AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCarver-Columbus looking good in Region 2-AAA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you ask Dell McGee, looking good leads to playing good. When the Carver-Columbus coach got a $7,000 NFL Youth Grant, the first thing he did was purchase new uniforms and helmets for his team.
Now the Tigers are 7-0 heading into Thursday’s big game against undefeated LaGrange. Coincidence? McGee doesn’t think so.
“Most the time when you look good you play good,” he said. “Same thing when you go to work, or go on a date.”
It also helps that the second-year coach has his defense playing better than most in the state.
Last week Harris County scored 13 on Carver’s defense, the highest total any team scored this season on the Tigers. But those points came against junior varsity players, McGee said. Three of the four games before that, the Carver defense pitched a shutout, with Troup the only team to find the endzone.
McGee declined to highlight just one or two players for the defensive effort.
“Our defense has played tremendous, I don’t want to say one name, it’s been a host of these guys,” he said.
McGee also said junior running back Chris Kyles is expected to play on Thursday against LaGrange after missing time because of a high ankle sprain. Conditioning will be the key factor in determining how many snaps Kyles takes on offense.
The winner of Thursday’s showdown should have a big edge in the race for the Region 3-AAA title, but McGee wasn’t ready to crown the winner the region champion.
“I’m not going to say it’s for the region, because anything can happen,” he said, but later conceded, “I would say whoever wins should pretty much win the region.”
As for the new uniforms, McGee got the $7,000 grant through a program that aids former NFL players who are now coaching. McGee played in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions after a college career at Auburn. He also won an XFL championship with the L.A. Extreme. We’re pretty sure this makes McGee the only Georgia high school football coach with an XFL Championship ring.
Now he’s trying to earn a ring with the Tigers.
“Carver has been known as a basketball school,” McGee said. “Now there’s more excitement about football.”
The State Football Report features high school football news from outside Metro Atlanta. If you have news for the State Football Report or a team you’d like to see featured, e-mail ccustance@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: State Football Report
Comments
By LGneverdie
October 24, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
The LaGrange Grangers are use to playing in games like this (Carver vs LaGrange) and have always came out on top. I don’t expect anything different come Thusrday night. Carver is a good team, but LaGrange has always the team that every other team measures themselves by. And if you don’t measure up to LaGrange type of football, you might as well go back to the drawing board. GO BIG BLUE.
By Tiger76
October 24, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
Well, LGneverdie, looks like you may be pulling out your crayon and drawing some circles with it come Thursday. But will you stick your head out of the hole to show yourself? Or hide your tail? I say Carver will whoop down on the formerly excellent LaGrange boys 23-14. So NOW fool!
By LGneverdie
October 25, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Tiger76, I will more than happy to show my face when its all said and done. The question is “will you show your head after Thursday?”. And please come with no excuses because mistake, take aways, penaties and turnovers is part of the game. Don’t act like you have have never heard of the mighty Grangers and what we are capable of doing. You are new in our class/region. At least come in with a certain amount of respect for a team that have always gotten respect from not only our AAA classification but all other classification, AAAAA to A. The Grangers are known for being a powerhouse and those who come in not regconizing this nomally pays the price. I bet you that Carver’s head coach and the player respect the Grangers and they are probably dreading this game because they fear their undefeated season is about to come to an end. Granger will no doubt take this game with a 21-10 score. And that’s when I’ll see you on Friday Tiger76. Don’t keep me waiting!!! Go Big Blue
By skip107
October 25, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
I have been a Granger fan for about 20 years(same number of years of marriage to my wife who was born and raised in LaGrange). LG HS has a winning tradition that I have not seen in many schools here in Ga. Even when having a “rebuilding” year, the football team still made it to the final four. It is all about attitude and this school and community shows it everyday and gives 110%. Go Grangers!
By Granger48
October 25, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
Blue Blood for ever to all those Granger fans, but does it not seem funny to you all how fans of other teams that have faced the granger hatchet still talk smack? And now you have a fan base of a team that is doing ok this year out of what a 20+ year history talk as well! Let us say hipothetically that Carver, Columbus wins this game, will they return next year? Humm, something to think about huh! For certain Lagrange will!
By Tiger76
October 25, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
Granger Hatchet? Mighty Blue? You stump jumpin country boys have no idea who you’re tryin to talk smack to! I can recall not long ago when the same thing happened down in Valdosta and when Carver got thru with them the Wildcats got their arses kicked 21-0!
So yeah, the talk is thick, but it looks like most of the gas is from the “Mighty Dominating Grangers” (ha). I can draw two conclusions: 1) there’s not much else going on in Troup County today, and 2) Yall finally got access to the Internet. Do you have to climb someone’s telephone pole to use it?
By Tiger76
October 25, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
I might add, I can tell from all your messages that English isn’t a first language at Lagrange High! Hell, your town has a French name! What’s with that?
By lgneverdie
October 25, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this
Tiger76, this is a blog where you talk about your team. Call up all your p*** cats - oh I mean your tiger friends to help you join in on the blog. We are just Grangers fan who knows how to pump up their team. Don’t get mad, just get even on the gridiron. There’s no need to put down the people or the city of LaGrange. We are just all about football here, alway have and always will be. Lets talk football - not about the people or the city. I personally like the city of Columbus, you are our neighbor. But that doesn’t mean we are not going to whoop the Carver Tigers butt. You beat one team (Troup High) from LaGrange, but that’s your limit. LaGrange will pay you back for beating our little brother (Troup High) just like we did Shaw for beating them. You all will know that you have been in a fight when we get finish with you all. Say your prayers
By Tiger76
October 25, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
Igneverdie, I was just talking to a couple of folks from Troup and they said you were their little sisters… but maybe they were just joshin me.
I will give you credit though… come Friday I can say you guys are the best once beaten team we’ve played all year.
By Tiger76
October 26, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this
You wanta come finish me off, that’s fine. I’ll be on your field tonight, come see me. I’m 6’3” so you can recognize me. Red leather jacket and I’ll be wearin the Ludacris t-shirt. I’ll be on the Visitors’ sideline and I carry a black straight cane. I have a full grill package and most likely will have on my Mos Def shades though it depends on how bright yo lights are. Ask for Demetrius. And don’t brang your sister neither!
By Tiger76
October 26, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this
23-14 baby… 23-14, Tigers rule the night
By GrangersRule
October 26, 2006 08:04 AM | Link to this
The great thing about having 11 state and 1 national championship is you don’t have to talk smack. How many stud linebackers does carver have in the SEC? try Blackmon, Olajabutu, Woodyard, and Kelly plus 3 in the NFL. At least 3 from this years defense will be in the SEC. Talk is cheap but pain lasts for awhile. LaGrange is blue Carver will just be black and blue.
By LGneverdie
October 26, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this
Tiger76, I will be at the game to and I will aslo be on the visitor side because I like to in the visitors faces when we are beating down there team. I will be the 6’ 1, 235lb light skinned brother with glasses with a blue LG cap, I will be wearing a blue, grey and white coat. Just ask for Ken. And I really will be with my real brother who is also 6’1 and about 260lb but he jet black so you will be able to pick us out in the crowd. Let sit together so that we can talk plenty of junk concerning our teams. The Grangers guys love to talk junk with the opposing team fans. It all in fun. And I can tell you like to have fun. I like your style cause you are a real football fan like myself. I really hope we can catch-up with each other. Besides I need be there to past to the tissue after the game. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
By Tiger76
October 26, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
Allright then LGneverdie, you come see me. May I call you “Shorty”?
What’s with the message from GrangersRule? We’re Crimson and Columbia Blue, not black and blue. Don’t go getting all racial on me bruh! We’re proud of our school!
By GrangersRule
October 26, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this
Black and Blue refers to the bruised ego to be suffered during this game.
By Tiger76
October 26, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
Let me apologize on behalf of the team in advance for your bruises. Just dial 911 after the game and tell them that someone ran over your team. And give them that Muscogee County plate number!
I suggest grievance counselors be scheduled for tomorrow morning for those that may require them.
By Tiger76
October 26, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
By the way. The ajc likes to say Carver-Columbus and Carver-Atlanta because they’re Atlanta oriented. The school name is Carver High.
Thas all.
By LGneverdie
October 26, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Tiger76, I believe you mean you are coming to see me even though I’ve lived in Atlanta for 24 years now - LaGrange is still my hometown (born and raised) and the Grangers will always be my team. And for as the bruises…ha ha ha, that’s a joke. I will look for you when I get there. I will be the one you will be yelling “Demetrius, Demetrius, Demetrius I’m here” But I think it will be easy to find you because you will be the one who’s crying. And also 2 inches taller don’t give you the authority to call me shorty - but that’s okay you can call me shorty anyway - because when the game is over I’ll be the one who is standing tall. Oooooooooowee!!! I like the way that sounds.
By Mrs. J
October 26, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Go tigers…..I wish you the best of luck. I went to Carver many years ago. Although i did not graduated from Carver because my family moved, I have been to some football games as well as basketballs. You will always be my number#1 school tigers.
By Bobby
October 26, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
Stop the presses!! LaGrange once again the cream of the crop in AAA. The region is theirs to lose and I don’t see it happening.
Good game by both teams…Carver turns the ball over way too much.
LG 13 Carver 6
Good luck all teams in 2-AAA the rest of the way.
By Tiger76
October 28, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this
Thats right, come skulkin round in the post season and we’ll put that whuppin on you! But other than that, goot luck to all of you my 2-AAA brothers.
Demetrius TIGER76
Peace out
By Granger48
October 30, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this
The BlueBird bus of LG keeps on moving but this week with some differences suttle differences, Less chatter by the opposing team. Could this be a sign of respect for the Granger power or is it the known certainy of a defeat at the hands of the grangers, so therefore not necessary to vent? Either way others should take a similar stance (CARVER, Columbus)and let actions speak louder than words. Good luck to you all!
By Granger48
October 30, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
When you said that you could remember not long ago, referencing a victory over Valdosta! Could you please narrow that dowm to which century that was or if it’s not to much trouble tell us all the exact year and what has been their latest accomplishment? As for back woods and country, if I’m not mistaken about 50% of Columbus natives are from out of state due to the military, another 20% from Alabama, 10% from Lagrange, which leaves the remaining 20% natives of Columbus, Thomaston, Hamilton, Pine mountain, Waverly hall ect. Need I go further?