Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021
LaVallee leads Whitefield to 3-0
Whitefield Academy junior Caleb LaVallee had an average game for himself Friday with four tackles for losses and two touchdowns, one the game-winner with 2:11 left in a 28-18 victory over North Cobb Christian.
 
LaVallee averages four tackles for losses and one sack, and he has scored the winning touchdown in the closing moments of the past two games, both against top-10 teams.
 
LaVallee is GHSF Daily’s state Player of the Week. “He could be one every week,” Whitefield Academy coach Coleman Joiner said. “In my opinion, he is the best football player in Single-A Private.”
 
The award, sponsored by AstroTurf and Sports Turf, will be presented to LaVallee this week at his school.
Top five
*Christian Heritage RB/LB Solomon Locke had 301 total yards, 13 tackles, three tackles for losses, two sacks, two safeties and a QB pressure and played every snap in a 34-32 victory over King’s Ridge Christian. Locke rushed for 201 yards on 25 carries.
 
*Hephzibah QB Jalen Patrick accounted for all five of his team’s touchdowns, including the game-winner with 12 seconds left, in a 30-28 victory over Screven County. Patrick was 15-of-27 passing for 222 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
 
*Sprayberry RB Isaiah Abbey rushed for 264 yards on 19 carries and four touchdowns in a 33-0 victory over Wheeler.
 
*Veterans QB Matthew Bruce was 17-of-20 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-42 overtime victory over Jones County. Bruce rushed for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including one in overtime, which he followed with a two-point run to win the game.
 
*Whitefield Academy RB/LB Caleb LaVallee made 17 tackles, four for losses, rushed for 78 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns, one the game-winner with 2:11 left, in a 28-18 comeback victory over North Cobb Christian.
 
Best of the rest
*Bremen QB Christian Burks was 10-of-15 passing for 195 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown on six carries in a 39-32 victory over Pepperell. 

*Brookstone DE Dylan Thornton had 11 tackles, two for losses, and recovered two fumbles in a 28-7 loss to First Presbyterian.
 
*Carrollton QB M.J. Morris was 17-of-20 passing for 339 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-7 victory over Jonesboro.

*Columbia DL/LB Marquez Harris had four tackles for losses and three sacks and scored a touchdown in a 18-13 victory over Arabia Mountain.
 
*Coffee DB Anthony Paulk returned interceptions 74 and 13 yards for touchdowns in a 34-10 victory over Houston County.
 
*Collins Hill DE Asani Redwood had three sacks and five QB hurries in a 37-22 victory over Greenville Christian of Mississippi.
 
*Cook WR Eddie Watson had four receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-20 victory over Pelham.
 
*Creekside LB Javeon Miller had three tackles for losses in a 27-20 victory over Westlake.
 
*Douglas County LB Shakai Woods Jr. had 15 tackles, two for losses, in a 9-0 victory over Dutchtown.
 
*Duluth WR Evan Thomas had six receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown in a 41-19 loss to Daniel, the No. 1 team in South Carolina’s Class 3A.
 
*Evans RB Joseph Hampton rushed for 186 yards and scored on runs of 80 and 81 yards in a 22-20 victory over Harlem.
 
*Forsyth Central RB Malachi McElroy rushed for 216 yards on 26 carries and scored on a 79-yard run in a 28-24 loss to Loganville.
 
*Grayson LB Jalen Smith had 10 tackles and three sacks in a 42-6 victory over Alpharetta.
 
*Haralson County DB/RB JoJo Chandler had 12 tackles, broke up a pass, recovered a fumble and caught a 28-yard TD pass in a 14-10 victory over Bowdon.
 
*Hebron Christian QB Gavin Hall was 9-of-13 passing for 152 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a 34-24 victory over Woodland of Cartersville.
 
*Holy Innocents’ RB/DB/LB Drew Bomar rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, intercepted a pass and had a sack and three tackles for losses in a 31-0 victory over Christ Church of South Carolina.
 
*Hughes QB Prentiss Noland was 15-of-19 passing for 157 yards and a touchdown in a 38-14 victory over Harrison.
 
*Johnson County RB Germivy Tucker rushed for 126 yards, his second straight 100-yard game, in a 42-14 victory over Wilkinson County.
 
*Jones County QB John Alan Richter was 27-of-35 passing for 267 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-42 loss to Veterans. Richter rushed for 42 yards on four carries.
 
*Kennesaw Mountain LB Ethan Voltaire had 18 total tackles (13 solo, five assists) and two tackles for losses in a 22-21 victory over Allatoona.
 
*Lakeside (Evans) RB/LB Kevin Sapp rushed for 156 yards and four touchdowns and had two sacks in a 34-31 loss to Greenbrier.
 
*Lamar County ATH C.J. Allen rushed for 176 yards and four touchdowns and had five solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in a 35-24 victory over Jackson.
 
*Lanier County QB Jacob Faircloth passed for 272 yards and three touchdowns and scored a touchdown in a 48-27 loss to Blountstown of Florida.
 
*Lincoln County QB/LB Trey Huff recorded 18 total tackles in a 23-17 victory over Westside of Augusta.
 
*Marietta WR Christian Mathis had eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-21 victory over McEachern.
 
*McIntosh LB/G Grant McKenzie had 14 tackles, two sacks and six pancake blocks in a 34-28 victory over Fayette County.
 
*Mill Creek LB Josh Anglin had three tackles for losses and 0.5 sacks in a 35-7 victory over Dacula.
 
*Miller Grove LB Cayman Spaulding had six sacks, seven tackles for losses, 10 solo tackles and four assists in a 35-13 victory over Therrell.
 
*Milton WR Debron Gatling had five receptions for 105 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-14 victory over Life Christian Academy of Virginia.
 
*Montgomery County RB/WR/LB Brandon Denmark had eight solo tackles and a forced fumble and scored three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving, in a 45-12 victory over Treutlen.
 
*Mount Zion (Carroll) WR/DB Christian Terrell had 225 yards from scrimmage, 165 of that receiving, in a 35-21 loss to Landmark Christian. Terrell also intercepted a pass.
 
*Mountain View WR Sean Reese had six receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-20 victory over Lanier.
 
*New Hampstead QB Paul Seeley was 7-of-10 passing for 138 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-0 victory over Savannah.
 
*North Murray WR Jaydyn Rice had nine receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-30 victory over Northwest Whitfield.
 
*Oconee County PK Gabe Valdez was 2-for-2 on field goals (27 and 32 yards) and kicked four touchbacks in a 21-2 victory over Clarke Central.
 
*Oglethorpe County QB Will Sampson was 23-of-42 passing for 322 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-32 loss to Athens Christian.
 
*Pacelli DE Jaquez Johnson had five tackles for losses in a 17-7 victory over Central of Talbotton.
 
*Perry QB Armar Gordon was 24-of-33 passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 42 yards in a 21-0 victory over Crisp County.
 
*Pope WR Joel Brock had six receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown in a 30-24 victory over Kell.
 
*Putnam County WR/SS Jalon Kilgore had two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown and made 10 tackles, one for a loss, in a 69-0 victory over Jasper County.
 
*Ringgold RB Kori Dumas rushed for 166 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns in a 44-0 victory over Ridgeland.
 
*Sandy Creek QB Gemiere Latimer was 14-of-23 passing for 249 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-34 victory over Newnan.
 
*Savannah Christian WR George Futch had two receiving touchdowns and one returning a punt in a 47-7 victory over Valwood.
 
*Social Circle CB/WR K.J. Reid had eight receptions for 80 yards, intercepted a pass and made 12 tackles in a 13-6 loss to Walnut Grove.

*Sonoravile OLB Wyatt Springfield had 10 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown in a 32-0 victory over Fannin County.

*South Forsyth twins Chris Nelson and Josh Nelson each caught TD passes in a 42-17 victory over Dawson County. Chris had four receptions for 109 yards. Josh had three receptions for 83 yards, five tackles and a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown.
 
*Southeast Bulloch DL Damien Donaldson had 11 tackles, four for losses, in a 24-0 victory over Telfair County.

*Southeast Whitfield RB Brady Ensley rushed for 281 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries in a 48-28 victory over Gordon Central.

*Southwest DeKalb RB Billy Johnson rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a 28-20 loss to Lithia Springs.

*South Gwinnett RB Glenn Rouse rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in a 32-0 victory over Central Gwinnett.
 
*Stephens County WR/DB Cam Lacy returned a kickoff for a touchdown, had two receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown, made two tackles and broke up a pass in a 29-12 victory over Jackson County.
 
*Thomasville LB Ty Anderson had 10 solo tackles, three tackles for losses and eight assists in a 26-21 victory over Cairo.
 
*Trinity Christian DB/WR Joshua Dallas had four receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted a pass in a 56-20 victory over Fellowship Christian.
 
*Ware County RB Cartevious Norton rushed for 152 yards, his third consecutive 100-yard game, in a 41-20 victory over Baldwin.

*Washington-Wilkes RB Ja’Marquez Tyson rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in a 45-6 victory over Cross Creek.
 
*Wesleyan QB Jett Miller was 24-of-30 passing for 210 yards in a 29-7 victory over Douglass.
 
*Woodward Academy LB/WR Chris Harrison scored on a 48-yard TD pass to give his team the lead with 43 seconds left and made a tackle at the 1-yard line on the final play of a 14-9 victory over Marist.
 
Lines of distinction
*The Carver (Atlanta) offensive line of Romell Pina, Tasai Berry, Isaiah Conn, Moses Umoren, Dexter Mitchell and Kelton McCrary with tight/end H-backs Terrell Lightfoot Jr., Dialo Mosley and Travion Huff blocked for a 200-yard rusher (Quintavious Lockett with 235 yards and three touchdowns) and a 100-yard rusher (Jarveous Brown with 157 yards and two touchdowns) in a 36-24 victory over Providence Day of North Carolina at the Cam Newton Classic at Lakewood Stadium. Carver finished with 461 yards rushing, 116 passing.
 
*Franklin County’s offensive line of Ethan Gipson, D.J. Seymour, Taryn Tate, J.T. Strickland and Charlie Garrison paved the way for 397 rushing yards in a 38-21 victory over East Hall. Micah Blackwell rushed for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
 
*Gilmer’s offensive line of Aaron Walker, Blane Banks, Herschel DeFoor, Nolan Price, Avery Moseley, Blake Reece and Dominic Tarantino helped the Bobcats to 327 total yards and 29 minutes of possession in a 34-21 victory over Murray County.
 
*Grayson’s offensive line of Walt Flynn, Hadine Diaby, O’Neal Madom, Bryce Jones and K.J. Howard blocked for two 100-yard rushers – Joseph Taylor (102) and Dylan Elder (101) – in a 42-6 victory over Alpharetta. Grayson has rushed for more than 300 years the past two games.

*Irwin County’s offensive line of Hunter Tyson, Toby Brown, Noah Brown Antawii Deans, William Johnson and Eli Roberts helped the Indians average 11.4 yards per rushing, 400 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns in a 52-26 victory over Monroe.
 
*North Forsyth’s offensive line of Eli Samples, J.T. Francis, Eli Edwards, Eli Tompkins, Greg Toll, Chris Herock, Braden O’Shields and Tyler Partain along with tight ends Riley Smith, Jonah Sexton, Aaron Redd and Cooper Eglian led the Raiders to 438 yards rushing on 72 carries and five rushing touchdowns in a 42-10 victory over Dalton. No sacks were allowed in 19 passing attempts.
 
*Whitewater’s offensive line of Will Snellings, T.J. Hill, Xavier Campbell, Ethan Crawford, John Raines, Jaxson Gier and Ethan Boelsterli cleared a path for 356 rushing yards and 9.4 yards per carry in a 44-6 victory over Locust Grove.
Carver (Columbus)
The Otter’s Chicken Offensive Line of the Week is the Carver (Columbus) unit of center Anthony Harvey, guards Keshawn Hearns and Tre Ford and tackles Kameron Dawkins and AJC Super 11 member Elijah Pritchett. They cleared space for 407 rushing yards (9.5 per carry) and 202 passing yards in a 28-15 victory over Spring Valley of South Carolina at the Cam Newton Classic at Lakewood Stadium. Spring Valley is the No. 10 team in South Carolina’s highest classification, 5A. Jaiden Credle rushed for 221 yards. Keemon Smith rushed for 106.

If the Colonel had our chicken, he’d be a general by now! For information on Otter’s Chicken, click here.
From the league
The NFL gets under way this weekend. Six GHSA head coaches played in the NFL. They are listed below. A few others, including Marist’s Alan Chadwick, Alcovy’s Jason Dukes, Banneker’s Braxton Kelly and Lambert’s Tommy Watson, signed NFL contracts for training camp, preseason or practice squads but aren’t included because they are not officially tracked by the league.
 
*Buster Davis, Mount Zion-Jonesboro (2007 Lions, 2008 Colts)
*Robert Edwards, Riverwood (1998, 2002 Patriots, Steelers)
*Willie Gary, Berkmar (2001 Rams)
*John Hunt, Woodward Academy (1984, 1987 Cowboys, Buccaneers)
*Stanley Pritchett, Douglass (1996-2004 Dolphins, Eagles, Bears, Falcons)
*Chris Slade, Pace Academy (1993-2001 Patriots, Panthers)
Head coaches Trevor Williams of Creekview, Lee Belknap of McIntosh, Van Spence of Paulding County and Coleman Joiner of Whitefield Academy are graduates of what university that is playing Georgia Tech on Saturday? (Answer Wednesday)
 
Answer to Monday’s question: McEachern coach Franklin Stephens holds the state record for reaching 100 victories in the fewest games (109).

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.
GHSF Daily will select 10 games each week for a Predict the Winner contest, presented by ALL-STAR QB. 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 the ASQB-LITE model game, the company's most popular. Click here to play!
Calvary Day QB Jake Merklinger was 12-of-16 passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-14 victory over Frederica Academy. Sandy Creek WR Miles Thornton caught a 16-yard TD pass with 20 seconds left in a 35-34 victory over Newnan. The wrong players were identified with those performances in Monday’s game summaries of top-10 teams.
Today’s interviewee is Kennesaw Mountain coach Caleb Carmean, whose team defeated Allatoona 22-21 last week, ending the defending Region 6-6A champions' 10-game winning streak in region games. Kennesaw Mountain is 3-0 for the first time in history. Carmean, a Kennesaw Mountain alumnus, became the football coach in 2018.
 
Caleb Carmean, Kennesaw Mountain coach
1. Kennesaw Mountain-Allatoona was one of the best games last week. How did the game come down at the end? What was the turning point? “It was a great game. We knew all week we were going to be in a four-quarter fight. I think our kids did a great job of staying focused and controlling what they could control. Our defense had a great game plan, and in the second half they really increased the physicality. We did a good job of playing complementary football, especially in the second half, and offensively we were able to put together some long drives and a big slant route to go up 22-21 with about four minutes left. After that, our defense had a great stop to seal the game.” [Cayman Prangley’s 56-yard TD pass to Savion Riley was the game-winner.]
 
2. Where would this victory rank among those for you as coach and maybe even in school history, and why? “I definitely think this one ranks high on the list for the school and me as a coach. Heading into this game, there had never been a Kennesaw Mountain team start 3-0, and they had never beaten Allatoona, so to be able to check both those boxes all while opening region play I think was huge for our kids, our school and our community.”
 
3. The region standings look odd with Pope, Lassiter, Kennesaw Mountain and Sprayberry tied for first. What's it like to see that? What's happening in Cobb County? “I think that’s a testament to the great football programs in Cobb County. It is very early in the season, but in our region [all Cobb County teams] on any given night anyone can win the game, which is why it’s so important to make sure you’re prepared and focused each week.” [The four Cobb schools mentioned have won three region titles total since 2010. Kell and Allatoona, each 0-1 in region play, have won four apiece in that time.]
 
4. Last season, you made the playoffs for the first time. This season, you're 3-0 for the first time, hoping to finish higher in the standings and win a playoff game for the first time. What do you feel is the most important thing in getting a team to the next level? “I think so much of what we are doing is about our players buying in. We are very junior-senior heavy, and most of those guys were 0-10 two years ago. In that, they learned how to battle adversity and how to compete and have become very relationship-driven. We have a lot of great players, and majority of them are now entering their third year as varsity starters, so that experience is invaluable.”
 
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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: B - Banneker High School; HA - Henderson-Atlanta; HS - Hallford; MT - McConnell-Talbert; PH - Perry High School; SH - Sharp
Alan Chadwick Podcast Interview - Poker, Preparation, and Sean McVay
Marist head coach Alan Chadwick doesn’t open up much, but when he does, it’s golden. Chadwick recently joined a former player on The Best You Podcast. He talks about how a poker game brought him to Marist, why he’s stayed at Marist for so long, how much longer he’s planning on staying, why he seems so grumpy all the time, and more. Take a listen to the podcast by clicking here. Contact Nick at carrierbestyou@gmail.com.
 
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.
 
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
 
Greater Georgia Basketball Officials enrolling new members
Greater Georgia Basketball Officials, one of the leading GHSA officials organizations, assigns officials to more than 25 high schools in the state. Our group is comprised of dedicated and professional men and women looking to give back to the game of basketball. If you are interested in joining Greater Georgia (GGBO), please contact Mike Oglesby via email by clicking here or by mail at Greater Georgia Basketball Officials, 3770 Cliff Crest Drive, S.E., Smyrna, GA 30080.
 
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.

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.
 
'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.
 
Armuchee seeking game on Sept. 10
Armuchee High School is looking for a varsity football game on Sept. 10. In interested, contact head coach Jeremy Green via email by clicking here.
 
North Springs seeks game Oct. 1
North Springs High School is looking for a game on Oct. 1. If interested, contact head coach Jeff Phillips via email by clicking here.
 
Perry has open dates to fill on Sept. 17, Oct. 8
Perry High School looking for a home game. Dates open are Sept. 17 and Oct. 8. If interested, contact head coach Kevin Smith via email by clicking here.
 
Statesboro seeks opponent for Sept. 17 or Sept. 24
Statesboro High School is looking for a varsity football opponent on Sept. 17 or Sept. 24 to play in Statesboro only. If interested, contact athletic director Pat Hill 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.