Click to enlarge photos.

Click to enlarge photos.
more...

JOHNS CREEK - At long last, Marietta coach James "Friday" Richards earned his 100th victory.

Stuck at 99 through the final three games of the Blue Devils' 2007 campaign, the achievement had perhaps become more of a distraction than a distinction.

But, as Marietta drew a bye in Week 1, the focus shifted to Week 2 for Richards and his supporters and they came home happy as the longtime figure of Blue Devil football earned his milestone win with a 33-7 victory at Northview.

In an impressive season-opening showing for Marietta, Richards was able to celebrate an achievement 14 years in the making, since he took over the reins from Dexter Wood in 1995.

Ever the leader, Richards diverted the credit for his achievement to those around him.

"One hundred wins is great, but it's not just me," Richards said. "My whole coaching staff deserves it. They're family. Most of them have been with me at least 10 to 12 years."

Marietta jumped out to a 6-0 first-quarter after Kelvin Woods scored a 10-yard touchdown run on the team's second drive from scrimmage.

The Blue Devils' defense was the story of the first half, holding the Titans' offense to 24 yards and forcing two punts and an interception.

To begin the second quarter, quarterback Chris Tanzy hit Deandre Dennis for an 18-yard bomb that put the Blue Devils up 13-0, a lead they took into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Titans' offense awoke as they mounted a 13-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in a Samoir Patrick touchdown.

Marietta special teams standout Charles Francois responded by making what may have been the play of the game on the ensuing kickoff as his escape for an 84-yard touchdown run put the Blue Devils up 20-7.

The impressive return was a dagger for the Titans, who turned the ball over on downs, punted and fumbled on their next three drives.

In the fourth quarter, Marietta's offense was clicking on all cylinders as Tanzy snuck in a touchdown with a 2-yard run and standout junior running back Greg Franklin collected 41 of his of his 141 rushing yards.

The lead gave Richards a chance to let the moment soak in. As his team doused him with Powerade, he was presented with the game ball as the Blue Devil faithful chanted, "Friday! Friday!,"

"Winning 100 football games is good but this is just one," a teary-eyed Richards said as he addressed his squad. "We say family for a reason. That's our family. This is our family. I'm so proud of you."

And in the end, gratitude was the only thing on the his mind.

Comment on this Story

Type your comment here...comments are reviewed before they are posted, and therefore they do not post immediately.

Please enter the validation words. If you cannot read them, you may obtain a fresh set of words by hitting the button.