Vols' Kiffin overshadows high school games

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By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin was the biggest story in metro Atlanta football Friday.

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Wade Payne, AP Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and assistant Ed Orgeron showed up at the M.L. King-Stephenson game Oct. 16.

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Fresh off last week's blowout win over UGA and a declaration of a recruiting war for the state's top high school talent, Kiffin hogged the spotlight while visiting recruits Friday.

He landed in a red helicopter in a field next to the Stephenson-M.L. King game on ESPNU. Kiffin also visited North Gwinnett earlier, with Tennessee recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron returning later that evening to watch the Bulldogs sweat out a 24-7 win over Northview.

"[Kiffin] talked about how important recruiting Atlanta players are to his program," North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire. "I also had the chance to quiz him on some play-action passes I've seen Tennessee do this year. I can't reveal any trade secrets, but we may do some of it."

Tennessee has offered scholarships to two North Gwinnett players, senior lineman Jawaun James and junior quarterback C.J. Uzomah.

Just kicking it

* The fourth try was a charm for Lincoln County kicker Walker Smith. He had field goals of 29, 22, and 28 yards blocked in regulation, but booted a 26-yarder in overtime in the 10-7 win over Washington-Wilkes. "I'm going to have to apologize because I got down on my kicker," Lincoln County coach Larry Campbell told The Augusta Chronicle. The Red Devils, ranked No. 4 in Class A, lost tailback A.G. Middlebrooks to a season-ending injury (broken left leg) two weeks ago. "When you lose one of the best offensive players in the state like we did, the defense has to pick you up," Campbell said.

Last-second superstar

* Clemson-bound Garry Peters had an electrifying 57-yard touchdown run with 27 seconds left in Heritage's 21-20 upset over Madison County. "We needed one, and finally we got one," Heritage coach Chad Frazier told the Rockdale Citizen. "The kids played their guts out at the end. It was amazing the way we pulled it out. We've been on the short end of these so many times, but we kept plugging and plugging and finally got us one." Peters had three huge plays in the game's final two minutes, with the first being a 32-yard touchdown catch to tie the score at 14-14. After scoring the go-ahead points on the long run, Peters sealed the win with an interception in the final seconds for Heritage (2-5).

Around the state

* Warner Robins, led by All-America defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker, not only has one of the state's top defenses, but also one of the strongest. After the 49-0 win over Houston County, one of the Warner Robins' buses got stuck in the mud, but "several players spilled out of the bus and enthusiastically moved it onto firmer ground," according to the Macon Telegraph. Jonathan Jackson rushed for 204 yards and four touchdowns.

* The talk of the town in Gainesville is the one-handed touchdown catch by Flowery Branch's Rodney Young in the 69-16 win over East Hall. It was described as a 54-yard pass that stuck in the palm of Young's right hand as he changed directions. "That was big time," Flowery Branch coach Lee Shaw told the Gainesville Times. "Rodney can bring that to the table. He's so athletic and a tough matchup."

* Macon County forfeited its Sept. 4 win over Dooly County for using an ineligible player, reported the Cordele Dispatch. With the reversal of the 39-32 loss, Dooly County's record is now 5-3.

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