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Thursday, August 23, 2007
Douglass 6-3, 230-pound QB being watched; Alpharetta on pace to contend?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Douglass coach Gary Cantrell didn’t hesitate when asked what he plans on focusing on during Friday’s scrimmage with Washington.
“Our quarterback play,” the seventh-year coach of the Astros immediately answered.
He’s not the only one.
At 6-3, 230 pounds, senior quarterback Ronald Holiday has caught the attention of several BCS schools, including Georgia Tech, but hasn’t received any offers yet. According to Cantrell, Holiday needs to buckle down in the classroom to help the recruiting process along.
The Astros went 7-3 last season, but missed the playoffs for only the second time in Cantrell’s tenure. Such is life in an improving Region 2-AAAAA. “We lost the wrong three games,” said Cantrell. “Hopefully, that was a learning experience for our kids that will teach them to make sure they play hard every game.”
You folks surely know more about the Astros than I (nothing new there). So fill me in: Will Douglass be back in the playoffs this season?
Alpharetta on pace to become contender?
Heading into Alpharetta’s fourth season, coach Bill Waters believes his team is not only bigger, but it’s also deeper.
He’s hoping those two attributes help the Raiders avoid the late-season slide they suffered last year.
After opening last season with four straight wins—highlighted by a 23-16 victory over a Wheeler team that beat eventual AAAAA champion Roswell the following week—Alpharetta stumbled down the stretch, losing three of its last four to miss the playoffs.
“We were in some of those games,” said Waters, “but in others we were a little overmatched.”
Quarterback Matt Robinson, a three-year starter, and wide receiver Evan Gray form a nice combination in the Raiders’ spread offense.
The defense will be led by senior linebacker Joe Hamrock and senior defensive lineman Kevin Steuterman.
For you guys close to the Alpharetta program, do you feel Waters has the Raiders headed in the right direction? For only their fourth season, have they improved in the areas they need to in order to compete?
Anyone have a sweater?
The brutal heat pushed back Peachtree Ridge practice on Wednesday. I still haven’t seen the defending champs practice yet. But the more I hear about the Lions, the more I begin to question their chances of repeating.
Clearly, there’s enough talent, but there are also some gigantic losses. I will hold my judgment until I see them live.
Sticking in Region 7-AAAAA, I also didn’t make it out to Collins Hill as planned.
This time the heat defeated me.
I did, however, speak with coach Larry Sherrill and know how impressed he is about the talent in Gwinnett.
“It’s like we got the All-SEC preseason freshman team out here [in the region],” said Sherrill, who has been known to downplay his team’s chances.
Remember: Collins Hill beat Peachtree Ridge last season, took Norcross to triple-overtime and returns a starting quarterback in senior Brent McDonald, who I believe may have been the most improved player in Gwinnett last season.
Fans can get a good luck at Collins Hill Friday night when the Eagles scrimmage Parkview.
Speaking of Parkview, did Panther fans run away and hide after one losing season? I haven’t heard much from Parkview or Brookwood. Maybe that’s because Grayson’s the team to beat in Region 8.
Apalachee, Winder-Barrow in the works …
Later … DP
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