Murphy: West Hall seizing its opportunity

I can only imagine what the energy is like in the West Hall locker room right now. After an 0-4 start to the season, it was shaping up to be more of the same for the Spartans, who have averaged three wins over the last five seasons, but are suddenly in a playoff race in Region 8-AAA after back-to-back subregion victories. For a program that hasn't seen the playoffs since 2002 under then coach Tim ...

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em: Week 7

Week 6 Power Ratings: Falcons, Red Elephants above the rest

We still have five teams with a legitimate chance to make the playoffs, and I have the feeling that Flowery Branch has one of the best Class AAAA teams in the state.

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em: Week 6

Murphy: Offensive gameplans a matter of preference

What is the perfect high school offense? Is it a ground game that can control the clock best, or a spread offense that can sling it around and score in a hurry? Obviously, a good high school coach is going to mold the offense partially around personnel, but most have a core belief system as to what works best. I got caught thinking about this last Friday night while watching Gainesville's (3-1) almost unstoppable ...

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em: Week 5

Week 4 Power Ratings: Flowery Branch still on top

After four weeks, Flowery Branch is still Hall County's best football team. The Falcons seem to play at a championship level in almost all phases of the game: their offense is balanced, they have excellent skill players both running and passing, and they have an ever-improving defense. Four other teams have a chance to be playoff teams, but all must continue to improve each week. It's important that these players remember, though, that they aren't ...

Murphy: Gainesville getting it done on offense and defense

It all makes sense now why Gainesville coach Bruce Miller didn't seem concerned or worried after his program lost 49-0 in Week 1 against Class AA's top-ranked Buford (5-0).

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em: Week 4

Murphy: Expect a tight race in 8-AAA North

The North subregion in Region 8-AAA is looking like it will be the most interesting to follow when the playoff race picks up this season, as four quality teams will be in the hunt for playoff spots.

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em: Week 3

Murphy: GHSA still has lots of unfinished business with reclassification

Today is Labor Day and a day of rest for most, but I'd love to see the Georgia High School Association get back to work and work out this mess for reclassifying the state's 437 member schools sooner than later.

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em: Week 2

Murphy: Do we have too many high school games on TV?

I may be in a slim minority, but I think high school football is getting overly commercialized with so many games broadcast on live television. It's a trend that seems to be growing quite rapidly.

The Times High School Football Pick 'Em Contest