Prep Zone

By Eagle Fan Forever

December 10, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

Northside is the best team in Georgia period!

By #1 NHS EAGLE FAN

December 10, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

WRNS is a totally different team with Ivory at the helm. You could see that the team had confidence in his throwing ability and knew he could win if for them. Ware Co. game could be very interesting this friday but I still believe the EAGLES will win it. So I will continue to cheer them on. GO BIG BLUE…#96………..

By cj

December 10, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Todd what did you think of the carver team after seeing them in person. does fortson get consideration for top wide out in georgia

By JT

December 10, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Todd do you think the west coast offense of Wilcox will outscore the veer offense of ECI on Friday night? Washaun Ealy is a talented kid who has big things ahead of his career if he stays healthy. But I think the Dennard twins will prevail because that is just way too much speed on their side of the ball opposed to Ealy on their side of the ball. If you contain Ealy the game will definitely go Wilcox County way and if you don’t then this kid is 290 yards away from having 3000 yards for the season (RUSHING YARDS). Good Luck Wilcox County Patriots….

By HSballfan

December 10, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

The folks in Warner Robbins need to troop right back to church and take up a collection to build a monument to Marques Ivory right in front of the school. That was a Hall of Fame performance if ever there was one. Still, one hopes the Ware County coaching staff was paying attention. Sunday morning a neighbor of mine who is casual football fan spotted me walking the dog and came flying down the driveway with one question: “Were the Tucker coaches completely brain dead in the second half?” Knowing Ivory’s mobility was probably limited, the Tucker defense made no effort to force him to move choosing to sit back in that 3-4. If Ware County can get some pressure on him they have a chance; if they let him stand back there and throw darts they’re just as dead as Tucker. I won’t spend a lot of time talking about the Wing-T. Reese and others have their finger on it. Rookie Tucker coach Franklin Stephens will have several months to think about how Conrad Nix proved his championship calibre. Aside from the Tucker loss, I have only one other regret… about 15 hours of really boring football on Saturday, worth about what I paid for it… a dollar an hour. Enjoy the off season, and best of luck to the survivors this weekend.

By AlbGaBoy

December 10, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

The south of Ga is better and has better teams than the north. In the south there are more physical players and plays, the defenses are better and the coaches are better in the south and middle south areas. Not only did they dominate the Dome this year but this is something to see or many years to come. There is only one team from north Ga that I’ll consider a top team that’s Buford. Everyone else (includind those so call great ATL schools) are not that good. Hard to tell if NSWR is better that Lowndes guess we’ll know next year since they will be in the same region.

By HSballfan

December 10, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

Seriously. Would some of you people just stop fighting the civil war and grow up? A school’s geography has no inherent effect on the success or failure of its football program. Would you like for me to list all the teams south of Atlanta that suck? Why don’t we argue about East versus West Georgia or team colors or something else equally ridiculous. Give it a rest.

By NO R-E-S-P-E-C-T

December 10, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Todd, it would have been nice if you would have made it to the game to see Carver’s game. Their team is not that good. Chamblee beat them soundly for 3 and a half quarters, then desperation set in for Carver. What kind of great team has to rely on on-side kicks, several long high rocket bombs (alley-op) to win a game. Down by 18 points with less than 6 minutes, is that a top team, maybe? But, nobody mentions the difficulty they had to overcome, everyone acts like it was an easy win for Carver. Their life passed before their eyes and they got lucky, real lucky. Come out and visit Chamblee, you’ll understand their determination to be competitive in football. Learn a little about the school, it is amazing. You might begin to respect what they have accomplished. Example: 1. It is one of the top academic schools in the Southeast, Magnet and many ballers avoid it like the plague. 2. 90% of the players are bussed/driven from 10-20 miles away, very few live in the school district. They pass by SWD, Columbia, Tucker and Lithonia. 3. There are only approximately 50 players on Varsity. 4. No practice field, use outfield of baseball field, no lights. 5. Very limited community support, shared with Marist, Dunwoody, St.PiusX and others. 6. First year Head Coach. BUT STILL, WE MADE IT TO THE DOME!!!

By NSHS FAN

December 10, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

NSWR has to be very mindful of Ware County. They don’t know much about them except having to play one of their region teams Evans. Ware lost to Lowndes Cty. and Glynn Academy (an upset). Their defense gives up few points. However, unlike Tucker, I believe Coach Nix won’t take a chance to fall behind much on a score. Ware Cty. will have to contend with NSWR pass and run attack. They do both equally as well. I am sure Tajuan Green wants to make a statement in his last game. He was shut down by a tough Tucker defense in the first half at the dome. I see NSWR winning 28-10.

By AVikingfan

December 10, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

We might have the “state’s best defense” but we’ve also got a pretty good “playmaker” in Greg Reed. Camden was really good, very fast, and played great defense. But I doubt they’ve ever seen as good of a defense as we have, unless they go way way back to , let’s see, maybe 2004 or 2005. Tamburo is a good passer, but Roswell had a great one also, as did Tift and Coffee. And you can’t pass laying on your back. This week’s game will be one of the best matchups ever. NG is big and strong, and of course has that passer and all those receivers. We know we will have to play realy good. Goooooo Vikings, move the chains!

By BrookeFan

December 10, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

HSballfan

Sorry for your disappointment on Saturday. I know Friday’s games were certainly as entertaining as HS football can get. But I think you got two days worth of football excitement out of Friday alone.

To the LHS whine conoisseurs

North Gwinnett brings an excellent offense and defense but I will have to give the overall edge to Lowndes. LHS may well be the best team in the state as much as I loathe their whining fan base. LHS has the most mobile, physical defense - and, unlike Todd, I believe that defense is key to championships.

By Lowndes Fan

December 10, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Is the reason there are no pictures of the Lowndes VS. Camden game on the AJC because there was not a ATL team in that game?

By Oogy Pie

December 10, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

You’re talking about the Dennard brothers, but don’t forget Willie Gibson - he’s a playmaker too.

By Rusty

December 10, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Who was the AJC writer that said that Metro Atlanta would dominate the state championships from now on. He said it at the first of the season. I guess he was looking at last year. Where is he now?

By AVikingfan

December 10, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Lowndesfan, you and I were there. We don’t need pictures. All of us can still see Greg Reed jumping up and catching that touchdown pass. And we can still see that Camden QB getting hit, over and over. Better watch out, Brookefan will be calling you a “whiner”, course he’s still sore about Brookwood getting beat. But he did pick us to win. Todd did too! Wonder who all noticed that the Lowndes “Whiners” also had the largest crowd of any team that played in the dome. And we did more than whine. We msde a LOT of noise! I also wonder where Camdenfan is today?

By Leon

December 10, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

TO NSHS FAN: You must have been talking with TCC ROCKS FAN, When he said that TCC would beat Ware County 42-7. Lets reflect back on the final score Ware 10 TCC 7. Now do you really think that WRNS 28 to 10

By Leon

December 10, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

TO NSHS FAN: You must have been talking with TCC ROCKS FAN, When he said that TCC would beat Ware County 42-7. Lets reflect back on the final score Ware 10 TCC 7. Now do you really think that WRNS 28 to 10

By gdg73

December 10, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Still no mention of the Cairo Syrupmakers in your article. Did you miss the 3rd quarter in the Dome Sat. afternoon, where we laid 35 points on North Hall? We came out in the second half and hit them square in the mouth. North Hall never responded. Did you see our two running backs run for 228 yards and 135 yards? I guess they’re not playmakers in your book. Like I’ve been saying from the beginning, “Sooner or later, you’ll have no other choice but to talk about the SYRUPMAKERS”!!Just ask North Hall about us.

By old coach

December 10, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Todd youmade amistake in you coum, on Coach Dorsey when you said they were the first team from Cobb to play in the finals in 31 years. You must have overlooked Wheeler coached by Corky Kell in 1973 vs. Thomasville. Also I think you should reevaluate you opinion on Newnan after their close game with NG in the quarters. It was a close game and they will have most of their team returning as they only started 4 seniors out of the first 22.

By Leon

December 10, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

NSHA FAN YOU MUST BE HANGING AROUND WITH TCC ROCK FAN. He said that they would run all over Ware County and end of winning 42 - 7. Must I remind you of the score Ware 10 TCC 7. Now TCC ROCKS FAH which team is in the Final no trash talking this week. But it is early in the week and you have plenty of time to get back on the band wagon if you have recovered from the shock. Never count you chicken before they hatch. Yes NSHA may beat Ware but it will be either a touchdown or field goal not 28 to 10. Both teams are great or they would not be where they are at now. But it takes more then one guy to win a game. Ivory is good yes but he is only good as the team makes him. Without the rest of the team he is no body. Lets all hope that it will be a safe and enjoyable game and by the end lets hope the best team came to play because rather you come in first or secord you have proven you are among the best in High School Football for 2007. As a Gator fan course I will be pulling for my Ware County Gators and I hope it will go down to the wire and the last tic of the clock with Ware winning 7 to 6 or Ware 10 to 7. “GO GATORS”

By CARVER-COLUMBUS

December 10, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

To NO R-E-S-P-E-C-T:

GET OVER IT!!! Your team got their a* kicked by the #1 team in the state. And to say that Carver is not that good…. That would mean that your Chamblee team got beat by a lesser team head up… Carver came back from a 24-6 deficit with 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter. NS-WR had to come from behind also. So, do they not have a good team? What more proof do you need? So, who has the better team? The team that won has the better team in each instance. That’s what CHAMPIONS do… They find ways to win. It doesn’t matter what the score reads with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter, as your Chamblee team found out. What matters is the score when the clock reads 0:00. The last time that I checked, Carver-Columbus and NS-WR are undefeated this season. And, your Chamblee team has 2 losses on the season. And, you still think that you have a better team?

Hell, you guys had a lot of help from the ref’s to keep you in the game. But, you don’t hear us crying about those make-up calls that the ref’s were making, do you? I Tivo’ed the game and that make-up holding call on Derron Furr’s 93 yard touchdown that was called back was non-existant. That same Ref crew called the Carrollton game in Carrollton and they pulled the same crap up there that they did on Friday. Carver had 18 penalties to Chamblee’s 3. That ain’t right.

We proved it on the field, so go eat your sour grapes and try again next year.

By george

December 10, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Leon, I don’t expect a blowout, but I guarantee you Ware WILL NOT WIN if they score no more than 10 points.

By AVikingfan

December 10, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

I think Mcechern (sp?) from Cobb County played Valdosta in the finals in 1998. But what Todd said was no one from Cobb had won it in those years. I saw why Saturday night. Walton was big but really, really, slow in comparison to Lowndes, Camden, and NSWR. (Tucker was actually faster than NSWR but obviously out of shape. Apparently Tucker’s starters had not played a complete game this year. They had dozens of players cramping on the sideline in the 3rd and 4th quarters.) Bur Roswell and Walton, two good Cobb county teams, are too slow to go all the way. Walton had one fast cornerback and he saved what would have been a NG TD. I’m very surprised Walton beat MLK. But NG is good. They are big, strong, and quick. Great receivers and a really good QB. Great o-line. It will be a war in Lowndes’ Concrete Palace Saturday night at 7:30.

But ya’ll had better look out for next year. Lowndes only has 4 seniors on offense, and four on defense. Both the kicker and punter will be back, as well as the top 4 or 5 backups on offense and defense. Both offensive tackles and both tight ends are sophomores, as is the QB. And Greg Reed is a Junior. And, we have a freshman QB that is 6’1” and really dood. Look out next year for Lowndes. (Todd, let me be the first to tell you to rank Lowndes pre-season number one next year.)

By yo

December 10, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

HSballfan..they don’t divid the playoffs between East vs. West…they do it North vs. South.

Plus…growing up is no fun!

By Buzz In Roswell

December 10, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

I like North Gwinnett’s chances against Lowndes. If they can stop the run, that is. The best passing attack Lowndes has faced all year (Roswell) scored more points on them than any other team they’ve faced, and it could have been more if you take away two blocked kicks and a bad snap fumble. I don’t know if NG is a better passing team than Roswell, but they certainly like to pass more than Roswell does. I’ll take Lowndes ultimately, but it could get very interesting.

As for North Cobb, I don’t think they deserve to be ranked. You need to be able to at least win one playoff game to be ranked. Sure, they faced a good team, but they needed to win that first game.

By jimmy

December 10, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

yep,,,defense wins championships,,no matter what ya say,,,now,,,does a good offense help? you bet,,,,guess if NG wins you can say it was a good “O”, if we win,,itll b bc of our great “D”,,,that you can bank on,,,tho our “O” isnt all that shabby

By HSballfan

December 10, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Dear Yo, Show me where they divide the playoffs in any way except by regional seeding. They dumped that North Ga-South Ga nonsense years ago. There is no doubt there are some schools in that part of the state that are perennially successful… same in all parts of the state. To make blanket statements based on latitude carries about as much weight as most other superstitions.

By yo

December 10, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

(Todd, let me be the first to tell you to rank Lowndes pre-season number one next year.) Let me second that and add that unlike the last 3 years, we will not relinquish it. Lowndes….going for 4 out of the last 5 state championships. Can somebody say Defense! Also, while giving Camden props for their defense, only Lowndes turnovers kept the game as close as it was. Otherwise more like 21-0. Lowndes offensively had the yardage.

Curious….how much has N. Gwinnett seen of a good, quick, fast Wing-T offense this year? Anyone know?

The other side of the coin, Lowndes has seen plenty of good spread offenses “or similar” such as Tift, Coffee, Roswell, Ware, Douglas, Valdosta.

Even though it is a spread offense, Lowndes defense always starts by taking away the run. See Roswell as an example.

By yo

December 10, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Too bad Charlton was missing their playmaker against Buford, huh!

By maker fan

December 10, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Cairo’s defense did get it done against Noth Hall. Special teams mistake and the back-up defense allowed two of North Halls 3 tds. Carver take note, Cairo has not been thrown on all year and we can stop the veer, wing-t, and I formation. Thats pretty good for some undersized and often looked over players. SPEED KILLS!!!!!!

By Leon

December 10, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Hey By George: That is all they needed to beat a good team like TCC and that team was undefeated. They proved that it does not take a lot of points to win a game just TEAM WORK. It doesn’t matter if it is one point or a dozen it’s who come out on top at the end of the game that counts. Course a lot more people cry more if it is one point lost them if it is a dozen. I’M STILL PULLING FOR WARE COUNTY AS YOU ARE PULLING FOR NSHA AND THAT IS OK. I LOVE THE THRILL OF A CLOSE GAME THEN A BLOW OUT. IT WILL BE A LOT OF FUN FOR EVERYONE. MY HAT GOES OFF TO BOTH TEAMS FOR GETTING WHERE THEY ARE. LET THE GAME BEGIN.

By yo

December 10, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

To make blanket statements based on latitude carries about as much weight as most other superstitions.

Based on that logic then to call the SEC the best conference in college football would be superstitios.

Their is truth to what you say, “but” the #1 of each region stays in the North and the #1 of each region stays in the South. While not always the case, generally the #1 seeds speaks for its region.

N. Gwinnett only had one loss and in my book qualifies as a #1 seed. In fact I definitely believe they have proven to be the best team from N. Ga. as has Lowndes proven to be the best from S. Ga..

By HSballfan

December 10, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

By AVikingfan:Tucker was actually faster than NSWR but obviously out of shape. Apparently Tucker’s starters had not played a complete game this year. They had dozens of players cramping on the sideline in the 3rd and 4th quarters Sorry to be picky, but that’s a fat load of crap. Perhaps you’ll want to stick to something you actually know something about. Many of Tucker’s starters play offense and defense. I counted exactly three cramping incidents, no doubt the result of trying to “outquick” larger opponents for 48 minutes in an indoor environment. Tough to stay hydrated. Has nothing to do with being “out of shape.” Try taking a science course before you finish school.

By CARVER-COLUMBUS

December 10, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

TO NO R-E-S-P-E-C-T:

What in the Hell are you babbling about? Your Chamblee team had a lot of help from the officiating crew. Carver had 18 penalties to Chamblee’s 3. I Tivo’ed the game and there was no holding on Derron Furr’s 93 yard touchdown that got called back. That was the same officiating crew that was in Carrollton and they pulled the same crap up there that they did Friday in the Dome. But, we already know that the ref’s are biased towards our predominantly black school, and we must always be prepared for shotty calls from the ref’s. I just hope that we get a good officiating crew down in Cairo.

Anyway, to say that Carver is not that good… Well, that would mean that your Chamblee team is below being not that good, because you lost the game. NS-WR was down too. So, does that make them not that good also? I see it this way… CHAMPIONS find ways to win. They do not worry if they are down 18 with 6 minutes left on the clock. Your guys found out the hard way that it doesn’t matter what the scoreboard reads with 3 minutes left to play in the game. All that matters is what the scoreboard reads when the clock reaches 0:00. The last time that I checked, Carver is still undefeated and Chamblee has 2 losses and your season was ended by Carver-Columbus, the #1 team in the state.

I just hope that the Cairo team thinks that same thing that you Chamblee fans think.

And, to say that Marques Ivory is the best QB in GA… I would beg to differ. Our Auburn committe, Derron Furr has a place in that argument. Ivory is a more poised pocket passer and is one dimensional, but Furr can beat you with his arm or his legs. At 6’3” and 215 lbs., 4.5 in the 40, Furr will play quarterback for a D-1 program next year at Auburn.

And, team-mate, Jarmon Fortson, is hands down the best receiver in GA. At 6’4” and 220 lbs., 4.4 in the 40, Fortson will be joining QB Furr next year at Auburn. I don’t know how Mark Richt keeps letting these guys get away.

To all Chamblee fans that keep slinging mud at Carver-Columbus, you guys lost to the #1 team in the state. GET OVER IT!!! Go and eat your sour grapes and try again next year!!!!

By Mark

December 10, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

I promised myself I would stay out of the nonsensical north vs. south debate…but I just can’t.

1. The ATLANTA paper will never give top coverage to south Georgia schools just as the papers in Macon, Valdosta, St.Mary’s and Savannah will never give top coverage to Atlanta schools. THINK about it.

2. Doesn’t anyone remember that last year’s AAAAA finale was between two schools on Atlanta’s north side…only about ten miles apart??

3. Okay, so the north gets to dominate baseball, basketball, golf, swimming, softball, riflery, cross country, track, cheerleading, wrestling, tennis, volleyball and the SAT….I guess it’s okay to loan the south football once in a while.

By yo

December 10, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

maker fan…I’ve been with you from the start. When no one else was even noticing Makers I said every body had better look out, because the best team in AAA resides in Cairo. I still believe it. While playmakers are very important, Defense and overall depth of talent of the rest of the starters of the football team in my mind is most important. At this level, every one has playmakers in some way or another. Playmakeres are not just Qbacks and running backs. See 2005 and “the Bus” who resided on Lowndes defensive line and ask Brookwood was he a playmaker.

By MIke

December 10, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Yo, You have to decide who you are for at the beginning of the season I believe you wrote beware of the wolves. Do you know who you are for now.

By yo

December 10, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

hsballfan…regarding your last post I believe both you and Avikingfan have legitimate thoughts…and yours was not a “fat load of crap” either.

I believe Tucker will be a force to reckon with in the years to come. I do believe that having only 1 year in their new coaches discipline, weight and shape training had a lot to do with their loss. Give them another year or 2 and their will be less cramping, even when having to go both ways. 3 cramping incidents late in a ball game (especially if your better ball players) can be pretty significant. Usually it is the better ball players who are going both ways.

By yo

December 10, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Okay, so the north gets to dominate baseball, basketball, golf, swimming, softball, riflery, cross country, track, cheerleading, wrestling, tennis, volleyball and the SAT….I guess it’s okay to loan the south football once in a while.

Mark, you need to let some of your Atl buddies loan you some of that SAT sense while things are getting put on loan. Lowndes going for 4 out of the last 5…and from the South! Throw in Camden and that would be 5 out of the last 6. From the South!

By yo

December 10, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Okay, so the north gets to dominate baseball, basketball, golf, swimming, softball, riflery, cross country, track, cheerleading, wrestling, tennis, volleyball and the SAT….I guess it’s okay to loan the south football once in a while.

Mark, you need to let some of your Atl buddies loan you some of that SAT sense while things are getting put on loan. Lowndes going for 4 out of the last 5…and from the South! Throw in Camden and that would be 5 out of the last 6. From the South!

By South Jaw JA Football

December 10, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Smiles, no need to say anything the South Rules……and I don’t wanta grow up….

By nuff Said

December 10, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

To A viking fan

Roswell is located in North Fulton County, not Cobb. Asked Houston Cty and Tiff Cty if they thought Roswell was too slow last year to go all the way? Don’t count on having all those players back next year automatically will win the State in 2008. Roswell has 15 return and I believe they were better last year, a few players missing from graduation and injuries really makes a difference.I believe Lowndes is the best team with alot of speed, but North Gwinnett can throw the football and as shown by NSRH on friday, you can score with that offense.May the best TEAM win!!!

By yo

December 10, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Sorry Mike…different Yo. Who are the Wolves any way? The only Wolves I know reside in Minnessota and thats a different sport on a different level.

By A TIGER PARENT

December 10, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Thanks Coach Stephens and the Tucker Tigers for an awesome year of football. We love you and support you. Good luck Seniors! GO TIGERS, WE ARE TUCKER!!!!!!

By AVikingfan

December 10, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

to “nuffsaid” My bad about linking Roswell with Walton and Cobb County. My mom lived near Roswell for several years. Roswell was the best team we have played this year, probably better than Camden. I hope the Roswell QB has some good college offers. His arm is a cannon. I also wish that receiver would change his mind about Oregon and go to UGA! We KNOW NG will be hard to handle. They seem to have it all!

By CARVER-COLUMBUS

December 10, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

TO MAKER FAN:

I’ll tell you like I told the Chamblee fans… We do our talking on the field. But, since you’ve cast the first stone…

I hope that you took note:

SIZE + SPEED KILLS!!!!

For your information, we have two guys that run a 4.3 40 yd. We have a plethora of guys that run a 4.4. You must not have paid any attention to Todd when he mentioned our team speed? It’s between Carver-Columbus and NS-WR as to who has the biggest team in the state. Buford is second in size average by defenseive set after Carver-Columbus. Carver’s D-Line avg. is 6’3” 285 lbs. Buford’s D-Line avg is 6’1” 280, and that includes Omar Hunter and that other 310 pounder. Buford’s O-Line avg. is 6’1” 265 lbs. Carver’s O-Line avg. is 6’3” 270 lbs. Carver’s LB’s avg. 6’1” 220 lbs. and all run a 4.5 or better 40. Carver has 5 6’3”+, 300+ lbs. kids that are all underclassmen that are already D - 1 prospects.

Cairo, you guys struggled to beat Shaw, 21-14, in Cairo. We beat Shaw 29-7 at Shaw. If you think that Shaw was big and fast, well, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. You guys ran over a big and slow North Hall team that couldn’t tackle. North Hall had only two players that were not afraid to tackle. The rest of the team was arm tackling. Trust me, that won’t happen this Saturday.

What you guys don’t realize about Chamblee is that they have some state champions in track on their squad. They do have the AAA state 200-meter champ and several others that placed at the 06’ AAA state meet on their team. Speed and size wise, this was the first team that Carver-faced this year that could match the size and speed of Carver.

So, come this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Cairo, GA,, we will see who has the best team in AAA.

By NHS 1985

December 10, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Good teams win consistently. Great teams find a way to win regardless. Northside did that on Friday and proved why they are one of the very teams teams in the nation. I am very very proud to be a Northside alum. GO BIG BLUE!!

By Mark

December 10, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Yo…. In the years since we started the AAAAA classification (2000), four of the champions have come from Gwinnett County, one from Fulton and three from all of South Georgia combined.

In the 1990’s, the largest classification was AAAA. Five of those years had a north school win it all and five years a school from the south won it.

OUCH!

By mike

December 10, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

well yo, Then you must be from the South, because you are preaching about the south. And if you don’t know anything about Buford DON’T TALK because so far no one from Buford has said anything they have let the score do all the talking.

By AVikingfan

December 10, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

MARK YOUR MATH IS TECHNICALLY CORRECT. Parkview won the class AAAAA champinship in 2000-01-02. Camden won in 03. Lowndes won in 2004-05. Peachtree Ridge and Roswell tied last year. And NG is a good enough team to win it this year. We are just so proud to have made it this far with our scrappy but little guys. Not but one really star athelete on the team and he’s a junior. But our little number 11 who plays LB and occasional Fullback is also very good.

By AVikingfan

December 10, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know how the location for the NSWR game vs Ware was decided? Also the Cairo and carver game. How was the location decided? I think all four were number one seeds from their regions, right?

By GC

December 10, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

My thoughts in bullets:

— Northside was a totally different team with Ivory, which makes me wonder why he didn’t start the game. He came in and played so well that I couldn’t remember why he was out in the first place.

— DeKalb County must be jinxed.

— Buford would beat all the bigger schools if they played for a half. Nobody gets credit for leading at halftime though. The Wolves’ tongues would drag in the second half.

— 7-on-7 between Carver and Northside would be fun to watch.

— From now on, we get only HALF of the fun and excitement. Way to go GHSA.

By Mark

December 10, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Avikingfan….Lowndes impresses me. I have great respect for South Georgia football. Our community school rarely visits south Georgia. I guess we are 1-0 against Camden and Westside Macon, 0-1 against NWR and 1-1 against TCC over the past 8 years or so.

I just get tired of hearing from a couple of people that south Georgia football is so dominant when the records show otherwise. I think communities and coaches have more to do with it than latitude. Gwinnett County and I assume Lowndes County and Houston County have great farm systems. THAT more than anything, I think, makes a difference.

By NSHS FAN

December 10, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

To: By Rusty: I remember that article. It made me really angry because it suggested that maybe the time had come to establish a (6)AAAAAA for Atlanta Metro Schools. The rationale was that starting this year and beyond they would so dominate AAAAA that South Georgia teams would be totally left out. I want that writer to show his face.

By Panola Rd

December 10, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

A FEW OBSERVATIONS TO THIS BLOG

First, I agree about Dekalb County being Jinxed.

Second, Marques Ivory IS the BEST QB in the state of Georgia. That wide reciever from Carver is hands down the BEST in the state. Order the tape and see for yourself.

Third, Lowndes better not speak too soon. If Camden County had a PASSING Game, the game would have been different. NGWinnett does have a passing game and they are strong and fast too.

And FINALLY, CHAMBLEE needs to shut up!!!! Did you pay attention. With a few exceptions, most EVERY team lost by a field goal or in the second half.

By LC_Northside

December 10, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

GC, Marques Ivory was knocked out of the Oct 19th Upson-Lee game with a broken leg and had not played since. It was just announced a few days before the Tucker game that he was cleared to suit up. Nobody knew how his leg would respond in a game situation. Joe Scott had played well and led the team to an undefeated record in his starts. Hence, Joe Scott deserved to start. When the first half outcome was really bad for us Coach Nix decided to make a change to give the team a spark and that sure enough did the trick. The rest is history.

By LC_Northside

December 10, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

The Northside - Ware Co game will be in Ware County. I guess they won the coin toss.

By george

December 10, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Carver-Columbus If you think Marques Ivory is a “one dimensional” quarterback, then you need to rethink your position. At 6’2”, 240 lbs, he can, and often does, run over people. He is fully capable of being a 100 yard per game rusher, IF that is what his team needed to win. Ask some of the people he has hit for the last year and a half how good a runner he is. More than likely, the tackler takes the brunt of the hit. I hope you’re not basing your evaluation on what you saw at the Dome Friday night. I seriously doubt having him be an integral part of the running game was part of the Northside game plan. The man is still recovering from major surgery on a broken leg, and by some miracle was able to play several weeks earlier than anticipated. Besides being an outstanding quarterback, he is an outstanding student and young man. I will take him over yours or anyone else’s quarterback anytime.

Leon I don’t think anyone in Warner Robins is taking the Ware County Gators lightly, but I think Conrad Nix, and all of us, would be glad to give you no more than 10 points and take our chances. I realize you held Thomas County Central to 7 points, but I still think it will take more than 10 points to win this game for either team. I don’t think TCC has the passing threat that Northside has either. Tucker stacked their defense to stop Tijuan Green from beating them. To their credit, they did that. But, when the Northside defense finally stepped up to their normal level of play in the second half, and Marques Ivory came in to provide a long passing threat, that defense was exposed. I think you can stop one or the other, but I will be shocked if you can shut both down at them same time.

By the way, all of the Gator fans I encountered at the Dome were very nice and polite. The Northside fans are looking forward to coming to Waycross Friday night. Hopefully the game will be clean and decided by the players, not a bum call from an official for one side of the other. Obviously I hope we win. Either way, I hope the fans from both teams will show the other the respect they deserve.

By maker fan

December 10, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

To Carver fan

Chamblee shut down you’re high and mighty offense EARLY on. They also ran it down you’re butts EARLY on. OUR offense is better. OUR defense is better, and oh yeah we can FINISH the game.

By HSballfan

December 10, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

I won’t belabor the point, but the notion that after 13 games, Tucker players were “out of shape”, if it weren’t so completely ignorant, would be insulting. Anyone who has been around the Tucker program for thirty seconds knows how ridiculous that is. How do you suppose those little guys acquired the strength and quickness to push around bigger teams all year? “Dozens” of Tucker players never even got on the field; vikingfan’s own wording betrays the lie. There was more cramping in the Thomas County cheering section than occurred on the Tucker sideline. Conditioning had nothing to do with Tucker’s loss. The coaching staff, as I have pointed out, made serious miscalculations going into the second half. The players deserve nothing but praise. Yes, Tucker will be a force in the years ahead; they have been already. You’ll see them in the playoffs next season; maybe not the dream team we have now, but possibly a little smarter.

By gwinnettfan

December 10, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Just read the AJC web sports page. I had no idea Lowndes played Coffee. Thought it was Camden County.

By maker fan

December 10, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Cairo takes players from a small town and turns them into great players. They don’t get to draft their players from the entire town of Columbus. The small Cairo boys will show all on Saturday.

By yo

December 10, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Oh Mike…Buford is the Wolves! My apologies for not caring. I call them Buford. Yes you are right I did pick Buford to win AA. I clarify AA, “not” AAA or AAAA or AAAAA.

By yo

December 10, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

HSballfan…common sense..a player who has been on a good strength and conditioning program for 4 seasons is in stronger and in better condition than one who has been on a good program for only 1 year. Tucker will be stronger and in better condition in the future, mark my words. That doesn’t take from this years Tucker team and players, they only had the privilege of being under their present coach for the 1 year so far.

By yo

December 10, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Curious….how much has N. Gwinnett seen of a good, quick, fast Wing-T offense this year? Anyone know?

Still waiting for an answer. Does no answer mean not at all?

By dakota

December 10, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

Carver-Columbus? What is the size of Columbus vs Cairo in population. Admit it, A Columbus team should have a good team, look at the recuiting area. It’s just a shame they have’nt got enough courage to play in a larger region where they should be. NO, they rather play in a smoller region and brag about how bad they are. Get real, nobody knows anything more than it’s going to be a football game. Quit wining.

By TCC ROCKS

December 10, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

Hey leon, hey ill give your team props even though our wide receiver should have hold on to the ball!!! however no excuse yall won!! To bad Marques Ivory is for real and Northside is going to beat yall!! I am a TCC fan, but come on if we won we would lose to Northside!!! Northside and Tucker was for the title and Northside won!!! Northside won’t be stopped by yall! I cant believe i am saying this go Eagles!!!!

By Northside_Owns_GA

December 10, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

HSballfan, the truth is that when Northside’s team is healthy they are simply that much better than Tucker. Hats off to Tucker for a great effort. However, their defense was not very good as Ivory was throwing to wide open receivers. Northside, with Ivory starting hangs 50+ points on Tucker. I know it and you know it too.

I agree with you that Tucker’s players were not out of shape (that is stupid and disrespectful to a pretty good football team). My belief it Tucker’s players simply gave up when they saw Northside easily moving down the field. They showed very little fight (on offense) when the game got tight and Northside fans got loud.

Tucker came in with a great gameplan (especially with Joe Scott starting). They placed everything into stopping Northside’s super talented Tijuan Green (and succeeded), which they did. Tucker would have killed NHS with Scott at QB because Scott was unable to sustain drives and NHS’s defense was always on the field. That gameplan was useless with Ivory, who cut up Tucker’s defense (which often had NO one except a safety in the secondary) like a middle school team.

Contrary to posters on this site, it is very hard to make adjustments during a half in the middle of the game. Tucker was in bad shape. You almost had to assume that Ivory was not playing. Who would spot you 28-7 as Scott play was horrid in the 1st half and he remained in the game. High school kids can only prepare for so much. Northside receivers were wide open and all alone on most plays. Tucker did what they could.

By GC

December 10, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

More bullets: — Ivory is the best QB I’ve seen this year, broken leg or not. Better than Furr and Tamburo.

— Cairo’s backup RB (#21) would start at any other AAA school in Georgia.

— Buford’s Alex Hunt is a fine example of transferring gone bad.

By CARVER-COLUMBUS

December 10, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

To AVIKINGFAN:

The Carver-Columbus vs. Cairo was decided by a coin toss. Carver-Columbus has never won a coin toss since Dell McGee has been the coach and we will play in Cairo at 3 p.m., but that is okay. We will play anybody, anywhere at anytime. The AAA state final game will be televised on CSS on Saturday.

To PANOLA RD:

Marques Ivory is an extremely good pocket passer, but he is not the best QB in GA. Ivory is the beneficiary of great talent around him, just like Tim Tebow. He is fat and immobile. Ivory has 5 D-1 prospects as CONSISTENT weapons to pad his numbers. Furr only has himself and Fortson as far as offensive playmakers are concerned. Everyone else is is young and inconsistent in their play for Carver.

So, if you were to exclude the supporting cast and look at the fact that if you were to put Ivory on a different team where he didn’t have such a good O-Line the truth would soon be told as to whose the best. Do you think that NS-WR would lose a game if Furr were their QB? I doubt it very seriously.

You can take Derron Furr and put him in any offensive system on any team and he will do well. You can’t say the same for Ivory. He wouldn’t do too well with the wishbone or any other spread formation due to his lack of height and agility. And, by the way… What D-1 programs are recruiting Ivory?

Furr is going to Auburn. And, his team-mate, Jarmon Fortson, is the best receiver in GA and will be heading to Auburn with him next fall.

By GC

December 10, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

yo, North beat Brookwood twice this year. Brookwood keeps huge offensive linemen and a pretty good halfback. I think North should do well against the wing-T because their best defenders are the outside linebackers and defensive ends.

By ocho cinco

December 10, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Leon, 5 does not equal 0. Your little wang is going to wore out friday.

By jerry-chs06

December 10, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

lets be real when chamblee was driving the ball in the 4th quarter with like 3 min left it was 3rd and about 9 chamblee threw the ball but the reff knock down the player come on now if the reff wasnt in the way chamblee would of ran the clock down…other then that chamblee shouldnt have gave up that 1st down on 4th and 16 so that was their fault but like i said carver never was suppose 2 get another drive if it wasnt for that reff!

By SW

December 10, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

The difference between Carver and Cairo is very small. As with every other program that makes it this far, they both have good coaching & smart athletes. However, Carver will win due to two reasons:

Carver is battle tested on the road and the conditions do not matter to them. This is pretty much the same team from last year that defeated solid teams (Jackson, Carrollton) on the road and it carried over into this year (Carrollton, Chamblee). They don’t buy into the hype, hoopla, and/or bells and whistles that other programs do. They line up and play ball regardless of the location.

Carver has better coaching. There is no other way to explain their win over Chamblee other than Chamblee was outcoached the last 6 minutes of the game. Regardless of how you want to slice and dice it, Cairo’s game against North Hall was never in doubt. You knew it was only a matter of time before Cairo exploded against an inferior non-battle tested North Hall team. A comeback? No. Impressive? Yes. Conversely, Carver was done yet they rallied behind their coach for the victory after being down by 18 with 6 minutes to go. I must admit that I was rooting for Chamblee but that Carver team is serious. I really wish I could make this game (or the Lowndes/North Gwinnett game)…

By HSballfan

December 10, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

NS Owns Ga: do you manufacture your own fertilizer or have it delivered from East Paulding? Game’s over, Northside won and deservedly so, whatever you or I think happened. Props to Ivory and to Nick Bass. I wish you well in Waycross; I’ll be watching.

By Northside_Owns_GA

December 10, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Yo & HSballfan: At some point Tucker is going to have to actually learn how to win in big games. I have no doubts that they will be around. There coach, in my view, came in with a fantastic gameplan against NHS. Tucker is very good in basketball and in football, which suggest the obvious — they have good athletes at their school. However, in Atlanta you may have a new school built or who knows. Tucker needs to win now.

The reality is they lost a great opportunity to do so, and this is not the first time. You guys can cut it how you wish. However, Tucker players did not show any fight on Friday night.

They are what I call in sports, frontrunners. They were high when they were winning. When the thought of the potential of losing came, what did they do.

I hate to use the word choking with high school kids. You can use whatever word you wish. I just believe that there were no changes, in means of Tucker’s offense dominating the first half, in personnel for Tucker’s offense or Northside’s defense. Why couldn’t Tucker run the ball in the 2nd half…because Northside player stepped it up. They looked at one another in the lockerroom at the half and said no. Yes, Ivory was brilliant but so was the fact that Tucker’s offense could do nothing after controlling everything in the 1st half.

Northside players simply have MUCH, MUCH more pride. I do not wish to rehash the North South argument. However, I am certain that Northside players carried a torch of community into that second half. Tucker players just rolled over as almost every Atlanta school does and has done forever.

Tucker had many opportunities. Everyone acts like it was NHS rolling down the field on every possession. NHS’s RB fumbled the ball on the 1st play of the 2nd half and gave the Tigers the ball on a short field down 28-7…Tucker did nothing. NHS’s best receiver dropped a TD pass on 4th down in teh 3rd down 28-14…Tucker did nothing.

The fact that Tucker showed no life and no fight in the 2nd half suggests that their growth is beyond the weight room and in the areas of discipline. You guys can say what you want. We all saw it on Friday night. Great programs fight (even when talent is done). Tucker had no fight when things turned. This Tucker team was much like many Tucker teams before it: obvious frontrunners. Had Tucker players run hard (like the 1st half) and blocked physically (like the 1st half), Tucker would have at least scored and made NHS think this was a fight. By the 4th quarter, everyone in the Dome know that NHS was going to win because Tucker had no fight (on offense or on defense).

This is what most of you Atlanta guys fail to understand. It is more than weight rooms. It is bringing in a sense of I will not lose this game for my community. Towns outside of Atlanta have that sense of community. Tucker is Tucker — just another DeKalb County program. Some kids come in (like the kid from St. Pius X) and some kids leave. It is not like that when you sit in a locker room for a program like Northside, Lowndes County, Ware County, or ECI, or many others, and see a 25 guys that you played middle school football with. It creates a different environment…one that will not change whether in the Georgia Dome or in Middle/South GA community stadiums. It is pride.

By GC

December 10, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

SW, your analysis is flat terrible. Don’t give credit to Carver’s coaching when the players won the game. Chamblee outplayed Carver for the first 3.5 quarters and then the lightbulb came on. Carver was bigger, faster and stronger and it came through in the end. Nothing to do with coaches. Their head coach was as shellshocked as all the other folks watching it.

By gdg73

December 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Mr. CARVER-COLUMBUS,
Cairo has been outsized by just about every team in the playoffs so far. From what I understand, Carver is a darn good team, but I don’t think they’ve seen anything comparable to this. And I was out the Shaw-Cairo game a couple of weeks before. Shaw should have never even scored in that game. We fumbled twice in the last 4 minutes of the game and set them up for both scores on a short field. I know that Cairo is fast and is one of the most physical teams in the State regardless of classification. Carver better bring it, cause Cairo will.

By Northside_Owns_GA

December 10, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

To suggest that Ivory is a pocket passer is ridiculous. Ivory runs at will. You Atlanta guys see one game and believe you know something. Ivory did not run in the Dome because he is coming off of a broken leg injury and why run against Tucker (this supposedly great Atlanta program) when your wide receivers are WIDE open.

Northside does not have a single player outside of Ivory and RB Tijuan Green (who was stuffed by Tuckers) that is a lock at the D1 level. Bass is a great receiver but stands only 5’11”, according to recruiting publications. That is not lock at the next level.

Ivory wins at any school he plays at. Northside 29-0 since he was named the starting QB. If that is not the best, I don’t know what else is. Since he has been a varsity player, NHS is 43-1 and playing in their 3rd straight STATE Championship. There is not a player close to Ivory in the state of GA at QB or any other position.

By CARVER-COLUMBUS

December 10, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

TO MAKERFAN:

You shouldn’t make accusations if you don’t know the facts…

Let me school you on a few things…

There is no drafting or recruiting here in Columbus now that coach Charles Flowers (Shaw) is coaching in Albany. EVERYONE is at their respective school. We have a Magnet program in play here and Carver is over 95% black due to the way that the Muscogee County School Board drew up the district lines. You are more than welcome to research this for yourself.

Anyway, I see that your team has a good number of African-American football players and 0 (ZERO) African-American cheerleaders. What’s up with that? Are you guys still having segregated proms down there also?

And, here again I am just stating the facts of what I SAW. Not what I DON’T KNOW!!!

By Northside_Owns_GA

December 10, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

HSballfan: You are sitting at your computer and bashing the Tucker coaching staff. A staff that went 13-1. Do you know how few coaches ever go 13-1? My guess is you are some know it all sports transplant from somewhere up north. Now, you are the authority on HS football in GA.

My loyalties are clear. I know that my HS alma mater is one of the finest programs in this state. It was before this season, and Northside will be strong after this season.

Any real GA knows that you don’t have to go to East Paulding for fertilizer. I guess that is what Atlanta residents associate with rural. Funny considering that GA is one of the largest agricultural states in America.

You are the authority HS ballfan. You tell all we GA folks where to go. Who is your team? There is always room on the Eagle’s bandwagon for people like you and TCC Grad.

By maker fan

December 10, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Better coaching sould be having your team ready to play, Carver was not. Anybody can tell their players to throw hail marys and hope for a win.

By maker fan

December 10, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

To Carver fan

Cheerleaders don’t win football state championships.

Keep race out of it.

By SW

December 10, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

GC

Chamblee was just as “big, fast, and strong” as Carver. Did my eyes forsake me on Chamblee’s first touchdown when the guy outsprinted Carver’s entire defense to the tune of about 60 yards? I mean, you’re totally discounting both Chamblee’s and Carver’s hard work by saying that Carver was “bigger, faster, and stronger”. If they were “bigger, faster, and stronger” would the game have ever been in doubt??? If they were “bigger, faster, and stronger”, why was Chamblee able to consistently blow them off of the ball for 3 1/2 quarters? Does Chamblee not have a conditioning program? Are Chamblee’s players of lesser quality? From what I recall of Chamblee they’d lost only one game and their resume consisted of a very solid win at Stephens County…at the Reservation. They were a big, fast, strong, and well-conditioned team. For you to attempt to take anything away from Carver’s coach is a joke. Indeed, he had his team prepared but Chamblee’s was better prepared by their coach…that is until the last 6 minutes when Carver’s coach took over the chess match. For the record, I’m giving credit to both Chamblee and Carver’s players and coaches. They all did an excellent job. It is just that Carver’s coach led his team toward a stronger finish. Again, I’m not even a Carver fan and I was definitely rooting against them but they more than earned my respect. Whatever vendetta you have against Carver and attempting to discredit their hard work and preparation, you need to leave at the door. To think you can simply explain their victory by saying that they had better athletes is flat terrible. It leads me, and everyone else taking notes, to think that you merely glanced at Carver’s team from afar and made that assumption…thats flat terrible.

By The Truth

December 10, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

maker fan…congrats from Gaines Vegas for pummelling those North Hall reds. You should have stuck that last one in for 49, because those 4-H club flunkies have been running it up on people as long as Napolean has been coaching there. There is speed and then t