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Thursday, December 11, 2008
AJC Football Predictions: State finals spell controversy; so do these title picks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Controversy. I love it. It is what keeps me coming back year after year.
Should Valdosta fire a coach who has won more than 70 percent of his games and a state title? Should Dublin have gone for it at midfield rather than punting in the championship game, settling for a tie? Did the ball cross the plane of the goal line before Marist’s Kevin Allman’s knee hit the ground last week against Rome? Was Brooks County robbed of a shot at the Class AA title in the closing seconds last Friday?
Ahhhh… Debates that will rage for years and years, keeping Internet chat rooms full and blogs on ajc.com churning out page views.
Controversy comes with the territory, and that includes picking games. There is nothing more controversial than telling a fan base that its team is going to lose. Keep those kind e-mails coming, Tucker fans.
• Camden County vs. Peachtree Ridge — Peachtree Ridge would like to win its first undisputed title after finishing in a tie with Roswell a couple of years ago. Camden is going for its second title of the Jeff Herron era. I’ve really been impressed with both teams all season, and the Lions seem like a gutty team that can get the job done, but Camden is running its offense to perfection right now. Take the Wildcats at their second home — the Dome. Whitfield’s winner: Camden County
• Marist vs. Tucker — Marist might have gotten a little lucky last week, but I can guarantee you that the War Eagles aren’t talking about the Rome game with Tucker on the horizon. The last time these teams played, it was 38-0 in favor of Marist. This game will be one of two things — a close Marist win or a Tucker rout. No need for me to jump on the Tucker bandwagon now. I’ll stay with the War Eagles. Whitfield’s winner: Marist
• Cairo vs. Flowery Branch — Ever since that loss to Carver-Columbus in the final last year, Cairo has had just one goal and it is within one win of it now. Flowery Branch is a feel-good story, but I have seen teams make it to the final that were just happy to be there, and things never end well for Cinderella. Besides, I like the idea of Syrupmaker headlines in Sunday’s paper. Whitfield’s winner: Cairo
• Buford vs. Calhoun — Wasn’t Buford supposed to be playing in the Dome last week against Florida for the SEC title? It sure seems that way in Class AA, where once again it is Buford and whoever is playing for second behind Buford. However, Calhoun has a chance. The Yellow Jackets were my pick to make it to the Dome when the playoffs started (brain freeze last week with the Brooks County pick over Calhoun), and that spread offense is the only thing that can beat Buford. But I just can’t do it. Buford’s domination continues. Whitfield’s winner: Buford
• ECI vs. Wesleyan — All season long it has seemed like a foregone conclusion that ECI would repeat as Class A champion because Washaun Ealey has something like 10,000 yards rushing and is the best Class A running back since some guy named Herschel. I challenge you if you aren’t a Wesleyan fan to name three players on this team. This isn’t a slight on Wesleyan (well, maybe a little), but it’s a fact that not many people saw you making it here. It may be a good game, but many people aren’t thinking it will be. Same here. Bulldogs repeat. Whitfield’s winner: ECI
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