September 10, 2015 — Gwinnett Daily Post

HELLO, ATLANTA GLADIATORS Gwinnett’s ECHL team changes name, Page 1B

REFUGEE WAVE Discussion continues over surge of migrants • Page 5A

Gwinnett Daily Post THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

75 cents ©2015 SCNI

Vol. 45, No. 206

Autopsy of infant may result in charges

By Joshua Sharpe joshua.sharpe@gwinnettdailypost.com

Malliciah Goodman of the Atlanta Falcons is handed a helmet as he prepares to go up in the bucket of an aerial unit with Captain Josh Golden, left, while visiting firefighters at Gwinnett County Fire Station No. 7 in Duluth on Wednesday. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

Slice of gratitude

Falcons thank firefighters with pizza, memorabilia

On Facebook, 50-year-old Kelvin Odom is shown as an encouraging boxing coach, a mentor to young athletes.

“I love you coach with all my heart,” one of the students wrote to him last March.

Gwinnett County police are considering another picture of the Lawrenceville-area man, Kelvin Odom now accused of causing head injuries to his infant son before the child died Sunday. Detectives have charged him with child cruelty and are awaiting autopsy results to decide whether to charge him with the death of 10-week-old Justice Odom.

Cpl. Deon Washington of Gwinnett police said Wednesday morning the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services is also actively involved in the investigation.

The father reportedly said the child fell off the couch. Warrants for the 50-year-old show police believe he maliciously harmed the boy.

Police and firefighters were called to the Odom apartment at the Water Vista complex off Club Drive last Wednesday morning at about 4:30 a.m. in response

By Danielle Ryan

danielle.ryan @gwinnettdailypost.com

To show their appreciation for local firefighters, Atlanta Falcons team members brought flags, autographed cards and Papa John’s pizza to fire stations in Gwinnett, Fulton and Hall counties Wednesday afternoon.

The firefighters at station No. 7 in Duluth were relaxing in the living room waiting for possible emergency calls when Falcons defensive end Malliciah Goodman and center James Stone surprised them with stacks of pizza boxes.

Excited at the arrival of the football players, the firefighters jumped up from their positions seated around the room.

“We want to thank you on behalf of all of the Atlanta Falcons organization,” said Maddy Cuono, community relations coordinator for the team. “We want to thank you for all that you do.”

The firefighters picked out a spot on the wall to hang their new Falcons flag, then raced outside to show the players the fire engines and some of the emergency equipment they use.

While one firefighter pulled the fire engine around into the parking lot, firefighter Rodney Hollon showed off the department’s massive crowbars and Sheetrock pullers, explaining how they were used in emergency situations.

There was a feeling of cama-

See CHARGES, Page 7A

Judge rules state garnishment law unconstitutional

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Malliciah Goodman, left, and James Stone, right, of the Atlanta Falcons carry pizza into the fire house on Wednesday. Stone and Goodman brought pizza to eat and things to autograph as a thank you to the firefighters for their service around the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

raderie and mutual appreciation among those gathered as they talked about firefighting and football in equal measure. The firefighters and players teased one another back and forth regarding which college teams they each rooted for.

“It’s awesome, what a surprise,” Lieutenant Sam Ballouk said. “The boys here are always watching football.”

Captain John Golden took Goodman up in the bucket of

MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for a photo gallery.

a fire engine aerial unit, then watched with a grin on his face as another firefighter took up Stone and Cuono.

“It feels good to have them here. We really appreciate what they do and the role models they are,” Golden said. “We usually see people on their worst day, so it’s nice to be appreciated and

have fun.”

With both feet back on solid ground after his turn in the aerial unit bucket, Goodman was all smiles, a childhood dream fulfilled at least a little.

“I was telling the guys I wanted to be a firefighter when I was little,” Goodman said. “We talked about their training and how they have to be prepared to respond to emergencies. It’s cool to see what they do and the sacrifices they make.”

A federal court judge declared Georgia’s post-judgement garnishment statute unconstitutional this week in a case against Gwinnett County Clerk of Court Richard T. Alexander.

U.S. District Court Senior Judge Marvin Shoob ruled that Tony Strickland’s due process rights were infringed upon because state law did not require a lawyer representing a credit card company he owed money to notify him that certain types of money were exempt from garnishment or the process for filing an exemption. The judge also ruled the law unconstitutional on the ground that it did not set up a system to adjudicate exemption claims in a timely manner.

In Strickland’s case, the money in question was $15,652.67 in worker compensation funds in his savings account that his bank froze when a garnishment order was filed against him in 2012.

“Accordingly, plaintiff is entitled to entry of final judgment in his favor declaring that the statute is unconstitutional in these respects and enjoining defendant Alexander from issuing any summons of garnishment pursuant to the existing forms and procedures insofar as they are inconsistent with this decision,” Shoob wrote in his ruling.

See LAW, Page 7A

U.S. News and World Report ranks GGC No. 11 in the South

By Keith Farner

Colleges to help domestic and international students compare the academic quality of U.S.-based schools.

Georgia Gwinnett ColThe Lawrenceville school lege was ranked across was ranked No. 73 among the board this week in the regional colleges and No. latest U.S. News and World 11 among top public reReport of the nation’s top gional colleges in the South. colleges.

The school was listed tied U.S. News and World Re- for No. 40 among “best colport on Wednesday released leges for veterans.” the 2016 edition of Best Clayton State Univerkeith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

sity (eight) and Fort Valley State University (10) were ranked above GGC on the public regional college list in the South. Two years ago, GGC was ranked fifth among Southern public regional colleges. Three years ago, GGC debuted in the top 10 Southern public colleges at No. 6, and was the second-highest ranked public college in Georgia,

the same year the institution also rose to a three-way tie for 58th out of 107 Southern regional colleges.

Last year, GGC was named the most ethnically diverse college in the South, according to the magazine and its 2015 college rankings.

GGC’s 2015-16 tuition and fees were listed by the magazine at $5,648 for in-

state students and $16,152 for out-of-state. Room and board is $12,300. Studentfaculty ratio is 19 to one, and the four-year graduation rate is six percent.

GGC has a six-year graduation rate of 27 percent, a fall 2014 acceptance rate of 91 percent and 65 percent average freshmen retention rate.

The most popular majors

are in the fields of business, management, marketing and related support services, which combined account for 34 percent.

At GGC, 76.9 percent of full-time students receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $4,906.

gwinnettdailypost.com

INSIDE Classified........6B

Horoscope......8A

Nation............ 5A

Sports.............1B

Comics............8A

Local.............. 2A

Obituaries.......7A

Weather..........4A

Crossword......8A

Lottery............ 4A

Perspectives...6A

World..............5A

Stay connected with the Daily Post online, where you can submit news tips, browse photo galleries and sign up to receive headlines digitally at gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter.

Send us engagements, wedding, births or anniversaries under “Submit your news” on the home page.

See GGC, Page 7A

2A • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

Solar cell manufacturer adding 500 new jobs

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Five hundred new jobs will be heading to Gwinnett County as a solar cell manufacturer expands its operations in the county.

Gov. Nathan Deal and state and local economic development officials jointly announced that Suniva Inc. is planning a $96 million expansion of its operations in Norcross.

The company has operated a facility in the city for seven years and already employs 200 people.

“We welcome Suniva’s continued growth in Gwinnett County and feel that the Quick Start program and Georgia’s economic environment will be of major benefit to the growing

company,” said Governor Nathan Deal.

“Suniva’s growth from a Nathan Deal Georgia Tech startup to a top manufacturing company demonstrates that STEM fields Charlotte continue Nash to provide one of Georgia’s richest sources of employment and economic growth.

“Georgia’s universities are equipped with incredible research potential and Suniva’s success speaks to the potential of both

Georgia’s businesses and students,” the governor added.

Suniva manufactures high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells and modules which can take 20 percent of the energy produced by the sun and turn it into electricity. The Gwinnett Chamber said its Economic Development director, Andrew Carnes, worked with Georgia Power and state Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Director Lindsay Martin to help Suniva line up the expansion.

“High demand for our products continues to validate that as the U.S. solar market matures, sophisticated buyers are increasingly valuing power density and quality,” Suniva CEO John Baumstark said

in a statement. “Since the production of our first solar cell in Gwinnett County seven years ago, Suniva products are now found worldwide. We are very pleased that our home here in Norcross will once again serve as the springboard for our next phase of growth.”

Since the company’s Norcross headquarters opened in June 2008, it won Partnership Gwinnett’s Medium Manufacturer of the Year award in 2013 and participated in several U.S. Commerce Department international trade missions designed to encourage development of energy infrastructures in foreign countries.

“I am pleased that Suniva Inc. has chosen to expand their business in our thriving corporate com-

munity,” Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson said. “We are both humbled and honored that this widely respected and rapidly rising manufacturer of high-efficiency solar products chose Norcross to create 500 new jobs and provide a positive economic impact on our city.”

Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash and Chamber Senior Vice-President Nick Masino said the expansion announcement was a sign of the county’s place in the research and technology industry. The news comes at a time when the county is growing its commitment to the industry by expanding its research and development corridor area along Highway 316 to the Barrow County line.

“This expansion con-

firms and enhances Gwinnett’s reputation as a hub for research, development and technology in the Southeast,” Nash said in a statement. “Suniva remains an important contributor to the technology industry in our region and we are grateful for their decision to remain and grow in Gwinnett.”

Masino added, “Gwinnett County has a solid reputation for being a technology hub and Suniva’s expansion speaks to that success. This is another great example of our community’s strength in the technology sector, the presence of a sophisticated, highly skilled workforce and the tremendous engagement that exists among our community’s leadership.”

GWINNETT GAB MVAA Cheer hosting benefit Concert in the Park

Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and flames shooting through the roof of an apartment building in Peachtree Corners on Wednesday afternoon. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Fire again destroys apartment building in Peachtree Corners

By Danielle Ryan

Forty firefighters were on the scene and had the majorVisit gwinnettdailypost.com ity of the blaze under control for video and a photo gallery. by 3 p.m. Collapses inside A fire at a Peachtree Capt. Tommy Rutledge. the building forced crews Corners apartment comThe apartments were to attack the flames from plex Wednesday afternoon vacant at the time of the fire, outside using hand lines and destroyed a building that had though contractors were a ladder hose. been ravaged by fire only planning a walk-through The 10-unit apartment seven months earlier. later in the afternoon to pre- building suffered heavy fire Firefighters were dispare for work on renovations and smoke damage. patched to the Bryant Park from the February fire.

No civilian injuries apartment complex on Hel“There was no Sheetrock were reported, though one landale Drive around 2 p.m. and no fire stops, so the firefighter was taken to the and arrived to find heavy fire got a lot of headway,” hospital for a non-life-threatsmoke and flames shooting Rutledge said. “It burned ening heat-related issue. from the roof of the buildthe roof off and there was The cause of the fire is ing, according to Gwinnett collapse in parts of the undetermined and under fire department spokesman building.” investigation.

danielle.ryan @gwinnettdailypost.com

MORE ONLINE

The Mountain View Athletic Association Cheer program is hosting a Concert in the Park on Friday, Sept. 11, featuring local musician Joe Hall.

The event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on the football field at Rabbit Hill Park in Dacula. In addition to the concert, residents can enjoy games and prizes, a silent auction, chili cook off and inflatables; attendees can also compete in a corn hole tournament, with a $20 entry fee per team.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors with proceeds benefiting the local police and firefighters benevolent funds. MVAA is a nonprofit volunteer organization with the goal of providing a positive and safe instructional sports environment for the youth of the Mountain View community.

For more information, visit mvaasports. org.

around the world.

The Adrian Collaborative is located at 3150 Main St., Suite 103, in Duluth. For more information or to RSVP to the community art show, email sanna@adriancollaborative.com.

GA SPCA to hold low-cost vaccination clinic Sept. 12

Is it time for your furry pal’s annual vaccination? The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold a low-cost vaccination clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

There will be a number of low-cost tests and shots offered — canine distemper/parvo, canine bordatella, rabies and feline distemper will be available for $12.

Canine heartworm tests, feline combo tests and microchipping will be available for $25. Nail trimming will be available for $15, and deworming will also be offered for $10.

No appointment is necessary, but Georgia SPCA requests that all dogs be leashed and all cats be in a carrier. Due to Adrian Collaborative the recent outbreak of canine influenza, hosting public art show the GA SPCA also requests attendees not Adrian Collaborative invites the comto bring a dog that is experiencing flu-like symptoms to the clinic. munity to visit its new office space in If your pet has had an allergic reacdowntown Duluth for an art show Thurstion in the past, the SPCA asks that you day, Sept. 10.

The show will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., take him or her to your regular vet. All featuring works from local artists that re- proceeds from the clinic go to benefit the flect the vision, colors and typical projects homeless pets of the Georgia SPCA, a of the Adrian Collaborative — a planning 501(c)(3) not-for-profit rescue organizaand communications firm. Artists will be tion.

The Georgia SPCA is located at 1175 on site to meet visitors, and the event will Ga. Highway 23 N.W. in Suwanee. For include snacks, live entertainment and more information, visit GeorgiaSPCA.org displayed artwork for sale. or call 678-765-2726.

Adrian Community Trust, a nonprofit Gwinnett Gab appears on Thursdays founded by Adrian Collaborative’s ownand Sunday editions of the Gwinnett ers, will also launch its new Water + Art Daily Post. To submit an item to Gwininitiative, aiming to sponsor sustainable nett Gab, email gab@gwinnettdailypost. clean water sources and art education com. materials for developing communities

Norcross OKs rezoning for church, tables complex

By Danielle Ryan

Norcross residents took the podium to have their voices heard by the city council and mayor.

NORCROSS — The The council approved Norcross city council meetzoning allowing the Iglesias ing Tuesday night drew a Pentecostal Bethel de Atlanta large crowd of more than 200 church to move into a buildresidents eager to discuss two ing zoned for businesses, but zoning items up for public tabled discussion on the other hearing. The meeting ran for major issue of the night that more than five hours, ending would consolidate a large near midnight after dozens of swath of land with varying

zone restrictions into a single zone district near Historic Norcross.

After impassioned pleas from church officials and churchgoers and financial discussion from the property owner and city staff, the council voted to allow Iglesias Pentecostal Bethel de Atlanta to move into a business location at Pinnacle Way. Overwhelmed with

emotion, many of those representing the church began crying and hugging when the decision was reached.

The other residents seemed pleased as well, offering up a loud round of applause.

The other major issue was the proposed rezoning would allow apartment buildings to be built in an area adjacent to

275694-1

danielle.ryan @gwinnettdailypost.com

276194-1

Historic Norcross, something the residents at the meeting were strongly against.

“Do we wish Norcross to become a bustling economic engine?” Former city councilman Ross Kaul asked during one of his several turns at the podium. “Is that why we moved here, for chaos and confusion?”

Confusion seemed to be

1825 Rockbridge Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Showtime listing: 678-476-1020 www.NCGmovies.com Download the free NCG mobile app for showtimes on the go.

the order of business, as residents and council members went back and forth on the issue. Emotions ran high and some residents took to yelling and crying while sharing their feelings with the council and those gathered.

There were a handful of discrepancies in the information distributed to the public as well, including an error in one of the handouts and too many maps printed on another.

After five hours of arguing in a building with air conditioning problems, the council voted to table their decision on the rezoning until it could be discussed at the next planning meeting.

The item will be back up for public hearing once more and will be voted on at the October meeting.

gwinnettdailypost.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 • 3A

Lawrenceville, Loganville, Sugar Hill leaders unopposed in races Political Notebook

calling and infighting.”

Colvin-Leary announces campaign kick-off fundraiser Gwinnett County State Court judge candidate

Ronda Colvin-Leary’s campaign announced details for a kick-off Buffet Lunch and Learn event to introduce the candidate to the community and raise money for the campaign.

The event will be held from 2:30 until 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Hudgens Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. The Hudgens Arts Center is part of the Infinite Energy

Center complex, which was previously known as the Gwinnett Center.

Campaign donations can be made payable to the “Committee to Elect RCL,” according to an event an-

nouncement. Reservations can be made by calling 678-882-2663.

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Curt Yeomans While some cities will be busy with hotly contested elections this fall, residents in Lawrenceville, Loganville and Sugar Hill can look forward to a quiet election season.

The three cities finished qualifying last week with only one person signing up to run in each of the seats up for election this year.

In Lawrenceville, that means Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson and Councilman Tony Powell have, in effect, been re-elected without opposition while David Still will take office in January as the successor to retiring Councilwoman Marie Beiser.

Loganville councilmen Skip Baliles and Jay Boland, as well as newcomer Linda Dodd, were the only candidates to qualify for the three council seats up for election in the city.

Meanwhile, Sugar Hill council members Susie Gajewski, Marc Cohen and Brandon Hembree also earned new terms on the council dais.

They are not the only cities in Gwinnett County where seats up for election this year will not be contested, however. The cities of Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Duluth and Grayson will each see incumbents return to office without opposition this year as well.

Three qualify for Braselton Town Council District 1 seat Residents of Braselton’s Town Council District 1 will have to make a choice from three options when they go to the polls in November.

District 1 Councilman Richard Mayberry will face re-election challenges from Rob Martin and Becky Richardson in the city’s only contested race.

Mayberry and District 3 Councilman Tony Funari are up for re-election this year. Funari qualified to seek another term, but no one signed up to run against him so he is guaranteed another term in office.

Lapides speaks out on Snellville mayoral campaign Snellville mayoral candidate Gary Lapides took aim at the current state of affairs in the city’s government and summed it up as “drama” this week in his official campaign announcement.

“I’ve spent most of my life in private business and can say unequivocally that Snellville’s current government is no way to run a railroad — we can and must do better,” Lapides said in the announcement.

Lapides qualified last week to run against Mayor Kelly Kautz and former Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts in a three-way race for the city’s top seat. He is a former member of the Snellville Planning and Zoning Commission and the Evermore Community Improvement District Board. He is currently involved with the Snellville Police Association Auxiliary.

Lapides said he does not expect to have a rubber stamp city council if elected, and would welcome alternative points of view and political debate — as long as people were polite and practiced good manners. He said he wants to end a climate that he described as a “dysfunctional drama of lawsuits, name-

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter.

4A • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Vaccination matters DEAR DR. ROACH: I know people who homeschool their children rather than let them attend public school because they won’t allow their children to be vaccinated as required by the schools. There must be studies that show the percentage of children who are adversely affected by vaccinations as opposed to those who are adversely affected by actually having the diseases. Can you discuss this?

— M.F. ANSWER: Vaccine requirements differ from state to state for schoolage children, but in California, a bill recently was passed mandating vaccines for polio; diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP); measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); hepatitis B; and varicella (chickenpox).

Children who are not fully vaccinated will be unable to attend public school unless they have a medical reason not to be.

Some of these conditions are now quite rare in the U.S. and Canada, so adverse events from vaccine-preventable diseases are rare. In fact, the United States was declared measles-free in 1990. However, children and adults still can be exposed to measles, and recent outbreaks show that transmission still can occur, probably from a visitor from a country that still has measles, especially as immunization rates in the U.S. have decreased in certain communities.

There have been about 800 cases of measles in the U.S. in 2014 and 2015 so far, with one death.

These vaccines are very, very safe. While minor side effects occur occasionally, serious side effects occur very rarely. For the MMR vaccine, the rate of a serious reaction, such as severe allergic reaction, are less than 1 per million.

Autism, once incorrectly claimed to be triggered by the MMR vaccine, has been shown in many studies to have no association with the vaccine.

The vaccination rate is still very high, and for this reason measles has not spread widely in the U.S. Until measles is eradicated from the world the way smallpox was, measles vaccination still is required to prevent a devastating outbreak, since measles is remarkably contagious. The arguments are identical for polio, diphtheria, rubella and mumps. Varicella is still endemic, and a vaccine helps protect against serious complications.

Being totally compliant with recommended vaccines is very (but not 100 percent) safe, it protects you and your children, and it protects people with immune system disease who cannot protect themselves with vaccines.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell. edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

gwinnettdailypost.com HOROSCOPES

WEATHER WATCH

Decide which ventures you will pursue, and make a point to follow through with your plans.

You will be judged by 0% 0% 0% 0% 50% 60% the company you keep, 60% so be discriminating in your choice of business partners and associates.

59 65 56 51 55 60 With careful preparation, you will accomplish everything you set out SOLUNAR TABLES to do.

The solunar tables for lakes are VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

The Gwinnett Daily Post Lake Full Yesterday Lake Full Yesterday based on studies that show fish (UPSP 921-980, ISSN 108622) — You will receive and game are more active at Allatoona (840.0) ........ 839.28 Lanier (1071.0) ....... 1067.21 0096) is published Wednesvaluable information recertain times during the lunar day through Friday and SunBlackshear (237.0) ........ 236.94 Nottely (1779.0) .......1769.84 period. garding a profitable deal. day by SCNI, 725 Old NorMAJOR Blue Ridge (1690.0) .......1679.84 Oconee (435.0) ........ 434.96 Professional opportunicross Road, Lawrenceville, ....................... 11:40 a.m.-1:40 p.m.

Burton (1865.0) .......1864.88 Seminole (77.50)............76.26 GA 30045. Periodical postties will open up if you MINOR age paid at Lawrenceville, 4:52-5:52 a.m.............6:20-7:20 p.m.

Carters (1072.0) .......1073.49 Sinclair (339.8) ........ 338.56 make the most of your GA 30044. POSTMASTER: Chatuge (1927.0) ....... 1921.90 Thurmond (330.0) ........ 325.60 networking skills and Send address changes to POLLEN COUNTS take decisive action.

Harding (521.0) ........ 520.78 Tugalo (891.5) ........ 890.08 Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box Trees: Low 603, Lawrenceville, GA LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. Hartwell

(660.0) . . ......

655.82 Walter F. George ( 188.0). . ..188.13 Weeds: Low 30046-0603.

23) — Lighten up and Jackson (530.0) ........ 528.62 West Point (635.0) ........ 632.58 Grass: Low have some fun. Put your professional worries on TODAY IN HISTORY the back burner and LOTTERY spend time with people TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1846, (1963- ), baseball player; Guy Ritchie you care about. Love Wednesday Elias Howe patented the first sewing (1968- ), filmmaker; Ryan Phillippe and romance are looking Cash 3 Midday: 8-1-2 machine.

(1974- ), actor. good.

In 1977, France used a guillotine in Cash 4 Midday: 8-8-8-6 TODAY’S FACT: The United NaSCORPIO (Oct. 24carrying out a death sentence for the tions, which included 193 member Ga. 5 Midday: 4-4-6-3-0 Nov. 22) — Not everyone last time. states as of August 2015, began in shares your views, so In 2002, Switzerland became a 1945, when representatives of 50 unless you are asked for member of the United Nations.

Tuesday countries met in San Francisco to advice, keep your opinIn 2008, the Large Hadron Collider draw the charter.

Cash 3 Midday: 8-4-5 was powered up for the first time in ions to yourself. If you TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1972, the Geneva, Switzerland.

Cash 3 Evening: 3-1-2 don’t, you may be acU.S. men’s basketball team fell for the TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Adele cused of interfering with Cash 4 Midday: 8-1-4-8 first time in Olympic competition, sufAstaire (1896-1981), dancer; Arnold someone else’s affairs. fering a controversial 51-50 loss to the Cash 4 Evening: 2-5-7-1 Palmer (1929- ), golfer; Charles Kuralt SAGITTARIUS (Nov. Soviet Union team on a last-second (1934-1997), TV journalist; Roger Ga. 5 Midday: 6-9-4-3-2 23-Dec. 21) — Don’t shot in the gold medal match.

Maris (1934-1985), baseball player; Ga. 5 Evening: 0-7-4-2-8 pass up a chance to TODAY’S QUOTE: “I picture several Buck Buchanan (1940-1992), football reviewers of my own books as passing travel. Monetary gains Fantasy 5: 6-12-14-28-32 player; Stephen Jay Gould (1941are likely if you listen a long future lodged between Brutus 2002), biologist/writer; Bill O’Reilly Mega Millions: 19-20-36-41and Judas in the jaws of Satan.” — to someone with more (1949- ), TV host/author; Chris 46, Mega Ball: 7 Stephen Jay Gould, “An Urchin in the Columbus (1958- ), film director; Colin experience. Don’t let Firth (1960- ), actor; Randy Johnson Storm” nervous tension or selfdoubt prevent you from getting ahead.

READER’S GUIDE CAPRICORN (Dec. ing 770-962-7355. Ads can Administration/Finance: 22-Jan. 19) — Take a also be faxed at 770-339Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., break; all work and no 5853. Email: classified@ Mon.-Fri. Call 770-963play will lead to dissatgwinnettdailypost.com 9205. isfaction. Your career is Legal Notices: Hours are Delivery Problems: Your important, but finding a 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. The Editor – Todd Cline one year, $116.22 for six satisfaction is our No. 1 pri- balance between your fax number is 770-339-8082.

Main Office – 770-963-9205 months and $70.73 for ority. If we miss delivery call personal and professionReach the legal resource three months. Subscription our circulation department al lives is crucial. center at 770-963-9205 ex. prices do not include sales AQUARIUS (Jan. 201161 or 1162. customer service line, 770The Gwinnett Daily Post tax. Call 770-339-5845, 8 To Report a News Item: Feb. 19) — You will be invites your input. Here are 339-5845, or email the cira.m.-1 p.m., Mon.-Fri. to Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., culation department at cirtempted to put in less efsome guidelines to help you start your mailed or home Mon.-Sat. Call 770-339communicate with us. fort or cut corners on tasks culation @gwinnettdailypost. delivered subscription.

5850. Editor Todd Cline is at Subscription Rates: com. between 6:30 a.m. and you don’t enjoy doing, but Classified Ads: Classi770-963-9205 ext. 1300; Subscriptions are $99 for in the end, you’ll have to fieds can be placed at the Sports Editor Will Hammock 10 a.m. Tuesday through Fri- redo what you didn’t get one year, $50 for 26 weeks day, and between 8 a.m. and and $25 for 13 weeks within main office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; is at 770-963-9205 ext. right the first time.

11 a.m. Saturday and Sunphone lines open 24 hours, 1310. To request a photo, Gwinnett County. Mailed PISCES (Feb. subscriptions are $150 for seven days a week by callcall 770-963-9205 ext. 1327. day.

20-March 20) — It’s time to tie up loose ends.

You will receive mixed messages from someone close to you. Financial DEAR AMY: My best respond, “It’s hard to feel tion illustrate perfectly gains will come your way Ask Amy friend has a special birth‘honored’ by the opportu- the difference between from an unusual source. day coming up. He has nity to celebrate the life of a gentle, kind response ARIES (March 21-April invited friends to a special such a jerk. I’ll join you at and an abrupt-sounding 19) — Love, money and dinner. This invitation the movies.” rebuke. relationships are looking includes myself, other indiDEAR AMY: I’m in my The best way to repositive. Expand your viduals and some couples. mid-60s. I will occasionspond to a rebuke is to credentials through study Some are people I know, ally “re-share” something slow things way down or travel. The more you and some are not. with a friend/acquaintance. with a gentle retort. Say, do, the more successful My dilemma is that he Younger people will say, “I’m sorry, I’m dealing you will be. did not invite my partner.

“I know, you told me that with some memory loss.

TAURUS (April 20Amy Dickinson My partner has known him already.”

I really appreciate you May 20) — You will have and his wife as long as I This feels hurtful, tolerating it.” trouble focusing on have. Other couples on the DEAR TORN: To rethough it may not be meant DEAR AMY: Amy, guest list include people state: You and your partner that way. When this hapAmy, Amy! I was so dis- work early in the day, so with whom we have all have known this friend pens to other people, I let appointed in your answer concentrate on taking stock of past events. socialized many times. and his wife for the same it slide. to “Excited but Guilty,” By re-examining what’s Initially I thought her amount of time. You have No one is going to cure the young woman who transpired, you’ll find the name was left off by misspent time with the two of me with this borderline was going overseas to answers you are searchtake, so I called him. He them as couples. There are rude comment. I take teach but whose elderly explained that there was no no underlying problems or meds that contribute to grandparents were guilt- ing for.

GEMINI (May 21-June mistake; he was inviting conflicts. memory loss. That’s not ing her about it.

20) — Formulate a plan only people with whom he Your friend has cherrygoing to change, and neiYou helped them send to help you reach your felt especially close. He picked among his crowd ther is the aging process. her on the guilt trip of a goals.

This will prevent said he did not include her and invited some couples I’d like some sort of lifetime, Amy! you from trying to do too in that category. He said together, but excluded reply that gently steers I am a grandmother, much all at once. Orgathere were also some other other spouses and partners. people away from this and I say to her, “Go! nization and proper plancouples where he had only When queried, your thoughtless expression.

Live your life. Have ning will lead to success. invited one of the partners. friend declared, “I am only It’s different when some- adventures. That’s what CANCER (June 21My partner was devasinviting people I like the one says, “Oh, yes, I reyou’re supposed to do!” tated by being left out and most. You win!” member we talked about — Disappointed Gran July 22) — Personal I feel in a terrible quandary I can’t comment on the that recently.” I’ll say, DEAR GRAN: Scores issues will prey on your about whether to attend. “propriety” of this exclu“Oops, senior moment.” of awesome grandparents mind. Shift your focus to On one hand I respect and sion because this is really I’m not deliberately tryresponded. All agree with your career prospects. If you can keep your emolike him so much I feel about a guy celebrating ing to be rude. you. I blew this one. tions out of the equation, honored to be invited at himself by being explicitly You are so good at fiYou can contact Amy taking on added responall, but on the other I feel mean toward others and nessing phrases. Can you Dickinson via email: sibilities will bring lucramy partner’s pain and I am placing many of his friends help? I may be losing askamy@tribpub.com. tive rewards. also hurt that she was left in terrible positions. This some short-term memoYou can also follow her LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) out. is completely outside the ries, but I won’t forget on Twitter @askingamy — Letting matters unfold I feel torn two ways — guidelines of propriety, the manners. or “like” her on Facenaturally will help you but I am leaning toward which is really all about — Slightly, lightly and book. Amy Dickinson’s avoid headaches. Instead not attending. respect. politely Demented memoir, “The Mighty of getting upset over isCan you offer any advice If I was your partner, I DEAR POLITELY: Queens of Freeville: A sues you cannot control, to me and comment on the would respond, “Ewww.

First off, I like you. You Mother, a Daughter and open your eyes to other propriety, or lack of it, in Honey, you go if you want; can sit by me. the Town that Raised options that will allow this situation?

I’m going to the movies.”

The two responses Them” (Hyperion), is you to make progress.

— Torn If I were you, I would you cite in your quesavailable in bookstores.

TODAY

84

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

82

77

74

78

81

80

67

LAKE LEVELS

Gwinnett Daily Post

Who To Call

Man celebrates birthday with a dilemma

Gwinnett Daily Post Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/gwinnettdailypost

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/ newsletter.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 • 5A

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation WORLD U.S. to investigate air strike Afghans say killed police KABUL — The U.S. military said it would launch an investigation into an airstrike last week that Afghan officials say killed 11 members of Afghanistan’s elite counternarcotics police force.

American war aircraft and remotely piloted drones still carry out strikes in Afghanistan, targeting Taliban and other militants even after most foreign forces withdrew at the end of last year.

If proven, the incident would be one of the deadliest recent instances of “friendly fire,” after at least eight Afghan soldiers were killed by a U.S. airstrike in July in Logar province, south of the capital, Kabul.

Unrest threatens upcoming Turkish election season DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — Rising violence in southeast Turkey following the collapse of a cease-fire between the government and Kurdish insurgents will make it difficult to hold an election due on Nov. 1, the head of the pro-Kurdish parliamentary opposition said on Wednesday.

Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast has seen almost daily clashes between militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party and security forces since July.

The conflict has shattered a peace process begun by President Tayyip Erdogan in 2012 to end an insurgency that has killed more than 40,000 people over three decades.

Violence, suicide common among trafficked children KUALA LUMPUR — Children as young as 10 have been driven to attempt suicide or have suffered serious mental health problems after being trafficked as sex slaves or forced laborers in situations “akin to torture,” researchers said on Tuesday.

They interviewed 387 boys and girls aged between 10 and 17 in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam who had been trafficked for sex work, forced begging and fishing.

Even though global estimates suggest that millions of boys and girls are in forced labor, trafficked or exploited in the sex industry, little is known yet about their health and wellbeing.

Some 56 percent of those surveyed were depressed, a third suffered from an anxiety disorder and around a quarter had post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Twelve percent of victims said they had tried to harm or kill themselves in the month before the researchers interviewed them, while almost 16 percent reported having suicidal thoughts.

— From wire reports

Refugee discussion continues

By Alastair Macdonald Reuters

STRASBOURG — European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker appealed to European countries on Wednesday to share out a wave of refugees crowding in on their frontiers, but at the same time promised tougher border controls to keep unwanted migrants out.

As he spoke, disarray across the continent was driven home when police in Hungary, Austria and Denmark closed major highways as groups of migrants, hundreds strong, marched north. Defying Hungary’s new border fence and EU asylum rules, tens of thousands are crossing frontiers to reach Germany and Sweden.

Facing opposition from national leaders who blocked an earlier plan to move asylum-seekers from overburdened Italy, Greece and Hungary, Juncker used his annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament to raise the stakes and quadruple to 160,000 the number he wants taken in under mandatory quotas.

Global response With no let up in violence in Iraq and Syria, four million of whose citizens are now refugees in neighboring countries, the European crisis has piqued

NATION Biden edges past Sanders; Clinton on top but sliding WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden eased past Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in a national poll of voters about their preferences for a 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, according to media reports on Wednesday.

Hillary Clinton still led the field but with a reduced margin in the Monmouth University poll released on Tuesday. The former U.S. secretary of state had 42 percent support, down from 52 percent in August, while Biden had 22 percent backing and Sanders 20 percent.

Biden, who has not said yet said whether he will seek the candidacy, had 12 percent support last month.

Biden’s favorability rating rose to 71 percent from 67 percent to match Clinton’s, compared with 41 percent for Sanders, the poll showed.

Kasich campaign aims to reshape Republican Party CONCORD, N.H. — With front-runner Donald Trump seen as too much of a wild card and Jeb Bush faltering in opinion polls, establishment Republicans are gravitating toward John Kasich, the Ohio governor who vows to shake up their demographically challenged party if he wins its nomination for U.S. president.

“I have never been the choice of the Republican establishment,” Kasich, 63, said in a Reuters interview

PEOPLE Apple reveals big iPad for business, apps for Apple TV

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple Inc. Chief Executive Tim Cook unveiled a new version of its Apple TV product with an app store and a voice-controlled remote control, part of a trio of announcements aimed at revamping its product line.

Cook described the new Apple TV, a product which the company long called a “hobby,” as the future of television, offering personalization and ease of use. It starts at $149.

The announcement came after Cook showed off a big new iPad aimed at business customers, which has an optional “Pencil” stylus and People attend a “Refugees Welcome” demonstration at the Gotaplatsen square in Gokeyboard. He also began thenburg, Sweden, on Wednesday. (Reuters/Adam Ihse /TT News Agency) describing an updated pair consciences globally. Aus- current rules, the first EU Mediterranean, it remains of iPhones that feature a sotralia said it would accept country that people enter unclear how large numbers called “3-D touch” interface another 12,000 Syrians must process their claims of unwilling people can be and other upgrades. and U.S. Secretary of State for asylum. Apart from coerced into leaving.

John Kerry said WashingBritain, Ireland and DenThe same is true of those Queen Elizabeth ton was committed to take mark, which have standing relocated. Many of the longest-reigning more. exemptions, states can only Syrians, Iraqis and EritreEurope should also take opt out if they face their ans whom the EU says are of UK’s monarchs in more refugees before own crisis. That would be most deserving and will EDINBURGH — Queen they make risky voyages limited to one year and form the bulk of those ofarranged by criminal gangs they would also have to pay fered accommodation want Elizabeth sealed a speto reach it, Juncker said. a “financial contribution.” to reach wealthy countries cial place in the Britain’s And it needed to support On the move like Germany and Sweden. history by becoming its longest-reigning monarch Turkey, Jordan and LebaBut the application of Although legally reon Wednesday, but amid non, whose hospitality to common EU standards stricted to the state where Syrians and Iraqis has is variable. EU officials their asylum claim is being warm tributes from politicians and the public, she outstripped the EU’s. concede that, even with the processed, the summer said the landmark was not He also proposed a ongoing establishment of has shown how people something to which she had permanent mechanism for EU-staffed “hotspots” to may ignore that, strainrelocation when states face help Italy and Greece filter ing Europe’s passport-free ever aspired.

Elizabeth, 89, surpasses a surge in arrivals. Under new arrivals across the Schengen zone. the 63 years, 7 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 23 minhearing on moving the tri- utes that her great-greatgrandmother Queen Victoals of six officers charged ria spent on the throne. in Gray’s death out of the The occasion was city. marked by cheering, flagMayor Stephanie Rawwaving crowds on the lings-Blake, a member of the financial control panel, street, bells ringing out in Westminster Abbey and said the payment would solemn messages in parliaresolve any related civil ment but Elizabeth, who is claims against Baltimore also the nation’s oldest ever and avoid possibly years monarch, wanted little fuss. of federal litigation over She made only a brief Gray’s death.

“This settlement is about reference to it in a speech as she opened a new railmaking the right fiscal House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), far right, speaks decision for the city of Bal- way line in Scotland. at a news conference following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on timore,” she said at a news conference. She added Wednesday. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) Jenner talks on that the settlement bore no transgenders in on Tuesday. He vows to scenario. judgment on the officers’ appeal to minorities and As has happened before, guilt or innocence. jails with other sex the poor, groups that steer a shutdown on Oct. 1 Reality TV star Caitlyn clear of the party according would likely rattle financial Ellis Island sees Jenner, who is being investo opinion polls. markets. But Republicans return of artifacts tigated in connection with “Could the Republican had little to say about this Party be more shaped on in their remarks about the after storm of 2012 a fatal California car crash earlier this year, defended the basis of what I think if women’s health group and NEW YORK — More herself on Wednesday and I am picked as president? conservatives’ demands than 200 artifacts tellexpressed concern over Absolutely. The Republithat its federal funding be ing stories of early 20th county jails that place can Party would absolutely cut off. century immigrants to transgender people with the change,” he said.

After an hour-long, opposite sex.

Although hardly a closed-door meeting of fel- the United States will be Los Angeles County household name, Kasich low party members, House returned to New York’s authorities are considering is one of the most experiof Representatives Speaker Ellis Island immigration museum on Thursday folmisdemeanor manslaughenced politicians among John Boehner said there lowing repairs needed after ter charges against Jenner. the 17 Republican hopewere “no decisions at this Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Such a charge could carry fuls. He has 18 years of point” on the content of a a one-year prison sentence, legislative experience stopgap funding bill for the federal officials said.

About half the items in according to NBC. in Congress and is now federal fiscal year beginthe Ellis Island National “That is the worst-case serving a second term as ning Oct. 1.

Museum of Immigration, scenario … It is an enorgovernor of the seventh including children’s shoes, mous problem that they largest state.

Baltimore OKs steamship tickets and would put trans women in a $6.4M settlement passports, were removed men’s county jail,” Jenner, Shutdown nigh as as a precaution while its 65, told NBC in the prefor Gray family Republicans still mechanical and electrical taped interview, which aired slam health group BALTIMORE — Bal- systems underwent $39.4 on the “Today” program. million in repairs, National Transgender advocacy timore city officials on Park Service officials said groups have said inmates WASHINGTON — Wednesday approved a on Wednesday. who identify as another genCongressional Republi$6.4 million civil settleSuperstorm Sandy hit der are at greater risk for cans showed no signs on ment to the family of New York and New Jersey abuse, including rape and are Wednesday of having a Freddie Gray Jr., a black in October 2012, killing pressing for stronger protecclear plan for averting a man whose death in April more than 100 people and tions. While such prisoners U.S. government shutdown from an injury in police causing billions of dolare sometimes put in solitary in three weeks over fundcustody triggered protests lars in damage to power, confinement, some jails have ing for Planned Parentand rioting. transportation and water begun to open special transhood, though senior party The unanimous vote by facilities. gender housing units. leaders have made clear the Board of Estimates — From wire reports — From wire reports they want to avoid that comes ahead of a Thursday

U.S. survey finds increased number of sharks off East Coast

By Barbara Liston Reuters

U.S. shark researchers caught and tagged 2,835 sharks along the East Coast this spring, a record number which they say reflects a growing population thanks to federal protections.

It surpassed the 1,831 sharks captured and tagged in 2012 during the survey which is conducted every three years by the National Oceanic and Atmo-

MUST READ spheric Administration (NOAA).

The numbers have increased in each survey since 2001 and point to steady population gains, NOAA spokeswoman Shelley Dawicki said.

The increased shark count comes in the wake of a spate of shark attacks on swimmers this summer off the coast of Florida and the Carolinas, though re-

searchers say the annual trend is about normal.

Sharks were on the decline in 1986 when the first survey took place during a worldwide boom in commercial sharkfin fisheries to feed Asian markets.

U.S. protections for sharks in a fishery management plan went into effect in 1993. The plan banned fishing for certain sharks and limited fishing seasons for others, among other rules.

“I think that’s what turned it

around - effective management.

Just the decrease in fishing pressure on these species has helped quite a bit,” said Lisa Natanson, a scientist who leads the survey at the Narragansett Laboratory of NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

The survey, which takes place in April and May, begins off the coast of Florida where sharks spend the winter and spring and follows their migration route to Delaware as waters warm. This

year and last, bad weather ended the survey in North Carolina.

Since 1996, each survey has been conducted in same manner, including use of the same bait and gear, Natanson said. The researchers note the age, sex, size and location of the sharks they encounter during tagging.

The survey allows researchers to collect data immediately, as well as years later when a tagged shark is inadvertently caught in fishing gear.

perspectives

gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline, Editor

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE 6 A • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

The past and future of the refugee crisis The refugee crisis in Europe is one of those human tragedies for which there are no real solutions, despite how many shrill voices in the media may denounce those who fail to come up with a solution.

Some options may be better than others, but there is nothing that can honestly be called a solution. Nevertheless many countries, including the United States, could do a lot better.

The immediate problems are the masses of desperate men, women Thomas and children, fleeSowell ing from the wars and terrorism of the Middle East, who are flooding into Europe.

But the present crisis cannot be dealt with as if it had no past and no future.

The future is in fact one of the biggest constraints on what can be done in the present. Anyone with a sense of decency and humanity would want to help those who have been through harrowing experiences and have arrived, exhausted and desperate, on the shores of Europe. But the story will not end there, if they do.

With refugees, as with all other human beings, the current generation will pass from the scene. Those who may be grateful to have found a refuge from the horrors of the Middle East will have a new generation of children in Europe, or in any other place of refuge, who will have no memory of the Middle East.

All the new generation will know is that they are not doing as well as other people in the country where they live. They will also know that the values of their culture clash with the values of the Western culture around them. And there will be no lack of “leaders” to tell them that they have been wronged, including some who will urge them to jihad.

Europeans have already seen this scenario play out in their midst, creating strife and even terrorism. Most of the Muslims may be peaceful people who are willing to live and let live. But it takes only a fraction who are not to create havoc.

No nation has an unlimited capacity to absorb immigrants of any sort, and especially immigrants whose cultures are not simply different, but antagonistic, to the values of the society in which they settle.

The inescapable reality is that it is an irreversible decision to admit a foreign population of any sort — but especially a foreign population that has a track record of remaining foreign.

The past, as well as the future, casts its shadow over the current refugee crisis. It may be no accident that President Obama is up in Alaska, talking about changing the name of Mount McKinley, while this massive human tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East and in Europe.

Barack Obama’s decision to pull American troops out of Iraq, with happy talk about how he was ending a war, turned out to be a bitter mockery when the policy in fact opened the doors to new wars with unspeakable horrors in the present and incalculable consequences for the future.

The glib rhetoric that accompanied the pullout of American troops from Iraq was displayed once again when the rise of ISIS was dismissed as just a junior varsity team trying to look like a serious threat. But now that ISIS controls a big chunk of Iraq and a big chunk of Syria, it is the Obama foreign policy that looks like the work of a junior varsity team.

Undermining stable governments in Egypt and Libya that posed no threat to Western interests in the Middle East was another rhetoricladen catastrophe of the Obama administration.

No wonder President Obama does not want to get involved in the refugee crisis that his own policies did so much to create. Talking about renaming Mount McKinley seems far safer politically.

Middle Eastern countries might have been expected to take in more refugees who are their Muslim brothers — especially oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia. But the West, including the United States, could at least send more financial aid to Middle Eastern countries like Jordan and Egypt, to ease the burden of the refugees they have already taken in.

Sending money to Middle Eastern countries that are taking in Muslim refugees makes a lot more sense for the West than taking in more refugees themselves. It may even encounter far less political opposition at home. But a real attempt to deal with the underlying causes of this human tragedy will probably have to wait until Barack Obama is gone from the White House.

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His website is www.tsowell. com.

letters to the editor

Letters should be no more than 200 words and are subject to approval by the publisher. Letters may be edited for style and space requirements.

Please sign your name and provide an address and a daytime telephone number. Address letters for publication to: Letters to the Editor, Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 300460603. The fax number is 770-339-8081. Email us at: letters@gwinnettdailypost. com.

Unplugging my way to recovery CHICAGO — For 12 weeks, I’ve been on a miracle diet that has improved my mood, cleared my mind, given me more energy, made my eyesight better, cured my insomnia and, most importantly, pretty much eliminated the daily headaches that had been dogging me.

Best of all: I still eat gluten and haven’t had to ingest kale once. All I did was cut back my consumption of electronic content by about 75 percent.

Yes, seriously.

This 21st-century, alwayson, social-media connected e-reader took things down several notches by returning to reading print newspapers, paper books and magazines, and massively cutting back time spent in the warm glow of electronic devices.

The road to recovery started about two years ago when my formerly episodic, but by then nightly insomnia and near-constant headaches jump-started the search for a cure.

I tried more exercise, less sugar, reducing work and home stress, vitamins, several varieties of doctorprescribed drugs and specially timed daytime naps. As a lifetime avoider of coffee and alcohol, I couldn’t rely on the quick fixes of eliminating them from my diet.

Why did it take me so long to realize that the onset of my symptoms roughly

disorder, a diagnosis that, even among children, is rare in the United Kingdom (1.5 percent of kids there are diagnosed annually) as compared with in the U.S. (6 percent). He was just using his electronics way too much.

Esther This gave me pause. But Cepeda I wasn’t feeling anxious or distracted, overwhelmed coincided with a resolution or unable to concentrate. to save money on the many I didn’t have any problem publications I read by going consuming long-form condigital? tent, like books or lengthy It’s not because I didn’t magazine pieces, so I didn’t know about eyestrain or the take it to heart. cognitive benefits of readAnd then I was faced with ing on paper versus reading a weeklong work trip away electronically — according from home. to a variety of research, readHow, I fretted, would I ing electronically prevents keep up with all my reading us from navigating long texts when I was going to be busy in an intuitive and satisfying nearly every minute of every way. day in meetings and travel?

It’s because I just got so Much of it without Wi-Fi? used to being on my computUltimately, I decided to er, laptop, iPad or iPhone all set my email to out-of-office day long, taking in content mode, planned to limit my from all corners of the Web daily news to just one printed whenever the whim arose, newspaper per day — comthat the amount of time my pared with scouring three eyeballs were frying on a to four publications online screen just crept up on me.

— and vowed to try not to In May, on the WNYC “catch up” on my online podcast “Note to Self,” I reading and socializing once heard the story of Cynan I returned.

Clucas, a digital-media proIt was like the clouds fessional and father of four in parted. I noticed the changes England who found himself in my health nearly imat the doctor worrying about mediately. Despite a hardearly onset dementia. charging week of 15-hour Clucas was shocked to days, keeping my gadgets learn he had adult-onset atout of my hands and face tention deficit hyperactivity coincided with my being able

to sleep better at night and not develop headaches at the slightest provocation. I just felt better.

When I got back home, I decided to see if the wellbeing would last by consuming only print newspapers and magazines, restricting my computer time to tasks that couldn’t be done offline, and limiting my time on email and websites to the bare minimum necessary for accomplishing the important stuff that needs to be done.

It’s been three months and I haven’t felt this good in years.

Yes, my work — research, writing, communicating electronically — is still done mostly on the computer, but I’ve cut out nearly all the extras.

I still email, text message, shop online and scroll through social media — happily it’s now infinitely much easier to jump off quickly when the social-media mob turns ugly — but my electronics use is a small fraction of my day compared with before.

As for news consumption, I used to feel like I had to know everything all the time.

But this isn’t true for anyone, especially non-journalists.

Getting informed is great; being inundated is simply unnecessary.

Esther Cepeda’s email address is estherjcepeda@ washpost.com.

The joy of being a political candidate WASHINGTON — It’s no longer enough to be a happy warrior; now our candidates must be joyful!

Oh, joie.

Jeb Bush started the joy bender last week when he told a New Hampshire audience that a conservative could win the White House by “campaigning with his arms wide open, with joy in his heart, speaking about the hopes and aspirations of the people, being on the side of the people that right now don’t see their lives in the future being better than what they have today.”

Next came Hillary Clinton’s response on Saturday to a reporter’s question about whether she, too, considers herself “joyful?”

“I do,” she said. “Off we go, joyfully,” she added as she stepped away from the podium. Then, turning back to the press gaggle, she snapped her fingers and said, “Let’s get some joy going.”

This is Clinton’s renowned if scantly shared sense of humor. And truth be known, few are better with a withering quip than she. My favorite was during a 2008 appearance with then-Sen. Barack Obama.

Clinton was clearly fed up with the media fawning over her opponent. With the feigned sweetness of a Southern debutante, she inquired, “Maybe we should ask Barack if he’s comfortable and needs another

verbal equivalent of her middle finger.

In a snark-eat-snark world, Hillary Clinton is a Great White. Or, lest the Literals become fretful, a tiger. Tigress.

Whatever. Humor is near impossible when outrage, lips pursed, lies ready to pounce on Kathleen every sentence.

Parker The Clinton people (her sworn loyalists?) understand pillow.” C’mon, it’s funny. the value of humor in a candiMore humor is always betdate and especially in one so ter, I say, and Clinton may lead scripted and studied, which is the pack on this score. Think it to say, not spontaneous and, through. Bush is a good man therefore, not authentic. If and probably really does feel you ain’t got that authenticity, that joy in his heart. I think honey, you got nothin’. Thus, it has something to do with her campaign is seeking opbeing Catholic and the confes- portunities for Clinton to be sional. funny and to reveal her moreDonald Trump is so funny human side. at times, he ought to be doIt isn’t enough, apparently, ing standup. But his humor that she’s a cooing grandis mean-spirited and has all mother or a gal who chokes the nuance and wit of a prep up when she talks to women school bully with a shiny, new about the travails of the trail. lacrosse stick. And the rest?

Or when she talks to women Bernie Sanders? Funny as a about being a woman, which socialist. Scott Walker? Hilari- is, if you dozed off for a secous. Marco Rubio? So earnest. ond, very, very hard.

Dr. Ben Carson? That giggle Thus, as this fall season of box. let’s-torture-the-candidates Clinton’s humor, which can unfolds, we’ll be hearing range from the self-effacing more laughs, more joking (“The hair is real, the color around when appropriisn’t”) to the pinioned dart ate (the Clinton campaign (refer Obama), reveals not has recognized that joking so much meanness as conabout the email server isn’t tempt. Her final quip to those funny anymore), and, yes, reporters Saturday wasn’t an more spontaneity — because invitation to join the joyspontaneity really works best ful fray. It was more like the when it’s planned.

However joy trickles down to “everyday Americans” — a phrase the Clinton camp is abandoning because it sounds too much like “everyday low prices” — it’s clear that these new strategic guidelines are mere distractions from the dreadful headlines sure to continue.

A special intelligence review of two emails sent to Clinton on her private server concluded that they were “Top Secret” — contrary to statements of the Clinton campaign. One of the emails concerned North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. Her poll numbers are sliding backward and she continues to suffer a trust deficit.

I concur with those who insist that Clinton can’t do anything right no matter what.

Her critics are worse than the Literals. But no matter how warm, friendly, loving, smart, doting or emoting she is, you can’t manufacture trust, which is what elections ultimately come down to. Not whom you’d rather take that 3 a.m. call from, but whom you trust, rephrased by one of Clinton’s people, “to address the problems that keep you up at night.”

This is the crucial question before us — and my money’s on Ambien.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@ washpost.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 • 7A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Data shows desire for multimodal transportation

By Curt Yeomans

want. Once the data has been crunched, it will be put into a report which Gwinnett County resiwill be sent to county, state dents want a multimodal and federal transportation transportation system, acofficials for consideration cording to Gwinnett Village during long-range transporCID officials who have tation planning. released early data from “We are still culling from their Gr8 Exchange through the data and evaluon Transportation. ating responses to gather The CID announced specific input, but some 52 percent of people who overarching themes are responded to a text survey already apparent,” Warthat was heavily promoted bington said in a statement. during the week of Aug. “When asked how they 24 said they wanted to use would like to access destia combination of differnations, an overwhelming ent transportation models majority place a premium to get around the county. on choice in their transporGwinnett Village officials tation network.” said that was based off While the full data is about 4,000 survey restill being crunched, Web sponses. survey data on www.

CID Executive Director thegr8exchange.com gives Chuck Warbington said it an idea of what bugs Gwincould take as many as two nett County residents when months to fully assess and it comes to transportation. evaluate the data to get a Twenty percent of responcomplete picture of what dents said traffic was the Gr8 Exchange participants one thing they wish they curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

could change in the county, making it the top response to that question on the web survey.

Meanwhile, 40 percent of Gr8 Exchange participants said “work” was the one place they wish it was easier to get to, followed by 32 percent who said they wanted an easier way to get to Atlanta.

Among the people who said they wanted a multimodal transportation system, 42 percent said they wanted trains included, followed by 39 percent who said cars, 28 percent who listed buses, 22 percent who listed bikes, 21 percent who listed either foot traffic or walking and 15 percent who listed “like.”

Forty-eight percent of people who took the survey said better transportation would help them by lowering their commute times while another 34 percent said it would help by

providing access to local destinations.

Forty-nine percent of the respondents said they live and work in Gwinnett County, followed by 34 percent who said they only live in the county and another 12 percent who said they come to Gwinnett because they work in the county. Five percent of respondents said they neither live or work in Gwinnett.

The early data comes at a time when Gwinnett County leaders are looking at expanding mass transit in the county. Transportation Director Alan Chapman told a citizens budget review panel that he would like to add money in the 2016 county budget to add a new Gwinnett County Transit route that would let his department rearrange existing routes to serve more areas.

“By adding one (local) route and tweaking the

four other routes, we could really expand that coverage and hit some areas where we’ve had some requests for years, possibly including additional service in the Lawrenceville area,” Chapman told the review panel on Sept. 2. “We’ve always received requests for service in the Crews Road area and we really think we can make adjustments that would expand the coverage a good bit with just that one additional route.”

The county’s transportation department is also gearing up to begin work on its transportation master plan update later this year.

The update will include the solicitation of public input from residents, elected officials, business owners and other stakeholders in the county.

One set of numbers Gwinnett Village leaders are celebrating right away, though, is the participa-

tion figures for the Gr8 Exchange. Those numbers include nearly 100 events, ranging from garden parties to telephone town hall meetings and formal presentations on transportation.

The figures also include more than 4,000 likes, shares and comments on social media about the Gr8 Exchange during the week of Aug. 24.

On the first day of the week-long transportation dialogue, Warbington told the Daily Post that the Gr8 Exchange had hit trending status for a brief period that morning.

Gwinnett Village officials also reported nearly 1,600 people committed themselves on www. thegr8exchange.com to hold five transportationrelated conversations with their friends, neighbors or coworkers during that week.

Use alternative plants to the troublesome Leyland cypress Throughout our area, Leyland cypress trees are everywhere. Homeowners plant them to screen out unwanted views or for privacy. These trees have the advantage of being attractive and growing rather rapidly. They have the potential to grow up to 60 feet tall and have a 15- to 20-foot spread. The Extension office receives many calls from homeowners with issues about their Leyland cypress trees declining and dying.

Frequently, these trees are planted too close together which reduces the sunlight the plants receive, thus causing them to decline.

Leyland cypress trees also tend to be vulnerable to premature death and pest problems such as fungal canker diseases and root rot.

The only solution in most

•From Page 1A

Gardening in Gwinnett

15 to 20 feet. The leaves are light green and needle-like, with the younger ones being feathery and the older ones more scale-like. It requires moist, fertile and welldrained soil, and full sun.

Japanese cryptomerias have a pyramidal shape and become more narrow shaped and oval as they Tim Daly mature. They can grow up to 50 feet high and over cases is to remove the tree.

20 wide, but their rate of However, several alternative growth is slow. The foliage plants can be used that are turns bronze in the winter. less problematic.

They require full sun and If you desire a conifer loose soil that has proper plant that resembles the drainage. And while they Leyland cypress, consider can tolerate dry spells, they planting arborvitaes and do need occasional watering Japanese cryptomerias. Sev- during dry spells. eral varieties of arborvitaes Many broadleaf everare available, but one of the greens have similar qualities hardiest is “Green Giant.” to the Leyland cypress. The It can grow to 30 feet in Southern magnolia creates height and has a width of a dense screen. The “Little

GGC

This year’s edition of the magazine’s Best Colleges issue includes data on nearly 1,800 colleges and features rankings of 1,376 schools.

Princeton University remained No. 1 in the Best National Universities category, while Williams College topped the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. The University of California-Berkeley is the No. 1 Top Public School among National Universities.

The U.S. News rankings focus on academic excellence, with schools ranked on up to 16 measures of

academic quality. The rankings emphasize outcomes, with graduation and retention rates carrying the most weight in the methodology at 30 percent.

“Taking into account how well a school supports its students from freshman year through graduation is important,” said Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer at U.S. News. “To find the best fit, students should consider a range of factors, from financial aid offerings and location to campus size and majors. The process can be overwhelming, but our rankings and advice content are a great place to start.”

In 2005, Strickland defaulted on the Discover Gwinnett County officials credit card he used to cover announced on Wednesday household expenses while that Alexander’s office will he was undergoing chenot issue garnishment sum- motherapy treatments the mons or disbursements in previous year that left him pending cases until the court unable to work. He eventutells them to do otherwise. ally returned to work, but “We’re following order suffered a back injury in and just waiting on further 2009 that led to him getting instruction from the court,” a $30,000 workers’ comclerk’s office spokeswoman pensation settlement nearly Jennifer Reed said. two years later.

Marion Freidland Mrs. Marion Ada (Matthews) Freidland, Age 94, of Stone Mountain Ga passed away Monday September 7th, 2015 at Gwinnett Medical Hospital. She is proceded in death by her Husband Hyman (Pep) Freidland, Son Michael Perkins and Granddaughter Tammy Casalou. She is survived

by Great Granddaughters Ashley Delatorre, Amanda Sutton, Kaylin Davis, Carrie Perkins and Grandki $15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext.1162 or Ext.1163

habit but still has an excellent ability for screening.

Some smaller growing plants can provide excellent screens as well. Wax myrtles, which are native to South Georgia, thrive in hot, dry conditions and poor soil, but they need full sun. The leaves and stems are fragrant. Other choices include cleyera, loropetalums, camellias and several species of viburnums.

Though Leyland cypress trees are popular and attractive in the landscape, using a different variety of plant with minimal difficulties will provide an alternative to the Leyland cypress.

Reminder: Every year at the Gwinnett County Fair, Gwinnett County Extension has its annual Field Crop Exhibit. Many vegetables and fruits are entered in

classes. Prizes will be given to winners in each class.

First place is $10, second place is $7 and third place is $5. If you have harvested vegetables and fruits, consider entering some of them into the exhibit, and you may win a prize. For more information, go to www. gwinnettcountyfair.com, and in the upper right hand side of main menu, click on “home.” On the next page you will find information on the field crop exhibit under “exhibits.” If you have any questions, please contact the Gwinnett County Extension office.

Timothy Daly is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent with Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at 678-377-4010 or timothy. daly@gwinnettcounty.com.

Charges

•From Page 1A to a call saying Justice wasn’t breathing.

“When first responders arrived, the 10-week-old child had resumed breathing, was crying and appeared normal,” Washington said. “After being checked by Gwinnett County fire personnel, Odom was afforded the opportunity to have the child transported to the hospital.”

He declined, Washington said.

The emergency workers

left Odom to tend to the five children in the apartment — ages 10 weeks to 14 years old.

His wife, Justice’s mother, was at work.

At about 7:40 a.m., she came home and noticed the child having “breathing problems and altered color,” Washington said.

The parents tried to drive the baby to the hospital but soon stopped and called 911, summoning emergency personnel again. Later, at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, police reportedly learned that Justice had a fractured skull and closed

head trauma.

The police report, which is heavily redacted, appears to say that the father’s statement about the child falling off the couch came after the results of a test came back at the hospital. He said the fall happened at about 4:30 a.m.

Odom, with a tattoo of a boxing glove and “KO” on his bicep, was booked into the Gwinnett County jail Thursday morning at 3 a.m, according to jail records.

He remains held without bond.

Law

•From Page 1A

STONE MOUNTAIN

Gem” variety has a short, compact, upright growth.

The tree is excellent for sites that need a smaller screen. One drawback is that the tree continually sheds leaves throughout the season, so it should be planted at sites where the falling leaves will not be troublesome. For wet sites, the sweetbay magnolia is a good choice. It has dense, evergreen foliage. The upper part of the leaf is green, and the underside is a green to white color.

Several species of hollies have many of the attributes of Leyland cypress trees.

Foster hollies and Savannah hollies both have dense foliage, a pyramidal growth habit, and can reach a height of 20 feet or more. The “Nellie R. Stevens” holly has a more compact growth

son Dewayne Perkins. As well as 10 Great Great Grand children. Celebration Of Life Service will be held Friday September 11th at 11am at Mountain Park United Methodist Church 1405 Rockbridge Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087.

GRAYSON

William Fromm, Jr. William Frederick Fromm, Jr., age 92 of Grayson, GA, passed away September 8, 2015.

Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel, 770-979-3200, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Shortly after he suffered his back injury, Discover sued him in Fulton County State Court and won a judgement against Strickland in April 2012 for about $17,749.68. Discover then filed a garnishment action against Strickland in Gwinnett County State Court three months later, seeking $18,096.65.

“On July 16, 2012, Mr. Strickland received a

certified letter from (Discover attorneys Greene and Cooper LLP) notifying him of the garnishment action,” Shoob wrote in his ruling.

“The notice, however, did not inform Mr. Strickland that some forms of property were exempt from garnishment, nor did it inform him how to claim such an exemption.”

Shoobs’ ruling stated that Alexander issued a garnish-

obituaries

ATHENS

ment summons on July 11, 2012, that told banks to “hold all property, money and wages, except what is exempt … belonging to the defendant.”

Strickland then filed suit in August 2012 to challenge the constitutionality of the garnishment statute under the U.S. Constitution’s due process clause.

The judge also noted that the frozen funds caused

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

DORAVILLE

JEFFERSON

Peggy Harrell

Frances Roebuck

Eva Voyles

Peggy Patrick Harrell, age 84, of Athens, Georgia formerly of Winder died September 6, 2015.

Frances Ann Devane Roebuck, age 81, of Doraville, GA passed away September 6, 2015.

Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory, Norcross/ Peachtree Corners, GA. 770-448-5757.

Mrs. Eva G. Irvin Voyles, age 101, of Jefferson, who passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.

ALPHARETTA

Kausikkumar Patel Kausikkumar I. Patel, age 60 of Alpharetta, GA passed away September 7, 2015. Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville, GA 30046, 770-277-4550. www.wagesandsons.com

Strickland to stop taking prescription medicine as often as his doctor ordered him to take, postpone surgery for a hand injury until his hand became swollen and his arm “turned black all the way up to his elbow.”

Discover dropped the garnishment action in October 2012 and Gwinnett County State issued a $15,652.67 check the next month, according to the ruling.

JEFFERSON

Nellie Standridge Mrs. Nellie Mae Standridge, age 98, of Jefferson, who passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.

LILBURN

Lula Webb Lula McCray Webb, age 90, of Lilburn, GA., died September 6, 2015. Her funeral will be Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 11 am in the Bill Head Funeral Home, Lilburn/ Tucker Chapel . Interment Arlington Memorial Park. A native of Deane, KY., she met her future husband, Ralph, at Stuart Robinson High School in Blackey, KY. She was an active member of Northwoods Baptist Church in C

Chamblee, GA. where she was involved in many ministries. Upon relocating to Lilburn, she became a member of First Baptist Church of Lilburn. Preceded in death by her husband, William Ralph Webb (David), she is survived by her children, Wilma W. Bugg (David) of Lilburn, Rebecca Callahan (Dan) of Cleveland, GA., David Webb (Karen) of Cumming, GA. and Stephen Webb (Emily) of Dacula, GA. as well as seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, three sisters and one brother.

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices CALL 770.963.9205 EXT. 1162 OR EXT 1163

$

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

ECHL team changes name to Atlanta Gladiators Mascot, colors and home arena all remain the same

By Christine Troyke

christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com

DULUTH — In an effort to be more inclusive of the metro area while still maintaining ties to a loyal 12-year fanbase, the ECHL’s Gladiators are changing their name from Gwinnett to Atlanta.

The mascot, colors and virtually all of the identifying marks for the franchise remain the same.

The Gladiators will continue to play in Duluth at the newly christened Infinite Energy Center.

This isn’t the precursor to a

“

Do we hope that it helps up attendance-wise?

Absolutely. But it’s more that we’re trying to go from good to great.”

— Gladiators GM Joe Gelderman

location change and it’s something the team has been considering for years.

“We feel like the time is right,” general manager of business operations Joe Gelderman said. “We feel like we are part

of the Atlanta sports landscape.

With the absence of an NHL team, we want people to know that we are their hockey team, that we are Atlanta’s hockey team, not just Gwinnett’s hockey team.”

While the core of the Gladiators fanbase remains in Gwinnett, the number of people coming from surrounding counties has continued to grow over the last several years.

“There’s a lot of thought that went into it,” said Christina Johnson, the senior director of digital,

The ECHL’s Gladiators changed their franchise name from Gwinnett to Atlanta on Wednesday. The team, which moved to Gwinnett in 2003, will continue to play in Duluth at the Infinite Energy Center. (Photo: Dale Zanine)

LOVE GAME See GLADIATORS, Page 8B

OF THE

Rolling Hawks get into meat of season

By Paul Thomas

paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Mountain View running back Nick Harris poses for a portrait at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville on Wednesday. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Harris brings infectious enthusiasm to Bears program

By Paul Thomas

“

eats it the way I do and did when I played.

He just loves it. He’s here early, he stays late and it’s in his blood, you can tell. He was LAWRENCEVILLE — There’s nothing born to do it.”

— Mountain View head coach Nick Bach that Mountain View senior running back Harris started playing football when he Nick Harris doesn’t love about football. was 6 years old in the Brookwood youth Practice? He’s all about it. association. His dad was an assistant coach Film study? What do you think he does The senior tailback’s passion for the game with the Broncos high school team and for fun? isn’t lost on his teammates and coaches. In that’s where he fell in love with running Friday nights? Well who doesn’t like fact, Mountain View head coach Nick Bach back.

Friday night lights? said it may be Harris’ strongest leadership Harris’ brothers Michael and Kendall “I just love everything about it,” Harris quality. played tailback as well, but his real idols said. “It’s like my get-away place. If I have “He’s just a lot of fun,” Bach said. “He’s were former Brookwood stars Nick Tompa bad day at school or something I always always smiling, having fun. He’s a ball kins and Jamaal Cole. Harris wears No. 32 know football will make it better. The school player. He’s a true ball player. If you’re ever because it’s what Tompkins, now a junior backs us up, I love the Friday nights. My around those kind of guys, you know what who has played running back and cornerfamily comes out, it’s just a good weekend I mean. Football is what he does, it’s what after a Friday night game.” he loves. He probably sleeps it, breathes and See HARRIS, Page 8B paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com

He’s here early, he stays late and it’s in his blood, you can tell.”

After an up-and-down 24-21 season a year ago, Mill Creek volleyball is off to a quick start so far this fall.

After last night’s four-set win over Hebron Christian, the Hawks are now 15-1 on the season. Their lone loss came to Lambert (12-3), ranked No. 9 in the state

by MaxPreps.

“It’s been a good start,” head coach Brian Williamson said. “We still have some of the meaty teams that we’re going to play, I would say we haven’t played some of those teams yet, they’ll be coming up on our schedule. We haven’t gotten into Area play yet and there is some really strong teams in our (Area), so that’s definitely going to change some things. But, we’ve started off strong.”

For the first time in his 15-year coaching career, Williamson kept more than 12 girls on his varsity roster. Mill Creek has 15 girls on the roster, and Williamson said he felt like they needed the depth and that they all deserved to be on the team.

The roster features four veteran returners and an influx of talented sophomores. So far the roster has blended together well.

Ariane Terry and Ashley Allen have rotated at libero to strengthen the back line, with senior Gabby Pawelko and sophomore twins Rachel and Rebekah Machovec stepping up as hitters.

In the middle, Chloe Freeman and Morgan

See VOLLEY, Page 8B

Perrotta finds pure joy with KSU There’s no precise facial expression for pure joy, but Nick Perrotta’s last week had to be a pretty good representation.

The Peachtree Ridge grad and Kennesaw State defensive lineman stepped in front of an East Tennessee State screen pass last Thursday, in the unlikely location of Tipton Field in Johnson City, Tenn., Peachtree Ridge grad Nick Perrotta (96) made his debut with the Kennesaw State football team in its first ever intercepted it and raced 19 game last week, a win over East Tennessee State. (Photo: yards for a huge touchdown in both his and the Kyle Hess/Kennesaw State)

Will Hammock Owls’ first-ever college football game. Almost 22 and a redshirt junior, Perrotta made maybe the

most pivotal play of the victory with his pick-six that turned a 14-13 lead into 21-13 lead barely more than a minute before halftime.

It was the culmination of a college football dream come true, one that he thought would never happen when he graduated from Peachtree Ridge in 2012. Lots went into Perrotta reviving his football career — his first-ever touchdown, at any level,

was just a surreal bonus.

“That (touchdown) was definitely not in the plan,” Perrotta said earlier this week. “It’s like a dream come true for a defensive linemen. For me, really it was. I’ve been playing this game since I was 6 years old and I had never scored a touchdown in my life. That was a really cool experience.”

The whole football path

See HAMMOCK, Page 8B

ondeck 2B • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Prep schedule

SOFTBALL

Today

4:45 p.m. — Hebron at Prince Ave. 5 p.m. — North at Norcross 5:30 p.m. — Johnson at Buford 5:30 p.m. — Salem at Discovery 6 p.m. — Duluth at Mountain View 6 p.m. — GAC at Wesleyan 6 p.m. — Mill Creek at Peachtree Ridge 6:30 p.m. — Heritage at Lanier 7 p.m. — Brookwood at Dacula 7 p.m. — Grayson at Archer 7 p.m. — Parkview at South 7 p.m. — Shiloh at Central

VOLLEYBALL

• Collins Hill Classic 5 p.m. — Discovery, Monroe Area at Clarke Central 5 p.m. — Lambert, Dunwoody at Buford 5 p.m. — Shiloh, Archer at Dacula 6 p.m. — Lassiter at Brookwood

FOOTBALL

Friday

7:30 p.m. — Archer at Grayson 7:30 p.m. — Berkmar at Dacula 7:30 p.m. — Lanier at Flowery Branch 7:30 p.m. — McEachern at Peachtree Ridge 7:30 p.m. — Meadowcreek at Clarkston 7:30 p.m. — Parkview at Brookwood 7:30 p.m. — South Gwinnett at Central Gwinnett

SOFTBALL

• Hebron, Discovery in Veterans Memorial Tournament • Wesleyan in SCORE Tournament 4 p.m. — North vs. Kennesaw Mountain at University of North Georgia 4 p.m. — Parkview vs. Oconee Co. at Veterans Park 7:30 p.m. — Parkview vs. Alcovy at Veterans Park 8 p.m. — North vs. West Forsyth at University of North Georgia

The Home Teams

Braves

Falcons

M. Soccer

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING N.Y. Mets N.Y. Mets 7:10 p.m.

Fri, 7:35 p.m.

SS/680-AM FSS/680-AM

Philadelphia Off Mon, 7:10 p.m.

ESPN/92.9-FM

N.Y. Mets Sat, 7:10 p.m.

FSS/680-AM at N.Y. Giants Sept. 20, 1 p.m.

FOX/92.9 FM

Off

AU-Montgomery at Middle Ga. Tue, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18, 7:30p.m.

Off

Milligan Sun, 1 p.m.

Off

at Vanderbilt

Off

Tulane

Off

at New Mexico St. at Oregon Sat, 8 p.m.

Sept. 19, 2 p.m.

ESPN3/88.5-FM PAC12/88.5-FM

at Middle Ga. Sept. 18, 5 p.m.

W. Soccer

Georgia

Tech

Georgia St.

Sat, 3:30 p.m.

CBS/750-AM Sat, 3:30 p.m.

FSS/680-AM

South Carolina

Sept. 19, 6 p.m.

ESPN/750-AM at Notre Dame

Sept. 19, 3:30 p.m.

NBC/680-AM

SS = SportSouth, FSS = Fox Sports South

On TV AUTO RACING

Today

2:30 p.m. — NASCAR XFINITY Series: Virginia529 College Savings 250, Practice. From Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. NBCSP 5 p.m. — NASCAR XFINITY Series: Virginia529 College Savings 250, Final Practice. From Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. NBCSP

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

8 p.m. — Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky FS1

MLB

7 p.m. — New York Mets at Atlanta SPSO

NFL

8:30 p.m. — Pittsburgh at New England NBC

TENNIS

7 p.m. — U.S. Open Women’s Semifinals. From the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. ESPN

Sports Calendar BASEBALL

Ongoing through Dec. 31: Whitner Hitting Clinics are being held at Jack City Sports Center. The clinics are ongoing and cost $75 for five weeks. To sign up, email jackcitybaseball@aol. com or call 770-633-0948.

BASKETBALL

Sept. 20: Complete Skills Academy will host a fall basketball clinic at Suwanee Sports Academy on Sept. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. for girls in grades 5-8 who are interested in playing travel basketball this spring and summer. Cost is $30.

For more information, and to sign up online, go to www.ssasports.com/csafall. Contact Chris Luke at christyluke1@hotmail.com

with any questions.

RUNNING

Saturday: The city of Suwanee and Georgia Fitness are inviting area residents to run like a superhero in the 15th annual Suwanee Fest 5K & 10K Classic on Saturday. There will also be a children’s 1K fun run. The races benefit Cure Childhood Cancer and begin and finish at Town Center Park. Superhero costumes are strongly encouraged. Registration is now available at active.com.

Course maps for the 5K, which meanders through historic (and hilly) Old Town, and the 10K, which is an out-and-back route primarily on the Suwanee Creek Greenway, are available at runsuwanee.com.

Feedback • Will Hammock, Sports Editor: will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com • Christine Troyke, Staff Writer: christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com • David Friedlander, Staff Writer: david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com • Paul Thomas, Staff Writer: paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com • Scott Smith, Senior Correspondent: scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com • To report scores, call 770-339-5850

www.GwinnettDailyPost.com & www.GwinnettPrepSports.com

gwinnettdailypost.com NASCAR SPRINT CUP: Federated Auto Parts 400, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSP)

Chase getting down to nitty gritty

By Reid Spencer The Sports Xchange

If you want to fill out the final five positions in your Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup grid, there’s a simple solution — just do the math.

Odds say the 16 drivers currently in Chase-eligible positions heading to Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway (7:30 p.m., NBCSP) will be the same 16 who start the Chase with a chance to win the championship.

But that’s not to discount the possibility of a new winner throwing a wrench into the works by stealing a victory at the .75-mile short track. It’s happened before. In the first year of the Chase (2004), when the field was limited to the top-10 drivers in the standings after 26 races, Jeremy Mayfield led the most laps and won at Richmond to knock Jamie McMurray out of the 10-race playoff.

McMurray is one driver whose participation in the Chase is a virtual certainty.

Last Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington left him one point short of an outright clinch, but all McMurray has to do at Richmond is take the green flag to assure his participation in the Chase for the first time in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career.

“Going back this time, knowing that we will just have to start the race to be locked into the Chase is a great feeling,” McMurray said. “I have been the guy on the bubble going to Richmond and not come out on top, so I’m glad to know that I won’t experience that again this weekend.”

If one of the 11 drivers who already has won a race this season repeats at RIR — and that’s a strong likelihood, given that the series hasn’t seen a new winner since Kyle Bush took the checkered flag in race No. 16 at Sonoma in late June — McMurray, Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon all have their tickets punched, and Paul

Sprint Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch (18) and Matt Dibenedetto (83) race in front of Carl Edwards (19) and Jamie McMurray (1) during the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Sunday at Darlington Raceway. (Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

Menard qualifies with a finish of 38th or better, 39th if he leads a lap and 40th if he leads most laps.

The scenario is more complicated if Richmond produces a unique winner.

Under that circumstance, Newman must finish 31st or better (exclusive of laps led), Gordon 17th and Menard ninth to exercise control of their own destinies.

With four drivers assured of making the Chase on points (five if there isn’t a new winner), let’s look at the most likely possible surprises at RIR. Clint Bowyer: His worst nightmare is a new winner who isn’t Clint Bowyer. If there’s a repeat winner, all Bowyer has to do is retain any part of his 29-point lead over Aric Almirola and 31-point advantage over Kasey Kahne, respectively, to advance. In the case of a new winner, Bowyer could still advance by overcoming a 10-point deficit to Menard or an 18-point deficit to Gordon. Or Bowyer could simply win the race.

Two of his eight career victories have come at RIR, and his average finish there is 11.4. By way of comparison, Menard’s average finish at Richmond is 23.4, with just one top five (fifth in the 2013 fall race). So Menard, like Bowyer, will have to sweat out the prospect of a unique winner on

Saturday night.

Aric Almirola: Only Almirola (16th in the standings) and Kahne (17th) have mathematical chances to catch Bowyer and advance on points, but both prospects are extreme long shots. Almirola’s chances of grabbing a Chase spot with a victory are equally bleak. His average finish at the track is 18.1, and in seven starts at RIR, he has one result better than 10th (eighth in the 2013 spring race).

Kasey Kahne: Eleventhhour heroics are nothing new to Kahne, who bulled his way into last year’s Chase with a victory at Atlanta in the 25th race of the season. Like Almirola, Kahne’s shot at qualifying on points is remote at best, but a win isn’t out of the question. Kahne got the first of his 17 career victories at RIR. Then again, that was back in 2005. Since then, his average finish has trailed off to 17.2. But Kahne was sixth in the spring race this year to break a string of five straight results outside the top 10.

Greg Biffle: The “Biff” is one of 12 drivers who can lock up a Chase spot with a victory — and only with a victory — but the prospects of a radical reversal of fortune for the Roush Fenway Racing driver aren’t good. Biffle

has struggled at Richmond, posting just two top fives in 26 starts while recording an average finish of 17.2.

Kyle Larson: To make the Chase, Larson must win his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, and don’t dismiss the possibility. Larson has been fast in both practice and qualifying at Richmond, winning the pole in his first visit to the .75-mile track last year.

If Larson and crew chief Chris Heroy can find a way to translate qualifying speed into race speed, Larson could be a contender, as he was last Sunday at Darlington. The bad news?

Larson has only one top five so far this season, after posting seven last year.

Tony Stewart: Smoke’s chances for a victory aren’t as remote as you might think. True, the three-time series champion doesn’t have a top five to his credit this season, but he was up on the wheel last Sunday at Darlington, posting an average running position of 10th after spending a long stint in the top five. Stewart has three wins at RIR, none since 2002, but he has four second-place runs since then. Mistakes on pit road cost Stewart dearly at Darlington; if he finds his way to the front on Saturday night, the over-thewall crew must shape up to keep him there.

Downforce brings drama to Darlington

By Jonathan Ingram The Sports Xchange

In a Southern 500 featuring throwback paint schemes, crew uniforms and caps, the pace car almost led the most laps after a record 18 cautions and 89 laps run under yellow. That’s because there was a whole lot of crashing going on, to borrow some throwback lyrics.

For many years Darlington Raceway’s premier event was run on Labor Day and that tradition was revived when the jaundiced event ran four hours and 28 minutes and victory lane ceremonies carried the event into the wee hours of Monday.

Sprint Cup rules called for the experimental low downforce package for the second time this year, and the crooked track known for its peculiar shape and four unique turns took its toll, not surprisingly. When the Darlington Raceway’s walls weren’t eating fenders, its weathered asphalt was chewing up tires, which led to less grip and more crashes.

In the end, Carl Edwards beat Brad Keselowski with a quicker final pit stop by his Joe Gibbs Racing team during the 18th caution.

Up until then, Keselowski, who was the only driver to lead more laps than pace car driver Brett Bodine, looked like a sure bet to win after holding off Kevin Harvick.

Penske Racing’s Keselowski, who led 196 laps in

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (19) celebrates in victory lane after winning the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Sunday at Darlington Raceway. (Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

pursuit of his first Darlington victory, compared the low downforce package to changing from an automatic transmission back to a stick shift.

“The cars just five or six years ago when I entered the Sprint Cup were extremely difficult to drive and then they got really easy to drive,” he said. “We looked at each other and said, ‘It shouldn’t be this easy to drive these cars.’”

Edwards agreed that the new low downforce package helps separate the contenders from the pretenders. He waxed enthusiastic about going back to the days when David Pearson ruled the roost at Darlington in the 1960s and 1970s, pointing out the cars in that era didn’t have the aerodynamic devices available to current drivers.

“I really think we’re at a bigger crossroads than most people realize,” Edwards said. “They can

go the direction of making everybody’s car easier to drive and have Talladega races every week with everybody equal. Or they can do the direction of making it harder and more difficult to drive.”

Edwards called for NASCAR officials to continue to use the low downforce package with reduced rear spoilers, shorter splitters and narrowed belly pans during the Chase.

But it was reconfirmed

by Steve O’Donnell, the NASCAR vice president for racing development, the sanctioning body will wait until 2016 to introduce the low downforce concept to additional races on the schedule after experimenting this year at the Kentucky Speedway and Darlington.

Is this any way to run a racing series — experimenting during regular season points races and celebrating events where

more drivers crash than ever before? If it’s about putting drivers on the edge and seeing which ones come out ahead, the low downforce package has proven to be a valid way to at least help determine who makes this year’s Chase.

Next year, having been proven under the heat of competition, it is a foregone conclusion that the intermediate size speedways of 1.5 miles in the “postseason” Chase will be run with the low downforce package. The intermediate tracks during the “regular” season, including Darlington will also be run with lower downforce and the only debate will be just how much the downforce is reduced.

That suits Edwards fine.

“If we keep going in this direction you’re going to have to step up your game as a driver,” he said.

“You’re going to have to work harder with you team.”

At Darlington, finding and staying in the groove proved precarious for veterans and young backmarkers alike. Balloon-footing the throttle was not an option on the relatively short 1.367-mile superspeedway where getting lapped is all too easy. On the other hand, winner Edwards proved getting unlapped was hardly insurmountable. He came from two laps down after tagging the wall and eventually being forced to pit under green due to a tire problem.

gwinnettdailypost.com

gwinnett grads

IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS

A quick look at where to watch former Gwinnett standouts on TV in this week’s college football action:

South Carolina defensive tackle and Mill Creek grad Kelsey Griffin (94) celebrates with teammates during the second quarter of last week’s 17-13 win over North Carolina. (Photo: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports)

Griffin, Sawyer part of defensive improvement at South Carolina see’s 70-14 win over Jackson State. … Mill Creek’s John Russ completed 17 of 27 passes for 176 yards and a TD in Mercer’s 28-7 win over Austin Peay.

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The total yardage allowed was a little high, but the point total looked pretty good for South Carolina’s defense in last week’s opener against North Carolina.

The Gamecocks, coming off a rough season defensively, relied on their defense to win last Thursday’s season opener over North Carolina 17-13. It’s the kind of improvement head coach Steve Spurrier hoped for when he changed defensive coordinators in the offseason after allowing more than 30 points per game last year.

The coaching change certainly helped the South Carolina defense, as did some standout efforts from players like SEC defensive player of the week Skai Moore and two Gwinnett grads on the defensive line, Kelsey Griffin and Dante Sawyer.

Griffin, a junior from Mill Creek, had three tackles but more importantly was in on 1 1/2 big sacks against UNC. The 6-foot-2, 316-pounder figures to play a bigger role than ever this season for the Gamecocks.

The unit also has high hopes for North Gwinnett’s Dante Sawyer, a sophomore who transferred in after a season at East Mississippi Community College. The 6-3, 291-pounder also had two tackles and a sack in his debut with the Gamecocks.

FOOTBALL Petroni honored by CAA Elon punter David

SOCCER

South Carolina defensive end Dante Sawyer (95), a North Gwinnett grad, lunges for North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams (12) during the second half of the Gamecocks’ 17-13 win last week. (Photo: Joshua S. KellyUSA TODAY Sports)

Petroni, a Buford grad, was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s special teams player of the week on Monday.

The junior punted 11 times in Elon’s season opener at Wake Forest for a 44.2-yard average. Three of his punts traveled at least 50 yards, including 60- and 61-yarders, and four pinned Wake inside its own 20-yard line.

junior college transfer, Parkview’s Chris Carson, had 21 rushes for 89 yards in his first start for Oklahoma State, which beat Central Michigan 24-13. … Dacula grad Marcus Cox needed just 11 rushes for 105 yards and a TD in Appalachian State’s 49-0 win over Howard.

Grayson grads Wayne Gallman and Nick Schuessler stood out in Clemson’s season-opening, West Georgia’s McCall 49-10 win over Wofford. gets Gulf South award Gallman had 92 yards and Grayson grad Aares two TDs on his 14 carries, McCall of West Georgia while Schuessler was 9 of was named the Gulf South 11 passing for 98 yards in Conference freshman of a reserve role. … Buford the week on Monday. grad Alex Ross kicked off McCall carried 11 times the Coastal Carolina seafor 107 yards in the fourth- son with 328 passing yards ranked Wolves’ win over and two TDs in a 38-35 Catawba last weekend. win over Furman.

Collins Hill’s Jeff Quick hits Glover caught five passes Norcross’ Alvin Kafor 95 yards and two TDs mara made a nice debut as Eastern Kentucky routed with Tennessee, carrying Valparaiso 52-10. …

15 times for 144 yards and Fellow Collins Hill grad two touchdowns in a 59-30 Jordan Parker rushed 16 win over Bowling Green times for 68 yards and a last weekend. … Another score in Middle Tennes-

Stephen gets league honor Norcross grad Maddie Stephen, who plays for Georgia College, was named the Peach Belt Conference defensive player of the week on Wednesday.

Stephen helped anchor a defensive line that allowed just 16 shots on the weekend and one goal over the 180 minutes of play. She had her first career assist in Georgia College’s 1-0 win over Mount Olive in last Friday’s season opener, then added another assist two days later in a win over Barton College.

Quick hits Three Gwinnett grads start for Georgia State’s 4-0-1 women’s soccer team — North Gwinnett grad Lauren Harriman and Collins Hill grads and sisters Amanda and Margaret Bruemmer. Harriman and Margaret Bruemmer start in the midfield and Amanda Bruemmer in the defense. … Greater Atlanta Christian’s Mollie Arrendale scored twice in North Georgia’s 3-0, season-opening win over Valdosta State.

Gwinnett Grads is a column that runs on Thursdays spotlighting achievements of past Gwinnett standouts. Coaches and parents are urged to send suggestions via email to will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com.

Spartans amped for rematch with Ducks The Sports Xchange EAST LANSING, Mich.

— Every team says it takes one game at a time. It’s a standard sports cliche.

Michigan State is no different, and leading up to a season-opening win over Western Michigan, that was the approach.

But, as linebacker Riley Bullough admitted, the big games are on the players’ minds during winter conditioning or going through a difficult session in the weight room. That’s when teams like Oregon and Ohio State come to mind.

That was the motivation this off-season for the Spartans, whose only two losses last season came to the two teams that played for the national championship.

In those two games they missed out on their shot at

reaching the playoffs and having an opportunity to play for a national title.

That is the goal, and the first chance Michigan State gets at avenging one of those defeats is Saturday when No. 7 Oregon comes to Spartan Stadium. It will be the first time the teams have met since the Ducks’ 46-27 win last season in Eugene. The Spartans started fast and led 27-18 in the third quarter before the Ducks exploded for 28 straight points.

That performance was a huge motivator this offseason.

“That loss last year stunk and it stuck with us,” said senior quarterback Connor Cook, who threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns last season vs.

Oregon. “Looking back, just how close we were,

playing so great in the first half and coming out and not doing so well in second half, stuff like that sticks with you. What hurt even more was to see them make the playoffs and the national championship game and play Ohio State, another team we lost to.

Seeing those two teams playing for the national championship wasn’t the best thing.

“So we emphasized that the whole offseason, the losses to Oregon and Ohio State. Doing stuff in the weight room whether it was one more rep or another workout, dedicating that stuff to the loss last year when it was so close. The whole off-season — spring ball, summer, whatever — we definitely referred back to those games and we have done a little extra

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 • 3B

just to prepare for those games.”

Michigan State’s defense struggled at times in the opener and will have its hands full with Oregon’s high powered offense.

Marcus Mariota is gone, but senior transfer Vernon Adams was outstanding for the Ducks and he said he’ll be ready on Saturday after getting knocked out of the game last week after an illegal hit. The former star of the FCS threw for 246 yards and ran for another 94.

The Spartans say they’re better prepared this time around and learned valuable lessons from last season’s losses.

“We gotta finish. We gotta finish,” Cook said.

“I just need to have that in the back of my mind and keep thinking about it this week.”

TODAY 8 p.m. — Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky, FS1 South Gwinnett’s Kevin Gary (No. 83) is a wide receiver for Louisiana Tech. South Gwinnett’s Dennis Edwards (No. 64), Peachtree Ridge’s Miles Pate (No. 63) and Buford’s Hunter Holland (No. 77) are offensive lineman for WKU. FRIDAY 8 p.m. — Miami (Fla.) at Florida Atlantic, FS1 Norcross’ Christopher Herndon (No. 23) is a tight end and Peachtree Ridge’s Tyler Murphy (No. 32) is a defensive back for Miami.

SATURDAY Noon — Jacksonville State at Auburn, SEC Network Peachtree Ridge’s Connor Rouleau (No. 98) is a kicker for Jacksonville State. Parkview’s Kenny Flowers (No. 33) is a linebacker, Brookwood’s Keenan Sweeney (No. 42) is a fullback, Mill Creek’s Kaleb Kim (No. 54) is an offensive lineman, GAC’s Darius Slayton (No. 81) is a wide receiver and Duluth resident Nick Ruffin (No. 19) is a defensive back for Auburn.

Noon — Presbyterian at Charlotte, WATL Hebron’s Xavier Railey (No. 24) is a defensive back, Brookwood’s Brandon Morrow (No. 90) is a kicker, Brookwood’s Joe Kelly (No. 71) is an offensive lineman, Berkmar’s Darshaughn Lee-Green (No. 72) is an offensive lineman, Brookwood’s Daquan Joy (No. 37) is a wide receiver and North Gwinnett’s Brandt Cameron (No. 38) is a long snapper for Presbyterian.

Noon — Army at Connecticut, CBS Sports Network Collins Hill’s Rhyan England (No. 20) is a defensive back, Peachtree Ridge’s Tyler Campbell (No. 36) is a running back, Norcross’ Emmanuel Aka (No. 96) is a defensive lineman, Lilburn resident Marcus Hyatt (No. 6) is a defensive back and Loganville resident J.D. Mote (No. 98) is a punter for Army.

Noon — Kansas State at UT-San Antonio, FS1 Buford’s Ryan Mack (No. 13) is a defensive back and Central Gwinnett’s Tyler White (No. 37) is a linebacker for Kansas State.

Noon — Bowling Green at Maryland, Big Ten Network North Gwinnett’s Jalen Brooks (No. 43) is a linebacker for Maryland.

Noon — Buffalo at Penn State, ESPN2 Buford’s Terrance Wilson (No. 37) is a defensive back and Mill Creek’s Johnathan Hawkins (No. 24) is a running back for Buffalo.

Noon — Indiana State at Purdue, ESPN News Shiloh’s Clayton Smith (No. 6) is a wide receiver for Indiana State.

Buford’s Evyn Cooper (No. 6) is a defensive back and Lanier’s Tario Fuller (No. 25) is a running back for Purdue.

Noon — Miami (Ohio) at Wisconsin, ESPNU Grayson’s Cedric Asseh (No. 1) is a wide receiver for Miami.

12:30 p.m. — Wake Forest at Syracuse, WUPA South Gwinnett’s Deonte Davis (No. 29) is a defensive back for Wake.

Collins Hill’s Jonathan Thomas (No. 23) is a linebacker, Central Gwinnett’s George Morris (No. 27) is a running back and Mountain View’s Kielan Whitner (No. 25) is a defensive back for Syracuse.

3 p.m. — UTEP at Texas Tech, Fox Norcross’ Demetrius Alston (No. 43) and Grayson’s Zach Barnes (No. 12) are defensive linemen for Texas Tech.

3:30 p.m. — Minnesota at Colorado State, CBS Sports Network Peachtree Ridge’s Willie Udofia (No. 20) is a defensive back and Grayson’s Fred Zerblis (No. 54) is an offensive lineman for Colorado State.

3:30 p.m. — Stephen F. Austin at TCU, FS1 Norcross’ Ridwan Issahaku (No. 31) is a defensive back for TCU. 3:30 p.m. — Notre Dame at Virginia, ABC Buford’s Montgomery VanGorder (No. 4) is a quarterback for Notre Dame. Peachtree Ridge’s Jordan Ellis (No. 10) is a running back and Central Gwinnett’s Darious Latimore (No. 39) is a cornerback for Virginia.

3:30 p.m. — Georgia at Vanderbilt, CBS For UGA, Norcross’ Lorenzo Carter (No. 7) is a defensive end, Brookwood’s Shaun McGee (No. 8) is a linebacker, Brookwood’s Matt Price (No. 29) is a wide receiver, Grayson’s Shattle Fenteng (No. 31) is a defensive back, Grayson’s Devin Gillespie (No. 36) is a defensive back, GAC’s Jared Chapple (No. 41) is a tight end, Brookwood’s Nick Moore (No. 43) is a fullback, Brookwood’s Cameron Faulkner (No. 44) is a fullback, South Gwinnett’s Reggie Carter (No. 45) is a linebacker, Buford’s Kolton Houston (No. 75) is an offensive lineman and Grayson’s Justin Young (No. 92) is a defensive end. For Vandy, Parkview’s Bryce Lewis (No. 30) is a defensive back, North Gwinnett’s Caleb Scott (No. 9) is a wide receiver, Shiloh’s Stephen Weatherly (No. 45) is a linebacker, Norcross’ Jared Pinkney (No. 80) is a wide receiver and Shiloh’s Darion DeBrossard (No. 70) is an offensive lineman.

3:30 p.m. — Fresno State at Ole Miss, ESPN2 Grayson’s Denzel Nkemdiche (No. 4) is a linebacker and Grayson’s Robert Nkemdiche (No. 5) is a defensive lineman for Ole Miss.

4 p.m. — Edward Waters at Kennesaw State, WUPA For KSU, Buford’s Shawn Reynolds (No. 18) is a defensive back, Archer’s Randy Nails (No. 46) is a running back, Dacula’s Kevin Ficklin (No. 47) is a running back, Norcross’ Warren McWilliams (No. 47) is a linebacker, Lanier’s Izzy Sam (No. 49) is a linebacker, Peachtree Ridge’s Nick Perrotta (No. 96) is a defensive lineman and Mill Creek’s Benjamin Otiwu (No. 97) is a defensive lineman.

4 p.m. — Middle Tennessee at Alabama, SEC Network For Middle Tennessee, Collins Hill’s Jordan Parker (No. 6) is a running back, North Gwinnett’s John Urzua (No. 19) is a quarterback, Duluth’s Anfornee Stewart (No. 34) is a linebacker, Norcross’ Shon Akins (No. 37) is a defensive back, Duluth’s Xavier Walker (No. 42) is a defensive back, Norcross’ Jahmal Jones (No. 43) is a defensive end, Peachtree Ridge’s Daniel Stephens (No. 66) is an offensive lineman, Mill Creek’s Josh Fannin (No. 72) is an offensive lineman and Buford’s Matt Bonadies (No. 99) is a punter. Buford’s Dillon Lee (No. 25) and Central Gwinnett’s Adonis Thomas (No. 17) are linebackers for Alabama.

4 p.m. — Eastern Illinois at Northwestern, ESPN News Buford’s Steven Reese (No. 33) is a defensive back for Northwestern.

4:45 p.m. — Iowa at Iowa State, Fox Buford’s Joshua Thomas (No. 1) is a running back and Archer’s Jaypee Philbert (No. 56) is an offensive lineman for Iowa State.

5 p.m. — San Diego State at California, Pac 12 Network Collins Hill’s Chris Palmer (No. 96) is a defensive tackle for Cal. 6 p.m. — Oklahoma at Tennessee, ESPN Peachtree Ridge’s Orlando Brown (No. 78) is an offensive lineman for Oklahoma. GAC’s Micah Abernathy (No. 3) is a defensive back, Norcross’ Alvin Kamara (No. 6) is a running back, Buford’s Austin Smith (No. 11) is a linebacker, Norcross’ Jason Croom (No. 18) is a wide receiver, Grayson’s Jayson Sparks (No. 37) is a running back, Wesleyan’s Jaye Rochell (No. 38) is a wide receiver and Buford’s Quay Picou (No. 55) is a defensive lineman for Tennessee.

7 p.m. — Ball State at Texas A&M, ESPNU Central Gwinnett’s Aaron Taylor (No. 7) is a defensive back for Ball State.

7 p.m. — East Carolina at Florida, ESPN2 Grayson’s Antonio Riles (No. 51) is an offensive lineman for Florida.

7:30 p.m. — Central Arkansas at Oklahoma State, FSN Norcross’ Tyler Williams (No. 9) is a defensive back for Central Arkansas. Parkview’s Chris Carson (No. 32) is a running back for Oklahoma State.

7:30 p.m. — Kentucky at South Carolina, SEC Network Mill Creek’s Kelsey Griffin (No. 94) and North Gwinnett’s Dante Sawyer (No. 95) are defensive linemen, Grayson’s Daniel Fennell (No. 30) is a linebacker, Archer’s Connor Redmond (No. 87) is a tight end and Parkview’s Trey Derouen (No. 79) is an offensive lineman for South Carolina.

8 p.m. — Idaho at Southern California, PAC 12 Network Grayson’s Callen Hightower (No. 6) is a wide receiver for Idaho. Buford’s Ryan Dillard (No. 28) is a defensive back and North Gwinnett’s Daniel Imatorbhebhe (No. 49) is a tight end for USC. 8 p.m. — Oregon at Michigan State, ABC Brookwood’s Nick Tompkins (No. 32) is a running back for Michigan State.

8 p.m. — South Alabama at Nebraska, Big Ten Network Norcross’ A.J. Bush (No. 6) is a quarterback and Grayson’s Mohamed Barry (No. 18) is a linebacker for Nebraska.

8 p.m. — Florida International at Indiana, Big Ten Network Collins Hill’s Julian Williams (No. 82) is a wide receiver for FIU. 8 p.m. — Temple at Cincinnati, ESPN News Norcross’ Kevin Mouhon (No. 48) is a linebacker and Norcross’ Silverberry Mouhon (No. 92) is a defensive end for Cincy.

9:15 p.m. — LSU at Mississippi State, ESPN Buford’s Reid Ferguson (No. 50) is a snapper, Buford’s Blake Ferguson (No. 53) is a snapper and Buford’s Vadal Alexander (No. 74) is an offensive lineman for LSU. Norcross’ Nathan Swanson (No. 59) is a snapper for Mississippi State.

10:15 p.m. — San Jose State at Air Force, ESPNU Dacula’s Dexter Walker (No. 5) is a linebacker and Mill Creek’s A.J. Ruechel (No. 58) is an offensive lineman for Air Force.

10:30 p.m. — Central Florida at Stanford, FS1 Buford’s Dontravious Wilson (No. 7) is a running back, Buford’s Tre Neal (No. 33) is a defensive back and Shiloh’s Cam Stewart (No. 83) is a wide receiver for Central Florida.

Oklahoma State running back and Parkview grad Chris Carson (32) hurdles Central Michigan defensive back Josh Cox (14) during the second half of the Cowboys’ 2015 season opener. (Photo: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports)

4B • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

falcons preview POSITION-BY-POSITION BREAKDOWN QUARTERBACKS — Starter: Matt Ryan. Backup: Sean Renfree.

Ryan, who completed 72.2 percent of his passes during the exhibition season, has been sharp working in the new offense.

The Falcons also made a change at backup quarterback after Renfree beat out Yates and Grossman. Renfree completed 72.2 percent of his passes and had no interceptions during the preseason. Yates only completed 60.3 percent of his passes and tossed two interceptions. The Falcons carried Renfree, a seventh-round pick out of Duke in the 2013 NFL Draft, as the third quarterback last season. He was inactive for all games and has not taken a snap in a regular-season game.

RUNNING BACKS — Starters: Devonta Freeman, FB Patrick DiMarco. Backups: Tevin Coleman, Terron Ward. Others: FB Collin Mooney (backup, IR).

The Falcons’ rushing attack showed some signs of life in the exhibition finale against the Ravens, led by rookie Tevin Coleman, who flashed the speed he showed at Indiana while rushing for more than 2,000 yards last season. He rushed eight times for 56 yards. Terron Ward had a strong outing, while rushing for 69 yards on 18 carries. The Falcons are hopeful that Devonta Freeman, who suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 6, is ready for the opener against the Eagles. He was working with the first-team offense before the injury. The Falcons like his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The team is likely headed for split situations with Freeman and Coleman.

WIDE RECEIVERS — Starters: Julio Jones, Roddy White.

Backups: Leonard Hankerson, Devin Hester, Justin Hardy, Nick Williams and Eric Weems.

Jones, who recently signed a five-year, $71.25 million contract extension, had a fine offseason. He’s hoping follow up a 100-catch, 1,500-yard season and become more of a factor in the red zone after scoring just six touchdowns in 2014. White, who caught 80 passes last season, had elbow surgery and missed the final two exhibition games. He’s expected to be available for the opener. White is still a precise route-runner and will make the tough catch over the middle. Hankerson and Williams, who were with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when he was in Washington, are steady route-runners. Hardy, a rookie, and Hester provide some depth to the unit. Weems is mostly a specials teamer.

TIGHT ENDS — Starter: Jacob Tamme. Backup: Levine Toilolo.

Others: Beau Gardner (Backup, IR.) Tamme is considered the pass-catcher and Toilolo, who started last season, the blocking tight end. In the exhibition season, Tamme had just one catch for 13 years and suffered a back injury. Toilolo, who struggled with his pass-catching last season, caught six passes for 66 yards. Tamme, 30, formerly of the Denver Broncos, is trying to revive his career after catching 14 and 20 passes in the past two seasons. He has played in 107 games and made 23 starts. Over his career he has caught 178 of 277 targets (64.2 percent) for 1,703 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Toilolo started last season, but did not develop into the red zone threat that the Falcons envisioned when he was drafted. Toilolo played 958 snaps last season. He was the 32nd ranked (out of 35) tight ends who played more than 50 percent of his teams snaps in 2014, according to profootballfocus.com. He caught 31 of 54 targets (57.4 percent) for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — Starters: LT Jake Matthews, LG Andy Levitre, C James Stone, RG Chris Chester, RT Ryan Schraeder. Backups: G Mike Person, T Bryce Harris, T Tyler Polumbus, C Joe Hawley. Others: T Lamar Holmes (backup, PUP) and G Jon Asamoah (backup, IR).

The Falcons, who opened last season with Matthews at left tackle, Justin Blalock at left guard, Hawley at center, Asamoah at right guard and Holmes at right tackle, have replaced four of the starters and have five new veterans on the unit from other teams as the Falcons have shifted to an outside zone blocking system.

Levitre was picked up in a trade with Tennessee at the end of training camp. The Falcons spent the later part of the offseason trying to fortify the offensive line to find better schemes fits as the plan to run the ball better in the outside zone blocking scheme. They snapped up Polumbus, Chester and Harris after they were cut by their former teams. There was some alarm after the unit turned in a porous showing in the third exhibition game against the Miami Dolphins. Stone beat out Hawley, the incumbent who is coming back from double-ligament knee surgery. The line showed some promise in the run game against Baltimore in the regular season finale. How quickly Chris Chester can blend the unit together could determine how successful the offensive will be in 2015.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN — Starters: DRE Vic Beasley Jr., DT Ra’Shede Hageman, NT Paul Soliai, DLE Tyson Jackson.

Backups: DE Malliciah Goodman, DE/DT Adrian Clayborn, DT Jonathan Babineaux, DT Grady Jarrett. Others: DT Ricky HaviliHeimuli (backup, IR) The Falcons had veterans Jackson and Soliai, former 3-4 fits at end and nose tackle, slim down over the offseason in order to be quicker off the ball. They want to create a penetrating front four.

Beasley was taken with the sixth overall pick to help breathe some life into an anemic pass rush. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has compared his quickness off the line of scrimmage to former Falcons defensive end John Abraham. The Falcons also added Clayborn, a former defensive end who will play tackle in the nickel package. He recorded two sacks in the exhibition season and the 8.0 team sacks recorded were promising after the Falcons had just 22 sacks last season. The key could be the play of second-year man Ra’Shede Hageman.

LINEBACKERS — Starters: SLB Kroy Biermann, MLB Paul Worrilow, WLB Justin Durant. Backups: Allen Bradford, O’Brien Schofield, Joplo Bartu, Nate Stupar and Brooks Reed.

With Reed out to start the season, Biermann, a converted defensive end, is slated to start at strong-side linebacker.

He played some outside linebacker in the 3-4 last season, but struggled. Reed and Durant were added in free agency to help improve he unit. Durant’s speed is an asset if he can stay healthy. Worrilow, the team’s leading tackler the past two seasons, retained his position and is the defensive signal caller.

Bartu, who started on the strong side last season, is available if Biermann can’t deliver. Stupar and Bradford should shine on special teams.

DEFENSIVE BACKS — Starters: LCB Desmond Trufant, SS William Moore, FS Ricardo Allen, RCB Robert Alford. Backups: CB Jalen Collins, CB Phillip Adams, CB Dezmen Southward, S Robenson Therezie, S Kemal Ishmael, S Charles Godfrey. Others: CB Travis Howard (backup, IR).

Allen is a converted cornerback and has looked fine in his switch to free safety. His speed, range and tackling ability led the new staff to make the move. Defensive backs coaches Marquand Manuel and defensive passing game coordinator Raheem Morris have helped to develop him. Moore battled through a calf injury but is ready for the opener. Ishamael and Therizie, an undrafted rookie, will help on specials teams. Godfrey, a former starter in the league, is insurance if Moore, who has been injury prone, falls apart physically.

SPECIAL TEAMS — K Matt Bryant, P Matt Bosher, KR/PR Devin Hester, LS Josh Harris.

Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, who was interviewed for the head coaching vacancy before Dan Quinn was hired, will build his units around the solid kicking and punting of Bosher and Bryant. Bosher handles the punting and kickoffs.

He averaged 4.8 seconds on his open-field punts last season, which was tops in the league, according to profootballfocus. com. Bryant still has plus-50 range at age 37. Harris is back for long-snapping duties while the incomparable Hester returns to handle return duties. Hester has been bothered by toe and ankle injuries and has former special teams Pro Bowler Weems backing him up.

PRACTICE SQUAD — OLB Tyler Starr, LB Derek Akunne, RB Mike Gillislee, OLB Stansly Maponga, NT Joey Mbu, TE Marcel Jensen, QB Matt Simms.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs onto the field before their preseason game against Tennessee on Aug. 14. (Photo: Jason Getz/USA Today Sports)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn celebrates with players after the Falcons forced a turnover against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 14 at the Georgia Dome. (Photo: Jason Getz/USA Today Sports)

Custom stamp

Quinn puts his imprint on Falcons roster The Sports Xchange

FLOWERY BRANCH — After the firing of head coach Mike Smith, the Atlanta Falcons front office was restructured with his successor Dan Quinn receiving the final authority over the roster.

The retooled roster, with new offensive and defensive schemes, is set to open the season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons are projected to have four new starters on offense and six on the defense, which ranked last in the league in 2014.

That’s a 45.4 percent turnover from the starting lineup that took the field in Game 16 with a chance to win the NFC South last season.

Both guards, Justin Blalock and Jon Asamoah, were replaced by Chris Chester and Andy Levitre.

Tight end Levine Toilolo has been replaced by Jacob Tamme and running back Jacquizz Rodgers will be replaced by Devonta Freeman or Tevin Coleman.

On the defensive side of the ball, tackle Jonathan Babineaux, defensive end Malliciah Goodman, linebacker Joplo Bartu and safety Kemal Ishmael are all now reserves.

Cornerback Robert McClain and safety Dwight Lowery were not re-signed.

“I was impressed by the approach all offseason, camp and the preseason,” Quinn said. “I like the group we have put together after a very competitive camp, and I am looking forward to us hitting the field this week to prepare for Week 1.”

Owner Arthur Blank is looking forward to the season and has some high expectations for his new coach and a franchise that is trying to rebound from two losing seasons.

“We’re not about rebuilding and building,” Blank said. “We’re about winning, and we’re about winning now.”

Running back Antone Smith, a stalwart on special teams, was one of the surprise cuts as the Falcons

EAGLES AT FALCONS When: Monday, 7:10 p.m.

Where: Georgia Dome TV: ESPN Series history: 29th regular-season meeting. The Eagles lead the series 15-12-1. The two teams haven’t meet since 2012. The Eagles have won the past two meetings, including a 35-31 victory on Sept. 18, 2011, at the Georgia Dome. The most historic meeting between the two teams was in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 23, 2005, on a frigid day. Donovan McNabb led the Eagles to a gritty 24-10 victory over Michael Vick and the Falcons to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

Game plan: The revamped Falcons defense, which will feature six new starters, will face a stiff challenge in its first outing. The Eagles have stockpiled offensive weapons, including running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews and rookie wide receivers Nelson Agholor. The Falcons must be ready for a dizzying array of formations and will need to get some pressure on quarterback Sam Bradford.

Matchups to watch: • Eagles WR Nelson Agholor, the 20th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, vs. Falcons CB Desmond Trufant, who missed part of the exhibition season with a shoulder strain. Agholor, who had a fine exhibition season, is a perfect fit in Chip Kelly’s offensive attack. Trufant is the Falcons’ top cornerback and last season covered the opposition’s top receiver.

• Eagles RT Lane Johnson, who started 12 games last season, vs. Falcons DE Vic Beasley, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Don’t expect the Falcons to lineup Beasley too much over left tackle Jason Peters, a seven-time Pro Bowler. They’ll like the matchup against Johnson better. Beasley, Clemson’s all-time leading sack master, was added to help improve the Falcons’ pass-rush.

• Eagles LOLB Connor Barwin, who’s coming off a 14.5 sack season, vs. Falcons RT Ryan Schraeder, who struggled against Miami’s defensive front in the third exhibition game. Barwin, who has developed into a strong edge rusher, went to his first Pro Bowl after last season. Schrader, a former undrafted rookie from Valdosta State, started 10 of 13 games last season. He has struggled in the past with athletic rushers.

reached an injury settlement with him.

In addition to Smith, the Falcons released linebacker Derek Akunne, outside linebacker Tyler Starr, tackle Pierce Burton, cornerback Akeem King, Eric Lefeld, linebacker Stansly Maponga, nose tackle Joey Mbu and wide receiver Carlton Mitchell.

The Falcons waived injured offensive lineman Adam Replogle, running back Jerome Smith and tight end D.J. Tialavea. Atlanta also placed Asamoah, fullback Collin Mooney and cornerback Travis Howard on injured reserve.

The Falcons reached an injury settlement with tight end Tony Moeaki (ankle).

The Falcons released quarterbacks T.J. Yates and Rex Grossman on Friday along with safety Sean Baker, linebacker Terrell

Manning, tackle Jake Rodgers, guard Jared Smith, cornerback Kevin White and defensive end Cliff Matthews.

The Levitre move was designed to help replace Blalock and stabilize the left guard position.

The Falcons gave the Titans a sixth-round pick in 2016 and a conditional pick in a future year in exchange for Levitre, who has made 96 starts in the NFL. “Both coach Quinn and I have been very open about always looking for ways to improve our roster, and we felt this move did exactly that,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said.

“Andy is a proven player in this league, and we feel like he will be a good fit for our offensive line.”

After Steven Jackson, Rodgers and Antone Smith carried most of the load at

LIVE SCORING

running back last season, the Falcons have completely revamped the position.

Jackson and Rodgers were not re-signed and the Falcons reached an injury settlement with Smith.

The Falcons elected to keep running backs Devonta Freeman (fourthround pick in 2014), Tevin Coleman (third-round pick 2015) and Terron Ward (undrafted rookie free agent 2015).

With the release of Yates and Grossman, the Falcons are prepared to enter the season with quarterback Sean Renfree, who hasn’t played in a regular-season game, as the backup to two-time Pro Bowler Matt Ryan.

Ryan has proved to be durable. He hasn’t missed a game since the 2009 season. His streak of 87 starts in a row is the fifth longest among active quarterbacks despite playing under severe duress the last two seasons.

Notes: The Falcons were so high on defensive back Dezmen Southward last season that they selected him with a third-round pick and felt he would be the team’s free safety. But with Quinn liking bigger cornerbacks, the 6-foot2, 210-pound Southward was moved to cornerback.

He struggled during the exhibition season, but did enough on specials teams to make the team. ... Running back Terron Ward, an undrafted rookie from Oregon State and brother of Denver Broncos standout safety T.J. Ward, shined during the preseason and made the roster. He took advantage of the extra playing time he received with running backs Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman missing time because of hamstring injuries. ... Strong safety Robenson Therezie, an undrafted rookie free agent from Auburn, made the roster with his hard-hitting style of play. ... Linebacker Brooks Reed had surgery to repair a lingering groin injury. He could miss up to six weeks. ... Left tackle Jake Matthews (back) did not play in the preseason finale.

Sign up at twitter.com and follow gdpfootball. You’ll get Gwinnett football scoring updates and key game stats every Friday night as well as breaking news during the week.

gwinnettdailypost.com

Braves batter Philly for series win Atlanta’s season-high 18 hits.

Atlanta (56-84), which PHILADELPHIA — won for just the third time Julio Teheran pitched in its last 23 games, took seven strong innings and two out of three in the center fielder Michael series — its first series Bourn went 4-for-5 with victory since winning two a two-run triple as the of three against Arizona, Atlanta Braves beat the Aug. 14-16.

Philadelphia Phillies 8-1 It was also the Braves’ on Wednesday night, giv- first victory in a road ing Atlanta its first series series since winning two victory in three weeks. of three at Milwaukee, Right fielder Nick July 6-8.

Markakis, first baseman The Phillies (54-86), Freddie Freeman and third who scored their only run baseman Hector Olivera on a second-inning infield all reached base four times out off the bat of third for Atlanta, with Markabaseman Cody Asche, lost kis scoring two runs and for the 12th time in 16 Freeman contributing a games. two-run single. Catcher Teheran (10-7) allowed Christian Bethancourt one run and four hits while homered and had three of striking out four and walkBy Gordie Jones The Sports Xchange

ing two. He is the Braves’ only winning pitcher.

Phillies starter David Buchanan (2-8) lasted just 3 1/3 innings and allowed four runs and 10 hits. He didn’t record a strikeout, while walking three and hitting a batter.

The Braves loaded the bases with none out in the top of the first but had to settle for one run when left fielder Nick Swisher grounded into a double play.

Phillies left fielder Darnell Sweeney tripled with one out in the second and scored the tying run on a hard one-hopper to the mound off the bat of Asche.

Atlanta went back on top with three runs in the

fourth. Bethancourt hit Buchanan’s first pitch of the inning, a cut fastball, into the seats in right for his second homer of the season.

With the bases loaded and one out, Freeman lined a two-run single to right field, giving the Braves a 4-1 lead.

Atlanta added single runs in the sixth and seventh off reliever Ken Roberts, on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Andrelton Simmons and a single by Markakis.

Bourn, who began the night hitting just .138 in 24 games with Atlanta, added his two-run triple in the eighth off reliever Nefi Ogando, who was making his major league debut.

Federer, Wawrinka move into semis The Sports Xchange FLUSHING, N.Y. — Second-seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland advanced to his 38th Grand Slam semifinal with a win in straight sets over 12thseeded Richard Gasquet of France on Wednesday evening in a U.S. Open men’s quarterfinal in New York.

Federer dispatched Gasquet 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 and never faced a break point in the match while breezing to the win. He’ll face countryman Stan Wawrinka in a semifinal on Friday.

Wawrinka, the fifth seed, rolled to a 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 victory over South African Kevin Anderson, the No. 15 seed. Anderson had ousted third-seeded Andy Murray to reach his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal, but he had 42 unforced errors against Wawrinka.

Baseball NATIONAL LEAGUE East Division

W L Pct GB L10 New York............78.61..561....—...7-3 Washington........71.68..511..... 7.. 5-5 Miami.................59.81..421.19.5...7-3 Atlanta...............56.84..400.22.5.. 2-8 Philadelphia.......54.86..386.24.5....2-8 Central Division

W L Pct GB L10 St. Louis.............88.51..633....—.. 5-5 Pittsburgh...........83.55..601.. 4.5.. 4-6 Chicago.............80.58..580... 7.5...7-3 Milwaukee..........61.78..439... 27...7-3 Cincinnati...........57.81..413.30.5.. 4-6 West Division

W L Pct GB L10 St. Louis.............88.51..633....—.. 5-5 Pittsburgh...........83.55..601.. 4.5.. 4-6 Chicago.............80.58..580... 7.5...7-3 Milwaukee..........61.78..439... 27...7-3 Cincinnati...........57.81..413.30.5.. 4-6 Monday’s Games N.Y. Mets 8, Washington 5 Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 1 Milwaukee 9, Miami 1 Chicago Cubs 9, St. Louis 0 Arizona 6, San Francisco 1 Colorado 6, San Diego 4 Atlanta 7, Philadelphia 2 Tuesday’s Games Philadelphia 5, Atlanta 0 N.Y. Mets 8, Washington 7 Pittsburgh 7, Cincinnati 3 Miami 6, Milwaukee 4 Chicago Cubs 8, St. Louis 5 San Francisco 6, Arizona 2 San Diego 2, Colorado 1 Wednesday’s Games St. Louis 4, Chicago Cubs 3 Atlanta 8, Philadelphia 1 N.Y. Mets 5, Washington 3 Pittsburgh 5, Cincinnati 4 Miami 5, Milwaukee 2 Colorado (Rusin 5-7) at San Diego (Shields 10-6), late San Francisco (Heston 11-9) at Arizona (Godley 4-1), late Today’s Games Colorado (De La Rosa 9-6) at San Diego (Ross 10-10), 3:40 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Arrieta 18-6) at Philadelphia (Morgan 5-5), 7:05 p.m.

Milwaukee (Peralta 5-8) at Pittsburgh (Burnett 8-5), 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Colon 13-11) at Atlanta (Miller 5-13), 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis (Garcia 8-4) at Cincinnati (Lamb 0-3), 7:10 p.m.

AMERICAN LEAGUE East Division

W L Pct GB L10 Toronto...............79.59..572....—...7-3 New York............77.61..558..... 2.. 6-4 Tampa Bay.........68.71..489. 11.5.. 5-5 Baltimore...........67.72..482.12.5.. 4-6 Boston...............65.73..471....14.. 6-4 Central Division

W L Pct GB L10 Kansas City.......83.55..601....—.. 4-6 Minnesota..........71.67..514....12.. 5-5 Cleveland...........67.70..489.15.5.. 6-4 Chicago.............66.71..482.16.5.. 6-4 Detroit................64.75..460.19.5.. 4-6 West Division

W L Pct GB L10 Houston.............75.64..540....—.. 4-6 Texas.................73.64..533..... 1...7-3 Los Angeles.......69.69..500.. 5.5.. 4-6 Seattle...............66.73..475..... 9.. 6-4 Oakland.............60.79..432....15.. 5-5 Tuesday’s Games Baltimore 2, N.Y. Yankees 1 Detroit 8, Tampa Bay 7, 13 innings Toronto 5, Boston 1, 10 innings Chicago White Sox 7, Cleveland 4 Kansas City 4, Minnesota 2 Oakland 4, Houston 0 Texas 9, Seattle 6 Wednesday’s Games

Roger Federer hits an overhead to Richard Gasquet at the U.S. Open on Wednesday in Flushing, N.Y. (Photo: Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports)

In women’s play, second-seeded Simona Halep of Romania advanced to her third career Grand Slam semifinal, beating 20th-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

The match was delayed early in the third set by rain.

Next up for Halep is a

clash with Flavia Pennetta.

The 26th-seeded Italian rallied to beat fifth-seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The other women’s semifinal will feature topseeded Serena Williams against unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci. The other men’s semifinal later this

week will feature topseeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia and ninth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia, the defending champion.

Halep reached the 2014 French Open final and the semifinals at Wimbledon last year.

Pennetta, 33, is headed to her second semifinal in a major event, with the other being the 2013 U.S. Open. She prevailed Wednesday afternoon despite extreme heat and humidity.

“It’s not just the heat, it’s the tension of the match, and what you’re thinking,” Pennetta said. “There are so many things in your mind. You have to take everything and just play your tennis. It’s not a good feeling when you feel so tired and you can’t move very well. We played a really tough match for more than two hours.”

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 • 5B PREP ROUNDUP

Generals rally to top young Titans From Staff Reports

lins Hill pitcher Sophie Mooney pitched a comSNELLVILLE — Shiloh plete game, lifting the dropped the first set but Eagles to a 5-2 win over rallied to defeat Discovery Shiloh on Wednesday. in four sets on Thursday.

Mooney struck out seven The Generals lost the first and improved to 6-2 on set 25-23 but swept the the season for the Eagles next three 25-17, 25-10, (10-5).

25-17.

She also contributed two DaBorah Head led Shihits and drove in a pair of loh (5-10) with 28 digs and runs. seven aces. Amari Blakely Jamie Hoover and Madicontributed 20 digs and son Chappell also had two five assists while teammate hits for Collins Hill. Tori Stephanie Burke registered Adcox, Bri Painer, Madifour kills and 19 digs. son Simmons and Jessica Neadow also contributed SOFTBALL key hits in the victory.

Adia Polk had two hits Collins Hill 5, Shiloh 2 and drove in a run for the SNELLVILLE — ColGenerals (8-8).

IN BRIEF

Chicago Bears sign Grayson’s Williams to practice squad

Grayson grad Terry Williams didn’t make the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster, but he returned to the team when he was signed to the practice squad this week.

The 6-foot-1, 322-pounder is a rookie who just finished his career at East Carolina. He had his best season as a senior, when he earned All-American Athletic Conference honors.

Collins Hill softball hosting Home Run Derby on Saturday

The Collins Hill softball team will host its 9th annual Home Run Derby this Saturday.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the event will raise money for the program’s facilities, training and instruction. This year the Eagles will also be hosting a cornhole tournament during the fundraiser. The Derby will be split into two divisions, 13-and-under and 14-and-up.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three spots in both divisions.

Registration, rules, prizes and payment options can be found on the team’s website chhssoftball.com or you can email the team for more info at chsoftball2015@ gmail.com.

— From staff reports

SPORTS AT A GLANCE Baltimore 5, N.Y. Yankees 3 Tampa Bay 8, Detroit 0 Toronto (Hutchison 13-3) at Boston (Kelly 9-6), late Cleveland (Tomlin 4-1) at Chicago White Sox (Samardzija 9-11), late Minnesota (Pelfrey 6-9) at Kansas City (Medlen 3-1), late Houston (McHugh 15-7) at Oakland (Brooks 1-2), late Texas (Perez 2-4) at Seattle (Nuno 0-2), late Today’s Games Texas (Holland 3-1) at Seattle (Hernandez 16-8), 3:40 p.m.

Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (Severino 3-2), 7:05 p.m.

Detroit (Simon 12-9) at Cleveland (Salazar 12-8), 7:10 p.m.

INTERLEAGUE AT AMERICAN LEAGUE Monday’s Game L.A. Dodgers 7, L.A. Angels 5 Tuesday’s Game L.A. Dodgers 6, L.A. Angels 4 Wednesday’s Game L.A. Dodgers (Latos 0-2) at L.A. Angels (Richards 13-10), late

Basketball Women’s National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE

W L Pct GB New York..........23.... 9..... .719..... — Chicago...........20...12..... .625.......3 Indiana............. 18...14..... .562.......5 Washington...... 17...15..... .531.......6 Atlanta............. 14...18..... .438.......9 Connecticut...... 14...19..... .424....9.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE

W L Pct GB Minnesota........22...11..... .667..... — Phoenix............ 19...13..... .594....2.5 Tulsa................ 17...15..... .531....4.5 Los Angeles..... 14...19..... .424.......8 Seattle...............9.. 23..... .281.. 12.5 San Antonio.......7.. 26..... .212.....15 Tuesday’s Games Washington 76, Indiana 72, OT Tulsa 74, San Antonio 64 Minnesota 73, Seattle 67 Wednesday’s Games New York 74, Connecticut 64 Atlanta 90, Los Angeles 60 Friday’s Games Washington at New York, 7:30 p.m.

Indiana at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Tulsa at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

Minnesota at Seattle, 10 p.m.

Football National Football League Today’s Game Pittsburgh at New England, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday’s Games Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Houston, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.

Indianapolis at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Miami at Washington, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Seattle at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.

Detroit at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.

Tennessee at Tampa Bay, 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

Baltimore at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Monday’s Games Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.

Minnesota at San Francisco, 10:20 p.m.

College Football The Coaches Poll

Record Pts Prv 1. Ohio State (63)..........1-0.. 1,599...... 1 2. Alabama (1)..............1-0.. 1,485...... 3 3. Texas Christian.........1-0.. 1,464...... 2 4. Baylor........................1-0.. 1,349...... 4 5. Oregon......................1-0.. 1,279...... 5

6. Michigan State..........1-0.. 1,252...... 6 7. Auburn.......................1-0.. 1,190...... 7 8. Florida State.............1-0.. 1,090...... 8 9. Georgia.....................1-0.. 1,075...... 9 10. Southern California.1-0.. 1,035.... 10 11. Notre Dame.............1-0..... 994.... 11 12. Clemson..................1-0..... 870.... 12 13. UCLA......................1-0......801.... 14 14. Mississippi..............1-0..... 735.... 15 15. Louisiana State...... 0-0..... 734.... 13 16. Georgia Tech...........1-0..... 651.... 17 17. Oklahoma................1-0..... 541.... 19 18. Arkansas.................1-0..... 495.... 20 19. Texas A&M..............1-0..... 418...NR 20. Arizona....................1-0..... 336.... 22 21. Missouri...................1-0......301.... 23 22. Boise State.............1-0..... 277.... 24 23. Tennessee...............1-0..... 212.... 25 24. Wisconsin............... 0-1..... 108.... 18 25. Utah........................1-0..... 106...NR Others receiving votes: Mississippi State 97, Arizona State 66, Oklahoma State 52, Northwestern 35, Kansas State 23, Brigham Young 23, South Carolina 22, Duke 15, West Virginia 13, Miami 12, Florida 7, Louisville 6, Marshall 6, Minnesota 5, North Carolina State 4, Nebraska 3, Maryland 3, Temple 3, Illinois 2, Pittsburgh 2, Stanford 1, Louisiana Tech 1, California 1, Memphis 1.

College Schedule Today SOUTH Southern (0-1) at Mississippi Valley State (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

Bethel (TN) (0-0) at Tennessee-Martin (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

MIDWEST Maryville (TN) (1-0) at East Tennessee State (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

Friday SOUTH Bacone College (0-1) at Texas Southern (0-1), 8 p.m.

Saturday EAST Richmond (0-1) at Hampton (1-0), Noon Morehead State (0-1) at Virginia Military (0-1), 1:30 p.m.

Rhode Island (0-1) at Albany (0-1), 3:30 p.m.

Lehigh (1-0) at James Madison (1-0), 4 p.m.

Duquesne (1-0) at Bucknell (1-0), 6 p.m.

Lafayette (0-1) at Delaware (0-1), 6 p.m.

New Hampshire (0-1) at Colgate (0-1), 6 p.m.

Central Connecticut State (0-1) at Stony Brook (0-0), 6 p.m.

St. Francis (1-0) at Towson (0-1), 6 p.m.

Villanova (0-1) at Fordham (1-0), 6 p.m.

Marist (0-1) at Georgetown (0-1), 6 p.m.

SOUTH Mars Hill (0-1) at Chattanooga (0-0), 1 p.m.

Jacksonville (1-0) at Newberry (1-0), 1 p.m.

Florida A&M (0-1) at Samford (1-0), 3 p.m.

Edward Waters (0-1) at Kennesaw State (1-0), 4 p.m.

Coastal Carolina (1-0) at South Carolina State (1-0), 6 p.m.

Elon University (0-1) at Gardner Webb (0-1), 6 p.m.

Chowan (1-0) at Campbell (1-0), 6 p.m.

Stetson (1-0) at Mercer (1-0), 6 p.m.

Western Carolina (1-0) at The Citadel (1-0), 6 p.m.

Tennessee Tech (0-1) at Wofford (0-1), 7 p.m.

Bethune Cookman (0-1) at Grambling State (0-1), 7 p.m.

Catawba (0-1) at Davidson (0-1), 7 p.m.

Alcorn State (0-1) at Alabama State (0-1), 7 p.m.

Incarnate Word (1-0) at McNeese State (0-0), 7 p.m.

Tennessee State (1-0) at Jackson State (0-1), 7 p.m.

Florida Tech (0-1) at Southeastern Louisiana (1-0), 8 p.m.

Northern Colorado (1-0) at Houston Baptist (1-0), 8 p.m.

MIDWEST Sacred Heart (1-0) at Valparaiso (0-1), 2 p.m.

Eastern Washington (0-1) at Northern Iowa (0-1), 2 p.m.

Chadron State (1-0) at Missouri State (0-1), 3 p.m.

Weber State (0-1) at North Dakota State

(0-1), 3:30 p.m.

Drake (1-0) at North Dakota (1-0), 6 p.m.

Franklin (0-1) at Butler (0-1), 6:30 p.m.

Southern Utah (0-1) at South Dakota State (1-0), 7 p.m.

Morehouse (1-0) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-1), 7 p.m.

Robert Morris (0-1) at Youngstown State (0-1), 7 p.m.

Southern Illinois (0-1) at SE Missouri State (0-1), 7 p.m.

Morgan State (0-1) at Illinois State (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

WEST Portland State (1-0) at Idaho State (1-0), 6:05 p.m.

New Mexico Highlands (0-1) at Northern Arizona (1-0), 7 p.m.

South Dakota (0-1) at UC - Davis (0-1), 9 p.m.

Western New Mexico (1-0) at San Diego (0-1), 9 p.m.

Georgia Sports Writers Association High School Football Poll Class AAAAAA (First place votes in parentheses) Last School Points Week 1. Archer (8) 160 1 2. Colquitt County (5) 153 2 3. McEachern (4) 146 3 4. Grayson 111 4 5. Roswell 94 5 6. Etowah 77 6 7. Mill Creek 71 7 8. Lee County 40 8 9. Norcross 33 9 10. Walton 30 NR Others receiving votes: Tucker 7, Alpharetta 6, Camden County 4, Lassiter 3, North Gwinnett 1, Tift County 1. Dropped out: Lassiter.

Class AAAAA (First place votes in parentheses) Last School Points Week 1. Northside-WR (15) 163 1 2. Ware County 144 3 3. Houston County (2) 137 2 4. Stockbridge 114 4 5. Jones County 100 5 6. Mays 84 6 7. Lanier 69 7 8. East Paulding 43 9 9. Kell 18 10 10. Creekside 17 NR Others receiving votes: Glynn Academy 16, Coffee County 14, Allatoona 8, South Paulding 6, Warner Robins 2. Dropped out: Glynn Academy.

Class AAAA (First place votes in parentheses) Last School Points Week 1. Woodward Academy (8) 155 2 2. Cartersville (5) 149 3 3. Buford (4) 148 1 4. Jonesboro 107 5 5. West Laurens 92 6 6. Burke County 62 NR 7. Sandy Creek 54 8 8. Mary Persons 51 NR 9. Thomson 27 NR 10. Marist 24 10 Others receiving votes: Griffin 23, Bainbridge 20, St. Pius X 8, Howard 4, Whitewater 4, Cairo 3, Eagle’s Landing 1, Wayne County 1. Dropped out: Griffin, St. Piux X, Cairo.

Class AAA (First place votes in parentheses) Last School Points Week 1. Calhoun (16) 169 1 2. Blessed Trinity (1) 154 2 3. Jefferson 133 4 4. Elbert County 117 5 5. Hart County 97 6 6. Central-Carollton 74 t9 7. Cedar Grove 46 8 8. Westminster 38 3

9. West Hall 33 NR 10. Peach County 22 NR Others receiving votes: Oconee County 14, Pierce County 14, Westside-Macon 9, Cook 5, Dodge County 4, Adairsville 3, Laney 3.

Dropped out: Pierce County, Washington County.

Class AA (First place votes in parentheses) Last School Points Week 1. Benedictine (13) 166 1 2. Fitzgerald (4) 151 2 3. GAC 140 3 4. Macon County 111 4 5. Pace Academy 105 5 6. Wesleyan 86 6 7. Screven County 67 7 t8. Darlington 37 9 t8. Vidalia 37 8 10. Lamar County 13 10 Others receiving votes: Dublin 6, Bacon County 4, Model 4, Pelham 3, Brooks County 2, Rabun County 1.

Dropped out: None.

Class A (First place votes in parentheses) Last School Points Week 1. Mt. Paran Christian (17) 170 1 2. Marion County 144 2 3. Prince Ave. Christian 124 5 4. Calvary Day 120 4 5. Charlton County 93 6 6. ELCA 89 3 7. Commerce 65 t8 8. Landmark Christian 48 7 9. Aquinas 29 10 10. Clinch County 20 NR Others receiving votes: Lincoln County 9, Irwin County 7, Pacelli 6, Tattnall Square 6, Turner County 4.

Dropped out: Irwin County.

Tennis U.S. Open At Billie Jean King National Tennis Center New York, N.Y. Purse: $19,852,700 Surface: Hard (outside) Men Singles Quarterfinals Wednesday Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def.

Feliciano Lopez (18), Spain, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Roger Federer (2), Switzerland, def.

Richard Gasquet (12), France, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

Stan Wawrinka (5), Switzerland, def.

Kevin Anderson (15), South Africa, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.

Women Singles Quarterfinals Tuesday Serena Williams (1), United States, def. Venus Williams (23), United States, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

Roberta Vinci, Italy, def. Kristina Mladenovic, France, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Wednesday Simona Halep (2), Romania, def.

Victoria Azarenka (20), Belarus, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Flavia Pennetta (26), Italy, def. Petra Kvitova (5), Czech Republic, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Transactions BASEBALL American League NEW YORK YANKEES—Activated LHP CC Sabathia from the 15-day DL. Outrighted RF Tyler Austin to Trenton (EL).

OAKLAND ATHLETICS—Signed

manager Bob Melvin to a two-year contract extension.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Outrighted RF Daniel Dorn to Buffalo (IL).

National League ST. LOUIS CARDINALS—Activated 1B Matt Adams from the 60-day DL. Designated LHP Nick Greenwood for assignment.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association CLEVELAND CAVALIERS—Signed C Sasha Kaun.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS—Signed PG Marcelo Huertas.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS—Signed G Kendall Marshall.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL NORTH FLORIDA—Signed head coach Matthew Driscoll to a four-year contract extension.

TEXAS CHRISTIAN—Announced G Hudson Price will miss the remainder of the season due to NCAA transfer rules.

FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS—Cut RB Marion Grice and DB Jimmy Legree.

ATLANTA FALCONS—Added G Ben Garland to the practice squad.

Waived RB Jerome Smith and TE D.J. Tialavea.

BUFFALO BILLS—Added DB Merrill Noel to the practice squad. Cut TE Nick O’Leary and QB Alex Tanney.

CAROLINA PANTHERS—Added C Shane McDermott to the practice squad. Cut DB Carrington Byndom.

CHICAGO BEARS—Added RB Bronson Hill to the practice squad.

DALLAS COWBOYS—Added DB Ayodeji Olatoye to the practice squad.

DETROIT LIONS—Added WR Kendrick Ings to the practice squad. Cut WR Andrew Peacock.

GREEN BAY PACKERS—Cut WR Jimmie Hunt.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS—Cut DB Matt Daniels.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS—Cut WR Junior Hemingway. Placed OL Paul Fanaika on IR. Signed LB Dezman Moses to a one-year, $610,000 contract. Waived LB Josh Martin.

MIAMI DOLPHINS—Added DB Jonathan Dowling and RB Jonas Gray to the practice squad. Cut QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson and RB Rajion Neal. Waived WR Christion Jones.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Added LB Alex Singleton to the practice squad. Cut G Chris Barker. Placed OL Bryan Stork on IR/Designated for Return. Signed DB Justin Coleman.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—Cut WR Nick Toon.

NEW YORK GIANTS—Added QB G.J. Kinne and DE Gerald Rivers to the practice squad. Cut DB Asa Jackson and NT Louis Nix III. Signed LB Jasper Brinkley.

NEW YORK JETS—Added DE Mike Catapano to the practice squad.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS—Waived G Melvin Meggs.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—Added DB Brandon Dixon to the practice squad.

Waived RB Robert Turbin and DB Triston Wade.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS—Added G Martin Wallace to the practice squad. Waived C Josh Allen.

TENNESSEE TITANS—Added LB Jason Ankrah and DB B.W. Webb to the practice squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS—Added DB Deshazor Everett to the practice squad. Waived WR Evan Spencer.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TENNESSEE—Suspended DL Danny O’Brien one game for a violation of team rules.

0910_GDP_THU_CLASS_Classifieds 9/9/2015 4:06 PM Page B6

B6 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 FULL TIME HEALTHCARE

FULL TIME

HOUSES FOR SALE

NOW HIRING

BUILDING/ CONSTRUCTION TRADES SPECIALIST This ad replaces the previous ad listed as Vacancy Announcement #33-2015.

Fort Yargo State Park Barrow County, GA Title: TS: Building/Const Trades Spec (AL) Entry Salary: $2,026.83/month (Paygrade: 11) Position #: 00098891 Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled building trades work in the repair, maintenance or construction of state buildings and related structures. Installs and maintains security, climate control, and other facilities systems. May serve as lead worker and/or supervise support staff.

Plumbing and electrical experience a plus.

Minimum Qualifications: Three years of experience in building repairs and maintenance or in the specific area of assignment OR Two years of experience at the lower level or position equivalent (FET031).

Note: Some positions may require area specific certifications/licenses.

If you are interested in working for an energetic team and a fast paced environment Rockdale Healthcare Center Is now accepting applications for RN, LPN, MDS COORDINATOR, UNIT MANAGER, and C.N.A. Must be detail oriented and must have GREAT Customer Service skills.

Please email your resume to agrace@ rockdalehc.com or apply in person at 1510 Renaissance Drive NE Conyers, GA 30012

CASH IN! On an Unwanted Item, Run a Gwinnett Daily Post Ad

Note: Applicants that previously applied from DNR Vacancy Announcement #332015 needs to re-apply to be considered for this position.

If interested in applying for this position, please submit an electronic application to the e-mail address below or mail your application to the following address: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division ATTN: Michelle McLaurin 1463 Knox Chapel Rd. Social Circle, GA 30025 Parks4@dnr.ga.gov HVAC Zack Hammonds A/C, Heating, Refrigeration Inc. Seeking Service Technician’s 3 Positions Available • Commercial Refrigeration Technician • Commercial A/C Technician • Residential A/C Technician 5 years experience, Excellent pay & benefits Email or fax resume scott@zack hammonds.com Fax: 770-761-4751

Vacancy Announcement # 35-2015 Deadline Date: 09/08/2015

DELIVERY DRIVER CDL A or B Delivery Driver Building Material Company in Cumming looking for a lumber distribution driver. Duties are, but not limited to: Deliver Building Materials to residential building sites using T/T, tandem axle flatbed, or flatbed dump. Unload or pick up materials from job site. Previous industry experience preferred but willing to train.

Visit bvlumber.com for more info. Please send resume to jack.struve@ bvlumber.com or call 706-300-2378 .

MECHANIC

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Sonoco Protective Solutions located in Conyers, GA has a need for full time Maintenance Technicians.

High commitment to safety is a must! Must be able to maintain and repair plant equipment, perform daily routine maintenance and inspections as required. Must work in a team environment and work on whatever tasks may arise.

Applicant must have a minimum of 24 months experience in Industrial Maintenance and must have knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, steam systems, electrical systems and maintenance programs.

Must be able to operate a forklift Certified Forklift Driver preferred but not required. Must be able to work in an environment that is not climate controlled.

All applicants will be required to perform hands-on skill verification testing Benefits: Sonoco offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: • Medical/Dental/ Vision Insurance • Wellness Incentives • 401K • Life Insurance Pay rate: Starting pay $17.40/hour with progressive increase to $20.11 over 12 months.

Sonoco is an approximately $5 billion dollar global manufacturer of consumer packaging, industrial products and protective packaging services for many of the world’s best known brands. Sonoco employs approximately 25,000 individuals in 347 operations worldwide. Founded in 1899 on the belief that People Build Businesses, we value our people and are committed to giving them every opportunity to use their talent and skills to grow themselves, their careers and our Company. We offer world-class benefits, value people and teamwork, celebrate challenges, reward success, and are committed to employee satisfaction and work/life balance, and are recognized for our commitment to growing future leaders Email resumes to: sarah.discordia@ sonoco.com, or Fax to 770-760-7725

770-232-0154

CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICES

CLEANING

FLOORING

ASPHALT/ CONCRETE

FREE REMOVAL

HARDWOOD FLOORS

Full Time or Part Time The Rock Yard in Duluth.

Call between 8am-2pm.

SERVICE We pick up any of the following items:

ASPHALT, DRIVEWAYS, PARKING LOTS

All scrap metal such as all appliances, air conditioners, lawn mowers, metal windows & doors, garage doors, motorcycles, house & barn tin, gutters & awnings, metal signs, junk cars, old batteries, etc.

• Seal Coating • Striping • Asphalt Repair

*No TVs or computer monitors.

sdlovern@yahoo.com

Call 770-601-8495 404-545-3299 Leave message if no answer.

Call 770-945-2488

MAKE IT A

CAREER

LAKE SINCLAIR 176 Twisting Hill Rd. Beautiful Lake Front Property On Deeded Lot! Inground Salt Water Pool, Detached 2 Car Carport, Front/ Back & Side Porches!

FULL UNFINISHED BASEMENT 4BR/4BA $699,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com LOGANVILLE, GA 30052

BACK ON MARKET! PEMCO HUD HOME #105-734948 5369 Rabbit Farm Rd. 3BR/1.5BA, Full Unfinished Basement • $135,000 INSURED W/ ESCROW • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052

HOUSES FOR SALE

HOUSES FOR SALE

HOUSES FOR SALE

MONROE, GA 30656

Oxford, GA 30054

RUTLEDGE, GA 30663

SNELLVILLE, GA 30078

IN THE

GREAT INCOME POTENTIAL!

EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

REDUCED! 1035 Mountain Church Creek Rd. 4BR/3.5BA Cape Cod On 4 Acres W/Stocked Pond & 4 Horse Stalls Full Finished Basement W/In Law Suite $329,900 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

405 St. Regis Dr. Beautiful 2.76 Acre Lake Lot In The Prestigious St. Regis Neighborhood In Oxford,Ga. Heavily Wooded With Gorgeous Views Of The Lake $48,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

5.05 ACRE LOT 1761 ESTES RD. 3BR/2BA All Electric Mobile Home Great Investment Opportunity $45,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

BRING ALL OFFERS! 2331 Waterford Ln. 2 Story features 4BR & 2.5BA w/ Half Bath On The Main Level.

Brick fireside family room w/ vaulted ceiling. FULL FINISHED BASEMENT! $169,900 • EHO. Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

• Oak • Maple • Cherry • Walnut New Homes Repairs Refinishing Renovations

SPECIALTY WORK

• Borders • Stairways • Medallions Free Estimates Insured/Certified Michael Nanni

770-867-9670

770-962-SELL

GWINNETT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINES

LINERS PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm Thursday 3 pm Friday 3 pm

DISPLAY ADS PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE Friday 3 pm Monday 3 pm Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm

Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

770-962-7355

to speak with a Sales Rep. or you can place an ad online at www.gwinnettdailypost.com 276189-1

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

FOREST

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL

BY M.D. NANNI

The Doctor Is In

HOT NEW LISTING! 106 HOLLY CT. Pristine & Clean All Brick Ranch On Partial Basement 3BR/2BA $174,900 2 ADJACENT LOTS AVAILABLE @ $35,000 EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

To place a Classified ad please call

$65,000

classifieds 404-670-3087

EATONTON, GA 31024

Zoned A-1 Property Has Workshop, Duplex And Outbuilding

PROTECT OUR PLANET

275782-1

LAKE WALTON ESTATES! 6219 WATERS EDGE DRIVE All Brick, Executive Home In One Of Walton County’s Exclusive, Gated Communities Sits Across From Neighborhood Amenities On 2.18 Acres FULL FINISHED BASEMENT 4BR/4 ½ BA $579,900 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

2 Acres McCullers Rd.

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

All Major Credit Cards Accepted

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052

HOUSES FOR SALE

COVINGTON, GA 30014

Snapping Shoals EMC has a position available for a Mechanic. Requires HS Diploma or Equivalent, Associates’ Degree or Certification in Auto Tech.

Minimum 5 years of exp. + training or combination of education and exp. Must be able to obtain CDL license.

Req. knowledge & exp in repair of light to medium weight cars, vans, heavy equip and class 1-8 trucks.

Must be familiar with OBD-2.

Comprehensive Benefits Package.

Application at www.ssemc.com Mail to: Snapping Shoals EMC, Attn: HR, PO Box 509, Covington, GA 30015 EOE

HELP WANTED

HOUSES FOR SALE

FULL TIME

REMODELING, INC. •Finished Basements •Bathroom Remodeling •Kitchen Remodeling •Custom Cabinets •Room Additions •Garages/Carports •Screened Porches •Custom Decks •Siding All Types Call John

770-962-2071 HANDYMAN SOLUTIONS

BY HERNANDO All Home Remodeling Projects & General Repairs Including: HVAC troubleshooting & more!

Over 25 years of exp. in all home repairs & improvements. *Licensed & Insured*

678-482-1702

hcorrales17@gmail.com

Call for a Free Estimate

Expert Take Downs √ 20Years Experience √ Insured √ Free Estimates √ Stump Grinding

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

MIKE’S TREE SERVICE Experienced Tree Work 20+ Years We offer 24 hour Emergency Service •Licensed & Insured •All Tree Service Needs •Landscaping •Fencing •Land Clearing

Tree Removal Prunning Stump Grinding Wood Chipper

References Available

Free Estimate!

770-905-2072

770-714-8250 770-271-7127

www.mandgtreeservice.com

Made in USA

SERENITY LAWN CARE

Summer Seasoned

Oak

M&M Lawn

1/2 Cord - $100 1 Cord - $190

Maintenance

Delivered & Dumped

All Types of Yard Work

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

All Phases of Tree Work

-

***CALL TODAY!*** For a Free Estimate

Bucket Truck

LICENSED

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

* Lawns starting at $30 CALL

770-780-9786

• Any Lawn Work!

If it’s in your yard, we do it!

Landscape Design using any material Trimming & debris Clean Up • Pressure Washing

Call 706-525-1881 or 904-874-1809

POWER WASHING

CASH IN!

PRESSURE WASHING

On an Unwanted Item, Run a Gwinnett Daily Post Ad

HOUSES STARTING AT $89 • Roof Cleaning • Black streaks removed from roof • Mold & Mildew removed from homes • Drives-WalkwaysPatios-Decks cleaned/sealed • Gutters cleaned For a FREE Estimate

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989

0910_GDP_THU_CLASS_Classifieds 9/9/2015 4:06 PM Page B7

gwinnettdailypost.com FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE

APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT

LAND FOR SALE: PUTNAM CO., GA– 119 AC – Great hunting property with Strong creek, hardwoods, and campsite w/ 3 pavilions for campers.

Call Mark Costello with Southern Land Exchange, 706.207.5850 (cell) or 706.549.5050 (office).

GWINNETT DUPLEXES

2 Communities!

One on Singleton Rd. & One on Law’villeSuwanee Rd.! 2BR & 3BR, 2BA, Fireplace, ceilings, vaulted off street parking.

Starting @ $900/mo.

B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828

LAKE/RIVER/COASTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

LAWGWINNETT, 2BR/ RENCEVILLE: 2BA Apt. Freshly renovated, W/D hook-ups, $800 mo. 1st mo. + security needed. Call 678-334-6975.

Phyll, SOUTH CAROLINA, LAKE KEOWEE Waterfront Cotttages Gated, Luxury Amenities! Lodge, Pool, Fitness Center, Boat Slips & more.

Other New & Resale Cottages From $130’s to $299’s!

1-888-663-1133 www.backwaterlanding. com Office Hours: Fri 8:30-4:00 Sat & Sun By Appointment Only

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

Gwinnett, Lawrenceville RECORDING STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE Office/Warehouses 1200 up to 18000 sf Mike 404-375-5438.

GARAGE SALES

FITNESS/HEALTH/ SPORTING GOODS

LOST & FOUND PETS

DACULA, 30019 MOVING/ESTATE SALE 9/11, 12 & 13, 8am-? Bradford Manor Subdv. off Auburn Rd. 920 Elisha Mill Court

MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR RAMP $300 OBO. Like new.

678-985-0568

SNELLVILLE, 30078 EASTSIDE MEDICAL CENTER ALZHEIMER’S GARAGE SALE FRI., 9/11, 7:30AM-4PM & SAT., 9/12, 8AM-NOON Hundreds of great items, all value priced & in excellent condition! We’ll have all types of items including jewelry, antiques, housewares, sporting goods, and many more! Huge selection of ladies handbags and designer shoes!

Sale will be held at the Eastside Medical Center South Campus located on Fountain Drive in Snellville.

For directions call 770-982-2358 Every penny of proceeds goes to the Alzheimer’s Association.

DON’T MISS THIS SALE!!

FURNITURE/ HOUSEHOLD GOODS

YORKSHIRE LOST TERRIER in Jefferson Station subdivision between Hwy 120, Lebanon Rd., and Sever Rd., Lawrenceville on 8/20 at Shadwell Way. If you spot her or know anyone who may have found her, please call 770-862-0566 or 770Reward.

862-0483.

Needs meds.

GWINNETT SUGAR HILL 4BR, 2.5BA, Deck, 2 Car Garage, Nice Lot. $1,290 per month.

Call Greg 770-771-2810

Stegler Baby Grand Piano w/bench, mahogany, like new. Super nice Large Jacuzzi.

House for sale by owner, also. These must go! 770-294-7564

VEHICLES

ADOPT A PET CATS, YOUNG. Orange Tabby, Black & Calico.

Up to date on shots & fixed. Free to good, forever home. 678-6562652 or 770-979-7175

LOST & FOUND PETS

FOUND DOG: SMALL Salt & pepper w/some white, flat face, collar.

No chip or tags. Found 8/17 at 10pm Russell Rd. & Hambridge Ct. 770-513-2667

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

classifieds

770-962-SELL

CADILLAC DEVILLE CONVERTIBLE, 1964 42K original miles, runs & drives nicely, currently tagged & insured.

All guages & top work. $15,500. 404-889-5863

VEHICLES

DESKS 5 wood desks with drawers @$60 each. Must move by 9/13 in Winder location. ben@ 678-977-1443 electronicdepotincga. com

VEHICLES

BMW Z4 3.1i, 2003 ROADSTER. Black with tan top.

126K mi. Premium pkg., fabulous in every way. Power top, seats, windows, etc. New tires, 6 spd. manual.

Avg. selling price over $10,500. Super CarFax. $8400.

770-895-7161

HUSKY/CHOW I am fostering a beautiful 1 year old husky/chow.

She is loyal and loveable. Please contact me @ bkelly7@charter.net

PETS/LIVESTOCK

BUSINESS/ OFFICE EQUIPMENT

GARAGE SALES BUFORD, YARD SALE SAT., 9/12, 8-4PM Northwicke Sub., Multi Family Yard Sale on Camp Branch Rd off of Hamilton Mill Rd. Come See Our Treasures & Make Them Yours!

MISC. FOR SALE

FOUND DOG female dog, Bulldog Pug Mix in Lawrenceville 30044.

Tan color, medium size.

Contact phone number: 404-642-8424

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT HOUSES FOR RENT

Death In Family Must Sell Drastically Reduced Prices: King BR set: dresser w/ mirror, 2 nightstands w/ drawers. New Queen Mattr/Box Spgs & metal frame. Beige patio set w/46” round table, 2 lounge chairs, 1 upright chair. Canvas lounger.

New Amana Washer & GE Dryer, 2 ceramic tile top end tables.

Call 615-788-8473.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 • B7

BMW X5, 2001. Black, clean mag wheels, miles 154,000. Asking $6000 OBO. Serious inquiries only!

404-438-3222.

BUICK REGAL, 2003.

V6, 126K miles, new tires, cold A/C, excellent condition. $3,000.

Call 678-316-7679

FORD ESCAPE SE, 2013 Ruby Red, Stk#FBB46645A $18,416 800-PREOWNED

Honda Accord V6 EX Coupe, 2002. Leather, PS, PB, PW, PSeats, PMirrows, Sunroof, new tires.

Call: 678-772-0483

400 1

lvd

Boggs Rd

Hwy 316

CUMMING

Super desirable convertible. British racing green with excellent tan leather.

Exc. tan convertible top. V8, automatic, looks and drives great.

Now appreciating in price while you drive it. Good CarFax, avg. selling price for this low miles car is over ten thousand dollars. This collectible/great driver car is only $7900.

Call 770-899-5856 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SE, 2003 Java black, saddle leather interior, 189k hwy. miles, always garaged, non-smoker, 1 owner, loaded, recent major service, cold a/c, auto. $3,300 obo.

404.886.3587 John/Duluth, GA

53

4

wy PEA CH IND TREE BLV D

GWINNETT PLACE MALL

1

HEWATT RD

DECATUR

LAWRENCEVILLE

LILBURN

N'LAKE MALL A ORI MEM

WINDER

3

BE A RU VER IN R D

TUCKER

MALL OF GA

2

r.

PERIMETER MALL

BUFORD

D Buford

DULUTH 5

400

MALL OF GA

r.

Buford D

NORTHPOINT MALL

for

BUFORD

ROSWELL

75

COMMERCE

dH

9

ATLANTA

TOYOTA CAMRY, 2008 One Owner, Beautiful Black, Fully Loaded.

Sacrifice at $6500.

Call Jim 770-860-8408

.

ALPHARETTA

60

SNELLVILLE

LOGANVILLE

L

20

20

CONYERS

This map is not to scale and is for illustration purposes only.

HAYES LAWRENCEVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

4

719 Pike St, Lawrenceville 770-963-5251 www.hayeschrysler.com

2

JIM ELLIS BUICK GMC MALL OF GA 3600 Buford Drive, Buford, GA 770-945-8700 www.jimellisbuickgmcmog.com

3

RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET OF BUFORD 4490 South Lee St., Buford, GA 30518 888-804-2957 www.hendrickbuford.com

5

RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET OF DULUTH 3277 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096 888-475-8808 www.hendrickatlanta.com

NASH CHEVROLET 630 Scenic Hwy., Lawrenceville 770-963-9266 www.nashchevy.com

277117-1

1

NISSAN MURANO SV, 2013 Beige, Stk#P7813 $18,777 800-PREOWNED

1994 Black, Good Condition. $2500.00 Call Jack at 678-602-9254

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

classifieds 770-962-SELL

MERCEDES 560 SL, 1989 CONVERTIBLE. Two tops, banker owned and babied beauty. Haggerty old car value guide values this car at $18,000 to $38,000. Drive and enjoy while it appreciates in price. Very fussy owner, garage kept, many service records.

Light blue with blue interior, excellent blue soft top. Driven only 7K per year. Exceptional in every way.

Only $12,500.

Call 770-882-4605

VOLVO XC70, 2007.

7 Passenger. 3.2AWD Super CarFax. Has all the Volvo options.

Exceptionally nice.

Light green with tan leather. Hwy. miles.

Avg. price is over ten thousand dollars. This SUV is exceptional and only $7950.

Call 770-873-2627 CAMPERS/RVS

GAINESVILLE Hwy

Bu

B llite Sate

W N' S BRO E G BRID

I-85N, Exit 105 or I-85S, Exit 107.

Follow the signs to Boggs Road.

MAZDA MIATA CONVERTIBLE

99,400 MILES

Your Dealership Should Be Easy To Find!

Boggs Rd

VEHICLES

JAGUAR XK8, 1997 CONVERTIBLE

LEXUS GX 460, 2013 Starfire Pearl, Stk#U40530 $45,990 770-680-1000

Duluth Hwy 12 0

VEHICLES

MERCEDES E320, 2001. Two owner and fabulous. Exceptional silver with gray leather interior. Superb in every way. No accidents and great CarFax. Driven only 9K per year. Exceptional drive anywhere luxury car that is priced way under the market.

Only $4950.

Call 770-895-7161

COACHMAN LEPRECHAUN M-260DS, 2015.

LABOR DAY SPECIAL. PRICE Reduced to $72,500!

Only 815 Miles!

Sleeps 5, 3 awnings, A/C, propane htr w/ ht pump + generator.

770-366-0029 or 770-822-0758

8B • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Gladiators

•From Page 1B

media and game operation who has been with the team since its inaugural 2003-04 campaign. “This has been years in discussion and in weighing the pros and cons.

This is not a decision we took lightly.

“This is not in any way meant to slight the county or the people in the county who have supported us for 12 seasons. This is just us better positioning ourselves to be successful in the metro Atlanta market and I think we’re being transparent about it.”

Speculation about the change began swirling earlier this summer when records revealed the team had registered the domain names atlantagladiators. com and atlantagladiators. net. The ECHL also had applied for a trademark of the team’s main logo which replaces “Gwinnett” with “Atlanta” under the sword-wielding Gladiator.

“I think a lot of our diehards were aware of it,” Gelderman said. “The feedback from people who are aware of it — we talked to some fans before we officially decided — has been positive.”

History doesn’t always paint a rosy picture when it comes to name changes for minor league teams. It can be viewed as a last-ditch attempt at reinvigorating a floundering franchise.

“It’s definitely not the situation here,” Gelderman said. “We’ve been fortunate enough that, honestly, our owners have never had to write a check at the end of the season to cover costs.

“Do we hope that it helps up attendance-wise?

Absolutely. We wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t think it would help. But it’s more that we’re trying to go from good to great.”

Veteran forward Derek Nesbitt played for the team as a rookie in 2005-06 and for two more abbreviated stints while spending the majority of his career in the AHL. Nesbitt re-signed with the Gladiators this summer and makes his offseason home in nearby Hall County.

Nesbitt, who has a degree in marketing, was excited about the name change and wants to ensure the on-ice product makes

the trip to Gwinnett worthwhile for those a little further afield.

“We want to come out of the gates flying,” Nesbitt said. “We want to give the people here a reason to keep coming to games and turn this into a community thing even beyond Gwinnett County.

“People just want to be a part of something that’s exciting. I don’t care what it is. Why wouldn’t that work for us? I feel like it’s an untapped market still.

It’s clearly out there.”

He already knows people will be impressed with the venue.

“Not many minor league arenas are nicer than this one,” said Nesbitt, who has played across North America and overseas.

“It’s an unbelievable building. In 10 years, it’s one of the top few that I’ve seen that aren’t an NHL or NBA arena.”

Nesbitt’s travels also have made him aware that despite its more than 850,000 residents, outside the metro area, Gwinnett isn’t a well-known name.

“Wherever I play, I get asked, ‘Where’s Gwinnett?’” Nesbitt said. “This gives us a larger identity.

I think there are a lot of positives to expanding the market base.”

Gelderman said it does open up more corporate sponsorship opportunities.

“The marketing partners we’ve talking to about this are extremely excited about it because having that Atlanta name helps them as well in terms of the marketing money they’re spending with us,” he said. “We are excited about our future at the Infinite Energy Center.”

Nesbitt is deeply appreciative of the fans who have stuck with the team for 12 years and kept the attendance averages among the top 10 in the ECHL. “We need the Gwinnett fans more than ever,” Nesbitt said. “They’re the reason we’re allowed to do this. If we were only getting 2,000 fans a night, the team wouldn’t be here anymore. Their (average attendance around) 5,000 is a good night in the AHL. “They’re completely the core of our fanbase. That’s still our home. We’re just trying to add to it. We’re still the Gladiators.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett teams abound in SSA camp Other teams scheduled a 30-second shot clock. to participate include AllaThe schedules for the Team Belief will host toona, Alpharetta, Arabia Gwinnett teams are as the Georgia High School Mountain, Creekview, follows: Coaches Exposure Camp Etowah, Gainesville, Archer this Saturday at the SuHarris County, Heritage, 11 a.m. — Kell 1 p.m. — Kennesaw Mountain wanee Sports Academy.

Johns Creek, Kennesaw 3 p.m. — Rockdale County The event runs from 10 Mountain, Lakeview Central Gwinnett a.m. to 6 p.m. and features Academy, Landmark 11 a.m. — Creekview high school basketball Christian, Lovejoy, Lovett, 1 p.m. — Lovejoy 3 p.m. — Heritage teams in grades nine to 12, Kell, New Manchester, Dacula including Gwinnett teams Riverwood, Rockdale, 10 a.m. — Alpharetta Archer, Central GwinSouth Paulding, Therrell, Noon — Gainesville nett, Dacula, Discovery, Walton and White County. 2 p.m. — Allatoona Discovery Duluth, Grayson, Hebron Organizers are expect11 a.m. — Lovejoy Christian, Mill Creek, ing roughly 75 college 1 p.m. — Creekview Mountain View, Parkview coaches at the event, Duluth and Shiloh. which will be played with Noon — Alpharetta From Staff Reports

Mountain View’s Nick Harris (32) runs the ball earlier this season against the Parkview Panthers at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

•From Page 1B

Iverson have stood out to Williamson, particularity Iverson who is playing the position for the first time as a sophomore on varsity. “(Iverson) actually transitioned over from another position,” he said. “She was actually on the ninthgrade team last year, so she jumped over JV and straight to Varsity and we moved her to middle. She’s done a great job. She’s very athletic. Her and (Freeman), they do a great job on the block, on the front row. I think that’s what has made a big difference for us. We’re very good offensively, but we’re just good defensively. We put up a huge block, the girls do a great job of slowing the ball down and then if it gets through the back row, mainly anchored by (Terry) and (Allen), they do a great job of picking up the defense from the back row.

“We’re very wellbalanced. We didn’t have a lot of offense last year, but this year we have a ton of offense and a ton of defense. So it’s been good.

A lot of the points that we lose I feel like at the time are from making mistakes.

We’ll hit the ball out, or in the net, it’s not really our defense making mistakes as much as it is our offense trying to do too much sometimes.”

The one area of concern early in the year for Mill

Creek has been serving.

Kennedy Long has been the team’s most consistent option despite not being a starter.

Mill Creek’s strong start will be put to the test this weekend in the Darlington Invitational in Rome, followed by its first Area matches next week.

“It ramps up a pretty good bit,” Williamson said of the schedule. “We’re going to the Darlington tournament this weekend. … We’ll be playing at least four or five matches this weekend so that will be busy. Once we come back from that, next Tuesday is the big day. We have three Area matches on Tuesday against Collins Hill, Peachtree Ridge and Mountain View (all at Peachtree Ridge). That really is a night where we could go 3-0 or 0-3. All the teams are good, they’re strong. Peachtree Ridge and Mountain View were both in the playoffs last year and we didn’t make it. It’ll be a tough night. Not only to play three matches, but we play three Area matches and all the teams are good, so it will be a very interesting night of volleyball.

Those are three tough games we have to play, so that’ll be a big one for us.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens, because it’s three matches it’s going to set up a lot of our seedings for the Area tournament at the end of the year.”

Harris

61 carries. He also ran a kickoff back 90 yards back for Michigan State, for a touchdown against wore in high school.

Parkview as the Bears “I used to look up almost came away with to Nick Tompkins and the upset, before cramps Jamaal Cole from Brook- forced Harris to sit out wood,” he said. “My dad most of the fourth quarter used to coach, so I would in a 33-27 loss. go to practice and want to Harris responded by be like them. Just always running for 178 yards did drills and seeing the and two touchdowns in a holes they were seeing, 32-29 win over Kennesaw and just kind of fell in love Mountain to give Bach his with it.” first win as a head coach Harris has done well to last week. honor the 32 jersey during “The great thing about his career at Mountain Nick is he just plays,” View. As a sophomore, Bach said. “No matter Harris rushed for 767 what’s going on, it doesn’t yards. Last season he matter if there’s a breakran for 852 yards and 12 down in the blocking or touchdowns as the Bears something like that, it went 3-12. doesn’t affect him. He just This year he has the goes all the time. He’s team off to a 1-2 start as always, always going. he’s gained 342 yards He’s a hard guy to stop. and four touchdowns on Once he gets downhill he

Volley •From Page 1B

2 p.m. — South Paulding 4 p.m. — Etowah Grayson 11 a.m. — Kennesaw Mountain 1 p.m. — Kell Hebron 10 a.m. — Landmark 2 p.m. — White County Mill Creek 10 a.m. — Gainesville Noon — Johns Creek 2 p.m. — Walton Mountain View 1 p.m. — Arabia Mountain 3 p.m. — Landmark Christian 5 p.m. — Etowah Parkview 10 a.m. — Johns Creek Noon — South Paulding 2 p.m. — Etowah Shiloh 3 p.m. — Rockdale 5 p.m. — Allatoona

•From Page 1B appeared over for Perrotta when college recruiters passed him over, which he admits wasn’t a total surprise. At 6-foot, he wasn’t particularly tall. At 230 pounds, he was light for a college player at center, the position he played as a two-year starter for the Lions.

His lone football option was Reinhardt, which could offer only some academic scholarship money, so he enrolled at nearby Georgia Gwinnett College while many of his high-profile high school teammates signed with major football programs.

He helped out with the Peachtree Ridge football program and played club baseball at GGC as a freshman, then he pondered a transfer to Kennesaw State when the Board of Regents approved the Owls’ addition of football early in 2013.

It made sense academically — KSU had a sports management major that GGC didn’t — and it gave him one final Hail Mary at his own football career.

Perrotta enrolled at Kennesaw State at the beginning of 2014 and was part of the 85 students who showed up at the Owls’ very first football tryout on March 22, 2014.

The coaches made the tryout intentionally strenu-

can make you miss, he can run through you and he can outrun you. It’s all the things that a college coach would be looking for in a tailback. It really is. He’s worked very hard. He’s got himself leaner, faster and he’s really grabbed hold of what he does well and he’s working to master his craft, like a good player does.”

This spring Harris ran track to help add an extra gear to his downhill running style. He said his 40-yard dash time is down from 4.6 seconds to 4.47.

Western Carolina has shown the most interest in the 5-foot-11, 200-pound tailback, with Reinhardt also showing interest as well. Harris said he’s not worried about where he’ll play next year just yet and he’ll make a decision

further along in his senior season.

Right now he’s just focused on helping the Mountain View program take the next step with perhaps a win over some Region 7-AAAAAA foes for the first time in school history with region games beginning next week at Norcross for the Bears.

“Honestly I want to beat some teams that have us rated low,” he said. “I want to win region. As a school here, (we) haven’t done that and I want to beat a Norcross, Collins Hill and all those big schools. We haven’t done that. I led us to a win against Duluth (last year), I put that on me and I held it together for my seniors last year and I just want to do some more big things before I leave.”

Hammock

Kennesaw State defensive lineman Nick Perrotta tackles an East Tennessee State ball carrier in last week’s win. (Photo: Kyle Hess/Kennesaw State)

ous, likely to weed out those who weren’t serious, but Perrotta trained for it and came in prepared from pre-tryout sessions of running, agility and footballspecific drills.

Given his weight, he figured center wasn’t an option so he began working with the linebacker group, at least until defensive coordinator Brian Newberry quickly switched him over to the defensive linemen.

The interaction with Newberry gave Perrotta a bit of confidence in his chances, which were rewarded two days later with an email from the football program asking him to join them for fall practices.

“I can’t even tell you how happy I was that I made it,” said Perrotta, now a leader at his position as a redshirt junior

accompanied by mostly redshirt freshmen.

From that point, he worked even harder to make the dream come true, both in and out of football. A walk-on, he worked last fall and in the spring to pay for some college costs. He worked four jobs this past summer, saving money because he knew full-time football wouldn’t allow him time for a job this fall.

He has bulked up to 253 pounds to better handle the rigors of defensive line, but he was still quick enough to scamper in with an interception in KSU’s milestone victory. He credited Lanier grad Izzy Sam, the Owls’ middle linebacker, for holding up the running back long enough for him to pick off the pass, and that duo was

joined on the defense by starting cornerback Shawn Reynolds, a Buford grad who made six tackles in the opener.

They’re a small part of an eclectic group of players and coaches at Kennesaw State who enjoyed a historic day, with another on tap Saturday with the program’s home opener vs. Edward Waters, which will be televised locally on WUPA. It should be just as much fun for the Owls as their first-ever game.

For Perrotta, it may be hard to top the dream-like start last week, though.

“It was incredible,” he said of KSU’s inaugural win. “It was satisfying with the amount of work my teammates and I have put in. We first reported Aug. 18 last year, so over a year by a couple of weeks we had been working for it. Honestly, there were times when I didn’t know if I could keep going, practicing all day, every day. But to see it all come together was special.

We have a great group of guys. To put a win out there for the university and the community was awesome.”

Will Hammock can be reached via email at will. hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com. His column appears on Thursdays. For archived columns, go to www.gwinnettdailypost. com/willhammock.