AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USQ&A with Camden County’s Jeff Herron
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the Oct. 9th AJC rankings, neither Parkview nor Lowndes nor Valdosta was ranked. According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association’s Web site, the last time that happened was way back on Oct. 25, 1993. Are we experiencing a changing of the guard?
On Thursday, Jeff Herron, head coach of second-ranked Camden County, visited about the “new” AAAAA hierarchy, No. 1 North Gwinnett and his star free safety Willie White, a Georgia Tech commitment.
Q: With the struggles of some of the perennial powerhouses like Valdosta, Parkview and Lowndes, do you believe we’re experiencing a changing of the guard?
A: I think it’s too early to tell. When playoff time comes around, I’m pretty sure Lowndes is going to make a good showing. Just because those teams from Region 1 beat each other doesn’t mean they aren’t good football teams. But I don’t think there is a dominant team, like maybe Lowndes has been recently or we were in 2003.
Q: Does South Georgia football not receive the respect it deserves?
A: I don’t think it has anything to do with respect. We’re just a long way away, kind of excluded down here. We’re closer to Jacksonville than Atlanta. From a AAAAA standpoint, there’s only two regions outside of the metro area now. If I was writing for the AJC, I’d write about the metro area teams too.
Q: Have you had a chance to see No. 1 North Gwinnett on film?
A: No, but we were at a camp with them this summer, and I talked to Coach [Jeff] Hollis at North Forsyth [who plays North Gwinnett Friday]. He said that [North’s] defense is a lot better than people know, and that when their offense gets clicking, they can really move the football.
Q: Georgia Tech fans want to know just how good your senior star Willie White is.
A: I look at Willie and [current Tech free safety] D.J. Jones, who also was here, and see a lot of similarities. Willie predominantly plays free safety for us, but we use him on offense a little as well. He made a tremendous catch for us last week. He looked like Willie Mays, looking back over is head and grabbing it.
*Every Thursday staff writer David Purdum talks South Georgia football on the prep zone.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By Tipp Smooth
October 26, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
David, I wish you would have asked Coach Herron why he went for the two point conversion during the Aiken, Sc. game with 8:49 to go and momentum on Camden side. Camden don’t pass as much out of the Wing-T as they should until a sense of urgency comes about from trailing throughout a game. I’ve been watching Camden football for a very long time, with and without the Wing-T, if we are going to keep running the thing, it’s time to give it a new twist. I bleed Camden Blue and White…..roll Cats
By 01'Wildcat
October 26, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this
He went for two to take the lead obviously!! If you miss it, people critisize you, if you make it, you’re a hero. That’s the gamble you gotta take. I’m not sure if you’ve been to any other games this year but camden IS passing more often than before. Albeit not alot or anything but more often than they used to. Remember, it’s a wing-t not a spread offense. It’s designed primarily for the run but can be adapted to pass “some” too.
By Tipp Smooth
October 27, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
If Camden would have made the extra point the worst that could have happened was a tie, 01Wildcat do you remember that playoff game against Brookwood, I’m sure you do, the same results. High school have a system in play for tie breakers. With momentum on your side, that two point conversion could have waited. I understand attempting to take the lead, but look what was at stake, undefeated regular season win streak gone, number one ranking in the state gone, nationally rank gone. I’ve been following Camden since the school moved from Woodbine, and I know they have come a long way since then from the facility to a wider range of talent given the talent that comes from having Kings Bay Sub Base there. I’m also a retired Navy Person from Camden the north end. Class of 80. Go Cats.
By dep
October 27, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Camden had to go for the 2 points vs. Brookwood; the OT rule back then was that if you were tied at the end of OT; a team could win on the penentration rule…Brookwood was ahead on that…so even if Camden had made the extra point and tied, Brookwood would have one the game based on the rules back then…
By Yo
October 28, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
Games played against out of state teams don’t go into over time but end in ties.
By Wildcat Player
October 28, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this
Coach Herron explained to us why he went for 2. He was trying to get out of there rather than go for the tie. I put my trust in that man, right now I’m a Junior and my class record is 32-3. Thats an awesome record if you ask me. Everyone will make mistakes, the key is to watch what we do from here on out… As for the passing game, this is the most we have passed since I’ve been here.
By Yo
October 29, 2006 06:55 AM | Link to this
If Camden is passing more, then it is because they have to and that is not a good sign for Camden.
By INDIAN54
October 29, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
Your right Yo,if they are having to pass more often out of they’re wing-t that only means that they’re weak offensive line will be exposed in the playoffs.
By CamCoCatFan
October 29, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Well Yo, it’s apparent you have not watched Camden play much football this year, so that’s not a good sign for you!! Have heard several different stories from various sources regarding the 2 point conversion at Aiken, but the one that is correct is the one that Coach Herron gave us on the field directly after that game, he made a mistake and accepted responsibility for that blown play call and we accept that, game over! Yo, recommendation for your future posts, mums the word when you’re clueless regarding a programs status or progress!
By CamCoCatFan
October 29, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
Glad Yo and Indian54 are not coaches, because you’re clueless. By establishing an effective passing game, that creates a more balanced and potent offense for a Wing-T team; Lowndes has shown everyone that for the past couple years. Wing-T’s bread & butter is running, but mix in a passing game and you have an offense that is awesome. So Indian54, I hope for your sake Camden’s weak offensive line doesn’t expose your team’s weaknesses should they meet in post season play.
By Yo
October 29, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this
CamCoCatFan-you look at your team through CamCoCatFan blinders. It would appear to me that Indian54 has more football knowledge in his big toe than you do. Yes Camden will need to throw the ball against the playoff teams, but that is because their running game is lacking compared to past years. I don’t have to see you play to know that. I know the preferences of your coach and he would run every play of every game if he had a choice. So you basically played Aiken to a tie - how your CamCoCatFan standards have changed if that is your excuse.
By Tipp Smooth
October 30, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
CamCoCatFan, during Lowndes run at the title they had much better athletes and talent than anyone in the state, and so did Camden in 03. Emanuel ran the Wing-T with precision and the defense bend but never broke. Most of those kids from the 03 team are playing on Saturday’s now. I say again, with over eight minutes left and the momemtun in your favor, just play the game, rather it’s in state or out. Love them Cats man……
By CamCoCatFan
October 30, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
Yo, guess you read and watch TV alot as any coach of a run oriented team will tell you they would prefer to run than pass the ball and chance an INT. Aiken is history and my standards are the same as they have always been, support my Wildcats 100% in good times and bad. Problem with folks like you and Indian54, you think you know football but you’re really Saturday morning cartoon coaches.
By CamCoCatFan
October 30, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Tipp, the 03 team was special and Camden’s success since Coach Herron has been coaching is outstanding. Aiken is history, let it go man! Games are won and lost on the field and by the calls made, if anything the Aiken game made the Cats and coaching staff better. Every year we get the same ole untested comments and general bull from other fans around the state about our team because their envious of the program and the success it has had. Camden’s record speaks for itself, especially in post season play in AAAAA!
By Tipp Smooth
October 30, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
I wish there was better competion in the our region to really battle test the Cats other than the schools from Savannah. It prepares you for whats ahead and deep into the playoffs. It’s nice see the Cats run off lopsided wins but will the be prepared for the second or third round of the playoffs, and not fall to a team like Dacula from a year ago or a Stephenson even though Dacula drop to AAAA. Love them Cats man……