No. 1 Norcross falls to Warner Robins

By By Sean Coleman

Posted 11:54PM on Friday 1st December 2006 ( 18 years ago )

NORCROSS - The Warner Robins football team made a point early to punish Norcross in their quarterfinal playoff 14-3 victory over the no.1 ranked team in the state. The Blue Devils' first drive on offense resulted in two sacks for the Demons, as a potent Norcross offense was forced to punt in just four plays. That proved to be the story for most of the night as the Warner Robbins defense showed themselves to be quick enough to match up with the talented wide receivers of Norcross, and physical enough to punish whoever had the ball for the Blue Devils. It was a long night for the Norcross (12-1) offense, as its first 5 drives resulted in punts. Blue Devils' senior quarterback Bryce Dykes was only able to come up with 36 yards passing in the first half on just five completions. Dykes, who has passed for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, was never able to find a rhythm. He overthrew, underthrew and missed open receivers most of the game, as the Demon's defense made his life miserable in the pocket. "We just tried to mix up our coverage a lot, played a lot more man than we usually do and it just gives the quarterback a different look when you're not just sitting in something all the time," said Warner Robbins coach Bryan Way. Scoring in the game was few and far between, as Warner Robbins (1-AAAAA) got their first points on a 13-yard touchdown run up the middle by fullback Jeremy Grant, with 10:23 to go in the second quarter to put them up 7-0. The drive lasted just six plays thanks to great starting field position at the 39-yard line of Norcross. The first half could be described as a battle for the ever so important field position. The Demons led 7-0 at the half in part because they averaged starting their drives at their own 40-yard line. Compared to Norcross, who averaged starting their drives at their own 17-yard line. Grant finished the game with 67 yards rushing and both Warner Robbins touchdowns. The second score coming with 2:38 to go from 3 yards out to ice the game and put the Demons up 14-3. On that drive Warner Robbins held the ball for 6:12 and ran the ball on all 13 of their plays to go 72 yards to put the game away. The key play came on a 4th and 1 from the 33 of Norcross with just over 4:30 to play. Wingback Antwan Hamilton took a counter play and followed his blockers to the right side of the field and sprinted past everyone for a gain of 28 yards, before he was knocked out of bounds, to give the Demons a 1st and goal from the 3-yard line. Two plays later Warner Robbins had the touchdown and a trip to the Georgia Dome next weekend for a semifinal match up against Peachtree Ridge (10-3, 7-AAAAA). "It's great," said a joyful Way. "We've been once and it's not the same if you don't get back. We were fortunate enough to get there a couple years ago and are awful blessed to be going back." Dykes finished the game with 11 completions on 24 attempts for 106 yards and a costly interception in the Demon's end-zone that stopped a scoring chance on Norcross' first possession of the second half. Norcross started the drive with the ball at their 31-yard line and in six plays had marched 63 yards to the 6-yard line of Warner Robbins. On a 3rd and goal from the six, Dykes attempted a fade pass to wide receiver Devonta Bolton in the left corner of the end-zone. The pass was batted in the air and ultimately intercepted by defensive end Roderick Rose who fell to the ground for the touchback. To the Blue Devil's credit they hung in there and on their next possession were able to kick a 26-yard field goal by kicker Chris Tanner to put them down 7-3 with 41 seconds to go in the third quarter. Ultimately, the two trips to the end-zone resulting in only three points would prove to be too much for them to overcome.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/12/99417