Best Brooks Co in a while? , Carrollton on a roll

Could this Brooks County team really win the state title? Some Trojans fans believe this team is the best edition since the 1994 title team and Maurice Freeman’s squad has rattled off six straight victories since falling to 5A power Valdosta in the season-opener. Brooks County is No. 7 in the latest Class AA poll. ... Would a victory on the road over Buford be enough to put Greater Atlanta Christian into the AA top spot? Calhoun may have a problem with that as the Yellow Jackets sit 7-0 while allowing more than one touchdown just twice this season with shutouts. ... Parkview will need to erase all memories of its 36-0 loss to Grayson quickly as the Panthers travel to face Brookwood in the Battle of Five Forks-Trickum. The Broncos have rounded into playoff-shape and sit tied with Parkview for second in Region 8-5A. Conversely the Broncos will need to focus on this game knowing that a road trip to Grayson awaits and the Rams may still be angry over last season’s Brookwood victory. ... Carrollton continues to roll after thumping Shaw 49-6. The Trojans have won seven straight, each by at least 32 points, save for a narrow win over Troup. Carrollton rattled off 14 in a row last year before losing the title game to Sandy Creek to finish 14-1. The Trojans would certainly take another 14-1 season this year. ... Brookwood and Walton fared well in the recent Coach Wood Invitation held in Gainesville over the weekend. The Brookwood boys won the male event, two spots ahead of Walton and three ahead of St. Pius X. The Walton girls finished runner-up to a Florida school, just ahead of Brookwood and Parkview.

Score 44 Week NINE!

Several members of the Score 44 received their official US Army All-American Bowl invitations and jerseys last week and other all-star games will hold special ceremonies in the upcoming weeks. Additions to the Score 44 this week include one player that was on the first list of the year and is back, as well as another player completely new to the list. Ty Smith of Colquitt County had a big game in his team’s biggest win of the year, a 34-7 win over Lowndes. Smith hauled in seven catches. Malachi Jones of Central Gwinnett caught 15 passes for 150 yards in his team’s last game. He has 70 catches, 12 touchdowns and 882 yards on the season. Jones is the younger brother of Tai-ler “TJ” Jones, currently of Notre Dame.

In (from week 8) Ty Smith, Colquitt County (Moultrie), TE; Malachi Jones, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) WR

Out (from week 8) Austin Hardin, Marist (Atlanta ), K; Ricky Parks, Callaway (Hogansville), ATH

Ty Smith, Colquitt County (Moultrie), TE
Jordan Washington, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) DL
Kurt Freitag, Buford (Buford), TE/DE
Jonquel Dawson, ML King (Lithonia), QB
Kenderius Whitehead, ML King (Monroe) DE/OLB
Blake Tibbs, ML King (Lithonia), WR
Daron Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Darius English, McEachern (Powder Springs ), DE
Jonathan Jones, Carrollton (Carrollton) CB
Shadrach Thornton, Liberty County (Hinesville) RB
Brandon Greene, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) OT
Chase Roberts, GAC (Norcross) OG
Greyson Lambert, Wayne County (Jesup) QB
Mike Davis, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) RB
Scott Hosch, North Gwinnett (Suwanee) QB
Nick Tompkins, Brookwood (Snellville), RB
Imani Cross, North Hall (Gainesville) RB
Zack Blaylock, Walton (Marietta), DB
Dillon Lee, Buford (Buford), LB
DeMarcus Sweat, Stephenson (Stone Mountain) WR
Paris Head, Buford (Buford), CB/WR
Jarontay Jones, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), DE
Quinteze Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) DT
Markuss Eligwe, Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain), LB
Jordan Watkins, Woodward Academy (College Park), DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry County (McDonough), DL
Jason Croom, Norcross (Norcross) WR
Jacob Sealand, Tucker (Tucker), LB
Jhaustin Thomas, Columbia (Decatur) DE
Miles Jones, Allatoona (Acworth) RB
Josh Dawson, Tucker (Tucker) LB
Mike Hilton, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), RB
Malachi Jones, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) WR
Jordan Jenkins, Harris County (Hamilton), DE
Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County (Millen), DT
Geno Smith, St. Pius X (Atlanta), DB
Kenyan Drake, Hillgrove (Powder Springs), RB/ATH
Raphael Kirby, Stephenson (Stone Mountain), LB
Joe Harris, Lithonia (Lithonia), OG
Vadal Alexander, Buford (Buford), OT
Josh Harvey-Clemons, Lowndes (Valdosta), OLB/WR
JaQuay Williams, Sandy Creek (Tyrone), WR
CJ Curry, Flowery Branch (Gainesville), WR
Josh Holsey, Creekside (Fairburn) DB

A preview of The Official Visit, TONIGHT 9PM!

Be sure to tune in tonight from9-10 to 790 The Zone for The Official Visit! Fletcher Proctor, Scott Janovitz. FUN TIMES

Take it for what you will since it comes from Twitter, but University of Georgia offensive line pledge John Theus (Jacksonville,FL) and top running back prospect Keith Marshall (Raleigh, NC)exchanged tweets that could get Bulldogs fans toes a-tapping. After Marshall noted that it is getting “closer and closer to December.. time to make that decision,” Theus responded “just come run behind me.”

Marshall retweeted “Lol sounds good to me.” Georgia fans are likely dreaming of a Marshall/Isaiah Crowell running attack with Theus helping to lead the charge. Marshall also tweeted earlier this year in defense of Mark Richt so Bulldog Nation should feel good about its chances of landing the prospect. Marshall has Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Clemson in his finalists along with Georgia.

Long-time Auburn pledge Josh Holsey, a projected cornerback at the next level, may have impressed Florida State enough on offense recently to get a harder look by the Seminoles. Holsey, who sometimes plays out of the wildcat offense for Creekside (GA) High School, has announced that he will take an official visit to Florida State.

The state of Georgia has been sending tailbacks to SEC programs all year long and it appears that another back is headed out of state. Kenno Loyal has declared his intentions to attend Ole Miss according to his high school coach. He will join Mike Hilton (Sandy Creek) in Oxford. Imani Cross (North Hall) has pledged to Tennessee, Mike Davis (Stephenson) has given his word to Florida, and Kenyan Drake (Hillgrove) and Justin Taylor (North Atlanta) are both headed to Alabama.

Finally Joseph Jackson (Jacksonville, FL) has apparently reopened his recruiting process as the OLB prospect will look around at other schools, despite being “committed” to West Virginia. Jackson recently called the commitment to the Neers “soft,” and he could choose to visit schools closer to home.

HSFB Things I Learned from the Metro over the weekend

The Norcross Blue Devils dropped another game in region play, falling to Peachtree Ridge over the weekend, but you get the feeling that it wasn’t the Lions that defeated the Blue Devils as much as North Gwinnett for the second week in a row. The Blue Devils were driving for a clinching score two weeks ago but came up empty, allowing North Gwinnett to rally back for a win. Norcross may have not been able to let that defeat go before the Peachtree Ridge game. ...

Grayson also showed that it could make some noise in the playoffs thanks to its defense. After shutting down Parkview’s Chris Carson, the Rams appear on the verge of getting Mickey Conn to the Georgia Dome. ...

Stephenson/ML King still looms November 4, but East Coweta will play each of those the next two weeks to help determine the region race. ...

Buford was off but GAC took care of business against Clarkston 62-8. GAC has scored at least 28 in each of its games, topping 62 each of its last two games. Both teams enter the game undefeated but the Spartans will face a tall task against the Wolves on Buford’s senior night. ...

Brookwood once again handled its business as Nick Tompkins exploded for over 140 yards in the 31-0 victory. The Broncos have won four straight, the last three by at least 30 points. The Mark Crews defense is rounding into shape and has a chance at winning the region again but faces Grayson on the road after hosting Parkview. ...

East Paulding finally gave up some points but still managed to spank Hiram 63-14, setting up this week’s game with Pope. ...

And if Grady is still one year away, the rebuilding is going swimmingly as the Grey Knights drilled North Springs 70-0.

GPB.org Game of the Week! Lowndes/Colquitt County

Imagine losing to your biggest rival in the Winnersville Classic then having to hit the road to face a team that started the season ranked No. 1 and coming off of a finals appearance. Lowndes must put its loss to Valdosta into the rear view mirror ASAP because Colquitt County is looking to stay atop Region 1-5A. The Packers, who lost their only game earlier this season on GPB.org to Warner Robins, are nearly unbeatable at home. Rush Propst’s squad has won all six of its home games this year and a reason for the improvement comes on the defensive side of the ball. Propst is known for his offensive play-calling but new defensive coordinator Travis Pearson has the Packers allowing just 12 points per game.

The Packers offense is led by 24 2Look4 quarterback Cole Seagraves and running back Willie Woodyard. Seagraves has thrown for nearly 1000 yards and 10 scores while splitting time with Daniel Mobley (316, 3 TD). Bryce Giddens is back from an earlier injury to anchor the offensive line that will be attacked all night long.

The Lowndes strength comes from its defense as Score 44 LB Josh Harvey-Clemons and 24 2Look4 CB Tiquan Lang bring the thunder. Harvey-Clemons has 65.5 tackles, four TFL and three interceptions. Lang has 39.5 tackles from his spot in the secondary. Tre Jackson, James Mathis, Justin Evans and Matt Frazier are all contributors in the Lowndes defensive attack.

With a loss, Lowndes could have to hit the road to face the loser of the ML King/Stephenson game in the first round of the playoffs. The Vikings finish up the season at home against Coffee and at Tift County. Colquitt County has an off-week next week before finishing the season at Coffee and at Valdosta.

Metro-Preview for 10/14

More pretenders will be put to rest this weekend as the true contenders will step forward in region action. Parkview will see if it falls into the first or second category when nationally-ranked Grayson visits the Big Orange Jungle. Panthers junior running back Chris Carson will need to steer clear of Robert Nkemdiche if he wants to break 100 yards yet again. ...

Jonesboro and Lovejoy will enter Twelve Oaks Stadium both 6-0 in region 4-4A play. Lovejoy’s defense is allowing just 4.3 points per game and has won seven straight in the series. ...

Peachtree Ridge lost its first game of the season to Walton in the Georgia Dome but has recovered to win five straight, including three straight in region play. Quarterback Billy Best triggers the Lions attack. Norcross meanwhile is trying to shake blowing a 22-0 lead in the game’s final 13:30 last week to North Gwinnett. A Norcross loss would likely eliminate any chance the Blue Devils have at the Region 7-5A title. ...

The talk earlier this season was of the improved Miller Grove defense. That defense will be tested by No. 1 Tucker. ...

Mill Creek welcomes in Collins Hill as both teams enter the game 1-2 in region play, tied with Duluth and Mountain View for the final playoff spot. ...

The Brookwood Broncos have put up 56 and 59 points its last two times out. Shiloh gives up 28 points per game but has given up 33 per game since beating South Gwinnett. ...

I am not sure many people thought Roswell at Alpharetta would pit a six-win Alpharetta team against a six-loss Roswell team but the Hornets are still seeking Justin Sanderson’s first win. Roswell has lost its last two games but a combined five points.

Buford, CHHS advance in softball, White County out

To say that Jefferson senior Carson Newman has adjusted well to his new defensive end position would be a bit of an understatement. According to the Athens Banner-Herald, Newman registered 21 tackles in the Dragons’ 48-13 region win over Oglethorpe County last Friday. Newman’s final line included 19 solo tackles, eight TFL, two assisted tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. ...

Bobby Johns of Bacon County High School really has things cooking in Alma. I the Red Raiders last game Johns coached his squad to a 21-0 shutout of Telfair to improve to 5-1 on the season. Johns was named by the Atlanta Falcons as the NFL High School Coach of the Week presented by Russell Athletic. Bacon County faces Atkinson County this Friday. ...

Windsor Forest quarterback Aaron Hughes continues to force head coach Jason Roundtree call more passing plays after throwing for three scores and 203 yards in a 10-point win over Bradwell last week. Hughes also ran for 185 yards and two scores in the victory. Roundtree admits he prefers to run first but he has adjusted the attack for Hughes and the team has won three straight. ...

Rarely is Buford an underdog in any sport but the four-time defending Class AA champion could be considered somewhat of an underdog this postseason as the Lady Wolves fell to the No. 2 seed from Region 6-AA after losing to GAC. After a win last night, a potential date with Union County looms down the road in what would be a rematch of last season’s Class AA championship. ...

Pope is off and running in the volleyball playoffs, sweeping Lambert in round one 25-13, 25-9, 25-9. ... Wesleyan was also a winner last night, 25-12, 25-15, 27-25.