AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USExtreme team makeovers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
America loves a makeover.
Nip and tuck! Pimp my ride! Move that bus! And to tell the truth, high school football fans here are no different. And we have just as tough a time believing what we see of the “afters” when we remember what the “befores” looked like.
Time was — and I speak of the not-too-distant past — that “undefeated” and “Carver-Atlanta” did not belong in the same sentence. But after the Panthers defeat Southside on Saturday, they’ll be a sparkling 7-0 and a cinch to claim one of Region 5-AAA’s playoff berths.
I can remember watching Carver practice when 19 players would be on the field and only a handful of those knew which end of the helmet faced forward. They weren’t dumb. But the way they would get plowed weekly, the facemask was as likely to face forward as backward.
And what of Fayette County, East Paulding, Cross Creek and Jenkins? Does anybody recognize these guys? Teams that were once but one step ahead of the Winless Protection Program’s special agents sport unblemished records. These are they that bring hope to the Meadowcreeks, Cross Keyses and Druid Hillses of the world.
Fayette County takes on Banneker today, and the special thing about this stop on the Tigers’ Loss-Avenging Tour of 2007 is that this one should all but clinch the Region 2-AAAA championship free and clear. They were 2-8 a year ago, helped into that pit by Banneker, which spanked them 36-20. Everybody else who roughed up Tommy Webb’s team last season has paid the price so far. So now shall Banneker.
None of the makeover unbeatens has it particularly easy today. Glenn Hills will give Cross Creek a battle. Cherokee, smarting from last week’s 48-21 rout by Douglas County, will probably go to the wire with East Paulding before falling short.
Jenkins will have it even harder because only the Warriors from among the aforementioned bunch won’t escape tonight unscathed. But when was the last time Jenkins and Camden County went into a late October game tied for first in their region, with their game deciding its No. 1 playoff seed?
Fitzgerald at Thomasville: Couldn’t let this one pass, since you won’t find it in type this big anywhere else on the page. But a pair of Region 1-AA heavyweights (5-0 in league play) go at it.
I started the season on the wrong foot, giving Irwin County too much credit in opening its new stadium, against Fitzgerald, which won that day and every outing since. The Purple Hurricanes have done nothing but win — including last week’s 24-21 victory on the road at formidable Early County. That having been said, it says here that the homestanding Bulldogs will finally snap their string of futility against them.
They are too evenly matched for one team to maintain an extended domination. Thomasville has had an extra week to focus on nothing but Fitzgerald and it’s about time that pays off.
LISTMANIA: And now, without further delay, The Weekend Predix. Check the list, then return to scream, rant, holler, praise, genuflect at the shrine of, give shoutouts to or mount a protest against Maxie right here.
Video: Lights! Camera! MAXIE! See Darryl prognosticate.
Mad about Maxie? Our fearless prognosticator awaits YOUR comments. Are his patented Predix right on or way off? Throw down with D-Max now!
Permalink | Comments (51) | Post your comment | Categories: Darryl Maxie
Comments
By ANTHONY
October 25, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
SONORAVILLE WILL GET THEIR FIRST WIN EVER FRIDAY, AND CHEROKEE WILL UPSET E. PAULDING.
By EastRaiders07
October 25, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Mr. Maxie, I appreciate you being behind East Paulding since last year. Thanks for the support. You’re STILL one of the few. Good luck to all this friday. Go Raiders!
By Jeff
October 25, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Well, Maxie, Cass is now 2-2 region, with three region battles left.
I’d like to say we’re going to be 5-2 region at the end of the season, but honestly it could go the other way and we could be 2-5. The Cass team of September has simply not showed up to play yet this month. If we get the September team back, we’ll be 5-2. If not, we’ll probably be 2-5, or MAYBE, MAYBE somewhere in the middle - 4-3 or 3-4.
I don’t know how the playoff pic works these days, but assuming the top 4 teams still go, that 5-2 or 4-3 is our only hope. Either way, it means we have to win at least 2 of the next 3.
Hopefully you’re wrong this week!
By Raider Student
October 25, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
East Paulding over Cherokee… Good Pick! way to use your head
By SeminoleWarrior
October 25, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Maxie, Maxie, Maxie. It’s high time that you give the Bulldogs some love my brother. The Hurricane has had our number over the last few years but old fashioned Bulldog grit and desire have come back to town with the kids that are the heart and soul of this year’s unit. This team is on a roll and ready to bring back that Region 1AA title back home to THS. Beware out there in class AA…The DAWGS are for real!! Glory, Glory Old T’ville.
By Raiderfan
October 25, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the support Maxie. E. Paulding will continue their winning ways fri. night against Cherokee. I’m sure it’s going to be a great game though they still have not been able to dig up the Warriors that got planted in the “Bone Yard” during last years mudbowl at E. Paulding.
By steve coleman
October 25, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
should’nt Sandy creek get some publicity after they upset the #3 ranked team in the state carrolton, 28-14 ?
By Raiderfan
October 25, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the support Maxie. E. Paulding will continue their winning ways fri. night against Cherokee. I’m sure it’s going to be a great game though they still have not been able to dig up the Warriors that got planted in the “Bone Yard” during last years mudbowl at E. Paulding.
By x Coach
October 25, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
When the dust settles Friday night….Coffee will return home a winner if Wildcats don’t get home cooking.
By yo boy
October 25, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
well, i first off am not a churkee warrior fan. they swear they are nebraska.. false. east paulding will drag them
By EPCheerMom
October 25, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Thanks Maxie! We appreciate your dedication to the Raiders again this year. These boys have worked very hard to be the team that they are and they will beat Cherokee Friday night. Nothing personal Warriors!!! :)
By d-nice
October 25, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
i don’t even know why you mentioned whitefield academy in your predictions because you all don’t never put stats or say anything about them.whitefield beat eagles landing last week,who had the two time player of the week and whitefields q.b. out performed him but nothing was said.the whitefield q.b. threw for over 200yds and ran for almost 150yds.ajc need to do a better job of covering results from high school sports,not just football but basketball also.
By Sean
October 25, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Maxie - Good pick taking East Paulding, thanks for the support! Go East Paulding!
By Warrior
October 25, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks a lot for mentioning the mighty Warriors of Jenkins. We usually don’t make the Savannah Morning News much less the AJC. Keep the dream alive.
By Coffee Trojan Fan
October 25, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
I have a gut feeling that Coffee is going to win Friday nite vs Valdosta.We are going to open the states eyes and get noticed.We are past due to get some recognition. People seem to be so jealous of Coffee Co.. See it dont matter that we have been down for years and we are making a comeback, it kills peoples souls that we are finally winning and trying to make a name for ourself. I want to wish the “Trojans”good luck thru the playoffs. Babies take us all the way. I love you all
By NSHS FAN
October 25, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
To: “BY Warrior”, Good Luck on Savannah Jenkins against Camden County. Chatham County Schools are so depleted it is hard for them to compete against school outside of Savannah. Personally, I think all the schools there should play at the AAA level to help the system. Jenkins is just a once in a life time special addition of a good football team from Savannah. Macon, Albany, Augusta and most Columbus schools had to move down in classifcation to stay respectable. Fight hard—-or Camden County will cause some sad faces on DeRenne Avenue.
By devil lover
October 25, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
there has been a lot of talk about how Brookwood is much better than their record which consist of two losts. Grayson has only lost one game to Norcross on the road. The winner should end up winning the top slot for region 8.
By Brookwood Fan
October 25, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
It amazes me that a region that has tied for one state title, seems to talk as if they have dominated for many years. You all know whom I am referring to. Brookwood and Parkview has won many titles and even been ranked nationally. So has Lowdnes, Camden, and Valdosta. Even Harrison and Stephenson have an impressive history without as much conceit. I’m not trying to knock anyone, because I love the sport and the competition, but it just seems overwhelming. Granted region 7 has played well last year and is playing well this year, but until I see three or more state titles from the region, then get a grip. The cockiness is overwhelming. Their region has a possibility to win it all, but so does other regions. As many posting have said before, this is a very competitive year with many teams having a shot.
By trojan57
October 25, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Coffee has had growing pains with the “D” at time this year, but there is no more exposive, powerful “O” in region #1AAAAA, and for that matter maybe in the state. Only time/playoffs will tell. Maxie: You’re picken Valdosta just because they are “Valdosta”…. By the way I look for Tift to take care of Lowndes for Coffee…. watch and see… Maybe WR can do it too… Hungry teams perform better at times. Both are very loaded with talent.
By Hornet_Fan55
October 25, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
No writing about Hiram.We take on East Coweta at their house,basically for the region championship.We have the game of the week by both Channel 2 news and Fox 5 news.You couldve at least gave some recognization.
By Mike
October 26, 2007 3:58 AM | Link to this
Pius will beat Mays.
By RaiderNation
October 26, 2007 5:53 AM | Link to this
Go Raiders!
After beating Cherokee tonite, unbeaten 8-0 EAST PAULDING should move ahead of the 3 teams in front of us in the rankings that have lost a game!! (Baldwin (5-1), Westside-Macon (6-1), Habersham Central (6-1))
By Cougar Mom
October 26, 2007 6:42 AM | Link to this
Hornet_Fan55 - very true - Hiram has had a great season but there has been little about reported about it in any news venues seems until this week….don’t sweat it - whether it is reported or not it is still a GREAT season that your having!! :) Shout out to your DRUMLINE….The Hiram Hornets have one of the most impressive bands in North Georgia - who else shows up with a SEMI carrying their equipment??? :)
By CHSis1
October 26, 2007 7:22 AM | Link to this
Darryl, Certainly your goal is perfection in your picks, but you have once again choosen Prince Avenue to win this week . Just as last week, not gonna happen.That BAD for you rnumbers ! Are you attempting to get someone you know into that school :o)
By carolyn
October 26, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
I believe that Mays is going to shut St.Pius down.
By johnny K
October 26, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
To the Brookwood fan. Has Brookwood ever won a state title? Close only counts in handgrenades.
By Astro-Raider Fan
October 26, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Prediction: Mays will run the ball every play. The coaches are afraid to pass the ball after that int-TD by Tucker 2 weeks ago. Mays could score 50+ if they put the ball in the air, but I doubt that’ll happen.
Mays 13 - St.Pius 7
By robhendershott
October 26, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Remember how St.Pius has only a run game, and it was supossed to be a great match up between Tucker and St. Pius, the schools with the greatest run games? Well, St. Pius got shut down, and Mays put Tucker in trouble.
Prediction? Mays 28 St. Pius 7
By Tiger Fan
October 26, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Thanks for giving Fayette Co. some love. If they win tonight they have a great shot at going undefeated for the first time in school history. Their “makeover” is due to a great group of senior leaders who have led this team since the end of last year. GO TIGERS!!!
By Bob Montag
October 26, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Go North Cobb and Coffee Trojans.
By COWBELLMAN
October 26, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!
The place to be tonight is in Cherokee, for the Raiders vs Warriors game. Hope to see everyone come out to the game tonight, and make sure you bring the noise with ya.
GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!
By Ed Bemiss
October 26, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
I have just updated the 2007 Georgia HS Football teams to the simulation on my website, after last week’s games:
[http://www.nationalsportsrankings.com]
The simulation generates a final score, box score and player stats for HS Football. You need to register before using the head to head matchup or tournament format, It is free.
The tournament feature conducts 4,8,16,32,64 team tournaments. I am also adding an easy roster edit and a league format within the next week or so.
I can adjust the pass/run ratio as well as other player stats, you can email from the site, using the feedback tab on top.
Also I don’t have all the states done for 2007, just a handfull right now, I will be adding more this week. States done (NY, TX, OH, PA, NC, NJ, AL, SC, OR, CT, MI,Fl, GA)
I also have Georgia teams from the past few years on the site, as well as other years. Any information on prior teams is appreciated.
See how the computer does in this week’s games.
By KDaDon
October 26, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
To NSHS Fan: As a Jenkins grad (‘00) I would agree with you about the Savannah schools moving down except for one reason: basketball. My younger cousin plays football for Johnson and he was telling me about how his teammates would ask people in the stands to bring them hot dogs DURING the game. I just feel that the b-ball players actually care. But in football you’re right, the numbers suggest a move down
By Dawgster
October 26, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Hey DM - Tell the AJC to buy you a new computer. The one that’s generating your picks is malfunctioning.
By truedawg
October 26, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
to Johnny K…..Just to let you know…Brookwood was the first Gwinnett School in history to win a State championship (1996) so you can take you hand grenade and stick it where the sun dont shine partner!!!
By CT Dawg
October 26, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this
Hab over Loganville….BIG.
By #37 FCHS
October 26, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Thanks for givin FCHS a shout out. This will probably be our first undefeated season and hopefully we can go far in state.
By old lion
October 26, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Oops! Missed again, Max! SPX 17 Mays 7
By to johnny k
October 26, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Yes, Brookwood has won a title and has been deep in the playoffs a number of times…also a number of times they didn’t. As I recall no one thought they would even score against Valdosta that year much less win. As an overwhelming underdog, that night they trounced Valdosta on Valdosta’s home field. Tidbit>>>A kid named Bonner was the Valdosta QB that year.
By Bad Odds
October 26, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
32 teams in and only 1 is left standing. Not good odds to win a championship; unless you play all the rounds (except the semis) on your home field.
By EastRaiders07
October 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
How bout them Raiders? 38-3 over Cherokee. They just keep getting better and better each week. Two more for an undefeated season. Who would’ve ever thunk it?
By Patrick
October 27, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
Walton was horrible last year, this year, we are great. We should at least have been mentioned.
How about JJ Jackson, 5 TDs tonight for the Raiders?
By viking lover
October 27, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Dear Trojan 57, Thanks for your love for Lowndes and hoping Tifton or WR edges us out for Coffee to step up. Oh wait, too late, the Coffee County Condoms lost to the Cats last night. It looks like Lowndes County is not a good place for you.
By BJ
October 27, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Jefferson High get very little coverage from the AJC. Any way for ya’ll to get a crew up here next Friday night for the Jefferson va Commerce game. This one of the biggest rival in Georgia and ya’ll don’t think much of a class A game.
By Astro-Raider Fan
October 27, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Coaching high school must be like the pressure of manning the space shuttle. This must be S7 security clearance and high profile stuff, becuase I don’t understand why an interim coach wouldn’t go to the air when you have 2 recivers that run the 40 in 4.3? Both are over 6’2” and they will go get the ball. These are the complaints from the Mays vs St.Pius game. Mays continues to play grind ball when they have the weapons to go to the air, which will open up gapping holes for their 3headed RB combo. Mays coaches have lost their confidence in the passing game, as well as for the remainder of this season. They’ve conceded! Marist is next, they’ll probably give the game to them by running the ball 99% of the game. Oh yeah, how can you game plan when the starting QB doesn’t show for practice. It’s not looking good for the Raiders.
By WESTMINSTER
October 27, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Maxie keep picking against us please!
By 1-AAAAA Fan
October 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
What happened trojan57? Looks like ya’ll got another spanking by a team from Valdosta/Lowndes Co. Valdosta = 35 Coffee Co (Trojans) = 7 and Lowndes = 42 Coffee Co (Trojans) = 14 Looks like ya’ll might just win next week when ya’ll play Houston Co. even Colguitt Co. beat them.
By will
October 27, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
how about jj jackson
By Andrew
October 28, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
maxie y did u not pick your games this past friday
By Cougar Mom
October 29, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
:) AHS Cougars!!!
You took the safe pick on that game Maxie….
GATA Cougars!
By Leon Hargraves
November 1, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
How come you did not pick a winner/loser between Ware County Gators and Richmony Academy.