Class A Blog: Robertsons to seek legal action vs. GHSA; Tattnall Square a GHSA title continder; Updated power ratings

But Tuesday evening Carlos Robertson said he has adjusted his strategy.  Now he plans to attempt to move forward with legal action prior to the Oct. 21 hearing at the GHSA office in Thomaston.

“The goal is to go to court [before the hearing]. That’s the goal right now because we haven’t been given any answers as to why Demetris hasn’t been allowed to play,” Robertson said. “So hopefully we can get those answers in court.”

Robertson said his plan is to hire an attorney and bring legal action against the GHSA in order to subpoena members of the executive committee as well as GHSA executive director Gary Phillips. It was the executive committee that voted in September to “suspend” a key bylaw that would have allowed Demetris Robertson to be eligible after the family moved into the public school attendance zone covered by Savannah Christian.

“[Phillips] has not been able to provide us with any answers as to the grounds for the denial,” Robertson said.  “That’s not good enough.  Having an appeal hearing means nothing without knowing why Demetris’ eligibility has been denied.  If we go all the way back up there with the same information we have now, which is nothing, then we’ll get the same result.  We feel like this is the only way for us to get answers.”

Robertson said he believes public sentiment is on his brother’s side. He hopes the judicial system will be as well.

“They have to give some justification for suspending his eligibility,” Carlos Robertson said. “There are a lot of people supporting Demetris.  I think the tide is turning and I think the GHSA underestimated this whole thing. All we want is answers.”

Tattnall Square quickly becomes GHSA title contender

In 2011, Clint Morgan left Bulloch Academy in Statesboro, where he compiled a record of 55-27 in seven seasons, with appearances in the Georgia Independent Schools Association each year, to start a football program at tiny Frederica Academy (school population 450, K-12) on St. Simons Island. The next year in 2012, Morgan led the Knights to the Georgia Independent Schools Association Division A state championship.

Morgan hopes to do the same thing in his second season at Tattnall Square in Macon, but not in the GISA.  The Trojans are in their first season in the “big leagues” of Georgia high school sports the Georgia High Schools Association.

“There is a big difference,” Morgan said, between the GHSA and the GISA. “[In the GHSA] Everybody is bigger, stronger and faster and the speed of the game is a factor.  The speed of the game is much faster.

“Both leagues have great players,” Morgan said. “The pool of great players is bigger in the GHSA, so you’re facing a team with very good players every week.”

So far Morgan and his Trojans are perfect in the GHSA at 6-0, 5-0 in Region 7, Division A.  He said the formula has been based on simple old school principles.  His players are working hard, playing together and believing in their coaches.

Tattnall Square features a classic flex-bone offense averaging 35 points per game and traditional defensive schemes that feature simple four- and five-man fronts.  Morgan said he learned most of what his team is implementing on offense from Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, while both were in Statesboro – Johnson at Georgia Southern, Morgan at Bulloch Academy.

“I have a great amount of respect for coach Johnson,” Morgan said. “His door was always open to high school coaches back then he allowed us to pick his brain.  I think what he has done at Georgia Tech has been brilliant.”

Tattnall Square is led by 19 seniors, a large group for a Class A school, who are providing great leadership, according to Morgan.  The main leaders are FB/LB Jonathan Ward (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) and quarterback Ian Herndon (5-10, 170), a first-year starter at the position.

“He’s a very, very smart player, very intellectual,” Morgan said of Herndon, who started at wingback last season and has been a starter in baseball since his freshman year. “He runs our offense very efficiently and makes all of his reads on his own.”

“[Ward] is our leading rusher and our leading tackler,” Morgan said of his team leader. “He has good size and speed, and he’s getting recruited by lots of schools.”

Additionally, DT Christian Rodgers (6-0, 225), the leading tackler among Trojan defensive linemen, and WB Ahmad Baron (5-8, 160), the team leader in touchdowns, both sophomores, have stepped up as well.

“There’s always room for improvement in anything you’re doing,” Morgan said as his team prepares to host another former GISA member from the Macon area, First Presbyterian, on Friday.  “What we’re doing really well right now is playing together, playing as a team.”

Power ratings

Here are this week’s power ratings. Most teams have about four games left, so there is still the possibility of a lot of movement in the race for the 16 state playoff slots on both the public and private sides.  Also, subdivided regions – 3, 6 and 7 – will decide their champions on the last game of the regular season with the top teams from each side facing off.  The second place teams will face each other, as will the third and fourth-place teams.

Private

Most surprising team(s)  in:  St. Francis, Christian Heritage

Most surprising team(s) out:  Athens Academy, Eagle's Landing Christian,  George Walton Academy

Public

Most surprising team(s) in: Claxton, Calhoun County, Atkinson County

Most surprising team(s) out:  Johnson County, Lincoln County, Mitchell County, Trion