AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat Take 10 Wants For Christmas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“It’s that time of year… when the world falls in love…” Blah blah blah. Sure, we could sit around singing the 72,049,385th off-key version of “The Christmas Waltz,” but why bother when you can cozy yourself up next to a warm computer and check out What Take 10 Wants For Christmas? We’ve been naughty AND nice so we reckon nabbing some of the cool “HS football stuff we reeeeeeeally want” on Santa Haws’ list is, as they say, in the bag.
10: Wireless routers at stadiums — We’ve got some Internet cards, but the Dome reminds us every year how nice it is to just be able to snag a wireless signal and go. Certainly makes us happier on deadline. Or maybe we should just get an iPhone like everyone else.
9: No more strangely timed games — Saturday games and 8 p.m. games throw everybody off a bit, including us. We’d like to see every game start at 7:30 Friday night. And let’s put a 2 1/2-hour time limit on the games too, just for good measure.
8: Instant replay at every game — Yeah, it could slow things down a little at times, but that whole Roswell-Peachtree Ridge thing drove everybody nuts. Replay could have quelled some of that problem. Of course, it would create more issues, but what doesn’t?
7: Press box food spreads everywhere — Some schools really do this up nice, and it’s always good when they do. Sandwiches, barbeque, pizza, drinks. We do have to spend several hours covering games; it’s nice to have a little grub. And since it’s free, we can’t even complain when mushrooms show up on the pizza.
6: The GHSA moves somewhere near the interstate — Have you ever driven to Thomaston? I’m sure it’s a fine little town. I’ve been there, and I’ve gotten twisted around the strange street layout. But Macon seems like a more logical choice. Is the GHSA trying to hide from us all?
5: Stat guys in the press box for every team — I’m pretty used to keeping my own stats by now, but it’s always good news when somebody hands me a stat sheet at the end of the first half. Of course, being a skeptical journalist, I often don’t trust the stats I get. I clearly have issues.
4: Every game is at the Dome — It’d be a pain for the teams and would feed the South Georgia cries of favoring Atlanta, but it’d be great for us. Any time you can walk from your office to the game is a good time. No parking or traffic woes. No weather issues. It’s perfect - for us, anyway.
3: Everybody is happy with their realignment — Fat chance, sure. But there’s so much consternation surrounding this stuff. We’re all for harmony around here.
2: An All-Classifications champ — This would be great. Set up some sort of tournament, though it’d be better if there were only four classes again. Maybe we could make that happen at the same time. Two more weeks, and there could be an all-class state title, and Buford fans could stop their posturing and see if their Wolves are as good as they think.
1: North/South harmony — Like I said, we’re all for bringing people together. Maybe we need to exhume Lincoln or something for this task. He seemed to have this act down. Or perhaps we can at least join hands and sing Kumbaya, if only for the Christmas season. Even the Grinch’s heart would melt after seeing that.
Go on. Take Ten. What’s on YOUR football wish list? Shoot Santa Haws your list of what’s naughty and nice about Georgia high school football.
Permalink | Comments (37) | Categories: Take Ten
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Nick
December 25, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Instant replay for sure! Too many times the refs have made a call and then stood in the middle of the field discussing what in the world to do!
Time limit would kill football, time limit would kill any sport come to think of it.
What about a play clock, wouldnt that be nice to have a universal system in which the plays were ran, not one ref using mississippi and one using what ever comes to mind first…
By Bagwell
December 25, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
7:30 starting times normal?? In South Georgia the 8:00 start is the norm.
By NSHS FAN
December 25, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
While I have always been satisfied with most of the referreing during playoff games; a review needs to be made. That is, the GHSA needs to ensure no referee is assigned to a “playoff” game in the county from regularly referees during the regular season. Even if a referree is assigned prior to region play-offs, the person—not entire crew should be removed. Just a thought!
By t-towner
December 25, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Thomaston is a nice little town, nearly equidistant from Macon and Columbus, only 60 miles south of ATL, a smidge more than 2 hrs to Valdosta. The GHSA employs several hometown folks, and we can’t afford to lose any more jobs. So just read the street signs, I know thats asking a lot, and leave the GHSA where it is. Merry Christmas.
By Bulloney
December 26, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
As someone who also covers high school football games, I couldn’t agree with this list more. I would LOVE a stat guy in every press box. Doubtful though…
By Amp
December 26, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
It would be nice if there were a all-star region playoff to see which region had the best talent in the state of Georgia.
By Fair Playoff Format
December 26, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
A fair playoff format that removes home field advantage is the number 1 priority. The way Georgia determines game locations in the playoffs is (for a better word) STUPID. Example; First, we only have about 65-75 AAAAA schools and winning a state championship in that small of a number of schools in not impressive. Second, we put 32 teams in the playoffs with the stronger teams already having a homefield advantage. Sorry but I’ll use that word again; STUPID. There are enough college and large high school stadiums in Georgia to play neutral fields throughout the playoffs. Wake-up GHSA. Educators are the most liberal folks around. They want everyone to have an equal chance. Well it’s time to put your money where your liberal mouth is and fix the football playoff inequities. GHSA, play neutral fields each round of the playoffs so a state championship will mean something.
By Nick
December 26, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
no home field? I coach a team that goes 10-0 I better get something for doing that, not a 2 hours bus ride to play a team that went 7-3 cause its better for the game. What needs to happen is they need to get rid of seat requirements, my team earns the right to play at home they better not say well your not going to make us enuogh money, tell me GHSA how does this make the game better?!
By jim fowler
December 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Sam Burke, a Thomaston native, was the first executive secretary of the Georgia High School Association and is the reason that it is located in Thomaston. He accepted the job with the agreement that the office would be, and would stay, in Thomaston. So far the GHSA has kept its word and lets hope that it continues to do so. There is no reason to move the office! Thomaston is is the center of the state and getting to the office is no problem especially after you have visited here once. If you can drive in Atlanta and Macon you can certainly drive in Thomaston. Not everything evolves around interstate highways and small towns are what made the GHSA what it is today. Leave the GHSA office alone and worry about getting Braves and college reports to us on time instead of two days late!
By John
December 26, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
7:30 start times should be banned. They make it almost impossible for most visiting fans to get off work, run home, change clothes and drive safely to the game. The schools who care about fans start at 8. I have never understood why we got away from the 8 p.m. start. Put all games at 8 p.m. like they were forever.
By To Nick
December 26, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this
Folks like you are the reason the Georgia high school playoffs are so STUPID. So by what you are saying lets go over an example (i.e.) Camden County goes 10-0, wins their region which is comprised of only AAAA sized schools other than themselves. Then you have a region (i.e.) which boasts of how strong they are, such as 1AAAAA. Their 3rd seed team plays all AAAAA sized schools but they would have to go to Camden to play. Where a team finished in their region should not have anything to do with WHERE they play, only WHO they play. Neutral field each round in the playoffs is the only fair way to determine the best team. Plus Georgia is a p**-ant sized state and even if you had to drive halfway across it, it wouldn’t be that far. Just keep crowning home-field advantaged champions and it doesn’t mean SQUAT.
By TO NICK
December 26, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
I completely agree with u. if ur team is good enough during the season to get home field advantage for the play offs then u deserve it over those teams that barely made it in and when u say the seat requirement should be dropped that is completely true also. the better team during the regular season should get home field advantage no matter what. and for the people that have a problem with that…. y doesnt ur team just get better and win more games during the regular season and u wont be complaining cuz ur sh*y team has to travel. Y dont u and ur team just cry about it.
By yo
December 26, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
I love these Texas guys who’s football is so boring they keep having to visit the Ga. blogs.
To bad Texas doesn’t have its on exciting blogs.
But then they do play “6 person football” in Texas, don’t they?
By yo
December 26, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Good thing for Georgia High School football or else these Texas posters wouldn’t have a life. Especially when it comes to football.
By Nick
December 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
So your saying there is a problem with the way the NFL, MLB, and NBA have been doing their playoffs since the start of time? You preach no home field because it gives a free pass to the teams who have it, but if the visiting team is going to be deserving of the state title they should be able to win no matter where its at. This is high school, not the NCAA, not every kid can drive and not every kid can get a ride 4 hours away. Are you from south GA and a fan of a team who is dominated every year by our Metro ATL schools and our home stands? Because all I have heard around the metro area is how much they love home field, players work all year to be the best they should get a better reward than a 3-4 hour bus ride to the game, a 2 -3 hour game, and then another 3-4 bus ride back to school and then who knows how long to their home after that. You would work well for a major tv studio such as NBC and ESPN, seems like your more about taking advantage of an athlete instead of allowing them to do what they do. Hell, the best thing about the playoffs are those 3rd seed upsets that go through all that to get there. Id like to see the dome eliminated while we are at it, home field all the way through, the kids worked for it, let em have it. And too bad to that 3rd seed thats playing teams way out of their league anyways.
By AVikingfan
December 27, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
TO NICK: in 2004 Lowndes went to Parkview and their “Orange Jungle’s home field advantage” and beat them. In 2003 Camden went to Valdosta and it’s “home field advantage” and beat them. Northside went to ware and beat them this year. You are giving too much credit to “home field advantage.” Have you ever played football? Usually the best team wins regardless of where they play. Lowndes would have beat a slow NG team 50-0 on a dry field, at Lowndes or at the dome. Think about what championship games mean to a small town’s economy,and how it allows their fans to see the game. How is making a South Georgia team travel all the way to the dome so they can play on a “neutral site” fair to the teams or fans? I like the old way we did it. Rotate the championship game between north and south Georgia each year. Structure the playoffs and so that will happen. Let all the Gwinnett teams play each other, then match the winner against the Dekalb and Cobb winner, to see who gets their butt kicked by Lowndes, Valdosta, Colquitt, Tift, NSWR, WR, or Camden, regardless of where it’s played.
By Camden Boy
December 27, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
I Got A Great Idea!! Since folks want a “neutral” site for the state championship, lets rotate it every other year from the Dome to the GA Southern stadium!! This would really show everyone that you do want a “neutral” site and not home field advantage for Metro teams. But it really cause uh, the south teams are better!! That’s a fact not an oppinion. 5A- 4 out of the last 5 state champions are from the southern half. 4A- NSWR is from the south, and so was there opponent for state this year Ware. 2A- Charlton has won 3 out of the last 4 and would have wone it this year if they would have had the star running back. Which brings me to my next point- Buford YOU ARE NOT GREAT!! YOU ARE A GOOD TEAM, CONGRATS ON WINNING THE 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WHERE THERE IS NO COMPETION BESIDES CHARLTON, WHO EVEN WITH THERE BEST PLAYER OUT ONLY LOST BY A SINGLE TOUCHDOWN. YOU COULD NOT HOLD CAMDEN OR LOWNDES OR NSWR JOCKSTRAPS!!! YOUR NOT ON OUR LEVEL, YOUR NEVER GONNA BE ON OUR LEVEL, YOUR BEST CAN’T COMPARE TO OUR WORST AND YOU SIMPLY DON’T BELONG ON THE FIELD WITH US!! JUST TAKE YOUR 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY AND BE HUMBLE BOUT IT OKAY? WHEN YOU MOVE UP TO 4A OR 5A AND DOMINATE LIKE WE ALL HAVE THEN YOU CAN TALK SOME TRASH. BUT BY THAT POINT YOU WONT NEED TO BECAUSE YOUR RECORD WILL PRECEDE YOU. DO YOU SEE ANYONE FROM LOWNDES OR CAMDEN OR NSWR TALKING BOUT HOW GREAT WE ARE? NO BECAUSE ITS AN UNDERSTOOD FACT KNOWN AROUND THE STATE EVEN UP IN METRO ATLANTA THAT WHEN YOU PLAY THEM BOYS FROM THE SOUTH WE GONNA BRING THAT PRESSURE!!
Im sorry for going off like that but its some stuff I needed to get off my chest. But I dont take any of it back because every bit of it is the truth!! Lowndes, even though yall were my first and last loss of my high school carreer, congrats.
By Eagle fan Forever
December 27, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
To Hell with the Dome and neutral fields for state championship games. I have attended all of Northside’s and Warner Robins’s state championship games. The games, whether home or away, won or lost, were magical events with wonderful atmosphere, hospitality and memories. Hat’s off to our Ware County hosts this year for a great event.
Implode the Dome!
By Nick
December 27, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
AVikingfan you are supporting what im saying! Home field needs to happen, it makes for a better story when a team goes into a Lowndes and take it too em. And I said I didnt like the dome. I am a fan of a school that has made the playoffs once in its history, but have seen other schools in the county be told they dont get home field because their stadiums are too small and have to play at a neutral site 2 hours away. Im not giving credit to any homefield advantage, Im saying when A Northside hosts a team that squeaked in and then loses, imagine the headlines it makes. I want homefield all the way through, except maybe the state title game, make that a neutral site half way inbetween the two schools.
But I dont quite understand what you are saying I give too much credit to home field, when I said its better for football when a lesser schools comes in and whoops the big time school at home. Playing football has nothing to do with loving the game
By High class not South GA
December 27, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Hey AVikingfan you have a very short memory…Harrison 9 Lowndes 0. Oh t I also forgot it was the rain’s fault that Lowndes lost.
By hsfootballfan
December 28, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
Well Santa I know your top 10 is wishful thinking so let me comment and then add a few of mine. 1)Even if there were wireless in the pressbox it would be a secure network because education folks just could not fathom to provide free access. As while we’re talking wireless, it sure would be nice for the officials to have wireless communication from the field to the clock operator. 2)Start time of games. It is hard to get to 7:30 games whether you are in south GA and have to travel 60 miles in an hour or in metro Atl and have to travel 15 miles in an hour. However, we’re probably going in the opposite direction due to the number of new schools and loss of fields, i.e., Adams Stadium. Look for Thursday night games or games on Saturday afternoon along with two on Friday and Saturday evening. 3) Instant replay will just not happen soon. Too expensive for the schools. Same thing for play clocks and miking the officials. 4) Press box food. How about some food for the officials? They leave home or work at 3 PM to get to a game; get back home at 11 - midnight. Would be nice to have the home school provide something to eat. Would also be nice to have the security that schools are supposed to provide. Showers would also be nice after a game before a 1.5 to 2 hour drive. E Coweta and Roswell are good examples that get it right. DeKalb Co and Parkview are good examples of those that have no clue. 5) All Class champs would be great. Perhaps the GHSA should consider eliminating the bye week of the regular season and just play 10 games in 10 weeks. 6) Every game at the dome. Santa, you are probably the ONLY person who would say traffic and parking is not an issue. It is a GREAT atmosphere and a wonderful experience. But you cannot beat the experience and atmosphere of the Class A championship in Cordelle this year. The Wilcox Co folks did it right! 7)Stat guys; realignment and the north - south issues are all things to put on next year’s wish list. PErhaps if you are nice!
By To Aviking fan
December 28, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Response to, “How is making a South Georgia team travel all the way to the dome so they can play on a “neutral site” fair to the teams or fans?” Apparently what we’ve dealing with here in Georgia is a bunch of mental midgets. WHEN ARE YOU BONE HEADS GOING TO UNDERSTAND THAT NEUTRAL FIELD DOES NOT MEAN THE DOME! It means the two schools determine where they are going to play the game. The coaches have the option to flip a coin for home field or agree on a site normally (I stress normally) somewhere BETWEEN the two schools. Other states do it without problems but maybe we’re just to dumb here in Georgia to do it. Your relatives must work in the GHSA.
By wareagle
December 28, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Texicans play 6 man football? Wow! Texico is a great state, where I’m just not sure.
By blackdiamund
December 28, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Texicans play 6-man football, wow! Texico is a great state quit bashing us!
By Texico a great state
December 28, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Texicans play good 6-man football, and Texico is a great place to live, so stop bashing us.
By powbeech
December 28, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Losers are usually the most vociferous complainers, and the least equipped to participate in meaningful discussion. Does anyone need help identifying the loser on this thread?
By wolfmom
December 28, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Camden Boy, you should move to Buford since obviously your favorite color is green. Is it Buford’s fault that Charlton County had no depth to their team and had to rely on one player to win? If you had been at that game you would see that Charlton County was outplayed the entire game. Buford controlled the ball the entire 3rd quarter. I believe Charlton County’s coach said it best…”we didn’t lose because we were missing a player, we lost because Buford is the better team.”
By Bash Texas HS Football If You Want
December 29, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Being a native Georgian and having lived in west Texas for a few years you folks need to be educated on 6-man football. For those of you that have never witnessed 6-man football, you don’t know what you are missing. Most of the 6-man schools are ultra-small high schools in the Texas panhandle and the far southwestern part of the state that do not have the student population to field a 11-man team. Most of these small towns have have fought being consolidated with larger schools in their area. This game is a SPEED game. It makes Tift County’s and North Gwinnett’s spread offense look like they are moving in slow-motion. Would I rather watch 6-man instead of 11-man? No, but for the limited student populations these schools have, it is the best show in town. It proves another reason why Texas high school football is the best in the nation; from the large urban schools to every rural cross road town that has a school, they play football. Also, if you view NCAA football D1 demographics, there are more players from Texas high schools than any other state; from Florida to Washington state, from California to Maine, Texas high school players are the most recruited nationally. Are they actually better athletes? Probably not with the same coaching but since every corner of the state plays football the talent pool is just so much deeper. Plus winning a state championship in Texas, because of the large number of high schools, actually means something.
By Camden Boy
December 30, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
To wolfmom:
I bleed blue n white, green is an ugly color. I’ll give you charlton, but you still cant see us on the field!!!
By Southeast Power
December 30, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Per capita, Georgia produces more outstanding college prospects than texas.
By Boo Texas
December 30, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Does anybody really care about Texas football? Not here in Atlanta so why are we wasting time
By Eric
December 30, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
How about I play QB for both sides so it will be equally fair.
By HS Fan
December 31, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
I think the championship game in the dome was a great idea. I think it is great that the schools have an opportunity to play on a neutral field. GHSA has control of the atmosphere during the championship game by having their own announcers which does change the excitement of playing at home. Roswell and Peachtree Ridge played their game at a neutral field because of seating requirements and the game made an even playing field for both teams. The seating requirements has to change. Honestly, why did we measure the seats. Most true fans stand during the game and how do you decide the size of the chairs?
By Vince
December 31, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
ENOUGH WITH THE F*ING FOOTBALL STUFF!……You guys always keep this up way too long. Get on to other HS sports. My God….
By Vince
December 31, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
ENOUGH WITH THE F*ING FOOTBALL STUFF!……You guys always keep this up way too long. Get on to other HS sports. My God….
By You're Wrong Southeast Power
January 1, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Where do the best high school football players come from? For example, let’s just take a look at the quarterbacks who are leading their college football teams in bowl games.
Hmmmm, Missouri’s Chase Daniel from Southlake, Arkansas’ Casey Dick, from Allen, Georgia’s Matt Stafford from Highland Park, LSU’s Matt Flynn from Tyler, Kansas’ Todd Reesing from Austin, Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell from Ennis and Michigan’s Ryan Mallett from Texarkana.
They are all from the #1 high school football state - TEXAS!
By Southeast Power
January 2, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
As I stated, Georgia produces more good college prospects per capita than most states including Texas. First you need to look up per capita to try and understand what I said.
Texas has approx 23M people and Georgia has approx 9M people. Texas might produce more but based on our population we produce more per capita than Texas and that is the benchmark you should use for comparison.