Updated Oct. 29, 2011
The Norcross Blue Devils overcame a 21-13 halftime deficit behind Alvin Kamara's 136 rushing yards to pull out a 42-21 victory at Blue Devil Stadium Friday Night.
With the win, the Blue Devils lock up the No. 3 seed in the region while moving to 7-2 overall, 4-2 in 7-AAAAA. Despite the loss, (4-5, 3-3) will be the fourth seed from the region in the state playoffs. The Eagles will close the season next week against Meadowcreek.
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Norcross' Anthony Autry intercepted Collins Hill quarterback Brett Sheehan on the opening Eagles drive and returned it to the 7-yard line to set up the first points of the game. Norcross scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jason Wilber to Tyler Williams. Wilber saw most of the snaps this week after sharing time with Bo Swanson last week at Meadowcreek. The Collins Hill offense then scored 21 straight points to take control of the first half.
The Eagles made the score 7-7 after a 47-yard TD run by Nick England, assisted by some poor Blue Devil tackling.
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After Norcross was forced to punt, Sheehan drove the Eagles down the field and found Jordan Parker with a 1-yard touchdown pass.
On its next drive, Collins Hill took advantage of good field position and scored on a 10-yard screen to junior wideout Justin Wyatt to put Norcross in a 14-point hole.
The Blue Devils punched back in explosive fashion as Jason Croom caught a Wilber pass, then broke two tackles before going the distance for a 61-yard TD reception.
The Norcross defense opened the half with Domonique Mason recovering a Sheehan fumble and giving Norcross the ball in Eagle territory.
Although Wilber fumbled twice on the ensuing drive, Norcross recovered both times and was able to score on a 3-yard run by Kamara. Kamara also made good on the 2-point conversion to even the score at 21-21.
Collins Hill moved the ball on their its drive, but came away with nothing after a missed 34-yard field goal try.
As the rain subsided, the Blue Devil offense began to shine. Kamara gave Norcross its first lead of the night on a 75-yard touchdown run and the Blue Devils never looked back.
Mason and Tommy Tate led the Blue Devil defense to a much better performance in the second half, holding the Eagles scoreless after halftime.
Meanwhile, Norcross' passing acumen put the game to bed with two quick passing scores.
Wilber found Anthony Autry for a 30-yard TD pass, followed by a 16-yard score to Croom on the following drive.
Collins Hill drove the length of the field and was on the verge of cutting into the lead when Tate intercepted a Sheehan pass over the middle to squelch the threat.
Region 7-AAAA Standings
(Through Oct. 28, 2011)
Team All Games Region
North Gwinnett 8-1 6-0
Peachtree Ridge 8-1 6-0
Norcross 7-2 4-2
Collins Hill 4-5 3-3
Mountain View 3-6 2-4
Duluth 4-5 2-4
Mill Creek 4-5 1-5
Meadowcreek 0-9 0-6
Suwanee Games-Nov. 4
Peachtree Ridge at North Gwinnett
Collins Hill at Meadowcreek
