NORCROSS vs. MAYS
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
WHEN: Saturday at 8:45 p.m. EST
TV: The ATL
WEB: 11Alive.com | Facebook Live | YouTube
NORCROSS BLUE DEVILS
Head Coach: Keith Maloof
Status: Lost to Grayson in the 7A playoffs last year
Preseason State Ranking: No. 14 in 7A (Georgia High School Football Daily)
2017 Record: 5-6
2017 Legacy: For its five victories last season, Norcross held the opposition to 10 or fewer points each time.
SCORE ATLANTA PREVIEW
The 2017 season did not quite live up to the standard that head coach Keith Maloof has set at Norcross in recent years, but in his words, it wasn’t far off. The team only managed a 5-6 record with a first-round playoff exit to Grayson, but the Blue Devils dropped numerous games after leading late.
“That team last year could have gone either way,” Maloof said, noting that this offseason he has emphasized finishing strong and closing out games.
Maloof loses a senior class of 42 players, 22 of whom will continue their careers at some level of college football. He says the senior class isn’t quite as large as last year’s, but there is a good mix of veterans and players seeking more experience.
“When you’re a program of our size that graduates 40 seniors (each year), sometimes it takes some time for these other guys to get experience,” Maloof said. “That’s who we are right now. We’re putting 18 to 22 kids in college each year, it takes time, and over the offseason it’s important for these guys to get the experience they need. That’s why it’s important this summer with our 7-on-7 stuff that we get the experience we need for them."
Louis Williams is the point man on offense. The senior had a strong junior campaign, and the 6-foot-5, 2-5-pound signal-caller “solidifies our offense,” according to Maloof.
Williams will have plenty of weapons to choose from among his offensive skill players. Back are top receivers Christian Sims and Isaiah Wilson, both seniors. Sims is a rangy 6-3 and Wilson stands about 6-1. Running back Kam Jackson is back as a senior after getting some good touches in his junior year, and Lance Jackson is a senior transfer who played at North Gwinnett previously and will also contribute at running back.
“In the skill positions on offense, we feel very good about who we are and what we’re doing,” Maloof said. “The younger kids are going to step up. We’ve just got to get them some games under their belt.”
Several other receivers who could factor into the offense this season are Randy Smith, Michael Porter and Anthony Inya-Agha.
On the O-line, Zarritt Mumphery will be the leader of the squad, and a host of players will slot into positions this fall. Quinton Bradford, Micah Green and others will be in line for starting spots, and Maloof said 10 players could see big minutes during the season.
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MAYS RAIDERS
Head Coach: Niketa Battle
Status: Lost to eventual champion Lee County in the 6A quarterfinals
Preseason State Ranking: No. 4 in 6A (Georgia High School Football Daily)
2017 Record: 11-2
2017 Legacy: The Raiders reeled off 11 straight victories after an opening-week defeat to Stockbridge.
2018 Legacy: Mays serves as the first Atlanta Public Schools representative to play in the Corky Kell Classic.
SCORE ATLANTA PREVIEW
The Class 6A Mays Raiders have been consistently good the past two seasons. In fact, they are almost mirror images of each other. In 2016, the team lost its opener, a non-region game against 5A Stockbridge, and won 11 straight before losing in the state quarterfinals to Tucker. In 2017, Mays again dropped its opener to Stockbridge before winning 11 straight, losing to eventual champion Lee County in the quarters.
Now in his third year as head coach, Niketa Battle has guided his team to a perfect 16-0 Region 5-AAAAAA record in that time.
“The foundation for competing in this region has been laid,” Battle said. “Whether we’re a young team or an experienced team, we’re going to be pretty decent in the region.”
The Raiders will have a mix of inexperience and veteran leadership this season. The program sent 20 players on to the next level, losing roughly 18 starters and just shy of 40 seniors. But Battle says the spring season brought the team along further than he thought it would be. He notes that even if most of the young talent was not starting last season, those players earned valuable experience in the two-deep and playing in blowout wins.
“We’ll be young and green in some areas, but in other areas we’ll be pretty doggone good,” Battle said. The team concluded spring practice with a game against reigning AA champs Hapeville Charter in a defensive battle.
The Raiders offense will start with senior Jahquez Evans, who will get the majority of the snaps at quarterback. Evans is being recruited at many different positions, including QB, wide receiver, cornerback and safety. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound multi-threat athlete makes quick decisions in the Raiders offense, which relies on zone read and run-pass option primarily, with mostly short passes. Battle says he should be even more familiar with the offense this season after starting part of the season in 2017. Evans has a handful of SEC and ACC offers currently.
"He’s a 4.4 guy, so as soon as he decides to pull the ball, he makes things happen with his legs,” Battle said.
Tyree Nelson will get the bulk of the carries at running back, and the junior has been on the varsity team since he was a freshman. The 5-10, 205-pound back “looks like Nick Chubb and runs like Sony Michel,” his coach says, invoking the two former star UGA running backs who were drafted this spring. Nelson broke out with big games in playoff wins against Sequoyah and Centennial.
Jaylen Dunson is a jack-of-all-trades for the Raiders. On offense, he will get touches at running back, inside receiver and even quarterback. Dunson will also handle much of the return duties on special teams along with placekicking and punting. Battle says he will likely use younger kickers to make sure Dunson is fresh and not overworked.
