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Preseason goals will not be met
Published November 4, 2009
Never fear. That mysterious crashing sound you heard last Friday night was not the stock market.
Rather, it was the preseason goals of every football team in Walton County.
Once again, Commerce beat Social Circle to ensure the Redskins will open the playoffs at some else’s stadium.
George Walton Academy won its regular-season finale in impressive fashion, but since it could control neither its destiny nor the outcome of a game 50 miles away, the Bulldogs finished runner up in their region.
Loganville fell to Rockdale County, its fourth loss, and missed out on a chance to solidify a post-season spot and now must win and hope someone else loses to earn an 11th game.
Meanwhile, Monroe wasn’t expected to challenge for a playoff game, and they didn’t. But its hopes of avoiding a second straight winless season took a big hit with a loss to a Heritage team that had won just two games.
Despite the setbacks, all is not lost. Two of the teams are assured a post-season birth while a third still has a chance. Theoretically, if not realistically, that in itself gives them a shot at a state championship.
More likely, for Loganville and Social Circle, it provides an extra game to prepare for next year. Both teams will probably be facing a region champ on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
As for GWA, the Bulldogs may have gotten a break by not winning their region. If they get past Southland in the first round Friday, they’ll be matched up the following week against a team they easily defeated during the regular season (either Stratford or Pinewood).
My guess is GWA will win its first two games to set up a rematch with Tattnall-Square in Macon in the semifinals. The Trojans manhandled the Bulldogs during the regular season, but they’ve struggled down the stretch and suddenly look beatable. With a trip to the state final on the Friday after Thanksgiving on the line, anything’s possible.
Bottom line: Bulldogs fans would be well advised to hold off on planning that trip to grandma’s house.
And looking ahead, they’ll need it.
Loganville and Social Circle will be hit hard by graduation. GWA loses just three players but will raise its level of competition by moving to the Georgia High School Association.
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