Norcross Blue Devils
Photo by Army National Guard
The 8th Annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard made a stop on Tuesday, Jan. 29 to recognize state football champions
Norcross High School in Norcross, Ga.
The Blue Devils finished No. 16 nationally, according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings, with their first-ever undefeated 15-0 season. The team won its first Georgia 6A state championship in 57 years, and is being recognized as one of the best teams of 2012 out of more than 16,000 high school varsity football teams.
The award presentation took place between the girls and the boys basketball games at the Norcross gymnasium. The MaxPreps banners were set up on the gym floor and the football coaches and players sat in the adjoining section. Sergeant First Class Sharrod Wyche of the Georgia Army National Guard brought mini-footballs and lanyards to pass out as he visited with coaches and players. There was a big crowd attending, excited to recognize their accomplished team.
After the girls game ended and before the boys teams came out to warm up, the football team members were asked to take center court. MaxPreps representative Arthur Kai was introduced and shared how MaxPreps determines the team rankings for the Tour of Champions, and reminded the audience of the tremendous accomplishments of the Norcross football team and head coach Keith Maloof.
Kai introduced SFC Wyche to a rousing ovation, as he congratulated the team on its great season. SFC Wyche and Master Sergeant Jeremy Griffey presented the Army National Guard national ranking trophy to Coach Maloof while the players gathered around for pictures. The crowd cheered as the boys proudly posed with the "Minuteman" trophy and Tour of Champions Nationally Ranked banner. As the football team members made their way back to the stands, the Army National Guard personnel passed out footballs and lanyards in the student section and to the many children present.
What an exciting night to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Blue Devils first-ever undefeated football team!
