The G.A.S. Pump (Nov. 10)
November 10th, 2007 Posted in Georgia, High School Football, UncategorizedTime to fill ‘er up at The Georgia Amateur Sports (G.A.S.) Pump, brought to you by LocalReplay.com. Enjoy our daily look at amateur sports headlines from around the State of Georgia. Click on the following links to find:
High School Football
Athens/Augusta Area
Coach is safe from firing | augustachronicle.com
Grooms is under scrutiny after his team ran an illegal play on its final possession of a game last Friday at Effingham County. Carney said Grooms will be punished for the offense but would not lose his job. He would not specify the punishment.
Atlanta Area
Brookwood wins 8th straight vs. archrival Parkview | ajc.com
Brookwood put a nice ribbon around an unblemished Region 8-AAAAA regular season in the place the Broncos enjoy winning most. It’s one thing to complete an undefeated region schedule; it’s quite another to accomplish the feat in Lilburn against arch-nemesis Parkview.
Norcross denies N. Gwinnett first region title | ajc.com
Norcross repeated as region champion for the first time in school history, holding off North Gwinnett 24-14 before a frenzied near-capacity crowd. The Blue Devils (9-1, 7-1) enter the playoffs as a top seed and will be coming off their most complete performance.
N. Metro Roundup: P-Ridge downs Duluth | ajc.com
In a mere tune-up for the playoffs, Peachtree Ridge put up five touchdowns and nearly 300 yards of offense in the first half and cruised to a 46-14 victory over Duluth. The Lions now can focus on defending their Class AAAAA title. It won’t be easy. The fourth seed from Region 7, the Lions drew undefeated and No. ranked North Cobb. “We had to get better for the playoffs,” said Derrick Bryant, who scored a touchdown and nabbed an interception. “We slipped up against Mill Creek but we bounced back against North Forsyth. We have to keep getting better and I feel we did that.”
S. Metro Roundup: Newnan wins region; Fayette goes 10-0 | ajc.com
Newnan head coach Robert Herring said he wanted his junior-laden club to get a good test before entering the playoffs. At home Friday night on Senior Night, they passed with flying colors in a 19-11 victory against county rival East Coweta. The victory gave the Cougars their second consecutive Region 4-AAAAA title.
State Roundup: Troup rallies but LaGrange prevails | ajc.com
Troup’s furious rally in the final minute slipped through its fingers Friday night in its quest to upset No. 7-ranked Class AAA LaGrange. LaGrange’s Brian Dowell intercepted a Jaquante Holloway pass in the end zone with 39 seconds left to secure a 24-20 victory for the Grangers (8-2). The pass was tipped and slipped off of the outstretched hands of a Troup receiver.
No. 1 N. Cobb blanks Marietta, sends message | ajc.com
In a game that meant nothing, finishing perfect meant everything for North Cobb. The top-ranked Warriors wasted little in the way of opportunities or the chance to deliver a message to the rest of the state, scoring on all seven possessions for its starting offense in a 49-0 rout of host Marietta.
St. Pius’ mistakes key Marist victory | ajc.com
Team speed is not how Marist’s Alan Chadwick has won 259 games during his 23-year coaching career. But having just enough of that ever-important trait Friday night was the reason his War Eagles beat archrival St. Pius 21-7 in a Region 6-AAAA game. Senior cornerback Neil Schuster’s 58-yard interception return for a touchdown got it all going, and senior running back Kevin Lanier’s 23-yard sprint capped it off as Marist (8-2) beat the Golden Lions (7-3) for the 25th time in the past 26 meetings in the annual Fish Bowl.
Roswell hangs on against Centennial | ajc.com
Ninth-ranked Roswell only needed a three-point victory against Centennial to make the postseason. Friday night it appeared as though 28 wouldn’t be enough. The defending Class AAAAA co-champions secured a spot in the playoffs after a 31-24 victory against the Knights at Ray Manus Stadium. The Hornets jumped to a 28-0 advantage following four consecutive Centennial turnovers to start the game.
Chattahoochee rebounds, tops Milton | ajc.com
It took only one week for Chattahoochee to learn what Gary Grace meant to its offense, and he proved his worth one more time Friday. With Grace out with an injury last week, the Cougars suffered a key loss to Region 6-AAAAA rival Centennial. He marked his return to the field with four touchdowns and 88 yards on 14 carries to lead Chattahoochee to a 28-20 win over Milton.
Perspective: For Kell seniors, football finale emotional | ajc.com
On Friday night, Evans and Parris lined up next to each other on the offensive line for Kell High in Marietta and enjoyed some of their favorite high school football pastimes for the last time. “The games themselves are amazing, too,” said Evans, conceding the game is more than good food. “The camaraderie, to be part of team, you have to do your job to make the thing function. I’ve been blessed to be a part of it.”
Perspective: For Kell seniors, football finale emotional | ajc.com
On Friday night, Evans and Parris lined up next to each other on the offensive line for Kell High in Marietta and enjoyed some of their favorite high school football pastimes for the last time. “The games themselves are amazing, too,” said Evans, conceding the game is more than good food. “The camaraderie, to be part of team, you have to do your job to make the thing function. I’ve been blessed to be a part of it.”
Douglass upsets No. 7 Stephenson l | ajc.com
Douglass coach Gary Cantrell walked out the back gate at Hallford Stadium carrying two empty water coolers. Despite the cold and soaking wet clothes, he was wearing a big smile as he headed to the team bus. Moments earlier, his players had drenched him with cooler full of ice water on a chilly Friday night to celebrate the Astros 13-12 upset victory against No. 7 Stephenson in a key Region 7-AAAAA contest.
Reclassification affects Metro schools | ajc.com
Thirteen metro Atlanta schools will play in a higher classification next season, and so will Northside-Warner Robins, the defending football champion in Class AAAA. The Georgia High School Association released the class assignments for all 420 member schools Friday shortly after receiving the latest full-time enrollment figures compiled by the Georgia Department of Education.
Extended family helps Landmark star thrive | ajc.com
As a highlight tape plays on the widescreen TV in the family room, Jeannette Mackens gets excited. She has seen the tape before, and was even in the bleachers to witness the events live, but she can’t hold her enthusiasm. Reliving the big plays of her nephew, Walter Lenard, is cause for celebration. “Run, Walter!,” she shouts. “Oh, yes.”
S. Gwinnett slams Meadowcreek | ajc.com
In a year of monumental upsets across the nation, South Gwinnett made sure early they would not be the next victim. The Comets wasted little time tuning up for next week’s playoffs, their first postseason appearance since 2003, scoring on their first four possessions and cruising to a 43-6 victory over Meadowcreek Friday night at Richard Snell Stadium in Snellville.
Peachtree Ridge pounces quickly on Duluth | ajc.com
In a mere tune-up for the playoffs, Peachtree Ridge posted five touchdowns and nearly 300 yards of offense in the first half in cruising to a 46-14 victory over Duluth Friday night. The Lions now can focus on defending their Class AAAAA title. It won’t be easy. The fourth seed from Region 7, the Lions drew undefeated and No. 1-ranked North Cobb.
Collins Hill salvages season vs. S. Forsyth | ajc.com
Despite missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, Collins Hill’s season finale Friday at South Forsyth had plenty of meaning. Collins Hill relied heavily on its defense in a 10-3 win over South Forsyth in Cumming. The win gives the Eagles four wins in their final five games after an 0-5 start.
Wesleyan dusts Walker, ends at 5-5 | ajc.com
It took Wesleyan only three plays to score Friday night and the 2-yard touchdown run by Matt Karempelis set the tone as the Wolves defeated Walker 44-14 in Norcross. Wesleyan’s (5-5, 4-4 in 6-AA) offensive line dominated. “We knew our offensive line could control things, and that allowed our backs to take over and use their athleticism,” Wesleyan coach Ralph Pridgen said.
Grayson dominates Berkmar | ajc.com
If Friday’s regular-season finale was any indication, Grayson just might be one of Class AAAAA’s most complete teams heading into the playoffs. The Rams were effective through the air and on the ground, complementing a bruising defense in a 48-25 win over Berkmar.
Central Gwinnett fights past Shiloh | ajc.com
Central Gwinnett senior Kyle Vannerson congratulated his teammates Friday and led a post-game prayer with tears flowing. It was most likely the last time the undersized lineman will strap on a helmet and play competitive football. His team’s 35-27 win at Shiloh served as the perfect motivator for a Black Knights program that fell from the Region 8-AAAAA elite in 2007.
Cedar Shoals nips Dacula in OT | ajc.com
The Falcons stood toe-to-toe with Cedar Shoals all night, matching the Jaguars hit for hit and point for point. But after Cedar Shoals’ Joseph Harrison nailed a 32-yard field goal in overtime, Falcons quarterback Taylor Smith tried to force a pass over the middle and was intercepted by the Jaguars’ James Gordon to give Cedar Shoals a 19-16 victory.
GAC gets past Holy Innocents’ | ajc.com
Facing playoff openers on the road, Region 6-AA’s Greater Atlanta Christian and Holy Innocents’ were playing for invaluable momentum in Friday’s regular-season finale at GAC. Both struggled to generate any, but thanks to Bobby Petrino’s 110 yards rushing, a fumble recovery in the third quarter and two interceptions in the fourth, GAC won 10-6. The Spartans now take a three-game win streak to Morgan County, the second of four playoff qualifiers from Region 8-AA.
Miller’s time to shine | rockdalecitizen.com
The senior rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries as the Seminoles (9-1) clinched the Region 8-AAAA title with a 31-11 victory over Madison County, avenging last year’s 47-44 setback in the region playoffs. “It’s our third time in four years (to be region champions), if I’m not mistaken,” Salem coach Chad Estes said. “We’re proud of our kids, our program and our community, and we look forward going into the state playoffs.
Rockdale defense rocked in 42-0 shutout | rockdalecitizen.com
The Loganville Red Devils scored early and often as they used a well-balanced attack to shut out the Rockdale Bulldogs 42-0 at Red Devil Stadium. The Bulldogs (1-9) came into the game looking to end what has been a tough season on a high note. And early on, the running game was in sync. “I thought we started off well,” coach William Johnson said. “We tripped up on two or three early drives, and that may have been the difference. They may have not necessarily made the game different, but we could have been trading touchdowns.”
Eastside falls short of playoffs | rockdalecitizen.com
The Eastside Eagles laid it all on the line but fell short in their attempt to qualify for the Class AAAA playoffs, losing to the Clarke Central Gladiators 14-7 on Friday at Billy Henderson Stadium. The difference in the game was a 90-yard kickoff return by the Gladiators’ Derrick Smith to start the second half.
Pats staying home after 28-0 defeat | rockdalecitizen.com
Heritage’s hopes of a state playoff berth came crashing down Friday night in Mount Airy as the Patriots fell victim to the new juggernauts of 8-AAAA North — Habersham Central. The Raiders proved to be as good as advertised, topping the Patriots 28-0 and earning a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs for a second straight year.
Tigers lose heartbreaker to Bulldogs 17-10 | rockdalecitizen.com
The Alcovy Tigers ended their 2007 football campaign in heartbreaking fashion Friday night at Sharp Stadium. With 18 seconds remaining, Winder-Barrow’s Greg Dixon completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Bradberry to give the Bulldoggs a 17-10 victory over the Tigers. Despite the loss, Alcovy coach Kirk Hoffmann praised his team’s effort and the progress they have made in two years. “Haven’t they done that (played hard) all year?”
Macon Area
GMC Prep falls to Lincoln in season finale | unionrecorder.com
The Georgia Military College Prep varsity football team saw its season come to an end Friday when the Bulldogs lost to perennial powerhouse Lincoln County 48-0 on the road. “We knew it was going to be tough going in there,” GMC Prep head coach Jon Cawley said.
JMA Trojans power into state playoffs | unionrecorder.com
The John Milledge Academy varsity football team earned a playoff spot on the last day of the regular season Friday, dominating Central Fellowship 54-0 on Senior Night. The Trojans scored early, often and seemingly at will in the first half, putting up 48 points before the break.
Playoff pounding | unionrecorder.com
The Baldwin High School varsity football team earned a spot in the GHSA AAAA state playoffs Friday with a 45-6 win over North Clayton. It was the second straight year where the two teams met in the region playoffs and the second straight year Baldwin dominated.
Savannah Area
Pirates dash Rebels’ chance for playoff berth | savannahmorningnews.com
The Effingham County Rebels ended their season Friday with a 28-12 loss to Brunswick High School. The Rebels needed a win to contend for Region 3-AAAA’s fourth playoff spot. Although Effingham County came up with two big scoring plays, it couldn’t keep up with Brunswick’s offense.
Emanuel County Institute still unbeaten | savannahmorningnews.com
What if the Hornets’ offense capitalized on some early opportunities? What if they could have gone into halftime with a lead instead of being tied? What if they could have skipped halftime altogether? The Hornets rode a wave of momentum late in the first half against the state’s No. 1 team in Class A, Emanuel County Institute, but saw a kick returned for a touchdown rob them of a seven-point halftime lead.
Panthers end season with shutout defeat | statesboroherald.com
The 2007 season came to an end in Portal Friday night as the hometown Panthers squared off against the visiting Eagles of Jenkins County. With both teams having already been eliminated from the Region 3-A race, both squads were playing for pride and a proper sendoff for their seniors.
Despite loss, Statesboro is #3 seed for state playoffs | statesboroherald.com
Ware County walked into Womack Field with a swagger and left with a Region 3-AAAA title. The Gators (8-2, 8-1) needed just 10 points to put a dagger into the hearts of Statesboro on Senior Night, shutting out the Devils 10-0.
Gamecocks play Fitzgerald in first round on the road | statesboroherald.com
Junior running back Travis Coles reached 1,000 yards rushing for the second-straight season, Screven County evened the overall record against Southeast Bulloch at 12-12 and the Gamecocks earned the No. 3 seed in the GHSA Region 3-AA State Playoffs as they knocked off the rival Yellow Jackets 49-22 at Kelly Memorial Stadium Friday.
BA ends season with 41-24 victory over Memorial Day | statesboroherald.com
Bulloch Academy and Memorial Day School quarterbacks combined to throw a whopping 64 passes in an almost three-hour football game Friday night which saw the Gators blast the Blue Thunder 41-24.
Valdosta Area
LHS Vikings have their motivation | valdostadailytimes.com
The Lowndes Vikings have won their biggest game of the year, then they clinched the playoffs, and a week later they won the Region 1-AAAAA title. Now they have to play one final regular season game to determine nothing as far as playoff seeding.
Statewide
North Hall’s perfection leads to Chestatee’s end | accessnorthga.com
On a night that started out with so much promise for the Chestatee football team, it ended with disappointment–just like the War Eagles’ season. North Hall completed its undefeated campaign, and finished off Chestatee with a 53-6 win at War Eagle Stadium.
Hab Central knocks off Heritage to advance to state playoffs | accessnorthga.com
With playoff seeding at stake, the Habersham Central Raiders (9-1, 6-0 in 8A-AAAA) defeated the visiting Heritage Patriots (3-7, 1-4) 28-0 in a dominating effort on Friday night at John Larry Black Field. The Raiders used a duel attack of the running and passing game, getting 176 yards through the air from quarterback Bo Hatchett, who completed 13-of-22 passes.
Buford wins 6-AA crown, finishing perfect regular season | accessnorthga.com
It wasn’t your typical Buford blowout, but it was enough to win another region title. The Buford Wolves manhandle the Lovett Lions 21-0 to finish the regular season at 10-0 and win the Region 6-AA title.
Falcons fly past West Hall; take No. 2 seed in 7-AAA | accessnorthga.com
The Flowery Branch football team finished the regular season in strong fashion taking a 41-7 win over West Hall Friday night. The win improved the Falcons to 9-1, 4-0 in Region 7B-AAA and wrapped up the No. 2 seed from the region and a first round home game in next week’s Class AAA playoffs.
6-AA title.
Brookwood roughs up arch-rival Parkview | accessnorthga.com
In front of a crowd of more than 10,000, Brookwood took a dominating 28-3 win over arch-rival Parkview Friday night. Kenny Miles carried the Broncos on his shoulders accounting for 201 of Brookwood’s 249 total yards of offense. Brookwood got the scoring started when senior quarterback Terrence Davis ran in from 13-yards for a 7-0 lead. Parkview answered right back with a 22-yard field goal on its first possession as it looked like a shootout was on the way.
No. 1 North Cobb routs Marietta | accessnorthga.com
The North Cobb football team showed why it is the top-ranked team in Class AAAAA Warriors manhandling Marietta 49-0 Friday night to finish the regular season undefeated. The Warriors routed the Blue Devils behind their vaunted rushing attack, led by Calvin Middleton. Middleton ran for over 200 yards and three touchdowns.
Knights slay Dragons for fourth win | accessnorthga.com
In the finale for both teams Friday night, the Johnson-Gainesville Knights avenged their 17-7 loss last year to the Pickens County Dragons by pounding them 27-6 at Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium. It was senior night for Johnson, but it was a freshman running back, Montevious Rucker, who stole the show, bullying his way to three touchdowns, with the final touchdown coming a one-yard run on fourth down. That score put the Knights up 27-6 with 11:19 to go in the game, and sealed the fate of the Dragons.
Washington-Wilkes outslugs Banks County in Region “play-in” game | accessnorthga.com
Washington-Wilkes rode the legs of freshman runningback Eric Scott to victory Friday, knocking off Banks County, 42-26 in a Region 8-AA play-in game. Scott rushed for 267 yards and four touchdowns, scoring 28 points in all. With the win, the Tigers (5-5) advance to round one of the state playoffs, while the Leopards (4-6) call it a season. Scott rolled up 216 yards in the first half alone, and scored three times, including long runs of 69 yards and 42 yards, as the Tigers staked a 26-7 lead at the break. Teverrius Jones added a three-yard touchdown run in the first half.
Trojans, Buford complete perfect regular season | accessnorthga.com
North Hall put the finishing touches on just its second-ever undefeated regular season with an eye-opening 53-6 win over Chestatee Friday at War Eagle Stadium. The Class AAA third-ranked Trojans will carry the No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAA into the playoffs, which begin next week at The Brickyard. Flowery Branch, which hammered West Hall 41-7 in its finale, will be the No. 2 seed. Gainesville will be the third seed from 7-AAA.
Peachtree Ridge pulverizes Duluth | accessnorthga.com
Peachtree Ridge no match for Dulth Friday night as both teams wrapped up their Region 7-AAAAA regular season. The Lions opened the game with a 14 play scoring drive and never looked back in taking a 46-14 victory. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Lions.
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