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Mill Creek running back Joe Thomas (15) steps over the tackle of Norcross’ Monty Montgomery (20) during Friday night’s game at Mill Creek in Hoschton. Below, Hawks receiver Edmond Graham (3) gets hauled down by Norcross’ Jalen Pinkney (44). (Photos: Karl L. Moore)

Stingy crew Mill Creek posts fifth shutout, second straight against Norcross

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

HOSCHTON — Mill Creek couldn’t solve Norcross for years.

The Blue Devils racked up eight straight wins from 2006 to 2013, averaging 36.4 against the Hawks in the last five victories of that stretch.

Those games are distant memories now.

Mill Creek blanked Norcross for the second straight year Friday night, using the running of Joe Thomas and a stout defense for a 24-0 victory on the heels of last year’s 30-0 win. Most importantly, it kept the Hawks unbeaten and set up a winner-take-all game next Friday against Peachtree Ridge for the Region 7-AAAAAA championship.

Thomas pounded out 179 yards and two touchdowns on

30 carries, but the story was another dominating defensive effort by Mill Creek, which racked up nine sacks in its second consecutive shutout of Norcross and fifth shutout in nine games this season.

“It really shows the growth in our program,” said Mill

Creek defensive end Tyler Vernon, who had four sacks to go with three from fellow defensive end Peyton Moore.

“Before last year, we hadn’t beat them once. Now we’ve beaten them twice in a row, both shutouts. It just shows the growth in the program

and shows Coach (Shannon) Jarvis is doing a great job.”

It wasn’t the cleanest offensive performance by Mill Creek (9-0, 6-0 region), but it didn’t take much to back up the defense. It held Norcross 25 rushing yards and 32 passing yards.

The Blue Devils crossed midfield just once, reaching the Mill Creek 46-yard line early in the second quarter.

It lasted just one play — an Aaron Anderson sack sent Norcross (7-2, 4-2) back into its own territory.

Mill Creek set the tone defensively from the start, limiting Norcross minus-12 yards on its first three possessions.

“Across the board our, defense played phenomenal,” Jarvis said. “They’re going to have to, moving forward, See DEFENSE, Page 7A

MORE INSIDE n Grayson cruises past Brookwood on Brice’s big day, 2A n Peachtree Ridge wins, sets up title showdown with Hawks, 3A n GAC, Wesleyan to play for region title after wins, 4A n Central clinches second straight playoff trip, 5A

Central Gwinnett coach Todd Wofford cheers as time expires in Friday’s win over Parkview.

(Staff Photo: David Welker)

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS RUSHERS

Marcus Young, GAC, 190 yards Jordan Argilagos, Wesleyan, 180 yards Joe Thomas, Mill Creek, 179 yards

PASSERS

Chase Brice, Grayson, 350 yards Tahj Tolbert, Lanier, 309 yards Micah Maxey, Central, 265 yards

2A • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Grayson completes undefeated regular season while,” Brice said.

The victory completed Grayson’s fourth undefeatSNELLVILLE — A pro- ed season since 2008, and lific passing performance head coach Mickey Conn from Grayson junior quar- said he has been impressed terback Chase Brice led the with how this year’s team Rams to a 50-10 win over stayed focused throughout the Brookwood Broncos to the entirety of the schedfinish their regular seaule. son undefeated Friday at “I like the way that they Brookwood Community come to work every day,” Stadium.

Conn said. “There’s good Brice completed 17 of leadership from our seniors his 18 passes, including and our juniors. They show his first 14, until his lone up, they work hard at pracincompletion with 6:27 to tice, they get things done play in the third quarter. at practice and then in the He finished with 350 yards games I don’t have to beg and five touchdown passes them to play. These kids to lead the Rams (10-0, 8-0 come out ready no matter Region 8-AAAAAA) over who they’re playing.” the Broncos (4-5, 4-3).

Brice launched his first “I haven’t been in pass of the night 39 yards a groove like that in a to senior running back

By Jacob Mayer

Staff Correspondent

Ernest Tiller III, which set the stage for an 11-yard rushing TD for senior running back Schnyder Bouchard. A successful two-point conversion gave the Rams an 8-0 lead.

An 11-play scoring drive gave the Broncos their first TD of the game when sophomore quarterback Angelo DiSpigna found senior wide receiver Myles Scott in the end zone for a 6-yard TD. The score closed Brookwood to within one point of Grayson, 8-7, but the Rams pulled ahead with TD passes from Brice of 85 and 45 yards to go ahead 22-7 by the end of the first quarter.

“They were pressing, and I just liked my receivers against their (defensive

backs) a lot better,” Brice said. “My O-line blocked extremely well. I didn’t get hit that many times, and they brought a lot of blitzes.”

Brice completed five passes of 39 yards or longer, connecting with junior wide receiver Evan Sturgill most often. Sturgill finished with a team-high eight receptions for 163 yards and two TDs. Tiller also had four catches for 77 yards. He added 47 yards on the ground with seven carries and a 13-yard TD run on the first play of the fourth quarter that completed the scoring.

Brookwood also did the bulk of its offensive damage through the air.

The Broncos threw the ball

49 times for 309 yards, including a team-high 180 yards from DiSpigna, who was 23 of 35 passing.

“We were able to put 10 points on the board, 10 meaningful points in the first half,” Brookwood head coach Philip Jones said. “We had other opportunities that we should have capitalized on, as well, but we didn’t finish drives. It showed our offensive guys we can move the ball on anybody, but we have to be more physical to get the tough yards and to finish drives.”

Grayson has a bye week for the final week of the season, while Brookwood is scheduled to finish the regular season Friday at Archer.

GRAYSON 50, BROOKWOOD 10

Grayson 22 14 7 7 — 50 Brookwood 7 3 0 0 — 10 FIRST QUARTER Grayson: Cameryn Brent 11 run (Ryan Carriere pass from Evan Sturgill) 11:42 Brookwood: Myles Scott 6 pass from Angelo DiSpigna (Mitch Barry kick) 5:53 Grayson: Sturgill 85 pass from Chase Brice (Will VanPamelen kick) 4:01 Grayson: Austin Nash 45 pass from Brice (VanPamelen kick) 0:03 SECOND QUARTER Brookwood: Barry 32 field goal 8:33 Grayson: Sturgill 5 pass from Brice (VanPamelen kick) 7:23 Grayson: Schnyder Bouchard 2 pass from Brice (VanPamelen kick) 0:55 THIRD QUARTER Grayson: Carriere 13 pass from Brice (VanPamelen kick) 9:57 FOURTH QUARTER Grayson: Ernest Tiller III 13 run (VanPamelen kick) 11:49

Mountain View keeps rolling with win at Duluth while playing a full region schedule for the first time since the school came into DULUTH — The existence seven years ago. significance of his football Duluth, meanwhile, team’s 42-10 win Friday dropped its sixth straight night over host Duluth was ugly game, and eighth overnot lost on Mountain View all. Since winning at Lakehead coach Nick Bach. side 27-14 on Sept. 4, the “If we can pull off one Wildcats have surrendered more in this last game, 288 points — an average of we’ll have the most wins in 48 a game — while scoring school history,” Bach said. just 27. They managed just “It’s a short history, but 150 yards against the Bears hopefully we can pull off while surrendering 414. a couple of firsts and add “There’s no use in being them up and get better.” negative,” first-year Duluth The Bears have rarely head coach Bob Swank looked better this season said. “This season has not than they did against the gone the way we wanted reeling Wildcats. it to go, but we have one Powered by a punishing more chance to play footground game that pounded ball. We can finish on a out 269 yards, and sparked positive note or finish on a by a 28-point second negative note.” quarter, Mountain View Duluth (1-8 overall, cruised to its third win 0-6) closes its season next against six losses (2-4 in Friday when it plays host Region 7-AAAAAA), giv- to Meadowcreek. ing the Bears a chance to Mountain View hopes to win four games in a season win back-to-back games

By John Byrwa

Staff Correspondent

for the first time this season when it closes its slate at home against North Gwinnett.

Senior running back Austin Brown led the Bears’ ground attack with a game-high 101 yards on 20 carries, the last of which was a 4-yard plunge midway through the third quarter that closed the scoring for Mountain View.

Starting quarterback Alex Scott added 77 yards on the ground, including a 16yard scamper that gave the Bears a 7-3 lead with 6:05 remaining the first quarter.

Duluth opened the scoring thanks to a special teams miscue by Mountain View. On fourth and 8 from his 36, punter Zac Moncrief dropped a low snap and Duluth recovered on the Bears’ 22. The Wildcats managed to move to the 5, but were forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Jose Linares.

Then the flood gates opened for Mountain View in the second quarter, when the Bears struck for four unanswered touchdowns in a span of a little more than seven minutes.

First, Blake Carroll capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive with a 2-yard dive to make it 14-3 with 8:22 remaining in the quarter. Following Duluth’s three and out, the Bears perfectly executed a reverse for another TD, with Scott handing the ball to Brown, who then flipped it to Jalen Virgil coming around to the right.

Virgil got a great block from Malachai Carter and Virgil sprinted untouched down the right sideline for a 24-yard score.

Less than three minutes later, backup quarterback Matthew Edwards fired a bullet to Carter on a slant from the right, and Carter split two defenders and raced 36 yards for the

touchdown. Following a fourth straight Duluth punt, Edwards threw a perfect bomb to Virgil down the left sideline, and Virgil made a great reaching grab and sprinted into the end zone for a 35-3 lead with just 35 seconds remaining in the half.

“We’ve got some very talented guys out there, and when we put the ball on them, they can break it,” Bach said. “We’ve got a couple of guys who can really go. When we put the ball in their hands, good things can happen.”

For Duluth, it was yet another example of how a few bad plays turn into a torrent of bad results.

“That was the tone of our whole season,” Swank said. “How many times were we really close in the first quarter and we looked equal to the other team, then a bad play happens and it kind of breaks our

spirit. Then the next bad play happens, then the next play happens.”

Edwards, a sophomore with a rocket of a right arm, threw four passes and completed three of them for 101 yards and the two scores.

“He’s a sophomore and it’s been hard not to play him,” Bach said of Edwards. “But Alex is super talented, too, so they both have some different skill sets. We’re really excited about Matty looking forward, and Alex did a great job running and throwing so we like them both.”

Duluth gave its home fans something to cheer late in the game when Jalil El-amin found William Huzzie for a 15-yard touchdown with 3:11 remaining, Huzzie leaping high to snatch the ball from a defender then getting one foot down in bounds before tumbling out of the back of the end zone.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015 • 3A

Warrior, Lions run down Collins Hill

By Paul Thomas

Drew Dinsmore settled in and connected with Canyon Slade for a 24-yard Collins Hill 0 0 6 7 — 13 touchdown pass with 5:59 P’tree Ridge 7 7 7 7 — 28 left in the third quarter and FIRST QUARTER then found Codi Russel Peachtree Ridge: Malik Staples 16 for a 30-yard score in the run (Zane Phillips kick), 5:33 SECOND QUARTER fourth quarter.

Peachtree Ridge: Christian Sutton “We just gave up too 64 pass from Fred Payton (Phillips kick), 2:05 many big plays,” Collins THIRD QUARTER Hill head coach Kevin Peachtree Ridge: Nigel Warrior 30 run (Phillips kick), 10:22 Reach said. “The dropped Collins Hill: Canyon Slade 24 punt and they score right pass from Drew Dinsmore (Kick blocked), 5:59 after that … it’s a game FOURTH QUARTER of momentum and they Collins Hill: Codi Russell 30 pass kind of struck on it. I think from Dinsmore (Samuel Glenn kick), 5:52 our defense played great.

Peachtree Ridge: Warrior 55 run They are good and they (Phillips kick), 1:44

kept (Peachtree Ridge) in

CH PR check all night. And then First Downs 10 9 Rushes yards 22-59 40-172 offensively we started getPassing yards 145 97 ting some things going. I Compt-Att-INT 17-44-2 12-16-0 Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-0 thought Dinsmore played Penalties-yards 6-35 7-80 really well there in the second half. Started getting his INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Collins Hill: Jeremy confidence down and started Lewis 12-31; Jonathan Postell making some good throws.

6-20; Robert Snyder 1-19; Dinsmore 2-(-11). Peachtree Ridge: We just came up short.

Warrior 6-108; Malik Staples 16-67; “That last touchdown, Marquez Jackson 13-21; Connor Heyward 1-8; Fred Payton 4-(-32). we were just so tired we PASSING — Collins Hill: Dinsmore couldn’t tackle. I’m proud 17-44-2, 145. Peachtree Ridge: of our kids. I thought they Payton 12-16-0, 97; Bubba Hickson 0-1-0. played hard.”

RECEVING — Collins Hill: Slade After Dinsmore’s second 5-49; Des Howard 3-33; Russell 1-30; Lewis 2-9. Peachtree Ridge: touchdown pass, Peachtree Sutton 2-48; Heyward 6-16; Malik Ridge faced a 3rd-and-10 on Robinson 2-16; DeAngelo Gibbs 1-10; Staples 1-7. the ensuing drive after being stuffed on two straight run In the second half, plays, but Warrior was able Peachtree Ridge’s offense to bounce it outside for a was sluggish again, but after gain of 15 to give the Lions Collins Hill fumbled a punt, their first new set of downs Chad Clay recovered at the in the second half.

Eagles’ 30-yard line to give Then he was able to the Lions the ball back. put the game on ice as he Warrior scored his first bounced outside, made a touchdown on the next play few would-be tacklers miss and strolled into the end Peachtree Ridge’s Connor Heyward (1) tries picking up a first down but is stopped with a 30-yard scamper.

After that miscue, Colzone to secure the win. Afby Collins Hill defender Bobby Sheehan (7) and Kymere Faucette (41) during Friday’s lins Hill took the game’s terwards Warrior, who fingame. (Photo: Craig Cappy) momentum as its defense ished with 108 yards rushing them earn them … I’m 74-yard touchdown drive with Christian Sutton for stiffed the Lions, with on six carries, could barely really proud. That’s seven capped off by a 16-yard a 64-yard touchdown pass Robert Snyder leading the talk he was so exhausted. games in a row and now touchdown run by Malik with 2:05 left in the half way on seemingly every “It was a real physiwe get a chance to play for Staples. Payton connected after Heyward picked up a play. Khalil Blakely, Brett cal game,” Warrior said. a region championship and with Connor Heyward four first down on bobbled snap Sheppard, Emmanuel Bel- “Collins Hill is a real good that’s what it’s all about.” times on the drive, three on a punt attmept. Warmar and Bobby Sheehan team. We just out-played Peachtree Ridge took times to pick up a first down. rior and DeAngelo Gibbs each recorded a sack for them. That’s a good team, a 7-0 lead on its opening After getting out of recorded interceptions in the Eagles. we were just better than possession with a 12-play sync, Payton connected the first half.

Sophomore quarterback them tonight.”

PEACHTREE RIDGE 28, COLLINS HILL 13

paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

SUWANEE — When Peachtree Ridge head coach Mark Fleetwood needed a play in the second half Friday night against Collins Hill, he turned to his super senior Nigel Warrior.

The U.S. Army AllAmerican delivered — more than once. Warrior ran for a pair of touchdowns — including a 55-yard score with 1:44 left in the game — as the Lions remained unbeaten in Region 7-AAAAAA with a 28-13 win over Collins Hill.

Peachtree Ridge (7-2, 6-0 region) looked like it would pull away from the Eagles (4-6, 4-2) but Collins Hill refused to quit and cut the lead to eight points before Warrior’s second touchdown.

The Lions are now guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed in the region and will have a chance to win it outright next week against undefeated Mill Creek.

“Collins Hill is good,” Peachtree Ridge head coach Mark Fleetwood said. “In a sentence, and we said it going into this last three-game stretch.

Anybody can beat anybody.

My hat’s off to them for the way we played and I’m really proud of our guys for the way we played, because we got tested there and we could have made a mistake and we didn’t.

“We were able to go on and finish it and get it done. Great run by Nigel there at the end, but really proud of the defense there.

We busted a coverage there to give them the second touchdown and they made a great throw and catch on the first one and we made

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4A • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015

Wesleyan keeps on pace in drive for region title

By Colin Hubbard Staff Correspondent

NORCROSS — After dropping to the region’s No. 3 spot with a loss to Lovett last week, the Wesleyan Wolves looked to keep pace for a possible 6-AA championship with a home game against the Holy Innocents’ Golden Bears on Friday.

The Wolves walked away with a 28-0 shutout and will play Greater Atlanta Christian for the region crown next week.

While the Golden Bears haven’t been their normal selves as of late, Wesleyan head coach Franklin Pridgen knew that this would be no easy task.

“It doesn’t matter what the records are, this game is always going to be tough,” Pridgen said. “We had a complete game and got a big special team’s touchdown so I couldn’t be happier with the way we played tonight.”

Wolves’ quarterback Banks Ramsey completed 7 of 9 passes for 95 yards, all of which went to wide receiver Harrison Cook. Cook returned a 65-yard punt for a touchdown as well.

Jordan Argilagos led Wesleyan in rushing with 180 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown.

As a team, the Wolves (8-1, 5-1) compiled 334 yards of total offense to the Golden Bears’195.

On the very first play from scrimmage for the Wolves from their own 38-yard line, Argilagos took the handoff 56 yards down to the Golden Bears’ 6-yard line. On the next play, Ramsey ran the optionkeeper into the end zone to give Wesleyan an early 7-0 lead with 11:40 remaining in the first quarter.

After picking up a quick first down on the Golden Bears’ ensuing possession, quarterback Christian Ketchups’ pass was intercepted by defensive back Cole Mannion.

The Wolves drove down the Golden Bears’ 26-yard line, but were unable to convert a fourth-and-2, which gave the ball back to Holy Innocents’ with a chance to tie the game.

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WESLEYAN 28, HOLY INNOCENTS’ 0

Holy Inn. 0 0 0 0 — 0 Wesleyan 21 0 7 0 — 28 FIRST QUARTER Wesleyan: Banks Ramsey 6 run (Jordan Weaver kick) 11:40 Wesleyan: Harrison Cook 65 punt return (Weaver kick) 6:58 Wesleyan: Drew Aspinwall 1 run (Weaver kick) 1:24 SECOND QUARTER None THIRD QUARTER Wesleyan: Jordan Argilagos 14 run (Weaver kick) 4:32 FOURTH QUARTER None

However, the Golden Bears were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out.

Cook caught the punt at the Wolves’ 35-yard line, wove his way down the sidelines and dove into the end zone to give the Wolves a 14-0 lead with 6:58 remaining in the first quarter.

After another quick punt by the Golden Bears, Wesleyan marched down the field on a seven-play, 85-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard run from Drew Aspinwall to increase the Wolves’ lead to 21-0 with 1:24 left in the first quarter.

The Golden Bears drove into Wolves’ territory for the first time in the game midway through the second quarter including two successful fourth down conversions, but were unable to convert a third-and-14 from the Wolves’ 32-yard line and was forced to punt.

With 1:13 left in the second quarter and a fresh set of down for the Wolves, Argilagos rushed 29 yards in two plays followed by a 17-yard option-keeper from Ramsey down to the 48yard line.

However, a sack and a holding penalty forced the Wolves into a third-and-18 that was picked off by defensive back Max Walton to end the first half.

The second half featured four punts, two by each team and a turnover by the Golden Bears, but the Wolves managed a lone third quarter touchdown on a 14-yard run from Argilagos to end the scoring for the night.

“We’re an operation that takes one step at a time so we will work hard and get ready for GAC for next week,” Pridgen said.

Lion-tamers

GAC quarterback Davis Mills looks to pass in Friday’s win over Lovett. (Photos: Glenn Martin)

Young, GAC get physical in win over Lovett

By Gene Graves Staff Correspondent

NORCROSS — Greater Atlanta Christian took a major step toward winning Region 6-AA on Friday night with a key 34-7 win over the Lovett Lions.

In a game GAC (8-1, 6-0 region) had to win in order to set up a showdown with Wesleyan next week for the Region 6-AA championship, the Spartans were up to the challenge. They took control of the game early and never looked back.

“I felt like we physically controlled the game tonight,” said GAC coach Tim Hardy. “It started offensively as our line controlled the line of scrimmage. Our backs Alex Rowe and Marcus Young ran downhill all night long. Defensively, I can’t say enough about our defensive unit. There was just an awful lot of three and outs tonight. Our team was ready for just about everything we saw tonight.

Our coaches did a great job of getting us ready for this game.”

Young sparked the running attack for GAC with 190 rushing yards on 26 carries.

“It felt really good out there tonight,” Young said.

“We came out knowing that

Lovett GAC

GAC’s line faces off against Lovett in Friday night’s Region 6-AA matchup, won by the Spartans.

it was going to be a hardfought game and we just executed very well. We just wanted it more than they did tonight.”

The Spartans were off and running on their opening possession. Rowe spearheaded a 10-play scoring drive with eight carries for 36 yards, but it was Davis Mills going over from the 1-yard line for the Spartans’ opening score with 8:44 remaining in the quarter.

After a quick three and out by the Spartan defense, the offense was on the move again and Mills scored once again with a 1-yard TD to complete another long scoring drive.

GAC struck quickly on its next possession. On the first play from scrimmage,

Mills connected with Harrison Sloan on a 45-yard pass down to the Lions’ 30. The drive stalled and Brooks Buce drilled a 45yard field goal with 10:32 left in the second quarter to extend the Spartan lead to 17-0.

Young then added an 11-yard TD run and the Spartans led 24-0 with 7:01 remaining in the quarter.

Lovett (5-5, 5-2) fought back and put together a long, 14-play drive late in the second quarter. However, the Spartan defense rose to the occasion and forced to Lions to turn it over on downs at the GAC 10.

GAC started the third quarter with another strong defensive stand, setting up Buce for another long field goal, this one from 47

GAC 34, LOVETT 7

0 0 0 7 — 7 14 10 3 7 — 34

FIRST QUARTER GAC: Davis Miles 1 run (Brooks Buce kick) 8:44 GAC: Mills 1 run (Buck kick) 2:38 SECOND QUARTER GAC: Buce 45 FG, 10:32 GAC: Marcus Young 11 run (Buce kick) 7:01 THIRD QUARTER GAC: Buce 47 FG, 7:29 FOURTH QUARTER GAC: Young 1 run (Buce kick) 11:15 Lovett: Max McCrady 5 pass from Brady Tindall (Cole McGowan kick) 9:25

yards out.

Berkley Boglin then intercepted a Brady Tindall pass at the Lovett 32 and set up a 1-yard TD run

by Young that pushed the Spartan lead to 34-0 at the 11:15 mark of the fourth quarter.

Lovett would not give up as Tindall connected with Max McCrady on a 5-yard TD pass midway through the fourth quarter.

“This was truly a team win for us with physical play on both sides of the ball,” Hardy said. “We can enjoy tonight’s win but tomorrow we have to turn our focus to next week’s game with region rival Wesleyan for the region championship. We have them at home and it should be exciting.”

Buford pounds Madison Co. Baitys lead Lanier to title

By Nick Suss

of the game and in their place trotted the team’s less experienced bench players.

Buford 21 21 7 0 — 49 Madison Co. 0 0 0 8 — 8 DANIELSVILLE — The transition was seamless Buford used more running though, as Buford’s replaceFIRST QUARTER backs than Madison County Buford: Martin Mangram run 2 (98 ment offensive line paved kick good) 9:42 could muster points Friday the way for the team’s less Buford: Mic Roof pass 59 to Alan night. heralded backs to rush for Bussoletti (98 kick) 7:35 Buford: TD Roof run 10 (98 kick) Buford won its sixthmore than 11 yards per 2:29 straight game, improving carry in the second half.

SECOND QUARTER Buford: Anthony Grant run 4 (98 to 8-1 with a 49-8 victory “It’s a deal where I kick) 8:55 over Madison County High thought the young guys Buford: Christian Turner run 30 (98 kick) 7:09 School Friday night. up front blocked well and Mangram run 4 (98 kick) Perhaps the most impres- Buford: we’ve got some talented 3:03 THIRD QUARTER sive part of Buford’s win young running backs,” Buford: Corey Burnett run 6 (98 was the sheer number of Simpson said. “I thought we kick) 0:23 Wolves who touched the executed for the most part FOURTH QUARTER Madison County: Colby Smith run ball. pretty well in the second 25 (Nathan Rawlings rush 2-pt In the first half alone, half.” conversion good) 9:13 seven Buford skill players Overall, Buford rushed rushed the ball and eight for 363 yards and six caught passes. Incredibly, In a game where so many touchdowns. 225 of those there was no overlap among players shared the wealth, yards and five of those those players, leading to a Buford still managed to touchdowns came in the first half with 42 points and have a handful of standouts. first half before the running 15 players with positive Quarterback Mic Roof clock was turned on. With numbers in the total offense impressed, completing nine Friday night being one of column. of his 12 pass attempts for the first nights of the fall In all, 10 Wolves rushed 167 yards and one touchthat actually felt like a fall and eight received in the down, a 59-yard completion night, Simpson said he was game, with two more earn- to Alan Bussoletti midway pleased with how his team ing snaps under center at through the first quarter to looked despite the colder quarterback. put Buford up 14-0. conditions.

“That’s a lot,” Buford Martin Mangram earned “We talk about being head coach Jess Simpson the start at tailback for built for any condition — said when that number the Wolves and immedirain, sleet, snow or shine,” was brought to his attenately made his presence Simpson said. “We always tion. “With a lead like that felt, rushing three times for say we’re a little more we had a chance to really 26 yards and a touchdown plow-horse than showspread it out. Kind of the on the first drive. He later horse.” philosophy of our program added one more touchdown Buford concludes its is we share the ball. Every- and rushed for 74 yards on regular season next week body plays offense, everynine carries overall. against Stephens County body plays defense. It’s fun After the first half, the with the region championto be able to do that.”

Wolves starters came out ship on the line.

Staff Correspondent

BUFORD 49, MADISON CO. 8

By David Brock Staff Correspondent

WINDER — Markco Baity will never forget his 17th birthday, and neither will his brother Marcella.

Both brothers scored three touchdowns, and Marcko celebrated the milestone in a big way by also rushing for 151 yards as undefeated Lanier (9-0, 8-0) clinched their second consecutive Region 8-AAAAA championship with an impressive 48-21 win over Winder-Barrow (54, 5-3) on Friday at historic W. Clair Harris Stadium in Winder.

“He’s a super kid,” Lanier head coach Korey Mobbs said. “I thought he ran with absolute power tonight and determination. He was physical. We challenged him this week that we were going to give him the load, and I thought he did a great job of handling that.”

The Longhorns took an early lead marching 92 yards in 12 plays before Marcella Baity dove the final yard for a touchdown and 7-0 Lanier lead with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter. Baity’s TD was set up by a 37-yard pass from Tahj Tolbert to Cole Paschall to the Bulldoggs 16-yard line.

Winder-Barrow knotted the score on the ensuing

65 yard drive to carve the Longhorns lead 21-14 at the half.

Lanier 7 14 21 6 — 48 W-B 7 7 7 0 — 21 “I don’t know that you ever feel comfortable, FIRST QUARTER especially with quick strike Lanier: Marcella Baity 1 run (Noah Thomas kick) 4:41 offenses,” Mobbs said.

Winder-Barrow: Andre Jackson 41 “Winder had a great plan pass from Noah Chapman (Jesse Zamora kick) and they stayed in it. They SECOND QUARTER hit us with a couple of big Lanier: Tahj Tolbert 1 run (Thomas kick) 9:55 plays but our guys never Lanier: Marcko Baity 9 run (Thomwavered.” as kick) 6:14 Following an exchange Winder-Barrow: CeCe Green 14 run (Zamora kick) 4:24 of scores early in the 3rd THIRD QUARTER quarter on Marcko Baity’s Lanier: Marcko Baity 5 run (Thomas kick) 8:13 5-yard TD run for Lanier Winder-Barrow: Jackson 64 pass and 64-yard TD pass from from Chapman (Zamora kick) 6:07 Lanier: Marcella Baity 28 pass Chapman to Jackson for from Tolbert (Thomas kick) 4:50 Winder-Barrow, Lanier took Lanier: Marcko Baity 14 run (Thomas kick) 1:04 control.

FOURTH QUARTER Marcella Baity scored Lanier: Marcella Baity 1 run (kick his second TD on a 28-yard failed) 2:02 pass from Tolbert before possession when Noah Marcko Baity scored his 3rd Chapman connected with TD on a 19-yard jaunt with Andre Jackson on a 41-yard 1:04 left in the third quarter.

TD pass with 1:20 left in the Marcella closed the scoring opening quarter. with his 3rd TD on a 1-yard Lanier, which is unbeaten run late in the 4th quarter for in region play since joining the final margin. the league in 2014, threatTolbert, who was 12-forened to pull away in the 16 for 309 yards and 1 TD, second quarter. A 1-yard TD also had a big night for the run by Tolbert and 9-yard Longhorns.

TD by Marcko Baity on “Tahj has had a couple of consecutive possessions weeks where he has really extended the Longhorns thrown the ball well,” said advantage to 21-7 midway Mobbs. “He’s a tremendous through the 2nd quarter. young man who has stayed But Winder-Barrow, the course. We’re young on who won their previous the outside and offensive four games with 4th quarter line, and he’s kept a great comebacks, responded attitude and in the last two with a 14-yard TD run by weeks we’ve let him play CeCe Green to cap a 7-play, some football a little bit.”

LANIER 48, WINDER-BARROW 21

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015 • 5A

Coach’s Take

gwinnettprepsports.com

Central Gwinnett’s Micah Maxey (8) looks to pass the ball during Friday’s high school football game against the Parkview Panthers at Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Max-imum damage

Maxey leads quick-strike Knights past Parkview Central’s Elijah Robertson thwarted another drive.

The Panthers did find Parkview 0 7 7 0 — 14 Central 14 0 14 0 — 28 LAWRENCEVILLE — the end zone just before Region 8-AAAAAA’s wild halftime. Starting on their FIRST QUARTER ride continued Friday night own 17-yard line, Chambers Central: Major Bellamy 20 pass from Micah Maxey (Trey Vallery as Central Gwinnett scored found Fleetwood for 34 2-pt. conversion rush) 5:26 14 first-quarter points en yards and then rushed for 16 Central: Bellamy 20 pass from Maxey (conversion failed) 2:00 route to a 28-14 win. yards with under a minute to SECOND QUARTER The Knights got 265 go. A 17-yard run by Deion Parkview: Anthony McClellan 5 pass from Tyler Fleetwood (Will yards through the air from Slade moved it inside the Chandler kick) :00 quarterback Micah Maxey, 10-yard line. Then, on fourth THIRD QUARTER who threw three touchdown down, with two seconds on Central: Erron Price 20 pass from Maxey (conversion failed) 6:30 passes on the night, sendthe clock, Parkview head Parkview: Jaylen Askew 29 pass ing the Black Knights into coach Eric Godfree decided from Jack Chambers (Chandler kick) 6:30 the playoffs for the second to go for it instead of kickCentral: Vallery 7 run (Maxey 2-pt. straight year. ing a field goal. Taking the conversion rush) 2:08 FOURTH QUARTER “Being back in the playdirect snap, Fleetwood did None offs means everything for a jump pass to Anthony our program,” Central head McClellan for a five-yard coach Todd Wofford said. again on its next drive. A touchdown pass, bringing “We’ve come so far in six 22-yard completion to Fleet- the Panthers to within 14-7 years. People doubted us wood from quarterback Jack at halftime. after all we lost last year. It’s Chambers moved the ball “We had practiced that not about building a team, to the Central 47-yard line. play all week and we liked it’s about building a proThe Panthers then converted the look we were given,” gram.” a third down on a defensive Godfree said.

Things looked like they pass interference call, but Central answered that were starting well for the were unable to do anything score on its second drive Panthers (5-4, 3-4 Region after that as Chambers was of the second half, driving 8-AAAAAA) on their first sacked on fourth down to 72 yards in eight plays. A drive. A fake punt on fourth turn the ball back over to the 20-yard completion to Price down saw punter Devin Orr Black Knights. followed by a 12-yard rush complete a 32-yard pass to Central didn’t take long to by Vallery put the Black Tyler Fleetwood, putting find the end zone. A 40-yard Knights in Parkview territhe Panthers on the Central completion to Erron Price tory. Five plays later, Maxey 26-yard line. Parkview drove put the Black Knights on the found Price for a 20-yard it down the 14-yard line, but Parkview 21-yard line. Two touchdown pass, bringing was stalled and missed a 31- plays later, Maxey again the score to 20-7 with 7:28 yard field goal to leave the found Bellamy for a 20-yard to go in the third quarter. game scoreless. touchdown pass, making it Parkview answered on its Central (5-4, 4-3) crept 14-0 with 2:00 to go in the next drive. Fleetwood rushed its way downfield on its first first quarter.

48 yards and two plays later, drive, going 80 yards in 10 “Having Major back was Chambers found Jaylen plays, culminating in a 20huge for our team,” Wofford Askew over the middle for yard touchdown pass from said. “You can see what he a 29-yard touchdown pass, Maxey to Major Bellamy. A brings to this team when bringing the score to 20-14. two-point conversion rush by he’s on the field.”

But the Black Knights Trey Vallery made it 8-0 with Parkview again drove again answered, driving 84 5:26 to go in the first quarter. down the field two drives yards 12 plays for the score.

Parkview moved the ball later, but an interception by The big play on the drive

By Chris Stephens Staff Correspondent

CENTRAL 28, PARKVIEW 14

came on a third-down, 14yard completion to Bellamy, giving the Black Knights a first down on the Parkview 43-yard line. Four plays later, Central completed a fourth-down pass to Price with Vallery rushing 21 yards on the next play to get the ball on the 2-yard line.

After a false start penalty, the Black Knights handed the ball to Vallery, who took it in from the 7-yard line, giving them their final points of the evening.

Parkview continued to drive down the field, but the Central defense continued to hold strong.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Panthers were running out of chances and they knew it. On the Central 6-yard line, Chambers rolled out and went to try to score.

However, the ball was knocked out of his hands and Central’s Derrick Lawrence recovered the fumble, securing the win for the Black Knights.

“To hold this team to 14 points is saying a lot,” Wofford said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the defense and what they were able to do.”

In addition to Maxey’s passing performance, the Black Knights also got 105 yards rushing by Vallery, and 104 yards on five catches from Price. Bellamy finished with 59 yards five catches and Azaviar Kufour had five catches for 55 yards.

Chambers led the Panthers, going 18 of 33 for 186 yards, while Fleetwood had seven catches for 113 yards.

TOMMY JONES Head coach | Dacula What’s your favorite part of coaching high school football? There is so much that makes high school football special. I love the passion, spirit and pride that unites a community on Friday night. I love the traditions, rivalries and pageantry. I love watching a kid develop over the course of four years to become a key contributor because he refused to quit. I love that it is the ultimate team game that requires struggle, sacrifice, trust, selflessness and delayed gratification. I love the relationships between players and coaches alike. I love locker room celebrations after a big win. I love seeing former players come back to visit.

What’s the most challenging part of being a high school football coach? Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. The demands are pretty extensive. It’s not just about watching film, creating a game plan and managing practice.

The job extends to raising money, maintaining eligibility, helping players get recruited, being involved in feeder programs, checking academic progress, submitting transportation requests, building relationships in the community, etc. I am unbelievably blessed to have an outstanding coaching staff and support network that helps tremendously with these responsibilities. But I think any head coach would agree that we still feel the weight of everything in the program.

Who are your role models and why? I feel extremely privileged to have so many great models and influences in this profession. Obviously, my dad would be at the top of the list. Without a doubt, he was the main factor in my decision to pursue coaching. He was the best at his craft for 45 years and he balanced that with being a great husband, father and role model. Coach Dave Hunter was my high school coach at Brookwood and I learned so much about the importance of details, developing high expectations and refusing to accept mediocrity. Dad worked with Coach Phil Knight at Columbia, Rockdale and Lithonia when I was growing up. He was hard-nosed, demanding and always got the most out of his teams. I had the great fortune of playing and coaching for Bobby Johnson at Furman. Coach Johnson was a man of tremendous integrity and discipline who had a consistent and unwavering approach. When I started my high school coaching career as an assistant at Dacula, Coach Kevin Maloof stressed the team concept above all. In fact, that’s still a common theme around here.

Who’s the best player you’ve coached against? That’s a tough one. There have been a lot. As an assistant at Dacula in 2001, we faced Chansi Stuckey from Northside-Warner Robins in the state quarterfinals.

He had the ability change a game single-handedly. We might’ve had a chance to play for a state championship that year if it wasn’t for him. I’m not sure that one guy could tackle him in a phone booth. At Furman, I played and coached against Randy Moss at Marshall and Terrell Owens at Chattanooga. Obviously their careers speak for themselves. Others that stand out are Jeff Francoeur from Parkview, David Pollack from Shiloh, Rennie Curran from Brookwood, Stephon Tuitt from Monroe-Area and and Connor Shaw from Flowery Branch.

What kind of football player were you? I was probably an average player that benefited from being a part of a couple of great programs at Brookwood and Furman. As a coach’s son, I grew up learning to love and respect the game. I think I understood the importance of working hard, being coachable and playing smart.

Jarren Williams accounts for six TDs in Shiloh win

By Scott Scredon Staff Correspondent

SHILOH 46, BERKMAR 0

Berkmar 0 0 0 0 — 0 SNELLVILLE — ShiShiloh 6 33 0 7 — 46 loh sophomore quarterFIRST QUARTER back Jarren Williams Shiloh – Jarren Williams 1 run (kick played the finest game of failed) 5:52 SECOND QUARTER his young career Friday Shiloh – Jamarcus Hixson 8 pass night, throwing four touch- from Williams (Philip Griffin kick) 9:38 down passes and running Shiloh – DeCarlos Frazier 36 pass for two more to lead the from Williams (kick failed) 6:58 Shiloh – Williams 30 run (kick Generals to a convincing failed) 4:59 46-0 win over Berkmar Shiloh – Frazier 14 pass from Williams (Griffin kick) 1:26 in a Region 8-AAAAAA Shiloh – Stefan Sims 11 pass from game on Senior Night at Williams (Griffin kick) :23 Shiloh Community StaTHIRD QUARTER None dium.

FOURTH QUARTER After losing close games Shiloh – Frazier 1 run (Griffin kick) 9:07 earlier this season to Dacula, Central Gwinnett and Brookwood, Shiloh’s Parkview and Berkmar. young team seems to First-year coach Ryan be hitting its stride with Andrews’ team has a consecutive wins over chance to end the season

with a three-game winning streak in its final game next Friday at South Gwinnett.

“Jarren is starting to get in the groove, and he’s gaining confidence weekly,” said Andrews.

“He’s starting to make plays when we need him, and he’s going to have to make plays for us over the next two years if we’re going to be a winning team.”

Andrews is hoping that his team is building some momentum for a strong finish to the regular season.

“I hope our momentum carries over into next week,” he said. “We’ve played well the past two weeks and we’re starting

to play with some confidence.”

Shiloh started its touchdown parade early, with junior Julian McDuffie intercepting a pass on Berkmar’s first possession and returning it to the Patriots’ 30. Shiloh needed only five plays to score, with Williams sneaking over from the 1 for a 6-0 lead.

The Generals (2-7, 2-5) did nearly all of their damage in the second quarter, scoring touchdowns on five straight possessions to build a 39-0 lead. Shiloh benefited from excellent field position, starting inside the Berkmar 40 on its next three drives.

After starting its first

possession of the second quarter on the Berkmar 33 after a short punt, a 17-yard Williams pass to Kevin Hill and a personal foul on Berkmar set up Shiloh on the Patriots 11.

Two plays later, Williams threw the first of four TD passes, an 8-yard swing pass to Jamarcus Hixson for a 13-0 lead.

Berkmar (0-9, 0-7) went three and out again, and Tuwile Wilson’s 14-yard punt return set up the Generals at the Berkmar 31.

After a 15-yard penalty on Shiloh, Williams ran for 10 yards, then tossed a 36yard TD pass to DeCarlos Frazier, giving Shiloh a 19-0 lead.

Williams simply took

over the game from this point, either running or passing for three TDs during the last five minutes of the half. He scored on a 30-yard run, tossed a 36yard pass to Frazier — the latter’s second TD catch of the night — and threw an 11-yard scoring toss to Stefan Sims with only 23 seconds left in the half.

The latter score was set up by a blocked punt by sophomore Anas Spain.

The sophomore quarterback finished the first half with 13 of 22 completions for 182 yards and 4 TDs, while rushing for 77 yards and 2 TDs on 7 carries.

Frazier completed the scoring with a 1 yard TD scamper early in the fourth

www.gwinnettdailypost.com | www.gwinnettdailypost.com

6A • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015

Gasta sparks North past Mustangs explosive plays early in

By Robinns Exume NORTH 38, the second quarter as the Staff Correspondent MEADOWCREEK 7 senior receiver corralled North 7 24 7 0 — 38 NORCROSS — A tough Meadowcrk 0 0 0 7 — 7 a fade from quarterback season in a difficult region Cade Fortin in the right FIRST QUARTER left North Gwinnett with corner of the end zone to NORTH: Ryan Lovelace 8 run (Manuel Herrera kick) 6:20 just one region win thus give North a 14-0 advanSECOND QUARTER far this season as October tage.

NORTH: Sam Gasta 29 pass from Cade Fortin (Herrera kick) 8:06 gives way to November. “(Gasta) played freshNORTH: Herrera 44 field goal 3:24 Thanks to a spectacular man ball and then went NORTH: Gasta 37 pass from Forsecond-quarter perforto play lacrosse for two tin (Herrera kick) 1:49 NORTH: Gasta 43 punt return mance by receiver Sam years,” Sphire said. “It was (Herrera kick) :10 Gasta and his teammates, really great to see Sam THIRD QUARTER NORTH: Danny Goya 19 pass from North got its second have a game like that.”

Fortin (Herrera kick) 9:33 Region 7-AAAAAA win The duo loved the play FOURTH QUARTER Meadowcreek: Darion Hammonds of the season with a 38-7 so much that it connected 10 run (Michael Mendoza kick) :27 victory over Meadowcreek on it again toward the end on Friday night. of the quarter as Gasta “Defense created some 8-yard run. leapt over a Meadowcreek turnovers and offense had Meadowcreek (2-7, 0-6) defender and hauled in some explosive plays,” hung tough for the remain- the fade from Fortin in the North Gwinnett head der of the quarter as it kept same corner of the end coach Bob Sphire said of North off the scoreboard zone to extend the lead to his team’s effort. and even forced a fumble 24-0.

North (4-5, 2-4 region) to stymie a North drive late With less than two mindelivered the first and only in the first quarter. utes remaining in the half, score of the first quarter as However, the second Gasta had one more magic the Bulldogs meticulously quarter was a different play left as he fielded a worked the ball downfield story. punt at the Meadowcreek before running back Ryan Gasta made his pres43-yard line, spun off a Lovelace scored on an ence felt with one of those defender and cut across the

field to put the Mustangs up 31-0 at halftime.

“I just tried to spin out of it, a couple of good blocks by my teammates, I was able to cut back and score,” Gasta said of his punt return.

Gasta ended the game with 105 receiving yards on five catches and the three scores, all in the first half. Fortin completed 17 of 24 passes for 210 yards and three scores.

“He has really been baptized through a pretty tough schedule, against some of the best teams in the state and some injuries on the offensive line,” Sphire said of Fortin. “He’s been mentally tough in the way he has handled it.”

For Meadowcreek, Darion Hammons scored the lone touchdown and led his team with 91 passing yards. Terrence Newborn Jr. led the team with 27 rushing yards.

Recruiting Profile

gwinnettprepsports.com CHRIS SIBILIA Junior | North Gwinnett | OT What schools are currently recruiting you? I have a bunch of schools recruiting me right now.

My most recent have been Kansas State, Purdue, Boston College, Duke, Mississippi State, UCF, Colorado and Colorado State.

Are there any schools you’re hoping to hear from? Right now I hope to hear from Nebraska. I talked to them over the summer, but I have not heard anything from them in a while.

Do you have any upcoming visits to schools planned? I am planning on visiting Boston College, UCF, Mississippi State and Colorado State sometime soon. UCF is already planned for over Thanksgiving break, but for the rest, I am looking at my schedule.

Who are your role models? My role model is (Dallas Cowboys DE) Randy Gregory. I got to know him over the winter this past year and I really enjoyed what he did to help me. His work ethic and attitude is amazing and inspiring.

If you ever scored a touchdown, what would your TD Dance be? If I ever scored a touchdown, I don’t know what I would do.

I would probably just make up something on the spot.

gwinnett football league

Norcross’ Chase Huff (1) throws out a stiff arm to Parkview’s Jerold Smart (24) and Cavalli Jackson (34) during last week’s 7-year-old Parkview AL North vs. Norcross AL North game.

FUTURE of FOOTBALL Photos by Ann Borowski

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK The Gwinnett Football League’s players and cheerleaders of the week (athletes were selected by his or her coach): FOOTBALL Buford 6-year-old AL North: Rhett Johnson 7-year-old NL South: A’jaunti Brayboy 9-year-old NL North: Damian Brown 10-year-old NL South: Lane Mosley 11-year-old AL East: Eli Parks Dacula 7-year-old NL North: Robert John Knapp III Grayson 11-year-old AL East: Cole Flink Lawrenceville 6-year-old AL North: Chase Walker 7-year-old AL South: Kyle Fritz 8-year-old AL South: Bryce Snowdon 8-year-old AL North: Justin Warren 9-year-old AL North: Javion Parker 9-year-old AL East: James Mackel 10-year-old AL North: Omar Zachary

Norcross 6-year-old NL North: Whole team 7-year-old AL North: Whole team 12-year-old AL East: Whole team Parkview 7-year-old AL North: Sean Steele 8-year-old AL North: Eric Chatfield 10-year-old AL East: Sam Lindsey Peachtree Ridge 7-year-old AL South: Desmond Edwards Jr. CHEERLEADING Archer Third grade: Elyse Hairston

Brookwood’s Jaden Henry (28) runs the ball during the 8-year-old Brookwood AL North vs. Dacula NL North game last week.

Buford First grade: Mary Margaret Cooper First grade: Keiko Teague Second grade: Ashlyn Henderson Fifth grade: Paige Christopher Grayson Sixth grade: Ansley Wirth Lawrenceville First grade: Aniya French Third grade: Jeri Owens Fourth grade: Carmella McClain Fifth grade: Mylaija Gillum Eighth grade: Jada Richmond North Gwinnett Second grade: Ryan Hankins Third grade: Morgan Sharpe Peachtree Ridge Sixth grade: Kassidy Vasquez

The 8-year-old Dacula NL North team takes the field prior to the game last week.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015 • 7A

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Defense

•From Page 1A because next week we’ve got a great challenge. We want to replicate it every week. … Our players are playing their guts out right now. I’m proud of them.”

Norcross, which plays Collins Hill next week to determine the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds for the playoffs, made Mill Creek’s offense work for points, too.

Brenton King’s 27-yard field goal was the only scoring of the first quarter, then Thomas’ 17-yard TD run midway through the second quarter extended the lead.

Mill Creek upped the advantage to 17-0 on a 2-yard TD run by Thomas, finally taking advantage of field position that was aided by Victor Heyward’s blocked punt.

Norcross’ Chris Allen had a sack and an interception before leaving late in the game with a leg injury.

“Joe had a great game,” Jarvis said. “He ran hard all night and broke some tackles. But give credit to Norcross. Their defense played with pride all night and played fast.”

Neither team fared well in the passing game,

MILL CREEK 24, NORCROSS 0

Norcross 0 0 0 0 — 0 Mill Creek 3 14 0 7 — 24 FIRST QUARTER Mill Creek: Brenton King 27 FG, 4:23 SECOND QUARTER Mill Creek: Joe Thomas 17 run (King kick) 6:27 Mill Creek: Thomas 2 run (King kick) :35 THIRD QUARTER None FOURTH QUARTER Mill Creek: Aaron Anderson 2 run (King kick) 7:39

NOR MC First downs 8 18 Rushes-yards 33-25 42-198 Passing yards 32 123 Comp-Att-INT 9-19-0 9-20-1 Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0 Penalties-yards 8-55 5-30

Mill Creek running back Joe Thomas (15) gets tackled by Norcross’ Darral Porter (42) and Kindred Wynn (17) during Friday night’s game at Mill Creek in Hoschton. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

though Cameron Turley of Mill Creek finished 9 of 20 for 123 yards. His numbers were aided by completing his last five passes, which set up Anderson’s 2-yard TD run with 7:39 left in

the fourth quarter for a 24-0 lead.

Preston Norwood (five catches, 51 yards) and Braxton Richburg (two catches, 63 yards) led the Mill Creek receivers.

While the offensive numbers were modest, the defensive numbers were outstanding once again.

Norcross had 17 negative plays and seven more that went for no gain.

Storm fall just short again From Staff Reports HIAWASSEE — For the third time this season, Providence Christian was on the cusp of claiming its first varsity football victory.

For the third time this season, the Storm came up just short.

“The kids played hard,” Storm head coach Ken Robinson said. “Obviously

we’re disappointed. It was tough to watch, especially for the seniors. But now we go back to work.”

Towns County rallied in the second half to beat Providence 21-14 on Friday night.

The Storm led 14-7 at the half on a pair of Mitchell Miller touchdowns.

Miller stripped the ball, scooped it up and ran 70plus yard for the first score

of the game. Miller scored again, this time on 28-yard scamper, to give Providence the touchdown lead at the break.

The Storm held that lead until early in the fourth quarter when Towns County jumped ahead.

Providence still had chances down the stretch, but was hurt by penalties and Towns County was able to run out the clock.

Tailback Necholas Sermons was held to 10 yards on eight carries, and Baron Radcliff was 9 of 19 passing for 32 yards.

“We did great and we played as a unit,” Vernon

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Norcross: Necholas Sermons 8-10; Clay Harris 4-8; Jalen Peddrew 2-4; Baron Radcliff 19-3. Mill Creek: Thomas 30-179; Edmond Graham 3-32; Cameron Turley 4-1; Daniel Leconte 2-(-2); Team 3-(minus-12).

PASSING — Norcross: Radcliff 9-19-0, 32. Mill Creek: Turley 9-201, 123.

RECEIVING — Norcross: Jacobe Burrell 4-3; Ricky Reed 2-10; Isaiah McKoy 1-11; Sermons 1-5; Harris 1-3. Mill Creek: Preston Norwood 5-51; Braxton Richburg 2-63; Jack Plummer 1-5; Graham 1-4.

said. “We made a few mistakes but we played through them at full speed, so that makes up for it.

We played with speed and intensity, that was the best part.”

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