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NOVEMBER 19-25, 2008 GWINNETT’S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWSPAPER VOL 3 NO 8 02G I SCORE GWINNETT Get In The Game! ™ STARTING THE HIGH SCHOOL LINEUP PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

PUBLISHER/EDITOR I.J. Rosenberg • MANAGING EDITOR Tad Arapoglou • ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Gaudio • WEBMASTER Alex Ewalt VIDEO MANAGER/PREP EDITOR Scott Janovitz • BUSINESS MANAGER Marvin Botnick SALES Brian Pruett, Travis Ball, Charles Rose • OFFICE MANAGER Nakia Washington BEAT WRITERS Josh Bagriansky (Falcons), Stephen Black (Kennesaw State), Jason Boral (Thrashers), James Butler (UGA), Dave Cohen (Georgia State), Johnny Crosskey (Tech), Alex Ewalt (Preps), Scott Janovitz (Hawks/Recruiting), Fletcher Proctor (Braves) STAFF WRITERS Cranston Collier, Joe Deighton, Ricky Dimon, Rajesh Gupta, Brian Jones, Zander Lentz, Andrew McCarron, Corey Mitchell, Jessica Parker, Derek Wiley CONTRIBUTORS Dean Zindler, Kevin Dankosky, Mitch Evans, Matt Judy, Tony Schiavone, Richard Diamond, Joe Haines, Brian Katrek, Chris Dimino, Mike Bell, Matt Stewart, Fred Kalil, Nick Cellini, Phillip Leopold, Dave Marshall, Greg Smith, Steak Shapiro, Mike Cather, Beau Bock, Chuck Oliver, Hal Lamar, Chris Cotter, Matt Chernoff, Roy Hickman, Dave Cohen, John Olah, Jeff Woolverton, Chris Voss, Bob Rathbun, Courtney Capps, Bill Hartman, Chuck MARSHALL STEED ERIKA RAMSEY Dowdle, Shannon Alderman, Dan Kamal, Dennis Scott, C.C., Hal Lanier, Jeff Batten, Micah Hart, Ben Wright, Alan DACULA HIGH WESLEYAN SCHOOL Vasquez, Andrew Vedlitz, Brian Jones • SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Mitch Albom, Dave Kindred, Barry Bloom The senior wide receiver/defensive A sophomore, Ramsey took home the SCHOOL LISTING back helped Dacula back into the play- individual title at the GHSA Cross CHEROKEE/FORSYTH: Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, Forsyth Central, North Forsyth, Sequoyah, South Forsyth, West Forsyth, Woodstock offs with his play in 2008. Steed was Country Championships in Carrollton COBB: Allatoona, Campbell, Harrison, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, Marietta, McEachern, N. Cobb, N. Cobb Christian, Pebblebrook, the team’s leading receiver, accumulat- back on Nov. 8 with a time of 19:51.52. Pope, S. Cobb, Sprayberry, Walton, Wheeler ing 456 yards on 29 catches (15.7 That performance helped her team to a DEKALB: Chamblee, Columbia, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Lakeside, Marist, Miller Grove, M.L. King, Paideia, Redan, St. Pius X, third-place finish at state. She actually Southwest DeKalb, Stephenson, Stone Mountain, Tucker yards per catch average), with four FULTON: Alpharetta, Blessed Trinity, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Douglass, Grady, Lovett, Mays, Milton, North Springs, Northview, touchdowns during the regular season. set her personal best time two weeks Riverwood, Roswell, Tri-Cities, Westminster, Woodward Academy Along with Hunter Watts, prior for the state-meet tune-up, run- GWINNETT: Berkmar, Brookwood, Buford, C. Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian, Meadowcreek, Mill Creek, the passing game was crucial in the ning the same course in nearly two Norcross, North Gwinnett, Parkview, Peachtree Ridge, South Gwinnett, Wesleyan Falcons’ six wins. seconds better time.

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Parkview’s Jacobs headlines Score Prep Gwinnett 2008 All-County Team nother season, another impressive crop Gwinnett – Headed to Wofford, Barnes is one Shiloh – The future Ole Miss Rebel regis- sure tackler, registering 51 stops on the year Aof football talent from one of the deepest of the main weapons in the Bulldogs’ potent tered seven sacks and 79 tackles this year for from the cornerback position. counties, both team- and player-wise, in the offense. He averages over 15 yards per catch the Generals. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound rush Safety: Wade Brogdon, Brookwood – entire Southeast. Here is the Score Prep and has snagged two touchdowns on the year. end was a big reason Shiloh was a dramati- The do-it-all senior for the Broncos led the Gwinnett All-County Team for 2008 Offensive lineman: Max Garcia, cally improved football team in 2008. county in with five. The utility Norcross – The big junior anchors an offen- Defensive tackle: Wesley Hollingshed, man also handled all kicking duties and lined sive line that helped the Blue Devils’ rushing Norcross – The name wasn’t widely known up at wide receiver for Brookwood. OFFENSE … Safety: Prince Kent, Norcross – As Quarterback: Michael Tamburo, North unit put up 291 yards in a first-round win in recruiting circles before this season, but intimidating as the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Kent Gwinnett – The senior, committed to Boise over Parkview. Hollingshed had put up 91 tackles and 9.5 can be as a receiver, he’s even scarier in the State, ran one of the county’s most prolific Offensive lineman: Dallas Lee, Buford sacks through 10 games. secondary. The athletic rover tallied nine offenses and threw for 13 touchdowns and just – An exceptional two-way player for the Defensive tackle: Dallas Lee, Buford – A tackles in his team’s latest win. five interceptions. He also has over 500 yards Wolves, this Georgia commit blew up defen- space-eater as well as a threat to get to the rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns on the year. sive lines all year for tailbacks Storm quarterback, Lee had five sacks and 77 tackles KICKERS/SPECIAL TEAMS … : Brandon Jacobs, Johnson and Cody Getz. At 6-foot-3, 305 at the completion of the regular season. Kicker: Connor Hawk, Norcross – The Parkview – The county rushing leader after pounds, he is an explosive athlete. Linebacker: Kevin Minter, Peachtree best all-around kicker in the county was a the first round of the playoffs (1,573 yards) Offensive lineman: Jake Thomas, Ridge – A tough hitter that’s headed to LSU weapon for the Blue Devils, as he has con- is currently second in Gwinnett in rushing North Gwinnett – The nod goes to the senior a semester early, Minter is the leading tack- nected on 13 of 17 kicks thus far, including touchdowns (19). He’s also an adept pass- on a big and talented Bulldogs O-line. A 6- ler on a Lions defense that has yielded less the game-winner last Friday against Parkview. : Connor Hawk, Norcross – Hawk catcher out of the backfield. foot-2, 240-pound center, Thomas is the than 11 points a game. He also has shown an was second in the county in punting average Running back: D.J. Adams, Norcross – anchor on one of the best units in the state. ability to get to the quarterback. through 10 games (38.8 on 30 attempts). A big bruising back that’s committed to Offensive lineman: Kellen Williams, Linebacker: Steven Smith, Norcross – Kick returner/Punt returner: Kadeem Maryland, Adams is currently second in Brookwood – The man who helped Kenny Smith has been a tackling machine for the Wise, Berkmar – Wise is electric on punts rushing (1,499 yards) and will likely over- Miles run all over defenses last year was just Blue Devils this year, with 142 so far (and a and kickoffs, as he showed Shiloh back in take the No. 1 spot now that Parkview’s out as impressive in his senior campaign. A big game-high 12 in a 20-17 first-round win over September when he took the opening kickoff of the playoffs. man with a mean streak, Williams puts up a Parkview last Friday). . 90 yards for a score. Wide receiver: Prince Kent, Norcross – ridiculous number of pancake blocks. Linebacker: Curtis Guest, Collins Hill – Kent was the big-play threat Norcross need- Offensive lineman: Jacob Mwinami, Certainly the defensive MVP this season for PLAYER OF THE YEAR … ed after the departures of Brice Butler and Grayson – The Rams run the ball better than the resurgent Eagles, Guest finished his senior Brandon Jacobs, Parkview – Parkview Devonta Bolton. He finished the regular sea- just about anybody, and it all starts with the year with over 130 tackles, and also caught coaches will miss Jacobs on both sides of the son third in the county in receiving yards and line. The senior has helped Grayson rack up some balls on offense in 2008. ball when the tailback/linebacker departs for Auburn. He toted the ball a county-leading averages over 20 yards per catch. an astronomical 3,227 rushing yards this year. Cornerback: Connor Norman, 227 times during the regular season, and Wide receiver: Julian Horton, GAC – Peachtree Ridge – Norman is fast with a nose could end up on either offense or defense (or One of only a few juniors to make our list, DEFENSE … for the ball, and came through with two huge the baseball diamond) for the Tigers. Horton was the favorite target of Spartans quar- Defensive end: Joseph Champaign, pass breakups in a region-clinching win over The cover photos (from left to right) of terback Colton Chapple this year. His seven Grayson – Little known coming into this sea- North Gwinnett. Buford’s Dallas Lee, Norcross’ D.J. Adams and touchdowns led the county after the regular sea- son, this two-way junior lineman led the coun- Cornerback: Kadeem Wise, Berkmar – North Gwinnett’s Michael Tamburo are cour- son, and his 560 yards per game were fourth. ty with 12 sacks heading into the playoffs. The speedy Duke commit was a shutdown tesy of Photographic Arts. Ewalt can be Tight end: Kenny Barnes, North Defensive end: Cameron Whigham, corner all year for the Patriots. He’s also a reached at [email protected].

QB Michael Tamburo North Gwinnett OL Kellen Williams Brookwood CB Connor Norman Peachtree Ridge Y R T

E RB Brandon Jacobs Parkview OL Jacob Mwinami Grayson CB Kadeem Wise Berkmar N 8 T U RB D.J. Adams Norcross DE Joseph Champaign Grayson S Wade Brogdon Brookwood O S WR Prince Kent Norcross DE Cameron Whigham Shiloh S Prince Kent Norcross C O 0

T WR Julian Horton Greater Atlanta Christian DT Wesley Hollingshed Norcross K Connor Hawk Norcross R T

E TE Kenny Barnes North Gwinnett DT Dallas Lee Buford P Connor Hawk Norcross N M 0 OL Max Garcia Norcross LB Kevin Minter Peachtree Ridge KR/PR Kadeem Wise Berkmar N I A OL Dallas Lee Buford LB Steven Smith Norcross W E G

2 OL Jake Thomas North Gwinnett LB Curtis Guest Collins Hill Player of the Year - Brandon Jacobs (Parkview) T

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Gwinnett proves its power in first round of high school football playoffs n what could only be described as a wild Godhigh in the second round. Lions quarter- In Class 2A, Buford and Lovett both champ Walton. The Blue Devils, mean- Ifirst Friday night of the postseason, most back Nick Lombardo must provide this cruised and have potentially set up yet anoth- while, pulled off a little upset magic of their of the Gwinnett County powers flexed their offense with a spark if Peachtree Ridge er state final. Cody Getz continues to own, trumping Parkview at the Jungle 20- muscles and avoided the upset bug. In expects to advance. impress and his two scores on just nine car- 17. Look for D.J. Adams to continue to Class 5A, North Gwinnett defeated ries showed that he is capable of taking it to pound the ball while the Woodstock defense Brookwood in a 34-10 whipping. The win, MORE TOP SEEDS … the house whenever he touches the ball. will dare Charles King to throw. King is coupled with a Lassiter upset of Etowah, The little giant Ean Pemberton was Storm Johnson is a nice complement to Getz capable of showing off his rocket arm and it means that the Bulldogs will host Lassiter back to his big ways last week, as he carried and quarterback Michael May should not could be on display this Friday at Norcross. in the second round. Quarterback Michael 23 times for 139 yards and two scores in have trouble finding open receivers against The Blue Devils’ defense, though young, Tamburo threw for 194 yards and a touch- Grayson’s 31-7 win over Collins Hill. Head North Oconee’s defense this week. In Class should be able to bottle up Woodstock’s down while running for 98 more yards and coach Mickey Conn’s Rams have great bal- A, Wesleyan was led by Kyle Karempelis’s rushers and Prince Kent in the defensive four scores. Tyler Jarry will also be licking ance, as Tyler Horne is able to run and throw 208 yards rushing and four scores, and the secondary can run with any receiver in the his chops at the chance to run at home out of the Wing-T attack. Horne’s arm was back won’t slow down this week against vis- state. Norcross can’t look past anyone, but against the visiting Trojans. on display with a 50-yard touchdown strike iting Holy Innocents’. head coach Keith Maloof surely would love Peachtree Ridge shut out Dacula, but last week. East Paulding, which escaped in the possibility of getting another shot at the 17-0 win spoke more about the Lions’ three overtimes against Milton, must be THE BIG GAME … Camden County in the quarterfinals after struggles on offense than the power of its wary of the arm of Horne. Look for East In what must be considered the game losing to the Wildcats earlier this season at defense. Kevin Minter will lay the wood on Paulding to try and control the clock and of the week featuring a Gwinnett County the Kell Classic. anyone, and the LSU-bound linebacker/safe- keep the Rams’ offense on the sidelines with school, Norcross will host Woodstock after Proctor can be reached at ty will look to target Harrison’s Robbie a heavy dose of Jahron Brown. the Wolverines upset Region 6-AAAAA [email protected].

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WWW.SCOREATL.COM 06G I SCORE GWINNETT Get In The Game! BERKMAR PATRIOTS COLLINS HILL EAGLES he football squad saw the season end with its fourth straight loss, as the South Gwinnett he football team lost to Norcross 17-3 on Nov. 7 in a game that featured huge playoff impli- TComets (4-6, 4-4) repelled a late Berkmar rally and won 14-9 on Nov. 7. Berkmar fin- Tcations. After starting the season 6-0, the loss dropped the Eagles to fourth in Region 7- ishes the year with a 3-7 overall record and 2-6 in Region 8-AAAAA play. Quarterback AAAAA. The Eagles had their season ended last Friday with a 31-7 loss to Grayson in the first Xaviir Briggs scored on a 30-yard fourth-quarter jaunt to bring the Patriots to within five round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The Eagles defense couldn’t control Grayson running points with 1:37 remaining in the game. The sophomore quarterback threw for 104 yards on back Ean Pemberton, who rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams totaled 395 yards on the night. Charles Perkins ran for 55 yards for the Eagles, who finished the season 8- 6-of-13 passing. Ben Wibonele kicked a 24-yard field goal in the first quarter for Berkmar. 3. … The boys cross country team finished second in the Class 5A state championship meet … The boys cross country team took fifth place at the Region 8 Championship meet on Nov. on Nov. 8 with 99 points. The girls cross country team was dominant in the state championship 1 at River Green Duluth. Miguel Velazquez led the team with a time of 17:45, which was while winning its seventh straight title. Amanda Winslow won individually and defended her good enough for 21st overall. The girls team came in eighth place at the same meet. Islam title with a time of 18:00. “She [Winslow] is highly self-motivated, doesn’t need anyone to push Galgal took 32nd overall, which was the best finish for any Lady Patriot. Betty Chow came her and inspires others. It makes our job easier when there is someone like that to point to as in 34th, while Alisha Hartman came in 39th. an example of hard work,” said head coach Andrew Hudson. BROOKWOOD BRONCOS DACULA FALCONS he football team had not lost to Parkview since 2004, but on Nov. 7, the team could not he football team lost to Peachtree Ridge 17-0 last Friday in the first round of the Class Tdent the scoreboard en route to a 7-0 loss. Allen McCray rushed for 150 yards, but most T5A state playoffs. The Falcons were right in it through three quarters and trailed the came in the first half and the team could never seriously mount a scoring threat against the Lions 3-0. But Peachtree Ridge added two fourth-quarter touchdowns while the Falcons tough Panther defense. A last-gasp drive ended with back-to-back sacks in Parkview territory were held scoreless. Senior quarterback Hunter Watts threw for 111 yards in his last game and a turnover on downs. With the loss, the Broncos were forced to hit the road for the first as a Falcon. Watts is one of 25 seniors on a team that finished 5-6 and got back to the play- round of the state playoffs and the team faced an angry North Gwinnett team. Though Allen offs after missing out last season. The Falcons had plenty of highlights this season, such McCray tallied 92 yards rushing with a score, the Broncos fell 34-10. Brookwood as beating Parkview for the first time in school history 21-0 on Oct. 10 and bouncing back only completed two passes in the loss. ... In a bit of an upset, the boys cross country team fin- from starting the season 0-3. … The boys cross country team finished 15th in the Class 5A ished fourth in the Class 5A state championships. Doug Kalmbach was the team’s best finish- state championship meet on Nov. 8 with 391 points. Mike McClay finished seventh over- er at 10th overall. Peachtree Ridge won the event. On the girls side, the team finished fourth all with a time of 16:23. The girls finished 19th with 518 points and were led by Kellie with Carly Egan (15th overall) finishing as the Lady Broncos’ top runner. Keeling, who finished 82nd overall with a time of 21:31. BUFORD WOLVES GRAYSON RAMS he football team did everything in its power to end Greater Atlanta Christian’s season on Nov. 7 perfect regular season for Mickey Conn’s football team was capped with a 40-7 drubbing of Tand came through with a 34-6 victory. Cody Getz had yet another 100-plus yard game (139). The ACentral Gwinnett on Nov. 7. Terry Williams scored two first-half touchdowns and Harrell Spartans played a gritty game for their playoff lives, but had five turnovers on the night, which did Gunn notched a touchdown in the victory as well. The Rams’ special teams and defense also post- them in. Despite the loss, GAC ended up backing its way into the playoffs by way of a Blessed Trinity ed touchdowns in the win. Ean Pemberton was held relatively in check with only 69 yards rush- loss to Westminster. The win completed Buford’s fourth straight perfect regular season and set up a ing. Pemberton wasn’t bottled last Friday, however, when his team hosted Collins Hill in the first showdown with Heard County. Buford opened its 2008 playoffs in grand fashion last Friday, defeat- round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The back rushed for 139 yards and two scores, as the Rams ing Heard County, 56-21. Any signs of an offensive hangover from the GAC game were squelched improved to 11-0 with a 31-7 win. East Paulding will visit Grayson this Friday night in Round 2. by a dominant performance on the ground. Getz was great again, piling up 136 yards in the Wolves’ … The boys basketball team, having opened up the season this past Tuesday, will take part in the 26th straight win. The football team will face North Oconee in its second-round game this Friday, as East Jackson Tournament at the East Jackson High School this Saturda, and next Tuesday before it tries to duplicate the softball team’s Class 2A title success from earlier this year. … The boys cross finishing up next Saturday. The Rams will open with the home team at 8:30 p.m. Head coach country team finished ninth in the GHSA Cross Country Championships on Nov. 8. The team was Brian Anderson’s squad is led by the sharp-shooting Ben Loudermilk and Andre Bellamy, who led by Matt Johnson, who finished 36th with a time of 18:08.00. recently led the team in the school’s shootathon fundraiser. CENTRAL GWINNETT BLACK KNIGHTS GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SPARTANS he football team ended the regular season with a 40-7 loss to undefeated and No. 5 he football team played a great first half against top-ranked Buford on Nov. 7. In the end, how- TGrayson on Nov. 7 (ranking is according to GPB/ScorePrep Week 11 rankings). The Tever, the Wolves won decisively, capturing a 34-6 victory. GAC’s defense was stout through- loss ended the season for Central and dropped its record to 3-7, 3-5 in Region 8-AAAAA out, only conceding 224 yards to the defending state champions. Quarterback Colton Chapple play. Grayson took the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and cruised to a 33-0 played solidly once again, racking up 182 yards of total offense. The Spartans found themselves halftime lead. The Black Knights were held to just 46 yards of total offense. … The boys with an unlikely playoff berth, however, after Westminster’s 14-10 win over Blessed Trinity the cross country squad took eighth place at the Region 8 Championship Meet on Nov. 1 at same weekend gave GAC the fourth seed in Region 6-AA. The Callaway Cavaliers played host Peachtree Ridge. Austin Claybrook led the team by finishing 42nd while Alejandro to the Spartans last Friday and slipped by GAC in a nail-biting 19-14 first-round contest. After Coradin came in 44th place. The girls squad came in fifth place at the same meet. Allison losing a halftime lead late in the fourth quarter, GAC mounted a stunning drive behind positive Fernandez paced the squad with a 21st-place finish while Anna Wysocki came in 30th. … plays from Stephen Atwater (25 rushes, 140 yards) and Colton Chapple. With the ball on the goal The boys basketball team will tip off its season on Nov. 22 against North Cobb at the South line late, a fourth-down incompletion from Chapple ended the proceedings and the Spartans’ sea- Forsyth Tournament. David Allen’s squad will look to build on last year’s season in which son. … The girls cross country team finished 11th at the state meet on Nov. 8. Sophia Artusa led it finished 13-15 overall and 6-9 in region play. the team with a ninth-place finish and a time of 20:28.17.

WWW.SCOREATL.COM NOVEMBER 19-25, 2008 SCORE GWINNETT I 07G MEADOWCREEK MUSTANGS PARKVIEW PANTHERS hen is a 1-9 season a victory for a football team? When that one-win season comes on the efore the season, the Parkview football team had been the last team to defeat Brookwood in Wheels of four winless years. The Meadowcreek Mustangs’ football season came to a close BRegion 8-AAAAA play and that was in 2004. The Panthers handed Brookwood yet another on Nov. 7 with a 28-3 loss to former Meadowcreek head coach Kevin Maloof and his Dacula region loss on Nov. 7 and clinched the No. 2 seed for the playoffs with a 7-0 win. The shutout Falcons. The Mustangs’ Sep. 5 victory over the Duluth Wildcats, however, was the highlight of victory was the second straight doughnut the Panther defense had posted and quarterback Clayton the season, as the win was their first in four years. Head coach Terrone Owens agreed, saying, Wilkin provided the winning margin. The quarterback sneak came after Kendrick Adams recov- “Despite our record, I believe that we had a successful season. We got that whole ‘record thing’ ered a Bronco fumble. The win set up a date with Norcross in the first round of the playoffs. off our back. We were competitive this year. We improved as a team overall and, to me, that is a Despite hosting the first round at The Jungle, however, Parkview fell 20-17 to the Blue Devils. big step in the right direction for our program.” ... Looking forward to the winter sports season, Panther quarterback Clayton Wilkin threw for one score and ran for another early but, as his team Meadowcreek’s boys basketball team returns to the court Friday against the Northview Titans. trailed 20-17 with two minutes left, his final Hail Mary was ruled incomplete. ... In a mild sur- Last year’s team went to the state tournament for the second year in a row, going 18-10 overall prise, boys cross country runner Brian Detweiler finished in second place at the Class 5A State and finishing third in Region 8-AAAAA with a 10-4 region record. … The wrestling team starts Championships. Detweiler’s time of 15:58 was 10 seconds behind Taylor Lord of Chapel Hill. the season off against Shiloh and Eagle’s Landing at Shiloh on Nov. 25. Meanwhile, the girls team finished third in the state championships, led by Julianne Kurke. MILL CREEK HAWKS PEACHTREE RIDGE LIONS he football team finished its season with a 35-0 shutout of South Forsyth on Nov. 7. he football team defeated North Gwinnett for the first time in school history, 19-7, on TQuarterback Ed Russ passed for 159 yards and connected with Brandon Hayman for two TNov. 7 to win Region 7-AAAAA, yet another first in school history. Senior running touchdowns. The Hawks defense forced five turnovers. Tyler Cierski rushed for 112 yards and back Ronnie Smith rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Nick Lombardo a touchdown. The Hawks ended the season at 6-4, just missing the playoffs and finishing fifth threw two touchdown passes and the Lions defense held the Bulldogs offense to only 215 in Region 7-AAAAA with a 4-4 record. The Hawks said goodbye to 28 seniors, including Russ yards. The Lions defeated Dacula last Friday in the first round of the Class 5A state play- and running back Ramael Wilson. … The girls cross country team finished 11th in the Class offs. Ronnie Smith rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. The Lions play Harrison this Friday in the second round with an opportunity to avenge a 13-3 early-season loss. … The 5A state championship meet on Saturday Nov. 8. The Lady Hawks were led by Brittany boys cross country team won the Class 5A state championship with 85 points on Nov. 8. Westmoreland, who finished 17th overall with a time of 19:59. … The softball team had five Nial Longobardi finished third overall with a time of 16:00. Gwinnett County schools have players named to the All-Region 7-AAAAA team. Morgan Bullock was named player of the now won 20 of the last 25 Class 5A boys cross country state titles. The girls cross country year. Amberlie Saxton and Hannah Graham were named to the first team while Devin Dossman team finished 12th in the state championship meet with 280 points. Heather Morris finished and Lauren Stimis were named to the second team. 23rd overall with a time of 20:09 to lead the girls. NORCROSS BLUE DEVILS SOUTH GWINNETT COMETS he football team may finally be rounding into what experts believed the team would be he football team wrapped up its season with a well-deserved 14-9 victory over Berkmar on Nov. Tbefore the season started. Running back D.J. Adams carried Norcross in the team’s final T7. With a 4-6 overall record and a 4-4 region record, the Comets just missed out on grabbing the regular season game, a 17-3 victory over Collins Hill on Nov. 7. The future Maryland No. 4 seed in Region 8-AAAAA, as Dacula finished 5-3. The Comets will lose quarterback Terrapin rushed for 149 yards on 28 carries and his quarterback Charles King posted 109 Michael Polascik and receiver Aaron Jividen but will return outstanding wideout Johnathan Krause, passing yards and two scores in the win. The win earned Norcross the No. 3 seed and meant who led the region in receptions and receiving yards. Aaron Wimberly, the team’s leading rusher late a trip to Parkview for the first round of the playoffs. The Jungle didn’t seem to faze the Blue in the season, will enter his junior year as the unquestioned tailback. If South Gwinnett can find a Devils, though, as Adams rushed for 168 yards, including a 60-yard scoring run early to take quarterback to fill Polascik’s shoes, this offense could explode in 2009. … The wrestling team will the game 20-17. Charles King ran for 97 yards and threw one scoring pass in the win. open up the season this Friday with a two-day Comet Classic Dual Tournament. Friday’s action gets Connor Hawk’s 29-yard field goal was the game-winner. The team will host Woodstock in underway at 5 p.m. and the wrestlers hit the mats Saturday morning, starting at 10 a.m. … The boys the second round of the playoffs this Friday. … The Norcross wrestling team will hit the mats and girls basketball teams both tip off the season Wednesday when North Forsyth visits the South this Saturday at the Columbia County Classic. The Blue Devils will join seven other schools Gwinnett gym. Boys head coach Emmett Rouse has several quality pieces at his disposal in junior at Lakeside Gym for the meet. guard Adonis Harrison and senior center Lance Uwaifo. NORTH GWINNETT BULLDOGS WESLEYAN WOLVES he football team got off to a quick start with a 97-yard opening kickoff return by Robert he football team defeated Warren County 42-19 last Friday behind sophomore running TNelson but was held scoreless the rest of the way and lost the game (and the Region 7- Tback Kyle Karempelis’s 210 yards and four touchdowns in the first round of the Class AAAAA title to Peachtree Ridge) 19-7 on Nov. 7. Quarterback Mike Tamburo, a Boise State A state playoffs. “It’s something we haven’t done in a long time and I’m extremely proud commitment, threw for 156 yards but was sacked six times. The Bulldogs rebounded last Friday of my guys,” said head coach Franklin Pridgen. The Wolves gained 360 total yards of to defeat Brookwood 34-10 in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. “Our intensity and offense and 21 first downs. On defense, Daniel Cardwell returned an 42 yards focus was the best it’s been all season,” said head coach Bob Sphire. Tamburo had a total of 293 for a touchdown. The Wolves will play a familiar opponent in the second round in Holy yards and five touchdowns. Tyler Jarry added 191 yards and the Bulldogs’ defense held the Innocents’. The Wolves lost to the Golden Bears 7-6 on Sept. 12. “They are very well- Broncos to 153 total yards. The Bulldogs play Lassiter, which upset No. 1-seeded Etowah, this coached and I’m not surprised they won,” said Pridgen of Holy Innocents’ 13-0 first-round Friday in the second round. … The boys cross country team finished 13th in the Class 5A state upset of Bowdon. … The boys cross country team finished second to Our Lady of Mercy championship meet on Nov. 8 with 324 points. Michael Gualdoni finished 33rd overall with a in the Class A state championship meet on Nov. 8 with 57 points. Christopher Duvall fin- time of 17:04. The girls cross country team finished second in the state championship meet with ished sixth with a time of 16:42. The girls finished third in the state meet, but sophomore 85 points. Nicole DeMercurin finished fourth overall with a time of 18:47. Erika Ramsey won the individual title with a time of 19:51. • Corey Mitchell – GAC, Buford • Stephen Black – Berkmar, Central Gwinnett • Fletcher Proctor – Brookwood, Grayson, Norcross, Parkview, South Gwinnett • Derek Wiley – Collins Hill, Mill Creek, North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge, Wesleyan, Dacula • Zander Lentz – Meadowcreek

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