AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August
August 2007
New season’s here, looking so di-vine
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eventually, I’m told, the limb snaps.
But, as high school football season dawns anew today, it’ll take time to figure out exactly how far out on the prognostication vine I can go before finding its breaking point.
Let’s start on the thick end, with Lovett and Westminster, and work our way toward the twiggy end. Time was, Westminster would thump Lovett, and that was that.
Now, Lovett’s doing the thumping. And the Lions have been itching to thump somebody since wandering into single-digit side of a 65-7 Dublin drubbin’ in the Dome.
Westminster has to pay for that. Or at least that’s the way it’ll seem when Lovett beats the Wildcats for the third time in a row — something the Lions have done only once (1994-96).
Let’s venture a little farther out. You wouldn’t think that picking Etowah to beat Sequoyah would look so odd. But for six years, Sequoyah has beaten Etowah almost at will.
No more. Etowah started something last season in Bill Stewart’s first year at the helm. The Eagles went 8-4, deeper into a season than ever before. There’s the distinct sense of unfinished business, and finally getting over the Sequoyah hurdle is the most fitting place for it to resume.
Picking Brookwood to lose used to be a foolproof twig-breaker. Not this week.
The Broncos meet Roswell, a rematch of a second-round playoff game they lost by one point last year. Everything since then has only widened the gap.
The Broncos break in a new quarterback and an entire new starting lineup on defense. Meanwhile, Roswell has a share of a state title and coach Tim McFarlin’s resolve to forget the accompanying laurels. The Hornets have the team and the schedule to hold firm in the top spot for a while, beating Brookwood for starters.
Could the breaking point be in picking Mundy’s Mill, 0-3 against Riverdale, to finally beat the Raiders? Or in taking Irwin County, christening its brand new stadium, to end a seven-game skid against rival Fitzgerald? What about taking Darlington to beat Chattooga, after losing by 22 last time? Has enough of the old Valdosta rubbed off on Mike O’Brien’s Woodstock team (4-6 last season) that it can beat Pebblebrook (9-3 last season) for the second consecutive time?
Picked all that. Twig remains strong like bull.
I almost picked Thomasville, owned by rival Thomas County Central since the 1993 Class AAA championship, to break through. Four Central turnovers in a scrimmage against Lowndes, almost swayed me. Almost took McNair, which upset Stephenson last season, to kneecap M.L. King, too. But no.
There’ll be time for leaps of faith, more daring flights of fancy. This is week one. Plenty of healthy twig left.
THE WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
FRIDAY
Winners in bold
Adairsville Gordon Central
Alpharetta North Forsyth
Americus-Sumter Forest Park
Apalachee Winder-Barrow
Appling County Wayne County
Athens Academy Oglethorpe Co.
Baldwin Washington Co.
Banks County Jackson County
Beach Savannah
Berkmar Luella
Bleckley County Jones County
Blessed Trinity Clarkston
Bowdon Pacelli Catholic
Brantley County Bacon County
Brookstone Whitefield Academy
Cairo Osborne
Calhoun County Central-Talbotton
Callaway Cross Keys
Campbell Wheeler
Carrollton Douglas County
Cartersville Woodland-Cart.
Carver-Columbus Spencer
Cass SE Whitfield
Cedar Shoals Oconee County
Charlton County Clinch County
Chestatee West Hall
Collins Hill Grayson
Cook Colquitt County
Coosa Lakeview-Ft. Ogle.
Commerce Rabun County
Creekview Our Lady of Mercy
Crisp County Dooly County
Cross Creek Hephzibah
Dacula Central Gwinnett
Dalton Calhoun
Darlington Chattooga
Dodge County Telfair County
Dougherty Northeast-Macon
Druid Hills Avondale
Dublin West Laurens
Dunwoody Southside
Early County Bainbridge
East Paulding Paulding County
Eastside Newton
ECI Metter
Effingham County Richmond Acad.
ELCA Athens Christian
Etowah Sequoyah
Fannin County Gilmer
Fellowship Christ. Prince Ave. Christ.
Flowery Branch White County
GAC Mary Persons
Gainesville East Hall
Glynn Academy Bradwell Institute
Gordon Lee Model
Greene County Glenn Hills
Griffin Lithia Springs
Habersham Cent. Alcovy
Harlem Evans
Hart County Clarke Central
Hawkinsville Perry
Heard County Bremen
Henry County Dutchtown
Hiram Alexander
Irwin County Fitzgerald
Jackson Union Grove
Jeff Davis Montgomery Co.
Jefferson County Burke County
Jenkins County Wheeler County
Johnson County East Laurens
Johnson-Gaines. Jefferson
Kendrick Jordan
Kennesaw Mtn. Pope
Lakeside-DeKalb Stone Mountain
Lakeside-Evans Aquinas
Lamar County Meadowcreek
Landmark Christ. Ringgold
Laney Butler
Lanier County Albany
Lee County Westover
Loganville Monroe Area
Lovett Westminster
Lowndes Harrison
Madison County Franklin County
Manchester Greenville
Marietta Lassiter
Marion County Chattahoochee Co.
Marist Columbia
Mays Washington
McIntosh Co. Acad. Liberty County
Milton Forsyth Central
Mitchell County Pelham
M.L. King McNair
Morgan County Portal
Mundy’s Mill Riverdale
Norcross Duluth
North Atlanta Carver-Atlanta
North Clayton Morrow
North Cobb Kell
Northgate Central-Carroll
North Gwinnett Walton
North Oconee Ola
Northside-W.R. Houston County
Northview Mill Creek
NW Whitfield Murray County
Peach County Macon County
Peachtree Ridge Shiloh
Pepperell Cedartown
Pickens Lumpkin County
Pierce County Atkinson County
Randolph-Clay Stewart-Quitman
Richmond Hill Bryan County
Ridgeland Armuchee
Riverwood Therrell
Rockdale County Hancock Central
Rockmart Haralson County
Rome Decatur
Rutland Southwest-Macon
Sandy Creek McIntosh
Savannah Christ. Calvary Day
Sav. Ctry Day Long County
Schley County Glascock County
Seminole County Berrien
Social Circle Monticello
South Cobb Centennial
South Effingham Groves
South Gwinnett South Forsyth
South Paulding Sonoraville
Spalding Pike County
Sprayberry Lovejoy
Statesboro Screven County
St. Pius North Springs
Stephenson Banneker
Stockbridge Eagle’s Landing
Swainsboro Johnson-Sav.
Tattnall County Claxton
Taylor County Crawford County
Temple Hillgrove
Thomas Co. Cent. Thomasville.
Thomson Salem
Tift County Brooks County
Toombs County SE Bulloch
Tri-Cities Westlake
Trion LaFayette
Tucker Miller Grove
Turner County Worth County
Twiggs County Ga. Military Coll.
Vidalia Treutlen
Villa Rica Chapel Hill
Walker Mt. Pisgah Christ.
Ware County Brunswick
Wash.-Wilkes Warren County
Wesleyan Dawson County
Westside-Augusta Greenbrier
Westside-Macon Central-Macon
Whitewater Newnan
Wilcox County Miller County
Wilkinson County Putnam County
Woodland-Stock. East Jackson
Woodstock Pebblebrook
Woodward Acad. Heritage
SATURDAY
Winners in bold
Chamblee South Atlanta
Creekside Redan
Douglass Grady
Hardaway Columbus
Monroe Terrell County
Mt. Zion-Jonesboro Fayette County
Parkview McEachern
Roswell Brookwood
Shaw Troup
SW DeKalb Cedar Grove
Starr’s Mill Cherokee
Towers Lithonia
Warner Robins Camden County
Games involving out-of-state teams are not included.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Darryl Maxie
Region rankings, cool sites, Lesson Teachers, Sensitive Men … Oh My!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DP’s AAAAA Region Rankings
- Region 1
- Region 5
- Region 7
- Region 6
- Region 8
- Region 2
- Region 4
- Region 3
Check out this web site — Mratings.com. Kenneth Massey has complete computer rankings for nearly every sport, including rugby, lacrosse and volleyball. Here he ranks Georgia’s high school teams regardless of classification. Meadowcreek, according to Massey, was better than Savannah and Johnson-Savannah last year.
My region rankings are a little different than Massey’s. His are based on last year’s results. Mine are based on my feelings about what’s going to happen this season. Deciding between Region 6 and 8 was the toughest. I could have easily flip-flopped them.
Any thoughts?
Fantasy Football Dork Off: Kurt Aschermann vs. David Purdum
Each week two of the AJC’s dorkiest will pick a fantasy team made up of strictly Gwinnett high school players. Readers are welcome to pick a team—1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs and Defense—from anywhere in the state. Post your team on the blog sometime before noon Friday.
Kurt and I will then choose one reader-submitted team based on the creativeness of their screen name. That team will be posted on Friday along with our teams. If the reader’s team outscores both Kurt and my teams, they will receive a special prize.
(Citi Slicker, why don’t you form a DeKalb team for next week, if your boys are so good?)
Kurt’s Lesson Teachers
QB T.J. Smith, Berkmar (at Luella)
RB Brandon Davis, Peachtree Ridge (vs. Shiloh)
RB Diante Drake, Central Gwinnett (vs. Dacula)
WR Devonta Bolton, Norcross (at Duluth)
WR Isiah Jupiter, Berkmar (at Luella)
Defense: Peachtree Ridge (vs. Shiloh)
DP’s Sensitive Men
QB Mikey Tamburo, North Gwinnett (vs. Walton)
RB D.J. Adams, Norcross (at Duluth)
RB Ben Donald, Greater Atlanta Christian (at Mary Persons)
WR Brice Butler, Norcross (at Duluth)
WR Zac Johnston, Wesleyan (vs. Dawson County)
Defense: Grayson (at Collins Hill)
Scoring System
Passing
100-200 yards — 6
200-300 yards — 9
More than 300 - 15
Rushing/Receiving
50-99 yards — 6
100-150 — 9
151-199 — 12
More than 200 — 15
Rushing/Receiving/Passing TDs — 6
Defense: Every point the opposing team scores is subtracted from your total.
(Notes: Due to limited stats, QBs/WRs do not get points for rushing yards; RBs no points for receiving yards)
Note from Kurt: What a pleasure it’ll be to match wits with the world-famous David Purdum and share my thoughts on Gwinnett County football. After spending the last three years covering teams in Clayton, Henry, Fayette and Coweta counties, I’m looking forward to my new gig in Gwinnett.
Pick a Favorite/Pick a Dog
Favorite
Kurt: For my top favorite, let’s head to Suwanee, where North Gwinnett hosts Walton. The Bulldogs, fresh off a school-record 11 wins, are led by quarterback Mikey Tamboro (Purdum’s week one fantasy quarterback) and could surpass last year’s first-ever quarterfinal appearance. Also, and I feel like former ESPN analyst Norm Hitzges saying this, but North Gwinnett has won four of its last five home openers. (Note: I believe Hitzges’ career record was 65-700).
DP: I’ll take Greater Atlanta Christian over Mary Persons and give 35.
Underdogs
Kurt: As for my top dog, we head to the Georgia Dome for the final game of this year’s Corky Kell Classic. Defending co-Class AAAAA champion Roswell seems to be on everyone’s short list of title favorites, but putting the words “underdog” and “Brookwood” in the same sentence just sounds funny. I like the Broncos in an upset.
DP: South Gwinnett over South Forsyth.
Everyone have fun tonight … And it begins …
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
McIntosh ready to ring the bell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
McIntosh coach Dwight Jones has a bell at home that is only rung when his team wins a game. Sort of like the bell on campus at UGA that students ring when the Bulldogs win.
Jones’ kids know that if they ring the bell out of turn — when no win has granted bell-ringing license — they’re going to be in trouble. All the same, they’re growing weary of waiting. For the record, Jones is too. That bell sits where, taunting him with each passing week. McIntosh went 0-10 in Jones’ first year at the Peachtree City school.
“You don’t ever go into a season expecting that,” Jones said. “There are constant reminders of it everywhere.”
How long the bell-ringing will have to wait is anybody’s guess. Starting with Friday’s game against Sandy Creek, McIntosh likely will be out-manned athletically on a weekly basis this fall, which means the Chiefs will have less margin for errors in execution than their opponents…..
Not exactly disarray — Mike Earwood simply doesn’t do disarray — but Starr’s Mill finds itself in a state of flux on offense to begin the season because of a variety of ailments.
Quarterback Matt Sweat hurt his hip in the Panthers’ scrimmage against Sandy Creek and is questionable for the opener against Cherokee in the Georgia Dome, leaving open the possibility that either sophomore Miles Jaye or freshman Adam Holley will get his varsity indoctrination in front of 70,000 seats. On top of that the Panthers could be without two projected starters on the line.
Coach Mike Earwood didn’t say who, but he has one lineman with a shoulder injury and one fighting a digestive-tract problem…..
The folks at Whitewater are happy to have been to the playoffs last year, but this year will be when they find out what sort of program they have. The Wildcats graduated 44 seniors — 25 is considered a good number at most large-school programs — including those responsible for virtually all of the team’s offensive production. For the record, I think they’ll be in the hunt for another playoff berth, for the general reason that Amos McCreary has produced consistent winners in the past.
I wanted to focus on football for the opening week, but we’ll start hitting the other sports next week.
GAME OF THE WEEK Fayette County at Mt. Zion 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Twelve Oaks Stadium COACHES: Fayette County, Tommy Webb (31-50); Mt. Zion, Jarrett Laws (first year) PLAYERS TO WATCH: Fayette - QB/DB Brandon Boykin (Sr., 5-10, 175); FB/DB Matt Daniels (Sr., 6-1, 195). Mt. Zion - RB Martin Ward (Sr., 5-10, 195), WR Rashad Boone (Sr., 5-10, 170), OL Gideon Scott (Sr., 6-3, 305), LAST YEAR: Mt. Zion won, 42-13. THE SKINNY: It’s not a region game, but both teams need to make an early statement, and Boykin and Ward are two of the state’s marquee players. Ward set the tone in last year’s rout, carrying 19 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and to slow him down would mean a lot to a Fayette defense that allowed 334 points last year. Fayette is likely to try to control the ball with Daniels, who like Ward rushed for more than 1,300 yards in 2006. Prediction: Mt. Zion, 27-24.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Fantasy football: Gwinnett vs. the state; QB updates
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m tired of fighting my alleged Gwinnett bias and have decided to embrace it.
Gwinnett has more talent than any other county in Georgia and is the only county worthy of coverage.
Think I’m wrong? You’re right, but prove it.
Each week during the season, my esteemed colleague Kurt Aschermann and I will each draft a fantasy team made up of strictly Gwinnett high school players.
We will draft one QB, two RBs, two WRs and a defense.
You can participate by forming your own team made up of players from any other county … heck, the entire state for all I care. My team will still be better.
Simply post your team (QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs and a defense) on Wednesday’s or Thursday’s blog. (Due to a late start, this week we will take submissions up until noon Friday.)
Kurt and I will select one reader’s team based on the creativeness of their screen name. (Hint: Crudeness will not be rewarded. Mentioning my Sooners or Saints might)
The chosen team will be posted on Friday’s blog along with Kurt and my teams. If your team out-scores the experts—both of us—then you win a shirt out of one of our closets. Try hard because we’ve got some dope threads. We pick the shirt.
The scoring system is below and will be adjusted to benefit the experts throughout the year.
Passing
100-200 yards — 6
200-300 yards — 9
More than 300 - 15
Rushing/Receiving
50-99 yards — 6
100-150 — 9
151-199 — 12
More than 200 — 15
Rushing/Receiving/Passing TDs — 6
Defense: Every point the opposing team scores is subtracted from your total.
Results will be posted on Tuesday’s blog.
Gwinnett QB updates
Just callNorcross coach Keith Maloof Charlie Weis. Neither Maloof nor Weis is revealing who will be their starting quarterback for their season openers.
“You’ll find out Friday night,” said Maloof, whose second-ranked Blue Devils open at Duluth Friday.
I was almost certain senior Nick Sorel would be the guy last week. But it seems like Maloof wouldn’t mind announcing that a senior had won the job. Junior Charles King is the other candidate. With those receivers, does it really matter?
Senior Taylor Smith will start at quarterback for Dacula. Senior Ryan Meyer, who is recovering from knee surgery, has returned to practice, but would only be used at quarterback in an emergency situation. Junior Hunter Watts was in the mix, before breaking his collarbone in a scrimmage against Grayson.
At Wesleyan, junior Brent Pugh will start, but sophomore Conor Welton will have his chance in the first four series against Dawson County.
I’m at Dawson County-Wesleyan Friday. Come up and give me a hug. I’ll be the bald, sweaty guy.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
DP’s Gwinnett Power Rankings -Week 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before I unveil these highly anticipated rankings (two people, including my mom, have asked about them), I’d like to set the record straight.
I have not seen the following teams practice this season: Brookwood, Parkview, Grayson, Central Gwinnett, Berkmar, South Gwinnett, Shiloh, Meadowcreek, Collins Hill, Peachtree Ridge, Duluth, Mill Creek and Greater Atlanta Christian.
However, except for South Gwinnett and Duluth, I did see each of those teams play last year.
With that said, here is my criteria for the first edition of DP’s Gwinnett Power Rankings.
—The amount of returning starters and how talented those starters are. I based my talent evaluations on seeing the players last year, as well as, knowing which players are being recruited by which colleges. Individual stars don’t make a team, but talent certainly doesn’t hurt.
—I hate when people say the defending champs should be No. 1 until someone beats them. Last year’s team isn’t playing this year. But I did take into consideration a team’s recent success, only because I believe it builds confidence.
—Coaching was a big factor in my decision. I believe coaching is more important and plays a bigger role in high school than at any other level of football.
—The most important thing I considered was simple: Teams will be ranked above only teams I believe they would beat on the field.
Here you go … let me have it … DP
DP’s Gwinnet Power Rankings Week 1
Norcross
Peachtree Ridge
Grayson
Parkview
Buford
North Gwinnett
Brookwood
Central Gwinnett
Collins Hill
Dacula
Berkmar
Mill Creek
South Gwinnett
Duluth
Greater Atlanta Christian
Shiloh
Wesleyan
Meadowcreek
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Experienced Roswell No. 1 in AAAAA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peach County, Charlton County and Lincoln County successfully defended state titles last season, but I’m predicting the end of the line for all three. Too much talent graduated.
Who’ll stop the reign? My No. 1 teams in AAA, AA and A are Hart County, Buford and Wilcox County (read the complete story here).
I feel solid about Buford. There’s a half-dozen D-1 players and a history of state titles.
Hart and Wilcox have never won state, but both were excellent toward the end of last season and returned everybody they need to win it all.
In AAAAA, Roswell is almost everybody’s choice at No. 1. In AAAA, Northside is the real no-brainer, but there’s no fun in blogging high school football if Northside fans don’t have anything to argue about.
So how about this: Roswell, and not Northside, will have the state’s best team this year.
Here are some other talking points when I return to tonight at 7 for discussion:
*Peach, Charlton, Lincoln: End of the line.
*Buford: Easy No. 1.
*Class AAA and A: Time for first-time state champions.
*Northside: Georgia’s second-best team.
THE RANKINGS
Class AAAAA
1: Roswell
2: Norcross
3: Coffee
4: Peachtree Ridge
5: Tift County
6: Stephenson
7: Lowndes
8: Camden County
9: Brookwood
10: M.L. King
Class AAAA
1: Northside-Warner Robins
2: Thomas County Central
3: Rome
4: Habersham Central
5: Marist
6: Tucker
7: Ware County
8: Dacula
9: Statesboro
10: Southwest DeKalb
Class AAA
1: Hart County
2: LaGrange
3: Peach County
4: Carver-Columbus
5: Carrollton
6: North Hall
7: Cartersville
8: Shaw
9: Stephens County
10: Washington County
Class AA
1: Buford
2: Charlton County
3: Fitzgerald
4: Dublin
5: Calhoun
6: Lovett
7: Heard County
8: Early County
9: Dodge County
10: Thomasville
Class A
1: Wilcox County
2: Seminole County
3: ECI
4: Lincoln County
5: Athens Academy
6: Clinch County
7: Turner County
8: Hawkinsville
9: Bowdon
10: Pacelli
Permalink | Comments (99) | Categories: Poll talk
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
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: David Purdum
Will North Gwinnett’s rise continue?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
North Gwinnett is one of AAAAA’s fastest rising programs. But are the Bulldogs ready to take that next step this year?
Last season, after seeing North dismantle Collins Hill, I remember thinking that the Bulldogs did not look that impressive physically.
Under the direction of first-year coach Bob Sphire, they went on to win their first nine games, climb to No. 1 in the rankings and reach the quarterfinals.
After seeing North practice briefly on Tuesday, I got the same feeling I had after the Collins Hill game — Sphire’s bunch isn’t going to intimidate anyone when they walk off the bus.
They’re not overly speedy, although receiver Cordero Dixon and running backs Tyler Jarry and Kevin Starks can go. Sphire says his team isn’t as big as they were last year either.
Does that mean the Bulldogs are going to win their first nine games and bolt to the top of the rankings like last year? Probably not.
Does that mean North won’t be a factor in Region 7? Absolutely not.
Mark it down: North will be in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.
But just making the playoffs is not what Sphire has planned for the future.
He says, in golf terms, that his program is a five handicap.
“We started as a 12,” Sphire said, “and we’ve worked very hard to move up to a five. But it’s much easier to go from a 12 to a five than a five to scratch. It takes full dedication to get to the scratch level.”
Some additional speed and bulk wouldn’t hurt either.
Who are some of the other rising programs from across the state that I should know about?
Who are some of the ones on the decline?
Updates on Douglas and Alpharetta, along with Peachtree Ridge and Collins Hill coming soon …
Later … DP
Permalink | Comments (25) | Categories: David Purdum
Off to Peachtree Ridge, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill; News on Dacula, Buford and South Forsyth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Headed out to another week’s worth of sweltering football practices. I’m thinking of going topless. Talk about one hairy sunburn …
A couple thoughts on the three teams I’m hoping to see this week:
Tuesday — North Gwinnett: Has junior QB Mikey Tamburo improved? He was great for the majority of last season, but struggled down the stretch. Does he have anyone to throw the ball to?
Wednesday — Peachtree Ridge: How much of the buzz surrounding the defending champs comes from last year’s accomplishments? Do they have an offense to compliment a star-studded defense? How good is linebacker Kevin Minter? Before transferring to Peachtree Ridge, Minter was seemingly credited with every tackle at Berkmar. Is he the real deal?
Thursday — Collins Hill: QB Brent McDonald needs to build off of last season’s solid finish to help the Eagles become more balanced on offense. Does he have the weapons around him to accomplish that?
As usual, let me know if you need me to check out any team in or out of Gwinnett.
Dacula QB hurt
Dacula’s quarterback situation took a blow Friday night, when junior Hunter Watts broke his collarbone in a scrimmage against Grayson.
Watts, who is one of three players likely to see time under center this season, will be out for 4-8 weeks.
That leaves senior Taylor Smith as the starter.
Smith played the first series of the controlled scrimmage against Grayson.
“[Smith] did OK,” said coach Kevin Maloof. “We can’t fumble snaps, can’t call the wrong plays, which are both things we struggled with Friday.”
Senior Ryan Meyer, who is recovering from knee surgery, is also in the mix. Meyer returned to practice in a non-contact capacity on Monday. He is expected to be able to fully participate in practice next week.
Dacula opens the season at Central Gwinnett on Aug. 31.
Buford’s Hunt continues to sit out of practice
Running back Alex Hunt has not been practicing at Buford.
A transfer from Duluth, Hunt has been battling a strained quad, according to Buford coach Jess Simpson.
Simpson says when Hunt returns he will have to work his way into a backfield that includes starter Demetris Murray and talented sophomore Cody Getz.
Hunt has verbally committed to Indiana.
South Forsyth update
South Forsyth coach Greg Slattery saw some positives from his team’s scrimmage with defending co-state champion Roswell on Friday.
Roswell led 28-15 when both teams removed their starters.
Slattery, who is heading into his fourth season at South, was pleased with his defense.
“Our defense gave up some big plays, but that’s all they gave up,” said Slattery. “We gave up a big pass play early, then they tried it again and we came up with an interception. So it showed that we’re learning under fire.”
Senior defensive back Rob Patton (5-10, 180), a three-year starter, came up with the interception. Patton, along with senior Tyler Grant (6-3, 180) and defensive end Evan Downton (6-2, 232) will anchor what is expected to be an improved 3-3-5 defense.
Patton and Grant also will be the featured backs in the War Eagles’ wing-T attack.
Slattery said junior quarterback Brian Adams has completely recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the fourth game of last season and will be the starter.
South likely doesn’t have the size to compete with the heavyweights of Region 7-AAAAA—Peachtree Ridge, Norcross and North Gwinnett—but the War Eagles should contend with Collins Hill for the fourth playoff spot out of the region.
Collins Hill handled South 28-3 last season.
Stay cool … shirtless Dave P.
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Norcross the team to beat in Gwinnett
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I went to watch Norcross practice Wednesday, expecting to see the second best team in Gwinnett. With all due respect to the defending state champions at Peachtree Ridge, I left Norcross certain that I had just seen the county’s best team.
Norcross has received a lot of preseason hype, thanks mainly to wide receivers Devonta Bolton and Brice Butler, who have committed to Alabama and Southern Cal respectively. But how valuable are star receivers if you don’t have anyone to throw them ball?
That was my biggest question about Keith Maloof’s squad. Senior Nick Sorel and junior Charles King, the quarterbacks that will play this season, provided the answer.
Both looked solid in practice and have earned the confidence of their coach. Sorel is more polished in the passing game, but does not possess the mobility of the King. Both quarterbacks showed the ability to make all the throws with accuracy. I expect Sorel to start the season opener, but Maloof will find ways to utilize King’s athleticism.
The quarterbacks will benefit from an offensive line that returns all five starters and junior tailback D.J. Adams, who looks like an emerging star, not to mention the best receiving tandem in the state and maybe the nation.
Bolton and Butler looked as good as advertised, if not better. More importantly, Maloof will find ways to get them the ball, whether it’s on a reverse, screen or even having them take a few snaps out of the shotgun, much like he did with Darius Hanks last year. Hanks is now trying to earn playing time as a freshman for Nick Saban at Alabama.
I’m headed to Peachtree Ridge next week to see if the defending champs have an offense to compliment a loaded defense, as well as, to see if my I’m right about Norcross being the team to beat in Gwinnett.
Shoot me a line, if you need me to check in to another school in or out of Gwinnett.
Stay cool … DP
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No 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
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North Gwinnett scrimmage opponent in the news for murder
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few rambles …
Heads up, North Gwinnett. The Bulldogs are scheduled to play a scrimmage against Prattville (Ala.) on Aug. 25.
On Monday, the Associated Press reported that three Prattville students and a Montgomery teenager have been charged with murder. According to reports, the altercation began with an argument over whether Wetumpka High School or Prattville has the better football team. UPDATE: The Montogomery Advertiser reported Tuesday that the shooting did not stem from an argument over football.
Buford’s Omar Hunter recently set a school record by bench pressing 415 pounds.
Hunter has his teammate T.J. Pridemore to thank. Without Hunter knowing, Pridemore slipped a couple of five pound weights onto the bar before the big fellow attempted the lift.
The news wasn’t all good for Hunter, though. A recent MRI revealed that the Notre Dame commitment has a slight tear in meniscus in his right knee.
Hunter doesn’t expect it to be an issue during the regular season.
Fifteen seniors in Gwinnett County have already verbally committed to Division I programs. Here’s a quick glance at 16 more that could be signing with D-I schools in February.
Buford linebacker T.J. Pridemore (6-2, 228) The most heavily recruited prospect in Gwinnett that has not picked a college has offers from Georgia Tech, Tennessee, South Carolina and West Virginia, among others. UPDATE: Pridmore’s a Yellow Jacket. He committed to Georgia Tech around 8:30 p.m., Monday. He said his phone didn’t quit ringing for nearly two hours afterwards. Congrats, T.J.
Buford linebacker Jay Tee Swanson (6-2, 195) Sometimes gets overshadowed by Pridemore, but Swanson will likely be playing Division I football next fall.
Buford fullback Tyler King (6-0, 246) An extremely physical player has spoken with South Florida, Georgia and Auburn, but is yet to receive an offer.
Central Gwinnett defensive lineman Dewayne Cherrington (6-4, 350) Has ideal size at a highly coveted position. Has received offers from Middle Tennessee State and New Mexico State.
Dacula offensive tackle Calvin Cantrell (6-3, 235) Cantrell combines with Houston commitment Ari Tatum to give coach Kevin Maloof the best pair of tackles he’s had at Dacula.
Grayson wide receiver Sean Adegbola (6-4, 187) A tall, speedy receiver that hasn’t accumulated a lot of stats in Grayson’s wing-T offense, but his attributes have garnered an offer from I-AA Presbyterian College and interest from Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State, among others.
Norcross linebacker Dion DuBose (6-1, 235) Middle Tennessee is his only D-I offer, but several SEC and ACC schools are interested in this playmaking linebacker.
Norcross safety Tyler Maloof (6-1, 180) The coach’s son is an exceptional athlete and a dynamic punt returner. Offers from Vanderbilt and East Carolina could be forthcoming.
North Gwinnett offensive lineman Clint Duggan (6-3, 265) Duggan already has offers from Central Florida, Alabama-Birmingham, Middle Tennessee and Air Force, but is holding out on making a decision to allow heavyweights like Arkansas and Louisville to come on board.
North Gwinnett defensive back Marquese Quilles (5-11, 165) A solid cover corner, who has been flying under the radar, has received recent attention from Memphis, Syracuse and Virginia.
North Gwinnett defensive tackle Steve Buffington (6-4, 285) Clemson noticed him at offseason camp and projects him as an offensive lineman on the next level. Middle Tennessee and UAB are also interested.
North Gwinnett linebacker Eloka Anyaorah (6-0, 205) His 112 tackles and eight sacks as a junior caught the eyes of Clemson, Duke, Maryland, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, among others.
Peachtree Ridge offensive lineman Edixon Pino (6-2, 281) A versatile lineman who played center last season, Pino moves to tackle this year. He’s drawn interest from Illinois and Ohio University.
Shiloh quarterback Ira Johnson (6-2, 170) Johnson is being recruited as an athlete by Auburn, Miami (OH) and Western Kentucky, among others.
Shiloh offensive lineman Evan Black (6-5, 245) Navy and Air Force have expressed interest in Black, who will play both ways for Shiloh.
South Gwinnett fullback/linebacker Chris Doster (6-1, 217) He’ll be a leader on both sides of the ball for the Comets and has received interest from Auburn, Boston College, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana and Louisville.
Who am I missing?
Sidenote: I talked to Parkview coach Cecil Flowe Monday, asking him if he had any players that he felt were on the verge of receiving offers or may pick up some during the season. Flowe’s response: “Not any that I’m going to talk about.”
I’m not sure whether that means he’s thin on talent over there, or he’s just playing coy with what he’s got. Since the coach won’t tell me, does anyone know if Parkview has any D-I recruits?
Stay cool out there … David P.
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Dacula QBs a big question mark
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dacula has the defense, the offensive line and the running backs of a state title contender. But do the Falcons have the quarterback?
That’s the biggest question facing Dacula coach Kevin Maloof as he enters his 17th season at the program he’s built into a perennial championship contender.
Heading into the summer, three quarterbacks were vying for the starting role. But senior Ryan Meyer, who was considered the frontrunner, injured his knee playing basketball in July. Meyer had surgery on July 26 and is hoping to be back on the field in late August.
That leaves senior Taylor Smith (5-10, 160) and junior Hunter Watts (5-10, 140) at the controls of Maloof’s veer-based offense.
“If I had to play tomorrow, they’d both play,” said Maloof. “Both of them can do the things that we need them do.”
Neither Smith nor Watts has ever taken a meaningful varsity snap. Neither has the passing skills or size of the Falcons’ last two quarterbacks, Kyle White and Spencer Landis.
But Smith and Watts are more effective running the option than the past QBs. Maloof plans on taking advantage of thier mobility by implimenting more option into his offense that has all the neccessities to put up big numbers of the ground.
The backfield is loaded with talent, highlighted by fullback Zack Scruggs and tailbacks Khiry Battle and Cisco Berry. As many as seven different running backs could carry the ball this season, including impressive sophomore Aashad Holloway. The offensive line is also a strength, featuring a pair of standout tackles in Ari Tatum and Calvin Cantrell.
I haven’t seen the QBs enough to make an accurate assessment, but I get the idea that they aren’t polished enough in the passing game to prevent defenses from loading up against the run.
It probably won’t hurt Dacula in region play. Dacula and Habersham Central appear to be the clear-cut favorites. (Maloof says to watch out for Clarke Central). But come playoff time, the quarterbacks will need to make plays down the field.
Has anyone seen Dacula’s quarterbacks in passing league or at practice? If so, what are your impressions?
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Been to Buford, headed to Dacula
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Visited Buford practice Wednesday evening. Here’s what I discovered:
It’s hot.
Buford is big. After checking out Wesleyan on Tuesday, the size that Buford possess is shocking. Both lines are gigantic and have to average close to 300 pounds. If there are 5A teams with bigger offensive and defensive lines, I haven’t heard about them.
Defensive tackle Omar Hunter says he’s fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered in spring practice. Hunter was dressed out but did not participate in most of Wednesday’s practice. Coach Jess Simpson made it clear that he wants to take no chances with his star, especially since he plans on using Hunter some on offense as well as defense.
There doesn’t appear to be a go-to wide receiver. Melvin Harris, a speedy, 6-7 senior, looks the part, but has yet to prove that he is the guy.
I’m off to Dacula tomorrow to check on the Falcons’ QB situation. If you want me to find something out about Dacula, feel free to post a question before noon tomorrow, and I’ll do what I can. I’ll post my thoughts on Friday.
Later … David P.
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Been to Wesleyan practice, headed to Buford
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hey … checked out Wesleyan briefly today. They just look so small compared to the GACs and Bufords of the AA world.
Speaking of GAC, I sure haven’t heard much out of the Spartans’ camp. Anyone know if they’re going to be any good?
Back to Wesleyan … second-year coach Franklin Pridge expects to still be playing on Thanksgiving. That seems like pretty lofty expectations, but I like to hear a coach setting the bar high. Plus, Pridgen has 15 starters back from a team that put a major scare in a first-round loss to Calhoun last season.
I’m headed to Buford for practice Wednesday afternoon. I want to check out the following:
•How Notre Dame-commitment Omar Hunter looks, after breaking his leg in the spring.
•Can the offense, behind quarterback Twoey Hosch, move the ball through the air?
•How comfortable new running back Alex Hunt, a Duluth transfer and Indiana commitment, looks in coach Jess Simpson’s system.
•How hard fullback/defensive end Tyler King really hits. I’ve been told he’s actually cracked a few helmets.
•How the Wolves would stack up against 5A competition.
I’ll post my thoughts on those subjects Thursday. If you want me to find something out about Buford, feel free to post a question before noon tomorrow and I’ll do what I can.
Later … David P.
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7 over/unders for the 2007 Gwinnett football season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1. Over/under Meadowcreek wins: 1/2
Come on, Mustangs. Make this the year your 32-game losing streak comes to an end.
Prediction: Under
2. Over/under Parkview wins: 6
Coming off the first losing season in coach Cecil Flowe’s illustrious career, the Panthers have plenty to prove.
Prediction: Over
3. Over/under Brookwood wins: 6
After a difficult offseason, the Broncos must replace 10 starters on defense.
Prediction: Under
4. Over/under Peachtree Ridge wins: 13
The 2006 Lions set the bar pretty high for new coach Bill Ballard. The Ridge certainly has the talent to back up last year’s AAAAA co-title. But do they have the quarterback?
Prediction: Under
5. Over/under Norcross wins: 13
Last year’s 12 wins was the most in school history.
Prediction: Under
6. Over/under Buford wins: 14
As good as Peachtree Ridge is supposed to be, the county’s best defense may live in Buford.
Prediction: Over
7. Over/under state championships won by Gwinnett teams: 1 1/2
Buford, Peachtree Ridge, Norcross are bona fide contenders.
Prediction: Under
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