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Wednesday, October 15, 2008
State Report: Hots outnumber Nots in Northeast Georgia football
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Northeast Georgia is home to some of the most picturesque views in the state from the mountains of Helen to the water sports of Lake Hartwell. There’s also some good football in the area. Hot/Not takes a look through the Northeast this week, enjoying the scenery as we pass by.
HOT
Towns County: Granted the Indians are playing a non-region schedule, but a 6-1 mark this season after going 1-39 over the previous four years is something to be excited about.
Jefferson: Known more for their wrestling prowess (winners of every Class A title since 2001) than their excellence on the football field, the Dragons are starting to make waves. After playing in 12 games last season, Bill Navas’ team is 6-0 on the year. Even though Jefferson plays in one of the weakest regions in the state, the team is doing exactly what it should do, averaging 40 points per game.
Athens Academy: The Spartans are the highest-ranked NE Georgia school, claiming the No. 4 spot in Class A. Coach Michael Gunn’s team has rolled to a 6-0 start with an impressive win over Whitefield Academy and a quality win over rival Commerce. The Spartans played in the Dome last season and should make another deep run in the playoffs.
Clarke Central: The Gladiators haven’t made anything easy this year, but a 6-1 record in a highly competitive Region 8-AAAA speaks volumes. Every week has seemingly been a fight for Clarke Central with two overtime games this year (including a five OT marathon win over Heritage). Huge rival Cedar Shoals is up next.
Loganville: The Red Devils hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Gladiators, and this region could get messy with Apalachee with just one loss as well.
Gainesville: There is a lot of Red in the Northeast. The Red Elephants have steamrolled everyone this year en route to a 7-0 mark. Gainesville’s closest game was a 19-point win over West Forsyth.
NOT
Oglethorpe County. After opening with a win over Athens Christian, the Patriots haven’t been close in dropping their last five.
Gilmer: The Bobcats have given up 50-plus in their last two games.
You report. We reply. Send us YOUR reports from around the state on the football season. Who’s hot? Who’s not?
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Take 10: Top turnarounds in the state from coaches who changed addresses
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There seemed to be no end to the coaching turnover last season. We at Take Ten have been trying to keep up with the rookie coaches and the ones who just changed colors.
It’s hard to decide who is doing the best job. There is much to consider, including returning talent, tradition and a booster club willing to quickly donate thousands of dollars. We’ve scanned the state and judged — on many levels — the best performances we could find.
Here are the 10 best first-year coaching jobs so far this season:
10: David Hines, Harrison (6-0, 5-0 Region 5-AAAAA) — The cupboard wasn’t bare for Hines, but he has done nothing but keep the Hoyas a title-contender. 2007 record: 9-3, 6-2. A loss to Walton ended the season in the second round of the playoffs. That would be a good matchup again. What’s left: The last four include undefeated East Paulding on Friday and Etowah to end the regular season. The Hoyas’ opponents are a combined 17-7.
9: Brian Montgomery, North Atlanta (4-3, 2-2 Region 5B-AAA) — We also like to give props to a man who doesn’t have his own stadium. 2007 record: 2-8, 2-5. That included four losses in a row to open the schedule. What’s left: There will be no playoffs in Montgomery’s future this season, but there is a chance to upset rivals Grady or Carver-Atlanta.
8: Greg Robinson, Houston County (3-3, 0-3 Region 1-AAAAA) — It’s not easy getting victories in the state’s toughest region. Robinson hasn’t yet, but things seem to be heading in the right direction. 2007 record: 1-9, 0-6. There was an eight-game losing streak at season’s end. What’s left: The opponents are 17-10, but more importantly, top-ranked Lowndes is on the schedule on Nov. 1.
7: Bill Shaver, Thomas County Central (5-1, 4-0 Region 1-AAAA) — The Yellow Jackets haven’t lost their winning ways with Shaver. 2007 record: 13-1, 3-0. Yes, they were very good. What’s left: Shaver’s final opponents are a combined 18-7, but all eyes are on Oct. 31 against undefeated Westside-Macon.
6: Stanley Pritchett, Washington (5-2, 4-0 Region 5-AAA, Div. B) — The Bulldogs haven’t been to the postseason since 2005, but appear headed back there again under Pritchett. 2007 record: 5-5, 5-5. Washington did win three consecutive games to close the year. What’s left: There’s a date with undefeated St. Pius X and 1-5 Riverwood.
5: Chip Lindsey, Lassiter (5-1, 4-1 Region 6-AAAAA) — The Trojans have a nice turnaround going under Lindsey, but they will have to prove their worth at season’s end. 2007 record: 3-7, 2-3. Lassiter won six games in two years prior to this season. What’s left: A lot, actually. Lassiter has beaten the weaker teams in region while falling to Kell. The Trojans’ final four opponents have a 15-9 record, with undefeated Walton lurking.
4: Dominic Callaway, Mays (6-0, 3-0 Region 5-AAAA) — Here’s another team that had the resources in place, but Callaway made the best of a tough situation. 2007 record: 9-3, 8-2. The Raiders fell to East Paulding in the second round of the playoffs. What’s left: The teams are 11-8, with a key match against Villa Rica looming.
3: Steven Collins, Union Grove (6-0, 3-0 Region 2-AAAAA) — The Wolverines are off to a fantastic start under Collins. The finish will be the true challenge. 2007 record: 3-7, 2-5. Union Grove is just two years removed from a playoff appearance. What’s left: The Wolverines face three 5-1 teams, including Luella, Stephenson and M.L. King. The combined record of the final opponents is 17-7.
2: Derek Cook, Kell (5-1, 4-1 Region 6-AAAAA) — The Longhorns are legitimate region title contenders in Cook’s first season. 2007 record: 2-8, 2-3. That record included a seven-game losing streak to start the season. What’s left: Kell’s final opponents are 8-16 with only a home date with Milton (4-2, 3-2) to end the season as a possible stumbling block.
1: Chris Parker, Chapel Hill (5-1, 4-1 Region 4-AAAAA) — This program won 15 games total from 2000-07 before Parker arrived. 2007 record: 0-10, 0-9. Two of those losses were by forfeit. What’s left: The remaining teams hold a combined record of 14-10 with East Coweta and Westlake standing as the largest hurdles.
Go on. Take Ten. What are the teams we’ve missed? Is there a better candidate out there? Here’s your chance to voice your opinion.
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