FOOTBALL TALK!

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:42):
All right, guys, and we are now live with Phil
Jones and this is Extra Point. Alright, guys, welcome in
to Extra Point with Phil Jones. Thanks so much for
being a part of our weekly podcast. If we come
to you live once again from Melos here in Valladas
to you guys, probably hear the music in the background,

(01:04):
see if we can get them to cut that down
a little bit. Hopefully you guys can can hear. We've
got a lot to get.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
To today, we want to think.

Speaker 3 (01:11):
In addition to.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
Our host, Mellow Bush Room, of course, I want to
thank our friends at Pepsi Cola as well as doctor
Kevin Collins and the Houston Clinic, sponsors of our weekly podcast.
All right, we're gonna pick it right up where we
left off, and we do encourage, of course, all of
you guys to check in with us to offer your
commentary during the show today. And we're gonna pick it

(01:33):
right up where we left off last week. As you see,
my guest is the founder of it t Next. He
was with us last week, so welcome, Welcome back, Mark
dis Mark.

Speaker 3 (01:44):
Thanks so much for being back with me on the show.

Speaker 2 (01:47):
Good to be here. Phil had a great time last week.
Of course, this is always a fun time of the year.
Football season is just around the corner. You know. You
can tell the hypes beginning to get a little bit bigger.
You know, people are talking about their favorite teams, favorite players. Obviously,
college football a lot of talk going on there too,

(02:10):
as well as it's fun to see a lot of
these players that were in high school last year the
kind of impact they'll make at the collegiate level, some
even their first year. So glad to be back Phil.
A lot of good things going on, a lot of
things to talk.

Speaker 1 (02:24):
About, absolutely, So speaking of what we're talking about. Last week, Mark,
you and I talked about Class six A, we talked
about some of the top quarterbacks at position, and I
thought we would pick back up as we go forward
today on Class five A. However, before we get too

(02:46):
far into that, we do want to talk about at
least one of the contenders in Class five A, Mark,
and that is Milton As they opened up with one
of course of the top contenders for stay titling Class.

Speaker 3 (03:00):
Six A, and that's Beauford.

Speaker 1 (03:02):
So what a better way to get started this afternoon
talking about one of the top season openers. It's one
that we've certainly devoted a lot of attention to and
exposure to with a couple of different stories, and I
wrote a story Flint. I did some things on and
of course again talking about the opening of that brand new,
multi million dollar stadium up there in Beerford.

Speaker 3 (03:23):
Going to be the host site, Mark or Milton at Beaufort.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
That'll be a big one. Milton coming off state championship
in fact, two back to back, as you mentioned Beauford Stadium.
That's an incredible place. Looking forward to to getting up
there to see that stadium. First game in that stadium, Boy,
what a game I think. I think it'll live up
to the building. It was a very good game last year.

(03:51):
I do have some thoughts after we you know, when
we start talking about five A, you know, and how
kind of we see five A shape it up, give
our thoughts. I do think Beford may be a little
bit too much for him this year. But you know
our comment on that a little bit later as we
as we get into the rankings of five A or

(04:14):
we talk about, you know, how we think it'll shake out.
But you know it's gonna be a big game. Both
teams are loaded a lot of talent, on the field,
and boy, look at the momentum that Milton has.

Speaker 3 (04:27):
Yeah, without a doubt, and what a way to get
us started.

Speaker 1 (04:30):
Mark, for sure, there's a lot to talk about with
that particular game. Again, we're gonna talk about Class five
A as a whole, and.

Speaker 3 (04:38):
Of course we want to get y'all's comments.

Speaker 1 (04:41):
I do want to add that we've already begun our
preseason polls, Mark, as we've gotten started with our first
two poles of the season. Of course, we kind of
thought we would start sort of for the lowest classifications
to go up.

Speaker 3 (05:00):
Mark.

Speaker 1 (05:00):
My first poll, our first ball was the Class A
Class A Division one, and then two A and three
A private only in week one, and then right now
we've got the Class A Division two top ten poll.
A lot of people are talking about both of those,
of course, and so we do want to encourage everybody

(05:23):
to check those out, and eventually we'll get to Class
five A and of course six A as we move forward.
We're also, of course, uh, we've come out with the
offensive top ten offensive and defensive lines. Mark, So again,
all that's drawing a good bit of attention.

Speaker 2 (05:37):
Yeah, I guess we're kind of doing a little bit
reverse order here as we uh know, we're again going
to talk about five A to day you and I
in that poll will be coming out later. I think
once we get finished today, I feel like a lot
of people know, you know, kind of what our thoughts
are on that classification. But again, Georgia's witch would tell

(05:57):
it high school overall. I mean, George is like, you know,
maybe three if I'm not mistaken, But they're in the
top five in terms of turning out talent. And you
see that talent spread out across all classifications, both public

(06:20):
and private. I don't think that's anything new. I think, uh,
you know, it would be the same thing this year.
That'll lead to some very very good competition in Georgia
this year and all classifications.

Speaker 3 (06:32):
I do want to mention it.

Speaker 1 (06:34):
By the way, I'm gonna get going to welcome the
folks who are checking out the show.

Speaker 3 (06:38):
I'll be mentioning you guys here in just a minute.

Speaker 1 (06:41):
So last week the GHSA reclassification Committee met, and not
a lot of surprise, I had written a story mark
how I thought that the competitive balance model was pretty
much dead.

Speaker 3 (06:54):
It is, at least for now. There were some minor tweaks.

Speaker 1 (06:58):
That came out of reclassification committee. I had a chance
to talk with Adam Lindsay, who's the athletic director from Gainsville,
had a chance to talk to Danny Redshaw, athletic director
at Lounges.

Speaker 3 (07:09):
They both sit on that committee.

Speaker 1 (07:11):
And I'm going to be pup up up publishing a
story at our itg X platforms that from our conversation,
my conversation with both of those gentlemen, and give you
some pretty good insight as to what took place. As
far as the reclassification talks, again, nothing really earth shattering.
I can tell you they're going to a power ranking

(07:32):
system affected with the fall of twenty twenty six. But
we'll get into more of that if time permits later today.
But I didn't want to kind of tease that mark.
Is that something that of course here at ITG NEXT
were always on the front burner as.

Speaker 3 (07:46):
Talking to the folks who were directly involved with that.

Speaker 2 (07:48):
Well, I think when you mentioned competition committee and reclassification
power rankings, I mean again, the cats out of the
bag and it's gonna be just you know, the talent
is moving around. It's gonna be communities, coaches, athletic programs
that can that can pour into their program. That's that's

(08:12):
who's gonna that's who's gonna win. At the end of
the day, it's a different world. It's not like it
once was. I don't know really how you can. You know,
if you were to go to true power rankings and
you're going to see some lower classification teams competing with
higher and it could even be vice versa. I mean,
you have some teams in very high classifications that look

(08:34):
just don't have the resources that some of the other
schools have, that just don't seem to have the talent
that others have. I mean, there's so many variables that
go into it. Now, Look, I wouldn't want to be
I wouldn't want to be on that committee. I wouldn't
want to be heading up the GHSA trying to solve
that problem. I feel like, you know, you do the

(08:56):
best you can in terms of trying to see teams
placed teams, But at the end of the day, there's
a lot of players moving around, even coaches. Now, look,
you can't fault people for wanting to better themselves, both
in terms of making more money or putting themselves in

(09:17):
a better position to win and I think what you're
going to see it's the same you see on the
national level. You know, you have some teams that are
starting to compete against each other nationally, that have a
lot of resources, that get a lot of athletes. I
think each state, and I think Georgia is gonna end
up going to that. You know, there's going to be

(09:38):
certain programs that are going to be competing and separate themselves,
and then you'll see a few shifts. But it's going
to be the communities, the programs that have the financial
resources that can get behind their program, that can attract
the coaches, that can sell out their stadiums. I think

(09:59):
all that will go into it. But yes, that's uh,
that's that's a tough situation to be in. I don't
know that there's any right or wrong. You're never gonna
satisfy everyone with that, because I do feel like there's
always a case, well wait a minute, we aren't necessarily
on the level of playing field with who we're playing against.

(10:20):
I do think that that that will keep coming up.

Speaker 1 (10:23):
All right, So again we'll discuss more of that as
time permits. But let's talk about who is watching the show.
We mentioned Milton and we've got big Milton fan.

Speaker 3 (10:35):
Where did he go here? Where you at? Milton fan?

Speaker 2 (10:38):
I know?

Speaker 1 (10:38):
We got tave Radam Marit, who of course goes without saying.
Mark Marriett a fan is here in the house. We've
got our good buddy and Thomas Cuty central number one fan.
Obada Farley is checking out the show.

Speaker 3 (10:53):
What's up?

Speaker 1 (10:54):
Obadiah Evan Reese, Big Roswell Hornets Fin is checking out
the show?

Speaker 3 (11:00):
Is up?

Speaker 1 (11:00):
My man rent Estes, what's up? Pield Rent in the
house ready for some football?

Speaker 3 (11:06):
Go Blue Devils.

Speaker 1 (11:07):
A lot of talk, a lot of excitement surrounding tiff
County Blue Devils. Let me hear if you're checking out
the show, guys, where you're watching the show from? What
team you're rooting for? Like Dwayne Little's as Brooks County
is in the house and uh love to have our
Brooks County Trojans. A lot of talk about Brooks County,
A lot of excitement or about the brook County Trojans.

(11:28):
Andrew Watkins representing the Doughty Hyde Trojans.

Speaker 3 (11:34):
Speaking of another we're talking.

Speaker 1 (11:35):
We're about to talk about Milton and Buford, Mark but
Tay Red and Marietta reminds us about Marietta Games.

Speaker 3 (11:42):
Book should be a treat for us.

Speaker 1 (11:44):
All that is going to take place right out of
the gate, as well as far as a six a
another six a versus five a battle, And speaking of Buford,
Luke Nelson, whose son plays for Beaufer's the heck of
a linebacker.

Speaker 3 (12:01):
Luke Nelson aka Big Bufford is in the house. What's up,
my man, Luke?

Speaker 2 (12:06):
Yeah, Phil, I tell you a lot of a lot
of great games out of gate. Love to see those
different classifications playing each other. A lot of fun. A
lot of times. You know, again, some teams will say,
well I can't find anybody to play, or you know, hey,
we don't have anything to gain by playing. This particular

(12:26):
team reminds me of years ago when Brooks County went
into Valdosta and beat Valdosta. However, they were very talented.
I mean Malcolm Parish, who who was all the world
just you know, incredible player. Uh. And then also last year, uh,
you know, benedictinem was close to beating Buford came back.

(12:50):
That's right. So it's always a lot of fun. I
think it's I think it's good. I certainly think it's
especially in South Georgia. It's really good when we can
we can see their different classifications play each other. I
think it's good for the gate. I think it's good
for a lot of talking.

Speaker 3 (13:06):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (13:07):
You know, there's a lot of pride in South Georgia
and a lot of these teams in South Georgia they're
playing with you know, the kids that come up through
the system, they're just not as Again, South Georgia is
not a place where everybody's just moving to you know,
We've talked about that before. So love those uh love
those classifications playing against each other. And of course we

(13:28):
see that at the beginning of the season.

Speaker 1 (13:31):
Ranked Swan Swan again is representing the games the Red
Elements Mark ranks.

Speaker 3 (13:36):
What's going on, my man?

Speaker 1 (13:38):
Uh, We've got Jim Blair representing those Kawkway County packers.

Speaker 3 (13:43):
D Smith.

Speaker 1 (13:44):
Mark is checking us out representing North Side Eagle Country.

Speaker 2 (13:49):
Mark.

Speaker 3 (13:49):
I learned you don't call the North Side one of robins.

Speaker 2 (13:52):
They don't like one period, Let's face it.

Speaker 3 (13:56):
Uh, I'll turn that out.

Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah, taled about a rivalry. That's other I can remember.
I'm dating myself right now. Somebody in the chat, you know, Hey, Phil,
You and I both got a little few years on us.
But I don't know whoever remembers Willy Reid uh from
back in the day. Okay, and somebody helped me out.

(14:18):
I'm pretty sure he went to warn of Robbins. Was
it warn of Robbins or Houston County?

Speaker 3 (14:24):
What was his name?

Speaker 2 (14:25):
Aga, Willy Reid?

Speaker 3 (14:29):
Willy Reid?

Speaker 2 (14:31):
Uh? Man, he was like a defensive back. I mean
he was, uh, he was all world. But but the
first time I went to McConnell Talbart, I went to
that game, and I promise you, not only was there
not a seat, you couldn't find a place to stand.

(14:52):
I mean, I promise you. But back then so tight
you could not I couldn't even hardly see the field.
Now you could feel it, but couldn't hardly see the field.
But anyway, that's uh, that's a huge game, man. That's
like Winnersville. Uh you know, it's like TCC Thomasville. Uh. Anyway,

(15:14):
he's a heck of a player. But yeah, speaking no
no love lost between those those programs.

Speaker 1 (15:20):
Uh. Odias's TG says he's of course representing his Milton Eagles.
Uh and Odias, I hope I'm pronouncing your name right,
my man. Uh, giving love to the Milton Eagles real
quick with see Evan Reeves representing those Roswell Hornets, and uh,
I see, I think we got everybody so far.

Speaker 3 (15:39):
I think we are up to date.

Speaker 1 (15:41):
If not, don't hold it against you guys, trying to
get everybody in here that's checking out the show.

Speaker 3 (15:45):
Man. We thank y'all so much.

Speaker 1 (15:46):
Oh, Jerry Harrison is checking out the show, representing his
Monroe area, not Monroe Golden Tornadoes, but Monroe Area High School.

Speaker 3 (15:55):
They've really come on strong.

Speaker 1 (15:56):
And there's Dave Garrett says the little evening Field check
it in from Toombs County.

Speaker 3 (16:02):
There were the teams that we really.

Speaker 2 (16:04):
Like Mark Toombs County a great program, you know, and
you hit on it a moment ago. You mentioned Brooks County,
but how about of course Bowden won it, But how
about how about Bowden and Clinch and brook Uh, you
know that that's going to be very, very competitive. I
spoke with Jim Dickerson, you know, a month ago. You

(16:27):
know they were in that game with Bowden. They could
have easily have won that game. Uh, you know, obviously
he'd love to play him again. But they've got They
only lost four players on either side of bost total
four players in Clinch County. They got everybody coming back
just about when. Hey, that's rights. County's got a lot

(16:50):
of people coming back. Of course, Bowden again, Hey, I'm
just putting it out there. It is what it is.
I think, you know Bowden, they do an incredible job there,
and I think you know they're in a bigger area.
It's growing area. But I can tell you nobody's moving
to Homerville. I hate to say it. Honerville is a
great place, right and I don't think anybody's moving equipment.

(17:14):
So those guys are playing with the kids that came
up in that program, and that both both do an
outstanding job. Both of those are are very good, good
well run program, story programs. And I mean, I believe
Jim Dickerson has won five state championships with Clint so
that speaks for itself.

Speaker 3 (17:32):
But a lot of unbelievable, Yeah, unbelievable.

Speaker 1 (17:35):
Coach, unbelievable, man. I really like Jim dickers Son. You know,
he of course was that our bank with the last year.
Have chance to talk to coach dickers Son, and you
know they coached him out of retirement Mark, and now
he's back.

Speaker 2 (17:51):
You know what he told me, everybody will get to
kick out of this. I mean, he only knows one
thing to do. So he retired. I think he was
only retired for a few years. And so he said
it hadn't been but two or three weeks. He started
substitute teaching at the school and then was already driving
a bus and he said, you know what, they asked

(18:14):
me to come back, and so here I am. But
but you gotta love that. But look, we'll get back
to what you open with Huford and Milton. You know.
To put that in perspective, I would say that's probably
his high profile high school game. You know, as we're
gonna have in the opening week, you've got Modern Day

(18:36):
going to Saint Thomas Aquias huge game. That's uh, you know,
California versus Florida. I Milton is is Milton Buford's equally
a big game. I don't know that there's a bigger
game in any other state. I would say this is
probably the biggest interstate game of Week one in my opinion,

(18:59):
in terms of having some national implications as far as
all the intangibles both you know, Milton has really come on. Look,
Buford as an outstanding program, and they have been for
many years, you know, as I mentioned last week. Look,
they're great because of the people that run that program.

(19:20):
You know, I've been up there and met them, talk
with them. Uh, they have a lot of financial resources,
so they do a great job. What what are your
thoughts there, I mean, you want to you want to
give me a pick, or you want to talk about
it a little bit here?

Speaker 1 (19:34):
Well, absolutely so, all right, let's break it down. Obviously,
let's start with the quarterback situation. We've talked about.

Speaker 3 (19:43):
Luke Nickel, uh is not back from Milton. Mark. They've
got two.

Speaker 1 (19:48):
Young men that came in, one from Milwaukee, one from
the aforementioned Saint Thomas Aquinas and I think it's his
name is Derek Smith that I'm not mistaken.

Speaker 3 (20:02):
He came from Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Speaker 1 (20:04):
Nevertheless, you've got a couple of young men that are
battling it out for the starting position to replace Luke Nickel.
But Mark, the regards of who it is, it's not
going to be a Luke Nickel again, but good, good
talent Derek quarterback. And then of course on the other side,
You've got Riola, but not Dylan Reola. It's Dayton Riola,

(20:26):
another Riola brother who's going to be taking stamps under center.
But they're both very talented. So Mark, let's talk about
who's got the edge there. If we talk about the
person other than the center that touches the ball every down.

Speaker 2 (20:39):
Well there's a there's a whole lot of different ways
to look at this game. You know my feelings. I
think Luke Nickel incredible quarterback and great leader. You just
I don't see how you can replace everything he brought
to that team. Not only was it could he throw
the ball, a very smart knew what to do with

(21:01):
the ball, and make good decisions. The intangibles, he checks
all those boxes. So I don't I just don't know
how you replace that. On the flip side, you know
I got I would have to give the edge to
Buford on that one. I just don't know how you
can replace Nickel, even though they have a couple of

(21:24):
guys that are in there fighting for that position, and
I'm sure that'll be they'll they'll do a great job,
and who knows, by the end of the year, they
could be coming on and they could be you know
off the chart. That's one thing about high school you
you you really don't know sometimes what you got. Uh.
So I think stability, I always uh, I always air

(21:48):
uh leadership, stability and in uh leadership coming back. So
I think Milton, Milton lost a lot with Nickel and
and a lot of those seniors quite frankly.

Speaker 1 (21:58):
Got a lot coming back. I tell you, Mark, it's
pretty interesting. You know, we talk about Milton, we talk
about different programs. Milton has probably done as good a
job as anybody of getting the most out of a
position that often gets overlooked, and that's the tight end position.

Speaker 3 (22:16):
You know, tight end is normally one of those positions.

Speaker 1 (22:18):
Where you've got a big old body who maybe is
and I'm talking about any body, any any player, okay,
but you've got a big body guy who's probably a
little more agile and talented than just your standard down lineman.
But he can also catch the football. He's got some
pretty good hands, pretty good speed. And that's what Milton

(22:38):
has been able to identify with their tight ends and Mark,
once again, they're gonna have great tight end play and
so forth, a position that normally what gets you know,
maybe three touchdowns more like a possession type receiver obviously
in for run blocking, but Milton gets true production.

Speaker 3 (22:59):
Out of their tight end position. And they're going to
have a great tight end again this year.

Speaker 2 (23:04):
Well, yeah, they had great tight ends last year, and
they used their tight end a lot of You don't
see tight ends used as much at the high school level.
Another thing that I'll factor into that though, do you
know how many are returning for each team? Do you
know that?

Speaker 3 (23:20):
Yeah, I'm looking at it right now.

Speaker 1 (23:22):
I had I wrote a story on this, and of
course you guys, and I've got it up now, so
I'm gonna kind of peek in here and look at it.
But you know you've got You've got both teams for
turning a lot. They lost a lot, but you got
both teams. Look, these seems Beauford Milton. They graduate some
great players, but they also are reloading with a lot

(23:44):
of young and up and coming town.

Speaker 3 (23:45):
I'll tell you this mark. Both teams are going.

Speaker 1 (23:48):
To rely pretty heavily on some freshmen, some freshmen and
some sophomores. Guys that were freshmen last year. We talked
about the young man below is his last name, and
some of you Beford fans making help me out here
with his first name, and I look at it here
in just a minute from my notes. But you guys
can check out that story, the Milton Buford preview that

(24:10):
I wrote a couple of months ago, that not only
talks about the returning talent, also talks about that stadium.

Speaker 3 (24:16):
I had a chance to interview Ben Reeves and.

Speaker 1 (24:20):
Also had a chance to talk to the athletic director
over at Beauford, Tony Woolf, talking about the stadium. Of course,
Ben Reeves talking about his Milton football team. So a
lot of exciting and Mark, that's what builds are. I
asked you all this excitement about that season opener, not
only do you have two great teams, not only are
you gonna have ESPN in town, but you're gonna have

(24:41):
the unveiling of this brand new much Ballyhood and talked
about sixty two or whatever it is, million dollar stadium.

Speaker 3 (24:50):
And Mark, let me ask you, this, is there any way.

Speaker 1 (24:54):
Possible that Buford loses on that night unveiling this brand
new You stay.

Speaker 2 (25:00):
Well, well, we first of all, you you skip way over.
We'll get to that in just a second. I mean,
who's got the advantage at the line of scrimmage. We
can be quick. We don't we don't, you know, give it,
give me a few bullet points. Who do you feel
has the advantage at the line of scrimmage, Buford or Milton.

Speaker 1 (25:22):
I think Milton's got the advantage at the line of scrimmage.

Speaker 3 (25:25):
Yeah, yeah, all right, Who's.

Speaker 2 (25:27):
Got the advantage at the skill position?

Speaker 3 (25:30):
Gosh, let me look here? All right?

Speaker 1 (25:35):
So at uh, Buford's got to uh replace Jordan Allen,
who was a big time receiver, big time kick returner, Uh,
Javin Bennett, Kyle Carpenter, Sam Hart and us. Those guys
they may not jump out at you, but those were
big time production players. Also, running backs Ethan Irvin, Justin

(25:57):
Baker got to replace them. We talked about tight ends, Hayden, Bradley, Cooper, Barry.
Those are guys you gotta replace. Offensive line Beufford, you're
gonna be losing Marcus Major and Braydon Burton. And defensively,
Dufford's linebacker Coral was hit hard by graduation.

Speaker 3 (26:16):
Jayden Parlotte, who.

Speaker 1 (26:18):
I know, he is a daddy. Kenny is a regular
here on the show. He's off to Tennessee.

Speaker 2 (26:22):
Man.

Speaker 1 (26:22):
He was just one of those difference maker players. So
I'm just mentioning a couple of.

Speaker 3 (26:27):
Players there already.

Speaker 1 (26:28):
What is that, well over half a dozen players, some
big time names there that I'm talking about. They're gonna
have to be replaced. And again that's just on Beewford,
that's just the So the.

Speaker 2 (26:39):
Skill position again, you feel like, so you feel like
Milton has the advantage, I do. Okay, how about how
about linebackers.

Speaker 1 (26:55):
So in addition to mentioned Paula Parlotte, Jaden Parlotte, you're gonna.

Speaker 3 (26:59):
Be missing in I'm Kenyan Rivera Montres Walker, A J. Holloway.
Three linebackers for Buford. Those are big time names.

Speaker 1 (27:10):
I think they're all playing down on Saturdays, gonna be
playing on Saturdays this year.

Speaker 3 (27:13):
They're all not coming back this year.

Speaker 1 (27:16):
The defensive backfield for Bufort gonna be without Devin Williams,
Chris Garland, DeMarcus Nibb, and Bryce Joiner. So that's kind
of why I'm giving this edge, you know, to the
Milton on skill position, because you know, I've already mentioned
again a lot of talent mark the Buford's not going
to be running back.

Speaker 2 (27:36):
Yeah, So so you feel like you didn't say a quarterback.
But you said Milton's got the edge in the trenches,
and you feel like Milton's got the edge at linebacker.
Skilled players, you know, I'm just giving the typical. Hey,
you pick them, you give this this. How about special teams?

(27:57):
Who's got the edge on special teams?

Speaker 1 (27:59):
I would say probably Milton. Again, I'm skinning over the
story here.

Speaker 3 (28:03):
Let me tell you how I my sort of my
ending tagline was for Beuford.

Speaker 1 (28:09):
And of course we know you for first to themselves
a Gloryland, and I said, Gloryland really lost some big
time talent and experience.

Speaker 3 (28:18):
However, and this is a big but.

Speaker 1 (28:23):
This is gonna give several of the younger players, and
I'm talking about some of the big time talented players
that are coming up, some of this class of twenty eight.
I'm gonna give these guys a chance to shine and
see what they're capable of.

Speaker 3 (28:35):
And that's the thing about it. You lose that. You know,
these two teams are gonna loosen talent.

Speaker 1 (28:40):
But men, they are so deep with their feeder systems
mark and developing these younger players.

Speaker 3 (28:47):
And for some of you, you.

Speaker 1 (28:48):
For fans and Milton fans, chime in and let me
know if you think I'm off base, if you think
that I'm spot on, let me know what you think.

Speaker 3 (28:54):
Guys, So we.

Speaker 2 (28:58):
Probably should start talking about five A here shortly, excuse me. So,
so give me your pick, put you on the spot,
give me your pick.

Speaker 3 (29:11):
I tell you, I think I'm going to go with.

Speaker 1 (29:21):
I think the home field, opening up, the new stadium,
the question market quarterback.

Speaker 3 (29:28):
Look, I'm gonna go with Beauford, but not by much.

Speaker 1 (29:33):
Maybe a Lakefield gold Wednesday.

Speaker 2 (29:36):
Oh man, see you fool me. You're giving all the
checks to Milton and then you flip and.

Speaker 3 (29:41):
Pick Buford because the home field advantage.

Speaker 1 (29:44):
I think that's going to account for maybe a touchdown
or so.

Speaker 2 (29:49):
Okay, so I think I will I would agree with that.
I would think Buford does not want to lose in
this new stadium opening night. I also think traditionally Buford
has a lot of depth. They always have had a
lot of depth. I think if you look if you

(30:10):
look at recruiting rankings, uh, they're loaded up with players,
as they always are. Uh. You know, and if you're Beauford,
you know, if you're not playing for state championship. It's
unfortunate to say, but you know that's kind of where
the bar is. They just aren't happy winning a couple
of rounds. Yeah, I tend to agree, although I think

(30:32):
I think coach Reeves will uh well, we'll do everything
he can and have Milton really working as they get
into the season, I think he has more of a
challenge in front of him, keep getting Milton, you know, cohesive,
getting that team going. I think I think they'll get
better and better each week. And I think Beauford, because

(30:56):
of the depth they always have, I think they're going
to have some of that worked out already. So uh yeah,
I think I think Beaufort will will be uh, we'll
be hard hard to beat there.

Speaker 1 (31:11):
Real quick like, And Chris Bay said, hey, guys, let's
get on with it the five A O.

Speaker 3 (31:15):
Don't worry.

Speaker 1 (31:16):
Hey, listen, even if we have to go in a
little bit of overtime, Chris, We're okay here. That's that's
the great thing. Uh we get to we get to
call the shots here. But uh, real quick like. I'll
offer these couple of additional comments, Mark, they gave you
a good bit of the Beauford personnel situation. Here's what
Milton loses. T J Lester four star wide receiver C. J. Wiley,

(31:42):
Fellow white Out on the other side, Tristan Pain and
then I talked about this those tight ends, Mark, Milton's
gonna lose Ethan Barber.

Speaker 3 (31:51):
I think he pronounces his name Barbour.

Speaker 1 (31:53):
Ethan Barbour and Hayden Tomania a couple of big time
tight ends.

Speaker 3 (32:00):
Now they've got some good ones coming up of the
Carpinger kid. I believe it's one of them.

Speaker 1 (32:04):
But uh that that's some big time skill losses right there.

Speaker 2 (32:09):
For for Milton, Mark Well, I will say, and now
obviously we're into we're into five A. Now with Milton,
we can talk about Milton. Obviously first since we're you know,
we were talking about Buford Milton. I do believe that,
you know, first thing, Coach Reees really runs that program
like uh, you know, he runs it like a college program.

(32:30):
Oh yeah, in the way that they approach things. I
know we've I've been up and interviewed him multiple times.
I've of course talked to a lot of those players
that just graduated. We went up Flint, did a workout
with him, got a got a strength and conditioning coach.
That is, he's a real deal. I mean, they will
they will be prepared. Uh, that's for sure. He will

(32:53):
have them ready to play again. I'm going back to
what they lost. I think it's hard to replay that.
I just don't really I don't think you can replace
that light just off the gate with someone that's coming
in and just coming there their first year being a

(33:13):
part of the program. If there was somebody that had
been playing back up for a year or two that
had been in that program, I would say that would
be an easier transition. I think it's a little harder
at the high school level, when you know, when you
move around, to be able to jump in and get
those players ready to go. These are high school kids.

(33:34):
Although it's here to stay, it's going to be here,
kids are moving around. I think it's going to be
harder for them to regroup and repeat. I think it's
just a tall task to replace everybody that they lost. Yes,
for Milton, we're talking about Milton here in five a

(33:56):
great program that is a really good community. If you're
if you're going to live around Atlanta, that's the place
to live. Of course, you better make a fortune because, uh,
you know, it costs you a million dollars to get
any kind of house uh in Milton, believe me.

Speaker 1 (34:13):
I know I lived in there for ten years now.
Granted that was back here twenty years ago.

Speaker 2 (34:18):
But and hopefully, uh, you know, their school is part
of the of Fulton County, so being a part of
Fulton County, they have very good facilities. They are oh yeah,
they're stadium is good. But their facilities are not like
say what Gainesvilles are, or what TC's or you know

(34:42):
is are about to be, or even coffee for that matter. Uh.
I think when you're part of a big county like that,
you know they have to spread the wealth. So if
they're going to build an indoor for one, they got
to build it for all of them. If they're going
to do this for one, they got to do it
for all of them. So I do think Milton will
get better as the season goes on. I think they

(35:06):
will be in the hunt for sure.

Speaker 3 (35:11):
Oh, no doubt about it.

Speaker 1 (35:13):
Again, I want to bring to everybody's attention or we're
putting a lot of emphasis on this this opener. Mark
as big a game as it is, Remember it's a
non region game, so even as big an impactful game
as it is, mostly for the fans and on the
pomp and circumstances. But Mark, at the end of the day,

(35:34):
it's going to be a non region game. And of course,
so you know, I guess what I'm trying to say
is it's not going to really impact them moving forward
in their march to a third straight state title.

Speaker 3 (35:46):
By the way, I do like them to repeat.

Speaker 1 (35:48):
As I mentioned in our story, you referenced earlier about
who I think is going to have a chance.

Speaker 3 (35:53):
To repeat twenty twenty five of the year of the repeat.

Speaker 2 (35:56):
So you think they are going to this would be
a three peat for them. That is, you think Milton
will win it again. We can go ahead and get
your pick on the table.

Speaker 3 (36:04):
Absolutely.

Speaker 1 (36:06):
Listen, every everybody's gonna lose some good players. Everybody's going
to restart, you know. But I think Milton again, they
just got so much depth. Uh, I think they're going
to be able to take it again.

Speaker 3 (36:18):
Listen.

Speaker 1 (36:19):
A lot of this has to do with what you
mentioned earlier, Mark, ben Reeds. He runs that program like
a college program. But he's a very he's a.

Speaker 2 (36:27):
Very good coach, and you know he schedules these tough games,
you know, Uh, he does that by choice to get
his team ready. So the player Buford, you know, they've
been down to South Florida, they will play down there. Uh.
In fact, that the opportunity of the first uh not
last year, but year before went down there watching play Western,
a very talented Western game that they should have won

(36:49):
that game. Uh, there was some highly questionable calls there
that field. There was traders on that field. It was
it was it was that they need some turf down
down in South Florida. All those fields need to be
It was it was rough. Now Western loaded up with
skilled players and talent, yeah for sure, and so but

(37:11):
it was it really did amaze me how Milton just
they didn't let that loss.

Speaker 3 (37:19):
That's right down at all, didn't let another game that's yeah.

Speaker 2 (37:24):
And I think that's the quality of those that court,
group of leadership players they had also coach Reeves, they
put that behind them and boom, they reeled it off
and hadn't lost the game since. So I do think
that's by design. So you think they're gonna win it
all right, So you're not giving uh, you know, like
I would say, when we look at the teams in

(37:45):
South Georgia, you know in five A, let's face it,
Region Region one five A with coffee in Lee and
yeah two five A. Yeah, you know, I don't think
you could count any of the South Georgia teams. I think, look,
I think these teams in South Georgia could get a run. Yeah,

(38:09):
Thomas County Central for sure in or Lee County. I
tell you, I said this last week. I think once
Thomas County Central finishes all their renovation and construction, building
a new indoor, I mean, they're uh, they're gonna have
first class facilities. Coach Rogers does an outstanding job. They

(38:33):
have a lot of talent. Hey, again, it is what
it is. They're going to bring kids. People in Leon
County are gonna want to leave Florida to come to TCC.
It's just there's they have nicer facilities. It's it's it's
a great program to be a part of. There's something
brewing at Thomas County Central. There's a foundation being built

(38:55):
that could really be something for years to come. And
he's won a state championship. They they're good every year.
Look for them. I feel they can always make noise
and I just feel like their position geographically and from

(39:15):
their facilities, they have the support of the community. Obviously,
financially they're getting support. So I think there's a lot
of good things going on at Thomas County Central Lee County.
I don't have to tell you anything about coach Breezia
well absolutely if they have very nice facilities. I think again,

(39:37):
when you think about where he's located, uh, you know,
Darty County and Chris County and all those areas, I mean,
I think he's in a he's in a good position
there and he always just seems to have really good athletes.
I think they can make a run, uh for sure.

(39:58):
And then I think Coffee coach Cod does a great
job there. They play very physical football. I think there's
they can make a run. But look, we can't forget
about the teams in Houston County. You're right, You're right,
I just don't there's a lot of good talent there,
so I don't know how Yeah, I think all those

(40:21):
teams are gonna make a run. You know. All that
being said, if we're talking about this year, which we are,
I think Gainsville is going to be the team that
will be the biggest threat to Milton. Again, I think
any of the South Georgia teams could make a run,

(40:42):
but games, has got a lot of people back, They
have a lot of talent back, had an opportunity to
visit Gainsville many times, and coach Niblett does a first
class job. Sure, I think you know again, I think
I personally think, you know, there's there's a lot of
things that could happen in five A. I don't think

(41:04):
it's it's there's just no clear cut to me, although
for you and many people. And look, I'm kind of
from that old school to look, if a team won
a state championship, you know, hey, they ought to be
the team until somebody beats them. Absolutely, and and I
do tend to agree with that. I think at the
end though, I think they lost too much leadership, too

(41:28):
much talent. And look, let's face it, last year's team
was being talked about is one of the best teams
in the history of George High school football, right, I mean,
and I can't say that I don't like They've got
to be in the conversation at least somewhere in there.
Their offense was just I don't know that I've ever

(41:50):
seen a high school offense that that just that just
clicked like they did and moved the ball like they did.
I don't know that. I've that I've seen that. So
see what the you know what the chat is saying.
I know that we're on I think we're on X
We're on Facebook and uh.

Speaker 1 (42:09):
Instagram, you know, I'm not sure, but in YouTube and
YouTube on all four So h.

Speaker 2 (42:17):
I think that that is gonna I think Milton will
be tough to beat, but I do I think Gainesville
clearly has a shot to beat them. And I also
don't count the South Georgia teams out. I also think
home field has a lot to do with it when
that coin tops. So if you have to make the
drive to South Georgia, okay, well watch out if you're

(42:42):
going to Lead County or TCC or Milton has a
very good uh they have a great cry out. Of course,
Gainsville is like a South Georgia team. They're north up

(43:05):
there in Hall County. So you know, I know I've
been rambling on here for I al will say you
have the right to do that. Yeah, well, I'm gonna
say I think if I'm not mistaken, depending on what
rains you look at, Gainsville has the number one player
in the state, top five in the nation. Yeah, defensive. Yeah,

(43:28):
defensive guy he is. You know, I actually saw him
in the workout room, so he's the real deal. I
had an opportunity to interview their quarterback a month ago.
Very intelligent guy, very articulate person, very confident. So we'll
see how it plays out. It's always a lot of

(43:50):
fun to talk about. If anybody has any opinions, let
us know, Phil is gonna pick Milton to repeat, I'm
gonna pick Gains vote to win it, although I honestly
you know I am I'm biased. I'm South Georgia guy, right.
I grew up in so fuch To Georgia, and it's

(44:11):
great to see the Rams getting back on coach Hammond.
So I do feel like I'll make a prediction if
if things. You know, there's certain intangibles that that you
either have or don't have, or there's certain factors, those

(44:31):
factors being location. So are you going to get some
players that can move into your program? Financially? Do you
have the financial resources to get these kinds of facilities,
because kids want to go to these nice facilities now
they just do it's just a fat And then do
you have the leadership organization, the administration Thomas County Central

(44:58):
in the next coming year. Is because of those factors,
watch out. They could they could get something going again.
They just happen to be in a great place to
place geographically where they butt up against Leon County in Tallahassee,
which has a ton of talent, and the facilities that
they're building are just incredible. So I think, I think
that's something to keep an eye on. I think up

(45:21):
in Atlanta, everybody's scrambling as people move around up there.
You know, there's a lot of football teams in Atlanta,
a lot of good ones in Atlanta. So if I'm
a parent and I got an outstanding kid and maybe
he is at a school that I don't feel like
gives him the best opportunity, and I got to stay

(45:41):
in that general area, where am I going to go? Well,
I hay, for lack of a better way to put it,
I'm gonna go visit some schools, right and I think,
but you're gonna visit them up in that area. I'll
pose that question to you, Phil, if you had a
kid leaving the eighth grade, who is all world in

(46:05):
the high school where you live? For whatever reason, there's
just not a lot of support. You know, the facilities
aren't as good. Just you know, you don't think it's
run as well. You want to put your kid in
an environment that simulates like a college environment that's going
to be very competitive.

Speaker 3 (46:21):
Get them.

Speaker 2 (46:22):
Where do you send your kid?

Speaker 1 (46:24):
Gosh, well, now, Mary, that's a loaded question. I mean,
come on now, yeah, well listen, I'll tell you what
are you Are you talking about and are using about
the north North Georgia area or anywhere in the state.

Speaker 2 (46:36):
No, I'm talking about North Georgia. That's what I was saying.

Speaker 3 (46:38):
Listen, here's the thing, and I.

Speaker 2 (46:40):
Guess here's where I'm saying. If I live in Tallahassee, Florida,
which is thirty miles from Thomasville. Yeah, okay, there's not
a high school there that we'll have the facilities that
TCC has. Oh right now Georgia High School football.

Speaker 3 (47:03):
Yeah, you know what I mean?

Speaker 2 (47:06):
To send my kid up the road that thirty miles.

Speaker 1 (47:08):
Yeah, but I farty agrees with you, says send him
to Thomas County Central.

Speaker 2 (47:13):
But I'm saying you have a lot of other options
when you're in.

Speaker 4 (47:17):
Atlanta, of course, absolutely. Yeah, So all right, look at
it this way, all right, Josh Nibblett. I love the
fact that he's uh, you know, he's a he's a man.

Speaker 3 (47:29):
Uh, he wants to walk, talks to talk. He's a
man of faith. He's a big believer. I think that's important. Okay.
I know it's not everybody, but to me, it's important.

Speaker 1 (47:39):
And he preaches I hate to use the word preach,
but he instills those values in his young men, Mark
up there at Gainesville. To me, that checks a big box.

Speaker 3 (47:50):
Okay.

Speaker 1 (47:51):
Other than that, though, he's a big motivator okay, And
he doesn't do a lot of custod probably doesn't do
any of That's just not his style. And I tell you,
he gets out there, he walks with the he runs
with the team, he lives with the team. Mark, You've
seen that firsthand. I just think there's a lot.

Speaker 3 (48:08):
Of positive you know.

Speaker 1 (48:10):
Uh, Josh Niblett has got that magnetic personality.

Speaker 3 (48:14):
That's the best way to put it.

Speaker 1 (48:15):
Okay, Now, having said that, you've got Gosh, you've got
Brian Appling. Brian Appling is probably just the opposite. And
I'm not talking about as far as his police or
anything like that. I'm not gonna get into that, but
Brian Appling is more of a uh walk tall talk, saw.

Speaker 3 (48:34):
Carry a big stick kind of guy. Would you agree
with that?

Speaker 2 (48:37):
Yeah, oh sure, of course. Yeah.

Speaker 3 (48:39):
So two different styles there.

Speaker 1 (48:41):
But when you start talking about you know, do you
want your child, I say, child, do you want your
kid exposed to the greatest athletes, the greatest facilities, the
greatest coaches be if it's.

Speaker 3 (48:54):
Gonna be hard to beat, especially when it comes to facilities.

Speaker 1 (48:56):
Okay, listen that new stadium, kids are gonna want to
go and play unto those lives Mark.

Speaker 2 (49:02):
Well, that's there's no question. I do think prior to
them building the stadium, their facilities are incredible. I think
Gainsvils are nice. Yeah, I think Thomas if you're when
we're talking football here, Thomas County Central is are going
to be incredible. I do think. Obviously it will be
the nicest stadium in the state of Georgia, one of

(49:25):
the nicer in the country. It will not be as
big as big as some of those in Texas, but
there's no there's no denying that. And again, you know,
people look at Buford and say, well, look at the
They just happen to be at the right place, the
right location and all the people started moving there and
there's a big tax base. That's how they get all

(49:47):
the money. You can't you know, you can't expect them
not to use it and improve their facilities, right, so
you know, that's just the way it is. They happen
to have the money to do it. So yeah, that'll
give them the edge. I do think as far as facilities,
visibility all that. Again, you have to go back to Buford.

(50:11):
They're the number one program in Georgia if you're ranking
programs over the last twenty years, and look not just football,
but I would say overall athletic program there's even no
question and I mean the results speak for themselves. They
have Yes, they've got financially, financially, they've got all the resources.

Speaker 3 (50:31):
But we want that Gwen, Yeah, it's Amy Gwenn.

Speaker 2 (50:35):
Go ahead, No, go ahead, phild Yeah.

Speaker 1 (50:36):
I was just gonna say where we're getting, I know,
kind of getting toward our last I guess quarter of
the show to borrow for some football vernacular. Again, we
want to thank you everybody for joining us, going out,
going away, just yet, just kind of wanted to give
everybody the ten minute warning, not the two minute warning.
But again Phil John's witz you along with Mark Dinks.

(50:56):
We're talking Class five A. And I do want to mention,
by the way, man, there's some other good teams. How
about Rome, John Reid one of the top coaches, Mark,
And when you want to talk about facilities, guys, I
saw it firsthand. Do you know you can go to

(51:17):
Rome High School and you can get a vocational degree.

Speaker 3 (51:22):
Never have to go, you don't have to leave the school. Okay,
if that's.

Speaker 1 (51:25):
What you want, you want to learn a sort of
a blue collar trade, a skill trade. They got everything
you need at Rome High School. That whole plan was
drawn out by John Reid himself, much more than just
a football coach. They've also got a walk in clinic
at Rome High School. You can go and I'm talking
about anybody off the street. If you're sick, you can

(51:47):
go to Rome High School. They got a walk in clinic.
And again you've got nurses there, you've got physician assistants,
and they're teaching the kids there.

Speaker 3 (51:56):
So I just say all that, I think Rome gets
overlooked a lot.

Speaker 1 (52:00):
Look, John Reid is going to have yet another great
football team. We know that their season is coming to
an end. What back to back seasons. Mark at the
hands of Thomas Gunning Central.

Speaker 2 (52:11):
Yeah, I think you're right. Yeah, and we certainly don't.
There's so many good programs. I think we're just we
I guess in mya is talking and talking about maybe
who will be the last man standing. Yeah, Joan could
make a run for sure. I mean Lanston Hughes they
lost their their coach Boone. But look, there's a lot
of talent for whatever you know that goes to that school, right,
and so uh you know there's there's look, any team

(52:35):
could could make a run. Uh. But yeah, you're exactly right, Rome,
And and we should mention they're certainly in the conversation.
Their facilities are are unbelievable.

Speaker 3 (52:46):
They're incredible, incredible somebody.

Speaker 2 (52:49):
And I was going to say Carleton's facilities as well,
lowndes Is facilities. Uh also top notch cockqwit has good facilities.

Speaker 1 (53:00):
Yeah, Jeremy Williams says Milton versus Hoko for the state championship.
Sarah Aaron Carter checking in athlen County Pirates here. Appreciate
you guys checking.

Speaker 3 (53:11):
Out the show. So listen, listen.

Speaker 1 (53:15):
Let me ask you this, Mark, and I want to
pose this to our viewers as well, what is the
common denominator that we have hit on with all of
these teams good teams. You mentioned Lee County, you mentioned Coffee,
we mentioned Well Beauford, we mentioned Houston County. So what's

(53:37):
the common denominator here, guys?

Speaker 3 (53:40):
Quarterback.

Speaker 1 (53:42):
I am a big believer that you go as far
as your quarterback will take you. We talked about Luke
Nichols gone, we talked about Weston Bryant.

Speaker 3 (53:51):
At Lee County. He's gone.

Speaker 1 (53:53):
Okay, So my point is that if you're not bringing
back your quarterback, I think that puts you at a
huge disapension. I think quarterback is the big question mark
that is surrounding Houston County, Mark and leak Ount.

Speaker 2 (54:12):
Well, yeah, I mean the game has changed some, but
I will say at the high school level, if you
have a good line, a few good skilled players, you know,
if you run the ball a lot which you can steal,
I think win a championship at the high school level
running the ball. Yeah. I again, I think you can

(54:35):
be successful without relying on the quarterback too much. Now,
if you spread it around and you know you're really
gonna throw a vertical all the time, then then yeah,
you know, you might need to look at that, but
I still think that I go back to like Jim
Dickerson said, Hey, I feel like the games weren't lost
in the trenches at the end of the day. So

(54:58):
I feel like at high school you can be success.
But yet it helps. Yeah, if you've got a great
quarterback that is vertical, and you got some skilled players,
and you have the ability to throw the ball and
you get you know, yeah, you've got all of it together.
But I do think it's possible to win at the
high school level without having you know, a really top

(55:19):
level or let me put it this way, a throwing quarterback,
if you will, I think you could still run.

Speaker 3 (55:26):
It some Mark, I agree with you somewhat.

Speaker 1 (55:29):
I think the smaller schools, and when I say smaller schools,
you know, I think you're looking at you know, three A.

Speaker 3 (55:38):
And down.

Speaker 1 (55:39):
I think those classification schools can certainly survive because a
lot of these smaller schools they predicate their success on
the running game anyway, right, yeah, sure, yeah, yeah, so
but I think from there up, Mark, I just think
you mentioned it for teams that like to throw it around.

Speaker 3 (55:54):
I remember watching looton Nickel Mark and I know you
saw the same thing.

Speaker 1 (55:57):
Man.

Speaker 3 (55:57):
He could throw it, but he could also run it.
I've talked about.

Speaker 1 (56:01):
The game that where they played Collqwood County two years ago.
I think it was what the first taken round of
the playoffs. Lout Nickel took that game over with his
feet and that's the game to Luke.

Speaker 3 (56:11):
That look like Carchle Kenny was gonna win.

Speaker 1 (56:13):
And Luke Nickel took that game over because he was
dual threat. Conchwoick County was doing a great job of
defending the path that were shutting down the pass. So
Luke Nickel just goes to is the run game cause
his own number and really turned that whole game around
single handedly, or maybe I should say with his single
with his feet.

Speaker 3 (56:35):
Made a big difference there.

Speaker 2 (56:36):
So well, again, i think you're gonna look to see
him do big things at the next level. No doubt
he can throw the ball. But he's a smart kid.
He's a confidence stavy kids. So but you know, if
you use that logic field and your expectation is one
of those quarterbacks that's unknown to us, ye unknown to

(56:57):
Milton is really gonna be able to step up.

Speaker 1 (57:00):
Derek Baker he's the young man from Saint Thomas Aquinas. Okay,
and you've also got al Breton. I think his name
is Corey Albretton. He's the young man that transferred in
from the Milwaukee Academy of Science.

Speaker 3 (57:14):
Okay, So those that's a long way for sure. You're
right now. Evan Reese, big Roswell fan. Mark.

Speaker 1 (57:25):
He's reminding us that, Hey, you guys are talking about
five A and you're talking about quarterback, and you're not
going to talk about Roswell the Hornets, remember Mark.

Speaker 3 (57:37):
They got J. T.

Speaker 1 (57:38):
Thompson now the head coach. He was the offensive coordinator.
We're just talking about Lee County. Remember Lee County put
up a ton of points this year. I think it
was a record then the average over thirty points for
every single game. Mark this past year in five A.
And you've got Trace Smith now is back to run

(57:59):
the Oswell offense. So you've got the offensive mind to J. T.

Speaker 3 (58:04):
Thompson.

Speaker 1 (58:05):
Remember, you guys will remember if you went to a
Leak County game, J T. Thompson had that fast paced
Noddle offense going. He's gonna instill that same thing. You
got a great running back, you got a great quarterback.
So Roswell fans are gonna be able to see a
lot of what they saw what Leekun fans saw. Mark
fast paced, go go go offense with Trey Smith one

(58:26):
of the top quarterbacks in the state. He can run it,
he can throw it. So Mark, we can't forget about
the Roswell Hornets.

Speaker 2 (58:33):
Well, I think I think they're in first of all
great hands. Uh we had. In fact, I was at
Roswell and was at the school, I guess probably a
month or a month and a half ago. A month ago,
had a chance to, you know, talk to JT. I
put eyes on the kids, good looking group. Uh, it's

(58:54):
his first year there. I do know. I think he's
going to do a really good job. I think that
program's in very good hands. And I think you can
look to them, they're definitely uh they're definitely rising. If
you will, their stock will be rising. I think he's
just got to get his feet in there, get his
system in place, and don't pay You might blink your

(59:17):
eyes and all of a sudden you got some of
those Atlanta players migrating to Roswell, You know what I mean.
You never know where the players are gonna go. Don't
be surprised if Roswell was not a destination the next
several years.

Speaker 3 (59:32):
Absolutely.

Speaker 1 (59:33):
All right, So we've talked about in Class five A
and listen, I will maintain this stance mark and to
our viewers as well.

Speaker 3 (59:42):
I think Roswell. I'm sorry. I think Class five A is.

Speaker 1 (59:47):
The most competitive classification in the state. I don't think
there's any doubt about it. I'm talking about from top
to bottom. Yeah, okay, our class, our talk ten classification
that we'll be releasing very very soon. Once again, we're
going in order. We've got to get through the Class a's,
but you're going to be talking about a team in

(01:00:08):
Class five A when we do this top ten that
pretty much at least the top seven or eight teams
in our top ten are could easily be considered for
a state title.

Speaker 2 (01:00:17):
Yeah no, no, I agree. Was that way last year Hill,
and it'll be this It'll be the same this year.
I think there's more teams top to bottom that could
potentially win it as compared to six A. I don't
think there's quite as many teams that have the potential
to win it.

Speaker 1 (01:00:36):
Interesting, guys, who are we leaving out in five A again?

Speaker 3 (01:00:40):
Such a competitive classification.

Speaker 1 (01:00:44):
Again, we've talked about some of the we're about Coffee County,
and we haven't really devoted a lot of attention, a
lot of conversation to Coffee. Mike cole Mark has done
a well of a job over there in Douglas. He's
got some really solid players coming back. You do I
have would get the would get kid who rushed for
like over six hundred yards except the Georgia high school

(01:01:08):
state record for most of rushing yards in a game
that was.

Speaker 3 (01:01:11):
The big playoff wind that they had over Gosh. I
can't remember who the scene was anyway.

Speaker 2 (01:01:19):
Well, here's the thing in some of the South Georgia
towns is they'll have a kid that's come up from
in the program, right that's been playing wreck ball, yeah,
in middle school ball, and get into high school and
people are not that you don't know about it? Yeah,
I do think you still see that in some of

(01:01:41):
these South Georgia. You know, now, if you're in these
bigger areas, some of these kids they're traveling, they're moving around.
You know, a lot of these kids in rural South
Georgia they can't afford or don't go off on these
different to these camps and all these different types of
places where you know, people want to know their name. Yeah. Look,

(01:02:04):
I always used to say it about Lounges. I'd go
talk to McPherson. I believe the same way today. You
watch Lounges. This year they got three middle schools feeding them.
And I'll go to a game and every two or
three people and I said, well who was that? Oh yeah,
well yeah, they've been in the program, you know, And
I think it'll be you know, I think that's the
beauty sometimes of South Georgia. At least you know, the

(01:02:27):
players that are here stay and play within the system.
But getting back to what you were saying about co Yeah,
that wouldn't surprise me one bit. There is a lot
of athletic talent in Coffee.

Speaker 3 (01:02:39):
County, no doubt about it.

Speaker 1 (01:02:43):
When we look at the final four last year in
five A you had Hughes and Coffee, you had Milton
and Lee County. So that right there, let's say Lee
County Coffee two teams from class from the same region.

Speaker 3 (01:03:04):
That's right in two five.

Speaker 2 (01:03:05):
Eight, that's exactly right. So you know, hey, wouldn't surprise
me if it didn't happen again. Phil. I guess next
week we could talk a little bit about four eight. Yeah,
I do think maybe we could touch on I think
we all know who it is, but who would be

(01:03:26):
second the greatest high school football player to come from Georgia.

Speaker 3 (01:03:32):
Yeah, if you.

Speaker 2 (01:03:33):
Go athlete, We put that out there. Yep, Yeah, we
talked about that last I think somebody said, well, hey,
you got to consider Charlie Ward, which, sure the athlete.
If you're talking about football, it's a no brainer. It's
got to be herschel Walker for football. I think although
Cam Newton played at Georgia, but I think it was
at Westlake. I believe, you know, talk a little bit

(01:03:54):
about that. How about the overall best best high school
football not athlete, but football player effort at any team
from any state.

Speaker 3 (01:04:05):
Mmmm, that'd be a tough Oh my goodness.

Speaker 2 (01:04:09):
Yeah, who would be your top ten? Think about that?

Speaker 3 (01:04:13):
Absolutely?

Speaker 2 (01:04:14):
So.

Speaker 3 (01:04:14):
Yeah, guys, we are continuing again.

Speaker 1 (01:04:16):
Week by week, we're talking about again your top ten,
not only the teams in each classification, but we really
want you guys to check out our player positions. You're
truly ranking both the top ten teams.

Speaker 3 (01:04:33):
And I'm ranking the player positions.

Speaker 1 (01:04:35):
And I do want to say this before we before
we get out of here, and I really like for
us to get some of this conversation. In last week
as we released these classifications, Mark, we're getting some pretty.

Speaker 3 (01:04:45):
Good feedback and that's what we love. We love the engagement.

Speaker 1 (01:04:49):
And over the weekend, I was pretty much trying to
defend the the the Class A prior or the Class
A through three A private poll that we do.

Speaker 2 (01:04:59):
Now you that's your pole, right, why may be a
little different. I don't know.

Speaker 3 (01:05:06):
Well, that's why I said, you know, you're truly put
together that pole.

Speaker 1 (01:05:09):
But I had some fans that I think they're all
from Calvary Day who.

Speaker 3 (01:05:13):
Sort of took issue with me.

Speaker 1 (01:05:15):
And remember now the way we do it, Mark, Class
A through three A that private pole. Now, these teams
will be a will be in different classifications, playing against
public schools throughout the year, but we just like to
rank them the same as when the playoffs come around.

Speaker 3 (01:05:35):
Follow me.

Speaker 2 (01:05:36):
Yeah, sure, but.

Speaker 3 (01:05:37):
A lot of people are pretty upset about me that
I did not well.

Speaker 1 (01:05:42):
Upset with me not because of the teams being ranked,
but Calvary Day. I had some fans there Calvary Day
did not like the fact that I didn't have their team.
I think I ranked them seventh and they felt like
they should be third place or you know, so most
fans grateful for their teams be a ring. But those
those guys, and they were nice, I thought with them,

(01:06:03):
ask them what, you know what they didn't like about
the ball?

Speaker 3 (01:06:06):
What I'm saying as the worst ball I've ever think,
I mean because of the territory.

Speaker 1 (01:06:11):
Though, full disclosure, this is all in fun. Everything will
be settled on.

Speaker 2 (01:06:17):
The field during the season. Yes, I personally, as I've
always said, have so much respect for you know, all
the coaches and players at this level. I do still
think it's the purest football you'll find as the high
school level. And this boy, it's just something to watch
when you get very well run high school football programs

(01:06:38):
and communities behind them, and it's nothing like the Friday
night lights, right. Uh, just so much respect for all
the hard work the coaches do and and you know,
the communities that pour into these kids and these programs.
You know, hey, nothing but the best to everybody. Look,
there's somebody could come out of the blue that nobody

(01:07:00):
knows about, right, I mean. Georgia was not ranked in
nineteen eighty nobody knew about herschel Walker. It was not
like it is today where everything's on social media. Trust
me or herschel Walker would not sneak up on you.
But Georgia was not ranked in nineteen eighty one national championship.
I mean, look, that's the beauty of high school football,

(01:07:21):
although still is not as probable as it used to be. Look,
in college, that could never happen again, an unranked team
could never win a national championship.

Speaker 3 (01:07:31):
That's right.

Speaker 2 (01:07:32):
The beauty of high school is there's a team that
nobody is really talking about right now that could potentially happen.
That could You could take a team that's unknown, not
being talked about, and they could win it all.

Speaker 3 (01:07:46):
We're getting some pretty good suggestions.

Speaker 1 (01:07:49):
Mark for the question you threw out there earlier about
a conversation for one of our future shows talking about
best high school player ever to ever take the field,
and we mentioned, of course herschel Walker maybe the best
one in Georgia. But get some pretty good takes here,

(01:08:10):
and I agree with my man. Evan Reach from Roswell says,
Travis Hunter has got to be in the conversation, and
I don't doubt that that young man may be one
of the best overall athletes Mark that we have seen
in a walk.

Speaker 2 (01:08:26):
Yeah, he's got it. How about Bo Jackson?

Speaker 3 (01:08:28):
Bo Jackson for sure.

Speaker 2 (01:08:31):
Yeah yeah, all right, so listen, it's about that time,
I uh got somebody looking at me.

Speaker 3 (01:08:38):
So uh, let's be the boss.

Speaker 2 (01:08:41):
Listen. I've enjoyed it, and uh, the plan is I'll
be back here next week. Yeah, and uh we'll just
kind of keep chopping it up and uh, you know,
try to try to make it as interesting as we can. Yeah. Maybe,
uh maybe try to have a few other subjects we
can talk about it, you know, living it up a
little bit. Yep.

Speaker 1 (01:09:00):
All right, guys, So again we'll tackle As Mark said,
we'll continue to tackling the classifications, our rankings for the classifications,
as well as the rankings for our.

Speaker 3 (01:09:11):
Different position groups. Guys, and again, remind.

Speaker 1 (01:09:14):
Before we get out of here, please go to all
of our platforms Instagram, excuse me, YouTube, Facebook, x slash,
Twitter and check out all of our position rankings, our
team rankings. Please let me know what you think. You're
not gonna hurt my feelings, Well maybe not, but I'll
get over it.

Speaker 3 (01:09:33):
But let me know what you think about it.

Speaker 1 (01:09:35):
Let me know what you think about it, Like these
gentlemen that I mentioned, the Calgary Day fans who are
very outspoken, you know about their beliefs and where their
teams should have been ranked. But by all means life
or not, comment on and share our our pages, guys,
We would definitely appreciate the engagement.

Speaker 3 (01:09:53):
Okay, So with that, Mark, anything you want to ad
before we get out.

Speaker 2 (01:09:57):
Of here, Hey, look forward to doing it again next
week and see you guys.

Speaker 1 (01:10:02):
Then all right, Mark, have a great night, guys, Gallas,
thank y'all so much for checking out the show. I
want to thank our friends here at Mila Mushroom for
being such gracious host for a week number two. We'll
be back next week with more right here on itg
next Extra Point with Phil Jones and Mark Diykes will
be joining me next week as well.

Speaker 3 (01:10:21):
Big thanks to Flint Dykes for.

Speaker 1 (01:10:23):
Pushing all the buttons and making sure that you guys
could see us and here us tonight.

Speaker 3 (01:10:27):
Can't do the show.

Speaker 1 (01:10:28):
Without Flint Dike, so we thank Flint for all his
involvement and producing the show.

Speaker 3 (01:10:33):
You guys, have a great week. We'll talk to you
next week.

Speaker 1 (01:10:36):
Be sure again to check out all of our rankings
and our position and player rankings at itg nex Georgia

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