Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > October > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHigh School football in Valdosta is a different game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Valdosta — The old football coach is sitting in his usual seat on the 50. Funny thing about old football coaches. Twenty years into retirement and they still sound like an old football coach.
“I’m worried about this one,” Joe Wilson says as he watches Northside from Warner Robins go through warm-ups. “What are they — like 35-0? I’m worried.”
As he speaks, more than 13,000 fans are squeezing into a stadium for a high school football game. There is tailgating in the parking lot. There is national media coverage.
There is a school, Lowndes — once the gum under Valdosta’s shoe and now with five state titles and 5,000 season-ticket holders — preparing to play a game billed as one of the biggest in the history of Georgia high school football.
“It’s come a long way in the last 30 years,” said Wilson, the former Lowndes coach who started all this with a state championship in 1980. “When I got here this stadium was like a band box. But now, look.”
Yes, look.
High school football is different in Valdosta. Always has been. Buck Belue, the former Georgia quarterback who grew up here and starred at Valdosta High, tried to explain earlier in the day: “I can just tell you what it was like when I was 9 or 10 years old, looking forward to going to the game every Friday night. It was like going to a town hall meeting every Friday.”
Yes, look.
Somebody is going to need a bigger room.
Lowndes will need at least a couple of decades to catch Valdosta’s record of 23 state titles. But the Vikings certainly look on track for a sixth title after Friday’s 24-7 victory against Northside, which had a 35-game winning streak.
If nothing else, Northside cheerleaders took pre-game smack talk to a new level. They held up a banner reading, “Hey Lowndes. The Real State champs are ‘N’ town.”
Northside players ran through the banner.
Then Lowndes ran through Northside.
High school football in Valdosta used to be big because of one school. Now it’s big because of two. Valdosta High built a powerhouse under the late Wright Bazemore, who won 14 state titles (of the school’s 23). The tradition and the atmosphere merely were squared when Lowndes, mocked as “Plowboys” for their location in the relative country, rose to power under Wilson.
It’s with some irony that Wilson, a former Valdosta player and assistant coach, was the one who helped create this. He left Valdosta not long after being spurned for the opening there when Bazemore retired. He left the school where players sang the lampooning tune: “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Plowboys.” The country bumpkins morphed into a power, winning the first of five state titles in 1980.
But the game everybody remembers was in 1977, when Lowndes defeated Valdosta for the first time, 7-2.
Wilson points down to the field, near the 30-yard line.
“Right down there is where we tore Buck Belue’s jersey off,” he said.
They talk about that game like it was last week, not 31 years ago. Belue is no different.
“I had to play the rest of the game with a different number,” he said. “After the game, I remember sitting on that yellow school bus and all the Lowndes kids are around the bus chanting, ‘7-2, we beat you.’ We were devastated.”
David Parker smiles.
“I was in the stands,” he said. “I was in the eighth grade.”
Three years later, he was Valdosta’s starting quarterback, when Lowndes won its first state title. It’s still a painful memory. He went on to play at Princeton and attended medical school there. When he returned to the area, he and wife moved into the Lowndes’ district, one mile from the Valdosta dividing line.
Parker has two children at Lowndes. But he wore a Georgia red shirt to game, standing out among the mostly maroon-clad Lowndes crowd.
“I still can’t wear maroon,” he said. “I’m just now getting to the point where I can say ‘we’ when I’m talking about Lowndes.”
Yes, look. Valdosta recently was named as “Titletown USA” by ESPN. Even Parker called the designation “a little hokey.”
But the city was only in the hokey discussion because of high school football. Valdosta High put the city on the map. Lowndes has changed the landscape.
Comments
By JSS
October 4, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this
You finally found something you were made to write about!!!
One horse town, one tooth girls, and old men still living through the exploits of 15 to 17 year old boys…
Do us a favor, don’t come back!!!
By DR
October 4, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
NORTHSIDE WR,WELCOME TO 1-AAAAA FOOTBALL.GREAT GAME! NOW ALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL HAVE TO COME THROUGH 1-AAAAA REGION ATLANTA!
By Syrupmaker
October 4, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
South Georgia Football (and culture) are still superior. I hope Fields has learned that you do not talk smack (at any level) until AFTER the game. Keep it up LOWNDES, make South Georgia proud! Go ‘Makers
By viking lover
October 4, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
Great game by the Vikes as usual. I looked at several NHS fans in the stands as the game started slipping through their fingers and I saw disbelief. Sorry Eagles, but the Vikes have so much depth they will find some way to shut you down. Props to #10 Telvin Smith who I believe had two tackles and an interception in three plays on defense. And of course the usual suspects, Greg Reid,Gerald Demps, Marcus Solomon….. I could go on all night. NHS you had a good run at 35-0. Welcome to the BIG SHOW. We may meet again.
By yo
October 4, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
Lowndes Telvin Smith #10 his first game at linebacker and I think we have found a good one. Gonna miss him at defensive end but we look to be a lot better off with him at linebacker. That boy can flat get to the ball. Those 3 straight defensive plays he made sealed the deal for Lowndes and sucked all of the air out of NHS. Lowndes defense still a work in progress but I think we took a giant step forward tonight, especially in the second half.
By yo
October 4, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Lowndes Telvin Smith #10 his first game at linebacker and I think we have found a good one. Gonna miss him at defensive end but we look to be a lot better off with him at linebacker. That boy can flat get to the ball. Those 3 straight defensive plays he made sealed the deal for Lowndes and sucked all of the air out of NHS. Lowndes defense still a work in progress but I think we took a giant step forward tonight, especially in the second half.
By yo
October 4, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Lowndes Telvin Smith #10 his first game at linebacker and I think we have found a good one. Gonna miss him at defensive end but we look to be a lot better off with him at linebacker. That boy can flat get to the ball. Those 3 straight defensive plays he made sealed the deal for Lowndes and sucked all of the air out of NHS. Lowndes defense still a work in progress but I think we took a giant step forward tonight, especially in the second half.
By DecaturTechFan
October 4, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this
As an 84 grad of Valdosta, its a hard pill to take watching Lowndes do what they do these days. But for you middle ga pig farmers who think u r all that, please educate yourself. If u need help, call up one of the Johnny-come-lately schools of Cobb or Gwinnett and ask them what happens when u dare to play R 1-5A. Norhtside Warner Robins………please…..how long has that school been open……………
By John in Jacksonville
October 4, 2008 1:56 AM | Link to this
I got to meet former Lowndes County school superintendent A. B. “Sonny” Martin 30 years ago. He is the man Lowndes’ Martin Stadium is named for, and he is a major factor in why Lowndes has replaced Valdosta as the state’s preeminent program. In the 1950s and 60s, he championed a series of school consolidations that closed about 7 tiny high schools and created Lowndes High. He told me the benefit of consolidation was that so many more specialized programs and classes could be offered at a larger high school. But I heard people in the county say, jokingly, that Sonny’s real goal was to craft a war machine that could beat Valdosta at football. Rest in peace, Sonny, your dream came true!
By Derek
October 4, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
Valdosta football is king in georgia. i’m glad to see atlanta is finally figuring that out, thats why the ajc top 10s are a joke. or should i say the gwinette journal-constitution. count the number of d-1 college players from auburn,ga,fla, fla. st.,and uga come from south ga. can’t wait for the valdosta-lowndes game coming on espnu later this month. when is the parkview-brookwood game going to be nationally televised??
By thogwummpy
October 4, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this
So….Northside’s Fields was boasting…what?!?!? Game. Set. Match, boy-o!
By Josh
October 4, 2008 2:54 AM | Link to this
The game was a joke. I wonder how much the officials got paid to screw some teenagers over. Everyone who watched that game knows that northside never got a fair chance!!! Worst officiating that I have ever seen.
By T
October 4, 2008 4:43 AM | Link to this
Football is the only thing going in S. GA (we all know the basketball is horrible and the baseball is pretty good). It is good to see the pride that people have in their HS (even if they have been out of HS for 60 years). However, my distaste comes from those “adults” who play vicariously through the kids on the field. When I played this, when I played that…back when this, back when that. Let it go. Additionally, if you are going to curse at the officials, or the coach, because you can coach better than he, please make sure there are no children around…I see how so many kids get out of control, because the parents are! Lowdnes is now the team in Valdosta…give them their props and wish them luck as they continue on their quest for a repeat. Don’t hate…appreciate!
By 1 5A fan
October 4, 2008 4:47 AM | Link to this
And what will be the reason you lose the next game? Will that be bad calls by the officials also? remembar,”your not in Kansas any more”.
By mike
October 4, 2008 5:11 AM | Link to this
To Lowndes. Congrats on your win. No excuses. Life lilts along when you keep winning over 3 years, but it comes to a slow grinding halt when it is over,hopefully NHS gets back up and has a good season. Remember Eagle nation losing stinks, lets not remember this feeling very long!
By V-State
October 4, 2008 5:12 AM | Link to this
Derek you probably won’t look back at this again but I think you should be corrected anyway. I would like for you to take a look at a lot of the major D-1 programs around the Southeast. There are just as many if not more from Gwinnett (one county) than there are from the big South GA schools. Gwinnett is a D1 pipeline with players at all of the SEC schools as well as several other players in all of the BCS conferences.
By Toby Cash
October 4, 2008 6:40 AM | Link to this
The Officials were not the reason Northside lost. Lowndes found a way to win against the Northside GIANTS and flat out took it to them.
By VirginiaDawgMan
October 4, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Northside will go down again next week when the Trojans give them their second consective beatdown. Don’t believe Northside will make the playoffs.
By dgroy
October 4, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
This is what fall friday nights in Georgia used to be…..oh how I wish schools, yea, students in the metro Atlanta area would get the spirit, not back because most of them don’t have it and never had it. Go South Georgia High School Football Teams, you’re where it’s at.
By Warner Robins Football Fan
October 4, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Congrats Lowndes…job well done.
By TCC Fan
October 4, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Great article for a change, Mr. Schultz. I can relate to Lowndes being the “little brother” to Valdosta for many years. It was the same in Thomasville until TCC began their rise in the 90s. After years of beat-downs from THS, TCC finally began to come out of it during the Charlie Ward years in the mid-80s…..Since 1992, THS has only beaten TCC once…..in 2000. I am sure the Valdosta High supporters are just as unhappy about Lowndes’ rise to power as the Thomasville High supporters are about TCC. In Valdosta, Lowndes Co. is now king….and probably will continue to be. The same is true in Thomasville now with TCC.
By CANDICE
October 4, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
eagle fan< eagle nation rising< AL NORTHSIDE FANS> WE DA BEST WHO WE DA BEST! WE TOLD YOU SO< YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THE BIG DOGS> WE GOT SOME FOR US AND OUR CROSSTOWN RIVALS VALDOSTA> I TOLD YOU SO!! GO VIKINGS GO! STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COME< SO MUCH FOR THAT PREVIOUS WINNING STREAK!
By george
October 4, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
I expect it to be a close game, with whoever takes advantage of opportunities winning. I just hope that the officials (wherever they are from) will let the players on the field decide the outcome. I don’t want to win or lose based on some BS call by an official. That only serves to give one team or the other reason to believe the best team did not win. That was a quote from me on September 29th high school blog. Unfortunately, my worst fears came true. The first half of the game was two heavyweights battling to a draw. Then, the officials started taking over. Greg Reid returns a punt from inside his 5 yard line and is tackled just shy of the 20. Lowndes is flagged for a “block in the back”. After the play, one player from each side is mixing it up and get called for “off setting personal foul” penalties. Lowndes is penalized half the distance to the goal (inside the 11). Right? Wrong!!! The officals give the ball to Lowndes at the 41. THAT DECISION TURNED THIS GAME INTO A JOKE. With the help of another penalty Lowndes punches it in and takes a 13-7 lead. Not much later, from near mid-field, Lowndes is facing a 3rd and long. They throw their one and only pass of the night. The Northside defender is badly beaten and running to catch up. He does catch up immediately AFTER the Lowndes receiver drops the ball. Northside is called for pass interference, automatic first down near the Northside 20. At this point I WALK OUT OF THE STADIUM. It is obvious to me that there is/was no way Northside will be allowed to beat Lowndes in Valdosta. What could have been a great classic, win or lose, had become a BIG JOKE. This is not just my opinion. I happened to be sitting next to three Camden fans who had travelled from Atlanta. There was also some Lowndes fans mixed in with us. Everyone of them expressed the same feelings, NORTHSIDE GOT HOSED. This is not meant to take anything away from Lowndes football team. I knew going in there was a good possibility we would have to deal with our first loss in three years. Lowndes deserved to be ranked number one. However, Lowndes is nowhere close to being 17 points better than Northside. What should have been a great second half (to match the first) was taken from the players, AND UNFORTUNATELY THE OFFICIALS BECAME THE STORY.
By drby26
October 4, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
George you hit it on the head. I was one of the fans from camden that was sitting by you. You stated the facts accurately. Unfortunately for NSWR the officials interfered with what I thought was going to be a great game between to good teams. Who knows what the outcome of this game would have been prior to that 3 quarter call. A blocking in the back call against Lowndes turned into a 20 yard holding penalty against NSWR. Is there such a thing as a (20 yard holding penalty)? Things pretty much went downhill for NSWR after that. Bad calls at critical times can kill your spirit. I will give props to Reid and #21 for NSWR. They played well. Both teams need to work on their passing games, especially Lowndes (just my opinion). Anyway congratulations Lowndes, maybe you will see each other later in the playoffs with better officiating.
By lowcountrydawg
October 4, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I lived in Valdosta for a short period of time a couple years ago. High school football down there is HUGE!! Growing up in Atlanta, I can safely say there are no schools in the metro Atlanta area that even compare to VHS or LHS.
By mark
October 4, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
George, I was there also and the Play that you claim changed the outcome of the game simply did not. The refs definitely screwed up the call but not like you say. The personal foul should not have been offseting. The Nhs player was clearly the player to be penalized as he was on top of the LHS player holdin him on the ground and hitting him. LHS did have an illegal block and should have been penalized. Either way the spot would not have been half the distance. What change the entire momentum of the game was the adjustments LHS made after they found the weakness in the Nhs defense and then exploited it. The refs didnt do all that running against your defense. LOWNDES did my friend. You played a better football team and your streakl ended. Face the facts and accept them. Dont make excuses. You have a good football team and they have nothing to be ashamed of so leave it at that and hopefully we’ll see each other again in the dome
By John
October 4, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Baloney!!!!! NSWR got called for defensive holding on the punt return,and I watched the replay on TV, the NSWR defender hit Demps before the ball even crossed the defender’s outstretched arms with his back to the ball. Some people can’t just take losing and give credit where credit is due. I hope Lowndes meets Camden again this year, it will be another classic.
By DEMON FAN 2
October 4, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION OF THE OFFICIATING CREW.IN MY 45 YEARS OF WATCHING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL I HAVE SEEN MY SHARE OF BAD OFFICIATING.THIS GAME TOPS THE LIST.THIS CREW SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED ON A FOOTBALL FIELD AGAIN.THERE IS NO LOVE FOR NORTHSIDE FROM ME,BUT MY NEIGHBOR ON THE NORTHSIDE OF TOWN GOT THE SHAFT FRIDAY NIGHT.
By yo
October 4, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
One thing is right and that is the Camden player had the Lowndes player pinned to the ground and was taunting him and refusing to let him get up during the play and well after the play.
By Plowboy
October 4, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Don’t blame the officials, if you would be honest there has been some bad calls in every game you have ever seen on both sides of the ball and that’s football. Bottom line is that Lowndes did what they do best, they won! By the way all that crap that Eric Fields was talking before the game just added gas to a fire that was already burning. If Northside wants to win any more State championships you beter drop back down to AAAA. GO VIKINGS!!!
By roger
October 4, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Plowboy, we will see you on a neutral field, the Dome. There you won’t have your officials to help you out. GO EAGLES!
By yo
October 4, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Excuse me I meant the NHS player not Camden. I must be thinking ahead. ;-)
By Plowboy
October 4, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
That’s is just like a big trash talker that gets a good beat down. They cry!!! Don’t talk about the dome so fast you still have to play Coffee and Tifton.
By EagleNationRising
October 4, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
I am a proud graduate of Northside. I would hope that Northside posters do not sink to making “excuses” on this site.
The facts are Northside lost one of America’s top linebackers. The fact also remains that injuries are a part of this sport and should NEVER be used as an excuse.
The halftime scoreboard read Lowndes County 7, Northside 7. The bottom line is we had a stalemate. Our Eagles then made mistakes (we could have and should have created scoring opportunities on the 1st two possession of the football game). We fumbled the opening kickoff of the 2nd half and really played on our heels from that point forward.
The game was taken to us instead of taking the game to Lowndes. Was this because of the officials. NO!!! This was because Lowndes played better in the 2nd half and they had the Vikings nation of fans behind them.
I would say that playing at Martin Stadium, losing Eric Fields, a player who is not and SHOULD not be intimidated by anyone, and our offenses ineffective play in the 2nd half had more of an effect on the football game. Let’s simply call a spade a spade.
Lowndes County took it to us in the 2nd half and played a complete football game. All Eagles need to stop this nonsense about investigating officials. We need dust ourselves off, becaus we got hit in the mouth. We HAVE to stand strong and take it to Coffee. Coffee is a very, very good. Tift County is Tift County and a down Warner Robins team is a dangerous Warner Robins team.
Let’s not look backwards. Let’s look ahead. There is still no reason to believe that this team can not win our 3rd straight state championship. Lowndes simply showed everyone that they are going to fight for another title too. We better get ready to fight, and not complain or make excuses!!!
By yo
October 4, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
roger Lowndes defense figured you out in the second half and made adjustments and that you would have to deal with. I would have never thought Lowndes would beat NHS with only 1 pass in the game.
:-) I repeat only 1 pass in the game. We will be a much better passing team come playoff time. We always are. Not a great passing team but good enough to go with keeping defenses honest against the run and you would have to deal with that too.
By E in NYC
October 4, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Watched the game in New York City. A real treat to watch my alma mater play on natl. TV for back to back weeks. Great game Lowndes, if someone can stop their run, it could be a close game……..but no one can! And forget scoring on them.
Yes a couple of blown calls, but NS never had a chance. Hearing the cowbells truly took me back. Good luck on the rest of the season to both teams and remember…..it’s just a game.
By EM
October 4, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Lowndes is the best team in the state and one of the best in the country, but they had similar officiating hijinx against Tift a few weeks ago.
By EagleNationRising
October 4, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
First Roger, the officials were from Atlanta. They were NOT Valdosta officials. Frankly, we probably would have had a better evening with officials from a town like Warner Robins, Valdosta, or Tifton. That kind of crew would have been used to this kind of moment. The Atlanta officials were clearly in over there heads. Nonetheless, they did NOT change the dynamics of the game in the manner that some Eagle posters are saying. Lowndes took the game to us in the 2nd half. It is that simple. Pointing to the refs takes away the great effort that the Vikings made. We (EAGLE FANS) are better than that.
FINAL NOTE: Some Vikings posters keep saying that Northside is going to have to fight in AAAAA. FYI: Northside had to fight in AAAA. Beating Statesboro is a fight. Beating Ware County is a fight. Beating Griffin is a fight. Beating Thomas County Central is a fight. This is football ins Georgia! You are going to have to EARN any state championship. That also applies to Lowndes County. Cheerleading from the AJC is usually the kiss of death for any program. Everyone from Middle Georgia and South Georgia know this. Don’t embrace the cheerleading Vikings fans. These Atlanta homers will turn on you the moment an Atlanta program wins 9 or 10 games in the regular season. Again, CONGRATULATIONS for the Vikings on a great game and a statement making 2nd half. Good luck and we hope to see you in the Dome for Lowndes-Northside II!
By Plowboy
October 4, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Northside did you realy think that you could come in to 1-AAAAA and not get beat? You are in the SEC of high school football and what happened Friday night will happen again, the teams in 1-AAAAA are the real deal so suck it up!!!!
By EagleNationRising
October 4, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
On Friday October 3 in the 2nd half of a region high school football game, Lowndes was the best team in the state. I will remind Lowndes posters that the Vikings lost to a mediocre Harrison program 9-0 to open last season and coasted relatively easy to the AAAAA State Championship.
The best team in Georgia will be determined in the Georgia Dome. Anyone believing otherwise is fooling themselves.
By Mike
October 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
So, what was the score?
By what tha.......
October 4, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
In reference to the 1st person, or may I say animal, that posted (JSS), it appears to me that there are a lot of educated people from the deep south doing great things in their adult lives. In the story line, a former Valdosta player that graduated from Princeton with a degree in medicine, a blogger from New York, proud of his/her alma mater. Yes, we all grow up and some move on, but the old sterotype of southern hick towns has to be abolished. For some, this (football)is a major part of their lives………let them have it.
By shazam
October 4, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
EagleNation there was nothing relatively easy about the road to the AAAAA State Championships last year. We did encounter Camden County who…in my opinion gave us a better game…..
By VIKING DAD
October 4, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
To EAGLE NEST RISING Thanks for your compliments. Your Eagle fans should be more supportive like you. Every game will have a blown call or two. The Vikings regrouped at halftime and came out ready to play. Northsde has a great team should finish 2nd in the region. That means trouble for the Camden Wildcats(2nd round playoffs). From what I saw last night, we should meet again at the dome. Hope Fields will be back. What was his injury.
By DemonFan
October 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Lowndes County is just plain tough. I expected NHS’s defense to take over and win the game for them as they often do. Lowndes is the best team in the state. I truly underestimated them. I’ve seen comments about rematches in the dome and such, but I wouldn’t look past a few other teams. Anything can happen.
I saw someone on a blog call the wing-T ancient, but when you have speed it’s deadly. Lowndes definitely has speed. Speaking of wing-T, I’m on my way to Warner Robins for our game against Coffee tonight. I hear Coffee has a great squad this year. We’ll see what happens.
By Eagle1
October 4, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Plowboy,
Lowndes will never win 35 in a row! They’ll be lucky to go undefeated. They should not be ranked #2 in the nation by anyone. WORST OFFICIATING I HAVE EVER SEEN! I have never heard of reserving 12 rows of select seats on the visitors side for Lowndes County fans! It was like they were asking for trouble from the fans. What I believe we’ll meet in the dome for the State Championship! Further more, I think Valdosta wildcats will knock you guys off. See you in Dec with some nuetral referees!
By george
October 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
First, there was nothing derogatory in my post about Lowndes. I said Lowndes deserved to be ranked number 1, but I will NEVER accept the fact that the penalty situation did not take a lot out of Northside. There is a huge difference between the 11 and 41 yard lines when starting a drive. For me personally it took all of the enjoyment of the game. The first half was great when the officials were pretty much unnoticed. When officials are doing a good job, that’s the way it is…”unnoticed”. I haven’t missed but one Northside game in more than 20 years, and certainly will not let this keep me away from Coffee, but I am entitled to my opinion, and will continue to express it. Don’t like it…don’t read it.
By gabridgemen04
October 4, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
First to all Lowndes fans who are making arrogant remarks as to how LHS was most assuredly going to win this game, member that great strength comes in humility and that NHS deserves a lot of credit for what they have accomplished. This game was so well hyped for a reason… BOTH teams are incredible. Hats off to Northside.
Second to the coaches of NHS: As a graduate of LHS and a member of the GA Bridgemen, I am here to tell you that you made a grave mistake that oh so many coaches make the first time they play at Martin Stadium. Never ever ever ever tell the refs to make the Bridgemen stop playing. Yes, there are over 350 members of the band and yes they are very loud… But there are only 350 people in the band and over 6,000 lowndes fans in the stands. When the band gets asked to stop playing, the crowd takes their place and they take it with a vengeance. If I were you, I would let the 350 band members play and keep the 6,000 fans out of it!!!!
By gabridgemen04
October 4, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
First to all Lowndes fans who are making arrogant remarks as to how LHS was most assuredly going to win this game, remember that great strength comes in humility and that NHS deserves a lot of credit for what they have accomplished. This game was so well hyped for a reason… BOTH teams are incredible. Hats off to Northside.
Second to the coaches of NHS: As a graduate of LHS and a member of the GA Bridgemen, I am here to tell you that you made a grave mistake that oh so many coaches make the first time they play at Martin Stadium. Never ever ever ever tell the refs to make the Bridgemen stop playing. Yes, there are over 350 members of the band and yes they are very loud… But there are only 350 people in the band and over 6,000 lowndes fans in the stands. When the band gets asked to stop playing, the crowd takes their place and they take it with a vengeance. If I were you, I would let the 350 band members play and keep the 6,000 fans out of it!!!!
By Camden Wildcat
October 4, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
to WARNER ROBINS HIGH SCHOOL,,, Northside, Perry, and Houston County all lost last night. I hope you guys win tonight to back up all that smack about middle georgia and Warner Robins’s area football. Dont let your area down guys!!! Every other team from your county got smacked down last night, anyway, Good luck!
By george
October 4, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
By the way, I wonder what the AJC’s definition of “manhandled” is? I didn’t realize we had been “manhandled” last night.
By Adam
October 4, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
This game could have been an instant classic. There were quite a few blown calls that shifted the momentum to Lowndes side. The punt return play was a huge call. To be backed up within in the ten to the forty five yard line is a huge swing. No excuses, they played a better second half. This game was much closer than the score though.
By EagleNationRising
October 4, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
There were definitely some blown calls. There was also a myriad of mistakes on the field. We lost Eric Fields, who was never 100% after the injury. Either way, we have to get our head out of the blame game for our loss to Lowndes County. Bad calls can, indeed, shift momentum. Playing fundamental and physical Northside football can change the momentum too. We did that in the 1st half. Honestly, we did not in the 2nd half.
Trust me, Coffee will be a statement game! They have a very good team down there. We should have a similar intensity for this BIG matchup on Friday night. We need to remain behind our Eagles CONFIDENTLY as we face more tough competition in this region.
We are OK, Northside fans. There is no reason that this Northside team can not get back on our horse and hoist another STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in 2008. Let’s stop pointing to the refs. Let’s stand together as Eagles and get prepared for what is going to be an exciting season. Our goals remain the same: Win our 3rd straight state title. Nothing has changed.
Go Eagles!!
By george
October 4, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Lowndes ran all over us…a total of 64 more yards than Northside. Give me a *ing break.
By doc
October 4, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Northside, you are in 5A ball. We play 4 quarters of hrd nosed football in 5A. If you talk the talk you have to walk the walk. You guy’s will be in the playoffs. Finish strong, this is just 1 loss.
By JT
October 4, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
GEORGE definition of “Manhandled” = Vikings 24 Northside middle Georgia 7 As for the Penalty you keep whining about: FACT: Refs from ATL. FACT: Ball was returned to 31 yard line, followed by offsetting unsportmanlike conduct penalties. Additional penalty for Holding. NHS player sitting on LHS player on the same play. That is called Holding. 10 yards, ball on 41. By the way I don’t know how you won 35 in a row with out overcoming at least one or two bad calls. It happens, Weekly! It’s football. The Refs did not beat you. The VIKINGS did. Polish up some new excuses for the DOME if you can get there.
By Rocket Rob
October 4, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Hey George, stop crying i said on another blog I hope NORTHSIDE does not blame the refs if they loose.I thought this would happen your a sore LOSSER pal and to think you got up and walked out on your team. NORTHSIDE your a good team but you have just started to get into the heart of things IN 1AAAAA. I believe TIFT will pluck your feathers to. GEORGE your a LOSSER so go ahead and call me out on my grammar again. Like another poster said you mess with the GEORGIA BRIDGEMEN you mess with the fans. 24 to 7 enough said…..GO VIKINGS GO…..
By its on
October 4, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
To the viking dad, coffee holds the number 2 seed right now.You need to finish your region before you can think about what seed you are in the playoff. You all have a tough region regardless who is playing
By Fair Play Fan
October 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Anyone can make an excuse for losing because of the referees or not. Lowndes had the fastest backs I have seen to date. Greg Reid is just fanastic. Guys I have to say this, if NS had Lowndes QB, I truly believe it would have been NS 30-12. NS just doesn’t have a mobile QB to go along with the outstanding team she puts on the field. I have said this before, Scott is a good kid and give his all but he is a backout QB. Congrats Lowndes—hope to see you in the dome.
By slalom1
October 4, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
So, the BIG game is over. Now what? Lowndes will run roughshod over the rest of the region. But, maybe some tough games. NSWR will most likely go 9-1. Assuming a possible re-match in the play-offs, then what?
By EagleNationRising
October 4, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Any future Northside vs. Lowndes County matchup will have SIGNIFICANTLY different game day matchup remifications.
Northside will have their fanbase in full force. Eagle fans have traditional shown up in full force at the Georgia Dome and are as passionate as any group of fans in the state.
A rematch will force the Vikings to face Northside at full force. With Eric Fields at 100%, it is likely that things will change. Imagine if Lowndes was without a player like Greg Reid last night. Of course, Fields (at linebacker) changes the dynamics of that game.
I believe that AAAAA is deep at the top. There is a possiblity that the two teams will meet again. Either way, both are going to enjoy strong seasons.
By VIKING DAD
October 4, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
HEY BY ITS OWN COFFEE may be 5-0, but WARNER ROBINS is hard to beat at home. Then you still have NORTHSIDE, LOWNDES, AND TIFT, who should all win. You better hope the TROJANS can finish as the 4th seed.
By Lissa
October 4, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
DecaturTechFan Norhtside Warner Robins………please…..how long has that school been open……………
Umm.. try since 1963… only 45 years and a few generations
By ROCKET ROB
October 4, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Look the LOWNDES and VIKINGS game is over and their is a long way to go in order to get to the dome. NORTHSIDE is it just me are do you think your just going to run over the rest of 1AAAAA. How many times do i have to say it we are just getting started in the region. Your going to get hit in the mouth every week just because you have played LOWNDES don’t think its over. Look how TIFT played LOWNDES and don’t forget about COFFEE their playing good ball. The dome is to far ahead did you not learn anything last FRIDAY night. Do you think your going to be at a 100% at the end of the region games? Maybe, maybe not. If you wont to look a head go ahead but theirs a lot of football left and please don’t think its going to get easy er as you play. I think you need to show some respect for your fellow 1AAAAA teams because you don’t have a free pass to the dome…..GO VIKINGS GO…..
By lgd
October 4, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
ON THE PUNT RETURN I TOUGHT HE WAS DOWN HE WAS ON HES BUTT.
By lgd
October 4, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
ON THE PUNT RETURN I THOUGHT HE WAS DOWN HE WAS ON HES BUTT
By SteveV
October 4, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
You guys are hilarious…..you do realize that NHS has played in AAAAA before, don’t you? When Parkview was in the midst of their 45-0 run…who played them closer than any other team out there? Oh yeah…it was NHS. The ignorance that some display simply astounds me. Now…onto the game. You will hear no sour grapes from me. Great game by two great teams.
By True Talk
October 4, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
I know that Lowndes fans donot want to hear this, but I was an impartial fan who was watching the game on the sidelines next to the two major blown calls in question. On the punt, Reid was down at the 4 but was not called down. They then blocked a NS player in the back at about the 21 yard line. The official called that a penalty and then called #4 from NS for a personal foul and a lowndes player for a personal foul. so the bal should have been down at the 4 if he spots Reid down and since he did not mark him down then at the end of the play Lowndes should have been marked inside the Lowndes 15. On the pass interference call, the NS player actually hit the ball when he went up and he never touch demps. The official (who I was standing about 5 feet in front of was shielded from the call and just made a bad judgement call. Those plays definitely turned the game around, but I think you will see NS or Camden who ever gets there, run the ball right at Lowndes. i think NS was very successful and then went away from that and when they came back to it Lowndes had all of the momentum!
By jjhenry
October 4, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe fans, whether from Northside, Camden, or impartial ground, are actually trying to blame Northside’s loss on one “blown call” by an official. In the first half, penalties were called on Lowndes that gave NHS good field position, but you didn’t see the Vikings roll over and die. Yes, Bacon (#21) had a great first half and ran the ball extremely well; however, Coach McPhearson, being the brilliant coach that he is, made the adjustment in the second half to contain him. Some Eagle fans continue to point to one penalty call as the pivotal point in the game, but what about the three straight defensive plays by Telvin Smith (#10), which threw Bacon for losses behind the line of scrimage and then the key interception that stopped the Northside drive. That one penalty play didn’t cause Greg Reid to run straight at the Eagles defense, making them miss as he cut and danced his way down field. If penalties make a team give up, then Lowndes would have given up in the first half, but they didn’t they went at half time, made the necessary adjustments and came back out and took care of business. That’s just like people to play the blame game, but the truth is the Viking defenses stiffened up and became stingy in the second half and the offense just did what it does best - run the ball straight at ‘ya. So don’t whine and complain and blame the refs. That one call did not change the game. If the Eagles were that upset about the call, then it should have motivated them to play harder. Truth is both teams played well, and both teams are great teams. The better team just WON! Great job Vikings. KEEP IT UP! So stop whining and blaming the refs and just own up to the fact that the Vikings out played the Eagles in the second half.
By viking lover
October 4, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe everyone is whining about a so called “blown call. NHS lost by 17 points! I could understand if the score was 10-7 or something closer, but 17 points…c’mon. Let’s play devil’s advocate and say Lowndes loses possesion on that drive and punts back to Northside. The fact of the matter is that the Lowndes defense stopped the Eagles every time and capitalized on every one of their many mistakes. If anyone watched the game I watched, Lowndes DOMINATED the second half. I admit it was a nailbiter in the first half and NHS looked really competitive. A word to the wise Eagles, you still have several tough teams to play…aka, Tifton and Coffee. If you dwell on the notion that you lost because of the refs, it’s already over. Fact of the matter is Eagles had one offensive play that payed off for them. You guys need more offense. I watched Tifton play against Lowndes and I’d say their defense will be very tough to overcome. I believe they may have second best defense in 5a. Sorry Coffee, I have’nt seen you guys play yet, but I know you’re stingy too. I am sure it’s hard to lose after 35 games, but be proud of your accomplishments and don’t make excuses. It really does belittle your integrity and character.
By Bo
October 4, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
George you are full of it!! I have the game on tape and every call has been looked at 10 to 15 times and the officals got it right for both teams. The officals came from Atlanta. Cry baby George just wanted Lowndes to lose. I don’t live in Valdosta I’m from Coffee County and we play Lowndes Oct 31 and it should be good. Its hard to beat any South Ga. team on the road.
South Ga. Fans = Small Town Religion-clinging Gun-toting AMERICANS who’s voting for a old man and a hot young chick. Bet on it!!!
By viking lover
October 4, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Hey Bo, thanks for some neutral input and I like your political views also! Just wanted to share some interesting numbers with everyone. Lowndes has outscored oppenents 218-28 this year so far in 6 games. Three shotouts and only Tifton scored more than once on the Vikes.
By viking lover
October 4, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Sorry, that’s three shutouts.
By Bo
October 4, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
True Talk: How was it you were 5 feet in front of the offical who was shielded? Were you on The field? Something stinks like fish my friend?
Viking lover: Keep up the good work.
By K
October 4, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
A Lowndes grad and fan here. My thoughts on the game: Northside did not get “Manhandled” or “Run Over.” Was Lowndes better? In the second half, definitely, but it was by no means a runaway game. To all you Lowndes fans, or others, who insist on denigrating Northside: Please stop. They are the real deal as a football team, and just because they won their 35 in a row while in Class AAAA, it doesn’t make them any less deserving of respect. 1-AAAAA is the toughest region in the state, no doubt, but I predict that Northside is going to be doing more knocking out of teeth in this region than is done to them. Northside is going to wreak some havoc on a lot of AAAAA teams, including our region. Please don’t disrespect a team that has earned respect the way Northside has. This region just got tougher!
On to my evaluation of the game. I was on the Lowndes side, so I will give my take on it. The refs did a lousy job on explaining the penalties on the punt return. When they first called the block in the back on Lowndes, I couldn’t believe it, because I watched the play and didn’t see anything close to that. I also didn’t like the offsetting personal fouls when the Northside player was sitting on top of the Lowndes player (layed out flat on his back) long after the play was whistled dead, and the flags didn’t fly until the Lowndes player pushed him off. When they spotted the ball, I didn’t have a clue what they were doing just like the other 13,000 people there. I did watch the game on TV this afternoon, and it made a lot more sense after the ref explained that they called the penalty on the wrong team, it was holding on Northside. This added 10 yards to the run. I can’t attest to the holding because I didn’t see it. Either way, a difference of ball on the 31 or 41.
The pass interference call: when you watch the replay on TV, it is an obvious call. The commentators called it immediately, and it was a very good call. The one call I will say I don’t beleive was right was the one in the 4th quarter on 3rd down for Northside, when they made a pass for a first down that was ruled incomplete. From the replay, it looked like he made a very good catch, and a bad call was made. Remember though, the score was 21-7 at that point with around 7 minutes left in the game. First down or not, Northside didn’t have much chance to score on that drive let alone score twice before time ran out, when they hadn’t even moved the ball the entire second half. Lowndes has overcome many bad calls to win games in the past (as I know Northside has), so don’t pin the game on a bad call.
I was personally upset the second half that the refs did not call a couple of personal fouls on Northside. One was a blatant hit several yards out of bounds on a Lowndes blocker (may have been on the Greg Reid kick return). It was a flagrant intent to make a late hit, but no call was made. Others were not so blatant, but if you ask fans on either side of the game if there were some bad calls, they are immediatley going to bring up the ones that they think should be against the other team. It’s all a matter of perspective. The refs did not cause Northside’s demise, the Lowndes defense in the second half did.
Bottom line. It was a great football game and Northside is the real deal. Good luck Eagles, and we may be seeing you again this year. Go Vikings
P.S. If we had played Northside the way we played against Tift, then their winning streak would still be going!
By Lissa
October 4, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Thanks, K, that was a very respectful post and I’m sure all Northside fans appreciate it greatly.
Lowndes is a very tough team, the game is over, and they won. It’s time to move on. Both teams have a lot more games to play. Good luck to both teams on their season.
Now the next big game for Northside is our annual cross-town rivalry. It’s on Halloween night, so it’ll be a wild one!
By EagleNation Rising
October 4, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Lissa, you are grossly underestimating some very talented teams if you believe we do not have any big games until the Northside vs. Warner Robins game.
Next Friday (October 10) night we have a monster game at Coffee. We have an open week. Then, we have a big game against Tift County at McConnell-Talbert before we play Warner Robins. We conclude the season at Colquitt County.
All of us (Northside Eagle fans) had better get it through our heads that we have some BIG games ahead of us. It is no different than preparing to play Warner Robins, Houston County, Griffin, and then Westside-Macon. We have some big games and as a fanbase we need to view it as just that.
Our destiny is in our own hands. I have no doubt that Northside can beat any team in the state. We need to stay healthy. Joe Scott, Xavier Bacon, and the new kids that we have on offense need to improve. We are still one of the top teams in the state and need to play hard and smart one week at a time.
Our focus needs to move away from Lowndes County and get prepared to focus upon a very strong (and state championship contending program) Coffee team.
Go Eagles!
By Trojanfan
October 5, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
Lissa see you Friday night at Coffee. Coffee beat Warner Robins tonight.
By Plowboy48
October 5, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this
As a viking player just wanted to say great game to yall and look forward to weein yall again and to everyone hating on the officials Northside only had 1 penalty against them in the 1st half
By Plowboy48
October 5, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this
As a viking player just wanted to say great game to yall and look forward to seein yall again and to everyone hating on the officials Northside only had 1 penalty against them in the 1st half
By Plowboy48
October 5, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
As a viking player just wanted to say great game to yall and look forward to seein yall again and to everyone hating on the officials Northside only had 1 penalty against them in the 1st half
By nhs eagle 90
October 5, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
yeah it was a great game but come plays us when the refs aren’t in lownde’s backpocket the whole game. there was more than just one or two blown calls. i was siiting on the front row right by the field and i could have done better reffing than those guys did. we should just bring refs from out of state to conduct the games so there is no bias. the game would have turned out differently. by the wast if it wasn’t for greg reid you guys would no have scored a single point. all ur scored were by reid or set up by him. if he goes down with an injury so does lowndes hopes for a state title. LOWNDES IS NOTHING WITHOUT REID. he was the only one who gained more than 30 yards for lowndes.
By DallasChipVikingFan
October 5, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
nhs eagle 90, There are a couple of other underclassman at Lowndes that i have heard are faster than him so don’t say a thing about Lowndes would not have won without him. They all play as a team and there are enough sufficient young men with speed there that can get the job done.
By K
October 5, 2008 4:27 AM | Link to this
nhs eagle 90, I find it odd that a Northside fan would talk about Lowndes only having one weapon given how the game went down Friday. I haven’t seen the stats, but Xavier Bacon was your offense, period. If Reid were to go down, we would definitely miss him, but we have a lot of other playmakers on both sides of the ball.
By K
October 5, 2008 4:30 AM | Link to this
nhs eagle 90, I find it odd that a Northside fan would talk about Lowndes only having one weapon given how the game went down Friday. I haven’t seen the stats, but Xavier Bacon was your offense, period. If Reid were to go down, we would definitely miss him, but we have a lot of other playmakers on both sides of the ball.
By george
October 5, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
thanks K for the kind comments. I would also like to point out once again (to those who say I am crying and whining) that I NEVER SAID the outcome of the came would have been different had it not been for one play. I did say that had a big affect on the game. I DID NOT say Lowndes didn’t deserve the win or their ranking. In fact, I said Lowndes deserved to be ranked #1, even before the game. However, I certainly don’t think Lowndes “manhandled us”, or “ran thru us”, or that the final score was a true indication of the closeness of the game. Most of us at Northside recognize, and appreciate what Lowndes has accomplished, particularly in the last four years. However, we do NOT like some of the Viking fans trying to denegrate the accomplishments of Northside, simply because we were playing in AAAA. Winning 35 games in a row (and 49 of 50) is an outstanding accomplishment. Just for the record, Northside had less than 40 students over the number for a AAAA school at the last reclassification. With another high school coming to Houston County next year, there is an excellent chance we will be back in AAAA when the next reclassification occurs. Whatever level we play, we will play and compete with Northside pride. I HAVE ONE LAST COMMENT FOR JT and then I will be done rehashing this game. JT you are full of it…the ball was returned to the 21 not the 31. Also, I should not have to watch the game on TV to find out the officials called a penalty on the wrong team. Had the call been announced (signal by the referee on the field) at the time much of this discussion could probably have been avoided.
By Vince
October 5, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Northside fans I told you the streak would end at the concrete palace and it did. I told you Greg Reid would run wild on you and he did. Stop whining about calls. Lowndes defense was the difference in the 2nd half. Just face it Northside is not quite ready to take on Lowndes.
By Shawn
October 5, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
So the ref’s are the reason NSWR lost. Just like it was the ref’s fault Carver ran up and down the field on yall. It was a good run NSWR but now you are playing with the big boys. Get your bag of excuses ready. Looks as if you will need them.
By shazam
October 5, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
george you’re saying everything you DIDN’T say…. How about y