AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTake 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.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Take Ten
Comments
By MiltonAlum
December 13, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this
Roswell is deserving of the state title. Coach McFarland has done a terrific job over the years with the Hornets and nothing would be better than a state title. He’s coached teams to the state playoffs for years and will continue to take them there!
By Dayne
December 13, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
Oooh, touche Roswell, but this isn’t really fair considering we put ours up first. But you know a little friendly smack talk helps spice things up a bit. By the way, what was that team that was really good but they lost the first round of the playoffs…oh that’s right Wheeler. How’d you guys do against them?
By blue fan
December 13, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
Roswell, that’s the best you could come up with. lol. Clearly our newspaper is a little more creative, just like our team. At the end, we all need to remember that this is a game, and the best 2 teams are in it. This top 10 is a fun idea. I wish you good luck.
By RHS DOMINATION
December 13, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
I didn’t make those. I really would make a lot of tweaks BUT we’ll still rock them lions.
By Wait A Minute
December 13, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
Just to set the record straight on your #2. Just ask Tift, Houston, Brookwood and Collins Hill. You may have dominated Tift, Houston and not really Collins Hill; but for you non-football people that supplied your list, you won the game with Brookwood somehow but were totally DOMINATED on the field the entire game. Watch the game film, ask your coaches or check the stats….we’ll just forget about the final score.
By The Truth
December 13, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
Neither of these teams belong in the State Finals- Flat out. I would pick Roswell as a possible contender for next year with how much talent their class of 08 has. But this year, AAAAA football was a let down. The fact that Ridge opened in 2003, are in their second winning season, first time in the play-offs and playing for state is absolute Bull @%$#. I’m sorry, I had to get that off my chest. But this is how I predict the game will go… Roswells Running Attack will be unstoppable with that fast white boy number 4. I’ll give him about 130 yards on his own. The Quarterback will have some work for himself, but not too much, especially if he treats his O-line right. The Quarterback for Ridge will do alright if his O-line does their job. He should be able to hook up with that Central Florida Reciever of his for about 100 yards. But Roswell will put the clamps on him with half-time adjustments and put pressure on that QB, who did come up big in the dome when they needed it, but lets be real- he can’t win the game by himself. My prediction for the score is Roswell-21 and Ridge 10.
By PRidgeFan
December 13, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
Is Ebele Okakpu the one that got his head taken off from the Brookwood player?
By James
December 13, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this
so who beat Roswell during regular season? I believe it was Wheeler. and who beat wheeler in the first round? OHHH SNAP, SON!!! IT WAS THE LIONS! (thank you) i understand that you can’t decide who’s better by just looking at wins and losses, but you can decide who’s better by coming to the game this saturday. LETS GO LIONS!!!!!
By RoswellAlum 02
December 13, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this
I fully believe that my Hornets will fly to victory Saturday night in what is sure to be a game that will fill the Barber shops and Bars in Roswell for years to come. I had alot of fun as a Senior watching our boys fight hard only to succomb to the clutches of those pesky Parkview Panthers in the second round. I agree with MiltonAlum that Coach Mac is a great man and well deserving of a title. I’ll be at a wedding but maybe someone can text me some scores? GO HORNETS!
By coach
December 14, 2006 02:07 AM | Link to this
Last week I predicted Roswell vs. Ptree Ridge for the State Title and all those so called football experts(you know the boys from South GA) thought I was crazy. This will be a great game and whoever wins will be #1 this year and it doesn’t really matter they will be from North GA. I just hope the referees call a fair game for both sides. Let’s enjoy the last game of the season and get ready for spring football!
By roswell spectator
December 14, 2006 02:10 AM | Link to this
To all the Brookwood and other Gwinnett people who believe Roswell was “lucky” to beat Brookwood, a few things to consider. The only reason the game was that close was because Alex Daniel did not play because of an injury and Roswell had no running game whatsoever. No team has ever “dominated” a game and not scored a touchdown until just over a minute was left in the fourth quarter. Roswell gave the ball to Brookwood several times in Roswell territory and the mighty Broncos couldn’t score. With Daniel in the lineup, the Hornets have torn apart three playoff opponents running and passing, and would have done the same to Brookwood. We’ll see if Peachtree Ridge can stop Daniel AND Taliaferro AND Roswell’s receivers. If they can, they deserve to win state.
By RoswellHornetPlayerParent
December 14, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this
Wishing both teams a great game and that is what the fans will get.
May the zebras have their glasses on. May the concessions not give us the squirts so we can watch the whole game. May the temperature and weather be tolerable. May the students sit more often so us older folks can see the game too. May the players play for personal and team pride, exhibit true sportmanship, and shake the hand of the losing team with an appreciation that losses can come on any day to any one.
Give your best and regardless of the outcome you will find self satisfaction. Savor the moment young men - whether you win or lose you are all champions. You will all be contenders again next year.
To the critics … Was there an undefeated team in the final rounds of the playoff ? Has no team here had a bad game (some had 4! ). Has no team benefited from luck now and then ?
May the better team win on Saturday night.
Ignore “The Truth” as he is an AJC Sports Reporter in disguise and we all know how accurate they have been this year. [Sorry I digress to a little smack too]
By killa1
December 14, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this
yes, roswell got destroyed by brookwood and somehow managed to pull the victory out of their @$$. Pridge will dominate the whole game, the defense is too sick. yeah we lost to collins hill but im pretty sure we beat wheeler 17-3, i remember wheeler layin the smackdown on roswell earlier in the season. you will not stop brandon davis or any of the other key players for that matter….obviously its in their genes.
17-10 pridge
By ed
December 14, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
killa1 - your an idiot. they got destroyed by brookwood?? the score was 10 to 9. add another loss for ridge, as this game wont be close.
roswell 28 ridge 7
By Harper's mom
December 14, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
GO HORNETS!!!!
By RHS Class of '01!!!
December 14, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
GO HORNETS!!!
The Class of 2001 supports and salutes You!!! Bring home the title and make us proud!!!
By Cristobal
December 14, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
I came up with 5 reasons why Roswell will win:
1: We’re undefeated away from Ray Manus Stadium this season. McEachern is a home away from home for the Hornets. Just ask Houston County.
2: Destiny. For years Parkview and Brookwood always blocked the way past the 2nd round, and now that that hurdle has been cleared, anything seems possible.
3: Coach Manus and Coach Poulos. A combined 73 years at RHS, they are two of the most intelligent and genuine people ever to grace the halls of Roswell High. They’ve been pillars of the community for so many years and if anyone deserves it, it’s these two men.
4: Alex Daniel. The kid is unstoppable.
5: Because even though they might have a fancy new campus, another title would be great to rub in Milton’s face!
By MoJohnson
December 14, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
While you’re heeping on the compliments and ‘splaining why Roswell won last week don’t forget your QB - Taliaferro.
This young man threw accurate, “catch-able” balls all night against Tifton. He’s a poised youngster on a well-coached (excellent play calling) and talented “team.”
By JB3
December 14, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
I really like both of these lists. And Roswell’s #1 was just too good. I have nothing to do with either school but I look forward to watching them play.
By hal
December 14, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this
Cristobal, I had Coach P. in history; bit of a stretch to call him a genius. In fact I wanted to lay him out several times for being a bastard. Looking forward to taking out another Gwinnett team!
By M Carroll
December 14, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this
Roswell,if they play how coach Mac has trained them, will win.Just to remind PTree Ridge, they almost lost to Forsyth Central and they got lucky that night.FC closed them down most of the night and only won in the last 2-3 mins of the game.
By roswell junior girl
December 14, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Taliaferro is basically lets say… awesome!! theres no question about it!!
BRING HOME A STATE TITLE BOYS!!!
By Da Ridge Parent
December 14, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
I am happy to see so much positive dialog taking place in favor of your specific team, so let me chime in. Da Ridge has yet to be untapped talent that will probably get unleased in this game. Actually both teams will not be leaving any plays on the table. It should be a very exciting game. Da Ridge Defense against Roswell’s offense and vice versa. Roswell had to have a decent defense to hold Tiff in check and we already know about the Ridge “D” But what will come as a surprise to some Saturday night is how the Ridge offense clicks. Brandon Davis is driven to be tenacious, Zach will have his best game ever, and a few other unsung heros will emerge. The one thing they have done since the last loss way back when, is to make the play that counts.
That said, I predict a much closer game with Peachtree Ridge becoming the King of AAAAA football in the state of Georgia. Score Da Ridge 17, Roswell 13.
By P~Ridge shorty
December 14, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this
Ha ha ha soooooo funny every1 noes that the lions will win!!we have only been a school for 4 years & we are already in the state!How long did it take for you guys to get here?Oh BTW Miltonalum-us lions deserve to win jus as much as you guys so dont pull none of that.LIONS ALL THE WAY!!!
By Ms.Tinkabel07
December 14, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
**Well its been 36 yrs since our old faithful Hornets made it this far!!! Our whole school is so proud of these boys or shall I say greatly defined young men. The coaches have been amazing but you all that have witnessed our games should know that. On behalf of the spirit and love we have for our football players you should just stroll on down to Roswell Hihgh School and take a look down the hallways!!!!! As for those lions I ask you no I beg you to pleas habve some kind of covering over because our men will stomp mud holes in you!!!!Go Hornets!!!!
By Nyyoka
December 14, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
For the insignificant person who had something to say about Ebele, you better watch your mouth. What was the outcome of the game? Exactley!!! I’ll bet you this, if you’re a player from Ridge he’ll knock your head off!!!