The Class 2A Blogcast: Recent Episodes
Adam Krohn
Season recap! Topics: Thomson wins championship; 2A and 7A title-game reviews; Postgame interviews from 2A championship; Instant replay already needed to be a thing; Final rankings; top season highlights from 2A!
Championship preview edition! Coaches Michael Youngblood (Thomson) and Tucker Pruitt (Fitzgerald) talk how they got to this point and what they're expecting in Atlanta. Also joining are radio announcers Dennis Sanders of WTHO in Thomson, and Bill Bryant of WRDO in Fitzgerald.
The quarterfinals are recapped and the semifinals previewed. Guests are all four semifinalist coaches: Appling County's Jordan Mullis, Fellowship Christian's Tim McFarlin, Fitzgerald's Tucker Pruitt and Thomson's Michael Youngblood.
Round 2 and the quarterfinals are discussed. Teams remaining are the Appling County Pirates, Callaway Cavaliers, Fellowship Christian Paladins, defending 2A champions Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane, Pierce County Bears, Rockmart Yellow Jackets, South Atlanta Hornets and Thomson Bulldogs.
Spencer Greenwave Owls coach Joe Kegler discusses his team's 7-2 start, which has them within a win of their first region championship since joining the GHSA in 1968.
Appling County Pirates coach Jordan Mullis discusses his team, which is ranked No. 4 and a win away from their first region championship since 2013.
Region 8 is discussed following Fellowship Christian's 28-6 win over Athens Academy, plus post-game interviews with Paladins coach Tim McFarlin and Spartans coach Josh Alexander.
The continued success of the South Atlanta Hornets is discussed, along with the recruitment of their running back, AJC Super 11 selection Keyjuan Brown, who led the state in rushing last season and is off to another big start.
ACE Charter Gryphons first-year coach Keith Hatcher discusses his team's surprising 5-1 start.
First-year Worth County coach Jeff Hammond discusses the Rams' first 5-0 start since 1989, the challenges of Region 1-2A and more.
Laney Wildcats coach Ronnie Baker discusses how his team is handling the traumatic incident of gun violence at their game Friday, along with the overall positive direction the program is moving in under his guidance.
Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane coach Tucker Pruitt discusses his teams' 4-0 start, the new-look Region 1-2A, the challenges of repeating as state champions and more.
The Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (ELCA) Chargers are discussed as they head into their bye week, with a post-game interview with Chargers coach Tanner Rogers included. Early quarterfinalists predictions are given.
Columbia Eagles coach Greg Barnett discusses his program's 2-0 start and friendship with Nayvadius Wilburn, better known as rapper Future, who attended Columbia with Barnett. Future recently funded a new weight room for the Eagles via his nonprofit, Freewishes.
A post-game interview with Fellowship Christian Paladins coach Tim McFarlin, who discussed the team's season-opening loss to Mount Pisgah in the Kell Classic.
The 2022 Class 2A football season is previewed. On to talk reclassification and the new-look 2A are GHSA executive director Dr. Robin Hines, GHSF Daily's Todd Holcomb, The Fan's Chris Moneyham, Valdosta radio's Chris Beckham, Northeast coach Jeremy Wiggins, Pierce County coach Ryan Herring, Washington County coach Robert Edwards, ELCA coach Tanner Rogers, South Atlanta coach Michael Woolridge, Chatsworth Times editor Jimmy Espy and Fellowship Christian coach Tim McFarlin.
The Class 2A championship, which was won by the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane 21-7 over the Thomasville Bulldogs, is recapped. Includes post-game interviews from coaches Tucker Pruitt (Fitzgerald) and Zach Grage (Thomasville), and Fitzgerald defensive captain EJ Lightsey.
The 2A championship is previewed. Guests are coaches Zach Grage and Tucker Pruitt, game announcers Bill Bryant and Jim Rayburn, and Football Friday Night Radio Show host Chris Beckham.
This week's guests are Swainsboro’s Scott Roberts, Fitzgerald’s Tucker Pruitt, Callaway’s Pete Wiggins, Thomasville’s Zach Grage, voice of the Tigers Troup Brinson, WALB sports director Paige Dauer, SidelinePass.net’s Kevin Eckleberry and Friday Night Football Show host Chris Beckham.
On to discuss the 2A quarterfinals are coaches Jeremy Wiggins (Northeast), Scott Roberts (Swainsboro), Tucker Pruitt (Fitzgerald), Shaun Pope (Putnam County), Michael Woolridge (South Atlanta), Pete Wiggins (Callaway), Jaybo Shaw (Rabun County) and Zach Grage (Thomasville).
Guests are coaches Greg Barnett (Columbia), Scott Roberts (Swainsboro), Tucker Pruitt (Fitzgerald), Lee Hutto (Westside), Von Lassiter (Bleckley County), Lance Helton (Jeff Davis), Chad Cheatham (Fannin County) and Shane Lasseter (Heard County).
Your ultimate preview for the Class 2A state playoffs. Guests include a member of the media for each region: Chris Beckham, Friday Night Football Show (Region 1); John Koon, voice of the Vidalia Indians (Region 2); Dave Whitaker, The Bleckley Progress (Region 3); Wynston Wilcox, The Augusta Chronicle (Region 4); Matt Skinner, Gradick Sports (Region 5); Mark Brock, DeKalb Schools (Region 6); Tim Towe, voice of the Fannin County Rebels (Region 7); Brian Carter, Blitz (Region 8).
Westside coach Lee Hutto discusses the Patriots win over Jefferson County, his long break from head coaching and more.
Bleckley County Royals coach Von Lassiter talks about the program winning its first region title, a shot at 10-0 and more.
Fannin County Rebels coach Chad Cheatham discusses returning to coach his alma mater to historical levels, their quest for a second straight region title and more.
Haralson County Rebels coach Scott Peavey talks about his program's Week 8, which saw former Rebels coach Frank Vohun pass away followed by the Rebels beating No. 5 Callaway 42-14.
Northeast Raiders coach Jeremy Wiggins joins to talk about their huge come-from-behind win over Washington County last week, how he turned the program around, and much more.
In this special bonus episode, we venture to Class 7A and discuss Collins Hill standout Travis Hunter with Eagles coach Lenny Gregory.
The South Atlanta Hornets are in the driver's seat for a second straight Region 6-2A title after defeating No. 5 Lovett last week in their league opener. This week they play Pace Academy. Hornets coach Michael Woolridge, in his first year at South Atlanta after turning Class 4A's Hardaway around, comes on to discuss the season to date and more.
Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton is chasing state records, and his Wildcats are a championship contender. Before he took a snap for the Wildcats, his coach was already hyping him up as a four-year starter who could break records. Gunner, his father and Wildcats defensive coordinator Rob Stockton, Wildcats coach Jaybo Shaw and offensive lineman Bear Old join to discuss.
GHSA executive director Dr. Robin Hines, Buford football coach Bryant Appling, Pace Academy football coach Chris Slade and 247Sports recruiting analyst Rusty Mansell join to discuss "Name, image and likeness" and its trickle-down effect to the high school level.
Brian Carter of Blitz joins to discuss Rabun County, then "TitleTown" is explored with special guest Nub Nelson.
On Friday, Aug. 27, Netflix will release "TitleTown High", a reality tv show that chronicles the Valdosta Wildcats' turbulent 2020 season. The show's producer, Jason Sciavicco, comes on to discuss "TitleTown", as does Nub Nelson.
The ultimate preview to the Class 2A football season with guests Chris Beckham, Matthew Brown, Brian Carter, Kevin Eckleberry, Brent Greer, John Koon, Joey Marchant, Matt Skinner and Tim Towe.
In this special episode, the developments in Valdosta are explored in a deep dive. Guests include Nub Nelson, Phil Jones, Justin Haley and Todd Holcomb.
LINKS:
Nelson deposition: https://www.scribd.com/document/495740170/Deposition-of-Michael-Nelson#download
New York Times story: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/sports/valdosta-georgia-football-propst.html
Georgia High School Football Daily newsletter: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001RmASHJDEZJaBrYGi6yunD07dYNo--3bWb4pBgXPxiJUJNjykW94DkBexsJcYZY6rhnuZMFo_q1t7Gz-S4OQ_udZ-a59_VMK2
The Class 2A Blogcast, Episode 8: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/class-2a-blogcast-ep-8/id1531151488?i=1000496275827
A special Class 2A championship preview episode featuring conversations with each championship team's coach — Pace Academy's Sharman White, Columbia's Dr. Phil McCary, Josey's Jawan Bailey and Fannin County's Ryan Chastain. Also joining are Wynston Wilcox of The Augusta Chronicle, Tim Towe of Fannin Rebel TV and Mark Brock of Dekalb Schools athletics.
Welcome to a preview of the Class 2A playoffs! Guests include editor-in-chief of HoopSeen Justin Young, espnW/Premier Basketball Report director Shane Laflin and Rose Scoggins, reporter for The Elberton Star.
This week, we'll discuss Lovett basketball center Ryan Mutombo as he follows in his father's footsteps. Ryan has signed to play for Georgetown, the alma mater of his father, Dikembe Mutombo, an NBA Hall of Famer who played 18 seasons in the NBA — including with the Atlanta Hawks.
Stan Awtrey joins to discuss Sekou Smith, a former Atlanta Hawks beat writer for the AJC who went on to work for NBA.com before passing away last week at 48 due to COVID-19 complications.
Topics include the Battle for Buckhead rivalry between Pace Academy and Lovett in boys basketball, the new (maybe?) direction the Falcons are headed in.
In the first episode of 2021, topics include controversy over which team is No. 1 in 2A football, whether the GHSA's basketball season can be completed, and the Atlanta Falcons and their search for a new coach and general manager.
The final episode of 2020 offers a thorough recap of the Class 2A title game between the Callaway Cavaliers and Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane, which Callaway won 22-17. Included is analysis, insights, post-game interviews with players and coaches, and media input from guests Kevin Eckleberry (The LaGrange Daily News) and Andrew Caraway (WLAG radio).
Welcome to the ultimate Class 2A state championship game preview. We will delve into the reason why the GHSA championships are no longer played at Mercedes Benz Stadium and have a number of guests to discuss the title game between the Callaway Cavaliers and Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane, including Cavs coach Pete Wiggins, Purple Hurricane coach Tucker Pruitt, Cavs players Demetrius Coleman and Keshawn Suggs, Purple Hurricane players Chance Gamble and De Harper, media members Kevin Eckleberry (The LaGrange Daily News), Andrew Caraway (Callaway radio), Paige Dauer (WALB) and Bill Bryant (Fitzgerald radio). Also, senior GHSA game official Joe Rice explains officiating for the playoffs and other related topics.
To preview the GHSA Class 2A semifinals, guests include The LaGrange Daily News sports editor Kevin Eckleberry, The Clayton Tribune sports editor Andy Diffenderfer, Warrior TV play-by-play announcer John McAfee and Purple Hurricane color commentator Bill Bryant of WRDO 96.9 in Fitzgerald. Also, a rant about the futility of Atlanta pro sports team — the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves — from a fan tortured for decades.
To break down the Class 2A quarterfinals, this week's guests are WALB sports director Paige Dauer, WJBF sports director Brendan Robertson, voice of the Callaway Cavaliers and West Georgia Podcast host Andrew Caraway and Blitz founder Brian Carter.
This week's guests include Dave Whitaker of The Bleckley Progress, Anfernee Patterson of The Atlanta Voice, Richard Gerakitis of The Lovett Network, Michael Baron of the Rome News-Tribune and Tim Towe of The Friday Night Press Box. Other topics include me getting owned by Xfinity and the Jake Paul-Nate Robinson fight.
Welcome to your ultimate mega-preview of the Class 2A state playoffs. You'll get analysis, insights and predictions. Guests include AJC Class 5A blogger Stan Awtrey, Thomasville Times-Enterprise managing editor Pat Donahue (Region 1), voice of the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets Jim Sewell (Region 2), WMGT sports director Montezz Allen (Region 3), The Augusta Chronicle sports reporter Wynston Wilcox (Region 4), West Georgia Podcast host Andrew Caraway and The LaGrange Daily News sports editor Kevin Eckleberry (Region 5), Friday Night Press Box host Tim Towe (Region 7) and Blitz founder Brian Carter (Region 8).
This week's topics include the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks, as well as a look into the GHSA's delayed start to the season leading to the state playoffs beginning the week of Thanksgiving and ending the week of Christmas.
There will not be a full-length episode this week. Instead, I'm just touching base to let you know about an upcoming 2A state playoffs special edition of The Class 2A Blogcast in which I'll unveil my predictions and, hopefully, speak to a media expert from each region. I also preview my upcoming weekly feature — this week's subject is the South Atlanta Hornets. I also complain about the Atlanta Falcons.
Topics include a rundown of Class 2A, the Atlanta Falcons' steadfast, laser-focused mission to remain perpetually mediocre or worse and a look at my upcoming weekly feature on the different ways recruits are announcing their college decision, with insight in how recruiting analysts track the recruiting of top prospects, based on my experience working for Rivals.com.
Today's topics include the GHSA's high-profile transfers and why they're ineligible at one school, then eligible at another; South Atlanta controlling its own destiny in Region 6-2A; the low-flying Atlanta Falcons.
In this week's episode, topics include the Atlanta Braves choking in the postseason as is tradition, the then-0-5 Atlanta Falcons losing the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes by winning a meaningless game in Minnesota, and the story of Jefferson Dragons assistant Devon Gales — as told to me by the Gales family, players, coaches, school officials and others.
Topics discussed include Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank finally firing Dan Quinn, the Atlanta Braves and what could be an inevitable World Series title run, the emergence of former Callaway standout Tank Bigsby at Auburn, the South Atlanta Hornets shaking up Region 6-2A with their win over the Pace Academy Knights, Region 1-2A as the deepest region in 2A, and the GHSA releasing a statement warning programs to be forthcoming and transparent about its COVID-19 cases.
In this week's episode, the Falcons, Braves and the pandemic are discussed, plus predictions are made for the top four finishers of each region in Class 2A.
In this week's episode, we discuss Dan Quinn, Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons, and then take a look behind the curtain to see how the AJC's high school football coverage is produced.
Stan Awtrey, a longtime AJC contributor who currently covers Class 5A, checks in to the blogcast and, in the process, becomes its first-ever guest. In addition, this week's topic is the potential chaos that could ensue during the state playoffs should the pandemic rear its ugly head.
Why is Rabun County's Gunner Stockton considered a 4-star by recruiting services while Prince Avenue Christian's Brock Vandagriff is considered a 5-star by one recruiting service? Listen to insight offered of what is said during meetings among recruiting analysts who determine the rankings from someone who sat in on those discussions.
Welcome to the first edition of the Class 2A Blogcast! This short episode is an introduction laying out what to expect — mainly coverage of the GHSA's Class 2A football.