Poll talk: Can Lovejoy or North Cobb win it? History says go with Gwinnett, south Georgia instead
Teams from south Georgia and Gwinnett County have won state championships in Georgia’s highest classification each season since 1996.
Roswell of Fulton County shared the 2006 title with Peachtree Ridge of Gwinnett in the famous tie game. Otherwise, it’s been total domination for the schools currently housed in regions 1, 7 and 8.
Those still playing are Camden County and Colquitt County from Region 1/south Georgia and North Gwinnett, Norcross, Mill Creek and Parkview from Gwinnett.
Out of luck? That would be Lovejoy and North Cobb, if history holds. Lovejoy is trying to become the first Clayton County team to win a state title since 1987 (Morrow). North Cobb is trying to become the first Cobb team to win since 1967 (Marietta).
What’s significant about 1996? Brookwood became the first Gwinnett County Schools team to win a state title that year. Rapid population growth over the previous decade continued, and the migration of some of DeKalb County’s best coaches to Gwinnett also helped change the landscape of football in the highest classification.
Another thing happened that perhaps was equally as significant. It was the first season that the GHSA expanded the playoffs to 32 teams. This plays into the hands of the strongest regions and those teams that are battled tested in the regular season. With four qualifiers from each region, one door opens when another closes.
It happened in 1997, when defending champion Brookwood was 13-0 but lost in the quarterfinals to Tift County. Third-place Parkview, which would not have made the playoffs under the previous format, wound up with the championship.
In 1999, it happened again with Lowndes, a No. 3 seed. Region 1 champion Colquitt County lost in the quarters while Lowndes won four straight games away from home before beating Brunswick for the title. Peachtree Ridge’s title in 2006 came as a No. 4 seed.
Since 1996, there have been 12 teams seeded No. 3 or No. 4 that made it to the semifinals. Ten of those 12 came from Gwinnett or South Georgia. This year, three have made the quarterfinals – Colquitt County, Mill Creek and Parkview. That’s South Georgia, Gwinnett and Gwinnett.
It’s hard to bet against them.
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118 comments Add your comment
coACHJ
November 26th, 2012
12:22 pm
I am happy that every one is sleeping on lovejoy high school. Check the stats and see who is the best team, and look at what we did against other top tier teams….LHS #StateChampions
BullDawgRick
November 26th, 2012
12:44 pm
Just flip a coin – Gwinnett Co is the SEC of Ga HS football (& sports in general)
Camden03
November 26th, 2012
12:50 pm
@CAMDEN1981 great post but it’s a shame that most posters won’t pay attention to it. At this point they think all Camden posters are full of themselves….and some are
NORCROSS BLUE!
November 26th, 2012
1:02 pm
It;s a good week Norcross. Stay focus!!! GO NORCROSS
Colquitt Fan
November 26th, 2012
1:05 pm
I don’t think any one is sleeping on Lovejoy, they are a really good team. I was just saying that you may not have a top offense and defense on the state stat wise if you had played a tough schedule. They are very good though.
57, props to you for giving credit where credit is due. Every one knows he can coach, but people bash him for things that happened many years ago, some true and some not true. But people call him scum, a cheater, says he mocks the game bc he gets on a ref here and there. It’s just plain silly at this point
ole ram
November 26th, 2012
1:16 pm
all the way Camden. I would like to see Grayson/Camden playoff; however to many distractions with #1 and friends,glad he is headed to Ole Miss for sure bank on it. how about lets swap head coaches would like to see what a teaching players coach could do with the undefeated feeder teams coming into the system next two years.
WarriorBlue
November 26th, 2012
1:24 pm
@coACHJ– Just curious, How has Lovejoy done against other top tier programs?
packer backer
November 26th, 2012
1:37 pm
alright all bull aside for all yall who hate this whole propst and packer combination thats taken place in south georgia why dont yall put ya team on our sched we always been good this program became even greater when we got the rite coaching whats first shall be last and whats last shall be first so stop crying every time we get a win show some respect for this team an what we have built down in moultrie if not then at least try beating us with out excuses or those yellow bombs yall throw all the time called flags an for all yall VHS fans find yall an army base an start recruiting like yall did in the 80’s an 90’s i know yall remember dat dont you at least we winnig with good coaching an not cheating like yall did for all those titles now even atlanta teams slapp yall roun cause yall weak the cats couldnt blowout the brooks county team if im correct the yall got beat down yall dont even deserve to be in the same league with us go back down to 5A
packer backer
November 26th, 2012
1:49 pm
we love the packers an we love our coach bottom line w could care less what the compitition say its ther job to hate an im here to tell you keep hating we need all the love you can give us good and bad we want one thing an if we got to make atlanta the hawg pen to get it so be it cause our goal is to play 15 games an win the last one
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
3:37 pm
When has stats ever won a game? The only stat that really counts is the final score! Release the CATS!
WILDHAWG2012
November 26th, 2012
3:51 pm
OK to all u Lovejoy and Norcross fans plse forget about the games we played against u guys because your teams were 100% and we were about 70% at best with the injuries we had at the begining of the year.Yet u guys couldn’t blow us out so plse get off that.Honestly both u guys might need some help or luck to get to the next round cause North Gwinnett and Camden will bring it.So if u want to prove something here is your chance.
Mighty Mighty Wildcats
November 26th, 2012
4:01 pm
Apparantly Alan, from yesterday, didnt play @ Valdosta when I did. Bazemore was notoriously crooked sending ten men onto the field, then keeping a reciever next to him and sending him down the sideline once the ball was hiked. And Hyder got single moms from neighboring counties “jobs” and good deals on a rental property so their sons could play ball for the Cats. (dont test me on that one, I got names.) No one is clean Alan….dont fool yourself. But you are right about the bleed. Valwood is where most law-abiding tax paying folk send their kids now if they live in the city. Lowndes county gets the rest of the talent.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
4:09 pm
@ Wildhawg2012 == Lovejoy was not at full strength when they played Colquit.
@ 74 == Stats win the game everytime they favor the victor.
@ Colquit Fan == Lovejoy leads the state in scoring. Is that enough offense for you.? @ Warrior Blue == Lovejoy has only played, in my opinion, 3 teams in 6A that are what could be considered top flight. Colquit, Alpharetta and Marietta. This is what happened last season. We played a soft region but when the season was over, Lovejoy had wins against six of the top 10 in the final poll. When will you guy’s learn region strength means nothing.
Jefferson
November 26th, 2012
4:27 pm
Gwinnett Co is an anthill, sprall and people.
BulldogsStillBite
November 26th, 2012
4:50 pm
I don’t think Coach Sphire is taking Lovejoy for granted; I think he has gotten more out of this team than more talented ones in the past. That being said, if NG plays like they did against Grayson, they WILL be at home for the semi-finals. I’ve watched every team left in the game play at least one game except North Cobb. Cobb county teams do not impress me, just like Forsythe teams. Sure, they have made progress but Walton was the flagship last year – they got dismantled when all the marbles were on the table. Everybody thinks their team has what it takes to win it all, but only a few have been consistently battle tested. If Lovejoy puts up 30, they MIGHT win. But NG has given up 30 only once this season and that was early against Norcross. I don’t like the Blue Devils (or any devil, for that matter) but they have talent and can make plays on both sides of the ball. I know Lovejoy has a talented group of athletes, but are they a cohesive team. This NG team reminds me a little of 2009 Camden; they fight through adversity and have no quit. We all had as chance to watch a more talented set of athletes self destruct on the other side of the field from us on Friday. What will Lovejoy do if they have to play from behind? Will they fight or fold? The answer will come on Friday….
BulldogsStillBite
November 26th, 2012
5:03 pm
I am intrigued by Norcross – Camden; I think that will be a great game; just wish it would be streamed! I am not a fan of Colquitt but I respect them greatly; they keep finding ways to win. As for me, I hope to never come across as a pompous butt-wipe – unlike some who post here. I’ll say this to Lovejoy fans – your team is good, but I think we are BETTER. Of course I will not take one snap, make one hit or force anything, but I will support the red and black as far their talent takes them. IF Lovejoy wins, I will be one of the first to congratulate them; IF not, let me be one of the first in line (online) to congratulate them on a good season. There are no excuses at this level; everyone is good enough to beat anyone (except maybe North Cobb, lol). Your team earns their respect from here on out BY WINNING….
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
sportsnut……If you believe the team with the best stats “EVERYTIME” favors the victor, then you really are a sportsNUT! Oh, one more thing, I have this Ocean Front Property in Kansas that I can really give you a great deal on, really! Release the CATS!
OMacG
November 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
I don’t get the whole “hire the coach from Hoover” push a couple have made on here. I think Propst would likely win wherever he coached, but it’s really hard to tell how good the current Hoover coach is…there were only two good teams in Alabama’s highest class over the past decade and that apparently changed as soon as the previous Prattville coach left. Hoover or Prattville won every Alabama 6A title except one in the past 10 years and one of those two teams played in ALL of them. In 5 of those 10 seasons, they played one another for the title.
Now there’s Hoover and no one left to compete with them in the whole dang state.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
6:09 pm
@ 74 == Victor meams winner. Winner has more points than the loser. That stat is a constant. The question was “When has stats ever won a game “. Answer, when the statistical facts are responsible for the outcome of the game and they, the stats are in your favor. Thats when stats win a game. I hold you scoreless, that is a stat.
NORCROSS BLUE!
November 26th, 2012
6:16 pm
Camden vs Norcross Needs to be streamed!!!!!! Probably the biggest game of the whole year!!!!!!
Columbia Blue
November 26th, 2012
6:32 pm
I am a Camden fan and I personally knew Nick Hyder. Nick Hyder was a man of great character. He had his priorities in order.
GOD
Family
Valdosta Wildcats
What do you recon PROSPT will say when he kneels at the feet of Jesus. Nick is in Heaven for ETERNITY–Enough said—-
Long Ship
November 26th, 2012
6:51 pm
Gillespie has 2 playoff wins in 3 years. He’s over his head in the big leagues and looking for a way out right now. It’s been a great ride for Valdosta but the bus broke down about 15 years ago. It’s sad to see the old Cat fans on here struggling to grasp anything like a fish out of water gasping for air.
It’s a new day and a new culture on N Forrest St. and the old guard won’t ever be back.
Camden1902
November 26th, 2012
6:57 pm
I think Josh Niblett is the current Hoover, AL coach.
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
7:01 pm
sportsnut……You have shown time and time again that you have comprehension issues. I said as clear as day that the only stat that really counted was the final score. Come on man! Read and understand the post before you respond……Roll on Camden County Wildcats, Roll on!
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
7:10 pm
I’ve been told that Coach Hyder loved watching the Ralph J. Bunche Hornets whenever they came to the Valdosta area to play Pinevale, Lowndes Training or Westside. He loved the way they ran the Wing-T……..
Highschoolfootballfan
November 26th, 2012
7:23 pm
Sportsnut, since you posted the school numbers, go a step further and break them down by male and female. I would say that each school population would be 50/50. Also these are 9-12 grade totals. Look at the senior class numbers, jr, soph and freshman numbers. Out of that number each school has around 100-140 players on their rosters.
Suwanee 0wns
November 26th, 2012
7:36 pm
All the trash talk on here is funny, but mostly a waste of time. Blah, blah, blah, My Team, … blah, blah, blah.
The intensity of hatred against Coach Propst is amazing. But there can be little doubt he is a great coach, no matter how he does it. Any one of the remaining teams could win it all – they are all good. In some cases it will be a match up of talent. In some cases it will be a matchup of game strategy. In some cases, penalties may matter. In some cases it will be coaching experience and play calling. And in some cases it will be plain luck with an unlikely field goal, a dropped punt, or a receiver that gets open.
Having said that, Colquitt got about the worst opponent they could draw from the other 7 teams for this round. While Propst will pull every rabbit he can find from his coaching hat, Cecil Flowe has seen them all before. He is just as experienced, wiley, and treacherous as Propst.
Parkview’s style of play will be very similar to the teams that beat Colquitt – Lowndes and Valdosta; strong defense and punishing running attack. Except that I think Parkview has more size and speed than either of the Region 1 teams that beat Colquitt. Colquitt’s heroic DBs are not going to make a difference in this game.
Between talent on the field, game plan, and coaching expertise, Colquitt is going to have their hands full with Parkview. Parkview certainly did not expect a home game in these playoffs, but they will be happy to take advantage of it and put an end to the season of the road warriors from Moultrie. This could be the most interesting game in Friday’s playoff round.
squirrell
November 26th, 2012
8:35 pm
Packers played the toughest schedule in AAAAAA and should have been undefeated. The three games they lost, they played horrible and still almost won each one of them. Our offense has finally starting to roll w/ Propst’s complicated run/pass/spread and Cole is on fire!
No doubt, the toughest team Pack played this year and last was Camden. It’ll be a toss-up if we face the Cats again. They are definatly the best team in the state and Norcross will find-out this Friday!
Now, when it comes to Parkview, we’ll be fine if we play the way we have the last few weeks.
And, Norcross needs to get over their little scrimmage win over the Pack. Packers played many different players to get ready for the opening game. Plus we had 3-4 starters out with injuries. If we play again, you’ll see a whole different team!
High School Football is fun to keep-up w/ but it’s still “just” kids play’en football!
Anything can happen every Friday Night! Anybody can win anytime!
NG17
November 26th, 2012
9:02 pm
Love Joy will be out coached by NG Bob And MO show.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
@ HSFF == Lovejoy does not have those type numbers. Lovejoy will not trot out 100 players. 60-65 maybe. Still, we have to play the games. Numbers in terms of a collective does not in any way decide how well you. What you have within that number is of far greater importance and value.
WILDHAWG2012
November 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
@Suwanee Owns=I understand your statement and that could be true.But i think it’s Flowe who is loosing the most sleep cause i could be wrong but when i saw parkwiew last week their pass rush was not impressive enough for me to be worried.Thier defense is solid i guess but its not Camden,North Gwinnett,or Lovejoy so i see no reason to be scared of that.Flowe has been around a while and will have his team ready but the only thing that worries me at the jungle are the refs if the game is close in the 4th Quarter and ourselves with the turnover problem but we shall see
Packers Love the Playoffs
November 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
I feel pretty good about this Packer team. We have a good enough defense that, when our offense isn’t clicking, we can still remain competitive. Parkview definitely has the ability to beat us but not if we play like we have the past few weeks. These little piggies go “wee” “wee” “wee” all the way to the DOME !!!! GO PACK!!!!
NG17
November 26th, 2012
9:32 pm
Norcross vs Camden will air on CSS Friday
North Gwinnett vs Lovejoy will air on GPB channel 8 Friday.
57Cat
November 26th, 2012
9:56 pm
What is the link that lists the games that will be streamed?
Decatur joe
November 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
That 1999 lowndes team got a gift from the refs.
Decatur joe
November 26th, 2012
10:05 pm
Anyone who was at that SWD-Lowndes in 1999 know that the refs screwed SWD hard!
Tommydawg22
November 26th, 2012
10:30 pm
Im just glad the camden norcross game is being televised..and not on gpb..those turds are biased when there is an atlanta team playing
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
6:43 am
Good morning. Good morning. In less than than 36 hours, the unstoppable North Cobb Offense will join the equally dynamic Warrior Defense, and together will be launching the largest football battle in the history of the Warrior Nation. Warrior Nation… that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can’t be consumed by which teams were championed in the past, what Gwinnett teams have do
ne, what happened in a different era… a different time. Our focus is Friday Night. We WILL be united in our common interest. Perhaps it’s fate that it is the season of Thanksgiving and gratitude…of blessings and cheer. Of renewal and blessed assurance. At 7:30 Friday night, we are fighting for something that has never been done before. It’s a freedom. The freedom to sit in the Dome. Eat in the Dome. PLAY football in the Dome. A freedom to play with the best of the best. Freedom, not just from tyranny, oppression, or persecution from haters, but from annihilation of mediocrity. We are champions. We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist�and should we win the day, the 30th of November will no longer be known as any ordinary day, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, ‘We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on, we’re going to survive.’ Friday night WE WILL WIN!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
9:22 am
HELL YEAH ! Where do I sign ?
AVikingFan
November 27th, 2012
10:15 am
My Lowndes team obviously is “out of the chase”, but I’m still watching from the far bleachers. Good luck to region 1-AAAAAA teams, Colquitt and Camden, this Friday.
One thing everyone should consider as a monumental accomplishment, the number of games and the places where Colquitt has won on the road, in the last 5 years! Amazing! I doubt any team has a record to compare with that.
Is this North Gwinnett or Norcross’s year? They have both “been on the brink” for some time now.
I think we can all agree good football is being played in the metro AND in south Ga now!
Merry Christmas to my friends, grayram, Fred, Sportsfan31313, Reeze, ENR, YO, VikingDad, Viking68, Viking96, 57Cat, OMacG, and of course to Todd, Chip, and M. Carvell, and to all others who don’t mind being friends with a Viking!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
10:23 am
Sorry about the language but that got me fired up !
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Sportsnut, you like that, huh? I love it!! On any given Friday night, things change. Just ask the teams who aren’t at practice this week. North Cobb…the quiet storm.
VHS Fan
November 27th, 2012
12:28 pm
I often read these blogs but never post. I t truly amazes me to see people post their vast knowledge about Valdosta Football, and they are not from Valdosta or anywhere close. All of this talk about
Gillespie looking for a way out is laughable at best. I am very close to the program and talk to
Coach G on a regular basis. He is very happy in V-Town. He has done wonders for our program. Before he took over, our middle school programs were non-existent. Just 4 short years ago, we had only 13 players on the 6th grade team. This season, we had 80. He has brought life back in to a program that was dying on the vine. The fans are coming back. Season ticket sales are up. The kids at Dosta want to play for this man, and the numbers show that. Granted, we did go down in the first round in the last 2 years, but that will change in the future. Coach G stated that it would take 5-6 years to rebuild this program, and he is well on the way. So for all you folks that think we are dead…think again. And the fact, that we are only 3-5 years away from building a new high school that will surpass 80 million, with facilities 2nd to none will be a big plus in bringing in more students, who now may choose Valwood or Lowndes. So go ahead and fire away….I know that you are chomping at the bit…Go Cats !!!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
12:38 pm
@ Abu Dhabi == Yes I did. Kinda charged my battery. I am a firm believer in the theory. That is why I never claim victory until it is assured. The quiet storm thing I have to take issue with. You see, I have laid claim to the “quiet” part. I told many much earlier that with me and Lovejoy it was “Quiet Confidence”. They said I wasn’t quiet on here. I guess it is O.K. for you to use, I won’t sue. Good luck to you guy’s this week and maybe, just maybe, we will meet to see who goes on. We both have work to do first……….. P.S., Are they going to be able to stop that kid, Jecory Lewis ? He took Brookwood to the house. He scored 18 and Brookwood had 21. Again, good luck.
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
1:05 pm
What do I think? That’s easy. I think that these boys (ALL of them) are amazing athletes and I am so in awe of them. High School Football is hard work. They have the skills and heart to compete at this level and have incredible futures waiting for them….whatever that might be. I too, like to wait until the fat lady sings and she will be bellowing from Emory Sewell Stadium, Kennesaw, Georgia (North Cobb HS) Friday Night. Don’t get lost on Saturday.
grayram
November 27th, 2012
1:32 pm
Having been to Camden for a game as a visitor i can 2nd everything the Camden Fan posted earlier.
It is a great place to play and the people are fantastic.
Having faced him the last two seasons i can attest to Probst being a very good coach.
Ole Ram…You have been singing the same silly song for years now. Its obvious you have a grudge against Conn, i’m guessing you or maybe your kid didn’t get the playing time you wanted so you say the guy can’t coach. A bad coach does not achieve the things Conn has achieved.
57Cat
November 27th, 2012
1:43 pm
Viking Fan – Thanks for the well wishes for Christmas, and right back at you. It’s great to be a fan of high school football in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Region 1 in 6A, and the great state of Georgia. By the way, if you were thinking of taking in the Valwood game this Friday, better get your ticket today. I understand they will be sold out and will not sell any at the gate. And some of my best friends are Vikings.
VHS Fan – You said exactly what I attempted to post yesterday in response to the bonehead that said Coach Gillespie was looking for a way out. Somehow neither of my attempts posted; something ate ‘en up. Anyway, I am we’ll pleased with the progress Coach has made. It may take a couple of years, but I am confident folks have not heard the last of the Valdosta Wildcats. GO CATS!!!
Tellus Moore...
November 27th, 2012
4:42 pm
Pretty easy for Gwinnett to win when 25% of playoff qualifying teams come from that county every year. Quite honestly they should have more titles.
NGHS 09
November 27th, 2012
5:12 pm
Lovejoy’s linebackers and safeties can flat out play some freakin football. How on Earth do they not have SEC recruiters in a frenzy? Sportsnut is right when he says 2 seconds LOL
NGHS 09
November 27th, 2012
5:16 pm
Best believe that Grayson players, coaches, and fans will be watching Parkview play Colquitt.