AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPrep Picks: Hard to stay neutral about going on the road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Welcome to the Georgia Dome, high school football fans! Oops, sorry, thought this was last year.
I’m not a big fan of the GHSA, and that isn’t a slight at those fine people in Thomaston. The blame for my dislike with the GHSA spreads all over Georgia because the executive committee is responsible for most of the organization’s decisions. Fine people, but slow to change. That can be good and bad.
Take ties in the state championship game, for example. For years, we heard how it was a shame for someone to make it to the final and “lose” on a tiebreaker. So, we had co-champions. Worked fine for years. Then we have a tie in the largest class and two on the same day, and all heck breaks loose, and “It’s time for a change.” Now, state titles can be decided by a tiebreaker.
Today’s topic is neutral sites.
I always thought that if you were going to have the semifinals at a neutral location, then why not the finals? OK, so they finally changed that, and again, I ask, why shouldn’t all of the semifinal and final games be at neutral locations? (Of course, if writers aren’t complaining we aren’t happy, right?)
You can say what you want about home field not playing a factor, but I would argue that you are not just wrong, but dead wrong. Ask any coach where he would rather play, and home would be the answer. This week, there are several games where home field will play a decided advantage.
Now, I am all for higher seeds having earned the home-field advantage for the first three rounds of the playoffs, but when you get to the semis and the finals, I’m for neutral fields. And it doesn’t just have to be at the Dome. I mean, I’m not expecting Alabama and Florida to have to wait to get into their locker rooms because the Rome-Marist game went into overtime.
There is a nice little stadium off of North Avenue that could be used. Or the “prettiest little stadium in America” down in Statesboro. Or a half a dozen other locations in the state that could be the home to the semis with the finals at the Dome. What do you say, Raynette Evans? You’re the Bibb County athletics director. How about putting together a proposal to have the semis in Macon?
All right, enough of my lobbying, and on to what you came here for —- WINNERS, baby! And only three of them will get the job done on the road.
Class AAAAA
Grayson at Peachtree Ridge: Please forgive me, Grayson. I still love you! That other girl meant nothing to me! You are the one that I want to be with, not that Vikingette from South Georgia. I swear, it meant nothing. Wait, stop throwing all my clothes at me. Honey, please! Fine, be that way. Take Peachtree Ridge on home-field advantage. Gwinnett still rules!
Camden County at Newnan: It would be a great story for Newnan to send Robert Herring out with a state title, but I have a theory about wake-up games. Camden received its wake-up call last week against Woodstock, and coach Jeff Herron (Herron, Herring? Don’t birds —- heron —- eat fish —- herring?) now leads my favorite for the state title. Of course, that could just be a red herring, but still take Camden because it is used to making trips to the metro area.
Class AAAA
Griffin at Tucker: I’m just a Tucker “hater.” At least that is what my e-mail messages tell me. Now, I haven’t had any run-ins with anyone from Tucker that would make me have any disdainful feelings toward the Tigers, but I will keep picking against Tucker.
Rome at Marist: Rome had its wake-up game to end the regular season, and since then, the Wolves have been beasts. But, Marist can take the punishment at HOME. (Sensing the theme?)
Class AAA
Cairo at Carver-Columbus: I’ve always been crazy about Cairo. Love the mascot, love the nickname, love the area. If I could be at any game this Friday night, it might be this one. Sticking with my Syrup, again.
Flowery Branch at LaGrange: Flowery Branch has been on a great run, but the road finally catches up with the Falcons.
Class AA
Fitzgerald at Buford: Man, I want to pick the Hurricanes this week, and against anyone else, I would. Jess Simpson’s Wolves aren’t nearly the juggernaut that they have been in the past, but they won’t lose this one at home.
Calhoun at Brooks County: Going to Brooks County was a long drive when I lived in Middle Georgia. Going from south Chattanooga to Colquitt is an old joke. You can’t get there from here. Brooks makes the Dome.
Class A
Wilkinson County at Emanuel County Institute: Doesn’t Wilkinson County (winner of four state basketball titles in the past 10 years) know that it is hoops season? Coach Pete Geter gets his guards back after the Warriors meet the Bulldogs in Twin City.
Lincoln County at Wesleyan: Lincoln beat Wesleyan the only time the teams played back in 2000, but I’m picking the home upset for the Wolves to get to .500 against the Red Devils.
Permalink | Comments (51) | Post your comment | Categories: Weekend Predictions
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Comments
By HSBallfan
December 5, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
All you gave us is a throwaway line, but no reasoning for picking Griffin to win on the road against Tucker. Perhaps you know something we don’t. Tucker has steamrollered three consecutive playoff opponents including previous unbeaten and top ranked Westside while Griffin has barely survived its past two games. Westside could not run against Tucker with superior talent; Orrin McFadden, except for three long bombs, two of which were pretty flukey, could not pass on Tucker. Is there some reason to believe that Griffin can do it AND stop Tucker’s offense at the same time?
By GraysonFan2
December 5, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
May the best team win! Its all in GODS hands now!
By Chris Whitfield
December 5, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Is there some reason to believe that Griffin can do it AND stop Tucker’s offense at the same time?
Sure there are. Several. But mainly I was just trying to keep providing Tucker with its inspiration to prove me wrong. HSBallfan, you of all people should know that I am a jilted lover when it comes to Tucker. I’m still mad at the Tigers for blowing that Marist pick! Other than that, Tucker is 1-6 in previous trips to the semifinals.
By bobbylee
December 5, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Chris I hope you are wrong.
Go Jackets.
By HSBallfan
December 5, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Even jilted lovers should take precautions against needlessly embarrassing themselves. The Tigers appreciate the motivational effort, but I just don’t see anything in Griffin’s performance history that suggests they can keep Tucker from scoring 30 points. And unless they’ve found someone who can pass effectively, which takes them away from their basic game plan, it’s not likely their ground attack will be able to control the field. I think Glenn is closer to the mark on this one, and if Tucker gets a couple of scores ahead and forces Griffin to play catch-up, it could be a blowout.
By HSBallfan
December 5, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Tucker is 1-6 in previous trips to the semifinals Look at Sandy Koufax’s stats his first couple of years in the majors and see if you can predict a Hall of Fame career. I think we’ve already covered how much history means at this point. Tucker 2008 has become as good, if not better than 2007. Griffin is not on the same plane as Northside.
By CANEFAN
December 5, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
FITZGERALD IS GOING TO BLOW BUFORD AWAY!!!BROOKS THE EYE OF THE STORM IS COMING FOR YOU. I PROMISE YOU THAT PRUITT WILL HAVE A GAME PLAN THAT WILL AMAZE BUFORD THESE SOUTH GEORGIA PULP WOOD BOYS WILL LAY THE TIMBER ON THE WOLVES, WE MAY NOT BE AS BIG, BUT OUR SPEED AND STRENGTH WILL SHOCK JESS AND HIS BOYS.
By Ms. PR
December 5, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
It’s gonna be a good one in Gwinnett tonight! My prediction: PTR 9, Grayson 7.
By lee champion
December 5, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
well I have same problem slalom1 and SgtChris have: how to be in Lagrange and Columbus at the same time! Oh yeah and Newnan also. Oh well, since can’t must pick one so going to this weeks: game of the week mighty Cairo v. real good Carver. Should be great game but since i always get over revved hope its not a blowout Cairo win which could happen with all their offensive weapons. slalom1 and Sarge where you two going?
By Ram Fan 21
December 5, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Looking forward to a very tuff defensivce battle between these two well balanced teams!!
My Prediction….. A GREAT GAME!!
GO RAMS!!
By Ms. PR
December 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Ram Fan 21: Agree completely. It looks like it’ll be good weather too. The last four games played at the Ridge have been in the rain. Hope that doesn’t jinx ‘em!
Go Lions!!
By RealisticEP_Fan
December 5, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
*Ram Fan 21 *
I’m not being a disgruntled EP fan,,,,,,,but please “Well Ballanced”..In what sense….certainly not offensively, because while Grayson is a fantastic running team it is probably has the worst passing game I believe EP has faced in 4 yrs. The QB really can’t throw it a lick and I know you know that. They are very good but calling them “Well Balanced” is off the mark.
Best of luck, hope Grayson continues on to the finals.
By GraysonFan2
December 5, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Thank you EP fan, you are correct, Grayson does not have the QB to throw, but all the teams that kept their defense tight because they knew that, got surprised. Hopefully Tylor Horne will pull that defense in and throw one or to!!!!!I think 5 of our TD’s this year were from long throws, taking the other team off guard.
predict, very low score either way, but I want my RAMS to win.
In GODS hands!
By Ms. PR
December 5, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Hope he throws a lot, we love to intercept!
By HoyasRock
December 5, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
For the PR Grayson game, is home field really a big advantage? The schools are simply on opposite sides of I 85! LOL
By Ms. PR
December 5, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
HoyasRock: I don’t think it’s that much of an advantage, particularly with two teams of this caliber, but I think it does give a slight edge. In 2006, PR went all the way with every playoff game on the road. Hopefully this year they go all the way with every playoff game at home (except the final of course). In any case, it should be a packed house and a great game. I only wish it was going to be on tv.
By P-ridge fan
December 5, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Wow. That was actually slightly funny. Go Peachtree Ridge!
By Jesse Graham
December 5, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Greetings, I am Jesse Graham a Graduate of Fitzgerald High School in 1986. I joined the Navy shortly after graduating and have been following the “Purple Hurricanes” ever since. I am currently stationed on board USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728), a submarine homeported out Kings Bay, Georgia. I am very excited about the game tonight but will be unable attend or hear the results due to my current deployment. So, from the depths below, I wish my home team the very best and all others prepare yourselves for a “CATOGORY 5 HURRICANE.” GO PURPLE HURRICANES!!! Remember, the bigger they are the harder they FALL!
Jesse Graham, Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States NAVY.
By HoyasRock
December 5, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
From Hurricanes to submarines, eH? Well I guess a sub is good refuge from a Hurricane right?
By Brookwood Mom
December 5, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Hi Friends!! Good luck to Grayson tonight. Peachtree Ridge don’t knock them to hard off thier pedal stoole! BW Mom has a very busy schedule tonight and won’t make the game afterall. I will be checking the scores! GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS!! May the best team win.
GraysonFan2! You are right sugar, it IS all in GOD’s hand!! I’m telling you Grayson with be the next “Facing the Giants 2” I stilll love that first movie!!
By HoyasRock
December 5, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Jesse Graham, Please take no offense to my statement, now that I read it again I believe it can be misunderstood. Just joking. I have the utmost respect for the militar, though I am more of an Air Force kind of guy.
Brookwood Mom, Just hope that they don’t mash Grayson when mashing on the pedals when they make their music!
By prhs
December 5, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
the last 4 games have not been in the rain. when we palyed harrison in round 2 it didnt rain
By Homet
December 5, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
I guess I need to throw my “2 cents worth” in…LOL!
Grayson 10 - P/Ridge 7…
It just shapes up to be a CLOOOOOOSE game!!
BUT and it’s a HUGE BUT, if the game comes down to Grayson having to pass to win…the score flips and it’s P-ridge 10 - Grayson 7…like Realistic said the Grayson QB just cna’t pass a lick!!!
Dare I go here…Oh What the H*!!!
Tick…Tick…Tick…!!!! It’s getting close!!!
By syrupmakers
December 5, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Good luck to the syrupmakers! wish I could be there!
By slalom1
December 5, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
lee champion, Hoping to make it back from Atl in time for the “Granger Walk.”
By Eagle
December 5, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
War Damn Eagle!
Go Marist! Here’s hoping Tucker wins tonight so we get to drive their faces in the dirt again in the finals….
By mike 323
December 5, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
EAGLE
I like your team spirit but you will not beat TUCKER again. Imagine if swd would have won. This just shows who had the best teams in 4a this year.
By Bear_Backer
December 5, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
WE LOVE (we love) THOSE GRIFFIN BEARS WE LOVE (we love) THOSE MIGHTY BEARS
GO GRIFFIN!! Best of Luck against the Tucker Tigers.
By Chris is Almost Right
December 5, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Way to go Chris!! Finally someone else that acknowledges neutral fields in the playoffs is the only way to crown a true champion. Now if you would have said it for all the rounds!! The seedings of 1-4 can still determine the brackets but get the darn games off a team’s home field. The teams will determine the neutral site (meeting specifications) not the GHSA. For the heck of it, I looked at the Texas high school playoffs in the Dallas Morning News and they are playing at locations like Texas Stadium, the Alamo Dome, Reliant Stadium, Memorial Stadium in Austin, Kyle Field in College Station, whatever Tx Tech’s stadium is called in Lubbock, Baylor Stadium in Waco, Brice Stadium in Nacogdoches and I could go on and on. Their smaller schools play on the larger high school’s fields or smaller college’s fields. Everything works great and the players, coaches and fans love it. Some of the high profile stadiums may have multiple games scheduled on a Saturday. Seating capacity and parking issues are non-existent…and the crowds are large. You are correct the GHSA is slow to change and I don’t think they can grasp how to handle the logistics of a neutral field playoff system. Well it’s time we swallow our GA pride and go checkout the Texas neutral field playoffs system and see how they do it. If they can do a neutral field playoff format with over 500 schools surely we can do it with 160. We want to run with the big dogs of high school football but we stick with the puppies when the playoffs start. Oh yes, for the folks whinning about travel, suck it up.
By West Rome # 1
December 5, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
Make us proud Rome Wolves! Sending old Chieftains GREEN POWER your way tonight.
By falcon
December 5, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Flowery Branch 7 LaGrange 0 2nd qtr
By North Florida Dawg
December 5, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t Macon have a facility that could handle high school play-off games? A neutral site in Macon would be the most centrally located for all schools.
By bear_backer
December 5, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Let me be the first to congratulate the Tucker Tigers on a Dominating win over the Griffin Bears. We got slap beat down. (I post the even before the first half is over!) I see no way of a comeback as the Bears seem very overwhelmed at this point. Goodness gracious what a good team Tucker has. Best of Luck in the championship game Tucker. Maybe we will meet again one day. Griffin will hopefully be in the playoffs again next year.
By North Florida Dawg
December 5, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Cairo 7 Carver (Col,) 0 with 1:30+/- in the first quarter.
By Gwinnett County -The New South GA
December 5, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
It sure is quiet tonight from our friends from Lowndes, Northside and Coffee. See the problem is that you guys started listening to the polls and see you can’t always believe in the polls. All that talk about being first in the state and in the top ten in the country. We the Gwinnett teams were not ranked and they are still playing football.
By Camden Hood
December 5, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Were is all the Camden and Newnan folks?
By North Florida Dawg
December 5, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
When the Atlanta schools come close to the number of championships per school or per capita (counting all the schools, not just the powerhouses: Brookwod/Parkview, etc.), then you can talk trash to So GA.
By south ga
December 5, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
camden here. just got off work.
By mrsmithinthacity
December 5, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
IM SAYING NEWNAN COUGARS I CANT HERE U!!! CAMDEN 20 NEWNAN 0. HALFTIME
By North Florida Dawg
December 5, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Cairo 21 Carver 7 - 1 minute left in 1st half.
By Score?
December 5, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
I can’t find the Lowndes score tonight. Does anyone know how they are doing?
By Northside Fan
December 5, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
To: North Florida Dawg, Absolutely: Henderson Stadium in Macon can easily seat 12,000 to 16,000 people. Plenty of Parking around the stadium and in an adjoining church parking facility. The stadium is often used to host College games sponsored by greek organizations as well as High School games.
By Smalltown Fan
December 5, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
There are only a hand full of high schools stadiums in Georgia which can truly handle a state championship game. I have attended two state championships in the last 5 years and neither stadium was up to the match. Many of the fans who paid to get inside could see little of the game because of the huge crowd. Playing the semifinals at the dome and then playing the finals at a stadium seating at least 10,000 more or less equidistant from the two schools would work best. Sorry local chambers of commerce!
By HSBallfan
December 5, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Chris: Griffin over Tucker… really? What WERE you thinking? We need to get you into therapy before you humiliate yourself again.
By HSBallfan
December 5, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Chris: Griffin over Tucker… really? What WERE you thinking? We need to get you into therapy before you humiliate yourself again.
By atlien052
December 5, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
I agree. This is not the NFL where teams are seeded and home field advantage should not happen. What is the logic of Grayson (higer ranked and with a better record) having to play on the road? Conversely, why should the #1 seed from Region 7 have to play on the road to another #1 seed? They should choose a neutral site.
Schools in GA should do it like teams in TX for the playoffs. Have the teams agree on a neutral field somewhere in the middle. If the teams can’t agree, then have a coin flip to determine who is the home team. In Texas, coaches are so eager not to risk giving their opponents a home field advantage that a neutral site is almost always chosen. It make sense and allows for a much more fair for both teams.
By oldman viking
December 5, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
guess grayson wasnt so great away from home without their own referees hahaha oh well there is always next year hahaha by the way valdosta rules STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS VALDOSTA 23 LOWNDES 5 VALWOOD 1 WIN/LOSS TOTALS AGAINST LOWNDES LOWNDES 3 GWINNET COUNTY 1 HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS JUST WISHING YOU HAD AT LEAST 1 STATE TITLE AT YOUR SCHOOL. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LOSE ON THE ROAD HAHAHA
By P-ridge fan
December 6, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Oldman Viking: You actually think that biased coaches were the reason that Grayson beat you guys? Come on, If that were true, then Lowndes would have gotten about half a dozen unnecessary roughness and bad sportsmanship penalties. You lost because Grayson was better and did stuff you’ve never even seen before. In fact, they’re the toughest team we’ve played all year. You heard that right, even though Lowndes beat us, Grayson still played better football. Peachtree Ridge was just slow at the start of the season, as demonstrated by the fact that we started 0-2 but nowadays we easily beat other teams like N gwinnett, Norcross, Harisson and Coffee. I was there at the Grayson game and truly they played very well. I was amazed to see how very consistently their offensive line simply surged forward and opened a hole for Pemberton to slip through. The way that Peachtree Ridge’s defense usually wins games is by simply guarding all receivers very well and blocking up any holes, but its like Grayson’s entire offensive line was all working together to acheive one goal: open that hole for Pemberton. That is definitely a winning strategy, and I think that if Pemberton is returning next year then Grayson will be unbeatable.
By Columbia Blue
December 6, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Yes I am a Camden Fan
Comments concering the Wildcats this season
The Wildcats play in a weak region!!!!
The Wildcats are overrated!!!!!
The Wildcats number of wins should be marked with a *!!!!!!!
The Wilcats will loose to Newnan!!!!!Thanks Glenn
HOWEVER—-THE WILDCATS WILL PLAY FOR ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!
By Flowerybranch01
December 7, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
Did you choke on that little (very little) comment about the Flowery Branch Falcons aka “The Exceptions To Your Home Field Advantage Rule”?
Just like nobody gave the Atlanta Falcons a chance this season with a rookie quaterback, or Georgia Tech a chance against UGA, the Flowery Branch Falcons were not suppose to make it to THE DOME on Saturday after having to play all of their playoff games on the road. But we did and our next game is finally a home game. Isn’t the Georgia Dome the home of THE FALCONS? This summer you & all of the other reporters from metro Atlanta came up I-985 to Flowery Branch to visit the Atlanta Falcons, but you forgot to look across the street. That’s were the nest was, and the eggs were hatching. Those baby “dirty-birds” have grown up and survived all challenges and will swoop into The Dome on Saturday with their wings spread wide & their talons sharp.
By Devil Lover
December 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
TIME FOR HOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!