AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPolls meaningless? No way.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The polls come out and we rush to them to see which school is rated where, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is a weekly fun part of the football season.
But are they truly necessary? Well, yes.
When Roswell was booted by Wheeler from the No. 1 spot in Class AAAAA in its first game at the top, a blogger wrote about the uselessness of polls because, “only the poll at the end of the year,” matters. And that is true enough.
And because there is a true playoff system, where teams have to win more than one game to claim the title, the polls basically are rendered less-than-useful because there is a road that has to be traveled to win state, and the polls do not determine who will win. That’s determined in the games.
In college football, the BCS system puts the onus on the regular season, and the champion is derived from one bowl game victory. It’s a scheme that does not always pit the two top teams against one another for the championship. And it is a system that yearly spurs much debate over its legitimacy.
Meanwhile, high school football is done the right way. A loss in the regular season does not kill your championship hopes. Roswell went from No. 1 to out of the top 10 because of one game, which might be disappointing but it does not destroy the Hornets’ championship hopes.
And it was better to be at the top of the poll, even if just for a week, than not at all. Their time at the top was celebrated daily around school, which is reason enough for the polls.
At North Gwinnett this week, there is a euphoria in the community that it has never experienced. That’s what being at the top of the poll can do.
So, while, in the end, you still have to justify your position in the playoffs, the polls can be great during the course of the year for conversation and great for morale. And who can argue with the value of that?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By Puddin
October 3, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
Touch’e Curtis. The weather around North Gwinnett this week is incredible. Not sure how long it will last. But the players, coaches and parents are gellin like fellons! This Friday’s game against Duluth will be reminiscent of the battle between Germania and Rome in the opening scene of Gladiator. Out manned and outflanked. Polls create the mystery of greatness. In the end, only one team will be crowned champion. Hopefully North Gwinnett. See everybody here on Saturday morning for more battle blog!
By Bear Fan
October 3, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
Dear Curtis,
I am not sure who is doing the polls we are seeing but they are obviously only watching teams in Atlanta or looking at past performances. Griffin is the best team in 4-A and maybe the best in the state. Call the Super 11 young man from North Clayton and ask him what he thinks. He saw NWR and Griffin both up close. Griffin invites all to come see the show. It is a real treat to watch the Bears and realize this much talent has never been on one field for us before.
By A Parent
October 3, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
I’ve been wondering what criteria is used in placing teams in the top ten. Our school isn’t ranked but we have a 5-0 records this season.
Just wondering.
Thanks
By Seminole Boi
October 3, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
Can the Salem Seminoles get the spotlight a little bit I mean GODDDDDDDD. We have senior leadership by George Summerset,and we have and awesome QB Terrance Davis or known as Baby Vick. We are 4-1 right now and 1-0 in the reigon. We are repeat Reigon Champion 2004-2005. 2004 season straight to the Georgia Dome so base your stats upon that.
By TCblue03
October 3, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this
The AJC poll is meaningless. They could care less about the lower half of the state, except for Camden county, who is in one of the weakest regions in AAAAA. Who does the AP poll have at the top or the GACP have at the top?
By TDOG
October 3, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
Baby Vick couldn’t do anything with the Thomson Bulldogs……26 - 3 loss? Has that loss to a AAA school (at home) slipped Salems mind? Good thing you haven’t played Statesboro………
By Toby Cash
October 3, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
I think that the team that survives region 1AAAAA will be the #1 team in the state. There are some very tuff teams down here.
By DP
October 3, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
Weird year…Brookwood lost it’s entire starting offense except for an OL…then he was suspended for 2 games…North Gwinnett caught a BIG TIME break in playing the Broncos with “some of the ponies” in the stable; couple that with Brookwood playing its worse game in several years….So North being #1 is with lots of luck; Brookwood without it’s horses …Camden, Lowndes all losing…strange, strange year…But it’ll all work out in the playoffs..North should enjoy, reality is just around the corner.
By Maddog-1
October 3, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
I also share the thought that the AJC rankings are bogus. I understand why you want N.Gwinnett and Central Gwinnett in there, but Norcross?South Cobb?Roswell? Who have these teams played that is worth a darn? Give me a break will ya? Your rankings are like reading the comic strip’s. Give credit where credit is due and stop catering JUST to your circulation route. As is the case, I’ll be proven right by the end of the year and see who’s left standing.
By Scotty
October 3, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with DP. North Gwinnett is a fun team to watch, but ultimately to win in 5A you have to run the ball. They can’t. I’ve seen them twice. Brookwood had every opportunity to win that game even without key players and playing horribly. Good luck with the fun and gun offense, but I don’t think it will fare well in the playoffs.
By 01'Wildcat
October 3, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this
I just want to let everyone know that yes, camden does play in a weak region. But that is why they have sought out “powerhouse” schools from the north ( and beaten them). They go out of their way to find competition. Everyone knows they went out of state and lost to a strong sc team. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but other than valdosta, no one else is doing that.
By boldyeller
October 3, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this
It’s nice to see North in the one spot-esp since we’ve never been there! Folks in these Northern Gwinnett parts didn’t give our guys much chance this year, including the AJC predictions (no playoffs this year). Things stacked against us- (1)lost alot of talent/skill players to graduation.(2)Yet another new head coach.(3)no STANDOUT talent(some parents might disagree w/me). (4)young quarterback.(5)only 4 home games this year.
However we have benefited, schedule-wise, from the region change, some newcomers from 4A and Dacula moves down to 4A. In my opinion the polls are a distraction(but fun). North didn’t asked to be ranked (I prefer the AP that has us #5)- it came with the territory of beating your opponent no matter who it is. Now for the things we got going for us-(1)GOOD players that are quickly becoming GREAT!! (2)NEW COACH SPHIRES (3)STANDOUT TEAM-PLAYING (4)OUR QUARTERBACK (5)WE TAKE GAME WHERE EVER WE GO!!
I’m aware that there are alot of football teams out there that may not be ranked and deserve a spot. Just chill- take all of your frustration and stress from work and life to the football field and scream for your team. SIC’EM DAWGS-GET SPHIRED UP!
By jiggy
October 4, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this
if coffee high keeps there best players on the field on both sides of the ball they will win state you cant run or throw on them but they cant score
By JoJo
October 4, 2006 04:07 AM | Link to this
Hey TCBlue. Have you seen North Gwinnet’s schedule?? It is soooooooo cake!! They play two good teams the whole regular season…. MAYBE!!!
By Tim McDaniel
October 4, 2006 07:33 AM | Link to this
I never thought I would see the day that NG was ranked #1. With this Friday being GFL night at the high schools, it will be great getting all the little kids to see the excitement that goes along with being the #1 team in the State.
By Mr. Attitude
October 4, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
TCBlue03, If Camden is a part of one of the state’s weakest regions, what’s the explanation for them defeating the likes of Lowndes, Parkview, Brookwood, Harrison, Valdosta to name a few? To examine closly, those teams are from regions considered to be the toughest in the state. Camden is being recognized for doing one thing: winning, which has been proven.
By Puddin
October 4, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
JoJo and TCBlue, Brookwood, Peachtree Ridge, Walton and Norcross should not be used in the making of CAKE! Outside of those teams I concur. One SPHIRED up dawg!
By AAAA Fan
October 5, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
Curtis, I agree with you about the value of the polls and the playoff system. However, I think the AAAA poll deserves another look. Now that the AJC media darlings Marist(1 loss) and Tucker(2 losses) are not at the top of region 6-AAAA, maybe Mayes (5/0), St Pius X (5/0) and S/W DeKalb (5/0) will get a little well deserved press. Maybe even the kind of print edition headline press normally reserved for Marist and Tucker.
Looking at the schedule and performance of the currently ranked top ten, it could be soundly argued that all three of these teams should be ranked. Ranked, easly in the middle of the top 10.