AAAAAA: Norcross 21, Lovejoy 14
Alvin Kamara had been held relatively in check for most of the night in the Class AAAAAA championship game on Saturday, but he broke loose at just the right time for Norcross.
The senior running back scored on a 61-yard reception and a 10-yard run as the Blue Devils (15-0) rallied from a 14-3 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Lovejoy 21-14 at the Georgia Dome and claim the first state title in school history.
The championship is the third consecutive for Gwinnett County, following Brookwood in 2010 and Grayson last year. The last time a team from Gwinnett or the current Region 1 did not win at least a share of the title in the highest classification was in 1995, when Quincy Carter led Southwest DeKalb to the Class AAAA title. It was the second consecutive loss in the final for Lovejoy (13-2), which lost to Tucker 22-7 in AAAA last season.
“It just feels awesome,” Norcross coach Keith Maloof said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of how our kids fought, being down 7-0 and things not going our way in the first half. They’ve got a heck of a football team. We had some problems blocking them, but we found a way.”
Maloof and his father, the late George Maloof of St. Pius, become the third father-son duo to coach their teams to state championships in Georgia. Sandy Creek’s Chip Walker and his father Rodney were the first, and Calhoun’s Hal Lamb and his father Ray joined the select group last season.
The game was billed as a showdown between two of the state’s top running backs – Kamara and Lovejoy’s Travis Custis – but both were held below what might be expected of two 2,000-yard rushers, at least until Kamara took over in the fourth quarter.
Kamara finished with 119 yards rushing on 33 carries but had only one run of more than 10 yards. He also had three receptions for 67 yards and completed a pass for 34 yards. Custis had 60 yards on 20 carries for the game but just 4 yards on 11 carries in the second half.
Lovejoy led 14-3 after a 6-yard touchdown pass from Alejandro Bennifield to Brandon Davis with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter before the Blue Devils made their comeback.
Norcross scored three touchdowns in the final 7:17 of the game, and the spark came from Myles Autry, the team’s leader in receptions this season who played sparingly because of a knee injury he suffered in the semifinals against Colquitt County. His first catch of the night was an 11-yard touchdown reception from Joseph Wilber that cut the lead to 14-9.
Lovejoy was forced to punt on its next possession, and Norcross took over at its 38-yard line with 5:28 left. On the fourth play, Wilber found Kamara down the left sideline for the 61-yard touchdown. The Blue Devils’ two-point attempt failed, but Norcross had the lead at 15-14 with 4:26 to play.
Lovejoy turned it over on downs at its 31 on its next drive, and Kamara scored on the 10-yard run six plays later to make it 21-14 with 1:33 remaining. Lovejoy’s last-gasp drive ended in Norcross territory when Bennifield was intercepted by Jaquan Frazier.
Bennifield was 12-of-26 passing for 182 yards and had a 60-yard touchdown pass to Jumichael Ramos that was the only scoring in the first half. Lovejoy finished with 237 yards of total offense but was held to 65 in the second half.
Norcross’ Wilber completed 7 of 15 passes for 110 yards as the Blue Devils had 295 yards of total offense.
Lovejoy – 0-7-7-0 – 14
Norcross – 0-0-3-18– 21
L – Jumichael Ramos 60 pass from Alejandro Bennifield (Jaime Nunez kick)
N – Joseph Mahfood 31 field goal
L – Brandon Davis 6 pass from Bennifield (Nunez kick)
N – Myles Autry 11 pass from Joseph Wilber (pass failed)
N – Alvin Kamara 61 pass from Wilber (run failed)
N – Kamara 10 run (kick failed)
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91 comments Add your comment
bucket
December 16th, 2012
12:49 pm
I had no dog in the hunt, but thoroughly enjoyed watching the game between Norcross and Lovejoy. Either team would have been a deserving champion and both teams played with the effort necessary to win the game. However, what is a ref doing calling excessive celebration on Kamara? What did he do that was so excessive? High-stepping or putting his hands together? The dude had just scored a td with 3 minutes to go in the State Championship Game!!! That call cost the team the extra point and could have had a huge effect on the game. I know the players need to act like they have been there before, but that was a huge moment in the game and unless he was taunting the other team no flag should have been thrown.
pbt dawg fan
December 16th, 2012
1:02 pm
I was at the game Last night, I live near Lovejoy High School and I have been a big supportor of that team all season. I would like to say that Lovejoy showed last night that they were one of the better team in this state all year. Lovejoy played in 4AAAA last year and was moved up to 6AAAAAA this year, I believe that Lovejoy is the smallest school in 6AAAAAA, as you saw last night Lovejoy doesn’t have the same depth as many other 6AAAAAA schools. If you have live in this state as long as I have(which has been all my life) Gwinnett county schools have benefited from a population boom in that county, which a lot of those player that play for all those Gwinnett schools have came from other counties. I am not trying to sound salty about Lovejoy losing the game, but lovejoy high school has to overcome a lot to be successful in 6AAAAAA. Lovejoy can’t recuit players because of the School system.Norcross had a special player that made a special play at the end of the game. The reason why Lovejoy may talk junk a little is because of the lack of respect that other 6AAAAAA schools should to Lovejoy and their players. It will be a shame if Lovejoy’s head coach doesn’t win coach of the year in the state. As the population in south Georgia decline, Atlanta Metro area will grow and high school teams in the metro area will become stronger and stronger. I would like close by saying, at the end of the game some Lovejoy players didn’t show some sportsmanship by walking off the field at the end of the game, let’s not beat the boys up about that too much, they lost a hard fought game at the end, and they hurt and crying. I understand the pain they were feeling, and they didn’t won’t to shaoew there emtion on the field.
sportsnut
December 16th, 2012
1:14 pm
to the Lovejoy players, My Young Men. You are champions in my eyes. I know it hurts but life happens. You had a great year and proud we are of all of you. You showed heart and gave it your all. Nothing can be said about your will. Only that you have it. Your attitude and play have been an inspiration to all of Lovejoy and Clayton County. Because of you, the state no longer will look at us the same way again. They will know that they will not use us as a dormat. Know that this will not be end. There is more to come and the state better stay on their toes. You accomplished much and it has been recognized. Though it did not end the way we hoped it would, we must give credit to our adversary as they too wanted this most prized designation. Be aware that what you have done will forever be remembered. Not just by those whom opposes you but those that have no stake in the results. You truely did fight the good fight. You assured that everyone will know that at football season, Lovejoy will be a player. Hold your heads high and be proud of your accomplishments. The ride this season was great and I, for one thank you.
For those who will be moving on to the next level, let all your training and experiences be a standard in your life as to how to live life. Never give up. Do all things at a high level and no matter the field, you will be on top. By next level, I talk to the Seniors. I have not missed a single game of your high school career and look at what you got done the past 3 seasons. 37-4 is something to be proud of. Four losses and the quality of those four make a statement. Two of those were for all the marbles and one was to what had been a nationally ranked program. One was your stepping stone. The learning experience. All that said, you are the best in our eye’s.
There will still be detractors about you and you will learn that it will be so in life in general. Do not let anyone change who you are. Be true to yourself and you will be at ease within yourself. I would like to offer a bit of advice to follow as a rule of life. Listen. Take the time to listen and you will learn. What you hear might not be your idea of what the subject matter consist of but you get an opportunity to get another view. Use this to make your own judgement and not just follow without knowing. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth. Wonder why.?
To the kid’s, young men coming back, don’t stop working. It now falls to you to carry on. You know what it is about and the same applies next year as it did this year. Hard work will get you there. Respect all and fear none. This will be the start for some that will replace those front line guy’s. Lets keep this thing going. You have the ability and all that you need. Most of what you need is in you. Let it show. Come back next year with a re-newed sense of determination. A drive that, if you work hard enough, will find you on the big stage for your chance.
sportsnut
December 16th, 2012
1:33 pm
Sorry, do not want to cheat you of anything. Your record is 38-4. I’m sure you know but I didn’t want to short you.
Sincerely
Sportsnut
Region 7-AAA
December 16th, 2012
1:45 pm
LOL @ bob up there.
Region 7-AAA
December 16th, 2012
1:46 pm
bob … if Lovejoy is the best, then why fire Al Hughes? Retard…
GwinnettDad
December 16th, 2012
2:01 pm
Sportsnut, your QB is a sophomore? That late first half TD he threw was on a rope. Not many can throw such a pass. Lovejoy will have another playoff chance next year, for sure, and be a favorite to advance deep into the playoffs once more.
Bill Reid
December 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Kamara is on another level from Custis. I do not get this talk about how great Custis is. He is so overrated. I am a GT alum and I can tell you I am not excited to get Custis. SO many more great RBs in state and we get the leftovers. Paul Johnson has to go.
Fred
December 16th, 2012
2:09 pm
@Herschel Walker’s Revenge – What an obvious ploy to boost up S Ga football when it is not needed! S Ga plays great football and I can’t believe they would want to be champions of such a small group of schools. S Ga may not be winning right now but no one in their right mind believes that will continue forever. All those years S Ga was winning the other teams had to suck it up. Now S Ga has to. Besides, some of the best games this season have been between the N and S teams.
Fred
December 16th, 2012
2:15 pm
@pbt dawg fan – Lovejoy is not the smallest 6A school.
Fred
December 16th, 2012
2:24 pm
@That Dude Says… I don’t keep up that much with the other classifications as I just don’t have time. I can tell you that in 6A Colquitt was a 4th seed that could have gone all the way. There were other examples of 3 or 4 seeds that had major upsets and moved forward. Sure in some regions there is no that much depth but in many the 4th, 5th, or even 6th seed can field a very respectable team. This year as much as any proved that any given team on any given night can win. There are many states that envy the way Ga does it as you take the best 32 teams and let them play it out.
Reeze
December 16th, 2012
2:24 pm
@Sportsnut……Almost my man , LJ had the title I thought for sure going into the 4th….LJ made believers of us all….. Congrats to Norcross and Lovejoy ,without a doubt the two best in state this year.
Camden74
December 16th, 2012
2:24 pm
We’ll be BACK!
Fred
December 16th, 2012
2:29 pm
@sportsnut – Now your team will get respect even in their loss. LJ earned it this year by going to the championship and playing the way you did and people respect that. Demanding it before it is earned results in scorn as this is tough crowd. Congratulations on a great season and we look forward to seeing you in the future!
GwinnettDad
December 16th, 2012
2:29 pm
@Camden74 – for sure. But when? Aren’t you graduating a huge amount of talent?
Camden74
December 16th, 2012
2:55 pm
GwinnettDad………Yep! Camden always graduates a huge amount of talent. But there’s a group of 9th graders and others ready to step up. Can’t say they bring it all together next season, but it’s coming!
Stooge
December 16th, 2012
3:06 pm
Our coach referred to Lovejoy as the best team in the state earlier in the year at the 7-7 in Alabama and God knows sports de nut
has been their most loyal barker all season and that team showed itself to be made of iron. I pulled for Norcross even after they ripped us a new one and figured LJ would get pounded. Incredible defense. Good one guys.
That Dude Says...
December 16th, 2012
3:53 pm
@Fred… I agree about some regions 3rd or 4th seed might be better than some other regions number one seed. That’s why I think once the top 4 teams from each region qualify for state they should seed them 1 to 32 and throw away this regions top playing this regions top 4. Colquitt played Lovejoy, North Gwinnett, Thomas Co Central, and Carver Columbus. Not certain but I bet there isn’t another team in the state that played as many good non region teams as Colquitt. All of those schools were playoff teams in their classes. I think things of that nature should play a role in the seeding. I think teams should get rewarded for playing non region regular season games. It would make the entire season worth more. You can lose every single non region game and go undefeated in region play and get a number 1 seed. I’m pretty sure Camden was the number one seed in region1 6A. Colquitt beat Camden on top of playing those other teams that made the playoffs while Camden played two patsy Savannah schools. Not knocking Camden but I think the state tournament would be a lot better if they reseed the teams once the 32 made the state tournament. I know it will never happen though.
sportsnut
December 16th, 2012
4:02 pm
@ GwinnettDad == No. Bennifield is a senior. Thanks to all for the good words and I am sure the players wecome your admiration. They have fought long and hard to get where they have been these past 2 seasons. If my calculations are correct, they will not be as strong next year as they graduate 33. That being said, I do know the cupboard is not bare. This was a great game, worthy of the Championship. It has been great this season. All the banter between sports fans of high school football. We are lucky to be in a place like Georgia where I think the best ball is played. Now it is time to hit the hard wood. Those recievers and Qb are hoopers and time to change uniforms. That will keep me around for a while as I know the Wildcats will challenge there also. Good luck on the court. This is one of the reasons, o.k., the main reason for my handle. I love sports. I AM SPORTSNUT
Football Fan
December 16th, 2012
4:25 pm
Bill Reid… I don’t know if you saw the game last night but Custis didnt have a chance to get the ball without having 9 in the box sitting waiting on him. LB’s blitzing almost every down not to mention Lovejoy’s line never showing up. I think if a teams defense is geared on stopping a RB, he have to be something special to be feared. Custis has been doing this since the middle school where he started braking school records for TD’s and rushing. This kid lead his team to back to back state championships in 2 different regions and for him to be overrated? Wow what a jerk!!!!
For those who don’t know this kid; he is the toughest runner we seen in years. Speed, power, and his ability to catch the ball. But it takes a team effort to win championships. Kamara is great back along with Tyren but Custis has been doing for 3 years consistently without a good OL. Norcross line did a great job getting him to the edge. Lovejoy couldn’t adjust. This kid ran to the left side all night and not one coach saw that? The better team won last night both backs was held in check for the most part if Kamara didnt get the 65 score. Lovejoy got out coached again!!!!! The defense stayed on the field too long… OC do not know his personnel…. Can somebody answer this question from Lovejoy. Why was the full back smaller than the tail back? Did anyone see that for lovejoy?
Congrats to Norcross!!!! and Bill Reid do some homework on a kid before you make dumb comment GT Alum… Custis stats are better and by the way he only played to 2 quarters in most of the games this year and he still got 2000 yards / 35 TD’s
Herschel Walker's Revenge
December 16th, 2012
4:50 pm
Rob from Norcross:
I was born at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta and went to Dunwoody. I’m an Atlanta man, but I still like tradition.
Cat Man
December 16th, 2012
5:49 pm
Not sour grapes here, but I’d like some clarification. Wasn’t that a fair catch signal by Norcross that the refs missed right before Kamara’s big catch and run? Could have made a difference in field position on that drive
, maybe, maybe not.
Anyway, great game all around. Can’t say anything that hasn’t been said before. We were outcoached and the Blue Devils took care of business. Congrats!
Cat Man
December 16th, 2012
6:26 pm
Oh yeah, and Bill Reid, I’m betting you’ll change your tune about Custis next year if you are indeed a GT alum. You’re judging him from what you saw in the 2nd half last night. That was the coaches fault. Norcross adjusted, what else could he do? He’ll be a great addition to Tech football as you will come to see. Go back and watch some film of him from the last 2 yrs. and I guarantee you’ll change your opinion of this fine young man.
Fred
December 16th, 2012
7:51 pm
@That Dude Says… – Sorry, I just can’t agree. Sure there are regions such as R1 where a team like Colquitt could play 4 strong non region games but here are other regions that have more teams that don’t get the opportunity for many non regions games. R8 for example has 8 region games leaving us with 2 spots open. There are some regions that play 10 region games. Your plan would penalize those teams. I’m not sure which team you support but it sounds like perhaps they play in a region with opportunities to play several non region teams.
Fred
December 16th, 2012
7:53 pm
@Chip Saye –
GwinnettDad
December 16th, 2012
8:35 pm
@Fred – I can remember when Brookwood played as few as five region games. I liked the variety from season to season. Brookwood used to play such teams as Clark Central, Newton, Griffin, and Westside Macon in games not in the Dome, where Valdosta, Colquitt County, and Camden were opponents. I think those days were more interesting than the all Atlanta first 10 games these days.
steve
December 16th, 2012
9:21 pm
Please everyone write GPB and request they NOT bring back Gil Tyree and his baffoon partner. I love high school ball on GPB but have to mute it to make it through the games they announce. Both of these guys think they can call a game, but don’t even know half the rules. All of the other 5 games this weekend were great and the announcers did a fine job. I would take any pair of them over these two. “Kamara at the 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 10, 5 touchdown………………………………. TOUCHDOWN!!!!! ALVIN KAMARA!!!!!!TOUCHHHHHHDOWN NORCROSS!!!!!NO FLAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Please GBP, please don’t bring them back.
Grayram
December 16th, 2012
10:07 pm
Steve….it’s gonna depend on the spot
Football Fan
December 16th, 2012
10:07 pm
Hey Reid can you name some other backs in the state with 2000 yards / 35 TD’s that lead their team to state championship? Name someone and please tell us what schools they attend so we can look them up fake GT Alum…
Reality Checker
December 16th, 2012
11:06 pm
Lovejoy’s season will not be remembered 10 or 20 years from now only be the players and parents. Only champions are remembered. I can tell you that it will be 20 years before they will make it back to a championship final game if they ever do. Had two chances and choked both times. Sportsnut go buy them runnerup rings so they can remember the fact that they were up 14-3 going into the 4th quarter and lost. Clayton County can be proud. They have a state championship in the largest classification Morrow’s 1987 21-0 victory over Effingham County. Those kids didn’t give the other team the finger or get in opposing players faces after the outcome was decided to mouth off in frustration. Since you parents wont teach your kids humility life up and gave them a dose of reality. Couldn’t happen to a more derserving bunch!!
Lovejoy#1
December 17th, 2012
6:38 am
@football fan this has always been a concern of mind. Having a son on that team who started out as a running back in 9th grade. At 121lbs. Found himself blocking for the 170.lbs running back. Believe me we had a true fullback on the sideline. The kid Mykel has thighs like Robert Newhouse. But again just like all of Lovejoy football dads saw Karama only running toss passes to the left side of the field. We saw a better fullback standing on the sideline. What Lovejoy had to understand is if you ever plan on winning the big game you have to leave the favoritism out of the sequence. I’ve watched this team for years even before my son got there. And some kids have to work extremely hard trying to prove themselves worthy. And some get chance after chance to prove they are not. Lovejoy will be back we have a great group coming up that no one believes in. Just the way we like it. Remember these names Custis, Tilley, Morris, Bettis, Jackson, Bell, Knight, Davis.Thou a little undersized this group has always found away to win.
the truth
December 17th, 2012
8:05 am
How can you classless people say bad things about kids!
Falconguy45
December 17th, 2012
9:47 am
Great game Sat night, but the announcers were absolutely awful. I hope they do a better job next year. Bring in some radio guys for this special occasion. If your going to have it at the dome, then make it into an event with descent pre and half time shows. Who wants to hear the “are you smarter than a 5th grader” at half time game after game. Maybe do a small clip on the schools and communities that are playing. Just a thought. I had to change the channels during half time. I almost turned the sound off during the game because Gil Tyree was so bad. Enough of that. Congratulations to both Norcross and Love Joy. Both teams are well coached with great players. Love Joy has surprised me all year and they didn’t get a lot of credit on this blog due to their weaker region, but they came real close to winning it. I remember going to Love Joy games back in the early 90’s and seeing them lose every game. Coach Hughes has brought a program and a county back. Clayton County has gone through a lot of issues with crime, poverty, and on the brink of losing their accreditation over the years. I am in Gwinnett now and very proud of our rich football tradition, but I am glad to see other Atlanta area schools compete. Congrats again Norcross.
4Real
December 17th, 2012
10:49 am
@Lovejoy#1- You hit the nail on the head. The biggest problem for LoveJoy is Favoritism. It cost them the game last year and it played a roll in this year’s lost. The are picking over the kids. They are even showing favoritism for some of the coaches kids. They are hurting seniors chances for sholarships at Lovejoy. They are bringing in players from other schools putting them in front of players that have been with the program the whole time. Its is suppose to be about the student athlete! On the last drive of the game the linebackers went soft. They tried to arm tackle the running back and had started to watch the game. If lovejoy don’t change the way they do things, they will always come up a little short. They have let some good senior players down in the past. Coach Hughes should be ashamed of what he has allowed to go on at LoveJoy. The is no ETHICS among the coaching staff.
love joy football
December 17th, 2012
11:04 am
first of all let me give a big congrads to both teams for making it to the dome. next how in the hell do love joy coaches make the choices that they made not only Saturday but the same bone head calls last year. not making adjustments and seriously being out coached once again this year. Please turn in all of your resignation letters by 12 noon just sorry coaching!!!!!!!!!!
love joy football
December 17th, 2012
11:10 am
COACH HUGHES LOVE JOY HEAD COACH YOU ARE A BUST 36 YEARS OF COACHING AND YOU MAKE NO CHANGES IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE. NONE YOU COULDN’T LEAD LOVE JOY OUT OF A BURNING BUILDING BECAUSE YOU CANT MAKE CHANGES IN THE FIRE.
Ron Martin
December 17th, 2012
12:57 pm
Trey McDaniel should be ashamed of himself for opening rooting for Norcross instead of calling the game like a real broadcaster. Him and the other clown Gil Tyree were so blind by their support for Norcross until they were not smart enough to realize that Lovejoy purposely alloweed Norcross to score their final touchdown so they would have time left on the clock. And if they had a quaterback who could pass the ball and decent officiating they may have won the game.
GwinnettDad
December 17th, 2012
1:03 pm
Earlier this season, I said to Sportsnut that Lovejoy was going to be the new Stephenson of the top bracket. The team that underperformed come playoffs.
I had Lovejoy losing to Grayson in the third round, getting that far only because of an easy draw. I did not have Lovejoy making it to the finals, nor leading going into the 4th quarter of the finals. I was wrong about the LJ team. But not about some LJ so-called fans.
I see some LJ so-called fans here now that look identical to some past Stephenson fans. Saying nasty things about their coach and/or the LJ program. Lovejoy deserves all the credit in the world. There were 30 other teams that entered the playoffs and didn’t get as far in AAAAAA. Such remarks above are petty, ugly, and nasty. They simply are characteristic of the people writing such trash, and have nothing to do with the Lovejoy program. Such folks should be ashamed of themselves, but arrogance and anger leads to blindness. Thus, they won’t realize the biggest problem around them is to be seen in their reflection in a mirror.
Lovey
December 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
Where are the pictures?
sportsnut
December 17th, 2012
5:40 pm
@ GwinnwttDad == You are correct. I will not bash the coach’s but I will put blame where it belongs. The players did their job well enough to win. I have never liked the play calling of the O/C. He seems to be afraid to use all that he has at his disposal. This team, in my opinion, should now be Back to Back Champions. Coaching has been their mountain. The HC is a good one. Until recently, he did not have the right coach for what the team needed. He has that now but needs to find someone who will take advantage of the talent pool with which he has to work. Coach Jones, the D/C, has changed things since he has been in charge of that side of the ball. Lovejoy now needs an O/C who is not afraid to mix it up.
There were prople in Clayton County pulling for Lovejoy to lose. Think about that. That also underscores another issue, attendance. Here I am pulling for ELCA and Sandy Creek, trying to rep the Southside and there are those that want you to fail in your own community. That is why I am so into it. I know how hard it is to get people involved.I envision a day when Lovejoy can have a Booster Club that will be able to do things to make it all better for the kid’s. That is one of SAC”S problems with Clayton, micromanagement. To restrictive. The Fundraising chanels are so political. They outsource concessions instead of allowing the Band Booster Club or Football boosters to handle it. They have to have fundraisers such as carwashes off campus. No pep rallies. No dances. *Pep rally by the Media is O.K. i.e. High Five Team of the Week. Sometimes I wonder if they, the Board, understands that if they allow some flexibility, the schools could lower the cost that the county has to spend on the schools. Clayton is a little slow. They will catch up but we, the citizens will have to put into office people who know what needs to be done and do it.
Clayco teams rep
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
Great game congrats to norcross they rallied and won it