Chris Mooneyham

Into the final month of 680 FNF rankings (October 16th)…

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

It’s the Battle for Buckhead when the Westminster Wildcats (3-4 overall/ 3-1 in Region 5-AAA classification) visit the Lovett Lions (4-3 overall/ 3-1 in Region 5-AAA classification). Plus, we get a matchup between a couple of teams battling for playoff positioning.

Graduation.

It is the word that dominates the storylines of each neighborhood team. Graduation is the word that dictates and decides the future success of an individual program.

That is the case for each team featured in our game of the week. In fact, in many ways they are mirror images of each other.

Over the three previous seasons, Westminster hovered at championship level, bringing home the state championship via a memorable 2015 playoff run. In that time, Gerry Romberg (193-110 record in 26 seasons at the helm) led his squad to a 33-9 record with a semifinal and quarterfinal appearance; to go along with the state title.

The 2017 edition of the men from West Paces Ferry has graduated, possibly, the two greatest classes in program history. Featuring young, inexperienced players once again, the Wildcats have shown flashes of great play, but for the most part, plays uneven. Yes, the Wildcats have four losses, but each has come to a team ranked in the top five; two of which are in higher classifications. In its last three wins the Cats have outscored opponents 92-14.

Senior Truman Jones will be all over the field, on both sides of the football, and Joe Egan is a big-play touchdown waiting to happen.

Speaking of being everywhere at once, junior KJ Wallace has turned into quite the playmaker for Lovett and head coach Mike Muschamp (143-77 record in 18 seasons). Wallace is now a four-star player with offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. His stock is rising and soon even bigger college programs will come calling.

He has contributed to a season that brought many questions to the table. Since winning a state title of their own in 2013, each season has seen a little more talent graduate. After a solid 8-4 campaign in 2016, some key contributors were handed a diploma and moved on. Again, in many ways these two teams are mirror images of each other. The Lions have suffered three losses. Each coming to top three ranked squads; one of which is in the AAAA classification. And like Westminster they have been better of late; outscoring its last three opponents 136-21.

As far as playoff positioning goes, this matchup will most likely decide second place in the region. Westminster has lost to Cedar Grove, but beaten Pace Academy. Lovett has lost to Cedar Grove and has Pace next.

REGION                    OVERALL

 
W L T W L T
Cedar Grove 4 0 0 7 0 0
Lovett 3 1 0 4 3 0
Westminster (Atlanta) 3 1 0 3 4 0
Towers 2 2 0 3 4 0
Pace Academy 2 2 0 2 4 0
McNair 1 3 0 3 4 0
Redan 1 3 0 2 5 0
Stone Mountain 0 4 0 1 6 0

AAAAAAA

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

Honorable Mention: McEachern (5-2), Tift County (7-1), Newton (5-2), Marietta (6-1), North Paulding (6-1)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. Colquitt County will host Tift County; the winner will have the inside track at the number two spot in the region. Walton will host Lassiter and is most likely this win away from solidifying the region title. Fresh from their loss last week, former top ranked Grayson visits an underrated Newton club.

 

AAAAAA

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

Honorable Mention: Alpharetta (6-1), Stephenson (5-2), Coffee (4-2), Sequoyah (5-2), Richmond Hill (6-0)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. Harrison and Dalton will most likely decide the region champion when they meet Thursday night, on ESPN2, in Kennesaw. Winder Barrow continues its dream season, but if they are to win the region title they will have to take down a proud Gainesville club this week.

 

 

AAAAA

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

Honorable Mention: Carver-Atlanta (6-1), Arabia Mountain (5-2), Flowery Branch (7-1), Clarke Central (6-2), Whitewater (4-3)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. Starr’s Mill (#6), Griffin (#7), Whitewater (HM) and McIntosh (slightly unranked) are battling inside Region 3. All four still have a chance to win the region title. If McIntosh wins over Griffin this week, it will set up the potential of a wild four-way tie. Meanwhile, Kell will host Carrollton for second-place in the region.

 

AAAA

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

Honorable Mention: Eastside (6-2), Cedartown (6-1), Heritage-Ringgold (7-1), Northwest Whitfield (5-3), Southeast Whitfield (6-2)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. It is time for the big one in Region 7 when Marist travels to Roswell to meet Blessed Trinity. All signs have been pointing this way all season and these two will decide the region crown. Troup and Cedartown meet in a matchup of contrasting styles. May Persons will face West Laurens, who is just out of the rankings, in a game that will most likely determine the one and two seeds come playoff time.

 

AAA

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

Honorable Mention: Jenkins (7-0), Lovett (4-3), Westside-Macon (4-3), Westminster-Atlanta (3-4), Liberty County (4-3)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. Crisp County has been underrated all season. If they want to prove themselves, go out a beat a team with a “brand name”. They visit Cook this week. East Hall is basically at number sixteen, just off the board. They have scored as many points as anyone in the state this year and will face #9-ranked Dawson County this week. That final score could be 50-49.

 

AA

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

Honorable Mention: Elbert County (6-1), Swainsboro (6-1), Toombs County (6-1), Fitzgerald (3-4), Rockmart (5-2)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. Pound for pound, Fitzgerald could be the best 3-4 team in the state (check their schedule). Meanwhile, Brooks County is underrated by many experts. They could arguably be as high as number four in the rankings. The two, with something to prove, meet this week. From South Georgia to the northeast mountains, where Rabun County and Elbert County will renew their rivalry. The region champ will be decided.

 

A Public

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

Honorable Mention: Pelham (6-1), Trion (5-2), Mitchell County (6-1), Jenkins County (6-1), Montgomery County (5-2)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. Both sides of the Single A classification will see nearly ninety-percent of its games taking place between top half of the region teams meeting opponents near the bottom. There are simply very few matchups of high level importance-championship wise. The best game could be in the back of our rankings, where Jenkins County and Montgomery County meet for a game that impacts the power ranking in a major way.

 

A Private

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

Honorable Mention: George Walton Academy (6-1), Mount Vernon Presbyterian (6-2), First Presbyterian (5-2), Darlington (5-3), Brookstone (5-2)

This week, we continue the theme of mentioning the biggest games involving ranked clubs. As stated above, it is rather strange how few games are taking place this week between winning teams. One really interesting matchup is Calvary Day will face a wounded and angry McIntosh Academy team. Potentially the biggest game of impact as far as the power rankings are concerned is Mount Pisgah versus Fellowship Christian. MP has a shot at a top eight seed and FC is battling for their playoff lives.

Make sure to join us live beginning at 7pm on THE FAN 680AM and 93-7 FM.

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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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