Players decide when they retire and I was determined never

ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech is entering back-to-back games against ACC Coastal Division co-leaders North Carolina and Virginia Tech with a chance to still contend in the race.For that, much credit goes to Justin Thomas, the escape artist.Thomas may have saved Georgia Techs season with the signature game of his career, including two big runs in the fourth quarter, in last weeks 38-35 win over Duke . He finished with 459 yards running and passing. Even he was shocked by the total.You dont realize what youre doing until the game is over and you look up, Thomas said Monday. You dont really calculate it throughout the course of the game.With the Blue Devils leading 35-31, the elusive senior quarterback escaped a sack and ran out of the Georgia Tech end zone for a 46-yard gain to set up his go-ahead touchdown pass to Clinton Lynch.Georgia Techs three-point lead was in jeopardy late in the game. On third-and-17 from the Yellow Jackets 21, he ran left and right through Duke defenders on a 50-yard gain before finally sliding to a stop at the Duke 29.Coach Paul Johnson said Tuesday the intended receiver was also pretty much wide open on the 50-yard run. But Johnson wasnt complaining.Anytime he can pull it down and go with it, thats great, Johnson said.Thomas finished with 195 yards rushing with two touchdowns and 264 yards passing with two more scores. The 459 total yards were the most for a Georgia Tech player since George Godseys school-record 477 yards against Virginia in 2001.The huge game certainly gave North Carolina coach Larry Fedora reason to worry.The guys so explosive, I mean, he just proved last week, with his career best, that he can beat you with his arm or his legs, Fedora said. Hes electric when hes got the ball.Fedora used the 50-yard run as an example Thomas can make everything happen within their offense.Thomas was named the Walter Camp national player of the week and the ACCs offensive back of the week.Georgia Tech (5-3, 2/3 ACC) plays No. 18 North Carolina (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday before facing another road game at No. 23 Virginia Tech.Thomas said he knows the compliments for his big game against Duke will end if he cant come through against the Tar Heels.They remember you for your last performance, so Ive got to go out there and Ive got to keep playing hard and Ive just go to match the intensity and keep moving forward, Thomas said.Thomas kept the Georgia Tech offense moving even though leading rusher Dedrick Mills was held out with what the school reported to be an upper body injury.Justin is playing better right now, and when the quarterback is playing better it makes everybody plays better, Johnson said.Asked about Mills on Tuesday, Johnson said Physically hes cleared.Asked if Mills still needs a different clearance, Johnson said There usually is, isnt there?Johnson provided no details but clarified that Mills had not yet achieved that clearance.Mills, a freshman, missed Georgia Techs win over Mercer on Sept. 10 for a violation of team rules.---AP Sports Writer Joedy McCreary in Chapel Hill, North Carolina contributed to this report.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org Fjallraven Kanken Australia Sale . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Kanken Bag Australia . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. http://www.kankenbackpackaustralia.com/kanken-backpack-ox-red/kanken-classic.html . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Fjallraven Australia Store . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Fjallraven Kanken Bags Australia . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is forcing a feted quartet of players out of the club, but not into AFL retirement.Scott says whether Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito seek to extend their careers at other clubs is up to them.And hes described his decision to tell the quartet they wont be offered fresh contracts by North as among his toughest times in football.AFL games record holder Harvey is believed to want to continue playing next year, with a batch of clubs circling, and Dal Santo is also expected to consider offers to play on.In my view its never a coachs role to retire players. Ever, Scott said after Norths season ended with a 62-point elimination final loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.Players decide when they retire and I was determined never at any stage to coerce, force, direct, Boomer (Harvey) with what he wanted to do.Im charged with responsibility of doing the right thing by our football club.But I still regard myself as a a players coach so the things that have unfolded in the second half of the year have been as tough as any period of my time in footy.But we will not force Boommer to make a decision one way or the other.dddddddddddd That decision will be entirely his.Scott said farewelling the club greats on Saturday night was really tough for everyone involved.The senior players are going to leave a magnificent legacy for our football club but theres no doubt the landscape will look completely different next year, he said.They leave a huge hole but there are plenty of guys who are really hungry and eager to fill those holes.But right now ... the overwhelming feeling is one of reflecting on the legacy that those guys will leave us, because it will last at our football club for generations.Everyone will remember the great deeds on field and everyone within the club will remember all of the boys and what they did for us off field.But over-riding all of that will be the legacy for the next generations of North Melbourne footballers who will get to experience the culture and the legacy that Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito, Drew Petrie and Nick Dal Santo have left for them. 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