Higher seeds go 14-2, but Flowery Branch and Creekview knocked out (updated)
The first round of the Class AAAAA playoffs went according to form, for the most part, as the higher-seeded teams went 14-2. Here’s a look at the biggest surprise and the other games of note:
*The upset: North Paulding made a big splash in its playoff debut, beating top-seeded and eighth-ranked Flowery Branch 63-43 in a game in which the teams combined for more than 1,000 yards of total offense. North Paulding, which led 42-7 at halftime, got five touchdown passes and a TD run from quarterback Chase Newnan, according to the Gainesville Times. Flowery Branch was the Region 8 champion and earned a No. 1 seed for the first time in the program’s history but was the only No. 1 to lose its opener.
*The upset? Not really: Fifth-ranked Tucker was the only No. 3 seed to win on Friday when it beat Creekview 42-25, but it was hardly unexpected. In fact, it’s rarely an upset when the Tigers win a playoff game – they are 18-3 in the postseason with two state championships since 2007. Nonetheless, it was a great season for Creekview, which matched the school record for victories with nine in Al Morrell’s final season as the Grizzlies’ coach. He announced his retirement earlier this season.
*Rating the regions: If playoff success is the ultimate measuring stick of a region’s strength, then Regions 5 and 6 came out on top as the only ones to go 3-1. Region 5 got victories from top-seeded East Paulding, No. 2 Allatoona and No. 4 North Paulding. Third seed Rome lost to Gainesville 41-14. Region 6 got victories from M.L. King and Tucker on Friday, and Stephenson defeated Pope 31-11 on Saturday. Region 6 came close to making it 4-0, but fourth-seeded Southwest DeKalb gave up a late score in a 19-14 loss to Kell.
*Still perfect: Three Class AAAAA teams (East Paulding, Northside-Warner Robins and M.L. King) were 10-0 during the regular season, and all three moved on to the second round. East Paulding is trying to reach 12-0 for the first time since 2007, when it lost to Thomas County Central in the AAAA quarterfinals. Northside won its first 13 games last season before losing to Tucker in the AAAA semifinals, and M.L. King was 12-0 in 2011 when it lost to Lassiter in the AAAAA quarterfinals.
*Looking ahead: There will be two second-round games that match teams ranked in the top 10, and both involve Regions 5 and 6. Second-ranked M.L. King will host No. 10 Allatoona, and No. 3 East Paulding will host No. 8 Stephenson. Here are the second-round games:
Thomas County Central at Northside (Warner Robins)
North Paulding at Tucker
Union Grove at Ware County
Stephenson at East Paulding
Warner Robins at Harris County
Gainesville at Kell
Glynn Academy at Whitewater
Allatoona at M.L. King
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159 comments Add your comment
EPRaiders
November 19th, 2012
7:54 am
Maxprep was off a little, I`m a little more accurate. EP by 21. JV wil finish the game beginning in the middle of the 3rd Quarter. And (NO) you are not a Powerhouse. Nor are we, but friday night you will think we WERE or should be. Since we will beat you (JAB) can we be a powerhose too, please, please. I mean we have been to the playoff before, just like you right. I realize you just have to go, no need to win right (JAB) and Reg 6 blogger. Reg 5 goes 2-1.
MLK- GOES DOWN
TUCKER-GET`S LUCKY WITH A LATE TURNOVER (does that sound familiar)
STEPHENSON- GETS CRUSHED
JAB, lets make a wagger, the loser is banned from the blog for the rest of the year (YOU GUYS PLEASE TAKE THE BET, we are all so tired of you Reg 6 folks, acting like you invented football) , The offer is the same bet to all Region 6, big mouths. No more blogging go home and wait for Feb, like you always due. I also saw you play, so Feb will not be as kind this year. I saw no D-1 players out there and only 3 D-2 and about 4-5 NAIA Players. Now I did`nt say you won`t get any D-1 offers, you guys been fooling the recruiters for awhile now. But it`s catching up.
Are you in JAB, Scouts Honor
From the New Powerhouse ( according to Reg 6 bloggers )
Just win baby.
Damn there goes that Cannon again. Look like the School will furnish the AMMO, a military vehicle had to deliver it, I hope we don`t run out friday. BOOOOOOOOOM Duck JAB, we just fired a shot across the BILE.
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 19th, 2012
8:33 am
@ JAB…
I just read an article in the MDJ about the POPE / STEPHENSON game and here’s the REAL scoop on the game…I wish I had seen this earlier…this is a DIRECT QUOTE from YOUR coach!!!…
“If it wouldn’t have been for turnovers, I think this game would have come down to the LAST SERIES.” We were FORTUNATE enough to get a couple of turnovers and turn them into points…that broke the game open for us in the end.”
I’m just saying that DOES NOT sound like a BLOW-OUT or that ya’ll ROLLED OVER POPE!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!! UNBEATEN…UNDEFEATED!!! 11 / 0!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO ROUND 2
STEPHENSON “JAGS” in “THE BONEYARD”
and then THE DOME!!!!
King Of Diamonds
November 19th, 2012
8:46 am
Gamer..
My comment was only mentioned like you said any team can be beaten on any given friday or saturday. Thanks for the comment. Here is my issue that I have with with some of you. You say you sholda won but you didn’t then you give a reason to why your team lost. Here is the bottom line regardless of how you win its a WIN. The game is played for the entire let me say this againe THE ENTIRE 48 MINUTES.UNTIL THE CLOCK REACHES ZERO! If a team wins off a hail Mary guess what.. THEY WON! if a team kicks a field goal and win by 1 point guess what THEY WON! So please stop saying well we played good up until stop it stop it please with your excuses. I don’t care how many points Stephenson win by as long as it’s a win and the losing team can keep talking about what happen in the game but guess where they will be talking about the game.. In there room while we move on to the next round.
King Of Diamonds
November 19th, 2012
9:01 am
@THE “CANNON RULES”!!I just read an article in the MDJ about the POPE / STEPHENSON game and here’s the REAL scoop on the game…I wish I had seen this earlier…this is a DIRECT QUOTE from YOUR coach!!!…
“If it wouldn’t have been for turnovers, I think this game would have come down to the LAST SERIES.” We were FORTUNATE enough to get a couple of turnovers and turn them into points…that broke the game open for us in the end.”
I’m just saying that DOES NOT sound like a BLOW-OUT or that ya’ll ROLLED OVER POPE!
So your point is again? Does that mean because Stephenson capitalzied off the mistakes of POPE and scored touchdowns they won the game. UNNN that is what teams do. Cause turnovers and the offense put points on the board. Another thing doesn’t that sound just like a coach to say on a team that is good. Coach Gartrell will never say anything disrespectful to another team. That is what you call class!
Reeze
November 19th, 2012
9:12 am
@Tucker Dad…….Northside folks are seasoned veterans when the second season rolls around…..No team is taken lightly by Eagle fans , more importantly ne.ither does the Coaching staff and kids ……We know what Tucker brings to the table, And TCC.
THE "CANNON RULES"!!
November 19th, 2012
9:17 am
@ King Of Diamonds…
If you notice my post was directed a “JAB”…my post was in response to the following post…
JAB
November 17th, 2012
11:13 pm
Stephenson rolls over Pope 31 – 11 (1 down 4 to go)….
Stephenson (Jaguars)
GROOOOOOWL!!! FEEL OUR CLAWS & RESPECT OUR ROOOAR…
So my “POINT” was that the score is deceiving and the game was still in doubt early in the 4th Quarter! It sounds like POPE played STEPHENSON hard and YES I agree with YOUR comment that STEPHENSON capitalized on POPE mistakes and won the game. The article ALSO had a quote from the POPE coach who said how proud he was of the POPE players who played hard against a STEPHENSON team that “had more pure athletes on it’s KICKING TEAM than POPE has on it’s ENTIRE TEAM”!!! Now that’s a coach respecting the other team! He was “tipping the hat” to STEPHENSON for their WIN!!!
It looks like we have an exciting game lining itself up for us this Friday…Are you coming to the game? How does STEPHENSON travel? WiIl there be a full Visitor’s side? CLARKE CENTRAL was VERY disappointing last week they MAYBE had 50 / 75 folks!!!! FOR A PLAYOFF GAME!!!
One other thing, I understand the STEPHENSON band is real good and will be a sight to see BUT I was told they played the ENTIRE half and didn’t let POPE’s band play at all during half time…
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!! UNBEATEN!!…UNDEFEATED!!!…11 / 0!!!
2012 REGION 5 AAAAA CHAMPIONS!…ON TO ROUND 2
STEPHENSON “JAGS” in “THE BONEYARD”!!!
and then THE DOME!!!!
Reeze
November 19th, 2012
9:28 am
@JAB……Yall beat Pope……Pope!.It’s still football season ,baseball starts in a few months… If yall beat them in baseball , then scream at us……JAB the party has just started , the real ladies and ballers are still getting dressed and you’re already drunk and passed out on the couch…… The real party starts Friday 23 Nov , 7:30- Until….BE THERE!
Gamer
November 19th, 2012
9:49 am
King of Diamond: That wasn’t me saying anything about NSWR lost to Tucker. Tucker won—I am not one of thoses that look for excuses.
You hit the wrong guy heavy!!!!!!
Gamer
November 19th, 2012
9:50 am
Thanks Spin Doctor——Good to hear about Beck’s success.
Gamer
November 19th, 2012
10:01 am
King of Diamonds: My friend, please note who is saying what before you respond. I see where just after me —-”THE CANNON RULES” !!” pretty much said you also made a comment about something he said that he didn’t..
dekalbcounty football
November 19th, 2012
10:15 am
To everyone who mention about MLK lack of a state championship/powerhouse. Not making ANY excuses but we have only played 10 years of varsity made the playoffs 9 straight. Has WON more games in the first 6 years than ANY team in the state! Like all DeKalb county schools has revenue sharing with ALL schools (20+). Condos to ALL coaches in DeKalb, because you LOVE the players and the game. I am willing to bet over 85% of the coaches in the state will not come to DeKalb b/c of the $$$. Everyone knows that the TALENT is here!
HeadEast
November 19th, 2012
11:00 am
It’s just trash talk. Here’s the facts…..
2011 EP 10 – SWD 6 thanks for coming
2007 EP 21 – Mays 3 thanks for coming
EP has never lost to mighty region 6 in the playoffs and it won’t happen Friday Night
EP 27 – Stephenson 10
Thanks for coming and drive home safely!!!
King Of Diamonds
November 19th, 2012
12:16 pm
@ Gamer & My comments were not directed at no one particular person. I was giving you cudos on comment you made. Anyways hope to see you at the EP game
Cannon Rules. I was just adding onto your statement from my opinion.
And the comment I said was talking about “my team shoulda won” is a blanket comment for anyone who continue to use that excuse. At the end of game one team wisn & another team lost.
Former MLK Band Mom
November 19th, 2012
2:22 pm
@EP Raiders … I’ll take that bet!
Former MLK Band Mom
November 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
@EPRaiders … I’ll take that bet!
All I have to say is.......
November 19th, 2012
2:49 pm
That bet was not and is not a bet the rest of the Raider Fans have agreed upon. EP Raiders can pay that price all on his or her own.
Historian
November 19th, 2012
2:55 pm
Head East:
East Paulding has a solid program and looks great this year. But you seem to have forgotten the only time the Raiders have made it to the semi’s, in 2006. In that game, East Paulding was defeated by Marist of Region 6 by the score of 27-7.
Having said that, I would be surprised if EP doesn’t beat Stephenson on Friday. The Jaguars are dangerous and athletic, but they haven’t looked sharp since beating Tucker 13-6 earlier in the season.
FridayNightLightsFan
November 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
I think the EP/Stephenson game will come down to who makes the least mistakes. AND PLEASE DEAR GOD let it be a different officiating crew this week.
Old Yeller
November 19th, 2012
3:44 pm
Harris County is the sleeper in 5A.
Tucker DAD
November 19th, 2012
4:11 pm
Harris County is the sleeper until they are awaken!
BcS2010
November 19th, 2012
4:44 pm
East Paulding vs Stephenson is the game of the week!!! It’s gonna be a great game! MLK and tucker will win easily
HeadEast
November 19th, 2012
4:56 pm
Historian – Youre right, I was at that game and we had no answer for the ‘white buffalo’. That Marist team only lost to Tucker and then the 30-0 Northside team in the final.
Top to bottom region 6 is the best in AAAAA, but that’s due to MLK and Stephenson moving down this year. Tucker – yeah, great tradition, and SWD played some great ball back in the day. But Marist is beating up on AAAA teams now, and SWD and Mays haven’t done much lately.
Back in the day, Rome used to kill EP by 4 or 5 or 6 TD’s, but East has owned them going 5-0 since 2006.
Back in the day Valdota and Lowndes wouldn’t have lost in the 1st round.
Point is, THIS ISN’T BACK IN THE DAY.
This is the dawn of the era of Paulding County. East is leading the way and North and South look like they’ll catch up pretty soon.
EP 30 – Jags 10
HERE COMES THE BOOM!!!
KeithMLKfan
November 19th, 2012
5:30 pm
Looking forward to MLK vs Allatoona this Fri. You can,t hide that Lion pride……
Longhorn nation
November 19th, 2012
5:54 pm
Dekalbcounty football you are very right about the $ that’s why Tucker lost there coach and I think Dekalb is a gold mine when it comes to talent but the count board leaders are to busy stuffing MONEY in there pockets instead of putting it back in the program.
KeithMLKfan
November 19th, 2012
6:02 pm
MLK is a very complete team this year,been a joy to watch….I believe this is the team that will get it done this year…The last three years weve come close, Lost to Walton by a last second field goal,Colquitt County in a shoot out by a missed two point conversion, last year to Lassiter in a very close game….This team has talent, heart,and well coached……
Longhorn nation
November 19th, 2012
6:08 pm
To StephensonBLACKOPP yes we have had a few D ones go pro and and one starts for Pittsburg!!!!! but out of all the D ONE PLAYERS YOU HAVE HAD NOT ONE OF THEM GOT YOUR TEAM PAST THE FIRST ROUND UP TILL THIS PAST FRIDAY .the way you and JAB talk you guys are regular Quarter finals and truth of the matter your region champs till you play a real football team. TIC TIC BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get use to it
RealisticFan
November 19th, 2012
7:17 pm
Any Stephenson fans wanna give us a good scouting report on your team, including your perception if strengths and weaknesses, certain # to keep an eye one , etc ?
uncleJunior
November 19th, 2012
7:34 pm
@EPRaiders . . . . I’ll take that bet!!!!!!! Are you really tired of the region6 posters or is it fear??????? Your region posters talk just about the same or more stuff. Do not sell Stephenson short. I believe your weariness of region 6 might be a result of your nervousness for this week’s game. It never bothered you until now (here comes Stephenson!!!)
@TuckerDad. . . . . someone told me today that, Tucker seems to get stronger as the season progresses. Once the playoffs kicked off, it seems as though they kicked it up a notch!!!!!!!! VERY DANGEROUS TEAM!!!!!!
stephensonBLACKOPP
November 19th, 2012
8:12 pm
Longhorn nation-wrong again my friend stephenson went to the dome 06 against lowndes where we lost 14-7 as went on to beat brookwood like they stole sumthin 42-0…and we have went past the first round MORE then once but thats neither here nor there..you said stephenson isn’t a powerhouse i gave you sum reason why we are could have gave more but there’s no need.. my point is go ask any COLLEGE coach in america where stephenson is and they can tell im not so sure the same apply’s to KELL…you have own mind and you will think what you think…EP FANS I GOT THE SAME FEELING I HAD THE WEEK OF THE TUCKER GAME…YOU WILL BE OUR NEW PARKVEIW LOL..
REGION 6 5A WELCOME TO DEKALB CO.FOOTBALL
uncleJunior
November 19th, 2012
9:00 pm
@LonghornNation . . . .. .just remember one thing . . . . .you barely escaped #4. You WILL NOT escape any others!!!!!!!! Be grateful you just narrowly escaped #4. . . . . show a little respect!
uncleJunior
November 19th, 2012
9:16 pm
@RealisticFan . . . . .Stephenson has a great combination of size, speed and athleticism. Defense is underated. Their speed and athleticism, makes up for any mistakes. Defensive line, is where the size and athleticism shows the most. Offense, everyone talks about their slasher as a good running back but #23 can take it to the house any time he touches the rock. Quarterback (in my opinion) is under utilized. This guy has tools but (in my opinion) is lost running the system he has to run. Overall, when this team is clicking, it is tough to beat. #23 is a beast!
Longhorn nation
November 19th, 2012
9:17 pm
Uncle Junior Georgia high school and the ajc don’t respect the JAGs they have EP 17 point spread sounds like I speek the truth TIC TIC BOOM all night
FridayNightLightsFan
November 19th, 2012
9:55 pm
One thing I will say about EP this year. They have shown up for the big games. The team that played Rome and Allatoona I would put up against anyone. I hope everyone has recovered from the CC game. We had a few young men a little beat up and some pretty big shoes to fill if Aaron Black is out.
EPRaiders
November 19th, 2012
10:15 pm
@Unclejunior I saw #23, he`s not fast at all.He seems to be a little back. We smash little guys with our big D-Line. I heard you guys use several backs (you will need them all). I don`t think your line can block us. I hope your backs can take a hit. What’s his name so we can look him up. I asked some of the folks from your region about him, they said WHO. So are you a relative are a real fan of Stephenson, Uncle Jun, Hey look I just figured it out your his Uncle, am I right. lol Anyway we have 2 backs and a Cannon
Longhorn nation
November 19th, 2012
10:55 pm
BLACKOPPS don’t no were you get your history but you never played Brookwood 2006 and you lost to Peachtree ridge in the 3 round, your web site is wrong. Peachtree Ridge Vs Warner Robins and Tift county Vs Roswell in the state semi finals. So you mite just google it .That was the year that Peactree Ridge and Roswell tied for state championship , on another note you have a great record no doubt but no trophy.
KeithMLKfan
November 19th, 2012
11:02 pm
I like reading the post on the most part, but you EP posters are working my nerves… Hope Stephenson kicks yall’s assssssssssss
blu eagle
November 19th, 2012
11:11 pm
Hopefully tucker can pull another one out of their hat as NSWR has some unfinished business with them.We will not take them lightly, but NSWR has more speed and weapons than ever before, hopefully we can take care of business one more time after TCC of course!
JAB
November 19th, 2012
11:16 pm
JAB is here and ready to get down to the real nitty gritty trash talk, YOU HEARD ME!! Now Reeze WE are inner city our main sports are Football & basketball, you wanna ball! “I DID”T THINK SO”, @ THE “CANNON RULES”!!, Coach Gartrell is a very modest man, he was giving them the benefit of a doubt!! What it is going to come down to is Stephenson is going to prove to (ALL) you HATER”S that they are legit, they belong in AAAAA; they have brought all of that experience with them from playing the highest claqssification to prove to all that they can and will win on this level; I believe that Stephenson has the most to prove than any other team in the AAAAA with all of the hype about having the most D1 players, being ranked every year and loosing in the 1st round. You all are going to see a really hungry Jaguar this Friday & that cannon will not be going off unless you fire it for the opposing team. I predict a Stephenson MLK final at the dome…
JAB
November 19th, 2012
11:19 pm
@ after we kick yall butt, I hope yall don’t mind our band playing because they are really fly and can get down to the get down… Lol.,
JAB
November 19th, 2012
11:21 pm
Stephenson (Jaguars)
GROOOOOOWL!!! FEEL OUR CLAWS & RESPECT OUR ROOOAR….
tcc Champs!
November 19th, 2012
11:26 pm
TCC @BLU EAGLE, PLEASE DON’T SLEEP ON TCC… EVEN THO THEY ARE BEAT UP RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN NOT SLEEP ON THEM…. THEY STUCK IN WITH C.COUNTY, SO PLEASE DO NOT SLEEP ON US…!!!
JAB
November 19th, 2012
11:29 pm
@ EPRaiders, I wouldn’t want to make that kind of bet with you because I wouldn’t want you guys to go into hiding and prepare for your baseball season, notice I said baseball cause you guys don’t stand a chance to match Dekalb county elite ‘BASKETBALL POWER HOUSES”, but that’s another story!!! I want you guys to come back on Monday and eat your crow, then come and pick the leaves up around my house and do the landscape around Jaguar land and then maybe, just maybe if you are good little puppies, we might let you go run with the other greyhounds Lol.,
Stephenson (Jaguars)
GROOOOOOWL!!! FEEL OUR CLAWS & RESPECT OUR ROOOAR….
JAB
November 19th, 2012
11:39 pm
Stephenson 24 EP 21 *****
JAB
November 19th, 2012
11:42 pm
SOMEONE JUST TOLD ME TO POST THE SCORE FROM FRIDAY NIGHT NOVEMBER 23, 2012 (FUTURISTIC)… Stephenson 24 EP 21
Stephenson (Jaguars)
GROOOOOOWL!!! FEEL OUR CLAWS & RESPECT OUR ROOOAR….
King Of Diamonds
November 19th, 2012
11:45 pm
I am really really looking towards the Ep vs Stephenson game. This game is for the EP bloggers.
King Of Diamonds
November 20th, 2012
12:19 am
I am really really looking towards the EP vs Stephenson game.
RealisticFan
November 20th, 2012
12:26 am
@unclejunior
I appreciate the reply, I would really line more of a scouting report. Type of offense, special teams , defense 3-4. 3-5?, yes the strengths but weaknesses also. Thinks that you as a fan know your jags are suceptible to. Coaching tendencies ? Something REAL.
I really don’t care about how many D1 candidates their are because unless all that potential “all in” fur the team and not for what might be at the next level then it doesn’t mean a dang thing. Give me 40 kids that love each other, respect the game, their coaches and committed to one another any day of the week over a group of D1 capable individuals. I may be way off base but the Stephenson bloggers act as it D1 talent translates to wins in a team sport.
@KeithMLKfan
Why are the East bloggers so iterating to you but not other Reg6 fans. ?
EPRaiders
November 20th, 2012
12:30 am
This won`t be much of a game. 42-14.
All we do is win baby.
JAB
November 20th, 2012
1:15 am
WOW! I was giving you guys some credit to hang with us! But if you insist, Stephenson 42 EP 14 Lol., G.night!!
Stephenson (Jaguars)
GROOOOOOWL!!! FEEL OUR CLAWS & RESPECT OUR ROOOAR….
Montanto
November 20th, 2012
5:59 am
Here’s a scouting report on Northside kick your &@$” on defense and score often on offense and if your smart dont kick it to Keshon Hill.