AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSorry, Raiders, but you’re IT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jamie Reed called last Friday night and expressed frustration. The Riverdale football coach, it seems, felt that on some level I had either jinxed his club or just provided extra motivation for North Clayton, which took a 47-28 win over the Raiders.
All this because I’d had the temerity to pick the Raiders over the Eagles. I guess he had a point. Anyhow, Reed asked that I not pick them again, which brings us to this week’s game against Mt. Zion Saturday night at Tara Stadium.
As much as I would love to oblige him — as far as I can tell, he’s a stand-up guy — I look at Mt. Zion (coached by another stand-up guy in Jarrett Laws, and I’m not talking about comedy) and see a team that has floundered on offense despite having one of the state’s top running backs — Martin Ward. Ward’s gonna get his yards, but he won’t get enough to offset the Raiders’ multiple offensive weapons.
Moving on …
Upset special, just because the loser will be highly upset: A coin flip tells me Lovejoy will top Jonesboro. The Wildcats, who have found the sledding more bumpy than expected — let’s just say 0-4 was seriously unforeseen — will have enough weapons to finally break through …
FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK
Griffin at North Clayton — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Twelve Oaks Stadium
RECORDS: Griffin 3-1 (1-0 Region 4-AAAA Division A); North Clayton 3-1 (2-0).
COACHES: Griffin, Steve Devoursney (56-22) North Clayton, Don Shockley (80-62-1).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Griffin — DE Toby Jackson (Sr., 6-4, 245); North Clayton — DB Edward Ndem (Sr., 6-1, 190), DT Albert Carlisle (Jr., 6-0, 245), WR Daamon Cooper (Sr., 5-10, 160).
LAST YEAR: Griffin won, 36-6.
LAST WEEK: North Clayton beat Riverdale 47-28; Griffin beat Forest Park 42-17.
THE SKINNY: Both of these teams got well last week after losing two weeks ago, and the winner of this game will have the inside track to the top spot in 4-AAAA Division A. The Eagles showed some advancing maturity in their win over Riverdale, jumping to a big lead, withstanding the Raiders’ comeback attempt and pulling away late. Griffin, though, is one of the state’s elite programs, and after tripping up at Upson-Lee, the Bears appear to be back on track.
PREDICTION: Griffin, 24-14.
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