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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Why doesn’t Buford play up?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buford has won 40 consecutive region games by an average margin of 35.9 points. So why don’t they move up into a larger classification in order to play a little stiffer competition?
I asked former head coach and current A.D. Dexter Wood that question. Here is his response.
DP: Why don’t you play up in a higher classification?
Wood: I think you play where your numbers are. For our major sports here, winning state championships is the goal. And I think you have a better chance to win state championships when you play against similar enrollments.
Another major factor is because our older community loves and supports our sports programs and they love to travel and be there. But they don’t like getting on 85 and they don’t like going down in the perimeter. They’d much rather be going to Hall County.
DP: If you were to move up, in what region would you prefer to play in?
Wood: Geographically it makes a whole lot of sense with Hall County Schools[in Region 7-AAA], because you’ve got Flowery Branch, although they may go up, but you have West Hall, Gainesville, Johnson … all those schools are within 20 miles of us. So we’d have a perfect little sub-region of rivalries and attendance, and no travel issues heading north.
It makes sense for a lot of people to think that way. However, I’m wise enough to know that, with the Georgia High School [Association], things enter into their decision-making.
And it could be that there is an imbalance of teams. They might say, ‘Region 8-AAA doesn’t have enough teams. So let’s just put Buford up the 85 corridor.’ So now we’re playing Stephens County, Hart County … tell our people to try go 85 North on a Friday afternoon, now we’ve got some of the same issues.
I think if we were assured that we would be put in that sub-region with those schools that are 20 miles from us, I think the sentiment of the geographical concerns might override everything. But I don’t know that that’s going to happen, and with Georgia High School [Association] how do you know?
There’s a lot of talk about this year’s Buford team possibly being the best AA squad ever. It would be hard for me to argue after seeing the Wolves dismantle a talented AAA Cartersville team 40-0 last week.
DP: I wonder how high up Buford could play and still be competitive. Clearly, they can compete and maybe even win a AAA state title. But what about AAAA? Could they hang with the Tuckers and Marists of the world?
Any thoughts?
Fantasy Football Dork-Off Week 3
This is the part where I shamelessly talk trash about my fantasy football skills in an effort to draw out the top high school minds around. You guys stink, and I rule … expect for the first two weeks were my good buddy Kurt Aschermann spanked me.
If you’d like a chance to spank me, here’s the deal.
Post your team— 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WR, 1 Defense—on the blog before noon Friday.
You can use any combination of high school players from across the state, while Kurt and DP will use only Gwinnett County players.
One reader-submitted team will be selected each week based on the creativity of their username. That selected team will be posted on Friday’s blog, along with Kurt and DP’s. (Right now, Gordo’s Gridiron Goliaths are poised to make their debut.)
If that reader’s team outscores both Kurt and DP, they will receive a special prize from the closet of Kurt or DP.
Talk to you Friday … DP
P.S. My NFL fantasy team, featuring Reggie Bush, Cedric Benson, Roy Williams and the Bears defense, was outscored by more than 100 points in Week 1. Any suggestions?
Fantasy Football Dork-Off Scoring System (Note: Due to limited stats, QBs/WRs do not receive points for rushing yards; RBs no points for receiving yards). All touchdowns count.
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.
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Take 10: Coolest-looking helmets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Helmets. Every team has got one, but which schools actually went out of their way to design one that makes opponents tremble in awe?
We at Take Ten favor originality, though you can debate whether we’re original at all. Hey, we admire that for which we can only strive. So if your helmet is nothing more than a knockoff of some college or NFL team, you won’t see your school listed here. SEE the top 10 helmets! (Note: Hit the “back” button, arrow or whatever on your browser to get back to this column.)
10: Brunswick Pirates — Actually using a scowling, eye patch-wearing pirate on the helmet is a nice touch. It’s much better than the crooked flag or the simple letter that so many teams stick on there.
9: Blessed Trinity Titans — This one is just cool-looking. The lightning bolt through the golden T is well-done, and that shade of green somehow reminds me of candy. I can’t explain that completely. But it doesn’t hurt.
8: Northeast-Macon Raiders — Much like Brunswick before them, Northeast goes with a disembodied head on their helmet. The Raiders use a Viking, complete with beard and horned hat. Having the guts to wear yellow adds to the look.
7: Rome Wolves — This one’s old school. It reminds of a helmet you might have seen in the 1940s. Just a simple “ROME” with a small wolf head. Maybe they should petition the GHSA to wear leather helmets and complete the illusion.
6: Fellowship Christian Paladins — Very nice, clean look. A jousting guy on a horse in a patch of maroon, surrounded by blue. Football would be much more interesting if running backs could carry jousting swords.
5: Long County Blue Tide — This helmet makes me want to go to the beach. Aqua with a wave coming over the “LC.” I’m not sure how intimidating it is, but it sure looks cool.
4: Johnson-Savannah Atom Smashers* — Yeah, they’re going to be in just about any list like this for their name only. But that nuclear orange is something to behold, while they also have the form of an atom on the helmet. Might as well take your nickname all the way.
3: South Paulding Spartans — Fire. Red. A flaming spear. These are things I like.
2: Twiggs County Cobras — They’ve got an actual cobra on the helmet, flanked by all black around him. If they could make the thing 3-D, it might be enough to freak opponents out from time to time. Maybe hand out 3-D glasses to the other teams before the game.
1: Savannah Christian Raiders — I think maybe it was the idea of a Christian school using a black Jolly Roger on a blood-red helmet that brought me around on this one. Whatever the reason, the skull is great. Intimidating, original, black-on-red. Perfection, helmetified.
Go on. Take Ten. OK, so what did I miss? Does your favorite team belong on here? Am I delusional to be as enamored with the Jolly Roger as I clearly am? Let us know what YOU think.
* Take Ten History Lesson — In 1960, William Jackson designed the Atom Smasher, noted as one of the five most unique mascots in the nation.
MORE PREPS: Video | Rival Smasher | Send photos!
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