One of the state’s premiere quarterback match-ups goes down this week when Eddie Printz of Lassiter visits Parker McLeod and the Walton Raiders this Friday in the GPB-TV game of the week. Both junior quarterbacks have college offers as Printz has pledged to SMU while McLeod has received an offer from Louisville. Tyren Jones is making a case for player of the year at Walton after starring the last two seasons at Lassiter. ... Brookwood will host South Gwinnett as the Broncos appear to have gotten past early season struggles with two straight wins including a 56-14 thrashing of Central Gwinnett last week. Look for Mark Crews to try and get plenty of carries for Nick Tompkins, the reigning Atlanta Touchdown Club’s back of the week. ... Hillgrove will host Harrison as Kenyan Drake will look to improve on his eleven touchdowns. ... Kell travels to Pope to face the Greyhounds. The Longhorns are still reeling from a 34-0 defeat to East Paulding a few weeks back. Pope meanwhile is undefeated but needed two overtimes last week to subdue Osborne. ... North Hall is just 1-3 but Imani Cross has been running hard all season long. Cross and the Trojans will try to deny Chestatee a second-ever win in the series. ... No. 2 McEachern is back in action after a week off, hitting the road to face South Cobb. ... Grayson was tapped as No. 7 in the recent USA Today poll and the Rams travel to an improving Shiloh team. ... In the “Battle of Johns Creek,” Chattahoochee hosts Johns Creek as the Gladiators enter undefeated to face the defending AAAA champs. Johns Creek will be looking for revenge after losing to the Cougars 48-14 one year ago.
GPB.org game of the week
Tonight Ringgold faces Heritage in a match-up that means a great deal to the community as Ringgold recovers from tornado damage with assistance from Heritage. Tim James, head coach of Heritage High School, looks at the rivalry as a healthy one. “I think (the recovery) has pulled us together as a community,” said James earlier this week. For all of the feel-good vibes that will be felt before the game, the game itself could end up serving as a playoff elimination game.
“What they did for us, we’re very grateful,” said Ringgold head coach Robert Akins. “But when it comes to Friday night, it’s a competition.” Ringgold enters the game 3-1 and coming off of a loss so the Tigers will be motivated even more so, if that is possible.
Heritage meanwhile is 4-0 but is still seeking its first-ever win over Ringgold. The Generals missed the playoffs by a whisker last year with a 5-5 record, but three losses were by six points or less. James has a strong offensive line led by seniors Justin Adekoya and Luke Sims who pave the way for running back Ethan Thompson and his 109 yards per game. Jake Sampson and Cody Sherlin have also hooked up for a high rate of success through the air. Heritage is seeking its first victory of the season against a team with at least one win to its credit and its first victory in this series. Heritage never beaten Ringgold in a varsity game and senior Brandon Giaccone called this “the biggest game we’ve ever had.”
Ringgold will look to pound the ball on the ground as it has thus far this season. The Tigers average 237 yards on the ground and senior running back Mark Fairbanks appears on pace for another 1000 yard season. Slade Dell and Shaun Anderson also pile up yardage from the offensive backfield.
GPB.org/sports’ coverage begins at 7 P.M. with a special extended pre-game show to highlight the Ringgold recovery efforts.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Ringgold vs Heritage about more than just football
Friday nights in Georgia are special but some games are about more than just football. This Friday night on the GPB.org webcast, Ringgold will face Heritage in a game with playoff implications, but for the Ringgold community this game will have no losers. Our coverage will highlight and honor the recovery of Ringgold High School with the help of the entire community including “rival” Heritage High School. The Mayor of Ringgold will be a part of the special pre-game coverage, which begins at 7 P.M. on gpb.org/sports. We will also have Ringgold and Heritage school administers and first responders tell their stories. GPB’s Jon Nelson and Mark Harmon will provide stories about the initial damage and how eventually the school received an outpour of donations totaling nearly $250,000. GADA President Bob Stinchcomb will join us as well to talk about how athletic directors from around the state supported this Northwest Georgia community through donations and time.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Buford moves into top ten nationally, Colquitt finally gets a break
Grayson, Valdosta and Camden County are each ranked in various national polls but Buford has entered the CNN/SI national poll at No.10 in the latest poll. Buford has won four straight Class AA state titles and is undefeated again with three players on the latest edition of the Score 44. ...
Stephenson, East Paulding, Colquitt County, McEachern, Sandy Creek, Hillgrove and Lowndes also make appearances on various national polls. ...
Colquitt County is finally getting a week off after six straight weeks of regular season games and a scrimmage one week before that. The Packers host Tift County before Lowndes comes to Moultrie on October 14, one week after the Winnersville Classic. ...
ML King will travel to Valdosta to face the Wildcats this Friday night, trying to return the favor of a road victory that Valdosta laid on the Lions last season. Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome sparked Valdosta to a win last season at Hallford Stadium. ML King QB Jonquel Dawson will need to avoid DE Michael Wakefield, who had six sacks in a game earlier this season. ...
In a huge Area 1AAAAA volleyball showdown, No. 4 Walton swept No. 5 Lassiter, but the match was closer than the sweep indicated. Kelly Murphy contributed 13 kills in the Lady Raiders’ victory while Isabella Haswell contributed with 23 assists in the match. ...
Brookwood’s Brandi Jones struck out nine Archer batters while allowing just six hits in a complete game win that helped Brookwood win its second straight Region 8-5A regular-season title. Taiylor Rinehart and Ambree Muller each contributed a pair of RBI in the Broncos’ 6-2 victory. Mandy Blackwell scored twice for Brookwood. ...
Mountain View’s Tim Hardy was named the Atlanta Falcons high school coach of the week.
Stephenson, East Paulding, Colquitt County, McEachern, Sandy Creek, Hillgrove and Lowndes also make appearances on various national polls. ...
Colquitt County is finally getting a week off after six straight weeks of regular season games and a scrimmage one week before that. The Packers host Tift County before Lowndes comes to Moultrie on October 14, one week after the Winnersville Classic. ...
ML King will travel to Valdosta to face the Wildcats this Friday night, trying to return the favor of a road victory that Valdosta laid on the Lions last season. Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome sparked Valdosta to a win last season at Hallford Stadium. ML King QB Jonquel Dawson will need to avoid DE Michael Wakefield, who had six sacks in a game earlier this season. ...
In a huge Area 1AAAAA volleyball showdown, No. 4 Walton swept No. 5 Lassiter, but the match was closer than the sweep indicated. Kelly Murphy contributed 13 kills in the Lady Raiders’ victory while Isabella Haswell contributed with 23 assists in the match. ...
Brookwood’s Brandi Jones struck out nine Archer batters while allowing just six hits in a complete game win that helped Brookwood win its second straight Region 8-5A regular-season title. Taiylor Rinehart and Ambree Muller each contributed a pair of RBI in the Broncos’ 6-2 victory. Mandy Blackwell scored twice for Brookwood. ...
Mountain View’s Tim Hardy was named the Atlanta Falcons high school coach of the week.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What do departures mean?
Not counting AJ Green and Justin Houston, who both departed early for the NFL draft and discounting Trinton Sturdivant, Tanner Strickland and Jeremy Longo who were medically disqualified, eight players have left the Georgia program since the end of the dismal 2010 season and a ninth player could soon depart. Rumor has it that sophomore cornerback Derek Owens may be seeking a transfer and head coach Mark Richt would not say one way or the other if Owens was leaving at his weekly news conference.
The question will now rage whether these players are jumping off of a sinking ship or if these players aren’t willing to put in the work to help pave the future of the program under Richt in Athens. Several players have been turned off by the new approach to the strength and conditioning program and others have seen their spot on the depth chart drop as Richt and his coaches seem heck-bent on playing the best players on campus, regardless of experience. Before the season I called for Richt to play the best players, be it a true freshman or a fifth-year senior. It seems Richt is pulling out all of the stops after starting 0-2 and that has meant playing a bunch of the Dream Team members, redshirts be darned. Ray Drew, Watts Dantzler, David Andrews, Chris Conley, Nick Marshall and Ramik Wilson have all seen action while Isaiah Crowell, Malcolm Mitchell, Damian Swann, Chris Sanders, Corey Moore and Amarlo Herrera have seen extensive time on the field from the first game. These players are all a part of the Dream Team 2011 recruiting class that is being looked at to save Richt’s job. By playing them early, he just might save it.
The players that are leaving perhaps didn’t live up to expectations or maybe are bitter over a freshman beating them out for playing time. Either way Richt cannot look back at the unhappiness of now-former players. He needs to concentrate on the current squad and try to keep them happy. The best way to keep players happy: WIN. If Richt keeps winning, I have a feeling the exodus will cease.
The question will now rage whether these players are jumping off of a sinking ship or if these players aren’t willing to put in the work to help pave the future of the program under Richt in Athens. Several players have been turned off by the new approach to the strength and conditioning program and others have seen their spot on the depth chart drop as Richt and his coaches seem heck-bent on playing the best players on campus, regardless of experience. Before the season I called for Richt to play the best players, be it a true freshman or a fifth-year senior. It seems Richt is pulling out all of the stops after starting 0-2 and that has meant playing a bunch of the Dream Team members, redshirts be darned. Ray Drew, Watts Dantzler, David Andrews, Chris Conley, Nick Marshall and Ramik Wilson have all seen action while Isaiah Crowell, Malcolm Mitchell, Damian Swann, Chris Sanders, Corey Moore and Amarlo Herrera have seen extensive time on the field from the first game. These players are all a part of the Dream Team 2011 recruiting class that is being looked at to save Richt’s job. By playing them early, he just might save it.
The players that are leaving perhaps didn’t live up to expectations or maybe are bitter over a freshman beating them out for playing time. Either way Richt cannot look back at the unhappiness of now-former players. He needs to concentrate on the current squad and try to keep them happy. The best way to keep players happy: WIN. If Richt keeps winning, I have a feeling the exodus will cease.
Mid-week GA Prep superlatives
In the GPB game of the week, Norcross’ Alvin Kamara rushed for 225 yards and three scores to help the Blue Devils knock off region rival Mill Creek 41-34. All of the yardage was achieved on just 16 carries. ...
Brice Ramsey will be headed to the University of Georgia after next season to play quarterback but he showed off his leg last week in Camden County’s 58-0 victory over Bradwell Institute, kicking a 57-yard field goal and putting five kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks. ...
Kevin Ellison continued to add to his career rushing mark record with 259 yards and four scores in Habersham-Central’s 41-24 victory over Madison County. He also threw for two additional scores. ...
Angie Hughes of Union County struck out 14 East Hall batters in the Lady Panthers’ 6-0 victory. Hughes reached 1000 career strikeouts in the complete game victory. ...
Colleen Grider managed ten aces for Flowery Branch in a 25-17, 25-16 sweep of South Gwinnett. The Lady Falcons aced the Comets 20 times in the match. ...
Buford’s Lexi Overstreet broke two Buford softball records during the Brookwood Invitational, setting the school mark for career RBI and season-mark for doubles. Overstreet posted three doubles in five games at the invitational. ...
Overstreet’s teammate Jordan Deep was 5-6 with a home run and four RBI in two games over the weekend. ...
Brookwood’s Brandi Jones struck out nine Archer batters while allowing just six hits in a complete game win that helped Brookwood win its second straight Region 8-5A title. ...
Kaitlyn Lattimer helped Mill Creek stay undefeated in area play with eleven straight service points in the decisive third set victory against North Gwinnett. She also contributed 50 assists. ...
Kelly Murphy had 13 kills for No. 4 Walton in a 27-25, 24-21 sweep of No. 5 Lassiter.
For complete coverage, sign up for the Score Newsletter. Go to www.scoreatl.com or www.gaprepnews.com
Brice Ramsey will be headed to the University of Georgia after next season to play quarterback but he showed off his leg last week in Camden County’s 58-0 victory over Bradwell Institute, kicking a 57-yard field goal and putting five kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks. ...
Kevin Ellison continued to add to his career rushing mark record with 259 yards and four scores in Habersham-Central’s 41-24 victory over Madison County. He also threw for two additional scores. ...
Angie Hughes of Union County struck out 14 East Hall batters in the Lady Panthers’ 6-0 victory. Hughes reached 1000 career strikeouts in the complete game victory. ...
Colleen Grider managed ten aces for Flowery Branch in a 25-17, 25-16 sweep of South Gwinnett. The Lady Falcons aced the Comets 20 times in the match. ...
Buford’s Lexi Overstreet broke two Buford softball records during the Brookwood Invitational, setting the school mark for career RBI and season-mark for doubles. Overstreet posted three doubles in five games at the invitational. ...
Overstreet’s teammate Jordan Deep was 5-6 with a home run and four RBI in two games over the weekend. ...
Brookwood’s Brandi Jones struck out nine Archer batters while allowing just six hits in a complete game win that helped Brookwood win its second straight Region 8-5A title. ...
Kaitlyn Lattimer helped Mill Creek stay undefeated in area play with eleven straight service points in the decisive third set victory against North Gwinnett. She also contributed 50 assists. ...
Kelly Murphy had 13 kills for No. 4 Walton in a 27-25, 24-21 sweep of No. 5 Lassiter.
For complete coverage, sign up for the Score Newsletter. Go to www.scoreatl.com or www.gaprepnews.com
North Gwinnett/Norcross (on GPB.org) looming, Valdosta better?
All of region 7-5A will take this Friday off but next week will bring some marquee match-ups. Norcross will host North Gwinnett as both teams are eyeing the region crown. North Gwinnett lost its first game of the season to McEachern but hasn’t lost two regular-season games since 2008. Norcross is seeking to go 6-0 for the first time since 2006. ...
Perhaps the Brookwood Broncos’ title chances aren’t dead yet. The Broncos, despite two losses, have been impressive at times this year, blowing out Central Gwinnett and shutting down Collins Hill. In those two Brookwood victories, the defense looked like last year’s unit, which carried the Broncos to a title coupled with a sound running game. ...
As hard as it may be to believe but Valdosta could be better this year than one year ago when Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome were piling up yards and denting plenty of scoreboards. Valdosta’s new quarterback Shelby Wilkes, a transfer from Colquitt County has sparked the offense and the defense is flexing its muscles, allowing just 6.2 points per game and holding Alabama power R.E. Lee to just 73 yards last Friday. ...
In a battle for west Suwanee softball dominance, North Gwinnett thumped Peachtree Ridge 12-3 earlier this week behind Miranda Strother and Sydney O’Neill. Both were 3-3 at the plate as Strother also scored three runs in the victory. Tori Prince scored twice, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post. ...Buford’s volleyball team had to rally against Milton but ultimately pulled off a thrilling three-set victory 26-28, 25-22, 25-23, before the Lady Wolves swept South Forsyth 25-18, 25-20 earlier this week.
Perhaps the Brookwood Broncos’ title chances aren’t dead yet. The Broncos, despite two losses, have been impressive at times this year, blowing out Central Gwinnett and shutting down Collins Hill. In those two Brookwood victories, the defense looked like last year’s unit, which carried the Broncos to a title coupled with a sound running game. ...
As hard as it may be to believe but Valdosta could be better this year than one year ago when Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome were piling up yards and denting plenty of scoreboards. Valdosta’s new quarterback Shelby Wilkes, a transfer from Colquitt County has sparked the offense and the defense is flexing its muscles, allowing just 6.2 points per game and holding Alabama power R.E. Lee to just 73 yards last Friday. ...
In a battle for west Suwanee softball dominance, North Gwinnett thumped Peachtree Ridge 12-3 earlier this week behind Miranda Strother and Sydney O’Neill. Both were 3-3 at the plate as Strother also scored three runs in the victory. Tori Prince scored twice, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post. ...Buford’s volleyball team had to rally against Milton but ultimately pulled off a thrilling three-set victory 26-28, 25-22, 25-23, before the Lady Wolves swept South Forsyth 25-18, 25-20 earlier this week.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Norcross quite good after all...Down goes Foster
I will admit when I am wrong and I was wrong about Norcross. I based my initial opinion on them from a game early in the season but the Blue Devils have been turning it on each and every week since then. Norcross is undefeated and ready to move into the Score Atlanta Top Ten (the coaches poll lists Norcross at No.5), led by Jason Croom, an original member of the 2011 Score 44. The running game showed up Friday and Norcross could very well win its region by knocking off North Gwinnett at home on October 7. ...
Parkview got a big 20-7 win over South Gwinnett last Friday to improve to 2-0 in region play. The Panthers are just 2-2 on the year but with the meat of the region slate approaching, you have to wonder how good Cecil Flowe’s team would be had Raphael Kirby and Kyle Fleetwood not transferred out. ...
Juan Foster, one of the state’s top junior running backs is likely out for the season after suffering a broken tibia in Vidalia’s win over Long County. Foster rushed for more than 1000 yards last year and had racked up seven scores in the team’s first four games, along with 430+ yards. ...
The Columbus Blue Devils volleyball team won the silver bracket at last weekend’s Hoover Invitational. After a 1-3 first day of the tournament, Columbus rallied to win three matches Saturday to take the silver bracket. Columbus edged Lakeside DeKalb (25-21, 25-11), Athens Academy (25-16, 25-16) and Houston (TN) (25-23, 25-20).
Parkview got a big 20-7 win over South Gwinnett last Friday to improve to 2-0 in region play. The Panthers are just 2-2 on the year but with the meat of the region slate approaching, you have to wonder how good Cecil Flowe’s team would be had Raphael Kirby and Kyle Fleetwood not transferred out. ...
Juan Foster, one of the state’s top junior running backs is likely out for the season after suffering a broken tibia in Vidalia’s win over Long County. Foster rushed for more than 1000 yards last year and had racked up seven scores in the team’s first four games, along with 430+ yards. ...
The Columbus Blue Devils volleyball team won the silver bracket at last weekend’s Hoover Invitational. After a 1-3 first day of the tournament, Columbus rallied to win three matches Saturday to take the silver bracket. Columbus edged Lakeside DeKalb (25-21, 25-11), Athens Academy (25-16, 25-16) and Houston (TN) (25-23, 25-20).
Score 44 from week 6
As more and more games are played the process of deciding who makes the cut becomes harder each week. The scale of potential vs. production is starting to tilt in the direction of production on the field, however you simply cannot ignore potential and who a player projects at the next level. Any list that fails to recognize a certain player or two that maybe isn’t doing it at the high school level but is a “cannot miss” prospect at the college level shouldn’t be taken seriously. The Score 44 is fluid and constantly changing but it tries to balance what is and what could be. This week finds Walton’s Zack Blaylock joining his brother on the list after Zach had two interceptions and scored a touchdown on offense in the Raiders’ victory over Etowah. Walton has two players on the list for 2011 but are already piling up players for the Score 44 2012 edition.
In (from week 5) Zack Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Out (from week 5) Dakota Ball, Pepperell (Lindale) DT
Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K
George Morris, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) RB
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville) RB
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Zack Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Carlos Hood, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DT
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Leonard Floyd, Dodge County (Eastman), DE
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Niles Clark, Lassiter (Marietta ), CB
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB
In (from week 5) Zack Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Out (from week 5) Dakota Ball, Pepperell (Lindale) DT
Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K
George Morris, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) RB
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville) RB
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Zack Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Carlos Hood, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DT
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Leonard Floyd, Dodge County (Eastman), DE
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Niles Clark, Lassiter (Marietta ), CB
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB
Monday, September 26, 2011
Fantasy Football thoughts post-week three
The new kings of fantasy football may very well be the Detroit Lions’ Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. Stafford and Johnson hooked up for both of Stafford’s scores in the second half and Johnson caught seven on the day for 108 yards. Stafford was 32 of 46 in the Lions’ 26-23 win over Minnesota for 378 yards, but the Georgia product didn’t just target Johnson. Pettigrew, who was drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft, the same year as Stafford, hauled in 11 receptions for 112 yards. Stafford has thrown for 977 yards in three games with nine scores. Johnson meanwhile has racked up 225 yards with six scores in three games. The Lions used to be a laughingstock in the NFL. Now the franchise is proving to possess an explosive offense.
Cam Newton picked up his first win as a professional in the Panthers’ 16-10 decision over Jacksonville, however fantasy owners may have seen it more as a loss. Newton racked up only 158 yards through the air and one score while rushing for just 27 yards on seven carries. Newton had averaged 427 yards per game in his first two contests as a pro.
Maurice Jones-Drew didn’t find the endzone against Carolina but he did rack up plenty of fantasy points with 45 yards receiving and 122 rushing yards. Depending on your league’s point system he may have still carried your squad to a victory despite not reaching paydirt.
Is it too late for people to go back and NOT draft Chris Johnson with one of the first three picks in their fantasy draft? Johnson carried it 13 times for just 21 yards in Tennessee’s recent game. He did pile up 54 yards on four receptions but his 75 total yards is not first round pick-worthy. Matt Hasselbeck did throw for 311 yards and two scores but I would only pick him up if you have a high waiver claim and want to try and flip him to a team with Peyton Manning rotting on the bench and is willing to give you a running back. Hasselbeck is averaging right at 310 yards per game and has 5 scores but I wonder how long the Titans’ ownership is going to let its first round pick Jake Locker sit on the bench.
If you were unfortunate enough to go against the New York Giants defense last week, I am sorry. I did too and the Giants defense came up with sack after sack and pick after pick. The Giants always seem to have the defensive line to warrant a before-you-are-comfortable pick in next year’s draft.
If you haven’t dropped Lee Evans yet in your league, go ahead and do it. I took Evans with my final pick because I thought he’d be the deep threat for Baltimore but injuries forced him out of the lineup the first few weeks and now Torrey Smith has likely forced him out for good. Smith caught three first quarter touchdowns and odds are the 2011 second round-pick is in the lineup to stay.
The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl one year ago with Jermichael Finley missing the second half of the season and the playoffs with an injury. You might have wondered if Finley would be able to slide right back in once back from injury. Yep. Finley caught seven passes for 85 yards against Chicago and three scores. Finley is a mismatch nightmare that the coaching staff loves to use. I’ve never heard of trying to trade FOR a tight end, but this one might just be worth it.
Cam Newton picked up his first win as a professional in the Panthers’ 16-10 decision over Jacksonville, however fantasy owners may have seen it more as a loss. Newton racked up only 158 yards through the air and one score while rushing for just 27 yards on seven carries. Newton had averaged 427 yards per game in his first two contests as a pro.
Maurice Jones-Drew didn’t find the endzone against Carolina but he did rack up plenty of fantasy points with 45 yards receiving and 122 rushing yards. Depending on your league’s point system he may have still carried your squad to a victory despite not reaching paydirt.
Is it too late for people to go back and NOT draft Chris Johnson with one of the first three picks in their fantasy draft? Johnson carried it 13 times for just 21 yards in Tennessee’s recent game. He did pile up 54 yards on four receptions but his 75 total yards is not first round pick-worthy. Matt Hasselbeck did throw for 311 yards and two scores but I would only pick him up if you have a high waiver claim and want to try and flip him to a team with Peyton Manning rotting on the bench and is willing to give you a running back. Hasselbeck is averaging right at 310 yards per game and has 5 scores but I wonder how long the Titans’ ownership is going to let its first round pick Jake Locker sit on the bench.
If you were unfortunate enough to go against the New York Giants defense last week, I am sorry. I did too and the Giants defense came up with sack after sack and pick after pick. The Giants always seem to have the defensive line to warrant a before-you-are-comfortable pick in next year’s draft.
If you haven’t dropped Lee Evans yet in your league, go ahead and do it. I took Evans with my final pick because I thought he’d be the deep threat for Baltimore but injuries forced him out of the lineup the first few weeks and now Torrey Smith has likely forced him out for good. Smith caught three first quarter touchdowns and odds are the 2011 second round-pick is in the lineup to stay.
The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl one year ago with Jermichael Finley missing the second half of the season and the playoffs with an injury. You might have wondered if Finley would be able to slide right back in once back from injury. Yep. Finley caught seven passes for 85 yards against Chicago and three scores. Finley is a mismatch nightmare that the coaching staff loves to use. I’ve never heard of trying to trade FOR a tight end, but this one might just be worth it.
Monday's Score Atlanta recruiting news
The Georgia Bulldogs received some good news even after dominating the Ole Miss Rebels on the football field Saturday. ML King wide receiver Blake Tibbs became the 15th high schooler to pledge his verbal commitment to Mark Richt and the University of Georgia. The AJC reported that Tibbs was offered a scholarship after Flowery Branch’s CJ Curry switched his pledge from Georgia to Oklahoma State earlier this summer. ...
Georgia is also hot after Tibbs’ teammate Kenderius Whitehead, a defensive end that has called Georgia his leader. Whitehead had double-digit offers when he finally received his offer from Georgia. He told The Official Visit co-hosts Fletcher Proctor and Scott Janovitz that the coaching staff said he reminded them of the Dallas Cowboys standout DeMarcus Ware. ...
A University of North Carolina official was on hand at Tom Riden Stadium Friday, watching the Buford Wolves host the Lovett Lions. Buford had several players already committed to ACC and SEC programs but Score 44 TE/DE Kurt Freitag is still undecided as is OT Vadal Alexander. ...
Finally, Kyle Sloter, who recently received his first offer (Tulane), visited Arkansas for the Troy game and is getting interest from the SEC West team, as well as NC State, UAB, Furman and UNC.
Georgia is also hot after Tibbs’ teammate Kenderius Whitehead, a defensive end that has called Georgia his leader. Whitehead had double-digit offers when he finally received his offer from Georgia. He told The Official Visit co-hosts Fletcher Proctor and Scott Janovitz that the coaching staff said he reminded them of the Dallas Cowboys standout DeMarcus Ware. ...
A University of North Carolina official was on hand at Tom Riden Stadium Friday, watching the Buford Wolves host the Lovett Lions. Buford had several players already committed to ACC and SEC programs but Score 44 TE/DE Kurt Freitag is still undecided as is OT Vadal Alexander. ...
Finally, Kyle Sloter, who recently received his first offer (Tulane), visited Arkansas for the Troy game and is getting interest from the SEC West team, as well as NC State, UAB, Furman and UNC.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Buford is BIG, injury bug bites Central Gwinnett
The injury bug bit once again this past weekend as Central Gwinnett’s Malachi Jones was forced to leave the Black Knights’ game against Brookwood after hauling in four catches for 30 yards. According to the Gwinnett Daily Post, Jones has 32 catches and eight scores on the season. Brookwood pasted Central Gwinnett 56-14. ...
Buford welcomed Lovett into Tom Riden Stadium last Friday (catch the replay on-demand at GPB.org/sports) and though the score was 7-0 at the half, you got the feeling that Buford was not going to let Lovett back in the game. The Wolves came out in the second half and dominated the line of scrimmage as its O-Line averaged roughly 266 lb across the board, not including TE Kurt Freitag. The Lovett defensive front averaged about 210 lb. Buford scored three rushing touchdowns in the third quarter. ...
Is there anything that Brice Ramsey cannot do? The 2013 UGA QB pledge led Camden County to yet another win and in the victory, he booted a 57-yard field goal. ...
Shelby Wilkes threw for four scores as Valdosta beat R.E. Lee of Alabama Friday. Wilkes played last year for Rush Propst and Colquitt County but now suits up for Rance Gillespie’s Valdosta Wildcats. It will be interesting when those two teams hook up November 4 in Valdosta to see how Cole Seagraves the new Packers QB fares against the former one. ...
John Russ was back on the field for Mill Creek last Friday in the Hawks’ loss to Norcross. (Game available on-demand at GPB.org/sports.) Russ missed the team’s loss to Mountain View but looked to be back at full strength against the Blue Devils. Mill Creek has lost two straight region games after winning its first three to start the season.
Buford welcomed Lovett into Tom Riden Stadium last Friday (catch the replay on-demand at GPB.org/sports) and though the score was 7-0 at the half, you got the feeling that Buford was not going to let Lovett back in the game. The Wolves came out in the second half and dominated the line of scrimmage as its O-Line averaged roughly 266 lb across the board, not including TE Kurt Freitag. The Lovett defensive front averaged about 210 lb. Buford scored three rushing touchdowns in the third quarter. ...
Is there anything that Brice Ramsey cannot do? The 2013 UGA QB pledge led Camden County to yet another win and in the victory, he booted a 57-yard field goal. ...
Shelby Wilkes threw for four scores as Valdosta beat R.E. Lee of Alabama Friday. Wilkes played last year for Rush Propst and Colquitt County but now suits up for Rance Gillespie’s Valdosta Wildcats. It will be interesting when those two teams hook up November 4 in Valdosta to see how Cole Seagraves the new Packers QB fares against the former one. ...
John Russ was back on the field for Mill Creek last Friday in the Hawks’ loss to Norcross. (Game available on-demand at GPB.org/sports.) Russ missed the team’s loss to Mountain View but looked to be back at full strength against the Blue Devils. Mill Creek has lost two straight region games after winning its first three to start the season.
New Score Atlanta HSFB Poll!
Ware County fell down to No. 10 in 4A following its loss to Lowndes. I was tempted to take the Gators out all together and throw in the Raiders of Mays, but Ware County’s schedule is a bit tougher than the Mays’ schedule to date. Should Mays keep winning, Raiders Nation will soon see its team in the top ten. The Mary Persons Bulldogs fell hard to Baldwin 20-7 to drop out of the rankings from No. 6. Undefeated Stockbridge moved in at No. 9. Lovett dropped two spots following a loss to Buford. Class A saw the biggest shakeup though after No.1 Wilkinson County lost. Charlton County is the new No. 1 while Warren County and Clinch County fell after both lost. Athens Academy dropped out of the rankings following a loss while Marion County debuted at No. 8. Class 5A was unchanged after all the teams were either idle or victorious last weekend.
For the complete Poll, check out Scoreatl.com, GPB.org/sports or just read the Score Atlanta daily newsletter Monday morning!
For the complete Poll, check out Scoreatl.com, GPB.org/sports or just read the Score Atlanta daily newsletter Monday morning!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Buford lays it on Lovett and the rest of the metro...
The Buford Wolves entered its contest against Lovett ranked as the No.1 team in Class AA and winners of 37 straight home games, 55 straight regular season home games. The Lovett Lions, ranked No. 5 in Class AA, scored 28 points in a victory against Buford two years ago and seemed ready to perhaps hand Buford another loss. Darrian Smith scored on a 27-yard sprint in the first quarterback, but Lovett intercepted Sam Clay once in Lions’ territory and forced a punt on another drive. The score at intermission was Buford 7-0.
The Wolves used its size advantage on the first drive of the second half, plowing through the Lions’ defensive line to double its lead to 14-0. Andre Johnson capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring run. He would add his second of the quarter on a 59-yard sprint with four minutes left in the quarter and Nathan Staub would add another 15-yard score before the end of the third quarter.
Lovett would finally dent the scoreboard as freshman quarterback Willie Candler ran 28 yards for a score on third and ten early in the fourth quarter. The freshman was making his first start and he finished with no turnovers but a loss. Buford would add an eleven-yard touchdown from junior Dontravious Wilson in the 35-7 Wolves’ win. Wilson finished with 80 yards on six carries while Johnson finished with 8 carries and 170 yards. Buford quarterback Sam Clay played in the fourth quarter for the first time all season but improved to 6-0 on the year. Lovett suffered its first loss of the year to drop to 3-1. Buford did rack up 20 penalties in the game to Lovett’s seven.
Alvin Kamara rushed for 226 yards and three scores as Norcross traveled to Mill Creek and remained undefeated with a 41-34 victory. Mill Creek’s John Russ threw a late interception to squash any hopes of a Norcross comeback...Walton doubled up Etowah 34-17...Brookwood pasted Central Gwinnett 56-14, using a productive third quarter to pull out the win. Jamaal Cole had three first half touchdowns... Parkview 20-7 over South Gwinnett. Chris Carson pulled the Panthers ahead with a four-yard run in the third. Travon Davis had a score for the Comets...Stephenson 56-35 over Westlake...Lanier knocked off Union County 33-15 as Taylor Grant passed for four scores...Dacula pitched a shutout 25-0 over Shiloh...Gainesville followed up his eight touchdown performance from last week with five in a 42-13 win over Franklin County. Watson passed for four and ran for another...Marietta got a win on homecoming 29-6 over Wheeler...St. Pius went ballistic in the second half, scoring 35 points in a 42-0 victory. Logan Rosborough toted the rock 20 times, racking up 165 yards and four scores...Ukeme Eligwe threw for a score and ran another in Stone Mountain’s 21-10 victory over Woodward Academy. Eligwe finished with 145 yards rushing...North Gwinnett has continued its roll ever since the McEachern loss, thumping Meadowcreek 71-6...Peachtree Ridge prevented Mountain View from making it two straight region victories with a 28-17 victory...Wesleyan received a four-yard score from Zander Yost to edge Fellowship Christian 14-7. Eric Sunderman threw for a score as well for Wesleyan.
The Wolves used its size advantage on the first drive of the second half, plowing through the Lions’ defensive line to double its lead to 14-0. Andre Johnson capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring run. He would add his second of the quarter on a 59-yard sprint with four minutes left in the quarter and Nathan Staub would add another 15-yard score before the end of the third quarter.
Lovett would finally dent the scoreboard as freshman quarterback Willie Candler ran 28 yards for a score on third and ten early in the fourth quarter. The freshman was making his first start and he finished with no turnovers but a loss. Buford would add an eleven-yard touchdown from junior Dontravious Wilson in the 35-7 Wolves’ win. Wilson finished with 80 yards on six carries while Johnson finished with 8 carries and 170 yards. Buford quarterback Sam Clay played in the fourth quarter for the first time all season but improved to 6-0 on the year. Lovett suffered its first loss of the year to drop to 3-1. Buford did rack up 20 penalties in the game to Lovett’s seven.
Alvin Kamara rushed for 226 yards and three scores as Norcross traveled to Mill Creek and remained undefeated with a 41-34 victory. Mill Creek’s John Russ threw a late interception to squash any hopes of a Norcross comeback...Walton doubled up Etowah 34-17...Brookwood pasted Central Gwinnett 56-14, using a productive third quarter to pull out the win. Jamaal Cole had three first half touchdowns... Parkview 20-7 over South Gwinnett. Chris Carson pulled the Panthers ahead with a four-yard run in the third. Travon Davis had a score for the Comets...Stephenson 56-35 over Westlake...Lanier knocked off Union County 33-15 as Taylor Grant passed for four scores...Dacula pitched a shutout 25-0 over Shiloh...Gainesville followed up his eight touchdown performance from last week with five in a 42-13 win over Franklin County. Watson passed for four and ran for another...Marietta got a win on homecoming 29-6 over Wheeler...St. Pius went ballistic in the second half, scoring 35 points in a 42-0 victory. Logan Rosborough toted the rock 20 times, racking up 165 yards and four scores...Ukeme Eligwe threw for a score and ran another in Stone Mountain’s 21-10 victory over Woodward Academy. Eligwe finished with 145 yards rushing...North Gwinnett has continued its roll ever since the McEachern loss, thumping Meadowcreek 71-6...Peachtree Ridge prevented Mountain View from making it two straight region victories with a 28-17 victory...Wesleyan received a four-yard score from Zander Yost to edge Fellowship Christian 14-7. Eric Sunderman threw for a score as well for Wesleyan.
Buford looking for 56 straight...tonight on GPB.org
The No. 1 Buford Wolves have won four straight state titles but have lost at least one game each of the last two years. The one loss in 2009? The Lovett Lions upset Buford that year 28-21 to end Buford's 32-game winning streak. Buford has won 37 straight home games and 55 regular season home games. The two will tango tonight at Tom Riden Stadium on the GPB.org game of the week. ...
Mill Creek played last week without quarterback John Russ (concussion) in a 9-7 loss to Mountain View and could be without the senior again tonight against Norcross (GPB-TV game of the week). The Blue Devils will be without Tanner Maloof, but will be looking to continue its unbeaten season. ...
Banneker faces Lovejoy Saturday in a game that could go a long way to decide the Region 4-AAAA title. ...
Mountain View will try and pull off another region win with Peachtree Ridge on the schedule. The Lions feature multiple options in the ground game, led by DiAndre Atwater. ...
Westlake will face Stephenson and the Lions should benefit from a new player. Future Maryland wide receiver AJ Liddell transferred in from Chapel Hill and was just declared eligible last week. ...
Walton will hit the road to face Etowah as Raider tailback Tyren Jones will face a tall task in Bill Stewart's 4-3 defense. ...
Central Gwinnett will be looking to bounce back from a 63-55 loss to South Gwinnett when the Black Knights host Brookwood. The Broncos are coming off a 21-19 victory over Archer...
Collins Hill is looking to snap a two-game losing skid when the Eagles travel to Duluth to face the Wildcats. Duluth may be without Anfernee Stewart who left last week's game against Norcross with an injury. ...
GAC will host Blessed Trinity as the Spartans look to move up the rankings. GAC sits No. 3 in the latest Score/GPB poll.
Mill Creek played last week without quarterback John Russ (concussion) in a 9-7 loss to Mountain View and could be without the senior again tonight against Norcross (GPB-TV game of the week). The Blue Devils will be without Tanner Maloof, but will be looking to continue its unbeaten season. ...
Banneker faces Lovejoy Saturday in a game that could go a long way to decide the Region 4-AAAA title. ...
Mountain View will try and pull off another region win with Peachtree Ridge on the schedule. The Lions feature multiple options in the ground game, led by DiAndre Atwater. ...
Westlake will face Stephenson and the Lions should benefit from a new player. Future Maryland wide receiver AJ Liddell transferred in from Chapel Hill and was just declared eligible last week. ...
Walton will hit the road to face Etowah as Raider tailback Tyren Jones will face a tall task in Bill Stewart's 4-3 defense. ...
Central Gwinnett will be looking to bounce back from a 63-55 loss to South Gwinnett when the Black Knights host Brookwood. The Broncos are coming off a 21-19 victory over Archer...
Collins Hill is looking to snap a two-game losing skid when the Eagles travel to Duluth to face the Wildcats. Duluth may be without Anfernee Stewart who left last week's game against Norcross with an injury. ...
GAC will host Blessed Trinity as the Spartans look to move up the rankings. GAC sits No. 3 in the latest Score/GPB poll.
The Picks isn't stressing out. Richt might be though...
SDSU @ #22 Michigan. Ahh the Brady Hoke Bowl. He left San Diego State to go be a Michigan Man. So far he is doing better than RichRod. Still wondering if RichRod got a raw deal, but too late now. Hoke seems to have the magic touch with RichRod’s players, and as long as Shoelace is suiting up, SDSU is in trouble. Big Blue wins one for Handsome Josh
UNC @ 25 GT Georgia Tech has scored on its first play from scrimmage in all three games. Tech now faces a team with a quasi-real defense. Not sure Tech will score on its first play from scrimmage, but I’m pretty sure they win. PS, I guess Everett Withers knew what he was doing when he turned down Richt (maybe he was never offered the job. Is it too late for Georgia to go back and offer him?) but he is the interim right now and if he pulls this one off, UNC should let him keep the job
Notre Dame @ Pitt. A team that is about to leave the Big East vs a team that SHOULD BE in the Big East. And if ND went to the Big East, you KNOW Pitt would stay, for the record. But Notre Dame refuses to see logic. Pitt to the ACC for football is stupid. Pitt to the ACC for basketball? Awesome. the ACC is THE NEW Big East at that point. UNC, Duke, Pitt, Syracuse. NICE! In this game, I am going with Notre Dame. REVERSE JINX! or is that just a straight up jinx? Don’t remember...
Georgia @ Ole Miss. I heard this called a must-win in the AJC, but I heard Chuck & Chernoff call it a “Can’t lose”. I agree with C&C. The difference, in my opinion, is that a must-win is a game that is a toss-up. A can’t lose is one where you are 95% favored so you shouldn’t lose it and you REALLY shouldn’t fall victim to the last 5%. This is a can’t lose for Georgia. If Richt thought the noise was too loud before this game, just lose and see what happens...Dawgs win
Temple @ Maryland. Temple nearly beat Penn State. That’s because Penn State isn’t very good and it was at Temple. This game is in College Park and Maryland is pretty good. Nearly came back last week for the win. Fear the Turtle. Maryland is becoming a football school. Why? Because crabcakes and football is what Maryland does!
14 Arkansas @ 3 Alabama. Bama has won something like 21 of its last 22 home games. Arkansas has a habit of not winning big road games. (Lone exception being Georgia last year, but Georgia also finished 6-7...) Tide ROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSS
7 Okie State @ 8 TA&M. My in-laws are both Okie alumni. (Notice the plural. My f-i-l is an alumnus, my m-i-l an alumna. Alumni is plural) They are coming into town. I HAVE to go with Okie State if I want to stay the favorite. My wife’s sister’s husband has pulled even because he gave them a grandchild. I need to stay #1. Therefore, GO POKES!
11 FSU @ 21 Clemson FSU lost last week and lost its QB in the process. Clemson won a big game last week, Dabo’s biggest win in his tenure. Clemson’s running game looked good. Its freshmen looked good. Dabo had that crazy speech after the game. Too bad FSU comes into Death Valley and beats them. I’d have LOVED to have heard another speech from Dabo.
13 VaTech @ Marshall. Why is VaTech going TO Marshall to play in a game? VaTech has gone on the road a bunch over the last few years to play these smaller schools. WHY!? You are Virginia Tech! I know you always lose in BCS bowl games and when you play real teams (you are kinda like the Ohio State of the ACC) but you DON’T go to places like Marshall to play! Period. That said, Logan Thomas and the Hokies win.
Western Michigan @ 24 Illinois. How about that! Ron Zook has his team No.24 in the country! Wow. Maybe up to No.23 after they beat WMichigan. Good for the Zooker.
Tulane @ Duke. I don’t really care about this game, but I thought I’d include it since Kyle Sloter’s dad was so proud of his son getting a scholarship offer from Tulane. Let’s take Duke here and say that if Sloter was there, Tulane would win. Dooook.
UAB @ ECU. I had the pleasure of watching UAB’s next head coach last Friday as Rush Propst and Colquitt County lost to Warner Robins. ECU wins this one and UAB checks Rush’s availability after the year.
Colorado @ Ohio State. The Buckeyes lost to Miami. My bad. I was wrong. I am excited though that Braxton Miller is getting the starting job. If you are going to lose this year in Columbus, why not do with with your true freshman taking lumps. That way, he’s ready for next year (and Urban Meyer). Miller helps the Buckeyes get back on track with a thumping of Colorado.
UCLA @ Oregon State Slick Rick lost last week to Texas. Not gud for Slick. If he loses to Mike Riley...whoa. This is the West Coast version of the UGA/OleMiss game. I’m taking the Beavers and Riley. USC wanted him two years ago. He isn’t dumb.
Southern Miss @ UVa. The Virginia Cavaliers are MAD! Mike London’s crew lost to UNC last week! They’ll take it out on Southern Miss....maybe. Mike London is getting there. Al Groh left the program in poor shape. May take London a little longer than Daddio is hoping. I’ll still go with the Hoos.
K-State @ Miami. K-State has the Brown brothers. Miami has Harris back and Al Golden too. I like the Canes at home because I believe in Golden. He wants that Penn State job. Keep winning these games and you’ll get it Al.
9 Nebraska @ Wyoming. See above VaTech @ Marshall. I could at least understand sort of VaTech traveling 2 hours west to Marshall. Nebraska AT Wyoming? Why? NU rolls. I scratch my head.
Mizzou @ 1 OU. Mizzou is making the SEC wait for an answer? I’d pull the offer if I’m the SEC. You are making US wait? Are you kidding me? Mizzou wrecked OU’s No.1 bid last year. It won’t happen again. The Sooners Boom the Tigers mainly because Mizzou doesn’t have Blaine the Mane on its team anymore.
2 LSU @ 16 WVA. Cajuns vs white trash. And Cajun is French for White trash, right? Just kidding LSU people! (though not really. did you see that deadspin/youtube clip?) West VA is a tough place to play, unless you have the most talented team in the country. Les Miles, I would suggest not eating any of the grass from this field, it may have pieces of burnt couch in it. LSU wins.
Tulsa @ 4 Boise State: If Gus Malzahn and/or Todd Graham were still there, Tulsa would have a shot. Sorry Aunt Susan. Boise State rolls.
Georgia State @ Houston. Case Keenum vs Drew Little. Advantage: Houston
10 Oregon @ Arizona. Nick Foles looked good early on against Stanford. Too bad his kicker couldn’t connect on any field goals. Again, my in-laws are from Tucson and will be here this weekend, but I am not stupid. Oregon.
23 USC @ Arizona State. Arizona State is supposed to be THE surprise team of the Pac 12. I like Matt Barkley. Those new Arizona State logo unis might confuse USC though. Let’s take the Devils in an upset.
Pro Picks: Falcons over Bucs, Redskins over Cowboys
Lock of the week: Bama over Arkie
Upset of the week: Arizona State over USC
Local: GT over UNC, UGA over Ole Miss
UNC @ 25 GT Georgia Tech has scored on its first play from scrimmage in all three games. Tech now faces a team with a quasi-real defense. Not sure Tech will score on its first play from scrimmage, but I’m pretty sure they win. PS, I guess Everett Withers knew what he was doing when he turned down Richt (maybe he was never offered the job. Is it too late for Georgia to go back and offer him?) but he is the interim right now and if he pulls this one off, UNC should let him keep the job
Notre Dame @ Pitt. A team that is about to leave the Big East vs a team that SHOULD BE in the Big East. And if ND went to the Big East, you KNOW Pitt would stay, for the record. But Notre Dame refuses to see logic. Pitt to the ACC for football is stupid. Pitt to the ACC for basketball? Awesome. the ACC is THE NEW Big East at that point. UNC, Duke, Pitt, Syracuse. NICE! In this game, I am going with Notre Dame. REVERSE JINX! or is that just a straight up jinx? Don’t remember...
Georgia @ Ole Miss. I heard this called a must-win in the AJC, but I heard Chuck & Chernoff call it a “Can’t lose”. I agree with C&C. The difference, in my opinion, is that a must-win is a game that is a toss-up. A can’t lose is one where you are 95% favored so you shouldn’t lose it and you REALLY shouldn’t fall victim to the last 5%. This is a can’t lose for Georgia. If Richt thought the noise was too loud before this game, just lose and see what happens...Dawgs win
Temple @ Maryland. Temple nearly beat Penn State. That’s because Penn State isn’t very good and it was at Temple. This game is in College Park and Maryland is pretty good. Nearly came back last week for the win. Fear the Turtle. Maryland is becoming a football school. Why? Because crabcakes and football is what Maryland does!
14 Arkansas @ 3 Alabama. Bama has won something like 21 of its last 22 home games. Arkansas has a habit of not winning big road games. (Lone exception being Georgia last year, but Georgia also finished 6-7...) Tide ROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSS
7 Okie State @ 8 TA&M. My in-laws are both Okie alumni. (Notice the plural. My f-i-l is an alumnus, my m-i-l an alumna. Alumni is plural) They are coming into town. I HAVE to go with Okie State if I want to stay the favorite. My wife’s sister’s husband has pulled even because he gave them a grandchild. I need to stay #1. Therefore, GO POKES!
11 FSU @ 21 Clemson FSU lost last week and lost its QB in the process. Clemson won a big game last week, Dabo’s biggest win in his tenure. Clemson’s running game looked good. Its freshmen looked good. Dabo had that crazy speech after the game. Too bad FSU comes into Death Valley and beats them. I’d have LOVED to have heard another speech from Dabo.
13 VaTech @ Marshall. Why is VaTech going TO Marshall to play in a game? VaTech has gone on the road a bunch over the last few years to play these smaller schools. WHY!? You are Virginia Tech! I know you always lose in BCS bowl games and when you play real teams (you are kinda like the Ohio State of the ACC) but you DON’T go to places like Marshall to play! Period. That said, Logan Thomas and the Hokies win.
Western Michigan @ 24 Illinois. How about that! Ron Zook has his team No.24 in the country! Wow. Maybe up to No.23 after they beat WMichigan. Good for the Zooker.
Tulane @ Duke. I don’t really care about this game, but I thought I’d include it since Kyle Sloter’s dad was so proud of his son getting a scholarship offer from Tulane. Let’s take Duke here and say that if Sloter was there, Tulane would win. Dooook.
UAB @ ECU. I had the pleasure of watching UAB’s next head coach last Friday as Rush Propst and Colquitt County lost to Warner Robins. ECU wins this one and UAB checks Rush’s availability after the year.
Colorado @ Ohio State. The Buckeyes lost to Miami. My bad. I was wrong. I am excited though that Braxton Miller is getting the starting job. If you are going to lose this year in Columbus, why not do with with your true freshman taking lumps. That way, he’s ready for next year (and Urban Meyer). Miller helps the Buckeyes get back on track with a thumping of Colorado.
UCLA @ Oregon State Slick Rick lost last week to Texas. Not gud for Slick. If he loses to Mike Riley...whoa. This is the West Coast version of the UGA/OleMiss game. I’m taking the Beavers and Riley. USC wanted him two years ago. He isn’t dumb.
Southern Miss @ UVa. The Virginia Cavaliers are MAD! Mike London’s crew lost to UNC last week! They’ll take it out on Southern Miss....maybe. Mike London is getting there. Al Groh left the program in poor shape. May take London a little longer than Daddio is hoping. I’ll still go with the Hoos.
K-State @ Miami. K-State has the Brown brothers. Miami has Harris back and Al Golden too. I like the Canes at home because I believe in Golden. He wants that Penn State job. Keep winning these games and you’ll get it Al.
9 Nebraska @ Wyoming. See above VaTech @ Marshall. I could at least understand sort of VaTech traveling 2 hours west to Marshall. Nebraska AT Wyoming? Why? NU rolls. I scratch my head.
Mizzou @ 1 OU. Mizzou is making the SEC wait for an answer? I’d pull the offer if I’m the SEC. You are making US wait? Are you kidding me? Mizzou wrecked OU’s No.1 bid last year. It won’t happen again. The Sooners Boom the Tigers mainly because Mizzou doesn’t have Blaine the Mane on its team anymore.
2 LSU @ 16 WVA. Cajuns vs white trash. And Cajun is French for White trash, right? Just kidding LSU people! (though not really. did you see that deadspin/youtube clip?) West VA is a tough place to play, unless you have the most talented team in the country. Les Miles, I would suggest not eating any of the grass from this field, it may have pieces of burnt couch in it. LSU wins.
Tulsa @ 4 Boise State: If Gus Malzahn and/or Todd Graham were still there, Tulsa would have a shot. Sorry Aunt Susan. Boise State rolls.
Georgia State @ Houston. Case Keenum vs Drew Little. Advantage: Houston
10 Oregon @ Arizona. Nick Foles looked good early on against Stanford. Too bad his kicker couldn’t connect on any field goals. Again, my in-laws are from Tucson and will be here this weekend, but I am not stupid. Oregon.
23 USC @ Arizona State. Arizona State is supposed to be THE surprise team of the Pac 12. I like Matt Barkley. Those new Arizona State logo unis might confuse USC though. Let’s take the Devils in an upset.
Pro Picks: Falcons over Bucs, Redskins over Cowboys
Lock of the week: Bama over Arkie
Upset of the week: Arizona State over USC
Local: GT over UNC, UGA over Ole Miss
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Buford is loaded with Score44, but could GAC knock 'em off?
One year ago the Buford Wolves did not have a single senior receiver a scholarship offer from a BCS conference school. That did not stop the Wolves however from winning the school’s fourth straight Class AA state title with a victory over Calhoun in the Georgia Dome. Jess Simpson’s 2011 edition has three members of the Score 44 with offers from SEC schools and three other players have already pledged to SEC or ACC schools. Offensive lineman/long snapper Reid Ferguson will head to Baton Rouge to suit up for Les Miles next year while defensive back Paris Head has pledged to Vanderbilt. CJ Moore, a cornerback, is headed to Virginia. As for the members of the Score 44, linebacker Dillon Lee has toured Athens a few times but for now is committed to Alabama. Defensive End/Tight End Kurt Freitag has offers from Alabama as well as a few schools in Florida. Offensive lineman Vadal Alexander is viewed by some services as the top tackle in the state and one of the nation’s best. He has offers from a host of SEC West schools. Check these players out in the GPB.org game of the week this Friday… Tim Cokely of GAC has his Spartans up to No.3 and in a position to challenge for the Class AA state title. Cokely has won six state titles in Florida at North Florida Christian but has never won a state crown in Georgia. He previously coached at Colquitt County, compiling a 14-18 record in three years during the middle 2000s…Bryan County head softball coach Al Butler came away encouraged from his team’s performance at the recent Gordon Lee tournament, where the team won four of five games. Butler told the Savannah Morning News he believes his team is in a position to make a run at a third straight trip to the Elite Eight.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Noise getting to Richt. Deep Sigh...
The Hotseat Bowl is what this upcoming Georgia/Ole Miss game has been dubbed. Mark Richt laughed when he heard this “nickname” at a press conference earlier this week, but then threw a few pointed remarks towards the media and the author of the nickname.
As a Georgia alumnus I must say that this is the side of Richt that is bothersome. I have sighed before when Richt played the “unless you’ve played the game, be quiet and leave the football to us” card. However this easily-aggravated-over-job-security persona that is now on display is making those sighs a bit deeper. I have never been in his spot, ie, on the hotseat and possibly about to lose my job. However I would think that he could take the criticism a bit better. He has said before that he is blocking out the “noise” and the team is as well, but I keep reading and seeing and hearing an agitated tone when the topic is broached. Sorry, but a coach with 90+ wins at Georgia and a pair of SEC titles in his tenure now in trouble IS NEWS. If the reporters weren’t asking about it, they wouldn’t be doing their jobs.
Richt is getting a little testy over this and that is perhaps the blackest eye on the program right now, not just the losses. If he keeps the team playing well, including a win this weekend, the noise should quiet down a bit. I hate to say it but when you take the big money, you take everything that comes with it. Sometimes that is noise from reporters and fans/boosters/alumni. Block it out or address it. Don’t get testy.
As a Georgia alumnus I must say that this is the side of Richt that is bothersome. I have sighed before when Richt played the “unless you’ve played the game, be quiet and leave the football to us” card. However this easily-aggravated-over-job-security persona that is now on display is making those sighs a bit deeper. I have never been in his spot, ie, on the hotseat and possibly about to lose my job. However I would think that he could take the criticism a bit better. He has said before that he is blocking out the “noise” and the team is as well, but I keep reading and seeing and hearing an agitated tone when the topic is broached. Sorry, but a coach with 90+ wins at Georgia and a pair of SEC titles in his tenure now in trouble IS NEWS. If the reporters weren’t asking about it, they wouldn’t be doing their jobs.
Richt is getting a little testy over this and that is perhaps the blackest eye on the program right now, not just the losses. If he keeps the team playing well, including a win this weekend, the noise should quiet down a bit. I hate to say it but when you take the big money, you take everything that comes with it. Sometimes that is noise from reporters and fans/boosters/alumni. Block it out or address it. Don’t get testy.
Will CPJ pull Kallon's offer? Doubtful
This whole football thing for Central Gwinnett defensive end Francis Kallon is probably starting to be fun. Before he ever stepped onto a football field for an official game, the London, England native had multiple scholarship offers in hand and had pledged to Georgia Tech. That declaration has not stopped plenty of SEC coaches from stopping by coach Todd Wofford’s practices, though Kallon tells the AJC his word is his word. He will however be attending Alabama’s football camp this week where an offer to join Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide might be granted. It will be interesting to see if Paul Johnson pulls his offer to Kallon as he has done with other previously committed prospects that visit other schools…
The Warner Robins’ upset of Colquitt County (available on-demand at GPB.org/sports) may have been the upset of the year and Packers’ head coach Rush Propst told the Moultrie Observer that it was “one of the worst offensive days I’ve ever had.” Propst noted that there was a bust on every play in the Wayne Grandy article. Propst also promised to get “out better players in the game.” Running back Willie Woodyard had just six touches in the loss and Ty Smith was held without a touchdown…
Amanda Chambers of Parkview’s Lady Panther softball squad did a little bit of everything in the team’s 11-1 win over Newton. Chambers was 2-2 at the plate, stroking two doubles and driving in two runs. On the rubber she was better, striking out 12 batters to pick up her seventh win of the season…
The Walton cross country teams dominated the Warpath Invitational last Saturday. The boys were led by individual champion Brian Sullivan to finish ahead of second place Marist. The girls meanwhile featured individual winner Alexa Womack to take down Woodstock.
The Warner Robins’ upset of Colquitt County (available on-demand at GPB.org/sports) may have been the upset of the year and Packers’ head coach Rush Propst told the Moultrie Observer that it was “one of the worst offensive days I’ve ever had.” Propst noted that there was a bust on every play in the Wayne Grandy article. Propst also promised to get “out better players in the game.” Running back Willie Woodyard had just six touches in the loss and Ty Smith was held without a touchdown…
Amanda Chambers of Parkview’s Lady Panther softball squad did a little bit of everything in the team’s 11-1 win over Newton. Chambers was 2-2 at the plate, stroking two doubles and driving in two runs. On the rubber she was better, striking out 12 batters to pick up her seventh win of the season…
The Walton cross country teams dominated the Warpath Invitational last Saturday. The boys were led by individual champion Brian Sullivan to finish ahead of second place Marist. The girls meanwhile featured individual winner Alexa Womack to take down Woodstock.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Score 44 for Week 5.
Week five of the Score 44 finds two new members as ML King Quarterback Jonquel Dawson was proving week after week to be too good to be excluded and Shad Thornton nearly ran hard enough to pull off a big upset of Statesboro. Last week Dawson piled up plenty of stats in a victory, 23-40 278 passing yards with 4 TDs (two passing, two rushing). Meanwhile Thornton rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns in Liberty County’s 17-14 loss to Statesboro. Thornton is averaging more than 200 yards per contest. With every name we include, unfortunately one has to come off the list. Ty Smith certainly looked good in warm-ups last Friday night in Warner Robins before the Colquitt County Packers fell in an upset. While he will play tight end at the next level, Smith was being split out to receiver but let a few passes hit off his hands while not reaching two others. Smith has made big plays in prior weeks however and will be a very talented player for Georgia over the next few years. Adam Griffith did nothing to be taken off but Thornton was simply too good to be left off the list any longer.
In (from week 4) Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB; Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville ) RB
Out (from week 4) Adam Griffith, Calhoun (Calhoun), K; Ty Smith, Colquitt County (Moultrie) TE
Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K
George Morris, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) RB
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville) RB
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Dakota Ball, Pepperell (Lindale) DT
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Carlos Hood, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DT
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Leonard Floyd, Dodge County (Eastman), DE
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Niles Clark, Lassiter (Marietta ), CB
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB
In (from week 4) Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB; Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville ) RB
Out (from week 4) Adam Griffith, Calhoun (Calhoun), K; Ty Smith, Colquitt County (Moultrie) TE
Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K
George Morris, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) RB
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville) RB
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Dakota Ball, Pepperell (Lindale) DT
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Carlos Hood, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DT
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Leonard Floyd, Dodge County (Eastman), DE
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Niles Clark, Lassiter (Marietta ), CB
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB
Sandy Creek is streaking, Buford isn't allowing any points
With Clinch County’s loss to Wilcox County last week, its winning streak was snapped at 17. The defending Class A champions started a new streak over the weekend with a 14-13 victory over Bacon County. Two-time defending champion Sandy Creek now holds the longest current winning streak at 32 games. The Fighting Patriots defeated Drew 35-0 in the Georgia Dome, part of the Great American Football Classic. Four-time defending Class AA champ Buford is second with 18 straight victories.
The Wolves, who have surrendered just 14 points through five games and have posted three shutouts this year, host Lovett this Friday in the GPB.org Game of the Week…
The Year of the (injured) Quarterback continued over the weekend as Lassiter’s Eddie Printz and Duluth’s Anfernee Stewart both left games with an injured shoulder and an injured leg, respectively. Neither injury is expected to force either player to miss extensive playing time…
Add one more name to the top quarterbacks of the 2013 recruiting class as Eman Westmoreland threw for 582 yards in the Georgia Dome Saturday. He has a serious weapon in Malachi Jones to help him pad stats all season long…
Brookwood’s football team may be struggling a bit this season but the cross country teams are more than making up for any shortcomings. Both the boys and girls cross country teams won the Gwinnett County Cross Country Championships over the weekend. The boys were sparked by five runners finishing in the top eight including runner-up Morgan Malanoski. In all, Brookwood put nine runners in the top 20. The girls meanwhile were paced by three runners in the top ten. Caroline Kissel finished fourth to lead the Lady Broncos. Collins Hill’s Chloe Whitworth and Peachtree Ridge’s Josh Brickell claimed individual honors in the event.
The Wolves, who have surrendered just 14 points through five games and have posted three shutouts this year, host Lovett this Friday in the GPB.org Game of the Week…
The Year of the (injured) Quarterback continued over the weekend as Lassiter’s Eddie Printz and Duluth’s Anfernee Stewart both left games with an injured shoulder and an injured leg, respectively. Neither injury is expected to force either player to miss extensive playing time…
Add one more name to the top quarterbacks of the 2013 recruiting class as Eman Westmoreland threw for 582 yards in the Georgia Dome Saturday. He has a serious weapon in Malachi Jones to help him pad stats all season long…
Brookwood’s football team may be struggling a bit this season but the cross country teams are more than making up for any shortcomings. Both the boys and girls cross country teams won the Gwinnett County Cross Country Championships over the weekend. The boys were sparked by five runners finishing in the top eight including runner-up Morgan Malanoski. In all, Brookwood put nine runners in the top 20. The girls meanwhile were paced by three runners in the top ten. Caroline Kissel finished fourth to lead the Lady Broncos. Collins Hill’s Chloe Whitworth and Peachtree Ridge’s Josh Brickell claimed individual honors in the event.
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Unseen Score Atlanta Week Two Fantasy Recap
Week two of the fantasy football season started to separate the contenders from the pretenders, the for-reals from the flukes. Carolina rookie quarterback Cam Newton passed for 400+ yards for the second straight week, declaring that he is a viable starting quarterback option assuming you have a strong running back tandem. While Newton has three scores on the season he also has four picks. Newton isn’t ready yet to carry a fantasy team like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, but he is certainly going to rack up points this year. Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick chucked it 46 times, scoring three touchdowns and 264 yards. Fitzpatrick has thrown for seven scores this season. Matt Stafford also looks legit and healthy, passing for an average of 299.5 through two games with seven scores on the year. Stafford’s favorite target near the endzone so far has been Calvin Johnson. Nate Burleson has caught more passes but Johnson has caught four touchdown passes in the two games thus far. Finally it is no surprise that Tom Brady is lighting it up but one of his favorite targets has been second-year tight end sensation Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez has hauled in 14 catches for 165 yards and two scores in a mismatch-nightmare for opposing defenses.
While those Week One darlings followed it up with a strong Week Two, several standouts dropped back to Earth with sub-par second weeks. Ben Tate did not find the endzone after scoring once in Week One. Arian Foster got ten carries so expect Tate’s touches to decrease over the next week or two. Mark Sanchez passed for 335 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener but fell back to earth with two picks and just 182 yards.
Minnesota was all about redemption in the season’s second week as running back Adrian Peterson turned in a two touchdown, 120 yard effort after a scoreless, 98 yard Week One. The Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb improved on his 39 yard performance from Week One to 228 yards passing in Week Two. LeGarrette Blount also bounced back from a five-carry, 15 yard game in Week One to rack up 71 yards and two scores in Week Two.
In a very disappointing match-up with highly-drafted fantasy running backs, Chris Johnson and Ray Rice let many an owner down. Tennessee’s Chris Johnson rushed for just 53 yards, no scores, on 24 carries while Ray Rice failed to set the world on fire, with just 43 yards rushing on 13 carries. Rice did provide his fantasy owners with 53 yards receiving and one touchdown.
One thing fantasy owners cringed over was Jamaal Charles leaving the game after just two carries with what could be an injury that could keep him out a few weeks. Thomas Jones is likely to see more carries but if you can grab Dexter McCluster, do it. He is listed in most leagues as a RB/WR and he should see his 10-12 touches a game (he returns punts and kicks too) increase to 17-20 with Charles out.
Lastly Matt Ryan found the endzone four times for the Atlanta Falcons, something he did not do once in Week One against Chicago. Roddy White scored his first touchdown of the young season going against the powerful Philadelphia defensive secondary. And Michael Turner followed up his 100-yard performance in Week One with 114 yards and a score in Week Two. The Atlanta defense also held DeSean Jackson to just 21 yards after Jackson hauled in six receptions for 102 yards and a score in Week One.
While those Week One darlings followed it up with a strong Week Two, several standouts dropped back to Earth with sub-par second weeks. Ben Tate did not find the endzone after scoring once in Week One. Arian Foster got ten carries so expect Tate’s touches to decrease over the next week or two. Mark Sanchez passed for 335 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener but fell back to earth with two picks and just 182 yards.
Minnesota was all about redemption in the season’s second week as running back Adrian Peterson turned in a two touchdown, 120 yard effort after a scoreless, 98 yard Week One. The Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb improved on his 39 yard performance from Week One to 228 yards passing in Week Two. LeGarrette Blount also bounced back from a five-carry, 15 yard game in Week One to rack up 71 yards and two scores in Week Two.
In a very disappointing match-up with highly-drafted fantasy running backs, Chris Johnson and Ray Rice let many an owner down. Tennessee’s Chris Johnson rushed for just 53 yards, no scores, on 24 carries while Ray Rice failed to set the world on fire, with just 43 yards rushing on 13 carries. Rice did provide his fantasy owners with 53 yards receiving and one touchdown.
One thing fantasy owners cringed over was Jamaal Charles leaving the game after just two carries with what could be an injury that could keep him out a few weeks. Thomas Jones is likely to see more carries but if you can grab Dexter McCluster, do it. He is listed in most leagues as a RB/WR and he should see his 10-12 touches a game (he returns punts and kicks too) increase to 17-20 with Charles out.
Lastly Matt Ryan found the endzone four times for the Atlanta Falcons, something he did not do once in Week One against Chicago. Roddy White scored his first touchdown of the young season going against the powerful Philadelphia defensive secondary. And Michael Turner followed up his 100-yard performance in Week One with 114 yards and a score in Week Two. The Atlanta defense also held DeSean Jackson to just 21 yards after Jackson hauled in six receptions for 102 yards and a score in Week One.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
More QBs hurting in GHSA 2011 season
This has been a rough year for quarterbacks as the coaches of South Gwinnett and Coffee can attest and Duluth, Lassiter, Mill Creek and Colquitt County learned over the weekend. Eddie Printz was forced to leave Lassiter’s win over Milton last Friday with a shoulder injury but Colquitt County, Mill Creek and Duluth were not as lucky. Duluth’s Anfernee Stewart was forced to leave Duluth’s loss to Norcross with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. Stewart had helped Duluth to a 2-1 record entering the game with undefeated Norcross and topped the 1000-yard mark for the season before leaving on a cart. Duluth head coach Corey Jarvis told the Gwinnett Daily Post he believed the injury to be a high ankle sprain. John Russ the Mill Creek senior signal-caller missed his team’s 9-7 loss to Mountain View after sustaining a concussion last week. Colquitt County’s Cole Seagraves showed a noticable limp throughout the second half of the Packers’ 16-8 loss to Warner Robins. Seagraves fumbled twice and threw one interception in the loss....
Norcross was also bit by the injury bug as FB/LB Tanner Maloof left the game with what appeared to be a torn ACL...
The Bone Yard is quickly become a dangerous place for opponents as Kell found out over the weekend. Perhaps it has something to do with the triumverate of running back Kamani Thomas, receiver Andrej Settles and quarterback Mitchell Webb. The three combined for four scores to give Kell its biggest loss since a 35-point loss to Walton in 2007, according to the Marietta Daily Journal...
A big win by Sandy Creek in the Georgia Dome Saturday, 35-0 over Drew. Chip Waker’s Patriots have won 32 straight games now including two straight state titles in two different classifications.
Norcross was also bit by the injury bug as FB/LB Tanner Maloof left the game with what appeared to be a torn ACL...
The Bone Yard is quickly become a dangerous place for opponents as Kell found out over the weekend. Perhaps it has something to do with the triumverate of running back Kamani Thomas, receiver Andrej Settles and quarterback Mitchell Webb. The three combined for four scores to give Kell its biggest loss since a 35-point loss to Walton in 2007, according to the Marietta Daily Journal...
A big win by Sandy Creek in the Georgia Dome Saturday, 35-0 over Drew. Chip Waker’s Patriots have won 32 straight games now including two straight state titles in two different classifications.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Colquitt County loses and Metro Roundup
In the weeks leading up to Colquitt County’s game against Warner Robins, Packers head coach Rush Propst was telling anyone that would listen that he was worried about his team. He was concerned that his team was too young. He worried his team would be distracted heading into the Westlake game with Homecoming distractions. He was worried about Warner Robins having the extra week to prepare for his team. He was right to worry about the Demons, especially with the game being played at McConnell-Talbert Stadium where Propst had lost two straight as Packers’ head coach. The Demons held the Packers scoreless for nearly the entire first half, scoring themselves late in the first quarter on a Michael Lee one-yard run. With less than thirty seconds to play in the half, Colquitt County’s backup quarterback Daniel Mobley hit Matt Sailor for a ten-yard score but the extra point was missed. Warner Robins immediately marched down the field and connected on a 37-yard field goal with no time left. After a scoreless third quarter, Colquitt’s final points came via a safety, and Warner Robins was able to tack on an insurance touchdown with twenty-eight seconds to play when senior Brian Sutton scored his first touchdown in two years. Sutton, who led the Demons with eleven scores as a sophomore missed his junior season with a broken neck. The Demons improved to 2-1 while Colquitt County fell to 4-1.
Metro roundup
Marist was held to under 60 yards of offense in the first half in its region battle with Southwest DeKalb but quarterback Myles Willis found the endzone late in the half and then twice more in the second half as Marist moved to 3-1 with a 24-6 win...Defending 4A champion Chattahoochee used a powerful ground game to sink Creekview 45-21. C.J. Leggett scored three times while Chase Nelson tallied two touchdowns...Keithon Redding took a punt to the house in Columbia’s 54-0 rout of McNair. Keno Loyal had two scores in the victory...Kyle Sloter was at it again for Mt. Pisgah, throwing for nearly 300 yards in a 35-3 win over Pinecrest Academy...Peachtree Ridge went double-nickel in a 55-6 win over Meadowcreek. Ron Dixon scored twice for the Lions...McEachern also put 55 points on the scoreboard while shutting out Campbell. Trent Thompson continues to impress as he threw for four scores in the victory...Joseph Farrar scored three touchdowns and piled up 167 yards in Dunwoody’s 34-3 win over Lithonia...North Gwinnett continues to put its last minute loss in the Georgia Dome behind them as the Bulldogs thumped Collins Hill 34-10. Joseph Jones ran for three first-half scores in the victory. Scotty Hosch also found Chad Scott for a touchdown...Alvin Kamara fell just short of 100 yards but did score three times on 18 carries in Norcross’s 35-14 rout of Duluth. Jason Croom hauled in two scoring receptions...Jonquel Dawson came alive against Westlake with four scores (two passing, two rushing) as ML King defeated Westlake 35-14...The Walton Raiders donned black jerseys and Tyren Jones brought the thunder with 279 yards and three scores on 21 carries as Walton ripped Roswell 45-3. Jones had two more scores wiped away on penalties.
Metro roundup
Marist was held to under 60 yards of offense in the first half in its region battle with Southwest DeKalb but quarterback Myles Willis found the endzone late in the half and then twice more in the second half as Marist moved to 3-1 with a 24-6 win...Defending 4A champion Chattahoochee used a powerful ground game to sink Creekview 45-21. C.J. Leggett scored three times while Chase Nelson tallied two touchdowns...Keithon Redding took a punt to the house in Columbia’s 54-0 rout of McNair. Keno Loyal had two scores in the victory...Kyle Sloter was at it again for Mt. Pisgah, throwing for nearly 300 yards in a 35-3 win over Pinecrest Academy...Peachtree Ridge went double-nickel in a 55-6 win over Meadowcreek. Ron Dixon scored twice for the Lions...McEachern also put 55 points on the scoreboard while shutting out Campbell. Trent Thompson continues to impress as he threw for four scores in the victory...Joseph Farrar scored three touchdowns and piled up 167 yards in Dunwoody’s 34-3 win over Lithonia...North Gwinnett continues to put its last minute loss in the Georgia Dome behind them as the Bulldogs thumped Collins Hill 34-10. Joseph Jones ran for three first-half scores in the victory. Scotty Hosch also found Chad Scott for a touchdown...Alvin Kamara fell just short of 100 yards but did score three times on 18 carries in Norcross’s 35-14 rout of Duluth. Jason Croom hauled in two scoring receptions...Jonquel Dawson came alive against Westlake with four scores (two passing, two rushing) as ML King defeated Westlake 35-14...The Walton Raiders donned black jerseys and Tyren Jones brought the thunder with 279 yards and three scores on 21 carries as Walton ripped Roswell 45-3. Jones had two more scores wiped away on penalties.
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Fletcherisn'twatchingUGAthisweekend Picks!
I was PISSED last week. It almost felt like 2002 again, back when I couldn't talk following a Georgia loss. Recently I've been taking the losses better because CMR has made losing such a common thing that I've gotten used to it. PS, that isn't a good thing. Well, maybe for my health it is. Regardless, I will NOT be watching the Georgia game tomorrow. I will be attending Suwanne Day. And working on the bathroom (this thing HAS to get finished sometime, right?). And before you say, "well the UGA game is on PPV so you couldn't watch it even if you wanted to!" I would say, "I could always go to a Taco Mac and watch it, dummy." But I am not. Nope. Take that Richt! PROTEST! On to the picks.
3 LSU @ 25 Miss State…You will need to believe me for this pick, but I TOTALLY knew LSU was going to win the game. Actually, who didn’t know that? The hangover Miss State had after losing the way it did to Auburn, there was no way the OTHER Bulldogs could have won this game. PS, LSU is PDG. And the craziest part: Zach Mettensexualassaulter isn’t the one doing it. It’s Jarrett Lee doing it. Well, the running game and defense, but that sounds like the recipe the Tigers had in 2003 and 2007. Looking like my LSU call in the SEC West is going to happen…
Friday 4 Boise State @ Toledo. Just when I was really starting to grow a measure of respect for Boise State, I remember that the Broncos do crap like this to piss me off. Boise State, you go out and knock off Georgia (made them look BAD) but then you go and schedule a MAC team when you play in the MWC? And you play on Friday nights? On a blue field? Stop with the gimmicks. If you want to be taken seriously, play the TOUGHEST non-conference schedule you can because even your new conference blows. Boise State, you should be pushing to be a member of the Big XII. Say, “OU, Texas, OSU, Don’t leave, we’ll join!” But NO, you’d rather play Toledo. If you want to be Big Boy Football (sorry Colin), then take measures to PLAY BIG BOY FOOTBALL. Stop with Fridays on blue fields. Broncos win this one easily.
Saturday
18 West Va @ Maryland: I love Maryland because I love Crabcakes and I love football. (And that’s what Maryland does, lest we forget). I also love Randy Edsall. However, West VA is just too talented for this Terp squad. I like Maryland in the ACC (just not against FSU), but I am thinking Chick-fil-A bowl ultimately for Maryland, not BCS. It will be losses like this that keep them from the BCS. Neers win this then return to Morgantown and throw burning couches off of frat house roofs. We should really do a study to see which is more depressing: throwing burning couches off of a frat house roof or TP’ing a couple of dead trees.
21 Auburn @ Clemson. Speaking of TP’ing dead trees, Auburn visits Clemson and Auburn never seems to do well in these early games (See 2006 vs Arkansas and 2006 vs Georgia.) Clemson has struggled so far this season, but perhaps they were playing opossum, waiting for Auburn. Awesome Opossum, that is. I believe the Tigers, Clemson version spring the upset and take down the Tigers, Auburn-style. Go Dabo. And Auburn loses the first of its eventual five for the 2011 season.
EMU @ Michigan. Michigan needed a miracle to beat Notre Dame. It will need to show up to beat EMU.
Penn State @ Temple. JoePa is excited that he will get to speak with the man that will take his place at PSU next year Al Golden. Wait, Al Golden left and Temple went out and hired that Addazio guy that messed up Florida’s offense and caused Urban Meyer to quit? And Urban is calling the game….awkward. JoePa, while confused, wins.
Pitt @ Iowa. This game is on ESPN2….which means the Pam Ward Dance party hits Iowa City! That Iowa/Iowa State game last week was great. Iowa State pulled out the OT win to claim the CyHawk trophy (so stupid). How will Iowa cope? Oh, by beating Pitt and then dancing all afternoon with Pam Ward in downtown Iowa City! (Not the capital by the way.)
Ole Miss @ Vandy: Ole Miss is bad. Vandy is not as bad. Vandy is still not GOOD, but they aren’t as bad as Ole Miss. Vandy is 2-0, make it 3-0. Someone tell ADGM to put the phone DOWN, Georgia doesn’t need James Franklin
Kansas @ GT. A Georgia Tech game on TV? Now Techies can play D&D online and watch the game at the same time! In all seriousness, this game was a Kansas win one year ago, which was a black eye (actually it is Navy Blue and Old Gold…whatever. It looks black.) for Paul Johnson. Will he have the team ready to go for the Jayhawks this year? He had better hope so. Seriously, you lose to KU again and ….well Tech won’t do anything about it because they don’t care about football. They cannot even sell out their 55,000 seat stadium.
Duke @ BC. I went to Boston a few years back but didn’t stop by Chestnut Hill. ( I was too busy watching Georgia lose to Okie State in a bar. I was stupid.)I did go to Fenway. That was fun. Walked by the Gahden. That was cool. Boston seems pretty neat, except for the people. Back to the game: boring. If this was basketball it wouldn’t really be interesting either. I am going with BC. Why? Because I have never picked Duke (don’t quote me on that) and I probably never will, unless we do a CBB picks piece during CBB season, but I don’t see that happening.
Coastal Carolina @ Georgia. The Dawgs had better win. That is all I’m going to say about it. Love Crowell by the way. I think three TDs. Wait, I won’t be able to watch it. So who cares. NO ONE GET HURT!
7 Wisco vs Northern Illinois: This game is at a neutral field I think someone told me. It had better be. I’ve never been to Madison, but I wouldn’t mind going there. Northern Illinois? I’ve been to Illinois a few times and I can say that if I never go back, that will be too soon. Wisco wins. Russell Wilson is a Richmond guy. Going with the Richmond guy.
U-Dub @ 11 Nebraska: I spoke with my Nebraska insider and he isn’t worried about the Huskers. (playing the Huskies. No? no laugh?) He still likes the defense. Still likes the offense. He isn’t worried. Nebraska at home…going with the Big Ten (+2) in this one.
15 Michigan State @ ND.Last year Michigan State won on a fake field goal. Gutsy. Sparty and company won’t need that this year. Notre Dame starts 0-3. You still liking a BCS bowl Lou? Wait, let me rethink that pick. ALL of the officials will be paid by NBC for a victory. Maybe I should switch my pick. Hmmmm. I’ve picked FOR Notre Dame the last two weeks. Irish fans, you LIKE that I’m picking against them to play like Champions Saturday.
Tennessee @ 16 Florida. I remember when this game was the de facto SEC East championship. Now it is to see who goes to the Outback Bowl! Fun! (Because Georgia is winning out and going to either the Sugar Bowl or the CapitalOne Bowl. Just go with it!). Tyler Bray has looked good. Brantley has looked better. The Champ beats Dooley in a battle of UGA alumni (well, Dooley went to UGA law school!)
23 Texas @ UCLA. Losing coach gets fired on the spot? WHAT? Texas wouldn’t fire Mack Brown! Umm, he might get urged into retirement. All I am saying. Way to comeback last week, Mack! I was talking to Joey Bagofdoughnuts last weekend (he’s an Auburn fan) and he was asking if Georgia was going to go after Gary Patterson. I said no because Patterson wants to coach in a BCS conference (which he will next year) and Patterson is holding out for the Texas job. Patterson is Texas’s next head coach. No one else. GP isn’t coming to Georgia. (Texas wins BTW)
UVA @ UNC. I went to the 1998 game between these two in UNC, and I must say that the Chapel Hill football stadium’s setting is beautiful. How Butch Davis never went to a BCS bowl game while there shows that he is ALL RECRUIT, NO COACH. UNC is a sleeping giant in the college football world. Just get a good coach in there and it can take off. UVa, I’d like to take you in this one, but you are one year away. Tar Heels take it.
Norhtwestern @ Army. This game is being played at West Point my Play-by-play partner Bob Houghton tells me. He wanted to go, but I think decided against it. I’ll ask him why TONIGHT on GPB.org/sports at 7:30pm! Colquitt County @ Warner Robins. Tune in! Northwestern wins.
Navy @ 10 SoCar: Steve Spurrier said he was lucky to win last week and he was. Oh well. This game won’t help Georgia if SoCar loses, so WIN South Carolina. Start losing when you resume SEC play!
Louisville @ Kentucky. Joker! Chaz Strong! The Battle of the Bluegrass! Imagine how different this season would be if Georgia had kept its date with Louisville instead of dumping them for Bosie State. Hmmmm. I don’t know if Georgia would have beaten Louisville though. Chaz Strong is building something up there. I am worried for Joker. But he has Josh Clemons, so he wins at home.
17 OhioState @ Miami: I know a few Ohio State grads (poor me, I know) and they were going to go down to the game but the suspensions scared them away. I don’t know why. The Buckeyes will still win. I would say Poor Al Golden, but he did this to himself when he said Jacory Harris would be the starter.
1OU @ 5 FSU Will Sooner Boom or go boom? Apparently the Sooners are just 2-10 against top five teams in the last decade or something. Landry Jones throws 70% of his interceptions on the road…whatever. I say Oklahoma wins it because of Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles and the fact that Seminoles are, right now, where the Sooners were last year: one year away but still in a BCS bowl year. The Seminoles will make a BCS bowl, OU will make THE BCS bowl.
6 Stanford @ Arizona Nick Foles and the Wildcats crapped the bed last Thursday against Okie State in Stillwater. I expect Foles and the Wildcats to have a MUCH better showing at home against Stanford. That said, Stanford wins. But closer than ya think.
Pro Picks: Eagles over Falcons. Washington TO THE SUPERBOWL BEHIND TOUCHDOWN TIMMY HIGHTOWER!
Upset pick: Clemson?
Lock of the week: Wisconsin
Local: Georgia Tech and Georgia both win. AND ATHENS GOES CRAZY WITH EXCITEMENT! Or to their cars in the third quarter when Hutson Mason comes into the game.
3 LSU @ 25 Miss State…You will need to believe me for this pick, but I TOTALLY knew LSU was going to win the game. Actually, who didn’t know that? The hangover Miss State had after losing the way it did to Auburn, there was no way the OTHER Bulldogs could have won this game. PS, LSU is PDG. And the craziest part: Zach Mettensexualassaulter isn’t the one doing it. It’s Jarrett Lee doing it. Well, the running game and defense, but that sounds like the recipe the Tigers had in 2003 and 2007. Looking like my LSU call in the SEC West is going to happen…
Friday 4 Boise State @ Toledo. Just when I was really starting to grow a measure of respect for Boise State, I remember that the Broncos do crap like this to piss me off. Boise State, you go out and knock off Georgia (made them look BAD) but then you go and schedule a MAC team when you play in the MWC? And you play on Friday nights? On a blue field? Stop with the gimmicks. If you want to be taken seriously, play the TOUGHEST non-conference schedule you can because even your new conference blows. Boise State, you should be pushing to be a member of the Big XII. Say, “OU, Texas, OSU, Don’t leave, we’ll join!” But NO, you’d rather play Toledo. If you want to be Big Boy Football (sorry Colin), then take measures to PLAY BIG BOY FOOTBALL. Stop with Fridays on blue fields. Broncos win this one easily.
Saturday
18 West Va @ Maryland: I love Maryland because I love Crabcakes and I love football. (And that’s what Maryland does, lest we forget). I also love Randy Edsall. However, West VA is just too talented for this Terp squad. I like Maryland in the ACC (just not against FSU), but I am thinking Chick-fil-A bowl ultimately for Maryland, not BCS. It will be losses like this that keep them from the BCS. Neers win this then return to Morgantown and throw burning couches off of frat house roofs. We should really do a study to see which is more depressing: throwing burning couches off of a frat house roof or TP’ing a couple of dead trees.
21 Auburn @ Clemson. Speaking of TP’ing dead trees, Auburn visits Clemson and Auburn never seems to do well in these early games (See 2006 vs Arkansas and 2006 vs Georgia.) Clemson has struggled so far this season, but perhaps they were playing opossum, waiting for Auburn. Awesome Opossum, that is. I believe the Tigers, Clemson version spring the upset and take down the Tigers, Auburn-style. Go Dabo. And Auburn loses the first of its eventual five for the 2011 season.
EMU @ Michigan. Michigan needed a miracle to beat Notre Dame. It will need to show up to beat EMU.
Penn State @ Temple. JoePa is excited that he will get to speak with the man that will take his place at PSU next year Al Golden. Wait, Al Golden left and Temple went out and hired that Addazio guy that messed up Florida’s offense and caused Urban Meyer to quit? And Urban is calling the game….awkward. JoePa, while confused, wins.
Pitt @ Iowa. This game is on ESPN2….which means the Pam Ward Dance party hits Iowa City! That Iowa/Iowa State game last week was great. Iowa State pulled out the OT win to claim the CyHawk trophy (so stupid). How will Iowa cope? Oh, by beating Pitt and then dancing all afternoon with Pam Ward in downtown Iowa City! (Not the capital by the way.)
Ole Miss @ Vandy: Ole Miss is bad. Vandy is not as bad. Vandy is still not GOOD, but they aren’t as bad as Ole Miss. Vandy is 2-0, make it 3-0. Someone tell ADGM to put the phone DOWN, Georgia doesn’t need James Franklin
Kansas @ GT. A Georgia Tech game on TV? Now Techies can play D&D online and watch the game at the same time! In all seriousness, this game was a Kansas win one year ago, which was a black eye (actually it is Navy Blue and Old Gold…whatever. It looks black.) for Paul Johnson. Will he have the team ready to go for the Jayhawks this year? He had better hope so. Seriously, you lose to KU again and ….well Tech won’t do anything about it because they don’t care about football. They cannot even sell out their 55,000 seat stadium.
Duke @ BC. I went to Boston a few years back but didn’t stop by Chestnut Hill. ( I was too busy watching Georgia lose to Okie State in a bar. I was stupid.)I did go to Fenway. That was fun. Walked by the Gahden. That was cool. Boston seems pretty neat, except for the people. Back to the game: boring. If this was basketball it wouldn’t really be interesting either. I am going with BC. Why? Because I have never picked Duke (don’t quote me on that) and I probably never will, unless we do a CBB picks piece during CBB season, but I don’t see that happening.
Coastal Carolina @ Georgia. The Dawgs had better win. That is all I’m going to say about it. Love Crowell by the way. I think three TDs. Wait, I won’t be able to watch it. So who cares. NO ONE GET HURT!
7 Wisco vs Northern Illinois: This game is at a neutral field I think someone told me. It had better be. I’ve never been to Madison, but I wouldn’t mind going there. Northern Illinois? I’ve been to Illinois a few times and I can say that if I never go back, that will be too soon. Wisco wins. Russell Wilson is a Richmond guy. Going with the Richmond guy.
U-Dub @ 11 Nebraska: I spoke with my Nebraska insider and he isn’t worried about the Huskers. (playing the Huskies. No? no laugh?) He still likes the defense. Still likes the offense. He isn’t worried. Nebraska at home…going with the Big Ten (+2) in this one.
15 Michigan State @ ND.Last year Michigan State won on a fake field goal. Gutsy. Sparty and company won’t need that this year. Notre Dame starts 0-3. You still liking a BCS bowl Lou? Wait, let me rethink that pick. ALL of the officials will be paid by NBC for a victory. Maybe I should switch my pick. Hmmmm. I’ve picked FOR Notre Dame the last two weeks. Irish fans, you LIKE that I’m picking against them to play like Champions Saturday.
Tennessee @ 16 Florida. I remember when this game was the de facto SEC East championship. Now it is to see who goes to the Outback Bowl! Fun! (Because Georgia is winning out and going to either the Sugar Bowl or the CapitalOne Bowl. Just go with it!). Tyler Bray has looked good. Brantley has looked better. The Champ beats Dooley in a battle of UGA alumni (well, Dooley went to UGA law school!)
23 Texas @ UCLA. Losing coach gets fired on the spot? WHAT? Texas wouldn’t fire Mack Brown! Umm, he might get urged into retirement. All I am saying. Way to comeback last week, Mack! I was talking to Joey Bagofdoughnuts last weekend (he’s an Auburn fan) and he was asking if Georgia was going to go after Gary Patterson. I said no because Patterson wants to coach in a BCS conference (which he will next year) and Patterson is holding out for the Texas job. Patterson is Texas’s next head coach. No one else. GP isn’t coming to Georgia. (Texas wins BTW)
UVA @ UNC. I went to the 1998 game between these two in UNC, and I must say that the Chapel Hill football stadium’s setting is beautiful. How Butch Davis never went to a BCS bowl game while there shows that he is ALL RECRUIT, NO COACH. UNC is a sleeping giant in the college football world. Just get a good coach in there and it can take off. UVa, I’d like to take you in this one, but you are one year away. Tar Heels take it.
Norhtwestern @ Army. This game is being played at West Point my Play-by-play partner Bob Houghton tells me. He wanted to go, but I think decided against it. I’ll ask him why TONIGHT on GPB.org/sports at 7:30pm! Colquitt County @ Warner Robins. Tune in! Northwestern wins.
Navy @ 10 SoCar: Steve Spurrier said he was lucky to win last week and he was. Oh well. This game won’t help Georgia if SoCar loses, so WIN South Carolina. Start losing when you resume SEC play!
Louisville @ Kentucky. Joker! Chaz Strong! The Battle of the Bluegrass! Imagine how different this season would be if Georgia had kept its date with Louisville instead of dumping them for Bosie State. Hmmmm. I don’t know if Georgia would have beaten Louisville though. Chaz Strong is building something up there. I am worried for Joker. But he has Josh Clemons, so he wins at home.
17 OhioState @ Miami: I know a few Ohio State grads (poor me, I know) and they were going to go down to the game but the suspensions scared them away. I don’t know why. The Buckeyes will still win. I would say Poor Al Golden, but he did this to himself when he said Jacory Harris would be the starter.
1OU @ 5 FSU Will Sooner Boom or go boom? Apparently the Sooners are just 2-10 against top five teams in the last decade or something. Landry Jones throws 70% of his interceptions on the road…whatever. I say Oklahoma wins it because of Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles and the fact that Seminoles are, right now, where the Sooners were last year: one year away but still in a BCS bowl year. The Seminoles will make a BCS bowl, OU will make THE BCS bowl.
6 Stanford @ Arizona Nick Foles and the Wildcats crapped the bed last Thursday against Okie State in Stillwater. I expect Foles and the Wildcats to have a MUCH better showing at home against Stanford. That said, Stanford wins. But closer than ya think.
Pro Picks: Eagles over Falcons. Washington TO THE SUPERBOWL BEHIND TOUCHDOWN TIMMY HIGHTOWER!
Upset pick: Clemson?
Lock of the week: Wisconsin
Local: Georgia Tech and Georgia both win. AND ATHENS GOES CRAZY WITH EXCITEMENT! Or to their cars in the third quarter when Hutson Mason comes into the game.
Friday Night GHSA football preview for Metro Atlanta
One year ago Austin Hardin kicked a 58-yard field goal with just seconds left to help Marist to a huge road victory over Southwest DeKalb. This year the War Eagles are at home and breaking in a new quarterback. It is the GPB-TV game of the week…
After appearing on the GPB.org game of the week last Friday, Kell is once again on the road, this time heading to the Bone Yard to face East Paulding. East Paulding is averaging 42 points per game this year and was led last week by Mitchell Webb (265 passing yards) and Thomas Wooley (109 rushing)…
The ML King offense is starting to look unstoppable with Jonquel Dawson and Blake Tibbs lighting up scoreboards. Tibbs had two scores one week ago in a win over Collins Hill. Dawson, Tibbs and Jamonde Hunter welcome Westlake to Hallford Stadium…
Mill Creek will put its undefeated record on the line at Mountain View likely
without quarterback John Russ. The senior suffered a mild concussion one week ago…
Defending 4A champion Chattahoochee travels to face Creekview seeking its second straight win on the road…
Kenyan Drake and Hillgrove host South Cobb as the Eagles will try and contain Drake, who has scored eight touchdowns this year…
Walton lit up Milton earlier this season. Now Lassiter and Eddie Printz, who threw for nearly 400 yards one week ago, host the Eagles…
North Gwinnett and Collins Hill square off with both teams looking to avoid a crippling region-opening defeat in Region 7-5A…
Walton will look to keep Roswell on the deck with an offense led by Tyren Jones and Parker McLeod…
Mays thumped Miller Grove 35-0 one year ago but the Wolverines defense has improved and is allowing just 114.5 yards per game this season. The two will tango Saturday at Grady Stadium
After appearing on the GPB.org game of the week last Friday, Kell is once again on the road, this time heading to the Bone Yard to face East Paulding. East Paulding is averaging 42 points per game this year and was led last week by Mitchell Webb (265 passing yards) and Thomas Wooley (109 rushing)…
The ML King offense is starting to look unstoppable with Jonquel Dawson and Blake Tibbs lighting up scoreboards. Tibbs had two scores one week ago in a win over Collins Hill. Dawson, Tibbs and Jamonde Hunter welcome Westlake to Hallford Stadium…
Mill Creek will put its undefeated record on the line at Mountain View likely
without quarterback John Russ. The senior suffered a mild concussion one week ago…
Defending 4A champion Chattahoochee travels to face Creekview seeking its second straight win on the road…
Kenyan Drake and Hillgrove host South Cobb as the Eagles will try and contain Drake, who has scored eight touchdowns this year…
Walton lit up Milton earlier this season. Now Lassiter and Eddie Printz, who threw for nearly 400 yards one week ago, host the Eagles…
North Gwinnett and Collins Hill square off with both teams looking to avoid a crippling region-opening defeat in Region 7-5A…
Walton will look to keep Roswell on the deck with an offense led by Tyren Jones and Parker McLeod…
Mays thumped Miller Grove 35-0 one year ago but the Wolverines defense has improved and is allowing just 114.5 yards per game this season. The two will tango Saturday at Grady Stadium
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Colquitt County young, Softball ACTION!
Rush Propst told the Moultrie Observer before last week’s win over Westlake that he does not consider this a veteran team. “We are not a team yet that can just show up and win.” The Packers avoided Homecoming distractions to pull out a 21-10 victory and this week (GPB.org game of the week at Warner Robins) could get one of the few veterans on the roster back in all-state center Bryce Giddens…
This will also be Colquitt County’s first road test of the year.
Middle Georgia is often overlooked in the Atlanta vs. South Georgia debate, but a pair of “middle Georgia” running backs certainly turned some heads last week. West Laurens’ Demetrius Green rushed for five scores and 117 yards in a win over Howard. Not to be outdone, Marteze Waller of Putnam County ran for 196 yards and four touchdowns in the first half as Putnam County thumped Crawford County 55-0…
Clinch County’s loss to Wilcox County last week means that three defending champions have now lost thus far this year (Brookwood, Chattahoochee)…
Two of the state’s best met on the softball diamond when No.2 Mill Creek hosted No.4 Collins Hill earlier this week. The host Hawks gave up five runs on eleven hits but received a complete game from Tori Mitchell and three RBI from Taylor Rogers to win 9-5. Anyssa Robles contributed with a two-run single in the third inning to help Mill Creek to a lead it would not lose…
Krista Gustafson crushed a grand slam to help GAC knock off four-time defending Class AA champ Buford 5-0…
On the volleyball court, No.1 Harrison edged No.2 North Cobb when the two programs opened Area 5-5A competition. The Lady Hoyas held off the Lady Warriors 26-24, 25-23 according to the Marietta Daily Journal.
This will also be Colquitt County’s first road test of the year.
Middle Georgia is often overlooked in the Atlanta vs. South Georgia debate, but a pair of “middle Georgia” running backs certainly turned some heads last week. West Laurens’ Demetrius Green rushed for five scores and 117 yards in a win over Howard. Not to be outdone, Marteze Waller of Putnam County ran for 196 yards and four touchdowns in the first half as Putnam County thumped Crawford County 55-0…
Clinch County’s loss to Wilcox County last week means that three defending champions have now lost thus far this year (Brookwood, Chattahoochee)…
Two of the state’s best met on the softball diamond when No.2 Mill Creek hosted No.4 Collins Hill earlier this week. The host Hawks gave up five runs on eleven hits but received a complete game from Tori Mitchell and three RBI from Taylor Rogers to win 9-5. Anyssa Robles contributed with a two-run single in the third inning to help Mill Creek to a lead it would not lose…
Krista Gustafson crushed a grand slam to help GAC knock off four-time defending Class AA champ Buford 5-0…
On the volleyball court, No.1 Harrison edged No.2 North Cobb when the two programs opened Area 5-5A competition. The Lady Hoyas held off the Lady Warriors 26-24, 25-23 according to the Marietta Daily Journal.
TheFletch from AWeek ago
Sorry it is a bit late. I forgot to post it this past Monday. Enjoy the shot at Georgia Tech!
College football is BACK and soon the National Football League will be in our living rooms, in our mancaves and in our sports bars. Thank goodness Labor Day is past us (one of my favorite holidays because it means the start of football), because now football is upon us.
Several quick thoughts from the opening weekend of college football: Nessler is great and Pollack is SO much better on television than on the radio. First off, Brad Nessler made watching the second half of the Boise State/Georgia game tolerable (for me as a Georgia fan at least. I am sure Georgia Tech fans loved watching the Georgia game for different reasons, those that weren’t consumed with watching their own game on the web or attending DragonCon). Nessy is of course lives in Georgia so when he talks about the Bulldog program, you get the sense that he actually knows what he is talking about instead of what he crammed in a two-hour interview the week of the game. At one point he discussed Mark Richt on the hotseat and how the “radio stations were sure to heat up” and odds are he probably does listen every now and then to the local two sports talk stations when in town and not out on assignment. Later he talked about the Buford/Carver-Columbus game from the night before and it was just nice to hear someone nationally speaking about a local high school game. It gave me, as a Georgia high school football fan, a bit of a thrill to hear it talked about nationally.
I also enjoyed watching former Georgia All-American and former 790 The Zone personality David Pollack on ESPN Gameday. He seemed far more comfortable in the three-minutes-at-a-time spots on ESPN opposed to how he sounded nervous/uncomfortable most of the time on 790 The Zone. Perhaps he had a better rapport with his co-hosts on Gameday moreso than he did with Mike Bell, but this appears to be the better fit for Pollack and it is good for him that he found it.
Speaking of Mike Bell, he and David Archer are now officially a team on 790 The Zone’s afternoon drive slot, bringing up an interesting shift between the two local sports talk stations. When Bell was teammates with Pollack and up against 680 The Fan’s Buck & Kincade, Pollack & Bell seemed to skew more towards the younger demo and court the 25-39 audience. Now that 680 moved Chuck & Chernoff into that spot, the younger audience (myself included) is likely flipping back and forth more often between the two. Ever since Arch & Bell has been on though, has the dynamic completely flipped in that 680 is going after the younger crowd with 790 featuring the two 40+ guys going after the older end of the demo? It seems like a strange flop but Arch & Bell keep throwing out movie/music/television references from before my birth and playing the “back in my day” card. My, how the tides quickly change.
GPB has been all over the 2011 high school football season so far and don’t look for the coverage to ramp down at all with the region matchups beginning soon. Gil Tyree and Dave Hunter were joined in the booth last week by Trey McDaniel, and having worked with McDaniel before I can say that his presence was a great addition. McDaniel called games for years on 790 The Zone and his voice is professional-grade and his high school football knowledge is first-grade. Dave Hunter offers a true former-coach-in-the-booth view and he can break down how the safety came up to fill the gap like no other in the state. On the web side, Bob Houghton and I have had two great finishes so far this year and if last year is any indicator, the great finishes will last throughout the entire season. Be sure to log on this Friday as Kell travels to Woodstock. Word is the Wolverines will have a special 9-11 tribute before the game. Two years ago we webcasted the 9-11 tribute also at Woodstock then watched a tremendous game where McEachern’s Rajaan Bennett rallied the Indians to an overtime win.
I’ve managed to catch a few of the other high school football broadcasts (thank you Charter DVR!) and I must say that we are in the golden age of GHSA football coverage. WSB’s Zach Klein has teamed with the AJC’s Michael Carvell and the two are getting a feel for each other, though Klein is really talented calling play-by-play. The WSB broadcast has improved over last year’s coverage ten times over and the Thursday night game concept is really clever as to not get lost on a triple-digit channel number on a Friday night. Meanwhile CSS has rotated its crew a bit the last few weeks but the games have been entertaining and it is interesting going with Barton Simmons, a full-time recruiting expert as your color commentator, but he is providing some great recruiting background on the players involved. Matt Stewart continues to roll on without missing a beat as one of Atlanta’s broadcasting treasures.
Finally I was a little disappointed after listening to Yahoo! Sports Radio for over a month and not hearing much of a change from Sporting News Radio. 790 The Zone goes to Yahoo! Sports Radio for its after-hours programming and I listened in on August 1, 2011 when the change was officially made as SNR became Y!SR. I thought that perhaps more of the Yahoo! Sports writers (who are actually becoming better at writing about sports rather than just pushing agendas cough-ESPN-cough) would get airtime to break down the day’s top stories and biggest rumors. No luck though. So far the same shows are airing under the company name Yahoo! Sports Radio instead of Sporting News Radio. I am a bit disappointed. If I listen to overnight and weekend programming I am still listening to ESPN radio. I would have loved if Yahoo! had tried to steal away some of that airtime but alas.
Can You Believe He Said That
"So much for 'halftime adjustments,' eh? And so much for Joe Tereshinski’s conditioning methods."
Mark Bradley of the AJC seems to enjoy needling the Georgia Bulldog football program, but I must agree with his thoughts here. Why did Todd Grantham not make the adjusts after Boise State adjusted to him? And why were Georgia’s players cramping up so much IN A DOME? They weren’t outside in the heat. It was night…in a dome. What is up with the fatigue in the team’s first game? Lots of questions after that one.
College football is BACK and soon the National Football League will be in our living rooms, in our mancaves and in our sports bars. Thank goodness Labor Day is past us (one of my favorite holidays because it means the start of football), because now football is upon us.
Several quick thoughts from the opening weekend of college football: Nessler is great and Pollack is SO much better on television than on the radio. First off, Brad Nessler made watching the second half of the Boise State/Georgia game tolerable (for me as a Georgia fan at least. I am sure Georgia Tech fans loved watching the Georgia game for different reasons, those that weren’t consumed with watching their own game on the web or attending DragonCon). Nessy is of course lives in Georgia so when he talks about the Bulldog program, you get the sense that he actually knows what he is talking about instead of what he crammed in a two-hour interview the week of the game. At one point he discussed Mark Richt on the hotseat and how the “radio stations were sure to heat up” and odds are he probably does listen every now and then to the local two sports talk stations when in town and not out on assignment. Later he talked about the Buford/Carver-Columbus game from the night before and it was just nice to hear someone nationally speaking about a local high school game. It gave me, as a Georgia high school football fan, a bit of a thrill to hear it talked about nationally.
I also enjoyed watching former Georgia All-American and former 790 The Zone personality David Pollack on ESPN Gameday. He seemed far more comfortable in the three-minutes-at-a-time spots on ESPN opposed to how he sounded nervous/uncomfortable most of the time on 790 The Zone. Perhaps he had a better rapport with his co-hosts on Gameday moreso than he did with Mike Bell, but this appears to be the better fit for Pollack and it is good for him that he found it.
Speaking of Mike Bell, he and David Archer are now officially a team on 790 The Zone’s afternoon drive slot, bringing up an interesting shift between the two local sports talk stations. When Bell was teammates with Pollack and up against 680 The Fan’s Buck & Kincade, Pollack & Bell seemed to skew more towards the younger demo and court the 25-39 audience. Now that 680 moved Chuck & Chernoff into that spot, the younger audience (myself included) is likely flipping back and forth more often between the two. Ever since Arch & Bell has been on though, has the dynamic completely flipped in that 680 is going after the younger crowd with 790 featuring the two 40+ guys going after the older end of the demo? It seems like a strange flop but Arch & Bell keep throwing out movie/music/television references from before my birth and playing the “back in my day” card. My, how the tides quickly change.
GPB has been all over the 2011 high school football season so far and don’t look for the coverage to ramp down at all with the region matchups beginning soon. Gil Tyree and Dave Hunter were joined in the booth last week by Trey McDaniel, and having worked with McDaniel before I can say that his presence was a great addition. McDaniel called games for years on 790 The Zone and his voice is professional-grade and his high school football knowledge is first-grade. Dave Hunter offers a true former-coach-in-the-booth view and he can break down how the safety came up to fill the gap like no other in the state. On the web side, Bob Houghton and I have had two great finishes so far this year and if last year is any indicator, the great finishes will last throughout the entire season. Be sure to log on this Friday as Kell travels to Woodstock. Word is the Wolverines will have a special 9-11 tribute before the game. Two years ago we webcasted the 9-11 tribute also at Woodstock then watched a tremendous game where McEachern’s Rajaan Bennett rallied the Indians to an overtime win.
I’ve managed to catch a few of the other high school football broadcasts (thank you Charter DVR!) and I must say that we are in the golden age of GHSA football coverage. WSB’s Zach Klein has teamed with the AJC’s Michael Carvell and the two are getting a feel for each other, though Klein is really talented calling play-by-play. The WSB broadcast has improved over last year’s coverage ten times over and the Thursday night game concept is really clever as to not get lost on a triple-digit channel number on a Friday night. Meanwhile CSS has rotated its crew a bit the last few weeks but the games have been entertaining and it is interesting going with Barton Simmons, a full-time recruiting expert as your color commentator, but he is providing some great recruiting background on the players involved. Matt Stewart continues to roll on without missing a beat as one of Atlanta’s broadcasting treasures.
Finally I was a little disappointed after listening to Yahoo! Sports Radio for over a month and not hearing much of a change from Sporting News Radio. 790 The Zone goes to Yahoo! Sports Radio for its after-hours programming and I listened in on August 1, 2011 when the change was officially made as SNR became Y!SR. I thought that perhaps more of the Yahoo! Sports writers (who are actually becoming better at writing about sports rather than just pushing agendas cough-ESPN-cough) would get airtime to break down the day’s top stories and biggest rumors. No luck though. So far the same shows are airing under the company name Yahoo! Sports Radio instead of Sporting News Radio. I am a bit disappointed. If I listen to overnight and weekend programming I am still listening to ESPN radio. I would have loved if Yahoo! had tried to steal away some of that airtime but alas.
Can You Believe He Said That
"So much for 'halftime adjustments,' eh? And so much for Joe Tereshinski’s conditioning methods."
Mark Bradley of the AJC seems to enjoy needling the Georgia Bulldog football program, but I must agree with his thoughts here. Why did Todd Grantham not make the adjusts after Boise State adjusted to him? And why were Georgia’s players cramping up so much IN A DOME? They weren’t outside in the heat. It was night…in a dome. What is up with the fatigue in the team’s first game? Lots of questions after that one.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
How good could the O's have been in 1996?
Don’t you hate to play the “What coulda been” game? I grew up in Midlothian, Virginia, one of the biggest Baltimore Orioles and Cal Ripken Jr., fans in all of the Western Hemisphere. I ate, drank and slept the Orioles. Seriously, we are talking Orioles plates and spoons, glasses (some saved from gas stations and Hardee’s) and bed sheets. I loved the Orioles. My dad would take me out of school to go watch the O’s on Opening Day. Three hour drive to Baltimore? So what! The Orioles’ season is starting! Two particular trades helped make the Orioles into what the franchise was in the late 90s and prevented it from being what it could have been in the late 90s.
Looking back I don’t remember the first trade when it happened but I certain remember the second trade and being at first excited and then incredibly disappointed. The first trade happened in 1998 when the Orioles traded a two-time Opening Day Starter and 1984 all-star Mike Boddicker to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Curt Schilling and Brady Anderson. Boddicker was a strong pitcher for the O’s in the early 1980s, winning 79 games and helping the team win the 1983 World Series. After he left Baltimore, he was only able to win 55 games in six years before retiring. He did win a Gold Glove in 1990, but so what?
On the flip side, Brady Anderson (and his sideburns) became a mainstay for the Birds, as he starred in centerfield (and later leftfield as age crept up on Anderson), slugging and swiping bases with regularity. Anderson made three all-star teams while hitting 209 home runs (a high of 50 in 1996) and stealing 307 bases (a high of 53 in 1992). Anderson never stole less than 12 in a season while stealing at least 21 seven times, 30+ three times. Other than Cal Ripken, Anderson was by far the most popular Orioles player during the 1990s.
The other part of that Boddicker trade was quickly flipped in a trade that could have benefited the Orioles more if the Baltimore GM had dialed Houston incorrectly or the Astros GM not picked up. Curt Schilling was with the Orioles just three years before being sent to the Astros in a deal for Glenn Davis. Schilling was 1-6 with Baltimore and had ZERO starts in 1990, his final with the club. The coaching staff apparently was trying to use Schilling as a bullpen arm. OK. Good thing Schilling went on to win 215 games with other clubs, including three World Series titles (plus another appearance in the Fall Classic), make five all-star teams and finish in the top-four of Cy Young voting four times. Glenn Davis meanwhile played in just 185 games over three seasons for the Orioles, hitting .247, slugging 24 home runs and driving in 85 runs. Yeah…..(But let me stop hating on the former Georgia Bulldog now.)
So the Orioles traded Curt Schilling for a washed-up Davis, just think about what the club could have had with Schilling in the rotation alongside Ben McDonald and Mike Mussina and later Scott Erickson. Wait, what? There was more in that Davis trade? Steve Finley AND Pete Harnish were included? Finley who would win five Gold Gloves and make two all-star teams after leaving Baltimore? Finley who would hit at least 28 home runs five times and steal at least 30 bases three times, including 34 the year after he was traded to Houston and 44 the year after that? Pete Harnish, the 1987 first-round pick that won 11 games the year after you traded him and was an all-star in 1991? Crud.
You are telling me that Steve Finley wouldn’t have looked better in rightfield over the 39-year-old one year part-timer Dwight Evans? Finley wouldn’t have looked better in leftfield than Joe Orsulak? Anderson eventually took over the leftfield spot but the offense could have benefitted from Finley in there over the next decade. The Orioles eventually won the Wild Card in 1996 and the AL East in 1997, appearing in the ALCS both seasons but could not sustain the good fortune. The team hasn’t had a winning record since 1997. Schilling meanwhile took the Phillies to the World Series in 1993, won a World Series MVP in 2001 plus two more rings in Boston in 2004 and 2007. Finley helped the Padres to the World Series in 1998 and won a championship with Schilling and Arizona in 2001. Finley would make the post-season seven times in his 19 seasons.
As good as the Orioles are and as much as the franchise profited from the Mike Boddicker trade, the team suffered after acquiring Glenn Davis due to the players surrendered. Those two trades turned the Birds into the team I followed growing up. It is crazy to think about the team’s path if that second one never happened…
Looking back I don’t remember the first trade when it happened but I certain remember the second trade and being at first excited and then incredibly disappointed. The first trade happened in 1998 when the Orioles traded a two-time Opening Day Starter and 1984 all-star Mike Boddicker to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Curt Schilling and Brady Anderson. Boddicker was a strong pitcher for the O’s in the early 1980s, winning 79 games and helping the team win the 1983 World Series. After he left Baltimore, he was only able to win 55 games in six years before retiring. He did win a Gold Glove in 1990, but so what?
On the flip side, Brady Anderson (and his sideburns) became a mainstay for the Birds, as he starred in centerfield (and later leftfield as age crept up on Anderson), slugging and swiping bases with regularity. Anderson made three all-star teams while hitting 209 home runs (a high of 50 in 1996) and stealing 307 bases (a high of 53 in 1992). Anderson never stole less than 12 in a season while stealing at least 21 seven times, 30+ three times. Other than Cal Ripken, Anderson was by far the most popular Orioles player during the 1990s.
The other part of that Boddicker trade was quickly flipped in a trade that could have benefited the Orioles more if the Baltimore GM had dialed Houston incorrectly or the Astros GM not picked up. Curt Schilling was with the Orioles just three years before being sent to the Astros in a deal for Glenn Davis. Schilling was 1-6 with Baltimore and had ZERO starts in 1990, his final with the club. The coaching staff apparently was trying to use Schilling as a bullpen arm. OK. Good thing Schilling went on to win 215 games with other clubs, including three World Series titles (plus another appearance in the Fall Classic), make five all-star teams and finish in the top-four of Cy Young voting four times. Glenn Davis meanwhile played in just 185 games over three seasons for the Orioles, hitting .247, slugging 24 home runs and driving in 85 runs. Yeah…..(But let me stop hating on the former Georgia Bulldog now.)
So the Orioles traded Curt Schilling for a washed-up Davis, just think about what the club could have had with Schilling in the rotation alongside Ben McDonald and Mike Mussina and later Scott Erickson. Wait, what? There was more in that Davis trade? Steve Finley AND Pete Harnish were included? Finley who would win five Gold Gloves and make two all-star teams after leaving Baltimore? Finley who would hit at least 28 home runs five times and steal at least 30 bases three times, including 34 the year after he was traded to Houston and 44 the year after that? Pete Harnish, the 1987 first-round pick that won 11 games the year after you traded him and was an all-star in 1991? Crud.
You are telling me that Steve Finley wouldn’t have looked better in rightfield over the 39-year-old one year part-timer Dwight Evans? Finley wouldn’t have looked better in leftfield than Joe Orsulak? Anderson eventually took over the leftfield spot but the offense could have benefitted from Finley in there over the next decade. The Orioles eventually won the Wild Card in 1996 and the AL East in 1997, appearing in the ALCS both seasons but could not sustain the good fortune. The team hasn’t had a winning record since 1997. Schilling meanwhile took the Phillies to the World Series in 1993, won a World Series MVP in 2001 plus two more rings in Boston in 2004 and 2007. Finley helped the Padres to the World Series in 1998 and won a championship with Schilling and Arizona in 2001. Finley would make the post-season seven times in his 19 seasons.
As good as the Orioles are and as much as the franchise profited from the Mike Boddicker trade, the team suffered after acquiring Glenn Davis due to the players surrendered. Those two trades turned the Birds into the team I followed growing up. It is crazy to think about the team’s path if that second one never happened…
Could Crowell save Richt's job?
I’d like to take a quick break from bashing embattled head coach Mark Richt to say “WOW.” Isaiah Crowell is going to be incredible. In the true freshman’s first-ever carry in the Georgia Dome against Boise State, Crowell tripped and fell for a loss. He hasn’t looked back since. Against South Carolina last Saturday, Crowell was electric. He had the entire stadium buzzing and wondering if he alone could end up saving Richt’s job. Crowell found the endzone for the first time as a Bulldog with about six minutes to go in the third quarter on a 17-yard screen pass that gave Georgia a lead. If Sanford Stadium had had a roof, it would have been blown right off. In the fourth quarter Crowell scampered in from 15 yards out to give Georgia its final lead. He finished with 118 yards on 16 carries and two receptions for 40 yards.
Marcus Lattimore finished with 176 yards and one score but toted it 27 times for the Gamecocks. Several Georgia newspapers had stories about Crowell wishing he could have 30-40 touches per game like Lattimore racks up in SEC play against big-time opponents. My response to Crowell isn’t to shut up but to open up your arms for the ball. Take every ball handed to you and hold on to it. Crowell and Murray fumbled an exchange which led to an important South Carolina touchdown. Crowell needs to learn from that mistake and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Keep learning the playbook and learning how to block and Richard Samuel’s carries may just disappear. Crowell could be Richt’s next Knowshon Moreno and Crowell could well end up saving Richt’s job.
Isaiah Crowell won’t break any of Herschel Walker’s records, but Crowell could well have the impact that Moreno provided his freshman year. That year if you will recall the freshman tailback helped the sophomore quarterback to a BCS bowl game after losing to South Carolina in week two. If Crowell runs hard enough and Georgia gets a bit of help, he could lead the team to the Georgia Dome in December. But that is so far away for a 0-2 team. I just know that all of my doubts of Crowell disappeared. This kid is legit.
Now then, back to your regularly-scheduled Richt-bashing…
Marcus Lattimore finished with 176 yards and one score but toted it 27 times for the Gamecocks. Several Georgia newspapers had stories about Crowell wishing he could have 30-40 touches per game like Lattimore racks up in SEC play against big-time opponents. My response to Crowell isn’t to shut up but to open up your arms for the ball. Take every ball handed to you and hold on to it. Crowell and Murray fumbled an exchange which led to an important South Carolina touchdown. Crowell needs to learn from that mistake and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Keep learning the playbook and learning how to block and Richard Samuel’s carries may just disappear. Crowell could be Richt’s next Knowshon Moreno and Crowell could well end up saving Richt’s job.
Isaiah Crowell won’t break any of Herschel Walker’s records, but Crowell could well have the impact that Moreno provided his freshman year. That year if you will recall the freshman tailback helped the sophomore quarterback to a BCS bowl game after losing to South Carolina in week two. If Crowell runs hard enough and Georgia gets a bit of help, he could lead the team to the Georgia Dome in December. But that is so far away for a 0-2 team. I just know that all of my doubts of Crowell disappeared. This kid is legit.
Now then, back to your regularly-scheduled Richt-bashing…
The next Timmy Byerly?
It seems we are always looking for The Next fill-in-the-blank. The Next Tom Brady. The Next Herschel Walker. While sometimes it seems unfair, I look at it more as a compliment. Last season Chattahoochee’s Timmy Byerly led the Cougars to the Class 4A state title with his legs, his arm, his leadership and his guts. Last year I called him Tim Tebow-lite. I now want to submit several players from the 2011 football season that could become The Next Timmy Byerly. St. Pius standout Trey White rushed for 245 yards in the Golden Lions’ win over North Hall. White rushed for 187 two weeks ago and earlier this year helped St. Pius beat Westminster for the first time since 1992. Mount Pisgah Christian’s Kyle Sloter fired a 44-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth in a comeback victory. He accounted for all four of his team touchdowns and has recorded ten touchdowns this year (8 passing, 2 rushing) and 927 total yards in three games. Habersham Central’s Kevin Ellison ran for over 100 yards and three scores and passed for nearly 150 yards and two scores in the Raiders’ win over Salem. Ellison threw the game-winning score in the final minute…
Not only does McEachern have one of the best teams in the state, the Powder Springs school unveiled the latest phase of the 10-year renovation/construction project, the McEachern Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center. The 115,000 sq.ft. facility, funded by the John McEachern Endowment Fund, cost $12M according to the Marietta Daily Journal, and can reportedly host more than 1000 students and faculty members on a daily basis. The center is adjacent to Walter Cantrell Stadium. The basketball gym is also scheduled for a partial renovation following the upcoming basketball season.
Not only does McEachern have one of the best teams in the state, the Powder Springs school unveiled the latest phase of the 10-year renovation/construction project, the McEachern Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center. The 115,000 sq.ft. facility, funded by the John McEachern Endowment Fund, cost $12M according to the Marietta Daily Journal, and can reportedly host more than 1000 students and faculty members on a daily basis. The center is adjacent to Walter Cantrell Stadium. The basketball gym is also scheduled for a partial renovation following the upcoming basketball season.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Score 44 Week 4
The Score 44 is a fluid list that aims to honor the best forty-four seniors in Georgia high school football on a week-to-week basis. These players are some of the most highly-recruited players in the state as well as some of the best players that may not get to play at the next level. We try and create a blend of the two categories. This week Austin Hardin of Marist makes the cut as the future Florida Gator prepares for the team his leg beat last year on a 58-yard game-winning kick. Hardin is not just one of the best kickers in the state of Georgia; he has been rated as the best kicker in the country according to one recruiting service. Meanwhile Darius English of McEachern also makes the list after the future South Carolina Gamecock blocked a punt and recovered for a score in last week’s Indians’ win. Buford is a team that has three players on the list and rightfully could have at least three more. The Wolves are loaded and several more could make the list at some point this season. Lastly it was tough to exclude Jonquel Dawson of ML King from the list. I just didn’t have the room for him this week. I debated taking Greyson Lambert off for Dawson but decided that Lambert stays this week.
In (from week 3) Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K; Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K
George Morris, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) RB
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Adam Griffith, Calhoun (Calhoun), K
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Ty Smith, Colquitt County (Moultrie) TE
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Dakota Ball, Pepperell (Lindale) DT
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Carlos Hood, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DT
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Leonard Floyd, Dodge County (Eastman), DE
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Niles Clark, Lassiter (Marietta ), CB
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB
In (from week 3) Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K; Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K
George Morris, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) RB
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Adam Griffith, Calhoun (Calhoun), K
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Ty Smith, Colquitt County (Moultrie) TE
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Dakota Ball, Pepperell (Lindale) DT
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Carlos Hood, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DT
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Leonard Floyd, Dodge County (Eastman), DE
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Niles Clark, Lassiter (Marietta ), CB
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB
Norcross & Mill Creek on collision course
There are two undefeated schools in Region 7-5A but the teams just may surprise you. Norcross and Mill Creek both sit 3-0 overall after the third full week of games with North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge and Collins Hill all posting at least one loss. No region games have been played yet, but the Blue Devils, who went 9-3 one year ago, face Duluth this Friday. Mill Creek opens its region schedule on the road at Mountain View. Norcross looks to have an explosive offense this season with Tennessee-bound wide receiver Jason Croom starring for coach Keith Maloof. Mill Creek meanwhile may be behind the 8-ball as starting quarterback John Russ left last week’s 28-0 win over Cherokee with a concussion. His return this week is questionable, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post. James Holder, normally a receiver for the Hawks, came on and passed for 70 yards, completing five of nine passes. Norcross and Mill Creek will face off September 23 at Mill Creek…
The Colquitt County Packers, ranked No. 2 in the latest Score Atlanta poll, survived six turnovers in a 21-10 victory over Westlake thanks in large part to the legs of Willie Woodyard. The tailback rushed 17 times for 183 yards in the win. Junior quarterback Cole Seagraves threw for two touchdowns and 79 yards while running for 67 yards. The Packers will travel to play Warner Robins this Friday in the GPB.org game of the week…
The Buford softball team defeated Union County in the finals of Buford’s weekend softball tournament in a rematch of the 2010 Class AA state championship game. Buford received a three-run home run from Jordan Deep in the 4-1 victory. Tessa Daniels was the victorious pitcher for the Lady Wolves, the defending AA champions
The Colquitt County Packers, ranked No. 2 in the latest Score Atlanta poll, survived six turnovers in a 21-10 victory over Westlake thanks in large part to the legs of Willie Woodyard. The tailback rushed 17 times for 183 yards in the win. Junior quarterback Cole Seagraves threw for two touchdowns and 79 yards while running for 67 yards. The Packers will travel to play Warner Robins this Friday in the GPB.org game of the week…
The Buford softball team defeated Union County in the finals of Buford’s weekend softball tournament in a rematch of the 2010 Class AA state championship game. Buford received a three-run home run from Jordan Deep in the 4-1 victory. Tessa Daniels was the victorious pitcher for the Lady Wolves, the defending AA champions
Monday, September 12, 2011
Big Changes in ScoreATL Class A poll!
With many of the ranked teams winning, a majority of the teams in the Score Atlanta polls stayed in their places with the Class 5A and 3A not changing at all. Camden County remains No. 1 in 5A despite the off-week. Colquitt County is No. 2 and will be in the GPB.org game of the week this Friday. The biggest shake-up came in Class A, where new No. 4 knocked off previous No. 1 Clinch County. The defending Class A champions fell to No. 5. Wilkinson County is the new No. 1 in the state’s smallest classification. In Class 4A, Starr’s Mill fell from the rankings following its first loss of the season. Ware County, Kell, Lambert and Marist all moved up and Heritage (Conyers) moved into the poll for the first time this season. In Class AA, Brooks County is the new No. 10 after Pepperell fell from the rankings following a loss. Carver-Columbus, Vidalia and Fitzgerald all moved up in the AA poll.
For a look at the complete polls, visit www.scoreatl.com or sign up for the Score Atlanta daily prep sports newsletter!
For a look at the complete polls, visit www.scoreatl.com or sign up for the Score Atlanta daily prep sports newsletter!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Week One Fantasy recap
(While week one of the NFL season isn't over just yet, I put this together for the Falcons for the upcoming Falcons Program. Enjoy!)
There is possibly nothing more frustrating than the last-minute decision when it comes to fantasy football rosters. You have a star player, say Arian Foster, who is questionable all week but still may go Sunday. You have to make the decision on whether or not to sit a player you spent the No.1 overall pick of the fantasy draft on. If you do sit him but he plays, he could go on to show why he was a high pick. Or say you keep him in, but the coach sits him. Now you have a huge hole in your fantasy lineup. How do you cope? Perhaps you pick up the star’s back-up just in case they do sit the star, you have the chance to sub him in Sunday morning. Or maybe you scour the waiver wire and try and snag a specialist, a la a goalline back or a slot receiver on a team that will likely be trailing towards the end of the game and will throw to catch up. Ben Tate was an excellent pick-up this week as Foster was benched as Tate picked up right where Foster left off with 116 yards and a rushing score. Or perhaps you snagged Jabar Gaffney or Anthony Armstrong of Washington, knowing that Rex Grossman would be slinging it all over the field and Santana Moss would be covered all day by the Giants. Gaffney went for 54 receiving yards and a score while Armstrong pulled in a touchdown reception.
Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees both went nuts when the Saints and Packers faced off. Rodgers threw for three scores and 312 yards while Brees topped him with 419 yards and three scores of his own. Those two will be among the top quarterbacks all season long. Michael Vick also passed for two scores and 187 but gave great value with 98 yards rushing as well. Philip Rivers is also a fantasy footballer’s dream as he once again provided some serious numbers (335, 2TD) for the Chargers, per usual.
Ryan Fitzpartick provided a load of points, passing for 208 yards and four touchdowns, but he probably did so on your bench. Should you run out and claim “Fitz” on the waiver wire? Should you start him next week? Probably not. You have to be extremely careful not to overvalue a single opening game or a game against a less-than-stellar defense. Fitzgerald simply took advantage of a poor Kansas City defense and he is one of several players that should be shied away from next week. Ben Tate is another player that you probably won’t want to pull from the well again. The Colts defensively aren’t what they were in their Super Bowl seasons and Tate will be game-planned for going forward if Foster really is out for an extended period of time. Lastly, you hopefully didn’t spend a first round pick on Peyton Hillis. He is a spot-starting back at best, perhaps a flex pick, not a No.1 back selection.
Who will have a bounce-back week in the second week? Matt Ryan faced a difficult pass rush in Chicago and while the Philadelphia defense will be tough, being inside the Georgia Dome is sure to help Ryan bounce back with some high fantasy numbers. Tennessee’s Chris Johnson missed most of camp while holding out for a new contract. His rust showed in week one with just nine carries and 24 yards. The explosive Johnson is sure to bounce back now that Kenny Britt is showing he is a threat outside and Matt Hasselbeck gets more comfortable in the Titans’ system.
There is possibly nothing more frustrating than the last-minute decision when it comes to fantasy football rosters. You have a star player, say Arian Foster, who is questionable all week but still may go Sunday. You have to make the decision on whether or not to sit a player you spent the No.1 overall pick of the fantasy draft on. If you do sit him but he plays, he could go on to show why he was a high pick. Or say you keep him in, but the coach sits him. Now you have a huge hole in your fantasy lineup. How do you cope? Perhaps you pick up the star’s back-up just in case they do sit the star, you have the chance to sub him in Sunday morning. Or maybe you scour the waiver wire and try and snag a specialist, a la a goalline back or a slot receiver on a team that will likely be trailing towards the end of the game and will throw to catch up. Ben Tate was an excellent pick-up this week as Foster was benched as Tate picked up right where Foster left off with 116 yards and a rushing score. Or perhaps you snagged Jabar Gaffney or Anthony Armstrong of Washington, knowing that Rex Grossman would be slinging it all over the field and Santana Moss would be covered all day by the Giants. Gaffney went for 54 receiving yards and a score while Armstrong pulled in a touchdown reception.
Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees both went nuts when the Saints and Packers faced off. Rodgers threw for three scores and 312 yards while Brees topped him with 419 yards and three scores of his own. Those two will be among the top quarterbacks all season long. Michael Vick also passed for two scores and 187 but gave great value with 98 yards rushing as well. Philip Rivers is also a fantasy footballer’s dream as he once again provided some serious numbers (335, 2TD) for the Chargers, per usual.
Ryan Fitzpartick provided a load of points, passing for 208 yards and four touchdowns, but he probably did so on your bench. Should you run out and claim “Fitz” on the waiver wire? Should you start him next week? Probably not. You have to be extremely careful not to overvalue a single opening game or a game against a less-than-stellar defense. Fitzgerald simply took advantage of a poor Kansas City defense and he is one of several players that should be shied away from next week. Ben Tate is another player that you probably won’t want to pull from the well again. The Colts defensively aren’t what they were in their Super Bowl seasons and Tate will be game-planned for going forward if Foster really is out for an extended period of time. Lastly, you hopefully didn’t spend a first round pick on Peyton Hillis. He is a spot-starting back at best, perhaps a flex pick, not a No.1 back selection.
Who will have a bounce-back week in the second week? Matt Ryan faced a difficult pass rush in Chicago and while the Philadelphia defense will be tough, being inside the Georgia Dome is sure to help Ryan bounce back with some high fantasy numbers. Tennessee’s Chris Johnson missed most of camp while holding out for a new contract. His rust showed in week one with just nine carries and 24 yards. The explosive Johnson is sure to bounce back now that Kenny Britt is showing he is a threat outside and Matt Hasselbeck gets more comfortable in the Titans’ system.
Thoughts on Week3 of GHSA football (3rd full week)
This is Cobb County’s best chance at winning a state title in several years. McEachern has already taken on and beaten Gwinnett power North Gwinnett and has beaten a South Georgia power in Lowndes. Trent Thompson and Darius English are for real and the Indians have a coach that won’t be overwhelmed by the situation in Kyle Hockman...
However Lassiter has Eddie Printz at quarterback and the Trojan junior signal-caller showed his skills in a 56-35 thumping of North Cobb, passing for 390 yards and four scores. Charlie Hegedus snagged two of the scores and 127 yards...
Kenyan Drake of Hillgrove added another 113 yards rushing and a score in the Hawks 45-0 win over North Forsyth...
Kell is also a threat to claim the 4A crown and the Longhorns went into a tough environment at Woodstock and came out with a 36-12 victory, allowing a late score to “only” win by 24. AJ Redwine, Jordan Chambers, and Chris Gaines give Derek Cook a powerful running game but Kendall Crute can also step up in the passing game if needed. Kell is scary-good, considering the squad’s only loss came when it fumbled a punt inside its own ten-yard line against one of the nation’s best teams, a 7-0 loss to Grayson...
Collins Hill may have felt that it gave away a golden opportunity to pull off an upset of ML King, but credit the Lions for taking advantage of early Eagles’s miscues to jump out to a 12-0 lead. Jonquel Dawson-to-Blake Tibbs is a treat to watch and that combo could make real noise as the season continues...
I continue to be impressed with Flowery Branch. Lee Shaw simply reloads...
I am not certain an all-star team comprised of players from the rest of the AA top ten could beat Buford.
However Lassiter has Eddie Printz at quarterback and the Trojan junior signal-caller showed his skills in a 56-35 thumping of North Cobb, passing for 390 yards and four scores. Charlie Hegedus snagged two of the scores and 127 yards...
Kenyan Drake of Hillgrove added another 113 yards rushing and a score in the Hawks 45-0 win over North Forsyth...
Kell is also a threat to claim the 4A crown and the Longhorns went into a tough environment at Woodstock and came out with a 36-12 victory, allowing a late score to “only” win by 24. AJ Redwine, Jordan Chambers, and Chris Gaines give Derek Cook a powerful running game but Kendall Crute can also step up in the passing game if needed. Kell is scary-good, considering the squad’s only loss came when it fumbled a punt inside its own ten-yard line against one of the nation’s best teams, a 7-0 loss to Grayson...
Collins Hill may have felt that it gave away a golden opportunity to pull off an upset of ML King, but credit the Lions for taking advantage of early Eagles’s miscues to jump out to a 12-0 lead. Jonquel Dawson-to-Blake Tibbs is a treat to watch and that combo could make real noise as the season continues...
I continue to be impressed with Flowery Branch. Lee Shaw simply reloads...
I am not certain an all-star team comprised of players from the rest of the AA top ten could beat Buford.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Kell slams Woodstock, Metro wrap-up
For forty minutes the Kell/Woodstock game was a back-and-forth battle with an outcome that could have gone either way. The Longhorns however took advantage of two bursts, one late in the first half, one at the start of the fourth quarter, piling on points in a hurry to outclass the Wolverines 36-12. The visiting Longhorns notched two Tyler Prince field goals before sophomore Ethan Elliot tracked down Pryce Washington in the endzone for a safety to put Kell up 8-0. After Woodstock’s free kick went out of bounds, Kell handed off the ball to AJ Redwine and the senior scampered 45 yards for a score and 9 quick points in less than one minute. Jon Wiener scored a touchdown for Woodstock out of the wildcat formation, but after a missed two-point conversion, Kell led just 15-6. Redwine flipped the field one more time before the half with a 51-yard run before Jordan Chambers plowed in from six yards out to give Kell a 22-6 lead at intermission. In the fourth quarter Chris Gaines scored a 12-yard touchdown before Kell’s defense recovered a fumble and Clay Dodson capped Kell’s scoring with a one-yard sneak. Washington wrapped up the scoring by breaking ankles on a 76-yard run on the game’s final play. Kell improved to 2-1 on the season.
McEachern avoided a letdown following its win over Lowndes by pounding Marietta 20-7 to open its home schedule. Darius English recovered a blocked punt for a score in the Indians win... Alonzo Collins scored two touchdowns on just three carries as Mill Creek shut out Cherokee 28-0...Juwaan Williams scored two touchdowns to set the tone for Tucker as the Tigers nearly broke the scoreboard in a 77-33 victory over Carver-Atlanta. Dallas Rivers hauled in an 80-yard touchdown for Tucker...Klye Sloter continued his sensational senior season with three more passing scores and one on the ground in Mt. Pisgah Christian’s three-point win over Southwest Atlanta Christian...Dacula held Brookwood out of the endzone as the defending champion Broncos lost for the second time this season in a 20-6 decision. Dacula received scores from Marcus Cox and Alex Armah in the victory...Lassiter’s Eddie Printz threw for four touchdowns in his first game since committing to SMU in the Trojans 56-35 victory over North Cobb. Charlie Hegedus hauled in one score for Lassiter while Jalen Williams led the Warriors with 120 receiving yards and three scores...Central Gwinnett put nearly 50 points on the board as Eman Westmoreland threw for four scores while George Morris ran for three touchdowns and 160 yards in a 49-6 win over Berkmar...Robert Nkemdiche excelled on both sides of the ball in Grayson’s 34-7 win over Archer, running for a score and recovering a fumble for the Rams...Marist improved to 2-1 with a win over Chamblee...Norcross thumped Roswell...Banneker edged Riverdale 29-22.
McEachern avoided a letdown following its win over Lowndes by pounding Marietta 20-7 to open its home schedule. Darius English recovered a blocked punt for a score in the Indians win... Alonzo Collins scored two touchdowns on just three carries as Mill Creek shut out Cherokee 28-0...Juwaan Williams scored two touchdowns to set the tone for Tucker as the Tigers nearly broke the scoreboard in a 77-33 victory over Carver-Atlanta. Dallas Rivers hauled in an 80-yard touchdown for Tucker...Klye Sloter continued his sensational senior season with three more passing scores and one on the ground in Mt. Pisgah Christian’s three-point win over Southwest Atlanta Christian...Dacula held Brookwood out of the endzone as the defending champion Broncos lost for the second time this season in a 20-6 decision. Dacula received scores from Marcus Cox and Alex Armah in the victory...Lassiter’s Eddie Printz threw for four touchdowns in his first game since committing to SMU in the Trojans 56-35 victory over North Cobb. Charlie Hegedus hauled in one score for Lassiter while Jalen Williams led the Warriors with 120 receiving yards and three scores...Central Gwinnett put nearly 50 points on the board as Eman Westmoreland threw for four scores while George Morris ran for three touchdowns and 160 yards in a 49-6 win over Berkmar...Robert Nkemdiche excelled on both sides of the ball in Grayson’s 34-7 win over Archer, running for a score and recovering a fumble for the Rams...Marist improved to 2-1 with a win over Chamblee...Norcross thumped Roswell...Banneker edged Riverdale 29-22.
The Picks hates Georgia (gotta try something new)
I will be running a 10K tomorrow. My buddy the Commish believes this to be quasi-communist behavior, but I will actually be finished with the running (hopefully) by the time GameDay starts on ESPN. I was originally worried about my time but after watching some people try and attack the treadmills at the gym, I think I'll be OK. PLUS I get a shirt. I am a whore for a free t-shirt. (well it isn't really free, but it sort of is...) Let's move on to the picks.
Oregon State @ 8 Wisco The Beavers lost last week to Sacramento State, ranked No. 4 in the country. Wait, what? Sacramento State isn’t ranked No. 4 in the country? What? Oh crap Mike Riley. If you lost to Sacramento State, how in the WORLD do you think you’ll beat Russell Wilson and the rest of the Badgers? I would select this one for the lock of the week….but I’ll go elsewhere.
Toledo @ 15 Ohio State Oh, good to see the new Ohio State coaching staff still scheduling every crappy Ohio school available, just like the old coaching staff. What, was the Ohio School for the Blind too busy? Perhaps the Cleveland Typing College couldn’t make the trip to Columbus?
FAU @ 17 Michigan State I wonder if Janovitz thinks Michigan State is playing FIU? He cannot tell those two schools apart. Sparty easily glides to victory. Come on. Though I did see a great shirt last week in the UF/FAU game: I’m an Owl-coholic. Nice. I wanted one. Do they get the Give a Hoot Owl to be their mascot? Or do they get the one from the Tootsie Pop commercial? Or is it just a screech owl? Is SCREECH their mascot? He needs the money. PS, East Lansing get ready, you missed out on Tosh.0 but you ARE getting Pam Ward’s dance party! This weekend!
Iowa @ Iowa State. Ahhh the battle for Iowa. Is this game played near the Field Of Dreams? Will Kevin Costner flip the coin? Will iowa state try and join the Big10(+2) after the Big XII folds? Will Iowa just pretend that they aren’t aware of ISU? I would. And I’ve said this before but I will say it again: when TAMU leaves for the SEC and OU, Okie State, Texas and Texas Tech leave for the Pac 12, the MWC should go after KU, KSU, Iowa State, Mizzou and BYU to make the MWC a BCS conference. I’d respect it (sort of) then. Make it happen Boise State.
CMU @ Kentucky The Wildcats are taking on that building right off 285 near Sandy Springs? Wait, there is a REAL CMU? I don’t believe it. Nope. Not real. Kentucky is playing that school off 285. And they will win.
16 Miss State @ Auburn This game is on Peachtree TV? WOW. That is a HUGE get for Peachtree TV. Thank goodness Andre Ware will be there to break down the SEC. In all seriousness I will throw a bone here to that red-headed Auburn kid that looked like he was going to cry last week when Utah State had just scored to go up 10 with 4 to play: Auburn wins this one and congrats you guys can go and throw toilet paper on your dead trees. Where will Auburn people celebrate when these trees get taken down? Where is the next location they will vandalize to celebrate wins? Still not as bad as lighting couches on fire and throwing them off of frat houses. West Virginia, I’m looking at you!
Rutgers @ UNC. Bryn Renner was 22-23 last week against JMU. 227 yards and two TDs. Rutgers’ secondary was awful last year. I am expecting Renner to tear it up again. This will be Rutgers’ first trip back to Tobacco Road since 2006 and all Rutgers folks like to point to 2006 like it was some magical season. That year the Scarlet Knights went to the Texas Bowl. I guess my definition of “magical” means something different than theirs….
3 Alabama @ 23 Penn State Oh, HERE is my lock of the week. I will be going against The Body’s NEW Alma mater (Kudos and apologies Paul Mac) and taking the Tide. I know Bama’s two QBs each threw two picks one week ago. It doesn’t matter. Trent Richardson still plays for the Tide and that is enough for me. Penn State’s QB situation isn’t exactly crystal as Col. Jessup likes to say. I’ll take Saban over the 174-year-old that will be in the booth because it is closer to the bathroom.
6 Stanford @ Duke Andrew Luck still plays for Stanford, right? He does? Cool. Go with Stanford. And PS, if I am a Duke student/alum (shoot me) I wonder HOW CAN STANFORD BUILD A TEAM YET WE CANNOT? Then I wait for basketball season to start and the world to hate me. PS, that Beth Mowins chick is calling this game and unlike Mike Bell, I thought she did an OK job last week in Auburn. She didn’t know the name of the stadium, but otherwise she was light-years better than Pam Ward. AND she is on ESPNU, which not a lot of people watch, so at least ESPN is covering her up….unlike Ward.
Nevada @ 13 oregon The Ducks got rocked. Thanks. You really gave SBF a ton of credibility there with that performance. Nevada beat Boise State last year, something Georgia couldn’t do last week. Does that mean Nevada is better than Georgia? Likely. But without last year’s QB, Nevada won’t touch Oregon.
NC State @ Wake. I love Tom O’Brien. I don’t like Wake’s program right now. Going with the Pack. (I wonder if NC State would want to jump to the SEC. They will ALWAYS be third-class citizens in their own city behind UNC and Duke. And the SEC would probably like to get into the NC market. They are from the east, so the balance would equal out….they’d never go for it.)
Cincy @ Tennessee So Tyler Bray made a gesture towards the sidelines last week? So what? It was against Wyoming or some other crappy cupcake team. The kid has moxie. It will serve him well when Zach Callaros is outplaying him in this one. Still, take Dooley and company.
UAB @ 18 Florida Hey Muschamp, way to break out the big guns in your first two games. Is Jim Tressel scheduling your games now? I would have enjoyed watching this game if Rush Propst had taken the UAB job. On a plus note, though it is one HECK of a drive, I get to call Colquitt’s game next week.
New Mexico @ 14 Arkansas I am still trying to figure out why in the world Jack Kelly wanted to leave New York for New Mexico back in 1899. Still trying to figure it out. I can understand wanting to get out of New York, but Santa Fe? Go with the Hogs.
Virginia @ Indiana Daddio thinks that UVa is BACK after that huge win over William & Mary last week. Now the Hoos hit the road for Indiana. I don’t get the Big10(+2) network so I cannot watch, but you HAVE to think this game will be slightly more exciting than watching paint drying. Less so than watching grass grow (sometimes there are bugs!) but more than paint drying! UVa Football folks!
Utah @ USC Welcome to the Pac-12 B*tch. I wonder if USC hires Chris Carmack to deliver that line via a jumbotron before kicking a Mormon in the nuts. USC wins. Duh.
UConn @ Vandy. As much as I want to go with SEC PRIDE, UConn has Paul Pasqualoni on its sidelines, the WINNINGEST coach in Big East history! Charlie Sheen! Wait, I’ll still go with Vandy.
Notre Dame @ Michigan the first night game in Big House history. I don’t care. Michigan should be 0-0 right now because the Wolverines never finished its game last week. Why in the world should people care that Michigan is FINALLY playing a night game? This game is between two teams that will both go to crap bowls? Oh yeah, the “winningest” program in NCAA history against the one that thinks it is the most important in NCAA history. Go with the Rudys.
NFL Games
Falcons @ Bears. Jay Cutler broke up with Kristin Cavallari. Cavallari (way hotter than LC, FYI) was so torn up over it she has decided to dance out her feelings on DWTS. Wifey thinks she has a manly voice. PS, when is Kevin Bacon going to be on DWTS? When will his career tank SO MUCH that he has to reduce himself to that show? Soon I hope. Take the falcons
UPSET AND LOCK Specials....
UPSET SPECIAL: Mizzou @ Arizona State. I believe it was Ned Flanders that once said, “Gee, I guess Heaven is as easy to get into as Arizona State.” Ned, ASU may be easy to get into but not easy enough for quality football players since Jake the Snake was under center. This year’s Arizona State squad though has a stout defense, led by this Vontaze Burfict character, dubbed the “Meanest man in college football” by The Sporting News. Take that for what it is worth. I will take Arizona State in this one.
LOCK O THE WEEK: 3 Alabama @ 23 Penn State Oh, HERE is my lock of the week. I will be going against The Body’s NEW Alma mater (Kudos and apologies Paul Mac) and taking the Tide. I know Bama’s two QBs each threw two picks one week ago. It doesn’t matter. Trent Richardson still plays for the Tide and that is enough for me. Penn State’s QB situation isn’t exactly crystal as Col. Jessup likes to say. I’ll take Saban over the 174-year-old that will be in the booth because it is closer to the bathroom.
Local rooting interest:
GT @ MTSU. For the second straight week GT can ONLY be seen over the internet. ESPN is hitting their target audience SPOT ON! PS, I fear I was a little mean towards the Tech Nation this week in TheFletch. Head to www.scoreatl.com or pick up a copy at Kroger RIGHT NOW. (or just wait until Monday when I post TheFletch right here)
12 South Carolina @ Georgia I don’t even want to pick this one. I would HATE to pile on. Stephen Garcia is so dumb, but he proved last week that he could pull an OJ yet Spurrier (through poor recruiting, I guess?) will still play him because he has NO ONE ELSE! But South Carolina probably wins this one. And Mark Richt likely gets even snippier with the media next week. It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog and all but…
Oregon State @ 8 Wisco The Beavers lost last week to Sacramento State, ranked No. 4 in the country. Wait, what? Sacramento State isn’t ranked No. 4 in the country? What? Oh crap Mike Riley. If you lost to Sacramento State, how in the WORLD do you think you’ll beat Russell Wilson and the rest of the Badgers? I would select this one for the lock of the week….but I’ll go elsewhere.
Toledo @ 15 Ohio State Oh, good to see the new Ohio State coaching staff still scheduling every crappy Ohio school available, just like the old coaching staff. What, was the Ohio School for the Blind too busy? Perhaps the Cleveland Typing College couldn’t make the trip to Columbus?
FAU @ 17 Michigan State I wonder if Janovitz thinks Michigan State is playing FIU? He cannot tell those two schools apart. Sparty easily glides to victory. Come on. Though I did see a great shirt last week in the UF/FAU game: I’m an Owl-coholic. Nice. I wanted one. Do they get the Give a Hoot Owl to be their mascot? Or do they get the one from the Tootsie Pop commercial? Or is it just a screech owl? Is SCREECH their mascot? He needs the money. PS, East Lansing get ready, you missed out on Tosh.0 but you ARE getting Pam Ward’s dance party! This weekend!
Iowa @ Iowa State. Ahhh the battle for Iowa. Is this game played near the Field Of Dreams? Will Kevin Costner flip the coin? Will iowa state try and join the Big10(+2) after the Big XII folds? Will Iowa just pretend that they aren’t aware of ISU? I would. And I’ve said this before but I will say it again: when TAMU leaves for the SEC and OU, Okie State, Texas and Texas Tech leave for the Pac 12, the MWC should go after KU, KSU, Iowa State, Mizzou and BYU to make the MWC a BCS conference. I’d respect it (sort of) then. Make it happen Boise State.
CMU @ Kentucky The Wildcats are taking on that building right off 285 near Sandy Springs? Wait, there is a REAL CMU? I don’t believe it. Nope. Not real. Kentucky is playing that school off 285. And they will win.
16 Miss State @ Auburn This game is on Peachtree TV? WOW. That is a HUGE get for Peachtree TV. Thank goodness Andre Ware will be there to break down the SEC. In all seriousness I will throw a bone here to that red-headed Auburn kid that looked like he was going to cry last week when Utah State had just scored to go up 10 with 4 to play: Auburn wins this one and congrats you guys can go and throw toilet paper on your dead trees. Where will Auburn people celebrate when these trees get taken down? Where is the next location they will vandalize to celebrate wins? Still not as bad as lighting couches on fire and throwing them off of frat houses. West Virginia, I’m looking at you!
Rutgers @ UNC. Bryn Renner was 22-23 last week against JMU. 227 yards and two TDs. Rutgers’ secondary was awful last year. I am expecting Renner to tear it up again. This will be Rutgers’ first trip back to Tobacco Road since 2006 and all Rutgers folks like to point to 2006 like it was some magical season. That year the Scarlet Knights went to the Texas Bowl. I guess my definition of “magical” means something different than theirs….
3 Alabama @ 23 Penn State Oh, HERE is my lock of the week. I will be going against The Body’s NEW Alma mater (Kudos and apologies Paul Mac) and taking the Tide. I know Bama’s two QBs each threw two picks one week ago. It doesn’t matter. Trent Richardson still plays for the Tide and that is enough for me. Penn State’s QB situation isn’t exactly crystal as Col. Jessup likes to say. I’ll take Saban over the 174-year-old that will be in the booth because it is closer to the bathroom.
6 Stanford @ Duke Andrew Luck still plays for Stanford, right? He does? Cool. Go with Stanford. And PS, if I am a Duke student/alum (shoot me) I wonder HOW CAN STANFORD BUILD A TEAM YET WE CANNOT? Then I wait for basketball season to start and the world to hate me. PS, that Beth Mowins chick is calling this game and unlike Mike Bell, I thought she did an OK job last week in Auburn. She didn’t know the name of the stadium, but otherwise she was light-years better than Pam Ward. AND she is on ESPNU, which not a lot of people watch, so at least ESPN is covering her up….unlike Ward.
Nevada @ 13 oregon The Ducks got rocked. Thanks. You really gave SBF a ton of credibility there with that performance. Nevada beat Boise State last year, something Georgia couldn’t do last week. Does that mean Nevada is better than Georgia? Likely. But without last year’s QB, Nevada won’t touch Oregon.
NC State @ Wake. I love Tom O’Brien. I don’t like Wake’s program right now. Going with the Pack. (I wonder if NC State would want to jump to the SEC. They will ALWAYS be third-class citizens in their own city behind UNC and Duke. And the SEC would probably like to get into the NC market. They are from the east, so the balance would equal out….they’d never go for it.)
Cincy @ Tennessee So Tyler Bray made a gesture towards the sidelines last week? So what? It was against Wyoming or some other crappy cupcake team. The kid has moxie. It will serve him well when Zach Callaros is outplaying him in this one. Still, take Dooley and company.
UAB @ 18 Florida Hey Muschamp, way to break out the big guns in your first two games. Is Jim Tressel scheduling your games now? I would have enjoyed watching this game if Rush Propst had taken the UAB job. On a plus note, though it is one HECK of a drive, I get to call Colquitt’s game next week.
New Mexico @ 14 Arkansas I am still trying to figure out why in the world Jack Kelly wanted to leave New York for New Mexico back in 1899. Still trying to figure it out. I can understand wanting to get out of New York, but Santa Fe? Go with the Hogs.
Virginia @ Indiana Daddio thinks that UVa is BACK after that huge win over William & Mary last week. Now the Hoos hit the road for Indiana. I don’t get the Big10(+2) network so I cannot watch, but you HAVE to think this game will be slightly more exciting than watching paint drying. Less so than watching grass grow (sometimes there are bugs!) but more than paint drying! UVa Football folks!
Utah @ USC Welcome to the Pac-12 B*tch. I wonder if USC hires Chris Carmack to deliver that line via a jumbotron before kicking a Mormon in the nuts. USC wins. Duh.
UConn @ Vandy. As much as I want to go with SEC PRIDE, UConn has Paul Pasqualoni on its sidelines, the WINNINGEST coach in Big East history! Charlie Sheen! Wait, I’ll still go with Vandy.
Notre Dame @ Michigan the first night game in Big House history. I don’t care. Michigan should be 0-0 right now because the Wolverines never finished its game last week. Why in the world should people care that Michigan is FINALLY playing a night game? This game is between two teams that will both go to crap bowls? Oh yeah, the “winningest” program in NCAA history against the one that thinks it is the most important in NCAA history. Go with the Rudys.
NFL Games
Falcons @ Bears. Jay Cutler broke up with Kristin Cavallari. Cavallari (way hotter than LC, FYI) was so torn up over it she has decided to dance out her feelings on DWTS. Wifey thinks she has a manly voice. PS, when is Kevin Bacon going to be on DWTS? When will his career tank SO MUCH that he has to reduce himself to that show? Soon I hope. Take the falcons
UPSET AND LOCK Specials....
UPSET SPECIAL: Mizzou @ Arizona State. I believe it was Ned Flanders that once said, “Gee, I guess Heaven is as easy to get into as Arizona State.” Ned, ASU may be easy to get into but not easy enough for quality football players since Jake the Snake was under center. This year’s Arizona State squad though has a stout defense, led by this Vontaze Burfict character, dubbed the “Meanest man in college football” by The Sporting News. Take that for what it is worth. I will take Arizona State in this one.
LOCK O THE WEEK: 3 Alabama @ 23 Penn State Oh, HERE is my lock of the week. I will be going against The Body’s NEW Alma mater (Kudos and apologies Paul Mac) and taking the Tide. I know Bama’s two QBs each threw two picks one week ago. It doesn’t matter. Trent Richardson still plays for the Tide and that is enough for me. Penn State’s QB situation isn’t exactly crystal as Col. Jessup likes to say. I’ll take Saban over the 174-year-old that will be in the booth because it is closer to the bathroom.
Local rooting interest:
GT @ MTSU. For the second straight week GT can ONLY be seen over the internet. ESPN is hitting their target audience SPOT ON! PS, I fear I was a little mean towards the Tech Nation this week in TheFletch. Head to www.scoreatl.com or pick up a copy at Kroger RIGHT NOW. (or just wait until Monday when I post TheFletch right here)
12 South Carolina @ Georgia I don’t even want to pick this one. I would HATE to pile on. Stephen Garcia is so dumb, but he proved last week that he could pull an OJ yet Spurrier (through poor recruiting, I guess?) will still play him because he has NO ONE ELSE! But South Carolina probably wins this one. And Mark Richt likely gets even snippier with the media next week. It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog and all but…
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