AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDown year will produce sub-par champion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The writing is on the board: 2006 was a down year for 5A football in Georgia.
With a win Saturday night, Peachtree Ridge (11-3) could become only the second team with at least three losses to win a championship in the state’s largest classification since 1960. Lowndes is the only team to accomplish the feat. In 1999, the Vikings won their last nine games, including a 17-0 victory over Brunswick in the 4A final, to finish at 12-3.
A 12-3 season is nothing to scowl at, but compared to previous champions, it’s not going to spark any “greatest of all time” talk either. The last six 5A state champions have a combined record of 89-1.
Peachtree Ridge plays Roswell (13-1) for the 5A state title. Neither team was given much championship consideration before or during the season. Roswell began and finished the year ranked eighth. In between, the Hornets climbed all the way to No. 1 for one week, before a loss to eventual Region 6 champ Wheeler knocked them completely out of the rankings. Peachtree Ridge has never cracked the AJC top 10 in its four-year history. And, although the Lions do possess a bunch of big-name talent, at one point in the season, they were 4-3 and considered out of the picture for any kind of significant playoff run.
No matter the winner of Saturday night’s showdown, neither Roswell nor Peachtree Ridge will ever be mentioned in any conversation about Georgia’s all-time great teams. They might, however, be among the least respected champions in the state’s history.
Does anyone actually think Roswell or Peachtree Ridge would stand much of chance against any of the recent champions: Parkview, Camden County or Lowndes?
Still, a state championship is a state championship. And 20 years from now, when the winners sit down to tell their kids of their gridiron glory, there’s no need to mention that they won it all in a down year in Georgia 5A football.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By PRidgeFan
December 12, 2006 05:50 AM | Link to this
down year because normal 5A champs don’t go? this is a start of a new era now.
By football
December 12, 2006 06:35 AM | Link to this
I agree with you. This is a down year in 5A.
By Northside Fan
December 12, 2006 07:50 AM | Link to this
I don’t agree with that. Northside or Marist would be a tall order for them but Roswell is a very good team.
By Ridge Fan
December 12, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
How Ignorant can you be? If one of the so called Power houses wanted to play for the State championship all they had to do was Win. As the old Cliche goes “Thats why they play the games”. Ranking High School teams is a waste of time because they hardly ever play that far out of Region, So you really can’t compare them. Do you really think either one of these 2 schools players, coaches or comunities care if “they will never be mentioned as one Georgia’s all-time great teams”. Trust me they both are, and will continue to be respected by the Coaches, Parents, Fans, Counties, and Peers. When the winner gets that ring that is all the respect they will need for life. They could care less if you respect them or not. I mean by the way who are you to judge what they have accomplished? These are High School kids why on earth would you post such a negative blog before the biggest game of these kids life. Jeaously Perhaps? I salute and congratulate both Schools and look forward to great game saturday night.GO LIONS!!!
By Proud Hornet Parent
December 12, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Purdum - you are so off base it is pathetic. As one other blogger alluded to since there is not a team from region 1AAAAA in the final then it must be an off year - give me a break. Have you ever heard of such a thing called parity? This is not an off year; it is a year of true parity in 5A. When that occurs then it comes down to the following: The teams that are peaking at playoff time will have the following winning traits - Focus, vision, desire, winning spirit, belief in each other, dedication, team loyalty, and integrity. I know the Roswell Team has the above mentioned winning traits and I am sure that PTR has most of them as well - neither team would have gotten this far without them. Additionally your final comment “Still, a state championship is a state championship. And 20 years from now, when the winners sit down to tell their kids of their gridiron glory, there’s no need to mention that they won it all in a down year in Georgia 5A football.” is not only one of the most unprofessional and irresponsible comments from a sports writer I have ever seen, it is an unforgivable insult to two outstanding schools and their football players, coaches, parents and fans. Apparently you lack integrity as a sports writer and contrary to your out of touch beliefs it will be a heck of a 5A championship game between two class act teams on Saturday night. Go Hornets!
By David P.
December 12, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
Ridge Fan … I can be extremely ignorant and jealous, but I’m not sure I’m either in this case. I simply don’t believe either your Lions or Roswell would stack up against any of the recent champions.
But, like I said, winning a state championship is winning a state championship. The rings don’t say 2006 Georgia State Champions in a down year for 5A football.
By David P.
December 12, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
Proud Hornet Fan … Do you really believe either team would stand a chance against any of the previous champions? And please explain why my integrity is in question. If I would have said Peachtree Ridge and Roswell were two of the best teams ever to play for a state title in Georgia, then you could question my integrity.
By Proud Hornet Parent
December 12, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
Your comment “Do you really believe either team would stand a chance against any of the previous champions?” Yes I do – why not? Neither may have the best talent top to bottom but teams win as teams not just on talent alone and these two teams are proven winners. Give me prime examples as to why you think differently other than the schools reputation and past success. Because that is what appears to be your only criteria. Please keep in mind that powers remain powers for only so long then the others catch-up and if they do not change their old ways then they fall behind. That has happened this year and there are those for some reason or another who have a mental hang-up/problem with this changing of the guard of which you appear to be one. Do not come back in an arrogant fashion to debunk this all too obvious fact. Yes your integrity is in question when careless statements like yours are directed towards high school players. The good news is that you have given them that much more motivation. My recommendation for your future career development as a sports writer in the public eye is to learn to set and provide positive examples for our youth.
By David P.
December 12, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
We must have different ideas of what integrity means.
Let me refer you to the word of the year — “truthliness.” It means the truth that comes from your gut. My gut—and I would bet everyone outside of Peachtree Ridge and Roswell—would agree that these teams just don’t stack up against the champions of years past.
It’s hard to compare teams from different years, but it’s not hard to see that the level of play at the Dome this year wasn’t the caliber it has been in years past.
Thanks for your career advice and input, and good luck to your Hornets this weekend.
By azcat225
December 12, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
DP, I guess it depends on your definition of all-time great teams. In terms of star power and individual talent? No, of course not. In terms of heart, perseverance and teamwork? Absolutely. I said last week that a Roswell/PR final wouldn’t surprise me, and it really shouldn’t surprise any one else. Though PR is from your beloved Gwinnett County, I can’t help but feel that your column smacks a bit of sour grapes. I think CB has a better handle on this season than you do, possibly because of a more objective viewpoint. Having said all of that, I have to be out of town this weekend and so won’t get the privilege of heading over to McEachern to watch what should be an outstanding 5A title game, notwithstanding the “lack” of any of the powerhouses as one of the participants. Wheeler played both teams this year and has nothing but respect for both teams. Congrats to all the finalists and especially to Coach Campbell, one of the greatest of all time in GA.
By David P
December 12, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Well said, Azcat225 … I agree. It is hard to compare teams from different years. But the stat that I led the column with speaks volumes in my eyes. Only twice since 1960 has a team with at least three losses won the state title.Teams that wins state titles are usually dominant. That’s not the case this season.
By Michael
December 12, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this
David P., you are one if the fairest sports writers at the AJC. I have read many of your articles and you call it as you see it regardless whose toes that you are stepping on. For that matter, I agree with you about 5A football this year. In all the years that 5A existed, I have never seen so many number 1 rated teams in one football season. I used to think that it was parity but I have since realized that the 5A teams aren’t as good as they have been in the past. For example, 2A this year has produced many very good teams this year. GAC, Buford, Dublin, Charlton, Early Co. could play with many 5A teams. In preseason games, Charlton beat Camden Co. and Dublin beat Tift Co. Your point about past 5A teams being better than 5A teams this year is well taken. Many of the past 5A teams were so good that they were Nationally ranked (i.e. Parkview, Lowdnes, Camden Co., etc…). The 5A teams this year would be luckly to be ranked in the state..let alone nationally. Keep up the good work and continue to call it like it is…
By B State historian
December 12, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this
Northside vs Marist is the biggest championship this year. Warner Robins and Houston county defeated the states usual powerhouses. Who beat them? Northside. Marist is also a Program who has a few rings under their belt and should have more. 4A contains the better programs teams this year. Northside, St. Pius, Marist, Statesboro, Effingham, and Ware County would kill Peachtree Ridge and Roswell. Notice how Atlanta power houses know better than to travel south to play non-regional opponants. We come and have to beat you in your house during the regular season.
By sm
December 12, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this
The rankings were set by the ajc. How can you suggest that the teams playing now are not the best? If judging teams by the ajc rankings is the proper was to show how good a team is, Why play at all? Just let the ajc crown the champ. One year Valdosta the next Parkview. Look at the early rankings and see how wrong the ajc is. It took three or four losses for the ajc favorites to move out of the top 10.
By powbeech
December 12, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this
Charlton v Dublin is the game of the year. B State hysterical what have you been smoking? Or is it just plain lunacy on your part. Lowndes smoked Ware this year. Ware beat Statesboro and Effingham. Hell, Ware got bombed by Starrs Mill. Charlton and Dublin would run away from the teams you mentioned. Keep it real man!
By Northside Fan
December 13, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this
To powbeech: we’ve done the invite before and the most you all have done is play us (Northside) in a jamboree which you got beat 27-0 in. Challenge us.
By Historian Logic?
December 13, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
To: B State historian - First of all our guys just eat up the no respect as it motivates. I would have loved to see Roswell play Marist or any of the fine teams you mentioned this year and they would have been good games with any one of them but in the end Roswell would win going away by 10 to 14 points. Go Hornets!
By Get a Life
December 13, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this
To: Michael - you must be in love with David P. - David was so far off base it is not funny. He has a psychological hang-up with something and a love fest with the past traditional powers and it appears you do to. You comment “The 5A teams this year would be luckily to be ranked in the state, let alone nationally.” What the heck is that based on other than your opinion and obvious love fest with 2A? Come back to reality guys it is parity and nothing more. You may have yourself convinced but quit trying to push your agenda on everyone else. Listen we as humans find it hard to accept change but you must accept the fact that there is more parity this year and a changing of the guard to some new and very good teams. Get a life all of you naysayer’s of PTR and Roswell.
By David P.
December 13, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
By no means did I mean to suggest that P-Ridge and Roswell are not the two best teams. They’ve both earned the right to play for the state title and are playing their best football at the right time.
That said, I don’t think either team compares favorably to the champions of past. That’s the case for almost any two teams in 5A this year. There’s just not the dominant champions of recent years. It’s a down year in 5A. Don’t let that take away from what Roswell and Ridge have accomplished.
By Not a Historian
December 14, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this
It’s a down year because your favorites, Parkview and Brookwood are not in the mix.Be honest with the readers and let them know that’s the basis behind this story. No wonder the south ga. fans get upset with you and the AJC, because your so bias to these two teams. The growth is over in Gwinnett County, parity is here to stay!!!!!