Football - 2008
Camden County vs. Norcross
By Larry "L.A." Williams
Aug 23, 2008, 06:45 EST

Corky Kell Classic

The Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA

Camden County “Wildcats” vs. Norcross “Blue Devils”

Camden Co. wins a hard fought victory over Norcross

Wildcats 2nd half ground attack keys win

Camden Co. RB-Darrell Williams is knocked out of bounds by Norcross DB-Daniel Slay.

Atlanta - This is only the first game of the season but the hitting was definitely in mid-season form as Camden County and Norcross battled inside The Georgia Dome. Like the last game between Brookwood and Walton, defense was the name of the game; but in this game the players on both sides of the ball were bigger, faster and more athletically inclined.

If you are going to beat a team like Camden County you’d better have a versatile offense and a very hard nosed defense and the Blue Devils have both and that's why this was such a great early season match-up.

Norcross got the first break of the game when LB-Ronald Rose recovered a fumble by Camden County RB-Aundre’ Johnson on the Wildcats 40-yard line.

Norcross RB-DJ Adams goes head over heals as Camden Co. DB-Ronald Flowers looks on.

The Blue Devil’s offense led by QB-Charles King was able to move the ball as he connected with his trio of wide receivers Arius Wright, Prince Kent and Matt Autry. Running back DJ Adams provided a few tough runs but the Camden County defense led by DL-Donald Glover, LB-Marquevious Myers, LB-Matt Jackson, DE-Ryan Attaway and DB-Robert Williams just wouldn’t break. It also didn’t help the Blue Devils cause getting four penalties that took them out of that drive.

The same thing held true of the Norcross defense, which was equally as immoveable. Led by LB-Steven Smith, LB-Antoinne Jones, DL-Wesley Hollingshed and S-Danal Slay they held the vaunted Wildcats ground attack in check as the first-quarter ended 0-0.

Early in the second quarter the Wildcats caught a break when the ball popped out Adams hands right into the arms of DB-Robert Williams giving Camden County possession on the their 42-yard line. Unable to take advantage of the turnover the Wildcats got off a good punt that pinned Norcross up on their own 6-yard line.

Camden County got the ball back and Johnson ripped off 16-yards to the Norcross 37-yard line. WB-Darrell Williams busted loose for 26 more yards to the seven making it first and goal. RB-Greg Baker finished off the drive with a short 3-yard touchdown run to give the Wildcats the lead. The PAT by K-Matt Ehasz made the score 7-0 with 5:41 left in the half.

Right before the half the Blue Devils kicker Conner Hawk drilled a 27-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.

Norcross WR-Marquis Lovett pulled in this catch with two defenders draped around him.

Camden County came out of the locker room to start the second te third-quarter like some many other times when they have played in the Dome; by running the ball right at the opposing defense.

Running back Aundre’ Johnson started things off with a 10-yard run to the thirty. WB-Darrell Williams then ripped off thirteen more yards out to the 48-yard line. Two more wing-back counters to Baker and Allen moved the ball to the Norcross 26-yard line. QB-Christian Milstead then ran a keeper for ten yards to the eleven; from their Baker scamper the final 11-yards for the touchdown. Ehasz’s PAT gave the Wildcats a 14-3 lead.

With 2:41 left in the third-quarter Norcross faced a forth down and three at the Camden County 41-yard line, King hit Wright for 8-yards and a first-down to keep the drive alive. A blitz by the Wildcat’s DB-Quaime Beck dropped King for an 8-yard loss that put the Blue Devils in another forth and long situation from the Camden County 35-yard line. Deciding to go for it on forth and sixteen King lofted the ball high to Kent who went up just as high to pull it end for18-yards and a big first-down as the third-quarter came to an end.

As the forth-quarter got underway the Norcross drive stalled and they had to settle for a 27-yard field goal from Hawk that cut the lead to 14-6 with 10:53 left to play in the game.

Camden County QB-Christian Milstead's 37-yard touchdown scamper closed the door on Norcross.

The Norcross defense held serve on Camden County’s next offensive possession and after a short punt the Blue Devils offense was back in action on the Wildcats 37-yard line. A big-time defensive play by Camden County DB-Robert Williams may have closed the door on the Blue Devils with 6:14 to play as he corralled WR-Arius Wright for a big loss on forth-down as he was attempting a pass on a trick play.

With :35 seconds left to play Milstead sealed the deal for the Wildcats with a 37-yard touchdown run. Ehasz’s PAT made the score 21-6. It was fitting that the Camden County defense put the final nail in the coffin as DB/WB-Darrell Williams picked off a Norcross pass on the final play of the game.

“At the end of the day”

Both of these teams are stacked with talent and it is going to be tough here on out to beat either one of these teams. Don’t be surprise if both of these teams are back here in December playing for a state title. But we have a very long way to go and anything can happen.

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