Prep Zone

By WS

November 14, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this

considering how the region (4AAA) is set up and split into subregions, Peach has another unfortunate draw just as they did last year. granted, they won the AAA state title last year but even if they’d gone undefeated, the best they could have done then was a 2nd seed. hence, a more challenging playoff schedule on the front end. maybe this realignment thing will actually work sometime. oh well, it is what it is. go Trojans…

By zippy the clown

November 14, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this

its absolutely stupid that the GHSA would put Buford & Charlton in the same brackett - i think it was done intentionally to keep both from meeting in the finals…..getting tired of the GHSA “rigging” the playoffs, making the strong teams knock each other off before reaching the finals - thats not how they do it in most college football divisions or the pro’s….

By BullDawg Rick

November 14, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Agree with you zip…

It’s stupid to continue useing the brackets as a template & just plugging in the teams…

THere has to be some lenientcy to place the best team in the state at AA in opposite sides of the bracket.. But that takes common sense and that’s the problem!!!

Go Wolves!!

By RY

November 14, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

Hey Jeff, The road for MLK will tough as well. Assuming they make it past the first round, they will have to the BEST football dynasty in the nation VALDOSTA, followed by either HARRISION, WALTON or like you said Parkview is still PARKVIEW. That’s four tough teams that can BEAT anyone in the state at any given time. IF MLK makes it to the Dome, their chances of winning it all will be excellent don’t you think?

By GW

November 14, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

So we want a committee of GHSA politicians to rig the AA playoffs so Charlton Co. and Buford will play for the state championship?

By Drago

November 14, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

This article is rejected as it does not include the requisite number of Cobb and Gwinnett teams and mentions too many teams more than 30 miles from Atlanta.

By GW

November 14, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

Oh, and I forgot to mention. Everybody knows Buford and Charlton Co. outrecruit UGA, LSU, and USC combined. They should be in a league of their own.

By Atlanta Blue

November 14, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

its absolutely stupid that the GHSA would put Buford & Charlton in the same brackett - i think it was done intentionally to keep both from meeting in the finals

Well, zippy the clown is also zippy the uninformed, if not zippy the idiot.

The brackets were drawn up years ago, in a rotation pattern that does not change. No one except Buford and Charlton “rigged” the brackets so they wouldn’t meet for the championship. The spots that each would have in the bracket were known before the season ever started, based on where they finished in their regions.

Besides, the less biased Massey Ratings don’t even have Buford and Charlton 1-2. Thomasville sneeks in ahead of Charlton, so if the brackets were “seeded”, you still wouldn’t be guaranteed a Buford-Charlton matchup.

There both great teams. We will just have to watch them meet in the quarters. Doesn’t change the competitiveness of the game.

By Joey

November 14, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

No GW, not rigged, but the tow best teams in AA for the past 5 years as well as ranked 1st or 2nd all season do not need to meet in the quarterfinals.

By Derrick

November 14, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Everyone knows that the columbus region where shaw and carver plays will win state this year.

By 28 Sweep Pass

November 14, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

That’s funny Joey, as I don’t remember seeing Buford listed as the 2006 co-champ in AA. Seems like it was Charlton and Dublin, with Buford falling short in the quarters.

With that said, I think this is Buford’s year to win it all.

By Michael

November 14, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of whining wimps. Compared to Florida teams, they all have patsies to play. Try looking down the barrel and seeing Miami Northwestern or Miami Washington or Lakeland looking back at you, just to name three. Come down to Orlando in December for the state championships if you wanna see some real football. Go Roswell.

By Blue Devil Block

November 14, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Hey Jeff: I wouldn’t have Tift County packing up their gear for the season just yet. Granted, Camden Co. is a very good football team. However, I wouldn’t say their regular season schedule was as tough overall as Tift County’s has been. Tift just could be the dark horse as they seem to be peaking at the right time. I’m not even predicting a Tift victory right now, but let’s let it be decided on the field Friday night!

By NC FAN

November 14, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

I have to disagree with your toughest draw pick. They are all very good I would only flip flop the #1 & #2 spots.

NC was rewarded for being the #1 team in the state with the toughest draw by far in my opinion.

Lets just look at there most likely opponents.

Rd.1 P’tree Ridge co-defending state champ Rd.2 Roswell co-defending state champ Rd.3 Lowndes the back to back state champs prior to last year Semi’s. Camden Co. the state champs prior to Lowndes run.

So NC is staring down the face of the previous 5 years worth of state champions… Now if that is not the toughest draw I don’t know what is.

By yo

November 14, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

I’ve got that feeling, “relatively easy game” turns out to not be so easy. Tift over Camden in a mild upset. Camden hasn’t been hit in the mouth by any one since Chattoochee and will have forgotten what it feels like till Tift shows up.

By doom

November 14, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

What about South Gwinnett drawing the defending state champs of Roswell… The Comets are hot right now with a lot of fight in them… Anything is possible… Peachtree Ridge was a 4 seed last year and no one gave them a chance… Go Comets…

By BullDawg Rick

November 14, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

28 Sweep - FYI.. Buford (‘01-‘03) and Charleton (‘04-‘06) have won AA State title every year this century..

Ought to place the BEST 2 programs on oposite sides of the bracket..

Point is, GHSA takes the ‘lazy’ way out & just fills out the template. As opposed to using common sense..

By Jeff Haws

November 14, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

NC FAN-

Certainly, there’s an argument to be made for that. The only reason I didn’t put them No. 1 is because, while Peachtree Ridge is the defending champ (and, I suspect, a VERY tough out), they’re still just 7-3 and unranked. Pacelli and Dooly are set up to have to play top-10 teams each round of the playoffs if they can keep advancing. You’re talking not playing a single team with fewer than 8 wins, unless some upsets happen.

NC’s draw is extremely tough, no doubt. And it’s not unreasonable to say it’s the toughest. I just felt like Pacelli/Dooly edged them out very slightly.

By mcdawg

November 14, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

pending on how you look at it either Habersham-Central or Marist got the worst first round draws

By NC FAN

November 14, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Fair enough Jeff I can respect that choice.

If NC does move deep into the playoffs no one will be able to say they were a fluke.. possibly having to take out the previous 5 years worth of state champions..

Should be fun. Best of luck to everyone’s teams in playoffs. I hope to see some great games.

By firebill1932

November 14, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

The comment about recruiting from Buford and Charlton is half correct. Buford recruits, Charlton grows their own players. They have no where to recruit from.

By Jeff Haws

November 14, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

mcdawg-

Yeah, that’s a good point. If you were looking at just toughest first-round games, that one would be up there for both teams. The stakes would be even higher if it were at Marist, where the Eagles never lose a game to anybody not named Tucker.

The winner of that game will probably actually be the favorite to get to the Dome from that quadrant. They’ll get Dalton or Cherokee in the second round, both of whom would be beatable. Then, maybe Griffin or Ware County. No Northside. No TCC. No Tucker or Baldwin or Fayette or East Paulding (OK, EP fans, I’ll toss you in there too). The winner of the Hab/Marist game has an excellent chance to make the Dome.

By blade

November 14, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

You knew that Fayette County would get the shaft. Especially when Whitewater is involved. The Powers to be knew exactly what they were doing by placing 3 undefeated teams Northside WR/Tucker/Fayette on the same side of the brackets. Someone is always trying to give that no coaching individual at whitewater help, like when he was at Creekside. His only 10 win season, Creekside was changed to an easier region, where he didn’t play banneker, westlake, washington, or marist. Whitewater has also under reported their enrollment (1701) more like 2,100.

By RJ

November 14, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Looks like Habersham Central has a tough road up there with Marist, then possibly Dalton, Griffin and Ware Co.

By GW

November 14, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Charlton recruits out of the northeast corner of Florida. Their own citizens probably don’t know it.

By Will

November 14, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Man, some people think their teams should get a bye into the semi’s. There is some parity in the state this year in all classifications. Let’s just play the hand we are dealt and let the cards fall where they may.

By Jeff Haws

November 14, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

RJ-

Hab’s post-Marist road is pretty simple, relatively speaking. In fact, this isn’t even that good a Marist team. They lost to the two best teams they played, one of them at home, which the Eagles never do. Their best win of the season came last week over St. Pius. Their best road win is probably over Cedar Grove.

Now, Northside, TCC and Tucker all have easier paths to the Dome than does Hab, but HC just needs to take care of business at home against Marist and then play their way to the Dome. No excuses there.

By KB

November 14, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

How in the world did Chattahoochee lose out to Roswell for the one seed out of their subregion? Somehow the tie-breaker was point differential. In all well run leagues Chattahoochee would have won home field advantage in the first round, because both teams finished with the same region and overall record, but Chattahoochee beat them head to head @ Roswell. How is head to head not the first tie breaker? I haven’t heard anyone anyone from Chattahoochee complaining, but they should be.

By Leon

November 14, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Hey guys. Don’t count Ware County Gators (South Georgia) out of the Dome. They wasn’t picked this year to repeat as Region Champs but they did. If they hadn’t had a melt down anda couple of bad calls they could have easily been 10-0. If they play smart football they can beat anybody and we all no from South Georgia fans the Coaches will have them ready to play. This weekend starts a new season (0 to 0) it is a new ball game and any given night anyone can lose. Remember last year some of the number one seeds went down in the first round. I’m a 1966 Graduate living up here in Washington DC metro area and I still love those South Georgia fighting Gators. GO WARE COUNTY GATORS ALL THE WAY TO THE GEORGIA DOME

By conan

November 14, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

KB - the reason Chattahoochee lost out to Roswell is that there was actually a three way tie with Centennial included. Hooch’ beat Roswell while Roswell beat Centennial. Centennial beat Hooch’ sooo - they could not use the head to head tiebreaker and had to go to point differential to separate the three teams. In the end I think it worked out because RHS was clearly the better team despite the fluke loss to the Hooch’, and Hooch’ was definitely the #2 despit it’s loss.

By Fit To Be Tied

November 14, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Mays has the talent to get to TCC. If they use it as they did in last years playoffs they won’t make it to game 2. Show up this year Raiders!

By coachmoore

November 14, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

The current system needs to be changed. Seems like the two best regions in 5A play each other every year in the first round, that being 5-5A and 8-5A, its absolutely ridiculous for the #1 team in NC to play the defending state champions and then to play another top team, Roswell from 6-5A. The teams should be seeded once they are all in the playoffs. Dont know how you would do it though, just rank em all top to bottom? Not an easy thing to figure out.

By Jigsaw

November 14, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Derrick @ 9:22 a.m.

So tell us Derrick, how many players transferred into Carver-Columbus’ program this year? I’m not asking about last year as I know some have graduated including those that transferred from Shaw, right? Could you also include the the guys from Alabama in your figure, too? The GHSA doesn’t give a flying fraggle rock but the People would like to know.

By Jeff Haws

November 14, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

coachmoore-

I agree that something should be changed, and I think all options should be on the table, including my favored method of re-seeding all five brackets going into the postseason.

Here’s how I’d do it …

Start the season one week earlier and give all teams a bye week after finishing the regular season. When the season is over, all regions would choose their four teams to send to the playoffs, without regard to seeding. During that bye week, a nine-man committee (maybe even multiple committees for different classes) would be formed, featuring GHSA executives, representatives from the AJC, Macon Telegraph, Augusta, Savannah, etc. Maybe they’d do it by two or three conference calls during the week. They’d put together the brackets, re-seeding every team and placing the four No. 1 seeds in opposite quadrants. No. 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7, etc., etc., just like in the NCAA basketball tournament.

On the Friday of the bye week, you’d get the selection show on the public-service network, and advertising brought in from that would help pay for the time of the committee members and other items if more came in. That would be pretty exciting, and all the teams could gather to watch each team unveiled.

That’s what I’d do, more or less. I think it could help a lot in regards to balancing the brackets out. But I also think it will never happen in Georgia, so c’est la vie.

By Leon

November 14, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Why should all the number one seeds who win their Region have to play the first round. They should all get a bye on the first week of the playoff. Then let the number one seed play the winner of the first round.

By WS

November 14, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Leon,

There is no way in heck that would fly if I or many had a say. There are many teams that win their (weak) region and are exposed during the first week. It seems as an upset in some respects on paper but everyone knows going in that the #4 seed has more than a shot. Yes, there are some #1 vs. #4 games that are laughable but the ones where the #4 seed comes in and defeats the #1 are enjoyable unless you’re on the losing end. Take for example, Hawkinsville over ECI last year. Unexpected? Not really but it was enjoyable. You also had Bleckley over Fitzgerald, Brantley over Jefferson, Starrs Mill over Ware, Houston over Newan, and Peachtree Ridge over Wheeler. I guess the con is that one of your star players could get hurt but that could happen in any game. Take the good with the bad….

By Lookwhostalkin

November 14, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

I do expect a bunch of whiners every year this time - but this year seems to have brought out the “biggest cry babies” of the century. Some of you babes must have a hard time under-standing these brackets are made in “Advance” to eliminate “Controversy”. So if you want to whine - go tell your sate rep. You may do just as much good. I did see where someone stepped on some Blue devil toes. I’m sure they didn’t mean to. I think it started from one of those Gwinnet schools. As for Charlton and Buford - think again about players being brought in. Charlton has about 28 varsity players - not 40 or 50 like Buford. And by the way, Where did anyone ask an opinion from Fla - this is South Ga football - not lizard gigging. But I forgot - then this is that time of the year.

By K-3thou

November 14, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Go Ware County, Dem county boyz!!! South Ga wins all!!!

By Truth

November 14, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

“Why should all the number one seeds who win their Region have to play the first round.”

Because high school playoff systems are all about making money …. period.

It’s not about teaching kids anything - it’s about messed up priorities and false dreams.

Money = GHSA

By Jeff Haws

November 14, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Leon-

If you did that, you’d have to do some major re-arranging. To make that work, you’d need to reduce the number of teams in each quadrant by 1. So, instead of 32 playoff teams, you’d have 28 playoff teams. Because 8 does not divide evenly into 28, you’d also have to eliminate one region to make it 7. Considering how large some of these regions are, what we seem to need is more regions, not fewer.

I don’t see any reason No. 1 seeds should get a bye. They don’t get one in the NCAA basketball tournament. They don’t get one in Major League Baseball, the NBA or NHL. I don’t think it’s at all necessary.

By dawg

November 14, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

GO LOWNDES VIKINGS!!!

CLASS OF ‘76

By Doug

November 14, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

The brackets are what they are…set up on a rotation years ago….however plays Camden had better bring their A game and pray for some breaks….the defense is the best I have seen in a while…regardless of what region they play in

By NTH Trojans

November 14, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

What about the road North Hall has in AAA. McNair, Hart Co of Sandy Creek, then LaGrange or Perry in the Quarterfinals, Shaw or Cairo in the semis, and either Carver, Columbus, Stephens Co, or Thomson most likely in the finals. But, if NH wins it all, nobody can say that it was because they had an easy road.

By zippy the clown

November 14, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

no, not cry babies, “lookwhostalkin”(can’t see your face and don’t want to)- the GHSA shouldn’t be making the bracketts up years in advance when they can’t control who’s going to be the best……yeah, yeah, yeah, if your team is the best, it shouldn’t matter who they play - BUT ONCE AGAIN, DO IT LIKE THE PRO’S AND D-1 AA (& LOWER)FOOTBALL……DON’T PUNISH THE BEST TEAMS BY MAKING THEM PLAY EACH OTHER SO SOME WIMP CAN MAKE IT TO THE FINALS…..

By Revamp

November 14, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

go to 16 regions and the top two are in. would eliminate the sub-region $%^&*() we have now. i also like to see playing at neutral fields each round.

By zippy the clown

November 14, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

btw, Atlanta Blue - the GHSA knows who’s in what region, so they can stack the cards in advance cuz most regions have the same players make the playoffs, year-in and year-out…..’course i know you’re not so savvy to see that……..

By To zippo the clown

November 14, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

dearest zippy, teams do change regions so your comment doesn’t hold water.

By Casey

November 14, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Salem high school has the toughest road to the State Finals out of AAAA. They are on the same side of the bracket as Northside, Tucker, and St. Pius. Try fighting through that storm for a State Championship. Easily the toughest road to a championship in all classifications.

By bear fan

November 14, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

THANKS FOR MENTIONING THE PIERCE COUNTY BEARS IN THE SENARIO WITH DODGE COUNTY,AND DODGE HAVING TO GET BY PIERCE COUNTY TO GET TO THE PLAY OFFS.PIERCE COUNTY HAD A ROUGH ROAD GETTING THE THIRD SLOT IN REGION 2AA TO GET IN THE PLAY OFFS.CHARLTON AND SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN ARE THE ONLY TEAMS TO WHIP PIERCE COUNTY.DODGE COUNTY DON,T LOOK FOR THE BEARS TO ROLL OVER AND GIVE IT TO YOU.SEE YOU IN EASTMAN,AND BY THE WAY PIERCE COUNTY HAS ABOUT THE ENTIRE TEAM BACK FOR NEXT YEAR.MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN.

By Wayx dude

November 14, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

Go Pierce, Go Ware, South Ga will win every division!!!

By Cro25

November 14, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

You forgot the biggest one of all. ECI, for the 2nd year in a row. Hawkinsville last year, Seminole County this year. Seminole should be a 2 seed, but 2 forfeits dropped them to a 4 seed. Both times ECI were ranked #1 and got one of the toghest draws.

By JC

November 15, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

Yeah, if I were a Buford fan I’d be crying for Charlton County to start on the opposite side of the bracket too! Total domination is what it’s called, no Dome for the Wolf this year either!

=(

By Lester

November 15, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

To the moron from Florida who thinks that High School football is better down there. Please leave Georgia. If it is so great down there then go back. You wont though because you wouldn’t live in the Miami neighborhoods where gangsta football is played, and I’ve been to Lakeland, and its almost as bad as Miami. As for High School football in Florida, I just spent 3 years of my life on the sidelines (literaly) of Boone High School in Orlando, Fl. and the district there is nothing compared to the likes of most regions in South Georgia or even Metro Altanta. The Boone Braves would get beat by the Likes of Lowdens, Valdosta, Thomas County Central, Northside WR, Warner Robbins, East Coweta, Newnan, Lincoln, Parkview, Brookwood, Peachtree Ridge, Roswell, North Cobb, Buford, Charlton, Dalton, Rome, Cartersville, Carrollton, and any other decent football program in this state. Go Home Florida Boy!

By johnny K

November 15, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hey RY I do not believe Valdosta has beat an opposing team with a winning record this year. I may be wrong but I do not think so. they only have like 7 teams or 8 in their region and remember 4 go to the playoffs. Alittle different than a lot of other region teams with 6 or 8 and only 2 make it out of a sub region.

There is no way Valdosta should be considered a powerhouse in 2007. If you believe so you are smoking something.

By GRAYSONFAN

November 15, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

I WAS HOPING TO SEE SOME FEEDBACK ON GRAYSO VS. THE HOOCH. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE HOOCH REALLY. WOULD SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, TELL ME HOW THESE TWO TEAMS MATCH UP! JEFF, HAVE ANY ANSWERS FOR ME?

By Blue Devil Block

November 15, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Johnny K: You are wrong. Valdosta beat Tift Co. (6-4 regular season record and 4th seed out of Region 1-AAAAA) by one point. We missed an extra point to prevent overtime.

By Blue Devil Block

November 15, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Johnny K: Valdosta also beat Lincoln County (a powerhouse program) and Coffee County, the number 3 seed out of Region 1-AAAAA.

By Gwinnett Dad

November 15, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

If Appalachian State can beat Michigan and Stanford beat USC (and the Cleveland Browns almost beat Pittsburgh IN Pittsburgh … but they didn’t), then I’d say anybody seeded #1 in Georgia can lose to anybody seeded #4 in the first round. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen it happen myself not that many years ago when I was rooting for the number one seed. Thus, playing the game is the only way to really know who is the better team that night. So, enough of this silly idea for a high school team to get a bye for the first round.

By Gwinnett Dad

November 15, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Chattahoochee beat Camden County 17-16 in Camden County during the 2nd week of the season. I may not know much else about Chattahoochee, but I think I covered the most important fact: on a given day, looks like Chattahoochee can beat anybody.

By To NC Fan

November 15, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

The previous years result of teams NCobb could face in the playoffs does NOT matter unless players start as freshman and take five years to get out of high school. Teams at the AAAAA level are predominiently senior laden teams and, expect for a few underclassmen, reload each year. NCobb has had a good season but will be done after two rounds.

By Flatstick

November 15, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Johnny K

You have no idea what you are talking about - Valdosta beat the #1 team in the Highest Classification in the Sate of Utah and Flordia - both of those teams only loss this year was to Valdosta - Region 1AAAAA has always been the best region in Ga - YOU DON’T HAVE A CLUE - I guess that is why we only have 26 State and 6 National Championship banners hanging in our stadium - Come on down and get some of VALDOSTA - LOWNDES - COFFEE AND TIFT.

By Dear Flatstick

November 15, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

As usual Valdosta continues to live in the past. Maybe you guys should just skip the playoffs and stay home and read old yellowed Valdosta newspaper articles. Just to remind you, those championships were back when high school football in Georgia was not strictly regulated and players were brought in. Also based on your logic, Lowndes and Brookwood are now the number 1 teams in Utah and Florida? Bottom line…what has Valdosta done lately? You better stick to the past because Valdosta will never rise again; just look down the highway at Lowndes for the reason.

By Easiest Draw

November 15, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

Actually, Lowndes has the easiest path to the finals. North Cobb is a paper tiger and is gone in round 2 (if they make it out of round 1). Roswell is just a pretender this year and not a serious challenge. From the bottom bracket, Norcross is strong but always has a game where they lose focus and the game; often called a ‘choke’. I don’t see any serious competition for Lowndes until the finals. If they have home field advantage in the finals they win, if they have to travel, they get smoked.

By maxsportz

November 15, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

The AA state title game will suffer $$ wise since buford & Charlton would draw a huge crowd.

By Parkview Please

November 15, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Parkview, please show up in the second half against Walton and play all 4 quarters. You have become a politically correct finese touchy-feely team and need to get back to the displined physical smash-mouth perfect execution type of football team you were a few years ago. Region 8 needs you.

By Jeff Haws

November 15, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

GRAYSONFAN-

I’ve gotcha covered.

Based upon your name, I’m guessing you know all about Grayson and Ean Pemberton, so I’ll move on to Chattahoochee.

Like Grayson, the Hooch is going to rely heavily on the run. Their 1-2 punch of Gary Grace and Elton Ford is pretty effective. Grace is more of a power back, while Ford is a smaller back with quick feet. It’s definitely a thunder-lightning type of thing. QB Brendan Cross can throw a little bit when needed, but he’s only going to throw about 8-10 passes a game. Grayson’s D has been pretty darn good against the run this year, though. Shutting out Parkview and South Gwinnett definitely impressed me.

On defense, Chattahoochee has been good, for the most part. Although giving up 32 to Lassiter and losing to Wheeler early in the year seemed a little odd. Against Milton last week, the Cougars struggled mightily on defense in the first half. They really couldn’t stop Milton until late in the third quarter. But if they can carry over what they did late in the third and then the fourth quarter of that game, I think they’ll be able to stand up fairly well to Grayson’s running game.

By johnny K

November 15, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Hi Flagstick,

Just a couple of things. win loss record of teams in GA that Valdosta beat this season:

Collins Hill 4 wins - 6 losses Colquit county 2 wins - 8 losses Warner Robbins 3 wins - 7 losses Houston County 1 win - 9 losses Tift County 6 wins - 4 losses Coffee County 8 wins - 2 losses

LOST TO: Lownes 9 wins - 1 loss Brookwood 8 wins - 2 losses

Schedule speaks for it self. THEY DON’T PLAY ANYONE. As far as Utah and Florida go, I think girls play football in UTAH. When is the last time you anything about Utah football. With respect to FLORIDA I believe GEORGIA beat thier brains in, thats a given.

Now lets get back to Valdosta. Fact listed below is the number of teams in each region of 5AAAAA GA football. Region 1 - 7 teams Region 2 - 8 Region 3 - 8 Region 4 - 7 Region 5 - 10 Region 6 - 12 Region 7 - 9 Region 8 - 8

Please note 4 teams from each region go. That means that 57% of the teams from region 1 go to the playoffs no matter their record, compared to 33% of the teams in Region 6.

Look at thier opposing teams win loss record and then understand if you play in that region (1AAAAA) 57% of the teams make the playoffs.

That is terrible. That is also the reason they (region 1AAAAA)cant play with the noth Georgia schools.

Valdosta was good in the 60’s but that is old school. It is not their fault but they cannot compete with the North Ga schools. Not enough competition. they may have one school that can, but not Valdosta.

Look at the numbers and quit living in the past.

Need I say more. Houston county and Tift county were rolled over by Roswell last year. In fact they were there easist games.

By Gwinnett Dad

November 15, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

I hope the few folks who insist on bad mouthing Valdosta and Lowndes have visited where both those teams play. Both their stadiums make Region 7 and Region 8 stadiums look small and insignificant. They take their football REALLY serious down there in kind of a blue-collar, concrete, unsuburban way. The last thing anybody from north Georgia should do is give Valdosta or Lowndes one more reason to whip somebody that plays up here. We know. We have the cleat marks in our helmets still from 5-AAAAA championships in 2005. Even when we beat Valdosta up here this season pretty thoroughly, one thing remained clear: Valdosta teams deserve respect, and I’m more than pleased to give them that.

By GRAYSONFAN

November 15, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

wow, ok, thanks. i know grayson’s offence might, key word might be a little predictable, dont forget we have chandler priest, hes our power fullback. as for the grayson defence, things have changed for the MUCH, better since they played parkview or south gwinnett, so i guess thats a plus!

lol, defence mom here!

By true wildcat

November 15, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Hi, johnny K it seems like u just dont like valdosta for some odd reason the cats must beat your team when u where in school. region 1AAAAA is like the SEC of high school football from bottom to top. any given friday any team could win.from top to bottom theres no region like it. to me the only reason the north schools get credit is bc there in atlanta other then the south rules high school football in georgia

By Flatstick

November 15, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

To Johnny K

You might want to listen to what Gwinnett Dad has to say - again, you do not have a clue - to actually say that Valdosta, Lowndes, etc. (South Ga Teams) can’t compete with North Ga schools shows just how much you know about high school football - like Valdosta has not done anything since the 60’s??????????????? I respect the North Ga Schools and there are alot of great teams in North Ga and I wish the kids all the luck - You need to be more like Gwinnett Dad - you are embarassing the North Ga Fans - by the way, who are you a fan of?????

By To Gwinnett Dad

November 15, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Reference your comments about the Valdosta and Lowndes stadiums. Valdosta State also uses the Valdosta HS stadium, hence the upgrades a few years ago were to meet their minimum college conference requirements. Not aware of other high school that share their stadium with a college team.

By johnny K

November 15, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

To Flatstick

Great comment. Let me appologize if I offended anyone as that was not the intent, however, when you say a region is not that good overall, you tend to offend someone. Also when you say Valdosta is not that good you offend somebody. Thats life.

The point I am making is that due to the past everyone thinks region 1AAAAA is so much better than other regions. There region as I pointed out gets 55% of the teams into the playoffs every year.

Why don’t you address the issues I pointed out. Only seven teams in the region. Not their fault but how can you say they compete week in and week out with the region 8AAAAA and region 6AAAAA schools who have to compete with 10 to 12 teams in a region to make the playoffs.

Facilities do not make players. athletes make players. The Atlanta market has 4.5 million people in the area. I am not familiar with any professional football players living in South GA whos sons attend region 1AAAAA schools. That said doesn’t mean there are not any. One school in Atlanta had 6 dads who either is playing or played professional football on the same team. Oh by the way basketball players have some pretty good athletes also.

Bottom Line - Tell me something to the contrary with respect to Valdosta opponents records.

Tell me something with respect to 55% of the 1AAAAA region schools automatically making the playoffs.

Tell me something about Valdostas playoff picture if they were in region 8AAAAA or region 6AAAAA and they got beat up every week. I did not say they would loose every week but beat up evry week.

Tell me something about how a school with 2,000 students can compete against 6 schools with 2,800 students every week

Tell mw why a region 8AAAAA team handeed them (Valdosta)their worst loss of the year

Talk to me about some of those facts.

I will put it this way. By comparrison overall region 1AAAAA is like playing in the ACC or Southern Conference. Region 8AAAAA and 6AAAAA is like playing in the SEC every week.

Show me some evidence that I am wrong..

By the way I am for Region 6AAAAA

Look forward to your response

By Flatstick

November 15, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

Johnny K

All I can say is lets see how it all plays out - By the way,I have not made any reference to any stadium or facilities - I guess you are correct, Region 1AAAAA is soft, especially since Lowndes won State 2 years in a row before last year, COMPETE WITH THAT. What does fathers playing pro football and their sons have to do with anything about these playoffs. Don’t even try to compare us to The GREAT Atlanta - with all due respect, we do things alot different down here. By the way, we have some pretty good pro athletes that played here in little ole South Ga also. Good luck to all you North Ga Schools - even region 6AAAAA. DONE!!!!!

By VA Indian Fan

November 15, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Wow! Charlton Co. recruiting players? Not many people can find Folkston on a map. Years ago a player would leave Charlton for neighboring schools if they had a chance to go to the next level. If any players come to Charlton from NF, they are originally from Folkston. How do I know because I grew up there. Never in my wildest imagination did I think the Indians would have turned into a powerhouse. Coach Mac deserves serious credit for a superb job. Folkston’s population is less than 2,500. There’s no need to recruit in a small town because everyone wants to play football. The Indians have been doing this since 1990. The GA Dome should have a spot reserved for Charlton. The bracket is tough this year, but don’t count us out.

By yo

November 15, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

6AAAAA…does anybody know where that is? It is in Georgia right? I rest my case.

By OK HS Football Experts

November 15, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

AAAAA 2007 Trivia Question: What AAAAA playoff team played the most other 2007 AAAAA playoff teams during regular season schedule? The minimum number is 3 (duh) what team had the most?

By How Rumours Get Started

November 15, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

How’s this for a after-the-year prediction? Coach Mac is going to Camden County when Coach Herron goes to a school in the northern part of Gwinnett County.

By To Johnny K B Good

November 15, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Dearest Jonathan, In reference to your comment, “Lowndes won State 2 years in a row before last year, COMPETE WITH THAT.” Didn’t Parkview do it three years in a row?

By yo

November 15, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

OK HS Football Experts are you talking Ga. teams only or all teams played in state and out of state?

By Response to Yo

November 15, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Yo, Dude this is GA playoffs. We’re only dealing with AAAAA GA teams. By the way, didn’t you say the winner gets your car?

By yo

November 15, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Yea, I’ve got a little 98 cents Wal mart special I’ll be glad to give away. Pretty much any model you want.

By Gwinnett Dad

November 15, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Playoff teams? Brookwood, with 6. The three within their region, plus Roswell, North Gwinnett and Valdosta. As long as a team has seven region games as Brookwood has, it would be impossible to have more than 6. But maybe somebody has less games within their region?

Parkview did win 45 games in a row and three consecutive championships in the largest division (2000-2002, I’m not sure which year AAAAA showed up to replace AAAA as the largest).

Including 2000, the north as four AAAAA championships and the south has three. Sounds sorta even-steven to me.

By The Winner Is

November 15, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

And the winner is GwinnettDad. Playoff teams? Brookwood, with 6. Yo, mail him your car title.

Any of the Region 6 AAAAA teams could possibly have had 7 since they have 4 non-sub region games…but none did.

By Steve

November 16, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this

Well it all starts today!! Who will get shocked in the first round?

May the best team advance. I just hope the refs know what they are doing. That seems to be a problem every year about this time!!!

By Ron SMITH

November 16, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why MLK JR. HIGH has not been mentioned but look out for them.

By Cougar parent

November 16, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

East Coweta is not undefeated. They lost last week to the Newnan Cougars 11 - 19.

By NC Fan

November 16, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Easiest Draw

So you think NC is a paper tiger. Well I guess we will find out. However if your team is Lowndes well I give them all the respect in World however that paper tiger team you mentioned beat the team that shut Lowndes out at home. What is your excuse for this?? Go ahead blame it on the weather…

I hope all teams that play NC have the same thinking as you. If they do they are in for a RUDE awakening on the field.

Paper Tiger LOL

By Upset Prediction

November 16, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

AAAAA upsets in the first round. PeachTree over North Cobb.
Marietta over North Gwinnett.

By NC Fan

November 16, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Upset

We will find out in about 6 hours… I am gonna go ahead and put some crow in the oven. Hope your ready to eat tonight…

Unless Marietta has found a new team to dress out, I don’t see that upset happening. They have been pounded their last 2 games.. Believe me I want that to happen any team from region 5 AAAAA that wins is good for us.

I have to ask you though can you give us a little reasoning for your picks on the upsets? What makes you choose these 2 games?

By D Waters

November 16, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

thank you Gwinnette Dad. We are trying to adopt a new attitude down here. In the past, we have not been patient with our coaches, and we seemed to have no understanding when losing. This time we will give tomberlin our full support, and think he is doing a wonderful job. The players have responded well to his program, and I believe it will not be long before Valdosta is back. People are fooled by the Brookwood game. Valdosta is a much better team than they displayed that night. I don’t think the Valdosta fans are really worried about winning the championship. We just hope the players continue to work hard to improve in the classroom and on the field.

By D Waters

November 16, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

well Johnny K the only way to find out is to schedule a Utah team or a Florida team.

By D Waters

November 16, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

well Johnny K the only way to find out is to schedule a Utah team or a Florida team.