AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLosing on purpose, dumb rules, MVPs and fantasy results
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the record, I’d rather be on the losing end of Friday’s Region 7 showdown between Peachtree Ridge and North Gwinnett.
Losing that game gives me an easier path in the playoffs, especially if I fall all the way to the third seed out of the region.
The Region 7 champion likely will face the second seed out of Region 8—maybe a Brookwood or Grayson—in the second round of the playoffs.
In contrast, the third seed out of Region 7 likely have to contend with the top seed out of Region 6, maybe a team like Roswell or Walton.
The same type scenario awaits the top seed out of Region 8, which will face the second seed out of Region 7—maybe a Norcross—in the second round.
So what I’m suggesting with my tongue firmly in cheek is that Grayson and North Gwinnett should both fold in their upcoming region games in order to put themselves in better position in the playoffs.
Remember, Peachtree Ridge won (or tied) the whole thing as a fourth seed last year.
Dumbest Rule in High School Football
The dumbest rule in high school football is the “band” rule, which dilutes any kind of atmosphere.
At last week’s Clarke-Central-Dacula game, the visiting Gladiators were rocking some “ESPN Sportscenter” theme song like nobody’s business, only to be told to stop by the referees.
It just seems childish. Coaches run plays in with players or signal them from the sidelines, so added noise really isn’t that much of an issue. And believe me, if you’ve seen some of the blowouts and sloppily played games I’ve witnessed this year, a little music is a welcome site.
I also think the no kickoff return rule if the ball goes past the goal line is dumb.
Last Year’s True MVP
Norcross quarterback Bryce Dykes and Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward were the 2006 offensive and defensive players of the year in Gwinnett.
But it’s becoming pretty clear who the real most valuable player of last season was — Dacula’s Cameron Kenney.
Without Kenney, the Falcons (3-3, 2-1) have struggled to put together any form of a passing game. Dacula’s leading receiver Marshall Steed has just over 200 yards receiving and two touchdowns; Kenny had close to 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions.
Fantasy Football Results
At least I beat, Karl, who in his infinite wisdom managed to pick a defense that was on a bye week. Technically, I guess LaGrange didn’t give up any points, but I’m docking him 20 just because.
Kurt wins again, thanks to Diante Drake’s season-high 45-point outburst.
Again, you can join in all this fun by simply posting a team—1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 Defense—on the blog or by emailing me at dpurdum@ajc.com. The team with coolest name will get a chance to take on the AJC’s finest, yours truly DP and Kurt “Smells Like” Aschermann and maybe even 680 the Fan’s Karl Werl. Beat us all and receive a prize.
Post your team before Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Last Week’s Results
DPs Dandies — 51
QB —- Nick Sorel, Norcross — 6 points (54 yards, 1 TD)
RB — D.J. Adams, Norcross — 30 (185 yards, 3 TDs)
RB — Deren Evans, Wesleyan — 21 (138 yards, 2 TDs)
WR —- Devonta Bolton, Norcross — 0 (24 yards, 0 TD)
WR —Zac Johnston, Wesleyan — 0 (0 TDs)
Defense —- Buford — -6 (points allowed to Decatur)
Kurt’s Crumbling Dynasty — 87
QB —- T.J. Smith, Berkmar — 6 (171 yards, 0 TD)
RB — Diante Drake, Central Gwinnett — 45 (230 yards, 5 TDs)
RB — Tyler Jarry, North Gwinnett — 12 (43 yards, 2 TD)
WRs —- Brice Butler, Norcross — 0 (34 yards, 0 TD)
WR — Christian Robinson, GAC — 24 (161, 2 TD)
Defense —- North Gwinnett — 0 (points allowed to Duluth)
Karl Werl’s Wrecking Crew — 49
QB —- Mike Tamburo, North Gwinnett — 30 191 yards, 4 TDs)
RB —- Kenny Miles, Brookwood — 27 (273 yards, 2 TDs)
RB —Tauren Poole, Stephens County — 0
WR —- Brice Butler, Norcross — 0 (34 yards, 0 TD)
WR —Melvin Harris, Buford — 12 (71 yards, 1 TD)
Defense —- LaGrange -20 (penalized for playing defense that was on a bye)
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By Dacula
October 9, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
Dave, you’re wrong about this being a high school rule. Artificial noisemakers are illegal on other levels too. Mississippi State’s fans are forced to put up their cow bells when the other team has the ball. The band can play any time except when the other team is about to run a play. If that wasn’t a rule then schools would simply get the largest band they could to make the most noise possible and it would make for a very annoying friday night. I also don’t think high school players are ready for things such as snaps on silent counts. Coaches have it hard enough as it is just getting kids to use proper fundamentals and executing a fairly minimal number of plays.
By David P
October 9, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Dacula … annoying to me is watching a game in complete silence because the crowd is sitting on its hands. And I just don’t believe that it’s that hard to hear with the band playing. It’s not like there are even 1,000 people at most games. I just think the band adds to the atmosphere that so many high school games lack.
By hsfbfan
October 9, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
The rule is dumb. If it is not a problem at Dekalb Memorial with Stephenson, SE DeKalb or Douglass playing, then it should not be an issue anywhere else. Few stadiums reverbrate with sound like DM. I think most refs would tell the QB to play ball. Most of the time you will notice it is the coach whose team is losing that wants to silence the band. The band also falls under the jurisdiction of GHSA rules and GHSA needs to consider this change in the same manner as the overtime rule in championship games. However, until the media raises the issue and presses it, GHSA will nto change the rule.
By T.J.
October 9, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
What happened to Gwinnett vs. the State? I have been looking on some sites of the State stat leaders. DP, put together a all Gwinnett powerhouse this week. Curious to see what happens.
TJ’s Top Tier Team
QB-Caldwell Anthony-Douglas County
RB-Tijuan Green-Northside
RB-Sam Burkhalter-Blessed Trinity
WR-Donte McConico-Mundy’s Mill
WR-Kevin Cooper-Northside
Defense-East Coweta
By David P.
October 9, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
T.J. … Gwinnett’s up 4-2 over the state, but maybe your Top Tiers will narrow the gap this week.
Kurt and I will post our teams on Friday …
By Karl
October 10, 2007 2:32 AM | Link to this
I’ll BE BACK. It’s hard to pick a team in 5 minutes but I should have known.
By David P.
October 10, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Karl … Clearly, my struggles are to be blamed on my players.
Your team’s recent defeat is clearly a result of bad coaching.
Excuses, excuses, excuses …
By Will
October 10, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave, I’d like to see you sitting on the 50 yrd line at a one sided stadium like Panthersville with both bands facing each other and playing as loud as they can no matter which team has the ball. It happened 2 weeks ago when Douglass beat Lithonia. As a fan, I could barely think, let alone watch the game.
By Jeff Haws
October 10, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
My experience has been that it sort of takes away from the high school football experience to hear the bands play the entire game, uninterrupted. Sure, you don’t want fans sitting on their hands but, when the band is playing, it’s like you’re just watching an NFL Films replay with a soundtrack. No cheering for a key play, no gasping on a big hit, no student chants. It doesn’t feel like a football game to me when you’re watching it with this Phil Specter-esque wall of sound drowning out the crowd.
Does it affect the teams on the field? Well, I don’t see how it can help the offensive team. It’s possible it doesn’t hurt most teams, but I see no real benefit to getting rid of this rule.
By David P.
October 10, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Will … I haven’t got to experience something like that and can see how that might get a little out of hand. But there has to be some kind of compromise, where we can still let the bands create some atmosphere without disrupting the games. Coming from covering HS FB in New Orleans, I guess I just miss the bands.
By Jenn
October 10, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
The noise rule IS dumb, but the dumbest rule in high school football in GA is CO-CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! They don’t have tie games in the regular season why the heck do they have it for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP? The playoffs are played to find the best team in the state. How much does is suck to come all that way just to find out that yeah your team is the best but another team is considered equally as good? A team has worked so hard all season to make it to State and then they have to SHARE the title so nobody’s “feelings” are hurt. Sharing the title is worse than actually losing it IMO.
Here is my Fantasy Team for this week:
Jenn’s Gonna-Jack-U-Up Lineup
QB: Lorenzo Dennard (Wilcox County) RB: Kenny Miles (Brookwood) RB: Demetrius Murray (Buford) WR: Keegan Hughes (Roswell) WR: Dion’is Bryant (Early County) Defense: Brookwood Broncos
By Zach
October 10, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
I love the band rule. Lowndes gets called for it about once a game. The HoCo quarterback awakened a sleeping giant last week when he complained. The Lowndes crowd (being much bigger than the home-field HoCo crowd) was quite displeased and showed that kid what noise is all about. Poor guy had to call a timeout.
By Jeff Haws
October 10, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
They changed that rule, Jenn. No more ties in Georgia high school football.
By millcreek fan
October 12, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Here is my Fantasy Football Team: QB- TJ SMITH- BERKMAR RB- LENNY BROOKS- MILL CREEK RB- TYLER JARRY- NORTH GWINNETT WR- ED RUSS- MILL CREEK WR- DERRICK BRYANT- PEACHTREE RIDGE
DEFENSE- BUFORD