AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChanging of the guard at hand?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Norcross playing Peachtree Ridge must be a little bit what it’s like when the president-elect and the lame-duck sitting president pass each other somewhere in the corridors of the White House.
You’ve got the guy picked to become the rising chief executive and the guy who usually isn’t ready to let go of the power. And here we have Norcross, the newly anointed No. 1 in Class AAAAA, taking the same field as Peachtree Ridge, a defending co-champion. One on the rise, one on the way out.
Theoretically, yes, there’s time to reverse the election. Theoretically, Peachtree Ridge isn’t necessarily on the way out. Theoretically, there’s still time for the Lions to mount a grass-roots campaign and earn another term.
But the purpose here is much like it is on election night. On the map of high school football games, certain teams are red and certain ones are blue. And after tonight, with none of the precincts in yet, our exit polls are declaring that Peachtree Ridge will be blue.
The Lions likely will match up better with Norcross than Grayson did. Once run-oriented Grayson fell behind Norcross, in a 24-3 loss two weeks ago, it was readily apparent the Rams didn’t have the quick-strike ability to mount a serious comeback. The Lions are better equipped for that.
But, still, coming back is likely the problem they will face against a team that’s playing solid defense and has the lightning quick-strike ability to put its opponents in a hole. Norcross will hold on to the top spot and take another step toward transitioning from Peachtree Ridge’s reign.
• Harrison at Marietta: The meat portion of Marietta’s schedule commences tonight when the Blue Devils play host to Harrison. It could well be one of the best games anywhere in the state, and certainly in Cobb County.
North Cobb might be the best team in the county right now, but a penalty-prone Harrison came up only one point shy of the Warriors two weeks ago. When Bruce Cobleigh’s Hoyas are playing their game, they can go into hostile territory — like they did to open the season at Lowndes — and come away with a victory. Northcutt Stadium will be hostile territory again tonight, but the Hoyas should be able to hold on against a team that has yet to play anybody as good as Harrison.
• Roswell at Wheeler: Last year, all it took to get Roswell focused and on its way to a share of the Class AAAAA championship was an upset loss and a timeout from the No. 1 ranking. The Hornets find themselves in that position again, with a twist.
They play Wheeler, the team that knocked them down last season and one which is trying to prove they can knock them down again. Roswell hasn’t lost consecutive games in three seasons and with all the motivation they need, the Hornets won’t start now.
THE WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
FRIDAY
Winner / Loser
Adairsville / Trion
Alpharetta / Pope
Americus-Sumter / Crisp Co.
Appling Co. / Long Co.
Athens Christian / Glascock Co.
Bacon Co. / Pelham
Baldwin / Stockbridge
Benedictine / Butler
Bowdon / Heard Co.
Bradwell Institute / Beach
Brantley Co. / Jeff Davis
Bremen / Landmark Chr.
Brooks Co. / Albany
Brookwood / Shiloh
Brunswick / Wayne Co.
Buford / GAC
Callaway / Rutland
Camden Co. / Groves
Carrollton / Haralson Co.
Cartersville / Cass
Carver-Atlanta / South Atlanta
Cedar Grove / Lakeside-DeKalb
Cedar Shoals / Heritage
Cedartown / Central-Carroll
Centennial / Kell
Central Gwinnett / Berkmar
Central-Macon / Jackson
Chamblee / Blessed Trinity
Charlton Co. / Pierce Co.
Chattahoochee / Sprayberry
Cherokee / Alexander
Clarke Central / Madison Co.
Claxton / Calvary Day
Clinch Co. / Lanier Co.
Coffee / Lowndes
Cook / Randolph-Clay
Crawford Co. / Pike Co.
Creekside / Woodward Acad.
Creekview / North Oconee
Dacula / Jackson Co.
Dalton / S.E. Whitfield
Darlington / Temple
Decatur / Cross Keys
Dooly Co. / Montgomery Co.
Douglas Co. / Osborne
Dublin / East Laurens
Early Co. / Mitchell Co.
East Coweta / Paulding Co.
East Paulding / Pebblebrook
ECI / Jenkins Co.
ELCA / Social Circle
Etowah / Campbell
Evans / Effingham Co.
Fannin Co. / Oglethorpe Co.
Fayette Co. / Northgate
Fitzgerald / Dodge Co.
Flowery Branch / Chestatee
Forsyth Central / Duluth
Glenn Hills / Burke Co.
Grady / Dunwoody
Grayson / Meadowcreek
Greenbrier / Richmond Acad.
Greene Co. / Rabun Co.
Greenville / Stewart-Quitman
Griffin / North Clayton
Habersham Cent. / Winder-Barrow
Hancock Central / Monticello
Harrison / Marietta
Hart Co. / Elbert Co.
Hawkinsville / Johnson Co.
Hillgrove / East Jackson
Hiram / Morrow
Holy Innocents’ / Walker
Irwin Co. / Telfair Co.
Jefferson / Mt. Pisgah Chr.
Josey / Metter
Kendrick / Spencer
LaGrange / Hardaway
Laney / Swainsboro
Lassiter / Milton
Liberty Co. / Harlem
Lincoln Co. / Aquinas
Lovejoy / Jonesboro
Macon Co. / Lamar Co.
Manchester / Marion Co.
Marist / North Springs
Mary Persons / Southwest-Mac.
Mays / Columbia
Mill Creek / South Forsyth
M.L. King / Union Grove
Morgan Co. / Union Co.
Norcross / Peachtree Ridge
North Cobb / Kennesaw Mtn.
North Gwinnett / Collins Hill
Northeast-Macon / Ola
North Hall / Gainesville
Northwest Whitfield / Lakeview-Ft. Ogle.
Oconee Co. / Franklin Co.
Our Lady of Mercy / Mt. Zion-Carroll
Pacelli Catholic / Chattahoochee Co.
Parkview / South Gwinnett
Peach Co. / Spalding
Pepperell / Model
Perry / Henry Co.
Pickens / East Hall
Prince Ave. Chr. / Towns Co.
Putnam Co. / Dawson Co.
Ridgeland / LaFayette
Ringgold / Gordon Lee
Riverwood / Druid Hills
Rockdale Co. / Alcovy
Rome / Gordon Central
Roswell / Wheeler
Salem / Eastside
Savannah Christian / McIntosh Co. Ac.
Sav, Cntry Day / Bryan Co.
Schley Co. / Central-Talbotton
Seminole Co. / Miller Co.
Sequoyah / Chapel Hill
South Cobb / Murray Co.
South Effingham / Cross Creek
South Paulding / Woodland-Stock.
Southside / Therrell
Starr’s Mill / Banneker
Statesboro / Lakeside-Evans
St. Pius / Washington
Stephens Co. / Apalachee
Stone Mountain / Miller Grove
Terrell Co. / Calhoun Co.
Thomas Co. Cent. / Monroe
Thomasville / Berrien
Thomson / Hephzibah
Toombs Co. / Tattnall Co.
Towers / Clarkston
Tucker / S.W. DeKalb
Turner Co. / Treutlen
Upson-Lee / Jones Co.
Valdosta / Colquitt Co.
Vidalia / Bleckley Co.
Villa Rica / Sandy Creek
Walton / Northview
Ware Co. / Glynn Academy
Warner Robins / Houston Co.
Warren Co. / Twiggs Co.
Washington Co. / Richmond Hill
Washington-Wilkes / Banks Co.
West Hall / Gilmer
West Laurens / Eagle’s Landing
Wesleyan / Lovett
Westminster / North Atlanta
Westover / Taylor Co.
Westside-Augusta / S.E. Bulloch
White Co. / Johnson-Gaines.
Whitewater / Westlake
Wilcox Co. / Wheeler Co.
Wilkinson Co. / Ga. Military Coll.
Windsor Forest / Johnson-Sav.
Woodland-Cart. / Lithia Springs
Woodstock / McEachern
SATURDAY
Athens Academy / Fellowship Chr.
Calhoun / Commerce
Carver-Columbus / Columbus
Douglass / Lithonia
Jenkins / Savannah
Mundy’s Mill / Tri-Cities
Redan / Newton
Riverdale / Mt. Zion-Jones.
Shaw / Jordan
Stephenson / Luella
* — Games against out-of-state teams have been omitted
Permalink | Comments (39) | Post your comment | Categories: Darryl Maxie
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Comments
By Alex
September 28, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Bout time you started putting your support behind the Blue Devils of Norcross. I’m just glad you have finally started moving over to our side. Though it was fun proving you wrong.
By wildcat
September 28, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
lol roswell is not as good as every1 thinks they are. if you put some defense on a team that is not as offensively good as you guys think they are they are going to get a little st udder step in their game. Wheeler def. not as good as they were last year, but they are only missing one key player from last years class charles bay, but they still got Pfaff and towers and massey look for another upset walton got raped by wheeler this year and the new tradition was started and i dont think i will the that tradation being turned around for a few years now
By Sportsfan
September 28, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Not so fast, Maxie….. I think last year, Norcross was one of the front-runner(favorites) and yet when it went to the electoral college(playoffs)….Peachtree Ridge and Roswell had the votes(wins) that mattered…..validated by “rings”. Has been kind of weird having co-commander-in-chiefs though….Enjoying this season already…..
By Jeff
September 28, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
While I’m not going to the game tonight (I NEVER go to this particular game), I WILL go ahead and say that you’ve picked at least one game wrong this week.
Cass will BEAT Cartersville. Beat em like the red-headed step child they always treat us like!
By Realn2k
September 28, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
I have to disagree with one of your predictions…Cass will beat Cartersville tonight…..Good Luck Cass
By Simsfamily
September 28, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Changing of the Guard? It couldn’t be so true. Pay attention to the Cass and Cartersville game b/c Cass is upcoming in Region6-AAA. Gone to kick some CASS…Spirit!
Simsfamily
By Kristi Rueping
September 28, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
I am so tired of everyone at the AJC discrediting Peachtree Ridge!! We are a very talented young school, I don’t know why you seem to hate us so much!! Just once it would be nice to see something positive said about the school’s athletics or other programs!!!
By Ricky
September 28, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Of the over 100 predictions you make involving over 200 teams how many have you actually seen play this year? 10, 16?
By Warrior Woman
September 28, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
North Cobb is the best team in Cobb County right now without a doubt!
By devil lover
September 28, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Norcross was not just a front runner favorite last year but was undefeated regional champions (and beat Peachtree Ridge 7-6 during the regular season) and ranked no.1 for 5-AAAAA. Which brings me to my point.
Peachtree Ridge who lost at least three regular season games was able to enter the playoffs as the fourth seed(?) and went on to tie for the championship. I don’t think that a team who losses three games during the regular season has earned the right to play for a state championship.
Let rewards the teams who work and achieve high performance during the regular season by only playing other high performance programs. Four teams per region is to many teams for a championship and extends the season too long.
By NGHS SUPPORTER
September 28, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
oh my devil, havent you experienced a loss already, what does that feel like, we dont have one, so we were just wunderin…..if you dont tighten that ship up down there we might not be able to see you for another game. get that devil cake walk ready cuz we are a comin……..
By trojan 93
September 28, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Coffe at Lowndes tonite!!! Very well may be the best game in the state so far!!Of course not to anyone that does not realize that region is the SEC of high school football..GO TROJANS!!
By luke
September 28, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
Hey the Seminole Indians are going all the way this year!! Dont bet against them AJC…Go Indians!!
By Skegee (formerly SheSpeaks Formerly Skegee)
September 28, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
CARTERSVILLE ALL THE WAY, BABY!!!!! GO PURPLE HURRICANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Coach Boo
September 28, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Maxie,
Your analogy of the high school football champion and the President makes absolutely no sense at all! The President of the United States is the SAME President every year! The teams at both Peachtree Ridge and Roswell (2006 AAAAA Co-CHAMPIONS)are not the same in 2007. Take PRHS for instance: The 2006 AAAAA Co-CHAMPION team graduated 43 seniors!!! So there is no Zach Grahm (QB), Sidney Haynes (WR), Cameron Heyward (DT), Phillip Davis (DB)or Drew Butler (P/K) who have all moved on to play Division I sports at the next level. So maybe your analogy would make more sense if the President changed wives between terms or during his second campaign!
Ask any coach in Georgia (or America for that matter) if a team that loses 43 seniors is THE SAME! The 2006 teams at both Roswell and PRHS deserve all the credit in the world for their accomplishments last year. And I know that it is a lot of fun for coaches and players to say that they beat the “State Champs” from the year before. However, that is (more times than not) not necessarily the case.
And don’t count your chickens before they hatch with Norcross either. As I recall they were ranked higher than PRHS last year also. However, after losing 3 regular season games (Norcross, Collins Hill and North Gwinnett) PRHS still went on to be one of the STATE CHAMPS!
So regardless of what should happen tonight… STAY TUNED!
By Coach Boo
September 28, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Devil Lover,
Do you also want to restrict the NCAA basketball tournament to less than 64 (65) teams?! It is simply a playoff formula with brackets that have to be filled with the top 4 teams in each region. If you lose 4 or 5 games and you are still in the top 4 in your region then you get to go to The DANCE with an opportunity to become champion!
STOP HATING on the Lions! Congratulate, celebrate, motivate, elevate, rejuvinate, participate… but don’t hate!!!
By tony
September 28, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Southwest Dekalb 24/ Tucker 10
By HIRAM FAN
September 28, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
this is Hiram 2nd year in 5aaaaa…made it to state play-offs last year hope to continue on even further this year….GO GET ‘EM HORNETS
By Andrew
September 28, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Hey Mr. Maxi my name is Andy and i am a big football fan,rather it be High school,college or pro. I want to give my best wish to the Gwinnett player that got heart last week. my perdiction is Norcross is going to trample Ptr. and also let me just NS. WR is going to the championship and when it all over Walton
By Andrew
September 28, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
By:Bassman
I would like to give my best wishes to the player and his family to the one that got heart last week. I love football,High School, College,Pro. I love High School,and College better because of the level of com potion. Me and my friends have a picking football league. Me and a friend of mind would like to challenge you Mr. Maxie between now and the state champion chip game. You can let me know by e-mailing me @ andy_bassman69@windstrea.net please let me know. I also think that Norcross over Petr, I also think NS.WR is going to when state championship over Walton. Everybody have a great and safe night on football Friday night
Yours truly BassmanBy The Scorpion
September 28, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
The beauty of the playoff system is in the ability of teams that have lost to win in the end. If you’re discrediting Peachtree Ridge for taking advantage of the playoff system (Norcross fans), then do remember you’re discrediting just about every champion of every playoff bracket, EVER. That’s also why there’s a seeding system, PRHS had to fight through higher ranked opponents which had more wins in order to get to the championship game, whereas Norcross recieved the benefit of their great season record in playing lower-seeded teams. PRHS deserved their championship share because they made it through every round of the playoffs, just as Norcross deserved their region title because they had the best record in the division last year.
Now which one is better? I believe we can all see that… :)
By canefan
September 28, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
go fitzgerald canes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there are alot of predictions to night that i will be very skeptical about because there are alot of teams that have actually gotten better than they were last year, so maxi you might want to reconsider some of your picks. there is still time to redeeem yourself.
By EHS Senior
September 28, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
I hope Campbell is ready to lose tonight, because Etowah is about to kick their butts!
Go Eagles!!!
By BP
September 28, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Hello again and wrong again!!! Sandy Creek 24 Villa Rica 17 …Patriots 1-0 in Conference!!!!!GOOO CREEEEK!!!! Go #84 and the rest of the Crew!!
By PRHS FAN
September 28, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Yes we did win.. Peachtree Ridge 26 Norcross 14.On their way out, I don’t think so.. Looks like you experienced a loss now ha?
By Kristi
September 28, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
I think that you owe the Ridge a big apology for being such a hater. One of these days you will have to aknowledge the fact that we do deserve a little respect. IN YOUR FACE, Maxie WITH A BIG RIDGE WIN!!!!!
By Ridge fan
September 29, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
By NGHS SUPPORTER
September 28, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
oh my devil, havent you experienced a loss already, what does that feel like, we dont have one, so we were just wunderin…..if you dont tighten that ship up down there we might not be able to see you for another game. get that devil cake walk ready cuz we are a comin……..
Sooo NGHS lover, just wondering man who won tonight I didn’t get to catch the game? did yall get to do the devil fruitcake walk? yeah so just get back to me soon, I’m really curious to see how good your WR brice butler did, I’m sure he did really well…
By Ridge boy
September 29, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
By NGHS SUPPORTER
September 28, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
oh my devil, havent you experienced a loss already, what does that feel like, we dont have one, so we were just wunderin…..if you dont tighten that ship up down there we might not be able to see you for another game. get that devil cake walk ready cuz we are a comin……..
Yeah, NGHS supporter I was just wondering how that loss feels? and yeah your right we might not be able to see you for another game if yall don’t tighten up that ship down there, wouldn’t want you to end up like last year, warner robins haha
By Simsfamily
September 29, 2007 2:39 AM | Link to this
Not gonna say I told ya so b/c I never said. But since you thought Cartersville was gonna beat Cass, don’t you know CASS BEAT CARTERSVILLE 37-7!!! CHANGING OF THE GUARDS! PAY ATTENTION TO CASS NOW…THEY’RE INTERESTING.
SIMSFAMILY
By Skegee (formerly SheSpeaks Formerly Skegee)
September 29, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this
AW GIRL!!! (SIMSFAMILY) AND YOU TOO REALN2K…1ST TIME IN A DECADE. CASS STILL WON’T GET ANYONE TO PAY ATTENTION UNLESS THEY’RE PLAYING CARTERSVILLE. THAT’S YOUR ONLY CLAIM TO FAME…
By Simsfamily
September 29, 2007 3:01 AM | Link to this
Very opinionated Skegee!!! Love the motivation. That’s just one region game. More to come…JUST READ ABOUT IT! Cass is just trying to build some tradition! I know you see it!!!
By p.ridge dad
September 29, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
You and the x-atlanta quarterback must of been hanging out together before you made your predictions concerning the Norcross-Ridge game. You blew alot of smoke on that one. That whole thing regarding one in power going out and the other rising to power must have been thought up between puffs. Please stay out of dimly lit rooms before making you next predictions, go lions
By Hornet Nation
September 29, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
wildcat - Who is LOL now? How do you like Roswell’s “studder step” of 31 to 0 ?
By Coach Boo
September 30, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Maxie, Maxie, Maxie!
Well, hopefully you have heard about the Peachtree Ridge victory over Norcross by now. I am not sure if you have received the news yet or not from underneath that rock in which you make your predictions.
You sportswriters are funny! You also picked Lowndes County (from which I am a very proud graduate) to lose to Coffee County! For those of you who have not heard, Lowndes BLASTED Coffee 42 - 13!!!
You see, Maxie; there is more to making predictions than just opening up the sports page on Friday morning, looking at the rankings, and picking the top ranked team to beat the lesser ranked team!
For example… in the PRHS (ranked #9) versus Norcross (ranked #1) game, you picked Norcross (in a rout I might add) to beat the Ridge! It was supposed to be “The Changing of the Guard”! You did not take into account that Norcross was playing at the Lion’s Den against one of the best defenses in the state and against a team that is getting better and better as the season progresses under a first year head coach, Bill Ballard!
In the case of Lowndes County (ranked #10) versus Coffee County (ranked #2) just remember this: never, Never,NEVER,NEVER go against the Plowboys in the Concrete Palace (that’s their home stadium for those of you who do not know it)!!!
In closing, just let me suggest that you get out of the office some time, visit the schools, talk to the coaches, and get some more insight before making your predictions. It might just save the AJC some ink from having to totally re-vamp the Top 10 every week… and I am sure that it will make your Monday mornings a little more palatable!!!
Enjoy your CROW!
By steven maxwell
September 30, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
do more home work on a player by the name of tauren poole out of stephens county he should be on the top five or ten best in the nation rivals.com have him listed as a 3 star recruit but he should be a 4 or 5 yes he ran a bad fourty at the nike camp but his game speed is a lot moore faster.just check him out when you get a chance he is special player and person.
By mandrake
October 1, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
Well I guess that Peachtree showed up last week. Like last year we are a sleeper. When all is said and done, the rest of 5AAAAA will be sniffing at thier rear at the end of the season.
By For Real though
October 1, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Okay, so now we get the picture on what these perdictions mean, nothing, other than stimulating conversations which is good. Maxie will eventually come to the realization “Da Ridge” is the real deal with an account balance to cash in on any tickets being sold. The March to the end of season has started and for other teams, there is not light at the end of the tunnel, but more gold on the fingers of Da 07 Ridge.
By Simsfamily
October 2, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Hello we’re back! FOX 5’s GAME OF THE WEEK. CASS vs CARROLLTON. I can’t wait to see how you call this game. Once again pay attention to CASS. cya, Simsfamily
By Simsfamily
October 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Hello we’re back! FOX 5’s GAME OF THE WEEK. CASS vs CARROLLTON. I know how you’re going to pick this game! Once again pay attention to CASS. cya, Simsfamily