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DEL.ICIO.USSpring Football Fling: Norcross still seeking deep playoff run, state title
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• Tues: Norcross • Weds: Walton • Thurs: Harrison
• Fri: Camden Co. • Sat: Newnan • Sun: Stephenson
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Norcross in ‘08? Are they a deep playoffs team? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Photos: A look at Norcross football
For Norcross, devil’s in details of development
In his 10th year, Keith Maloof has compiled a record of 63-33. Many of his early teams struggled with inconsistency, but the Blue Devils turned the corner a few years ago and established themselves as one of the premier teams in Gwinnett County, if not the state.
After going undefeated through the regular season in 2006, the Blue Devils followed that with a 9-1 record last season before a disappointing loss in the second round of the state playoffs.
Although Norcross has fallen short of its championship aspirations, no team in Class AAAAA has compiled a better record, 22-3, in the last two years.
“We’re one of the top programs in the state, if you go by record-wise,” Maloof said. “The kids know what they have to do to get in the playoffs. The last two years, we’ve got to the second or third round, and now we want to build on that and get into the semifinals and finals. That’s our goal.”
Norcross lost four Division 1 players and a handful of others to smaller colleges, but Maloof, like other top programs, has an abundance of talent waiting in the wings. Running back D.J. Adams has offers from Notre Dame, Boston College, Clemson, Maryland, Wake Forest and others. Defensive back/receiver Prince Kent has offers from Georgia, Florida, LSU, Miami, Arkansas, Mississippi State and others. Norcross will look to keep a balanced offensive attack, Maloof said, but look for Adams to carry more of the load. The senior back will need help from the offensive line, which lost three starters.
“We’re in a league where you’ve got to have people up front who can get the job done,” Maloof said. “The kids have worked hard over the off-season. I’m kind of excited to see how much they progressed and developed over the last three months.”
Norcross Blue Devils
Region 7-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: April 28-May 9.
Last year’s record: 10-2.
Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.
Working on: Have to replace blue-chip receivers, but two Division 1 prospects, Prince Kent and Matt Autry, are capable. Quarterback Charles King, who split time last season, should be ready to run the show. Must fill holes in defensive secondary, which lost three starters.
Key starters lost: QB Nick Sorel; WR Brice Butler; WR/DB Devonta Bolton; DB Tyler Maloof; DE John Kelly; DB Alex Napper; LB Dion DuBose.
Key starters returning: RB D.J. Adams; OL Manuel Munoz; OL Max Garcia; LB Stephen Smith; DB Prince Kent; TE Marquis Lovett.
2008 strengths: Adams, who ran for more than 1,400 yards as a junior, could go past 2,000 yards. Defenses will struggle to stop him. King is a dangerous runner at QB and has a solid arm. Receivers Kent and Autry are 6-foot-3 and can go get the ball. Defensively, Smith came on late last year and he will be a leader of an always aggressive, hard-hitting defense.
2008 weaknesses: Inexperience at receiver and in the secondary appear to be the biggest question marks. Also need some big bodies on the offensive and defensive lines to step up.
This season’s projection: There’s no reason to think that Norcross won’t be a playoff team and a contender for the state title. Comment: “Obviously, we’ve got D.J. coming back, so we ought to have a strong running game,” Maloof said. “And we’ve got Prince Kent and Matt Autry, so we’ve got about three or four receivers we know we can go to. Defensively we’ve got some holes to fill, but we’ve just to keep getting better.”
Photos: A look at Norcross football
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Norcross in ‘08? Will they reach their championship goal? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Spring Scouting Report: Roswell DISCUSS
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Comments
By T.J.
April 15, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Who are the top 25 teams and how were they picked? Grayson, the team that beat Norcross in the playoffs, on the list?
By Norcross Devil '97
April 15, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Norcross has always had the athletes to compete with anyone in the state, at least in the skill positions. The “2008 Weaknesses” are absolutely correct when it says Norcross “also need some big bodies on the offensive and defensive lines to step up.” That is exactly right. If they can get the Hawgs upfront, they’ll be great.
Go Devils!
By Shamrock Slinger
April 15, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Sounds like things are hot in Devil land this offseason.
By doiboi
April 18, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Norcross for stepping up with a tough schedule. However, with all due respect to all the other teams, Norcross is DUE. Although they lost Nappier and Dubose, Slay & Smith along with several new players will anchor the defense. King - who should have started every game last year will have breakout year. He gives so much more than Sorel did so that’ll be a significant upgrade. Adams will ave the same amount of yards as teams will stack their front 7 or 8 or 9. That’s when King, Kent and Autry is going to beat’cha.
By scott
May 1, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
the devils will be decent, but the quarterback position is where they need some help. charles king is a good runner but cant hit the right side of a barn throwing. he throws far too many interceptions
By greg
May 12, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
theres a lot of talk about this kid jeremy davis i heard he is good looking foward to seeing what he can do
By doiboy
August 4, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Sorry Scott, you don’t win 3 competitive passing tournaments and rank 8th in the County playing part time without being a good passer?