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Thursday, October 4, 2007
Two paragraphs lead to 180-degree change
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes you do things that later you reconsider. That unfortunately placed tattoo … the macarena … the blind date with the bearded girl… you get the idea.
In this space, there sometimes is the unfortunate prediction that goes, uh, slightly awry.
Two paragraphs ago, it was my intention to write a make-good column topic for a few of the wrong teams I picked against last week. Alas, I cannot because ….
• That would mean I’d have to pick, say, Berkmar to beat Brookwood.
How tempting that is. Berkmar just got through beating the fool out of Central Gwinnett 38-12 last week after losing five in a row to the Black Knights. The Patriots are 4-0, riding as high a streak as they’ve ridden in recent memory. They have legit players, legit threats. With every week that passes, they keep hammering home the point that, yes, they are legit.
Which is something Brookwood has already proven, time and time again. The same Brookwood that is 19-3 against Berkmar. It is almost inconceivable that the Broncos will also succumb, but the the Patriots are making the inconceivable conceivable. I … just … can’t … pull … the … trigger. And going against the grain would be so faux genius it would be just like me to try to fake it. But I’m not feeling this one.
• That would mean I’d have to pick Lovett to beat Greater Atlanta Christian.
The Lions played a great defensive game last week against Wesleyan and after nearly 45 1/2 of scoreless battle, pulled out a 7-0 victory. Their history against Greater Atlanta Christian isn’t full of highlights. In fact, they’ve never beaten the Spartans.
But GAC just learned yet another lesson at the hands of Class AA’s No. 1-ranked and most likely champion in waiting, Buford. Jimmy Chupp’s Spartans even hung with the Wolves … that is until Buford cleared its collective fog and won by 35. A team that gets beaten by Buford plays better against Lovett the following week. Avondale and Wesleyan did. GAC will play well enough to win.
• That would mean I’d have to pick Campbell to upend North Cobb.
Etowah was living on borrowed time and I failed to pick up the signs when I picked the Eagles to beat Campbell last week. They’d barely survived against Kennesaw Mountain the week before, kicking a late field goal to pull out a 22-20 victory and preserve their undefeated start.
Then, they tried a similar stunt against Campbell. It didn’t work. I shouldn’t have doubted Campbell. But beating North Cobb, which may be the best team in the county? Naaaaah.
• That would mean I’d have to pick McEachern to beat Marietta.
OK, I can almost get my head around this one. I had Woodstock beating McEachern last week and the Wolverines didn’t pick up the vibe until it was too late. Down 19, they rallied to lose 31-28 to McEachern.
Marietta’s coming off its least impressive game, a 45-18 loss to Harrison. It would be so easy to see the Blue Devils losing to McEachern again — since they did it last year after beating the Indians three in a row.
But McEachern’s up one week and down the next. This is the down week. Can’t cheat the calendar, can they?
MAXIE’S WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
FRIDAY: Winner / Loser
- Americus-Sumter / Dougherty
- Appling Co. / Jeff Davis
- Athens Acad. / Whitefield Acad.
- Banneker / Whitewater
- Bleckley Co. / Toombs Co.
- Bremen / ELCA
- Brooks Co. / Berrien
- Brookstone / Greenville
- Brookwood / Berkmar
- Brunswick / Lakeside-Evans
- Bryan Co. / Wheeler Co.
- Buford / Decatur
- Burke Co. / Harlem
- Calhoun Co. / Pelham
- Callaway / Pike Co.
- Camden Co. / Johnson-Sav.
- Carrollton / Cass
- Cartersville / Sandy Creek
- Carver-Atlanta / Clarkston
- Carver-Columbus / Troup
- Cent. Gwinnett / Meadowcreek
- Cent.-Macon / Perry
- Cent.-Talbotton / Stewart-Quitman
- Chamblee / Druid Hills
- Charlton Co. / Long Co.
- Chattahoochee Co. / Taylor Co.
- Chattooga / S.E. Whitfield
- Cherokee / Sequoyah
- Clarke Cent. / Dacula
- Clinch Co. / Bacon Co.
- Coffee / Colquitt Co.
- Columbus / Northside-Col.
- Commerce / Towns Co.
- Cook / Thomasville
- Crawford Co. / Heard Co.
- Creekside / Northgate
- Creekview / Sonoraville
- Cross Creek / Richmond Hill
- Darlington / Armuchee
- Dawson Co. / Rabun Co.
- Dodge Co. / East Laurens
- Dooly Co. / Hawkinsville
- Douglas Co. / Woodland-Cart.
- Dublin / Tattnall Co.
- Dunwoody / Blessed Trinity
- East Paulding / Osborne
- ECI / Calvary Day
- Etowah / S. Cobb
- Evans / Richmond Acad.
- Fannin Co. / Union Co.
- Fitzgerald / Albany
- Gainesville / Chestatee
- Glenn Hills / Liberty Co.
- Gordon Lee / Dade Co.
- Grady / Westminster
- Grayson / S. Gwinnett
- Greater Atl. Chr. / Lovett
- Griffin / Mt. Zion-Jones.
- Habersham Cent. / Madison Co.
- Haralson Co. / Cent.-Carroll
- Harrison / Murray Co.
- Hart Co. / Apalachee
- Henry Co. / Jackson
- Hillgrove / Woodland-Stock.
- Hiram / Tri-Cities
- Holy Innocents’ / Cross Keys
- Jefferson / Trion
- Jefferson Co. / Josey
- Jenkins / Bradwell Inst.
- Jenkins Co. / Claxton
- Landmark Chr. / Bowdon
- Lee Co. / Worth Co.
- Lincoln Co. / Monticello
- Lowndes / Houston Co.
- Luella / Newton
- Lumpkin Co. / Johnson-Gain.
- Macon Co. / Marion Co.
- Marietta / McEachern
- Mary Persons / Ola
- McIntosh Co. Acad. / Pierce Co.
- McNair / S. Atlanta
- M.L. King / Douglass
- Mill Creek / N. Forsyth
- Miller Co. / Atkinson Co.
- Montgomery Co. / Johnson Co.
- Mt. Pisgah Chr. / Social Circle
- Newnan / Paulding Co.
- Norcross / S. Forsyth
- N. Atlanta / Riverwood
- N. Clayton / Mundy’s Mill
- N. Cobb / Campbell
- NE-Macon / SW-Macon
- N. Gwinnett / Duluth
- N. Hall / Flowery Branch
- N. Oconee / Mt. Zion-Carroll
- Northside-W.R. / Stockbridge
- Oconee Co. / Monroe Area
- Our Lady of Mercy / Glasock Co.
- Pacelli Catholic / Schley Co.
- Parkview / Shiloh
- Peach Co. / West Laurens
- Peachtree Ridge / Forsyth Cent.
- Pebblebrook / Alexander
- Pepperell / Coosa
- Pickens / Gilmer
- Prince Ave. Chr. / Athens Chr.
- Putnam Co. / Oglethorpe Co.
- Randolph-Clay / Mitchell Co.
- Redan / Union Grove
- Riverdale / Lovejoy
- Rockmart / Model
- Rutland / Lamar Co.
- Sav. Chr. / Brantley Co.
- Sav. Cntry Day / Portal
- Seminole Co. / Terrell Co.
- Spalding / Eagle’s Landing
- Spencer / Harris Co.
- Starr’s Mill / McIntosh
- Statesboro / Greenbrier
- Stephens Co. / Franklin Co.
- Stephenson / Lithonia
- Swainsboro / Vidalia
- Telfair Co. / Treutlen
- Thomas Co. Cent. / Cairo
- Thomson / Benedictine
- Tift Co. / Valdosta
- Towers / Therrell
- Twiggs Co. / Hancock Cent.
- Upson-Lee / Dutchtown
- Villa Rica / Cedartown
- Ware Co. / Wayne Co.
- Warren Co. / Ga. Military Coll.
- Washington Co. / S. Effingham
- Wash.-Wilkes / Morgan Co.
- Wesleyan / Avondale
- Westlake / Woodward Acad.
- West Hall / East Hall
- Wilcox Co. / Irwin Co.
- Wilkinson Co. / Aquinas
- Winder-Barrow / Loganville
- Woodstock / Kennesaw Mtn.
SATURDAY
- East Coweta / Morrow
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Days of No. 1 dominance? Done.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell, the No. 1 ranking in Class AAAAA is a point of pride for a program that attained it for the first time this week.
To Roswell coach Tim McFarlin, whose team has fumbled the No. 1 ranking twice in two years, it’s a distraction.
What’s more certain is that the top spot never has been harder to maintain.
For only the fourth time since the AJC began ranking high school football teams in 1952, there have been three No. 1 teams in three weeks in the highest class — Roswell, Norcross, and now, Stephenson.
It also happened in 2006, when there were four No. 1 teams in a four-week stretch.
The only other times that the No. 1 team in the highest class has lost in consecutive weeks were 1954 and 1976.
“It’s parity,” McFarlin said. “Years in the past, there were one or two dominant teams you could count on. That’s not the case anymore, certainly not this year. You’ll see no fewer than 10 to 12 teams that have a legitimate shot of winning this thing, and the polls will reflect that.”
The polls already are reflecting it.
In the 1980s, the No. 1 ranking was shared among only eight schools: Clarke Central, Griffin, LaGrange, Lowndes, Morrow, Tift County, Valdosta and Warner Robins.
In just the past year and a half, there have been seven schools to achieve No. 1.
Peachtree Ridge, Norcross, North Gwinnett and Stephenson have become No. 1 for the first time in their schools’ histories, and Roswell ended a 35-year drought last year.
The other No. 1 teams were old standards Camden County and Lowndes, but not for long. Camden lasted for three weeks, Lowndes for one, in 2006.
Roswell has served three terms at No. 1, and Norcross has been there twice.
Unmoved by history, Stephenson’s Gartrell is eager to try his luck.
“It’s a good thing around here,” said Gartrell, whose team is 4-0. “We’re excited about being No. 1. Your goal is always to get the program to the top.”
North Cobb coach Shane Queen has mixed feelings. His team — which has not been No. 1 since 1959 — is No. 2 this week after the school’s first 5-0 start in 10 years.
“Thanks for not putting that pressure on us,” Queen said jokingly of this week’s AJC rankings. “You can move us down a slot each week if you would like. That would keep [the players] motivated. I think [being No. 2] is great for the kids and the community. I just hope we can keep it up and not fall into that trap.”
McFarlin understands. His team stayed No. 1 for only one week last season, but came back and shared the state title with Peachtree Ridge.
His advice for Stephenson is to call a team meeting.
“Coaches spend a lot of time trying to minimize distractions, and the No. 1 ranking, although it’s something you strive for, is a distraction,” he said. “You can’t pretend it didn’t happen; it’s something that needs to be addressed.”
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Fayette’s 5-0! Film at eleven!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The only thing that was missing was the director’s chair and the grip yelling “Tigers First-and-10 take two!” Using their week off for the greater good, the Fayette County Tigers took a foray into filmmaking Tuesday, shooting footage for an inspirational video for use by a local church. And why not? Fayette’s play to this point has been inspirational. The Tigers are 5-0 for the first time in basically forever, and when you’re 5-0, you feel a lot better about things like video shoots. And people with cameras want to be associated with you …
Moving on …
After a frustrating 0-2 start in which they played dominating defense, the Sandy Creek Patriots are back to even. They’ve avenged a loss to Villa Rica from last year, and now have a chance at more vengeance, with perennial power Cartersville coming to Tyrone for the first time. The Hurricanes whipped the Patriots 31-0 last year in Cartersville, and Sandy Creek can solidify its playoff chances with a win Friday. The ‘Canes, meanwhile, are looking to break even themselves. They’re 1-2-1, with blowout losses to Buford and crosstown rival Cass. This one’s your upset special. Sandy Creek wins in a close game …
Break up the Bobcats
Our Lady of Mercy has won two straight and stands a good chance to make it three for the first time in school history. The Bobcats are on the road Friday, taking on 1-4 Glascock County, which has allowed 148 points in five games. They have one common opponent, Athens Christian, which beat Mercy 35-24 and whipped Glascock 35-8.
Irresistable/immovable
Banneker has scored 100 points its last three games. Whitewater has allowed 36 in its last four. Whitewater coach Amos McCreary goes for career win No. 100.
At the net
The Whitewater volleyball team won the Silver Bracket at the Spikefest over the weekend, getting 61 digs from senior Casey Howett in seven matches and 107 assists from Anna Wilson.
Football Game of the Week
McIntosh at Starr’s Mill — 7:30 p.m. Friday
Records: McIntosh (1-3, 0-2 Region 2-AAAA); Starr’s Mill (2-3, 1-2)
Coaches: McIntosh, Dwight Jones (81-75); Starr’s Mill, Mike Earwood (170-72-1).
Players to watch: McIntosh — DE/TE Nick Popiel (Sr., 6-1, 210), RB Qua Mack (Jr., 5-7, 180), DB/RB Daiyaan Epps (Jr., 5-8, 150). Starr’s Mill — QB Matt Sweat (Sr., 6-0, 185), LB Parker duPont (Sr., 6-0, 210), CB Santrez Collier (Sr., 6-10, 165).
Last year: Starr’s Mill won, 21-0.
Last week: McIntosh was off; Starr’s Mill lost to Banneker, 40-27.
The skinny: It’s the rare year when both McIntosh and Starr’s Mill are struggling, and this game, which will be a serious blow to the playoff hopes of the loser, is 48 minutes (or more) of torment avoidance. In McIntosh’s case, it’s avoidance of more torment; the Chiefs have never beaten the Panthers, and they’ve really never been close. “It’s really not a rivalry until you beat them,” said Jones, whose club may be as close to Starr’s Mill as ever. That said, if Starr’s Mill doesn’t commit turnovers — as it did last week in falling behind early at Banneker — it will in all likelihood make it six straight over their closest rival.
Prediction: Starr’s Mill, 21-16.
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‘Stangs stuck in losing rut
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Morrow coach Daryl Steward insisted that the Mustangs would make the playoffs. They’ve only played one region game — a 31-7 loss at Hiram last week — but with Region 4-AAAAA frontrunners East Coweta and Newnan (the defending region champion) visiting this week and next, the Mustangs must find some solutions to their woes with great haste. Since losing its season opener to Oxford (Ala.), East Coweta has outscored its opponents 139-16. Playing on Saturday won’t help the Mustangs. Says here East Coweta wins …
Moving on …
Look out, Martin: It was difficult to envision Mt. Zion having difficulty scoring coming into the season, but the Bulldogs entered last week averaging 9.5 points per game despite the presence of speedy tailback Martin Ward. They scored 30 against Riverdale in a game that was not close, but now they face a Griffin team that has allowed just 50 points in five games. The Bears will no doubt focus a lot of attention on Ward.
Football Game of the Week
Lovejoy at Riverdale — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Twelve Oaks Stadium
Records: Lovejoy 1-4 (1-1 Region 4-AAAA Division B); Riverdale 2-2 (1-1).
Coaches: Lovejoy, Al Hughes (61-62); Riverdale, Jamie Reed (2-2).
Players to watch: Lovejoy - OL Andre’ Harris (Sr., 6-4, 320), QB Kyle Lacy (Sr., 6-1, 190), WR T.J. Brown (Sr., 6-2, 190). Riverdale - OL/DL Cordy Glenn (Sr., 6-6, 315), DB Jordan Simmons (Jr., 6-2, 205), WR/DB Fletcher Redd (Jr., 6-0, 190), OL/DL Lawrence Perry (Sr., 6-3, 240), RB Demario Askew (Sr., 5-8, 170).
Last year: Riverdale won, 20-14 in overtime.
Last week: Lovejoy beat Jonesboro 26-16, Riverdale beat Mt. Zion 47-30.
The skinny: Lovejoy, which had lost three games by a touchdown or less in its first four contests, finally got some validation last week, while Riverdale hit its stride with a big offensive performance. With both Griffin and North Clayton left to play, the Wildcats control their own destiny, while Riverdale needs to win out to have a chance at hosting in the region playoff, having already lost to North Clayton. This one went down to the wire last year and figures to do so again. Look for Riverdale’s speed to make the difference.
Prediction: Riverdale, 27-21.
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Finally, it’s Lions’ time to roar
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Because we here at the Southside Blog Lounge have the luxury of comparing scores, we can look at Luella’s game Friday against Newton as a reprieve. Since the Lions are coming off back-to-back shutout losses to Stockbridge and No. 1-ranked Stephenson, Luella coach Paul Burgdorf likely doesn’t look at it that way. Nonetheless, the Rams have offered little resistance to their first four opponents, scoring just 13 points through four games. Says here Luella rolls.
Moving on …
There’s No. 1 with a bullet, and then there’s facing No. 1 with a less than a full complement of bullets. Stockbridge plays host to top-ranked Northside-Warner Robins Friday, and the job is tough enough because the Eagles are loaded and seem to do everything right, evidenced by their 20-game winning streak. The Tigers have the added challenge of doing so without star quarterback Tyler Bass, a threat as both a passer and a runner, who left last week’s game after the first series with a concussion. He’ll be replaced by senior Ben Jones, a starter on defense who now takes the offensive focal point. “We’re not going to ask him to do the same things Tyler does,” said Stockbridge coach Steve Collins. “We just want him to do the things he can do.”
On the diamond
Audra Brinkley belted a three-run homer for Luella, giving the Lions a win over Whitewater Monday. Andrea Sullivan has led Luella to a 19-5-1 record, compiling a 0.5 ERA … Union Grove’s Monica Perry is 11-3 with a 0.26 ERA and 198 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched. She has thrown a perfect game and two no-hitters …
At the net
Ola’s Hayli Hanekamp has recorded 48 kills and Meghan Dyer leads the team with 14 blocks …
On the course
Henry County’s Darnell Brown has consistently run in the low to mid 18-minute range and took 11th at the Aubrae Gunderson race in Conyers over the weekend … Eagle’s Landing’s Joe Cromer has four meet wins this season and owns the school record for a 5k race with a time of 16:25 … Union Grove’s boys finished third at the Gunderson race, led by Daniel Kilfoye, who finished in 17:55 …
Football Game of the Week
Bremen at Eagle’s Landing Christian — 7:30 p.m. Friday
Records: Bremen 5-0, ELCA 3-1.
Coaches: Bremen, Ricky Tolleson (80-32); ELCA, Jonathan Gess (3-1).
Players to watch: ELCA — QB Wes Carter (Sr., 6-1, 180), OL Travis Rogers (Sr., 6-4, 265), DE/TE Andrew Fields (Sr., 6-3, 240).
Last year: ELCA won, 24-21.
Last week: Bremen beat Landmark Christian 27-7; ELCA beat Social Circle 44-20.
The skinny: The Chargers seem to be hitting their offensive stride, having scored 94 points their last two games, and this presents their last chance to fine-tune before entering Region 5-A play next week. In Bremen, they also face what may be the biggest challenge remaining on their schedule. The Blue Devils are averaging 30 points per game and are 5-0 for the second straight year. The Chargers spoiled their Homecoming game last year, and Bremen seeks a measure of revenge. ELCA will not sneak up on the Devils this time around, but Carter and company will cause their visitors some defensive headaches.
Prediction: ELCA, 21-16.
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Controversial Gwinnett Power Rankings; Deadline approaching for fantasy FB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before I release this week’s controversial Gwinnett rankings, I need to revisit the No. 1 factor in my criteria.
The most important thing I consider is simple: Teams will be ranked above only teams I believe they would beat on the field. Therefore, even though Grayson beat Peachtree Ridge, I have the Rams ranked behind the Lions because I believe if the two teams met again, Peachtree Ridge would win.
Please consider that last reason carefully, before proceeding to rip me to shreds.
Also, anyone interested in taking on Kurt and I in high school fantasy football this week has until 4 p.m., Thursday to post a team. Details below.
Gwinnett Power Rankings — Week 6
Peachtree Ridge: The Lions will beat North Gwinnett to clinch Region 7.
Norcross: Who lasts longer in the playoffs: the Devils or Peachtree Ridge?
Grayson: Yes, the Rams beat the Lions. But could they do it again?
North Gwinnett: The definition of a well-coached team.
Buford: Some say the 2002 and 2003 Wolves were better, but that’s hard to imagine.
Brookwood: As usual, offensive line is dominating.
Berkmar: Early is leading coach of the year candidate.
South Gwinnett: Is a playoff run on the horizon?
Parkview: Don’t write off Flowe’s Panthers just yet.
Central Gwinnett: Playoff aspirations are in serious jeopardy.
Mill Creek: Playoff aspirations are about to be realized.
Dacula: Big game with Clarke Central Friday.
Shiloh: Generals have improved, as demonstrated in loss to Brookwood.
Collins Hill: Eagles first win comes Friday.
Greater Atlanta Christian: Spartans have a bright future.
Wesleyan: Offense sputtering.
Duluth: Thank heavens for Meadowcreek, or Wildcats would be staring at winless season.
Meadowcreek: Desperately looking for any signs of improvement.
Fantasy Football: It’s official. The Kurt Dynasty is back
Thanks to the lovely Jenn’s help with Wilcox Co. stats, we were able to determine that Kurt reclaimed his title by knocking off 680 The Fan’s Karl Werl last week. There is still time for you to submit your team this week.
If you want to take on AJC dorks Kurt Aschermann and David Purdum in a rousing game of high school fantasy football, simply post your team— 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WR, 1 Defense—on the blog before 2 p.m., Thursday. Feel free to email your team to dpurdum@ajc.com or kaschermann@@ajc.com as well.
You can use any combination of 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 team’s name. That selected team will be posted on Friday’s blog (and in the Gwinnett News), along with Kurt and DP’s.
If that reader’s team outscores both Kurt and DP, they will receive a special prize from the closet of Kurt or DP.
Scoring System
(Note: Due to limited stats, QBs/WRs do not receive points for rushing yards; RBs no points for receiving yards)
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 and in Friday’s edition of the Gwinnett News.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
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