AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSandy Creek, Fayette will march on
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you were going to highlight the favorites on the Class AAA bracket you’d probably have to start with Shaw and Carver-Columbus. After that, it looks wide open.
So it is that Sandy Creek, the No. 3 seed from 6-AAA has to feel it has as good a chance as anyone else to get to the Georgia Dome for the semifinals. The scariest team on the Patriots’ side of the bracket is Carrollton, and Sandy Creek beat the Trojans by two touchdowns.
That’s not to discount the Trojans from North Hall, who got to the third round last year and clearly know what to do when they get to the postseason.
But this looks like the time we might point to in two years and say, that’s when Ragion Neal came into his own. The Sandy Creek sophomore bolted for 182 yards last week in Sandy Creek’s 23-8 win over Hart County, which is significant because if opponents have to respect the running game, the chances of wideout Braxton Lane hurting them deep are enhanced.
Says here the Patriots’ defense, which has been solid all year, will slow down North Hall, and the group from Tyrone will make its first third-round appearance.
Sandy Creek 21, North Hall 12.
Bainbridge at Fayette County
Fayette’s Tigers are 11-0, Bainbridge’s Bearcats are 8-3. Yet both have an upstart feel in the big playoff picture. Neither has been here before.
Hate to look like a homer here, but I’ll take the home team, especially since Bainbridge is so far away it has a Mississippi ZIP code. There’s no good way to travel from Lake Seminole to Fayetteville, which means Bainbridge, under first-year coach Ricky Woods, will be out of its comfort zone from the get-go.
And Fayette, as I’ve written in this space before, seems to be coming up with all the answers. Here’s one: Matt Daniels and his 1,200 rushing yards.
Fayette County 19, Bainbridge 10.
Whitewater at Thomas County Central
The Wildcats have had a nice season, and their defense has been stellar all year. But like Bainbridge, they have to hit the road to the Rose City, where good teams have long been transitioning to basketball season.
Having steeled itself against the states’ marquee region (1-AAAAA), Thomas County Central looks to me to be the team to beat in AAAA, Northside’s 26-game winning streak notwithstanding. Whitewater will be competitive, but this will be a long right home.
Thomas County Central 31, Whitewater 17.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Fayette
Comments
By Jerry J. N. Jones Sr.
November 25, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I here the Roswell coach crying…but I do not care!!!! If it were them hosting…I would not care! I wonder if the Roswell coach is in favor of the “neutral site” (the N. Ga. attempt to even the field against S. Ga.) for the championship game? I say, “Make them drive and play on Friday.”
By NTH Trojans
November 26, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
Jay,
It seems that you have underrated North Hall. That was a great game. The difference in the game was turnovers. Before picking against NH again, I suggest you look at some of their highlights and stats. This is not just an offensive minded team. Defense and turnovers won that game, and when we win state, it will be those very things that are the reason why. Please keep picking against us.
By DIE HARD "CAT"
December 1, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
WELL ALL OF YOU DOUBTERS THAT “CAMDEN”DIDN’T HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST GRAYSON-ENOUGH SAID-22-7 AND THE OFFICIATING WAS TERRIBLE,WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE DOME NEXT SATURDAY FOR WHAT WILL BE A GREAT GAME BETWEEN 2-TEAMS FROM “SOUTH GEORGIA”.OUR DEFENSE IS PLAYING GREAT NOW.OH BY THE WAY GRAYSON08 HOPE YOU ENJOYED GETTING YOUR “BUTT”KICKED.