Prep Zone

By EastRaiders07

December 17, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

From this East Paulding Raider fan, Class AAAA looks just fine to me. The only change, and this is a maybe, is Tucker over Ware. 6 in one, half dozen in another. Thanks for slotting the Raiders in at 5. I definitely thought they should end ahead of Habersham Central, but worried they might not be. They’ve earned it. Thanks for the work during the season.

By Jeff

December 17, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

I agree with the rankings. Brookwood is appropriately ranked because it was either them or North going to Lowndes. How can you deny Kenny Miles as player of the year for 5-A? Also, I think Buford is the best team in the state. I think they would handle both Lowndes and Northside in tight games.

By Tim

December 17, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I agree with the ramkings. How about Reuben Haynes for an award in A? He had over 1,000 rushing and 1,000 passing yards this season. What a player!

By Billy C

December 17, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

I hope this serves as a reminder that South Georgia (while not having as many AJC subscribers or inhabitants) still has the best athletes in the State.

By Leon

December 17, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

After making it to the Final Chapionship Title and playing like a true Champion they do deserve to be rank in second place. Some people want agree with that and that is ok. If it had not been for that great play calling by Northside coach with 6 minute left in the game after they intercepted Ware Co. pass with Ware Co up 14 to 13 and driving down field who knows Ware Co. may have won the game. With NS up 20 to 14 and Ware driving down field on first downs that second interception gave NS the ball and they were able to run out the clock. It was a great game and I am still proud of my “Gators” because they were the underdogs going into the game and no one gave them a chance to win and for almost four quarter they gave Ivory and his team a run for the Title and almost pulled off the upset of the year. Ware Co. showed great Championship Quality and will be a force to deal with next year what with almost the whole team returnig. I have to give credit where credit goes and I send a big “CONGRATULATION” to Northside on the victory.

By Lowndes Viking Fan

December 17, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

After watching all the teams Lowndes played, I would have to put Roswell in the number two or number three spot. A game between them and Camden would be a real shootout. Anyone that watched Greg Reid’s play in the entire playoff series would have to vote him as the AAAAA player of the year. What a great performance in the championship game.

Congratulations to Lowndes and all the other teams that make the championship games.

By yo

December 17, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Based solely on their games against Lowndes and what I saw of them, I would put Camden/Roswell tied for #2 and N. Gwinnett #4. Roswell definitely looked like the better team than NG. Much better offensively in my mind and defense about a toss up.

By RK

December 17, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

AAAAA - Camden should be ranked ahead of North Gwinnett. Played Lowndes much tougher than the Bulldogs.

AAAA - Tucker should be ranked #2 because they had Northside on the ropes on a ‘neutral’ field and should’ve won. Ware County got the Eagles at home and couldn’t win. I say the Tigers go in at #2.

AAA - A strong case can be made for Chamblee to finish #2. They pushed Carver in the Dome and should’ve won (Carver converted a number of 4th downs and an onsides kick). Cairo had them at home and couldn’t finish the deal. Certainly I don’t see how North Hall is ranked ahead of Chamblee given the score of the North Hall / Cairo game.

AA - Great call on Charlton, the only team that went toe-to-toe with Buford.

A - ECI was very good, but the best ever at A? I recall some recent Charlton County, Lincoln County, and Hawkinsville teams that would’ve given ECI all they wanted in Class A.

Would’ve been interesting to see Buford take on the big boys at AAAA and AAAAA. I think they could’ve beaten any of those teams.

By RidgeDaddy

December 17, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

No major complaints about your rankings, Todd. I’m a Peachtree Ridge fan, but this year’s team wasn’t as strong as last year’s, and was too inconsistent. I might move MLK up a couple of notches from #5, but they’re really hurt by the poor overall quality of their region. And I might have Tucker #2 in AAAA, but Ware impressed me w/ their showing on Friday. Regardless of the other rankings, I have to agree that Buford may be the best team in the state. They’re proably the best team in the history of Georgia AA football, and would have a shot at beating any team in the state. I think only Lowndes, Northside-WR, and maybe Tucker would be favored over them. Can you imagine Buford vs. Northside-WR???

By jawjadude

December 17, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

how in the world can you put North Gwinnett at No. 2???????? there is no logical explanation for it. Camden played Lowndes tougher and harder. heck North Gwinnett has proven they could not even make the playoffs out of Region 1-AAAAA. Tift County whipped em last year and Lowndes did this year. heck this year Warner Robins did not even make the playoffs but gave Lowndes a better game than Mikey did. and as far Mikey being state player of the year…I really appreciated the good laugh this morning. admit it you are biased, b/c North is an Atlanta school

By Panther Fan

December 17, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

You have got to be kidding!!! The New Schools at Carver are not in the final rankings when we finished the season 9-0, ranked #7, and went to the third round. So 11-1 is not good enough to be ranked. Really? It’s because of opinions like yours that the AJC will continue to have poor suscriptions. That is simply ridiculous when every other state poll has us ranked, and you don’t. We are the pride of APS. We’re the best coached and most talented of ALL APS schools! Don’t believe us, then play us. From my understanding, we’ve put out a challenge to everyone next year. I would love for someone to say that we are not on their level. But that’s a different issue. But for you Mr. Holcomb, this article has now become lining for the bottom of my bird cage, where it will collect as much poo as there is in your articles.

Good day!

By Tracey

December 17, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Ladies can make their arguement too, right? Some of us do know a thing or two about football.

Having watched both teams play Northside, I would have to rank Tucker above Ware. Both are good teams, but Northside had 4 turnovers Friday night against Ware. Without those, I don’t know if Ware would have scored. Just take a look at the overall stats for the game. Tucker, on the other hand, played a great game. They just hadn’t prepared for Ivory to come in the game in the second half and couldn’t adjust.

As for POY, call me biased, but Tijuan Green is one of the best I’ve ever seen. He deserves the nod.

By yo

December 17, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Obviously I am a Reid fan….but it would be hard to argue with Ealey.
For that matter, any of these guys who took their teams to the top.

By Brave Fan

December 17, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Walton, 4th, right spot for us. We had a one-of-a-kind season. We beat everybody except North Gwinnett.

By Johnny

December 17, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

How can you not include the Newnan Cougars in the Top 10? Although they didn’t defeat a ranked team all year, they outscored their opponents on average 35-9 and made the elite 8. Not to mention our only losses were to Carrollton, one of the top teams in AAA and North Gwinnett, who made it to the AAAAA title game. Coug fans shouldn’t be too concerned, however, because the high octane Cougs return 19 of 22 starters next year. Look out for Robert Herring’s boys next year. Go Cougs, Go Cougs.

By Cobb Fan

December 17, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

North Cobb has been left out of the rankings and it is not right. North Cobb went undefeated through the regular season in the toughest region and dominated every team they faced. To not be ranked after accomplishing that is unfair. Yes, they lost to the defending state champs in the first round, but they were two yards away from coming away with the win. This North Cobb team deserves more recognition. Line em up again and they run the table.

By NG faithful.

December 17, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Jawjadude,

NG has seen it sprinkle twice in 6 months. How can any team prepare for the monsoon, You coach a pass oriented team that throws the ball 35-45 times a game, and go play in game that saw 2 inches of rain in one hour and tell us how good you would look. Lowndes running attack is awesome without the rain. They are better than North on a rain soaked field, but in the dome, it would have been way different. On a dry field without the weather it would have been different. But lowndes would be tough on dry land too, no doubt. But Warner Robins looked like a deer in headlights at the dome and no one was impressed with that game. We know we looked bad at times, but no one would have good odds to win that game at all at Lowndes against them on a dry field, much less, a horrible field that did not hold up at all. Hats off to the better team this past Saturday. Lowndes earned it and deserves it, But Jawga, WB maybe won’t beat Lowndes for ten more years. Till the great flood anyway…..

By UGA 04

December 17, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

NSHS is #1 by a long shot in my opinion. Ware only gained 90 yards on NSHS after 4 turnovers. They shutout 3 playoff teams and won all of those games with a backup QB. Defense wins championships. The only team close is Lowndes and I could see how some people would put them ahead. If NSHS is not in you top two, you need to consider getting football for dummies. Oh yah their also ranked in the top 10 in the nation by SI.

By yo

December 17, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

To all of you Buford fanatics “congratulations on a great year and a AA state championship”.

But you might want to quit wading out any deeper than that as you might find your selves Knee Deep in Doo Doo.

You finally were good enough to go down and beat a one legged Charlton Co. (by 7 pts. no less) something Clinch county (a 1A school) almost pulled off when Charlton still had 2 legs. Based on that it appears to me you couldn’t stay on the field with ECI, much less the big boys. Congratulations on getting that monkey off your back but Please!!!!!! Give me a break!!!!!!! Going undefeated in AA, beating a sorry Ohio team, and “finally” barely beating your personal demon does not qualify you as the best team in Georgia any time, any year. Against NSWR or Lowndes you would be absolutely slaughtered. Please see previous results of other Gwinnett teams. In fact Roswell would also hand you your lunch, already eaten.

All that junk about some one commenting about you playing 9th graders in some games. Again, give me a break!!!!! So what!!!!! Nothing Lowndes hasn’t done in 2004 and 2005 against tougher and bigger schools!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay in AA where you belong.

By Bohgey

December 17, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

I guess North Gwinnett got one step further than any other AAAAA team but Lowndes. It makes common sense to rank them like that, regardless of how they showed up Saturday night.

I wish either GPB or another independent cable company would broadcast games of the week in a variety of classifications during the football year. This would give exposure to people like Tijuan Green, Washaun Ealy, Matt Roark, Kenny Miles (I think he plays for North Gwinnett, I didn’t hear his name on Saturday at the game.) Arguments for their performances would be so much easier for these kids if they were broadcast across the state. You can’t tell me it wouldn’t get ratings. Larger markets like metro-Atlanta already have it.

It would be blasphemous for me not to call Greg Reid Player of the Year, but that would be closed-minded and biased. I think that he was overshowed a little at the beginning of the year by sharing time with another great in Darriet Perry. His mention in contention should be enough for him, he seems to be a humble kid.

I think Tijuan Green or Washaun Ealy if I had to vote other than Reid. They made tons of impact throughout the year for their respective teams.

By powbeech

December 17, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

I agree with my fellow Viking fans, Camden #2. Ealey easily is the player of the year.

By GriffinMBABulldawg

December 17, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

In AAAAA, it’s unfortunate the game was played in a monsoon. That really affected North Gwinnett’s passing attack. If that game had been in the Georgia Dome, it would have been much closer and a more entertaining game to watch. NG may have been able to squeak it out, although Lowndes is a superior TEAM. Saturday night’s weather conditions validate the conservative run-oriented offenses that still pervade Georgia high school.

North Gwinnett deserves #2 over Camden County. Camden County could not even muster any offense in perfect Dome environment against Lowndes.

Ware County boasts a stout defense, but a meak offense. Three of the NWR turnovers were attributable to Ware County making great plays. Maybe we should let Tucker and Ware County square off in Warner Robins to see who gets the final #2 ranking. Tucker had the NWR game in the bag and let it slip away. It’s definitely subjective.

North Hall is a good football team, but lacks certain intangibles. It does not help that they play in a weak region. No wonder they were able to amass so many points and yards. They did not look like a #3 ranked team in the Dome against Cairo. To build that program, they need to play some tough AAA, AAAA or even AAAAA non-region opponents to truly assess how good they are. Good luck to the North Hall Trojans in the coming years. Not sure Chamblee or Shaw are better than North Hall, so let North Hall keep #3.

A and AA are not really controversial to me.

I would like to see an all-Class ranking of the top 15 to 20 teams. I really believe Buford could step up and beat most of the AAA, AAAA and AAAAA teams in the final rankings. They are big, strong and fast. They obviously lack depth by virtue of the school size.

By kreedham

December 17, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

I think Tucker should be ahead of Ware…but wish we could go another week.

Buford vs Northside would be fun.

By Bohgey

December 17, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry overshowed should have been overSHADOWED. I do not want to sound uneducated.

jawjadude Even if we would have had the turf field, nothing could have dried the field in that weather. If ever a religion were present in sports, it would have been a fine time for Moses to show up wouldn’t it. I really wish it could have been dry to give an even playing field. I don’t think that it is an excuse, but it didn’t help. Our one pass play didn’t work, go figure. Plus, it gives undue justification to playing the finals in the dome. The dome is great, and would have been dry, but winning at home makes it for a school. If it were at your home stadium, or anyone elses for that matter, it seems to mean more for the home crowd to watch you win. The dome, I don’t care which Atlanta team is playing in it, is not home to anyone.

Maybe we can meet again soon, I’d like to settle it sans hurricane.

By STIMEY04

December 17, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

LOWNDES IS NO DOUBT THE NUMBER ONE TEAM IN THE STATE. DARRIET PERRY SHOULD MAKE ALL STATE RB(4 YEAR STARTER, 3 STATE TITLES IN 4 YEARS, ALL TIME LEADING RUSHER AND TD LEADER IN LHS HISTORY),TAVARIS WILLIAMS SHOULD MAKE ALL STATE LB, AND HOW CAN YOU NOT VOTE FOR GREG REID FOR ALL STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. YOU SAW FOR TWO STRAIGHT GAMES ON GPTV HE NEVER COMES OFF THE FIELD. HE MAKES PLAYS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE PLAYERS IN THE STATE. NOT TO LEAVE OUT THAT HE WAS THE ONLY SOPHOMORE LAST YEAR TO MAKE FIRST TEAM ALL STATE IN CLASS 5A. LAST BUT NOT LEAST HE ALREADY OWN THE SCHOOL RECORD OF INT’S AS A JUNIOR.

By Matt

December 17, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Buford is the best team in the state regardless of classification. They could challenge anyone in the country too. Regardless of classification, here is the top 10 1. Buford 2. Northside WR 3. Lowndes 4. Tucker 5. Carver-Columbus 6. North Gwinnett 7. Charlton Co. 8. ECI 9. Harrison 10. North Hall

By Buzz in Roswell

December 17, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Newnan should be ranked. Todd I’m sorry to say the rankings could be better. You said that the teams in the Dome would not automatically get into the top four. On that principle then Camden should be #2. They had a much better game against Lowndes than NG.

By SGT CHRIS

December 17, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Yeah line up those Atlanta schools behind 4 out of 5 teams from south georgia (no, columbus does not qualify as a suburb of atlanta). If it weren’t for AA, South GA would have swept all 5 classes. Imagine that!!

By UGA 04

December 17, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

GriffinMBABulldawg

Maybe we should let Tucker and Ware County square off in Warner Robins to see who gets the final #2 ranking.

What? NSHS beat Tucker. How can they be ahead? Did you notice there was a playoff, and NSHS won? That’s what I mean about football for dummies. Head to head is the only way to measure teams.

Did anyone see who won the NSHS and Tucker game?

Tucker had the NWR game in the bag and let it slip away. It’s definitely subjective.

You’re right, football is subjective until they play. I think Tucker was lucky NSHS’ Defense and Ivory was not playing in the first half. It would have been embarrassing.

By Mike

December 17, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

What’s with the slight of Carver-Columbus? You listed them as C.Columbus and you left out Carver-Atlanta in your rankings. Do you have an issue with the word “CARVER” or where it is derived from? Both schools had great teams and great seasons. Get out of the stone ages, t. holcomb.

By DLA

December 17, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Buford Wolves ahhhhhooooooooo Semis & State Champ score 98-0, thats something to wooooof about.

By jawjadude

December 17, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

whaaaa, whaaaa quit your crying!! so it rained, so what????? you got ur butt whooped, admit it.

NG does not deserve to be No. 2. they don’t even deserve a top 5. they can’t play in the big leagues. they have proven that.

By Cobb Realist

December 17, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Cobb Fan - How in the world do you (and Todd for that matter, who earlier said the same thing - that region 5-AAAAA was the toughest) entertain the fantasy that the Cobb region is the toughest? Let’s review the playoff results of the “toughest region.” North Cobb - lost in the first round at home. Harrison - lost in the second round. Marietta lost in the first round 44-0. Etowah - lost in the first round. By what measure are we saying that this is the toughest region?????? Here are simple facts that make that claim absolutely outrageous. ONE Cobb County team has won a state championship since 1967 - that’s Marietta in 1967. For all you math majors, that was 40 years ago. One Cobb County team has played in a state final in those 40 years - that’s McEachern in 1998 (where they lost to Valdosta). I don’t know what can be more telling - a team from Cobb that went 10-0, only to lose at home in the first round to a number 4 seed, or the history that I just provided. Cobb County football is getting better, but Cobb County football should not even be a part of the discussion of state rankings until they can consistently get out of the first and second rounds of the play-offs. Congratulations to Walton for making it to the semis this year. But, they weren’t from North Cobb’s region.

By highschoolfan

December 17, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

YO, Give it up. Buford has won, and is the best in AA. Also by the things look they could play anyone in the state and hold there on with them. So you can quite making excuses for that team in the south now. And tell them to quit crying. We are tried of hearing what you think at this time. Buford has done all they need to do on the field. And all you have done is a big bunch of nothing TALK. GREAT work Hats off the The BUFORD WOLVES. Great Tradition in Gloryland.

By GriffinMBABulldawg

December 17, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

UGA 04 - to use your quote “Head to Head is the only way to measure teams”, that’s why I made the tongue-in-cheek suggestion to let Tucker and Ware County play for #2. Tucker and Ware County did not play so any ranking one over the other is subjective.

I picked Warner Robins as the location since it’s a neutral field and in the middle part of the state.

Maybe you should re-read what I wrote. I was not suggesting either team should be #1. NWR is clearly #1.

By John

December 17, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

I think Tucker belongs at #2 in AAAA because I think they were a better team than Ware County. Ware and TCC are #3 and #4. The only real issue I have is the low ranking you gave Rome. All four losing quarterfinalists were blown out in that round but Rome at least lost (again) to the state champion. That definitely puts them in the Top 8 and probably 5th or 6th.

By Bohgey

December 17, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

The post I sent earlier should have been attention to NG Faithful not jawjadude.

By Geo

December 17, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Hey Yo,

You might want to go see a doctor about this anti-Buford mentality you have. There is help out there for you. Good luck.

By Todd Holcomb

December 17, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

From this East Paulding Raider fan, Class AAAA looks just fine to me. … I definitely thought they should end ahead of Habersham Central, but worried they might not be.

The comparative score w/ Cherokee is what put EP ahead of Habersham. Plus, EP got a quality win in beating Mays 21-3, even if Mays wound up unranked.

I think Buford is the best team in the state. I think they would handle both Lowndes and Northside.

Nobody in AA forced Buford to pass. Tucker looked unbeatable until facing Northside. Also, Buford has five players who start on offense & defense. Northside & Lowndes are basically two platoon. Buford can play with anybody, but I wouldn’t pick Buford over Northside or Lowndes.

I would have to put Roswell in the number two or number three spot.

Roswell is probably a better team that its final ranking, but I try to stay away from subjective judgments like that. Bottom line is that Roswell lost to Walton, and Walton lost only to North Gwinnett.

So based on results, is there any objective basis to put Roswell higher than Walton? Or higher than No. 6? I don’t think so.

Based solely on their games against Lowndes and what I saw of them, I would put Camden/Roswell tied for #2 and N. Gwinnett #4.

and

*AAAAA - Camden should be ranked ahead of North Gwinnett. Played Lowndes much tougher than the Bulldogs. *

and furthermore,

how in the world can you put North Gwinnett at No. 2???????? And on top of that, You said that the teams in the Dome would not automatically get into the top four. On that principle then Camden should be #2. They had a much better game against Lowndes than NG.

I can understand those sentiments, but it’s deceiving and unfair to judge a team mainly on its performance against the state champion or in the state final. That’s just one game.

Last year, for example, Hart County played Peach County tougher than any team in the playoffs by far, and I used that line of thinking to justify putting Hart at No. 1 in preseason this year given all the starters that returned. I learned my lesson.

North Gwinnett is better than what you saw last weekend. Not better than Lowndes, but better than the North Gwinnett that showed up. Otherwise, NG doesn’t twice beat Brookwood (which crushed Valdosta) or twice beat Walton (which beat Roswell).

NG played one of the toughest schedules in the state and never slipped up and lost to a so-so team, as Camden did vs. Chattahoochee. NG proved itself far more times than Camden did this season. I’m still not sure how good Camden is, frankly. Camden could’ve easily lost to Lowndes 24-0. The game wasn’t that close.

And in closing, North Gwinnett had SIX wins against teams that I would rank in the final top 15 – Brookwood, Walton, Peachtree Ridge, Grayson, Brookwood, Newnan, Walton.

Camden had ONE – Grayson.

So the only reason to put Camden No. 1 would be that Camden played Lowndes kind of close. That wasn’t enough to convince me.

Tucker should be ranked #2 because they had Northside on the ropes on a ‘neutral’ field and should’ve won. Ware County got the Eagles at home and couldn’t win. I say the Tigers go in at #2.

I had Tucker No. 2 on the final rankings that I submitted, then called a last-minute audible. That could go either way, but I picked Ware because Ware had some very impressive playoff wins, and the loss was valiant. Tucker’s loss was a meldown, although still nearly a victory. Plus, Tucker’s region schedule, while still tough, didn’t look so great after Mays and Marist were soundly defeated by teams that were soundly defeated soon after.

ECI was very good, but the best ever at A?

I just said ONE of the best, not THE best. The best Class A team ever might’ve been the Buford team before it moved up to AA, or 1989 Lincoln County, or even 1999 Charlton County, off the top of my head. I’d love to hear more if anybody has any ideas.

But ECI was never challenged except in the overtime game to Toombs, so you’d definitely have to include ECI in those kinds of arguments.

I have to agree that Buford may be the best team in the state. They’re proably the best team in the history of Georgia AA football.

My proudest Poll Talk moment of the season might’ve been predicting after Game 2 that no AA team except Charlton could stay within 15 of Buford. Maybe I should’ve said 20. Best AA teams ever – 07 Buford, 03 Buford, 94 WaCo, 82 or 85 West Rome, 77 East Rome. Any others?

You have got to be kidding!!! The New Schools at Carver are not in the final rankings when we finished the season 9-0, ranked #7, and went to the third round. So 11-1 is not good enough to be ranked. Really?

and

What’s with the slight of Carver-Columbus? You listed them as C.Columbus and you left out Carver-Atlanta in your rankings. Do you have an issue with the word “CARVER” or where it is derived from? Both schools had great teams and great seasons. Get out of the stone ages.

Carver-Columbus was abbreviated for space reasons, and I’m not the one who did it, so I can’t answer that.

Carver of Atlanta played only one team that I would put among the top 20 in AAA, and the result was 48-6. I admire what’s going on at Carver to put that program in the limelight, but Carver isn’t playing the top teams and is struggling to beat teams like White County. I feel very confident that Carver is not one of the 10 best teams in AAA. The Massey Ratings (one of the BCS rankers) has Carver at No. 17.

Ladies can make their arguement too, right? Some of us do know a thing or two about football.

I’m going to forward this to my superiors because you’re right! … Good points about Tucker, and I addressed that issue above. Tucker could definitely be the better choice at #2, depending on how he (or she) looks at it.

How can you not include the Newnan Cougars in the Top 10?

I’ve got to keep in mind what you say about 19 of 22 starters returning at Newnan. That ought to earn a preseason Top 10 ranking. As for 2007 final rankings, leaving out Newnan was tough, and the loss to Carrollton was the killer.

Newnan didn’t play a team that I even considered for the Top 10, whereas all the teams that made the Top 10 beat other teams in the Top 10, except Valdosta. But Valdosta didn’t lose to Carrollton. Valdosta also beat Coffee worse than Newnan did.

Another way to look at it: Every team in the Top 10 has a better win than Newnan, and none of the teams in the Top 10 has a worse loss. When those facts hold, it’s hard to be ranked higher.

North Cobb has been left out of the rankings and it is not right. …This North Cobb team deserves more recognition. Line em up again and they run the table.

Now you’ve got me feeling a little guilty.

This North Cobb team does deserve more recognition. It’s unfortunate, but when you analyze wins and losses after the playoffs, you see that North Cobb didn’t beat a Top 10 team (although Harrison is right up there with most Top 10 teams), and North Cobb’s loss was not against a Top 10 team (although PeaRidge is right up there).

Very tough call. I can certainly see how if I might’ve picked North Cobb over Valdosta at No. 10 on a given day, but the way my mind was working Sunday, it was Valdosta.

Cobb Fan - How in the world do you (and Todd for that matter, who earlier said the same thing - that region 5-AAAAA was the toughest) entertain the fantasy that the Cobb region is the toughest?

Region 5 was a disappointment in the playoffs, for sure. Part of the reason for believing this was the toughest region was its depth. Etowah played Norcross 21-19. Campbell beat Harrison. Harrison beat Lowndes. North Cobb would’ve made the QF and perhaps SF with Newnan’s draw. Marietta wasn’t one of the four best teams, IMO, but those blowout losses are hard to ignore.

So while Region 5 took its lumps, I still think it’s a pretty good region. And Walton is a Cobb team. So Cobb isn’t too terrible.

By george

December 17, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

I attended both games between Northside-Tucker and Northside-Ware County. I’m not sure how our coaches or players would vote, but based on what I saw, I think Ware County is slightly better overall. In coming to that conclusion, I have Tucker with a big edge in offense, and Ware County with the edge in defense. Ware County’s defense was at a big disadvantage because their offense gained less than 100 yards. Tucker was aided by the Northside defense not stepping up in the first half. Ware County was aided by the Northside offense not stepping up in the first half. But, even though Northside played pretty solid “on both sides of the ball” in the second half against Ware County, they still only out scored them 13-7. Playing solid in the second half against Tucker, they out scored them 24-0. I never had the feeling we were “out of it” against Tucker, even trailing 28-7 at the half. There were times I wasn’t so sure against Ware County. Both teams were tough, but I still would give the overall edge to Ware County.

By george

December 17, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Todd, Your narrative has it right, but just for the record, the final rankings listing shows Northside at 14-0, INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT 15-0.

By george

December 17, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

P.S. Your feet should now be “toasty”.

By powbeech

December 17, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

GriffinMBABulldawg, the weather Saurday night hurt Lowndes more. The rain slowed Lowndes speed. I do not believe NG scores if it does not rain, and Lowndes puts up 50, darn rain. A complete mismatch… way too much speed. This is another example of the two best teams not meeting for the state title.

Lovett obviously is not the 2nd best team in Georgia, and Buford is #1, but only because Charlton had to play without Ralph Bolden or Charlton wins that game. Buford lucked out and their maniacal fans think they could stay on the field with Lowndes, Northside, or Carver. Delusions of grandeur!! Noone cares how big Buford is. They would get torched by a smaller, faster, quicker, and tougher Lowndes team. Most every team Lowndes faced was bigger and that was the problem. Lowndes speed and quickness runs through Buford, big and slow. Speed kills!

By Cobb Reality

December 17, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Todd - I very much respect the fact that you take the time to actually respond to other bloggers, so gigantic kudos for that.

My point about the Cobb region is that it’s silly to even entertain the notion that they’re on par with the best programs in the state when they’ve consistently proven, over 40 years, that they’re not. And I think your statement that, “it’s a pretty good region (5-AAAAA)” is a long way from the original statement, which was that region 5-AAAAA is the toughest. Until someone from Cobb County makes it to a state final, can we all agree to not be cruel and over-hype and over-rank their teams again? Every year, Cobb fans get all jazzed up to watch their best teams get crushed in the early rounds? Like I said, the quality of play is getting better in Cobb, but it’s still a long way from region 1-AAAAA and the Gwinnett region (which I confess that I don’t even know the number).

By lion_fan

December 17, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Cobb Fan writes: Yes, they lost to the defending state champs in the first round, but they were two yards away from coming away with the win.

Peachtree Ridge won their next game against Roswell, although the call on the field swung the other way. Does that mean that they should be credited for beating Roswell, and have a higher ranking accordingly? I mean, even if the officials were right, then Peachtree Ridge was only 6 inches away from the win. Additionally, North Cobb was 5 yards away from tying the game. North Cobb was a good team this year, I admit after watching them, but ranking them would seem undeserved after the playoff picture panned out.

By tracman

December 17, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

RK and other Buford fans, you do have a good team. But please don’t try to put them in the class of Lowndes or Northside. I am sure you could play tough for a while but not for four quarters. Both of these teams would beat you easily.

2008 should be great! Lowndes should be favored again, but don’t count out Northside. We’ll find other another great running back and our quarterback was forced to into action when Ivory went down. That experience will be very valuable next year. The defense will be outstanding. Region 1AAAAA will dominate in ‘08.

By FanMan

December 17, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Who cares, the season is over.

To all you fans of state championship teams I say well deserved congratulations are in order. When does spring practice start so we can do it again?

By A.B.

December 17, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

I know it’s a typo in your final rankings but please give Northside-WR its correct record of 15-0.

By Hagar

December 17, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Great discussion overall about HS football. One point I’d like to make about NS WR top 10 national ranking. I’m a military officer and have been stationed in CA and TX. I hate to burst your bubble, NSWR is not a top 10 nationally ranked team. I have watched GA football for nearly a decade and 4A teams in Georgia do not stack up or play the quality of teams in 5A in Georgia let alone 5A and 6A teams in Texas!

I watched the actual teams from the movie Friday Night Lights play in the 1990s in front of 10-40K fans every week. I also saw 4 of NS WR games this year. If NSWR made the 5A Texas playoffs, they would not make it more than 1 or 2 rounds deep.

NSWR is a great and maybe one of the best ever 4A teams, but get real. NSWR would have struggled to get to the championship game in 5A and would have looked like NG (very similar team strengths to NG) in Lowndes last Saturday. Welcome to Region 1 5A next year, good luck making the playoffs in a real region with 5 or 6 contenders every year.

By Sims

December 17, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

I’m just tickled pink to see Northside getting a little love in the AJC….

POTY? I’m biased, but i’d have to go with Tijuan Green. The kid had right at 2000 yds rushing for the year. Almost 30 td’s. He did that while basically playing only a half game the first 5-6 games of the year. He helped keep Northside in it the second half of the year with Ivory out.

My vote definitely goes to Green.

By Big Mike

December 17, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Lowndes looks to be the best in the State. Congrats to all the other champs. Please, Buford fans…Stick to your class level, it would be no contest against Lowndes. The next thing I’ll hear is that you can beat Miami Northwestern (#1 in the country). Enjoy your championship. Merry Christmas to all and get ready for next year’s fun.

By Georgiasparkplug

December 17, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Ealey has to be the POY. He broke the touchdown record of the player who broke Hershel’s record. He didn’t just break it, he shattered it, leading his team to its first ever state championship. And for those who say, “Yes, but that was in little class A ball”, remember that is where Hershel played. I well remember the comments about Hershel being good, but that he would not be able to compete when he got to the major college level, and that it would take a long time for him to make it. Remember his first game and first season at UGA? Ealey is for real and should be POY.

By Reeze

December 17, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Tucker should be #2 in AAAA,no disrespect to Ware . Tucker had a much better offense

By R

December 17, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Mays doesnt derserve to be anywhere on this list. Their behavior (and those of the coaches) during the Cedar Shoals game was unprofessional for educators and players. The coaches were using foul language towards the players and basically cheated their way to a win- Im glad East Paulding put them in their place.

I wish team rankings were also based on things like- oh I dont know- SPORTSMANSHIP!!!!!

By Big Mike

December 17, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Brother Mark, Thanks for my chance to see Lowndes in action. It was well worth the 13 hour drive to see a great football team and the best family ever. Merry CHRISTmas. The sad part for the rest of the state is that Greg Reid returns for another season of mayhem. Bring em all on. Please check the championship rings from Region 1.

By nhseagle1

December 17, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

I would have to put Tucker at the number 2 spot in AAAA. If not for the turnovers, which granted Ware Co. created 3 of 4, I feel the game would have been a 24-0 Or 28 - 3 contest. Ware Co. only had 25 net yds rushing less than 100 yds total offnse. Tucker’s speed was amazing. I believe I read they have 9 D-1 players, unbelievable. But they had a few players playing both ways and it got to them in the second half with the cramps. As for player of the year Tijuan Greens’ stats are as follows : Rushing 278 carries 2035yds 29 TD’s; Receiving: 23 recpt 331yds 3 TD’s; Passing: 2passes 1 comp 40yds 1 TD. Keep in mind that Tijuan rarely played the second half in 9 of 15 ballgames.

By EastBeast

December 17, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Tucker shouldn’t get bonus points for having NSWR down 21 at the half. Great teams (NSWR) comeback from 21 down, they don’t blow big leads like Tucker did! And Ware deserves credit for beating a tough Thomas County Central team. As for Cobb teams, we’ll get a better idea next year when those overrated North Cobb and Harrison teams start getting blown out by the Raiders. Load the cannon!

By Vikings Rule

December 17, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd in AAAAA I agree that my Lowndes Vikings should be ranked #1 but in my opinion Roswell should be ranked #2 with Camden at #3 and North Gwinnett coming in at #4. And as far as Buford hanging with Lowndes, you guys must be crazy. Come on people. Hey Yo i agree with you on Greg Reid. He is awesome!!

By nitrodust

December 17, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

don’t forget about that Northside defense led by Abry Jones. Abry has solid offers already from Florida and Florida State. And Miami of Florida and Georgia are waiting at the door. He is a solid pick for your Super 11 next season. Big #97 is just overpowering.

By CHS "Real Trojans"

December 17, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd, you gotta be kidding me! You’ve got Carrollton #6. #6!!! They are most definitely deserving of at least #3 or #4. We lost in the quarterfinals 14-7 to the state champs. What’s up with the love for North Hall, they gave up 35 points in one quarter and you think their the third best team in AAA? Carrollton is the only team to COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN Jarmon Fortson and the rest of the Carver offense with the exception of scrambling by Furr due to no ability to rush or pass on us. I would love to hear your logic on the decision to put us sixth, behind a Shaw team that lost in the SECOND round and were beaten handily by Carver 29-7. Please explain yourself.

By CHS "Real Trojans"

December 17, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

I almost forgot. About Buford being the best AA team ever. Not even close. I played for Carrollton from ‘93 -‘96 and we played Washington County in the dome in 1994. We were ranked #2 and they beat us 35-7. We blew out everyone we played that year and when we played them it wasn’t close. That is the best team, period, I’ve ever seen. I have seen a lot of high school football and still haven’t seen a team that would beat them. I would love to hear some arguments for the greatest teams ever.

By kingsfinestalum

December 17, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

i think all the gwinnett huggers should stop trying to place the blame on the weather, because anybody who knew anything about football outside of the weather saw that Lowndes was the FAAAAARRR BY FAR the better team of the two. Gwinnett gets alot of empty praise, especially from the AJC which is nearly always one sided in the comparison of Gwinnett/Cobb vs. other counties…

Of course as an alum I wouldn’t have ranked MLK as low as 5, they had to suffer a hard-pill losee to an inferior team, but thats the way the ball bounces sometimes but Walton was not one of the 4 best teams in the state and it showed against Norht Gwinnett (as overrated as I feel they are)

And Tucker is easily number 2, they played Northside better than Ware in more equal conditions in the dome and unfortunately suffered a tough loss as well.

If any Gwinnett coaches read this blog I want to issue a challenge to you to compete against more South Metro teams, and I mean top tier programs like Stephenson, MLK, Tucker or Chamblee. As a player from the South Metro area we feel slighted by many coaches refusal to play against S.Metro (and majority black) schools and the AJCs refusal to acknowledge the ability of these teams.

By 89viking

December 17, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

while i also believe that the losing team in a championship game should be always #2, i would have to put roswell there, based on performance from the game. roswell had a lil more of a running game and didnt seem so 1 dimensional. the game might have been a lil different if not for the rain but,,,we’ll never know will we? coulve been closer,,,couldve been a wider margin.

By nitrodust

December 17, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Northside was one of the preimier teams in AAAAA before we were put in AAAA * if you remember Northside was the only team to give those Super Parkview teams a run for the money. As for Lowndes history says we are 5 and 1 against lowndes. And further more in the last two years *we are 4 and 0 against region 1- AAAAA. *with victorys against two of the teams from the region that made the playoffs the year we beat them. So we will be alright. *Greg Reid meet BIG #97 Abry Jones. Northside is every bit as well coached as Lowndes and we bring about 110 to 130 Eagle players every year. Lowndes High is close twice our size but the football team is not.

By Rob

December 17, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

The only reason the AJC ranks Tucker ahead of Thomas County Central is because Tucker is an “ATLANTA” school. Sell those papers boys!

Central’s dome appearance was mediocre at best, and Ware played a great game. AJC staff needs to look at the totallity of the season at team has had, instead of how they played in the dome.

Oh, by the way. TCC versus Northside WR would have been one h311 of a game!

By Bohgey

December 17, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Out of all of the candidates for POY, only a few of them seem to be verbally committed to any school (Omar Hunter, Notre Dame/DeRon Furr & Jarmon Fortson, Auburn.) Does anyone know of scouts being at any of the games? I did look up Greg Reid’s profile @ scout.com and he now has UGA/AU/FSU & Marshall all showing medium interest with no offers.

I am just curious. They are all great players, and I know Auburn is across the line from Columbus, but I do wish we could have kept Furr and Fortson in state.

If I am wrong, I am sure I will be notified, and I tried to do my research, but that is all I could find.

By devil lover

December 17, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Todd you know what I am going to say so here it is. Norcross was the only team who beat North Gwinnett other than the no.1 teams Lowndes Vikings and we beat them by 10 pts while winning region 7 championship which is becoming one of the toughest region in north Atlanta if not the state(North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge and Norcross). Also, Norcross beat Walton in a preseason game. I guess it come down to the Grayson games. We beat Grayson by 21 pts and the law of averages caught up with us (after beating Grayson three times in a row) and they beat us by 18 pts.

In total pts Grayson scored 305 while Norcross had 338 with one less game and they both gave up only 149. And by the way Grayson didn’t even win their region.

So why isn’t Norcross who went 10-2 ranked highest than Grayson who went 10-3?

By Dale

December 17, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Tell ya what, Todd, no need to rank Newnan next year—just based on returning players. To do so would be as meaningless as these final rankings. They have no validity and they won’t as long as the ajc suckles at the breast of mighty Gwinnett and Cobb counties at the expense of the rest of the state. The ajc becomes more meaningless to the southside every day.

By Dan

December 17, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

Chase Thomas (DE), J.J. Jackson (RB), Adam Shreiner (K), and Billy Burns (ATH)should ALL be on the All-Class AAAAA Team!

By Millicent C.

December 17, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

I’m a Lowndes graduate and I live in Gwinnett Co. I rode around for 2 weeks with “Go Lowndes Vikings” on the back of my vehicle. I knew we would win! South Georgia football ain’t no joke!! The fact is clear…Lowndes is #1, not only in its class, but overall in this state!! Go Vikings!! I’m so proud LHS!!

By Jaybo

December 17, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Eastbeast, I see you are still alive! I thought something had happened to you after the East Paulding-TCC game. Has anybody told you I’ve been looking for you? I’m sure you know it though. Excuse me, but now you want to slide your weak azz back onto the blog after you have been strangely absent for a couple of weeks. Let me tell you, if it sounds like I’ve got it out for you—I do! I waited on you to man up like EP senior ‘08 did, but you never showed any gutts!! I was done blogging until next season, but as I read the blog today, low and behold look who surfaces from hiding—none other than mr. eastbeast! You weren’t man enough to eat crow after your team got crushed by TCC, so who gives a da.. about what you got to say now—carry your weak azz back into hiding!!!! Did you think you would be able to come back onto the blog and JAYBO not call you out? I don’t think so buddy!!!!

By yo

December 17, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

You might want to go see a doctor about this anti-Buford mentality you have. There is help out there for you. Good luck Geo…I am not anti Buford. Speaking the truth to some one doesn’t mean they are anti anything no matter how bad the persons hearing the truth don’t desire to hear it.

Nor am I Little Red Riding Hood (like you guys) trying to play as the Big Bad Wolf and proclaim I am more than I am.

Congratulations on your well deserved AA state championship.

Now do something worth while for a change and keep it in perspective.

The word I get is Buford gives a good education, enlist some common sense to go along with it.

By Todd Holcomb

December 17, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Devil:

I can’t betray the results of a playoff game that was as decisive as that one.

Also consider that both teams were 10-2 after 12 games, and at that point, Grayson would’ve been the higher-ranked team based on having won the more important of the two Norcross games. Why should Grayson’s standing then drop because of the privilege of playing another game at Camden?

Not sure what happened to Norcross. Still not convinced that Norcross and Roswell weren’t metro’s best two teams.

What will Norcross have back next season? I know the WR’s are gone.

By Jaybo

December 17, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Hey bloggers, I know my previous comments have nothing to do with the current topic being discussed, but I had a issue to settle with the aforementioned blogger(EastBeast). I’m sorry, but I had to get him when he showed his face finally! Hey, my top five in AAAA is as follows: 1.NSWR 2.Ware CO. 3.Tucker 4.TCC 5.Bainbridge. Looking forward to a great ‘08 season.

By black&gold

December 17, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Valdosta Wildcats have won more titles than Lowndes High. The Vikings will never win as many titles as VHS Wildcats. Don’t forget that Vikings fans.

By Camden#2

December 17, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

CAMDEN SHOULD BE NUMBER 2. THEY WOULD HAVE KILLED NORTH GWINNETT.

By Chess

December 17, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Carver High School…everywhere we gooooo….people want to know..Who we arrrre. So we tell the them. We are the Tigers. - Smiley Jo - Class of ‘83

By Getz27Wolf

December 17, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Merry CHRISTmas !! Congrats to all champs (especially Lowndes). I have to admit I was pulling for NG but only because of being closer to Gwinnett (Jackson County Buford Fan).

Now, for the talk of Buford beating any team in Ga….hmmm…dont know. NSWR and Lowndes looked good when I saw them. But, have to admit, would be a fun and interesting game (either one).

Buford change classification? Dont think so. Not because they could not handle or compete. More because of what Todd keeps mentioning…too many kids going both ways on the football field.

As for changing region… would love to see it. Wolves in 8AA and play in jackson county. But, that was denied. Guess 8AA teams are scared to have competition. Dont know.

Merry Christmas to everyone! Congrats to all champs.

Watch for # 27 in Buford next year. Road Runner “beep beep”

By Jaybo

December 17, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

My all-class player of year rankings: 1.Damon Furr 2.Greg Reid 3.Washun Ealy 4.Tijuan Green 5.Debrale Smiley

By yo

December 17, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Valdosta Wildcats have won more titles than Lowndes High. The Vikings will never win as many titles as VHS Wildcats. Don’t forget that Vikings fans Black&Gold..at least not in our lifetimes. I can’t help but notice however, you have been looking over your shoulder a lot lately. Do you get the feeling some body is catching up?

The unfortunate thing is not Valdosta’s past but their future as long as they are in AAAAA and the Vikings are around. I’m hearing 5 in a row come next year and the tune sounds fine.

ps-their once was a time when the Mighty Wildcats would not have included the lowly plowboys in the same sentence. My how times have changed. Now you are including the mildcats in the same sentence as the Mighty Vikings.

Kind of puts it all in perspective, doesn’t it?

By Tedz

December 17, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

NGHS - Please do not cry over the rain and blame the rain game. LHS was up 20-6 at the half and that was before it began to pour. In fact, Lowndes was up before a sweat drop hit the field and NG was going 3 and out every series. As far as the field conditions, there isn’t a field in the state that can handle that much rain. Martin Stadium is one of the best fields and stadiums in the state if not the best. As far as the dome, imagine the speed of Lowndes on the rug. Congrats on NG for making it that far though but please don’t be sour.

Now for you Buford fans - you talk about beating any 5A team?!?! If you really believe that then I have to ask just where are you getting your players? And how much tuition is paid for them by boosters? Nonetheless, Lowndes would run all over Buford. I lived to see LHS play (and beat) Parkview, Brookwood and now NG. Oh how nice it would be to play Buford but that won’t happen, so…..let the titles stay in Region 1-AAAAA.

By Tedz

December 17, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

You Valdosta fans; dime short and a day late. I believe he said ‘outside of Lowndes’ which is inclusive of VHS. Duh. Yes, you have more titles but that is changing almost every year now (the gap is closing). You’ve peaked and you won’t get anymore. There’s been a new sheriff in town for awhile, I thought you got the memo.

Like the tootsie pop commerical….How many years in a row will it take for Lowndes to continue to dominate you and shut you out for you to GO AWAY!?!?! You are an after-thought. Kinda like Bama still talking about the Bear. And you last won it when?!?!? Now go bang on your tin roof.

By camdenation