Parkview Beats Berkmar for Lilburn's 'Green Flag'

Just like he has done many times before, Justis Rosser stepped up and sparked the Parkview High School football team.

With star running back Chris Carson knocked out the game with a knee injury, Rosser carried the Panthers through a slow start and to a 38-7 win over visiting Berkmar Friday in the annual Battle for the Green Flag, Lilburn's unofficial football championship. It was Parkview's 13th straight win over the Patriots.

Rosser, also a starter at linebacker, rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries as the Panthers improved to 7-2 overall, 6-1 in Region 8-AAAAAA. The junior broke tackles and grinded his way to touchdown runs of 16 and 14 yards to help Parkview come back from a 7-0 first-quarter deficit.

"Justis Rosser was like out of his mind again for us," Parkview coach Cecil Flowe said. "He wants to win. I mean he's a winner. He bleeds orange [Parkview Orange, that is]. Period. We all got to catch Justis' flame."

Mac Marshall added two touchdown passes — 41 yards to Demonte Dawson and 31 yards to Keanu Mole — on 6-of-11 passing for 104 yards. Running back Richard Walker added a 14-yard touchdown.

Parkview finished with 262 yards rushing, 63 of which came on six carries by Carson, who had missed last week's game at Central Gwinnett with a concussion. The Friday injury came at the end of a 17-yard run when he left his feet and was struck in the left knee by the helmet of a Berkmar defender. Carson was carried off the field and later wore a soft cast from his thigh to his ankle.

Flowe said the injury could be a bruise, or worse. "I don't know how bad it is at this point," he said. "It's probably not good to be honest with you."

Berkmar (1-8, 0-7 in Region 8-AAAAAA) struck first in the first quarter on a 41-yard pass from Jaquan Morris to Dorren Miller on the first play after Carson fumbled following a 25-yard run. It was Carson's first carry of the game. Morris finished with 114 yards on 9-of-22 passing.

With the win Parkview is in a three-way tie with Grayson and South Gwinnett for the region lead. A win next week at South Gwinnett would give the Panthers the region title. A loss would likely mean third place.