2015 Football Preview: North Gwinnett Bulldogs

In 2014, the North Gwinnett Bulldogs were bounced in the first round of the state playoffs for the first time in 22 seasons. Coming off three seasons in which their combined record was 34-6, including a loss to Norcross in the 2013 state championship, last year was a tough pill to swallow for a program that is championship-or-bust every single season. Head coach Bob Sphire is hopeful that the team will use last year’s crushing first-round 12-9 defeat to Central Gwinnett as fuel for this upcoming season. Sphire explained, “ I’d like to think they are hungry. We need to get our momentum back, and a loss like that is a momentum killer. This team needs to be fueled by motivation and emotion to get to the place we want to go.”

Sphire is stressing the rally cry because according to him, this is the most inexperienced team he’s coached in the last seven seasons or so. Gone from last year are standouts OT Mitch Hyatt (Clemson), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (Florida), LB Anree Saint-Amour (Georgia Tech) and QB John Urzua (Mid. Tenn. State). The inexperience is especially present on the defensive side of the ball, but don’t count out the Bulldogs D just yet, as coach Sphire will surely have this unit ready to compete come that first Friday night. Perhaps the only standout on defense is senior cornerback Torron Murray. He’s received an offer from Middle Tennessee State, and is a physical cover corner with great ball skills and great open-field tackling in the secondary.

Coach Sphire’s offense will look a lot different than it did last season, mainly because there will be a new man under center. There will be an open, four-man competition for the starting quarterback spot. The four contenders are: senior Davis Kelly, Trevror Deyton, Cade Fortin and Jimmy Urzua- brother of former starting QB Josh Urzua. Kelly may be the early favorite to those familiar with North Gwinnet’s high-powered offense, but Shpire is prepared to let this competition go as long as it needs to. Whoever does get the starting job will have the pleasure of throwing to USC commit WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, who is a rising senior this season. Imatorbhebhe is one of the best receivers the state of Georgia has to offer at 6”2,202 pounds. He runs a 4.45 40-yard dash and is a precise route-runner with a great release and excellent hands and has the ability to create mismatches in the perimeter, over the middle and especially in the redzone.