Chris Mooneyham

GA HSFB rankings for September 18 and a preview of 680 The Fan’s Friday Night Football

Coming up this week on Life University’s 680 The Fan Friday Night Football Game of the Week…

The Norcross Blue Devils (1-3 record/ Unranked in AAAAAAA) visit the Central Gwinnett Black Knights (3-1 record/ Honorable Mention in AAAAAAA).

So, it begins; region play. This ballgame takes on an entirely different level of importance with the emergence of Meadowcreek and their apparent bid to be a playoff team in 2017. And don’t forget, Brookwood and Parkview are also members of this region. Five really good teams will be battling over the next six weeks for the four automatic qualifying playoff bids.

This Friday night in Lawrenceville will feature strength versus strength.

So far, the big storyline for Norcross head coach Keith Maloof (169-73 record in 22 seasons; 147 wins at Norcross) has been offensive inadequacies, a very good defense and penalties. The Blue Devils are averaging right around nine penalties per game and only 15.5 points per contest. Two weeks ago, they faced North Gwinnett on our airwaves, and it was a typical performance. They showed their toughness; hanging around in a ballgame where mistakes were holding them back. Eventually, the Bulldogs pulled away.

Still the men from Spalding Drive will feature one of the top defensive sides in the state. Seniors Nazir Sy and Darius Barnhill return along the front and form one of the best tandems in the state along the line. And don’t be surprised to look up at season end and find linebacker Terrion Dangerfield with 100-plus tackles.

Meanwhile, Central Gwinnett has the type of offense that will challenge the Blue Devils. Senior quarterback Jarren Williams leads a scoring outfit that averages 27-points-per-game. Not a large number by any means, but when you take into consideration the competition, you find some really good defensive teams: South Gwinnett, Dacula, Roswell and Collins Hill. The University of Kentucky commit is one of the top signal callers in the state and a consensus four-star player.

Head Coach Todd Wofford (8th season with a 37-42 record at CG) also returns a very good, very experienced offensive line in front of Williams. Left tackle Jalen King, right tackle Tyrell Earl and right guard Brandon Joseph all return as starters.

Finally, make no mistake, when the Black Knights field a competitive team, and their fans are at full throat, Tally Johnson Field provides one of the most unique arenas to watch a high school football game in the country. If you have never been over to Lawrenceville and had the chance to take in the scene, the home press box is shaped like a five story castle; literally.

This region has become difficult to predict. Either of these two teams could beat Parkview or Brookwood, who appear to be slightly better on paper. Or, the loser of this contest could find themselves staring down the barrel of a must win game versus Meadowcreek for the number four seed in this region. Or worse.

Make sure to join us live beginning at 7pm on THE FAN 2, 1230 AND 106-3 FM, AND THE FAN 3, 1340 AND 103-7 FM.

 

AAAAAAA

  1. Grayson (3-0)
  2. Lowndes (4-0)
  3. Archer (4-0)
  4. Walton (4-0)
  5. Lassiter (4-0)
  6. Tift County (5-0)
  7. South Forsyth (4-0)
  8. Colquitt County (4-1)
  9. Mill Creek (3-1)
  10. North Gwinnett (3-1)

Honorable Mention: Brookwood (2-2), McEachern (2-2), North Paulding (4-0), Central Gwinnett (3-1), Meadowcreek (4-0)

One of the top stories across the state this year is that of Meadowcreek; who is 4-0 for the first time in program history. Born in 1986, the Mustangs have won only twenty percent of their contests in that time. Region play will be the true test of course. Is it possible the men from Steve Reynolds Boulevard can keep Norcross, Parkview, Brookwood or Central Gwinnett from the playoffs?

 

AAAAAA

  1. Lee County (5-0)
  2. Tucker (3-1)
  3. Mays (3-1)
  4. Northside-Warner Robins (3-1)
  5. Coffee (3-0)
  6. Hughes (3-1)
  7. Harrison (2-2)
  8. Dalton (3-1)
  9. Douglas County (4-0)
  10. Winder Barrow (4-0)

Honorable Mention: Allatoona (2-2), Alpharetta (3-1), Lanier (2-2), Northgate (2-2), Stephenson (2-2)

This has turned into a pretty strong top ten. Or top twenty for that matter. As great of a story as Meadowcreek is in 7A, Douglas County and Winder Barrow are off to tremendous starts in this class. DC is surprising some, but not here. WB on the other hand, had some questions and appears to have answered them. Brock Landis is turning heads as a second-year starter for the Bulldoggs.

 

AAAAA

  1. Rome (3-0)
  2. Stockbridge (4-0)
  3. Carrollton (3-0)
  4. Buford (2-1)
  5. Jones County (4-0)
  6. Warner Robins (4-0)
  7. Starr’s Mill (4-0)
  8. Griffin (4-0)
  9. Bainbridge (3-1)
  10. Carver-Atlanta (3-1)

Honorable Mention: Arabia Mountain (3-1), Clarke Central (3-1), Kell (1-3), Villa Rica (3-1), Wayne County (3-0)

Well, we had the opportunity to see the solar eclipse of GHSA football…a regular season Buford loss! They fall to the top team in South Carolina, South Pointe, and were surprisingly dominated at points. For that reason, they drop two spots as opposed to staying in the two spot. Plus, Carrollton and Stockbridge have impressive early resumes.

 

AAAA

  1. Cartersville (4-0)
  2. Thomson (3-0)
  3. Blessed Trinity (4-1)
  4. Marist (4-0)
  5. Jefferson (3-1)
  6. Ridgeland (4-0)
  7. Woodward Academy (3-1)
  8. Sandy Creek (3-1)
  9. Burke County (4-0)
  10. Troup (4-0)

Honorable Mention: Mary Persons (3-2), Cedartown (4-0), Oconee County (2-1), Northwest Whitfield (3-1), Eastside (3-1)

With the consistency of the Marist War Eagles over the last 30-years, it is nearly impossible for this team to surprise with success. The 2017 version appeared, in preseason, to be down just a bit compared to previous iterations. Yet, here we are, with a team that has defeated two top five caliber squads, an arch rival and another quality opponent.

 

 

 

AAA

  1. Cedar Grove (4-0)
  2. Peach County (3-1)
  3. Greater Atlanta Christian (3-1)
  4. Crisp County (3-0)
  5. Calhoun (3-1)
  6. Monroe Area (4-0)
  7. Union County (4-0)
  8. Bremen (4-0)
  9. Jenkins (3-0)
  10. Morgan County (3-1)

Honorable Mention: Jackson County (3-2), Dawson County (2-1), Adairsville (2-2), Sonoraville (3-1), Liberty County (1-2)

We continue the theme of surprising stories and make our way to Monroe Area. Kevin Reach left is well established (even if down a bit the last few years) program at Collins Hill and moved closer to home by taking the MA job. He convinced talent to stay and boy has it payed off. They aren’t world beaters or state champions yet; but this is a great start for a new head coach trying to set a tone on the program.

 

AA

  1. Benedictine (4-0)
  2. Callaway (4-0)
  3. Hapeville Charter (3-1)
  4. Screven County (3-0)
  5. Rabun County (3-0)
  6. Jefferson County (4-0)
  7. Thomasville (4-0)
  8. Brooks County (3-0)
  9. Elbert County (3-1)
  10. Dodge County (3-0)

Honorable Mention: Heard County (4-1), Toombs County (3-0), Swainsboro (3-1), Fitzgerald (1-3), Pepperell (2-2)

Next up is Thomasville. Now, normally it would be tough to call a legendary five-time state titlist program a surprise story. In this case, when the Bulldogs have posted a 23-29 record the last five years, this is a huge story down south. Plus, they defeated Cairo, a top rival, for only the second time in the last thirteen meetings. Most importantly to Bulldog faithful, they defeated arch-rival Thomas County Central for the third time in their last nineteen meetings.

 

A Public

  1. Manchester (4-0)
  2. Irwin County (3-1)
  3. Taylor County (3-0)
  4. Commerce (3-0)
  5. Macon County (2-1)
  6. Emanuel County Institute (3-1)
  7. Charlton County (3-0)
  8. Clinch County (2-2)
  9. Mt Zion-Carroll (4-0)
  10. Marion County (4-0)

Honorable Mention: Turner County (3-1), Pelham (3-1), Trion (3-1), McIntosh County Academy (1-1), Johnson County (3-0)

Honorable Mention teams can qualify for this week’s theme as well. For many it is nice to see Pelham in any sort of rankings. This team isn’t necessarily a surprise, especially not in our rankings. For us, the Hornets fit the great story mold. This program has one playoff victory since 2002; only three wins in the postseason since 1989. That all could change in 2017.

 

A Private

  1. Eagles Landing Christian Academy (5-0)
  2. Prince Avenue Christian (4-0)
  3. Stratford Academy (3-0)
  4. Wesleyan (4-1)
  5. Athens Academy (3-0)
  6. Mount Paran Christian (3-1)
  7. Calvary Day (3-0)
  8. Fellowship Christian (3-1)
  9. Tattnall Square (3-0)
  10. Mount Pisgah Christian (3-1)

Honorable Mention: Mount Vernon Presbyterian (4-0), George Walton Academy (3-0), Darlington (2-2), Aquinas (1-2), Hebron Christian (2-1)

While we saw Pelham coming in the public ranks, Hebron is a bit of a shocker. They do have a few really talented players. And they also sport a former NFL offensive lineman as their head coach (Peyton Manning’s center-Jeff Saturday). Still, for the Lions to nearly beat Commerce, and route a AAA school was unexpected. They are not state champions, but they do look like a team that could win a game or two come playoff time.

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Published by Chris Mooneyham

Chris Mooneyham is a twenty-year broadcast veteran employed or freelancing for multiple companies across America. Currently he is a co-host, play-by-play person and guest anchor for Atlanta’s sports leader, The Fan 680AM/ 93.7FM; and its sister stations on The Sports X. In the Fall, Chris serves as the Sideline Reporter for Kennesaw State University football. He also works as studio host, play-by-play announcer and content producer for The Fan’s coverage of Georgia High School football. Come the Wintertime, the focus shifts to the National Lacrosse League 2017 World Champions, the Georgia Swarm (play-by-play). When Spring rolls around, the Atlanta native delivers the play-by-play for the Emory University baseball team, a two-time national finalist. All throughout the year, Mooneyham is a lead play-by-play person for the NFHS Network’s high school sports coverage and over the last decade was honored to call state championships in nearly every sport. A Kennesaw State graduate, Chris holds a Communication degree in Media Studies and a Minor degree in Film Studies. He is also a two-time graduate of broadcasting school (Connecticut School of Broadcasting-1998/ Atlanta Broadcast Institute-2008).

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