AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWith ties, no one wins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The beauty of parity revealed itself in Class AAAAA’s ultimate game Saturday night at McEachern and resounds all across Georgia today. Unfortunately, the ridiculousness of a mindless GHSA rule ruined an occasion that had the markings of something quite memorable.
The GHSA folks will tell you the coaches around the state would rather a title game conclude in a tie than lose in overtime. Ask Tim McFarlin and Blair Armstrong if they feel that way this morning.
A gem of a game that had a little bit of everything ended with the emptiest feeling. It was deadlocked at 14-14, a fact that left the players, coaches and fans not knowing exactly how to feel.
You go into competition, you expect to win or lose. You do not expect a tie, particularly with the state title in the balance.
And particularly when all season there are no ties. Teams play overtime periods until someone comes away with more points than the other. That’s how sports usually are executed.
Sure, the players can look back over the years and say they had a share of the state championship back in 2006. But it has far less impact to add: “We shared it with …”
Worse for the GHSA, Dublin and Charlton County’s Class AA championship game also ended deadlocked at 13-13. Maybe now, after four schools’ communities go away shaking their heads in dismay, change can occur.
McFarlin could not mask his ambivalence about the outcome. “I feel good — I think,” he said.
And that about sums it up.
The game was too good and the athletes competed too hard to dedicate all this space to a bad rule, however. Peachtree Ridge and Roswell both showed why they were playing on the final night of the season and not the usual suspects.
They carried the night with flair. If Roswell and Peachtree Ridge can reign atop the highest classification, then you can bet coaches from here to all the border states are primed to push the agenda to their teams that it is possible for them, too.
It had been 36 years since Roswell was of championship fiber. In 2006, the Hornets showed a lot, including Saturday, when they built a 14-3 lead that had its massive collection of fans in a frenzy.
Outstanding play, especially early, by quarterback Dustin Taliaferro and running back Alex Daniel helped Roswell gain confidence. Taliaferro had a big 29-yard run and Daniel followed it with a 26-yard score during which he hurdled the pile at the line of scrimmage, juked the safety left and dove in for the touchdown.
Taliaferro added an 83-yard touchdown pass to receiver Garrett Embry, putting Roswell up by 11 at halftime.
It was then that the Lions became resolute about defending their goal.
Led by Cameron Heyward, Aaron Blue and Phillip Davis, Peachtree Ridge did not relinquish another point. Meanwhile, the Lions’ 6-foot-5 quarterback, Zach Graham, was brilliant.
He was unflappable in the pocket, displayed an accurate slingshot arm and an ability to run in times of duress. He highlighted a 12-play drive with a 6-yard run and subsequent two-point conversion run that evened the score. The Peachtree Ridge supporters roared.
Graham’s heroics seemed to precipitate a dramatic finish. What we got, instead, was a letdown.
Still, all hail Roswell and Peachtree Ridge — two championship-worthy teams. The thing is, no one anticipated at the end of Saturday night that they’d both be “champions.”
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn, State Finals
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By RidgeDaddy
December 17, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this
Curtis, you’re right. It is such a shame that a terrific game like this one tonight had to end w/ the 2 teams kissing their sisters. Of course the way the 2nd half went, the teams probably feel very different about the tie. PTR made a great comeback to gain the tie, while Roswell had to hang on for dear life to bearly hang on to the tie. But after talking w/ fans from both sides on the way out of the game, I got the definite feeling that absolutely no one was totally satisfied w/ the final outcome.
Hats off to Roswell - they were definitely the best team the Ridge played this year. Taliaferro is a terrific QB, and RB Daniels has incredible heart! But the Lions again showed tonight what has made them so good this year - an offense that makes great adjustments, and a SUPER defense - the best in the state! And Coach Armstrong and his staff made great adjustments tonight as they certainly outcoached the Hornets’ staff tonight.
Well done, both teams! But GHSA, please wake up & smell the coffee - this ridiculous tie rule HAS TO CHANGE!
By RidgeDaddy
December 17, 2006 12:57 AM | Link to this
Curtis, you’re right. It is such a shame that a terrific game like this one tonight had to end w/ the 2 teams kissing their sisters. Of course the way the 2nd half went, the teams probably feel very different about the tie. PTR made a great comeback to gain the tie, while Roswell had to hang on for dear life to bearly hang on to the tie. But after talking w/ fans from both sides on the way out of the game, I got the definite feeling that absolutely no one was totally satisfied w/ the final outcome.
Hats off to Roswell - they were definitely the best team the Ridge played this year. Taliaferro is a terrific QB, and RB Daniels has incredible heart! But the Lions again showed tonight what has made them so good this year - an offense that makes great adjustments, and a SUPER defense - the best in the state! And Coach Armstrong and his staff made great adjustments tonight as they certainly outcoached the Hornets’ staff tonight.
Well done, both teams! But GHSA, please wake up & smell the coffee - this ridiculous tie rule HAS TO CHANGE!
By RidgeDaddy
December 17, 2006 12:58 AM | Link to this
Curtis, you’re right. It is such a shame that a terrific game like this one tonight had to end w/ the 2 teams kissing their sisters. Of course the way the 2nd half went, the teams probably feel very different about the tie. PTR made a great comeback to gain the tie, while Roswell had to hang on for dear life to bearly hang on to the tie. But after talking w/ fans from both sides on the way out of the game, I got the definite feeling that absolutely no one was totally satisfied w/ the final outcome.
Hats off to Roswell - they were definitely the best team the Ridge played this year. Taliaferro is a terrific QB, and RB Daniels has incredible heart! But the Lions again showed tonight what has made them so good this year - an offense that makes great adjustments, and a SUPER defense - the best in the state! And Coach Armstrong and his staff made great adjustments tonight as they certainly outcoached the Hornets’ staff tonight.
Well done, both teams! But GHSA, please wake up & smell the coffee - this ridiculous tie rule HAS TO CHANGE!
By RidgeDaddy
December 17, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
Curtis, you’re right. It is such a shame that a terrific game like this one tonight had to end w/ the 2 teams kissing their sisters. Of course the way the 2nd half went, the teams probably feel very different about the tie. PTR made a great comeback to gain the tie, while Roswell had to hang on for dear life to bearly hang on to the tie. But after talking w/ fans from both sides on the way out of the game, I got the definite feeling that absolutely no one was totally satisfied w/ the final outcome.
Hats off to Roswell - they were definitely the best team the Ridge played this year. Taliaferro is a terrific QB, and RB Daniels has incredible heart! But the Lions again showed tonight what has made them so good this year - an offense that makes great adjustments, and a SUPER defense - the best in the state! And Coach Armstrong and his staff made great adjustments tonight as they certainly outcoached the Hornets’ staff tonight.
Well done, both teams! But GHSA, please wake up & smell the coffee - this ridiculous tie rule HAS TO CHANGE!
By RidgeDaddy
December 17, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this
My apologies for the re-posts! Cox’s website wasn’t allowing me to see that it had posted. Sorry!
By DW in the NE
December 17, 2006 01:10 AM | Link to this
GHSA work this out… now! You’ve got a problem. Fix it. I felt bad for the kids, the coaches and the fans after watching this game on PBS. Pretty sad when the NFL and NCAA actually do it better. Why even play the game? Let’s just show up and shake hands and share a hug at midfield. Just another example of the “grown ups” trying to over protect our kids. This might surprise you but in the real world there are no ties. People win and lose and learn to deal with both. It’s time we teach our kids about life and how to grow up. LET THEM PLAY IT OUT DANG IT!!!
By William Corley
December 17, 2006 01:13 AM | Link to this
Peachtree Ridge and Roswell maybee Co-State Champions, but in all reality there is no State Champion. To be a State Champion means you were the best team in the State, so who was the best team tonight? I heard a woman in the stands claim that we won, I then asked her to point to someone who looked like they won. Everyone in the stands, on the sidelines, and on the field was displeased and rightfully so. These kids work so hard and give up so much to be able to play, and this is how they are rewarded with no one comming away thinking they won? The biggest looser tonight was the sport of football itself. I believe that football is a great sport where memories, heros, and athletic competion all meet, and men battle for four quarters to prove who is the best. There is no better moment in sports than overtime!!! Overtime means that two teams have fought there hardest and that both teams wanted to be victorious at all costs, and that was stripped away from these fine young men tonight. If it was not for dramatic victories there would be no movies about sports, thats why we watch sports, we hope that there is going to be a great finish, or dramatic comeback, or something special happen, tonight this important part of sports was torn out along with the hearts of many young men.
By HornetFan
December 17, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this
First, there was the irrational rule in Region 6-AAAAA wherein a team with 3 losses (Wheeler) is awarded the region championship over a team with 1 loss (Roswell). Perhaps Wheeler should be declared state champion by virtue of this rule.
Then comes the utterely insane rule of no overtime in a CHAMPIONSHIP match. And to think I was upset that World Cup soccer matches come down to penalty kicks rather than field play!
Georgia football should be ashamed that rules such as these exist. THey make a travesty of the sport, teach our young men nothing about hard work and competition, and are just more examples of ‘political correctness’ run a muck. Shame!
By Lee Robinson
December 17, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this
I hope the pollsters at the AJC remember when it comes time for final rankings, Peach County only beat HART county on a last second field goal. Give props to Northeast Georgia football. Oh, and HART County beat the number 3 ranked team the week before in the form of the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes.
By LM
December 17, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this
I, along with everyone else near me in the stands was shocked when the PA Announcer congratulated Roswell & Peachtree Ridge as Co-Champions shortly after Roswell took a knee as time ran out. What followed with trash being thrown on the field and boos and catcalls was very unfortunate for the players to see. They worked extremely hard all year, won this co-championship (terrible idea) and see the same fans that have been screaming for them and supporting all game, act like they just lost.
Poor sportsmanship on the fans part, but that could have been at least been muted if the media and the announcers had forwarned everyone that there is no OT in a championship game. Very very few in the stands knew of this, and because they were pulling so hard for their team, their reaction was not one of support for their team’s partial accomplishment, but instead initially of disgust and disbelief with the bizarre rule.
Hopefully after this and Class AA’s similar result this weekend, the rule will be changed. If not, hopefully it will forewarn fans of potential outcomes.
Lastly, I am a Roswell fan, but hope both teams feel a sense of accomplishment from this, and not failure. Both teams are very strong and should feel deserving of their titles, despite the fans reactions at the “surprise” end of the game.
By Steven Litton
December 17, 2006 02:06 AM | Link to this
As a recent graduate of Roswell and a attendee of the final “game,” I am amazed at the stupidity of GHSA. The Championship game was the most anti-climatic game I have ever been to for any sporting event. Not one fan I talked to felt good about the outcome. Lots of debris and angry shouting filled the field after the announcer called the outcome of the game. It seemed almost no one at the game had any idea that the rules were different compared to every other game played this season. Everyone around me, including former Roswell players, were shocked by the announcement of a tie. While a tie may be better than a loss, it sure did not feel that way last night. It was a frustrating ending to an outstanding season. The GHSA rule was a disservice to both teams and must be changed.
By Lionsfan
December 17, 2006 02:38 AM | Link to this
I was so exited for saturday night to come its way for the final showdown. I screamed my heart out for the lions to win. But i never expected such a stupid rule to take place.
By Prez Northside of WR 1981
December 17, 2006 04:03 AM | Link to this
GHSA wake up….hello….McFly… I feel for you Roswell, Peachtree Ridge, Dublin and Charlton County, what a terrible LIBERAL rule.
It took us 43 years to finally win our first State Championship (Northside) last night and I am so glad we did. It is a great feeling for our EAGLE Nation! Although, I hate we lost in the Championship game to Statesboro last year, I’m glad we didn’t tie either. It was 10-10 with a couple of minutes left and we didn’t want to settle for the tie and had a pass intercepted, which in turn gave them an opportunity to win. They kicked the field goal and we lost 13-10! GHSA….did we quit? NO… Did it hurt? YES…Did athletes, students, parents and fans cry? YES…Losing only kills you if you let it GHSA. I beleive the coaches in the state of Georgia have the ability to build winners out of young men, that learn how to overcome adversity in these situations! So what did we do? We got up, regrouped and became better for it. I can tell you, if we had been Co-State Champions we may not have won the Championship this year! These 4 schools that are Co-Champions can hold their heads high, but you GHSA should lower yours. You have prevented undisputed winners from learning how to win with dignity and losers from learning how to deal with a great loss and getting back up! I beleive for 14 weeks out of the year we don’t play for ties, why should we on the most important game of the year. These programs did not put in all the blood, sweat and tears to end up sharing a title. These young men on the field of battle are preparing for the game of life. What kind of example does this rule do to prepare them for the future? Having graduated in the Georgia public school system and having been in business successfully for the past 25 years, I know young people, today, need to learn to deal with winning and losing in this “Championship atmosphere”, because in life their are no ties! In the real world you are either moving forward (winning) or moving backwards (losing) and if you think your just standing still (tied), you’re really losing something, because world doesn’t stop to wait on you. I know these 4 programs are great and have great kids! GHSA just needs to let them prove that they can handle winning or losing in overtime! Also, what’s this mess about not really wanting a team to truly have home field advantage in the Championship game? Although GHSA did a nice job announcing the Marist/Northside game, we want to have our normal PA annoucer. Whoever is hosting should have their own annoucer. The teams which have won the right to host, should be allowed to host. I do like the way we play the semis in the dome and the Finals in a community. That’s the best way and don’t ever take the Championships out of the community, like they do in Florida and other surrounding states. Finally, who has the GUTS at GHSA to get this rule changed to better the future of GHSA High School Football Championships? If, the State Baseball Championship deciding game is tied at the end of seven innings, do you quit and hug or do you allow those young men to go into the extra innings? Make that change…Make that change…MAKE THAT CHANGE!!
I love Georgia High School Football! Congrats to all of the teams that participated in the Championships in each classifications. Win, lose or draw you are all Winners!
Prez, Northside-WR Class of 1981
By Jim
December 17, 2006 07:39 AM | Link to this
If the Referee could have learn the rule on Intentional Grounding..He miss three in the second half along. This was High NOT college, then the outcome may have been different.
By bulldog_greg24
December 17, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this
As a Griffin High alum who was a student back in 1980 when Valdosta and Griffin played to a 7-7 tie I am shocked this still exists. It makes no sense to play all season and break ties in region and playoffs to share the state title. I still do not consider 1980 a Championship year. I remember 2 years ago when Warner Robins and Houston County tied the first game of the season. Because they were not in the same classification at the time and did not announce their desire to play overtime the official trotted off the field. The players and fans were in shock. It it these type of rules that ruin High School football. Here is hoping Ralph & company see the daylight in Macon and make some changes. NO ONE wins being Co-Champions. Looks like Northside should just be the AAAAA Champion since they handed Peach County their only loss.
By RoswellGator
December 17, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
The GHSA should be ashamed of themselves. The ‘no overtime’ rule is an embarrassment and is completely unfair to the kids. These finals were a joke.
By Voice of Reason
December 17, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
I was at the game last night and have a completely different take on it.
A champion should definitely be undisputed…but…this did not happen last night. Wanting to superficially impose a “We are the Champions” title on a team that couldn’t dominate after four quarters is just as ridiculous as having co-champions. I just love it when someone that listens to far too much Rush Limbaugh tries to impose that “stuff” outside of politics to everything else including football. The tie was’t the result of a liberal system, it was the result of neither team winning…or to put it both ways (and since you don’t like liberalism I’ll be as assertive as possible here) it was the result of both teams failing to outscore the other in four quarters of play.
This is much more difficult to swallow…but…what if neither team was better that night? If we really want to teach the kids an adult lesson how about if you didn’t get it done in four quarters, you didn’t get it done? You tied because you failed to win?
These two teams slugged it out in a fantastic game that had everything you could ask for. I say we thank them for an incredible game…and thank the GHSAA for having the insight to understand what the word “Champion” really means.
By Michael of PRHS
December 17, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
We need to petition the GHSA to change this rule! I came out last night to see the Lions win, but in the end I felt outraged not only that neither team has bragging rights, but also that nobody truly felt that they won. To win is an irreplaceable feeling, but this rule left everyone across the state let down.
By Michael of PRHS
December 17, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
To quote Roswell’s coach Tim McFarland, “To end in a tie is just kind of an empty feeling.”
By Ed Woods
December 17, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
So now it comes down to the state having only three clear cut champions>Northside in 4AAAA, Peach County in 3AAA, and Lincoln in 1A. What a shame! What happens when the final standing for each classification comes out? Roswell and Charlton County No. 1. Roswell and Charlton were rated higher during the year than the teams that tied them in the champion games. On the other hand Peachtree Ridge and Dublin will be p** coming in second. This tie bull must come to an end.
By Ed Woods
December 17, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
Hey bulldog-greg24, You made some good ponts but goofed at the end. I am also a Northside fan but Northside did not play Peach County this year. Peach County’s only lost came at the hand of Westside of Macon. Go Nortside in 2007!
By Roswell
December 17, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure really what to say other then there needs to be a change! This rule left 4 teams season open ended with unfinished buisness! Last night I think it would have broken anyone’s heart to see the shock and disappointment in the stands when the announcers crowned both teams champions! Who’s number 1 and whos number 2? What do we get half the trophy? Half of a championship ring? Once we got over the shock that this game was not going to go into OT like everyone wanted we knew we had to be there for our State Champs! When we walked on the field I have never in my life seen so many guys crying! There State Champs why are they crying? Because they have to share it! That rule didnt give anyone the respect the deserve! One of the players said I would have rather lost then have it end in a tie! I hope the GHSA will look at this rule….better I hope they change it! Because next yr. there is no way we are going to let it end in a tie! This rule HAS to be changed and if the GHSA isnt going to change it or consider it then are they really helping the teams? I hope that our guys can wake up this morning and be happy knowing they are state champs and forget about the “sharing” part but I dont think that will happen, atleast not now and maybe not for along time! GHSA this is a HORRIBLE rule and it NEEDS to be changed! You ask any of those players from yesterday and they will tell you they got screwed by ya’ll and your stupid rule!
By Shocked & Dismayed
December 17, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
What’s the point of a playoff without a champion? If the championship game can end in a tie, then why doesn’t the GHSA just have bowl games like college? That way, the champions can be decided where they should be…in the newspapers.
What a pathetic joke.
By atlcubsfan
December 17, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
“Voice of Reason” == You obviously never played organized sports. Stop trying to impose your rhetoric and “logic” on kids who’ve worked their butts off since the summer only to find out they “tied” (?) for the state title. Did you see anyone happy at the end of the game (besides you and your Al Franken-friendly friends)? Did you look down at the field and see players jumping up and down? Where was the Gatorade shower? Did you see that? Wake up, you pitiful liberal. In football their are winners and losers. That’s a great lesson in football. BTW, I played it, so I ought to know. In this case, neither team won, and that is a great shame for the GHSA. They’ll get the message, too, and not your message. They’ll see the anger and hurt (not the realization that the kids couldn’t beat the others in four quarters) in the players faces and letters, and they’ll change this rule. It’s a bad rule. To have overtime games all year in games that barely matter, and then come down to the championship game and have a tie?
By Mary
December 17, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
How can you be a Champion with the word co in front of it. Change the rule. All the boys and coaches have worked to hard to hard to have a co in front of Champion.
By george
December 17, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
atlcubsfan…I agree with everything you say, but I would not hold my breath until the GHSA changes the rule. There were similar “cries for change” in years long past, but the rule still exist. The GHSA tries to operate in a PC environment. “We don’t want to hurt the self esteem” of having someone declared “loser”, even if it is still recognized as the number two team in the state.
By kriddi
December 17, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
for once, i agree with you curtis. championship games ending in ties is downright insane. in 1991, peach county found themselves down by 1 point, with the clock running out, to thomas county central. neal rumble, our coach at the time, had a decision to make. go for the pat and the tie, or go for 2 and the win. coach went for the win, we lost, and tcc won the first of 3 consecutive state titles. coach made the right call, but he shouldnt have been put into that position. he should have had the option of trying for the tie, and going into overtime! that game, and saturdays games, are just an example of what is wrong with the ghsa. no overtime in championship games, can only buy championship game merchandise from the ghsa, threating fans with ejection for heckling officials, and so on. the officiating i seen this year was horrible, and they deserved to be booed, but the point is the officials shouldnt be paying attention to whats going on in the stands. really the ghsa is getting as bad as the ncaa!!!!!!!!
By Kevin
December 17, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
How can the GHSA decide that in the biggest game of the year that there should not be a clear and distinct winner and loser. First, as a former athlete who was blessed with the opportunity to play in college, you play a sport knowing that sometimes you are going to lose and as a student you learn from everything around you there is always a team/company/individual at the top of the competition. Second, how can the GHSA declare a loser in some regions and some years during the championship game, but not when the game is at a tie and the players are accustomed to playing in overtime when the score is as such. In sports there are overtimes and extra-innings and shootouts to settle ties, if we are not going to use them then why have them?
By Michael
December 17, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
I guess I will now be making 7 football championship street signs instead of 5. Wake up GHSA!!!http://www.schoolstreetsigns.com/.
By Michael
December 17, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
I guess I will now be making 7 football championship street signs instead of 5. Wake up GHSA!!!Link: SchoolStreetSigns.com
By Coach Boo
December 17, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Who’s The Sister?
I am a lay (volunteer) coach for Peachtree Ridge, and I hated to see that last night (and even moreso today) that people were/are expressing sentiments that would suggest that what both of these teams (Peachtree Ridge and Roswell) accomplished last night is something less than what last year’s champion, Lowndes County, (from which I am a proud graduate of the class of 1984,thank you!)accomplished in 2005. Like the “Plowboys” last year, both the Lions and the Hornets did all that they could possibly do to be the “Top Dog” in the state for class AAAAA football!!! I am sure that both teams would have loved to play as many overtime sessions as necessary last night or even meet on so much as a baseball outfield somewhere between Duluth and Roswell any time today to break the tie; however, GHSA does not permit that to happen! Is it the players’ or coaches’ fault that the rules are that way?! No!!! Both teams battled last night as well as in the previous four rounds of the playoffs to become CHAMPIONS… and both teams are just that - 2006 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!
So for those of you who are suggesting that these kids have achieved less than that, then SHAME ON YOU!!! I ask you this: What more could they have done? Is it their fault that they have to follow the rules? Would you rather that they not follow the rules? How about asking Collins Hill, Tifton, Warner Robins, Stephenson, and all other teams that were left in the wake of both the Hornets and Lions en route to the championship game if they have a problem with the two teams sharing the title? I am sure that they would all tell you that it is better to be Co-Champion than NO Champion!
So if you want to say that the ending to last night’s game was like “… kissing your sister…”, just make sure that you add that it is your STEP sister… not necessarily something that you would want to do, but in the eyes of God, family and everyone else there is nothing wrong with it!!!
By bulldog_greg24
December 17, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
Ed - thanks for the clarification. After 5 years I transferred out of Warner Robins prior to the season starting. Since Peach and Northside had played every year I was there I assumed that was their one loss. My mistake. I am in St. Louis now and the high school football does not compare. Besides the weather..high school football is what I miss the most about Warner Robins. Since graduating from Griffin I have lived in 6 other states and none of them come close to Georgia football.
By Gerry Screven
December 17, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Well, let’s see now. If the top two teams in both classes tied and are co-Champions, then does that mean the two teams in their class that made it to the semi-finals are co-second place teams, etc, etc in the state for their class?
That sounds absurd to me…how about you? Oh yeah, so does co-state champions. Don’t know when, or who and under what circumstances someone first said “tying was like kissing your sister”, surely had the GHSA in mind with their rather lame ruling….. although I am sure which ever idiot first put that rule in place did so with good intentions without any thought of actually being an idiot. I also suspect he, she or they never played anything in their entire lives for a Championship, but just in case they ever did, I bet they lost.
When are we going to get people that know what to do in place of all these people that make rules because it sounds good to them?
God, please help these idiots! Please turn on some guiding light to lead them from stupidity. Amen
By prez Northside Class of 1981
December 17, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Voice of Reason
Obviously your liberialism has you confused. To be a Champion means one that has conquered! That’s why it says Co before the name, because neither one conquered the other. Is this what GHSA truly believes a Champion is? And in your 1st paragraph you said that the tie was a result of “failing” to WIN and “failing” to outscore the other team in 4 quarters and in your 2nd paragraph you repeated that they “failed” to win. So I guess if we FAIL we should just go ahead and reward both teams for not WINNING? What a concept! And your other statement in the 1st paragragh regarding dominating a team to be crowned Champion…If that was true, Northside beat Statesboro up and down the field in 2005 (251yds to 123yds). You don’t have to dominate, you have to WIN on the scoreboard and that is what Statesboro did in 2005. I guess to you, someone who steals is not really a theif…he/she just FAILED to pay for it.
Coach Boo Come on man. These are all great kids, take nothing away. But, I doubt the other teams would want to be Co-Champions just as much as you would have liked to have shared your 1999 AAAAA State Championship at Lowndes with Valdosta High. (I know you played Camden Co for the title and beat Northside in the Semis at the Dome) But we as the losers to you in the dome, we hate we lost(especially being up 28-3 at the half), but we wouldn’t have wanted to trade it in to be CO-Champions! It took us 7 more years, but we finally got our own. Now, I’ve been in alot of locker rooms and when the Goals are posted on the walls all year, I have NEVER seen one that says one of our goals is to be “State Co-Champions”. You know what they say, We WANT TO WIN STATE! Anyway, congrats to your boys on your success! All we want is a rule change, to better define the State Championship Games.
Prez Northside Class of 1981
By Gerry Screven
December 17, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
The rule making decision by GHSA about tied games is their doing and reflects solely on them and their ineptness. Such a terrible rule and consequences of it does not reflect on the players. coaches and communities each team represents. The suggesting of failure, not winning or any other derogatory comments or statements addressed to or about these players and coaches is totally out of line. They are only victims of an inept and pointless rule set up by some idiot(s) at GHSA. I dare say, not a single player or coach that worked their butts off to reach such a distinguised point in competition wouldn’t want to play until there is one single winner. Some of you ex jocks and over zealous fans need to lighten up and focus your attention on where it really belongs. This High School football, not college or professional. There is no money or recruits at stake here. These kids are kids and I am sure almost every coach is there for the kids more so than any other reason. Please try to keep everything in perspective and relative to the proper person or group whenever commenting about this or any other topic that is out of the control of these young men,their coaches, their schools and their communities.
By EAGLEFAN
December 17, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this
HEY DID YOU GUYS KNOW THAT WITH THE TIE IN THE CLASS AA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, THE ONLY TEAM IN THE GHSA WITH A PERFECT RECORD….,WAS,….I THINK………..NORTHSIDE EAGLESSSSSSS.SSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
By to every team screwed by GHSA
December 17, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this
“Great athletes have high goals…People with high goals are high achievers…High achievers dont accept anything less then 1st…which means they dont accept ties!” Think about that one GHSA!!!!
By HornetFanTillDeath
December 17, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
i would just like to say that i was at the game last night and when the announcer game on over the loud speakers at the end of the game and let everyone know that we are co-champs, i was in totally disbeleif and still am. Both teams work so hard this year and over came great odds. I give props to P’tree you are the hardest team by far we played all year but who wants to share a state title?!?! I would also like to point out to the ajc that in the final highschool standings, yes roswell and p’tree are both number one BUT… roswell is listed below p’tree. roswell should be on top not just because i go to roswell but because we have a better record at (13-1-1)! Please fix that mistake!
By Prez Northside Class of 1981
December 18, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this
AJC, I’m glad to see that you don’t agree with Co-Champions based off of your final rankings. Although, I’m sure the rules of GHSA made it more difficult for you.
Hornet Fan til Death, I don’t think you will have your ranking changed since the AJC poll is seperate from GHSA. Their rankings are based off of who they think is the best team in that classification. Notice the teams that are undisputed Champions are voted #1. But, in the classifications where there were Co-Champions, it’s all up to the votes of different people @ AJC. Just another reason why this playoff rule of GHSA makes things more confusing.**Houston (GHSA)…We have a problem!”
By Brittany
December 18, 2006 07:58 AM | Link to this
I agree with ties no one wins. I think there shouldve been an OT game or an extra 2 minutes or something. someone has to win it cant be tied thats not how games especially football games should end. im a cheerleader for peachtree ridge blue pride competition and if we wouldve competed and tied with someone for state id want a rematch or something to prove we can get that state title fair and square. its just not fair what their doing? I say we have a rematch.
By Andy
December 18, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this
All I can say is this is a weird end to a very weird 5A season. The weirdest thing yet is that for the first time in history, Mr. Bunn has said something I actually agreed with.
I feel like: so when do I wake up and the season starts for real.
By Puddin
December 18, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
TOTAL CRAP! THE GHSA ARE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS STARTING WITH RALF SWEARINGEN! I’VE SAID IT ALL SEASON THIS GUY NEEDS TO GO AND ANYONE ELSE THAT THINKS HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB. IF I WERE ROSWELL AND P’RIDGE I WOULD SEND THOSE TROPHY’S BACK AND GET TOGETHER WITHOUT THE GHSA INVOLVEMENT FOR A RE-MATCH!
By Friend of Football
December 18, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this
Jim, “if” is a universal word where if, coulda, woulda, doesn’t amount to anything. “If” Peachtree Ridge Safety would not have bit on the pass fake, the second touchdown would not have happened. “If” Roswell would have made the 21 yard field goal, maybe the outcome would have been different, or “if” P’tree Ridge would have made one more of it’s other two field goals, the outcome could have been different. Hindsight is 20-20, and it’s easy to be an expert after the fact.
The point is, at the end of regulation play, the score was tied. Near the end, “if” Peachtree Ridge would have went for the first down and made it or not make it on forth down, the outcome could have been different. On the other hand, “if” Roswell would have ran plays to try to get in scoring position instead of taking a knee, the outcome could have been different, but it did not happen. What happened is they both put the responsibility of winning it all on each other and that got them a tie and co-championship.
While the fans in the stands did not know, the coaches on the field were quite familiar with the rule.
By Pres Northside Class of 1981
December 18, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this
To Friend of Football,
I agree with your comment about “If”, woulda, coulda, etc.
But, on the otherhand, “IF” the rule was changed we wouldn’t have to worry about having Co-Champions. “IF” GHSA would be responsible by addressing and changing this rule for the better, GHSA State Championship games would be better off. I agree that the coaches should have known about the overtime rule for this game and “if” they didn’t, shame on them. It sounds like the last couple of minutes they settled for a tie. Not to say they wouldn’t have done the same thing in order to get into an overtime situation. At least, their motive would have been playing to “WIN”, instead of playing the last couple of minutes “NOT TO LOSE”.
We just need GHSA to change this rule.
By DirtDobber
December 21, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
We are sick of the whole mess.
Talk to an RHS player about how he feels about the game and he hangs his head. He is not proud. He would have felt better with a LOSS. We would all feel better if someone, anyone would have walked away with the crown.
GHSA, Please change the rule !!!