GPB was on hand to witness two regions decided last Friday and two more regions will be decided this Friday on the GPB networks. Alpharetta clinched its first region title and second-ever playoff berth with a huge comeback victory over Centennial, rallying from 26-3 to win 32-26. Joshua Dobbs threw for two scores in the second half and ran for another to complete the comeback. ...
GPB was also there to see Grayson return a late interception for a region-clinching score against Brookwood. Grayson’s defense is strong but it will be interesting to see which offense shows up each week in the playoffs. ...
Hillgrove won its first region title with a convincing 35-0 win over Kennesaw Mountain. Kenyan Drake finished with 178 yards and has over 1300 on the season. ...
Walton won its first region title since 2008 on the legs of Tyren Jones, who had 157 yards in the 42-14 win over Marietta. Jones also notched four total touchdowns. ...
North Gwinnett will face Peachtree Ridge this week (GPB TV Game of the Week) to decide Region 7-AAAAA, and both offenses are clicking. Donnie Miles and Joe Jones each scored two touchdowns in a 44-14 win over Duluth. Scotty Hosch and Chad Scott are lethal through the air. Meanwhile Peachtree Ridge has its own aerial attack in Billy Best to Joe Horn. The two hooked up twice in the Lions win over Mill Creek. ...
Finally it looks like Archer may just be making its first postseason appearance this year after stomping Parkview 40-16. Ernest Alexander rushed for 227 yards and four touchdowns to move Archer to just one win from a postseason berth. Parkview meanwhile has now lost three straight to drop into a tie with Archer for the fourth spot in Region 8-AAAAA. ...
On the volleyball court, Pope’s win now gives the program three straight, two in a row at the AAAA level. The Greyhounds were led by three players who plan on excelling at the next level in Mary Hannah Arrington (Auburn), Wimberly Wilson (Georgia Tech) and Katie Bange (Middle Tennessee State). ...
Walton’s volleyball title marks the Raiders second straight. The Walton program has won two straight since Pope dropped to AAAA. ...
On the softball diamond, Buford’s fifth straight crown earned the Wolves a big section in the history books as no program had ever done that before. The Wolves were the only team to win coming out of the loser’s bracket and forcing an extra Saturday game. ...
Senior Kayla Floor made it interesting for Collins Hill but the pitcher battled out of trouble in the seventh to help the Eagles win its third straight title.
Monday, October 31, 2011
A taste of Southern Recruiting for 10/31
With all of the talent that plays high school football in the state of Georgia, it is a bit surprising to hear that Georgia Tech is trying to go national with its recruiting reach. Against Clemson, the Yellow Jackets welcomed a host of out-of-state players in for visits including quarterback Dennis Andrews of Tallahassee, FL, Tyler Stargel of Gulf Shores, AL, and Oxford, AL teammates Mike Flint and Trae Elston. Tech pledge Marcus Allen of Hilliard, FL was at the game as well.
One other interesting note from Georgia Tech’s recruiting big board is the race for the final running back spot. Allen has already jumped on board and many recruitniks believed that Allatoona’s Miles Jones would take the other spot and play in an A-Back role. However Kentucky pledge Shadrach Thornton of Liberty County (GA) has been on multiple visits to other locations including NC State and now Tech since “committing.” Word is that Thornton and not Jones is the Jackets top choice for the final tailback spot.
2013 super-prospect Uriah LeMay, a wide receiver from Butler High School in Matthews, North Carolina was offered by LSU over the weekend. That is significant considering LeMay’s older brother Christian is currently redshirting at the University of Georgia and many believed the Dawgs would have the inside track at the younger LeMay.
For more, tune in to 790 The Zone tonight at 9pm for The Official Visit
One other interesting note from Georgia Tech’s recruiting big board is the race for the final running back spot. Allen has already jumped on board and many recruitniks believed that Allatoona’s Miles Jones would take the other spot and play in an A-Back role. However Kentucky pledge Shadrach Thornton of Liberty County (GA) has been on multiple visits to other locations including NC State and now Tech since “committing.” Word is that Thornton and not Jones is the Jackets top choice for the final tailback spot.
2013 super-prospect Uriah LeMay, a wide receiver from Butler High School in Matthews, North Carolina was offered by LSU over the weekend. That is significant considering LeMay’s older brother Christian is currently redshirting at the University of Georgia and many believed the Dawgs would have the inside track at the younger LeMay.
For more, tune in to 790 The Zone tonight at 9pm for The Official Visit
Sunday, October 30, 2011
App State pulls the shocker!
Appalachian State has won seven straight Southern Conference titles, but Georgia Southern entered the Rock ranked as the No. 1 FCS team in the country, ready for a battle against the No. 5 Mountaineers. Appalachian State’s 16-game home conference winning streak was on the line at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina, but the Eagles brought their own streak into the game, an eight-game conference winning stretch. Hours before the game, snow was falling in Boone, but the weather was sunny and bright for the coin toss.
Demetrius McCray would come up with the first big play of the afternoon, intercepting Eagles QB Jaybo Shaw on the game’s opening drive to set up Appalachian State with good field position. It was Shaw’s first pick of the year. Jamal Jackson would start his third straight game at quarterback for App State while former quarterback DeAndre Presley was back at cornerback for the second straight week. Jackson quickly moved the Mountaineers down the field before finding Andrew Peacock for a 25-yard touchdown reception and an early 7-0 lead.
The first quarter would end with some fireworks as Georgia Southern was sacked on fourth down, giving Appalachian State the ball in Eagles territory with a lead. A 24-yard field goal would give App State a 10-0 lead. One year ago Appalachian State jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Georgia Southern rallied back to win 21-14 in overtime. A huge return by Laron Scott would give the Eagles the ball inside the ten, but Georgia Southern could manage just an Adrian Mora field goal. Appalachian State would cash in before the end of the half as Jackson found his favorite receiver Brian Quick on a 56-yard scoring connection for a 17-3 lead at intermission. Jackson would rack up over 200 yards of offense in the first half.
Georgia Southern would answer in the third quarter with a 12-play, 60-yard scoring drive, capped off by JJ Wilcox powering the ball in from three yards out. Georgia Southern would quickly get the ball back and jet down the field, but Shaw was stopped cold on fourth-and-goal, giving App State the ball back. The Eagles wouldn’t be held off the scoreboard for long, however, as the defense forced a punt which Darrieon Robinson returned 46 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 17-17.
Jackson and Quick would respond though, hooking up for a 15-yard touchdown on a crucial third down. The reception capped off a nine-play, 67-yard drive. Then it was the Mountaineer defense’s turn to step up, which it did thanks to its former quarterback. Presley knocked away a fourth down pass into the end zone to stall another Eagles’ drive near the goal line. The defense would come up with a Georgia Southern fumble with under two minutes left to ice the Appalachian State 24-17 victory.
With the victory, Mountaineers coach Jerry Moore evened his all-time record against Georgia Southern at 10-10. The Eagles had been the only Southern Conference program that held a winning record against Moore. Jackson finished with 276 total yards and three passing touchdowns for Appalachian State. Shaw threw two interceptions, both finding the hands of McCray. Quick had four catches for 119 yards and two scores in the victorious effort. Defensively Brandon Grier had eight tackles for App State while Brent Russell had three tackles for a loss for the Eagles.
The Mountaineers travel to Furman next week while Georgia Southern returns to Paulson Stadium for Homecoming against The Citadel.
Demetrius McCray would come up with the first big play of the afternoon, intercepting Eagles QB Jaybo Shaw on the game’s opening drive to set up Appalachian State with good field position. It was Shaw’s first pick of the year. Jamal Jackson would start his third straight game at quarterback for App State while former quarterback DeAndre Presley was back at cornerback for the second straight week. Jackson quickly moved the Mountaineers down the field before finding Andrew Peacock for a 25-yard touchdown reception and an early 7-0 lead.
The first quarter would end with some fireworks as Georgia Southern was sacked on fourth down, giving Appalachian State the ball in Eagles territory with a lead. A 24-yard field goal would give App State a 10-0 lead. One year ago Appalachian State jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Georgia Southern rallied back to win 21-14 in overtime. A huge return by Laron Scott would give the Eagles the ball inside the ten, but Georgia Southern could manage just an Adrian Mora field goal. Appalachian State would cash in before the end of the half as Jackson found his favorite receiver Brian Quick on a 56-yard scoring connection for a 17-3 lead at intermission. Jackson would rack up over 200 yards of offense in the first half.
Georgia Southern would answer in the third quarter with a 12-play, 60-yard scoring drive, capped off by JJ Wilcox powering the ball in from three yards out. Georgia Southern would quickly get the ball back and jet down the field, but Shaw was stopped cold on fourth-and-goal, giving App State the ball back. The Eagles wouldn’t be held off the scoreboard for long, however, as the defense forced a punt which Darrieon Robinson returned 46 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 17-17.
Jackson and Quick would respond though, hooking up for a 15-yard touchdown on a crucial third down. The reception capped off a nine-play, 67-yard drive. Then it was the Mountaineer defense’s turn to step up, which it did thanks to its former quarterback. Presley knocked away a fourth down pass into the end zone to stall another Eagles’ drive near the goal line. The defense would come up with a Georgia Southern fumble with under two minutes left to ice the Appalachian State 24-17 victory.
With the victory, Mountaineers coach Jerry Moore evened his all-time record against Georgia Southern at 10-10. The Eagles had been the only Southern Conference program that held a winning record against Moore. Jackson finished with 276 total yards and three passing touchdowns for Appalachian State. Shaw threw two interceptions, both finding the hands of McCray. Quick had four catches for 119 yards and two scores in the victorious effort. Defensively Brandon Grier had eight tackles for App State while Brent Russell had three tackles for a loss for the Eagles.
The Mountaineers travel to Furman next week while Georgia Southern returns to Paulson Stadium for Homecoming against The Citadel.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Metro Recap and Alpharetta rallies to edge Centennial
The Grayson Rams and Brookwood Broncos engaged in a war of YouTube videos before taking the field to battle for region supremacy. The Rams and Broncos were tied 7-7 late in the game before Kasey Gaines returned an interception 15 yards for the winning score. ... Centennial jumped out to a 20-0 lead at Alpharetta before the Raiders rallied back to dump the Knights 32-26, shutting out Centennial in the second half. Carlos Burse snagged his 12th touchdown of the year and Jalen Simmons scored twice including the game-winner on a 29-yard screen. ... Marist shut down the Mays attack in a 24-0 victory to secure homefield advantage through at least the first round of the playoffs. Myles Willis rushed for 155 yards. ... Roswell dropped to 0-9 on the season, falling to West Forsyth 35-14. West Forsyth clinched the No. 2 seed in the region with the victory. ... Walton claimed the Region 5-AAAAA title after ending Marietta’s four-game winning streak. Tyren Jones ran for 172 yard and scored four touchdowns in the victory. ... Stephenson and ML King made certain that next week’s showdown would be a top-10 matchup for the region title as both cruised to victories. The Jags defeated Newnan 35-13 while the Lions spanked East Coweta 20-7. ... Hillgrove whitewashed Kennesaw Mountain 35-0 to improve to 9-0 on the year. ... Lovejoy posted its seventh shutout of the season and fourth straight with a 24-0 victory over Creekside. ... It was a squeaker but St. Pius put one touchdown on the board and it was enough to defeat Washington 7-0. ... Parkview’s skid continued as the Panthers fell to Archer 40-16. Parkview lost its third straight and now is behind Archer in the race for the last playoff berth out of Region 8-AAAAA.
GOTW Recap
The Centennial Knights had everything working for them early at Raider Stadium. Rain was preventing Alpharetta from going to the skies with its incredible passing attack, and Centennial picked up a crucial fourth down on a touchdown drive to open the game. Just minutes later, Matt Deshong picked off a Joshua Dobbs pass and returned it 33 yards for a score and a12-0 Centennial lead. Alpharetta’s three first quarter drives ended in an interception, a punt and a turnover on downs.
Centennial upped its lead to 20-0 when Zietrick Smith broke the plane from two yards out. Alpharetta finally recorded a first down and would later dent the scoreboard with a 24-yard Lehman Howington field goal. The Knights would answer.
Senior quarterback Jimmy Meyer hit Smith from two yards out to extend the Centennial lead to 26-3. That however would be the last time Centennial scored, with five minutes left in the second quarter. Alpharetta scored a touchdown with less than one minute to go before intermission on Jalen Simmons first touchdown of the night.
Joshua Dobbs would finish off Alpharetta’s first drive of the second half with a one-yard plunge and the Centennial punting game gave the Raiders a safety. Minutes later Dobbs found Carlos Burse for his 12th touchdown of the season.
The two teams would exchange field position back and forth until Alpharetta would take over near midfield with less than five minutes to go in the game. With 46.2 seconds to play Jalen Simmons took a 29-yard screen pass and reached paydirt for the game-winning score. Dobbs would add a two-point conversion for the final 32-26 score. With the win Alpharetta punched its second-ever trip to the postseason as well as a region title.
GOTW Recap
The Centennial Knights had everything working for them early at Raider Stadium. Rain was preventing Alpharetta from going to the skies with its incredible passing attack, and Centennial picked up a crucial fourth down on a touchdown drive to open the game. Just minutes later, Matt Deshong picked off a Joshua Dobbs pass and returned it 33 yards for a score and a12-0 Centennial lead. Alpharetta’s three first quarter drives ended in an interception, a punt and a turnover on downs.
Centennial upped its lead to 20-0 when Zietrick Smith broke the plane from two yards out. Alpharetta finally recorded a first down and would later dent the scoreboard with a 24-yard Lehman Howington field goal. The Knights would answer.
Senior quarterback Jimmy Meyer hit Smith from two yards out to extend the Centennial lead to 26-3. That however would be the last time Centennial scored, with five minutes left in the second quarter. Alpharetta scored a touchdown with less than one minute to go before intermission on Jalen Simmons first touchdown of the night.
Joshua Dobbs would finish off Alpharetta’s first drive of the second half with a one-yard plunge and the Centennial punting game gave the Raiders a safety. Minutes later Dobbs found Carlos Burse for his 12th touchdown of the season.
The two teams would exchange field position back and forth until Alpharetta would take over near midfield with less than five minutes to go in the game. With 46.2 seconds to play Jalen Simmons took a 29-yard screen pass and reached paydirt for the game-winning score. Dobbs would add a two-point conversion for the final 32-26 score. With the win Alpharetta punched its second-ever trip to the postseason as well as a region title.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Metro Preview and AHS/CHS preview 10/28
The video war finally comes to a head when Brookwood travels to Grayson. The Rams would win the Region 8-AAAAA title with a victory while a Broncos win would force a three-way tie at the top with Dacula (5-3, 5-1). The Falcons hit the road to face Berkmar. ... Mays faces Marist at Hughes Spalding Stadium as both teams enter 7-1. The winner likely gets the No. 2 seed from the region and a home playoff game. ... The Lassiter Trojans travel to the Woodshed to face the Woodstock Wolverines in a game that could determine the final playoff spot out of Region 5-AAAAA. Woodstock sits at 1-3 in region play while Lassiter is 2-2. ... Walton faces a red-hot Marietta Blue Devils team that has won four straight. Marietta QB Anthony Jennings has nearly 2,000 total yards this season. This will be the final home game of the regular season for Walton. ... Lovett and Westminster will play knowing that the loser will have to face GAC next week in the region play-in game for a spot in the playoffs. Lovett was ranked No. 5 in Class AA before losing to Buford in late September. An upset loss to Blessed Trinity has Lovett at 6-2, 3-1 on the year. ... ML King cannot afford to look ahead to its showdown with Stephenson as the Lions travel to East Coweta. The Indians were recently ranked before a two-game losing streak dropped them to fourth in the region standings. ... Kyle Sloter of Mount Pisgah Christian will lead the Patriots against the Wesleyan Wolves, coached by this week’s Atlanta Falcons NFL High School coach of the week Franklin Pridgen. The Wolves are 6-2 and are gearing up for next week’s region play-in game.
GAME OF THE WEEK PREVIEW:
The Centennial Knights will make a visit to Alpharetta to face a Raiders attack that thrives on the pass. Junior quarterback Joshua Dobbs and junior wide receiver Carlos Burse have hooked up enough to help Alpharetta off to a 7-1 start. Dobbs passed for three scores against Roswell in the Raiders last game. The quarterback regularly exceeds 300 yards in coach Jason Dukes’ offense. Burse meanwhile is a member of the Score Atlanta 24 2Look4 in 2012. He caught four scores in the team’s first five games then snagged two against West Forsyth and one against Roswell. Jalen Simmons is also a threat on the ground to shred the opponent that drops back into a nickel to defend the pass.
Centennial will look to keep the Raiders offense off of the field with the Knights’ option attack. Quarterback Jimmy Meyer and tailback Zietrick Smith pack a strong one-two punch out of the backfield. Smith has carried the ball 128 times for over 600 yards and four scores while Meyer has kept it for 88 carries and close to 300 yards. Meyer has rushed for nine scores and has passed for seven touchdowns. Meyer is completing around 48 percent of his passes for 1,131 yards and five interceptions. Cyril Teal also gets carries in the Centennial offense, rushing for 149 yards on 32 carries. When Centennial does go to the air, usually the target is either Wade Francis or Christian Robinson. Francis has tallied 36 receptions for 660 yards and three scores, and Robinson has 29 catches for 438 yards and three scores.
An Alpharetta victory would sew up the Region 6-AAAAA title for Jason Dukes’ Raiders. Centennial still has an outside chance at the region title, needing to win against Alpharetta and then again next week against Northview and needing West Forsyth to lose at Roswell in the Wolverines’ regular season finale.
GAME OF THE WEEK PREVIEW:
The Centennial Knights will make a visit to Alpharetta to face a Raiders attack that thrives on the pass. Junior quarterback Joshua Dobbs and junior wide receiver Carlos Burse have hooked up enough to help Alpharetta off to a 7-1 start. Dobbs passed for three scores against Roswell in the Raiders last game. The quarterback regularly exceeds 300 yards in coach Jason Dukes’ offense. Burse meanwhile is a member of the Score Atlanta 24 2Look4 in 2012. He caught four scores in the team’s first five games then snagged two against West Forsyth and one against Roswell. Jalen Simmons is also a threat on the ground to shred the opponent that drops back into a nickel to defend the pass.
Centennial will look to keep the Raiders offense off of the field with the Knights’ option attack. Quarterback Jimmy Meyer and tailback Zietrick Smith pack a strong one-two punch out of the backfield. Smith has carried the ball 128 times for over 600 yards and four scores while Meyer has kept it for 88 carries and close to 300 yards. Meyer has rushed for nine scores and has passed for seven touchdowns. Meyer is completing around 48 percent of his passes for 1,131 yards and five interceptions. Cyril Teal also gets carries in the Centennial offense, rushing for 149 yards on 32 carries. When Centennial does go to the air, usually the target is either Wade Francis or Christian Robinson. Francis has tallied 36 receptions for 660 yards and three scores, and Robinson has 29 catches for 438 yards and three scores.
An Alpharetta victory would sew up the Region 6-AAAAA title for Jason Dukes’ Raiders. Centennial still has an outside chance at the region title, needing to win against Alpharetta and then again next week against Northview and needing West Forsyth to lose at Roswell in the Wolverines’ regular season finale.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Dalton forfeits 4 wins...Sorry Josh
There may be no two more important running backs to their AAAAA teams than Brookwood’s Nick Tompkins and Hillgrove’s Kenyan Drake. The two seniors have provided leadership to their teams throughout the year and have strapped the team on their backs throughout the course of the year. Drake has gone for nearly 1200 yards this season on 122 carries while also pulling in another 200 yards on receptions. On the year, Drake has found the end zone 19 times. Meanwhile Tompkins won the Broncos most recent game with a 75-yard kick return for a score with under :20 to play. ...
Just one month ago people probably looked at the schedule and penciled in a win for Walton this week against Marietta. The Blue Devils have won four straight after starting the year 0-4 and sit tied with the Raiders atop Region 5-AAAAA. Marietta edged Lassiter at home last Friday but now must travel to Raider Valley to face No. 4 Walton. ...
It was ruled Tuesday that Dalton must forfeit four victories after the GHSA ruled that the Catamounts used an ineligible player. The forfeited victories were over Murray County, Gilmer, Ridgeland and Heritage-Catoosa. Dalton has posted a 51-year streak of winning seasons but now holds a 2-6 record following the forfeits. ...
GPB TV will be live from Grayson this Friday night for the Rams contest against Brookwood. In the latest USA Today high school poll, Grayson crawled up a spot to No. 5 from No. 6 one week ago. The Rams are ranked No. 36 according to Scout.com, No. 16 in RivalsHigh 100, No. 11 in the ESPN Rise 50 and No. 14 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. ...
Speaking of Brookwood/Grayson, Brookwood officially responded via YouTube to Grayson’s video.
Just one month ago people probably looked at the schedule and penciled in a win for Walton this week against Marietta. The Blue Devils have won four straight after starting the year 0-4 and sit tied with the Raiders atop Region 5-AAAAA. Marietta edged Lassiter at home last Friday but now must travel to Raider Valley to face No. 4 Walton. ...
It was ruled Tuesday that Dalton must forfeit four victories after the GHSA ruled that the Catamounts used an ineligible player. The forfeited victories were over Murray County, Gilmer, Ridgeland and Heritage-Catoosa. Dalton has posted a 51-year streak of winning seasons but now holds a 2-6 record following the forfeits. ...
GPB TV will be live from Grayson this Friday night for the Rams contest against Brookwood. In the latest USA Today high school poll, Grayson crawled up a spot to No. 5 from No. 6 one week ago. The Rams are ranked No. 36 according to Scout.com, No. 16 in RivalsHigh 100, No. 11 in the ESPN Rise 50 and No. 14 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. ...
Speaking of Brookwood/Grayson, Brookwood officially responded via YouTube to Grayson’s video.
Three softball champs looking for more hardware
The GHSA softball semifinals begin Thursday in Columbus, Georgia, with several programs looking to extend championship streaks. In Class AAAAA, Collins Hill is back in Columbus after winning the last two GHSA softball crowns. The Lady Eagles are coached by Paul Piece, in his first year, and feature pitcher Kayla Floor who is 12-4. The Eagles face East Coweta, making its seventh straight trip to Columbus. Hayley Parkerson and Brandi McGregor lead the Lady Indians. Brookwood will face Kennesaw Mountain while Hillgrove squares off against Mill Creek and North Cobb faces Milton. Mill Creek last won the GHSA softball crown in 2008.
In AA, Buford continues its drive for five with Southeast Bulloch. The winner of that game would go on to face either Brantley County or Blessed Trinity. On the other side of the bracket, Bleckley County and Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe meet as do Pike County and Fannin County.
In A, Gordon Lee will look to defend its crown by facing Bryan County. The Mount Pisgah/Brookstone winner would be next. On the bottom half of the bracket, Bacon County meets Wesleyan and Calvary Day has a noon date with George Walton Academy.
In AAAA, Union Grove faces Madison County with the winner facing the Northgate/Paulding County winner. Ola squares off against Northwest Whitfield and Whitewater faces Loganville on the other side of the bracket.
In AAA, Cross Creek and Ringgold will meet Thursday with the winner facing the Allatoona/Locust Grove winner later that day. On the bottom part of the bracket, Veterans meets Oconee County and West Laurens and Heritage-Catoosa will go at it.
Note: you can find more coverage in the AJC
In AA, Buford continues its drive for five with Southeast Bulloch. The winner of that game would go on to face either Brantley County or Blessed Trinity. On the other side of the bracket, Bleckley County and Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe meet as do Pike County and Fannin County.
In A, Gordon Lee will look to defend its crown by facing Bryan County. The Mount Pisgah/Brookstone winner would be next. On the bottom half of the bracket, Bacon County meets Wesleyan and Calvary Day has a noon date with George Walton Academy.
In AAAA, Union Grove faces Madison County with the winner facing the Northgate/Paulding County winner. Ola squares off against Northwest Whitfield and Whitewater faces Loganville on the other side of the bracket.
In AAA, Cross Creek and Ringgold will meet Thursday with the winner facing the Allatoona/Locust Grove winner later that day. On the bottom part of the bracket, Veterans meets Oconee County and West Laurens and Heritage-Catoosa will go at it.
Note: you can find more coverage in the AJC
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