... and their 2nd year coach, Lenny Gregory, who came from Collins Hill (having won a state championship there) to take over one of the weaker programs in the state.

In his first year they went 0-10, which isn't at all unusual for Gordon Central. In fact, it was the 3rd year in a row that they went 0-10. But he implemented a much better off-season strength and conditioning program, actually getting more students involved. This year they went 4-6, and although they got beat decisively in some games, they played some good teams close in some games, too (lost to 8-2 Christian Heritage 28-20).

But, interestingly, under this year's new state playoff format for classifications A-AAA, and with there being fully separate private school playoffs and championships, Gordon Central actually snuck into the playoffs as the #30 seeded team out of 32. This is Gordon Central's first appearance in the playoffs since 2012 (they lost in the 1st round).

They have to travel to play the #2 seed, Dublin. But, hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

Just further interesting stuff with what has been a perennial whipping post program who got a good head coach and it is showing already in his 2nd year.

My Harlem Bulldogs got the overall #2 seed in AAA. ..host Cedar Grove Friday night.

(11-12-2024, 11:42 AM)Replying to Punkin14

I honestly don't know how or why it happened. But Rockmart got the #1 seed in AA. I'm not complaining. But I don't know how the calculations were made. We are 8-2 and our two losses were to two Class AAAA powerhouses... Cedartown and Cartersville. But, man, we have some issues on offense.

That said, I'm glad that we'll get to host playoff games as long as we remain alive.

We were in Class AAA a few years ago, and we played Cedar Grove, and lost a terrible heartbreaker in triple overtime. We missed an absolute chip shot field goal in the 2nd overtime that would have won the game.

I’m not so sure about this seeding thing…seems easy to manipulate..

(11-12-2024, 02:35 PM)Replying to McDonoughDawg

I don't know enough about it to really have an informed opinion.  It sounds like it is another "committee" type thing where the seeding is subjective and the people doing the seeding can play favorites.

It's not subjective at all. There's a formula based on your winning percentage (with road wins given more weight), your opponents' winning percentage, and your opponents' opponents' winning percentage.

It's definitely not perfect, but it is not subjective.

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Also, I once again agree with you about coach Gregory.

There's only so far you can go without the athletes but he'll do what he can with what he has.

(11-12-2024, 03:54 PM)Replying to Walnut River

I think the seeding formula and system comes from Calpreps... but I could be wrong about that. My memory does seem to say it is them, though.

Rockmart won the region again and went 8-0 in region games. We had to come from behind to beat North Cobb Christian (a very good team) at home, 24-21. We played North Murray on the road and came very close to going into halftime 0-0. We threw a touchdown pass with 1.8 seconds left on the clock to go into halftime leading 7-0. We pulled away in the 4th quarter to win 28-7. We had at least one other game which we did win, but we should have never been anywhere near so close. So, we DO have a decent team. We do have a great defense and a superb kicking game. But when you talk about being the #1 seed, I am thinking of SEVERAL extremely good AA teams like Pierce County, Appling County, Burke County, Callaway, etc., etc. I dunno. As I said, I'm not complaining. Being the #1 seed means we'll host every playoff game up until the state championship, should we somehow make it that far.

Hunker Down North Gwinnett High School Bulldawgs..