AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNo ESPN for Georgia high school football; Druid Hills update
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clearly, ESPN doesn’t realize how good high school football is down here. ESPN’s family of networks is slated to cover games in the vaunted states of New Mexico and Missouri this season, but not a single game in Georgia.
Peachtree Ridge at Norcross sure seems like it would be a good one to cover. Here’s ESPN’s current schedule:
Noon, Aug 25 — Booker T. Washington (Miami) at Summerville (S.C.) Noon, ESPN
4 p.m., Aug. 25 —First Coast (Jacksonville) at Berkeley (Moncks Corner, S.C.) ESPNU
8 p.m., Sept. 7 —Wichita East at Dodge City (Kan.), ESPNU
8 p.m., Sept. 14 — Yough (Herminie, Pa.) at Jeannette (Pa.), ESPNU
7 p.m., Sept. 15 — Northwestern (Miami) at Southlake (Texas) Carroll, ESPNU
11 p.m., Sept. 20 — Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) at Birmingham (Van Nuys, Calif.) ESPN2
8 p.m., Sept. 21 — McDonogh #35 (New Orleans) at St. Augustine (New Orleans) ESPNU
8 p.m., Sept. 28 — North Bergen (N.J.) at Saint Peter’s Prep (Jersey City) ESPNU
9 p.m., Oct. 4— Daphne (Ala.) at Foley (Ala.), ESPN2
8 p.m., Oct. 5 — Parkway North (St. Louis) at Parkway West (Ballwin, Mo.), ESPNU
TBD, Oct. 12 — Cherry Creek (Englewood, Colo.) at Grandview (Aurora, Colo.), ESPNU
7 p.m., Oct. 18 — Cy-Fair (Houston) at Cypress Falls (Houston), ESPN2
10 p.m., Oct. 19 — Clovis (N.M.) at Artesia (N.M.), ESPNU
Times a-changin’ at Druid Hills?
Druid Hills second-year coach Kip Hall believes he has all the ingredients of a potent ground attack.
Senior fullback Leon Williams (6-1, 225) rushed for approximately 1,500 yards as a sophomore, but saw his numbers dwindle last year as the offensive line struggled.
Sophomore tailback Desmond Towns (5-8, 190) is a speedy scat back that possesses good vision. Towns’ shiftiness should be a nice compliment to the power of Williams.
Hall says the addition of Leroy Williams, a 6-8, 250-pound junior, should help solidify the offensive line this year. Williams is a first-year player, who had concentrated on basketball in the past.
Freshman Joseph Ray (5-11, 200) is making a serious bid to start on the O-line as well.
Hall is also excited about his wide receivers, led by Byron Dickerson (6-3, 185), John Foster (6-3, 185) and the speedy Taluwtt Lee (5-11, 160).
Junior QB Jay Cromwell saw limited time last season, but played well down the stretch.
Defensively, the Red Devils have switched from a 4-3 look to a more versatile 3-5-3 set. Hall will get a good look at how his defense has progressed, when the Red Devils scrimmage AAAAA’s Central Gwinnett next week.
I don’t recommend jumping on the Druid Hills bandwagon just yet. The Red Devils haven’t experienced a winning season since 1993 and have won only one game in each of the past two seasons.
Turnarounds always make the best stories, though, so hopefully Hall can get things headed in the right direction.
Off to Norcross practice to check on the QB situation … will post findings tomorrow as well as hopefully something on South Forsyth.
Keep cool … DP
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By baloney
August 15, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Thanks Dave. You da man for braving this heat AND traffic. Thanks for the work.
By Missouri Mule
August 15, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
“vaunted states of New Mexico and Missouri’? You bet, you egotistical Gawgian- What makes Purdum think that other states don’t deserve ESPN coverage as much as Georgia does? Must’ve gotten your feelings hurt by the snub, huh? Maybe ESPN has awakened to the fact that football in New Mexico AND MISSOURI especially, can be entertaining too!
By Missouri Football
August 15, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
It’s great to see that MO is finally getting some respect. Only wished you would of picked two other teams, as they are not the best, but we realize it’s a start and we appreciate that. GO MIZZOU !
By 'da pomp
August 15, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
Vaunted? How about hard-working…dedicated…willing to reach above and beyond to get a job done. Don’t disrespect New Mexico or MISSOURI football players, just as I would not disrespect Gerogia football players and their work ethics. If you have a problem with ESPN about their HS coverage, give them a call. I’m sure they will change their coverage just to suit you.
By CAMDEN BOY
August 15, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
missouri sucks, face the facts and stop whining.. i think Camden County vs. Aiken South Carolina in week three will be one ESPN should cover, I mean I know were not from Atlanta, but come on this is bound to be a great game.
By David P.
August 15, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
Wow …who knew Missouri fans were reading the AJC? Anyway … No disrespect intended, but I’m sure you guys would not argue that Mizzou and New Mexico are not exactly recruiting hot beds, at least compared to Georgia.
By tOSU Football
August 15, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Missouri’s best would be just as good (if not better) than Georgia’s best. Of course Mizzou isnt a recruiting hotbed our best players go to Big 10 and Pac 10 schools for the most part. We also sent a couple to the dawgs a little while back.
By Kelly
August 15, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Purdum,
I appreciate your passion for your states football but I believe ESPN is looking to spread their coverage across the U.S. in an effort to give fans a look at what is going on in places other than Georgia, Florida, California and Texas. I also believe true high school football fans will have an interest in seeing games from across the nation and I appreciate ESPN providing that opportunity. Additionally, I presume you would prefer to see Peachtree Ridge v. Norcross in person.
By David P.
August 15, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
If Missouri’s best can stack up to Georgia’s best, how come Rivals only ranks the top 20 players in Missouri, compared to the top 50 in Georgia? Obviously, Rivals, Scout, etc. are not the end-all-be-all when it comes to judging talent. But college coaches and recruiters are. In Gwinnett County (suburbs of Atlanta) alone, there are 16 seniors who have already committed to Division I programs, including Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Alabama and LSU, among others. Missouri’s top recruit, QB Blaine Gabbert, is going to Nebraska … Simply put—and with no offense intended—Georgia produces more talent than Missouri. That’s why I’m surprised ESPN didn’t choose a Georgia game. Who do you think ESPN’s national audience would rather see?
By motiger
August 15, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
The fact that Georgia rates top 50 and Missouri rates top 20 could be due to the fact that Georgia has nearly twice the population of Missouri. Hmmm Does this mean better talent or more due to numbers? The game will feature a five star rivals Nebraska recruit at QB and Elite 11 MVP Blaine Gabbert.
By Mizzou
August 16, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
My only problem with the game being shown on ESPN from Missouri is that the two teams involved are no where near the best. Their proximity to St. Louis is arguably the reason. Missouri football will continue to gain respect (except from Camden boy). The key work here seems to be “boy”
By David P.
August 16, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Motiger .. Valid point about the population, but if you look at where the top-ranked recruits in Missouri are headed out of state (Nebraska, Ole Miss, Cal) compared to where the top recruits out just one county in Georgia are headed (USC, Notre Dame, LSU) it’s really a no brainer.
By bcf
August 16, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Aiken (SC) at Camden (GA)
other good ones
Camden vs. Warner Robins at dome
Roswell (co state champs) vs. Perennial power Brookwood
Jordan (Utah) at storied Valdosta High (GA)
Madison (FL) at Coffee High (GA)
By BigPerm
August 16, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Rabun County vs. Banks County would be a great game for ESPN….don’t you agree Dave?
By Cornfrog
August 16, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Funny. Given that Georgia signed two prep players out of Missouri last year.
Vaunted States = states that didn’t win the silver medal in the civil war.
By kcmosports
August 16, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
I’m assuming the main reason ESPN chose the MO game is because of QB, Blaine Gabbert. Don’t know about New Mexico game through. Also, I would think the Kansas game was chosen because of Arthur Brown from Wichita East and his younger brother. #1 rated recruit in the country and is younger brother will likely be highly rated next season.
By WarrenMoonMan11
August 16, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Nice Civil War reference, loser. I have lived all over, and I can say without a doubt that Georgia football is only rivaled by Floria and Texas. I’m sorry. I wish it wasn’t the case. I’m not from Georgia. I have no rooting interest here, and I can confidently say that Missourri is not even in Georgia’s league. Let alone, New Mexico. You can talk about how hard-working and dedicated those states’ football teams are (are there any HS football teams that aren’t hardworking and dedicated?), but you cannot compare the talent.
By 'da pomp
August 16, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this
Warren: You are completely correct about how hard FB players have it. They either get it done, or they simply don’t. And, I don’t care what state they live in. IMO I think ESPN is trying to not simply limit their coverage of potential FB athletes to just a few states… Thanks,
By Kelly
August 16, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
Forgive my lack of knowledge here. Does Georgia allow spring practice? I have long contended that Texas and other states that allow spring practice are at a competitive advantage in the development of talent. Although Missouri has allowed more coaches contact in the last 12-15 years (camps, 7-on-7, etc.) the state is still not in line with the south in terms of days spent playing or practicing football. It is also hard to argue that football has been more important in the south for a longer period of time than in Missouri. I guess what I am saying is that there is likely a more talented gene pool in football dominant states.
By Brian
August 17, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Let’s meet in Nashville and settle this! David, you field a team of Georgia all stars. We need a coach to be named from Missouri. Throughout the season, develop the rosters. After the 2007 playoffs are over, practice for a maximum of two weeks. Then the game can be played, maybe as a prelude to the BCS bowl games. ESPN would surely televise this game! I will also offer my officiating services.
Wouldn’t it be great if something like this could actually come to fruition? The reality is it will never happen. Too many chances for the athletes to get hurt and logistics could be the main barriers.
Another idea just hit me. Let’s play this game before the next season begins. The downside would be that the seniors from the prior season would not be eligible to play. The upside is that the current players could have additional scouting opportunities if we market the game well enough that ESPN televises the game.
Sorry, back to reality.
By David P.
August 17, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Kelly … Georgia does offer spring practice, and I agree that football in general is more important to folks down here in the south, maybe even too important in some ways.
By Demon Fan
August 17, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Warner Robins v/s Northside - WR is one of the largest rivalries in the state. It was a part of the Rise Rivalry tour last year.
By Dman
August 17, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Thanks David for the Druid Hills update. I know none of your die hard high school fans are clamouring for their coverage but I know for a fact that Gwinnett and Dekalb county are so loaded with talent that you will find it in the most unexpected places.
By black
August 18, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
There ae some talnted players on Druid Hills tm. Bryon, John, Leroy, Taluwt,and Leon. If the coach woul stop listento the old head he could win. Don’t name te players if you are not going to use them in the season. Well, the player’s parent with the most money will as usual at Druid Hills. Everyone is afraid to stand up to parents. Right Patrick, the head man at Druid Hills
By jon815
August 19, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
are u being serious about mizzou’s best being as good as GA’s best?? Youve got to be joking or out of your mind. Strange then that the show me state might produce about 1/4 of the D1 players GA does and the U of Mizzou cant even win that rediculous division called the big 12 north. Im not even going to comment on New Mexico. The writers comments were completely justified, GA is far superior to both states in football and deserves the coverage. Know something about football before you talk about it or get the hell on the other side of the mason dixon line. no one asked you to come down here.
By Missouri Mule
August 20, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Words spoken by a truly insecure Georgian!
By Missouri Mule
August 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Words spoken by a truly insecure, obnoxious Georgian!
By Marietta Man
August 20, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
OF COURSE YOU WANT PT RIDGE VS. NORCROSS ON ESPN!!! AJC IS ALL ABOUT GWINNETT!!!
By David P.
August 20, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Marietta Man … I cover Gwinnett County sports so that is the reason why my blogs are often centered on Gwinnett teams. That said, I’m always willing to look into schools outside of Gwinnett, like the Druid Hills update above. Please feel free to ask me anything about a team outside of Gwinnett and I will do my best to find out.
By Anonymous
August 21, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this
Guys relax, they are only showing those games because of the highly ranked player that plays on that team. Northside is maybe the best team in this state but there are no super recruits on the team…there are solid D-1 prospects, good players but not the super recruit. Plus, our top players in state usually won’t match up with each other til the playoffs. Georgia has great wide receivers in state but none of them play each other this year in games unless im missing something. Tavarres King plays for Habersham, Brice Butler and Devonte Bolden plays for Norcross, Josh Jarboe plays for Cedar Grove. All of them won’t really play each til playoffs. If ESPN could air playoff games, I would hope they can play Habersham and Northside but thats all on projection by me. You have to look at the games that have top 100 guys from both teams who are playing each other. Camden and Aiken would be a good matchup for tv but again, no top 100 players. By the way, all UGA fans watch AJ Green at 12:00 on ESPN. Support and root for AJ.
By Wow wow wow
August 27, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
1) Missouri fought WITH the Confederacy in the Civil War. (which, not that it matters, but the south kicked the north’s arse, they just ran out of men)
2) I would make the argument that GA is the single best H.S. football state in America per capita (maybe other than Mississippi). California & Texas are 1/3 of the nations population, just by number they should have the most D1 players. Georgia is over .500 in their all-star game series with Florida, a state with twice it’s population. I think you would be interested in what D1 coaches have to say about kids from GA. I think you’d be impressed.
By Citi slicker
August 28, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
South ga deserves alot of coverrage so does gwinett and cobb. but,Dekalb and atlanta public schools and the rest of the metro area should gey the same amount of coverage as gwinette the inner city and dekalb has more talent then gwinett so thecity life/east metro coverage needs an upgrade in coverage of there highschool teams those school already lack the money but not the passion so cover them.This area contains more intense rivaries then other area and sum needs 2 b renewed. Gwinett only has the parkview brookwood game but we have Douglass washington,stepheson swd, sold out stadiums and the region 6 4a needs to b fixed so that these teams can renew there rivalries but thats not it we also have mcnair mlk, tucker marist, chamblee dunwoody,westlake tri-city,banerker creekside,riverdale north clayton,lithonia redan,stepheson mlk,towers ncnair,stepheson mcnair,all these woderful match ups fly under the radar we need more coverage
By New Mexico Viewer
August 31, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Last time I looked this was a team game. One player sometimes makes the difference but here in New Mexico we play as a team. So there is only one way to solve all this talk…. Come challenge us. Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, NM is 27-0 with 5 state Titles and 3 Runner-Ups in 12 years. Bring your big guns Georgia we are ready for the challenge!!! Go New Mexico.
By David L.
August 31, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Missouri H.S. Football are you kidding me? You guys are light years behind GA in H.S. and College Football. Enjoy your televised game. The reason South GA doesn’t get much coverage is because the AJC covers Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs not South GA. Watch for the Roswell Hornets to repeat and not as Co-Champions.