Class 7A State Championship Preview: Collins Hill vs. Milton

It’s the 7A state championship matchup everyone has been waiting for. The 13-1 Milton Eagles take on the undefeated and 14-0 Collins Hill Eagles. It’s game filled with elite talent on both sidelines. Some of the top prospects and teams in the entire country going at it on the state’s biggest stage. Here are a few top prospects to know about in this massive 7A showdown... Milton (12-1) <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/lebbeus-overton/">[player_tooltip player_id="71313" first="Lebbeus" last="Overton"]<img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/lt-new-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/lt-new-150x150.jpg" /></a> – DL One of the top overall defenders across the country, <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/lebbeus-overton/">[player_tooltip player_id="71313" first="Lebbeus" last="Overton"]<img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/lt-new-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/lt-new-150x150.jpg" /></a> is an elite EDGE defender in the 2023 class who can get after the passer with the best of them. The 6-foot-5 260-pounder is a great athlete who can turn around and make plays on offense as well. He’s a game-wrecker as a defender and a great option carrying the ball on the goal-line. He’s a five-star for a reason and he’s expected be tough to handle for the Collins Hill offensive tackles. He’s true an eelite playmaker to keep an eye on.   <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jordan-mcdonald/">[player_tooltip player_id="95164" first="Jordan" last="McDonald"]</a> – RB One of the top senior backs in the state, the Central Florida commitment is a big, powerful back with deceptive speed. He’s a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball and knows how to break tackles as well as anyone in the area. He’s tough, physical, and has really impressed so far in the playoffs, rushing through every defense he’s gone up against over the last few weeks.. He will get plenty of opportunities to run the ball on Saturday night, and if he has another big game, the Eagles could be lifting up the trophy once again.   <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/bryce-thornton/">[player_tooltip player_id="34033" first="Bryce" last="Thornton"]<img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/UP1_9824-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/UP1_9824-150x150.jpg" /></a> – ATH One of the top athletes in the region, the standout defensive back in one of the best across Georgia in the 2023 class. He’s quick, shifty, and showed great ball skills throughout the season. He’s an impact defender in the secondary, but he’s a reliable option on offense as well as a running back and receiver. Only a junior, Thornton is one of the biggest playmakers on the team and will be involved often against Collins Hill in multiple ways. He’s one of the top 2023 prospects to know in the season’s final game.   Collins Hill (13-0) <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/travis-hunter/">[player_tooltip player_id="33861" first="Travis" last="Hunter"]<img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/IMG_6578-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/IMG_6578-150x150.jpg" /></a> – ATH The No. 1 overall high school player in the country, Hunter is healthy and ready to make an impact again at both receiver and defensive back. Hunter has elite ball skills, speed, and big-play ability. He’s a lockdown defensive back with his natural instincts and lean frame. At receiver, his body control, strong hands, and overall athleticism make him an easy five-star. The Florida State commitment can do it all, and he does it all well. Look for him to prove why he’s the nation’s top prospect on Friday night against Grayson. He had an impressive 1st-half touchdown against the Grayson Rams in the semi-finals while locking down his side of the field as a defensive back. He’s easily the highest-ranked prospect in the game.   <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/sam-horn/">[player_tooltip player_id="33893" first="Sam" last="Horn"]</a> – QB One of the top 2022 QBs in the South, the long, athletic passer and Missouri commitment has had a great senior season so far, throwing for over 3,200 yards and over 30 touchdown passes. A top baseball player as well, Horn can also make plays with his feet, rushing for over 400 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s playing at an extremely high level and should be on his “A” game Friday night.   Asani Redwood – EDGE One of the breakout players across the state, Redwood has been dominant off the edge and has been on of the top overall pass rushers across the state this year. A big-time defender, Redwood has great burst off the snap and is still fairly new to the game. He’s progressed each week and had been unstoppable for most of this season. The senior has made over 95 tackles, over 35 TFLs and has 17 sacks. Look for him to continue disrupting the QB on Saturday night.   Other players to know.... 2022 QB [player_tooltip player_id="33991" first="Devin" last="Farrell"] - Milton 2023 DB Jayden Davis - Collins Hill 2023 DB Robert Billings - Milton 2023 TE [player_tooltip player_id="220719" first="Ethan" last="Davis"] - Collins Hill 2022 OL Mo Clipper Jr. - Milton 2022 LB Roberto Bryant - Collins Hill 2022 TE [player_tooltip player_id="33880" first="Jack" last="Nickel"] - Milton 2023 LB Deon Crawford 2024 WR [player_tooltip player_id="137437" first="Debron" last="Gatling"] - Milton 2022 RB Spenser Anderson - Collins Hill