Photo cred: Chrystal Moore – Marietta Daily Journal
Allatoona’s junior running back Jayden Ponder has been a consistent force the last two seasons. The 2023 back has amounted 1004 all-purpose yards in just 7 games including 6 touchdowns here in 2020 after putting up similar numbers as a sophomore.
With the playoffs up ahead, Ponder looks to be getting better each week, and going into the playoffs he is playing his best football. In fact, just last week the 2023 running back made one of the best plays from Week 12. A play where Ponder weaved in and around the defense for one of the longest plays of the week.
With the way the 2023 back is playing right now, Allatoona is not a team to take lightly going into the playoffs.
“My goal for the playoffs is to be 1-0 every week till we get to the championship,” Ponder said.
Allatoona ended up going 7-1 in the region and will be hosting 4-6 Shiloh this Saturday. The Generals have a solid group of SR linebackers but will certainly have their work cut out stopping the Ponder and the Allatoona rushing attack.
On the recruiting from, Ponder feels that his recruitment is starting to pick up steam.
“My recruitment is slowly starting to pick up I am getting recruited by Louisville, Kansas State, Cal Berkeley, UCF, and Vanderbilt. I haven’t taken any visits yet.”
Ponder believes what separates himself from other backs is his vision and explosiveness out of his cuts to break free and create big plays. One area he would like to improve is his yards after contact going into the offseason.
Overall, we think the 2023 back shows some of the best vision and determination running the football in this recruiting class. We definitely think he is worth watching his recruitment closely, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeoriga on Twitter to hear the latest on Allatoona and where Ponder’s recruitment goes in the future.
