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♦ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2906 2B BEARS From page iB Houston County coach Doug Johnson about this year’s Hornet squad. “They play very solid on defense and offense. They don’t make many mistakes. “Offensively they run the I (formation), their main run ning back didn't play the last two weeks, but he is sup posed to be back this week. He was hurt in the last game of the regular season. He is a good back. They throw the ball and run it. I think they like to set up the pass with the run. “Defensively they run a 4-3 and get in a 50 some. They have a real big middle line backer who makes a lot of great plays. They have good athletes at the corners. The nose guard is a great play er.” So Roswell had a little adversity to overcome in the playoffs with a loss of a run ning back. Johnson said the Hornets got by with sopho mores in the backfield to get the two wins. But he added that anytime a starter at a position like this returns it gets the whole team pumped up for the next game. Against an I formation, it will be a change from what Houston has seen so far in the playoffs as Newnan and M.L. King emphasized the shot gun and spreading receivers from sideline to sideline. “We feel they are going to run the football,” said Johnson. “They are also a different defense than what we’ve seen. We saw a 5-3 against Newnan and a 50 against MLK. We’re not sure what (Roswell) will try to play on us. “Most of us who have gotten this far ... you can’t throw in much new stuff. You can tweak here and there, but really we have to execute what we do well. Defensively we need to read our keys and do a good job of being physi cal. Our kids have accept ed that. You dance we who brought you. If you get in, you have a chance at winning some ball games. We’re tak ing them one at a time. Our focus is to get up there and come back with a W” The Bears will take an 8- 4 record to McEachern, but the only mark that matters now is 2-0 since the play offs began. They scored more points against M.L. King than the Lions had given up in their previous four games. As for getting a shutout itself, Johnson said Houston made some coverage changes to throw M.L. King off, but also had another great game from the defensive line. “Our front got some pres sure, and I think their quar terback had not been under pressure much this year,” he said. “We got him throwing quicker than he wanted to. He threw an interception DEMONS From page iB Norcross had a multitude of formations including a pro-I and twins-I, but added the Devils move the ball best when going three or four wide. “I think they want to throw more than they run,” he said. “I feel confident in that our defense has played well the last couple of weeks. A team that throws the ball as much as they do to the people they throw it to, odds are they will catch one or two. We can’t let them get many yards after the catch.” Norcross is unbeaten, but the season can’t be described like a steamroller. Take the second-round win of the playoffs against Grayson that went two overtimes with Norcross winning 27- 21. The first round also saw a battle with Walton that ended 17-10. The Blue Devils had a regular-season game with Grayson they won 7-6, and they had a region win against Peachtree Ridge 6-3. “They’re used to (the close game),” said Way. “Undoubtedly they know how to win. They aren’t going to be scared of us.” In contrast, Warner Robins won 40-14 in the first . *> p t’ ENI/Gary Harmon A Bear receiver and defender battle over a pass. ...... ENI Gary Harmon Michael Thompson works on kicking. early that leads us to a score, then he made other throws I thought were hurried, that if he had waited the kid could have come open.” The running numbers for Houston didn’t quite reach the level of the Newnan game (430 yards), but the Bears had a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, and Johnson said that actually changed their approach on offense. “We run the ball a lot anyway, but we probably needed to throw some more against them,” said Johnson. “Having the big lead we felt the best thing to do was run the clock. They got nine to 10 guys up there when they figured out we were going to do that. They slowed us down, and they had a good round against Mundy’s Mill, then had a performance at Camden County, state cham pions three years ago, that had to stun everyone in Wildcat land. “It stunned us,” said Way. “It’s probably the best we’ve played all year in every phase of the game. (Camden) made some mistakes that gave us a couple of turnovers early in the game deep on their end of the field. We were able to convert them into points. Scoring early gave us a little confidence and also I think put a little doubt in their minds. “It would be nice to play good early again. We tend to play a lot better when we play well early. When we get off to a sluggish start, we don’t play as well.” Way said he liked the Demons’ chances as far as slowing down the Camden offense, and he believed going in that defense was Camden’s main strength. “I didn’t think they would be able to run up and down the field on us, and they couldn’t,” said Way. “I’m surprised we were able to move the ball so well against them.” That’s not a surprise since offensive touchdowns have been so rare for the Demons in 2006. But in Kingsland Warner Robins started off with an team. You don’t get to be 10- 1 unless you’ve beaten some people.” If Houston can rack up yardage numbers against Roswell, it will come down to who is stronger at the line of scrimmage. Johnson sees that as an even battle, but said the Bears will be ready to take them on. • The directions to John McEachern’s stadium appear on www .mceachernfoot ball.com. On Interstate 75, take the 1-285 bypass west to Interstate 20. Go west on 1-20 to exit 44 and go north on Thornton for 8.7 miles. Turn right onto Richard Sailors Parkway and go one mile, then take a left on New Macland Road for two miles to the school. 81-yard scoring drive. The two Wildcat turnovers fol lowed, and the visitors scored a second touchdown plus a field goal to lead 17-0. “I think it gave us at little confidence,” said Way. “We haven’t been explosive on offense to say the least, but we’ve been getting better. I think in the last three games we’ve improved a great deal, and I hope we can continue to improve (tonight).” Warner Robins started the second half with a drive that ended in a field goal. The final points came on a bizarre situation where there was a lateral pass knocked to the ground. It was not a forward pass, but Way said nobody realized the ball was still live for a few seconds. “Finally one of our guys figured it out,” he said. “Everybody else kind of stopped. We picked it up and ran it in about 50 yards.” As for a Most Valuable Player so far, Way would give that honor to sopho more kicker David Clark. He has nine field goals in the last three games, and Way said he gains more confi dence with each make. Some of those 3-point kicks aren’t chip shots, either. “It’s comforting to know you can trot him out there with a good shot to make it from the 40-yard-line in,” said Way. SPORTS Johnson named ACC's lop player By ADAM VAN BRIMMER Morris News Service Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson won the first of likely many postseason awards Wednesday when he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Player of the Year. Johnson received 66 of 80 first-place votes from ACC media members for the award. The junior wide receiver was also named the league’s offensive player of the year. Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams was named the defensive player of the year. Johnson, a metro Atlanta native, is a sure All- American and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top wide receiver, and the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards, presented to the nation’s top player. Johnson led the ACC in receiving this year with 59 catches for 889 yards and 13 touchdowns. His scor ing catches are t the third most of any player in the country. ACC PARITY FINE WITH JACKETS: Many college foot ball pundits are bemoan ing the ACC’s quality of play after poor seasons by conference powerhouses Florida State and Miami, and a relatively down year by Virginia Tech. Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey and his players like the parity, though. And they urge the public to get on board as well. “I think people need to get used to the teams going to Jacksonville having one or two, or even three losses in some cases, because this is such a balanced confer ence,” Gailey said. “I think everyone is working toward that. We’ve seen a steady climb since I’ve been in the conference of teams get ting better and better each year.” Even so, Florida State won the Atlantic Division SERSEY From page iB If a kid doesn’t grow up watching the game, he or she won’t follow it as an adult. The future is now bright boys. Alas, the free enterprise system doesn’t EAGLE From page iB pounds, Bill Walker, 125, Heith Daniels, 140, Chaz Malcom, 145, Jake Harris, 152, Hunter Hawkins, 160 and Dominique Lowe. In the case of all, they either won big or didn’t win CLEATS r HEY, JACK. WHY POH'T you COME to MY SOCCER MATCH? WE'RE EIAYIHG cm FWY MONKEYS.^ PLAY TTykAtiE, ''fwky' > . SOCCER! Jl/I MOPKEYS" IE- V . LS V / JUST THE HAME l r 1 \oF THE TEAM. Play Better Golf with JACK NICKLAUS REASON IS THAT IT'5 EASIER, m \ UJITH THE SRVALL HEAVY Xm| \ ROUND-SOLED FAIRLUAY LUOOD Ts- 1 _ TO GET THE CLU6HEAD SOLIDLY ■L BAA OOUIN ONTO THE SALL THAN OjrTH A STRAIGHT-FACED iron. sillll THERE'S ALSO LESS " ABSOLUTELY \ 0 C THe w)o NG m THE SHAFT. i»c w»m npu <ggv«i with three conference loss es last year. The 2005 Coastal champ, Virginia Tech, lost just two ACC games its first two years in the league. For two other teams, let alone Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, to make it to the title game id a shock. ACC media members picked the Yellow Jackets to fin ish third in the Coastal Division in a preseason poll and projected Wake Forest to come in last in the Atlantic Division. That public perception needs to change, Yellow Jacket wide receiver Calvin Johnson said. Georgia Tech and Wake Forest are both veteran teams with talent ed play makers. “I guess people just expected it to be Miami and Virginia Tech to be in the championship game, but eventually everyone else’s level of play is going to catch up with theirs,” Johnson said. “That’s what you’re seeing this year. The outcome of that is having these two teams in the championship game.” Defensive tackle Joe Anoai said Saturday’s game “gives a new face to the ACC.” “Everyone looks at the ACC and thinks of Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech,” Anoai said. “Playing in this game allows us to show the type of program we’re building around here. The same can be said of Wake Forest. It just goes to show that this conference isn’t just three deep.” THE QB STRIKES BACK: Georgia Tech’s Reggie Ball put his horrific play against Georgia behind him immediately following last Saturday’s 15-12 loss, teammates said. “When we were in the locker room up in Athens, he was already talking about Jacksonville,” Anoai said. “He’s one of our top leaders. He’s a senior leader for us and captain. We believe in him, and we know that he’s going to get concern itself with the future. Like the grasshopper in the fable, they don’t plan for metaphorical (financial) winters. That’s fine because it won’t be long and we’ll be able to enjoy curling year round. For some people, free association is a bad thing, but it does fill up space. at all. That’s because every Eagle victory was by pin. Northside wrestlers fell in the 119-, 130-, 135-, 171-, 215- and 275-pound brack ets. Against Baldwin, winners included Boyd, again, and once again by pin. Dylan Cunningham, getting his shot at 112 pounds, also (c) 2006 Bill Hinds. Dist by Universal Press Syndicate 1 A wt WASIt fcT ; 1 P£Al WITH THE I f REMEMBER WHEP cm i [ TEAM SWAM AGAIPST TOE SHARKS? ) I \ PIP YOU THIHK THOSE WERE / L eom to be EEflt .) 2006 jhll Hinds Dist by Universal Press Syndicate THE HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL the job done for us.” The Georgia game was the worst of Ball’s career, at least statistically. He completed 6 of 22 passes for 42 yards, committed three turnovers and was sacked four times. Still, Ball received a vote of confidence from Gailey a day later. Asked if he would con sider replacing Ball should he struggle against Wake Forest, the coach said he would stand by his four year starting quarterback. “He’s taken us this far,” Gailey said in a Sunday teleconference. “He’s the guy who’s gotten us to nine wins, gotten us to the championship game. “He’s a senior. You’re going to give him that opportunity.” Red-shirt sophomore Taylor Bennett is Ball’s backup. He has played in nine games, starting one last year when Ball was out with viral meningitis. WEIRD WEEK FOR JACKETS: Georgia Tech’s players are accustomed to spending the week after Thanksgiving focusing on school work and taking a break from football before the start of bowl practice. Yet none of the Jackets are complaining about the ACC title game extending the season a week. “It’s a bit different because usually this is a week we’ve had off and this is a week we’ve been able to take advantage of and rest,” Anoai said. “That’s not the case this year, and we’re very excited about that.” Saturday’s game marks just the second time since 1996 Georgia Tech has played a game in the week after Thanksgiving. The Yellow Jackets played Florida State on Dec. 1, 2001 in a game rescheduled because of the Sept. 11 ter rorist attacks. Reach reporter Adam Van Brimmer at adam. vanbrimmer (wmorris.com, or 404-589-8424. won, but he didn’t get to wrestle. Instead, he won by forfeit. Daniels also won again via a pin and Malcolm emerged victory by a deci sion. Eagles wrestlers were unable to take the following weight classes: 119 pounds, 125, 130, 152, 160 189, 215, 275. 1 www qocomics.com e-mail Cleatsmail@aol.com j Mgr ro \ r \ MOgK£ys> PLAY )) i N j f I THOUGHT A ! I YOU'P E>WIM ! V FASTER. J 1 com e-mail. Cleatsmail@aol.cor