AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOpening the dough to let yeast back in
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
None other than C.J. Cregg, then the press secretary under President Bartlet, was heard to say while aboard Air Force One, “Our numbers are less than yeasty.”
The same holds true away from the fictional world of “The West Wing,” looking back over last week’s predictions. I expected a little more rise than almost 74 percent correctness for the first week, but I guess that’s what this week and the rest of the season is for.
I picked against Grayson last week and once it was published, before the kickoff, I knew it was a prediction that would suck the yeast out of last week’s dough. Before we applied the warp speed to our posting things online, I would’ve changed the pick before it got published and no one would have been the wiser. This week, there are no pregame pangs of regret about it. In fact, dare I say it, this one has the yeasty feel about it. (“Yeast is such a fun word to say,” C.J. said. She’s right.) Peachtree Ridge might be a defending Class AAAAA co-champion and the Lions might be undefeated and unscored upon after waxing Shiloh last week.
Grayson can take ‘em.
Even when it wasn’t a high-faluting state champ, Peachtree Ridge hardly found Grayson a light touch. The Lions won last year’s meeting 9-0, and that at home in their own familiar confines. Now, they take to the road to meet the Rams, who are bent on proving they’re a team with which to reckon.
And there are other big games to monitor.
Warner Robins looks like this year’s Parkview, the team you could tell from one opening-game loss didn’t have the juice it would take to go all the way.
Parkview found that out in 2006 by losing to none other than Warner Robins. Warner Robins found that out in 2007 by losing to Camden County for the first time ever. It’s a lesson that will be reinforced tonight by archrival Northside-Warner Robins.
Marist has its hands full tomorrow night with Tucker, one of the few teams that has had the War Eagles’ number.The Tigers have beaten Alan Chadwick’s team three in a row, and stand just four quarters from being the first team in 33 years to make it four in a row against the War Eagles.
Won’t happen. Two weeks after beating Marist, the Tigers suffered a fatal three-game losing streak, missed the playoffs, changed coaches and lost some of the aura that helped them temporarily own the War Eagles.
Certain losses make Marist stronger. The rare boo-boo against St. Pius in 2003 led to the Class AAAA crown. Last year’s loss to Tucker woke the War Eagles up and they reached the final.
How does Duluth at Meadowcreek fit into such lofty talk? Meadowcreek hasn’t won since a week before Marist lost to St. Pius. But after 33 downers in a row, the Mustangs win tonight.
- FRIDAY
- Winner / Loser
- Alcovy / Newton
- Alpharetta / Sprayberry
- Apalachee / Jackson Co.
- Athens Academy / Mt. Pisgah Christ.
- Athens Christian / Fellowship Christ.
- Baldwin / Jefferson Co.
- Banks Co. / North Oconee
- Banneker / Tri-Cities
- Beach / Brantley Co.
- Berkmar / North Forsyth
- Berrien / Atkinson Co.
- Bleckley Co. / Jenkins Co.
- Bremen / Central-Carroll
- Brooks Co. / Americus-Sumter
- Brookstone / ELCA
- Brookwood / North Gwinnett
- Brunswick / Groves
- Buford / Cartersville
- Burke Co. / Screven Co.
- Cairo / Thomasville
- Calhoun / Villa Rica
- Calhoun Co. / Stewart-Quitman
- Camden Co. / Chattahoochee
- Campbell / Shiloh
- Carrollton / Newnan
- Carver-Atlanta / Druid Hills
- Cass / Adairsville
- Cedartown / Darlington
- Central-Mac. / Rutland
- Chapel Hill / Lithia Springs
- Chattahoochee Co. / Temple
- Chattooga / Lakeview-Ft. Ogle.
- Clarke Central / Cedar Shoals
- Coffee / Clinch Co.
- Columbia / Lakeside-DeKalb
- Commerce / Franklin Co.
- Cook / Worth Co.
- Coosa / Trion
- Crawford Co. / Pelham
- Creekside / Riverdale
- Crisp Co. / Southwest-Macon
- Cross Creek / Aquinas
- Dacula / Mill Creek
- Dalton / Murray Co.
- Dodge Co. / Hawkinsville
- Dublin / Twiggs Co.
- Dutchtown / Luella
- Early Co. / Miller Co.
- East Coweta / McIntosh
- East Jackson / West Forsyth
- Eastside / Loganville
- ECI / Treutlen
- Effingham Co. / South Effingham
- Etowah / Milton
- Fayette Co. / Jonesboro
- Flowery Branch / Gilmer
- Forsyth Central / Dawson Co.
- Ga. Military Coll. / Glascock Co.
- GAC / Greene Co.
- Gainesville / White Co.
- Glenn Hills / Hephzibah
- Glynn Academy / Wayne Co.
- Grady / Therrell
- Grayson / Peachtree Ridge
- Greenbrier / Lakeside-Evans
- Griffin / Bradwell Institute
- Haralson Co. / Bowdon
- Harris Co. / Jordan
- Hart Co. / Wesleyan
- Hillgrove / South Paulding
- Holy Innocents’ / Decatur
- Irwin Co. / Lanier Co.
- Jefferson / Oglethorpe Co.
- Jenkins / Benedictine
- Johnson Co. / Claxton
- Johnson-Gaines. / East Hall
- Jones Co. / Henry Co.
- Josey / Butler
- LaGrange / Columbus
- Landmark Christ. / Ola
- Lincoln Co. / Harlem
- Long Co. / Bryan Co.
- Lovett / Clarkston
- Lowndes / Eagle’s Landing
- Lumpkin Co. / West Hall
- Macon Co. / Turner Co.
- Madison Co. / Elbert Co.
- Marietta / Kell
- Marion Co. / Central-Talbotton
- Mary Persons / Lamar Co.
- McIntosh Co. Ac. / Calvary Day
- Meadowcreek / Duluth
- Mitchell Co. / Montgomery Co.
- Model / Sonoraville
- Monroe / Lee Co.
- Norcross / Northview
- North Clayton / Forest Park
- North Cobb / South Cobb
- North Hall / Pickens
- Northside-W.R. / Warner Robins
- NW Whitfield / Pepperell
- Oconee Co. / Winder-Barrow
- Pacelli Catholic / Manchester
- Perry / Dougherty
- Pierce Co. / Bacon Co.
- Pike Co. / Woodland-Stock.
- Pope / Centennial
- Portal / SE Bulloch
- Prince Ave. Christ. / Cross Keys
- Putnam Co. / Monticello
- Ridgeland / Gordon Lee
- Ringgold / LaFayette
- Riverwood / Southside
- Rockmart / Callaway
- Rome / McNair
- Roswell / Lassiter
- Salem / Morgan Co.
- Sav. Christian / Sav. Country Day
- Schley Co. / Mt. Zion-Carroll
- Shaw / Carver-Columbus
- Social Circle / Monroe Area
- South Gwinnett / Heritage
- St. Pius / Stone Mountain
- Starr’s Mill / Rockdale Co.
- Stephens Co. / Habersham Cent.
- SW DeKalb / North Springs
- Tattnall Co. / Richmond Hill
- Telfair Co. / Jeff Davis
- Terrell Co. / Taylor Co.
- Thomas Co. Cent. / Colquitt Co.
- Thomson / Wash.-Wilkes
- Tift Co. / South Forsyth
- Toombs Co. / Metter
- Towers / Avondale
- Troup / Hardaway
- Union Co. / Towns Co.
- Union Grove / Stockbridge
- Upson-Lee / Mt. Zion-Jonesboro
- Valdosta / Collins Hill
- Walton / Kennesaw Mtn.
- Washington / Miller Grove
- Washington Co. / Westminster
- Westlake / Douglass
- West Laurens / East Laurens
- Westover / Albany
- Westside-Augusta / Richmond Acad.
- Westside-Macon / Peach Co.
- Wheeler / Lithonia
- Whitefield Acad. / Walker
- Whitewater / Sandy Creek
- Wilcox Co. / Wilkinson Co.
- Woodstock / Gordon Central
- Woodward Acad. / Dunwoody
- SATURDAY
- Winner / Loser
- Dooly Co. / South Atlanta
- Harrison / Hiram
- Houston Co. / Windsor Forest
- Marist / Tucker
- Mays / Cedar Grove
- M.L. King / Redan
- McEachern / Paulding Co.
- Northside-Col. / Spencer
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Darryl Maxie
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Comments
By Puddin
September 6, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Grayson is the darkhorse of the State. Good call. The Mustang Wildcat game should be the Game of the Week. I hope the Stangs’ get the monkey off their backs. As for picking Bwood over NG, Too close to call. GO DAWGS!
By michael
September 6, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
awwwwww come on winder losing to oconee county you gotta be kiding me
By Hurricane Bill
September 6, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
What about the Cartersville / Buford game this will be the best game in the state this week bar none?
By Alex
September 6, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
While Norcross still had their fun with the Wildcats this year, they are an improved team over last years. Meadowcreek lost to a AA school again last night. The last time the Mustangs won a game was then AAA school Cross Keys, and that was back in 2003, one week before Norcross beat them and started what became the longest losing streak in Gwinnett County, and if they keep it up they might be able to make it a state record.
By AJ Mealor
September 7, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Darryl, are you kidding me Marist over Tucker? Last year they had 40 seniors, and Tucker only had 6. Yes, Tucker won b/c of the deal with the punter but this year’s Tucker team will completely humiliate Marist at Memorial this Saturday night. Their qb is brand new to the system. Yes, he is a different type QB than Marist normally has but Tucker’s CBs are both going D1 one to ND the other probably to UGA. Why in the world do you think Marist will win? They don’t have the seniors or the athletes. And while this coach is new, he has a ton of hungry Seniors who do not want to be the first team since the early 80s to not go to the playoffs back to back years. This team is chalked full of talent and I can not see Marist’s D stopping their offense or their O scoring much against us. I see this being a beat down like the one they gave us Phil Lindsey’s first year as coach in 1999.
-AJ
By creekcrunk
September 7, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
maxie da man. coach purry gots us on da up and up. da creek gonna make short work outa daloof. we gonna take the whole regin by storm. im in purrys circle so i know or secrets. creek will beat daloof by 6 tds and shut dem boys down and out.
By Steve
September 7, 2007 4:20 AM | Link to this
creekcrunk -
Don’t be such a complete a&&. The Creek lost a close one last week to Lamar County on a LOOOONG road trip, but had more than its fair share of chances to win. Only an interception in the end zone on the last play saved the home team.
But the Mustangs had a new attitude last week. In years past, they would have packed it up and phoned in the second half after trailing by a dozen at the break, but these kids fought until the clock read zeroes. I don’t expect to see the ponies hanging any banners in the gym any time soon, but there is a new attitude on the field at the Creek.
Creeksters 21, Mildcats 13.
By Ubiquitous War Eagle
September 7, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Firstly, the claim that Marist had 40 seniors is ridiculous; there are only 26 this year on a 64-man roster, and even if a single class (the oldest class, even) comprised almost 75% of the entire team, Chadwick wouldn’t have the best record in DeKalb county if he always put all his eggs in one basket and played nobody but seniors.
Secondly, how often does Marist or Tucker rout the other? Every single year fans on both sides claim to have the wherewithal to club the other like a baby seal, and yet the players and coaches will always admit that it will be a war of attrition…and every year, it is. There are obviously a few outstanding exceptions, but with the coaching staffs’ familiarity with one another and the players’ awareness of the gravity of the series, both sides will always come out with their A-game.
Finally, Marist never has the athletes. Tucker always has the athletes. And yet Marist consistently posts more impressive playoff performances. Discipline carries much more weight through a season than raw athleticism. D1 scholarships are just that: D1 scholarships.
By AJ Mealor
September 7, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Like I said the last time there was a rout was 1999 when Marist had much better players, and Lindsay had an unruly group of kids, and most of the leaders on team came from the junior and sophomore classes. I would know I was a sophomore on the team. They most more impressive playoff performances because y’all had a better coach for the last 5 years who better prepared his players. Last year only one of Tucker’s seniors started and Marist’s roster was full of them, while 40 maybe an exaggeration, it was the number I heard several times on the telecast against Tucker last year.
The one time Marist has beaten Tucker in the last 6 years was Thomas Brown’s senior year at Marist. NOw get this he ran the ball ONLY 5 times in the first half for over 100 yards rushing, I wonder why we got beat? You are correct coaching is what got us beat. I think Tucker’s new coach will be different. Also, I just don’t see how darryl can pick Marist over Tucker because Tucker lost two more games last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996. If anything you would think it would fire them up even more to win out. Maybe it won’t be a blowout, all I’m saying is if Tucker brings their A game which I expect from a bunch of hungry seniors and juniors Tucker SHOULD provide the first rout since 1999. I should also point out that this is the second chance Tucker has had to beat them 4 times in a row but they didn’t do it in 1998.
By For real though
September 7, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Wow, your picks are in serious jeopardy this week. I would be surprised if you got 50% correct. Come on, you give region 7 no love here. P’tree Ride will use this game to make a statement on how real they are in their pursuit for back to back status. Surprisingly their defense seems better this year and the offense is clicking early, something that didn’t happen until midway in the season last year. Duluth does have a team strong enough to beat Meadowcreek, North will take Brookwood like they did last year, and even though Tucker lost Ballard, they will take Marist by 3 points. Collins Hill will have their hands full, but will squeak a win against Valdosta. Also, Norcross will have their hands full with Northview and the result may go against your picks as well.
By JOHN BLAZE
September 7, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Darryl Maxie cant know anything about football. I can see you in high school on the debate team. Not to say there is anything wrong with that. Just saying you really dont know squat about football. You are the example of “its not what you know, but who you know!” How did you get your job?
By Dan Moore
September 7, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
First off, the heck with Tucker and Marist( go Lakeside, class of ‘99!). Sometimes certain teams just have some teams number. Like the Florida vs. UGA game, Tucker has Marist number even though Marist has had the better team the last few seasons. Tucker was mediocre last year and almost lost to a pitiful Lakeside team 20-13, while Marist destroyed Lakeside 42-7. I just think it’s Marist’ time to win, but it will be close.
By Steve
September 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
in a non-region contest east of the metro area, Social Circle (8-A) again stifles Monroe Area 8-AAA) as the Purple Hurricanes continue to slide from obscurity into oblivion.
Redskins 27, Hurricanes 13
What ever happened to my Hurricanes????
By GA Buckeye
September 7, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow night’s Marist-Tucker game, Darryl Maxie’s explanation of why Marist will win made no sense at all. What happened last year had nothing to do with aura or losing 3 games and not making the play-offs. A school newspaper reporter could come up with a better analysis of the matchup than this so-called professional reporter, high school football expert. Darryl, either you’re not a very good reporter, or you are getting lazy or tired of high school football. Either way, step up your game, or go do something else.
By tiger10fan
September 7, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
marist beating tucker???? u got to be kidding me! only one of tuckers seniors started last year, that means that basically their whole starting lineup (offense and defense) is returning…the seniors are all ready for this saturday night against marist!!! and tucker has discipline now, maybe yall should try to look at one of the practices this year and u can tell a difference between this years coaching staff and the previous years coaching staff.we have just a as much disicpline as marsit and we have more athlete…that just tells yall that tucker is the betta team in this game…but we still have to come out and play our A game like always…..GOOD LUCK TIGERS, GO GET EM BOYS!! LET THE BEST TEAM WIN!!
By T.J.
September 8, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
Good solid pick on Grayson——bout time you came to your senses!
By Dee
September 8, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Villa Rica STUNNED Calhoun. You can’t always count out the underdog. It takes more than talent to win a game, it takes HEART and the WILDCATS had it last night. Go CATS!!!!!!!!!!!
By Goob
September 8, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Looks like Brookwood can move up another few spots in the AJC rankings. They lost again but “looked good” in the process. Isn”t that all it takes …looking good?
By Wizzade
September 8, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Grayson’s mascot is the Rams and that is just what they do…Ram it down your throat. AAAAA need to take notice. I still like STEPHENSON( AKA The new LITHONIA ), but Grayson has a nice team.
By Brock
September 8, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
TUCKER 30, Marist 0. Hmm, and you thought this would be the year for Marist? Hmmm!
By AJ Mealor
September 9, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Maybe I should be doing your column. Go Tucker!
By KenT
September 9, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
what happen Marist? All that big talk! Alsowhats going on with the other ranked teams that got beat by unranked teams. Look like some more movement in the rankings again.
By millcreek fan
September 11, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
All I have to say is YEAH MILL CREEK! so much for Dacula beating us. It was a tough game, and we can not play like that against North Gwinnett, but i am dam proud we beat Dacula!