Here are the Week 8 standouts from our weekend research. We have a quick write-up on each of the 10 athletes we 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.
Antwann Hill
2025 Houston Co.
Quarterback
A.J. Hill completed 23 passes for 489 yards and eight touchdowns in a huge 63-22 blowout win over Northside-WR. Hill spread the football around, hitting three different receivers for a score. The talented Memphis commit has 1709 yards on the season.
Reid Giles
2026 Rabun Co.
Athlete
Rabun County junior Reid Giles had 379 total yards and 5 touchdowns. His team fell 42-38, but the game still showcased Giles’ excellent speed into the open field. He had 20 carries, 232 rushing yards, and 3 rushing TDs with also 5 catches, 61 receiving yards, and another score. Plus, an 86-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown. Giles is a promising 2026 prospect to watch closely.
Travis Smith Jr.
2025 Westlake
Wide Receiver
Sure, Westlake lost to the #1 ranked team in 6A, but Travis Smith was great again grabbing 10 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Regardless of the outcome, when you are exclusively guarded by FBS commits, and you produce at a level like last Friday, then you are one of the top performers in the state.
Jae Lamar
2026 Colquitt Co.
Running Back
Colquitt County’s 38-35 thriller against Lowndes might be the game of the season so far, and junior Jae Lamar’s performance was one to remember. He rushed for 182 yards on 13 carries and caught a 77-yard touchdown pass that was the GHSF Daily Play of the Day on Monday. Lamar is earning offers from P4 offers left and right, including one from UGA today. With a 250-yard performance against a bitter rival, Lamar is well-deserved to be a top player of the week.
Jaylen Johnson
2026 Thomas Co. Central
Quarterback
The ever-efficient Jaylen Johnson was 17-of-28 passing for 407 yards and five touchdowns in an easy 61-10 blowout win over Veterans. The junior has one of the best games of his career so far, continuing to impress as one of the top dual-threat QBs in his recruiting class. Johnson’s progress as a passer will be something to watch for the rest of the season, and this game is a great step forward.
Caden McGatha
2025 Pierce Co.
Quarterback
Pierce County pounded Cook 42-7 but not through traditional means. Senior QB Caden McGatha completed 17-of-25 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for 155 yards and another score. McGatha continues to impress his senior year, leading Pierce County to the #1 ranking and a hopeful repeat champion in 2A. The senior is the toughest player in 2A.
Jerimiah Burns
2027 Dodge Co.
Athlete
Dodge County’s Jerimiah Burns was huge in their 35-24 win over Washington County. The sophomore had 310 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns on just three touches. He scored kickoff returns from 90 and 91 yards. Then while down 24-21 in the 4th quarter, Burns caught a 69-yard catch that setup the go-ahead score and then clinched the game with an interception later in the 4th that was returned 60 yards. The sophomore shows some legit speed and will be a guy to watch going forward.
Qua Cooper
2025 Manchester
Athlete
Qua Cooper ran for 139 on offense while totaling 11 tackles and forced a fumble on defense in a 28-20 win over arch-rival Bowdon. Bowdon is unseated as the #1 team in Class A Div II and Manchester is now the #2 team in the classification. No film from the Bowdon game, or senior film in general, but Cooper is an All-State athlete who is among the top players in Class A Div II. He is an explosive athlete with great speed, and last we talked over the summer was still hearing from D1 programs with recruiting.
Chris Noble
2025 Stockbridge
Safety
Noble helps his team to the 14-10 win over previously undefeated Ola with an incredible 17 tackles performance. Tackle totals can differ from each team, but Noble’s 13 solos were nearly double to 2nd place and he also had 1 tackle for a loss. the senior was visiting UGA over the weekend and is playing big-time football right now. Very physical safety prospect who is getting more and more D1 traction with his recruitment.
Logan Inagawa
2025 Starr’s Mill
Quarterback
Starr’s Mill continues to have Central-Carroll’s number, and senior Logan Inagawa has been the key piece. Whether he is tossing the football half the length of the field for crucial scores or rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns, Inagawa makes a big impact. He finished the game completing 8-of-10 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The 38-35 win follows a 35-29 win in the quarterfinals of the 2023 playoffs. Inagawa has the intangibles that D1 programs should covet at QB. His 49-yard touchdown pass to Lincoln DeLaere was named Play of the Week on Monday.
