Georgia High School Football Daily

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021

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Carver ends Pierce County's reign

The higher-ranked team was 15-1 in the quarterfinals last week.

The exception? No. 9 Carver of Atlanta beat No. 3 Pierce County 19-17 in Class 3A, ending the reign of the defending champion.

Carver is playing in a championship game this week for the first time since 1967 on Saturday when the Panthers face Cedar Grove.

Carver is GHSF Daily’s state Team of the Week. The award, sponsored by Siemens and World Electric, will be presented to the team today at the school.

STATE FINALISTS' STAT LEADERS

FOUR QUESTIONS

Today’s interviewee is George Bobo, the head coach of Thomasville’s 1993 team that had been the last Bulldogs edition to reach the state finals until this year. Bobo was an assistant on Thomasville’s most recent champion in 1988. Bobo, 71, moved back to Thomasville this year after spending the past 18 years in Rabun County. He’s in the same Sunday School class as Mike Hodges, the head coach of Thomasville’s 1988 team.

George Bobo, coach of Thomasville’s 1993 state finalist

1. Are you watching many high school games these days, and how is it different than when you coached? “I’ve been to three Thomasville games this year. I saw half the Worth County game. I watched them play Rabun County because I’ve known Gunner Stockton and his family for a long time. Then I watched them Friday night. The rest of the time I’ve been in Auburn watching my grandson. [Drew Bobo is a three-star offensive line prospect and the son of Mike Bobo, who was been Auburn’s offensive coordinator this season.] It’s a lot different now. When I started at Commerce [under Ray Lamb in the 1970s], you could cast a net over all 22 players because most were in the I-formation or a three-back set. There wasn’t a whole lot of passing going on. Scores were 14-7. A big win would be 35-7. That would be like ‘wow’! Then the wishbone went away when they stopped letting you block below the waist. The next thing that came along was you were allowed to use your hands to pass block. As a college coach once told me, it’s a lot easier to throw it out to an athlete than to make sure that all 10 are blocking for that one person. Bodies are a whole lot bigger now, too. The other thing is football never used to be year-round. When I came along, you played football, you played basketball or you wrestled, and then you ran track of played golf. You met four times [for football] in June. Coaches used to have second jobs in the summer. Now they’re going like colleges, working four days a week all summer.”

2. What do you think of this year’s Thomasville team? “They’re very good defensively. I had seen them three times in the last three years, and this is the best defensive team they’ve had. They have good linebacker play and really good team speed. The secondary guys could cover all the wideouts against Rabun County. They’d play man to man on the outside and Rabun’s receivers couldn’t get open. Gunner was waiting, and then he was scrambling or they would tackle him. They did a good job of pressuring. If you can take a quarterback and get him off his launch point, then he becomes a different animal. It’s hard to throw when you’re running or laying on your back.”

3. What are your best memories of Thomasville’s 1988 team, the Bulldogs’ last state champion? “The ’88 group had some very good skill players. You had Charles Bostwick, the quarterback, who went to Georgia Southern. We had Shawn Austin, who was an all-conference defensive back at Georgia Southern. And he played halfback. The fullback, James Williams, was a B-back at Georgia Southern. We had Mike Jones, who went to Georgia, at free safety and halfback. And we had a wide receiver named Jerome Williams who ended up a two-time All-American at Delta State. That was a talented group. The year before, we had Shawn Jones [the quarterback who led Georgia Tech to the 1990 UPI national title] with those guys as juniors, but Central [of Thomasville, now known as Thomas County Central] had Charlie Ward [the future Florida State Heisman Trophy winner and New York Knicks point guard]. Charlie Ward was probably as good a football player as I’ve ever seen.” [In 1987, Thomasville beat Ward’s Central team 15-6 in the regular season and was 11-0 and ranked No. 1 when the two met again for the region title. Central won the rematch 35-21. In 1988, with Ward off to FSU, Thomasville went 15-0.]

4. Thomasville’s last appearance in a state championship was 1993, when the Bulldogs lost to Thomas County Central 14-12 in what remains one of the most memorable games in state finals history because it featured cross-town rivals in a game that came down to a goal-line stand. What’s it like to be back in Thomasville when the Bulldogs are finally getting back to the finals, and what was that 1993 game like? “I sat there the other night with a guy from Central who’s a good friend of mine [former Thomas Central and longtime assistant Bill Shaver] and with Alan Rodemaker [Colquitt County’s defensive coordinator and former Valdosta coach]. Alan was the secondary coach on the 1993 team. He said, ‘Coach, it was 28 years ago we were playing Winder-Barrow here in the semifinals.’ I said, ‘Yes, we were. It’s been that long.’ Thomasville still loves football. It’s just great for this community. They’re all excited. Now they’ve got to ride all the way up to Atlanta to play somebody that’s close to them [Fitzgerald]. I know they’d rather play here where you get to celebrate with your friends and aunts and uncles and classmates. When playing those games up there, they hurry you in and hurry you out. But that’s the nature of the beast now. Football is very important to this community, and they will be represented at the state game for sure.

“In 1993, that game was played at Central. You get in the car and ride three miles and you’re there. I’ve never seen so many people at a football game. You couldn’t walk on the sidelines. We got to the goal line, and we didn’t score [stopped four times from the 1-yard line]. I won’t get into that controversy. They won the football game. They’d beaten us 28-7 in the first game, and coach [Ed] Pilcher just called the dogs off us. We improved a whole lot like a good football team does and ended up playing for a state championship. We didn’t have the skill people that we had in ’88, but we had a bunch of good high school players that played together and got better from when we started and ended up playing for a state championship.”

The 2021 GHSA-Tommy Guillebeau State Football Championships, presented by Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance, will be held Dec. 9-11 at Georgia State University's Center Parc Stadium. Tickets are $20 available at GoFan. All games (including flag football) will be televised live on Georgia Public Broadcasting and streaming to any device at GPB.org/sports and NFHSNetwork.com.

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IN THE NEWS

Stockton named

Gatorade POY

Rabun County quarterback Gunner Stockton is the Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year, Gatorade announced Tuesday.

Stockton passed for 4,134 yards and 55 touchdowns with only one interception for a Class 2A quarterfinal team this season. Stockton, who is committed to Georgia, set state career records for passing touchdowns (177), touchdowns passing and rushing (254) and yards passing and rushing (18,024).

Recent Georgia winners are Brock Vandagriff of Prince Avenue Christian (2020), Arik Gilbert of Marietta (2019), Jamious Griffin of Rome (2018) and Trevor Lawrence of Cartersville (2017).

GHSA approves 10

appeals to play up

The Georgia High School Association on Tuesday approved 10 schools’ petitions to play up in classification and will hear 14 requests to move down Wednesday.

Those allowed up are Calvary Day, Carver (Atlanta), Kendrick and Savannah Country Day to Class 3A, Josey, McNair, Northeast, Southwest and Towers to Class 2A, and Mount Bethel Christian to Class A Division 1. No petitions were denied.

Appealing to move down to Class 2A are Jordan and Spencer. Appealing to move to Class A Division 1 are ACE Charter, Gordon Lee, Mount Vernon and Pelham. Appealing to move to Class A Division 2 are Bacon County, Chattahoochee County, Commerce, Early County, Irwin County, Schley County, Seminole County and Trion.

Two more schools

plan move to GISA

Loganville Christian and Riverside Military are the latest two schools to announce their intentions to leave the Georgia High School Association for the Georgia Independent School Association.

That brings to 12 the number moving to the GISA. As with most others, Loganville Christian and Riverside are former GISA members that are returning.

Loganville Christian joined the GHSA in 2020. Riverside is a longtime GHSA member but spent 2002-08 with the GISA and won a football title with the association in 2005.

The other 10 that have left are Tattnall Square, Stratford Academy, Mount de Sales and First Presbyterian of Macon, Lakeview Academy of Gainesville, Deerfield-Windsor of Albany, Heritage of Newnan, George Walton Academy of Monroe, Strong Rock Christian of Locust Grove and St. Anne-Pacelli of Columbus.

Slade steps down

at Pace Academy

Chris Slade, the football coach who led Pace Academy to its first state title in 2015, has resigned after nine seasons.

Slade’s overall record was 59-42. The Knights were 6-5 in 2021 and lost in the first round for the sixth straight season.

A Class A school by enrollment, Pace has elected to play in higher classifications since 2014 to compete with more local rivals such as Buckhead neighbor Lovett. Pace successfully petitioned to move into Class 4A next year.

“I challenge any school in the state of Georgia to do what we’ve accomplished with a program in existence less than 15 years with the numbers we’ve had,’’ said Slade, adding that Pace typically dresses out only 40 varsity players. “We’ve had 36 college players, two All-Americans, three in the NFL, eight consecutive playoff appearances, an elite eight and a state championship.”

Pace played its first varsity game in 2008 and reached the playoffs for the first time in 2014, the second season under Slade, a former All-Pro linebacker with the New England Patriots.

The 2015 team, led by future Georgia stars Andrew Thomas and Jamaree Salyer, won four straight road playoff games to reach the final, then defeated Fitzgerald 45-21 for the Class 2A championship.

LIST

We meet again

Three of the eight championship games will be rematches of regular-season games. There have been 36 previous state-title games that were rematches. They were rare before 1990 when only region champions made the playoffs. The original winner is 21-13 in the finals. Two of the original games were ties. Games in red are those in which the original loser avenged the original loss.

2021: Cedar Grove vs. Carver-Atl.

Original: Cedar Grove won 17-0

2021: Thomasville vs. Fitzgerald

Original: Thomasville won 15-8

2021: Irwin Co. vs. Brooks Co.

Original: Irwin Co. won 21-13

2020: Grayson d. Collins Hill 38-14

Original: Grayson won 28-7

2020: Irwin Co. d. Brooks Co. 27-19

Original: Irwin County won 21-13

2019: Harrison d. Allatoona 20-7

Original: Harrison won 21-17

2019: Dublin d. Brooks Co. 42-32

Original: Dublin won 49-35

2019: ELCA d. Wesleyan 33-13

Original: ELCA won 54-17

2018: Lee Co. d. Northside-W.R. 14-0

Original: Lee Co. won 24-7

2018: Bainbridge d. Warner Robins 47-41

Original: Bainbridge lost 38-0

2018: Heard Co. d. Rockmart 27-6

Original: Heard Co. lost 33-0

2018: Clinch Co. d. Irwin Co. 27-20

Original: Clinch Co. lost 21-3

2017: Blessed Trinity d. Marist 16-7

Original: Blessed Trinity lost 25-24

2017: Clinch Co. d. Irwin Co. 21-12

Original: Clinch Co. lost 21-7

2017: Lee Co. d. Coffee 28-21

Original: Lee Co. won 23-7

2015: Westminster d. Bless. Trinity 38-31

Original: Westminster lost 24-10

2015: Clinch Co. d. Irwin Co. 24-7

Original: Clinch Co. lost 28-12

2014: ELCA d. Mount Paran Christ. 49-7

Original: ELCA won 31-14

2014: Benedictine d. GAC 45-21

Original: Benedictine lost 24-21

2013: Norcross d. North Gwinnett 31-14

Original: Norcross lost 36-17

2008: Tucker d. Marist 15-3

Original: Tucker lost 38-0

2007: Buford d. Lovett 50-0

Original: Buford won 21-0

2005: Lincoln Co. d. Wash.-Wilkes 25-0

Original: Lincoln Co. won 20-13

2002: Parkview d. Brookwood 28-7

Original: Parkview won 17-10

2002: Buford d. GAC 34-10

Original: Buford won 35-10

2001: Buford d. Bowdon 35-13

Original: Buford won 40-0

2001: Americus d. Early Co. 33-21

Original: Americus won 21-19

2000: Parkview d. Harrison 19-7

Original: Parkview won 8-7

2000: Commerce d. Buford 27-19

Original: Commerce won 18-14

1996: Brookwood d. Valdosta 45-24

Original: Brookwood lost 31-28

1995: Elbert Co. d. Wash.-Wilkes 27-0

Original: Elbert Co. lost 14-6

1994: Colquitt Co. d. Valdosta 23-10

Original: Colquitt Co. won 10-7

1993: Thomas Cent. d. Thomasville 14-12

Original: Thomas Co. Central won 28-7

1990: Cairo d. Worth Co. 37-28

Original: Cairo won 38-8

1980: Woodward Acad. d. Marist 14-10

Original: Woodward Academy lost 20-14

1968: St Pius d. Gainesville 6-0

Original: St. Pius won 14-13

1960: Wash.-Wilkes d. Jenkins Co. 40-0

Original: Washington-Wilkes won 38-13

1955: Monticello d. Stone Mountain 13-7

Original: Tied 14-14

1948: Lanier (Macon) d. Marist 15-14

Original: Tied 7-7

TRIVIA

Irwin County can win a third consecutive championship in Class A Public. What is the most recent public school to win three straight state titles in Class A? (Answer Thursday)

Answer to Tuesday’s question: Southwest Atlanta in 1973 was the last Atlanta city school to win a state title.

Jostens is the leading provider of yearbooks, caps and gowns, class rings and championship rings and is the Official Championship Ring of the GHSA. Click here to learn more.

PLAYOFF SCORES, SCHEDULES

Football

(All championship games at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium)

Class 7A

Semifinals

Milton 52, Walton 17

Collins Hill 31, Grayson 0

Championship

Milton vs. Collins Hill

7 p.m. Saturday

Class 6A

Semifinals

Hughes 47, Dacula 28

Buford 21, Carrollton 6

Championship

Hughes vs. Buford

7 p.m. Friday

Class 5A

Semifinals

Warner Robins 40, Creekside 15

Calhoun 24, Blessed Trinity 7

Championship

Warner Robins vs. Calhoun

3:30 p.m. Saturday

Class 4A

Semifinals

Carver, Columbus 22, Cedartown 21

Benedictine 42, North Oconee 32

Championship

Carver, Columbus vs. Benedictine

3:30 p.m. Friday

Class 3A

Semifinals

Cedar Grove 27, Appling County 6

Carver. Atlanta 19, Pierce County 17

Championship

Cedar Grove vs. Carver-Atlanta

Noon Saturday

Class 2A

Semifinals

Fitzgerald 27, Swainsboro 6

Thomasville 31, Callaway 6

Championship

Fitzgerald vs. Thomasville

Noon Friday

Class A Private

Semifinals

Trinity Christian 48, ELCA 45

Prince Avenue 38, Fellowship Christian 28

Championship

Trinity Christian vs. Prince Ave. Christian

5 p.m. Thursday

Class A Public

Semifinals

Irwin County 45, Wilcox County 14

Brooks County 49, Metter 7

Championship

Irwin County vs. Brooks County

8 p.m. Thursday

Flag Football

(All championship games at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium)

Class 7A

Semifinals

Hillgrove 12, Archer 6

Marietta 26, Blessed Trinity 0

Championship

Hillgrove vs. Marietta

2:30 p.m. Thursday

Class 5A-6A

Semifinals

Lithia Springs 6, Greenbrier 2

Dodge County 13, Riverwood 6

Championship

Lithia Springs vs. Dodge County

12:45 p.m. Thursday

Class A-4A

Semifinals

Portal 12, St. Anne-Pacelli 6

Southeast Bulloch 12, Calvary Day 0

Championship

Portal vs. Southeast Bulloch

11 a.m. Thursday

The GACA is excited to host the GACA All Star Football Classic 2021. Please nominate a senior (Class of 2022), junior (2023) or sophomore (2024) to be considered for the Classic or the GACA All State team. Click here to nominate players.

Georgia Elite Classic puts out

call for kickers, long snappers

The Georgia Elite Classic hosted more than 60 high school and eighth-grade players Sunday at Kennesaw Mountain High School, filling in spots for the three Classic games in Rome on Dec. 22. Currently, Elite coaches are looking for freshman and eighth-grade long snappers and punters/kickers. If you are interested in any of these spots, please call I.J. Rosenberg at 404-246-7819 or email him at ijrosenberg@ScoreATL.com. Also, if you have been invited to play in the Classic which will be broadcasted on PeachtreeTV, please register as soon as possible by clicking here.

IMPROVEMENT TRACKER

GHSF Daily each week will rank the top five teams and their head coaches in each classification based on their improvement in the computer Maxwell Ratings from 2020 to 2021, but with some exclusions. Only teams with winning records will be listed. In the end, each team and coach must also make the playoffs and improve playoff seeding or state playoff finish from the previous year to qualify. The objective is to recognize not only improvement but the challenge of making a struggling program relevant on the state level or taking a good program to the next level. After the season, GHSF Daily will present an award, sponsored by Hudl, to the eight coaches who lead their classifications. The recognition will take place at the GACA Falcons Luncheon on Feb. 1 in Macon.

Class 7A

+18.8 - Collins Hill (Lenny Gregory)

+14.6 - Marietta (Richard Morgan)

+12.7 - Mill Creek (Josh Lovelady)

+11.1 - Pebblebrook (Leroy Hood)

+10.4 - Milton (Adam Clack)

Class 6A

+20.8 - Effingham County (John Ford)

+14.7 - Riverwood (Robert Edwards)

+11.4 - Cambridge (Craig Bennett)

+9.6 - Kennesaw Mountain (Caleb Carmean)

+8.0 - Johns Creek (Matt Helmerich)

Class 5A

+20.1 - Woodward Academy (John Hunt)

+18.2 - Villa Rica (Tim Barron)

+14.2 - Creekside (Maurice Dixon)

+12.7 - Whitewater (Chad Frazier)

+10.5 - Calhoun (Clay Stephenson)

Class 4A

+27.7 - Spalding (Carl Kearney)

+26.7 - Dougherty (Johnny Gilbert)

+16.9 - North Oconee (Tyler Aurandt)

+15.8 - Benedictine (Danny Britt)

+12.1 - Carver-Columbus (Corey Joyner)

Class 3A

+20.5 - Ringgold (Robert Akins)

+14.1 - Burke County (Eric Parker)

+7.8 - Sandy Creek (Brett Garvin)

+7.6 - Monroe Area (Kevin Reach)

+6.5 - Southeast Bulloch (Jared Zito)

Class 2A

+14.8 - Swainsboro (Scott Roberts)

+10.9 - Columbia (Greg Barnett)

+8.0 - Dade County (Jeff Poston)

+7.5 - Putnam County (Shaun Pope)

+6.9 - Westside-Augusta (Lee Hutto)

Class A Private

+26.8 - Trinity Christian (Kenny Dallas)

+14.7 - Tattnall Square (John Abernathy)

+11.5 - Calvary Day (Mark Stroud)

+10.2 - Holy Innocents' (Todd Winter)

+10.2 - St. Anne-Pacelli (Dwight Jones)

Class A Public

+19.63 - Georgia Military (Lee Coleman)

+19.57 - Schley County (Darren Alford)

+18.1 - Trion (Sean Patrick)

+10.6 - Montgomery County (Timothy Suttles)

+9.8 - Macon County (Dexter Copeland)

ALL-REGION TEAMS

Please send all-region teams to GHSF Daily at ghsfdaily@bellsouth.net. We will publish any team that we receive. GHSF Daily encourages those selecting and providing all-region teams to include each player's year in school. All-region players who are recognized as underclassmen have a better chance of being recruited and getting recognition on preseason all-area or all-state teams in 2022.

Region 3-6A

Player of the year: RB Joe Hampton, Evans, Sr.

Offensive player of the year: QB Ashton Evans, Alcovy, Jr.

Defensive player of the year: LB Jacob Jackson, Evans, So.

Athlete of the year: WR/DB Jamel Johnson, Alcovy, Sr.

Special teams player of the year: Joe Hampton, Evans, Sr.

Kicker of the year: PK/P Braxton Crawford, Alcovy, Jr.

Coach of the year: Jason Dukes, Alcovy

First-team offense

QB - Kaleb Jackson, Evans, Sr.

HB/TE - Levi Adcox, Alcovy, Sr.

HB/TE - M.J. Stroud, Alcovy, Sr.

HB/TE - Anthony Peters, Heritage (Conyers), Jr.

RB - Temarcus Elam, Lakeside (Evans), Jr.

RB - Tristan Mayweather, Alcovy, Sr.

RB - Joseph Jean, Grovetown, Jr.

WR - Mathias Height, Alcovy, Sr.

WR - Bobby Smith, Alcovy, Sr.

WR - A.J. Hardge, Rockdale County, Jr.

WR - Kenneth Dorsey, Evans, Jr.

OL - Marcus Sims, Lakeside (Evans), Sr.

OL - Michael Epperly, Lakeside (Evans), Sr.

OL - Mariante Goldwire, Grovetown, Jr.

OL - Isaiah Kairy, Alcovy, Sr.

OL - Trey Morris, Evans, Sr.

OL - Jayden Bourns, Evans, Jr.

OL - Desmond Page, Alcovy, Sr.

PK - Will Hattaway, Lakeside (Evans), Jr.

First-team defense

DL - Christian Lewis, Alcovy, Jr.

DL - Demani Dumas, Alcovy, Sr.

DL - Justin Barnes, Lakeside (Evans), So.

DL - Malcom Williams, Grovetown, So.

LB - Matthew Lewis, Lakeside (Evans), Jr.

LB - Armani Russ, Alcovy, Sr.

LB - Kaleb Baldwin, Rockdale County, Sr.

LB - Kelvin Blackshear, Jr., Heritage (Conyers), Jr.

LB - Reid Akins, Evans, Sr.

OLB/SS - Justin Buchanan, Alcovy, Sr.

OLB/SS - A.J. Woods, Alcovy, Jr.

OLB/SS - Namari Jenkins, Evans, Jr.

OLB/SS - Jaden Lyons, Evans, Sr.

DB - Marcus Washington Jr., Grovetown, Jr.

DB - Raymir Brown, Alcovy, Sr.

DB - Najiib Anderson, Rockdale County, So.

DB - D.J. Walton, Evans, Jr.

DB - Adrian Maddox, Heritage (Conyers), Sr.

DB - Devin Gardner, Lakeside (Evans), Sr.

P - Fabian Klawa, Evans, So.

Second-team offense

QB - Zaidon Gunn, Grovetown, Jr.

HB/TE - Jabarri Simmons, Evans, Sr.

HB/TE - Breton Crewe, Evans, Sr.

HB/TE - Jermaine Rockymore, Lakeside (Evans), Sr.

RB - Chance Taylor, Evans, Sr.

RB - Tyler Bercy, Heritage (Conyers), So.

RB - Kevin Sapp, Lakeside (Evans), Sr.

WR - D.J. Walton, Evans, Jr.

WR - Alex Smith, Alcovy, Sr.

WR - B.J. Johnson, Alcovy, So.

WR - Jeremiah Kendrick, Rockdale County, Jr.

WR - Adrian Maddox, Heritage (Conyers), Sr.

OL - Dylan Usry, Lakeside (Evans), So.

OL - Brandon Holmes, Grovetown, Sr.

OL - Duval Hill Jr., Alcovy, Sr.

OL - Mason Short, Evans, Fr.

OL - D.J. Williams, Evans, Jr.

OL - Stephen Heard, Evans, So.

OL - Nathan Smith, Evans, Sr.

OL - Malcolm Snell, Rockdale County, Sr.

OL - William Boone, Heritage (Conyers), Sr.

PK - Tyler Wallace, Evans, Fr.

Second-team defense

DL - Jordan Burns, Rockdale County, So.

DL - Damien Thomas, Evans, Sr.

DL - Dalen Taylor, Heritage (Conyers), Jr.

DL - Nate Rodgers, Grovetown, Sr.

DL - Josh Peacock, Grovetown, Jr.

LB - BJ Grissom, Lakeside (Evans), Fr.

LB - Reggie Boyd, Alcovy, Sr.

LB - Dominick Johnson, Heritage (Conyers), Sr.

LB - Jon’quail Kress, Grovetown, Jr.

OLB/SS - Logan Slagle, Grovetown, Sr.

OLB/SS - Cardell Rudolph, Grovetown, Jr.

OLB/SS - Terskyle Harris, Heritage (Conyers), Jr.

OLB/SS - Brooks Weeks, Lakeside (Evans), Jr.

DB - Xavier Turner, Heritage (Conyers), Jr.

DB - Trent Thomas, Grovetown, So.

DB - Malik Kirkland, Alcovy, Sr.

DB - Parth Patel, Lakeside (Evans), So.

P - Will Hattaway, Lakeside (Evans), Jr.

Honorable mention: QB - Jason Whitaker, Lakeside (Evans); Malik Brightwell, Rockdale County; Tyler Young, Heritage (Conyers); HB/TE - Jon’quail Kress, Grovetown; Chance Johnson, Rockdale County; Dalton Howell, Lakeside (Evans); RB - Cardell Rudolph, Grovetown; Bryson Virgil, Alcovy; Shayvon Hutchinson, Rockdale County; Dion Dean, Heritage (Conyers); Devin Gardner, Lakeside (Evans); WR - Spann, Evans; Josh Harper, Heritage (Conyers); Rashun Fountain, Heritage (Conyers); Tyler Perry, Evans; Devon Deleon, Lakeside (Evans); OL - Kevin Castillo, Grovetown; Harrison Ogletree, Lakeside (Evans); Alonzo Reisinger, Grovetown; Brian Cox, Alcovy; Parker Gassmann, Alcovy; Yahir Coronado, Alcovy; Justin Opoku, Rockdale County; Kyle Hubbard, Rockdale County; Jarah Redden, Rockdale County; DL - Cameron Newton, Alcovy; Jusden Culpepper, Rockdale County; Tyreik Willoughby, Rockdale County; Caleb Mickens, Heritage (Conyers); Chris Ingram, Heritage (Conyers); Dennious Jackson, Lakeside (Evans); Michael Epperly, Lakeside (Evans); Juston Tanksley, Evans; Chris Hauser, Lakeside (Evans); LB - Asher Drew, Evans; Matthew Mosley, Lakeside (Evans); Kaleb Key, Lakeside (Evans); OLB/SS - Kevin White, Heritage (Conyers); Brandon Farmer, Alcovy; Jalen Pierce, Alcovy; Michael Videtto, Lakeside (Evans); Zavion Leggett, Grovetown; DB - Jaden Rias, Heritage (Conyers); Caesare Giles, Heritage (Conyers); Harrison Kinsler, Rockdale County; Ricky Stone, Alcovy; PK - Chase Butler, Heritage (Conyers)

Region 7-4A

Player of the year: RB/LB C.J. Washington, Cedartown, Sr.

Offensive player of the year: RB Harlem Diamond, Cedartown, Jr.

Offensive player of the year: QB Owen Brooker, Northwest Whitfield, Jr.

Defensive player of the year: LB Eli Barrow, Cedartown, Jr.

Defensive player of the year: DL Demarieo Sims, Cedartown, Sr.

Athlete of the year: WR/DB Vicari Swain, Central (Carrollton), Jr.

Offensive lineman of the year: Jacob Klein, Ridgeland, Sr.

Defensive lineman of the year: Jai Barnes, Cedartown, Sr.

Coach of the year: Jamie Abrams, Cedartown

First-team offense

QB - Reece Tanner, Cedartown, Jr.

RB - Patrick Gardner, Cedartown, Jr.

RB - Cam Bolton, Central (Carrollton), Fr.

WR - Ray Morrison, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.

WR - Devin Hand, Pickens, Sr.

WR - Marcus Pike, Pickens, So.

TE - Isaiah Williams, Pickens, So.

OL - Jaylon Stephenson, Cedartown, Sr.

OL - Peyton Nikolopoulus, Cedartown, Jr.

OL - Evan Vaughn, Central (Carrollton), Sr

OL - Austin Duncan, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.

OL - Charlie Joe Fleming, Pickens, Jr.

ATH - Kaden Swope, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

PK - Anderson Britton, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.

First-team defense

DL - Juliuz Walton, Central (Carrollton), Jr.

DL - Payton Newman, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

DL - Kaleb Nicholson, Pickens, Jr.

DL - Kaleb Taylor, Pickens, Jr.

LB - Da'shawn Ware, Cedartown, Sr.

LB - Kadyn Hampton, Pickens, Jr.

LB - Collin Swearingin, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.

LB - Ty Brewer, Central (Carrollton), So.

LB - Jax Brooker, Northwest Whitfield, Jr.

DB - Jordan Johnson, Cedartown, Sr.

DB - Donald Knight, Cedartown, Sr.

DB - Collin Kellogg, Pickens, Sr.

DB - Jadon Tolbert, Central (Carrollton), Jr.

P - Walker Altman, Central (Carrollton), Jr.

Second-team offense

QB - Sam Streicher, Pickens, So.

RB - Chase Watkins, Ridgeland, Jr.

RB - Paxton McCrary, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

WR - Tyler Cheetwood, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

WR - Jayelen White, Central (Carrollton), So.

WR - Darrian Burks, Ridgeland, Jr.

WR - Brayden Morrison, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.

TE - Edgar Martinez, Cedartown, So.

OL - Layne McDaniel, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.

OL - Bryson Callahan, Pickens, Jr.

OL - Grant Dempsey, Cedartown, Jr.

OL - Dustin Green, Cedartown, Jr.

OL - Tray Hodges, Central (Carrollton), Jr

ATH - Colby Brooks, Pickens, Jr.

PK - Jose Sanchez, Pickens, Sr.

Second-team defense

DL - Malaki Massey, Central (Carrollton), So.

DL - Jarod Barnes, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

DL - Reyes De La Paz, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.

DL - Cade Dunn, Ridgeland, Sr.

LB - Bryce Travillian, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

LB - Xavier Hargrove, Cedartown, Jr.

LB - Conor Browning, Pickens, Sr.

LB - Jacobi Almon, Central (Carrollton), Sr.

LB - Trey Weldon, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.

DB - Darrian Burks, Ridgeland, Jr.

DB - Tyler Cheetwood, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.

DB - Taidji Neal, Cedartown, So.

DB - Parker Rhodes, Pickens, Sr.

P - Jeb Broom, Ridgeland, Sr.

Honorable mention: ATH Braxton Floyd, Northwest Whitfield, Jr.; QB Devan Powell, Central (Carrollton), So; RB Miguel Salton, Pickens, So.; RB Ashton Turner, Ridgeland, Sr.; WR Tom Frechette, Pickens, Sr.; WR JD Black, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.; WR Hudson Gray, Northwest Whitfield, So.; WR Isaih McMichael, Central (Carrollton), Jr.; TE Payton Newman, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.; TE Bryce Travillian, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.; TE Juliuz Walton, Central (Carrollton), Jr.; OL Bishop Hayden, Ridgeland, Sr.; OL Daidren Poole, Cedartown, Sr.; OL JT Eaton, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.; OL Caden Swaim, Pickens, Sr.; OL Aidan Baum, Pickens, Jr.; OL Jacob King, Pickens, Sr.; OL Jackson Burns, Central (Carrollton), Sr; OL Dawson Wheeler, Northwest Whitfield, Jr.; OL Alex Starks, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.; DL JT Eaton, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.; DL Caden Browning, Pickens, So.; DL Junior Aguirre, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.; DL Hayden Maynard, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.; DL Kampris Bailey, Central (Carrollton), So.; LB Jonathon Woodall, Ridgeland, Sr.; LB Curtis Wells, Ridgeland, Sr.; LB Phillip Mason, Ridgeland, Sr.; LB Chase Watkins, Ridgeland, Jr.; LB Conner Cummings, Northwest Whitfield, Jr.; LB Ike Ralston, Northwest Whitfield, Jr.; LB Jayden Santiago, Northwest Whitfield, Sr.; LB Evan Wingrove, Heritage (Ringgold), So.; LB Trevor Morgan, Pickens, Jr.; LB Mason Powell, Pickens, Jr.; LB Anthony Antinozzi, Pickens, Sr.; LB Nate Horsley, Central (Carrollton), Fr.; LB Dylan McKnight, Central (Carrollton), Jr.; LB Josh Johnson, Central (Carrollton), Fr.; DB Aiden Reltford, Central (Carrollton), So.; DB DeCarlos Williams, Central (Carrollton), So.; DB Andrew Sheffield, Central (Carrollton), Fr.; DB Jakobe Tuner, Ridgeland, Jr.; DB Dominique Smith, Northwest Whitfield, 25; DB Drew Deitz, Heritage (Ringgold), Jr.; DB Colby Brooks, Pickens, Jr.; PK Rafael Guevara, Central (Carrollton), Jr; PK Mario Maldonado, Cedartown, Sr.

Region 5-3A

Player of the year: QB Geimere Latimer, Sandy Creek, Jr.

Offensive player of the year: QB Geimere Latimer, Sandy Creek, Jr.

Defensive player of the year: DB Will Hardy, Greater Atlanta Christian, Sr.

Lineman of the year: DL Christen Miller, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Freshman of the year: WR/DB Jontae Gilbert, Douglass, Fr.

Coach of the year: Darren Myles, Carver (Atlanta)

First-team offense

QB – Geimere Latimer, Sandy Creek, Jr.

RB - Rashod Dubinion, Cedar Grove, Sr.

RB - Jarveous Brown, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Addison Nichols, Greater Atlanta Christian, Sr.

OL - Kris Phillips, Salem, Sr.

OL - Tasai Berry, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Isaiah Conn, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Moses Umoren, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

TE - Holden Staes, Westminster, Sr.

WR - Miles Thornton, Sandy Creek, Sr.

WR - Tobias Robinson, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

WR - Janiran Bonner, Cedar Grove, Sr.

WR - DeAndre Buchannon, Carver (Atlanta), Jr.

First-team defense

DL - Christen Miller, Cedar Grove, Sr.

DL - Terrell Lightfoot, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DL - Carlton Madden, Cedar Grove, Sr.

DL - Malik Moses, Salem, So.

LB - Everett Roussaw, Cedar Grove, Jr.

LB - De’Vonte Amasiani, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

LB - Dialo Mosley, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

LB - Marcellius Pulliam, Sandy Creek, Jr.

DB - Will Hardy, Greater Atlanta Christian, Sr.

DB - Kayin Lee, Cedar Grove, Jr.

DB - Kaleb Cost, Sandy Creek, Jr.

DB - Denton Shamburger, Westminster, Sr.

ATH - Robert Clarke, Westminster, Sr.

First-team specialists

P - Alex Bacchetta, Westminster, Sr.

K - Josh Brockman, Westminster, Jr.

LS - Miles Thornton, Sandy Creek, Sr.

Second-team offense

QB - Bryce Bowens, Carver (Atlanta), Jr.

RB - Quintavious Lockett, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

RB - Votarres Thaxton, Redan, Sr.

OL - Kelton McCrary, Carver (Atlanta), So.

OL - Justin Pinkney, Redan, Sr.

OL - Romell Pina, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

OL - Ken'Dell Brown, Cedar Grove, Jr.

OL - Brooks Platford, Westminster, Sr.

TE - Travion Huff, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

WR - Trevon Ferrell, Cedar Grove, Sr.

WR - Barry Jackson, Cedar Grove, Jr.

WR - Jammeel Jones, Redan, Sr.

WR - Bernard Mack, Cedar Grover, Jr.

Second-team defense

DL - Aquantis Clemmons, Carver (Atlanta), Jr.

DL - Travius Franklin, Sandy Creek, Jr.

DL - Phillips Moore, Westminster, So.

DL - Kyle Mosley, Cedar Grove, So.

LB - Coane Pross, Salem, Sr.

LB - Javontae Griffin, Douglass, Sr.

LB - Jordan Herndon, Salem, Jr.

LB - Joel Reid, Sandy Creek, Jr.

DB - Chris Brown, Salem, Sr.

DB - Joshua Stone, Carver (Atlanta), So.

DB - Quintavious Davis, Carver (Atlanta), Sr.

DB - Ricky Lee, Cedar Grove, Jr.

Second-team specialists

P - Branan Rountree, Greater Atlanta Christian, Sr.

K - Dyan Apo, Sandy Creek, Sr.

LS - Sam Reavis, Westminster, Jr.

Honorable mention: QB - Jamar Graham, Cedar Grove; RB - Dorian Graham, Sandy Creek; Gannon Hurst, Greater Atlanta Christian; Boden Walker, Cedar Grove. WR - Quintavious Davis, Carver (Atlanta); Xavian Green, Redan; Jacob Fleming, Westminster. DL - Carson Pritchett, Douglass; Jalen Smith, Carver (Atlanta); Noah Deas, Greater Atlanta Christian; Adonijah Green, Cedar Grove; Jarmarcus Spears, Carver (Atlanta), Jamontez Hines, Carver (Atlanta); Antonio Johnson, Carver (Atlanta). DB - Jamir Brown, Redan; Jontae Gilbert, Douglass; Rodrick Hunter, Carver (Atlanta); Stephen Snow, Douglass; Travis Franklin, Sandy Creek, Jarvis Russaw, Carver (Atlanta); Curtis Ward Jr, Carver (Atlanta). LB - Cole Boyden, Greater Atlanta Christian; Hunter Wananaker, Westminster. LS - Jalen Smith, Carver (Atlanta)

CLASSIFIEDS

Let’s build your financial game plan

At Thrivent, we believe everyone deserves a financial plan. But money can seem complicated and life gets busy, especially during football season. I know this first-hand, as a financial advisor who is also blessed to coach high school football in this state. Whether it’s investment guidance, budgeting, life insurance, debt management or retirement planning, I can help. Please reach out with any questions or needs. Have a great season! Contact Andrew Frerking by phone at 404-772-0909, via email by clicking here, or on the web at www.thrivent.com.

Be a part of the Southeast Kicking, Punting and Snapping Competition to be held Dec. 12 at Mount Pisgah Christian School. Participants will compete against other top kickers, snappers and punters and get a chance improve their skills to become an All-State kicker, punter or snapper. Winners will get honored at the Georgia Kicking Punting and Snapping Awards. Each participant will also be placed into our ranking system based on their performance at the competition to assist them with college recruiting. Contact Cedric Oglesby via email by clicking here if you have questions. Click here to register.

Exit Strategy Planning - Family Owned Businesses

Are you a business owner considering how you plan to pass down your company to family, sell it, or continue to grow it? If so, we can help. We specialize in financial planning and exit strategy planning for family owned companies. Please contact Casey Bradley via email by clicking here to schedule a call.

GPSA helps students grow in athletics, education and life skills

Georgia Storm Prep Academy, named for owner and head coach Storm Johnson (a former UCF standout and NFL running back), is a pre- and post-graduate football program. The program includes a complete academic program with NCAA approved classes, athletic training and competitions against other Prep programs and JUCOs to gain additional exposure. We will provide the best opportunity for student-athletes to grow and mature within athletics, education, and life skills while in attendance. For information, call 678-346-8144 or contact us via email by clicking here.

Fundraise from anywhere with Double Good virtual app

The Double Good virtual app provides an excellent way to stay focused on your team while providing the funds you need to participate at the highest level. Our platform is 100% contactless, and our popcorn ships directly to your supporters. You could have results like these football programs which profited: Eastside - $26,000; East Coweta - $27,000; Milton - $25,000; Westlake - $39,000; and Woodstock - $24,000. For more information or to get started, contact Westlake head coach Robert May via email by clicking here.

New sports fiction book geared toward teen athlete readers

Mike Tierney, a former longtime sports editor and writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has drawn from his experiences as a basketball coach in the Decatur school system to write the sports teen fiction book "Perfect To A Fault" about a high school player who goes through an entire season without missing a shot. Mike now coaches at Notre Dame High in the Los Angeles area, where he briefly worked with Ziaire Williams, the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft. Order the book by clicking here.

'Nobles Strong' out in paperback

Jon Nelson followed the story of the Irwin County Indians' 2019 season for GPB Sports and the chronicling of the eventual Single-A Champs is now in book form. Head Coach Buddy Nobles was given a cancer diagnosis before the season started. An entire community - on the field and off - united with the Nobles family and the Indians for a season no one touched by the story would ever forget. Order the book by clicking here.

McIntosh seeks head football coach

McIntosh High School, located in Peachtree City, Ga., is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of head varsity football coach. The teaching vacancy is in physical education/health. Interested individuals can apply at www.fcboe.org. In addition, please submit a letter of interest and resume to athletic director Leon Hammond via email by clicking here.

GHSF Daily classified ads

Reach 23,000 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 35-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.