This is really a no-lose situation all around if you think about it. University of Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow returned to Gainesville-aka the Hole that God forgot about-for his senior season and despite the fact that it PROBABLY means Florida will win yet another BCS title, I am pumped. He will go down as one of the best (system) players in college football history with a chance to be the best ever to don the pads. I get to watch him play one more season.
But I also get one more season to make fun of his lisp. I get one more season to roll my eyes every time ESPN talks about his mission trips, yet the network fails to mention Colt McCoy's trips or Mark Richt's trips. My buddy JCole gets one more season of wearing his "Tebow drinks Wine Coolers" shirt.
And the best part....I get my villain back for one more season. College football is ALWAYS better with a villain that everyone is rooting against. The Heel in wrestling always draws the viewers because they want to see him lose. Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior always split the cheer but Ric Flair brought the fans together to jeer him. Tebow does the same thing. Everyone likes their own school but HATES Tebow. I have THAT in common with Oklahoma. They like Bradford while I like Samuel, but we both despise Tebow. Having a villain is awesome.
2009 will be fun for me as a Georgia fan because if Florida beats Georgia at the Cocktail party, they were supposed to anyways. BUT if Georgia beats Tebow up like the Dawgs did in 2007, then we'll go crazy. I look at Tebow's return as an opportunity. It is a chance to wreck his national title hopes and his double Heisman dream. Georgia has a chance to nail Tebow again and again and that makes me smile. I'll be rooting for Miss State, UK, SoCar, Vandy, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas to lay Tebow out. It will be fun.
And if it doesn't happen and Tebow goes on to win the Heisman and the title, then I can tell my kids, through gritted teeth, that I saw the best college player ever. Damn Gator.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
High School football Review and Preview
We've GOT to get this thing sponsored. Maybe one day...... PS, starting this Monday, Score Atlanta's Official Visit is moving to Mondays from 7-9. (I hope we don't lose too many listeners with David Pollack as our lead-in...) But be sure to tune in to our first Monday show as University of Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt will join us for a segment. That's right. Week of the Okie State game and we have Mark Richt. Yeah. Sports Radio 790 The Zone this Monday!
Now then, Georgia High School Football's grand opening for the 2009 season aka the Corky Kell Classic invaded the Georgia Dome last Saturday.
I don't really care that much about the Etowah/Starr's Mill game except that apparently Etowah's QB Braden Nolan is going to try and make me pay for not picking them to make the playoffs. He had 161 yards of offense and 2 TDs. Enh. You sir are NO Synjyn Days of Hillgrove. JUST SAYING............. Etoway won, barely. You can see why I didn't pick them to go to the playoffs, but the AP put them in the preseason top 10. I disagree. Let's move on.
Things I was right about (1 game, but I can still boast that I was/am right). Rajaan Bennett of McEachern. I thought Brookwood would win the game (they didn't) but I called Bennett the best player of that region and I said the Indians would make the playoffs. Well, McEachern's QB looked comfortable in his first start and Bennett had 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 rec). He is PERFECT for this pistol offense and his 176 yards is just a foreshadow of what he'll do against a relatively down Region this season. Bennett will start to see the offers pouring in from 2nd tier SEC and 1st tier ACC schools if they know what's good for them. Hey Kentucky, Clemson, Wake, UNC, WAKE UP!
Norcross lost to Walton. WOW. I missed that one. But it was on a missed extra point and you saw Norcross rally behind their incredible Wideout. And Delino DeShields Jr was a non-factor because he had JUST transferred to the Blue Devils. Expect him to be FLOWING by the 4th game of the season. Norcross will be better than last season. MARK SBF's word! They underachieved last season, I think they'll overachieve this season and you saw that with the comeback. Too bad a missed extra point did them in.
Finally, Grayson knocked off Camden County, the defending state champ and they did it with strong Defense. In fact, Camden's only points were off of punting mis-Qs from Grayson. You know Mickey Conn will shore that up and he has maybe the best defensive front in the upper half of the state in Shawn Green (GT is getting a good one, possibly undersized for NT, maybe an UT in college), Joe Champaign and Terry Williams. Throw in his safety headed to BYU and that Defense will take them to an undefeated regular season. Ean Pemberton made things happen and got the tough yards at the end of the game. 133 yards against Camden's defense after 1951 last season. This little giant NEEDS to be on a major college roster. 4.39 speed. You're telling me Tennessee couldn't use him as PR? At the VERY LEAST, Bill Curry, get this guy! He is so powerful yet so shifty. If he was just 4 inches taller...
Alright now for the preview portion of our program....
Byrnes SC aka the No.1 team in the Country plays Central Gwinnett. Should be a blowout, especially with TSN's No.1 player Marcus Lattimore at tailback with Chas Dodd (rutgers) at QB and Corey Miller (FSU) at DE. According to my sources, Lattimore is going to make Butch Davis really happy. Byrnes will roll.
North Gwinnett (if I had kids, they'd be bulldogs!) hosts No.5 Prattville. Yep, No.5 in the country, Prattville from Alabama comes to play NGHS and I think this might be closer than people think. While I think Prattville sneaks out with a win, the OLine of the Bulldogs will keep them in it and maybe just maybe the Dogs can spring the upset. If this game was being played in late September, I'd think NGHS would have a better shot but breaking in a new QB is trouble against the Bama power.
Southwest DeKalb (No.1 in AAAA) vs ML King (No.8 in 5A). A battle of the running backs here with Malcome v Brown. I think in this battle of zonetastic coaches (Godfrey v Jarvis) that this is SWD's year and TJ Stripling makes the play to win the game.
Newnan (#10 in 5A) v LaGrange (No.4 in 3A). The Grangers coach doesn't think his team should be a preseason top ten and Newnan's defense is TOUGH. I think Ocie Salter breaks through just enough to help LaGrange pull the upset at home.
Peachtree Ridge (No.3 in AJC poll) v Harrison. Harrison returns its QB but so does PTR (where I wish, if I had kids, they could go). PTR has fine offensive weapons and a tremendous coach. Harrison cannot compete with the Gwinnett County school that seeks to return to the state championship game.
Tucker @ Brunswick. The Tigers will find out just how much they lose when they head down to the coast. Answer...a lot!
St. Pius @ Marist. Chadwick v Standard. Cole Moon and Co won this one last season (if I remember correctly) and no reason to think he and they won't again. DUDE IS ONLY A JUNIOR!
Griffin @ Dunwoody. The Bears will be a Cooper and Scales-less Dunwoody squad. Griffin will be good again this season as I predicted yesterday.
Until next Tuesday.....(Be sure to tune in for a complete wrap up this Sunday from 2-4 on 790 and for CMR Monday from 7-9.)
Now then, Georgia High School Football's grand opening for the 2009 season aka the Corky Kell Classic invaded the Georgia Dome last Saturday.
I don't really care that much about the Etowah/Starr's Mill game except that apparently Etowah's QB Braden Nolan is going to try and make me pay for not picking them to make the playoffs. He had 161 yards of offense and 2 TDs. Enh. You sir are NO Synjyn Days of Hillgrove. JUST SAYING............. Etoway won, barely. You can see why I didn't pick them to go to the playoffs, but the AP put them in the preseason top 10. I disagree. Let's move on.
Things I was right about (1 game, but I can still boast that I was/am right). Rajaan Bennett of McEachern. I thought Brookwood would win the game (they didn't) but I called Bennett the best player of that region and I said the Indians would make the playoffs. Well, McEachern's QB looked comfortable in his first start and Bennett had 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 rec). He is PERFECT for this pistol offense and his 176 yards is just a foreshadow of what he'll do against a relatively down Region this season. Bennett will start to see the offers pouring in from 2nd tier SEC and 1st tier ACC schools if they know what's good for them. Hey Kentucky, Clemson, Wake, UNC, WAKE UP!
Norcross lost to Walton. WOW. I missed that one. But it was on a missed extra point and you saw Norcross rally behind their incredible Wideout. And Delino DeShields Jr was a non-factor because he had JUST transferred to the Blue Devils. Expect him to be FLOWING by the 4th game of the season. Norcross will be better than last season. MARK SBF's word! They underachieved last season, I think they'll overachieve this season and you saw that with the comeback. Too bad a missed extra point did them in.
Finally, Grayson knocked off Camden County, the defending state champ and they did it with strong Defense. In fact, Camden's only points were off of punting mis-Qs from Grayson. You know Mickey Conn will shore that up and he has maybe the best defensive front in the upper half of the state in Shawn Green (GT is getting a good one, possibly undersized for NT, maybe an UT in college), Joe Champaign and Terry Williams. Throw in his safety headed to BYU and that Defense will take them to an undefeated regular season. Ean Pemberton made things happen and got the tough yards at the end of the game. 133 yards against Camden's defense after 1951 last season. This little giant NEEDS to be on a major college roster. 4.39 speed. You're telling me Tennessee couldn't use him as PR? At the VERY LEAST, Bill Curry, get this guy! He is so powerful yet so shifty. If he was just 4 inches taller...
Alright now for the preview portion of our program....
Byrnes SC aka the No.1 team in the Country plays Central Gwinnett. Should be a blowout, especially with TSN's No.1 player Marcus Lattimore at tailback with Chas Dodd (rutgers) at QB and Corey Miller (FSU) at DE. According to my sources, Lattimore is going to make Butch Davis really happy. Byrnes will roll.
North Gwinnett (if I had kids, they'd be bulldogs!) hosts No.5 Prattville. Yep, No.5 in the country, Prattville from Alabama comes to play NGHS and I think this might be closer than people think. While I think Prattville sneaks out with a win, the OLine of the Bulldogs will keep them in it and maybe just maybe the Dogs can spring the upset. If this game was being played in late September, I'd think NGHS would have a better shot but breaking in a new QB is trouble against the Bama power.
Southwest DeKalb (No.1 in AAAA) vs ML King (No.8 in 5A). A battle of the running backs here with Malcome v Brown. I think in this battle of zonetastic coaches (Godfrey v Jarvis) that this is SWD's year and TJ Stripling makes the play to win the game.
Newnan (#10 in 5A) v LaGrange (No.4 in 3A). The Grangers coach doesn't think his team should be a preseason top ten and Newnan's defense is TOUGH. I think Ocie Salter breaks through just enough to help LaGrange pull the upset at home.
Peachtree Ridge (No.3 in AJC poll) v Harrison. Harrison returns its QB but so does PTR (where I wish, if I had kids, they could go). PTR has fine offensive weapons and a tremendous coach. Harrison cannot compete with the Gwinnett County school that seeks to return to the state championship game.
Tucker @ Brunswick. The Tigers will find out just how much they lose when they head down to the coast. Answer...a lot!
St. Pius @ Marist. Chadwick v Standard. Cole Moon and Co won this one last season (if I remember correctly) and no reason to think he and they won't again. DUDE IS ONLY A JUNIOR!
Griffin @ Dunwoody. The Bears will be a Cooper and Scales-less Dunwoody squad. Griffin will be good again this season as I predicted yesterday.
Until next Tuesday.....(Be sure to tune in for a complete wrap up this Sunday from 2-4 on 790 and for CMR Monday from 7-9.)
Monday, August 24, 2009
SBF Previews Class AAA for Georgia HS Football 09
Sportsbyfletch continues its preview for Georgia high school football today with a gander at Classification AAA. Last season I was on hand at the Georgia Dome to see Cairo rally for a 28-14 win over Flowery Branch in the state title game. Flowery Branch might be back in the Dome this season but I think Cairo lost too many seniors (42 I believe) to return to the Finals. But you never know...........
Let's go to the Regions, shall we?
Region 1
Champ: Peach County
2 Cairo
3 Crisp Co
4 Dougherty.
Sorry Syrupmakers, but losing Reggie Bryant and Angelo Pease will hurt...BIG TIME. Ronnie Wooten too. Peach County meanwhile might have given you a run for your money had QB Patrick Taylor not gotten a freako hip injury early in game No.2. He's back along with 14 other starters and the fill-in QB goes back to his natural receiver spot. This offense for Peach County will be explosive, assuming everyone stays healthy.
Player of the Year: Patrick Taylor, QB Peach County. He was on fire last season before the injury, passing for over 400 yards in 6 quarters. Look out for this one.
Coach of the Year: Tom Fallow, Cairo. He lost 42 seniors, but watch him STILL make noise in the playoffs. Just watch!
Region 2
Champ: Carver-Columbus
2 LaGrange
3 Shaw
4 Troup
The Grangers lost 9 starters on D including Qua Huzzie, but the offense returns Jamius Gunsby and Braxton Smith at QB and Ocie Salter and his FB Xavier Head. That they are preseason #4 is a little high, but they will be good. Would be region champs if not for Carver-Columbus. As much as it pains me, Devin Burns is really good and he has a pair of future Clemson Tigers to help him this season in DE Corey Crawford and OG David Beasley. C-C will make a big time run at the state title.
PoY: Devin Burns, QB Carver Columbus
CoY: Del McGee, Carver-Columbus
Region 3
Champ: Baldwin
2 Washington County aka WaCo
3 Burke Co
4 Thomson
Jesse Hicks lost several important players off of last season's squad including Corrico Hawkins and Jerrico Ford, but Hicks' Braves reload, especially with QB Roshaun Milline, S Bennie Milline and CB John Willis. WaCo returns 15 starters and may be the only team to give Baldwin (and that tough defense) any sort of challenge.
PoY: John Willis, CB, Baldwin. He's maybe the best shutdown corner in the state. Yeah, sorry Ryan Ayers.
CoY: Jesse Hicks, Baldwin. DE-Fense! DE-Fense! Paul Mac LOVES this guy
Region 4
Champ: Jackson
2 Woodward Academy
3 Rutland
4 South Atlanta
Jackson has a monster at DE/LB in Neiron Ball and Mike Parris's team will win with defense, especially with Delino DeShields' transfer to Norcross two weeks ago.
PoY: Ball, DE, Jackson
CoY: Mike Parris, Jackson
Region 5
Champ: St. Pius X (Sub-region B)
2 Dunwoody (Subregion A)
3 Washington (Subregion B)
4 Cedar Grove (Subregion A)
St. Pius returns two QBs Brian Gee and PG Standard, but the REAL story is Cole Moon...who is ONLY A JUNIOR. Good Lord this kid is good and he's ONLY A JUNIOR. Look for St. Pius to just ride him deep into the playoffs. Dunwoody lost Cooper and Scales, which is too much to try and overtake St. Pius
PoY: Cole Moon, RB St. Pius
CoY: Paul Standard, St. Pius
Region 6
Champ: Carrollton (Sub-B)
2 Ridgeland (Sub-A)
3 Cartersville (Sub-B)
4 Ringgold (Sub-A)
The B Subregion is where the power is just northwest of Atlanta. Well just north of Kennesaw
PoY: Parker Tuggle, QB Carrollton
CoY: Frank Barden, Cartersville
Region 7
Champ: Gainesville (Sub-B)
2 North Hall (Sub-A)
3 Flowery Branch (Sub-B)
4 White Co (Sub-A)
The Red Elephants exited the playoffs too early last season. Forget what Blake Sims and Tai-Lor Jones too on offense (which is A FREAKING LOT), but think about those two plus Daunte Carr on defense. WOW. Bruce Miller will have a strong defense and with Sims and Jones, they will blow folks out on offense. That game against FloBranch in the Falcons new stadium should be explosive. The Falcons will have Connor Shaw (the best QB in the state. he's headed to Spurrier's Gamecocks) and Imani Cross, but these guys lost too much on defense to take the region. Let's not forget sub-region A though. North Hall is well coached with Bob Christmas. They have the big ugly Daniel Blitch to play OT and DT and he is a force. These guys will get a nice No.2 seed and should make some noise in the playoffs. White County, behind JR RB Ashley Lowery will steal that last spot.
PoY: Blake Sims, QB/S Gainesville. Because he goes both ways is the only reason he gets the nod over Shaw
CoY: Lee Shaw, Flowery Branch. His system is dynamite, especially with his son at the helm.
Region 8
Champ: Eastside
2 Franklin County
3 Stephens Co
4 Hart Co
Eastside won 11 games last season and they should take advantage of a rebuilding region. Hart has Jermonte Hickman while Franklin has a set of twins at QB and WR. Don't count out Stephens' offense, though their defense will give up plenty of points.
PoY: Dre Cunningham, RB, Stephens Co
CoY: Joby Scroggs, Hart Co. He's won the most and is plain and simple the best coach in this area.
Classification PoY: Blake Sims, QB Gainesville. This is the season the Red Elephants make it to the Dome.
Classification CoY: Del McGee, Carver-Columbus. Yep, Gainesville makes it to the Dome, where they'll lose to McGee's Tigers. Two titles in three years...good enough for me.
Preseason Top 10
1.Carver-Columbus
2.Gainesville
3.Peach County
4.Baldwin
5.Flowery Branch
6.LaGrange
7.Jackson
8.Carrollton
9.Cairo
10.St. Pius X
Let's go to the Regions, shall we?
Region 1
Champ: Peach County
2 Cairo
3 Crisp Co
4 Dougherty.
Sorry Syrupmakers, but losing Reggie Bryant and Angelo Pease will hurt...BIG TIME. Ronnie Wooten too. Peach County meanwhile might have given you a run for your money had QB Patrick Taylor not gotten a freako hip injury early in game No.2. He's back along with 14 other starters and the fill-in QB goes back to his natural receiver spot. This offense for Peach County will be explosive, assuming everyone stays healthy.
Player of the Year: Patrick Taylor, QB Peach County. He was on fire last season before the injury, passing for over 400 yards in 6 quarters. Look out for this one.
Coach of the Year: Tom Fallow, Cairo. He lost 42 seniors, but watch him STILL make noise in the playoffs. Just watch!
Region 2
Champ: Carver-Columbus
2 LaGrange
3 Shaw
4 Troup
The Grangers lost 9 starters on D including Qua Huzzie, but the offense returns Jamius Gunsby and Braxton Smith at QB and Ocie Salter and his FB Xavier Head. That they are preseason #4 is a little high, but they will be good. Would be region champs if not for Carver-Columbus. As much as it pains me, Devin Burns is really good and he has a pair of future Clemson Tigers to help him this season in DE Corey Crawford and OG David Beasley. C-C will make a big time run at the state title.
PoY: Devin Burns, QB Carver Columbus
CoY: Del McGee, Carver-Columbus
Region 3
Champ: Baldwin
2 Washington County aka WaCo
3 Burke Co
4 Thomson
Jesse Hicks lost several important players off of last season's squad including Corrico Hawkins and Jerrico Ford, but Hicks' Braves reload, especially with QB Roshaun Milline, S Bennie Milline and CB John Willis. WaCo returns 15 starters and may be the only team to give Baldwin (and that tough defense) any sort of challenge.
PoY: John Willis, CB, Baldwin. He's maybe the best shutdown corner in the state. Yeah, sorry Ryan Ayers.
CoY: Jesse Hicks, Baldwin. DE-Fense! DE-Fense! Paul Mac LOVES this guy
Region 4
Champ: Jackson
2 Woodward Academy
3 Rutland
4 South Atlanta
Jackson has a monster at DE/LB in Neiron Ball and Mike Parris's team will win with defense, especially with Delino DeShields' transfer to Norcross two weeks ago.
PoY: Ball, DE, Jackson
CoY: Mike Parris, Jackson
Region 5
Champ: St. Pius X (Sub-region B)
2 Dunwoody (Subregion A)
3 Washington (Subregion B)
4 Cedar Grove (Subregion A)
St. Pius returns two QBs Brian Gee and PG Standard, but the REAL story is Cole Moon...who is ONLY A JUNIOR. Good Lord this kid is good and he's ONLY A JUNIOR. Look for St. Pius to just ride him deep into the playoffs. Dunwoody lost Cooper and Scales, which is too much to try and overtake St. Pius
PoY: Cole Moon, RB St. Pius
CoY: Paul Standard, St. Pius
Region 6
Champ: Carrollton (Sub-B)
2 Ridgeland (Sub-A)
3 Cartersville (Sub-B)
4 Ringgold (Sub-A)
The B Subregion is where the power is just northwest of Atlanta. Well just north of Kennesaw
PoY: Parker Tuggle, QB Carrollton
CoY: Frank Barden, Cartersville
Region 7
Champ: Gainesville (Sub-B)
2 North Hall (Sub-A)
3 Flowery Branch (Sub-B)
4 White Co (Sub-A)
The Red Elephants exited the playoffs too early last season. Forget what Blake Sims and Tai-Lor Jones too on offense (which is A FREAKING LOT), but think about those two plus Daunte Carr on defense. WOW. Bruce Miller will have a strong defense and with Sims and Jones, they will blow folks out on offense. That game against FloBranch in the Falcons new stadium should be explosive. The Falcons will have Connor Shaw (the best QB in the state. he's headed to Spurrier's Gamecocks) and Imani Cross, but these guys lost too much on defense to take the region. Let's not forget sub-region A though. North Hall is well coached with Bob Christmas. They have the big ugly Daniel Blitch to play OT and DT and he is a force. These guys will get a nice No.2 seed and should make some noise in the playoffs. White County, behind JR RB Ashley Lowery will steal that last spot.
PoY: Blake Sims, QB/S Gainesville. Because he goes both ways is the only reason he gets the nod over Shaw
CoY: Lee Shaw, Flowery Branch. His system is dynamite, especially with his son at the helm.
Region 8
Champ: Eastside
2 Franklin County
3 Stephens Co
4 Hart Co
Eastside won 11 games last season and they should take advantage of a rebuilding region. Hart has Jermonte Hickman while Franklin has a set of twins at QB and WR. Don't count out Stephens' offense, though their defense will give up plenty of points.
PoY: Dre Cunningham, RB, Stephens Co
CoY: Joby Scroggs, Hart Co. He's won the most and is plain and simple the best coach in this area.
Classification PoY: Blake Sims, QB Gainesville. This is the season the Red Elephants make it to the Dome.
Classification CoY: Del McGee, Carver-Columbus. Yep, Gainesville makes it to the Dome, where they'll lose to McGee's Tigers. Two titles in three years...good enough for me.
Preseason Top 10
1.Carver-Columbus
2.Gainesville
3.Peach County
4.Baldwin
5.Flowery Branch
6.LaGrange
7.Jackson
8.Carrollton
9.Cairo
10.St. Pius X
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Brian Jones top GA prospects going to UGA/GT
Brian Jones is back with YET another Top Ten list as we get ready for high school football to fully kick off this Friday. The Corky Kell was fun with Walton and Grayson looking good and McEachern looking great. Score Atlanta's Jones gives us his list of top Georgia Prospects headed to UGA or GT this signing day. For more of Brian, tune in to Sports Radio 790 The Zone next Sunday from 2-4.
10. Denzel McCoy (Northview) – 6-4. 274. McCoy has the size to play the undertackle position in college. He has great athleticism and also has quick feet. He has committed to Georgia Tech.
9. Shawn Green (Grayson) – 6-2. 275. – Has been a sleeper, but now people are starting to take notice of him after a stellar 2008 season. He was constantly in the backfield making plays and that’s why he will join the Yellow Jackets in the fall.
8. B.J. Bostic (Jefferson County) – 5-11. 175. Another prospect that can play quarterback. Has great body control and can tackle just as good as any player in the state. Committed to GA Tech.
7. Kendrum Malcome (SW DeKalb) – 6-foot. 213. Malcome was one of the key pieces to the Panthers playoff run last year. Is a big back that can break a big run at any given point of a game. His will play at Georgia in 2010.
6. Ryan Ayers (South Paulding) – 5-10. 178. He’s athletic, fast and has great anticipation. Can just flat out make plays. Committed to GA Tech.
5. T.J. Stripling (SW DeKalb) – 6-6. 210. Stripling uses his size to fight off blockers and has great lateral range to cause havoc in the backfield as he tallied 15 sacks last season. Has committed to Georgia.
4. Da’rick Rogers (Calhoun) – 6-foot-3 206. Rogers looks like a linebacker, but has the tools to be a elite college receiver. Rogers notched 1,300 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in 2008. Rogers has committed to Georgia.
3. Kolton Houston (Buford) – 6-5. 270. Could very well be the best guard in the state as he was opening holes for guys like Storm Johnson last year. He will be wearing the red and black in Athens in 2010.
2. Garrison Smith (Douglass) – 6-3. 255. Smith has all the tools to be a great college-level defensive tackle. He is quick off the ball and does a great job of staying at home on the backside. In 2008 he had 14 sacks as he played both end and tackle. Has committed to UGA.
1. Alec Ogletree (Newnan) – 6-3. 214. Is considered by some as the best prospect in the state and the best safety in the nation. He has linebacker size but has the speed of a safety. Has great ball skills and is good in zone coverage. He has committed to UGA.
10. Denzel McCoy (Northview) – 6-4. 274. McCoy has the size to play the undertackle position in college. He has great athleticism and also has quick feet. He has committed to Georgia Tech.
9. Shawn Green (Grayson) – 6-2. 275. – Has been a sleeper, but now people are starting to take notice of him after a stellar 2008 season. He was constantly in the backfield making plays and that’s why he will join the Yellow Jackets in the fall.
8. B.J. Bostic (Jefferson County) – 5-11. 175. Another prospect that can play quarterback. Has great body control and can tackle just as good as any player in the state. Committed to GA Tech.
7. Kendrum Malcome (SW DeKalb) – 6-foot. 213. Malcome was one of the key pieces to the Panthers playoff run last year. Is a big back that can break a big run at any given point of a game. His will play at Georgia in 2010.
6. Ryan Ayers (South Paulding) – 5-10. 178. He’s athletic, fast and has great anticipation. Can just flat out make plays. Committed to GA Tech.
5. T.J. Stripling (SW DeKalb) – 6-6. 210. Stripling uses his size to fight off blockers and has great lateral range to cause havoc in the backfield as he tallied 15 sacks last season. Has committed to Georgia.
4. Da’rick Rogers (Calhoun) – 6-foot-3 206. Rogers looks like a linebacker, but has the tools to be a elite college receiver. Rogers notched 1,300 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in 2008. Rogers has committed to Georgia.
3. Kolton Houston (Buford) – 6-5. 270. Could very well be the best guard in the state as he was opening holes for guys like Storm Johnson last year. He will be wearing the red and black in Athens in 2010.
2. Garrison Smith (Douglass) – 6-3. 255. Smith has all the tools to be a great college-level defensive tackle. He is quick off the ball and does a great job of staying at home on the backside. In 2008 he had 14 sacks as he played both end and tackle. Has committed to UGA.
1. Alec Ogletree (Newnan) – 6-3. 214. Is considered by some as the best prospect in the state and the best safety in the nation. He has linebacker size but has the speed of a safety. Has great ball skills and is good in zone coverage. He has committed to UGA.
Friday, August 21, 2009
CLASS AAAA preview for GaHS 09!
SportsbyFletch continues it preseason look at the Georgia High School football scene, today we break down the Classification AAAA. Tucker, the FASTEST high school team I've seen in quite some time, won the state title but lost nearly everyone. Meanwhile Westside-Macon was No.1 seemingly all season (overrated in THISGUY's opinion) but they lost Orrin McFadden. Oh, and Loganville got better in a hurry with Storm Johnson transferring in from Buford. How will he do against AAAA competition? We shall see. Who will survive the gauntlet of Region6? Will the Catamounts have another winning record? LET'S GET TO THE CHAMPS....
Region 1
Champ: Bainbridge. With Ed Pilcher at the helm entering his second season, look for Bainbridge to do better than they did in Varsity Blues...
2. TCC. They lost the big boys up front, but Curtis Brooks still totes the mail.
3. Westside-Macon. These guys lost Orrin McFadden and the coach, but expect the Seminoles to still make the playoffs.
4. Harris. Because I needed a fourth....
Player of the year: Curtis Brooks, RB TCC. With the Jackets breaking in a new QB, he'll get plenty of carries.
Coach of the year: Ed Pilcher. The man has over 200 career wins. He'll get at least 8 more this season.
Region 2
Champ: Statesboro. I mocked them last season for being ranked in the top 4 even after they lost their QB to a broken limb. They proved me wrong. I won't doubt them anymore.
2. Brunswick. They probably should have won the region last season with Statesboro's injury problems and Ware County's struggles. Maybe they were just one season late to the party.
3. Ware County. Ed Dudley, formerly of Walton has moved down south. Expect the team to get back to its winning ways...quickly.
4. Glynn Academy. I put them here STRICTLY based on tradition.
PoY: Charles Jones, RB Ware County. Ed Dudley will make this guy into a player.
CoY: Dudley, Ware County. He built Walton into a winner and Ware has a history of success. He'll get them back on track.
Region 3
Champ: Evans. They've been hot over the last few seasons and their QB is nicknamed Tex. Gotta like Evans.
2. Glenn Hills. Strong enough to maybe advance to the second round of the Playoffs.
3. Hephzibah. Say that 10X fast.
4. Richmond Academy. My friend teaches there. Shout out to Sean!
PoY: Jonathan Finch, RB, Evans. He scored as a sophomore, he scored as a junior, he'll score the most as a senior.
CoY: Marty Jackson, Evans. He has something special working at Evans right now. PLUS I bet HE gave his QB Troy Griffith the nickname Tex. Gotta like that!
Region 4
Champ: Griffin. The Bears had a pretty good defense if I recall correctly. Plus they grow 'em big down in Griffin. This team will have plenty of beef.
2. North Clayton. Between Milton Artis and Brandon Devereux this offense can go for Coach Hackney.
3. Jonesboro.
4. Mt. Zion. Don't get these two confused.
PoY: Brandon Devereux, RB, NClayton. He gets the nod over the teammate because he also plays a little defense too.
CoY: Steven Devoursney, Griffin. He coached 'em up last season and if he does it again, he'll get my vote over Hackney.
Region 5.
Champ: Sandy Creek (from 5A). Between Isiah Johnson and Rajion Neal, they just have too much talent. Neal also thinks that the new QB will be just fine replacing Rio.
2. Mays (from 5B). Always tough as nailz defense.
3. Whitewater (from 5A). I know the 9th grade coach and he says that this crop of Juniors will be pretty special. Look out for the Clemens kid.
4. Banneker (from 5B) Burst thru them Trojans! True Trojans don't break!
PoY: Rajion Neal, RB, Sandy Creek. I don't care what Neal told Score Atlanta's Official Visit, he'll be the focal point of the offense and he'll put up HUGE numbers.
CoY: Chip Walker, Sandy Creek. GIVE THE BALL TO NEAL!
Region 6.
Champ: SW DeKalb. We've spoken with Coach Godfrey and to several insiders who are VERY excited about this team. With Stripling and Malcome on board, this team will be strong and powerful. Not as fast as Tucker was last season, but very talented. They think that maybe 20 seniors will get scholarships.
2. Tucker. The cupboard isn't completely bare, but losing Davis and Calhoun hurts.
3. Marist. With Alan Chadwick, they will be disciplined and tough to beat. Plus Sam McNeary at QB.
4. Chamblee. Michael Collins lost Warren Norman, but they have suitable replacements in Darius Jones, I believe.
PoY: TJ Stripling, DE SW-D. I hope he reaches his ceiling because he could be REALLY special at UGA.
CoY: Buck Godfrey, SW-D. He is a legend. Go get a state title, Sir!
Region 7.
Champ: Rome (From 7A). I know, I know. I Didn't pick JCole's Catamounts. SHOCKER OF THE CENTURY!
2. Sprayberry, (From 7B) In a mild upset over Hillgrove.
3. Dalton (From 7A) They have a great DE in Jalen Fields, a strong RB and a QB with the best name in ALL of Georgia...Stryker Brown...But Rome is loaded once again.
4. Hillgrove (From 7B). Doesn't old Ironside still coach these guys? Phil is a great coach and he'll make noise come playoff time.
PoY: Jalen Fields, DE Dalton. The first commitment for UGA's 2010 class is the class of the Region.
CoY: Phil Ironside, Hillgrove. Maybe I undervalued his team. MOTIVATION!
Region 8.
Champ: Loganville. With the addition of workhorse Storm Johnson, the self-proclaimed best RB in the nation, Loganville (where's Loganville?) will capture the region.
2. Clarke-Central. The Athens once-powerhouse will return to powerhouse status.
3. Apalachee. Two words....Jon Lee. Look out for this guy at the next level. He's under the radar but shouldn't be. if he's added just a little muscle, he'll be fantastico.
4. Habersham-Central. the RAIDAHS have a 9-man radio broadcast crew, but that's OK. They also put a decent team together and this once will edge out Cedar-Shoals for the final playoff spot.
PoY: Storm Johnson, RB Loganville. He isn't the best RB in the nation, but he's the best player in the region.
CoY: Eric Godfree, Loganville. He'll benefit from Johnson's decision to transfer to his school.
Player of the classification: TJ Stripling, DE Southwest DeKalb. I wanted to say Storm Johnson, but I haven't seen him play at this level of competition. Stripling, if he DOESN'T meet his potential is still a lock for this award. If he DOES reach his apex, WOW. He could be the next QMo.
Coach of the classification: Buck Godfrey, SW-D. He'll take home the state title and get 20 of his senior scholarships to the next level. WOW. That's impressive.
Preseason Top 10.
1. Southwest DeKalb
2. Sandy Creek
3. Rome
4. Griffin
5. Statesboro
6. Tucker
7. Evans
8. Dalton
9. Marist
10. Loganville
PS, predictions for tomorrow's Corky Kell Classic....Etowah over Starr's Mill, Brookwood over McEachern, Grayson over Camden and Norcross over Walton.
Region 1
Champ: Bainbridge. With Ed Pilcher at the helm entering his second season, look for Bainbridge to do better than they did in Varsity Blues...
2. TCC. They lost the big boys up front, but Curtis Brooks still totes the mail.
3. Westside-Macon. These guys lost Orrin McFadden and the coach, but expect the Seminoles to still make the playoffs.
4. Harris. Because I needed a fourth....
Player of the year: Curtis Brooks, RB TCC. With the Jackets breaking in a new QB, he'll get plenty of carries.
Coach of the year: Ed Pilcher. The man has over 200 career wins. He'll get at least 8 more this season.
Region 2
Champ: Statesboro. I mocked them last season for being ranked in the top 4 even after they lost their QB to a broken limb. They proved me wrong. I won't doubt them anymore.
2. Brunswick. They probably should have won the region last season with Statesboro's injury problems and Ware County's struggles. Maybe they were just one season late to the party.
3. Ware County. Ed Dudley, formerly of Walton has moved down south. Expect the team to get back to its winning ways...quickly.
4. Glynn Academy. I put them here STRICTLY based on tradition.
PoY: Charles Jones, RB Ware County. Ed Dudley will make this guy into a player.
CoY: Dudley, Ware County. He built Walton into a winner and Ware has a history of success. He'll get them back on track.
Region 3
Champ: Evans. They've been hot over the last few seasons and their QB is nicknamed Tex. Gotta like Evans.
2. Glenn Hills. Strong enough to maybe advance to the second round of the Playoffs.
3. Hephzibah. Say that 10X fast.
4. Richmond Academy. My friend teaches there. Shout out to Sean!
PoY: Jonathan Finch, RB, Evans. He scored as a sophomore, he scored as a junior, he'll score the most as a senior.
CoY: Marty Jackson, Evans. He has something special working at Evans right now. PLUS I bet HE gave his QB Troy Griffith the nickname Tex. Gotta like that!
Region 4
Champ: Griffin. The Bears had a pretty good defense if I recall correctly. Plus they grow 'em big down in Griffin. This team will have plenty of beef.
2. North Clayton. Between Milton Artis and Brandon Devereux this offense can go for Coach Hackney.
3. Jonesboro.
4. Mt. Zion. Don't get these two confused.
PoY: Brandon Devereux, RB, NClayton. He gets the nod over the teammate because he also plays a little defense too.
CoY: Steven Devoursney, Griffin. He coached 'em up last season and if he does it again, he'll get my vote over Hackney.
Region 5.
Champ: Sandy Creek (from 5A). Between Isiah Johnson and Rajion Neal, they just have too much talent. Neal also thinks that the new QB will be just fine replacing Rio.
2. Mays (from 5B). Always tough as nailz defense.
3. Whitewater (from 5A). I know the 9th grade coach and he says that this crop of Juniors will be pretty special. Look out for the Clemens kid.
4. Banneker (from 5B) Burst thru them Trojans! True Trojans don't break!
PoY: Rajion Neal, RB, Sandy Creek. I don't care what Neal told Score Atlanta's Official Visit, he'll be the focal point of the offense and he'll put up HUGE numbers.
CoY: Chip Walker, Sandy Creek. GIVE THE BALL TO NEAL!
Region 6.
Champ: SW DeKalb. We've spoken with Coach Godfrey and to several insiders who are VERY excited about this team. With Stripling and Malcome on board, this team will be strong and powerful. Not as fast as Tucker was last season, but very talented. They think that maybe 20 seniors will get scholarships.
2. Tucker. The cupboard isn't completely bare, but losing Davis and Calhoun hurts.
3. Marist. With Alan Chadwick, they will be disciplined and tough to beat. Plus Sam McNeary at QB.
4. Chamblee. Michael Collins lost Warren Norman, but they have suitable replacements in Darius Jones, I believe.
PoY: TJ Stripling, DE SW-D. I hope he reaches his ceiling because he could be REALLY special at UGA.
CoY: Buck Godfrey, SW-D. He is a legend. Go get a state title, Sir!
Region 7.
Champ: Rome (From 7A). I know, I know. I Didn't pick JCole's Catamounts. SHOCKER OF THE CENTURY!
2. Sprayberry, (From 7B) In a mild upset over Hillgrove.
3. Dalton (From 7A) They have a great DE in Jalen Fields, a strong RB and a QB with the best name in ALL of Georgia...Stryker Brown...But Rome is loaded once again.
4. Hillgrove (From 7B). Doesn't old Ironside still coach these guys? Phil is a great coach and he'll make noise come playoff time.
PoY: Jalen Fields, DE Dalton. The first commitment for UGA's 2010 class is the class of the Region.
CoY: Phil Ironside, Hillgrove. Maybe I undervalued his team. MOTIVATION!
Region 8.
Champ: Loganville. With the addition of workhorse Storm Johnson, the self-proclaimed best RB in the nation, Loganville (where's Loganville?) will capture the region.
2. Clarke-Central. The Athens once-powerhouse will return to powerhouse status.
3. Apalachee. Two words....Jon Lee. Look out for this guy at the next level. He's under the radar but shouldn't be. if he's added just a little muscle, he'll be fantastico.
4. Habersham-Central. the RAIDAHS have a 9-man radio broadcast crew, but that's OK. They also put a decent team together and this once will edge out Cedar-Shoals for the final playoff spot.
PoY: Storm Johnson, RB Loganville. He isn't the best RB in the nation, but he's the best player in the region.
CoY: Eric Godfree, Loganville. He'll benefit from Johnson's decision to transfer to his school.
Player of the classification: TJ Stripling, DE Southwest DeKalb. I wanted to say Storm Johnson, but I haven't seen him play at this level of competition. Stripling, if he DOESN'T meet his potential is still a lock for this award. If he DOES reach his apex, WOW. He could be the next QMo.
Coach of the classification: Buck Godfrey, SW-D. He'll take home the state title and get 20 of his senior scholarships to the next level. WOW. That's impressive.
Preseason Top 10.
1. Southwest DeKalb
2. Sandy Creek
3. Rome
4. Griffin
5. Statesboro
6. Tucker
7. Evans
8. Dalton
9. Marist
10. Loganville
PS, predictions for tomorrow's Corky Kell Classic....Etowah over Starr's Mill, Brookwood over McEachern, Grayson over Camden and Norcross over Walton.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Class AAAAA preview for GAHS football 09!
With the Corky Kell Classic ready to explode this weekend, High School Football is upon us here in the state of Georgia. Though I will not be co-hosting High School High Five this season for 790 The Zone, I will still have my finger on the pulse of Georgia HS Football as we'll be discussing it Sunday afternoon on 790 as well as Monday nights from 7-9, also on 790. OH, and you can read all about my thoughts on Gwinnett County in Score Atlanta's Prep editions every Friday. Finally, follow my ramblings here on Sports By Fletch. We'll shoot for a Tuesday wrapup/preview of the next week's games. I am thinking Tuesday. Let's go with that for now.
Over the next few days, I'll be breaking down the five classifications with my predictions on the four region seeds for the state playoffs as well as a PoY and CoY in each region.
With no further ado..........
CLASS AAAAA
Region1.
Champ: Lowndes. They just reload every year. They lost in the playoffs for the first time I can recall. They'll be hungry.
2.Northside-Warner Robbins. Moved up from 4A and the Eagles did well in their first season with the Big Boys last year. They'll miss Abry though and the Fields kid.
3. Coffee. They're HOT baby! Get it?
4. Colquitt. Rush Propst's second season bringing basketball on grass to Georgia earns them a playoff spot.
Player of the year.....Ed Christian, OL Lowndes. I'll agree with my good buddy Todd Holcomb, former of the AJC and Official Visit FOS.
Coach of the year.....Rush Propst. If he gets his team to the playoffs, he deserves it over Randy McPherson.
Region2.
Champ: ML King. Corey Jarvis has these guys ready EVERY season. With Mack Brown, they should run over the rest of this improving region.
2. Stephenson. LB Tyrone Cornelius leads an always stingy defense.
3. Douglass. Sorry, biased here because of Garrison Smith. The state's No.2 player and No.44 overall player in the country. He's headed to UGA in case you didn't know.
4. Union Grove. Those guys are NOTHING BUY ATHLETES. They just aren't football players. Athletic talent will get you to the playoffs though in this region.
Player of the year: Mack Brown, RB, ML King. The future Gator may be the State's player of the year.
COach of the year. Corey Jarvis, ML King. The guy just reloads. Great coach.
Region3.
Champ: Camden County. The defending state champ lost a lot, but they run a system that let's them plug and play. They might be one year away however...
2. Bradwell Institute
3.?Windsor Forest?
4.?Johnson-SAV? Ummmmm, Actually, THIS is the worst region in 5A
PoY: Andre Johnson, RB, Camden. He scored the his team's first TD in the state championship and he'll score more this season.
CoY: Jeff Herron, Camden. His record is 109-10 in his ten seasons at Camden. WOW.
Region4.
Champ: Newnan. Alec Ogletree and his twin brother lead a D that MUST overcome the offense's losses due to graduation. Ogletree is the No.1 recruit in Georgia. He's headed to UGA. Newnan gets the love....
2. Westlake. I like the LB Michael Taylor, but not enough to put Westlake over Newnan.
3. Chapel Hill. They return a LOT from a team that went 9-2 last season.
4. Creekside. Better than anything else in the region.
PoY: Alec Ogletree, S Newnan. Duh
CoY: Mike McDonald, Newnan. First year at school and he gets a region title. 1 for 1.
Region5. Cobb part ONE!
Champ: Harrison. True they lost Robbie Godhigh, but they return the QB. Hoyas take it.
2. East Paulding. No Jahron Brown, but this defense will be good in the second year in AAAAA
3. McEachern. The Pistol offense should really take off in its second season under Kyle Hockman
4. Kennesaw Mountain. The returning upperclassman should let the Mustangs sneak into the playoffs over Campbell, Etowah and Woodstock.
PoY: Rajaan Bennett, McEachern, RB. This kid could be scary good and have SEC and ACC programs beating down his door by the end of the season. A Perfect back for the Pistol. I could translate into the spread! Wake Forest, Clemson, are you watching? UK?
CoY: Scott Jones, KMHS. If the Mustangs make the playoffs, he is Coach of the Year.
Region6. Cobb-sorta Part Two!
Champ: Lassiter. Hutson Mason was good last year as a junior. Just imagine what he'll be with a year under his belt! No Lutzenkirchin (spelling?) though and no Camden Wentz. That's OK. Mason is back!
2. Centennial. I know it is a zany pick, but IJ has brainwashed me. Plus they have a strong O-Line.
3. Walton. They lost Dudley and Boydston and Rayburn and Burrows.....but tradition FORCES me to pick them.
4. Roswell. They'll recover from a 5-5 season, right? Right? Hello?
PoY: Hutson Mason, QB Lassiter. Darn good as a junior. Damn good as a senior.
CoY: Chip Lindsey, Lassiter. Nice program turnaround Coach. Next step: Playing past Thanksgiving...
Region7. GWINNETT, BABY!
Champ: Norcross. They underachieved last season after I thought they might win it all. Well, with Delino DeShields in the fold, they will be tough to beat. You Know Maloof will be on them to overachieve after last season.
2. North Gwinnett. The O-Line makes the Loss of Tyler Jarry and Mikey Tamburo bareable. CJ Uzomah can still throw to Chad Jarry and Cordero Dixon. Plus Juwan James will make sure his jersey stays clean all season. They'll drop one early though due to growing pains.
3. Collins Hill. Charles Perkins carries this team as far as his legs can go...which is the second round of the playoffs.
4. Peachtree Ridge. Bill Ballard is TOO good of a coach to let this team drop too far. They played for the title last season for Pete's Sake. They've got talent, but a VERY good coach too.
PoY: Charles Perkins, RB Collins Hill. This guy is underrated. He'll be a warrior for the Eagles.
CoY: Bob Sphire, NGHS, His offense might stall early, but look for them to be a smooth running machine by the time the playoffs arrive.
Region8. GWINNETT's POWER CONFERENCE!
Champ: Grayson. Mickey Conn lost his QB, but he still has a strong running game and a defense with bite! At least two of his defensive starters have D-1 offers.
2. Brookwood. Mark Crews always finds a Running back. he didn't in time last season, but he will this season. Just not good enough to take down Grayson though.
3. South Gwinnett. I like the coach, and despite losing the QB, whomever steps in will have Aaron Wimberly and Janathan Krause at his disposal. Throw in Chaz Jackson at DB and you've got a sleeper in the region.
4. Parkview. Tradition once again. No Brandon Jacobs means a tougher road to hoe. Coach Flowe always figures it out though.
PoY: Ean Pemberton, RB Grayson. The Little Giant might be my favorite player in the state.
CoY: Mickey Conn, Grayson. Nice guy and one heck of a coach. He beat Lowndes last season and this edition might be even better. Look out semi-finals!
Classification PoY: Hutson Mason, Lassiter QB. With all due respect to Mack Brown, RBs are going to pile up numbers in this state. When QBs do it, WOW. Mason will make your jaw drop with his numbers in Lindsey's system. But the end of the season, I might be calling Mason the state's best QB instead of Shaw or Sims (sorry Devin Burns)
Classification CoY: Randy McPherson, Lowndes. The Only coach in the Classification that will go 15-0. I think he beats Grayson if they meet again.
Preseason top ten
1.Grayson
2.Camden County (they play each other in the Corky Kell. WOW)
3.Lowndes
4.Northside-Warner Robbins
5.ML King
6.Lassiter
7.Newnan
8.Norcross
9.North Gwinnett
10.Harrison
Over the next few days, I'll be breaking down the five classifications with my predictions on the four region seeds for the state playoffs as well as a PoY and CoY in each region.
With no further ado..........
CLASS AAAAA
Region1.
Champ: Lowndes. They just reload every year. They lost in the playoffs for the first time I can recall. They'll be hungry.
2.Northside-Warner Robbins. Moved up from 4A and the Eagles did well in their first season with the Big Boys last year. They'll miss Abry though and the Fields kid.
3. Coffee. They're HOT baby! Get it?
4. Colquitt. Rush Propst's second season bringing basketball on grass to Georgia earns them a playoff spot.
Player of the year.....Ed Christian, OL Lowndes. I'll agree with my good buddy Todd Holcomb, former of the AJC and Official Visit FOS.
Coach of the year.....Rush Propst. If he gets his team to the playoffs, he deserves it over Randy McPherson.
Region2.
Champ: ML King. Corey Jarvis has these guys ready EVERY season. With Mack Brown, they should run over the rest of this improving region.
2. Stephenson. LB Tyrone Cornelius leads an always stingy defense.
3. Douglass. Sorry, biased here because of Garrison Smith. The state's No.2 player and No.44 overall player in the country. He's headed to UGA in case you didn't know.
4. Union Grove. Those guys are NOTHING BUY ATHLETES. They just aren't football players. Athletic talent will get you to the playoffs though in this region.
Player of the year: Mack Brown, RB, ML King. The future Gator may be the State's player of the year.
COach of the year. Corey Jarvis, ML King. The guy just reloads. Great coach.
Region3.
Champ: Camden County. The defending state champ lost a lot, but they run a system that let's them plug and play. They might be one year away however...
2. Bradwell Institute
3.?Windsor Forest?
4.?Johnson-SAV? Ummmmm, Actually, THIS is the worst region in 5A
PoY: Andre Johnson, RB, Camden. He scored the his team's first TD in the state championship and he'll score more this season.
CoY: Jeff Herron, Camden. His record is 109-10 in his ten seasons at Camden. WOW.
Region4.
Champ: Newnan. Alec Ogletree and his twin brother lead a D that MUST overcome the offense's losses due to graduation. Ogletree is the No.1 recruit in Georgia. He's headed to UGA. Newnan gets the love....
2. Westlake. I like the LB Michael Taylor, but not enough to put Westlake over Newnan.
3. Chapel Hill. They return a LOT from a team that went 9-2 last season.
4. Creekside. Better than anything else in the region.
PoY: Alec Ogletree, S Newnan. Duh
CoY: Mike McDonald, Newnan. First year at school and he gets a region title. 1 for 1.
Region5. Cobb part ONE!
Champ: Harrison. True they lost Robbie Godhigh, but they return the QB. Hoyas take it.
2. East Paulding. No Jahron Brown, but this defense will be good in the second year in AAAAA
3. McEachern. The Pistol offense should really take off in its second season under Kyle Hockman
4. Kennesaw Mountain. The returning upperclassman should let the Mustangs sneak into the playoffs over Campbell, Etowah and Woodstock.
PoY: Rajaan Bennett, McEachern, RB. This kid could be scary good and have SEC and ACC programs beating down his door by the end of the season. A Perfect back for the Pistol. I could translate into the spread! Wake Forest, Clemson, are you watching? UK?
CoY: Scott Jones, KMHS. If the Mustangs make the playoffs, he is Coach of the Year.
Region6. Cobb-sorta Part Two!
Champ: Lassiter. Hutson Mason was good last year as a junior. Just imagine what he'll be with a year under his belt! No Lutzenkirchin (spelling?) though and no Camden Wentz. That's OK. Mason is back!
2. Centennial. I know it is a zany pick, but IJ has brainwashed me. Plus they have a strong O-Line.
3. Walton. They lost Dudley and Boydston and Rayburn and Burrows.....but tradition FORCES me to pick them.
4. Roswell. They'll recover from a 5-5 season, right? Right? Hello?
PoY: Hutson Mason, QB Lassiter. Darn good as a junior. Damn good as a senior.
CoY: Chip Lindsey, Lassiter. Nice program turnaround Coach. Next step: Playing past Thanksgiving...
Region7. GWINNETT, BABY!
Champ: Norcross. They underachieved last season after I thought they might win it all. Well, with Delino DeShields in the fold, they will be tough to beat. You Know Maloof will be on them to overachieve after last season.
2. North Gwinnett. The O-Line makes the Loss of Tyler Jarry and Mikey Tamburo bareable. CJ Uzomah can still throw to Chad Jarry and Cordero Dixon. Plus Juwan James will make sure his jersey stays clean all season. They'll drop one early though due to growing pains.
3. Collins Hill. Charles Perkins carries this team as far as his legs can go...which is the second round of the playoffs.
4. Peachtree Ridge. Bill Ballard is TOO good of a coach to let this team drop too far. They played for the title last season for Pete's Sake. They've got talent, but a VERY good coach too.
PoY: Charles Perkins, RB Collins Hill. This guy is underrated. He'll be a warrior for the Eagles.
CoY: Bob Sphire, NGHS, His offense might stall early, but look for them to be a smooth running machine by the time the playoffs arrive.
Region8. GWINNETT's POWER CONFERENCE!
Champ: Grayson. Mickey Conn lost his QB, but he still has a strong running game and a defense with bite! At least two of his defensive starters have D-1 offers.
2. Brookwood. Mark Crews always finds a Running back. he didn't in time last season, but he will this season. Just not good enough to take down Grayson though.
3. South Gwinnett. I like the coach, and despite losing the QB, whomever steps in will have Aaron Wimberly and Janathan Krause at his disposal. Throw in Chaz Jackson at DB and you've got a sleeper in the region.
4. Parkview. Tradition once again. No Brandon Jacobs means a tougher road to hoe. Coach Flowe always figures it out though.
PoY: Ean Pemberton, RB Grayson. The Little Giant might be my favorite player in the state.
CoY: Mickey Conn, Grayson. Nice guy and one heck of a coach. He beat Lowndes last season and this edition might be even better. Look out semi-finals!
Classification PoY: Hutson Mason, Lassiter QB. With all due respect to Mack Brown, RBs are going to pile up numbers in this state. When QBs do it, WOW. Mason will make your jaw drop with his numbers in Lindsey's system. But the end of the season, I might be calling Mason the state's best QB instead of Shaw or Sims (sorry Devin Burns)
Classification CoY: Randy McPherson, Lowndes. The Only coach in the Classification that will go 15-0. I think he beats Grayson if they meet again.
Preseason top ten
1.Grayson
2.Camden County (they play each other in the Corky Kell. WOW)
3.Lowndes
4.Northside-Warner Robbins
5.ML King
6.Lassiter
7.Newnan
8.Norcross
9.North Gwinnett
10.Harrison
This week in the Atlanta Sports Media World....
You can also find this column in this week's Score Atlanta. For more info on where to get a copy of Score Atlanta, visit the website www.scoreatl.com by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page!
Between the Braves and the Falcons, sports happened in Atlanta last week and the local NBC affiliate and the national media outlets were all over it.
The nation took in Braves baseball last weekend when both FOX and ESPN paid visits to Turner Field for the Phillies/Braves series. On Saturday, FOX’s color analyst Mark Grace was right on target when he broached the topic of Brian McCann having overtaken Chipper Jones as foundation of the franchise. Grace noted on the telecast that Jones was still the “face of the franchise,” but McCann is “clearly the future of this team and is the foundation of the Atlanta franchise.” The next at-bat McCann homered to prove Grace’s point true. It is nice to hear that Brian McCann is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. He is the best young catcher in the National League, and outside of Joe Mauer in Minnesota, the best hitting catcher in the game. McCann’s four straight all-star games prove he is a bright and shining star, but fans across baseball must start voting him in to start the all-star game as he is certainly worthy. On Sunday night, despite the rain delay, ESPN broadcasted the series finale as its Sunday Night Game of the Week. The broadcast crew of Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips praised Javier Vazquez, calling his season a “renaissance” and crediting Braves manager Bobby Cox for the turnaround.
Last Saturday, Atlanta’s WXIA, 11 Alive carried the Falcons preseason contest against the Detroit Lions and former Georgia QB Matthew Stafford. The team was made up of WXIA’s Randy Waters and Fox’s Brian Baldinger, with Fred Kalil working the sidelines and Sam Crenshaw holding things down in the studio. Waters and Baldinger seemed to find chemistry as the game progressed, but hopefully the team improves by the second game. WXIA used the NBC sports graphics but still flashed atlantafalcons.com across the screen enough to know that it was a local broadcast. Sports Radio 790 The Zone personality Beau Bock was highly critical of the production quality, calling the broadcast “high school, but even now high school coverage is better than that.” Bock also brought up the point that Baldinger has no tie to the Falcons or even Atlanta. He was involved in Fox’s coverage of the Falcons in several games last season, but Bock is right. How come WXIA didn’t get a former Falcon or someone with Atlanta ties to do the game? CSS’s (and former Yellow Jacket) Dorsey Levens or former Falcon and local radio personality Chuck Smith both would have been better options. The team will be at it again Friday when the Falcons travel to St. Louis to play the Rams at 8 p.m. The game will air on 92.9 Dave FM with Wes Durham calling the play-by-play and those wishing for pictures can view it on WXIA once again.
Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick was on 60 Minutes Sunday where he admitted that he cried while in prison. Vick told CBS’s James Brown that he realized the “magnitude of the decision that [he] made,” once he stepped foot into the prison and he noted that he deserved to lose the $135M that was stripped of him from the Falcons and his sponsors after the dogfighting charges came to light. Vick seemed to be forthcoming with his answers but the questions were not as hardball as many would have liked. Brown did not follow up when Vick admitted that he didn’t try as hard as he could have for the Falcons. I would have liked to have heard what Vick would have said if Brown had asked if he thought the fans deserved a refund for the games that Vick didn’t try as hard as he knew he should have. Vick signed with the Eagles last week and the Eagles will visit the Georgia Dome this December. The Dome will be sold out no doubt for that tilt and the networks will likely make it the game of the week. It probably deserved consideration before the Vick ramifications began, but now that his presence has been added it will be interesting to see if NBC tries to “flex” the game away from FOX. Between Vick’s return to Atlanta and Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay as a member of the Vikings, the NFC slate will certainly have its exciting moments this season.
Between the Braves and the Falcons, sports happened in Atlanta last week and the local NBC affiliate and the national media outlets were all over it.
The nation took in Braves baseball last weekend when both FOX and ESPN paid visits to Turner Field for the Phillies/Braves series. On Saturday, FOX’s color analyst Mark Grace was right on target when he broached the topic of Brian McCann having overtaken Chipper Jones as foundation of the franchise. Grace noted on the telecast that Jones was still the “face of the franchise,” but McCann is “clearly the future of this team and is the foundation of the Atlanta franchise.” The next at-bat McCann homered to prove Grace’s point true. It is nice to hear that Brian McCann is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. He is the best young catcher in the National League, and outside of Joe Mauer in Minnesota, the best hitting catcher in the game. McCann’s four straight all-star games prove he is a bright and shining star, but fans across baseball must start voting him in to start the all-star game as he is certainly worthy. On Sunday night, despite the rain delay, ESPN broadcasted the series finale as its Sunday Night Game of the Week. The broadcast crew of Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips praised Javier Vazquez, calling his season a “renaissance” and crediting Braves manager Bobby Cox for the turnaround.
Last Saturday, Atlanta’s WXIA, 11 Alive carried the Falcons preseason contest against the Detroit Lions and former Georgia QB Matthew Stafford. The team was made up of WXIA’s Randy Waters and Fox’s Brian Baldinger, with Fred Kalil working the sidelines and Sam Crenshaw holding things down in the studio. Waters and Baldinger seemed to find chemistry as the game progressed, but hopefully the team improves by the second game. WXIA used the NBC sports graphics but still flashed atlantafalcons.com across the screen enough to know that it was a local broadcast. Sports Radio 790 The Zone personality Beau Bock was highly critical of the production quality, calling the broadcast “high school, but even now high school coverage is better than that.” Bock also brought up the point that Baldinger has no tie to the Falcons or even Atlanta. He was involved in Fox’s coverage of the Falcons in several games last season, but Bock is right. How come WXIA didn’t get a former Falcon or someone with Atlanta ties to do the game? CSS’s (and former Yellow Jacket) Dorsey Levens or former Falcon and local radio personality Chuck Smith both would have been better options. The team will be at it again Friday when the Falcons travel to St. Louis to play the Rams at 8 p.m. The game will air on 92.9 Dave FM with Wes Durham calling the play-by-play and those wishing for pictures can view it on WXIA once again.
Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick was on 60 Minutes Sunday where he admitted that he cried while in prison. Vick told CBS’s James Brown that he realized the “magnitude of the decision that [he] made,” once he stepped foot into the prison and he noted that he deserved to lose the $135M that was stripped of him from the Falcons and his sponsors after the dogfighting charges came to light. Vick seemed to be forthcoming with his answers but the questions were not as hardball as many would have liked. Brown did not follow up when Vick admitted that he didn’t try as hard as he could have for the Falcons. I would have liked to have heard what Vick would have said if Brown had asked if he thought the fans deserved a refund for the games that Vick didn’t try as hard as he knew he should have. Vick signed with the Eagles last week and the Eagles will visit the Georgia Dome this December. The Dome will be sold out no doubt for that tilt and the networks will likely make it the game of the week. It probably deserved consideration before the Vick ramifications began, but now that his presence has been added it will be interesting to see if NBC tries to “flex” the game away from FOX. Between Vick’s return to Atlanta and Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay as a member of the Vikings, the NFC slate will certainly have its exciting moments this season.
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