AAAAAA blog: Overrated, or just laid an egg? Lassiter, Lowndes, Valdosta left to pick up the pieces
How do you explain it?
The easy choice is to say that Lassiter, Lowndes, Valdosta, Region 1 and Region 5 were overrated and exposed Friday night.
But if that’s true, then why did Region 1’s No. 4 seed (Colquitt County) beat Region 1’s champion (McEachern)? It doesn’t make sense.
Remember that Lowndes and Valdosta dominated their regular-season games with Colquitt County, although Colquitt made those games close in the end.
Meanwhile, McEachern routed North Cobb. And North Cobb lost to South Cobb. Marietta lost to North Cobb and Newnan.
In other news, Region 8 (Grayson, South Gwinnett, Parkview, Brookwood) swept Region 5 (Lassiter, Walton, Milton, Wheeler).
The only shocker was No. 1-ranked Lassiter (10-0 entering) falling to No. 4 seed Brookwood (6-4). Parkview beat Walton in double-overtime. Both players were missing their best running backs. Milton played South Gwinnett close.
But what happened to Lassiter?
Were these teams overrated, or did they just lay an egg?
Here are more things to think about as we enter the second round:
- Lassiter became only the second No. 1-ranked team in the highest classification to lose in the first round since the GHSA expanded the playoffs to 16 teams in 1990 (and then 32 in 1996). The other was North Cobb in 2007. Those are the only Cobb teams to enter the playoffs ranked No. 1 since 2000.
- Hughes, North Cobb, Brookwood or Mill Creek will make the semifinals from what might be called Cinderella’s quarter of the draw. Hughes won its first playoff game in history Friday against Rockdale County, 37-3. North Cobb won its first playoff game since 1979 against Valdosta, 42-14. Mill Creek won its third playoff game in history against Alpharetta, 41-39. Brookwood won its 43rd playoff game, but is a No. 4 seed. Only 12 No. 4 seeds have made the semifinals since 1996. The last to do it in the highest classification was Peachtree Ridge, which won the title in 2006.
- Crosstown rivals Valdosta and Lowndes were simultaneously beaten in the first round for the first time in history. It’s only the third time that both failed to make the second week of post-season since 1978, when Nick Hyder won his first state title at Valdosta. Those seasons were 1993 and 2006, when both failed to make the playoffs.
- Gwinnett County teams went 7-1 in the first round. It took three upsets – Mill Creek over Alpharetta, Parkview over Walton and Brookwood over Lassiter. There has not been a season since 1996 that schools currently in Region 1 or Gwinnett County did not win a state championship in the highest classification. The nine remaining teams that meet that criteria are Brookwood, Camden County, Colquitt County, Grayson, Mill Creek, Norcross, North Gwinnett, Parkview and South Gwinnett.
- Parkview won its first playoff game since 2005, which was the unofficial end of the Parkview dynasty that netted four state titles from 1995 through 2005. Parkview was 136-19. Parkview is 41-34 since.
- Colquitt County is 9-2 since 2009 in road playoff games under Rush Propst. No team or coach has ever had such consistent success on the road in the playoffs.
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123 comments Add your comment
HSFB Follower
November 18th, 2012
11:58 pm
As I’ve stated on this blog since August GEORGIA IS DEEP! The proof is now showing. However Lassiter and it’s entire region was vastly overrated all season but Lassiter’s coach is a great politician with many in the poll/ranking business. The Wing T offenses of South Georgia are great when your ahead once you get down and have to throw it the trouble begins and yes this goes for Camden also but the difference is they actually can throw it this season. Marietta got up on Lowndes quick fast and in a hurry and then Lowndes had to throw the football…ummm problem!
Another team folks are not ready to give props to is Lovejoy but get ready for them to have a massive showdown with Grayson/North Gwinnett and don’t be surprised if it’s North Gwinnett. Sphire knows how to win and with no school this week he has all the time in the world to dial up a serious game plan for the Rams. I’m not saying they will win but I am saying don’t be surprised. As far as Lovejoy I hear the knock on their Region and it’s valid but their body of work top to bottom can’t be touched. I know some Colquitt people will disagree but I’ll remind you that the flags were flying fast and heavy in Moultrie that September night. Buckle up it’s going to be a fun fun fun ride the rest of the way!
Abu Dhabi
November 19th, 2012
7:01 am
Congratulations to ALL the teams who made it to the Play Offs especially those who are advancing to Round 2. To the great fans of Georgia…you are only as good as your last win. Each year the landscape changes…coaches, players, and title winners. Quite living in the past, folks. North Cobb is the Truth and I love a quite storm winner. Let’s Ride, boys. Keep shocking the world.
Falconguy45
November 19th, 2012
7:36 am
I have to give kudos to North Cobb and Marietta for traveling down south and knocking off two very good teams. We will see how deep these two teams will go. They have some very big challenges ahead.
sportsnut
November 19th, 2012
8:53 am
The Marietta vs Lovejoy game is going to be a good one. The one problem I see for Marietta is their D. They will need to do a better job come friday. They will quickly learn that Lovejoy is not Lowndes. They should be prepared for a well balanced team. They stacked the box with eight men against Lowndes and this will not be possible against Lovejoy. They can try but Lovejoy has such a passing game that you stack the box and you get beat on the pass. Try to play man or a zone and the run will come alive.
57Cat
November 19th, 2012
8:59 am
Falconguy45 – For the record, Valdosta travelled to North Cobb for our whuppin’. I’m not sure the outcome would have been any different had the game been in Valdosta, but we would have played in a much nicer stadium and wouldn’t have had to use PortaPotties.
LTrojan Fan
November 19th, 2012
9:36 am
HSFB Follower…you don’t have a clue what your talking about when you say that “Lassiter’s coach is a great politician with many in the poll/ranking business”. I can assure you that he has NEVER thought much of rankings. The hype came from everyone else based on the success that the team had last year and the number of returning players from that team that went all of the way to the semi-finals.
Smug
November 19th, 2012
10:00 am
Hey, hey, hey – It’s time for Lowndes & Valdosta to consolodate their school systems so they can have a winning team in town again. Neither school can be as strong as the two together. Oh, didn’t they have a straw vote on this a couple years ago? It makes sense to do it but the ghosts of Valdosta football would have none of it. Valdosta will never regain its glory days. Hey, hey, hey.
McEachern sucks
November 19th, 2012
10:31 am
Just sayin’
In Valdosta
November 19th, 2012
11:16 am
The Lowndes and Valdosta systems won’t ever consolidate. They recently fought that battle and decided against it. They are far too territorial and stubborn. You’d have to live in this town as I do to really grasp it but I can tell by comments that most people have an understanding of the issue. Wh would benefit from it? Everyone would but it aint happening.
Cobb fan
November 19th, 2012
12:59 pm
@sportsnut I agree Lowndes was pretty easy to read, our losses this year were to teams exactly like Lovejoy that had balanced attacks and a QB that could run or throw! Our defense was scorched by North Cobb “who look very much like Lovejoy” and we had some turnovers that game. We can score with anybody so this looks like a shootout Friday night, should be fun and only an hour from Marietta. Go Blue Devils!
Tipp Smooth
November 19th, 2012
1:31 pm
Abu Dhabi, go get a Lamb Shawarma and check
out the Gold Souk. Dubai is great….Go Camden.
57Cat
November 19th, 2012
1:56 pm
Listen ya’ll, consolidating to Lowndes and Valdosta school SYSTEMS does not mean consolidating the two schools’ student bodies. Administration of the schools would be unified with little effect on the school enrollments.
sportsnut
November 19th, 2012
2:00 pm
@ Cobb Fan == I am so glad you guys made it. Great job. I don’t want anyone to think Lovejoy did not want Lowndes, we did. You beat us to it but we are greatful. Last season, the pundits called for an all Warner Robins final in AAAA and it was up to Lovejoy and Tucker to stop that from happening. We did. As you know, those same pundits, including the pollster and this publication, were calling for Region 1 to battle it out for the title with Gwinnett. That may still be possible but there are many of us left(Marietta included) that will have something to say about that. Jennings is a special player and he will present Lovejoy with a hard task. Your receivers are good also. They work well together. Going to be a good one Oh yeah, Friday, don’t get caught on Tara and the going home rush. It will be bad, as usual, from about 4-7pm. It does not break up until it gets to Lovejoy. There are about 18 traffic lights from the time you exit 75.
oldsarge99
November 19th, 2012
3:10 pm
The honest truth about Valdosta is they are a team of the past. Coaching by Wright Bazemore and Nick Hyder made the difference. Back in their hey day Valdosta had tons of talent and could field 150 good players if necessary. The system that those coaches created and sustained over 30 years produced 23 state titles and 6 national championships. those days are history. Not to mention that as the demographics of Valdosta changed and white flight took hold, the wildcats lost many very good white ball players to Lowndes County. That’s not to be construed as a racist statement,because it was not intended to be that way. But they simply don’t get very many good white athletes at Valdosta anymore. They’re are no more Buck Belue’s, John Lastingers, Greg Talleys, or John Bond’s attending Valdosta these days. They’re all at Lowndes County. Valdosta can still win 7 or 8 games a year and make the playoffs, but they will be eliminated in the first round every year. Lowndes has the best talent in the area and will win big again.
GwinnettDad
November 19th, 2012
6:25 pm
HS football fan
November 16th, 2012
7:25 am
Lassiter was missing one of our best wide receivers during region play…he’s back! I’m not sure any team has enough talent at db to cover all of their weapons. To make matters worse, Lassiter averages 152 yards rushing per game too. They put up over 400 yards per game EVERY Friday night! Good luck!
There’s a lesson to be learned here, don’t you think?
Falconguy45
November 19th, 2012
9:29 pm
Old Sarge…. I understand your comments, but I believe the main reason a lot of the North Georgia schools, mainly Gwinnett have had is due to the coaches that have adopted the strong programs that Coach Bazemore, Hyder, Billy Henderson, and others created. It takes more than pure athletes to create a contender. I look at Camden and Grayson’s programs and the demographics are about the same. The coaching and community involvement is excellent in both programs.
Falconguy45
November 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Another point, up until about 20 years ago, most of the metro Atlanta schools that played in the higher classifications had to share a county stadium. It was very difficult to compete with a Valdosta team in their large stadium that brought 10,0000 fans.
Camden74
November 19th, 2012
10:34 pm
Wow! There are a lot of people who either don’t know or are in denial, posting on this board! Everyone took Titletown’s statement and tried to make it something that it wasn’t. Just because you don’t agree with it doesn’t mean it’s not true………Release the CATS!
GwinnettDad
November 19th, 2012
10:34 pm
Twenty years ago most of the Gwinnett Schools of today didn’t exist.
TItletown USA
November 20th, 2012
7:23 am
Oldsarge99, with all due respect, I have to respectfully disagree, but you are certainly entitled to that opinion.
oldsarge99
November 20th, 2012
8:25 am
Titletown, you disagree with my statement without stating your views. I have been a Valdosta fan for over 30 years. I watched them win all the big games and now I am watching them lose the big games,even at home. What I said is the cold hard truth. Those truly integrated valdosta teams were awesome, Especially the 71,77,78,82,84,86 teams. But in high school football you need the best black and white ball players to have a truly great team. The point that I was trying to make is that the two things that Valdosta has lost are great coaching and good white ball players. Again this post is should not be construed as racist, it’s just the facts.
BullDawgRick
November 20th, 2012
9:51 am
AAAAAA Championship Comes thru Gwinnett County!!
Been that way for 12 + years!!
57Cat
November 20th, 2012
10:58 am
oldsarge99 and TitleTownUSA – If you don’t mind my butting in. I’ve watched Wildcat football since the early 50’s (except I regrettably missed the Hyder years when I was in the Washington, DC area) and my feeling is that in Coach Gillespie we have the makings of a great high school football coach. If anyone can take the kids that make up the current crop of athletes afforded him by the Valdosta city school system and forge them into winning, championship football teams, I feel he can. I agree that we miss having big, white athletes like Lowndes has. And when you do the math, as the 5th or 6th smallest school in AAAAAA, we have a much smaller pool of candidates to work with. But the kids we get are talented and committed. What has been missing, and what was destroyed by coaches Darlington and Tomberlin, is the PROGRAM that is instituted at the 6th grade and provides a feeder system of athletes that, by the time they reach varsity, are well versed in the system. Coach Gillespie is doing that now. He was behind the 8 ball when he got here, but all of the coaches at the various levels have bought into his program. It will take time (it took Coach Hyder 8 years to win his first state title at VHS) but we’re definitely headed in the right direction.