Top 5 Point Leaders

Bryan 15-10 w/ 289 points

Will 14-11 w/ 275 points

Jack 15-10 w/ 267 points

Larry 16-9 w/ 264 points

Patrick 17-8 w/ 236 points

http://games.espn.go.com/bowlmania/frontpage

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2006 Picks winner: Patrick H.
2006 High school Picks winner: Patrick M.

2006 Bowl Pool

Since I did this last year and it was an amazing success, I figure we can upgrade to an ESPN group. Go here:

http://games.espn.go.com/bowlmania/frontpage.

A user account can be created within a minute. The private group is called Pure Football Baby and the password is: bourbonstreet. The format is identical to last year. I propose a $ buy in and a winner take all format. The first game that will count will be the Las Vegas Bowl on Thursday. You have until the kickoff of that game to submit your pick. The first nine games lock at kickoff and the rest lock at the ninth. Hopefully we could all bring $ to the BC basketball game on Thursday...good luck gentlemen


UPDATE:

Tonight was the first official game. The decided entry fee was $10, so if you are not willing to pay that, then get out now. The winner gets $70 and the runner up gets their $10 back. Anyone that hasn't signed up yet is still able to do so, but will be 1 game back. We are using the honor system for payments, so let's all make sure to conduct ourselves like a honor unit with distinction.

AAAA Championship (Fri. 7:30pm @ Northside) [ TV: GPB ]

Northside

Houston County (1-AAAAA)Won 26-14
Warner Robins (1-AAAAA)Won 28-7
North Clayton (4A-AAAA)Won 28-21
Jones County (4B-AAAA)*Won 45-0
Dutchtown (4B-AAAA)*Won 54-0
Stockbridge (4B-AAAA)*Won 43-6
Baldwin (4B-AAAA)*Won 28-6
Upson-Lee (4B-AAAA)*Won 41-7
Westside, Macon (4B-AAAA)*Won 27-7
Mt Zion, Jonesboro (4A-AAAA)*Won 47-6
Lee County (1-AAAA)Won 41-0
Brunswick (3-AAAA)Won 38-13
Habersham Central (8A-AAAA)Won 34-0
St Pius X (6-AAAA)Won 20-17
Marist (6-AAAA)Home

Northside might be the most accomplished high school program in the country without a state championship. Eventhough they are the more noted school in Warner Robins, the Demons across the street have racked up 4 State titals with two this decade. You know the Northsiders loved seeing Warner Robins lose in the dome to give them the spotlight. Northside has been # 1 the entire year and did it in a difficult region. They don't have any D-1 studs and are relatively young at certain positions. I look at them as a team of Beach's best athletes in the past decade at the skill positions, combined with BC's best lineman in the past 10 years. It really is a team effort when it comes to their success. Northside has been dominant all year but did have to hang on last week in a game where it looked like Pius was the better team for a majority of the game. The offense is good but the defense has led the undefeated streak and will face its toughest task of the year with Marist's offensive attach.

Marist

Columbia (6-AAAA)*Won 38-14
Tucker (6-AAAA)*Lost 24-27
Washington (6-AAAA)*Won 33-6
Cedar Grove (6-AAAA)*Won 32-15
North Springs (6-AAAA)*Won 45-14
Stone Mountain (6-AAAA)*Won 50-0
Lakeside, DeKalb (6-AAAA)*Won 42-7
Southwest DeKalb (6-AAAA)*Won 29-3
Mays (6-AAAA)*Won 30-6
St Pius X (6-AAAA)*Won 31-14
Ridgeland (7-AAAA)Won 30-0
Dacula (8A-AAAA)Won 14-7
Creekside (2-AAAA)Won 24-6
East Paulding (5A-AAAA)Won 27-7
Northside, Warner Robins (4B-AAAA)Away

Marist goes after their 2nd title in 4 years. Following an early season loss to a Tucker team that did not even make the playoffs, the War Eagles have gooten a competetive game from only 1 team, Dacula. The defense which looked slugish at the beginning of the year, has not allowed more than 15 points in a game since. Alabama commit Jennings Hester leads the Marist defense at Linebacker. Many of the Defensive players see time going both ways, something that has become a rareity for a team that gets this far in AAAA. The offense is a thing of beauty. The triple option is run to perfection led by QB Gary Marshall. The line is quicker than they are big. Fullback Preston Lyons will be an all-state selection for the second straight year and gets a lot of the attention. A big question going into the game will be the health of Halfback Kevin Lanier, son of former Georgia Tech and Benedictine QB Gary Lanier. After his injury last week, the offense was still able to produce but the fluidity and amount of success was altered. He is also a key component on kick returns. The special teams is solid but the key will be how successful the offense can be against the best defense they will face all year.

* Northside is the favorite and they get to play at home. But they struggled with a St. Pius team that Marist dominated. This might be the best matchup of any of the state championships. Advantages: Offense-> Marist ; Defense-> Northside ; Special Teams-> Push. So it comes down to something I've heard before. Discipline beats athleticism. Marist has the coaching advantage and I don't know if Northside can stay with their responcibilities. Great game either way.

Marist 20-14

AAAAA Championship (Sat. 7:30pm @ McEachern) [TV: GPB]

VS.

Roswell

McEachern (5-AAAAA)Won 20-14, (OT)
Lassiter (6A-AAAAA)Won 21-14
Kell (6A-AAAAA)Won 31-13
Walton (6A-AAAAA)Won 21-7
Wheeler (6A-AAAAA)Lost 3-14
Chattahoochee (6B-AAAAA)*Won 24-10
Alpharetta (6B-AAAAA)*Won 23-0
Milton (6B-AAAAA)*Won 20-14
Northview (6B-AAAAA)*Won 14-0
Centennial (6B-AAAAA)*Won 27-17
Collins Hill (7-AAAAA)Won 31-28
Brookwood (8-AAAAA)Won 10-9
Houston County (1-AAAAA)Won 42-21
Tift County (1-AAAAA)Won 24-10
Peachtree Ridge (7-AAAAA)McEachern HS

Roswell has made it to the state championshio without looking like a state contender for most of the year. The record is quite impressive but they have not dominated any team and lost by double digits to Wheeler who was eliminated in the first round. There is not one major college prospect on the team and they don't do anything flashy. They just do everything very solid. The best performance of the year was saved for the dome last week and no it wasn't the devil walk. It was the Hornet offense who ran the ball for consistent yardage and used play-action waggles to complete medium yardage pass plays. The defense practically did not give up a Touchdown against a high-powered Tift offense, and Special teams were flawless outside of one Kickoff coverage. Roswell reached #1 in the state early in the year, but after its loss to Wheeler vanished from the experts eyes. They might have squeaked by two of their playoff opponents but bulldozed the two Region 1 teams they played. They haven't done anything pretty, but in high school style points don't matter.

Peachtree Ridge

Shiloh (8-AAAAA)Won 28-0
Grayson (8-AAAAA)Won 9-0
Collins Hill (7-AAAAA)*Lost 3-7

South Forsyth (7-AAAAA)*Won 28-0

Norcross (7-AAAAA)*Lost 3-6
Forsyth Central (7-AAAAA)*Won 27-20
North Gwinnett (7-AAAAA)*Lost 20-38
Mill Creek (7-AAAAA)*Won 21-13
North Forsyth (7-AAAAA)*Won 63-0
Duluth (7-AAAAA)*Won 31-0
Wheeler (6A-AAAAA)Won 17-3
Campbell (5-AAAAA)Won 16-14
Stephenson (2-AAAAA)Won 12-9
Warner Robins (1-AAAAA)Won 13-7
Roswell (6B-AAAAA)McEachern HS

I once thought that Peachtree Ridge was by far and away the biggest surprise in the state, no matter what classification. But after seeing this team in person, and the players on the roster, it might be more accurate to say that this team just underachieved in the regular season. They finished 4th in Region 7 losing to 2 top-10 teams (N. Gwinett and Norcross) and Collins Hill who was knocked out in the 1st round losing to... Roswell. Not a win over a good team all season until they peaked at the best possible time. National prospect Cameron Heyward, son of the late "Ironhead", has gotten all the attention and is a cog in the middle of the defense. But what has made this team good are the skill players on the outside. QB Zach Graham is the most exciting player competeing in any state championship game this weekend. He is about 6'5 190 and passes better than he runs, but is quite adequate when he decides to tuck it. He has been offered by the likes of Arkansas, Boston College, and South Carolina. A lot of schools would like his service for football, but recently he decided to sign with Ole Miss to play Small Forward. Graham makes the offense go, but the athletes around him help. WR Phillip Davis is going to Navy, WR Sidney Haynes is going to Central Florida, and RB Chris Douglass will most likely choose a small 1-A program or a major 1-AA program(Yeah I said it). Roswell has a solid kicking game, but I'll side with the team that has Kevin Butler's blood kicking.

* I was personally hoping that it would be the two teams that lost in the dome last week playing for it all. Eventhough its two North Atlanta schools it should be a great matchup. I think it will come down to turnovers and possibly a late kick. I think Roswell is the better team but thanks to a little research by Larry C., I'm always going to take the team with a BC connection, even if its only a little.

Peachtree Ridge 24-23

AAA Championship (Sat. 3:00pm @ Peach Co.) [TV: CSS]

VS.

Peach Co,

Macon County (5-AA) Won 42-20
Westside, Macon (4B-AAAA) Lost 20-35
Eagles Landing (4A-AAA) Won 48-7
Spalding (4A-AAA) Won 31-9
West Laurens (4B-AAA)* Won 39-14
Northeast, Macon (4B-AAA)* Won 38-0
Perry (4B-AAA)* Won 43-14
Central, Macon (4B-AAA)* Won 56-28
Southwest, Macon (4B-AAA)* Won 48-0
Henry County (4A-AAA)* Won 63-29
Crisp County (1-AAA) Won 38-0
LaGrange (2-AAA) Won 24-7
Hart County (8-AAA) Won 23-20
Washington County (3B-AAA) Won 43-29
Shaw (2-AAA) Home

The defending state champions played in the most exciting dome game last week in a victory over a very good Washington Co. team. Following a loss in the 2nd game of the season, the Trojans have dominated almost every team they have played. Hart Co. from Northeast Georgia is the only team since Westside-Macon that have been in the game going into the last 5 minutes. Peach Co. has an electric offense led by potential all-state QB Bryan Ellis, who is getting attention from schools such as Ole Miss, and UAB. The running game is stable with a plethora of talanted running backs. This team will defiantly put up points. The defense is led by three star Defensive Tackles Dion Armstrong who is leaning towards Maryland and Jeremiah Wright who has offers from Auburn and Oklahoma to be an Offensive Lineman. The defense has been gashed at times but if you don't get them with the big play, its hard to sustain a long drive.

Shaw

Troup (2-AAA)* Won 36-6
Carver, Columbus (2-AAA)* Lost 9-14
Harris County (2-AAA)* Won 36-14
Columbus (2-AAA)* Won 34-7
Jordan (2-AAA)* Won 46-0
Kendrick (2-AAA)* Won 56-20
Hardaway (2-AAA)* Won 56-7
LaGrange (2-AAA)* Lost 14-17
Spencer (2-AAA)* Won 56-0
Northside, Columbus (2-AAA)* Won 49-0

South Effingham (3A-AAA) Won 35-0
Monroe (1-AAA) Won 28-7
Grady (5B-AAA) Won 6-0
Carver, Columbus (2-AAA) Won 16-14
Peach County (4B-AAA) Away

Like Region 1 in AAAAA and Region 6 in AAAA, Shaw resides in the toughest region in AAA. Losing only two games in the regular season, they finished 3rd in the region and have played evey game in the playoffs on the road. The road to the finals has not been too daunting however and picked the right game to win in the two matchups against Carver. Georgia commit Bruce Figgins will play Tight End on the College level but makes his impact on defense for the Raiders. The offense has become stagnant against good teams at times. The defense has been spectecular for most of the year and have recorded 5 shutouts including 2 in the playoffs. Special Teams have been a point of concern for most of the year.

* For Shaw, the defense will have to play up to its potential and mabey more. Peach has the experiece and better weapons on offense to put constant pressure on that defense. It comes down to the Shaw defense against the Peach offense and who has more success. A good defense will keep you in the game, and thats what Shaw will do. But Peach is a good bit better and will eventually break it open.

Peach Co. 28- 13

AA State Championship ( Sat. 4:00pm @ Dublin)

vs.

DUBLIN

West Laurens (4B-AAA) Won 52-7
Twiggs County (7-A) Won 40-0
Washington County (3B-AAA) Won 42-7
Stephens County (8-AAA) Won 24-14
East Laurens (4-AA)* Won 67-0
Tattnall County (4-AA)* Won 49-0
Bleckley County (4-AA)* Won 49-7
Vidalia (4-AA)* Won 70-0
Toombs County (4-AA)* Won 45-10
Dodge County (4-AA)* Won 38-0
Cook (1-AA) Won 60-0
Laney (3-AA) Won 37-13
Greater Atlanta Christian (6B-AA) Won 31-21
Lovett (6A-AA) Won 65-7
Charlton County (2-AA) Home

Dublin set the Georgia high school state record for most points scored in the regular season. There is nothing gimmicky or special about the offense. Unlike most other high scoring offenses, Dublin relies heavily on the run game. The QB is defiantly capable and is aided by a dynamic run game that practically forces all 11 on the defense into the box. The defense has been solid all year but really hasn't had to do anything special. Beating Washington Co. 42-7 says something. After Northsides performance at the Dome last week, some might say Dublin is the best team in the state.

Charlton Co.

Clinch County (1-A)Won 14-8
Andrew Jackson (FL)Won 33-14
Beach (3-AAAAA)Won 62-14
Pierce County (2-AA)*Won 54-7
Long County (2-AA)*Won 55-0
Savannah Christian (2-AA)*Won 49-14
Brantley County (2-AA)*Won 37-7
Jeff Davis (2-AA)*Won 55-0
Appling County (2-AA)*Won 36-0
McIntosh County Academy (2-AA)*Won 38-0
Screven County (3-AA)Won 43-6
Dodge County (4-AA)Won 40-14
Buford (6B-AA)Won 26-7
Early County (1-AA)Won 15-6
Dublin (4-AA)Away

Charlton Co. will be playing in its 4th straight state championship game and going after its 3rd straight title. Charlton has only been tested twice this year and the 2nd came last week in the dome in a game that they seemed overmatched at times. The offense which has been brilliant for most of the year was exposed. The wide open attack was covered well and was able to prodeuce only one touchdown. However, the defense adapted the "bend but don't break" mentality against Early Co. Early was able to move the ball efficiently for most of the game but tended to bog down in Charlton's territory. Georgia Tech commit J.D. Donley will be the best player on the field and will need to make plays at receiver. More importantly he will be called on to deliver his signature hits on Dublin's backfield.

* The run Charlton has put together the past 5 years is amazing. Their offensive attach is envied by much of the state and once again has a great team. However, after Dublin's performance at the dome, I wouldn't take Charlton even if they had all the Bailey brothers playing. DUBLIN 37-14

MALLARD

10 years to the week after Josh Mallard should have made his Dome debut, the Benedictine graduate made the biggest play of his career against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A clip from the AJC:

Mallard making most of chances

Josh Mallard, one of the last players to be cut after the exhibition season, keeps making plays. He was added to the squad after John Abraham was injured on Sept. 12. With the Falcons ahead 14-6 and the Buccaneers hoping to tie the game with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, Mallard stripped the ball from running back Cadillac Williams and recovered the fumble with 4:26 to play.

"I just happened to be at the right place at the right time," Mallard said.

Mallard's play has been a surprise for the Falcons.

"He's figured prominently into our rush package," Falcons coach Jim Mora said. " I don't know this for a fact, but he might lead our team in sacks. (Patrick Kerney has 4.5, while Abraham and Mallard have 4.) That's what you're looking for when you have injuries in this league, is guys stepping up and making some plays for you."

State Picks

AAAAA Final : Roswell vs. Peachtree Ridge

AAAA Final : Northside WR vs. Marist

Total Points:

Patrick M. : 50

Pat H. : 46

Rick : 46

Jack : 44

Larry : 44

Will : 30

* Everyone is mathematically eliminated except Patrick and Patrick. If Northside beats Marist, McCarthy wins. If Marist beats Northside, Holland wins and can never do picks on here ever again.

Athens Academy vs. Clinch Co. ( Sat. 9 am)

This one will go down as J.D. vs. South Georgia. Athens Academy has had the best year in school history. Making their first dome appearance, they face one of the elite programs in Single A. J.D. only accepts A-listers and he has plenty of good buddies in this one. Both teams have made the dome with ease. Clinch will probaly be the toughest team Athens has faced all year but its hard to doubt the power of black and Dantzler. Looking for some magic they find it. Athens Academy 23-20

Commerce vs. Lincoln Co. ( Sat. Noon)

Lincoln Co. is the winningest program in the state and have the most appearances of any team at the dome. This year they have found it easy to advance to the dome but have yet to beat a real quality opponent. Commerce fell to fellow region mate Athens Academy and got hammered by AA Calhoun. Neither team has a great win to hang their hat on and thats what makes this one sort of interesting. Lincoln has the past on their side so thats the only reasin I go with them in a game that should have been played at 9 on Friday morning. Lincoln Co. 7-6

Charlton Co. vs. Early Co. (Sat. 3 pm)

Early County is one of the bigger surprises and Charlton Co. is right where everyone thought they'd be. Charlton likes to use a wide open attack but the athleticism of the Qb has given a new look to the Charlton offense. Early has looked quite impressive in all of their playoff wins including a 20-3 win over a very good Calhoun team. Early is vulnerable to the big play however and thats why Charlton will win. Too many athletes in too good of an offense. Charlton Co. 37-15

Tift Co. vs. Roswell (Sat 6 pm)

Maybe the most anticipated game of the week. The best from southGeorgia takes on what North Georgia consideres their best left. Roswell has earned their way to the dome with wins over Brookwood and Region 1 member Houston Co. A baseball school at heart, Roswell will bring their typical North Atlanta fans to the dome in hopes of beating arguably the best team in AAAAA throughout the year. Tift has the entire package and are battle tested. Turnovers and field position might be the story in a game that many will have their eye on. Have to take the South. Tift 17-15

Warner Robins vs. Peachtree Ridge ( Sat. 9 pm)

Peachtree Ridge is THE biggest surprise in the dome and have made it in only 4 years. A balanced attack on offense and a stingy defense has guided them to three close victories thus far in the playoffs. Warner Robins is no stranger to success and looks to make an appearance in the AAAAA championship only two years removed from a AAAA championship. Like Tift, Warner Robins has experienced the grind of Region 1 and that can do nothing but help. Just like E. Paulding's new school run ended, Peachtree's will as well. It will be close though. WR 27-24

Dome Weekend

Shaw vs. Carver-Columbus (Friday 9 am)

Both programs hail from Region 2. Carver is a new to this. A program that has produced solid college prospects has never had a tremendous amount of success. Shaw has been here before and is one of the premier programs year in, year out in Southwest Georgia. The funny thing is the best team from their region has been sitting at home for 2 weeks. Both teams have athletes but I will pinpoint this game to experience. Shaw 16-14

Peach Co. vs. Washington Co. (Friday Noon)

Highlighted as one of the best games of the weekend, this should be a great matchup. Washington Co. has found no problem after losing its coach to Valdosta. They run the ball effectively and have dominated in the playoffs after playing a weak region schedule. Peach Co. has one of the better QB's in the state and have athletes everywhere. Washington Co. has quietly accumulated the 2nd most Dome appearances of any school. Peach Co. has recently made the dome a regularity. Peach might have won the state 2 weeks ago in LaGrange. Peach Co. 43-29

Dublin vs. Lovett (Friday 3 pm)

There have been many to argue that Dublin is the best team in the state. The offense put up the most points in Georgia State history in the regular season. They run and pass with great success. Lovett has taken a very easy path to the dome and hail from the same refion as GAC and Buford, who did not make it to the dome. Coach Muschamp, former SCDS coach, has done a great job with Lovett but theres not much he can do in this one. Dublin is good. Dublin 49-14

Northside WR vs. St. Pius X (Friday 6 pm)

St. Pius makes its first appearance in the dome. Paul Standard has done a great job competing with Marist and has translated into success on the state level. Northside is one of the best programs in the state and might have one of its best teams ever. BC has a tie through both of these teams with Standard turning the BC job down and Northside being a part of Benedictine lore. Just keep in mind when watching Standard getting interviewed, that he probaly doesn't regret staying at Pius but there isn't a Hillard's in Atlanta. They will keep it close early but Northside has more athletes. Northside 29-14

Marist vs. East Paulding (Friday 9pm)

East Paulding is one of the bigger surprises to make it to the dome. Not making any noise in recent years, they have crusied through the playoffs. Marist benefited from an injury to Eric Berry last week but absolutly dominated the game on offense. A swift combination of a big Lyons and a quick Lanier make the Marist running attach as potent as ever. The QB might be the best player on the team though. Both teams are sound in the kicking game and I think East Paulding will surprise some people with their performance. Turnovers will decide it. Marist 21-17 (OT)

State Semi-finals

Teams in the Dome (# of people who picked each team):

AAAAA:

Tift Co. (5)

Roswell (0)

Warner Robins (1, P Mc)
Peachtree Ridge (0)

Total Points:

Patrick M. : 34

Pat H. : 30

Rick : 30

Jack : 28

Larry : 28

Will : 22

AAAA:

St. Pius (1, Rick)
Northside WR (6)
E. Paulding (1, Will)
Marist (5)

Congratulations to

PATRICK HOLLAND

winner of the 2006 Pure Football Baby Picks Contest.

If there were more Pat Holland's, the world would be a much better place. - Brooks Zeigler.

Final Redults:

Pat H. : 63-49

Jack : 61-51

Patrick M. : 57-55

Rick : 57-55

Will : 57-55

Larry : 56-56

Shane : 55-57

Donnie : 54-58

Bryan : 11-101

Selections

WILL

W. Virginia
Army
GA Tech
Arkansas
Nebraska

Charlton Co.
Creekside
Norcross

Pat H.

Rutgers
Navy
Wake
Arkansas
Oklahoma

Buford
Marist
Warner Robins

LARRY

W. Virginia
Navy
GA Tech
Arkansas
Oklahoma

Charlton Co.
Creekside
Warner Robins

PATRICK M.

W. Virginia
Navy
GA Tech
Florida
Nebraska

Buford
Creekside
Warner Robins

SHANE

Rutgers
Army
GA Tech
Arkansas
Oklahoma

Buford
Marist
Warner Robins

JACK

W. Virginia
Army
Wake
Arkansas
Nebraska

Buford
Creekside
Warner Robins

RICK

W. Virginia
Army
GA Tech
Arkansas
Oklahoma

Buford
Creekside
Norcross

* If there are any problems, please post them on comments.*