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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Lots of lists, lots of winners
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s “journalism” is about lists. You don’t have to be able to write, to structure a sentence or to craft anything that will hold somebody’s tiny attention span more than two minutes.
If you build a list, the clicks will come. So say the online experts, and they have lists of stats to back them up. So instead of lamenting the loss of prose, this week will be about naked capitulation. As in three lists that will be relevant today.
•Three teams that will be 3-0 after this week: 1. Tucker. 2. Carrollton. 3. Chattahoochee.
Tucker, it said here last week, had no chance to beat Marist four in a row, since nobody else had done it in 33 years. The Tigers then beat Marist worse than ever. That’s how you spell rebuttal. If you’re going to miss a prediction, miss spectacularly enough to ridicule yourself about it publicly.
Carrollton has to go 3-0 if for no other reason than to spare me from being spectacularly wrong about Westminster for three consecutive weeks. If Westminster wins, I may never pick against the Wildcats again — which may not be good news to their faithful, given that they only seem to win when some fool says they won’t.
Chattahoochee shocked Camden County, and not because Camden’s former defensive coordinator and current ‘Hooch coach Terry Crowder remembered the secret handshake. Wheeler is good for a shocker — remember Roswell last season? — but surely the Wildcats are not gauche enough to ruin the ‘Hooch’s flow. Are they?
•Three W teams that won’t have any W’s after this week: 1. Warner Robins. 2. Washington. 3. Washington-Wilkes.
Warner Robins lost to Central Gwinnett last year before going to the Dome. Now, having been outscored 54-10, the Demons look anything but Dome-bound as Dennis Roland’s Black Knights Central Gwinnett visit Saturday.
Washington encounters a Marist team that was embarrassed by Tucker. Uh-oh.
Washington-Wilkes resumes its U.S. 378 series with Lincoln County, looking nothing like the team that clipped the Red Devils 3-0 last year. Meanwhile, Lincoln County still looks like Lincoln County.
•Four groves and their fortunes: Cedar Grove wins, which means Miller Grove does not. Hillgrove wins, which has nothing to do with why Groves does not.
Cedar Grove hung with both Southwest DeKalb and Mays before losing. Miller Grove surprised Washington last week, but came nowhere close to surprising Tucker the week before. If Cedar Grove is really about to be something, Miller Grove is a team it has to beat.
Hillgrove is a relatively new school with a friendly schedule, and Southeast Whitfield, which last had a winning season in 1986, is nothing if not friendly. Groves, from Savannah, got whacked last week by Brunswick in a game that had that pattern-forming scent rather than an aberrational one.
•Last week: 127-34 (.789) •Season: 253-79 (.762)
Friday’s games
Winner/Loser
Adairsville/Model
Alpharetta/Lassiter
Armuchee/LaFayette
Athens Academy/Monticello
Athens Christian/Our Lady of Mercy
Atkinson County/Calhoun County
Bacon County/Miller County
Baldwin/Laney
Benedictine/Groves
Blessed Trinity/Therrell
Brantley County/Liberty County
Bremen/Whitefield Acad.
Brookstone/Dooly County
Brookwood/Valdosta
Buford/Avondale
Burke County/Butler
Cairo/Bainbridge
Calhoun/Temple
Carrollton/Westminster
Carver-Atlanta/Decatur
Cass/Gordon Central
Cedar Grove/Miller Grove
Cedar Shoals/Loganville
Cedartown/Rockmart
Central-Carroll/Bowdon
Central-Macon/Henry Co.
Chamblee/Southside
Chapel Hill/Alexander
Charlton County/Beach
Chattahoochee/Wheeler
Chattahoochee Co./Glascock Co.
Chattooga/Coosa
Cherokee/Woodland-Cart.
Chestatee/Dawson County
Clarke Central/Heritage
Clinch County/Pelham
Coffee/Bradwell Institute
Columbus/Spencer
Commerce/Banks County
Cook/Early County
Crawford County/Manchester
Creekside/Starr’s Mill
Creekview/Union County
Crisp County/Turner County
Cross Creek/Westside-Aug.
Dacula/Rockdale Co.
Dalton/Hiram
Darlington/Dade County
Dublin/Washington Co.
Dunwoody/Apalachee
East Coweta/Jackson
East Laurens/Twiggs County
East Paulding/Douglas County
Eastside/Madison County
ECI/Johnson County
ELCA/Ga. Military Coll.
Etowah/Woodstock
Evans/Lakeside-Evans
Fannin County/Pickens
Fitzgerald/Randolph-Clay
Flowery Branch/Lumpkin Co.
GAC/Walker
Gainesville/Gilmer
Glenn Hills/Josey
Gordon Lee/South Paulding
Grady/Towers
Grayson/Norcross
Greenbrier/Effingham Co.
Greene County/Elbert County
Greenville/Woodland-Stock.
Griffin/Upson-Lee
Hancock Central/Putnam County
Haralson County/Trion
Harlem/Aquinas
Harrison/North Cobb
Hawkinsville/Bleckley County
Heard County/Marion County
Hillgrove/S.E. Whitfield
Holy Innocents’/North Oconee
Houston County/Berkmar
Irwin County/Stewart-Quitman
Jeff Davis/Treutlen
Jenkins/Calvary Day
Jones County/Wilkinson Co.
Jonesboro/Morrow
LaGrange/Jordan
Lanier County/Terrell County
Lee County/Colquitt County
Lincoln County/Wash.-Wilkes
Long County/Wheeler County
Lovejoy/Mt. Zion-Jones.
Lowndes/Ware County
Macon County/Rutland
Marietta/Campbell
Marist/Washington
Mays/North Springs
M.L. King/Tri-Cities
Monroe/Northeast-Macon
Mt. Pisgah Christ./Oglethorpe Co.
Newnan/South Gwinnett
North Gwinnett/Mill Creek
North Hall/Johnson-Gaines.
Northside-W.R./North Clayton
Northview/Pope
N.W. Whitfield/Paulding Co.
Oconee County/Clarkston
Ola/Southwest-Macon
Pacelli Catholic/Landmark Christ.
Parkview/Union Grove
Peach County/Eagle’s Landing
Peachtree Ridge/Collins Hill
Pebblebrook/Lithia Springs
Pepperell/Sonoraville
Pike County/Lamar County
Prince Ave. Christ./Mt. Zion-Carroll
Redan/North Atlanta
Ridgeland/Ringgold
Rome/Cartersville
Roswell/Kell
Salem/Jackson County
Sandy Creek/Franklin County
Sav. Christian/Richmond Hill
Sav. Country Day/Johnson-Sav.
Screven County/Portal
Seminole County/Westover
Sequoyah/Osborne
Shaw/Harris County
Shiloh/Duluth
Social Circle/Fellowship Christian
South Effingham/Bryan County
South Forsyth/North Forsyth
Sprayberry/Milton
St. Pius/Columbia
Statesboro/Glynn Academy
Stephens County/Lakeview-Ft. Og.
Stephenson/McNair
Stockbridge/Luella
Swainsboro/Warren County
Tattnall County/Metter
Telfair County/Jenkins County
Thomas Co. Cent./Meadowcreek
Thomasville/Brooks County
Thomson/Jefferson Co.
Tift County/Americus-Sumter
Toombs County/Appling County
Tucker/Lakeside-DeKalb
Vidalia/S.E. Bulloch
Walton/Centennial
Wayne County/Richmond Acad.
Wesleyan/Cross Keys
Westlake/McIntosh
Westside-Macon/Savannah
White County/West Hall
Whitewater/Fayette County
Wilcox County/Montgomery Co.
Winder-Barrow/Alcovy
Windsor Forest/Claxton
Woodward Acad./Northgate
Worth County/Spalding
Saturday’s games
Winner/Loser
Central Gwinnett/Warner Robins
Hardaway/Kendrick
Mundy’s Mill/Forest Park
Riverwood/South Atlanta
SW DeKalb/Stone Mtn.
Troup/Northside-Col.
- — Games vs. out of state omitted
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0-2 is far from hopeless
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are a few random questions and answers to ponder as we approach Week 3 of the young football season.
1. Which 0-2 metro-area teams are most likely to make the playoffs?
•Dacula: Both of the Falcons’ losses came to Class AAAAA teams, so the slow start could be a bit misleading. We’ll learn more about whether they’re a playoff team when they dive into Region 8-AAAA play this week against Rockdale County. The competition is less than fierce in their region, so their chances look pretty good to play in the postseason.
•McNair: The Mustangs did it last year, and they’ll probably do it again in 2007. McNair isn’t afraid to play up and, like Dacula, both of the Stangs’ losses have come to higher-classification teams. In fact, it’s likely McNair will move to 0-3 this week after playing Stephenson, but the Mustangs still might be the best team in Region 5-AAA.
•Collins Hill: It’s certainly possible for the 0-2 Eagles to work their way in. They might not even need an upset over the top tier of Region 7-AAAAA — Norcross, North Gwinnett and Peachtree Ridge — to do so. The No. 4 seed in the region looks like it’s there for the taking.
•Others of note: Fans aren’t accustomed to seeing Brookwood and Warner Robins at 0-2 — but this is a case where appearances may be deceiving.
The Broncos haven’t missed the playoffs since 2001 and are off to only their fourth 0-2 start in 26 seasons. But they haven’t played a region game, which means even if they fall to 0-3 Friday against Valdosta, they still haven’t endangered their chances of reaching the postseason.
Warner Robins has looked worse, losing by a combined score of 54-10. But the Demons haven’t played a 1-AAAAA game. What may be more in jeopardy is its streak of 39 consecutive winning seasons, second only to Dalton (47). Central Gwinnett could push the Demons’ record to 0-3 this week. Can they right the ship in time to make the playoffs and preserve their streak?
2. Which coaches in the state look poised to reach win milestones this season?
•Conrad Nix, Northside-Warner Robins: After finally winning his first state title last year, Nix should get his 275th career win within a few weeks. His record stands at 271-98.
•Robby Pruitt, Fitzgerald: With a big year, Pruitt could get to his 250th victory. Right now, he’s 11 wins shy of the mark after a 16-0 victory against Irwin County last week.
•Bob Christmas, North Hall: At some point this season, Christmas should win his 200th game, probably sometime in late October or early November. His overall record is 194-95.
•Ron Gartrell, Stephenson: If his Jaguars beat McNair on Friday, it will be Gartrell’s 125th victory. He is the only coach Stephenson has had since its football program started in 1996.
•James “Friday” Richards, Marietta: If the Blue Devils reach the eight-win mark this season, it will be Richards’ 100th victory as Marietta coach. He has coached there since 1995.
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Starr’s Mill goes from ‘wing-nut’ to ‘fling-nut’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This week is an anniversary of sorts at Starr’s Mill, the week in 2006 during which the Panthers underwent an offensive shift. Partly because of injuries to leading runners Brandon Witta and Greg Davis, and partly because Creekside sprinted to a 21-0 first-half lead, coach Mike Earwood was forced out of his time-tested wing-T into his two-minute offense, and although they lost 28-13, the Panthers rolled up nearly 200 yards in the second half and had a touchdown called back.
“I went in on Sunday and the coaches were all sitting there looking at me,” Earwood said. “I said, ‘I know what you’re thinking, and we’re going to do it.’”
So the Panthers started throwing the ball. Now, they haven’t totally shifted from “wing-nut” to “fling-nut” — last week in a victory against Rockdale Starr’s Mill still ran 63 percent of the time — but Earwood apparently no longer views the perfect game as one in which his team doesn’t throw a pass.
The Panthers figure to have a better chance this time against Creekside, which no longer has Eric Berry and has not been as dominant in its first two games as it was last year …
UPSET SPECIAL: Call me crazy (You wouldn’t be the first, and probably not the last, either) but I’m getting a strange feeling about McIntosh’s visit to Westlake. The Chiefs were within a touchdown late against East Coweta last week, and if they can control the ball in the same fashion against Westlake, they can get it done.
ON THE COURT: Beth Hays racked up six kills and three aces for Fayette County in a pair of volleyball matches against Starr’s Mill and Banneker, which the Lady Tigers split, beating Banneker and losing to Starr’s Mill. Christine Rape collected three digs against Starr’s Mill …
FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK
Whitewater at Fayette County
7:30 p.m. Friday
COACHES: Whitewater, Amos McCreary (97-46); Fayette County, Tommy Webb (33-50).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Whitewater - FB Collin Wooddy (Sr., 6-1.210), CB Chris Asbury (Sr., 5-9, 175), DE Thomas Richard (Jr., 6-1, 200). Fayette County - QB/DB Brandon Boykin (Sr., 5-10, 175); FB/DB Matt Daniels (Sr., 6-1, 195); HB Cuincy Carruthers (Sr., 6-11, 175).
LAST YEAR: Whitewater won, 41-7.
LAST WEEK: Whitewater beat Sandy Creek, 10-7; Fayette County beat Jonesboro, 21-0.
THE SKINNY: Fayette County has already flipped the score on one opponent from last year, beating Mt. Zion in Week 1 to avenge a 2006 loss, and this might be shaping up to be a special year on Tiger Trail. Fayette, which will try to reverse a blowout loss to the Wildcats last years, hasn’t started 3-0 since 1997, and they are riding the talents of fullback Matt Daniels (255 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards, five touchdowns) and quarterback Brandon Boykin. Last year, Whitewater had 44 seniors in their first playoff-eligible season. This time, it’s the Tigers who have the senior-laden club. Whitewater has yet to score an offensive touchdown. Coach Amos McCreary is three wins shy of 100.
PREDICTION: Fayette County, 19-12.
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Self-Respect Bowl next for Morrow, Jonesboro
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Something’s got to give. More to the point, someone’s got to score.
Morrow and Jonesboro enter Friday’s game at Tara Stadium having scored no points between them, though in fairness, Morrow was off last week and has played only one game.
Still, this might be dubbed the Self-Respect Bowl. The winner, who will have to score at some point, will have reason for optimism. The loser? Only more questions.
This is a week for cross-county games. Lovejoy and Mt. Zion are both 0-2 and looking for answers like their brethren in the county’s northern precincts, but this game probably will be worth the price of admission because it features several Division I-A signees to be, led by Mt. Zion’s Martin Ward, who blitzed Fayette County for 176 yards two weeks ago, but hasn’t been enough by himself to push the Bulldogs into the win column …
Riverdale is 1-1 and coming off a 25-0 loss to Creekside, and the Raiders’ open week probably couldn’t have come at a better time, given their nine turnovers, including five against the Seminoles. “I know they weren’t 25 points better than us,” said Riverdale coach Jamie Reed. “It was self-inflicted.”
IN OTHER NEWS …
Mundy’s Mill basketball player Dennis Harris has committed to LSU …
FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK
GAME OF THE WEEK
North Clayton at Northside-Warner Robins
7:30 p.m. Friday, International City Stadium, Warner Robins
COACHES: North Clayton, Don Shockley (79-61-1); Northside, Conrad Nix (224-61).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: North Clayton - DB Edward Ndem (Sr., 6-1, 190), DT Albert Carlisle (Jr., 6-0, 245), WR Daamon Cooper (Sr., 5-10, 160). Northside - RB Tijuan Green (Sr.), DL DL Abry Jones (Jr.), QB Marques Ivory (Sr.).
LAST YEAR: Northside won, 28-21.
LAST WEEK: North Clayton beat Forest Park 13-0; Northside beat Warner Robins 34-7.
THE SKINNY: North Clayton (both teams have the Eagles as their mascots) has posted back-to-back shutouts to start the season for the first time since 1975, according to ghsfha.com. That team in 1975 also shut out its third opponent. That team, though, did not have to play Northside. The defending state champions have won 10 or more games nine straight years, and in Green (232 rushing yards according to the team website) and Ivory they have perhaps the state’s most potent backfield tandem. Shockley may not know more about his team after Friday night than he does now, but everybody else will. The shutout streak will fall, though it’s worth noting that North Clayton scored the most points against Northside of any opponent in 2006.
PREDICTION: Northside, 28-14.
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Henry making history with 87 points in two games
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Henry County has scored 87 points in its first two games. Not completely surprising, considering the cadre of skilled players sporting Warhawks uniforms for Mike Rozier’s club.
Still, it prompted me to do some research — what, you thought it was all smoke and mirrors here at the Southside Blog Lounge? — to put that number into perspective. Never mind that the Warhawks are 1-1 despite the gaudy offensive numbers. According to numbers culled from one of my favorite websites, ghsfha.com, Henry County has played 13 entire seasons since 1970 in which it did not score 87 points. In 1982 and 1983, the Warhawks scored only 82 in two seasons. Maybe those numbers aren’t relevant to now, and in fairness to the program, only one of those 13 seasons has come in the lifetime of any of Henry’s current players. Still, if they wanted to make history, they haven’t had to wait long.
They scored 51 last week in a win over Jones County. The last time the Warhawks scored 50 was a 54-8 win over Pike County in 1977, and you have to go back to 1992 to find consecutive games where they topped 30 points. None of which helps this week’s opponent, Central Macon, against whom the Warhawks scored 39 last year.
Deep breath … OK, the not backing away from a challenge award goes to Eagle’s Landing for scheduling Lowndes and Peach County in back-to-back weeks. In defending Class AAA champion Peach, though, the sledding doesn’t figure to be as tough as it was last year, though the Golden Eagles are still looking to score their first points …
FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK
Stockbridge at Luella
7:30 p.m. Friday
COACHES: Stockbridge, Steve Collins (9-13); Luella, Paul Burgdorf (13-24).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Stockbridge - QB Tyler Bass (Sr., 6-3, 205), OL Randy Salmon (Sr., 6-3, 290), WR/LB Vance King (Sr., 6-1, 195). Luella - WR Chance Masters (Sr., 5-11, 170), TE Jake Burgdorf (Sr, 6-0, 230), QB/DB Roderick Sweeting (Jr., 5-11, 175)
LAST YEAR: Stockbridge won, 42-27
LAST WEEK: Stockbridge beat Union Grove 38-28; Luella beat Dutchtown, 48-28.
THE SKINNY: This one has the feel of something more than just another game between county schools. The Tigers haven’t started 3-0 since 1991, and after scoring 75 points over their first two games, Bass and his mates are looking to keep the momentum going. Luella, meanwhile, will face a team more similar to their first opponent (Berkmar) than to their second (Dutchtown), and going into their open week the Lions are looking to push themselves into the county’s elite. This game was something of a shootout last year, and it may look very similar this time.
PREDICTION: Stockbridge 27-23.
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