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Published Sunday, November 01, 2009 in Sports
Even without title implications, pride still on the line as always between Newnan-East Coweta
Sports Column by TOMMY CAMP
tommy@newnan.com
For the first time since 2005 Friday night's Newnan-East Coweta game won't determine the Region 4-AAAAA champion.
Newnan clinched its fourth straight region title Friday with its 42-7 win over Mundy's Mill while East Coweta entrenched itself in third place in 4-AAAAA with its 45-22 win over Riverdale.
That doesn't mean, however, that Friday's 18th meeting between the two schools won't be as fiercely played or as intense as any with a championship on the line.
It would be that way if both teams were 0-9 coming in and nothing at stake other than pride.
That's the way rival games are.
And make no mistake about it, this is still the biggest game of the year for both teams.
The Indians and Cougars have taken turns dominating during the series.
After Newnan won the very first meeting back in 1992 East Coweta reeled off 10 straight wins over their county rivals.
Danny Cronic engineered those wins against three Newnan coaches - Max Bass, Bill Kelly and Robert Herring.
Newnan ended the string in 2003 with a dramatic win in overtime in Drake Stadium and began what has become a six-year run of victories for the Cougars.
Last year's game, won by Newnan 12-0, was the lowest scoring ever between the two and was not decided until Russell Powell and Alan Bonner teamed up for a 71-yard pass play with 6:43 left in the game to double Newnan's lead which it had held since scoring with just 87 seconds left before halftime.
Newnan will be trying to top off its second undefeated season in a row Friday, something the program has never done in 104 years of competition.
If the Cougars win Friday it will mark just the third undefeated-untied regular season in Newnan history joining last year's team and the '92 squad with their 10-0 marks.
The Cougars will also be attempting to stretch to 28 their regular season consecutive game winning streak.
That streak is of special significance now because EC holds the county record for consecutive regular season wins at 28 accomplished from 1999-01.
Both streaks, interestingly enough, began under similar circumstances after both teams got off to disappointing season starts.
Newnan started the 2007 season with a win at Whitewater, but suffered a depressing 27-7 loss at Carrollton the following week. The Cougars then began their 27-game streak with a 35-0 win over South Gwinnett.
East Coweta opened the 1999 season with losses to Parkview and Lovejoy before beating Newnan (the last time the two teams played in a spot in the schedule other than in the 10th game position except 2001 when 9-11 forced postponements).
The streak ended against Parkview in the Georgia Dome in the 2002 season opener.
Neither Newnan nor East Coweta is a stranger to the playoffs.
The Indians have made the postseason every year since 1997 and Newnan every year since 2003.
The outcome of Friday's game won't have any bearing on the postseason for the Cougars, who will open at home, or the Indians, who will go on the road.
In years past the rivalry of the Newnan-EC game, played at the end of the regular season, has at times worked against the local teams which have to turn around and play the following week after their biggest emotional game of the year.
Over the last 10 seasons, East Coweta is 5-5 in first round games while Newnan is 3-4.
The two teams head into Friday's clash with a combined 16-2 record, exactly the same as last year, and second best to the 17-1 record of 2007.
But speaking of records, you can toss them out going into this one.
It doesn't really matter what's gone on leading up to Friday's game.
It'll be every man for himself come kickoff.
Comment On This Story
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Sure Newnan didn't win the big one last year. But Newnan did better then most schools in the state. Just to make playoffs should be an honor. Newnan is a great team just like at their state ranking. Can Northgate or EC say the same?
Posted by Think about it at 7:35 AM
We shall see JoD. Newnan football is the real deal. Go Cougars.
Posted by Newnan Football at 3:36 PM
JoD, I am not sure if you paid much attention to last year but that school that beat Newnan beat them in the game before the State Championship. They also took care of a pretty good North Gwinnet team that everyone said they had no chance of beating. Newnan has more than enough ability to make it deep into the playoffs again whether they win it all or not. I have enough sense to say that we are not the greatest team that ever lived but please know what you are talking about before you write. You apparently know nothing about Newnan or EC for that matter. Probably just another arm chair coach who has never played a down of football yet thinks they know everything.
Posted by David at 3:15 PM
Even if a Coweta team gets in the playoff, they will not beat a big boy high school program (see newnan getting beat by a real team last year in the playoffs) Just dont have the depth like a big football school.
Posted by JoD at 1:26 PM
Newnan is elite DJ. 2 semi-finals and a quarter final appearance in 6 years. Even if you play in a weak region, those are accomplishments you have to be good to reach. You appear to be jealous. Come to the game Friday to see Newnan's team speed.
Posted by SanityRules at 8:05 PM
AT work or just about anywhere in Georgia, people have heard of East Coweta and Newnan football. Always talked about in a outstanding manor. Our county is football and more football. Northgate is bringing such sadness on this football community. They need help and fast. Other counties know them and ask, are they really that bad.Coaching and the TD club has run this program into the ground. Can we get some serious help at Northgate.Take the shame away from Coweta County.
Posted by Coweta County at 7:18 PM
For one my brother, I am not a Northgate man, I am an East Coweta Man. I support all of these school, and quit frankly, I don't see nothing elite about beating this weak region to a pulp. Newnan does have a first class defense. What I meant by Northgate is, they have a promise coming up real soon. Let's not get too arrogant. If the team is elite, schedule Byrnes, Hoover, Prattville, St. Thomas Aquinas or someone. Even schedule an early match up Lowndes or someone. It will only help the program.
Posted by DJ at 5:50 PM
Newnan's defense can play with the best. However, in my mind, there offense has not been proven yet, simply because of the (lack of) competition in the region. I expect Newnan to be able to make Final 8 although they did draw the toughest region in the state in the first round. Their first round opponent will be the best team they have played all year. They will have a tough time getting when they likely face Grayson in round 3. I am not sure they will survive that.
Posted by JS at 12:32 PM
Yes the touchdown club is a joke as well. I find it so repulsive as do so many others. I will say my husband almost talked me into moving so our son did not have to play for this staff. Northgate kids deserve so much better than the same bad play calling week after week. Luckie and staff are terriable and will never have a winning season and will never compete with the elite Newnan or E.C high schools.
Posted by Parent of athelete at 12:22 PM
All must remember, football is a team sport, not a (ONE) man show. When you come with a one man show you get one man action, an one man can't touch Newnan's Defense. Remember football fans..... Offense win games.....Defense wins what??????? A Championship. And Newnan has completed that for the 4th time. Go Newnan, Good luck to all in playoffs!!!
Posted by DNewnan at 11:51 AM
Stay focused Cougars and take care of business. It should be a great game between both schools. Regardless of what others may say you are a great team and a great group of guys. EC has a great team as well and don't overlook them. Let's take the winning streak to 7. Keep fighting hard and prove the haters wrong. For Check the records, you guys do have some great teams but we are talking about football. Maybe one day down the road but right now Nortgate could not play with EC or Newnan in football. Game would be over at half-time.
Posted by David at 9:45 AM
Wrestling and football usually go hand in hand. Someone is dropping the ball at Northgate. Outstanding wrestling program, but football in the gutter. Newnan would love to play Northgate in basketball. Splitting with East Coweta is something to brag about for Northgate. Not a winning season the last four seasons for Northgate boys basketball. Competing with who? Check the records.
Posted by Randy of Newnan at 9:21 AM
Northgate has split with EC the last 3 years in basketball. Is this not competing. What about wrestling? Is that not a big boy sport?
Posted by check the records at 7:59 AM
DJ has a case of the green eyed monster. Newnan is a monster that has the tools and the coaches to go all the way. Elite is a good description of Newnan football. Westlake and Creekside fans have said our team is so strong. I know that Northgate is not doing its share to represent Coweta County football but don't hate Newnan or East Coweta. We love football in Coweta County. Is Northgate getting a new Athletic Director, DJ? You said something good is coming to Northgate.
Posted by Newnan Football at 7:36 AM
Need new coaching staff, but Northgate will never get rid of Luckie or Cain. This is their retirement stop. You can forget about it. No matter how bad their records, Harrison thinks they are doing a fine job. What a shame. We could be competing with Newnan and East Coweta in the big boy sports instead of just girls sports and baseball.
Posted by Northgate olde but Goodie at 7:17 PM
Elite? Who are you playing in this region that makes you elite? When the big headed cougar fans realize that their team is not that good, you will see. Name one playing on your roster that is faster than Willis? Since we have no speed. You may want to come down from your pedestal.
Posted by DJ at 5:38 PM
Basically, it's classified the same way as we are. It's not about talent. Buford is smaller than all of all schools, but could probably compete with them all. I have been waiting, I hope that when reclassification comes, that we are all in there together. Don't worry too much Northgate, you have something good coming.
Posted by DJ at 5:34 PM
And send that touchdown crowd with them. Need new leadership in the worst way.
Posted by Big C at 3:41 PM
Northgate does not belong on the same field as Newnan or E.C. When they ever wake up a fired every last coach and start over from scratch it might be a different story. Northgate has the worst staff in the history of all three schools.
Posted by Northgate Parent at 2:35 PM
due to the new Hughes High, W'lake is coming to 4A, and Creekside may drop to 3A; Fayette Co will stay 4A, especially if they build the next school on 54; FayCo seems to build the districts to keep the schools the same size (see sandy creeks district!) reclassification is next spring, could be interesting anyway, good luck to ALL of us in the playoffs!!!
Posted by northgatedad at 11:02 AM
Newnan/EC has never had the luxury of making short trips. In the old days we went to Griffin, Lagrange, Troup County, Upson Lee, etc. and now it is no different. Although playing close by would be a great idea, Northgate is going to have to learn how to win in 4A before even thinking about moving up. Not bashing them in any way because I always root for them to win but reality is reality. Right now there is no chance for them to touch Newnan or EC. If they can find ways to win the fans will show up at home and on the road.
Posted by David at 9:22 PM
Ngate and all Fayette schools should play up to 5A. You can play up. that would be 8 schools. Add Creekside and Westlake and you have a region with very short roadtrips. Therefore, more fans would attend and more money would be made. this could be like the old days and be the region teams for many years to come. Rivalries and money for every school.
Posted by Lori Henderson at 6:28 PM
Pride goes as far as the first big hit. East Coweta doesn't have the speed, size or the intangibles to beat Newnan. I don't think it will be close but that's EC goal to keep it close as they really don't believe they can win. Newnan is an elite team.
Posted by SanityRules at 4:30 PM
Playing Northgate one day would definately be a good idea once they move up however, they will never replace the rivalry of Newnan/EC game. It should be a great ballgame this Friday but the Cougars will pull it out 28-14
Posted by David at 1:07 PM
I would'nt count EC out just yet we are coming to play ball, and you can believe that it's a lot of pride on the line. Go EC!!!!!
Posted by RF at 10:51 AM
Newnan will win but not by a landslide. Newnan is just a better team then EC is this year. And well maybe on year Northgate will get to play both teams in a county grand championship game. Now that is an event I would attend for sure.It could be a major money maker for the schools.
Posted by Think about it at 9:12 AM
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Thanks Newnan for a glorious season. Hope we can keep it going all the way to the championship. Its been great no matter what. Will remember this year forever. Love Newnan High School.
Posted by Momma Football at 11:10 AM