AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTake 10: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My fellow fans, if you make Take Ten the Grand Poobah of Georgia high school football, you will not regret it. We will make changes that benefit the masses and entertain ourselves at the same time. As great as the sport is around here, there are ways to make it better. And while Take Ten’s self-serving nature would give each stadium comfy recliners for the press and professional stat-keepers to make our jobs simple, these changes go beyond that.
We want to make Georgia a better place for high school football with our magic wand. These are our promises to you, the fans, if you vote to help put Take Ten in office.
10: No more “top two teams qualify from each subregion”
As of now, regions that divide into subregions are given the choice of how they want to determine their playoff participants. Many of them send the top two teams from each subregion to the postseason. But the goal of each region should be to send its best representatives to the playoffs, and subregions too often are unbalanced. Three teams from a subregion must be allowed.
9: Teams can’t play up
Under our rule, teams won’t have the option to play in a higher classification than the one to which they’re assigned. As the ultimate ruler, we sometimes have to save schools from themselves when they’re drawn by the allure of Class AAAAA. Everyone stays where they belong.
8: Eliminate neutral-site counties
DeKalb is the biggest example of a county where the schools play at neutral-site municipal stadiums. No more. Overnight, we would give each school its own stadium, complete with Sprinturf, a JumboTron and plush carpeting in the press box. And each DeKalb football coach would love us unconditionally.
7: Tigers, Bears and Eagles not allowed
There are too many of these team names at the pro and college levels. In fact, all the copied names would be tossed aside, while teams like the Atom Smashers and the Syrupmakers would be spotted 10 points in every game until their opponents came up with a name worth having.
6: Coin flips are gone
Sure, we’ll keep them for determining possession at the beginning of a game or overtime, but that’s it. No flipping coins for playoff tie-breakers or for home-field advantage. We’d find some tie-breaker, no matter how convoluted it seemed, or just rule by fiat if necessary. And if we had to use something completely arbitrary like a coin flip, we’d turn to Paper-Rock-Scissors.
5: Dump the PAT kicks
What’s the point, anyway? Even at the high school level, they’re pretty rarely missed. It’s such a simple kick that we might even be able to make it every once in awhile. Let’s either make teams go for two every time or just have six points be the end of it.
4: No more automatic touchbacks
Why is it more dangerous for kids to run back kicks from the end zone than it is for them to run them back from the 1-yard line? Let them play. If a returner thinks he can get the ball out past the 20, he should be able to go for it. And if the coverage team can snag the guy before he gets there, they should be rewarded for that too.
3: Put microphones on the officials
If you’re looking down or sitting on the visitor’s side, you often can’t tell what the call is on a penalty, even if you do know what the hand signal for an equipment violation is. So why not give the officials a microphone like the college and NFL referees use? Even if our heads were buried in a vat of greasy nachos, we could still hear the call loud enough for us to scream about how wrong they were.
2: Instant replay for semifinals (and maybe the finals)
Some other states are already doing it, and it’s time for Georgia to give it a shot. You can’t hold back technology, even though we love to try. The semifinals at the Dome would be the perfect time to have it as an experiment because the technology is in place. The GHSA could provide it for the finals, since there are only five games.
1: Give us a play clock
It’s about time to get this done. Coaches and players don’t know how much time is left on the play clock. There’s too much opportunity for officials to give, or not give, leeway on the issue. Officials call delay of game, and everybody’s confused. There would be some cost, but it seems like that’s something that can be overcome. An electronic play clock could open up offenses, allowing for more opportunities for shifts and complex sets.
Go on. Take Ten. What would you do if you had the job of changing high school football? Let us know.
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Comments
By Tim McDaniel
October 24, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
For the most part I agree, now for what I disagree with:
9. There should be an exception to this rule. Teams like Buford and Northside Warner Robins needs to play up to get some competition. Something like, if you make it to your classification’s semifinals you can play up 2 classifications the following year. If you make it to the Championship game, you may compete against any classification. 5. I would agree IF the NCAA and the NFL done it the same way. After all, due to the success that Gwinnett County Kickers have had at the college and Professional level, let them keep doing what they have been.By davil
October 24, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
Eliminate Satanic Nicknames: Demons, Devils by any color, etc.!
By davil
October 24, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Require all high schools to change their mascot name to a food or sauce name. Warner Robins Balogna Sandwich has a demented ring.
By Jeff Haws
October 24, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Good points, Tim.
The “Earn your way up a level” amendment is one we could definitely discuss.
As far as the PATs go, I don’t see where having those in games helps kickers at all. It’s a complete chip shot. They don’t need to practice it in games all during high school to hit it at the college level. If they really feel like they need to get used to a 20-yard, straight-ahead FG, they can kick it all day in practice.
By John
October 24, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
I am all for the idea of letting schools play up. The best example is Savannah. You have several small schools who have no business playing up and whose poor performance makes a mockery of AAAAA. Make a team play in the classification and region they belong.
One additional idea—ban stadiums that have seats on only one side. If you’re going to keep them, let the visiting team get the side with the seats and make the home school that is too cheap to build a correct stadium stand on the far side with their band, students and fans forced to stand the whole game behind them.
Finally—have minimum permanent (that means the seats were there before the SEASON started and will be there forever) seating requirements for ALL playoff games starting with Round 1. If a school’s stadium doesn’t meet the requirements, make them play at the other school.
By jw
October 24, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
King for a day and change high school, cool!
With student populations increasing at alarming rates - put in another classification - that way the schools that have to struggle staying in their area for games would have a fighting chance of staying in a reasonable classification - (think poor old Murray County - they have to play up about every other alignment cycle - their region games are all in ATL - they can’t afford to go there and no one wants to come to Chatsworth - so they lose revenue to the point of near extinction of their program) - a sixth classification might keep them and many others in a class for more than 2 years.
Make halftime 30 minutes - that way you could get snacks and two GREAT halftime shows instead of two hurry up things.
Next, don’t enforce the noise rule - that excitement of having the drums, horns and home made shakers and bells adds great excitement to high school football -
Next, an unlimited supply of little footballs for the cheerleaders to throw after touchdowns - don’t know why we get so worked up over wanting one of those things, but it is great fun!
Semi-seriously!!!!! Don’t go nuts over it!!!!
By Metro Coach
October 24, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Buford needs to play up, you say? I guess Charlton County should go right along with them. There should be no further mention of Buford until they do something in the playoffs.
By msbzzy
October 24, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
8—I’m all for it, then the schools in DeKalb could actually make money off the games instead of the county raking in all the dough.By Granger By Marriage
October 24, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
The playclock is an excellent idea. I have heard other states are using them, so why isn’t GHSA on board with this? The reasons you stated for the playclock are excellent. The school my children attend, Bradwell Institute, could definitely use a clock. One game this season, we had 3 delay of game penalties called on us in a row. Granted, our coach is a knucklehead who makes his QB run to the sideline after every play to get the next play, instead of using other players or signals(You reading this Coach W?). Anyway, it is a great idea. Go Tigers!!
By BSMASH
October 24, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Make halftime 30 minutes - that way you could get snacks and two GREAT halftime shows instead of two hurry up things
What the crap are you talking about, give the band more time.
You should not go to football games to watch the half time show. I would rather see dogs jumping through hoops than a boring band. Now the showmanship bands I do like to see, but the bands from the big schools that all they can do is play and walk (suck). Give me a show! Something to enjoy, not some boring marching band.
By jw
October 24, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Seemingly, the semi-serious part you took the wrong way, plus I asked you not to go nuts over it - c’mon have some fun!!!!!
I am not the world’s greatest proponent of band, either - but it would make their practice and work have a little more importance than a 6 minute show! Less than that, if they are the visiting team! The end doesn’t justify the means!
While you are gathered with the troops around the smoke barrel plotting what to do with the coach, let the other folks enjoy themselves. Remember, with a 30 minute halftime, you get 15 more minutes of Friday night halftime coaching! Think about it! Could be a good thing for you and all the others!
By Marist Parent
October 24, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Would this mean that Marist could play in its correct division (AA) as it has only 1200 students, rather than be in the same classification as Northside Warner Robins with its 5,000+ student population?
By SM
October 24, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
Before you eliminate the bands, consider this: Kennesaw Mtn and Lassiter fans go to the game just to see/hear the band! Both schools have national championships, and both football programs are average to below average. If Kennesaw Mtn’s football team practiced as hard as the band, they might actually compete!
By hsref
October 24, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
To tim:
NSWR has the chance to play up when they dropped back down to 4A and chose not to for what ever reason. I like the idea that they are allowed to play up if they can compete at that level.
Also to giving the refs a mic. I have no problem with that.
By Gary Berg
October 24, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
What a joke … the funniest things are the people responding with their likes and dislikes.
gb
By Gary Berg
October 24, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
What a joke … the funniest things are the people responding with their likes and dislikes.
gb
By Privates
October 24, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Not to bring this argument up…Would that mean Marist would only have eligible players from a “typcial” school (geographic based) district if they went to AA? Not necessarily based on those students that could “afford” to play/receive an education there?
By NSHS FAN
October 24, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
To “By Marist Parent”. I think you have lost your mind! To make a crazy statement that, “NSWR has 5,000 students”. I don’t think there is a school in the State of Georgia with that population. Personally, I don’t care what classification Marist plays. You are probably still disappointed that NSWR beat Marist 30-6 in the 2006 AAAA championship. NSWR population presently is in the 1900 range which will automatically directs them to play in AAAAA. That statement by blogger, “To hsref” is crazy! You can elect to play “UP” but NOT down. NSWR was in AAAA, the highest classification a few years ago. When AAAAA was created, NSWR student population fell in the AAAA range (at that time) so she stayed in AAAA—-So did WRHS. The only Houston County school to meet AAAAA population requirement was Houston County High School. During the 2nd classification round, WRHS had to move up due to her increase in students. NSWR still fell in the AAAA range. It is only during this go around that NSWR is required to move up. Stop hating!
By Rick
October 24, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
If a player leaves his school to play somewhere else, that player (every sport) must sit out a year. Make an exception if the move is beyond an adjacent county. That is, a player in DeKalb could move to Douglas and play, but not to Fulton or Gwinnett.
By jw
October 24, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Also, you need to remember - don’t the private schools count 1.5 on the attendance - that was to keep them from recruiting and playing in the lower classifications, too, because they CAN control their student growth, unlike the public schools. The playing UP thing might not be by choice, but because of the rules! I wouldn’t think ANY school in Georgia would EVER want to play up a classification.
On that line - you want a rule - make private schools their own division - that ought to cause a great rift of opinions!
Another rule: Make the student athlete sit out one semester when they transfer schools to live with their extended ‘families’. That might stop some of the jersey swapping some of these guys do.
Remember! KING FOR A DAY! Not for fussing purposes!
By Dormouse
October 24, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Have you seen much small class south Georgia football?
Kicking isn’t a given. Just a few years ago, we had three points in kick scoring one season. Only one ball went through the uprights, that being a field goal.
On the lighter side, we should have a toilet bowl.
Let the worst of the worst compete. Put it an old run-down stadium somewhere, preferably one that uses a gym as a field house and has no paved parking lot. Whoever loses the game moves on to the next round. I think we have a shot at a state title that way. We’ve scored 34 points this season.
By hsref
October 24, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
To NSHSFan before you start calling people crazy maybe you should get the facts. Here they are for you. NSWR WAS in 5A atleast in the 02-04 seasons. In 2004-05 the dropped BACK down to 4A AT that time they could have chosen to play UP, but for what ever reason went back down to 4A. Which is what I said in my earlier comment that you said was crazy.
By hsref
October 24, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
TO JW The playing up rule goes like this. Lets say a school is in 5A right now. Then next year their enrollment puts them in 4A. At that time they can chose to play up by staying in 5A or dropping down to 4A.
By Kieran36
October 24, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
If there are any schools in the state that shoudl consider “playing up” it would be GACS and Buford…esp Buford. I know we like to think football when we talk playing up, but in other sports…(women’s basketball, soccer, baseball, etc etc) those two schools generally win some sort of champoinship every year.
By ref30319
October 24, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
For the record, Marist has 875 students in its high school and has been playing up two classifications. It doesn’t complain about the enrollment disparities.
By NSHS FAN
October 24, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
It seems rather strange that there is always an attack on successful teams. NSWR, Buford, TCC, Tucker, etc. That is, they should play “UP” in a higher classification, they recruit, etc. These schools just have talent in players and coaches. “If” possible, I am sure some school would be glad to play “DOWN” because of being football doormats in their region. For example, Meadowcreek, Murry Cty, South Atlanta, Tri-Cities, Alcovy, and All Savannah Schools. Teams that do well year after year have good booster clubs, fan support, and dedicate themselves to winning.
By Ugh
October 24, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
NO CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN THE DOME
By To Marist Parent
October 24, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
What have you been smoking? Warner Robbins does not have 5,000+ students. Maybe WR, Houston Cty and NSWR together have 5,000+. I believe the largest high school enrollment is Mill Creek (?) in Gwinnett County and it has around 4,000. And what do you not understand about private schools…you are not limited by school cluster boundaries and can recruit legally from anywhere. Most states split their public and private schools into separate brackets at play-off time…mostly to protect the private schools from getting slaugthered. No tears for you here.
By Rule #4
October 24, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
rule #4 is great. ga is the only state i know of that has this rule. does ghsa not understand that blocks are being made as the ball is heading to the end zone. the ball should remain ‘live’ until it goes out of bounds, out of the end zone or is fielded in the end zone and a knee taken. play the game the way it was intended. next thing you know cleats will have to be made out of Styrofoam.
By Rule #11
October 24, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
a real rule change should be to stop home field advantage for all rounds of the play-offs. each week (saturday or sunday) team representatives for the two teams playing the following week meet (usually at a real formal spot like a waffle house or a burger king) and determine where the game will be played and who will be the home/visiting team. get the teams on an even playing field for the play-offs so a true champion can the determined.
By meh
October 24, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Completely take out extra points? We just recently won a game 7-6 because we blocked an extra point. Last year a school lost in the playoffs in ot because the guy missed the extra point. Why would you even consider removing extra points when they’ve been in the sport for so long?
By Jeff Haws
October 24, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Rule #11-
Stopping home-field advantage completely? Interesting. An evil Grand Lord might take you up on that. That’d take a lot of time and compromise to make it work. It’d be more trouble than it’d be worth, but it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall at some of those bargaining meetings between coaches.
By Realistic
October 24, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Smart move: By msbzzy
October 24, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this 8—I’m all for it, then the schools in DeKalb could actually make money off the games instead of the county raking in all the dough.
do you really think the county keeps all that money? who do you think pays the GHSA and Region dues? Who buys the uniforms? who pays for the referees? who pays for most of the equipment that the 19 high schools use? How many of the schools would actually make enough money to pay all their bills?
All the money goes back to the schools in various ways as mentioned above.
Be realistic.
By Jeff Haws
October 24, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
meh-
I don’t have a heck of a lot of reverence for rules that have “been in the sport for so long,” mostly. I’d probably remove field goals altogether at all levels of football if I had my say, but eliminating PATs would suffice. I don’t think the fact that they’ve been in the sport a long time is necessarily a good thing, nor do I think it gives it any sort of immunity from the Grand Lord’s wrath.
By Realistic
October 24, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
By NSHS FAN
October 24, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
It seems rather strange that there is always an attack on successful teams. NSWR, Buford, TCC, Tucker, etc. That is, they should play “UP” in a higher classification, they recruit, etc.
Tucker usually is playing up a class most years.
By Ben
October 24, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Re: private school recruiting
I believe it’s not that widespread or else done very poorly; otherwise you’d see these schools be much more competitive and actually win titles more than once every several decades. For example, Woodward Academy last won in ‘80 (AAA), Westminster in ‘78(AA), and Lovett in ‘70 (Class B I think). In fact, 1970 to 1980 was the pinnacle of private school football with Woodward also winning in ‘70(AA) and 2nd in ‘76(AA), Westminster winning also in ‘73(AA), and Marist 2nd in ‘79 and ‘80(both AA).
Marist is the only private school that I can think of with any recent success in 1989(I think) and 2003, and Darlington once in the 90s. Strangely, the privates excel at sports that you might not consider as recruiting hotbeds, like cross country and tennis. I do agree with the 1.5x population rule for privates.
Oh, championship games in the dome should be a good change.
By msbzzy
October 25, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Realistic, I’m more than aware of what DeKalb pays for, I’m also aware of what they don’t pay for. That’s why a majority of schools have booster clubs—to cover the items that are needed but not supplied by the county such as helmets, pads and other items when you are fielding extra players and only have a certain number of items allocated on a yearly basis. Field maintenance so our boys don’t continue to injure themselves, bcuz the county doesn’t take care of the fields as they should. Imagine what could be saved when you aren’t busing two teams to the other side of the county to play a game, when the schools are within 10 mile of each other—-makes a bit more sense to me. Sorry, but that parity excuse doesn’t go over well with me, anyone with knowledge of Dekalb is aware that there are maybe 4 teams that support the rest of the system. SWD, MLK, Stephenson and Tucker(only recently) are the teams that pack the stadiums to capacity. Hell, between concessions and the gate, there really shouldn’t be a need for booster clubs.
By Michael Buchanan
October 25, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Now, my take on these:
10: No more subregions, period.
If you take the schools, divide by five classes, and divide then by eight regions, you have 9 or 10 teams per region. There is no need to have 12, 15, 17 or more team regions. And no need for a four team region.
9: Teams can play up, within reason
If Jordan wants to play up so they can save gas money keeping most of their games in Columbus, fine.
8: Don’t eliminate neutral-site counties, but add more stadiums.
LaGrange, Troup & Callaway sharing a stadium isn’t too bad. But eight Columbus schools sharing one stadium is a scheduling nightmare with all in the same class. If Hardaway and Carver move back up and Jordan and Spencer move down, it makes scheduling even worse. Columbus could use one or two more stadiums.
7: Tigers, Bears and Eagles not allowed
I don’t care. I’m yet to run into another set of Grangers or Cavaliers.
6: Coin flips are gone, for everything.
No more coin flips to determine who has the ball first. Let the home team decide in the first half and in the first overtime. No more coin flips to see who bats last in a three-game playoff series. The home team bats last.
5: Keep the PAT kicks
One of the most exciting games I saw was when a team was down 19-12 and scored a touchdown with no time left, only to have the PAT clang the upright and fall backward. Home team won 19-18. Those are rare, but they do happen.
4: No more automatic touchbacks
Doesn’t matter to me.
3: Put microphones on the officials
Yes, yes and YES!!!! And make them explain controversial calls. I want to know what they saw.
2: Instant replay for the finals starting in 2008.
Let video replay officials get their feet wet this season, but go live with it next season. But only in the championship games. Same rules as college.
1: Give us a play clock
Yes, yes & YES!!!! It would help players, coaches, and broadcasters.
By School Enrollment Figures?
October 25, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
can someone supply a website to see enrollment by high school in georgia?
By Jeff Haws
October 25, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Good stuff, Michael.
I’ve thought about getting rid of subregions altogether, but I wasn’t sure if it would work logistically. My preference would be to have them completely gone, though.
I sort of think the coin flip is the quickest, best way to determine certain things. The home team already has an inherent advantage. Should we really let them choose the possession order in overtime?
Obviously, PATs are occasionally missed and occasionally pivotal. But it would be the same thing if you just made teams execute a handoff. Occasionally, there’d be a fumbled snap or a poor exchange. For the most part, it would be a formality, just like it pretty much is now.
Glad we agree on a few there at the end. :)
By MARIST HATERS
October 25, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Haters, you’ve got to admit the reason you guys hate on MARIST is because with under 900 students we do well on all sports and surpass schools with thousands of picks from the litter (FOOTBALL). We are a bunch of slow kids and have made to the playoffs repeatedly (MAKES YOU SAY HMMMMMMMM). We play up 2 classifications because we can Whats NSWR’s excuse you could play up but wont.If I beat a team that is playing up 2 classification I would be more impressed with them than myself.Thats why I go to MARIST.
By TO NSHS FAN
October 25, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Your facts are wrong nshs pop. is 2120 and they did elect to play 4A where they were beating everyone and would get their * kicked in a classification that had the same amount of kids. Everybody knows that in the COUNRTY you guys all pile into one school and make it a powerhouse.(Imagine if we combined parkview,brookwood and roswell?????).
By hsref
October 25, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
If I could change one thing, it would be get rid of the NFHS rules and play by NCAA rules.
By WRHS Football Fan
October 25, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
For school enrollment figures go to www.doe.k12.us/. On the right you will see a map of ga,choose your particular county,and then click on the school you are interested in.It will then list the 2007 enrollment fiugures.Hope that helps.
By hsref
October 25, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Someone said that buford should play up. I could be wrong but from what I am hearing Buford will be in 3A next year.
By hsref
October 25, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
To mentioned if you combined parkview, brookwood and roswell. 1st off that can’t happen since the are in 2 different counties. 2nd according to the ga board of education NSWR has a little of 1900 students. Brookwood alone has 3300 or so. I don’t know why you think they all pile into one school to make it a powerhouse. NSWR is not the only school there not to mention they only have about half the kids to chose from as brookwood does. I cant wait till next year though, it looks like NSWR will be back in 5A and want to see how they would do. I also think they can compete in 5A this year, but we will never know.
By The Monk
October 25, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Marist Parent and NSHS Fan - Just to set the record straight, MArist has only about 750 students in grades 9-12 (I think there are about 1100 in the whole school but that includes 7-8 grades). On the other point, I think there was a little joking in the 5000 number. We know NS does not have that many kids. On the other hand, there are schools in Gwinnett Co which occasionally bust the 4000 mark (before a new school opens).
That said, I am a Marist parent and I would hate to see the play up option go away. Does anyone really want to see Marist play in AA? It makes no sense, they have already won the Director’s Cup for best overall sports program in AAAA something like the past 6-8 years.
By NSHS FAN
October 25, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
To: BY NSHS Fan: Your handle is very close to mine so it is hard to answer myself. You said, “In the “COUNRTY” (I guess that was YOUR Country spelling)you guys pile into one one school and make it a powerhouse”. Now, that is a very in mature statement and lack substance. Should I remind you of two things. First: Houston County is comprised of 5-High Schools; Warner Robins, Northside, Houston County, Perry, and Westfield (Private). A sixth high school (Veterans) will open in 2010. Second: We live in a very progressive county where our growth rate is 3 or 4 out of 159 counties in Georgia. We are home to the largest employer in the State of Georgia, Robins AFB. Warner Robins’ (largest county city)population will be 100,00 in the next few years. We are located in the center of the state bordering I-75. We are only 15 miles from Macon Georgia. You should know better not to make a false unsupported statment. Further, most of the top schools in Georgia over the last 12-15 years sit on what was country land. Your comment would have been more approapriate for a county with only one high school. You attacked the wrong school system!
By The Monk
October 25, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding of the NS and WR situation last time around was that both Northside and Warner Robins fell into AAAA, but were very near the largest in that class. WArner Robins opted to “play up” to maintain their traditional rivalries, while Northside took their “proper” call and played AAAA. Can someone tell me if this is correct or incorrect?
By The Monk
October 25, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
I will weigh in on the PAT thing.
I go to games every Friday night. I never cease to be amazed at how many schools cannot trot out a decent kicker. In this day and age, you WOULD think they’d be automatic, but that is FAR from the case. I was at a game this year where Washington went for 2 in the first overtime because they’d missed 2 out of 3 PATs in regulation.
Now if you want to say kicking shouldn’t be part of the game, that’s one thing. But I would wager that if you looked statewide, less than 80% of PATs are made. If you take that out of the game, you are going to have a lot of kids playing a lot of OT games when they are way past exhausted.
By The Monk
October 25, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Stadiums - I can’t speak for every county, but DeKalb certainly needs more playing venues. The tough part is the land cost I guess. The stadiums DO NOT all need to be big. Half of the schools that Marist plays bring a fan contingent equal to or smaller than the combined size of the team + band.
Two or three stadia with about 2000 seats would be quite adequate for many of the games and no one would be playing at 5:15 on Friday.
By NSHS FAN
October 25, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
NSHS are you running for mayor? Listen the bottom line is NSHS could have played up and opted not to you can’t argue that fact. Other schools like to be challenged. Winning without a struggle is defeating the purpose of HS sports. OH and stop trying to make your county more than what it is if you don’t live in metro Atlanta you’re not living!!!!!
By hsref
October 25, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Monk you would be correct in 2004 Wr and Northside were both 5A. Then in 2005 their enrolment put them both in 4A. That is when WR decided to play up and stay in 5A and Northside decided to go to 4A which is based on their enrolment for the 2005 year.
By NSHS FAN
October 25, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
To: “By NSHS Fan” I am sorry you made that statement, “If you don’t live in Atlanta you’re not living”. I am going to let others statewide answer that for me. Now, what does bother me is you using “By NSHS FAN” then attaching schools in Warner Robins. Please come clean! You can’t be from Houston County nor be a NSWR supporter talking that way.
By NSHS FAN
October 25, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Sorry# To By NSHS FAN——The word in my reply should be “Attacking”.
By Realistic
October 25, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
By msbzzy
October 25, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Realistic, I’m more than aware of what DeKalb pays for, I’m also aware of what they don’t pay for. That’s why a majority of schools have booster clubs—to cover the items that are needed but not supplied by the county such as helmets, pads and other items when you are fielding extra players and only have a certain number of items allocated on a yearly basis. (who do you think pays for this stuff at the other schools??? oh, the booster clubs. who do you think paid for Parkview’s, Brookwood’s and other schools new fieldhouses, extra equipment needed etc? oh their booster clubs get off their butts and put their names on the dotted line to help them out.
Field maintenance so our boys don’t continue to injure themselves, bcuz the county doesn’t take care of the fields as they should. (do you think each school could afford all their sports? are you saying that some of the schools should not provide athletics to their students? You evidently don’t know why booster clubs even came into existence. They were formed to help the school raise money for the sports so all the kids would have an opportunity to play whatever sport there was available. Is the way things are set up in DeKalb perfect? No, but there are many kids in DeKalb who wouldn’t get a chance to play and enjoy the thrill of athletics if the county went the way you are suggesting. Most could not afford the upkeep of a stadium or the athletic teams.)
Imagine what could be saved when you aren’t busing two teams to the other side of the county to play a game, when the schools are within 10 mile of each other—-makes a bit more sense to me. Sorry, but that parity excuse doesn’t go over well with me, anyone with knowledge of Dekalb is aware that there are maybe 4 teams that support the rest of the system. SWD, MLK, Stephenson and Tucker(only recently) are the teams that pack the stadiums to capacity. Hell, between concessions and the gate, there really shouldn’t be a need for booster clubs. (by your own admission the other schools can’t support the programs. Yet they play and contribute to the overall as well. Do I wish each could have their own stadium and support their own programs, yes…but they couldn’t do it without the help of booster clubs who work for the betterment of the kids and not be selfish.)
By TRUTH
October 25, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
Realistic, MsBzzy is correct. Other counties get uniforms, equipment, referees and such but they still get to keep a percentage of the gate at their school as well as the concessions. Check dekalbs budget, our school taxes pay for those things. What about the semi finals at the Dome. Other counties keep their 32 - 35K to add to their program. But Dekalb is the only county in the state besides Atlanta City Schools that demand for the money to go to them. NOTHING comes back to the school. By the way, our booster club pays for the coaches and association dues. Don’t be realistic, TELL THE TRUTH!
By Nat
October 26, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
There would be a 6th level for schools with over 2850 students. All city and private schools would play up 1 level. GHSA would not be run by 1 county.
By Another Marist Parent
October 26, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
I was wondering how long it would take for some misinformed fool to mention “Marist recruiting”. I guess Coach Chadwick needs to understand the recruiting process better and recruit 300 lb linemen instead of the smaller, 200 lb ones we have, as well as 230 lb, 4.5 running backs.
Regarding not playing up, Marist, for the most part, competes very well playing up two classes and would probably, for the most part, dominate AA. Yes we were out-manned by NWR and Tucker this year but if you ask the Marist coaches, players, and parents, we would prefer to play in AAAA.
By Norcross Devil in TX
October 26, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Let me start by saying, I am a Norcross Blue Devil through and through and love GA football. However, I have lived and worked in TX schools since I left GA 10 years ago. As much as I hate to admit it, there are several things that must be done to improve football in GA.
First, there needs to be A LOT more money put into athletics. I worked at a 5A high school that had an athletic budget of over $1.5 miillion annually for one high school. There were 17 varsity coaches and 35 football coaches at the school and more coaches than I could count if you include other sports. Booster clubs were not required to pay for things such as stadiums, lights, weight rooms, etc. (The old NHS did not have lights on the baseball field b/c the booster club could not afford to pay for them).
Most head coaches and coordinators are also the athletic director or assistant ADs, which meant they were considered administrators and do not have to teach classes. These men (and women) eat, sleep, and breath athletics. Their whole job is to have winning sports programs and they are paid for it. It is not unusual for a head coach in TX to make $75K at a small school and $100K plus at a large school.
Along the line of more money, stadiums here are state of the art compared to what I remember in GA. The smallest 5A high school stadium that I know of seats 10,000 people. All large stadiums now have the new field turf, and many have “Diamondvision” and video replay on their score boards. The game I went to tonight had commercials (Chick-fil-a and local business) on their scoreboard to help offset the cost. Football here is a business.
I was shocked to hear that GA schools still don’t have play clocks. Teams at every level have play clocks and GA is 20 years behind the times in that category. Rules are exactly the same as in college, i.e. overtime, clock, catches. There is really no questions about the rules because we see them used on Friday and Saturday night.
All transfers have to sit out a year. Moving into grandma’s house for football season is not going to fly.
Also, middle schools need to start having a greater emphasis. I worked at a junior high that had 8, yes 8, football teams in 7th and 8th grade. This one school had over 1,100 students, and we had over 300 boys playing athletcs. Our athletics included football, volleyball, basketball, track, cheerleading, tennis, and golf. There should be a much greater emphasis on player development and participation at the middle school level…it keeps borderline kids involved and out of trouble.
Teams purchase everyone’s cleats, provide on staff trainers (2 at the school where I work), and have weight rooms that put our old NHS closet of a weight room to shame. I’m talking several hundred thousand dollars worth of equipment that is constantly being used. Athletic practices occur during the school day and continue after school.
Playoff games are played at a mutually agreed upon site. If no site can be agreed upon, coaches flip for homefield. Other school districts stadiums are used, universities (Texas, Baylor, A&M, Texas Tech), and professional venues (Cowboy Stadium, Reliant Field, Astrodome, thee Alamodome) are regular sites for playoff games. Of course, playoff games usually draw between 15,000 to 20,000 people. One game two years ago had over 46,000 people, in the 2nd round of the playoffs!
It is not unusual to drive on a Friday night and find 6 or 7 different games on the radio. Television stations are constantly showing highlights from across the state. I loved Gwinnett Prep Rally, but Stan Autrey on public access is nothing compared to this.
Now, having said this I STILL love GA football and believe that my NHS teams in the mid-90’s could compete with any team, TX or otherwise. But how can GA expect to sustain successful programs without putting a greater emphasis on athletics?
I hope GHSA makes some changes, but I’m afraid GA will never be considered to have the athletics of TX, CA, or FL until they put more money into it.