AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNorth-South title game in offing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have seen enough, although I haven’t seen everything. But for all the parity that exists this year in Class AAAAA, eight weeks are enough to assess championship chances.
And so, it says here that the two teams most likely to win the title in the state’s largest classification are … Camden County and Brookwood.
This was not a conclusion easily deduced. North Gwinnett has enough talent at the skill positions on offense to run up big numbers. But as the weather gets colder and the air thicker, moving the ball primarily through passing likely will get problematic.
Norcross, Central Gwinnett and Roswell all are having stellar seasons and have every reason to believe this is their year. But how will they react to the pressure as the games get more and more meaningful?
The other teams in the top 10 - Tift County, Stephenson, Warner Robins and Lowndes - just do not have that certain something that makes you feel it is their year.
That leaves Camden County, which at 6-1, has not lost to anyone in the state. It has a championship coach, a championship history and a championship mentality.
Meanwhile, Brookwood has two losses, but are adept at the areas of the game that matter most, especially in the playoffs: running the ball and stopping the run. The Broncos have a tradition of championship and a coaching staff that has proven itself among the best in Georgia.
So that’s how I see it: South vs. North for the state championship, which would be cause for much banter, I’m sure.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By Yo
October 24, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this
Brookwood nor Camden have done anything to impress any more than about 10 other teams in AAAAA. On any given night any of the teams from 1AAAAA would put a whipping on either one of these schools and vice versa. Having said all of that, I have watched both Central Gwinnett and Brookwood come south and at this point I would have to give the nod to CG over Bwood. But this year, on any given night, who knows? Personally, I don’t see Camden getting past the second round this year. That’s when they are going to meet up with 1AAAAA’s second seeded team.
By Yo
October 24, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
Also, I am curious as to what constitutes a “championship tradition”?
One championship!
By Atlanta football fan
October 24, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
I agree with Camden likely being one of the final four…strong contender. Several Brookwood players and “a coaching staff that has proven itself among the best in Ga” lack a key quality,Integrity.Based on the desciption of the incident that happened as explained to me,most championship coaches would teach the lesson of life(your off the team),not a slap on the wrist with the next words of lets play some football.Sounds like a win is the coaches ultimate goal.
By andy
October 24, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this
I don’t know about Camden. I hear a lot but just don’t know. Brookwood on the other hand will be lucky to get in past the second round. I watched my NG Dawgs stomp their offense in week two, regardless of suspended players. Those suspended individuals must be some incredible athletes because North held Brookwood to one first down for half a game while North, showing a shaky undeveloped offense, still put up a V. I don’t know that the prevalent defense and passing offense that becomes more fluid game to game (regardless of weather or circumstance) of North will be very stoppable. Those boys have been through a lot. It will take a team worthy of a state title to stop a team like the Dawgs. Otherwise, I honestly don’t know why North can’t go all the way. I believe this is North’s year (and maybe next year and the year after that and…)
By 01'Wildcat
October 24, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this
Hey yo! You’re so confident in region 1’s sure win over camden in the second round why? Do you not know that since the herron era at camden began, they’re like 7-1 against region 1!!!!! With the one loss to the 2004 Champs Lowndes. I’m not saying it CANT happen but with the history as it is, not a sure thing as you’d like to believe!!
By Yo
October 24, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this
01 Wildcat about half of those wins came in your state championship year. If you were having to play 1AAAAA week after week this year I am quite confident the won loss record would not fair so well. In time we will know as I feel quite confident you’ll be seeing 1AAAAA in the second round and you will have your chance to tell me if I’m wrong. I have the utmost respect for Camden and never doubted them the year they won state. This year I don’t believe your offense is good enough to get you there. Here is the reality. Camden has only played 2 good football teams (if you want to call Brookwood without 7 starters good) and could only beat a “playing with 1 arm behind their back Brookwood” barely (actually Camden was outplayed in that game). The other good team (Aiken, S.C.) Camden lost to. The rest of your games hardly matter no matter how much you win by. Speaking of history, ask Valdosta what history is doing for them this year.
By GA HS FAN
October 24, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this
Sorry guys, I agree with Mr. Bunn. I reside in Notre Dame country and recognize mindless devotion. I am a native of Georgia and follow high school sports intently. Brookwood, Lowndes and Camden have Dome experience and this advantage can not be arbitrarily assigned. Sure, any team is subject to defeat but even the detractors fear these teams when the “money is on the line.” Championship caliber teams find their way into this discussion for a reason. We will see you in the dome.
By DOG
October 24, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
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, 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. Region 1AAAAA administrators, coaches and towns should be embarrassed with their non-region schedules.
By Goober
October 25, 2006 06:25 AM | Link to this
I still do not understand Brookwood..They lost to 2 teams with winning records and the 5 teams they have beaten have a total of 6 wins between them. This may be a good team but how can they be picked to make it all the way when they clearly have not proven anything yet?
By Yo
October 25, 2006 07:02 AM | Link to this
Dog, I am sure 1AAAAA will gladly schedule whatever teams you have in mind, assuming they are up to the task. We will even supply lots of fans and money, so tell em to bring it on. Until then, we will have to shedule the teams man enough to play us, whether they be out of state or in a lower classification. Regarding a average 1AAAAA, you will see come playoff time. By the way, what region do you hail from? If you aren’t ashamed to mention it.
By neojr72
October 25, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this
Region 1AAAAA produced Lowdnes the last two years and that was the only serious contener to the state crown coming out that region then and is today. Coffeee and Tift are taking advantage of Lowdnes rebuilding and they shouldn’t even mention Warner Robins that got blown out by Northside,,, I guess Region 1AAAAA is glad that Northside is in AAAA because they would own Region 1AAAAA if they where in it this year!
By big blue
October 25, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
All I have to say is we will see in the play-offs. I thank that DOG is crazy! Anyway if Bwood is so good how come they beat Valdosta just like all of 1-AAAAA so far, I don’t thank that Bwood will be playing for State. As for Camden I don’t know about them they play in a weak region were most of the teams in there region has lost a least 4 games, but there Camden so who knows. Buy the way hasn’t Camden already beat Bwood?
By Chap6x9
October 25, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this
I am from Camden County and a true Camden fan. But I am first and foremost a fan of the game. The reality of it is is that Camden has done anything this year to impress anyone. The passing game sucks, and play calling hasn’t done anything for the betterment, but for the worse. In reality if Camden meets up with a team from Region 1A, there’s a 70% chance that Camden will lose, but if they meet up with any strong team. Every since Camden won the state in 03, they haven’t done anything when going up against quality teams.
By ALKG
October 25, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
Are you a true Camden fan when you down them so much?!?!? Camden has a GREAT chance in winning the championship this year. If you’ve been to the games, like a REAL fan would have, you would see their talent and potential.
By GA HS FAN
October 25, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
The comments are often fascinating and amusing. They usually lack any objective analysis, just fan bias. I assume you can attribute these comments to adults. Is there any question why our children are accused of being insensitive and void of true critical thinking. We should all be proud of our young men, irrespective of their region or team. Fortunately, the state championship will be decided on the field and not within blogs. Encourage hardwork and true sportsmanship. PS: Computers do have spell checks.
By BW
October 25, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
In response to Dog stating that 1-AAAAA has been been beating up on lower classifications, there is some truth to this, but think about the logistics. South Georgia is a more rural area where towns and cities are more SPREAD OUT. In the metro Atlanta area, you can drive through certain parts of town and see AAAAA schools only minutes apart from each other. You have every school in a region encompassed within a single county. Off the top of my head, that only happens with Houston Co-Warner Robins, and Lowdnes-Valdosta. From an economic stand point, it makes perfect sense to play lower class teams, and there are some good ones out there. Ask any Meadowcreek (8-AAAAA) fan about a 5-AA school called Lamar County. Look at the tradition at such schools as Cairo, LaGrange, Thomas County Central. When discussing such AAAA teams as Northside Warner Robins and Griffin, I honestly believe that either one of those two could win 5-AAAAA this year. Logistics Dog, logistics.
By Yo
October 25, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this
Actually it would be interesting to see how many losses Northside would have if they had to play all of the teams from 1AAAAA week after week. They might be good enough to win the region championship of 1AAAAA but their record would not be unscathed.
By Yo
October 25, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
neojr72 - Lowndes was the only serious contender coming out of “any” region the last 2 years. For the last 2 years, Lowndes was in a class by itself.
By fairplay
October 27, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
Bet on Black…and Red. Everybody’s counted North Gwinnett out all year. What do they do? Win! Easy to pick teams that have been there before. Curtis, there’s a new sheriff in town… North has a strong ground game too, and a controlled passing attack. A little chill in the air isn’t going to bother them one bit.