playoff football

I know ya' al are wondering because I haven't said anything about it for a week or so but the record right now stands at110-31 which is a less than stellar 78%, way short of my goal of 90%. Oh well I can say that I have been fairly consistent throughout the year and I have put my picks and my wining percentage out for everyone to see . Don't fault me for being average with my picks.
Here we go with week two of playoff football
Baldwin-Blessed Trinity
Jesse Hicks has done his usual great job with this football team and even though he is 5-6 this year he is back to the second round of the playoffs. But now he runs into a very very good Blessed Trinity football team, and they are a team that is getting healthy at the right time with a senior/ freshman combination in the backfield with over 2200 yards between them. I want to pick Baldwin but I just can't do it
Blessed Trinity  34  Baldwin 20


West Laurens- North Oconee
This is a  dream season for West Laurens. They have a quarterback for over 2100 yards a receiver with 75 catches and a defense that does not give up a whole lot. North Oconee however has lost only once this year also and this should be a great football game.
I will pay the role of Homer this week
West Laurens 22 North Oconee 20


Perry- Oconee County
Oconee County is the team that beat North Oconee and they have only lost to Clarke Central so it will take a super human effort from Perry. The Panthers will give a super effort but they will not quite get it done this week
Oconee County 26 Perry 18


Hebron- Mount de Sales
For the first time this year Dexter Williams may not be the best quarterback on the field because  Hebron has a kid that has 2000 yards passing this year and wide-outs who can go get it. The Cavaliers struggled at times stopping the pass game and I still worry about them in this game. Aquinas was a struggle, maybe a bit more of a struggle than many expected and Hebron is better than Aquinas in my opinion. I am hope Dexter and the gang can get a win but I haven't picked them lately so why start now.
Hebron 27 MDS 21


Bremen - Dublin
Dublin at home will get it going again. They are too good to slip up right now
Dublin 32 Bremen 13


Cedar Shoals- Jones County
It could be a very close game and then again maybe not. Cedar Shoals is going to try and slow the game down and that might work because they can run the football. I think Jones County gets it done at home for one more week
Jones County 27  Cedar Shoals 20


Veterans- Carrolton
A great run by Veterans ends right here against undefeated Carrolton
Carrolton 34 Veterans 13


HOCO- South Paulding
HOCO has a chance here they really do. Hell lets just pick the upset
HOCO 26 South Paulding 20


Madison County- Mary Persons
Madison County pulled the upset last week and Mary Persons had a semi-upset of their own with some heroics. The Dawgs get a unexpected home game and they will take advantage of it
Mary Persons 34  Madison County 24


Rome-WRHS
Rome has two running backs who have combined for 38 touchdowns. Hear me now, Warner Robins wont win this football game despite a great effort
Rome 34 WRHS 31


Calhoun- Peach County
Peach County cant win this football game or maybe they cant lose it. This is the one I wish I was seeing
Peach 20 Calhoun 17


Southland-John Milledge
I needed a win folks
JMA 43 Southland 7

nfl violence and yeah my picks

I am a simple man writing a simple blog talking about high school football and sometimes I find other things that I simply must put on paper.
I went to bed last night with a little over a minute left in the Steelers-Browns game because the score was 21-7 and I was not going to win any money in fan duel.
Little did I know I would wake up to chaos from that damn game last night.
I have seen the replay probably 10 times of Myles Garrett attacking Mason Rudolph with a helmet and it brings up a few questions to me.
First of all, Garrett should be and probably will be suspended for the rest of the year. You talk about a gutless move and this was it. You talk about a stupid move and that was it. You talk about a clear violent attempt to hurt another man and this was it.
Suspended  for the rest of the year? How about suspended for two years with anger management counseling, drug testing, and community service of like a million hours.
Let me ask you. If I go into a bar and have a few drinks and I am watching a game with the other people at the bar and we get into an argument about the game and we start fighting what happens? Well chances are we would be escorted off the premises and that's about it. But what if I took my beer bottle and hit the other guy in the head with it?
I am fairly certain I am going to jail.
So why isn't Myles Garrett facing criminal charges.
A helmet weighs maybe ten pounds and they are made to stop concussions from happening  and he hit another man in the head with it. I believe if it hit flush it could have killed Rudolph. I know they were in the middle of the game but a violent act is a violent act and I could care less if it was in the heat of the moment. There are a lot of men in jail for a heat of the moment crime.
So lock the man up. I could care less how much money he has. I could care less how talented he is. I could care less if he is a good guy off the field or not. He needs to be punished and punished in a way no player has ever been punished before. In my eyes it was basically a childish man acting childish and if I hit a man in the head  I am going to jail. Send his butt to jail and make him learn a lesson.
Okay I am done with that rant now. We can talk about high school football and the playoffs. We will not talk about my overall record anymore because you can look it up if you want to . I was bad last week, really bad, but hey it's okay. The picks are made to get people talking and lord knows they do.


Let's talk about the games that could be close first.
WACO- Brooks County
What the hell WACO? You lose to Northeast to basically knock yourselves out of the playoffs but then you beat Dublin, who was undefeated to make the playoffs and break Northeast's hearts. Which team are you? Well it all counts now so I am thinking you are the good team.
WACO 24  Brooks County  21
Fitzgerald- Bleckley
What the hell Bleckley? You lose to Southwest in the last game of the season and because of that loss you have to open up with Fitzgerald ? I think I know which team shows up for them.
Fitzgerald 35 Bleckley 26
Westside- Appling
Westside has d1 kids all over the place but ended the regular season at 6-4. They won't live to see another day against Rick Tomberlin and Appling County.
Appling 27 Westside  20
Mary Persons- Eastside
MP squeezed into the playoffs and have a winnable game in the first round. I think they will keep it close but I don't think they will win.
Eastside  35 Mary Persons 28
Perry- Hampton
Perry has proven to me that they can get it done but Hampton is not a bad football team. I take the home team here in a game that could be really close
Perry 27 Hampton 17
Jones County- South Effingham
Jones County what the hell ? 44-14 last week ? Who are you ? South Effingham is a good football team with a win over West Laurens this year. Are you going to show up this week because I am sure the Stockbridge game has been watched . Are you a state title threat ? Nope, not any more
Jones County 34 South Effingham 27
Veterans- Riverdale
Veterans who the hell are you ? I thought you were ready to step into the limelight and play WRHS like you belonged. I guess we aren't quite ready for that.
Veterans 16 Riverdale 10
HOCO-Evans
HOCO is better than their record and Evans is not a great team . It could be the upset game but not quite.
Evans 24 HOCO 21


Blowouts
Wesleyan 42 FPD 14 - miracle win got FPD in but everyone knows miracles don't happen twice in a row.
Prince Avenue 31 Stratford 6- Nothing to be said. Stratford had a solid year with what they had
Dublin 99 Early County 0- Dublin will come in pissed and remain pissed.
Peach County 63 Brantley Co 0 - No need to say anything.
Pierce Co 37 Central 17- The Chargers had a great season and will be better next year. They aren't quite ready for this.
West Laurens 41 Luella 6
Never pick a team named Luella. West Laurens is going deep in the playoffs.
WRHS 49 Jonesboro 20
No questions here.


Listen to DSBN on Facebook live from 7-11pm for our update shows. I have friends all over the place tonight.

its getting interesting

MY RECORD SITS  at 83-22 right now and I have had some pretty decent weeks lately.
My aim is to not lose another game this year.
I say that while rolling my eyes, knowing that it probably is not possible.
High school football is much harder than college football and I don't think I have any doubts about that .
I mean Northeast beating WACO would be like Georgia losing to South Carolina and we all know that does not happen too often,
It seems like I have many many games this week and I have not even counted them. Some have playoff implications, some have to win while others don't, and some are playing out the string.
I will try and list them by importance this week
HUGE GAME THAT has already been decided
WACO- Dublin
I saw WACO at the beginning of the season and they looked outstanding. But they have slipped coming down the stretch with a 6-3 record including a shocking loss to Northeast a week ago. If I am reading things correctly they are in a must win situation to make playoffs scenario. Even worse they play without a doubt the best team in the region this week. In my mind WACO has no chance to pull off the upset.
Dublin 36 WACO 16
HUGE GAME THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED NUMBER 2


East Laurens- Northeast
Now Travion Solomon guaranteed me a win last Thursday but he didn't tell me that Deondre Duehart would run for 300 yards. My god what a performance in a must win situation. If I am looking at it right, the Raiders make the playoffs with a win over East Laurens, who have only won one game all season.
Welcome to the playoffs Raiders
Northeast 40 East Laurens  6


THE BEST GAMES OF THE WEEK
Aquinas - Mount de Sales
Aquinas is beat up right now or so I have heard and actually lost their last game to Warren County so I am really not sure what to think of that. Mount de Sales is a bit better than I thought however are they good enough to win a region title. I have questioned the overall toughness of this team for most of the year because lets face it, the schedule they play isn't going to knock anyone out. The teams they have played this year have a combined 21-60 record. Sure it is not their fault but they really havent faced a test all year. The only team they have played the entire year that has a winning record is 5-4 Tattnall Square.  Aquinas meanwhile has played in a tougher region and the teams they have played have a 33-39 record. I did not count Hancock Central because they were forced to forfeit most of their games. Can De Sales beat a really good team and face the grind like Aquinas will give them ?
Dexter and Josiah wont be enough this week
Aquinas  23 MDS 20


WRHS- Veterans
I love both of these coaches and they are obviously winners and both could go deep in the playoffs. Veterans is a great defensive team who struggles to score at times. WRHSis a great offensive team . I just have a feeling this game means more to Veterans at this point in the season.
I may be crazy but
Veterans  20 WRHS 17


PERRY -WEST LAURENS
Yet another heavyweight battle, this one features West Laurens, winners of five straight games while losing only one game all season( and that loss was by one point) against Perry who started off 2-3 but have turned it around with four straight wins. I would venture to say that nobody had these two teams playing on the last week of the regular season with a region championship on the line.  West Laurens has a quarterback in AJ Mathis that sits back in the pocket like Ken Stabler used to do and he picks people apart, with 1799 yards of passing and 18 touchdowns. They have a backfield of Christian Covin and Daniel Dorsey with over 1200 yards between them and a vastly improved defense. Perry however counters with Lane Rucker  throwing the ball and Makeil Kendrick running the ball and a team that has just refused to quit this year. I am going to make it a home team advantage this time with West Laurens winning a region time for the first time in like, I don't know how long.
West Laurens 27 Perry 20


THE COULD BE THE BEST GAMES OF THE WEEK
FPD-WARREN COUNTY
FPD must win this game to have any chance to make the playoffs but lets remember that Warren County knocked off Aquinas a week ago. The Vikings will battle but they will fall just a bit short.
Warren County 31 FPD 20


Jones County- Stockbridge
I have picked the Hounds to lose once and that didn't work but I am not expecting Jones County to have an easy time with a very good Stockbridge team. However the Hounds will find a way on the road. They just have too much offense
Jones County 26 Stockbridge 18


Washington Wilkes- Stratford
I think Stratford has to find a way to win this game to make the playoffs and I  just have no feel for this game. The Eagles have been very good some games and mediocre the others. I am thinking that they find a way to get a win here
Stratford  19 Washington Wilkes 16


Lincoln County -Tattnall Square
Another game where if a team loses the season is over and that team is Tattnall. The Trojans are in contention because they found a way to beat FPD a week ago and creeped into that number 24 spot in the power rankings. 24 teams make the playoffs so if they lose the season is over. These two teams played each other earlier in the year and Lincoln County manhandled Tattnall but head coach Chance Jones missed that game and I think that really affected the offense. Lincoln is huge and will do nothing but run the ball straight at Tattnall and make it look like a pee wee football game with the direct snap to the guy who is going to keep the football . Tattnall Square is highly motivated and the seniors turned it up two notches last week . Can they do it again ?
Not quite
Lincoln County 20 Tattnall 14


Mary Persons- Howard
These guys are playing for the third and fourth spots in the region and important state playoff pairings. I will never ever pick against Brian Nelson in a game like this
Mary Persons 30 Howard 24


HOCO- Northside
NO clue but I will stick to my plan that has seemed to work
HOCO 23 Northside 16


THE BLOWOUTS


Peach County- Westside
Should not be a blowout but I see a blowout. I think Peach is that good
Peach 36 Westside 14


Rutland -Jackson
Rutland is much improved but Jackson is hot and playoff bounds
Jackson 43 Rutland 6


Bleckley County- Southwest
I long to pick Joe Dupree to win this but not this year
Bleckley  37 Southwest 14


That's it for this week . Good luck to everyone

another week of high school

Well
I may as well give up with the 90% mark for this year. It may be more like 76 or 77 which is a huge disappointment to me. We have too many unsteady football teams going on this year but hey , it is what it is. At least I am trying and will continue to try for the rest of the year.
One thing that I have found out is that teams making playoffs in this area are going to be few and far between. Teams that are going anywhere once they make the playoffs are even fewer and way way far away.
Jones County ? Maybe ?
Mount de Sales Maybe ?
West Laurens ? maybe
Warner Robins a step better than maybe ?
Peach County a step better than WRHS
anyone else is a long shot to make it past the first round .

Mary Persons vs Perry
Perry has come from nowhere to be in a tie for the lead in the region and a win over Mary Persons will put them in a position for playing West Laurens for a region championship. Coach Kevin Smith has done a marvelous job but across the field will be Brian Nelson , who has won a lot of games at Mary Persons and is coming over a terrible 52-7 loss to West Laurens. Don't even think that Mary Persons will not come out a play a great game because they are still making the playoffs. Mary Persons is not a dead fish team. I should make this an upset special of the week
SORRY CANT DO IT
Perry 34 Mary Persons 26

Ola vs Jones
Pretty much a region championship game, you know that first thing a program like Jones County plays for. While I believe most of the hype about them, I don't feel like they are a true powerhouse yet. With that being said they haven't lost yet and have four skill players that are putting up huge numbers and nobody else around here has that. Other teams may have two but Carner, Wooten, Robertson and Costlow cant be matched right now.
Jones County 34 Ola 27

Veterans vs Thomas County Central
wow what a good football game this should be. Veterans will have to go on the road and try and get a win against a very good , 6-2 football team. Milan Turner has his guys believing. A big road win for the Warhawks
Veterans 20 TCC 14

Jackson vs Peach
Jackson is 6-2 with some very good wins but none of them was against a team as good as Peach. Peach is one of a few locals that I feel can make a championship game and as much as I like what Jackson has done, they cant and wont win this one
Peach 35 Jackson 20

Southwest vs East Laurens
Joe Dupree and the gang get a much needed win
Southwest 36 East Laurens 14

Twiggs Co vs Stratford
Stratford ends the regular season with a win
Stratford 40 Twiggs 6

Spalding vs Howard
Howard has fell off the wagon and cant find a win lately but Spalding is 1-7
Howard 26 Spalding 6

Northeast vs WACO
Northeast has a very good young quarterback in Travion Solomon but I just don't think they will get it done on the road against WACO. They will keep it close though
WACO 30 Northeast 21

Lee County vs HOCO
I mean its Lee County who has been Lee County all year except when they met Peach County
Lee County 37 HOCO 16

FPD-Tattnall
Wow it is hard to believe that this football season is almost over and unless Tattnall pulls off a small miracle they are not going to make the playoffs. They absolutely must win two games that they would probably be not favored to win either one of them. FPD has turned the corner for the year and has a greater chance to make the playoffs and they can run and pass. Tattnall has struggled but at times they have played good football. They will HAVE to win the turnover battle in this one to win the game
FPD 28 Tattnall 24

Upson Lee vs West Laurens
I am really not sure that after years of never winning a big game, West Laurens has become the best team in their region. Upson Lee is fighting but wont have enough this week
West Laurens 41 Upson 17

Pike County vs Westside
The Seminoles always finish strong and they will make the playoffs yet again and get a much needed win this week
Westside 33 Pike 21

Valdosta vs Northside
This one hands the Eagles a sixth loss for the year. NO miracles coming from this side of town this year
Valdosta 36 Northside 13

Enjoy the football and enjoy the cold football climate and oh yeah
GO DAWGSSSS

this weeks picks

Well I stand at 62-17 right now which means if I win 21 straight games I would be at 83%
my goal of 90% is dwindling fast but I am not giving up yet.
We have some big time games and things really matter for teams trying to get into the stat playoffs. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

Important games of the week
Coffee County plays HOCO
HOCO sits at 4-3 and still has a chance to make it to the playoffs but they need a win in the worst way. Max Rigby again will be the key but the Bears defense will have to step up and give a great effort to have a chance against 6-2 Coffee County. This is a home game for HOCO. I may as well start the engines with a big upset.
HOCO 24 Coffee County 21

Howard plays Upson Lee
Upson Lee is 2-5 and Howard is 4-3 but Howard has lost its last two games and they basically have to have a win on the road. The defense has been bad lately but the offense hasn't been much better, but I feel like Paul Carroll finds a way
Howard 26 Upson 18

Mount de Sales plays FPD
First of all Mount de Sales has a chance to run the table on the Macon schools this year and that is a huge feat. Second of all they haven't lost this year. However they had not lost last year and lost to Tattnall. Lets remember back that Josiah Cotton was barely back for that game and missed most of the year last year. Josiah Cotton is a difference make and Dexter Williams is the best dual threat quarterback in the city and one of the best in Georgia.
FPD however is no slouch and Parker Ingram has grown into the position and they can run the ball too.
I still have doubts about how good De Sales is up front. I don't feel like they have been challenged and thrown into a physical football game. Guess what, FPD can play physical football as they did against Howard. I am not sure that Mount de Sales can handle them upfront. Tattnall is very small and FPD is not.
Still Cotton and Williams are the best tandem in their region
Mount de Sales 28 FPD 24

WRHS goes to Bainbridge
We remember these teams from last year right. Bainbridge got handled the first time but beat them when it counted. I think it may go the other way this year
Bainbridge 31 WRHS 27

Westside vs Kendrick
Blowout number one on the schedule as Dixon and Barden grab some stats
Westside 43 Kendrick 6

Spalding vs Perry
Blowout number two
Perry 44 Spalding 6

Stratford vs Wilco
Stratford needs this game and Dell Sykes gets it for them
Stratford 27 Wilco 12

Peach County vs Central
A true test for Central but they just are not quite ready for Peach County
Peach 38 Central 20

WACO vs SW
I love Joe Dupree but they are playing without their quarterback
WACO is good
WACO 34 SW 6

Jones County vs Eagles Landing
BLowout
Jones 48 Eagles Landing 14

Dublin vs NE
Love the Raiders but this is Dublin
Dublin 50 NE 16

CFCA vs Tattnall
CFCA is not quite ready for this step up
Tattnall 37 CFCA 13

West Laurens vs Mary Persons
I don't know how I missed this game but I was quickly alerted. I have never picked a WL game right and I don't think I am wrong with that thought. Lets just say I have a hunch I will be right this time
West Laurens 27 Mary Persons 21



Now go see a game this weekend

Rating the top 30 offensive football players in MIddle Georgia

Yes I know that doing what I do is not easy.
I put my picks out and get blitzed when the team I pick loses by 30 points and I get accused of being a homer all the time.
It is all good though because I am at least attempting to keep high school sports coverage somewhat alive in this area.

So today I put out my second top players list and I am sure I will get many comments about this one too
Why would I possible put out a list like this and face the wrath of so many football fans that disagree with me.
My question to you is why not. I at least get to talk about high school football and get some players mentioned in some kind of publication albeit a blog.
I just enjoy it to tell you the truth.
I will tell you that my list may not be the absolute highest ranked player in the area but my list is based more on who means more to his team.
Rest assured all of these guys are quality high school football players.
I decided to go with a full 30 this time and that does not even touch some outstanding football players. MY initial list had 50 on it. I did not include local schools that are playing 8 man football. If I Miss someone feel free to let me know

30)Lane Rucker
He plays quarterback for Perry and Perry has been winning as of late, partly because of Rucker. He has thrown for 918 yards to go 7 touchdowns and Perry has a great chance to make the playoffs after a huge win over Howard.

29)Griffin Brown
This young man is a hard nosed fullback who runs very hard and has busted out 14 touchdowns on the year to go with 567 yards on the ground. FPD is fighting for a spot in the playoffs right now and Brown will have to continue his good play.

28)Lebron Fields
Veterans is known for defense but they still have some quality offensive players and Fields is one of those. He has put together 495 yards rushing to go with six touchdowns for a team that has only lost once.

27)Wes Allen
It will be a sad way for Allen and Tattnall Square to end a season but it seriously looks like three more games and the season is over. Allen has had a solid year offensively and somehow the Trojans have to find a way to end the season with three wins.

26)Julian Barnes
another running back for Veterans who has had a great year with 515 yards rushing

25)Parker Ingram
FPD has a pretty good quarterback who has improved as the year goes by. He has thrown for 1222 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this year as FPD has a chance for the state playoffs.

24)Dell Sykes
The Stratford offensive threat plays several positions and the Eagles have done a good job getting the ball in his hands as much as possible lately. They still have a shot at making the state playoffs but will have to finish strong.

23) Andrew Carner
Carner has given the Hounds a running game with 661 yards and six touchdowns. Everyone knows that these guys can pass the football but Carner has made them even harder to stop.

22)Tijah Woolfolk
Peach County is really good and Woolfolk is a big part of that . He has almost 500 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on the year.

21)Maurice Elder
The Central running back is one of the reasons that Central football is making a late run for the playoffs. He has 692 yards rushing already with eight touchdowns.

20)Blake Ethridge
Once again Veterans is a one loss team and Ethridge is the leader of the pack with 708 yards passing.

19)Travion Solomon
In case we haven't noticed Northeast is on the rise and a lot of the success they have had so far is due to the play of Solomon. I have never seen the have a quarterback like Solomon, who has already thrown for 1,230 yards and five touchdowns. He has lots of improvement to make but he is the key to this football team . They can run the football too but Solomon being able to throw opens up an entire new dimension to the Northeast offense.

18)Jalik Thomas
Central is playing as well as any team in Macon this year and Thomas has showed out as a dual threat quarterback with 655 yards throwing and 664 yards rushing while running or throwing for 14 touchdowns. I have not given up on the Central team sneaking up on some more folks before the year is over

17)Javarsia Meadows
Howard has cooled down with two straight bad losses but Meadows has been a threat with 23 catches and 325 yards rushing to go with 11 touchdowns. Here is hoping that Howard can get it going again

16)Jahlen Rutherford
The run part of the Warner Robins offense with 660 yards. He will play a key role as the weather turns cold

15)Makeil Kendrick
Perry was dead in the water early but is playing very good football right now and in the playoff hunt. Kendrick has 633 yards rushing this year and another 83 yards on 11 catches

14)Jeremiah Kelly
I love this running back because he runs so hard for Howard. He has 550 yards on the ground and will have to get it going if Howard is going to make any moves this year

13)Malik Wooten
Jones County is well represented and this guy being 13th shows the talent of this area. He has 586 yards of receiving yards and averages over 20 yards per catch. He also has 10 touchdowns this year

12)Max Rigby
Houston County has had Fromms and now they Have a Rigby who is leading his team. He has already thrown for 1,295 yards and 10 touchdowns

11)Jalen Addie
WRHS has had a Fromm also and Addies has picked right up in his first year as a starting quarterback . He has 1383 yards passing and 16 touchdowns and has also run for another 287

10)Marcayll Jones
The WRHS receiver set records for receptions last year and is having a solid senior year with 25 catches for 474 yards

9) Josiah Cotton
It is time to recognize some Mount de Sales skills players and I will start with Cotton. Not only does he have 788 yards of rushing and 13 touchdowns but he is a dominant linebacker who will play college football. On defense he already has 81 tackles with 9 tackles for loss and four sacks

8)Voctor Dixon Jr
Westside can score points and Dixon has matured into a quality quarterback . The senior has thrown for 1535 yards so far with 14 touchdowns

7)Jaydon Gibson
Peach County is doing its thing once again and Gibson is having another great year with 1234 yards passing and 11 touchdowns

6)Deondre Duehart
Northeast found a running game with Duehart, who is at his third school in the last three years. He was a standout at Stratford and WRHS but has found a home at Northeast with 763 yards rushing and a huge 16 touchdowns.

5)Noah Whittington
Peach County develops talent as well as anyone and Whittington is a do all back with 414 yards of rushing and another 256 catching passes.

4)Jontavis Robertson
Jones County is loaded with skill players but Robertson may be the best talent in the area. He has 31 catches for 681 yards and 9 touchdowns but remember he shares the spotlight with Carner and Wooten.

3)Jaylon Barden
Barden is a big play guy who can make a quarterback look great. The Westside receiver has 44 catches for 824 yards and 11 touchdowns

2)Dexter Williams
The Mount de Sales quarterback has continued to improve and the Indiana signee is have a monster year with 1102 yards passing and 10 touchdown passes, and has added 584 yards rushing with 9 more touchdowns. He has Mount de Sales primed for a deep run in the playoffs.

1) Hunter Costlow
Jones County has a quarterback that is a true winner. He is not the most talented guy on the list but he loves football and knows his position. Costlow has 1783 yards passing already, has completed 65% of hos passes and has 23 touchdowns but only 1 interception. You wonder why Jones County is undefeated, just look at the skill players. Justin Rogers left the Hounds but he sure left Mike Chastain a boatload of talent

There ya go . I hope you enjoy the list

new picks

I sit at 55-15 and I still haven't figured out some things when it comes to high school football. Once again we have three or four games that could go either way and I need to start hitting on some of them and from the beaches of Florida I will once again try to get it going

Tattnall Square at MDS
my my my what a dud Tattnall had on Friday. They played a 1-4 team at home on homecoming and came out with little or no emotion and Stratford just dominated the football game. so now they play undefeated Mount De Sales.
First of all MDS should win this game but I am not sold on them. They came to Tattnall a year ago as the more talented team and they got beat and after that it was all downhill. So who are the Cavaliers this year. They are a team with an explosive offense, but they were the same team last year, except maybe not as talented as last year on the offensive and defensive lines. Are they untested ? Yes they are. Have they won anything lately ? No they haven't. Sure they handled Stratford and Tattnall lost to Stratford, but Stratford was a different team on Friday than they have been all year. I am not sure they would not have beaten MDS if they would have played that way when they played MDS.
I truly expect Chance Jones to have Tattnall ready to play on Friday night and I truly believe that MDS is going to have a very tough game. MDS should be sky high for this game but I do feel like Tattnall will be able to move the football against them.
Its a tough one for me and thinking about picking the upset
Not this time though
MDS 27 Tattnall 23

Northeast - Lee County
Northeast has continued to improve but this is the University of Lee County at Lee County.
Lee County 45 Northeast 12

Perry- Howard
Talk about duds. Howard was terrible against West Laurens two weeks ago and got drilled. Now WL is obviously pretty decent but nobody expected that to happen. So who is Howard? That question will get answered just a bit against a decent Perry team who has started to play much better football.
My gut says Howard bounces back
Howard 28 Perry 24

Thomas Co Central- WRHS
Thomas County has only lost one football game and they will give the Demons a challenge.
Demons win it late
WHS 34 TCC 27

Veterans- Harris County
a great football game here and Veterans is on the road needing a win to keep things going. But Harris County needs a win too. Milan Turners team plays great defense and scores enough to win
Veterans 20 Harris Count 16

SW- Dublin
Dublin is way good, maybe the best team in this area. Southwest faces another great team
Dublin 51 SW 6

Peach- Rutland
Rutland is improved but not enough to play Peach County
Peach 48 Rutland 6

FPD-Stratford
FPD has won two straight while Stratford found a way to score points in the Tattnall game. In what is a fairly even game, I will never go against a Mark Fariba coached team
Stratford 20 FPD 17

Pike County- Central
Pike is pretty decent but Central played some very good teams close before getting a win over Kendrick . Coach Sample and the Chargers get it done for the second straight week
Central 26 Pike 22

nine games needing a perfect week
Lets hope for my sake it works out

here we go

5So I sit at 56-14 with a 10-2 week last week which is not quite good enough.
My main realization from last weeks games is that none of the Macon schools are going to make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Howard may have been the hope but they took an absolute beating last week to West Laurens and Westside, who usually does get through the first round, barely beat winless Central.
The private schools also continue to struggle. Tattnall won but they were not impressive and FPD had a cupcake against Twiggs.
Only MDS seems to be competitive at a state level.
Keith Hatcher has a special team and seems to be fairly healthy. He has a division one quarterback and a big strong running back but word on the street says they are not a real physical team. We will have to see if the offensive and defensive lines will hold up under the pressure.

Now this weeks games
Rutland- Pike County
Lets face it guys if Rusty Easom wins three games this season it is a miracle job of coaching. The man is trying to overcome years of bad football. If we want to talk about culture change, this is where it would start.
Rutland is a much better football team and has two wins but they step up just a bit in competition this week , but I think they will keep it close. I am sure at this point Easom is not celebrating moral victories.
Pike 27 Rutland 20

Jones County- Dutchtown
My my two undefeated teams going at it . Jones County needs a wakeup call and I believe they may get it this weekend. They haven't lost but at times they haven't been overly impressive. I love Costlow as a leader and he has at least three big time weapons but can the defense get it done against a good football team on the road ?
No it cant
Dutchtown 26 Jones County 23

FPD-Wilkinson County
Wilkinson is much better than the 0-5 record. They had chances to beat Tattnall last week and they will have a chance to get FPD on Friday night.
They wont quite get it done
FPD 27 Wilco 14

Jackson- Westside
I am waiting for Westside to turn the corner this year . I believe they have like five d1 guys on the team but something just isn't right. Jackson is a huge game and if they lose they may nit even make it to the playoffs. It not time to panic but its time to play better football
Westside 27 Jackson 24

Northeast - Southwest
love the game love the coaches love the rivalry , wish I could be at this one
Northeast 30 Southwest 23

Stratford- Tattnall
These teams always play close games. Both of these teams need a win. These teams coach are very close. These teams will hit each other for sure . Rumor is that many changes will take place with the Stratford offense this week and that makes this game even more intriguing.
I feel like 20 points is what it will take to win this game and it may not even take 20.
Tattnall wins it late
Tattnall 19 Stratford 16

Upson Lee- Mary Persons
yet again two teams needing a win.
Mary Person 27 Upson 17

Twiggs- MDS
Poor Twiggs takes another beating
MDS 36 Twiggs 0

Central - Kendrick
Really hoping a much improved Central team gets a win here
Central 34 Kendrick 16

Bainbridge- Veterans
Warhawks have a tough one but Warhawks play great defense
Veterans 16 Bainbridge 13

Harris County- WRHS
Demons have a tough one also this week but WRHS is pretty good
WRHS 34 Harris Co 20

Bonus Picks
Coffee Co 33 NOrthside 17
Valdosta 37 HOCO 22

46-12

yep 46-12 record so far this year which puts me right around 80 percent, which means I am going to have to stop missing games.
You see when one attempts to pick 90 percent of game right and opens his mouth that he will make a donation to a charity picked by my fans, then he had better be able to back it up.
Unfortunately , so far I haven't.
I feel like I an going to get in a groove very soon. The pretenders are somewhat gone, the good teams are pretty well known at this point, and things should be easier.
I mean 46-12 would be good in many areas, but since I say I know more than you , well I need to be better.

Howard at West Laurens
Lets start off with a huge game and one of the tougher picks of the week. I believe I have picked West Laurens to win maybe 5 times in all the years I have been doing high school picks and I don't believe they have ever won a game I have picked them in. Howard is good, but West Laurens is also good.
When it comes down to it, I just go by my gut feeling , which has killed me several times this year. I love Kelly and Meadows and not many folks have stopped them this year. Howard plays pretty damn good defense too,
West Laurens loses the game but wins the battle of the bands
Howard 27 West Laurens 20

WRHS-HOCO
Warner Robins is a very good football team but HOCO may not be to that point quite yet. I was shocked when Veterans held them to 2 points but when I saw the highlights it was obvious that Veterans had a very good defensive football team. HOCO just kept turning over the football.
Max Rigby can keep his team in this football game if they can avoid turnovers. Can they win this football game ?
Nope
WRHS 27 HOCO 19

Perry- Upson Lee
I would have had to pick Perry but they are on the road against a team that is playing pretty good football at the moment. This is a must win for both teams but the home team gets it done
Upson L33 20 Perry 13

Mary Persons- Spalding
It may not be the greatest of years for Brian Nelson and Mary Persons but they will still take care of a 1-4 team
Mary Persons 30 Spalding 14

Pike County- Peach County
another easy queezy win for a highly explosive football team. Noah Whittington I see you
Peach County 48 Pike 13

Dodge County -Northeast
Dodge County beat up on Southwest last week and they will do the same with Northeast.
Dodge 34 Northeast 12

Locust Grove- Jones County
The law firm of Costlow, Wooten and Robertson go off in a huge way this week and another guy Carner wants to join the firm
Jones County 34 LOcust Grove 6

Twiggs-FPD
FPD finally gets an opponent they can handle
FPD 40 Twiggs 6

Westside- Central
Easy easy easy win for the Seminoles
43-6

Kendrick Rutland
Lets give the Hurricanes a close win
Rutland wins 24-22

Tattnall- Wilkinson
The Trojans get their second straight easy win
Tattnall wins 39-18

MDS- Pinecrest
easy win for the Cavs 37-9

week 5

So I am in a bit of a slump here
I mean everyone misses some games but some of my picks have been awful
Maybe worse than awful
I start by saying I have no idea why I picked Stratford to beat Fellowship Christian. My faith in Mark Fariba was just too strong.
I don't know why I picked Central over Northeast. That was another stupid pick
So I find myself at 37-11 which is highly unacceptable and no doubt I need to have some really good weeks coming up.
This week is difficult and I have only 10 games because a lot of locals are off. NO Jones County, no FPD and no Howard.
I really only had nine games to pick but I added a gimme game of local teams. I have to win something don't I ?

ABSOLUTE GAME OF THE WEEK
Northside vs Warner Robins
This is the biggest game of the week every year because over 10,000 people are going to be at this game. Records don't matter and Northside can give WRHS a challenge. They will want to run the football with Mason Ford while the Demons will throw it with Addie and Marcayll. Who will be able to stop each other ? Since one of these is where I graduated from and I grew up hating blue and orange , I will go with the Demons
WRHS 31 Northside 21

Northeast at Bleckley
I think I have lost on Northeast every single time. The Raiders are 2-2 and Bleckley is 3-1 and this is a huge region game for both teams. Northeast had a quarterback who can throw the ball, as evidenced by his 300 yards of passing in their win over Central and Deondre Duehart has three 100 yards games already with nine touchdowns. It will be a tough one and a close one but Northeast gets it done
Northeast 23 Bleckley 20

Stratford at MDS
I would be shocked if I picked Stratford to win again this year. They are very small and lacking at skill positions and not even a great coaching staff and gritty players will find many more wins this year. Meanwhile the Cavaliers are loaded with Dexter Williams and Josiah Cotton in the backfield. Both of these young men are 200 pounds plus, and not many teams in class A can deal with that size.
Stratford surely wont on Friday night
MDS 34 Stratford 13

Central vs Jackson
Central is getting better as evidenced by a great game against Southwest. But Central lacks any kind of consistency as evidenced by the thrashing they took at the hands of Northeast. Jackson is a pretty good football team and they need a win right now.
Jackson 37 Central 7

Westfield vs John Milledge
Bruce Lane is back in Georgia and it has not been a warm welcome so far. He is 0-4 so far and it wont get any better on Friday as John Milledge handles them easily.
JMA 44 Westfield 7

Tattnall Square vs Twiggs County
Another game that doesn't seem to be close. Tattnall needs a win and they will get that win on the road
Tattnall 36 Twiggs 13

Westside-Rutland
Westside gets healthy and Rutland isn't there yet
Westside 48 Rutland 6

Perry - Veterans
Veterans beat HOCO last week and nobody expected that. The Warhawks are pretty damn good and Perry , at this time aren't really good
Veterans 26 Perry 14

Kendrick -Peach County
Lets just say 41-0 peach

Southwest - Dodge
I want Joe Dupree to win this football game against a 1-3 teams but I just don't think they can. Dodge has played great competition so far and they are ready for another win
Dodge 27 SW 13

Smells like a perfect week to me

week number four

What a great weekend of high school football it was and even though it hurt my overall record for the year, it strengthened my knowledge of really who is a pretender and who is a contender.
My 7-5 record puts me at 29-7 which puts me somewhere in the 80 percent area.
Nope not good enough
I have 11 games picked out this week and I guess I need to win at least 10 of them to get things going again. Remember I do post my winning and losing percentage because well, the other people don't. I am not competing against them because in all reality, I am better than them lol. I may be teasing or maybe I am not.
Remember my typical line which is "I have forgotten more sports than you will ever even know"
Now on with the picks

Veterans takes on HOCO
HOCO beating Peach last week makes HOCO for real for real good. I mean very few teams go to Peach County and finds a way to beat them. Lets remember Lee County came to Fort Valley and got whooped and I thought HOCO would have the same thing happen. Nope HOCO wasn't scared.
I also thought Veterans was really good and they lost last week on the road to what must be a very good football team.
Veterans will want to rebound against a huge rival but I don't think Max Rigby and his 930 yards of passing will let that happen.
It will be a good one
HOCO 32 Veterans 26

Brookstone takes on FPD
I thought FPD was pretty down this year but then they go on the road and get a win. They have been able to run the ball a little bit and the quarterback play has continued to improve. I think FPD will be fine playing against schools their size.
FPD 30 Brookstone 20

Jackson plays Howard
Jackson is good, Howard is good, and my only question is can Paul Carroll keep his team motivated to play yet another tough football team. The running back combo of Kelly and Meadows is for real with over 1200 total yards combined in four games and Jaylon Clark continues to improve a s a passing threat.
Howard 28 Jackson 26

Baldwin plays Northside
Coach Hicks at Baldwin does not mind losing the first five games against great competition and then flying through the region. At least I hope that is his plan.
Northside 27 Baldwin 14

Southwest plays Lee County
Last year when Joe Dupree talked at the Macon Touchdown Club he said his team was preparing to play the University of Lee County and unfortunately that's what he has this weekend. Southwest will compete but they cant win this game
Lee County 41 Southwest 7

Woodland plays Jones County
and will wish that they didn't. This one is a stat builder for the Hounds
JOnes Co 43 Woodland 14

Central plays Northeast
How the hell am I supposed to pick this game when either team can win or either team can lose, not to mention both of them have great bands. Geezzzz ok I know both teams are improving greatly but Central is a bit more on the verge of winning than Northeast. Its going to be a fun game.
Central 33 Northeast 30

Fellowship Christian against Stratford
It is our DSBN game of the week and I will be there , so I cannot pick against the Eagles because they will boo me. Stratford is coming off of a nice win and lets go ahead and give them two in a row.
Stratford 20 Fellowship 17

Peach against Mary Persons
Chad Campbell does not lose two straight games ever. Did you hear me Chad Campbell will not lose two game in a row. That's a bad break for Mary Persons
Peach 31 MP 21

MDS- Greene County
I picked it last week because I thought that's when they played. They would've won last week and they will win this week by even more
MDS 34 Greene 6

WRHS goes to Colquitt
Nothing really to say about this game except it will be a war and it is a war that both teams will be ready for. I just have to go with the home team


A quick look at our top 13 offensive players in Middle Georgia

1. Hunter Costlow-Jones County- almost 1100 yards of passing in four wins so far
2. Jaylon Barden- Westside-132 yards recieiving per game
3.Max Rigby-HOCO- Led team to huge win over Peach County- 930 yards passinf already with 9 touchdowns
4. Jeremiah Kelly- Howard- over 100 yards in every game this year
5. Jontavis Robertson- 21 catches for 388 yards
6.Dexter Williams- MDS- Best dual threat quarterback in the area
7.Victor Gibson-Westside- 934 yards passing and 9 touchdown
8-Marcayll Jones-WRHS- 14 catches 202 yards coming off a subpar game
9-NOah Whittington- Peach County- Big game against Mary Persons on Friday
10-Javarsia Meadows- 629 yards of offense this season
11-Jayden Gibson- Peach County- quarterback once again putting up big numbers
12-Malik Wooten- Jones County- 440 yards as a pass catcher
13-Jalen Addie-WRHS- 613 yards passing and 141 rushing
Colquitt 24 WRHS 23

Picks of the week

I lost a game last week
I know that's hard to believe but you know, I went with Lee County over Peach which I thought was a safe pick considering how good Lee County has been over the years.
I didn't know Peach was that damn good
SO I am sitting at 21-1
I will take that for sure, but this week is going to be much much tougher. But as fearless game pickers always do, I attack and get after it.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Peach County vs HOCO
Nobody would have thought much about this game at the beginning of the year but HOCO is all of a sudden a very good football team. We will see exactly how good they are this weekend as they get Peach County and Noah Whittington. Max Rigby has turned the corner as a quarterback and HOCO will play well, but this is football powerhouse Peach County.
Peach 34 HOCO 20

SECOND GAME OF THE WEEK
Westside vs Howard
Oh my god what a game this should be. Howard is going to run the football and Westside is going to pass the football and 95 percent of the time, so I guess the logical thing to do to pick the team that runs the football the most with Kelly and Meadows. So my pick is
Spoon getting a win with the passing game
Weatside 31 Howard 27

Jones County vs Union Grove
Jones County is real good and Union Grove is real average. Costlow to those receivers all night long
Jones County 47 Union Grove 20

Veterans vs Statesboro
Veterans gets tested but wins for the fourth straight weekend
Veterans 24 Stateboro 20

Tattnall Square vs Lincoln County
I have no idea who to pick in this game. Lincoln has played two teams from out of state so I have no clue if they are any good at night. Tattnall has looked great offensively so far and I think that will continue, but Lincoln County is at home. This is one of those pick-em games
Tattnall 31 Lincoln 28

Baldwin - WRHS
The Jesse Hicks will lose the first five games of the year and then win out in the region to make the playoffs is in full effect
WRHS 36 Baldwin 13

Holy Innocents- Rutland
I want Rusty Easom to win this football game for a home win but unfortunately I don't think the Canes are quite ready.
Holy Innocents 27 Rutland 13

Monroe-Perry
Perry gets a second win in this game and the Panthers start to heat up
Perry 34 Monroe 14

Northside- Whitewater
Northside finally finds a team they can beat up and get their first win of the season
Northside 36 Whitewater 13


other winners
Southwest over Central- yes I know it was Thursday but I announced my pick on the DSBN broadcast last night so I am claiming this as a win
MDS over Greene County 36-6
gee that's 11 and I have two more to pick so I will go 13 this week

Stratford gets a tough win over Washington Wilkes 16-13
FPD falls to Hancock Central in another close game 24-21

top 25 offensive threats

I am crazy for writing this blog talking about the top 25 offensive threats on a football field in Macon
I open myself up for criticism across the board to be honest but I guess I feel like its more important to get kids names in print, even if it is just through a blog.
Will I miss some kids ? No doubt I will
Will I rank differently than others ? Sure I will because I am going to rank on what they mean to the team and what they have done so far this year.
I am ranking 25 offensive threats in the Middle Georgia area. If I miss someone let me know. If you don't agree let me know. I like positive or negative feedback.
I tried my best to involve as many schools as possible because hey everyone likes mentions
25)Vansean Jackson - The Westside running back has to give the Seminoles yards because no team can pass every play. Westside had that mix last year and it led to a great year. Jackson has delivered so far in a smaller way, averaging around 70 yards per game. I expect his carries to go up as teams make Westside run the football

24)Hunter Alexander- In case you were wondering who would replace four year starter Miles Morris at quarterback for Tattnall Square, we have found out the answer and that is Alexander. While Morris was a master at running the wing-t, Alexander is straight athlete who can run and pass. He had four rushing touchdowns in the last game and also threw the ball 10 times. Tattnall will score points this year and Alexander is a big key

23)Travion Searcy- This kid is small , I mean I am betting 135 pounds but I saw him play against Westside and he is not scared to sit in the pocket and show off that rifle of an arm. He is only a sophomore so watch out for this guy , who gets to learn from head coach Joe Dupree, who by the way still ranks as one of the top quarterbacks ever to come out of Macon. Southwest is primed to have a solid year with Searcy running the show.

22)Tijah Woolfolk- Peach County is loaded and Woolfolk has already rushed for 176 yards in two games.

21)Andrew Carner- Jones County is loaded also and have showed that so far this year. Everyone knows they want to chunk it but Carner has showed everyone that he is more than capable of gaining yards on the ground with 272 yards and four touchdowns. I just want to know who beats this team.

20)Jaylon Clark- He is Howard's new quarterback and he offers a great run/ pass option for the Huskies offense. Howard if off to a 2-1 record so far and will have to be very good to get a win over Westside. It has been a few years, actually many years, since Macon has had so many good quarterbacks. This kid looks the part and has great skill players around him so it could be a very interesting year for the Huskies.

19)Travion Solomon- The Northeast quarterback has also been impressive early in the year with 325 yards passing

18)Malik Wooten-I really don't know where Jones County gets all these athletes from . I mean its a small town and all of a sudden they have all these guys who can play d1 football. Malik Wooten can fly and he already has 387 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Someone will have to stop this offense or score 55 to beat them because the Hounds proved what they are capable of when they pounded Northside.

17)Mason Ford _ Northside is off to a slow start but Ford has already gained 410 yards and scored six times. Don't worry about the Eagles . They will probably fight back and make the playoffs. If they don't its time for a change.

16)Blake Ethridge- Mr. Ethridge is the new signal caller at Veterans and they are off to a quick 3-0 start. He has 349 yards and two touchdown through the air and has added another 56 on the ground. Watch out for the Warhawks this season

15)Enrico Harden- He has the reigns of the Mary Persons offense and has responded well with over 400 yards of offense in three games for the Bulldogs

14)Wes Allen- First of all he could start for any team in this area. He runs hard and is the leader of a Tattnall team that will surprise some people this year. He put up 162 yards rushing against a very good Trinity Sharpsburg team and I am sure those numbers will continue to grow.

13)Jalen Addie- Warner Robins doesn't have a Fromm at quarterback but Jalen Addie is pretty good. The Demons are 2-0 and Addie has 349 yards passing with five touchdowns and also has 87 yards rushing. Warner Robins wont miss Mike Chastain this year and will just continue to win.

12)Jaydon Gibson- I saw him in his first varsity start last year againt Northside and he beat them and he has just continued to beat people on a regular basis. Peach County is for real and Gibson is one of the main reasons with 370 yards passing and three touchdowns in the first two games.

11)Julian Barnes- Veterans can always run and throw and this is the running back that makes things go. The Warhawks are 3-0 and Barnes has already carried the ball 62 times and gained 371 yards.

10)Noah Whittington- The area is loaded obviously and Whittington will probably be moving up the list as Peach County gets into some competition. The Western Kentucky commit has put up cose to 250 yars of rushing/receiving numbers in two games and hos versatility will be a huge plus for the team.

9)Jeremiah Kelly- Explosive, elusive, quick, tough, physical are just a few of the things that describe the Howard senior running back. I have been watching this guy since he was a sophomore and he never has disappointed . He is one of the main reasons that that Huskies will make a playoff run. He has had issues staying healthy but lets hope he can have an injury free year.

8)Javarsia Meadows - The second (or first) part of the Howard running backs. This kid can flat out play and he is dangerous as a runner and pass catcher. I saw him go over 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game this year. He is a little bigger than Kelly, but runs hard and looks quick in pads.

7)Max Rigby- Imagine having to replace Jake Fromm and then getting hurt in his very first start as a sophomore. All of that is now forgotten and Rigby is collecting college offers and winning football games as HOCO is 3-0 on the season heading into a huge game with Peach County this weekend.

6)Dexter Williams - Mount de Sales has a senior quarterback who has the chance to lead his team deep into the playoffs and they have to be considered the favorite to win the region. He is maybe the best dual threat guy in the area and he has already committed to the University of Indiana. MDS was the favorite last year and didn't get it done. This is their year. Williams in two games has 159 yards rushing and 397 yards passing with five touchdowns.

5)Marcayll Jones- A record breaking receiver from last year comes in at number five mainly because he is breaking in a new quarterback and has 12 catches for 192 yards. These numbers will sky rocket throughout the year. He is a University of Memphis commit.

4)Victor Dixon-Dixon is getting D1 offers and he isn't hurting himself on the field with his performance. He has thrown for 785 yards in three games with eight touchdowns. He has the size to be a true drop back passer but has shown the ability to tuck and go a little more this year than in the past.

3)Jontavis Robertson- The man has 14 or more offers and a lot of them are D1 schools He is just another piece of the explosion in the Jones County offense. Robertson has already has 334 yards of receiving
and 19 catches and is poised for a monster year. He already has a Tennessee offer on the table and good things will continue to come his way

2) Jaylon Barden- Westside wide-out who has all the intangibles to be a great next level player. He has played three games this year and already has 22 catches and 442 yards of receiving and six touchdowns
He and Dixon have great chemistry and are the offensive leaders on a very very good football team.

1)Hunter Costlow- Is he undersized ? Yes he is. Is he a system quarterback ? He probably is. Is he a winner ? Oh yes he is. Can he play college football ? Why yes he can . Costlow is putting up video game numbers as a senior with 930 yards of passing in only three games and that includes 11 touchdowns . He has thrown only one interception so far. This kid is a football players and he has great numbers over his career. He will get his chance somewhere, that I promise you

So that's it , 25 of the best offensive players in the area. I hope you enjoy readin and go see a high school game this week . I know I will

yes that was 11-0

So Perfection is pretty sweet.
I picked upsets and they worked I picked sure things and they worked and as the scores came in I realized that I had not missed a game.
I mean I picked the Rutland game right, a team that had lost forever won and I picked it.
Guts of a burglar in a police parking lot.
Wisdom of a man much older than me
More knowledge in my head for useless knowledge of sports than most people will ever have
OK now I will go 3-8 this week, but I don't think so . I think I have a keen feeling for most of these local football teams.

Lets look at facts right now
WRHS is good and Marcayll Jones will still put up big numbers with Jalen Addie at quarterback
Westside has the most explosive combo of the year with Victor Dixon and Jaylon Barden
Howard has the best running back combo in the area with Jeremiah Kelly and Javarsia Meadows and a pretty good quarterback in Jaylon Clark.
Houston County has Max Rigby and a 2-0 record

I could go on and on but I don't want to use all my good stuff right now.
So lets get to the games

GAME OF THE WEEK

Well you pretty much have to go to Peach County for this one as they play Lee County. Chad Campbell is one of the best coaches in the areas and he has a very good football team. But wwe are talking Lee County, who has 120 people on the team and has been winning a lot of football games over the last few years.
I cant pick Peach County this week although I may pick them every other week of the season
Lee Couunty 24 Peach 20

SECOND GAME OF THE WEEK
Northide vs Jones County
Mike Chastain has his quarterback in Hunter Costlow, who may as well be a Fromm with the numbers he puts up. Jones County will score points and Northside is still a bit iffy when it comes to scoring points. I catch hell every time I pick against the Eagles and their fans feel like I don't really like them. I married a Northside grad but that does not mean I will pick them to win when they are going to lose. I think Northside will make the playoffs barely but going to Jones County is a tall task for anyone these days
Jones County 30 Northside 23

THE OUCH GAME
ACE V Lamar County
ACE is coming off of a win against a smaller school but this week they move up a notch and play undefeated Lamar County. ACE is trending in the right direction but a win is not on the schedule this week. Lamar County 38 ACE 13

FUN GAME OF THE WEEK
Perry vs Westside
Westside will score a lot of points but Westside has also given up a lot of points. Points make football fun right ? Unfortunately for Perry, Westside will score way more points than Perry this week.
Dixon to Barden goes off again
Westside 38 Perry 23

Morrow- Mary Persons
Mary Persons lost the first game of the season so I can pretty much count on them not losing again until much later. this is an easy one. Enrico Harden leads the way to a win.
Mary Persons 34 Morrow 17

Stratford vs George Walton
I want Stratford to win this game but I cant pick Stratford to win this game
George Walton 24 Stratford 14

FPD- Mount Vernon
Imagine a 4:45 game on Friday afternoon when it is supposed to be about 97 degrees against a team that passes more than it runs. It is really a tough situation for the Vikings to be in .
Once again I want them to win but I just don't think they will
Mount Vernon 33 FPD 20

Macon County- Southwest
I love Travion Searcy as the new Southwest quarterback even though he is pencil thin. He can throw the football and he will throw the football. I look for Southwest to get a win this week
Southwest 23 Macon County 16

Central- Howard
Central is improved and Howard may not be quite as good as last year. Then again Howard may be better than they were last year but I am just not sure of that yet. Kelly and Meadows run wild in what will be a fun game to watch
Howard 31 Central 22

Trinity Christian Sharpsburg- Tattnall Square
Trinity basically beat the snot out of Tattnall a year ago and why should I believe it wont happen again ? Tattnall is definitely unproven after their first game but they showed signs og being a decent football team that will be able to run the football. Can they stop anyone though ? We will see this weekend
Trinity 35 Tattnall 26

Rutland vs HOCO
Rutland is sky high after getting a win and I am very happy for them. They have some good athletes and I feel like the future is way better than the past but Rome was not built in a day. Max Rigby my friends , remember that name.
HOCO 48 Rutland 12

Lets see how these 11 do

High School Football here we go

I almost got this blog going again last week but just ran out of time when I was working on it. Last week would have been mostly guesses because I had not seen or heard from anyone but after three high school games in two day I feel like I am ready to go with my picks.
Here is my pledge to you and these are my true goals for this blog.
I will try and make you smile at least once while you read this
I will try and give you informed and accurate high school picks
I will try and not be a homer
I will pick games with a 90% accuracy or I will make a donation to the high school that I miss with the most

I guess that is enough with that, so lets get to games

GAME OF THE WEEK
Howard vs FPD
This game was a laugher last year but Howard was loaded and FPD was way way down. I mean they were down farther than they had been down in awhile. But what usually happens when a team is way down is that the next year they improve, at least if you are an established coach like Greg Moore is at FPD. I hear the Vikings will throw it a lot and I expect them to have some success, but they wont beat Howard. Head coach Paul Carroll is breaking in a new quarterback and Jaylon Clark had a decent game in his first start against Jones County. But Jeremiah Kelly and his speed will hurt FPD in this game. Kelly may be the best back in the city and he is a senior, so expect him to be over 150 yards rushing. FPD battles but its Howard all the way
Howard 34 FPD 16

THE HMMMM GAME OF THE WEEK
Northeast vs Perry
I see this as a very interesting game for sure. I expected Perry to be rising this year but they got beat up by a rival last week. Meanwhile Northeast lost to Trinity Christian Sharpsburg, a pretty good football team but a class A football team who hasn't challenged for a state championship. Perry has an experienced quarterback in Lane Rucker and I just feel that maybe that Houston County team that beat them last week might be really good.
Northeast is going to fight all year and will win some games but I don't think they will win this week
Perry 23 Northeast 15

THE HOW GOOD ARE THEY GAME
Locust Grove vs WRHS
Yes how good is Warner Robins this year ? They have been very good lately, but this is a different team with a different coach in Marquis Westbrook. Lets not forget that they no longer have a qb named Fromm and they only scored 24 points in last weeks game, even though they won . Last year 24 points in a half would have been a disappointment. Jalen Andie is the new quarterback and he passed for 155 yards last game, but it will take time for the offense to click like they did with Fromm. Still Locust Grove will not challenge the mighty Demons.
WRHS 34 Locust Grove 10

Westside vs Harris County
Westside was somewhat impressive in their opening win but it was not a game that made you go wow these guys are great this year. It was more of a hmmm they have some nice players but I don't really get a feel for how good they are. They have many weapons on offense and head coach Spoon Risper knows how to score points but Harris County is a very tough test in the second game of the year. I think this could easily be a game of the week and it will be a good one. I just don't think Westside will be able to run the football.
Harris County 27 Westside 24

Central vs HOCO
Central will be better this year but not HOCO better. Max Rigby is a senior quarterback for HOOCO and he is the man who replaced Jake Fromm three long years ago. He has taken his lumps but he is a grown up senior that is about to turn some heads
HOCO 35 Central 13

Veterans vs Bleckley
Oh my god what a game this could end up being. Both teams won big in the opening week against decent teams and I have no idea who to pick in this game. So lets just say I flipped a coin and called it a day.
Veterans 24 Bleckley 20

OTHER GAMES
Upset special Rutland 19 Hawkinsville 12 , I May be crazy but how can you pick against a hurricane when a hurricane is coming. I hope Rutland has the energy of Dorian

Rival game Mary Persons 26 Jackson 14- Brian Nelson doesn't lose twice in a row and Mary Persons doesn't lose to Jackson

Rival Game #2 Jones County 31 Baldwin 17- Baldwin cant stop anyone with a young defense and Jones County wants to be a small town football factory. To do that they gotta win a championship though. They wont do that but they will win this football game.

the I have no idea game #2
Savannah Country Day 24 Stratford 10

Blowout of the week
MDS 37 Landmark 6

That's 11 games picked so I have to win 10 of them to hit 90 percent . That's a fairly daunting task but I am confident I can do that. Feel free to give me feedback

The best sports story going right now

So a summer of ups and downs has turned into something special.
Just when you thought it was freaking over.
I have enjoyed watching every single Macon Bacon home game this year and many of the road games, and after last Friday night I was fairly sure that their season would come to an end on sunday night in the first round of the CPL playoffs.
The Bacon looked like a Bacon grease fire on Friday night as they dropped a 10-1 decision to the team they were going to play in the playoffs on sunday. It would have been even worse but the rain came and they didn't play the last two innings.
Dam Savannah beat the Bacon again on Saturday and heading into that sunday playoff game the Bananas had won 11 of 12 games.
That's pretty damn hot.
But then sunday came.
It was like head coach Danny Higginbotham went out and got a brand new team, but it wasn't. It was the same guys who had struggled to score the last part of the season, but with a little more pep in their step. Its amazing what happens when kids really want to get a W.
Final Score Macon 7 Savannah 3
I give a lot of the credit to Higginbotham.
Let me tell you a little bit about a summer league coach.
He puts together a team that he thinks can compete for a championship and hopes to be able to keep it together for as long as he can. But what happens is the team that started the season usually isn't around by the end of the season. That is definitely the story for the Bacon. I am counting at least eight players that started the year and played huge roles for the Bacon that are not on the team at this point of the season. Some got hurt, some had pitching limitations for the summer, and some just agreed to half of the summer. But for whatever reason, Higginbotham has had to replace all of these guys with players that are still talented enough to beat Savannah in a one game playoff on a sunday night.
Mission Accomplished.
How does a coach replace MJ Rookard, Cal Gentry, Tristan Thomas, Cort Roedig, Roury Glanton, and Nathan Schreckengost just to name a few, and still advance to the second round of the playoffs?
Well friends Danny Higginbotham can talk an eskimo into moving to Central Florida and he has used that talent to get players to come to Macon to play baseball for a few weeks or months. He has simply done a remarkable job of putting a team together . These guys really do like each other and they play hard on most nights. They played very hard on sunday and that's why they are still playing.
Lets be honest the Bacon players are mostly between 19 to 21 years old. They have moments that maybe a game isn't the most important thing, especially on a Friday night when they could be out partying. I feel like we saw that a lot from last years team. But for the most part this year, the team has been focused on the task at hand and that was making a playoff run. I know for a fact that last years team was ready to go home by the time the playoffs came around but this years team plays like they want to win the thing. The credit goes to Higginbotham for putting together a team that came here to play baseball first and for the players he has been able to pick up halfway through the season.
So now the Macon Bacon come home in another win or go home scenario on Tuesday night. If they lose most Bacon players will leave town on Wednesday or Thursday, but if they win they play a best two of three series for the CPL championship. These kids made the choice to give up another week of their summer to try and win a championship and they deserve our support. I am urging this community to pack the damn stadium on Tuesday night and show the Bacon that we support them. I know I will be there.

John's crazy summer

I know all of you are wondering what I am doing this summer so I thought I would throw some words out to everyone , just to keep you up to date.
As most of you know, last year I was an usher at Macon Bacon games and I realized a few things about myself, the main one being that I was a very old man who needs to use his mind and not his body to make money.
So no ushering for me this year.
However that does not mean I am not at the ballpark each and every day the Macon Bacon play a home game.
My new title is trackman operator.
Yes I know an impressive title working on stats during the game, charting every pitch by clicking buttons on a computer.
You didn't really think I was that smart did you ?
Maybe my friends, I am not.
When I was approached about doing trackman for the Bacon , I thought of sitting in the air conditioned press box and being able to enjoy the game and up to game day that's still what I thought.
I was wrong. I actually sit in section 205 on the second row with a computer in my lap, having to track every pitch of the game.
I have learned many things this summer and I feel it is my job as a blogger to tell you what I have learned.
1. When one works at a ball park that offers all you can eat options, the traffic in the isles is huge. I am sure I am very comical as I stretch one way to see the pitch that is coming so I can , well , track it. One thing I have learned is that if you miss a pitch on this system you are screwed. If the count is 3-2 and you have it as 2-2 and the pitch is a ball, then the system is going to send the guy to first base and move on to the next batter. That's is not good so I dodge and weave with a computer on my lap for most of the day
2. The seats at Luther Williams are not comfortable. I mean they downright hurt like hell with no relief. I am sitting there for 3 or more hours and cant really stand up a whole lot because of my tracking, so sometimes I wish I still weighed 305 instead of 248 because my ass would be much more cushioned.
3.I get strange looks and questions all the time and everyone wants to know what I am doing. When I explain the next question is what team am I scouting for. I am sorry to say that usually just come up with a team and hope that they will move on. You see I have no time for idle chat because I am tracking every single pitch. I did tell one fan early in the year that I worked for the Indiana Pheasant Hunters from the independent Plain Name League and the guy seemed fairly impressed.
4. Trackman is a fairly impressive app. They have a laser beam hooked up at the top of my pole(yes its my pole) and the system tracks velocity, spin rate , and about six other things. It also track s exit velocity when someone hits the ball. Trackman is amazing because it can also tell you what each player had for lunch, as well as what kind of music they like. What is truly amazing is that it also tell you what kind of mood they are in that day and height and weight of each ones mother and father. I really am not sure how they do that.
If you are at a Bacon game please come and say hello and now you can avoid asking me all this awkward questions. I would love to see my fans, but don't be turned off if I only give you a second. Its hard tracking pitches while talking and sweating

Why are people so mad

My oh my oh my, does this world need a pick me up.
It is not only in the sports world but I write about sports better than anything else, so as usual I will relate my feelings towards things that happen in sports.
I will truly tell you that I really just don't get people. Random acts of stupidity and violence are just running wild and yeah it bugs me. To me it comes down to living by mom and dads codes and just respecting others.
I don't even know if anyone knows where I am going with this but after Monday, I felt like I had to write because I saw three things just on sunday and Monday that bug me to death.
I want people to start living by the codes of people you have respected in your life. If it wasn't your momma and daddy then it was a teacher or a coach or a minister. You know what I am talking about, that person who could talk some sense to you and make you understand right from wrong.
I start with David Ortiz and the animal that shot this man. Ortiz was just hanging out at a night spot in the Dominican Republic, somewhere he is revered as a sports star and a celebrity. Someone walked up to him and just shot him. It was a damn miracle that he didn't die. Yo shooter, mom and dad would not just go shoot someone.
The overwhelming support that Ortiz has received is almost enough to make up for the one idiot that did the shooting. I am glad to hear that Big Papi is back in Boston, which is where he belongs.
So I am sitting at home last night watching the Braves and the Pirates pitcher throws a pitch that grazes Josh Donaldson's jersey and it gives Donaldson a chance to walk to first on a harmless hit by pitch. I mean if I was him I would have been excited because Josh and his 237 batting average dont get to touch first base very often. Nope Josh has to show that he's a tough guy and stares down the Pirates pitcher.When the pirates pitcher stares back Donaldson goes nuts and charges him. Anger issues Josh ? Mad because the only way you can get on base is a walk ? I just don't get the reaction unless he was mad before the pitch was thrown. I mean its a tough life for Josh, collecting that 22 million for doing nothing to help a team win. I am sure his mom and dad were even ashamed of him and I cant blame them. Its okay to be mad but seriously Josh ? What was that ?
So later on Monday night I am watching the playoffs and Kevin Durant goes down with a serious injury and the Toronto fans go crazy with joy. Do not let anyone tell you it wasn't most of the people attending that game cheering. I sat there watching and I just really couldn't believe what was happening. The fans cheered because a player go hurt. The Toronto players quickly held their hands up to stop it and kudos for them for doing that but it was really too little too late. I hope that makes every player that ever thought about going to Toronto turn around and say heck no. It was a pathetic performance by the city of Toronto. Those fans parents would have been embarrassed by that booing. The word classless comes to mind.
I feel like athletes are just aloud to react in ways that are not too appealing. What do you see a player scream when they strikeout ? The eff word. What word comes out when a pitcher gives up a homerun ? The Eff word. What is the first thing you hear when a manager or player is arguing a call ? That's effing bs you stupid mfer , that's effing terrible. This is every night at every game in every sport. It starts early too. I saw at least 40 high school games and it was pretty much a nightly thing. I am not saying every player on every team but EVERY team has a few.
I am not a saint and I have used many eff words in my life but I am trying to stop. I say lets stop it when they are young and teach people how to talk.
I will stop if you will stop and then maybe the 17-24 year old crowd will stop.
Except for Josh Donaldson
He will never stop

Why I think Tattnall will win another state title

So let's talk about Tattnall Square baseball for a few minutes because basically, as usual, it is the only team from Macon that is still playing. Those guys won a State Championship last year and so many before that it's just crazy.
Now let me tell you a little bit about the baseball team this year.
In truth, it is not one of the "can't miss" teams that Joey Hiller has had in the past.
They are good, not great.
They infuriate Hiller with poor base running, poor fielding, mental lapses while fielding, mental lapses while running the bases, mental lapses while trying to lay down a bunt,so many many things.
Did I mention some of them twice?
If I did, that means they really really struggle at times.
Let me explain that Tattnall cruised through the regular season and lost only one game but something still was not perfect. They were relying on great pitching and not scoring huge amounts of runs.
But they were winning easily.

The Playoffs have been a different story.
Tattnall has had to win games on guts and gore and just plain refusing to lose.
Tattnall culture prevails? No doubt about it.

Joey Hiller is a Barney Hester disciple. He learned from the best and turned Tattnall into a baseball/softball dynasty. That is why they are still alive in the Playoffs and have a chance to win a State Championship today.
You see, it is not always about who is the most talented team. Sometimes, just sometimes, the team who wants it more wins.

I have been to almost all of Tattnall's games and I am fairly sure I know why they win and it starts with Hiller. The man has won almost 1000 games and that is just high school games. He has embraced the Tattnall Culture line and the Tattnall Way line and he just doesn't talk the talk he walks the walk.
So what is the Tattnall Way?
After a year I believe this is what the Tattnall Way is:
1) Outwork- Tattnall baseball teams work hard every single day. They come to practice and with the help of a great coaching staff, they get it done in a timely way. I have seen practices, fielding, hitting, pitching all going on at the same time. Pitchers that never pitch getting work in even though they barely throw in games, live scrimmages more than most teams. Practice makes perfect right?

2) Believe- By the time a Tattnall kid makes the varsity team, they believe that they are part of the best high school baseball team in the state. They act like it , they dress like it and they certainly play like it. They are not cocky but they truly believe they will win every game. They have seen what all the other Tattnall baseball teams have done through the years and they know what is expected of them and simply refuse to fail.

3) Leadership- Tattnall has leaders on the team. I was at a practice a few weeks ago, and a senior saw another player come out to warm up and he didn't have a baseball cap on. The senior asked where it was and the player said that he left it in the car. Two minutes later the player came back with a Tattnall baseball cap on. The senior didn't beg, he just let it be known that he wasn't going to practice if he was not properly attired. Anyone who sees Tattnall play knows that the leadership on this team is off the chain.

4) Guidance- Tattnall has the best coaching staff in the state. They have loud coaches, quiet coaches, mean coaches, nice coaches, and funny coaches. They have a special mixture. Almost all of them were very good baseball players at one time or another and they know the game backwards and forwards. They have forgotten more baseball than most people ever have known. The players know they will get yelled at sooner or later, but the players respect the coaches and allow them to coach. Meanwhile Joey Hiller allows his coaches to coach, which may be the most important part of this entire story.

5)Jody Burnett- Simply the best trainer around here. You want an example. Dawson Brown breaks foot fot the second time in six months on spring break in a baseball game. Out for the year right ? Nope, no surgery , constant rehab and the guy is pitching 6 weeks later. I am not sure why someone hasn't tried to get this guy. He is freaking brilliant and the Tattnall coaches and players know it


6) Respect- As in respect the game as in respect teammates, as in respect the opponent, as in respect the program they are in. I have never ever had a bad interview with a Tattnall player because hey they are coached on that skill too. I just want to help my team win is the common line but when these kids say it they mean it. It's team first no doubt about it. I interviewed a kid one day and saw him at the store two weeks later and every time that kid walks up to me and shakes my hand. That my friend is what makes Tattnall baseball special.
Will Tattnall be the most talented team on the field on Tuesday when they take on Savannah Christian? I would have to say probably not. But I will take the Trojans to win the series because that is just what they do.
If you wonder where this Tatnall Way is in Macon, GA, ride down Wesleyan Drive until you get to the Tattnall Square sign. The baseball field is on the left.

THE SQUARE PULLED ONE OUT OF THE HAT

IT WAS SIMPLY STUNNING
IT was almost unexpected
But once again in almost unbelievable fashion
Joey Hillers boys got it done.
Now most of you know that I have a blog for Tattnall and I have enjoyed it immensely.
But tonight I write on here
basically because this is a more personal blog
Its a baseball story but its not a gamer story
This is how in my eyes Tattnall pulled one out against a team that suddenly wasn't scared of the Trojans and maybe just maybe had a little more talent than the Trojans.
I saw the games Wednesday night and I saw a bewildered Tattnall Square team pull out a win in the first game despite not playing its best game and then I saw them get slammed in the second game.
I saw frustration in players eyes, the first time I had truly seen that all year.

Then on Thursday Tattnall had the bases loaded in the first inning and Strong Rock, who by the way, has a baseball team as strong as a rock, came right back in their half of the inning and put four on the board.
Tattnall was in serious trouble.
Now we get to hero number one and that would be Dawson Brown.
Now Dawson is just back from a broken bone in his foot and made his first appearance in the second game on Wednesday. He didn't pitch poorly but he wasn't the same guy who had been dominant before the injury.
Dawson returned to being dominant on Thursday and kept Tattnall in the game.
The bats came alive enough to tie the game at four but Browns pitches for the series were done. Brooks Gorman used his 34 pitches and was nursing a 5-4 lead but Strong Rock was threatening in the last inning.
Who the heck does Joey Hiller go to now ?
Of course it only made sense.
Lets put Trey Ham in . Yes Trey Ham the catcher, who had been behind the plate for over 20 innings in the last 24 hours. Yes Trey Ham who has not pitched a single inning all year.
Trey walked in a run on a very questionable pitch and had the bases loaded with only one out. The Tattnall season was going to be over in a matter of a minute.
But then the game got crazy, crazier than it had been before.
Hunter Alexander was behind the plate for maybe the first time all year, and he couldn't handle one of Ham's pitches. The ball rolled to the backstop but Alexander was on it and threw to Ham covering and the runner trying to score was easily out. But the runner going from second to third forgot how may outs there were and started jogging towards the plate. Ham put the tag on him and it was the third out, forcing the third out.
Tattnall gets Gorman on base and its time for hero number two.
Trey Ham comes up and rips a line drive into the left center gap and Tattnall has runners on second and third and Alexander rips a hit to score Gorman.Then with two outs Kaden Toth rips a single to give Tattnall a huge insurance run.
So Ham comes out and gets the first two men out before losing the strike zone. A visit by JB Brooks doesn't help and a batter later after the second walk, Coach starts to walk out to take Trey out and Trey basically waves him off. He battles back from a 3-0 count to throw two strikes and throws another close pitch that is called a ball. An error scored a run to make it 7-6.
This time Trey is gone .
Time for another hero in Carter Fink a sophmore who gets the number four hitter to ground to third and Tattnall wins 7-6
To call this a gutty performance by Tattnall would be an understatement. It was damn near a miraculous win.
Joey Hiller and his brilliant coaching staff never gave up on this team and it showed . These kids were challenged the entire series and they found a way to advance.
It is my friends, what Tattnall expects and usually does.

Its been awhile

Yes it has been awhile but sometimes life happens and writing takes a back seat.
You all know how that goes.
It's kind of like when you are in school and you know you absolutely have to write a paper and you have to make yourself finally do it.
The only difference is that I don't have to do it.
Then something happens and you know you have to be the opinionated person that you are and put something on a blog.
That's my curse I guess.

Many times I have talked about the demise of the local newspaper that no longer covers local sports. In my opinion that has come to an all-time terrible this week when the Telegraph cover the Masters like it's in our back yard and doesn't have a word about region baseball tournaments, area track and field, soccer, or even tennis, with teams advancing to the state tournament all over the place.
NO, the Telegraph writes about the Masters.
I just don't get it.
I remember for so many years Daniel Shirley covering the Masters for the Telegraph, but all during that time, he was emailing stories of local things that needed to be covered, because basically, the Telegraph is a Middle Georgia newspaper. Now it is a Middle Georgia newspaper that doesn't cover the area sports.
I think it's pathetic.
So last week it is announced that WGXA has also decided not to cover sports anymore. Okay who is making the decisions around here ? Cam and AJ were kicking butt covering anything and everything that looked like local sports and they were doing a damn good job. But they come into work one day and are told to pack their bags. Not only is this a poor example of southern hospitality, but its about as poor a decision as I have heard since, since, well since the Telegraph decided not to cover local sports.
So now it is basically up to WMAZ to carry a huge torch, and I know they will continue to put out a great product. But are they really able to cover everything in this area that deserves coverage ? The answer to that is no. I know they will try. Sure during football WMGT will still put out high school football show and WgXA may also , but it wont be the same.
So what leads to the failures of media in Macon ? I don't have an answer to that. The Telegraph sports department put out a quality product, but the numbers were never good. I assume WGXA had the same issues. Macon has to support the product to be successful and that has always been a problem.
I just think it's sad that a city the size of Macon has one news outlet now that gives a crap about high school sports.

I know I will miss a few things but lets just mention what the Telegraph and WGXA are missing this week
Tattnall baseball vs FPD on Monday in the second round of the region tournament. Tattnall is 23-1 on the year but gets nothing and FPD has battled all year to get to this point and it will be a great game on Monday. Tattnall had a 30 game winning streak but no mention in a newspaper. They have won 37 of the last 38 games.
Stratford and FPD girls soccer both have chances to make long runs in the state tournament
AAU basketball is hot as fire in this area and the city has several highly ranked players in the state.
The city baseball and soccer scenes are as good as they have been in several years and not to mention spring football practice
The tennis scene with FPD and Stratford battling for supremacy in both boys and girls tennis.
This is all stuff that has been covered for years and now kids don't get press.
Farewell AJ and Cam , you did good

My blog is not dead and neither am I

No I am still around for sure, but I have been busy. A lot has happened since I last blogged and I am not sure why I haven't blogged in awhile. The main reason may be because it didn't seem that anyone was reading my stuff.
What the hell is wrong with these people?
I sometimes find myself in a quandary about what people want to read.
I sometimes wonder if anyone even reads at all anymore
I know I used to read Sports Illustrated and ESPN magazine and I rarely look at them anymore so maybe no one reads anything longer that a tweet.

So anyways, enough of that. Let's get on to some topics that I know all of you want to hear about.
My health.
I am guessing most people heard about my much older brother ended up having triple bypass surgery about 4 weeks ago and when that happened everyone acted surprised that it wasn't me . Whattt?? OK it is true that I am overweight. Ok a lot overweight, and I guess people thought-it would be me with the health issues. I don't go to the doctor,(haven't been in three years) and I admit I have a true phobia of them. I guess we could say however, that all of that has changed.
When my wife heard the news about my brother, she started talking to me about making a doctor appointment. "You need to get checked out. You need a physical. You need a colonoscopy."
What??
Ok, I will get a physical.
Now, let me tell you my colonoscopy fears. I get these fears from what others have told me about their colonoscopy experience. One of my true friends told me that it was the worst experiences of his life. "John in no way shape or form would I ever let them do another one of those dastardly tests on me. The day before was the worst day of my life because the preparation is embarrassing and uncomfortable. I have had heart surgery, swam miles in the pool at the same time, lost a finger in a car wreck , been married for 30 years, and this was undoubtedly the worst thing I have ever gone through in my entire life."
That's enough for me, although I heard a few weeks later that at the time of his colonoscopy he was in the hospital and had to do all the prep while he was in the hospital and he had to do all of the prep using a bed pan. Ok now that is sick.
So I agree to a physical finally and after cancelling once, I end up going. I figure what the hell; it cant be that bad. I will go in, give some blood, a urine sample, and they take my blood pressure and listen to my heart. Boy was I wrong.
For those of you who don't see a doctor for a physical things have changed quite a bit. I walk in fill out paperwork, and then the fun begins.
I gave blood
I gave urine
I had a chest x ray
I had a EKG
I gave a kidney away
I admitted to drinking once in awhile
I admitted I get stressed

That was all before I even saw my doctor.
Now the place I went was basically a do all place for every test they could possibly think of and for most of them they were able to get the results back while I was still in the building. After 90 minutes or so I finally get to see my doctor. He asked me a page full of questions, talked to me about why I haven't been to the doctor in so long (because I had one years ago ask me why I was so determined to make my kids orphans) and basically everything else in the world. As he was talking I felt like he was trying to sell me stuff.
Do you have an eye doctor? > No > oh I can set you up with one
Do you have a dentist?> Yes I do > Oh, okay. If you are ever unhappy with him let me know.
Do you have a guy who washes your car?> No > Oh, I can help you out with that.
Do you have a girlfriend?> Doc I am a married man. > Oh, well if that fails I can help you out there too.

So after the questions he's finally ready to play doctor.
You know your blood pressure is high? Really? I didn't know that (I did know that)
I think I hear a heart murmur has anyone told you that? I have never had a heart murmur. Oh well it could be because the blood pressure is elevated but we better run a echocardiogram while you are here.
OH MY GOD.
So another test on the same day.
Total time at the doctor - 3 hours, and all they could find was high blood pressure. Okay, high blood pressure is bad but I am now on meds for it.
All the other stuff was normal and I think the doctor was almost pissed off about it.
But he did give me a good place to get my car washed.