Norcross and Grayson face off in a scrimmage to prepare for the football season

High School Football in the state of Georgia is right around the corner with the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic kicking off on August 13. Before that begins, teams are getting back into the swing of things with their preseason scrimmages. A notable Thursday scrimmage involves the Norcross Blue Devils and the Grayson Rams. Here’s a deep look at what both teams bring to the table this season.

Norcross has a lot of new leaders on the entire team this season. It starts with Corey Richardson succeeding longtime and legendary head coach Keith Maloof after 26 seasons with the Blue Devils.

Along with a new head coach, they have a new leader on the offense with sophomore quarterback Luqman Baig guiding them in 2025. He will go to work with senior running back Kendall Edwards, who looks to breakout this year after working behind dominant running back Kobe Robinson last year.

The wide receiver group also has new faces taking charge this year in Traemel Mitchell, Jermaine Thurston, Ethan Motley, Titus Travis, Drew Noel-saint, and Kahlil Talley. The dynamic duo of Jashaun Clarke and Jamari Harrold was the spark behind last year’s offense as both of them caught eight touchdown passes.

The defense for Norcross consists of Carter Luckie, Tyler Jackson, Rahja Wisdom, and Joshua Burks. Luckie last year put up 51 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Jackson collected 41 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and half a sack. Wisdom tallied 35 total tackles and seven tackles for loss while Burks recorded 68 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three passes defended, and one interception.

Grayson comes off of an outstanding 2024 season where they won their fourth state title in program history. The first two seasons of the Santavious Bryant era have gone well for the Rams and they look to continue that this season.

North Carolina-commit Travis Burgess enters his senior season, aiming to match his performance from last season of 2,255 yards on 154 completions with 23 touchdown passes. He chose the Tar Heels over Auburn and NC State.

The run game will be directed by junior Ashton Turner and senior Joshua Thomas. Turner made his presence known with 512 yards on 101 carries and five touchdowns. Thomas did the same with 288 yards on 37 carries and three touchdowns.

The receiving group will need guys to step up this year after two key pieces from last year in Alex Sanchez and Aiden Taylor graduated. Ty’jae Clark and Jonathan Stafford were effective in moving the ball down the field with Clark getting 127 yards on 10 receptions with two touchdowns while Stafford racked up 216 yards on 21 receptions and scored one touchdown.

Defensively, Grayson has so much talent in the likes of Tyler Atkinson, Anthony Davis, Rahsaan Isaac, Lawrence Brown, and T.K. Cunnigham. Atkinson put up ridiculous numbers last year with 166 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks. Davis collected 105 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Isaac had 38 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and six passes defended. Brown tallied 30 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Cunningham recorded 15 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks.

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