2014 High School Football Season Preview

2 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

northfulton.com | forsythherald.com

2014 high school football preview Raiders, Eagles, BT, Mt. Pisgah look to duplicate strong showings

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com NORTH FULTON — The 2014 high school football season gets under way August 22, with a few changes for teams in North Fulton regarding classification and region alignment.

Northview returns to AAAAAA and will play in Region 6 with Alpharetta, Centennial and nearby schools Johns Creek and Chattahoochee.

Blessed Trinity remains in AAA, but will now play in Region 4, which puts the Titans in the South Georgia playoff bracket.

St. Francis will play its first season in a region, joining 6-A, which also includes North Fulton schools Mount Pisgah, King’s Ridge and Fellowship Christian.

In AAAAAA, Alpharetta is one of two co-favorites in Region 6 along with West Forsyth.

Alpharetta, which has a new head coach – former offensive coordinator Josh Nichols — was the only North Fulton team to make the playoffs from that region last year, as the four Forsyth schools finished in the four spots behind the Raiders.

Lambert is likely to again challenge for one of four playoff berths, with North Forsyth and South Forsyth facing tough challenges to match last year’s 7-3 records.

Chattahoochee went 4-6 with a team loaded with talent at the skill positions, and the Cougars will try to bounce back with an almost all-new offensive cast and a third head coach in three years, as Mike Owens was forced to step down due to health concerns. Vince Strine, the team’s defensive coordinator last year, takes over as head coach.

Centennial, which went 1-9

last year but could have had a winning record, returns some talent, but the Knights have to figure out how to hang on to leads, something they were unable to do in 2013.

After two playoff berths and a 17-3 record in its second and third seasons of varsity football, Johns Creek was winless last year, but veteran coach Mike Cloy says the Gladiators’ sophomore class has some similarities to the outstanding group that led the team to success in 2011 and ’12.

Northview has never made the playoff in football, but could challenge for a post-season spot despite moving up in classification.

The Titans have one of the state’s best pass-catch combos in D.J. Pearson and Matty Biondich, and some new arrivals could significantly improve a defense that has been porous in recent seasons.

In Region 5-AAAAAA, Milton looks likely to make the playoffs for a fourth straight season, and hopes to contend for a title in a region that may have a different look at the top than in the recent past.

Traditional power Walton has a new coach and some question marks, and 2013 region champion Lassiter suffered heavy graduation losses.

Etowah, which made the playoffs last year, will be among the teams to beat, with Cherokee a possible contender. Pope has returned to the region after several years at the AAAAA level.

Roswell, a long time playoff contender in the region, has struggled the last three seasons, but the Hornets appear to be on the comeback trail and could make a playoff run with a talented returning

group of skill position players on offense.

Cambridge remains in Region 7-AAAAA, which had sev-

eral teams move up to AAAAAA and has added teams from northwest Georgia that will play in the opposite sub-region

MOUNT PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

the ones to

watch

Region Champion Pisgah Patriots look to build on last year’s record-breaking, undefeated season!

Request your FREE Pisgah Information Packet

experiencepisgah.org/info • 678.335.2145

“My advice for any future Patriot is to give 110% in everything you do. I believe the Pisgah family has shown me that if I can give all that I have and a little more that all my dreams will come true.”

All-State Player Aaron Winchester

from the Bears. This is just the third season Cambridge has fielded a team, and after a respectable showing last year, a top-3 finish in the sub-region and a shot at a state playoff berth may be a realistic goal.

Blessed Trinity made it to the AAA quarterfinals last season in what was supposed to be a transitional year. The Titans have a shot to make another playoff run, although they will have to get through a very difficult sub-region after beginning with a tough group of non-region games.

After going undefeated in the regular season and reaching the private school state semifinals, Mount Pisgah will again the be the favorite in Region 6-A, with the Patriots returning talent on both offense and defense.

Fellowship Christian and King’s Ridge are both hoping to move up in the region standings, with St. Francis joining the region after going 8-2 last year against a non-region schedule.

Five of the local schools – Roswell, Chattahoochee, Cambridge, Fellowship and Mt. Pisgah -- play the first week of the season, with Roswell traveling to Valdosta to play Lowndes in a rematch of the 2007 state quarterfinal playoff game.

The first full week of the season includes two of the area’s top rivalry games – Milton at Alpharetta and Centennial at Roswell – with Alpharetta playing at West Forsyth the following week in a game that could decide the region title.

Other early season games of note are Blessed Trinity at former region rival St. Pius (Aug. 29), Eagle’s Landing Christian at Mt. Pisgah (Sept.

12), and Roswell at long-time rival Walton in a 5-AAAAAA opener (Sept. 12).

The Hornets play at Milton the following week in a game that could have playoff implications.

forsythherald.com | northfulton.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

August, 2014 3

4 August 14, 2014

Sponsored Section • HIGH S

2014 team schedules North Fulton, Cambridge

North Fulton Public Schools

Alpharetta 08/29 09/05 09/12 09/19

7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p

09/26

7:30p

10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31 11/07

7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p

Milton @West Forsyth Johns Creek @Lambert Habersham Central Centennial @Chattahoochee South Forsyth @Northview North Forsyth

Johns Creek

08/22

TBA

08/29 09/12 09/26 10/03 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31

TBA 8:00p 7:30p TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Holy Innocents Episcopal @Chapel Hill @Rome @Kell North Atlanta @Sprayberry North Springs Riverwood @Forsyth Central

Milton

Chattahoochee

08/29 09/05 09/12 09/19 09/26 10/10

TBA 7:30p 7:30p TBA 7:30p 7:30p

10/17

7:30p

10/24 10/31 11/07

7:30p TBA TBA

@Roswell @South Forsyth Lambert Chattahoochee @Johns Creek @Alpharetta @Habersham Central @North Forsyth West Forsyth Northview

Northview

08/22 09/05 09/12 09/19 09/26 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31

TBA 7:30p TBA TBA TBA 7:30p 7:30p TBA 7:30p

11/07

TBA

Roswell

08/29

TBA

@Woodstock

08/29

7:30p

@Alpharetta

08/29

7:30p

Duluth

08/22

8:00p

09/05

7:30p

Lambert

09/05

7:30p

Norcross

09/05

7:30p

08/29

TBA

09/12

7:30p

@Alpharetta

09/12

7:30p

Roswell

Habersham Central

09/19

7:30a

@Northview

Roswell

@North Forsyth

TBA

TBA

7:30p

09/12

09/19

09/12

09/26

7:30p

Centennial

Lassiter

Johns Creek

7:30p

7:30p

7:30a

09/12

09/26

09/19

10/10

7:30p

Chattahoochee

@Etowah

@West Forsyth

TBA

7:30p

TBA

09/19

10/03

09/26

10/17

TBA

@North Forsyth

Cherokee

@South Forsyth

TBA

7:30p

TBA

10/03

10/10

10/10

10/10

7:30p

7:30p

Lambert

10/24

7:30p

Habersham Central

10/17

10/17

TBA

10/24

TBA

@Chattahoochee

10/24

TBA

10/31

TBA

@South Forsyth

10/31

7:30p

Alpharetta

10/31

7:30p

11/07

7:30p

West Forsyth

11/07

TBA

@Centennial

11/07

TBA

08/29

7:30p

@St. Pius X Catholic

09/05

7:30p

@Sequoyah

09/12

TBA

@Creekview

09/19

TBA

10/17 10/24

TBA TBA

@Walton @Woodstock

10/31

7:30p

Pope

11/07

7:30p

@Wheeler

Fellowship Christian

Blessed Trinity

Private Schools

Centennial

Jackson

09/19

7:30p

Jackson County

09/26

8:00p

@Douglass

10/10

TBA

Therrell

10/17

7:30p

Westminster

10/23

TBA

@Washington

10/31

TBA

@Decatur

Mount Pisgah Christian

08/22

TBA

@Armuchee

08/29

7:30p

Riverside Military Academy

09/12

7:30p

Chattooga

09/19

TBA

Christian Heritage

10/03

TBA

10/10

7:30p

10/17

7:30p

10/24

7:30p

10/31

TBA

King's Ridge Christian Mount Pisgah Christian @Whitefield Academy Pinecrest Academy @St. Francis

08/23 09/05

TBA TBA

09/12

TBA

09/26

TBA

10/03

TBA

10/10

7:30p

10/17

TBA

10/24

TBA

10/31

TBA

Pinecrest Brookstone @Rabun County Eagle's Landing Christian Academy @Christian Heritage St. Francis @Fellowship Christian Pinecrest Academy @King's Ridge Christian Whitefield Academy

08/29 09/12 09/19

7:3 TB TB

09/26

TB

10/03

TB

10/10

TB

10/17

TB

10/24

7:3

10/31

TB

SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

northfulton.com | Revue & News 25

Forsyth County and Private schools Cherokee @North Forsyth West Forsyth @Centennial South Forsyth @Johns Creek Alpharetta Northview @Lambert @Habersham Central

30p BA BA

BA

BA

BA

BA

30p

BA

@Lowndes

Forsyth County Public Schools

Forsyth Central

Lambert

08/29

TBA

Dawson County

09/05

TBA

@Woodland

09/19

7:30p

@Kell

09/26

TBA

Riverwood

10/10

TBA

North Atlanta

10/17

TBA

@Sprayberry

10/24

TBA

@North Springs

10/31

TBA

Cambridge

South Forsyth 08/22

7:30p

@Mountain View

@Walton

09/05

7:30p

Centennial

@Milton

09/12

TBA

@Habersham Central

@Milton

09/19

TBA

North Forsyth

Wheeler

09/26

TBA

@Chattahoochee

10/10

TBA

Northview

10/17

TBA

West Forsyth

10/24

7:30p

@Alpharetta

Cherokee

10/31

TBA

Johns Creek

@Etowah

10/31

7:30p

West Forsyth

Lassiter

11/07

7:30p

@Lambert

Woodstock

St. Francis North Springs Walker @Trion @Mount Paran Christian Whitefield Academy St. Francis @Mount Pisgah Christian @Fellowship Christian King's Ridge Christian

08/29

TBA

09/05

TBA

09/19 09/26

TBA TBA

10/03

TBA

10/10

TBA

10/17

TBA

10/24

TBA

10/31

TBA

08/22 09/05 09/12 09/19 09/26

7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p

10/10

7:30p

10/17 10/24 10/31 11/07

7:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p

Lanier @Johns Creek @Centennial Alpharetta @North Forsyth Habersham Central @Northview @West Forsyth Chattahoochee South Forsyth

West Forsyth

Centennial

@Pope

North Forsyth

08/29 09/05 09/12

TBA 7:30p TBA

09/19

TBA

09/26 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31 10/31

TBA TBA TBA 7:30p TBA 7:30p

Mill Creek Alpharetta @Chattahoochee @Habersham Central Northview North Forsyth @South Forsyth Lambert @Centennial @South Forsyth

11/07

7:30p

@Johns Creek

King’s Ridge Providence Christian Lakeview Academy Mt. Zion @Walker @Mount Pisgah Christian @Pinecrest Academy King's Ridge Christian @Whitefield Academy Fellowship Christian

09/05 09/12

TBA TBA

09/19

TBA

09/26

TBA

10/03

TBA

10/10

TBA

10/17

TBA

10/24

TBA

10/31

TBA

Walker @Darlington Mount Paran Christian Trion @Fellowship Christian Whitefield Academy @St. Francis Mount Pisgah Christian @Pinecrest Academy

08/29

7:30p

@Cherokee

09/05

7:30p

Chattahoochee

09/12

7:30p

Northview

09/19

TBA

@South Forsyth

09/26

7:30p

Lambert

10/10

TBA

@West Forsyth

10/17

TBA

Johns Creek

10/24

7:30p

Centennial

10/31

TBA

@Habersham

11/07

7:30p

@Alpharetta

Morrell entering second season at Fellowship Christian School ROSWELL, Ga. – Fellowship Christian School head varsity football coach Al Morrell has high hopes for his team heading into his second season at the helm of the Paladin program this fall.

“I am very optimistic and excited,” said Morrell, Morrell who begins his 33rd year as a high school football coach and his second at FCS. “We lost 11 players from last year’s team, but our underclassmen from last year, including this year’s seniors, have had another year in the weight room and another year learning our system.”

Morrell, who led the Paladins to a 5-5 record last season, expects it takes a team about a season to get used to new offensive and defensive systems. Last season marked the fourth time in school history the Paladins posted at least five wins. The 2007 club went 11-2, while both the 2013 and 2011 squads were 5-5. FCS went 5-6 in 2005, the school’s second varsity season.

“The excitement of winning has kids coming out for football,” Morrell said. “We have 12 seniors and seven of them are new players to our program. It is very nice to see.”

The senior newcomers include transfers Shane Young and Cole Lindner, and Austin Daniels, Cole Myszka, Jake Navarro, Drew Ostenson and Deklan Reid. Young comes to FCS from Sprayberry High School and Lindner from Cherokee High School.

The returning seniors include Dalton Depew, one of last year’s leading receivers and defenders, David Bostater, Austin Bell, William Haigler and Clay Poer.

–Leslie Herbert, Director of Marketing for Fellowship Christian School

6 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

northfulton.com | forsythherald.com

Top North Fulton teams feature dynamic duos Local players make major college commitments

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com NORTH FULTON – For several of North Fulton’s strongest football programs heading into the 2014 season, their hopes hinge in large part on a pair of standout players.

Class AAAAAA teams Milton, Alpharetta and Northview all feature dynamic duos, as do AAA Blessed Trinity and Class A Mount Pisgah, the two local teams that enjoyed the most success in the 2013 playoffs.

Milton is the lone team of the five without an offensive skill position player among its two most prominent talents.

Northview is the only one with a pair of players from the offensive backfield, with the other four schools all featuring at least one defensive ace.

The five standout duos include offensive lineman Nick Wilson and linebacker Quarte Sapp from Milton, defensive end Andrew Butcher and quarterback Austin King of Alpharetta, quarterback D.J. Pearson and wide receiver Matt Biondich of Northview, linebacker Pat Jasinski and running back Milton Shelton of Blessed Trinity, and quarterback Aaron Winchester and defensive lineman Shingi Chigwere of Mount Pisgah.

Wilson, who has committed to Stanford, is the latest in Milton’s recent string of Division 1-caliber offensive linemen.

“Nick is the strongest offensive lineman I’ve ever coached,” Milton coach Howie DeCristofaro offered. “He has good feet from playing lacrosse, and runs like a deer for someone who weighs 285 pounds.”

In addition to his physical ability, Wilson excels academically and was attracted to Stanford, one of the country’s top universities and one of the very few in that category that is also a power in football.

Wilson was a first team allstate selection as a junior, and is the key offensive returnee for a Milton team looking for a fourth straight state playoff berth.

Sapp is the leader of the Milton defense, and is being actively recruited by many of country’s top teams. He is a three-year starter for the Eagles, and DeCristofaro said, “You could tell he was the real deal from the start.

“Quarte is athletic, physical and smart. He can go where he wants.”

Sapp, who also plays on the Milton basketball team, has taken the summer off from AAU ball, and has spent his

AL LEVINE/Staff

Northview wide receiver Matty Biondich, left, scores a touchdown during a games last season. time adding weight for his college future. The 6-3 Sapp is up to 215 pounds, and according to DeCrostofaro, “he runs as well as he ever has.”

Like Wilson, Alpharetta’s Butcher was first team allstate in 2013, and has committed to Tennessee.

“He’s as tough a player as there is in the state,” Alpharetta coach Josh Nichols says. “I expect a lot of the same from him this season – sacks and quarterback pressures and contributing as a run stopper.

He’s going to see more attention from offenses, not that it matters.”

King is the latest in a seemingly unending string of collegecaliber quarterbacks at Alpharetta, and has committed to North Carolina State after passing for more than 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

“He’s a prototypical pocket quarterback,” Nichols says.

“He’s big, is a very accurate passer and has the ability to throw the ball down the field and run our offense.”

King does not possess the running skills of predecessor Josh Dobbs, who started as a freshman last year at Tennessee, but Nichols says, “We still run a lot of the same stuff on offense.”

Pearson and Biondich make up one of the state’s best passcatch duos for Northview, with both coming off huge junior seasons, Pearson passed for 2,531 yards and 19 touchdowns, with Biondich among

the state’s leading receivers with 75 catches for 1,225 yards and 13 TDs. While Biondich will play lacrosse in college at West Point, Pearson has committed to Arkansas State. Biondich was the North Fulton Offensive Player of the Year in 2013, making one sensational catch after another.

“He’s unbelievable,” Northview coach Chad Davenport says. “He knows how to get where he’s got to get to to get open, and I’ve never seen anybody get a clean shot on him.

That’s because of lacrosse.”

At 5-7 and 160 pounds, Biondich looks too small to be a top-caliber football player, but his skills as a receiver more than compensate for his lack of size.

“He’s so good with his feet and so quick,” Davenport points out. “He can make moves and cut on a dime. He just doesn’t drop the football.

And people forget how fast he is.”

Pearson has directed an offense that has averaged more than 33 points per game the last two seasons, primarily using his arm and decisionmaking ability to put points on the scoreboard. Pearson is not a runner like predecessor Evan Jacks, who played extensively as a quarterback last season as a redshirt freshman at Wofford, using his athleticism to buy time to find a receiver.

“He’s got a good arm and can make plays,” Davenport

AL LEVINE

Mount Pisgah quarterback Aaron Winchester (18) gets loose for a 9-yard touchdown in the Patriots’ 40-7 playoff win against Pacelli last year. Winchester also threw five touchdown passes. says of Pearson. “He’s learning to be a great leader and not try to do too much.”

Both Blessed Trinity standouts will see action on offense and defense, with Shelton scheduled to play a much greater role in the secondary.

Shelton, a junior, has rushed for 2,000 yards his first two seasons with the Titans, despite missing time with injuries in both 2012 and ’13. He has shown exceptional skill as a running back, but BT coach Tim McFarlin believes the team needs him in the defensive backfield this season, and with two other capable tailbacks on the squad, Shelton may not be the workhorse he has been at times.

“He’s excited,” McFarlin says of Shelton. “He knows he’s going to carry the ball 20 times a game. He wants to play every play of every game if we’d let him. He just loves to play football.”

Jasinski, who has committed to Central Florida and former Georgia Tech coach George O’Leary, is primarily a linebacker, but has also contributed at tight end.

“He’s been our best defensive player for a couple of years,” McFarlin says. “He started his last five games a

a freshman and has been a starter ever since. He’s one of those kids, that when he graduates, I might leave with him.

“He’s a guy everybody looks to. He doesn’t say much, but he has the respect of every player and every coach on the team.”

Winchester, a Georgia State signee, led Mount Pisgah to the private school semifinals last season, passing for 2,272 yards and 31 touchdowns and rushing for 982 yards, giving him more than 3,250 yards of total offense.

Both Winchester and Chigwere, a defensive lineman, were honorable mention allstate last year, with Chigwere making the team despite missing a good deal of playing time with an injury. They will be a big part of the Patriots’ efforts to match the success of last season’s team.

Other top local players include junior RB/WR Caden Herring and DE/LB Chris Calhoun, a Wake Forest commit, of Centennial; linebacker Josh Weisberg of Chattahoochee; junior linebacker Trey Lamar of Roswell; wide receiver Penny Hart of King’s Ridge, a Georgia State commit; and wide receiver Nathan Waller of St. Francis.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

August, 2014 7

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Forsyth Central Preview:

Lessons learned from a disappointing season Bulldogs look for above .500 season

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. – This season, Forsyth Central High School head coach Shane Williamson knows a lot more about his football players and coaches.

Coming off a disappointing season, the goal for the team has not changed: “Our No. 1 goal is to have a winning season. We want to send our seniors out as winners,” Williamson said. “This year, our kids understand that a little bit more and understand the work ethic.”

Forsyth Central High’s football team underwent a transition of sorts last year, ending the season 2-8.

“We started the season with some setbacks, with some injuries and we never got started on a good roll,” Williamson said. “Toward the end of the season, we finally decided to buy-in and get on the same page and some of our seniors started showing leadership and we ended on a very high note, especially in our JV program (4-2).”

With some enthusiastic new

players filling in for seniors who graduated, the team’s concept this year is taking last year’s losses as lessons.

“From a record, it was not what you wanted, but where we ended up was really good for us,” Williamson said. “It was a springboard going into our off-season workout.”

Last year’s quarterback Michael Branigan graduated leaving not only the QB position to fill, but also running back, punter, kick returner and holder for field goals.

“He is a big loss,” Williamson said. “Just from being a versatile athlete.”

Branigan opted to pursue a career in baseball, being drafted into the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system.

The Bulldogs also lost fullback and leading rusher Jake Gorczyca, as well as offensive lineman Dee Kelly, Kyle Gamble and Adam Maresco.

“We feel like we got some guys who can replace them, but that’s the experience, and going into spring practice, we knew we had some holes to fill,” Williamson said.

Victor Peppers, who made

The Bulldogs train for the upcoming season. first team all-region linebacker last year, should add some stability and leadership on defense.

“He has done extremely well,” Williamson said. “He leads by example...great work ethic and has just done a great job for us. He’s playing inside linebacker, so we are expecting

big things out of him.”

Robbie Repasz and Ryan Hintz are returning, along with Noah Aguire, Justin Vlasz, David Allen and Logan Tate.

“A lot of players graduated the offensive line,” Williamson said, “so upfront is where the team will have to rebuild.”

The Bulldogs have stuck

together, in the weight room, conditioning and spring and summer practice.

“This is the team now and we know the kids,” Williamson said. “They have started to bond and be more than teammates; they are family members. We still have growing pains, but I feel really good.”

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

August, 2014 9

Mt. Pisgah Preview:

Patriots among favorites in Class A Most players from 12-1 team return

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – After a 17-16 loss in the state semifinals last season, the Mount Pisgah Patriots have their sights set on again contending for a state championship this year.

The Patriots went 12-0 in 2013 before suffering a narrow setback in the semifinals to eventual state champion Aquinas of Augusta, and return a majority of starters from that team.

Leading the way on offense is quarterback Aaron Winchester, who has committed to Georgia State. Winchester passed for 2,272 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2013, while also rushing for 982 yards.

Mount Pisgah coach Mike Forester was particularly pleased with Winchester’s lack of interceptions (5 in 274 attempts), and looks for the same production from his quarterback this season.

“He just has to play within himself,” Forester said. “Aaron doesn’t have to change. and try to make big plays. He needs to just do what he does. He’s an incredible talent.”

The Patriots lost Browning Dunn, their top running back from, to graduation, but return Ben Miller, who played a good bit in the backfield, along with Oz Dixon.

Both will also be among Winchester’s primary receivers, with the Patriots losing a few members of last season’s deep corps of pass catchers.

Junior Jacob Greene, who was hurt last season, will move into the lineup at receiver along with Justin Gilvin, who has played well in practice.

The Patriots have also added Connor Richey from the basketball team.

Forester says the Patriots “will be a little young,” with several players who played extensively as sophomores and freshmen returning.

Junior center Patrick Ainsworth is back along with tackle Nick Bernier, who also started as a sophomore, and Jack Geier, who moved into the lineup as a freshman. Sophomores Max Miller, Parker Bishop and Wes Booth are competing for playing time at guard.

The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator this season, but with the amount of returning talent, Forester says, “there’s no reason we won’t be like we were last year. We’ll still run the spread and throw the

Al Levine/Staff

Ben Miller (12) will be one of quarterback Aaron Winchester’s top targets in 2014. ball a lot.”

Defensively, the key player back for the Patriots is defensive end Shingi Chigwere, a pre-season all-state selection.

The 265-pound senior “plays with great passion,” Forester says, but missed some time last year due to a knee injury, and the Mount Pisgah coach says he “is being cautious with him” this season.

Also back in the defensive line are end Garrett Brasher, tackle Blake Smith and nose guard Noah West, with West playing as a freshman last year.

Senior linebackers John O’Connor and Nicky Piccapietra were among the team’s leading tacklers, and return along with J.R. Cendoya.

“I feel very good about our front eight,” says Forester, who will have to replace some seniors in the secondary.

Dixon moves from corner to strong safety, and will be one of the few Patriots who will have to see significant time on both sides of the ball, a rarity in Class A. Alden Pascucci is the leading contender for the free safety position, with a number of players competing at

Patriots look ahead to 2014 Building on the success of last year’s season, the Pisgah Patriots look forward to the challenge of this fall’s schedule. The team made history in 2013 with an undefeated regular season, region championship, and finished with a 1-point loss in the state semifinals.

The Patriots face a difficult start that includes opening in the Battleground Kickoff Classic in Columbus against Brookstone, followed by playing Class-AA Rabun County away. The team opens the home schedule by facing perennial Class-A powerhouse Eagles Landing Christian Academy.

Atlanta Falcons Class A Coach of the Year winner Mike Forester returns to lead the team that includes two All-State players who will anchor each side of the ball. Aaron Winchester, who has committed to play at Georgia State, posted an impressive record last season: 2272 yards passing, 31 touchdowns and 1,100 yards rushing. He was named the Region 6A Player of the Year and North Fulton Forsyth Touchdown Club named cornerback, including Chase Clark, who will handle all the team’s kicking this season after being just the place kicker last year.

Among the graduating seniors Forester has to replace is Jacob Delk, who was a key

Forester

Chigwere

Winchester

Player of the Year. Despite missing five games with a knee injury last year, defensive lineman Shingi Chigwere finished the season with 61 tackles, 5½ sacks and ten tackles for a loss. He was named the Region 6A Lineman of the Year.

“The offseason has been very productive for us,” said Pisgah Athletic Director Blake Davenport. “Our coaching staff has done an incredible job encouraging players to believe in themselves and understand what commitment to the team really means. They know last year’s success won’t win a game, but being just 19 seconds away from playing the state championship game is quite a motivator.”

player in the secondary and also had a big season as the Patriots’ punter.

Forester, who is in his second season as the team’s head coach, believes the Patriots will be among the top state championship contend-

ers in the private school division. He expects Aquinas, region foe Mount Paran and perennial state contender Eagle’s Landing Christian to also challenge for a state title.

Mount Pisgah plays ELCA the third game of the season.

10 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Chattahoochee Preview:

New Cougar coach fields untested squad Strine hopes to re-establish winning tradition

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Chattahoochee Cougars begin the 2014 football season with a new head coach and a mostly new group of players.

Vince Strine, who has been at Chattahoochee for six years and served as defensive coordinator last season, takes over from Mike Owens, who resigned after his first season as head coach due to health concerns.

Strine inherits a team that went 4-6 last season with a senior-laden roster that included a talented group of skill position players, as well as most of the starters from both lines of scrimmage.

On paper, it appears the Cougars are headed for a rebuilding year, but Strine doesn’t exactly agree with that description.

“We’re playing to win now,” Strine says. “We have a tradition at Chattahoochee, and we want to re-establish ourselves as a winning team.”

The Cougars went 25-2 their last two seasons in the next-to-highest classification, winning a state title and going 15-0 in 2010. Chattahoochee qualified for the AAAAAA playoffs in 2012, the last of nine seasons Terry Crowder spent as the team’s head coach, but last year did not turn out as well as expected.

Among last year’s senior class was a quarterback who passed for 2,000 yards, a four-year starter at running back, two receivers who combined for 1,770 yards and 14 TDs and one of the area’s top kickers.

Heading the list of returning starters for the Cougars is inside linebacker Josh Weisberg, the team’s

Josh Weisberg makes a tackel during a game against Forest Park last year. leading tackler. Strine expects Weisberg to be “the quarterback of the defense.” Sean Hoffman is back at one outside linebacker, with Hall Lauer a leading candidate for the other outside spot.

Strine is looking for end Christian Hansen to have a strong season, but the rest of the defensive line was not set a few weeks before the Cougars were scheduled to play their season opener.

There was also uncertainty in the secondary, which also suffered heavy graduation losses. Caleb Miles saw a decent amount of action at corner, while Jalen Taylor played some in the defensive backfield as a sophomore.

“We’re young, but we’ll be flying around the foot-

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ball,” says Strine, with the Cougars known for quick defensive units that are able to overcome lack of overall size.

Strine says Chattahoochee “has some size up front. But speed and defense go hand in hand, and I feel really good about our defense.”

Junior David Nicoletta takes over at quarterback for Taz Wilson, and while he is untested, the Cougars have a history of replacing talented QBs with players able to overcome their lack of experience.

“David is a good athlete and a very smart kid. It’s like having an assistant on the field,” Strine observed.

The Cougars will need a new primary running back after the loss of four-year starter Chase Nelson, with junior Blake Hundley heading up the competition.

Strine says Hundley “is a big, strong kid,” with Xavier Tharpe and Jordan Hillman bringing quickness to the position.

Standout wide receivers Colin Lisa and Avery Ward are both gone, with sophomore Isaac Kinsey, Isaiah Sayles and tight end Brandon Ware among the players vying for spots in the lineup.

The Cougars have some experience in the offensive line. Perry Benson started at guard and Aaron Rosenthal saw action last season. Bryce Folsom returns to the lineup after being injured in 2013, with Kenny Garrett and Anthony Alanis also in the mix for starting roles.

The kicking game has almost always been one of the Cougars’ strengths, with Andrew Gray heading the list of contenders to take over for Adam Abdellaoui, who enjoyed an excellent senior season.

With the perception that the Cougars are in a rebuilding phase, Strine says, “I don’t believe we could be in a better position. When they doubt you, that helps to catch people by surprise.”

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West Forsyth preivew:

Wolverines plan to outlast, outcompete

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. — New West Forsyth Wolverines coach Adam Clack is excited to hit the ground running.

Clack’s players had a 7-4 season last year and made the playoffs for the first time.

“It was a pretty good year for us,” Clack said.

From that team, they lost Andrew Marshall, a three-year starter who signed with Georgia Tech, and defensive tackle Josh Davis, who went into the Air Force.

“Rebuilding up front was going to be a challenge going forward,” Clack said. “We are going to be young in the offensive line.”

Wolverines to watch this season include defensive lineman Hunter Stewart and returning quarterback Hampton McConnell.

Also of note are defensive tackle Carson Adams, defensive back Ryan Guthrie,

wide receiver Nate Schmitz, halfback Grant Anderskow and cornerback Kyndall Phillips.

Clack said the team has been focused throughout the off season.

“We had a plan,” Clack said. “We had our spring practice and we have not broken stride.”

Clack said he has worked in conditioning a mindset and building an up tempo offense and an attack defense.

“We want to be able to outlast teams and win it in the fourth quarter,” Clack said.

“We are putting a lot of pressure on ourselves and on the conditioning aspect.”

Clack said in practice, the players and staff try to include some sort of competition element to everything done on the field and off the field.

“We don’t look at the wins and losses,” Clack said. “We want to compete.

We want to play hard for four quarters.”

Look for cornerback Kyndall Phillips to have a big season for West Forsyth.

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Alpharetta Preview:

Raiders after third region title in last 4 years Second round playoff loss provides motivation

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – After losing in the first round of the state playoffs in 2010, ’11 and ’12, the Alpharetta Raiders scored their first playoff victory last year, defeating South Gwinnett 41-23 in the opening round.

The thrill of victory, however, quickly gave way to the agony of defeat, as the Raiders were pillaged by Collins Hill 48-0 the next week, with the drubbing occurring on Alpharetta’s home field.

Reminders of that game are scattered about the Raiders’ football office and training area, with the numbers 48-0 tacked onto walls in various spots.

“We’re trying to use that as motivation,” says Jacob Nichols, the Raiders’ first-year head coach. “The Milton game (Alpharetta’s season opener) will tell us a lot how motivated the kids are.”

Alpharetta has gone 24-6 in the regular season the last three years, winning region championships in 2011 and ’13. The Raiders suffered a pair of tough first round playoff losses in 2011 and ’12, but their state title hopes ended in much different fashion last season.

The decisiveness of the defeat was a surprise, as the Raiders had outplayed state power Lovejoy early in the season, losing by one point due primarily to turnovers.

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Lem Cobbs dives into the end zone during a game against Milton last year.

9-1, 7-3 and 8-2 the last three seasons, and Nichols said his team “is looking to continue in the same manner and direction.” Nichols is in his sixth season at Alpharetta, and served as offensive coordinator the last two years for Jason Dukes, who took a head coaching position in Alabama after the 2013 season.

“We want to take the program to the next level. It took us two or three years of getting to the playoffs for us to realize we could compete at that level.

We finally got over that hurdle last year and got to the second round,” Nichols said, before things snowballed in the loss to Collins Hill.

The Raiders, who are the consensus team to beat in Region 6-AAAAAA along with West Forsyth, come into the 2014 season with a strong nucleus of veterans on both offense and defense.

The offense will again be led

by North Carolina State commit Austin King, who passed for more than 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

King missed two games and shared time with two other Raiders, but has the stage to himself this year as the latest in a string of standout quarterbacks to play for Alpharetta.

King’s two top targets from 2013 have graduated, but the Raiders return starters Rustin Suter and James Marbaugh along with reserve Ryan Kupec, who is also expected to handle all the team’s kicking.

Nick Carlton will give King a big, physical target, with Suter expected to be the main deep threat among the group.

The Raiders have struggled to run the football effectively in recent seasons, but the top two running backs return along with both offensive tackles.

Lem Cobbs rushed for almost 600 yards last season, and will divide time at running back with Miles Smith, a more physical inside runner who also played extensively in 2013.

Nick Torrance and Cary Shirley return at tackle, with Nichols looking at “some big body juniors” to take over at guard and center.

“Our running game got better last year,” Nichols said.

“We’re trying to develop more of a physical attitude.”

The Alpharetta defense will be led by end Andrew Butcher, who has committed to Tennessee. Butcher is considered one of the state’s top defensive linemen and can create havoc for opposing offenses with his

relentless efforts.

Austin Hoffman also returns at defensive end, with Khari Cobbs and Ralph Johnson at tackle.

“We’ll try to have six or eight players rotate,” Nichols said, with Tyler Hayward and Malua Young also in the mix.

The Raiders will have to replace linebacker Bryce Grauss, the North Fulton Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, with Jake Behrend taking over as one of the team’s defensive leaders from his middle linebacker position.

Nichols said the Raiders could play a number of players on the outside depending on personnel and schemes, Dorian Lee among those expected to see plenty of action.

Devin Mayers and Dejon Rowe return at cornerback, with Rowe already drawing a lot of attention as a junior.

The Raiders have to replace an excellent pair of safeties, with senior Matt Moore moving into a vital role as the secondary’s center fielder, Nichols said.

“I feel like our defense will be very strong,” says Nichols.

“They’re fun to watch, but frustrating to play against in practice.”

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

North Forsyth Preview:

Raiders ready for winning season

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. – Head football coach Jason Galt is keeping his North Forsyth High School Raiders busy, conditioning his team for another winning season.

The Raiders started out great in 2013, but after a four game losing streak including a 14-13 home loss to Lambert, they lost balance.

North Forsyth did regain strength and focus to finish their Region 6 season 7-4 and earn a spot in the playoffs.

Despite losing 34-7 against Archer in the first round of the playoffs, it was one of the best seasons the Raiders have had in a decade.

“What they do on offense is different; you don’t see it anywhere and they are really good at it. People spend a ton of time preparing to play North Forsyth because of the offense they run,” Lambert High School head football coach Louis Daniel said.

The technique Galt and his staff use is a unique double-wing, power running attack that is an inverted wishbone with two tight ends.

Key to the team’s success this year will be offensive lineman Jackson Bar-

The Raiders will have big shoes to fill with three year starter Harris Roberts moving onto the Furman Paladins dall.

Coach Galt has been coaching high school football for about 19 years.

He joined North Forsyth last year after serving as coach for Dutchtown High School in Henry County for six years. While there, he coached winning seasons for each year, except one.

On Aug. 15, the North Forsyth Raiders face the Forsyth Central Bulldogs in a scrimmage game.

The team’s first game will be non-region against the Cherokee High School Warriors on Aug. 29.

August, 2014 13

14 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Milton Preview:

Eagles look to improve on 2013 success Standouts Wilson, Sapp to lead effort

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com MILTON, Ga. – After back-toback winning seasons and three straight state playoff berths, the Milton Eagles are looking to improve on last year’s eight-win season The Eagles return a sizeable number of starters from a team that tied for second in Region 5-AAAAAA and went 8-2 during the regular season.

Leading the returnees are offensive lineman Nick Wilson, a Stanford commit, and linebacker Quarte Sapp, who is listed among the state’s top defensive players.

Wilson, a first team allstate selection last year at guard, is one of three starters back in the offensive line, joining tackles Ernest Dye and Leighton Weatherby.

Howie DeCristofaro, who has had some strong offensive lines in his first three seasons as the Eagles’ head coach, believes this group will measure up to its predecessors.

In addition to the three veterans, DeCristofaro said, “we have some big, young kids, too. I think we’ll be a more balanced offense, but we’re still going to be a power football team.”

Running backs Mikko Brisker and Chris Turner both saw plenty of action last season, as graduated standout Treyvon Paulk went down early with an injury.

Brisker, a strong inside runner, had several games with 100-plus yards rushing, while Turner scored three touchdowns in a game.

The Eagles also lost speedster Chad Toliver (780 yards rushing, nine TDs), but have A.J. Beach, who DeCristofaro said “has some wiggle” to help

out in the running game, and transfer Obe Fortune, who will give Milton a dangerous deep threat.

“He’s like Toliver, but bigger,” said DeCristofaro, who will also make use of both Fortune and Beach in the return game, as well as the defensive backfield. Toliver was exceptional as a kick returner last year, and the Eagles should again be dangerous in that category.

Austin McLeod is back at quarterback after completing almost 69 percent of his passes in 2013 and passing for 954 yards and eight touchdowns.

DeCristofaro expects to throw more this season “to make defenses be honest,” with McLeod likely to have more of a role in the offense.

Wide receiver Will Bond and returning tight end Jake English will join Fortune as McLeod’s primary targets, with the Eagles again expected to field a productive offense. Milton averaged almost 40 points a game last year in its eight victories.

The Eagles also have a strong defensive nucleus returning, led by Sapp, who is attracting plenty of attention from major Division I schools.

Sapp, who has added some weight after taking a break from summer basketball, will roam the field from his strong side linebacker position, with middle linebacker Charlie Fault, last year’s leading tackler, giving the Eagles a strong presence on the inside.

Junior Ryan Wilson is looking to join Sapp and Fault at linebacker, with Christian Kenney also in the mix.

Nick Steinhaus and Mike Collins give Milton “two good defensive ends,” DeCristofaro said, with Collins looking to

The Eagles will miss the production of Chad Toliver, (3), who rushed for 780 yards and nine TDs last season. stay on the field more after an injury-hampered 2013 season. The Milton coach “is looking for some inside guys,” with returning regular Marty Horan among those competing for jobs.

DeCristofaro is searching for eight players to see action in the defensive line, with Roswell transfer Isaiah Hawkins vying for one of those spots along with Ryan Kanso

and juniors Tyler Watson and Austin Mitchell.

Cornerbacks Lucas Nedza and Devyn Wilkins return along with safety Jordan Parisian, who played well as a junior. Nedza will move to safety when Beach plays defense, with Fortune and Lane Allison, who will handle the punting duties, also expected to see significant playing time.

The Eagles graduated both kickers, including all-state punter Matt Moskowitz, but DeCristofaro is confident there won’t be a drop-off in kickoffs and field goals, with several talented candidates for the jobs.

“We want to make the playoffs,” DeCristofaro said. “You hate to be too optimistic, but these kids work harder than any group I’ve had.”

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

August, 2014 15

Lambert Preview:

Longhorns pushing harder with offensive focus

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com SUWANEE, Ga. – Lambert High School’s football program has made the playoffs for the last three years and new head coach Louis Daniel knows his players can do better.

Last season, they were 6-5.

“I want to win every game, but I can’t control what they are going to do on the field at every play,” Daniel said. “I can control the product.”

The Longhorns will be without tight end Chris Laey, who signed with Auburn University.

Other notable players who have moved on Zack Matthews, Jake Chickowski and Jordyn Jean-Felix.

“We’ve got a lot of holes to fill, but we have a wonderful class,” Daniel said.

Players to watch this season include Sean Bailey, Patrick Noble, Reid Martin, Trevor O’Brien, Jeremy Johnson and Will Dunavant.

Daniel said he’s proud of the work and time the Longhorn players are putting in this summer going into the season.

In Region 6, Lambert faces strong opposition from Al-

Nicholas Nieuwhof, left, and Sean Bailey. pharetta, West Forsyth and South Forsyth, who are big rivals.

“We spent a lot of time talking about character, talking about leadership and accountability,” Daniel said. “Letting

these young men know what it’s like to be part of a family, letting them know what football is to us.”

Daniel said the team, which finished second in the region last year, has put in

Photos by Kevin O’brien

a lot of hours and has taken part in scrimmage camps, including one at West Georgia University.

“We saw some positive things out there. They are an honor to coach and I see a lot

of good things happening in the future here at Lambert High School,” Daniel said.

Daniel said his message to the team is to care for one another.

“We are educators first, and with football it’s about teaching, it’s building relationships,” he said.

Daniel, who was an offensive coordinator for seven years, said some things that are changing with the team will be on the offense.

He said he is taking note from Auburn University’s style of playing.

“Your offense can put your defense in a bad spot real quick,” Daniel said.

He said a lot of improvements are happening in the team’s offense, which will be pushing harder this year.

“At the end of the day, I want my seniors to leave their last games at Lambert High School and walk across the stage during graduation, knowing that Coach Daniel and staff did everything they could to give them the best opportunity they had to play football and be a student of the school.”

16 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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South Forsyth PREVIEW:

War Eagles take another step

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. — South Forsyth High School’s football team had one of the their strongest senior classes last year, ending the season with a 7-3 record, the best year the school had in 10 years.

But after losing 17-12 to North Forsyth’s Raiders, which cost the War Eagles a slot in the playoffs, head coach Jeff Arnette said the season was a step in the right direction.

“A great stepping stone for the next level,” Arnette said.

“There’s only one team happy at the end of the season. Hopefully, we will be able to take one more step for our program.”

The players have been working hard off season, but the team has some shoes to fill, too.

“Anytime you have success, you look at who’s coming back,” Arnette said. “You’re not going to have the success when you are trying to better a 7-3

season; we have shoes to fill.”

This year’s team will play without long snapper Davis Winkie, who went to Vanderbilt University, running back Isaiah Williams, who went into the Army, and wide receiver Sam Walker, who went to Mercer University.

Arnette said this year’s team has a lot of heart.

Players to watch include defensive lineman Griffin Landrum, running backs Tyler LaFlamme and Robby Johnson and wide receiver Cameron Kline.

“Doesn’t matter how hard you ask them to work, they are out there,” he said. “Sometimes too much.”

And while off season is great for preparing players, Arnette said he’s tired of twohand touch.

“I’m ready to play some real football,” he said. “At the end of the passing league. I’m excited to play real football.”

The War Eagles’ impressive seven-win season showed that Arnette is cultivating a respectable team. Arnette, who is on

South Forsyth War Eagles Head Coach Jeff Arnette with his key players this year during a North Fulton Forsyth Touchdown Club news conference. Front row, from left: Griffin Landrum, Robby Johnson. Back row from left: Matthew White, Drew Witalis, Cameron Kline and Tyler LaFlamme. his fifth year coaching the War Eagles, said his offensive line is solid this year.

“I feel we will be physical again,” he said.

But as Region 6 has grown,

there’s more unpredictability on the horizon. One of the teams to watch is the Northview High School Titans, who everyone expects to be powerful.

“Your season is going to be tougher,” he said.

The team’s opener will be against non-region Mountain View in Lawrenceville on Aug. 22.

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August, 2014 17

Cambridge Preview:

Bears expect to continue gradual improvement Return lots of starters for third varsity season

By MIKE BLUM news@northfutlon.com MILTON, Ga. – The Cambridge Bears begin their third season of varsity football, and with a large group of returning starters, expect to again improve their record and possibly make a run as a playoff spot.

Cambridge went 3-7 last year, highlighted by a 41-32 victory over Pope, an occasional playoff participant that has moved up to AAAAAA this season.

“That was a signature win,” said Cambridge head coach Craig Bennett.

“It’s one we can hang our hat on. It was a validation that what we’re doing is paying off.”

The Bears lost a handful of key players from last year, but among the sizeable group of returnees are 12 players who are starting for the third year, beginning with their freshman seasons.

“You can’t coach experience,” Bennett said. “The kids are ahead of where we’re used to being.”

The Bears remain in Region 7-AAAAA, but several teams from last year have moved up to AAAAAA, with four teams from northwest Georgia joining the sub-divided region. Cambridge will not be in the stronger of the two sub-regions, and Bennett believes the Bears have a chance to finish in the top three and get into the region play-

offs with a shot at a state playoff berth.

“You never want to predict, but we’re going to be better, and hopefully we make a run at the playoffs,” he said.

The Bears’ playoff hopes start with senior quarterback Brian Moore, who passed for 2,168 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and added 515 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Moore accomplished those numbers after the Bears made a major offensive adjustment early in the season, switching from a run-oriented offense to more of a wide-open attack with an emphasis on passing.

Moore was a starter on defense as a sophomore before taking over at quarterback late in the season. Bennett credited Moore with doing “a tremendous job” in 2013, and is hoping to make even greater use of his quarterback’s athleticism this year.

The Bears return all their key skill position players, including receivers John Hurst and Hunter Smith, who combined to catch 90 passes for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns. They will get some help from speedy 5-foot-6 sophomore Kaelin Byrd.

Running back Brock Nielson is back, with J.D. White, who played a lot at the position his first two seasons, slated to play more on defense, as well as a slot receiver on offense.

Branch Morley and Matthew Burr,

John Hurst

Senior quarterback Brian Moore passed for 2,168 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. a pair of juniors starting for their third seasons, lead the way in the offensive line, which Bennett said “has made tremendous progress.”

Even with the early season shift in emphasis, the Bears were effective

on offense in most of their games last season. Bennett expects Cambridge “to be better on offense this season.

Absolutely.”

Defensively, the Bears will be led by end Josh Kania, who is coming off a very strong junior season.

“Josh is a staple for us,” said Bennett, who will have to find replacements for two graduated senior linemen who gave the Bears some size up front.

“Those are our biggest spots to fill,” Bennett said. “We have several young kids and some of our offensive guys.”

The Bears will have an experienced group of linebackers, with middle linebacker Trey Wolfe earning all-region honors as both a freshman and sophomore. Nielson also started last year, as did fellow senior Charles Mills.

Two-year starter Nathan Kish is back for a third season at cornerback, and will be joined by White, who will also continue as a kick returner after taking back four kickoffs for touchdowns in his first two seasons. Craig Carter, Devin Kane and Garrett Walton will divide time at safety.

Bennett said the Bears “have dropped a little bit of size,” on defense, “but we’ve gained a little speed. We’re definitely ahead of where we were last year.”

One of the team’s strengths will be its kicking game, with Smith a pre-season all-state punter, Clayton Hammer back as the kicker and White giving the Bears a dangerous return threat.

18 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Pinecrest Paladins running back Anthony Carco dodges a tackle by a Commerce Tigers player during Pinecrest's Homecoming game last November.

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Last year, Paladins kicker Alex Brenner gets Pinecrest on the scoreboard with a field goal.

Pinecrest Academy Preview:

Paladins improve technique, competitive spirit

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. — Pinecrest Academy varsity football head coach Todd Winter’s Paladins were on a roll last season, winning four games until they hit a wall.

Ending the season last year at 5-5, the Paladins allowed 32 points a game in their final five region games.

This year, in a new region with less

travel, Winter sees a better prospect for success, but games will still be hard fought.

“We are entering a new region and see Mount Pisgah and King’s Ridge as potential rivals,” Winter said.

Some notable players have also left the team, including Chris Birozes, who will attend Wingate University on a football scholarship, and Alex Brenner, who went on to Presbyterian College, also on scholarship.

Winter said he expects two-year starter Matt Walters and three-year starter Adam Guard to step up and lead the team.

Other players starting include Nick Palmer, Jacob Hanley and Luke del Balzo.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Winter said. “Our success will be measured by our improvement in our technique, competitive spirit and character from week one to week 10.”

To make that happen, Winter has focused on the Paladins’ passing concepts. Quarterback Ryan McCarthy has developed his feet, arm strength and accuracy over this past summer.

Winter said the team’s strengths this year will be their running attack and pass defense.

The Paladins will play a scrimmage game at home against Wesleyan Aug. 15 and a varsity game against North Springs on Aug. 29.

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August, 2014 19

Northview Preivew:

Titans have chance for best ever season Northview to contend despite move to AAAAAA

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Northview Titans have been playing varsity football since 2002, and have never had a winning record.

For just the second time in team history, Northview went 5-5 last season, coming close to a victory over Riverwood in the Titans’ last game that would have given them a winning record and a first-ever state playoff berth.

The Titans have returned to the state’s highest classification this year after two years at the AAAAA level, but are well-positioned to achieve both aims the 2013 team narrowly missed.

“I’m a little hesitant about the beginning of the season, but I know we’re better than we’ve been before,” Northview head coach Chad Davenport said. “This is the best team I’ve had.”

The Titans have gradually improved in Davenport’s four years at the helm, and are poised to make its biggest leap this season thanks to a talented group of returning starters and some help from transfers, something the Titans are familiar with from the opposite standpoint.

Northview returns to AAAAAA with an explosive offense led by two of the area’s top returnees – quarterback D.J. Pearson and 2013 North Fulton Offensive Player of the Year Matty Biondich.

The big question this season for the Titans is how improved the defense will be.

Northview has featured highscoring offenses for several years, but the team’s defense has yielded more points than the offense could score.

“For the first time, I think we’ll be pretty good on defense,” Davenport said.

“That’s always been the thing holding us back.

“I think we’ll be vastly improved,” he said. “We have two transfers who will start on defense, and we have some depth for the first time, which has enabled us to have some competition in practice.”

One of the two transfers is Turner Fortin, who played well last year for nearby neighbor Johns Creek and will also contribute on offense.

Fortin will move from linebacker to end, and will team

Kevin Nalecz (11) will be the starting quarterback for Johns Creek after being injured for part of the 2013 season.

Johns Creek Preview:

Early success proves fleeting for Johns Creek Gladiators try to rebound from tough season Plan on seeing Nathan Phillips (7) playing on both sides of the ball next season slotted to play both running back and safety.

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com

with two-year starter Connor Owen to give the Titans a pair of quality bookends in the defensive line.

Davenport said Fortin “is a tremendous leader. He’s a physical player and a great pick-up.”

Also back in the line is Keewan Williams, described

by Davenport as “an undersized tackle with a lot of speed. The other spot is up for grabs.”

Devan Johnson, who has played several positions, will be an outside linebacker, and Davenport considers him “the best athlete on the team.”

Converted safety Clay French will be the other outside linebacker, with Joseph Macrina back in the middle, giving the Titans what should be a strong group of linebackers.

The secondary will be bolstered by the return of Josh Moran, who was at Northview as a ninth-grader, transferred to Buford and is back with the Titans. Nathan Phillips, the team’s starting running back, will also play at safety, with Davenport awaiting word whether two talented out-ofstate transfers will be eligible for the season.

Pearson, who has committed to Arkansas State, is back for his third season after passing for 2,531 yards and 19 touchdowns. His favorite target is Biondich, who was

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – After going a combined 17-3 in its second and third seasons of varsity football and qualifying for the state playoffs both times, the Johns Creek Gladiators suffered through an 0-10 season in 2013.

Injuries played a large role in the Gladiators’ record, but the biggest factor was the loss of a large senior class that featured a sizeable number of players who were excellent high school football players, even though none of them were major college prospects.

“They were good kids, but they struggled,” Johns Creek head coach Mike Cloy said of last season’s squad. “Our sophomore class this year is similar to the first group. We have a lot of players this year who will be young.”

The 2013 injuries were most pronounced at quarterback, with the Gladiators losing four to injury, ending the season with tailback Chase Solomon playing the position. Kevin Nalecz, who started early in the season and had some effective games before being hurt, will be the starter as a senior, giving the team a run/pass threat at the position. Jeremy Disher, who moved up from the junior varsity and was hurt in his first game at the varsity level, is the back-up.

Speedy Enoch Webb takes over at tailback for Solomon,

among the state’s top receivers with 75 catches for 1,225 yards and 13 TDs. Phillips rushed for 778 yards and nine scores, but was slowed in the pre-season by a foot injury. Speedy sophomore Michael Cole was slated to also get plenty of time at running back, but has been sidelined by a broken collarbone.

Johnson, who played in the backfield last season in the Titans’ “heavy” package, may also see time in the rotation this season given the uncertain status of Phillips and Cole. Davenport also plans to make use of Fortin’s skills on offense in an H-back role.

Biondich, who will attend West Point and play lacrosse, will be the No. 1 receiver, with Justin Westbrook and Ricci Nuckles also playing key roles in the Titans’ passing game.

The offensive line was the position hit hardest by graduation, with Brice Percynski the lone returning starter. Juniors Ben Everett and Michael Dries will move into starting roles, and Davenport said the Titans “have some good size,” but lack experience.

“I think we’re going to be pretty good if we can get over the injury bug,” Davenport said. “I think we’re coming back into 6A at the right time, but we’ve got to go out and play.”

the team’s starter since the Gladiators started their program in 2010.

Cloy said Johns Creek lost all its top receivers, but the Johns Creek coach believes he has some excellent replacements. Sophomores Cole Neuker and Bo Majkowski move up to the varsity to join Jordan Obelle and senior Chase Campbell.

“We have some good, young skill people,” Cloy said.

The Gladiators will also be young in the offensive line other than senior guards Walton Simmons and Seth Wernick.

From a size standpoint, Cloy said Johns Creek will be “average at best.”

Nose guard Austin Otto is back in the defensive line, and will be joined up front by junior Scott Stupeck.

Linebackers Kyle McGregor and Gio Douyon both saw some action last defense, with Douyon also contributing from the H-back position on offense.

Cloy said the Gladiators’ defensive backs “are young and fairly talented, but we don’t know who is going to play.

“We have a lot of questions for everybody,” he said.

“The attitude and work ethic is good, but we’ll need to jell as a family if we have a chance to be successful.”

After two outstanding seasons to put the fledgling program on the map, Cloy and his staff, headed up by veteran coordinators Bill Waters and Arthur Letchas, were lauded for their efforts. Cloy and his assistants didn’t hear much praise last year.

“It went from ‘how were we able to get such an experienced staff?’ to ‘how did we get such an antiquated staff?”

20 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Roswell Preview:

Hornets expect to end losing streak Retuning offensive talent keys hopes for 2014

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com ROSWELL, Ga. – From 1981 to 2010, the Roswell Hornets had exactly one losing season in football – a 4-6 record in 1994.

The Hornets were frequent state playoff participants during that 30-year stretch, scoring at least 10 wins four times between 2001 and ’09, highlighted by a co-state championship in 2006 and a quarterfinal berth the next year.

But since the Hornets went 7-5 in 2010 and won a state playoff game for the fifth time in six years, Roswell’s football fortunes have taken a sharp turn in a negative direction.

Roswell suffered through the first winless season in team history in 2011.

While the Hornets have improved the last two seasons, they went 3-7 and 4-6, not exactly what players, coaches and fans of the team expect.

The Hornets enter the 2014 season with realistic hopes of ending their three-year run of losing records, but they will need to survive a demanding opening stretch of games.

Roswell plays its first game at Lowndes in Valdosta, and after a home game against cross-town rival Centennial, the Hornets start Region 5-AAAAAA play against long-time rivals

Walton and Milton.

When Roswell coach John Ford told his player they were playing their opener in Valdosta against Lowndes, “They looked at me like I was crazy,” he laughed.

“But I’ve got a lot of confidence in these kids and coaches. I feel more confident than I have in a couple of years.”

The players on this year’s team have experienced the Hornets’ recent decline, and Ford believes that has had an impact on the squad.

“This group is pretty unique in that regard. They have a chip on their shoulders and that’s their right.”

Roswell’s 4-6 record last year, Ford’s first as head coach, could have been considerably better. The Hornets lost their last three games and let several opportunities for victory slip away.

Most of last season’s key players return, and the Hornets enter 2014 with a shot at making a playoff run in a region that does not appear to be as strong at the top as it has been in recent seasons.

The Hornets could be particularly potent on offense, with a large number of skill position players returning.

Quarterback James Whitaker completed almost 70 percent of his passes for more than 1,000 yards, and Ford compares him favorably to some of the more highly-touted quarterbacks in the

Expect to see Shakur Jackson as part of Roswell’s receiving corps and in the defensive secondary. area.

Hunter Coleman, who caught 48 passes for 612 yards and 5 touchdowns before being injured midway through the season, heads up an excellent group of receivers that includes returning regulars Kendrick Jackson and

Reggie White.

Mechane Slade (762 yards rushing, 5 TDs) will key a ground game that includes Shelton Evans, who contributed at the varsity level as a freshman.

Cole Ramaekers and Cameron Whiteman, who started in the offensive line as sophomore, are back, but are switching positions as Ford looks “to get the best five on the field. I’m pretty happy with the young kids we have.”

One area where the Hornets were hit hard by graduation is the defensive line. Whitman, a two-way player, returns along with Leroy Wilson. Sam Vanede and junior Trey Lamar are back at linebacker, and Ford expects Lamar “to get some big offers” before his Roswell career ends.

The Hornets return most of the secondary other than 2013 standout Josh Selembo, including corners Rodney Dorcemont and Justin Victorian and free safety Shakur Jackson, who also made an impact on offense last season.

Marcelino Bell takes over at strong safety, and Ford sees a bright future for the junior.

Ford welcomes one of the most prominent names in Roswell sports history back to the program, as former Tampa Bay Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips has joined the staff as an assistant working with the defensive backs.

“I can’t say enough about him as a person,” Ford says of Phillips. “He’s come in ready to work.”

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August, 2014 21

Blessed Trinity Preview:

BT looks to make another deep playoff run Hopes to ‘max out’ ability after 2013 ‘surprise’

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com ROSWELL, Ga. – In his three seasons as head coach of the Blessed Trinity Titans, Tim McFarlin has helped raise the expectation level for the school’s fan base.

The Titans have made the state playoffs each season, advancing to the second round in 2011 and ’12 and reaching the quarterfinals last year before losing to a talented team from Washington County.

With a number of young players filling key roles, the Titans went 7-3 against a schedule loaded with playoff qualifiers, sweeping their three main sub-region opponents.

“Last year was a surprise,” McFarlin said. “The class before them was so strong.

This group of juniors we saw coming, but a rebuilding year turned into the quarterfinals and a No. 5 ranking in the state.”

The Titans graduated their two best offensive linemen, several top defenders, an allstar kicker and an 1,100-yard rusher, but have plenty of returning talent and will again be expected to make a deep playoff run.

“We overachieved last year,” McFarlin said. “This year, we just want to max out our ability.”

Leading the way for Blessed Trinity will be senior linebacker Pat Jasinski, who has started since midway through his freshman season.

Jasinski, who has committed to Central Florida, “has been our best defensive player for a couple of years,” said McFarlin.

Jasinski will not have Carter McManes and Zach Mitchler along side him, but the Titans have a deep group of linemen in front of him, including tackle Joe Camacho, who gives the team some size in the middle.

Ends Logan Craighead, Matthew Castner and Shane Parton make that position one of the team’s deepest, with Camacho and Ted Cato part of a four-man rotation at tackle. Junior Jake Bogosian is among a group of players looking to move into the lineup at linebacker along with Jasinski.

Regarding the secondary, McFarlin said the Titans “have a little work to do back there.”

Corner Francis Sugrue and safety Travis Green return, and to help fill one of the other spots, McFarlin is turning to standout running back Milton Shelton.

Shelton rushed for 1,130 yards as a sophomore despite missing time with injuries, but his offensive duties may be reduced somewhat to enable him to play defense.

“Milton gives us an added dimension to the secondary we haven’t had,” McFarlin said.

“Speed.”

Even with some key losses

at linebacker and in the secondary, McFarlin expects the Titans “to be just as good” on the defensive side of the ball.

Blessed Trinity has plenty of returning talent on offense, beginning with Shelton and quarterback Conor Davis, who took over as the full-time starter early in the season and played well.

Davis passed for 1,129 yards and nine touchdowns.

Davis has size, a strong arm and smarts, McFarlin said, “and played well in big games.

He played well when we needed it.”

Shelton was capably backed up last year by graduated senior Chad Manthey, who rushed for 1,100 yards.

This year, a pair of promising juniors – Elijah Hamilton and Garrett Dupuis – will spell Shelton as he sees extensive action on defense.

Bogosian and Cameron Nolan return at fullback, a key position in McFarlin’s offense, with the Titans also returning receiver Chris Siebert and tight ends Jasinski and Craighead.

Other than quarterback, the Titans are deep at the skill positions, and also have three returning starters in the line – Adam Makuck, Will Janousek and Castner.

“We have good size,” McFarlin said. “We lost two very good offensive linemen, but the kids coming up have done some good things.”

Mitch Rostowski takes over the kicking duties, which has typically been one of BT’s strengths.

AL LEVINE

Blessed Trinity’s Milton Shelton (5) picks up some of his 142 yards rushing against St. Pius X last season.

The Titans will again be in a strong sub-region with Westminster, Decatur and Washington, and will face some different opponents if they reach the

playoffs.

They have moved into Region 4-AAA, which is in the South Georgia half of the playoff bracket.

King’s Ridge Preview:

Tigers add 2 veteran coaches to staff Parkview’s Flowe in charge of defense

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA – The big off-season news for the King’s Ridge Tigers was the addition of two new coaches with long track records in football at the high school and college levels.

Cecil Flowe, who coached Parkview to four state championships during his 21 years as head coach there, will be the defensive coordinator for the Tigers.

Todd Mooney, a college coach for 26 years including a stint as head coach at LaGrange, will take over as the King’s Ridge offensive coordinator.

“We’re excited to be associated with guys like Todd and Cecil,” King’s Ridge coach Jeff Pickren said. “They have so much experience and knowledge.

Having guys like that in the program is

exciting for the kids.”

The Tigers are coming off a 4-6 season, the first time in their four seasons of varsity football in the GHSA that they did not finish with a 5-5 mark. Pickren described it as a “tough, disappointing season,” with a pair of late season 3-point losses keeping King’s Ridge from a .500 or winning record.

The key returning player for the Tigers is versatile two-way starter Penny Hart, who has committed to Georgia State. Hart is primarily a wide receiver, but Pickren says the senior “will play all over on offense and defense.”

Hart caught 44 passes last season for 974 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging right at 22 yards per reception. Pickren said Hart will line up in a variety of spots on offense, including the backfield, “wherever we can get him

in a match-up we like.”

Also returning is quarterback Henry Jones, who had several 200-yard passing games last year as a junior. Pickren said the King’s Ridge QB “is a better passer than runner, but he will run some.

We’ll run some zone read options and I’m confident with him.”

The Tigers lost their primary running back, and Pickren says “it’s a big mystery who will play running back for us.”

Joining Hart at wide receiver will be Will Janofsky and Remy Lazarus, with Austyn Hennings back at tight end. The Tigers’ group of receivers will be one of the team’s strengths, giving the team some experience and speed on the outside.

The Tigers lost most of their offensive linemen to graduation, and Pickren says “linemen are at a minimum” this season. Zach Pitts started

some at center as a sophomore, with Kyle Brown also getting some starts in the line as a freshman. “We graduated three seniors, but I’m confident in the guys we’ve got,” Pickren said.

The defense will consist largely of the same group of players who will see extensive action on offense.

Lazarus will join Hart in the secondary, with Hennings playing outside linebacker and Bowen McGill in the middle.

The Tigers held unbeaten region champion Mount Pisgah to just 14 points last season, but yielded 39 or more points in three of the team’s other six losses.

King’s Ridge will get a later start to the season than almost every other team in the state.

The Tigers’ off week is the first week of the season, with the team playing 10 straight weeks after that beginning with the season opener at home Sept. 5 against Walker.

22 August, 2014

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Centennial Preview:

Knights on rebound after frustrating 2013

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Few high school football teams had as frustrating a 2013 season as the Centennial Knights.

The Knights went 1-9, with their only victory against winless Johns Creek.

That record, however, did not tell the story of Centennial’s season. In all but a handful of the team’s nine losses, the Knights held the lead well into the game, but were unable to hold on after repeated strong starts.

Jeff Carlberg, who is in his third year as Centennial’s head coach, hopes to rectify that situation, but will have to do so without the Knights’ top offensive and defensive players from last season.

Star wide receiver Christian Robinson has graduated along with linebacker Alex Estes, but the Knights do have some talent returning on both sides of the ball.

The top offensive returnee is versatile Caden Herring, who had almost 1,300 yards rushing and receiving last year.

“Caden will play slot receiver and running back. He’s a dual threat.” Carlberg said.

“Plus, he’s going to play some defense. He’s not going to be coming off the field a whole lot.”

With Robinson gone, Herring will be the main target for quarterback Luke Able, who had some productive games last season after starter Matthew Harries was injured.

Able also had his “trials and

Centennial will try to avoid being sacked by the competition in 2014 after posting a 1-9 record in 2013. tribulations” at the position, Carlberg said, but the Centennial coach is expecting improvement from Able after a season of experience.

Tee Holland, who took over at quarterback late in the season and had a 300-yard game passing, is moving to receiver, while still serving as the emergency quarterback.

“We needed to get Tee a posi-

tion on the field,” Carlberg said.

“He’s a really good athlete.”

Even with the loss of Robinson, the Knights appear to be strong at the receiver positions. Along with Herring and Holland, the Knights have deep threat James Kelly, defensive starter Aaron Turk, Marcus Beck and Malik Muhammad, who Carlberg said has had “a great summer.”

Herring will share the running back duties in the Knights’ one-back offense with Luther Martinez, an undersized “but very shifty and strong” runner, according to his coach.

Centennial lost four of its five offensive linemen, but returns four-year starter Alex Yankey, whose older brother David was a first-team 2013 All-American at Stanford and was drafted by the

Minnesota Vikings.

A few of the team’s expected starters in the line have been battling recent illness, and Carlberg said the offensive line “is all a mystery. We’re still figuring out who the guys are.”

Junior Dalton Moore and sophomore Brian Dejarnette are looking to join Yankey as starters if they can get well, with the Knights not very deep up front.

The key defensive returnee is linebacker/end Chris Calhoun, who has committed to Wake Forest.

Also back is nose guard Jimmie Walton, who gives the Knights some size in the middle, and ends Jake Dahm and Max Martin.

Turk will be a key performer on defense, playing both linebacker and safety, and will be joined in the secondary by Thomas Dreesman, Torre Hutchins and Herring, who Carlberg describes as “our best ball hawk.”

“I think we’ll be better on defense. I feel good about our defensive front,” said Carlberg, with recent Centennial teams scoring plenty of points but yielding too many. “We’ll be an aggressive team.”

The Knights have had some quality kickers over the years, and Carlberg expects that trend to continue, with standout soccer goalie Michael Samnik joining the team.

“We have a lot of untested guys and a lot of uncertainty,” said Carlberg, who feels good about the team’s talent and effort, but has concerns about the Knights’ depth.

St. Francis preview:

St. Francis to make debut in region play

By MIKE BLUM news@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The St. Frances Knights begin their first season of playing varsity football in a region, and will field a senior-dominated lineup with a large number of returning starters.

The Knights went 8-2 last year against a non-region schedule, just the second varsity season for the team. The schedule wasn’t especially difficult, but the team’s roster included just a handful of front line senior players, giving the Knights an experienced group as they move into Region 6-A. “I feel pretty good,” St. Francis coach Brennan Booth says. “We have a big senior class and I think we can compete. Mount Pisgah and Mount Paran are definitely the top dogs, but for everybody else it will be week in and week out battles.”

St. Francis returns eight offensive

starters and nine defensive starters, and has enough depth to keep the number of two-way starters to a reasonable level and give those players necessary breaks.

Leading the way offensively is speedy wide receiver Nathan Waller, who caught 41 passes for 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and was an honorable mention all-state selection.

Joey Roche, who teamed with Waller to give the Knights a dangerous pass-catch duo, has graduated, leaving a competitive situation at quarterback.

A.J. Cummings, who played running back last season, is vying with Knox Edenfield, a running back and receiver, and sophomore Matthew Davis. Booth says Cummings and Knox are more runners, with Davis more of a pass-oriented quarterback.

“It’s important for us to establish a running game, which will make things

easier for the quarterbacks.

Cummings will be at running back if he isn’t playing quarterback, with Edenfield also in the backfield somewhere.

With all five offensive linemen returning, the Knights are positioned to get the running game going, with Brent Terry and Seth Cecil heading up the group. Both players will also be key contributors on the defensive line.

“Those five will be a strength, plus we have some speed and talent in the backfield,” Booth says.

The Knights return nine starters on defense, and Booth expects improvement on that side of the ball this season.

“We’ve got seniors across the board and we’re bigger and stronger,” Booth said. “The kids have played for four years now and know what they’re supposed to do.”

Among the returnees are Beau Sun-

day and J.R. Lewis, who will anchor the line at end. Middle linebackers Lake McClure and Sam Franke were the two leading tacklers last year and are both back for their senior seasons.

Knox will start at free safety on defense, and is described by Booth “as the general of the defensive backfield.”

Waller, who scored several touchdowns on defense in limited action, will again play on that side of the ball.

Booth says the Knights will have five or six players who will play extensively on both offense and defense, but the St. Francis coach believes the team has sufficient depth to give the two-way regulars sufficient breaks.

With a large majority of this season’s senior class going through the challenges of getting a football program started, Booth believes the Knights are ready to make the move into playing a region schedule and will be competitive against the teams on their schedule.

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August, 2014 23

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From One Winning Team to Another The Ash-Jones Team at Harry Norman wishes our Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell high school teams a successful season!

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Sterling on the Lake

CALL US TODAY TO TALK ABOUT MAXIMIZING YOUR RETURN ON YOUR MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT

Eve Jones

ABR Lifetime Multi-Million Dollar Club Certified Relocation Specialist Senior Marketing Consultant Cell: 770-365-1406 Eve.Jones@HarryNorman.com www.Eve.Jones.HarryNorman.com

Patty Ash

Associate Broker ABR Lifetime Multi-Million Dollar Club Certified Relocation Specialist Senior Marketing Consultant Cell: 678-557-2877 Patty@PattyAsh.com / www.PattyAsh.com

NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 7855 North Point Parkway, Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | 678-461-8700

The above information is believed to be accurate but not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales, and withdrawals without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity.