By john

May 5, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

How is East Paulding not included in most improved? Its a school who was considered one of the worst teams in the state all thru the 90’s. They didnt win a game for I think 3 straight seasons. Now they followed up a final four trip to the dome with an elite 8 appearance. Thats a huge improvement over the 0-2 win a season program they have had since the school opened.

By Pierce

May 5, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

I did not figure Dacula to be mentioned in this article, but something ought to be said for only missing the post season 3 times, I believe, since 1988.

By Baseball Fan

May 5, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

How is North Gwinnett not on this list?

By Bob

May 5, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

I agree about Calhoun. They are definitly on the rise, producing some Georgia and Georgia Tech stars over the past few years. For an AA school, they’ve moving up! Go Yellow Jackets!

By Homet

May 5, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

**Hey John…FORGET IT!!!…The AJC doesn’t even know where Paulding County is. They took us off their radar over 2 years ago when they closed the local office and crawled back inside 285 as far as coverage.

Of course they cover Cobb & Gwinnett because of the population and revenue these 2 counties generate.

East Paulding has proved it could and has whipped the best this area can throw at it!!!**

By GaHSFootball

May 5, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

John, 2007 was not included and 1 good season does not prove worthy of most improved since 2000!

Pierce, Dacula is a great football team with great coaches, but the list is most improved and most declined, not most consistent.

Baseball Fan, same as Dacula but North Gwinnett has only been good not great. If the list were most consistent then both would be on this list.

As far as what it takes to turn a program around:

If you are in a private school that is allowed to play with public schools, the key is………….. Recruiting! That is right, being able to offer an athlete a free education at a private school will get you wins. (Ex. Pacelli, Athens Academy, and all private schools who have transfers in every year)

If you are in a public school, it takes athletes/players that are smart! It is luck of the draw when in small towns, unless your big time past athletes have kids that are athletes come through. Move ins are also good, look at the gwinnett county schools where folks moved out of the city of Atlanta to the rural areas. Which is slowly moving up I-85 and also goes south accept for Clayton county losing its accreditation.

By Tim McDaniel

May 5, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

The reason that North is not on this list is that it only goes back to 1990. North started improving in 1991 and has had rollercoaster years since then. Before 91 and Coach Fahring and his group that they brought in from Oklahoma, we were terrible. I think at one point we were something like 3 and 27. If someone has the resources, please post North’s record from 85 to 90.

By Cro25

May 5, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Another program that has really turned it around in the last few years is ECI. They have gradually gotten better and then capped it off with a championship and a 15-0 season this past year.

By Tim

May 5, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

How can Shiloh not be on the declined list? Their football team hasn’t won 10 combined games since 2000. The baseball team is a small step ahead of Meadowcreek. And, the basketball team has gotten worse each of the past 5 seasons.

By pete

May 5, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

McEachern has declined to such a low that they can’t beat average Cobb county teams much less state powers.Ten years ago they played Valdosta for the state championship and this past season they lost six games.Redistricting has killed the program.

By ATLborn

May 5, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Carver Atlanta has to be on the most improved list. In the 90s it was routine for them to have consecutive zero or one win seasons.

Now they’re one of the top teams in the city of Atlanta and a state power as well.

Programs on the decline, you have to list Valdosta. They have the occassional winning seasons going 6 - 4 but compared to where Valdosta football used to be that is horrible. They should be number 1 on the declining program list. They went from being an annual contender for the top ranking in the nation to not even being the annual top HS team in their own county which only has 1 or 2 other high schools.

By JS

May 5, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Calhoun for sure. When I was in school (96-2000) we sucked pretty much, and now it’s a powerhouse.

By LSUcks

May 5, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Todd, You could make a list of most mediocre teams of the last 10 years and you’d still have people complaining. Hey folks, it’s an opinion! It’s not life or death. It’s sports! Lighten up and get a life! Great work Todd…

By ColGaFootball

May 5, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Check out Jordan and Spencer in Columbus, GA. No winning records in recent memory. Shaw has been a consistent power for the last 10 years. That is coming to an end with the recruiting that happens here in Columbus. Everyone is going to jump on the Carver bandwagon and they will be a force to reckon with for years to come.

By george

May 5, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

WHO REALLY CARES, YOU CAN TELL TODD IS REACHING FOR SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT…

By marcellus

May 5, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

I guess East Coweta and Newnan are not considered part of the Metro area anymore?

By marcellus

May 5, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

I guess East Coweta and Newnan are not considered part of the Metro area anymore?

By marcellus

May 5, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

I guess East Coweta and Newnan are not considered part of the Metro area anymore?

By GW

May 5, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Regardless of whom is on which list, one thing is for sure. The wrong Superintendent and/or school board can set a program back light years.

By Vince

May 5, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

George, I agree Todd is reaching. Write about the upcoming HS Baseball Playoffs, for God’s sake! Instead of diggin for some boring topics, write about something timely. Good grief!

By Marcus

May 5, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

I wasted my time reading this? None of the teams mentioned are worth mentioning period.

By Todd Holcomb

May 5, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

How is East Paulding not included in most improved?

EP is a great turnaround story and deserves mention, but the list I provided was based statistically on the amount of improvement from the FULL decades of the ’90s and ’00s. EP is still 38-49 for the current decade.

I did not figure Dacula to be mentioned in this article, but something ought to be said for only missing the post season 3 times, I believe, since 1988.

This is about improvement, not about being a consistent winner.

How is North Gwinnett not on this list?

Again, this isn’t about how good a team has been the last two years. This is a comparison of the ’90s vs. the ’00s. NG was pretty good in the ’90s, pretty good in the ’00s, then very good the last two seasons.

Another program that has really turned it around in the last few years is ECI. They have gradually gotten better and then capped it off with a championship and a 15-0 season this past year.

ECI still has a better winning percentage in the ’90s than in the ’00s. To be honest, the only thing different about ECI is the state title. There’s an incredible group of athletes going through ECI, and a staff that knows what to do with it.

**Carver Atlanta has to be on the most improved list. In the 90s it was routine for them to have consecutive zero or one win seasons.

Now they’re one of the top teams in the city of Atlanta and a state power as well. **

Yep, remarkable job by Coach Myles, although Carver didn’t make my list because, as previously stated, it’s about comparing full decades, not how you’ve suddenly done the last two years vs. the previous 10.

And not to take anything away from Carver, but I’d stop short of calling it a state power.

I guess East Coweta and Newnan are not considered part of the Metro area anymore?

I consider it Metro Atlanta, but I’m not sure why you’re asking. Both are schools that have performed about the same from the ’90s to the ’00s.

Regardless of whom is on which list, one thing is for sure. The wrong Superintendent and/or school board can set a program back light years.

Very good point.

By darien

May 5, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

mcintosh county is in south ga. was a big one A school. coach is a jerk who cheats. they havent done so well lately since moving up to 2A

By GATA

May 5, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

What about Screven County. They won the State Championship in 02. After that were on the decline, but now I would list them as one of the teams on the rise. With back to back 1st round State playoff berths. Yes, they lost both, but 06 vs Charlton & 07 vs Fitz. The Wing-T offense will be in full gear with the entire backfield returning, includes one the very best FB, 2 yrs in row w/ more than a 1000yds rushing. Tough schedule in 08, on the road @ Dublin, Dodge, & Swainsboro. Lets hear the debate.

By Billy

May 5, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

I’m surprised that the AJC even notices anyone in South Georgia!

By MrWrestling#2

May 5, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Dare we say Valdosta as a program in decline? Coaching changes, fueding and missed play-off appearances all for a storied program. Lowndes is the bully on the block in South Georgia. Hope the ‘Cats can regain their swagger.

By Patriot

May 5, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

How about Sandy Creek? Only 1 playoff apperearence in the 90’s (1999) and have made it all but 1 year this decade(2001)

By Todd Holcomb

May 5, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

Todd is reaching. Write about the upcoming HS Baseball Playoffs, for God’s sake! Instead of diggin for some boring topics, write about something timely. Good grief!

Baseball? This is the *Extra Point( Blog. Ascherman is the baseball guru.

I do have a question about baseball, though. What’s up with Walton?

I saw the AAAAA final series last year and figured Walton was a lock to repeat with all those juniors, including all three starting pitchers.

But I see Walton isn’t even ranked. How did Kell and Harrison get so good? Is it free agency?

By some sense

May 5, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

St. Pius has gone from nothing to something since Paul Standard took over several years ago…they should be mentioned. Their only problems are still not enough “tough” kids and playing in the shadow of some of the top programs in the state. That having been said, they’ll continue to develop hard nosed players, and they’ll win a AAA state championship while Paul and his staff are there.

By some sense

May 5, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

Valdosta can’t regain their swagger…they’re an inner city school. Changing demographics dooms once proud programs. You win w/ solid people. Look at the Clayton County schools on the decline list…place is a cesspool.

By Jay-bow Shaw

May 5, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

North Hall High School Trojans

Ever since Coach Christmas came along the Trojans have gone from a perennial 1-2 win team to an undefeated regular season and date in the Dome this year.

What a joke that Gainesville gets honorable mention, NHHS has kicked their arse the past few years!

Go Trojans!

By BP

May 5, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

We’ll see how good East Paulding is this season when they play AAAAA opponents. Last year they were an AAAAA school playing AAAA opponents. My bet —- “not so much”

By Terry

May 5, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

Bradwell Institute has declined more than any team in Georgia, and still they keep that coach. He sucks!!!!!!!!!

By Gen

May 5, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

How can South Atlanta be not listed among the programs that is on a serious decine.

The programs use to be of 2 powerhouse programs of Fulton and George High school and now combine they have fallen very far and do not compete at all?

By goldenherd

May 5, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

you can probably add Colquitt County on this list of schools in decline but that might change under Rush Propst

By mistermak

May 6, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Who cares about football in May? This is baseball playoff time. The other guy needs to do a blog more than once a week. Round 1 this week is what we should be talkin about!!

Who will win in 5AAAAA?

By mistermak

May 6, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Who cares about football in May? This is baseball playoff time. The other guy needs to do a blog more than once a week. Round 1 this week is what we should be talkin about!!

Who will win in 5AAAAA?

By lion fan

May 6, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

St. Pius X - Paul Standard and his staff have done an incredible job turning around this program. Just count the number of winning seasons and playoff appearances prior to his arrival vs their current record. He does more with less in a very competitive region.

By Harry Whodini?

May 6, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this

mistermak -

who cares about football in May? Millions and Millions of people.

I was listening to the radio the other day, waiting for some MLB scores and they were updating the Washington Redskins draft picks and where they think Washington will finish in the NFC East.

I don’t like it either, but this is a football country. I’m afraid nothing will ever change that.

By Just Another Reader

May 6, 2008 4:14 AM | Link to this

Have to agree about Cook. They went 0-10 in 96, and 1-9 in 97, and then all of a sudden in 2000 went 10-4 and went to the GA DOME. In 2001, they went undefeated in the regular season and went back to the GA Dome, finishing 13-1. They also broke records that year held by the Valdosta Wild Cats, and Cook is AA. Cook also went to the dome last season…what a turnaround!!! For a school known mainly for their baseball, they sure have been great in football since 2000.

By DOC

May 6, 2008 4:52 AM | Link to this

What happened to Ken Barrow Mundy Mill football coach?

By Northgate parent

May 6, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

Northgate is steady and continues to lose at football and basketball. Maybe one day they will get new coaches. Basketball coach has not come close to a winning season in five years.Buddy network.

By Laney

May 6, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

Yes Laney has improved over the past few years, I remember sitting through every BUTT WHOOPING we got while we were down, so NOW, I wear my Laney Jerzee’s, T-shirts, Hats, etc PROUDLY… And if we even end up back in a slump, I will forever support my Wildcats…

By Todd Holcomb

May 6, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Back to East Paulding for a moment, is EP’s sudden success all about coaching, or was that situation ripe for anybody to turn it around?

North Hall should be on the list, but the 0-10 and 1-9 to start this decade doesn’t lend itself to the 90s-vs.-00s formula that I used. Similar thing for SPX, which was 1-9 in 2000, but Paul Standard’s stock as a head coach has certainly risen the past few years. …

Gainesville was 12 games under .500 for the ’90s, which is found surprising.

By Monroe (Albany) Class of 84

May 6, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Monroe High School must be added to the on the rise list. Going from a region 1-AAA doormat to region champions, we where region champs just two years ago. Last year we were runner-ups in the region, and lost the region championship to Cairo. Cairo was AAA state champion runner-up, we deserve to be on the list of ascending football programs.

By BP

May 6, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Check East Paulding’s 2007 enrollment numbers and then compare them to the enrollment numbers of their 2006 and 2007 opponents. Yes, the GHSA placed them in AAAA but their enrollment FAR exceeds that of their opponents. This season they will be competing vs. schools with similar enrollments. We’ll see what happens.

By tex

May 6, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

I’m a Lakeside Dekalb grad and the football program has definitely gone down the toilet, and I don’t think it is coming back.

Problem is largely due to general yuppie migration to Gwinnett and Alpharetta burbs, which have stronger youth football programs (as does Tucker).

But LHS has stayed strong in other sports, (most importantly) the academic reputation is excellent, and the neighborhoods around LHS are excellent. Would be nice if football got good again, but the plusses still outweigh the minus of having bad football.

By tex

May 6, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I’m a Lakeside Dekalb grad and the football program has definitely gone down the toilet, and I don’t think it is coming back.

Problem is largely due to general yuppie migration to Gwinnett and Alpharetta burbs, which have stronger youth football programs (as does Tucker).

But LHS has stayed strong in other sports, (most importantly) the academic reputation is excellent, and the neighborhoods around LHS are excellent. Would be nice if football got good again, but the plusses still outweigh the minus of having bad football.

By Observer

May 6, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Some Sense & Lion Fan - I agree. As a St. Pius alum I have followed Paul Standard’s recent success proudly. I only hope the school has the resourses to retain him now that his stock is on the rise. GO LIONS!

By Dan

May 6, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Credit the rise of Fitzgerald’s program to Coach Pruitt….not since the days of Joe Compton has Fitz had such success. Go Canes!!

By dan moore

May 6, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

I agree with tex. I too was a former Lakeside grad and played for the 1996 team that went to the state championship. It saddens me to see how bad they are, and I’ll tell you why that it:

1. The ending of M to M: most of Lakeside’s really good players were from south dekalb. Now that M to M has ended and with there being new high schools like MLK and Stephenson that are powerhouses, even schools like SWD aren’t as good as they once were.

2. Coaching: From 1970-1997 Lakeside had 2 coaches, Wayman Creel and Phil Lindsey. They had a system and a way of treating kids with respect, and were great role models. Not to mention they were both fantastic coaches. In 1998 when coach Lindsey left the school hired Billy McHenry ( a former LHS alum) to run the program despite the fact that he was extremly un-qualified. He ran that program into the ground and LHS has continued to hire coaches that weren’t very ethical. Bad coaches + lack of talent = a losing culture.

3.Lack of defense: Lakeside football identity used to be defense. When you only allow 7-8 points a game, you’re going to be tough to beat. Lakeside has never had great Division I talent, but they played great defense and were strong fundamentally. When I watch the team play now, they don’t do anything on defense, rarely blitzing. thus they get killed! When I played for Lakeside, we had almost as many plays on defense as we did on offense.

I have not doubt that lakeside can be good in football again. Chamblee was horrible in football and now their good again. The community will support a winner, all it takes is the right coach and support from the administration. Change comes from the top down not from the bottom up.

By Coweta county

May 6, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

East Coweta and Newnan have excellent athletic programs year in and year out. They support and nuture their programs. Northgate the other high school in the county shows how not to run a athletic department. They are in a daze.

By slalom1

May 6, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Clarke Central and SW DeKalb would most definitely be on my list of “most declined programs” in this decade. Both were once proud periennial powerhouses in the state’s top classification. If your team made it all the way, chances were that you would have to go up against either or both to get there. I would like to hear some input from fans of both schools. As for Carver-Col, I believe that “ColGafootball” hit the nail on the head. Muscogee County is a miniature version of Gwinnett County. “Any kid can go to ANY school they chose.” Recruiting is rampant in Muscogee County, and….the shift has drifted away from Shaw and in the direction of Carver-Col. It could be argued that in 2007, Carver-Col had the biggest, most talented roster of any team in the state, regardless of classification. We are likely to see more of the same in the future.

By Lpjack

May 6, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

how is meadowcreek not on the decline of improved list??? if this is dating back from the years then not much research has been done

By Dacula

May 6, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

I know that Todd used a formula for this but I think Norcross needs to be mentioned also. Keith Maloof has done a tremendous job with this sleeping giant of a program. Someone also mentioned St. Pius and Paul Standard. I played for Keith Maloof and Paul Standard both. What do they if in common? It’s that consistent winner mentioned earlier. They both coached under Kevin Maloof at Dacula. While Dacula has never won a state title, they have been one of the most consistent programs in the state over the last 20 years (10 quarterfinals appearances and 3 final fours). Keith and Paul have really improved their programs and they learned from one of the best.

By slalom1

May 6, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

To: Coweta County, What do you expect from the 2008 Newnan football team?

By Michael

May 6, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

I am a fitzgeral purple hurricane and i play under head coach robby pruitt and i can say that since he been here he has made fitzgerald one of the best know schools in the state of Georgia. I can say that year after year he brings in coaches that know what they are doing. We have one of the best weightroom and weightlifting coache(Mike Booth) in the state of Georgia. The Canes improve every year because of our hard work on and off the fiels. I think that that Coach Pruitt has turn these program around and has developed some of the best players ever. I think the WIng T has brought us success with lineman coache(Lee Dorsett, William Nobles, Mike West, Coach Strippling)all has work hard to mek the program on of the top school, i think, in Fitzgerald and the state of Georgia history. So watch out for the 2008 Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes

By mistermak

May 7, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

You people are like rats when someone throws out a piece of cheese. Throw a football topic out there in the middle of Baseball season and you act like you are sitting around hopelessly waiting for the fall to get here. I love football but only when it is being played. Football is only football when the pads go on and it is for real. Get real!! Like I said before-What about the sport that was meant for this time of year? BaseBAll!!!!

By coweta county

May 7, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Hey slalom1 I think Newnan will be strong and they are big. Speed is there too. Will be interesting to see how Creekside and Westlake will do against the big boys.

By Cougarmom

May 7, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Sad to say but indeed, Alexander is statistically exactly where it should be on this list. IN MY OPINION, AHS’s decline over the last decade can be attributed to Coaching staff selection and subsequent turnover. I think in part it can also be attributed to the fact that Alexander’s student body is OVERWHELMINGLY stuffed with “out of district” enrollments. If you are employed by the county in any capacity - you can choose which school your child attends. Most with high school students seem to prefer Alexander. To be fair and just - I don’t know the actual percentage - I just know how many friends my son has that live out of district who’s parents work for the county. With that all said, our administration set about to correct our Football Foibles three years ago. We made significant changes in our coaching staff - only retaining one from the prior regime. Under the direction of Coach Kenny Palmer, AD Scott Swofford and Principal Rob Brown; we have steadily increased the W’s and decreased the L’s. We now have a year round football workout program in place AND a better relationship with the middle schools that feed into our program. This coming year, we are adding Coach Bedosky and Coach Remilliard from Chapel Hill High School to our staff and respositioning our other Coaches to better serve the program. We are making the right changes to get ourselves off the list! With all of these changes AND a new region to compete in - we are optimistic and ready for the challenge. The Cougars are anxous and ready…as are us football fans!

I can’t WAIT for the Friday Night Lights!!!

By slalom1

May 9, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

To: Mistermak, Why are you here?

By slalom1

May 9, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

To: Coweta County, Looks to me like Newnan should be a solid pre-season Top 5 team in AAAAA. 2008 is the year LG has been building for. But given how the team imploded toward the end of 2007, I am almost expecting a Newnan blow-out in game 1. (Hoping for an outcome more like 2004:35-7 LG). Speaking of 2004, can you explain the Carrollton jinx? Seriously.

By slalom1

May 10, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

To: TODD HOLCOMB, The enrollment-roster issue has been a subject worthy of debate. More specifically…Given the fact that 98% (more or less) of GHS football players will never play another game in pads after graduation, one must conclude that the vast majority of GHS players are exactly that….GHS football players. Coaching, developement, and interest in the program are the determining factors in the success or failure of the team. Having said that, does enrollment really matter in evaluating the quality of a team, regardless of classification, when the roster stacks up against the best in the state. Just got home from my monthly visit to Gwinnett County. A good friend of mine has a son who plays LB for one of Gwinnett County’s largest schools. The school’s enrollment is impressive. But, the interest in the football program is simply not there. Their roster in 2007, compared to Buford or Charleton County (just to name 2) would lead one to believe that the smaller school might have the larger enrollment. Another great example is Lowndes. Yes, their enrollment is impressive. However, there are quite a number of schools in Ga. with much larger enrollments. What is the key to their success? Is it enrollment? Do not think so. The question is, “What is the difference between a roster of 75 players form a small school vs. 75 players from a much larger school?” Not much.

By Observer

May 11, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Todd Holcomb: What is your thoughts on Bainbridge Bearcats with coach Pilcher being their new head coach? With the new 59 million dollar school they are building 9 million going toward athletics I would say he is at the right place at the right time.

By slalom1

May 11, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

TO: NTH Trojans Just read your post from the “Hottest Games” blog. You are right. North Hall vs. Buford should be good. 2008 appears to have quite a good number of non-region match-ups which have already aroused my interest. As for 2008 LG, this is the most athletic, experienced roster since 2004. Probably 7-9 college prospects. That is the good news. My concern is how the team imploded toward the end of the 2007 season. Hopefully the implosion was due to a young team with very little senior leadership. Should that be the case, if this team has matured, they have got the talent to take it all the way. If not, game 1 against AAAAA Newnan could be an embarrassment. Regardless, I look for LG to win 2AAA. How about 2008 North Hall?

By slalom1

May 11, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

To: TODD HOLCOMB, What are the GHSA rules regarding 2 or more schools combining their athletic programs?

By CJ

May 11, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

TO SLALOM1: DONT COUNT OUT THE CARVER TIGERS I THINK WE BEAT YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM LAST YEAR. YOU GUYS HAVE A GOOD QB, BUT WE HAVE GREAT LBS AND THE #1 RECRUIT IN THE STATE OF GA SHOULD BE A GOOD GAME THIS YEAR

By slalom1

May 12, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

To: CJ, Believe be, my brother, I am NOT counting out your Carver Tigers this year. Their defense led by Jarvis Jones and Leron Furr should once again be wicked tough.(especially on defense). The NSWR game could be monumental should Carver pull off the upset. Bottom line is, “What will the Carver offense do without Furr and Fortson?” Let’s be real here for just a moment. Without Furr and Fortson in 2007, do you really believe that Carver could have gone the distance? These were quite possibly the 2 greatest athletes in the state of Georgia. Having said that, the Carver defense actually deserves most of the credit for the highly successful 2007 season. They kept the game close enough for Furr and Fortson to work their magic when they had to. Getting back to 2008, what does Carver-Col have on offense? We know they will have a talented, stingy defense. And, what about their kicking game?

By Cougarmom

May 13, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

“What is the difference between a roster of 75 players form a small school vs. 75 players from a much larger school?”

slalom1 - the obvious answer is the depth of the pool that the 75 was culled from….if you pull 75 players from a field of 200 versus pulling 75 from the 75 that showed up to play - there is a difference. Just saying that the relativity of the 2 rosters needs to be evaluated deeper - how large was each field that they pulled their 75 from?

By slalom1

May 13, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

To: Cougarmom, It is refreshing to see a female with such passion for the GHS football game. However, you apparently missed my point. Of course, out of a student body of 200,(guys and gals) a roster of 75 is not likely to have the quality of talent as a 75 player roster from a much larger school. That is a given. However, consider this. There are schools both large and small where the football program simply generates very little interest. Kids have many options these days to spend their time on things other than football. Most schools have athletes in their student body who could be tremendous assets to their team, but have other interests. (Being a rock star, a Hip-Hopper, or maybe just not being willing to give up their Friday nights to play in front of an empty stadium). My point is that enrollment, while important, is not the biggest factor in building a successful program. Look at Buford. Charlton County. Their stadiums are packed on Friday nights. Then look at some of Georgia’s largest schools, who have no winning tradition. On Friday night , the stadiums are at best half full. Question: “Why would ANY HS kid make the sacrifice to play football for a losing team, in front of a less than half full stadium? If you are a believer in “Bigger is always better”, then look at Georgia’s finest programs,(large and small), then compare the enrollments to some of the largest in Texas. Do you believe that because a Texas HS with an enrollment of 6000 would inately field a better team than any school in Georgia? As for me, I don’t think so, even though Georgia has no schools with an enrollment of 6000. But, your argument supports the “Texicans”. Think about that. Bigger is not always better. Cougarmom, just one other thing….players are not “pulled” from their student body. The only kids on the team are those who CHOSE to be on the team. The head coach has no power in selecting his potential roster, until those who wish to play the game show up for practice. Then, he has what he has to choose from.

By slalom1

May 13, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

To: Cougarmom, By the way, are you a Newnan “Cougarmom”? If so, explain to all of us how little AAA Carrollton has dominated AAAAA Newnan every year since 2003?

By Cougarmom

May 16, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

I agree whole heartedly with you that a winning program will draw more interest than a loosing program. We will have to agree to somewhat disagree about enrollment. I don’t believe that a high school with a larger enrollment will have better athletes just because they have more to choose from - I just think statistically speaking, they have a greater chance of it. They also have a better set up for creating comepetition within for positions which COULD (not saying it always would) but could make for a stronger, more competitive team. Schools with smaller enrollment, no matter how much interest a winning program may create, would be more limited in the pool of possible comeptitors for positions.

I am not with the Newnan Cougars…I am with the Alexander (Douglasville) Cougars. (See #6 on the decline list above!) We are in year three of rebuilding our program under Coach Kenny Palmer. We have increased our Win’s each year under his direction and are VERY optimistic about the new Regions. When the new regions were announced, we immediately gave a hefty amount of consideration and respect to the fact that we will have to face Mays this year. Regardless of the number of seniors they have lost, or how young thier team is - they are a tough program. In my opinion, Mays sets the standard for our new sub-region and will be the top competitor to beat in order to respect in this region. I am can’t wait for the fall!

By Cougarmom

May 16, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

To better define my previous point…the 200 I was referring to was the 200 out of the student body that tried out for the team…as opposed to only 75 trying out for a team.

We fully understand the conudrum of enrollment vs. students interested in playing. The last two seasons we have had to face Cherokee and Sequoyah - both tradionally winning programs that enjoy solid community and student body support. This past season, our players were mentally daunted as soon as they walked out onto the field at Cherokee. Across the field, their team stood in three distinct strings. 1st string to the far right with the coaches, 2nd string in the middle with helmets in hand, 3rd string to the far left - in pads but no helmets. The GHSA determined that both schools have the same enrollment - but they obviously had more students interested in playing football for them than we did. There are two sides to every coin I think.

By slalom1

May 16, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

To: Cougarmom, Good answer, but what about the Texas vs. Georgia comparison? The question is, “at what point does a school have enough of an enrollment to field teams of national significance?” 2000?(i.e NSWR) 2740(i.e. Lowndes), West Plano Texas(6000), or maybe Buford, 800, or Carver-Col 1200? Take into consideration that many smaller schools with enrollments much smaller than their AAAAA counterparts are actually recruiting from a school district of 15000-20000 potential players. This is where the classification issue becomes moot.

By EPraider

June 23, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this

todd, speaking back to the east paulding issue having respect for the newly hired coaching staff i from experince kno that it does not seem to be merely oaching with a constantly chnging line up of players and talented young guys in the ranks i see nothing but an opportunity and a schoolthat was picked up and put on its way to a deserving spot as an upand coming football program who will NO DOUBT show AAAAA teams how raiders play football in the 2008-2009 season…