2014 Gwinnett Prep Football Preview

2014 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettprepsports.com #gwinnettfb

Sunday, August 17, 2014

ME GIM

2013 Norcross

3

No.

1

No.

2010 Brookwood

4

No.

2012 Norcross

2

No.

2011 Grayson

Gwinnett aims for fifth straight big-class title

©2014 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved. Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta team are independent providers and are not our employees.

CHILDREN’S AT SATELLITE BLVD. - 2660 SATELLITE BLVD., DULUTH 2 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

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Inside

GWINNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS • Archer...................................................... 6-7 • Berkmar................................................... 8-9 • Brookwood.......................................... 12-13 • Buford.................................................. 14-15 • Central Gwinnett.................................. 16-17 • Collins Hill............................................ 18-19 • Dacula..................................................22-23 • Duluth..................................................24-25 • Greater Atlanta Christian.....................26-27 • Grayson...............................................28-29 • Hebron Christian.................................30-31 • Lanier...................................................34-35 • Meadowcreek......................................36-37 • Mill Creek.............................................38-39 • Mountain View.....................................40-41 • Norcross..............................................42-43 • North Gwinnett....................................44-45 • Parkview..............................................48-49 • Peachtree Ridge..................................50-51 • Shiloh...................................................52-53 • South Gwinnett....................................54-55 • Wesleyan.............................................56-57 • Providence...........................................58-59 BARROW COUNTY SCHOOLS • Apalachee............................................60-61 • Winder-Barrow.....................................62-63 ALSO • County composite 2014 schedule............. 4 • Preseason all-county team.......................10 • 2013 stat leaders...................................... 20 • Gwinnett County takes aim at a fifth straight state title in the highest classification....32-33 • ESPN recruiting rankings for Georgia..... 46 MORE ONLINE • Follow us on Twitter @GDPsports for all prep coverage and @GDPfootball for live scoring throughout the season • Go to www.GwinnettPrepSports for complete high school sports coverage all year long • Will Hammock, Sports Editor: will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com • Christine Troyke, Staff Writer: christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com • David Friedlander, Staff Writer: david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com • Mitch Blomert, Staff Writer: mitch.blomert@gwinnettdailypost.com • Scott Smith, Senior Correspondent: scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com • To report scores, call 770-339-5850

‘The Blitz’ gives football fans a GDP Saturday print edition Gwinnett County’s high school football fans, coaches and players spoke loud and clear.

After the Daily Post combined its Saturday and Sunday editions into one Sunday print product back in February, I was hit with questions frequently, both in public and via email.

“You’re still printing a Saturday section for football, right?”

“This won’t include high school football season, will it?”

“The Saturday paper is coming back for football, isn’t it?”

With the readers’ interests in mind, we came up with a solution.

The Daily Post won’t produce its full Saturday print edition with a

Will Hammock news section, but we have launched a new, special publication called “The Blitz,” which will be available on news racks every Saturday morning through the football season.

The eight-page section will begin Saturday, Aug. 23 and will feature only coverage of local high school football, with the usual photos, stories and more that our readers have

come to expect for years.

Thanks to some hard work by our advertising and circulation departments, readers can purchase the new product at sales locations like convenience stores and grocery stores in Gwinnett.

The editorial staff, led by Todd Cline and yours truly, also pushed hard for a Saturday print presence when high school football season rolled around.

That’s how “The Blitz” happened, guaranteeing our readers still will get their high school football in print form Saturday mornings.

That said, high school football fans also will receive their beloved digital offerings from our sports staff. Our site dedicated to Gwinnett high school

sports — www.gwinnettprepsports.com — will include the usual stories and features, as well as a live scoreboard updated during games and video highlights from a feature game each week.

Our popular Twitter page for scoring updates, @gdpfootball, also will be an active place on Friday nights.

We look forward to bringing “The Blitz” to our readers every Saturday this season and we hope they enjoy all that a high school football-only section has to offer.

Will Hammock can be reached via email at will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com. His regular column appears on Thursdays.

COMING SATURDAY AUG. 23

blitz

the

Gwinnett’s Friday night football coverage in print every Saturday

Made possible in part by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Available at many Gwinnett county newspaper sales locations starting August 23rd

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 3

AUG. 22 AUG. 29 Archer

Sandy Creek^ at P’tree Ridge

2014 Schedule

SEPT. 5 SEPT. 12 SEPT. 19 SEPT. 26

OCT. 3

OCT. 10

OCT. 17

OCT. 24

OCT. 31

NOV. 7

BYE

Grayson

BYE

at Parkview

Berkmar

at South

Shiloh

at Central

Dacula

at Brookwood

Berkmar

at Newton

at Buford

BYE

Dacula

at Brookwood

Grayson

at Archer

Parkview

BYE

at South

Shiloh

at Central

Brookwood

Valdosta$

at Norcross

BYE

at Parkview

Berkmar

at South

Shiloh

at Central

Dacula

BYE

at Grayson

Archer

Trinity Chr.*

Berkmar

McEachern

BYE

White Co.

BYE

at Chestatee

North Hall

BYE

at Collins Hill

Mundy’s Mill

at South

Shiloh

BYE

at Dacula

Brookwood

at Grayson

Archer

at Parkview

Berkmar

Collins Hill

at Dacula

Central

at South

BYE

at North

Meadowcreek

at Mt. View

Duluth

BYE

at Mill Creek

P’tree Ridge

Norcross

Dacula

Collins Hill

BYE

at Mill Creek

at Berkmar

South

at Shiloh

Central

BYE

at Brookwood

Grayson

at Archer

Parkview

Duluth

Wheeler

at Northview

Lakeside-DeK

BYE

Mill Creek

at Norcross

P’tree Ridge

at Collins Hill

BYE

North

at Mt. View

at Meadowcreek

Benedictine

North Oconee

at ELCA

BYE

KIPP Atlanta

at Pace

BYE

Holy Innoc.

at Lovett

at Wesleyan

Grayson

BYE

Gainesville

at Langston H.

at Archer

Parkview

at Berkmar

South

at Shiloh

Central

at Dacula

Brookwood

BYE

Hebron

at E. Jackson

Mt. Vernon

at Commerce

BYE

at Towns Co.

Prince Ave.

at Lakeview

Providence

BYE

Lanier

at Lambert

BYE

at Clarke Cent.

Flowery Br.

Cedar Shoals

at Loganville

BYE

Gainesville

at Heritage

Salem

BYE

Newton

at Rockdale

Clarkston

P’tree Ridge

at Collins Hill

Mill Creek

at Norcross

BYE

Mt. View

at North

Duluth

Mill Creek

Colquitt Co.%

at W. Forsyth

Dacula

BYE

at Duluth

North

at Meadowcreek

Mt. View

BYE

Collins Hill

at Norcross

at P’tree Ridge

Mountain View

South Forsyth

at Parkview

Kennesaw Mt.

BYE

Norcross

at P’tree Ridge

Collins Hill

at Mill Creek

BYE

at Meadowcreek

Duluth

at North

Tucker#

Brookwood

at Milton

BYE

at Mt. View

Duluth

at North

Meadowcreek

BYE

at P’tree Ridge

Mill Creek

at Collins Hill

at McEachern+

North Cobb

at Hillgrove

BYE

Collins Hill

at Mill Creek

Norcross

at P’tree Ridge

BYE

at Duluth

Meadowcreek

Mt. View

Parkview

BYE

at Mt. View

P’tree Ridge

Brookwood

at Grayson

Archer

BYE

at Berkmar

South

at Shiloh

Central

at Dacula

Peachtree Ridge

BYE

Archer

at Parkview

Mt. View

at Duluth

North

BYE

Norcross

at Collins Hill

Mill Creek

Providence

BYE

at St. Francis

at Whitfield Ac.

BYE

George Walton

at Lakeview

Athens Chr.

at Hebron

Commerce

at Athens Acad.

Towns Co.

at Prince Ave.

Shiloh

BYE

Hillgrove

at Westlake

BYE

at Central

Dacula

at Brookwood

Grayson

at Archer

Parkview

at Berkmar

South

South Gwinnett

at Walton

BYE

Collins Hill

Central

at Dacula

Brookwood

at Grayson

Archer

at Parkview

Berkmar

BYE

at Shiloh

Wesleyan

at Walker

East Hall

at Stratford Ac.

BYE

KIPP Atlanta

at Pace

BYE

Lovett

at Holy. Innoc.

GAC

Buford Central Gwinnett

GAC

Meadowcreek

Norcross North Gwinnett

Hapeville Ch. at BEST Acad.

at McEachern at Meadowcreek

Hapeville Ch. at BEST Acad.

at Monroe Area at N. Oconee

Madison Co. at Stephens Co.

George Walton Athens Acad.

at Athens Chr.

Winder-Barrow at Apalachee

All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted. ^At McEachern at 8:30 p.m.; $at McEachern, 2:25 p.m. Aug. 23; *9 p.m., Aug. 23; %at McEachern, 11:45 a.m. Aug. 23; #at McEachern, 5:45 p.m., Aug. 23; +8:30 p.m., Aug. 23

4 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 5

Archer Mascot: Tigers

Coach: Andy Dyer (25-21 at Archer, 25-21 overall)

Offense Archer’s breakout season was powered by a prolific offense that scored more than 30 points in its last eight games, and the bulk of that unit returns this year.

It will be difficult to replace playmaker K.J. Parmer (57 catches, 752 yards, nine touchdowns last year), but there are plenty of others to take up the slack. South Carolina commitment Kyle Davis, a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, returns at wide receiver after catching 35 passes for 658 yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore. Austin Arnold and Sloan Huff also will be relied on at the receiver spots, while the tight ends are talented with South Carolina commitment Connor Redmond (pictured) and Michael Kouassi.

“We’re expecting big things from the receivers,” Archer head coach Andy Dyer said. “It’s their turn to step up.”

Those receivers have a quarterback who can get them the ball in Gabe Tiller, who enters his third year as starter. The senior, the county’s top returning passer with 2,370 yards last season, completed 202 of 290 passes (70 percent) and had 28 TD passes to just six interceptions. “(Tiller) brings a ton of experience back,” Dyer said. “He’s seen about every look he can see. As we tell him, it’s his job to manage the offense, keep us out of bad plays and help us move the chains.

Don’t try to do too much, just help us operate.”

The running game should be stout, too. Randy Nails (1,026 rushing yards last season) is back

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 Sandy Creek* Aug. 29 at Peachtree Ridge Sept. 12 Grayson Sept. 26 at Parkview Oct. 3 Berkmar Oct. 10 at South Gwinnett Oct. 17 Shiloh Oct. 24 at Central Gwinnett Oct. 31 Dacula Nov. 7 at Brookwood *at McEachern, 8:30 p.m.

2013 results (11-1)

Mountain View East Coweta Brookwood Parkview Dacula Shiloh Central Gwinnett Berkmar South Gwinnett Grayson North Forsyth North Gwinnett we had a good year. We got better in a lot of areas. Our defensive stats, the ones we look at, were greatly improved. And our kids just played with a lot of tenacity.”

The Tigers are strong up front with Robbie Armstrong, Kobe Defense Smith and Cal Burton back. Quinn Dyer was pleased with the defensive effort last season as well, Miller, who made 92 tackles last season as a freshman, Dillon Bliss, which also played a big role in the program’s first region championship. Frank Finch and Chase Burns also are among the returnees, while the Seven starters are back from secondary is led by Singleton, an that unit. all-county selection last season “We did a great job running as a sophomore when he made a to the ball last year and playing team-high 113 tackles. Isaiah Pryor extremely hard,” Dyer said. “We’ve also is an important player in the got to match that and take more secondary. strides than we did last year. But along with Dylan Singleton, whose main duty will be starting at safety.

They will run behind an offensive line that graduated just one starter.

W 37-0 W 21-17 W 25-20 W 27-7 W 31-14 W 45-16 W 41-20 W 37-7 W 48-31 W 34-21 W 34-7 L 34-32

“We’ve got a lot of seniors over there (on defense) that we’re counting on to provide leadership,” Dyer said.

Record year The 2013 season saw Archer accomplish a number of substantial feats, like a school-record 11 wins, first region title, first 10-0 regular season, first home playoff game and first playoff victory.

The Tigers will aim just as high, if not higher, this season.

“Always, even from Day 1, our first football game here, our expectations are high,” Dyer said. “We’re

always setting the bar higher and higher. The kids have got to keep reaching. This football team has to create its own identity. This is Team Six. Team Five is gone. It’s up to them to create own path.”

The only pain last season came from the only loss, a gut-wrenching, 34-32 loss on a last-second field goal to North Gwinnett in the second round of the playoffs.

“Your greatest growth in learning comes from your greatest disappointments,” Dyer said. “There were three or four key things our kids have to take from that football game and not let it happen again. … In the playoffs, it’s last man standing. When you get into the playoffs, you cannot turn the ball over. No lead is ever safe. You’ve got to play a complete football game. The team that makes the least mistakes will win.”

Etc. Archer will play in the prestigious Corky Kell Classic for the first time, meeting Sandy Creek in the showcase at McEachern. “It’s a great step for our program and an honor to be invited,” Dyer said. “As a community, we’ve got to hold up our end of the deal and as a football team we’ve got to go perform.” … Longtime Parkview offensive coordinator Robert Hill has joined the Tigers as wide receivers coach.

Hill, who also was the head coach at Berkmar from 2000-02, played high school football at Central Gwinnett. “He brings a ton of experience and he knows how to coach football,” Dyer said.

— Will Hammock

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Archer roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 34 35 36

Jamyest Williams Austin Arnold Dylan Singleton Randy Nails Robbie Armstrong Nick Blakely Gabe Tiller Sloan Huff Jeremiah Nails Will Bearden Kyle Davis Dante Blyden Isaiah Pryor Juwan Powell Dalen Ray Frank Finch Jon Bluse Michael Kouassi Aramis Bryant Dillon Bliss Lawerence McCullough Tyrone Buwee Jeremy Hunter Rayshon Judge Vaughn Robinson Maleek McCatty Augusta Cheek Desmond Robinson Aristote Amisi Charles Toe Daquan Smith James Lee Bazil Alex Tiet Chase Burns

Pos. Year DB/RB WR/DB RB/DB RB DL/FB LB/RB QB WR/DB DB/WR QB WR/DB WR/DB DB/RB DB/RB DB/LB LB/RB QB/WR LB/TE DB/RB DB/LB RB/DB WR/DB DB/WR LB LB LB/RB DB/WR WR/DB DB/WR DB/RB LB/RB DB/RB LB LB

10 12 11 12 12 11 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 11 12 11 11 12 12 11 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Gabe Tiller (6-0, 180, Sr.) RB Dylan Singleton (5-11, 185, Jr.) RB Randy Nails (5-5, 165, Sr.) WR Austin Arnold (6-5, 200, Sr.) WR Kyle Davis (6-3, 220, Jr.) TE Connor Redmond (6-5, 225, Sr.) LT Mitch Hornsby (6-5, 265, Sr.) LG Caleb Hammond (6-0, 245, Sr.) C Taylor Stein (6-0, 255, Jr.) RG Steven Bluse (6-0, 255, Sr.) RT Caleb Grimball (5-11, 285, Sr.) PK Cole Fisher (6-1, 175, Sr.) 37 Quinn Miller LB/RB 10 38 Will Obasanya LB 10 39 Devonte Desulme LB 11 40 Jacob Hodges LB 11 41 Andre Parmer WR/DB 10 42 Joshua Mollie WR 12 43 Brandon Dugger LB/DL 11 44 Ryan Morrell LB 11 45 Darren Vaughn RB 10 46 Kyri Phillips DB 10 47 Sam Brown DB/WR 10 48 Karmoni Williams LB 11 49 Marquis Carter WR/DB 10 50 Caleb Grimball OL/DL 12 51 Sam Wright DL 10

Defense DE Robbie Armstrong (6-0, 245, Sr.) NG Kobe Smith (6-3, 290, Jr.) DE Cal Burton (6-4, 240, Sr.) LB Dillon Bliss (5-9, 180, Sr.) LB Quinn Miller (6-1, 220, Soph.)

LB Frank Finch (5-10, 185, Jr.) SPUR Kyri Phillips (5-11, 180, Soph.)

SPUR Isaiah Pryor (6-1, 190, Jr.) FS Dylan Singleton (5-11, 185, Jr.) CB Aramis Bryant (5-9, 165, Jr.) CB Jeremiah Nails (5-9, 170, Jr.) P Gabe Tiller (6-0, 180, Sr.) 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 67

Connor Sims Steven Bluse A.J. Sweat Taylor Stein Nicholas Salim Jacob Valego Chandler Evans Josh Vickery Adam Brown Mason Hardin Amori Allen Dylan Rowe Alex Stampelos Cameron Lilly Cole Craven

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 7

Berkmar Mascot: Patriots

Coach: Jonathan Sanks (9-31 at Berkmar, 17-44 overall)

Offense Perhaps too much was asked of JaDarrius Warner when he took over for the injured JaQuan Morris as the Patriots’ starting quarterback midway through last season.

While the now senior struggled throughout the team’s final five games, coach Jonathan Sanks believes the experience will make him that much more prepared as the incumbent starter under center this year.

“It will help a ton,” Sanks said.

“It’s just like parents saying, ‘Don’t put your hand in the fire because you’re going to get burned,’ and the child walks through fire anyway. He’s been burned, so he know what fire feels like.”

So do several other returning starters that will help Warner settle in, including senior running back Randy Griffin, who led the Patriots with 580 yards and added 10 catches, and will likely see his role increase this year to reflect his versatility.

“We ask our running backs to do a lot anyway,” Sanks said. “His role ain’t going to change, just be enhanced.”

Warner will also be aided by starting receivers Rey Orocio and Rashard Hunt and veteran backup Kenyuan Riddle (pictured).

In addition, the Berkmar offense will be enhanced by the return of other starters like junior Rey Orocio at receiver and seniors Jerel Jackson and Gibrhil Ghee on the offensive line.

“Probably the cohesiveness of the offensive line is the biggest thing to look for,” Sanks said. “We’re not as big as last year, but it’s a real good

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2005

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 Aug. 29 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 at

at Newton at Buford Dacula at Brookwood Grayson at Archer Parkview at South Gwinnett Shiloh Central Gwinnett

2013 results (3-7)

Duluth Meadowcreek Shiloh Central Gwinnett South Gwinnett Grayson Archer Brookwood Parkview Dacula

W 9-3 W 35-7 W 29-14 L 15-12 L 20-7 L 37-7 L 37-7 L 14-0 L 14-7 L 33-7

overall numbers, by playing with a little extra aggression.

“The problem is depth. We don’t have a lot of depth,” Sanks said.

“We’ve just got to be physical. Every time you get to the ball, you have to have mean intentions. It’s the only way to dictate a football game. The meanest, most physical guys win.

It’s just about willing yourself to be more physical than the other guy.” group to work with. They fight.”

Defense With the only returning starters from last year being senior linebackers Jamal Wise (75 tackles) and Anthony Valentine and safeties Kevin Grier (67 tackles) and Bryceson Powers (55 tackles), it’s not difficult

to see where the strength of the defense will lie.

However, Sanks is hopeful that newcomers like senior Bryan Contreras and Dante Chapman can help bolster an undersized defensive line.

More importantly, he wants to see the entire unit make up for its smallish stature, as well as small

Etc. If there’s one thing Sanks has tried to instill from Day 1 of his tenure at Berkmar, it’s a positive attitude.

After improving by one win each of the past two seasons, he is hoping the more positive outlook will help the Patriots take a bigger leap

this year.

That’s especially true in a season in which outside of defending champion Archer, the race for one of Region 8-AAAAAA’s playoff berths appears to be as wide-open as ever.

“I’m just trying to keep things rolling and moving forward,” Sanks said. “This team is a joy to coach.

They come out ready to work. The main thing is to speak life into kids.

If the possible looks impossible, just try to keep them moving forward and remain positive.

“You can win more ways than one. You try to have small victories, as well as victories on the scoreboard. You always tell these kids that if your prepare yourself and have faith in the Lord, you always have a fighting chance. Even if it seems you don’t have a chance, you always have a chance.”

Perhaps that’s one reason he scheduled county powerhouse Buford for one of the team’s nonRegion 8-AAAAAA games this season after playing the Wolves in preseason scrimmages in the past.

The idea of what he wants his players to take by seeing such a successful program first-hand is not complicated.

“When look at a guy that’s successful, you look at the total man,” Sanks said. “You look at all of the components that makes him successful. You don’t want to look at underachievers. The recipe’s not going to be successful.

“You want to show your kids and coaches what successful programs look like, what they smell like, how they play every play. You want to soak it all up.”

— David Friedlander

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Berkmar roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Pos. Year

Tamontra Carter JaDarrius Warner Kevin Grier Jarius Jones Kenyuan Riddle Nygee Mitchell Chaquan Bacote Bryceson Powers Jamal Wise Chris Cook Omari Sanders Rey Orocio Isaac Fuentes George Wortham Phillip Williams John Maner Brian Barrett David Mundo Anthony Valentine Kymere Faucette Jovani Ajax Dashawn Dubose Rashard Hunt Randy Griffin Nebil Ibrahim Camryn Young

LB QB DB DB RB/WR RB WR DB LB/RB DB WR WR DB DL DB WR QB QB LB DB RB RB ATH RB RB RB

9 12 12 10 12 11 11 12 12 12 11 11 12 11 11 11 10 10 12 10 10 12 12 12 12 10

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DL Bryan Contreras (5-10, 205, Sr.) DL Dante Chatman (6-4, 230, Sr.) DL George Wortham (5-10, 200, Jr.) LB Jamal Wise (6-0, 215, Sr.) LB Kymere Faucette (6-0, 190, Soph.)

LB Anthony Valentine (6-0, 175, Sr.) LB Negash Desta (5-9, 180, Jr.) DB Kevin Grier (5-11, 175, Sr.) DB Bryceson Powers (5-10, 175, Sr.) DB Phillip Williams (5-9, 170, Jr.) DB Isaac Fuentes (5-9, 160, Sr.) or Jarius Jones (6-0, 170, Soph.) or Christopher Cook (6-0, 175, Sr.) P Emmanuel Olusanya (6-2, 200, Sr.)

Offense QB JaDarrius Warner (6-1, 190, Sr.) RB Randy Griffin (5-10, 180, Sr.) RB Nygee Mitchell (5-10, 180, Jr.) WR Rey Orocio (5-10, 172, Jr.) WR Rashard Hunt (5-9, 150, Sr.) RG Jerel Jackson (6-0, 235, Sr.) RT Walbert Duran (6-2, 260, Jr.) C D.J. Walden (5-11, 215, Jr.) LT Collins Aboagye (6-1, 250, Sr.) LG Gibril Ghee (6-2, 306, Sr.) K Emmanuel Olusanya (6-2, 200, Sr.)

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 41

Samuel Fuentes Trevion Grier Mamady Diarra Anthony Goodman Breton Stanley Idris Adbuljabar Jason Roberts Dante Chapman

RB DB LB DB DB LB LB DE

11 12 10 10 11 12 12 12

42 43 44 45 50 51 52 53

Negash Desta Brendan Jenerette William Floyd Bryan Contreras Michael Benjamin Spencer Brown Quindez Dennis Brian Seaton

LB LB DL DL DL OL LB LB

11 11 11 12 11 10 9 10

54 55 56 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 71 72 74 76 77 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 91 93

Jerel Jackson D.J. Walden Felix Fererras Jordan McReal Junior Gill Gibril Ghee Gabriel Slaughter Walbert Duran Keylon Riles Collins Aboagye Timothy McMillain Ben Wenhan Miguel Lopez Khalil D. Raymond Dahrien Beasley Joel Huerta Obumneme Osele Emmanuel Olusanya Jeimy Castillo Kellen McGee Jeremiah Scott Anthony Goodman Jason Forster Kishmael Bredy Vincent Huynh Jack Onsterle

OL OL LB LB DL OL LB OL DB OL DB OL WR OL LB OL OL K WR WR QB DB DB WR LB DL

12 11 10 10 10 12 10 10 9 12 9 10 10 10 9 10 10 12 12 9 9 10 10 9 9 11

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OFFENSE

QB Gabe Tiller, Archer, Sr. Gwinnett’s top returning passer threw for 2,370 yards, 28 TDs

PRESEASON ALL-COUNTY RB Micah Abernathy, GAC, Sr. Top recruit rushed for 1,664 yards, 20 TDs as a junior

RB Tario Fuller, Lanier, Sr. Purdue commitment rushed for 1,590 yards, 20 TDs last season

TE Isaac Nauta, Buford, Jr. Averaged 20.5 yards per catch with five TDs, had 6 sacks on defense

WR Darius Slayton, GAC, Sr. Averaged 30.3 yards per catch with 940 yards, 8 TDs last year

WR Kyle Davis, Archer, Jr. Top prospect had 658 receiving yards, 11 TDs for region champs

OL Josh Fannin, Mill Creek, Sr. Middle Tennessee recruit moving to center for senior season

OL Mitch Hyatt, North Gwinnett, Sr. Five-star Clemson commitment is ranked as one of nation’s top two OTs

OL Kaleb Kim, Mill Creek, Sr. Auburn-bound lineman has made first-team all-county the past two years

OL Nick Polino, Buford, Sr. UNC recruit led line that paved the way for 4,000-plus rushing yards

PK Matt Bonadies, Buford, Sr. Led county with 107 points last year, was 6 of 8 on FGs

DL Tomon Fox, Collins Hill, Jr. Top prospect led Gwinnett with 13 sacks last season

DL Anree SaintAmour, North Gwinnett, Sr. Active college prospect made 75 tackles as a junior

DL Bijan Sirleaf, Dacula, Sr. Made 65 tackles on defense while doubling as a powerful fullback

DL Justin Young, Grayson, Sr. UGA commitment has been a force on both lines for the Rams

LB Austin Smith, Buford, Sr. Speedy linebacker has committed to Tennessee

LB Adonis Thomas, Central Gwinnett, Sr. Athletic linebacker, Florida commitment also a threat as WR

LB Joshua Thomas, Buford, Sr. Made 56 tackles, rushed for 1,064 yards, 16 TDs as running back

DB Chris Dickhute, Mill Creek, Sr. Hard-hitting safety made 68 tackles last season

DB Dylan Singleton, Archer, Jr. Led the Tigers with 113 tackles as a sophomore

DB Kielan Whitner, Mountain View, Sr. Made 56 tackles on defense, had 524 receiving yards, 4 TDs on offense

OL Trey Derouen, Parkview, Sr. Big lineman has committed to Mississippi State

DEFENSE

10 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

DB Jeremy McDuffie, Shiloh, Sr. Track star also ran for 527 yards last year

gwinnettprepsports.com

P Eric Autry, Parkview, Sr. Gwinnett’s top returning punter with a 39-yard average

gwinnettprepsports.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 11

Brookwood Mascot: Broncos

Coach: Mark Crews (110-40 at Brookwood, 110-40 overall)

Offense Jesse Brown (pictured) wasn’t supposed to have this much experience, but it should pay off this season for an offense without many returning starters.

The junior running back became Brookwood’s starting tailback in the worst possible manner when his older brother Josh, the projected starter, suffered a seasonending knee injury early in the opening game. That left the duty to his younger brother, who didn’t disappoint with 1,439 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

“I think we’ll be able to run the ball,” Brookwood head coach Mark Crews said. “Jesse’s a force.”

Crews also likes the potential of the offensive line, led by returning starter Bailey Ivemeyer. Leonard Warner and Mason LeBlanc will handle the fullback duties, while Ian Barnett and Chad Price are solid blockers at tight end.

“We’ve got a pretty strong offensive line if they develop and do like they’re expected to do,” the coach said.

Junior Will McCullough and sophomore Tanner Winskie are in a competition for the starting quarterback job. Those two will have a receiving corps led by Dorian Miles, Ricky Sharma, Patrick Mills and Zack Lee. Defense Much like the offense, the defense will feature a lineup of new starters.

One important player back in the starting lineup is Chase Middleton, a defensive end last season who is now the starter at middle linebacker. The Georgia State commitment

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 23 Valdosta* Aug. 29 at Norcross Sept. 12 at Parkview Sept. 19 Berkmar Sept. 26 at South Gwinnett Oct. 3 Shiloh Oct. 10 at Central Gwinnett Oct. 17 Dacula Oct. 31 at Grayson Nov. 7 Archer *at McEachern, 2:45 p.m.

2013 results (6-6)

made 64 tackles last year. He’s part of an impressive group of linebackers that also includes Frank Robinson and Warner, a 6-foot-4 sophomore.

The secondary struggled at times last season, but the coaches are encouraged by the players stepping up in those roles like Patrick Mills, Nate Blackmon, Nate Salomon and Tyler Montgomery.

Jeremy Quarshie, Price, Barnett, Sal Lopes and South Gwinnett transfer Michael Terry are among the key players along the defensive line.

“We’ve got good size on the defensive line,” Crews said.

“Quarshie and Price are both big kids that are pretty athletic. Michael Terry is a pretty athletic, big kid.

12 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

We’ll be bigger up front and a little more athletic in the secondary and linebacker positions than we were last year.”

Crews’ farewell Crews, who turns 60 in January, said the plan is for 2014 to be his final season at Brookwood.

It will be a tough farewell for a coach who has been at Brookwood since 1987, serving as defensive coordinator until 2002 when he was hired as head coach to replace Dave Hunter.

“This will be my last year here,” Crews said. “After this, I don’t know what I’ll do. You just sort of reach a point where it’s time. People tell you that you’ll know when you’re ready to retire but I don’t know if

gwinnettprepsports.com

McEachern Mill Creek Archer Parkview Dacula Shiloh Central Gwinnett Berkmar South Gwinnett Grayson Lambert Norcross

L 31-10 L 44-10 L 25-20 W 10-0 L 21-7 W 20-7 W 23-14 W 14-0 L 30-28 W 30-27^ W 35-16 L 32-9 ^overtime

that’s true. I still enjoy the strategy.

I don’t enjoy two-a-days and 90hour weeks like I used to. It taxes you. It’s hard. It’s a lot of stress. But the football part I still enjoy. I don’t know what will happen down the road.”

Unless Crews changes his mind and returns for one more year at Brookwood — he considered making the 2013 season his last — he didn’t rule out joining someone else’s staff as an assistant.

As for the Broncos’ next head coach, Crews plans to recommend longtime assistant David Nelson, who played for Brookwood in the

late 1980s.

“If somebody asked me today who I would recommend for the job I would say David Nelson,” Crews said. “I don’t think that’s any secret.

David grew up here. He’s an excellent coach, an excellent teacher.

He’s been our teacher of the year here. He teaches AP physics. He’s been coaching and working here 20 years. I don’t see any downside with David deserving the opportunity if that’s what he wants to do.”

Etc. Gwinnett County Public Schools built Brookwood a new fieldhouse in the offseason to match the ones it had built for other area high schools, but the new facility won’t be open for use until Aug. 31. “It will be a logistics decision whether or not to move into the building during football season,” Crews said. “Once you get into the football season you’re working 80-hour weeks with practices and film breakdown, then all of a sudden you uproot all your players and coaches to move.

That will take at least a couple of days. … It’s a beautiful new building and we appreciate the county providing it for us. Whether or not we move into it soon will be an ongoing decision. Maybe we’ll move in during the bye week or in December when we finish up.” The old fieldhouse will be used for a second weight room and non-football locker rooms. … Brookwood assistant Bill Shields took a head coaching position in Florida and he was replaced on staff by Eric Thurston, who previously worked at Tucker.

— Will Hammock

Brookwood roster No. Name 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Dorian Miles Frank Robinson Rius Turner Demetrius Demeritte Tyler Montgomery Will McCullough Nick Marquez Ricky Sharma Tanner Winskie Mick Hutchins Zack Lee Mason LeBlanc Miles Jackson Patrick Mills Nate Salomon Rivion Johnson Jr. Cameron Collins Semaj Hayden Nate Blackmon Chad Price Jaylon Smith Bryan Oliver Chris Polycarpe Chase Middleton

Pos. Year WR/FS RB/LB WR/CB RB/LB QB/SS QB P/K WR/CB QB FB/LB WR/FS FB/SS WR/CB WR/CB WR/DB FB/LB WR/DB RB/SS WR/CB TE/DE WR/CB RB/CB FB/LB TE/LB

11 11 12 12 11 11 12 12 10 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 12 12 11 12 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE Jeremy Quarshie (6-2, 250, Sr.) DE Chad Price (6-2, 215, Sr.) DT Michael Terry (6-1, 245, Jr.) DT Sal Lopes (6-4, 310, Sr.) LB Chase Middleton (6-2, 215, Sr.) LB Frank Robinson (5-10, 180, Jr.) LB Leonard Warner (6-4, 215, Soph.)

CB Patrick Mills (5-9, 165, Sr.) CB Nate Blackmon (5-10, 160, Jr.) FS Nate Salomon (6-1, 170, Sr.) SS Tyler Montgomery (5-11, 175, Jr.) P Nick Marquez (5-11, 170, Sr.)

Offense QB Will McCullough (5-10, 180, Jr.) or Tanner Winskie (6-4, 185, Soph.)

TB Jesse Brown (5-11, 185, Jr.) FB Leonard Warner (6-4, 215, Soph.)

WR Ricky Sharma (6-4, 180, Sr.) WR Dorian Miles (6-0, 180, Jr.) TE Ian Barnett (6-1, 220, Sr.) OT Zach Daniels (6-1, 275, Sr.) OG Tyler Lee (5-11, 250, Sr.) C Nick Coker (6-0, 270, Sr.) OG Bailey Ivemeyer (6-0, 245, Sr.) OT Trey Wilson (6-2, 330, Sr.) PK Nick Marquez (5-11, 170, Sr.) 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Leonard Warner Jesse Brown Thomas Coltrain Jeremy Quarshie C.J. Dye Jaiah Momoh Jacory Griffin James Moorman

FB/LB RB RB/CB TE/DE FB/LB SE/LB SE/SS TE/LB

10 11 11 12 11 11 11 12

43 44 45 47 48 51 52 53

Kojo Amoo Thandiwe Daley Joseph Schureck Guillermo Luna Dan Jacob Nick Coker Trey Wilson David Ekemezie

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WR/CB FB/LB FB/LB FB/LB TE/DE C/DT OT/DT TE/DE

11 12 11 10 11 12 12 12

54 55 56 58 59 64 66 68 70 74 75 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 86 87 88 89

Conner Gates Michael Terry Tyler Lee Shane DeFreitas Matt Barfield Cole Simms Proctor Owens Bailey Ivemeyer Sal Lopes Jonathan Bell Matthew Rawsthorn Zach Daniels Jacob Arrington Eli Saliba Tung Nguyen Brandon Demeritte Tyler Houston Collin Howard Matthew Corn Jordan Pullins Ian Barnett Cameron Hartnett Myles Scott

OT/DT OT/DT OG/DT OG/DE OG/DT C/DT OG/DT OG/DT OT/DT OT/DT OT/DT OT/DT OT/DT OG/DT WR/CB WR/CB WR/FS TE/DE WR/CB TE/FS TE/DE P/K WR/CB

12 11 12 11 11 12 11 12 12 11 11 12 11 11 11 11 12 12 11 11 12 12 11

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 13

Buford Mascot: Wolves

Offense One of the biggest trademarks of the Buford offense over the years has been the running game, with plenty of speed at running back and power and surge up front on the line, and this year should be no different.

Leading rusher Joshua Thomas (1,064 yards, 16 TDs) is back, along with fellow senior Evyn Cooper, who chipped in 547 yards and five touchdowns on just 49 carries in a limited role.

Meanwhile, the line appears to be as powerful as ever, with three starters back, including North Carolina-bound Nick Polino, as well as fellow seniors Shane Robinson and Hunter Holland.

That’s not to say coach Jess Simpson doesn’t have some concerns.

“We did lose a couple of seniors (on the line),” Simpson said. “So, we’ve got a couple of spots to fill.

Certainly having three of five (starters) back helps, but we’re trying to work on the other two. I don’t know.

“Honestly, we’ve been fighting so many things (during the summer). We’ve had injuries the last few weeks and guys missing practice. We’re trying to create substitution patterns to see how cohesive we can be. … We’ve got to be able

Coach: Jess Simpson (123-8 at Buford, 123-8 overall)

Region: 8-AAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 23 Trinity Christian* Aug. 29 Berkmar Sept. 5 McEachern Sept. 19 White County Oct. 3 at Chestatee Oct. 10 North Hall Oct. 17 at Monroe Area Oct. 24 at North Oconee Oct. 31 Madison County Nov. 7 at Stephens Co. *9 p.m. (ESPN2)

2013 results (15-0)

to execute and be on same page.”

The other area of concern is finding someone to replace the two-headed quarterbacking monster of Taylor Mitchell and Montgomery VanGorder, who combined to throw for 3,334 yards and 37 TDs over the past two seasons sharing the job.

While pushed by sophomore Mic Roof during practice, it appears senior Luke Humphrey, who did see limited action in relief last year, will open the season under center.

He should have plenty

of targets when the Wolves take to the air, with a choice of several speedy receivers, as well as sure-handed Isaac Nauta (19 rec., 385 yards, 5 TDs), one of the nation’s top-rated junior tight end prospects.

Defense Technically, there aren’t many returning starters off last year’s defense, which allowed just 143 yards and 7.4 points per game last season.

But that doesn’t mean the Wolves will be inexperienced.

The rotation the Buford

staff used meant several players got experience last year that should pay off this year, including Tennesseecommitted Quay Picou and highly touted junior Shug Frazier, who should plug up the middle at the tackles and combine with ends Nauta (6 sacks last season) and Akron-bound Tyler Shipman up front.

The linebacker corps is just as stacked with athleticism and experience, with Thomas (56 tackles) returning to his starting job, and both Konnor Houston and Tennessee-commit Austin

Elbert County W 46-7 Gainesville W 38-14 Hancock Cent. W 63-0 Banks County W 63-0 West Hall W 63-0 White County W 42-6 Dawson Co. W 42-10 Fannin Co. W 45-8 East Hall W 70-6 North Hall W 42-14 Sonoraville W 58-0 Woodward W 40-7 Carver-Columbus W 36-6 Callaway W 24-14 Washington Co. W 35-19 Smith (75 tackles) also bringing experience to the field.

The one area that could be an issue is the secondary, where the Wolves must replace three starters from last year, including twin corners Thomas and Terrance Wilson.

Virginia commitment David Curry (pictured) is back at one safety, while Steven Reese, who saw consider-

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able playing time a year ago, is back at the other safety.

Still, Simpson has his eye on what has been a spirited battle at the cornerback slots during the summer and preseason.

“Those guys need game experience,” Simpson said.

“David Curry started and Steven Reese played a lot leading the charge at safety, but on the outside at corner, it’s like an open competition right now. They’re young and inexperienced. We had Brandon Mangram have a good camp, but (opponents) are going to throw it, no doubt.

So, we’re going to tested early and often.”

Early tests Simpson has always liked early non-region tests for his team, but with the Wolves moving up to Class AAAA for the first time this year, he really went all out.

Games with Florida powerhouse Trinity (on ESPN2) and Class AAAAAA semifinalist McEachern flank a Week 2 meeting with another Class AAAAAA foe in Berkmar, which Simpson says will give him an early idea where the team stands.

“I’ve been here 20 years (as a head coach and assistant), and I can’t imagine we’ve had a tougher start,” Simpson said.

— David Friedlander

Buford roster No. Name 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Pos. Year

Joshua Thomas TB/LB Luke Humphrey QB Connor Tarleton TB/LB Steven Reese WR/DB Evyn Cooper TB/DB Caleb Auer TE/DE Quay Picou TE/DL Austin Smith FB/LB Aaron Auer WR/DB Mic Roof QB Brett Shepherd QB T.D. Roof TB/LB Tyler Klein QB Konnor Houston TE/LB Isaac Nauta TE/DE Joshua Blackwell TB/DB Jacob Martin WR/DB Xavier Gantt TB/DB David Curry WR/DB/P Martin Mangram TB/DB Brandon Mangram WR/DB Dillon Vann TE/LB Avery Turner WR/DB K.J. Anderson WR/DB Matthew Parker WR/LB Chee Anyanwu WR/DB Jeromy Paige WR/DB

12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 10 11 10 10 12 11 10 11 11 12 11 12 11 12 10 11 10 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE Isaac Nauta (6-5, 240, Jr.) DT Quay Picou (6-3, 287, Sr.) DT Shug Frazier (6-3, 320, Jr.) DE Tyler Shipman (6-1, 240, Sr.) LB Joshua Thomas (5-11, 200, Sr.) LB Konnor Houston (6-4, 230, Sr.) LB Austin Smith (6-3, 230, Sr.) CB Brandon Mangram (5-9, 165, Sr.) CB Xavier Gantt (5-10, 163, Jr.) FS Steven Reese (6-2, 185, Sr.) SS David Curry (6-1, 195, Sr.) P Matthew Bonadies (6-1, 200, Sr.)

Offense QB Luke Humphrey (6-0, 170, Sr.) RB Joshua Thomas (5-11, 200, Sr.) FB Jordan Perlotte (6-2, 250, Sr.) WR David Curry (6-1, 195, Sr.) WR Aaron Auer (6-2, 170, Sr.) TE Isaac Nauta (6-5, 240, Jr.) RT Nick Polino (6-4, 278, Sr.) RG Shane Robinson (6-2, 265, Sr.) C Innis Claud (6-1, 280, Jr.) LG Cooper Simpson (6-0, 250, Jr.) LT Hunter Holland (6-4, 280, Sr.) K Matthew Bonadies (6-1, 200, Sr.) 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 41 42 44 45 46

Jake Simpson Tyler Shipman R.J. Walker Mack Legrant Elijah Bryant Jay Mays A.J. Wansley Jordan Perlotte Brandon Marsh Jack Ness Grant Simonds Reid Parks

TE/LB FB/DE WR/DB FB/LB FB/LB TB/DB TB/DB FB/DE WR/DB FB/LB FB/DE FB/DE

10 12 11 11 12 11 10 12 11 10 12 11

THANKS FOR VOTING US ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES!

47 49 52 53 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 63

Blake Ferguson Tyreque Legrant Trey Bell Shane Robinson Garrett Scoggins Cooper Simpson Nick Polino Connor Mills Blayne Snow Preston Brown Dean Powell Alex Kirchner

SN FB/DE OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

12 10 10 12 10 11 12 10 10 10 10 10

64 65 66 67 70 71 72 73 75 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 94 99

Alan Frazier Jack Hollis Dale Adams Ryan Dobbs Tyler Thurmond Travis DeGoey Will Graddick Brady Jackson David Andrade Hank White Hunter Holland Innis Claud Alan Bussoletti Nathan Haines D.J. Pinkard Tanner Alexander Juan Morales Tyler Perkins Kyle Schoop Jacob Cardiello Brytun Walker Nick Chmielowicz Edgar Bravo Shug Frazier Jarett Burgos Matthew Bonadies

OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DE TE/DE TE/DE WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB TE/DE WR/DB K K TE/DL K K

11 10 10 12 10 12 11 12 11 10 12 11 11 10 10 10 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 11 11 12

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 15

Central Gwinnett

Mascot: Black Knights Coach: Todd Wofford (16-24 at Central, 16-24 overall)

Offense Central Gwinnett head coach Todd Wofford doesn’t hide his feelings about last year’s offense. He was far from pleased.

After producing big numbers in Wofford’s first three seasons, the unit struggled mightily last season and was held to 15 or fewer points in seven games, including the last four. The coach expects the offense will get back to its previous success this fall.

“I think we’ll be much improved because we’ve got a lot of experience back,” Wofford said. “We have a much improved offensive line, a much improved receiving corps. The receivers should produce a whole lot more than they did in the past. Our offense in general will produce lot more than we did. We have a lot more weapons than we had last year. Hopefully we can get the production out of the running back position that we need.”

Josh Malone and Jawaad Meyers will get the bulk of the carries at running back, though Nigel Adams, a starter at linebacker, will see some action in that role as well. They will benefit from the best offensive line of Wofford’s tenure at Central with returning starters E.J. Price, Marcellus Cooper and Omari Jackson joining new starters Elijah Hutson and Tony Gray. Price, a 6-foot-6,

Region: 8-AAAAAA

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 at Collins Hill Sept. 5 Mundy’s Mill Sept. 12 a t South Gwinnett Sept. 19 Shiloh Oct. 3 at Dacula Oct. 10 Brookwood Oct. 17 at Grayson Oct. 24 Archer Oct. 31 at Parkview Nov. 7 Berkmar

2013 results (2-8)

Collins Hill Clarke Central Berkmar South Gwinnett Grayson Archer Brookwood Parkview Dacula Shiloh

275-pound junior, has nearly 30 offers, with Georgia and Auburn as his early favorites.

The coach also is high on second-year starter Eric Forrest at quarterback. The senior completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,805 yards with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.

“In this system, the quarterbacks I’ve had have gotten a lot better in the second

16 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

year,” Wofford said. “That’s always an improvement year.

It was that way with (former starter) Eman (Westmoreland). It took some time to get used to the system and my coaching style. Eric also had to get used to Gwinnett County football in (Class) AAAAAA. It was a lot to get used to because it’s a whole different league compared to where he came from.”

L 22-0 L 37-12 W 15-12 W 41-14 L 27-19 L 41-20 L 23-14 L 21-13 L 24-6 L 31-14

Forrest has a deep wide receiving corps at his disposal, led by Chris Shelling (pictured), Major Bellamy and Azaviar Kufour. Shelling caught a Gwinnett-best 82 passes last season for 795 yards.

Defense While the offense sputtered last season, Central put together a solid body of work defensively. That’s the goal again this season with seven returning starters.

“With the first unit, we’re sound on all three levels, D-line, linebackers and secondary,” Wofford said.

“Overall, the defensive

gwinnettprepsports.com

Last playoff appearance: 2006

speed is faster than we’ve been in awhile. The overall speed and experience is different this year. This is a good group. It could be the best defensive group we’ve had since I’ve been here from a talent standpoint.”

The linebackers are particularly impressive, with high Division I prospects in Adonis Thomas (Florida commitment) and Adams, a talented junior with a Vanderbilt offer. Fellow linebackers Tim Gary and Tyler Miller also are playmakers.

“The linebackers look real good,” Wofford said. “They can run and they’ve got size.

Having two guys out there who are 220-plus and can run is something we haven’t had since I’ve been here.

Tim Gary is a very, very smart athlete and linebacker who can make plays. Tyler Miller is a kid who got a lot of experience last year and a kid who’s very fundamentally sound.”

Omar Lopez, Marcheal Jackson, Greg McPherson and Jordan Tolbert lead the way along the defensive front, while the contributors in the secondary are led by Deshawn Oliver, Elliot Cummings, Michael Witherspoon, Dre Jackson and Kaseem Bagley.

Changing the look Central enters the football season with a new home and a new look.

Gwinnett County Public Schools completed the Black Knights’ fieldhouse earlier this month, allowing them to move from the older building to the new location adjacent to the home stands. But that isn’t the only change.

The players’ game attire will look distinctly different, too.

The team has switched from Nike to Under Armour for its uniforms and also has altered the look of its helmets. The black helmet will no longer have white, but will feature a yellow stripe down the middle and an all-black facemask.

Central even had to order extra helmets for its 96 varsity players, the most its head coach has worked with during his Central tenure.

“That’s a good problem to have,” Wofford said.

Etc. Senior Ricky Ortiz, an all-county goalie on the soccer team, will handle both the punting and kicking duties. … Central’s two new coaches are both working with the linebackers — Collins Hill grad David Wright, previously a head coach in Mississippi, and Eric Bona, who coached previously at his native Franklin County. … Wofford led Central to a 6-4 mark in 2012, the program’s first winning season since 2006, before slipping to 2-8 last year.

— Will Hammock

Central Gwinnett roster No. Name 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Pos. Year

Chris Shelling WR Major Bellamy WR Vern Bellamy DB Adonis Thomas LB Tim Gary LB Dre Jackson DB Michael Witherspoon DB Omar Lopez DE Azaviar Kufour WR Sidney Willis DE/LB Nick Partlow QB Marcheal Jackson DL D.J. Irons QB Eric Forrest QB Derrick Lawrence RB Lunden Young WR Elliot Cummings DB Kaseem Bagley DB Tyshon Golphin DB Jeff Days RB Jawaad Meyers RB Nigel Adams LB Josh Malone RB John Stafford DB A.J. McCain DB Noah Barkley RB Keith Molette RB Cedrick Belle DB

12 11 10 12 11 12 12 12 11 11 10 12 9 12 9 12 10 11 12 10 11 11 12 12 11 11 12 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DL Omar Lopez (5-10, 230, Sr.) DL Marcheal Jackson (6-1, 205, Sr.) DL Greg McPherson (5-10, 250, Sr.) or Jordan Tolbert (5-9, 245, Sr.) LB Adonis Thomas (6-4, 220, Sr.) LB Nigel Adams (6-0, 220, Jr.) LB Tim Gary (5-10, 195, Jr.) LB Tyler Miller (6-0, 175, Sr.) DB Deshawn Oliver (5-9, 190, Jr.) DB Elliot Cummings (6-0, 175, Soph.)

DB Michael Witherspoon (6-1, 170, Sr.) DB Dre Jackson (5-10, 180, Sr.) or Kaseem Bagley (5-7, 140, Jr.) P Ricky Ortiz (6-1, 185, Sr.)

Offense QB Eric Forrest (6-0, 210, Sr.) RB Josh Malone (5-8, 180, Sr.) or Jawaad Meyers (5-8, 170, Jr.) WR Chris Shelling (5-8, 165, Sr.) WR Major Bellamy (5-8, 155, Jr.) WR Azaviar Kufour (5-11, 195, Jr.) WR Lunden Young (5-9, 170, Sr.) or Sam Westmoreland (6-2, 170, Sr.) OL E.J. Price (6-6, 275, Jr.) OL Marcellus Cooper (6-0, 275, Sr.) OL Omari Jackson (5-8, 200, Sr.) OL Elijah Hutson (6-2, 240, Jr.) OL Tony Gray (6-4, 245, Soph.)

PK Ricky Ortiz (6-1, 185, Sr.) 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Dominique Atkins Josh Peters Dominic Atkins Jamar Elhajj Micah Maxey Kennith Kearse Johnny Louisil Josh Miller Ruben Jimenez

DB DB RB LB LB DB RB DB DB

10 10 10 12 11 10 10 10 11

40 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Calvin Parks Ahmed Staples Deshawn Oliver Chakai Simmons Jadarious Davis Tyler Miller Victor Omotor Elijah Robertson Kennan Guzman

10 11 11 9 11 12 11 11 11

Jordan Tolbert Dewayne Christian Farook Ogunfuyi Marcellus Cooper Greg McPherson Brandon Jones Tim Wilkins Devin Billhimer Bella Sinanta Jakob Lindblad Omari Jackson Carlos Corona Torrey Cromwell Migel Palmer Abraham Salazar Tony Gray Elijah Hutson E.J. Price Jordan Smith Sam Westmoreland Chris Craig Ishmail Elmore Tyrone Gould Quenton Meheau Kionte Williams Erron Price Jallah Zeze Ricky Ortiz

OL DL LB OL DL DL OL DL LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR DB WR WR WR WR WR WR K/P

12 12 11 12 12 12 10 10 11 10 12 11 11 10 9 10 11 11 10 12 12 10 9 10 10 11 9 12

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 17

Collins Hill Mascot: Eagles

Offense Collins Hill graduated pretty much every contributor off last season’s prolific offense, which scored 40 or more points eight times and averaged 48 points over the last seven games to spark a run to the Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

The Eagles have one catch, four yards and one touchdown returning from last year’s unit, and must replace both the county’s leading passer, Tyler Herman, and the Daily Post offensive player of the year, Tyler Henderson. Henderson rushed for 1,634 yards and 24 TDs and caught 32 passes for 389 yards and five more scores as a senior.

“We are as young and as green as we’ve ever been since I’ve been here,” Collins Hill head coach Kevin Reach said. “But our kids’ work habits have been very good.

It’s been a great offseason.

Our kids understand the success we’ve had the last six years and they want to continue that success. We’re confident. We’re going to find those kids who are diamonds in the rough and come play well on Friday nights.”

Thomas Harris’ return brings some experience, having contributed at running back when he was a sophomore until a knee injury slowed his career down. He will share time in the backfield with Jeremy

Coach: Kevin Reach (32-17 at Collins Hill, 32-17 overall)

Region: 7-AAAAAA

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 at Dacula Aug. 29 Central Gwinnett Sept. 5 at South Gwinnett Sept. 19 at North Gwinnett Sept. 26 Meadowcreek Oct. 3 at Mountain View Oct. 10 Duluth Oct. 24 at Mill Creek Oct. 31 Peachtree Ridge Nov. 7 Norcross

2013 results (11-2)

Central Gwinnett W 22-0 Dacula W 21-13 Habersham Cent. W 55-3 Mountain View W 42-13 Peachtree Ridge W 35-28 Norcross L 28-0 Meadowcreek W 68-0 North Gwinnett W 53-28 Duluth W 49-14 Mill Creek W 45-34 Walton W 41-7 Alpharetta W 48-0 McEachern L 35-32 Lewis and sophomore Monty Horn, who will be the Eagles’ starting quarterback.

“He’s won the job,” Reach said of Horn. “He’ll be our starter. He’s done a good job.

We’re excited about where he’s at. He’ll have three years at that position.”

Collins Hill will have its large group of contributors at wide receiver as usual, with Canyon Slade, Jordan Bertrand, Codi Russell, Des Howard, Malik Lewis, Blake Randall, Shane Flanigan and Reggie White in the rotation.

Justin Black and Robert Sny-

der will be the tight ends.

Braxton Hale is the most experienced member of an offensive line that also includes Kyle Henschel, Drew Martin, Steven Harwell and Michael Faulkner.

Defense The defense should be a strength for the Eagles, particularly with a front seven that Reach thinks “will be as good as we’ve ever had.”

Senior Miles Fox, an Old Dominion commitment, is a force in the middle of the defensive line, while junior

Tomon Fox (pictured), no relation to Miles but a top Division I prospect, led the county last year with 13 sacks.

Reach also expects big things out of the other defensive end, 6-foot-5, 220-pound Shaq Heriveaux.

“Tomon’s a special kid,” Reach said. “He’s got so much upside. When we first got him, I knew he could be a good player. But he had an outstanding year and led the county in sacks. He has such a burst of speed and he’s so strong. Miles is the best I’ve ever had the opportunity to

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coach along the defensive front. He’s got such good push and he’s got a motor that doesn’t quit. All three of them had great springs and they’re very energetic. We had a tough time blocking any of those three with our young offensive line in the spring. It seemed like they were in our quarterback’s lap every time we turned around.

We had a real tough time blocking them.”

Snyder, Emmanuel Belmar, Miles Parker, A.J. Terry, Malik Blakely, Khalil Blakely and Jonathan Postell are in the linebacker rotation. The secondary is led by Bertrand, a returning starter at safety.

“We’re going to have to get some big plays from our defense,” Reach said.

“They’re going to have to get as many three-and-outs as possible and try to help us with good field position.”

Run of success The Eagles have made the playoffs for six straight seasons, as well as nine of the last 10, and that’s the goal again this season, despite the graduation of 38 seniors off last year’s 11-2 team.

Last year’s team reached the quarterfinals before a disappointing 35-32 loss to McEachern.

“I look at McEachern and they’re ranked No. 1 in the state right now, and we’re a first down away from beating them last year and playing in

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Last playoff appearance: 2013 the semifinals,” Reach said.

“I felt like we outplayed them in the second half. We did it with kids who bought into what we’re selling. It’s kind of the same thing we’re doing here. Just because we don’t have a lot of experience on offense doesn’t mean we can’t be successful. We’ve kind of moved on from that game. We overcame everybody’s expectations from last season. I don’t think anybody had us making the playoffs.

We told our kids we’ve made it six straight years. You don’t want to be the one that misses the playoffs.”

Etc. Reach said the team is still looking for a successor to the only football announcer in school history, James “Frosty” Plunkett, who died suddenly earlier this year. “I’m looking for one right now. We’re going to miss Frosty. A lot of the highlight stuff we had, his voice was always on there.

The thing about Frosty, more important than his voice, was that he was always willing to give back to the community.

He was always willing to help kids behind closed doors. It was always anonymous. He always had a deep heart for caring for kids.” … Collins Hill added two new coaches, Rick Ritland from JohnsonGainesville and Michael Gunn, the longtime head coach at Athens Academy.

— Will Hammock

Collins Hill roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Jordan Bertrand Jeremy Lewis Blake Randall Codi Russell Canyon Slade Shaq Herriveaux Bobby Sheehan Tomon Fox Emmanuel Belmar Reggie White Angelo Crockett A.J. Carter Des Howard Kono Smith Monty Horn Johnny Nguyen Malik Lewis Antonio Oliver Khalil Blakely Miles Parker Anthony Krajec Mitch Davis Jalen Wertz Chris Evans

PROUD

Pos. Year WR/DB RB/DB WR/QB WR/DB WR DL LB DL/TE LB DB/WR WR/DB RB/DB WR/DB RB/DB QB QB WR WR/DB LB LB WR/DB LB/TE DB RB/DB

11 11 12 11 11 12 11 11 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 11 12 11 11 12 11 11 11 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense NG Miles Fox (6-1, 275, Sr.) DE Tomon Fox (6-3, 220, Jr.) DE Shaq Heriveaux (6-5, 220, Sr.) OLB Robert Snyder (6-3, 220, Jr.) OLB Emmanuel Belmar (6-3, 220, Jr.) ILB Miles Parker (6-1, 205, Sr.) or Malik Blakely (5-11, 200, Jr.) ILB Khalil Blakely (5-11, 205, Jr.) or A.J Terry (6-1, 215, Sr.) CB Des Howard (5-11, 170, Soph.) or Reggie White (6-0, 180, Soph.)

CB Jeremy Lewis (5-11, 170, Jr.) SS Jordan Bertrand (6-1, 200, Jr.) FS Anthony Krajec (6-0, 170, Jr.) or Mark Flores (6-1, 170, Soph.)

P Robert Snyder (6-3, 220, Jr.)

Offense QB Monty Horn (6-0, 175, Soph.)

RB Thomas Harris (5-11, 175, Sr.) or Jeremy Lewis (5-11, 170, Jr.) WR Jordan Bertrand (6-1, 200, Jr.) WR Codi Russell (5-7, 152, Jr.) WR Canyon Slade (5-8, 160, Jr.) WR Des Howard (5-11, 165, Soph.) or Malik Lewis (6-3, 175, Sr.) TE Robert Snyder (6-3, 220, Jr.) LT Braxton Hale (6-2, 265, Sr.) LG Drew Martin (6-0, 200, Sr.) C Kyle Henschel (6-0, 225, Sr.) RG Steven Harwell (6-2, 210, Jr.) RT Michael Faulkner (6-3, 245, Jr.) PK George Perez (5-9, 160, Soph.)

26 27 28 29 30 31

Elisha Jappah Askri Smith A.J. Terry Thomas Harris Malik Blakely Bryce Callendar

WR/DB RB/DB RB/DB RB LB RB/DB

12 10 12 12 11 10

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32 34 40 42 44 48

Mark Flores Jonathan Postell Robert Snyder Justin Black Kalen Shaw Derek Sykes

DB RB/LB FB/LB FB/DL RB/DB RB/DB

10 10 11 12 11 12

52 53 54 55 56 57 61 63 65 67 68 70 72 73 74 75 81 82 83 86 88 89 90 91

Braxton Hale Larry Warren Johnathan Clegg Steven Harwell Austin Bullock Jonathan Husbands Courtlynd Mallory Joseph Schneider Drew Martin Shammond Woods Kyle Henschel Kyle Weaver Aaron Sonkesak Nathaniel Wellington Justin Rivers Michael Faulkner Justin Macauley George Perez Shane Flanigan Tariq Williams Rafael Castillo Antonio Oliver Miles Fox A.J. Wellington

OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR K WR WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB DL DL

12 12 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 10 10 10 11 12 10 12 12 12 11 12 12

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2013 GWINNETT AREA FOOTBALL LEADERS (returners in bold) RUSHING Last name School Gms. Att. Yds. TD YPG Leggett N. Gwinnett 15 280 1734 23 115.6 Ellis Peachtree Ridge 12 237 1677 30 139.8 Abernathy GAC 11 154 1664 20 151.3 Henderson Collins Hill 13 225 1634 24 125.7 Fuller Lanier 12 260 1590 20 132.5 Boyd Norcross 14 222 1476 14 105.4 Brown Brookwood 11 262 1439 13 130.8 Brent Grayson 10 206 1128 9 112.8 Thomas Buford 14 135 1064 16 76 Nails Archer 12 171 1026 6 85.5 Moore Meadowcreek 10 189 954 5 95.4 Wilson Buford 14 105 906 18 64.7 Rosser Parkview 10 177 906 7 90.6 Shavers Shiloh 7 97 779 10 111.3 Harris Mountain View 9 146 767 1 85.2 Bush Norcross 14 159 752 12 53.7 David Mill Creek 10 73 672 6 67.2 Felton Mill Creek 9 77 651 6 72.3 McCall Grayson 10 107 650 3 65 Adams C. Gwinnett 10 137 643 4 64.3 Governale Mill Creek 10 87 630 12 63 Grove Dacula 13 140 629 8 48.4 Burnette Duluth 7 102 627 1 89.6 Evangelister Dacula 9 77 595 1 66.1 Griffin Berkmar 10 106 580 3 58 Redman Hebron 9 145 560 6 62.2 Venable GAC 10 60 554 9 55.4 Cooper Buford 13 49 547 5 42.1 Sullivan Winder-Bar. 10 116 545 5 54.5 McDuffie Shiloh 10 46 527 4 52.7 Mayes Dacula 11 105 521 3 47.4 Stark Wesleyan 8 94 511 6 63.9 Fraise Dacula 13 69 483 3 37.2 Cook Lanier 12 91 462 3 38.5 Gantt Buford 14 47 462 7 33 Sirleaf Dacula 13 79 449 5 34.5 Garrard Wesleyan 10 83 443 2 44.3 Brown S. Gwinnett 11 92 439 4 39.9 Preston Duluth 10 73 406 1 40.6 Baity Lanier 12 61 386 3 32.2 Hawkins Mill Creek 9 59 369 7 41 Garrett Norcross 13 42 343 4 26.4 Mathis Apalachee 5 66 340 4 68 Robinson S. Gwinnett 5 49 331 3 66.2 Brashear Dacula 13 42 323 2 24.9 Vallery S. Gwinnett 11 75 301 2 27.4 Robinson Wesleyan 11 52 285 3 25.9 Tiller Archer 12 71 278 3 23.2 Junius Winder-Bar. 8 54 277 2 34.6 Wood GAC 12 28 273 4 22.8 Edwards N. Gwinnett 11 63 270 3 24.6 Barry Grayson 10 54 265 4 26.5 Skinner Apalachee 5 63 260 1 52 Eliis Peachtree Ridge 2 43 245 3 122.5 Thrasher Peachtree Ridge 12 73 245 0 20.4 Chapple GAC 12 53 241 4 20.1 Riddle Berkmar 10 45 234 2 23.4 Lacey Parkview 10 31 220 2 22 Green Winder-Bar. 10 42 216 1 21.6 Terry Duluth 10 47 211 6 21.1 Woods S. Gwinnett 5 58 200 1 40 Barnes Lanier 9 29 196 0 21.8 Walker Parkview 8 50 192 1 24 Catching Berkmar 8 26 176 1 22 Jackson Apalachee 5 30 172 0 34.4 Hester Winder-Bar. 6 41 153 2 25.5 Fontaine Mill Creek 4 32 132 2 33 Billings Apalachee 5 23 123 0 24.6 Borders Peachtree Ridge 3 7 110 1 36.7 Hoxie Buford 5 21 106 2 21.2 RECEIVING Last name School Rec. Yds TD YPR Scott N. Gwinnett 72 1057 10 14.7 N. Brown N. Gwinnett 61 1041 21 17.1 Slayton GAC 31 940 8 30.3 Shelling C. Gwinnett 82 795 3 9.7 Harper Hebron 46 776 7 16.9 Lynch Norcross 41 774 3 18.9 Parmer Archer 57 752 9 13.2 Burton Peachtree Ridge 53 673 6 12.7 Stewart Shiloh 30 670 5 22.3 Davis Archer 35 658 11 18.8 McDonald Collins Hill 42 656 6 15.6 Keel S. Gwinnett 37 637 5 17.2 England Collins Hill 36 633 9 17.6

20 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

Williams GAC Valentine Lanier Johnson Peachtree Ridge Allen Brookwood Whitner Mountain View Jones Collins Hill Terry Duluth A. Brown N. Gwinnett Herndon Norcross Selman Hebron Killian S. Gwinnett Price Brookwood Singleton Archer Neal Buford Campbell Peachtree Ridge Fraise Dacula Ritland Mill Creek Henderson Collins Hill Nauta Buford Terry Berkmar Redmond Archer Johnson Meadowcreek Newton Duluth Shah S. Gwinnett Imatorbhebhe N. Gwinnett Riley C. Gwinnett Henderson Shiloh Felton Mill Creek Jeter Mountain View Bellamy C. Gwinnett Nails Archer Redman Hebron Boyd Parkview Davis Collins Hill Leazer Lanier Cook Wesleyan Leggett N. Gwinnett Smith Collins Hill Barnes Lanier Joseph Mountain View Autry Norcross Glisson Hebron Davis Duluth Lacey Parkview Holcomb Mountain View Robinson Peachtree Ridge Cannon Wesleyan Thomas C. Gwinnett Sweeney Brookwood Curry Mill Creek Langston S. Gwinnett Brice Hebron Duley Wesleyan Mials Shiloh Brown C. Gwinnett Lovin Dacula Phan GAC Asseh Grayson Brown Brookwood Cobb Peachtree Ridge Riddle Berkmar Polhill GAC Reese Buford Curry Buford Brent Grayson Sullivan Winder-Bar. Collins Brookwood Ellis Peachtree Ridge Poole Buford Elrod GAC Stephens Collins Hill Fuller Lanier Williams Duluth Anderson Winder-Bar. Dennis Norcross Ragsdale Mill Creek Thomas Buford Brashear Dacula Hall Berkmar Mack Wesleyan Brown Lanier Hull Mill Creek Robinson S. Gwinnett Jackson S. Gwinnett Lackey Peachtree Ridge Aube Brookwood McDuffie Shiloh

41 622 8 15.2 21 600 10 28.6 27 587 5 21.7 34 528 3 15.5 33 524 4 15.9 41 524 7 12.8 42 518 6 12.3 33 513 8 15.6 28 498 6 17.8 42 474 3 11.3 29 456 2 15.7 25 417 3 16.7 32 416 5 13 31 413 2 13.3 29 407 4 14 22 394 7 17.9 20 394 3 19.7 32 389 5 12.2 19 389 5 20.5 23 387 4 16.8 37 383 6 10.4 24 380 1 15.8 17 378 3 22.2 31 364 1 11.7 29 358 2 12.4 20 323 0 16.2 23 322 4 14 14 322 4 23 29 303 0 10.5 26 296 2 11.4 26 279 0 10.7 24 279 1 11.6 14 278 2 19.9 28 277 2 9.9 18 272 4 15.1 23 263 2 11.4 23 260 1 11.3 11 255 2 23.2 21 253 3 12.1 25 248 2 9.9 25 241 2 9.6 41 227 1 5.5 20 221 2 11.1 17 221 2 13 19 217 0 11.4 21 216 0 10.3 22 213 1 9.7 10 210 4 21 12 209 1 17.4 13 209 3 16.1 10 208 1 20.8 17 204 1 12 22 202 2 9.2 20 198 2 9.9 20 198 1 9.9 14 188 3 13.4 10 181 1 18.1 8 181 2 22.6 14 180 0 12.9 16 172 1 10.8 12 168 0 14 13 165 3 12.7 8 164 3 20.5 11 159 2 14.5 18 156 0 8.7 15 155 2 10.3 10 153 0 15.3 21 152 1 7.2 8 151 3 18.9 8 145 2 18.1 9 145 1 16.1 16 144 0 9 15 144 1 9.6 11 133 1 12.1 9 132 2 14.7 6 132 0 22 5 131 1 26.2 8 129 1 16.1 9 129 0 14.3 15 123 0 8.2 11 122 0 11.1 8 112 2 14 8 110 2 13.8 7 107 0 15.3 7 107 0 15.3 6 107 0 17.8 4 100 0 25

PASSING Last name School Comp. Att. Pct Yds TD Int Herman Collins Hill 215 336 .640 2968 34 10 Sphire N. Gwinnett 190 325 .585 2639 34 14 Tiller Archer 202 290 .697 2370 28 6 Thrasher P’tree Ridge 183 304 .602 2364 18 5 Chapple GAC 113 182 .621 2130 21 9 Holliday Hebron 167 313 .534 1906 13 15 Forrest C. Gwinnett 169 270 .626 1805 10 10 Bush Norcross 121 235 .515 1795 14 8 McLane Brookwood 115 221 .520 1747 7 12 David Mill Creek 77 137 .562 1331 12 6 Cook Lanier 88 161 .547 1286 16 8 Bell Duluth 95 202 .470 1276 14 10 Shim S. Gwinnett 78 157 .497 1067 9 5 Brown S. Gwinnett 68 110 .618 1030 7 7 Peery Mountain View 76 151 .503 1000 8 7 Halsey Shiloh 70 148 .473 953 4 9 Mitchell Buford 57 87 .655 901 10 1 VanGorder Buford 46 69 .667 786 9 3 Grove Dacula 55 98 .561 775 9 6 Chambers Parkview 58 118 .492 740 5 8 Aspinwall Wesleyan 85 160 .531 734 5 3 Urzua N. Gwinnett 48 74 .649 660 6 1 Morris Berkmar 37 71 .521 589 3 5 Cooper Winder-Bar. 58 108 .537 589 5 8 Larimore Shiloh 41 76 .540 555 9 4 Freitas Mountain View 49 110 .446 548 2 5 Brice Grayson 36 84 .429 477 6 2 Stark Wesleyan 27 53 .509 280 4 2 Schuessler Grayson 19 36 .528 223 1 4 Tolbert Lanier 14 24 .583 218 3 1 Warner Berkmar 23 88 .261 197 1 6 Parmer Archer 4 6 .667 191 4 0 Hartford C. Gwinnett 26 63 .413 189 1 1 Warner Dacula 12 33 .364 166 2 3 Rodriguez Apalachee 10 28 .357 165 3 3 Scott Mountain View 12 17 .706 160 1 1 Hurstman Hebron 9 15 .600 138 1 2 TACKLES Last name School Gms Total Mouhon Norcross 14 181 McWilliams Norcross 14 180 Shaw Lanier 11 170 Frazier Norcross 14 141 Viengxay Lanier 12 138 Sechrest N. Gwinnett 15 135 Carter Norcross 14 125 McCain Brookwood 12 117 Singleton Archer 12 113 Fennell Grayson 10 111 Heath Shiloh 10 109 Newsome Shiloh 10 107 Ramsey Winder-Bar. 10 106 Bowles Shiloh 10 104 Patterson Parkview 10 103 Elford N. Gwinnett 15 101 Young N. Gwinnett 15 101 Carothers GAC 12 101 Wallo Hebron 10 100 Kouassi Norcross 14 99 Cooper Dacula 13 98 Park Collins Hill 12 97 Landers Lanier 12 95 Baggett Winder-Bar. 10 94 Miller Archer 12 92 Lee Archer 12 90 Exford Shiloh 10 90 Bertrand Collins Hill 13 89 Cooksey GAC 12 89 Brashear Dacula 13 88 Houston Buford 15 87 Sensabaugh Collins Hill 13 87 Ball Lanier 12 85 Cross N. Gwinnett 13 84 Lewis Parkview 10 84 Rogers Buford 15 83 Dancy Brookwood 12 83 Isles Brookwood 12 83 Price Brookwood 12 82 Harris Peachtree Ridge 12 82 Sawyer N. Gwinnett 15 80 King C. Gwinnett 10 80 Brown Berkmar 10 78 Bradford N. Gwinnett 15 78 Jones Mountain View 10 78 Kimble-Brinson Parkview 10 77

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Mollica Dacula 12 77 McNair Duluth 8 77 Leonard Mill Creek 10 76 England Collins Hill 13 75 Saint-Amour N. Gwinnett 15 75 Knight Brookwood 12 75 Wise Berkmar 10 75 Waiters C. Gwinnett 9 75 Smith Buford 15 75 Reid S. Gwinnett 11 74 Kithcart Norcross 14 73 Ficklin Dacula 13 72 Issahaku Norcross 14 71 Glisson Hebron 10 70 Dickhute Mill Creek 10 68 Lawson Parkview 10 68 Kim N. Gwinnett 15 67 Cook Dacula 13 67 McSwain Lanier 12 67 Scott Winder-Bar. 10 67 Grier Berkmar 10 67 Sciara Mill Creek 10 66 Robinson Wesleyan 11 66 Pucciarello N. Gwinnett 14 65 Sirleaf Dacula 13 65 Gillis Archer 12 64 Russell Winder-Bar. 10 64 Thomas Collins Hill 13 64 Smith Collins Hill 13 64 Middleton Brookwood 12 64 Brown Lanier 11 63 Oliver C. Gwinnett 9 62 Williams Lanier 12 62 Marty Hebron 8 62 Long Duluth 8 61 Lyman N. Gwinnett 15 61 Davis Peachtree Ridge 12 61 Rose GAC 12 61 T. Fox Collins Hill 12 60 Mozingo Mountain View 10 60 Hayes Grayson 10 59 Ubakanma Duluth 10 59 Wagner Parkview 10 59 Miller Lanier 12 58 Sims Winder-Bar. 10 58 Stipe Wesleyan 11 58 Robinson Brookwood 12 57 Jones Duluth 9 57 Bennett Duluth 9 56 Armstrong Archer 12 56 Barry Grayson 10 56 Galloway Norcross 14 56 Moye Parkview 10 56 Whitner Mountain View 10 56 Thomas Buford 14 56 SACKS Last name School T. Fox Collins Hill Soumahoro Berkmar Jones Mountain View Russell Winder-Bar. McSwain Lanier Gordon Buford Kouassi Norcross Barry Grayson Ubakanma Duluth Thomas Collins Hill Huff Shiloh Otiwu Mill Creek Carter Norcross Nauta Buford Sawyer N. Gwinnett Cross N. Gwinnett Martinez S. Gwinnett

Total 13 12 11 9 9 9 8.5 8 8 7.5 7 6 6 6 6 6 6

INTERCEPTIONS Last name School England Collins Hill Williams Lanier Bartlett Dacula Hall Berkmar Davis Peachtree Ridge Stackhouse N. Gwinnett Noil Norcross Issahaku Norcross Hayes Grayson Hina Grayson

Total 9 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 21

Dacula Mascot: Falcons

Offense Dacula’s outstanding depth at running back might reveal one of the county’s most explosive offenses.

The Falcons return more than 2,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns scattered between five backs.

And that’s without last year’s quarterback Aaron Grove, who led all 2013 rushers with 629 yards.

Carries will be split between Kelan Fraise (pictured) (483 yards in 2013), C.J. Mayes (521 yards), Jacque Evangelister (595 yards), Bijan Sirleaf (449 yards), Jakob Brashear (323 yards) and Kevin Ficklin.

Needless to say, Dacula has no qualms about winning on the ground.

“I think we have trust in all those guys,” Falcons head coach Tommy Jones said.

“They run the ball well, and they’re all going to get some time.”

Fraise split time between tailback and wide receiver last year, catching for 394 yards. Lawson Cook, Gideon Owusu, Patrick Adebomowo and tight end Johnathan Grant will handle the bulk of the receiving game.

Wesley Whitehead and David Hendrick are actively competing to replace Grove at quarterback.

“They each do something different from the other,”

Coach: Tommy Jones (8-5 at Dacula, 35-48 overall)

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 Collins Hill Sept. 5 at Mill Creek Sept. 12 at Berkmar Sept. 19 South Gwinnett Sept. 26 at Shiloh Oct. 3 Central Gwinnett Oct. 17 at Brookwood Oct. 24 Grayson Oct. 31 at Archer Nov. 7 Parkview

2013 results (8-5)

Mill Creek L 41-28 Collins Hill L 21-13 South Gwinnett W 35-29* Grayson W 14-7 Archer L 31-14 Brookwood W 21-7 Parkview L 28-21 Shiloh W 21-7 Central Gwinnett W 24-6 Berkmar W 33-7 West Forsyth W 36-31 Peachtree Ridge W 28-21 Colquitt County L 42-17 *double overtime Jones said. “That battle may go through the first couple of games.”

The offensive line is the least experienced spot on the field for Dacula, with only one starter back. Luckily, it’s Devon Mims, a 300-pound standout left tackle.

Matthew Agnew, Ethan Ward, Ethan Stokes, Steven Hayes round out the rest of the Falcons’ starting lineup in the trenches.

Defense With a whopping 10 re-

22 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

turning starters, Dacula has a well-seasoned defense that should hold up well in highly competitive Region 8-AAAAAA. But many of those starters, however, also take snaps on offense. That includes all of the Falcons’ running backs, most notably Fraise and Mayes in the secondary and Sirleaf at nose guard.

“Obviously, that’s a concern,” Jones said. “We try not to play our kids both ways full time. They might be

starters on defense and in the rotation on offense.”

On the line, Sirleaf, who amassed 16 tackles for loss last year, is surrounded by Jordan Sanders and Markell Clark, providing Dacula with fresh legs up front on defense while Sirleaf handles B-back duties on the other side of the ball.

Azeem Cooper and Jakob Brashear are back to lead the linebacking corps after combining for 186 tackles last season.

Lawson Cook also returns

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to improve on a 72-tackle campaign in 2013.

Fraise and Mayes will anchor the Falcons’ corners, while Evangelister and Ficklin patrol the middle at the safety positions.

Staying the course Dacula’s seven-win improvement from 2012 to 2013 proved to be biggest turnaround in Gwinnett County. After a 3-4 start last season, the Falcons won their final three games of the

regular season to clinch the playoffs, then rattled off a pair of postseason victories for surprising 8-5 finish.

This year, the challenge is not regressing back to 2012 form, the program’s worst season in 26 years.

“You worry when you have a group of juniors that’s had some success that they forget what it took to get there,” Jones said.

“We try to remind them on a daily basis that the reason we had some success last year was that they were hungry and they played with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder.”

If Dacula plans to win a Region 8-AAAAAA title, there might not be a better time now.

Jones, who replaced longtime coach Kevin Maloof last season after a seven-year stint at Lumpkin County, says the region has leveled out to a point that any team could steal the top spot.

Of course, that’s much easier said than done.

“This is as much parity as I’ve seen,” Jones said.

“Every team in this region is formidable, and they can beat you on any given night.

The difference between going 8-2 and 2-8 is razor thin.

There’s a very small margin.

A lot of times, it comes down to intangibles.”

— Mitch Blomert

Dacula roster 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Pos. Year

Kelan Fraise RB/DB Giovanni Lugo QB/K/P Logan Layson WR/DB Azeem Cooper LB/TE Bijan Sirleaf FB/DL Patrick Adebamowo WR/QB Wesley Whitehead QB Earnest Williams TE/OLB Austin Berlin DB/WR Kenny Rainey FB/LB Demarco McInnis WR/DB Cooper Morgan WR/DB David Hendrick QB/P Lawson Cook OLB/WR DeAndre Price WR/DB Jakob Brashear RB/OLB Kevin Ficklin DB/RB Malik Carrasco FB/DL Gideon Owusu WR/DB Verkarry Pickens WR/DB Jacque Evangelister DB/RB Shamar Esson WR/DB Jaylon Jones DB/WR C.J. Mayes RB/DB Chase Isler WR/DB Antonio Yin K

12 12 11 12 12 12 11 12 11 11 11 11 10 12 10 11 12 10 12 11 12 10 10 12 10 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE Jordan Sanders (6-3, 270, Sr.) NG Bijan Sirleaf (5-7, 240, Jr.) DE Markell Clark (6-2, 260, Jr.) SLB Jakob Brashear (6-1, 210, Jr.) MLB Cory Ames (6-0, 200, Jr.) WLB Azeem Cooper (6-1, 210, Sr.) RLB Lawson Cook (5-11, 190, Sr.) FS Jacque Evangelister (5-9, 170, Sr.) SS Kevin Ficklin (5-8, 175, Sr.) CB C.J. Mayes (5-8, 175, Sr.) CB Kelan Fraise (5-8, 165, Sr.) P Bryce Lackey (5-10, 160, Jr.)

Offense QB Wesley Whitehead (6-1, 180, Jr.) or David Hendrick (6-1, 180, Soph.)

TB Kelan Fraise (5-8, 165, Sr.) FB Bijan Sirleaf (5-7, 240, Sr.) WR Lawson Cook (5-11, 190, Sr.) WR Gideon Owusu (6-0, 165, Sr.) TE Johnathan Grant (6-3, 210, Jr.) LT Devon Mims (6-2, 300, Sr.) LG Matthew Agnew (6-1, 250, Jr.) C Ethan Ward (5-10, 260, Sr.) RG Ethan Stokes (6-3, 215, Jr.) RT Steven Hayes (6-4, 285, Sr.) K Antonio Yin (5-11, 160, Jr.) 31 32 34 35 36 38 41 42 43 44

Jamie Arroyo Ty Harris ChamRon Turner Keion Scott Kenneth Holder Justin Ortiz Bryce Lackey Chanz Wallace Markell Clark Gregory Palmer

FB/LB OLB/RB RB/LB WR/DB OLB/WR WR/DB K/P WR/DB DL/TE DL/TE

11 10 10 11 10 10 11 11 11 11

45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55

Johnathan Grant Amare Boyd Austin Manning Tevin Galloway Jordan Sanders Tyler Thrash Isaiah Davis Jordan Dixon Cory Ames Brenon Mims

TE/LB WR/DB TE/DL TE/DL DL/OL OL/LB DL/OL DL/OL LB/OL OL/LB

11 10 10 11 12 10 10 12 11 10

56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 74 77 78 80 81 82 83 85 87 88

Tyler Dubreeze Ethan Stokes Chase Francis Roy Dunkley Ethan Ward Corey Porch Daniel John Keaton Waller Alex Brown Dez Ikpa Allen Daniels Devon Mims Austin Smith Steven Hayes Brandon Jones Tyler Brown Dunnovan Smith Matthew Agnew Justin Donellan Sabrina Siebel Phillip Hoke Nathanel Louis Lemuel Thomas Johnny Thomas Babila Fomuteh

OL/LB OL/DL OL/LS OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL LB/OL DL/OL DL/OL OL/DL DL/OL DL/OL DL/OL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB K WR/K/P WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB TE/LB

10 11 11 12 12 11 11 11 12 10 10 12 12 12 10 10 11 11 10 11 10 10 11 10 10

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Hayes Family Dealerships Wish Good Luck to All Gwinnett County Football Teams This Season !

Dusty Hayes • Class of 2001 • Dacula High School

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 23

Duluth Mascot: Wildcats

Coach: Jason Conner (3-7 at Duluth, 3-7 overall)

Offense One of the biggest challenges for Jason Conner in his second season as head coach is striking a balance between the now and the future.

The former includes as many as seven returning starters in the skill positions, led by secondyear starter Thad Bell (pictured) and speedy receivers like senior Devin Terry and sophomore Khalil Newton.

The latter features five junior first-time starters on the line, as well as sophomore quarterback Marcellos Sparks, who will likely share time with Bell under center this fall.

“Marcellos has displayed that he’s a dynamic player with the ball in his hand,” Conner said.

“He’s just young. He doesn’t have the understanding of the offense Thaddeus has. He is our future at quarterback. Right now, because of understanding of the game, Thaddeus has taken the next step.

He had a great offseason. Both will see action.

“I’m a firm believer in building.

We feel we can win now, but we also want to prepare for the future.

This is the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve returned (one) starting receiver, much less four with experience, and three running backs. … I’m excited about the skill positions and development.”

As optimistic as Conner is, he also knows the development of the young line, which will be led by William Hunter and Darius McCray, is just as important both this year and beyond.

“We don’t return a player with

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 1994

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

Wheeler at Northview Lakeside-DeKalb Mill Creek at Norcross Peachtree Ridge at Collins Hill North Gwinnett at Mountain View at Meadowcreek

2013 results (3-7)

Berkmar L 9-3 South Gwinnett L 42-28 Peachtree Ridge L 55-17 Norcross L 38-3 Meadowcreek W 34-7 North Gwinnett L 52-21 Mill Creek L 43-3 Habersham Central W 27-14 Collins Hill L 49-14 Mountain View W 26-15 guys work.”

experience playing on Friday night on the offensive line, and that’s an area of concern, of course,” Conner said. “But we still have some

24 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

guys who can play. We had some injuries during summer, but they will be returning at some point.

That forced us to give some other

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Defense The returning experience is much more spread out on the Wildcats’ defense, though it’s clear where the strength of the unit is coming into the season.

With seniors Rodney Jones and MyQuon Foote back after starting at linebacker a year ago, Conner agrees the team will build its defense from the middle out.

“MyQuon has really bought into our weight-training program,” Conner said. “He’ll play our nickel position, but he can also drop back and play some safety. Rodney Jones is a leader. He’s really taking over the defense and becoming the quarterback of the defense.

In our packages and checks, it’s encouraging to see.”

While there are no such returning starters in the secondary, Conner also has high hopes for that portion of the defense.

“Looking at all summer (during 7-on-7 drills), we felt like the secondary was our strength now,” Conner said. “We’ve got three or four corners we can put in who are tall and good in man-to-man, like Jordan Davis. Jelani Brown was hurt most of last year, but he’s back and he can cover with great quickness. “(Theo) Burnette may be our most physical corner. He’s got a lot of ability to play the position. And we moved Devin Terry to strong safety because we want to keep our best players on the field as much as possible. Khalil Newton may be the best natural football player of the group.”

Back in black In addition to a few new players, the Wildcats will also sport a different kind of a new look when they take the field for the season opener against Wheeler on Aug. 22 at Cecil Morris Stadium.

They will be outfitted in new uniforms for the second straight season, which will feature a much darker tone.

“They’ll be all black at home and all white on the road with black helmets,” Conner said. “We like to change it up. We talked to the kids and they like to change it up, too.

The kids like the black. They enjoy it and they’re fired up, so that’s a good thing.”

— David Friedlander

Duluth roster No. Name 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25

Pos. Year

Khalil Newton WR/FS Jelani Brown WR/CB Thad Bell QB Theo Burnette RB/CB Jared Virgo RB/CB Deon Powell TE/DE Marcellos Sparks QB Nyles Preston RB/LB Josh Newton WR/CB Tyrik Price WR/S Jalil El Amin Alexander QB Devin Terry WR/S Daymonti Bush WR/DB Joshua Jenkins K/P Tyler Velasquez QB MyQuon Foote TE/S Dominic Thomas RB/S Jordan Davis WR/CB Christian Pinkney WR/CB Trenton Palmore WR/CB Xavier Robles WR/CB

10 12 12 12 12 12 10 12 12 12 9 12 12 10 11 12 11 12 10 11 10

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE Kedarius Davis (Soph.) or Cameren Carter (Soph.)

DT Darius McCray (Jr.) DT Nazhee Rivera (Sr.) or William Hunter (Jr.) DE Deon Powell (Sr.) WLB Corey Less (Sr.) or Nyles Preston (Sr.) MLB Rodney Jones (Sr.) SLB MyQuon Foote (Sr.) CB Jelani Brown (Sr.) CB Jordan Davis (Sr.) or Theo Burnette (Sr.) FS Khalil Newton (Soph.)

SS Devin Terry (Sr.) P Joshua Jenkins (Soph.)

Offense QB Thad Bell (Sr.) or Marcellos Sparks (Soph.)

RB Theo Burnette (Sr.) or Nyles Preston (Sr.) WR Khalil Newton (Soph.)

WR Devin Terry (Sr.) WR Josh Newton (Sr.) WR Tyrik Price (Sr.) OL William Hunter (Jr.) OL Frankie Viloria (Jr.) OL Darius McCray (Jr.) OL Troy Price (Jr.) OL Donald Boone (Soph.)

K Joshua Jenkins (Soph.)

26 27 28 29 30

Marcus Webster RB/CB Coleman McDonald WR/S Corey Burnett WR/S Trevon Burnette WR/CB Robert Bennett WR/S

9 11 10 12 10

32 33 34 35 38

Cordell Creighton Elijah McDade Erick Crockett Corey Less Bailey Romanchuck

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RB/LB WR/S RB/LB RB/LB WR/DB

10 10 11 12 10

40 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 59 65 71 72 74 80 81 82 84 85 86

Rodney Jones Verrell Sayles Isaiah Moore Aaron Black Troy Price Franklin Viloria William Hunter Nazhee Rivera Darius McCray Reggie Rumph Brandon Baker Geohvanni Perez Nick Banks Donald Boone Hugo Cuevas Khiree Seabrook Corey Denson Brandon Loftin Kedarius Davis Cameren Carter Dominique West

RB/LB WR/CB LG/DE RG/DE LT/DT C/DT G/DT G/DT RT/DT G/DE G/DT G/DT LT/DE LT/DT LT/DT WR/CB WR/CB WR/S TE/DE TE/DE WR/CB

12 10 12 11 11 11 11 12 11 11 12 11 12 10 10 9 12 10 10 10 10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 25

Greater Atlanta Christian Mascot: Spartans

Offense For the second straight year, the theme of the Spartans’ offense can be summed up in one word — speed.

Well, explosiveness might also be a good word to describe the big-play capability GAC will possess with the return of two Super Six selections and major college prospects in running back Micah Abernathy (1,664 yards, 20 TDs last season) and receiver Darius Slayton (pictured) (31 receptions, 940 yards, 8 TDs).

The playmaking ability goes even beyond that pair, with others like fellow seniors Jaelen Venable and Justin Phan adding to the depth at the skill positions.

The only question mark could be at quarterback, where two-year starter Rafe Chapple must be replaced.

But even there, the Spartans may have an answer with the emergence of sophomore Davis Mills, who showed plenty of promise during the summer 7-on-7 season.

“He’s working hard to grow and develop,” GAC coach Tim Hardy said. “There’s no replacement for experience.

You have to go get that on a Friday night, but he’s doing a great job (so far). We really like the direction he’s moving in.

“He can throw. He can throw well. He can throw a

204981-1

Coach: Tim Hardy (20-6 at GAC, 29-21 overall)

Region: 6-AA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 Benedictine Aug. 29 North Oconee Sept. 5 at ELCA Sept. 19 Hapeville Charter Sept. 26 at BEST Academy Oct. 3 KIPP Atlanta Oct. 10 at Pace Academy Oct. 24 Holy Innocents’ Oct. 31 at Lovett Nov. 7 at Wesleyan

2013 results (10-2)

Stone Mountain W 48-26 Savannah W 41-6 Apalachee W 56-14 Chamblee W 45-0 Howard (Tenn.) W 67-20 Thomson W 56-12 Westminster W 49-3 Hapeville Charter W 52-7 Wesleyan W 42-7 Lovett L 17-14 Rabun County W 34-0 Calhoun L 31-30 variety of passes, mix things up with touch or strength if it needs to be. (He’s) an effective runner.”

Protecting the new signal caller will the a line led by returning starters Ford Higgins and Carter Cox. Defense As loaded as the offense seems to be with talent and experience, the defense also won’t be lacking in either, and it’s no secret where the biggest strength of the unit lies.

The defense’s six returning starters include all four

26 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

linebackers, with a pair of Division I commitments anchoring the position in Georgia Tech-bound Tyler Cooksey and Navy commit Paul Carothers, who combined for 190 tackles.

“It really starts in the middle,” Hardy said. “Those guys are a tandem. They’re as good as anybody around, those two inside linebackers. They just can play, read, work, they’re physical, they’re smart, they’ve got football sense. I mean, that gives us a great chance right there. They erase a lot of things.”

While the other two units within the defense aren’t quite as experienced, they aren’t lacking in talent.

Mitchell Milovich returns on the defensive line, while Slayton will once again be called upon to pull double duty at cornerback, and he won’t be alone.

As good as Abernathy has been on offense, many of the colleges recruiting him have been doing so with the idea of him playing in the secondary.

While he wasn’t needed there much last year, he will be called upon to see the

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field a lot more this year to form a formidable pair of bookend cover corners with Slayton at times, though Hardy admits it will take some juggling to make sure everybody stays fresh.

“For us, we need to have three starting corners … for two positions,” Hardy said.

“We need other backs to hand the ball to and other receivers for couple of plays.

So, it’s sort of that constant rotation, so we’ve really been focusing on developing that.

We’ve got some guys on both sides that are ready for prime time. So any given

game, we could go backand-forth.”

Playoff tests When last year’s nonRegion 6-AA schedule was made, the idea was to provide a challenge that would help prepare the team for the Class AA state playoffs, given the fact that playing in a five-team region, the chances of making the postseason was good.

Nobody could’ve foreseen the six non-region foes, which included several traditionally strong programs, combining to go 15-45.

That meant the Spartans never played in any close games until their regular season finale against Lovett and their second-round playoff game against Calhoun, which they lost by a combined four points.

This year’s non-region slate should be considerably more formidable, with Benedictine, North Oconee and Eagle’s Landing Christian having posted a combined 31-6 record last season, with all three making their respective classifications’ state playoffs.

New look Spartans The Spartans will sport new uniforms in 2014, with new white helmets replacing the red ones they’ve worn for several seasons to go with red home jerseys and white pants.

— David Friedlander

Greater Atlanta Christian roster No. Name 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23

Pos. Year

Darius Slayton WR/DB Jaelen Venable RB/DB Micah Abernathy RB/DB Berkley Boglin QB/DB Will Kenworthy K/P Marcus Young RB/DB Liam Sullivan WR/DB Justin Phan WR/DB Joshua Pickens RB/OLB Jake Rose RB/OLB Drew Dinsmore QB/DB Jonathan Waters WR/QB/DB Connor Markham WR/OLB Davis Mills QB/DB Harrison Sloan WR/DB Jonathan Rose WR/DB Malcolm Cunningham WR/DB Alex Rowe RB/DB Trey Nelson RB/DB Julian Wright WR/DB

12 12 12 11 12 11 11 12 11 12 10 11 11 10 10 10 11 11 12 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DL Mitchell Milovich (5-11, 225, Sr.) DL Ben Masters (6-3, 225, Jr.) DL Carson Cox (6-0, 265, Sr.) OLB Jake Rose (6-1, 190, Sr.) ILB Tyler Cooksey (6-3, 225, Sr.) ILB Paul Carothers (6-1, 225, Sr.) OLB Joshua Pickens (6-1, 205, Jr.) DB Darius Slayton (6-2, 185, Sr.) DB Micah Abernathy (6-1, 190, Sr.) DB Alex Rowe (6-0, 175, Jr.) DB Berkley Boglin (5-11, 155, Jr.) P Will Kenworthy (6-1, 175, Sr.) or Brooks Buce (5-11, 165, Soph.)

Offense QB Davis Mills (6-2, 180, Soph.)

RB Micah Abernathy (6-1, 190, Sr.) FB Paul Carothers (6-1, 225, Sr.) WR Justin Phan (5-7, 140, Sr.) WR Darius Slayton (6-2, 185, Sr.) WR Trey Nelson (5-8, 170, Sr.) or Joshua Pickens (6-1, 205, Jr.) TE Tyler Cooksey (6-3, 225, Sr.) or Harrison Kerr (5-11, 180, Jr.) OL Ford Higgins (6-1, 240, Jr.) OL D.J. Coker (6-0, 265, Sr.) OL Carson Cox (6-0, 265, Sr.) OL Nicholas Bray (5-11, 280, Jr.) OL Devin Cochran (6-6, 280, Jr.) K Will Kenworthy (6-1, 175, Sr.) or Brooks Buce (5-11, 165, Soph.)

24 25 26 27 30

Davis Markham Trent Fowler Derek Coffman Johns Hamilton Erik Smith

WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB WR/DB

10 10 11 10 10

31 32 35 36 41

Joshua Irvin WR/DB Brandon Washington FB/DL Malclom Liggon TE/OLB Paul Carothers RB/ILB Brice Gamble RB/OLB

10 10 10 12 10

42 44 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 70 72 73 74 75 77 78 82 87

Tyler Cooksey Aiden Jarrett Chris Moss Carson Cox Nicholas Bray D.J. Coker Ford Higgins Mitchell Milovich Devin Cochran Justin Ellard Charlie Edwards Robbie Chandler Cam Olsey Lawrence Phillips John Jefferson Carson Costas Ben Masters Cam Norton Harrison Kerr Brooks Buce

TE/ILB TE/ILB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/OLB K/P

12 11 12 12 11 12 11 12 11 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 12 12 10

Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett wishes a safe and successful 2014 season to the Gwinnett High School teams.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 27

Grayson Mascot: Rams

Coach: Mickey Conn (114-45 at Grayson, 114-45 overall)

Offense Grayson’s near-complete turnover on both sides of the ball in 2013 allowed plenty of young players an opportunity to make positive first impressions with head coach Mickey Conn.

Even after a 4-6 season, the team’s worst in eight years, Conn was certainly impressed.

“It was a great opportunity for young kids to play,” he said. “I’m hoping that varsity experience will carry over into this season and be a positive for those guys.”

On the stat sheet, no one shined more than Cameryn Brent (pictured), who debuted with 1,128 yards and nine touchdowns in his first year as a starter.

Now a junior, Brent has spent the offseason focused on improving his strength and durability. He surpassed 1,000 pounds in the team’s weightlifting program despite his 5-foot-8, 190-pound frame.

“He looks good,” Conn said. “He has great vision, good balance.

A really, really strong kid. Just a strong, physical runner.”

Brent is suddenly the veteran of the Rams’ backfield with the departure of Aares McCall, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards during his last two years at Grayson.

His new accomplices are juniors Jordan Hightower and Ernest Tiller, who will get carries from the Hback position.

Chase Brice returns at quarterback, and will begin his first full season as Grayson’s starter after taking over for an injured Hunter Schuessler during the last six games of the 2013 season.

But Schuessler is far from an afterthought in the offseason, de-

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2012

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Gainesville at Langston Hughes at Archer Parkview at Berkmar South Gwinnett at Shiloh Central Gwinnett at Dacula Brookwood

2013 results (4-6)

spite his absence at signal caller.

He made the transition to wide receiver in the offseason, a project Conn deemed very successful.

“It’s been a great move for him and the team,” Conn said. “He’s really excelled in the passing leagues and the 7-on-7s. A 6-foot-4 target out there can put a lot of pressure on the defense.”

Schuessler will share targets with Miami (Ohio) commit Cedric Asseh, David Stinson, Austin Nash, Evan Sturgill and tight end Ryan Carriere.

Justin Young, Grayson’s starting defensive end and a Georgia commit, will also catch passes from the tight end and fullback positions, when needed.

Chris Martin, a two-way starter in the trenches, is the Rams’ lone returning starter on the offensive line. Center Cole Inman joins the team from nearby George Walton Academy in Monroe. Matt Wilkins, Blake Soden, Payton Shaddix, Jalen

Jackson and Will Taylor make up the rest of Grayson’s big men up front.

Defense Young’s breakthrough 2013 season earned him a spot in Athens, and his 2014 campaign could see him transform into one the state’s elite defensive ends.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder has played a healthy variety of positions for Rams over the past two seasons, and that should continue in his senior year, according to Conn.

“He’s a really athletic kid, and we need to use him to the best of his ability,” Conn said. “He’s going to need to be an unselfish player, which he is, and he’s going to have to be used in a lot of different roles.”

Young is the hub of a monstrous front seven, which averages 260 pounds up front and 225 at linebacker.

“Our front seven on defense should be pretty good,” Conn said.

“You win a lot of ball games with a

Colquitt County North Gwinnett Parkview Dacula Shiloh Central Gwinnett Berkmar South Gwinnett Archer Brookwood

L 21-6 L 35-0 W 34-10 L 14-7 W 44-3 W 27-19 W 37-7 L 28-21 L 34-21 L 30-27* *overtime

good front seven on defense.”

Wisconsin commit Mohamed Berry and Daniel Fennell, who led the team with 111 tackles last season, anchor the linebacking corps.

Denzel Wright, a 260-pounder, moves from center, where he started in 2013, and will be used to clog up the middle at inside linebacker. Kiminzki Flint also enters his senior year as a starter.

Jordan Hayes leads the Grayson secondary for one last season before he ventures to Duke in 2015.

Germell Jenkins will assist him at safety, with Tiller, Adesola Abisoye, Matthew Greenway and Jordan Cornelius serving at cornerback.

Prized punter Before the 2013 season, Austin

McGugan was a typical offensive lineman for Grayson.

One year later, he’s one of the nation’s top punters.

Kohl’s Football Kicking Camps has McGugan ranked 18th nationally, and tops in Georgia.

At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, McGugan’s size was utilized on the offensive line until last year, when he demonstrated a new ability.

“He’s been a lineman all his life,” Conn said. “Then last year we discovered a hidden talent.”

Early challenges Even after a losing record in 2013, Grayson is not easing up when it comes to scheduling nonregion opponents.

The Rams open the season with Class AAAAA state semifinalist Gainesville on Aug. 29 before visiting Langston Hughes, which reached the second round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs last year.

The two foes combined for a 22-4 record last season.

“Both teams are really well coached,” Conn said. “I’m hoping that’ll prepare us going into the region, because we open with Archer right out of the gate.”

Archer, the defending Region 8-AAAAAA champion, was 11-1 last season, meaning Grayson could be sitting pretty in 2014 with a 3-0 start to the year.

“I hope teams take us lightly, but I don’t think they will,” Conn said.

“I know that our coaches and our players have worked really hard preparing this season. I’m excited to get back out there and get this taste out of our mouths.”

— Mitch Blomert

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Grayson roster No. Name

Pos. Year

1 Mohamed Barry LB/RB 12 2 Chase Brice QB 10 3 Germell Jenkins DB/WR 12 4 Kiminzki Flint LB/RB 12 5 Jordan Hayes DB/WR 12 6 Deshaun Warren RB 12 7 Hunter Schuessler TE/QB 12 8 Cedric Asseh WR 12 9 Daniel Fennell LB/RB 12 10 Riley Knight QB 10 11 Mohammed Abdul-Qawee DB 12 12 David Stinson WR 12 13 Jordan Hightower WR 11 14 Abisha Devonish DB 11 15 Ernest Tiller DB/RB 11 16 Austin Nash WR 11 17 Garland Peters LB 11 18 Omari DeBose DB 10 19 Schnyder Boucard LB/TE 11 20 Zik Okoye LB 11 21 Adesola Abisoye DB 11 22 Matthew Greenway DB 10 23 Andrew Hayes RB 11 24 Noah Rall WR 11 25 Ishmail Abdul-Qawee LB 10 27 Trevious Frazier WR 11 26 Jeremy Jones DB 12 28 Bryce Smith LB 11 29 Jameel Allen WR 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Chase Brice (6-3, 190, Soph.)

RB Cameryn Brent (5-9, 190, Jr.) RB Jordan Hightower (5-9, 155, Jr.) WR Cedric Asseh (6-1, 190, Sr.) WR Hunter Schuessler (6-4, 190, Sr.) TE Ryan Carriere (6-4, 220, Jr.) LT Jalen Jackson (6-4, 264, Soph.)

LG Matt Wilkins (6-1, 255, Sr.) C Cole Inman (6-2, 270, Sr.) RG Chris Martin (6-2, 260, Jr.) RT Will Taylor (6-4, 260, Soph.)

K Austin Hoyt (5-9, 185, Sr.) 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Justin Lester Darryl Gorie Evan Sturgill Cameryn Brent Jordan Cornelius Jacob Gregory Blake Soden Elijah Barnes Andrew Bridges Cory Barron Cameron Davis Jake Killian

LB LB WR RB DB TE/LB OL/DL TE/LB LB RB/DB WR/DB DB

11 12 10 11 10 10 12 10 10 10 10 10

Defense DE Justin Young (6-4, 265, Sr.) NG Chris Martin (6-2, 260, Jr.) DE Mykelle McDaniel (6-4, 265, Jr.) OLB Mohamed Barry (6-2, 220, Sr.) LB Daniel Fennell (6-3, 230, Sr.) LB Denzel Wright (6-1, 260, Jr.) OLB Kiminzki Flint (5-11, 190, Sr.) S Jordan Hayes (6-1, 175, Sr.) S Germell Jenkins (6-1, 190, Sr.) CB Ernest Tiller (5-9, 155, Jr.) CB Adesola Abisoye (5-11, 160, Jr.) P Austin McGugan (6-1, 230, Jr.) 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

Kyle Smolarsky Quintin Thames Denzel Wright Emmanuel Coulter Drew Hopkins Sam Warren Joey Chavez Myron Woods Matt Wilkins Luke Seal Austin Hoyt Manny Perez

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DB RB/DB LB/OL TE DB LB QB RB OL OL K OL

12 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 12 10 12 11

54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 63 65 68 72 74 75 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 84 86 87 88 90 91 97 99

Patton Shaddix Chris Martin Steven Banks Justin Young Ellison Hubbard Dalton Harnois C.J. Royal Austin McGugan Thomas Boest Clarke Hubbard Michael Sharp Jalen Jackson John Taylor Cole Inman Darius Stevens Will Taylor Jordan Heath Trevon Barbour Amir Burns Tyrone Pinkston Anthony Lazenby Brayon Velasquez Miguel Solis Ryan Carriere Alex Russell Bryce Morias Mykelle McDaniel William Van Pamelen Danny Conlin

OL DL/OL DL DL/OL DL OL DL P OL OL DL/OL OL OL OL DL/OL OL OL WR DB WR TE DB DL TE/LB TE/LB DL/OL DL K K

12 11 10 12 10 10 10 12 10 10 11 10 10 12 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 9 11

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 29

Hebron Christian Mascot: Lions

Offense Hebron won its first two games of the 2013 season, scoring 23 and 36 points in each of those respective wins. But points became scarce after that as the Lions averaged just over 11 points per game the rest of the season, all of which were losses.

But that was a young team, and with several key players returning, head coach Kevin Shaffer is optimistic about 2014.

“We’re so far ahead of where we were this time last year,” said Shaffer, who is entering his second season as head coach of Hebron.

“We feel that we’ve started to develop something that will teach these kids how to be competitive and successful in football and in life.”

Hebron’s skill positions are virtually intact, led by junior Connor Holliday (pictured), a three-year starter at quarterback.

Holliday had the opportunity to hone in some of his skills over the summer as Hebron competed in some of the 7-on-7 passing league tournaments. That time, along with the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Greg Lester, has helped Holliday make a big surge in his development.

“He’s looked very natural, especially in the pocket,” Shaffer said. “He’s really taken a big leap from where he had been.”

Coach: Kevin Shaffer (2-8 at Hebron, 2-8 overall)

Region: 8-A 2014 schedule

Aug. 22 at East Jackson Aug. 29 Mt. Vernon Sept. 5 at Commerce Sept. 19 at Towns County Sept. 26 Prince Avenue Oct. 3 at Lakeview Oct. 10 Providence Oct. 24 George Walton Oct. 31 Athens Academy Nov. 7 at Athens Christian

2013 results (2-8)

Lakeview W 23-7 Cross Keys W 36-20 St. Francis L 41-16 Pinecrest L 37-0 George Walton L 50-20 Athens Christian L 35-8 Prince Avenue L 57-7 Commerce L 48-12 Athens Academy L 21-7 Towns County L 34-19 two-year starter.

“Both of those guys have a lot of potential and are very athletic,” Shaffer said.

Hebron also looks solid on special teams with both its kicker and punter returning.

Holliday will have two experienced receivers as targets in Trey Selman and Jacob Harper, who combined for over 1,200 yards receiving last year. William Brice will also give Shaffer’s offense more options at slot receiver.

Hebron also has its leading rusher from last season returning in Andrew Redman, who Shaffer calls his

“go-to guy” in the ground game.

The offensive line lost three starters, but Shaffer is excited about the two he has coming back in juniors John Dussling and Evan Barnes.

Dussling, a 6-4, 225-pound offensive tackle, already has two years starting experience under his belt, while Barnes, who is 6-3 and 225-pounds, is a

Defense Hebron is one of the few teams in Region 8-A that runs a spread offense, and the 3-4 scheme on defense it had last year struggled at times against the many wing-T offenses it faced.

For 2014, Shaffer and defensive coordinator Blake Murphy have changed to a 3-5 with the hope that pulling down a fifth linebacker will

Last playoff appearance: N/A

help slow down some of the powerful running attacks they will face.

“That will give us a lot of versatility,” Shaffer said. “We can spread things out but can also play in coverage if we have to.”

One of the newcomers for Hebron this fall is Luke Crawford, a 6-5, 220-pound junior that has emerged as one of the top linebackers.

Crawford, who also doubles on offense as tight end, has impressed Shaffer with his athletic skills that previously had just been seen on the basketball court.

Another young linebacker in sophomore Sean Heflin has also shown promise and should give Hebron depth at that position.

The secondary is anchored by Harper and Selman at the corners and Redman at safety. That trio won’t be tested much in the way of passing attacks this season, so its strength will need to come in its ability to tackle.

Dussling and Barnes will also be counted on to anchor the front line at defensive end. If the rigors of playing both ways can be withstood, Hebron’s defense stands a good chance on improving its 35 points per game allowed last year.

All-star staff Shaffer’s seven years in the NFL allowed him to cross the paths of many other NFL

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players, a resource he has tapped to bolster his coaching staff. Greg Lester is one of those, who came from Dutchtown to be his offensive coordinator. Lester was a member of Georgia Tech’s 1990 national championship team as a receiver.

Also helping at receiver is community coach Bryant Johnson, the 17th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft out of Penn State. Johnson spent nine years in the league with Arizona, San Francisco, Detroit and Houston.

Others helping are Keion Carpenter (former Buffalo Bill and Atlanta Falcon) at secondary, Antwan Lake (Lions, Falcons and Saints) with the defensive line and Terrence Melton (Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Ravens) with the linebackers and defense.

Safety first One of the first things fans will notice with Hebron’s uniforms this year is that the helmets have a new color in charcoal gray.

What may not be so noticeable, though, is that these helmets achieved the highest rating at five stars for safety in a test conducted Virginia Tech in 2013.

Hebron has helmets from two companies, Riddell and Xenith, and are both designed to reduce the risk of concussion.

— Scott Smith

Hebron Christian roster No. Name 1 2 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 16 17 25 28 30 31

Pos. Year

Trey Selman WR/DB Victor Gipson RB/DB Nash Bullock WR/DB Troy Allen QB/DB Luke Crawford TE/LB William Brice WR/LB Alex Brice WR/DB Connor Holliday QB/DB Trent Donahue TE/WR/DE Chandler Schultheis WR/DB Jacob Harper WR/DB/K Andrew Redman RB/LB Jacob Rorke WR/DB Aaron May OL/DL Andrew Wallo RB/DB

12 10 10 9 11 12 10 11 12 11 12 12 9 9 9

41 44 50 54 55 56 58 60 68 72 73 75 76 77 82

Brendan Harrison Ethan Reynolds Ryver Morrow Ben Ulrich Sean Heflin Christian Cortman Michael Sullivan Carson Foraker Tyler Pritchett Evan Barnes Austin Thomas John Dussling Chris Fisher Nic Talley Gabe Marty

RB/LB TE/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/DL

9 12 9 10 10 10 10 9 9 11 9 11 10 9 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Connor Holliday (6-1, 160, Jr.) TB Andrew Redman (5-8, 165, Sr.) WR Jacob Harper (6-0, 155, Sr.) WR Trey Selman (6-2, 175, Sr.) WR Chandler Schultheis (6-0, 150, Jr.) TE Luke Crawford (6-4, 220, Jr.) LT John Dussling (6-3, 240, Jr.) LG Michael Sullivan (5-10, 220, Soph.)

C Sean Heflin (5-8, 170, Soph.)

RG Ethan Reynolds (5-11, 175, Sr.) RT Evan Barnes (6-3, 230, Jr.) K Victor Gipson (5-9, 165, Soph.)

Defense DE John Dussling (6-3, 240, Jr.) NG Gabe Marty (6-0, 205, Sr.) DE Ethan Reynolds (5-11, 175, Sr.) LB Andrew Redman (5-8, 165, Sr.) LB Luke Crawford (6-4, 220, Jr.) LB Sean Heflin (5-8, 170, Soph.)

LB William Brice (5-10, 175, Sr.) LB Victor Gipson (5-9, 165, Soph.)

CB Chandler Schultheis (6-0, 150, Jr.) CB Jacob Harper (6-0, 155, Sr.) FS Trey Selman (6-2, 175, Sr.)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 31

County schools on four-year championship streak in the state’s highest classification

No.

By Will Hammock

s

os r c r o N • 2013

s s o r c r o N 2012 • d

o o w k o o r 2010 • B

n o s y a r G 2011 •

GW

32 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

ta was then promptly routed 48-0

by Collins Hill, the No. 2 seed from Gwinnett’s 7-AAAAAA. Those results back up what local coaches preach throughout the season.

The Gwinnett teams that make the playoffs, regardless of seeding, have a very good shot of making a deep run.

And once those teams get deep, the state title aspirations get even more real.

“We’ve done pretty well with (beating higher seeds in the playoffs),” Crews said. “We beat 10-0 Lassiter as a 4 seed. We beat 10-0 McEachern as a 4 seed a few years ago. You’ve got to think our 4 seeds are pretty good teams most of the time.”

Winning one round will be tougher than usual this season, though. Gwinnett two’s AAAAAA regions will meet each other in the first round, which will send half of the county’s eight playoff teams home immediately.

It’s the worst-case scenario for local coaches that cycles around every three

E L T I T T H AIG

R T S H T F I F A E OM

H G N I R B O ES T

P O H T T E N IN

doesn’t necessarily take a No. 1 seed to win it all, either. Norcross was a No. 2 seed last season and Peachtree Ridge The mantra for Gwinnett County won in 2006 as a No. 4 seed. football teams, just get to the playoffs, With each passing year, the numnever wavers. ber of local teams with realistic state With such a dogfight to earn one championship hopes seems to increase. of the four postseason spots from “It just shows what kind of football difficult Regions 8-AAAAAA and is played in our county,” Norcross 7-AAAAAA, the first mission is just to head coach Keith Maloof said. “Archer get there. Then when a Gwinnett team is on the rise, North (Gwinnett) is right is firmly in the state bracket, a deep there every year, Mill Creek could be run and even a state championship really strong this year, Grayson and becomes a legitimate mission.

Brookwood have won state titles. You “You’ve got lots of big schools don’t know where to turn. Somebody’s and lots of good coaches, so when always right there ready to grab it.” you’ve got those two things and lots Crews’ Brookwood team is one of good athletes, you’ve got some of the lower seeds to have success in outstanding teams (in Gwinnett),” recent seasons.

Brookwood head coach Mark Crews The Broncos defeated higher-seeded said. “With the good coaches and Lambert 35-16 in the 2013 first round, good programs here, the competition one year after defeating unbeaten, breeds outstanding teams. I know this Region 5-AAAAAA champion Lassounds arrogant, but if you can make siter 24-21 in the first round. Both of the top three in Region 7 or Region the Gwinnett regions’ No. 3 seeds also 8, you’ve got a chance to play for a won in 2012 — Parkview 20-17 over while. That’s proven to be true the last Walton and Mill Creek 41-39 over couple of years. If you can compete in Alpharetta. our leagues week in and week out in The same held true last season Gwinnett, you’ve got a chance to play for a while if you can stay healthy.”

will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

gwinnettprepsports.com

Crews’ comments have been backed up by playoff results, particularly the last two seasons.

Gwinnett teams have won the past four state championships in Georgia’s largest classification, with three different schools (Norcross in 2012 and 2013, Grayson in 2011 and Brookwood in 2010) claiming the title. It

years, forcing them into survival mode against other Gwinnett teams for an when third-seeded North (34-10 over 11th week, like a regular-season adMilton) and Brookwood knocked off dendum vs. another Gwinnett foe. higher seeds, but Peachtree Ridge For the four local teams who survive represented Gwinnett with a more that round, the expectations will be shocking result. The fourth-seeded very high. History shows they should Lions blasted 5-AAAAAA champion be, with Gwinnett seeking its fifth Lassiter 59-20 in the first round. straight state title in the largest class.

The county’s other No. 4 seed in “It wasn’t always that way, but now AAAAAA, South Gwinnett, gave it’s sort of like everybody expects 6-AAAAAA champion Alpharetta a those championships to come out of good battle in the first round. Alpharet- Gwinnett,” Crews said.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 33

County schools on four-year championship streak in the state’s highest classification

No.

By Will Hammock

s

os r c r o N • 2013

s s o r c r o N 2012 • d

o o w k o o r 2010 • B

n o s y a r G 2011 •

GW

32 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

ta was then promptly routed 48-0

by Collins Hill, the No. 2 seed from Gwinnett’s 7-AAAAAA. Those results back up what local coaches preach throughout the season.

The Gwinnett teams that make the playoffs, regardless of seeding, have a very good shot of making a deep run.

And once those teams get deep, the state title aspirations get even more real.

“We’ve done pretty well with (beating higher seeds in the playoffs),” Crews said. “We beat 10-0 Lassiter as a 4 seed. We beat 10-0 McEachern as a 4 seed a few years ago. You’ve got to think our 4 seeds are pretty good teams most of the time.”

Winning one round will be tougher than usual this season, though. Gwinnett two’s AAAAAA regions will meet each other in the first round, which will send half of the county’s eight playoff teams home immediately.

It’s the worst-case scenario for local coaches that cycles around every three

E L T I T T H AIG

R T S H T F I F A E OM

H G N I R B O ES T

P O H T T E N IN

doesn’t necessarily take a No. 1 seed to win it all, either. Norcross was a No. 2 seed last season and Peachtree Ridge The mantra for Gwinnett County won in 2006 as a No. 4 seed. football teams, just get to the playoffs, With each passing year, the numnever wavers. ber of local teams with realistic state With such a dogfight to earn one championship hopes seems to increase. of the four postseason spots from “It just shows what kind of football difficult Regions 8-AAAAAA and is played in our county,” Norcross 7-AAAAAA, the first mission is just to head coach Keith Maloof said. “Archer get there. Then when a Gwinnett team is on the rise, North (Gwinnett) is right is firmly in the state bracket, a deep there every year, Mill Creek could be run and even a state championship really strong this year, Grayson and becomes a legitimate mission.

Brookwood have won state titles. You “You’ve got lots of big schools don’t know where to turn. Somebody’s and lots of good coaches, so when always right there ready to grab it.” you’ve got those two things and lots Crews’ Brookwood team is one of good athletes, you’ve got some of the lower seeds to have success in outstanding teams (in Gwinnett),” recent seasons.

Brookwood head coach Mark Crews The Broncos defeated higher-seeded said. “With the good coaches and Lambert 35-16 in the 2013 first round, good programs here, the competition one year after defeating unbeaten, breeds outstanding teams. I know this Region 5-AAAAAA champion Lassounds arrogant, but if you can make siter 24-21 in the first round. Both of the top three in Region 7 or Region the Gwinnett regions’ No. 3 seeds also 8, you’ve got a chance to play for a won in 2012 — Parkview 20-17 over while. That’s proven to be true the last Walton and Mill Creek 41-39 over couple of years. If you can compete in Alpharetta. our leagues week in and week out in The same held true last season Gwinnett, you’ve got a chance to play for a while if you can stay healthy.”

will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

gwinnettprepsports.com

Crews’ comments have been backed up by playoff results, particularly the last two seasons.

Gwinnett teams have won the past four state championships in Georgia’s largest classification, with three different schools (Norcross in 2012 and 2013, Grayson in 2011 and Brookwood in 2010) claiming the title. It

years, forcing them into survival mode against other Gwinnett teams for an when third-seeded North (34-10 over 11th week, like a regular-season adMilton) and Brookwood knocked off dendum vs. another Gwinnett foe. higher seeds, but Peachtree Ridge For the four local teams who survive represented Gwinnett with a more that round, the expectations will be shocking result. The fourth-seeded very high. History shows they should Lions blasted 5-AAAAAA champion be, with Gwinnett seeking its fifth Lassiter 59-20 in the first round. straight state title in the largest class.

The county’s other No. 4 seed in “It wasn’t always that way, but now AAAAAA, South Gwinnett, gave it’s sort of like everybody expects 6-AAAAAA champion Alpharetta a those championships to come out of good battle in the first round. Alpharet- Gwinnett,” Crews said.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 33

Lanier Mascot: Longhorns

Offense Korey Mobbs got a promotion earlier this summer, replacing Billy Wells as Lanier’s head coach, but the first-time head coach still plans to call the plays on offense this season.

The 33-year-old will work with considerable offensive talent, most notably running back Tario Fuller (pictured).

The Purdue commitment rushed for 1,590 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior.

“Tario is the energy of our football team,” Mobbs said. “He is a returning team captain. He does a lot for us as a coaching staff with getting guys in order that we don’t have to do. His energy is contagious for us. It helps us as coaches a lot.”

The Longhorns, who will continue to run the high-tempo, no-huddle spread offense they transitioned to last season, also want to get plenty of offensive touches to backs/ slot receivers Marcella Baity and Ashton Barnes. Wideout Tim Leazer also is coming off a big junior season.

One major offensive change is at quarterback. The 2013 starter, Canyon Cook, will start at safety and promising 6-foot-4 junior Tahj Tolbert will be the No. 1 quarterback.

“Last year Tahj Tolbert played a lot of significant time for us in meaningful moments,” Mobbs said.

“He’s 6-4, 205, throws the ball really well. We felt like his progress was such that

Coach: Kolby Mobbs (0-0 at Lanier, 0-0 overall)

Region: 8-AAAAA 2014 schedule

Aug. 22 at Lambert Sept. 5 at Clarke Central Sept. 12 Flowery Branch Sept. 19 Cedar Shoals Sept. 26 at Loganville Oct. 10 Gainesville Oct. 17 at Heritage Oct. 24 Salem Oct. 31 Winder-Barrow Nov. 7 at Apalachee

2013 results (9-3)

Apalachee W 42-14 Oconee Co. W 24-7 Franklin Co. W 27-0 Madison Co. W 34-8 Monroe Area L 56-28 Eastside W 40-10 Chestatee L 20-17* Stephens Co. W 31-14 Lumpkin Co. W 41-7 Walnut Grove W 41-0 Carver-Atlanta W 26-7 Alexander L 42-28 *double overtime

we could try to do what’s best for the team and utilize Cook’s athleticism elsewhere. That transition has been better than we could have imagined. Cook is a super kid. He just has a good time playing the game.

“Cook was the region quarterback of the year last year and he will play some quarterback for us too this year. But he understands he wants to do what’s best for the team and we’re going to utilize

ing three starters at linebacker, we feel like we’re pretty athletic at that position.”

Brown, a 6-4, 290-pound junior, is ranked as one of the nation’s top defensive linemen recruits in his class.

With more than 20 offers, he has Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and Florida among his favorites.

He will work at end alongside 320-pound anchor Darius Daniels. Derriyon Shaw also is an important player at defensive end for a Lanier team that lost Duke commitment Trevon McSwain, who transferred to Lambert earlier this year.

Taylor moves from safety to join a young, but impressive linebacking group that also includes Devin Miller and Juwuan Jones. Jorrdan Jones, Stefan Ball, Kymani Brown and Cook are among the top contributors in the secondary.

we got here, we knew it was going to be a building process and Coach Wells did a tremendous job of seeing that through and putting a tremendous plan in place and kind of grooming me for the spot.

I feel like we haven’t missed a beat because of the plan that’s been put in place. The leadership at the school has been tremendous. It helps when you have guys who are ready to take it and run with it.

And we’ve got great kids.”

Etc. Lanier reached a number of milestones last season, including a school-record nine wins, the program’s first playoff game and victory and its first home playoff game. That success should help as the Longhorns move into a new classification and region. “I think it will be huge. Although we’re moving to a different “We felt like it gave some region, our kids have been of our athletes on the defento the playoffs, our kids have sive front more opportunity Change at the top won a playoff game. We’ll to make plays, especially Wells left Lanier to become have about 40 seniors, which with Derrick Brown,” Mobbs him a bunch of different ways.” said. “We’re replacing techni- athletic director at North Hall, for a program of our size is which is closer to his home, pretty significant. We feel like cally all of our starters at The offense line has imwe have great numbers in pressive size and is anchored linebacker, but Jeremy Taylor and left the football program for one of his top assistants. the program 9-12, which can

by Travis Taylor (6-3 1/2, 290) is moving to linebacker from Mobbs coached at Colonly be a good thing.” … The safety, so we’ll have three and Taylor Barber (6-5, 300) staff has two new coaches new starters on the lineback- lins Hill for five years before at the tackle spots. Greyson joining Lanier when the — longtime Norcross asDavis, a spot player last year, ing crew. We feel like from a steps in as the starting center. secondary standpoint, we re- school opened. He is a 1999 sistant and Parkview grad ally have three guys returning Parkview grad, having played Jay Warren will coach the defensive backs and former back there and when you add on the Panthers’ first state Defense Apalachee assistant and Cook, we have guys that are championship team in 1997.

Lanier will sport a differ“The program was in great Central Gwinnett grad Bryan athletic and can make plays. ent look this season under We will rely on our defensive shape,” Mobbs said. “You talk Allen will coach the defendefensive coordinator David about five years worth of hard sive line and kickers. front to disrupt and make Willingham, with a shift to work and dedication. When — Will Hammock plays. Although we’re replacthe 3-4.

blitz

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34 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

Last playoff appearance: 2013

gwinnettprepsports.com

Lanier roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Marcella Baity JaCorey Holder Kymani Brown Stefan Ball Jeremy Taylor Canyon Cook Bolaji Ojolola Tario Fuller Devin Miller Tahj Tolbert Tim Leazer Jorrdan Jones Brian Tromp Sylvester Rouzan Ahmed Deen Mason Harwood Noah Fritz Daniel Scott Alex Wyant Ashton Barnes Alex Joyner Isaiah Dozier Miles Beckwith Demetrius Cress Juwuan Jones Stephen Bowens Marcko Baity Ethan Wilson

Pos. Year RB DB DB DB LB DB WR RB LB QB WR DB WR LB DB K QB WR WR RB DB DB WR DB LB LB RB DB

11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 10 12 10 11 12 11 12 11 10 12 10 10

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Tahj Tolbert (6-4, 205, Jr.) RB Tario Fuller (6-0, 195, Sr.) RB/WR Ashton Barnes (5-10, 180, Jr.) RB/WR Marcella Baity (5-7, 180, Jr.) WR Tim Leazer (6-4, 185, Sr.) WR Bolaji Ojolola (6-3, 185, Sr.) or Bernard Nuckles (5-11, 190, Sr.) LT Travis Taylor (6-3 1/2, 290, Sr.) LG Juan Marin (6-0, 265, Jr.) C Greyson Davis (6-0, 260, Sr.) RG Luke Wilder (6-3, 300, Sr.) RT Taylor Barber (6-5, 300, Sr.) PK Mason Harwood (5-11, 165, Sr.)

29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Aaron Vaz Marcus Milhouse Marshall Spurlock Will Bryan Isaiah Speight Bernard Nuckles Shaun Hunter Austin Moulder Justin Beckwith

DB DB WR LB WR WR LB WR RB

11 12 12 11 12 12 11 12 10

Defense DE Derrick Brown (6-4, 290, Jr.) NG Darius Daniels (6-0, 320, Sr.) DE Derriyon Shaw (6-3, 215, Jr.) OLB Devin Miller (5-11, 195, Jr.) ILB Juwuan Jones (6-2, 220, Soph.)

ILB Jeremy Taylor (6-0, 205, Sr.) OLB Sylvester Rouzan (5-10, 190, Sr.) or Shaun Hunter (5-10, 185, Jr.) FS Canyon Cook (6-0, 180, Sr.) SS Stefan Ball (5-10, 170, Sr.) or JaCorey Holder (5-10, 175, Sr.) CB Kymani Brown (5-10, 170, Sr.) CB Jorrdan Jones (5-11, 170, Sr.) P Mason Harwood (5-11, 165, Sr.) 38 39 40 41 42 44 46 48 50

Emmanuel Moses Amari Rouzan Josh Stroud Brandon King Justin Bobb Colton Ready C.J. Burress Ryan Persinger Logan Davis

gwinnettprepsports.com

DB DB DB LB DB LB LB LB OL

11 10 10 10 11 11 10 10 12

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 63 64 68 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 86 88 90

Joseph Kuria Christian Barfield Trystin Akin Dalton Bien Kevin Hubbard Travis Taylor Darius Ruffin Matt Hunter Brian Willis Hunter Beasley Greyson Davis Giovanni Diaz Juan Marin Taylor Barber Josh Brown Drew Allen Darius Daniels Hunter Beasley Luke Wilder Derriyon Shaw Michael Allen Cole Paschall Quinton Gresham Logan Bell John Borella James Clark Derrick Brown

DL OL OL OL DL OL LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL DL DL WR WR DE WR DE DL

12 11 11 12 12 12 11 12 11 10 12 10 11 12 12 10 12 10 12 11 10 11 12 12 10 12 11

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 35

Meadowcreek Mascot: Mustangs

Offense Graduation has forced the Mustangs to look to new faces, and there are quite a few large sets of shoes to be filled, including last year’s leading rusher Ryan Moore and playmaking receiver Laquan Johnson.

While the newcomers may lack starting experience, they do have many other qualities that have head coach George Pugh very excited.

“We’ve had some athletic players (over the years),” Pugh said. “But we really haven’t had any type of size at Meadowcreek. It’s been one of our Achilles heels.

The future is going to be very bright.”

Indeed, several of newcomers who will be counted on to contribute this year possess a combination of size and athleticism that has been rare at Meadowcreek.

That includes skill position players such as senior Kalu Onumah (6-foot-5, 215-pounds) at quarterback, Terrell Davis (6-2, 215) at receiver and running back Brandon Jackson (5-11, 185), whom Pugh calls “one of the strongest kids on our team.”

“I’ve been impressed with Kalu Onumah so far,” Pugh said. “He’s thrown the ball extremely well, and he’s a very sharp kid. … I’m mostly impressed with his leadership.

Coach: George Pugh (2-28 at Meadowcreek, 8-33 overall)

Region: 7-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 1988

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 Newton Sept. 5 at Rockdale Sept. 12 Clarkston Sept. 19 Peachtree Ridge Sept. 26 at Collins Hill Oct. 3 Mill Creek Oct. 10 at Norcross Oct. 24 Mountain View Oct. 31 at North Gwinnett Nov. 7 at Duluth

2013 results (1-9)

Shiloh L 48-7 Berkmar L 35-7 North Gwinnett L 63-0 Duluth L 34-7 Mill Creek L 47-0 Habersham Cent. W 21-14 Collins Hill L 68-0 Mountain View L 49-13 Peachtree Ridge L 47-0 Norcross L 59-14

“Terrell Davis (pictured) at wide receiver, Darin Hammonds at slot and Darryl Wimbush at X (receiver) gives us a good group of skill guys Meadowcreek hasn’t had since I’ve been here. It’s a good nucleus.

We’ve just got to keep jelling.”

Size is also a commodity that the Mustangs will have on the line, especially on the right side, where seniors Antonio Jarrett (6-6, 355) and Hal Drayton (6-3, 285) are set to line up at tackle

36 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

and guard respectively.

Defense From a personnel standpoint, the Mustangs’ defense figures to revolve around the line, in particular, a pair of experienced and athletic seniors in Deandre Smith and Oliver Niyungeko, who could be a force with speed off the edge.

“They’re solid bookends,” Pugh said. “Both kids are about 6-3, 220. And between them, we’ve got a young man we think is going to

grow into a positive at nose guard in Keenan Cason.

(The line) will be the strength of our defense.”

That doesn’t mean Pugh doesn’t have hopes for other areas of the defense.

The linebacking corps, led

by Aaron Buick, figures to be young, but solid, while Aaron Craft is someone Pugh believes can step up in the secondary.

While Pugh sees plenty of potential with his defensive personnel, there is one area that must be addressed.

gwinnettprepsports.com

Penalties and other mistakes have been a problem on both sides of the ball, but they can be especially glaring on defense, something the Mustangs have been addressing during the offseason.

“We’ve got to get on the right people (on the field) and be ourselves, something we’re working really hard on,” Pugh said.

“Discipline gives us a chance to win. We have to be very disciplined team. We can ill afford to beat ourselves.”

Numbers game Many head coaches

have tried to change the culture at Meadowcreek over the years besides Pugh, including Pugh himself from 2003-04, with only four wins since 2002 to show for it.

But last year’s lone win — a 21-14 win over Habersham Central last October — and a preseason scrimmage win over McNair have instilled hope throughout the Meadowcreek community.

And that, says Pugh, has led to another change that he says could have a more tangible effect on the program.

“Those two games we won last year helped increase our numbers,” Pugh said, referring to the larger numbers of players coming out for the team this season.

“When you have numbers, you have competition at every position. We haven’t had the numbers to generate that kind of competition. So when you get on the field, the first competition you see is somebody from Norcross (or some other team).

“Our kids now have that pride. That’s something we’ve got to get over here.

People believe we’ve got a chance to compete against anybody. With the schedule we’ve got, if we can find a way to win one or two of those, only God knows what we can do from there.”

— David Friedlander

Meadowcreek roster No. Name

Pos. Year

3 Eric Rivera K 10 4 Terrell Davis WR/DL 12 6 Kalu Onumah QB 12 7 Brandon Jackson RB/LB 12 8 Darion Hammons QB/DB 11 9 Quevella Calhoun P 9 11 Daquan Harris WR/DB 12 12 Darrell Wimbush WR/DB 12 13 Jeremiah Patton WR/DB 12 16 David Wing RB/DB 10 20 Travon Redditt WR/DB 11 23 Jamarious Craft WR/DB 11 25 Hershell Pierre LB 12 27 Neil Whitaker WR/DB 12 28 John Nguyen WR/LB 10 29 Keion Williams WR/DB 10 30 Threeney Dunbar WR/DB 12 32 Saye Kulah TE/LB 12 33 Kyree Rogers RB/DB 11 36 Corey Wilkins WR/DB 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Kalu Onumah (6-5, 215, Sr.) RB Kyree Rogers (5-11, 190, Jr.) or Brandon Jackson (6-0, 195, Sr.) FB Giani Muhale (5-9, 195, Jr.) WR Darrell Wimbush (6-1, 175, Sr.) WR Dallon Hammons (6-0, 195, Sr. WR Terrell Davis (6-1, 205, Sr.) WR Darion Hammons (5-11, 195, Jr.) LT Oliver Niyungeko (6-4, 245, Sr.) LG Diri Ibeawuci (5-11, 255, Jr.) C Robert Johnson (5-9, 200, Sr.) RG Hal Drayton (6-2, 285, Sr.) RT Antonio Jarrett (6-6, 345, Soph.)

K Eric Rivera (5-10, 165, Soph.)

37 38 41 42 43 46 47

Desean Williams Brandon Bledsoe Giani Muhale Dallon Hammons Donte Reese DeAndre Smith

WR/DB 10 WR/DB 11 RB/LB 11 TE/LB 12 WR/DB 10 TE/DL 12 Jai’Sean Hopkins-PaytonRB/LB 11

Defense DE Oliver Niyungeko (6-4, 245, Sr.) NT Keanan Cason (5-10, 220, Jr.) DT DeAndre Smith (6-3, 222, Sr.) MLB Saye Kulah (6-0, 190, Sr.) MoLB Airon Buick (5-11, 190, Soph.)

SLB Hershell Pierre (6-0, 190, Jr.) WLB Brandon Jackson (6-0, 195, Sr.) CB Jamarious Craft (6-1, 175, Jr.) CB Threeny Dunbar (5-9, 175, Sr.) FS Darion Hammons (5-11, 195, Jr.) SS Neil Whitaker (6-0, 200, Sr.) P Quevella Calhoun (5-8, 160, Fr.)

51 52 53 54 55 56 57

William Giron Oliver Niuyngeko Keanan Cason JaQuan Janerette Hal Drayton Robert Johnson Joseph Adams

gwinnettprepsports.com

RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

11 12 11 11 12 12 10

58 64 65 70 72 73 74 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 87 90

Airon Buick TE/DL Zavion Henry TE/DL10 Tyler Masters OL/DL Duane Foxworth OL/DL Diri Ibeauwici OL/DL DeAndre Paige OL/DL Eszavion Franklin OL/DL Antonio Jarrett OL/DL LaMarcus Bailey OL/DL Kadeem Stewart OL/DL Shadiah Toppin WR/DB Craig Lockett WR/DB Antonio Richmond WR/DB Michael Edwards WR/DB Terrence Newborn WR/DB Kameron Jackson WR/DB Mike Ball WR/DB Zadarrien Stone WR/DB Zaire Maddison DL/LB

11 10 12 11 10 12 10 11 12 11 11 12 12 11 86 11 10 10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 37

Mill Creek Mascot: Hawks

Coach: Shannon Jarvis (53-54 at Mill Creek, 53-54 overall)

Offense After sporting Gwinnett’s highest-scoring offense among Class AAAAAA teams during the 2013 regular season, Mill Creek hopes to keep that momentum going into this year.

A huge, veteran offensive line is the biggest cause for optimism, along with Daniel David (pictured), a third-year starter, at quarterback. The group averaged 40.3 points last season and was held under 30 points just once.

David, an Appalachian State commitment, completed 77 of 137 passes (56 percent) for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, but he did just as much damage as a runner with 672 yards and six more scores.

“Daniel’s been a lot more vocal this summer,” Mill Creek head coach Shannon Jarvis said. “His role has changed. His sophomore year he played within his role and the older kids were leading the team and it was somewhat like that last year.

“But him and a lot of the seniors have embraced their roles of being more vocal this year.”

David could stay busier in the passing game this season, thanks to the development of wide receivers like David Curry, Micah Pulley, Braden Canamare, Broderick Norwood and Joseph Hall.

Despite those improvements, the Hawks will rely on their usual strong running game. Johnathan Hawkins, with offers from likes of Florida State and N.C. State, is in line to be the feature back, but the coaching staff also expects a big season from

Region: 7-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2012

2014 schedule

Aug. 23 Colquitt County* Aug. 29 at West Forsyth Sept. 5 Dacula Sept. 19 at Duluth Sept. 26 North Gwinnett Oct. 3 at Meadowcreek Oct. 10 Mountain View Oct. 24 Collins Hill Oct. 31 at Norcross Nov. 7 at Peachtree Ridge *at McEachern, 11:45 a.m.

2013 results (6-4)

fellow back Brian Efianayi.

Those two have the benefit of running behind a big offensive line led by Kaleb Kim (Auburn commitment), Josh Fannin (Middle Tennessee), Chad Walker and Bobby Klemm. Jake Lund also provides a quality blocker at tight end.

Defense A change at defensive coordinator has paid dividends already for the Hawks.

Former Parkview assistant (2003-05) and Etowah head coach (2006-11) Bill Stewart took over the defense and brought new energy to a unit that struggled at times last season. He stresses running to the football, something Jarvis said his players have appreciated in the spring and summer.

38 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

“It’s a total different style as far as being aggressive,” Jarvis said of Stewart, who joined the Hawks March 1, in time for spring practice. “Bill has brought a relentless attitude to those players. Even when you’re misaligned or there’s a breakdown, pursuit to the football is still his No. 1 priority. The kids have really enjoyed that.”

Veteran safety Chris Dickhute and cornerback Kijhani Sebastien head up a secondary with plenty of experience, with Gerard Butler and Zac Turner also coming back.

Samaj Starling, Lund, Tylon Craighead and Tyler Vernon are key players along the defensive front, while Furman commitment Tyler Voyles, Aaron Anderson and Sidney Otiwu form a strong linebacking corps.

gwinnettprepsports.com

Dacula W 41-28 Brookwood W 44-10 Mountain View W 42-3 Peachtree Ridge L 31-30 Norcross L 27-13 Meadowcreek W 47-0 North Gwinnett L 50-47 Duluth W 43-3 Habersham Central W 61-0 Collins Hill L 45-34

before losing a stunner 50-47.

“I think every year everybody in our region knows it’s a fine line (between being in or out of the playoffs),” Jarvis said. “Somebody’s going to be left out. When you are that team that gets left out, you want to do everything that much more, that much better to get there next season. You just know there’s that fine line between winning and losing on Friday nights and you try to make sure you cover every aspect, all scenarios of the game, because they’re all going to be close games.”

Etc. Mill Creek earned a spot in the annual Corky Kell Classic for the first time, though the Hawks won’t get to play in the Georgia Dome for the first time since the event moved to McEachern. But they’re still very excited about the opportunity and an early-season date against state power Colquitt CounComing up short ty. “It’s exciting,” Jarvis said. “With A 6-4 season wasn’t a major it comes responsibility and that’s success for the Hawks, who alwhat we’re preaching to the kids. ways have playoff aspirations. They We’ve always played Dacula (in the lost the wrong four games, all to opener) and we’ve always had to region opponents Norcross, North be ready to play that first week with Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge and a huge rivalry. But still it’s excitCollins Hill. ing to be in that event with your The losses all hurt, but the program and your players. We still games with Peachtree Ridge and have to be ready to play because North were particularly gut-wrench- it’s a big game for the opener.” … ing. After trailing, Mill Creek rallied In addition to Stewart, Mill Creek for a late score against Peachtree added two other coaches — Boo Ridge only to miss the potential Mitchell and North Gwinnett grad game-tying extra point in a 31-30 Jonathan Loudermilk. Mitchell, the loss. It then led No. 1-ranked North wide receivers coach, had been Gwinnett by 19 points near the coaching at Peachtree Ridge. midway point of the fourth quarter — Will Hammock

Mill Creek roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Pos. Year

David Curry WR/QB Daniel David QB Joseph Hull WR Aaron Anderson LB Brian Efianayi RB/LB Gerard Butler DB/WR Brodrick Norwood WR Bryson King K Jake Richards P/K Malik Turner WR David Agyeman WR Miles Riley WR Robbie Brazelton DB Braden Canamare WR Micah Pulley WR Cameron Turley QB Jason Chase DB Chase Turner DB Bryce Hall DB Tyler Voyles LB Kijhani Sebastien DB Stanley Otiwu DB Keetone Glover DB Johnathan Hawkins RB Tylon Craighead DE Shayne Nichols WR Caleb Peters DB Daniel Leconte RB

12 12 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 11 12 12 12 10 12 11 11 12 12 11 11 12 12 11 11 11

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PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Daniel David (6-1, 180, Sr.) RB Johnathan Hawkins (5-11, 200, Sr.) FB Micah Bull (5-11, 205, Jr.) HB Malik Turner (5-7, 145, Jr.) WR Micah Pulley (6-0, 160, Sr.) WR David Curry (6-1, 170, Sr.) TE Miles Riley (5-11, 165, Jr.) ST Kaleb Kim (6-4, 280, Sr.) SG Robbie Bell (6-5, 265, Jr.) C Josh Fannin (6-3, 300, Sr.) QG Chad Walker (6-2, 280, Sr.) QT Bobby Klemm (6-5, 315, Sr.) PK Bryson King (5-9, 150, Sr.) 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 39

Peyton Moore Zac Turner Anthony Imbordino Riley Snider Kishawn Miller Sam Mason Sidney Otiwu Adam Sanders Chris Dickhute Daniel Lohman

DE/TE DB LB TE DB LB LB TE DB K

11 12 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 11

51 52 53 54 55 57 60 62 65 67 68 70 73 74 78 80 81 82 83 86 87 91 92 93 94 95 97 98

Defense DE Tylon Craighead (5-11, 205, Sr.) DT Semaj Starling (6-0, 335, Sr.) DT Jake Lund (6-2, 235, Sr.) DE Tyler Vernon (6-3, 210, Jr.) LB Sidney Otiwu (5-11, 195, Jr.) LB Tyler Voyles (6-0, 200, Sr.) LB Aaron Anderson (5-11, 185, Jr.) FS Zac Turner (6-0, 170, Sr.) SS Chris Dickhute (6-1, 210, Sr.) CB Gerard Butler (5-11, 160, Sr.) CB Kijhani Sebastien (5-9, 155, Sr.) P Jake Richards (6-0, 195, Sr.)

40 41 42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50

Cole Henderson LB Jack Luker LB Braxton Richburg WR Micah Bull LB/FB Jamar Hall DB Preston Norwood DB Zack Presto RB Blake Pullen FB Avery Champion DL Moe Oladele-Samagbeyi OL

12 11 11 11 10 10 11 11 11 11

Ryan Cox DE Kaleb Kim OL Collin Janowski OL Bobby Klemm OL Mitchell McEnaney OL Chad Walker OL Jack Patterson OL Ryan Matuszak OL Robbie Bell OL Nick Campbell OL Cole Ragon OL Trevon Middleton OL Tyler Fannin OL Jack Franklin OL/DL Josh Fannin OL Christian Cangelosi WR Jake Lund WR Nick Rice DB Andre Davis DE Derentez McKinnon WR Tyler Vernon DE Brenton King K John Hunt DL Johnny Nguyen DL Kameron Banks DL Mike Johnson DL William Itoka DL Semaj Starling DT

10 12 10 12 10 12 11 12 11 10 11 11 10 10 12 11 12 10 12 11 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 12

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 39

Mountain View Mascot: Bears

Coach: Doug Giacone (5-15 at Mountain View, 5-15 overall)

Offense After losing its starting quarterback in the first game of the 2013 season, Mountain View’s offense faced a setback that would plague it the entire year.

Two young sophomores in Alex Scott and Sam Freitas were thrust into battle, and the duo fought their way through the season, guiding the Bears to 16 points per game in their two wins.

Scott and Freitas are once again back for 2014, vying for the starting job. Even though head coach Doug Giacone has yet to name a starter, he’s confident that their time on the field last year will pay big dividends.

“They both took their lumps last year but they gained a lot of experience,” Giacone said. “That’s something that is so valuable.

We’re going to try and be balanced but we also have to look at our personnel and maximize to its strength.”

One of those strengths should come out of the backfield in running back Nick Harris (pictured), who rushed for over 800 yards last year as a sophomore.

Harris will have some beef to run behind in center Kendel Wright and guard Bryce Coleman.

Wright has multiple offers from several FCS schools, along with schools in the Sunbelt Conference and service academies. Added to the experience of Coleman, a three-year starter, the starting five up front looks solid.

Mountain View also looks to be deep at wide receiver, led by senior Kielan Whitner. Whitner led the Bears with over 500 receiving

Region: 7-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: N/A

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 South Forsyth Aug. 29 at Parkview Sept. 5 Kennesaw Mountain Sept. 19 Norcross Sept. 26 at Peachtree Ridge Oct. 3 Collins Hill Oct. 10 at Mill Creek Oct. 24 at Meadowcreek Oct. 31 Duluth Nov. 7 at North Gwinnett

2013 results (2-8)

Archer L 37-0 Pebblebrook L 17-13 Mill Creek L 42-3 Habersham Central W 27-0 Collins Hill L 42-13 Peachtree Ridge L 38-13 Norcross L 37-6 Meadocreek W 49-13 North Gwinnett L 40-7 Duluth L 26-15 yards last year, which is currently the most in school history, and also sports offers from several Sunbelt Conference, MAAC, Conference USA schools, along with the service academies.

Wright will be joined by senior Andre Joseph, who also was the team’s top kick returner last year.

Giacone is also looking for another pair of juniors in Cameron Hankins and Jalen Virgil to contribute at receiver.

Giacone feels that the key for his offense this year will be to find some depth on the offensive line.

Even though he feels good about his starting group, he wants to add to the rotation, especially since most of those players will have to line up on defense.

40 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

“We’ve had a really good spring and summer,” said Giacone, who has six returning starters on offense. “Our whole staff has returned and we haven’t lost any players, so there hasn’t been a whole lot of new teaching. Instead, we’re able to focus more on the things that we want to do.”

Defense With four returning starters on defense, Giacone has several holes to fill for 2014. But a closer look shows that Mountain View has talent in every area of its 3-5-3 stack.

Leading the way up front is Jordan Jones, a 6-3, 245-pound tackle. Jones was a force last year, leading the team in sacks, tackles

gwinnettprepsports.com

and tackles for loss.

His athleticism and experience will allow for Giacone and defensive coordinator Nick Bach to use Jones in different packages.

“He’s a very active player,” Giacone said of Jones. “He was our top tackler last year and can play as a down lineman or standing up on the outside. That’ll help give us some different looks.”

Sawyer Soucie leads the linebacker corps at the Mike position and is coming off what Giacone called an excellent spring and summer, while junior Austin Brown is projected to make an impact on the outside.

The area that Giacone has seen develop the most is the secondary, led by Whitner, an all-region selec-

tion at cornerback.

Another pair of juniors in Dijon Joseph and Kaiden Smith have also made an impression on Giacone, while cornerback Johnny Thomas and free safety Joseph return.

“We’re looking for good things from our secondary,” Giacone said.

“They’ve really developed and matured and should allow us to be more diverse defensively.”

Jeff Hollingsworth is set to return as the placekicker but is facing competition for the starting job from Ty Booker, while Giacone will have to find a new punter.

Etc. After starting varsity play in 2009, Mountain View is finally starting to see some of its “homegrown” kids make their way through the system.

This year’s junior class may be the best example of that, something that has Giacone very excited.

“They may be the most talented class we’ve ever had,” Giacone said.

Two years ago, that squad went 4-3 through its freshman schedule and was even more impressive last year on junior varsity, going 6-1 with its only loss coming to Norcross on a last-second field goal.

Young programs also often see turnover in both the player and coaching ranks, and this past offseason was the first in which Mountain View didn’t lose any coaches.

In fact, the Bears added another assistant in Nate Blase from Woodstock to help with the offensive line.

— Scott Smith

Mountain View roster No. Name 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Andre Joseph Johnnie Thomas Alex Scott Richie Ramos Cameron Hankins Tyler Towe Austin Brown Basil Anderson Dijon Joseph Jalen Virgil Jake Harkness Kaiden Smith Devin Johnson Braiden Koester Michael Sobczyk Sam Freitas Joe Thomas Devin Robinson Jake Tupper Andrew Pettit Gerald Moore Josh Alvord Drew Allen Keilan Whitner Mark Gwynn Cezar Gibbs

Pos. Year WR/DB DB QB WR/LB WR DB RB/LB WR DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR QB/LB WR/LB QB RB/DB WR RB/LB TE/LB WR/DB WR/DB LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB

12 12 11 11 11 12 11 12 11 11 10 11 12 10 10 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 10 12 11 10

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE Drake Durden (6-2, 230, Jr.) NT Patrick Walker (6-5, 265, Sr.) DE Cameron Rice (6-2, 230, Jr.) LB Sawyer Soucie (6-0, 210, Jr.) LB Jordan Jones (6-3, 245, Sr.) LB Erick Montalvo (5-11, 195, Jr.) S Michael Sobczyk (6-3, 200, Soph.)

S Austin Brown (6-0, 195, Jr.) FS Andre Joseph (5-9, 180, Sr.) CB Kielan Whitner (6-1, 185, Sr.) CB Dijon Joseph (5-10, 185, Jr.) or Kaiden Smith (6-2, 180, Jr.) P Jeff Hollingsworth (5-9, 160, Sr.)

Offense QB Alex Scott (6-0, 205, Jr.) or Sam Freitas (6-0, 180, Jr.) RB Nick Harris (5-10, 205, Jr.) RB Andre Joseph (5-9, 180, Sr.) WR Kielan Whitner (6-1, 185, Sr.) WR Jalen Virgil (6-1, 185, Jr.) TE Andrew Pettit (6-2, 195, Jr.) or Jake Tupper (5-9, 180, Jr.) LT K’Maron Patterson (6-0, 265, Jr.) LG Bryce Coleman (5-11, 245, Sr.) C Kendel Wright (6-3, 280, Jr.) RG Spencer Manual (5-9, 240, Sr.) RT Patrick Walker (6-5, 265, Sr.) PK Jeff Hollingsworth (5-9, 160, Sr.) 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37

Spencer Cottrell Jeff Hollingsworth Jonathan Thompson Chaz Westbrooks Nick Harris Eric Montalvo Chris Ebron Sawyer Soucie Tyreek Springer

RB/LB K/P DB LB RB LB WR/DB TE/LB TE/LB

10 12 11 12 11 11 12 12 11

40 41 42 43 44 50 51 52 53

Daniel Catapano Tre Verrett Jordan Jones Jacob Adams Michael Chambley Drake Durden Kendel Wright Antonio Abbatiello K’Maron Patterson

gwinnettprepsports.com

RB/DB RB/LB TE/LB RB/LB LB OL/DL OL OL/LB OL/DL

10 10 12 11 12 11 12 11 11

54 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 73 75 76 77 80 81 82 84 85 86 87 90 91 92 93

Cameron Rice Justin Smith Ethan Nagel Bryan Alvarenga Trevor Adams Bryce Coleman Robbie Howe Melad Rasoli Marius Gutsu D’Anthony Ravenell Alex Gubanich Patrick Walker Spencer Manuel Jared Gee Alex Childers Spencer Buko Kaiden Hall Pierre Tugman William Baynard Dylan Hill Tyler Porter Keashaun Hill Ty Booker Zac Montrief Yerly Fuentes

OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL IR OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/LB WR/DB TE/LB WR/DB WR WR/DB WR/LB TE/DL K/P K/P OL/DL

11 10 10 10 11 12 10 10 10 10 11 12 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 10 10 11 11 10 10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 41

Norcross Mascot: Blue Devils

Coach: Keith Maloof (131-50 at Norcross, 143-61 overall)

Offense One might think that a team looking to replace the bulk of the starters from skill positions that helped the Blue Devils roll up 4,706 total yards and 28.7 points per game in last year’s state title repeat would be the main concern of the offense this fall.

To be sure, with only senior receiver Jared Pinkney returning, coach Keith Maloof is looking for several newcomers among the skill players to step up and assert themselves to fill voids left by the graduation of such stars as Clinton Lynch, Myles Autry, A.J. Bush and Josh Boyd.

True, the Blue Devils do have some athletic individuals with plenty of potential to make plays, starting at quarterback, where seniors Griffin Barker and Jacob Gassert are still battling for the starting job, while sophomore receiver Jared Simpkins and junior running back Jamir Billings could have an impact.

But as much as the Blue Devils are searching for answers at the skill positions, the offensive line is just as big a concern, with senior tackle D’Andre Plantin the only returning starter.

Still, while the line might also not be quite as big as it has been during the team’s run to the last two Class AAAAAA state titles, Maloof is confident newcomers like juniors Devin Bennett and Kyle Jones could open up some new possibilities for the offense.

“This year’s a totally different group,” Maloof said. We could be a little more versatile with pulling our guards. In the past, we couldn’t do that. This group will add a little

Region: 7-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 23 Tucker* Aug. 29 Brookwood Sept. 5 at Milton Sept. 19 at Mountain View Sept. 26 Duluth Oct. 3 at North Gwinnett Oct. 10 Meadowcreek Oct. 24 at Peachtree Ridge Oct. 31 Mill Creek Nov. 7 at Collins Hill *at McEachern, 5:45 p.m.

2013 results (13-2)

BT Washington (Fla.) L 55-0 Parkview W 21-7 North Gwinnett L 36-17 Duluth W 38-3 Mill Creek W 27-13 Habersham Central W 49-3 Collins Hill W 28-0 Mountain View W 37-6 Peachtree Ridge W 24-20 Meadowcreek W 59-14 Etowah W 28-0 Brookwood W 32-9 Lowndes W 28-7 Colquitt County W 14-9 North Gwinnett W 31-14

to (the offense) in some areas, but take a little away (in others), too.

The biggest adjustment will be not having experience on Friday nights. We’ve got to get game time under our belts. Until you do that, you don’t really know anything.”

Defense Like on offense, the Blue Devils have to replace a lot of important parts on a unit that ranked third in the county in average scoring

42 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

defense last year.

While there may not be the known commodities like they had last year with big-time college signees Lorenzo Carter and Kevin Mouhon, Maloof is excited about several individuals, especially returning starters on the defensive line in seniors J.B. Kouassi (pictured) and Dorian Kithcart.

And while there isn’t much other experience in terms of starters, several other players did see

gwinnettprepsports.com

action last season, and appear ready to take their turn in the main rotation, including senior twin linebackers Devonte and Devon Goodbeir, who will flank fellow senior Jermone Pledger.

The same can be said of the secondary, which will be manned by four new starters, including another set of twins in cornerback Ferdinand Aka and safety Frederic Aka. “These guys (this year) have worked together all summer, so we look to be further ahead than we were last year,” Maloof said.

“These guys have been in the program (several years). It’s not like breaking in a new group. On offense, we have some sophomores we’re looking to help us. With the defense, it’s more guys waiting their turns.”

Hoping for quicker start With sky-high preseason expectations and a national television audience facing them this time last year, the season opener against nationally ranked Booker T. Washington of Miami was nearly disastrous for the Norcross.

While the Blue Devils were able to recover from a jarring 55-0 loss, as well as another loss two weeks later to North Gwinnett that left them 1-2 to start the season, they eventually recovered by winning their final 12 games to grab their second straight state title.

Maloof knows his team can’t afford another slow start with so many new players taking the field.

And while this year’s season opener won’t be quite as daunting as last year’s, Norcross’ pre-Region 7-AAAAAA slate won’t be any less challenging.

“We open by scrimmaging Lowndes after we knocked them out of playoffs (last year),” Maloof said. “They’re going to want to prove themselves. Then there’s Brookwood. We knocked them out of playoffs (last year), and they want to prove themselves. Tucker, you know they’re going to want to prove themselves after they moved to AAAAAA. Milton is a team on the rise. So before we get into our region schedule, we play teams at a high level.”

— David Friedlander

Norcross roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Jared Simpkins Ferdinand Aka Frederic Aka Kwaylon Crane Jermone Pledger Kendrec Grady Josh Alexander Jaden Grayer Damon Woodcock Ricky Reed Jacobe Burrell Jacob Gassert Max Tracey Jared Pinkney Jordan Brown Griffin Barker Kendrew Wynn Baron Radcliff Santonio Mapp William Bailey Dominick Sims Jamir Billings Kyle Varnell Jarett Cole Necholas Sermons Darien Brown Hijahi Portis Tavante Gammage Eddie Appiah Da’Meon Williams Nathanael Thomas Antonio Bailey Asante Long Monty Montgomery Rasheed Higgs

Pos. Year WR DB DB WR LB DB WR DB DE WR WR QB QB WR WR QB DB QB RB DB TB TB WR DB TB DB FB WR RB DB FB LB RB LB LB

10 12 12 12 12 11 12 11 12 10 10 12 10 12 12 12 11 10 11 12 12 11 12 11 10 12 12 12 11 10 12 12 11 10 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE J.B. Kouassi (6-2, 221, Sr.) DT Dorian Kithcart (6-0, 271, Sr.) DT Jalen Broadnax (6-2, 235, Sr.) DE Damon Woodcock (6-1, 210, Sr.) WLB Devonte Goodbeir (5-8, 171, Sr.) MLB Jermone Pledger (5-11, 220, Sr.) SLB Devon Goodbeir (5-8, 174, Sr.) CB Da’Meon Williams (5-10, 159, Soph.)

CB Ferdinand Aka (5-9, 150, Sr.) FS Jarett Cole (5-10, 175, Jr.) SS Frederic Aka (6-1, 172, Sr.) P Blake Bingham (5-10, 163, Sr.)

Offense QB Griffin Barker (5-11, 189, Sr.) or Jacob Gassert (6-0, 174, Sr.) RB Jamir Billings (5-9, 173, Jr.) FB Hijahi Portis (5-9, 217, Sr.) WR Jared Pinkney (6-5, 228, Sr.) WR Jared Simpkins (5-8, 150, Soph.)

TE Nathan Swanson (6-4, 196, Sr.) QT D’Andre Plantin (6-4, 271, Sr.) QG Philip Davis (5-9, 205, Jr.) C Kyle Jones (5-10, 174, Jr.) SG Josh Madden (5-8, 237, Jr.) ST Devin Bennett (6-1, 298, Soph.)

K Blake Bingham (5-10, 163, Sr.) 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50

Mykhi Thomas Justice Jenkins Harry Cokley Daryel Monson Khamari Lowder A.J. Johnson Chris Allen Blake Bingham J.B. Kouassi Kenny Watson Quan Bristol Devon Goodbeir Luke D’Agostino Eric Farrell

DB RB DB DB LB DB LB K DE DT RB LB DE OL

11 12 11 11 10 12 11 12 12 11 11 12 11 11

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

Devonte Goodbeir Tommy Hixon DaVontre’ Abram Darral Porter Kyle Jones D’Andre Plantin Bradley Nguyen Dorian Kithcart Malik McClain Isaiah Brown Marcel Alfred Josh Fajardo Henry Shyu C.J. Murdock

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LB DT OL/DT FB/LB OL OL/DT LB OL/DT LB OL OL/DE DE OL DT

12 11 12 10 11 12 11 12 11 11 10 11 11 10

65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Chris Myler Justin Siech Luis Sanchez John David Alday Peter Hasson Josh Madden Philip Davis Matthew Fajardo Andrew Stoudemire Devin Bennett Andre’ Harding Sam Dingle Pierce Brennan Jonathan Osagie Robert Sims Rashawn Lindsay Asheel Ferdinand Nathan Swanson Sam Delmerico Maliak Cole Jamal Coleman Jordan Palmer Aubre Williams Will Spagnoli Robert Beal Shane Jackson Isaiah Efojie Trevell Grissom Andres Rosero Devonta Williams Jalen Broadnax Daniel Poland Anthony Moran-Hickey Brian Alcocer

OL OL DT OL OL OL OL DE OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR TE/DE TE WR WR WR WR TE DE DB TE/DE DT TE DE DT K TE DB

12 10 11 12 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 11 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 11 12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 43

North Gwinnett Mascot: Bulldogs

Offense North Gwinnett lost its starting quarterback, two receivers with more than 2,000 combined receiving yards and the county’s leading rusher.

Yet head coach Bob Sphire is still excited about his offense. And for good reason.

Despite the sizable turnover — only three returning starters are back — the Bulldogs continue to have a deep receiving corps, a committee of competitive running backs and an ambitious offensive line.

“We lost a lot on both sides of the ball,” Sphire said, “but a good program should lose a lot, and they should expect guys to step up and fill voids.”

North Gwinnett is especially deep at the wide receiver position, despite the departure of Nate Brown and Caleb Scott to SEC teams.

The new wideout duo is Almonzo Brown — no relation to Nate — and Daniel Imatorbhebhe (pictured), who take over the outside receiver positions left by their predecessors.

Imatorbhebhe is committed to Missouri, where Nate Brown signed, and Almonzo Brown has a chance to end up in Columbia as well with an offer from the Tigers at hand.

The Bulldogs’ list of capable receivers goes on, with playing time split among

Coach: Bob Sphire (91-15 at North, 237-70 overall)

Region: 7-AAAAAA

2014 schedule

Aug. 23 at McEachern Aug. 29 North Cobb Sept. 5 at Hillgrove Sept. 19 Collins Hill Sept. 26 at Mill Creek Oct. 3 Norcross Oct. 10 a t Peachtree Ridge Oct. 24 at Duluth Oct. 31 Meadowcreek Nov. 7 Mountain View

2013 results (13-2)

Josh Imatorbhebhe, Kyler Knudsen, Harold Johnson, Andy Summers, K.J. Hancock and Horace Buckley.

North Gwinnett’s wideouts will catch passes from firstyear starting quarterback John Urzua, who started a pair of games last season while 2013 starter Hayden Sphire nursed a leg injury.

“He learned a lot under Hayden last year,” Bob Sphire said. “He’s really looked like the kind of leader that you want out there taking snaps.”

Urzua will ocassionally share snaps with Ayinde Russell, a transfer from Mays who started at quarterback for the Raiders last season. Russell’s athleticism will also be utilized in various other schemes.

“They’re competing to be the best they can be, and they’re extremely supportive of each other,” Sphire said. “(Russell) will be a valu-

able part of the team, and will get on the field.”

North Gwinnett is rebuilding its run game after the departure of C.J. Leggett, who rushed for a county-best 1,734 yards last year and is now enrolled at Georgia Tech.

Sphire doesn’t anticipate a single back to handle the bulk of carries, as Leggett did, but rather a unit of rushers to collaborate in the backfield. That group includes Kameron Pickett, Jordan Frye, Jordan Weddington and Ryan Lovelace.

“I think it may be the most competitive position in our program right now, in terms of fighting for opportunities to get on the field,” Sphire said. “I like the competition, and the way it’s playing out.

That could go a lot of directions.”

Mitch Hyatt is the lone returning starter on the offensive line, but one of the nation’s best at the position.

Camden County W 34-14 Grayson W 35-0 Norcross W 36-17 Meadowcreek W 63-0 Duluth W 52-21 Mill Creek W 50-47 Habersham Cent. W 41-0 Collins Hill L 53-28 Mountain View W 40-7 Peachtree Ridge W 44-22 Milton W 34-10 Archer W 34-32 Hillgrove W 35-31 McEachern W 27-21 Norcross L 31-14 The 6-foot-6, 290-pound left tackle is committed to Clemson, picking the nearby ACC school over a slew of offers from across the country.

Jay Hearn is the only other lineman with extensive varsity experience. Alex Mollette, D.J. Jordan, Robbie Hirschmann, Troy Fortin and Chris Sibilia round out the Bulldogs’ offensive line group.

Defense North Gwinnett’s defense didn’t take as hard a hit from

Last playoff appearance: 2013

graduation, with seven starters slated to make a return in 2014.

That includes three linebackers, three defensive backs and one lineman, standout defensive end Anree Saint-Amour.

A leader on and off the field for the Bulldogs, Saint-Amour is the first player in program history to clear 1,200 combined pounds in the squat, clean and bench press, with 1,225 total pounds.

“He’s tenacious on the field – he really works to be the best he can be,” Sphire said. “He’s really become a skilled athlete at that position.”

Michael Germano and Dixon Yellett join SaintAmour on the defensive line, with position depth provided

by Jude Uwagerikpe, Kelton Dawson and Jake Adams.

North Gwinnett gets a combined 236 tackles back between seniors Parker Sechrest and Avery Elford. Austin Kim, Aaron Hartz, Matthew Andryusky, Desmond Fields, Mitchell Gladstein, Harrison Barron and TraiChean Moore make up the rest of the Bulldogs’ linebacking corps.

Jaye Stackhouse returns at cornerback after a dynamic junior campaign that included four interceptions.

Ali Edwards, Greg Burns and Delon Smith are also slotted at the corners.

Returning starter Connor Kleid and Azuma Onyiri will

see varsity time at safety.

Chasing down glory North Gwinnett has yet to win fewer than 10 games since 2006, when Sphire took over the program.

But the Bulldogs are still without a state title, with a pair of championship game losses. That includes last season, when they lost to Norcross in the finals despite beating the Blue Devils during the regular season.

Coming up short again was certainly a disappointment, but a lesson welllearned.

“Those are things to build off of,” Sphire said. “There were a lot of gut-check wins last season, and a lot of games where we pulled a rabbit out of a hat in a lot of ways. The players that were on that team and out on the field last year, it’s something you build off of. Those are character-builders.”

North Gwinnett’s 2014 schedule is anything but easy, with non-region contests against McEachern, North Cobb and Hillgrove before region play begins.

Sphire is hoping the difficult matchups will have the Bulldogs battle-tested for region games, as they have in previous years.

“If you’re going to defeat the devil, you have to go into the den of the devil, at some point,” Sphire said. “So let’s go ahead and jump right in.”

— Mitch Blomert

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44 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

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North Gwinnett roster No. Name 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Jaye Stackhouse Azuma Onyiri Trevor Deyton Ayinde Russell Grayson Fowler Kameron Pickett Cade Fortin Josh Imatorbhebhe Jimmy Urzua Almonzo Brown John Urzua Chase Young Kenneth Hancock Matthew Andryusky Harold Johnson Andy Summers Daniel Imatorbhebhe Liam Quin Colby Jenkins Alijah Edwards Horace Buckley TraiChean Moore Ryan Lovelace Connor Kleid Brad Harvey Avery Elford Brian Eberhardt Cade Cash Jordan Frye Austin Kim Greg Burns Jordan Weddington Javier Russell Turner Cho

Pos. Year DB DB QB QB QB RB QB WR QB WR QB DB WR Rover WR WR WR QB DB DB WR Rover RB DB Kicker Rover WR/LB DB RB Buck DB RB DB RB

12 12 10 12 11 11 9 11 9 12 12 11 11 11 12 12 12 10 11 12 11 11 10 12 12 12 10 11 11 12 12 12 11 9

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB John Urzua (6-3, 175, Sr.) RB Kameron Pickett (5-10, 200, Jr.) WR Almonzo Brown (6-1, 210, Sr.) WR Daniel Imatorbhebhe (6-4, 220, Sr.) WR Harold Johnson (6-0, 185, Sr.) WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (6-2, 200, Jr.) LT Mitch Hyatt (6-6, 280, Sr.) LG D.J. Jordan (6-0, 240, Sr.) C Troy Forten (5-10, 235, So.) RG Jay Hearn (6-2, 280, Sr.) RT Alex Mollette (6-2, 235, Jr.) K Brad Harvey (5-11, 200, Sr.) 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Jay James Jordan Redmond Torron Murray Noel Spencer Ashan Brown Dante Black Harrison Barron Brandon Ogene Cameron Butler James Mospanyak Delon Smith Parker Sechrest Moises Arias Justin Lewis Cole Kovalchik Lane Blackburn

RB DB DB DB DB RB Rover Buck RB Rover DB LB LB RB/Rover Rover Rover

12 10 11 11 11 9 12 11 9 12 11 12 11 10 11 9

Defense DE Arnee Saint-Armour (6-3, 238, Sr.) DT Michael Germano (5-10, 225, Jr.) DE Dixon Yellett (6-1, 210, So.) OLB Austin Kim (5-8, 155, Sr.) ILB Avery Elford (5-10, 180, Sr.) ILB Parker Sechrest (6-1, 210, Sr.) ILB Aaron Hartze (6-0, 200, Sr.) OLB Matthew Andrysky (5-10, 180, Jr.) S Connor Kleid (5-7, 160, Sr.) CB Jaye Stackhouse (6-1, 195, Sr.) CB Ali Edwards (5-10, 170, Sr.) P Brad Harvey (5-11, 200, Sr.) 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63

Brian Hall Desmond Fields Troy Fortin Robert Hirschmann Alejandro Taveras Hunter King Dutch Fink Alex Mollette Aaron Hartz Mitchell Gladstein Jay Hearn Michael Germano William Guilshan David Echard Brandon Botts Alex Morris

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WR LB OL OL LB OL LB OL/DL LB LB OL DL OL OL/DL OL OL

10 12 10 11 10 12 10 11 12 11 12 11 12 10 10 10

64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 94 95 96 97 98 99

Chandler Hood Trey Sheppard Kyle Wilcox DJ Jordan Johan Tobar Nick Moring Chris Sibilia Anree Saint-Amour Sean Maginn Knox Denning Jake Adams Mitch Hyatt Sam Strickland Taemin Song Wiley Chandler Chris Valera Keison Forte Kyler Knudsen Wilton Pinkerton Ernest Lyons Payne Walker Brennan Small Jae Sulton Josh Horn Brandt Cameron Drew Jordan Jude Uwagerikpe Dixon Yellett Devon Repass Kelton Dawson James Saint-Amour Walker House Sergey Hartsthorne Garrett Stephenson

OL OL OL OL OL K OL/DL DL DL OL/DL DL OL DL OL DL DL WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR WR DL DL DL DL WR/DL LB LB K DL

10 11 11 12 11 10 10 12 10 9 11 12 10 10 11 11 10 12 11 12 9 11 11 10 12 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 12 11

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 45

ESPN RECRUITING RANKINGS A look at ESPN’s top-ranked high school football seniors in the state of Georgia and where they have committed: 1. Trenton Thompson, DT, Westover 2. Mitch Hyatt, OT, North Gwinnett (Clemson) 3. Chuma Edoga, OT, McEachern (Southern California) 4. Roquan Smith, LB, Macon County 5. Preston Williams, WR, Lovejoy (Tennessee) 6. Terry Godwin, WR/DB, Callaway (Georgia) 7. Taj Griffin, RB, McEachern (Oregon) 8. Arden Key, DE, Hapeville (South Carolina) 9. Jonathan Ledbetter, DT, Tucker (Alabama) 10. Adonis Thomas, LB, Central Gwinnett (Florida) 11. Andrew Butcher, DE, Alpharetta (Tennessee) 12. Mekhi Brown, LB, Carver (Alabama) 13. Jordan Colbert, LB, Griffin (Auburn) 14. Rashad Roundtree, S, Lakeside-Evans 15. Micah Abernathy, RB/DB, GAC 16. Natrez Patrick, DE, Mays (Georgia) 17. Chauncey Rivers, DE, Stephenson (Georgia) 18. Austin Bryant, DE, Thomas County Central (Clemson) 19. Jayson Stanley, WR, Creekside 20. Eric Swinney, RB, Sandy Creek (Ole Miss) 21. Quarte Sapp, LB, Milton 22. Keyston Fuller, WR, Griffin (Duke) 23. Darius Slayton, WR/DB, GAC 24. Kaleb Kim, OL, Mill Creek (Auburn) 25. D’Andre Walker, DE, Langston Hughes 26. Bailey Sharp, OL, Sprayberry (Auburn) 27. Sage Hardin, OL, Marist (Georgia) 28. Nick Wilson, OL, Milton (Stanford) 29. Dallas Warmack, OL, Mays (Alabama) 30. Mike Horton, OL, Lakeside (Florida)

46 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

GAC running back Micah Abernathy (4) scores a touchdown against the Wesleyan last season. (Photo: Karl L. Moore) 31. Shadell Bell, WR, Columbia (Clemson) 32. Venzell Boulware, OT, Creekside 33. Arrington Farrar, S, Woodward Academy (Stanford) 34. Marquel Harrell, OL, Creekside (Auburn) 35. Jalen Wilkinson, TE, Coffee (Florida State) 36. Zach Giella, OT, Augusta Christian (Clemson) 37. Gary McCrae, LB, Randolph-Clay (Georgia) 38. Christian Owens, TE, Griffin (Georgia) 39. Cameron Stewart, WR, Shiloh (Central Florida) 40. Tyler Queen, QB, North Cobb (Auburn) 41. Anree Saint-Amour, DE, North Gwinnett 42. Cole Minshew, OG, Coffee (Florida State) 43. Dexter Neal, WR, Stephenson (South Carolina)

44. Brandon Sandifer, OG, Northside-Warner Robins 45. Khane Pass, S, Carver-Columbus (Louisville) 46. Brian Bell, LB, Lowndes (Florida State) 47. Quay Picou, DT, Buford (Tennessee) 48. Trevon McSwain, DE, Lambert (Duke) 49. Lorenzo Nunez, QB/DB, Harrison (South Carolina) 50. Octavis Johnson, DB, Clinch County (South Carolina) 51. Will Bryan, OG, Franklin County (Georgia Tech) 52. Mon Denson, RB, LaGrange (South Carolina) 53. Montrell Custis, CB, Lovejoy (Alabama) 54. Duke Shelley, CB, Tucker 55. Montavious Atkinson, LB, Langston Hughes (Auburn) 56. Quentez Johnson, DT, Cedar Grove (North Carolina State) 57. Tyler Cooksey, LB, GAC (Georgia Tech) 58. Austin Smith, LB, Buford (Tennessee) 59. A.J. Gray, QB/DB, Washington County (Georgia Tech) 60. Russell Ude, DT, Westminster 61. Johnathan Hawkins, RB, Mill Creek 62. J.K. Britt, S, Newnan (North Carolina) 63. Aaron Williams, S, Carver-Atlanta (Nebraska) 64. Kentavious Thomas, RB, Baldwin (Mississippi State) 65. Ken Allen, DT, Elbert County 66. Jeremy McDuffie, CB, Shiloh 67. Titus Davis, DE, Stockbridge (Central Florida) 68. Daniel Fennell, LB, Grayson 69. Austin King, QB, Alpharetta (North Carolina State) 70. Nick Dawson, DE, ELCA 71. Nick Polino, OG, Buford (North Carolina) 72. Zach Morris, DE, Ringgold (Duke)

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73. Marquies Price, DE, Peach County (Duke) 74. Mikell Lands-Davis, RB, Alexander (Georgia Tech) 75. Kwan Stallworth, OG, M.L. King 76. Omahri Jarrett, RB, New Manchester (Georgia Tech) 77. Tyrone Riley, LB, Calvary Baptist 78. Tario Fuller, RB, Lanier (Purdue) 79. T.J. Rahming, WR, McEachern (Duke) 80. Antoine Wilder, S, Hapeville (South Carolina) 81. Trey Derouen, OG, Parkview (Mississippi State) 82. Christian Matthew, QB, Hardaway (Wake Forest) 83. Kevin Johnson, QB, Pace Academy (James Madison) 84. Daniel Imatorbhebhe, WR, North Gwinnett (Missouri) 85. D.J. Pearson, QB, Northview (Arkansas State) 86. Jonathan Greenard, DE, Hiram (Louisville) 87. Nekyle Lundie, WR, Tucker 88. Christopher Calhoun, LB, Centennial (Wake Forest) 89. Evyn Cooper, RB/DB, Buford 90. Logan Hunt, LB, Warren County 91. Jordan Hayes, S, Grayson (Duke) 92. Chandler Jones, OG, McEachern (Louisville) 93. Connor Redmond, TE, Archer (South Carolina) 94. Mohamed Barry, LB, Grayson (Wisconsin) 95. Almonzo Brown, WR, North Gwinnett 96. Anthony Folkerts, TE, Valwood (Rutgers) 97. Joshua Thomas, RB, Buford 98. Justin Young, DE, Grayson (Georgia) 99. Tyler Cross, DT, Chapel Hill (Syracuse) 100. Patrick Jasinski, LB, Blessed Trinity (Central Florida)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 47

Parkview Mascot: Panthers

Offense With a new coach other than Cecil Flowe patrolling the sidelines for the first time in 21 years, there are bound to be changes in all facets of the game for the Panthers.

But the new spread offense that 1994 Parkview graduate, former assistant and former Loganville head coach Eric Godfree brings may seem like a radical departure from the ground-based sets the Panthers and their fans have become accustomed to.

Godfree says that may not be entirely the case, though he admits it’s enough of a change to present a challenge to players and coaches alike, though he is confident the personnel is in place to make it work.

“It’s a spread style that’s high tempo, so it really is a big change in that aspect,” Godfree said. “A lot of what we’re doing in the running game is the same as what we did at Loganville. It’s a fun offense, but you’ve still got to be disciplined.”

In that respect, the return of junior quarterback Jack Chambers (pictured), who gained valuable experience as a sophomore last season by throwing for 740 yards and five touchdowns, should help with the transition.

But outside of him, there is little other experience among the skill position players, with fellow junior

Coach: Eric Godfree (0-0 at Parkview, 53-50 overall)

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2012

2014 schedule

2013 results (3-7)

experience with the return of senior Laronn Veal and junior Cameron Khalil, while David Draper will also help bring some athleticism to the cornerback position.

As for the rest, Godfree can only say right now that he’s pleased with the energy he’s seen from his entire defense so far in practice, though he knows bigger tests lie ahead.

very athletic,” Godfree said of the massive senior. “He has a frame and ability that one doesn’t come across very often.”

In addition, other returners like linebackers Austin Wagner (59 tackles last season) and Stephen Moye (56 tackles) have Godfree feeling pretty good about the Panthers up front.

“Our front seven is pretty experienced,” Godfree said.

“I feel pretty good about it. … We’ve got some good, experienced guys who know what’s going on.”

The secondary will also welcome back some

A new era It’s tough for anyone to fill the large shoes left by Flowe, who guided the Panthers to 196 wins and four state championships over his long tenure. It may be perhaps even more difficult for someone like Godfree, who played for Flowe’s first Parkview team back in 1993 and served under him during his most successful season.

And he freely admits his mind will wander back to those days — at least for a few minutes — when the Panthers open his first season as head coach Aug. 29 at home against Mountain View.

“When it will hit me will be Friday night when we get out in the Big Orange Jungle,” Godfree said. “It’ll all be real then. I have all the respect for Coach Flowe. It won’t be the same, but I’m sure I’ll hear his voice. I’m very excited about it. I’m looking forward to a fun season.”

— David Friedlander

Aug. 29 Mountain View Sept. 5 Peachtree Ridge Sept. 12 Brookwood Sept. 19 at Grayson Sept. 26 Archer Oct. 10 at Berkmar Oct. 17 South Gwinnett Oct. 24 at Shiloh Oct. 31 Central Gwinnett Nov. 7 at Dacula P’tree Ridge L 28-14 Norcross L 21-7 Grayson L 34-10 Archer L 27-7 Brookwood L 10-0 Dacula W 28-21 Shiloh L 23-21 Central G. W 21-13 Berkmar W 14-7 South G. L 35-21

Johnathan Boyd, who led the Panthers in receiving yards (278 on 14 catches, including two TDs), as the only other returning starter.

Therefore, Godfree says the Panthers will have to lean on that pair for leadership to help out promising newcomers like receivers Segree Shettleworth, Blake Bilz, Garrett Fowler and Tyler Fleetwood, who moves over from quarterback.

“It’s really good having

48 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

Jack back at quarterback, and he’s really taken well to the new role,” Godfree said.

“Really the only (receiver) with Friday night time is Boyd. There’s not much experience, but they’ve done a really good job this summer of picking it up.”

On the other hand, there is plenty of returning experience on the offensive line, led by Mississippi State commit Trey Derouen and fellow senior Jake Cooper, which

Godfree is excited about.

Defense While the offense will have a new look, Godfree is hoping for the defense to continue to be the staple it has been over the years.

The unit will get a boost with major college prospect G.G. Robinson shifting over from offense to bolster the defensive line.

“He is put together so well, he runs well and he’s

gwinnettprepsports.com

Parkview roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Jean-Charles Adou David Draper Cameron Khalil Ethan Walton Cameron Watson Koran Neal Tyler Fleetwood Jack Chambers Johnathan Boyd Garrett Fowler Chase Cesar Blake Bilz Kyle Atwood Laronn Veal Jaylen Askew Ricky Allen Patrick Linton Devin Orr Micah Whitley Stephen Moye Amir Outerbridge Steven Dubose Eric Autry Deon Slade Caleb Mitchell Akhil Burroughs Spencer Walker Daniel Omuto Eli Sherrill M.J. Hart Zack Palmer Blake Manuel Will Chandler Carlos Goodwyn

Pos. Year DB WR/DB WR/DB LB RB DB QB/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR DB WR DB LB WR/DB WR/DB WR TE/K/P RB LB WR WR/LB K RB QB RB DL DB DB LB WR/DB DL K RB/DB

12 12 11 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 12 11 11 12 10 12 11 11 12 11 12 11 12 10 10 12 12 12 11 11 10 12 11 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Jack Chambers (5-10, 160, Jr.) RB Cameron Watson (5-7, 190 Sr.) or Akhil Burroughs (5-6, 163, Sr.) RB Tyler Fleetwood (6-1, 190, Jr.) WR Blake Bilz (5-10, 146, Jr.) or Garrett Fowler (6-0, 170, Jr.) WR Segree Shettleworth (5-9, 155, Sr.) or Patrick Linon (5-10 171, Jr.) WR Johnathan Boyd (6-1, 197, Jr.) LT Jimmy Erwin (6-3, 300, Jr.) or J.R. Hyde (6-0, 235, Soph.)

QG Jake Cooper (6-3, 282, Sr.) C Josh West (6-0, 263, Sr.) RG Brooks Britt (6-2, 295, Jr.) RT Trey Derouen (6-4, 325, Sr.) K Eric Autry (6-3, 170, Sr.) 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Jalandis Walker Chancey Whitley Jace Patterson Gabe Walker Maurice McIntyre Cameron Jones Joseph Mathew Austin Wagner G.G. Robinson Jaylen Gross Noah McCalop

DB DB LB LB DB WR WR LB TE/DL WR TE/LB

11 10 10 11 10 10 10 11 12 10 10

Defense DE G.G. Robinson (6-4, 284, Sr.) DT Niel Wempe (6-1, 255, Sr.) DE Spencer Walker (6-1, 236, Sr.) MLB Austin Wagner (5-7, 189, Jr.) SLB Stephen Moye (6-3, 230, Jr.) WLB Ethan Walton (6-0, 225, Sr.) OLB LaRonn Veal (6-1, 190, Sr.) CB Jaylen Askew (5-8, 155, Soph.)

CB Cameron Khalil (6-0, 160, Jr.) SS Jean-Charles Adu (5-9, 176, Sr.) or Zack Palmer (Soph.)

FS David Draper (5-8, 179, Sr.) P Devin Orr (6-7, 198, Jr.)

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Cody Barnes Jameson Coats Jonathan Luong Josh West Hanock Berhane J.R. Hyde Noah Baughmann Richard Lewis Niel Wempe Noah Mills Jacquez Hogan

gwinnettprepsports.com

WR DB LB OL/DL OL/DL LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

10 10 10 12 10 10 11 12 12 11 11

59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 92 93 94 85 97 98

Reed Parker Fred Sanchez Jackie Phan Winston Forrest Colin Scott Brandon Jones Dakota Byrd David Wempe Brian Bowker Shane Carroll Alex Flores Jake Cooper Brooks Britt Jimmy Erwin Trey Derouen Davian Pope Navid Syed Segree Shettleworth Jose Dunn Justin Autrey Austin Herrin Amir Harris Demarius Smith Patrick Jones Malik Huggins Francisco Rivas Caleb Crump Phillip Lyron Jay Patel John Trapp Deontre Thomas Noah McCalop Kentavius Rhodes

OL/DL OL/DL DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR WR/DB WR WR WR RB WR DB WR WR WR WR WR DL DB TE/LB DL

11 11 11 12 10 10 12 11 11 12 11 12 11 11 12 10 10 12 10 12 10 10 10 11 12 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 49

Peachtree Ridge Mascot: Lions

Coach: Mark Fleetwood (20-23 at P’tree Ridge, 28-25 overall) Region: 7-AAAAAA

Offense Peachtree Ridge head coach Mark Fleetwood calls his offense an “up-tempo, run-based spread.”

Despite the title, the Lions have a dangerous passing game as the cornerstone of their offense this season. They boast a talented second-year starting quarterback in Chance Thrasher, and he’s been given more than enough receiving talent.

Thrasher, a Coastal Carolina commit, passed for 2,364 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. He is committed to Coastal Carolina.

Fleetwood is more than impressed with the senior’s offseason development, which included adding more than 20 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame.

“At quarterback, it’s always a plus when he’s a returner and he has 12 games under his belt,” Fleetwood said. “I’m hoping that his decision-making grows like he has over the last year.”

Thrasher’s top targets include Tyler Campbell (pictured), who caught for 407 yards and two touchdowns last season, and DeAngelo Gibbs, a promising sophomore who already has a slew of Division I offers. Connor Heyward, brother of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end and former Peachtree Ridge standout Cameron Heyward, is also slotted in the starting lineup.

The rest of the receiving corps includes Malik Murray, Christian Sutton, Walton transfer Chad Clay, Cam Brown and Malik Robinson.

“We’re two deep at every receiver position,” Fleetwood said.

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

Archer at Parkview at McEachern at Meadowcreek Mountain View at Duluth North Gwinnett Norcross at Collins Hill Mill Creek

2013 results (8-4)

Impressive, but the Lions are far from abandoning the run game.

Jordan Ellis, who rushed for 1,677 yards and a county-best 30 touchdowns last season, is off to Virginia. His 2013 backup, Na’ceem Antenor, takes the reins in the backfield.

Marquez Jackson has been called up after a solid JV season, and Riverside Military Academy transfer Joseph Garuba is back at Peachtree Ridge after playing for the Lions in ninth grade with a stop at Central Gwinnett his sophomore year.

Three offensive linemen return, including Miles Pate, who has several offers from FCS and mid-major programs. Seniors Blake Best and Alex Higgins are back, alongside newcomers Drew Lovely, Mark Lovely and Braxton Glover.

50 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

Defense Peachtree Ridge’s 3-5 defense is highlighted by a swarming group of speedy linebackers that have earned a wealth of respect from Fleetwood in the offseason.

“We can fly at linebacker,” Fleetwood said. “We’re really fast. I’m excited there.”

Josh Forrest and Prince Benton lead the brigade, alongside newcomers Breon Dixon, Kam Jones and Jace Capps.

The aggressiveness at linebacker helps offset the inexperience on the defensive line, where Matt Bell is the only returning starter.

Tyler Sims, Levi Canales and Adrian Hill will also see snaps up front.

Joe Smith is the elder statesman of the secondary, tallying 34 tackles in 2013 from the free safety

gwinnettprepsports.com

Walton W 23-17 Parkview W 28-14 Duluth W 55-17 Mill Creek W 31-30 Habersham Central W 49-0 Collins Hill L 35-28 Mountain View W 38-13 Norcross L 24-20 Meadowcreek W 47-0 North Gwinnett L 44-22 Lassiter W 59-20 Dacula L 28-21 position. Juniors Clay and Baylen Buchanan make their starting debuts at cornerback.

Star snapper Offensive lineman Best is a regular in the Peachtree Ridge athletic department. The 6-foot-2, 241-pound senior is a three-year starter in both football and baseball.

But Best has another quality about him that has paved his entrance to the SEC — long snapping.

Best is committed to Kentucky as a preferred walk-on, where he will focus specifically on the discipline, which holds a much greater

value on special teams than meets the eye.

“Half of all the protection for the punter is the long snapper,” Fleetwood said.

Best’s ticket to Kentucky was secured by academics. He holds a 4.0 grade point average and scored a 31 on his ACT. As a result, he can still play for the Wildcats tuition-free through an academic scholarship.

“He’ll be a freebie for them,” Fleetwood said. “He won’t cost them anything.”

Early challenges With two teams in the Class AAAAAA championship game last year, Region 7-AAAAAA continues to be the frontrunner for football in Georgia.

With that in mind, Fleetwood is making 100 percent sure his team battle-tested in time for region play with a strenuous lineup of nonregion foes to open the season.

Peachtree Ridge hosts Archer on Aug. 29, before back-to-back road trips against Parkview and McEachern.

“If you’re going to play 15 games in a year, you’re not going to play a bunch of softies,” Fleetwood said.

The last four games of the regular season could define the Lions’ entire year. They face North Gwinnett, Norcross, Collins Hill and Mill Creek, all of which sported winning records in 2013.

“I don’t care what their records are at the end of the year,” Fleetwood said. “You get a good idea where you are if you can play with those teams.”

— Mitch Blomert

Peachtree Ridge roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 25 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Pos. Year

Connor Heyward WR Christian Sutton WR Malik Murray WR Breon Dixon LB Baylen Buchanan DB Tyler Campbell WR Zane Ashley QB DeAngelo Gibbs DB/WR Chance Thrasher QB Chad Clay DB/WR Malik Staples RB Cam Brown WR Daniel Mamane K Malik Robinson WR Rupert Jones DB Tohmas Brooks FS Joe Smith DB Tray Davis DB Na’ceem Antenor RB Travis Bowers RB Marquez Jackson RB Joseph Garuba RB Zey Lacet DB Stephon Bailey RB Terry Turner WR Mitchell Henderson DB Savin Wilson DB Tyler Murphy DB Ellison Lamont WR

10 11 11 10 11 12 10 10 12 11 11 11 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 10 12 12 10 12 10

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Chance Thrasher (6-2, 215, Sr.) RB Na’ceem Antenor (5-6, 185, Sr.) RB Marquez Jackson (5-7, 160, Jr.) WR D’Angelo Gibbs (6-1, 200, Soph.)

WR Tyler Campbell (6-0, 170, Sr.) WR Connor Heyward (6-1, 195, Soph.)

LT Miles Pate (6-2, 275, Sr.) LG Blake Best (6-2, 241, Sr.) C Alex Higgins (6-1, 235, Sr.) RG Drew Lovely (6-1, 276, Sr.) RT Marc Lovely (5-11, 186, Soph.)

K Daniel Mamane (6-0, 179, Sr.) 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Harrison Savignano Hogan Kim Sean Conley Cole Williams Henry Nguyen Emanuel Nnaife Damarius Thornton Ryan Kyle Jace Capps Trey Pratt Brandon Hendricks Alan Suarez Lee Wells

WR RB OLB OLB WR DB WR RB LB DB LB WR DB

12 10 10 10 11 10 11 10 12 10 11 12 10

Defense DL Matt Bell (5-11, 240, Jr.) DL Tyler Sims (5-10, 230, Sr.) DL Levi Canales (5-10, 178, Sr.) LB Josh Forrest (6-2, 205, Sr.) LB Breon Dixon (6-0, 210, Soph.)

LB Kam Jones (6-0, 202, Soph.)

LB Prince Benton (6-0, 225, Jr.) LB Jace Capps (5-11, 185, Sr.) FS Joe Smith (6-1, 190, Sr.) CB Chad Clay (5-11, 175, Jr.) CB Baylen Buchanan (5-9, 160, Jr.) P Zaniel Phillips (5-8, 158, Soph.)

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 59 60 61

Dartanyon Robinson Prince Benton Daniel Webster Josh Forrest Kam Jones JJ Stewart Jacob McEachin Marc Lovely Tanner Adkins Joshua Johnson Christian Moon Adrien Hill Reginald Enoch

gwinnettprepsports.com

RB LB OL LB LB OL DL OL OLB DL OL DL OL

11 11 9 12 10 11 12 10 10 10 10 12 10

62 63 64 65 66 68 69 70 71 72 75 76 77 78 79 81 82 83 85 86 87 89 91 92 94 95 96 97 98

Maxwell Bell Alex Higgins Braxton Glover Blake Best Sam Robbins Matt Bell Tyler Sims Levi Canales Julian Uche Miles Pate Drew Lovely Bryce Jones Duke Holland TJ Laniyonu Alex Toth Dondre Sanderson David Parker Kevin Lewis Kristian Collins Ndinawe Murdock Harrison Arnold Touri Holston Matt Hilton Eden Smith Ronald Heard Zaniel Phillips Jordan Ogelsby Dustin Nguyen Chase Tucker

OL OL OL OL OL DL DL DE OL OL OL OL OL OL DL WR DB WR WR WR K WR DL DE DL K DL K WR

11 12 12 12 10 11 12 12 10 12 12 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 10 11 10 12 11 11 10 11 10 10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 51

Shiloh Mascot: Generals

Coach: Troy Hobbs (8-12 at Shiloh, 8-12 overall)

Offense Shiloh head coach Troy Hobbs is curbing the excitement of having eight returning starters — four of them linemen — on offense in 2014.

“We haven’t played a lot together as a unit,” Hobbs said. “Offensive line-wise, we have a lot of experience, but we’ve moved some guys around to fit our needs.”

Nevertheless, the Generals’ offense has plenty of talent scattered throughout the starting 11, with experienced backs and receivers to complement a powerful offensive line.

The eye-catcher of them all is Cameron Stewart, a three-star Central Florida commit who caught for 637 yards last season. With all the defensive attention he draws, Hobbs is looking for Eric White to pull down passes in single coverage and Jeremy McDuffie to make his share of catches out of the backfield.

“We would like to be able to spread the ball around to everybody,” Hobbs said, “but Cameron has made a name for himself. He’s going to attract a lot of attention — not just by colleges, but by some defenses as well. Some of the other guys are going to catch the ball and make some plays for us.”

Shiloh has a pair of promising tight ends in Jordan Pennington and newcomer Jamarcus Hixson, who brings championship-tier experience to the team after winning a state title with Griffin last season.

Who will throw the ball to them is still a question mark, as Zach Olivar and Alpharetta transfer Vito Priore continue to battle for the

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2003

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

Hillgrove at Westlake at Central Gwinnett Dacula at Brookwood Grayson at Archer Parkview at Berkmar South Gwinnett

2013 results (5-5)

Meadowcreek W 48-7 Redan W 56-0 Berkmar L 29-14 South Gwinnett W 21-14 Grayson L 44-3 Archer L 45-16 Brookwood L 20-7 Parkview W 23-21 Dacula L 21-7 Central Gwinnett W 31-14

starting quarterback job.

“Whoever wins the job has the opportunity to make us better,” Hobbs said.

The run game is led by Charles Shavers (pictured), who led Gwinnett County with 779 rushing yards through seven games last season before dislocating his knee against Brookwood.

Coincidentally, his future teammate was on the other sideline of that game. Joshua Collins transferred from the Broncos for this season and will see ample time in

the backfield.

Left guard Cosley Leslie is in his third year as a starter on the offensive line, rejoining fellow returners Juan Quero, Jamie Glenn and Jabari Dickson. The left tackle position is split between Dominic Taylor and 6-foot-6, 332-pound senior Daron Debroussard.

Defense Over the past three years, senior Amari Newsome has acquired the nickname “Angry Man” for his tireless leadership and aggressive

play at linebacker.

With 107 tackles in 2013, Newsome returns as Shiloh’s emotional leader on defense and a tough customer for opponents looking for yardage up the middle. His role was magnified when 2013 starters Daron and Desmon Bowles headed to Stephenson in the offseason.

“Angry Man will lead by example,” Hobbs said. “He is our ultimate team leader and our defensive leader. He is going to be the man who gets us going.

Joining him at linebacker is Alex Fumbah, Rowojo Okala and Houston County transfer RoMarcus Williams. Sophomore Cameron Sample is also expected to make a splash at the position.

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The defensive line features a pair of returning starters at defensive end, led by Michael Pitts.

Joshua Mitchell starts on the other side, with Ulrick McIntosh, Jordan Martin, Keston Alonzo and Leroy Watson also seeing time on the line.

McDuffie will serve as a two-way starter and also play safety, with some occasional snaps at cornerback. His brother, Julian McDuffie, is slotted to play cornerback as well.

The Generals’ secondary also includes Michael Stephens, Kevin Hill, South Gwinnett transfer Tuwile Wilson, D’Javier Jones and Myles Salem.

Aiming high Three different coaches have stopped at Shiloh since 2010, but the Generals keep getting better. The 2013 season marked the team’s fourth straight year with an improved record, and their 5-5 record was their best showing since 2003. That was the last time they reached the playoffs.

Hobbs says a playoff berth in 2014 is certainly within reach, but it means preparing his team for the rigors of region play with a challenging non-region schedule.

Shiloh opens the season with Class AAAAAA state quarterfinalist Hillgrove, followed by a road trip to Westlake.

“I guess I took a leap of faith and said, ‘let’s see where we are,’” Hobbs said. “If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose. But we’re going to be ready when we go into Week 3 and start region play.”

— Mitch Blomert

Shiloh roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34

Michael Stephens Zach Olivar Julian McDuffie Joshua Collins Eric White Donavon Grier Charles Shavers Kevin Hill Jeremy McDuffie Alex Fumbah Jamarcus Hixson Eric Clay Jarren Williams Vito Priore D’Javier Jones Jalen Hollinsworth Cameron Stewart Jordan Pennington Tyler Reese Clarence Felder Jasir Shaw Pervis Terrell Tuwile Wilson Michael Pitts Nic Lewis Devonte Womack Jared Taylor Jordan Williams RoMarcus Williams Nikolus Parham Rondi Gayle Kaleem Minor

Pos. Year SS QB DB RB WR WR RB DB DB/WR LB WR QB QB QB DB WR WR WR DB LB RB WR DB DL RB DB LB DB LB RB RB DB

11 12 10 12 12 10 12 10 12 11 11 10 9 12 12 12 12 12 10 12 11 10 11 11 12 10 11 10 12 12 10 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DL Michael Pitts (6-3, 217, Jr.) DL Ulrick McIntosh (5-9, 225, Sr.) DL Jordan Martin (5-7, 212, Sr.) DL Joshua Mitchell (6-0, 180, Sr.) LB Amari Newsome (5-9, 195, Sr.) LB Alex Fumbah (6-0, 192, Jr.) LB Rowojo Okala (6-1, 178, Sr.) S Jeremy McDuffie (6-1, 180, Sr.) S Michael Stephens (5-11, 178, Jr.) CB Kevin Hill (5-8, 162, So.) CB Julian McDuffie (5-11, 155, Soph.)

P Jeremy McDuffie (6-1, 180, Sr.)

Offense QB Zach Olivar (6-1, 170, Sr.) or Vito Priore (6-1, 180, Sr.) RB Charles Shavers (5-8, 165, Sr.) WR Cameron Stewart (6-2, 186, Sr.) WR Jeremy McDuffie (6-1, 180, Sr.) WR Eric White (5-11, 165, Sr.) TE Jordan Pennington (5-7, 178, Sr.) LT Dominic Taylor (6-3, 250, Jr.) LG Cosley Leslie (5-11, 293, Sr.) C Juan Quero (6-0, 250, Sr.) RG Jamie Glenn (6-3, 320, Sr) RT Jabari Dickson (6-2, 273, Sr.) K Avery Harris (5-9, 160, Jr.)

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Austin Butler RB Rowojo Okala LB Richard Chakkalapdavile SS Jalen Myers RB Michael Wright DB Marquese Stallworth LB Marcus Mays WR Teddy Williams LB Myles Salem DB Amari Newsome LB Vincent Scrutchins DB Daniel Nguyen K

11 12 10 10 11 12 10 12 12 12 12 12

48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Rashad Moore Keyth Searcy Jelin Littman Joshua Mitchell Aaron Reyes Dominic Taylor Brandon Hooker Cameron Sample Edgar Derricho Devante Wallace Glenville Brown Juan Quero

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DB DB LB DL DL OL/DL DL LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

12 11 12 12 12 11 11 10 11 12 10 12

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 73 77 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 97 98 99

Greg Jones Antonio Cruz James Knight Akinyle Thomas Aaron Smith Cosley Leslie Jason Leonard Latrez El-Amin Dallas Walker Daron Debroussard Justin Larry Jamie Glenn Jabari Dickson Andre Tomlinson Tahquan Flythe Aaron O’Kelley Jailan Lawton Kirk Jones Tahquil Flythe Quincy Brooks Desmond Hunter Anthony Walker Avery Harris Reginal Cohen Alfago Shumake Ulrick McIntosh Leroy Watson Jordan Martin Fin Adeyeye Leonardo Contreras Keston Alonzo

OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL DL WR WR WR WR WR DL/TE DL WR K DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

10 10 10 10 12 12 12 10 10 12 11 12 12 10 10 10 11 12 10 10 12 12 11 10 10 12 11 12 11 11 12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 53

South Gwinnett Mascot: Comets

Coach: John Small (54-44 at South, 54-44 overall)

Offense After starting seven freshmen last year, South Gwinnett enters the season with a more mature offense, including an experienced quarterback and a cast of receivers with varsity time under their belts.

Quarterback Josh Shim, a key element of the Comets’ late-season push to reach the state playoffs last year, is back at signal caller after passing for 1,067 yards in 2013 while platooning at the position with Malik Brown. He has shared snaps with a pair of sophomores, Seth Johnston and D.J. Walker, in the offseason.

Even without standout wideout and Indiana signee Coray Keel, who caught for 637 yards last year, South Gwinnett has plenty of reliable targets for Shim. Elijah Shah caught for 364 yards as a freshman, and Noel Hussey provides varsity experience after starting last season.

The Comets will also count on Stephenson transfer Colby Ransom and sophomore B.J. Johnson to catch passes in head coach John Small’s no-huddle spread offense.

“That doesn’t mean we’re going to throw it every time,” Small said.

“We want to establish the run. We can be a one-back, two-back, very multiple offense formation.”

To make that plan function, South Gwinnett has running backs Isaiah Robinson (pictured) and Antonio Woods anchoring the backfield. Both players were injured in Week 3 last season and missed the rest of the year, forcing the Comets’ turn to a

Region: 8-AAAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 7

at Walton Collins Hill Central Gwinnett at Dacula Brookwood at Grayson Archer at Parkview Berkmar at Shiloh

2013 results (5-6)

cornerback after hauling a pair of interceptions last year. Sophomore Demetrius Murray makes his debut in the starting lineup at the other corner, and junior Chris Skyers is back for another campaign at safety.

“Defensively, we’ve got to be able to eliminate the play on third down,” Small said. “We’ve got to be able to get off the field. We’ve struggled in that aspect.”

Clutch performances South Gwinnett roughed through a 1-4 start to the 2013 season and went 4-1 the rest of the way, rattling off wins over Berkmar, Grayson, Brookwood and Parkview to sneak into the postseason.

With back-to-back playoff seasons in the books, the Comets aim for a third straight trip, something that hasn’t been accomplished by the team since 2003.

“We want our kids to expect that we’re going to make it to the playoffs,” Small said. “We expect to the group, which Small says is the get in, and when we get there, let’s most competitive position on the keep making progress and move team. forward.”

“We feel good about our lineLuckily for Small, he has a group backers, Small said. “We have six of players that understands what it or seven kids that can play. Some takes to do that. young kids that played last year, Entering his 11th season at the and some older kids. It’s a good helm for the South Gwinnett, he mix.” says this year’s senior class has Defensive end Kyle Martinez returns on the defensive line after a the best leadership he’s witnessed during his time in the program. stellar season that saw him tally a “We’ve had some great leaders team-best six sacks. Fellow senior Jaylin Brown plays opposite of him, and some great players, but this group buys in — they get it,” Small with junior Mackay Phillips inside said. “They understand the expecat nose. tations and work ethic.”

Andrew Buckmire leads the — Mitch Blomert South Gwinnett secondary at Lincoln (Fla.) L 34-21 Duluth W 42-28 Dacula L 35-29* Shiloh L 21-14 Central Gwinnett L 41-14 Berkmar W 20-7 Grayson W 28-21 Archer L 48-31 Brookwood W 30-28 Parkview W 35-21 Alpharetta L 41-23 *double overtime

committee-based run game.

Both players are fully healthy, and Small expects the Comets’ ground attack to flourish as a result.

“Those two guys have had a tremendous offseason,” he said.

“Great spring practices and summers.”

The offensive line is captained by third-year starter Anthony Pittman, with support from Jamal Reed, Bruce Trigg, Roosevelt

Prime, Bryce Fusilier and Brodrick Dumas.

Defense Small is particularly keen on his linebacking corps, which includes a pair of returning starters in Chace Reid (74 tackles in 2013) and Logan Wright.

Patrick Richards, Trevor Brotherton, Malik Robinson, Justyn Brinston, Dominique Thomas and Tevin Beauford fill out the rest of

GO COMETS!

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South Gwinnett roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Isaiah Robinson Josh Shim Colby Ransom Jaylen Fleming Derrion Warner Noel Hussey Seth Johnston Andrew Buckmire Emmanuel Hopkins Demetrius Murray Domonic Thomas Sam Jackson Elijah Shah DJ Walker Eric Johnson BJ Johnson Christian Malloy Bryce White Nadir Shah Xavier Dupree Antonio Woods Patrick Richards Trequan Alston KeAndre Land Jair Matthews Hanif Higgins Semaj Johnson David Dance Gary Magee Cerrel Ballard Khalil Higgins Trevor Ward

Pos. Year RB QB WR WR RB WR QB DB DB FS WR DB WR QB WR WR WR WR RB WR RB FS DB RB DB DB WR DB TE RB LB FS

12 11 12 10 11 12 10 12 10 10 12 11 10 10 12 10 9 10 12 12 10 12 11 12 11 12 11 12 12 12 11 10

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DE Kyle Martinez (6-2, 200, Sr.) NG Mackay Phillips (6-2, 250, Jr.) DE Jaylin Brown (6-2, 185, Sr.) MLB Chace Reid (5-10, 240, Sr.) MLB Logan Wright (5-10, 185, Sr.) MLB Devin Whitmore (5-11, 180, Sr.) OLB Patrick Richards (5-11, 165, Sr.) OLB Trevor Brotherton (5-8, 155, Jr.) S Chris Skyers (5-10, 150, Jr.) CB Andrew Buckmire (5-7, 155, Sr.) CB Demetrius Murray (6-1, 175, Soph.)

P Elijah Shah (5-9, 155, Soph.)

Offense QB Josh Shim (5-11, 190, Jr.) RB Isaiah Robinson (5-6, 170, Sr.) WR Elijah Shah (5-9, 155, Soph.)

WR Noel Hussey (6-1, 165, Sr.) WR Colby Ransom (6-1, 185, Sr.) WR B.J. Johnson (6-2, 180, Soph.)

LT Bruce Trigg (6-4, 290, Jr.) LG Anthony Pittman (5-10, 230, Sr.) C Roosevelt Prime (5-11, 225, Sr.) RG Brodrick Dumas (5-11, 250, Sr.) or Bryce Fusilier (6-1, 290, Sr.) RT Jamal Reed (6-0, 260, Jr.) K Roberto Lindsay (5-7, 175, Sr.) 34 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Logan Wright Tevin Beauford DeAndre Mckinley Trevor Brotherton Lajawanta Hooks Chris Skyers Cortez Murray Keith Hernandez Justyn Brinston Gabriell Nieves Brandon Hamlette Malik Robinson Dominique Thomas

LB LB LB LB RB FS FS LB LB LB DB LB LB

12 11 11 11 11 11 12 10 11 10 12 10 11

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 62

Roberto Lindsay Devin Whitmore Chace Reid Roosevelt Prime Daniel Miller Isaiah Tossie Justin Brown Chris White Ramon Granillo Jacob Johnson Jose Martinez Brodrick Dumas Anthony Pittman

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K LB LB LB OL LB OL LB OL OL DL OL OL

12 12 12 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 10 12 12

63 64 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 98

J.T. Beck Kurt Voglezon Jamal Reed Jaquan Jackson Devyn Rucker Nathaniel Goines Bryce Fusilier Ruchell White Bruce Trigg Robert Cooper Troy Tappin Timmothy Tillman Javonn Sims Kenneth Singleton Bradford Evans Jared Miller Bruce Heyward Jaspen Screws Mikey Lee Michael Adu James Pratt Jalin Harris Tariq Jackson Jaylin Brown Kyle Martinez Marcus Ricks Justin Mascoll Iasaiah Coppin Victor Anderson Mackay Phillips Keenan Woods

OL OL OL DL DL OL DL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL WR LB WR RB WR WR DB WR WR LB DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

10 10 11 10 10 11 12 11 11 9 10 12 12 10 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 12 11 12 12 10 9 10 12 11 12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 55

Wesleyan Mascot: Wolves

Coach: Franklin Pridgen (61-34 at Wesleyan, 61-34 overall)

Offense Even on the first day of practice, the difference was obvious.

Wesleyan ran 25 plays in about 15 minutes. The Wolves, who return all their skill players, are fast. A lot faster than last year and maybe as fast as they’ve ever been. It’s foot speed, indeed, but also efficiency and experience.

“What excites me most is seeing guys like Josh (Garrard) and his teammates, their work ethic,” head coach Franklin Pridgen said. “They want things to be different than they were in 2013.

“We want to act differently, train differently, practice differently so we can play differently and get different results.”

Garrard, returning at running back after a productive sophomore season with 443 yards on 83 carries, was blunt.

“Two and nine is not good enough for us this year,” he said.

Wesleyan was young last year and it showed. The silver lining was that lots of players got plenty of experience. And that showed, too, this summer during workouts.

“We got more done over the summer than we ever have since I’ve been here,” Garrard said. “For one, we’re returning every player from skill position. That already helps. But just the amount of plays we’ve installed, the efficiency.

“By the McEachern passing camp at the end of June, we really were clicking on all cylinders. We competed with some pretty big schools there.”

Pridgen feels like the team is ahead of the curve.

Region: 6-AA

Last playoff appearance: 2013

2014 schedule

Aug. 22 at Walker Aug. 29 East Hall Sept. 5 at Stratford Academy Sept. 19 KIPP Atlanta Sept. 26 at Pace Academy Oct. 3 Hapeville Charter Oct. 10 at BEST Academy Oct. 24 Lovett Oct. 31 at Holy Innocents’ Nov. 7 GAC

2013 results (2-9)

“Josh is a great example,” he said. “When most 10th-graders play on our JV, Josh was a varsity starter on both sides of the ball. There’s just not a lot of 10th-graders that get that kind of exposure and experience. Josh will be the first one to tell you, there were moments when we were outmanned physically. But that’s the best lesson we can learn is to put young kids out there when we have to and let them perform at a high level.

“If we lose, we lose. But we don’t plan to do that in 2014. We think all the sacrifices and decisions we made in 2013 are ready to pay off this year and for the foreseeable future.”

The Wolves are running schemes that fit the personnel.

They aren’t big up front, but there’s that speed and depth.

“We certainly expect to play a lot of guys, to always be fresh, to always play hard and to run plays that fit what we have,” Pridgen said.

“We’re still running what I like to call the multiple-I offense. We’re just going to do so with a faster tempo applied. We still believe we have to run the football to be successful. We still believe in being as balanced as we can be. But if you’re talented at quarterback and you’re talented at receiver, then you should be able to throw the ball too.”

Garrard and Jordan Argilagos, also a junior, are the primary ball carriers. Wesleyan expects to use seven or eight different receivers, too. Returning wideouts include Christian Stark, who was the team’s leading rusher last season with 511 yards, Tucker Cannon (213 yards, 22 receptions) and Kyler

gwinnettprepsports.com

Holy Innocents’ L 17-14 Salem L 26-0 Stone Mountain L 36-35 Brookstone L 24-17 Jefferson County L 7-0 Lakeview Academy W 28-7 Hapeville Charter W 35-20 Westminster L 35-14 Lovett L 41-13 GAC L 42-7 Washington-Wilkes L 46-14 Duley (202 yards, 22 receptions).

“Our tempo and pace of play is going to be totally different and we’ve already seen that,” Pridgen said.

Defense Pridgen wasn’t thrilled with the way the defense played last season, either.

“So we’ve kept what’s important and our priorities straight, but just about everything is open for review,” he said. “Every position. We’ve made changes to our coaching staff. So it’s not just the kids that have to be different.”

Pridgen calls the defensive scheme a flexible 3-5, but is fully

prepared to modify as necessary.

“Our kids are so bright,” he said.

“It may be our greatest strength.

We can do a lot of things that other schools can’t do just because of the intellect of our kids. So we can get a little more complicated and put a little more on them intellectually and they handle it.”

Senior linebacker Ollis Robinson (pictured) is one of five returning starters on defense. Robinson led Wesleyan with 66 tackles last season. Also back are Jordan Mack, Kevin Stipe (58 tackles), John Morris and Stark.

Special teams The Wolves also return punter and place kicker Jordan Weaver this season.

“He’s got a big-time leg,” Pridgen said. “He trains like a linebacker and I love that about him. He’ll help us and be a real weapon on special teams.”

Another big plus is long snapper Garrett Gottlich, who is a college prospect at the position.

“I don’t know when I’ve been this excited and optimistic about a season in the last several years,” Pridgen said. “I’m a realistic person, but I also like to see the light shining ahead. Maybe in years past that light ended being the oncoming train, but this year I do think it’s a new dawn.

“I think there’s an energy in our program and our community.

Certainly in our coaching staff and in our huddle. So sky’s the limit for Wesleyan and we’re looking forward to it.”

— Christine Troyke

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 56

Wesleyan roster No. Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 23 24 25

Pos. Year

Cedric Lynch QB/WR/DB Cole Brown WR/DB John Krause WR/DB Jordan Mack WR/DB Kevin Stipe WR/DB Kyle Rappe TE/LB Christian Stark WR/DB Banks Ramsey QB Adam Moon WR/DB Drew Aspinwall WR/LB Rawley Smith RB/DB Davis Koetter QB Ollis Robinson RB/H/LB Harrison Cook WR/DB Jordan Argilagos WR/DB Kyler Duley WR/DB Cole Mannion WR/DB Tucker Cannon WR/DB Josh Garrard RB/DB James Williams RB/LB

11 12 12 11 11 11 12 9 12 11 9 10 12 10 11 10 11 11 11 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Defense DB Jordan Mack (6-3, 205, Jr.) DB Cedric Lynch (6-3, 185, Jr.) DB Cole Mannion (6-1, 170, Jr.) or Jalen Hodges (5-9, 150, Jr.) LB Kevin Stipe (5-7, 175, Jr.) LB John Morris (6-0, 175, Soph.)

LB Ollis Robinson (6-0, 185, Sr.) LB Kyle Rappe (6-0, 170, Jr.) LB Christian Stark (6-2, 180, Sr.) DL Garrett Gottlich (6-3, 205, Sr.) DL Joseph Brown (6-1, 225, Sr.) DL Ryan Hughes (6-1, 200, Jr.) P Jordan Weaver (6-2, 180, Jr.)

Offense QB Davis Koetter (6-1, 147, Soph.) or Banks Ramsey (6-4, 190, Fr.) RB Josh Garrard (5-10, 165, Jr.) RB Jordan Argilagos (5-10, 160, Jr.) WR Christian Stark (6-2, 180, Sr.) WR Tucker Cannon (5-9, 160, Jr.) WR Kyler Duley (5-10, 160, Soph.)

OL Garrett Gottlich (6-3, 205, Sr.) OL Conner Day (5-8, 210, Jr.) OL Tanner Moore (5-8, 210, Jr.) OL Tyler Harper (6-0, 215, Jr.) OL Joseph Brown (6-1, 225, Sr.) PK Jordan Weaver (6-2, 180, Jr.)

26 27 28 30 31 35 36

Jake McCleskey WR/DB Jalen Hodges WR/DB Jason McCleskey WR/DB Colin Hall WR/LB Mitchell Robinson RB/H/LB Ryan Weed RB/LB George Bielan RB/LB

11 11 10 10 10 10 9

42 44 46 48 50 52 54

Cory H. Miller Glenn Hogan John Morris Josh Payne Chapman Pendry Callen Davidson Garrett Gottlich

TE/DE RB/LB TE/LB TE/DE OL/DL OL/DL OL/DE

10 11 10 9 10 10 12

55 56 61 63 64 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 81 82 83 90 95

Shelton Gottlich Wyatt Stall Conner Day Tyler Harper Tyler Lingle Tanner Moore Tony Taylor Michael Payne Will Barnard Sam Gottlich Patrick Ramsey Ryan Hughes Hale Porter Joseph Brown Grant Frerking Reed Thomas Drew Masters Sean McDonough Jordan Weaver

OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DE OL/DE OL/DL OL/DE OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB P/PK P/PK

11 10 11 11 9 11 12 10 11 10 10 11 12 12 10 10 10 10 11

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 57

Providence Christian Mascot: Storm

Offense Providence head coach Ken Robinson (pictured), at the helm of the program since its infancy three years ago, has always been on the defensive side of the ball. A linebacker during a sparking career at the University of South Carolina and then in the pros, Robinson transitioned into coaching but stayed on the same side of the ball.

Still, he learned some valuable lessons, primarily from one of his mentors, Jim Lofton, at Greater Atlanta Christian.

“Run the ball, play-action pass,” said Robinson, whose program is about to start its first varsity season. “In my past, as a defensive coordinator, the teams I’ve always had more of a challenge with is those guys that ran the ball well. They threw the ball well, but their identity was, ‘We’re going to run the ball.’

Teams in the past that got in the spread, defending those as a coordinator, it affects you differently.

“I want to be able to run the ball. The key is being balanced, which means you need to be able to do both.

But I think psychologically to an opponent, being able to run the ball just does something to you. So we’re based out of the pistol.”

A number of players have been on the team since Day 1, including one of the

Coach: Ken Robinson (0-0 at Providence, 5-16 overall)

Region: 8-A

Last playoff appearance: N/A

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 at St. Francis Sept. 5 at Whitfield Acad.

Sept. 19 George Walton Sept. 26 at Lakeview Oct. 3 Athens Christian Oct. 10 at Hebron Oct. 17 Commerce Oct. 24 at Athens Academy Oct. 31 Towns County Nov. 7 at Prince Avenue Christian

Storm’s primary offensive threats, Max Carter.

“He’s a real leader,” Robinson said. “He embodies who we are.”

Quarterback Jeremy Hardnett, tackle Ben Ellison and guards Jack Smith and Will Ringold are also returning starters from the team that played a JV schedule last season.

Defense Robinson, not surprisingly, is his own defensive coordinator and basing the team out of a 3-4.

“I don’t think there’s anything magical about a

58 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

scheme,” Robinson said. “I believe, going back to my overall philosophy, it’s the people. It’s the kids in the program and obviously we have to do a good job as coaches teaching them what they’re going to see “It’s what I know, it’s what I believe in, it’s what I can teach.”

The Storm have Ringold, Carter, Ellison and Hardnett as returning starters on defense. Joining them are Marvin Willis and Daniel Martin.

Numbers game All the small schools fight

a battle for deeper rosters.

Robinson’s recruiting doesn’t stop just because the season approaches. He was hoping to add at least two more players from the hall of Providence before the start of the season. For now, he’s got 20 guys.

“I don’t think it’s unique,” Robinson said. “Providence is probably a little bit more magnified, being a small school. I talk to coaches a lot, some in our region, and they’re dealing with the same things.”

Robinson isn’t letting that be an excuse though.

“You have to learn to

gwinnettprepsports.com

focus on what you can control,” he said. “Would we love the numbers to be different?

Yes. But it certainly gives me an opportunity to walk my talk.

“What are the things I can control despite the numbers? How well we coach, how well we prepare them.

Those are the things we focus on.”

The upside is Providence probably wasn’t going to have enough middle school uniforms to go around.

“The key is keeping them in the program,” Robinson said.

Jumping right in The Storm are starting off with a region schedule in competitive 8-A, which includes Hebron Christian, Commerce and Prince Avenue Christian.

And their non-region schedule, with St. Francis and Whitefield Academy, is no joke either.

“We’re in a great region

and it’s an opportunity for the kids to play good football,” Robinson said. “It’ll be difficult and a challenge, but you never call a problem a problem. It’s an opportunity.

“Yes, it’s tough to grow a program, but the rewards of watching the kids develop are worth it.”

Coaching style Another thing Robinson learned from Lofton was how to constructively motivate players.

“He had a way of challenging kids without being antagonistic,” Robinson said.

“Overall our staff is able to do that.”

As Robinson has built the Storm program, he’s only asked the players to give their best, whatever that is.

“I’m not interested in what you’re going to do on Aug. 29,” Robinson said. “All I’m interested in is what you’re going to do today. Whether it’s our varsity or middle school kids, I want you playing the game now.

“Every coach in this county says it — you will play the way you practice.

If our kids have bad habits, I’m either coaching it or I’m allowing it. In either case, I’m the adult, I’m responsible.

For me, that is the only thing — after brotherhood, it’s effort. You don’t have to run a 4.2 if you’re all out 5 flat.

That’s all I ask.”

— Christine Troyke

Providence Christian roster No. Name 1 8 10 11 32 44 45 46 47 52

Pos. Year

Jeremy Hardnett QB/CB Sam Clarke WR/DB Mitchell Miller HB/CB Kendall Adams Z/FS Max Carter RB/LB Daniel Martin WR/SS David Sloan WR/LB Griffin Hendricks OLB/TE Colin Moncrief P/PK Ben Powers OL/DL

11 9 9 10 11 10 9 19 12 9

55 58 60 62 65 67 68 70 74 75

Ben Ellison T/LB Chandler Berthelsen T/LB Jack Smith G Marvin Willis DT Eric Schmidt OL/DL J.T. Vaughn OL/DL James Berry OL/DL Patrick Pu T/DT Joshua Wright C/N Will Ringold G/DE

11 10 10 12 11 10 9 9 9 11

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Jeremy Hardnett (5-10, 160, Jr.) RB Max Carter (5-10, 165, Jr.) HB Mitchell Miller (5-9, 155, Fr.) WR David Sloan (5-9, 160, Fr.) WR Daniel Martin (5-9, 145, Soph.)

Z Kendall Adams (6-1, 160, Soph.)

T Ben Ellison (5-10, 185, Jr.) G Will Ringold (5-8, 175, Jr.) C Josh Wright (5-10, 215, Fr.) G Jack Smith (5-9, 200, So.) T Chandler Berthelsen (5-10, 170, Soph.)

PK Colin Moncrief (5-11, 180, Sr.)

Defense DE Will Ringold (5-8, 175, Jr.) N Joshua Wright (5-10, 215, Fr.) DT Marvin Willis (5-11, 180 Sr.) LB David Sloan (5-8, 160, Fr.) LB Max Carter (5-10, 165, Jr.) LB Ben Ellison (5-9, 185, Jr.) LB Chandler Berthleson (5-9, 170, Soph.)

FS Kendall Adams (6-1, 160, Soph.)

SS Daniel Martin (5-8, 150, Soph.)

CB Jeremy Hardnett (5-10, 160, Jr.) CB Mitchell Miller (5-9, 155, Fr.) P Colin Moncrief (5-11, 180, Sr.)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 59

Apalachee Mascot: Wildcats

Coach: Shane Davis (47-50 at Apalachee, 47-50 overall)

Offense In his previous nine seasons as head coach of Apalachee, Shane Davis had never experienced a year like he did in 2013.

“I’ve never been part of an 0-10 season,” Davis said. “There were a couple of games we had the opportunity to win but we didn’t do as good of a job as a coaching staff as we could have. We just didn’t get it done.”

Offensive production was steady last year but its numbers weren’t impressive, averaging right at 15 points per game. Davis knows that his offense will have to up its game this year to avoid a repeat of last year.

Davis and offensive coordinator Joel Miller, who is in his 10th year at that position, will keep their wing-T formation but have tweaked it a bit with more spread to give their backs more options.

That “tweak”, as Davis calls it, is designed to give the Wildcats more control of the ball with more time of possession.

One decision Davis will have to make is at quarterback, where he has two players in Alantae Billings (pictured) and Bryan Wilson competing for the starting job.

Experience isn’t the issue as both players split time last year, but Billings has a slight advantage in that he started the last five games.

“We’ve just got to find the right one for what we’re trying to do,” Davis said.

Whoever gets the nod at quarterback will have some talent at the other skill positions, led by twoway starter running back/defensive back Kyle Jackson.

Region: 8-AAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2009

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

at Woodland-Henry at Winder-Barrow at Salem Gainesville Clarke Central at Loganville Flowery Branch at Heritage Cedar Shoals Lanier

2013 results (0-10)

(Photo: Jessica Brown) Senior Kent Knowles, also a two-way starter, will be a part of an experienced group of wide receivers. Davis is also hopeful that transfer Ricky Wozun can contribute either at slot receiver or running back.

The offensive line is another area Davis says that will have to improve this year, and he is looking for senior Logan Jackson to lead that surge.

Defense The offense wasn’t the only area that saw some “tweaks” in the offseason as the defensive side of the ball had a few small changes, as well.

The biggest change came with the title of defensive coordinator, as Charles Liggett was brought in to improve a unit that allowed 39 points per game.

Liggett came to Apalachee after

spending the last 10 seasons at Nature Coast High School near Orlando. Seven of those years were as defensive coordinator, while the last three were as head coach.

“I hired him because he seemed like a good fit,” Davis said. “We had some conversations and I felt like we could work together.”

Apalachee will base its defense out of a four-man front, led by senior lineman Christian Dufrene.

Despite the points allowed by Apalachee last year, Dufrene put together a solid year individually with 87 tackles.

Helping out behind Dufrene will be linebacker Dalton Bales, while Jackson starts at safety and Knowles at cornerback.

Rob Thompson also gives Davis and Liggett several options and he can play either at outside linebacker or safety.

Lanier GAC Gainesville Clarke Central Flowery Branch Loganville Cedar Shoals Salem Heritage Winder-Barrow

L 42-14 L 56-14 L 49-6 L 43-19 L 42-20 L 29-21 L 35-6 L 27-7 L 43-21 L 27-20

“We won’t know what we’ve got until we get out and see the kids play,” Davis said. “We’ve had a bit of a learning curve and we’ve done some different things to put ourselves in the best position.”

Uncharted waters The 0-10 season suffered by Apalachee last year surprised a lot of people. The Wildcats had been on a strong run, winning six or more games from 2006 to 2010, while adding nine more wins during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The apex of that stretch came in 2009, When Apalachee went 12-1 and brought home the first region football championship for a Barrow County school.

But the experience from last

year was a humbling one and gave Davis a new perspective.

“Last year was tough,” Davis said. “Years ago when we got here and tried to turn things around, the kids were fired up because it was something new. When you’ve been here a long time like we’ve been and had a season like we did (last year), it’s tougher to turn things around.

“Our priorities are still the same.

We’re still working hard in the weight room and trying to control the things that we can and concentrate on getting better.”

Etc. Part of the Wildcats’ offseason training took form in what has become a popular summer activity in one of many 7-on-7 passing tournaments. Apalachee participated in a tournament hosted by Walnut Grove, giving Davis a team a chance to compete, something he felt was necessary after last year’s winless campaign.

Davis also elected to forego his scrimmage game in the spring and play two scrimmages this fall, giving Davis what he feels is a better opportunity for his team to compete.

The first of those scrimmages was Aug. 8 against Morgan County followed by a scrimmage against defending Region 8-AAAA champion Monroe Area.

“The good thing about two scrimmages is we can learn a lot about what we have,” Davis said.

“It’s good to play other kids because practice is so hard to simulate the speed of a Friday night.”

— Scott Smith

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Apalachee roster No. Name 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 25 26

Kyle Jackson Alantae Billings Quincy Rhines Hunter Wagler Rob Thompson Elijah Johnson Ricky Wozon Dalton Bales Jamal Stewart Shane Burnett Bryan Wilson Jason Craig Darius Sims Wright Patterson Gunnar Wright Ryan Miller Kent Knowles Trevon Attucks Kevin Perez Jordan Cody Ethan Morris T.J. Lyons

Year 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 12 11 10 12 12 10 10 12 11 10 10 10 12

PROBABLE STARTERS (returners in bold) Offense QB Alantae Billings (6-2, 190, Sr.) or Bryan Wilson (5-11, 165, Sr.) RB Dalton Bales (5-8, 180, Jr.) WR Hunter Wagler (6-1, 180, Sr.) WR Ricky Wozon (5-8, 160, Jr.) WR Kent Knowles (6-0, 170, Sr.) TE/HB Leo Rodriguez (6-0, 185, Jr.) LT Michael Snead (6-1, 230, Jr.) LG Chase Williamson (6-1, 230, Soph.)

C Mickey Hitchcock (5-11, 195, Jr.) RG Jonah Willard (6-0, 210, Jr.) RT Logan Jackson (6-0, 205, Sr.) PK Dylan Staples (6-1, 170, Jr.)

27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35

Bryson Evans Isaac Hernandez Corey Phelts Dylan Staples Leo Rodriguez Stephen Massillon Austin Jones Logan Burkett

10 11 12 11 11 10 10 10

Defense DE James Clonts (6-0, 185, Jr.) DE Christian Dufrene (6-0, 215, Sr.) DT Logan Jackson (6-0, 250, Sr.) DT Jose Torres (6-0, 280, Sr.) OLB Rob Thompson (6-0, 185, Sr.) ILB Dalton Bales (5-8, 180, Jr.) OLB Darius Sims (6-2, 185, Sr.) ILB Jamal Stewart (6-0, 215, Jr.) CB Kent Knowles (6-0, 170, Sr.) CB Kyle Jackson (5-8, 165, Sr.) FS Wright Patterson (6-0, 170, Sr.) P Shane Burnett (6-0, 175, Sr.)

37 40 47 48 51 52 53 54

Jakarri Cooper Alex Philpot James Clonts Avery Bowles Chase Williamson Kyle Waite Michael Snead Tyler Ozburn

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12 10 11 10 10 10 11 12

55 56 57 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 72 74 78 79 81 83 84 89

Zach Zephirin Blake Dodson Jonah Willard Christian Dufrene Logan Mastaw Logan Jackson Taylor Watkins C.J. McLocklin Chu Yang Logan McAllister Carl Yang Noah Creamer Julian Gomez Mickey Hitchock Kawan Jackson Jose Torres Michael Cannon Dalton Hood Devan Steele Nihad Muhanna Tyler Waite Ahshar Menard

12 11 11 12 11 12 10 12 12 12 11 10 12 11 12 12 10 10 10 10 12 11

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 61

Winder-Barrow Mascot: Bulldoggs

Coach: Heath Webb (0-0 at Winder-Barrow, 17-23 overall)

Offense Consistency on offense plagued Winder-Barrow a year ago as the Bulldoggs averaged just under 14 points per game and were shut out twice. Offensive improvement for 2014 is a strong possibility, though, as a new regime has put a bevy of changes in place.

That new group is fronted by new head coach Heath Webb, who brings with him an entirely new offensive scheme.

“We’re going to be an up-tempo spread,” said Webb, who came to Winder-Barrow after holding the quarterbacks coach position at Peachtree Ridge. “We’re going to be more run focused and try to be more balanced. But we also want to be able to run the ball 40 times a game or throw it 40 times a game.”

Throwing or running the ball will be dictated in large part by Webb’s personnel. He and his offensive coordinator (Naja Lynn from Flowery Branch) have been moving players around in an order to find the right position for each one.

Webb already knows that he has a couple of experienced skill position players, led by junior running back CeCe Green (pictured).

Getting yards out of Green from the backfield is one of the things Webb is hopeful for as it will help open up the passing game, something that senior 6-foot-4 wide receiver Brandon Hayes should benefit.

Both Green and Hayes have been getting attention from several D-I schools, but the key to their success will lie in the output from the offensive line and quarterback.

Webb feels that his offensive

Region: 8-AAAAA

Last playoff appearance: 2003

2014 schedule

Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

Jefferson Apalachee at Gainesville Loganville at Salem at Flowery Branch Cedar Shoals at Clarke Central at Lanier Heritage

2013 results (2-8)

(Photo: Jessica Brown) line is pretty solid, but the quarterback position is a tight race and a starter may not emerge until closer to the opener.

Defense While the offense struggled to put up points last season, the defense also had its issues. The Bulldoggs surrendered 33 points per game. Despite the disparity in those figures, Winder-Barrow still put two wins on the board, just the second time since 2008 the Bulldoggs had won that many games.

That number could rise in 2014 with a stiffer defense. Along with the hire of Webb, another of the many changes made in the offseason was Webb’s hiring of defensive coordinator Brandon Patrum from Lumpkin County.

“We’re going to go out of a 3-5 base,” Webb said.

Things up front shouldn’t be a problem for Webb, as senior defensive lineman Anthony Gates returns.

“He is a big kid with great athleticism,” Webb said. “I’ve got about a dozen or more colleges that have expressed interest in him.”

The linebackers also look to be deep for Webb, led by senior outside linebacker Jeremy Ramsey.

The secondary looks to be young and will be tested often by a region that is known for offensive prowess, including state semifinalist Gainesville and 8-AAAAA’s newest member, Lanier.

Joey Junius, who saw lots of action last year as a sophomore, is set to anchor the defensive backfield at free safety, while the start-

Jackson County Monroe Area Gainesville Salem Heritage Flowery Branch Loganville Cedar Shoals Clarke Central Apalachee

W 26-21 L 40-14 L 68-0 L 60-37 L 23-13 L 44-7 L 18-0 L 27-6 L 13-7 W 27-20

ing cornerback slots may not be decided until the season opener.

Just like starting over Winder-Barrow’s once proud program has had a rough go the past several years. The Bulldoggs have just six wins over the last six seasons, with their last winning campaign coming in 2003.

Webb was fully aware of this when he took the job. The rebuilding process began in earnest and the response to his efforts have been positive.

“It’s very similar to starting from scratch,” Webb said. “The biggest difference is our facilities are outstanding and we can just concentrate on football.”

Starting from scratch is not

unfamiliar for Webb, as he was tapped to start up the football program at North Paulding, where he coached five seasons from 2007 to 2011. Four of those were against varsity competition and Webb had some success with a 17-23 record, including a 6-4 mark in 2010.

“We’ve been working to change the culture not just in the locker room, but also in the community,” Webb said. “We’re trying to get everyone to believe that we can be great and to get over that losing hump. I feel we are on the right path.”

Early indications are that Webb’s assessment is correct, as the booster club meetings have been full and the total number of kids in the football program has grown to about 125.

One of his first, and arguably most important, tasks was to assemble a new coaching staff. Webb was allowed to hire eight new assistants as part of the new-look Bulldoggs.

Along with offensive coordinator Lynn and defensive coordinator Patrum, Webb hired Chris Davis, who was the head coach at Cedar Shoals the past two seasons, as his assistant head coach, Jeff Maddox from Apalachee as running backs coach, Luther Price from Jacksonville University as receivers coach and Paul Hoch as linebackers coach from Northview.

Brian Evans and Elihue Foskey were also brought in as community coaches to help with the ninthgrade team, while veterans Van Samples and Devin Allison were the only holdovers.

— Scott Smith

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Winder-Barrow roster No. Name 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26

Drezdin Williams Will Mauldin John Pritchett Jeremy Ramsey Trey Tate Cole Baggett Bradyn Randall Jerry Scott Ryan Evans Will Sorrells Cale Horne Tyler Banks Noah Chapman Matt Newell Jay Branch Brandon Hayes Jamaal Cox Deon Williams Joey Junius CeCe Green Teague Moore Javonne Hughes Nathan Millwood Drake Power

Pos. Year DB WR DL OLB LB OLB WR DL QB QB WR DB QB QB WR WR DB WR DB RB DB RB LB DB

11 11 11 12 11 12 12 11 11 10 11 10 11 10 11 11 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 10

PROBABLE STARTERS Defense DE Jerry Scott or Antonio Trimble NG Anthony Gates DE John Pritchett LB Santiago Carter LB Jacob Lyle LB Nathan Millwood OLB Cole Baggett OLB Jeremy Ramsey FS Joey Junius CB Drezdin Williams CB Jamaul Cox P Jeremy Ramsey

Offense QB Ryan Evans or Noah Chapman RB CeCe Green WR Brandon Hayes WR Cale Horne WR Bradyn Randall WR Jay Branch LT Tristen Swords LG Justin Simmons C Brandon Reynolds RG Tanner Morton RT Ahikam Griffin K Alan Leighton 27 28 29 30 32 33 35 37 39 42

Josh Williams Dreven Davenport Mason White Santiago Carter Chance Kitchens Preston Mathis Austin Cha Jacob Lyle Dylan Morris Jake Lynn

OLB DB LB LB RB LB DB LB LB LB

11 12 10 12 10 11 10 11 10 10

43 44 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Michael Snyder Bailey Brock Jonathan Sanders Dylan Rivoli Akiham Griffin Antonio Santibanez Tanner Morton Frederick Shields Cole Sieveking Justin Simmons

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LB OLB DL DL OL LB OL OL OL OL

11 10 11 10 11 11 12 10 10 11

59 60 61 62 64 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 81 84 85 87 90 91 97

Cullen Moore Brandon Reynolds Jay Harvey Albert Martinez Dylan Brown Matthew Fallick C.J. Cook Antonio Trimble Cameron Best Austin Lane Tristen Swords Christian Cardinal Jordan Creppel Kesean Dottin Eddie Billings Dalton Crowe Dustin Nix Nick Hinton Landon Brown Chris Pope Thomas Mitchell Alan Leighton Zach Brooks Anthony Gates

DL OL DL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL DL OL WR WR WR DL K DL DL

10 12 12 10 10 11 11 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 12 12 10 11 10 10 11 10 12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • 63

64 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

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