Talking points: From 0-3 Colquitt to 3-0 Lassiter

Article and photos courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution –> Original Article Here

Here’s what I see as most newsworthy from Week 3 …

Colquitt County is 0-3, just days ahead of its state-title rematch vs. now-No. 1 Roswell. The Packers were beaten Saturday by Tucker 21-20. Colquitt is off to its first 0-3 start since 2009. But remember that the ’09 team reached the state final, the first for coach Rush Propst in Georgia, and lost Brookwood 52-38. This Packer team, which needed to replace 10 starters on defense and most every major offensive weapon, still has that potential. It’s not lack of talent, but experience. All three losses are by 7 points or less. Congratulations to Tucker, the first Georgia team to win in Moultrie since Lowndes on Sept. 28, 2012.

Mill Creek is very good, it was confirmed again. Dacula might’ve been overrated at No. 4 in Class 6A, but 30-0 is pretty decisive. Mill Creek is on a 17-1 run and avenged its only defeat (Colquitt County) this season. Colquitt is the only team to score more than two touchdowns against Mill Creek in that time.

Lassiter, just 6-14 the past two seasons, is agitating for a top-10 ranking after the 24-9 victory over Kell, which was ranked No. 1 in one Class 5A poll. Lassiter trailed 9-0 in the second half, which is nothing that a 24-0 run can’t fix. Fwiw, Kell beat Tucker; and Tucker just beat Colquitt County.

Lowndes isn’t to be written off yet. A pair of six-win seasons followed by an opening 38-13 rout by rival Valdosta and things weren’t looking good for the Vikings. But they responded with a 35-34 victory Saturday over No. 7 Parkview. Lowndes led 35-14, and Parkview took advantage of turnovers to get back in the game.

North Gwinnett is another that is trying to regain its top-10 form after a disappointing opening loss to Brookwood (37-23 in the Corky Kell). The Bulldogs have beaten Milton 43-29 and Hillgrove 42-24 in back-to-back weeks and can re-establish itself as a player with a victory next week vs. old enemy Norcross (2-0).

South Gwinnett stamped itself as the official surprise team of the early season in 7A with a 14-7 victory over Brookwood in the battle of Snellville. It was the first time since 2003 that the city rivals were both ranked when they met since 2003. South Gwinnett won that one, too. South (3-0) has exceeded its victory total of 2015, when the Comets were 2-8.

Grayson and McEachern … Well, save the best game for last. Grayson won 16-13 on a field goal at the buzzer. Grayson, the preseason No. 1, was as good as advertised on defense, holding McEachern and FSU-committed QB Bailey Hockman to almost nothing. McEachern’s touchdown came on a kick return. Grayson’s offense is no juggernaut, however. Not yet. Two good teams, but the jury remains out on each.