Norcross (Georgia) Head Coach Keith Maloof on 2021 Blue Devils

norcross high school footballKeith Maloof, ____, _____, Zakye Barker (LB), Andwele Williams (C)
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Norcross head coach Keith Maloof is in a familiar position heading into the 2021 Georgia high school football season. Maloof will have to replace nearly 40 seniors from last year’s team that finished No. 33 in the final 2020-21 High School Football America 100 powered by NFL Play Football, the NFL’s initiative to provide fun and engaging experience for players of all ages and skill levels.

Earlier this week at the 2nd annual Gwinnett County Media Day, Maloof, who has led the Blue Devils since 1999, talked about what it takes to reload after a 13-1 season that saw Norcross advance to the 7A state semifinals, losing to eventual state champ Grayson.

You can watch his interview with High School Football America co-founder Jeff Fisher below.

Linebacker Zakye Barker will be the leader of the defense. The 3-star linebacker has given his verbal to East Carolina after a junior season that saw him make 155 tackles with 37 for loss. He also had eight sacks.

Maloof has to rebuild a decimated offensive line.

Look for 4-star H-back Luckie Lawson’s star to grow. The junior-to-be was second on the team in catches last year. He caught 35 balls for 389 yards with three touchdowns.

Norcross, which won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, enters 2021 ranked No. 148 in the Preseason 2021 High School Football America 100.

Related: Preseason 2021 High School Football America 100

The 2012 state championship team was led by current New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. During that season, which was during his senior year, he ran for 2,264 yards with 26 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns.

Kamara is one of eight former Blue Devils to play on Sunday. Wide receiver Isaiah McKoy, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2021 NFL Draft, will make it nine if he makes the team’s regular season roster.

Norcross NFL Players

Lorenzo Carter, linebacker – currently with the New York Giants.

Jason Croom, tight end – currently with the Philadelphia Eagles. Also played with the Buffalo Bills

Geremy Davis, wide receiver – Drafted by the New York Giants in 2015. Also played with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. In 2020, he was released by the Detroit Lions.

Max Garcia, offensive lineman – currently with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted by the Denver Broncos.

Chris Herndon, tight end – currently with the New York Jets

Alvin Kamara, running back – currently with the New Orleans Saints

Jared Pickney, tight end – currently signed with the Tennessee Titans.

2021 Norcross Blue Devils Schedule

August 20 – vs. Hillgrove

August 27 – at Mill Creek

September 3 – at East Coweta

September 10 – vs. South Gwinnett

September 17 – vs. Dunwoody

September 24 – at Meadowcreek

October 1 – vs. Berkmar

October 15 – at Discovery

October 22 – vs. Duluth

November 5 – at Archer

Click here to visit the Norcoss Blue Devils website.

Related: Stadium Project – Norcross High School

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About the Author

Jeff Fisher
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.