Prep Zone

By richard

July 21, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

TODD,with a much improved offensive line and astronger defence, LANDMARK CHRISTIAN should be ranked in the top 10, especially with tanner bryant returning @ quarterback. thanks for your good coverage……..

By Tim Shaw

July 21, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

For AA it had to be an oversight leaving out GAC - even though I have no connections there, I’ve been watching that program for the past 10 years and it is solid and this year they have a new head coach, former NFL player Ken Robinson who played at USA Gamecocks and if anything will take the program to the next level…I predict that will be in the AA championship game.

By Greg Mack

July 21, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

For AA it had to be an oversight leaving out GAC - even though I have no connections there, I’ve been watching that program for the past 10 years and it is solid and this year they have a new head coach, former NFL player Ken Robinson who played at USA Gamecocks and if anything will take the program to the next level…I predict they will be in the AA championship game.

By U left Laney out

July 21, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

The Journal always leaves Laney out, we have to fight our way in every year. *Sighs8

By Wow

July 21, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Seems like Tim Shaw and Greg Mack had VERY similar comments about GAC.

By Cairo

July 21, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Todd,

I know you ONLY put Carver-Columbus because they are the defending champs but I tell you what with those 16 starters returning none of them are the QB or WR that are at Auburn now. Those 2 single handily beat Cairo in the last 4 minutes of the game. With that said I will put my money on Cairo who has just as many starters returning but are a TEAM not 2 individuals. GO CAIRO!!!

By Cairo

July 21, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

I meant 11 starters returning. Sorry

By bringitgac

July 21, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

GAC gets in the Championship game ? NOT a chance! And IF they do, The little brats will be spanked. Stick to soccer. We all know real Football is played in Buford.

By big cat

July 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

in aa manchester should be in on rep. alone!!!!!!!!!!

By Todd Holcomb

July 21, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

I know you ONLY put Carver-Columbus because they are the defending champs but I tell you what with those 16 starters returning none of them are the QB or WR that are at Auburn now. Those 2 single handily beat Cairo in the last 4 minutes of the game. With that said I will put my money on Cairo who has just as many starters returning but are a TEAM not 2 individuals. GO CAIRO!!!

If we put a non-defending champ at No. 1, we want that to be Aug. 18. Not saying Cairo will be No. 1, but the curtain hasn’t been raised on that yet.

The Journal always leaves Laney out, we have to fight our way in every year.

Laney didn’t finish in last year’s Top 10, so it’s hard to start Laney there in preseason unless you can make a good case for it. For some reason, Laney tends to be unpredictable.

For AA it had to be an oversight leaving out GAC

Well, GAC finished ninth last season (seventh in the AP poll), and I had to make room for Westminster & Henry County. But that doesn’t mean GAC won’t be there Aug. 18. GAC finished strong in 2007 after an uneven start.

LANDMARK CHRISTIAN should be ranked in the top 10, especially with tanner bryant returning @ quarterback. thanks for your good coverage

Good point. Will look closer at Landmark, although keep in mind that the Eagles were never ranked last season, and there are quite a few good AA teams dropping down this season, which should make Class A much deeper this season. In 2007, it seems that ECI and Wilcox were three touchdowns better than everybody.

By Marshall

July 21, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

ECI is loaded again and could easily take the title in A, AA, or AAA.

By Flowery Branch

July 21, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

What about AAA Flowery Branch there going to slap #5 North Hall around this year.

By Football Fan

July 21, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

St. Pius??? Come on, I know they are new to the AAA region, but why are they added to the top ten list? They did not do that well in the playoff season. What about Flowery Branch or Peach County?

By Go Dawgs

July 21, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Westminster, Blessed Trinity, and GAC should be ranked higher in AA. Westminster finished #10 last year in AAA, which is honestly much better and more competetive than AA, which only has 3, maybe 4 legitimate contenders each year. Westminster also beat Lovett, and is returning more starters than Lovett, yet Lovett is ranked much higher. Blessed Trinity is a quality team that is coming down from AAA, that will be ranked later this year due to the talent gap between AAA and AA. GAC is in AA and not AAA, you seem to be mistaken as shown by your comment that they are not ranked because you needed room for St. Pius and Baldwin. 5 teams from Region 6-AA will be ranked in the top 10 later on this year (Buford, Westminster, GAC, Lovett, Blessed Trinity).

By yo

July 21, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Prediction of next years state champs.

AAAAA-Lowndes (As in 2005, there biggest demon to overcome will be themselves). (Last years champ) AAAA-Ware (Got a taste of it last year and returning a lot) (Last year #2) AAA-Cairo (Going to be tough to beat) (Last year #2) AA-Charlton Cty. (A young semi finalist last year..Bufords worst nightmare has returned) (Last year they should have been #2) A-ECI-So many Div 1 prospects for such a small classification school..wow! (Last years champ)

By alex

July 21, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

No Pepperell in the AA top ten. Are you kidding me? They have the entire offense back from a team that barely lost to Dublin in the round of 8 last year. The defense only lost a few starters and should be solid again. And they have an SEC caliber qb leading it all. They will be better than Calhoun this year and they should be in the top ten.

By Michael Owen

July 21, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

E.C.I’s looking good again this year. What do you guys think?

By Pinky

July 21, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Please do not sleep on the Eastside Eagles form Covington, Georgia. Just moved down to AAA, expext big things with the group that is returning…..

By Gee Zee

July 21, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

In Class A, All roads to a State Championship goes through Lincoln County, PERIOD!! In L.C., We don’t Rebuild, We Reload. GO BIG RED!!!!

By Derrick Mahone

July 21, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Todd Good list to open a debate. My list probably would not differ that much. Here are some things to consider.

Carver-Columbus & Cairo I would probably do what you did and give the edget to Carver just because they are the defendng champs with a lot coming back. Yes, they did lose a talent QB and WR, but the school seems to have some athletes. In the end, Cairo could be the better team, but I would start with the defending champs, who did win the championship on the road.

Carver-AtlantaIf they can get past a upgraded schedule, then they deserve a look into being ranked.

Washington Would have gotten a bigger look at being ranked if not for the late coaching change. They finished 5-5 last season in Region 6-AAAA, and nearly beat Tucker and Marist. They have a lot coming back, but shame they are making a late change. Don’t think they will have a coach before practice starts next week.

Woodward moving down to 4-AAA, might be worth taking a look. Open with playoff teams Lovett and Westminster.

Football Fan During Paul Standard’s seven years at SPX, they have been to the postseason five times and only twice losing in the first round. They have done well in competitive 6-AAAA. They reached the second round of the playoffs before losing 14-10 on the road to Rome. So, I think they are a worthy program worth taking a look at in the ranking, especially since they dropped in classification with just about the same enrollment.

Go Dawgs Westminster will definitely be tested in the first five weeks of the schedule - Carrollton, Woodward, Cartersville, GAC and Lovett. If they get by that, they will definitely move up.

Richard Landmark will probably be the favorite to win Region 5-A. What will be interesting this year, especially with Tanner, is the graduation of Walter Lenard and two talented receivers. Teams couldn’t just concentrate on him, because Lenard was a threat to break it. The War Eagles have a new OC.

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Todd, I hope that you are right with giving North Hall a #4 ranking, but after losing all the key players to graduation, we will have to rely heavily on defense in the early going. The QB this year is Blaine Gilmer, and while he’s been the backup the last 2 years, I believe that he will turn out to be the offensive leader. A player from NH to watch for is junior LB Thomas Sprague. That young man hits with as much intensity as anyone I’ve ever seen. One more note, the starting RB transferred to Gainesville. I personally think the team to beat in 7AAA is Gainesville. I think NH will go 7-3 in regular season, losing to Buford, Gainesville, and Flowery Branch, then they will gel as a team, and lose in the third round of the playoffs. Remember, this is a young team, so it will take them time to gel. Next year they will be more of a force. NH has too much talent and great coaching to have that bad of a year.

By Grady Dad

July 21, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

How can you rank a St. Pius team that has not competed in AAA yet but neglect to include the Grady High School Grey Knights that has been at the front of 5-AAA for the last couple of years after competing in the Dome at the AA level? Thanks for the bulletin board material though!

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Slalom,

I’m interested in hearing your take on how the rankings in AAA shape up. I would personally move North Hall to #7 and move the others up one spot, possibly having LG at #3 and Shaw at #4. Didn’t you say that you thought that it would be Troup and not Shaw that would be the stronger of the 2 teams?

By Todd Holcomb

July 21, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

GAC is in AA and not AAA, you seem to be mistaken as shown by your comment that they are not ranked because you needed room for St. Pius and Baldwin.

Thanks for pointing that out. I was not only mistaken, but confused. Meant to say I needed room for Westminster and Henry County in AA. And good point about Blessed Trinity as another strong program that’s moving down.

How can you rank a St. Pius team that has not competed in AAA yet but neglect to include the Grady High School Grey Knights that has been at the front of 5-AAA for the last couple of years after competing in the Dome at the AA level?

SPX won 8 games in AAAA. Grady won 6 games in AAA. SPX made the Dome at AAAA. Grady made the Dome in AA. I hope Grady continues to be a factor in the state and makes the Top 10 this year, but the Grey Knights won’t start there and will have a tough time making the playoffs in ‘08.

By Derrick Mahone

July 21, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Grady Dad It is easier to make a case for St. Pius since they were basically a AAA team that competed well in AAAA, including make a trip to the Georgia Dome in 2006. SPX has been a consisted winner in Region 6-AAAA, which is much tougher than 5-AAA. Also, look at the Dome trip by both teams. Both loss, but SPX did a better job of competing and nearly beating a very good Northside-Warner Robins team.

By CARVER TIGER FAN

July 21, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

CARVER-COLUMBUS

DON’T SLEEP ON CARVER HIGH, YES WE DID LOSE TWO AWESOME PLAYERS, BUT YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE GAINED. SEE YA CAIRO

STATE BOUND AGAIN DEDICATED CARVER FAN

By jacob

July 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

well lets see Pepperall. You got spanked two years in a row by a small white lovett team. dublin was not good last year. your region just isnt that good. calhoun and yall are weak. 6AA dominates the state. buford, lovett, gac, westminster, blessed trinity would all dominate your region. how about you make it past the second round, then ill think about saying your “competitive”. 2 years ago yall got embarrassed by lovett 38-7 and would again today.

By Grady Dad

July 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

SPX won 8 games in AAAA. Grady won 6 games in AAA. SPX made the Dome at AAAA. Grady made the Dome in AA. I hope Grady continues to be a factor in the state and makes the Top 10 this year, but the Grey Knights won’t start there and will have a tough time making the playoffs in ‘08.

It will be an uphill climb for both Grady and St. Pius this year considering the fact that there are so many young players in critical positions for both teams. Nonetheless, that should make for an even more competitive contest between the teams when they meet at St. Pius on 10/24.

By dakota

July 21, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

I kind of like the way the Carver-Columbus fan put it, What we gained. Sounds like recuiting from out of area players to me. Lets get real, Carver-Columbus has all of Columbus to recuit from, Cairo..all we have is legit: Grady County (Cairo). Maybe somebody should be in a higher CLASS. Thats right they were, could’nt hack it. GO CAIRO.

By slalom1

July 21, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

NTH Trojans, Right now, I am still just a little bit unsettled in making too many predictions for 2008, but, you are right in that I did state that I believe this could be a BIG year for Troup, and a down year for Shaw.Much like Carver-Col, Shaw will be trying to replace lots of talent on offense, including 3 year starter,QB Cam Greathouse.As for Carver-Col, I can understand givng the defending state champs the #1 ranking, at least until someone knocks them off. But, I just do not see Carver-Col being strong enough on offense to contend for a state title in 2008.Even in 2007, without Furr and Fortson, they were probably a 7-3 team. Troup on the other hand returns most everbody on offense, along with 2 of the state’s top D-1 line prospects.(The Troup offense was not bad in 2007). LG returns most everybody on both sides of the ball. From the standpoint of talent and experience, LG should have the edge over the rest of 2AAA. However, the schedule is mighty tough, and I watched this same talented group implode toward the end of 2007. All in all, I am okay with Todd’s early Top 10, except for Shaw. I will probably post my Top 10 tomorrow. Speaking of which, where is your Top 10?

By C.B.S

July 21, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Carver Columbus Tigers deserve to be #1 in the state. They have a coach that has class. They represent Columbus way better than Shaw and left Cairo fans pleased in the way they carried themselves on the feild and in the stands. It was a honor to play the state champs but this year is the year of the SYRUPMAKER! THE PAIN OF LOOSING HELPS US TO REMAIN FOCUSED ONE GAME AT A TIME UNTIL WE REACH THE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN. GO MAKERS.

By C.B.S

July 21, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Carver Columbus Tigers deserve to be #1 in the state. They have a coach that has class. They represent Columbus way better than Shaw and left Cairo fans pleased in the way they carried themselves on the feild and in the stands. It was a honor to play the state champs but this year is the year of the SYRUPMAKER! THE PAIN OF LOOSING HELPS US TO REMAIN FOCUSED ONE GAME AT A TIME UNTIL WE REACH THE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN. GO MAKERS.

By dekalb

July 21, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Okay, all this AAA talk and one team gets no ink? “Dunwoody” This is a team that returns as many as (15) 2 year starters. A team that finished 8 - 2 led all of dekalb county in total offense per game and did not make the playoffs last year becasue of a split sub-region that did not allow the best 4 teams to be in the playoffs last year. (example McNair @ 5-5) This year will be different watch out for the Wildcats.

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Slalom,*

Now that you mention it, I haven’t posted my top ten for AAA, the toughest and most competetive class in the state (not to mention most talented). Here goes:

1) Carver, Col 2) Cairo 3) LaGrange 4) Perry 5) Stephens Co. 6) St. Pius X 7) Gainesville 8) North Hall 9) Carrolton 10) Troup Co.

Like you (and just about everyone else), I think that Carver deserves #1 until proven otherwise, but I think that either Cairo or LG will win state, based on what I have read through other websites and posts. Speaking of top tens, where’s yours?

By Don Hill

July 21, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Buford or Charlton would beat ECI by 3 TDs at a minimum. Beyond that, ECI would be a solid 3rd place in AA. They would probably either be 1 or 2 in AAA. Excellent team with tremendous talent all across the board. Ealey is one of the top 5 RB’s I have seen in GA, behind Kinnebrew, Caleb King, Monte Williams and Herschel.

By Derrick Mahone

July 21, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

NTH Trojans Todd & I gave our reason for possibility ranking St. Pius in the preseason, what was your reasoning. Thanks.

By kenny

July 21, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Todd, although i am a Calhoun fan, i have to mention the fact that Darlington has moved to single a and they always play tough in the AA playoffs year after year…what about the tigers?

By Big K

July 21, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Henry co will be on top a the in of the year state title . Best 8 offenses in the county. came 2ND place 7 on 7 nike championship in OR .were #9 now wait after the 4,500 yards tot at the end of the year

By jamal turner

July 21, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

North Atlanta High school will go undefeated dis year mark my word shawty. Go Warriors.

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

In last weeks blog, * The Truth* called it right. Gainesville is a sleeper this year in AAA, just the way their coach wants it. Coach Miller isn’t big on hype, just production. He’s a great coach and an even better person, and this is coming from a fan of his rival school. He is gracious in victory and defeat. Gainesville may have lost their TE, both WR, QB, and RB (I think), they have added a RB (transferred from North Hall), WR (transferred from Roswell) and their QB is more than capable.

By WOLFPACK

July 21, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

Watchout for Woodland Wolfpack in AAA. This will be their first year of varsity competition and their first game will be at Lowndes. They will be this years surprise team in AAA.

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

History mainly. It just stands to reason if they played as well as they did in the always tough 6AAAA last year, why shouldn’t they do as well, if not better in a weaker region in AAA? Plus, they have excellent coaching, great talent level, and are in their rightful classification according to their enrollment. Being a private school doesn’t hurt either(recruiting players from other schools).

By ccjames69

July 21, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Wow I didnt know Dooly County High had a good team this year. That is my parents, aunts and uncles alma mater. It was all about Macon County High in that area.

By Feels good to be in the top 8

July 21, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Feels good to be in the top 8 at St. Pius. GO LIONS!!!

By slalom1

July 21, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

What is happening with WACO and Peach Co? Unusual to see both schools under the radar for consecutive years. I understand the adjustments to new head coaches, but one would expect to see improvement over last season. TO TODD: As for schools “playing down” in classification, I doubt that the “step down” will make a whole lot of difference, unless the respective school lands in a generally weaker or tougher region. Shaw is a good example. The “step down” from AAAA to AAA has actually lowered their winning percentages and number of championships, using 2000-2003(AAAA) vs. 2004-2007(AAA) as reference points. 2000-2003:4 Region titles. 1 State title. 2004-2007: 1 Region title. NO state titles. (Winning percentage also lower in AAA).

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

I agree that Buford should be preseason #1 in AA, barely. They had one close game last year, and that was to a young Charlton Co. team. Buford was senior laden last year, and for most teams that would mean rebuilding. But we all know that Buford does not rebuild, they recruit, er, reload. Based on that, I would say that Charlton Co. is the favorite to win the AA title. As for A, it seems like a no-brainer that ECI should repeat as champs, right? Then, you start thinking about the other teams in that class: Lincoln Co. (who just never seems to go away) who, in a rebuilding year, lost in the quarters, Clinch Co. who is becoming a perrennial powerhouse in A, and Wilcox Co, and Athens Academy. Still, I think that Ealy and Co. won’t be denied this year, ECI over Lincoln Co. in a nailbiter at the dome.

By St.Puis are they that good -No

July 21, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

St.Puis will have to beat out Carver-Atlanta and potentional tough Washington and Grady teams on the 5B-AAA side. Just because they are moving down does not make them a top ten team. Winning makes them a top ten preseason team. However when the dust settles will they be still standing is the question?

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Slalom*,

That is my reasoning for St Pius X. Do I think that they will contend for the state title? No. Do i think that they will fare better in the region they are in? Yes. Stalling in picking your top ten?

By slalom1

July 21, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

“WOLFPACK” Good try, but the “surprise” will be the looks on the player’s faces when they first line up against Lowndes! LOL!!

By Ga Dawg

July 21, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Pepperell only lost to Dublin b/c their top running back and kickoff returner, Marcus Jackson, was out with an injury. Watch this kid in ‘08. You won’t be able to catch him. 4.43 forty and he has a 4.0 GPA! With Jackson and Whittaker in the backfield and then a QB that opens up the passing game, just bring on Rockmart, Lovett, Dublin and all the rest.

By NTH Trojans

July 21, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

*St.Puis are they that good -No *,

Now there’s a good question. I think that they are in a weaker region, but do they still have the talent level they had when they were winning in AAAA. I think they do, and I also think that they will finish 1 or 2 in that sub-region.

By Reeze

July 21, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Preseason rankings in my opinion are useless at any level , more so at the High school level….Ill throw my 2 cents in anyway for AAA, My top 6……#1. Cairo, with the majority of the team returning , THE most explosive offensive play book in the Land,….and anyone who watched the 3rd qrt against N.Hall in last years semi should know who’s the top team in AAA ….#2 Baldwin always out of the blocks quick with a bunch of speed on offense and a hard hitting defense , even with Rico Hawkins , they’ll fizzle out in the 3rd round or semi’s as Baldwin always does…..#3 Stephens Co…Always in the mix…..#4 SPX not much talent ,but anyone can see , very well coached , especially the O-line …..#5 Washington good QB and Recievers ,No Tucker or Marist , at least 2 more wins….#6 Peach Co. after seeing them this summer .The Trojans may be back ,lots of weapons on offense and a Qb with a good accurate arm….Too much pride in Ft Valley to have another 2007 season……Perry, No, Casey Hayward and Kanorris Davis were the heart and soul of the 2007 team……Perry will be just Perry in 2008….The same goes for Carver …Furr and Fortson ….. Lagrange….NO ,If these “high number” of returning starters show up at Newnan that showed up at Perry in the first round last season….It will be a long season for the Grangers

By Granger Fan

July 21, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

All you Caver-Columbus fans remember you have to come to LaGrange this year. No Columbus refs… Keep your eye on Huzzie making tackles and Mansour kicking 50 yard field goals.

By Granger Fan

July 21, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

The Grangers learned alot from going down to Perry and being kicked out in the first round last season. This is a new season and we are ready.

By St Pius Fan

July 21, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Reeze, I also think St. Pius is well coached and they have a little bit more talent than you are giving them credit for. They did not rack up all those yards and points on coaching alone.

By Derrick Mahone

July 21, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

* Slalom1* You make a good point about playing down. Moving down, you have to take it school-by-school and look at the region. I was basically doing that with St. Pius. Another good example is Northside-WR, they moved down and went 30-0. I think for SPX to do what they did in Region 6-AAAA with basically the same enrollment size (and Paul Standard is a good coach with a proven track record) that they can also be a force in Region 5-AAA.

Reeze Not ready to put Washington in a Top 5 yet because of the coaching situation.

St.Puis are they that good -No I think you are under-estimating the Golden Lions. They have beaten better talent than Carver-Atl. the last couple years. Although, I have praised them for their 11-1 season and two playoff wins, they are still a team that has to prove it. They only beat one team (Towers) in the regular season with a winning record. It was no secret they were on the weaker side of Region 5-AAA. Talking with the players, they know that they have to step it up this year and they will get their chance. The last two years, St. Pius is 2-0 vs. Washington

By IMissGeorgiaFootball

July 21, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

Gosh, reading this has made me realize yet again how much I miss high school football in Georgia. I have lived in Jacksonville, Florida for 7 years now, and there is ABSOLUTELY nothing like it here.

For all of you still blessed enough to be able to see the games in person, enjoy it…you don’t totally realize how awesome it is until you don’t have it anymore.

My husband is a LaGrange graduate, and I graduated from Troup, and we are looking forward to great years from both schools. In fact, we are probably going to rearrange our vacation to hopefully go to the LaGrange-Newnan game, and then Troup-LaGrange is always a big weekend in our house.

What an awesome time of year! Football (high school and college) rocks!

By dawgs7

July 21, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

I personally think GAC should be on the list for AA they have a great coaches, lots of talent and those boys work very hard!!

By Reeze

July 21, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

St. Pius fan I didn’t mean Pius had no talent… I mean “Talent ” in comparison with other teams in AAA……. D Pease ,D Myles , Rico Hawkins or Reggie Bryant for example

By St Pius Fan

July 21, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Reeze, Now I understand. However, that’s not the way it appeared or sounded.

By Todd Holcomb

July 21, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

As for schools “playing down” in classification, I doubt that the “step down” will make a whole lot of difference, unless the respective school lands in a generally weaker or tougher region. Shaw is a good example. The “step down” from AAAA to AAA has actually lowered their winning percentages and number of championships, using 2000-2003(AAAA) vs. 2004-2007(AAA) as reference points. 2000-2003:4 Region titles. 1 State title. 2004-2007: 1 Region title. NO state titles. (Winning percentage also lower in AAA).

Interesting argument, Slalom1. And if we’re talking about predicting final record, that’s a good point. But if you’re arguing that there’s no real reason to think teams like St. Pius and Henry County will do better in the lower class, I’d disagree.

Yes, Shaw dropped to AAA and had a worse overall record, but that’s deceiving because Shaw went from the easiest AAAA region in which to go undefeated to the most difficult AAA region in which to go undefeated. Shaw went from automatic 7-0 to having to play LaGrange and suddenly powerful Carver, not to mention Troup.

That would be like Camden County dropping into AAAA and having to play Ware County, Statesboro and Brunswick. Camden might lose more games that way, but that wouldn’t mean AAAA is essentially the same as AAAAA.

Looking at Shaw’s record closer, throw out the regular season and notice that Shaw won 10 state playoff games in those four seasons in AAA, the same as it won in AAAA. But also notice that Shaw had the #1 seed in AAA only once due to the misfortune of its region, yet won four times on the road in the playoffs. In AAAA, Shaw NEVER won a playoff game on the road. So I think I could argue that Shaw has done better in AAA than in AAAA under the circumstances. And of course, it could also be that Shaw’s 2000-03 teams were a lot better, too.

My position on the whole class issue is that it’s one thing to say LaGrange in 2004 could’ve won AAAA or even AAAAA, but it’s another to say that it’s just as hard to win AAA as it is to win AAAAA. Not that you’re saying that, but just saying … .

By Carrollton81

July 21, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

I think it is crazy to think that just two players from Carrollton can make Todd think that will effect us that much to drop us out of the top five, remember how everyone said last year how deep we are and we wear teams down? We have stars that have not had the chance to shine yet. This is how i see it:

1-Cairo 2-Carver Columbus 3-LaGrange 4-Carrollton 5-Shaw 6-Peach 7-Stephens County 8-St. Pius 9-Baldwin 10-NH, C-ville, Troup, Perry, FB, Ridgeland, WACO

By jimbo

July 21, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Pius lost Jonathan Davis last year to Tucker and still competed well in 6AAAA. They return 2 starters - JC Carter and Cole Moon in the backfield. These two had no role 2 years ago and performed quite well last year. PG Standard was a backup QB who was athletic enough to start in the secondary and patiently awaited his turn at QB. He could have started as a sophomore if Dylan Knight wasn’t so good at running the offense.

Pius does lose a lot of linemen including one to a D1 program and Philpott, the kicker, to a D1 program.

The big risk that they have is opening against Marist. A loss there would be tough to handle going into region play.

There is every reason to believe that Pius ends the year as a top 10 team.

By Bob

July 21, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Go Calhoun! I’m not sure they should be ranked 5. I think they’ll do decent this year, but i don’t know if they have much offense. They lost All-State/All-Area players Tre Lamb-QB, Adam Urbano-RB, and Andy Elakman-K. On Defense, they’ve got Eric McDaniel, who’s likely to go to a pretty good Division 1-A school. They have guys that need to prove themselves. Also, Gordon Central, who was just demoted from AAAA to AA, should do decent.

By DaZeekster

July 21, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Don’t sleep on those Peach County Trojans this year!!!!

By Observer

July 21, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

Cairo fans what are yalls opinion on the opener against Bainbridge this year? I hear Bainbridge is looking very good and coach Pilcher is doing a great job with getting them ready.

By Dekalb Football

July 21, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

St.P-X is THAT GOOD !!!! Playing in 6AAAA against Tucker, Marist, SWDekalb, Mays, and more…….. the speed they are used to playing against is second to none !! Tucker had too many players going both ways compared to Northside WR . You are going to be a beleiver in due time. The Defence @ St.PX will frustrate every team they face. Hate now , but beleive later,,, nobody can hide from Da Troof(the truth).

And all AA teams should be thankful that Marist refused to drop in Football/Baseball/Girls B-ball/Soccer/Vllyball….etc……..

Buford is a recuiting school who’s scared to step up

By Tim Shaw

July 22, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this

Not sure how Greg Mack copied my message, but thanks for the compliment….I’ve followed high school football in Atlanta for more than 10 years and I like GAC because of how they prepare the young men for life after football (and they win)…I’ve hired several former students from that school and that’s how I ended up following them more closely….and let me tell you, that’s a true football program over there…again, I predict them to be in the AA championship game (but not only for 2008, but take a look at that junior class - they win it all 1 or both years - 2008-09) - ok, Greg your turn

By davil

July 22, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

The amount of ‘A’s’ doesn’t equate how good a football team or their coach is. It’s a classic case of ‘We’ve got more A’s than you do, so we’re better’. Now as for high schools recruiting…………

By godawgs

July 22, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

“The Journal always leaves Laney out, we have to fight our way in every year. *Sighs8”

Laney should be left out! They got their butts whipped by Thomasville in the 1st round. 1st round teams don’t deserve to be in the top 10. Get over it.

By Panther Fan

July 22, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

So let me get this straight……Carver Atlanta goes 11-1, reaches the quarterfinals, returns 16 starters, whose head coach was ranked in the top ten of all living coaches in GA, whose defensive coordinator Mr. Mahone knows personally and knows of his track record, and has been featured in this newspaper atleast 4 times since the end of last season, probably the most out of any metro area team, and we are not ranked in the top 10. It’s just like the end of last year when we go 9-0 and barely crack the top 10. That’s fine. Again, it’s more bulletin board material. How can you compare us to a Washington squad that went 5-5 last year and say they have a legitimate argument for being ranked in the top 10? That questions the legitimacy of your paper. What are you watching? You’ve already said that AAA is the toughest classification, and you’ve said that region 5-AAA is one of the toughest regions in the state, so that means that when we run the table again, there should be no question where we stand. Now, for those of you making the argument that we got badly beaten by Cairo so we shouldn’t be ranked, what about Lovett and their 50-0 loss in the state finals? Sure it was in the finals, but a 50-0 loss is still a 50 point blowout. If you’re not going to show us the proper respect then why keep reporting on us?

By Team Mom

July 22, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Everyone better watch out for the Villa Rica Wildcats this year, they will be put on the map. Good luck to all!

By Derrick Mahone

July 22, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Panther Fan First, the job that coach Myles and his staff have done is very impressive and deserve what coverage it has gotten. We respect the job that has been done at Carver, but can make a bigger argument for other AAA teams to be ranked.

You point out Washington. They have the majority of their squad back from a team that went 5-5 in Region 6-AAAA with close losses to Tucker (semifinalist), Mays (second round of the playoffs), Marist (first round playoffs, down year after graduating 37 seniors from finalist team in ‘06), St. Pius (second round playoff team), Miller Grove (a team that was on the brink of the playoffs).

In all, I think Washington closes losses to better teams is more impressive than Carver wins against teams with losing records and repetitions. Remember, the only team with a winning record that Carver beat during the regular season was Towers (a non-playoff team). The coaching situation over at Washington would prevent me from pushing for them to be ranked going into the season.

Yes, AAA is very tough, but we never said 5-AAA was the toughest region in the state. For AAA, that would be 1-AAA and 2-AAA.

You mention Lovett and it loss to Buford (50-0). In reality, Charlton County was probably the only team in AA last year that could have hung with Buford. In an earlier matchup against Buford, Lovett lost 21-0 (a late touchdown in the first half made the school a little worst than the actual game). During the season, Lovett had wins over playoff teams GAC (on the road) and Holy Innocents’ (on the road). They had impressive playoff wins on the road against Macon County and Thomasville and a Dome win against a very good Cook team.

Last season, Cairo was the only legit state playoff team that Carver played and the second half was played with a running clock. White County was making only their second playoff appearance in school history (first in 2001) and Apalachee was making its second playoff appearance in school history after beating a Haralson County team that has never won a playoff game in two appearances in school history.

As you can see, there is some argument against Carver going into the season not being ranked. With the upgraded schedule, the team has a chance to earn a ranking.

By Reeze

July 22, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Panther Fan …No disrespect to Carver ,but Mahone pretty much nailed it down…You can’t expect statewide respect by going undefeated in a region full of .500 and sub .500 teams an O/T win vs an 7-4 team and a blowout lost by Cairo….With Mays , SPX , Washington and Grady on you guys schedule for 2008 , Carver can gain respect and silence the critics with wins ,with D Myles under center it shouldn’t be a problem at all.

By Panther Fan

July 22, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Didn’t Mcnair make the playoffs? It’s not our fault that the teams we faced were not above .500. As far as Carver going to overtime with White County and Apalachee, remember, that was only our second time in the playoffs since the 70’s, with the only other time coming the year before. But ok, your words are going to make a lot of people angry over here at NSC. We’re not ranked, but we merit national converage. Remember, our game vs. Mays is going to be shown on ESPNU. You’ll see. You all will see.

By WOLFPACK

July 22, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

To Slalom1, I did not say Woodland would be a surprise team in AAAAA and yes they probably will get humbled by Lowndes. But they will be a surprise team in AAA.

By Derrick Mahone

July 22, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

Panther Fan Nobody is saying that the NSC is not good or deserve a look at getting ranked, but the factors I listed above will probably not have them ranked going into the season. If they can get by that schedule, they will more than deserve to be ranked. No, Carver couldn’t help the schedule last season and its not their fault that most of the teams were sub .500, but when it came time to play a legit contender, they didn’t show up. You look at that and the sub .500 record of their opponents and that rises questions. There were other teams like Thomasville (Class AA), Shaw (at Cairo) and Carver-Columbus (at Cairo for title) that played play Cario too close. Heck, North Hall was right there in the first half against Cairo in the Dome.

You are right, it was their second year in the playoff, but their have been other teams making their first playoff appearance that have done well. In 2006, Peachtree Ridge first year EVER in the playoffs resulted in a Class AAAAA championship.

By makerfan

July 22, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

It’s going to look nice this year in 1-AAA.We’ve added Peach County and Perry. My syrupmakers better come ready to play every week. We play Bainbridge with the ol’ ball coach, TCCHS, and Thomasville to open the season! GO MAKERS

By SPX ALUMNI

July 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

How can you rank a St. Pius team that has not competed in AAA yet but neglect to include the Grady High School Grey Knights that has been at the front of 5-AAA for the last couple of years after competing in the Dome at the AA level? Every time the Atlanta schools get reclassified there are some city schools who think they will continue their dominance. Take for example Mays who for two years went undefeated in their region, then when ST. PIUS and Marist were added to the region they barley made the playoffs. And it is not only in football think about the dominance in sports like Baseball and Soccer, it won’t even be close. St. Pius and Marist alike have learned how to completely dismantle the fast athletic teams they face year in and year out by running the option and having strong front lines on both sides of the ball. This is a dominance that will continue.

By slalom1

July 22, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

To TODD, I believe we agree, and as you stated I was not implying that it is as difficult to win titles in AAA as in AAAAA. However, there are some regions in AAA and in AAAA that might pose more of a challenge than a school’s respective in a larger class. Just for kicks and giggles, here are just a few more stats to look at and say, “hmmmm”. From 1990-1993, LG was in Georgia’s largest classification. These years represented Gary Guthrie’s final years at LG. Overall winning percentage: 82%.1 Region title, 1 regular season region title, and 1 state title.(This was during the era of “region-play-offs”) During the past 4 seasons at LG, the winning percentage is 82%. 2 Region titles and 1 state title.This would be in AAA. 1994-1998, in the state’s largest classification, winning percentage:79%. 2 Region titles. 2000-2003 would represent an extraordinary era with a winning percentage of 94%, 4 Region titles and 2 state titles. But, in a MUCH weaker region than today. Still AAA, however. My only point in the “dropping down” in classification debate is that simply dropping down does not ususually turn a loser into a winner. Nor does it turn an average program into a winning program. Dropping down may help a team by maybe 10% or in the case of Shaw, hurt a team by 10%. NSWR was probably helped in dropping down by maybe 10%. Going back into AAAAA, in particular 1AAAAA, they will probably see about a 10% difference in winning percentage. Again, your point regarding Shaw, is exactly my point. They dropped down from a weak AAAA region into a much more difficult AAA region. (Even though the Raiders have a AAAA state title for 2000.)

By Shea

July 22, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

In AAA I believe Cairo can give Carver a run.

In AA in my opinion It’s Charlton County’s to lose because they don’t rebuild they reload.

In A I believe ECI can repeat, but watch out for Campbell’s Red Devil’s, they are always good

By yo

July 22, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Slalom…I knew you would come around ole buddy. I’ll take the 10% difference.

By slalom1

July 22, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

After considerable research,historical significance, superstition, and wishful thinking, here goes: AAA- 1-Cairo 2-LaGrange 3-Peach Co 4-Troup 5-Carver-Col 6-Carrollton 7-Perry 8-Stephens Co 9-N. Hall 10-(Tie) Shaw, WACO

AA- 1-Charlton Co 2-Buford 3-Dublin 4-Heard Co 5-Fitzgerald 6-Henry Co 7-Thomasville 8-Lovett 9-Callaway 10-Calhoun

A- 1-ECI 2-Clinch Co 3-Linclon Co 4-Dooly Co 5-Wash-Wilkes 6-Athens Acad 7-Hawkinsville 8-Brookstone 9-Wilcox Co 10-Pacelli

By slalom1

July 22, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

YO, I had to do just a little research into “A”, just so you would not bust me again for not caring about the state’s smallest schools. As for the “10%” factor, do you concur? (In the case of NSWR going into 1AAAAA, maybe the number should be 15-20%). In any other AAAAA Region, I would say 10% or less.

By slalom1

July 22, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

To: WOLFPACK, In what region is Woodland playing? I MEANT no disrespect regarding my comments about the Lowndes game. But, what a way to get a new program off the ground!

By slalom1

July 22, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Reeze, The Newnan game has got me mighty worried. But, if I were you, I would also be “mighty” worried about the Cougars when play-off time comes. As for the Grangers vs. Perry in 2007, this was not the same Granger team from games 1-6. There were some internal problems which I had rather not go into. They seem to be resolved. But,back to Newnan, they look mighty strong. I believe it will take this Granger team til at least mid season for the OL to gel. But, after that, they should be ready for a strong run at the title AGAIN this year. Again, Good luck to NSWR in the toughest HS region in the nation.

By Panther Fan

July 22, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Ahhh, Mr. Mahone.

Fine, I’ll postpone my argument for NSC. However, let’s look at your argument for St. Pius and Washington.

First St. Pius. You bring up their recent playoff history. I thought we were talking about the future, and the fact that St. Pius lost the majority of their lineman. Lineman are hard to replace, especially when you run a wing-t style offense. You say they were in a competitive region…. A 12 team region with only 4 teams over .500. Out of their 7 wins, 1 was over a team over .500. You say they are used to seeing speed and good coaching. But the one time they saw both combined, Tucker, they were easily defeated. You later suggest that since they are dropping down that they will automatically dominate 5-AAA, a region that had 2 teams make it atleast to the quarterfinal round last year and the scoring leader of all Dekalb county schools. I’m trying to figure out what makes them so strong for next year, when you don’t consider that they made the dome in 2006. Look at what they have returning, and then remember how well NSC plays against wing-t style offenses? The combined score last year was 143-29.

Most of the same arguments can be made against Washington. 5-5 in a “tough” region, yet they didn’t beat anyone over .500. But I guess you’re looking history again, and the fact that they have Branden. Well, we have Darren, Demond, and you interviewed Phillip, so why are they predicted to dominate? Their name shouldn’t have even been considered, with or without Coefield.

So why again should either team be in the top ten?

By Panther Fan

July 22, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Ahhh, Mr. Mahone.

Fine, I’ll postpone my argument for NSC. However, let’s look at your argument for St. Pius and Washington.

First St. Pius. You bring up their recent playoff history. I thought we were talking about the future, and the fact that St. Pius lost the majority of their lineman. Lineman are hard to replace, especially when you run a wing-t style offense. You say they were in a competitive region…. A 12 team region with only 4 teams over .500. Out of their 7 wins, 1 was over a team over .500. You say they are used to seeing speed and good coaching. But the one time they saw both combined, Tucker, they were easily defeated. You later suggest that since they are dropping down that they will automatically dominate 5-AAA, a region that had 2 teams make it atleast to the quarterfinal round last year and the scoring leader of all Dekalb county schools. I’m trying to figure out what makes them so strong for next year, when you don’t consider that they made the dome in 2006. Look at what they have returning, and then remember how well NSC plays against wing-t style offenses? The combined score last year was 143-29.

Most of the same arguments can be made against Washington. 5-5 in a “tough” region, yet they didn’t beat anyone over .500. But I guess you’re looking history again, and the fact that they have Branden. Well, we have Darren, Demond, and you interviewed Phillip, so why are they predicted to dominate? Their name shouldn’t have even been considered, with or without Coefield.

So why again should either team be in the top ten?

By St Pius Fan

July 22, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Panther Fan, We can sit and mull over these rankings until your head turns blue. After all, these are just pre season predictions and opinions and they don’t carry a lot of weight. It is extremely difficult to predict how one team will perform against another based on speculations for a lot depends on how well they match up and step up. I don’t read a lot into preseason polls. Fortunately, once the season starts the rankings will take care of themselves and the final poll is the one that counts.

By yo

July 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

Slalom I think you are dead on.  Nor can I find any fault with your top 10s including the A classification.  I do think Cook will find its way into the Top 10 in AA though.