AAAAAA blog: Only three region champions remain after Grayson, West Forsyth exits
The quarters:
#2 North Gwinnett at #1 Lovejoy
#3 Mill Creek at #2 North Cobb
#1 Norcross vs. #1 Camden County (Saturday coin toss to decide home field)
#4 Colquitt County at #3 Parkview
Five noteworthy happenings from the second round:
- North Gwinnett upsets Grayson: North Gwinnett scored on its first five possessions – four times on field goals by Michael D’Angola – and knocked off 2011 state champion and preseason favorite Grayson 28-10. Grayson committed four turnovers and was charged with a safety after a bad snap to its punter. Grayson’s season, which ends at 10-2, can only be termed a major disappointment. The Rams returned virtually every starter on defense from a 15-0 team, and most of those were major college prospects.
- Parkview wins in overtime, again: Parkview is the first team ever to win overtime games in the first two rounds of the state playoffs, according to Georgia High School Football Historians Association records. Parkview defeated West Forsyth 26-23 to keep the roller-coaster season going. Parkview is the team that stunned Grayson in the first month of the season, then blew its chance to win a region title with losses to Central Gwinnett and South Gwinnett. Now, Parkview is the only Region 8 team left after winning its first two playoff games since 2005.
- North Cobb makes first quarterfinal since 1979: All eight teams that made the quarters have been there before, but North Cobb broke the longest drought – 33 years – in the 42-14 victory over Langston Hughes. It’s vindication for the Warriors and coach Shane Queen, who had a 10-0 season and No. 1 ranking ruined five years ago with a first-round loss. Parkview made the quarters for the first time since 2005. Norcross hadn’t been in the quarters since 2006. Lovejoy (2011) and Mill Creek (2010) are making their second-ever trip to the quarters. North Gwinnett has made the final eight in five of the past seven seasons. Camden County and Colquitt County made it in 2011 and will be making their 12th appearances in the elite eight.
- Only three No. 1 seeds remain: Lovejoy, Norcross and Camden County made the quarterfinals as No. 1 seeds and region champions. This is the fourth time since 2000 that fewer than half of the eight No. 1 seeds have failed to make the quarters in the highest classification. It also happened in 2010 (Brookwood, Lowndes), 2006 (Norcross, Stephenson, Tift County) and 2000 (Parkview, Harrison, East Coweta).
- Colquitt County thrives as No. 4 seed: Colquitt County improved to 10-2 in road playoff games under fifth-year head coach Rush Propst in a 26-23 victory over Newnan. No Georgia team has won that many times on the road in so short a span. Colquitt hopes to become the second No. 4 seed in history, and first since Peachtree Ridge in 2006, to win a state title.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
197 comments Add your comment
Fo real
November 25th, 2012
5:24 pm
@wildcat fan.
Your justification doesn’t work. You are simply implying that norcross is the same team every year. I must say, even though norcross hasn’t had anything to show for it., Winning consistency is better that losing consistency. Do your self a favor. Go look at a calender and tell me what year it is. If it’s 2006 then i’ll shut up. I can gurantee you and you can ask anyone who has seen norcross play that this is the best norcross team we have seen. There are two different people who watch sports. There are fans and then they are sports enthusiast. A fan would be impractical saying that norcross is a one hit wonder they stand no chance against camden. A sports enthusiast who monitors sports and would say norcross is a dangerous team and no matter what their past record is. what matters is what they have accomplished THIS YEARand what they are capable of THIS YEAR. I’m not saying norcross is better or camden is better. all that is to be decided friday. But you are one of the most impractical camden fans. To me and im sure to alot of camden fans This is a version of the state championship. Don’t ruin it
Wildcat Fan
November 25th, 2012
6:51 pm
I never said this version of Nocross isn’t a good or great team, I went online and watched the game and you have a very dangerous team.I take exception to your fans saying your past history is better than Camdens, go back and read a few post.,,and merely showing Norcross has never won anything. As a former player I take exception to that. Yes you guys have a good team, but you guys are on here like you guys are world-beaters.. GO BACK AND READ SOME OF THE CROSS RECENT POST. i WISH YOU GUYS SAFE TRAVELS,,BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT FRIDAY NIGHT THEN THEY HAVE EVER SEEN. WONT BE LIKE LAST FRIDAY WHEN MAYBE THERE WAS A 1000 PEOPLE AT THE GAME. If your fans continue to take shots at our history I will continue to point out Norcross has never been revelent in football, because im never on here taking shots at other teams,,but if you take shots(and the shots aren’t legit) I will take a legit shot at your team,,and i dont care who likes it.. No matter if you like Camden or not we are one ONE of the few programs thats in the middle of the title conversation every year, not 1 out of every 5 years. Win or loose Friday night Camden will be back slap in the middle again next year, will Norcross be. Dont like your fans talking all this trash, when you guys dont even support those kids,,a bunch of fair-weathered fan Im almost certain those kids wont have 50 fans at the game,,we at Camden travel as well as anyone one in the country,,these are the reasons Im taking exception to your fans. DONT TALK ABOUT US STRIVE TO BE LIKE US. AND ALL OF THAT SAID MEANS NOTHING ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO WIN FRIDAY NIGHT,,IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR TEAM IS GOING TO WIN THATS FINE BUT DONT TAKE SHOTS AT OUR PROGRAM
hawg88
November 25th, 2012
7:00 pm
Camden’ s fans fill that big stadium norcross needs to have a great showing of fans to support their yeam fri or camden will have a big advantage because cat fans will be on visitor side also
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
7:25 pm
WildCat Fan-Show me one post where I took a shot at your history. If you read into some thing then you read it wrong. I respect your tradition but I will say now what I have said in the past…your history will not make a tackle or score a touchdown Friday night. Our players will not be intimidated because you won a title in 2009. It is irrelevant. Sure I talk trash just like most of your posters (exception-Columbia Blue). I love this years Norcross team and I do believe if we play well Friday that we will be victorious. This group is humble but confident in what they can do.
On your other point, there is a ton of activities and groups that split the fan base and we just will not have 3000 fans make the trip. There is a great group of parents and loyal fans that will make the trip, but it will not be what your program would expect. Our boys actually wanted to travel, so they were excited when we lost the flip. I look forward to a GREAT game that might be the best game/match-up of 2012.
The Cross
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
7:35 pm
I just watched the Camden-Hillgrove game and the Camden-East Cowetta game. Camden’s defensive speed is impressive. I was also impressed by the discipline of your offense, specifically your O-line. You have a very good team that is well coached and I can’t wait for kick-off Friday night.
The Cross
NG17
November 25th, 2012
7:38 pm
After Friday all the Camden fans will be off the blog as Norcross will win this one. They are very balanced and can pass and run with the best.I think Mill Creek or North Gwinnett will be playing Norcross for the State Title.
Camden74
November 25th, 2012
7:49 pm
Wildcat Fan
November 25th, 2012
8:44 pm
@ The Cross,,,Thats exactly what i mean in you saying you love this years team. WE love our team no matter the record, or the outcome of a game..We have as many if not more activities going on but we support OUR BELOVED WILDCATS no matter what, I see that as a excuse,,and if you believe fan support doesnt matter, then you must have never played sports. And you are so correct when you say the 2003, 2008, 2009 Championships teams won’t make one tackle Friday night,,This will be the best matchup this post season, the winner of this game is most likely in my opinion will win it all, Karmara is a great back, so is the number 5 kid, but we can match you guys back for back, and we may not throw the ball as much we are very capable of throwing it also. You guys have nearly 2000 yards passing we have over 1400, you guys have over 2500 yards rushing we have over 3500, the teams are almost a mirror image of each other, much speed on the defensive side of the ball by both teams. You guys got a beast on defense and wow so we do,, it will be a great game. I think you guys got the better back, but I think we got the better over all running game, more threats at the position.
WILDHAWG2012
November 25th, 2012
8:46 pm
@Colquitt Fan=U are right about the scrimage game with Norcross.They really need to let that go i mean at that time we didn’t even know who our running back was going to be besides Boatwright and we wondered if B-Wright was the man are not.We had only one receiver with gametime experience and didn’t know who was the second or third. We had only one LB and one CB with playing exp. I mean we had not identity at all and even tho we were ranked so high we kinda didn’t really know what to expect at the begining of the year.Well i mean i didn’t know what to expect. Even tho we haven’t been dominant in the playoffs like we should we are still in the fight and still a threat like always. It is a big one in Kingsland this week should be fun but right know we are just thinking a bout the orange jungle and taking care of a tough Parkview team.
Columbia Blue
November 25th, 2012
9:16 pm
@ Everyone
All games previously played will not make a hill of beans when Camden and Norcross take the field Friday Night. The team that executes the best and makes the LEAST AMOUNT OF MISTAKES will win the game. The best team doesn’t always win the game; however, the team that is the best of that given night will win the game. Throw all the stats and records out the window. Heck EVERYONE that makes the final 8 certainly is doing something right. Friday nights game between Norcross and Camden will be very interesting because Norcross has a great offense and Camdens defense is not shabby. Good luck Norcross—May the team that plays the best and makes the fewest amount of mistakes win. GO CAMDEN WILDCATS
Colquitt74
November 25th, 2012
9:21 pm
Release the BOARHAWGS!!!!!
(with apologies to Camden74)
PackerBacker
November 25th, 2012
9:40 pm
I think the Camden vs Norcross game will be a tough and close game!! I think the Lovejoy and North Gwinnett game will be as well! All these power houses having to play each other now is truly going to bring an interesting Friday night!! I’m sitting here laughing at all this “fan” smack talking. I can’t wait until Friday night and watch it play out on the field!!! Go Pack! Rock On!!
PackerBacker
November 25th, 2012
9:43 pm
What does anyone know about Parkview? I know our Packer boys will be ready to play!! Go Pack Go! Rock On!
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
9:50 pm
Wildcat Fan-Don’t misconstrue my words, I have been folowing Norcross for 30 years and I love ll of our teams, but this years team is special. Also, I believe the crowd will play a factor but I also believe high school kids are more immune to the “away” factor more than college or pro players. Like I said before, I hope we travel well but I am not counting on a HUGE crowd from Norcross. I believe that if the game was here then we probably would have gotten 6,000+ including Camden fans. And to your other statement that “you must not have played sports before” is funny. I think that is a patented statement from the south like you guys know somethimg that everyone else does not in regard to sports and football. I have played sports both in high school and in college. I was a fairly good athlete. I also coached and was pretty successful at that too. So stop with the dopey rhetoric.
I can assure you that we respect Camden and we look forward to measuring ourselves against the Wildcats. It is going to be a great game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the game decided late in the 4th quarter.
The Cross
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
9:51 pm
Should read–”all of our teams”
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
9:57 pm
Packer Backer-We played Parkview the 2nd game of the season and they have obviously improved since then. They play hard disciplined defense and a run heavy conservative offense. They lost their best RB Carson in game 8 I believe but found a decent replacement in Rosser. Both QB’s that they have used are below avg as it relates to throwing the ball. Given that we played you in preseason and them in regular season, I would say that Colquitt has better team speed and a much better offense. I would say that the defenses are both very good. If I had to pick a score, I would say Colquitt 24 Parkview 14.
The Cross
Truth Teller
November 25th, 2012
10:10 pm
@ Columbia Blue,,I dont think no one asked you to be a diplomat,,If anyone doesn’t think previous games isn’t in the back of these kids minds are really crazy..When a team beats you, or you have had no previous success against that team it is in your head whether you choose to admit or not . @ THE CROSS stop with the lies you may have coached rec league which probably 90% of us on here have done at some point. On here everyone can be anything they want to be.
Truth Teller
November 25th, 2012
10:17 pm
I dont have a dog in this fight but Norcross and Lovejoy are annoying. dont really care for Camden, but I can respect them at least, they’ve been there done that..
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
Truth Teller-Lies?
I don’t need to lie you moron…I can assure you that I have achieved more in my life than you, your father, your grandfather and your great-grandfather. I’d be happy to compare my lifes resume with yours. How you could call me a liar based on my post is laughable but that is what losers do.
In regard to your post to Columbia Blue…if you are talking about Camden and any succes they have had vs. Norcross you are again way off. These players don’t have any history with Camden and it will play ZERO factor Friday night. You are either a dope that is still in high school or an adult that is a mental midget, either way you are definitely a guy who gets laughed at and not with.
The Cross
Wildcat Fan
November 25th, 2012
10:29 pm
@ The Cross, I do agree it will be a good game.Most likely decided in the 4th quarter, safe travels hope you enjoy our Town,,Like i said the winner of this game is most likely to win it all.
I
The Cross
November 25th, 2012
10:36 pm
Wildcat Fan-I am looking forward to coming down on Thursday. I am staying in Amelia Island. Is that about 30 minutes from the Stadium?
GwinnettDad
November 25th, 2012
11:40 pm
Some classic posts here, worth copying and pasting and reminding folks after the game next Friday just how wide their mouths were open and how loudly, and wrongly, they were spouting.
For me, I see somebody wants the cats released. I’m for kindness to animals too. As if his team hasn’t been able to find their litter box, or something. I’ll be rooting, in spite of some of the noise here, for Norcross to travel to Camden with some catnip. Put it on their uniforms during the game. And give then give it to some of the LOUDER Camden fans here AFTER the game. After all, we in Gwinnett are very kind. It will be the least any of us would do.
Until then, to Norcross, I suggest “Come here, kitty, kitty! Nice puddy tat!” Get ready to do you best Elmer Fudd! “I tawt a taw a puddy tat!”
So, Norcross, put the puddy tats out of their misery! Pet the putty tats! 
Empty their kitty litter box for them! Make them happy. Let them stay at home.
!!!!!
November 25th, 2012
11:47 pm
Ok. with all this hype going on. Is this game going to be broadcasted or what?!?!
NGHS 09
November 26th, 2012
1:31 am
Out of all the arguing going on between Norcross and Camden, there sure is A LOT of agreeing LOL. Just wait for the game guys. Look, each side loves their team, thinks their team is the best, has the record to prove it, and wants a win. In all honesty though, the players don’t care how many fans the they have on the home side, or how many the opponent’s side has. Speaking from experience here, I’ve played @ Lowndes, Camden, Ga. Dome, Norcross, Brookwood, Newnan etc….We did not care who had more fans. These kids only care about who to tackle and how to score. Lets all try to remember that as we progress in the playoffs. Great matchups across the board for Friday. I want to watch all four simultaneously, but my attention span couldn’t handle that much excitement! LOL
NGHS 09
November 26th, 2012
2:10 am
I will say this about the Norcross/Camden game though…the team that has less turnovers will win this one.
cat doc
November 26th, 2012
5:15 am
It will be a barn burner in Kingsland on Fri nite. Norcross has speed and talent. Common team – Peachtree Ridge Camden 42-0, Norcross 36-3. Safe travels to Norcross fans. Defense will will win this one. Just my thoughts. I want a blowout C-high 42 – Norcross 0. The kids will play it out on the feild. All you super coaches sit and watch the game. Chill.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
8:08 am
@ Truth Teller == Lovejoy is just that. To all who stand in their way. They have simply won. They have learned how to win. First though, let’s find you a dog. Inclusiveness is paramount. You can;t make Lovejoy and Norcross go away because they annoy you. That could be the State Title game. Off the top of your head, who is Lovejoy’s Qb ? Don’t look it up. Point made. You know nothing about Lovejoy other than they are playing.
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
8:46 am
Hey GwinnettDad == It was Tweety who thought he saw a puddy tat.
Camden74
November 26th, 2012
10:30 am
Colquitt74…….LOL……It’s playoff time, I understand! Where’s Brookwood? Release the CATS!!!!
R31768
November 26th, 2012
4:16 pm
@NGHS 09, How do you like our chances against Parkview?
Newnan Football not there yet
November 26th, 2012
4:27 pm
Colquitt fans asked us several times, whats up with the no Black coaches? They brought so many fans that some sat on our side. They were friendly and insightful. Newnan needs to come into the year 2012 and not 1964. Great game and our kids produce year after year inspite of this coaching staff. Imagine if…………………………………………….
sportsnut
November 26th, 2012
6:16 pm
Newnan Football not there yet == Have you been to Moultrie ? They have no right to say anything about it being 1964. The last fan base in Georgia that should question anyone about racial diversity.
Reynolds Price
November 26th, 2012
6:45 pm
@RobFromNorcross If ya’ll win and Parkview ends up playin yall, again, we gonna beat you this time…for once.
Stooge
November 26th, 2012
8:20 pm
sn- Don’t think it was Colquitt fans who mentioned anything about 1964; a few fans asked about the lack of black coaches on the staff. The other comment isn’t worth addressing.
Stooge
November 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
While I’m at it..Go Packers!
squirrell
November 26th, 2012
8:54 pm
November 26th, 2012
8:35 pm
Packers played the toughest schedule in AAAAAA and should have been undefeated. The three games they lost, they played horrible and still almost won each one of them. Our offense has finally starting to roll w/ Propst’s complicated run/pass/spread and Cole is on fire!
No doubt, the toughest team Pack played this year and last was Camden. It’ll be a toss-up if we face the Cats again. They are definatly the best team in the state and Norcross will find-out this Friday!
Now, when it comes to Parkview, we’ll be fine if we play the way we have the last few weeks.
And, Norcross needs to get over their little scrimmage win over the Pack. Packers played many different players to get ready for the opening game. Plus we had 3-4 starters out with injuries. If we play again, you’ll see a whole different team!
High School Football is fun to keep-up w/ but it’s still “just” kids play’en football!
Anything can happen every Friday Night! Anybody can win anytime!
NG17
November 26th, 2012
9:26 pm
Norcross vs Camden is on CSS
North Gwinnett vs Love Joy is on GPTV channel 8
Parkview Nation
November 27th, 2012
12:10 am
After reading through many of these comments, I have realized that Parkview is not very well represented on these blogs, so I will try to give a little insight. First, I would just like to make it clear that I do not mean to bad mouth any other programs, nor do I mean to say that Parkview is any better than another program, I simply mean to provide some perspective on the Panthers. Parkview came into the season projected to win two, maybe three games. No one gave us a chance, and our kids took it personally. We understand that we may not have the athletes that many other 6A teams field each Friday, but what we lack in size and speed, we make up for in heart. We have faced our fair share of adversity this season, whether it be our starting QB breaking his collarbone, our star RB going down with a broken tibia, or even two crushing defeats (one in double overtime, and one on a last second field goal) that cost us the Region 8 title just before playoffs, we continue to fight, claw, and overcome. We walked into Walton in the first round the underdog, but we walked out victorious following a hard-fought overtime win. Then last week we traveled to West Forsyth, a game where no one gave us a chance. We fell behind early 17-7, but we kept our heads high and clawed our way back into the game. Our team was hit hard in the fourth quarter when starting C, Blake Dunham, lay motionless on the field following a first down run play. The entire stadium sat in silence for over 30 minutes as the paramedics attended to him and eventually carted him off in an ambulance. They could have layed down after that and said “enough,” but instead they rallied together and got the win on a 15 yd TD run on their first possession of overtime following a West Forsyth field goal. Parkview may not have the athletes, the dominating wins, or the highflying offense to impress, but we have a scrappy defense, a hardnosed run game, and most importantly, heart. Every one of our players has bought into Coach Flowe’s methods, they work hard, play for each other, and have no quit in them. When you play Parkview, just know that you are going to get a fight. And that’s why I am damn proud to be a Parkview Panther.
Parkview Nation
November 27th, 2012
12:35 am
Sorry for the length of my last post, but I’m sure you all can relate when it comes to getting a little carried away over something you are passionate about.
grayram
November 27th, 2012
9:39 am
Parkview Nation:
How is the kid who was injured doing?
AVikingFan
November 27th, 2012
10:11 am
My Lowndes team obviously is “out of the chase”, but I’m still watching from the far bleachers. Good luck to region 1-AAAAAA teams, Colquitt and Camden, this Friday.
One thing everyone should consider as a monumental accomplishment, the number of games and the places where Colquitt has won on the road, in the last 5 years! Amazing! I doubt any team has a record to compare with that.
Is this North Gwinnett or Norcross’s year? They have both “been on the brink” for some time now.
I think we can all agree good football is being played in the metro AND in south Ga now!
Merry Christmas to my friends, grayram, Fred, Sportsfan31313, Reeze, ENR, YO, VikingDad, Viking68, Viking96, 57Cat, OMacG, and of course to Todd, Chip, and M. Carvell, and to all others who don’t mind being friends with a Viking!
R31768
November 27th, 2012
11:16 am
Good post for standing behind you Panthers. They scare me against the Pack this weekend. They are riding high on emotion. I just hope the Pack can find a way to pull this one out though. Of course, we would have to play that danged Norcross or Camden again.
Don’t know if many of you guys know this but Reggie Stancil is the QB coach at Norcross and he is a former packer. Great football player.
Parkview Nation
November 27th, 2012
11:40 am
@grayram He’s doing fine. It was diagnosed as a bad stinger (a minor injury to the spine that sends shooting pain throughout the body and leads to numbness and weakness throughout the body) and a possible concussion. A stinger isn’t a serious injury, but it was still a scary moment seeing him motionless on the field and then being taken away in an ambulance, as it could have easily been much worse. He is still undergoing concussion tests and his status this week is uncertain. Still, thank you for your concern.
grayram
November 27th, 2012
1:02 pm
Parkview Nation: Thats good to hear
AVikingFan: Merry Christmas…
sportsnut
November 28th, 2012
9:27 am
Always good to here it was nothing serious. Thank God
sportsnut
November 28th, 2012
9:28 am
” HEAR”, my bad
East Cobb Dad
November 30th, 2012
1:39 am
Good luck tomorrow night, North Cobb. We’d love to see you beat Mill Creek keep your dream alive.