GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
Don Norton, Johnson County
1. What is the most memorable game you've been a part of as a player or coach? "1995 state championship game, Washington-Wilkes vs. Elbert County. We lost. Elbert County fans showed up at 10 a.m. tailgating, beat our fans to the stadium, beat up our mascot before the game, then beat Washington-Wilkes 33-0. They were ready. Then 2005 Johnson County vs. Lincoln County in the Dome. We lost 48-21. And 2009 Johnson County vs. ECI. We lost 32-31. We missed all our extra points. I take losing hard."
2. Which high school coach would you want your son to play for, and why? "I would like my son Brooks to play for his granddaddy, Butch Brooks. Coach Brooks taught his players and coaches about the important things in life. He was a great role model and still loved by his former players today. Bill Bonds would be a great choice. He was an awesome man." [Brooks was Washington-Wilkes' coach for 17 seasons, four that ended in the state finals. Bonds was the coach that Norton succeeded at Johnson County. He led the Trojans to the state finals in 1993 and semifinals in 2005.]
3. What is your favorite saying/motto? "GATAWANTO!"
4. Which GHSA policy or high school football rule would you most like to see changed? "The GHSA just fixed the A playoffs to 24 teams [from 16 starting in 2016-17]. That's the right amount. I am still unsure why Class A teams are not included in the 3 percent out-of-county rule."
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