Prep Zone

By Zachary

October 22, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Well…I don’t care what your motivation is, at least you picked the right team to win it all.

Plowboy Pride.

By T.J.

October 22, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

Very brave prediction. I would have waited until I saw who the winner was between Brookwood and Grayson before putting that one out there. Essentially the top seed and Regional championship game for Region 8 is this Friday. I will say Grayson wins it but I know that Brookwood coaches and the homefield advantage may take them past Grayson’s stingy defense. May be better to be second seed anyways—-? My crystal ball is not as tuned as yours but it does say it will be an all Gwinnett final!

By thomas

October 22, 2007 6:15 AM | Link to this

why is the talk always about5A the best teams in the last few years have been in 4 A

By KooGar

October 22, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

Leaving Chattahoochee of your top 10 yet again this week is beyond lame after they demolished Northview 48-18. Maybe Chattahoochee is paying the price because they defeated the AJC’s preseason all-everything number 1 Roswell team and the AJC’s number 8 team from Camden County. Chattahoochee is 6-1 and have two of the best quality road wins among any of the teams in the top 10. MaxPreps has it right and the Coaches Poll has it right. Unfortunately, the newspaper with the widest circulation in the state continues to get it wrong. Sometimes it seems as though the AJC continues to rank teams it ranked in the preseason - teams with two losses and teams without have quality wins over other ranked teams - in order to justify your preseason rankings. Given that Chattahoochee was not ranked at the start of the season, and CHS has knocked off the two teams on its schedule that were ranked by the AJC at the time, just what will it take for CHS to crack your top 10?

By roswell fan

October 22, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

i think its funny how you have Roswell lossing in the first round 13-10… because that just happens to be the score we lost both of our games with this year…. your a funny guy!

By NTH Trojans

October 22, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Todd, Look into that crystal ball of yours and tell me how AAA turns out…. or does it only work for AAAAA?

By JJ

October 22, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

North Gwinnett All the way!!!!!

We are 7-0!!!!

By Alex

October 22, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

I like your prediction that Norcross will be the Region Champs in 7AAAAA again, However, it unfortunately comes to a coin flip this year. Assuming Norcross, Peachtree Ridge, and North win the remainder of their games with the exception of Norcross winning over North, you force a three way tie. Region 7AAAAA coaches decided this year on a coin flip, where all the teams would flip a coin the odd man out gets a three seed and then it goes back to the head to head win. Now if Mill Creek can upset Peachtree Ridge, which I believe they can, then it eliminates the possibility of a three way tie. Though most people think my prediction of an upset by Mill Creek of Peachtree Ridge is ludicrous.

By michael

October 22, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

i know this is a AAAAA poll prediction but todd can you look into your crystal ball and tell me if habersham central can beat tucker or northside in the playoffs after seeing northside struggle friday night and do you see north hall making it deep into the playoffs after beating flowery branch and gainsville?

By devil lover

October 22, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Todd you must be reading my mind. For Norcross to do well in the playoffs they must finish first by beating North Gwinnett at the end of the season. Home field advantage during the playoffs will mean everything especially when you factor in the cobb vs gwinnett and north vs south games. I don’t want to have to play Brookwood in the second round at their stadium what would rather play Grayson again at home.

I also agree that Brookwood maybe the dark horse this year. But don’t under estimate Chatahoochee or Peachtree Ridge.

By michael

October 22, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

If you think Valdosta lost on purpose, you need to consider changing your career. You evidently don’t know how bad Valdosta & Lowndes HATE each other.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

OK, I’ve got to call an audible. I thought that the finals were being played in the GA Dome this year, and you’d think I’d know that since I covered the GHSA meeting in which this was decided.

Stay tuned for an updated look in to the Poll Talk ball. Coming shortly. I’ve alerted Brookwood officials, and they’ve blocked all incoming calls until they hear from me.

Later.

By vw

October 22, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

NG has gotten much better since the Brookwood Game and is playing 4 qtrs of solid football and with a backup QB. If they can continue to play this way, I don’t see how any team can stop them.

Go Dogs!

By DirtDobber

October 22, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Care to share a few stock market predictions from your crystal ball ? I would invest the inverse of your predictions .

What is it about the need for sports reporters to go out on a limb with such predictions ?
And then you are “ballsy” enough to add scores to it too . Mighty brave .
Your job longevity must not depend on accuracy but the blog discussion you generate .
Your partiality toward Brookwood continues to be obvious .

Here’s some advise . Put some blinders on and then make predictions based on performance , scores, stats … anything besides your obvious emotional attachment .

By aviking

October 22, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

This year’s AAAAA State Championship will be at Lowndes, not the DOME. The “Dome Thing” starts next year!

By Cougar Mom

October 22, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

Todd, where’s the love? I knew for sure that with the point spread of 30 you would give us some love! Don’t make me lost my faith in you!

GO COUGARS! STATE BOUND!!!

By aviking

October 22, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

To Thomas. NS Warner Robbins is good, but did you see the 2004 or 2005 Lowndes teams? Ask Brookwood how good Lowndes was in 2005! And they’re pretty darn good this year. Ask Valdosta or Coffee County!

By NSHS FAN

October 22, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

To: By Todd Holcomb; I am glad you stuck to AAAAA with your predictions. We supporters of AAAA NSWR are very distraught this morning. The news we hoped to be positive came back different. Our state honored QB, Marquez Ivory, broke his ankle in the Upson_Lee game. His High School Football playing days are over. NSWR back up QB is average. However, he does have some game experience but is just not polished. He will have to step up. I question if NSWR can make it to the dome without Marquez. He was such a big part of the offensive, a guy at 6’2”, 230 lbs with a rifle arm. It scary to play Tucker, TCC, etc. without him. The high national rating for the team is not valid without him. Please all pray for Marquez recovery so he can at least play at the college level.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

why is the talk always about5A the best teams in the last few years have been in 4 A

The last few years? Statesboro and Warner Robins were better than Lowndes in 2004 and 2005? I’d like to hear from the Lowndes folks on that.

I might try AAAA next week. Seems like three teams in AAAA really stand out, and it will be interesting to see how much it will hurt Northside if Marques Ivory does not return. I’m tempted to favor Thomas County Central at this point. Or maybe Habersham Central has a shot.

Your partiality toward Brookwood continues to be obvious.

The funny thing is that my rankings predecessor, Stan Awtrey, was always accused of being Gwinnett partial, and I was one of the accusers, although just jokingly. But I always thought Brookwood was consistently the most overrated team in AAAAA rankings, and early playoff exits were one of the things I’d point to.

But now that I’m doing the rankings, I’m constantly holding Brookwood in higher regard than the popular opinion. Last season, BW stayed in the Top 10 with two early losses. And now this.

And I swear to this: Mark Crews was not the best man at my wedding.

can you look into your crystal ball and tell me if habersham central can beat tucker or northside.

Hab can beat either because Hab can pass, and I don’t know if the same can be said for Northside, now that Marques Ivory is injured, or Tucker no matter who’s throwing.

Leaving Chattahoochee of your top 10 yet again this week is beyond lame after they demolished Northview 48-18. … just what will it take for CHS to crack your top 10?

All of the Top 10 teams won this week, so I don’t see good reason to drop anyone out of the Top 10 just because Chattahoochee beat an average-at-best Northview team.

Yes, Chattahoochee has beaten two very good teams, but the thing that Hooch fans are ignoring is that Chattahoochee also played only two good teams. That’s the same number as Walton, Grayson, Norcross, Harrison, Lowndes and all the other once-beaten teams ahead of Chattahoochee (except for Stephenson).

So the fact that Hooch has the most good wins is nice, but Hooch also has the most bad losses among all those teams. So we’re even.

So now, it comes down to hair-splitting things like (1) how close were you to losing some of those games you won, (2) strength of schedule, (3) comparing best wins, (4) comparing worst losses.

When I start doing that, I think Walton, Norcross, Harrison, Lowndes, Grayson and the rest fare better than Chattahoochee. Some (Camden, Marietta, Coffee) fare worse, in my opinion. Chattahoochee was close to losing four games. There aren’t any Top 10 teams who can say that. And before somebody says, “A win is a win, right?”, remember that I’m taking about teams with the same number of wins and losses. So no, a win is not a win no matter what when comparing teams with very similar resumes.

Now, for Peachtree Ridge (the two-loss team) and Stephenson (the one-loss team that hasn’t beaten anybody).

I don’t believe in penalizing teams for losing to higher-ranked teams unless those teams get the fool beaten out of them. Peachtree Ridge has played three very good teams (not just two, like Hooch and the rest), and one of those teams (North Gwinnett) is undefeated.

It doesn’t make sense for me to say, “Peachtree Ridge with one loss should be higher than Chattahoochee, but now that Peachtree Ridge lost to the consensus No. 1 team in the state, Peachtree Ridge must drop because everybody knows that a two-loss team, no matter what, must be below a one-loss team.”

Now, for Stephenson. Stephenson’s only loss is to another undefeated team, MLK. Stephenson is a team that’s hanging around in the Top 10 on faith alone, really. Stephenson has finished in the Top 10 for five of past six seasons. I’ve seen nothing to suggest this year will be any different.

By NSHS FAN

October 22, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

I not being bias when I say this, but I have seen Lowndes County twice this year. They do not have a Championship team. Teams like Norcross, N Gwinnett, Brookwood, Stephenson, MLK, will have them for lunch. Their greatest liability is a very short QB who will have trouble with tall linemen as they go into the playoffs. Also, their running backs are small and stocky.

By aviking

October 22, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Speaking of AAAA teams, Lowndes man-handled Thomas County Central in the pre-season “practice game!” After TCC get’s thru with Tucker and NSWR maybe then Lowndes will get it’s due RESPECT!

By lk

October 22, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

Anyone else tired of hearing about Brookwood?

By Mike McLeod

October 22, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Todd:

Good article on laying out possible outcomes on who wins State. Your comment that Valdosta “tanked it” was pretty funny. However, I must admit that #3 seed path looks pretty good.

I guarantee you if the Cats meet Brookwood again, it will not be a runaway as before. This Cat team has improved….with any offense, watch out.

Keep up the good work.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Anyone else tired of hearing about Brookwood?

I know that I am. …

Hope people realize that my main objective with the predictions was to offer a glimpse at what the draw might look like and how it can really shape a team’s destiny. I don’t think Brookwood is the No. 2 team in the state, but I do think that Friday’s game vs. Grayson is critical. Put it this way: If Brookwood wins the rest of its home games, it could mean a state title. Not many teams can say that.

I think home-field advantage for teams that get the No. 1 seed will be a factor, and I also think teams such as Camden County, MLK and Stephenson could be at a disadvantage for not having played as tough a schedule, especially Camden. That’s always an issue for Camden, of course.

By Cougar Mom

October 22, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Todd, there weren’t “losses” by Hooch. There was only one loss. Come correct, my friend.

By trojansouth

October 22, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Coffee has not got past the 2nd round of the playoffs in 25 years. hummmm??

By Jaybird229

October 22, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Todd, you logic behind Valdosta tanking it on Friday makes since. But knowing the bitterness of the Winnersville Classic, I don’t see where Valdosta would even be worried about anything else but winning that game at the time. What’s your reasoning for saying Valdosta tanked it?

By Steve

October 22, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

You have Peachtree Ridge Losing in the first Round?? thats ridiculous

By Ted

October 22, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Todd

You have bumped your head! Lowndes ? really ? That far.

Im going to call it like it is.

Harrison is your state champs if they stay healthy. If not Im sure its not Brookwood or Lowndes. Look for last years champs to wake up. Roswell.

By Rick Nixon

October 22, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Shhhh! No top-10 ranking made our players hungry. Don’t forget Kenny. He is outstanding. The Bronco pass defense is 1,000 percent improved. How many Bronco TD passes can you count on one hand? This year is different. Let’s not talk about the sophomore running backs on the squad. This is going to be fun for the next two years.

By Josh

October 22, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I see that you have Douglass winning in the first round. But how come they’re not even listed in the second round? And how does Luella just pop up on the second round list?

By Stop Home Field Advantage

October 22, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

STOP the home field advantage in the play-offs!!! Each week the two next matched-up teams decide (on Sunday) where their next round game will be played. It’s not that hard to do. Grow up Georgia; put the play-offs on a level field.

By devil lover

October 22, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Hey Todd…here is another way to look at the Hooch performance. Instead of looking at how many games were close, how about how many close games were won especially against highly rated teams on the road.

Their one lost came after their first big road win to Camden County. Their feet probably did not hit the ground until Wed or Thurs of the next week. You and I both know that winning the first game after a big emotional win is very difficult especially when you are a hih school football team.

I hope you would agree that winning close games to more highly rated teams is a championship quality especially on the road. And now that both they and their competitors know this about them, they might be able to use this to their advantage especially in the play offs.

By Jaybird229

October 22, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Todd, you logic behind Valdosta tanking it on Friday makes since. But knowing the bitterness of the Winnersville Classic, I don’t see where Valdosta would even be worried about anything else but winning that game at the time. What’s your reasoning for saying Valdosta tanked it?

By No More Brookwood Please

October 22, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

You have not featured Brookwood much before so please don’t start now. We like being in the background. It only matters which team is still standing after week 16. Broncos continue to keep their heads down, remain humble, work hard and win.

By Parkview??

October 22, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I watched the Parkview/Grayson game and PV was man-handled. Parkview will not make it past the first round. They are that bad on top of a weak schedule. Heck they may not make it to the playoffs. And Parkview officals, will you please turn some lights on during the game? Your stadium was soooo dark. We have a water storage not a power storage. Guess you should change the name to The Big DARK Jungle.

By jaxstate10

October 22, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

We at Sprayberry would be happy to get whipped by Brookwood since it has been over 20 years since any postseason action

By JC597

October 22, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Todd,

Do you think you guys could post the sample bracket showing which region’s #1 plays the other region’s #4, etc., in the first round, and so on?

After your analysis of how a team like Brookwood could make the title game (I totally agree with your analysis that the #1 and #2 teams don’t always make it to the title game b/c of the bracketing), it would be interesting to see what the matchups would be like if the playoffs started today.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

The brackets are the same for all classes. Goes like this:

R1-#1 R3-#4 R2-#2 R4-#3

R5-#1 R7-#4 R6-#2 R8-#3

R3-#1 R1-#4 R4-#2 R2-#3

R7-#1 R5-#4 R8-#2 R6-#3

R6-#1 R8-#4 R5-#2 R7-#3

R2-#1 R4-#4 R1-#2 R3-#3

R8-#1 R6-#4 R7-#2 R5-#3

R4-#1 R2-#4 R3-#2 R1-#3

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Let me try that again.

R1-#1 vs. R3-#4

R2-#2 vs. R4-#3

R5-#1 vs. R7-#4

R6-#2 vs. R8-#3

R3-#1 vs. R1-#4

R4-#2 vs. R2-#3

R7-#1 vs. R5-#4

R8-#2 vs. R6-#3

R6-#1 vs. R8-#4

R5-#2 vs. R7-#3

R2-#1 vs. R4-#4

R1-#2 vs. R3-#3

R8-#1 vs. R6-#4

R7-#2 vs. R5-#3

R4-#1 vs. R2-#4

R3-#2 vs. R1-#3

Higher seeded team is home. Coin flips decide the home team if the seeds are the same.

Semifinals in the Georgia Dome.

By Horse Manure

October 22, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

I see the AJC has not lost its love affair with Brookwood. Todd, not going to pin this one on you. This obsession with Brookwood has been going on for years at the AJC. Yes, even back to the Stan Awtrey days. Bronco fans are still as delusional as ever. I was expecting the AJC to keep them in the top 10 until they had at least 3 losses. And you may not have been the best man at the Crews wedding, but I bet someone at the AJC is still washing Dave Hunter’s car. And what? Put up 72 points against lowly Meadowcreek. Seriously? Someone tell Crews that only the classless Florida Gators do style point stuff like that to impress pollsters at the college level, not high school. But hey, Brookwood has never been known for having class. Saturday morning headline: “Ram cracks crystal ball in Snellville” or “Grayson defeats Brookwood; Broncos get back into the top 10”.

By TCCjacketfan

October 22, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

To: aviking…..If you want to use a preseason game as your measuring stick, go right ahead. I’ll then use the shutout you surrendered in your first game against harrison as my own measuring stick. Truth be told, the game we played against you was very similar to the game you played against them. In a span of about 5 minutes we had 4 unforced turnovers inside our own 20. You didn’t dominate the line of scrimage nor overpower us at all. We might as well have stood on our own goalline and handed you the ball because that’s how bad we played in the first varsity quarter. We also had so many missed tackles and busted assignments by a couple of defensive players, you should be angry at us for giving you a false sense of superiority leading into your first game. Our bad…. But as you may remember, at the start of the second varsity quarter we took an 80 yard drive down your throat for 7. Then just a few minutes after that, the game was called due to lightning. You may disagree with my take on how the details of the game panned out, but I must inform you that I was on the sidelines and was within 20 yards of all the action, all the time. I’m not a coach, just a fan that has very close ties to the program. I’m also very objective. In that, I would like to mention that after TCC, I root for Lowndes. I think you guys are getting better and better each week. And you are my handsdown pick to win AAAAA. Even though I think that AAAA this year is better than AAAAA, I definitly think you are one of the elite teams in the state. I just wish we could play again this year to redeem what was the worst quarter of football a TCC team has played in probably 18-20 years. As a matter of fact, if we would have contiued to play that poorly we wouldn’t have won a game so far. But, be rest assured those problems were fixed immediatly, and we are a vastly superior team to what you saw. I know we are one of the elite teams, and if we stay healthy and focused, we can play with anybody.

By oldtimer

October 22, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Todd,

I for one would be honored to have North Cobb play Mill Creek in round one, which means we would have won region 5 right? I’m still worried about beating Marietta to do that. Then I would be honored to get by Chattahoochee (I think they are very underrated). And then to lose to Lowndes, the eventual state champions, in the quarterfinals, in Winnersville (or at Emory Sewell), by a touchdown? Well, I would be very proud of that. Hope it happens.

oldtimer

By And the Answer Is

October 22, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Sorry to hear about NSWR’s player loss but that my friends is one of the differences in 4A and 5A (and why NSWR can’t compete week-in/week-out with 5A teams)….lack of deepth. Also I would hope last Friday’s lackluster win of only 5 points over an unranked team will hush the NSWR folks. 4th in the nation…not even 4th in GA dude.

By To Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

how does region 6, with 2 zones, determine 1-4 seeds?

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Region 6-AAAAA seeding formula as I (and one 6-AAAAA coach) understand it:

The top two teams in each subregion qualify, and those teams are determined by subregion records and standings.

The No. 1 seed would be the team that won the head-to-head game between the first-place subregion teams, or, if they didn’t play, the team with the best overall region record.

No. 3 would be decided the same way as No. 1, except between the second-place teams in each subregion.

Based on that, Walton will be seeded No. 1 if the Raiders win the rest of their games.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Re: Ivory

Coach Nix has not ruled his QB out for the season yet.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/highschool/stories/2007/10/22/1022_hsinjury.html

By aviking

October 22, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

That person that called Georgia’s water “SHORTAGE” a “water storage” needs to go back to school. And another person spelled “sense” s-i-n-c-e! It’s obvious you don’t go to LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL. Do you know anything about football?

By K

October 22, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

south making the playoffs over berkmar?

By aviking

October 22, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Believe me I will root for TCC to go undefeated the rest of the year. I am a big fan of the TCC coach and team. But one thing though, the game with Harrison which was played in a heavey rain storm, and yes our sophomore QB fumbled nine times, but the game was NOT called by lightning. It was delayed at the start but played in full. I was there till the end, with my poncho. Our little QB is improving, but most likely will be a wing back next year. Our 9th grade and B team QB is Brice Hunter’s son. And man is he good. Brice you might remember played for Valdosta, UGA, and Tampa Bay. The kid is about 6’3”and has an arm.

By NSHS FAN

October 22, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

To: “And The Answer Is”. I think you made a wrong assumption about NSWR situation. As noted earlier, QB Marquez Ivory was ou Payton Manning, Tom Brady, etc. He was first team all state. It had nothing to do about team depth. NSWR suit up as many players as any team in the state. In fact, all of Houston County teams do. NSWR back up QB is just one of five others in 9th, 10th and 11th grades. Believe me, if you haven’t heard, moving up to AAAAA is not exclusively an honor given to NSWR as you seem to allege. There will be other “Teams”. They all will do fine. Just for the record, let me know who you are pulling when NSWR does move up. Maybe we can get a dialogue going concerning which of our team is a winner. Now, as far as the five point margin of victory in last weeks game with Upson-Lee, I guarentee you Todd Holcomb rates Upson-Lee pretty high (outside of the top ten). This team was playing on it’s home field, and 3/4 of the game against our back up QB. Not to mention Upson-Lee had only lost one game, and holds a victory over Griffin High School. It was not a cheap victory! Go back and review the many “close” victories AAAAA “rated teams” hold over unrated teams: For Example (You started this), North Cobb beat Campbell 28-23, MLK beat Redan 14-13 and Douglass 22-21, Walton beat Kennesaw Mountain 15-14——it goes on and on. So you see Dud, remember the old saying, “On any give Friday Saturday S%#* happens. Just be proud of all the boys that suit up to entertain us.

mind.

By ma429zda

October 22, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

c162t

By NHS Forever

October 22, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

I’m hopeful that Ivory will be able to return. If not, then TCC would probably be favored at this point. But there’s still a lot of football to be played. The big challenge is the next game with Westside-Macon. The Eagle defense needs to rise up and take charge.

No embarrassment overcoming a quick 14-0 deficit to a good team on the road. Without your starting all-star quarterback. Quite an achievement I would say. To all the NHS naysayers, would YOUR team have been able to do the same? Hmmm?

By sam

October 22, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Lowndes defeats North Cobb? Ha. Harrison 9 Lowndes 0. North Cobb 13, Harrison 12.

I rest my case.

By cool cell

October 22, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Todd, were is the AAA Love? The LG vs Carver-COL game will showcase the best QB/WR duo in the state, Durrun Furr & Jarmon Fortson . Both kids are 6’3 200+lbs and both are Auburn commits. I think Mark Richt & UGA needs the Fortson kid at WR. With that said Todd can you answer this……… If LG upsets Carver this weekend, If Reg.2-AAA ends up in three way tie between Carver,LG,and Shaw. Who wins the Reg.? Whats the Tie-breaker process?

By aviking

October 22, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Don’t leave Valdosta out of your championship prognostication. They are improving each week, just like Lowndes is. Lowndes’ complicated wing t offense takes time to develope for a young team, like Lowndes has. And with Valdosta having a new coach it is taking them a little while to develop. But they are coming and will be there at the playoffs. It would not surprise me to see Lowndes/Valdosta in a rematch for the state title. You’d better beat Lowndes this year because they will be loaded next year.

By will

October 22, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

what about walton !!! jj jackson and chase thomas. coach Ds has seven straight playoff apprences in a row this team is as good as the forte and kelly era teams.were are battle tested with roswell and north g. Why not the RAIDERS the this year.

By will

October 22, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

what about walton !!! jj jackson and chase thomas. coach Ds has seven straight playoff apprences in a row this team is as good as the forte and kelly era teams.were are battle tested with roswell and north g. Why not the RAIDERS the this year.

By Humble

October 22, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Todd, didn’t Brookwood have home field advantage last year?

By will

October 22, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

SHOW WALTON SOME LOVE TODD AND THE REST OF THE STATE AS WELL.

By will

October 22, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

MOST UNDERRATED 10 ten team the state WALTON RAIDERS

By will

October 22, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

aviking who beat you two get to the semi finals in 05 were just as good maybe beter

By SouthGARules

October 22, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Brookwood staying humble? Please!!! Who else in the state has a billboard extolling REGION finalists? Also they have a billboard extolling a 5 year record of 59-6. That is only ONE state title. They remind me of the Braves who celebrate division titles. At Valdosta they only keep track of state & national titles. Brookwood people are so full of themselves. I love it when they lose. They are not even the most prominent program in Gwinnett County.

By will

October 22, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

valdosta last won when who beat them too get to the semis 05 anyway vote for walton stud jj jackson player of the week and former brookwood tranfer i guess im growing a liking to south ga football since im going to abac in jan go walton go tift

By NTH Trojans

October 22, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Whats all this crap about “if we hadnt had all these fumbles we could have beat you”? My hat’s off to NSHS, going on the road into a hostile environment, losing your best player, being #1 and having that target on your back (nobody knows what that’s like until you have had to go through it). I hope that your QB is okay for the playoffs and to play college ball. My prayers are with him for a speedy recovery. Oh yeah, I’m not a resident of Warner Robins, I actually live in Gainesville, Ga. My team is in AAA, the North Hall Trojans. Everybody needs to take notice of them, not just LaGrange, Carver, Col., Shaw, and Carrollton. This team is for real. Their closest game this year has been a 19 point victory— and that was over Gainesville. They also beat Flowery Branch 42-14, and didn’t allow a defensive TD until their 2nd string was in. Teams have been inside the Red Zone 19 times this against the 1st string and have scored twice, 1 TD and 1 FG. Oh yeah, the AJC has them ranked #2, the Coaches Poll and the AP has them ranked #3. GO TROJANS!!!!

By will

October 22, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

5a a number 1 loses almost ever week creeping up are number 6 walton not sold on harrison or north cobb vote for jj jackson go to rivals look at 4 star linebacker and ga top 20 linbacker chase thomas and say valdosta brookwood north cobb harrison for state i dare you already beat one number 1

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Todd, didn’t Brookwood have home field advantage last year?

Let’s don’t let the facts get in the way of a good theory.

MOST UNDERRATED 10 ten team the state WALTON RAIDERS

I’m getting a lot of e-mail that privately tells me that Walton is my most overrated team in the Top 10.

You’d better beat Lowndes this year because they will be loaded next year.

I heard that last year, too. Might be right, though.

Todd, were is the AAA Love? The LG vs Carver-COL game will showcase the best QB/WR duo in the state, Durrun Furr & Jarmon Fortson . Both kids are 6’3 200+lbs and both are Auburn commits. I think Mark Richt & UGA needs the Fortson kid at WR. With that said Todd can you answer this……… If LG upsets Carver this weekend, If Reg.2-AAA ends up in three way tie between Carver,LG,and Shaw. Who wins the Reg.? Whats the Tie-breaker process?

If Region 2 has a three-way tie, all finishing 9-1, then it will come down to a drawing. … Carver-LaGrange is the game of the week. Will be very curious to see how that goes. Carver has slowly won me over.

south making the playoffs over berkmar?

Comes down to their head-to-head, which is at South. Maybe Berkmar is favored, not sure, but South did beat Parkview, and Berkmar did not.

But knowing the bitterness of the Winnersville Classic, I don’t see where Valdosta would even be worried about anything else but winning that game at the time. What’s your reasoning for saying Valdosta tanked it?

Failed humor.

I see that you have Douglass winning in the first round. But how come they’re not even listed in the second round? And how does Luella just pop up on the second round list?

Should be Luella all the way. Got confused.

Here’s some advise. Put some blinders on and then make predictions based on performance, scores, stats … anything besides your obvious emotional attachment.

Rankings are about performance, scores, stats. Predictions are about obvious emotional attachment.

Post of the day I see the AJC has not lost its love affair with Brookwood. Todd, not going to pin this one on you. This obsession with Brookwood has been going on for years at the AJC. Yes, even back to the Stan Awtrey days. Bronco fans are still as delusional as ever. I was expecting the AJC to keep them in the top 10 until they had at least 3 losses. And you may not have been the best man at the Crews wedding, but I bet someone at the AJC is still washing Dave Hunter’s car. … Saturday morning headline: “Ram cracks crystal ball in Snellville” or “Grayson defeats Brookwood; Broncos get back into the top 10”.

Good job, Horse Manure.

By NHS Eaglefan

October 22, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

HTH Trojans,thanx for the love.Good to see we have a couple supporters outside middle Ga.What a game it was ,hats off to Eddie Payne and his staff,they pulled out all the stops to win the game,but they allowed us to rebound.Honestly it solidifies our ranking.Not many teams could recover from 4.2 40 Laquienten Lamar running wild,a bruising offense line and a noisy hostile environment.My hat went off to both teams and staffs.

By NCHS FAN

October 22, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

i love how everyone underestimates north cobb. its kinda funny to me; seeing as how were ranked #1 in the state. were going all the way; so thanks :)

By NCHS FAN

October 22, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

i love how everyone underestimates north cobb. its kinda funny to me; seeing as how were ranked #1 in the state. were going all the way; so thanks :)

By Carver-Columbus

October 22, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd,

This is my first post of the year. I was the one who led the Carver-Columbus campaign to be ranked in the top 10 last year. I told you then that they had a young talented team that would soon be a force to be reckoned with in the state of GA. I know that seeing is believing… Which brings me to my next point. I have seen the Carver-ATLANTA team play and they are identical to the Carver-Columbus team. They are big, fast and undefeated also. Why are there so many one loss teams ranked and you have not ranked my Carver counter-part in Atlanta? Where is the love for predominantly black schools? They are an undefeated team from Atlanta, and from what I have seen of them, they are pretty good. You should pay them more attention. Depending on their playoff draw, I think that they have the talent to make it to the dome this year. Like I said, seeing is believing.

By MHS#28

October 22, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

im mad how u tried marietta just becasu we lost to harrison doesnt mean a thing we just had an off night when we play north cobb itll b a diffrent storythen wqell show u how good we really are and i doubt any body from reagion 7 could compete with any one from region 5 were just to good

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

i love how everyone underestimates north cobb. its kinda funny to me; seeing as how were ranked #1 in the state. were going all the way; so thanks :)

It’s ‘cause they’re going to lose the coin toss, NCHS Fan. That’s what you fail to grasp: It’s all about the coin toss. You don’t win that, and you’re traveling to Lowndes in the QF. And you know what happened the last time a Cobb team played at Lowndes, right? Well, I meant that time before that. Forget Harrison. …

I guess I do have an obvious emotional attachment to teams that have won championships before. Devil Lover or whoever it was who called me on that was right on. But I try not to let it interfere with the rankings, which are more objective, unless we’re talking Chattahoochee. (Cougar Mom has been too quite today, and I need to get my ratings back up.)

By will

October 22, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

ya you think beating the number 1 team and coming close to the current number2 21 to 17 is overrated how about the fact they quietly made the playoffs every year for almost a decade. you think jj jacksons 800 yards are overated or chase thomas looking at lsu auburn stanford as a four star guy overated his 24career sacks too or is it are kicker who has like 5 50 yard field goals this year or maybe its the fact there stuff to do in east cobb spread the word todd dont let these red necks get out of line

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

im mad how u tried marietta just becasu we lost to harrison doesnt mean a thing we just had an off night when we play north cobb itll b a diffrent storythen wqell show u how good we really are and i doubt any body from reagion 7 could compete with any one from region 5 were just to good

I’ve seen Marietta just once, but it happened to be the Harrison game, so maybe you’re right, No. 28. … I love Marietta and am glad to see the Devils back in the hunt, but while Marietta is respected, to get Top 10 respect, it might take beating North Cobb.

I have seen the Carver-ATLANTA team play and they are identical to the Carver-Columbus team. They are big, fast and undefeated also. Why are there so many one loss teams ranked and you have not ranked my Carver counter-part in Atlanta? Where is the love for predominantly black schools? They are an undefeated team from Atlanta, and from what I have seen of them, they are pretty good.

You were right about the Columbus Carver, and congrats because this is the first week in history in which Carver of Columbus has been No. 1 in the AJC rankings.

As for Atlanta’s Carver, Darren Myles has been brilliant as the coach there, reviving a perennial loser, but their schedule just atrocious. McNair is OK, but the rest of Carver’s victories have been against weak homecoming opponents. I’d go so far as to say that Carver has played the single weakest schedule in all of AAA. I think there are 30 teams in AAA that would be undefeated with Carver’s schedule.

I’d like to see Carver do well in the playoffs, but I don’t see it.

By Scott

October 22, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

It seems as though many people are bitter towards brookwood. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that they’ve probably all gotten rocked by brookwood in the recent past? Hmm…

By Marvel Goose

October 22, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Making Valdosta the brunt of a joke after that emotional loss Friday night is just an invitation for a haunting visit by the Ghost of Cleveland Field.

By will

October 22, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

todd have you seen walton play ball. i just want you to see how overrated we are valdosta knows rowsell knows come on down i want to the ajc and todd and THE state to know

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

ya you think beating the number 1 team and coming close to the current number2 21 to 17 is overrated how about the fact they quietly made the playoffs every year for almost a decade. you think jj jacksons 800 yards are overated or chase thomas looking at lsu auburn stanford as a four star guy overated his 24career sacks too or is it are kicker who has like 5 50 yard field goals this year or maybe its the fact there stuff to do in east cobb spread the word todd dont let these red necks get out of line.

I don’t want to name names, Will, but Devil Lover, who is normally with me 100 percent, broke rank last week and offered the opinion that Walton was overrated because Walton’s marquee victory was over a team (Roswell) that was overrated in the first place. He also noted that Norcross beat Walton.

Now where were you last week, Will, when this slander was being laid down against The Walton Ray-Duz?

Walton folk need to stop worrying about SAT scores and read Poll Talk every week.

By mark

October 22, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

Todd Holcomb has lost his FREAKIN mind. Valdosta would never intentionally lose to anyone especially to the VIKINGS. He has no idea what the Winnersville classic means to the people in south Georgia. It IS the state championship.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

It seems as though many people are bitter towards brookwood. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that they’ve probably all gotten rocked by brookwood in the recent past?

I don’t know about the recent past, but probably some truth to it.

By the way, David Purdum has now switched his pick to Grayson, which is making me suddenly very nervous about picking Brookwood.

Making Valdosta the brunt of a joke after that emotional loss Friday night is just an invitation for a haunting visit by the Ghost of Cleveland Field.

I’m not sure the Ghost of Cleveland Field can get out from under that rug they put down there. Just doesn’t seem like a place a ghost would haunt anymore. I still love going there, though. Haven’t been since the 2004 Lowndes game. I really want to see the Valdosta High Football Hall of Fame. But now you’ve got me a little worried about The Ghost.

By Jay

October 22, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Hooch should be undefeated. Ask the head coach at Wheeler - he’ll be the first one to tell you who the real winner was. And let’s not forget - Hooch beat Camden IN CAMDEN and closed out their 66-game streak, and they defeated Roswell IN ROSWELL. But that’s OK - we’ll keep flying in under the radar

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

todd have you seen walton play ball. i just want you to see how overrated we are valdosta knows rowsell knows come on down i want to the ajc and todd and THE state to know

It’s not me, Will. I’m telling you. I have Walton rated No. 6, higher than anybody. It’s them. It’s them that say Walton is overrated. Not me.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Todd Holcomb has lost his FREAKIN mind. Valdosta would never intentionally lose to anyone especially to the VIKINGS. He has no idea what the Winnersville classic means to the people in south Georgia. It IS the state championship.

You know as well as I do that the Wildcats and Vikings are brothers. And brothers fight. But half of Lowndes’ players have daddies who played for Hyder or Bazemore. They don’t admit it, but I think the ‘Cats and Vikes pull for each other in the state playoffs because it’s all one Winnersville down there. Am I right?

By will

October 22, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

sat scores i love the humor todd what the baseball state CHAMPS soccer semi finaliast and currental 3 ranked volleyball team all state sports cup last year smart and athletes what a concept. devil lover read and todd read score atl top ten poll number 4. and nocross was number 1 when in dat first round match up i got 21 bucks i buy ya both some tickets

By will

October 22, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

any im not the rich super book smart former ulm but i love football and support my school regardless plus its a down year with my matt ryan bound dolphins and weisless irish

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Hooch should be undefeated. Ask the head coach at Wheeler - he’ll be the first one to tell you who the real winner was.

I’ll call the Wheeler coach, and if he says Hooch should’ve won, I’ll give Hooch a pass on losing to Wheeler and rank Hooch in the Top 10. But as part of the deal, I’ll also call the coaches of Camden and Roswell and ask who should’ve won those games. What do you think they’ll say?

I know that Hooch fans don’t believe me, but I have great respect for their team. The difference between Walton at No. 6 and Chattahoochee, Camden and Brookwood and whoever else I might put at 11-13 is miniscule. All are worthy of Top 10 rankings, but none is really entitled to it, either. All have the moments of glory, and their slip-ups.

By mark

October 22, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Of course the Lowndes/Valdosta fans will support each other when they face off against non Region 1-AAAAA foes BUT, there is no love lost between the two and you are wrong about daddies having kids who play for the other team. You are ALWAYS either a Viking or a Wildcat.

By cj

October 22, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

TODD. THE CARVER COLUMBUS is the real deal. they have a very big and fast team. region 2-AAA IS THE BEST REGION. SO WHY IS IT THAT AAA SCHOOLS NOT GET ANY LOVE. AS FOR NORTH HALL SCHOOLS LIKE MONROE AND SHAW WOULD KILL THEM.

By Todd Holcomb

October 22, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

Just kidding, Mark. But you’re saying that no former Wildcats have children who play for the Vikes?

By will

October 22, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

i dont think so todd wheeler is soft they lost 2 games the florida coach is one year wonder they got walton coming up in my cristal i see a 8-3 first playoff flop. stick to basketall wheeler . hooch is middle of the pack team too i like north g not sold on north cobb or harrison i still like stephenson as well as the (RAY DUZS)

By mark

October 22, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Todd, I am sure that over the years there have been LHS/VHS alumnus whose kids have eventually played for the other side but I would bet you my next paycheck that it is less than 5% in the history of these two schools. Trust me, you are born to be a Viking or a Wildcat.

By Randy

October 22, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

In Quad A I believe Habersham Central has the ability to win the big game this year if they stay healty and focused. Their only loss so far this season is to #3 Triple A Stephens Co. Man,What a game it would be to see a Stephens Co. and North Hall match up. Ga. high school football,can’t beat it.

By george

October 22, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

All of you Northside haters, don’t get too happy, too quick. Word is Ivory will be back in 4 or 5 weeks. The Eagles will still be playing then, in spite of what some of you think. As for the win over Upson-Lee, how about giving Upson-Lee credit for having a very good football team, rather than knocking the Eagles for “only winning by 5 points”. I seem to recall the “powerhouse” Tucker having to go to overtime to win. Joe Scott is no slouch at quarterback.

By 89viking

October 22, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

as a former viking player from years ago,,,ive said many times,,,,the top starters from MOST teams can play with the big boys in MOST games. where the difference is, the depth then comes into play in the 3rd and 4th quarter. thats how valdosta stayed on top for soooooo long….DEPTH !! as far as lagrange and the other schools that say they were the best teams in the state in ‘04 and ‘05, its easy to say that whenever you couldnt play us. course,,i guess we can say then that we could beat the new england patriots and be the NFL champions huh? damm,,,thats sounds good,,,,lowndes high school- world champions of 2004 &2 2005 !!!!!!!

By devil lover

October 22, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Todd, what is your highest number of blogs per subject?

By GaSouthAlum

October 22, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Do you Valdosta people that are going ballistic think that Todd REALLY thinks Valdosta tanked it???? It was a joke people to prove his point that the lower seed from that region might have an easier path to the state finals. Lighten up. I know all you WINNERSVILLE people are still trying to get over last year’s record-setting season, but lighten up.

By Randy

October 22, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

By Randy ; Hab Central can surprise a lot of people this year. Their only loss was a close game with number 3 ranked Stephens Co. Man,I’d like to see Stephes Co. and North Hall match up.

By will

October 22, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

devil lover the last time school won state the school was segrated man give up

By Bunko

October 22, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Where’s the love for Brookwood? Why do you whiners hate Brookwood so much? Is it because they “smash you in the face” each year or because their SAT scores are ALWAYS higher than YOURS? Which is it?! GO BRONCOS!

By will

October 22, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES SOUTH GA gwinnett the new football powerhouse

By will

October 22, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

whats with these non ranked teams contending becaues of there history like the movie those dayes are gone baby gone

By hoyanation

October 22, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

my opinion Todd pretty good predictions. Lowndes will beat north cobb. we have played both, and even though it want make sense to n. cobb lowndes is better. We were lucky to escape Lowndes with a victory, and should have beaten n. cobb by 14. Walton is overrated, Brookwood is the dark horse. Notrth cobb is good and they will beat Marietta hands down. Marietta does’nt compare to Harrison, North cobb, or Lowndes.I will take your prediction with Harrison against Brookwood, but alot can happen in that one point game . good job Todd that playoff season was fun

By hoyanation

October 22, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

my opinion Todd pretty good predictions. Lowndes will beat north cobb. we have played both, and even though it want make sense to n. cobb lowndes is better. We were lucky to escape Lowndes with a victory, and should have beaten n. cobb by 14. Walton is overrated, Brookwood is the dark horse. Notrth cobb is good and they will beat Marietta hands down. Marietta does’nt compare to Harrison, North cobb, or Lowndes.I will take your prediction with Harrison against Brookwood, but alot can happen in that one point game . good job Todd that playoff season was fun

By Question

October 22, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

In your playoff brackets, how do they determine the 1-4 seeds in regions that are split into an A and B bracket?

By Question

October 22, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

In your playoff brackets, how do they determine the 1-4 seeds in regions that are split into an A and B bracket?

By will

October 22, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

who did harrison beat which 1 ranked team overated no no no we would the beat harrison hands down thomas and jackson will go wild

By will

October 22, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

harrison is the most overated 1 loss team hoyanation hoyas a fluke

By hoyanation

October 22, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

will, slow down on that drink buddy. That really made no no no sense to me. Who are thomas and jackson, and why are they going wild? North cobb would beat Walton by 35-3. And as stated they are not as good as Lowndes.

By slalom1

October 22, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

To: “cj” I do not know the answer to your question regarding AAA, but rest assured, you will get very little interest from this blog regarding any NON-AAAAA teams. I agree with you. Carver-Columbus appears to be THE strongest team in the state, regardless of classification. It simply seems that there are many blind eyes in the elite AAAAA country club.

By hoyanation

October 22, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

chill will, it will take more than a field goal to beat a great team. maybe you at walton can get into an sat debate with brookwood that might be your best chance of coming out a winner this year. chill, I just said my opinion walton is overrated. prove me wrong.

By footballfan

October 23, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

I like your poll, except for you have brookwood reaching the state final… and you talk about marietta will get respect if they beat north cobb. I am not sure if you are aware of this, but marietta defeated brookwood 21-6 in their preseason game. True, one can claim that this was but a preseason game, but still, that speaks respect, especially after the devastating 2005 2nd round 31-14 loss marietta suffered to brookwood.

By Reeze

October 23, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

Hey Todd,you have a good thing going here.It’s obvious you have more than atl/metro area bloggers here.How about a blog for each classification?.

By RY

October 23, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this

Hey Todd, MLK fan here, however, I think its going to come down to North Cobb or Brookwood. I’m sure you have seen North Cobb play. Thank God the Lions will probably have home field advantage.

By Wes

October 23, 2007 3:33 AM | Link to this

who do you have Luella beating in the first round? I see them losing to Camden in the 2nd round, but where’s the 1st round prediction?

By hsref

October 23, 2007 3:51 AM | Link to this

To everyone that keeps bringing up preseason games. The mean nothing, it does not matter who beat who in a preseason game. There are several reason why they don’t matter. Just to name a few. The 1st string never plays the whole game alot of times don’t even play the half. The officals will not throw as many flags instead they will help teach players what they are doing wrong. I guess my point is why even bring up scrimmage games they mean nothing.

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

To cj: North Hall is a lot better than you think, or do you think that their #2 ranking is out of pity or favoritism for 7AAA? The reason for that ranking is because we don’t just win, we DOMINATE every team we play. Just ask Gainesville & Flowery Branch. I’d like to see NH vs Shaw, but don’t insult us by saying that Monroe could beat us. That would be like me saying that White Co. could beat Shaw. One more thing, I do think that 2AAA is the toughest.

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

To cj: North Hall is a lot better than you think, or do you think that their #2 ranking is out of pity or favoritism for 7AAA? The reason for that ranking is because we don’t just win, we DOMINATE every team we play. Just ask Gainesville & Flowery Branch. I’d like to see NH vs Shaw, but don’t insult us by saying that Monroe could beat us. That would be like me saying that White Co. could beat Shaw. One more thing, I do think that 2AAA is the toughest.

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

To Randy: I too would like to see a NH vs SC matchup, but neither team gets the respect they deserve. Hey slalom1, you called the upset between Shaw / LaGrange, but did you happen to see it?

By heartbreak kids of NG

October 23, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

NG BULLDOGS BABY! WHERE YA AT TIFT? One game at a time, thats how we roll. Call us tha dogs, call us what you will, but when you describe us, dont play. Use these words that hold true: commited, pride, consistent, hard working, smart, well coached, supported, solid foundation, and armed to beat down. Use these names: Quiles, Eberhardt, Pritchard, Martinez, A-LOKE-A, and the Chrome Dome, Moe Dixon. Also the Tamburine him self, Tamburo, Thompson, Sphire and Jarry. Thats pronounced JAR-REY you knuckleheaded announcers, not Jerry. Just cruising week by week here in Northern Gwinnett County. We deserve all ofmthis just lke everyone does and we are enjoying life to the fullest, cause we can. Good luck to all and hopefully we can take this train to Dome. And then some. DOnt look like the train will go through Tift this year? No Kittywalk this season. Peace.

By Johnny K

October 23, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Hi Todd,

Just a couple of thoughts. First of all why are you and the AJC so down on Roswell. There was not one sentence covering there game last week? I believe they beat Brookwood this year and last year. Brookwood and Parkview has a half page article covering them every week.

Nothing wrong with covering them but it is a little bias not to cover the teams that have beaten their brains out the last couple of years.

The same with Chatahooche and Walton. Wait till the playoffs and see how far these teams advance. I think you will be surprised.

Brookwood and Parkview are old school and so is the AJC’s coverage on High School Football.

By LK

October 23, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

I know its hard to give Sprayberry any love. They haven’t been successfull in Football since the Wing T. But Brookwood might need to have a pretty stout defense, because Sprayberry is averaging four touchdowns a game (not counting the thunderstorm enhanced first game, a 6-0 win over Lovejoy). I recognize that Brookwood might prove to be a tough win for any team, but 35-3 over Sprayberry? Nah. The Jackets are going to score some points, its just a question of how many points the other team scores.

By Cougar Mom

October 23, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Mr. Todd have you missed me? Yes, I have been quiet today but that’s because work keeps me busy. Give me a chance to catch up on the blogs and you will be hearing from me soon. I promise this because I know there is going to be someone running their mouth about Hooch. I did read something while scrolling thru about the Wheeler coach, can’t wait to read that one!

GO COUGARS!!!!!

By tigerbrg

October 23, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

do not under estimate coffee the lost to lowndes was most due to penalties and poor play lowndes is not really that good. they are average on defense above average on offense.that against coffe the officials reallt affected the game for coffee. coffee rolled up 361 yards on lowndes.coffee is really the best team in region 1. they can run the ball as well as throw it coffee’s qb leaves region 1 in passing 14td to 1 int. coffee only has 4 turnover’s all year. coffee got and lot of speed on both sides of the ball. do not count them out.

By Cougar Mom

October 23, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Ok Mr. Todd, had the chance to catch up on the blogs….I must say that you made me chuckle. Must I post the article about the Hooch vs. Roswell game again? You know the one where the coach admitting to playing AWFUL. (Same article I posted when HORNET NATION said we would struggle against Northview. We opened up a can of whoop a* I must say. You can call the coach of Roswell and/or Camden and of course they are going to say they should’ve of won, but the proof is in the pudding my frienemy (when you rank us you will be considered a friend).

This blogger has a great point:

And let’s not forget - Hooch beat Camden IN CAMDEN and closed out their 66-game streak, and they defeated Roswell IN ROSWELL. But that’s OK - we’ll keep flying in under the radar!

By BwoodFan

October 23, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

I dont think Bwood will lose to Lowndes again.

Plus for all the haters sayin we won’t beat Grayson… We’re going to because this is going to be an extremely emotional game. This is the game that we the seniors decided to dedicate to DP, it will be Senior Night, its at our stadium, and it’s a game that is starting to turn into the Brookwood-Parkview game. Thats not even to mention that the winner of the game basically wins region 8. It will be a tough game, but Broowkood will pull through. Brookwood is full of emotion this season after losing DP, and they have found a way to channel that emotion very effectively.

North Gwinnett will not beat us twice. The first time were special teams problems that have since been worked out. Plus, Kenny is on a war path. Hes only played 4 out of the last 8 quarters and has amassed close to 500 yards. Thats pretty good.

Bwood all the way.

By Horse Manure

October 23, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Todd, thanks for the post of the day kudos. As a PHS graduate and official Panther Paw street painter who was around when the school first opened its doors, posting my comments regarding the AJC and the high falutin’ delusional Bronco fans was an easy one.

I think you may have broken an AJC post record with this article, huh?

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Todd, what is your highest number of blogs per subject?

Not sure if I have those stats, but we were over 100 in less than 12 hours yesterday, so that’s got to be right up there. And that’s even without regulars Yo and Slalom! around. Wait until they wake up. The roof will be off this thing. If somebody would say something bad about Northside, LaGrange or AAAA and AAA football, that would do the trick.

* In your playoff brackets, how do they determine the 1-4 seeds in regions that are split into an A and B bracket?*

Each region has its own plan, so I can’t answer that. I did explain Region 6-AAAAA’s plan earlier. It’s head-to-head between the subregion winners for #1 and #2, and if there’s no head-to-head, then it’s record vs. common opponents in the region. Most regions use overall region record or overall record vs. teams in the same classification.

* I am not sure if you are aware of this, but marietta defeated brookwood 21-6 in their preseason game.*

We need to start covering preseason/exhibition games because it’s amazing how often they’re referenced in this blog. It’s almost as frequent a topic here as crooked referees and wet fields.

* How about a blog for each classification?*

I’m all for it, but not sure we’ve got the manpower for it. The lower classes do get short-changed. I hardly ever hear about Class A here, and ECI is No. 1 for the first time in history. That’s a good story.

* who do you have Luella beating in the first round? I see them losing to Camden in the 2nd round, but where’s the 1st round prediction?*

Luella should be in place of Douglass in the first round. When I originally did the draw, I thought Douglass was going to make it. Then came last Friday.

* North Hall is a lot better than you think, or do you think that their #2 ranking is out of pity or favoritism for 7AAA?*

Fwiw, North Hall is No. 1 in one all-class computer poll. NH is crushing everybody.

* First of all why are you and the AJC so down on Roswell. There was not one sentence covering there game last week?*

If the game report was not in Saturday’s paper, that means (in most cases) that someone didn’t call it in quickly enough, or not at all. We depend on coaches or statisticians or other school officials to give us info on games that we don’t cover in person.

I’m not down on Roswell. I just think that Roswell is in danger of losing in the first round because of the likelihood of being seeded No. 3, which means a trip to North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge or Norcross in the first round. Roswell would probably not be favored on the road vs. any of those teams.

* Mr. Todd have you missed me?*

Yes, Cougar Mom, I have. I wanted some advice on the rankings. If Brookwood beats Grayson, which team should I replace Grayson with in the Top 10? Brookwood or Camden County? Or do you have any other ideas?

By NSHS FAN

October 23, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd, Something is wrong with the AAA rating by the Georgia’s Coaches Association (GCA). How in the world a team like Shaw with only one loss, beat the number one ranked team in AAA; La Grange, and not be unranked? NSWR came from 14 points down, lost their starting QB maybe for the season, to beat Upson-Lee 31-26 (Upson-Lee’s last TD came with 25 seconds left in the game). In a lost, the GCA ranked Upson-Lee number 8 in this week’s AAAA coaches poll. Can someone explain that one? Shaw sould be ranked in the top 10 in AAA. Fair in fair and speak from a fan’s standpoint.

By aviking

October 23, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

First of all, Coffee did not get 361 yards on Lowndes’ defense. They barely got a 100. Coffee is good, really big, but poorly coached. And they don’t know how to win a big game. They choke in the playoffs (that goes back to poor coaching). Yes we would pull for Valdosta to win if we weren’t in the playoffs, at least most Vikings would. But some would not. We would like to play Harrison again. Behind Valdosta they are the best team we’ve played this year. Ware, who has only lost to Lowndes, is better than Coffee.

By Cougar Mom

October 23, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Now, now Mr. Todd, is that a rhetorical question? I expect nothing but you being facetious at this point?

I am new to this blogging thing so forgive me if I am a little green here by asking this question; but how can you show Hooch love if we don’t even play those teams that you have ranked? Come on, we played two AJC ranked teams and beat them on the road but still didn’t get ranked…so I am at a loss here. How can we knock someone out of the rankings if we don’t play them? To me that isn’t quite fair, now is it Mr. Todd? Look at number one that is my prediction!,

1. Chattahoochee
2. North Gwinnett
3. M.L. King
4. Harrison
5. Lowndes
6. Walton
7. Stephenson
8. Peachtree Ridge
9. Norcross
10. Grayson

GO COUGARS!!!

By devil lover

October 23, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd, if you were The coach of North Gwinnett would you want a bye week just before playing Norcross at the devil’s den or not? Well they have one and we can’t wait to play them.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

*Hey Todd, Something is wrong with the AAA rating by the Georgia’s Coaches Association (GCA). How in the world a team like Shaw with only one loss, beat the number one ranked team in AAA; La Grange, and not be unranked? NSWR came from 14 points down, lost their starting QB maybe for the season, to beat Upson-Lee 31-26 (Upson-Lee’s last TD came with 25 seconds left in the game). In a lost, the GCA ranked Upson-Lee number 8 in this week’s AAAA coaches poll. Can someone explain that one? Shaw sould be ranked in the top 10 in AAA. Fair in fair and speak from a fan’s standpoint. *

Now you see, NSHS Fan, that’s just what I’ve been trying to tell you guys. These coaches might know their X’s and O’s as well as sportswriters do, but they have no time in their 80-hour weeks do be doing rankings.

Does anyone think Rich McWhorter or Larry Campbell are biting their finger nails, agonizing over whether Chattahoochee or Norcross should be No. 10? Does Mark Crews have time to think about Shaw and LaGrange and Upson-Lee when he’s got Grayson coming to town?

That’s why this stuff is better left to sportswriters. We’ve got nothing better to do.

Now excuse me while I get back to work on those plays Coach Crews had me drawing up.

By CoffeeTrojan

October 23, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

aviking, Coffee has their problems, but what game were you at? Coffee moved the ball well. Here is a quote from lowndesfootball.com “On the night, the Vikings held Coffee to 361 yards of total offense and 110 in the first half.” I take it yall give all opponents an extra 250 yards of O. As far as coaching, that was the first game in his 3 years that I have seen Odom get completely outcoached.

By KooGar

October 23, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

Todd, I understand why you would be quick to dismiss the coaches poll. Maybe if the sportswriters were ranked, the coaches who spend their time reading sports articles, in between the time they are breaking down game film and scouting reports on their opponents, would be best suited to rank the sportswriters. Maybe a football coach knows more about sportswriting than the sportswriters, just the way the sportswriters know more about football than the coaches.

I do agree with you, however, that coaches get it wrong too. There is no way Camden at 6-1 should be ranked ahead of Chattahoochee at 6-1 in the coaches poll, the AP poll, or any poll. Hooch road a bus 6 hours to south Georgia and beat Camden on their own field! I guess for people in the “ranking” business, its tough to ignore big name football schools with all of their past accomplishments, and to evaluate the talent and heart of the teams proving themselves on the field this year. The fact is, however, Chattahoochee’s win over Camden becomes all the more significant the more Camden moves up in the polls.

Chattahoochee is 6-1 and their only loss is by 4 points. Hooch has beaten former AJC number 1 Roswell on the road. Hooch has beaten past AJC number 8, current coaches number 7, and current AP number 8 Camden County on the road. According to the AJC, the Cougars don’t rate. I feel a Rodney Dangerfield joke lurking in here somewhere.

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd, I’m all for separate blogs for all classifications. You could find moderators for each one, and you could visit when you had time. One restriction though, you can only mention Brookwood on the AAAAA blog. As for the comment about North Hall not getting any respect (nobody north of Buford does anyway),that was directed at another blogger.

By Todd Holcomb

October 23, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

As for the comment about North Hall not getting any respect (nobody north of Buford does anyway),that was directed at another blogger.

I know. I was just pointing out something interesting about N.Hall in the computer polls. We’ll have to give the idea of separate blogs more thought.

I understand why you would be quick to dismiss the coaches poll. Maybe if the sportswriters were ranked, the coaches who spend their time reading sports articles, in between the time they are breaking down game film and scouting reports on their opponents, would be best suited to rank the sportswriters.

I’d love to see the sportswriters ranked, especially if the coaches did it. They’d probably have more fun doing a Bottom 10 when it came to sportswriters, though. I’d probably get a vote or two, although Terry Crowder is probably my biggest fan because I’m helping motivate his boys.

But I hope you know that I was just having fun in my criticism of the coaches’ poll. I stick to my premise, that rankings aren’t a top the priority list for many coaches, but I like the fact that we have three sets of rankings (AP, AJC, coaches), plus a few computer rankings on top of that. If you’re pretty good, you’ll be ranked in one of them.

By fedup

October 23, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Hey, how about a seperate blog where nswr is #1, and the hooch is 2. Then nswr can go on and brag about how great they are, and hooch can complain about being under rated, best of all we won’t have to read it.

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Todd, I meant to ask you how thought that Buford would fare in AAA next year? ( By the way, I have heard from a reliable source that it will be region 7 that Buford will be in.)

By cool cell

October 23, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

Todd I still don’t understand the 3-way tie thing, IF Shaw,LG, and Carver-Col finsh in a tie. But if Carver handle their business on Sat.Nite no tie-breaker will be needed. P.S ………Durrun Furr the best QB in the state Hands Down! Carver-COL 20 LG 10

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

While I’m asking your opinion on things, how do you see AAA playing out?

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

To:NSHS Fan, Reeze, and NTH Trojans, WOW!! We actually have some interesting “non-AAAAA” conversation here! The Shaw upset of LaGrange was quite a dissappointment for me personally, but not too difficult to have predicted. The Grangers did pretty much what they have done all season, (play an uninspired first half, then rely on their talent and DEPTH,(for “Yo”), to finally wear down their opponent. The difference this time happened to be that the Shaw Raiders are a much better team than the Grangers have faced this year. In spite of the loss, the Grangers won the second half, 9-0. This is a very talented, but very young LaGrange team. Their overconfidence has been apparent to me all season. Having said that, maybe this loss will serve as a “wake up” call. I do believe they will be much better prepared for Carver this week. Speaking of which, on a previous post, I referred to Carver-Columbus as “the best in the state in any classification”. That quote should have read:,”On PAPER, Carver-Columbus should be the best in the state, regardless of classification”. My bad. No disrespect to Carver and Coach Dell McGee. They are very good, but not nearly as good as Northside WR. NSHS Fan, I really hate hearing the news about Ivory’s injury. Hopefully Northside will find a way to continue their season of excellence without him. Reeze, your idea of “separate classification” blogs, is a great one. What about it , Todd? As for the “coaches Poll”, I have not seen it. However, if Shaw has been left out, “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. AAA looks wide open to me. North Hall may be the “sleeping giant”. Also, remember this: Should Carver-Columbus fail to win the AAA title this year, it will come down to their kicking game.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Regardless of how the LaGrange Carver game goes this week, there is an excellent chance that they will very likely face each other again before season’s end. Same goes for Shaw. “Cool Cell”. Deron Furr is indeed a gifted athlete. But as a QB, I would take Cam Greathouse (Shaw) every time. Playing in Columbus, at Memorial Stadium, Carver has the definite advantage. Should the Grangers pull off the upset, remember the name Jamius Gunsby, and…..the Carver kicking game.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

To: “The AAAAA Nation” For the past several weeks, I have been pulling my hair out trying to understand why I have such an attitude about the AAAAA schools. And now, I have FINALLY figured it out. Thanks to a weekend trip to N. Atlanta. Here it is: “AAAAA fans, my issues are NOT with AAAAA”. My issues are with the “mega-schools” that are being built primarily in the greater Atlanta area. i.e. Gwinnett Co. For me, high school football has always been about the “home team”. Towns like Valdosta, Moultrie, LaGrange, Carrollton,Warner Robins, Macon, Manchester, Buford, etc. represent what high school football is about. It is about Friday night, at your home town stadium. Most of the home town fans, you will know by name. The football team represents not only the current team, but the history behind the team. There is passion and pride for the legacy of your home town team.(Regardless of classification). Since most of the “mega schools” being built in the greater Atlanta area have virtually no history, they quite simply bore me.

By MLK Band Mom

October 23, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Mr. Todd, I respect your ‘Forecast’ as to how you THINK this thing will play out. Just know that the MLK Lions are a bunch of guys who play with ‘HEART’ and have shown this community that they are capable of obtaining, and well on their way to the #1 spot. The lot of you have underminded this team’s ability BUT I along with the other fans know that these young men are some of the best atheletes around (on and off the field).

Continue to watch them, and continue to discount their staying ability … a forecast is just that ‘one man’s prediction.’ When it is all said and done we’ll sit down and talk.

By KooGar

October 23, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Slalom1, I don’t know where you went this weekend, but you didn’t visit the high school in my home town here in metro Atlanta. If you did, you would have met my friends tailgating, seen the stands over flowing, heard a great band at half-time, felt the Cougar pride and passion on and off the field, and seen smash mouth football. The big metro schools have our share of history too, but we choose to keep making history and not live in the past - its so boring.

By BrookwoodFan

October 23, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

The beginning of our season was a rough start, But now that we have wiped the sweat and blood from our uniforms. Its time to buckledown and prepare for the Grayson game. We are taking this season one game at a time, staying humble,focused,strong. The Grayson game will be an emotional game. This game will be dedicated to Daniel Peek, Our fallen brother. I am very disappointed about hearing that we cannot move the ball against the Grayson defense. Friday we will see about that. We are not going to get ahead of ourselves because that will ultimately lead to the end of our season. We are taking one game at a time. Playing as hard as we can everydown and every second for 48 minutes. Brookwood All The Way!!

By NSHS FAN

October 23, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

Slalom 1, The Georgia Coaches Association poll comes out a little later than the AJC and AP Polls. You can find it at gasports.net. NSWR OB Marguez Ivory was operated on at 7:00 PM tonight. I hope all goes well with the operation. While I would love to see him play again for NSWR this year, more importantly, that he has a speedy recovery. I am going to be kind of quiet about NSWR future success in the play-off until I see their back-up QB (Joe Scott) play against Westside-Macon on 2 November 07. As fate would have it, NSWR is off this week which gives Coach Nix an extra week to adjust plays to Scotts’ strenght. We shall see!

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

To slalom 1: If you read the end of last weeks blog, then you know the history of North Hall. This team is so dominant on defense. They run th Winged - T offense and have four guys that can score from anywhere on the field, including the fullback who happens to run a 4.6/40. Anyone that thinks that they are going to run roughshod over this team is sadly mistaken.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

To:”KooGar”, You said “metro” Atlanta. Where is “metro” Atlanta? And, who is your school? Did you attend “your school?” Are you from Georgia? Do you have deep rooted passion for “your school”? Geez!!! I love your comment about, ” making history and not living in the past!” I was waiting for that. You just made me 50 dollars richer. Hot Dang!!!!! Go KooGar!!!

By steven maxwell

October 23, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

I really don’t know where to start but i agree with some of the people’s comments.Triple A ball is the hardest region to play in exspecaily 8-3A the others are just toy regions.Stepens County is the best team in that region but not only that they have the best player in the state on that team Tauren Poole.They keep talkin north hall we would beat them down they haven’t played any body so i know we aint what they want so they need to bark up another tree and i missed the issue where you finally talked about my nephrew tauren where can i get that issue.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

To: “NTH Trojans”, Maybe you did not read my last post. I referred to North Hall as “the sleeping giant” of AAA. And, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the recent history of the North Hall program. I believe they are a program headed in the right direction. Furthermore, they may very well be THE team to beat this year. If I seemed to “dis” North Hall,I apologize. The truth is, I believe this is a team, and even more importantly, a PROGRAM to be reckoned with.

By hoya dad

October 23, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

THe bored small town man did’nt visit the cobb energy field in kennesaw where the energy was real.The parking lot and stands bagan to fill at 4:30.The k mt. student section was full by 6:00 with all black shirts for a game they called black out. Both bands were huge and awesome all stands were full and the stadium was packed with a staning room only crowd. I’ve been attendig highschool football for 40 years, and it doen,nt get any better than this. thanks K Mt. for a wonderful night, and for making this a great rivalry. You got us last year and we got you this year , see you next year, and maybe the bored man from the small town can find his way through the big city to hoya stadium, and we will try to do as good as you K. mt. and give him a real highschool game. Thanks K. Mt.

By wondering

October 23, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

slalom1, Just wondering, does your letter jacket still fit, and if it does are you wearing it right now? LOL

By wondering

October 23, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

slalom1, Just wondering, does your letter jacket still fit, and if it does are you wearing it right now? LOL

By steven maxwell

October 23, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Todd can i get a special shoot out to the stephens county indians cause i see ya’ll still talking north hall trogans i sure hope they make it to met the indians and every body will see tell me what you think.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

To: “Hoya Dad”, You seem angry. Here is the question:, “Did I include Cobb County as being among the “newbies?” NO. Absolutely not. Cobb County represents exactly the opposite of my rantings. Cobb county is a closley held community. They take great pride in their schools and their traditions. I will bet that the Cobb County school you pull for goes way back. Not among the “mega” schools from the north. Cobb County is NOT a “suitcase county”. (Unlike their northern neighbors.)

By NTH Trojans

October 23, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Stephen Maxwell, I work with a guy who’s son went to S.C. and he attends nearly every game. He has also been to “The Brickyard” to watch N.H. play and he says that the Trojans would win hands down. You see, where S.C. has ONE weapon (Poole), N.H. has FOUR or FIVE (The Wolf twins, Epps, Jackson, & DeHass), not to mention a defense that has only been scored upon TWICE in the Red Zone in Twenty attempts against the starting “D”. You say that 8AAA is tough? Man, S.C. only plays ONE decent team in that region - and that’s Hart Co. Meanwhile, North Hall plays Gainesville, Flowery Branch, and Chestatee (and starting next year, Buford). 8AAA has got to be one of the WEAKEST regions in AAA. If you think that 7AAA is weak, then see if S.C. can beat Flowery Branch 42-14.

slalom 1, you said nothing to offend me or anyone else in Trojan Nation. Just checking to see if you were able to read the background on North Hall. This seems more and more to our year, I hope so because next year we have to reload (notice I didn’t say rebuild) and there will be a learning curve at the beginning of the season. But we should be ok be time for subregion play.

By CJ

October 23, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

To Slalom1, the carver -columbus kicking game is much better this year. They are good on paper and on the feild. I have seen them play. i saw them win at carrolton and jackson county last year with their kicking game. I also saw them man handle shaw this year. can we get a little credit.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

To: “CJ” CJ, you get plenty of “credit” from me. Like I have said before, “On paper, Carver should be able to manhandle anyone in the state, regardless of classification”. They have that much talent. However, I stand behind what I have said before….”Should they fail to win the AAA title this year, it will be due to the kicking game.”.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

To “CJ”, This may very well be the year for Carver-Columbus. But, do not over look North Hall. This team is for real. And….a rematch against Shaw and LaGrange is a possibility. There is also Carrolton, Gainesville, and Hart County. Have we forgotten about Peach County? AAA is tough, and difficult to predict.

By steven maxwell

October 23, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

To that guy who says stepehens county has’nt played anybody he must not follow high school football that well.We bet the defending 2-A state champs dublin and the 4-A ranked radiers this year.So you say where we have one weapon ya’ll have two or three but that one is all we need cause ya’ll can’nt stop him and you know he’s coming and you call g ville and those other two something they are’nt even on our level and neither is the trogans don’t you know we boost the best running back in georgia and the trogans has’nt played anyone with half his talent and when you key in on him we kill you with our secret weapons.So if the trogans happen to met us just say it’ll be your last game of the year.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

To: “By Wondering”, LOL!!!!! Good one!!! Actually, regarding my “letter jacket”, I was 5’11, 175 when I graduated from LHS in 1887.(By the way, I heard that we won a state championship that year. I just simply do not recall.(It has been a very long time.)….Should you chose to do the math, you will calculate that I am now 110 years old. But, I do not look one day older than 90. And, yes my “letter jacket” still fits. Today, I weigh in at a stealthy 156 lbs. of lean, mean 110 year old muscle. (I am ready to “suit up” and play).

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

To: “Yo” I believe it is time to hear your “wrap up” of the Lowndes vs. Valdosta game. Much closer than I had expected. What is all of this “game being fixed” stuff that I am hearing? Before I get blasted, let me state that I do not believe that anyone in Lowndes County would “fix a game”. So, tell us the story.

By KooGar

October 23, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Slalom1, Cobb County is NOT part of metro Atlanta? Is that what they’re teaching in those close knit communities of yours? Tell us folks who have kids playing for schools that have no pride or tradition, how do you really feel about progress.

By CJ

October 23, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

I AGREE AAA IS TOUGH, BUT PEACH COUNTY IS NOT THE SAME TEAM. AND LETS BE FOR REAL CARROLLTON IS NOT AN ISSUE. WHY DONT THEY PLAY LAGRANGE DURING THE REGULAR SEASON SO THEY CAN BE EXPOSED FOR BEING WEAK. COLUMBUS HAS 9 HIGH SCHOOLS AND 4 OF THEM ARE RANKED IN THE TOP 10 OF THEIR CLASSIFICATION. SO I GET TO SEE GOOD TEAMS PLAY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

By Brookwood Fan

October 23, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

First, let me say that I’m not the person posting as “Bwood Fan”. No disrespect to him or her. Just didn’t want anyone confusing us. But oddly enough I agree with him on many things. Brookwood has gotten much stronger as the year has progressed. I believe that we will defeat Grayson, but don’t be fooled. We do respect Grayson, they are a good team and are starting to replace Parkview as our regional rival (I know that’s a lot of history to replace, note that I said “are starting to”). I also recall Grayson and NGwinnett both having great sportsmanship. Regarding Chattahoochee and M.L. King, I have not seen them play, but would like to see how good they are. The only school that I’m familiar with in Cobb is Harrison and they are consistently strong. I am not underestimating the Non-metro schools. There just seems to be none dominating down there this year. I am use to seeing Lowndes or Camden rule. I am interested in seeing who claims the Region 1 title. I believe when anyone is assumed to make the championship game, it’s like a jinx. I hope other teams are not seeing this post too much, it gives them more motivation against Brookwood and Lowndes. I prefer flying under the radar. I want us to have the opportunity to meet NGwinnett again. They have my respect because of how well the players have dealt with the coaching changes throughout the years. Broncos take it game by game! Let’s do it!

By ?????

October 23, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

slalom1 what are you talking about? you get my vote for the CAPTAIN LAME AWARD.

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

To: “NTH Trojans” Hopefully you can see the respect that I have for North Hall. As for the “Wing-T”, 10 years ago, it was THE offense to run in high school football. But, here is the problem with the “Wing -T”: Number 1-you must have a QB with great ball handling skills. (After all, the Wing-T is all about deception. Number 2-You must have a “wingback” who is not only lightening quick, but also very smart.(In other words, an extraordinary athlete). Having said that, North Hall may very well have those gifted athletes this year. Furthermore, I believe they do. But, here is where the problem lies: 10 years ago, defensive coaches did not know how to prepare for the Wing -T. Today, any defensive coordinator who has studied the game, can devise a scheme to stop the Wing T, provided he has the athletes to get the job done. More and more, I am seeing the better high school programs going to an offense that is more or less a “spread.” THE WING T IS DEAD.

By Ed NSHS Fan

October 23, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Hey Slalom 1, The LHS you graduated from> would that be the former Lanier High School of Macon Georgia

By Ed NSHS Fan

October 23, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Hey Slalom 1, The LHS you graduated from> would that be the former Lanier High School of Macon Georgia?

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

To: “koo Gar”…. Did you not just read my last post? I was NOT including Cobb County as being among the “newbies” of Atlanta. To the contrary, I was giving “hands up” to Cobb County. I happen to have close ties to South Cobb, McEachern, North Cobb, Osborne, etc. I was referring to all of the “MEGA SCHOOLS” being built in North Atlanta.i.e. Gwinett County. Having said that, I believe it is time for Cobb County to FINALLY, after all these years, produce a state championship high school football team!

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

To: Ed NSHS Fan, Ed, I remember Lanier High School of Macon, Ga. very well. But, I finished up at LaGrange High School. Speaking of Lanier High School, my father, who was a school teacher, was offered a job at Lanier, when I was a freshman in high school. That was just prior to desegregation. Seeing the “writing on the wall”, Lanier and Willingham turned their schools into “All Boys” high schools. I was quite upset when my father suggested the possibility that I may be spending the next 3 years of my life in an “All Boys” high school. So, along with my 2 younger brothers, we mounted a major offensive against my father. He gave it up for us. But, in the wake of things to come, he probably also gave up a more comfortable life in retirement. The Lanier “Poets”. Never forget them. Do you remember the name, “Isaac Jackson?”

By slalom1

October 23, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

To: BY ???? I most graciously accept this award! I have never received such an honor. I must first of all thank my family, friends, and most of all my sponsors. We had a pretty good car today, but it was just a little bit tight in the corner and loose off the turns. We got into the #29 car when he checked up. I have no idea what he was doing. Probably was trying to take us out of the race. But….dadgum, we got a great race team, and I have the greatest crew chief in….uh, okay….uh…Northside still wins out this year.

By yo

October 24, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

To: “Yo” I believe it is time to hear your “wrap up” of the Lowndes vs. Valdosta game. Much closer than I had expected. What is all of this “game being fixed” stuff that I am hearing? Before I get blasted, let me state that I do not believe that anyone in Lowndes County would “fix a game”. So, tell us the story. Slalom 1…you just aren’t going to let me sit back and take it all in for a change.:-) 1st thought, both teams offensively are built on speed and a very wet track from all of the rain that day made it hard on the offenses to make cut backs with out a lot of slipping (thereby occasionally tackling themselves sort of speak). 2nd thought…both teams are built on defense first (which they say is what wins championships) and both defenses played very well. After the first few series Lowndes showed signs of possibly dominating both sides of the ball, but to Valdostas credit they made some defensive changes that began to impact our offense. They would put 9 men in the box and absolutely attack every gap, getting into the backfield quite often before our Wing T could get it going. Lowndes on the other held Valdosta with out a first down for most of the first half. With about 3 or so minutes to go in the game with Lowndes up 11 to 0 we fumbled the ball on the fist play deep in our own territory and gave Valdosta their chance to get on the board. To their credit they did and converted a 2 pt. play. After recovering the on side kick and with about a minute or so to go in the game, Greg Reid broke off a beautiful 50 yard run to seal the game at 18 to 8. This senior class for Lowndes is the first to go undefeated against Valdosta (4 years) and now the Junior class has a chance to repeat. Considering the fact we are a predominantly sophomore/junior team they have a very good shot at it. One thing of note is that our defense has not given up any where near 26-28 points to any one this year (I think the most was 14 to Coffee). I thought I would throw that in for those concerned about our short sophomore qback who can flat out motor and cant see over big defensive lineman. As if we throw all that much any way. Lowndes only achiles hill is the offenses ability to some time beat itself with mistakes. Other than that, we have a fine ball club who “if” they continue to improve will be tough to beat. Especially in the dome, where speed kills.

By yo

October 24, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

CoffeeTrojan..what happened to your defense this past Friday night against Warner Robins? I was shocked in that you were up 21-0 and next thing I hear Coffee is coming from behind. Is your defense going to be your achilles hill this year? signed…concerned. ps-Not to take any thing from Warner but that was a first for them this year.

By slalom1

October 24, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

To: “Yo”, Sorry to have awakened you from your peaceful sleep, but never the less appreciate your wrap up of THE game, FINALLY. So, where is the Valdosta program compared to the rest of AAAAA? Can Tomberlin turn things around? Is it possible that Valdosta is gaining ground on Lowndes? Wake up “Yo”. The world awaits your input.

By yo

October 24, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Aviking…Coffee Trojan is right in that Lowndes did give up 361 yards of offense to Coffee. The important note to that is that only 110 of Coffees yards came in the first half when the outcome of the game had already been decided. I do believe Coffee has the best offense of any team we have played this year or for that matter may play. I also believe when a team has a very serious lead as Lowndes did they will have a tendency to not attack on defense as much and make sure the play stays in front of them thereby giving up a lot more yards than they might otherwise have. Lowndes probably went into a semi prevent defense the second half. Having said that, I give Coffee all the credit in the world for continuing to come at us in the second half. To CoffeeTrojan I was picking Coffee to be a final 4 team but your defense is starting to get me concerned. I am counting on you so get that defense in order. Between Lowndes and Warner you have given up a whole lot of points.

By Roger

October 24, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

I have seen both North Hall and Stephens County play; I would have to say that it would be a very good and close game. Stephens County is thought to have a one man team, but if you saw them play or ask one of the teams they have played you will quickly find out that they have several other weapons that don’t get the pub. North Hall runs a very impressive wing-t offense that is very potent and they also have a very good defense; I will say one thing that would concern me when it comes to North Hall is that all of there games are against 7-AAA teams which makes it hard to tell how good they really are because I think overall 7-AAA is a weak region. I can’t wait to see the AAA playoffs this year because I think there are 8 or 9 teams that can win it all; every team who makes the playoffs this year better bring their best every round or they will be sitting home watching the rest of the playoffs.

By yo

October 24, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

Valdosta is gaining ground but still a ways to go. I believe Tomberlin has them going in the right direction. As for the glory days, even most Wildcat diehards I know realize those days are over. Right now I would put Valdosta in the top 10 to 15 of AAAAA and climbing. I (like Todd) do believe they will make some noise come playoff time.

By DW

October 24, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

TODD, VALDOSTA DID NOT TANK THAT GAME.NO OTHER GAME MATTERS TO THESE TWO TEAMS WHEN THE WINNERSVILLE CLASSIC IS PLAYED. WHO WINS STATE WILL BE THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GET THE BIG HEAD & THINK THEY ARE DOMINATE JUST BECAUSE OF THIER RANKINGS IN THE AJC.I BELIEVE DEFENSE IS THE KEY THIS YEAR FOR A TEAM TO MAKE IT TO MAIN DANCE.

By JHS

October 24, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this

wow….that Marietta High School education must be great…can someone interpret MHS#28 post for me?

By CoffeeTrojan

October 24, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

Yo,the D has had a tendency to let up when we get a lead, much like you were saying with Lowndes (although I felt our O was yalls best D on the field most of the night). It has us terrified. We may have the best O in the state, but our D has to quit assuming nobody can stop them. They let up at the end of the first half to let it be 21-7. Then a punt block at the beginning of the 3rd, set Wr up at the 2. From there things snowballed. It was very similar to what we did with Tift, but WR kept coming. The amazing thing is Burke has 14 TDs and ONE INT (the Lowndes game)

By Doc

October 24, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

Marietta has had the wheels come off in one game. A combination of implosions and penalties took them out of the Harrison game early. A re-match would go differently. Look at their other 6 games. Every opponent was held to single digits. The next two? Murray County and Woodstock. They should roll into the North Cobb game 8-1 and playing at home. Help me out. If Marietta, Harrison, and North Cobb all end up with 1 loss, who would win the tie-breaker? The head-to-head all cancel each other out. Thanks-

By Cougar Mom

October 24, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

*To:fedup *

October 23, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Hey, how about a seperate blog where nswr is #1, and the hooch is 2. Then nswr can go on and brag about how great they are, and hooch can complain about being under rated, best of all we won’t have to read it.

You sound so bitter What’s wrong baby? Is your team not winning?

You do have choices and you DON’T have to read the blog, now poof be gone!

GO COUGARS!

By yo

October 24, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

You can get a little taste of the Winnersville Classic by going to valdostadailytimes.org and checking out the video on the front page called Winnersville. Just a little taste though. Also get a little taste of the feeling of state playoff action from that video. Especially semifinals and state championship game.

By Jaybird229

October 24, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

I’ve watched film of Stephens County, in particular the game against Habersham Central, and they are very dimensional. They are actually pretty good at throwing the ball and it was quite effective against Habersham, who is a top 10 AAAA team. But Poole is the straw that stirs the drink for them.

By johnny K

October 24, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Is there a reason you did not post my e-mail? You are just like Maxi.

Bias and not willing to answer questions. What is the purpose of having a blog if you don’t answer the questions.

Oh I got it now, you only list the ones you like and also use the same criteria to answer.

Again that is old school and also very SAD.

It will be interesting to see if you post this and if so what you answer will be.

Johnny K

By Jaybird229

October 24, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Being a big fan of South Georgia Football, but also Georgia HS Football in general, I think that Valdosta is on the rise, but they aren’t ready for a deep playoff run just yet. I need to see more of a passing threat from them. Their QB is a good athlete, but he’s not decisive enough in his reads. Lowndes is primed for another state title run. Anything is possible, but they seem to have the poise and crucial playmaking ability that championship teams need. Thomas County Central is, and I hate to say it since their a rival of my high school Cairo, a state title threat as well. They need to show more passing ability also, but defenses have to be so disciplined against their split back veer and that’s a definite advantage if weather also ever comes into play. Their pass defense is their achilles heel, but if they shore that up, the only teams I see giving them problems is of course Northside(if they can get adequate QB play, but the best overall team in the state IMO), Tucker(if they can score enough, but the D is great), or Habersham Central(because they can throw the ball, but it would be a shootout cause their not great on D). I’d love to be able to honestly say that Cairo is a title contender, but I can’t do it. They have great talent, but their playcalling is atrocious. They also haven’t made it past the second round since 2000, which I think is a reflection of coaching IMO. But I’m hoping for big things from them. How about Thomasville? They have been very impressive since starting the year off with losses to TCC and Cairo. Big Question Mark for them? Passing Game. Can’t pass very effectively, but have a great rushing attack. Will get big test this week against Fitzgerald, who is also one dimensional, but very good at it. LOL. We’ll see what happens though.

By johnny K

October 24, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Let me offer my sincere apology to you with respect to posting my previous comments. I overlooked them as they were published word for word.

GOOD FOR YOU

Johnny K

By NSHS FAN

October 24, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Slalom 1, TCC, Yo, Reeze, and Todd Holcumb. First part for Slalom 1. My admiration for Lanier High School came from my childhood when they would play teams from Savannah, Atlanta, Augusta, etc. They seem to win the majority of their games and had a sharp ROTC. I never heard of Isaac Jackson but did hear of a QB name Jolly who was just a super athlete. He caused WRHS a lot of headaches during his time at Central HS of Macon. PS: NSWR QB, Marquez Ivory operation was a success. However, the earliest he can take the cast-off is in six weeks (Dec). Then comes physical therapy> so it appears the next time we see Marquez will be at the college level. Marquez is big-boned so personally, I see him as a linebacker/DE at the college level. Right now I see TCC and Tucker as the favorites to win the AAAA championship. Of course, Conrad Nix might come-up with something to keep NSWR in the mix.

By roswell alien

October 24, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

Mr. Holcomb:

You might want to reconsider dismissing the Hornets so readily. You also might want to double check the playoff brackets. You have them playing Grayson in your picks, but referred to a first round matchup against one of the three title contenders from Region 7.

If Grayson manages to upset the AJC’s beloved Brookwood Broncos Friday night, that could result in another Roswell-Brookwood battle in the first round. The “overrated” Hornets are 2-0 against the darlings of the AJC, including a win in the playoffs last year at Brookwood, when Roswell played without its star tailback.

In your predictions, you have Region 8 going 3-1 against Region 6 in the first round. Neither Roswell nor Walton is going to lose in the first round, which will likely come as a real disappointment to the Gwinnett-centric AJC prep staff.

By mikefresh

October 24, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

hey nth trojans i hear ya north hall is so powerful on offense and there defense is second to none and stephens county is a very talented team i follow north geogia football every week and i cover it for gasports.com and we have been saying foe awhile that north hall can win it all and as far as stephens county they are a very skilled team now granted there offense does go thourg poole a tennesee commit and there quaterback a clemson commit for baseball are there two best players there defense is solid but i do fill that if north hall good stop poole then there offense would be more than enough to make it to tha dome. now as far as habersham goes they can spread the ball around sort of like texas tech plus they do have great wr not only mr.king hatcheet can throw the ball where ever he wants as long as he can get protection and there defffense is led by two players one being there oklahoma commit at linebacker and the other at cb who is geting offers they have a good chance in AAAA. i also must bring up cedar shoals abd hart county as two other teams to keep an eye on and it would be nice to also see a north hall play hart county because both teams have a hell of a quaterback and running back. cedar shoals can make a run deep into the playoofs with there two headed running game and there run stoping defense they could be a team that could turn some heads in the playoffs even though i dont see them making it out of the thrid round there offense just isnt good enough yet. if i didnt cover north georgia football then let me know i tried to cover the best north geogia football teams i have saw this year also athens academy is looking good again this year and could be domed bound again this year. finally some love for north georgia football thats whats up and im praying for the quaterback at north side warner robins god blees him he sure is fun to watch

By Must Be a Mix Up

October 24, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

I think a lot of readers are getting Brookwood and Parkview confused. A number of years when Brookwood was the dominant team in Gwinnett the AJC was in love with parkview to the point you wanted to puke each time you opened the sports page. I suspected there was a Parkview graduate on the AJC sports staff. AJC has written no more about the Broncos than they have other teams the last few years. Stop being jealous of successful programs and lets enjoy high school football. 5A is a toss-up this year and the team that has an off night is gone and the team that gets hot at playoff time takes the crown. I predict there will be some 10-0 and 9-1 teams that will have a one-and-out playoff run. It’s that wide open. I haven’t seen this many teams with the potential to win the 5A crown in the last twenty years….and this is the way it’s suppose to be. Good luck to all teams and lets play some football!! PS: the bottom right bracket of the 5A playoff bracket is a ‘murder’s row’ for the teams that will likely be involved. No matter how they are seeded in regions 8,7,6,5 that part of the bracket will be tough.

By Cougar Mom

October 24, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Mr. Todd or anyone that may know:

Any word on Corey Tower’s injury?

By will

October 24, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

why the first round flop todd harrison you must be joking go ray duzs

By steven maxwell

October 24, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

hart county is a great team that should get moore respect than there getting.They have a great QB and RB who can make a good defense look bad they would also like stepenes county go up in chicken town meaning hall county and whip up on those little 7-A teams up there every body will get to see a good foot ball game Nov.2 when the hart county bulldogs travel to the reservation to take on the indians and that’ll be the best game of the year in all triple A ball and either one of those teams will destroy NTH trogans.

By Todd Holcomb

October 24, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Any word on Corey Tower’s injury?

Probably no news until Friday.

why the first round flop todd harrison you must be joking go ray duzs

Just thought I’d throw in an upset, and Parkview is a team that I expected to be very good this year, though the View has been a little disappointing so far. … Let’s put it this way: I wouldn’t put money on that first-round prediction of mine.

You might want to reconsider dismissing the Hornets so readily. You also might want to double check the playoff brackets. You have them playing Grayson in your picks, but referred to a first round matchup against one of the three title contenders from Region 7.

You’re right, Hornet fan. I should’ve said that the #3 in R6 goes on the road to either Grayson or Brookwood. That’s a tough way to start and virtually assures you’ll face five straight very tough games in the playoffs.

It’s only the draw that I hold against Roswell. No doubt that Roswell can win state again.

In your predictions, you have Region 8 going 3-1 against Region 6 in the first round. Neither Roswell nor Walton is going to lose in the first round, which will likely come as a real disappointment to the Gwinnett-centric AJC prep staff.

The AJC was the first to rank North Cobb (a Cobb team) No. 1, and that was in lieu of the popular choice, North Gwinnett (a Gwinnett team).

In preseason, we had Roswell (a Fulton team) at No. 1.

The AJC also had Stephenson (a DeKalb team) at No. 1 instead of North Gwinnett (a Gwinnett team), in opposition to the AP and coaches’ polls.

Further, the AJC has #4 Harrison (a Cobb team) and #6 Walton (a Cobb team) ranked higher than in any other polls. And #9 Norcross and unranked Brookwood (Gwinnett schools) lower than in any other polls.

My predictions above have Harrison beating two Gwinnett teams along the way to the semifinals.

So I don’t know about the prep staff as a whole, but I plead “absolutely 100 percent not guilty” to being Gwinnett-centric.

Now Go Broncos!!!

Help me out. If Marietta, Harrison, and North Cobb all end up with 1 loss, who would win the tie-breaker? The head-to-head all cancel each other out.

Assuming that They’ll draw for it. Similar thing happened a couple of years ago when Harrison, Marietta and South Cobb tied. Marietta drew the #1 seed, though all were declared co-champions.

By Katie

October 24, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

I lost all respect for Brookwood when they stole, and I do mean stole, Grayson’s quarterback. They recruit like the college and pro’s - I don’t care if they do win the state title - titles can’t buy you class.

By slalom1

October 24, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

To: NSHS Fan, and Jaybird229, NSHS Fan, funny you mentioned the ROTC at Lanier. That along with their unusual school colors,(green and red…I believe) made quite a lasting impression. Prior to Lanier, I had never seen rifles carried onto a football field.They also had some pretty tough football teams. JAYBIRD 229: I too am a fan of south Georgia football, and would like to see the return of Valdosta. Coach Tomberlin should be able to get the job done, but regarding the passing game, I don’t recall the passing game having ever been much of a factor in some of Tomberlin’s best teams. However to win in 1AAAAA, Valdosta will absolutely have to mix up the run with the pass. Guess we will see.

By NTH Trojans

October 24, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Sreven Maxwell, You have got to be kidding about 8AAA beating 7AAA- unless you were talking about Gilmer, East Hall, or Pickens. 8AAA is so weak that it looks like it will have two .500 teams going to the playoffs. Look, Hart Co. tied Clarke Central, which isn’t too bad, then they barely beat a mediocre Wesleyan team. As for Stephens Co., I didn’t say that they haven’t played anyone, I said that they play in one of the weakest regions. Their win over Hab Central was impressive, but could they have still won if Habs QB wasn’t hurt? Before anybody gets to thinking about the Dome in 8AAA, I suggest you start looking at the playoff brackets, because 8AAA has to get through 2AAA’s and 6AAA’s top two teams to make it. I personally think that S.C. has the talent to do it, but I don’t think that Hart Co. does. On a completely different topic, one team that I look to surprise some people through the rest of the season and into the playoffs is McNair, I believe their record is 2-5 at this point, but watch and see, they will make the playoffs. The reason for their record is the schedule that they have played. And for those of you that think that just because North Hall runs the Winged-T they are one-dimensional, they are not, they just set up the pass with the run.

By mikefresh

October 24, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

nth trojans i agre with you 100 percent like i said i cover northeast georgia football and 8 AAA is a weak region besides s.c and hart county but with that said s.c. will beat hart county and take the number one seed into the playoffs and hart will take the number two seed oconee county will take the third seed alouth in that region everyone still has a chance even monore area lol if that isnt a joke i dont know what is. north hall is a complete team with there stout defense and there high powered offense. i agree with you on the fact that the wing t is a very god offense to run if you have the players that it takes to run the wing t which north hall does. for those of you on this blog that dont think the wing t is good look at these options. 1 you can run it up the middle with the full back. 2. you can run the vere.3. you can run the option.3. you can run the option pass. 4. you can spread offense. and there are many other ways to move the ball with the wing t as long as you have the PLAYERS which north hall does. the only concern i have is can north halls offense be as good as they are now when they play a good run stoping defense? my answer is yes. correct me if i have said anything wrong in this post nht trojans?

By mikefresh

October 24, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

nth trojans i agre with you 100 percent like i said i cover northeast georgia football and 8 AAA is a weak region besides s.c and hart county but with that said s.c. will beat hart county and take the number one seed into the playoffs and hart will take the number two seed oconee county will take the third seed alouth in that region everyone still has a chance even monore area lol if that isnt a joke i dont know what is. north hall is a complete team with there stout defense and there high powered offense. i agree with you on the fact that the wing t is a very god offense to run if you have the players that it takes to run the wing t which north hall does. for those of you on this blog that dont think the wing t is good look at these options. 1 you can run it up the middle with the full back. 2. you can run the vere.3. you can run the option.3. you can run the option pass. 4. you can spread offense. and there are many other ways to move the ball with the wing t as long as you have the PLAYERS which north hall does. the only concern i have is can north halls offense be as good as they are now when they play a good run stoping defense? my answer is yes. correct me if i have said anything wrong in this post nth trojans?

By NTH Trojans

October 24, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

I agree mikefresh, the Winged-T can be very effective as long as it’s not 1 or 2 dimensional, and North Hall’s isn’t. They have a fullback that’s bruising AND fast (runs a 4.6/40),a QB that can run and throw, wingback and RB that block well,can fly, and can catch. the RB (Hunter Wolf) has great field vision and sets up his blocking better than anyone I have seen in quite awhile. And to top it all off, our receivers throw blocks that will rattle your teeth. and that’s not our strong point.

By Reeze

October 24, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

NSHS Fan.All is not Lost .Our defense is still intact,Nix will get his team prepared for life without Ivory.I don’t see many big passing plays without Ivory,but you know we have enough depth at the offensive positions to get it done in other ways.And NSHS fan ,no disrespect to Joe Scott,i don’t see Nix putting him under center for the whole ride.It’ll be someone else,so hold on minute NSHS fan favoring TCC or Tucker.At least until after the Westside-Macon game.

By coachj

October 24, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

writing columns is your profession, stick to it because everything after that is a calculated dream! 5A football is more balanced! Get over it! The days of the same teams winning every year is over! So get us to it!Your dream will not come true! All you are doing is putting a bulls-eye on there back like you did all the other number ones YOU have chosen to be there during the year!

By Katie is Smoking Something

October 24, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

By Katie October 24, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this Re: Katie’s note “I lost all respect for Brookwood when they stole, and I do mean stole, Grayson’s quarterback. They recruit like the college and pro’s - I don’t care if they do win the state title - titles can’t buy you class.” You’re right. I saw a pickup back up to his house and 3 big guys in brookwood jerseys ran in, tied him up and tossed him in the back of the truck. do you realize how stupid your comment was? the young man had his mom in one cluster and his dad in the other. you forgot that he grew up in the brookwood cluster before moving to grayson. by the way ‘recruit’ and ‘stole’ have entirely different meanings so make up your mind.

By Roger

October 24, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

MIKEFRESH if you cover North GA football as you say you do then you would realize that 7-AAA is a weak region overall they have North Hall and Flowery Branch thats it; the rest of the region is weak they only play each other. Chestatee is not that good of a team and Gainsville is not what they once were; i’m not saying North Hall isn’t good, but don’t try and say that 7-AAA is a region full of great teams because like 8-AAA they have one great team and another good team. 7-AAA has a great team in North Hall and a good team in Flowery Branch; 8-AAA has a great team in Stephens County and a good team in Hart County. The only real difference between the two regions is that 7-AAA has more teams including more bad teams due to shear numbers; like I sais earlier this years AAA playoffs will be good and several teams can win it all.

By slalom1

October 24, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

“Katie is smoking something”? I think not. This kind of Gwinnett County stuff goes on all of the time. There is no such thing as school loyalty in Gwinnett County. Why? Because none of these “super” schools were around when the parents of these kids were growing up. Not only that, but most of the parents were not even living in Georgia when they were in high school, much less in Gwinnett County. We hear of high school “recruiting” on a frequent basis in Gwinnett County. Where else in the state is high school “recruiting” such an issue?

By slalom1

October 24, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

To: “All Gwinnett County Fans”, I have a simple question. Here it is: How many of you actually attended the school that you pull for today?

By cwhitfield@ajc.com

October 24, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

**Help me out. If Marietta, Harrison, and North Cobb all end up with 1 loss, who would win the tie-breaker? The head-to-head all cancel each other out.

Assuming that They’ll draw for it. Similar thing happened a couple of years ago when Harrison, Marietta and South Cobb tied. Marietta drew the #1 seed, though all were declared co-champions.**

Chris Whitfield from the Northwest section here and just wanted to clarify Todd’s post on a three-way tie for Region 5AAAAA. According to McEachern coach Jimmy Dorsey in a conversation we had on Monday, IF Marietta, North Cobb and Harrison all end the season as 9-1 teams, then Harrison would be your region champion. The reason the Hoyas would take it would come down to a strength of schedule component. Because the Hoyas played Lowndes and Hiram as their two non-region games, those two teams have better records than the two opponents of North Cobb (South Cobb and Kell) and Marietta (Kell and Wheeler). Dorsey said that was introduced to take away the randomness of the draw like happened a couple of years ago.

By slalom1

October 24, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

To: “By Katie” Well spoken!

By Todd Holcomb

October 24, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Well, that’s interesting about the 5-AAAAA tiebreaker.

That begs a few other questions, though. It seems that they should use all games for strength of schedule, not just those two non-region games, because not every team in 5-AAAAA is playing the same region schedule.

For example, Harrison does not play Etowah, and Marietta does not play Kennesaw Mountain.

Also, Hiram (one of Harrison’s non-region opponents) plays a very weak schedule and might wind up 5-5. Yet if Hiram played Marietta’s schedule, Hiram might go 2-8. So that inflates Harrison’s strength of schedule.

What’s more important is how 5-AAAAA breaks ties involving the fourth-place team. It hurts McEachern not having to play Murray County (an easy win), whereas Etowah doesn’t have to play Harrison (a likely loss).

By NTH Trojans

October 24, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

Roger, I agree 100% with what you are saying. I said in an earlier that I wished that North Hall would drop some of the weaker teams from 7AAA off of their schedule (such as Johnson, West Hall, and Pickens Co.) and pick up teams like Hab Central, Stephens Co., Hart Co., or Buford. I think that they should keep Gainesville because it’s such an intense rivalry, and more years than not they exceptional team, and Flowery Branch, because they are a quality team also. I’ve heard from a reliable source that Buford will be joining 7AAA next year. The only advantage that North Hall has over Stephens Co. is that their road to the Dome looks easier on paper(Not having to go through Regions 2AAA and 6AAA heavyweights. If N.H. and S.C. bothwin out in the regular season, then the only way that they could meet is in the Finals, and I’d love to see an all NE Ga. Final.

By Todd Holcomb

October 24, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

writing columns is your profession, stick to it because everything after that is a calculated dream! … All you are doing is putting a bulls-eye on there back like you did all the other number ones YOU have chosen to be there during the year!

I’m with you. Out with the old.

As far as the bull’s eye, keep in mind that I haven’t ranked any team No. 1 in AAAAA that hasn’t been No. 1 in another poll. All of them — Roswell, Stephenson, Norcross, North Cobb — have been No. 1 in the AP or the coaches poll.

Also, I thought I did a good job of respecting the new when I put Harrison and Norcross in the semis. Norcross has never made the Georgia Dome semifinals, and Harrison hasn’t been there since 2000.

I’m not sure I have a dream for the AAAAA playoffs. Just looking forward to watching them.

By NTH Trojans

October 24, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Well Guys, It’s been great this week talking AAA, or actually something other than AAAAA, and sometimes AAAA. I’ve gotta go out of town tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll try to check in before I leave. If not then I’ll be back on Sunday night. slalom1, it was great talking about something other than AAAAA, huh? Everybody than jawed with me, I respect your passion for your team, because every team needs that kind of support. Well, here’s to another NTH victory friday night and hopefully an All NE Ga. final. slalom, keep me posted on LaGrange, Shaw, and Carver, Col. Later, NTH Trojans

GO TROJANS!!!!!!

By mikefresh

October 24, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

ROGER you are correct i do cover north ga football but i never said anything about 7-AAA havin good teams aside from a good north hall team and an decent flowery branch team thats in in 7-AAA. now with that said i disagree with the fact that gainsville is a bad team or not what they were i just think they had a bad night when they played north hall but i am not saying that they are great but they are not a horrible team and i think they could beat somebody in the playoffs. 8-AAA is weak how bout this lets put north hall, flowery branch, stephens county, hart county, habersham central and dacula just for fun in a region and let them play it out???? sounds good to me. and its going to be a fight like you said roger there are some teams that can make it like carver atlanta and thomson whould is going to be tough.

By devil lover

October 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Todd a prominent Gwinnett Cty coach gave me the following for a tie breaker in region #7.

Option 5 is what we will do if all 3 of us are tied !! We will draw for the #2 spot and then it goes back to head to head for the #1 and #3 spots.
Region By Laws Football tie breaker
Section 1: Football
1. Head to head between tied teams. Head to head is defined as
percentage against tied teams
2. If tie cannot be broken, then record against teams above tie starting with the highest team. At any point tie is broken, revert
back to head to head
3. If tie cannot be broken, mini games involving team tied, or if they select to flip coin (option)
4. Games outside region will not count in tie breaking process
5. If there are sufficient playoff positions,and tie cannot be broken with options 1 and 2, spots will be drawn. Ex. Teams will draw for
middle spot,then had to head will determine remaining spots.

By Roger

October 24, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

NTH Trojans I agree with you totally about North Hall having what I think is a great chance to make it to the State championship game. I can’t wait to see how well Buford does next year in AAA; I think with the addition of Buford to 7-AAA next year that your region will become one of the states stronger regions. By the way with the addition of Buford will 7-AAA be losing any teams? Also with Buford coming from region 8-AA is it possible that they could be coming to 8-AAA seeing that 8-AAA has fewer teams than 7-AAA.

By footballfan

October 24, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

No, the strength of schedule would not matter. Should Marietta defeat Murray County, Woodstock, and North Cobb, and Harrison wins out, then the three teams would all win the Region Championship, and the teams would draw. And correction to you Todd, Marietta actually drew the #3 seed in 2005 after Marietta, Harrison, and South Cobb tied. Marietta went on to defeat woodstock (the #2 seed) 19-3 but lost 31-14 to 1st seed brookwood. Harrison got the first seed, and south cobb therefore received 2nd place.

By footballfan

October 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Then again, that is ture about the non regions being stronger for harrison, so maybe that would apply here..

By What?

October 24, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Response to By slalom1 October 24, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this “To: “All Gwinnett County Fans”, I have a simple question. Here it is: How many of you actually attended the school that you pull for today?” Not me. I pull for a Gwinnett school but grew up in another state. Oh by the way do you think Gwinnett is one of the most populous counties because everyone was born and grew up here? Slalooomi, your question was dumb.

By Reponse to slalom1

October 24, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Where else in the state is high school “recruiting” such an issue? Duhhh, try AAAAA Region 1. Read the quotes from interviewed players in those local newspapers. Not only do they do it but are not smart enough to keep it quite.

By devil lover

October 24, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

slalom1 the reason you hear about recuiting in Gwinnett County schools so much is because we have good coaches, good players and great fans. Therefore good smart players who want a good opportunity to go to a good college will decide to move to one of our schools. More time than not out of jealousy people start calling this recruiting.

If schools with bad coaching would demand betters results I am convinced that this situation would eventually go away.

If students can more for academic reasons why can’t they move for athletic reasons?

By slaloml

October 24, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

I’m so sorry. I never know what I write about. I don’t even know how many points a football has. I promise to never write in this blog again.

By observer

October 24, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Todd Holcomb, who do you think has the best shot at winning state in 4A?

By Todd Holcomb

October 25, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

Todd Holcomb, who do you think has the best shot at winning state in 4A?

You mean AAAA or 4-A?

I’d still say Northside, but without Ivory, I might want to study the draw before going out on that limb, and I haven’t done it yet. But by the time Northside gets in a jam, I figure backup QB Joe Scott will have enough experience to be pretty solid.

In case you meant 4-A, it’s Pacelli. I’m kind of thinking you didn’t mean 4-A. : )

And thanks to football fan for correcting me on the #1 seed from 5-AAAAA in 2005. All three shared the region title, but it was indeed Harrison that got the #1 seed. Marietta was the only team to advance, and perhaps that’s what I was thinking. I remember being at the South Cobb-Kell game that night.

By Steve

October 25, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

You are just a little ahead of yourself aren’t you? Do you really think Valdosta lost on purpose? Don’t be so quick to count out Camden County!!!

By yo

October 25, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Actually Slalom 1…I quite understand What? just made your point for you. So not a dumb question and good job. The problem is some people just don’t understand good questions. May be a from out of state thing.:-)

By broncofan

October 25, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

two words; kenny miles.

By Katie

October 25, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Maybe I shouldn’t have used the term “stole.” The correct term should have been “bought.” Those on the inside know all about the perks that were given to the family - sometime people do talk.

Another example of recruiting in Gwinnett - Caleb King. Enough said.

By T.J.

October 25, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Another 2 Words: Grayson Defense

By Jessie

October 25, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

I grew up in Tucker, graduated from Tucker High and I still support the Tigers. I now live in Grayson, both children attend Grayson High and I support the Rams as well. So I guess I do support the school that I attended, and as a family, we support the school our kids attend. GO TIGERS! GO RAMS!

By NTH Trojans

October 25, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Yo, With 5A having so much parity, what do you think of Lowndes chances to win State? Also, about the loss to Harrison, has Lowndes improved that much, or do you attribute that loss to field conditions, or both.

By slalom1

October 25, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

To:Todd Holcomb: We have another “counterfeiter” on this blog. The posting by a “slaloml” on Oct. 24, 2007, at 11:26 p.m. was written by a pretender. The post read:”I’m so sorry. I never know what I write about. I don’t even know how many points a football has. I promise to never write in this blog again”. These are quite obviously not my words. DO not know how this person stole my handle.

By Jaybird229

October 25, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

slalom1, you’re right about Tomberlin’s Washington County teams. They didn’t have to pass the ball much, cause they had hell-acious athletes plus huge offensive lines. But like you said in 1-AAAAA, a balanced attack or even 60/40 run/pass mix for Valdosta would be better. Who’s your MAIN team that you support?

By yo

October 25, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

To NTH Trojans…Regarding Harrison by thoughts would be “both”. Not to take any thing away from Harrison. To their credit they “did not” put the ball on the ground 9 times like we did. Something to be said for that. Lowndes chances of winning state I put about the same as the rest of the top 10 in AAAAA. The one advantage is they are a little more accustomed to understanding what it takes to get there than many of the others having been removed only 1 year. Every year the goal for Lowndes is keep improving as the season goes along. They seem to be on track with that. AAAAA playoffs will be all about the matchups (as it quite often is) and who gets on a roll.

By yo

October 25, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Actually you might be surprised to see how much Valdosta does pass the ball these days. Probably pretty close to 60/40 if not there. Obviously Tomberlin is still run first, but he seems much more willing to throw the football than from his Lowndes coaching days. They are running more spread and 1 back offense trying to take advantage of their qbacks playmaking abilities.

By Jaybird229

October 25, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Recruiting will always be a problem in football in bigger areas. It’s pretty simple actually cause the more schools you have in an area, the more options for a kid. Kid goes to a school, gets mad at a coach for not playing him, he goes to another school where they welcome him with open arms. THe same things happen in college recruiting. The only major factor to prevent this is the parents, but sometimes there worse than the kids. How many times have you heard a parent say, “They should be playin my son over so and so’s son. He’s only playin cause his mom or dad does this or is on the booster club.” Everyone’s heard that before, in fact some of you are those parents. And as soon as that happens, they jerk their son out of one school and put him in another. The cycle will always happen especially in the Atlanta area, the Savannah area, the Macon area, and any area in the country with multiple schools. It’s a part of sports. It’s not right to recruit players in my mind, but it’s going to continue to happen until it’s enforced more. You rarely hear about recruiting in smaller cities, but it does happen there too.

By devil lover

October 25, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

I think we are mixing two issues together. There are athletes who transfer for what ever reason legally and then there is recruiting. The act of recruiting by a school official, booster club member and coach is illegal. A coach will lose his or her job and teaching accreditation if found to be recruiting. A student who meets all of the requirements for transferring does so legally. There is a big different between these two actions. While I believe there is some recruiting going on, I don’t believe the better programs have to recruit because enough good athletes will go through the proper steps and procedures to become a transfer.

By Katie

October 25, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Whether it’s illegal or not, it still is being done. When a school relies on it’s sports programs to bring it notority, then you can’t be suprised at what goes on at the “eligibility” interview. There are several schools who, believe it or not, put their sports programs before academics(hard to believe, huh?). It’s really sad when a school is known only by their winning seasons and titles than for how many in the graduating class went on to successful college careers.

By Cougar Mom

October 25, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

GO COUGARS!!!

By devil lover

October 25, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

Fortunately or unfortunately sports has become a major form of entertainment and where we increasing are placing important in this country. What we are seeing in high school sports is just behavior that is being copied from college and pro sports and motivated by the fans’ desirer to win at all cost. As you know, winning is everything in this country. So should we only place the blame for this behavior on the high schools? I think not.

By Please Respond Katie

October 25, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Katie, It sounds like you are in the know so please provide proof of recruiting. I’m certain the GHSA would like to see it. Also please provide facts and a list of schools that put sports before academics. You failed to mention there are times when ‘recruiting’ backfires. Example>Parkview had two top players bail on them; their top running back departed for his senior year and their starting quarterback did the same and transferred to Southlake Carroll in Texas (and sat the bench; apparently he didn’t know that high school football in Texas is different than Georgia). Like one of the bloggers mentioned: if you can transfer for academic reasons, why not for sports. I agree with them as long as it is done legally. And to close, coaches at premier programs don’t have to run the risk of ‘recruiting’, the kids come on their on. I don’t agree with how easy it is to transfer between schools but the metro schools watch each other like a hawk and player moves can be suspect but their are throughly reviewed.

By slalom1

October 25, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

To: “JAYBIRD 229”, On the “recruiting thing”, you are exactly right. It does happen in places other than Gwinnett County.(I just enjoy taking jabs at their fans. Sometimes they get just a little bit upset.) Columbus, Ga. is a great example of a “non-Gwinnett” area, where high school recruiting is rampant. I will be specific. Carver-Columbus. Under second year coach Dell McGee, Carver built a powerhouse team with 6 transfers from Shaw, 1 from Paceli(Deron Furr), and 1 from LaGrange. Point is, Gwinnett County is not the only guilty area in the state. However, like you I do believe that the “recruiting” thing happens in the school districts where the options are greater, and the blood runs thinner. As for me, I have been a life long follower of LaGrange High School first, but all of Georgia high school football as well. Probably lean just a little to the south, but most definitely feel the encroachment from the north. Bottom line is, I have spent a number of years in both the print and broadcast media covering a variety of venues. But, to this day, nothing moves me like Georgia High School football.

By slalom1

October 25, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

To: “Yo” To hear that Tomberlin is actually throwing the ball 60/40, and using somewhat of a “spread” system, tells me that he is still open-minded and ready to learn when it comes down to the evolution of the game. I am somewhat shocked. Tomberlin has always struck me as being an “old school” guy, who is more than willing to impose his will. Maybe he just got tired of Rance Gillespie kicking his “you know what” year after year. For those who do not follow AAA, Rance Gillespie is the former head coach at Peach County, and now the OC at Georgia Southern. Speaking of which, the GS Eagles have done quite well with the Gillespie offense. (Which is most definitely in the category of a “spread”). The Shaw Raiders have also taken a page from the “Gillespie” hand book. So, “Yo”, here is my prediction regarding the teams that win in their respective classifications in 2007: The winners will most likely NOT BE teams using the “Wing T”. The “Wing T” is a thing of beauty to watch, as long as it works. But, like the wishbone, its days are almost over.

By graysonfan

October 25, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

well, i guess your have to come up with some kind of unrealistic thing to say, just get get feedback on your article. really though, were did you come up with all that crap? haahaa, heehee, ok, you made me laugh. grayson will beat brookwood this weekend, and as soon as they figure out, were a few of their players should be, then they have the talent and depth, to win the whole thing.

By SouthGARules

October 25, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Katie, do you remember Cameron Smith? He played at Meadowcreek until his senior year & wonder of wonders transferred to Brookwood. It helped until LOWNDES beat brookwood like a rented mule in the state finals.

By graysonfan

October 25, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

i would love to know the truth about DP. i heard there were problems with coaches at grayson, so he chose to go back to brookwood. i do know that grayson has way more talent on their team, then some even know about. i couldnt tell you why they choose some of the starters that they choose. so i tend to believe, DP had problems with playing time at grayson. non the less, its working for them, so be it!

By slalom1

October 25, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

To: SouthGARules: “Like a rented mule”?! He,he,he,he!!!!!!! LOL!!! Good One!!!!

By slalom1

October 25, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

To: “Katie”, You may have just written the most important post on this blog. Good job.

By observer

October 26, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Todd Holcomb, What is your opinion on Thomas County Central’s shot at winning state in AAAA? I have seen them play this year, and they have a very good team. Their running game is top notch. They have a running back named Debrale Smiley. They call him the train. He is very big and runs very strong, the kid is 6 ft 240lbs and runs a 4.6. Their qb is very fast and runs the veer to perfection. Their defense will get after you. They are very quick. I beleive that TCC has the best shot of winning state this year. Not only because of the players, they have a very good coaching staff also.

By To Katie Again

October 26, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

you still have not produced facts or a list of schools so, like what a blog is supposed to be, this is just your personal dainted opinion. you can’t blame the schools if a kid is tired of losing and wants to play for a better program. especially if it provides the player a better chance for a scholarship. if anything you should blame the GHSA for making it so easy to transfer between schools. wake up sweetie this goes on all over georgia.

By Warrior Woman

October 26, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

The AJC was the first to rank North Cobb (a Cobb team) No. 1, and that was in lieu of the popular choice, North Gwinnett (a Gwinnett team).

Actually, MaxPreps had North Cobb as the highest-ranked AAAAA team in the state 2 weeks before you moved the Warriors to #1.

By Todd Holcomb

October 26, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

What is your opinion on Thomas County Central’s shot at winning state in AAAA?

Many expected that TCC had a state contender when the season started, and that’s been validated by TCC’s results thus far. I think TCC and Northside are the co-favorites in AAAA now that Northside QB Marques Ivory is out for the season.

Actually, MaxPreps had North Cobb as the highest-ranked AAAAA team in the state 2 weeks before you moved the Warriors to #1.

Good point, Warrior Mom, although I really meant human polls. Humans are the only ones who can be accused of being biased, and I was responding to someone who called the AJC’s coverage ‘Gwinnett-centric.’ If I were Gwinnett-minded, you’d figure I would have North Gwinnett at No. 1.

Glad that MaxPreps agreed with me because I initially stood alone alone against the AP and coaches’ polls, although the coaches now have North Cobb at No. 1, if not mistaken.

By The Original Cougar Mom

October 26, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

HOOCH V. ALPHARETTA TONIGHT!

GO COUGARS!!!!!

By observer

October 26, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Even with nswr qb playing TCC would still win because they would not be able to stop TCC’s running game!!

By slalom1

October 26, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

TOPIC:” High School Recruiting” One point that everyone seems to agree upon, is that “recruiting” does occur in Georgia high school football. The arguments seem to be centered around “where” and “why”. As for the “Where” question, it is pretty obvious that recruiting is more likely to occur in areas in the state where there are more options. (i.e. the larger school districts, who do not have policies to prevent transfers who have been recruited to play sports.) Here is the bottom line,”Parents, let your kids enjoy being teen-agers. Allow them to nurture friendships that may last a life time, rather than leaving their friends during their senior year, just to play football for a possibly better program.” Allow them to experience the taste of defeat. If your teen age son has the talent that it takes to play college football, he will not go unrecognized ,regardless of where he may be playing. By doing this, you will be teaching your son the meaning of loyalty and commitment. Otherwise, you are encouraging your son to “jump ship” when times may be tough.

By slalom1

October 26, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

TOPIC:” High School Recruiting” One point that everyone seems to agree upon, is that “recruiting” does occur in Georgia high school football. The arguments seem to be centered around “where” and “why”. As for the “Where” question, it is pretty obvious that recruiting is more likely to occur in areas in the state where there are more options. (i.e. the larger school districts, who do not have policies to prevent transfers who have been recruited to play sports.) Here is the bottom line,”Parents, let your kids enjoy being teen-agers. Allow them to nurture friendships that may last a life time, rather than leaving their friends during their senior year, just to play football for a possibly better program.” Allow them to experience the taste of defeat. If your teen age son has the talent that it takes to play college football, he will not go unrecognized ,regardless of where he may be playing. By doing this, you will be teaching your son the meaning of loyalty and commitment. Otherwise, you are encouraging your son to “jump ship” when times may be tough.

By devil lover

October 26, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

The coaches and me got it right about Peachtree Ridge not qualified to be in the top ten. And Todd I guess you have figured it out now.

By will

October 26, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

ANY BIG UPSETS TODAY

By devil lover

October 26, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Mill Creek beat Peachtree Ridge 14-10.

By will

October 26, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

HAIRISON NORTHCOBB

By NG17

October 26, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

North Gwinnett defense line will dominate Norcross and QB will not have time to pass to his targets.North will win 7AAAA this year and next.Norcross will lose to Brookwood in the 2nd round.

By graysonfan

October 26, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

well, they found our weakness, thats all i have to say.

By NG 17

October 26, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Norcross would go to 3 way tie for 2nd place if they loose to North Gwinnett.

By T.J.

October 27, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Graysonfan, What a game, huh? Brookwood wore down Grayson bigtime. Grayson was in it until the punt return fumble where Grayson was probably going to score because Brookwood punted from the 1yd line. The game was won where I said it would be. Coaching and in the trenches. I can not believe Grayson coaches did not rotate their defensive linemen in a game like this. More teams will wear them down now. Pass deep. Brookwood and Grayson both seemed to pick up a little passing game. Injuries seem to be an issue as well for Grayson but Brookwood would have won if Grayson was healthy beacause the coaching and lines would have been the same. Congrats Brookwood. Grayson—-have to recover and get better for the playoffs. Find more defensive linemen to stay fresh! I am still rooting for you!

Told you Peachtree Ridge was overated. North Gwinnett is the team to beat everyone!

Todd——Hooch should move in for sure now!!! Drop the Ridge! Who will be number 10? Brookwood would be deserving——HA! Boy you will hear about it for sure. Good prognosticating!!!!

By footballfan

October 27, 2007 3:11 AM | Link to this

hairison? will? as in will dempsey?

By devil lover

October 27, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

However if Norcross beats North Gwinnett again like last year the Devils will be no.1 in the region again. This is setting up just like last year but last year we had to go to NG.

By devil lover

October 27, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd. I think it is time to let Peachtree Ridge move off of the top ten this year. You did everything you could do to prop them up. But I think it is time to pack them up and move them off along with Grayson. You can now bring back your old favorite Brookwood. It might also be time for the Hooch to move into the top ten limelight. I know that they think they are ready.

By will

October 27, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

jj jackson has a encore 262 5tds go raiders

By CJ

October 28, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

TODD, DID CARVER EARN ITS #1 RANKING BY BEATING LAGRANGE. THIS SHOULD PROVE THAT REGION 2-AAA IS THE TOUGHEST REGION.

By graysonfan

October 28, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

TJ, YES THEY DID, AND YES THEY SHOULD BRING IN MORE PLAYERS. ALL WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT ALL YEAR IS, HOW DEEP THE TEAM IS WITH TALENT. WELL, USE IT!!!!!! I DONT KNOW WHAT THOSE COACHES ARE THINKING. THEY WONT GO FAR LIKE THEY ARE. I SO WISHED THEY WOULD STOP PLAYING POLITICS, AND USE WHAT THEY HAVE, MY GUESS IS, ITS NOT AS IMPORTANT TO WIN THE STATE, AS IT IS TO PLEASE CERTIAN SPONSORS, YOU KNOW THINGS COULD BE ALOT DIFFERENT FOR THEM.

By graysonfan

October 28, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

I SAY, GROW SOME, AND GO FOR BIGGER THINGS GRAYSON! DOESNT SEEM LIKE THERE ARE TO MANY OTHER GRAYSON FANS ON THIS BLOG, SO I CAN SAY THAT!

By slalom1

October 28, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

To: “CJ” You have nailed it right on the head. 2AAA is VERY tough. LaGrange is VERY good. Maybe the best they have been since 2004. However, compared to Carver and Shaw, they have played and looked exactly as they are…A very young, but talented team. Congrats to Carver. They earned the win. Same as for Shaw. The AAA play-offs for 2007 could prove to be the most exciting in years.

By slalom1

October 28, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

To:”grayson fan”, What are you really saying? I am somewhat confused. Is there a sponsorship issue at Grayson? Is there an entity who is calling the shots, other than the coaches? Please elaborate.

By T.J.

October 28, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Graysonfan, sounds like you know the team better than I do, sounds like there is more going on than I know about with politics and all. I just have been watching and admiring the team from afar because I happen to catch the Dacula scrimmage where they looked great—-had a great defensive line rotation from what I remember-second string was very strong, included a 6 ft 6 (Sophmore?) lineman from what I remember—I was impressed. I love Defense—Grayson’s is one of the best, when they are rested. I was sold on Grayson then. Looked like they had depth at every position for years to come compared to other teams I watched in Gwinnett. I was surprised last Friday when Brookwood pounded Grayson’s only defensive line into submission in the second half. Every other unit rotated, why not the Defensive line vs. a strong Brookwood Offensive line? Even the NFL and colleges rotate their defensive lines to stay fresh. Grayson coaches better wise up, they will regret it in the playoffs with a worn out Defensive line unit and next year when they have a inexperienced defensive line. Would be foolish to put all your hopes in one season, or is this a one shot deal? That is the main question I have now. I will continue to watch Grayson from afar until playoffs, hope to see it the rotation issue fixed. I am going to be watching North Gwinnett play their last couple of games. I think they are the favorites to win it all. Keep me posted Graysonfan. Do tell what your observations are. Politics concern the Defensive line?

By T.J.

October 28, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Slalom1, Sounds like juicy gossip doesn’t it. Just like Friday Night Lights T.V. show. I will assume Gwinnett has more of these issues than other districts since they are always called out for having the best support from their communities. Look at Coach Propst from Two a Days show. Hoover High is in all sorts of hot water right now, may have to forfeit some games. Sad if true. Many kids, underprivledged, are fighting for starting spots to get noticed for a college education their family can not afford. Would be a shame if a rich kid bumps them because their daddy payed for some nice things for the coaches or team. If a coach gets caught doing that, they should be fired in my book. I would hire an investigator and file a lawsuit if I was a family who suspects their kids future got bumped because that happened. Doubt Grayson’s coaches are doing this. Coach Conn is all about the higher road, ethics, and the kids. But I did notice a bunch of new buildings going up around the football field at Grayson. I am sure it is on the up and up all…I just wanted to get slalom1 going again.

By slalom1

October 28, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

To:”coachj”, Bro, what are you trying to say? Your use of the English language is so pathetic that no one can understand what point you are trying to get across. Okay, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. You probably did not “proof read” your post. So, give it one more shot for all of us who care.

By will

October 28, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

go walton

By NTH Trojans

October 28, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

slalom 1, I agree with you about 2AAA, it is one tough region. I mean, what does it say when LaGrange will wind up being the #3 seed from that region. I would hate to be the #2 team that has to face them in the playoffs. Right now itlooks like Carver, Columbus is the team to beat in AAA going into the playoffs.

By T.J.

October 28, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Slalom1, I assume you are referencing me as coachj? I do not proof read—-just write away between each Dorito and carry on a dialog, maybe making some assumptions to the questions you asked of Grayson fan. Trying to keep the philosophical debates up because the subject matter interests me and I want this to be Todd’s longest blog string of messages ever. Did not know I would be critiqued on grammar. I should get an “A” for effort and an “F” for assuming anything on here. With your reply to Grayson Fan I thought you were prodding and I piled on saying that sponsorship monies determine who plays on Friday nights. I added my 2 cents on the subject. Think I might have confused you with someone else’s blog reply on Gwinnett’s superiority based on income and community support. And why schools in Dekalb do not compete because of it. My apology if this is not the case. Next dissertation I write I will get my secretary to proof read——NOT!

By slalom1

October 29, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

To:”NTH Trojans”, Carver is tough. PLENTY tough. Deron Furr may be the best pure athlete in the state. But like all great teams, Carver is not one dimensional. Their defense is solid, as is their running game. Here is the kicker….I believe Shaw is better. True, the Raiders lost to Carver earlier in the season, but if they were to play this week, my money would be on Shaw. Cam Greathouse is an amazing QB. Better than Furr.(Not as athletic, but a better QB.) And, Shaw is more balenced. Having said all that,I still believe that North Hall may be THE team in AAA this year. But, do not rule out the Grangers yet. They are young, but still getting better each week. Should be a fun ride in AAA for the rest of the season. Also, Hart County, Carrollton, and Peach County may still have something to say before season’s end. (maybe Gainsville too.)

By slalom1

October 29, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

To: “TJ”, I was not “dissing” you. The “coach” thing was from someone else, several days ago. I just now got around to reading it. Actually, your posts make good sense to me. And, by the way, you just brought up the Dekalb County schools. I believe you raise a good point, worthy of debate. What is happening with the Dekalb County schools in terms of GHS football?

By bluelion

October 29, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

Cougar mom I see you found EF a home. Wish you guys well.

By cj

October 29, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

to slalom1, Why is carver not the team to beat. Did you even see the shaw-carver game. What about the Carver-Lagrange game. Even north hall is ranked #2. could they go into callaway stadium and beat lagrange. No!! Lets get off the north hall bandwagon. Carver defense is solid led by jarvis jones who is 6’4 225lbs.that defense held lagrange to 10 points. North hall has given up some big points this season.

By slalom1

October 29, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

To:”cj” Contrary to your question, I DO believe that Carver is THE team to beat this year in AAA. On paper, they could be NATIONAL champions. As a 2AAA fan, if LaGrange cannot win it, I will be pulling for Shaw, or Carver. Carver is very good. But also very capable of beating themselves.(kicking game, special teams, turnovers, etc.) If they do NOT beat themselves, no one stops them this year.

By graysonfan

October 29, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

well, have you ever listened to the commontary during one of the televised games? all i will say, is they could be explosive, and not just safe, if they wanted! still a great team, no matter what!