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 1/4 at 10 PM
OFFENSE
QB – Selatian Straughter, Monroe Area
RB – Duke Watson, Mary Persons
RB – Rashod Dubinion, Cedar Grove
FLEX – DJ Bell, Pierce Co.
WR – Miles Thornton, Sandy Creek
WR – Camron Lacy, Stephens Co.
WR – Janirian Bonner, Cedar Grove
TE – Jake Johnson, Oconee Co.
OL – Jarvis Germany, Mary Persons
OL – Clayton Hixon, Jackson
OL – Mateo Guevara, Cherokee Bluff
OL – Moses Umoren, Carver-Atlanta
OL – Addison Nichols, GAC
OL – Chance Reid, Morgan Co.
K – Luke Brown, North Hall
ATH – Tay Martin, Thomson
ATH – Tyler Griffin, SE Bulloch
DEFENSE
DL – Terrell Lightfoot, Carver-ATL
DL – Christen Miller, Cedar Grove
DL – Quentel Jones, Peach Co.
DL – Felix Hixon, Jackson
DL – Carlton Madden, Cedar Grove
LB – Devonte Amasiani, Carver-ATL
LB – Dialo Mosley, Carver-ATL
LB – Donelius Johnson, Pierce Co.
LB – Julian Fox, Crisp Co.
LB – Jeremiah Telander, North Hall
DB – Darius Johnson, Oconee Co.
DB – Kayin Lee, Cedar Grove
DB – Will Hardy, GAC
DB – Daytin Baker, Pierce Co.
DB – Kyle White, Ringgold
P – Alex Bachetta, Westminster
RET – Darius Cannon, White Co.
Selatian Straughter out of Monroe Area earns our QB spot for All-State. The senior who suffered a season-ending knee injury the year prior came back on a mission putting up 1495 passing yards and 19 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions. Straughter’s 135 QBR made the senior the most efficient signal-caller in 3A, he was also the most dangerous with his feet rushing for 1608 yards and 17 touchdowns. The hard-cutting quarterback earned Region Player of the Year and kept his squad at the top of the rankings throughout the 2021 season.
Duke Watson out of Mary Persons was one of the classification leaders with 25 touchdowns on the year. The sophomore averaged 156 yards per game and was named Region Offensive Player of the Year. One might expect to see the talented 2024 back on here in the coming seasons. Rashod Dubinion helped Cedar Grove to another state championship. The class of 2022 back finished the year with 1743 rushing yards, which put him at a 116 yards per game clip and 26 touchdowns. Going up against one of the toughest schedules in the state of Georgia, Dubinion was dynamic, and he’ll look to showcase his talents in the coming years at Arkansas, where he just recently signed to play. DJ Bell played sort of a running quarterback type of role this year at Pierce County. He didn’t throw the ball much, but he did eclipse 400 yards thru the air, and the real damage was done on the ground. Bell ran for 1887 rushing yards, a 209.7 yards per game average which led the classification, and also had 23 touchdowns. Bell earned himself Offensive Player of the Year honors for his region.
Miles Thornton out of Sandy Creek led every receiver in all major categories – receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns. The senior had 1095 yards, 67 receptions, and 14 touchdowns. Thornton’s reliability marked him as one of the consistent receiving threats in the entire state of Georgia. Camron Lacy is a Stephens County junior who caught 44 receptions for 1025 receiving yards. His 23.3 average per reception put Lacy at the top of the classification. Lacy hauled in 8 touchdowns, including a vaulting dive into the endzone that directly led to a Stephens County win. Janirian Bonner is a powerful receiver who was able to collect 816 receiving yards on the season and 9 touchdowns. Cedar Grove spread the ball nicely this fall, but Bonner was the top target, creating tough matchups and was even tougher to bring down after the catch. Bonner is still unsigned after the early signing day. Oconee County’s most consistent receiving threat over the years has been Jake Johnson. The huge 6’6″ target had 745 receiving yards on the season and 45 receptions. The big redzone target totaled 8 touchdowns on the year and got the nod as Region Offensive Player of the Year. Johnson recently signed with Texas A&M and is widely considered one of the top TE prospects in the country.
Jarvis Germany helped pave the way for one other classifications’ leading rushers and was instrumental in their success. Whether he was pulling or they were just running behind Germany, the big senior was clearing a path. Several D1 programs have stayed in touch with Germany but he remains unsigned. Clayton Hixon out of Jackson used his immense length to outstanding leverage and drive defenders out of the play. Hixon continues to improve each year we watch him, and in 2021 he right earns a spot on the All-State team. Hixon is signed on to play at Wofford. Mateo Guevara out of Cherokee Bluff is a skilled versatile blocker. The senior earned Region Lineman of the Year and will be suiting up for Middle Tennessee next fall. Moses Umoren out of Carver-Atlanta is certainly the surprise of the All-State offensive line. Not even on our radar at the beginning of the season, Umoren was a huge part in Carver’s 3k rushing yards on the ground and their run to the state title game. Umoren is a late-bloomer but the 6’5″ senior has received several offers in the last month. Addison Nichols out of Greater Atlanta Chrisitan has been one of the most dominant offensive linemen in 3A for what seems like years. The senior who is s a blocking technician is signed on to play at Tennessee. Chance Reid out of Morgan County is the most devastating run blocker in this classification. The hard-hitting offensive lineman brings the heat in each play and will be playing college ball for Air Force.
Luke Brown out of North Hall had a great season knocking home 9 out of 13 field goals attempted. His long of 51 yards led the entire classification and Brown was consistently driving the football into the endzone all year long. We covered Brown earlier in the year, scouting him thoroughly, and believe he is an FBS talent. Moving to our athlete selections where we doubled dipped with Tay Martin out of Thomson and Tyler Griffin out of Southeast Bulloch. Martin was dynamic this year earning Region Player of the Year. The Thomson senior compiled 1561 all-purpose yards on the year and had 11 passing touchdowns, 8 rushing, and 1 receiving as well. Martin capped off a great high school football career leading Thomson to an undefeated regular season. Tyler Griffin had 512 rushing yards on the season and 679 receiving yards. He had a total of 14 touchdowns on the year while also completing 42 tackles on defense. Griffin finished with just under 1500 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Griffin is signed on with UCF.
Terrell Lightfoot was one of the classification leaders with 12 sacks on the season and 32 tackles for a loss. The senior pass-rusher looked a lot quicker getting to the football, and his impact creating negative plays was huge for Carver-Atlanta. Christen Miller is probably the most dominating pure athletes in the whole classification. The 3A defensive lineman stands at 6’4″ and 285 lbs. His power and length control the line of scrimmage, which helped earn Region Lineman of the Year. Miller is unsigned deciding between programs like Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama. Quentel Jones from Peach County is explosive to the football, and uses his wide +300 lbs. frame to wreak complete havoc. Jones’ tenacity and toughness coupled with immense strength is just too much to handle for your average high school o-lineman. Jones is signed with Kentucky. Felix Hixon joins his twin brother, just on the other side of the ball. The 2022 defensive tackle has been a menace the last few seasons at Jackson. He is explosive to the football, showing incredible power in his lower body to just drive offensive lineman out of the way. Hixon is signed on to play with South Carolina. Carlton Madden out of Cedar Grove is a speedy hybrid rusher who lined up across the Cedar Grove defense. His pass-rush instincts and explosiveness to the football gave Cedar Grove an incredible advantage on the edge. Madden has signed on to play at UGA.
Carver Atlanta’s Devonte Amasiani led the classification with 184 tackles on the year, including 107 solos. The senior’s quickness to the football and energy was complimented by his partner in crime, Dialo Mosley. The other Carver senior linebacker had 171 tackles on the year as well. The two were key in Carver-Atlanta’s run to the state title game, where their sideline to sideline speed bottled up opponents. Donelius Johnson out of Pierce County had a fantastic season compiling 157 tackles and 25 tackles for a loss. His 107 solo tackles ranks him second in the classification. Johnson also had 6 sacks on the year and was named Region Defensive Player of the Year. Julian Fox out of Crisp County was huge, especially as the season came along and the Cougars were playing better each week. Fox finished the year with 148 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss, including 4 sacks. The 2023 linebacker was named Region Defensive Player of the Year. Jeremiah Telander out of North Hall gets the final linebacker nod. With 137 tackles on the year, and 33 tackles for a loss, Telander was one of the most proficient at stopping the run of anyone in the state of Georgia. The 2023 linebacker also had 3 interceptions and 3 sacks on the season. Telander already holds several P5 offers, and we suspect his recruitment will be worth watching this offseason.
Darius Johnson out of Oconee County played outstanding cover corner defense, which resulted in a slew of pass breakups and 5 interceptions. Johnson is a very quick senior, he has several D1 programs enter his recruitment late, and ultimately signed with Gardner-Webb. Cedar Grove’s Kayin Lee proved to be the best cornerback in the entire classification. The instinctual junior reads the field so well, and jumps passes making key interceptions in games. Lee is one of the top defensive backs in the class of 2023 and will have his pick of colleges to choose from. Will Hardy led the entire classification with 8 interceptions and even caused 2 fumbles on the year. Creating double-digit turnovers is pretty impressive, but also totaling 133 tackles and 14 tackles for a loss too. Hardy was named Defensive Player of the Year and just recently signed on with UNC. Pierce County’s Daytin Bakers has been perhaps the most clutch player over the years, and this year he finished off the season with 5 interceptions and was named Region Player of the Year. Baker always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, making game-winning plays when the Bears need him the most. Kyle White out of Ringgold was the heart and soul of their excellent 10-2 season, which only allowed 142 points on the season. White finished off his senior year with 169 tackles, 4 interceptions and was named Region Defensive Player of the Year. White is one of the best pure open-field tacklers in his recruiting class and is still unsigned.
Alex Bachetta gets the nod for All-State punter. Bachetta punts the football with excellent hangtime and power – he is definitely the best in 3A. The senior is signed on with Penn State. Darius Cannon edges out a tough group for top returner in 3A. He led the classification with 503 return yards, including several that he housed all the way for a score. The White County junior ended up with 1366 all-purpose yards on the season and will certainly see his recruitment pickup this offseason.
HONORABLE MENTION
Ethan Westmoreland, Stephens Co./Adonijah Green, Cedar Grove/DeAndre Buchannon, Carver-Atlanta/Kaleb Cost, Sandy Creek/Geimere Latimer, Sandy Creek/Marques Johnson, Liberty Co./Ahmad Brown, Crisp Co./Brett Sterner, Harlem/Billy Lewis, Oconee Co./Dwayne Rowe, Long Co./Quintavious Davis, Carver-ATL/Jamori Wright, Appling Co./Keylan Rutledge, Franklin Co./Darion Smith, Appling Co./Holden Staes, Westminster/Seth Griffin, North Murray/Tokyo Gordon, Adairsville/Whit Weeks, Oconee Co./Jakyri Jones, Monroe Area/Quintavious Lockett, Carver-Atlanta/Matthew Williams, Harlem/Levi Gunn, Ringgold/J.D. Trowell, White County/Jaquette Lester, Oconee Co./Dominnic Leblanc, Dawson Co./Kris Phillips, Salem/Trevon Ferrell, Cedar Grove/Bailey Dameron, Dawson Co./Darris Smith, Appling Co./CJ Jones, Crisp Co./Jarveous Brown, Carver-ATL/Jaxon Pate, Sonoraville/Zach Holtzclaw, Dawson Co./Jacob Wright, Oconee Co./Bryce Bowens, Carver-Atlanta/Jamar Graham, Cedar Grove/Jalen Patrick, Hephzibah/Ben Stowe, Stephens Co./Logan Hickman, Mary Persons/Jack Carter, Crisp Co./Sebastian Irons, Cherokee Bluff/Jayquan Smith, Cherokee Bluff/Alan Jones, Monroe Area/Kevin Rochester, North Hall/Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Williams, Burke co./Jason Williams, Harlem/Marquise Palmer, Crisp Co./Eli Agnew, Adairsville/Jakilen King, Pike Co./Tyler Crow, East Jackson/CJ Jones, Oconee Co./Kobe Stonecipher, Gilmer/Okemus Grier, Jackson/Cameron Edwards, Jackson/Brant Bryant, Sonoraville/Marlion Jackson, Cherokee Bluff/Taylor Carrell, Murray Co./Darius Johnson, Oconee Co./Ladaria Leggett, Peach Co./Eric Grant, Hephzibah/Jon Jon Howard, Harlem/Isaiah Mitchell, Peach Co./Ted Hurst, Johnson-Savannah/Justin Baker, Coahulla Creek/RJ Bryan, Brantley Co./Kade Moledor, Dawson Co./Ethan Ardis, East Jackson/Tristan Mullins, Sonoraville/Quinshawn Hearst, Thomson/Jontavious Curry, Thomson/Danarius Johnson, Pierce Co./Ameer Phillips, Beach/Devin Pryer, Adairsville/Dennis Mims, Appling Co./Kanye Spivey, Crisp Co./Jadiarius White, Upson-Lee/Jarrett Latty, North Hall/Jahzir Williams, Liberty Co./Bernard Manga, Monroe Area/Kindarius Green, Thomson/Allen Boatright, Pierce Co./Quanah Martin, Stephens Co./Ty Everson, Pierce Co./Cade Adams, Dawson Co./Terrion Webb, Rockmart/Ronald Polite, Beach/Jaleeh Kearse, Johnson-Savannah/Knox Bennett, Pierce Co./Amire Dwight, Crisp Co./Ethan Pollock, Crisp Co./Bryson Trimier, Stephens Co./Taylen Crosby, Appling Co./Jayden Gordon, Beach/Tyson King, Coahulla Creek/Eric Ivory, Crisp Co./David Mitchell, Crisp Co./Branan Rountree, GAC/Jonah Allen, Pierce Co./Mason Maddox, Peach Co./Isaiah Bush, Tattnall Co./Tripp Shipman, Mary Persons/Dayson Griffis, Appling Co./Chris Roper, Adairsville/Kellon Middleton, Brantley Co./Toby Taylor, Appling Co./Niterian Walker, Upson-Lee/Jha’rius Evans, Central-Macon/Kason Hodges, Sumter Co./Austin Starr, Mary Persons/Khristian Clark, SE Bulloch/Collin Jackson, SE Bulloch/Trayvon Savage, Windsor Forest/Kyle Cartwright, Tattnall Co./JR Raub, SE Bulloch/Keontrae Williams, Liberty Co./Jaden Boone, Johnson-Savannah/Toby McIntire, Hephzibah/Antavious Elder, Morgan Co./Key Malone, Morgan Co./Raderic Jones, Richmond Acd./Keith Moss, Burke Co.//Malik Moses, Salem/Everett Roussaw, Cedar Grove/Marcellius Pulliam, Sandy Creek/Denton Shamburger, Westminster/Brooks Platford, Westminster/Ken’Dell Brown, Cedar Grove/Ricky Lee, Cedar Grove/Kori Dumas, Ringgold/Jaylon Ramsey, LaFayette/coy Pendergrass, Lafeytte/Clayton Floyd, Rockmart/Austin Johnson, North Murray/Brandon Orman, Ringgold/Brent Washington, Rockmart/Montreas Simmons, Rockmart/Silas Mulligan, White County/Cason Moore, Cherokee Bluff/Tilil Blackwell, West Hall/Jaden White, West Hall/Jacob Benjamin, Cherokee Bluff/JL Lackey, Hart Co./David Lelain, Monroe Area/Paul Davis, Hart Co./Malachi Kelly, Hart Co./Thomas Waters, Oconee Co./Max Thurston, Monroe Area/Jimarion Merritt, Hart Co./Votarres Thaxton, Redan/Chris Brown, Salem/Travius Franklin, Sandy Creek/
Kyle white
Selatian straughter
Kyle white
Ill be here next year.