Deshaun Watson is considered by some to be the state’s top senior prospect and the state’s all-time passing leader is hoping to lead his team to a second straight Class AAAAA state title. While the No. 1 Red Elephants lost several of Watson’s favorite targets, enough weapons return to make Gainesville the odds-on favorite to repeat. Look for junior Rodney Lackey and senior Jay Gaudlock to see their touches increase as will Michael Byrd’s carries and receptions out of the backfield.
Northside-Warner Robins fell at preseason No. 10 Ware County 24-17 in the semifinals last season but could see a return to the Georgia Dome thanks to quarterback Glenn Smith, a dynamic playmaker that can beat you with his arm or his legs. The Eagles must replace plenty on the defensive side of the ball, but the offense should hum along with Smith under center.
Thomas County Central checks in at No. 3 with stud back Adam Choice ready to lead the team in 2013. Choice plays as a read-option style quarterback on the high school level but will switch to running back at the next level, where he already has plenty of suitors.
Last year, Flowery Branch started a non-senior quarterback for the first time since 2008 as Jackson McDonald took over the reigns of the offense. He racked up more than 2,500 all-purpose yards with 32 touchdowns. He will have Justin Curry in the backfield to help him pile up the yardage and points.
No. 7 Kell lost Brendan Langley and Quincy Mauger to UGA, but the secondary may not miss a beat with Julian Burris, Jay Moxey and Taylor Henkle returning. On offense, quarterback Matthew McGuigan won’t have Langley to throw to in big-play situations and the offense will need to develop another running back to take the spot of Khalil Bell.
Lastly, No. 9 Whitewater continues to reload. After watching Kendall Conley depart, Amos McCreary will likely turn to Christian Wafford, who could be the next in a recent line of workhorse Whitewater backs. Colton Clemons is a supreme athlete for the Wildcats and quarterback Jay Ashley and wide receiver Matt Oglehas have built a nice rapport that should make opposing defenses nervous.
1. Gainesville
2. Northside-Warner Robins
3. Thomas County Central
4. Stephenson
5. Flowery Branch
6. Tucker
7. Kell
8. ML King
9. Whitewater
10. Ware County
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