Johns Creek Herald — August 19, 2021

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August 19, 2021 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication

2021 HIGH SCHOOL

Football Preview

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Seven new head coaches to debut in ’21

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Several local teams will enter new coaching eras in 2021, with most either familiar faces among their programs or in the local football landscape.

Longtime South Forsyth coach Troy Morris will lead the War Eagles in 2021 following the retirement of Jeff Arnette, who was the longest-tenured head coach among North Fulton/Forsyth County teams last year.

Morris has held several positions with South’s program, including quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, all under Arnette. Leading the War Eagles will be his second stint as a head coach after he led

Social Circle for three seasons beginning in 2007.

Forsyth Central will also be under new direction and from a familiar face.

David Rooney will man the helm for the Bulldogs.

Rooney has been Central’s defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach since 2018. Prior to joining the program, he coached for 11 seasons at West Forsyth.

Rooney replaces Forsyth County’s winningest coach, Frank Hepler, who left the program to return to coaching in Florida.

Tom Hall will lead Blessed Trinity for his first year as head coach and his second stretch with the program. Hall served as a coach/teacher at the school from 2007 to 2018, including as offensive coordinator during the program’s

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COACH SCHOOL SEASONS

COACH SCHOOL SEASONS

Craig Bennett Mike Nash Robert Craft Matt Helmerich Adam Clack Frank Barden Mike Malone Sean O’Sullivan Jason Kervin Chris Prewett Dave Svehla

Tommy Watson Shawn Coury Mike Palmieri Terry Crowder Troy Morris Brian Allison Ryan Livezey David Rooney Northview Tom Hall Tim McFarlin

Cambridge Dunwoody North Forsyth Johns Creek Milton St. Francis Chattahoochee Centennial Alpharetta Roswell West Forsyth

10 7 6 5 5 4 3 2 2 2 2

first state championship appearance in 2015 and its first state title in 2017.

Hall replaces Tim McFarlin, who left the program last season and accepted the head coach position at neighboring Fellowship Christian.

McFarlin is the most seasoned coach in the area. He won over 80 games as Roswell’s head coach beginning in 1998, helped get the King’s Ridge football program started and led Blessed Trinity to seven region championships, 112 wins and three straight state titles from 2017-19.

McFarlin takes over the role from Al Morrell, Fellowship’s winningest coach.

Ahead of his retirement following the 2020 season, Morrell led the Paladins to a 6626 record with three region titles and a state runner-up finish in eight seasons.

Mount Pisgah will also have a familiar man leading its program this year.

Ryan Livezey has stepped into the head coach role after serving as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator and later athletic director for the school.

Livezey, who led Holy Innocents’ to a 67-56 record as head coach for 11 seasons, takes over for Mike Forrester, who has remained on staff as defensive coordinator.

Two other new head coaches will be introduced to the area.

Northview’s Scott Schwarzer will make his local head coaching debut this season for the Titans.

Schwarzer is the former head coach of the Windsor Forest and Chamblee

Lambert Pinecrest Academy Denmark King’s Ridge South Forsyth East Forsyth Mount Pisgah Forsyth Central Scott Schwarzer Blessed Trinity Fellowship Christian

2 2 2 2 First year First year First year First year First year First year First year

programs. He most recently led Chamblee to a 5-1 record in 2020, its first winning season since 2013.

The final new coach in the fray this year will lead an all-new program. Brian Allison has been tapped to lead East Forsyth in the program’s debut campaign.

Though new to the area, Allison brings extensive experience.

He began his head coaching career at his alma mater, Union County, in 1996 and spent a total of 19 seasons leading the program from 1996 to 2001 and then from 2008 to 2020. He compiled a 121-77 record at the school.

Allison was also Winder-Barrow’s head coach for six seasons from 2002 to 2007, in which the team went 25-36.

The 2020 season saw the highest number of new coaches, eight, take over programs in recent years. All those coaches have returned to their roles.

With the retirement of South Forsyth’s Jeff Arnette and Tim McFarlin stepping down from Blessed Trinity, Cambridge’s Craig Bennett is now the longest-tenured coach in North Fulton/ Forsyth County.

Bennett has led the Bears since the program’s creation in 2012.

Dunwoody’s Mike Nash will enter his seventh season with the Wildcats this year, with Robert Craft leading North Forsyth for his sixth season, making him the longest-tenured coach in Forsyth County. All other Forsyth County coaches are entering their first or second year leading their programs.

On the cover Johns Creek and Chattahoochee will face off again Oct. 1 with Region 7-6A playoff and championship implications on the line. The Gladiators, Cougars and Northview Titans kick off their 2021 campaigns Aug. 20.

KEITH MAJOR/SPECIAL

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Northview looks to change culture in Schwarzer era Titans seek return to playoffs under first-year coach

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Job No. 1 for Northview first-year head coach Scott Schwarzer has been changing the atmosphere surrounding the Titans’ program.

That involves getting more players on the field, and getting them, no matter their status as a starter, plenty of reps. There is also a focus on developing Northview’s roster, being more approachable as a staff and having the football program be a positive augmentation of the school at large.

“That’s important to me,” Schwarzer said. “Football should be an extension of the school, the study body, the staff, the faculty, and be something everyone in the Johns Creek community can be proud of being a part of. We want to be part of something that is positive.”

With Northview’s almost all-new coaching staff, those wheels have been set in motion in the offseason. But with the games now on the horizon, the quest to instill pride through putting on a winning product is now up for grabs for the Titans’ program.

Over the last five seasons, the Titans have put together just one winning year.

Three of those seasons have netted the team just six combined wins. However,

the program is now banking that its new culture can create a rising tide to raise its own ship.

The Titans will seek victory with a mostly green team. While the roster includes many veterans, many, especially on defense, will be young and inexperienced.

Schwarzer doesn’t believe that is necessarily a barrier to success, though.

The true test will be in Region 5-5A play. The Titans had their first season in the region and classification after moving down from 7-6A last year.

“We have good enough kids to compete in our region,” Schwarzer said.

“Southwest DeKalb, St. Pius and Decatur are the big three, MLK has had some good years, Lithonia is a competitive squad and then there’s Stone Mountain and us. There’s no reason we can’t compete for one of those four spots in the playoffs.”

The first steppingstone will be nonregion play. The team takes on Class 7A’s Forsyth Central, crosstown rivals Chattahoochee, a Dawson County squad and Midtown (formerly Grady) before entering 5-5A play.

“We have to use our non-region schedule to get us ready to compete in region,” Schwarzer said. “I really believe, though, if we can learn and gain experience in the offseason and in non-region, we can compete for a playoff spot.”

Those non-region games will be crucial for the defense.

See NORTHVIEW, Page 7

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 5

Questions remain for Chattahoochee entering season Cougars work to replace top 2020 playmakers

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — With many of its playmakers from last season graduated, Chattahoochee enters the season with plenty of questions to be answered.

Some players who will reprise their roles with the team include receiver/ defensive backs Lawton Cox and Owen Maling, senior receiver Ben Godwin, senior interior defensive lineman Chase Washington and senior quarterback Garrett Glass.

However, third-year head coach Mike Malone said those are the few players who gained “quality” experience from last season. He said many holes won’t be filled until the team gets closer to kickoff after he can further evaluate their performance.

“We’re a very young team,” Malone said. “But we are a developmental program, and we have a ‘next man up’ mentality. Obvious there are some big shoes to fill…and replacing those guys is tough, but we have said if you can just give a great effort you’ll be put in a position to be successful.”

That development has been a focus in the offseason, and this year has been easier in instilling the team’s focus.

Malone was hired just a few weeks before Hooch kicked off its 2019 season, and the team had to deal with the curveballs of the emerging pandemic last season.

Now, the players know what is expected of them, and the program’s developmental culture thrived in the offseason, Malone said.

“We learned a lot about this team in the offseason and how to build this thing the right way,” he said. “We are excited about the direction we are heading in.”

Finding the team’s on-field generals has also been a positive in the preseason.

“We are really having leadership emerge…they’re living it,” Malone said.

“What I love about this 2021 team is they understand the true meaning of family and the life lessons we are trying to teach them on a day-to-day basis.

It’s so much bigger than the game of football. They understand they are representing something bigger than themselves, they are representing their school, Chattahoochee football, their families and themselves. If we continue to focus on that, being the best version of you every day, everything else will take care of itself.”

Malone said the school’s administration has also been key in revamping the program.

“One thing that is truly a blessing is when you have a phenomenal administration and principal that we have,” Malone said. “When you have the administration behind what you are trying to do, you can’t have anything but success.”

The school’s updated administration now includes Chris Short as athletic

director. Short led the boys basketball program to its first state title in 2020, and he understands what the Hooch program is trying to build,” Malone said.

As the program continues to build with new talent, Malone said the team will not concern itself with what is behind them, including a 3-7 mark in 2019 and a 2-7 record in 2020.

“What we can focus on is us and what we have in front of us,” Malone said.

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Johns Creek enters season with ‘blue collar’ roster Gladiators to field 29 seniors in 2021

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek head coach Matt Helmerich said his 2021 squad may not be the most talented team in his five years with the program, but they are the hardest working.

While this year’s team may not have the raw skill of year’s past, Helmerich still says he has playmakers throughout the ranks, led by a 29-player senior class.

“I think we know as a program we have some talent, and we are decent at every position,” he said. “And I think the kids know they can do something special if they put it all together. We lost some four-year guys who came into the program when I did, like Cole Nelson and John Stegenga, but we have guys who have stepped up and taken on that role.

We don’t have as many vocal leaders, they are just a blue collar group who get to work and lead by example.”

While most of the Gladiators’ lining up this year are familiar faces around the program, at least one is a newcomer who should make a significant impact —quarterback Kyle Durham, a transfer from South Forsyth where he threw for

2,200 yards last season with 25 touchdowns.

Durham will be protected by an offensive line Helmerich said is perhaps the biggest and strongest front in his time with the school. Returning starters include 6-foot-5, 290-lb. senior Tyler Gibson, 6-foot-1 senior Max Thayer, 6-foot-2 senior Karl Ross along with other sizable starters in Chris Oh and center Will Lipsitz.

“The O-line has been a bright spot for us going into this year,” Helmerich said.

Senior Thaxton Gallagher has made the move from the offensive and defensive fronts and will line up as tight end and linebacker.

“He’s a workhorse on the team and kind of sets the tone for us how he works and plays,” Helmerich said.

Helmerich expects the Gladiators rushing attack to be led by sophomore Antonio Gillam, with Durham having go-to targets in receivers Micah Gay and Brandon Palmer.

“Micah has had a really good offseason, and Palmer is a receiver that started for us last year who we are looking to have a big year,” Helmerich said.

Many of those players will also line up defensively for Johns Creek, which will be under a new coordinator in Ryan Douglas who previously served as the defensive backs coach.

“We’ll run a little bit similar scheme, but there is some different stuff (Doug-

las) likes to throw out there, especially at the back end, and we will be very well versed in the secondary,” Helmerich said.

Johns Creek’s prominence as a top 6A program has continued to rise in recent years as the team has continually found success. The team won the 2018 and 2019 Region 7-6A titles, and despite more losses in the column last season (4-5), the team earned its third straight trip to the playoffs.

“We want to continue what we’ve done, and we are pretty proud of the culture we have built at Johns Creek,” Helmerich said. “It’s not just, ‘Hey, let’s make the playoffs,’ we expect to make

the playoffs, we expect to compete for a region title every year. And they don’t want to just win that one playoff game, they want to compete for state championships. I believe they can do that this year.”

That goal starts with the Gladiators being put on the big stage to open its season against Gainesville in the Corky Kell Classic.

“We are really excited about that, getting to play at Gainesville and its storied stadium up there, being on TV and getting to be in that big event,” Helmerich said. “Elite teams in Georgia get invited, and it is an honor for us to be invited for the first time.”

Northview: Continued from Page 4 “Defensively, we’re really young and inexperienced,” Schwarzer said. “I feel like we have good players on defense, it’s just really about experience.”

Junior Nick Moon will lead the Titans’ defensive line alongside sophomore Jimin Kwak, who Schwarzer said just recently picked up the sport but has progressed well.

The defensive line will sport a new look this year with a four-man front.

The linebacker core has ability, Schwarzer said, but will be another young squad. He said the level of the defense will rely heavily on sophomore Josh Byun and 6-foot-2, 200-lb. senior Mark Coady.

Senior Christian Rosado will anchor the secondary at safety alongside freshman corner John Calvin. Schwarzer said it will be difficult for Calvin to learn Northview’s schemes as quickly as they’d like as a freshman, but he is one of the better players on the defensive side.

Northview will also be mostly youthful on offense.

Sophomore Coda Woolstenhulme will start at quarterback, Schwarzer said, and while his youth will likely lead to some mistakes through the season, he has been taking positive steps forward in practice.

The Titans’ new QB will have a more experienced and sizeable target in 6-foot-6, 240-lb. senior tight end Patrick Hester, a three-year starter named an all-region selection last year. Schwar-

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

zer said junior wide receiver Raymond Davies will allow the Titans to stretch the field.

After recovering from an injury, senior running back Marcus Godbey will again be in Northview’s backfield after earning first-team all-region honors last year.

Senior Jackson Stiltner will anchor the offensive line.

“He’s a great kid and what a great job he’s done,” Schwarzer said. “He is very physical and has a lot of personal pride in run blocking and pass blocking.”

The Titans will employ a spread offense this season and will try to get the ball into the hands of as many players as possible.

“We are going to try to be balanced, though, and that could be different each week depending on what we do well that week,” Schwarzer said. “We do want to throw the football and be air-raid, but we’ll be physical in the run game, move the ball and set up play action. We’ll be a lot more spread out than [Northview] has been in the past, and we’ll be in the shotgun probably 80 to 85 percent of the time, so that will be a lot different.”

With a revamped culture, a new coaching staff and plenty of untested players, it remains to be seen how the Titans will fare in year one of the Schwarzer era. But ahead of the 2021 season, the Titans have a positive outlook.

“Everything has gone pretty well,” Schwarzer said. “The kids are doing a great job transitioning with the new culture and new staff, and we want to make this a place where we can have some success in football.”

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* denotes region game

vs. Cedartown vs. Banneker @ Shiloh @ Lanier vs. North Forsyth* @ Forsyth Central* vs. Lambert* @ South Forsyth* @ Gainesville* vs. West Forsyth*

@Christian Heritage @Trinity Christian vs. B.E.ST. Academy vs. North Cobb Christian vs. St. Francis* @Lakeview Academy* vs. Clarkston vs. King’s Ridge* @Mount Pisgah* Whitefield Academy

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-16 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 9-3 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 11-5

@ Gainesville @ Traveler’s Rest (SC) vs. Heritage (Conyers) @ Sequoyah* vs. Riverwood*

@Lambert vs. Roswell vs. Peachtree Ridge @Riverwood* vs. Chattahoochee* @Cambridge* vs. River Ridge* @Johns Creek* @Creekview* vs. Sequoyah*

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24

vs. Woodland (Stockbridge) vs. Marist @ St. Pius X @ Charlotte Catholic (SC) @ Eagle’s Landing Christian @ Woodland (Cartersville)* vs. Calhoun* vs. Cartersville* @ Hiram* @Cass*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29

FO OT BA LL SCHEDU L E S

2021 Y BLES S E D TRINIT NIAL CENT EN K DENM AR

CAM CHATT AH OODY DUNW C FORSY TH

HIP FELLO WS K CREE

R E T TA ALPH A BRIDG E OOCH EE ENTRA L

RIDGE

8-27 9-3 9-10 9-24 10-1

@Green County @Christian Heritage @Landmark Christian vs. Darlington vs. Mount Paran Christian

vs. Northview @ Etowah vs. Loganville @ Cambridge @Gainesville* vs. Denmark* @ North Forsyth* @ West Forsyth* vs. Lambert* vs. South Forsyth*

vs. Decatur vs. North Springs @ North Atlanta @ Norcross* vs. Archer* vs. Chamblee @ Meadowcreek* vs. Berkmar* @ Discovery* vs. Duluth*

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 11-5

@ Alpharetta vs. Gainesville @ Northview @ River Ridge* @ Centennial* vs. Johns Creek @ Sequoyah* vs. Creekview* @ Cambridge* vs. Riverwood*

@South Forsyth vs. North Oconee vs. Forsyth Central @Creekview* vs. Centennial* vs. Sequoyah* @Johns Creek* @Riverwood* vs. Chattahoochee* vs. River Ridge*

vs. Chattahoochee @ Hoover (AL) vs. Greenville Christian (MS) @ North Cobb @ Collins Hill @Milton* vs. Woodstock* @Cherokee* vs. Roswell* vs. Etowah*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

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8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-12

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Veterans group hosts Purple Heart ceremony

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Restaurant opens in historic building

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SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA

One third of an acre off Buice Road flourished into a sunflower-lover’s paradise for two weekends in August. Wills LaCrosse, engineer and aspiring flower farmer, cultivated the field and donated all proceeds from sales to the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. Read more, Page 3.

School district expands student learning options

► PAGE 13

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DUI suspect accused of attempting to escape JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Marietta man arrested for driving drunk late Aug. 6 tried to escape police custody by crawling through the ceiling at North Fulton Hospital, authorities say.

Keith Adam Vance, 39, was arrested for DUI after an officer reportedly spotted him swerving along Nesbit Ferry Road. The officer arrested Vance after a brief struggle, and paramedics transported the man to the hospital to be evaluated. While awaiting treatment in the emergency room, the officer allowed Vance to use the bathroom uncuffed. After waiting outside the bathroom door for 15 minutes, the officer had security unlock it. They found the bathroom empty.

According to police, Vance managed to crawl through a drop-ceiling tile above the bathroom sink. Roswell officers re-

PUBLIC SAFETY sponded to help the officer and hospital security search for the man. Police quickly found Vance seated back in the emergency room waiting area as if nothing had happened.

Johns Creek woman cited for crashing car into garage JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a Johns Creek woman Aug. 7 who allegedly drove her car through a garage along Rosalie Road late May 23.

Jennifer Ann Lee Harrison, 45, was charged with criminal damage to property and making harassing phone calls.

The homeowner’s brother said he was visiting from California on May 23 when he heard a loud boom. When he went outside, he found Harrison yelling that she wanted to speak with his sister, who was not home at the time.

The driver’s son pulled up moments later in another vehicle and asked Harrison why she crashed into the garage.

The two then left in their cars.

The homeowner arrived home later and told officers she and Harrison are friends and they had been arguing that day via calls and text messages.

DUi arrest Keith Adam Vance, 39, of Skyview Drive NE, Marietta, was arrested Aug. 6 on Nesbit Ferry Road for DUI, obstruction of officer, escape and failure to maintain lane.

Burglar takes dip in homeowner’s pool JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded to a burglary report Aug. 3 at a home on Club Way in the River Ridge subdivision.

Police said a man broke into the victim’s pool house before dawn and slept there for hours. The victim said the suspect flooded the tile area inside the pool house, tossed chairs into the pool and knocked over a stone table.

Security cameras showed a heavyset man in his 20s break into the pool house around 2:45 a.m. The man stripped off his clothes and slept on the couch, then got in the pool, opened all the kitchen drawers and used a knife to pry open locked doors in the pool house.

Police said the man left the premises around 5 a.m.

Police continue search for son accused of fatally stabbing his parents

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Police are actively searching for the suspect of a double homicide.

Duane Hall, 30, is charged with two counts of murder for allegedly stabbing his parents at their home. The Roswell Police Department has HALL secured warrants for his arrest.

Officers were dispatched to the residence in the 1000 block of Barrington Landing Ct. around 11 a.m. Aug. 2. Public

Information Officer Tim Lupo said a family member of the victims went to the home to check on the couple when they found an unresponsive adult and called 911.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found Delroy Hall, 70, and Murline Gregory Hall, 63, deceased. Lupo said the exact time of their deaths is still under investigation and that the police department cannot speculate on the motive at this time.

Duane Hall is described as a Black male 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 165 pounds. Fulton County jail records show he’s had prior dealings with Roswell police.

He is believed to be driving a dark silver 2019 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia

tag RSC5623, which was taken from the scene of the murders. Lupo confirmed Duane Hall had also been living with his parents prior to the incident.

“The Toyota Camry did belong to the victims, and I am unaware of anything else of note that was taken from the home,” Lupo said. “We do not have any other public updates at this time. Our investigators are actively pursuing all leads as we work to apprehend Duane Hall, but he is not yet in custody.”

Officers ask that anyone who sees Hall or knows of his whereabouts contact the Roswell Police Department at 770-6404100. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 404-577-8477.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 3

Inspiration takes root with local flower farmer

By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A movie mishap spurred Wills LaCrosse’s new dream. An engineer by trade, LaCrosse now imagines opening his own perfumery with fragrances extracted from flowers he grows himself.

Date night with his sweetheart, Annette Winchester, went awry one evening when a film he picked for her enjoyment turned out to be the story of a serial killer.

Between graphic scenes, he admired the scenic flower fields in the movie’s setting in the south of France. It got him thinking.

The movie, “Perfume,” went into detail about the perfumery process and the industry in France; LaCrosse was enthralled.

“So, I said, ‘that would really be something, I’d like to have a flower farm,’” LaCrosse said.

In the years that followed, LaCrosse took every opportunity to see flower farms all over the world, visiting fields in the south of France and Amsterdam, among others.

Three years ago, LaCrosse finally planted his accumulated knowledge in the dirt. His friend and neighbor Rick Olsen allowed him one-third of an acre of his land to practice flower farming.

The first two years, LaCrosse struggled with deer, flooding and insect pests, but this year, after the installation of an electric fence, he started to see the harvest he dreamt of.

For two weekends in August, locals made their way to his sunflower field off Buice Road to enjoy the fruits of LaCrosse’s “experimental” farm.

In previous years, LaCrosse had managed to earn some money from the sale of

his flowers, but this year, he decided his labor of love could give back to the local community.

Two weeks before the field opened to the public, LaCrosse contacted the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and asked if they would like the proceeds from his flower sales in exchange for some volunteer help.

“I actually asked him — while we were out there — thinking that we would write something for the newsletter, I said, ‘How did you choose Autrey Mill’” Preserve President Lara Maltby said. “He said, ‘Honestly it was the first place that came to mind.’”

LaCrosse told Maltby that he had enjoyed the preserve and their annual secret gardens tour and he wanted the money to go to a local organization. They fit the bill.

Over the course of the two weekends, the field earned the nature preserve over $2,500.

Because Autrey Mill had already set its budget for the coming year, the money from the flower sales will fund events and activities that had been cut due to lack of revenue, including the fall and Halloween-

themed event, Spooky Mill.

“It’s an unexpected boon for us,” Maltby said. “This will definitely make a bunch of things possible that we didn’t even budget for.”

This was more than a fundraiser, though, Maltby said.

“There was so much joy in the field …

I said to Wills, ‘You have brought smiles to so many faces.’”

The field also served as a big draw for local wildlife, including honeybees and butterflies, Maltby said.

“One of the reasons for the decline in butterflies is that habitat is being urbanized, and to put something like this back helps immensely,” Maltby said. “So, he helped a lot more than just one little nature preserve. He was being very much consistent with our mission of making things a little bit brighter for the community around us.”

LaCrosse has big dreams for his floral future. He’s considering expanding the field and trying to plant tulips this year.

One day, he says, he hopes to open a

SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA

For two weekends in August, locals made their way to Wills LaCrosse’s sunflower field off Buice Road to pick flowers and take pictures. This year, funds raised from flower sales were donated to the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. perfumery akin to the Chateau Elan winery. It would be the perfect meeting of his engineering training and his passion for flower farming.

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4 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Come take a "sneak peek" at The Mansions

at Alpharetta!

Join us for an Open House

Saturday, August 21st 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Here is what you’ll see ~ large apartments, beautiful common spaces and a memory care neighborhood specially designed for seniors with memory loss. We’ll send you home with Chef Kenny’s delicious “Peek”an treats!

Johns Creek Veterans Association conducts Purple Heart ceremony

By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Local veterans gathered Aug.7 at the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk in Newtown Park for the annual Purple Heart ceremony.

The ceremony honors recipients of the Purple Heart medal as well as the history of the award itself, President of the Johns Creek Veterans Association Lt. Col. Michael Mizell said.

“We commemorate and memorialize those individuals who have received [the Purple Heart] for their efforts to go where the country wants them to go and do the things they’re asked to do, even to the extent of being wounded and possibly losing their lives,” Mizell said.

Gathered at the memorial walk, veterans spoke freely — some for the first time — about their service.

“We had Capt. Wayne Kidd, who received a Purple Heart for his actions in Vietnam,” Mizell said. “Interestingly enough, this was the very first time he’s felt comfortable enough to talk about it in public, because he was injured rather severely.”

CRAIG KIDD/SPECIAL

North Fulton representatives from the Purple Heart Foundation were also in attendance.

“A lot of these people will get very emotional when they’re asked to recount something that still lives in their minds even to today,” Mizell said. “But we had a small ceremony and had representation there for people to come and enjoy and talk about what we were doing.”

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Tel. 770-802-8220 | Fax 770-802-8283 3170 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 110 Johns Creek, GA 30024 DORAVILLE (GA) 770.451.7200 CARROLLTON (TX) 469.986.3100 SEATTLE OFFICE LPO 425.412.3220 DULUTH (GA) 678.417.7474

BAYSIDE (NY) 718.701.3810 LA OFFICE LPO 714.735.8669 SUWANEE (GA) 770.495.1310

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 5

Decorative Fabric Sale NEW! NEW! NEW!

Come in and check out our brand new fully stocked outdoor section! All the latest exciting patterns, colors & textures including hundreds of rolls of Sunbrella!

this week only! now thru sun., 8/22

Now is the time to freshen up your home inside and out with beautiful, durable indoor and outdoor designer fabrics from Boca Bargoons of Alpharetta.

Need custom cushions, draperies, bedding and more? No problem! Boca Bargoons can create any custom pieces you require for the best prices in town!

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We just feel very grateful to be so welcomed and to have become a part of the community so quickly. It’s just been fantastic.

KEVIN NELSON, Chef-owner 6 | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021

A-Street opens in historic Roswell building

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Built in the pre-Civil War era in 1854, the former Public House across the street from the square is now offering a collective mix of global flavors.

Atlanta Street, or A-Street, in Roswell opened just under two months ago, but community support has already deemed its potato-crusted grouper and Luxardo adobo pork chop signature dishes, along with several wines, cocktails and starter plates.

Chef-owner Kevin Nelson and his wife Kellie Nelson moved to Roswell in October 2019, after selling their popular resort restaurant in Vail, Colorado. While searching for opportunities to start over someplace warmer in the South, Kevin said he found Roswell and “pretty much fell in love with it right away.”

“When I came into this space and felt the energy in here and saw the age of the bricks and learned more about the history,” Kevin said, “this felt like a place I would be comfortable in. … I’m just sort of bringing it all to bear here in Roswell. It’s a large place that has a small-town feel. It’s a perfect fit for me and my family. We love it.”

Kevin has 37 years in the restaurant business. He said he grew up in Long Island, often visiting an Irish pub down the street from his house with his family for dinner. At 13 years old, he began a summer job there washing dishes and worked his way up to executive chef five years later.

His mentor was Roy Hodges, a former chef in the U.S. Navy, who instilled in him the idea that he had natural talent in the kitchen. In his mid-20s, Kevin became the chef at Terro Bistro in Colorado

and then the owner up until a year-anda-half ago. Working there, he said, allowed him to venture into different flavors and international styles of cuisine.

Kellie started out as a server at Terro Bistro and has since managed several other restaurants. Kevin said her expansive knowledge about wines has played an integral role in building A-Street’s wine list.

Together, they have three daughters.

The oldest is a student at Emory University and the other two are in high school.

For the past six months, the entire family has pitched in to salvage much of the building’s original structure but also to install new features like custommade stainless glass panels to give it a modern-feel. The building previously sat vacant for some three years.

A-Street features both upstairs and downstairs dining areas, two bars made of the original copper in the building, a patio and a large parking deck in the back.

Exposed brick from its time as the general store for the Roswell Mill lines its walls.

The building is also rumored to have its own ghost known to the community as Catherine. A drink on the menu called Catherine’s Revenge pays her homage.

So far, Kevin said, the community seems to be responding well to what they’ve done to the place.

“Originally, I was going to do something a little more casual, but as I got to know the community, there were a lot of locals coming in everyday, knocking on the door, peeking their head in, seeing what we were doing and so excited to see this place come back to life,” Kevin said.

“They’ve all been incredibly supportive, but I started to get the sense that the community would welcome something more like what I was doing in

CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA

Kevin and Kellie Nelson are the owners of A-Street in Roswell. Together, they’ve polished the former Public House to create a casual atmosphere for upscale dining rooted in “New American” cuisine.

Vail, which was not quite fine dining but upscale dining.”

Kellie, who likes to share their story with guests, said she’s enjoyed seeing the community’s response as well.

“A lady came in the other night to celebrate her 95th birthday,” Kellie said.

“She seemed well and lively, but she came in and said, ‘Oh, I remember this place!’ It was amazing.”

Most dishes at A-Street are glutenfree and there are vegan options. Kevin said the menu is constantly evolving with flavors inspired by Asian, Middle Eastern and Southwestern cuisine. And he tends to be drawn toward “humanelyraised and sustainable” ingredients.

“As much as we like to serve highquality fine dining food, we tend to lean more toward a casual atmosphere. And

the casual, fun elements in here I think let people relax while they’re having a fantastic meal that has the attention to detail that they would get in a more rigid strip experience,” Kevin said.

“We just feel very grateful to be so welcomed and to have become a part of the community so quickly. It’s just been fantastic.”

A-Street is open from 5-9 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. Dine-in and curbside pickup are available. In about two weeks, Kevin said he would like to open the patio for outdoor dining. They also hope to add a lunch menu and open on Sundays in the future.

A-Street is located at 605 Atlanta St., Roswell, GA 30075. For more information, visit astreetroswell.com or call 770-910-7639.

Sponsored Section

Does Your Bank Do This?

August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | 7

The Magic of Compound Interest

#DYBDT?

Soraya Kenney is Branch Manager at American Commerce Bank’s Johns Creek Office.

Brought to you by – American Commerce Bank ‘Financial literacy’ has come to mean a lot of different things. Far from learning how to balance a checking account or apply for a credit card, “literacy” today can mean knowing how to fund a Venmo payment or deciding on a good price to buy bitcoin! Soraya Kenney, ACB’s Johns Creek Branch Manager, knows that there are still lessons that stand the test of time, and one of the all-time greats is The Magic of Compound Interest.

If you’re old enough to balance a checking account, then it might be too late to learn this lesson and have the ‘magic’ to do you much good—especially with savings rates being so low these days, but maybe you can teach a young person a lesson that can serve as a foundation for their financial plans: Suzie opens an IRA at age 19. For ten consecutive years, she deposits $2,000 into an account that earns 5% per year (rates are low, but let’s be optimistic!). After ten years, she stops—and never makes another contribution. Her investment continues to grow at 5%.

Johnny opens a similar IRA at age 28. He begins making $2,000 annual contributions in the same year that

Suzie stops making her contributions.

Johnny contributes $2,000 each year until he reaches 65. Though Johnny will make a total of 37 contributions amounting to $74,000 compared to Suzie’s 10 contributions totaling $20,000, Suzie will end up with more money at age 65 than Johnny! Assuming the same 5% earnings rate for both accounts, Suzie’s IRA will grow to more than 8x her total deposits, while Johnny’s IRA will amount to a little less than 3x his deposits. If ever there was a lesson to learn in the first years of earning income, this is it. Time is the critical factor required to turn a small investment into a large one. The earlier you start saving, the greater your success in earning a nice return in the long run. The later you start, the more risk you’ll need to take to build a similarsized nest egg.

If you’d like to discuss saving money at great rates or review a spreadsheet that proves out this example, send an e-mail to Soraya Kenney: SKenney@ AmericanCommerceBank.com.

For more information about American Commerce Bank, stop by the branch located at 10690 Medlock Bridge Road, or visit www.AmericanCommerceBank.com

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8 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

When it’s too late

BANKING & FINANCE • Sponsored Section

Brought to you by Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC I am going to change the names in this story so that the true identity of the clients stays private. But I need to share a story with you WILSON today that I hope will spur you to action.

Recently, I received a call from a financial advisor. His client, an attorney (we’ll call him Ralph), had recently passed away.

He had no will or trust in place and his exwife’s name (Linda) was on his retirement account as his beneficiary.

Ralph had remarried after his divorce and had two beautiful, smart children just out of college. His current wife, June, was going to need the assets in Ralph’s retirement account to live on after his death because she was a stay-at-home mom for most of their children’s growing up years.

“Who gets the retirement account?” was the question I was asked. “The

beneficiary most likely”, I responded.

It’s too bad. Ralph’s wishes would probably have been to take care of his current wife and leave assets to his children. Now, his ex-wife will probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars.

All because he didn’t set aside the time to

create a plan or check his beneficiaries.

Whether you have a will or trust or nothing at all, please take steps to check your beneficiaries and get confirmation in writing that the beneficiaries were changed. If your work schedule is tight during the week, we

have openings on Saturday mornings to meet and we even hire a babysitter for you if you need one. At Wilson Legal, we love removing the obstacles for families to create the plans they need to make sure they live their best life.

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T N E M E C N U O N N A HAVE AN TO SHARE? Run it in the newspaper!

WEDDINGS ENGAGEMENTS ANNIVERSARIES BIRTHS DEATHS To submit your announcement visit

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woody Crier 8/19/21 Crossword

PuzzleJunction.com

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 9

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LAND USE PETITION:

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CITY OF JOHNS CREEK MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M. 27

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SOLUTION ON PAGE 13

RZ-21-006, VC-21-006-01, VC-21-006-02 and VC-21-006-03 PETITIONER: S.S.D. Properties, LLC LOCATION: 11890 Douglas Road CURRENT ZONING: C-1 (Community Business District) Conditional PROPOSED ZONING: MIX (Mixed Use District) PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Rezone the subject property from C-1 Conditional to MIX, to convert 3,000 square feet of an existing shopping center to 9 multifamily residential units, making a mixed-use development consisting of commercial and residential uses. Three concurrent variances accompany this request: • VC-21-006-01: To reduce the number of required parking spaces from 53 to 50; • VC-21-006-02: To allow an existing sidewalk and retaining wall to remain in the 10-foot improvement setback along the north property line; and • VC-21-006-03: To eliminate the required 20% common open space required for the MIX zoning district.

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10 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 11

12 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Announcement: Sam and Heidi Alatar of Alpharetta, Georgia announce the promotion of their son, Gavin J. Alatar, to Gunner’s Mate Petty Officer 2nd Class in the United States Coast Guard.

GM2 Alatar, a graduate of Alpharetta High School, serves aboard the USCGC Bear, a medium endurance cutter based in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The USCGC Bear serves our country in operations around the globe. Fair winds and following seas, GM2 Alatar. Bravo Zulu!

Semper Paratus.

Solution

SCHOOLS

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 13

Fulton County Schools to expand instruction options

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmedia.com ATLANTA —The Fulton County Schools is expanding its academic options for the first semester as rising COVID-19 cases have raised concerns about returning to in-person learning.

Currently the district has three options for instruction: face-to-face at all schools; Fulton Virtual in grades 6-12 with face-toface and virtual classes; and Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence (FAVE) which offers a full virtual option for students in 3-11th grade.

Seniors have a variety of virtual options through dual enrollment and other existing programs if needed. Parents/students made their instructional preference last year.

With COVID cases rising over the summer, parents and students lobbied for more options this year.

Beginning Sept. 7, a K-8 learning hub will be opened at Crabapple Center (former Crabapple Middle School in Roswell), along with a K-2 Remote Learning Program giving parents more options beyond at-home or in-school.

Both programs will have limited capacity and are contingent upon the district’s ability to recruit staff without hurting existing schools, school officials said.

Superintendent Mike Looney said the two new options are “not perfect,” but provide a short-term effort to try and meet the needs of families.

“My decisions aren’t predicated on politics, or scare tactics,” he said. “I want to make sure everybody’s safe…instruction to be uninterrupted, and not pivoting to virtual every other week.”

K-8 Learning Hub – Roswell Up to 500 students can be accommodated in the building which formerly housed Crabapple Middle School, 10700 Crabapple Road, Roswell. The newly built school opened this year on a new site off Woodstock Road.

Students will receive face-to-face instruction in all core classes (math, science, social studies, English/language arts).

Connection classes (health, PE, world languages) will be coordinated through the district’s virtual program.

Masks remain optional for staff.

Student masks will remain optional per parental agreement, unless otherwise mandated by a higher government authority. All other district mitigation strategies will remain in effect.

Any student eligible for enrollment in Fulton County elementary or middle schools can attend. Students can still participate in extracurricular clubs and activities at their zoned homeschool.

Because this is considered an “open enrollment” option, the school district will not provide transportation to and from the school. Meals will be delivered to the school daily.

Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones said the Learning Hub is a temporary solution that the district plans to close after the first semester. It could be extended, he noted, if COVID conditions warrant.

K-3 Remote Learning Plan While face-to-face instruction remains the district’s preference for younger children, Jones said the ongoing pandemic

requires providing virtual options.

“We acknowledge that there’s a myriad of concerns that parents are navigating, which necessitated [new] options for young students,” he said.

The program will have 300 spots available, and parents have until Aug. 20 to apply for a seat. A lottery for admission will be held on Aug. 20.

The program opens on Sept. 7 and parents must commit to remaining in the program for the semester. Students will remain enrolled at their zoned home school.

All instruction will be delivered virtually on devices provided by the school district.

Only the four core subjects will be taught (math, ELA, science and social studies) by a staff of 15 teachers. Instruction will range from 145 minutes a day for kindergartners up to 180 minutes a day for second grade students.

The remote learning plan is not a babysitting service for parents, and Jones said parents must commit to partner with their children during the entire process.

“It is imperative that the parents who sign their students up for this option understand that they will be part of their student’s learning journey,” he noted.

“These students are too young to learn on their own with a device.”

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Charles Haman, 75, of Roswell, passed away August 4, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Nicolas Lecaroz, 77, of Alpharetta, passed away August 8, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Thomas McGinty, 55, of Alpharetta, passed away August 8, 2021. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

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John Morgenstern, 78, of Roswell, passed away August 9, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

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Russell Munzer, 95, of Alpharetta, passed away August 8, 2021.

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Roswell Funeral Home Rocco Joseph Selvaggi, Jr., 76, of Cumming, Green Lawn Cemetary passed away August 8, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

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Robert Shearer, 55, of Alpharetta, passed away August 4, 2021.

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Shelby Thomas, 89, of Cumming, passed away August 5, 2021. Arrangements

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14 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 15

SERVICE DIRECTORY Concrete/Asphalt

RETAINING WALLS Block or Wood

Contact Ralph Rucker.

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Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc.

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Basements finished, decks, screen porches, doors, drywall, painting, flooring, custom kitchens, bathrooms. All insurance. Paul Finegan 404-353-5611 Phillips Home Improvement We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical.

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16 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Appen Media Weekly Restaurant Coupons 10% OFF

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JOHN ERT LAMB H MOU N T P ISGA IEW NORT HV LL

@ Wesleyan @ Mount Paran Christian @ Walker vs. Hebron Christian vs. Christian Heritage @ East Forsyth vs. Lakeview Academy* vs. Fellowship Christian* @King’s Ridge* vs. St. Francis*

@ Forsyth Central vs. Chattahoochee @ Dawson County @ Midtown (formerly Grady High) vs. St. Pius X* vs. Stone Mountain* @ Lithonia* vs. Decatur* @ M.L. King* @ Southwest Dekalb*

vs. South Forsyth @ Centennial vs. North Paulding vs. Campbell @ Walton vs. Etowah* @ Cherokee* vs. Milton* @ Alpharetta* @ Woodstock*

vs. North Cobb Christian @ Athens Christian vs. Darlington @ Lumpkin County @ Fellowship Christian* vs. Walker vs. Cherokee Christian @ King’s Ridge* vs. Lakeview Academy* @ Mount Pisgah*

8-20 9-3 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-17 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

vs. Centennial @ Lassiter @ Meadowcreek vs. Duluth vs. South Forsyth* vs. Gainesville* @ Denmark* vs. North Forsyth* @ Forsyth Central* @ West Forsyth*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-16 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-24 10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

@ Chattahoochee* vs. Cambridge* vs. Centennial* @ River Ridge* vs. Creekview*

10-1 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

S

ROSW E CIS ST. F RAN

KING’ N M I LT O TH NOR T H F ORSY EST PINEC R TH O U T H FORSY YTH

vs. Alcovy @Harrison vs. Dalton @Etowah @Denmark vs. West Forsyth vs. Forsyth Central @Lambert @South Forsyth vs. Gainesville

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-16 10-1 10-8 10-15 10-29 11-5

@ Roswell vs. Cambridge vs. Dawson County @ Central Gwinnett @ Lambert* vs. West Forsyth* @ Gainesville* vs. Denmark* vs. North Forsyth* @ Forsyth Central*

8-18 vs. Carver Atlanta (Corky Kell Classic) 8-27 vs. Cartersville 9-10 @ Walton 9-17 vs. Mill Creek 10-1 @ North Forsyth* 10-8 @ South Forsyth* 10-15 vs. Forsyth Central* 10-22 vs. Gainesville* 10-29 vs. Lambert* 11-5 @ Denmark*

8-20 8-27 9-3 9-10 9-16 10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-5

@ Towns County (GHSA) vs. Lake Oconee Academy @ Cherokee Christian* vs. Lafayette Christian vs. Rock Springs Christian @ Harvester Christian @ Notre Dame Academy vs. North Georgia Christian @ King’s Academy* vs. Calvary Christian*

vs. Hapeville Charter @ North Cobb vs. Life Christian Academy (VA) @ St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) @ McEachern vs. Alpharetta* @ Etowah* @ Roswell* vs. Woodstock* vs. Cherokee*

8-20 8-27 9-2 9-11 9-24 10-1 10-8 10-22 10-29 11-5

8-20 8-27 9-10 9-17 10-1 10-8 10-16 10-22 10-29 11-5

vs. Lakeview Academy* @Fellowship Christian* vs. St. Francis* vs. Mount Pisgah* @East Forsyth

10-8 10-15 10-22 10-29 11-4

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

WEST FORS

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 9

10 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Centennial ‘young and hungry’ entering 2021 campaign Knights look to right ship with youth through ranks

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Among Centennial’s 83-man roster for 2021, only about a dozen seniors will suit up for the Knights this year.

Following a similar storyline from last year, Centennial will be young this season, a description secondyear head coach Sean O’Sullivan is quick to make of his team. But, he hastens to add, it’s a hungry squad.

On the heels of two straight winless seasons (0-18), the Knights are eager to hit the field in 2021 and right the ship. Only the small senior class on the team has experienced a high school win for the black and blue of Centennial.

With a team mostly comprised of sophomores and juniors, O’Sullivan said consistency will be key to the Knights’ fortunes this year, but in order to rebuild a program, there must be a youth movement.

“I feel like the younger kids will have to grow up faster than they should have to, but they’ve been working hard,” he said. “And we’ve spent the whole year in the weight room getting bigger, fast and stronger, and that’s always a help.”

Centennial is hoping that offseason work pays dividends to push the Knights back into the win column.

“It’s always the goal to reverse your fortunes [after a winless season], especially after last year, taking over the program and amid the circumstances,” O’Sullivan

said. “But every new year is a new start.”

With a fresh slate of games, O’Sullivan said the Knights will not concern themselves about the competition or the stakes at play in its Region 7-6A games.

Rather, the team will look inward.

“We play in a very competitive region, and a lot of the teams that were playoff teams last year return a lot of players,” he said. “But we have to worry about Centennial football and do what we can control to excel in all three phases of the game.”

Much of the Knights’ fortunes lie with the play of the offensive line, and O’Sullivan believes that core will be a strong suit for Centennial this year.

“Although they are young, they have really gelled together, and without a good offensive line, you are not going to be successful,” he said.

The offensive front will be anchored by left tackle Daniel Calhoun. The 6-foot-6, 340-lb. sophomore was already heavily recruited by Power Five collegiate programs as a freshman and started every game for the Knights last season.

Calhoun will lead the Knights’ rushing attack ahead of running backs Nathan Webster, a sophomore, and junior Desmond Leverett. Webster led the team in rushing yards last season.

Sophomore Tyler Laskaris will take over at quarterback after appearing in several games for the Knights last season. O’Sullivan said seniors St. Joseph Oyedotun and Joshua Bracey earned playing time last year and should be among the go-to targets for Laskaris.

The Knights’ secondary is perhaps the most seasoned corps among its defense with three returning starters. Leverett will also line up on defense at line-

backer with junior Xavier Hood, both reprising their roles from last season. Cole Wit also brings experience at safety along with junior Johnsley Barbas. “(Barabas) received several ACC offers on the summer, and we are looking for him to make an impact,” O’Sullivan said.

Centennial will begin its quest to win the program’s first game since 2018 with three non-region games again Lambert, crosstown rivals Roswell and 2020 playoff team Peachtree Ridge. The Knights kick off their region schedule Aug. 19 at Riverwood.

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 11

Blessed Trinity enters new era under Tom Hall Titans to field mixture of veterans, new talent

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Blessed Trinity begins the fall with plenty of shoes to fill from last year’s region champion squad.

Entering this year, BT has to fill the gaps left by almost a dozen players who have moved on to compete collegiately, plus a number of other playmakers who suited up for the Titans for the final time last winter.

Then, there was the vacancy left by head coach Tim McFarlin, now at Fellowship Christian, who left after leading the program to 112 wins, three state titles and seven region championships in 10 years.

But for the BT faithful, there is optimism that the 2021 season will continue the team’s rank as one of the best programs around the state.

That starts with a familiar face serving as new head coach, Tom Hall.

Hall was with the school for 11 years and served as its offensive coordinator for several seasons, including

during BT’s first state championship run in 2017.

Hall returns to lead a revamped but similar coaching staff, retaining the “lion’s share” of coaches from last year.

Leo Barker is stepping away from his defensive coordinator position to coach linebackers. Tim Lewis, who has over two decades of coaching experience, including in the NFL, will assume the defensive coordinator role.

Mostly, Hall said, BT has retained much of its coaching staff and philosophies heading into this season.

“Offensively, we will stay close to who we were under Tim’s 10 years here,” he said. “We will run the same base offense as last year, but we will have some different things here and there, like some new offensive sets and just be a little more balanced.”

Leading the slightly altered offense will be a talented backfield.

Junior running back Justice Haynes, who lit up the opposition last year to compile 1,750 yards rushing in nine games, returns as one of the top rushers in the state. Haynes averaged 10 yards per carry last season with 25 touchdowns.

“He’s an All-American and has just about every (collegiate) offer he could

want at this point, and we are extremely excited about his talent,” Hall said.

“We are hoping to use him just a shade differently this year. He has tremendous hands and is a great route runner, so we could potentially use him in space, too, without getting too far from what we are.”

Quarterback JC French will return behind center after throwing for over 800 yards with nine touchdowns last season.

“He has a really lively arm, and he’s a strong kid,” Hall said. “We are going to find ways to utilize his arm a little more than we have in the past. We’ll still rely heavily on play action, but there will be times when we’ll be more multiple on offense.”

On the defense, senior Titus Nordlander and junior Evan Dickens return. Hall said he likes the progression Nordlander has made in the offseason, and Dickens provides plenty of speed and will serve as another weapon in BT’s offensive run game.

BT will rely on plenty of new starters to make an impact as well. Hall said seniors Ryan Combs and Ashton Abrew, one of BT’s top receivers last year, will line up at safety with Colby Chauvin and Tucker Daniels joining

the Titans’ offensive front after the line graduated three starters.

Overall, Hall said BT’s core of linebackers, tight ends and fullbacks will be strengths of the 2021 team.

Those returning starters and newer players will be tested early with BT’s rigorous slate of non-region games.

The Titans will take on perennial title contenders Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, St. Pius X and rival Marist.

They will also hit the road to face Charlotte Catholic (SC), which just captured the program’s fourth straight state title.

“I guess I have to call Tim (McFarlin) and thank him for that,” Hall joked. “We have our plate full, but we are excited about every one of those opportunities. We want to test ourselves every week, and we are going to find out in short order if we have the right guys where they need to be.”

The Titans’ schedule doesn’t get any easier in Region 5-5A play, where the team will look to continue its status as champs.

“It is a motivator to have that target on our back,” Hall said. “We know week in and week out we are going to get everybody’s best, and that is certainly a motivator.”

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12 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Experience could pay dividends for Cambridge Team’s talent loaded with returning players

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Though Cambridge lost many key players from its 2020 squad, plenty of playmakers will be back with plenty of playing time last year.

“Even though we lost a large and really good senior class, a lot of our guys who were sophomores and juniors last year have played,” Cambridge head coach Craig Bennett said. “Now, that’s the fun part, because they have experience, and you can’t coach it. Now we are just fine-tuning some things and staying with the same system.”

While there are still holes to be filled, Bennett — who has led the Bears program since its creation in 2012 — is pleased with his new talent’s progression heading into the season.

“We have some kids that need to get

caught up that maybe didn’t start last year but got some playing time here or there,” he said. “But they are way up ahead of where I thought they would be.”

The Bears are looking to build on their historic 2020 campaign. Amid the pandemic, the Bears finished third in the Region 7-6A standings to earn the program’s second trip to the playoffs.

The team took advantage of the opportunity and downed Kell in the first round to secure the Bears’ first ever playoff win.

To continue that success, Cambridge will be tasked with outpacing the competition in its challenging 7-6A slate of games.

“There are some really good teams in this region and some good coaches, and they do what’s right,” Bennett said. “And we’ve got to be in it to get in. But that’s our goal, to take that next step. Hopefully we can do that, but it’s a gauntlet.”

The team will look internally to be in the fray.

“What we are trying to do is be the best we can each week,” Bennett said.

“We want to do well in the region, and there is the desire to do things like win a region title, something that has never been done here, but we just want to take that next step and be our best. If we are in the front of the region, or even in the middle of the end, that’s fine as long as we are playing our best.”

A key to continue the program’s rise will be executing early. Bennett said execution, both from himself and his players, was lacking in the team’s first scrimmage Aug. 6.

The Bears will have an extra week to prepare for the 2021 season to kick off

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with a bye on Aug. 20, and their first few games should provide a good measuring stick against South Forsyth, North Oconee and Forsyth Central.

A good offseason has also been a bright spot entering the 2021 campaign.

“We’ve had one of our better summers, and the kids are buying in,” Bennett said. “Coming out of last summer where we were all on edge for everything and just not knowing, the kids have been excited to get back.

They are a fun group of kids to be around, and they handle their business and come to work.”

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 13

Mount Pisgah looks to new talent after replacing large senior class First-year head coach will test rising talent

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Mount Pisgah will pin its hopes this season on a bevy of rising talent following the graduation of its large and skilled 2020 senior class.

First-year head coach Ryan Livezey, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, said the 2021 Patriots are not short on talent, but many players will be stepping into starting roles this season, and those who have Friday night experience are still younger, with just a few seniors suiting up this year.

“We graduated 15 or 16 seniors last year, a great senior class, so obviously that means we have a lot of open positions,” Livezey said. “But on the flip side, we have our junior class, and a lot of those kids have been playing since their freshman year, so we have experience coming back, and some guys that maybe were not starters but played some last year. It’s definitely going to be a challenge, how quickly we come together as a team and how healthy we stay.”

The Patriots will be mostly inexperienced on the offensive and defensive front. The offensive line has four new starters.

“Those four guys up front have to start meshing and get past the nerves of being new starters very quickly,” Livezey said. “A lot depends on those guys who are first-year starters. As they get better, we have a chance to get better as a team.”

Another large void left by the 2020 senior class is

at quarterback after the graduation of Coleman Smith, who threw for over 3,000 yards last season with 22 touchdowns.

His replacement will carry a familiar name around the Patriots’ program in junior Jack Cendoya, the younger brother of standout 2018 graduate Jacob Cendoya who was named the team’s MVP in his senior season.

“We’re excited about [Jack],” Livezey said. “He’s been a quarterback in our program since middle school and is very athletic. He may allow us to do a few different things from last year.”

Mount Pisgah’s defensive secondary will also be mostly green with almost all new starters. However, Livezey said all are “very capable” in their new roles, including junior corner Makael Carter who will also line up as a slot receiver.

“He’s a really great athlete and hopefully will have a big impact on both sides of the ball,” Livezey said.

While there will be plenty of new starters for the Patriots, several standouts return from last year’s squad that went 6-5 and reached the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Senior nose guard Sean Ainsworth will anchor the defensive front with linebacker Joy Chane, who will also lead the rushing attack on offense, returning.

Senior tight end Cole Spence, a Vanderbilt commit, also returns after compiling over 400 yards receiving last year.

The Patriots’ relatively inexperienced team will be tested early. Mount Pisgah’s non-region slate of games include several perennially strong programs, including Wesleyan and Mount Paran Christian.

“We are definitely going to be tested very early in the season before we get to region play,” Livezey said.

But the head coach is hoping that his youthful squad will take its lessons from those challenging nonregion games and improve as they enter 6-A play.

“Obviously, we want to win all our games, but we know the region games are key because those get you into the playoffs,” Livezey said. “My hope is that we will continue to improve each week, and when we get to our region schedule we will playing our best football.”

With a limited roster and many players lining up on both sides of the ball, staying healthy will also be a focus.

“It comes down to who is playing the best, but it’s also about attrition,” Livezey said. “We just have to be smart in how we are using our players, rotating guys in, and if we have to rest someone, figuring out which side of the ball to rest them.”

The Patriots’ coaching staff will also sport a new look this season. Livezey takes over for Mike Forrester, who led the team for the past eight seasons but has stepped back into the defensive coordinator role.

“I feel very fortunate with the coaching staff I have,” Livezey said. “Jeff Pickren is a former head coach, Scott Hamilton is a former head coach, John O’Connor has been here seemingly forever and has a great relationship with the kids. I feel like I can lean on the coaching staff for a lot of things.”

Though the untested nature of his team presents plenty of questions, Livezey is excited about the Patriots’ fortunes in 2021.

“This is an extremely hard and fun group to coach, and we have a bunch of really good players out there,” he said. “We do have talent, and we have a number of kids who will play football at the next level, at some level. But most importantly, they are all trying to get better. That’s all I can ask as a coach.”

14 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Roswell focuses on finishing with new, returning talent Key skilled players return but offensive line is green

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell second-year head coach Chris Prewett said one focus for his team in the offseason is finishing strong. The Hornets went through a string of five tight games last season.

In several instances, the result went their way, including one-score wins against Walton and Etowah and Cherokee in region play. But after three straight wins by just a touchdown, the script was flipped. Milton downed the Hornets 20-14 in another series thriller between the rivals, and the next week, Alpharetta broke a tie in the fourth quarter and went on to win 35-21, a loss that put the team’s playoff hopes in jeopardy.

“We have been focusing on finishing the right way,” Prewett said. “That whole stretch of five games…we have to compete well to have a good seed in the playoffs and have the season we want to have.”

To bolster the Hornets’ killer instinct, the team has called out for added leadership among its ranks.

“One thing we have been harping on is leadership,” Prewett said. “Being that vocal leader and setting a positive example. If we want to be an elite team, we have to (be) player-driven and have our players holding each other accountable.”

To find its on-field generals, the Hornets will look to a mixture of returning starters and players stepping into the spotlight.

Both the offense and the defense will field six new starters. Standouts like Marquis Willis and Michael Fitzgerald, the team’s top receivers last year, have graduated along with four starting offensive linemen. Defensively, 2020 Region 5-7A Co-Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Evan Plunkett, has graduated along with fellow all-region selections in linebacker Harrison Duncan at linebacker and safety Dillon Holifield.

However, the Hornets have many playmakers suiting up again with an added year of experience under their belts.

Quarterback Robbie Roper retains his starting role after throwing for 2,200 yards last season with 23 touchdowns.

Joining Roper in the backfield is running back Ryan Hill, whom Prewett said will provide the offense with a “big boost.”

The senior ran for 80 yards per game last season with seven rushing scores.

Junior Zeke Moore will reprise his role as tight end. Prewett called Moore a “do everything kind of guy” that will help to marry an unseasoned offensive line

that returns just one starter.

“The offense will be an exciting group, maybe a bit different from what we’ve had in the past, but we still want to stretch the defense sideline to sideline and vertically,” Prewett said.

On defense, senior Will Baskin and sophomore Chase Morrison will lead a line that returns all three starters from 2020.

“We expect big things out of them, and they are the types of guys that can lead by example,” Prewett said.

The Hornets’ linebackers will be anchored by the team’s leading tackler in 2020, senior Case Barrett, along with Riley Slaughter and junior Stone Smith.

Jayven Hall, a standout transfer from Fellowship Christian, will also line up at linebacker.

Ethan Nation returns as a vital part of the secondary after leading the state with eight interceptions last season as a sophomore.

While there are holes to fill for starting positions, Prewett said many of those players, including safeties Ian Matthews and Jordan Beaurem and receivers Ethan Cripe and Lawson Stargel, have been in Roswell’s system for years and now have their chance to shine.

“We have a lot of people who have been in the program for a long time, and we are looking forward to them contributing,” Prewett said.

With so many new players hitting the field in larger roles this season, Prewett said gaining experience will be crucial.

“It’s going to be an interesting team

because we are a pretty young team overall,” he said. “We’re at about 16 seniors, and the rest are juniors and sophomores, so we will have to grow up really quickly. We really have a lot of talent, we just have to see how it works on a Friday night and make our focus game-by-game and playing to our standard.”

While the standard at Roswell has always been high, the Hornets are riding an unprecedented streak of success in the program’s 72-year history.

The program has reached the playoffs for seven straight seasons, the longest stretch of playoff berths in its history. Meanwhile, the team has won at

least eight games in six of those years.

Continuing those streaks starts with successful region play, no easy task in 5-7A that includes Milton, Alpharetta, Woodstock, Etowah and Cherokee.

“It’s probably one of the more underrated regions around Metro Atlanta,” Prewett said. “There is good coaching, good talent and no easy games. The teams have played so often against one another and against the same coaching staffs that everyone knows what everyone is going to do, so it just comes to executing and playing a physical brand of football. I think we have a good nucleus of players, we just need to play good defense and take care of the football.”

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Marquee events, out-of-state games highlight local 2021 slate

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com NORTH FULTON/FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Several local programs will compete in prolific events representing Georgia against out-of-state opponents during the 2021 football schedule.

To kick off the season, West Forsyth will host Corky Kell Classic contests for the second straight year.

West will host the first GHSA game of the season Aug. 18, a matchup of Cherokee vs. Mays. Following that afternoon game, the Wolverines will hit their home turf to take on Carver Atlanta.

Last year marked the first time since 2015 a North Fulton program did not compete in the season kickoff event, but this year, the area will be well represented. Johns Creek will make its Corky Kell debut Aug. 20 when the Gladiators face Gainesville at Dacula High School.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Creek’s new tradition under head coach Matt Helmerich of playing an outof-state opponent was put on hold, but the practice is set to resume for the this year.

After making their Corky Kell debut, the Gladiators will take a road trip to play Traveler’s Rest in South Carolina Aug. 27.

Milton is set to host the Freedom Bowl for its fourth rendition this year on Labor Day weekend. The event, which pits strong programs from around the country against one another and celebrates veterans will feature several local teams in action.

Host Milton will take on Life Christian Academy, a private school program from Chester, Virginia, on Sept. 2. The next day, Alpharetta returns to the Freedom Bowl to take on Greenville Christian from Greenville, Mississippi.

Greenville is the defending Mississippi

Association of Independent Schools 3A state champion.

Another highlight of the Raiders’ 2021 schedule is their Aug. 27 road matchup with Alabama juggernaut Hoover. Alpharetta head coach Jason Kervin spent 12 years with Hoover, including five seasons as the program’s offensive coordinator, before taking over the Raiders’ program.

Milton is also set to resume its fairly recent trend of playing out-of-state opponents and will travel to Philadelphia to take on St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Sept. 11. St. Joseph’s captured its third straight state title in 2020 and was ranked in the top-10 nationally by MaxPreps.

Milton will be the second Georgia team to face the program in the last three years. Marietta hosted St. Joseph’s in 2019.

Under the direction of new head coach Tom Hall, Blessed Trinity will take on Charlotte Catholic of Charlotte, North Carolina. The tilt will feature two teams that have won six state championships in their respective classifications over the past four years.

The Sept. 10 matchup will be the annual Patriotism Bowl game organized by the Carolinas Freedom Foundation.

Region schedules for local teams have remained unchanged for 2021, the second year in the current cycle of reclassification and region realignments.

However, one new team will join the fray. East Forsyth enters its inaugural season.

The Broncos will play a 10-game, non-region schedule in its first season beginning Aug. 20 against Ridgeland.

East Forsyth is also slated to play two North Fulton Schools. The team will host Mount Pisgah Oct. 1 and travel to Milton to play King’s Ridge Nov. 5 to close out the regular season.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | August 19, 2021 | 15

16 | August 19, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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