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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

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MORE INSIDE Grayson’s Mykelle McDaniel (91) busts through the offensive line and bears down on Wheeler quarterback Gabe Magerkurth (9) during Friday’s Class AAAAAA first round state playoff game in Loganville. Below, Chase Brice (2) escapes pressure from Wheeler’s Jedon Pratt (45) and Devon Jenkins (14). (Staff Photos: David Welker)

Off to the races

Grayson jumps on Wheeler early in playoff win

By Paul Thomas

paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

LOGANVILLE — There are fast starts and then there’s the start Grayson got off to Friday night in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state football playoffs.

Dimetrios Mason ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. The Rams then forced a three-and-out

by Wheeler and scored three plays later on a 14-yard touchdown by Cameryn Brent and never looked back.

Brent finished with 189 yards rushing and two touchdowns as Grayson cruised to a 38-10 victory over Wheeler to remain unbeaten.

Grayson (11-0) will host

Valdosta (8-3) next Friday in the second round, after Valdosta defeated North Cobb 21-16 on Friday.

“Dimetrios ran the opening

kickoff back for a touchdown and we got some momentum,” Grayson head coach Mickey Conn said. “We got a stop on defense, got the

ball back and went right back down and scored. Real proud of the way the guys played, the way they came out.”

Grayson added two touchdown passes from Chase Brice to Ernest Tiller and Austin Nash in the first half.

Wheeler got on the board with a 58-yard touchdown run by Corey Stovall Jr. in the second quarter to cut the lead to 21-7. Grayson answered back with a 65-yard touchdown grab capped off by Brice’s 11-yard pass to Nash.

The Rams tacked on a 45yard field as time expired at the end of the first half for a 31-7 lead.

Stovall had 112 yards rushing at the half on 10 See RAMS, Page 4A

n Mill Creek, Collins Hill open with victories, 5A n Maxey tosses 7 TDs, Central dominates Walton, 6A

STATE PLAYOFFS Second-round matchups Class AAAAAA Valdosta at Grayson Newnan at Mill Creek Archer at McEachern Peachtree Ridge at Westlake Central Gwinnett at Colquitt Co. Collins Hill at Newton Class AAAAA Northgate at Lanier Class AAAA Worth County at Buford Class AA Vidalia at GAC Wesleyan at Jefferson County

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS RUSHERS

Cameryn Brent, Grayson, 189 yards Marcko Baity, Lanier, 155 yards Jeremy Lewis, Collins Hill, 108 yards

PASSERS

Micah Maxey, Central, 454 yards Drew Dinsmore, Collins Hill, 297 yards Will Bearden, Archer, 284 yards

2A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

gwinnettprepsports.com

Undefeated Lanier claims first-round playoff victory

By Brandon Brigman Staff Correspondent

SUGAR HILL — For an entire year, Lanier’s football team has been reminded of the disappointing finish to the 2014 season. After going 10-0 and winning the region title, the Longhorns were upset in the first round of the state playoffs.

Lanier spit out that sour taste on Friday in the first round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs.

The Longhorns used a 95-yard drive in the fourth quarter to secure a 27-13 victory over East Paulding.

It gave Lanier, which is in its sixth year of existence, the program’s second state playoff victory, matching the 2013 team, which lost in the second round.

“I told our guys they are going to ask me about it until we do something about it,” Lanier head coach Korey Mobbs said.

“We are very fortunate to come away with a win

LANIER 27, EAST PAULDING 13

E. Paulding 13 0 0 0 — 13 Lanier 7 7 7 6 — 27 FIRST QUARTER Lanier: Ethan Wilson 55 interception return (Noah Thomas kick) 8:28 East Paulding: Dylan Prater 31 run (kick failed) 4:31 East Paulding: Prater 49 run (Caleb Grant kick) 1:23 SECOND QUARTER Lanier: Marcko Baity 1 run (Thomas kick) :14 THIRD QUARTER Lanier: Derrick Brown 8 pass from Tahj Tolbert (Thomas kick) 3:45 FOURTH QUARTER Lanier: Marcella Baity 6 run (2-point conversion failed) 2:26

tonight against a quality opponent. Winning in the playoffs is special and our kids had to make the investment in order to see that. We played tremendous in the second half.

It was a physical football game and I think we kind of wore them down there.”

Lanier will host Northgate next Friday in the second round of the playoffs.

After going 10-0 last year during the regular season, Lanier lost to

Sequoyah 24-21 in the first round of the state playoffs.

The Longhorns (11-0) faced a tough East Paulding team that was 8-2 during the regular season, but managed to get the fourth seed from Region 5-AAAAA. The Raiders were guided by quarterback Dylan Prater, who rushed for 136 yards on 22 carries and threw for 83 yards. Prater had TD runs of 31 and 49 yards, but also threw three interceptions. C.J. Burress had one interception and Ethan Wilson intercepted two passes, including one returned for a touchdown.

His second interception with 1:27 at the nine-yard line denied a East Paulding comeback attempt.

“He’s played tremendous for us all year,” Mobbs said of Wilson. “He hasn’t really had the stats because other guys have been stealing the glory, but he came up big when we needed it tonight.”

Lanier led 21-13 in the

fourth quarter and got the ball at its own five-yar line.

The Longhorns drove 95 yards on 14 plays, taking up 6:37 on the clock and sealed the game with a 6-yard touchdown run by Marcella Baity. Baity’s brother Marcko had nine carries on the drive and finished the game as the leading rusher with 155 yards on 25 carries.

“I’m really proud of our O-line. They kind of hit us in the mouth early and we didn’t waiver at all. They went to work and wore them down,” Mobbs said.

After Lanier’s offense went three-and-out to start the game, the Longhorns’ defense stepped up big.

Wilson intercepted a pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to put Lanier ahead 7-0.

“Our defense kept us in it in the first half with some huge turnovers,” Mobbs said.

East Paulding responded on the ensuing drive, converting on fourth-and-1

at midfield. Prater went up the middle of the defense and scored on a 31-yard run. After the PAT failed, Lanier still led 7-6 with 4:31 left in the first quarter.

The Raiders got the ball back and needed just four plays when Prater scored his second touchdown on a 49-yard run up the middle of the defense again. East Paulding made the PAT and led 13-7 going into the second quarter. Prater’s top receiver was Jalen Browder, who had 12 catches for 58 yards.

Lanier’s Burress intercepted a pass and the defense held on the following possession before the Longhorns’ offense could get rolling. Lanier moved the ball all the way to the 1-yard line, but was stopped on fourth down.

“I told our kids we’re going to lay it out on the line,” Mobbs said. “We didn’t come up there but went for it again and got it.”

Lanier’s defense made another stop to give the

Longhorns good field position with less then two minutes before the half.

Quarterback Tahj Tolbert guided the Longhorns to the one where they were faced with fourth-and-one again.

This time Marcko Baity scored with 12 seconds left in the half and Noah Thomas’ PAT gave Lanier a 14-13 halftime lead.

After Michael Allen’s sack of Prater on fourth down, Lanier got the ball back and set up a quick score. The Longhorns got to second-and-goal at the eight and Tolbert tossed a touchdown pass to defensive tackle Derrick Brown, the state’s No. 1 college recruit, who lined up in the backfield.

“He has soft hands for a 320-pounder,” Mobbs said. “He’s the only guy in the place that would have caught that ball. I’m proud of him.”

Brown’s touchdown, his second of the season, made the score 21-13 with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

Buford cruises to first-round win without starting QB

By Jacob Mayer

six yards at any point, and Fayette County did not gain more than four yards on a BUFORD — Buford single rushing play until the junior quarterback Mic fourth quarter.

Roof missed the team’s “It’s good to see (the playoff opener because he players) do what they’re was recovering from a bout supposed to do,” Buford of the flu, but the Wolves head coach Jess Simpson still rolled past the Fayette said of his defense. “It’s County Tigers 35-0 with a fun to see — when you get strong rushing attack and a sudden change and we defensive effort to open have an offensive turnover, the Class AAAA playoffs you give up a long kickoff on Friday at Tom Riden return — how excited they Stadium. get to go out and play and The Wolves (10-1) get a stop.” racked up 249 rushing Fayette County junior yards and held the Tigers quarterback Anthonie Pow(3-8) to 68 yards of total of- ell’s lone two completions fense. Buford did not allow of the first half went for 24 a rushing play of more than and 9 yards, respectively, to Staff Correspondent

senior wide receiver Daveion Nash on consecutive plays early in the second quarter, but Buford defenders intercepted his next two passes.

Senior wide receiver Brandon Marsh picked off the second pass after mere seconds had ticked off the clock since he put the Wolves ahead 21-0 on a 14-yard TD reception from sophomore quarterback Will Westmoreland, who started in place of Roof.

Marsh intercepted the pass on his own 15-yard line and weaved his way through the field to extend Buford’s advantage to 28-0 with 30 seconds left before halftime.

“I honestly don’t remember anything about it,” Marsh said. “I caught it, and I started zigging and zagging, I saw the goal line and I knew I was in.”

Marsh led all receivers with 44 yards on two catches from Westmoreland, who was 4 of 6 passing for 69 yards and two TDs. “For his first time coming out here and really having this kind of action, I thought he handled himself really, really well,” Simpson said of Westmoreland.

Senior running back Martin Mangram led the Buford rushing attack with 55 yards on eight carries, including a 1-yard dive into

the end zone for the team’s first touchdown with 6 minutes, 31 seconds left in the first quarter.

Fellow senior running back Xavier Gantt ended Buford’s second drive in similar fashion. He scored on a 1-yard rush on the first play of the second quarter to open the lead to 14-0.

The only score of the second half came on a 16-yard pass from Westmoreland to junior Jake Simpson with 2:23 left in the third quarter.

Fayette County head coach Mike Davis said he knew the Wolves would be a difficult opponent to open the postseason, and two of the three interceptions

Powell threw turned into touchdowns for Buford.

However, Davis said he was pleased with his team’s effort because it showed the players are making progress to become a program as strong as the one that ended their season.

“They’re a well-coached team, a very good team, a very physical team and they play well,” Davis said of the Wolves. “I’m proud of my kids with the fact that we’re trying to build our program to get that consistency.”

Buford will continue its quest for a fourth straight state title next Friday at home against Worth County in the second round.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 • 3A

Lions sprint past W. Forsyth into 2nd round

By Ben Beitzel

that position. Following a Zaniel Phillips 30-yard field goal, starting quarterback Fred Payton conSUWANEE — On its second nected with Connor Heyward on possession of the game, West a 24-yard pass to set up a 1-yard Forsyth kicked a field goal to scoring run by Heyward off a take a 3-0 lead over Peachtree direct snap.

Ridge. That was the last anyone Breon Dixon ended the next heard from the Wolverines.

West Forsyth drive with an In the first half alone, the interception and on third-and-11 Lions scored 37 unanswered Payton hit Christian Sutton for a points on their way to a 51-3 win 37-yard score. Payton threw for in the first round of the Class 74 yards on 4 of 7 passing in the AAAAAA football playoffs. The first half.

Lions will play at Westlake next “We like both of them,” Fleetweek in the second round. wood said of his quarterbacks, “(West Forsyth) came out that who rotated in with seeming first drive and sort of kept us off regularity in Friday’s win. “That Peachtree Ridge quarterback Fred Payton (9) gets tripped up by West worked tonight, it might not balance,” Peachtree Ridge head Forsyth’s Jackson Brantley (46) during Friday night’s state AAAAAA work some other nights. We are coach Mark Fleetwood said.

“Then we were able to, field po- playoff game at Peachtree Ridge in Suwanee. (Photo: Karl L. Moore) just trying to make sure we have sition changed a little bit … and enough weapons.” then it started our way.” al grounding penalty on the West and on his second down from All seven Peachtree Ridge In the dominant first half, Forsyth quarterback that forced scrimmage hit DeAngelo Gibbs touchdowns were scored by a Peachtree Ridge scored in every a quick punt from the rear of the on a 67-yard deep ball for a different player Friday. possible way. First, Chad Clay end zone. touchdown. The backup, or at “That’s good that they cannot ended the scoring drought with a From there, the Lions went wild. least second quarterback, threw focus on just one guy,” Fleet39-yard punt return for a touchBubba Hickson entered at for 154 yards in the first half wood said. down. The short special teams quarterback after one of West alone for the Lions. But it was The Lions ended the first-half score was set up by an intention- Forsyth’s six first-half punts a revolving door of success at scoring with a 3-yard run by MarStaff Correspondent

quez Jackson to take a dominant 37-3 lead at the half. And it wasn’t just the offense. Along with three turnovers, the defense limited the Wolverines to 89 total yards in the first half with four sacks of quarterback Kiernen Hamilton.

“During the regular season you have all your region teams and you are seeing them on film, you sort of get a feel of people,” Fleetwood said. “This, you have two or three days, it’s a different animal.”

West Forsyth opened the second half with an onside kick attempt, a last shot at climbing back into the game. Peachtree Ridge recovered and Malik Staples carried five straight times, including a 39-yard run down the sideline, before capping the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.

Chris Dominquez scored later in the quarter for the final Peachtree Ridge touchdown of the night, making it 51 unanswered points.

“We enjoy it for just a few seconds and let’s go to work again,” Fleetwood said.

Mills, Cunningham power GAC to win over Dade Co. overthrew him.

But Mills, with Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watching from the NORCROSS — Davis sidelines, didn’t misfire on Mills missed on his easiest much else. pass of the night.

His accurate deep passes A Dade County coverresulted in three first-half age breakdown on fourth touchdowns and a nice down in cushion for the Spartans, the first who defeated visiting Dade quarter left 27-8 in the first round of Greater the Class AA state playAtlanta offs. After its 10th straight Chriswin, GAC (10-1) will host tian wide Vidalia (8-3) next Friday in receiver the second round.

Malcolm Harrison Mills finished 11 of 16 Cunningham Sloan passing for 231 yards and wide open striding toward four touchdowns, three to the goal line, a 30-yard Malcolm Cunningham, but cushion between him and GAC was held below 30 the nearest defender. Mills, points for the first time this one of the nation’s top season, in large part due to junior quarterbacks, barely a ball-control Dade offense

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

that made GAC possessions scarce.

The GAC lead was never threatened, though, thanks to the early lead and a gritty defensive effort.

“It was good (to get an early lead),” Mills said.

“We definitely try to do that every game. When you’re in a rhythm and making connections with your receivers, it’s fun to go out there and score quick. …

(My receivers) stepped up and they were catching lot of passes and running good routes. I knew they would make plays when I got them the ball.”

Cunningham led the way with his three scores, finishing with five catches for 118 yards.

“I was really proud of

senior receiver Malcolm Cunningham,” GAC head coach Tim Hardy said. “He really played well. Malcolm just had a great week, showed a lot of resilience and played really well tonight.”

GAC rushed for just 24 yards in the first half, but the passing attack delivered three big plays for a 20-0 halftime edge. Mills hit Cunningham for a 40-yard TD pass on the game’s first series and barely more than two minutes later he found Berkley Boglin for a 62yard score.

Dade (6-5), coached by former Central Gwinnett head coach Bradley Warren, moved the ball with big running back Teddy Cole, but he was stuffed

twice on fourth-and-short plays by GAC’s Devin Thomas. Cole finished with 34 carries for 206 yards and a late TD run in the game’s final minute.

Thomas’ second fourthdown stop set up a 47-yard TD pass from Mills to Cunningham for a 20-0 GAC lead late in the first half. On the Spartans’ first possession of the second half, Mills hit Cunningham for a 10-yard score and a 27-0 edge.

The first-team GAC defense pitched a shutout before a late Dade score against the reserves. Davis Markham had an interception and a tackle for a loss, Thomas had two tackles for losses and Connor Markham and Jonathan

Rose teamed up for a sack.

“The defense played really solid, physical, lots of hats to the ball,” Hardy said.

GAC got its running game going in the second half behind Alex Rowe and Marcus Young. The two backs combined for 16 carries for 108 yards.

The Spartans didn’t play a perfect game — they missed 34- and 39-yard field goals — but they controlled the game, their first playoff game since falling to Benedictine in last year’s Class AA championship game at the Georgia Dome.

“It was a good night, an efficient night,” Hardy said.

“It doesn’t matter what the final score is, as long as you win and move on.”

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4A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

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Wesleyan bounces back with road win AA state playoffs Friday

By Taylor Denman night.

Staff Correspondent “We left the locker room ROME — Wesleyan last week mad, not heartfootball head coach Frank- broken, but mad,” Pridgen lin Pridgen called for his said. “Mad because we team to should have won, but respond tonight we finished and confident- that’s what we plan to keep ly after a doing.” three-point Wesleyan was led loss to by quarterback Banks Greater Ramsey’s 249 passing Atlanta yards on 19 attempts and Drew Christian rushing contributions from Aspinwall to end the running backs Jordan ArWolves’ regular season. gilagos, who finished with His Wolves responded, 88 yards and two touchand it came in the form of downs, and Josh Garrard, a 45-27 win over Model in who totaled 94 yards and the first round of the Class 2 TDs.

Wesleyan never flinched offensively.

The Wolves scored on their first drive off a 60yard TD pass from Ramsey to Tucker Cannon. It was the first of 28 points Wesleyan racked up in the first half, capping off four of its six drives with a TD. Wesleyan’s defense had a more volatile start. The Wolves forced a three-andout on Model’s first drive, then watched Blue Devil running back Chris Dublin break off a 65-yard TD run on the first play of the following drive.

Model hit up Wesleyan’s defense for 163 yards in

the first half after the first three-and-out. Then, Pridgen asked his team for yet another response.

“I didn’t like the way we played defensively in the first half,” Pridgen said. “I challenged them, and we made a couple schematic adjustments but, honestly, it was a gut check.”

Wesleyan responded once again. Model’s two third-quarter drives were cut short by the gloves of linebacker Drew Aspinwall.

The senior reeled in two interceptions in the game, both came on Wesleyan’s side of midfield.

“They were driving and we really needed to make a play,” Aspinwall said. “I was lucky enough he threw it my way.”

Wesleyan’s defense caught up to the speed of its offense, which scored three more touchdowns in the second half to reserve a spot in the second round against Jefferson County.

“What I love about this team is they’re not perfect, but, when I challenge them, they respond every single time,” Pridgen said.

“That’s why the Wolves are headed to the second round after beating a 9-1 team.”

GRAYSON 38, WHEELER 10

Wheeler Grayson

0 7 0 3 — 10 21 10 7 0 — 38

FIRST QUARTER Grayson: Dimetrios Mason 92 kickoff return (Will VanPamelen kick), 11:45 Grayson: Cameryn Brent 14 run (VanPamelen kick), 9:23 Grayson: Ernest Tiller III 14 pass from Chase Brice (VanPamelen kick), 0:28 SECOND QUARTER Wheeler: Corey Stovall Jr. 58 run (Jacob Pereira kick), 6:22 Grayson: Austin Nash 11 pass from Brice (VanPamelen kick), 3:31 Grayson: VanPamelen 45 FG, 0:00 THIRD QUARTER Grayson: Brent 4 run (Van Pamelen kick), 4:52 FOURTH QUARTER Wheeler: Pereira 31 FG, 3:34

WHE GRA First Downs 13 12 Rushes-yards 35-133 21-227 Passing yards 67 148 Compt-Att-INT 7-19-0 12-17 Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-1 Penalties-yards 7-67 9-75 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Wheeler: Corey Stovall Jr. 16-109; Xevier Morton 3-13; Ryles Kirkland 1-12; Jordan McCowan 5-11; Benaiah Franklin 6-(-2); Gabe Magerkurth 4-(-9).

Grayson: Cameryn Brent: 14-189; Ernest Tiller 3-27; Chase Brice 2-2; Jaylen Rivers 1-5; Cameron Thompson 1-4.

PASSING — Wheeler: Magerkurth 7-18-0, 67; Franklin 0-1-0, 0. Grayson: Brice 12-17-0, 148.

RECEIVING — Wheeler: Terry Smith 5-40; Franklin 1-14; Torian Spencer 1-13. Grayson: TreVon Barbour 2-54; Evan Sturgill 5-40; Tiller 2-30; Ryan Carriere 1-16; Austin Nash 1-11; Brent 1-(-3).

•From Page 1A

Grayson’s Cameryn Brent (1) outruns Tylen Noel (17) and Gabe Reeves (27) of the Wheeler Wildcats during Friday’s Class AAAAAA first round state playoff game in Loganville.

(Staff Photo: David Welker)

WESLEYAN 45, MODEL 27

Wesleyan Model

7 17 7 14 — 45 6 13 0 8 — 27

FIRST QUARTER Wesleyan: Tucker Cannon 60 pass from Banks Ramsey (Jordan Weaver kick), 8:20 Model: Brendan Thomas 71 interception return (kick failed), 3:47 SECOND QUARTER Wesleyan: Josh Garrard 10 run (Weaver kick), 10:55 Model: Chris Dublin 65 run (Isaiah Bagwell kick), 10:43 Wesleyan: Jordan Argilagos 9 run (Weaver kick), 6:51 Wesleyan: Weaver 33 FG, 4:10 Model: Kyler Eldridge 9 run (2-point failed), 2:18 THIRD QUARTER Wesleyan: Garrard 1 run (Weaver kick), 5:50 FOURTH QUARTER Wesleyan: Garrard 12 pass from Ramsey (Weaver kick), 11:51 Wesleyan: Argilagos 37 run (Bagwell kick) Model: Eldridge 9 run (2-point: Tanner Bethune pass from Eldridge), 7:32

Rams

The only blight on Rams performance Friday night carries, but lost a total of were the nine penalties for three yards on six carries 75 yards. Two holding calls in the second half. Wheeler on offense called back long (5-6) finished the game touchdowns and a roughwith 133 yards rushing on ing the passer wiped out a 35 attempts and 67 yards defensive interception. passing.

As a team Grayson ran “We knew they ran the for 227 yards on 21 atoption so we just made tempts. sure we brought pressure “I was incredibly happy every single time,” said with the O-line,” Conn Mason, who had a forced said. “Chase throwing the fumble on defense. “Make ball, the receivers catching, sure that we stayed deep all of it was really good. and stayed disciplined and Really the only bad thing make sure that they didn’t about tonight was the penthrow anything deep on us alties. We had two drives either.” stalled because of penalBrice finished the game ties. We had three holding 12 of 17 for 148 yards and calls on three different two touchdowns. TreVon drives there in the second Barbour had two catches half, two of them we did for 54 yards and Evan not overcome, one of them Sturgill had five catches we did. for 40 yards.

“The offense was still In the second half, the clicking. They were movRams’ lone touchdown ing the ball and had a was a 4-yard run by Brent, touchdown called back, but set up by a 61-yard scamthey stayed focused and per on the play before in I thought they did really the third quarter. Wheeler well. Just got to fix those added a 31-yard field in the penalties and a few things fourth quarter. and we’ll be alright.”

gwinnettprepsports.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 • 5A

Dinsmore helps Eagles advance past Lambert

By David Friedlander david.friedlander @gwinnettdailypost.com

Northview’s Colton McDaniel (14) gets tackled for a loss by Mill Creek defenders Aaron Anderson (5) and Tyler Vernon (87) during Friday’s game. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

DEFENSE RISES

Sloppy Mill Creek still cruises in first round

By Steve Argo

work on it this week.”

Mill Creek jumped on top immediately as Turley Northview 0 6 0 7 — 13 HOSCHTON — When found Preston Norwood Mill Creek 7 13 20 6 — 46 all was said and done Friopen on a 10-yard scoring FIRST QUARTER day night at Community pass to make it 7-0 Hawks Mill Creek: Preston Norwood 10 pass from Cameron Turley (BrenStadium/Markham Field, with just over two minton King kick) 9:52 the scoreboard reflected a utes gone in the opening SECOND QUARTER Northview: Jair Anderson 28 pass 46-13 win by Mill Creek quarter. from Colton McDaniel (kick failed) over Northview in the But Mill Creek fumbled 8:08 first round of the Class twice in the opening half Mill Creek: King 39 FG, 5:48 Mill Creek: Kishawn Miller 28 interAAAAAA state football and also botched a field ception return (King kick) 5:00 playoffs. goal attempt to keep it at Mill Creek: King 22 FG, 1:03 THIRD QUARTER However, within those 7-0.

Mill Creek: Edmond Graham 92 48 minutes of action, there kickoff return (kick failed) 11:45 Northview finally took Mill Creek: Daniel Leconte 2 run were moments for the advantage of the Mill (King kick) 4:37 No. 5 Hawks when things Creek mistakes and found Mill Creek: Sidney Otiwu 32 interception return (King kick) 3:47 weren’t going according the end zone when Jair FOURTH QUARTER to plan.

Anderson hauled in a 28Northview: Kameron House 65 But, for now, Mill Creek blocked field goal return (Olivia yard TD pass from Colton Mitzroff kick) 9:26 (11-0) will gladly — McDaniel.

Mill Creek: Braxton Richburg 53 and thankfully — move But the Titans missed pass from Turley (kick failed) 6:41 forward and get ready the extra point to keep it for a second-round game put the game away in the a one-point Hawks’ lead next Friday night against third quarter. at 7-6 with 8:08 left in the Newnan, a 34-3 winner But there will be work second quarter. over Lovejoy. to do next week after the From there, Mill Creek Mill Creek eventually Hawks missed two extra turned to its defense produced 46 points, which points, had a field goal and special teams as the was the third-highest blocked and also had Hawks eventually took a output of the season. But it trouble executing clean 20-6 lead at the half. took a while for the Hawks snaps on a couple of other Brenton King nailed to get to that total and it kicking situations. a 39-yard field goal and came in a variety of ways.

Mill Creek also fumbled Miller returned his interQuarterback Cameron three times and, combined ception 28 yards for a TD Turley threw a pair of with the other miscues, in a span of 48 seconds to touchdown passes and had head coach Shannon make it 17-6 with 5:00 left Daniel Leconte had a rush- Jarvis in a rather subdued in the first half. ing TD, but Mill Creek mood after the game.

King added a 22-yard turned primarily to its “We just had too many field goal with 1:03 redefense Friday to put away turnovers, especially in the maining after Trey Turner Northview as the Hawks first half, and it was just blocked a Northview punt returned two interceptions fundamentals,” Jarvis said. to put Mill Creek in busifor scores.

“And that comes back to ness at the Titans’ 9.

Kishawn Miller had his coaching and, in particuBut it was a 92-yard second pick-six in as many larly, back to me as head kickoff return for a TD games midway through the coach. But I can assure from Edmond Graham to second quarter and Sidney you it will get worked on open the second half that Otiwu added a 32-yard again, because we worked created some breathing pick-six when the Hawks on it last week and we’ll room for Mill Creek as the

Staff Correspondent

MILL CREEK 46, NORTHVIEW 13

Hawks went ahead 26-6.

Leconte added a 2-yard scoring run to make it 33-6, then Otiwu added his interception return that increased the Mill Creek advantage to 40-6.

Leconte finished with 40 hard-earned yards on 13 carries to lead the limited Mill Creek rushing attack.

Northview, which ends its season at 6-5, got on the board one final time as Kameron House returned a blocked 52-yard field goal 65 yards for a TD. Mill Creek closed out the scoring as Turley found Braxton Richburg on a 53-yard scoring toss and 33-point margin of victory.

“Northview played their guts out and give them a lot of credit,” Jarvis said.

“But we’ve got to execute better and we’ll work on that.”

Turley finished 12 of 21 for 100 yards and two TDs while Miles Riley led all receivers with six catches for 56 yards.

Meanwhile, Mill Creek’s defense held Northview to 24 plays of no gain or minus yards as the Titans had just 87 yards of total offense.

“Give our defense credit – they played hard even though we had some busts even on that side of the ball,” Jarvis. “So we’ve got to get mentally prepared to play, because we don’t get any second chances this time of the year (in the playoffs).”

Mistakes costly for Norcross in defeat

By Scott Smith

scott.smith @gwinnettdailypost.com

CUMMING — Two bad snaps in the wrong place and wrong time was too much for Norcross to overcome.

South Forsyth took advantage of a pair Norcross miscues in the second half and turned those into 10 points as the War Eagles came back to top the Blue Devils 20-14 on Friday night in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.

The win was the first postseason victory for South Forsyth (10-1) since 2003 and puts the War Eagles into the second round, where they will host the Langston Hughes-Tucker winner next Friday.

“I hate it for these kids because they’ve played so hard since the beginning of the year,” Norcross head coach Kevin Maloof said.

“Things just didn’t go our way these last four games.

It’s a lesson that you have to play great football this time of year and we ran up against a buzz saw tonight in South Forsyth.”

Norcross led 14-10 at the half, thanks in large to

was pinned deep at its own 5-yard line and was looking at a third-and-10.

Norcross 7 7 0 0 — 14 While looking to his S. Forsyth 0 10 2 8 — 20 right, the ball was snapped FIRST QUARTER to Radcliff in the shotgun Norcross: Robert Sims 27 pass from Baron Radcliff (Cole Hannah and bounced squarely off kick) 5:55 his face mask.

SECOND QUARTER Radcliff was able to South: Stanley Epeagba 13 run (Alex Barbir kick) 8:40 scoop up the ball and Norcross: Ricky Reed 24 pass scramble to his right, but from Radcliff (Hannah kick) 1:27 South: Barbir 36 FG :00 he slipped and went down THIRD QUARTER in the end zone for a safety, South: Safety 7:29 FOURTH QUARTER cutting the Norcross advanSouth: Cameron Kline 38 fumble tage to 14-12. return (Davis Shanley pass to The Blue Devil defense Jalen Camp) 10:19 would keep South Forsyth a solid two quarters from from doing any damage on quarterback Baron Radcliff. offense, eventually giving Radcliff hit 8 of 11 passes Norcross the ball back early for 132 yards and two in the fourth quarter. scores in the first half. The On second-and-seven second half was a different from his 49, Radcliff was story. again back in shotgun. This Radcliff attempted seven time, the snap sailed over more passes in the final two his head, bouncing around periods, but the only one to deep in the backfield. be caught was by a South Radcliff was unable to Forsyth defender. locate the ball, but South That interception, which Forsyth defensive end Camcame with 9:35 left to play eron Kline did, scooping up in the fourth quarter, didn’t the ball and easily running hurt Norcross — it resulted in 38 yards for a touchdown in a missed field goal. But and the lead. two other plays involving The War Eagles went for the quarterback turned out two and converted with a to be the difference. pass from Davis Shanley to On its second possession Jalen Camp to grab a 20-14 in the third quarter, Norcross lead with 10:19 left to play.

SOUTH FORSYTH 20, NORCROSS 14

Norcross’ defense forced a South Forsyth punt with 1:47 left to play, potentially giving the offense a shot to win the game. But the Blue Devils brought the house in an attempt to block the punt and were hit with a roughing the kicker penalty, giving South Forsyth a new set of downs.

With no timeouts left, the War Eagles simply had to take a couple of knees to secure their first playoff win in 12 years.

“It’s a great win for our program,” South Forsyth head coach Jeff Arnette said.

“We found a way to win and I’m proud of our defense not giving up any points in the second. Norcross played great defense and is a storied program. We just found a way to win.”

Sam Outlaw of South Forsyth led all rushers with 119 yards on 24 carries, while Necholas Sermons led Norcross with 48 yards on 12 carries. Sermons also had 45 receiving yards on two catches.

Shanley finished with 104 yards on 9 of 16 attempts with one interception and added 45 rushing yards on 14 carries.

SUWANEE — As much of a cliche as it sounds, Collins Hill’s first-round Class AAAAAA state playoff football game against Lambert truly was a tale of two halves.

The Eagles rolled up 28 straight points to build a huge halftime lead and cruised home for a 35-13 win Friday night at Longhorn Stadium.

While Collins Hill was outscored 13-7 in the second half, the more concerning news was the condition of quarterback Drew Dinsmore.

The junior left the game with an apparent shoulder injury late in the third quarter after having his best game of the season to that point, finishing his night 20 of 36 for 297 yards and three touchdowns to help the Eagles advance to the second round.

While Dinsmore said he felt like the injury was merely a stinger, head coach Kevin Reach was more cautious about what his status might be when the Eagles travel to Covington to take on Newton next week.

“We don’t know,” Reach said. “We’ll see. It’s hard to say. … It’s part of life.

It’s part of football, but he played a heck of football game. That’s what I know Drew is capable of doing. I think he can make big-time throws. He’s got a great arm. He’s a competitor. He played a heck of a game (Friday) night.”

Normally sharing time with Monty Horn under center, Dinsmore saw the lion’s share of the snaps Friday with Horn also banged up.

And it didn’t take long for him and the Eagles to get going, but only after they were hit with 25 penalty yards on the first three plays of the game.

Dinsmore got Collins Hill out of trouble with a clutch 27-yard completion to Canyon Slade on third and 25, and he and the Eagles had found their rhythm.

“That was big,” Dinsmore said. “That’s how we got the drive started, … and we started rolling from there.”

Dinsmore then hit on his next four passes, including a 31-yard scoring strike to Justin Macaulay with 8:45 left in the first quarter.

The snap on the extra point was muffed, leaving the lead at just 6-0, but the Eagles had found their stride.

A quick three-andout by the defense gave them the ball at their own 33-yard line following a Lambert punt, and they were quickly on the move again after a 21-yard run

by Jeremy Lewis.

Nine plays and 67 yards later, Collins Hill was in the end zone again, this time with Dinsmore hooking up with Braxton Curry on an 11-yard TD, with Tomon Fox running for the two-point conversion to push the Eagles’ lead to 14-0 with 4:52 left in the opening frame.

After Jeremy Lewis made it 21-0 with his 17yard touchdown run 1:25 into the second quarter, Lambert (8-3) had its best scoring opportunity of the half when another Collins Hill long snap, this time on a punt, set the Longhorns up on the Eagles’ 26-yard line.

But the Collins Hill defense forced Lambert into a fourth-down situation, and Tanner Hall’s

COLLINS HILL 35, LAMBERT 13

Collins Hill Lambert

14 14 7 0 — 35 0 0 6 7 — 13

FIRST QUARTER Collins Hill: Justin Macaulay 31 pass from Drew Dinsmore (run failed), 8:45 Collins Hill: Braxton Curry 11 pass from Dinsmore (Tomon Fox run), 4:52 SECOND QUARTER Collins Hill: Jeremy Lewis 17 run (Samuel Glenn kick), 10:35 Collins Hill: Des Howard 3 pass from Dinsmore (Glenn kick), 0:41.8 THIRD QUARTER Lambert: Bobby Gabriel 1 run (kick failed), 7:37 Collins Hill: Lewis 43 run (Glenn kick), 6:45 FOURTH QUARTER Lambert: Tanner Hall 21 pass from Richie Kenney (Hall kick), 3:43 TEAM STATISTICS

CH Lam First downs 21 12 Rushes-yards 25-96 35-70 Passing yards 298 145 Att.-Comp.-Int. 21-37-0 10-15-0 Fumbles-lost 2-2 3-1 Penalties-yards 7-68 3-25 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Collins Hill: Lewis 10-108, Naji Germana 3-14, Evan Anderson 1-3, Chris Evans 1-2, Jonathan Postell 6-(-7), TEAM 1-(8), Dinsmore 3-(-16). Lambert: Will Kohlins 23-83, Marcus Chatelain 2-5, Gabriel 7-4, TEAM 1-(-9), Kenney 2-(-13).

PASSING — Collins Hill: Dinsmore 20-36-0, 297; Monty Horn 1-1-0, 1.

Lambert: Kenney 9-12-0, 137; Gabriel 1-3-0, 8.

RECEIVING — Collins Hill: Canyon Slade 7-108, Howard 5-82, Codi Russell 3-30, Macaulay 2-41, Lewis 2-28, Curry 1-11, David Beasley 1-1. Lambert: Tyler Gillis 4-50, Hall 3-37, Sam Fleming 2-43.

diving attempt of a catch in the end zone bounced just off his fingertips to keep the Eagles’ lead at three touchdowns.

Dinsmore then led the Eagles down the field again, completing 5 of 7 passes for 73 yards, including the final 3 yards to Des Howard with 41.8 seconds left in the half to send Collins Hill into intermission with a commanding 28-0 lead.

“The first half, we did a good job,” Reach said.

“The second half, we were trying to go ahead and put the dagger in, and we ended up getting caught some.

“We played real well the first half, but that’s still not the best we’ve played.”

It looked like Lambert might fight its way back into the game after another Collins Hill miscue, this time a fumble when Dinsmore tried to scramble out of the pocket, gave the Longhorns the ball at the Eagles’ 32 with 9:49 left in the third quarter.

Bobby Gabriel then cashed in that turnover with a 9-yard completion to Tyler Gillis on fourth down to keep the drive alive and set up his own 1-yard sneak to pull the Longhorns to within 28-6 with 7:37 left in the period.

Lambert then attempted an onside kick, but Payton Woulard leapt in the air to recover it and set Collins Hill up in good shape near midfield.

Two plays later, Lewis burst through a gaping hole up the middle and sprinted for 43 yards for his second TD of the night to push the Eagles’ lead back to a more comfortable 35-6 with 6:45 left in the quarter.

Lewis finished with a game-high 108 yards on just 10 carries.

The only really nervous moment Collins Hill had the rest of the way was the play in which Dinsmore was injured, which occurred with the Eagles threatening for another score last in the period.

Horne finished out the game, completing his only pass attempt for a yard, while the defense allowed only a late score to Lambert to help Collins Hill cruise to the win.

Slade was Dinsmore’s favorite target on the night, catching seven passes for 108 yards. Howard had five receptions for 82 yards.

6A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Knights crush No. 7 Walton in stunner

By Colin Hubbard Staff Correspondent

MARIETTA — Nobody expected the Central Gwinnett Black Knights to make it to the state football playoffs in back-to-back seasons, but that is exactly what they did.

What stood in their way was the Walton Raiders, who have held their opponents to 14 points or fewer in six out of their 10 games.

Even after a six-win season, Central Gwinnett head coach Todd Wofford didn’t believe that the Black Knights had put together a four-quarter game and played to the best of their ability yet. And that’s exactly what it was going to take to knock off the No. 7 ranked team in the state of Georgia.

The Black Knights racked up 610 yards of total offense and held Walton’s offense to its secondfewest points scored on the year and walked out with a 49-20 win to advance into the second round of the Class AAAAAA playoffs.

Central Gwinnett quarterback Micah Maxey completed 20 of 28 for 454 yards and seven touchdowns while Treyvon Vallery rushed for 128 yards on 18 attempts.

Wide receiver Erron Price hauled in 12 catches for 209 yards and caught three touchdowns as well.

“All of my receivers went 110 percent every play,” Maxey said. “I got my guys the ball and let them make plays.”

When asked about how nice it was to have Price catching passes Maxey responded with, “Do you see these hands? He’s my brother.” “(Maxey) is a competitor and takes things as a challenge and it doesn’t hurt to have some weapons to throw it to,” Wofford said.

“Region 8 is like the SEC and if you make it out of the region you can make some noise in the playoffs because it gets you prepared when you played against the best coaches and the best teams in the state of Georgia.”

The Black Knights scored the first points of the night after Maxey connected with wide receiver Azaiar Kufour on a 51yard touchdown to give Central Gwinnett a 7-0 lead with 9:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Central Gwinnett forced Walton to punt on its next possession and didn’t waste any time finding the end zone after Maxey found Major Bellamy on a 55-yard catch-and-run to give the Black Knights a 13-0 lead with 6:15 left in the first quarter.

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CENTRAL 49, WALTON 20

Central Walton

28 7 7 0 — 49 7 6 7 0 — 20

FIRST QUARTER Central: Azaviar Kufour 51 pass from Micah Maxey (Luis Aguilar kick) 9:03 Central: Major Bellamy 55 pass from Maxey (Aguilar kick blocked) 6:15 Walton: Sam Letton 42 pass from Shoup (kick) 4:48 Central: Bellamy 41 pass from Maxey (Trey Vallery run 2-point conversion ) 2:56 Central: Erron Price 15 pass from Maxey (Aguilar kick) 2:03 SECOND QUARTER Central: Price 26 pass from Maxey (Aguilar kick) 10:26 Central: Price 24 pass from Maxey (Aguilar kick) 3:09 Walton: Letton 13 pass from Shoup (failed 2-point conversion) :34 THIRD QUARTER Walton: Dominick Blaylock 30 pass from Shoup (43 kick) 5:58 Central: Bellamy 38 pass from Maxey (Aguilar kick) :47 FOURTH QUARTER None

With their backs against the wall, the Raiders scored on a long pass of their own on a 42-yard strike from quarterback Addison Shoup to tight end Sam Letton go cut the lead to 13-7 with 4:58 remaining in the first quarter.

However, the Black Knights drove 71 yards on just six plays capped off by a 41-yard catch-and-run from Maxey to Bellamy and converted a two-point conversion to give Central Gwinnett a 21-7 lead with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter.

The Raiders started their next drive on their own 20yard line and managed to pick up a first down, but a tipped pass led to Shoup’s second interception of the year.

After a personal foul by Walton, the Black Knights started their drive from the Walton 15-yard line and didn’t waste any time scoring on a 15-yard toss from Maxey to wide receiver Price to give Central Gwinnett a 28-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After another punt from Walton, Maxey found Price once again on a 26-yard touchdown on thirdand-3 to extend the Black Knights’ lead to 35-7 with 10:26 remaining in the second quarter.

Walton managed to drive down to the 50-yard line, but was forced to punt for the fourth time, which set up a 24-yard touchdown pass from Maxey to Price after a seven-play, 76-yard drive to give Central Gwinnett a 42-7 lead with 3:09 left in the second quarter.

Walton managed a 13-yard touchdown from Shoup to Letton with 34 seconds left in the second quarter but a failed twopoint conversion kept their deficit at 42-13 at halftime.

Each team scored one touchdown in the third quarter and both went scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Central Gwinnett’s Treyvon Vallery (13) runs the ball against Walton in Friday night’s first round playoff win.

(Photo: Anthony Stalcup)

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Archer wide receiver Kyle Davis (11) gains yardage against Etowah defensive back Jack Sawyer (22) during Friday’s game against Etowah at Archer High School in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Chris Roughgarden)

Tigers set the tone Archer dominates first half in opening-round win

By Chris Stephens

ARCHER 40, ETOWAH 17

Staff Correspondent

LAWRENCEVILLE — It wasn’t as dominating as last year’s semifinal, but it was close enough as Archer ruled all three phases of the game to beat Etowah 40-17 in the first round of the Class AAAAAA playoffs Friday.

The Tigers got 284 yards passing on 19 of 22 attempts from quarterback Will Bearden in the first half and never looked back.

“Great defense set the tone for us,” said Archer head coach Andy Dyer.

“We got out of the gate strong.”

The Tigers (10-1) set the tone on the second play of the game when Jamyest Williams threw a 50-yard completion to Dylan Singleton on a wide receiver pass, moving the Tigers down to the 10-yard line. However, the Etowah defense stood tall and forced Archer into a 20-yard field goal by Matthew Fritts, making the score 3-0.

“That was a big play there, but we really needed to score a touchdown on that one,” Dyer said.

“We’ll take the points, though.”

Williams provided another electric play just past the midway point of the first quarter. This time, it was on special teams when he took a punt from his own 38-yard line and broke through a number of arm tackles for a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown, making it 10-0.

Etowah Archer

Archer running back Jamyest Williams (1) fights off Etowah defense during Friday’s game against Etowah at Archer High School in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Chris Roughgarden)

The Eagles (8-3) looked as if they would score on their next drive, driving down to the Archer 27-yard line. But Aramis Bryant came around the edge to block the field goal, seemingly giving the ball back to the Tigers.

However, Archer was called for a penalty and the Eagles had another chance at a field goal, this time from 29 yards out.

And again, the Archer defense blocked it, with Kobe Smith getting his mitts on the ball.

The Tigers used that momentum and marched down the field on their next drive for a score.

A 30-yard completion to Kyle Davis set up Bearden’s first touchdown pass of the night to Bryant for 36 yards, making the score 17-0.

On Etowah’s first play of its next possession, a bad snap on the first play put the ball on the 1-yard line. Two plays later, Donta Evans and Sam Wright combined for a sack in the end zone, putting two

more points on the board for the Tigers.

Three plays into Archer’s ensuing drive, Bearden found Singleton for a 20-yard touchdown pass, making it 26-0 with 8:37 to go before halftime.

The scoring continued from there for Archer.

Starting on his own 26yard line on the next drive, Bearden again guided his team down the field, finding Juwan Powell for 28 yards on the first play. From there, it was a methodical march down the field, culminating in a Williams two-yard score to make it 33-0.

Archer added its final score just before halftime.

Set up by a 30-yard completion to Jeremiah Nails, Bearden found Singleton once again for a 20-yard score, making it 40-0.

“Will did a great job at reading coverage all night,” Dyer said.

Etowah got on the board in the third quarter thanks in part to two completions for 67 yards to Blake Jones. A 19-yard

0 0 3 14 — 17 10 30 0 0 — 40

FIRST QUARTER Archer: Matthew Fritts 20 field goal 9:28 Archer: Jamyest Williams 62 punt return (Fritts kick) 4:04 SECOND QUARTER Archer: Aramis Bryant 36 pass from Will Bearden (Fritts kick) 10:39 Archer: Safety 9:17 Archer: Dylan Singleton 20 pass from Bearden (Fritts kick) 8:37 Archer: Williams 2 run (Fritts kick) 3:20 Archer: Singleton 20 pass from Bearden (Fritts kick) 0:17 THIRD QUARTER Etowah: Cameron Allen 19 field goal 8:17 FOURTH QUARTER Etowah: Vincent Riley 4 pass from Patrick Ferris (Allen kick) 9”47 Etowah: Trey Moore 2 run (Allen kick) 5:48

field goal by Cameron Allen made it 40-3.

The Eagles scored twice in the fourth quarter to make the score more respectable.

A 38-yard completion to Jones put the Eagles in Archer territory. Six plays later, Patrick Ferris found Vincent Riley in the flat, who powered his way to the end zone to make it 40-10.

The Eagles added one final score after a botched Tigers’ punt, putting the final score at 40-17.

Etowah was led by Jones, who finished with four catches for 112 yards.

In addition to Bearden’s big night, Nails had six catches for 111 yards, while Singleton had five catches for 100 yards.

The Tigers will now hit the road in the second round to face McEachern, which beat Lowndes in the first round Friday.

No. 3 Roswell eliminates Parkview

By Nick Suss

Staff Correspondent

ROSWELL — Before the Parkview Panthers could put six points on the board, they were already down by six touchdowns.

After finishing the regular season 6-4 overall and 4-4 in the region, Parkview saw its season end Friday night in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs in a disappointing fashion, as the third-ranked Roswell Hornets (11-0) dominated the Panthers 63-25.

Turnovers and penalties doomed Parkview in the early going, as three interceptions, one lost fumble, one turnover on downs and three pass interference penalties in the first half alone put the Panthers in a 49-7 hole at halftime.

Roswell scored on its first possession of the game, aided by a driveextending pass interference penalty called against

the Panthers. Then the Hornets’ defense took over. Parkview senior quarterback Jack Chambers lost a fumble on his team’s first possession, but the Panthers’ defense stood stout, forcing a punt.

However, on the ensuing drive backed deep inside its own territory, Parkview attempted a fake punt that failed, setting up a 3-yard touchdown carry for Roswell tailback Sheldon Evans one play later. That was the first of Evans’ five first-half touchdowns.

Parkview coach Eric Godfree defended the decision on the fake punt, saying that had a defensive holding penalty been called, the play would’ve worked as designed. That being said, the reason for the call was based on more than just awareness of Roswell’s tendency to hold gunners on punt plays. It stemmed from respect.

“We knew we’d have

to make some big plays because Roswell’s a good football team,” Godfree said. “We wish we’d have had that one called right.

The end result might not have been different but it would’ve been a very different first quarter.”

Aside from Evans, the Hornet that gave the Panthers the hardest time Friday night was junior defensive back Xavier McKinney. McKinney intercepted two passes, one of which led to a Roswell touchdown 30 seconds later, and returned a thirdquarter kickoff 70 yards to silence the Parkview fans less than a minute after kicker Will Chandler slightly trimmed the Roswell lead with a 29-yard field goal.

Despite the outcome, Parkview’s offense did exhibit brief glimmers of success. Midway through the second quarter, Chambers led the Panthers down the field on a six-play drive

that traversed 74 yards of field in 2:12, culminating in a 12-yard pass from Chambers to Garrett Fowler. In the fourth quarter, Chambers left the game and was replaced by Caleb Mitchell. Mitchell led the Panthers down the field twice in the fourth quarter, putting 15 points on the board in less than two minutes as time expired.

Godfree said he was impressed with the way his team continued to fight in the second half despite the large deficit. “(I’m) absolutely very impressed,” Godfree said.

“When you work as hard as they’ve worked all offseason and in season, it’s hard to give up.”

As for the Hornets, Godfree said with the talent he saw on the opposing squad, he would be surprised if this win was Roswell’s last of the year.

“The talent in this state is just unbelievable,” Godfree said.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015 • 7A

gwinnett football league

Buford’s Christian York (8) prepares to hand off the ball to De’Andre Sadler (4) during last Saturday’s GFL game against the Grayson Rams at George Pierce Park in Suwanee. Below, Parkview’s Justin Baker (1) runs past Buford’s Kenyon Rivera (7).

FUTURE of FOOTBALL Photos by David Welker

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK The Gwinnett Football League’s players and cheerleaders of the week (athletes were selected by his or her coach):

North Gwinnett Eighth grade Division I: Devin Crosby Eighth grade Division II: William Long Peachtree Ridge 7-year-old AL South: Jace Forrest

FOOTBALL Buford 6-year-old AL North: Dylan Verdi

CHEERLEADING Buford First grade: Addison Cheek

Recruiting Profile

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MYKELLE MCDANIEL Senior | DE Grayson Have you started to narrow down your offers? I have, but I’m not taking any official (visits) until the end of the season. I will visit Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee and South Carolina.

That’s my top four.

What’s the mentality of your defensive line each game? We want it.

We’re hungry.

Does the fact that so many guys are playing a high level for y’all right now help everyone get better? Yeah. It makes us all work.

We all want to outwork each other to get that spot. No matter what.

What do you bring to the table for the D-line? Attitude. Because my attitude, I feel like they’re all going to take it on. If I walk in with a bad attitude, they’re going to have a bad attitude. So I feel like if I work 100 percent, they follow me.

You said that was a tough transition to become that type of leader.

What made it tough? Myself.

Proving to myself.

Not necessarily from the outside or anybody else, I feel like they already knew. It was just me embracing my own position and my role on the team.

8A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

gwinnettprepsports.com