Welcome to another year of our All-State picks! Please continue to check HERE throughout the next week to see the rest of the classifications. Down below we have our player of the year vote, first-team all-state picks with a writeup, and at the very bottom our honorable mention selections. Feel free to leave a comment down below!
Player of the Year
– Vote once per hour
– Voting ends 12/31 at 9 PM
OFFENSE
QB – Gunner Stockton, Rabun Co.
RB – Keyjuan Brown, South Atlanta
RB – Denorris Goodwin, Fitzgerald
APB – DJ Rogers, Pepperell
FLEX – Seth Reece, Fannin Co.
WR – Jaden Gibson, Rabun Co.
WR – Jalon Kilgore, Putnam Co.
WR – Cameron Robinson, Toombs Co.
TE – Baxley O’Brien, Rabun Co.
OL – Nate Lewis, Jeff Davis
OL – Avery Hill, Bremen
OL – Bear Old, Rabun Co.
OL – Johnny Williams, Northeast
OL – Jackson Akins, Heard Co.
OL – Jacob Tyson, Thomasville
K – Brody Derringer, Bremen
ATH – Clay Hyatt, Haralson Co.
ATH – Ty Adams, Swainsboro
DEFENSE
DL – Marquez Harris, Columbia
DL – Colton Smith, Washington Co.
DL – Cevan Edwards, South Atlanta
DL – Michael Crumbley, Putnam Co.
DL – Scooter Slappy, Bleckley Co.
LB – EJ Lightsey, Fitzgerald
LB – Ty Anderson, Thomasville
LB – Stevie Bracey, Lovett
LB – CJ Allen, Lamar Co.
LB – Blake Matthews, Bremen
DB – Joseph Williams, Thomasville
DB – Jaylon Stephens, Northeast
DB – Rowan Burdick, Chattooga
DB – Jimmy Bowdry, Thomasville
DB – Kaleb Hutchinson, Westside-Augusta
P – Hayden Futch, Berrien
RET – CJ Parker, Jeff Davis
Gunner Stockton out of Rabun County once again finds himself on our All-State team. The class of ’22 quarterback made First All-State on our site all 4 years, the only athlete to ever accomplish such feat. Stockton had his best season ever throwing the football going for 4134 passing yards (318 ypg average) with a 71% completion percentage and a jaw-dropping 55 touchdowns to just 1 interception. That equated over to a 151.9 QBR, one of the best in state history. Stockton only had 95 incompletions on the season; that’s not really too far away from his total touchdowns of 70 (55 passing and 15 rushing). By our count, Stockton finished his high school career with 254 total touchdowns, and without question, the Rabun County star will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in state history. Stockton is signed with UGA.
Keyjuan Brown out of South Atlanta ended up leading the state of Georgia in rushing yards with 2757 on the season. The dynamic junior averaged 212 yards per game and led the entire classification with 38 rushing touchdowns. Brown has a few P5 offers but we expect his recruitment to really heat up here shortly. Senior Denorris Goodwin had a special season driving Fitzgerald to a state title. The sly senior had 1320 rushing yards on the season and came up big especially in the state title game where he totaled 175 rushing yards on 33 carries and two scores. DJ Rogers gets the nod at all-purpose back. The speedy junior running back out of Pepperell helped lead the Dragons to a 2nd half surge where they became a tough out in October/November. Rogers rushed for 1481 yards and 21 touchdowns while also catching 279 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 18.6 yards per catch average makes Rogers one of the most explosive pass-catchers out of the backfield in the state. Rogers was named Region Offensive Player of the Year. Seth Reece out of Fannin County was an offensive dynamo playing all over the field. The senior threw for 116 passing yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 1202 yards and 15 touchdowns and even caught 171 receiving yards to go along with 3 more touchdowns. That was a mouthful. Reece ended up with 2400 all-purpose yards on the season and a combined total of 31 touchdowns, which was near the tops in the classification. Reece was named Region Player of the Year, and in the playoffs helped Fannin County to the 2nd round, where they arguably gave Fitzgerald their toughest game (28-14) during their championship run.
Jaden Gibson had one of the most special seasons in the history of the state. The junior ended up with 1878 receiving yards, a 144.5 average, which led the entire state of Georgia and was #2 in touchdowns with 19. Gibson is certainly a 2023 recruit to watch out for this offseason. Putnam County’s Jalon Kilgore had 921 receiving yards, which ranked him #2 in the classification and was #3 with 11 touchdowns. With his older brother, Gerald, tossing him the football, Jalon was able to haul in 37 receptions with a classification leading 24.9 yards per catch. He was also a dynamo on defense totaling 88 tackles. For his efforts, he was named Region Athlete of the Year. Cameron Robinson had an impressive fall over at Toombs County ranking #4 in the classification with 787 receiving yards. He ended up with 9 touchdowns and 61 receptions too, which made him one of the most targeted in the classification and put him at a good ratio finding the endzone. Senior tight end Baxley O’Brien quickly built a relationship with Gunner Stockton over at Rabun County. The sure-handed pass receiver was #3 in 2A with 13 touchdown receptions and he did it on just 43 passes caught. He led all tight ends in the classification with 619 receiving yards too. O’Brien is currently uncommitted.
Nate Lewis takes the lead on All-State offensive lineman. The Jeff Davis senior is one of the best pure run-blockers in the state of Georgia and will be suiting up for Georgia Southern next fall. Avery Hill out of Bremen is a mammoth 6’6″ 300 lbs. OL. The powerful senior does an exceptional job getting out to his responsibility and is a road-grader once he makes contact with a defender. He was just recently offered a PWO to Auburn. Bear Old out of Rabun County has been a consistent starter for the program for years now. The 6’5″ OL with 9 D1 offers under his belt is versatile, lining up at OT, OG or even C for the high-scoring offense. Johnny Williams is an absolute beast at 6’6″ and well over 300 lbs. The Northeast junior is one of the best in the classification, showing impressive power and skill when pass blocking or run blocking. Jackson Akins out of Heard County is another multi-year starter, but really took a jump in the last year. Lining up on both sides of the ball, you could argue Akins could be an All-Stater on offense or defense, but the senior earns a spot as an o-lineman. Akins is a nasty blocker with excellent leg drive and gets really good leverage while engaged. Jacob Tyson out of Thomasville was key to their offensive output throughout the season and helped his squad get to the state title game. He paved the way for one of the best offenses in 2A, making big pancake blocks that led to big momentum-swinging plays.
Brody Derringer out of Bremen gets the nod at All-State kicker. He knocked home 6 field goals with a long of 48 yards. He was money from distance, making 3/6 fields goals from outside of 40 yards. Derringer hit booming kicks into the endzone and was also an efficient onside kicker for Bremen. Next, we are going to talk about two athletes. The first is Clay Hyatt out of Haralson County. The senior had a special season totaling 2500 yards, 44 combined touchdowns while also averaging 12 tackles per game on defense. Hyatt even had 14 sacks on the season. The 6’1″ 215 lbs. beast was named Region Player of the Year. Swainsboro’s run to the semifinals caught many by surprise, almost no media outlet had the program in the top 10 the entire regular season, but junior Ty Adams blocked out the noise and helped his squad to new heights. Adams rushed for 1778 yards on the season with 23 touchdowns and also 451 passing yards on just 70 attempts. On defense, Adams had 39 tackles and 2 interceptions. The secret is out now on Adams and Swainsboro, and we suspect the class of ’23 athlete will be making noise once again in 2022.
Onto the defensive side of the football where Marquez Harris out of Columbia was the leader among defensive linemen in 2A with 114 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, and 22 sacks. Harris’ outstanding season earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors. Harris is one of the top uncommitted senior pass-rushers still available in the state of Georgia. Junior Colton Smith had a special season with 61 tackles, 17 sacks, and 29 tackles for a loss. The high-energy junior has a huge motor, even getting an eye-catching 36 QB hurries. He was named Defensive Player of the Year. Cevan Edwards out of South Atlanta is a big 6’4″ 260 lbs. defensive lineman who finished 2nd in the classification with 31 tackles for a loss. The big man also had 75 tackles and 8.5 sacks on the year. Given his excellent size and athleticism, we suspect the 2023 recruit will grab the attention of P5 programs here shortly. Michael Crumbley out of Putnam County clogged up the middle and helped Putnam County to one of the best defenses in 2A. The senior had 11 tackles for a loss and even an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Bleckley County senior Scooter Slappy was a nightmare for opposing offenses getting 27 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks on the season. He had 4 forced fumbles, one he literally took the ball from the running back and then ran 50 yards in the other direction for a score. Slappy was named Region Lineman of the Year and above all else, has a really cool name.
EJ Lightsey out of Fitzgerald earned Co-Defensive Player of the Year in his region. The senior was the heart and soul of the Fitzgerald defense this fall that only gave up 8 points per game during their playoff run, including a grand total of 20 points in the final three games. Lightsey remains uncommitted, but with several P5 offers programs heavily courting him. Ty Anderson out of Thomasville was alongside Lightsey as Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The senior had 196 tackles, a 13.1 per game average, and had 22 tackles for loss on the season. He was the leader among linebackers with 15 sacks, just edging out Hyatt by our count. Anderson ends his career with 493 career tackles. Stevie Bracey led his Lovett team in tackles with 90 on the season, including 63 of those that were solo. The savvy-senior linebacker is great at reading the play and jumping the gaps. He will be suiting up for Virginia next fall. Lamar Co. junior CJ Allen finished off the year being named Region Player of the Year. He had 91 tackles on the year, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks. He was a turnover machine too, creating 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. On offense, he had 1080 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The 2023 defender will definitely be one of the more coveted recruits in his class. Blake Matthews was a hybrid athlete playing close to the line of scrimmage at times but also dropping back into coverage a good bit as a defensive back. The senior had several big tackling games where he eclipsed over 20 in total and was named Region Defensive Player of the Year. The senior is signed with Troy.
Senior Joseph Williams out of Thomasville was huge for the program with 81 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, and 4 interceptions. The speedy senior even had 4 kicks that he blocked. Williams was named Region Athlete of the Year. Jaylon Stephens out of Northeast is a confident senior cornerback who ended up leading the classification with 7 interceptions on the season. The 6′ corner remains pretty under the radar in the recruiting world, but it’s hard to argue against his production the last two seasons at Northeast. Rowan Burdick was just recently named Region Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The senior who hits like a bag of hammers had 84 tackles, 1 interception, and really what I would consider his most special talent, causing 6 fumbles on the season. He did all of that in just 9 games. Burdick is a fearless football player who remains unsigned. Jimmy Bowdry out of Thomasville had 68 tackles and 5 interceptions on the year while also creating 2 forced fumbles too. Bowdry instincts in the secondary are excellent, and aside from his 5 interceptions, he was able to break up 19 passes. Bowdry was named Region Player of the Year for his efforts. Westside-Augusta’s Kaleb Hutchinson finished the year with 55 tackles and 4 interceptions. Playing for one of the best defenses in all of Class 2A, Hutchinson spearheaded their defensive game plan and he was named Region Defensive Player of the Year. The big-hitting senior defensive back will go on to play football next fall at Coastal Carolina.
Hayden Futch out of Berrien County has been a consistent punter the last few seasons. The All-Region selection has been an All-State selection for several other media outlets in previous years, and by our count, he had 12 punts inside the 20-yard line. Futch consistently punts high booming balls with good hangtime. Taking the All-State returner spot is CJ Parker out of Jeff Davis. The spider-like quickness of the senior allowed for him to return both a kickoff and punt for a score. Parker is currently committed with Kennesaw State, and we think he is one of the most explosive athletes in the entire state of Georgia.
HONORABLE MENTION
Cody Williams, Dade Co./Carlos Billingslea, Callaway/Nick Brown, South Atlanta/Cory Keller, Rabun Co.Cam Smith, Callaway/Jerrod Steward, Swainsboro/Nick Jordan, Jefferson Co./Eli Salmon, Haralson Co./Riley Bell, Haralson Co./William Stimmel, Lovett/Isaiah O’Neal, Heard Co./Keshawn Weathers, Towers/D’Icey Hopkins, Northeast/Evan Wynn, ThomasvilleKadarius Bailey, Columbia/Elijah Gunn, Callaway/Jonathan Echols, Heard Co./Zander Cook, Chattooga/Xavier Agostino, Pace Acd./Daniel Belvin, Thomasville/Isaac Walls, Heard Co./Conner Deviney, Lovett/Sean Medcalfe, Westside-Augusta/Ben Brantley, East Laurens/James Fordham, Bleckley County/Justin Brett, Washington Co./Charles Dawson, Westside-Augusta/Dylan Collins, Fannin Co./Jacob Strom, Jeff Davis/Will McGraw, Rabun Co./Cayden Sweatt, Bremen/Javon Moore, Temple /Isaac Wells, Heard Co./Donnie Brown, Northeast/Xavier Walker, Fitzgerald/Ryan Gilmore, Swainsboro/Jamarion Walker, Cook/Jahvon Butler, Bleckley Co./Xzavier Green, Westside-Augusta/Brennen Tillery, Pepperell/Marquis Alexander, Thomasville/Travion Solomon, Northeast/Gerald Kilgore, Putnam Co./Andrew Shockley, Banks County/Bryce Dickerson, Elbert Co./Chris Thompson, Rabun Co./Cade Hendrix, Gordon Central/Lem Azlin, Pepperell/Sam Williams, Callaway/Javian Parks, Callaway/Jarvis Parks, Callaway/Wesley Cole, Haralson Co./Michael Dotson Jr., Jeff Davis/Logan Helcher, Union Co./Shanne White, Thomasville/Chip Cooper, Worth Co./Bryce Davis, Vidalia/Cam Vaughn, Temple/Khamar Carlisle, Therrell/Isaiah Logan, Towers/John Lawton, South Atlanta/Quan Moss, Elbert Co./Malik Harper, Thomasville/Christian Johnson, Pace Acd./Cedrion Brundage, Putnam Co./Kiyon Dotson, Jeff Davis/Henry Stimmel, Lovett/Tyler Terry, Northeast/De’mar Riley, Berrien/Royce Tolbert, Columbia/Nate Brown, Oglethorpe/Lashaun Lester, Chattooga/Lang Windham, Rabun Co./Niejay Gaston, Washington//Cayden Cooper, Dade Co./Aahiyus Allen, Jeff Davis/Nic Hester, Chattooga/Duke Johnson, Dodge Co./ Jacaree Washington, Vidalia/Ethan Clarke, Rabnun Co./Omarion Ottman, Northeast/Ardarius Benton, Jasper Co./Zion Odoms, Northeast/Shemar Wicker, Temple/Elijah Hobson, Towers/Mackenzie Daniels, Worth Co./Keyton Chitwood, Union Co./Jaden Baugh, Columbia/Ja’lon Jaynes, Dodge Co./Cason Owensby, Fannin Co./Andrew Waldrep, Fannin Co./Anthony Mitchell, South Atlanta/Will Turpin, Rabun Co./J’Tahj Steven, Early Co./Tank Morris, Toombs Co./Jojo Chandler, Haralson Co./Jjonorian Foots, Swainsboro/Jacarian Grier, Jasper Co./Knox McKinney, Rabun Co./Tyrun’dai Hayes, Thomasville/Wil Watts, Toombs Co./Javan Smith, Dodge Co./Kenyon Partridge, Columbia/Mason Copeland, Jasper Co./Isaac Pangle, Dade Co./Quintavious Adolphus, East Laurens/Tyler Walters, Towers/Edarius Range, Early Co./Tre Chandler, Jeff Davis/Davion Benjamin, Glenn Hills/Zac Mitchell, Putnam Co./Khanoski O’Neal, East Laurens/Jamario Kitchens, Jefferson Co./Davis Rice, Pace Acd./Elijah Denson, Berrien/Trez White, Elbert Co./JaKorrian Paulk, Fitzgerald/Cole Shaw, Thoamsville/Bryson Wilson, Cook/Jaden Stanley, Fitzgerald/Daniel James, Fitzgerald/Larry McKinney, Early Co./B’Anthony Wade, Early Co./Sylon Davis, Fitzgerald/Shanon Ricks, Swainsboro/Deejay Braswell, Washington Co./Lane Poole, Dodge Co./Ashton Hagans, Washington Co./Landon Brown, Jefferson Co./Timothy Hill, Weside-Augusta/Kalon Curry, Laney/Jacarri Gamble, Laney/Deshun Coleman, Callaway/Kameron Slade, Therrell/Jermaine Carroll, South Atlanta/Joey Samples, Model/Tami Odatula, Riverside Military/Chris Brown, Elbert Co./Jordan Johnson, Banks Co./Kameryn Fountain, Washington/Andrew Swann, Pace Acd./David Dent, Bleckley Co./Tyler Wilcox, Bleckley Co./Tylik Gilmore, Washington Co./Hevin Brown, Pace Acd./Xavier Agostino, Pace Acd./Drelyn Lockhart, Putnam County/Kier Jackson, Callaway/Malachi Jackson, McNair/Kyler Robins, Union Co./Gus Hood, Rabun Co/
