N. Gwinnett holds off Alabama state champion Prattville

By Steve Shellnut

For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

C.J. Ozomah connected with Cody Gower for two touchdowns, and the North Gwinnett defense shut down three-time Alabama state champion Prattville for a 14-11 win at the Progressive Football Challenge at North Gwinnett’s stadium.

The Bulldogs’ defense stymied the Lions all night, sacking Prattville quarterback Sam Gibson six times. The Lions managed three yards in the first half.

A scoreless deadlock was broken with just five seconds left in the first half when Ozomah hit Gower from a yard out to cap a 14-play, 72-yard drive.

Prattville’s Chris Kennedy hit a 27-yard field goal with 4:20 in the left in the third quarter to make it to a 7-3 game.

North Gwinnett opened the fourth quarter with a six-play, 71-yard drive, capped with Ozomah hitting Gower across the middle from 20 yards out.

Prattville drove 80 yards on eight plays and made it three-point game, when Gibson hit Will Jones with a 16-yard touchdown with 5:58 left. The two-point made it 14-11.

Prattville had one final chance, getting the ball on its own seven with 1:22 left. But North Gwinnett held on, sacking Gibson twice to preserve the win.