Pike County is 5-2 and off to the best start since 2017, when C’Bo Flemister led the Pirates to a 9-4 record and a quarterfinal finish. They say history doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes, and Pike County once again has a star running back powering the offense in sophomore Keylan Yates, who’s 992 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on just 95 carries has created similar noise.
“The season, it’s going great. Our team has gotten better every week, and our coaches have been pushing us hard and preparing us for what’s next,” Yates said.
The sophomore has been featured twice this season, earning a top-play nomination in Week 2 and, in his most recent performance in Week 8, being voted the top play of the week. The explosive back took a carry up the middle, bounced off two tacklers, then slipped out of another before sprinting 57 yards down the field for a score.
“It’s really how low I get,” Yates said. “Most of the time I literally feel like I am just bouncing off players. I’ve been working on my footwork, and I think that’s really helped me keep my balance. Sometimes when I rewatch some of my film, I know God did it. I give Him all the glory.”
Currently, Pike County is 5-2 on the season with a 4-0 record in Region 2 in AAA. They are tied with Northeast, which is one of 3A’s top programs, but making a region championship will not satisfy Yates.
“My goal is to make it to the Benz. I want to see my team playing at the Benz.”
Pike County just made the bubble section for our weekly 3A rankings. They’ll get their licks in these upcoming games with Lamar County this Friday, and potentially have a region championship on the line on October 30 against Northeast.
On the recruiting front, Yates visited Jacksonville State last Tuesday and Clemson over the weekend. Rivals recently ranked Yates the 209th player in the country, and interestingly, he is listed at cornerback.
That shows the difference in opinions; we believe Yates has the balance and innate running vision that separate him from his peers. He has immense potential to be a standout RB at the next level.
Either way, the talented 2029 prospect is making a huge difference, creating more buzz around Pike County in almost 10 years, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X to hear the latest on Yates and players across the state of Georgia.
