Nov 21, 2015 — GDP Blitz

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015

the

$1.00 2015 SCNI

a product of the

Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettprepsports.com @gdpsports

Grayson running back Cameryn Brent (1) fights off Valdosta defensive back Rashay March (6) during Friday’s game at Grayson High School in Loganville. Below, Grayson defensive back Jordan Cornelius (24) brings down Valdosta tight end Jontea Baker (8). (Photos: Chris Roughgarden)

RUNAWAY RAMS

Grayson blasts Valdosta 54-21

By Chris Stephens Staff Correspondent

LOGANVILLE — Grayson continued its dominance at home in the playoffs as it destroyed Valdosta, 54-21, in the second round of the Class AAAAAA playoffs.

The Rams got 328 combined rushing yards from Cameryn Brent and Ernest Tiller III as the Wildcats couldn’t get a stop on defense.

“Our offensive line did great up front all night,” said Grayson head coach Mickey Conn. “That’s where it all starts.”

Grayson (12-0) got things going on its first drive, going 65 yards in eight plays.

A 12-yard completion from quarterback Chase Brice to Austin Nash moved the chains on third down before the Rams gave it to Brent on the next five plays. Rushes of 10, 15 and 13 yards set up Brent, who then scored from the 8-yard line to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

After forcing Valdosta (8-4) to punt on its first drive, Grayson against moved down the field. A screen pass to Evan

MORE INSIDE n Archer wins thriller over McEachern, 2A n Collins Hill pulls out win at Newton, 4A n Buford, GAC cruise into quarterfinals, 6A

STATE PLAYOFFS Quarterfinals Class AAAAAA Grayson vs. Westlake* Archer at Mill Creek Collins Hill at Roswell Class AAAA Buford vs. Thomson* Class AA GAC vs. Brooks Co.* *Coin flip determines home team

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS RUSHERS

Ernest Tiller, Grayson, 167 yards Cameryn Brent, Grayson, 161 yards Jonathan Postell, Collins Hill, 153 yards

PASSERS

Sturgill went for 51 yards down to the Valdosta 25-yard line. However, The Rams’ offense stalled inside the red zone and had to settle for a Will Van Pamelen 30-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

On the Wildcats’ first play of their next drive, quarterback Seth Shuman dropped back to pass only to see Grayson

freshman Owen Pappoe step in front of the pass and return it 15 yards for the score.

“That was a huge interception and score that Owen had there,” Conn said. “That made the game 17-0 and really pushed us.”

Valdosta was again forced to punt on its next drive with Sturgill returning it 21 yards

to the Valdosta 34-yard line.

On the first play of the drive, Brice found Austin Nash, who broke two tackles and made a cut to the end zone for a 34yard score, making it 24-0.

“Our screen game was working good,” Conn said.

“Chase read the defense well, See RAMS, Page 7A

Davis Mills, GAC, 263 yards Will Bearden, Archer, 213 yards Micah Maxey, Central, 185 yards

2A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015

gwinnettprepsports.com

Eye of the Tigers

Archer sole survivor in classic 24-21 win over McEachern It took Hockman and the Indians just four plays and exactly one minute to Archer 0 3 7 14 — 24 swipe the lead right back, McEachern 0 0 14 7 — 21 POWDER SPRINGS with the Georgia-bound FIRST QUARTER — As wild as Archer’s junior hitting Simmons for None second-round Class a 36-yard scoring strike SECOND QUARTER Archer: Matthew Fritts 30 FG, 1:58 AAAAAA state playoff to make the score 21-17 THIRD QUARTER game with McEachern was Indians with 3:08 left.

McEachern: Sam Jackson 95 kickoff return (Cesar Dominguez kick), throughout, it only seemed That didn’t deter 11:44 appropriate that it ended so Bearden and the Tigers, McEachern: Tyler Simmons 1 run (Dominguez kick), 5:50 frenetically. who picked right up where Archer: Jamyest WIllams 2 run As it turned out, the last they left off.

(Fritts kick), 1:38 of the three laterals the “We knew we had FOURTH QUARTER Archer: Aramis Bryant 15 pass host Indians attempted to them,” Bearden said. from Will Bearden (Fritts kick), 4:08 keep the game alive was “(McEachern was) gassed.

McEachern: Simmons 36 pass from Bailey Hockman (Dominguez flagged for an illegal for… We put the (hammer) kick), 3:08 ward pass. down and just did what we Archer: Bearden 1 run (Fritts kick), 0:35 Still, the Archer defense do.”

made sure by tripping What Bearden did was

ARC MC up the last McEachern connect on four of his next First downs 20 11 Rushes-yards 30-134 30-62 ball carrier at around the six attempts, including a Passing yards 213 191 Archer 25 to secure its critical 10-yard completion Att.-Comp.-INT 29-41-0 9-19-0 Fumbles-lost 1-1 3-2 hard-earned 24-21 victory to Bryant on fourth and 6 Penalties-yards 4-40 9-72 Archer’s Juwan Powell carries the ball as McEachern’s Malik Jordan tries to tackle him Friday night at Walter H. from the McEachern 39 to during Friday’s second round of the state playoffs at McEachern. (Photo: Kathryn Ingall) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Cantrell Stadium. keep the drive alive.

RUSHING — Archer: Williams 23Ultimately, Will He then followed an 89, Bearden 4-35, Dylan Singleton 35, Kyle Davis 1-(-1), TEAM Bearden’s 1-yard quarno quit in them.”

Simmons into Simmons’ never give up. We all knew 8-yard run by keeping the 1-(-1). McEachern: Jackson 21-74, terback sneak with 35 The Tigers definitely had 1-yard TD that made the we were going to win the ball on the quarterback Simmons 4-13, Quay Holmes 1-4, seconds left proved to be to demonstrate that never- score 14-3 with 5:50 left in game, … and the offensive draw for 13 yards to give TEAM 1-0, Hockman 3-(29).

PASSING — Archer: Bearden 29the difference that sent No. say-die attitude several the quarter. line really picked it up in Archer first-and-goal from 41-0, 213. McEachern: Hockman 4 state-ranked Archer (11- times Friday night, parThe Tigers then muffed the second half.” the 8.

9-19-0, 191.

1) into a state quarterfinal ticularly in a second-half the ensuing kickoff, which A rejuvenated offense got RECEIVING — Archer: Davis 11Then on third-and-goal 92, Bryant 8-73, Juwan Powell match-up with fifth-ranked in which the two offenses the host Indians pounced rolling on the next drive. from the 1, Bearden fol5-31, Singleton 3-10, Jeremiah Nails 1-14, Williams 1-0. McEachMill Creek next Friday in finally got cranked up after on to take at the Archer 23.

Bearden completed four lowed his offensive line ern: Simmons 4-130, Brandon Hoschton. the defenses dominated the But Sam Wright came straight passes, three to and plowed into the end Smith 3-28, C.J. Windham 1-7.

But the way this game first half. up with a huge sack of Aramis Bryant, and a pass zone with 35 seconds left went, the Tigers were wise After Archer took a Hockman — his second interference penalty set the to put the Tigers back in to leave nothing to chance. 3-0 lead into halftime, of the night — to push Tigers up at the McEachwhen a Dylan Singleton front at 24-21.

“That game was not over Sam Jackson returned the McEachern back to the 22, ern 15-yard line. couldn’t quite hold on Still, the win wasn’t until that (final) whistle second-half kickoff 95 and the normally sureThree runs by Jamyest to a Bearden swing pass secure as Jackson returned blew,” an exhausted Archer yards for a score that sud- footed Cesar Dominguez Williams later and Archer towards the end zone. a short kickoff 18 yards coach Andy Dyer said. denly vaulted McEachern missed his third field goal was in the end zone, with But three plays later, to set McEachern up at “Fortunately, we’re getting (10-2) into a 7-3 lead just attempt of the night to keep the junior’s 2-yard run cut- Williams yanked the ball its won 42, and Hockman out of here on top. … (The 16 seconds into the third the Archer deficit at just 11 ting the McEachern lead to out of Simmons’ hands to connected on a 15-yard Archer players) are absolute quarter. points.

14-10 with 1:38 left in the give Archer another chance pass to Brandon Smith to warriors. … You always talk Things got even worse The break was just the third quarter. in the red zone at the give the Indians one last about adversity, and when for Archer after a scoring tonic the Tigers needed.

Once again, it looked McEachern 14. chance with four seconds adversity hits, you find out opportunity slipped away “Nobody gave up,” said like the Tigers had let an This time the Tigers remaining at the Archer 43. what kind of true warriors with a critical penalty, Bearden, who finished opportunity slip away cashed in, with Bearden When the Tigers finally you’ve got. And I think they which McEachern took the night 29 of 41 for 213 when they got a stop and hitting Bryant in the flat corralled the ball carrier showed the world (Friday) advantage of by turnyards and a touchdown. marched 54 yards to the for a 15-yard TD that gave after three laterals on the night, or at least the (fans) ing a 79-yard pass from “We fought to the very McEachern 4, only to turn Archer the lead back at 17- final play, they were finally that were here that there’s Bailey Hockman to Tyler end. … Our mentality is the ball over on downs 14 with 4:08 remaining. able to celebrate.

By David Friedlander david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

ARCHER 24, MCEACHERN 21

gwinnettprepsports.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015 • 3A

Longhorns hooked

Lanier can’t dig out of hole in 41-21 loss to Northgate

By Brandon Brigman

NORTHGATE 41, LANIER 21

Staff Correspondent

SUGAR HILL — Lanier dug itself in a hole in the first seven minutes of Friday’s second-round Class AAAAA playoff game and the Longhorns could never get out.

The Longhorns fumbled on their first two possessions and visiting Northgate capitalized in a 41-21 win.

Northgate, the No. 2 seed from Region 4-AAAAA, will play Kell in next week’s quarterfinals.

Lanier had four turnovers and Northgate scored touchdowns off of three of them.

“It’s disappointing, but you know you have to play good football in the playoffs and we didn’t do that,” head coach Korey Mobbs said. “We turned the ball over.

“The first half was probably our worst half of football and when you get behind a team that’s going to grind it out. Credit to them, they are a good football team and we just didn’t play well.”

It’s a tough finish for Lanier, which was ranked No. 2 in the state, after a standout regular season.

The Longhorns (11-1) finished the regular season undefeated and won their second-straight Region 8-AAAAA championship.

After losing in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Longhorns beat East Paulding last week 27-13.

“This is a special group,” said Mobbs, who is 21-2 as a head coach. “They

Northgate 21 7 6 7 — 41 Lanier 7 0 0 14 — 21

Lanier linebacker Devin Miller (9) drags down Northgate running back Ton Evans (7) during Friday night’s game at Lanier in Sugar Hill. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

are back-to-back region champs. We are in Year 6 of a school that two of those years has won a region championship.

“That’s not any comfort for tonight, but at the same time, that’s a heck of an accomplishment. I’m so proud of this group. A group that is selfless and committed to each other and we just came up short tonight.”

Lanier, which features the state’s No. 1 college recruit in defensive end Derrick Brown, appeared to be primed for a state title run.

But the Longhorns picked the wrong time of the year to play their worst game of the season.

The 41 points allowed by Lanier was the most all season, which is surprising for

a team that was giving up just 8.36 points per game going into Friday’s game.

Northgate used the game’s opening drive and went 86 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings’ Jay Anderson caught a 25-yard pass from Kyle McLaren to go up 7-0.

The Lanier defense was put in two tough spots to begin the game when the Longhorns’ offense fumbled on its 25 and 17 to start the game.

Anderson caught his second touchdown pass, a 28-yard reception from Mclaren, on third and 13.

Then Kyle Cater scored on a 2-yard run up the middle to push Northgate to a 21-0 lead with 4:36 left in the first quarter.

Lanier’s defense finally came up with a stop at the

end of the first quarter to force a punt. Ethan Wilson, who had two interceptions in last week’s playoff win, returned the punt 71 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-7 with 1:26 left in the first quarter.

Lanier’s offense didn’t pick up a first down until 16 minutes into the game when Marcella Baity had a 5-yard run to get the first down.

However, the drive stalled and Lanier had to punt.

On Northgate’s ensuing possession, the Vikings were faced with thirdand-20 and Ton Evans had an 80-yard touchdown run down the left sideline to make it 28-7 with 4:19 left in the half. Evans was the game’s leading rusher with 194 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns. Fullback Kyle Cater had 93 yards on

FIRST QUARTER Northgate: Jay Anderson 25 pass from Kyle Mclaren (Jamie Skalski kick) 7:37 Northgate: Anderson 28 pass from Mclaren (Skalski kick) 6:11 Northgate: Kyle Cater 2 run (Skalski kick) 4:26 Lanier: Ethan Wilson 71 punt return (Noah Thomas kick) 1:26 SECOND QUARTER Northgate: Ton Evans 80 run (Skalski kick) 4:19 THIRD QUARTER Northgate: Evans 3 run (kick failed) 2:49 FOURTH QUARTER Lanier: Joshua Stroud 26 run (Thomas kick) 11:45 Northgate: Evans 4 run (Skalski kick) 5:55 Lanier: Marcella Baity 12 pass from Tahj Tolbert (Thomas kick) 3:37

NG LAN First down 14 12 Rushes-yards 47-290 24-50 Comp-Att-Int 2-6-0 10-22-2 Passing yards 77 101 Penalties-yards 13-152 12-107 Fumbles-lost 1-0 2-2 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Northgate: Ton Evans 23-194; Kyle Cater 21-93; Kamari Ray 3-7; Nick Cater 2-1; Jamie Skalski 1-2. Lanier: Marko Baity 12-18; Tahj Tolbert 6-(-17); Marcella Baity 5-23; Joshua Stroud 1-26.

PASSING — Northgate: Kyle Mclaren 3-7-0, 77. Lanier: Tahj Tolbert 10-22-2, 101.

RECEIVING — Northgate: Isaiah Pryor 1-24; Jay Anderson 2-53.

Lanier: Marcella Baity 6-74; Marko Baity 2-6; Joshua Stroud 1-10; Alex Wyant 1-11.

21 carries as the Vikings rushed for 290 yards in their wing-T offense.

“It’s crazy, we played well against the run in the first half, but they just hit us with some huge plays on third down and you have to get off the field. You have to prevent those big plays,” Mobbs said.

Northgate added to its lead in the third quarter

when the Vikings drove 85 yards for a touchdown.

Evans had a 58-yard run to put Northgate in scoring position. Lanier didn’t help itself the rest of the drive with a personal foul and two pass interference calls.

It was just three of the 12 penalties Lanier had for 107 yards. Northgate was flagged 13 times for 152 yards.

“There was a lot of penalties tonight,” Mobbs said.

“We didn’t play and that had nothing to do with the outcome of the game.”

The Vikings eventually scored on Evans’ 3-yard run to go ahead 34-7 after the PAT failed with 2:49 left in the third quarter.

Lanier’s offense finally responded with a positive drive. Tahj Tolbert had a 21-yard pass to Marcella Baity on third down to keep the drive alive.

Tolbert was 10 of 22 for 101 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions.

Lanier’s drive was aided by a targeting foul and pass interference by Northgate and then Joshua Stroud had a 26-yard touchdown run on a broken play to make the score 34-14 to start the fourth quarter.

Evans scored his third touchdown on a 4-yard run with 5:55 left in the game to crush and hopes of Lanier comeback with the score 41-14. Lanier managed to score with 3:37 left in the game when Tolbert threw a 12-yard touchdown to Marcella Baity. It was one of six receptions for 74 yards for Baity.

4A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015

gwinnettprepsports.com

Second-half surge sends Collins Hill past Newton After extending their lead on a 29-yard Austin Seymour field goal, the EaCOVINGTON — What gles shut down Newton’s started out as a defensive offense. But a pass interstruggle ended with both ference penalty followed offenses on fire. by consecutive personal Collins Hill’s fire burned fouls without the ball being a little hotter as it knocked snapped gave the Rams the Newton out of the Class ball on the Collins Hill 17AAAAAA playoffs with a yard line.

31-24 win at Homer Sharp Newton converted a Stadium on Friday. fourth-and-two on a pass Two normally explosive from Romario Johnson offenses barely made any to Artice Hobbs getting noise in the first half.

Newton to the 4-yard line.

Collins Hill did a little Johnson found Deandre bit better as it had six first Huff in the end zone the downs while gaining 120 next playing giving Newyard, 61 rushing and 59 ton the 10-9 lead. passing. Newton ended the After being stopped on first half with eight first their initial drive of the downs while gaining 39 second half, the Rams got yards on the ground and 47 another chance when Colin the air for 89 yards of Collins Hill’s A.J. Carter (13) gets a handhold of Newton’s Jeremiah Holloman (11) dur- lins Hill fumbled the ball. total offense.

But once again the Eagles ing Friday’s Class AAAAAA second-round game. (Photo: Sue Ann Kuhn-Smith) The plays called by defense forced a punt.

Newton and Collins Hill Brandon Myhand having 76 yards to the Newton Newton took its first Collins Hill did a good were similar, but that served as co-offensive 17-yard line. After Jeremy possession 63 yards in nine job of corralling Kurt wasn’t unexpected with coordinators previously.

Lewis lost a yard on a run, plays before Nick Munoz- Taylor in the first half, Newton head coach TerCollins Hill showed it Monty Horn found Des Ramirez split the uprights holding him to 41 yards on rance Banks and Collins meant business as Camer- Howard wide open for a making it 6-3 with 7:30 12 carries. However, the Hill offensive coordinator on Stringer ran the kickoff touchdown. left in the first quarter.

Eagles were unable to do

By Manny Fils

Staff Correspondent

the same in the second half as he broke out for a 55yard run. He crossed the goal line two plays later from the 5-yard line giving Newton a 17-9 lead with 6:59 remaining in the third.

Collins Hill finally got its running game going in the third quarter behind Jonathan Postell, who carried the ball five times for 51 yards. His final run of two-yards led to a tie game after the two-point conversion. Postell ended the game with 153 yards on 19 carries Jeremy Lewis (10 carries, 97 yards) continued sparking the running game with a 47-yard touchdown run for the 24-17 lead with 3:06 left in the third.

Lewis scored again with 7:54 left in the game to put the Eagles up by 14 points.

Despite being down, the Rams were not out as they responded with a touchdown 1:06 later on a 15-yard pass from Johnson to Hobbs to make it 31-24.

Westlake wins defensive battle with Peachtree Ridge

By Colin Hubbard

yards rushing and scored Peachtree Ridge’s lone touchdown. Quarterback ATLANTA — Two Bubba Hickson completed defensive stallwarts met 8 of 22 pass attempts for 92 head-to-head for the very yards and two interceptions. first time, but it was the “We didn’t get the job Westlake Lions who musdone. That’s the bottom tered up just enough offense line, and that’s my fault,” down the stretch to hold Peachtree Ridge head coach off the Peachtree Ridge Mark Fleetwood said. “We Lions 28-9 to advance to the had opportunities but WestAAAAAA quarterfinals on lake stayed with their game Friday night. plan and were able to beat Westlake managed 258 us at inopportune times. We yards of total offense and took two steps forward and held Peachtree Ridge to 205 one step back all night.” yards behind three intercepBoth defenses were flextions, including a pick-six ing their muscles to start to seal the deal late in the the game, with each team fourth quarter. forcing punts on their openMalik Staples led ing possessions, but it was Peachtree Ridge with 44 Westlake who made the Staff Correspondent

first move.

After a holding penalty negated a 35-yard touchdown run by Nigel Warrior, Westlake defensive back A.J. Terrell intercepted Peachtree Ridge quarterback Fred Payton on the very next play but the Peachtree Ridge defense forced a quick three-andout to give the ball back to Peachtree Ridge.

Peachtree Ridge was unable to do anything on its next possession and punted the ball right back to Westlake after a quick sevenplay, 22-yard drive.

Starting on their own 24yard line, Westlake marched into Peachtree Ridge territory after a 38-yard run from

Marquez Burdette. Three plays later on third-and-5 Willis connected with Ronnie Blackmon for an 18-yard touchdown to give Westlake a 7-0 lead with 7:15 left in the second quarter.

Westlake’s defense forced Peachtree Ridge into two more three-and-out’s before the half, but Westlake had one more opportunity to put points on the board with 45 seconds left in the second quarter.

Westlake started its drive on its own 39-yard line with 31 seconds remaining and quickly marched down to the Peachtree Ridge 21-yard line after a 40-yard run from Willis. On the very next play, Willis connected

with Terrell who was wide open in the end zone to give Westlake a 14-0 lead with 13 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

However, Peachtree Ridge would get one last opportunity to score after a lateral return from Warrior set them up at the Westlake 29-yard line but a last-ditch lob to the end zone fell incomplete to leave the score 14-0 at halftime.

After forcing a quick three-and-out, Peachtree Ridge started its first drive of the second half from its own 48-yard line, but on the very first play from scrimmage Blackmon picked off quarterback Hickson to give the ball right back to

Westlake.

Just six plays into Westlake’s drive, Willis was stripped on third-and-5 and the ball was recovered by defensive tackle Michael Terry at the Westlake 28yard line.

On third-and-6 Hickson connected with wide receiver DeAngelo Gibbs for a 24-yard gain, but the play was negated due to a holding call. Peachtree Ridge would later punt as a result.

Peachtree Ridge scored its first touchdown of the game at the 9:50 mark of the fourth quarter after Staples pounded it in from two yards out, but a failed twopoint conversion kept the deficit at five points.

gwinnettprepsports.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015 • 5A

Complete effort gives Hawks big win over Newnan

By Scott Smith

scott.smith@ gwinnettdailypost.com

HOSCHTON — Mill Creek built a 27-7 lead in the first half and never looked back as the Hawks topped Newnan 44-14 on Friday night in the second round of the Class AAAAAA state fooball playoffs.

The win extended Mill Creek’s historic season as the Hawks stretched their record to 12-0 and set up a date at home next week against county-rival Archer in the quarterfinals. The two teams scrimmaged each other in the preseason, battling to a 14-14 tie with starters in the game.

“As important as the win is, I was more proud of the way our kids played,” Mill Creek head coach Shannon Jarvis said. “We played our sloppiest game of the year last week and this week has been focused on us.

Our kids responded and all three phases of our game were complete.”

Newnan was never able to get its running game going as the Hawks held the

dragged down by a Mill Creek defender.

The lead lasted all of 11 seconds as the Hawks tied the score on the ensuing kickoff as Edmond Graham scored on an 88-yard return.

That marked the second week in a row that Graham returned a kickoff for a TD and began a 27-0 scoring run in the first half for the Hawks.

On its next offensive play, Newnan fumbled for the game’s first turnover on Mill Creek’s Edmond Graham (3) scores a touchdown on a kickoff return against Newnan on Friday night. (Photo: a hit by Sidney Otiwu of running back Marquis Hill.

Craig Cappy) The loose ball was Cougars (9-3) to 42 total yards and a score. yards and one TD on eight having their first two posrecovered by Kishawn yards rushing.

“The play that got us carries, all in the first half. sessions end with a punt.

Miller of Mill Creek at Most of the damage for in our rhythym came late Leconte left the game late But the Cougars broke the Newnan 24 and led to Newnan came through the in the first quarter when in the second quarter after through on their third pos- a 32-yard field goal from air as quarterback Chancel- (Turley) ran a bootleg and taking a hard hit around his session for the first points Brenton King. lor Johnson finished 15 of hit Braxton Richburg for a knees. of the game, going 80 “We played well early 27 for 176 yards and two 20-yard play,” Jarvis said.

“He’s fine,” Jarvis said yards on just three plays and got some momentum, touchdowns.

“I could sense them relax of Leconte. “We held him for the touchdown. but that kickoff return was Mill Creek countered a little bit after that and we out as a precaution, but Johnson hit receiver huge,” Newnan head coach with Cameron Turley, who stayed in our rhythym after he could’ve gone back in Zavin Cooley-Smith on the Mike McDonald said. overcame a slow start to hit that.” there if we needed him.” right side on a screen pass. “That was a big swing for 14 of 23 passes for 179 The running game for The first quarter got off Cooley-Smith was right there. Mill Creek has yards and one score.

Mill Creek also did its part to a bit of a slow start with able to get through the a fine football team and no Turley’s top target was as the Hawks added 182 the two teams trying to first wave of tacklers and shame in losing to those Braxton Richburg, who yards on the ground, led by find their offense. outraced the Mill Creek guys.” hauled in five passes for 94 60 yards and two TDs from Mill Creek was forced to secondary 76 yards for the Mill Creek closed out yards, while Miles Riley Joe Thomas. punt on its first three posTD, getting to the right the half by scoring on its added two catches for 50 Daniel Leconte added 57 sessions, with the Cougars pylon as he was being last three possessions.

Mill Creek cornerback Miller plays to honor late brother

By Will Hammock

Miller had an pre-existing heart condition and suffered a fatal heart attack.

“In the beginning, it was HOSCHTON — drop everything and get Kishawn Miller, Mill to Buffalo,” Miller said.

Creek’s lockdown corner“Then I had to put things back, initially didn’t think he in perspective. I had school would play in Friday night’s and my team. I wanted to Class AAAAAA secondbe there for them. I wanted round football game. to make sure I would come The Hawks faced a back to another game. I tough test in Newnan, had to put things in perbut the senior absorbed spective. I decided to stay rough news early in the another week and fly out week when his 25-yearSaturday.” old brother died suddenly Bryant Miller lived in in Buffalo, N.Y. Bryant Buffalo, where his younger will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

498-1 296272-1

brother grew up. But Kishawn Miller moved to Georgia as an eighth-grader, creating a physical distance between the brothers but not breaking their bond.

“That was my blood brother, I loved him,” Miller said. “He was funny, really funny. He was loving. He always had a smile on his face.”

Miller was an important piece in the Hawks’ defense against some tall, athletic Newnan receivers.

The Cougars rarely threw his way — likely taking

note of his two interceptions, one for a touchdown, against Peachtree Ridge two weeks earlier.

The Mill Creek coaches were happy to have Miller in the lineup, taking care of his side of the field in the Hawks’ 44-14 victory. “(Miller’s) a special kid,” Mill Creek head coach Shannon Jarvis said. “This was totally up to him. Obviously this was a family matter and that’s above football. For (the family) to work that out and allow him to play

shows his love for his teammates and his love for Mill Creek. He’s one of our top leaders. He has a very infectious personality. He’s one of those kids whose energy makes everyone around him better.

If he wasn’t able to play, it would be a huge void in that (energy and leadership) area as much as his skill set. His passion and his energy in everything he does has been a huge reason for our defensive success as a team.”

Miller, an underrated

college prospect with Division I talent according to his coaches, had a little extra motivation Friday night, too. He played for his school, community and teammates, but also for his late brother.

“I knew (Bryant) was watching over me the entire time,” said Miller, who flies out today for Buffalo in time for the funeral.

“I just wanted to play for him, play in his memory. I knew he would want me to give my all and play with the team.”

6A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015

gwinnettprepsports.com

After an early deficit, GAC stifles Vidalia

By Paul Thomas

paul.thomas @gwinnettdailypost.com

NORCROSS — The Vidalia Indians will be glad when Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Davis Mills graduates in the spring of 2017. After the Spartans defeated Vidalia in the state quarterfinals last season, GAC ended the Indians season again Friday night with a 48-22 win in the second round of the Class AA state playoffs.

After a Mills interception, the Indians took a 14-3 lead with just 45 seconds left in the first quarter. After that drive, Mills led the Spartans to scores on their next seven drives and the GAC defense held Vidalia scoreless on its next seven possessions.

“Give Vidalia credit they came out to play,” GAC head coach Tim Hardy said. “They held us to a field goal on the first drive and then they drove and scored. Then we turned it over and they scored again. Then we settled down offensively and we were able to get some things going and from that point out the defense really shut them down.”

The Indians scored on their first two possessions with their first two touchdown passes of the season. Hall Graham found Sean Jones on Vidalia’s opening drive and after GAC was held to a field goal. Graham then hit Lakia Henry for a 13-yard score and a 14-3 lead.

The Spartans bounced back on a 6-yard touchdown run by Mills. After forcing a three-and-out Josh Pickens regained the lead for GAC with a 3-yard score.

Late in the second quarter the Indians were moving the ball deep into GAC territory, but then Devin Thomas came up a fumble recovery at the GAC 16 with 2:41 left in the half.

Mills marched GAC 94 yards for another score.

Pickens plunged in for a 1-yard score with 29 seconds left in the half and a 24-14 lead.

“That was huge,” Hardy said. “They were deep, they were driving but that led to a score right before the half.

That was huge to score right before the half … so we were able to get a little separation at halftime which was good.”

Vidalia started the second half off with the ball and the Spartans forced a three-and-out as Carson Costas came up with a third-down sack to force an Indians’ punt.

In the first half Jones ran 91 yards on nine carries. In the second half GAC held him to just 28 yards on five carries. He scored on a 10-yard run with 38 seconds remaining in the game to finish with 119 yards on 15 carries.

Vidalia didn’t have a play longer than 15 yards in the second half as the Spartans’ front seven

GAC 48, VIDALIA 22

Vidalia GAC

14 0 0 8 — 22 3 21 14 10 — 48

FIRST QUARTER GAC: Brooks Buce 19 field goal, 8:34 Vidalia: Sean Jones 6 pass from Hall Graham (Hector Lara kick), 4:01 Vidalia: Lakia Henry 13 pass from Graham (Lara kick), 0:45 SECOND QUARTER GAC: Davis Mills 6 run (Buce kick), 10:54 GAC: Josh Pickens 3 run (Buce kick), 5:52 GAC: Pickens 1 run (Buce kick), 0:29 THIRD QUARTER GAC: Mills 1 run (Buce), 5:29 GAC: Tony Wyche 2 pass from Mills (Buce), 0:11 FOURTH QUARTER GAC: Buce 46 field goal, 5:29 GAC: Alex Boglin 1 run (Buce), 3:27 Vidalia: Jones 10 run (Graham pass to Jones), 0:38

VID GAC First Downs 11 15 Rushes-yards: 42-239 35-180 Passing yards 50 265 Compt-Att.-Int. 7-10-0 17-25-1 Fumbles-lost 3-1 1-0 Penalties-yards 4-30 4-35 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Vidalia: Sean Jones 15-119; Henry Lakia 6-54; Jadarius McLendon 7-34. GAC: Marcus Young 17-79; Davis Mills 8-40; Alex Boglins 2-38; Alex Rowe 5-19; Josh Pickens 2-4.

RECEIVING — Vidalia: Deon Green 2-21; Lakia 1-3; Jones 3-12; Johnny Mcneil 1-4. GAC: Liam Sullivan 7-123; Malcom Cunningham 4-73; Harrison Sloan 2-33; Berkley Boglin 2-17; Brandon Washingon 1-15; Tony Wyche 1-2.

PASSING — Vidalia: Hall Graham 7-9-0, 50; Green 0-1-0. GAC: Mills 17-25-1, 263.

clamped down.

“They got up early on us,” defensive tackle Ford Higgins said. “The special thing about this team is that we’ve been in this situation before.

We’ve been down like this before. We held together and we’re fighting for our brother next to us, and honestly that’s the way we felt tonight.

There wasn’t much structure change. We come together, we play as a team and we play for the brother next to us. I feel like that’s the most important thing that we did and that’s how we achieved that.”

With the defense holding the Indians’ offense down, GAC rattled off touchdowns on three of its four second half drives.

In the third quarter Mills ran for a touchdown and threw another to Tony Wyche. In the fourth quarter GAC added a 46-yard field goal by Brooks Buce and a 1-yard touchdown run

by Alex Boglin — set up by a 37-yard run by him one play earlier.

Mills finished the game 17 of 25 for 263 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 40 yards and two scores. Liam Sullivan led the team with seven receptions for 123 yards.

Malcom Cunningham added 73 yards on four catches and Marcus Yong ran for 79 yards on 17 carries.

“We made some plays and then after that I just thought we were very consistent in our execution,” Hardy said. “Our first two drives we had some inconsistencies and then were able to execute the way we’re capable of and get some points.”

GAC will face Brooks County in the quarterfinals next week. A coin toss on Saturday will determine who will host that game.

Get Friday night football updates on Twitter @gdpfootball

Buford’s Martin Mangrum scores his 20th touchdown of the season in the first half of the Wolves’ playoff game with Worth County on Friday night. (Photo: David McGregor)

ON THE PROWL

Wolves handle Worth County in shutout

By Steve Argo

BUFORD 42, WORTH COUNTY 0

Staff Correspondent

BUFORD — Buford continued to ride a potent rushing game on offense to go along with a suffocating defense as the Wolves rolled to a 42-0 win over Worth County in the second round of the Class AAAA state football playoffs Friday night at Tom Riden Stadium.

Buford, which won its ninth straight game, put together matching 21-point halves in the victory as the Wolves move on to next Friday’s quarterfinals against Thomson, a 44-21 winner over Grady.

The Buford defense also recorded its third straight shutout and sixth in the last eight games while limiting Worth County to 160 yards of total offense.

But only 30 of those yards came after halftime as the Wolves got an interception from Jacob Martin and forced three punts on the Rams’ remaining possessions.

In fact, Worth County had runs of 44, 38 and 20 in the first half that accounted for 102 yards of the total offensive output.

But the Rams couldn’t generate much more against the Buford defense, which also put the Wolves offense in great field position most of the night to post those 42 points. “(Worth County) came in averaging over 35 points per game and they had our attention,” Buford head coach Jess Simpson said. “The score looks like it was easy and I know it wasn’t easy, the actual doing it wasn’t easy. I can’t

Worth Co. 0 0 0 0 — 0 Buford 14 7 14 7 — 42 FIRST QUARTER Buford: Martin Mangram 1 run (Bernardo Burgos kick) 10:19 Buford: Mangram 5 run (Burgos kick) :29 SECOND QUARTER Buford: Brandon Marsh 14 pass from Mic Roof (Burgos kick) :37 THIRD QUARTER Buford: Christian Turner 51 run (Burgos kick) 8:27 Buford: Xavier Gantt 23 run (Burgos kick) 2:52 FOURTH QUARTER Buford: Anthony Grant 7 run (Burgos kick) 10:23

Buford linebacker TD Roof bottles up Worth County kick returner Eric Burrows (6) early in the 3rd quarter of the Wolves’ 42-0 shutout of the Rams on Friday night in Buford. (Photo: David McGregor)

say enough about our defensive guys and their preparation.”

Buford took the opening kickoff and marched 61 yards in six plays. Martin Mangram capped off the drive with a 1-yard run to make it 7-0.

Worth County came right back and moved down to the Buford 22, but the Rams stalled and missed a 38-yard field goal.

Buford made it 14-0 with just 29 seconds remaining in the opening quarter when Mangram scored his second touchdown of the night on a 5-yard run.

After a 16-yard Worth County punt, Buford started at the Rams’ 23 and used just six plays to hit paydirt.

Worth County once again threatened in the second quarter as Dontavious Buford broke loose on a 55-yard for an apparent score, but the Rams were called for a personal foul on the play.

Worth County still had

a chance to get on the scoreboard, but the Buford defense stiffened and held on a fourth-and-2 at the Wolves’ 24.

Buford took advantage of another short Worth County punt late in the first half and built a 21-0 lead when Mic Roof found Brandon Marsh open in the end zone for a 14-yard scoring pass with 37 seconds left before halftime.

Starting at the Worth County 43, Buford needed just four plays to score and take the 21-point halftime lead.

After Christian Turner broke loose on a 51-yard run on Buford’s first drive of the second half to increase the lead to 28-0, Xavier Gantt followed that up with a 23-yard scamper to make it 35-0 with 2:52 left in the third quarter.

Both TD runs came after Buford started drives at its own 44 and 46, respectively.

Anthony Grant added a 7-yard run with 10:42 to go in the game to complete a five-play, 59-yard drive.

“When we got good field position, we kept it,” Simpson said. “It seems like we had a bunch of three-and-outs. So field position was big and that’s what we try to do. If you get it, you’ve got to keep it.”

Four different Wolves had rushing touchdowns in the contest. Buford used eight running backs in a 452-yard attack that featured 14 runs of 10 or more yards.

Roof finished 6 of 10 for 56 yards, including three passes to Joshua Blackwell for 25 yards and two to Marsh for 27 yards and one TD. “I thought the offense looked explosive,” Simpson. “It’s old school and it’s power and it’s gap and it’s stretch. But I thought our guys were fast and explosive.”

Worth County was led

by Buford’s 78 rushing yards on 11 carries as the Rams managed just 30 yards of total offense in the second half after 130 total yards in the first two quarters.

Worth County, which had a five-game winning streak snapped with the loss, ends its season at 8-4.

GWINNETTPREPSPORTS.COM New features on our mobile site: • Photos and slideshows • Vote in Player of the Week polls • Videos • Much more!

Central’s run ended by No. 1 Colquitt Co. committing five turnovers — four fumbles — for the game.

Early in the game, the Black MOULTRIE — The playoff Knights were able to move the run for Central Gwinnett came ball deep into Colquitt County to an end on Friday night as top- territory, but senior quarterback ranked Colquitt County showed Micah Maxey threw an intercepwhy it is the defending Class tion in the end zone.

AAAAAA state champion as se“You can’t play against a great nior wide receiver and Arkansas team like Colquitt County and commit Kiel Pollard scored four turn the ball over at all,” Central touchdowns to lead the Packers head coach Todd Wofford said. to a 62-21 rout.

“Those two early ones really, reColquitt County took advanally hurt us. We were moving the tage of two first-quarter turnovers ball well, but we threw an interby the Black Knights and scored ception in the end zone and comthree touchdowns in the quarter, mited an early fumble. That took setting the tone for the game. our momentum away. Colquitt The Packers’ defense stymied the is ranked nationally for a reason.

Black Knights offense for most You can’t give them anything.” of the night, forcing Central into On the Packers’ first posBy Ken Gustafson Staff Correspondent

session they wasted no time as senior quarterback Chase Parrish led a seven-play, 56-yard drive, capped off by a 17-yard touchdown pass to Pollard. The Black Knights tried to respond, but Maxey was intercepted by cornerback Jamarius Walker.

The Packers took advantage of the turnover by moving the ball down to the Central 34 yardline. Then Parrish connected with Pollard again on a 34yard touchdown strike, giving Colquitt County a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.

After forcing another Central turnover, Parrish threw a 37-yard strike to Ty Lee for his third touchdown pass of the game and Colquitt County went up 28-0 on

Rams

•From Page 1A and our receivers broke tackles and made big plays.”

The Wildcats were again forced to punt on their next drive, and the Rams again found a way to put points on the board.

A 28-yard completion to Ryan Carriere put the ball in Valdosta territory with Brent following that up with a 23-yard run. Three plays later, Brice found Sturgill open for a 9-yard score, making it 31-0.

Valdosta finally put points on the board on its next drive, taking advantage of a hands-tothe-face penalty to move the ball into Grayson territory. A 22-yard completion from Seth Shuman to Anotonia Keuma put the Wildcats in the red zone with Jamarcus Tyson scoring on a 10-yard pass from Shuman to make it 31-7.

The Rams added a field goal at the end of the half, marching 61 yards in 2:18 with Van Pamelen converting a 22-yard field goal at the buzzer to make it 34-7.

Grayson came out strong in the second half as well using Tiller and Brent exclusively on its first drive on the half. Three rushes for 42 yards by Tiller set up Brent for the final two rushes, the last

EE S R F TO A O PH SANT W/

Valdosta Grayson

PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES

Senior | WR Parkview What made you feel comfortable with committing to Miami (Ohio)? Their academics are great.

Coach (Chuck) Martin and the players are changing tradition up there and I have the great opportunity to play very early.

What other schools recruited you the most? UConn, Georgia State, Iowa State, and Kansas State are looking at me still.

Are there any schools you’re still hoping to hear from? Georgia, of course, because that’s my home town.

I wouldn’t mind getting SEC looks because I feel that I can play at that level. But if that doesn’t work out I’m completely fine where I am.

What was your favorite play from this season?

When I threw the touchdown pass to Johnathan against McCallie. It literally was the same play from Brookwood my junior year and it worked out perfectly.

I always love going back to my quarterback days.

Who is the most underrated recruit in Gwinnett?

(Parkview quarterback and Charleston Southern commit) Jack Chambers. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in Gwinnett.

can be happy with.”

Shuman added touchdown passes of 17 and 40 yards in the fourth quarter, but it was too late.

Tiller finished the night with five rushes for 167 yards, while Brent went for 161 yards on 18 carries. Sturgill led Rams receivers with four catches for 70 yards.

Valdosta was led by Shuman, who completed 29 of 57 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns, while Jamarcus Tyson had six catches for 140 yards and Jontae Baker had seven catches for 119 yards.

0 7 0 14 — 21 24 10 20 0 — 54

FIRST QUARTER Grayson: Cameryn Brent 8 run (Will Van Pamelen kick) 9:30 Grayson: Van Pamelen 30 field goal 2:58 Grayson: Owen Pappoe 15 interception return (Van Pamelen kick) 2:48 Grayson: Austin Nash 34 pass from Chase Brice (Van Pamelen kick) 1:27 SECOND QUARTER Grayson: Evan Sturgill 9 pass from Brice (Van Pamelen kick) 8:46 Valdosta: Jamarcus Tyson 10 pass from Seth Shuman (Davis Baldwin kick) 6:34 Grayson: Van Pamelen 22 field goal :00 THIRD QUARTER Grayson: Brent 25 run (kick failed) 9:12 Grayson: Ernest Tiller III 60 run (Van Pamelen kick) 5:40 Grayson: Tiller 60 run (Van Pamelen kick) 4:04 FOURTH QUARTER Valdosta: Bo Roadmaker 17 pass from Shuman (Baldwin kick) 11:43 Valdosta: Jontae Baker 40 pass from Shuman (Baldwin kick) 6:15

VAL GRAY First downs 21 15 Rushes-yards 18-56 31-345 Passing yards 396 177 Comp-Att-INT 29-57-1 1 1-19-1 Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-0 Penalties-yards 9-74 9-75 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Valdosta: Shuman 7-29; Tim Griffin 5-16; Deangelo Williams 4-10; JJ Strickland 2-1. Grayson: Tiller 5-167; Brent 18-161; Brice 2-12; Nick Prince 3-5; Cameron Thompson 3-0.

PASSING — Valdosta: Shuman 29-571, 396. Grayson: Brice 11-19-1, 177.

RECEIVING — Valdosta: Tyson 6-140; Baker 7-119; Jacob McMillan 5-61; Antonio Keuma 2-26; Griffin 4-18; Rodemaker 1-17; Wesley Veal 3-15. Grayson: Sturgill 4-70; Nash 3-51; Tiller 3-28; Ryan Carriere 1-28.

50+ C RA SPEC FTERS/ IA VEND LTY ORS

Gwinnett Daily Post presents

ENT HOLID ERT AY AIN ME NT

25 1 R E OV ORS D N E V FREE GIFT WRAPPING

TYLER FLEETWOOD

GRAYSON 54, VALDOSTA 21

Grayson quarterback Chase Brice (2) looks for a receiver during Friday’s game against Valdosta. (Photo: Chris Roughgarden)

of which went for 25 yards and a touchdown to make it 40-7.

Tiller added the final two touchdowns on the evening for the Rams, using one play on two-straight drives to score touchdowns. The first game on a 60-yard scamper with 5:40 to go in the third quarter. The second came after Valdosta turned the ball over on downs and Tiller went 65 yards, making it 54-7 with 4:04 to go in the third quarter.

“We scored on every drive but one through three quarters,” Conn said. “That’s something I

senior running back Nathaniel Powell’s 7-yard dash.

The Black Knights responded when Maxey connected with Erron Price for an 18-yard touchdown pass. After Colquitt County mishandled a punt snap, the Black Knights struck again when Maxey found Azaviar Kufour for a 12-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Packers lead to 28-14.

In spite of the rough outing, Wofford was extremely proud of his players.

“These guys will never quit,” Wofford said. “We’re behind the eight ball every Friday night.

They’ll never quit. They’ll never give up. We wanted to come out and prove that we belong on the same field with these guys.”

Recruiting Profile

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015 • 7A

gwinnettprepsports.com

SAT 12/5 & SUN 12/6

10am-5pm Noon-5pm Infinite Energy Forum (formerly Gwinnett Center)

GUNSL MONSINGER T TRUCKER SUND AY ON LY

KIDS 12 & UNDER FR EE

DOOR PRIZES: SAT: FIRST 200 ADULTS GET A FREE TICKET TO RINGLING BROS. CIRCUS XTREME or DISNEY ON ICE FROZEN SUN: FIRST 400 GET A FREE TICKET TO MONSTER JAM or SUPERCROSS PROUD SPONSORS

Blitz R FRE e a d e r s

E TICK

ET

Use Pr omo Co de

SANTA

295650-1

exp. 11 /25

770-963-9205 HomefortheHolidayExpo.com

gwinnettprepsports.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015 • 8A