DE Cameron Heyward (official thread)

[wadc45]

agree with grad...

[osugrad21]

Link

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: P. RIDGE 16, CAMPBELL 14: Davis scores two TDs in win
Defense shines; Lions block two field-goal attempts

By Todd Holcomb
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/25/06 Just four years into varsity football, Peachtree Ridge got to the state quarterfinals faster than any Gwinnett school in history Friday night, defeating Campbell 16-14 at McEachern's Cantrell Stadium.
Brandon Davis rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-clincher, a 2-yard sweep on fourth and goal to give the Lions a 16-7 lead with 6:22 left.
Campbell got close on a 5-yard run by Hoppo Joseph (16 carries, 109 yards) with 2:26 left but failed to convert an onside kick. Peachtree Ridge (9-3) took knees inside the Campbell 10 in the final minute.
"We're one of the eight," said second-year Peachtree Ridge coach Blair Armstrong. "We talked about this being the pivotal one. Once you get down to the 16, some pretty good teams are on the field."
Despite being outgained 215-156 in the first half, Peachtree Ridge led 9-0, but Campbell resurfaced minutes into the second when Brian Sutherland recovered a fumble at the Peachtree Ridge 25.
On fourth-and-5 from the 10, Dominic Tyler made a nice play fake and hit tight end Nick Henderson in the end zone to make it 9-7.
But Peachtree Ridge soon answered with a 71-yard drive that featured some nice throws from Ole Miss basketball signee Zack Graham (10-for-13, 142 yards) and catches by Malik Matthews (four catches, 67 yards).
In the first half, Peachtree Ridge stopped fourth-down plays at its 9 and 28. The Lions' Cameron Heyward and Aaron Blue each blocked a field goal.
"We've been doing it all year," Blue said of Peachtree Ridge's timely defense. "We're always stepping up at the goal line, bend but don't break."
Peachtree Ridge scored its first touchdown after Blue's block. The recovery put the ball at the Campbell 34, and Davis got in from the 3 four plays later.
Peachtree Ridge is the first 4-year-old Gwinnett school to play for a spot in the quarterfinals since Brookwood in 1985.
Now they're the first to win.

[osugrad21]

High school stars cram the sideline

Georgia's sideline was jam-packed with recruits, including 6-foot-8, 345-pound offensive tackle Vince Vance, who made the trip with Georgia Military College teammates Corvey Irvin and Jarius Wynn.

Other uncommitted prospects on hand: Joe Blaes of Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College; receiver Joseph Hills of Palmetto (Fla.) High; defensive end Miguel Chavis of Virginia's Hargrave Military Academy; safety Morgan Burnett of North Clayton; defensive tackle Cameron Heyward of Peachtree Ridge; and defensive end D.J. Stafford of LaGrange.

.ajc.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

11/28

From the LSU site...Heyward will also be visiting LSU this weekend, along with Barksdale. He is down to LSU, Georgia, Florida and Ohio State. He will also visit Florida eventually.

[wadc45]

BG $

12/4

Cameron will likely visit Georgia, Ohio State, Florida and LSU sometime in January. The staff was in to see him last week.

[wadc45]

Scout $

12/5

From the LSU site...more of the same. Early PT will be a big factor.

[osugrad21]

Link

Dome dream: Peachtree Ridge content as lone Gwinnett semifinalist
Peachtree Ridge quarterback Zach Graham runs against Stephenson in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals last Friday. 12/05/2006

By Ben Beitzel
Staff Writer
ben.beitzel@gwinnettdailypost.com

SUWANEE - Blair Armstrong admits the revenge scenario went through his mind.
When his Peachtree Ridge Lions earned the final playoff spot out of Region 7-AAAAA and the brackets were printed is when he saw it.
The plan: "Beat Norcross in the (Georgia) Dome and then beat North for the state title," he said.
But after losses last Friday ended the seasons of North Gwinnett and Norcross, the Lions will not have that ideal opportunity to end the season with wins over two of the three region teams that notched wins over the Lions in the regular season.
"We definitely would have liked to face them again," Armstrong said.
Though that dream did not come true, the Lions are still alive in a dream season for the fourth-year program, which is playing in its first-ever state playoffs and is two seasons removed from winning just one game. And, if it's any condolence, the Suwanee program gets to play the only team in the state to beat Norcross - Warner Robins - on Saturday in the Class AAAAA state semifinals.
But the most important thing to every Lion is that they get to play.
"Everybody is proud," Armstrong said. "To be 7-3 and then, boom, 10-3 and going to the Dome from a No. 4 seed is pretty exciting, too."
Exciting is a misnomer for senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who said he has been ready for this week's game since Saturday morning.
"I still had adrenaline the next day," Heyward said of Saturday morning. "I was pumped up and ready to play."
But on Monday, with the game still six days away, the biggest challenge facing Armstrong is controlling the adrenaline for a week of preparation. After all, this is a group of players entering more undiscovered territory with each win.
"As new as this is to us I have seen maturity," Armstrong said. "I don't know where it comes from, they have been very mature about this every week. And after last week, being up 12-0 and watching it disappear, it is easy to tell the kids how one play can do it to you. That will help the kids keep their feet on the ground."
Running back Brandon Davis agreed with his coach, calling the win against Stephenson a relief.
"There was a lot of excitement and relief after the game against Stephenson," Davis said. "That was the most crazy three minutes I've ever had. Everything just switched so quickly."
Things will now switch again as the Lions prepare to play their first-ever game in the Georgia Dome while maneuvering through a week of classes, practices and hype.
"It was exciting," Heyward said of the atmosphere at school. "This is a new experience for a lot of people. We are just going to try and be humble and get ready for the next game. Don't get distracted, just get ready. It is a great honor to be here in the Dome, but we want to win a state championship."
But Heyward concedes the revenge idea crossed his mind, even if it was only for an instant.
"It would have been nice just to shut all the other teams up," Heyward said of the absent Gwinnett foes. "But if you win it all it means more."
And they all know a state championship is the sweetest revenge.
"Our goal is to be champions," Davis said. "And whoever is in our way we have to knock them off to get there."

What: Class AAAAA semifinals
Who: Peachtree Ridge vs. Warner Robins
When: Saturday, 9 p.m.
Where: Georgia Dome

[Buckskin86]

Heyward keeps dad in mind at Dome
12/09/2006

By Corey Clark
Staff Writer
corey.clark@gwinnettdailypost.com

They are memories that will always stay with him. Ones he will hang on to as tight as he can for the rest of his life.
And as he recalls them now, some 10 years later, he can?t help but smile.
Cameron Heyward is grown now, not just in size ? he is a sensational 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive lineman for Peachtree Ridge ? but in a maturity that goes way beyond his high school age.
He?s had to deal with a tragedy that thankfully most of his teammates and classmates won?t be forced to tackle for decades.
But this week ? especially this week ? it?s impossible for him not to think about.
There he is as a 7-year-old. Sitting in the front row of the Georgia Dome, wearing the jersey of his all-time favorite Atlanta Falcon.
The game has just ended and he sees his father, All-Pro running back Craig ?Ironhead? Heyward, walking toward him.
Father and son are not only wearing the same jersey, they?re wearing the same smile.
Craig reaches into the stands and lifts his son, who is about 21D2 feet smaller and 200 pounds lighter than he is now, and brings him down on the field and into the locker room with him.
It?s a great memory for Cameron.
?Yeah, that?s my favorite one,? Cameron said, wearing the famous Heyward smile.
It was a decade before Cameron would become one of the best defensive linemen in the country, and before he would be recruited by national collegiate powers like Florida, LSU, Georgia and Ohio State.
And it was before Cameron had any idea what a recurring brain tumor was and before he would be rocked with the realization that his dad wasn?t Superman, that he wasn?t more powerful than a locomotive no matter how many defensive backs he steamrolled to the Georgia Dome turf.
On May 27 of this year, Craig Heyward died.
He left behind a massive son, with massive grief, who like so many teenagers who lose a parent is still coping with the terrible loss.
Ten years ago, Cameron was in the stands in the Georgia Dome watching in awe as his powerful father destroyed unlucky safeties who got in his way.
Tonight, as luck ? or fate ? would have it, Cameron will be back in the Georgia Dome, wearing shoes that have ?Ironhead? written on them, playing on the same field that his father starred on a decade ago, trying to lead his upstart Lions to a berth in the state championship game.
Sometimes life really does come full circle.
?Right after the game (against Stephenson in the quarterfinals), I started thinking about it,? Heyward said of returning to his father?s old stomping ground. ?It?s kind of nice knowing I?m going back to where he used to play, and kind of coming closer to him.?
When 7-year-old Cameron was running around on the Georgia Dome turf after a game, he didn?t truly understand the everlasting effect it would have on him.
?I didn?t realize it was that big of a thing,? Heyward said. ?I just thought it was that my dad wanted to hang out with me. Now, I realize that it meant a lot more and it was also beneficial to see how everything worked.?
Especially tonight when his Lions take on Warner Robins at 9 p.m. for a spot in the Class AAAAA state championship game.
Peachtree Ridge, which came into the playoffs as a No. 4 seed out of Region 7-AAAAA, has played inspired football the last three weeks, taking its cue from its inspirational leader.
In the preseason, Heyward dedicated the season to his father, and he has responded with a terrific season ? racking up 111 total tackles and 13 sacks, incredible numbers for a defensive tackle.
That type of production is one of the main reasons he has become a national recruit, who has narrowed his college choices to Ohio State, Florida, LSU and Georgia.
It?s also one of the main reasons he has been a team leader since he joined the program last year, after transferring from Whitefield Academy to be closer to his father, who by then was bound to a wheelchair because of the tumor.
?He?s a great leader, a great hustler,? said Peachtree Ridge head coach Blair Armstrong. ?He rallies the troops. He keeps them fired up ... and especially in the playoffs he has really stepped up.
?He sees the importance of these games and he just (has) gone out there and dominated.?
Kind of like the old man used to do in college and the NFL. Heyward knows that as long as he is playing football, he will be referred to as ?Craig Heyward?s son.? He doesn?t mind that reality, but he also wants to make a name for himself.
?I never wanted to be in my dad?s shadow,? he said. ?That?s one of the reasons why I never wanted to go to Pittsburgh, because I see it as my dad?s spot. Not mine. It?s good to break off, but I still want to keep him in my heart. And he?s always going to be there with me.?
Like those precious memories after the Falcons? games, when the two Heywards would walk off the Georgia Dome field together, hand in hand, with the son holding on to the father as tight as he possibly could.

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/ind...ange_well_id=2

Peachtree Ridge's Heyward still feels dad's presence

By CARROLL ROGERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 12/08/06

Sometimes in the locker room before a game, Peachtree Ridge coach Blair Armstrong will see senior defensive tackle Cameron Heyward lost in thought and know exactly what — and who — is on his mind.

In the six months since Heyward's father, former NFL star Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, died of a recurring brain tumor, people don't often know what to say. But in moments like these, Armstrong has the perfect words.

"I know what you're thinking, buddy," Armstrong will lean down and say. "He's watching."

Only those who have lost their fathers can know how comforting those words are. Only they know how heart-wrenching it must be to know your dad is no longer there, like he was when you took your first few rotations on a bike, your first dive into a pool or your first tackle in youth football.

Who ever really outgrows that need to say, "Hey Dad, watch me"?

It will be on Heyward's mind this weekend at the Georgia Dome. Peachtree Ridge is one of 20 teams playing in the state semifinals, with the Lions facing Warner Robins at 9 p.m. Saturday in the AAAAA semis.

Armstrong still has that longing, too, even after all this time. He's 53. It's been almost 40 years since his father died of a heart attack he suffered while in the stands at a high school football game, watching Armstrong play quarterback.

His father, a former high school and college assistant coach, had asked that his son not be told right away. Armstrong didn't find out until after the game.

"All the guys in the huddle were tearing up," Armstrong said. "We were losing 7-6, and I was like 'Gosh, I know it's a mess, but we still have a chance to win.' "

First came numbness, Armstrong said, then the questions about why.

The same questions were still fresh for Heyward the first time he saw Armstrong after his father died in May. He didn't know the story about Armstrong's father until the office door closed that day in the Peachtree Ridge field house and the tears started rolling.

Their coach-player relationship changed that day, and so did the course of Heyward's grief. And at age 17, when few of his friends could relate to what he was going through, Heyward found someone he could turn to, someone who knew.

"It's almost like God put him here to help me," Heyward said. "He knew that I couldn't do that on my own."

Both Heyward and Armstrong are in their second season at Peachtree Ridge. Heyward had transferred from Whitefield Academy to be closer to where his dad, who was in a wheelchair by then, could see him play. Armstrong took over a 2-16 program, which had severed ties with its former coach only two years into its existence.

Now the two head into the Georgia Dome riding a 10-3 run on the muscle of a defensive unit anchored by Heyward, a top Division I prospect at 6-6, 280 pounds with 13 sacks. Together they show the power of what can happen when sons who've lost their fathers reach out to each other.

For Armstrong, quitting high school football was never an option. The football community is what rallied around him. But Heyward said he gave it some serious consideration over the summer.

"I wanted to be by myself and my friends and my family," Heyward said.

He went through a dark couple of weeks, spending time in his room, looking at clippings from a newspaper story about his father's funeral. He tried to make sense of a photograph that showed his father in a casket with his framed Pro Bowl jersey displayed nearby.

Over time, though, Heyward knew he needed to go back, even without his father. His mother reminded him sports was what he loves, Heyward said, and not to throw it away. "Snap and go," is what his dad had always taught him. Leave the last play behind and keep moving.

"I had to realize I can still show my dad things that will make him proud of me," Heyward said.

The first game back was the hardest, Heyward said, but he found strength in what he remembers Armstrong telling him afterward: "We're all here for you and we want you to succeed. We don't just care for you because of your ability, but for the person inside."

Heyward plays with his dad's nickname, "Ironhead," written on his shoe and spelled out over the knuckles of his gloves. He takes comfort in knowing his last words to his father were, "I love you, too" before he left for a basketball camp.

He'll have to grow up faster now. As he knows from Armstrong, it won't be easy.

"The only way to heal is to go through the process," Armstrong said.

The most emotional night of the season has come and gone. It was senior night, the night Heyward's dad had set as a rehabilitation goal to be able to walk onto the field with his son. That night his friends honored that wish and Heyward's loss by standing at the 34-yard line, "Ironhead's" old number.

Saturday night will be different. The Georgia Dome is where Heyward's dad played his 1995 Pro Bowl season with the Falcons and Cameron watched as a boy from the stands. It's the place where his father was his healthiest and strongest and most like the photo Heyward keeps in his locker.

He won't have to wonder whether his dad is watching Saturday night. He'll feel his presence.

"I'm going to be following in his footsteps," Heyward said. "It feels like I'm coming closer and closer to him."

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sp...wxheyward.html

[wadc45]

BN$

12/10

Heyward will make visits to UF and LSU in January. OSU and UGA are still in the mix.

[wadc45]

Scout $

12/10

By Newberg...Cameron talks about the upcoming state title game. He also talks about his favorites.

Moderately positive update for OSU...

[BGriffBuckeye]

Well we were in to see him lately. I would venture to guess he becomes a big pritority for the staff with the news today.

[osugrad21]

AJC

Da Ridge da toast of awards banquet

By DAVID PURDUM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/12/06 Since 1995, a Gwinnett County football team has competed for the state title in all but two seasons. On Monday night, this year's county catalyst, AAAAA finalist Peachtree Ridge, received a few words of encouragement from a man that knows a little something about football in Gwinnett.
Touchdown Club of Gwinnett Executive Director Dave Hunter, who won 177 games as coach at Brookwood, kicked off the all-county awards banquet with a tribute to the Lions.
"Bring home the bacon," Hunter said.
Peachtree Ridge will play Roswell for the state title Saturday at McEachern High School.
Three members of the Lions took home player of the year awards from Monday's banquet that was held at the Gwinnett Place Marriott.
Senior defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was presented the defensive lineman of the year award, senior James Simien was linebacker of the year, and junior Brandon Davis was named running back of the year. The Lions placed five players on the first and second all-county teams. Senior kicker Drew Butler and senior defensive back Phillip Davis both earned a spot on the first team. Peachtree Ridge defensive coordinator Carl Cole was honored with one of the 15 Tally Johnson Awards, given to the assistant coaches of the year.
Even Brookwood linebacker Rennie Curran, the Touchdown Club's athlete of the year, is pulling for the Lions.
"I'm rooting for them," Curran said. "I think it will be close, 14-7 Peachtree Ridge.
Curran is a three-time Touchdown Club all-county selection and set the single-season county record with 198 tackles. He has committed to play for Georgia next season.
Curran was a three-time Touchdown Club all-county selection and set the county record with 198 tackles. He finished his career at Brookwood as the school's all-time leading tackler.
Other player of the year award winners included quarterback Bryce Dykes, Norcross; running back Brandon Davis, Peachtree Ridge; and receiver Ryan McDaniel, North Gwinnett.

[osugrad21]

Link

Touchdown Club of Gwinnett hands out All-County honors
12/12/2006
DULUTH ? The Touchdown Club of Gwinnett held its season-ending All-County banquet on Monday night at the Gwinnett Place Marriott.
The club honored its players of the year, scholar-athletes, first- and second-team All-County choices and various other award winners. Brookwood, Norcross, Peachtree Ridge and Dacula each had two individual award winners.
Brookwood linebacker Rennie Curran was selected as Athlete of the Year and teammate Patrick Moran was the Defensive Back of the Year. Curran made 150 tackles and had 13 sacks this season while Moran had 47 tackles, two interceptions and 19 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns on offense.
Norcross? Bryce Dykes was picked as Quarterback of the Year while the Blue Devils? James Simien was Linebacker of the Year. Dykes threw for 2,153 yards and accounted for 25 TDs and Simien made 156 tackles (25 for losses) with 10 sacks.
Brandon Davis of Peachtree Ridge was named Running Back of the Year and the Lions? Cameron Heyward was Defensive Lineman of the Year. Davis has passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark to lead his team into this Saturday?s state championship game. Heyward, a two-way lineman, has 13 sacks.
Dacula?s two award winners were Tight End of the Year Michael Butler and Specialist of the Year Cameron Kenney. In addition to his blocking, Butler caught eight passes for 204 yards and two TDs. Kenney scored 43 points as a kicker, had a 39.0-yard punting average and caught 33 passes for 911 yards and 10 TDs.
Also taking prestigious individual honors were Grayson?s James Boatright as Offensive Lineman of the Year and North Gwinnett?s Ryan McDaniel was Wide Receiver of the Year. Boatright anchored an offensive line that helped the Rams average 200 rushing yards per game and McDaniel caught 69 passes for 917 yards and 13 TDs.
Other players honored by the club are as follows:

Individual Awards
Athlete of the Year: Rennie Curran, Brookwood
Quarterback of the Year: Bryce Dykes, Norcross
Running back of the Year: Brandon Davis, Peachtree Ridge
Wide receiver of the Year: Ryan McDaniel, North Gwinnett
Tight end of the Year: Michael Butler, Dacula
Offensive lineman of the Year: James Boatright, Grayson
Linebacker of the Year: James Simien, Brookwood
Defensive back of the Year: Patrick Moran, Brookwood
Defensive lineman of the Year: Cameron Heyward, Peachtree Ridge
Specialist of the Year: Cameron Kenney, Dacula

Scholar-Athlete Award
Berkmar: Chip Stanford
Brookwood: David Kelley
Buford: Zack Skipper
Central Gwinnett: Kris Swanson
Collins Hill: Michael Young
Dacula: Adiel Hunt
Duluth: Jeremy Dixon
Grayson: Joseph Thompson
GAC: Meko McCray
Meadowcreek: Justin Thomas
Mill Creek: John Certusi
Norcross: Sam Snider
North Gwinnett: Clint Duggan
Parkview: Patrick Kenny
Peachtree Ridge: Michael Davidson
Shiloh: Aaron Rogers
South Gwinnett: Sean Christy
Wesleyan: Jo Jo Catrini

Team First Award
(given to player who puts team above himself)
Berkmar: Jeremy Maness
Brookwood: Andrew Geschke
Buford: Chase Hudson
Central Gwinnett: Logan Hunt
Collins Hill: Eddie Quinones
Dacula: Austin Chambers
Duluth: Andre Williams
Grayson: Moses Edson
GAC: William Shuford
Mill Creek: Chris Tarver
Norcross: Dee Hill
North Gwinnett: Matt Hamilton
Parkview: Jason Veal
Shiloh: Mikey Mixon
South Gwinnett: Chris Grant
Wesleyan: Billy Dugal

Cecil Morris Award
(given to players who would have been All-County but were injured)
Collins Hill: Michael Young
GAC: Caleb King
Parkview: Antonio Mohn
Peachtree Ridge: Tommy Donatell
Wesleyan: Andy Merlino

Tally Johnson Award
(given to assistant coaches of the year)
Berkmar: Frank Bendin
Brookwood: David Nelson
Buford: Chris Demaline
Central Gwinnett: Ken Aldridge
Dacula: David Machovec
Duluth: Lex Balazik
Grayson: Robert Andrews
Meadowcreek: Thomas Cox
Mill Creek: Andy Dyer
Norcross: Steve Sims
North Gwinnett: Maurice Dixon
Peachtree Ridge: Carl Cole
Shiloh: Richard Postell
South Gwinnett: Ken Burnette
Wesleyan: Brian Krehmeyer

Dave Hunter Award
(given to volunteers in the community)
Berkmar: Jay and Robin Jett
Brookwood: Mike Mercier
Buford: Stan Quinn
Central Gwinnett: Tim and Debra Hunt
Collins Hill: James ?Frosty? Plunkett
Dacula: Dan Buchanan
Duluth: Chuck Daughtry
GAC: Cheryl Chapple
Grayson: Jet Toney
Meadowcreek: Cruz Hunter, Dev-Ray Yarbrough
Mill Creek: Scott and Carla Evans
Norcross: Harvey Snider
North Gwinnett: Steve and Kim Jarry
Peachtree Ridge: Dale Sikes, Micki Kerns
Shiloh: Bernard McKie
South Gwinnett: Dana Doster

All-County First Team
Offense
QB Michael Tamburo, North Gwinnett
RB Cole Brodie, Dacula
RB Demetre Ledlum, Brookwood
RB Justin Thomas, Meadowcreek
WR Tremayne Graham, Parkview
WR Isiah Jupiter, Berkmar
WR Kurt Diel, Collins Hill
WR Darius Hanks, Norcross
TE Austin Wilson, Dacula
OL T.J. Hurless, Collins Hill
OL T-Bob Hebert, GAC
OL Mitchell King, Brookwood
OL Andrew Higgins, Duluth
OL Ben Jacoby, Buford
Defense
DL Eric Eberhardt, North Gwinnett
DL Sean Christy, South Gwinnett
DL T.J. Greenstone, Collins Hill
DL Brooks Cunningham, Norcross
LB Bryce Smith, Central Gwinnett
LB Tristan Strong, Grayson
LB Joe Moore, Brookwood
LB Matt Rucker, Parkview
LB Dexter Daffin, Dacula
DB Andrew Roesch, Parkview
DB Phillip Davis, Peachtree Ridge
DB Leonard Foster, Norcross
DB Meko McCray, GAC
PK Devin Sabina, Central Gwinnett
P Drew Butler, Peachtree Ridge

All-County Second Team
Offense
QB Lee Chapple, GAC
RB Craig Jackson, Collins Hill
RB Decorja Canada, Grayson
RB Quentin Cantrell, Buford
WR David Hendrix, Buford
WR Brice Butler, Norcross
WR Rolando Dyer, Central Gwinnett
TE Brandon McEachern, Buford
OL Nick Amon, Grayson
OL Josh Turner, Brookwood
OL Gerraid Fustos, Mill Creek
OL Clint Duggan, North Gwinnett
OL Travis Sanders,
Central Gwinnett
Defense
DL Omar Hunter, Buford
DL Dewayne Cherrington, Central Gwinnett
DL Kevin Minter, Berkmar
DL J.R. Jones, Norcross
LB Andy Barry, Grayson
LB Dion DuBose, Norcross
LB Trey Hunsucker, Buford
LB James Lewis, Collins Hill
DB Greg Carson, Duluth
DB Cameron Demps, North Gwinnett
DB Chris Wellborn, Collins Hill
DB Mario Arnold, Berkmar
PK Chad Gross, North Gwinnett
P Dawson Zimmerman, Brookwood

All-County
Honorable Mention:
Berkmar: T.J. Smith, J.J. Harbin, Jerry Gross, Alex Brown
Brookwood: Jared Mackey, A.J. Mackey, Jared Reine, Buddy Marietta
Buford: T.J. Pridemore, Dallas Lee, Demetris Murray, Twoey Hosch
Central Gwinnett: Manuel Rodriguez, Richard Milton, Gio De La Pena, Diante Drake
Collins Hill: Bo Adebayo, Taylor Gayle, Brent McDonald, Josh Sneed
Dacula: Kyle White, Greg Taphouse, Josh Greeson, Zach Scruggs
Duluth: Broderick Simpson, Taylor Hart, Bo Venturi, J.D. Farrell
Grayson: Steven Caputo, Chris Cawthon, J.D. Hamil, Bradley Hamilton
GAC: Nick Biggee, Justin Schneider, Trey Harber, Landon Bennett
Meadowcreek: Phillip Pickens, Caleb Acea, Keverette Brown, Dernote Smith
Mill Creek: Darius Jackson, Ed Russ, Sean Cosby, Colin Stuart
Norcross: Matt Tribble, D.J. Jones, Tyler Maloof, Devonta Bolton
North Gwinnett: Chris Knox, Jasper Williams, Evan Gilles, Brandon Rodd
Parkview: Winton Steward, Clayton Wilkin, Brandon Evans, Brandon Jacobs
Peachtree Ridge: Derrick Bryant, Aaron Blue, Breland Trahan, Blake Baur
Shiloh: Christian Jordan, Timothy Olivar, Ira Johnson, Ernst Brun
South Gwinnett: Chris Lamar, Kaleb Myrick, Travis Adcock, Taylor Schindler
Wesleyan: Andrew Donovan, Jo Jo Catrini, Edward Van Winkle, Michael Kress

[osugrad21]

Link

Unsung defenders: Other Lions blossom in Heyward's shadow

By John Hollis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/14/06 On any other team, they'd be stars.
But with teammate Cameron Heyward's larger-than-life shadow on the Peachtree Ridge defensive line, seniors Aaron Blue, Harold Trip and Breland Trahan have quietly gone about their business as the Suwanee school evolved into one of Class AAAAA's better defenses.
They are among the unsung defensive heroes on a defense that has shut out five opponents, have allowed only 8.4 points per game and have paved the way for Peachtree Ridge's surprising run from a region fourth seed to the state championship game.
Peachtree Ridge plays Roswell at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at McEachern High School for the AAAAA title.
All three admitted to feeling somewhat overlooked this season.
"I just get over it," Trahan said, "because Cameron's doing his thing. You can't hate on him for that. He works hard and he's a heckuva player who really makes our team better."
"All three of those guys have really blossomed into good football players," defensive coordinator Carl Cole said. "We wouldn't be where we are without them. We couldn't be more pleased."
Trip said the lack of publicity was just fine with him if that means playing for a state championship.
"It doesn't bother me," he said. "[Heyward] is everything he's supposed to be. We've all been friends for a long time and he's just going to make you better. His presence will help you."
The statistics would attest to that theory.
Trahan (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) has been perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Heyward's double-teaming presence. He has a team-high 145 tackles from his weakside linebacker spot as teams try to run away from Heyward.
Blue, a 6-3, 230-pound defensive end with excellent quickness, has 10 sacks to match Heyward for the team-high. He also has 74 tackles. Trip has been offered a scholarship by Virginia Military Institute, with a number of other schools interested.
"He's a player," Roswell coach Tim McFarlin said of Blue. "Holy smokes. He's a player."
Trip (6-3, 235) plays directly alongside Heyward at the other defensive tackle spot and has made the most of runners looking to cut back away from Heyward. He has 64 tackles and three sacks to his credit.
It was Trip who forced a pivotal Warner Robins fumble that ended a potential scoring drive during the first quarter of last week's 13-7 state semifinal win Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
The collective pressure up front from Heyward, Blue, Trip and linebacker-turned-end Brett Crowell has resulted in 32 sacks and helped force 19 interceptions by the Lions.
But the spotlight will likely remain focused on the 6-foot-6, 282-pound Heyward, who is expected to choose his college destination between Georgia, LSU, Florida and Ohio State.
Peachtree Ridge coaches had worried somewhat initially about all the attention focused on Heyward. Would it cause bad feelings among teammates also in need of a little love?
"Everybody else around school knows how well we're doing," Trip said. "I guess everybody else is sort of zoned in on one player. They'll come around."

[osugrad21]

Link

Peachtree Ridge rallies to share crown

By TODD HOLCOMB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/17/06 At least this way two teams get championship rings and a piece of history. It hardly seemed consolation Saturday night.