Alpharetta, Milton Teams Lose Playoff Openers

By Mike Blum

The three Alpharetta and Milton teams in the state high school playoffs were all defeated in the first round of games, which were held Friday, Nov. 11

Here's a recap of the Alpharetta, Milton and Cambridge games.

Alexander 20, Alpharetta 13

The Raiders ran 82 plays to 43 for Alexander and dominated time of possession, but came up short in Douglasville in a AAAAAA playoff game to end their season with a 7-4 record.

Alpharetta rushed for 182 yards and finished with 328 total yards and 23 first downs to 13 for the Cougars. But Alexander (10-1) kept the Raiders’ passing game in check, allowing just 146 yards on 18 completions and turning an early interception into a touchdown.

The Raiders tied the game 7-7 on a touchdown pass from Matthew Downing to Spencer Gaddis, and trailed 13-10 at the half, scoring on a late second period field goal by Dylan Schorr. A second touchdown pass by the Cougars made it 20-10 late in the third quarter, with Schorr’s second field goal cutting the lead 20-13 early in the final period.

Ellis Merriweather carried 24 times for 111 yards and Kevin Watkins added 61 yards on 18 attempts, as the Raiders kept the ball on the ground for most of the game. Downing completed 18 of 27 passes, but finished with just 146 yards, his third lowest total of the season. Carlos Carriere caught five passes for 52 yards in his final football game for the Raiders and Gaddis had four receptions for 42 yards.

Carriere and Merriweather, a transfer from King’s Ridge, are expected to be two of the top players for the Alpharetta basketball team.

Mays 42, Cambridge 14

The state-ranked region champion Mays Raiders broke away from a 7-7 halftime tie, scoring 28 points in the third quarter to take a 35-14 lead into the final period at Atlanta’s Lakewood Stadium.

The Raiders (10-1) rolled up 500 yards total offense to advance to the second round of the AAAAAA playoffs. Cambridge finishes the season 6-5, making its first ever state playoff appearance. Quarterback Reid Martin scored on a 23-yard run for the Bears with Tyler Werth accounting for the other score with a 4-yard run.

Norcross 24, Milton 10

The Eagles tried to rally from a 21-0 halftime deficit at Norcross, but lost in the AAAAAAA playoffs despite a strong second half showing. The unbeaten and state-ranked Blue Devils drove 80 yards for a touchdown on their first series, and scored twice in the second period.

The Blue Devils (11-0) drove 50 yards after an interception and scored late in the first half on the first play after returning a punt to the Milton 28.

After struggling offensively in the first two quarters, the Eagles drove 68 and 80 yards on consecutive possessions in the second half, scoring on Nick Aguello’s 29-yard field goal and a 1-yard run by quarterback Jordan Yates.

The Milton defense allowed Norcross only one field goal drive in the second half, and gave the Eagles’ offense a chance with a trio of three-and- outs, but a strong Norcross defense allowed just one first down on the Eagles’ final three series.

The Eagles managed just 190 yards total offense, rushing for 143 yards. Cam Adams gained 47 yards on 22 carries, with Solomon Vanhorse rushing for 58 yards in seven attempts, including a 32-yard run. Milton, which won its last three games to make the playoffs, finishes with a 5-6 record. All six losses came against state playoff teams, with three of the team’s wins coming against state qualifiers.

Image via Alpharetta Raiders Football's Facebook page