I was talking to world famous freelancer (seriously) Rick Limpert at the Tennis Classic of Macon this week and he says that I will always get my low numbers because I only write sports and I only write(mostly) about Macon sports. So as I listened to my mentor, I realized he was correct. Rick has made millions writing about sports, cell phones, can openers, any gadget you could think of, and in his time, he has probably done stories on strip clubs. That's how good this guy is.
So as we were waiting out a rain delay, Rick tried to give me a topic that might get more viewers that Macon high school sports.
He looked at me,got a twinkle in his eye, and said "Do a food blog, people love those."
So, after getting a remarkable(no) 31 hits on my Monday Macon football story, I am doing a restaurant review.
After all, KOknows food.
The restaurant I wanted to blog about first was easy. I probably eat here once every two weeks or so with my wife. I will explain that our house does not have much food in it since our kids left for college. That's not exaggerating, that s the truth. We have cereal and skim milk and a few other things. My wife loves cereal. If I am eating healthy, I have my choices of healthy food, which includes a lot of fruit. If I am not eating healthy, fast food is my choice (I know, what a surprise)
I could blog on any fast food place with my eyes closed (and I know from the misspelling in my stories and poor punctuation, sometimes you all probably think I am writing with my eyes closed, but don't hate)
Deb loves Mexican food to the point that she almost cried when El Azteca closed. That was her go to place, and she would walk in and they knew her order before she ordered. Its the simple things that make restaurants great.
So we have been looking for another great Mexican home. Sure El Somb, Margaritas, and La Parilla are great. However, sometimes you just feel like going to eat and not have to be prepared to see 20 people that you know. Can a person do that a the other Mexican places ? I think not. So, I will tell you, its safe to go to LaBamba in a pair of sweats and a tee shirt. That is, until I blog on it and everyone wants to be there.
We first went to LaBamba on the day it opened, because, well, we were looking for another El Azteca. The first visit was a disaster. We waited for our food long enough to go to another restaurant, eat, and come back. It was a long long wait. I think we went through two jeopardy episodes while we were waiting. As I do , I vowed never to go back.
And I didn't.
Until Deb wanted to eat Mexican and I didn't want to take a shower.
So we went to LaBamba, and we saw no one that we knew.
and The food was outstanding,
and the service was outstanding
and over the last four months, LaBamba has become Debs El Azteca.
We have the same host every time we walk and the waiter knows my wife's order before she orders it. Its more difficult with me because I get different things every time I go.
Now lets talk about the food for a minute. The Chile Rellenos are the best I have ever had and there is nowhere in Macon that can beat them. The Burritos are amazing, The tacos are amazing and Monday is taco night where they cost 99 cents. They have a happy hour and 2 for one drink specials and they want your business. We cant forget the salsa which is a slam dunk best in Macon.
So if you are willing to try a different Mexican experience, try LaBamba. Its on Northside drive. I GUARANTEE you will be greeted by smiling faces, hot food, and you probably can go in your sweats and tshirt.
But its catching on so hurry up and visit
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
high school football this and that
I am giving odds on things happening in Middle Georgia football only as I know them. Last weekend was a big weekend of football and many things became clear, and unfortunately, not many of them were good for Macon football fans
Odds of Southwest making the playoffs. Lets not sugar coat it. They have zero chance. They lost another tough game, this time 42-40 to Kendrick, a team that they just have to beat, I didn't even see the stats for it, but by the score it was just another game the Patriots could have won. Joe Dupree has maybe the toughest job in the city trying to turn that program around
ODDS OF CENTRAL MAKING THE PLAYFFS- 10% AT BEST. A few weeks ago the Chargers looked to be in, but then Spencer woke up and started to play great football. I saw them play the first half against Central and they looked horrendous, but they turned it around that game and have been lights out since then. They proved they are for real by knocking off Westside last week, which basically knocked the Chargers out of the playoffs. Spencer would have to lose to a Columbus school in the next two weeks and that probably isn't happening. How frustrating for the Chargers. In reality, Central became too much Derrick Evans over the last few weeks when Antonio Sanders Jr injured his ankle, and could not beat the big three in the region.
Odds of Howard making the playoffs- Not good, not good at all. A heartbreaking 41-40 loss at Upson Lee probably did them in . They have to beat Veterans Friday night to have any hope and they have to count on Upson Lee beating Veterans . I guess stranger things have happened.
Odds of FPD sneaking into the playoffs. -The Vikings have a chance. They have won two games in a row and have found a running game with Dontrez Johnson. The last two weeks were games that could have gone either way, but Greg Moores team just handled Wilkinson County on the road last week. They will have to take care of Twiggs County this week to have a chance.
Odds of Stratford winning the region- I picked the Eagles to win the region and I believe they can do it. I will put the odds at 60%. They can run, they can throw, they can coach, they can play defense, and they have two X factors , Cephus and Williams, the best one two combination in Macon. They could play anywhere in Macon and be the best player on the field,
Odds of Covenant winning state- 90%- The Rams are a good football team , but lets remember they are playing in a league with maybe 2 other good football teams and neither one of those had a 260 pound running back who has skills. Khristian Tate is a difference maker, and will lead the Rams to a state title.
Tattnall has a nice little freshman quarterback but it wont happen this year. The Trojans are in full rebuilding mode
Mount de Sales may be the second toughest rebuild in Macon. They were two players away from being a great team this year, but those two kids play at another school. Keith Hatcher has them playing hard, but the talent level isn't quite where it needs to be.
The best high school football player no one knows about- Torrez Finney at Jones County. 5-foot-eight and about 200 or more pounds, the absolute best defensive player in this area, and he prob wont get any offers from a big school because of his size. The kid is a beast and after the game he is all smiles. Justin Rogers turned the program around, but I would say that he could not have done it so fast without Torrez Finney.. Long live the Greyhounds
Odds of Southwest making the playoffs. Lets not sugar coat it. They have zero chance. They lost another tough game, this time 42-40 to Kendrick, a team that they just have to beat, I didn't even see the stats for it, but by the score it was just another game the Patriots could have won. Joe Dupree has maybe the toughest job in the city trying to turn that program around
ODDS OF CENTRAL MAKING THE PLAYFFS- 10% AT BEST. A few weeks ago the Chargers looked to be in, but then Spencer woke up and started to play great football. I saw them play the first half against Central and they looked horrendous, but they turned it around that game and have been lights out since then. They proved they are for real by knocking off Westside last week, which basically knocked the Chargers out of the playoffs. Spencer would have to lose to a Columbus school in the next two weeks and that probably isn't happening. How frustrating for the Chargers. In reality, Central became too much Derrick Evans over the last few weeks when Antonio Sanders Jr injured his ankle, and could not beat the big three in the region.
Odds of Howard making the playoffs- Not good, not good at all. A heartbreaking 41-40 loss at Upson Lee probably did them in . They have to beat Veterans Friday night to have any hope and they have to count on Upson Lee beating Veterans . I guess stranger things have happened.
Odds of FPD sneaking into the playoffs. -The Vikings have a chance. They have won two games in a row and have found a running game with Dontrez Johnson. The last two weeks were games that could have gone either way, but Greg Moores team just handled Wilkinson County on the road last week. They will have to take care of Twiggs County this week to have a chance.
Odds of Stratford winning the region- I picked the Eagles to win the region and I believe they can do it. I will put the odds at 60%. They can run, they can throw, they can coach, they can play defense, and they have two X factors , Cephus and Williams, the best one two combination in Macon. They could play anywhere in Macon and be the best player on the field,
Odds of Covenant winning state- 90%- The Rams are a good football team , but lets remember they are playing in a league with maybe 2 other good football teams and neither one of those had a 260 pound running back who has skills. Khristian Tate is a difference maker, and will lead the Rams to a state title.
Tattnall has a nice little freshman quarterback but it wont happen this year. The Trojans are in full rebuilding mode
Mount de Sales may be the second toughest rebuild in Macon. They were two players away from being a great team this year, but those two kids play at another school. Keith Hatcher has them playing hard, but the talent level isn't quite where it needs to be.
The best high school football player no one knows about- Torrez Finney at Jones County. 5-foot-eight and about 200 or more pounds, the absolute best defensive player in this area, and he prob wont get any offers from a big school because of his size. The kid is a beast and after the game he is all smiles. Justin Rogers turned the program around, but I would say that he could not have done it so fast without Torrez Finney.. Long live the Greyhounds
Thursday, October 22, 2015
High School Football
I was out of town the last few days so my normal Monday or Tuesday blog comes out on Thursday this week.
I think I will talk about, hmmmm, maybe high school football if that's ok with everyone.
I wanted to take a minute and talk about the length of a high school football game these days. For the last six years I don't think I have ever had much of a problem making a deadline of 11:15. Sure once in awhile, I would have a long game and I would write in a parking lot , but this year it has been every single weekend scrambling to get stories in. I mean I am 53 years old, and I like to write my story from the comfort of my house, drinking some old man beverage like hot cocoa, coffee, or Jack and coke. But this year , that just has not happened.
And I wondered why
Well, it should not take long for anyone to figure out. Macon Georgia has gone pass happy.
Barney Hester even throws the damn ball.
Lets look at the Macon High schools.
Central- Derrick Evans over 1400 yards passing
Howard- Courvoisier King over 1400 yards passing
Westside- Savion Knowlton close to 1200 yards passing
Southwest- Jordan Slocum- don't know the yards but they throw it a lot
FPD- Will McCormick- over 600 yards passing
Tattnall- ditched the running game and they are running the spread now
So, looking at the big picture, running games kill the clock, and when teams are passing, that's means lots of incompletions (yes Derrick , that means you too) and what do incompletions do? THEY STOP THE CLOCK which duh, makes games last forever.( I wont even talk about the officiating, that's for another story)
We are nearing playoff time and it is do or die for some Macon teams, while others are looking like they are in. Westside is probably in , but needs to finish strong, and they play a much improved Spencer team this weekend in Columbus. They close with Peach County, which may decide the region champ. But don't overlook Jackson, who will be involved in the best game in Macon this weekend when they hook up with Central. I think the Chargers are in, but they don't want to come in at a #4 seed. Central needs to win this weekend, which will not be easy, considering Jackson beat Peach a week ago.
Howard is also a school that must win this weekend. As good as the Huskies have been , they are 1-2 in the region and have Upson Lee, Veterans, and Baldwin left. They probably have to win two of those to get in.
I think Southwest is in a hopeless position right now after the loss to Central. They would have to win out to have a chance.
The private school league has not been kind to Macon schools this season. So far only Stratford is a playoff team and they are only ranked 11th. That would give them a very difficult matchup in the first round. They will beat Mount de Sales this weekend, and I think they have Wilkinson left ,and then probably a game for a region championship. The Eagles are clicking right now, and I believe they will win out in the regular season and maybe slip up into the top five by the end of the season.
FPD is sitting 18th I think and they face a must win game against Wilkinson this weekend at Wilkinson. Did I say MUST win, they lose and the season is probably going to be a playoff less season.
Tattnall Square still has a chance to turn things around and it has to start this weekend with a home game against Twiggs. If the Trojans lose that game, they are done.
I gotta give some space to Covenant. The Rams are undefeated and have maybe the only test of the season this week when they play Calvary, a team that is also undefeated. Look at the schedules and it shows this could be a good game but look closer and see that both teams have played Thomas Jefferson. Calvary beat TJA by two points while Covenant beat them 49-6. Khristian Tate runs for as many yards as Chris Oxford lets him run for and Covenant wins easily.
MY quickie top 15 players
1-Derrick Evans- somebody gotta do something special to knock him out of the one spot.
2-Steve Dolphus- In honor of him signing with Georgia Tech this week
3-Gerimie Mitchell- Darren Sproles of Macon
4-Chandler King- dominating defensive end for Central-has to have a great game this week
5-Savion Knowlton- having a huge first year as Westsides signal caller
6-Coirvoisier King- Has to lead Howard into the playoffs- they wont get there without him
7-Quintez Cephus- ok Wisconsin wants him, need I say more, stock is flying high
8-OShowen Williams- Best running back in the city
9-Kristian Tate- I want to rate him higher, I really do
10-Alphonzo Stephens- Howard WR has 732 yards receiving
11-Daniel Weaver- FPD WR- best kept secret in Macon
12-Ivory Childers- Big play Central WR- could be way higher
13-Justin Slocum- SW- He is really good, but injuries to his qb have hurt him
14-Kareem Warren- Westside 52 tackles 6 sacks, 26 tackles for loss impressed me
15- Antonio Sanders- Central rb slowed by ankle injury- time to go against Jackson
honorable mention
Will McCormick-FPD
Tres Hattaway- MDS
Ladarion Womack-Rutland
Donta Pate-Westside
Sean Walker-Howard
Dontrez Johnson-FPD
Sim Patrick-Stratford
Aubrien Kemp-Tattnall
Jordan Slocum-SW
Ahmad Barron-Tattnall
I think I will talk about, hmmmm, maybe high school football if that's ok with everyone.
I wanted to take a minute and talk about the length of a high school football game these days. For the last six years I don't think I have ever had much of a problem making a deadline of 11:15. Sure once in awhile, I would have a long game and I would write in a parking lot , but this year it has been every single weekend scrambling to get stories in. I mean I am 53 years old, and I like to write my story from the comfort of my house, drinking some old man beverage like hot cocoa, coffee, or Jack and coke. But this year , that just has not happened.
And I wondered why
Well, it should not take long for anyone to figure out. Macon Georgia has gone pass happy.
Barney Hester even throws the damn ball.
Lets look at the Macon High schools.
Central- Derrick Evans over 1400 yards passing
Howard- Courvoisier King over 1400 yards passing
Westside- Savion Knowlton close to 1200 yards passing
Southwest- Jordan Slocum- don't know the yards but they throw it a lot
FPD- Will McCormick- over 600 yards passing
Tattnall- ditched the running game and they are running the spread now
So, looking at the big picture, running games kill the clock, and when teams are passing, that's means lots of incompletions (yes Derrick , that means you too) and what do incompletions do? THEY STOP THE CLOCK which duh, makes games last forever.( I wont even talk about the officiating, that's for another story)
We are nearing playoff time and it is do or die for some Macon teams, while others are looking like they are in. Westside is probably in , but needs to finish strong, and they play a much improved Spencer team this weekend in Columbus. They close with Peach County, which may decide the region champ. But don't overlook Jackson, who will be involved in the best game in Macon this weekend when they hook up with Central. I think the Chargers are in, but they don't want to come in at a #4 seed. Central needs to win this weekend, which will not be easy, considering Jackson beat Peach a week ago.
Howard is also a school that must win this weekend. As good as the Huskies have been , they are 1-2 in the region and have Upson Lee, Veterans, and Baldwin left. They probably have to win two of those to get in.
I think Southwest is in a hopeless position right now after the loss to Central. They would have to win out to have a chance.
The private school league has not been kind to Macon schools this season. So far only Stratford is a playoff team and they are only ranked 11th. That would give them a very difficult matchup in the first round. They will beat Mount de Sales this weekend, and I think they have Wilkinson left ,and then probably a game for a region championship. The Eagles are clicking right now, and I believe they will win out in the regular season and maybe slip up into the top five by the end of the season.
FPD is sitting 18th I think and they face a must win game against Wilkinson this weekend at Wilkinson. Did I say MUST win, they lose and the season is probably going to be a playoff less season.
Tattnall Square still has a chance to turn things around and it has to start this weekend with a home game against Twiggs. If the Trojans lose that game, they are done.
I gotta give some space to Covenant. The Rams are undefeated and have maybe the only test of the season this week when they play Calvary, a team that is also undefeated. Look at the schedules and it shows this could be a good game but look closer and see that both teams have played Thomas Jefferson. Calvary beat TJA by two points while Covenant beat them 49-6. Khristian Tate runs for as many yards as Chris Oxford lets him run for and Covenant wins easily.
MY quickie top 15 players
1-Derrick Evans- somebody gotta do something special to knock him out of the one spot.
2-Steve Dolphus- In honor of him signing with Georgia Tech this week
3-Gerimie Mitchell- Darren Sproles of Macon
4-Chandler King- dominating defensive end for Central-has to have a great game this week
5-Savion Knowlton- having a huge first year as Westsides signal caller
6-Coirvoisier King- Has to lead Howard into the playoffs- they wont get there without him
7-Quintez Cephus- ok Wisconsin wants him, need I say more, stock is flying high
8-OShowen Williams- Best running back in the city
9-Kristian Tate- I want to rate him higher, I really do
10-Alphonzo Stephens- Howard WR has 732 yards receiving
11-Daniel Weaver- FPD WR- best kept secret in Macon
12-Ivory Childers- Big play Central WR- could be way higher
13-Justin Slocum- SW- He is really good, but injuries to his qb have hurt him
14-Kareem Warren- Westside 52 tackles 6 sacks, 26 tackles for loss impressed me
15- Antonio Sanders- Central rb slowed by ankle injury- time to go against Jackson
honorable mention
Will McCormick-FPD
Tres Hattaway- MDS
Ladarion Womack-Rutland
Donta Pate-Westside
Sean Walker-Howard
Dontrez Johnson-FPD
Sim Patrick-Stratford
Aubrien Kemp-Tattnall
Jordan Slocum-SW
Ahmad Barron-Tattnall
Monday, October 12, 2015
Decisions Decisions
Sometimes I just have to sit back and feel sorry for high school athletes like Quintez Cephus.
Just imagine how it would be to be so extremely talented to have to CHOOSE which sport to play at the next level.
But it is not just Cephus alone that will have this difficult decision to make. Just off the top of my head, I am seeing four of my top 10 players in Macon that will have to make the choice on what sport to play.
Now realistically, it is almost impossible to excel at football and basketball in college.It just takes too much time. Plus lets not forget the true reason that these kids are going to college and that is to get a college education. So in my opinion, (which means absolutely nothing) I offer my feelings about which sports fit them the best.
Quintez Cephus- He is the best high school athlete to come through Macon since DeAndre Smelter, who by the way, also had a difficult decision to make coming out of high school. Remember, Smelter chose baseball at Georgia Tech before switching and becoming a stellar football player. Cephus will have an incredibly hard choice to make, especially after the big boys of football are fixing to be ringing the doorbells at his house. I totally expect that after Wisconsin has made it known they want him to play football, that several other majors will be doing the same.
Cephus is fairly new to playing receiver but he uses his basketball skills to go up and get the ball. Is he raw as a football player ? Yes. Can he play D1 football and be great ? Yes. It may take a redshirt year. Does he love football like he loves basketball ? I am not sure of that answer, but my opinion is no.
So what does he end up doing ? He had verbally committed to Furman for basketball and he is an incredible basketball player and I would hate to see him not play basketball in college, but the more I see of him on the football field, the more I like him.I believe he can walk into Furman's program and start right away, while on a football field it may be a learning process.
MY choice for Quintez- Play the sport he loves the most, play the sport he cant live without, go to the college that he will love even if he gets injured and can never play again. Cephus has a lot to offer in any capacity he chooses.
And while I am at it, Hey QT Stratford could probably use you on the soccer field this year.
Derrick Evans- Wow talk about another talented kid. He is a great athlete and I just cant see him not playing college basketball.
That is until I saw him play football this year.
I always thought that Evans was a fair high school football player but he has really turned the corner this year. Reports of Marshall and several other D1 colleges are working hard for his services on either side of the football, and if he gets that offer he might just go football. But oh my, he is a point guard supreme also.
So, is Derrick a D1 basketball player? In my mind he is, but there are bigger minds than mine who make those decisions. I have seem him do some amazing things on the basketball court over the
last three years and it will be a very interesting choice for him.
MY choice for Derrick- I like him as a basketball player, but what does one do if its D2 basketball or D1 football ? once again, go with what you love, and I think that might be,, BOTH
Justin Slocum- I love this kid. He is 6'6 and I don't think he even has a twitter page, which is shocking for a teenager at this point. He has probably never even heard of my blog.(like a lot of others) I love him on the basketball court but I am not sold that he can play the 2 or 3 in college and he isn't quite big enough to play inside. can he shoot three's? I really haven't seen it. can he bang against bigger college athletes ? Maybe he can, but I don't know. The thing about it is at Southwest he has to spend most of his time inside because, well he is 6'6. If colleges think he can step out and play then he would make an excellent college player.
With this being said, I love him on the football field. I saw him catch three touchdown passes a few weeks ago, and it could have been more. He is 6'6 and can jump and run and do all of that. he should be getting major football interest.He plays defense and special teams and everything else, but he is a pure wide receiver and what program could not use a 6'6 athletic guy catching footballs.
MY choice for Justin- Football all the way
O'Showen Williams- His brother plays football for Tennessee by the way and gets a lot of playing time. This kid is a great athlete but is a bit on the small side. That does not however, mean he is not a two sport threat who can play whichever one he wants in college.
I have questioned O'Showens ability to score, but every time I question that he goes off for 15 to 20 points. He can handle the basketball and distribute as well as anyone in the city, but I honestly don't know where he falls to as a basketball player.
I believe that O"Showen can play college football at a fairly high level also. I don't know exactly how fast he is or what side of the football he will end up on because I saw him make a huge play on defense two weeks ago. He certainly is not scared to hit someone or to be hit.
MY CHOICE for O'Showen - I think football is the place for him, or maybe basketball, or maybe soccer. He is a blessed athlete who can play whichever he wants to
Just imagine how it would be to be so extremely talented to have to CHOOSE which sport to play at the next level.
But it is not just Cephus alone that will have this difficult decision to make. Just off the top of my head, I am seeing four of my top 10 players in Macon that will have to make the choice on what sport to play.
Now realistically, it is almost impossible to excel at football and basketball in college.It just takes too much time. Plus lets not forget the true reason that these kids are going to college and that is to get a college education. So in my opinion, (which means absolutely nothing) I offer my feelings about which sports fit them the best.
Quintez Cephus- He is the best high school athlete to come through Macon since DeAndre Smelter, who by the way, also had a difficult decision to make coming out of high school. Remember, Smelter chose baseball at Georgia Tech before switching and becoming a stellar football player. Cephus will have an incredibly hard choice to make, especially after the big boys of football are fixing to be ringing the doorbells at his house. I totally expect that after Wisconsin has made it known they want him to play football, that several other majors will be doing the same.
Cephus is fairly new to playing receiver but he uses his basketball skills to go up and get the ball. Is he raw as a football player ? Yes. Can he play D1 football and be great ? Yes. It may take a redshirt year. Does he love football like he loves basketball ? I am not sure of that answer, but my opinion is no.
So what does he end up doing ? He had verbally committed to Furman for basketball and he is an incredible basketball player and I would hate to see him not play basketball in college, but the more I see of him on the football field, the more I like him.I believe he can walk into Furman's program and start right away, while on a football field it may be a learning process.
MY choice for Quintez- Play the sport he loves the most, play the sport he cant live without, go to the college that he will love even if he gets injured and can never play again. Cephus has a lot to offer in any capacity he chooses.
And while I am at it, Hey QT Stratford could probably use you on the soccer field this year.
Derrick Evans- Wow talk about another talented kid. He is a great athlete and I just cant see him not playing college basketball.
That is until I saw him play football this year.
I always thought that Evans was a fair high school football player but he has really turned the corner this year. Reports of Marshall and several other D1 colleges are working hard for his services on either side of the football, and if he gets that offer he might just go football. But oh my, he is a point guard supreme also.
So, is Derrick a D1 basketball player? In my mind he is, but there are bigger minds than mine who make those decisions. I have seem him do some amazing things on the basketball court over the
last three years and it will be a very interesting choice for him.
MY choice for Derrick- I like him as a basketball player, but what does one do if its D2 basketball or D1 football ? once again, go with what you love, and I think that might be,, BOTH
Justin Slocum- I love this kid. He is 6'6 and I don't think he even has a twitter page, which is shocking for a teenager at this point. He has probably never even heard of my blog.(like a lot of others) I love him on the basketball court but I am not sold that he can play the 2 or 3 in college and he isn't quite big enough to play inside. can he shoot three's? I really haven't seen it. can he bang against bigger college athletes ? Maybe he can, but I don't know. The thing about it is at Southwest he has to spend most of his time inside because, well he is 6'6. If colleges think he can step out and play then he would make an excellent college player.
With this being said, I love him on the football field. I saw him catch three touchdown passes a few weeks ago, and it could have been more. He is 6'6 and can jump and run and do all of that. he should be getting major football interest.He plays defense and special teams and everything else, but he is a pure wide receiver and what program could not use a 6'6 athletic guy catching footballs.
MY choice for Justin- Football all the way
O'Showen Williams- His brother plays football for Tennessee by the way and gets a lot of playing time. This kid is a great athlete but is a bit on the small side. That does not however, mean he is not a two sport threat who can play whichever one he wants in college.
I have questioned O'Showens ability to score, but every time I question that he goes off for 15 to 20 points. He can handle the basketball and distribute as well as anyone in the city, but I honestly don't know where he falls to as a basketball player.
I believe that O"Showen can play college football at a fairly high level also. I don't know exactly how fast he is or what side of the football he will end up on because I saw him make a huge play on defense two weeks ago. He certainly is not scared to hit someone or to be hit.
MY CHOICE for O'Showen - I think football is the place for him, or maybe basketball, or maybe soccer. He is a blessed athlete who can play whichever he wants to
Friday, October 9, 2015
picks for the week
Thank you to the 38 people who read my last blog. After the 280 that read the last one, 38 is a bit of a downer, but I cant do anything about it. I just write what I think and hope someone enjoys it.
I was able to make a move in the Trelegraph pickems and I am breathing down the Masters(Heeter) neck right now. I plan on catching him very soon to reach my lifetime goal (no) of winning the high school picks.
Here we go for this weeks local games
Rutland vs Southwest- I am very disappointed in the Patriots losing 35-0 to a Columbus team last weekend, and to say this is a must win for them is a drastic understatement. If they lose this game they have no chance to make the playoffs. The Slocums make enough plays to win a closer than expected game.
Southwest 27 Rutland 20
Mary Persons vs Howard - I knew this would be a swing game in the picks this week and I knew most would go with the favorite. But I truly believe the Huskies will win this football game. This is the biggest game in Howards football existence, and it is a game that Barney Hester has played in 100 or more times in his career. Look for Howard to get back to basics and try to win this game on the run, but Courvoisier will have to make some plays in this one. He failed to do it a few weeks ago against West Laurens, but I am betting on him this week.
Howard 24 Mary Persons 21
FPD vs MDS - Greg Moore found something last week and that is the McCormick to Weaver connection. It worked last week for 11 completions and I expect it could be a big number this week also. MDS is trying to turn the corner as a football team, but cant quite get it done as of yet.
FPD 31 MDS 20
Tattnall Square vs Stratford - I have not seen Tattnall play this year and I have seen Stratford and I think they are one of the better teams in the city this year. This is a huge game for both teams in the power poll. The Trojans are getting close to this being a must win and they will be playing with that desperation. Bur Stratford has so many weapons that I don't think desperation will help. O'Showen and Cephus show out once again.
Stratford 34 Tattnall 14
West Laurens vs Veterans - This is a battle of two teams wanting to make the playoffs and if I could choose to see one game this weekend it may be this one. Both teams play hard and hit hard and it will be won on the ground
West Laurens 24 Veterans 20
I also look for Wilkinson to edge Twiggs County
Peach County rolls over Kendrick
Westside to roll over Jordan
and the Georgia Bulldogs to rebound with a big win over Tennessee
My words on Mark Richt
I stay out of this conversation for the most part, but I am putting in two cents and that is all. JUst answer this question. I think it was three years ago that UGA came up five yards short of beating Alabama in the conference championship game. If the Dawgs would have won that game they would have played Notre Dame for the National Championship, and probably would have won that game.
So if Richt had won that game would people still want to fire him ? I don't think so. So basically, we are going to fire the man because he came up five yards short ?
I was just as frustrated as anyone else last Saturday, but I for one, am not willing to see wha'ts on the other side. Yes, Richt needs to win some big games once in awhile, but don't give up on him. He is the coach of my favorite team.
As far as Freddi Gonzales goes, fire him. lol
Have a good weekend everyone
I was able to make a move in the Trelegraph pickems and I am breathing down the Masters(Heeter) neck right now. I plan on catching him very soon to reach my lifetime goal (no) of winning the high school picks.
Here we go for this weeks local games
Rutland vs Southwest- I am very disappointed in the Patriots losing 35-0 to a Columbus team last weekend, and to say this is a must win for them is a drastic understatement. If they lose this game they have no chance to make the playoffs. The Slocums make enough plays to win a closer than expected game.
Southwest 27 Rutland 20
Mary Persons vs Howard - I knew this would be a swing game in the picks this week and I knew most would go with the favorite. But I truly believe the Huskies will win this football game. This is the biggest game in Howards football existence, and it is a game that Barney Hester has played in 100 or more times in his career. Look for Howard to get back to basics and try to win this game on the run, but Courvoisier will have to make some plays in this one. He failed to do it a few weeks ago against West Laurens, but I am betting on him this week.
Howard 24 Mary Persons 21
FPD vs MDS - Greg Moore found something last week and that is the McCormick to Weaver connection. It worked last week for 11 completions and I expect it could be a big number this week also. MDS is trying to turn the corner as a football team, but cant quite get it done as of yet.
FPD 31 MDS 20
Tattnall Square vs Stratford - I have not seen Tattnall play this year and I have seen Stratford and I think they are one of the better teams in the city this year. This is a huge game for both teams in the power poll. The Trojans are getting close to this being a must win and they will be playing with that desperation. Bur Stratford has so many weapons that I don't think desperation will help. O'Showen and Cephus show out once again.
Stratford 34 Tattnall 14
West Laurens vs Veterans - This is a battle of two teams wanting to make the playoffs and if I could choose to see one game this weekend it may be this one. Both teams play hard and hit hard and it will be won on the ground
West Laurens 24 Veterans 20
I also look for Wilkinson to edge Twiggs County
Peach County rolls over Kendrick
Westside to roll over Jordan
and the Georgia Bulldogs to rebound with a big win over Tennessee
My words on Mark Richt
I stay out of this conversation for the most part, but I am putting in two cents and that is all. JUst answer this question. I think it was three years ago that UGA came up five yards short of beating Alabama in the conference championship game. If the Dawgs would have won that game they would have played Notre Dame for the National Championship, and probably would have won that game.
So if Richt had won that game would people still want to fire him ? I don't think so. So basically, we are going to fire the man because he came up five yards short ?
I was just as frustrated as anyone else last Saturday, but I for one, am not willing to see wha'ts on the other side. Yes, Richt needs to win some big games once in awhile, but don't give up on him. He is the coach of my favorite team.
As far as Freddi Gonzales goes, fire him. lol
Have a good weekend everyone
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
RATING THE 12 SCHOOLS IN MACON
After 270 readers on the Macon top 15 list, my plan was to come back to that every week. But after thinking about it, I decided that every week was too much for that, so I will use that every two weeks.
This week I will give myself the task of rating the 12 Macon schools, in order. Yes I am rating all of them together. If I have Covenant at number 9, I am saying that they would beat numbers 10, 11, and 12.
12- Windsor - I have nothing but good things to say about Windsor. They have a few players that could play for almost anyone in Macon, and they have a good young coach in Jimmy Watts. I feel like having them in the 12 position shows that Macon football is way better this year than it has been for awhile. But I can't rate then any higher because they lost to Piedmont at home. If they would have won that game they probably would have moved up at least one spot.
11- Covenant- Yes they are undefeated, however it is the GICAA. I don't want to dwell on that because this is a very talented team, but I don't think they could beat anyone else in Macon, except Windsor. Khristian Tate went for 253 yards last game, which is good no matter who you are playing, but I have to wonder where he would stack up if he went to Central. I know for a fact that if I could arrange a game with the teams above them , the Rams would take the opportunity , but sadly that will never happen. Hats off to Covenant and I hope they will win a state championship.
10-Northeast- Putting Northeast at number 10 is me saying that the Raiders could not beat Mount de Sales or Tattnall this year. Hmmm, ok yes that's what I am saying. Northeast is young at the skill positions and just isn't very good this season. They may not win a game. Bruce Mullen will have them back playing good football and making the playoffs by next year though. You can mark that down.
9-Mount de Sales- I know Keith Hatcher has to be disappointed by a 1-4 start. I talked to him before the first game of the year and he was very upbeat about the season. But the thing is, everyone is better. They lost to Strong Rock by one point and then rant into a much improved Twiggs County team and all of a sudden the season is half over and they have won one game. The bad news is that could be the only win of the season as they close with FPD,Wilkinson County, Stratford, and Tattnall.
8-Rutland.- They are very young and they have also probably won their last game of the year. LaDarion Womack is a solid running back, but the Canes don't have much else offensively and really haven't been able to stop anyone either. .
7-Tattnall Square-They made it to the region championship game last year and got off to a good start this year, but I was hearing through the grapevine that the Trojans were not the same team as the year before. They have lost the last two games by huge margins, and with Stratford, FPD, Twiggs, and Mount de Sales left on the schedule, wins could be tough to come by. Does a 6-4 record get them into the top 16 in the power poll ? That's a tough question and I think the answer is probably no.
6- FPD- I think the Vikings are getting better and they did come out fighting after being humiliated in the first half against Stratford. McCormick to Weaver looked like a great combination and I am sure the Greg Moore will use it a lot down the stretch. They are on the outside looking in right now in the power poll, and they have must win games the next two weeks against Mount de Sales and Tattnall before closing with Wilkinson and Twiggs. At 2-3,they probably need to win 3 out of 4 to make the playoffs.
5-Southwest- I have no clue about these guys. I saw them before the season and after watching them, I declared them playoff ready. Two Slocums and solid head coach have not been enough however. After watching UGA ruin my Saturday I went looking for a SW score against one of those Columbus schools and I saw they had lost 35-0. What ?? I have no clue how the Patriots got shut out. I could understand 35-31, but I just could not believe they got shut out. Now, barring some big upsets, Southwest will end up at 4-6 at best and once again miss the playoffs.
4-Stratford- They are the best private school football team in Macon right now, and O'Showen might be the best back in Macon. Cephus has big play written all over him, and against FPD it was on the defensive side of the ball. Go to the Telegraph and look at the pictures from last weeks game and you will see my friend Don Rodenroth getting the shot of the year of a Cephus interception. The dude is showing off the vertical. The picture cant show him taking it the other way for 56 yards and a score. But the Eagles are not two hit wonders. Umerah is a beast up front, and Sanders and Jordan also ran for over 100 yards, so it was quite a show. But they cant have a letdown. They have Tattnall, Twiggs, De Sales and Wilkinson and have to win at least two and maybe three of those games to make the playoffs. They should get revenge against Tattnall this week.
3-Central- The Chargers are a very talented football team but have not been able to come up with that signature win, despite being close against region opponents Westside and Peach County. They have a great shot a making the playoffs and Jesse Hicks feels like they can make noise. The offense has not been the same over the last six quarters, but they are getting an off week to rest up and get ready for the rest of the year. Evans is the top player in the city and still has not thrown an interception through six games.
2- Howard- They are 5-1 but only 1-1 in a very tough region and nothing is guaranteed at this point. They have what is probably the biggest game in school history on Friday night when they host undefeated Mary Persons. Its very simple, if they can beat Mary Persons, they will probably make the playoffs. If they lose, they have got to find some wins. The go on the road against a very good Upson Lee team the following weekend and then close with Veterans and Baldwin. That's not weasy but they need two wins out of four games to make the playoffs. Its time for Courvoisier to play the best four games of his career.
1-Westside- To be the man you gotta beat the man and no local has ever beat the Seminoles. Spoon Rispers team has Savion Knowlton, Steve Dolphus and Gerimie Mitchell leading the way and they will make the playoffs. But they will go into Peach County in three weeks with a 7-1 record, and if they lose that game, they could be a three seed heading into the playoffs. Risper does not want a three seed.
This week I will give myself the task of rating the 12 Macon schools, in order. Yes I am rating all of them together. If I have Covenant at number 9, I am saying that they would beat numbers 10, 11, and 12.
12- Windsor - I have nothing but good things to say about Windsor. They have a few players that could play for almost anyone in Macon, and they have a good young coach in Jimmy Watts. I feel like having them in the 12 position shows that Macon football is way better this year than it has been for awhile. But I can't rate then any higher because they lost to Piedmont at home. If they would have won that game they probably would have moved up at least one spot.
11- Covenant- Yes they are undefeated, however it is the GICAA. I don't want to dwell on that because this is a very talented team, but I don't think they could beat anyone else in Macon, except Windsor. Khristian Tate went for 253 yards last game, which is good no matter who you are playing, but I have to wonder where he would stack up if he went to Central. I know for a fact that if I could arrange a game with the teams above them , the Rams would take the opportunity , but sadly that will never happen. Hats off to Covenant and I hope they will win a state championship.
10-Northeast- Putting Northeast at number 10 is me saying that the Raiders could not beat Mount de Sales or Tattnall this year. Hmmm, ok yes that's what I am saying. Northeast is young at the skill positions and just isn't very good this season. They may not win a game. Bruce Mullen will have them back playing good football and making the playoffs by next year though. You can mark that down.
9-Mount de Sales- I know Keith Hatcher has to be disappointed by a 1-4 start. I talked to him before the first game of the year and he was very upbeat about the season. But the thing is, everyone is better. They lost to Strong Rock by one point and then rant into a much improved Twiggs County team and all of a sudden the season is half over and they have won one game. The bad news is that could be the only win of the season as they close with FPD,Wilkinson County, Stratford, and Tattnall.
8-Rutland.- They are very young and they have also probably won their last game of the year. LaDarion Womack is a solid running back, but the Canes don't have much else offensively and really haven't been able to stop anyone either. .
7-Tattnall Square-They made it to the region championship game last year and got off to a good start this year, but I was hearing through the grapevine that the Trojans were not the same team as the year before. They have lost the last two games by huge margins, and with Stratford, FPD, Twiggs, and Mount de Sales left on the schedule, wins could be tough to come by. Does a 6-4 record get them into the top 16 in the power poll ? That's a tough question and I think the answer is probably no.
6- FPD- I think the Vikings are getting better and they did come out fighting after being humiliated in the first half against Stratford. McCormick to Weaver looked like a great combination and I am sure the Greg Moore will use it a lot down the stretch. They are on the outside looking in right now in the power poll, and they have must win games the next two weeks against Mount de Sales and Tattnall before closing with Wilkinson and Twiggs. At 2-3,they probably need to win 3 out of 4 to make the playoffs.
5-Southwest- I have no clue about these guys. I saw them before the season and after watching them, I declared them playoff ready. Two Slocums and solid head coach have not been enough however. After watching UGA ruin my Saturday I went looking for a SW score against one of those Columbus schools and I saw they had lost 35-0. What ?? I have no clue how the Patriots got shut out. I could understand 35-31, but I just could not believe they got shut out. Now, barring some big upsets, Southwest will end up at 4-6 at best and once again miss the playoffs.
4-Stratford- They are the best private school football team in Macon right now, and O'Showen might be the best back in Macon. Cephus has big play written all over him, and against FPD it was on the defensive side of the ball. Go to the Telegraph and look at the pictures from last weeks game and you will see my friend Don Rodenroth getting the shot of the year of a Cephus interception. The dude is showing off the vertical. The picture cant show him taking it the other way for 56 yards and a score. But the Eagles are not two hit wonders. Umerah is a beast up front, and Sanders and Jordan also ran for over 100 yards, so it was quite a show. But they cant have a letdown. They have Tattnall, Twiggs, De Sales and Wilkinson and have to win at least two and maybe three of those games to make the playoffs. They should get revenge against Tattnall this week.
3-Central- The Chargers are a very talented football team but have not been able to come up with that signature win, despite being close against region opponents Westside and Peach County. They have a great shot a making the playoffs and Jesse Hicks feels like they can make noise. The offense has not been the same over the last six quarters, but they are getting an off week to rest up and get ready for the rest of the year. Evans is the top player in the city and still has not thrown an interception through six games.
2- Howard- They are 5-1 but only 1-1 in a very tough region and nothing is guaranteed at this point. They have what is probably the biggest game in school history on Friday night when they host undefeated Mary Persons. Its very simple, if they can beat Mary Persons, they will probably make the playoffs. If they lose, they have got to find some wins. The go on the road against a very good Upson Lee team the following weekend and then close with Veterans and Baldwin. That's not weasy but they need two wins out of four games to make the playoffs. Its time for Courvoisier to play the best four games of his career.
1-Westside- To be the man you gotta beat the man and no local has ever beat the Seminoles. Spoon Rispers team has Savion Knowlton, Steve Dolphus and Gerimie Mitchell leading the way and they will make the playoffs. But they will go into Peach County in three weeks with a 7-1 record, and if they lose that game, they could be a three seed heading into the playoffs. Risper does not want a three seed.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
My Picks for friday night
I can only sit here and wish that I could find more topics to garner as much interest as high school football gets in Macon. As of 11:25 tonight, my last blog had 225 reads which is what I am hoping for every time I write something. Thank you for the support.
I had a friend of mine who I think I will hire as my agent that helped me get the word out about my last blog, and she helped it grow from 135 at 2:00 pm to 225 tonight. She gave me some great advice and that was "John I can get them to read one blog, but you have to have interesting stuff for them to come back once or twice a week. A truer statement has never been uttered.
I am going to write a bit tonight about my pickems for the newspaper that will show up in Fridays paper. I am not leading, which is a disappointment, but it is still early and I still hope to win. But we have difficult games every week and this week is no different.
FPD-Stratford- The most difficult thing is picking a game in which you have seen neither team. I picked Stratford to beat Aquinas and they threatened but could not get the win at home. I was in Mark Farribas office on Tuesday and I made the statement that I had picked them for the upset against Aquinas, and he got this look on his face, then looked away and said something to the affect of I hate that people think that would have been an upset. That made my mind up who I was picking in this game.Farriba, I believe, thinks his team is pretty good. I think that the Eagles have too much fire power for FPD, but I also think it will be close. Cephus could have a big toll in this game and who does FPD have that can go up with him and make a play on the ball. McSwain can run with him for sure, but we are talking 5'10 against 6'2.FPD has shown that they are a pretty good defensive football team, but they have lacked firepower on offense. It's time that Greg Moore unleashes some weapons for a spark.
I will take Stratford by a score of 27-21
Peach Co- Central- What a game this could be. Its at home for Central , who is still looking for that signature win, and beating Peach would do the trick. After seeing Central last weekend, I don't think its going to happen. Evans and Childers shine but I had to take Peach County in this one
Peach 24 Central 20
Mount de Sales-Twiggs - I literally have no idea who will win this game. Both teams are 1-3 but Twiggs is coming off an impressive win against Hancock Central , who had defeated Tattnall a week earlier. I have no clue how good either team is, so I went with the home team
Twiggs 26 MDS 20
Tattnall-Wilkinson Co= I literally have no idea who will win this game. Tattnall was 3-0 and then got pounded and showed maybe they aren't the team to beat in its sub region. I know nothing about Wilkinson except Central beat them 31-0. Once again I will go with the home team
WILCO 31 Tattnall 24
Howard-Perry Perry will be ready to play this game but this is an absolute must win for barney Hesters team if they want to make the playoffs. Don't bet against Barney when he has to have one
Howard 30 Perry 14
That's it for now. Go watch a game and thank you for the support
I had a friend of mine who I think I will hire as my agent that helped me get the word out about my last blog, and she helped it grow from 135 at 2:00 pm to 225 tonight. She gave me some great advice and that was "John I can get them to read one blog, but you have to have interesting stuff for them to come back once or twice a week. A truer statement has never been uttered.
I am going to write a bit tonight about my pickems for the newspaper that will show up in Fridays paper. I am not leading, which is a disappointment, but it is still early and I still hope to win. But we have difficult games every week and this week is no different.
FPD-Stratford- The most difficult thing is picking a game in which you have seen neither team. I picked Stratford to beat Aquinas and they threatened but could not get the win at home. I was in Mark Farribas office on Tuesday and I made the statement that I had picked them for the upset against Aquinas, and he got this look on his face, then looked away and said something to the affect of I hate that people think that would have been an upset. That made my mind up who I was picking in this game.Farriba, I believe, thinks his team is pretty good. I think that the Eagles have too much fire power for FPD, but I also think it will be close. Cephus could have a big toll in this game and who does FPD have that can go up with him and make a play on the ball. McSwain can run with him for sure, but we are talking 5'10 against 6'2.FPD has shown that they are a pretty good defensive football team, but they have lacked firepower on offense. It's time that Greg Moore unleashes some weapons for a spark.
I will take Stratford by a score of 27-21
Peach Co- Central- What a game this could be. Its at home for Central , who is still looking for that signature win, and beating Peach would do the trick. After seeing Central last weekend, I don't think its going to happen. Evans and Childers shine but I had to take Peach County in this one
Peach 24 Central 20
Mount de Sales-Twiggs - I literally have no idea who will win this game. Both teams are 1-3 but Twiggs is coming off an impressive win against Hancock Central , who had defeated Tattnall a week earlier. I have no clue how good either team is, so I went with the home team
Twiggs 26 MDS 20
Tattnall-Wilkinson Co= I literally have no idea who will win this game. Tattnall was 3-0 and then got pounded and showed maybe they aren't the team to beat in its sub region. I know nothing about Wilkinson except Central beat them 31-0. Once again I will go with the home team
WILCO 31 Tattnall 24
Howard-Perry Perry will be ready to play this game but this is an absolute must win for barney Hesters team if they want to make the playoffs. Don't bet against Barney when he has to have one
Howard 30 Perry 14
That's it for now. Go watch a game and thank you for the support
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