The GHSA ruled this week that reclassification will now take place every four years instead of two, but the latest shuffle, which went into effect at the beginning of this school year, will definitely affect some of the major football programs from around the state. Here are three schools that find themselves in a much different position this year than in the past two seasons.
NORTHVIEW
Jim Showfety is a proven winner. He led Chamblee to a 12-2 season last year, the most wins in a season in the school’s history, and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals at the Georgia Dome. But in 2008, his first season as the head football coach at Northview High School, along with the school’s move from Region 6-AAAAA to Region 7 will result in the toughest test for both Northview and Showfety thus far.
Northview finished 4-6 overall and 1-4 in Region 6 last season. The 2008 season will be even tougher for the Titans in Region 7 with games against 2007 state runner-up North Gwinnett and 2006 state co-champion Peachtree Ridge.
Showfety realizes just how tough playing in Region 7 will be.
“I know our new region is undoubtedly one of the toughest in the state. I would put our region up against any other,” said Showfety.
Northview will have to deal with Norcross, now a perennial playoff team, in addition to the two aforementioned powerhouses. Making Region 7 tougher is the addition of Chattahoochee, the No. 2 seed out of Region 6 in 2007.
In order to succeed in Region 7, Showfety is teaching his team toughness and sacrifice.
“We are pushing them harder on and off the field to make them a little bit tougher in the weight room and on the practice filed,” he said.
Showfety believes the key to winning is sacrifice.
“We must make some sacrifices in order to win and reach our goals. And I think our kids have really done a good job of buying into our program,” Showfety stated.
Northview kicks off its 2008 season at home against a familiar foe from their former region, Centennial, tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Derek Wiley can be reached at dwiley12@gmail.com.
ST. PIUS X
St. Pius X will usher in the 2008 season with new hopes of vying for the state title, as well as competing within a new region. As a result of recent GHSA re-classifications, the Golden Lions will no longer belong to Class 4A and are now one of seven teams set to do battle in Region 5B-AAA. The move, welcomed by many Golden Lion supporters, is due largely to the GHSA’s elimination of the Murphy Rule, also known as the “1.5” rule. That rule, used up until last year’s reclassification, deemed private schools’ student populations would be multiplied by 1.5 in order to determine their classification and to deter recruiting amongst these schools.
“I agree with GHSA’s decision,” stated Paul Standard, St. Pius’ head coach. “There is a great deal of integrity amongst the private schools and the move puts everyone on an even playing field.”
However, some high-school football fans challenge the move by insisting that schools like St. Pius will now have an easier path to the playoffs, as well as the state title game. “Gee, I wish that were true,” chuckles Standard. “I don’t see too much of a difference between 4A and 3A’s competitive levels.”
The new region will consist of one familiar foe, Washington High School, along with Carver-Atlanta, Therrell, N. Atlanta, Grady and Riverwood. Noticeably missing from the region schedule is rival Marist.
“Oh, they’re still there,” Standard exclaims. “Although we open the season against the Eagles in a non-region matchup, I’m willing to bet that both teams are looking forward to it and it should be a fierce game.”
Pius plays Marist Friday night at home.
Keafer Triplett can be reached at keafer.triplett@cowetaschools.net.
CHEROKEE
The Cherokee Warriors will compete in the 2008 football season in a place they were once familiar with – Class 5A. From 2001-05, the Warriors were in the state’s largest classification and managed to make the playoffs in three out of five years. In 2006, the school’s athletic teams were moved to Class 4A.
According to assistant coach Alan Lane, the team will prepare the same way it always has.
“It doesn’t affect us right now in terms of preparation,” Lane says. “We’re preparing to win every game every Friday night. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2A or 5A team.”
Although the team will not alter its preparations, there are some changes on the schedule. The team plays archrival Sequoyah in the season opener as well as East Paulding. Besides those two games, there will be eight teams on the schedule that the Warriors did not play last year.
Overall, the schedule will be a bit tougher for the Warriors.
“Last year, there were one or two weeks during the season that were not as hard as it will be this year,” explains Lane. “This year, every Friday night is going to be pretty tough.”
The team will look to replace 21 players from last year’s 8-4 playoff team that either started or contributed. Helping to fill in on the offensive side are senior quarterback Thomas Rhodes, junior athlete Josh Lemons, and senior tailback Matt Blaylock. Defensively, Lemons will play cornerback, senior Hunter Chumley returns at tackle, and senior Chris Johnson also returns at cornerback.
Stephen Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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