Before an estimated crowd of more than 7,000 at Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium at North Gwinnett High School, the Blue devils left little doubt who was No. 1 as Norcross rolled to a 31-10 win over the host Bulldogs.
It was the first region title for the Blue Devils (10-0, 8-0 in region) since 1991.
The overflow crowd was raucous from the beginning and by 630pm, nearly an hour before game time, the stadium was essentially full. The two teams had been on a collision course since they distinguished themselves early as the class of their region.
Norcross got going early taking a 14-3 lead in to halftime. Two turnovers by North Gwinnett (9-1, 7-1) in the third quarter led to 10 Norcross points to help put the game away.
The key play of the game came on the first play of the second half. North Gwinnett quarterback Michael Tamburo overthrew his receiver and Norcross defensive back Tyler Maloof picked off the errant pass and raced down the right sideline 30 yards for the touchdown and a 21-3 Blue Devil lead.
North Gwinnett never regained their composure after the two turnovers. The Norcross defense may have had something to do with that as they hounded receivers, running backs and anyone else they could find who was wearing red.
The Bulldogs potent offensive attack was held to a paltry 58 total yards in the first half and they ended up with 163 total yards of offense for the game along with three turnovers.
Tamburo, who has had an excellent year, never looked comfortable in the pocket as Norcross continuously pressured him and hit him every chance they could get. He finished the game completing 11 of 19 passes for 83 yards and two interceptions.
On the Bulldogs' next possession, Tamburo's first pass was picked off by defensive back/wide receiver Darius Hanks of Norcross. The Blue Devils took over possession at the 22-yard line of North Gwinnett.
The Blue Devils were unable to get into the end-zone but they did kick a field goal, as Chris Tanner booted a 35-yarder through the uprights to put them up 24-3 with just over eight minutes to go in the third quarter.
The Blue Devils were led by their star quarterback Bryce Dykes. He finished the game passing for 251 yards and two touchdowns while completing 17 of his 24 attempts.
The Norcross air assault proved too much for the Bulldogs defense as receivers Devonta Bolton, Hanks and Brice Butler ran free through the secondary most of the night.
Norcross scored their first points, and the first points of the game, on an 11-yard touchdown catch by Butler, who caught the pass in the end-zone with 1:24 to go in the first quarter. Butler finished the game leading the Blue Devils in receiving, catching 4 passes for 100 yards and that touchdown.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/11/100298