Five title-worthy quarterfinal matchups 

Is this for the state championship?

That's what some fans might be saying about five quarterfinal games this week that match highly ranked opponents in games that would be good enough for a final.

Here is a closer look at each of those blockbusters:

*AAAAAA - Norcross at Camden County: These are two of the three region champions remaining in the draw. Lovejoy is the other. Norcross (12-0) is the only unbeaten team in the highest class and has defeated seven playoff opponents, all by eight points or more. Camden County (11-1) is a three-time former champion that was ranked No. 1 until upset by Colquitt County in the final game of the regular season, after Camden had clinched Region 1.

     Is it for the title? No. This class is too talented to make bold predictions like that, but the winner is the team to beat entering the final four - though Norcross has never played in a semifinal, much less a state championship game. The computer Maxwell Ratings say the winner of this game is 59 percent likely to win the title.

*AAAAA - Tucker at Northside-Warner Robins: Northside and Tucker began the season 1-2 in the rankings. Tucker was the 2011 champion and beat Northside 17-16 in the semifinals. Tucker is 10-2 after getting nicked by Stephenson and M.L. King in this classification's toughest region. Northside (12-0) is the only unbeaten team in AAAAA.

     Is it for the title? No. Tucker is dangerous, but only a No. 3 seed. The computer Maxwell Ratings say the winner of this game is 51 percent likely to win the title.

*AAAA - Burke County at Sandy Creek: Sandy Creek (12-0), a state champion in 2009 and 2010, is ranked No. 1 and is the only unbeaten team in this class. Burke (11-1) won Class AAA in 2011 and is ranked No. 3. Its only loss is to Thomson, the No. 1 team in AAA.

     Is it for the title? No. Second-ranked Marist can't be overlooked. The computer Maxwell Ratings say the winner of this game is 67 percent likely to win the title.

*AAA - Buford at Carver-Columbus: Each of these teams has reached the quarterfinals each season since 2006. Buford is averaging 13.3 victories in that time. Carver is averaging 12.1. They were ranked 2-3 in preseason. They are ranked 2-3 now.

   Is it for the title? No. The winner would face No. 1 Thomson or Cartersville, both of which are 12-0. The computer Maxwell Ratings say the winner of this game is 22 percent likely to win the title.

*AA - Brooks County at Calhoun: Calhoun is ranked No. 1. Brooks County is ranked No. 2. Both are 12-0. Their quarterbacks - Taylor Lamb of Calhoun and Malcolm Parrish of Brooks County - are probably the leading contenders for player of the year in this classification.

     Is it for the title? Yes. Anybody can be beaten, but it would make headlines if Calhoun or Brooks County didn't win the championship. The computer Maxwell Ratings say the winner of this game is 69 percent likely to win the title.

Zito resigns after two seasons at Dacula

Dacula coach Jared Zito resigned Monday after two seasons at the Gwinnett County school.

Zito was 9-4 in his first season after replacing the retired Kevin Maloof, but the Falcons fell to 1-9 this year. He was 0-4 this season in games decided by five points or less.

"The visions, goals and beliefs for the football program of the current administration are different than the ones I agreed to when initially hired by [former principal] Donnie Nutt," Zito told Will Hammock of the Gwinnett Daily Post on Monday. "I have not applied, interviewed or accepted any other jobs. I plan to remain at Dacula as a member of the faculty as a teacher unless another opportunity presents itself."

Zito's record is 28-37 in six seasons, the first four at North Forsyth.

Robinson resigns at Houston County

Greg Robinson is out as Houston County's coach after five seasons, the Macon Telegraph reported.

Houston County was 3-7 this year. Robinson also has coached at Dodge County and is 55-70 in 11 seasons as a head coach.

Robinson told the Macon newspaper that he planned to continue teaching in Houston County schools.

Familiar faces

Schools with the most appearances in GHSA quarterfinal playoff games:

34 - Lincoln County

26 - Valdosta

25 - Buford

22 - Charlton County

22 - Gainesville

22 - Marist

19 - Carrollton

19 - Dalton

19 - Warner Robins

18 - Lovett

16 - Clinch County

15 - Americus

16 - Commerce

15 - Clarke Central

15 - Griffin

15 - Mary Persons

15 - Northside (Warner Robins)

15 - Southwest DeKalb

T. McFerrin has reached the quarterfinals as a head coach with seven schools, something no other Georgia coach has done. What are the seven schools? (Answer Wednesday)

Answer to Monday's question: The only No. 3 seeds to win state championships were 1999 Lowndes and 1997 Parkview.

GHSA

Class AAAAAA

Second round

Lovejoy 36, Marietta 15

North Gwinnett 28, Grayson 10

North Cobb 42, Hughes 14

Mill Creek 56, Brookwood 21

Camden Co. 34, East Coweta 14

Norcross 27, South Gwinnett 7

Colquitt Co. 26, Newnan 23

Parkview 26, West Forsyth 23

Quarterfinals

North Gwinnett at Lovejoy

Mill Creek at North Cobb

Norcross at Camden Co.

Colquitt Co. at Parkview

Class AAAAA

Second round

Northside 45, Thomas Co. Central 17

Tucker 40, North Paulding 21

Ware Co. 20, Union Grove 13

Stephenson 35, East Paulding 6

Harris Co. 31, Warner Robins 21

Gainesville 61, Kell 42

Whitewater 34, Glynn Academy 27

Allatoona 20, M.L. King 19

Quarterfinals

Tucker at Northside, Warner Robins

Stephenson at Ware Co.

Gainesville at Harris Co.

Allatoona at Whitewater

Class AAAA

Second round

South Effingham 41, Westover 28

Monroe Area 21, Grady 20

Burke Co. 28, Monroe 6

Sandy Creek 35, Dalton 13

Mary Persons 3, Cairo 0

Ridgeland 41, LaGrange 34

Stockbridge 42, Wayne Co. 21

Marist 43, Carrollton 37

Quarterfinals

South Effingham at Monroe Area

Burke Co. at Sandy Creek

Mary Persons at Ridgeland

Marist at Stockbridge

Class AAA

Second round

Carver, Columbus 45, Rockmart 16

Buford 13, North Oconee 0

Thomson 35, Johnson, Savannah 19

Cartersville 24, Blessed Trinity 23

Peach Co. 43, Pierce Co. 15

North Hall 13, Morgan Co. 9

Washington Co. 28, Callaway 0

St. Pius 31, Hart Co. 15

Quarterfinals

Buford at Carver, Columbus

Thomson at Cartersville

Peach Co. at North Hall

Washington Co. at St. Pius

Class AA

Second round

Fitzgerald 52, Vidalia 20

Jefferson 35, Westminster 7

Early Co. 28, Screven Co. 7

GAC 52, Heard Co. 21

Brooks Co. 49, McIntosh Co. Acd. 21

Calhoun 34, Washington-Wilkes 7

Lamar Co. 24, Benedictine 21

Lovett 23, Manchester 0

Quarterfinals

Fitzgerald at Jefferson

Early Co. at Greater Atlanta Christian

Brooks Co. at Calhoun

Lamar Co. at Lovett

Class A (public)

First round

Lincoln Co. 21, Hancock Central 0

Wilkinson Co. 27, Miller Co. 26

Dooly Co. 19, Turner Co. 8

Seminole Co. 36, Commerce 7

Emanuel Co. Inst. 46, Gordon Lee 12

Trion 31, Irwin Co. 6

Marion Co. 31, Charlton Co. 12

Wilcox Co. 42, Greenville 14

Quarterfinals

Wilkinson Co. at Lincoln Co.

Dooly Co. at Seminole Co.

Trion at Emanuel Co. Institute

Marion Co. at Wilcox Co.

Class A (private)

First round

Athens Academy 17, Mt. Pisgah 13

Prince Avenue 42, Darlington 21

Landmark Christ. 10, Calvary Day 7

First Presbyterian 49, Brookstone 33

Walker 28, Athens Christian 7

George Walton 38, Aquinas 12

Sav. Christian 35, Holy Innocents' 17

ELCA 42, Our Lady of Mercy 14

Quarterfinals

Prince Avenue at Athens Academy

First Presbyterian at Landmark

George Walton Academy at Walker

Savannah Christian at ELCA

GISA

Class AAA

Semifinals

Deerfield-Windsor 24, Stratford 17

Heritage School 42, Westfield 10

Championship

Heritage School at Deerfield-Windsor

Class AA

Semifinals

Valwood 27, John Milledge 24

Westwood 40, Brentwood 28

Championship

Westwood at Valwood

Class A

Semifinals

Robert Toombs 14, Th. Jefferson 12

Frederica 39, Dawson Street Chr. 15

Championship

Robert Toombs at Frederica

All-state nominations wanted

GHSF Daily coordinates the selection of the annual all-state football teams for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They will be published after the state championship games.

Coaches are encouraged to begin nominating players this week. Nominations should include:

Name

School

Year in school

Classification

Position

Height/weight

Statistics and other supporting information

E-mail nominations to GHSFdaily@bellsouth.net. 

Seeking all-region teams

GHSF Daily will publish any all-region team that it receives. GHSF Daily encourages those selecting and providing all-region teams to include each player's year in school (i.e., Sr., Jr., So., Fr.). All-region players who are recognized as underclassmen have a better chance of being recruited and getting recognition on preseason all-area or all-state teams in 2013.

6-AAAA Div. A

Offensive player of the year: QB Myles Willis, Marist, Sr.

Defensive player of the year: DL David Johnson, Lithonia, Sr.

Offense

QB - Noah Thomas, Redan, Sr.

QB - Cordelral Cook, Stone Mountain, Jr.

RB - Desmin Reed, Chamblee, Sr.

RB - Clark Jones Jr., Lithonia, Sr.

RB - Gray King, Marist, Sr.

WR - Cameron White, Lithonia, Sr.

WR - Sammy Johnson, Stone Mountain, Jr.

TE - Desmond Noird, Chamblee, Sr.

TE - Jaquez Johnson, Redan, Jr.

OL - Kamren Mack, Chamblee, Sr.

OL - James Hanley, Chamblee, Sr.

OL - Eric Smith, Columbia, Sr.

OL - Xavier Davis, Lithonia, Sr.

OL - Deonte Davis, Lithonia, Jr.

OL - Sean McVay, Marist, Jr.

OL - Robert Atkins, Redan, Sr.

OL - Coy Reliford, Stone Mountain, Sr.

OL - Tolunte Anderson, Lithonia, Sr.

Defense

LB - Khari Rosier, Chamblee, Sr.

LB - Devon Wallace, Lithonia, Jr.

LB - Jason Morris, Marist, Sr.

LB - Michael Toner, Marist, Jr.

LB - Kaleel Hasan, Redan, Sr.

LB - Keishan Health, Redan, Jr.

LB - Soloman Parker, Stone Mountain, Sr.

LB - Harold Peterson, Columbia, Sr.

DB - Frank Turner Jr., Lithonia, Jr.

DB - Nick Carrier, Marist, Sr.

DB - Nick Soloman, Redan, Sr.

DB - Jordan Collier, Stone Mountain, Sr.

DL - Desmin Reed, Chamblee, Sr.

DL - Montrell Reynolds, Lithonia, Sr.

DL - Greg Taboada, Marist, Sr.

DL - Kenneth Brinson, Marist, Jr.

DL - Steven Wallace, Marist, Sr.

Special teams

RET - Quincy Waltford, Chamblee, Sr.

RET - Clark Jones, Lithonia, Jr.

LS - Matt Hill, Marist, Jr.

P - Deion Reid, Redan, Sr.

PK - John Henry Carey, Chamblee, Jr.

6-AAAA Div. B

Offensive player of the year: RB Frank Barthelemy, Washington, Sr.

Defensive player of the year: DL Roc-M Nesbit, Carver, Sr.

Offense

QB - Fernanda Tucker, Washington, Sr.

QB - Kivon Taylor, Grady, Sr.

RB - Frank Barthelemy, Washington, Sr.

RB - DeAndre Jackson, South Atlanta, Sr.

RB - Montavious Taylor, Carver, Sr.

WR - Deshawn Benton, Grady, Sr.

WR - Tevish Clark, Carver, Jr.

TE - Darren Dowdell, Grady, Sr.

TE - Chris Gardner, South Atlanta, Sr.

OL - Brandon Bowman, Washington, Sr.

OL - Christian Avery, Washington, So.

OL - D'Anthony Ross, Grady, Sr.

OL - Dontavious Compton, Grady, Sr.

OL - Xavier Walker, Grady, Jr.

OL - Xavier Davis, Carver, Sr.

OL - Delando Crooks, Carver, Sr.

OL - Leonard Badgett, Carver, Sr.

OL - Dequavious Hodges, South Atlanta, Sr.

Defense

DL - Jeremy Rogers, Washington, Sr.

DL - Jamal Heard, Grady, Sr.

DL - Dequavious Hodges, South Atlanta, Sr.

DL - Roc-M Nesbitt, Carver, Sr.

DL - Terrell Davis, Banneker

LB - Mark Reeves, Grady, Sr.

LB - Chazz Cooper, Grady, Sr.

LB - Tommy Davis, Therrell, Sr.

LB - Chris Gardner, South Atlanta, Sr.

LB - JeMario Washington, South Atlanta, Sr. 

LB - Quintis Bentley, Carver, Jr.

LB - James Gray, Carver, Sr.

LB - Marcus Albert, Banneker, Sr.

DB - Deshawn Benton, Grady, Sr.

DB - Chris Williams, South Atlanta, Sr. 

DB - Aaron Williams, Carver, So.

DB - Justin Abrams, Banneker, Sr.

Special teams

RET - DeAndre Jackson, South Atlanta, Sr.

LS - Jytez Pledger, Carver, Sr.

P - Omar Skandari, Grady, Sr. 

PK - Nick Caamano, Grady, So. 

6-AAA

Coach of the year: Paul Standard, St. Pius

Offensive player of the year: QB Johnathon McCrary, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Defensive player of the year: DL Bryson Allen-Williams, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Offense

QB - Jack Spear, St. Pius, Sr.

RB - Ryan Braswell, St. Pius, Sr.

RB - Deion Sellers, Cedar Grove, Jr.

RB - Casey Bradley, Blessed Trinity, Sr.

WR - Terryon Robinson, Decatur, Sr.

WR - Jamir Hannah, Cedar Grove, Sr.

WR - Michael Minter, McNair, Sr.

WR - Sam Roberts, Blessed Trinity, Sr.

OL - Ryan Witherspoon, Cedar Grove, Sr.

OL - Zach Mitchler, Blessed Trinity, Jr.

OL - David Marsau, St. Pius, Sr.

OL - Phineas Andrews, St. Pius, Sr.

OL - Cristian Euten, Cross Keys, Jr.

PK - Thomas O'Leary, St. Pius, Jr.

SN - Tucker Etheridge, Blessed Trinity, Sr.

Defense

DT - Quincy Nieporte, St. Pius, Sr.

DT - Antwuan Jackson, Cedar Grove, Fr.

DT - Myles Kinder, Blessed Trinity, Sr.

DE - Kyle Kitchens, Decatur, Jr.

DE - Ozzie Bunbury, Woodward Academy, Sr.

DE - Nathaniel Maggio, Blessed Trinity, Sr.

LB - Daniel Crochet, St. Pius, Jr.

LB - Jameel Spencer, Woodward Academy, Sr.

LB - Austin Roark, Woodward Academy, Sr.

LB - Chandler Ector, Cedar Grove, Jr.

CB - Andrew Brown, Decatur, Sr.

CB - Michael Sikorski, St. Pius, Sr.

CB - Everett Nicholas, Cedar Grove, Sr.

S - Daletaviou McGhee, Cedar Grove, Sr.

S - Patrick Huff, Cross Keys, Jr.

P - Alex Robinson, Woodward Academy, Sr.

ATH - Jollyce Myrick, Woodward Academy, Jr.

Football recruiting fair to be held at Atlanta Technical College

The 2012 Fall Metro Atlanta College Football Recruiting Fair will be held at Atlanta Technical College on Dec. 4 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Dec. 5 (8 a.m.-noon). Colleges from across the country will be in attendance, looking for football players from the class of 2012 and 2013. Bring copies of your prospect sheet, player highlights, transcripts, and official test scores if applicable. NCAA and NAIA schools, junior colleges and prep schools will be in attendance. There are only 80 slots available for high schools. For more information, go to www.fresports.com or contact coach Ahmand Tinker (atinker@footballrecruitingexpos.com or 706-412-3556) or coach Tim Glanton (timglanton@footballrecruitingexpos.com or 404-429-6220).