New entry in list of best plays in finals  

Joseph Wilber's 61-yard touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara on a third-and-14 in the final five minutes of the 21-14 victory over Lovejoy in the Class AAAAAA championship game on Saturday will go down as the biggest play in Norcross football history.

It also ranks pretty high in state finals history. The touchdown gave Norcross its first lead, 15-14. Failing to get a first down on that series would've made it tough for Norcross, which was struggling to get first downs against Lovejoy's aggressive defense.

How does that play rank all-time? We'll let you be the judge.

In 2008, GHSF Daily's Todd Holcomb wrote a story in which he selected the 10 greatest single plays in state finals history.

The list is below, followed by five clutch plays since the 2008 article was published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The article that accompanied the list is a good read and includes interviews with several players on the list, including Pat Dye. Gohere if you want to read the original story or make comments about the top plays through history.

The 10 greatest plays in championship game history (1947-2007):

*1956: Pat Dye of Richmond Academy sacks Stan Gann of Northside of Atlanta on the final play, clinching a 13-7 victory in the biggest title game upset of the 1950s.

*1967: Eddie Woody of Marietta returns a punt 61 yards in the fourth quarter in a steady rain at Grant Field as Marietta defeats Columbus 14-7 for Marietta's only state title.

*1969: Andy Johnson of Athens completes a 26-yard tackle-eligible touchdown pass to Rand Lambert with 25 seconds left as the Trojans tie Valdosta 26-26 to break the Wildcats' 26-game winning streak.

*1971: Craig Roop of Bowdon stops Southeast Bulloch's 2-point conversion at the 1-yard line with nine seconds left in a 20-19 victory.

*1973: Kent Mason of Southwest Atlanta returns an interception from the end zone to the Americus 1-yard line as Southwest goes from trailing 7-0 to winning 21-7 in the final six minutes.

*1980: Melvin Robertson of Greenville catches a 42-yard Hail Mary halfback pass from Darryl Ogletree on the final play in Greenville's 12-10 victory over Clinch County.

*1993: Corey Clark of Thomas County Central stops Thomasville on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line with 2:03 left to preserve a 14-10 lead in a 14-12 victory.

*1996: Terrence Edwards of Washington County, the holder on an extra point, runs in a fake with 6:55 left in a 22-21 victory after trailing Americus 21-0 in the third quarter.

*2000: Sean Dawkins of Parkview scores on a 99-yard run for a 19-7 lead after a goal-line stand against Harrison, in which he played linebacker.

*2007: Tijuan Green of Northside-Warner Robins takes a snap from the shotgun with his quarterback lined up at receiver and throws a 40-yard touchdown pass with 5:23 left in a 20-14 victory over Ware County.

The five greatest plays in championship game history since (2008-12):

*2008: Christian Milstead of Camden County - a team not known for passing, especially then - throws an 85-yard TD strike to DeAngelo Smith to tie the score 14-14 against Peachtree Ridge. It is the second-longest TD pass in state finals history and helps Camden win 21-14.

*2009: Luke Crowell of Peach County knocks down a two-point conversion attempt by Gainesville all-state quarterback Blake Sims with no time on the clock, clinching a 13-12 victory.

*2010: Jamal Ware of Sandy Creek makes a jarring hit on a Carrollton runner at the Carrollton 1-yard line and forces a fumble that Sandy Creek recovers at the 9, preserving a 14-7 lead. Sandy Creek wins 14-7.

*2010: Kurt Frietag of Buford tags Calhoun's 1,500-yard rusher, Dustin Christian, for a 7-yard loss on a third-and-3 at the Buford 7-yard line in first overtime in state finals history. Buford wins 31-24.

*2012: Joseph Wilber of Norcross completes a 61-yard TD pass to running back Alvin Kamara on a third-and-14 to give the Blue Devils a 15-14 lead in a 21-14 victory over Lovejoy.

Pritchett out as Westlake coach

Westlake has made a change at football coach after the first 0-10 finish in school history.

Stanley Pritchett, a former NFL player who was 21-19 while at North Atlanta and Washington before taking the Westlake job this season, is out. He will remain at the school as a social studies teacher, said principal Grant Rivera, who announced the coaching change.

Westlake is known for its history of players in the NFL, including Cam Newton. In 2005, Westlake had six of its graduates on NFL rosters.

Westlake has not won a playoff game since 2006, when Newton was a senior.

There are 14 known head coaching openings. They are at Americus-Sumter, Creekview, Dacula, Harrison, Houston County, Howard, Forsyth Central, LaFayette, Lanier County, North Springs, Roswell, South Atlanta, Swainsboro and Westlake. Hires have been made recently at Forest Park (John Diehl), Georgia Military (Steven Simpson) and Pace Academy (Chris Slade).

4-AAAAAA

Coach of the year: Shane Queen, North Cobb

Player of the year: QB Anthony Jennings, Marietta, Sr.

Most outstanding offensive player: ATH Ty Griffin, McEachern, Sr.

Most outstanding defensive player: LB Justin Haney, Hillgrove, Sr.

Most outstanding sophomore: QB Tyler Queen, North Cobb, So.

First-team offense

OL - Cody Collins, Hillgrove, Sr.

OL - Chuma Edoga, McEachern, So.

OL - Niles Hamilton, South Cobb, Sr.

OL - Ernie McQuade, North Cobb, Sr.

OL - Sherrod Pittman, McEachern, Sr.

OL - Jujuan Delaney, McEachern, Sr.

RB - J'Vonte Herrod, North Cobb, Sr.

RB - Chauncey Ingram, South Cobb, Sr.

QB - Stephon Masha, South Cobb, Sr.

WR - Xavier Borishade, North Cobb, Sr.

WR - Evan Engram, Hillgrove, Sr.

WR - Tyree Harris, Marietta, Sr.

TE - Armand Gazda, Campbell, Sr.

TE - Chris Okeh, McEachern, Sr.

PK - A.J. Borduin, North Cobb, Sr.

LS - Dekevion Byrd, Campbell, Jr.

First-team defense

DB - Cameron Albright, North Cobb, Jr.

DB - Tolando Cleveland, Hillgrove, Sr.

DB - Latrell Gibbs, North Cobb, Jr.

DB - Kel Parham, McEachern, Sr.

LB - Shawn Daniels, North Cobb, Sr.

LB - Drew McCollum, Marietta, Sr.

LB - Christian Wade, McEachern, Jr.

LB - Tyrell Tomlin, Marietta, Jr.

DL - Eghosa Agbonghae, North Cobb, Sr.

DL - McKenzie Billingslea, McEachern, Jr.

DL - Henry Famurewa, McEachern, Jr.

DL - Jaylen Reid, Hillgrove, Sr.

DL - Trey Warren, Marietta, Sr.

P - Jimmy Hutchinson, Harrison, Sr.

Second-team offense

OL - Josh Boateng, Marietta, Sr.

OL - Dekevion Byrd, Campbell, Jr.

OL - Jackson Morris, Harrison, Sr.

OL - Desmond Reid, Kennesaw Mountain, Sr.

OL - Alex Wilkerson, Marietta, Sr.

RB - Kirvonte Benson, Marietta, So.

RB - Taj Griffin, McEachern, So.

RB - Darius Harris, Campbell, Sr.

QB - Ty Clemons, McEachern, Jr.

WR - Drevon Jones, Harrison, Jr.

WR - Jordan Mathis, Marietta, Jr.

WR - Ryan Sumner, South Cobb, Sr.

TE - Sam Lyons, Harrison, Sr.

PK - Carlos Saldona, South Cobb, Sr.

LS - Steven Nixon, Harrison, So.

Second-team defense

DB - Carl Bexley, Pebblebrook, Sr.

DB - Rhamoi Parsons, McEachern, Jr.

DB - Peter Savic, Marietta, Sr.

DB - Chris Simon, South Cobb, Sr.

LB - Tyler Cooper, Kennesaw Mountain, Sr.

LB - Glenn Frazier, McEachern, Jr.

LB - Jalil Kuku, North Cobb, Sr.

LB - Hakeem Sawyer, North Cobb, Sr.

DL - Tyberius Cravens, Pebblebrook, Sr.

DL - Justin Jones, South Cobb, Sr.

DL - Jerry McQuade, North Cobb, Sr.

DL - Taariq Shabazz, Kennesaw Mountain, Jr.

P - Ian Shannon, Marietta, So.

Honorable mention: QB - Dezmon Huntley, Pebblebrook; Rickey James, Campbell; Lorenzo Nunez, Harrison. RB - Marcus Brown, Kennesaw Mountain; Josh Miller, Campbell; Perry Seldon, Pebblebrook. WR - Jeremiah Alphabet, South Cobb; Marcus Bennett, Marietta; Malik Carter, South Cobb; Marlon Horne, Campbell; Nick Miller, North Cobb; Justin Simms, Pebblebrook. TE - Kenny Norwood, Marietta. OL - Daniel Boniface, South Cobb; Isaiah Borne, Marietta; Joey Connors, Harrison; Dalton Czar, North Cobb; Travis Fair, McEachern; Jamel Johnson, Marietta; Mason McCurdy, Hillgrove; Ayodele Oyesola, Pebblebrook; Daniel Oyola, Kennesaw Mountain; Tyler Ozment, Kennesaw Mountain; Stephen Washington, Campbell; Davis Wilson, Marietta; Taylar Wilson, South Cobb. PK - Ian Shannon, Marietta. LS - Dalton Bee, Marietta. DL - Trey Bartlett, Marietta; Joey Connors, Harrison; Monti Daniel, Campbell; Sidney Hammond, Kennesaw Mountain; Nick Mitchell, Campbell; Jalen Penn, Harrison; Jan Robles, Marietta; Kelvin Ume, North Cobb; Tarrance Wells, South Cobb. DB - Dallin Finley, Kennesaw Mountain; Amanuel Gantt, Marietta; Will Huffstetler, Harrison; Keegin Karim, Harrison; Devin Putmon, Kennesaw Mountain. LB - Damon Cowan, Harrison; Jonathan Fisher, Harrison; Graben Higgins, South Cobb; Jude Louissant, Campbell; Bradley Mell, Harrison; Lawton Ward, Marietta. P - Enrique Yenny, Campbell

4-AAAA

Offensive player of the year: Noah Grayer, Westside, Sr.

Defensive player of the year: LB Johnny O'Neal, West Laurens, Sr.

Scholar-athlete of the year: Matt Long, Perry, Sr.

Scholar-athlete of the year: Josh Mays, Mary Persons, Sr.

Coach of the year: Sheddrick Risper, Westside

First-team offense

OL - Derrick Washington, Baldwin, Sr.

OL - Jamal Green, West Laurens, Jr.

OL - Joe Rucker, Perry, Sr.

OL - Christian Dean, Westside, Sr.

OL - Heath Warren, Mary Persons, Sr.

WR - Shannon Smith, Westside, Sr.

WR - Shakenneth Williams, Rutland, Jr.

WR - Marcus English, Baldwin, Sr.

QB - Tajihea Chambers, Baldwin, So.

RB - Nick Davis, Mary Persons, Sr.

RB - Kentavious Thomas, Baldwin, So.

ATH - Akebren Ralls, Mary Persons, Jr.

First-team defense

DL - Shawn Greene, Perry, Jr.

DL - Jalen Lawrence, Westside, Sr.

DL - Keven Jones, Mary Persons, Sr.

DL - Jativous Jackson, Baldwin, Sr.

DL - Alexus Humphries, Howard, Sr.

DL - Markiel Bowen, Rutland, Sr.

LB - Tra Taylor, Mary Persons, Jr.

LB - Jamal Bagley, Perry, Sr.

LB - Rashaad Townes, Howard, Sr.

LB - Brian Whitaker, Westside, Sr.

LB - Marquez Thomas, Perry, Sr.

DB - A.J. Riley, Perry, Sr.

DB - D.J. Rozier, Veterans, So.

DB - Akebran Ralls, Mary Persons, Jr.

DB - Kimball Magee, Westside, Sr.

First-team specialists

K - Daniel Ward, Perry, Jr.

P - Nick Martens, Perry, Sr.

RET - Kimball Magee, Westside, Sr.

Second-team offense

OL - Tyler Camp, Mary Persons, So.

OL - Tevin Davis, Perry, Sr.

OL - Chantz Williams, Veterans, Sr.

OL - Jacob Reynolds, Rutland, Sr.

OL - Dilyn Knight, Perry, Jr.

WR - Daquavius Walker, Westside, Jr.

WR - Malik Broughton, Veterans, Sr.

WR - Macey Zellner, Mary Persons, Sr.

QB - Jordan Banks, Mary Persons, Sr.

RB - Daniel Hall, Westside, Sr.

RB - Gerald Carr, West Laurens, Sr.

ATH - Montez Chaney, Rutland, Jr.

Second-team defense

DL - Dalton Quarles, Veterans, Sr.

DL - Larante Noble, Perry, Sr.

DL - Cody Selph, West Laurens, Jr.

DL - Demarcus Davis, Mary Persons, So.

DL - Jarniaren Lowe, Howard, Jr.

LB - Glen Huston, Howard, Jr.

LB - Quen Shannon, Mary Persons, So.

LB - Luke Lineberger, Perry, Sr.

LB - C.J. Kleckley, Rutland, Sr.

DB - Reggie Mack, West Laurens, Sr.

DB - Jatavius Owens, Perry, Sr.

DB - Donta Shannon, Mary Persons, Sr.

DB - Shurron Havior, Baldwin, Sr.

Second-team specialists

K - Tim Yalcin, Veterans, Jr.

P - Tim Yalcin, Veterans, Jr.

RET - Akbren Ralls, Mary Persons, Jr.

Honorable mention: OL - Maurice Curry, Sr., Rutland; Cody Doolittle, Jr., Howard; Sam Watson, Jr., Mary Persons; Sean Swan, Sr., Perry; Tevin Grayer, Sr., Rutland. WR - Nick Martens, Sr., Perry; David James, Jr.; Westside, Bryan Horton, Sr., Veterans; Dareion Mays, Jr., Howard. QB - Deonte Solomon, Sr., Perry; Darren Tucker, Sr., Rutland; Garrell Quainton, So., West Laurens. RB - Ben Thomas, So., Veterans; Terri Newberry, Sr., Mary Persons; Mark Riley, Jr., Perry; Malik Doyle, Sr., Perry. ATH - A.J. Riley, Sr., Perry; Travosier Mitchell, Sr., West Laurens. DL - Randall Grier, Jr., Rutland; Zack Johnson, Sr., Veterans; Shermar Latimore, Sr., Baldwin; Cortez Broughton, Jr., Veterans; Shicobe Milner, Sr., Westside. LB - Nick Turner, Jr., West Laurens; Marchello Lewis, Sr., West Laurens; Tyrone Parker, Jr., Perry; Austin Rogers, Sr., Perry; Will Nobles, Jr., Veterans. DB - Malik Leggette, Jr., Veterans; Dearrious Oliver, Jr., Rutland; DeVonte Ellington, Jr., Rutland; Titus Scarlett, Sr., Howard; Taye Moye, Sr., West Laurens; Quen Head, So., Mary Persons; Travosier Mitchell, Sr., West Laurens. PK - Kenny Miller, Sr., Mary Persons. P - Nick Johstono, Sr., Howard.RET - AJ Riley, Sr., Perry

Please send all-region teams to GHSF Daily at ghsfdaily@bellsouth.net. We recommend that all-region teams include the year in school of each player. All-region players who are recognized as underclassmen have a better chance of being recruited and getting recognition on preseason all-area or all-state teams in 2013.

South East Georgia Recruiting Fair to be held in Kingsland

Fellowship of Christian Athletes is hosting the 3rd annual South East Georgia Recruiting Fair, which will be held at Camden County High School's Athletic Offices on Tuesday, Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The school is conveniently located off I-95 just 30 minutes north of Jacksonville, FL. NCAA and NAIA schools, and junior colleges will be in attendance. Bring copies of your prospect sheet, player highlights, transcripts, and official test scores if applicable. Space is limited and those showing without an RSVP will be last on the priority list for being accommodated. For more information or to RSVP, contact Toby Crews (tcrews@fca.org or 912-281-9510)

Strength Clinic to be held Jan. 11 at Marietta High

The 6th Annual Georgia Strength Coaches Association Strength Clinic will be held on Jan. 11 at Marietta High School. Registration is $55. A complete listing of speakers, online payment and more information can be found at www.gscaclinic.blogspot.com. You can also contact Jay Floyd at floydrj@troup.org with any questions.

Scholarship nominations sought

The National Football Foundation Greater Atlanta Chapter is requesting nominations for its 2013 Scholar Athlete Scholarship Program. Applications can be found on its Web site atwww.NFFAtlanta.com.

Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder and primary researcher behind the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 25-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.

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Keith Maloof and George Maloof are the latest father and son to win state championships as Georgia coaches. Which father and son have the most career victories in Georgia? (Answer Wednesday)

Answer to Monday's question: The largest margin of victory in a state

championship game is 53. In 1983, Tift County beat LaGrange 59-6 in the Class AAAA final.