Thursday, December 29, 2011

Put up or Shut up in 2012 for the Dawgs

Georgia head coach Mark Richt is about to get a contract extension based on a ten game winning streak as well as an SEC East championship in 2011. While a majority of the fan base is perfectly happy with this, there is a small portion of the Bulldog Nation that wanted to blow Richt out and start over in 2012. That camp may just get its wish next year after Georgia’s 2012 schedule was finalized Wednesday.

The SEC is of course expanding, and with a new SEC East member, Georgia was forced to drop one member of the SEC West off the schedule to make room. That schedule deletion ended up being a road trip to Alabama to face Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Great news, right? Sure. The schedule suddenly got a heck of a lot easier with a trip to Missouri in week two and the trip to South Carolina pushed back to October 6, instead of the Gamecocks in week two and the Tide the first Saturday of October.

The schedule looks tailor-made for a trip back to the Georgia Dome for the SEC championship game. The four non-conference games include Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern and in-state rival Georgia Tech, all at home. The Dawgs will get Tennessee at home and hit the road to visit Kentucky after an off-week. This schedule looks easily like a 11-1 or even a 12-0 possibility, but don’t worry anti-Richt fans as that is good news.

If you like Georgia, you’ll love a 11-1 or 12-0 season. If you hate Richt and he loses two games in the regular season, you’d have to think he’s gone. This schedule was the best thing to happen to all of the anti-Richt people out there. The pressure will be turned up to high to win with one of the easiest schedules in the SEC. If not, bye-bye. And if he DOES win and makes it back to the SEC title game, perhaps those fools can be quiet. Please?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Mark Richt's 2011 Christmas list

Last year I was lucky enough to overhear UGA head coach Mark Richt asking Santa for a space eater for the middle of the the 3-4, a game-changing running back, a standout linebacker to take over for Justin Houston and a deep threat to replace AJ Green. Richt must have been a REALLY good boy last year as Santa brought him all four.

What did Richt ask for this year and will Santa be as kind to the Head Dawg? Word is Richt’s Christmas list isn’t as long but does have a few important items.

A screwdriver. Apparently Richt wants to tighten Isaiah Crowell’s head on straight so the SEC freshman of the year can follow up on his fast start and not so much on his eye brow-raising finish to the 2011 season. The Dawgs appear to have mega-recruit Keith Marshall coming to Athens for spring practice, but I am sure Richt and company would like to have a Crowell-Marshall (Maybe Mike Davis too?) attack instead of relying once again on a freshman to lead the ground game.

A broken fax machine. Several important underclassmen have requested NFL evaluations on where they may be drafted, and should Georgia lose just half, a potential SEC East championship could slip away. Cornelius Washington, Orson Charles, Bacarri Rambo, Sanders Commings and Aaron Murray all submitted paperwork to the NFL’s college advisory committee, asking for feedback on draft status. Murray and Commings both have hinted that they are just curious, but Charles, Rambo and Washington could/would likely jump if they hear second round or higher. If Georgia’s fax machine breaks and those guys cannot see a second round projection by the deadline, the Dawgs will look strong in 2012. (Though he should probably get it fixed by early February.)

An anti-scooter law passed in Athens. Countless Georgia players have gotten in trouble for issues involving scooters over the last few summers. If suddenly it is illegal to drive scooters, hopefully those arrests go away. Plus, it just looks silly to see a 340-pound lineman on a Vespa. Just saying.

Non-slip floors. The Dawgs cannot afford any torn ACLs by the offensive line this offseason. You cannot help it if an ACL tears on the practice field, but it would be awful for an off-the-field accident to take out a player that could contribute to what appears to be a young line returning in 2012.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Miller Grove falls to Oak Hill

Miller Grove, the No. 1 team in the Score Atlanta Class AAAA poll and No. 2 in the national ESPN poll, faced No. 3 Oak Hill at Morehouse last night, and Tony Parker was a beast for the Wolverines. Miller Grove trailed entering the fourth quarter with missed free throws hurting the Wolverines cause. UGA-pledge Brandon Morris was dumping the ball low to Parker throughout the fourth as Oak Hill didn’t have an answer. Meanwhile Jordan Adams, a Georgia native and former Central Gwinnett star, had 13 points including one of two late from the free throw line as Oak Hill knocked off Miller Grove 82-78. Miller Grove had closed the gap to 77-75, but the Wolverines could get no closer as Oak Hill closed out the game from the free throw line. Tony Parker had 29 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. ...

West Hall High School has announced that Tony Lotti has been tapped as the new football coach. Lotti was an assistant at Woodland High School the last three years. Former coach Mike Newton was 12-38 in five years at West Hall. ...

The career of Travis Wildgoose is over at Athens Christian though Wildgoose does hope to continue his high school playing career at Rockdale County High School. Wildgoose, who transferred to Athens Christian over the summer from the Bahamas, rushed for more than 600 yards and four scores in three victories for the Athens Christian football team this season. The GHSA later ruled that he was ineligible after a paperwork error was made by International Experience, a foreign-exchange program that placed him at the Athens school. According to the Athens Banner-Herald he withdrew from Athens Christian earlier this week and is expected to enroll at Rockdale County and live with his uncle. He will also apply for a hardship exemption so that he could play immediately for Rockdale County’s basketball team and track team.

33 Class A schools considering defecting from GHSA

GHSA reclassification has long been a controversial issue, and the new six-class format that has been agreed upon for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years have driven some schools to the brink. Earlier this week more than 80 representatives gathered in Rochelle, Ga., to discuss options for some of the smaller Class A public schools from south Georgia who feel they are being ignored by the GHSA and its reclassification committee. A total of 33 schools were represented and many of those plus others that were not present have let it be known that they are considering pulling out of the GHSA to perhaps join the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) or create a Georgia’s third athletics association. As many as 45 schools could defect from the GHSA to form this new association.

GISA representatives were on hand at Tuesday’s impromptu meeting including executive director Jeff Jackson and assistant director Tommy Whittle. Should the public schools join the 134-member GISA, they would be placed in a “public school” division and separated into a different playoff bracket for the postseason. If the collection of public schools does not want to join GISA, some talk has been floated that the new association would use GISA in an advisory role or perhaps even as a managing role.

Wilcox County head football coach Mark Ledford, who’s team won a recent state title but lost to metro-Atlanta private school Wesleyan in another, led the discussion according to the Macon Telegraph. In a story on the paper’s website, Ledford said, “I think the turnout showed that it was more than just a few south Georgia schools upset about the classification issues.” Several Lincoln County representatives noted that most of the 33 schools were south Georgia Class A schools, but a few surprises were also at the meeting. Representatives from Tift County were also present and appeared ready to join the defections. Other schools according to various media outlets included Atkinson County, Baconton Charter, Calhoun County, Central-Talbotton, Charlton County, Chattahoochee County, Claxton, 2010 Class A football champion Clinch County, Dooly County, Echols, Glascock County, Gordon Lee, Hancock Central, Irwin County, Jenkins County, Johnson County, Lanier County, Miller County, Montgomery County, Randolph-Clay, Schley County, Seminole County, Social Circle, Stewart County, Taylor County, Terrell County, Twiggs County, Warren County, Washington-Wilkes, Wheeler County, Wilcox County and Wilkinson County.

The GHSA’s reclassified Class A still has 35 private schools competing with public schools, and the issue came to a head just a few weeks ago when four private schools reached the Class A semifinals in football. Many of the Class A public schools had been petitioning the GHSA to allow a split in postseason play, but the GHSA chose not to adopt such a scenario during its reclassification sessions.

Wilcox County Director of Athletics Donnie Clack told the Valdosta Daily Times that “We have been in eight to 10 meetings and (the GHSA) still hasn’t done anything about (a postseason split). The only option is to pull out of the GHSA.”

The next steps to the potential defection plan will be hatched over the next few weeks. An eight-member advisory committee was formed at last Tuesday’s meeting, and it is this group that will lead the effort. The committee plans to meet in Macon on Wednesday, according to S. Thomas Coleman of the AJC. At this meeting the committee members will draft bylaws and develop processes and procedures for a new association. All interested parties will be invited to meet January 4, 2012 to review the plans.

The GHSA will ratify the new classifications and regions on January 10, 2012 after schools are permitted a chance to petition for a lateral region change.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Milton forfeits three games

The Milton Eagles had to give three victories back after it was ruled that guard Charles Mann was not 100% eligible for competition. Milton’s record falls to 4-4 from 7-1, though the team is 3-0 in region play and Mann is now eligible to play for the Eagles moving forward. Milton is ranked the No. 1 team in boys Class AAAAA in the Score Atlanta poll. Buford meanwhile picked up a forfeited win from when Milton, with Mann, defeated the Wolves 71-55 at Buford back in November. ...

According to various media outlets nearly 100 people representing 33 schools met in Rochelle, GA, yesterday to discuss whether or not some of the public schools in the new Class A classification would withdraw from the GHSA and form a new independent organization. The collection of schools, which could climb as high as 45 schools according to one source, would join the Georgia Independent School Association and compete in public schools playoff system. Another option would be to form a third athletics association with the GISA serving in an advisory or managing role. GISA representatives were on hand at the meeting including executive director Jeff Jackson and assistant director Tommy Whittle. Wilcox County head coach Mark Ledford told Macon.com, “I think the turnout showed that it was more than just a few south Georgia schools upset about the classification issues.” The group is planning more meetings over the next few weeks. ...

Etowah is searching for a new head coach after Bill Stewart left the Cherokee County school for a head coaching position in Alabama. Stewart was 47-20 at Etowah over six seasons. Stewart will begin teaching at the new James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama, on January 2.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

We Should be happy, right?

Before the season I asked if anything short of the Outback Bowl was acceptable, and now that 2011 has played out, the Dawgs are Outback Bowl bound. We should be happy, right?

Aaron Murray and Orson Charles get a homecoming of sorts, and Georgia is back in a January Bowl after two straight late December snore-fest bowls. I guess folks in the Bulldog Nation should be pleased considering the bleakness that was the 0-2 start.

Still though, something feels off. The Outback Bowl is kind of a been-there-done-that situation isn’t it? I was holding out hope that the CapitalOne Bowl would take Arkansas, and the Dawgs would head west to the Cotton Bowl. That would have been fun and a new adventure. The CapitalOne Bowl would have been fun too against Nebraska. The Outback Bowl is against Michigan State. Didn’t Georgia JUST play Sparty in a bowl? Seems like it.

Don’t get me wrong, Georgia got to a fine bowl game but maybe if Tavarres King keeps his feet and doesn’t slip... If he snags the pass that hit him in the hands on the first drive... If Malcolm Mitchell doesn’t turn before he catches the pass... A better showing in the SEC Championship game may have gotten Georgia a better bowl game, but it is too late now. Georgia needs to use the practice to tune up for Michigan State. If Georgia smokes the Spartans, perhaps this is a top ten team entering 2012. If Georgia acts enh like some its fans are acting about this game, the momentum of a 10-game winning streak will be wasted. Hopefully Georgia is more excited about this game than I am.

Lassiter is loaded in 2012

The Lassiter Trojans made a run to the Class AAAAA semifinals on the strength of a tough defensive secondary and some talented playmakers on offense. One of those offensive playmakers Juwan Dickey recently picked up a big offer as Oklahoma State offered the 24 2Look4 wide receiver. Dickey will take part in the upcoming Rising Seniors game, as will his teammate Eddie Printz. The latter will play quarterback for the East squad and is still committed to SMU according to his coach Jep Irwin. The head coach of SMU June Jones flirted with the Arizona State job before returning to the Mustangs. ...

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets picked up a pair of commitments over the weekend after Union Grove’s DJ White and Norcross’ Anthony Autry both declared their intentions to take their talents to the Flats. White is one of the top defensive back prospects in the state and decided upon Tech after decommitting from South Florida several weeks ago. Autry meanwhile will head to Tech as an athlete though he played WR and DB for the Blue Devils. ...

Deangelo Brown had a nice two-day stretch last weekend. First Brown helped Savannah Christian to the Class A title by holding Landmark Christian to just one field goal. Then Brown committed to Charlie Strong and the Louisville Cardinals. Brown had also considered South Florida and Georgia Tech. ...

Kirby Smart had to be smiling last Friday night in the Georgia Dome. The Alabama defensive coordinator was standing on the sidelines when linebacker Dillon Lee returned a fumbled punt 40 yards for a score with less than one minute to play and then another Crimson Tide pledge Adam Griffith nailed a 32-yard field goal to win the game in overtime. Mike Bobo, the UGA offensive coordinator, was also seen on the sidelines, speaking with Smart, a college teammate.

An early look to 2012

It is never too early to begin looking ahead to the 2012 football season when six championship trophies will be handed out at the Georgia Dome in early December. Camden County will open its season up in the Georgia Dome next year and while the Wildcats new region figures to offer some stiffer competition, expect Camden County with JJ Green and Brice Ramsey to be a major player in the title chase. Fellow Region 1-AAAAAA power Colquitt County also returns several important pieces including quarterback Cole Seagraves, which could be enough to put the Packers back in the title picture. Expect Lassiter and Walton to also factor in as both return large chunks of their offensive attacks. ...

In AAAAA, Region 6 with Tucker, Stephenson, Southwest DeKalb and ML King figures to be a tough road to the playoffs but the champion will certainly be battle tested. Tucker will return Yusuf Minor and Juwaan Williams as the Tigers attempt to go back-to-back. Class AAAA could be wide open with reclassification and various graduations, but Grady could be a team to watch. The Grey Knights were young this year, though quite successful. ...

Buford moves up to AAA where the Wolves will find new region foes. Calhoun remains in AA and could possibly defend its newly-captured crown with only a handful of serious challengers. Class A looks incredibly stacked and could be the most competitive class in 2012. ...

For the third straight offseason, Twiggs County is searching for a new head coach. Josh Lowe stepped down after the season and the Cobras are once again in the market for a new coach. Dexter Copeland left before the 2010 season and Dexter Dawson coached the team to a 2-8 finish in 2010. Lowe was 0-10 this season.

Monday, December 12, 2011

A Metro look back at the GHSA championships...

Nick Schuessler of Grayson threw just three passes but two went for scores, and the Rams won the first AAAAA title in the program’s history 24-0 over Walton. Schuessler was 3-3 for 108 yards but he connected with Callen Hightower for a pair of scores, and Robert Nkemdiche tallied 84 yards and one score on 17 carries. Callen Rhodes also hit a 35-yard field goal. ...

Walton may have finished second in Class AAAAA, but the Raiders have to feel good about their chances in 2012 with quarterback Parker McLeod and running back Tyren Jones returning. Both are just juniors, and both are featured on the 24 2Look4 for 2012. ... Cobb County is still without a champion since Marietta in 1967. Gwinnett meanwhile has won six state crowns since 2000 according to the Gwinnett Daily Post. ...

The Buford Wolves fell short of history after a tremendous rally with under three minutes to play in the Class AA title game against Calhoun. Sam Clay hit Paris Head on a 24-yard pass and Dillon Lee returned a fumble 40 yards for a score to force overtime but Score 44 kicker Adam Griffith connected on a 32-yard field goal to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 27-24 victory. ... Buford’s loss snapped the longest streak in the state. Now Savannah Christian, Calhoun and Grayson share the state’s longest streak at 15 games. ...

The 2012 Corky Kell Classic field was announced during halftime of the AAAAA game and while two South Georgia powers will be included, several major metro teams will begin the year in the Georgia Dome. Kell will face Chattahoochee; Grayson meets McEachern; North Gwinnett will meet Colquitt County; Peachtree Ridge faces Camden County; finally Brookwood will meet Walton.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Grayson produces another video

The Grayson Rams are at it again. Just days before the undefeated Rams face the 14-0 Walton Raiders in the Georgia Dome for the Class AAAAA title, the same creative crew that produced, “Brookwood, Where You At?” has dropped “This Is Our Year,” predicting a 2011 championship. Give it a look. ...

Tucker won a state title back in 2008, but coach Franklin Stephens said yesterday that if the current collection of Tigers wins Friday, the 2011 squad will go down as the best Tucker team ever. No Tucker team has ever gone undefeated en route to a state title, something this team could pull off with a victory over Lovejoy. ...

The Walton Lady Raiders tennis team has won 147 straight matches and eight straight GHSA titles, but a new coach will be on the sidelines this season as JV coach Christy Page takes over for Roberta Manheim, who stepped down earlier this week. Manheim never lost a match while serving as head coach and she said in an email to Score that her decision was the right one. “I know that stepping down was in the best interest of the girls, and they’ve always been the most important part of it for me.” Page will take over with a roster that returns just three players from one year ago. Manheim did say that it will be hard not being there for the girls. “The season hasn’t started and I miss it already.” ...

Finally, in a case of putting team before self, Mt Pisgah’s Kyle Sloter has moved down low into the post to try and help his team win. Sloter is 6-foot-5 and is the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. After averaging roughly 15 shots per game one year ago as a guard, he is attempting just four shots per game this year. The Patriots are 3-1 on the season.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Region shakeup has state powers on the move

The Georgia High School Association’s Reclassification committee proposed the new region alignment yesterday for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years now that the GHSA has moved to six classifications. Schools will have several weeks in which to petition to move regions before the realignment is ratified on January 10, 2012 by the GHSA. One note is that nearly all of the regions are split into sub-regions. Some interesting new regions include Region 7-AAAAAA as Habersham Central moves in with the rest of the old Region 7-AAAAA. Chattahoochee also moves up into the Alpharetta/Centennial Subregion of 6-AAAAAA. Perhaps the most noteworthy though is Region 1-AAAAAA as Camden County now resides in the same region as Colquitt County, Lowndes and Valdosta. ...

Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy battled Landmark Christian last week in the Class A semifinals, and while ELCA likes to run the football, it had no choice against the stout War Eagles defense. ELCA was 0-12 with two interceptions passing the ball as Landmark Christian did not allow the Chargers anything through the air. ELCA was held to under 100 yards of total offense in the 14-7 defeat. Landmark Christian will attempt to become just the second No. 4 seed to ever win a state title and the first to win it outright when the War Eagles face Savannah Christian this Saturday. ...

The Muscogee County School District has decided not to ask some of its eight high schools to play in a higher classification. Gary Gibson, the MCSD athletic director told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that he and several other school officials had discussed asking all eight to play in the same region but now only five will play in a new class and Kendrick, Jordan and Spencer will remain in Class AA. ...

Finally after 147 straight victories and eight titles, Walton girls tennis coach Robert Manheim has announced she is retiring and Christian Page will take over the program. Manheim never lost as head coach of the program.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

New Regions to be revealed today

The Georgia High School Association will announce today the regions for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. Several weeks ago the GHSA reclassification committee released the new six class system based on enrollment numbers, and schools had until yesterday to appeal to move up in classification. After the regions are unveiled, schools will have two weeks to petition the committee for a region change. The new alignment is scheduled to be ratified on January 10. ...

Zack Blaylock was forced to leave Walton’s 30-24 victory over Lassiter last Friday night with a dislocated elbow. The Raiders face Grayson this Saturday, and Blaylock could against the Rams after being fit for a brace. Blaylock has 11 interceptions on the year with five pick-sixes. ...

The Savannah Christian Raiders celebrated a semifinal win with a fun tradition that has seemed to take off the last few seasons. According to the Savannah Morning News, defensive line coach Kevin Jackson handed out sunglasses to the seniors following the 27-0 win over Prince Avenue Christian. “The kids need the shades to see under the bright lights of the Georgia Dome,” said Jackson to the Savannah Morning News. Jackson has done this the last three years as the Raiders will make a third straight trip to the Class A finals. ...

Flowery Branch has named Chris Griffin as its new head coach, following the departure of Lee Shaw to Rabun County. Griffin has been with Flowery branch since 2002 and has served as defensive coordinator the last nine years. The Falcons were 11-2 this season. ...

Queen Alford of Decatur was named all-state one year ago, and she may be even better this season. The future Jacksonville Dolphin has led Decatur to a 5-0 start by averaging 24 points, five steals and 11 rebounds per game.

And in some recruiting news....


Long-time Florida Gator pledge Mike Davis decommitted from the Gators over the weekend, raising plenty of eyebrows. The Stephenson running back had seemingly been locked into heading down to Gainesville, even doing the Gator Chomp after scoring touchdowns this season, but Davis decided to reopen his recruiting process. Davis is trying to set up visits to several schools across the southeast, including Florida State, South Carolina, Alabama and Miami according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Davis’s older brother James played running back for the Clemson Tigers, who did not make the list, nor did the Georgia Bulldogs. ...

The Buford Wolves will play for a fifth straight Class AA title Friday and will do so with yet another SEC-committed player on its roster. Yesterday two-way star Kurt Freitag ended his recruiting process by pledging to the Alabama Crimson Tide over the Florida Gators. He is projected to play tight end for Nick Saban. The Score 44 member will join teammate Dillon Lee in Tuscaloosa. ...

Tulane introduced New Orleans Saints receivers coach Curtis Johnson as its new head coach Monday, and one local prospect likes the hire. According to his father, Mt. Pisgah quarterback Kyle Sloter, who committed to Tulane several months ago, “is thrilled with (the prospect of the Saints offense).” Despite the excitement over the new coach though, Sloter has started hearing again from Arkansas and Iowa, who have both recently asked for more film. Apparently the two schools have spoke with Sloter’s tutor DJ Shockley, and they would like another look.

Monday, December 5, 2011

A taste of the official visit 12/05/11

Be sure and tune in tonight to 790 The Zone.

Here is a taste of what you'll get...

The Florida Gators lost a long-time commit when Stephenson (GA) running back Mike Davis backed off of his pledge to Will Muschamp and reopened his recruiting process. Davis is trying to set up visits to several schools across the southeast, including Florida State, South Carolina, Alabama and Miami according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Davis’s older brother James played running back for the Clemson Tigers, who did not make the list. ... The Georgia Bulldogs interestingly enough have not made the list, though the Bulldogs may receive some news Tuesday when Scout.com’s No. 1 tailback Keith Marshall announces where he will matriculate next season. Marshall and another UGA target Todd Gurley both play high school football in North Carolina. Reportedly Georgia head coach Mark Richt and assistant coach Bryan McClendon were in Raleigh, NC, Sunday for an in-home visit with Marshall.

Faton Bauta is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound quarterback prospect from Dwyer, FL, headed to the University of Georgia. Such a big quarterback is sure to get Tebow comparisons, and that is exactly what his coach Jack Daniels did in the Palm Beach Post recently. “He’s kind of like, I was thinking it today, he’s been kind of become a version of (Tim) Tebow, as far as running the ball.”

Finally D’Vario Montgomery, a 6-foot-3, four-star wide receiver prospect pulled the trigger on his commitment, declaring he would head to South Florida to be a Bull for Skip Holtz. Montgomery, from Winter Park, FL, had offers from several SEC and ACC schools but decided to head to Tampa.

Lessons learned from the weekend, metro-edition

The Walton Raiders have a chance to make history as the first team from Cobb County to win a GHSA Class AAAAA title. No Cobb County school has won a crown since Marietta accomplished the feat in 1967 in AAA. Parker McLeod may have been in the shadow of Eddie Printz in terms of hype entering last Friday’s matchup, but the junior quarterback threw for a score and ran one in to help Walton win 30-24. He may be asked to do more as Grayson’s run defense is intense. ...

Robert Nkemdiche may only be a junior but this could be his best shot at a state title. Why? Nick Schuessler. The senior quarterback is often overlooked, but he is accurate and quite capable. He threw for a pair of scores against Colquitt County, including the game-winner with under one minute to play. Mickey Conn should feel confident with Schuessler pulling the trigger on the offense. ...

Tucker needed some magic to reach the finals, but expect the Tigers to offer Lovejoy its toughest challenge yet on offense. The Tigers can throw four backs out there, and Yusuf Minor is a star in the making. ...

I doubt Buford was looking ahead to the title game in its slow start on Friday night in Columbus. It was more likely a case of LSU/UGA: a team was highly motivated and threw a big first punch to stagger the better team. Just like the SEC champ, Buford gathered itself and seized control in the second half. Sam Clay is going to be a star for Georgia Tech on the baseball field, but he has turned into one heck of a high school quarterback. The shame of it is, we will never really know how good Clay was because Buford was rarely challenged.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Class A semifinal look

It has been announced that I will be calling the Class A championship game on Saturday December 10 LIVE from the Georgia Dome on GPB TV. Therefore I thought I'd throw some info on this Friday's semifinal games at you, just so you can get ready.

Prince Avenue Christian (13-0) at Savannah Christian (13-0)

Savannah Christian won a coin toss, meaning Prince Avenue Christian will need to make the near-nine hour drive for this game. When they do arrive, this battle of two undefeated region champions should be an incredible matchup. Savannah Christian has made the last two Class A championships games and is eyeing a third straight. Will Austin and Nardo Garvin lead the SCPS rushing attack while defensive standout DeAngelo Brown heads up the stout defense held mighty Lincoln County to just 14 points. Josh Gay and Michael Burke join Brown to form the heavy defensive front in a 3-4 look. The defense has given up just seven points per game in the playoffs, up slightly from the 5.6 per game during the year. The offense averages around 40 points per contest, with last week’s 22 points being the lowest total of the year. The Raiders have beaten Dooly County (37-0), Bowdon (38-7) and Lincoln County (22-14) to reach the semifinals. The last two years, SCPS has beaten Wesleyan and Darlington before falling in the title game. The Raiders won Region 3-A. Prince Avenue forced four turnovers in the 20-15 victory over Bremen. The reason for the Wolverines run though has been its explosive offense. The offensive line has been mashing opposing defenses while allowing the running game to churn up yardage to the tune of 328 yards and 31.7 points per game. Prince Avenue has rushed for nearly 4000 yards this season. Wingback Rob Farriba and quarterback Carl Mattox have a firm grasp on the offense for coach Mark Farriba. Both players also excel for a defense that gives up just seven points per game. On special teams, Prince Avenue Christian has to like the cold-blooded leg of Adam Hayden, who nailed two second-half field goals to knock off Bremen. The Wolverines have previously taken down Charlton County 21-3 and Washington Wilkes 21-8 after winning Region 8-A.

Landmark Christian (11-2) at ELCA (12-1)

Many people looked at the brackets and thought ELCA could make a final four run, but it is likely few thought Landmark Christian would be one of the four teams remaining. The War Eagles have gone on the road to knock off a 1-seed, a 2-seed and a 3-seed, and are just one of two No. 4 seeds remaining in the state title hunt. In the 28-21 quarterfinal fin over Aquinas, Cantrell Frazier rushed for 71 yards and threw the game-winning screen pass to Jeremiah Kirkland. Kirkland also rushed for 118 yards in the victory. Frazier is a converted receiver playing quarterback. Sam Dobbs does a little bit of everything for Landmark Christian, lining up at quarterback, safety, kick returner and wide receiver. It is at the wide receiver spot where the 6-foot-4 freshman will likely make his mark at the next level. Dobbs will head to San Antonio in January to play in the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl. Josh Nobles is also a threat on the outside. Eagles Landing Christian Academy can boast one of the nation’s top juniors in running back Keyante Green, though he has been slowed recently with a groin injury. The Chargers have turned to a stable of other backs to help get them to the semifinals and that stable has stepped up. John Tatum, Dalton Etheridge and Joe Walker have each toted the rock when head coach Jonathan Gess has called their number. Walker rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers 51-7 thumping of Seminole County in the quarterfinals. Green is now healthy and could be a force in the semifinal game. Tatum has eclipsed 1500 yards rushing this season and has 31 touchdowns. ELCA has defeated Mt. Paran, Greenville and Seminole to reach the final four. The Chargers finished the regular season with a 6-0 region record, including a 35-14 win over Landmark Christian on October 14.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Football stars move over to the hardwood

Now that the football season is cover, many players will trade the pads of the gridiron in for the sneakers for the hardwood. Several players in particular could be the key element to put his team over the top. Myles Everett was impressive at wide receiver for the Pope Greyhounds but now that combination of speed and size will translate into plenty of fastbreaks on the basketball court. Chris Bolden of North Gwinnett gave wide receiver a whirl his senior season, but now the future Georgia Tech guard will suit up for the Bulldogs on the hardwood. He helped Norcross win a ring one year ago. One of his old teammates Jason Croom is headed to Tennessee to play wide receiver but one year ago the 6-foot-5 Croom banged low for the Blue Devils off of the bench. Kyle Sloter of Mt. Pisgah has committed to play quarterback at Tulane but enters his senior basketball season as the program’s all-time scorer and rebounder. Shaq Goodwin of Southwest DeKalb was likely just moonlighting on the football field, but the future Memphis Tiger played well enough at the tight end spot to garner some attention from football programs. Finally, Caleb Hayman and Deshaun Watson will join the Gainesville Red Elephants basketball team once the football season ends. Gainesville hosts Burke County on gpb.org/sports Friday. ...

Even though the football season is still a little over a week away from its conclusion, some programs have already turned the page, and in some cases that means finding new coaches. Harrison High School will be in the market for a new coach after former coach David Hines parted ways with the school after four seasons. Hines finished 22-21 during his tenure as Hoyas head coach but was just 3-7 in 2011.