It was another big week in the playoffs for GHSA football and several players left their mark, continuing to add to their respective resumes.
Here is who stood out in the quarterfinals last week and will try to carry that momentum as teams across the state gear up for the semifinals Friday.
North Cobb Christian QB Teddy Jarrard - The legend continues to grow for the star quarterback out of North Cobb Christian. Jarrard brought down a state title contender on Friday night with another phenomenal performance. He went 31-51 for 327 yards and three touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the state. His most impressive play came on a scrabble when he eluded the pressure escaping to the right. Multiple defenders collapsed on him and he made the throw just in time delivering a dot in the back of the endzone. There is no doubt he is one of the best quarterbacks in the state regardless of classification or year. Now, the question is when he will become a national recruit.
Stephenson RB Anthony Booker - Booker continues to perform at a high level in the postseason. He had 14 carries for 241 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Southeast Bulloch. Booker has been a workhorse this season for the Jaguars rushing for 1,024 yards and 15 touchdowns. His best games have come during the playoffs where he has rushed for 200 or more yards in two of the three playoff games. During the playoff run, Booker has 643 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in three games. Booker won a state championship last year with Cedar Grove in their win over Savannah Christian. In that game, he ran for two touchdowns and was a key reason for the Saints winning a championship.
Northeast RB Nick Woodford - Woodford put the team on his back and put up big numbers in a win over top-ranked Fannin County. Woodford rushed for 374 yards and four touchdowns. It was his first game he rushed for over 300 yards this season and his fifth consecutive game with 100 rushing yards or more. Woodford has rushed for a touchdown in every game except Dublin. Friday also put him over the 2,000-yard mark for the second time in his career. Woodford accomplished this feat during his sophomore season. Woodford has been one of the best running backs this season and is now closing in on 6,000 rushing yards in his career. He will have at most two games to accomplish the feat.
Coffee RB Tyrese Woodgett – Woodgett has been phenomenal this postseason and put up a historic performance against Sequoyah in a 72-48. He rushed for a GHSA-record 605 yards and seven touchdowns on just 20 carries. He averaged 30.3 yards per carry and the Chiefs had no answers to slow him down. Woodgett is now over the 2,000-yard mark. He has rushed for 2,090 rushing yards. In just three playoff games, he has 1,022 yards and 17 touchdowns. Woodgett has been a marvel to watch all season, and he has continued to deliver for the defending state champions. Coffee is in line to do the same this year and has two more games to get it done. Expect for the Woodgett to be a big reason why Coffee repeats this year.
Grayson WR Alexander Sanchez - In a second matchup this season against Collins Hill, Sanchez went off. He finished with six catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns. He has 36 catches for 567 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this year for the Rams. The Appalachian State commit is in a position to set career highs in catches and yards this season in his prep career. He has already set a career-high in touchdowns and is just two touchdowns away from having ten on the season. One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough with Grayson is their receiving core and how many dangerous players they have like Sanchez. This Grayson team is for real and has a great chance of winning the state title in 6A. Sanchez will be a key catalyst on offense.
Douglas County LB Michael Hastie - Hastie finished with a team-high 19 tackles (15 solo) in a 20-14 win over West Forsyth. It was the most tackles Hastie had in a game this season for Douglas County. Hastie has recorded 10 or more tackles in every game this season except against Columbia. He plays with a different energy and physicality that is hard to replicate. For the season, Hastie has 159, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Statistically, this is the best season he has had on the defensive side of the ball. The West Virginia commit also contributes on offense and has 153 rushing yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers this year.
North Cobb LB Spears Martin – Martin is a tackling machine and continues to always be around the football. He put together another impressive performance finishing with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in a win over No. 1 Savannah Christian. Martin now has 89 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and three fumble recoveries this year. Martin doesn’t get enough credit for what he means to this defense, but his impact can’t be denied. He has been playing at an exceptional level and has been a key reason why North Cobb Christian’s defense has been great this year.
North Cobb Christian DL Ray Dixon – The Army-commit put together a strong performance against Savannah Christian on Friday night. Dixon had six tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. This season he has 63 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 QB hurries, and seven sacks. Dixon has been a consistent player on the defensive side of the ball since he has played varsity. This season has been no different for the senior defensive lineman. I got the chance back in the summer to watch him play and was impressed back then. He’s only gotten better and has given offensive lines fits this year. One thing is for sure, you better block No. 1 on defense or he could potentially wreck the game.
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