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Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Discipline key for Marist win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For a Marist defense that has given up an average of just 9 points per game this season, the biggest challenge in Friday’s state title game at Northside-Warner Robins may be figuring out the shotgun. Northside is going to run it on most of its offensive plays, and quarterback Marques Ivory runs it skillfully. The problems this presents for a defense is that it immediately puts the quarterback in a position where he can either throw quickly or scramble up the middle as the ends rush upfield. Adding to the dynamics of the offense, running back Tijuan Green will almost always line up next to Ivory, creating almost a triple-option situation for the offense.
The bad news for Marist is this requires them to play strictly disciplined, assignment football. The good news is this is exactly what they’re good at. They’ll need to be if they want to slow down one of the most balanced offenses in the state, one that has scored 26 or more points in 13 of 14 games. Of course, what was the one game in which the Eagles didn’t score 26? Last week in a 20-17 win over St. Pius. Here’s guessing 20 points isn’t going to win this game for Northside.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: State Finals
Take Ten: Why we’ll beat Ridge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Editor’s note: When Take Ten asked the Roswell Sting student newspaper staff for its top ten reasons why they’re sure they’ll beat Peachtree Ridge to bring home the Class AAAAA state title Saturday it took them a while to get it to us. That’s what we get for sending out the Take Ten carrier pigeon to pick up our email messages. Anyway, once Sting staffer Will Brown, a senior varsity tennis player, got the paper’s “Not So Fast, Ridge” responsorial to us, we stopped the presses and printed an Extra edition. OK, not really since this is online but we still made haste to blog this baby. Many thanks to Sting advisor Charles J. Harbin III for getting us the goods. Better late than never, here’s why Roswell says they WILL bring the Sting and slam the door on the Roar:
10: Cameron Heyward may be big, but how’s he going to catch Dustin Taliaffero or Alex Daniel if he can’t walk?
9: How’d Peachtree Ridge do against Collins Hill?
8: Peachtree Ridge’s magic number is 27 years? Roswell’s is 36. Take that, Destiny.
7: Ridge may have the defense that wins championships, but how are they going to win without an offense?
6: You call that school spirit? I introduce to you… the Roswell Rowdies!
5: Ever try finding a needle in a haystack? It’s like trying to guard Will Naclerio on a post. Impossible.
4: Have you ever met Ebele Okakpu? You will (and it won’t be pretty).
3: Sidney Haynes? Did you see what Dominique Wheeler and Quentin Franklin did to Israel Troupe in the Dome?
2: It’s always nice to dream, but reality is a harsh slap in the face. Just ask Tift, Houston, Brookwood and Collins Hill.
1: Our roster looks like a list of future NFL players.
Go on. Take Ten. Tell us why the Sting staff is on target about the Roswell buzz . Or why, if you’re a Ridge fan, you think they’re just droning on and on.
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‘Home’ not sweet to Hornets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Because it is the higher seed, Roswell will be the home team in Saturday’s Class AAAAA championship game. However, because Roswell does not have a stadium with the GHSA-required 6,000 seats, Roswell will not be playing at home.
Roswell will be playing Peachtree Ridge at McEachern High School. Roswell coach Tim McFarlin is not happy about it.
“I am disappointed, very disappointed we can’t play at Roswell,” he said. “You don’t get a chance to play for a state championship very often. The GHSA has chosen to go this route as far as seating capacity and we don’t have any other options.
“We’re not trying to think about it. We’d rather lock in on the football game. If we spend too much time complaining, then it’s not good for the kids.”
Whose side do you take on this issue? Is the GHSA rule a good one?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: State Finals
Tradition will bring Marist title
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the years, under Alan Chadwick, the Marist program’s strength has been its ability to run the ball and stop the run. It’s a basic football winning formula.
But the underappreciated tradition built by Chadwick’s War Eagles is one at quarterback, where all things start on offense.
Quick history lesson: There was Dan Perez, who was good enough to go from Marist to play at Georgia Tech.
Rob Perez starred at Marist and went on to become a sensational player at the Air Force Academy.
There also was Matt Harpring — the former Georgia Tech basketball start and current NBA starter with the Utah Jazz — who led the War Eagles with aplomb.
Remember the steady Michael Trapani? He went on to play baseball with the Yellow Jackets.
Sean McVay did his thing in a big way for Marist and now plays at Miami of Ohio.
Now, Gary Marshall has the throne. He’s been stellar in helping the War Eagles to a Friday night championship opportunity at Northside-Warner Robins. Marshall’s control of the offense and ability to make plays and put his team in the right plays make him the key player on the field for Marist.
Winning in Warner Robins will be difficult. But because of Marshall’s experience and savvy — not to mention toughness — it should come as little surprise to see him and his teammates celebrating by the end of Friday night.
Permalink | Comments (103) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Take Ten: Why we’ll beat Roswell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Editor’s note: We asked the Peachtree Ridge Roar student newspaper staff to give us the top ten reasons they think the Lions are going to beat metro rival Roswell for the Class AAAAA state title Saturday and they were more than happy to oblige. In fact, when we saw the fine work that Roar Co-Editors-in-Chief Andrew Barnhart and Alexa Sherman, along with Entertainment Editor Dayne Turner, sent in, we here at Take Ten began to fear for our jobs. Thanks also to The Roar’s advisor, Tom Myers, for making it all happen. And so, without further ado, here’s why The Roar staff says the Hornets’ supposed sting can’t match the Lions’ big bite:
10: In the words of White Goodman, “Prepare to be humiliated on public television.”
9: EA Sports was going to make a high school football video game, but every time Peachtree Ridge ran a play, it was an automatic touchdown. When asked about this glitch, the football team responded, “What glitch?”
8: We’re the youngest state finalist in 27 years. Destiny is on our side.
7: When we go to the game, we won’t meet Roswell there, we’ll beat Roswell there.
6: Our mascot can eat theirs.
5: Our defense has had five shutouts to Roswell’s two. Everybody knows defense wins championships.
4: Roswell thinks they are a Cinderella story, but we are the real one.
3: Phillip Davis will intercept Dustin Taliaferro even with his cast on.
2: Have you seen how big Cameron Heyward is? Seriously, have you seen Cameron Heyward? He is impossible to miss.
1: Our roster looks like a list of former NFL players’ sons.
Go on. Take Ten. Tell us why you think the Roar staff is right on about Da Ridge. Or why, if you’re a Roswell fan, you think they’re right off their rockers.
Permalink | Comments (48) | Post your comment | Categories: Take Ten
Talkin’ trash with Ridge receiver Sidney Haynes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wide receivers say the darndest things. Peachtree Ridge’s Sidney Haynes agrees. The flamboyantly funky senior wide out says Terrell Owens is his favorite. At 6-4, 205 pounds with 4.5 speed, Haynes, like Owens, is a big target and wants the ball even when he’s double-covered. He’s also not short on confidence, much like T.O.
Q: How many defensive backs does it take to cover you?
A: More than two.
Q: I’ve heard you described as flamboyant and funky. What one word would you use to best describe your personality?
A: Exciting. You never know what you’re going to get.
Q: Who has the most style on the team?
A: [Senior receiver] Shaun Foley, followed by me.
Q: Does your trash talking really help your game?
A: Yeah, you get inside their heads, and it’s all over.
Q: What would happen if someone switched out your pregame pineapple cups for peaches?
A: It almost happened last week. I forgot my pineapples. My dad was going to bring me some later, but one of the trainer’s moms had some and brought me some down.”
Q: Piercings and tattoos: How many do you have of each, and which do you prefer?
A: I have one tattoo and no piercings. The tattoo is Philippians 4:13 with a cross on my right bicep.
Q: What was the low point of the season?
A: Probably the loss to Collins Hill or North Gwinnett.
Q: Pinpoint the one change in phil-osophy or personnel that you believe helped turn the season around.
A: Probably putting in our spread offense. We went to it right after the Norcross game. We’ve been able to move the ball better when we spread people out, both running and throwing.
Q: Explain your decision to commit to Central Florida
A: I was looking at a lot of big schools. I had some interest from Louisville, Georgia Tech, Ohio State … but I wanted to play immediately. My goal is to go to the league. Coach [George] O’Leary has a lot of NFL connections, and they’re a program on the rise.
Q: Prediction for this weekend’s game?
A: 21-7, Peachtree Ridge.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
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