GHSA WEEK 1 SCORES IN THE VALLEY

Here's Week 1 Scores from the GHSA in the Columbus Area:

Thursday:
Shaw 21
Northside-Columbus 0

Friday:

50th Annual Heritage Bowl
Carver 47
Spencer 6

Hardaway 49
Jordan 21

Brookstone 35
Columbus 8

Americus-Sumter 25
Kendrick 6

Pacelli 20
Crawford Co. 13

Newnan 27
LaGrange 24

Houston Co. 35
Harris Co. 23

Miller Co. 35 
Schley Co. 34

Hancock Central 35
Randolph-Clay 8

Manchester 14
Central-Talbotton 8

Chattahoochee Co. 50
Stewart Co. 0

Marion Co. 24
Terrell Co. 12

Irwin Co. 35
Taylor Co. 14

Redan 15
Troup 12

A Shoutout to My Former Squad...and the Story of the Rebirth of Raider Tennis, through my eyes...

Yesterday, I found out that my former team, the (mighty) Shaw High Raiders made the GHSA AAA State Playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Of course as a former alumni, I can't help to be proud of the guys who were Freshmen and Sophomores my Senior year have stepped up and become the leaders of this revtalization of the program.

For those of you who don't know, in 2007 (my Freshman season) our team was a joke. We lost to some of the worst teams in our region (I won't name names) and were screwed out of wins multiple times, including the Region 2-AAA Tournament, where we lost to Harris Co. and were eliminated from playoff contention. In 2008, our current coach, Laurie McInroy (but she's Coach Mac to us) took over. It was a dream season. Beat our 2 main rivals, Harris Co. and Northside. Had the Ledger-Enquirer Bi-City Player of the Year. Going into the region tournament, even I had won 8 of my last 10 going in. But of all the times to pull a chokejob, I had to pick April 15, 2008. That dream season came to a crashing and sudden halt.

Then the proverbial bottom fell out. Whether due to graduation, transferring, moving, injury or quitting, we lost every person on the roster except me. All of a sudden, I went from role player to team captain. But I have to give Coach Mac credit because when it comes to recruiting players from unlikely sources in the school, she is like John Calipari. Before I knew it, we had a team of dedicated, determined players. And that team led to the most improbable season in recent Shaw High memory.

Beating region contenders, winning tournament matches, the public started to notice who we were. But the perception of our team was far from what you would think. Street thugs. Dysfunctional. Cheaters. The best feeling about it though was that we didn't care what they thought. It was like a "us vs. the world" mentality we played with. We knew no one thought we could win, nonetheless make state.

Fast forward to April 15, 2009. One year to the day of the previous year's disaster. I'll be honest, I was nervous. I was praying that I didn't blow my shot, this team's shot at history. What history? The 13 year playoff  drought that several great players fell victim to. Going into that game vs. Troup Co., I didn't feel like I was going in it to win for me. I was playing for my teammates, last year and all the great players that had strapped up the silver, black and red and never got to experience the state playoffs.

And what made that day so gratifying, so satisfying, was that so many things changed once I hit my last shot of my match and completed the sweep of the Tigers. All the pain, the heartache, the nightmares went away and were replaced by the congrats of my teammates and friends. And strike the fact that we haven't made it into the Sweet 16. Just the fact that in my 4 years, that team went from people chanting "You Suck" in the hallways when you had your tennis gear on, to respect from state powers like LaGrange, Crisp Co. and West Laurens. That in 13 years prior, we always lost in the region tourney. We have hit it big 4 years running now. And the one thing I take away from it?

I graduated in 2010. 2 years ago. The team moved into a new region...and in 2 years, have 2 playoff appearances. That's what makes me proud to have played for the Raiders. And whenever I get a chance, whether it's the offseason or regular season, I show up to support them and as long as I'm able, will continue to do so. That's not just my legacy, that is a new tradition. A tradition that several new stars have become a part of. I'm proud to say I'm a part of.

If it wasn't a tennis team, the phenomenon known as the "Jack Attack" doesn't leave the boundaries of the University of Georgia. Well, that and I don't develop the charisma that came with it.

And that old adage rings loud and clear in my mind right now...

Once a Raider, Always a Raider.

Congrats to the Raiders and go out on Wednesday and unleash the beast on Woodward Academy!

Several Projects On Deck for MOSM blog...

Many of you may have been wondering why we have been off the blog the last couple of weeks. Here's a couple reasons:

• Both Matt and Jack have been battling illness (we're ok :) )
• Matt dealing with Midterms

And the most important reason we've been off is to focus on bringing you the best content and opinion on the blogosphere. With that being said, here's some of the things we are working on over the next 6 months...

• Complete WrestleMania 28, Extreme Rules, Over The Limit, Money In The Bank, No Way Out and SummerSlam coverage
• Coverage of Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves (and the other 161 games too)
• Capability to Live Blog
• Several YouTube Original Series
• Interviews with on the rise athletes in Georgia
• Hawks coverage including the playoffs
• and Much More!

So stay tuned here for more details, including what our YouTube address will be. But until then,

"Like" us on Facebook...

"Follow" us on Twitter...

And always remember to...

Oh, that reminds me, one of those things we might be working on (if things fall into place), will be M! True Piedmont Story (and yes, it's a Z! True Long Island Story parody)!

Now...

(always wanted to do that!)

2012 GHSA Traditional Wresting Championships- Results

Here are the GHSA A State Championship Results from The Arena at Gwinnett Center from Duluth:

A
Team:
Champions: Bremen- 154 points
2. Gordon Lee- 138.5
3. Holy Innocents- 122.5
4. Commerce- 87
5. First Presbyterian Day- 65
6. Social Circle- 56
7. George Walton Academy- 55
8. St. Francis- 45
9. Darlington School- 44
10. Bowdon- 37

Weight Class:
106- Johnny Ragsdale, Gordon Lee Freshman
113- Cody Legg. Commerce (Classification Not Given)
120- Zac Young, Bremen Senior
126- Brock Cooper, Bremen Freshman
132- Cory Morgan, Bremen Junior
138- Preston Steen, Chattahoochee Co. Senior
145- Kannon Madden, Bremen Junior
152- Spencer Jones, Darlington Senior
160- Ethan West, Gordon Lee Sophomore
170- Jason Grimes, Holy Innocents Junior
182- Lee Davis, Holy Innocents Senior
195- Cory Jewel, Gordon Lee Junior
220- Chance McClure, Commerce (Classification Not Given)
285-Joe Baxley, Bremen Junior

Congratulations to All State Winners!

2012 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships- Results

Here are the GHSA AA State Wrestling Championships Results from The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth:

AA
Team:
Champion: Jefferson- 232 points (most in any classification and biggest margin of victory)
2. Greater Atlanta Christian- 88
3. Lovett- 87
4. Morgan Co.- 85.5
5. Elbert Co.- 79
6. Jackson Co.- 68.5
7. East Laurens- 67.5
8. Calhoun- 61.5
9. Blessed Trinity- 60
10. Toombs- 59

Weight Classes:
106- D'Angelo Damsaw, Dublin Sophomore
113- David Sobasky, Jordan Senior
120- Zach Moore, Jackson Co. (Classification Not Given)
126- Tyler Marinelli, Jefferson (Classification Not Given)
132- Brandon Owens, Elbert Co. Senior
138- Donnell Anthony, Calhoun Junior
145- Dyllan Greene, North Oconee (Classification Not Given)
152- Brandon Siffles, Chattooga Senior
160- Nick Simmons, Morgan Co. (Classification Not Given)
170- Chip Ness, Buford Sophomore
182- Jordan Przybysz, Jefferson (Classification Not Given)
195- Julian Houk, Westminster Senior
220- Louis Corona, East Laurens Junior
285- Destry Walker, Cook Senior

Congratulations to All State Winners!

2012 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships- Results

Here are the GHSA AAA State Wrestling Championship Results from The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth:

AAA:
Team:
Champions: Heritage-Catoosa- 139 points
2. Gilmer- 128
3. Carrollton- 110
4. Locust Grove- 77.5
   Oconee Co.- 77.5
6. Woodward Academy- 69
7. West Laurens- 56
8. Lafayette- 52
    Eastside- 52
10. Cedartown- 50.5

**Jack's Alma Mater, Shaw, finished with 3 points, tied for 49th**

Weight Classes:
106- Cameron Perry, Glimer Sophomore
113- Immanuel Henderson, Rutland Senior
120- Jake Adcock, Carrollton Freshman
126- Chandler Pyke, Woodward Academy (Classification Not Given)
132- Landon Reed, Heritage-Catoosa Senior
138- Chad Pyke, Woodward Academy (Classification Not Given)
145- Tyler Lujan, Carrollton Freshman
152- Leo Cordero, Cedartown Senior
160- Trey Rhodes, Westside-Augusta Senior
170- Thomas Daniels, Stockbridge Senior
182- Sidney Wheeler, Dalton Sophomore
195- Jordan Watkins, Cedartown Junior
220- Bryson Brindle- Allatoona Senior
285- Dalvin Tomlinson, Henry Co. Senior

Congratulations to All State Winners!

2012 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships- Results

Here are the GHSA AAAA State Wrestling Results from The Arena at Gwinnett Center from Duluth.

AAAA:
Team:
Champion: Pope-115 points
2. Alexander- 96.5
3. Lambert- 75.5
4. Loganville- 72
5. Whitewater- 60.5
6. Ola- 57
7. Cass- 50
    Rockdale Co.- 50
9. Marist- 43
10. Kell- 42
      Union Grove- 42
**Matt's Alma Mater, Habersham Central., finishes with 19 points, tied for 32nd.**

Weight Classes:
106- Chad Hawkins, Woodland-Cartersville (Classification Not Given)
113- Cameron Munsey, Pope (Classification Not Given)
120- Roman Boylen, Alexander (Classification Not Given)
126- Will Hale, Loganville Senior
132- Nick Lankford, Flowery Branch Senior
138- Chad Starnes, Alexander (Classification Not Given)
145- Jose Robledo, Rockdale Co. Senior
152- Jake Henson, Pope (Classification Not Given)
160- Hunter Gamble, Union Grove Senior
170- Tyler Askey, Northgate Junior
182- Jimmy Carman, Ola Junior
195- Boyce Cornwell, Heritage-Conyers Senior
220- Matt Moore, Aplachee Sophomore
285- Gabriel Echols, Southwest DeKalb Senior

Congratulations to All State Winners!

2012 GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships- Results

Here are the Results from the GHSA AAAAA State Wresting Championship from The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth.

AAAAA:
Team:
Champion: Collins Hill- 184 points
2. Camden Co. 159.5
3. Archer- 109
4. Lowndes- 84.5
5. North Gwinnett- 79.5
6. North Forsyth- 76
7. Kennesaw Mountain- 65.5
8. Brookwood- 59.5
9. Peachtree Ridge- 58
10. Etowah- 55

Weight Classes:
106- Sean Russell, Collins Hill Sophomore
113- Ryan Millhof, Collins Hill Sophomore
120- Drew Ferguson, Collins Hill Senior
126- Chris Murdock, Kennesaw Mountain Senior
132- Steven Brandtmuller, Collins Hill Senior
138- Ryan Mosley, Shiloh Senior
145- Matt Moody, Lowndes Sophomore
152- Austin Trott, Camden Co. Senior
160- Corey Wilson, Roswell Junior
170- Justan Rivera, Kennesaw Mountain Freshman
182- Grey Jones, Camden Co. Senior
195- Ernest Alexander, Archer Junior
220- Travis Register, Colquitt Co. Junior
285- Blake Cunningham, Brookwood Senior

Congratulations to all state winners!

Team Standings After Day 1 of GHSA Traditional Wresting Tournament

2012 GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championships presented by Georgia National Guard
February 16-18, 2012, Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA

Team Standings after Day 1 from the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth:

Top 10 Schools Listed.

AAAAA:
1. Collins Hill 32.5 points
2. Camden Co. 28
3. Archer 27
4. North Gwinnett 21.5
5. Lassiter 16
6. Lowndes 15.5
7. North Forsyth 14
8. Brookwood 13.5
9. Kennesaw Mountain 12
9. Hillgrove 12

AAAA:
1. Loganville 18.5 points
2. Pope 17.5
3. Alexander 15.5
4. Ola 14
5. Creekview 12
5. Lambert 12
7. Paulding Co. 11
8. Dunwoody 10
8. Clarke Central 10
8. Marist 10

AAA:
1. Heritage-Catoosa 32.5 points
2. Carrollton 26
3. Gilmer 20
4. Locust Grove 17.5
5. Oconee Co. 16
6. McNair 15
7. Lafayette 13
8. Chestatee 12
8. Westside-Augusta 12
8. Burke Co. 12
8. North Hall 12

AA:
1. Jefferson 43 points
2. Greater Atlanta Christian 22.5
3. Lovett 21
4. Blessed Trinity 16
5. Morgan Co. 15.5
6. East Laurens 14.5
6. Appling Co. 14.5
8. Elbert Co. 14
9. Dublin 12
9. Adairsville 12
9. Buford 12
9. Calhoun 12

Single-A begins competition on Day 2.

We will continue to update you on the Individual and Team Standings as we get them!