SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015
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Collins Hill’s Jonathan Postell (34) is tackled by Central Gwinnett’s Jamal Stewart (9) during the first half of Friday’s game at Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville. Below, Central’s Major Bellamy Jr. (2) celebrates a touchdown with Micah Maxey (8) and Tim Wilkins (54). (Photos: Kyle Hess)
Major Knight Bellamy’s big game powers Central past Collins Hill By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com
LAWRENCEVILLE — In his first varsity start, Micah Maxey knew exactly where to put the football — in Major Bellamy’s hands. The Central Gwinnett quarterback threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns, three to the game-breaking Bellamy, and the Black Knights opened their season Friday night with a 35-29 victory over visiting Collins Hill. The Central defense also forced five Collins Hill turnovers, making enough plays to hold off the Eagles’ ball-control offense.
“That’s a big win for us because we’ve lost two straight years to them,” said Central linebacker Nigel Adams, who intercepted three
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passes, all in the first half. “That’s a huge win for us. That’s going to jump-start our season.” If Collins Hill could have
slowed down Bellamy, the outcome could have been different. Instead, the 5-foot-8, 155-pounder caught seven passes for 163 yards and the three scores, accounting for 170 of Central’s 285 offensive yards. Outside of Bellamy, the Collins Hill defense did a solid job and held the hosts to 33 rushing yards. “Major is Major,” Central head coach Todd Wofford said. “Major’s going to be Major week in and week out. It doesn’t matter how big he is. Even when everybody on the field knows where the ball
MORE INSIDE n GAC, Wesleyan cruise to road wins, 2A n Norcross ekes out win over pesky Brookwood, 3A n Special teams plays lift North Gwinnett, 3A n Chambers, Parkview outlast Mountain View, 5A n For more photos from Friday’s football action, visit www.gwinnett prepsports.com
FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS RUSHERS
• Cameryn Brent, Grayson, 149 yards • Jack Chambers, Parkview, 147 yards • Daniel Leconte, Mill Creek, 145 yards
PASSERS
• Micah Maxey, Central, 252 yards • Zach Olivar, Shiloh, 235 yards • Mathew Edwards, Mountain View, 226 yards
See KNIGHTS, Page 7A
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2A • SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015
Wesleyan demolishes East Hall By Nick Suss
Staff Correspondent
GAINESEVILLE — Wesleyan’s first-team offense was so good at getting off the field Friday night that by the middle of the third quarter, it was off for good. In a dominant effort on both sides of the ball, the Wesleyan Wolves (2-0) continued their hot start to the season behind the quarterback tandem of Banks Ramsey and Cedric Lynch with a 49-6 victory over the East Hall Vikings (0-1). After opening the season with a 56-0 win last week, Wesleyan has now scored nearly as many points in its first two games of 2015 (105) than it did in their first four games of 2014 (109). With a scoring differential nearing three digits after just two games, head coach Franklin Pridgen can’t decide whether he’s been more impressed by his offense or defense in this young season.
WESLEYAN 49, EAST HALL 6
Wesleyan East Hall
14 21 14 0 — 49 0 0 0 6 — 6
FIRST QUARTER Wesleyan: Banks Ramsey pass 7 to Tucker Cannon (Mateo Rengifo kick) 5:14 Wesleyan: Jordan Argilagos run 7 (Rengifo kick) 1:40 SECOND QUARTER Wesleyan: Cedric Lynch run 8 (Rengifo kick) 9:57 Wesleyan: Argilagos run 23 (Rengifo kick) 4:20 Wesleyan: Lynch II run 2 (Rengifo kick) 0:35 THIRD QUARTER Wesleyan: Ramsey run 6 (Rengifo kick) 9:09 Wesleyan: Josh Garrard run 2 (Rengifo kick) 5:13 FOURTH QUARTER East Hall: Austin Parker run 1 (PAT failed) 5:10
“They’re both clicking because our kids work so hard, because they’re so dedicated, because we have great leadership,” Pridgen said. “I’m most impressed about the way that our kids are responding to their coaching and their work ethic.” After a stout defensive showing in the first quar-
ter forced East Hall to go three-and-out four times and gain a total of just 17 yards, Ramsey, Lynch and the offense took over. Lynch, who scored six touchdowns last week, rushed for two more in the second quarter, taking over at quarterback in the red zone on both occasions after Ramsey drove the team down the field. With Ramsey back after missing last week’s game, Pridgen said he knows who his starter is, but that doesn’t mean both won’t see time leading the offense. “Banks is our starter,” Pridgen said. “Cedric is also a starter at three or four other places. But he brings so much to our offense when he’s at quarterback, too. We’d be crazy not to use them both.” Ramsey, Lynch and tailback Jordan Argilagos — who also rushed for two touchdowns in the first half — each averaged more than five yards per carry in the
first two quarters, leading to a 35-0 halftime lead for Wesleyan. Ramsey added a rushing touchdown of his own in the third quarter and Lynch showed out on defense with an interception, but for the most part, the trio was pulled in the second half in favor of the second team. Wesleyan’s offensive dominance was even more impressive when considering the team fumbled on the 5-yard line on its first offensive possession and had a touchdown called back due to a holding penalty in the second quarter. By Pridgen’s assessment, his team’s ability to rebound from those types of mistakes is what sets it apart. “They kept their poise, they got mad at themselves. And they didn’t fall apart,” Pridgen said. “That’s what happens. That kind of character and poise is characteristic of an experienced football team.”
Recruiting Profile
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JUWUAN JONES Junior | Linebacker | Lanier What was your reaction to receiving your first offer from Wisconsin? My first reaction was disbelief because I didn’t even know I was being recruited by Wisconsin. Then after the disbelief, reality set in and I was extremely happy. What other schools have you heard from? I have heard from Wake Forest, Duke, Vanderbilt, UGA, Tennessee, Georgia State, Clemson, UCF, Mississippi State, Florida and others. Is there a school out there you’re hoping to hear from? I am hoping to (receive an offer) from Mississippi State because all of my family went to Mississippi State. And the rest of my family lives in Noxubee County (just south of Starkville, Miss.). Do people ask you a lot where Derrick Brown is going? People don’t really ask me about where Derrick is going. But if I had to guess, it’s probably going to be somewhere in the SEC. What’s on your pregame playlist? Migos, Future, Young Thug and Gucci Mane are in my playlist before games. They get me hyped.
Spartans sprint past North Oconee 55-21 By Cody Pace
Staff Correspondent
BOGART — Greater Atlanta Christian needed just two drives to get into a groove against North Oconee on Friday night. After going three-andout in the first drive, the Spartans (1-1) marched down the field in just two plays on their second drive, capping it off with a 69-yard touchdown from quarterback Davis Mills to Malcolm Cunningham. “It really set the tone of the game,” Mills said. “I was playing with the flow. Everything felt good out there.” That was the beginning
of what would eventually become a 21-point surge in under two minutes when the Spartans added a blocked punt by Davis Markham and a fumble Marcus recovery Young in the end zone by Aiden Jarrett. GAC went on to finish the Titans (0-2) 55-21 with a running clock in the fourth quarter. “It’s huge,” GAC coach Tim Hardy said. “A blocked punt for a touchdown and then forced fumble and recover it in
the end zone. I mean two touchdowns in, I don’t know, a minute and a half or however long it took, so that was huge and really set the tone.” From there, the offense continued to put up points, ending the first quarter with a 34-0 lead and entering halftime with a 55-14 lead. Mills didn’t throw the ball much but was efficient when he did, going 7-for-8 for 135 yards and two touchdowns before coming out at the half in favor of senior Jonathan Waters. Behind Mills was a rushing attack that produced 149 yards, led by Marcus
Young. The senior had 90 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries just one week after he had to miss the season opener due to an illness. “I felt great,” Young said. “When I have a group of guys in front of me blocking for me like that, magical things happen and I can just do what I do out there because of them.” The defense held up its end of the bargain as well. Besides the first unit limiting North Oconee to 14 points in the first half, they managed to force quarterback Sam Middlebrooks to go 11-for-21 and held the Titans to less than 200 yards, including just
17 rushing yards. The Spartans managed this by consistent pressure that included five first-half tackles for loss. For the game, they had six sacks, a quarterback pressure and two pass deflections as well. Senior Ben Masters led GAC with 2.5 sacks. “I think D-line or a combination of that, our blitz packages, really we were in the backfield whether it was in the pass game or the run game and we were able to sort of move the line of scrimmage backwards,” Hardy said. “That’s probably the story of the night in a lot of ways.”
GAC 55, NORTH OCONEE 21
GAC 34 21 0 0 — 55 N. Oconee 0 14 7 0 — 21 FIRST QUARTER GAC: Malcolm Cunningham 69 pass from Davis Mills (Brooks Buce kick) 8:50 GAC: Alex Boglin 2 blocked punt return (Buce kick) 7:21 GAC: Aiden Jarrett 0 fumble return (Buce kick) 7:04 GAC: Marcus Young 17 run (kick failed) 4:08 GAC: Harrison Sloan 27 pass from Mills (Buce kick) 0:18 SECOND QUARTER North Oconee: Da’Marco Canty 18 pass from Sam Middlebrooks (Simon Clarke kick) 10:02 GAC: Davis Markham 5 pass from Mills (Sean Henderson kick) 6:32 GAC: Sloan 47 punt return (Buce kick) 6:03 GAC: Young 2 run (Henderson kick) 2:55 North Oconee: Preston Wilkie 32 pass from Middlebrooks (Clarke kick) 0:44 THIRD QUARTER North Oconee: Canty 45 pass from Middlebrooks (Clarke kick) 3:15 FOURTH QUARTER None
North gets kick out of 29-28 win By David Friedlander david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com
ACWORTH — For the second straight week, it looked like special teams woes were going to cost North Gwinnett dearly, as a pair of miscues in the punt game put the Bulldogs behind. But some positive kicking game karma rolled North’s way in the fourth quarter against North Cobb. Delon Smith’s block of a Warriors field goal led by Matt Andryusky’s incredible 75-yard return for a score to put the Bulldogs in front, while a bad snap on another North Cobb field goal attempt with just over three minutes left helped them keep it and hold on for a 29-28 win Friday night at Emory Sewell Stadium. “What a great play on the blocked field goal. Obviously, that’s a game changer,” North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire said after his team improved to 1-1 on the season. “It’s one of those deals where our kids reached down with tremendous character. Coming out of (a loss to No. 2 state-ranked Colquitt County) last Saturday, to come over here with a great, well-coached football team that’s going to be in the playoffs, and to still win on the road, showed tremendous character. “Early in the year (special teams are) bigger and bigger. And then in the playoffs, it shows back up again, I think. Those were so many momentum swings, and most of them were related to the kicking game.” The first momentum swing actually went the way of North Cobb (0-2) after a 29-yard TD pass from Cade Fortin to K.J. Hancock turned a fourpoint halftime deficit into a 17-14 Bulldogs lead with 8:33 left in the third quarter, followed by a three and out by the North Gwinnett defense. But the ensuing punt was muffed, with Jamal Kuku recovering to give the Warriors possession at the North Gwinnett 37yard line. Quarterback Will Lovett, who was 19 of 31 for 239 yards and a score, went for the end zone on the next play and found it when he hit Drew Tejchman for a 37-yard scoring strike to put the Warriors back in front 21-17 with 7:14 left in the quarter. And when the next North Gwinnett punt went sailing over the head of Grayson Fowler, forcing him to take it out of his own end zone, North Cobb was in business again at the Bulldogs’ 7. Two plays later, Manny Pelzer dove in from 2 yards out to push the Warriors’ led to 28-17 with 2:10 left in the period. But just when it looked like North Cobb was ready to extend its 28-23 lead with just under six minutes remaining, North Gwinnett took advantage of a special teams reversal of fortune. Smith sped in the from the left side and blocked Will Horton’s 41-yard field goal attempt, which Andryusky scooped up at his own 25 before heading out down the right sideline. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior then avoided several tackles and tightroped the sidelines to stay in bounds before sprinting the last of the required 75 yards for the score. After a penalty wiped out the first two-point conversion, the second attempt failed, but the Bulldogs suddenly had a 29-28 lead with 5:29 left.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 • 3A
NORTH GWINNETT 29, NORTH COBB 28
North G. N. Cobb
7 3 7 12 — 29 7 7 14 0 — 28
FIRST QUARTER North Cobb: Will Lovett 13 run (Will Horton kick), 8:04 North Gwinnett: Kameron Pickett 1 run (Manuel Herrera kick), 0:07.5 SECOND QUARTER North Cobb: Lovett 1 run (Horton kick), 10:04 North Gwinnett: Herrera 27 FG, 0:00 THIRD QUARTER North Gwinnett: K.J. Hancock 29 pass from Cade Fortin (Herrera kick), 8:33 North Cobb: Drew Tejchman 37 pass from Lovett (Horton kick), 7:07 North Cobb: Manny Pelzer 1 run (Horton kick), 2:10 FOURTH QUARTER North Gwinnett: Pickett 2 run (pass failed), 9:03 North Gwinnett: Matt Andryusky 75 blocked kick return (run failed), 5:29 NG NC First downs 18 14 Rushes-yards 45-202 32-56 Passing yards 142 239 Att.-Comp.-INT 11-23-0 1 9-31-1 Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0 Penalties-yards 6-55 10-95 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — North Gwinnett: Pickett 25-140, Jordan Frye 13-58, Fortin 5-25, TEAM 2-(-21). North Cobb: C.J. Cole 17-67, Lovett 7-16, Jai Erwin 5-11, Pelzer 1-1, D.J. Render 1-(-2), TEAM 1-(-27). PASSING — North Gwinnett: Fortin 11-23-0, 142. North Cobb: Lovett 19-31-1, 239. RECEIVING — North Gwinnett: Horace Buckley 4-42, Josh Imatorbhebhe 2-45, Frye 2-15, Hancock 1-29, Grayson Fowler 1-11, Pickett 1-0. North Cobb: Tejchman 6-94, Quannie Green 5-69, Dre Cottle 4-30, Render 3-26, Cole 1-37.
“My coaches just told me to stay low and slow down and watch the ball,” Smith said of his blocked kick. “That’s all I did. It feels great.” But as big as that play was, Smith made two more down the stretch to help North Gwinnett keep the lead. The first was his breakup of Lovett’s pass attempt to Dre Cottle near the end zone on third and 10 from the Bulldogs’ 22 that forced North Cobb into another field goal attempt. This time, the snap went too high even for the 6-3 Lovett to corral and rolled all the way back to midfield before the Warriors junior was swarmed under to give North Gwinnett the ball back with 3:08 to play. Then, three plays after North Cobb got the ball back on downs at its own 35 with 39 seconds left, Smith came up big again by picking off Lovett with 10.5 seconds left to seal the win. The biggest difference in the first half was North Cobb’s ability to convert on clutch downs. The Warriors picked up three third-down conversions on their opening drive that covered 61 yards in 11 plays, including one on a 13-yard scramble by Lovett, who found the end zone to put North Cobb up 7-0 with 8:04 left in the first half. North Gwinnett answered with a long drive of its own — a 12-play, 68-yard march late in the opening frame, with Pickett doing much of the damage. The senior, who finished the night with a game-high 140 yards on 24 carries, ran for 37 yards on six carries during the drive, including the final yard to pull the Bulldogs even at 7-all with 7.5 seconds left in the first quarter. But conversions helped North Cobb regain the lead early in the second quarter. A 24-yard completion from Lovett to Tejchman on third down put the Warriors into the red zone, and Lovett dove in from a yard on fourth and goal to put North Cobb back in front 14-7 with 10:04 left in the first half. Meanwhile, North Gwinnett couldn’t convert on third down on its next possession into North Cobb territory, and Manuel Herrera’s 48-yard field goal attempt fell just short to keep the difference at a touchdown.
Norcross’ Michael Cole (15) tries to turn the corner but Brookwood defender Conner Artime (47) grabs him by the jersey, stopping him from getting a first down in Friday’s game. (Photo: Craig Cappy)
Devilish escape
Norcross narrowly defeats Brookwood 17-13 By Paul Thomas
and not being set. It puts us behind the chains … that’s on us. Give Brookwood a lot credit though, I’m SNELLVILLE — There not taking anything away are few things that can from those kids over there turn the momentum in a because they played their football game quicker than hearts out. Coach (Phillip) a turnover. Friday’s game Jones ought to be proud.” between Norcross and The Blue Devils’ (2-0) Brookwood featured a com- defense picked up right bined six turnovers between where it left off in the secthe two teams. ond half last week against The Blue Devils conValdosta early on Friday trolled the momentum early night. Norcross forced with a pair of first-quarter Brookwood (0-2) fumbles fumble recoveries, only to on the Broncos’ first two give the momentum (and possessions of the game. the lead) back to the host The second Brookwood Broncos with two secondturnover came on a bobbled half turnovers of their own. direct snap to Matthew Hill, Ultimately the game’s final who recovered the ball only turnover — a Kendrew to have Montgomery rip the Wynn interception returned ball from his hands and race 25 yards for a touchdown 45 yards for a 10-0 lead. — allowed Norcross to Brookwood got on the escape with a 17-13 victory. board as time expired in the Norcross’ offense failed first half on a 47-yard field to find the end zone — with goal from Mitch Barry. The its only other touchdown kick capped off an 11-play coming on a 45-yard drive that began at the Bronfumble return by Monty cos own seven-yard line Montgomery in the first with 2:35 on the clock. quarter — turned the ball In the third quarter, a over three times and the 48-yarder from Barry cut team was racked up 170 the lead to just four points. yards on 19 penalties. After an interception by “Defensively, a pick and Leonard Warner the Brona fumble recovery for a cos’ offense finally broke touchdown — Monty did through. On the ensuing it and then the big play by play, Northwestern verbal Kendrew for a pick-six — commit Jesse Brown raced the defense played great,” 38 yards to paydirt to put Norcross head coach Keith Brookwood ahead 13-10 Maloof said. “At times we with 2:54 left in the third didn’t play good, we gave quarter. them too much yards but With 4:01 remaining those things will be correct- in the game, Brookwood ed. I was very disappointed came up with what at the in our offense for the penal- time looked like a knockout ties, the motion penalties punch when it recovered a paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com
Baron Radcliff fumble at its own 20. Radcliff had moved a pile of Bronco defenders six yards for a first down, but at the last moment the ball was stripped out and recovered by defensive lineman Shane DeFreitas, who was swarmed by teammates when he made it to the sideline with the football. The celebration lasted just one play. On the first play of the drive, Wynn stepped in front of Tanner Winskie’s pass and returned it 25 yards for the win. “I knew he was going to try to throw a little screen route because I saw everybody come out my way,” Wynn said. “When the ball got high and wobbly I just went up for it because I knew I could get it, and then I just caught it. I thought I was going to drop it, and then I just scored and that was the end of the game.” That wasn’t the end of the game though as the Broncos had one final chance at the upset victory. On 4th-and-4 from inside their own 20, Brookwood picked up a first down on a Blue Devils’ pass interference. On the next play, Dorian Miles, who had 12 catches for 103 yards, gained 22 yards to move the ball to the 50-yard line. The Norcross defense stepped again though as Nazir Sy picked up his second sack of the night four plays later to allow Radcliff the run out the remainder of the clock. “I couldn’t be prouder of the fight and determination and the grit that we played
NORCROSS 17 BROOKWOOD 13
Norcross 10 0 0 7 — 17 Brookwood 0 3 10 0 — 13 FIRST QUARTER Norcross: Cole Hanna 27 field goal, 4:02 Norcross: Monty Montgomery 45 fumble return (Hanna kick), 3:25 SECOND QUARTER Brookwood: Mitch Barry 47 field goal, 0:00 THIRD QUARTER Brookwood: Barry 48 field goal, 8:55 Brookwood: Jesse Brown 38 run (Barry kick), 2:54 FOURTH QUARTER Norcross: Kendrw Wynn 25 interception return (Hanna kick), 3:51 NOR BW First downs 13 11 Rushes-yards 30-100 29-112 Passing yards 129 167 Comp-Att.-Int. 11-22-2 20-38-1 Fumbles-lost 1 2 Penalties-yards 19-170 5-50 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Norcross: Baron Radcliff 10-44; Necholas Sermons 12-38. Brookwood: Jesse Brown 22-124; Matthew Hill 3-13. PASSING — Norcross: Radcliff 7-15-1, 65; Max Tracey 4-7-1, 50. Brookwood: Tanner Winskie 2038-1, 167 RECEIVING — Norcross: Jacobe Burrell 3-32; Michael Cole 3-30; Necholas Sermons 2-27. Brookwood: Dorian Miles 12-103; Keith Coffee 4-45.
with for four quarters,” Brookwood head coach Phillip Jones said. “The guys played their tail off from beginning to end. Not a lot of folks gave them much of a chance, but we believe in ourselves and they’re still going to believe in each other and we showed them. It was a heck of an effort by our guys. We just made a couple critical mistakes. We gave them a strip-sack touchdown and we gave them a pick-six. Other than that we were right there.”
Grayson runs all over Gainesville 34-0 By Scott Smith
tor Rob Patton, who was coaching his first game in that position. Grayson 6 21 7 0 — 34 Gainesville quarterback Gainesville 0 0 0 0 — 0 GAINESVILLE — Messiah Mason was sacked FIRST QUARTER Grayson opened its 2015 at least six times in his first Grayson: Will VanPamelen 38 FG, 8:36 season the same way it did start at signal caller, with Grayson: VamPamelen 47 FG, in 2014, with a shuout of two of those coming from 3:43 SECOND QUARTER Gainesville, this time blankBryce Smith. Grayson: Cameryn Brent 3 run ing the Red Elephants 34-0 Special teams were also (VanPamelen kick) 7:29 on Friday night at Bobby strong, led by sophomore Grayson: Brent 12 run (VanPamelen kick) Gruhn Field in City Park. Will VanPamelen, who Grayson: Denzel Wright 26 int reThe Rams (1-0) funcconverted 2 of 3 field goals turn (VanPamelen kick) 2:36 THIRD QUARTER tioned well in all three facets and consistently placed his Grayson: Evan Sturgill 81 pass of the game, led by 149 kickoffs and punts deep in from Chase Brice (VanPamelen kick) 3:16 yards and two touchdowns Gainesville territory. from running back Cameryn None FOURTH QUARTER It was VanPamelen who Brent. helped give Grayson an “Our offensive line game going,” Grayson head early lead with two field works so hard everyday in coach Mickey Conn said. goals in the first quarter. practice,” Brent said. “I just “(Cameryn) Brent and our Grayson put together two followed behind them. We offensive line had a great solid drives in the opening just wanted to prove how game. I’m also proud of our frame, but the Gainesville hard we’ve worked in the defense because Gainesville defense stiffened each time offseason.” has an explosive offense and and forced a field goal atQuarterback Chase Brice it’s tough to post a shutout tempt. also had a solid night, finish- against them.” VanPamelen came ing with 175 yards on 9 of The Grayson defense through on both occassions, 17 attempts, including an held the Red Elephants (0-1) connecting on kicks of 38 81-yard TD pass to Evan to 120 total yards, despite and 47 yards to help the Sturgill. a solid rushing game from Rams build an early 6-0 On the night, the Rams Chris Byrd (15 carries, 74 lead. rolled up 425 total yards on yards). But in the second quarter, offense with 20 first downs. The effort from the the Rams finally figured out “I thought we started a lit- defense was strong enough a way to finish off a drive. tle bit anxious in the begin- the Conn awarded the game With a possession that ning, but we got our running ball to defensive coordinastarted late in the first quarscott.smith@ gwinnettdailypost.com
GRAYSON 34 GAINESVILLE 0
ter, the Rams methodically used 16 plays to cover 82 yards, chewing up 6:56 and picking up five first downs along the way. Brent capped off that drive with a 3-yard run, using a strong second effort to cross the goal line. Two possessions later, the Rams put together another scoring drive, although this one needed just two plays to 48 yards. Brent carried the ball both times on that quick drive, running for 36 yards on the first and scoring from 12 yards out with the next rush to push the Rams out in front 20-0. The next play for Gainesville resulted in another Grayson score, this time coming from the defense as linebacker Denzel Wright settled back into a zone and snared quarterback Messiah Dorsey’s pass, returning it 26 yards for the TD. Comfortably ahead in the third, the Rams found the end zone once more, this time through its passing game when Brice connected with Sturgill up the middle on an 81-yard TD strike.
4A • SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015
gwinnettprepsports.com
Powerful Buford overwhelms Pats By John Byrwa
Staff Correspondent
Providence’s Mitchell Miller (10) attempts a pass with pressure from St. Francis defenders Chandler White (56) and Alex Meredith. (Photo: Jack Lewis)
‘On the right track’
St. Francis needs strong 2nd half to put away Storm
By Scott Scredon
ST. FRANCIS 38, PROVIDENCE 7
Staff Correspondent
SNELLVILLE — Despite a valiant effort by Providence Christian’s defense and a 95-yard kickoff return by senior Jeremy Hardnett, the visiting St. Francis Knights’ potent rushing attack rolled up 461 yards and defeated the Storm 38-7 on Friday night at Shiloh Community Stadium. A quartet of Knights running backs proved too much for Providence (0-1), which is playing its second year of varsity football. The leader was Avery Showell, who rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns, staking St. Francis to a 24-7 halftime lead. Jordan Ferguson rushed for another 147 yards, Zach Wanamaker tacked on 66 more, and quarterback Matt Davis ran for 64. Ferguson and Wanamaker each had second half TDs. Hardnett supplied the most excitement for the home crowd. After two touchdowns by Showell and a 27-yard field goal by Dayrian Basco provided St. Francis with a comfortable 17-0 lead midway
St. Francis 7 17 14 0 — 38 Providence 0 7 0 0 — 7
St. Francis’ Zach Wanamaker (44) runs into the line, in pursuit are Providence’s Daniel Martin (44), Max Carter (32), Ben Ellison (55) and Will Ringold (75). (Photo: Jack Lewis)
FIRST QUARTER St. Francis: Avery Showell 57 run (Dayrian Basco kick) 9:31 SECOND QUARTER St. Francis: Basco 27 FG 11:24 St. Francis: Showell 31 run (Basco kick) 7:38 Providence: Jeremy Hardnett 95 kickoff return ((Nick Chung kick) 7:19 St. Francis: Jordan Ferguson 10 run (Basco kick) 2:55 THIRD QUARTER St. Francis: Zach Wanamaker 7 run (Basco kick) 10:03 St. Francis: Ferguson 27 run (Basco kick) 2:46 FOURTH QUARTER None
in the second quarter, Hardnett took the ensuing kickoff at the Providence 5 and pulled away at midfield for a 95-yard touchdown that pulled the Storm within 17-7. St. Francis (1-0) responded with a 71-yard, eight-play drive to push its lead to 24-7. Providence had a golden opportunity to tighten the game and score right before the half when it recovered a St. Francis fumble at the visitors’ 11. Max Carter plowed to the 6 on first down, but the drive stalled, and Nick Chung’s 27-yard field goal attempt was short.
hard in the second half,” Robinson said. St. Francis scored two easy touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away. It took the opening second half kickoff and drove 96 yards in only four plays with Wanamaker going over from the 7 to make it 31-7. Later in the quarter, Ferguson completed the scoring on a 27-yard TD run for his second TD. Carter led all Providence rushers with 41 yards on 12 carries, while quarterback Mitchell Miller had 29 yards on 10 carries.
Despite the opening game loss, Providence head coach Ken Robinson feels his team is making progress. “We’re on the right track,” Robinson said. “Last year, most of our games were over after the first quarter. But we had an opportunity to score right before the half and it could have been a different game.” Robinson praised his team for key plays and its persistence, particularly on defense. “We had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown where we blocked well, and we continued to fight
Olivar nearly passes Shiloh to win From Staff Reports POWDER SPRINGS — Behind the play of its opportunistic defense and timely offense, Hillgrove hung on for a 27-19 victory over visiting Shiloh on Friday. The game was the debut of new Shiloh head coach Ryan Andrews. “I thought the kids played hard,” Hillgrove head coach Phil Ironside said. “We’re young offensively. We’re making a lot of mistakes right now. Turnovers have been a problem for us and some silly penalties. I think if we work out some of those kinks we’ll be good.” Shiloh found itself with a chance to tie the game after it took over on offense at its own 16-yard with two minutes remaining, but the Hawks’ defense stood strong and forced the Generals to turn the ball over on downs to seal the game. Shiloh’s offense found some success thanks to the arm of quarterback Zach Olivar. The senior passed for 235 yards and two touchdowns and kept the Generals within striking distance the whole game.
Hawks, they struggled to find any rhythm on offense for the majority of the first half. That may be expected when a team is without its starting quarterback from its previous 14 games as senior Matt Wilson was out for Friday’s game. Parks was admirable in place of Wilson as the junior passed for 141 yards and ran for 71 more. The Generals made life difficult for the Hawks in the first half. While Hillgrove struggled to find its rhythm, Shiloh was able to find some as Olivar hooked up with Jamari Meyers on a 40yard touchdown with one minute to go in the first quarter. Though the Hillgrove offense fought inconsistency for the majority of Shiloh quarterback Jarren Williams (2) looks for a the game, the Hawks’ teammate to pass the ball to during a Friday night defense provided help on game against Hillgrove. (Photo: Katherine Frye) the scoreboard. The unit recovered a Shiloh fumble The Hawks suffered smarter.” for a touchdown in the from many self-inflicted The game started out second quarter and came wounds throughout the swimmingly for Hillgrove up with a critical intercepnight. They had two costly as quarterback Bryson tion that set up the Hawks’ second-half fumbles that Parks connected with final three points of the breathed life into Shiloh. Xavier Collins a on 35game. “I feel like we’re getyard strike on Hillgrove’s “The defense played ting better every week,” first offensive play of the good,” Ironside said. “I Ironside said. “I think our game. thought our defense held kids are playing hard. We Though that play looked them in check most of the have just got to be a little to be a good omen for the night.”
BUFORD — With arguably their toughest test of the season looming next week at McEachern, the Buford Wolves could not have asked for a better tune-up opponent Friday night at Tom Riden Stadium. Facing the young and rebuilding Berkmar Patriots, the Wolves put on display the type of sheer dominance that has come to define their perennial march to prominence in Georgia prep football. The final score was 77-0, but it really wasn’t that close. In the first quarter, Buford (2-0, 0-0) needed just seven offensive plays to score three touchdowns to make it 21-0 before many of their faithful found their seats. Senior Martin Mangram opened the scoring with a 1-yard plunge, sophomore Anthony Grant was untouched on a 4-yard touchdown run and Mangram added another score on a 10-yard run up the middle. And when senior Brandon Marsh caught a wobbling Berkmar punt and raced 32 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-0 with 53 seconds in the opening quarter, the rout was on. Afterward, Buford head coach Jess Simpson was almost apologetic for such a lopsided outcome. “That wasn’t our intent,” said Simpson, who watched his defending Class AAAA state championship team win its eyepopping 42nd consecutive game. “It’s just one of those deals and that’s how it worked out.” Almost as pleasing to Simpson as the outcome was the fact that he was able to get so many players into the game. While resting all of his starters, most of whom called it a night before halftime, in preparation of their muchanticipated meeting with the third-ranked Indians. Earning individual praise from Simpson was junior lineman Edgar Bravo, who got a chance to show off his power running when he got some snaps at fullback. He did not disappoint, either, gaining 12 yards on four carries. “Bravo, what a great kid,” Simpson said. “Bravo is a team and a fan favorite. I told the kids it was a lot of fun. There’s a bunch of boys who don’t start and don’t play in the first half a lot of times but they do a lot of hard work for us and it was fun to see them play and do well. “And it was fun to see our old guys pulling and rooting for them.” In all, the Wolves got carries from 13 different players while churning out 301 yards rushing. Damien Brown led the way with 41 yards, including a 23-yard scamper for a touchdown in the third quarter that made it 70-0. Other highlights for the Wolves included junior A.J. Wansley taking the opening kickoff of the second half and racing 88
BUFORD 77, BERKMAR 0
Buford Berkmar
28 28 21 0 — 77 0 0 0 0 — 0
FIRST QUARTER Buford: Martin Mangram 1 run (Jarett Burgos kick) 8:08 Buford: Anthony Grant 4 run (Daniel Garcia kick) 4:55 Buford: Mangram 10 run (Burgos kick) 2:22 Buford: Brandon Marsh 32 punt return (Garcia kick) :53 SECOND QUARTER Buford: Mic Roof 40 pass to Marsh (Burgos kick) 11:03 Buford: Roof 8 pass to Jake Simpson (Garcia kick) 7:29 Buford: Josh Blackwell 13 run (Burgos kick) 5:17 Buford: A.J. Wansley 6 run (Garcia kick) 1:55 THIRD QUARTER Buford: Wansley 88 kickoff return (Burgos kick) 11:43 Buford: Damien Brown 23 run (Burgos kick) 5:58 Buford: Corey Burnett 21 run (Burgos kick) 4:00 FOURTH QUARTER None
yards for a touchdown; Mic Roof’s pass in the right flat to Marsh, who raced virtually untouched for a 40-yard score; Roof’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Jake Simpson; and junior Corey Burnett’s 21-yard touchdown run that closed the scoring. Not surprisingly, there were literally zero highlights for the overmatched Patriots (0-2), who were playing just their second game under first-year head coach Kenan Dever. They couldn’t run the ball, pass the ball, punt the ball or tackle very well. Like many of this teammates, quarterback Jeremiah Scott is sure to wake up Saturday morning plenty sore and bruised. When he wasn’t running for his life, he was being gang-tackled by a ferocious Buford defense. In all, Scott completed just 8 of 19 passes for 33 yards. Most telling of Buford’s dominance was the fact the first play of any kind to be run in Wolves’ territory didn’t occur until less than 2 minutes remained in the first half. “You know what, we really didn’t know what to expect with the new coach there and all of that,” Simpson said. “We really worked on us this week. We had a really good week of preparation. And what I told them was I was pleased that they did what they were supposed to do, and we got to enjoy letting everybody get some time on this grass.” So now the Wolves set their sights on McEachern, which will have had two whole weeks to prepare for what is sure to be a slugfest featuring two of Class AAAA’s toughest heavyweights. “I’ll be honest with you, last week was plenty tough,” Simpson said, referring to his team’s hard-fought 27-20 seasonopening win over Eastern Christian Academy of Elkton, Md. “(McEachern) had a week off to get ready for us … I don’t know. We’re such a young team, we need every chance we could get to go out and compete and rehearse the things we need to do well in games. “For a young team, you can’t do enough of this right here. We’re learning how to play football right now.”
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 • 5A
Lions bring down another AAA foe By Jay Black
HEBRON 42, ST. FRANCIS 28
Staff Correspondent
Parkview’s Jack Chambers (8) leaps through the air to break through a tackle while running the ball during Friday’s high school football game against the Mountain View Bears at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)
Better View
Chambers leads Parkview to 33-27 win By Brandon Brigman
Staff Correspondent
LAWRENCEVILLE — In 2007, George W. Bush was finishing his second term as U.S. President, the iPhone was just released and it was the last time Parkview started the season 2-0. Parkview quarterback Jack Chambers changed that on Friday. The senior accounted for 367 yards and four touchdowns as the Panthers defeated Mountain View 33-27. “Obviously, he’s a phenomenal player,” Parkview head coach Eric Godfree said. “He throws the ball great, but even better if protection breaks down or they have coverage downfield, his feet — he sees it and knows when to run. He’s dangerous in the open field. He’s a special football player.” Mountain View was trying to give first-year head coach Nick Bach his first win, but the Bears dropped to 0-2. Mountain View lost to South Forsyth 45-14 and was a 19-point underdog to Parkview according to the Maxwell Ratings. “It hurts terribly because they did play very hard,” Bach said. “Parkview is a good team. I’m sure they are going to have a very good season. Our guys played as hard as they could. Unfortunately, it was
a game of turnovers and it bit us at the end of the game and we didn’t come out on top.” Mountain View had two interceptions and a fumble. The Bears had the chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter when they drove to the Parkview 14 but couldn’t convert on fourth down. “The defense stood strong in the red zone time and time again,” Godfree said. “I’m proud of our defense. They bent but didn’t break.” Parkview responded with a 14-play scoring drive that took up 4:10 on the clock. Deion Slade scored on a 7-yard run to put the Panthers ahead 33-21 with 3:32 left in the game. The Bears responded with back-up quarterback Mathew Edwards throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Devin Robinson to make it 33-27 with 1:49. Mountain View was unable to recover the onside kick and Parkview ran out the clock. “Mountain View played hard. Hats off to them,” Godfree said. “We should have played better, but Mountain View played hard and tough and gave us a battle we weren’t expecting.” It was a great start for Mountain View as Nick Harris began the game with 90-yard kickoff return to give the Bears a 7-0 lead.
The senior running back had 78 yards rushing on 20 carries, but missed most of the fourth quarter with leg cramps. Parkview needed just three plays to tie the game as Chambers raced 87 yards down the right sideline on third down to tie it 7-7. Chambers finished with 147 yards rushing on 18 carries. The Panthers took the lead on their next possession. Chambers converted third-down passes of 43 yards to Johnathan Boyd and 19 yards to Tyler Fleetwood to set up his two-yard TD run and go ahead 13-7 after the PAT failed. Mountain View responded with a 17-play, 65-yard drive that took up nearly seven minutes. Dylan Hill caught a 14-yard pass from Alex Scott to put the Bears ahead 14-13 with 22 seconds left in the first quarter. Scott was 7 of 13 passing for 42 yards. The senior battled cramps in the second half and sophomore Mathew Edwards took most of the snaps, completing 17 of 29 passes for 226 yards. “Matty came in and did a good job,” Bach said. “He got Baptized in his development.” Chambers tossed a 49yard touchdown pass to Fleetwood to give Parkview the lead again 19-14 after the two-point conversion with 9:44 left in the half. Chambers was 18 of 33 for
PARKVIEW 33 MOUNTAIN VIEW 27
Parkview Mnt. View
13 13 0 7 — 33 14 7 0 6 — 27
FIRST QUARTER Mountain View: Nick Harris 90 kickoff return (Ty Booker kick) 11:48 Parkview: Jack Chambers 87 run (Will Chandler kick) 10:43 Parkview: Chambers 2 run (kick failed) 7:15 Mountain View: Dylan Hill 14 pass from Alex Scott (Booker kick) :22 SECOND QUARTER Parkview: Tyler Fleetwood 49 pass from Chambers (2-point conversion failed) 9:53 Mountain View: Alex Scott 1 run (Booker kick) 6:19 Parkview: Chamber 4 run (Chandler kick) 2:04 THIRD QUARTER None FOURTH QUARTER Parkview: Deion Slade 7 run (Chandler kick) 3:32 Mountain View: Devin Robinson 3 pass from Mathew Edwards (kick failed) 1:49
220 yards passing. Mountain View got great field possession at the 48 on the kickoff. The Bears needed nine plays to get Scott in the end zone on a 1-yard run to give Mountain View a 21-19 lead. That’s the last time the Bears led. Mountain View fumbled on its next possession and Justin Harrison recovered at the 24. Parkview capitalized with an eight-yard TD run by Chambers to go ahead 26-21. Mountain View’s Scott was intercepted by Derrion Warner on the Bears’ next possession. Alex Davis eliminated another Parkview’s drive with a sack on third down.
ATLANTA — For the third straight season, Hebron Christian is 2-0. This breeds a lot of confidence. “We are on the map,” senior defensive back/wide receiver Zach Reed said. Two wins over opponents two classes above you should put you on the map. It also allows you to get caught in the moment a little. “Undefeated,” senior running back/defensive back Steve Dubose said when asked how far his team can go. “15-0. That’s the way I see it.” Confidence is good. Hebron might be, too, or at least they were on Friday with a 42-28 handling of Mount Vernon (0-2). The Lions play in Region 8-A, but this is the second straight week they’ve played an opponent at the AAA level. Once again, they were clearly the better team. But taking advantage of two huge penalties doesn’t hurt either. After a scoreless first quarter, Hebron mounted the first serious threat of the game as the second period began. Quarterback Chris McGee was stopped on a third down run at the 20 yardline. But the last hit he took came in late, giving the Lions an extra 10 yards and a first down. Dubose found the end zone on the next play. The Mustangs crossed finally crossed midfield for the first time on the next series and decided to go for it on fourth-and-3 from Hebron 47-yard line. But defensive lineman John Dussling forced quarterback Jacob Cavender to throw his pass away. Flag down. Intentional grounding the call. First down Lions at the Mount Vernon 37. It took one play. Dubose ran right up the gut for his second score of the night. “He’s our iron horse,” head coach Kevin Shaffer said. The Lions aren’t anything if they can’t run the ball. They had 230 yards in a win over East Jackson last week and added another 180 against the Mustangs. Dubose is the main man, but McGee is just as important. The senior got his touchdown on an impressive 32-yard quarterback sweep with 90 seconds left in the half. It appeared to be the first steps of a total whitewash. The running game was getting going and the Hebron
Hebron St. Francis None
0 21 0 21 — 42 0 0 14 14 — 28
FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER Hebron: Steve Dubose 10 yard run (Thomas Beveridge kick) 11:30 Hebron: Dubose 37 yard run (Beveridge kick) 6:58 Hebron: Chris McGee 32 yard run (Beveridge kick) 1:28 THIRD QUARTER Mount Vernon: Ahmir Lee 45 yard run (Devon Morris kick) 11:28 Mount Vernon: Lee 4 yard run (Morris kick) 10:22 FOURTH QUARTER Hebron: Troy Allen 23 yard pass from McGee (Beveridge kick) 11:53 Hebron: Bryce Riley 45 yard pass from McGee (Beveridge kick) 10:54 Hebron: Riley 1 yard run (Beveridge kick) 6:40 Mount Vernon: Lee 1 yard run (Kendall Jasper pass from Jacob Cavender) 10:22 Mount Vernon: Lee 3 yard run (conversion failed) 0:27
defense was shutting down Mount Vernon’s very solid passing attack. “They ran a lot of screens and stuff out to the flats,” Shaffer said. “They didn’t go down field as much, which surprised me.” Cavender completed his first 10 passes, but for only 44 yards. You can thank Reed and Dubose in the secondary for that. “Their corners are as good as you will find in Single-A football,” Mount Vernon head coach Wayne Dabbs said. Dabbs’ offense finally did open up in the third quarter and closed the gap to 21-14. In a related story, Dubose also left the game mid-way through the third period with a leg injury. “I think it’s just a bruise,” Shaffer said. “He could have played if we need him to.” The Parkview transfer finished with 66 yards on 10 carries and two TDs. While Dubose was out, his backup and his quarterback made sure the offense kept moving. Bryce Riley’s first touch after the injury was a 21-yard run. On the next series McGee hit a wide open Troy Allen for a 23-yard TD to make it 28-14. The Lions then recovered Thomas Beveridge’s onside pooch kick and scored again when McGee hit Riley on a 45-yard screen pass on the next play. Riley added another 1-yard TD run to put this thing away. “Riley is our changeup,” Shaffer said. “He’s kind of in the background, in the shadows. He’s fast and quick and kind of hides behind guys as he runs.” Riley finished with 45 yards on 10 carries.
Penalties costly for Duluth Mill Creek cruises through in 28-23 loss to Northview 51-13 win over W. Forsyth By Robinns Exume
quarterback Paul Miller scored on an 11 yard run. After driving for a second DULUTH — In the game quarter field goal and yieldof football, any great effort ing another rushing touchcan be undone by poor down, Duluth would get its execution. Thus was the offense into gear. Quartercase Friday night as a host back Isaiah Grim converted of penalties and ill-timed a key third down with a mistakes bit Duluth as it pass to Cortez Buchholz to fell to Northview 28-23 last get the ball into Northview night in its home opener. territory. “Tremendous effort, The duo hooked up again terrible execution,” Duluth later in the drive as Grim head coach Bob Swank said. found Buchholz a yard deep Things looked bleak for in the end zone to cut the Duluth from the outset as a halftime deficit to 12-10 in fumble on its first play from a game that had a combined scrimmage resulted in a 15 penalties in the first half. turnover, giving Northview Duluth special teams possession at the Wildcat would have its share of 15-yard line. However, the errors in the third quarWildcat defense would hold ter as it surrendered two thanks in part to two high 70-yard kickoff returns to snaps that resulted in 20 receiver Jair Anderson. Both yards of lost yardage for returns would result in TDs Northview. as running back Meeka Both teams struggled Nwanze scored his second offensively as penalties and touchdown of the game on solid defensive play kept a 16-yard run up the middle the game scoreless midway after the first return. Later through the opening quarter. in the quarter, Miller would However, Northview was put Duluth in an 11-point able to get the ball inside the hole as he would scramble Wildcat 20-yard line where and find receiver A.J. Green Staff Correspondent
NORTHVIEW 28, DULUTH 23
Northview 6 6 16 0 — 28 Duluth 0 10 7 6 — 23 FIRST QUARTER Northview: Paul Miller 14 run (conversion failed) 5:24 SECOND QUARTER Duluth: Jose Linares 26 FG 11:49 Northview: Meeka Nwanze 11 run (PAT failed) 8:33 Duluth: Cortez Buchholz 11 pass from Isaiah Grimm (Linares kick) :08 THIRD QUARTER Northview: Nwanze 16 run (Nwanze 2 run) 10:47 Duluth: Hunter Seabrook 2 run (Linares kick) 4:02 Northview: A.J. Green 22 pass from Miller (Miller 2 run) FOURTH QUARTER Duluth: Tylan Bailey 28 pass from Jalil El-Amin (conversion failed) 9:27
open along the sideline for a score and a 28-17 Duluth deficit. The Wildcats would be up to the task as Grim would lead Duluth down the field only to have to leave the game due to injury. On the very next play, backup quarterback Jalil El-Amin would find Tylan Bailey open along the left sideline as he beat his defender, adjusted to the ball and just got into the end zone to cut Northview’s lead to 28-23.
By Taylor Denman
they did.” Mill Creek forced three turnovers on the night, HOSCHTON — The including an interception Mill Creek Hawks folfrom defensive back Chase lowed up last week’s Corky Turner returned for a touchKell performance with yet down in the first quarter. another dominating win. Mill Creek quarterback The Hawks (2-0) comCameron Turley found his pleted a 51-13 rout of West timing early in the game Forsyth (0-1) in Hoschton when he connected with on Friday night. The Mill receiver Braxton Richburg Creek defense gave up 13 on an 82-yard touchdown points to the Wolverines pass on the first play from in the second quarter, and scrimmage. Mill Creek proceeded to shut out their extended its lead to 17 unguests from Cumming, answered points following holding the West Forsyth a 26-yard field goal from offense to just 92 yards in kicker Brenton King. the final two quarters. Turley finished the night Mill Creek took a with 168 yards in the air 17-point lead in the first through just over three quarter, and saw that disquarters of play, but it solve to just 7 points by the was Mill Creek’s rushing end of the half. That same performance that allowed defense turned around and the Hawks to coast for the shut out West Forsyth in the remainder of the game. second half. “We had some offensive “Defensively, in the line issues in the first half, second half you started to but Daniel (Leconte) really see our turnovers,” Jarvis responded at the beginning said. “I told the kids at of the second half with a halftime that it was on them couple of nice runs,” Jarvis and they had to fix it. So said. “We’re excited about give them credit because Daniel and he has a chance
Staff Correspondent
MILL CREEK 51 WEST FORSYTH 13
W. Forsyth 0 13 0 0 — 13 Mill Creek 17 3 17 14 — 51 FIRST QUARTER Mill Creek: Cameron Turley 82 pass to Braxton Richburg (Brenton King kick), 9:22 Mill Creek: King 26 FG, 4:56 Mill Creek: Chase Turner 7 INT, 1:08 SECOND QUARTER West Forsyth: Austin Roper 1 run (Bryce Jones no good), 11:56 Mill Creek: King 18 FG, 5:22 West Forsyth: Kiernen Hamilton 69 pass to Garrett Broxson (Jones kick), :22 THIRD QUARTER Mill Creek: Daniel Leconte 6 run (King kick), 9:04 Mill Creek: Leconte 8 run (King kick), 5:37 Mill Creek: King 25 FG, :16 FOURTH QUARTER Mill Creek: Joe Thomas 1 run (King kick), 11:23 Mill Creek: Jones 8 run (King kick), 4:25
to be a great back. He’s played well the first two weeks and I believe there is another level he could play at.” Leconte led the Hawks in rushing with 145 yards on 21 attempts and came away with two TDs. Mill Creek’s Joe Thomas took over the game in the final quarter, rushing for 67 yards and scoring twice.
6A • SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015
gwinnettprepsports.com
gwinnett football league
Buford’s Jay Sheppard (25) is pursued during a game against Lanier during last weekend’s Gwinnett Football League opener.
FUTURE of FOOTBALL Photos by Katie McKenna
The Gwinnett Football League’s players and cheerleaders of the week — athletes were selected by his or her coach: FOOTBALL
BUFORD BUFORD 12-year-old NL North: Ben Martin Eighth Grade, Division I: Parker Wroble COLLINS HILL COLLINS HILL 12-year-old NL East: Aaron McNair DACULA DACULA 7-year-old NL North: Stroud Morris 11-year-old NL South: Kyle Efford 12-year-old NL North: Gabriel Prokes Eighth grade AL South: Jadyn Bost DULUTH DULUTH 8th grade NL South: Terry Lockhart GRAYSON GRAYSON 12-year-old AL North: Jared Bradshaw LAWRENCEVILLE LAWRENCEVILLE 6-year-old AL North: Raymichael Williams Jr. 10-year-old AL East: Laterick Kay Eighth grade AL North: Anthony Harris LOGANVILLELOGANVILLE 8-year-old AL South: Makenzie Cowan 11-year-old AL East: Blake Kennedy MOUNTAIN VIEW MOUNTAIN VIEW 8-year-old NL South: Taj Jones 10-year-old NL North: Raphel Nelson PARKVIEW PARKVIEW 7-year-old AL North: Bryce Green 9-year-old AL East: Keyon Woods 10-year-old AL East: Tyler Armstrong 11-year-old AL North: Christian Dunahoo PEACHTREE RIDGE PEACHTREE RIDGE 10-year-old AL South: Devin Campbell SHILOH SHILOH 7-year-old AL North: Rashaan Robinson 10-year-old AL North: Kahmi Beard CHEERLEADING ARCHER ARCHER Fifth grade: Andrea Artemus DACULA DACULA Second grade: Lola Monroe Fifth grade: Tori Totman Seventh grade: AvaMarie Paolini DULUTH DULUTH Third grade: Madison Jones Fourth grade: Zoey Hanson Eighth grade: Keyair Brown LOGANVILLELOGANVILLE First/second grade: Elayna Cox Third grade: Grace Frazier Fourth grade: Brianna Parrett Fifth/sixth grade: Taylor Campbell PARKVIEW PARKVIEW 6-year-old: Tsanaa Turner Sixth grade: Tori Human Seventh grade: Grace Staggs PEACHTREE RIDGE PEACHTREE RIDGE Fifth grade: Kaitlyn Park SHILOH SHILOH First/second grade: Gabrielle Anis Third grade: Niajah Hill Fourth grade: Sydney McBride Fifth grade: Besa Prince Sixth grade: Kayla Favors Seventh grade: I’sis Jones Eighth grade: Asia Williams
Buford 7-year-old football players celebrate bringing down Lanier’s ball carrier during last weekend’s Gwinnett Football League opener. Lanier cheerleader Bailey Thorton gets the crowd going during last weekend’s Gwinnett Football League opener.
Lanier players pursue the Lawrenceville sweep during last weekend’s Gwinnett Football League opener.
Buford cheerleaders run off the field during the Gwinnett Football League’s opener last weekend. Left, Buford’s Colton Crawford smiles during the 7-year-old Gwinnett Football League opener against Lanier.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 • 7A
gwinnettprepsports.com
Coach’s Take TIM HARDY Head coach | Greater Atlanta Christian What’s your favorite part of coaching high school football? First is the relationships. Relationships with players and relationships with coaches. There is nothing like the brotherhood of the guys in the locker room and coaches’ office. These relationships are true because they have been forged in the common pursuit of a grand goal. Second is the annual challenge of trying to figure out the team and working to build it into something special. For me, the goal every year is to maximize the team and see it become its absolute best. Each team is new and different and so many different aspects affect the life of the team. The challenge of understanding team dynamics, managing personnel and navigating the ups and downs of the season truly makes every year exciting. What’s the most challenging part of being a high school football coach? The greatest challenge is managing the breadth of demands on the program while truly pursuing excellence in all areas. There are so many facets to a high school football program and if you want every part of the program to reflect your values, you have to be involved in many different things. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by a tremendous coaching staff and dedicated parent workers. We share the same program values and their work makes my job much more manageable. Who are your role models and why? We are all a product of the people who have invested in our lives and I am fortunate to have had many great mentors and co-workers. However, two stick out. The first is my own father, John Hardy. He set a great example as a tremendously hard worker who led with purpose and intentionality. He balanced that by really caring about all of the people in his organization, especially those often overlooked. The combination of those two strong character traits set a great example for me, my brothers and others in our community. The second is my college football coach at Wheaton College, Mike Swider. Coach Swider is an amazing man who lives with an unbridled passion to see young men become great men that will lead their families and communities. I had the privilege of playing for him, but also working for him. He has always been able to keep a proper perspective on the longterm development of his players as people, all while compiling a career winning percentage of 80 percent. He has taught me that investing in the character of your players is just as important to your success as their technique. Who’s the best player you’ve coached against? There are so many great players in this area, but if I had to pick one, I would pick Grant Haley from Lovett. We played against him in 2012 and 2013. Though he had good measurables like size and speed, he separated himself with the uncanny ability to make plays on both sides of the ball as a running back and defensive back. He was a true gamer and fierce competitor who was as good as anyone in the state his senior year. What kind of football player were you? I think I was the kind of player who worked hard and worked smart to maximize my ability. I played with some passion and tried to build some level of relationship with all the guys on the team. All of my roommates in college were linemen because they were just good, down-to-earth guys who I respected and appreciated.
Knights •From Page 1A is going, as fast and electric as he is, you still have to stop him. And Micah Maxey, for his first start, he found (Bellamy). People think it’s easy to throw it up and let Major go get it. But it was a great first game for Micah and we protected him very well.” Collins Hill controlled possession, particularly in the second half, and ran 81 offensive plays to Central’s 50. Running back Jonathan Postell had 140 yards and two TDs on 33 carries and his score with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter briefly put the Eagles up 22-21. Then Maxey found Bellamy on a third-and-7 down the middle for a 54-yard scoring strike that was Bellamy’s first catch, and Central’s initial first down, of the second half. “(Bellamy’s) such a dynamic player,” Adams said. “He goes deep. He catches screen routes. He’s so explosive and quick. He’s hard to tackle. You can’t really grab him. He’s just a huge playmaker.” After Central’s defense made a stop, Maxey connected with Azaviar Kufour for an 18-yard TD pass with 3:42 left that put the lead at 35-22. The Black Knights then made a stand when Vern Bellamy recovered Postell’s fumble on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, but Collins Hill’s defense forced a three-and-out and Monty Horn hit Justin Macauley for a 28-yard TD with 48 seconds left to get within 35-29. It was the second TD pass from Horn to Macauley. Horn played the entire second half and finished 13 of 25 passing for 181 yards, while the other half of Collins Hill’s quarterback
Collins Hill’s Justin Macaulay (3) is tackled by Central Gwinnett’s Tim Gary (6) and Elliott Cummings (18) during the second half of Friday’s game at Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Kyle Hess)
Trey Vallery had Central up 14-13, but Collins Hill had a first-and-goal from Collins Hill 7 6 3 13 — 29 the 8-yard line in the final Central 7 14 0 14 — 35 minute of the second quarFIRST QUARTER ter. That’s when Adams Central: Major Bellamy 30 pass from Micah Maxey (Luis Aguilar stepped in front of a pass kick) 9:58 for his third interception Collins Hill: Justin Macauley 24 and raced all the way to the pass from Monty Horn (Sam Glenn INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS kick) 3:56 Collins Hill 7-yard line. RUSHING — Collins Hill: Postell SECOND QUARTER 33-140; Horn 7-26; Canyon Slade Maxey hit Bellamy for Collins Hill: Jonathan Postell 2 run 7-21; Tomon Fox 1-6; Team 2-(mi(run failed) 8:10 their second TD combinanus-20). Central: Vallery 10-15; Central: Trey Vallery 3 run (Aguilar tion with 7.3 seconds left, Bellamy 1-7; Nick Partlow 2-7; Jeff kick) 6:06 Days 8-7; Maxey 3-2; Team 1-(miCentral: Bellamy 7 pass from Maxgiving the Black Knights a nus-5). ey (Aguilar kick) :07 21-13 halftime edge. PASSING — Collins Hill: Horn 13THIRD QUARTER 25-1, 181; Drew Dinsmore 3-6-2, Central had two turnCollins Hill: Glenn 22 FG, 2:28 27. Central: Maxey 13-25-1, 252. FOURTH QUARTER overs of its own in the RECEIVING — Collins Hill: Slade Collins Hill: Postell 4 run (pass first half, but left with a 6-56; Macauley 4-61; Brett Shepafailed) 9:38 rd 3-76; Des Howard 1-11; Postell Central: Bellamy 54 pass from satisfying victory. 1-4; Braxton Curry 1-0. Central: Maxey (Vallery run) 8:29 “We left a ton of points Bellamy 7-163; Erron Price 3-44; Central: Azaviar Kufour 18 pass from Maxey (kick failed) 3:42 Kufour 2-45; Jarius Jones 1-0. on the field,” Wofford said. “The (four Collins Hill) turnovers in the first half, rotation, Drew Dinsmore, “We’ve been working hard with three interceptions was 3 of 6 for 27 yards and all summer, but we didn’t by Nigel, we didn’t really two interceptions. have a good scrimmage. capitalize on them. We The late TD made We wanted to show we threw an interception in things tense, but Central weren’t that team from the the end zone. survived when Collins Hill scrimmage.” “But what I do like is, recovered an onside kick A big momentum the first game is when you before it went 10 yards. change at the end of the generally make most the “We were just trying to first half really hurt Colmost mistakes and if we come out here and show lins Hill. can fix those mistakes, I what we were all about,” A TD catch by Bellamy like the direction we’re Major Bellamy said. and a 3-yard TD run by going.” CENTRAL GWINNETT 35, COLLINS HILL 29
Collins Hill: Macauley 28 pass from Horn (Glenn kick) :48 CH CG First downs 24 10 Rushes-yards 50-173 25-33 Passing yards 208 252 Comp-Att-INT 16-31-3 13-25-1 Fumbles-lost 4-2 3-1 Penalties-yards 7-65 14-111
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