The following is an excerpt from the August 13 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:
Region Preview: 2-AAAAA:
What it is: Region 2-AAAAA consists of eight teams, stretching from Greenbrier, which is isolated from the rest near Augusta, to metro Atlanta. Other than Region 3, it has the smallest average enrollment of any Class AAAAA region, as half the teams have numbers to place them in AAAA. A round-robin schedule determines its four playoff teams.
Defending champion: Stephenson
Best player: RB Mack Brown, M.L. King
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
Stephenson (9-2, 6-1)
M.L. King (8-3, 6-1)
Union Grove (8-3, 5-2)
Luella (7-4, 4-3)
Newton (3-7, 2-5)
Douglass (3-7, 2-5)
Redan (2-7-1, 2-5)
Greenbrier (2-8, 1-6)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Stephenson (7/6)
M.L. King (9/6)
Union Grove (6/8)
Luella (5/4)
Douglass (5/4)
Newton (6/7)
Greenbrier (3/4)
Redan (2/2)
TEAM BY TEAM
Douglass Astros
2008 record: 3-7, 2-5 (tied for fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 6-4
Coach: Kenny Barrow (3-7 in one season)
Offense: I formation/multiple (coordinator: Fred Shambery)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: James Mathis)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
Top player: DL Garrison Smith
Other top players: RB Tommy Gooden, WR/KR Joshua Thurston, SS Oliver Stephens, FS Keith Shelton, LB Jarvis Garrett, DE/LB Richard Sanders, QB Darius Miller
Key losses: LB Jonathan Atchison (Alabama), CB Caleb Lester (UAB), RB Michael Patrick (Navy), LB Brontavious Riley (Air Force)
Outlook: Douglass loses four Division I-A players, but that’s not unusual. What’s different about this Douglass team is the 3-7 record from 2008, the first losing mark in seven years. Second-year coach Kenny Barrow, who started M.L. King’s program earlier this decade, believes this will be a more typical Astros team. He’s got perhaps the best defensive player in the state in DT Garrison Smith. He has committed to Georgia. On offense, Douglass must replace the quarterback and leading rusher. QB Darius Miller is a small, option-type player who can get a team out of trouble. WR Joshua Thurston also might take a turn behind center. Watch for RB Tommy Gooden, one of the state’s fastest players. He played defense last season, but with RB Michael Patrick (more than 900 yards rushing) gone, Douglass will employ him at tailback and hope he’s the home-run hitter it needs to return to its winning ways.
Greenbrier Wolfpack
2008 record: 2-8, 1-6 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Brian Smith (2-8 in one year)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Brian Smith)
Defense: 3-4 (Tony Kramer)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: OL Kevin James
Other top players: OL Trevor Jones, DL Matt Padgett, DB Qua Roscoe, QB Scott Reeder
Key losses: ATH Bryan Andrews, WR T.D. Davis, QB/WR Ben Turner, DL Dylan Turner
Outlook: Greenbrier is the odd school out of Region 2-AAAAA, as it right outside of Augusta while the remaining schools are close to metro Atlanta. The GHSA’s new isolation rule, to go into effect in 2010, likely will put the Wolfpack down to Class AAAA next year. Meanwhile, Greenbrier appears overmatched athletically again, but the second year under head coach Brian Smith could signal improvement. The main concern is a defense that allowed 51 points per region game (which included a remarkable 59-57 victory against Redan in the final week). DL Matt Padgett will anchor the defense along with DB Qua Roscoe. They will both try to replace the numbers that DL Dylan Turner tallied last year (103 tackles, seven sacks). Turner was the team’s MVP. On offense, QB Scott Reeder will replace Ben Turner. Linemen Trevor Jones and Kevin James should provide quality protection in the no-huddle spread offense.
Luella Lions
2008 record: 7-4, 4-3 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Lowndes 41-13 in the first round
Average record this decade: 4-5
Coach: Paul Burgdorf (24-32 in six seasons)
Offense: I formation (coordinators: Rod May and Eddie Pratt)
Defense: 5-3 (coordinator: Jamond Sims)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: DB/WR Detrick Bonner
Other top players: OL Andrew Pepples, OL A.J. Colstock, OL Tanner Shirah, QB Kyle Dickey, DB Wayne Parker, LB T’rell Matthias, DL Horace Clemons, LB Jamaal May, LB/RB LaDarius Spikes, RB Edward Irby
Key losses: DB Roderick Sweeting (Georgia Tech), DB Sean Davis (Gardner-Webb), LB D’Mario Gunn (Georgia Military College)
Outlook: Luella, which played its first season in 2003, seems to be a program on the rise. The 7-4 finish in 2008 was the Henry County school’s first winning season. Two of last year’s starters in the secondary, Roderick Sweeting (Georgia Tech) and Sean Davis (Gardner-Webb), are off to college football, but there’s more where that came from. DB/WR Detrick Bonner, first team all-region as a receiver and a corner last year as a junior, has committed to Virginia Tech. QB Kyle Dickey was the first team all-region quarterback in 2008. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound prospect is getting looks from some Division I schools. Luella put the region on notice last year when it upset Stephenson in the middle of the season. Taking the next step – a region title – will be tougher.
M.L. King Lions
2008 record: 8-3, 6-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Tift County 24-14 in the first round
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Corey Jarvis (39-9 in four seasons)
Offense: Multiple pro (coordinator: Kerry Hood)
Defense: Shade 50 (coordinator: Lee Hannah)
Starters returning: 9 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: RB Mack Brown
Other top players: QB/DB Cameron Myers, WR Demarco Robinson, WR Cory Phillips, OL Bryce Bell, OL Jeremy Little, OL Dontre Stephens, TE/DL Kenneth Baldridge, DL/TE Fred Allen, OL/DL Dameon Herring, LB/DE Rahmon Swain, DB/QB Kevin Byard, DB Chris Francis, DB Caleb Watkins, LB Dustin Lane, LB Patrick Callaway
Key losses: LB/RB Joel Kight (Mississippi), LB Rashaun Quiovers (Lenoir-Rhyne), OL DeAndre Davis (Jackson State), OL Darrell Martin (Marshall), FB/DL Thomas Hendricksen (Lane College)
Outlook: Few programs have the immediate success that M.L. King has experienced since its opening in 2002. The Lions have had only one losing season, that being in the first year. The team loses some talent from last year, most notably LB/RB Joel Kight (110 tackles, five TDs on offense) and 300-pound OL Darrell Martin, but the offense returns nine starters from a unit that put up 30 points per game (seventh-best in Class AAAAA). The running game will be in good hands with several returning starters on the line and perhaps the best back in the state in Mack Brown (1,700 yards, 21 TDs). Dual-threat Cameron Myers will get the bulk of the snaps at quarterback, but another athletic player, DB/QB Kevin Byard, will see time as well. On defense, LB Rahmon Swain (108 tackles, eight sacks) is getting interest from some SEC schools. The 2008 team was a mild disappointment after putting up a 12-1 season in 2007. MLK must get its defense back to ’07 standards to be a major factor on the state level again.
Newton Rams
2008 record: 3-7, 2-5 (tied for fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Nick Collins (4-16 in two seasons)
Offense: Multiple I (coordinator: Camielle Grant)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Cortez Allen)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: RB Akeem Hunt
Other top players: RB D.J. Hill, DL Justice Ejike, WR Bart Lindsey, C Travis Townley, DT Derrick Clarke, FS Deandre Rashada, TE Jamaal Hunte, DT Torriane Hunte, OT Robert Roqoumore
Key losses: LB/FB Quenton Pooler (Savannah State), QB/FS Demetrius McCray (Appalachian State), DT Briane Forde
Outlook: Newton needed to play 30 freshmen two years ago, but that group is now the team’s junior class. QB/DB Demetrius McCray, a valuable two-way player, is now at Appalachian State, leaving one of those juniors, Tyree Williams, to take over at quarterback. Williams played under center in two games as a freshman and five games as a sophomore. The deepest position on the team is running back, as four ball carriers will play a lot, according to head coach Nick Collins. The best is probably Akeem Hunt. The line should be better, with transfer Robert Roquemore joining a group of upperclassmen starters. The secondary is the strength of the defense, with three starters and two part-time starters returning, including Bart Lindsay, who had four interceptions last season. The linebackers will need more seasoning. The kicking game will be a concern after the transfer of last year’s starter. Newton seeks its first winning season since 2003.
Redan Raiders
2008 record: 2-7-1, 2-5 (tied for fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Ronnie Fleetwood (17-26 in four seasons)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: Kenneth Atwater)
Defense: Multiple (coordinator: Bravura Banks)
Starters returning: 2 on offense, 2 on defense
Best player: QB Akil Dan-Fodio
Other top players: DL/OL Jaques Gholston, TE/DE Kamalie Matthews
Key losses: RB Justin Simms, WR Travis Benton
Outlook: Too many starters are gone to expect vast improvement at Redan, but it’s nice having one of the region’s better quarterbacks in junior Akil Dan-Fodio (1,245 yards passing). His 10 touchdown passes were second in DeKalb County last season, and he was the second-team all-region choice in 2-AAAAA. Gone are the team’s leading rusher and receiver. OL/DL Jaques Gholston is an all-region candidate and will start both ways. There’s not enough experience or depth to make the playoffs realistic.
Stephenson Jaguars
2008 record: 9-2, 6-1 (region championd)
Playoffs: Lost to Coffee 17-14 (OT) in the first round
Average record this decade: 10-2
Coach: Ron Gartrell (106-45 in 13 seasons)
Offense: Wing-T/multiple (coordinator: Ron Gartrell)
Defense: 5-man front (coordinator: Donald Sellers)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: OL/DL Mike Thornton
Other top players: RB Raymond Sanders, CB/WR Chris Sharpe, LB Tyrone Cornileus, FS/WR Kenneth Ladler (Vanderbilt), OL Armond Mitchell, OL Doral Wright, TE Steven Thomas, DL/TE/LS Joshua Polk, OL Kevin Phillips, FB Denzel Hartley
Key losses: QB T.C. Gilbert (Mississippi State walk-on), LB Nigel Mitchell-Thornton (Tennessee), OL/DL Tobias Williams (Jackson State), DE Joshua Williams (Chattanooga), WR Richard Drake (Middle Tennessee State), PR/WR Jonathan Blackley
Outlook: The Jaguars boast arguably the best collection of college prospects in Class AAAAA. With no less than five players who likely will end up on the Division I-A level, Stephenson should be the favorite to repeat in Region 2. The offense will start with the running game, with RB Raymond Sanders (1,300 yards, 13 TDs) operating behind the blocking of FB Denzel Hartley. The QB position will see a new starter in Jordan Tarver, also the starting punter. Tarver is bigger than his replacement and brings more passing prowess, which Stephenson will look to exploit to diversity its Wing-T system. The defense again should be among the best in the state. In 2008, the Jaguars allowed 6.6 points, second-fewest in AAAAA. CB/WR Chris Sharpe (Louisville commit) roams the secondary with FS/WR Kenneth Ladler (Vanderbilt commit). LB Tyrone Cornileus will choose soon between Georgia Tech and Miami, and OL/DL Mike Thornton has a slew of SEC offers on the table for his play on both sides of the line. This team is ranked No. 2 in AAAAA by Georgia High School Football Magazine.
Union Grove Wolverines
2008 record: 8-3, 5-2 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Northside (Warner Robins) 24-7 in the first round
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Steve Collins (8-3 in one season)
Offense: Spread option (coordinator: Russ Atkins)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Jeremy Ross)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: DE Anthony Williams
Other top players: MLB Dareon Mays, RB/KR Donovan Johnson, SLB Drew Bullard, WLB Hampton Mizell, QB Ty Moore, WR/QB Jordan Akins, WR/KR Ed Wilkins
Key losses: OT Mark Speir (Richmond), NG Wes Mena (Coffeyville CC), S Tyrique Williams (North Carolina Central), LB Jake Smith (Valdosta State)
Outlook: Union Grove has produced some pretty good defensive talent throughout its 10-year history (Georgia Tech linebackers Steven Sylvester and Kyle Jackson, among them), and this year is no exception. DE Anthony Williams is an excellent pass rusher who will join several of his former teammates at Tech next season. Williams (6-4, 240) had 80 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his junior season. Joining him will be MLB Dareon Mays, who is fielding six D-I offers. On offense, things aren’t so certain. The team returns nearly all of its main skill players but loses all five starting linemen. RB/KR Donovan Johnson was the leading rusher behind last year’s excellent line, going for 1,200 yards and 16 TDs on a team that surprised many by starting off 7-0 before falling to region giants Stephenson and M.L. King. WR/KR Ed Wilkins is a threat, as well. However, for a team that looks to run 70 percent of the time, breaking in a brand new line could be problematic.
Class AAAA Super 11:
On Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in partnership with Georgia High School Football Daily, will release its 25th Super 11 team, a preseason list of Georgia’s 11 best senior football players.
This week, GHSF Daily is selecting its Super 11 for each classification. Today, it is Class AAAA.
Remember that these are seniors only:
DB Ryan Ayers, South Paulding: Ayers is a two-way player who had 16 receptions and four interceptions in 2008. He runs the 40 in 4.34 seconds. Ayers has committed to Georgia Tech.
T Morgan Bailey, Loganville: Bailey averaged three pancakes and five knockdowns per game last season. He has committed to Georgia Tech.
QB/DB Synjyn Days, Hillgrove: Days was not GHSF Daily’s choice as preseason all-state at quarterback in Class AAAA. That spot went to Hardaway’s Marcus Smith. But Days is the better all-around player. He rushed for 1,037 yards, passed for 398 and returned kicks and played free safety. He’s being recruited as a quarterback by Georgia Tech, as a linebacker by Oklahoma State.
DE Jalen Fields, Dalton: Fields had 35 tackles for losses as a junior, according to Rivals.com, which rates him the No. 7 prospect in Georgia this year. Fields has committed to Georgia.
Jonathan Finch, Evans: Finch is the leading rusher among returning players to Class AAAA. He had 1,620 yards for a 10-1 team. He plays in a region that doesn’t get much respect. That and his size conspire to keep him out of the limelight outside the Augusta area.
RB/LB Clarence Jackson, North Clayton: Jackson is best all-around player in Class AAAA. He rushed for 1,552 yards but at 6 feet 2, 215 pounds, also is an outstanding linebacker, the position he’s expected to play at Ole Miss.
DB Isaiah Johnson, Sandy Creek: Johnson is the best defensive back ever at Sandy Creek. He had 35 solo tackles last season and made seven interceptions. He has committed to Georgia Tech.
RB Storm Johnson, Loganville: A transfer, Johnson rushed for 1,240 yards and 19 touchdowns last season at Buford. He is expected to sign with LSU.
RB Ken Malcome, Southwest DeKalb: Malcome rushed for 954 yards on 143 carries in 10 games. He was injured for at least parts of four games. He has committed to Georgia.
DE T.J. Stripling, Southwest DeKalb: Stripling made 88 tackles, 18 for losses, on a 9-4 team last season. He’s 6 feet, 6 inches, and carries a 3.8 GPA. Rivals rates him the No. 2 player at any position in the state. He has committed to Georgia.
ATH Reggie Whatley, Rome: Whatley rushed for 1,171 yards on only 127 carries last season and was a deadly return man.
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