High school football semifinals short on metro teams

By Todd Holcomb

For the AJC

Mike McDonald played for Morrow, a Clayton County school, in 1987 when it became the first team from metro Atlanta to win a state championship in the highest classification in 15 years.

Now, he’s the first-year head coach of Newnan, which metro Atlanta can claim technically as its only hope in Class AAAAA. Newnan thinks of itself as part of west Georgia, but McDonald won’t turn away support tonight when his Cougars, ranked No. 3, play No. 7 Northside-Warner Robins.

‘’If metro Atlanta wants to get behind us, that’s great, but I don’t feel like we’re fighting for metro Atlanta, and I don’t think our community feels like that,’’ McDonald said. “We’re just trying to win for Newnan and Coweta County and our community.’’

Metro Atlanta’s representation among the 20 semifinals teams is down this year.

The other semifinal in AAAAA, the largest classification, pits South Georgia teams Colquitt County and Camden County.

There are only two teams in the semifinals from the metro’s four most populous counties -- Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton and DeKalb. And those two teams (Buford and Lovett) are on the road. The last time there were so few was 1999.

Only two of tonight’s 10 games will be played in the metro area, both on the outskirts in places that don’t think of themselves as part the metropolis. Newnan is at home to Northside, and Sandy Creek plays at Griffin in Class AAAA.

Newnan’s appearance in the semifinals is a mild surprise based on preseason expectations. The Cougars lost 16 of 22 starters from the 2008 semifinal team that appeared almost invincible until it collapsed from within against Camden County in a 27-7 loss that was precipitated by early turnovers.

This year, Newnan has come from behind in all three of its playoff victories. It has weapons in twins Alec and Zander Ogletree and Jamal Ransby, defensive stalwarts who have played considerable minutes on offense to provide a spark.

“We knew last year we were going to be good, but this year we didn’t know whether we were going to be 7-3, 5-5 or 9-1,’’ McDonald said. “We’re not as talented, especially on offense, but the kids have found a way to win.’’

The 10 winners tonight will play in the Georgia Dome next week in five state finals.

Produced by Georgia High School Daily