Different approaches for DeKalb teams after opening losses; Urban Meyer praises Liberty Co. product

Pritchett praised his team’s fight in the blowout loss to Stephenson and believes his squad will ready for East Coweta on Friday and its first season in Region 6-AAAA with Marist and St. Pius X. Arabia Mountain opens region play at Marist in Week 3.

The Rams have weapons at the skill position, led by quarterback Jakobi Meyers, but are extremely young on the offensive and defensive lines, Pritchett said. Meyers, a 6-1, 172-pound pro-style quarterback, is committed to Kent State.

Columbia coach David Edwards turned focus back to fundamentals in practice Monday. His team dropped its opener in deflating fashion, 13-12, against county rival Southwest DeKalb. After losing a fourth-quarter lead, the Eagles sniffed out a SW DeKalb fake punt to set up a potential game-winning drive. But senior quarterback Andre Brown was picked off deep inside Panthers' territory with 1:30 left. It was the 12th loss in the last 13 meetings with SW DeKalb for Columbia.  And it stung.

“I sensed we were hurt by that loss,” said Edwards. “My kids, when they’re bothered by something (like the loss), they want to prove that they were better than they were. The kids were really hurt by the way and how they lost that game."

A 6-0, 187-pound dual-threat quarterback, Brown was the region player of the year last season and has committed to Indiana. Edwards says his no concerns about his senior QB bouncing back from the late pick.

“Andre was the first one in the weight room today and the first guy on the field,” said Edwards. “He’s very mature, very bright. He’s had schools like Harvard looking at him.”

The Eagles have two weeks to re-energize, before traveling to Cedar Grove in Week 3.

Notable

--No. 1 Buford's defense is awesome. In a 17-0 win over defending Florida 3A state champion Trinity Christian, the Wolves allowed only 74 yards, forced eight punts and didn't surrender an explosive play ( a run of more than 15 yards or a pass of more than 20 yards). Kolton Houston had two sacks, and David Curry had a team leading seven tackles.

--Burke County's defense posted a 12-0 shutout of Statesboro in its opener. The Bears held Statesboro to 2.7 yards per play and created four turnovers.

Week 2 AJC Rankings

Class AAAA

1. (1) Buford (1-0)

2. (2) Sandy Creek (1-0)

3. (3) Griffin (0-0)

4. (4) Marist (0-0)

5. (5) Carrollton (0-1)

6. (6) Thomas County Central (0-0)

7. (7) St. Pius (0-0)

8. (8) Woodward Academy (0-0)

9. (NR) Burke County (1-0)

10. (9) Whitewater (0-0)

Out: No. 10 Westover

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AAAA Product Watch

(Weekly look at some of the current college players that have come out of Georgia’s talent laden Class AAAA. Please update us on others in the comments).

--Liberty County product Raekwon McMillan has drawn high praise from his college coach, Ohio State's Urban Meyer. McMillan, who is listed as the Buckeye's second-team middle linebacker, was one of the first freshman to have the black stripe removed from his helmet. The black stripe is kept on freshmen helmets until they prove themselves in practice. (h/t Cleveland.com)

--Sandy Creek product Demarre Kitt is listed as Clemson's second-team wide receiver. The Tigers open the season at Georgia on Saturday. Among the many Georgia products in the Clemson-UGA game, Cedartown's Nick Chubb is expected to get some touches for the Bulldogs.

--AL.com has a video of Auburn freshman DT Dontavius Russell, a Carrollton product,  going through drills at the Tigers' practice.

--Monroe Area product Stanton Truitt caught Auburn coaches' attention with his speed. A quarterback at Monroe Area, Truitt has worked as a wide receiver at Auburn. There was talk in the spring of him getting a shot in the return game, as well.