BY JAMES BUTLER he 2008 high-school football season has finally kicked off in Georgia, but the action Northview after a successful one-year stint at Chamblee; Chip Lindsey, the former offen- Toff the field has been non-stop since the end of last season. Nearly 100 schools hired sive coordinator at Hoover (Ala.) who brings his high-flying passing attack to Lassiter; and a new coach this past offseason, and some of the state’s biggest names in coaching have Lindsey’s former boss at Hoover, Rush Propst, who takes over at Colquitt County. decided to move to another school or walk away from the game. After compil- ing 219 wins in 24 seasons at McEachern (236 wins in 27 seasons overall), STIFF COMPETITION … Jimmy Dorsey decided to retire from coaching (but remains the school’s ath- Coaches were not the only facet of Georgia high-school football in transition – letic director), while Ed Pilcher left Thomas County Central and the five state teams were as well. If Class 5A’s Region 1 was a beast before, it is undoubtedly Godzilla championships he won there to become the new head coach of Bainbridge. now that Northside-Warner Robins has joined the region. The two-time defending Class The sidelines of Coweta Field will not look the same this season because, 4A champ—currently riding a 30-game win streak—will now participate in the for the first time since 1989, Danny Cronic will not be roaming them. The 29- state’s largest classification and must compete with the likes of Valdosta, year veteran of coaching high-school football in Georgia decided to retire. Tim Coffee, Tift County and reigning 5A champion Lowndes just to make the McFarlin left Roswell after winning 32 games over the last three seasons, includ- playoffs. This is familiar territory for the War Eagles, however, as they ing a share of the state title in 2006, and having never had a losing season in his 10 made a couple of appearances in the state semifinals when they formerly years as head coach. Also stepping away is Jimmy Chupp from Greater Atlanta competed against the big boys. Christian; in nine seasons at GAC, he averaged nearly 10 wins per season and reached Class 5A’s Region 7 is one of the top regions in the state, as North the state championship game once. Fulton’s Chattahoochee and Northview join a region already populated by Class 4A state runner-up Ware County no longer has Dan Ragle at the helm of North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge and Norcross. And Westminster fought many its program, so it will be interesting to see how the Gators’ new head coach John battles as a former member of Class 3A, so a move down to 2A should be a Stephens handles one of the state’s most talented teams. Stephens is no rookie—his first breeze, right? Well, not when their new Region 6 mates include the two teams head coaching job came back in 1969—but he has only six winning seasons in his 20- that played for last year’s 2A state title in Buford and Lovett. plus years of coaching. He retired in 2001, but later came out of retirement to become Pictured left is Jim Showfety, courtesy of Chris Smith/Chamblee High School. Ware County’s running-backs coach, and now finds himself as a head coach once more. Cover photos of (clockwise from top) Prince Kent, Philip Lutzenkirchen and Joe Scott Some other interesting new coaches to follow are Jim Showfety, who takes over are courtesy of Photographic Arts. Butler can be reached at [email protected]. CLASS 5A 8. Habersham Central (Region 8) 5. Fitzgerald (Region 1) 1. Lowndes (Region 1) 9. Griffin (Region 4) 6. Calhoun (Region 7) 2. Camden County (Region 3) 10. Cedar Shoals (Region 8) 7. Pepperell (Region 7) 3. Northside-WR (Region 1) CLASS 3A 8. Henry County (Region 4) 4. North Gwinnett (Region 7) 1. Carver-Columbus (Region 2) 5. Peachtree Ridge (Region 7) 9. Greater Atlanta Christian (Region 6) 2. Cairo (Region 1)* 10. Lovett (Region 6) 6. Newnan (Region 4) 3. LaGrange (Region 2) 7. Norcross (Region 7) 4. Stephens County (Region 8) CLASS A 8. Walton (Region 6) 5. Flowery Branch (Region 7) 9. Grayson (Region 8) 1. Emanuel County Institute (Region 3) 6. Shaw (Region 2) 2. Clinch County (Region 1) 10. Valdosta (Region 1) 7. North Hall (Region 7) 3. Lincoln County (Region 7) CLASS 4A 8. Perry (Region 1) 9. St. Pius X (Region 5) 4. Brookstone (Region 4) 1. Ware County (Region 2) 5. Athens Academy (Region 8) 2. Tucker (Region 6) 10. Carver-Atlanta (Region 5) 6. Wilcox County (Region 2) 3. Thomas County Central (Region 1) CLASS 2A 4. Chamblee (Region 6) 1. Buford (Region 6) 7. Bremen (Region 6) 5. Rome (Region 7) 2. Dublin (Region 3) 8. Savannah Christian (Region 3) 6. Bainbridge (Region 1)* 3. Charlton County (Region 2) 9. Wesleyan (Region 8) 7. Whitewater (Region 5) 4. Thomasville (Region 1) 10. Darlington (Region 6) *Results of Monday night’s Bainbridge–Cairo matchup were unavailable at press time. THE ALL-SCORE TEAM: OFFENSE QB – Zach Mettenberger, Sr., Oconee Co. – The Georgia commit has the arm strength and poise to be a star on the next level. Will try to improve his team’s 4-7 record from ‘07. RB – Washaun Ealey, Sr., ECI – Ealey is capable of eclipsing the numbers he put up during his 2007 cam- paign, when he broke the record for rushing touchdowns in a season (58). RB – D.J. Adams, Sr., Norcross – More of a bruiser than a burner, Adams ran for an impressive 1,462 yards as a junior last season. Also caught two passes for touchdowns. TE – Philip Lutzenkirchen, Sr., Lassiter – Caught 46 balls a year ago, and will be an important pass catcher in new head coach Chip Lindsey’s spread offense. WR – Jamal Patterson, Sr., Henry County – Patterson puts up huge numbers in the Warhawks’ pass- happy offense. He has received more than 40 D-I scholarship offers. RB D.J. Adams WR – Stephen Hill, Sr., Miller Grove – At 6-5, Hill is a great athlete and has the physical advantage over any defensive back trying to cover him. Is also a state-champion long jumper. OL – Johnnie Farms, Sr., Perry – The 6-foot-3 offensive guard makes Perry a contender in Class 3A. Is deciding among offers from a slew of SEC powerhouses. OL – Chris Burnette, Sr., Troup County – Headed to Athens after his senior season, Burnette has outstanding quickness and ath- leticism. Also sports a 4.0 GPA. OL – Andre Harris, Sr., Lovejoy – Absolutely huge at 6-4, 325 pounds, Harris is tremendously ath- letic and a vicious blocker. Committed to Auburn over the summer. OL – Antonio Foster, Sr., Valdosta – Foster has the versatility to play tackle or guard for the Wildcats. Good at using leverage to fight off double and triple teams. OL – Dallas Lee, Sr., Buford – Another future Bulldog, Lee is a two-way lineman for the Wolves. Has great strength and the athleticism to get downfield as a run blocker. OL Dallas Lee K – David Clark, Sr., Warner Robins – A good overall ath- THE ALL-SCORE TEAM: lete, Clark has great range and accuracy for the Demons. P – Chris Ward, Sr., Starr’s Mill – Averaged just under 42 SPECIAL TEAMS yards per punt and gets excellent hangtime. (continued on next page) THE ALL-SCORE TEAM: DEFENSE DE – Emanuel Dieke, Sr., North Clayton – A rangy defender with long arms, Dieke uses his 6-7 frame to fight off blockers and wreak havoc. Committed to Georgia Tech. DE – Abry Jones, Sr., Northside-Warner Robins – The 6-4, 250-pound Jones is explosive and diffi- cult to block. UGA fans can look forward to watching him grow into a tackle in college. DT – Jonathan Martin, Sr., Carver-Columbus – At 6-5, 330, Martin is a space-eater on a stellar Tiger defense. Paired with LB Jarvis Jones, he gives Carver a ferocious front seven. DT – J.C. Lanier, Sr., ECI – A massive run-stuffer in the middle, Lanier also helps pave the way for Washaun Ealey as an offensive lineman. Committed to Georgia Tech. LB – Kevin Minter, Sr., Peachtree Ridge – A hard-hitting middle linebacker with excellent speed, Minter registered 137 tackles last year. Will play for Les Miles at LSU next year. LB – Jarvis Jones, Sr., Carver-Columbus – A great combination of smarts, instincts and raw athletic ability, Georgia’s top-rated player will try to lead his team to a championship repeat. LB Kevin Minter LB – Jonathan Davis, Sr., Tucker – Perhaps the best two-way player in the state (he’s also a running back), the undersized Davis racked up 198 tackles last year as a junior. CB – Branden Smith, Sr., Washington – Last year, this speedster ran the fifth fastest time in Georgia high-school history in the 100 meters (10.5). Is also a receiver and return man for the Bulldogs. CB – Prince Kent, Sr., Norcross – The Miami commit is big (6-3, 195) but has excellent speed for his size. Kent racks up the tackles on defense, but is also a talented receiver. S – Darren Myles, Sr., Carver-Atlanta – A smart player (his father is Carver’s head coach) and sure tackler, Myles is the leader in one of the best secondaries in the state. S – Gerald Demps, Sr., Lowndes – This Florida State-bound player teams with Greg Reid in the defensive backfield to make one fearsome secondary. A great cover man from the safety spot.