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DEL.ICIO.USNorcross “no-name” has game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fred who?
One could have imagined the static throughout Bulldog Nation created by news of Georgia’s latest catch. The recruiting chat rooms, I’m willing to wager, buzzed with those who bleed red-and-black.
“What in the anointed name of Uga is going on up there?” cried “All Dawg” from Moultrie.
Who could blame him, for Georgia’s latest addition was averaging all of three-plus yards a carry and a cloud of questions? Bound to happen when a name not found on All-State collections, let alone All-America listings, pops out the Dawgs’ heralded recruiting pipeline.
What’s the fuss about Fred from Norcross High, many wondered? Including me.
Never, it seemed, had so much been made over a rusher who gained so little. Quite modest were the senior’s numbers entering play Friday night against rival North Gwinnett, although the Blue Devils stood No. 6 in the state.
Surely, with stats as a benchmark, the blue-chip running back had to be the fast, little guy sparking visiting North.
Fred’s first touch gained not an inch; his next, about 36 inches. That left me even more perplexed than “All Dawg” from Moultrie. A precious 1/85th of Georgia’s next scholarship roll going to this guy?
And Mark Richt’s eye for talent, we have long been told, is unsurpassed by anyone not named Jermaine Dupri?
Around about then I — and a stadium of onlookers — saw the light.
Fred is definitely not dead.
“Frank the Tank,” as his teammates call him, rolled up the middle, out of an ankle grab, then dashed 53 yards to score.
Guess now we know why Richt rakes in the really big dough.
Numbers, I should know better, fail to tell the whole story. Yes, Fred is 6-foot-1, 230 and very well put together. But there’s more: Fred is playmaker at a position — fullback — where game busters are rare to come by.
There would be more confirmation:
But the fast, little guy sparking the visiting North Gwinnett Bulldogs just would not quit. David Montgomery (who’s recruiting him?) darted 29 yards on a draw to the Norcross 9. A repeat of the play followed, and North sat pretty.
Not only did the Bulldogs go up 21-14, but heading into the final quarter, Norcross’ offense seemed stuck on empty.
We have been told, however, the Blue Devils on defense can turn a game around. J.R. Jones delivered. His sack, fumble, recovery and touchdown return drew Norcross back even 21-21. But with 18.1 seconds left, payback would clock in.
Chad Gross boomed a 45-yard field goal for a 24-21 North Gwinnett win. That reversed the Blue Devils’ late-game field goal win of just a year ago.
It was not a total loss, though. “All Dawg” from Moultrie can put his concerns to rest. Fred Munzenmaier is his name. And, yes, the kid’s got game.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: J.C. Clemons
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By Richard Pollard
September 29, 2005 08:25 PM | Link to this
It’s about time yal realize Fred has game he Is gonna turn some heads inbetween the hedges… Congrats Frank The Tank!!!!!