Patriots Deflate the Blowout over the Colts

It seems the Patriots are always under the microscope. First, we had Video-Gate in 2007, and now we have Deflate-Gate. The AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts was a blowout, 45-7, but there is always scrutiny when it comes to Bill Belichick. Bill is not what the NFL would like their head coaches to be similar to, silent and not media friendly.

Now the NFL is investigating claims that New England Patriots intentionally deflated balls to gain the upper hand because softer balls are supposedly easier to catch in the cold rainy conditions of the AFC championship game. The final score was 45-7 so how much does a deflated ball change the outcome of a football game.Having coached football for over 30 years I have never thought a under-inflated ball would change the outcome of a game.

In my opinion, I think it is ludicrous. Let’s give credit where credit is due. The Patriots were the better team and Coach Belichick is one of the best football minds ever to coach the game of football. The Colts could not adapt to the fast-paced offense and the aggressive defense. That’s why I believe whatever the NFL finds the better prepared team won, the New England Patriots. Tom Brady said it perfectly, “that is ridiculous" and I happen to agree. How about you?

Local Teams Holding State Rankings 1.19.15

HV Jenkins High School is the highest ranked local team in this week Atlanta Journal Constitution prep basketball state rankings. The Warriors are now ranked #2 in Class AAA. Sol C. Johnson moved up to #5 and the Blue Jackets of Savannah High dropped out of the top ten in Class AAA. Rounding out the rest of the boy's rankings, in Class AAAAA boys, Effingham County is #9 and in Class AA Bryan County is #7.

On the girl’s side of the rankings, Class AAAAA Effingham County is #4 and South Effingham is #7. In Class AAA Beach is #7. In Class, A Savannah Country Day drops to #5 and Calvary moves up to #6..

BOYS RANKINGS

Class AAAAA
1. Miller Grove (18-3)
2. McIntosh (18-0)
3. M.L. King (16-3)
4. Gainesville (15-2)
5. Brunswick (14-2)
6. Allatoona (16-2)
7. Northside-Columbus (12-3)
8. Southwest DeKalb (16-5)
9. Effingham County (13-4)
10. Northside-Warner Robins (11-4)

Class AAA
1. Laney (17-1)
2. Jenkins (14-3)
3. Cedar Grove (13-2)
4. Morgan County (13-6)
5. Johnson-Savannah (15-3)
6. Butler (11-6)
7. Rutland (17-2)
8. Blessed Trinity (15-4)
9. South Atlanta (14-4)
10. Peach County (16-2)

Class AA
1. Pace Acdemy (16-2)
2. Seminole County (14-3)
3. Holy Innocents’ (16-3)
4. Thomasville (14-4)
5. Greater Atlanta Christian (11-6)
6. Crawford County (13-3)
7. Bryan County (15-3)
8. Vidalia (14-2)
9. Swainsboro (10-6)
10. Model (15-3)

GIRLS RANKINGS
Class AAAAA
1. Brunswick (20-0)
2. Stephenson (16-3)
3. Sequoyah (17-2)
4. Effingham County (15-4)
5. Cross Creek (18-2)
6. Forest Park (15-4)
7. South Effingham (16-3)
8. Greenbrier (18-2)
9. Mays (15-2)
10. Southwest DeKalb (15-6)

Class AAA
1. Dawson County (20-0)
2. Laney (16-2)
3. Kendrick (19-1)
4. South Atlanta (17-0)
5. Decatur (17-2)
6. Morgan County (11-4)
7. Beach (14-5)
8. Calhoun (16-3)
9. Washington County (12-4)
10. Westminster (15-4)

Class A
1. St. Francis (14-2)
2. SW Atlanta Christian (15-3)
3. Taylor County (18-0)
4. Tattnall Square (16-2)
5. Savannah Country Day (17-2)
6. Calvary Day (14-2)
7. Claxton (15-3)
8. Turner County (16-2)
9. Stratford Academy (13-4)
10. Mitchell Co. (10-3)

Won-lost records are based on games reported to the AJC by deadline.