Friday, Sept. 29, 2023

Scores & Schedules

Standings

Rankings

TV Listings

Eziomume new No. 1 in rushing

David Eziomume of North Cobb is the GHSA’s new leading rusher after a 326-yard performance in a victory over Milton last week.

 

Eziomume has rushed for 933 yards in five games. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back is committed to Clemson.

 

“First of all, he is a great team player as he has played multiple positions up until this year,” North Cobb offensive coordinator Tom Clark said. “He is getting better every game with his eye discipline on his reads and being patient and letting the blocking schemes develop, and then he has great hands out of the backfield and then obviously great speed to finish the runs.”

 

Prince Avenue Christian’s Aaron Philo (1,926 passing yards) and North Murray’s Judson Petty (707 yards receiving) maintained their leads.

 

Rushing

933 - David Eziomume, North Cobb [7A leader]

919 - Mason Sullens, Lumpkin County [3A leader]

904 - Nick Woodford, Northeast [2A leader]

887 - Matthew Fuller, Wayne County [4A leader]

845 - Austin Clemons, Bryan County [A Division I]

835 - Jeanarion Kamga, Westside (Augusta)

827 - Fred Brown, Coffee [5A leader]

819 - Amari Latimer, Sandy Creek

796 - Darrion Manuel, Monroe Area

783 - Kyler McGrinn, Bowdon [A Division II]

771 - Zion Johnson, Newton

770 - Devin Ingram, Stephenson

755 - Evan Garrett, Northgate

751 - Quinton Slaughter, Providence Christian

744 - Tysean Wiggins, Commerce

735 - Claude Gray, Temple

734 - Javin Gordon, Stephens County

725 - Roderick McCrary, Creekside

717 - Keenan Phillips, Bainbridge

716 - Aaron Bryant, Clinch County

713 - Jaiden Daniels, Commerce

706 - M.J. Spurlin, Jackson County [6A leader]

701 - Elijiah Hayes, West Hall

698 - Ja'Quan Brantley, Upson-Lee

695 - Gavin Hall, Gainesville

695 - Robtravius Coney, Jenkins County

677 - Antevius Berry, Newnan

674 - Jordan McCoy, Tucker

672 - Jonaz Walton, Central (Carrollton)

671 - Kaden Chester, Worth County

668 - Cam Robinson, Mill Creek

667 - Ahmad Gordon, Perry

664 - Sammy Brown, Jefferson

662 - Khalas Finley, LaFayette

659 - M.J. Dowdy, Winder-Barrow

654 - Devon Caldwell, Hebron Christian

648 - Kimauri Farmer, Carrollton

643 - Tyler Rogers, Pepperell

638 - Duke Watson, Mary Persons

631 - Ta'Jon Corbitt, Miller Grove

621 - Skyler Williams, North Murray

619 - Jayden “Duke” Scott, Stockbridge

617 - Lawson Sullivan, Fannin County

607 - Carson Callihan, Fannin County

605 - Jordan Beasley, Bowdon

605 - Tycavion Stovall, Early County

604 - Telly Johnson, Hephzibah

600 - Foster Orris, West Forsyth

599 - Dalen Penson, Sandy Creek

596 - Lamaze Williams, Columbia

596 - Ousmane Kromah, Lee County

591 - Antonio Barron, Vidalia

588 - C.J. Givers, Fellowship Christian

588 - Toby Maddux, Trion

580 - Jaydon Dorsey, Morgan County

577 - Jeremy Bell, Clinch County

573 - Walker Warshaw, Mount Vernon

573 - Jerome Newland, Mountain View

571 - Corey Watkins Jr., Clarke Central

568 - Austin Guest, Creekview

567 - Damion Moate, Tift County

563 - Jamari Welch, Athens Academy

562 - Jessie Bell, Westside (Macon)

558 - Alvin Ricks, Wheeler County

548 - Darron Perry, North Forsyth

545 - Camden Smith, Madison County

540 - Travis Terrell, Creekside

535 - Ken Williams, Pelham

534 - Devin Henderson, Cass

532 - Reece Wehr, Etowah

525 - Tripp Morris, East Forsyth

Passing

1,926 - Aaron Philo, Prince Avenue Christian [A Division I leader]

1,517 - Carlton Brannon, Turner County [A Division II leader]

1,375 - Christopher Garrett, Bradwell Institute [5A leader]

1,360 - Brody Hannah, Loganville

1,323 - Darnell Kelly, Peachtree Ridge [7A leader]

1,305 - Gavin Nuckolls, Northwest Whitfield [4A leader]

1,283 - E.J. Colson, Cedar Grove [3A leader]

1,274 - Sire Hardaway, Douglas County [6A leader]

1,272 - Skyler Williams, North Murray [2A leader]

1,254 - Antwann Hill Jr., Houston County

1,236 - Chase Dupree, Southwest

1,231 - Elliott Sturbaum, McIntosh

1,227 - Hampton Johnson, Athens Academy

1,214 - Caiden Tanner, Union County

1,212 - Tyler Niehr, North Paulding

1,198 - Jeff Davis, Grayson

1,185 - Neko Fann, Colquitt County

1,184 - Teddy Jarrard, North Cobb Christian

1,178 - Colter Ginn, Perry

1,169 - Jake Maxwell, Veterans

1,161 - Cohen Peeples, East Coweta

1,154 - Ben Brown, Wesleyan

1,152 - Marshall Coleman, Lambert

1,148 - Reece Fountain, Rome

1,143 - Luke Nickel, Milton

1,134 - Julian Lewis, Carrollton

1,115 - Jack Stanton, Greater Atlanta Christian

1,102 - Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day

1,082 - Jay Kanazawa, Schley County

1,080 - Lyndon Worthy, Worth County

1,043 - Preston Ratliff, Lanier

1,037 - Cameron Beasley, Washington County

1,026 - Dylan Raiola, Buford

1,024 - Trey Townsend, Calhoun

1,023 - Ethan Evangelista, Harlem

1,008 - Jim Franklin, Aquinas

1,004 - Ty Truelove, Rabun County

1,002 - Mysonne Pickens, Pebblebrook

992 - Tanner Marsh, North Hall

989 - Josh Oliver, Flowery Branch

979 - Ryan Hall, North Gwinnett

968 - John Wilson, Douglass

964 - Drew Richardson, East Jackson

951 - Ian Reynolds, North Atlanta

949 - Judd Anderson, Warner Robins

943 - Caden Clay, Northside (Columbus)

941 - D.J. Bordeaux, Alpharetta

940 - Jaylen Johnson, Thomas County Central

937 - Ronnie Frere, Trinity Christian

926 - Dashun Gilbert, Lovejoy

926 - Barton Mixon, Savannah Country Day

921 - K.J. Smith, Roswell

915 - Layden Bryson, Athens Christian

907 - Amonte Harden, Miller Grove

905 - Jeremy Hecklinski, Walton

898 - Rashawn Truell, New Hampstead

895 - Jaxon Pate, Sonoraville

891 - Chase McCravy, Marietta

884 - Baxter Wright, Gainesville

877 - Sam Nazarian, Mount Vernon

869 - Howard Holloway, Apalachee

867 - Darian Keefe, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe

864 - Jordan Do, Archer

858 - Jackson Davis, Riverwood

851 - Luke Hooks, Ware County

850 - Cobey Thompkins, Stockbridge

Receiving

707 - Judson Petty, North Murray [2A leader]

669 - Tyon Jones, Bradwell Institute [5A leader]

639 - Ahmed Souare, Loganville

624 - Ricky Johnson, Houston County [6A leader]

623 - Bryson Campbell, Athens Christian [A Division I]

589 - Ny Carr, Colquitt County [7A leader]

589 - Jensen Goble, Union County

568 - Chase Jameson, Lanier

560 - Preston Bird, Veterans

557 - Willie Goodwyn, Rabun County

552 - Sacovie White, Cass

550 - Landon Dolhancyk, McIntosh

537 - Deshun Horsley, East Coweta

516 - Jalewis Solomon, Schley County [A Division II]

507 - Jeremiah Ware, Flowery Branch

503 - B.J. Gibson, Wilcox County

502 - Ke'arrin Dawsey, Turner County

501 - Sean Wilson, Alpharetta

499 - Gus Anderson, Newnan

497 - D'ontae Fulton, Worth County

490 - Ka'Monta Durden, Washington County

488 - Devin Carter, Cedar Grove [3A leader]

476 - Antavious Murphy, Bainbridge [4A leader]

476 - Lee Niles, Brookwood

476 - Walter Willis Jr., Pebblebrook

467 - Chasen Jones, East Hall

466 - Coker Ormsby, North Cobb Christian

459 - Emaree Winston, Calhoun

454 - D.J. Avery, Cambridge

450 - Braxton Goolsby, East Jackson

442 - Dakarai Anderson, Perry

440 - Hudson Hulett, North Murray

438 - Seth Gritton, East Coweta

434 - Kaiden Prothro, Bowdon

429 - Travis Smith, Westlake

428 - Hudson Hill, Prince Avenue Christian

426 - Caleb Odom, Carrollton

424 - Carmelo Mays, Southwest

423 - Javarius George, North Paulding

418 - Ethan Barbour, Alpharetta

416 - Ran Ogletree, Harris County

413 - Jaydan Hibbert, Jackson County

411 - John Stuetzer, Pope

411 - Zach Stair, Riverwood

410 - Christian Smith, Lambert

406 - Kobe Adeleke-Hokes, Dacula

405 - Xavier Daisy, Greater Atlanta Christian

405 - Ryals Puryear, North Hall

403 - Kyle Vaka, Kell

401 - Brice Whitley, ACE Charter

401 - C.J. Dockery, Prince Avenue Christian

399 - Dom LeBlanc, Dawson County

398 - Thomas Blackshear, Calvary Day

396 - Aaron Osborne, Northside (Columbus)

392 - Bryant Thomas, Bradwell Institute

386 - Tristian Sizemore, Chamblee

384 - Ben Grice, Woodward Academy

380 - Hudson Gray, Northwest Whitfield

379 - Keith James, Savannah Country Day

376 - Jonathan Stafford, Archer

374 - Malik Sands, Southwest

373 - Kee Williams, Harlem

373 - C.J. Wiley, Milton

368 - DeMarcus "D.K." Daniel, Rome

368 - Xaden Benson, North Atlanta

362 - Keron Milton Jr., Northside (Warner Robins)

361 - Zeke Whittington, Habersham Central

360 - Keyon Standifer, Athens Academy

360 - Jayden Howard, Stockbridge

359 - James Johnson, Douglas County

358 - James Holland, Oconee County

353 - Cameron Shelly, East Paulding

352 - Keshawn Weathers, Miller Grove

351 - Hudson Hulett, North Murray

Jackson Hughes, Marist

Jackson Hughes, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound senior fullback at Marist, is the scoutSMART Student-Athlete of the Week. Hughes has a 4.2 GPA and is being recruited to play college football by Johns Hopkins, Davidson, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Cornell, Washington and Lee, and Stetson, among others. He shadowed this past summer with Marist team physician Dr. Marv Royster and plans to study pre-med in college to ultimately become an orthopedic surgeon. “Jackson Hughes has been the hardest-working and most dedicated player on our team for four years,” Marist head coach Alan Chadwick said. “He lives and breathes football year-round. His commitment to training and improving himself has been remarkable and has set an example for others to follow. Jackson has also shown great tenacity in recovering from a knee injury his sophomore year and is one of our team’s best leaders. His performance for our team, particularly in the fourth quarter of some really tough games, has helped propel our team to a 4-1 record.”

 

GHSF Daily, in conjunction with scoutSMART, will be announcing a football student-athlete of the week each Friday this season. The ideal candidate will be outstanding on the field and in the classroom. Please click here to send nominations to Diane Bloodworth.

Here is where Georgia teams stand in several national polls. The numbers on the left are this week's rankings; the numbers in parentheses are last week's rankings.

 

CalPreps

(Top 100)

8. (6) Buford

16. (19) Walton

18. (18) Mill Creek

32. (32) Colquitt County

35. (59) Thomas County Central

50. (51) Parkview

55. (87) Newton

59. (NR) Douglas County

60. (NR) Grayson

67. (90) Gainesville

69. (NR) Westlake

78. (42) Carrollton

79. (25) Hughes

80. (NR) Houston County

81. (85) Benedictine

89. (NR) Prince Avenue Christian

92. (NR) Norcross

95. (NR) North Cobb

100. (NR) Coffee

 

USA Today

(Top 25)

6. (6) Buford

14. (14) Mill Creek

16. (16) Colquitt County

22. (23) Walton

 

MaxPreps

(Top 100)

5. (6) Buford

13. (13) Colquitt County

15. (15) Walton

16. (17) Carrollton

33. (36) Mill Creek

39. (40) Gainesville

44. (38) Parkview

52. (53) Grayson

63. (65) Newton

76. (79) Westlake

86. (90) Rome

93. (94) Benedictine

99. (100) Creekside

 

Massey Ratings

(Top 100)

7. (9) Mill Creek

10. (12) Buford

14. (19) Walton

30. (39) Westlake

34. (18) Colquitt County

35. (40) Carrollton

36. (34) Benedictine

39. (50) Grayson

41. (41) Thomas County Central

45. (51) Newton

57. (95) North Cobb

61. (52) Parkview

64. (65) Gainesville

71. (NR) Houston County

79. (70) Lee County

82. (45) Hughes

85. (NR) Douglas County

87. (NR) Coffee

94. (NR) Norcross

95. (NR) Cedar Grove

96. (100) Roswell

 

High School Football America

(Top 100)

8. (8) Buford

13. (13) Colquitt County

20. (20) Mill Creek

22. (22) Walton

47. (48) Carrollton

62. (63) Gainesville

89. (95) Benedictine

94. (47) Hughes

 

SBLive/Sports Illustrated

(Top 25)

4. (4) Buford

12. (14) Mill Creek

13. (12) Colquitt County

23. (NR) Walton

 

NationalHSFB.com

(Top 25)

11. (11) Buford

12. (12) Colquitt County

18. (18) Walton

23. (25) Mill Creek

 

Blue Star Media

(Top 25)

7. (6) Buford

13. (14) Colquitt County

14. (15) Mill Creek

15. (16) Walton

Today’s featured inductee is former Cartersville, Auburn and NFL running back Ronnie Brown. Brown will be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame on Oct. 21 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

 

Ronnie Brown

Cartersville High School Graduate

Ronnie Brown would become the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and a 10-year NFL veteran. Years before, he was a standout running back at Cartersville High, which he led to the 1999 Class AA title. During that championship season, Brown rushed for 1,931 yards and 25 touchdowns with 343 receiving yards and three touchdowns while snagging three interceptions on defense. In the 27-21 victory over Hart County in the AA final, Brown rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. The Georgia Sports Writers named Brown their Class AA Player of the Year. Brown went to Auburn, where he would rush for 2,707 career yards, which ranks seventh in school history. Brown rushed for 913 yards on Auburn’s 2004 13-0 SEC championship team that also featured running back Cadillac Williams. Their 2,078 yards together made them college football’s top backfield duo. Both went in the top five of the 2005 NFL Draft – Brown at No. 2 and Williams at No. 5. Brown played 10 NFL seasons with the Dolphins, Eagles, Chargers and Texans. He rushed for 5,391 yards and 38 touchdowns for his career and added 1,966 receiving yards. He made the Pro Bowl in 2008.

On the Web

NFHS Network

Watch Georgia High School Football all season long on the NFHS Network. You can stream games from around the state every week live and on-demand. Catch the action from your smartphone, tablet, computer, or connected TV devices like Apple TV, FireTV, Roku, and Google TV. Subscribe today to keep up with your favorites teams. Find your game and subscribe today.



On TV

Today

*Baylor, Tenn. at McCallie, Tenn., 7:30 p.m., WFLI-TV (Chattanooga)

*Lakeside (Evans) at Evans, 7:30 p.m., WJBF MeTV 6.2 (Augusta)

*North Paulding at Walton, 7:30 p.m., GPB

*Screven Co. at South Effingham, 7:30 p.m., WSAV-CW (Savannah)

*West Hall at Gilmer, 7:30 p.m., ETC TV3 (Ellijay)

*Lee County at Houston County, 8 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)

100 Greatest

GHSA Finals

No. 51: Carver (Columbus) 16, Cairo 13 (2007 Class 3A)

3A/A private rankings

The GHSA reclassification committee heard a motion Tuesday to create a private-school-only Class 3A/A division for the playoffs in all sports beginning in 2024. Below are the Maxwell Ratings for current 3A/A private-school football teams. The proposal, submitted by Muscogee County Schools athletic director Jeff Battles, is expected to be discussed Sunday at the next reclass meeting. Battles’ plan essentially re-establishes the old Class A Private division that went away after the 2021 football season except that private schools would play public schools in region play and not separate until the playoffs. It’s possible if not likely that larger private schools such as Lovett and Westminster from Class 4A would drop into 3A/A when reclassification is finished. Pace Academy, Holy Innocents’ and Trinity Christian are others with enrollments at 3A or below that chose to play up into 4A during this classification cycle. Private schools object to this plan partly because of the limited number of schools available (only 23 currently) to form the division. Battles’ plan is only a proposal. Only the GHSA’s executive committee can approve it.

 

80.84 - Calvary Day

80.68 - Prince Avenue Christian

66.41 - Savannah Christian

62.66 - Athens Academy

60.67 - Hebron Christian

58.93 - Trinity Christian

58.49 - Fellowship Christian

51.75 - Providence Christian

50.79 - Mount Vernon

49.37 - Wesleyan

48.12 - North Cobb Christian

45.81 - Aquinas

44.34 - Savannah Country Day

39.34 - Darlington

37.59 - St. Francis

34.78 - Whitefield Academy

30.49 - Mount Pisgah Christian

26.86 - Christian Heritage

18.75 - Mount Paran Christian

12.51 - King's Ridge Christian

7.55 - Landmark Christian

5.09 - Walker

-3.17 - Athens Christian

Cartersville plays at Calhoun tonight in the Region 7-5A opener for both teams. In 2022, Calhoun ended Cartersville’s 62-game winning streak in region games, which was the longest active streak at the time and fifth-longest overall in state history. What school now has the longest active winning streak in region games at 50? (Answer Monday)

 

Answer to Thursday’s question: Virginia’s Malik Washington, the ACC receiver of the week, played high school football at Parkview.

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GHSA

Thursday's games

Alcovy 14, Morrow 13

Chamblee 35, M.L. King 28

Hapeville Charter 20, Stephenson 13

LaGrange 42, Riverdale 0

Liberty Co. 41, Groves 0

Norcross 41, Duluth 14

Savannah Country Day 65, Beach 6

Southwest 39, Rutland 35

South Atlanta at KIPP Atlanta 

 

Today's games

Alexander at Hughes

Alpharetta at Sprayberry

Appling Co. at Pierce Co.

Armuchee at Chattooga

Atkinson Co. at McIntosh Co. Academy

B.E.S.T. Academy. at Mount Paran Christ.

Bacon Co. at East Laurens

Baconton at Seminole Co.

Berrien at Jeff Davis

Bleckley Co. at Westfield

Brantley Co. at Toombs Co.

Brooks Co. at Bainbridge

Brookstone at Whitefield Academy

Brookwood at Archer

Buford at Collins Hill

Butler at Glenn Hills

Calvary Day at Johnson, Savannah (P)

Cartersville at Calhoun

Carver, Columbus at Columbus (K)

Cedartown at Central, Carrollton

Chapel Hill at Jackson, Atlanta (HA)

Charlton Co. at Dublin

Chattahoochee at Centennial

Cherokee Bluff at Cedar Shoals

Coahulla Creek at Gordon Lee

Columbia at Callaway (C)

Cook at Sumter Co.

Creekview at Etowah

Darlington at Coosa

Decatur at Tucker (A)

Discovery at Berkmar

Dodge Co. at Worth Co.

Dooly Co. at Wheeler Co.

Dougherty at Crisp Co.

Douglass at Jackson

Eagle's Landing at Jones Co.

East Hall at East Forsyth

East Jackson at Banks Co.

East Paulding at Newnan

Elbert Co. at Mount Vernon

Emanuel Co. Institute at Jefferson Co.

Ensworth, Tenn. at Christian Heritage

Fayette Co. at Whitewater

Fellowship Christian at Rabun Co.

First Presbyterian at Commerce

Flowery Branch at Clarke Central

Georgia Christian at Pataula Charter

Glascock Co. at Hancock Central

Glynn Academy at Effingham Co.

Greater Atl. Christian at Cambridge

Grovetown at Brunswick (GL)

Haralson Co. at Gordon Central

Harlem at Cross Creek

Hart Co. at Franklin Co.

Hebron Christian at Oconee Co.

Hiram at Dalton

Howard at Baldwin

Irwin Co. at Swainsboro

Jackson Co. at Habersham Central

Jefferson at Winder-Barrow

Johns Creek at Lassiter

Johnson Co. at GMC Prep

Jordan at Spencer (OS)

Josey at Thomson

Kendrick at ACE Charter

King's Academy at Walker

King's Ridge at Providence Christian

LaFayette at Adairsville

Lakeside, Atlanta at Johnson, Gainesville

Lakeside, Evans at Evans

Lamar Co. at Pike Co.

Lanier at Gainesville

Lanier Co. at Pelham

Lee Co. at Houston Co. (FF)

Lincoln Co. at Aquinas (GB)

Lincoln Co., Fla. at Colquitt Co.

Lithia Springs at Villa Rica

Lithonia at Arabia Mountain (GO)

Loganville at Eastside (SH)

Loganville Christian at Athens Christian

Lovejoy at Woodward Academy

Luella at Lovett

Madison Co. at Chestatee

Manchester at Macon Co.

Marion Co. at Central, Talbotton

Marist at Dunwoody (ND)

Mays at Creekside

McIntosh at Heard Co.

McNair at Landmark Christian

Midtown at Temple

Mill Creek at Central Gwinnett

Miller Co. at Randolph-Clay

Monroe at Thomasville

Monroe Area at Stephens Co.

Montgomery Co. at Bryan Co.

Mountain View at Dacula

Mt. Pisgah Christian at Mt. Zion, Carroll

Mt. Zion, Carroll at Mount Pisgah Christian

Mundy's Mill at Jonesboro (TO)

Murray Co. at North Murray

New Hampstead at Benedictine (SM)

Newton at Grayson

North Atlanta at St. Pius

North Gwinnett at Meadowcreek

North Oconee at North Hall

North Paulding at Walton

North Springs at Northview

Northeast at Central, Macon (TH)

Northside, W.R. at Tift Co.

Oglethorpe Co. at Seckinger

Ola at Warner Robins (MT)

Pace Academy at Hampton

Parkview at South Gwinnett

Paulding Co. at South Paulding

Peach Co. at Carver, Atlanta (L)

Perry at Westside, Macon (ED)

Prince Ave. Christian at Mary Persons

Providence Christian at King's Ridge

Redan at Towers (AV)

Richmond Academy at Morgan Co.

Ridgeland at Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe

Ringgold at Bremen

Riverwood at South Cobb

Rockdale Co. at Forest Park (T)

Rockmart at Model

Roswell at Blessed Trinity

Salem at Hephzibah

Sandy Creek at Harris Co.

Savannah Christian at Long Co.

Schley Co. at Chattahoochee Co.

Screven Co. at South Effingham

Sequoyah at River Ridge

Shaw at Cairo

Shiloh at Apalachee

Sonoraville at Northwest Whitfield

Southeast Bulloch at Islands

Southeast Whitfield at Heritage, Ringgold

Southwest DeKalb at Miller Grove (HS)

St. Francis at Bowdon

Stockbridge at Mt. Zion, Jones. (MH)

Tattnall Co. at Windsor Forest (SV)

Taylor Co. at Greenville

Telfair Co. at Hawkinsville

Terrell Co. at Mitchell Co.

Thomas Co. Central at Veterans (PH)

Towns Co. at Greene Co.

Tri-Cities at Banneker

Trinity Christian at Starr's Mill

Trion at Dade Co.

Troup at North Clayton (SC)

Union Grove at Dutchtown

Warren Co. at Washington-Wilkes

Washington at Therrell (L)

Washington Co. at Laney

Wayne Co. at Burke Co.

Wesleyan at Lumpkin Co.

West Hall at Gilmer

Westminster at Holy Innocents'

Westside, Augusta at Putnam Co.

White Co. at Dawson Co.

Wilcox Co. at Treutlen

Wilkinson Co. at Twiggs Co.

Woodland, Carters. at Cass

Woodland, Stock. at McDonough

Woodstock at Rome

 

Saturday's games

New Manchester at Douglas Co.

Spalding at Griffin (GM)

 

GIAA/GAPPS

Today's games

Bethlehem Christian at Lakeview Acad.

Bleckley Co. at Westfield

Brentwood at Briarwood Academy

Brookstone at Whitefield Academy

Calvary Christian at Community Christian

Cherokee Christian at Georgia Force

First Presbyterian at Commerce

Frederica Academy at Tattnall Square

Gatewood at Central Fellowship

Georgia Christian at Pataula Charter

John Milledge at Pinewood Christian

King’s Academy at Walker

Loganville Christian at Athens Christian

Memorial Day at Edmund Burke

Notre Dame Academy at Lanier Christian

Robert Toombs at St. Andrew’s

Rock Springs at Creekside Christian

Skipstone at Flint River Academy

Stratford Academy at Deerfield-Windsor

Terrell Academy at Southland Academy

Thomas Jefferson at Augusta Prep

Tiftarea Academy at Valwood

Trinity Christ., Dublin at Fullington Acad.

 

Stadium abbreviations: (A) Adams; (AV) Avondale; (B) Banneker High School; (C) Callaway; (ED) Ed Defore; (FF) Freedom Field; (GB) Greenbrier High School; (GL) Glynn County; (GM) Griffin Memorial; (GO) Godfrey; (HA) Henderson, Atlanta; (HS) Hallford; (IH) Islands High School; (K) Kinnett; (L) Lakewood; (MH) Morrow High School; (MT) McConnell-Talbert; (ND) North DeKalb; (OS) Odis Spencer; (P) Pooler; (PH) Perry High School; (SC) Southern Crescent; (SH) Sharp; (SM) Savannah Memorial; (SV) Savannah High School; (T) Tara; (TH) Thompson; (TO) Twelve Oaks

Join the GFCA today! The GACA/GFCA has new membership options for your school for the 2023-2024 school year. You can now join all coaches/all sports in your high school and middle school for one discounted price depending on your school’s classification: GISA, A, 2A and 3A for $1,000; 4A for $1,250; 5A for $1,500; 6A for $2,000; and 7A for $2,500. For more information call or text 770-578-6366 or email Craig Davis by clicking here.

GHSA schools play numerous games against out-of-state competition. GHSF Daily will track the scores of those games each week to see how Georgia fares against the rest of the nation.

 

Vs. Alabama**********4-1

Vs. California*******0-1

Vs. Florida*********17-8

Vs. Maryland*********2-0

Vs. New Jersey*******1-0

Vs. Ohio*************0-1

Vs. North Carolina***5-3

Vs. South Carolina**13-9

Vs. Tennessee********3-4

Total***************45-27

 

Last week’s scores

Bradley Cent., Ten. 35, Heritage, Ring. 16

Camden Co. 47, Atlantic Coast, Fla. 7

Miller Co. 14, Sneads, Fla. 13

Prince Ave. 56, Pensacola Cath., Fla. 20

Thomas Co. Central 55, Godby, Fla. 19

Tift Co. 17, Gadsden Co., Fla. 0

 

This week’s games

Ensworth, Tenn. at Christian Heritage

Lincoln Co., Fla. at Colquitt Co.

GHSF Daily will select 10 games each week for the Predict the Winner contest, presented by Shuma Sports. Predictions must be submitted by 5 p.m. each Friday. Limit one entry per email address. Contest winners will be announced on Mondays at the start of each new contest and will receive an apparel prize from Shuma Sports. Click here to play.

Today’s interviewee is Calvary Day quarterback Jake Merklinger, whose team is 5-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 3A. Merklinger has thrown for 7,709 yards in his four seasons as a starter, and Calvary Day is 37-7 in that time but still seeking the school’s first state title. Merklinger also plays varsity basketball and lacrosse for the Cavaliers. He committed to Tennessee in March.

 

Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day quarterback

1. Calvary Day lost to Cedar Grove [currently ranked No. 1] in the 2022 quarterfinals. What changes are you and the team making this season to produce a different outcome? “Just trying to work every single day like we’re playing an NFL or college team. Just not taking any day for granted, knowing it will take a year’s worth of work. not one week's worth, preparing for a good team. So just trying to stay consistent every day and working really hard. We’re doing a better job this year on all of that than last year.”

 

2. You play three sports. Which do you like best, how do the others translate onto the football field, and do you have advice for athletes looking to do the same? “I’ve always been a three-sport athlete, which is something I take pride in. I love basketball and everything about it. It helps me with vision and keeping my athleticism up throughout the year. Lacrosse is something I started my sophomore year, and I love the physicality of it. Starting up something new that took a little bit to figure out and getting the skills down was really cool. I definitely [rank] football first. I used to play a lot of AAU basketball, and that was my first love, but definitely basketball [second] and then lacrosse. I would definitely say to play multiple sports. I think it's huge and keeps you active. Obviously, there are times when you want to focus on one sport, but I think it can get a little unhealthy to focus on one. Go out and make new friends and memories. You only get one high school, so don’t take anything for granted.”

 

3. What are you most looking forward to on and off the field at Tennessee? “It's a big SEC school and big town. They play in front of 100,000 fans, which was something that’s appealing to me. I’m really excited to get up there and be around the players and coaches in a really cool city with good food and a lot of things to do.”

 

4. In 2022, you became one of the country’s elite quarterback prospects. What were some things you did to reach that level, and how are you maintaining it this year? “I think one of the key things I did last year was make better decisions, which is something my coaches really helped with, being a better decision maker. I think one of the areas where I went wrong last year was not taking enough chances. So this year I want to take more chances when I get in those big games to trust myself a little more and maintain good decision making.” [Merklinger went from 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a sophomore to 32 touchdowns and two interceptions last season. He has thrown 13 TD passes to one interception this year.]

 

- Interview by GHSF Daily intern Micahya Costen

 

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Week 6 Superlatives


GHSF Daily selects a weekly Player of the Week, Team of the Week and Offensive Line of the Week. The awards are sponsored by Sports Turf, BSN Sports, Titan Electric, Alfa Insurance and the U.S. Army.

Player of the Week:

David Eziomume, North Cobb

Team of the Week: Douglas County

Offensive Line of the Week: Stephenson

Visit our website throughout the season for updated standings in all eight classifications

Note: All scores are courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets. If a score is not accurate, it was reported incorrectly.


All games are on Fridays unless noted. All game schedules are subject to change.

Stadium key: GB - Greenbrier High School

Character Education Athletic Program: The Mike Jones Story

Looking to improve the character and discipline on your team? Former professional and All-American athlete Mike Jones is looking to save the lives and careers of our youth by sharing with them the mistakes he made that sidetracked his career. The Mike Jones Story is relatable for ANY athlete in ANY sport. Let us reinforce the same messages that I know you try to instill into your athletes daily. Character education saves lives, and that is a fact! Contact Terry White at 706-442-1337 or via email by clicking here for bookings, or visit the website by clicking here.

 

Let The Steak House Restaurant serve your team’s next pre-game meal

The Steak House Restaurant in Hawkinsville specializes in high school football team pre-game meals. We have a private dining area for traveling parties of 140 guests. We serve high school football teams every week from all over the state traveling through central Georgia. We offer special rates for football teams. Let us cater your next pre-game meal. We are located at 341 Bypass, 9 Buchan Dr., Hawkinsville. Please contact Lewis Fowler at 487-892-3383 or via email by clicking here for reservations or to get more information.

 

GHSA is recruiting officials for all sports

The GHSA is actively attempting to recruit contest officials in all sports. If you are 18 years of age or older, go to the GHSA website (ghsa.net), then click on the Officials section to access the Playing for Another Team program. Individuals merely need to provide a name and email address and indicate the sports interested in to receive registration information. For more information, contact GHSA associate director Don Corr via email by clicking here.

 

Oct. 1-7 is GHSA Officials Appreciation Week

The week of Oct. 1-7 is GHSA Officials Appreciation Week.' To receive information on how to show your appreciation for the individuals who officiate your games, contact GHSA associate director Penny Mitchell via email by clicking here.

GHSF Daily classified ads

Reach 24,000 readers per day in GHSF Daily’s classified ads. Rates are $50 per week. Ads must be a maximum of 75 words and include a headline and contact information. Click here to contact us.

About Us
Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced and owned by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 38-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.