TABLE OF SPONSOR INDEX Verizon Wireless 2 GEMC 4 CONTENTS GaCollege 411 6 Gatorade 9 DEPARTMENTS Wilson 11 Marines 13 Letter from the Executive Director 5 Jostens 15 Georgia Dome Information 7 Hibbett Sports 17 Fall Champions 40 Musco Lighting 18 GPB Coverage 37 Equip It 20 Interview with the Executive Director 38-39 GPB 22 GACA Hall of Fame 41 Choice Hotels 24 Sportsmanship Award 43 Sports Medicine South 26 Mizuno 28 Past State Champions 45 CSC Sports Coating 30 Electro Mech 32 TEAM INFORMATION Photographic Arts 34 Road to the Georgia Dome 8-16 GaPrepNews 42 Class A Team Information 19 TeamIP 44 Class AA Team Information 21 GHSA.tv 46 Regions Bank 47 Class AAA Team Information 23 State Farm Back cover Class AAAA Team Information 25 Class AAAAA Team Information 27 PUBLISHED BY SCORE ATLANTA Publisher Class A Bracket 29 I.J. Rosenberg Class AA Bracket 31 Managing Editor Class AAA Bracket 33 Alex Ewalt Art Director Class AAAA Bracket 35 DJ Galbiati Editor Class AAAAA Bracket 36 Scott Janovitz GHSA Media Relations Steve Figueroa GHSA Marketing 2009 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Alan Sharp FRIDAY Photos courtesy of Photographic Arts (www.schoolpix.biz), Randy Hill, GPB, 4:30 P.M. CLASS AA: BUFORD VS. CALHOUN Karen Winston, Kathy Coxworth. 8 P.M. CLASS AAAA: SANDY CREEK VS. CLARKE CENTRAL Order DVD copies of all televised games at GHSA.tv. SATURDAY 2 P.M. CLASS A: SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN VS. WILCOX COUNTY 4:30 P.M. CLASS AAA: GAINESVILLE VS. PEACH COUNTY 8 P.M. CLASS AAAAA: NORTHSIDE, WARNER ROBINS VS. CAMDEN COUNTY All games will be televised live on Georgia Public Broadcasting, streamed live on GPB.org and on radio on the 680 The Fan family of stations

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Greetings GHSA Football Fans:

Welcome to the GHSA football championships. The players, coaches, cheerleaders and band members from these competing schools have put in many hours of work to prepare them for this event. It is my hope that you will appreciate the performances that you will see in the magnificent setting of the Georgia Dome this weekend. The Georgia High School Association thanks you for your support of high school football throughout the season. Spectators are a very important part of high school athletics in general, and this is especially true for the school for which you are cheering. We do want to remind you that good sports- manship is an essential element of high school athletics, and today is no exception. Be positive in your support of all the participants. Behind the scenes of this magnificent event is a group of hard-working volunteers who will donate many hours of work this weekend to make this experience better for our participants. The GHSA office staff has been working for many weeks on the details that make this event so special. A great deal of planning and preparation has gone into this event by the fine staff of the Georgia Dome, and they are prepared to assist you. The quality of GHSA events such as this one is made possible through the help of corporate partners whose ads are displayed in this program and around the field. The GHSA thanks these fine organizations, and we encourage you to support them whenever possible. People throughout the state of Georgia (and in parts of surrounding states) who can not make it to Atlanta this weekend will be able to share in the experience through the television production provided by Georgia Public Broadcasting. The GHSA thanks GPB for their fine work. You may also enjoy these games in the future by availing yourselves of the “on-demand” options found on www.ghsa.tv.

Now sit back and enjoy high school football at its finest!

Cordially yours,

Dr. Ralph E. Swearngin Jr. Executive Director

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GENERAL INFORMATION Classic and Supercross. Georgia Dome Tours are offered The Georgia Dome, the largest cable-supported Tuesday through Saturday. Individual tours begin at Gate domed stadium in the world, opened in 1992. Located in E located between Gate B and Gate C. Group tours and downtown Atlanta, the Dome is the home venue for the corporate packages are available. Individual tours take Atlanta Falcons, host to Super Bowl XXVIII and place Tuesdays through Saturdays except on days with XXXIV, host of the gymnastics and basketball events for events in the Dome, in which case the tour schedule may the 1996 Olympic Games and host to both a Men’s and be affected. For details, call 404-223-TOUR. Tour hours Women’s NCAA Final Four. are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (every hour on the hour). Annually, the Dome hosts the Bank of America Atlanta Football classic, the SEC Football Championship SEATING CAPACITY and the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Dome is equipped to han- There are 8 Super Suites, 164 executive suites, the dle large non-sporting events which include everything Penthouse Suite and 4,600 club seats. The Dome's perma- from major trade shows to concerts by such entertainers nent seating capacity is 71,250. The Dome has three as the Rolling Stones and Backstreet Boys to religious times the code-required number of restrooms - all are events by such ministers as Billy Graham and T.D. Jakes. accessible to guests with disabilities. A pair of C-5 mili- tary transport planes could fit on the Georgia Dome's BASIC FEATURES floor, which contains 102,000 square feet of space. A total of 8,300 tons of reinforced steel was used to construct the Dome. That is more than the weight of iron DOME SERVICE CENTERS and steel used in the Eiffel Tower. Need help finding your seat, a water fountain, a A 437-mile sidewalk, from Atlanta to Cincinnati, kosher dog or the pretzel stand? Stop by one of the eight could be built from the 110,000 cubic yards of concrete Dome Service Centers (DSCs) located throughout the used at the Dome. The building covers 8.9 acres and Georgia Dome. The Guest Relations Coordinators are contains 1.6 million square feet on all seven levels. The there to help, and they want to make sure you have a great 290-foot high roof is composed of 130 Teflon-coated time! They also have information on: fiberglass panels - covering 8.6 acres. The roof's sup- porting cable totals 11.1 miles and the Dome is as tall Tag-a-kid Program as a 27-story building. Provides children a bracelet displaying their name, parent’s names, phone number and seat location UPCOMING EVENTS to aid in their safe return if they should become sepa- The Georgia Dome hosts Monster Jam, Supercross, rated from their party. Professional Bull Riders, the SEC Football Championship, Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Bank of America Lost and Found Atlanta Football Classic and college basketball. For a Items may be turned in or retrieved at all Dome complete schedule of events at the Georgia Dome, please Service Centers. visit www.gadome.com. Wheelchairs and Assisted-Listening Devices FOOD SERVICE There is no charge for these items. A signed credit Levy Restaurants manages all catering, conces- card form serves as a deposit, which is refunded when the sions, and restaurant services. Levy has been recognized item is returned. Individuals needing wheelchair assis- internationally for the superb cuisine and service that it tance to their seats will find Guest Relations staff located provides the Georgia World Congress Center. Levy han- at each of the eight gates at the Georgia Dome. dles all food and beverage affairs, from small receptions to the world’s largest banquets. Smoking Wristbands For the comfort and health of all fans, the Georgia GEORGIA DOME TOURS Dome is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is permit- Take a tour of the Georgia Dome, the site of the SEC ted outside of all entry gates. If you wish to smoke, Football Championship, two Super Bowls, the 1996 pick up a wristband at a Dome Service Center and pro- Centennial Olympic Games, the 2002 and 2007 Men’s ceed to the designated smoking areas outside the facil- and 2003 Women’s NCAA Final Fours, Monster Jam, the ity. You must present your wristband and your ticket to Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Bank of America Atlanta Football re-enter the Georgia Dome.

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O CLASS AAAAA

LAST SEASON, RB/DB DARRELL WILLIAMS AND THE WILDCATS OUTLASTED PEACHTREE RIDGE 21-14 IN AN EXCITING CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, FIN- ISHING THE SEASON UNDEFEATED. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS. T POWERS TO CLASH IN PLAYOFFS H FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

E CAMDEN COUNTY WILDCATS – 2 STATE TITLES (2003, 2008) Last year, the Camden County Wildcats faced Northside in the second round of the playoffs and Camden edged the Eagles in a thrilling 28-20 victory on its way to a second state title. This year, the Wildcats got off to a slow start, losing to Grayson in the Kell classic and falling to Alabama state champion Hoover by a last-second field goal. Since that loss, the Wildcats have won 11 consecutive games, including a big 10-7 win over Lowndes in the second round of the playoffs and a shutout win over North D Gwinnett, 35-0, in the third round. Last week, the Wildcats were able to come away with a 19-10 win over Colquitt County and they did it with the running of Aundre Johnson, who rushed for 247 yards. Johnson, along with Ean Days, will carry the running load for the Wildcats and Joel Ruiz will be the man under center managing the Wing-T offense. O NORTHSIDE, WARNER ROBINS EAGLES – 2 STATE TITLES (2006, 2007) After losing to Camden in the second round of the playoffs last year, Northside has been on a tear this season, losing only

M one game to bitter rival Warner Robins, 21-20. The Eagles’ biggest win of the year came against Lowndes in the regular season, as they won 10-7. In the playoffs they defeated Chapel Hill, Union Grove, Peachtree Ridge (in triple overtime) and Newnan to get to the Georgia Dome for the finals. For the Eagles, quarterback Briar Van Brunt has been the team leader, as he ran for 141 yards and a touchdown in addition to throwing a touchdown pass against Newnan last week. Running back Shaquille O’Neal has been just

E as dominant throughout the playoffs, as he has rushed for over 1,000 yards this year. Also, watch out for South Carolina commit Brison Williams, who is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the state. The three leaders for Northside will do everything they can to stop Camden from winning its second consecutive state title and avenge their loss against the Wildcats last year. By Score Atlanta’s Brian Jones ([email protected])

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O CLASS AAAA

CLARKE CENTRAL DEFEATED REGION OPPONENT ROCKDALE COUNTY 28-0 LAST WEEK AFTER LOSING TO THE BULLDOGS IN OVERTIME IN THE REGULAR SEASON. THE GLADIATORS ARE GOING FOR THEIR FIRST TITLE SINCE 1985. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARKE CENTRAL H.S. T

H GLADIATORS, PATRIOTS SEEK GLORY AT THE DOME

E CLARKE CENTRAL GLADIATORS – 3 STATE TITLES (1977, 1979, 1985) The Clarke Central Gladiators came out of nowhere this year to shock everyone. The No. 2 team out of Region 8 pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the playoffs when it beat star-studded Southwest DeKalb in the second round. The Gladiators then went on to shut out Rockdale County last week en route to the state title game. Dimitri Holmes is a major talent that is a threat to score on a deep pass or a kick return, as he did last week when he took the ball 92 yards to the house. Holmes D has 65 receptions on the season, a school record, and Quenshaun Watson leads a solid running attack. More people are start- ing to recognize the talent of quarterback Martay Mattox, as the junior has been efficient with the ball all year and can make plays on the run as well. The defense is also a fine unit with plenty of experience. DeVante Derricote is a tackling machine at linebacker, while Derrick Smalls is a force in the secondary. O SANDY CREEK FIGHTING PATRIOTS – NO STATE TITLES Chip Walker’s team was among the favorites last year, but was upset in the second round of the playoffs by Rome. The Patriots

M returned determined to make the result different this year, and have rattled off 13 straight wins after an opening-day loss, includ- ing an upset of their own over then-No. 1 Griffin last week. The offense begins and ends with Raijon Neal. Sure, there is talent in other places, but the Fighting Patriots’ 1,500-yard rusher is the key. Jarrett Davis and Devon Hughes form a solid duo in the pass- ing game. There were questions at quarterback after the team lost Rio Johnson to graduation last year. But Ronnie Bell has answered the call and has been a revelation under center this season. Safety Isaiah Johnson is one of the best in the state. He picked E off two passes in the win over Griffin, and returned one 95 yards for a score. Linebacker Michael Spaulding is also one to watch, while defensive end and Louisville commit Lacy Coleman will want to set up shop in the Clarke Central backfield. Keep an eye on Jamal Ware as well, who leads the team in tackles for loss and came up with a huge safety last week. By Score Atlanta’s Josh Bagriansky ([email protected])

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D photo T

O CLASS AAA

OF ALL THE FINALISTS THAT ALREADY HAVE A PRIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, THE GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS HAVE HAD THE LONGEST DROUGHT; THE TEAM’S LAST STATE CROWN CAME BACK IN 1925. PHOTO COURTESY OF GAINESVILLE H.S. T PEACH GOING FOR THIRD TITLE OF H DECADE AGAINST SIMS, GAINESVILLE GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS – 1 STATE TITLE (1925) E The Gainesville Red Elephants entered the playoffs ranked as the No. 1 team in Class AAA and in the first few rounds certainly justified that ranking. In the semifinals, the Red Elephants trailed early to Flowery Branch but, thanks to QB Blake Sims, Gainesville rallied back to win late, 29-21. Sims returned a kick 96 yards for a TD and threw the 10-yard game-winning pass, one of three Gainesville fourth-quarter touchdowns. Sims for the game was 6-of-17 for 167 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, but led all rushers with 123 yards. Sims, a future member of the Alabama Crimson D Tide, will have a major weapon to throw to in Notre Dame-bound receiver Tai-ler Jones. Tyson Smith was the running back that caught the game-winner last week and scored earlier in the game to help Gainesville come back. Coach Bruce Miller can also lean on Teryan Rucker to tote the rock, as he ran for 99 yards against the Falcons. Gainesville has not been to a

O state championship game since 1982. It has allowed just 47 points this postseason. PEACH COUNTY TROJANS – 2 STATE TITLES (2005, 2006) The Trojans of Peach County won back-to-back state championships in 2005 and 2006 and now seek their third in five years. Senior QB Patrick Taylor is back after missing most of last season, and Taylor has made up for lost time. In the semi- M finals, the QB went 7-of-10 for 137 yards and one TD, but the score came on a 65-yard strike to Lamar Zanders. The Trojans’ running game was led last week by Travis Richmond’s 62 yards, which included a 12-yard game-winning TD with nine min- utes to go against Eastside. Richmond was also a major factor on special teams, as he blocked a field goal attempt. The defense has a special player in Octavius Hall, who recovered a blocked punt for a score in the semifinals. The offense, though, starts

E with Taylor, who has been impressive all season. Against Baldwin earlier in the year, he went 17-of-28 for 155 yards. Peach County averaged 29 points a game this year on its way to yet another Region 1-AAA title. Head coach Chad Campbell’s squad allows just eight points per game, but will be hard-pressed to slow Gainesville, which averages 44 points an outing. By Score Atlanta’s Fletcher Proctor ([email protected])

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O CLASS AA

BUFORD’S TITLE LAST YEAR WAS THE PROGRAM’S SECOND IN A ROW AND SIXTH ALL-TIME. THE WOLVES DEFEATED CALHOUN 45-21 LAST DECEMBER, BUT THE YELLOW JACKETS WILL BE LOOKING FOR REVENGE THIS TIME AROUND. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS. T TITLE GAME REMATCH WILL H DETERMINE CHAMPION CALHOUN YELLOW JACKERS – 1 STATE TITLE (1952) E After a 49-41 win over Lovett, Calhoun sets its sights on another AA state championship game and another chance to beat Buford, as this year’s matchup will be a rematch of the 2008 championship game. Though it was a 45-21 decision last year that earned Buford the title, Calhoun has the benefit of entering this game with key seniors and a coaching staff poised for redemption. The Yellow Jackets are averaging better than 40 points a game in the postseason and one of the most obvious reasons is the connection between senior quarterback Nash Nance and senior receiver Da’Rick Rogers. Against D Lovett, Rogers posted 212 yards on 10 catches with three touchdowns. The special teams play has also been excellent in recent victories. Blocked punts and outstanding kick returns have put the Jackets in positions to score. It seems very clear that Calhoun has a strong sense of the moment going into the finals. With last year’s defeat still in recent memory, this group

O seems to understand the tremendous opportunity it has to win the title. BUFORD WOLVES – 6 STATE TITLES (1978, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008) The story out of Buford all season has been its ability to reload at positions after graduating such a talented senior

M class. So far, the transition has been successful, as the Wolves are in position to win their third straight AA title. Similar to its opponent, Buford has not experienced difficulties finding the end zone as of late, most notably scoring 38 points in last week’s 38-28 victory over Fitzgerald. The 28 points surrendered to the Purple Hurricanes matched the highest total given up all year by the Wolves. However, the effort was more than reasonable considering Fitzgerald tallied a staggering 64 points in round two against Swainsboro. Another positive note from last week’s game was the resilience that the team showed in

E holding off a Fitzgerald fourth-quarter comeback. In a tied game with 7:22 left, the Wolves shut down the Canes on offense and scored 10 unanswered points to win the contest. Another interesting note: Buford’s only loss on the season came in a seven-point defeat to Lovett, the team Calhoun beat in the semifinals. By Score Atlanta’s Rajesh Gupta ([email protected])

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E waiting on photo M O D CLASS A E

SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN ONE OF THE STATE’S TOP TEAMS UNDER DONALD CHUMLEY, AND WON A REGION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SEA- SON ON THEIR WAY TO THE STATE FINALS. PHOTO COURTESY OF XXXXXXXXXXX. H

RED RAIDERS, PATRIOTS T LOOKING FOR FIRST GHSA TITLES SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN RED RAIDERS – 7 STATE TITLES (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984) O Much like the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, the Savannah Christian Red Raiders (14-0) had to win a playoff game on the road last week. Due to the loss of a coin toss, SCPS had to travel to Rome and play Darlington for a trip to the Georgia Dome. It defeated the home team 24-10, however, by controlling the clock with two onside kicks in the second and third quarters, limiting Darlington to only five offensive plays in that timeframe. Touchdown runs of 61 and 30 yards by T sophomore T.J. Franklin broke the game open and sent the Raiders to the Class A championship game. Franklin added anoth- er touchdown and had 182 yards rushing. SCPS has been led all year long by running back Chris Barnwell, but the senior was sidelined with an ankle injury early against Darlington, which may prevent him from playing in the championship game today. The performance of Franklin last week should give the team confidence in its running game, though. The Raiders will be playing for their first state championship since 1984, when they were members of the GISA. D WILCOX COUNTY PATRIOTS – NO STATE TITLES Wilcox County will play for its first state championship today. By upsetting perennial power Clinch County, 20-14,

last week, the Patriots have a chance to make school history. Leading at halftime, 12-7, last week, the team looked like it A had the game in hand, but an early third-quarter interception turned the tide and set up a fourth-quarter comeback. Similar to the win the week before against Wesleyan, the Patriots had to rely on their quarterback, Nick Marshall, to come through in the clutch. He did, and completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to Lonnie Outlaw to give Wilcox the lead, 20-14. When a

game-saving tackle was made at the 5-yard line as time expired, the Patriots had their second straight upset win and a trip O to the Georgia Dome. WCHS is the Cinderella of Class A this year. The Patriots were underdogs against Greenville, Wesleyan, and Clinch County in previous playoff games. Winning on the road versus Wesleyan and Clinch County were monumental accomplishments; a win in the Dome would complete a historic playoff run.

By Score Atlanta’s Joe Deighton ([email protected]) R

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WILCOX COUNTY VS. SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN

WILCOX COUNTY PATRIOTS (12-2) SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN RED RAIDERS (14-0) (ROCHELLE, GA.) • ROYAL BLUE & WHITE • REGION 2-A (SAVANNAH, GA.) • RED & WHITE • REGION 3A-A

NO. NAME GR. POS. 42 Eric Wickham 11 LB THE A SKINNY 1 Tay Porter 11 WR/DB The Red Raiders of Savannah Christian have a slew of GISA state titles, the last of 44 Will Clark 12 DB P 2 Quez Mahoganey 10 WR/DB which came in 1985. But the Savannah private school has yet to conquer its classi- 46 Connor West 10 DB 3 Nate Moorhouse 12 WR/LB fication as a GHSA member school, although Donald Chumley’s team will likely be 47 Byron Saxon 9 LB the favorite as it enters the championship game with an undefeated record. Dropping 4 Jamaal Holmes 9 RB/DE down from Class AA in the latest realignment, the Red Raiders have continued their 48 Chris Johnston 10 FB 5 Timothy Turner 10 RB/DB success, knocking Emanuel County Institute from its perch atop Region 3 this sea- 50 Charlie Ferrell 12 OL son and earning a No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Wilcox County has turned into one of 51 Michael Connelly 11 DL 6 Brandon Lawson 10 RB/LB the state’s top Class A programs over the last few years under head coach Mark U 7 Jonathan Howard 9 WR/DB Ledford, making the playoffs each of the last four years and reaching at least the 52 Caleb Womble 11 OL second round each time, including a finals loss to Emanuel County Institute in 2007 8 Bryant Fuller 10 WR/DB 53 Mason Crecy 11 OL in a game that was played at Crisp County’s stadium. Savannah Christian represents 54 Will Bright 10 DL 9 Jatarius Jackson 11 RB/DB the only private school to make the finals this season. 55 Daniel Feldman 9 LB 10 Makail Grace 9 QB/DB 62 Rob Land 11 OL/DL NO. NAME GR. POS. 56 Charles Morton 11 DL 11 Lonnie Outlaw 12 WR/DB 63 Juan Carillo 9 OL/DL 1 Nardo Govan 10 DB 58 J. T. Royal 12 OL 12 Matt Iglesias 11 WR/DB H 64 Allen Phillips 12 OL/DE 2 Grant Stevens 9 LB 59 Matt Moore 10 OL 14 Nick Marshall 11 QB/DB 65 Dylan Gaines 11 OL/DL 3 Cody Pennington 11 WR 60 Ben McMahon 12 OL 15 Marcus Griffin 12 TE/DE 66 Kent Braden 9 OL/DL 4 Russell Wilson 10 DB 62 Michael Burke 9 DL 16 Andrew Benjamin 9 TE/LB 67 Adam Reid 10 OL/DL 5 Timothy McCarthy 12 K 63 John Hosey 11 DL 17 Shaquille West 9 WR/DE 64 Josh Gay 10 OL 68 Marquis Brown 9 OL/DL 6 Andrew Moore 11 LB 20 Jeffrey Wessel 11 WR/DB 66 Connor Williams 10 OL 70 Tyler McWhorter 12 OL/DL 7 Mac Miller 10 P C 21 Stanley Ferguson 12 WR/DB 9 Kenny Katzman 11 DB 72 Cooper Lemonds 11 DL 71 Alvin Williams 10 OL/DL 22 Tyrrell Miller 12 TE/DE 11 Johnathon Chamblee 10 QB 73 Keaon Moon 12 OL 74 Deion Adams 12 OL/DL 24 Rod Lawson 12 RB/LB 12 Jake Clemens 9QB74 Louis Kral 10 OL 75 Tremaine Childs 9 OL/DL 25 Rohan Townsend 9 RB/LB 13 Timothy Whelan 9 DB 76 Josh Garland 10 DL 78 Dustin Owens 10 OL/DL T 26 Demarcus Denmark 10 WR/D 14 Jordan Smith 9 DB 77 Deangelo Brown 10 DL 80 Michael Denmark 11 WR/DB 28 Andy Scott 12 RB/DB 16 Harrison Curry 11 QB 80 Erik Davis 10 DL 82 Tevin Lawson 12 WR/DE 31 Chris Coley 12 RB/LB 17 Taylor Ivey 11 WR 81 Conrad Martin 9 WR 83 Alphonso Carter 10 TE/DE 32 Harris McBurse 9 WR/DB 18 Bryan Moros 12 DB 84 Phillip Abshire 10 DL 84 Milton Jackson 10 WR/DE 34 Patrick McGuinty 10 K 19 Austin Dubberly 11 RB 85 John Burke 12 DL 85 Tre' Hollis 11 WR/DB A 35 Bryce Cohen 11 RB/LB 20 Will Austin 10 RB 87 Wesley Smith 11 DL 86 Vidhal Emory 11 TE/DE 36 Larry Lindsey 9 WR/DM 21 T. J. Franklin 10 RB 88 Chris Kehrer 12 WR 38 Jamarr Miller 10 TE/DB 22 Lamir Cohens 10 DB OPPONENT SCORE 23 Jake Carrillo 9 DB OPPONENT SCORE 40 Johnny Brown 12 RB/DL Seminole County Won 33-20 Montgomery County Won 34-0 41 Tyler Ledford 10 WR/DB 25 Austin Amick 9 DB Perry Won 34-13 26 Chris Barnwell 12 FB Emanuel County Institute Won 34-0 42 Antonio James 12 RB/LB Wilkinson County Lost 21-25 27 Kyle Swinson 12 DL Wheeler County Won 46-19 44 Antowan Miller 10 WR/DB M Bryan County Won 27-6 29 Jalen Myrick 9 WR Jenkins Won 34-14 45 Rakeen Lawson 10 RB/DL Twiggs County Lost 12-48 31 Ryan Bacon 12 DB Claxton Won 27-0 51 Michael Dennard 9 OL/DL Telfair County Won 35-6 32 Scott Brannen 9 FB Bryan County Won 40-7 52 Gregory Jackson 11 OL/DL Dooly County Won 28-6 33 Tanner Burch 11 LB Savannah Country Day Won 55-14 Calvary Day Won 20-10 53 Shaquille Jackson 10 OL/DL Hawkinsville Won 26-10 34 Chris Geralds 9 WR Portal Won 21-7 54 Justin Harden 12 OL/DE Turner County Won 41-0 35 Grayson Williams 9 LB Jenkins County Won 35-12 55 Stephen Sheard 9 OL/DL Irwin County Won 33-12 36 Michael McCumber 9 RB Irwin County Won 14-10 56 Chad Paramore 12 OL/DL Treutlen Won 23-20 38 Ryan Price 11 DB Miller County Won 28-13 A 58 Tommy Fuller 12 OL/DL Greenville Won 39-19 39 Josh Burnett 10 DB Lincoln County Won 7-0 60 Kevin Jackson 11 OL/DL Wesleyan Won 20-15 40 Hunter Hebert 9 RB Darlington Won 24-10 61 Chase Williford 9 OL/DL Clinch County Won 20-14 41 Hal Davis 10 LB Head Coach: Mark Ledford Head Coach: Donald Chumley Assistant Coaches: Josh Owens • Tim Harris Assistant Coaches: Chad Simmons • Chris Kearson Clint Bloodworth • Nathan Gibbs • Jeremy Nutt Dwayne Tabor • Ron Flott • Chad Yoder Harper Sean Patrick • Brooks Collins • Rhett Wommack 19

BUFORD VS. CALHOUN

BUFORD WOLVES (13-1) CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (14-0) (BUFORD, GA.) • GREEN, GOLD & WHITE • REGION 6-AA (CALHOUN, GA.) • BLACK & GOLD • REGION 7B-AA P NO. NAME GR. POS. 54 Ben Baker 9 OL/DL 1 Eric Barr 11 RB/DB THE AA SKINNY 55 Tyler King 10 OL/DL Where to start? The rematch of the 2008 championship game should provide more than 56 Chase Bradley 12 OL/DL 3 Sherman Page 12 WR/DB enough interest across the state, pitting two of Georgia’s most consistent programs 57 Colton Greeson 12 OL/DL 4 Seon Jones 11 RB/DB against each other. Last year in the title tilt, Calhoun hung with defending champion 58 Will Carpenter 9 OL/DL 5 Tyshawn Holley 12 WR/DB Buford for about two and a half quarters before the Wolves’ depth, size and athleticism 59 Jacob King 11 OL/DL 60 Luke Green 9 OL/DL 6 A.J. Cunningham 12 FB/DE wore the Yellow Jackets down. In the end, Buford hoisted the AA championship trophy U for the second consecutive year with the 45-21 win. Like many years, Buford lost gobs 61 Gabe Freeman 10 OL/LB 8 CJ Moore 10 RB/DB 62 Matt Warren 12 OL/DL of talent to the next level, and the Wolves’ streak of total dominance took a hit when it 9 Alexander Ross 11 QB 63 Gus Roberts 11 OL/DL was knocked off in the regular season by Region 6 rival Lovett, ending a 32-game over- 64 Garrett Holland 12 OL/DL 10 Joshua Simpson 11 WR/DB all winning streak and 50-game regular-season winning streak. Calhoun has been on top 65 Tucker Smith 12 OL/DL 11 Trey Jerkins 11 WR/DB of Region 7 for some time now, taking nine straight region titles against their Northwest 66 T.J. Jones 10 OL/DL 12 Paris Head 10 WR/DB Georgia league opponents, but haven’t won a title since 1952 to show for their consis- 67 Austin Richardson 12 OL/DL 13 Sam Clay 10 QB tency. The Jackets will be looking to change that this weekend. 68 Ian Carmichael 11 OL/LB 69 Thad Burton 9 OL/DL H 14 Jaylen Sherman 9 QB/DB 63 Devin Lancaster 11 OL/DL NO. NAME GR. POS. 70 Marcus Sides 10 OL/DL 15 David Petroni 9 K 71 Cody Silvers 12 OL/DL 64 Reid Ferguson 10 OL/DL 1 Ben Lamb 10 QB/WR 16 Jamal English 11 WR/DB 2 Landon Curtis 11 QB/LB 72 Dylan Reeves 9 OL/DL 65 Hunter Hollis 11 OL/DL 17 Cameron Gazaway 10 WR/DB 3 J.T. Palmer 11 WR/DB 73 Seth Moreland 9 OL/DL 66 Derek Smith 10 OL/DL 4 Trent Frix 10 RB/OLB 74 Josh Fowler 12 OL/DL 18 Beau Lindsey 12 WR/DB 76 Oscar Valladares 11 OL/DL 67 Robert Contreras 10 OL/DL 5 Dustin Christian 11 RB/DB 19 Michael Lane 10 WR/DB 6 Hunter Knight 10 RB/LB 78 Slader Pierce 12 OL/DL 20 Malik Green 11 FB/LB 68 Josh Cardiello 9 OL/DL 7 Nash Nance 12 QB/DB 79 Ruben Sanchez 10 OL/DL C 70 Devonte Mack 10 OL/DL 8 Alex Kirby 10 RB/LB 80 Jacob Fairbanks 9 WR/DB 21 Andrew Swope 12 FB/LB 81 Chase Rierson 10 WR/OLB 71 Lucas Thompson 10 OL/DL 9 Garrison Pasley 11 WR/DB 22 Jessel Curry 12 FB/LB 10 Kedron Aker 12 RB/DB 82 Matthew Haggard 10 WR/OLB 23 Alex Poole 12 WR/DB 72 Alex Cable 11 OL/DL 11 Casey Edwards 12 WR/DB 83 Hector Flores 11 K 73 Shawn Artz 12 OL/DL 13 Garrett Saylors 10 WR/OLB 84 Timmy Jones 11 WR/OLB 24 Gregory Bradley 11 RB/DB 85 Chance Beaver 11 WR/DB 74 Vadal Alexander 10 OL/DL 14 Clay Johnson 10 WR/DB 25 Tyrell Sadler 12 RB/DB 15 Blane Beaver 12 P 86 Ryan Marshall 10 WR/DB T 26 Darrian Smith 10 RB/DB 75 Hayden Mosley 10 OL/DL 16 Taylor Meadows 12 WR/DB 87 Aaron Derham 10 WR/DB 27 Ben Sweatt 11 FB/LB 76 Dequan Clark 10 OL/DL 17 Josh White 12 TE/LB 88 Swayze Johnson 11 WR/OLB 18 Heath Everett 10 WR/OLB 89 Kyle Harrison 11 WR/DB 28 Ryan Dillard 10 RB/DB 77 Duvon Milsap 12 OL/DL 19 Avery Jones 10 WR/DB 90 Justin Harrison 9 WR/DB 29 Rick Legrant 10 FB/LB 78 Ethan Rosenbalm 10 OL/DL 20 Josh Schubert 10 WR/DB 91 Alex Haynes 11 OL/DL 30 Shawn Reynolds 9QB80 Keith Chambers 12 WR/DB 21 DaRick Rogers 12 WR/DB 92 Seth Parr 9 WR/DB 22 Carter Harrison 12 RB/LB 93 Caden Parker 11 OL/DL A 32 Andre Johnson 10 FB/LB 82 T J Shipes 10 WR/DB 23 Brett Walraven 12 WR/DB 94 Michael McCanless 9 WR/DB 33 Nathan Staub 10 FB/LB 85 Danny Bart 10 TE/DE 24 Josh Barnes 9 QB/DB 95 Chaz Horton 9 OL/LB 34 Ronald King 10 RB/DB 87 Joseph Lynn 10 WR/DB 26 Malcolm Long 11 WR/OLB 96 Greyson Arnold 9 WR/DB 35 Dillon Lee 10 WR/LB 27 Adam Rutledge 10 WR/OLB 97 Mason Bennett 9 WR/DB 88 Josh Heddinger 11 TE/DE 28 Darius Washington 10 RB/LB 98 Jonah Gallman 9 K 37 Ryan Mack 10 WR/DB 99 Willie Harrison 11 OL/DL 29 Cameron Budzius 12 TE/OLB 99 Adam Griffith 10 K/P 39 Christian Acero 11 WR/DB 30 Logan Knight 9 RB/DB 40 Tanner West 11 TE/DE OPPONENT SCORE 31 Jacob Young 11 RB/OLB OPPONENT SCORE 32 Dustin Chapman 9 QB/LB 41 Kurt Freitag 10 TE/DE Grovetown Won 51-0 33 Cody Ralston 12 WR/OLB Dalton Won 31-28 M 43 Corey Ciepiela 10 FB/DE North Hall Won 35-7 34 Aric Bunch 12 WR/DB Ridgeland Won 35-7 44 Jerome Davis 12 TE/DE Lovett Lost 21-28 35 Kelby Holbrook 12 RB/OLB Cartersville Won 38-10 46 D J Estrella 11 FB/LB 36 Ashton Roach 9 WR/DB Decatur Won 28-0 37 Donnell Anthony 9 RB/DB Coosa Won 47-16 47 Blake Adams 10 TE/LB Avondale Won 41-0 38 Austin Warren 11 WR/OLB 49 Baxter Argo 10 K 39 David Collins 12 RB/DB Gordon Central Won 56-14 51 Tyler Burge 10 OL/DL Cross Keys Won 65-0 40 Carter Edwards 9 RB/OLB Chattooga Won 27-12 Thomson Won 41-7 41 David Roberts 10 WR/OLB 53 Chad Jones 10 OL/DL 42 Trabarris Johnson 10 RB/DB Sonoraville Won 43-14 54 Nolan Alexander 12 OL/DL Blessed Trinity Won 21-0 43 Tony Hernandez 10 RB/LB Dade County Won 41-7 55 Brody Abel 10 OL/DL Westminster Won 21-0 44 Jacob Wise 9 WR/DB 45 Jackson Brumlow 9 TE/LB Adairsville Won 34-0 A 56 Kolton Houston 12 OL/DL Greater Atlanta Christian Won 45-14 46 Tyler West 9 TE/LB Armuchee Won 49-10 58 Mitchell Dewalt 12 OL/DL Pepperell Won 24-0 48 Chandler Quinn 9 RB/LB Avondale Won 42-14 49 Zane Rhodes 9 K/P 59 Brandon Cheatham 10 OL/DL Jefferson Won 30-22 60 Wright Gazaway 12 OL/DL 50 Tyler Cooper 11 OL/DL North Oconee Won 39-14 Cook Won 26-0 51 Jacob Fowler 12 OL/LB Jefferson County Won 49-35 61 Christian Durden 10 OL/DL 52 Reed Allen 10 OL/DL 62 Justin Bratton 10 OL/DL Fitzgerald Won 38-28 53 Thomas Haynes 10 OL/LB Lovett Won 49-41 A

Head Coach: Jess Simpson Head Coach: Hal Lamb Assistant Coaches: Neal Auer • Dick May • Christian Hunnicutt Assistant Coaches: Michael Davis • Ricky Ross • Dain Clark David Snell • Bryan Rogers • Drew Anthony • Bryant Appling Ed Williams • Clay Stephenson • Keith Hall • Chase Arnold Chris Demaline • Gary McCroskey • Justin Johnson • Hoyt Gazaway Tom Hoblitzell • Josh Hardy • Paul Molla 21

PEACH COUNTY VS. GAINESVILLE P PEACH COUNTY TROJANS (14-0) GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS (14-0) (FORT VALLEY, GA.) • BLACK & GOLD • REGION 1-AAA (GAINESVILLE, GA.) • RED & WHITE • REGION 7B-AAA

NO. NAME GR. POS. THE AAA SKINNY 45 A.J. Johnson 11 LB 2 Colby Hicks 12 WR The Gainesville Red Elephants will be going for their first state title since 1925, decades 46 Kijana Young 9 WR 3 Courtney Mathis 12 TE/DE before the GHSA began crowning a champion. For Peach County, the Georgia Dome – and 47 Alberto Sanabria 12 LB U 4 Travis Richmond 11 TB championship game appearances – are nothing new, at least in this decade. The Trojans 48 Anderson Arias 10 LB 6 Demonte Lewis 11 TB took home back-to-back state titles in ’05 and ’06 on the strength of great quarterbacking 50 Antoine Thomas 11 LB performances from Antonio Henton for the first title and Bryan Ellis in the second cham- 51 Tim Rucker 11 DL 7 LeBrandon Johnson 12 DB/TB pionship season. Gainesville has had a rich football tradition throughout the years, but had 8 Isaiah Miller 11 WR failed to get out of the first round of the playoffs from 1987 until 2002, when current head 52 Zach Marsh 11 OL 9 Patrick Taylor 12 QB coach Bruce Miller took over. Since then, the Red Elephants have won 10 or more games 53 Zeke Henderson 10 OL 10 Kentel Kendrick 10 QB five times and made a semifinals appearance in 2002. Peach County had a sensational 54 Kevin Hall 11 DL 11 Demarcus Robinson 9 QB/WR four-year run under current head coach Rance Gillespie (who left to become the offensive 55 Jacob McConnell 10 OL H 12 Darion Howard 10 DB/TB coordinator at Georgia Southern), winning 50 games from 2003-06. This will be a 56 Taylor Stowe 12 LB 13 Lamar Zanders 12 WR matchup of two supremely athletic teams that are stuffed with playmakers. 58 Conner Calvert 9 OL 60 Bobby Upshaw 9 DL 14 Terrell Williams 10 WR 61 Tyler Tanner 9 LB NO. NAME GR. POS. 61 John Averils 9 DL 15 Deante Banks 10 DB 63 Quintrell Jones 10 OL 1 Malachi Jones 10 WR 62 Sloan Strickland 12 OL 16 Debarriaus Miller 10 WR 64 Brandon Wiggins 10 OL 2 Blake Sims 12 QB 63 Jacob Couch 12 OL 18 CJ Coleman 9 QB 65 Tyler Nobles 12 DL/OL 3 Keyontra Harrison 9 QB 65 Daniel Vann 10 DL 19 Chris Broadus 12 DB 66 Derek Jackson 11 DL 4 Tyson Smith 12 RB C 66 Chase England 9 OL 20 Chris Holt 11 DB 67 Tervarus Ages 12 OL/DL 5 Michael Lorentz 11 WR 67 Damian Grayson 9 OL 21 Darion Allen 11 DB 68 Joe Rucker 9 OL 6 Darius Tanner 12 WR 22 Cassuas Hall 10 DB 69 Frank Parks 12 OL 68 Michael Waters 12 OL 7 Justin Owens 12 DB 69 Thomas Niles 11 DL 23 Sebastian Zanders 12 RB 70 Telly Neal 10 OL 8 Joseph Haley 10 DB 71 Jesus Sanchez 11 OL 70 Greg Stenzel 12 OL 24 Octavius Hall 11 LB 9 Tai-Ler Jones 12 WR 71 Oliver Villacorta 10 OL T 25 Ryan Bowman 10 LB 74 Tevin Davis 9 OL 10 Stephen Mason 10 QB 75 Telvin Zanders 12 OL/DL 72 Ryan Snelling 11 OL 26 Temarius Goodman 10 LB 11 Todrrick Stringer 10 LB 73 Jake Law 11 OL 27 Donovan Howard 9 RB/TE 77 Mathew Winters 9 OL/DL 12 Desmund Hamilton 11 WR 78 Jacolbi Fields 12 OL 74 Cole Smith 11 DL 28 Luke Crowell 12 LB/TB 13 Daunte Carr 12 DB 80 Malcolm Colvin 9 TE 75 David McConnell 12 OL 29 Kelcey Lewis 12 LB 81 Caleb White 9 WR 14 Dallas Defoor 10 DB 76 Carlos Figueredo 10 OL 30 Reggie Manson 12 DB 82 Brandon Johnson 9 WR 15 Chicano Perez 12 K 77 Rafael Upchurch 10 DL A 31 Jontavious Davis 11 DB 83 William Howard 12 WR 16 Lahius Leverette 9 DB 78 Patrick McKibben 10 OL 32 Lamb Andrews 10 RB 85 Tahji Towns 9 WR 17 Kendrick Millsap 11 DB 79 Keodric Sadler 11 OL 33 Amos Lawrence 12 DB 86 Gerald Harris 9 WR 18 Ryan Griffith 10 WR 81 Chris West 12 WR 34 Danney Griggs 12 DB 87 Dextric Harris 12 WR 19 Tevin Yarbrough 12 DB 82 Jesus Garcia 11 LB 35 Emanuel Pitts 9 DB 89 Alfonzia Brown 10 WR 20 Fred Payne 9DB84 Montel Smith 11 WR 36 Austin Davis 9 LB 91 Mathew Martinez 9 DL 21 Markece Roberstone 11 RB 85 Jamie Pinkston 11 DL 37 Deionte Williams 9 TB 92 Alfredo Cervantes 9 K 22 Caston Davis 12 LB 88 Luis Rios 11 K 38 Damien Jackson 12 DB 93 Jitendra Askew 9 DL 23 Devon Pierce 11 RB 89 Lucky Walton 9 WR 39 Reid Hudson 9 DB 94 Larry Hammonds 9 DE 24 Justine Cantrell 9 LB 90 Calev Mosely 10 LB M 40 Rustin Evatt 12 K 95 Adajio Wright 11 DE 25 Alex Muckle 9 RB 93 Theron Brown 12 DL 26 Alec Zais 9 DB 41 JaDarvis Fields 11 LB 27 Dickens Wilson 10 LB OPPONENT SCORE 42 Rickey Wray 10 DE/FB OPPONENT SCORE 28 Eli Nwefo 10 DB 43 David Howard 12 LB Macon County Won 1-0 Chestatee Won 34-0 44 Bryan McQuay 10 LB 29 Rashad Lawrence 11 LB Rutland Won 31-13 30 Kenya Jackson 12 DB Franklin County Won 41-0 45 Dakavion Washington 9 RB Baldwin Won 17-7 White County Won 42-20 46 Braxston Postell 11 LB 31 Maurice Tanner 9 RB 47 Luis Lopez 11 K Perry Won 40-0 32 Christian Summerour 12 WR North Hall Won 55-12 48 Alex Dickey 9 DB Monroe Won 31-6 33 C. J. Floyd 10 LB West Hall Won 56-13 49 Alton Zanders 9 RB Cairo Won 24-13 34 Thomas Sprague 12 LB West Forsyth Won 34-0 A 50 Tyler Buchanan 9 C Westover Won 42-6 35 T. K. Mize 9 DB East Hall Won 63-0 51 Chris Jackson 9LBWorth County Won 36-13 36 Brand Hernandez 9 DB Gilmer Won 36-7 53 Lucius Campbell 9 LB Dougherty Won 41-13 37 Reid Almand 11 K 38 Donavan Moss 9 WR Johnson, Gainesville Won 63-0 54 D'Anthony Lamar 9 OL Crisp County Won 35-7 55 Renard Williams 11 OL/DE 39 Corda Mance 10 DB Flowery Branch Won 49-17 56 Randolph Williams 11 DL/OL Spalding Won 45-7 41 Guy McGlotha 9 WR Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Won 42-0 A 57 Kaleb Allred 12 C Washington County Won 29-6 42 Teryan Rucker 12 RB Dunwoody Won 41-10 58 Quantell Ned 11 OL St. Pius X Won 21-14 43 Joseph Funk 10 LB Cairo Won 32-19 59 Dylan Leach 9 OL Eastside Won 21-14 44 Graham Simmons 12 LB Flowery Branch Won 29-21

Head Coach: Chad Campbell Head Coach: Bruce Miller Assistant Coaches: Chris Griffin • Shaun Conley • Ben Hall Assistant Coaches: Mike Pruitt • Chris Carpenter A C.J. Stockel • Mike Pruitt • Benji Harrison • Kevin Compton Chad Bennett • Stephen Nudelman • Shane Millwood Dave McConnell • John Thompson • Derrick Green • Paul Gilbert Gary Compton • Gary Salyers • Carl Bell 23

SANDY CREEK VS. CLARKE CENTERAL

SANDY CREEK FIGHTING PATRIOTS (13-1) CLARKE CENTRAL GLADIATORS (12-2) P (TYRONE, GA.) • RED, WHITE & BLUE • REGION 5A-AAAA (ATHENS, GA.) • RED & GOLD • REGION 8-AAAA

NO. NAME GR. POS. THE AAAA SKINNY 50 Trey Thomas 11 OL 1 Devon Hughes 12 WR It was an all-DeKalb County affair last December in the Georgia Dome in the AAAA 51 Tariq Byrd 10 DL 3 Sean Rowe 12 DB classification, as Marist and Tucker did battle with the state title on the line. This 52 Alex Harris 10 OL year’s matchup will bring two very different programs onto the same turf on 54 Tucker Crumpton 9 OL U 4 Alonzo Harmon 11 DB Friday. Clarke Central has played football for nearly 40 years and has three state 55 Daylen Pope 10 DE 5 Mike Spaulding 12 LB titles to its name, although none since 1985 when it won a title under legendary head coach Billy Henderson. Sandy Creek has reached its first state final, and the 56 James Martin 11 OL 7 Cameron Bush 11 DB semifinals appearance was also a first for the school; the Fighting Patriots began 57 Terrence J. Bradshaw 12 DL 8 Zack Smith 12 WR playing football in 1992. As in AAAAA, these two squads will be playing on the 58 Jamie Jackson 11 OL 9 Patrick Alexander 12 WR final weekend while other squads that may have been penciled in for the champi- 61 Kelly Allen 10 OL H onship game will be staying home. Clarke Central represents Region 8 (the 10 Lucky Charleston 12 RB Gladiators finished No. 2 in their league and were unranked when the postseason 62 JR Blackmon 12 OL 11 Levon Alls 11 DB started), while Sandy Creek was the Region 5 champion. 64 Durmario Price 9 OL 12 Bruce Dukes 11 DB 66 Jarron Hutchins 12 OL 68 Deandre Harper 10 OL 13 BJ Trimble 11 WR 51 Jonathon Caughman 12 DL NO. NAME GR. POS. 70 Deshaun Edwards 9 OL 14 Alex Chisum 11 WR 55 Ricardo Fuentes 12 OL 1 Dontae Watkins 12 WR C 2 Ty Simmons 11 DB 71 Alan Posey 11 OL 16 Evan Moore 10 QB 58 Charlie Zemko 12 OL 3 Derrick Smalls 12 DB 72 Malcolm McIntosh 10 OL 60 Kenen Threatt 11 DL 17 Tommy Harvey 11 WR 4 Chad Hackney 12 DE 73 Tevorreius Bess 10 OL 18 Ronnie Bell 11 QB 64 Brandon Jordan 11 OL 5 Carlton Heard 11 QB 75 Jeremy Johnson 12 OL T 19 Joe Walker 10 QB 68 Jake Nolin 10 OL 6 Dimitri Holmes 12 WR 76 Maurice Chester 11 OL 20 Derrick Alexander 11 RB 70 Adam Massey 11 OL 7 Martay Mattox 11 QB 77 Santiago Arias 11 OL 21 Cedric Byrd 12 DB 74 Will Adams 10 OL 8 Torrey Gartrell 10 TE 79 Demond Stovall 9 OL 9 Tony Glenn 12 DB 80 Loran Posey 9 WR 22 Lennie Foster 11 WR 76 Chris Whitlock 10 DL 10 Terrell Bradshaw 11 WR 81 Shamel Moody 11 WR A 23 Nosakhere Griggs 11 DB 77 Rene Johnson 12 OL 11 Ryan Faust 12 DE 82 Rashad McDonald 10 WR 24 Bradley Holmes 11 DB 80 Darius Tenney 11 WR 12 Kadeem Combs 10 DB 84 Cevon Freeman 10 TE 25 Rajion Neal 12 RB 82 Michael Powell 9 DB 13 Noah Welch 10 P/K 85 Tracey Arnold 9 WR 26 Lance Pugh 12 DE 83 Tony Merriweather 10 WR 14 Herb Evans 11 DB 87 Jonah Crews 10 TE 15 Andre Robinson 10 WR 27 Zack Lopez 12 K 86 Jamal Gilliam 10 WR 89 Inigo DeArias 11 P/K 28 Mike Hilton 10 DB 16 Dawun Billups 10 DB 90 Devon Morrison 11 DL M 88 Jarrett Davis 12 WR 17 Adam Erickson 12 P/K 29 Xavier Chisum 11 DB 93 Daronte Ellis 11 DL 90 Stefan Austin 10 DL 18 David Lilly 11 WR 95 Jordan Pierce 11 LB 30 Matt Overstreet 11 LB 93 Domonique Francis 12 DL 19 Matthew Kloepfer 10 P/K 96 Kendrick Duke 11 DL 31 Cody Green 12 LB 95 Gavin Rocker 11 DE 20 Shaquille Moody 10 DB 99 Tevin Wilhite 12 DL 32 Jamal Ware 11 DE 21 Braxton Hudson 12 DB 33 Akeme Ubom 10 DB OPPONENT SCORE 22 Zuri Jewell 12 RB OPPONENT SCORE 34 Bo Heard 11 RB East Coweta Lost 27-28 23 Devante Appleby 10 RB Loganville Won 20-15 35 Lance Dossie 12 DB Shaw Won 48-7 24 Quenshaun Watson 10 RB Monroe Area Won 21-7 A 25 Amir Williams 9 QB 36 Isaiah Adams 10 DB Alexander Won 41-0 Habersham Central Won 23-7 Osborne Won 34-7 26 Luke Bennett 9 QB Apalachee Lost 7-21 37 Isaiah Johnson 12 DB 27 Marquez Williams 10 FB 38 Derrick Richardson 11 RB Whitewater Won 43-6 28 Devonte Yearby 11 TE/DE Heritage, Conyers Won 14-10 39 Colby Cruver 10 DB McIntosh Won 48-9 32 Kenji Reid 9 DB Rockdale County Lost 23-26, (OT) A 40 Austin Bennett 12 RB Fayette County Won 31-7 33 Jalani Payne 9 RB Salem Won 23-20 41 Jonah Gibby 10 DE Starr’s Mill Won 31-13 35 Jeremy Hughes 11 LB Cedar Shoals Won 14-7 42 Clinard Stokes 12 LB Northgate Won 37-3 36 Denzel Maxey 9 LB Winder-Barrow Won 56-12 43 Jerome Gaither 10 LB Banneker Won 21-9 42 Prince Hudson 11 OLB Madison County Won 31-15 A 43 Charles Straughter 10 LB 44 Chaz Johnston 11 DB Loganville Won 37-19 Mays Won 31-28 Tucker Won 17-14 44 Rush Maxwell 11 OLB Southwest DeKalb Won 19-17 45 Antonio White 10 DL 45 Troy Yearby 10 OLB Thomas County Central Won 31-17 North Clayton Won 52-13 48 Lacy Coleman 12 DE 48 Devante Derricotte 12 LB 50 Alex Whitlock 10 DL Griffin Won 22-15 49 Javion Hemphill 9 OLB Rockdale County Won 28-0 A Head Coach: Chip Walker Head Coach: Leroy Ryals Assistant Coaches: Jamie Glover • Scott Smith • Chad Wallace Assistant Coaches: Ahren Self • Forrest Paulson Mike Williams • P.J. Greybeck • Damien Gary • Aaron Cavin Eddy Householder • Brett Garvin • David Cooper • Mike Stalons Nick Allen • Chris Hulse • Ryan Johnson Howard Flannigan • Rashad Muhyee • Kris Justice • Jeremy Sweeney Andy Thomas • Phillip Walker 25

NORTHSIDE, WARNER ROBINS VS. CAMDEN COUNTY P NORTHSIDE, WARNER ROBINS EAGLES (13-1) CAMDEN COUNTY WILDCATS (12-2) (WARNER ROBINS, GA.) • BLUE & WHITE • REGION 1-AAAAA (KINGSLAND, GA.) • COLUMBIA BLUE & WHITE • REGION 3-AAAAA NO. NAME GR. POS. 52 Jacob Nicholson 11 OL/DL U 3 Renis Perry 12 RB THE AAAAA SKINNY 53 Justin Bradford 12 OL/DL Camden County and Northside are two of the winningest programs in the state over 53 Tyler Williams 10 OL/DL 4 Dan Masteller 11 QB 55 Tyler Dowling 10 OL/DL 5 Travis Boyd 12 REC the last decade, and bring four state titles to the table between them. For Camden 56 Jeremiah Booth 12 OL/DL 6 Shaquille O’Neill 11 RB County, the Wildcats are back in the state finals and ready to defend their title after los- 56 Ryan Caez 10 OL/DL ing a bunch of talented players to the collegiate ranks. Northside relies on hard-hitting 57 Jeremiah Patterson 12 OL/LB 7 Brandon Brown 12 DB 57 Kenny McGuire 10 OL/DL 8 Chris Vickers 11 REC defense and a consistent, solid offense to win games. The Eagles won their two state 58 Josh Plummer 10 OL/DL titles in Class AAAA, taking back-to-back crowns in ’06 and ’07, their last coming on 58 Jared Elderkin 10 OL/DL 9 Phillip Jones 12 LB 59 Johnny Keller 12 OL/DL H 10 Quin Greene 12 REC the road at Ware County. The setting of the Georgia Dome is nothing new for Camden 59 Vincent Hollerman 10 OL/DL 11 Perry Weaver 11 REC County; the Wildcats will be starting and ending their season in the downtown Atlanta 60 Casey Altiser 12 OL/DL venue for the second year in a row, opening up both times in the prestigious Corky Kell 60 Nick Altiser 10 OL/DL 12 Brison Williams 12 DB 61 Donald Glover 11 OL/DL 13 Briar Van Brunt 11 QB Kickoff Classic. Outlasting other AAAAA favorites such as Grayson, Lowndes, 61 James Gelsey 10 OL/DL 14 Zeddrick Scott 10 QB Stephenson, Newnan and North Gwinnett, neither team earned a No. 1 ranking during 62 Michael Spragio 12 OL/DL 62 Corey Ingles 10 OL/DL 15 Andre Smith 12 REC the regular season (Northside rose to No. 2 before falling to archrival Warner Robins). 63 Matt Williams 11 OL/DL 16 D.J. White 11 LB 64 Deonte Smith 11 OL NO. NAME GR. POS. 64 Devlyn Cousin 10 OL/DL C 65 Jacob Squires 11 OL/DL 17 Darnell Slaton 11 LB 65 Sam Cherney 12 OL 1 Malcolm Maxwell 10 RB/DB 18 Jack Montgomery 10 QB 1 Jesse Lemke 10 SE/DB 65 Cody Crosby 10 OL/DL 66 Donnie Werden 12 OL 2 Darius Sullivan 12 RB/DB 66 Alejandro Vila 12 OL/DL 19 Chavez Ellison 11 REC 67 Anthony Wynn 11 DL 2 Casey Hodges 10 RB/DB 66 Donovan Victor 12 OL/DL 20 Marte Polk 10 RB 3 Adam Drury 11 QB/D8 67 Timothy Martensen 10 OL/DL 69 Tommell Dean 10 OL 4 Joel Ruiz 11 QB/DB 67 Kaleb Wilburn 10 OL/DL 21 Tevin Lester 12 LB 70 Branden Stephens 12 OL 68 Justin Lee 11 OL/DL T 22 Deilouse Jackson 11 LB 4 Shaqwand Hamilton 10 RB/DB 68 Terrence Ervin 10 OL/DL 71 Nate Korytko 12 OL 5 Michael Hamilton 11 SE/DB 69 Josh Elderkin 12 OL/LB 23 Bob Durham 11 DB 5 JJ Green 9 RB/DB 70 Tyler Peeples 11 OL/DL 72 Kevin Fischer 11 OL 6 Albert Mendez 11 RB/LB 24 Joe Sturn 11 DB 73 Chip Pogue 12 OL 71 Elijah Vonbehren 11 OL/DL 25 Josh Sturn 11 DB 7 Alex Purvis 12 SE/DB 72 Joseph Shusko 12 OL/DL 74 Tharren Printup 12 OL 8 Sean Brown 10 RB/DB 72 Justin Stallones 10 OL/DL 26 Stephon Cross 10 TE 9 Steven Murphy 12 QB/DB 76 DJ Williams 10 OL 73 Robert Gabriel 12 OL/DL 27 Rashad Wright 12 DB 9 Damien Butler 10 SE/DB 74 Ethan Vonbehren 11 OL/DL 79 Trent Johnson 12 DL 10 Jalen Simmons 11 QB/DB 75 Daniel Shusko 12 OL/DL A 28 Dontavious Anderson 12 DB 80 Devon Pike 12 K 11 Shaquan Brock 11 RB/DB 75 Brendan Taylor 10 OL/DL 29 Miguel Williams 10 RB 12 CJ Deboer 12 TE/DE 76 Thomas Martin 12 OL/DL 30 Tavoris Germany 11 DL 81 A’Donis Hampton 10 REC 12 Brice Ramsey 9 QB/DB 77 Luke Mercier 12 OL/DL 82 Aaron Jones 11 REC 13 Josh Walker 10 RB/DB 78 Brad Arbo 11 OL/DL 30 Aaron Lewis 10 RB 79 Adam Ashcraft 11 OL/DL 83 Quin Lester 12 REC 14 Robert Brown 10 RB/DB 31 Devinci Sanders 10 DB 15 Aundre Johnson 12 RB/LB 80 Greg Adams 11 TE/DE 84 Dess Culpepper 11 TE 81 Zach Griffis 12 TE/LB 32 Earl Billingsley 11 DL 16 Ryan Gregoire 12 QB/DB 82 Dalton Drury 11 SE/DB 33 Devante Solomon 12 DL 85 Cartrell Brooks 10 REC 17 Seth Breeding 11 QB/LB 82 Cole McCahan 10 TE/DL 86 Akeem Taylor 10 REC 17 Devin Fizer 12 RB/LB 83 Jarrett Kitchen 11 SE/DB 34 Brock Livatt 10 LB 18 Aaron Fisher 11 QB/DB 83 Michael Waldr 10 TE/DE M 35 Alec Garcia 11 TE 87 JT Bryant 10 REC 20 Nate Haymon 12 RB/DB 85 Deja Dotson 11 SE/DB 88 Christian Holt 11 K 20 Shaquille Lewis 10 RB/LB 85 Clayton Latos 11 TE/DE 36 D’Angelo Ridley 10 RB 21 Glenn Mack 12 RB/LB 86 Deontre McRea 11 SE/DB 36 Dylan Ingram 10 DB 89 Curtis Askew 10 REC 21 Terrence Robinson 10 RB/LB 86 Stephen Vanzant 10 SE/DB 37 Devante Brown 11 LB 90 Edward Pons 11 DL 22 Kevonn McKenzie 10 RB/DB 87 Bryce Sweeney 11 TE/DE 91 Jackie Johnson 10 DL 23 Justin Woodard 11 RB/DB 88 Devonte Williams 12 SE/DB 38 Dillon Mixon 10 K 24 DJ Williams-Reed 11 RB/DB 89 Alex Williams 11 SE/DB 39 Quinton Haynes 10 REC 92 Jequandus Albritton 11 DL 24 Travis Mikell 10 RB/LB 90 Derrick Saulsberry 12 TE/DE 40 Donovan Hughes 10 RB 93 Brentt Blackmon 10 DL 25 Michael Showers 11 RB/DB 91 Dakota Dir 11 SE/DB 92 Jordan Scott 11 SE/DB 40 Donte Bryant 9 RB 94 Josh Chester 10 DL 25 John Grigsby 10 RB/LB 26 Vishawn Williams 11 SE/DB 93 Kasey Farmer 10 SE/DB 41 Tae Gooden 10 DB 95 Anfirnee Chatfield 9 DL 27 Alan Samson 11 TE/LB 94 Jordan Rieling 10 K/P 42 La’Norris Jones 10 DB 97 Austin Roberts 9 DL 27 Brian Hetrick 10 TE/DB 95 Kajavis Hill 11 RB/LB A 96 Cameron Bennett 10 K/P 43 Tevin Perkins 10 RB 98 Greg Clark 12 DL 28 Tyler DeKleine 10 RB/LB 29 Carrington Wright 11 RB/DB 97 Matt Ehasz 11 K/P 44 Derrick Goodman 11 TE 99 Troy Williams 11 DL 29 Jonathon Jacobs 11 SE/DB 98 Keith Pecko 10 TE/DE 45 Byron Livatt 10 TE 30 Kenny Hutchinson 11 RB/DB 46 Quinton Driskell 11 DB OPPONENT SCORE 30 Eric Sauerbei 10 SE/DB OPPONENT SCORE Perry Won 42-10 31 Hakeim Hutchinson 10 RB/DB Grayson Lost 10-14 47 Ladarius Richardson 10 RB 32 Ean Days 12 RB/DB 48 Taz Thomas 10 DB Carver, Columbus Won 21-12 33 DJ McNiel 11 RB/DB First Coast, FL Won 30-24 A 49 Corey Lockett 10 DB 34 Darrin Diaz 12 RB/LB Valdosta Won 16-13 35 Tyler Livingston 12 QB/DB Hoover, AL Lost 27-30 50 CJ Haslem 10 LB Houston County Won 42-7 36 Alex Carter 11 RB/LB Windsor Forest Won 39-6 51 Chris Crawford 10 LB 37 Kevin Steele 12 SE/LB 52 Kemien Brown 10 LB Lowndes Won 10-7 38 Willie Thacker 12 RB/LB Beach Won 56-0 53 Brandon Waters 11 DL Coffee Won 35-3 39 Zack Marx 12 SE/DB Groves Won 76-0 40 Matt Jackson 12 TE/DE A 54 Drew Foley 10 OL Grovetown Won 46-7 41 Clinton Hamilton 11 TE/LB Johnson, Savannah Won 51-0 55 Herbert Wade 10 LB Tift County Won 27-13 42 Tyre Holzendorf 12 RB/LB Jenkins Won 50-0 56 Ian Cunningham 12 DL 43 Allen Hopkins 10 RB/DB Warner Robins Lost 20-21 44 Aundrayvious Walker 11 RB/LB Savannah Won 41-0 57 Gus Del Rio 12 OL 45 Hayden Boudreaux 11 RB/LB 58 Jake Marshall 12 DL Colquitt County Won 20-17 46 Ryan Lapoint 11 RB/LB Bradwell Institute Won 56-9 59 Brandon Beringer 11 OL Chapel Hill Won 35-14 47 Teondre Williams 11 SE/DB Newton Won 43-19 48 Issac Newell 11 SE/DB A 60 Jamal Smith 10 OL Union Grove Won 21-10 49 Kenneth Swallows 12 SE/DB Lowndes Won 10-7 61 Brian Layfield 11 OL Peachtree Ridge Won 20-17 50 Fred Jones 11 OL/DL North Gwinnett Won 35-0 62 Tim Walker 10 LB 50 Brendan Vega 10 OL/DL Newnan Won 29-24 50 Travon Clar 10 OL/DL Colquitt County Won 19-10 63 Colby Knighton 9 OL 51 Chase Bahr 11 OL/DL Head Coach: Conrad Nix Head Coach: Jeff Herron A Assistant Coaches: Kevin Kinsler • Mark Stewart • Kevin Smith Assistant Coaches: Jon Lindsey • Welton Coffey • Greg Slattery Derek Chastain • Dusty Gunn • Donald Green • Byron Slack Randy Carr • Mark Estes • Ryan Crawford • Kris Jarrell Tony Branch • Bill Brown • Steve Siegmund Reginald Thorpe • Greg Street • Von Lassiter • Ken Price Jason Tone • Stacey Stewart • Jason Jones 27

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33 BW photographic arts A A A A B R A C K E T

35 A A A A A B R A C K E T

36 BRINGING GEORGIA’S VIEWERS THE VERY BEST

GPB’s Jon Nelson hosts Prep Sports + and will once again be handling sideline reporting duties for the broadcasts of the state football finals. For the second year in a row, all five championship games will be played at the Georgia Dome.

ive teams celebrated state football titles last season and, has been working some high school games in the Gainesville for the first time ever, those celebrations all occurred on area while Klitenic has been involved in Atlanta sports for some theF floor of the Georgia Dome. High school football fans time, even co-hosting the Atlanta Braves pregame radio show. living around the state of Georgia got to share in the cele- Vardase was also proud to announce that Jeff Van Note is com- bration at their homes, as Georgia Public Broadcasting ing back to do color analysis for the Class AAAA and AAAAA was there to broadcast the GHSA state championship games. Van Note is a former Falcon who was inducted into the games in all five classifications live from the Georgia Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He has appeared as a color com- Dome. Back in 1992, the GHSA and GPB decided to form mentator on Falcons broadcasts as well as University of a television partnership and, by 1997, GPB was airing state Kentucky and Georgia Tech football broadcasts. Jon Nelson semifinals and some of the championship games. Last sea- (pictured above), the host of Prep Sports +, will keep fans son, the GHSA elected to move the state semifinal location updated from the sideline during the broadcasts. from the Dome to home sites while moving the actual title games from the school campuses to the Georgia Dome, ONCE THE DUST SETTLES … normally the home of the Atlanta Falcons and the SEC In the weeks that follow the games, GPB will unveil two Championship Game. Despite the move in venue, residents new innovations that will help keep the broadcasts “new and of Georgia were still able to catch all of the action on GPB. refreshing,” according to Vardase. Prep Sports + will air two According to Tom Vardase of GPB, the move of the cham- recap shows, one on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and the pionship games to the Dome was a good one. “I believe other Sunday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. The second show will be the [the games] were a success.” programs 400th original show, something that Vardase is quite proud of. That same week, the GPB Knowledge Channel WARMING A NEW HOME … (Comcast channel 246 in Metro Atlanta) will rebroadcast all of The finals brought a few new twists when compared to the the games, one each night, starting on Dec. 14 with Class A at coverage of the semis in prior years. Fore example, new graph- 8 p.m. This will be a first for GPB, as the Knowledge Channel ics were developed by GPB and implemented for the games. affords the network a two- or three-hour window to re-air the “You want the look to be as nice as it can get, but you games, something that GPTV might not normally have. don’t have to reinvent the wheel.” Vardase said. For some inspiration and new ideas, the GPB Executive THERE’S MORE … Producer watches how Raycom produces its weekly games, Football isn’t the only sports programming found on and tries to use similar ideas. “We do our best to be that way GPB, however. In addition to Prep Sports +, basketball fans (as professional as NFL and NCAA broadcasts).” can tune in this March for the state basketball championships. This season the state title games will look a little different Georgia Public Broadcasting has done more than 140 basket- than last year. Some of the graphics were tweaked for last year ball games and will be back this year with 11 contests. This and have been even more so for this year’s title tilts. The broad- March 12 and 13, GPB will air all of the girls and boys state cast will feature new internal graphics as well as new segments title games as well as the wheelchair championship, presented for offensive and defensive players of the game. The latter seg- by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs. ment also finds GPB working with the Atlanta Falcons to pres- Though there are always hurdles, Vardase knows the ent the awards. Vardase credits two gentlemen who have been rewards are always there as well, and people really enjoy GPB with him since Day One 13 years ago for the new looks. Doug and its broadcasts of the high school championships. Vardase Furce produces and directs while Tony Robinson serves as recalls a single fan’s thank you when he and his crew traveled to Technical Producer. New talent is also one difference folks Thomasville in 1997. As Vardase remembers, the fan told him, might notice compared to last year. Former Atlanta Falcon and “You guys did one heck of a job.” And, after 13 seasons and over ten-year NFL veteran Harper Lebel will work as a color com- 140 games, all the fun will likely continue for some time. mentator for one of the championship games, while Stu By Score Atlanta’s Fletcher Proctor Klitenic will call play-by-play for Class A’s title game. Lebel ([email protected]) 37 A MINUTE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Last week, Score Atlanta’s Scott Janovitz had the opportuni- cycle. The reason for that is that a couple of years back, ty to speak with GHSA Executive Director Ralph Swearngin, when we went to the four-year cycle, is that it had some sta- touching on everything from transfer rules to on-demand bility, allowed some people to build natural rivalries, and internet video of GHSA sporting events. Here is the tran- some other states around us had done that. But none of us at script of that conversation: that particular time envisioned anywhere from 12 to 18 new schools opening up over a four-year period, and we just did Scott Janovitz: Talk about the current realignment and not feel comfortable that we could sit down now and project when the GHSA can determine the success of the process … what was going to be happening four years down the road. Ralph Swearngin: The reclassification process was proba- And basically, it’s more like four and a half to five years bly the most difficult one that we’ve had in the 17 years that down the road. And what we found is we’d have to spend so I’ve been with the Georgia High School Association. I can’t much time readjusting for the changes of the mid-term in the remember an easy one, but this one was probably the most four-year cycle, it would be just like reclassifying every two challenging. It was the most challenging because of the rad- years anyway. The committee is going to vote on that, but I ical changes and the rapid increase in the number of schools, think, practically speaking, it probably makes sense. and school districts that are redesigning their attendance zones so they can balance out the schools and get away from Talk a little about the importance of Title IX and specif- overcrowding. There are state laws now that talk about trans- ically how Georgia’s been so forward-thinking and suc- fers and when people can leave crowded schools to go to cessful in this regard. uncrowded schools. There is an appeals session that will be Title IX is of course a federal law, and has been around now held in two weeks, and then the full executive committee can for over 30 years. What I think changed a lot of things was either approve it as is, or they can make modifications to it. in 2000 when the state legislature came up with the Equity And, I hope it doesn’t happen, but they can say, “you know Sports Act, which was basically to take a look at the best what, go back to the drawing board and redo this.” So all that parts of the federal Title IX and make it a state situation. At will be done January 12. that particular time, the feeling was the Office of Civil Rights was not getting down to looking at the problems at For this realignment process, what were some of the chal- the high schools because they were so involved with looking lenges the GHSA faced with limiting travel times? at collegiate issues, and if people wanted remedies they had The biggest problem we had is that in AAAAA and AAAA to go through the federal court system. What the 2000 law in we have, for the last several reclassification cycles, had Georgia did was to keep it all in the state. There is a process fewer and fewer schools from Macon south. And what real- where the schools have responsibilities to monitor issues, to ly surprised us this year is that this was starting to make file reports, to demonstrate that they are meeting Title IX and inroads into AAA as well. So what we’re finding is that in equity regulations in terms of financing, coaching and facil- AAAAA, AAAA and AAA, you don’t have the usual four ities. So this whole process is an exception rather than the regions in the north and four regions in the south. What rule when a gender equity problem arises. you’re now finding is five or six regions in the north. And when that happens for the central or south Georgia school, it GHSA.tv has sort of revolutionized the manner in which spreads out so we’ve got a AAAA region right now that the average high school fan gets their sports. Talk about stretches from Brunswick to Athens, and one that goes from the significance of this change and where do you see it Bainbridge to Columbus and over to Warner Robins. We’re going in the future? going to try between now and the 12th to find some solutions I think it’s been a long uphill struggle, because there are still to getting that down. some states that do not allow much in the way of rebroadcast- ing or live broadcasting of their events. The theory is that if According to the new reclassification, there are a number you let people stay at home and watch it, even on a tape delay of schools that will play up. What’s your philosophy on at a later time, on demand, they won’t pay the money and allowing schools to choose their classifications in this way? come to the game. We’ve just not found that to be true. It’s This has been a part of the Georgia High School Association probably true on certain nights when it’s cold and rainy and from the very beginning. I can’t tell you what the reason was you’d just rather stay home. But by and large, our fan base originally. I think what’s happening now is that some school will go where the game is. So the GHSA feels very secure in districts are saying, “if we put all our schools in the school saying that people not only want to see events one time, district and play in the same classification, then we’re going they’d like to see them again. They can use it for gifts, they to have less travel.” And that’s what happened in AAAAA. can archive it at home and show it again. There are a lot of So, with a large number of schools in the Savannah area, their positives to it. And I think we feel very good about being kind travel goes to Hinesville and to Camden County, and that’s of out front with a few other states to try and do such a thing. much more manageable. If they were playing in AA and AAA and AAAA, then their travel would be a whole lot more. With things like GHSA.tv, are you concerned that high school athletics will take on a more big-business feel, like The plan is to switch to a four-year realignment cycle, college and professional sports? but I’ve heard rumblings that you’re still looking at the Yes, I am. I think that’s one of the things that we’ve got to two-year cycle … deal with is, how can we stay true to the philosophies of high The reclassification committee has a proposal with the full school athletics and enhance those philosophies by provid- committee at the January meeting to stay with the two-year ing access to corporate partners and media exposure? I have 38 real concerns about collegiate recruiting issues, identifying The State House passed a law last year which allows for cer- blue chip athletes and that sort of thing. We want to make sure tain ways in which students can transfer for academic purpos- that we don’t ever lose track that the bulk of people that high es. The law very specifically stated that it did not carry with it school athletics are for are just the average students who enjoy athletic eligibility and that was a difficult thing. The legisla- the benefit that comes from athletic participation. We all are ture made it clear and we made it clear, but there were still a really happy when we have certain ones that achieve at the col- number of families who didn’t get the word and were disap- legiate or even the professional or Olympic level, but those are pointed because they thought they could change schools and not the main people that we ought to be geared for. We ought the student would be eligible. School choice issues will con- to be geared for all students, from the world-class athlete down tinue to pose significant problems for eligibility. We found this to what we used to call the 20-20 kid; that’s the kid that plays in a number of other states, where the legislature has come in the last 20 seconds of the game when his team is either 20 up with school-choice laws and the state had to completely or 20 down, but who is benefiting from that experience. So revamp its eligibility rules to allow transfers. So we are work- we’re trying to walk that fine line to make sure that high school ing through that and trying to keep it as balanced as we can. sports don’t get bigger than the whole educational process. Running a business or organization as large as the GHSA is Talk about the state finals and the fact that you now have as much about looking toward the future as it is about main- central locations for just about all of the sports. Do you taining day-to-day operations. Tell us what’s on the horizon see any drawbacks to that? at the GHSA and what the future there will look like. I guess the only challenges are securing the places and having You’re absolutely right, and that may be one of the biggest our office spend a lot of time and effort being administrators challenges we have. Sometimes oiling the machine and keep- for those types of things. In terms of the actual competition, ing it running gets in the way of trying to plan for the future. it really makes sense. And as I tend to tell people, we’re vic- I think that we have a very good executive committee which tims of our own success in football, basketball, and baseball is looking down the road for academic issues, and we’re look- now, and all the other sports. We’re getting so many people ing down the road for the different sport issues. I think our who want to come to our playoff events, and most schools staff is better educated, we travel to national meetings with have not historically had and cannot afford now to develop the National Federation of High School Associations, and we the facilities that make it feasible to host these big events. interact with our counterparts from all the other states plus the And we have schools in, say, football who want to spend District of Columbia. So we are becoming aware of what the money on artificial turf, which is OK, or three-story-high trends are that are out there, legal trends and sports trends. scoreboards, which is OK too, but they don’t want to put And what we try to do in this office is see if we can keep mov- more seats in so they can have an adequate place to hold these ing forward and where we need to go. If it’s working and events in the playoffs. We’re just working in that area to make doesn’t need change, we don’t want to change it. But if things sure that we can have good venues for these events. need to be changed, we need to be proactive. Janovitz can be reached at [email protected]. Last year was a success with all the football finals being played in the Georgia Dome for the first time. What can fans expect for the ‘09 version of “Championship Weekend?” I think there’s a good blend this year. Taking a look at the playoff field and for the semifinals, there’s a good blend of people that have never played at the Dome and people who are old hands at it. It always seems that when we get a couple of new schools in the Dome, there’s a new energy involved. I think everybody appreciates playing in the Dome, but I think the first time for your fan base and your players and your coaches is a phenomenal experience. There were a number of football teams, for instance, that were forced to forfeit games. How do you counsel the schools on keeping their athletes eligible? This year, the GHSA developed three online clinics for eligi- bility. One had to do with academic eligibility policies, one for transfer eligibility policies, and one was for the proce- dures for filing and keeping up with those kinds of things. So we try to make sure that all our schools are well aware of the eligibility guidelines. And that’s sort of a problem. Sometimes some of the people that handle the grades don’t know anything or don’t care anything about athletics. And of course transfer eligibility situations are becoming so compli- cated that it really takes a lot of work to really watch it. And then basically you’re at the mercy of the integrity of the peo- ple involved. We have cases where sometimes these people do not give all the trust to the schools and the schools rely on those people, and then they get into trouble. We hate it that people have to pay the penalty for not following those rules, but those rules are in place in order to keep a competitive bal- ance for all of our 400-plus schools. There is a bill under consideration that states kids can transfer within their school district to any school of their choosing without penalizing eligibility. Talk about that … 39 CHEERLEADING AAAAA – Mill Creek GHSA STATE AAAA – Northgate AAA – Johns Creek FALL CHAMPIONS AA – Calhoun A – Commerce CO-ED – Peachtree Ridge

CROSS COUNTRY – BOYS AAAAA – Brookwood Kirubel Erassa, Grayson, 15:09.19 AAAA – Marist D’Andre Smalley, Westside, Augusta, 16:27.90 AAA – Flowery Branch Nathan Vassey, Woodward Academy, 15:35.95 AA – Westminster Leonel Ayala, Cross Keys, 16:22.44 A – Wesleyan Luke Baker, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, 15:51.67

CROSS COUNTRY – GIRLS AAAAA – North Gwinnett Nicky Akande, Collins Hill, 17:55.01 AAAA – Marist Anna Bowles, Lakeside, Evans, 18:28.59 AAA – St. Pius X Allie Buchalski, Johns Creek, 18:28.18 Marist cross country swept Pope defeated Walton for its the Class AAAA championships. first-ever volleyball state title. AA – Westminster Sahara Fletcher, Westminster, 19:02.86 A – Our Lady of Mercy Lindy Long, Landmark Christian, 19:02.74

SOFTBALL AAAAA – Collins Hill AAAA – Marist AAA – Columbus AA – Buford A – Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy Anna Bowles won the Class AAAA individual girls cross VOLLEYBALL country title and helped Lakside, The Buford softball team won its third consecutive Class AA AAAAA – Pope Evans to a runner-up finish. state championship. AAAA – Whitewater AAA – Woodward Academy AA/A – Wesleyan

ONE-ACT PLAYS Class AAAAA – Norcross High School – “Lost in Yonkers” Class AAAA – Harlem High School – “Tuesdays with Morrie” Class AAA – Perry High School – “Wiley and the Hairy Man” Class AA – Pierce County High School – “Effects of Gamma Ray on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds” Mill Creek won its second straight cheerleading title in Class AAAAA. The cheerleading finals took place at Class A – Brookstone School – the Columbus Civic Center on Nov. 13-14. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” 40 THE GACA HALL OF FAME

he Georgia Athletic Coaches Association was established in 1938 for the advancement of athletics in Georgia and is dedicated to high school coaches in the State of Georgia. The association established the Georgia Athletic Coaches TAssociation’s Hall of Fame in the year 2000, with the purpose of honoring and preserving high school coaches’ accomplish- ments and to educate and inspire future generations. The Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton, has been recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dalton and the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners as the official and permanent site for the Georgia Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. The Georgia High School Association has also endorsed the GACA Hall of Fame as the official Georgia High School Coaches Hall of Fame. Annually, there is a Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame reception, awards banquet and golf tourna- ment. During the Hall of Fame banquet, inductees and their families are honored. For more GACA information please contact Terry Rogers at 770-578-6366 or [email protected], or visit www.gacacoach.com.

Every year the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association holds a Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the spring. The photos above are from last year’s ceremony and are courtesy of Steve Froehle of Carolina Sports, Inc.

Wright Bazemore Football Graham Hixon Jr. Football Charlie Horne Football D.B. Carroll Basketball Terry Holder Baseball Milt Miller Football Al Carson Basketball Nick Hyder Football Arthur Mott Football Glenn Cassell Basketball Jack Keen Track Harry Ward Track Bill Chappell Football Dwight Keith Founder Herman Hudson Golf Wayman Creel Football Paul Koshewa Track Marcia Ward Volleyball Charlie Davidson Football Ray Lamb Football Bobby Gruhn Football R.L. “Shorty” Doyal Football Harry Lloyd Baseball Oliver Hunnicutt Football Jerry Frasier Track Dan Pitts Football Ken Ross Basketball Richard Gentry Football Harold Lee Scott Basketball Jerry Sharp Football Forrest Gilbreath Baseball Dick Shrewsbury Basketball Lawrence Graves Track Johnny Stallings Wrestling CLASS OF 2009 Charlie Grisham Football Eric Staples Basketball Cook Holliday Track Keith Hage Wrestling Bud Theodocion Baseball Jim Hughes Football Billy Hall Track Hayden Wagers Golf George Maloof Football John Hawkins Basketball Samuel Williams Golf Calvin Jones Basketball William “Billy” Henderson Football Buck Buchanan Baseball Larry Gaither Golf Jimmy Hightower Football W.B. Bearden Basketball Graham Woodell Basketball

41

CLASS AAAAA: COOPERATIVE SPIRIT Region 1 Tift County High School Region 3 Camden County High School SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Region 4 Newnan High School Region 5 Etowah High School Region 6 Milton High School eorgia High School Association (GHSA) and Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Region 7 Duluth High School (GEMC) have named the 37 GHSA-member high schools to receive the 2009 GEMC Region 8 GCooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award, honoring exemplary sportsmanship demonstrated dur- Dacula High School ing the 2008-09 school year. “We congratulate these high schools for their outstanding sportsmanship,” said Dr. Ralph CLASS AAAA: Swearngin, GHSA Executive Director. “School-based athletics should be an extension of the Region 1 Jones County High School classroom in providing lessons that last for the student’s lifetime. Sportsmanship is really noth- Region 2 ing more than good citizenship expressed in athletic events, and that is an important life lesson.” Glynn Academy Sponsored by GHSA and Georgia’s EMCs, the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards Region 3 Westside High School, Augusta program was introduced in 2006 to honor GHSA member schools that exhibit outstanding sports- Region 4 Alcovy High School manship. The awards program is designed to promote sportsmanship by honoring those who do it well, reinforcing GHSA’s philosophy: “Student athletes, coaches, spectators, and all others Region 5 Northgate High School associated with high school activities programs should adhere to the fundamental values of Region 6 Forsyth Central High School respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility.” Region 7 The program honors student athletes along with fellow students, school staff, parents and Allatoona High School game spectators, making the award not only a school but a community honor. Region 8 Monroe Area High School The Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards are presented annually to GHSA member high schools in the 40 regions in all five classifications. Region GHSA secretaries select winners CLASS AAA: based on sportsmanship demonstrated during the year. Region 1 Representatives from the EMCs have presented sportsmanship trophies to winning high Cairo High School schools within their service territories at presentations during fall athletic events. Region 2 Northside High School, Columbus A voluntary organization composed of more than 400 public and private high schools, the Region 3 Washington County High School Georgia High School Association strives to promote good sportsmanship and a cooperative spir- Region 4 it among its member schools. Eagle’s Landing High School Georgia EMC is a statewide trade organization representing the state’s 42 EMCs, Region 5 St. Pius X High School Oglethorpe Power Corporation and Georgia Transmission Corporation Through a statewide net- Region 6 Heritage High School, Catoosa work, Georgia’s EMCs provide electricity and related services to four million people, nearly half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area. Georgia’s 42 electric member- Region 7 West Forsyth High School ship cooperatives serve more customers than any other state network of EMCs in the nation. Region 8 Jackson County High School/ GHSA Sportsmanship Statement Oconee County High School “The GHSA and its member schools have made a commitment to promote good sportsman- ship by student/athletes, coaches and spectators at all GHSA sanctioned events. Profanity, CLASS AA: degrading remarks and intimidating actions directed at officials or competitors will not be tol- Region 1 Early County High School erated, and are grounds for removal from the event site. Spectators are not allowed to enter the Region 2 competition area during warm-ups or while the contest is being conducted. Thank you for your Charlton County High School cooperation in the promotion of good sportsmanship at today’s event.” Region 3 Screven County High School Region 4 Northeast High School, Macon Region 5 Manchester High School Region 6 Decatur High School Region 7 Rockmart High School Region 8 Rabun County High School CLASS A: Region 1 Ware County Magnet High School Region 2 Schley County High School Region 3 Metter High School Region 4 Washington-Wilkes High School Region 5 Our Lady of Mercy High School Region 6 Mt. Zion High School, Carroll Region 7 Providence Christian School Washington County High School (pictured left) won the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Region 8 Award for Region 3-AAA, and St. Pius X High School (pictured right) won in Region 5-AAA. Tallulah Falls High School 43

YEAR AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A B C 1947 - - - Lanier - - - 1948 - - - Lanier Fitzgerald West Point Fort Valley 1949 - - - Brown Decatur Adel Quitman S 1950 - - - Decatur Rockmart West Point Quitman 1951 - - - Richmond Acad. Valdosta Cordele Forest Park 1952 - - - Murphy Valdosta Loganville Calhoun

R 1953 - - - Grady Valdosta Model Hawkinsville 1954 - - - Rossville Jesup Model Hawkinsville 1955 - - - TIE-Rossville/ Athens Morgan County Monticello

E LaGrange 1956 - - Richmond Acad. Valdosta TIE-Carrollton/ Morgan County Monticello Statesboro 1957 - - Northside, Atl. Valdosta Statesboro Trion Waynesboro

N 1958 - - LaGrange TIE-Avondale/ Stephens County Morgan County West Point Thomasville 1959 - - Albany Wayne County Dublin Morgan County Hawkinsville 1960 - - Valdosta Waycross Dublin Washington-Wilkes Lincolnton N 1961 - - Valdosta Waycross Carrollton Fort Valley Coosa 1962 - - Valdosta Rossville Americus Morgan County Lincolnton I 1963 - - Avondale Cedartown Dublin Washington-Wilkes Lincolnton 1964 - - Glynn Academy Douglas County Carrollton Blakely Davis 1965 - - Valdosta West Rome Americus Bradwell Institute Warren County 1966 - - Valdosta North Fulton Statesboro Washington-Wilkes Warren County W 1967 - - Marietta Dalton Thomson Washington-Wilkes Putnam County 1968 - - Valdosta St. Pius X Thomson Roswell Warren County 1969 - - TIE-Athens/ North Springs Coosa Vidalia Sav. Co. Day ’ Valdosta 1970 - - Lakeside Woodward Acad. Roswell Lovett Mt. de Sales 1971 - - Valdosta Westminster Carrollton Bowdon Mt. de Sales

S 1972 - - Lakeside Southwest DeKalb Carrollton Southeast Bulloch - 1973 - - Thomasville Southwest Atlanta Mt. de Sales Southeast Bulloch - 1974 - - Thomasville Americus Carrollton Trion - 1975 - - Central, Macon Americus Irwin County Lyons - R 1976 - - Warner Robins Avondale Turner County Lincoln County - 1977 - - Clarke Central Waycross East Rome Lincoln County - 1978 - TIE-Griffin/ Westminster East Rome Buford - -

A Valdosta 1979 - Clarke Central Redan Model Johnson County - - 1980 - Lowndes Woodward Acad. Mary Persons Greenville --

E 1981 - Warner Robins Waycross Commerce Douglass, Montezuma - - 1982 - Valdosta Bainbridge West Rome Palmetto - - 1983 - Tift County Mitchell-Baker West Rome Palmetto - -

Y 1984 - Valdosta Thomson West Rome Greenville - - 1985 - Clarke Central Thomson West Rome Lincoln County - -

1986 - Valdosta Villa Rica Central, Carrollton Lincoln County - - 1987 - Morrow Worth County Central, Carrollton Lincoln County - - 1988 - Warner Robins Thomasville R.E. Lee Clinch County - -

S 1989 - Valdosta Marist Mitchell-Baker Lincoln County - - 1990 - Valdosta Cairo Pepperell Lincoln County - - 1991 - LaGrange TIE-Kendrick/ Cartersville Clinch County - - Lakeside, DeKalb

U 1992 - Valdosta Thomas Co. Cntrl. Mitchell-Baker Bowdon - - 1993 - Dunwoody Thomas Co. Cntrl. Greene-Taliaferro Lincoln County - - 1994 - Colquitt Co. Thomas Co. Cntrl. Washington County Brooks County - - 1995 - SW DeKalb Josey Elbert County Lincoln County - - O 1996 - Brookwood Thomas Co. Cntrl. Washington Co. Macon County - - 1997 - Parkview Thomas Co. Cntrl. Washington Co. Manchester - - I 1998 - Valdosta Dougherty Carrollton Darlington - - 1999 - Lowndes Oconee County Cartersville Charlton County - - 2000 Parkview Shaw Swainsboro Americus Commerce - - V 2001 Parkview Statesboro LaGrange Americus Buford - - 2002 Parkview Thomson Screven County Buford Clinch County - - 2003 Camden Co. Marist LaGrange Buford Hawkinsville - -

E 2004 Lowndes Warner Robins LaGrange Charlton County TIE-Hawkinsville/ - - Clinch Co. 2005 Lowndes Statesboro Peach County Charlton County Lincoln County - - TIE-P’tree Ridge/ Northside WR Peach County TIE-Charlton Co./ Lincoln County - -

R 2006 Roswell Dublin 2007 Lowndes Northside WR Carver, Columbus Buford Emanuel Co. Inst. - - 2008 Camden County Tucker Cairo Buford Wesleyan - - P 45