How big was last Friday’s game between Apalachee and Loganville?
Consider this: No less than two Atlanta television stations, two area radio stations and four area newspapers were on hand to cover the Region 8-AAAA matchup.
For once, the pre-game hype lived up to its billing as the Wildcats and Red Devils slugged it out like to boxers going toe-to-toe in the ring, both refusing to give in until finally one emerged victorious all the while knowing they had been in the ultimate test.
Such was the case as AHS held on in overtime for a 42-41 win as host LHS opted to go for a possible game-winning two-point coversion after it had pulled to within a point. The Wildcat defense, which had trouble stopping Red Devil standout Storm Johnson all night, stuffed the Division I prospect at the 1-yard line and the massive celebration was on.
Suddenly, the Wildcats were 7-0, had clinched a playoff berth and moved one big step closer to winning its first-ever football region title.
“It was just a great high school football game,” said AHS coach Shane Davis. “Maybe we were a little disappointed in that we didn’t slow them down better. We knew going in they would be the best offensive team we would face all year. Their quarterback (A.J. Schmidt) is the best in the region and their tailback (Johnson) is just a good player. That’s why he has so many offers. He has the size, the look and the speed.”
It was a game where both offenses would seemingly toy with the opposition’s defense.
While Loganville’s Johnson, a former player at Buford High School, finished with 271 yards rushing, Apalachee’s Jon Lee was not going to be upstaged by any measure. Lee, who is also generating interest from various colleges, finished with 172 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Teammate John Ansley added 94 yards on seven rushed with a touchdown.
“Offensively, it was the best game we’ve put together all year,” Davis said. “We played at a level I thought we could all along. I was proud of our line. We had a sophomore who was starting for the first time and another sophomore filling in. We had another junior who saw more snaps than he has all season. He had to wear a wristband because he was not sure of the plays.”
Davis also credited his backs and receivers for a standout effort in the win.
It appeared AHS had the game in hand following a 7-yard run by Ansley with 1:31 left. The extra point kick by Guy Hunt, who once again was perfect on the night, gave the Wildcats an eight-point lead at 35-27.
However, the LHS Red Devils quickly came back down the field and scored on a 30-yard pass to Johnson, who then easily took the two-point conversion attempt in on a sweep around the left end to tie the game with 44 seconds left.
In overtime, AHS needed just one play to score as Ansley raced around the left end of his line for a touchdown. Hunt’s kick gave the Wildcats a brief seven-point cushion but LHS would find the endzone in three plays.
After both teams called a time out, the Red Devils lined up for a two-point conversion attempt. Johnson attempted to run up the middle where he was met by a host of AHS defenders and brought down at the 1-yard line.
The celebration was then on by Wildcat players, coaches and fans alike.
“We knew it was going to be an offensive shootout,” Lee said. “It was just a great game to be involved in.”
Quarterback Mike Norman echoed his teammate’s statement.
“There are a lot of emotions right now,” Norman said as he was congratulated by AHS fans. “I’m so happy I want to cry. I’m just happy they didn’t get that 2-point conversion. This game means a lot. Everyone was talking about it.”
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere,” Davis said of the game. “From the time we got there, with Channel 2 and Channel 5 setting up, it made it feel like a second or third round state playoff game rather than a week seven contest. I am awful proud of our fans. Our sideline and our fans were as loud as I’ve heard it. It was so loud we couldn’t yell at our players to change plays.”
While there are more games to play and more goals to meet this season, Davis admitted Friday’s win was big for the program.
“That game was not the end all for us, but it puts us a step closer,” the coach said. “We will do our best to stay focused. We’ve been able to do that to this point. That game had been talked about for weeks. It lived up to expectations.”
