Playoff preview: Class AAAAAA quarterfinals
North Gwinnett at Lovejoy
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Twelve Oaks Stadium, Hampton
Records, rankings: North Gwinnett is 11-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA and ranked No. 4; Lovejoy is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from 2-AAAAAA and ranked No. 7.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Lovejoy QB Alejandro Bennefield threw three TD passes and Georgia Tech-committed RB Travis Custis rushed for 93 yards in a 36-15 victory over Marietta in the second round. But Lovejoy’s defense was the story. LSU-bound QB Anthony Jennings was intercepted twice, and Lovejoy had 14 tackles in Marietta’s backfield, most of them on Jennings. 2. North Gwinnett QB Michael Haynes has thrown for 2,112 yards and rarely makes a mistake (26 touchdowns, five interceptions), but a key to the 28-10 victory over Grayson last week was RB Cam Lewis’ 120 yards rushing. Grayson was allowing fewer than 35 yards rushing per game. North Gwinnett also forced four fumbles and got a safety on a bad snap. 3. North Gwinnett is 14-6 in the playoffs under Bob Sphire, who arrived in 2006, but reached the semifinals only once, in 2007. Lovejoy is the first Clayton County school since Mount Zion in 2000 to reach the quarterfinals in the highest class after reaching the Class AAAA final in 2011.
Maxwell Ratings’ projection: North Gwinnett by 10
Winner plays: Mill Creek/North Cobb winner
Mill Creek at North Cobb
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Emory Sewell Stadium, Acworth
Records, rankings: Mill Creek is 9-3, the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA and unranked; North Cobb is 10-2, the No. 2 seed from 4-AAAAAA and unranked.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Mill Creek RB Jacorey Lewis has rushed for 595 yards and eight touchdowns in his two playoff games to emerge as a late-rising player-of-the-year candidate. For the season, he has rushed for 2,040 yards and scored 30 touchdowns, with at least one in each game and as many as six against Duluth on Oct. 19. 2. RB J’Vonte Herrod scored five touchdowns in North Cobb’s 42-14 victory over Hughes in the second round. It helped North Cobb surpass 40 points in a game for the ninth time. North Cobb has scored no fewer than 26 points in a game this season. 3. The winner will be making the semifinals for the first time in the highest classification. Mill Creek, which opened in 2004, has never made the semis. North Cobb most recently made the semifinals in 1959, when playing in Class C.
Maxwell Ratings’ projection: Mill Creek by 1
Winner plays: North Gwinnett/Lovejoy winner
Norcross at Camden County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Chris Gilman Stadium, Kingsland
Records, rankings: Norcross is 12-0, the No. 1 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA and ranked No. 2; Camden County is 11-1, the No. 1 seed from 1-AAAAAA and ranked No. 5.
Last meeting: Camden County won 21-6 in the 2008 regular season.
Three things to know: 1. Norcross RB Alvin Kamara, the most highly recruited running back remaining in the state playoffs, rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-7 victory over South Gwinnett last week. Kamara has rushed for 1,784 yards and scored 26 touchdowns on the season. DE Lorenzo Carter and LB Lyle Mouton each had two sacks in the South Gwinnett game. Carter has 18 sacks on the season. 2. While some rate Kamara as the top running back prospect, Camden County’s Brice Ramsey is rated by some as the state’s top quarterback prospect. Ramsey is 70-of-128 passing for 1,358 yards and 19 touchdowns with only one interception. He has committed to Georgia, as has RB/CB J.J. Green, who rushed for a season-high 117 yards in a 34-14 victory over East Coweta in the second round. 3. Camden County won a coin toss to be the home team, per GHSA rules when two teams with the same seeding meet in the playoffs. Norcross, which opened in the 1950s, has never traveled south of metro Atlanta for a football game and is 2-6 on the road in the playoffs. Camden is 23-4 in home playoff games since 2002, but Camden has been eliminated the past two seasons at home – by Hillgrove in 2010 and Colquitt County in 2011.
Maxwell Ratings’ projection: Norcross by 12
Winner plays: Colquitt County/Parkview winner
Colquitt County at Parkview
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Big Orange Jungle, Lilburn
Records, rankings: Colquitt County is 9-3, the No. 4 seed from Region 1-AAAAAA and ranked No. 9; Parkview is 9-3, the No. 3 seed from 8-AAAAAA and unranked.
Last meeting: Parkview won 35-14 in the 2005 regular season.
Three things to know: 1. Colquitt County scored the winning touchdown in its 26-23 victory over Newnan on a 19-yard run by John Boatwright with 1:38 left. But more clutch perhaps was a fourth-and-10 conversion on the drive as QB Cole Segraves threw a 34-yard pass to Todd Boyd. Segraves is 80-of-115 passing for 999 yards and three touchdowns in the four games since Colquitt lost to Valdosta. 2. Parkview became the first team in the highest class ever to win its first two playoff games in overtime in the 26-23 victory over West Forsyth. In last week’s game, RB/LB Justis Rosser helped Sam Willis get a sack on West Forsyth QB A.J. Erdely in overtime to limit West Forsyth to a field goal. Rosser then scored on a 15-yard run on Parkview’s possession for the victory. 3. Only 12 teams that were seeded third or fourth have reached the semifinals in the highest classification, and the winner of this game will add to that list. But it won’t be the first time for either school. Colquitt County has made the semis as a No. 3 seed three times (1998, 2009, 2010), and Parkview was the first team ever to win a state title as a No. 3 seed (1997). Parkview and Colquitt account for five of the 12 times that a No. 3 or No. 4 seeds have made the semis.
Maxwell Ratings’ projection: Parkview by 3
Winner plays: Norcross/Camden County winner
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108 comments Add your comment
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
9:03 am
Think about the pre-season top 10. Who’s left ? Colquit, Camden, Lovejoy and North Gwinnett. The power rating for those that are gone was very high. Grayson, everyone’s favorite (not mine), fell for reasons that did not reflect that of a champion. Costly turnovers, pre-snap penalties, which are mental lapses but can be overcome. They did not. They also fell prey to the passing game. Beit having or defending. Walton, with the best back in the state and maybe the country, learned a lesson. Many questioned the use of Tyren and in the end, all those carries played a part in his injury. Hopefully the coach’s took from this a valuable lesson. On second thought, maybe they should leave with more than one. Was there no plan B after plan Tyren was out ? Season long mistake. Lassiter, high powered offense, no defense. They could score with the best of them. Printz, a good player and his recievers had a great year. If you wanted to beat them, you better score a lot. The problem was that this they thought would be enough. Most coach’s, I think, will want to put his best athletes on D. The Trojans seem to do the opposite. Lowndes, another top choice, fell with a thud. No one expected Marietta to do that except maybe Marietta. Same thing here as was the case with Grayson. Not the mental issue but the passing game. The wing T is nice but today you need to have the ability to throw not only when needed but at will. Lowndes has tradition and I think they got caught up in it, believing they were better than they actually were. Alpharetta, Good team. Should have gone further than they did. Unfortunate draw. Josh and Carlos are a great tandem. Josh currently is the states passing leader and is out of it. I saw Alpharetta as one that would be there now had they fallen into a different bracket. They played D, they scored and had a kicking game. They were just unlucky. Valdosta, never should have been there. They were young and not ready yet for it. The games they won in region were due to emotion. It can carry you at times and I think it served them well. It did much more for them than tradition did Lowndes. The Wildcats will be a force next season. I hope they don’t change coach’s. That would be a mistake. He has them going in the right direction and they will be ready. Do you hear that REGION 1 ?
Colquitt Fan
November 27th, 2012
9:04 am
I mean what kind of player is he? He’s obviously huge, but how’s his game
Smug
November 27th, 2012
9:06 am
To Loren Maxwell – Man you need to get a life. You take this way too seriously.
RobFromNorcross
November 27th, 2012
9:25 am
Smug, what a rude comment to Loren Maxwell. Considering he is the one keeping up the computer rankings it should be something he takes seriously.
Loren Maxwell
November 27th, 2012
10:11 am
RobFromNorcross, thanks for the defense.
I’m a 22-year military veteran, so I have pretty thick skin. Plus, I’m not too concerned with any life advice dispensed on the AJC high school football blogs
BulldogsStillBite
November 27th, 2012
10:30 am
Anybody who thinks NG will get shut out obviously has not seen them play this year. Lovejoy your team is good, but NG is BETTER. And to those who think Coach Sphire has not learned from those playoff losses…byFriday around 10 we’ll know. If you don’t think Grayson’s defense is good, ask the teams in R8 what they think. From here on out, NO ONE will have an easy ride to the dome. Who doesn’t think their team is best; you’re not posting here if you didn’t think so….NG lost two starters on defense but they are still playing at a very high level. Mistakes cost you games at this level and the team that makes the most will LOSE. NG will not beat themselves in this one, you guys are going to have to win it….Our one loss – mistakes cost us that game; then again, who wouldn’t say that. If you help the other team too much, they will thank you in the end. That being said, I believe NG takes this one by 7, even against Lovejoy’s vaunted defense which returned 8 starters and was on the losing end of the championship game….we just BEAT a team that returned 9 starters on defense and won a state championship last year — the reality is all that stuff is just facts, words on a page, hot air, whatever. The team that shows the most discipline, makes the fewest mistakes will win, PERIOD. That may not be the team with the best athletes; a LOT of them are contemplating next season or next steps right about now…
Camden74
November 27th, 2012
10:39 am
Release the CATS! Roll on Camden County Wildcats, Roll on!!!!
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
11:01 am
@ Bulldogs StillBite == That team you just beat with 9 starters returning were not the best D in Georgia the year before. Lovejoy is. North has a good team and props go out to them for their accomplishments. We are not Grayson. We do not play like Grayson. In this particular game, talent will play a part. It is not just words on paper when the execution is taking place on the field and those words are becoming reality. I expect a good game and would not expect North to lay down for L:ovejoy but they had better come to play. This is something I think they have not seen. You will get the chance to witness for yourself what many are starting to take notice of and that is Lovejoy’s defense. Don’t be surprised if you are not able to execute your game plan.
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
11:17 am
Predictions from Calpreps == Camden over Norcross, 28-22
Colquit over Parkview, 21-13
N. Gwinnett over Lovejoy 31-26
N. Cobb over Mill Creek, 35-28
camdenians
November 27th, 2012
11:45 am
Don’t forget about the kicking game and special teams
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
12:15 pm
@ Colquit Fan == AJ is big. He stands 6′6 245-250. He has great hands. He is just coming into his talents. He was here last season but he had not learned to take a hit and hold on to the ball. He has 4.5 40 speed. He will be better the more he is coached. He is also a good basketball player and starts on the team at PF. Will go across the middle now with no problem and presents match up problems with smaller Db’s. Hard to stop on the fade to the corner of the endzone. He is a major player in Lovejoy’s offense. Whom ever gets him will be getting a good one.
The End is Near
November 27th, 2012
12:21 pm
After Gwinnett goes 0-4 on Friday, we won’t have to listen to any more of that “72% of the remaining teams are from Gwinnett” nonsense.
sportsnut
November 27th, 2012
12:27 pm
@ Colquit Fan == I almost forgot a very important thing on AJ, he has accepted the fact that he must block. This has made a world of difference to the overall performance of the team. Coach can call a play that calls for him to take his man out of the picture and he accomplishes the task. Being recruited as a tight end makes it imperative that you do quite a bit of blocking and now he understands that.
Norcrossgrad1989
November 27th, 2012
1:24 pm
Camden 17 Norcross 35 book it
Norcrossgrad1989
November 27th, 2012
1:32 pm
The End is Near
Your just mad kids from gwinnett can pronounce nonsense
stooge
November 27th, 2012
2:16 pm
Norcrossgrad1989-Hope to see you in the semis…Colquitt loves road trips
ricohman
November 27th, 2012
3:43 pm
Norcross by 12?… Not much use in the Cats even showing up at their own stadium… Better yet, lets just forfeit so Norcross can save the wear and tear on their buses and save all that gas money… Come to Chris Gilman stadium, enjoy our hospitality and see why we are so passionate about our Cats. We expect a great game and if the Cats play like they are capable they should win. Safe travels to all.
The End is Near
November 27th, 2012
4:17 pm
I’m afraid the Cats will be released Friday night on a Norcross squad unprepared to play in front of more than 200 fans. Camden by at least 3 TDs. Next week will be a nail biter. The may release the Cats, but Colquitt has shown they know how to put them back in.
Alex
November 27th, 2012
5:58 pm
I would like to point out that while the article talks about Camden County’s quarterback being at 70-128 on completions for the season, the Norcross quarterback is well over 60% when they take to the air.
PantherNation
November 27th, 2012
7:13 pm
I think many people overlook Parkview. While our offense hasn’t been explosive or put up a ton of points, our defense has been stout. Giving up only 14 points a game, the defense consistently puts us in positions to win games. Time and time again, our defense forces big turnovers in big situations. They forced multiple turnovers against Grayson including a forced Nkemdiche fumble at the Parkview one yard line to hold onto the lead, and another forced fumble against West Forsyth as they were driving the ball late in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime. They held a Grayson team that averaged 39 points a game this year to 7, and held a highpowered West Forsyth offense averaging 42 points a game to 23. And while our defense is keeping the opposing team from scoring, our offense methodically drives down the field with 6, 7, 8 minute drives. This mixture of a solid defense and a run heavy offense can make it pretty difficult for the opposition to score. Don’t sleep on the Panthers, especially not in the Big Orange Jungle. We come to play.
Columbia Blue
November 27th, 2012
7:48 pm
The Camden Wildcats will be ready for Norcross. No trash taking from me. I can’t wait until Friday Night. 9000 people in the stands will make it a little louder for Norcross to audible at the line of scrimmage (if they audible). Our WILDCATS will be very prepared and equally hungry to make it to the semi finals. THANKS FOR PICKING US TO LOOSE. THE AJC ARTICLE IS POSTED EVERYWHERE IN CAMDEN CO. GO CATS GO.
The Cross
November 27th, 2012
8:27 pm
Columbia Blue-Sounds like you guys are prepared to give us a heck of a welcoming party. I can’t wait!!! Our boys and the fans are really excited to be playing in such a great stadium and phenomenal environment. We will all be coming in on Thursday and we look forward to your hospitality.
This game is going to be EPIC!!!
The Cross
Ben
November 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
My prediction if Camden scores in the 1st quarter watchout Norcross it’s going to be a long night! Our defense will win the game……….go get them cats!
RW Gweed
November 27th, 2012
9:09 pm
Can we all just get along?
Camden74
November 27th, 2012
9:24 pm
Extremely happy the Camden-Norcross game will not be played on paper! Release the CATS!
RobFromNorcross
November 27th, 2012
10:10 pm
Norcross is heading your way Camden, we plan to win our 6th game this season against a Top Ten team in the AAAAAA classification. (#2 North Gwinnett, #5 South Gwinnett twice, #7 Parkview and #8 Mill Creek already down, 3 of them on the road), while you hope to win your first since the only Top 10 team you played this year was #9 Colquitt and they beat you at your house. I know you have a solid team, and so do we, and I expect a great game. Go NORCROSS!
SG_Comet Pride
November 27th, 2012
11:43 pm
Looks to me that Gwinnett County has the best football programs in the state’s highest classification. Sorry Camden County, but I think you guys are going to take an “L” this week and the scariest part is that Norcross is mostly 11th graders! This is truly a testament to our youth football programs. Let’s Go Norcross, MC, Parkview, and NG. represent our county well!!
sportsnut
November 28th, 2012
8:51 am
This is going to be an interesting weekend. All this talk about who is going to beat whom. No one knows. Those that feel they can’t lose need to remember AGF. All the teams are capable of winning and I hope Lovejoy is not on the losing end this weekend. They have a task ahead of them that will require their full and undivided attention. I am sure all of the teams are of the same mind set right now. Get it together. The time has come. There were 63 to start. Eight remain in the hunt. Some favorites gone and some unexpected names still around. Lovejoy, North Cobb, Mill Creek and Parkview are really party crashers. We were fed Lowndes, Lassiter, South Gwinnett, West Forsyth, Walton. Many of the Super 11 are at home. I love this time of year.
stooge
November 28th, 2012
8:55 am
Hey, Camden, you guys want another crack at Colquitt?
Granger fan
November 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Any truth to the rumour Chizick might be really interested in coaching a team in Cherokee County (GA). I heard it from a very reliable source.
R31768
November 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
I sure hope Norcross and Lovejoy wins or a few of their fans are going to be eating crow come Friday night.
Go Hawgs
sportsnut
November 28th, 2012
5:40 pm
2 R31768 == So what do they eat when they lose in Kingsland ? What about Gwinnett ? Do you know ? I cooked much crow last season and fed it to Kell, Ware Co. and Warner Robins. I have a fab cooking method. Sit it in the shoe closet for a couple hours before you ashtray rub it. Heat oven to 100 degree’s and sit the crow on top of the oven and serve. Taste so good the loser will swear it is one of his mothers meals. Of course, if you are overconfident, add a little salt.
clayco
November 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
@sportsnut==You are my hero
sportsnut
November 28th, 2012
9:17 pm
Thank you, Clayco. Just trying to let them know that when they come to 12 Oaks, Lovejoy will do what Lovejoy does and “Put Dem Paws On Em “.
squirrell
November 28th, 2012
10:47 pm
A Packer Fan’s opinion…..Packers have played Camden in 2009, 2011, 2012
I cannot believe that anyone would pick Norcross over Camden. I watched the Norcross/SG game from last week and I was not that impressed with the Blue Devils. I honestly don’t have anything against the team and I am sure they are great athletes with good coaches but they’re in for a rude awakening when they face the speed, violence and dicipline of Camden football. Mark my words, “Norcross will be embarressed!”
I hope that Norcross makes me eat my words and rises-up to take down the Blue Cats.
If we make it passed Parkview (and we should), I would much rather face Norcross than Camden.
My prediction….Kamara gains no more than 50 yrds rushing…Camden wins 35-7
The Cross
November 29th, 2012
12:02 am
squirrel-That may be the stupidest post that I have read this season. Do they call you squirrel because you have a similar brain size as a squirrel. I certainly respect Camden’s team but predicting a 28 point victory and holding Norcross to 7 is like some of these morons predicting the end of the world because of the misinterpretation of the Mayan calendar. In fact I bet you are stock piling food for December 21.
Norcross is coming down for a business trip.
The Cross
NGHS 09
November 29th, 2012
5:08 am
@ sportsnut…We get it, Lovejoy is the greatest team ever and North Gwinnett is barely average. Lovejoy should win by 4 TD’s atleast LOL. NG doesn’t have a chance at all.
NGHS 09
November 29th, 2012
5:21 am
@ Pecan…Great point. It’s like clockwork this time of year LOL. NG was supposed to lose to Grayson and Lovejoy was supposed to meet up with Grayson in round three. Well, first it was Lowndes predicting a matchup with the Rams, and then Lovejoy was deemed the opportunity. Like i said, it’s like clockwork this time of year…NG wins and beats Grayson…now, Lovejoy fans are in such denial that NG won, that apparently NG doesn’t have a chance and will be erased from the map by Lovejoy LOL. So NG beats Grayson and still sucks LOL Awesome logic there! Gotta love the idiocracy of fans this time of year. It’s not even Friday yet and once again, the game has already been decided LOL.
NGHS 09
November 29th, 2012
5:26 am
@ sportnut…
“All this talk about who is going to beat whom. No one knows.” Maybe you should take your own advice LOL
NGHS 09
November 29th, 2012
5:29 am
@ sportsnut…
“Those that feel they can’t lose need to remember AGF. ” LOL I’d stop laughing if you weren’t so silly.
Loren Maxwell
November 29th, 2012
11:33 am
This is just a quick test to see the features of the forum. Please ignore!
Bold Test
Hello Test
Test Hello
Cell 1Cell 2
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topper
November 29th, 2012
4:29 pm
The Cross – Look forward to tomorrow night safe travels to all of you headed this way.
topper
November 29th, 2012
4:32 pm
sportsnut – I think your boys are in a great position in being overlooked, I think flying under the radar is great. Teams come in think it is going to be easy then get smacked in the mouth and I think Lovejoy is about to really shock some people.
Fred
November 29th, 2012
6:27 pm
@sportnut – At the end of the year last year, it was pretty obvious to all but you that the Grayson defense was better. Grayson 24 – 0 against the most prolific running back in the state allowing a total of something like 56 yards. Lovejoy 22 – 7 loss to Tucker. I watched that game and it didn’t look as though LJ had a clue what was going on and should be glad that the score wasn’t worse than it was. Be careful about being too prideful and claiming the best this or the best that. And yes, I fully recognize that we went out in the second round against a very good N Gwinnett team.
camdenfan2013
November 29th, 2012
6:48 pm
Norcross fans just became some of my least favorite people. Safe travels though.
GwinnettDad
November 29th, 2012
10:50 pm
To Norcross, here’s my wish for you to “Decease The Cats!”
“I tawt I taw a Puddy Tat! I DID! I DID taw a Puddy tat!”
Increase the rats!
Degrease the bats! 
Good luck to all Gwinnett teams!
GwinnettDad
November 29th, 2012
11:10 pm
@JAB – Finally, now that you’re in the little league, you get to crow. Crow away. Maybe in the future, you can make it back where the legends live. Good luck to Stephenson, by the way. You do you play now?
By the way, one only seems to bother to hate teams that win.
Abu Dhabi
November 30th, 2012
5:13 am
It’s time, boys. It’s time. North Cobb 42 – Mill Creek 21
GwinnettDad
November 30th, 2012
7:52 am
To “hate” a team, one suggests that the team has won something. Stephenson hasn’t, yet. JAB still lives in a delusional world, but now, it’s in the minor leagues. Good luck to Stephenson in spite of him.
GwinnettDad
November 30th, 2012
7:55 am
Abu Dhabi – 42- 21?
Abu Dhabi
November 27th, 2012
5:56 am
North Cobb 42 Mill Creek 7
Make up your mind! Or will Mill Creek score two more TDs in the next couple of hours between your ears?