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Georgia High School Football Magazine - Class A - 2007 Playoff Results
2007 Class A Playoff Results
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Emanuel County Ins. 41, Wilcox County 21
SEMIFINALS
Emanuel County Ins 35, Clinch County 14, Wilcox County 32, Athens Academy 14
QUARTERFINALS
Clinch County 26, Fellowship Christian 13
Emanuel County Ins 34, Warren County 17
Wilcox County 34, Lincoln County 24
Athens Academy 14, Brookstone 13
SECOND ROUND
Clinch County 31, Schley County 15
Fellowship Christian 49, Gordon Lee 21
Emanuel County Ins. 35, Dooly County 0
Warren County 28, Jefferson 7
Lincoln County 19, Bremen 7
Wilcox County 25, Miller County 0
Athens Academy 21, Whitefield Academy 7
Brookstone 35, Savannah Co. Day 21
FIRST ROUND
Clinch County 47, Claxton 20
Schley County 25, Johnson County 19
Fellowship Christian 3, Wilkinson County 0
Gordon Lee 16, Commerce 14
Emanuel County Ins. 49, Seminole County 23
Dooly County 36, Pacelli 14
Warren County 42, ELCA 29
Jefferson 24, Bowdon 13
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Georgia High School Football Magazine
Bremen 35, Social Circle 7
Lincoln County 36, Landmark Christian 15
Wilcox County 48, Chatt County 18
Miller County 48, Bryan County 22
Athens Academy 42, Trion 7
Whitefield Academy 28, Twiggs County 18
Brookstone 31, Irwin County 21
Savannah Co. Day 49, Atkinson County 14
Order Online at www.highschoolfootballmagazine.com
Georgia High School Football Magazine - Preseason Academic All-State Honor Roll
2008 GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MAGAZINE
2008 PRE-SEASON ACADEMIC
ALL-STATE “STAR HONOR ROLL”
CLASS A
(Nominee information was submitted by coaches from respective schools. Selections were
based on a combination of football ability, overall academic average, and coaches’ comments.
Nominations submitted after May 24, 2008 are not included due to scheduled print date.
Congratulations to the players selected.
POS.
QB
QB
QB
RB
WR
WR
WR
WR
TE
OL
OL
OL
DB
LB
LB
LB
NAME
Brandon Paul
Ronnie Gilyard
Chase Ellis
Christain Demere
McKay Matthews
Eric Martin
Drew Hill
Lester Green
Jack Farrell
Joseph Kennedy
Josh Parrish
Jimbo Bower
Drew Wilson
Conrad Quisos
Mark Flott
Andrew Glaize
SCHOOL
Aquinas
Glascock County
Towns County
Savannah Country Day
Athens Academy
Dooly County
Aquinas
Turner County
Holy Innocents
Gordon Lee
Wesleyan
Chattahoochee County
Washington-Wilkes
Whitefield Academy
ECI
Landmark Christian
HEIGHT
5-11
6-0
6-2
6-0
5-9
6-5
6-3
5-10
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-4
6-2
6-0
6-1
6-3
WEIGHT
180
195
195
195
175
180
175
165
220
240
290
270
210
220
205
205
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Georgia High School Football Magazine - 2007 Class A Championship
Emanuel County Institute 41, Wilcox County 21
1A
Title
Lowndes smothering defense led them to another state title. Photo submitted by Al Rowell.
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CoNGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS A CHAMPS
EMANUEL CO. INSTITUTE
Georgia High School Football Magazine - Preseason All-State Selections
2008 PRE-SEASON All-state Selections - CLASS A
POS
NAME
SCHOOL
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
QB
Deondrick Pina
Schley County
5-11
180
QB
Tanner Bryant
Landmark Christian
6-2
170
QB
Trey Miller
Whitefield Academy
5-11
185
QB
Kentez Williams
Dooly County
5-10
170
RB
Washaun Ealey
ECI
5-11
205
RB
Jamal Street
Social Circle
6-1
214
RB
Antonio Marshall
Wilcox County
5-10
185
RB
Fedale Hall
Mt. Pisgah
5-9
175
RB
Jacob Groce
Gordon Lee
5-10
180
RB
Ronnie Gillyard
Glascock County
6-0
195
WR
McKay Matthews
Athens Academy
5-9
175
WR
Wilkes Goolsby
Lincoln County
6-1
185
WR
Hiawatha Parker
Turner County
5-9
165
TE
Jack Farrell
Holy Innocents
6-3
220
TE
Jay Stansberry
Bremen
6-4
264
OL
William Parks
Seminole County
6-2
270
OL
Connor Randall
Social Circle
6-4
235
OL
Chris Powell
Irwin County
6-0
220
OL
Joseph Brown
Portal
6-3
300
OL
Will Jenkins
Athens Academy
6-2
215
ATH
Cedric Wilson
Chattahoochee County
6-2
215
RB
Van Jakes
Eagles Landing Christian
5-8
190
POS
NAME
SCHOOL
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
DE
Chris Murray
Bacon County
6-4
240
DB
Kentrell Latimore
Warren County
5-11
175
DB
Blake Wyatt
Landmark Christian
6-2
180
LB
Denarius Hayles
Turner County
6-0
220
LB
Cecil Brown
Calhoun County
N/A
195
LB
Mark Flott
ECI
6-1
205
LB
Jeremy Kirtz
Dodge County
5-10
200
LB
Conrad Quiros
Whitefield Academy
6-0
220
LB
Andrew Glaize
Landmark Christian
6-3
205
DL
Tytus Baynes
Social Circle
5-11
270
DL
Patrick Davis
Telfair County
6-2
275
DL
J. C. Lanier
ECI
6-3
315
DL
Demetrius Bozeman
Hawkinsville
6-0
284
DL
Jacario Crowder
Dooly County
6-1
240
P
Greg Vickers
Hawkinsville
5-10
165
LB
Jonathan Lewis
Warren County
6-2
240
Editor’s Note: Players were selected by the Georgia High School Football Magazine staff based on being nominated by their respective coaches and other sources. Nominations
submitted after May 24, 2008 could not be considered due to our scheduled press date. Congratulations to the outstanding athletes selected.
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Georgia High School Football Magazine - Class A Preseason Rankings
2008 PRE-SEASON RANKINGS - CLASS A
CLASS A
Top SIX
CLASS A
NoS. 7-10
CLASS A
Others RECEIVING VOTES
(Don’t Count them out)
1. Emanuel County Institute
2. Clinch
3. Lincoln County/Wilcox County (tie)
4. Wesleyan
5. Athens Academy
6. Twiggs County/Warren County (tie)
7. Washington-Wilkes
8. Dooly
9. Bremen
10. Commerce
Brookstone
Hawkinsville
Irwin County
Miller County
Savannah Christian
Turner County
Darlington
Holy Innocents
Landmark Christian
Pacelli
Savannah Country Day
Preseason rankings are based on votes submitted by coaches throughout the state. Votes are tabulated and averaged to determine the rankings as fairly as possible.
Votes received after May 24, 2008 are not included.
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Georgia High School Football Magazine - U.S Army Preseason Academic Honor Roll
2008 U.S. Army PRE-SEASON ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
CLASS A
Nominee information was submitted by coaches from respective schools. Selections were based on a combination of football ability, overall
academic average, and coaches’ comments. Nominations submitted after May 24, 2008 are not included due to scheduled print date.
Congratulations to the players selected.
POS
NAME
SCHOOL
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
QB......................Brandon Paul........................................ Aquinas.......................................................... 5-11.............................................. 180
WR................... Drew Hill..........................................Aquinas................................................... 6-3...........................................175
WR/DB..............McKay Matthews.................................. Athens Academy........................................... 5-9................................................ 175
QB.................... Tyson Beachem................................Athens Christian..................................... 6-3...........................................190
QB......................Drew Meeks.......................................... Atkinson County.......................................... 5-10.............................................. 170
QB/OLB........... Reed Burkett....................................Bacon County.......................................... 5-9...........................................165
OL/DL............... Curt Barrett........................................... Bremen........................................................... 5-10.............................................. 245
QB/FS.............. Clayton McIntosh.............................Bremen.................................................... 6-0...........................................180
OL/LB................ Carter Galbraith.................................... Brookstone..................................................... 6-2................................................ 220
RB/DB............. Justine Fernicola...............................Brookstone.............................................. N/A......................................... N/A
LB...................... Jermaine Harper................................... Chattahoochee County................................ 5-10.............................................. 230
OL................... Jimbo Bower.....................................Chattahoochee County........................... 6-4...........................................270
C/LS................... Cleve Jackson......................................... Darlington..................................................... 6-0................................................ 245
DB/WR........... Keith Mumphrey..............................Dooly County.......................................... 6-5...........................................180
WR..................... Eric Martin............................................ Dooly County................................................ 6-5................................................ 180
LB................... Mark Flott.........................................ECI........................................................... 6-1...........................................205
QB..................... Ronnie Gilyard...................................... Glascock County........................................... 6-0................................................ 195
DB................... Brad Culbreth...................................Gordon Lee.............................................. 6-0...........................................175
OT/DT.............. Joseph Kennedy.................................... Gordon Lee.................................................... 6-4................................................ 240
WR.................. Tocawn Fluellen................................Hancock County...................................... 5-8...........................................175
PK/P.................. Greg Vickers.......................................... Hawkinsville.................................................. 5-10.............................................. 165
RB/LB............. Collin Rhea.......................................Holy Innocents........................................ 6-2...........................................195
TE/DE............... Jack Farrell............................................. Holy Innocents.............................................. 6-3................................................ 220
OL................... W. L. Bishop......................................Irwin County........................................... N/A......................................... N/A
LB/TE................ Andrew Glaize....................................... Landmark Christian..................................... 6-3................................................ 205
C ................... Garrett Matthews..............................Lincoln County....................................... 6-3...........................................200
LB...................... Daniel McAlister................................... Lincoln County............................................. 5-11.............................................. 175
LB................... Harold McCarthy..............................Marion County........................................ 6-1...........................................195
RB/OLB............. Dillon Burns.......................................... Marion County............................................. N/A..............................................N/A
OL/DL............. Parker Goodman..............................Portal....................................................... 5-8...........................................220
DB/WR............. Janarious Mitchell................................. Randolph Clay............................................... 6-0................................................ 185
C/DE............... Frederick Wisenbaker......................Savannah Country Day........................... 6-0...........................................185
FB/LB................ Christain Demere................................. Savannah Country Day................................ 6-0................................................ 195
C ................... Josh Patterson...................................Schley County......................................... 5-11.........................................230
DB..................... Kyle Brock.............................................. Schley County............................................... 6-1................................................ 185
LB/SE.............. Jody Stone.........................................Telfair County......................................... 5-10.........................................185
OL..................... Joseph Altman....................................... Telfair County............................................... 5-10.............................................. 210
QB................... Chase Ellis.........................................Towns County......................................... 6-2...........................................195
WR..................... Lester Green.......................................... Turner County.............................................. 5-10.............................................. 165
OL................... Malav Chakravorty...........................Walker . ................................................... 6-1...........................................200
LB...................... Drew Wilson.......................................... Washington-Wilkes...................................... 6-2................................................ 210
OL/DL............. Josh Parrish.......................................Wesleyan.................................................. 6-5...........................................290
LB/C.................. Conrad Quisos...................................... Whitefield Academy..................................... 6-0................................................ 220
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Georgia High School Football Magazine - Class A Outlooks
ATKINSON COUNTY
REGION 1-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 156-236-9
CITY Pearson
STADIUM Rebel
COLORS Red/White/Gray
COACH Ken Stoudenmire
CAREER RECORD 36-41-1
LAST SEASON 5-6
2006 5-6
2005 1-9
2004 4-7
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB/LB Akeem Thomas
(6-1, 205); C/LB Justin Heath (6-2, 195)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB Drew Meeks
(5-10, 170, Sr.); S Perez Noble (6-0, 175, Jr.);
OG/LB James Atkins (5-10, 175, Jr.); T Adrien
Johnson (6-1, 240, Jr.); TB Tez Vickers (5-11,
175, Jr.); OT/LB Rene Gonzales (5-9,, 245, So.);
OG Justin Spivey (5-9, 225, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Atkinson County enjoyed
the fruits of their labor, going 5-5 in the regular
season and then gaining a berth in the post
season play. But losing in the opening round was
not the finish the Rebels envisioned and with
2008 on the horizon, Coach Ken Stoudenmire
has his troops primed for better things.
Two standouts from the senior class will show
the way. RB/LB Akeem Thomas (4.65) is big
enough (6-1, 205) to do damage on either side
of the ball and C/LB Justin Heath (6-2, 195) will
give aid.
Much of this team will be young as only four
seniors will have much playing experience.
Junior TB Tez Vickers (4.6) might be a name to
watch and the quarterback job will fall into the
hands of Drew Meeks, a senior moving in for his
first start.
“We should be improved on the offensive line,”
says Stoudenmire of his squad. “We will also
have leadership in our backfield. The struggle on
offense is that there will be inexperience at some
very key positions.
“Defensively, we have strong experience at linebacker, but the secondary will be immature. Our
long snapper, Justin Heath, is back on special
teams but we’ve got to find both a punter and
place kicker.”
BACON COUNTY
REGION 1-A
CITY Alma
STADIUM Morris Johnson
COLORS Scarlet/White
COACH Scott Brown
CAREER RECORD 11-30
LAST SEASON 2-8
2006 2-8
2005 6-5
2004 1-9
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OT/DE Chris Murray
(6-4, 240)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB/OLB Reed
Burkett (5-9, 165, Sr.); RB/DB Tay Reynolds
(5-7, 160, So.); RB/DB Danky Anderson (5-8,
160, So.); OG Corey Hatten (5-9, 210, Jr.); C
Ethan Hampton (6-2, 180, Jr.); WR/DB Chris
Noble (5-7, 155, Jr.); WR/OLB Michael McCarty
(6-1, 175, Jr.); LB Dustin Taft (5-10, 190, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Bacon County managed
only a 2-8 mark in 2007, but that does not stop
head coach Scott Brown from thinking that
2008 might be the year the Red Raiders turn the
corner.
“We’re very hopeful for the ’08 campaign,” begins Brown. “We have had a great off season and
have had a great work ethic through the spring
and summer. We hope to make some noise early
and ride the whirlwind. In Chris Murray we
have a three-sport letterman that can play many
positions on the field. He has room to add many
pounds and will hold it well. He is a prospect.”
Murray (6-4, 240) runs a 4.8 despite his size and
is considered an agile and versatile D-I prospect.
Senior QB Reed Burkett returns after throwing
for 489 yards as a junior. Junior Michael McCarty led receivers with 17 catches for 199 yards
a year ago and will be improved. Sophomore RB
Tay Reynolds (4.5) will be exciting as will classmate running back Danky Anderson (4.5).
This is a team with a future that is bright and the
quicker they can put it together, the brighter that
light shines.
CALHOUN COUNTY
REGION 1-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 N/A
CITY Edison
STADIUM Cougar Den
COLORS Red/White/Blue
COACH John Williams
CAREER RECORD 49-54
LAST SEASON 6-4
2006 N/A
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS TB Jaccori Cannon
(6-0, 192); LB Cecil Brown (6-0, 195)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS None listed
SEASON OUTLOOK Calhoun County posted
a 6-4 mark in Region 1 last season, missing the
playoffs. The 2008 season may not see the Cougars run the table, but a group of skilled athletes
return giving Coach John Williams hope that it
will be a season that moves ahead of the last.
When Coach Williams looks at his squad he sees
an opportunity.
“In the offensive skill positions we have experience as well as depth,” notes Williams. “If we
have any glaring weakness it will be in the offensive line where we will be young and will have
to grow up fast if our wing-T attack is going to
work. Defensively, we return a skilled group of
linebackers and defensive backs, but our defensive line will be young.”
The top two athletes for Williams will be tailback
Jaccori Cannon (4.5), who will try to make up
for the loss of leading rusher (975 yards) Ricky
Haynes to graduation. “He is a great back with
break away speed,” says his coach. The other star
is linebacker Cecil Brown, a D-I prospect and “a
hitter” by his coach’s pronouncement.
A skilled group on the special teams will aid the
cause as Calhoun County continues down the
trail of improvement.
CLINCH COUNTY
REGION 1-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 282-143-10
CITY Homerville
STADIUM Donald Tison Field/Panther
COLORS Red/White
COACH Jim Dickerson
LAST SEASON 11-3
2006 8-3
2005 7-5
2004 13-1-1
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR/DB Dominique
Ellis (5-10, 175); WR/DB Carlos Likely (5-9,
165); DL Chris Hoopiiaina (6-0, 230); TE/DE
Willie Calhoun (6-6, 215)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS LB Trey Richardson (5-10, 190, So.); QB Vintavious Cooper
(5-10, 185, JR.); WR/DB Marquez Hunt (6-3,
180, Jr.); Dl Duron Morris (6-0, 180, Sr.); OL
Clay Cross (6-3, 255, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK When Clinch County
reached the Dome last season (state semifinals)
it marked the seventh such trip in eight years for
the Panthers. The men of Coach Jim Dickerson
were 11-3 on the year, but 2008 might just be
one better.
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league talent.
LANIER COUNTY
REGION 1-A
ALL-TIME RECORD 10-72-1
CITY Lakeland
STADIUM Roquemore
COLORS Red/Black
COACH Daniel McFather
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 4-6
2006 6-4
2005 5-6
2004 2-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB/LB Delphon Sirmans (6-1, 195); RB/DE Justin Riley (6-0, 205);
DE J.T. Norwood (5-11, 205)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB Josh McFather (6-2, 160, Jr.); RB/LB Lance Davis (5-10,
190, Jr.); RB/LB Dedrick Sirmans (5-9, 175, Jr.);
SE/DE Anthony Etheridge (6-4, 185, So.); RB/
DB Devin Ghee (5-10, 160, Jr.); SE/DB Terrell
Ghee (5-9, 150, Sr.); RB/DB Chavartas Raymond
(5-8, 165, So.); OT/DT Jody Hall (5-10, 205,
So.); OT/DT Hustin Connell (6-0, 230, Sr.); OL/
DE Russell Kayhea (6-6, 215, Jr.); OL/OT Kevin
Stone (5-10, 240, Jr.)
Calhoun’s Derek Ramsey
A pair of wide receivers with tremendous speed
and skill will be the highlight of the offense. But
what good are a couple of pass catchers in waiting without a strong armed quarterback to get
the football delivered?
Dominique Ellis (4.4) is a talent. He caught 39
passes for 945 yards as a junior and already has
an offer in hand from South Carolina. Carols
Likely (4.5) has similar skills, but a slighter
build. These two speedsters should benefit the
statistics of junior QB Vintavious Cooper. Cooper passed for 1,971 yards by completing 99 of
211 passes. TE senior Willie Calhoun (6-6, 215)
is another prospect who makes life better for the
Clinch offense.
Ellis was all-State last season and should manage
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a return performance. Cooper is a candidate as
well.
Clay Cross (6-3, 255) is a large sized junior up
front.
The defense will be paced by Likely and Ellis
(whose eight interceptions led the team in ’07) at
defensive backs. Chris Hoopiiaina (6-0, 230) is a
D-II prospect on the D-line and Calhoun shifts
sides of the ball to make life miserable for the
opposing attack troops.
LB Trey Richardson is a sophomore with a
future. Duron Morris is a steady senior up front
and Marquez is a WR who doubles as a secondary standout.
Look for Clinch County in the Dome once
more. This is another Class A school with major
SEASON OUTLOOK With a dozen returning
starters, split evenly between the defense and
the offense, it would be a safe supposition that
Lanier County will be better than the 4-6 record
the Bulldogs posted in 2007.
Coach Daniel McFather’s team has 15 players returning with experience and that is a good thing.
QB Josh McFather, the coach’s son, is back to
put a guiding hand on the offense in his junior
season. McFather completed just 22 of 51 passes
for 257 yards as a sophomore, but a year of
seasoning should pay dividends in ’08. Anthony
Etheridge is a sophomore who led receivers
while a freshman, making eight catches for 209
yards.
But this is a ground oriented attack and a
replacement will have to be found for top
rusher Chris McCutchin (1,097 yards and 11
touchdowns). The best of the bunch should be
seniors Delphon Sirmans and Justin Riley, but
Lance Davis, Devin Ghee, Chavartas Raymond
or Dedrick Sirmans could offer support. All are
juniors except Raymond, who is a sophomore.
The offensive line is a weak link. Hustin Connell
(6-0, 230) and Grady Curtis are the only seniors.
But size and youth abound. Kevin Stone (5-10,
240), Russell Hayhea (6-6, 215) and Jody Hall
(5-10, 205) are underclassmen, Hall merely a
sophomore.
All the linemen will swing both ways and that
gives merely more strength as the season progresses. DE J.T. Norwood (5-11, 205) is a small
college prospect and leads the defense.
Lanier County might have to make only a small
step to move into playoff contention.
MILLER COUNTY
REGION 1-A
CITY Colquitt
STADIUM Pirate Field
COLORS Red/White
COACH Frank Killingsworth
CAREER RECORD 20-23
LAST SEASON 7-5
2006 2-8
2005 3-7
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OL/Dl Robert Baker
(6-0, 235); FL/SS Tony Grier (5-11, 195); LB/FB
McQuel Sims (5-10, 210); SE/FS Chris Williams (6-1, 195); DL Jeffery King (5-10, 255); OL
Dalton Snipes (5-11, 225)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS TB ShawnDre
Sheffield (5-8, 185, Jr.); SE/TE?LB Cosby Salter
(6-0, 205, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK In Frank Killingsworth’s
first season as the head coach of Miller County
football, the Pirates posted a 7-5 mark, advancing to the second round of the state title hunt
before falling.
Now Killingsworth brings his troops back for
more and with experienced hands rampant on
both sides of the ball, Miller County will likely
be a force to be reckoned with in Region 1 action.
Killingsworth sees the overall team speed as his
offensive weapon, while depth on the offensive
line will be a problem that he and his staff will
have to address. Defensively the experience is up
front in the line and linebacker slots and, once
again, depth could cause problems if injuries hit.
The lines on both sides of the ball will benefit
from the play of Robert Baker (6-0, 235). Baker
is a D-I possibility as is FL/SS Tony Grier, LB/FB
McQuel Sims and SE/FS Chris Williams (4.7).
Along with DL Jeffery King (5-10, 255) and OL
Dalton Snipes (5-11, 225) these will be where
the leadership comes.
ShawnDre Sheffield (4.5) and SE/TE/LB Cosby
Salter (6-0, 205, 4.5) are juniors with D-I potential as well and will be key players in any success
that Miller County achieves in 2008.
RANDOLPH-CLAY
REGION 1-A
CITY Cuthbert
STADIUM Red Devil
COLORS Red/Black
COACH N/A
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 6-4
2006 6-4
2005 10-2
2004 10-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS DE/WR Janarious
Mitchell (6-0, 185); WR/FS Malcolm Robinson
(6-4, 190); DB/WR Ryan Spann (6-2, 170);
LB/RB Jeremy Clark (5-11, 190); LB/FB Neal
Harden (5-10, 185); LB/TE Contavious Johnson
(6-0, 205)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DB/RB Emmanuel Clay (5-8, 165, So.); B/RB Cardaryle Curry
(6-0, 190, So.); DL/OL Dejuan Gilbert (6-3, 240,
So.); DL/LB Clarence Johnson (5-8, 210, Jr.);
DL/LB Daniel Mande (5-9, 180, So.); DL/OL
Dominique Jackson (5-11, 275, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Starting spring workouts
without a head coach, Randolph-Clay is coming
off a 6-4 mark and looking for a return to the
back-to-back 10-win seaSons of ’04 and ’05.
Randolph-Clay will be moving down to Class A
this season in state realignment.
One of the biggest losses for the Red Devils
will be Chris Clay, who ran for 2,041 yards and
scored 19 touchdowns prior to graduating this
past year. Clay is the third all-time rusher in the
State of Georgia with 7,695 career yards, second
all-time single game rusher with 469 and sixth
all-time rushing touchdown scorer with 89.
Much of the returning talent for RandolphClay will be on the defensive side of the ball. LB
Cardaryle Curry, DB Emmanuel Clay, DE Clarence Johnson and DT Dominique Jackson all
rate as preseason all-State picks from that unit.
Curry led in tackles with 82 last season, but he
will be the only stat leader back for 2008.
Janarious Mitchell (6-0, 185, 4.5) is a D-I prospect at defensive back and wide receiver as is
Ryan Spann (4.4). Malcolm Robinson (FS/WR),
LB/RB Jeremy Clark (4.5), LB/FB Neal Harden
(4.5) and LB/TE Contavious Johnson are considered D-IAA talents.
Clay is only a sophomore, but has 4.5 quickness. Curry, too, is a sophomore as much of the
Devils’ talent rests in the younger groups. Five
sophomores logged considerable time in the
trenches last year and that is a fact that should
bode well for Randolph-Clay as the years go by.
The City of Cuthbert would like to see the talent
work while it’s young however.
PELHAM
REGION 1-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 185-219-26
CITY Pelham
STADIUM Pelham City
COLORS Blue/White
COACH Jim Morrell
CAREER RECORD 36-28
LAST SEASON 0-10
2006 0-10
2005 1-9
2004 2-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Matt Hilliard (6-1,
195); OL Justin Pollock (6-3, 240); RB/DB Mario
Morgan (6-1, 165)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB/DB Randavious Balom (5-6, 160, Jr.); TE/LB Michael
Cochran (6-0,200, Jr.); OL/DL Adam Curles
(Jr.); OL/DL Justin Curles (5-10, 195, Jr.); OT/
DT Jamie Curles (5-10, 195, Jr.); TE/DE Daniel
Munoz (6-0, 180, Sr.); QB/DB Kenneth Randall
(6-0, 155, So.); RB/DB Bo Ross (6-2, 175, Jr.);
RB/DB Darius Thomas (5-8, 150, So.); OL/DL
Robert Rackley (6-0, 220, Jr.); RB/DB Chris Cox
(5-7, 135, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK “The Streak” for the
Pelham Hornets is now at 28.
Not since the second week of the 2005 season,
when the Hornets knocked off Albany, 22-13,
has Pelham won a football game.
Coach Jim Morrell takes over the helm of Pelham football fortunes as 2008 begins, bringing
with him a career mark of 36-28, the pro style
offense and a 40 defense. Now, if he can just put
the Hornets back on the right track, all will be
well in the City of Pelham.
If there is one thing that this team lacks and
sorely needs on both sides of the football, Morrell can sum it up in one word: confidence. And
only winning can build the confidence needed
to win even more.
Three D-II level prospects are on the roster. Seniors QB Matt Hilliard, OL Justin Pollock (6-3,
240) and RB/DB Mario Morgan are the Hornets’
leaders for ’08.
Hilliard definitely has the mind for the game. He
carries a GPA of 95.02 and an SAT or 1260.
RB/DB Chris Cox and TE/DE Daniel Munoz
are two other seniors returning with experience.
Nine underclassmen with varsity playing time
give the Hornets a big more savvy than usual.
Nine starters will be back on the offensive side of
the ball and 10 on defense.
If Morrell can put the excitement of playing the
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game back into the Hornets, perhaps this will be
the year that Pelham breaks out of the doldrums
of the last three and moves ahead in Region 1.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
REGION 1-A
CITY Donalsonville
STADIUM Seminole
COLORS Kelly Green/Black/White
COACH Alan Ingram
CAREER RECORD 31-15
LAST SEASON 8-3
2006 9-3
2005 9-3
2004 4-6
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OL William Parks
(6-2, 270); TR Chris Virgin (5-10, 160)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS FB Johnnie
Jones (5-8, 150, Sr.); WR Tony McElroy (5-10,
170, Sr.); OT Patrick Johnson (6-1, 280, Jr.);
OG Santez Richardson (5-9, 190, Sr.); OG Alex
Croom (6-2, 190, Sr.); QB Rodrigez Scott (6-0,
180, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Bacarri Rambo was the
Seminole County stat sheet last season. The QB
led in rushing (637), passing (615), scoring (18)
and interceptions (2). But graduation took the
team leader away and now Coach Alan Ingram
and his Indians will lean on a group and not an
individual as the 2008 season unfolds.
“Team unity” is the slogan for the offense in ’08.
The option I attack will have sophomore Rodrigez Scott (6-0, 180) at QB and FB Johnnie Jones,
a senior, will be the backfield leader. Senior
Chris Virgin and Tony McElroy will lead the receivers, but this is a team that needs a candidate
to step forward to carry the football.
Up front in the offensive line will be William
Parks, a D-I prospect with “great feet” and
considerable size (6-2, 270). Patrick Johnson,
Santez Richardson and Alex Croom will be in
the offensive line as well.
Seminole County will return five offensive players and five defensive. Still, last year’s 8-3 will be
a tough act to follow.
DOOLY COUNTY
REGION 2-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 171-132
CITY Vienna
STADIUM The Grove
COLORS Cardinal Red/Gold
COACH Darryl Silas
CAREER RECORD 28-15
70
LAST SEASON 10-2
2006 6-4
2005 7-4
2004 5-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Kentez Williams
(5-10, 170); WR Eric Martin (6-5, 180); DL
Jacario Crowder (6-1, 240); LB/RB Donald Black
(6-2, 215); Dl Marcus Carter (5-10, 190)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB DeMario
Jackson (5-8, 165, Jr.); OG Damian Manning
(6-1, 225, So.); WR Arsenio Watkins (5-10, 170,
Jr.); RB/DB Robert Bowens (5-10, 185, Sr.); LB
Reginald Zanders (5-7, 168, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Dooly County raced to a
10-2 record in 2007, splitting two playoff games
in the postseason.
Now, with 2008 approaching, Coach Darryl Silas
has high hopes for his Bobcats.
“We lost 17 seniors to graduation, but we still
have many experienced players returning from
our 10-2 team and we should be able to compete
for the region crown in 2-A,” begins Silas. “Offensively, we will have the ability to throw the
football to many different skilled athletes. We
have to replace three offensive linemen and find
someone to give us what Terrance Neal and
Tyler Taylor did at receiver and running back.
“Defensively, our line will be led by senior
Jacario Crowder, but we have to develop some
linebacker strength and a secondary. On special
teams we must find a place kicker to handle
extra points and field goals.”
QB Kentez Williams (4.6) is a potential D-I
prospect. He threw for 1,475 yards in ’07. His
favored target, Tyler Taylor (40 for 874 yards) is
graduated but Eric Martin’s 6-5 frame and 4.6
speed makes for a nice net. Martin, too, might
wind up in a major college, but he could be playing basketball or football. He has great leaping
ability.
Crowder (6-1, 240) led the team in sacks (15)
and was voted the best defensive lineman. LB/
RB Donald Black is “a hard hitter, hard runner”
according to Silas. DL standout Marcus Carter is
“aggressive and has a nose for the football.”
Damian Manning (6-1, 225, So.) is an outstanding guard in the under class as is WR Arsenio
Watkins (4.6).
This is a team with enough talent to make the
playoffs if everything falls just right and key
players remain injury free.
HAWKINSVILLE
REGION 2-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 2210-194-7
CITY Hawkinsville
STADIUM Bobby Gentry/The Gent
COACH Cam Black
CAREER RECORD 0-0
LAST SEASON 3-7
2006 9-4
2005 9-4
2004 14-1
COLLEGE PROSPECTS DL/OL Demetrius
Bozeman (6-0, 284); WR/DB Shannon Williams
(6-1, 195); PK/P Greg Vickers (5-10, 165)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS OL Mart Mcleod
(5-10, 265, So.); QB Aaron Black (6-2, 180, Jr.);
FB Martavious Jenkins (6-0, 195, Jr.); TB Fabian
Forrest (5-6, 150, So.); WR/CB Brandon Adams
(6-0, 180, So.); DL Trevis Lawson (5-10, 225,
So.); LB Darryl Singletary (6-1, 190, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK While Hawkinsville will
return a nice group of talent from the 2007
group that finished 3-7, first year head coach
Cam Black is uncertain about what 2008 might
hold for his Red Devils.
“Our quarterback and tailback will be returning
with experience and that is a plus,” notes Black,
“but we will be young up front in the offensive
line with mostly sophomores in the lineup. On
defense we have got to replace six starters that
were lost to graduation. Our place kicker/punter
Greg Vickers will be of value if we can get close
enough and score and punt return man Favian
Forrest is dangerous if we can just manage to
stop anyone.”
Forrest (4.6) was the leading rusher a year ago
with 1,020 yards on 222 carries and had seven
touchdowns to set the pace in that department.
He is a junior. Quarterback Aaron Black, also a
junior, hit on just 63 of 136 passes as a sophomore for 916 yards. Shannon Williams (4.6)
should be the leading receiver and also shines in
the secondary. Along with Vickers and two-way
lineman Demetrius Bozeman (6-0, 284), Williams is in a group of three seniors who could
gain the attention of college scouts.
FB Martavious Jenkins (6-0, 195) returns and
sophomore lineman Mart Mcleod (5-10, 265) is
back.
Linebacker Darryl Singletary is a senior leader
who had 60 tackles to lead the defense in 2007.
CB Brandon Adams is a sophomore with speed
(4.6) in the secondary and Trevis Lawson is a
returning sophomore who gained experience by
playing some as a freshman.
IRWIN COUNTY
REGION 2-A
CITY Ocilla
STADIUM Lanny Roberts
COLORS Red/Black
COACH John Gamble
CAREER RECORD 7-4
LAST SEASON 7-4
2006 5-5
2005 4-6
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB/DB Horace Young
(5-6, 140); WR/DB Lonnie Johnson (5-9, 170);
OL Chris Powell (6-0, 220); LB Kendrick Edwards (5-11, 200)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB Clint Paulk
(6-4, 195, Jr.); OG Kaleb Grimsley (6-0, 190,
Sr.); C Joe Ben Wright (5-10, 235, Jr.); TE Jeremy
Martin (6-3, 210, So.); WR Quan Hall (5-8, 160,
Sr.); DE Kenny Richardson (5-10, 175, Jr.); DT
Donta Jackson (6-0, 215, Jr.); DT Terrance Woodard (6-3, 300, Jr.); LB Bradley Tucker (6-1, 185,
Jr.); NG Matt Mobley (5-10, 165, Sr.); SS Fred
Marshall (6-0, 170, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Irwin County posted a
7-4 mark in 2007, falling on the opening weekend of the playoffs. Coach John Gamble has a
good returning nucleus for 2008 and expects to
be competitive once again as he enters into his
second year as head coach.
“On offense we have a better understanding of
our offense after learning it last season,” says
Gamble. “We have some good depth at the
running back position and our quarterback is a
returning junior with college talent. If we have
a weakness it would be losing last year’s leading
rusher in Terry Ashley. Also, we must find players at the wide receiver position to open up our
passing game.”
The defense is sound as well.
“We have nine returning starters on defense,”
states Gamble. “All but one in the secondary and
the entire defensive front is back. We will have
good speed on defense and, again, losing Ashley
will take its toll on this unit as well. We are undersized at cornerback and defensive end. Most
of our special teams players return including our
long snapper, but Ashley was our punter and we
lost kicker Brett Sadler.”
QB Clint Paulk will lead the offense. He passed
for 563 yards a year ago on a low percentage
of completions and that is a phase of the game
where Gamble will spend time and energy.
WR Lonnie Johnson (4.3) is a D-I candidate as
is offensive lineman Chris Powell. RB Horace
Young has 4.3 speed as well and will be ever so
dangerous.
Paulk will be a D-I prospect when his time arrives as likely will sophomore TE Jeremy Martin
(6-3, 210, 4.8). Quan Hall is a senior wide out
with quicks (4.6).
The defense will be led by linebacker Kendrick
Edwards (6-0, 200, 4.4). Terrance Woodard
(6-3, 300) is a junior with D-I potential at DT
and linebacker Bradley Tucker is a junior with
experience.
Irwin County appears loaded for 2008.
TELFAIR COUNTY
REGION 2-A
CITY McRae
STADIUM Trojan Field
COLORS Black/Columbia Blue/Silver
COACH Jeff Bowen
CAREER RECORD 39-72
LAST SEASON 3-7
2006 6-4
2005 4-6
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS Dl?FB Patrick Davis
(6-2, 275); DB/RB Jonathan Jarrett (5-11, 195);
LB/SE Jody Stone (5-10, 185); DB/SE Lee Williams (5-11, 185); DB/SE Jonathan Gale (6-1,
175); DB/SE Paul White (5-8, 170); DL Marteen
Freeman (6-3, 225)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS TE Emanual
Grimes (6-0, 175, Sr.); LB/FB Tony King (5-8,
170, Jr.); QB Alex Conley (6-4, 200, Jr.); LB/FB
Jake Boney (5-8, 185, Sr.); TE/DE Jimmy Cravey
(6-0, 180, Jr.); DL Kendrick McCormick (5-10,
245, Sr.); OL Jordan Thomas (5-10, 200, Jr.); OL
Joseph Altman (5-10, 210, Sr.); OL Tyler Pitt
(6-4, 240, Jr.); OL Nick Kahrman (5-10, 220, Sr.);
OL Dylan Conley (6-3, 220, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK There are a lot of “ifs”
when head coach Jeff Bowen talks about his
2008 Telfair County football team. The Trojans
were only 3-7 a year ago and just 6-4 in ’06, but
you get the sneaky feeling that Bowen likes the
feel of this team.
“If Patrick Davis can return to his sophomore
form following missing the junior campaign
with knee surgery, he could possibly be one of
the top defensive linemen in the state,” Bowen
states with hope and excitement in his voice. “If
our skill people can carry us until the offensive
and defensive lines mature and come together,
we could become a very good football team
before the season is over.”
Davis, both a defensive lineman and a fullback,
is 6-2, 275 and a D-I prospect as well as all-State
material. DB/RB Jonathan Jarrett (4.6) scored
seven times to lead the team in that area and is
also D-I material and a four-year starter. Those
are the highlight reel players, but Bowen’s team
has more talent.
Seniors LB/SE Jody Stone (4.6) has “great hands
and football savvy,” according to Bowen. DB/SE
Lee Williams (4.6) is the son of a coach and understands the game. DB/SE Jonathan Gale plays
big inside (6-1, 175) and DE/SE Paul White
and DL Marteen Freeman (6-3, 225) give more
leadership and experience to this team.
QB Alex Conley hit 92 of 206 as a sophomore
for 1,367 yards. He should be vastly improved
as a junior after all the playing time he received. The offensive line is stocked with Jordan
Thomas, Joseph Altman, Tyler Pitt (6-4, 240),
Nick Kahrman and Dylan Conley (6-3, 220).
This looks like a competitor for the Region 2
title.
TURNER COUNTY
REGION 2-A
CITY Ashburn
STADIUM Alan Hobby Field
COLORS Orange/Blue
COACH Erik Soliday
LAST SEASON 5-5
2006 10-2
2005 9-3
2004 5-6
COLLEGE PROSPECTS LB/RB Eric Walker
(6-1, 220); LB/FB Denarius Hayles (6-0, 220);
WR/DB Lester Green (5-10, 165); WR/DB Hiawatha Parker (5-9, 165); DB/WR Kenny Moore
(6-3, 210); DB/WR Javon Caswell (6-0, 180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS OL/DL Dillon
Ward (6-0, 230, So.); OL/DL Dillan Ray (5-11,
240, So.); OL/DL Michael Donahoo (6-1, 280,
Jr.); OL/DL Sean Green (6-3, 280, Jr.); DB/QB
Kenveyon Newberry (5-10, 170, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Turner County slipped to
5-5 in ’07 after a 10-2 mark the previous season.
Now the Rebels of Coach Erik Soliday are hoping that any rebuilding is done and that they are
prepared to challenge in Region 2.
Leading rusher Eric Walker (501 yards) is back
with size (6-1, 200), speed (4.58) and a chance
to play at the D-I level. WR Lester Green (4.5)
and LB Denarius Hayles (6-0, 220, 4.58) are also
of D-I potential. Green led the team in scoring with six touchdowns and Hayles paced the
tacklers with 69.
Kenveyon Newberry (4.5) will take over at
quarterback for the offense and leading receiver
Hiawatha Parker (4.5), who caught 22 for 459
yards will be a prime target along with Green.
71
Javon Caswell is a senior leader in the secondary,
picking off three passes in ’07.
The line play on both sides of the ball will
depend on two sophomores (Dillon Ward and
Dillan Ray) and two juniors (Michael Donahoo
and Sean Green). All four have size. Green is
6-3, 280, Donahoo is 6-1, 280, Ray is 5-11, 240
and Ward is 6-0, 230.
It is likely that Turner County will be moving
back toward a playoff role as the 2008 season
unwinds.
TWIGGS COUNTY
REGION 2-A
ALL-TIME RECORD 77-62
CITY Jeffersonville
STADIUM Rose Bowl Field
COLORS Purple/White
COACH Dexter Copeland
CAREER RECORD 54-27
LAST SEASON 7-4
2006 4-6
2005 8-5
2004 10-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS None listed
SEASON OUTLOOK Twiggs County was 7-4
in 2007, losing in the opening round of the
playoffs. Coach Dexter Copeland ran his career
mark to 54-27 as Earnest Butts rushed for 1,108
yards and QB Jarvis Mallard passed for 604 additional yards.
WILCOX COUNTY
REGION 2-A
CITY Rochelle
STADIUM Donnie Clack
COLORS Royal Blue/White/Gold
COACH Mark Ledford
LAST SEASON 13-2
2006 9-3
2005 6-4
2004 2-8
the state championship game for the first time
ever, losing to Emanuel County Institute. The
Patriots finished the season with a sparkling
13-2 record and earned the most wins in school
history in the process.
The 2008 season will be hard pressed to build on
that accomplishment, but Coach Mark Ledford’s
team is certainly ready to give it a try.
The key returnee might be running back
Antonio Marshall, who ran for 1,201 yards and
scored 21 touchdowns as a junior. Marshall
(4.56) has the speed and size (5-10, 185) and is a
D-I prospect.
“Our running game, with Antonio Marshall
coming back, will definitely be the strength of
our offense,” says Ledford. “We will not have as
much team speed as we have had in the past.
Still, our defense has some quickness but not
much size. We’ll give it a shot.”
Two defensive linemen, Chris Hargrove (5-10,
200) and Breon Porter (5-9, 235) will be college
prospects at lower levels and will offer support
for the stop group as well as leadership on and
off the field. Trae Clack (5-10, 210) is a senior
linebacker of note as well.
Marshall doubles as a linebacker, Nate Moorhouse is a standout at strong safety, Porter adds
fullback to his resume and Clack will be in the
offensive line. T.J. Merit, an offensive lineman,
will also handle the punting chores.
Wilcox County should still be a threat for the
region title
BRYAN COUNTY
REGION 3-A
CITY Pembroke
STADIUM Redskin
COLORS Red/White
COACH Ron Lewis
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 5-6
2006 5-6
2005 0-10
2004 2-8
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS SS Nate Moorhouse; OL/P T.J. Merrit
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB/DB Ivey
Mutcherson (5-8, 140, Sr.); RB/LB Deandrea
Walker (5-9, 160, Sr.); OL/DL Dylan Miller
(6-1, 260, Sr.); OL/LB Justin Covington (5-10,
150, Sr.); RB/DB Willie Deloach (5-11, 160, Jr.);
RB/LB Joseph Jenkins (6-0, 185, Jr.); QB/DB
Winston Johnson (5-10, 150, Jr.); OL/DL Ben
Covington (5-11, 205, So.); Cody Morris (6-1,
215, Jr.); RB/LB Micaiah Paulk (5-11, 190, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Wilcox County landed in
SEASON OUTLOOK For two consecutive
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB/LB Antonio
Marshall (5-10, 185); DE Chris Hargrove (5-10,
200); DL Breon Porter (5-9, 235); LB Trae Clack
(5-10, 210)
72
seasons the Redskins of Bryan County have
finished the season with 5-5 marks, then lost
in the opening round of the state playoffs. But
those two seasons, coming on the heels of an
0-10 mark in 2006, has expectations for the 2008
campaign very high in Pembroke.
“We have a lot of question marks going into
this season,” says head coach Ron Lewis, in his
first year at the helm of Bryan County football
fortunes. “We lost four starters off our offensive
and defensive lines as well as our starting quarterback. We should still have a strong running
game with all-Region back Ivey Mutcherson
returning with a strong junior class. The key
to our success will be the development of our
young offensive line.”
Mutcherson rushed for 1,700 yards last year
out of the wishbone attack, setting the pace for
the Redskins on the ground. He will get plenty
of help from Deandrea Walker, another senior
back, Willie Deloach, Joseph Jenkins and Micaiah Paulk (5-11, 190). The latter is a sophomore
with potential, the others are juniors.
The offensive line will be led by Dylan Miller
(6-1, 260), Justin Covington, Ben Covington and
Cody Morris (6-1, 215). They have not formed
a unit together before and will have to jell if the
ground attack is to reach peak performance.
Walker, Justin Covington and Paulk will man
linebacker slots. Miller and Ben Covington and
Morris will be in the D-line.
Bryan County should once again challenge in
Region 3.
CALVARY DAY SCHOOL
REGION 3-A
CITY Savannah
STADIUM M.C. Anderson
COLORS Purple/Gold
COACH Mark Stroud
CAREER RECORD 120-60
LAST SEASON 1-9
2006 1-9
2005 6-4
2004 10-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS LB John Curry (6-0,
220); QB Seth Stroud (6-0, 180); DB/WR Cody
Padgett (6-3, 200)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DL Cody Meyers
(5-10, 185, So.); LB/DE Dominique Henfield
(6-2, 190, So.); RB/DB Zach Broome (6-2, 180,
Jr.); LB/QB Ross Howard (5-10, 180, Jr.); TE/DE
Kinney Wells (6-1, 220, Jr.); OL/DL Dustin Dauphinee (5-9, 220, So.); OL/DL Logan Ulm (5-9,
195, Jr.); OL/DL/P Hunter Sharp (5-11, 185, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Coach Mark Stroud
(1120-60) takes over the leadership role for
Calvary Day School football fortunes in 2008
and with 11 experienced hands on deck, it could
well be an improvement over the back-to-back
1-9 records the Cavaliers have posted.
“I am extremely excited about the enthusiasm of
the coaching staff, the players and the Calvary
family,” says Stroud of his new circumstance.
“Work ethic this spring with the kids has been
tremendous and shows me that we have a real
promise of being a quality football team. It will
be an exciting year and we look forward to a
great journey for our players.”
Four seniors will provide leadership. The best
of the bunch will be WR/DB Cody Padgett, a
D-I prospect with great size (6-3, 200). QB Seth
Stroud, son of the coach, is a D-II talent as is LB
John Curry (6-0, 220). Punter and two-way lineman Hunter Sharp rounds out the senior group.
Calvary will have a new QB this season with the
graduation of Trice Thornton. The winner of the
position is Ross Howard (5-10, 180), a junior.
RB Zach Broome will add punch to the offense
and Dustin Dauphinee (5-9, 220) and Logan
Ulm will add bulk to the blocking unit.
All the linemen switch sides to defense and
sophomore Dominique Henfield (6-2, 190) is a
DE with a future. TE/DE Kinney Wells (6-220)
is a talented junior as well.
Look for this team to be vastly improved in
2008.
CLAXTON
REGION 3-A
CITY Claxton
STADIUM Bell Memorial
COLORS Black/Gold
COACH Allen Cartwright
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 2-9
2006 2-7-1
2005 1-9
2004 2-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB Felles Grant (5-9,
180); CB Antoine Freeman (5-9, 155); OL/DL
Mac Edwards (6-1, 250)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS FB/DE Chris
Bellamy (6-2, 270, Jr.); RB Jamalcolm Morgan
(5-9, 165, Jr.); OL Wesley Smith (5-9, 225);
OL/DL Lorenzo Love (6-2, 260, Jr.); DL Quin
Bacon (6-1, 250, Sr.); LB Arice Brown (6-0, 210,
Jr.); LB Tray Bacon (5-10, 215, Jr.); WR Lavno
Knowles (5-6, 145); FS Xavier Slater (5-11, 150);
OL Anthony Lewis (5-11, 350, Jr.); SS Demetri
Middleton (6-1, 165)
SEASON OUTLOOK Claxton through a fifth
consecutive losing season in 2007, finishing the
year with a 2-9 mark despite returning 14 starters prior to the schedule’s onset.
Again, the Tigers will have 14 experienced players back, but many question marks remain for
Coach Allen Cartwright’s team. Who will step
forward to take the signal calling slot vacated by
graduated Tristian McCoy? Where will quality
depth be found for the offense? Is this the year
that fortunes turn for Claxton?
The leading returnee on offense would be RB
Jamalcolm Morgan (4.5), who rushed for 1,132
yards last year as a sophomore. He will get help
carrying the football from senior Felles Grant
(4.6) and junior FB Chris Bellamy, a load (6-2,
270) but still quick enough (4.8) to be a threat.
The offensive line is a strong suit, filled with
experience. Mac Edwards (6-1, 250) is the senior
leader. Wesley Smith, Lorenzo Love (6-2, 260)
and Anthony Lewis (5-11, 350) are veterans
when it comes to activity.
CB Antoine Freeman (4.6) is a senior leader on
defense and, along with Grant and Edwards, is
a prospect for college scouts. Quin Bacon (6-1,
250) is a senior and strong defensive end. Nine
starters will be back on this unit, including two
linebackers in Arice Brown and Tray Bacon, FS
Xavier Slater and SS Demetri Middleton.
The group of defensive vets gives the Tigers hope
for a winning mark. It should be an interesting
season in Claxton with all the youth and talent.
EMANUEL COUNTY INSTITUTE
REGION 3-A
CITY Twin City
STADIUM Roundtree
COLORS Red/Black
COACH Milan Turner
CAREER RECORD 31-6
LAST SEASON 15-0
2006 10-1
2005 6-5
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB Washaun Ealey
(5-11, 205); Dl?OL J.C. Lanier (6-3, 315); LB
Dexter Moody (6-2, 210); LB Mark Flott (6-1,
205); OL Cody Todd (6-3, 325)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS OL/DL Clifford
Milton (6-1, 250, Jr.); QB Micheal Robertson
(6-2, 170, Jr.); RB Brooks Kirkland (5-7, 180, Jr.);
OL/DL Robert Newkirt (6-1, 205, Jr.); SE/DB
Remond Sanford (5-11, 165, Sr.); OL/LB Chris
Gordon (5-8, 165, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Don’t look now, but the
15-0 season that Emanuel County Institute
posted en route to the state A championship in
2007 might have only been the beginning of the
victory streak.
Five D-I prospects return from that squad, three
of them with commitments already in hand.
That should be more than enough leadership
and talent to send the Bulldogs into passing gear
once more.
RB Washuan Ealey (5-11, 205) and LB Dexter
Moody (6-2, 210) have already cast their lot with
the University of Georgia. OL/DL star J.C. Lanier (6-3, 315) put his name under the Georgia
Tech list and all three will be heavyweights in
the ECI lineup.
LB Mark Flott (6-1, 205) and OL Cody Todd
(6-3, 325) are as yet uncommitted, but each will
likely ink a grant when signing day arrives.
The offensive line and running game are where
the highlight film will focus in 2008 and if there
are problems they would be at skill positions
and especially receiver. Defensively, the Bulldogs
have a strong front seven with a bit of weakness
in the secondary. But don’t cry any tears yet.
Ealey ran for 2,982 yards and 58 touchdowns as
a junior. QB Michael Robertson will return after
guiding the powerful offense as a sophomore in
’07. He completed 53 of 104 passes for 915 yards
and 11 touchdowns. WR LaCollie Gordon (6
TDs) graduated. Mark Flott led the defense with
172 tackles a year ago.
WR Remond Sanford, a senior, will get a chance
to replace Gordon. The line also boasts underclassmen in juniors Clifford Milton (6-1, 250),
Robert Newkirt (6-1, 205, and Chris Gordon
(5-8, 165). Brooks Kirkland is a junior RB with
experience and will add even more to the offense
this season as a junior.
Most everyone on this team plays two ways,
meaning that the talent stays on the field for 48
minutes. And when it comes to talent, it looks
like the Bulldogs might not have a match in
Class A.
JENKINS COUNTY
REGION 3-A
CITY Millen
STADIUM Eagles Nest
COLORS Navy/Carolina Blue/White
COACH Chuck Conley
LAST SEASON 4-6
2006 1-9
2005 2-8
2004 1-9
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Emmanuel County rode a strong defense to the Class A title in 2007.
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB Houston
Bowers (6-2, 180, Sr.); RB/LB Dontavious Young
(Sr.); DB/WR Trevor Weathersby (Sr.); DB/WR
Steven Holley (Sr.); OL/DL Cody Birdwell (Sr.);
OL/DL A.J. Jenkins (Sr.); OL/DL Josh Lee (Sr.);
DE Quarmaine Lane (Jr.); DB/WR Dag Gay (Jr.);
DE Walter Ivey (jr.); DE Spencer Clark (Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Not since 2002 had Jenkins County won more than two football games
in a season and that particular year the Eagles
won four. In 2007 Coach Chuck Conley’s team
finished with a 4-6 mark, tying that total of ’02.
Now, as 2008 approaches, the Eagles will be trying to move to the .500 level and above.
The lone returnee for the Eagles will be QB
Houston Bowers, who as a junior completed 20
of 78 attempts for 429 yards. Dontavious Young
will be the top returning runner and Trevor
Weathersby, Steven Holley and junior Dag Gay
are the receivers.
Seven seniors with experience will grace the
roster for Coach Conley and four juniors logged
considerable playing time.
Jenkins County was 2-4 in Region 3 play, but
finished the year by winning two of its last three
games. Offensive output was the problem. The
Eagles were shutout four times and held to one
score on two other occasions.
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The team will continue to attack out of the I
formation and the defense is a 50.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
REGION 3-A
CITY Mount Vernon
STADIUM Brogdon Field/Eagle
COACH Greg Busby
CAREER RECORD 0-0
LAST SEASON 0-10
2006 0-10
2005 1-9
2004 0-10
SEASON OUTLOOK Coach Greg Busby will be
taking over a football team as the head coach for
the first time in his career this season and what a
place to start.
Busby will be the man who tries to turn around
Montgomery County’s program. The Eagles have
lost 39 of their last 40 regular season contests.
Busby will bring a wishbone attack and a 5-2
defensive scheme to Mount Vernon.
PORTAL
REGION 3-A
CITY Portal
STADIUM Panther Field
COLORS Navy Blue/White
COACH Justin Chester
CAREER RECORD 5-16
LAST SEASON 1-9
2006 4-7
2005 8-3
2004 10-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS Dl Parker Goodman
(5-8, 220); OL Joseph Brown (6-3, 300); RB
Shane Northcutt (5-9, 165); OL Christopher
Sapp (6-0, 185); DB Steven Cox (5-9, 155)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS OL Joe Levy Williams (Sr.); WR Nick Boggs (Sr.); RB/LB Joseph
Ware (Sr.); DE Devon Spells (So.); C Casey Ware
(Jr.); C Tony Mikell (So.); LB J.K. Burnett (Sr.);
LB Chase Sheffield (Jr.); Dl Nolan Clark (So.);
OL Danny Spells (So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Portal labored in 2007,
winning just once in a ten game schedule. Looking to 2008, Coach Justin Chester speaks about
playing younger players in ’07 and the benefits
that he hopes it brings.
“The success of the 2008 season will depend on
strong leadership from our senior class,” notes
Chester, “but we are hopeful that the valuable
playing time our men got last season will have
helped them to mature as leaders on what will
become a winning football team.”
Many skill position starters are gone from the
Panthers’ lineup and this team, which has had
only five state playoff appearances, is only hopeful that this might be the sixth.
Speed will be the dominate force on offense.
RB Shane Northcutt (4.6) is “an athlete with
breakaway speed” according to his coach. Joseph
Brown (6-3, 300) and Christopher Sapp (6-0,
185) are senior linemen with talent. Brown “has
great size and a strong passion to play football”
notes Chester. Sapp is “a hard worker with an
awesome attitude.”
Joseph Ware is a RB/LB with talent and senior
savvy and Joe Levy Williams is another senior in
the offensive line. WR Nick Boggs is a go-to guy
on the edge.
The defense, a 4-4, will feature senior leader
Steve Cox in the secondary and Parker Goodman (5-8, 220) in the line. The latter, according
to Chester, is “a very smart young man on and
off the field.” J.K. Burnett is a senior linebacker
and Chase Sheffield aids that position in his
junior year. Nolan Clark is a sophomore in the
front line of defense.
Portal needs a quick maturation and the clicking
of a winning attitude in ’08.
SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY
REGION 3-A
CITY Savannah
STADIUM Saunders
COLORS Green/Gold
COACH Mike Carswell
CAREER RECORD 7-4
LAST SEASON 7-4
2006 7-4
2005 10-3
2004 8-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS FB/LB Christian Demere (6-0, 195); RB/DB Vaughn Thomas (5-8,
155); C/DE Frederick Wisenbaker (6-0, 185)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS Ot/DT Morgan
Clemm (6-3, 225, Jr.); WR/DB Julian Dunston
(5-10, 155, Jr.); QB/DE Cord Glaize (6-0, 170,
Jr.); FB/LB Josh Murphy (5-10, 175, Jr.); OG/DT
Mac Viers (5-10, 195, Jr.); WR/DB Kevin Blackburne (5-11, 165, So.); Og/DT Ronald Mack
(5-10, 200, So.); OG/LB Tyler Harden (6-1, 200,
Sr.); WR/DB Ben Watson (5-10, 160)
SEASON OUTLOOK Mike Carswell guided the
Savannah Country Day Hornets to the playoffs
and a 7-4 in his first season as the head coach.
Now, with 2008 on the horizon, there is hope for
another playoff contender in the city.
Senior leadership will be paced by FB/LB Christian Demere (6-0, 195), RB/DB Vaughn Thomas
and C/DE Frederick Wisenbacker. All three
are possible small college signees and Carswell
hopes their presence will inspire the younger
players to greater heights.
On both sides of the ball, Morgan Clemm (6-3,
225) will be a force in the forward wall as a
junior. QB Cord Glaize will take over the leadership role on offense from departed Craig Novack
(799 passing yards).
There are a bevy of underclassmen waiting in
line to fill voids left by graduation, but now the
question is will they mature quickly enough to
make this team a contender by season’s end.
TREUTLEN
REGION 3-A
CITY Soperton
STADIUM Bobby Driggers
COLORS Red/Black
COACH Britt Ingle
CAREER RECORD 46-71
LAST SEASON 2-8
2006 2-8
2005 4-6
2004 3-7
COLLEGE PROSPECTS FB/LB Josh Lyles (6-0,
195); G/LB Patrick Love (6-1, 200)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS SE/OLB Chris
Howell (6-2, 175, So.); WR/DB Jekori Mills
(5-10, 165, Jr.); OL/DL Jeremy Lanford (6-2,
265, Jr.); OL/DL Josh Wickstrom (6-2, 275, Jr.);
WR/DB Devonte Pierce (5-10, 160, So.); FB/LB
Devon Smith (5-10, 175, So.); HB/DB Marquis
Carvin (5-9, 150, So.); G/DE Chris Burns (6-2,
210, Sr.); OL/DL Joffie Wadley (6-0, 270, Jr.);
QB/DE R.J. Dennard (5-10, 170, So.); RB/SS
Cartell McLendon (5-10, 210, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK In the last six seasons,
the best record Treutlen could muster was a 4-6
in 2005. Following last season’s 2-8 most would
be ready to throw in the towel, but Coach Britt
Ingle is filled with expectations of the positive
nature as 2008 begins.
“If we can make a few breaks early on and get
our best team on the field, we can be more
competitive in ’08,” says Ingle. “With five starters
back on offense and six on defense we should
improve. We must have good leadership at the
beginning of the season if any of our hopes are
to come true.”
FB/LB Josh Lyles and G/LB Patrick Love will be
the best players and expected leaders on both
sides of the football. There is only one other
senior returning with experience, OG/DE Chris
Burns.
Five juniors and five sophomores saw extensive
playing time a year ago and their maturation
process should be near completion by the time
this team enters the region slate.
QB R.J. Dennard is now a sophomore and that
should help. He passed for 431 yards last year.
BROOKSTONE
REGION 4-A
CITY Columbus
STADIUM Rex Knight
COLORS Royal Blue/White
COACH Blair Harrison
CAREER RECORD 48-30
LAST SEASON 11-2
2006 9-3
2005 8-3
2004 7-4
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS TE/OLB Neal
Amos (6-1, 190, Sr.); OL/DL Ben Bryan (6-3,
240, Sr.); OL/LB Carter Galbraith (6-0, 220, Sr.);
OL/DL Matthias Hallett (6-3, 285, Sr.); LB John
Spencer (6-1, 180, Sr.); Dl Jasper Harris (5-10,
210, Jr.); RB Milton McCluskey (5-10,. 155, Jr.);
TE Brian Vogler (6-6, 220, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Brookstone has dominated Region 4 for the last two seasons, winning
all 14 league tussles and taking the title back-toback for the first time in the school’s history.
Making it a three-peat might be more difficult
since the Cougars have lost every individual
statistical leader from the 11-2 2007 campaign
except for Neal Amos who set the pace in interceptions with four.
Amos also logged 55 tackles and despite the
losses Coach Blair Harrison notes, “I think we
are a top 10 team in Class A.”
Brookstone will have five main senior leaders.
TE/OLB Neal Amos, OL/DL big Ben Bryan (6-3,
240), OL/LB Carter Galbraith (6-0, 220), OL/DL
Matthias Hallet (6-3, 285) and LB John Spencer.
Most of that talent is in the forward wall on
both sides of the ball and if the saying, “It’s what
up front that counts” is true then the Cougars
should be hard to deal with.
75
Milton McCluskey, a junior will log many carries
at running back this season and Amos will be
a target as well as a blocker at TE. Brian Vogler
(6-6, 220) is a junior TE and a name to watch.
Harrison believes in his team so it would be
hard to argue. Watch out for Brookstone.
CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY
REGION 4-A
CITY Cusseta
STADIUM Panther Field
COLORS Black/Gold
COACH Josh Kemp
CAREER RECORD 12-12
LAST SEASON 6-5
2006 5-6
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS ATH Cedric Wilson
(6-2, 215); WR/DB Jacovi White (6-3, 205); DL/
FB Kendrick Reeves (6-1, 275); QB Caleb Horvath (6-1, 190); OL Jimbo Bowyer (6-4, 270); LB
Jermaine Harper (5-10, 230)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB Niko Jones
(5-9, 170, So.); RB Tyquan Bazemore (5-10, 170,
So.); LB Mike Ansley (6-2, 180, Jr.); C Brandon
Shillig (5-10, 230, So.); DL David Robinson
(6-1, 300, Jr.); WR Teddy Gibson (5-9, 175,
So.); DL Tank Peele (5-11, 260, So.); LB Robert
Cooper (5-11, 180, So.); WR Jabril Renesca (6-3,
190, Jr.); DB Demarcus Davis (5-9, 160, Jr.); OL
Steven Tillery (6-0, 260, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Chattahoochee County
has posted back-to-back playoff seasons without
winning more than six games, but 2008 might be
the year when the Panthers, quick and talented,
come roaring out for more.
Coach Josh Kemp feels that his team has three
legitimate all-State candidates and six D-I prospects as they head into the season. If all play up
to their potential, it should be a big season for
Chattahoochee County.
Cedrick Wilson is “just an unreal athlete” according to his coach. At 6-2 and 215, Wilson
can fly (4.4) and is one of the major college
prospects on this team. Jacovi White (4.35) is a
“phenom” according to Kemp. White (6-3, 205)
had two interceptions and is a great cover man
in the secondary. FB/Dl Kendrick Reeves (6-1,
275), QB Caleb Horvath (“The best kid I’ve ever
coached.”), offensive lineman JImbo Bowyer
(6-4, 270) and LB Jermaine Harper (5-10, 230)
are the other D-I prospects that the scouts will
watch.
Wilson, Horvath and Reeves get the nod by
76
Kemp as all-State choices.
Horvath passed for 2,572 yards as a junior, completing 136 of 202. In the underclass however is
still another star. Niko Jones is only a sophomore but carried the ball 53 times for 672 times
and scored a dozen touchdowns as a freshman.
Many of the underclass players got lots of time
on the field a year ago meaning that the experience level is high and the coming years should
be blessed for the Panthers as the program
seems to be heading toward a peak time.
Look for Chattahoochee County to make a run
for it all in 2008.
GREENVILLE
REGION 4-A
CITY Greenville
STADIUM Leon Coverson
COACH Jeremy Williams
CAREER RECORD 28-33
LAST SEASON 4-6
2006 5-5
2005 5-5
2004 5-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Howard Patterson
(5-9, 180); FB Dantavia Gates (5-10, 190)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS NG Nick Kee
(5-10, 175, Sr.); SS Mike Godfrey (5-10, 180,
Sr.); OL/LB Chris Horton (5-10, 190, Sr.); DT
Kyle Avery (5-11, 260, Sr.); DE/OL Kenarious
Gates (6-5, 290, Jr.); DE/OL Vincent Warner
(6-3, 200, Jr.); OL Brandon Parks (6-1, 310, Jr.);
LB Josh Hood (6-1, 190, Jr.); WR Kentavious
Caldwell (6-4, 185, So.); RB Mario Alford (5-9,
175, So.); LB Dennis Benning (5-11, 195, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Greenville captured state
football titles in both 1980 and ’84 and once won
eight region titles in succession and 13 overall.
But the Patriots have fallen on hard times in
recent years, finishing 2007 4-6 after splitting the
three previous years with a trio of 5-5 marks.
The talent pool in Greenville seems to be swelling however. Armed with six returning senior
starters for leadership, Coach Jeremy Williams’
team might have its best days ahead of it. The
under classes appear loaded. How soon they
mature and learn to win will dictate just how
long it will take Greenville to escape the lethargy
of recent days.
There is plenty of speed on the hoof on both
sides of the ball. The defensive secondary is
young, however, and the offensive line needs
to find some depth. The QB and triggerman of
the spread/bone attack is returning. Howard
Patterson (4.7) passed for 422 yards last season
and tallied eight scores. His leadership will be
instrumental in any success this team enjoys,
however.
Mario Alford, the leading rusher a year ago as a
freshman, gained 510 yards. His 4.4 speed makes
him a dangerous man to defend and he appears
to have a great career ahead. FB Dantavia Gates
(5-10, 190) is, along with QB Patterson, a small
college prospect and a warrior.
Chris Horton is the only senior offensive lineman, but the junior class houses a house in 6-1,
310 Brandon Parks, Kenarious Gates (6-5, 290)
and Vincent Warner (6-3, 200).
Defensively, NG Nick Kee is a senior leader in
the middle. SS Mike Godfrey (4.6) and LB Horton are able bodied. DT Kyle Avery (5-11, 260)
is the final senior on the defense.
Gates and Warner swap side, going both ways up
front. LB Josh Hood and sophomore LB Dennis
Benning (4.6) are talents in waiting.
This is a team going places. Keep your eyes and
ears open.
MARION COUNTY
REGION 4-A
CITY Buena Vista
STADIUM Eagle
COLORS Red/Black/White
COACH Calvin Aldredge
LAST SEASON 5-5
2006 3-7
2005 1-9
2004 6-4
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB Allen McKay; OL
Trent Matthews; OL Billy McMurray; LB Harold
McCarthy; DB Lucas Teasley.
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS FB Ykeem Wells
(So.); TE Chris Miller (Sr.); OgG Michael Grier
(Sr.); OT Alex King (Sr.); RB Dillon Burns (Sr.);
DE Corey Hulin (Jr.); DE Keon Remburt (Sr.);
DT Sherod Terry (Jr.); DT Jasen Perez (Jr.); NG
Eric Guittierez (Jr.); CB Soloman Jones (So.); DB
Lucas Teasley (Sr.); DB Vinnie Thornton (Sr.); SS
Devon Hill (So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Marion County is yet another squad dropping down to Class A from AA
as the 2008 season begins. The Eagles were 5-5
a year ago and will move into Region 4 under
Coach Calvin Aldridge.
Allen McKay led the rushing for the Eagles
in ’07 and returns with his 1,260 yards. QB
Traymane Wilson (1,560 yards passing) graduated and therein rests one of the team’s greatest
needs. LB Harold McCarthy led in tackles with
124 and will be back as will Vinnie Thornton,
who tied for the lead in interceptions with four.
McKay, offensive linemen Trent Matthews and
Billy McMurray, LB McCarthy and DB Lucas
Teasley will provide the strong senior leadership
that this squad needs.
Eighteen players are on the roster with veteran
titles because of experience gained in recent
years. This is a team that could well make a run
at the region title, especially if a quarterback can
be found by opening night.
SCHLEY COUNTY
REGION 4-A
CITY Ellaville
STADIUM Wildcat
COLORS Black/Silver/White
COACH Jim McFather
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 9-3
2006 6-4
2005 4-6
2004 2-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB/DB Deondrick
Pina (5-11, 180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS OG/DL Bill
Webb (5-8, 230); C/DE Josh Patterson (5-10,
250); WR/DB Carmetrick Ross (6-0, 190); WB/
LB Jesse Colter (5-11, 185)
SEASON OUTLOOK Schley County finished
the 2007 season with a 9-3 mark, losing in the
second round of the state playoff race. For 2008
the Warriors should be good but rebuilding with
their quarterback and leader Deondrick Pina
(4.4) back for his senior season and 12 starters
missing from a year ago.
Pina has rushed and passes for over 1,000
yards in each department for three consecutive
seasons and has been an honorable mention allState performer in each year. His 4.4 speed and
size (5-11, 180) make him a D-I candidate and
this team will rise and fall with the strength of
his performance. The offensive line will be stable
and an assistant to Pina’s play.
Defensivley, Jesse Colter (5-11, 185, 4.6) had
100 tackles last season and will be the pacesetter
from his linebacker slot. He will double at wing
back on offense and will be a threat there as well.
The 9-3 mark was the best in the school’s short
history and deepest trip into the playoffs.
TAYLOR COUNTY
REGION 4-A
CITY Butler
STADIUM Viking
COLORS Blue/Gold
COACH Chris Kirksey
CAREER RECORD 19-23
LAST SEASON 3-7
2006 5-6
2005 3-7
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS TE/DE/FB Tyler Newcomb (6-3, 240)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS SLB/RB Zack
Ross (6-0, 190, Sr.); MLB/OG Darren Woods
(5-10, 205, Sr.); TB/SS Jonquez Sanders (5-10,
205, Jr.); SS/RB Carnelius Searcy (5-8, 150, Sr.);
DE/OT Willie Hicks (6-0, 190, Sr.); WR/CB
Rashiid Taylor (5-9, 150, Jr.); WR/CB Dennis
Simmons (5-6, 140, Jr.); OT/DT Martavious
Towns (5-10, 200, Sr.); QB/CB Colby Hicks
(5-10, 170, Sr.); C Ternarius Treadway (5-9, 230,
Sr.); OG/DT Colby Nelson (5-10, 230, Jr.); OG/P
Alex Wilder (5-9, 200, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK The Vikings have made
the playoffs in 11 of the last 13 seasons and
Taylor County will be counting on more of the
same as there is a returning nucleus of talent up
and down the roster.
The 2008 should be a big year for Taylor County
with D-II prospect Tyler Newcomb, who can
play tight end, defensive end and fullback, as the
shining star. Junior Jonquez Sanders is perhaps
the brightest of all, however, as he ran for 960
yards, caught three passes for another 100 and
scored 11 touchdowns in the 3-7 finish of 2007.
The offensive line of Coach Chris Kirksey should
be the strong point of the attack. Senior guard
Darren Woods, tackle Willie Hicks, tackle Martavious Towns, center Ternarius Treadway (5-9,
230) and guard Colby Nelson all have extensive
training. Carnelius Search and Zack Ross are
proven runners and Colby Hicks steps in to take
over the quarterback position.
The defense will have Newcomb, Ross at strong
linebacker, Woods at middle linebacker and
Towns and Nelson at DT. Sanders is the strong
safety along with Searcy and Rashii Taylor and
Dennis Simmons double as wide receivers and
corners.
All totaled, the Vikings have 13 players returning with experience. That might be enough to
move them past the regular season schedule.
WEBSTER COUNTY
REGION 4-A
ALL-TIME RECORD 0-0
CITY Preston
STADIUM Eagles Nest
COLORS Navy/Columbia Blue/White
COACH Richard Holton
CAREER RECORD 0-0
LAST SEASON 0-0
2006 N/A
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
SEASON OUTLOOK This will be the first
season for Webster County, a new school just
opening and not even having a class over the
ninth grade.
Webster will compete with a junior varsity
schedule and then non-region before ultimately
moving into the GHSA.
Coach Richard Holton will be brand new as well,
entering into his first season of head coaching.
He will use a multi-set offense and a 4-4 defense.
EAGLES LANDING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
REGION 5-A
CITY McDonough
STADIUM Commitment Field
COLORS Blue/Gold
COACH Jonathan Gess
CAREER RECORD 6-5
LAST SEASON 6-5
2006 N/A
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS TB Van Jakes (5-8,
190); C Ellis Spratlin (6-2, 240); OL/DL Chris
Farr (6-1, 240); TB/WR/DB Drew Tolleson
(5-10, 180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS WR/TB/DB Darrien Hudson (5-9, 185); WR/DB Austin Murphy
(5-10, 190); WR/DB Adam Rutledge (5-10, 180);
WR Michael Boynton (6-1, 190); S Philip Lavigne (5-10, 165); LB Tanner Rogers (6-2, 205);
LB Christian Reeves (6-2, 200); DE/OL Marcus
Fairley (6-2, 205)
SEASON OUTLOOK Eagles Landing Christian
Academy posted a 6-5 record in Coach Jonathan
Gess’ first season, making the playoffs in the
process.
The Chargers might be hard pressed to repeat
the feat in 2008, but there are high hopes for
various reasons.
One of the strongest reasons is the return of
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Landmark Christian takes the field during the 2007 season.
tailback Van Jakes (5-8, 190). “He is a great
player,” says Gess. “His Dad played in the NFL.
Van was hurt the first seven games last year and
still rushed for 504 yards in four games. He is
extremely strong, fast (4.6) and explosive.”
Darrien Hudson (4.5) scored a dozen touchdowns on the season and was the leading pass
catcher (45 for 508). He will add more firepower
to the offense as he can double as a wide receiver
or tailback.
Jakes is a senior prospect, along with center Ellis
Spratlin (6-2, 240) and OL/DL Chris Farr (6-1,
240) and Drew Tolleson, who, like Hudson, is
multi-talented and speedy (4.6).
Austin Murphy, Adam Rutledge and Michael
Boyton are receivers with veteran savvy.
Defensively, the Chargers will have safety Philip
Lavigne, linebackers Tanner Rogers and Christian Reeves and DE Marcus Fairley all returning.
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN
REGION 5-A
CITY Roswell
STADIUM Old Milton
COLORS Burgundy/Navy/White
COACH Terry Luck
CAREER RECORD 0-0
LAST SEASON 11-2
78
HOLY INNOCENTS
2006 4-7
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Jimmy Stainback
(6-1, 185); K/DB Jake Philpotts (5-11, 175); OT
Sydney Dodd (6-2, 230)
SEASON OUTLOOK In only their second
season in the GHSA, the Fellowship Christian
Paladins went 11-2, made it all the way to the
state quarterfinals and set themselves up for an
outstanding future in Georgia football.
Coach Terry Luck will move in for 2008, replacing Bob Lord. Luck will have senior QB Jimmy
Stainback, who passed for 1,200 yards as a
junior, but overall inexperience will plague the
attack unless maturity comes quickly. The Paladins suffered heavy losses to graduation.
DB Jake Philpotts (4.7) will be the team leader
on defense and OT Sydney Dodd (6-2, 230) is
the final senior in the equation. Dodd, Philpotts
and Stainback are, according to Luck, D-II
prospects.
Philpotts makes the kicking game a strong point
as well, but Fellowship will be hard pressed to
come near to equaling the 11-2 of ’07.
REGION 5-A
CITY Atlanta
STADIUM N/A
COLORS Crimson/White/Gold
COACH Ryan Livezey
CAREER RECORD 11-11
LAST SEASON 7-5
2006 4-6
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS TE/DE Jack Farrell
(6-3, 220); Ot/DE Connor Randall (6-4, 235);
OG/ILB Mo Green (5-11, 205); TE/LB Cameron
Loughery (6-2, 215); RB/LB Collin Rhea (6-2,
195)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB/DB Rawson
Allen (5-11, 175, Sr.); QB/DB Will allen (5-10,
165, Jr.); RB/FS Peter Allen (5-10, 175, Jr.); FB/
LB Willis Aitkens (5-10, 200, Jr.); C/NG Ryan
Brooks (5-11, 230, Sr.); Ot/NG John Mitchell
(6-1, 200, Sr.); FB/LB Jay Curnin (6-0, 190, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Holy Innocents, in only
its second season of varsity competition, made
the playoffs in Class AA, losing in the second
round and posting a 7-5 record. Now Coach
Ryan Livezey’s Golden Bears will be moving
to Class A’s Region 5 and, possessing a bevy of
veteran players on both sides of the ball, might
just make a run at the region’s title in their new
league.
Livezey has five potential college players, two
of them D-I in his opinion. TE/DE Jack Farrell
(6-3, 220, 4.67) and OT/DE Connor Randall
(6-4, 235, 4.96) should make waves this season
and attract high level scouts.
OG/ILB Mo Green, TE/LB Camerson Loughery
(6-2, 215) and RB/LB Collin Rhea are other
prospects.
QB Will Allen is a junior now and passed for
1,230 yards on 81 of 148 attempts as a sophomore. RB Willis Aitkens is also a junior talent,
making his way for 1,001 yards and 11 scores
last season. Green led in tackles (71) and junior
Peter Allen had three picks to pace the defense.
Just the number of returning starters is the
strong suit of this team while depth on both
sides of the ball will be the struggle for the
Golden Bears.
Holy Innocents, in just two seasons of play, has
made itself a viable option when looking for
potential playoff teams in the preseason.
LANDMARK CHRISTIAN
REGION 5-A
CITY Fairburn
STADIUM Bill Thorn
COLORS Navy/Gold
COACH Kenny Dallas
CAREER RECORD 58-24
LAST SEASON 6-5
2006 9-3
2005 7-4
2004 7-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS LB Andrew Glaize
(6-3, 205); QB Tanner Bryant (6-2, 170); DB
Blake Wyatt (6-2, 180); OL Cody Crook (6-0,
235)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS LB Blake Austin
(6-1, 190, Jr.); LB/FB Austin Broussard (6-1,
200, Jr.); DE Josh Gebhardt (6-2, ,190, Jr.); DL
Sheldon Peters (6-0, 235, Jr.); DL Nathan Terry
(6-1, 240, Jr.); DB Bobby Waters (5-10, 170, Sr.);
OL John Gable (6-1, 210, Jr.); OL Ryan Brown
(6-1, 210, Jr.); OL Phillip Garza (6-2, 235, Jr.);
WR Kyle Wren (6-0, 165, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Landmark could be a
team to watch in 2008 after finishing at 6-5 with
a first round playoff defeat in 2007.
Coach Kenny Dallas explains. “The 2007 season
was a tough one for us,” recalls Dallas. “We had
quite a few key injuries and played a good number of sophomores. I expect our 2008 team will
have learned quite a few lessons from the past
season that will really benefit us in the coming
year.
“We play a very demanding schedule,” says Dallas. “Four of our 10 opponents made it at least
to the second round of the playoffs in 2007 and
the teams we open with – Warren County and
Brookstone – both made it to the third round.
This team will find our early what it is made of.”
Four offensive linemen return as well as QB
Tanner Bryant (4.58). Bryant passed for 1,856
yards by completing 117 of 211 attempts for 22
touchdowns. He also rushed for another 921
yards, scoring five times.
Linemen returning are led by senior Cody
Crook (6-0, 235). “Crook is a tough, aggressive
lineman who absolutely loves his teammates and
the game,” says Dallas. “He is a great competitor.” He will be joined by John Gable (6-1, 210),
Ryan Brown (6-1, 210) and Phillip Garza (6-2,
235), all juniors.
Dallas will have to replace three offensive backs,
two now playing in small college, if the multiple
I attack is to work.
The defense returns eight starters with two players having all-State potential. LB Andrew Glaize
(6-3, 205) is “an outstanding player, a division
I prospect, an impact tackler and a four-year
starter,” notes Dallas. DB Blake Wyatt is “gritty
and tough,” says Dallas. “He has tremendous
leadership skills, also is a four-year starter and
definitely will be an impact player.”
Wyatt led the team in tackles (133) and interceptions (three) a season ago.
The junior class is filled with talent and this
defense should be very good.
“In 2007 we were part of a three-way tie for
our region championship with Fellowship and
Whitefield Academy,” recalls Dallas. “That is
our sixth region championship in a row. Our
seven-year region record is 29-2. When we lost
to Fellowship last year it was our first region loss
since November of 2001.”
Don’t expect much of a letdown from Landmark.
MOUNT PISGAH
REGION 5-A
CITY Johns Creek
STADIUM Old Milton
COACH Doug Dixon
CAREER RECORD 52-42
LAST SEASON 3-7
2006 2-8
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR Brad Bostic (5-11,
180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB/DB Fedale
Hall (5-9, 175, Jr.); OL/DL Austin Dragoun
(6-0, 245, Sr.); OL/DL Rex White (5-11, 205,
Jr.); OL/DL Bryant Laursen (5-11, 220, So.); FB/
LB Ben Mazingo (5-11, 175, So.); FS/QB Danny
Schneider (6-3, 180, So.); LB/WB Jacob Dyke
(5-10, 170, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Mount Pisgah will return
10 starters, evenly split between the offensive
and defensive units, for the quickly approaching
2008 season. While much of the preseason will
be filled with finding players for the right positions, some will be spent washing away the pain
of ’07 when the record was 3-7.
The Patriots are only in their third season of
GHSAA competition and so far it has not been
easy. There are hopes around Johns Creek that
Fedale Hall will help alleviate that difficulty in
2008.
Hall, a returning junior, rushed for 1,648
yards on 178 carries as a sophomore, scoring
24 touchdowns in the process. He also led the
defense by making 104 individual tackles. In one
game Hall had 654 all purpose (rushing, receiving, kick return) yards and seven touchdowns.
He is a definite all-State possibility and when his
time comes a likely college prospect.
For now, however, Coach Doug Dixon would
like to find a QB to replace the graduated Taylor
Hall (1,400 yards passing). The likely candidate
is Danny Schneider (6-3, 180), a sophomore.
Dixon knows his team is undersized on every
corner, but the run game is solid, the defensive
attitude is sharp and speed will make the special
teams special.
WR Brad Bostic is a D-I contender with “great
speed” according to his coach. He will likely be
the go-to receiver regardless of who throws the
football.
Senior Rex White (6-0, 245) will be the leader
on the front line on both sides of the football.
The Patriots have underclassmen with talent
and if everything jells in the first five games this
could be a big year for the new school.
OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC
REGION 5-A
CITY Fairburn
STADIUM Bobcat
COLORS Black/Silver/Red
COACH Chad Flatt
79
CAREER RECORD 0-0
LAST SEASON 4-6
2006 1-9
2005 0-10
2004 1-10
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR/LB Jarrell Bankhead (6-0, 187); QB?FS William Pearl (5-11,
185)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB/SS Christian
Willis (5-11, 175, Jr.); WR/CB David Goemaere
(5-10, 170, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Our Lady of Mercy
Catholic High finished with a 4-6 mark in 2007,
the best record for the Bobcats in the five years
of their venture into GHSA play.
Coach Chad Flatt will be beginning his first season at the helm of the football program, taking
over from Bryan Pinabell a team which has eight
returning starters on offense.
The leading rusher from ’07, Christian Willis (4.5), gained 789 yards and scored eight
touchdowns and returns for his junior season a
more cagy veteran. WR Jarrell Bankhead (4.7) is
a college prospect and led the team in catchers
with 43 for 678 yards. QB William Pearl is also
returning as a college talent. He passed for 1,616
yards on 124 completions in 229 attempts.
Bankhead was also the leading tackler (74) from
his linebacker post.
If everything comes together for Our Lady of
Mercy, the Bobcats might just improve on last
season’s record and take a shot at their first ever
playoff trip.
WHITEFIELD ACADEMY
REGION 5-A
CITY Mableton
STADIUM Wolfpack Den
COLORS Navy Blue/Vegas Gold
COACH Jimmy Fields
CAREER RECORD 36-50
LAST SEASON 7-5
2006 3-8
2005 4-7
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Trey Miller (5-11,
185); DE Kris Redding (6-4, 230); LB Conrad
Quiros (6-0, 220)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DE Marc Panu
(6-1, 225, Sr.); LB Michael Johnson (6-0, 220,
Sr.); OL George Kasper (6-0, 235, Sr.); RB/SS
Josh Jones (5-10, 180, Sr.); WR Madison Garrett
(6-1, 175, Sr.); DB Alan Jimenez (5-10, 165, Sr.)
80
ley (5-11, 180, Sr.); FB/LB Jordan Loveless (5-8,
160, Jr.); QB/FS Avery Cheeks (6-0, 170, Jr.);
OT/DG Kendrick Andrews (6-3, 295, Sr.); OT/
LB Brandon King (5-11, 195, Jr.); TE Seth Key
(6-0, 173, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Coach Jimmy Fields has
to smile just a bit when he thinks about the coming of the 2008 season for Whitefield Academy.
The Wolfpack was 7-5 a year ago, splitting two
games in the post season playoff wars.
Now, Fields has 10 senior starters returning for
duty, led by D-I prospects in QB Trey Miller and
DE Kris Redding. Everything must just seem
right with the world.
Miller (5-11, 185) is quick (4.59) and has
enough arm that he passed for 2,101 yards by
completing 161 of 297 passes in ’07. Add to that
the fact that Miller was the team’s leading ball
carrier, gaining 619 yards on 125 carries and
scoring a total of 24 touchdowns and you begin
to see the value of one player.
Redding (6-4, 230) is a man playing with boys
and the leader of a stiff Wolfpack defense which
also features I-AA recruit LB Conrad Quiros
(6-0, 220).
Last year’s success was filled with firsts. It was
the first region championship, shared or otherwise, in the school’s brief history. The playoff win
in the opening round was Whitefield Academy’s
initial post season victory as well.
“Our need on defense is to replace a wide out
and a running back,” says Fields of his team. On
defense we need to plug someone into a free
safety slot. Other than that if we get a punter/
place kicker we’ll be set.”
The offensive line will feature George Kasper
(6-0, 235) and Josh Jones and Sean Sanderson
will man the running back slots. Defensively,
linebackers Michael Johnson (6-0, 220) and
Sanderson have experience. Alan Jimenez is a
senior DB as is Joe MacMillan. This is a team
with the right players in the right places.
Don’t be surprised if Whitefield Academy makes
it two region titles in a row. They definitely have
all the pieces, it’s just a matter of putting them all
together.
SEASON OUTLOOK Bowdon has fallen on
back-to-back off seasons after winning 23 and
losing only five in ’04 and ’05. The Red Devils
were 3-8 last season but are looking to 2008 with
renewed expectation under long time (286-93-1)
head coach Dwight Hochstetler.
“Offensively, we have both of our fullbacks
returning in Ivan Glenn and Jordan Loveless
along with J.J. Beasley at running back,” begins
Hochstetler of his team. “Beasley missed seven
games last season with an ankle injury. Our
quarterback Avery Cheeks had a great spring. SE
Grant Davis and TE Seth Key give us a couple of
fine receivers. The offensive line is a big question
mark. I’m hoping that Kendrick Andrews, Victor
Drew and Ryan McClure will be leading the way
by opening night.”
Glenn had 516 yards on 67 carries a season ago.
He is the only returning leader in the offensive
stats of ’07.
“On defense we will be inexperienced, but if a
few young players grow up fast this can be a very
good defense,” Hochstetler says. “We have Eric
Slaughter, Cedric Strickland, Tony Wyatt and
Cord Parmer fighting it out at defensive ends.
Andrews, Jared Cane, Jared Boggus and Ryan
McClure will decide who plays inside on the
defensive line.
“Our linebackers will have the most experience
of our starters as Glenn is a three-year starter
and Loveless a two-year starter. Brandon King
will likely be our quick linebacker after starting
five games at defensive end last season. Cheeks,
Beasley and Chris Adams will be our secondary.”
Loveless led in tackles (70) a season ago.
Bowdon could be a sleeper in Region 6.
BOWDON
BREMEN
REGION 6-A
CITY Bowdon
STADIUM Warren P. Sewell Field
COLORS Red/Black
COACH Dwight Hochstetler
LAST SEASON 3-8
2006 5-6
2005 12-2
2004 11-3
REGION 6-A
CITY Bremen
STADIUM Bremen Athletic Field
COLORS Royal Blue/White
COACH Ricky Tolleson
CAREER RECORD 84-35
LAST SEASON 9-3
2006 8-4
2005 11-2
2004 11-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OL/LB Jay Stansberry
(6-4, 260); QB/FS Clayton McIntosh (6-0, 180);
OL/DL Curt Barrett (5-10, 245); OL/DL Daniel
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS HB/CB J.J. Beas-
QB/RB Christian Heard, RB/DB Drew Norton and RB/DB Orlando Perkins from Mt. Zion Carroll
Madden (6-0, 245); RB/LB Marcus Coggins
(5-10, 225); RB/SS Kail Singleton (6-2, 185);
WR/CB Cal Hardie (5-10, 170); OL/DE Luke
Cummings (6-2, 195); OL/LB Drew Johnson
(5-10, 180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB/CB Nick
Cash (5-10, 155); WR/CB Jake Cash (5-10, 155);
OL/DL Jacob Davis (6-2, 200); OL/DE Conner
Mays (6-3, 215)
SEASON OUTLOOK Armed with a brace of
senior talent and a history of making a run in
the state playoffs, Bremen enters the 2008 season
expecting great things.
Coach Ricky Tolleson watched his team run off
a 9-3 mark in ’07, losing in the second round
of the postseason. Nine senior starters will rave
reviews are back this season and that might be
enough to propel the Blue Devils even farther
into November this season.
QB Clayton McIntosh returns to guide the offense having passed for 553 yards on 30-of-68
accuracy as a junior. Marcus Coggins was the
team’s leading rusher, going for 949 on 162 totes.
Jay Stansberry (6-4, 260) was the leading tackler
(105) and might be the best of this team’s talent.
Two-way players in the line will be Curt Barrett
(5-10, 245), Daniel Madden (6-0, 245), Luke
Cummings (6-2, 195) and Drew Johnson (5-10,
180). All are seniors.
Kail Singleton is a helper to Coggins in the offensive backfield and doubles as strong safety.
Cal Hardie is a WR/CB (4.6) who can run and
threatens opponents on both sides of the ball.
This is a traditionally rugged wishbone team
which plays a tough 4-3 defense under Tolleson,
who has won 84 of 119 coaching starts. Count
on this to be a fundamentally sound, winning
program once again.
DARLINGTON
REGION 6-A
CITY Rome
STADIUM Chris Hunter
COLORS Purple/White
COACH Tommy Atha
CAREER RECORD 48-19
LAST SEASON 9-3
2006 7-3
2005 9-3
2004 8-3
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OL/DL Ethan Ray
(6-2, 240); C Cleve Jackson (6-0, 245)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS G Alex Sentell
(5-10, 175, Jr.); RB Collie Powers (5-9, 170, Sr.);
CB Connor Somerville (6-1, 165, Sr.); LB Will
Orr (5-9, 175, Sr.); LB Dylan Baker (6-0, 180, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Darlington School has
been a playoff regular for 17 years, earning its
way into post season play 13 times. For the past
five years, the Tigers turned the trick while playing against AA competition. Now, in 2008, after
posting a 9-3 mark a year ago, Darlington will be
moving down in class to A.
Coach Tommy Atha is quick to point out that
this might be a season when matters are not so
simple, so cut and dried. “We will be very young
at almost every position,” he states very matterof-factly of his squad. “We will be more athletic
as a team than we have been, but we will have
to gain valuable experience before we step into
region play. Winning in that phase of the season
might be difficult because we have scheduled a
very tough non-region slate.”
Not a single individual statistical leader returns
from ’07. The pacesetters on this team will be
Ethan Ray (6-2, 240) and Cleve Jackson (6-0,
245) both calling the offensive line home. Ray
doubles as a great defensive player. “Ethan is a
big kid with good feet,” says his coach. “He runs
very well to the ball.” Of Jackson Atha adds,
“Cleve is a leader on the field for us. He is very
tough and a great long snapper.”
Both are considered college prospects, Ray at the
81
I-AA level and Jackson in D-2.
Other returnees with experience are linebackers Will Orr and Dylan Baker, who will help to
add veteran savvy and leadership to the defense.
RB Collie Powers, a senior who can run (4.7),
will try to fill the gaps left by graduation in the
offensive backfield.
OG Alex Sentell, a junior and C Connor Somerville, a senior, are offensive linemen who have
logged extensive playing time.
Darlington should be tough once more and a
playoff contender as the season unfolds.
GORDON LEE
REGION 6-A
CITY Chickamauga
STADIUM Ellis Stadium/Chappell Field
COLORS Navy Blue/White
COACH Kevin McElhaney
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 6-6
2006 8-3
2005 6-6
2004 3-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB/DB Jacob Groce
(5-10, 180); WR/DB Jordan Afman (6-0, 170);
OT/DT Joseph Kennedy (6-4, 240); OG/DT
Ethan White )5-10, 230)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS OT/NG Kyle
Farmer (5-10, 185, Sr.); OT/DT Daniel Staub
(6-1, 225, Sr.); C/DT Justin Joyner (6-2, 225, Sr.);
WR/DB Brad Culbreth (6-0, 175, Sr.); WB/LB
Tres Scoggins (5-11, 170, Sr.); WR/DB Derek
Angel (5-11, 165, Sr.); WR/DB Tyler Roderick
(6-2, 185, Sr.); QB/DB Josh Weller (5-10, 160,
Jr.); RB/LB Austin Goodlet (5-10, 170, Jr.); TE/
LB Aubrey McKinley (6-1, 180, Jr.); OG/LB
Taylor Sprayberry (5-10, 180, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK When the Trojans of
Gordon Lee take the field for 2008, it will be
senior-laden squad that stares out at the opposition. Coach Kevin McElhaney’s team was 6-6
a season ago, losing on the second weekend of
postseason play.
This year has prospects. “We have some returning playmakers,” notes McElhaney of his team.
“We have a solid offensive line. On the defense
we have experience all around and more kids
capable of making big plays. The only problem
we might run into is a lack of depth on both
sides of the ball.”
Otherwise, it looks like another playoff season
for the Trojans.
Three players – Jacob Groce, Jordan Afman
and Austin Goodlet – could be all-State picks
82
according to their head coach. Groce carried the ball 195 times for 1,021 yards and 14
touchdowns as a junior and now, with his 4.5
quickness he is a prospect for D-I as a defender.
Afman (4.5) has “a nose for the ball; a very
good defender” according to McElhaney and he
along with Joseph Kennedy (6-4, 240) and Ethan
White (5-10, 230) are other collegiate prospects.
Kennedy, a two-way tackle, “has the frame to get
much bigger” according to his coach and White
is “the strongest man on this football team; very
hard nosed.”
Junior Josh Weller will lead the offense as a
junior, having completed 36 of 82 passes for 471
yards last year. Afman was his top receiver snagging 18 balls for 242 yards. Austin Goodlet had
141 tackles and Afman added eight interceptions.
There will be 11 seniors returning to work in
the fall. This is a team that is most likely going
places.
MT. ZION CARROLL
REGION 6-A
CITY Mt. Zion
STADIUM N/A
COLORS Red/White/Gray
COACH Bill Bailey
CAREER RECORD 58-80
LAST SEASON 1-9
2006 N/A
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB/RB Christian
Heard (5-11, 195, Jr.); RB/DB Orlando Perkins
(6-0, 175, Sr.); RB/DB Drew Norton (5-10, 160,
Jr.); OG/LB Levi Williams (5-7, 150, Jr.); OG/LB
Aaron Gore (5-6, 150, Jr.); OT/DT Erick Kirkland (6-1, 250, Sr.); TE/DE T.J. Sutton (6-1, 180,
Sr.); TE/DE Kris Wilson (5-9, 165, Jr.); C/DL
Zach Laney (5-9, 175, JR.); RB/DL Parker Moore
(5-7, 150, So.); OL/DL Xavian Isable (5-10, 165,
Sr.); OL/DL Chad Yates (5-10, 250, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK With 16 starters returning from a 1-9 season in 2007, Coach Bill Bailey
and his Mt. Zion Eagles are working toward the
future. Laden with players in the junior class
that gained veteran status by logging playing
time in ’07, they believe that 2008 promises better things.
Quarterback Christian Heard is one of those
juniors returning with more savvy under his
belt after passing for 1,352 yards by completing
110 of 191 passes as a sophomore in the team’s
spread attack. The leading rusher is also place.
Orlando Perkins will provide senior stability in
the offensive backfield. He rushed for 799 yards
on just 146 carries and scored a team high eight
times last season.
Heard lost his favored receiver, Chris Farmer (44
for 562), to graduation, but should find other
possibilities.
Six starters returning from ’07 grace the preseason lineup on offense and another seven on
defense.
There will be a lack of size on the offensive line,
but Levi Williams, Aaron Gore, Erick Kirkland
(6-1, 250), Zach Laney, Xavian Isable and sophomore Chad Yates (5-10, 250) give Bailey and his
assistant coaches players with experience from
which to choose.
Defensively the Eagles should be improved. The
top three tacklers from last season will be back,
led by Gore (85). Heard had two interceptions
to pace the team from the secondary. Perkins is
a DB as well. Most of the players will flip over to
go both ways.
The Eagles also have their kicking game intact
from a year ago and it looks like a year of improvement for Mt. Zion-Carroll.
TRION
REGION 6-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 246-158-11
CITY Trion
STADIUM Sam R. McCain
COLORS Blue/White
COACH David Humphreys
CAREER RECORD 42-8
LAST SEASON 2-9
2006 4-7
2005 3-7
2004 6-5
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB Daniel
Prince (Sr.); RB Ryan Wilson (Jr.); Zach Wallace
(Sr.); Zach Roden (Sr.); Jake White (Sr.); WR
Ethan Robinson (Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK The Trion Bulldogs have
a storied history in Georgia prep football circles,
but of late the program has fallen on tougher
times. Last year the men in blue were 2-9, losing
in the opening round of the playoffs. As recently
as 2003 this was a 12-victory school.
Coach David Humphreys takes the reins this
season as head coach, bringing with him the
split back veer attack and a 4-3 defensive look.
His career mark is 42-8 and his goal is to turn
the program back to finer days.
QB Daniel Prince leads a senior group that totals
five. RB Ryan Wilson is the lone junior returnee
with a starting role. WR Ethan Robinson will be
the go-to man on the edge of the defense.
WALKER
REGION 6-A
CITY Marietta
STADIUM Walker
COLORS Maroon/Old Gold
COACH Ben Williamson
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 2-8
2006 6-4
2005 6-5
2004 2-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR Brian McPherson
(6-1, 175); TE/LB Steve Rice (6-3, 195)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS LB/OG Davis
Feder (5-11, 220, Jr.); DE Justin Minick (6-3,
200, So.); LB/OG Sean Connolly (6-0, 200, Sr.);
OT Malav Chakravorty (6-1, 200, Sr.); RB/DB
Austin Kay (5-9, 170, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK After Walker posted a
2-8 mark in 2007 under Frank Cuda, Coach Ben
Williamson was brought into the Wolverines’
lair to bring new leadership for 2008.
In his first season as the head coach, Williamson
will depend on a couple of college prospects to
get things off and running. WR Brian McPherson is a I-AA talent according to his coach. “He
is very athletic,” says Williamson. “He is great in
space and he can do so many things well.”
The second player of note is tight end and linebacker Steve Rice (6-3, 195). “Steve is big and
athletic,” notes Williamson. “He will be asked
to perform in a variety of roles for us and he is,
without a doubt, the team leader on this squad.”
The Wolverines will use a spread attack so finding a trigger man will be critical. Davis Feder is
a junior guard with talent and will double as a
linebacker. DE Just Minick, only a sophomore,
has size (6-3, 200) and a future that is unlimited.
LB/OG Sean Connolly and OT Malav Chakravorty are both senior leaders with experience
and Austin Kay is a senior who can carry the
ball offensively and play well in the secondary.
This might well be a rebuilding year for the
Wolverines even though they are moving down
from AA to A.
AQUINAS
REGION 7-A
CITY Augusta
STADIUM Aquinas
COLORS Kelly Green/Gold
COACH Bill Tenore
CAREER RECORD 35-23
LAST SEASON 3-7
2006 2-8
2005 6-5
2004 7-4
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Brandon Paul
(5-11, 180); WR Drew Hill (6-3, 175); DE Cameron Simpkins (6-4, 205)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS FB David Mysona (6-2, 210, Jr.); TE/WR Garrett Pippin (6-5,
200, Jr.); OL Patrick Douglas (5-10, 180, Jr.); OL
Tyler Sneed (6-0, 220, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Coach Bill Tenore’s Aquinas Fighting Irish were 3-7 a season ago in the
head man’s first year at the helm. Now, with the
2008 season about to become a reality, Aquinas
will be looking to make inroads toward a return
to postseason play.
QB Brandon Paul passed for 1,125 yards in last
years losing effort and should be more mature
and comfortable as a senior leader of the multiple T offense. David Mysona, a junior, returns
as the leading rusher for ’07 when he ran for 675
yards on just 32 carries. Mysona also paced the
defense by making 67 tackles.
Drew Hill is a senior receiver who needs to have
a big year for his passer. The offensive line will
be paced by Patrick Douglas and Tyler Sneed,
both from the junior class.
The backfield will set the pace for the offense
and linebackers are the strongest hand on
defense. Line play on both sides of the ball
needs shoring up if this team is to make a move
forward. The kicking game should be strong, but
the punt game needs help.
GLASCOCK COUNTY
REGION 7-A
CITY Gibson
STADIUM Panther
COLORS Orange/Black
COACH Chris Kelley
CAREER RECORD 10-49
LAST SEASON 3-7
2006 3-7
2005 0-10
2004 2-8
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Ronnie Gillyard
(6-0, 195); RB Dontavais Gibson (5-9, 175); FB
Tavaris Neal (5-8, 225); OL Richard Bopp (6-2,
250)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS C Jesse Cooke
(6-0, 285, Sr.); OG/DT Brett Algier (5-7, 175,
Sr.); OT/DT Adam Harper (5-10, 215, Sr.); WR/
LB John Davis (5-8, 155, Sr.); TE/LB Jaquavious
Murray (5-9, 195, Jr.); WB/CB Antonio Gibson
(5-7, 145, So.); WB/LB Montavious Myricks
(5-7, 175, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK For the second consecutive season Glascock County tied the school
records for most wins in a season by finishing
with back-to-back 3-7 records. Needless to say,
success has not been a by-word in this program.
But 2008 could be a breakout year for the
Panthers who have only won 19 games since the
school’s inception some 20 seasons ago.
The big name on the roster and an even bigger
presence on the offensive side of the ball is
quarterback Ronnie Gillyard (6-0, 195). Gillyard
(4.8) passed for 389 yards and six touchdowns
last season, but his leadership and game smarts
make him always a danger to defenses. He also
scored 10 times on the ground in ’07. Coach
Chris Kelley sees Gillyard as a potential all-State
selection and a D-II candidate.
The running game will pass from the hands
of graduated Antuan Harris (828 yards) to RB
Dontavais Gibson (4.4) and fullback Tavaris
Neal (5-8, 225, 4.8). Both are capable and likely
will follow the JUCO route on graduation.
The offensive line is led by big (6-2, 250) Richard
Bopp and center Jesse Cook (6-0, 285), both
seniors. Brett Algier at guard and Adam Harper
at tackle are both seniors with game experience.
CB Antonio Gibson led in interceptions with
three last year and is back with his 4.56 speed
and quickness to the ball. Gibson is only a
sophomore. Algier and Harper will be defensive
tackles when the Panthers turn to defense. John
Davis is a senior linebacker alongside junior
Jaquavious Murray or sophomore Montavious
Myricks.
A quick start would probably lead Glascock to
a season at or above the break even level. Experience is the watch word on both sides of the ball
and a lack of depth will be the undoing if the
2008 campaign unravels.
HANCOCK CENTRAL
REGION 7-A
CITY Sparta
STADIUM E.J. Warren
COLORS Maroon/Gold
COACH Zackery Harris
CAREER RECORD 0-0
LAST SEASON 4-6
2006 N/A
83
LB John Davis, WR/LB Montavious Myricks and QB Ronnie Gillyard from Glascock County.
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR Tocawn Fluellen
(6-0, 175); RB dontavious Fluellen (5-8, 185);
FB/LB Senario Barnes (5-9, 220); OT/DT Cashmel Cobb (6-5, 300)
SEASON OUTLOOK The 2008 edition of the
Hancock Central Bulldogs will be one that is
marked by inexperience but remembered for
tremendous physical effort and fundamental
soundness.
After suffer through a 4-6 season in ’07, the
Bulldogs will return only four seniors as the
leadership and nucleus for the ’08 campaign.
No team leaders from any statistical category are
back for the coming year, leaving matters in the
hands of these seniors.
WR Tocawn Fluellen (4.7) is a possession
receiver, but a quarterback to get the ball to
him will have to be matured. RB Dontavious
Fluellen (4.5) has good vision and has played
in the shadow of Trevon McGhee, last year’s
rush leader. FB/LB Senario Barnes (5-9, 220)
has “a high motor” according to his head coach,
Zackery Harris and two-way lineman Cashmel
Cobb (6-5, 300) has great size, long arms and
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little experience.
All of these are potential D-II prospects according to Harris.
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs in two of
the last four years and will be playing in a new
athletic complex and football field in the coming
year. Hancock Central’s Brandon Nolley scored
five TDs against Gordon Lee in 2006, setting a
state record in the process.
LINCOLN COUNTY
REGION 7-A
CITY Lincolnton
STADIUM Buddy Bufford
COLORS Red/White
COACH Larry Campbell
LAST SEASON 11-2
2006 14-1
2005 12-3
2004 12-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS SE Wilkes Goolsby
(6-1, 185); C Garrett Matthews (6-3, 200)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DB Jatoyous
Jones (5-8, 160, Sr.); CB Alex Ellis (5-6, 155,
Sr.); LB Keestan Wynn (6-0, 210, Jr.); DT De-
Travis Hearst (6-5, 240, Sr.); OT Johnny Cobb
(6-0, 190, Sr.); RB A.G. Middlebrooks (5-11,
180, Jr.); RB Jafabian Green (5-10, 165, Sr.); LB
Daniel McAlister (5-11, 175, Sr.); LB Taivious
McGahee (5-11, 190, Jr.); K Vance Tarver (5-9,
160, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK So great has been the
Lincoln County success that when the Red
Devils worked out an 11-2 finish in 2007 it was
the smallest win total since 2002. This is a team
accustomed to winning and not unfamiliar with
the rarified air of state title games, having won
11 titles in their storied history.
The 2008 edition will again be paced by a strong
running game, but as far as weaknesses, longtime (414-81-4) coach Larry Campbell notes
there are “too many to list.”
Quarterback will be a position where confidence
and competence will have to be found. Runners A.G. Middlebrooks, a junior, and Jafabian
Green, a senior, is forever a Lincoln County
strong point. Middlebrooks had 1,350 yards
and 9.8 per carry while scoring 17 touchdowns,
all leading figures. Green rushed for 456 in an
understudy role and scored seven times.
Split end Wilkes Goolsby (6-1, 185) is a high
level prospect with 4.65 speed and great talent.
Getting him the ball might be the difficult part.
Last season he had 27 catches for 428 yards (15.9
per catch) and tallied three scores.
Center Garrett Matthews (6-3, 200) is a D-2
prospect and the anchor of the line. Johnny
Cobb, another senior, is experienced at tackle.
The defense will be led by a trio of linebackers in
Keestan Wynn (6-0, 210); Danile McAlister and
Taivious McGahee. Only McAlister is a senior in
that threesome. DT DeTravis Hearst (6-5, 240)
casts a long shadow up front and secondary defenders Jatoyous Jones and Alex Ellis are seniors
who have logged playing time.
Kicker Vance Tarver is dependable and is now in
his senior year to help the special teams play for
the Devils. He averaged 34.1 punting last season.
WARREN COUNTY
REGION 7-A
CITY Warrenton
STADIUM Death Valley
COLORS Blue/Gold/White
COACH Lee Hutto
CAREER RECORD 18-5
LAST SEASON 10-3
2006 8-5
2005 8-4
2004 4-5-1
COLLEGE PROSPECTS LB/OL Johnathan
Lewis (6-1, 240); DB/RB Kentrell Latimore
(5-11, 175)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DB Antonio
Benton (5-11, 175, Sr.); OLB Tay Erwin (5-9,
170, Jr.); Dl Sean Heath (6-0, 230, Sr.); LB Steve
Burley (5-9, 170, So.); RB Coby Reynolds (5-11,
175, So.); DE/WR Darius Jenkins (6-0, 185, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK When Coach Lee Hutto
looks at his Warren County squad for the 2008
season, he sees great opportunity coming on
the heels of a 10-3 mark, the first 10-win season
since 1988 for the Screaming Devils and first
region title since 1970.
“Our football team will be very young and
inexperienced in 2008,” says Hutto. “About
75% of our team will be made up of freshmen
and sophomores. We will have to replace
our entire offensive line with the exception of
one player. We must also find replacements for
a four-year starter at quarterback and our entire
receiving corpse.
“Our defensive line also lost two key players.
However, we will have outstanding team speed,
especially at the skill positions. Our freshmen and sophomore classes are very talented,
but many will be forced into action at a young
age and I’m not sure that they are all going to
be ready for varsity action. A lack of depth is
another huge concern as we face the season,” the
head coach completes his assessment.
A couple of I-AA prospects lead the team. LB/
OL Johnathan Lewis (6-1, 240) is “a leader and
a very athletic big man,” according to his coach.
“He is the best returning defensive player we
have and the leading tackler (91) from 2007.”
DB/RB Kentrell Latimore (4.5) is “a big hitter
with grEat speed. He is very versatile,” says
Hutto. “Both these kids are three-year starters.
They are excellent leaders and will start on both
sides of the ball. Latimore will also return kicks
for us.”
Seniors Antonio Benton and Sean Heath will
help out on defense with veteran savvy. OLB Tay
Erwin and LB Steve Burley are underclassmen
with potential. Coby Reynolds (4.4) is a sophomore who can really run and DE/WR Darius
Jenkins is a junior talent.
WASHINGTON-WILKES
REGION 7-A
CITY Washington
STADIUM Tiger
COLORS Blue/Gold
COACH Russell Morgan
LAST SEASON 5-6
2006 10-2
2005 12-3
2004 6-5-1
COLLEGE PROSPECTS LB/FB Drew Wilson
(6-2, 210); OL/dL Tyrece Ashmore (6-2, 325);
OL/DL Larry Raiford (6-2, 285); DL Anthony
Smith (6-1, 230)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB Eric Scott
(6-0, 170, So.); QB Teverrius Jones (6-3, 205,
So.); TE Akeimos Coleman (6-4, 240, Jr.); OL
Ryan Cutler (5-10, 230, Sr.); DL Brandon Howard (5-9, 240, Sr.); WR John Wylie (6-2, 170, Sr.);
FLK/DB De’Andre Stewart (5-10, 170, Jr.); OL
Tyrance Ashmore (5-9, 230, Jr.); LB Tevin Turman (5-9, 175, Sr.); LB/RB Deon Jackson (5-8,
165, So.); DB Dexter Norman (5-10, 170, Sr.);
DB Ty McGill (5-10, 165, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Washington-Wilkes is
another Class A team loaded for bear as the
2008 season nears. The Tigers will be falling
from Class AA where they made the playoffs in
’07, losing in the opening round.
“We have great skill players, but they are mostly
10th graders,” says Coach Russell Morgan of his
talent pool. “Eric Scott rushed for 1,182 yards
last season as a freshman in just eight games.
Teverrius Jones started at quarterback as a fresh-
man. Deon Jackson also rushed for 535 yards as
a freshman. De’Andre Stewart was our leading
receiver last year and will be only a junior. If
there is a place we need to improve, it would
be the kicking game, at linebacker and in the
defensive secondary.”
But don’t count the Tigers out.
LB/FB Drew Wilson (6-2, 210) had 86 tackles to
lead the defense and is a senior college prospect.
“Drew is very coachable, a great leader on and
off the field,” says Morgan. OL/DL Tyrece Ashmore (6-2, 235) is a three-year starter with great
strength and footwork. Seniors OL/DL Larry
Raiford (6-2, 285) and DL Anthony Smith (6-1,
230) are three and two-year starters, respectively. Smith, according to his coach, “is our big
playmaker on defense.”
Washington-Wilkes is accustomed to success.
This team has played for six state championships
in the last 23 years and won four in the ‘60s.
With an offense that returns 10 starters and nine
more found on defense, watch out for the Tigers
in 2008.
WILKINSON COUNTY
REGION 7-A
RECORD SINCE 1970 162-223-10
CITY Irwinton
STADIUM Wilkinson
COLORS Blue/Gold
COACH N/A
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 4-6-1
2006 6-5
2005 3-7
2004 5-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR/DB Toni McCrea
(5-9, 165); OL/DL Damian Todd (6-0, 270); OL/
Dl Fabian Todd (6-1, 290); DE Kiedrick Owens
(6-3, 215); WR/DB Detavius Underwood (5-9,
165)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DB/RB Bernardis
Hughes (5-8, 165, Jr.); QB Arthur McDowell
(6-2, 160, Jr.); DE/TE Alvin Dupree (6-3, 195,
So.); FB/LB Bryant Merrell (5-11, 210, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Wilkinson County made
it to the state playoffs last season despite finishing with a 4-6-1 mark for the season. In 2008 the
Warriors will be very young with several inexperienced players in the lineup. Wilkinson will
depend on the defense in the early going until
the offense can mature and begin to stretch.
QB Arthur McDowell is back for his junior
season after completing 103 of 210 passes for
1,435 yards. Senior WR Toni McCrea (4.4) is a
legitimate D-I prospect and had 28 receptions
85
DL/OL Austin Hanley, RB Javon Womack and WR Justin Askey from Commerce.
for 458 yards last season.
The Warriors need to find a running back and
it will likely be Bernardis Hughes (4.4), a junior
talent. FB Bryant Merrell (4.6) is a senior with
college aspirations and TE sophomore Alvin
Dupree saw plenty of playing time as a freshman. Detavius Underwood (4.5) is perhaps the
team’s best pass catcher and Fabian and Damian
Todd are 290 and 270, respectively, in the forward wall.
The Todd’s will switch to defense when the Warriors don’t have the ball. DE Kiedrick Owens is
a I-AA talent and Underwood and McCrea will
be in the secondary. McCrea had three picks last
season.
Hughes is a DB, Alvin Durpree will man one DE
slot and Merrell will be a linebacker to reckon
with (4.6).
This is a team with talent, it was, however, a
team without a coach when the spring practice
session ended.
ATHENS ACADEMY
REGION 8-A
CITY Athens
STADIUM Slaughter
COLORS Green/White
COACH Michael Gunn
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LAST SEASON 12-2
2006 13-1
2005 4-6-1
2004 11-2
COLLEGE PROSPECTS WR/DB McKay Matthews (5-9, 175); OL Will Jenkins (6-2, 215);
OL Collins Broun (6-3, 225)QB Will Daniels
(5-9, 180); RB James Collquit (5-8, 175); TE/
DE Wright Shamp (6-2, 180); WR/DB Landon
Heath (6-4, 170)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DL Jordan Richardson (6-1, 235, So.); LB Hunter Stiles (5-8,
180, Jr.); LB Henry Terrell (5-8, 175, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Athens Academy fell one
step short of the state title game in 2007 despite
making it to the Georgia Dome for the Class A
semifinals in a second consecutive season.
Coach Michael Gunn, running his career mark
to 143-55-1 with last year’s 12-2 record, will
welcome a solid offensive group back this fall
and if he can find a couple of linebackers to fill
holes on defense, the Spartans will be vying for
another shot at the title.
Senior QB Will Daniels passed for 779 yards a
year ago and will be back to place his experienced hands on the pro-style offensive attack.
RB James Colquitt is another important senior
with the graduation of leading rusher William
Callaway (1,552 yards, 17 scores).
The offensive line will have senior leadership in
Weill Jenkins (6-2, 215) and Collins Broun (6-3,
225). WR McKay Matthews led the receivers in
’07 with 30 for 402 yards and is back with D-I
stamped on his hands and head. Wright Shamp
will split time between TE/DE and Landon
Heath is both a receiver and secondary standout.
Two underclassmen seem to have the edge in the
linebacker hunt. Junior Hunter Stiles and sophomore Henry Terrell can both fill the bill.
Expect some noise to rise out of Athens Academy.
ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
REGION 8-A
CITY Athens
STADIUM Eagle Field
COLORS Purple/Gold
COACH Van Beacham
CAREER RECORD 56-76
LAST SEASON 6-4
2006 7-3
2005 4-6
2004 6-3
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Tyson Beacham
(6-3, 190); LB Joey Moon (6-3, 195)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS RB Anthony
Cosby (5-11, 155, So.); WR Forest Shealy (5-11,
160, Sr.); OL Tim Campodonico (6-2, 215, Jr.);
OL Will Drake (6-0, 180, Jr.); OL Josh Elder
(6-0, 190, Jr.); LB Jacob Holloman (5-8, 160, Jr.);
DE Chaz Sheats (6-2, 180, Jr.); K Ben Hill (5-10,
150, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Athens Christian School
lost a lot of offensive talent from last season’s
6-4 team, but the Eagles have the strong arm of
Tyson Beacham (6-3, 190) on their side coming
into 2008 and that might be a good start on
making the playoffs before the season ends.
Beacham completed 130 of 230 attempts for
1,571 yards as a junior. He will have to find a
new favorite target because of the graduation of
Jacob Griffith (50 for 620). The role of receiver
will likely come to Forest Shealy, a senior returnee. The offensive line will have three juniors
to lead the way with veteran experience. Tim
Campodonico (6-2, 215), Will Drake and Josh
Elder should open holes.
Anthony Cosby, only a sophomore, has experience as a running back.
The defense will be led by senior standout
linebacker Joey Moon, who Coach Van Beacham
says “has really good feet and moves very well.”
Linebacker Jacob Holloman will play alongside
Moon and DE Chaz Sheats is ajunior with talent.
The Eagles will have the aid of junior kicker Ben
Hill to help on special teams as well.
If Athens Christian can get the running game
cranked and bring the offensive line along, this
could be a good season for the Eagles.
COMMERCE
REGION 8-A
CITY Commerce
STADIUM Tiger
COLORS Black/Old Gold
COACH Steve Savage
LAST SEASON 6-5
2006 11-3
2005 6-5
2004 7-5
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS DL/OL Chris
Bowen (6-1, 200, Sr.); DL/OL Austin Hanley
(5-10, 190, Sr.); ILB Josh Streetman (6-0, 190,
Jr.); ILB Travaris Glasper (5-9, 170, So.); OLB
Doug Maloch (5-6, 130, Sr.); OLB Thomas Sears
(6-2, 175, Sr.); DE Matt Adams (6-2, 190, Sr.);
CB Deon Orsborne (5-9, 155, Jr.); CB Jessie
Savage (5-6, 135, So.); FS Casey Drinkard (5-11,
155, Jr.); DE Tyler Austin (6-1, 190, Jr.); OG
Cameron Billings, Sr.; OT Joseph Sanders, So.;
FB Colton Brown, Sr.; RB Javon Womack, Sr.;
RB Jon Cash, Jr.; RB Phillip Edwards, Sr.; SE
Chase Crawford, Sr.
SEASON OUTLOOK Commerce slipped to
6-5 and lost in the opening round of the state
playoffs in 2007 after an ’06 season which saw
the Tigers harvest 11 victories in 14 tries. This is
the 100th year of Commerce football and Tiger
faithful would like to make it a great one.
Gone, however, is QB Reuben Haynes, the leading rusher (1,539 yards), passer (1,350 yards)
and scorer (27 touchdowns) from last season’s
team. “We need a quarterback, that’s a certainty,”
says head coach Steve Savage of his 2008 hopes.
There are seven starters returning on the offensive side of the ball and all 11 return defensively.
So, if Savage can manage to get a QB trained
and ready by the time the region schedule rolls
out, Commerce could well be the team to beat in
Region 8.
Defensively, Josh Steetman led the team in
tackles with 123 as a sophomore. Seniors Chris
Bowen and Austin Hanley anchor the front wall
and linebackers Streetman, Travaris Glasper
(So.), Doug Maloch (Sr.) and Thomas Sears (Sr.)
will all be experienced. DE Matt Adams is a
senior leader and his counterpart Tyler Austin is
a junior with talent.
The secondary will show Deon Orsborne, who
led with three picks in ’07, sophomore Jessie
Savage and FS Casey Drinkard.
The offense will have FB Colton Brown and
runners Javon Womack, Jon Cash and Phillip
Edwards working overtime. Cameron Billings is
a senior leader in the line and Chase Crawford is
an experienced receiver.
PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
REGION 8-A
CITY Bogart
STADIUM Wolverine
COLORS Blue/Gold
COACH Mark Farriba
LAST SEASON 5-5
2006 2-8
2005 2-2
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OL Matthew VanHalanger (6-3, 270); DL Raymon Howell (6-3, 270);
RB Anthony Ball (5-9, 180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS LB Zack Dudley
(6-0, 205, Sr.); OL/Dl Andrew Cruz (6-0, 205,
Sr.); QB/LB Taylor Clark (6-3, 170, Jr.); QB/LB
Bobo Marshall (6-0, 170, Jr.); TE/LB Tyler Morris (6-3, 190, Sr.); C Keith Arrowood (6-0, 260,
Jr.); RB/LB Tyler Ferguson (6-0, 180, Jr.); DL
Beau Parrish (6-3, 250, Sr.); RB/LB Jake Harris
(6-0, 205, Sr.); RB/DB Sam Bennett (5-8, 170,
Jr.); WR/DB Felipe Howell (6-1, 170, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK In only it’s second year of
competition in the GHSA, Prince Avenue Christian School moved to the .500 mark by winning
five of ten games and now appears ready to
make a run at a region title.
The Wolverines return 14 players with differing
amounts of playing experience, led by a trio of
potential college prospects in OL Matthew VanHalanger (6-3, 270), DL Raymon Howell (6-3,
270) and RB Anthony Ball (5-9, 180).
Ball was the leading rusher for last year’s team,
gaining 1,288 yards on 172 carries and scored
19 touchdowns. He has 4.4 speed, “great vision
and balance” according to his head coach Mark
Farriba and is hunted by the D-I schools.
VanHalanger is plenty big enough. Farriba says
he is “an outstanding run and pass blocker and
a definite D-I player.” Howell too is a major
prospect and “a very athletic big man” in Farriba’s words.
Five other seniors will return to be leaders for
the Wolverines, but two juniors will fight it out
for the signal caller’s job vacated by graduated
Jon Richt (1,449 yards). Taylor Clark and Bobo
Marshall are the candidates and just how quickly
the cream comes to the top will dictate how far
Prince Avenue goes in ’08.
The line is strong on both sides of the football.
If Farriba can track down some receivers for
his QB to target and replace the veterans he lost
in the secondary, this could be a very tough
football squad.
SOCIAL CIRCLE
REGION 8-A
CITY Social Circle
STADIUM Redskin/Stephens Park
COLORS Red/White
COACH Troy Morris
CAREER RECORD 3-8
LAST SEASON 3-8
2006 5-5
2005 7-4-1
2004 4-7
COLLEGE PROSPECTS RB/S Jamahl Street
(6-1, 215); DT Tytus Baynes (5-11, 270); LB/OG
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QB Conor Welton, RB Kyle Karempelis and WR Zac Johnston from Wesleyan. Photos: Franklin Pridgen.
Desmond Gibbs (5-11, 210); DE Jeffery Meadows (6-1, 250); LB/G Nick Carter (5-11, 175)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS FB Justice Russell (5-9, 165, So.); RB Marvae Crawford (5-11,
180, So.); QB Damian Partee (5-10, 170, So.);
DT Norman Saunders (5-10, 180, So.); WR/CB
Chris Burns (6-1, 185, Jr.); WR/CB Travante
Baynes (5-10, 160, Jr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Social Circle has made
the state playoffs for seven consecutive seasons,
being among that number again in 2007 despite
a 3-7 regular season mark. This is, however,
a team with talent and Coach Troy Morris is
hopeful that the potential of his squad will be
fulfilled in the coming season.
“Tytus Baynes was an all-State selection last
year,” begins Morris when looking at his team’s
pluses and minuses for 2008. “We should have
very good leadership this year from him and our
other rising seniors.
“We will be fairly young this year in our skill
positions,” continues the head coach. “We are
looking to improve our players’ knowledge
of the offense and defense and become more
consistent on both sides of the ball. We are
working very hard in the weight room and our
players are becoming stronger because of that
commitment. We will have to rely on our seniors
88
for leadership and their experience to help bring
our young players along.”
Jamahl Street is one of those seniors and a D-I
prospect along with Baynes (5-11, 270). Street
had eight catches for 208 yards and scored eight
times as a junior. He also picked off six enemy
passes to lead the defense in that category. His
speed (4.4) and size (6-1, 215) make him a threat
on either side of the ball.
OG/LB Desmond Gibbs (5-11, 210) is athletic
and capable. DE Jeffery Meadows (6-1, 250) and
LB/OG Nick Carter are both aggressive players
who go all out. These are the players the head
coach is depending on to show the younger ones
the way.
Quarterback Damian Partee had 427 passing
yards, but was only a freshman. He has speed
(4.7) and should be vastly improved after going
through a year of guiding the offense. WR/CB
Chris Burns (4.5) is a junior threat and FB Justice Russell is smallish (5-9, 165) but can break
away (4.5).
TOWNS COUNTY
REGION 8-A
CITY Ashburn
STADIUM Alan Hobby Field
COLORS Orange/Blue
COACH Kyle Langford
CAREER RECORD 0-10
LAST SEASON 0-10
2006 0-10
2005 0-10
2004 1-9
COLLEGE PROSPECTS QB Chase Ellis (6-2,
195)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS TB Andy Page
(5-10, 160, Sr.); SS Billy Meier (5-6, 150, So.);
WR Matt Hogsed (6-0, 155, Jr.); DE John Swilley
(6-2, 220, Jr.); TE John Bleckley (6-3, 190, Jr.);
WR Randy Smith (5-10, 170, Sr.); LB Taylor
Denton (5-10, 185, So.); CB Nathan Hughes
(5-8, 155, Sr.); LB Jake Ledford (6-0, 190, Sr.);
C Cody Partin (5-11, 180, Jr.); RT Blake Taylor
(5-11, 235, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Towns County has a
series of three straight 0-10 seasons on its hip
as the 2008 campaign begins. The Indians won
just once in 2004 and have an all-time record of
34-272-1.
And while defeats have been many and victories
few and far between, hope is a think that continually rises with the beginning of a new season
and 2008 is not different.
Chase Ellis (6-2, 195) is a senior quarterback
who led this team in three categories as a junior.
He is a D-2 prospect and, according to Coach
Kyle Langford, is “a tough leader and a threat to
run or pass on every play.”
Ellis led team rushers with 415 yards, completed
72 of 151 passes for 1,140 yards and scored
seven times. TB Andy Paige was the leading
receiver with 32 catches for 441 yards and will
be back for his senior year. WR Matt Hogsed,
WR Randy Smith and TE John Bleckley will be
other targets for Ellis.
The offensive line returns every starter from ’07,
paced by junior center Cody Partin (5-11, 180)
and senior RT Blake Taylor (5-11, 235).
Leading tackler (111) Justin Nicholson graduated, but SS Billy Meier held the team lead in
interceptions last year with three as a freshman.
DE John Swilley (6-2, 220), linebackers Taylor
Denton (5-10, 185) and Jake Ledford (6-0, 190)
and CB Nathan Hughes will all return.
WESLEYAN
REGION 8-A
CITY Norcross
STADIUM Robinson Field/Henderson
COLORS Forest Green/Vegas Gold
COACH Frnaklin Pridgen
CAREER RECORD 11-10
LAST SEASON 5-5
2006 6-5
2005 5-5-1
2004 6-5
COLLEGE PROSPECTS OL/DL Josh Parrish
(6-5, 290); OL/DL Andrew Patrick (6-2, 245);
WR/DB J.J. Russell (6-0, 180)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS QB/DB Conor
Welton (6-0, 175, Jr.); WR/DB Zac Johnston
(6-2, 185, Jr.); FB/LB Carter Garrison (6-0, 180,
Jr.); RB/LB Bobby Fulton (6-0, 180, Jr.); WR/DB
Brent Pugh (6-0, 170, Sr.); TE/DL Cole Watson
(6-3, 200, Sr.)
QB Chase Ellis from Towns Co. Photo from Kyle Langford.
SEASON OUTLOOK Wesleyan worked its way
through a break-even season in 2007 and faces
the coming campaign with an offense improved
by a year’s work and many returning starters
and a defense that could be one of the better the
Wolves have put on the field.
Coach Franklin Pridgen, beginning his third
season, will be running his Multiple I offense
with a new quarterback after the graduation of
Brent Pugh. Junior Conor Welton should get the
call and RB Bobby Fulton and FB Carter Garrison will be in the backfield as well. The wide
receiver slots are manned by Brent Pugh and J.J.
Russell, both seniors. Russell is also a defensive
back and one of the team’s prospects. Josh Par-
89
rish (6-5, 290) is a two-way lineman who can
dominate and will get D-I rave reviews. Andrew
Patrick (6-2, 245) is a bit smaller, but still big
enough to push folks around as the Wolves will
be dropping this year from Class AA to A.
Zac Johnston returns for his junior season as
a combination WR/DB and led the team in
catches (31 for 400 yards) and interceptions (5)
as a sophomore. Welton is also a DB along with
Pugh. Fulton and Garrison will take linebacker
slots on the defense and Cole Watson (6-3, 200)
is a TE/DL with speed (4.7).
Wesleyan, heading into its 12 season, is relatively
new to this game, but the Wolves might be howling in ’08.
(5-11, 200, 4.7) and running back J.T. Freeman
(6-1, 175, 4.6). Both are players with size and
speed and will be impact players regardless of
the team’s schedule.
Center Andy Flynn (6-1, 210) and fellow lineman Jake Moore (6-1, 215) will add strength
up front for the Eagles and DB Zack Greenwell
(4.6) is a standout in the secondary.
MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN
REGION Non-Region
CITY Kennesaw
STADIUM N/A
COLORS Royal Blue/White/Black
COACH Mitch Jordan
CAREER RECORD N/A
LAST SEASON 0-0
2006 N/A
2005 N/A
2004 N/A
COLLEGE PROSPECTS FB Trey Renno (6-0,
215); DB Jon Taylor (5-11, 180); QB Sam Warren (6-2, 185)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS C Andy Flynn
(6-1, 210, So.); OL Jake Moore (6-1, 215, So.); LB
David Ian (5-11, 200, So.); DB Zack Greenwell
(6-0, 170, So.); RB J.T. Freeman (6-1, 175, So.)
SEASON OUTLOOK Mount Paran Christian of
Kennesaw will be playing a non-region schedule
in 2008 after competing only at the junior
varsity level last season. They will have many
young players this season as they build toward
the future.
“We had only jayvee competition last year,” says
Coach Mitch Jordan of his Eagles. “The senior
class will be very small with the bulk of the
players being sophomores. The sophomore class,
however, is large. They are the group that started
our football program two years ago as 8th grad
middle school players. This is the group that
should be effective as our experience grows each
season.”
The senior leaders for 2008 should be FB Trey
Renno (6-0, 215) along with backfield mate, signal caller Sam Warren (4.7). Defensive back Jon
Taylor (5-11, 180) is the final name in the group
that will be graduating at the school year’s end.
The sophomore unit is paced by LB David Ian
90

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