AAAAAA blog: Who has the best feature back in the state final? And other questions worth asking
Five questions to be answered in the Georgia Dome next week in the AAAAAA final –
How many points will they score? Norcross and Lovejoy have good defenses, but they put up record numbers of points in the semifinals Friday. Lovejoy beat North Cobb 63-42 in the highest-scoring semifinal game in state history. The second-highest scoring game is now West Rome’s 61-31 win over Lakeshore in 1984. Meanwhile, Norcross beat Colquitt County 41-27. Norcross’ 41 points rank as the third-most in a semifinal in the highest classification over the last 25 years – behind Lovejoy’s 63 and North Cobb’s 42. Valdosta scored 49 in the 1986 semifinals, and no team had scored more than 40 in a high-class semifinal since.
What school and coach will win their first state championship? Norcross and Lovejoy have never won state championships in football. Neither have their coaches, both in their 18th seasons as head coaches – Keith Maloof of Norcross and Al Hughes of Lovejoy. Maloof will be coaching in his first state championship game. Hughes took Lovejoy to the Class AAAA final last year when beaten by Tucker.
Who has the better feature back? Alvin Kamara of Norcross and Travis Custis of Lovejoy are blue-chip recruits who went over 2,000 yards rushing Friday in the semis. Kamara is uncommitted. Custis has committed to Georgia Tech. Both are candidates for state player of the year.
Who will make the big plays on defense? Both teams play aggressive defense and force big plays. Lovejoy returned two interceptions for touchdowns against North Cobb, and noseguard Nathaniel Norwood has over 30 tackles for losses. Norcross has more than 50 sacks, 18 by junior defensive end Lorenzo Carter.
Will county football pedigree matter? Gwinnett teams, of which Norcross is one, have won state titles in the highest classification the past two seasons (Grayson, Brookwood) and eight of the past 16. Lovejoy is trying to become Clayton County’s first football champion since Morrow in 1987.
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248 comments Add your comment
RobFromNorcross
December 10th, 2012
7:10 pm
My prediction is Norcross 35-21. (7 of those for Lovejoy will be in the final 5 minutes when the game is already decided and the majority of your fans have already left the Dome)
LovejoyDad
December 10th, 2012
7:36 pm
Its hilarious to me how all of you Norcross fans act as if your blue devils are unbeatable. Just a bunch of biased HOMERS. I’m not here to say that Lovejoy is better than Norcross (we’ll prove that Saturday night), I’m just here to help shed some light on the situation.
Lovejoy will be the best team that Norcross has played all year hands down. My son came home from his film session at school today and said “dad, they’re just like us. They are just as big, fast and strong as we are”. With that being said, I’ll give credit to Norcross have having a dynamic offense and a stiff defense, but Lovejoy has been here before. When you stop Custis our 7 on 7 kings will slice through you. With Autry hurt, if you stop Kamara……….nothing. Your quarteback throws ducks, mine throws TD’s. I’m looking forward to the Custis/Kamara Classic. Norcross I hope you’re ready.
LovejoyDad
December 10th, 2012
7:39 pm
Oh yea….and First of all, win lose or draw our fans stay until the end of the game. Second of all, lose or draw, not even an option. GATA
Forealtho..
December 10th, 2012
7:40 pm
If Queen wasnt playin daddy ball at North Cobb & put the more athletic QB on the team in the game, Lovejoy would be sitting at home. I said last week that the Daddy ball would come back and bite tham in the butt! Well, it did at the worst time! N Cobb had a great season but who knows what would have happened if the Griffins had stayed or Albright at QB. Next year I hope Albright transfers to another school so he can get his shot at QB!
Lovejoy#1
December 10th, 2012
7:42 pm
Lovejoy 35-28 but the score want tell the story of the game. Brandon Davis 1 pick 6 Travis Custis 3 touch down and Jamicheal Ramos 6 Himi always golden.
Cat Man
December 10th, 2012
7:46 pm
Rob, dude again it doesn’t matter who beat who. Colquitt is gone. They beat us, you beat them. Big deal! Is that really going to matter Sat.? Y’all need to get over that. It’s nut cuttin’ time as we say on the southside. You have a great team, we have a great team. Everything will roll on Sat. night. Throw out all the stats, throw out all the trashtalk, let’s play ball!
RobFromNorcross
December 10th, 2012
7:52 pm
Dear NotAHomer “Lovejoy Dad”-
I certainly haven’t said that I think Norcross is unbeatable, and I haven’t seen any other Norcross fan say it either. You must be suffering from Pre-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder and should get it checked out…
And we go a lot deeper than Kamara and Autry…
I just hope Lovejoy doesn’t beat themselves (again) because wouldn’t that make you co-champions?(this is so confusing)
Forealtho..
December 10th, 2012
7:52 pm
Its funny how some one from down South Ga was talkin all that trash. Saying…. its gonna be four down south teams in the final 4 and in the Dome. WHAT HAPPENED? lmaooo 2 metro teams playing for the championship… Maybe next year down south teams..
RobFromNorcross
December 10th, 2012
7:54 pm
‘Cat man – you also lack in reading comprehension. I believe I said pretty much exactly what you said, except you disagreed with my before you restated it. Maybe a nap would help?
Cat Man
December 10th, 2012
7:58 pm
@forealtho… Dude, I thought Queen played a good game. He made some mistakes that cost his team, but I guarantee you if your Griffins or Albright (I don’t know these guys) or whoever would have been in there, it wouldn’t have mattered! Enjoy the championship game on GPS my friend!
57Cat
December 10th, 2012
8:02 pm
Yeah, South Georgia AAAAAA teams failed to make it to the Dome this year. I only remember two of them that boasted about how they would be there. Neither of their teams had a “V” in their name or nickname. But guess what, two other teams down here with “V’s” did: Valwood won State in its classification and VSU will play Saturday for the National Championship in NCAA Div II football. We are still TITLETOWN USA!!!!!
Cat Man
December 10th, 2012
8:38 pm
@57 cat I congatulate you and am pulling for VSU as I have a very close relative (my wife) who went there and a number of other people I know who go there. I absolutely wish them the best! But we’re talking high school ball here. No doubt over the years Region One was feared. I can go back to 1969 when Valdosta came to Atlanta and beat Forest Park (my alma mater) at Grant field on a very cold night to take the AAA (it was the highest back then) championship. I respect The V town as title town. But after Sat. night, Lovejoy will be on the map as well.
Norcrossboss
December 10th, 2012
9:07 pm
Lovejoydad you are so wrong Autry is not hurt he will be there and you can’t stop kamara he is to good
The Cross
December 10th, 2012
9:32 pm
Lovejoy Dad-Did you say our QB throws ducks? I think you mean darts. Wilber has over 2400 yds passing, 27 TDS, 5 ints.
It is way too early in the week for you bozos to totally ruin your credibility.
The Cross
The Cross
December 10th, 2012
9:35 pm
Lovejoy fans-Autry is fine. Just got a little banged up and since we didn’t need him in the 2nd half we sat him. He will be there Saturday and will score…Guaranteed. I know you guys wish that he couldn’t play but he will be there with Kamara…right behind the best O-line in the state.
The Cross
Alex
December 10th, 2012
9:39 pm
@Lovejoydad, you’re right the 2, 60+ yard TD passes by the Norcross QB against Colquitt didn’t really happen. Tell you what, make sure Lovejoy focuses all of their effort on Kamara. You let me know how that works out for you.
Norcrossboss
December 10th, 2012
9:39 pm
I agree the cross and he can run u are just jelious of him and we have the best of d-fence in Georgia and Alvin kamara and miles Autry so I would not be talking
Norcrossboss
December 10th, 2012
9:41 pm
Lol alex
Cat Man
December 10th, 2012
9:46 pm
Rob, dude, I’m trying to help your confusion now that I’ve had my nap! I’m trying to figure out how I restated what you said earlier.All I said was Colquitt is gone. Go back and look at your blog and tell me how that’s restating anything you said. I’m wide awake dude! Now let’s quit playing this game and talk football.
sportsnut
December 10th, 2012
9:51 pm
I’m glad Autrey will be there. I wouldn’t want any excuses. Lovejoy will play football come saturday night. Can you imagine that they can turn it up another notch ? Watch and see. The roof is coming off. Hungry, very Hungry. Who are you going to stop ? Pick your poison. Better polish your coverage game. Db’s and kicking game, crash course in football 101. Get ready, it’s coming.
Norcrossboss
December 10th, 2012
9:57 pm
Sports nut I wouldn’t be talkin
The Cross
December 10th, 2012
9:57 pm
Sportsnut-Not worried about our DB’s…we have two D1 corners and a 6′3″ safety that leads the team in INT’s but most likely will play D1 basketball.
If I were you I’d be more worried about your penchant for playing press up man to man on the corners. We will burn you for at least two TD’s if you guys plan to stay in man coverage. That is not an opinion but fact.
The Cross
The Cross
December 10th, 2012
10:02 pm
I mean come on…we are 14-0 and the fact of the matter is that WE will definitely be the best team that you have played and you might be the 3rd or 4th best team that we have played.
Quit kidding yourselves…just because Lovejoy is going to be on the same field as Norcross doesn’t mean that you are in our league. WAKE UP and get real. Norcross is the best team in the state and it’s not even close.
The Cross
BullDawg Rick
December 10th, 2012
10:02 pm
The Blue Devils of Norcross git er done by 10-14…
Gwinnett Football readies you for the playoffs much like the SEC readies their teams for the post season…
Lovejoy did have a very impressive season. but it all comes to a screeching halt at the Dome Sat nite!
Lovejoy#1
December 10th, 2012
11:15 pm
To the cross. I love your confidence it all makes for some good pump your team up reading. But believe me when say NC just like the other three teams that we were suppose to lose too. Just put your best eleven players on the field Saturday at 8:00. After the game we don’t want to hear we would have won if. X, Y and Z player wasn’t hurt. A little inside Travis Custis ran for 5 touch downs 292 yrs. last week with the flu. He feeling better this week. Not saying Lovejoy will win but it will be the best high school football game in years.
Forealtho..
December 10th, 2012
11:23 pm
@catman homie I dont care who won the game. I was just making an observation. Ty Griffin left NC & went to Mceachern to play. Albright is the safety for NC. Both of those kids were QB’s on NC team in front of Queen. NC is 3 TD’s better with either one of those kids playing QB. Because of the daddy ball, Queens 10th grade son was moved to the starter. We will never know but it would have been interesting to see.
Forealtho..
December 10th, 2012
11:26 pm
@catman Also.. if you guys give up 42 points to Norcross. You will not win. your team wont score 63 against Norcross D. dude!
I dont think so
December 10th, 2012
11:38 pm
Lovejoy lets remember something,
Alvin Kamara : # 4th RB IN THE NATION= Probably won’t be stopped on saturday, Lovejoy only hope is to slow him down,
Joseph wilber: 2400 yards passing only 5 ints, offers to play qb at Wisconsin
Myles autry : # 1 RUNNING BACK OF 2014 IN GA
Lorenzo Carter : 19 Sacks
Those are some facts to consider.
Norcrossboss
December 11th, 2012
6:38 am
Norcross wins 42 to 14
Cat Man
December 11th, 2012
7:44 am
@forealtho I have to agree that if we give up 42, we won’t win. I guarantee you that won’t happen! We’ll make the necessary defensive adjustments this week and be back on track Sat. night. And I wouldn’t be so fast as to say we won’t score 63 against the Devils. Honestly I don’t see it, but with the explosive offense and a defense that scores frequently, we very well might.
Norcrossboss
December 11th, 2012
8:21 am
Yea cat man but we still win I bet 42to14 still
Alex
December 11th, 2012
8:41 am
@Cat Man, but for your team to get the necessary defensive points to put up another 63 point game, would require the Norcross offense to make numerous critical errors, and with a QB who’s passing over 60% with only 5 INTs in 14 games, the probability of that happening is fairly low. So now you are going to have to rely on your offense to beat the Norcross defense and get points on the board. Now just out of curiosity, who are the other major play makers for Lovejoy, because thus far the only person who’s ever been talked about is Custis. Norcross on the other hand has Kamara and Autry on the ground, Lynch, Trey Smith, Masseiah Francis, Darian Dennis in the air. Not to mention Autry and Kamara’s ability to run pass plays. So good luck on defense as well.
Forealtho..
December 11th, 2012
9:44 am
@Alex … @Catman… I dont think this will be a high scoring affair. Im going Lovejoy24 Norcross 20 in a close game. I think Lovejoys Defense is will be a lil to much for Norcross. I dont think Norcross backs have really been hit hard yet. Saturday they will get hit VERY HARD. The only way Norcross wins, is if Lovejoy Lack of Discipline shows up. Im not saying that they play dirty. I love that (kill everybody attitude) but they can get a lil out of control sometimes. limit the dumb penalties & LOVEJOY will be STATE CHAMPS!!!!
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
10:16 am
@ Alex the only reason you don’t hear about the rest of Lovejoy team is because. Our boys don’t get the press like your kids does. But I want give you any inside stats. Just know we have corners who lead the state in picks. You your QB has only thrown 5 picks this season that’s very nice. Well our threw is first last week. I watched Kamara last weeks game. That kid is nice. But saying he had never heard of Lovejoy was a little disrespectful. But that’s cool. Well Our Kids Have Heard Of You Now.
The Cross
December 11th, 2012
10:41 am
Lovejoy#2-I keep telling you guys to quit throwing out stats…Locejoy played the equivalent of a JV schedule so your stats are irrelevant. Norcross has played and beaten better competition and will spank Lovejoy like the AAAA team that you are. We are a little bit better than Luella. Haha.
The Cross
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
11:00 am
The Cross. So was Alpharetta , North Gwinnett , North Cobb. Again unlike you.I’m not saying Norcross is not a good team. Just know we don’t make our schedule . But we don’t play every team that is in front of us. And last Friday night Norcross number was pulled. We don’t have the t.v press, our kids don’t go to the top camps in the nation. Hell we don’t even have a field to practice on. But one thing we have at this small 4AAAA program is heart and good old punch you in the mouth talent to play this game. And before you say it I am very proud that your kids have those opportunities. Just saying some of ours don’t .
Foreal
December 11th, 2012
11:06 am
Alpharetta has a horrible pass run defense evn though they have won of the best defensve players in the nation. I was at the west forsyth alpharetta game. so i can see why lovejoy crushed alpharetta. so rule them out
Foreal
December 11th, 2012
11:06 am
one
Foreal
December 11th, 2012
11:10 am
Limit travis custis 4.4 rushing avg = Norcross wins
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
11:34 am
Foreal are you for real know one have done that in his four years at Lovejoy. You guys are putting a big challenge on your kids back. Remember what I’ve been saying because you guys are so wonderful all of Georgia have seen you. Your running back don’t even know who we are. Speaking of being full of yourself.
Cat Man
December 11th, 2012
12:08 pm
@alex So you’ve only heard of Custis. After Sat. night you will know well of these other guys: QB Alexandro Bennifield, excellent passer, scrambler, decent speed, Brandon Davis, loves to pick off those passes, errant or not, got a good sense to find the football, can go both ways, 8 picks this year, 6 for TDs 2 over 100 yds, Nathaniel Norwood, nose guard, he will be all over your QB early and often, nobody on that line will be able to stop him one on one, Jumichael Ramos and Arshad Jackson 6 and 8 respectively, twin tower receivers, Montrell Custis, D back also good sense of the ball, Travis’ cousin. It runs in the family. This just names a few. There’s plenty more, so do your homework and I’ll quiz you later this week. @cross dude, you’re still hung up on the soft schedule thing. Give it a rest will you. Don’t you realize it means absolutely nothing at this point in the game. I feel a headache coming on!
Flyer
December 11th, 2012
12:13 pm
@Lovejoy#1– Against North Gwinnett, Custis ran the ball 37 times for 137 yards. That is a 3.70 avg. For a point of reference, Kamara ran the ball 19 times for 100 yards (that total includes a 50 yard run on the next to last play with NG playing back ups).
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
12:43 pm
So if he had a 50 yard run for one carry. What did he do on the other 18 runs. FYI. Travis was suffering from the flu againt NG And didn’t take any reps that week. He started feeling a little better last week. He’s good now.
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
12:53 pm
So on what you are saying he avg. 2.7 yards a carry by your stats in that game. I’ll roll with Custis.
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
1:15 pm
On the other 18 carries.
Plowboy-Viking
December 11th, 2012
1:21 pm
28-27 either way…..two good teams playing with lots of athletes!!!
Lovejoy#1
December 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
The only thing I have to say an I’m done for now. If Norcross win I’m sure it will be reported as they where the best high school football team ever assembled. If Lovejoy win it will be reported. Lovejoy won (But) they’re kids are hoodlums, thugs, and will all be in jail after they drop out. Because they where disrepectful to Norcross players and coaches and fans. That’s what Marietta had to say about us. Again it’s all good we ready. We coming thick with all of bebe’s kids.
ClayCo
December 11th, 2012
1:32 pm
Lovejoy didn’t have a soft schedule in the playoffs?
The Cross
December 11th, 2012
5:33 pm
Lovejoy Fans-Aside from the trash talk, I hold Lovejoy in high regard. I’ve now watched almost every game you have played and I am very impressed with your team and your coaches. I believe we will all witness a terrific game with phenomenal athletes. I do believe that it is anyones game and the team that plays to its full potential will become the State Champs. I look forward to meeting some of your fans and congratulating you and wishing you luck.
This is the humble side of…
The Cross
Camden74
December 11th, 2012
5:45 pm
This is The Cross, &**^%$$##((*$#@@%^&%**$$#@!!!!! This is The Cross on his MEDS, This is the humble side of, The Cross……..