HSFB 2018: Monday Afternoon Quarterback - around Central Georgia

Win No. 1, shutout No. 1

            No doubt the program debut game against Treutlen, a 35-21 loss, was  confidence-builder for ACE.

            After all, Howard lost its first game 46-7 to Johnson County in its first game, in 2008, and didn’t get its first win unti Oct. 10, 36-21 over Monticello.

            Veterans lost 44-10 to Cedar Grove in its debut, in 2010, and racked up win No. 1 on Sept. 23, 10-0 over Central on the road.

            The win over Notre Dame, a not-too-strong GISA program, wasn’t much of a surprise. Now, if the Gryphons repeat that this week in the home opener against Class AA Lamar County …

Dang, Dexter

            Dexter Williams, barring injury, will be a 1,000-yard rusher this season, and barring injury, it may happen before we break out the long sleeves.

            The Mount de Sales quarterback had 380 yards on 50 carries with four touchdowns through two games. He’s highly likely to at least equal his average on the road against Pinecrest, unless the Cavs get some control and a chance to work on the passing game.

            After all, the head coach is named Hatcher.

In case you missed it

            The only thing that would have made Mary Persons’ 48-17 win over rival Jackson better was coming a week earlier.

            Yeah, the Bulldogs sure would’ve liked having the program’s 600th win come against the Red Devils. They’ll have to settle for the rout being No. 601.

It was the largest margin in this rivalry since the Bulldogs won 35-3 in 1984, and the most points scored by the winner since Mary Persons' 48-19 win in 1967.

Yes, Dan Pitts coached in both of those games. In that span alone, Jackson went through six head coaches.

A grumpy Gator

            Gatewood went 12-1 last year, 11-3 the year before that.

            The four losses came by a total of 62 points, 24 by way of John Milledge in two 2016 games, including the state championship. Another 17 came in the semifinals to Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg, now in the GHSA.

            Last week? Gatewood, now down to AA, lost 45-7 to John Milledge, the worst loss in the series since 56-8 in 2003.

            Head coach Jeff Ratliff’s weekend wasn’t a good one.

            The game was four games after his birthday. And while the Gators are in a rebuilding mode, so are the Trojans, so such a thumping was unexpected.

            As Ratliff felt in a football team newsletter he Tweeted Sunday night.

“OUCH!  "Mama" said, "There would be days like these."  "Mama" also said, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all."

          “Unfortunately as head football coach, I can't listen to "Mama" on this occasion (sic).  I will NOT accept this type of performance from a Gatewood Football Team.  We did not block.  We did not tackle, and special teams were not very good.  Plus, you simply can NOT turn the ball over FIVE times (which led to 35 points) and expect to win.

          As for the rest of my talking, it will be said (Monday) from 3:15pm to 6pm.  To say I am disappointed is an understatement, but I have had my slice of humble pie.  Besides, I celebrated my birthday (it was August 20th) at "Mama's" house today.  I had chocolate cake.  TIME TO MOVE ON!”

          As if Mondays weren’t tough enough.

Planning ahead

            We’re a little over roughly 51 weeks from next year’s Macon Touchdown Club Middle Georgia Kickoff Classic.

            Granted, tickets won’t go on sale for about 47 weeks, but they’re likely to go faster and quicker at three of the four participating schools.

            The experience, results-wise, was better for Dublin and Peach County than for Tattnall and Northside, but the general evening’s experience for the more than 10,000 who came through the gates went well.

            Only Northside has played at Mercer, but Dublin and Peach County certainly felt at home. Tattnall is in a rebuilding mode, but the Irish, Trojans, and Eagles – despite the flaws shown on video – are good bets to be ranked the rest of the regular season and get at least a few games into the playoffs.

            Thus, looking ahead, Dublin will be anxious to come back to Macon, and folks may be turned away for Northside and Peach County, what with the 3A school beating the 6A school. That’s not news for Peach County, but it sure was for Northside.

            Such talking points are irrelevant for the rest of the season, but it will be brought up a bit during spring, and next summer.

The surprises

            As per the Maxwell Ratings projections, Crawford County was favored by 21 over Pacelli, lost by 3. Upson-Lee was a 15-point underdog to East Paulding, and came back to win by five.

            Crisp County kicked off as a 3-point favorite over West Laurens, went home with a 16-0 loss.

            Stratford was plus 13 to Savannah Country Day and lost by 14.

            Favorite Northside lost by three, favored by six

A little (OK, a lot) off

            The computer said Dublin by 8, the scoreboard was 47 points different.

            Four-point favorite Wilkinson County lost 30-0 to Wilcox County. Ouch. Putnam County was a 14-point underdog, and thumped Temple 28-7.

            Veterans was picked by 13, won by 28.

            There was a 27-point difference for Howard over FPD (9-point favorite, 36-point winner).      

            There was a 19-point difference for Washington County over Jefferson County (2-point favorite, 21-point winner.

On the money (or really close)

            Picked by 12, Dooly County won by 12.

            Picked by 28, Mary Persons won by 31.

            Picked by 28, Jones County won by 24.

            Picked by 9, Westside won by 3.