Norcross built a 22-point lead by scoring on four of its five first-half possessions, including two touchdown runs by Lance Jackson, and went on to a 42-26 victory over Mays in the finale of the Corky Kell Classic on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The victory was a good first step for Norcross, which is coming off a disappointing 2017 season. The Blue Devils’ 5-6 mark was their first losing season in coach Keith Maloof’s 19 years at the school. They lost to Colquitt County 20-17 in the Corky Kell Classic last year on their way to a 1-3 start. Norcross won state championships in 2012 and 2013.
Mays became the first Atlanta public school to participate in Corky Kell Classic. The Raiders reached the state quarterfinals last year for the third time in four seasons and were ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAAA in the preseason poll.
» Photos: 2018 Corky Kell Classic
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Norcross quarterback Louis Williams was 17-for-21 passing for 198 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter as the Blue Devils put the game away. Kameryn Jackson ran for 76 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, and Lance Jackson had 68 yards and the two scores on 15 carries. The Blue Devils outgained Mays 389-292.
“It feels great,” Williams said. “It was all the hard work all summer, the hard work and dedication.”
The Raiders were led by quarterback Jahquez Evans, who passed for 226 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 29 yards.
Norcross was both efficient and balanced in building its early lead. The Blue Devils scored on four of their first-half possessions, which covered 70, 57, 66 and 54 yards, and each took about three minutes off the clock. Norcross passed for 131 yards and rushed for 124 in the first two quarters and had an advantage of 255 to 183 in total offense at halftime. The Blue Devils ran the ball 15 times and threw 11 passes on their first three drives.
Kameryn Jackson ran 9 yards for a touchdown and Lance Jackson scored on a 3-yard run to make it 14-0 with 2:58 to play in the first quarter.
Mays got within 14-6 on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Evans to Zaire Thornton, but Norcross answered with touchdowns on two of their next three possessions to build the lead back to 28-6 with 20 seconds to play in the half. Isaiah Wilson scored an 17-yard pass from Williams, and Lance Jackson scored his second touchdown on a 3-yard run.
Mays was not done, however. The Raiders took the ensuing kickoff and drove 62 yards in two plays, scoring on a 20-yard pass from Evans to Jaylon Dunson on the final play of the half and coverting the two-point attempt.
Mays cut the lead to 28-20 on a 15-yard pass from Evans to Thornton with 2:29 remaining in the third quarter but got no closer. Williams’ 4-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Slaton midway through the fourth quarter made it 35-20 and essentially put the game out of reach.
Mays – 0-14-6-6 – 26
Norcross – 14-14-0-14 – 42
First quarter
N – Kameryn Jackson 6 run (Kellen Grave de Peralta kick)
N – Lance Jackson 9 run (Grave de Peralta kick)
Second quarter
M – Zaire Thornton 10 pass from Jahquez Evans (kick blocked)
N – Isaiah Wilson 17 pass from Louis Williams (Grave de Peralta kick)
N – Lance Jackson 3 run (Grave de Peralta kick)
M – Jaylon Dunson 20 pass from Evans (Brinson pass from Evans)
Third quarter
M – Thornton 15 pass from Evans (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
N – Ryan Slaton 4 pass from Williams (Grave de Peralta kick)
M – Tyree Nelson 80 pass from Evans (run failed)
N – Wilson 37 pass from Williams (Grave de Peralta kick)
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