AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBest defense in Gwinnett is …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is this the year of really good defense or really bad offense? When did completing a five-yard hitch become such a difficult task? That said, Georgia can’t do it, so why should we expect high school teams to do execute the simplest of pass plays?
Either way, there is no denying the majority of the talent in Gwinnett lies on defense. The big boys from AAAAA—Peachtree Ridge, Central Gwinnett, Brookwood, Norcross and North Gwinnett—have been tremendous. But the best defense in Gwinnett lives at little, old AA Buford.
Top Defenses in Gwinnett
Buford: Omar Hunter, who will be the biggest recruit in Gwinnett next year, is the best of a ridiculous five D-I prospects on Buford’s front seven. The 25 points surrendered to Cartersville doesn’t look nearly as bad, seeing as the Purple Hurricanes are averaging more than 35 a game
Central Gwinnett: The Black Knights are big, bad and stingy. They’re allowing less than 31 rushing yards per game. In a run-happy region, that stat makes them the favorite. Linebackers Bryce Smith and Jonathan Massaquoi are spectacular, but giving up 21 to Berkmar seems suspicious.
Peachtree Ridge: Cameron Heyward is an absolute beast and has a bright future ahead of him on the next level. But, while having not allowed a touchdown is impressive, the offenses they’ve been shutting down aren’t. Collins Hill, Grayson, South Forsyth and Shiloh struggle to score against everyone. The Lions’ nine turnovers don’t seem like much compared to Norcross’ 15.
Brookwood: Anytime you have a Rennie Curran your defense will be fierce. The future Georgia safety will have the best college career of any of this year’s Gwinnett seniors. Curran’s just one of a possible 11 senior starters that coach Mark (best mustache in Gwinnett) Crews can put on the field. Experience goes along way in pressure situations.
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By joe
October 5, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this
You actually get paid for this job?
By david
October 5, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this
yah, joe .. can you believe it?
By NorthGrad
October 6, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this
Don’t you think North Gwinnett’s defense has really helped them become #1???
By david
October 6, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this
North’s 24 sacks are amazing, but how did they give up 20 to Forsyth Central?
By football head
October 6, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this
Look out, Parkview’s defense is maturing very quickly. Last week South’s touchdown came on a fumble recovery not on offense and they blanked Union Grove. Players like Rucker, Roesch, Evans, Jacobs and Steward are a force leading the successful Panther defense. Give it up for the boys!
By Andrew
October 6, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
wow i guess allowing 5.4 points a game doesnt constitute a good defense… This year Grayson’s D can play with anyone not sayin they are the best but they are darn good
By football
October 6, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
Does anyone remember the shutout and ONLY loss Central Gwinnett has this year. I am not a Dacula fan, but the Dacula D has to be one of the top 4.
By NorthGrad
October 6, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
North should have beat Forsyth Central with a much higher score, but you are right about them being amazing. I think they need a pat on the back since these guys had started over with a new coaching staff their entire high school years and are winners.
By Jenn
October 6, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
Thank you for including Brookwood’s defense. Rennie Curran is the fastest linebacker I’ve seen in a long time. Rennie is amazing and continues to make play after play along with Joe Moore and David Kelley, don’t forget them! The Broncos have a stellar D. Does anyone know howe many forced fumbles they’ve caused? At least 2 or 3 every game.
By Berry Walton
October 6, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
Some “experts” say Buford’s front 7 is the best in the state…I would agree!!
By Puddin
October 6, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Joe where ya goin with that gun in yer hand? Sounds like another whiner thats lost their way.
David, I suggest a scrolling banner on these blogs “NO WHINERS ALLOWED”. It’s only fair to those who no not what they say. Thanks, GO DAWGS!
By david
October 6, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Dacula played lights out against Central, but the Black Knights’ offense isn’t exactly potent. Grayson does deserve some credit, as does Collin Hill’s defense. But what I’d like to get some feedback on is whether this year’s defenses are that good or are the offenses just that bad. I wonder how Brookwood, Dacula and Central would fare against a team that could pass and run. Other than North and Dacula, I’m not sure there’s any other team with any sort of balance. I’m checking out Bwood tonight, so maybe they’ll show me something.
By nhs
October 6, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
Umm Norcross??Only given up 3 touchdowns all year. Giving up an avg of 4.167 points a game. Have forced plent of TO’s and can even score. They should at least be up there. Out played PRHS thats for sure.
By Steve
October 7, 2006 12:06 AM | Link to this
For my money, Dacula’s defense has to be near the top of the heap. Four picks tonight vs. Clarke Central (six to’s altogether!), and the Dacula “D” has been rock-solid all season long whent he Falcons’ offense has sputtered at times.
By andy
October 7, 2006 07:08 AM | Link to this
As a NG dawg fan, sure it’s lame to miss the five team cut. But i agree with you to this point in the season. I just simply don’t think P’tree Ridge will be #3 or even on the list after this coming Friday’s showdown with North’s incredible, dynamic offense. They will give up touchdowns, multiple touchdowns. I don’t know that “Ironhead” can keep up with the speed and vertical of McDaniel or the elusive pocket-presence of Tamburo (who should have been sacked three times last night by duluth but wasn’t). Knowing P’tree Ridge is near the top defensively and North is near the top offensively should make for some fun times in Suwanee Friday. Go Dawgs!
By Jamie
October 7, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
Northgrad…
Yes, North Gwinnett, Norcross and Tift all deserve to be #1 in the state, all three are 6-0, The winner of the North Gwinnett/Norcross game at the end of the season will be the #1 ranked team going into the playoffs, unless there is a major upset before this game. Tift County has a chance to finish at the #1 spot, however Tift has the hardest remaining schedule of ANY AAAAA team. They have to play Coffee, Houston and Colquitt in away games and then have to host Warner Robins and Lowndes. Coffee has proved to be a great team, only allowing Lowndes to achieve 7 pts last week and then beating Colquitt in a triple overtime thriller, 39-37 and that game was a defensive struggle for both teams that finished regulation knotted at 17-17. Houston Co., however easily walked all over defending State Champs Lowndes this week 34-14 a team that lost to both NS Warner Robins and Warner Robins. But I guess you could say, since region 1-AAAAA is wide open that all the teams besides Valdosta, which lost again to Tift in overtime, have the hardest remaining schedule in all off Georgia HS Football. Any team from region 1-AAAAA that has only one loss come Nov. 11th, really should be ranked #1 based on strength of schedule (oh wait this isnt the BCS….its the SGS “South Gets Screwed” ranking system. A region 1-AAAAA team will be ranked 2nd or third while North Gwinnett, Norcross and some other random team from the north finish in the top 3.
I just want to know, Why? Why doesnt AJC.Com have updates on the South Divisions, I mean the most exciting games the past 2 weeks have been in Region 1-AAAAA. Last friday, all the games where within 7 pts of each other and this week 2 out of the 3 games played went into overtime, one being a Double overtime and the other a Triple Overtime Shootout. I cant believe a Early 4th Quarter comeback from GAC was this weeks TOP STORY! Oh my god they have Caleb King…..which is a bust in my opinion he should have stayed at Parkview. He’s not even in the Top 5 in rushing for the state or recieving or anything else. However, there are NO stats for Southern Teams… Channing Hudson of Colquitt County has over 1,000 yds of passing for the season and around 12 or 13 passing Tds and has 5-6 rushing scores, did I mention he has only thrown 2 Ints this season. If he was in the NFL his passing rating would be around 137.7, which now is only being achieve by Mr. Peyton Manning himself. If your going to cover “Georgia” Football, cover all the teams, NOT just the Metro/North teams. I know that the goal of AJC is to sell papers and make a profit, but doesnt the South sell AJC papers too, oh yea WE DO. And could it hurt to, ummm, i dont know maybe write some type of article for us dumb bumpkins down here. Even if you didnt want to publish it in the paper, you do have a website, in which you could put it.
Thats all, I think i busted a blood vessel.
Jamie
By boldyeller
October 7, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
Mikey Tamburo sophmore quarterback for NGHS has approx 1100 yards passing- I’ll have to get back atcha with his rush yards- he has improved each game.
By Puddin
October 8, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
Jamie, the last time I checked it was the ATLANTA journal constitution. Not the Tift, Coffee, Houston, Colquitt or Lowndes journal constitution. My guess would be it takes a whole county to come up with enough players down south to compete against the Metro teams. If we were to create a Gwinnett County or Cobb County team I dont think you or those down south would stand a chance. Sorry buddy! There is too much talent and too much money up here. So yes, the AJC has to sell papers to satisfy our obsession and fortunately they cater to their demographics. Marketing 101. Hopefully we’ll see you in the DOME. (that’s in Atanta too) GO DAWGS!
By tj
October 9, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
all i have to say to the idiot that think all the north Georgia teams are so good is look at the last time a North Georgia BIG school where the STATE (OF GEORGIA) champs were a lot longer than the last time a Small insignificant Southern school. By the Way the last 2 stat rings went to the small school of Lowndes High witch beat Brookwood last year what was that score the best I can remember was some ware around 48-6. don’t mind me I’m a south ga Hick that didn’t deserve to go to school anyway. BIG 1-AAAAA Fan. GO BIG BLUE. THAT’S TIFT COUNTY IF ANY OF (ATLANTA STATE) PEOPLE DIDN’T KNOW.
By Puddin
October 9, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
TJ, We all see that the public school system in Tift County has done you god.
By tj
October 9, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
Thanks It is kind of hard to use the correct grammar when you are mad.
By tj
October 9, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
P.S. there is a slight difference in the small South Georgia papers and the AJC you have subscribers from around the state of Georgia… I would like to know who has a subscription to the Tifton Gazette in North Georgia.
By bad dog
October 9, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
It would be pretty hard to argue with your list. Traveling with the Wildcats I would say North and Norcross both put out a very good Defense. North is very physical and plays great Team defense. Norcross’s defense is amazing with so many fast playmakers taking turns making plays. That ought to be a good one with region on the line. We also got to see Central at jamboree and their defense may be as good as Bufords. The 3 5 stack they run is hard to block and Central is Big Fast and Nasty. You may fear for your child.
By Puddin
October 9, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
I used to have a subscription but it was too hard to red.
bad dog, The Norcross game will be like a state championship game (assuming we are both undefeated). I invite all of you to come. It will be one of the best games of the year. I predict North 7 Norcross 6. GO DAWGS!
By tj
October 9, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
Let’s get a break down on the almighty ng bulldogs
Beat Walton that has only won 1 game
Beat Mill Creek that has only won 1 game
Beat Forsyth that has only won 1 game
When you play a quality opponent we’ll see how good you are!!
By Puddin
October 9, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
Beat Brookwood
Beat Duluth
Beat Collins Hill
Ok I give. Brookwood and Collins Hill are not quality teams. You win. However, Duluth has character, you have to give that to them. I will not bend on that one. Please let me know when we a going up against a quality teem. I mean team. Thanks! GO DAWGS!
By tj
October 9, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
I like the continued puns. Maybe one day I’ll learn how to spell. It’s hard to learn when all Georgia’s tax dollars go to Atlanta.