON CALLED THE PLAYOFFS.
Tucker DAD
November 15th, 2012
12:32 pm
@BigDawg, I’m not concerned with the rankings because they are slanted. For instance, our regional rankning is low because we have one team (Clarskton) that didn’t even play a region schedule, then we had two teams that didn’t win a game in regional play, so that leaves the top six teams battling it out for four spots. Those last three teams brought our regional strength down, but if you look at the six teams at the top we would easily be the better conference by far. Our conference has over 8 teams in it and it dilutes the rankings.
Now if you want to put our top six against any other regions top six there wouldn’t be any competition.
Northside Dawg
November 15th, 2012
12:52 pm
Lets hope our injured defensive linemen are back for TCC.
Colquitt97
November 15th, 2012
1:17 pm
They have about 35 1st round playoff games streaming live here…
http://gahighschoolsports.net/viewforum.php?f=46
FridayNightLightsFan
November 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
Great link Colquitt97. Thanks.
NP Future
November 15th, 2012
1:30 pm
Cannon, enjoy it while it lasts, there is a new sheriff in Paulding County after this year….Look forward to seeing your posts in the year to follow bragging about the good ole days…hahahaha
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 15th, 2012
2:14 pm
@ NP Future…
Been in here for YEARS now posting and don’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon. I post the next day win or lose by EAST…It just happens that most Saturdays I get to post about ANOTHER EAST WIN!! I came to the NP / ALLATOONA game 2 weeks ago because I had never seen TOONA play, we sat on the NORTH side and met a good group of folks we talked with during the game. NORTH is heading in the right direction and of course, as a PAULDING COUNTY team and a REGION 5 representative we are pulling for you guys to win tomorrow night,,,of the 4 Region 5 teams NORTH got the strongest opponent (on paper)…but as the #4 Seed vs. a #1 Seed that’s what happens!
NORTH had a good year and congrats on your first playoff game!!!
I will bring to your attention that this year’s EAST team is LOADED with Junior’s and Sophomore’s so NEXT year’s team will be this good or BETTER!!!
@ Tucker DAD…
I was using N.S.W.R. as the team to beat since 1) they are the AJC’s choice to go all the way and they are the #1 ranked team in the state and UNDEFEATED! If all the stars line up you guys could meet in the 3rd Round of the playoffs and get this decided once and for all. But I will say at this time of the year an UNDEFEATED 10 / 0 team, until proven otherwise, gets the nod as the better team than an 8 / 2 team!
I was at the TUCKER / LOVEJOY game last year at the Dome and TUCKER absolutely DOMINATED LOVEJOY…I would have loved to have seen an EAST / TUCKER match-up last year.
I’ve never seen CREEKVIEW play so I have NO IDEA what you guys are walking into tomorrow night but they were 9 / 1 on the year with their ONLY loss coming to # 1 Seed KELL and they only lost that game by 4 PTS!!! JUST SAYIN’
@ All I have to say is…….
Change that last line of your post to read…Let’s not count our GLADIATOR’S before they are SLAIN!! EAST 35 / CLARKE CENTRAL 10!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
Bigdawg1989
November 15th, 2012
2:43 pm
@Tucker Dad – I totally agree that region 6 is the strongest in the state from top to bottom. The problem for Tucker is if the seeds hold, they will have to beat the #1, 2 and 4 teams in the state on their way to the championship. Whether you agree with the rankings or not…that is a tough stretch for any team to navigate.
@NP Future – Don’t get too far ahead of yourself! While I tend to agree your junior programs have closed the gap slightly on EAST, your varsity team has a long way to go and at least 3 years before they can start claiming any Paulding County dominance. My advice, enjoy your first playoff game and try to improve on the #4 seed next year. You might want to figure out how to beat Allatoona and Rome first before you rattle the RAIDERS cage!!!!
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
2:47 pm
I love this. We all come here to talk HS football and are able to support our own favorite teams. We all including myself tend to talk about our own strengths be it region or team while at the same time are able to point out the weaknesses or other regions and teams with the same if not more intensity.
As an East Paulding (and now North P fan), I am finding this all pretty amazing. Up until 7 years ago we were a dormat and everyone’s home coming dance partner. Then we get a coach and all of a sudden we have a Cinderella season and make to the dome to play in the semis. Most chalked that up to luck and thought we’d be a flash in the pan. As the years have passed we’ve changed from a cinderella to a team that is annually ranked in the top ten and has earned a small degree of respect here in the blogs and across the state from other teams and even the media. We have zero championships or even final appearances and we are not at all a storied Georgia program like Northside, Tucker, WR, Clarke Central, or many many more. We do however find ourselves in an in between spot right now, meaning somewhat respected and still somewhat scoffed at because we really haven’t done anything yet. The media and powers that be have made East the #3 favorite to win State. Wow. It almost boggles my mind sometimes. East has often had others underestimating them or making them the underdogs to the ‘real’ players. Now the shoe is on the other foot and it will be interesting to see how the team reacts mentally to this type of role and one that comes with higher expectations.
Someone mentioned earlier that us East bloggers were ready to run the new coach out early on and now we think we are something. I’ll go on the record and explain that we as East fans were simply concerned with a new staff coming in given how much talent we all knew was on the team. I for one didn’t realize that the old OC was retained and I give him a lot of credit for keeping the offense mostly intact from a year ago. The coolest part is that probably to a person, all of Raider Nation knows that this IS the most talent ever assembled at the school, with great senior leadership. If ever there was a year this would be it. Will it happen?…..the odds say only a 10% chance but you know what……7 years ago that would have been more than a 305 billion to one shot.
We want to be mentioned on the same breath as all those others and this is the year to finally step up and show them that we belong. Ironically….even if East were to win it all, most would say it was a fluke
So here we go…….all those lessons learned (Pebblebrook, Marist, TCC, Grayson, Woodstock, Etowah, McEachern, Sprayberry, Kell, Stars Mill, Pope and Warner Robbins)….. Time to put it all together and go get what is ours. Clarke, Stephenson,Ware, Kell, Tucker, Northside, WR and MLK, lets line it up and find out who’s the baddest team in the State. Here comes the BOOM
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
3:04 pm
@NP Future and Bigdawg
NP is definitely the future………….but how far off is that? Next year the game is at East, and East will still have M Webb, and the JV absolutely destroyed the NP team this year. The positives for North: they have been playing a lot of kids that probably should on the JV squad and they will have a senior ladened team next year with another year under this set of coaches and another year of a better strength program. Next Year…….it still will go East’s way, after that I have an idea that North may edge ahead slightly. The biggest caveat is that the North team needs to make huge strides on the defensive side of the ball…granted they already made huge strides defensively over last year (26 pts per game vs 36 pts per game last year), but until they get that number at least into the teens they aren’t a team that most will take overly serious.
blu eagle
November 15th, 2012
3:28 pm
Tucker folks, you may gloat all you want but this NSWR team is even better than last year, and we are hungrier than ever and can’t wait for our 3rd state title. Whomever it will be will have to go through us and that is tougher than ever to do.. To all those Paulding fans East and otherwise, yalls posts are the best, would love to see a game with you good luck in the playoffs.
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
3:29 pm
@NP Future
One word of note. The rivalry between North and East is a nice one but please remember we are in the same county and that most of the kids on both teams know each other. WE collectively need to lift all our our county teams up. Having sat on both side of the three games between the two schools I’m extremely encouraged to see the rivalry going in a positive direction.
During the North/Allatoona game I sat on the visitor side and it was disheartening to have them put that big of a number on our Pack that night Then last week I was on the home side of the East/Allatoona game and half way through the 3rd quarter, right after the safety and a (25-0) lead a very animated and boisterous East fan jumped up and screamed three times “NOBODY BEATS UP OUR NOTH PAULDING BROTHERS”. I was like wow….how cool is that. Keep that in mind next time you want to talk about your East brothers.
HeadEast
November 15th, 2012
3:33 pm
NP future – Says here our JV went undefeated too beating North 34-6 and our fresh team squeaked by 31-30 over North but lost two close games to South and Alatoona. Chances are South catches you before you catch East. Enjoy your playoff game while you have one!
Realistic – Right you are. We’ve had some skill players, one of them is punting for the Phil Eagles, but we’re solid at all the skill positions NOW and have decent line play too. I might exclude Pope and Sprayberry and Harrison who you left off, but all the other teams on your list above beat us on the line. Okay, TCC beat us every way but loose.
Now we have a tradition of winning, the most talent ever, and home field for at least the first two. So if not now, when? If not now, when?
East 45 – CC 3
GO EAST! GO RAIDERS!!
HERE COMES THE BOOM!!!
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
3:43 pm
@blu eagle
Would like nothing more than to play your team this year as that would mean we are in the semis and would be playing one of the best programs off all time and yet another measuring stick for own program. Last year we didn’t quite stack up against WR so it would be a tall order to jump up and try to compete with Northside.
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
3:47 pm
@HeadEast
Unfortunately that Philly punter was released by them back on 9/25. I’m sure he will get another chance though. Philly could never get over that rookie year gaff of throw a faked punt pass short into the ground of a wide open receiver. He’ll be picked up though
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
3:49 pm
Happened on Monday Night Football unfortunately.
HeadEast
November 15th, 2012
3:54 pm
Caught the tail end of last week’s game and heard them say Henry to kick, saw him miss the extra point. Turns out it was Alex Henery from your old stomping ground, Nebraska.
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
4:07 pm
@HeadEast
I’m headed to Flowery Branch tomorrow hopefully East can deliver and I’ll be able rejoin in round two.
I need instant updates can you text me as they happen ? FNL is great but the refresh on the blog is sometimes a bit slow.
HeadEast
November 15th, 2012
4:08 pm
blu – We’ll have to worry about Stephenson and probably Ware before we even think about the Eagles. But the Eagles will have TCC, then Flowery Branch or Tucker so they might not make the semis either.
I see Maxwell has some huge margins predicted round one for Northside, East, MLK, and Ware. Easy second round games, not so much, maybe Whitewater.
Most likely regions to have two teams in the semis – Region 2 or maybe Region 6.
HeadEast
November 15th, 2012
4:11 pm
Real – Yeah , sending you a text now to see if you still have the same number.
JAB
November 15th, 2012
4:13 pm
Not knocking all other regions in 6AAAAA, but after looking at every region 1,2,3,4,5,7,8 region 6(5A) has the most quality teams; we have 7 teams that could have been in the playoffs to represent our division. All of the rest of you only have 2 or 3 teams that are top quality. @ we possess the reigning State champion (TUCKER). MLK & Stephenson is ready to show that playing in the state’s highest classification has paid off…
HeadEast
November 15th, 2012
4:20 pm
JAB – I agree you have the most competitive region. I count four in playoffs, Mays, Miller Grove, who is #7?
5AReg6Fan
November 15th, 2012
4:33 pm
@blu eagle – Tucker fans know that NSWR is a formable opponent, have been for years. We rep the Tigers like NSWR fans rep the Eagles … nothing more – nothing less. Tucker’s road to the finals will be tougher than in years of the past and if the matchup between our TWO TOP PROGRAMS materializes this year, I would bet that it will be a good one. Certainly, the Eagles want this match to happen, to see which team breaks series tie. (LOL) Tucker first business is Creekview and we Tigers fans feel good about this first step in this 5 step process, called STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Approximately in 24hrs, Region 6 unleashes the BIG CATS
“WE ARE TUCKER” – ANOTHER 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF APPEARANCE
REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……
Bigdawg1989
November 15th, 2012
4:34 pm
JAB – unfortunately, your region only gets 4 teams just like everybody else and it only takes one team to knock you out.
MLK might be the only Region 6 team that will make it out of their quarter.
Tucker has to beat Creekview, Flowery Branch and Northside
Stephenson – Pope, East Paulding and Ware County
SW DeKalb – Kell, Gainesville and Harris County or Warner Robins
MLK – Sequoyah, Allatoona and Whitewater
My guess is when the smokes clears Regions 2, 5 , 6 & 8 will be left standing in the semis.
Gamer
November 15th, 2012
4:38 pm
I would like to see NSWR go all the way! However, when you have Mlk, East Paulding, Kell, Warner Robins, Tucker, TCC and Stephenson— there is not a dime worth of difference between them. All are quality teams. It’s the breaks, mistakes, coaching, and a fair refereeing that will take one to the final goal. As of now they are all even.
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
5:03 pm
@JAB
I think you are already hedging your own teams individual chances(see roadblock in rnd 2).
Do me a favor and pledge your remaining playoff loyalty to the team that knocks you out of the playoffs. Lol
Damn
November 15th, 2012
5:05 pm
@ Gamer, damn you just cancelled Stephenson out. why is it that this coaching thing always get important in late Nov. I don`t understand it. (lol). oh well The Reg 6 big games are fun. well over 10, 000 at Stephenson/ MLK. Damn if we could only figure out this Nov. coaching things we could make so noise, Oh well, I guess we have to wait until Feb. to fill good again. Do any of you have suggestions?
Why can`t we just do coin flips or paper, scissors rock in the playoffs.
JAB
November 15th, 2012
5:07 pm
@ Bigdawg1989, Stephenson has the easiest pull; Pope & EP region is weak, 3 years ago Stephenson has already beaten Ware County when they were ranked in their place place twice… Tucker is the reigning champ and must be dethrone, MLK is our strongest team out of our tough (strong)region and SWD has the most experience coach (Buck Godfrey) who will have them boys ready to play & is capable of beating anybody. Have you seen our region play and beat up on each other this year? Especially the last week where MLK needed overtime to beat our number 5 team & Tucker just got by Mays… REGION 6AAAAA THE BEST IN THE STATE 2012 STATE CHAMPUIONS*****
FridayNightLightsFan
November 15th, 2012
5:10 pm
@Gamer – “It’s the breaks, mistakes, coaching, and a fair refereeing that will take one to the final goal. As of now they are all even.”
SO TRUE
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
5:16 pm
Heard this comment several times and I’m just curious. Do most here really honestly think that the referees for the games AREN’T trying to be fair. Not saying I agree with some calls and not saying that some aren’t missed but do you really think there is bias is referring in the State of Georgia?
I don’t and think we need to all at times remember to listen to the GHSA announcement about conduct that is read before every single game.
. RealisticFan
November 15th, 2012
5:22 pm
@Damn
Over 10,000 at that game ? Do you have a magic website that shows attendance numbers ?
I’m just saying there were rumors that a game I attended had 14,000-16,000, but in reality the stadium only seats 3,500 and even though it was a huge crowd it still couldn’t have gotten much over 5,000
Northside Dawg
November 15th, 2012
5:38 pm
I heard the referees at the Northside-Warner Robins game were from Atlanta.
creekviewgrizzlydad
November 15th, 2012
5:54 pm
You are correct Tucker Dad…….”I bet if you ask Creekveiw if we are a push over 3 seed I bet you they are wishing they were playing someone else. I garruntee you that you won’t find a 3 seed in the state of Georgia as good as us”.
Agreed there is no better team #3 seed than Tucker which speaks a great deal for your region strength. I know everyone over our way is excited to finally host a playoff game even though it is against a perennial powerhouse like Tucker. The only way to become an elite program is to beat those that already are and I know the Grizzlies will try their best to take another step towards that goal. Safe travels TD!
JAB
November 15th, 2012
6:17 pm
@ creekviewgrizzlydad, Thankyou for the respect for Tucker! Even though I’m a Stephenson fan, we have been battling all season long in region 6AAAAA, with all of the top teams losing to each other by a touchdown or small amt. of points. I have all of the respect for Tucker and their accomplishment since we all are Dekalb County school system.. each of our top 4 teams have been challenge this year at least 5 times with quality teams; can’t wait until tomorrow and Saturday night! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME HS FOOTBALL…
MIGHTY LION KING
November 15th, 2012
7:11 pm
Not trying to offend anybody in MLK’S playoff bracket, but TO ME it seems as though we have a easy route to the dome! HOWEVER semifinals and are just as DEADLY as the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME because of all teams play there hardest to make it to the championship game!!
Old Gold Panther
November 15th, 2012
7:15 pm
@ . RealisticFan… I wouldn’t doubt that it was 10,000 there. Hallford stadium is a big stadium. Sometimes I think it is to big for high school. There are times when there are prob around 3,000 people there and the stadium doesn’t even look full. At the MLK/Stephenson game last year for the defacto championship game there was standing room only attendance was estimated between 12-13, 000 maybe a lil more. Wasn’t quite as many people there this year but it was still packed.
MIGHTY LION KING
November 15th, 2012
7:19 pm
STEPHENSON might have the second easiest route to the dome out of 6-5A and then SWD IF they get past KELL..Im definitely not goin to undermine KELL which may in someway give SWD the hard road to playoffs out of the 4 teams but I THINK TUCKER has the hardest rd thus far ..They have to go thru Northside Warner Robins, and FLOWERY BRANCH!! Only thing about that is, TUCKER beat both teams last yr to the championship!! lol
ITS A CAT THING!!!
LION NATION/ THE DOMINATION!!!
itsonlywrite
November 15th, 2012
7:20 pm
JAB better hope that all 4 reg.6 5A teams win.. or it will show how weak that region is… *KANYESHRUG* lol
Old Gold Panther
November 15th, 2012
7:21 pm
The best I can give you is a link showing the home side of the stadium during last years game
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/high-school/stephenson-mlk-2011/4.html
JAB
November 15th, 2012
7:22 pm
@ MIGHTY LION KING, I’M WIT YOU ON THIS ONE OLE REGION 6AAAAA POWERHOUSE…;)
JAB
November 15th, 2012
7:24 pm
@ itsonlywrite; I’ll see on next Monday blogs with I told you so!!!
KeithMLKfan
November 15th, 2012
7:32 pm
Will be there tomorrow night in my usual spot behind the band….Go Lions
JAB
November 15th, 2012
7:39 pm
DON’T BELIEVE I’M SAYING THIS BUT HERE IT IS! The big Cats will be showing their claws headed by the king of the jungle MLK (LIONS) followed by the STEPHENSON (JAGUARS) The largest cat of the Americas, the jaguar has become a symbol of power, strength, and beauty.. The TUCKER (TIGERS) The tiger is the largest member of the felid (cat) family. They sport long, thick reddish coats with white bellies and white and black tails. Last but not least SWD (PANTHERS) The Panther is an elusive and powerful animal that has adapted well to a variety of habitats around the world, and is known to be one of the strongest climbers of all feline. ALL OF THESE CATS WILL BE COMING AT YA! BEWARE OF OUR BITE $ RESPECT OUR GROOOWWLLLL….
KeithMLKfan
November 15th, 2012
7:39 pm
Been following MLK about 4 yrs, started when my daughter was in the band, shes now a junior at Ga State [ Thank God ]…. I think this is the most complete and best coached team we have had,I have confidence they can make it to the dome this year…….
WR Demons
November 15th, 2012
8:15 pm
East Paulding fans very classy.
Reeze
November 15th, 2012
9:43 pm
@Jab………Region 6 is suspect, Especially your Jags,Region 6 Strength is looking more like parity now…….I think MLK will be the only Region 6 team going into the 3rd round……I have caught a couple Region 6 games of online and Ive come to the conclusion that Pass defense will be your regions demise , Too many in the top 10 in AAAAA that can air it out…….I could be wrong though , I know Football when I see it ………Eagles have a bunch injured , but we will prevail
Reeze
November 15th, 2012
9:50 pm
Good luck to all the kids this weekend , for some their last time to suit up.
Damn
November 15th, 2012
10:33 pm
@ Real what game were you at, Hallford seats 15,600. When the big games are played its mostly full, especially MLK & Stephenson. Just a fun atmosphere for a high school game. I thinks this will be a great post season. Good Luck to all. If everyone holds true to form, the second round will be WOW! Ga has to have some of the best High Shool football.
Damn
November 15th, 2012
10:44 pm
@Reeze your eyes have not deceived you. unless somehow each of those teams step up on pass defense, the second round we be their demise.
FridayNightLightsFan
November 15th, 2012
11:14 pm
@WR Demons – I will be the first to say your fans were great when you came to The Boneyard last year. Good luck this year.
JAB
November 15th, 2012
11:51 pm
@ HeadEast, ARABIAN MOUNTIAN WAS TOUGH TOO EVEN THOUGH THEY LOST A LOT OF TOUGH GAMES… @ Reeze we will see…
WR Demons
November 16th, 2012
12:11 am
EP was very tough last year. Those young guys that started last year gained alot of experience. Good luck to you as well. I don’t know much about Richmond Hill but they sound like a very solid team. Both teams are 8-2
Reeze
November 16th, 2012
5:59 am
@KeithMLKfan…….I feel the same about MLK , they got all the ingredients to make it to the Dome…Don’t know much about Allatoona or White Water,But Jones County could sneak in and Meet MLK in the 3rd round , Jones county has a vicious running game with 2 1,000 yard rushers…..MLK should handle any of these teams……..I feeling either Kell or Warner Robins vs MLK in the semi’s….Warner Robins is another one with multiple backs that can put up yards and points ……MLK will shread the Demons secondary apart though…I am feeling NSWR/EP vs MLK in the Dome.
rwdekalb
November 16th, 2012
6:41 am
@Mighty Lion King. Great observation in your last post. Tucker does seem to have the most difficult route to dome but I guess you got to beat the best to be the best.
. RealisticFan
November 16th, 2012
7:19 am
It’s Friday finally my fellow bloggers. Traveling to Flowery Branch to watch the NP Wolfpack do battle in their very first playoff game. The kids are excited and the caravan is leaving at 1:45. Good luck to all and I hope to be going to the Boneyard next week.
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 16th, 2012
7:39 am
Well the COUNTDOWN CLOCK is running down for all of us…12 hours to Kickoffs!!!
All this blogging fun we all been having MEANS NOTHING as the kids take over and the games actually get played! GOOD LUCK to everyone and may they all be safe played, injury free games tonight! Everyone also DRIVE SAFE!
Hard schedules, Easy schedules, pancake regions, they played nobody, we got more D-1 prospects than anybody, you’ve never won a State title, we never get any press coverage, best ball is played South of Macon, North of Macon, we have the biggest stadium, etc. All this means NOTHING at this point!!
In my opinion all the teams that made it to this step in the playoffs deserve to be where they are. These kids have worked hard all year to get this chance and as someone else posted, for many this will be the LAST time they ever suit up to play football.
Looking forward to see CLARKE CENTRAL tonight in “THE BONEYARD” as EAST PAULDING’s RAIDERS take the first step toward the DOME!
@ JAB…
Your games not until tomorrow night (STEPHENSON / POPE) so come on out to Dallas tonight and
see for yourself the hill STEPHENSON will have to climb NEXT week IF they get past POPE! Wear your STEPHENSON stuff and we’ll spot you (I am still rolling at your post “look for me at the POPE / STEPHENSON game…a good looking bald headed black guy, sitting around the 50 yd line…isn’t that like me saying meet me at a NASCAR race just look for a white dude under the Rebel Flag!..LOL!) I got plenty of BELLS, I’ll loan you one to ring for the RAIDERS!! Give you a chance to see “THE CANNON”!! up close! as it fires ALL NIGHT!!! I promise you’ll have a good time!
REGION 5 goes 2 / 2 TONIGHT! EAST & ALLATOONA win..NORTH loses a close one & ROME loses BIG!!
REGION 6 goes 2 / 2 TONIGHT! (could EASILY be only 1 / 3) M.L.K. & TUCKER win…STEPHENSON & S.W.D. lose! the WILDCARD game…TUCKER / CREEKVIEW, one bad turnover…one bad call…and CREEKVIEW pulls off the upset!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
All I have to say is.......
November 16th, 2012
7:42 am
To all of my North Paulding friends…..GOOD LUCK AND EAST IS BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY!!!!
JAB
November 16th, 2012
8:06 am
@ THE “CANNON RULES”!!, Thanks for the invitation man! I promise I would come but I got to go and support my MLK Lion at Hallford stadium tonight… Yes! I agree with you good luck to all the football players because all of this fun (trash) talk will be null & void at game time…MAY THE BEST TEAMS WIN, @ THAT BE REGION 6AAAAA Lol.,
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 16th, 2012
8:31 am
@ JAB…
Several of us are coming to the POPE / STEPHENSON game tomorrow night…LOOK for the RAIDER logo’s that will be us, if you spot us say hello!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
Tucker DAD
November 16th, 2012
8:32 am
Well here we go again. It always starts like this with all the hype and all the noise on this blog, but by the 3rd round it’s really quite on here. Normally it’s just Tucker and Northside fans still keeping up the noise, oh and of course “sportsnut” but he left us for bigger and better pasturers!
This year does have a different feel to it with a lot of new commers to the party. We have MLK and Stephenson, Creekveiw is new, and a host of others but I will say this, the same old familiar faces will show up as always. Add MLK and Stephenson to the mix and you will find your final 16 teams.
@Cannon Rules, maybe this year you can stick around long enough for that cannon to fire into the semi-final.
Since we no longer have that target on our backs we may surprise some folk. Nobody is expecting much from Tucker so maybe we can sneak into the finals.
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 16th, 2012
8:43 am
@ Tucker DAD…
I still see things playing out like this…
REGION 5 goes 2 / 2 TONIGHT! EAST & ALLATOONA win..NORTH loses a close one & ROME loses BIG!!
REGION 6 goes 2 / 2 TONIGHT! (could EASILY be only 1 / 3) M.L.K. & TUCKER win…STEPHENSON & S.W.D. lose! THE WILDCARD game…TUCKER / CREEKVIEW, one bad turnover…one bad call…and CREEKVIEW pulls off the upset!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO THE DOME!!!!
Tucker DAD
November 16th, 2012
8:51 am
@ Cannon Rules, I can appreciate your optimism but now way Stepenson loses to Pope. This is a tough region and I know we can be beat but there is a lot of talent on the field in this region. All of our teams are susceptible to the pass, however 70 percent of the teams in our region run spread passing attacks so we’ve had plenty of practice. If you are going to beat one of us you can not solely depend on the pass. You better have a good running game as well.
Calvin Coolidge
November 16th, 2012
8:59 am
Tucker was a freak fumble away from getting beat by two touchdowns last year against Northside…If they play this year, Tucker may need two or three fumbles to pull it out.
Tucker DAD
November 16th, 2012
9:12 am
@Calvin Coolidge, didn’t you die back in the 1930’s? I guess that is why your football knowledge is so out dated. I don’t even think they played football back in your day. Being that you were our 30th president, by succeeding president Harding, and a conservative at that, I know sports is not your true calling. So find a politics blog to participate in and leave this sports stuff to the real people.
The Voice
November 16th, 2012
9:29 am
One thing for sure. Tucker and NSWR won’t be in the finals together this year. And yes Tucker dodged a bullet last year, spin it how you want. But that is why the games are played on the field.
Tucker DAD
November 16th, 2012
9:36 am
@The Voice, if we dodged a bullet last year then what did NSWR do you call what NSWR did in the dome with a 28 point second half comeback? I guess we both are dodging bullets! lol
Tucker DAD
November 16th, 2012
9:37 am
What do you call what NSWR did in the dome with a 28 point second half comeback?
Dang I have to start proof reading!
Tiger4Life
November 16th, 2012
10:56 am
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”
Tucker never gave up in that GAME, they chased the play down to the 2 yard line. Even with sure defeat the very next play they got good penetration to cause a faluty handoff followed by a 100 yard fumble return.
Thats why you play the game… the year before Tucker lost to Stars Mill on a fumble followed by a hail mary. Those are the breaks.
Calvin Coolidge
November 16th, 2012
11:42 am
I think Northside is as good as they were last year…I don’t think Tucker (DeKalb County) is nearly as good as they were.
ALL TUCKERRED UP
November 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
@CAL HOPEFULLY WE WILL FIND WHO IS BEST ON THE FIELD!!!!!!!
Northside Dawg
November 16th, 2012
12:27 pm
The 2007 Tucker game involved a long, extended comeback in the 2nd half by Northside, which was totally opposite of last year’s “freak play” at the end of the game.
JAB
November 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
@ THE “CANNON RULES”!!, yeah! I’ll be sitting on Pope side, hope to see you guys there.. @ I got to agree with Tucker Dad! What you guys got to realized is that region 6AAAAA has the reigning state champ and powerhouse “TUCKER”, Stephenson & MLK were already known for being a ranked team in the state’s highest classification; so what is all this hyped about our region is not the best. Look at the scores. Many of you top teams are blowing out the rest of your opponents from your region, why? I tell you why, because your region is week! @ THE “CANNON RULES”!!, I watched the youtube game of Pope & Kell where they lost 31 – 3, a blowout (are you kidding me, they look like a JV team)- NOT ONLY WILL STEPHENSON BEAT THEM (POPE) THEY ARE GOING TO BLOW THEM OFF THE FIELD.. Our region will get the respect after the third round, the only team that I’m a “little” worried about is SWD and that is because they have to travel, on their private field and they might get home cooked, but I depend on coach Godfrey to hold his own, he will have them guys ready to play… SO ALL HATERS GIVE US REGION 6AAAAA (THE BEST IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA) OUR DUE RESPECT… Se you at the Dome*****
JAB
November 16th, 2012
1:22 pm
sp. (weak)…
HeadEast
November 16th, 2012
2:07 pm
JAB – MLK and Stephenson moving down have made your region very tough. When MayS came to the Boneyard in the playoffs we showed them who the real Raiders are, and when SWD came we turned the Panthers into kitty cats. So we’ll welcome the Jags in round two and try to go 3-0 against the toughest region in the state!!!
If Tucker can win on the road at CrEekview, Flowery Branch and Northside my hats off to them!
I think the only region with a real shot to have two teams in the semis is region 2.
Good luck to the Lions, Tigers, Eagles, Jags, our brothers the Wolfpack, our neighbors the Bucaneers and yes, even to the dreaded Demons!
EAST 45 CC 3
GO EAST! GO RAIDERS!!
HERE COMES THE BOOM!!!
Old Yeller
November 16th, 2012
3:43 pm
Harris County is the sleeper in 5A.
HeadEast
November 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
Old Yeller – If they are they better wake up when they play WR! All those losses made Maxwell rank you 27 of 32 teams. They give the NP Wolfpack (25 of 32) a better chance of winning it than Harris. I doubt you get past the Demons in round two, but I do like Bainbridge on the road tonight and TCC at home.
JAB
November 16th, 2012
4:53 pm
@ HeadEast! OH YES! NOTICE YOU DIDN’T MENTION TUCKER! SWD & MAYS ARE SOLID BUT YOUR TOP CATS ARE MLK (LIONS) STEPHENSON (JAGUARS) & TUCKER(TIGERS)… YOU WONT RUN THE TABLES ON US…
JAB
November 16th, 2012
5:06 pm
@ Damn, all I got to say to you is Damn!!!
King Of Diamonds
November 16th, 2012
11:25 pm
I said on another blog Region 6 could be either 4-0 or 3-1 when the weekend is over. I was hoping for an upset alert with SWD almost taking out the number 1 seed Kell. but it didn’t happen. I know SWD was up in the game but couldn’t manage to hold onto the lead. I didn’t hear about the remaining minutes of the game all I heard was the final score Kell 19 SWD 14. Now with MLK & Tucker getting victories its left up to Stephenson to finish off a pretty good weekend with a victory over POPE tomorrow nite. 3-1 is looking pretty good so far the region so far. Does anyone know what other region has done well this far?