The Columbus High volleyball team finds themselves in a new position.
It's not a surprise that the Lady Blue Devils won three matches on Saturday to advance to the Class AAA final four.
And it shouldn't be a surprise that Columbus earned the top seed in the final four. But it is. Even though Columbus has been the ranked No. 1 throughout the season, it's hard to believe that the Blue Devils have made strides as quickly as they have.
Last year, they made their first-ever final four appearance and were seeded fourth. This year, they are the favorites.
Columbus will play Oconee County at 7 p.m. Thursday at Woodstock, while Sandy Creek will play Westminster in the other semifinal at 5.
Columbus only started its volleyball program five years ago, and now they are one of the best in the state.
Columbus coach Donna Fleming deserves a lot of the credit for that. She has created a volleyball culture at Columbus. And the players have bought into program and worked hard to get to this level.
It will be interesting to see how Columbus responds to being the frontrunner. That has never bothered the Blue Devils in region play, but this is a different level.
Columbus will try to become only the second public school to win the AAA state championship. Riverwood won the title in 2001.
The Blue Devils also will try to become the first school from outside of greater Atlanta area to win the AAA title.
The only question left is can they do it?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Virtually a lock
With Harris County knocking off Troup last week the Tigers' chances of making the playoffs are very good.
They have two losses, while Troup has three. So if Harris County wins two of its final three, the Tigers are in as they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Also Troup still has to play LaGrange the last week of the season. Harris County still has to play Carver, Columbus High and Kendrick.
There is a scenario where Harris County wins two of their final three games and still misses the playoffs.
If Harris County beats Columbus and Kendrick, the Tigers will finish 7-3. If Troup wins their final four games, including beat LaGrange in the finale, the Tigers will finish 7-3.
If LaGrange losses to Shaw, Carver and Troup, the Grangers will finish 7-3.
They would all have 1-1 records against the other two. The next tiebreaker is point differential against the other two. If Troup beats LaGrange by 36 or more, Troup would have the best point differential, giving them a the third seed in the region.
LaGrange would get the fourth seed as it beat Harris County.
It could happen. But the chances are slim.
They have two losses, while Troup has three. So if Harris County wins two of its final three, the Tigers are in as they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Also Troup still has to play LaGrange the last week of the season. Harris County still has to play Carver, Columbus High and Kendrick.
There is a scenario where Harris County wins two of their final three games and still misses the playoffs.
If Harris County beats Columbus and Kendrick, the Tigers will finish 7-3. If Troup wins their final four games, including beat LaGrange in the finale, the Tigers will finish 7-3.
If LaGrange losses to Shaw, Carver and Troup, the Grangers will finish 7-3.
They would all have 1-1 records against the other two. The next tiebreaker is point differential against the other two. If Troup beats LaGrange by 36 or more, Troup would have the best point differential, giving them a the third seed in the region.
LaGrange would get the fourth seed as it beat Harris County.
It could happen. But the chances are slim.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
Region 2-AAA softball updates
Columbus 4, Troup 0 after five innings
The Lady Blue Devils scored four runs on five straight hits in the second inning.
Northside 2, LaGrange 1 after four innings
The Lady Blue Devils scored four runs on five straight hits in the second inning.
Northside 2, LaGrange 1 after four innings
Report cards coming
Much like many of the students in the Bi-City area that are preparing for mid-semester exams, we'll hand out mid-year grades for all the football teams.
We'll take into account the good, the bad and the average performances during the first six weeks.
Some of the grades will surprise you, but we're not as harsh as that math teacher that refuses to round that 89.49 to an A.
And those teams that don't get a good grade have five weeks left in the season to change it. Before long, the playoffs will be here.
We'll take into account the good, the bad and the average performances during the first six weeks.
Some of the grades will surprise you, but we're not as harsh as that math teacher that refuses to round that 89.49 to an A.
And those teams that don't get a good grade have five weeks left in the season to change it. Before long, the playoffs will be here.
Week 6 leaders
Rushing
Jacquise Terry, Pacelli - The senior rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns against Schley County.
Wesley Kiggins, Brookstone - The senior fullback had 159 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against Greenville.
Devin Lewis, Carver - Lewis had 11 carries for 157 yards against Troup. He scored on a 93-yard touchdown.
Orwin Smith Central - The junior led the Red Devils with 156 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Jimmy Walton, Central - Walton rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against Dothan.
Sean Jeppeson, Harris County - Jeppeson led the Tigers with 113 yards rushing on 17 carries. He scored two touchdowns.
Marcus Woods, Glenwood - Woods led the Gators with 108 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Demarcris Wilson, Harris County - Wilson had 105 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Alan Rothschild, Brookstone - The Cougars running back had 102 yards on eight carries. He had a 75-yard tocuhdown.
Cody Dykes, Glenwood - The Gators fullback rushed for two touchdowns, including a 54-yarder.
Kyle Griswould, Shaw - The junior had 70 yards and tow touchdowns on seven carries against Kendrick.
Passing
DeRon Furr, Carver - Furr had 145 yards passing and 81 yards rushing in the 36-7 win against Troup. He threw two touchdowns.
Greg Bingham, Columbus - The sophomore quarterback threw a pair of 50-yard touchdowns as the Blue Devils won their first game of the season.
Jacorey Battle, Russell County - The Warriors quarterback had 97 yards passing and 73 yards rushing. Battle also scored Russell County's only touchdown.
Receiving
Darrell Beckley, Columbus - Beckley caught a 50-yard touchdown and returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown.
Jacquise Terry, Pacelli - The senior rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns against Schley County.
Wesley Kiggins, Brookstone - The senior fullback had 159 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against Greenville.
Devin Lewis, Carver - Lewis had 11 carries for 157 yards against Troup. He scored on a 93-yard touchdown.
Orwin Smith Central - The junior led the Red Devils with 156 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Jimmy Walton, Central - Walton rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against Dothan.
Sean Jeppeson, Harris County - Jeppeson led the Tigers with 113 yards rushing on 17 carries. He scored two touchdowns.
Marcus Woods, Glenwood - Woods led the Gators with 108 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Demarcris Wilson, Harris County - Wilson had 105 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Alan Rothschild, Brookstone - The Cougars running back had 102 yards on eight carries. He had a 75-yard tocuhdown.
Cody Dykes, Glenwood - The Gators fullback rushed for two touchdowns, including a 54-yarder.
Kyle Griswould, Shaw - The junior had 70 yards and tow touchdowns on seven carries against Kendrick.
Passing
DeRon Furr, Carver - Furr had 145 yards passing and 81 yards rushing in the 36-7 win against Troup. He threw two touchdowns.
Greg Bingham, Columbus - The sophomore quarterback threw a pair of 50-yard touchdowns as the Blue Devils won their first game of the season.
Jacorey Battle, Russell County - The Warriors quarterback had 97 yards passing and 73 yards rushing. Battle also scored Russell County's only touchdown.
Receiving
Darrell Beckley, Columbus - Beckley caught a 50-yard touchdown and returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Region 2-AAA softball tournament
These is the seeding for the 2-AAA tournament that starts on Monday at South Commons. The top four teams will advance to the Class AAA South Sectional.
The seeding:
1. Harris County
2. Hardaway
3. Northside
4. Columbus
5. Troup
6. LaGrange
Schedule for Monday
Northside plays LaGrange, 4 p.m.
Columbus plays Troup, 4 p.m.
Northside-LaGrange winner plays Hardaway, 6 p.m.
Columbus-Troup winner plays Harris County, 6 p.m.
The seeding:
1. Harris County
2. Hardaway
3. Northside
4. Columbus
5. Troup
6. LaGrange
Schedule for Monday
Northside plays LaGrange, 4 p.m.
Columbus plays Troup, 4 p.m.
Northside-LaGrange winner plays Hardaway, 6 p.m.
Columbus-Troup winner plays Harris County, 6 p.m.
Mid-season awards
As we approach the mid-point of the season I thought it would be interesting to take a quick look at who could win some awards if it was the end of the season.
This is just one person's take after the first five weeks of the season.
(DISCLAIMER: If the season ended today, this isn't necessarily how the awards would go. Before any awards are selected there is a selection process that takes place.)
I have seen some good things and some bad things. I won't just name the standard awards -- offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year and coach of the year -- there will be some others.
So here goes:
BIGGEST SURPRISE
There were a lot of teams that could have won this award. I will start with a team that hasn't done as well as I thought. I didn't expect Northside to make the playoffs this season, but I thought the Patriots could have a couple of wins already. I didn't forecast an 0-4 start for the Patriots.
Next, I thought that Pacelli was going to be good. I saw them beat Turner County in the second round of the Class A playoffs, so I knew they were good. I wasn't quite sure that the Vikings would start 4-0. Seeing them last week and even though they didn't play their best, I expect them to start the season 9-0. Pacelli will then have a chance to complete an unbeaten regular season with a win against Brookstone.
The winner: Spencer. The Greenwaves are 3-2 and are capable of winning a couple more games this season. This is the first time since 1997 that Spencer won three games in a season.
BEST TEAM
After beating Shaw during the second week of the season, there is no doubt who is the best team in the Bi-City.
Until Carver loses, the Tigers are the best team around. Period.
Next award.
CAPABLE OF WINNING A REGION TITLE
Region 2-AAA -- Carver -- The Tigers will win the region with a win against Troup and LaGrange.
Shaw -- the Raiders need a win against LaGrange, and the Grangers to beat Carver. That would create a three-team tie. If that happens they have a chance to earn the No. 1 seed.
Region 4-A -- Brookstone -- The Cougars need to beat Schley County, Chattahoochee County and Pacelli.
Pacelli -- The Vikings have to beat Schley County and Brookstone.
COACH OF THE YEAR
This is was probably the easiest one to decide at this point in the season. Spencer coach Oliver Davis has done the best coaching job through five games.
Before the season, most wouldn't have given Spencer more than one win this season. Davis and the Greenwaves already have won three games.
If he wins four or five games, Davis will be in the discussion at the end of the season.
Also deserving consideration: Jeff Battles, Pacelli; Dell McGee, Carver; Scott Newman, Shaw.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
This one might be a surprise to some, but he has gotten it done on the field -- Spencer's Derrick Walker. The senior defensive back has made five interceptions and has returned three of them for touchdowns.
It's this simple: Walker has made plays.
In a year when there isn't a clear-cut frontrunner, Walker is quickly becoming that player.
Also deserving consideration: James McGee, Hardaway; Brandon Shannon, Shaw; Sammy Oates, Pacelli.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
I got the chance to see flashes of what he could do last season in a limited role. But Shaw's Kyle Griswould has been unstoppable during the first half of the season.
He has rushed for 100 yards in every game this season and is averaging 9.3 yards per carry. In addition to his 745 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, he has 10 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
He's been the most productive player in the Bi-City.
Also deserving consideration: Orwin Smith, Central; Jacquise Terry, Pacelli; Stuart Wilkerson, Pacelli.
We'll see what happens in the second half. Let me know your picks for offensive and defensive player of the year.
This is just one person's take after the first five weeks of the season.
(DISCLAIMER: If the season ended today, this isn't necessarily how the awards would go. Before any awards are selected there is a selection process that takes place.)
I have seen some good things and some bad things. I won't just name the standard awards -- offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year and coach of the year -- there will be some others.
So here goes:
BIGGEST SURPRISE
There were a lot of teams that could have won this award. I will start with a team that hasn't done as well as I thought. I didn't expect Northside to make the playoffs this season, but I thought the Patriots could have a couple of wins already. I didn't forecast an 0-4 start for the Patriots.
Next, I thought that Pacelli was going to be good. I saw them beat Turner County in the second round of the Class A playoffs, so I knew they were good. I wasn't quite sure that the Vikings would start 4-0. Seeing them last week and even though they didn't play their best, I expect them to start the season 9-0. Pacelli will then have a chance to complete an unbeaten regular season with a win against Brookstone.
The winner: Spencer. The Greenwaves are 3-2 and are capable of winning a couple more games this season. This is the first time since 1997 that Spencer won three games in a season.
BEST TEAM
After beating Shaw during the second week of the season, there is no doubt who is the best team in the Bi-City.
Until Carver loses, the Tigers are the best team around. Period.
Next award.
CAPABLE OF WINNING A REGION TITLE
Region 2-AAA -- Carver -- The Tigers will win the region with a win against Troup and LaGrange.
Shaw -- the Raiders need a win against LaGrange, and the Grangers to beat Carver. That would create a three-team tie. If that happens they have a chance to earn the No. 1 seed.
Region 4-A -- Brookstone -- The Cougars need to beat Schley County, Chattahoochee County and Pacelli.
Pacelli -- The Vikings have to beat Schley County and Brookstone.
COACH OF THE YEAR
This is was probably the easiest one to decide at this point in the season. Spencer coach Oliver Davis has done the best coaching job through five games.
Before the season, most wouldn't have given Spencer more than one win this season. Davis and the Greenwaves already have won three games.
If he wins four or five games, Davis will be in the discussion at the end of the season.
Also deserving consideration: Jeff Battles, Pacelli; Dell McGee, Carver; Scott Newman, Shaw.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
This one might be a surprise to some, but he has gotten it done on the field -- Spencer's Derrick Walker. The senior defensive back has made five interceptions and has returned three of them for touchdowns.
It's this simple: Walker has made plays.
In a year when there isn't a clear-cut frontrunner, Walker is quickly becoming that player.
Also deserving consideration: James McGee, Hardaway; Brandon Shannon, Shaw; Sammy Oates, Pacelli.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
I got the chance to see flashes of what he could do last season in a limited role. But Shaw's Kyle Griswould has been unstoppable during the first half of the season.
He has rushed for 100 yards in every game this season and is averaging 9.3 yards per carry. In addition to his 745 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, he has 10 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
He's been the most productive player in the Bi-City.
Also deserving consideration: Orwin Smith, Central; Jacquise Terry, Pacelli; Stuart Wilkerson, Pacelli.
We'll see what happens in the second half. Let me know your picks for offensive and defensive player of the year.
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