Georgia State Report
1. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
The Vikings opened district play with a convincing 31-6 road win against Colquitt County (Moultrie, GA). The defense picked off Colquitt County junior Tyler Brown three times, the first interceptions of the season for the young signal caller. Senior RB Robert Anderson ran for 141 yards and a score to pace the Vikings. Lowndes will host Tift County (Tifton, Ga.) in conference action on Friday.
2. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Grayson survived a South Gwinnett upset bid escaping with a 27-16 win. Senior RB Ean Pemberton carried the load for the offense rushing for 177 yards on 37 attempts and two touchdowns. Pemberton's second TD run in the 4th quarter iced it for the Rams. Grayson travels across town for a battle with Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.).
3. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
Junior QB CJ Uzomah accounted for over 250 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in a 26-16 win over Norcross. The Bulldogs weathered an early 10-0 2nd quarter deficit. Uzomah and the offense got on track to take the lead before the half and never looked back. North Gwinnett is home this week against Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.).
Florida State Report
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
The Raiders enjoyed a bye week their second in as many weeks. Aquinas and ESPNU 150 member RB Giovanni Bernard return to action on Friday night against Cardinal Gibbons (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.).
2. Lakeland
Lakeland demolished the underdog Titans, 60-0, at Bryant Stadium. The 'Naughts seemingly used the game as an exhibition contest and inserted back-up players early in the first half. It was the 400th career game for Head Coach Bill Castle. Senior RB Ben McRoy rushed for two scores in the rout. Lakeland will travel cross-country to tackle national power De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) in an ESPN2 nationally televised game.
3. Miami Northwestern (Miami, Fla.)
It was close for a half before Northwestern pulled away with a 42-20 win over Hialeah in a Thursday night tilt. The Bulls led 28-20 at the break and tacked on two second half scores. Junior QB Teddy Bridgewater threw four touchdown passes and senior RB Corvin "Lamborghini" Lamb added an 85-yard touchdown burst. Northwestern tangles with Hialeah-Miami Lakes at Traz Powell Stadium on Friday.
4. Miami Central (Miami, Fla.)
It was another blowout for the Rockets, who crushed Miami Beach, 63-0 on Wednesday night. Senior QB Jeff Godfrey tossed three touchdowns on 17 of 21 attempts for 179 yards and added a 35-yard TD run. Central has pitched back-to-back shut outs and the defense hasn't allowed a touchdown through three games. The Rockets clash with Miami Springs and ESPNU 150 WR Willis Wright in non-district action on Thursday.
5. Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla)
The Bulldogs showed no rust coming off their bye week as they cruised past American Heritage (Plantation, FL), 42-6. Junior QB Chandler Carr completed three touchdown strikes, two to WR Jay Herndon and the other to junior RB Jawan Jamison to lead the offense. Bolles kicks off district action against Interlachen.
6. Pahokee (Pahokee, Fla.)
Pahokee fell in a turnover riddled second half to Dwyer (Palm Beach, FL), 34-6, at Anquan Boldin Stadium. The Blue Devils were intercepted four times and lost a fumble that was returned for a score. Senior QB De'Joshua Johnson connected with senior WR Fred Pickett, a West Virginia pledge, on a 56-yard touchdown pass to give Pahokee an early 6-0 lead. That was the only touchdown of the game for the Blue Devils as Johnson and his back-up each threw two INT's. Pahokee will look to rebound against Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach, FL) this week.
ESPN RISE GA-FL Performer of the Week
Gainesville (Gainesville, GA) senior WR Tai-Ler Jones hauled in 10 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a 55-12 rout over North Hall. The talented pass-catcher, entered the game with one touchdown reception on the year. Jones, a Stanford commit, also returned a 47-yard fumble for a score while playing DB.
