AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTwo 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
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Darryl Maxie
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Comments
By Jeff
October 4, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Maxie,
Normally I berate you when you pick against Cass. This week, however, is the real test, and even I admit that. If Cass can keep it to within a field goal - and ESPECIALLY if they pull of the win - I’m saying they are play-off bound, and in pretty good contention to set school history this year. If they drop, as you predict, I’ll adopt a more “wait and see” attitude, though the impressive win against Cartersville last week still screams “playoff bound” to me.
By mr. gino
October 4, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
max, hi are you. if you bet against sandycreek, you will lose. we will go on a roll from now on. starting this week. gino wilder a parent….the coach has decided to do what we do best….pass, pass, pass
By Jim Bob Cooter
October 4, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Maxie,
How culd u pick those fellers from Winder-Barra to beat Lognville? Them boys r up and cumers and if your a thinkin were just roll over and die u r crzy! My pa always told me that the game ain’t over til Uncle Cooter lights tha still!
Lognville 3 Winder-Barra 0
By EPDAD
October 4, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
Mad Maxie, I give you the same invite as last year,come on to the BONEYARD at EAST PAULDING…We would love to have you around for our tailgating party…Just let me know what you would like and we will have it for you!!!!Great Job on your colums.. GO EAST!!!!!!!!!!! EPDAD
By Fabian Jackson
October 4, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Its about time you pick north Hall to beet Flowery Branch! If them yard birds dont remember the beading they got last year then we will make them remember it now! How was the ride to the hospital Jaybo?
By NC-FAN
October 4, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
NORTH COBB MAY BE THE BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTY??? WHO IS BETTER?
By justinfh88
October 4, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
nc fan. you are a wait and see team! When you BEAT Marietta or the EAgles then you can say your a playoff team. You play cupcake teams!
By South Ga Rules
October 4, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
You give Valdosta no credit at all - Valdosta beat the team from Utah(Which is 6-1 and ranked #1 in the State of Utah in the highest Classification - Beat Lincoln out of Tallahasse which is ranked #3 in the State of Fla - Valdosta and Lowndes are two of the best teams in the state and you give no credit - plus we play in the BEST region in the state.
By truthteller
October 4, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
The AJC could not have picked a sillier, no-talent writer to write about HS football if they searched all over the U.S.. You make a mockery out of journalism, which is typical of AJC. I’m guessing you are a grad of Morris Brown, Clark, or one of those other diploma mills. I look forward to the day (won’t hold my breath)when someone with a little bit of writing talent replaces you.
By Devil's Den
October 4, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
Respect…given. Tift Co. is just better.
By HiramHornet Alumni
October 4, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Great picks Maxi! Especially With HIRAM BEATING TRI-CITIES…. Coshik Williams is going to run all over those bulldogs from East Point…normally I wouldn’t let flying insects(yellow jackets,etc…) beat a BULLDOG but in High Schooll! GO MIGHTY HIRAM HORNETS!!!!!! AND ALSO GREAT PICK FOR EAST PAULDING….. HAVE TO ADMIT THE PEST TEAM IN PAULDING CO.
By FanMan
October 4, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Hey NC-Fan
Harrison is better. The scoreboard might say one thing yet the Hoyas outplayed NC something fierce and the only thing that stopped the Hoyas was one ref and his itchy flag. How else do you explain the only penalties called on Harrison were on big plays; nothing called on plays with little or no gain. Oh, I know, the reason Harrison only got called on big plays was the penalties allowed the big play to happen. It had nothing to do with the Hoyas being more balanced. Got it.
By North Cobb Fan
October 4, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Look FanMan, Harrison lost get over it. Both teams had opportunities to win and both teams were equally strong the game, but it was NC that won
By NC; YOU KNOW =)
October 4, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
whoever honestly thinks that we play “cupcake” teams needs to get over themselves. we played harrison already and won.. they are now ranked 4th in state- i wouldn’t call that “cupcake”. and north cobb being 1st in the COUNTY? try the state. =)
By Andrew
October 4, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
BY:BASSMAN & SPUD,FROM THE PFL
HEY CHICKEN MAXI! WHY DID YOU LEAVE OUT BALDWIN @ WS.MACON.YOU ARE GOING TO LOOSE AGAINST CARTERSVILLE OVER SANDYCREEK. WE ARE GOING SLIDING @ WHITEWATER OVER BANNEKER WITH A BIG SPLASH AT THE END.HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
By viking lover
October 4, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Sorry Maxie,but I believe Valdosta will overcome the Devils Friday night. Tifton has not had close to the schedule the Cats have had and they are not the team they were last year. Tough to win in Death Valley if you’re not a Cat.
By charles
October 5, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
Mr. Maxie….love your predictions. finally somebody steps up , win or lose and makes his best choice. However, Troup has the ability, and desire to actually win over carver columbus…. especially when they are playing at home at calloway stadium, and i think they will win by 3 points…..Loyal LaGrange fan………..Go Tigers.
By justinfh88
October 5, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this
YOU KNOW =) The combined wins of the 4 teams North Cobb has played this year is: 9 Wins and 13 losses. You are the biggest PAPER TIGER EVER! WELL I guess you guys need something positive to come from you but being ranked is a joke. I can’t wait to see your real season now.
By Fanman
October 5, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this
NC won on the board only, I will grant you that. Are they better then Harrison, not according to anyone who watched that game and knows football. Think about it, how many big plays did NC have called back? None! How many did HHS have called back? Just about all of them.
By T-Bone
October 5, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this
If the Falcons don’t beat themselves, then count on it. Flowery Branch beats North Hall.
By azcat225
October 5, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
Hey, Fanman, do you serve cheese with that whine? Get over it—-the Harrison players and coaches obviously have, with the beatdown they delivered to Marietta last week. Take a lesson from them. And btw, any team with Coach Queen as the boss man is a good team in my book. I’ll keep cheering for Wheeler, though both of my kids have graduated now. High school sports, the best around!!
By N Cobb Parent
October 5, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Fanman,
The only place you have to win is “on the board”. The board is the tool that tells you who won and who lost. That’s all that matters. Everything else is speculation….if the refs hadn’t made the calls, if the bus would’ve stopped at another school that night, if OJ had done it…etc.
By Fanman
October 5, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Keep in mind NC-FAN asked who is better than North Cobb, not who won the game, and I offered my opinion. That’s the fun thing about opinions. Everyone has them. The facts stand as they are: NC won the game on the board and that is all the matters. I could not agree more. BTW, I would like a nice Baked Brie to go with a nice bottle of cabernet.
Have a great day and good luck tonight. It has been fun.
By Confused
October 5, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Title of O.J.’s new book:
“If I stole that stuff this is how I would have done it.”
By mindin my p's n q's
October 5, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
I dunno folks, I, bein a Souf Wes Dekab grajuite from 1988, I plaied on da futbal feild wif Coech Godfee bak in da day, and I kan honestly say wif kongvickshun that we be da bes n**** in da state! Goe Pamthas! Woo hoo, duz I git a preiz fo havin da bes blog?
By jmac
October 5, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
FOLKS, FLOWERY BRANCH IS OVERRATED. THEY ARE A AVERAGE TEAM WITH AN AVERAGE COACH AND QUARTERBACK.
BUFORD BEAT THEM 34-0 IN 2 QUARTERS. 24 MINUTES/34 POINTS.
NORTH HALL IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE BRANCH!!!!
By NSHS FAN
October 5, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Hey truthteller: Growup! This no placed for meanest. All of us like making points about our team and predictions on whose is going to win. It really is in fun. Please don’t lower yourself in attacking the writer in the way you did. I guarantee you and you know drill, there is no one perfect.
By NSHS FAN
October 5, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Hey truthteller: Growup! This is no placed for meanest. All of us like making points about our team and predictions on whose is going to win. It really is in fun. Please don’t lower yourself in attacking the writer in the way you did. I guarantee you and you know drill, there is no one perfect.
By Chris
October 5, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Go Patriots! I went to Berkmar, and now my little brother and sister go to Brookwood. I really want to be able to talk some trash to them for the next week or so.
By slalom1
October 5, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
To “Charles” Hope your prediction is right, but in order for Troup to win, Carver is going to have to play MIGHTY sloppy. And…Troup is going to have to find some “mojo” that they rarely find against a great opponent. This Carver team is TOUGH, but….is capable of beating themselves. Good Luck!
By Debra Reese
October 6, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Great Job Carver-Atlanta 5-0!!!!!
By GURU
October 6, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
Could we be watching the best Georgia high school football team, ever! before are very eyes? I’ve heard a lot of people talking about it, ever since they(Northside-Warner Robins)won it last year. They are AAAA #1, USA Today #12, #6 SI I personally have seen them play twice this year. They are a very well coached team, they have Speed, athleticism, and you have to love their Sized….. To say the best ever…..those are some big words……. I think they have a chance to be something special, as long as they stay healthy and not let their heads get bigger than their helments…..
By The Fan
October 6, 2007 3:27 AM | Link to this
The Grey Knights couldn’t hold up as Westminster grounded and pounded in the 3rd and 4th to keep Grady down.
By fan
October 6, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
How much research do you actually do on the teams? Some of your predcitions are so off based.
By Big Fan of 4A
October 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hey folks, can we take a minute to talk “seriously” about 4A??? With the first half of the regular season over, ‘looks like 4A’s tending towards a thriller! We’ve got a fantastic nationally ranked team steaming ahead in Northside-Warner Robins, and a “could-it-be-true?” team happening in Tucker…Yes, NSWR is 6-0 now, chalking up their FIRST win this season against another team with a WINNING record…along the way, against the 4 other teams with LOSING records and the one at .500, they’ve allowed 23 points…On the other hand, we have Tucker, which has already SHUT OUT 5 teams, including 4 teams with WINNING records!!! Tucker’s game next week with Mays will most likely determine whether those folks a few miles south should consider attending to what’s happening in Metro this year—WHAT FUN!!!
By fan
October 6, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
It appears that there is a bias in your predictions against private schools and your predictions seem to be 100% wrong when it comes to many of these schools. Do you secretly want them to fail because you do not like the kids who attend these schools. They work hard on the field too and at the same time cary very hard academic requirements on their backs! They are often undersized and still have to play with the 1 1/2 multiplier former representative Murphy got passed. In a sport that requires great sacrifice, self dicipline, humility and teamwork, ALL schools who participate are champions by virtue of their willingness to put in on the line each week. I have been a fan for many years now, and cannot help but notice how quickly you turn your head away from some of the private schools. It doesn’t matter what kind of school it is, they are great young men who love the sport and come to field as equals and peers each Friday night. Individual talent and more importantly team talent is what we all like watching on the field. Report on it all.
By Deann
October 6, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Did you get to take a look at Riverdale/Lovjoy.Hmmm How bout them Wildcats!!!!!!KEEP YOUR EYE ON TIM JACKSON that kid is going places.GO WILDCATS!!
By JW
October 6, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
What are you talking about, fan?
As far as I can tell, Maxie picked Athens Academy, ECI, GAC, Landmark, Mt. Pisgah, OLM, Pacelli, Prince Avenue, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day and Wesleyan. In fact, it looks like he picked more private schools to win than to lose.
Last week, he picked Athens Christian, Bradwell, ECI, ELCA, Holy Innocents, Mary Persons, OLM, Pacelli, Prince Avenue, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, St. Pius, Wesleyan and Westminster.
Why would he have a bias against private schools? This has to be about the most ridiculous accusation I’ve heard in awhile.