Archive for the ‘Football’ Category

Howard offensive coordinator Jason Respert is the new head football coach at Douglas County.

Respert is a former all-state lineman at Northside of Warner Robins who played at Tennessee. He also has been an assistant at Northside and Peach County.

Douglas County was 23-28 in five seasons under John Oglesby, who resigned after a 2-8 finish in 2011. Douglas County has not had a winning season since 2007 after having winning seasons each of the previous seven seasons.

Douglas County will compete in Region 3-AAAAA next season. It will be the first time since 2001 that Douglas County has played in the highest classification.

Continue reading Douglas County hires Howard offensive coordinator Respert »

Centennial has hired Alpharetta defensive coordinator Jeff Carlberg as its head coach.

Carlberg, who came to Georgia in 2008 after three seasons as head coach of Apollo High in Owensboro, Ky., has led defenses at Lassiter (2008-09) and Alpharetta (2010-11), schools that won their first-ever region championships with Carlberg on staff.

Carlberg also has coached at Louisville as a graduate assistant under Howard Schnellenberger and at Lexington Catholic in Kentucky under current North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire.

Centennial, a north Fulton school, has not won a playoff game since 2002. The school was 24-28 under Jeff Measor, who resigned after five seasons to complete a doctorate. Centennial was 5-6 last season.

Continue reading Centennial hires Alpharetta defensive coordinator Carlberg »

Here are the AJC’s first state basketball rankings of the season. Let us know how you think the teams ought to be ranked, or which teams got slighted.

A few observations -

* Parity is widespread among Class AAAAA boys teams. Shiloh, Milton and Wheeler are the most commonly mentioned when it comes to talent on the roster, but all have been beaten, and several Top 10 teams have losses to unranked or lower-classification opponents. Norcross is ranked despite a 7-6 record.

* Three-time defending AAAA boys champion Miller Grove is No. 1 despite a handful of defeats, most recently on Saturday to nationally ranked Simeon of Chicago, 69-66. Simeon is ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps and others. Miller Grove has no losses to Georgia teams.

* Vidalia (15-1) and North Cobb Christian (15-0) have never won basketball state titles, but their boys teams are ranked No. 1 – Vidalia in AA and North Cobb Christian in A.

* All five of last year’s state girls hampions are ranked sixth or …

Continue reading HS basketball rankings: Shiloh, McEachern are No. 1 in AAAAA »

Avondale, a school that won state titles in 1958, 1963 and 1976, closed this year. Here are schools that have won GHSA titles and are closed (with the years of their closings and their state titles). It includes Waynesboro, which won a title in 1957. Waynesboro and Sardis-Girard-Alexander merged in 1987 to form Burke County, which won its first state title this season.

2011

Avondale (1958, 1963, 1976)

2004

Americus (1962, 1965, 1975, 2000-01)

1996

Douglass, Montezuma (1981)

Hogansville (1952)

1994

Waycross (1960, 1961, 1977, 1981)

1992

Brown (1949)

East Rome (1978-79)

R.E. Lee (1988)

West Rome (1965, 1982-85)

1991

North Fulton (1966)

Northside, Atlanta (1957)

1990

Palmetto (1982-83)

1989

Rossville (1954-55, 1962)

1988

Murphy (1952)

1987

Lyons (1975)

Waynesboro (1957)

1986

West Point (1948, 1950, 1958)

1975

Davis (1964)

1970

Athens (1955, 1969)

Fort Valley (1948, 1961)

Lincolnton (1960, 1962-63)

1967

Jesup (1954, 1959)

1966

Blakely-Union (1964)

1959

Quitman …

Continue reading State-championship schools that have closed »

Awards for state coaches of the year typically go to the head coach whose team wins the state championship. There’s nothing wrong with that, as a coach can’t do better than win a state title. But not enough credit goes to those coaches who make teams better from one season to the next.

Bryan Way at Warner Robins didn’t win a state title, but Warner Robins led the state in “victories improved” from 2010 to 2011, going from 2-8 to 11-3. Then there was Mark Wilson at Bryan County. His team went to 6-4 from 0-10.

Below is a list of 10 coaches in each classification who improved their teams. To be objective, we devised a formula to do it. The formula = (number of 2011 victories – number of 2010 victories) + (improvement in winning PCT x 10) + (number of 2011 playoff rounds – number of 2010 playoff rounds).

If it sounds complicated, don’t worry. We did the math.

Just trust that these 50 coaches deserve a raise.

CLASS AAAAA

Team
Coach

2010

Continue reading Coaches who improved their teams the most in 2011 »

Here are three observations about the regions that will make up Class A in 2012:

*The regions listed below are based on what is currently proposed by the Georgia High School Association, which is scheduled to meet on Jan. 10 to ratify the regions. There is no way to project any changes the GHSA might make at its executive committee meeting or the impact a much-talked about secession by public schools would have on the region setup.

*The best region, according to the Maxwell Ratings, will be 5-A, which will consist of six football-playing private schools and be the smallest region in Class A. Eagle’s Landing Christian, 2011 runner-up Landmark Christian and Holy Innocents’ are all rated among the top 10 teams in the new Class A.

The chart below might give you a feel for strength of regions and the teams to beat next year.

Make sure you understand how it works:

*The W-L record is each school’s record over the past five years.

*The rating on the right is each team’s …

Continue reading Early gauge of the new regions: Class A »

Below are the leading rushers, passers and receivers in Georgia high school football for the 2011 season.

Rushing

2,375 – Tyren Jones, Walton

2,183 – Kevin Ellison, Habersham Central

2,180 – Marteze Waller, Putnam County

2,179 – Chaz Thornton, Stephens County

2,142 – Miles Jones, Allatoona

2,063 – Janier Ferguson, Pepperell

1,928 – Mike Davis, Stephenson

1,839 – Travis Custis, Lovejoy

1,805 – Chris Brown, Seminole County

1,802 – Brendan Douglas, Aquinas

1,790 – Quenshaun Watson, Clarke Central

1,770 – Tre Hamilton, Charlton County

1,738 – Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County

1,706 – Imani Cross, North Hall

1,704 – John Tatum, Eagle’s Landing Christian

1,684 – Marquez Holloway, Carver (Columbus)

1,658 – Voltaire Driver, Bremen

1,622 – Chris Beck, Seminole County

1,615 – Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove

1,564 – Tolerance Shepherd, Fitzgerald

1,561 – Tyshon Dye, Elbert County

1,559 – Lewis Watkins, Glascock County

1,552 – Jayden Compton, Gordon …

Continue reading 2011 leaders in rushing, passing and receiving yardage »

Georgia players who have thrown for more than 3,000 yards in a season, according to GHSFHA.com:

4,560 – Hutson Mason (Lassiter), 2009

4,218 – Taylor Heinicke (Collins Hill), 2010

3,710 – Jeremy Privett (Charlton County), 2003

3,705 – Hutson Mason (Lassiter), 2008

3,638 – Taylor Lamb (Calhoun), 2011

3,612 – Jonquel Dawson (M.L. King), 2010

3,600 – Brian Ellis (Peach County), 2006

3,415 – Jonquel Dawson (M.L. King), 2011

3,358 – Tyler Brown (Colquitt County), 2010

3,351 – Wesley Hill (Crisp County), 2001

3,350 – Eddie Printz (Lassiter), 2011

3,343 – Johnathon McCrary (Cedar Grove), 2010

3,331 – Justin Walker (Lee County), 2010

3,279 – Robert Johnson (Americus), 2000

3,251 – Deshaun Watson (Gainesville), 2011

3,245 – Chad Bryant (Dooly County), 2003

3,187 – Fabian Walker (Americus), 1998

3,172 – Drew Little (Henry County), 2007

3,113 – Joshua Dobbs (Alpharetta), 2011

3,101 – Mashard McKnight (Ware County), 1999

3,091 – Dwight Dasher (Charlton County), 2005

3,090 – Al Pinkins …

Continue reading 3,000-yard passers in Georgia history »

Here are three observations about the regions that will make up Class AA in 2012:

*Defending state champion Calhoun has won 11 consecutive region titles and appears to be in a good position to extend that streak in 2012. The Yellow Jackets’ region contains no other team rated higher than No. 13 (Pepperell) by the Maxwell Ratings, and Calhoun is 9-0 against Pepperell since 1980.

*The state’s smallest region in any classification will be 6-AA, which will have just five teams. If Hapeville Charter chooses to play a non-region schedule, then Greater Atlanta Christian, Lovett, Westminster and Wesleyan will have automatic playoff berths, although all four teams are regular playoff participants regardless of the size of their regions.

*The strongest region, according to Maxwell, will be 1-AA, which will have perennial playoff teams Fitzgerald, Brooks County, Cook and Thomasville. All four teams are rated among the top nine in Class AA, and Early County is …

Continue reading Early gauge of the new regions: Class AA »

Scott Jackson of Rome is the winner of the 2011 Atlanta Journal-Constitution High School Football Pickoff contest.

Jackson finished the season with 155 points, one ahead of two contestants that tied for second place. There were 605 people entered this season.

Bart Phillips of Sharpsburg had the high score for the championship round, correctly picking four of the five champions and winning the tiebreaker for the closest guess of the score of the Calhoun-Buford game.

Thanks to all who participated this year.

Continue reading Rome’s Scott Jackson wins High School Football Pickoff contest »

Player of the year: RB Will Austin, Savannah Christian, Sr.

Offensive player of the year: QB Johnathon Chamblee, Savannah Christian, Sr.

Defensive player of the year: DL DeAngelo Brown, Savannah Christian, Sr.

Athlete of the Year: QB Jake Clemens, Calvary Day, Jr.

FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB – Michael Peel, Claxton, Sr.

RB – Nick Scott, Bryan County, So.

RB – Jalen Myrick, Savannah Christian, Jr.

WR – Bron Glover, Claxton, Sr.

WR – Jordan Walker, Calvary Day, So.

TE – Milan Richard, Calvary Day, So.

OL – Josh Gay, Savannah Christian, Sr.

OL – Tevin McNeal, Claxton, Sr.

OL – Justin James, Calvary Day, Jr.

OL – Trey Ross, Metter, Sr.

OL – Josh Garland, Savannah Christian, Sr.

OL – J.J. Rowe, Bryan County, Jr.

ATH – Nardo Govan, Savannah Christian, Sr.

PK – Harley Lichtenberg, Savannah Country Day, Jr.

Defense

LB – Will Hoskins, Metter, Sr.

LB – Eric Davis, Savannah Christian, Sr.

LB – Zenas Moore, Claxton, Sr.

LB – Matt Soss, Calvary Day, Jr.

LB – Noe Recendez, Metter, Sr.

DL – …

Continue reading All-region team for 3-A East »

Player of the year: Terrell Cason, Cairo

Co-offensive player of the year: Steven Bench, Cairo

Co-offensive player of the year: Charles Stafford, Monroe

Defensive player of the year: Christopher Green, Westover

Coach of the year: Tom Fallaw, Cairo

Offense

QB – Bryce Benton, Americus-Sumter

RB – Dalviness Green, Westover

RB – Devine Noel, Monroe

FB – Prince Davis, Cairo

TE – Arthur Robinson, Cairo

WR – Terrevious Hudson, Monroe

WR – Jantavious Carter, Crisp County

OL – Anthony Mosley, Cairo

OL – Dontavious Shuler, Cairo

OL – Hakeem Porter, Monroe

OL – Devin Swann, Westover

OL – Devin Gibson, Worth County

Defense

DL – Shykeith Johnson, Americus-Sumter

DL – Vantrell McMillan, Monroe

DL – Randy Wooten, Cairo

DL – Dantavious Jones, Worth County

LB – Paul Davis, Cairo

LB – Anthony Smith, Monroe

LB – Don Mills, Westover

DB – Lavontae Robinson, Worth County

DB – Martinez Reese, Americus-Sumter

DB – Timothy Gurley, Cairo

DB – Marshall Taylor, Crisp County

Special teams

P – Ryan Cook, …

Continue reading All-region team for 1-AAA »

Offensive player of the year: RB Marte Polk, Northside (Warner Robins)

Defensive player of the year: Shamaii Wilburn, Bainbridge

Coach of the year: Brian Way, Warner Robins

FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB – Jack Montgomery, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

RB – Marte Polk, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

RB – Brian Sutton, Warner Robins, Sr.

WR – Keshun Hill, Northside (Warner Robins), Jr.

WR – Josh Cabrera, Lee Co., Sr.

TE – Kyle Griffin, Warner Robins, Sr.

C – Drew Foley, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

G – Jim Dart, Warner Robins, Sr.

G – C.J. Haslem, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

T – Greg Farms, Warner Robins, Sr.

T – D.J. Williams, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

AP – Miguel Williams, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

PK – Dillon Mixon, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

Defense

DT – Shamaii Wilburn, Bainbridge, Sr.

DT – Josh Chester, Northside (Warner Robins), Sr.

DE – Anfernee Chatfield, Northside (Warner Robins), Jr.

DE – Daryl McGhee, Bainbridge, Jr.

LB – Trey Payne, Northside (Warner …

Continue reading All-region team for 1-AAAA »

Player of the year: Aaron Hughes, Windsor Forest

Offensive player of the year: Brice Ramsey, Camden County

Defensive player of the year: Vincent Hollerman, Camden County

Special teams player of the year: J.J. Green, Camden County

Coach of the year: Jason Roundtree, Windsor Forest

FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB – Shyheim Roberts, Johnson, Jr.

RB – Juwan Johnson, Groves, Sr.

RB – Terron Bradham , Jenkins, Sr.

RB – Kevonn McKenzie , Camden County, Sr.

OL – Tim Martensen, Camden County, Sr.

OL – Laverne Sumter, Beach, Sr.

OL – Patrick Fogerty, Benedictine, Sr.

OL – Chester Brown, Bradwell Institute, Sr.

OL – Thacker King, Benedictine, Sr.

OL – Mickey Call, Camden County, Jr.

TE – Kavon Freeman, Savannah, Sr.

WR – Tremayne Traywick, Windsor Forest, Sr.

WR – Deion Sanders, Johnson, Sr.

K – Brice Ramsey, Camden County, Jr.

Defense

DL – Malachi Singleton, Johnson, Sr.

DL – Willie Vurgess, Beach, Sr.

DL – Devlyn Cousin, Camden County, Sr.

DL – Josh Plummer, Camden County, Sr.

LB – Joseph …

Continue reading All-region team for 3-AAAAA »

There are 24 former Georgia high school players who are quarterbacks for FBS (formerly called Division I-A) schools, according to research by Steve Slay. Two are starters. They are Connor Shaw of South Carolina and Tim Jefferson Jr. of Air Force. Others have started at least one game. Those include Bryan Ellis of UAB and Trey Miller of Navy. Here are the 24:

Air Force

Tim Jefferson Jr. (Woodward Academy)

Baylor

Andrew Frerking (Wesleyan)

Buffalo

Tony Daniel (South Paulding)

East Carolina

Rio Johnson (Sandy Creek)

Eastern Michigan

Austin Karcher (Fellowship Christian)

Georgia

Greg Bingham (Columbus)

Hutson Mason (Lassiter)

Mikey Tamburo (North Gwinnett)

Parker Welch (Wayne County)

Georgia Tech

Deonte Fletcher (Heritage-Conyers)

Synjyn Days (Hillgrove)

Demond Smith (Monroe Area)

Darryl Dickey (Ola)

Kansas State

Justin Tuggle (Northview)

Kent State

Jordan Tarver (Stephenson)

LSU

Zach Mettenberger (Oconee County)

Middle Tenneseee

Tim Byerly (Chattahoochee)

Navy

Trey Miller …

Continue reading Former Georgia high schoolers playing QB at FBS schools »