High School Football 2014: A special season brings with...

The FCA East-West All-Star Game wraps up the 2014 campaign tonight in Gainesville. And oh what a season it has been. There has been major success, astounding turnarounds and incredible firsts -- not to mention jaw-dropping plays from top-level players. In short it has been a season to remember for northeast Georgia high school football, arguably one of the best ever. And here's our look back at some of the best teams, players and moments of 2014... TEAM OF THE YEAR: BUFORD -- It's hard to argue with the numbers alone: 15-0, average margin of victory 44.4-5.7, averaging 351.9 yards per game, allowing just 125.2 yards per game... We could go on, and we will... It's also hard to argue with this: Class AAAA champion. The Wolves claimed their 11th overall state crown, seventh in eight seasons and 10th since 2001. But beyond all the titles and numbers this squad is our team of the year because of the way it played on the field. Put quite simply this squad was dominance -- dominance formulated in cooperation and every member of a standout team playing his role. It's one thing to say they have more talent than anyone, but a lot of programs have talent that doesn't gel. Buford has worked hard to formulate ultimate success, getting its standout players -- of a strong senior and junior class, you can expect a dozen or so combined to play on the highest collegiate level -- to commit to a process and trust in coaches and each other. They were also fun to watch. Anyone who appreciates stellar defense would have especially appreciated these Wolves, who were among the toughest group to come through a program known for defense. They took out a Class AAAAAA semifinalist in McEachern during the season as well as a Florida state champion. What more do we need to say? PLAYER OF THE YEAR: KWON WILLIAMS, JR., RB/DB/KR, WEST HALL -- This was the hardest choice in a year of tough choices, because this year saw so many stellar candidates. Doubt it? Just look at our honorable mention list, and even that took some paring down. Anyway, we opted for Williams for a few reasons: First off, he was productive: 1,700 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns. The junior rushed for 1,108 yards (10.2 yards per carry average). He also racked up 48 tackles and four interceptions on defense with a touchdown return on one of those picks. He also piled up 232 yards in kick returns and another TD. Second, Williams was an explosive player. Every time he touched the ball, you expected a big play. Third, he hardly ever came off the field, playing as many snaps as possible. All of those assets combined to help push West Hall to its first ever region title and made him one of the can't-miss standouts of 2014. A team player, Williams certainly deserves some time in the spotlight as a big part of why West Hall football is in the winner's circle. HONORABLE MENTION: Derrick Brown, Jr., DE, Lanier -- Disruption personified in a 6-foot-4, 285-pound package. Brown could take over games and often did, sacking quarterbacks, keeping offenses off-balance and even intercepting passes when dropping back into coverage. David Curry, Sr. DB/WR/P/PR, Buford -- Perhaps the most complete football player in northeast Georgia, the reliable and explosive Curry was a stalwart in four phases for a team that had plenty of stars but knew he was one of the biggest. His punt return in the title game helped solidify the Class AAAA crown, while his punting often flipped the field and made things even tougher on opponents facing that Wolves defense. Mikey Gonzalez, Sr., QB, Gainesville -- The pressure alone might have melted some players, but Gonzalez stepped into Deshaun Watson's shoes and excelled, passing for 3,180 yards and 38 TDs and just 9 interceptions. He never forced anything and slipped seamlessly into a starring role, which is impressive considering he had just one season to make his mark as a starter. Cece Green, Sr., RB, Winder-Barrow -- You want the tough two yards to keep a drive going? No problem. You want a 50-yard explosion to seal a game? Sure thing. Green's your man for both. The senior rushed for 1,709 yards and 17 TDs. And his play helped lead the Bulldoggs back to the state playoffs for the first time since 2003. Joseph Mancuso, Jr., QB, Union County -- The junior torched opposing defenses for 3,078 yards and 34 TDs against a paltry 3 interceptions. He also rushed for 422 yards and 3 scores. The true definition of a gun-slinger and one that has helped raise the ceiling for northeast Georgia football and Union County. Zach Matthews, So., QB, Lumpkin County -- The sophomore, yes sophomore, more often played the role of sledgehammer this season, rushing for 1,444 yards and 20 TDs -- though he also proved capable of big plays through the air and personified the spirit with which the Indians want to play: physical and unforgiving. Isaac Nauta, Jr., DE/TE, Buford -- His stats are not necessarily eye-catching, but no one who watched Nauta play this season could deny he is one of the most impressive and explosive players on the field, on either side of the ball. He may be the No. 1-rated junior tight end prospect, but we feel Nauta could also play on the defensive line for ANY collegiate program in the nation. Too bad we're going to miss out on his senior season, as he moves back to his native Florida. John Urzua, Sr., QB, North Gwinnett -- Like Gonzalez, the senior took his one shot to shine and often blinded the opposition. Urzua passed for 3,142 yards and 34 TDs with just 6 interceptions. He helped the Bulldogs to the Region 7-AAAAAA title and a number of stirring comebacks. Devin Watson, Sr., QB/DB, East Hall -- An explosive player that opposing teams tried -- oh how they tried -- to contain but usually ended up grasping at air. Only injury truly derailed him this season, though his return coincided with the Vikings winning four straight, including three in Region 7-AAA to capture their first playoff berth in nine years. Charlie Woerner, Jr., RB/WR/Saf, Rabun County -- He may be a reluctant star off the field, but the imposing junior sure looks every part the standout between the lines. Another versatile athlete, Woerner did whatever was necessary for the Wildcats, tackling or running over or past opponents to help Rabun to its first region crown since 1998 and its first state playoff win since that same year. He finished with 1,830 all-purpose yards and 15 rushing TDs and 7 receiving TDs -- both team highs. His grinding late runs in the Union County showdown helped seal the 8-AA crown. GAME OF THE YEAR: JEFFERSON 21, HART 14 -- There were some amazing games and finishes during the season, evidenced by our Honorable Mentions. But this game had it all: offense, defense, tension, last-minute drama. Both teams came in undefeated, ranked in the top 6 in Class AAA, and it was the season finale for both that would decide the Region 8-AAA title in front of a raucous crowd in Hartwell. Both offenses dominated the first half with just one punt and several long drives that resulted in a 14-14 tie at halftime. Then the defenses took over. The teams swapped a pair of turnovers before the Dragons got an early fourth-quarter TD to pull ahead. Hart County drove inside the Jefferson 5 late, but a classic goal-line stand in the final minute by the Dragons preserved the dramatic victory. HONORABLE MENTION Lanier 26, Gainesville 23 -- This game eventually decided the Region 8-AAAAA title, though it took a couple of more weeks to become official. Another fantastic finish as the Longhorns rallied from an early deficit. GHS started fast, taking a 9-0 lead just moments into the game. But Lanier got going in the second quarter behind the aforementioned Derrick Brown, who started the rally with a run on a fake punt and then returned an interception for a touchdown. The Longhorns led 23-9 in the fourth before Mikey Gonzalez engineered two TD drives to tie the game for Gainesville. But Mason Harwood booted a field goal with just 14 seconds left to give Lanier the win. Rabun County 45, Union County 31 -- The showdown in the mountains was perhaps the biggest game ever between two old rivals. It essentially decided the Region 8-AA crown and was the type of game players will tell their grandkids about -- especially Rabun County players, as they pulled away from a wild shootout (over 900 yards of offense between the two teams) with 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter after a goal-line stand on fourth down at the Wildcats' 1 at the start of the fourth quarter kept the score tied at 31-31. White County 34, Madison County 27 -- This one victory proved pivotal for getting White County back into the state playoffs for a program-record third consecutive season -- but it did not come easy. In fact it took an unbellievable play to help the Warriors win, as Max Taylor pounced on a Madison County fumble on its own 15 with less than a minute to play in a tied contest. Taylor ran into the end zone on the next play to clinch a thrilling comeback after trailing 27-13 in the third quarter. Lumpkin County 38, East Hall 35 -- It was games like this that helped the Indians to their first state playoff berth since 2003, as they pounded out 472 rush yards over another eventual state playoff team. But the Vikings kept fighting back, putting up 492 yards of their own. The kind of game that gives defensive coordinators nightmares, it was a thriller for fans, especially since it featured two future playoff squads. North Gwinnett 52, McEachern 49 -- If not for being the first game of the season, this very well may have been the game of the year in the state. Some say it was. But it was for school bragging rights only and did not factor into any region titles or state playoff berths so it did not get the nod here. The two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense. McEachern, behind Oregon-commit Tahj Griffin, jumped out to a quick lead. But the Bulldogs, behind QB John Urzua, rallied to take the halftime lead. The teams traded the lead four times in the final 6:48 with Urzua tossing a TD pass to Kyle Knudsen with 13 seconds remaining for the game-winner. An added blow to the Indians was that Griffin suffered a season-ending knee injury on the final play of the game. Buford 27, McEachern 20 -- Another great finish. Two weeks after their tough loss to North Gwinnett, the Indians traveled to Tom Riden Stadium and those wanting to know if the Wolves could compete against Class AAAAAA competition got their answer. It was a back-and-forth game the entire night with the teams trading the lead six times, four times in the fourth quarter. Buford got the eventual game-winner on a Joshua Thomas TD run with 2:15 left and then the defense preserved the victory with a goal-line stand in the final minute. Winder-Barrow 37, Cedar Shoals 35 -- The Bulldoggs held off a 2-point conversion attempt to seal the victory, proving that they not only had desire but also the kind of character that builds programs. The win helped do just that, as Winder used it as one of the pole vaults back into the postseason for the first time in over a decade. Running back Cece Green was a beast during the night, rushing for 269 yards and three touchdowns -- though it was the defense that made the single biggest play, avoiding a potentially treacherous overtime. BIGGEST SURPRISE: WINDER-BARROW -- No one expected the Bulldoggs to do much of anything with a new coach and not having won more than two games in a season since 2007. They had not made a playoff appearance since 2003. But Heath Webb worked a near-miraculous turnaround -- both physically and psychologically -- and having the standout Cece Green at running back did not hurt. The turning point was the second half of the season. They were just 2-3 before stunning Flowery Branch on the road, fending off Cedar Shoals at home (mentioned above) and then proved they were for real, knocking off Clarke Central, a team they had never beaten. They also proved clutch. Needing a win over Heritage, Conyers in the season final, Winder whipped the Patriots 43-26 to earn a playoff berth and cap one of the most outstanding fightbacks for an area program in recent memory. HONORABLE MENTION: COMMERCE -- We knew the Tigers would be good and push for a playoff berth. But we never imagined they would be a state semifinal squad for the first time since 2006 -- after all, the team returned almost no one on the offensive line in a program that loves its power ground game. Yet there Commerce was, showing everyone that they are one of the premier programs in all of Class A thanks to outstanding unity, a stingy defense and a punishing rushing attack. Coach Michael Brown is a former Tiger player and longtime assistant and is surrounded by a number of Commerce natives, adding to the sweetness of this year's success. WHAT WE'LL MISS MOST ABOUT 2014: A YEAR OF FIRSTS -- Yes, there was a continuation of success at places like Buford, Commerce, Gainesville and Jefferson, but plenty more programs got in on the act this season -- including a number of exciting firsts... Teams like East Hall (first playoff berth and winning record since 2005), Lanier (first region title), Lumpkin County (first playoff berth since 2003), Rabun County (first region title since 1998, first solo region crown), West Hall (first region title, first playoff berth since 2002), Winder-Barrow (first playoff berth and winning record since 2003) thrilled their fans with incredible seasons. Even Commerce produced its first state semifinal berth since 2006, so, yes there was plenty of new to grab our attention -- and hold it. It will be very hard to replicate that intrigue again. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST IN 2015: CAN AREA PROGRAMS MAINTAIN THEIR UPWARD TRAJECTORY? -- Can all those teams mentioned above consolidate their gains and become perennial powers, or will someone else step up and take the spotlight away next season? Teams like Fannin County, Banks County and Stephens County (a perennial playoff team that made the postseason and advanced to the second round in a first season under new head coach Frank Barden) appear on the cusp of major gains and will be ready to make their own big leaps. For that matter can powers like Buford, Commerce, Gainesville and Jefferson maintain their places of dominance after graduating plenty of senior talent and leadership? And which programs will turn things around or come from out of (seemingly) nowhere? We miss it already. Thanks for allowing us to take this journey with you. The next season can't get here soon enough. By the way, we hope you enjoyed our <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/fridaygamenight">Friday Game Night page</a> this season, as well our twitter feed, <a href="https://twitter.com">@FridayGameNight</a>. We took big steps forward in 2014 and will continue to move forward in the future.

High School Football 2014: A special season brings with it many firsts