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DEL.ICIO.USGames on kickers’ shoulders… er, legs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The specialists
Adam Schreiner of Walton proved last week that kickers can win big games. His 58-yarder was the difference in a 13-10 upset of then-No. 1 Roswell. Schreiner has made four of six field goals and kicked five touchbacks on eight kickoffs. Here are five more kickers who can make a difference:
— Jim Broadway, Roswell: Broadway has made 16 of 22 field goals in his career, the longest 45 yards, which he has made three times. He has put 17 of 22 kickoffs in the end zone this season. South Florida and Middle Tennessee State are recruiting him.
— Bryan Gates, East Coweta: Gates has made field goals of 46, 47 and 48 yards, two of them on the final play of a half. He has made 51 of his last 53 extra-point attempts. Also a split end, Gates has sub-4.6 speed in the 40.
— Jack Hall, Lovett: Hall has played only two games due to hand surgery, and his team has yet to attempt a field goal, but he’s being recruited by Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Alabama. He has put eight of nine kickoffs in the end zone and made all six of his extra points.
— Sam Martin, Starr’s Mill: Coach Mike Earwood got Martin from the soccer team and calls him “a great surprise.” He’s 4-of-7 on field goals and “can hit from 50 easily,” Earwood said. All of his kickoffs from the 40 have been touchbacks except two, one a squib, the other that landed at the 1.
— Chris Philpott, St. Pius: Philpott’s kickoffs are almost automatic touchbacks — 21 out of 23. He has attempted one field goal, good from 51 yards against Columbia. He’s 17-of-17 on extra points. Georgia Tech, Louisville and Wake Forest are interested.
Unbeaten, untied, untested
Several metro teams are undefeated and highly regarded, yet unproved due to a weak schedule. Here’s a look at five with something to prove:
Blessed Trinity (3-0)
Opponents’ combined record: 1-11
The Titans haven’t allowed a point, but they’ve faced winless Clarkston and Therrell, which have scored 14 total points in eight losses. Perhaps they’ll show they are a serious contender when they play …
Chamblee (3-0)
Opponents’ combined record: 2-10
Friday night’s game at Blessed Trinity should give a clear answer on how much the Bulldogs are going to miss Roddy Jones, the all-state running back who went to Georgia Tech.
East Paulding (3-0)
Opponents’ combined record: 2-10
East Paulding graduated the core of its Class AAAA final four team and wasn’t ranked until this week, at No. 8. A one-point victory against Paulding County, which has lost 10 straight, is ominous. Friday’s game at 5-AAAA champion Pebblebrook will tell us something.
Greater Atlanta Christian (4-0)
Opponents’ combined record: 3-12
GAC’s most recent opponents — Walker and Cross Keys — are 0-4, so it’s tough to gauge the Spartans despite their average of 10 victories per season this decade. GAC plays Friday at Buford, No. 1 in AA.
M.L. King (4-0)
Opponents’ combined record: 2-13
Three of MLK’s opponents are winless, and the Lions struggled against Redan, which is only 2-2. Impressive victories against Union Grove and Douglass the next two weeks could justify MLK’s top-10 ranking.
Did you know?
Worth County honored Milt Miller last week by the naming its field after the former coach who won a state title at the Sylvester school in 1987. Miller also won a title at Lowndes in 1999. Twelve other coaches have won championships at two schools. They are Charlie Brake, Gene Brodie, Buzz Busby, Wayman Creel, Jeff Herron, Dwight Hochstetler, Mike Hodges, Jim Hughes, Ralph Jones, Ray Lamb, Jerry Sharp and Charlie Winslette.
By the numbers
5 - The Tucker school record for consecutive shutouts, set in 1989. Tucker has shut out its first four opponents in 2007.
19 - Georgia teams with losing steaks of more than 10 games. Meadowcreek’s is the longest at 35.
28 - Years since North Cobb had been ranked in the top five. The Warriors are No. 4 this week in Class AAAAA.
E-mail football information to Todd Holcomb
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Football Report
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By Warrior Mom
September 26, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
I was just asking my son, how long it has been since the NC Warriors have ranked this high - you answered the question. GO WARRIORS!
By Realist
September 27, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Based on your formula on the above topic,based on strength of schedule. This is what the top 9 should look like: 1.North Gwinnett 4-0 opponents 7-7 2.Norcross 4-0 opponents 6-8 3.North Cobb 4-0 opponents 5-9 4. Stephenson 3-0 opponents 4-7 5. MLK 4-0 opponents 2-13 6. Coffee 4-0 opponents 1-8 7. Harrison 3-1 opponents 11-5 8. Walton 3-1 opponents 9-6 9. Roswell 3-1 opponents 5-10
This is the way its suppose to look based on wins-losses and strength of schedule/opponents!
By FB Fan
September 27, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Your theory holds no water. Maybe this is how the poll should look based solely on wins and losses, but it has nothing to do with SOS.
By Davey
September 27, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
thats why they are untested…learn to read.
By Todd Holcomb
September 27, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
If anyone plug a good kicker that I left out, feel free. I excluded a few good ones because I either got their info past my deadline or because I only had room for five.
Here are a couple worth noting:
Haverty Smith of Westminster and Omar Lopez of Etowah.
Smith, says Westminster stat man Joe Sterniolo, has never missed an extra point in his high school career (30-30). Last year, he did not miss ANY kicks (22-22 on xpts, 6-6 on FG).
He did miss a 52 yarder in the rain on opening night this year, but has added 3 more FGs this year. Smith is more interested in playing soccer in college (talking with Virginia, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Washington and Lee) but has also had discussions with the football coaches at each school about kicking IF he comes to play soccer.
As for Lopez, coach Joshua Shaw says he’s ”indeed one of the best that I have seen.”
Lopez is 7-7 on XP and 4-5 on FG with a long of 31. His one miss was blocked. That is the longest FG opportunity that he has had. He consistently makes 40-50 yarders in practice, according to Shaw.
By fairplay
September 27, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
North Gwinnett’s Kyle Micek. Micek was in the shadow of 3 year starter Chadd Gross who went on to Air Force. Micek has missed only 1 PAT, has hit only FGs of 40+ yards. No punt blocks and routinely sticks it in the end zone on kick-offs. Not as experienced as some of the other guys but a nice surprise for Bob Sphire’s Bulldogs.
By COACH
September 28, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget David Clark from Warner Robins. Already hit a 52 and 51 yarder this year.