Prep Zone

By Barry

October 23, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

I’m a big ECI fan (3-A)! This team is 8-0 Ranked #1/Do you Have any idea of the brackets,for the play-offs?

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

ECI ranked No. 1? You must be referring to some counterfit rankings published by the AP or the coaches. In the real rankings, the AJC’s, ECI is No. 2 to Lincoln County.

As for the brackets, ECI figures to have a tough draw, assuming ECI wins its region. It would face a tough No. 2 team from Region 2, probably Seminole County, but the real tough one comes in the projected quarterfinals — a matchup w/ defending champion Lincoln County.

I’m not counting ECI out, however. The Bulldogs have been more than impressive.

The brackets can be found on the GHSA site.

Maybe you can follow this link:

http://www.ghsa.net/files/documents/2006-2007%20Brackets/Football.pdf

By gene

October 23, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

I know this is a BLOG…But you would think somebody would edit the article…How many regions can Statesboro be in???

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

I know this is a BLOG…But you would think somebody would edit the article…How many regions can Statesboro be in???

Aren’t you pit-nicking a little?

All right. I’ll see what I can do about that. Region 7-AAAA has Dalton, Rome and the like. A mere 250 miles from Beautiful Eagle Creek.

By toocoldscorpio

October 23, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Wow Northside Warner Robins is undefeated in the two toughfest regions in th state. 2-0 against region 1-AAAAA and 5-0 in region 4-AAAA. But watch us have to go on the road in the game at the end and have to beat some one like Statesboro

By Richard Hill

October 23, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

The best region is 1-AAAAA.There are 7teams in this region and every one of them can play with anyone in the state.COffee,Colquit,Houston,Lowndes(The defending state champs),Tift,Warner Robins, and Valdosta.Valdosta is the weakest team in the region and they probably can beat any team in the state.The other six teams all are very strong and are pretty much evenly matched.I’ll put this region up against anybody.Top to bottom it’s the strongest.

By Salty55

October 23, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

I’ll be the first to admit surprise; however, since Etowah has beaten both South Cobb and Campbell, shouldnt’ they be in the mix in 5AAAAA? And they seem to be getting better each week.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

If I’m reading things right, Northside would face Sequoyah (a virtual lock as the 5-AAAA champion) in the QF, the winner going to the Dome. Can’t see Northside not winning that. But sounds like toocold scorpio (great handle, by the way) is looking ahead to the final. I’d be nearly shocked if N’side didn’t make the semis, but history shows the Eagles should take nothing for granted past that.

Etowah is absolutely in the mix in 5-AAAAA, tied for first with another team I didn’t mention, North Cobb. Throw in McEachern, and you’ve got a solid top 6, however you want to rank them. And seventh-place Kennesaw Mountain has beaten Walton and Harrison, two teams that will make the playoffs. That’s why I say 5-AAAAA is the most underrated region. It’s awfully good, but because there aren’t any super teams, the playoffs might not be the best measure of its depth. Same with 1-AAAAA, although 5-AAAAA isn’t quite in the same echelon as Region 1.

By UFan

October 23, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

Parkview number three in Region 8AAAAA?? Both Grayson and Parkview are 3-1 in region play and Grayson wiped the floor with Parkview. I agree with numbers 1 and 2 though.

By Patrick Tighe

October 23, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

How bout those Golden Lions from Saint Pius X Todd!!

By Patrick Tighe

October 23, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

How bout those Golden Lions from Saint Pius X Todd

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t ranking the teams within the regions. I was just listing the first teams that came to mind, in no real order, mainly to remind me which region is which.

Grayson figures to be no worse than the No. 3 seed from R8. A program with a great future, so I’m told.

By thomas

October 23, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

well you can alomost bet northside will not win it all because their coach chokes sorry coach nix but you can not win the big gane you wanna be robert davis so bad its driving you crazy but until you win the first champhionship you can’t get to the second

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

How bout those Golden Lions from Saint Pius X Todd!!

Great for Pius. I think the Lions win again Friday vs. Mays. Obviously a well-rounded team. But I also suspect there will be no undefeated teams from that region in the end. In other words, look out for Marist. What a game that will be, especially if neither loses in the meantime.

By Nick Bray

October 23, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

**I can understand Creekside being one of the top teams in 2-AAAA but Starrs Mill?! NO WAY! If your going to show a 4-3 team how about showing Northgate some love, I mean they were only 5 yards away from the biggest upset in AAAA this year!

By Daniel Hammond

October 23, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this

Has anyone taken note of the recent resurection of Syrupmaker football in Cairo. I am a 1998 graduate. Shortly after graduation the program seemed to be on a steep decline. We had one of the winningest programs in the big bend area which includes portions of North Florida. I have been pleasantly surprised by there recent success and the play of sophmore RB Reginal Bryant. Question is after winning against all three local rivals TCC, Bainbridge, and Thomasville High how do we stack up against northern competition?

By Yo

October 23, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

“There’s no point arguing that 1-AAAAA is not the deepest region. No other league will have a better three teams that don’t make the playoffs. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if none made the semifinals in Atlanta. Each has proven it can be beaten.”

Equally so, don’t be surprised if a bunch of them make it to the semi finals, since they have all proven they can beat anyone in the state. By the measure of how each has beaten Valdosta, there doesn’t seem to be any difference in the 1AAAAA teams and Brookwood even after Bwood got their players back.

The good news for 1AAAAA is their first 2 round matchups are against 4AAAAA and then 2AAAAA or 3AAAAA. Your bottom 3 ranked regions. Other than “possibly” Camden I see no problems there.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

On Conrad Nix —

I think fans are a little rough on Coach Nix. The Warner Robins game is pretty big, and Northside has won that one 8 of 13 times since Nix returned.

N’side is also 2-1 in the Georgia Dome semifinals under Nix. Those are pretty big games, too. It’s hard to forget the Lowndes game in 1999, however.

Northside is 0-2 in state title games. Lost to a great Parkview team that had Francoeur 12-7, then at Statesboro. Hardly a choke job in either.

And as far as being a Robert Davis wannabes, well, that’s everybody, isn’t it?

No coach alive has a better record in the highest class than Davis that I can think of.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this

*I can understand Creekside being one of the top teams in 2-AAAA but Starrs Mill?! NO WAY! If your going to show a 4-3 team how about showing Northgate some love, I mean they were only 5 yards away from the biggest upset in AAAA this year!*

You’re right. I thought Starr’s Mill was 5-2, actually. Didn’t notice Whitewater won 15-14 last week. I must admit I’m not optimistic about this region come playoff time.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

Equally so, don’t be surprised if a bunch of them [from 1-AAAAA] make it to the semi finals, since they have all proven they can beat anyone in the state.

That’s right. And the points you made about the favorable playoff draws are very good ones.

By Yo

October 23, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

Agree with you on Conrad Nix. Northside had all of the momentum in the world and was about to put Parkview away until the night the lights went out in Warner Robins, Ga. That long delay took all of Nside’s momentum away and gave Pview the chance they needed to catch their breath, regroup, and then stop Nside. Up to that point Chancey Stuckey was running all over Pview and was about to go up. Northside was defeated by their “own” home field stadium.

As for 1999 and Lowndes? Most enjoyable game I ever watched.

By Yo

October 23, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Taking a look at the playoff matchups I am going to make the prediction that Camden will see either Lowndes or Warner Robins in the second round. Good luck! Camden

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Question is after winning against all three local rivals TCC, Bainbridge, and Thomasville High how do we [Cairo] stack up against northern competition?

The victory over TCC was especially impressive. Even Colquitt and Tift didn’t spank TCC like Cairo did.

It’s hard to say how Cairo would do vs. LaGrange or the Columbus teams or (farther north) Carrollton or Cartersville.

But besides Carrollton, Cairo has probably played the toughest schedule among the five teams still undefeated in AAA, so Cairo is no fluke.

By JB

October 23, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

Come on Todd…Whitewater sits #2 in 2-AAAA after defeating Starr`s Mill 15-14 Friday night. They should have home advantage in the first round.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this

I’ll try to get that Whitewater thing fixed tomorrow. Adding the teams was just a last-minute idea. Probably should’ve put them 1-4 based on projected playoff seedings. Good luck to Whitewater.

By South Cobb fan

October 23, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

hello! i go to south cobb… so who do you think will make playoffs from 5-AAAAA and in what order? I’ve made many guesses and i’ve tried organizing some possibilities ….but seeing as how our top 2 teams (Harrison and Etowah) both fell to teams that almost everyone was sure they would dominate (or at the very least win) … im finding this region less and less predictable and becoming increasing tense about our last 3 games lol… -cheering for SC eagles

By Todd

October 23, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

The Northside fans remain unreasonably critical of Coach Nix. Although chokes against McEachern and Lowndes in the state playoffs make for bitter pills to swallow, Northside has compiled a 101-12 record since 1998, played in the Dome three times and in the state finals twice. Most importantly, the Eagles have gone 7-2 against WRHS in that same span. Before Nix, Northside entered each season as nothing more than a good team. Now they play each year with a viable shot at a state title. Give the guy some credit for elevating Northside to one of the elite teams in the state.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

It’s impossible to predict 5-AAAAA. The teams are too closely matched.

Most coaches would probably say South Cobb and Campbell are the most talented teams. But looking at what’s happened and the remaining schedule, I’d guess Harrison has the best shot at the #1 seed. SC blew it against Harrison. I’d guess North Cobb #2. North Cobb’s loss to South Cobb doesn’t count in region play. Etowah’s wins over South Cobb and Campbell could be huge in tiebreakers, so I’d guess Etowah #3. That might leave No. 4 to the winner of South Cobb-Campbell on Nov. 3. McEachern, playing the toughest schedule by virtue of missing Murray County, is really up against it.

By jcwfalcon

October 24, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this

I agree with what “Todd” said. DOnt overlook the Westside vs. Northside game. Westside is a tough opponent.

Just a tid bit I found out(from a blog—-not in scripture or anything). If Griffin and Northside both finish the reg season unbeaten, Northside would be the #1 seed coming out of the reigon. I know it sounds like bs, but theres some rule where it flip flops every year from North to South. Not trying to rub anything in here…I just thought with both teams being still unbeaten and from the same reigon this would be something people are beginning to wonder. Following is a blog from northsidefootball.com.

“OK - if a team from the “North” subregion finishes 10-0 and one from the “South” subregion finishes 10-0 - our region uses a system where it flip flops between the subregions from year to year - and this year it would be the “South” subregion’s turn to be the #1 seed, therefore NHS would be the #1 seed.”

By lionsroar

October 24, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this

we have three more weeks before we need to worry about this stuff. it will all work itself out and you want have to guess who is playing who.

By bclontz

October 24, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

I’m a Griffin Bears fan, but don’t like to see them ranked up there ahead of NSWR or Baldwin! Rather see them ranked after the playoffs. Lots of great teams here, and at any given time, they’ll jump up and bite you. Would also like to say, Robert Davis has been and still is at the top of the list when you talk about High School Football in the state of Georgia. Hyder and Bazemore were elites also….

By Bear Fan

October 24, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this

Todd,

I was looking at the AJC rankings for rushing in the state and Bobby Rainey does not appear? Is this for Atlanta schools only? Bobby had 347 yards this week alone. He must be way ahead of every name on the list? He must have 1500 yards rushing and another 500 passing? Sidney Harris from Griffin would also be high on this list. The crazy thing is Rainey never leaves the field and has hundreds of yards on kickoff and punt returns as well. He is the iron man, research the numbers.

By steve

October 24, 2006 01:54 AM | Link to this

[http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/StateMain.mxp/Georgia]

^^ Here is Max Preps top 10 for Georgia…might surprise you

By Roger

October 24, 2006 02:41 AM | Link to this

How can Stephens County not be in the top 10, their only loss was to a very good Dublin team. I can’t believe a two loss Shaw team is still in the top 10 and two teams from a weak region 7. Please explain?

By Lowcountry Dawg

October 24, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

Todd,

Being here in Charleston SC I have a couple of questions.

1) Eagle Creek, is this tucked away between Dawsonville and Gainesville? I played a course that was brand new about a decade ago and it sounded similar to that. Has it gone private?

2)Originally from Dalton. How are they this year? In years past the speed from the south always got us.

Thanks…

By JamesD

October 24, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

Coach Nix is a joke, as a 98 Grad of NSH I can tell you the change in NSH record stems from a major school rezoning. The Warner Robins Demons possessed all of the talent and reputation before the 96 school district rezoning. Nix is riding the talent pool not unlike Coach Mark Richt. I also graduated from UGA. Both schools should achieve more with the athletes they have at their disposal. Nix should win it all this year, if he doesn’t, take his head. CMR deserves more time. A college national championship is a little more difficult.

By Dunwoody friend

October 24, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

You ranked Chamblee over Dunwoody? Chamblee won’t even make the playoffs this year. Good team but very overrated. Two region losses with Westminister coming up. Dunwoody has one more tough game (Westminister). Dunwoody beat #2 team in the state (chamblee) and there was not even a mention in the paper the following Saturday morning. One of these days you guys will figure it out and Dunwoody with get their props. You really should take another look at that 5AAA region as well as do some research.

By Todd Holcomb

October 24, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

I was looking at the AJC rankings for rushing in the state and Bobby Rainey does not appear?

We’re collecting stats only for about 125 metro Atlanta schools. It’s been a major undertaking to compile, and I expect that it will be greatly improved each season. This is a first-year effort, and I hope we expand it beyond metro Atlanta in time.

1) Eagle Creek, is this tucked away between Dawsonville and Gainesville? I played a course that was brand new about a decade ago and it sounded similar to that. Has it gone private?

The Eagle Creek to which I referred is in Statesboro, made famous by Erk Russell in his Georgia Southern days. I don’t know much about golf.

2)Originally from Dalton. How are they this year? In years past the speed from the south always got us.

Dalton appears to be as strong as the team that made the QF last season. But Class AAAA is so good that hope of improving on that finish isn’t that great. Rome is the club in NW Georgia in AAAAA.

How can Stephens County not be in the top 10, their only loss was to a very good Dublin team. I can’t believe a two loss Shaw team is still in the top 10 and two teams from a weak region 7. Please explain?

That’s a good question since the AP has Stephens County No. 6, and this is a team that made the QF last season, losing to the eventual champs.

Here’s how I came up with the 10 teams ahead of Stephens: Five are undefeated late in the season.

Cartersville has a better win (Rome) and a more excusable loss (Buford close). Peach lost to a team in a higher class and is the defending state champ.

Shaw is a returning SF team that lost in OT to the #1 team (LaGrange) and lost close to undefeated Shaw. The Shaw logic might be a fragile house of cards, since we really don’t know how good Shaw-Carver-LaGrange is until those teams play somebody.

That leaves two spots. Not sure how Flowery Branch and Gainesville at No. 9 and No. 10 are more qualified. I think what happened is that (1) I didn’t expect Stephens to be that great this season due to heavy graduation losses, and so they started below Gainesville in the pecking order. Then, there was the loss to Dublin and a close call vs. Apalachee. The Habersham win is looking decent now. There are three other teams that would have a similar complaint — Hart County, Cass and North Hall.

The winner of the Hart-Stephens game will be in the Top 10.

By Todd Holcomb

October 24, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

You ranked Chamblee over Dunwoody? Chamblee won’t even make the playoffs this year. Good team but very overrated.

You scared me for a moment. I thought I accidentally had Chamblee ranked in my Top 10. The teams listed next to the regions are just those that came off the top of my head just to identify the regions. They aren’t really rankings. I should’ve spent more time with that because lots of people want to know what’s up with it.

I think Chamblee will beat Westminster, however. The Bulldogs are still a couple of plays from being undefeated. Chamblee would be a tough draw as a #3 or #4 seed in the playoffs.

By Swatguy

October 24, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

You left Tucker out of the mix in region 6-AAAA.It is not a lock for Marist to make the Playoffs. SWD and Mays may send Marist home. Wouldn’t that be special, or would it just be Mays and SWD handling their business.

By Dunwoody friend

October 24, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

Remember Todd, 5AAA has two sides. Only the top two teams from each side go to the playoffs. If Dunwoody beats Westminister - Chamblee won’t make the playoffs. It would be Grady #1 and Dunwoody #2.

By Southside Stat_Guy

October 24, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

I am still ticked how the folk in South Georgia put together the Regions for AAAA (From the view in Clayton County it looks like a bit of home cooking to me). Four teams in Region 1-AAAA and all make the playoffs. You are correct that Region 4-AAAA (14 teams, may be the largest of all regions at any classification) is the toughest in AAAA and would probably handle most of the Regions in AAAAA. Besides the three teams (Northside, Griffin, and Baldwin) that you listed Westside Macon, Riverdale, North Clayton, Upson-Lee, and Mt. Zion add depth to the region and all would be headed to playoffs in some of the other regions. TCC probably and Baldwin for sure will not make it out of the first round (They play #3 and #4 from Region 4). And it is almost criminal that Lee County and American Sumter are in the playoffs while much stronger team whose fortune it is that three semi-final teams from 2005 are in this region will be on the outside looking in!! By the way Region 1-AAAA should last among all regions in AAAA! (I removed several exclammation points before posting.).

By CHUCK

October 24, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

WHERE IS CALHOUN HIGH IN YOUR 7AA REGION? RANKED # 4 IN LAST AJC.

By Dunwoody friend

October 24, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Todd - did you open a can of worms? Probably need to write a disclaimer. Hang in there guy.

By Cartersville

October 24, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

Todd I am a Hurricane fan but I think you really do need to look at the CASS COLONELS what a turn around way to they make Bartow county football look great. CASS is a top 10 team.

          GO CANES GO

By koolbreeze

October 24, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

Not sure I understand your take on 2-AAAA. Creekside is a no brainer, but, last time I looked Starr’s Mill was in 5th place in the region after having been beaten by Whitewater who is in 2nd with a 5-1 region record. Is it possible that Whitewater is a little better than people think?

By Robert Wood

October 24, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

region 7aaaaa is a lot better than region 8aaaaa this year Why dont you do some research before you write this to give it some crediblity. Are you going off last years teams?

By EastSenior07

October 24, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

I wont to know were East Paulding is in the standings…. We’re better then anybody out there thinks we are..

By susan

October 24, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

You call yourself a sports writer and can’t remember the top teams from the regions? Where did Pepperell and Darlington come from? Pepperell is having a good year, but Calhoun has been region champs for 5 years and are the 2005 state runner up. You would be better to ask your readers their ideas on the top teams.

By KSShake

October 24, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

I pretty much agree with 1AAAAA in 5A with 5AAAAA a distant 2nd (there’s a lotta depth in that region even though they usually lay an egg in the playoffs-most Cobb teams do.) 6AAAAA is WEAK in BOTH divisions. And 7AAAAA is slightly better than 8AAAAA THIS year. But the playoffs is gonna tell the truth about that situation because Central may be the strongest of aal of them and Brookwood’s gonna be salty and primed when the weather gets cold, and their big lines’get to pushing people around in the more “smashmouth” style of football the playoffs are.

Regions 4AAAA and 6AAAA are nasty with 4AAAA probably being the baddest in the state. I do think its kinda of strange how its set up though. (How come the two Henry County teams weren’t put with the Clayton teams, all in relative proximity??? But for having your best play in the playoffs purposes they tried to set it up like that. I guess Westside -Macon wishes they were in Div. A. 6AAAA is tough at top but booty at the bottom.

5AAA is tough but its all messed up because it’s not weighed with strength evenly and good teams are not going to get into the playoffs.(Chamblee and probably Westminster. I didn’t expect McNair to in the tank the way they have but Carver is #1 on the Div. A side and they got waxed by North Atlanta (33-0) the #7 team on the B side. And someone elese was right, that bootleg region 1AAAA (4 teams) is garbage and unfair, even though that darn Thomas County Central breaks out a whippin’ stick every year in the playoffs.

By Yo

October 24, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

I am sure 1AAAA would welcome all comers that want to make the trip south and be a part of their region. Then they could stop having to schedule the 1AAAAA schools every year. It is unfortunate that 2 of the schools from 1AAAA are unusually soft this year. Ware was in that region last year, but it is a long way for them to have to travel to play other teams so I suppose they were put into another region.

By John

October 24, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

AAAA—Region 6 easily is the best with Region 4 next. After that—Region 7, Region 2, Region 8, Region 1, Region 3 and Region 5.

Interestingly, East Paulding—long a doormat in 7-AAAA—is close to the best this year in 5-AAAA and Hiram, another weak team the last couple of years in 7-AAAA, is strong at the AAAAA level.

By Warner Robins Football Fan

October 24, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

4AAAA is easily the dominate region.What rock did you climb out from under”By John”

By spx

October 24, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

6AAAA is definately ga.high schools version of the SEC, these last 4 weeks (inclusive of last week) - the top teams will beat up on themselves and hopefully four will emerge healthy and able to compete. We said at the beginning of the season 1 or 2 really good teams would be at home watching, tell you what next year there will be 3-4 left at home watching.

By Todd

October 24, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

SPX,

Although, 6AAAA boasts an impressive line-up (and I understand your comparison to the SEC as the top teams defeat each other), 4AAAA with Northside, Griffin, Baldwin, and Westside makes a strong case for the most powerful conference in AAAA as well as the state. Especially considering Northside beat two teams in the revered 1AAAAA, including the region leader.

By Jim Long

October 24, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this

I fell the Cherokee high School is having a great being that they stumble in the DOme they have recovered by playing very well no one talks about their running game but they have some kids that are being over looked right now like Nick Blaylock who is playing his first year of football and averaging 9.6 yards per carry and Brody Smithwick who is playing his 4th year of football but alos very talented. THey are all being over looked and I fell that they should be given a chance show what they’ve got.

By war eagle

October 24, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd,

What do you make of Marist so far? How do you think region 6-AAAA will turn out not only in who wins region, but also in how they will compare to the rest of the state during the playoffs? Also, where is Marist located on the current AP and coaches polls since they are not ranked on the ajc polls

By Steve

October 25, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this

Remember that Whitewater is playing with seniors for the first time. Last year they defeated a host of 2 AAAA teams with only sophomores and juniors. They just became “official” this year for conference play.

They are well coached and disciplined. Their coach used a speical play put in just the day before the game to pull off a miracle come from behind drive at Starr’s Mill home field. Todd, keep your eyes on these Wildcats… they also played Creekside pretty tough too. Solid defense, sneaky fast option offense.

By Todd Holcomb

October 25, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

What do you make of Marist so far?

I suspect Marist is the best team in 6-AAAA. The reason isn’t ranked in the AJC is because no Top 10 has a worse loss (Tucker), and Marist doesn’t have a win yet to off-set it. Marist is ranked No. 9 by AP and the coaches.

Remember that Whitewater is playing with seniors for the first time.

I admit I haven’t paid much attention to Whitewater because it’s not a team that has been close to being ranked in AAAA. But that’s a nice win over Starr’s Mill, a QF team from AAAAA last season. Sounds like you’re right, I should keep an eye out.

Re: Cherokee

Cherokee played Sequoyah well, but other than that, I’ve got to admit I see very little to encourage me about the Warriors doing squat in the playoffs. Beating Pebblebrook would be nice in a couple of weeks.

You call yourself a sports writer and can’t remember the top teams from the regions? Where did Pepperell and Darlington come from? Pepperell is having a good year, but Calhoun has been region champs for 5 years and are the 2005 state runner up. You would be better to ask your readers their ideas on the top teams.

I didn’t call myself a sports writer. I’m the pollmeister. Big difference. : ) … I’ve got Calhoun No. 5 in the AA rankings. That’s what counts.

I wont to know were East Paulding is in the standings…. We’re better then anybody out there thinks we are.

East Paulding might be a little underrated within its region, but it’s a shallow region. And EP is about to lose two in a row in that region. Just my opinion, of course.

By Ward

October 25, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

How are North Hall and Chestatee the teams mentioned in 7-AAA? Gainesville is always in the top 10 in the entire state and Flowery Branch is very good this year. Chestatee has never beaten either team…EVER.

By LOVEDEMBEARS!

October 25, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

HEY CHUCK IT DONT MATTER WHAT NORTHSIDE DID LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE AGAINST GRIFFIN.WHAT COUNTS IS THIS YEAR AND NOW!IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN YOUR FANTASY WORLD IN THE PAST THATS FINE. FAIRY TALES ARE GREAT FOR LITTLE KIDS BUT NOT IN FOOTBALL.IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME ASK THOSE GUYS FROM RIVERDALE.

GO BEARS!!

By DOG

October 25, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

Let me make a couple of updates to my earlier ‘DOG’ posting. One of the losses by Valdosta was to a FL AAAA team….again ‘playing down in classification’. Another update…region 1 AAAAA actually had a team play an A classification school. Someone asked what region I was from and it really doesn’t matter since I have no alligence to any region…just high school football. AAAAA is wide open this year. The team that gets hot at the right time will take it all no matter their record. There is no team this year at this time that can not be beat in AAAAA. If the brackets allow it, here are who I believe will be the dome teams. One team I’m going with is the boys up north at Brookwood. If they stay healthy and away from the parties they will be back at the dome. Camden County will be there also. (They are hoping Brookwood will not be after getting dominated on the field by those northern boys in the dome… but not the scoreboard). If Warner Robbins plays like they did against a less than average Parkview team in the Dome, they may be there; good team speed. The fourth team may come from up north also with either Norcross or North Gwinnett (they also hope Brookwood will not be there)just based on the brackets. Again, I have no alligence to a region and have followed high school football closely in Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. Getting off the subject for a second…for the record, of those states the Texans with their ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ slogan are at the top in HS football, then Florida, then Georgia, followed by South Carolina. Kentucky HS football doesn’t even come close to any of the above…guess the ball has to be round up there in KY.
Re:”Only the facts and nothing but the facts. In 1AAAAA this year no team stands above the crowd not because they are all good but because they are all average. This happens in all the regions…some good years, some bad years and some average years. I’m not impressed that of the 33 wins through week 8 for region 1AAAAA teams, at least 11 of those wins came against lower classification schools. (Since they were loses, I’m not even counting the 2 out of state team’s classification that beat Valdosta). I don’t mean lower in playing down one level to AAAA but lower all the way down to playing AA and AAA teams. 1AAAAA by far has played more lower classification teams than any other AAAAA region. Quality wins should be considered in the state rankings not just wins….any team can pad their record playing down in classification.”

By Yo

October 25, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this

Dog-The problem is that there are not enough AAAAA teams in S.Ga. for 1AAAAA to schedule all AAAAA games. That is why there is only 6 teams in 1AAAAA. 1 AAAAA covers an area from Warner Robins (middle Ga. to Florida line). Last year there was only 5 teams. Warner Robins moved up to AAAAA to make it 6. Hence Lowndes went all the way to Kennesaw Mtn. just to be able to get a game in against a AAAAA team no less. Also, Brookwood had to come all the way to Valdosta as did Central Gwinnett to Lowndes in order to be able to schedule games. Unlike you, the GHSA understands the problem and does not penalize a team because of the dificulty they have in getting teams to play them. Also, some of those lower classification teams would whip many of the higher classification teams and quite often do. So 1AAAAA schedules all of the AAAAA teams they can get to play them and quite often pays teams a lot of money just to get them to come. Regarding 1AAAAA being average, you’ll see when playoff time comes around. All of the 1AAAAA teams are better on average than they have been since I can remember. The difference this year is that there is no great or dominate team in 1AAAAA as is the case in the rest of AAAAA. Every team in 1AAAAA would be competing for the region championship (including Valdosta) if they were in any other AAAAA region.

By Warner Robins Football Fan

October 25, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

Nicely done”“Yo”.1AAAAA is starting to fine tune their games and will be peaking at the opportune time(play-offs).Week in and week out their have not been better games or closer scores anywhere in the state than those played in 1AAAAA.Just shows the caliber of talent.

By DOG

October 25, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

Yo-Yo, it’s nice to see someone realize that WR is middle Georgia not south Georgia. Why would GHSA ‘penalize’ 1AAAAA for playing down? Why would they care? The few years I lived in Texas and followed high school football there makes the south Georgia road trips less impressive, so as they say, “that dog doesn’t hunt”. One thing I did notice is they play neutral sites if the distant is significant. ie. El Paso to Beaumont is 800 miles…care for a road trip? Neutral sites are something Georgia HS should think about. It’s not hard to find a neutral site from around here up to Atlanta. Georgia needs to wake-up and do this in the play-offs but that’s a different discussion for a few weeks from now. Sure you guys will have to drive a little to play quality competion but just do it….go home-n-home. 10-0 against quality competion is a lot more impressive than 10-0 and four games were against schools less than half your size….so I guess that means size does matter. Anyway, the travel expense is no problem in 1AAAAA because I’ve seen most of the stadium facilities there. So is Valdosta going up to Brookwood next year (or Jordan, Utah)? Lowndes going up to Central Gwinnett? Nothing is gained by a AAAAA team playing an A, AA or AAA team. I’ll give you the AAAA since one classification difference is minute. With the sue-happy crazies in the world today, I’m surprised some parent hasn’t sued a school district for ‘endangering’ their 130 pound class AA little Johnny after playing against a AAAAA line averaging 265. You know….they would probably win that suit the way things are now days. By the way, what’s the going rate for a small school to get their heads bashed in to play a AAAAA school? Also don’t forget calibers come in all diameters…..re: “shows the caliber of talent”.

By Another Robins fan

October 25, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this

Hey Dog, what happened when the “130 pound class AA little Johnny” Lamar County team played AAAAA Meadowcreek? 1-AAAAA teams aren’t the only ones that play down. Lamar Co won 22-7 by the way.

By DOG

October 25, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

To ‘toocoldscorpio’ from October 23, 2006. Response to, “But watch us have to go on the road in the game at the end and have to beat some one like Statesboro.” You may have to beat Stateboro if you make to the end but I don’t think you will be playing at Statesboro or your home field. I believe this is the year all championship games are played at neutral sites. I may be a year off on this but this is the best idea GHSA has had in years…actually I think it is the only good idea GHSA has had in years. This needs to be done for all the play-off rounds. Seeding high school teams for home field advantage is the dumbest thing since Clinton said he didn’t lie. Play neutral sites throughout the play-offs and get a real idea of which team is best….other states do it. A #1 seed already has a significant advantage over a #4 seed and then add on a home-field advantage….dumb, dumb, dumb. Why is GHSA the last to understand a level playing field is needed in order to identify a true champion? ….and don’t even think about saying there may not be a town between the two play-off teams. The neutral site just has to be that…neutral. Remember the movie Friday Night Lights? The championship game that year was (for real) between Odessa Permain (Mojo) from west Texas and Dallas Carter from north Texas. They played in the Astrodome in Houston which for you geographically challenged folks is in southeast corner of Texas. Carter had to travel almost 300 miles and Permian at least 400-500 miles…and there were almost 40,000 people at the game. Would be interesting to see the won-loss record for the championship hosting teams in Georgia for the last 10 years. Anyone have that info?

By DOG

October 25, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this

Yo, Another Robins fan….I’ll give you that one. Meadowcreek should be playing a A or AA schedule….or at least some of the 3AAAAA schools other than Camden. By the way, you need to read-up on Meadowcreek High School and you will understand why they have a difficult time fielding a competitive football program. I’ve never even seen Meadowcreek High School but a couple of friends of mine up in Gwinnett County told me about Meadowcreek and I did a little web research on the school. It’s not what I think of as the typical Gwinnett County school cluster. Among a number of items they have a significantly higher than normal turnover in their student body. How those young men go out each year and get crushed game in and game out and continue to compete is in itself a win. I played in a very successful high school program with a long-term coach that was elected to the state’s high school hall of fame so losing one game a year was a failed season for us. I can’t fanthom losing every game every year as Meadowcreek has, yet they continue to get off the deck and compete. Check them out and they will be the underdog you’ll pull for no matter which region you’re from. Their game is now the second score I check on each week. PS didn’t yo Mama tell you to go to bed about an hour ago?

By Yo

October 26, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this

So Dog, just because Texas is stupid and you like their traveling ways doesn’t make it a good idea. Since you like Texas and the idea of traveling so much…….. I think you get my drift. By the way, Utah asked to play Valdosta and not vice versa. So no they are not going to Utah. Yes, Harrison is coming to Lowndes next year to reciprocate. Remember, 2 teams have to agree before they can play each other. It can’t just be The Pup’s Texas idea. Just because 1AAAAA is ready to play another AAAAA school doesn’t mean that school has an opening or is willing. Also, neutral sites idea is also stupid. I would try to explain but you seem to be from Texas so I won’t bother. We all know in Texas they do everything bigger (ha ha) so I suppose that includes their traveling and spending the money to do so. They say “bigger isn’t always better”.

By KSShake

October 26, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

I agree with my frequent fellow blogger Yo, (even if I don’t always agree with him). people put way too much into whether a team is AA, AAAA or whatever. Good teams are good teams period. Stop trying to make high school football like college.If Colquitt plays Brooks County or Thomas County Central it doesn’t mean their opponent is any less good competition than some of these teams up this way that we THINK are good competition or a quality opponent. That’s what gets people beleiving hype. You start to think that Roswell beating Centenniel is a big deal or North Gwinnett beating Duluth or North Forsyth is a quality win. I’d rather teams go out there way to play good competition. Thats why I stay so p** off with Dekalb because it leaves Stephenson filling their schedule with garbage (they should never be playing inferior sorry teams like Towers just because their close). They should’ve benn trying to get Creekside or Dacula or a big Cobb team like Harrison. The point is good competion (football teams) not AAAAA or AAA or whatever.

By Kevius Bass

October 26, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

I can’t agree with any of you all about 5AAAAA because you have it twisted. Campbell will win the region because North Cobb and Etowah play each other this week campbell play Harrison and south cobb. The winner of north cobb and Etowah game is most likley going to lose another game which gives campbell the region because they would have the best overall record.

By Todd Holcomb

October 26, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Kevius:

Are you related to the Campbell noseguard “World Class” Bass? That’s a player to keep an eye on. In the words of Larry Munson, “My God, just a freshman!”

As for Campbell, I don’t think you want it posted on the Kennesaw Mountain bulletin board that Campbell plays only Harrison and South Cobb. KM just beat Harrison! You guys had better button your chin straps twice for Friday night.

Campbell is an excellent team, but winning those last three games will be very difficult.

And North Cobb does play Etowah, but that’s bad news for Campbell because one of those teams will have to win. And both have wins over Campbell. So there’s really only a very small chance that Campbell will finish first in 5-AAAAA.

By Joseph

October 26, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this

Just a comment to DOG about his playing down thoughts and region 1AAAAA. As a Lowndes fan i know there is more to the schedules than meets the eye at our school. Though it may not be the case this year many years the region title is so close that it very well could come down to a tie between multiple teams. If this is the case the tie is settled by looking at the team’s wins with other AAAAA schools outside the region. Lowndes could very easily have played Brooks Co., Cook Co., Berrien Co., or any of the other smaller schools around them, but they choose not to and travel to Harrison or will travel to a Central Gwinnett. And while its not 800 miles(as you like to point out geography a lot, Rhode Island schools dont have to travel 300+ miles for games like in Georgia) travel isn’t something some region 1-AAAAA schools are scared of. But on the other hand some of the smaller schools around here would make for some good football. Thomas County Central and Fitzgerald to name a couple. (and by the way TCC beat Lowndes in the scrimmage game this year, smaller beat larger) Go Vikings!