Class A: No. 13 FPD over No. 4 Brookstone biggest upset, other top seeds advance
By S. Thomas Coleman
For the AJC
The first round is in the books. Both top seeds – Athens Academy (barely) and Lincoln County – will move on. While the higher seeds went 6-2 on the public school side, the lower seeded teams split with the higher seeds on the private side.
Here are the quarterfinal match ups, followed by some observations from the first round and a look at how the regions fared as well.
PUBLIC
No. 9 Wilkinson County at No. 1 Lincoln County
No. 5 Dooly County at No. 4 Seminole County
No. 11 Trion at No. 3 Emanuel County Institute
No. 7 Marion County at No. 2 Wilcox County
PRIVATE
No. 9 Prince Avenue at No. 1 Athens Academy
No. 13 First Presbyterian Day at No. 12 Landmark Christian
No. 11 George Walton Academy at No. 3 Walker
No. 7 Savannah Christian at No. 2 Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy
Top 4 public seeds roll, Commerce’s struggles continue
The top four seeds on the public side all cruised to wins in Round 1. No. 1 Lincoln County (21-0 over Hancock Central), No. 2 Wilcox County (42-14 over Greenville), No. 3 Emanuel County Institute (46-12 over Gordon Lee) and No. 4 Seminole County (36-7 over Commerce) all won by an average margin of nearly 30 points.
The biggest surprise was probably Seminole County’s blowout of No. 13 Commerce, a proud program that is sliding a bit. Seminole (9-2) handed the Tigers (5-6) their worst playoff loss since a 1991 loss to Oglethorpe County (36-8). Commerce, which won two state titles and 17 region championships since it began competing in football in 1909, is a mediocre 32-35 since 2007, and has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2006.
FPD over Brookstone biggest of four private school upsets
First Presbyterian (7-4), the No. 13 seed on the private school side, raced to a 21-0 lead and hung on to knock off No. 4 Brookstone (8-3), 49-33, in Columbus. The lower seed was victorious in three other private school first round contests.
No. 9 Prince Avenue Christian (9-2) took out No. 8 Darlington (7-4) in Rome, 42-21, as Bryce Huff ran for three touchdowns. No. 11 George Walton Academy (8-3) got 224 yards rushing and four touchdowns from junior Stanley “Boom” Williams, en route to a 38-12 win over No. 6 Aquinas (8-3). The Bulldogs rolled up more than 400 yards on the ground while holding the Irish’s Brendan Douglas, who committed to Georgia Tech, to just 56.
And Landmark (8-3) is at it again. The War Eagles, who won four road playoff games last season before falling to Savannah Christian in the state title game, defeated Calvary Day (9-2), 10-7, in Savannah, on the strength of 223 yards of total offense for junior running back Jeremiah Kirkland – 187 yards rushing on 31 carries and a touchdown, and 2 catches for 36 yards. The game wasn’t as close as it seemed as the Cavaliers didn’t score until there were 13 seconds left in the game.
Athens Academy, Walker remain perfect
The two undefeated teams in Class A remain that way after Round 1. Athens Academy (11-0), the No. 1 seed on the private school side, trailed 13-0 going into the fourth quarter but willed itself to a 17-13 win over Mt. Pisgah (6-5) to move into the quarterfinals. Sophomore receiver Eric Williams and senior quarterback Austin Schulte got the Spartans’ comeback going when they hooked up on a 61-yard touchdown to narrow the gap to 13-7 early in the fourth quarter.
Walker (11-0), the No. 3 seed, also trailed early – 7-6 at halftime – but rallied as well to take a 28-7 victory over Athens Christian (4-7). Senior Evan Kasian led the way for the Wolverines with 183 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 21 carries. It was the first playoff win in the 12-year history of the Walker program.
ELCA, Savannah Christian advance
No. 2 seed Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy and No. 7 Savannah Christian both built 28-point halftime leads and cruised to first round victories. ELCA (10-1) got 80 yards rushing on 8 carries from senior Keyante Green, a Purdue commit, and held off No. 15 Our Lady of Mercy (6-5), 42-14. Savannah Christian (8-3) drilled Holy Innocents (6-5) 35-17, behind senior Ivan Reese’s 87 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. Savannah Christian, the defending Class A champions, will travel to McDonough next week to face ELCA in a game many believe will produce the eventual private school champion.
Trion triumphs, Wilkinson rallies, Marion dumps Charlton
Trion, the No. 11 seed, pulled the biggest upset on the public schools side as the Bulldogs (9-2) continued their best season since 2003 by blasting No. 6 Irwin Co., 31-6, in Ocilla, nearly five hours from home. Cory Bethune ran for two scores the passed for another the lead the way.
No. 9 Wilkinson County (8-3) got a late touchdown to prevail over No. 8 Miller County (8-3), 27-26, in Colquitt. No. 7 Marion County (9-2) brought the nightmare season for Charlton County (5-6) to an end as the Eagles prevailed 31-12 in Buena Vista. Charlton finished below .500 for the first time since 1989, the year prior to the arrival of head coach Rich McWhorter.
Region records
Region 8 has the bragging rights after the first round of the playoffs going 3-1 as Athens Academy, Prince Avenue and George Walton all advanced. Meanwhile, Region 2 went 1-3 as Wilcox County is now the only team from that league – made up of all public schools – left in the tournament. Here are the other records (*keep in mind that Region 5, Mercy-ELCA, and Region 7, Hancock Central-Lincoln County, were at a disadvantage as two teams faced each other in the first round):
Region 1: 1-1
Region 3: 2-1
Region 4: 2-2
*Region 5: 2-2
Region 6: 2-2
*Region 7: 3-2
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109 comments Add your comment
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 24th, 2012
11:19 am
Congrats to the winners last night, especially to the three 8-1 representatives, Prince Avenue, Athens Academy and George Walton Academy! With Williams healthy, George Walton is going to be hard to beat.
Not surprised at Commerce’s loss, Thomas, and a little surprised that you are. The Tigers are not the machine they used to be. A season-opening (and still unexplainable) win over Jefferson is the Tiger’s lone bragging right this year. The past few season, Commerce has been lucky to be a .500 team. They’ll be back, but I don’t think it’ll be any time soon, especially with all the power in 8-A.
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 24th, 2012
11:20 am
should read “the three 8-A representatives”…..I have GOT to get my glasses replaced….
The Truth
November 24th, 2012
11:20 am
The GHSA’s dummass rules arranging to keep Region 2’s third best team at home and sending the 5th ranked team might have something to do with being 1-3….
BehindEnemyLines
November 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
No surprise at the Commerce result at all. They’ve been pretty bad in the second half of the season, lost their QB and just never recovered from it.
S. Thomas Coleman
November 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
@Monroe’s: I’m not necessarily surprised by the loss — Coach Ingram does a fantastic job down there. But I am surprised by the point margin. Just don’t remember Commerce getting blown out as much as they have this season.
In fact, if anybody up in Commerce is listening, what’s up the the Tigers lately? The youth program dwindling a little? You guys starting to lose students to other high schools? What’s gives?
Thanks for reading and posting, Monroe.
S. Thomas Coleman
S. Thomas Coleman
November 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
@Behind: Thanks for the intel. Losing a QB can submarine a season.
Thanks for reading and posting!
S. Thomas Coleman
gh2o
November 24th, 2012
4:01 pm
Commerce had kids with a lot of heart. Watching them play GWA, they hit hard and played all the way to the end. They were just very young, not deep, and were missing that “one” impact player. I bet they’ll improve dramatically next year. They got beat up pretty badly starting with the GWA game and never recovered.
gh2o
November 24th, 2012
4:07 pm
By the way, I think I was the only one not surprised by GWA’s total dominance over Aquinas. I think the AJC picked Aquinas by 10, but it wasn’t even as close as the 38-12 score. ELCA vs SC game should be a very good one. Another good week of football coming up.FPD is a very dangerous team, as well…QB is very good when given time. Them winning this past weekend shouldn’t have surprised anyone.
moodswing
November 24th, 2012
7:14 pm
GWA is no surprise to anyone in 8A. They have the best athletes of anyone they’ve played. Two loses came without senior QB Rice. GWA went to what they do best, “Run the Ball”! The Four Horseman – Williams, Waters, Jarvis and Rice!!!
Calvary Dad
November 24th, 2012
7:16 pm
Sorry Walker fans…..Your season is over this week. You struggled against a losing team last night. George Walton has the horses and a really good coaching staff.
winners for this week:
ELCA will win(BARELY)
George Walton(see above)
Landmark(Great D, even better coaching)
Prince Ave(experienced winners)
I welcome your picks and why
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
Calvary Dad: I think Athens Academy has Prince’s number. AA advances.
Swamp Lizard
November 24th, 2012
8:18 pm
@ Calvary Dad …. here’s my picks
Prince Ave over Athens Academy ( coaching & redemption )
Landmark over First Presbyterian ( coaching & D )
George Walton over Walker ( Walker hasn’t seen a team like this )
ELCA over Sav Christian ( D will play lights out )
Swamp Lizard
November 24th, 2012
8:25 pm
Public Picks ….
Lincoln Co over Wilkinson ( in a close game )
Dooly Co over Seminole Co ( Dooly D wins it )
ECI over Trion ( big win Trion, but it ends here )
Wilcox Co over Marion Co ( it’s offense here … Wilcox has it )
Dawg Mike
November 24th, 2012
9:18 pm
i have heard a lot of class A public schools going to AA so this stinks
I wonder fan
November 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
Savannah Christian has a great defence and an awesome coaching staff and they will stop Green and upset ELCA just like Landmark Christian did at home last year. My prediction is a rematch for the state championship between Landmark Christian and Savannah Christian in another intense match up like last season. Good match ups come between complete teams on defense and now that Landmark has all of its players healthy the defense is overpowering like Savannah Christian’s. Get set for great match ups this coming Friday but it will be the War Eagles and the Raiders again for the 2012 crown at the dome!!
TCDAWG25
November 24th, 2012
11:38 pm
ELCA by forty or more against Savannah Christian. If the game is close or if they lose to Savannah Christian I guess the title was handed out to soon.
CheerTigerDad
November 25th, 2012
12:10 am
It’s no coincidence that Commerce has suffered since the opening of the East Jackson HS a few miles down the road. We’ve lost kids to them, along with Jefferson and Banks County (all relatively close). There is a glimmer of hope in the next few years. We have a great group of kids coming up from Middle school and 12U rec ball, if they just stay in Commerce. The only losses either of these teams have had the last couple of years has been at the hands of Jefferson. Jefferson will be very strong in the next coming years, just like they are this year. There is a lot of talent coming up in their system.
CheerTigerDad
November 25th, 2012
12:16 am
And forgot to mention a correction, STC. Region 8 went 3-2, Commerce and Athens Christian both lost.
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 25th, 2012
1:23 am
Okay, across the Class A board:
Private Schools:
Athens Academy over Prince Avenue: Sorry, Swamp Lizard, personnel and experience trump “redemption”. AA rolls again.
Landmark over Presby.. Landmark’s been there. FPD haan’t been there yet.
GWA over Walker: Tough call. but a healthy Willliams is the real deal.
Savannah Chriatian over ELCA in a close one. SC has been there before. ELCA is good, but not quite there yet.
Public Schools:
Wilcox over Marion. Experience trumps up & comer.
Seminole over Dooly in another close one. They aren’t about to have a long, sad ride all the back to Donaldsonville.
ECI over Trion on a major blowout. Sorry, Trion, but it’s hard to argue with ECI’s numbers – 40-plus in 8 of the past 9 games….Trion’s had close calls. This won’t be one of them.
Lincoln County over Wilkinson County. For that matter, in November, take Lincoln County over New Orleans, Georgia Southern and the team from the remake of “The Longest Yard”. Do not bet against Larry Campbell in the postseason – EVER.
Okay, y’all come on after me…
Swamp Lizard
November 25th, 2012
4:40 am
@ I wonder fan …. you have me wondering too! I’ll give you a couple of things, I do believe they have a great coaching staff. Coach Donald Chumley is probably one of the best in the state, you don’t make it to three state championships in a row and build a program like that without great coaches. Another thing, Sav Christian will not be intimidated of ELCA, they have played in big games and fear no teams out there. BUT ….
Your remarks about a great defense? Did you mean last year? They had a GREAT defense last year, but I know your not talking about the one this year that gave up 48 to ECI, 33 to Sav Country Day or the defense that has given up 19 a game this year?
I mean no disrespect to Sav Christian players, coaches, or fans … Matter of fact, I admire what Sav Christian has done over the last few years …. Dominate!I think you are a year away, & I think most of you might agree with me. Sav Christian does have great coaches and a young team this year. They will be a MAJOR PLAYER next year.
Swamp Lizard
November 25th, 2012
4:48 am
@ Cheer Tiger Dad … I hope y’all can turn it around at Commerce. I was at the GW / Commerce game too and seen a scrapy team that night. I thought if they were healthy they would give Seminole Co a game …. I was WRONG. Pick up the pieces and keep building. Good Luck.
Swamp Lizard
November 25th, 2012
5:00 am
GOING ON RECORD … this isn’t the ELCA team that lost to Landmark last year. And I’m not taking anything away from Landmark. Landmark lined up and hit us in the mouth & WON. I do understand that ANY team can lose on any given night. This ELCA team is “special”. Just like Sav Christian was last year. I’m pretty sure ELCA will be ready to play Friday night against Sav Christian … & I don’t think it will be that close.
Swamp Lizard
November 25th, 2012
5:07 am
@ Monroe’s First Redcoat …. I like your picks and the reason behind them … well, most of them anyway!
Go Chargers !!
bulldog 1984
November 25th, 2012
5:09 am
I’m would like to see my beloved GWA Bulldogs in a GHSA State Championship but I fear that what we had to do to get to this level will curse our program for years to come. We needed to build a program from within not go out and bring in one of the top players in the state just to achieve our goals. The curse of “BOOM” will last for many years to come.
Chuck
November 25th, 2012
7:22 am
@Swamp Lizard….I agree that Savannah Christian does not have a great defense, but they are pretty good. The points they have given up against Country Day and ECI…look behind the numbers, most were scores on the 2nd or 3rd team (Country Day) and offensive turnovers (ECI). Good, certainly not great. And yes, next year they are loaded! Stop them now. ELCA and SCPS is the real state championship game, the winner should carry it again. Advantage, ELCA, older more talented….. The amazing thing is that the public schools would have carried it this year….Interesting……
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 25th, 2012
9:51 am
Bulldog 1984 – don’t kid yourself. This is hardly the first time that GWA has imported talent. Being a private school opens more doors to recruiting than if it was a public school. The folks at the school on on the hill are just upholding tradition….
TomDawg
November 25th, 2012
11:23 am
@ Chuck….. Obviously you weren’t at the ECI – Sav Ch game or you are blind. And if you are i apologize. But turnovers are part of the game, and we caused them, and scored off them. That game was over early. What kind of excuses are you gonna come up with when ELCA hangs 40 or even 50 on you. Wouldn’t surprise me at all. But if ya’ll do shock the world with an upset this week that will only make us look that much better. This is my way of showing you guys the same respect ya’ll showed us when went down to Groves football field in 09( the one they let ya’ll borrow cause ya’ll don’t have one) and we got blasted. Even though we’re 2 & 1 in the 3 games we’ve played against ya’ll. OK i feel better.
mike
November 25th, 2012
11:56 am
i believe if you wouldve put whitefield academy in there like they were supposed to be over mt. pisgah, they wouldve beaten athens academy
Level playing field
November 25th, 2012
12:23 pm
Bulldog 1984….Are you implying the GW is actively recruiting for their football program? Unless you have facts to support your allegations, you should be careful in your blogs. The private school “recruitng” issue is certainly a hot topic
Class A Wizard
November 25th, 2012
12:54 pm
@Level playing field – I have a friend who lives in the vicinity of GWA and his son is a tremendous athlete in the local area recreation football program. He was asked to bring his son over to GWA, to which my friend replied: 1.I don’t live in the county the school is located in, and 2. I can’t afford the tuition. The response he received was “we’re a private school so our students don’t have to live within the county and we have funding available for kids with ‘that kind of talent.’” It’s happening, that’s why GHSA had no choice but to do something about it. Just facts.
1gadawg
November 25th, 2012
2:20 pm
@Seth .. I expected to see you at the ELCA game Friday
@Swamp Lizard – Do you sleep? Congrats on UF
ELCA should win. Too many good athletes and good speed
innocent bystander
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
@monroe’s first redcoat……ELCA is not there yet ????? What in the world do they need to do to get there ? Have every starter bothways committed to a D-1 program ? Get serious. ELCA has WAY more talent than ANYONE ELSE ! Hands down
TCDAWG25
November 25th, 2012
3:02 pm
Now if you want to talk about a great defense, Savannah Christian fans just look no further than the Region 3 Champions.
Swamp Lizard
November 25th, 2012
4:38 pm
@1gadawg … I was happy with my Gators! They didn’t fold in the 3rd qtr and showed some grit. I sleep when I can!
Looking forward to the game Friday night … should be a good one.
ELCA is GREAT
November 25th, 2012
6:06 pm
If any of you other weak teams think you have a chance against ELCA the juggernaut, you are fools. ELCA will crush you like ants under our shoes. ELCA is the best team ever in Georgia history.
GAHSFBFan24
November 25th, 2012
6:40 pm
@ELCA is GREAT, Raiderman85 is that you?
BehindEnemyLines
November 25th, 2012
7:44 pm
@S.Thomas — re: “don’t remember Commerce getting blown out as much as they have this season.” This isn’t quite as new a situation as your memory (or a lot of memories) might think.
This year Commerce lost by 12, 5, 30, 38, 10, 29 … 5 by 10+, 3 by 20+, 2 by 30+
Last year Commerce lost by 27, 33, 33, 11, 22, 10, 21 … 7 by 10+, 5 by 20+, 2 by 30+
2 yrs ago Commerce lost by 3, 3, 42, 7, 21, 10 … 3 by 10+, 2 by 20+, 1 by 30+
Last year arguably uglier than this year.
In the 80’s Commerce had 1 season of 5 losses or more
In the 90’s Commerce had 2 seasons of 5 losses or more
In the 00’s Commerce had 6 seasons of 5 losses or more
In the 10’s Commerce has 3 season of 5 losses or more (in only three chances)
That’s 6 straight seasons with 5 losses or more.
Prior to this stretch, the most consec. seasons of 5+ losses had been 3 — from 1967 through 1969
It’s pretty much an unprecedented dry spell for the Tigers, but it isn’t something new to this year, it’s been building for quite a while now.
Here’s hoping that the new staff can get things turned around.
Walker Fan
November 25th, 2012
8:25 pm
Predictions…with scores…for Private side bracket this Friday night:
Prince Avenure Christian over Athen Academy 28-14
Landmark Christian over FPD 17-7
Walker over GWA 21-17
ELCA over Savannah Christian 42-14
bulldog 1984
November 25th, 2012
9:36 pm
@ Monroe’s First Redcoat….I know several of the players from the past that suddenly appeared on the scene at GWA but this was back when we played GISA. Nobody in GISA cared about the recruited talent. The teams we played were from so far away from each other that no one could monitor it. Now were playing teams that are 15 to 40 miles from Monroe and it is being monitored. These kids played youth sports together or against each other and all parents are not ignorant. Kids are talking and most of them are at GWA . Every administrator that is recieving a salary from the GHSA should resign if they’re willing to “turn a blind eye” to what is going on. A few simple questions could go a long way. How GHSA would allow a rising 11th grader to transfer schools about 10 to 12 miles down the road is beyond me. This kid was committed to UGA as a sophomore and to allow him to move just a few miles down the road and play his junior and senior year should be looked into by someone that wants to get it right. Was Apalachee Highschool that bad…if so someone needs to look into whats going on over there
mckenzie jones
November 25th, 2012
11:04 pm
Seminole County will beat dooly, the indians are playing well on both sides of the ball.
Red, White, & Blue
November 25th, 2012
11:25 pm
@STC – Enjoy your coverage, but the title of this article would have been No. 16 Mt. Pisgah over No. 1 Athens Academy if MP’s running back doesn’t get injured just before the half. AA is a good team and showed it, but most here don’t realize
Red, White, & Blue
November 25th, 2012
11:33 pm
that MP had a first down on the 4 yard line in the 4th quarter until a suspect “illegal man downfield” call erased the play and resulted in no score. MP also drove down the field in the last minute and a half and had a pass into the endzone almost caught on the last play of the game! AA experience won out, but MP outplayed them and was razor close to the year’s biggest upset!
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
12:46 am
A few thoughts…
Since when is a three touchdown margin “struggling?”
Get used to seeing Mt. Pisgah in the playoffs. They are young and talented and have a strong middle school program.
Anyone know why Williams left Apallachee? A friend down in Monroe told me he left mid-season his sophomore year.
Sav Christian over ELCA 28-27
Landmark over FPD 17-14
PAC over AA 21-7
Walker over GWA 10-7 (#30 kicks the 42 yard winner as time expires)
@Swamp Lizard, I was so hoping the Irish would fall so my Dawgs could beat the Gators for the NC.
@gh2o- How can you be so wrong (Athens Christian over Walker) and so right: “The great thing about high school football is that any team can win on any given Friday. All of these teams are in the playoffs for a reason and it should be a lot of fun to watch. Not to mention, this should provide lasting memories for these kids for years to come! Good luck to all of the kids and I hope to see a lot of great, injury-free, competitive football.” Well said and I couldn’t agree more.
Go Wolverines!
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 26th, 2012
3:04 am
@ innocent bystander – I didn’t say that ELCA is not there yet. I said not QUITE there yet. SC has been in the state title game for the past three years, finally winning the big cheese in 2011. SC is 50-6 the past four years, and even though half of those losses came this season, it’s hard to argue with the track record. ELCA’s record during the same stretch is admirable, but the Chargers have yet to make it to the Big Dance, hence the reason for my pick.
bulldog 1984
November 26th, 2012
7:02 am
@ J.T Walker …..Williams did leave Appalachee in the middle of the football season as a Sophomore right after he and his father were seen eating lunch together at small restaurant just north of Monroe. NOT A BIG DEAL …..RIGHT. There were more than two people at the table….a 1985 GWA Graduate was also at the table. Rather large, and I mean round, real estate agent that has always stayed close to the coaching staff at GWA. Less than two weeks later, Williams is at GWA and already cleared by GHSA to play football. I have heard of several hardship cases that were approved by GHSA but none so quickly as in the Williams case. GWA played it smart, the coaches did not allow Williams to come in and take over half way through his sophomore year and he stood on the sideline as GWA struggled for the remainder of the season and lost it’s first playoff game. Why would a D1 UGA COMMITMENT leave a higher classification to come play at a small class A private school that just joined the GHSA two years ago? …….J.T. the kids at Appalachee say that Williams was kicked off the team during a game when he made a comment during halftime about how he was going to GWA. The players say he was sent home at halftime and almost immediately disappeared from Appalachee.
If GHSA would get off their butts and react to these situations it could be stopped but it appears they do not care. Stiffer regulations would help but with no GHSA official willing to truly enforce their own rules the rules and policies are useless.
Williams is not the only roster addition at GWA this year. Compare last years roster to this years and you will see what I’m talking about.
Swamp Lizard
November 26th, 2012
7:25 am
@ Walker Fan …… I’ve missed ya !! I thought you’d reply back to me. So you like Walker over George Walton 21-17? I just tend to think your off on that pick a “little”.
Swamp Lizard
November 26th, 2012
7:33 am
@ JT Walker ….. Yea, I was hoping the Irish would fall too ….. I guess I’ll have to settle for the Sugar Bowl while your Dawgs play in Tampa or Orlando.
…… all kidding aside, good luck with Bama !!
So you think Sav Christian will handle ELCA 28-27? ……. I think we all ( Class A fans ) might be shocked at the outcome of that game on Friday night …… we will see. Wish your team the best !!
1gadawg
November 26th, 2012
9:02 am
@bulldawg 1984. Do you think this is something new? Public schools have been doing this for years. Privates play by the same rules as publics.
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
9:24 am
A Note to all the Class A Heads:
I want to thank all you guys and gals for the high level of discussion and conversation on the Class A Blog!!
As most of you know, I cover games involving teams from all the classifications, which gives me the opportunity to see other athletes and have discourse with other fans. And I can tell you that in both of those areas, Class A takes a back seat to no one (depth is the only disadvantage for Class A teams).
As always, thanks so much for reading and posting!! Here’s to some great football as we approach the final rounds of the playoffs — public and private!!
S. Thomas Coleman
Walker Fan
November 26th, 2012
9:32 am
@Swamp…sorry about my absence. I like my picks…and scores. Give me yours Your putting way too much stock in one guy from GWA being healthy now. Team game and team score. No back has rushed for 100 yards on Walker this year. Although most people think Walker’s 2,000 yard, do it all back Kasian is the team’s best asset, the real truth is that Walker’s two DE’s are the team’s number 1 asset and are able to turn everything inside…they are very big for Class A (6-3 275 and 6-3 260) and VERY, VERY mobile…by far the best tandem in Class A I have seen this year. We will see…you may be right…but I believe you were saying last week Athens Christian was going to upset Walker. Although the first half score was close, the game frankly was not. The first half score was the result of ONE lucky blown coverage pass play in AC’s favor otherwise the score would have been 28-0. If you played that game 100 times, Walker would win by 3 to 5 TD’s every time. Maybe I am wrong and maybe this week is the week Walker finally loses, but I say not this week. and not against this team. Walker 21 – GWA 17.
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
9:48 am
@bulldog1984- Thanks for the info and sorry for the intrigue. I’m looking forward to seeing Williams play Friday.
@Swamp Lizard- Best of luck to UF as well. I hope the SEC rolls through the bowl season. Funny how everyone points out Georgia didn’t play Bama, LSU, or A&M but no one noticed Bama didn’t play UGA, UF, or USC. Speaking of weak schedules, this Friday will definitely be Walker’s toughest game to date- I’m hoping we prove we belong. My ELCA-Sav. Christian pick is totally selfish- I’d love another home playoff game. If not, Walker Fan and I will sit next to you on 12/7 and tell you how great the Chargers are the whole game!
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
9:51 am
@BehindEnemyLines: Thanks for the background info. At some point in the next few weeks, I plan to do a blog piece on the subject “Where Do We Go From Here?” where I talk to coaches from the traditional powers that struggled this season (Savage at Commerce, Dickerson at Clinch, McWhorter at Charlton) and ask them what they think went wrong the season and what needs to happen to get the program back to its tradtional level, and I also talk to coaches with teams on the come up (East at Walker, Earwood at Mercy, Brooks at Athens Christian, etc.) to get their thoughts on how they take their programs to the next level.
Thanks for reading and posting!
S. Thomas Coleman
gh2o
November 26th, 2012
10:30 am
STC, appreciate your coverage. I think it’s apparent that much of the “where do we go” is largely dependent on population growth in some of these areas. Also, the talent pools of schools with 250 TOTAL kids in their high school varies greatly from year to year. To be able to reload every year is simply not a possibility with these teams. Some years, there are just great band members and not so good football players! In the end, what I hope to see is kids graduating and moving on to college to improve their conditions. Everyone wants/strives to win the championship (as it should be). However, winning and losing with grace is far more important than a trophy. Here’s to getting these kids a solid eduation with the added benefit of what is learned on the football fields!
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
10:39 am
@1gadawg: I was covering what will go down as one of the top 10 games in Georgia high school playoff history — Carrollton at Marist. Awesome game!
Unfortunately, I missed all but two Mercy games this season — Mt. Paran and Mt. Vernon. Next season, my plan is to not cover games but still do the Class A blog, so that I can see my son’s senior sesaon.
As always, thanks for reading and posting!
S. Thomas Coleman
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
11:03 am
@gh2o: Very well said, gh2o. Very well said!
Thanks for reading and posting!
S. Thomas Coleman
Steven
November 26th, 2012
12:35 pm
I am a savannah Christian fan. However, I have heard that the public school in that county lost its certification and Elca recruited the public school players and paid them cash!! Can someone verify this.
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
12:53 pm
@bulldog 1984: Thanks for the inside info. Very interesting. But unless there was an official from GWA at the “lunch” who was actively trying to get Williams and his dad to transfer, there’s nothing wrong here.
If he lives in Barrow County, he would have needed a waiver from the GHSA in order to be eligible to play varsity last season. Did he suit up for GWA last season? I don’t remember. The GHSA has been known to grant such waivers, if a legitimate case can be made for not forcing a kid to sit out a season.
Not sure why he left The Chee, but I guess he and his family had their reasons. And I’m curious, why do you think him moving over to GWA will eventually “curse” your program? That’s interesting coming from a GWA supporter.
Thanks as always for reading and posting!
S. Thomas Coleman
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
12:58 pm
@Steven- I think Swamp Lizard will verify most of what you write about. I hear they all get a new car and live in a luxury condo right on campus too. If you hear rumors of classes being optional, those are unfounded but I believe a State Championship earns everyone straight A’s!
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
1:03 pm
@Steven: I have NEVER heard of a school losing “certification.” Perhaps you meant “accreditation,” which comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and a handful of other agencies (although SACS is the most widely known in the South).
School districts are “accredited” by SACS and there is an individual school “accreditation” as well. But the individual accreditation is more of an “honor” or an extra feather in the cap of a school. It does speak to school quality, but not being an “accredited” school does not mean that the school or the students suffer some penalty because of it. This is counter to a school DISTRICT loosing “accreditation,” which can mean that graduates from high schools in that district may be prevented from receiving federal aid.
So to answer your question (sorry for the diatribe), NO, the Henry County Schools DID NOT lose accreditation. Clayton County (one county north of Henry) did for a few months, but had their accreditation reinstated.
As for the “cash payments” to students, that’s pretty funny. I’m sure that didn’t happen. Please don’t sully ELCA (or any other private school for that matter) with such nonsense.
Thanks for reading and posting.
S. Thomas Coleman
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 26th, 2012
1:08 pm
Thomas – Williams did play toward the end of the season last year after the transfer.
Also, Savage retired at Commerce after the ‘10 season. HC now is Marvin Justice.
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
1:14 pm
@Monroe’s First: Thanks for the info on Williams. If he lived in Barrow County at the time he transferred to GWA, his family must have made a strong case to the GHSA in order for him to be granted a waiver. That would not be unprecedented. It happens.
And you’re right. I meant Coach Justice, not Savage. Thanks again for reading and posting!
S. Thomas Coleman
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
1:19 pm
@STC- Please clarify the transfer from public to private eligibility rule. Everything I’ve read or been told makes believe a student would have to sit a year unless they officially change residences or are granted a hardship waiver. Under what rule can a student transfer public to private and not sit if he/she does not move? Also, boosters and alumni are considered extensions of the school for purposes of finding undue influence according to the GHSA constitution. Do you know of any examples of this rule being enforced?
1gadawg
November 26th, 2012
1:28 pm
@steven – If that’s the case, I want my money back. My son is a D-1 athlete and did not receive a penny when they recruited him for 1st grade 12 years ago. Seriously, I think you are trolling but my son did sign D1.
@swamp lizard – I’m trying to get some of the Savannah fans to come up early and eat. Are you in?
@s Coleman – which game will you be attending this week
Walker Fan
November 26th, 2012
1:43 pm
Regarding the GHSA waiver thing…I believe the reason it often works when transferring from public to private is that most private schools have specific religious affiliation. If a student cites religious reasons for the transfer, it is always approved immediately such that there is “sit out” year. The GHSA will not touch the transfer based on religion reason with a ten foot pole and would never do anything that seems to conflict with it…like making a player sit for a year…they would not want to appear to be against someone’s religious committment…even if based on football. FYI, Walker is one of three non-religion affiliated private schools that I can think of (most of which are Christian), hence the strong student populations of Muslim, Jewish, and other faiths at Walker…along with Christian. Last year, we had a junior transfer from California. GHSA told Walker he could not play football for Walker for a year because he did not reside in Cobb County…even though his family moved from California for work reasons. We did not have the religion fast-pass transfer option and still do not that the various Christian schools have.
Walker Fan
November 26th, 2012
1:45 pm
I meanto to say NO sit-out year in the prior post!!!
Walker Fan
November 26th, 2012
1:54 pm
By the way, besides the Religion fast-pass waiver that GHSA grants without question, I believe the one other significant way to fast pass the waiver process is to cite lack of a specific academic program at one’s home school as the reason for transferring and thereby gaining immediate waiver…as in, “my local public school has no program in ancient cuniform writing practiced by the long defunct Sumarians and therefore I need to transfer to xCA (fill in the x Christian Academy), where they have a burdgeoning program filled with football playing, budding ancient Sumaria scholars…and oh by the way, I should not have to sit out a year, because I plan on carrying by deep knowledge of Sumarian cuniform writing to my D1 college team from whom I already have an offer.
Red, White, & Blue
November 26th, 2012
2:03 pm
@Walker Fan – Definitely think your team is a solid contender and being overlooked. Y’all are definitely the best we played and the only other team besides Athens Academy we lost to when going in at full strength. Kasian is the real deal and is like trying corral a greased pig, but you are right- your “bookends” are the key to your team as they tend to disrupt an offense before it can get going. I think if you were on our side of the bracket, y’all could book your tickets to the dome and a date with ELCA! My advice for GWA would be to run that big fullback of yours McPherson more often and keep em’ guessing when Kasian will get the ball. As good and effective as he has been, I bet he would end up with more yards on less carries. Good luck- we’re hoping you continue to sneak up on folks and show em’ what weak little ol’ Region 6 can do- we almost did!
gh2o
November 26th, 2012
2:09 pm
Williams didn’t play until the school notified him he was able to play. My understanding is the family moved into Walton County, from Barrow. Somehow, I don’t think anyone has more information than the schools have on this transfer. If Chee were upset about it, they know the route in which to file a formal complaint. Do these schools recruit? Sure. I have seen several billboards from GWA, Prince Ave, ELCA, et al. But they aren’t running around football fields trying to pull kids into their programs. I watched a public school coach directly approach my son at a FCA meeting to tell him he’d like to have him back in his program. I just shook it off and moved on.
Swamp Lizard
November 26th, 2012
2:10 pm
@ 1gadawg ….. yes, I’d love to meet any and all Sav Christians fans coming up for the game. Set it up !!
Swamp Lizard
November 26th, 2012
2:18 pm
@ Steven & JT Walker …… it is true about ALL ELCA players …. I’m curretly working 60 hours a week to do my part …. I have sponsored three very good football players this year ….. all with hopes of signing with SEC schools. They are also driving new F-150s ( sponsored by Allen Vigil Ford ). It’s also true about the condo’s ….. that’s where my OT money goes …. for rent.
……. Steven, come up and eat dinner with us Friday night before the game ( details to come ).
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
2:50 pm
@J.T. Walker: When transfering from public to private, if you are moving to a private school in a county other than the one in which you live, then you must sit out a year UNLESS you file a request for a waiver from that rule.
“Walker Fan” talks about one of the grounds — religious preference — that some families use as the grounds for that appeal. However, there are many others. For instance, if you can show proof/stats that the public school you were attending has “discipline issues” and you would like to be in a “more safe” learning environment, the GHSA might be willing to grant your waiver on those grounds as well.
Mercy Fan
November 26th, 2012
3:00 pm
Red, White and Blue: I beg to differ. Our Lady of Mercy could have scored 60 on you guys if Coach Earwood hadn’t called off the dogs. As it was, you scored a late touchdown on the JV to make the score a bit more respectable — 42-14.
Truth be told, WE were the first team to “expose” Athens Academy, and their fans will tell you as much. They got a 60-yard touchdown on a missed tackle by a back up DB (kid had never played corner before until this year) with a minute left in the game to beat us. We could have put the game away on the series prior to that one but they got a bogus block in the back call on a 70-yard punt return down to their 4 yard line. They were cheering when the final Power Ranking came out and showed that we had moved up to No. 15, and they didn’t have to face us again.
If the Power Ranking system didn’t have us playing ELCA in the first round, Mercy could have made a very deep run. In fact, put Mercy in Region 6 and we win the league going away, including whoever we would have met in the crossover game. If you don’t believe it, go ask the coaches at Whitefield Academy, WHO REFUSED TO SCHEDULE US this season after we destroyed them on the last game of last season. Instead they agreed to a scrimmage that we would have won 50-0 if it were played like a real game.
jocotrojan
November 26th, 2012
3:13 pm
JOCO could of played Seminole a heck of a lot better than Commerce… 5-5 scrub team!
Walker Fan
November 26th, 2012
3:59 pm
@Mercy Fan…regarding putting you in Region 6 and you winning going away…actually, if you had been in region 6, you would have become magically much worse than the entire rest of georgia Class A, just like the other 14 teams in Region 6 are, or so all of the folks on this forum claim. Be glad you were not in region 6, or you would have magically sucked, and not been the great team that you are…because remember…all teams in region 6 are bad…i finally understand it and accept what I have been told.
Red, White, & Blue
November 26th, 2012
4:38 pm
@Mercy Fan – Was definitely impressed with your running backs and team speed, but the game would have been much different had our starting QB had been able to go, along with a few others against you. (Remember, we went right down the field against your starting defense on the opening drive and scored with our backup QB.) Unfortunately, we do not have the depth that even most A schools have, so when one of our skill starters goes down like in our game with you or in the 2nd half against Athens Academy, we really suffer. Definitely think y’all would have made some noise in the playoffs if you had not been paired with ELCA, but as far as running away with Region 6, I think y’all would have been surprised with Walker’s defense as I’m expecting GWA and possibly more will be.
bulldog 1984
November 26th, 2012
4:46 pm
STC….the round real estate agent is the guy doing the dirty work. Just like college football. Alumni are taking care of all needs through this guy that has a very close relationship with the coaches or should I say the head coach. Williams did move abruptly from Barrow County to Walton County. He moved about 8 miles from Apalachee to an apartment complex owned by the round real estate agents good friend. I do not believe the administrative staff at GWA knows very much about what is going on with their student athletes. That is smart on their part.
STC….The curse has already hurt moral among other players their families and the young (future Bulldogs) that see that working towards earning a position on the varsity playing field will depend on who the round real estate agent pulls in from year to year. I want my child to have an opportunity to represent his school whether or not a state championship is involved or not. It has become all about winning and I do not believe these are the standards that the administrative staff at GWA wants to represent. GHSA HAS TO DO MORE!! There was no hardship. His parents did not change jobs. They just found someone that would help them bend the rules. GWA is not the school that was founded in 1969. I know times change things but it is hard for me to sit back and watch as the school changes its code of ethics.
Mercy Fan
November 26th, 2012
4:46 pm
Walker Fan: Ha-Ha! Sarcasm will get you nowhere!
Just stating the facts. We pounded three of the top four teams on your side of the region (Mt. Pisgah, Mt. Paran and Whitefield Academy). In fact, playing those teams HURT our power ranking. We would have been better off playing teams in our county from higher classifications, like McIntosh and Starr’s Mill — two teams I think we would have beaten, by the way, this year.
And STC has the Region 6 playoff record wrong. You guys went 2-3, not 2-2. Sorry, but the fact of the matter is that your region was weak this season. It is what it is. The Power Ranking Gods smiled on you and pitted you against an Athens Christian team in Round 1 that was the ONLY team in Class A to make the playoffs with a losing record!!! They got in by playing three AAA teams and racking up points.
Still, Region 6 was the weakest in Class A, except for maybe Region 1. But congratulations on winning the region title (sincerely). That’s something I nor anyone else can take away from The Walker School, your kids or your coaches. Good luck on Friday night.
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
5:02 pm
@bulldog 1984: Thanks for your candor. As for the GHSA, I think they are showing that if they are presented with enough hard evidence, they will act. Not sure how much “hard evidence” you have on this matter though. And at this point, even if they found there was something illegal done, all they would most likely do is make GWA forfeit the games he played in LAST season. He’s been there a year now, legally.
And if the morale of the program is suffering, that’s sad. If what you are saying is true, maybe you and other like-minded parents need to have a conversation with your administrators.
Thanks for reading and posting.
S. Thomas Coleman
S. Thomas Coleman
November 26th, 2012
5:04 pm
@bulldog 1984: And your “round real estate agent” reference is hilarious! Priceless!
S. Thomas Coleman
Walker Fan
November 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
@Mercy Fan…what hurt your power ranking more than your wins over Class A teams, was the losses to Class A teams. You would have been better off winning those games as well…then your power rating would have been higher.
innocent bystander
November 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
@ Redcoat………I totally agree that S.C is a super program that has been nearly unstoppable for the past 3 yrs., but graduating the whole Championship run team is hard to recover from in 1 season. Have you actually watched ELCA ? I know big game experience helps, but very few of the S.C kids have it, since most of them didn’t see the field last year. Chumley and his staff are second to none, but ELCA has WAY too much talent and Gess & his staff are no joke ! One common theme in theses posts is everyone’s eagerness to bring up the past or last year. This is THIS SEASON, and history or tradition aint gonna be dressing out Friday night ! ELCA gave up 86 point all season,!!! Less than any other team in the state ! 24 were to WACO & 20 were to Clinch Co. on our J.V after we had them 40-0 @ halftime. Why isn’t anyone mentioning that DEFENSE in their posts ??? It could obviously go either way Friday, but don’t be surprised if ELCA hangs 50 on S.C.
Mercy Fan
November 26th, 2012
5:15 pm
Red, White and Blue: That was a nice opening drive. But like all good coaches do, we made a couple of adjustments, mostly with our pass rush, and that was that. Our corners, Rashard Fant (should be All State, committed to Indiana, fastest kid in Class A football) and Christian Coleman (just a JUNIOR) but your kid Oz Dixon into cold storage. They took it personal how one of the reporters in the North Fulton paper talked about Oz’s great playmaking ability and how the new Patriot spread offense was proving to be unstoppable.
Not to take anything away from Walker, but if we played them 10 times we probably win 8 or 9. Not saying we would have blown them out. But we would have beaten them.
And we won games this year without consistent QB play, which is nearly impossible. Watch out for our QB next season, Jamison Vest, who didn’t become the fulltime starter until Game 7 or 8. He’s just a sophomore, but he is a legit BEAST. So for those out there thinking that Mercy is just a flash in the pan that will fall off after Rashard moves on to resurrect the Hoosier football program, think again!
Mercy Fan
November 26th, 2012
5:25 pm
Walker Fan: You are exactly right!! We lost to Landmark in OT and should have beaten them in regulation. We had a long touchdown run called back in that one on a bogus blocking below the waist call when one of our kids fell and a Landmark kid tripped over him.
We lost to Holy Innocents by 6 without Rashard Fant (one of the best players in the state), but still should have beaten them. Too many missed tackles by us and inconsistent QB play. And as I’ve said previously, Athens Academy ESCAPED more than they actually WON the game. Even though they soaked the field prior to the game to slow us down, we still had them on the brink but let them off the hook.
And ELCA is ELCA. People can hate on them all they want, but those kids work hard, they play hard, they are abundantly talented, have size and speed and they are well coached. Put that all together and you have the 2012 Class A champion, in my opinion. I thnik they beat anybody on the public school side by at least 10 points — that includes Lincoln, Wilcox or ECI.
We lost to good Class A teams but should have beaten three of those teams (Athens Academy, Holy Innocents and Landmark). But wudda, cudda, shudda doesn’t get you any Power Ranking points.
innocent bystander
November 26th, 2012
5:28 pm
@ J.T Walker……….I would like to know what on earth makes you think S.C, or any other team, is going to score 28 on ELCA’s defense ??? Is there any type of statistic to substantiate that insanity ? WACO couldn’t do it & we gave them a TD on a bad snap to our punter. That is probably the boldest statement anyone has made yet ! Refer to my post to Redcoat and look at how ELCA’s Defense absolutely DOMINATED ALL YEAR ! S.C is real good, but not that good.
gh2o
November 26th, 2012
7:13 pm
@nonBulldogfan1984….how about you take your accusations to the administration. I’d be happy to sit in the room with you and listen to what you have to say, as someone not on the administration. I know Williams’ parents and godfather (who, by they way, attended GWA and wanted to see Williams reap the same benefits). You are barking up the wrong tree. I can’t beileve you actually attended GWA and have ANY real idea of what’s going on at the school. I commend parents who wish to see that their son is able to pass classes once he gets to UGA. I’m sorry you have a problem with that. And I don’t see any of the kids having problems with Williams, as he is a wonderful kid to be around and fits in great with the others. GWA has sacrificed absolutely NOTHING to accept this nice, polite young man into its fold, and for you to suggest otherwise is plain igorance.
gh2o
November 26th, 2012
7:21 pm
@STC….i’m disappointed you are encouraging the comments made my bulldog1984. He is clearly disgruntled. You seriously don’t think that GHSA didn’t sniff that Williams transfer every which way to Sunday? The kid had verbally committed to UGA before transferring. He DID move. He DID have very valid reasons for wanting to attend the school. And he IS a great kid, who has had nothing but positive rammifications on the program. Of course, he could also be some idiot parent from another school who is unhappy they didn’t win a game or two. Who knows why someone would feel the need to make such disparaging comments about a young man!? And cryptic comments about a real estate agent is about as nuts as it comes. Some people are just haters.
innocent bystander
November 26th, 2012
7:29 pm
@ Walker Fan…. I like your picks for this Friday. I would love to see ELCA vs Walker. Good luck with G.W !
gh2o
November 26th, 2012
7:41 pm
Oh, and I still think the biggest statement game on Friday came from the 38-12 (could have been worse than the score) win by GWA over a very strong Aquinas team, who was at full strength for the first time since early in the season. Take a look at the Augusta Chronicle and read the Aquinas’ coach comments. He didn’t whine about anyone playing unfair. He basically said that GWA came in and smacked them in the mouth…that they hadn’t seen anything like that this year. And that was after the boys road about 3 hours on a bus to face an opposing team that the AJC said would win by 10. Props to their players, fans and coaches for having class and being wonderful hosts (I sure do wish they would get some lights down there, though).
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
8:51 pm
@Mercy Fan- If brevity is the soul of wit, sarcasm is her evil twin. We both beat our common opponents and, although you spanked our rival MPCS a little harder (thank you, btw), we beat SACA by 50 while you squeaked by with a one point win.
Seriously, I’m interested in how your JV team compares with your Varsity. How much of a dropoff is there? We have several common opponents on the JV schedule with similar outcomes and the game at Walker was pretty close. Might bode well for some great games in the coming years…
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
9:05 pm
@ innocent bystander- Read my subsequent post. That pick is based entirely on my selfish desire to have another home playoff game. But for that, I’d rather see ELCA win. For you I will revise my prediction: ELCA will struggle offensively but dominate on D not letting Sav. Christian past the 50 all night. Up 7-0 late in the 4th, ELCA snaps the ball over the punter’s head and Sav. Christain recovers in the endzone for a TD. Fake PAT kick for 2 pt conversion. Sav Christian 8 ELCA 7.
If that doesn’t happen, ELCA rolls 42-0 and I’ll sit between you and SL on 12/7 and tell you how good ELCA is the whole game!
J.T. Walker
November 26th, 2012
9:31 pm
@STC- So if a kid tranfers from Pope to Mt. Paran without his family changing residency he can play right away, but if a kid moves to Woodstock in Cherokee County from California and chooses Walker he has to sit a year because Walker is in Cobb County?
If a kid tranfers from Whitefield to Pebblebrook (without moving) does he have to sit a year?
Thanks for the memories
November 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
Good luck to all the teams this week. I hope the boys enjoy every minute of the playoffs. To the seniors, thanks for all your leadership over the years. You have set a high standard for the players follwoing in your large shoes or spikes as the case may be.
Let’s hope sportmanship prevails this weekend regardless of the outcome.
red raider for life
November 26th, 2012
10:03 pm
why is SCPS playing ELCA in the 2nd round ? Did old man Larry from Lincoln County draw up this bracket to get SCPS out early ? He has controlled and Jim Jones’ed the whole GHSA . I heard he demanded the state title be sent to him or he was going to demand every single public and private school be banned from the playoffs next year with his team Lincoln being the only team in the playoffs.
red raider for life
November 26th, 2012
10:07 pm
If old man Larry at Lincoln or his disciples read this…..all time record SCPS 3 WINS, Lincoln County ZERO…..if you can’t beatem whine and cry so you don;t have to play them again….LOSER
Monroe's First Redcoat
November 26th, 2012
11:57 pm
@ Innocent bystander: FWIW, I have no dog in either team’s fight. Just looking at records and scores past & present. Either way, ought to be a great game, but the only one I’m really interested in is in AAAA with Monroe Area – South Effingham. Pulling for my Hurricanes, baby!!!!!!
Innocent Bystander
November 27th, 2012
6:59 am
@ J.T Walker………..Me & Swamp Lizard will save you a seat !
Swamp Lizard
November 27th, 2012
7:46 am
@ Walker Fan & J.T. Walker …… I do wish Walker well this Friday …. I have a close friend, his son plays at GW. I’ve seen them play this year and believe me, it’s not a one man team, they have a few “players” …. I think you’ll be very impressed with the QB too. Either way, if y’all want to hook up the following Friday we will.
Swamp Lizard
November 27th, 2012
9:07 am
@ Innocent Bystander …. you going to meet us before the game Friday night and eat with the Sav Christian fans?
S. Thomas Coleman
November 27th, 2012
9:36 am
@J.T. Walker: Let me try to tackle your questions.
You Said: So if a kid tranfers from Pope to Mt. Paran without his family changing residency he can play right away, but if a kid moves to Woodstock in Cherokee County from California and chooses Walker he has to sit a year because Walker is in Cobb County?
Answer: The first part is a “yes,” because Mt. Paran is in Cobb County, same as Pope. The second part is a bit trickier, but I think the kid would be eligible to play right away because he moved from out of state and was never a Cherokee County School System student. I think that kid would be OK to play right away at Walker, even though he/she lives in Woodstock.
You Said: If a kid tranfers from Whitefield to Pebblebrook (without moving) does he have to sit a year?
Answer: No, I don’t believe he/she would have to sit out. Same rule applies because both are in Cobb County. If there were some question as to why the kid was leaving Whitefield, the family could say the paying tuition is hurting the household finances. There is a very prominent senior player in Georgia right now who went through this and was allowed to play.
Hope that helps.
S. Thomas Coleman
S. Thomas Coleman
November 27th, 2012
9:39 am
@gh2o: I don’t believe I “encouraged” bulldog 1984’s comments at all. I simply told him that if he had hard evidence, he needs to submit it to the GHSA, and if he and other families don’t like the way GWA is going about its business with transfer student athletes then they need to speak with the administration. I don’t see that as encouraging him/her at all.
Thanks for reading and posting.
S. Thomas Coleman
moodswing
November 27th, 2012
9:44 am
Williams did NOT play for GWA at the end of last season. He transfered in after the regular season was over and stood on the sidelines in street clothes during State game lost. Get your facts right Monroe’s First Redcoat!
Mercy Fan
November 27th, 2012
9:50 am
@J.T. Walker: It’s funny that you mention the JV squads. Several of our JV parents claimed that you used players who suited up for the varsity squad in the JV game. I don’t know because I wasn’t there.
As four our JV, they were not very strong but there are a handful of players who will most likely get some varsity time next season. We lose some significant talent other than Rashard Fant, lineman Matt Frank and lb/rb Chauncey Laboo. We’ll miss one of our best linemen, Chris Wesley and one of our safeties, Anthony Profitt. But our junior class is very talented and extremely fast and athletic, plus we have a few sophomore starters who will be junior next season who are very talented.
People expect us to take a step back because we are losing arguably the thre best players in Mercy’s brief history — Fant, Frank and Laboo. But I think we’ll surprise some folks.
How are you guys going to be without the two ends — one of which is going to Duke, I hear — and Kasian? Maybe Coach Earwood and Coach East can get together and plan a scrimmage prior to our season’s starting.
S. Thomas Coleman
November 27th, 2012
9:54 am
@moodswing: Thanks for the clarification.
Thanks for reading and posting.
S. Thomas Coleman
Walker Fan
November 27th, 2012
10:01 am
@Mercy Fan…I promise you not a single varsity player was used in the JV game against Mercy (where Walker won 19-7). The line between the Varsoty and JV was EXTREMELY firm per Coach East because we have 54 boys out for football, 22 of which were designated JV, and he wanted to ensure development regardless of score…as it was, the JV went 6 and 1 this year. In fact, prior to that game, looking across the field, we were all wondering the same thing about your team until the game got under way. I was at that game, an every single down was played by JV only players. Also, with only one or two exceptions, almost every one of those JV players was either a sophomore or freshmen…the one exception I can think of is a Junior for whom this was his first year of football. A few of those JV boys have now worked themselves in to backup roles for varisyt positions, as opposed to being third stringers. which does mean they may see a couple of downs during the varsity game dpeending on score, situation and starter rest needed.
Mercy Fan
November 27th, 2012
10:29 am
Walker Fan: That bodes well for your longterm future. We are at a disadvantage in that we are a high school only, and do not have the advantage of a natural “feeder” program. However, Coach Earwood started a youth program this past season and the teams were pretty good. In fact, I think two of them (8 and Under and 14 and Under) played for the championships of their leagues. However, having a kid play for our youth team is a far cry from him attending Mercy. He has to meet admission standards and his family has to decide if it wants to make the sacrifice of paying tuition. But it’s a starting point for us nonetheless.
Colquitt97
November 27th, 2012
12:57 pm
FYI: 24 Qtr final games streaming this week. Go here.. Dooly vs Seminole Game is there.
http://gahighschoolsports.net/viewforum.php?f=46
bulldog 1984
November 27th, 2012
6:15 pm
Gh2o……I believe you have stopped drinking the water and you’re now guzzling the kool-aid. Be careful. Sounds like you know alot about the Williams transfer. No, I do not believe that GHSA took a close look at the Williams transfer because if they did one could only hope that they would have sent Williams and his father back to Appalachee to man up and ask to be part of the team that he started his highschool career with two years ago. Teaching a young man to be loyal to his team is a very important life-lesson that could have been learned in this situation. All of us do not like our bosses but every time we disagree with his/her decisions we can’t take our ball and go somewhere else to play.
You said “he DID move”…… I agree….but who facilitated this move is at question and needs to be looked into so that it doesn’t happen again in the future.
I’m sure he had a valid reason for wanting to attend GWA…..I believe he loves football and did not have a place to play……How many schools did he visit prior to committing to GWA. I have heard from one coach in Gwinnett that wanted no part of this situation. GWA was not his first choice.
You stated that Williams is a great kid…….I do not disagree with you……I do not know him personally as you seem to but my fear for him is that he is being pawned by adults at a very young age. I think the entire situation is sad.
As for my comment about the round real estate agent…….you don’t have to look far to find him….just listen for him driving up on his harley davidson at practice and you’ll know who I’m talking about. He has to be stopped before he and others get too far out of control.
See you Friday at the game……
Walker Fan
November 27th, 2012
11:29 pm
I love the whole “round real estate agent” intrigue…it seems so Friday Night Lights (TV Series)…and now I find out he rides a Harley…geez my life is boring.
bulldog 1984
November 28th, 2012
8:04 am
450- 500lbs. Approximately 5′10”……..not a pretty site. Has to stop before more kids are pawned.