AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOff to Peachtree Ridge, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill; News on Dacula, Buford and South Forsyth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Headed out to another week’s worth of sweltering football practices. I’m thinking of going topless. Talk about one hairy sunburn …
A couple thoughts on the three teams I’m hoping to see this week:
Tuesday — North Gwinnett: Has junior QB Mikey Tamburo improved? He was great for the majority of last season, but struggled down the stretch. Does he have anyone to throw the ball to?
Wednesday — Peachtree Ridge: How much of the buzz surrounding the defending champs comes from last year’s accomplishments? Do they have an offense to compliment a star-studded defense? How good is linebacker Kevin Minter? Before transferring to Peachtree Ridge, Minter was seemingly credited with every tackle at Berkmar. Is he the real deal?
Thursday — Collins Hill: QB Brent McDonald needs to build off of last season’s solid finish to help the Eagles become more balanced on offense. Does he have the weapons around him to accomplish that?
As usual, let me know if you need me to check out any team in or out of Gwinnett.
Dacula QB hurt
Dacula’s quarterback situation took a blow Friday night, when junior Hunter Watts broke his collarbone in a scrimmage against Grayson.
Watts, who is one of three players likely to see time under center this season, will be out for 4-8 weeks.
That leaves senior Taylor Smith as the starter.
Smith played the first series of the controlled scrimmage against Grayson.
“[Smith] did OK,” said coach Kevin Maloof. “We can’t fumble snaps, can’t call the wrong plays, which are both things we struggled with Friday.”
Senior Ryan Meyer, who is recovering from knee surgery, is also in the mix. Meyer returned to practice in a non-contact capacity on Monday. He is expected to be able to fully participate in practice next week.
Dacula opens the season at Central Gwinnett on Aug. 31.
Buford’s Hunt continues to sit out of practice
Running back Alex Hunt has not been practicing at Buford.
A transfer from Duluth, Hunt has been battling a strained quad, according to Buford coach Jess Simpson.
Simpson says when Hunt returns he will have to work his way into a backfield that includes starter Demetris Murray and talented sophomore Cody Getz.
Hunt has verbally committed to Indiana.
South Forsyth update
South Forsyth coach Greg Slattery saw some positives from his team’s scrimmage with defending co-state champion Roswell on Friday.
Roswell led 28-15 when both teams removed their starters.
Slattery, who is heading into his fourth season at South, was pleased with his defense.
“Our defense gave up some big plays, but that’s all they gave up,” said Slattery. “We gave up a big pass play early, then they tried it again and we came up with an interception. So it showed that we’re learning under fire.”
Senior defensive back Rob Patton (5-10, 180), a three-year starter, came up with the interception. Patton, along with senior Tyler Grant (6-3, 180) and defensive end Evan Downton (6-2, 232) will anchor what is expected to be an improved 3-3-5 defense.
Patton and Grant also will be the featured backs in the War Eagles’ wing-T attack.
Slattery said junior quarterback Brian Adams has completely recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the fourth game of last season and will be the starter.
South likely doesn’t have the size to compete with the heavyweights of Region 7-AAAAA—Peachtree Ridge, Norcross and North Gwinnett—but the War Eagles should contend with Collins Hill for the fourth playoff spot out of the region.
Collins Hill handled South 28-3 last season.
Stay cool … shirtless Dave P.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By Andrew
August 20, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
There are more schools in Georgia than just along the 85N corridor David.
By David P.
August 20, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Andrew … I get this question a lot, and maybe I should start running some kind of disclaimer. The thing is my beat is Gwinnett County, but like I’ve been telling new readers, I’ll be more than happy to find out info about a school outside of Gwinnett per request.
Who’s your team?
By BigPerm
August 21, 2007 7:34 AM | Link to this
Buford’s going to Ohio September 1st to play in the Herbstreit Challenge. Pretty good honor for a AA school to represent the state of Georgia with the likes of Hoover(AL) High, Long Beach Cal Poly(CA), & Dematha (MD)going as well.
By CATDOG
August 21, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Word on the street is that the Ridge has to learn that there is no I in TEAM. They cant find helmets big enough for a handful of playas.
By fairplay
August 21, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Andrew, Are any of those schools playing good football?
Where are the Brookwood and Parkview folks. How y’all looking over there? Is Grayson moving in to the top spot?
Big Perm: Good luck and et’s see how Buford does in Ohio. It looks like easy pickins way down there in AA most of the year. Be good to see how they stack up.
By peter peter pumpkin eater
August 21, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Buford is going to OHIO, But NGwinnett is headed west to prattville al, This Staurday, caint you give some respect to a team that is taking on a SE powerhouse? Cmon D man, give tha dogs sum props elmo. You do look like elmo with a haircare for men issue. get that worked on stud….
By ahsfan
August 21, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this
hey DP, how about you come to alpharetta and check out us alpharetta raider boys!
By Andrew
August 21, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Ok, David, I understand that’s your beat. But where are the people who assigned to other places around the metro area. I respect Gwinnett schools to the upmost and I’m going to ignore what fairplay said, because I’m not even going to stoop to their level. It just irks me when I open ajc.com and all I see is “Gwinnett here and Gwinnett there. You have to atleast understand where I’m coming from. By the way I am an alumnus of Douglass H.S. We’ve had our ups and downs over there on H.E. Holmes/Hightower, but you know the school turns out D-1 prospects often except this past season which was kind of a shock. I’m sure people are gonna blast me soon for meantioning my school. They’ll come with all crazy names “thug high”, “shoot em up high” “selfish players.” Trust me that isn’t nothing new. But if you can make that 5 minute drive down MLK Jr. Drve to the school and report a story, that’ll be great.
By David P.
August 21, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this
Andrew … I completely understand where you’re coming from, but unfortunately don’t have an answer for you. I will, however, give coach Cantrell a buzz and see what I can find out about the Astros.
By David P.
August 21, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
Ashfan .. Alpharetta here I come. Any certain players I should make sure to check out?
By michael
August 22, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
hey david p. u said u would check out other teams well these teams arent to far from your beat at all why not come to winder and check out winder barrow and appalachee this week winder is playin 2nite against a tough mill creek team that is much improved from last year and appalchee is coming off a playoff season and almost beat i belive druid hills so u should really check these barrow county teams out and see whst u can find.
By David P.
August 22, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Michael … I’m booked up through the week, so probably won’t be able to make it out to Winder. I will be happy to put in some calls to the coaches, though.
By michael
August 22, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
hey david p. u said u would check out other teams well these teams arent to far from your beat at all why not come to winder and check out winder barrow and appalachee this week winder is playin 2nite against a tough mill creek team that is much improved from last year and winder isnt going to be half bad this year with greg dixon at quaterback and his favorite wr taylor bradberry back for a breakout year watchout for winder in 8AAAA. so why not come and check out the barrow county teams??
By michael
August 22, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
hey david p. u said u would check out other teams well these teams arent to far from your beat at all why not come to winder and check out winder barrow and appalachee this week winder is playin 2nite against a tough mill creek team that is much improved from last year and winder isnt going to be half bad this year with greg dixon at quaterback and his favorite wr taylor bradberry back for a breakout year watchout for winder in 8AAAA. so why not come and check out the barrow county teams??
By ahsfan
August 22, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
Well we have a lot of key players included two sophomores that are starting you should definantly try an find time to come check us out!
By michael
August 22, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
hey david p sounds good u need the head coaches number???
By mitch
August 22, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
yeah david p u need those coaches number’s at winder and apalchee???
By David P.
August 23, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Michael, Mitch … Can’t seem to get a hold of anyone at Winder … keep getting a fax machine … email any contact numbers to dpurdum@ajc.com, please …