The following is an excerpt from the August 17 edition of the Georgia High School Football Daily, an e-mail newsletter compiled by longtime Georgia high school football writers Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye:
Super 11: All Classifications:
On Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution released its Super 11 team as chosen by GHSF Daily.
Below are capsules of the Super 11 players. These represent the best high school players in Georgia in all classifications. To make the Super 11 team, a player must be highly recruited and proven on the field.
Thanks to Scott Kennedy and Chad Simmons of Scout and Jamie Newberg of Rivals for helping us fill out the “similar players” part of the profile. Is Da’Rick Rogers another Calvin Johnson? Time will tell.
Click here for the AJC’s photo gallery of the Super 11.
Click here for Todd Holcomb’s story in the AJC on the Super 11.
Markeith Ambles, Henry County
Class: Senior
Position: Wide receiver
Height/weight: 6 feet 2, 182 pounds
College choice: Tennessee (made verbal commitment on July 28)
2008 wrapup: Playing somewhat in the shadows of first team all-state teammate Jamal Patterson, Ambles caught 40 passes for 764 yards (a 19.1-yard average) and eight touchdowns. He returned one kickoff and three punts for touchdowns for a team that went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. He was honorable mention all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Georgia Sports Writers Association.
Speed: 4.58 in the 40
What’s being said: “Very physical off the line, fast, run very precise routes, can catch it off the run, but do something after the catch. Basically try to score all the time.” – Markeith Ambles.
Prospect ratings: Ambles is a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, which ranks him as the No. 7 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 4 overall player in Georgia. Scout.com ranks him as a four-star recruit, the No. 15 receiver in the nation and the No. 7 overall player in Georgia. He is No. 39 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Mohamed Massaquoi (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout); Chad Johnson (according to Chad Simmons of Scout)
B.J. Bostic, Jefferson County
Class: Senior
Position: Quarterback/defensive back
Height/weight: 5 feet 11, 175 pounds
College choice: Georgia Tech (made verbal commitment on June 11)
2008 wrapup: Passed for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 1,333 yards and 10 touchdowns. Has accounted for more than 5,000 yards over the past two seasons. Led the team to a 9-3 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Was named first team all-state as an athlete by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Speed: 4.55 in the 40
What’s being said: “Athletic, real elusive, quick, like a slippery eel. Grab me, but you’re not going to bring me down.” – B.J. Bostic.
Prospect ratings: Listed by the recruiting services as a cornerback, Bostic is ranked No. 19 at the position nationally by Rivals.com. A four-star recruit, he is the No. 17 player overall in Georgia. Scout.com ranks him as a three-star recruit, the No. 52 cornerback in the nation and the No. 42 player in Georgia. He is not among the 31 players on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Terrence Edwards (according to Todd Holcomb of GHSF Daily); Seneca Wallace (according to Chad Simmons of Scout)
Mack Brown, M.L. King
Class: Senior
Position: Running back
Height/weight: 5 feet 11, 185 pounds
College choice: Florida (made verbal commitment on July 24)
2008 wrapup: Brown rushed for 1,660 yards on 177 carries (an average of 9.4 yards per carry) and scored 21 touchdowns for a team that finished 8-3. He was named honorable mention all-state in Class AAAA by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Georgia Sports Writers Association.
Speed: 4.38 in the 40
What’s being said: “Speed. He’s like Flash. When he takes one step, he’s full speed. Fastest running back that I’ve coached.” – M.L. King coach Corey Jarvis
Prospect ratings: The recruiting services closely agree on Brown, a four-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Rivals ranks him as the No. 6 running back in the nation and the No. 6 overall player in Georgia. Scout has him rated as the No. 7 running back nationally and the No. 3 player in the state. He is No. 16 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List, the highest rating for any player from Georgia.
Similar players: C.J. Spiller (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout); Steve Slaton (according to Jamie Newberg of Rivals); Terrell Davis (according to Chad Simmons of Scout)
Ed Christian, Lowndes
Class: Senior
Position: Guard, defensive tackle
Height/weight: 6 feet 5, 280 pounds
College choice: Florida State (made verbal commitment on Feb. 11)
2008 wrapup: Christian made the all-Region 1-AAAAA team and anchored the line for an offense that rushed for 3,663 yards in 13 games, an average of 282 yards per game. Was named first team all-state by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and was honorable mention all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Speed: 5.0 in the 40
What’s being said: “He’s a physical player, for one. Big, strong, fast. Has the size and speed that they’re looking for.” – Lowndes coach Randy McPherson
Prospect ratings: Rivals.com calls Christian a four-star recruit and ranks him as the No. 27 offensive guard nationally and the No. 19 player overall in Georgia. Scout.com gives him three stars and rates him the No. 16 guard in the nation and the No. 26 player in Georgia. He is not among the 31 Georgia players on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar player: Sergio Render (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout); Shawn Andrews (according to Chad Simmons of Scout)
Kolton Houston, Buford
Class: Senior
Position: Offensive line
Height/weight: 6 feet 5, 270 pounds
College choice: Georgia (made verbal commitment on April 11)
2008 wrapup: Houston, whose father played at Georgia in the 1980s, was a big part of a talented offensive line that paved the way as Buford’s rushing attack rolled to its second consecutive state championship. He was named first team all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Georgia Sports Writers Association.
Speed: 4.8 in the 40
What’s being said: “Big and athletic like Omar Hunter [former Buford defensive tackle, now at Florida] and a tough technician like Dallas Lee [former Buford guard, now at Georgia].” – Buford coach Jess Simpson
Prospect ratings: Scout.com rates Houston a four-star recruit and ranks him as the No. 6 offensive guard in the country and the No. 12 player overall in Georgia. He is a three-star recruit for Rivals.com, which ranks him the No. 20 player at his position nationally and the No. 47 player in Georgia. He is No. 85 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Kevin Breedlove (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout); Clint Boling (according to Chad Simmons of Scout)
Tai-ler Jones, Gainesville
Class: Senior
Position: Wide receiver
Height/weight: 6 feet, 180 pounds
College choice: Stanford (made verbal commitment on April 16)
2008 wrapup: Jones caught 81 passes for 979 yards for the Red Elephants, who went 12-1, won the Region 7-AAA championship and advanced to the state quarterfinals. He also averaged 19.6 yards on kickoff returns and 17.5 on punt returns, and he averaged 43.8 yards per punt. Jones was named first team all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.
Speed: 4.46 in the 40
What’s being said: “Very intelligent kid, probably got the best explosion speed-wise of any kid I’ve had in a long, long time.” – Gainesville coach Bruce Miller
Prospect ratings: Jones is a four-star recruit, the No. 18 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 8 overall player in Georgia, according to Rivals.com. He is also rated a four-star recruit by Scout.com, which ranks him as the No. 17 wide receiver nationally and the No. 8 player in Georgia. He is No. 78 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar player: Kenny McKinley (according to Todd Holcomb of GHSF Daily); Torry Holt (according to Chad Simmons of Scout); Terance Mathis (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout)
Alec Ogletree, Newnan
Class: Senior
Position: Safety
Height/weight: 6 feet 3, 210 pounds
College choice: Georgia (made verbal commitment on June 26)
2008 wrapup: Ogletree had 75 first hits, two interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and six blocked kicks for a team that went 13-1, won Region 4-AAAAA and advanced to the state semifinals. Was named first team all-state by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and was honorable mention all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Speed: 4.55 in the 40
What’s being said: “Devastating tackler. A runner and a hitter. A 6-3, 215 safety – those don’t come around often.” – Newnan coach Mike McDonald
Prospect ratings: Ogletree is the top recruit in Georgia, according to Scout.com, which rates him a five-star recruit and ranks him as the No. 2 safety prospect in the nation. Rivals.com, which rates him as a four-star recruit, ranks him as the No. 1 player at his position in the nation. It also ranks him as the No. 3 player in Georgia and the No. 33 overall player nationally. He is No. 32 on the ESPNU 15 Watch List.
Similar players: Thomas Davis (according to Jamie Newberg of Rivals); Major Wright (according to Chad Simmons of Scout); Kenny Phillips (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout)
Da’Rick Rogers, Calhoun
Class: Senior
Position: Wide receiver
Height/weight: 6 feet 3, 205 pounds
College choice: Georgia (made verbal commitment on June 9)
2008 wrapup: Rogers caught 47 passes for 855 yards (an average of 18.2 yards per catch) for the Yellow Jackets, who finished 12-3, losing to Buford in the Class AA championship game.
Speed: 4.34 in the 40
What’s being said: “You just don’t find kids to be that big to run so fast.” – Calhoun coach Hal Lamb
Prospect ratings: Rogers is considered a four-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Rivals ranks him as the top overall recruit in Georgia, the No. 3 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 23 player overall. Scout rates him as the No. 3 recruit in the state and the No. 11 receiver in the nation. He is No. 34 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Calvin Johnson (according to Jamie Newberg of Rivals); Terrell Owens (according to Chad Simmons of Scout); Fred Rouse (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout)
Blake Sims, Gainesville
Class: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height/weight: 6 feet, 180 pounds
College choice: Alabama (made verbal commitment on April 4)
2008 statistics: Passed for 2,453 yards and 24 touchdowns and completed 66 percent of his passes. Rushed for 822 yards and 18 touchdowns on 117 carries. Led Gainesville to a 12-1 finish and the Region 7-AAA championship. The Red Elephants advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing to Carver of Columbus. Sims was selected as the region’s Player of the Year by the Gainesville Times. He was chosen first team all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.
Speed: 4.5 seconds in the 40
What’s being said: “Probably the best athlete I have ever coached. Got the ability to turn a game around by something he does.” – Gainesville coach Bruce Miller
Prospect ratings: Sims is the No. 15 quarterback nationally by Scout.com, which lists him as a four-star player, and the No. 14 player overall in Georgia. Rivals.com lists him as the No. 54 athlete nationally and the No. 51 player overall in Georgia. He is not among the 31 players on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Darrell Hackney (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout); Antwaan Randle El (according to Chad Simmons of Scout)
Garrison Smith, Douglass
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive tackle
Height/weight: 6 feet 3, 255 pounds
College choice: Georgia (made verbal commitment on July 19)
2008 season wrapup: Douglass suffered through an uncharacteristic losing season in 2008, finishing just 3-7 under first-year coach Kenny Barrow. But Smith, whose brother Greg plays for Georgia Tech, had a huge year with 108 tackles, including 27 for loss, and 14 sacks.
Speed: 4.70 seconds in the 40
What’s being said: “Work ethic, studies the game, goes hard in the classroom, responds to direction and criticism, does everything he can do to be a better football player.” – Douglass coach Kenny Barrow
Prospect ratings: Smith is a five-star recruit and the No. 2 player at his position nationally by Scout.com, which also ranks him the No. 2 player in Georgia. He is a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, which lists him as the No. 3 defensive tackle (and No. 49 overall) in the nation and the No. 5 player in Georgia. He is No. 137 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Johnathan Sullivan (according to Chad Simmons of Scout and Scott Kennedy of Scout)
T.J. Stripling, Southwest DeKalb
Class: Senior
Position: Defensive end
Height/weight: 6 feet 6, 215 pounds
College choice: Georgia (made verbal commitment on July 22)
2008 season wrapup: Had 90 tackles, including 18 for loss, and 15 sacks for a team that went 9-4 and reached the quarterfinals. Southwest DeKalb finished eighth in Class AAAA in scoring defense, allowing just 8.8 points per game, and had four shutouts, including three in a row early in the season. Stripling was named first team all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Speed: 4.55 in the 40
What’s being said: “Quiet leadership, confident demeanor, great student. With him around, you’ve got the feeling that everything’s going to be all right.” – Southwest DeKalb coach Buck Godfrey
Prospect ratings: Stripling is a four-star recruit by Scout.com, which ranks him as the No. 16 defensive end in the nation and the No. 6 player in Georgia. Rivals.com, which also rates him as a four-star recruit, ranks him as the No. 4 weakside defensive end in the nation and the No. 2 player in Georgia. He is No. 89 on the ESPNU 150 Watch List.
Similar players: Jermaine Cunningham (according to Scott Kennedy of Scout); Mathias Kiwanuka (according to Jamie Newberg of Rivals); Ricky Sapp (according to Chad Simmons of Scout).
Rankings:
Two ’08 champsstart out No. 1
Defending champions Buford (Class AA) and Wesleyan (Class A) start on top of the GHSF Daily’s preseason rankings, but there are new No. 1 teams in the other classes:
Class AAAAA Lowndes: The winner of three of the past five state titles returns most of its starters and appears on a mission to redeem itself after falling in the quarterfinals to Grayson in 2008. Camden County, the defending champ, starts at No. 4.
Class AAAA Southwest DeKalb: The third-place finisher in tough Region 6-AAAA returns the most marquee talent and is No. 1 for the first time since early in the 2000 season. Tucker, the defending champ and SWD’s region rival, starts No. 2.
Class AAA Carver (Columbus): The 2007 champion has made the semifinals or better each of the past three seasons and is loaded with major Division I-A talent. Cairo, the defending champ, starts No. 5.
The team ranked No. 1 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll has won a state title 14 out of 45 times this decade.
CLASS AAAAA
1. Lowndes (1-AAAAA)
2008: 12-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Woodland, Stockbridge
2. Grayson (8-AAAAA)
2008: 13-1. Opener: Saturday vs. Camden Co. (Ga. Dome)
3. Peachtree Ridge (7-AAAAA)
2008: 12-3. Opener: Aug. 28 at Harrison
4. Camden County (3-AAAAA)
2008: 15-0. Opener: Saturday vs. Grayson (Georgia Dome)
5. Stephenson (2-AAAAA)
2008: 9-2. Opener: Aug. 29 vs. McNair (Hallford)
6. North Gwinnett (7-AAAAA)
2008: 10-3. Opener: Aug. 29 vs. Prattville, Ala.
7. Northside, Warner Robins (1-AAAAA)
2008: 10-2. Opener: Aug. 27 vs. Perry
8. M.L. King (2-AAAAA)
2008: 8-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. S.W. DeKalb (Hallford)
9. Etowah (5-AAAAA)
2008: 9-2. Opener: Saturday vs. Starr’s Mill (Georgia Dome)
10. Newnan (4-AAAAA)
2008: 13-1. Opener: Aug. 27 at LaGrange
CLASS AAAA
1. Southwest DeKalb (6-AAAA)
2008: 9-4. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. M.L. King
2. Tucker (6-AAAA)
2008: 14-1. Opener: Aug. 29 at Brunswick
3. Rome (7-AAAA)
Record: 11-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. East Paulding
4. Marist (6-AAAA)
Record: 13-2. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. St. Pius
5. Sandy Creek (5-AAAA)
Record: 11-1. Opener: Aug. 28 at East Coweta
6. Griffin (4-AAAA)
Record: 10-4. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Dunwoody
7. Westside, Macon (1-AAAA)
2008: 12-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Central, Macon
8. Statesboro (1-AAAA)
2008: 11-2. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Josey
9. Sequoyah (7-AAAA)
2008: 10-2. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Cherokee
10. Loganville (8-AAAA)
2008: 9-2. Opener: Aug. 28 at Clarke Central
CLASS AAA
1. Carver, Columbus (2-AAA)
2008: 11-3. Opener: Aug. 28 at Spencer (Columbus Memorial)
2. Gainesville (7-AAA)
2008: 12-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Chestatee
3. Flowery Branch (7-AAA)
2008: 12-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Stephens County
4. LaGrange (2-AAA)
2008: 11-3. Opener: Aug. 27 vs. Newnan
5. Cairo (1-AAA)
2008: 14-0. Opener: Saturday vs. Bainbridge
6. Baldwin (3-AAA)
2008: 12-1. Opener: Aug. 28 at Glenn Hills
7. Peach County (1-AAA)
2008: 8-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Macon County
8. Carrollton (6-AAA)
2008: 9-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Westminster
9. Washington County (3-AAA)
2008: 8-3. Opener: Aug. 28 at Cross Creek
10. Jackson (4-AAA)
2008: 10-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Therrell
CLASS AA
1. Buford (6-AA)
2008: 15-0. Opener: Friday vs. Grovetown
2. Calhoun (7-AA)
2008: 12-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Dalton
3. Thomasville (1-AA)
2008: 7-5. Opener: Aug. 28 at Thomas County Central
4. Fitzgerald (1-AA)
2008: 11-3. Opener: Aug. 28 at Irwin County
5. Jefferson County (3-AA)
2008: 9-3. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Laney
6. Pepperell (7-AA)
2008: 11-2. Opener: Aug. 28 at Paulding County
7. Lovett (6-AA)
2008: 9-4. Opener: Aug. 28 at Woodward Academy
8. Callaway (5-AA)
2008: 10-2. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Troup
9. Brooks County (1-AA)
2008: 12-2. Opener: Sept. 4 at Tift County
10. Jefferson (8-AA)
2008: 11-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Commerce
CLASS A
1. Wesleyan (8-A)
2008: 13-2. Opener: Aug. 28 at Clarkston (North DeKalb)
2. Wilcox County (2-A)
2008: 12-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Seminole County
3. Clinch County (1-A)
2008: 9-3. Opener: Aug. 28 at Charlton County
4. Lincoln County (7-A)
2008: 12-2. Opener: Aug. 28 at Greene County
5. Wilkinson County (7-A)
2008: 10-4. Opener: Aug. 28 at Twiggs County
6. Emanuel County Institute (3-A)
2008: 14-1. Opener: Aug. 28 at Savannah Country Day
7. Brookstone (4-A)
2008: 11-1. Opener: Aug. 28 vs. Landmark Christian
8. Savannah Christian (3-A)
2008: 10-2. Opener: Aug. 28 at Montgomery County
9. Turner County (2-A)
2008: 10-3. Opener: Aug. 28 at Worth County
10. Bremen (6-A)
2008: 11-2. Opener: Aug. 28 at Alexander
Newswire:
Augusta Chronicle picks its Dream 16
B.J. Bostic, a GHSF Daily Super 11 quarterback from Jefferson County, leads the Augusta Chronicle’s preseason Dream 16 team.
Go here for a photo gallery and video of the Augusta area’s best 16 players.
Their choices are: QB B.J. Bostic, Jefferson County; QB Terrell Brigham, Burke County; RB Colby Carter, Barnwell (S.C.); DB Evan Dansby, Richmond Academy; QB Malcolm Eady, Swainsboro; RB Jonathan Finch, Evans; LB Terrell Fitts, Glenn Hills; OL Bryan Hadden, Midland Valley (S.C.); WR Matt Hazel, North Augusta (S.C.); RB Seth Hill, Grovetown; RB Chris Hunter, Westside (Augusta); RB/WR/DB Justin Lord, Glenn Hills; RB A.G. Middlebrooks, Lincoln County; LB L.J. Perry, North Augusta (S.C.); LB/WR Dexter Staley, Williston-Elko (S.C.); DB Khadi Tshishku, Lakeside (Evans)
Carver’s McGee concerned about youth, inexperience
Carver of Columbus head coach Dell McGee knows his team has high expectations because of its large number of major Division I-A recruits, but he warns it will take more than just those to win a state championship.
“We’re still young in some spots,” McGee told Chris White of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in this story. “Our O-line, our defensive backs, our receivers – all young. And we’re still inexperienced at linebacker. We may have some top-recruit kind of guys, but that doesn’t mean we have experience in game situations.”
GHSF Daily has Carver ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. Carver’s top recruits include guard David Beasley (committed to Auburn) and defensive end Corey Crawford (Clemson).
The Ledger-Enquirer also has previews of:
Hardaway
Columbus
Callaway
Harris County
Chattahoochee County
Macon Telegraph releases ’50 to follow’
Who is the best player in Middle Georgia? Jonathan Heeter of the Macon Telegraph has narrowed it to 50. Jackson defensive end Neiron Ball, who has committed to Florida, is probably the best known, but several of Heeter’s choices rival him in accomplishment.
King’s run breaks open Colquitt-Lassiter game
The scrimmage between Colquitt County and Lassiter was supposed to be a showcase of passing from the spread offense, but Tevin King’s 75-yard run opened the scoring in Colquitt’s 24-13 victory at The Frank in Marietta, according to this report in the Moultrie Observer. The game was stopped by lightning early in the third quarter.
Nance passes Calhoun to win over Rome
Nash Nance was 9-of-12 passing for 91 yards and a touchdown in Calhoun’s 14-7 victory against Rome, according to this report in the Romes News-Tribune. Calhoun is ranked No. 2 in Class AA, while Rome is ranked No. 3 in AAAA. Calhoun was playing its first game on its new turf field. Gridiron Central has highlights of the Calhoun-Rome game as well as five others in northwest Georgia.
Ransby’s returns give Newnan a spark
Newnan, ranked No. 10 in Class AAAAA, beat Whitewater 27-7 in a scrimmage that new Newnan coach Mike McDonald called “the good, the bad and the ugly,” according to Tommy Camp’s story in The Times Herald of Newnan. Newnan’s Jamal Ransby returned punts for 60 and 70-plus yards.
Northgate scores late to beat Woodward Academy
Northgate edged Woodward Academy 20-16 as David Higgins scored the game-winner on a 6-yard run in the final minutes of a scrimmage, according to this story in the Times-Herald of Newnan. Both teams went 70 yards for touchdowns on their first possession. The Times-Herald also had a wrapup of Starr’s Mill’s 20-7 scrimmage victory against East Coweta.
Sims leads Gainesville against St. Pius
Gainesville, Chestatee and Johnson won scrimmage games last week, according to this story in the Gainesville Times. Gainesville, ranked No. 2 in Class AAA, got a couple of touchdown runs from Super 11 quarterback Blake Sims in a 28-25 victory against St. Pius. The article also has notes on Johnson’s 26-0 victory against Banks County, Chestatee’s 60-14 victory over West Hall and White County’s 20-17 win over Hart County. Another story on Access North Georgia reports on West Forsyth’s 33-10 win over Lumpkin County and East Hall’s scrimmage against Riverside Military in which no score was kept.
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