Here are the Week 2 standouts from our weekend research. We have a quick write-up on each of the 10 athletes who we have selected with individual game film included, if possible.
We also have a poll for our Player of the Week directly underneath that will end Tuesday at 10 p.m. You can only vote once per hour! The winner will get a featured story on the website and a custom highlight video.
Ethan Long
2025 Adairsville
Quarterback
Long was terrific in their Thursday showdown against Pepperell. The senior signal-caller completed 39 out of 47 attempts, marking an 83% total along with 389 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was hyper-efficient with zero interceptions and 32 additional yards rushing in the 31-14 win over Pepperell. The 5’11” QB is a new transfer over from Dalton and is already setting 3A on fire with 585 total yards and 6 touchdowns in his first two games. Long does an excellent job of spreading the football out to his skill players, and is a quick decision-maker on offense.
Caleb Easterling
2025 Richmond Hill
Athlete
Easterling helped Richmond Hill take down local rival Glynn Academy 31-12. The senior hit a max speed of 21.4 MPH in the game, but that’s just the beginning of the impressive metrics. Easterling touched the football just 5 times and scored 3 touchdowns. He had a total of 146 yards rushing, 65 yards receiving and a handful more returning the football, making for a total of 240 all-purpose yards. Easterling also played his typical lockdown defense at defensive back. The senior athlete is showing out in the early season.
Kentrell White
2026 Midtown
Wide Receiver
Midtown’s explosive junior Kentrell White is among the best athletes in his recruiting class, and we were reminded once more in their 26-14 win over Druid Hills. The 6’4″ two-way player scored two touchdowns on the night, one coming off a short pass and his elite speed ran away from the defense, and the other an interception, with a similar result. White’s blazing speed produced 212 total yards of offense on the night. At 6’4″ 206 lbs., and just a junior, almost every P4 team in the country has to be excited at White’s potential.
Zion Hudson
2026 Peach Co.
Wide Receiver
The Peach County junior had a huge game in their tough loss against Perry last Friday. Hudson totaled 233 yards on just 5 receptions for 2 touchdowns. A remarkable game where he averaged 46.6 yards per catch. On defense, Hudson also had 2 tackles and managed to recover an onside kick as well. Hudson was an athlete who progressed quickly throughout the 2023 season and looks to be among the top playmakers in 3A this season.
Praise Chane
2026 Mt. Pisgah
Linebacker
Praise Chane is among the top linebackers in the class of ’26, and in last Friday’s game against Mt. Paran Christian, Chane totaled 17 tackles. The game was very close, but ultimately, Mt. Pisgah did fall 17-13, but nonetheless, Chane’s efforts were remarkable. On top of his great defense, Chane had several touches on offense where he looked equally explosive. The junior even booted a rugby-style punt over 50 yards downfield too. He is a jack-of-all-trades football player, but his tackling fundamentals in the open field are truly elite.
Griffin Harper
2026 Flowery Branch
Athlete
Harper had a huge game against Habersham Central going for 177 yards and a score along with 8 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. Flowery Branch pulled ahead with a 23-13 victory, and Harper’s efforts undoubtedly had a major impact. Our eyes already light up hearing that Harper is a state champion in wrestling. The junior plays the game with relentless energy and has an explosive burst as soon as he touches the rock.
Tripp Underwood
2025 Stephens Co.
Quarterback
Stephens County handled business against their local rival Elbert County beating them 38-21. Underwood dished out all 5 touchdowns on the night going 22-31 and 315 passing yards. Underwood showed off his arm strength with a 50-yard strike deep downfield while also hitting his receivers nicely from intermediate range as well. He will play a huge factor in Stephens County’s push to win a 2A state title.
Zayden Cook
2025 Chattooga
Running Back
Zayden Cook was in the kitchen late on Friday night cooking up a 303-yard and 4-touchdown special for Coahulla Creek. Chattooga trounced them 28-0, Cook scoring all of the touchdowns. The speedy senior is running behind his pads well this season, fighting for extra yardage and showing a good burst coming out of his cuts. Cook will prove to be one of the best running backs in Class A this season, his speed on top of more physical running will create some huge plays for the Indians. On the recruiting front, it’s hard to think of many uncommitted backs in the state with his speed still flying in the radar.
JT Way
2025 Pope
Running Back
Pope took it to Dunwoody scoring 41 to their 27, and senior RB JT Way tough running assisted in a great way. The 5’6″ and 145 lbs. runner carried the ball 25 times for a total of 183 yards and a score. Way runs the ball so hard, he gets upfield in a hurry and does a nice job of reading his blocks. We have seen the senior create several explosive plays this early season. Way uses his quickness to get around defenders and seemingly increases speed coming out of a cut, but his toughness for his size is where I’m the most impressed. Local programs need to watch.
Justis Lester
2025 Alexander
Linebacker
Alexander had a huge 14-13 win over Lassiter last Friday and senior linebacker Justis Lester came up huge. As one coach put it, “He put the team on his back on Friday.” Lester had 5 solo tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks, one being for a safety on top of a few more pressures on the QB. His intensity and impact when shooting the gaps were instrumental in their impressive win. Lester’s early season success comes as no surprise, he always impressed during the offseason with his weightlifting and constant improvement. The senior is a strong prospect for local colleges to recruit.
