NORTH GWINNETT
Coach Bob Sphire moved to North Gwinnett from Lexington Catholic (Ky.), where he won 140 games and a state title in 15 years as head coach. Since coming to Suwanee in 2006, Sphire has won at least 10 games per year at a program that was largely overlooked prior to his arrival. The Bulldogs, in fact, had no 10-win seasons before 2006. This year, the Bulldogs dominated perennial-power Camden County in the Metro PCS Corky Kell Classic 34-14 in the season opener.
In the region opener, North Gwinnett convincingly beat finals opponent Norcross 36-17 in one of the most impressive performances by any team this season. In the past three weeks, the Bulldogs got past Archer, Hillgrove and McEachern after trailing in all three games. Sphire’s son Hayden and the Bulldogs’ dynamic offensive attack was key in each of those comeback wins. North Gwinnett boasts one of the state’s top offenses, with running back C.J. Leggett shouldering most of the rushing load.
Leggett ran for 287 yards and two scores in the semifinals win over McEachern while totaling 159 yards and four scores in the quarterfinals win over Hillgrove. Leggett has rushed for 1,636 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. Sphire utilizes a tall, athletic receiving corps to put up impressive passing yardage. Through 13 games, receivers Nate Brown and Caleb Scott were the top two receivers in Gwinnett with 984 and 947 yards, respectively. Almonzo Brown and Daniel Imatorbhebhe are also regular targets of Sphire’s tosses.
The North Gwinnett defense is led by defensive end Dante Sawyer, who is being recruited by several top ACC and SEC programs. Sawyer and Carter Cross are the Bulldogs’ top pass rushers while linebacker Parker Sechrest leads the team in tackles. The defense has been inconsistent in pitching two shutouts but allowing more than 30 points four times.
NORCROSS
After patiently plugging away at the ultra-competitive Gwinnett County football power structure for several years, Norcross has turned into arguably the county’s best program. Coach Keith Maloof came to Norcross in 1999 and has won 120 games. Last season ended with the Blue Devils capturing their first football state championship after a perfect 15-0 season. Norcross would be the first defending champion to repeat in the state’s highest classification since Camden County in 2008-2009.
Norcross was picked by many to defend its state title this season behind a tremendously-talented cast of players, such as seniors Lorenzo Carter, Josh Boyd, Myles Autry, Christopher Herndon and A.J. Bush. The Blue Devils were ranked No. 1 in the CSS Southeastern top 25 before a humbling loss to Booker T. Washington (Fla.) in the opener and a 36-17 loss to North Gwinnett in Week 3. However, the Devils roared back from the unexpected 1-2 start by winning their next 11 games.
Bush, the Devils’ quarterback, has rushed for 767 yards this season, including 113 in the semifinal win over Colquitt County, and has thrown for 1,795 yards and 14 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Boyd, meanwhile, is the Blue Devils’ leading rusher with 1,469 yards and 14 scores. Wide receiver Clinton Lynch, who leads the team with 774 receiving yards, and is one of several options for Bush.
Kevin Mouhon, a Tennessee commitment, led all of Gwinnett through 13 games with 167 tackles, according to stats kept by the Gwinnett Daily Post. Teammate Warren McWilliams is second in the county with 164. Carter and Jean-Baptiste Kouassi combine to form a lethal pass-rushing duo, as the pair totaled 13.5 sacks. Defensive back Jordan Noil, a Maryland commitment, leads the Blue Devils’ secondary.
THE MATCHUP…
These teams are quite familiar with each other. Not only are they region rivals, but many of the players know each other through youth leagues in Gwinnett. The teams have met 19 times, according to GHSFHA.org, and Norcross leads the series 11-8. However, North Gwinnett has won five of the last six meetings, including the showdown earlier this season. Mis-souri-commitment Nate Brown caught 10 passes for 179 yards and four touchdown passes in the first game. Bulldogs QB Hayden Sphire completed 19 of 30 passes for 271 yards. North Gwinnett overcame a 14-0 deficit while the defense shut out Norcross in the second half, a half in which the Bull-dogs outscored Norcross 26-0. The key for the Blue Devils in the finals is to pressure Sphire and limit the Bulldogs’ passing attack. Lorenzo Carter will be the guy to watch on the Norcross front seven. Meanwhile, Devils QB A.J. Bush must be efficient through the air.
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